The following local students graduated from the University of Massachusetts Lowell this spring: Boxford: Robert A. Lake, Jonathan Mark Panutich and Chadwick Eugene Rabe. North Andover: Melissa A. Atwood, Elias P. Azzi, Francis Thomas Cannata, Patrick Ryan Casey, Jonah E. Choquette, Melissa A. Corrao, Daniel D. Gabriel, Kelly M. Griffiths, Salvatore P. Guglielmino, Jaclyn Mackenzie Harrold, Jesse Lee Lockwood, Daniel Thomas Morrison, Kathleen Marie Palombo, Matthew V. Rauscher, Paul Anthony Tusa Jr., Katherine Tylus and Jacqueline M. Vaudo.

Complete coverage of the class of 2008. The section includes class photos, multimedia, highlights, messages, a list of graduates and more. Check back for more stories as the seniors attend their proms and graduate.

Annie's Book Stop, a long time fixture in downtown North Andover, will close today, July 31.
Annie's owner Judy Normandin said the rising cost of fuel, wages and rent makes it tough to keep up with the economy. Ongoing construction and renovation at Messina's Shopping Centre, where Annie's is located, is also a factor, she said.

Several local students were recently honored for their outstanding efforts in spring athletics this year at Austin Prep in Reading, Mass.:
BOXFORD:
r Steve Dusel, senior, track, outstanding performer award

The Masconomet Middle School in Topsfield has announced its honor roll for the third trimester of the 2007-08 school year:
Seventh Grade High Honors
Emma Bailey, Lucas Bavaro, Amanda Bibbins, Ionelee Brogna, Allia Brown, Jonathan Cabour, Erin Corcoran, Bianca Devirgilio, Michael Dillon, Melissa DiTucci, Emily Feltault, Maura Feltault, Anne French, Sarah Gould, Catherine Headrick, Cameron Hebert, Caroline Hillier, Caroline Hooven, Madelaine Ives, London Judge, Sarah Lang, Bethany Leaf, Rhea Lewis, Andrea Lindquist, Kevin Low, Dylan Mann, Olivia Marshall, Samantha Martin, Charles May, Daniel Mercer, Dean Mirabito, Jake Moorman, Margaret Mullard, Emily Murawski, Kathryn Prescott, Nicole Raphael, Molly Riordan, Sarah Rodgers, Haley Sabino, Jessica Schiff, Alyssa Schmid, Sara Schroer, Emily Schultz, Charles Sherman, Justin Stachtiaris, Jessica Tin, Anh Uong, Speros Varinos, Joshua Wingardner, Ian Wootan, Jacob Wootan, Mila Zernich

In several years of writing for Town Crossings, I have met and talked to countless people from Boxford and North Andover, each with a different story. I am thankful for each one.
As I sit down to write for the last issue of Town Crossings, the song "So Long, Farewell" from "The Sound of Music" is running through my head. I am flooded with memories from the past three years: of school classrooms I've visited; Memorial Day parades and ceremonies I've covered; veterinarians, cooks, mail carriers, travel agents and other professional's I've profiled; the good work done by nonprofit organizations, Scout troops and churches.

Osgood Landing boasts largest private solar array in state
NORTH ANDOVER — One of the largest buildings in the Merrimack Valley now boasts the largest privately owned solar panel array in the state.

To our readers:
You hold in your hands the final issue of Town Crossings, this free, community newspaper that covers Boxford and North Andover.
We at Town Crossings have been proud to cover the special events and people of these two towns. We thank you for inviting us into your homes and lives, and for sharing your stories with us and your fellow residents. It has been our pleasure to offer you this publication.

In the usual tradition, the networks appear to be stretching it for programming this summer, with the latest attempt being another reality show, this one focused on finding the greatest American dog. Look out, Lassie.

Due to foul weather, the Andover/North Andover YMCA's Dallas Night event, originally scheduled for tonight, July 24, has been postponed. Dallas Night is now rescheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 27, at the same time (Dinner seating times are 5:45, 6:15 and 6:45 p.m.), said Elizabeth Covino, director of marketing and public relations for the YMCA.

Wanted: a loving home for more than 30 kittens and adult cats rescued by the nonprofit Animal Rescue Merrimack Valley.
Besides feline companionship, adopters will get a $20 gas gift card, a three-pound bag of cat food and reduced adoption fees.

This summer, there is a banyan tree growing in the children's room of Stevens Memorial Library in North Andover. The tree — a paper version of the real tree native to Asia — has been growing bigger as children trace their handprints, adding paper "leaves" to it.

CLUES ACROSS
1. Dish baked in pastry-lined pan
4. Radioactivity units
8. Overcooked toast
10. Gaultheria shallon
11. "I Am Sam" actress Fanning
12. Central Florida city
13. Soothsayer
17. Wrath
18. Stomach creases

Barbara Bush once said that she believes togetherness is a very important ingredient to family life. But I seriously doubt the former First Lady ever spent a week in a four-room cabin with eight of her relatives in the middle of the woods in the Berkshires. I'm just saying ... it puts a different sort of spin on togetherness.

Town considers privatization of Stevens Estate
NORTH ANDOVER — The town's days of hosting weddings could be numbered.
Selectmen are considering allowing a private company to take over the town-owned Stevens Estate — an 1886 mansion with a carriage house and lush gardens and trails — because the town has lost money running it in the last couple of years.

Golf classic
Dust off your golf clubs. It's time for the Central Catholic High School 2008 Golf Classic, dinner and auction. The event is set for Monday, July 28, and will honor alumni Dr. Thomas Carney, Class of '43, and G. Thomas Catalano , Class of '50. Proceeds from the event go toward CCHS' Montagne Project, which annually provides scholarships to deserving students.

Building havens
North Andover resident Thomas Lee helped Boston Red Sox Gold Glove first baseman Kevin Youkilis raise money that helps families of children undergoing cancer treatments. Specifically, the money goes to an organization called Christopher's Haven.

Just when I was starting to despair over the price of groceries, when the price of filling my gas tank suddenly became what my grocery bill used to be; just when I had started to lose sleep wondering how we'll actually be able to send four kids to college a decade from now, my son has found the solution to all of life's troubles.

Boxford seeks affordable housing applicants
BOXFORD — The town is soliciting applications for vacancies in its stock of affordable housing, which typically happen about once a year. The five-page applications are due by 4 p.m. Monday, July 21, at Town Hall.

This summer, Boxford 13-year-old Ian Tengler has been hanging with an unsavory character called Harry the Horse. He's learned how to place bets, gamble with dice, and warn his gambling buddies about the police with slang terms.

NORTH ANDOVER Senior Center
HOME is a government-sponsored initiative serving Massachusetts citizens age 62 and older who are in danger of losing their homes due to foreclosure. If you or someone you know is facing this situation, you can get counseling and help.

Calling all cowboys and cowgirls: the Andover/North Andover YMCA invites you to saddle up for a boot-scootin' good time at the 13th annual Dallas Night family barbecue.
The family-friendly event usually draws around 400 people, many in cowboy hats, bandanas and other Western garb, for an outdoor cookout, music, dancing and other activities for pseudo-Texans young and old. The event is open to the community, YMCA members and nonmembers alike.

Austin Preparatory School celebrated its 43rd commencement this year with Headmaster Paul Moran awarding diplomas to 110 graduates of the Class of 2008. Austin's 1,200 seat Multi-Purpose Facility was filled to capacity as the graduates, friends, family, faculty and staff gathered to celebrate the occasion.

Plenty of horsing around in Boxford on Saturday
Saturday, July 19: BTA/BOLT Dressage and Horse Show, beginning with fitting and showing at 8 a.m. Events include jump classes, trail ring events and the "egg and spoon" competitions that require youths to walk, trot or jog their horse while balancing an egg in a spoon. Spectators are welcome to the private field in Boxford. For information or directions, visit www.btabolt.org.

After a season of ball drills and hard work, several local youth soccer teams have emerged as top dogs in their divisions.
The North Andover Red Fury, a team of 14-year-old boys, are state champions after defeating a team from Brookline in an overtime game during the last weekend in June. The team finished the spring season undefeated, with championships in the Salem State tournament, the Danvers Invitational Memorial Day tournament, the Pingree ECYSA League Championship and the State MTOC Championship.

With gas prices hovering around $4 per gallon, residents and families have a close-to-home opportunity to enjoy time at the beach: the town ponds.
Both Stevens Pond in North Andover and Stiles Pond in Boxford are open and staffed with lifeguards and offer swimmers a large, roped-off section of water, giving parents some peace of mind as they sit in beach chairs nearby.

NORTH ANDOVER Senior Center
HOME is a government-sponsored initiative serving Massachusetts citizens age 62 and older who are in danger of losing their homes due to foreclosure. If you or someone you know is facing this situation, you can get counseling and help.

Free summer concerts at Ashland Farms: Two free concerts will be held as part of Ashland Farm at North Andover's summer celebration of music. The fun begins at 5 p.m. with a hamburger and hot dog barbecue, and the music starts at 6 p.m. Don't forget to bring your blanket or lawn chairs. Please RSVP at 978-683-1300.

Boxford libraries cut hours, budgets
BOXFORD — It's going to be a bit harder for Boxford residents to curl up with a good summer book — or even get a book for the sofa near the fireplace this winter.

I heard myself saying the words just yesterday: "It's way too hot outside."
This from a girl who claims, at least for nine months of the year, that we live in the most forsaken territory in all the land — the frozen tundra, the land that Mother Nature forgot with its blizzards and hurricanes and springs that sometimes never come.

Last Tuesday, students at Franklin Elementary lined up in their classrooms, counting down "five, four, three, two ... one!" as the bell rang at 11:40 a.m.
June 24, a half day, was also the last day of school in North Andover, and once the bell sounded, the youth flooded the hallways, headed toward vacation. Cries of "have a good summer" from students and teachers mixed with the ageless rhyme "no more pencils, no more books, no more teachers' dirty looks" as Franklin students boarded school buses for the last time this school year.

The North Andover Soccer board has recognized several high school seniors who played for NASA over the years by presenting them with scholarships. "These individuals not only excelled in their studies but also gave their energy and time to NASA and the town of North Andover," according to the group.

Due to a spelling error in the list given to Town Crossings from Masconomet High School, there was an incorrect spelling in the Masconomet 2008 graduation list, printed in the June 12 edition. The nam

Boxford's Spofford Pond Elementary School Band played at McCoy Stadium recently before a Pawtucket Red Sox baseball game. Under the direction of Andrea Monty, the band, consisting of fifth- and sixth-graders, played "Take Me Out To The Ball Game," the national anthem and several other numbers.

Stevens Pond on Pleasant Street in North Andover is now open for the summer, through Aug. 22.
The pond is available to North Andover residents only and is open rain or shine, seven days a week, 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

When hundreds of runners and walkers hit the pavement for the 29th annual Boxford Fourth of July Road Race, they'll all be wearing T-shirts with a design by Boxford fourth-grader Sarah Scherbak.
"I'm going to feel really special to know that it was mine," said Sarah, 101/2, with a giggle. "It's going to be really exciting because my picture will be everywhere."

A friend of mine recently landed a job. A good job, and one in her intended field. After staying home for almost a decade to jump start the lives of her daughters, she is breaking new ground.
Sure, I know many women who never left working at the office, and I know many who did. Some who are part-time, and others have managed to work from home. Some became consultants in their areas of expertise; a few became sales experts in "new" areas of expertise — cosmetics, pricey entertaining must-haves and jewelry. No offense, but these are the ladies to whom I give a quick wave and duck away from, because they are very persuasive at swaying their friends to host sales parties under the guise of a "ladies night out." They pronounce, with a big grin, "No pressure! It's just to have fun!"

The Friends of the Boxford Town Libraries hosted its annual meeting and spring luncheon recently at the Georgetown Club. About 150 people were in attendance to hear New York Times acclaimed author Leah Hager Cohen speak.

Boxford residents are invited to show their patriotic spirit and love of "Wild Reads" with the Friends of the Boxford Library on July 4. The group is looking for people to march with it in Boxford's town parade.

Boxford summer park program launches for second year: The Park Program at Stiles Pond is back this summer, and registration is open to children entering kindergarten through seventh grade. The program is designed to provide social and creative activities for children in a safe, supervised recreational atmosphere at Koster Field, next to Stiles Pond in Boxford.

NORTH ANDOVER Senior Center
HOME is a government-sponsored initiative serving Massachusetts citizens age 62 and older who are in danger of losing their homes due to foreclosure. If you or someone you know is facing this situation, you can get counseling and help.

Just recently I went to Washington D.C. I walked the mall. I saw everything, monuments, museums, the White House and more. When I was visiting I had an opinion on what I saw, like if I were president what would I do to change things or if I would keep it the same. I enjoyed seeing Washington D.C. and everything that goes on in it on a daily basis. Washington D.C. is a beautiful city so I decided to write "If I were President" essay so I can relate what I just saw.

Century Preschool in North Andover was filled with royalty recently at a special year-end mother's tea. The event had a castle theme, and students, age 2 years and 9 months through 5 years, sang dressed as "lords" and "ladies" for an audience of proud parents and grandparents.

Are you a North Andover senior citizen willing to volunteer time in exchange for a tax break? The North Andover Council on Aging/Senior Center is taking applications during the months of June and July for the Fiscal Year 2009 Senior Citizens Property Tax Work-off Abatement Program.

For 11-year-old Zahra Fatehi, nature conservation is a work of art as well as a work of heart.
The North Andover youngster recently took third place in the Massachusetts Arbor Day Poster Contest, combining two things she loves: art and environmentalism.

Interim principal hired for Thomson Elementary
NORTH ANDOVER — A principal search at Thomson Elementary School came up empty, so the district has tapped a familiar face to lead the school.
Gregg Gilligan, assistant principal at North Andover High School, will take over as interim principal at Thomson after John McAleer retires in a few weeks.

It has become increasingly evident to me that both my hearing and vision have become...less than perfect over the past few years. Despite the glaring signs, I remain in denial, still wearing the magnifying glasses you can get free at CVS when you purchase a vat of Metamusil.

Blood drive: There will be a Red Cross community blood drive from 2 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 26, held at the North Andover Knights of Columbus hall, 505 Sutton St., North Andover.
Blood type "O" is especially needed by the Red Cross. Donors at the North Andover blood drive can enter a raffle for a Red Sox tickets prize pack or an $100 gas card.

Bucknell University conferred nearly 900 bachelor's and master's degrees during commencement ceremonies May 18. Degrees were awarded for studies in liberal arts and professional programs in engineering, education, management and music. The following Boxford student was among the graduates: