Welcome to Westborough Patch!

Welcome to Westborough Patch! As the editor, I am anxious to share the daily stories of our town with you. As a journalist, documenting life is what I do. But I also feel a weighted appreciation for this opportunity because, for me, the stories of Westborough are not just the tales of a town. They are the stories that define the lives of my friends, neighbors and family.

I moved to Westborough almost 20 years ago when the town was adjusting to a burst of residential development and the accompanying influx of families. Companies were moving employees around the country with regularity at that time, and many transplants were landing in Westborough for a short stay.

The stories of that era reflect underlying tension between lifelong residents and their new neighbors. There was concern by some over the taking and shaking of property for development. There was a quiet conflict emerging between progress and tradition.

These differences have since melded, as happens in history. But on an intimate level in an immediate time, the stories carried passion. Staunch debates erupted over lighting the high school football field, rezoning the town for a third elementary school, maintaining open space, and possibly building a new high school. The conversation was lively and necessary. As a community, we discussed, debated and decided.

Our town has journeyed through a host of stories through the years, some with trauma and sadness. The recent deaths of the Bibarts echoed the horror of the Pepper murders over a decade earlier. We shed a collective tear when learning of the loss of local heroes such as Greg Montalbano, and we mourned together upon hearing of the enormous national loss on 9/11.

But for each heartwrenching story that has headlined Westborough news, there are several more that celebrate our spirit, resources and resilience. The moving tributes to our veterans at the annual Memorial Day Parade brings out hundreds of residents, family fun fills West Main Street for the Fourth of July, summer evenings find dozens laughing at our ice cream stands, kids squeal and smile as they sled at the Westborough Country Club after a hearty snowfall, and we proudly celebrate the graduation of our town seniors each June.

Our memories are filled with great tales of Fourth of July fireworks at the high school, singing and swaying to performers at the Vienna Coffeehouse, and eating Sunday brunch at the original Rotary Diner.

These are the stories that define our lives. Westborough Patch is about collecting these stories, sharing our thoughts, laughing together, debating our issues, and electing our leaders.

As we firmly settle into the online generation, make this a regular stop on your daily web adventures. Check us out for news, features, announcements, events, photographs and comments. Join the conversation by posting your thoughts. Follow Westborough Patch on Facebook and Twitter.

As a reporter, I look forward to sharing Westborough's story. Please help me to tell it by contacting me at maryjo.kurtz@patch.com or 508-667-7525 with news, ideas, thoughts and memories. Or take the time to post these directly onto the site.

Welcome to your stories. Welcome to Westborough Patch!