by Bella Caggiano

It has been three years since Norwood volunteers have hit the dance floor, however, 2022 has a new swing in its step and the music is on! The Circle of Hope 10th Annual Dancing with the Norwood Stars is scheduled for Friday, April 15, 8 p.m., Four Points Sheraton Ballroom, Norwood. According to COH Volunteer Board Member Carolyn Riccardi, a live audience is hopeful, but with the ever changing health restrictions from the past two years, it is still a wait and see decision.

“Right now seems good, but tomorrow anything could change,” Riccardi said. “If anything changes, the production will go strictly on-air live. We have tickets to sell and we certainly hope we will be able to fill the hall. In the event we cannot due to capacity restrictions, we will make adjustments as needed.”

This year’s production will also commemorate former board members Kathy St. Cyr and retired Norwood Police Sargent Robert Doccette, who have contributed so much of their time to coordinate fundraisers and facilitate the organization’s efforts to help Norwood residents in need. 

Celebrate those tax submissions and be a part of this admirable non-profit  association by donating, watching, and viewing six local residents take to the ballroom for the highly successful fundraiser. This year’s dancers are: 

Tracy Curran

Tracy Curran was born, raised and currently resides in Norwood and is a second-generation Norwood High School Alumni, graduating in 1989.  She married John Curran, also a NHS alumni, so she could increase that inner town marriage statistic, among other reasons! Her and John are the proud parents to Maggie, Jack and Caroline who all attend/attended NHS and are very busy in athletics! Maybe someday they will follow in the footsteps of their grandfather James “Monk” Jessick, graduating class of 1961, who was inducted into the NHS Athletic Hall of Fame in 2017! 

Tracy is the co-developer and manager of the Cardiac Fitness Program at Boston Children’s Hospital and is passionate about helping patients with chronic illness become fit both physically and mentally. Some of her favorite hobbies include teaching spin and running with friends and her dog Cooper.  Tracy enjoys helping and giving to others and has always been moved by the many Norwood community members who always look to support each other through times of hardship, which was apparent during the recent pandemic.  The Norwood Circle of Hope Foundation exemplifies this type of helping and giving.  

In 2016, Tracy was shockingly diagnosed with breast cancer, it was family and friends who came out from everywhere to support her and her family through this difficult time while undergoing cancer treatments.  The support and generosity was so overwhelming and heartwarming that it has been her mission to give back ever since.  Raising money for this wonderful cause is perfect way to do just that!  Tracy is honored for this opportunity and would like to thank everyone for all the support, time, and donations they have contributed towards this outstanding charity since 2020! 

Now let’s do this event and STOMP the night away! 

Brian Glennon

I moved to Norwood and began working at Lewis’ Bar and Grill in 2005. Being in my mid twenties I was excited for the opportunity to work at this renowned local establishment. At first, I felt a little out of place, considering I was the only employee that was not from Norwood, but that quickly changed. I have had the pleasure of working with and serving some of the greatest people around. 

In 2015, I was recruited by Atlantic Commercial Real Estate, LLC which is located at 60 Guild Street; to work with building owners, investors, and local businesses that are in the market to buy, sell, or lease commercial property. This has been a wonderfully rewarding career that has allowed me to expand my knowledge, meet numerous people, and see another side of this great town.

 I now am raising a family of my own here in Norwood. My wife Kelly and I welcomed our first child John Joseph “JJ” Glennon into the world at Norwood Hospital 3 years ago. I am looking forward to watching my son grow up in Norwood. 

For all the years that I have lived and worked in the center of Norwood, I have witnessed the community come together in triumph and tragedy. This is a town is that is overflowing with pride, love, generosity, and kindness that is unmatched anywhere else. 

I am extremely grateful to be back on as part of this year’s Dancing with the Norwood Stars  and look forward to the opportunity to give back to the community that has given me so much

Rachael Webber

My name is Rachael Webber and I am a proud resident of Norwood, class of 1992. Being raised and staying in Norwood has allowed me to forge lifelong friendships and stay physically close to my family, both of which means so much to me. 

I enjoy supporting the community when I am not working. I am a board member of the Norwood Junior Woman’s Club, a volunteer for Cat Canton Rescue; I serve on committees for Norwood’s 150th yearlong celebrations, a Town Meeting member and am involved in various volunteering opportunities. 

It is extremely important to me to give back and this is such a wonderful and honorable opportunity to serve my community. Thank you to the Circle of Hope for allowing me to participate in this event; with your continued support, we can assist those that are facing the adversity that can accompany catastrophic illness. Thank you!

Jeff Mahoney

I was born in raised in Norwood, having attended the Callahan School, Jr. High South, and graduating from NHS in 1990. He then when on to Providence College and really expanded his horizons and social circles by rooming with two other Norwood guys all four years.

Jeff spent many years coaching Norwood Babe Ruth Baseball and Pop Warner. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Friends of St. Nick. He first witnessed the town’s generosity back in the early ’90s when they came together to support young Kevin McNulty’s heroic battle against cancer, and then again a few years later when Michelle Kennedy valiantly fought the disease. He is extremely grateful to have the opportunity to honor that legacy by participating in this event. And if he gets out of it without pulling a hamstring, that’d be cool as well. 

The dancers have made a substantial commitment for the past three months practicing with their professional partners. They will perform their numbers on Friday, April 5, at the Four Points by Sheraton, 1125 Boston-Providence Hgwy., in Norwood, at 7 p.m. Tickets are available for the live performance through Lee Kennedy at the Civic Center or by calling 781-762-3549. There will also be three satellite locations where viewers can watch the competition and submit their votes for their favorite competitor: the Old Colonial Cafe, on Nahatan St., Lewis’s Restaurant Bar & Grill, on Central St., and the Colonial House, on Savin Ave. Prefer to watch the action at home? Norwood’s independent station, Norwood Community Media, will also be broadcasting the event live on local access tv!

The dancers have also been holding their own fundraisers to raise money for the organization. For each dollar donated, they receive a point which will be added to their dance scores. On performance night, two winners will be crowned: an Overall Winner for the person who raises the most money and the Judges Choice for the best single dance. 

Rachael Webber

Holding a 50/50 online raffle with 200 entries and a cash prize of $5,000 to the winner and $5,000 as a donation to the Circle of Hope. She is also running different scratch ticket games. For more information, visit her Facebook page at Dancing with the Norwood Stars – Rachael Webber. For those not wishing to use Facebook, email Webber at [email protected] Kathleen Ducharme

My name is Kathleen "Kathy" Ducharme. Let me say, I am honored to be a part of 2020 Dancing with the Norwood Stars! 

I am a 3rd generation Norwood resident and the proud daughter of Bob and Ellen Cotter. My parents raised 6 children here and 5 of us continue to live in Norwood. My grandmother  graduated from Norwood High School in 1920, my mother in 1944 and I graduated with the "school on the hill's" class of 1981. My husband, Greg, and I bought our family home in Norwood and raised our daughter, Casey, NHS class of 2011, here. 

When Greg passed away suddenly on October 3, 2017, our lives changed forever. This town was there for my family in a way we will truly never forget. This community is exceptional. I am proud to say I am a Norwoodite! When I was approached for Dancing with the Norwood Stars, with a push from Casey I quickly realized that I needed to do it. I am honored to pay tribute to Michelle Kennedy. Michelle was a neighbor of mine. My father, sisters and I sat behind her many Sundays at the 11am mass. The Circle of Hope is such an incredible organization that started with Michelle's passing and I am proud to be a part of it. We all know and have lost loved ones to cancer. My hope is that we all raise as much money as we can for this amazing cause. We are all winners! 

The Circle of Hope and I truly appreciate your donation. Please make check payable to Norwood Circle of Hope. Thank you very much for your generosity.

Unfortunately we did not receive Town Manager Tony Mazzucco's bio by press deadline.