Lee P. passed

 

Just heard from Rob that Lee passed in April after a long hospice stay at Sterling Rehab.

Lee was one of our most cherished meeting openers many years ago when she was part of our group, best known for her trademark "Happy Friday!" cheerful opening, which set the tone perfectly. Sadly her memorial has passed. Her smile and warm nature will be long remembered.

Obituary is at the Fitchburg paper and legacy.com

Clinton Central Park 60th Anniversary

 Standing room only at our 60th, I think we used every chair but the pews upstairs. A great feed and great speakers obtained by Dennis: Sandy from Ashburnham Sunday Night and Dale from Rutland. In attendance our long timers Tom B. (pictured with Tami and the cake, thanks Dianne), Big Al...and many more from all over. Thanks to all who worked, cooked, baked, and kept us going all these years.

Yahtzee Girl has passed on

 

Pat C. passed away suddenly last Saturday, sober nearly 29 years.  Pat traveled with us on commitments for many years and was very active in her church as well as AA. Known to some as half-a-cake Pat, for me she was "Yahtzee girl" due to her ever present game console. In recent hears she traveled less because of her hearing but she remained faithful to her church and her AA program till the end. We will miss you Pat. 

Memorial Service are July 8 at 11:00 am at the Presbyterian Church where Shamrock meets.

Obituary is at the McVally funeral home web site

Add Central Park calendar to your phone calendar

The Central Park calendar is how we publish our events, like incoming groups, outgoing commitments and anniversaries  of other groups that we learn about, and other AA related events. The calendar widget on this site is one way to view it but many will want it nearer to hand on their cell phones calendar app.

There are many phone calendar apps out there, most will allow the integration of another public calendar with your personal calendar, the most common method being "by URL". So find out how your particular calendar does it. It will be a control labeled "other calendars" or "add calendar". Sometimes the app provider (Google for example) will want you to do it via their web interface.

 Here is the address of our web calendar.

https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0?cid=Y2VudHJhbHBhcmtjbGludG9uQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ

Tom B. Celebrates 58 years

Today Jan 2 2022 our beloved remaining founder Tom celebrates 58 years of sobriety. Here are some photos from this blog from when Tom got his 46 year medallion, pictured with  John T. and Mike B. who spoke that night with many others.

Tom B. helped John T. and Paul O. found the Central Park Group in May of 1964 when Tom had but 5 months of sobriety. For the past many decades Tom has been our main commitment organizer and hot dog announcer. Recently he has missed meetings due to illness but he sounded good today on the phone and will receive his 58 year medallion when he is ready to get out again.

Kathy V.

 

Our dear friend and group member Kathy V. passed away after a period of illness. She reached 60 years of sobriety just a few days ago, with a universe of friends and family who loved her. 

Slattery's Funeral Home
40 Pleasant St. Marlboro Ma.

Sterling BB Open for live meetings

The Sterling Thursday night meeting has re-opened for live in person meetings. This is an open-to-the-public Big Book "Lite" meeting, we read a chapter and discuss. Perfect for newcomers with questions about the Big Book and the AA way of life. Every Thursday 8-9PM St Richards church basement (Bridge St).

Grand Re-opening July 2 2021

 

Central Park group of AA Clinton MA  established 1964

Website: http://centralparkaa.blogspot.com/

Grand (relatively speaking) Reopening July 2

Good Shepherd Church 8-9pm no break ( we will go back to 9:30 when we can have breaks and food)

Hello my CCP peeps....we are starting up again indoors at the Good Shepherd church.

We have to make some adjustments in the near term to comply with church, state and CDC guidelines.

• Stay home if you have any symptoms just to be on the safe side- if you come down with COVID at any time please notify Clinton BOH for tracing purposes
  
• Hygiene We will make hand sanitizer and wipes available, and wipe down handles, mic and chairs after the meeting.
• chairs will be spaced 3-6 ft, (exception if you are from the same household.) masks optional esp if vaccinated . Try to set chairs further back from podium.
  
• Commitments - I will maintain the calendar for incoming and outgoing. We have an outgoing to Townsend Wed Jun 30 leaving town 6:30. They are the incoming for July 2.
• FOOD - we won't be using the kitchen, or making coffee until the state opens completely and we are notified by church. You are free to bring coffee, drinks, snacks, including to share, but you MUST take out everything including trash when you leave.
• NON-HYBRID - this is a live meeting only. We won't be using any technology unless the group decides as a group to do so. At present there does not seem to be support for zooming the meeting.
• The substitute groups for  ccp and shamrock which sprung up at the center Tues and Friday night may be discontinued shortly unless there is a covid surge and we are evicted from church.
• Dennis A. is inheriting the book from Tom B. thanks to you both for your service

God Bless your Efforts.....rocky

Bob B passed

 Bob B. , one of the areas best speakers and a very important part of my start in AA, has passed.Bob was an accomplished musician and comedian who carried to many the encouragement to seek recovery. His message about the true nature of belief and faith and its triumph over fear resonated with myself and countless others.

Calling hours Sunday March 7 2-6pm Dracut Funeral home

Obituary link

Montachusett Recovery Club Leominster MA

 Another in-person location that is opening and getting started. A sober club like Clinton has, with morning and nooner meetings as well as some evening meetings.

Leominster Original Group is moving there beginning Monday Nov 9 7:45 PM.

Lake Whalom meeting is moving there too Saturday 7:30 PM

here is image of flyer

Cindy P. (clinton, Lancaster)

Our Central Park member Cindy P. (Big Al's daughter) passed away peacefully on Saturday. Best known for her softball skills, especially with our own coach Tom B., her sweet tooth and fiery spirit, Cindy will be missed.

Services are Thursday Sep 10, at Philbins Funeral home in Clinton.

Link to Obituary and Services

Big Al celebrates 40 years!

 Big Al celebrated his 40th year milestone at the AA center on high st. In a town of characters, Al is number one character, and an example of service for us all. Opening and making coffee for decades, also a member of the Friday night Central Park Group, Alfred has been informing, teaching, welcoming, going on commitments, and generally spreading the good news of sobriety. He always reminds us that he has his car outside, his keys and license in his pocket, and that nobody is going to tell him what to do! 84 years old and going strong, We love you Al.

Leon P. (Orange AA)

With sadness, I report that Leon P.  from Orange passed on, after a long battle with the cancer. Longtime buddy of John T.  and great friend of Clinton Central park. Obituary is here Obituary

Local Live meetings

Some live meetings are happening in the area. Social distancing or masks are recommended, particularly indoors

• Clinton Alcoholism and Addiction Information Center 256 High St. Clinton (across from Sonny's liquors, on the main business street)
• M-F 12-1 & 7:30pm
• Sat 11am &7pm
• Sunday 9:30am & 7pm 
• MWF - Lunenburg CBB United Church 6:00 - 7:00 PM 
• MWF -Leominster Barett Park  outside 8am
• TTS - Leominster Barett Park outside 10am
• Wednesday - Clinton Central Park  outside Wed 5pm
  
• Wednesday Maynard  Eagles Club, 65 Nason St.    7:45-9 p.m.
• Wednesday Gardner  EARLY SOBRIETY, Knights of Columbus, 110 South Main St. 7-8pm  
• Wednesday Princeton  Prince of Peace Church, Route 62 and 31 8-9pm
  (outside)
• Thursday - Bolton  CBB12  1st Parish church Rt117 near 495
  673 Main St. Outside 7:30pm
• Thursday C12 Berlin St. Joseph's Church, Rte. 62 7:30 p.m
• Friday St. Camillus  BB Discussion, 333 Mechanic Street Fitchburg, MA
• Saturday Leominster Lake Whalom Meeting - Our Lady of the Lake, 1400 Main St.   outside 6:30-7:30pm
• Saturday Milbury Traditions Federated Church Center7:30-8:30 p.m.
• Saturday Clinton Central Park Sat Morning- outside Sat 8am
• Saturday Lunenburg Sat OD New Freedom United 39 Main St.    5:30 p.m. 
• Sunday Fitchburg Morning  Masonic Hall Klondike & Thorndike St. 10:15 - 11:30 am
  
• Sunday Ashburnham  Community Church, Rt. 12 6:15 p.m. (outside)
  
• If you hear of others please comment or contact rocky to update this post

Local Zoom meetings

Worcester Area Intergroup (see links of interest) has compiled a list of local Zoom hosted AA meetings. Some home groups have started back up with their commitment schedules, just online. Plus there  are lots of discussion, study groups, and meetings of all sorts. The listing is on a public spreadsheet , click the link below..

AA Virtual Meeting List

COVID-19 Fallout

Most of the churches and venues hosting AA gatherings are closed for a while to minimize transmission of COVID-19 until the state guidelines change. The "Links of Interest" list on this page provides handy links to online meetings and speakers and recordings and the complete Clinton MA meeting list.

Note: At present the noontime meetings at the Clinton Alcoholism and Addiction Information Center 256 High St, will continue. In addition a few temporary additional meetings have been arranged at the center until Shamrock, Central Park and Sterling are reopened, with a speaker/discussion format. At all these please practice social distancing

• Monday 7:30-8:30
• Tuesday 7:30-8:30
• Thursday 7:30-8:30
• Friday 7:30-8:30 

Elsewhere:  

• Sober Sunset at the DAM
  When: 1/2 hour before sunset, 1/2 hour after(when its nice out)
  Where: The top of the Wachusett reservoir dam on rt 70, bring a beach chair, blanket, folding chair, watch the sun go down with light music, meditate if you like. Update: DCR have roped off the area, no longer happening

Stay sane and safe, help others, maintain connection....

"This too shall pass"

Update: 3-23-2020 The state has issued a stay-at-home guideline, and limited gatherings to less than 10. It would be prudent for at-risk folks to remain at home. Big Al and a few others have been keeping the Center open. Not sure how much longer this can continue.

 

UPDATE: 28-Aug-2020 Who would have believed this would go on so long? Good Shepherd church sent us some (3 pages) requirements for reopening which looked unworkable to us (including taking attendance) , so we declined and will revisit in a few months. Restaurants, sporting events, hotels and airlines OK , but no AA meetings inside churches??

In my newcomer head

An oldie that Father Leo heard on the radio after an intense experience. Heard it a million times, but never really heard it until I heard Father Leo refer to it in his story. You will recognize the song.
----------------------------------------------------------------
When I was younger, so much younger than today,
I never needed anybody's help in any way.
But now those days are gone, I'm not so self assured.
Now I find I've changed my mind and opened up the doors.
Help me if you can, I'm feeling down,
And I do appreciate you being round,
Help me get my feet back on the ground,
Won't you please, please help me

Lennon, McCartney


 

OLD TIME AA

 Old Time AA


Many years ago back in the day.
The halls were filled with old timers.
Great memories, great people, it's different today.
Jack the Barber would say
”We’ll make it together. Come along for the ride, we’re in the back room come on inside.
Stay away from denial aisle, I saved you a chair, try to identify, don’t compare”.
John T. would say “This is serious business.”
God, I miss the old timers that aren’t here today. They spread the message near and far
and said the famous four words “Get in the car.”
Thank God for our founders Bill & Bob.
I can still hear Henry the cop saying “Get a job”. 
What ever happened to keep it simple?
Trust God, Clean house, Help others is what the steps mean,
 the perfect recipe to stay sober and clean.
Otto and Frenchy got sober before they drank Canada dry,
they helped many people and that's no lie.
We still have Kathy , Phil, Rock, Big Al, Leon, Austin, Ernie, Father Will, and both Tom B’s.
They make time for the newcomer with a cup of coffee.
Nibben O’Toole helped many a man, yes he was the greatest Sox fan.
I learned so much from Mike Burdell, he didn’t say much but he said it so well.
We’ve lost biker Jack, Frankie Mac, Turkey Bob, Darlene, Shine and Chappie, 1 step Eddie.
Lets not forget John the Indian and Johnny V.
Ann would trick us with nicotine gum for a laugh, she spent her whole life giving back.
 Roland and Leo would tell you what you needed to know and 100 different ways of where you can go.
They’d shake their heads when they heard “No Shame”.
I miss those old timers, they'd remember your name.
Father Fred, Zeus and Irish Pat, thank God I got to know those people,
they don’t make them like that.
They wore hats, busted chops and had funny nicknames,
and made it to commitments in snow sleet and rain.
Jimmy Q and I are so blessed we learned from the best and spread it to the rest.
John T. , I close my eyes and the wisdom you shared.
You were the best sponsor ever and can’t be compared.
I close my eyes and hear what they’d say.
Thank God for all the great people that aren’t here today.
Thank God for Old Timers and Old time AA.


Paul L.
Clinton Central Park Group

Clinton Central Park 55th Anniversary

We celebrated 55 years of operation with a big feed, great speakers and good fellowship. Also got a cakelady creation this year. Speakers were Chuck and Lila , procured from Sherborne group,by fearless leader Tom B.. Gary from Shamrock made us his famous shepherds pie, and many others brought their favorite dishes, a wonderful feast. A nice remembrance at the beginning by opener Mary Beth of Otto and John T.

O-T-T-O spelled backwards

We lost our Otto. A Gentleman
June 20,1932 – December 27, 2018
                    
Otto was proud of his Norwegian Canadian heritage, the single child  born to Otto and Aasta in Montreal. He grew up in Dolbeau, Quebec where his father was an engineer in the paper industry. After college he came to the US where he worked for most of his work life, as a field service engineer on mechanical banking terminals. When that technology was phased out in the 80s, he settled in Lancaster MA to be near cousins in central Mass. He worked for some years at Weetabix in Clinton, and Intellitech Inc. in Hudson before retirement. He was an active member of the Senior Center in Lancaster and active for nearly 30 years in his beloved  Clinton Central Park AA group.

Otto was well known as a quiet , reserved, gentle man, but with a quick wit and sense of humor. His love of steam engines, railroad lore, maps and geography were well known. He enjoyed shopping and in particular the restaurant trips with the seniors. When working in Manhattan he belonged to the Sheepshead Bay yacht  club and enjoyed fishing. When in MA , he enjoyed driving trips to the family camp on Merrymeeting Bay in Maine where he will be laid to rest.

We celebrate Otto's life and are grateful for his nearly 30 years service to our group and AA in the North Central MA area.