Bay Ledger News Zonebill@blnz.comtag:www.blnz.com,2009:cities/watertowntag:www.blnz.com,2009:2011/11/28/27wetourneyART_83e1

Every season, it seems, the Hopkinton and Marlborough High girls' volleyball teams are on a collision course in the Division 2 Central tournament. There is always a preseason scrimmage - which ended in a tie this year - and, in at least the last three years, a tourney showdown.

2011-11-27T00:00:00ZThe Boston GlobeBy Staff Reportertag:www.blnz.com,2009:2011/11/28/27wepeopleART_e936

The Girrells, who live in Andover, are expecting their biggest year yet, with wish lists from 900 children to fulfill. Last year, the organization provided gifts for 688 children and more than 100 boxes of household goods to families in need, thanks to donations of toys, supplies and $6,600 in cash from area residents.

2011-11-27T00:00:00ZThe Boston GlobeBy Staff Reportertag:www.blnz.com,2009:2011/11/28/27weinsideART_9c5c

Storybook trees

2011-11-27T00:00:00ZThe Boston GlobeBy Staff Reportertag:www.blnz.com,2009:2011/11/28/27we1briefsART_5151

A holiday service will be held by the nonprofit Visiting Nurse and Community Health organization's Hospice Care program Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. in the Church of Our Saviour at 21 Marathon St. The service will include readings, music and the opportunity to light candles for a loved one. The service is designed particularly for those who are experiencing loss or other problems during the holiday season. The Arlington-based nonprofit agency is also raffling off a holiday quilt on Dec. 15 in remembrance of the home health, hospice and private-care patients it has served. Tickets for the raffle are $2, or $5 for three tickets, and can be obtained by contacting Lauren Shaughnessy at 781-643-6090, ext. 1206. - Brock Parker

2011-11-27T00:00:00ZThe Boston GlobeBy Staff Reportertag:www.blnz.com,2009:2011/11/28/1127Conduct_f1d6

Asking after your son's father isn't an unreasonable query; people naturally want to understand the family configurations of others. And they want to avoid making future faux pas - if you are a widow, cavalierly joking about the disease your husband died of; if you are a lesbian, assuming you are single because there is no man in your life; or if you have a baby sitter this Friday night, failing to set you up with their adorable new condo neighbor. Just because a question is one you'd rather not answer doesn't make it rude.

2011-11-27T00:00:00ZThe Boston GlobeBy Robin Abrahamstag:www.blnz.com,2009:2011/11/28/1127Conduct1_c1ef

Asking after your son's father isn't an unreasonable query; people naturally want to understand the family configurations of others. And they want to avoid making future faux pas - if you are a widow, cavalierly joking about the disease your husband died of; if you are a lesbian, assuming you are single because there is no man in your life; or if you have a baby sitter this Friday night, failing to set you up with their adorable new condo neighbor. Just because a question is one you'd rather not answer doesn't make it rude.

2011-11-27T00:00:00ZThe Boston GlobeBy Robin Abrahamstag:www.blnz.com,2009:2011/11/27/26schstand2ART_cf26

BAY STATE (CAREY)

2011-11-26T00:00:00ZThe Boston GlobeBy Staff Reportertag:www.blnz.com,2009:2011/11/26/25D2ArdpART_01cd

Melrose (8-3, 2-3 Middlesex Small) leads the series, 51-40-6, but Wakefield (9-2, 5-0) is headed to the playoffs, having locked up the first guaranteed playoff berth for the Middlesex Small with a 39-0 win over Watertown Nov. 11.

2011-11-25T00:00:00ZThe Boston GlobeBy Ryan Mooneytag:www.blnz.com,2009:2011/11/25/24werealART_b883

60 Spy Pond Lane Caryn L. Gillis and James M. Gillis to George W. Bell and Cedrine J. Bell, $650,000

2011-11-24T00:00:00ZThe Boston GlobeBy Staff Reportertag:www.blnz.com,2009:2011/11/25/24wegridART_3d8f

Perry's Top 10 teams

2011-11-24T00:00:00ZThe Boston GlobeBy Staff Reportertag:www.blnz.com,2009:2011/11/25/24wefootbaART_44ee

This morning at 10, the trio will take the field as captains for their respective teams on the new turf at Victory Field in Watertown, Reynolds playing for Belmont, and McCusker and Ortiz for the host Red Raiders.

2011-11-24T00:00:00ZThe Boston GlobeBy Phil Perrytag:www.blnz.com,2009:2011/11/25/24webetsART_55b9

Watertown: In ``The New Jewish Culture, '' three young critics and activists explore how a new generation of Jewish artists, writers, musicians, filmmakers, and performers is sparking a cultural revolution Dec. 1, 7:30 p.m., in the Charles Mosesian Theater, Arsenal Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal St. $28, $45. www.newcenterboston.org.

2011-11-24T00:00:00ZThe Boston GlobeBy Staff Reportertag:www.blnz.com,2009:2011/11/25/24weartsART_1307

It's part of a long-planned event called ``Turn Out the Lights,'' commemorating the 50-year-old high school's legacy on the eve of its demolition to make way for its successor.

2011-11-24T00:00:00ZThe Boston GlobeBy Staff Reportertag:www.blnz.com,2009:2011/11/25/24bertolinoART_0371

Along with selling costumes, magic tricks, and high-grade stage makeup, Mr. Bertolino was a self-styled magician and comedian whose stage never extended past the front door. He created an oasis for budding performers looking for a little support, curious tourists drawn by the storefront, and professionals who wanted top-notch equipment.

2011-11-24T00:00:00ZThe Boston GlobeBy Gil Blisstag:www.blnz.com,2009:2011/02/20/Upper_Midwest_belted_heavy_blowing_8aed

MINNEAPOLIS (Reuters) - A severe winter storm was driving across the upper Midwest on Sunday, dumping up to 15 inches of snow and causing white-out conditions in spots from the Dakotas through Minnesota and into Wisconsin.

2011-02-20T23:53:09ZReuters US Online Report Domestic NewsDavid Baileytag:www.blnz.com,2009:2011/02/09/Oklahoma_gets_more_snow_while_649e

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Reuters) - The south is starting to look like the far north this winter -- with Oklahoma digging out from up to 20 inches of snow that fell overnight, while Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama saw snow fall on Wednesday.

2011-02-09T23:40:50ZReuters US Online Report Domestic NewsTim Ghiannitag:www.blnz.com,2009:2011/02/09/South_Oklahoma_more_snow_while_ae39

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Reuters) - The mid-south is starting to look like the far north this winter, with Oklahoma digging out from up to 20 inches of snow that fell overnight, and Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama getting hit on Wednesday.

2011-02-09T17:59:50ZReuters US Online Report Domestic NewsTim Ghiannitag:www.blnz.com,2009:2011/02/03/South_Dakota_reopens_highway_closed_2782

MINNEAPOLIS (Reuters) - South Dakota reopened late Thursday afternoon an interstate where up to 200 vehicles, some with small children inside, were stranded for hours by 5-foot snow drifts, officials said.

2011-02-04T01:27:13ZReuters US Online Report Domestic NewsREUTERStag:www.blnz.com,2009:2011/02/03/South_Dakota_still_rescuing_motorists_f6fb

MINNEAPOLIS (Reuters) - Rescuers were still trying to clear on Thursday the last of about 200 vehicles, some with small children inside, stranded for hours by five-foot snow drifts on a South Dakota interstate, emergency officials said.

2011-02-03T20:33:43ZReuters US Online Report Domestic NewsREUTERStag:www.blnz.com,2009:2010/12/22/Virtual_Santa_brings_holidays_sick_2012

BOSTON (Reuters Life!) - For children in hospital over Christmas, a visit from Santa Claus -- especially a cool, virtual Santa beamed in from the North Pole -- is like a breath of fresh air.

2010-12-23T11:14:43ZReuters Life! Online ReportRos Krasny