Reporter’s Notebook: Gators are going to get you; where was Waldo last week?

When you step outside for the next few weeks, keep your eye out for Gators.

You may just get swamped. 

The Grafton High School Class of 2022 has adapted the practice of “flocking” — placing a group of flamingos on a lawn for a fee, with the victim usually paying it forward — into the upgraded mascot era. A gaggle of Gators now announces that victims have been “swamped.”

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Town Administrator Evan Brassard had a suggestion for the Select Board last week: he’d like to see them issue proclamations to honor residents who have done some good.

Select Board members and town officials may nominate candidates and residents may as well, Brassard said.

It’s a feel-good effort that leaves a lasting impression. Brassard said the town of Monson declared an “Evan Brassard Day” before he left his post as TA there to take his post in Grafton.

“My Evan Brassard Day is just a thing in the past, but I have the certificate and it’s neat,” Brassard said.

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Did you miss the automated voting at Town Meeting last week? The clickers will be making a return at Town Meeting in the spring, Brassard said.

The recent Town Meeting was the first held indoors since fall 2019. With COVID-19 shutting down schools in March 2020 and social distancing in practice as the pandemic continues, the GHS auditorium and its notoriously wonky sound system has seen little use, and the clickers were cast aside to remove one more potential complication.

Planning Board Chair David Robbins has compiled a manual on the clickers and the system will be put through its paces before Town Meeting 2022.

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Speaking of the auditorium, the first live performance there will happen Thursday at 7 p.m. with the return of the music department’s Costume Concert.

The concert is an opportunity for the GHS performing ensembles to showcase music they are preparing this fall and will feature the Chorus, Concert Band, Chamber Choir, Jazz Workshop and GHS PEP.

Audience members will need to be masked to enter the school and auditorium.

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