News

Manchester businesses pass 'sting' test

Town Talk
Michael Farrell
Published: August 9, 2008

Can a minor buy alcoholic beverages in Manchester?

Police put seven local businesses to the test earlier this week —¬­¬­ and each of them passed, refusing to serve a minor sent by police and regulators. The "sting" operation was conducted by Manchester police, along with investigators from the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission (ABCC).

During the operation, a 17-year-old undercover operative of the ABCC, whose identity police Chief Glenn McKeil would not reveal, attempted to purchase or be served alcohol at seven of Manchester's 14 licensed alcohol retailers.

The businesses that the teenager visited were Cala's Restaurant, Richdale Convenience Store, Coast Line Grill, Harrigan's Liquors, Crosby's Market, The Landing Restaurant, and Al's Cafe. None of these businesses gave into the teenager's requests.

"The actions of these licensees demonstrates their commitment to complying with the law and working to keep our community safe," McKeil said in a prepared statement. "I thank them for their diligence and positive efforts."

While only seven of the town's 14 licensed alcohol-related businesses were investigated, that does not mean that the other businesses won't face similar tests. McKeil said that businesses to be checked will be selected at random, and "stings" will be conducted on regular basis.

According to police officials, if a business is caught selling alcohol to a minor, it could lose its license. If someone is caught giving alcohol to a minor — or if a minor is caught in possession of alcohol — he or she could be arrested and may face fines after a court hearing.

Essex's cheese stick diva

The next time you buy a box of John Wm. Macy's SweetSticks at the grocery store, the box might have a picture of someone from Essex on it.

Laurie Lufkin, 42, who runs a printing business out of her Country Road home, is one of three finalists in John Wm. Macy's CheeseSticks "Twist n' Crunch" Recipe Contest. Lufkin, who enters cooking contests as a hobby, beat out 30 semifinalists for the cheesestick/sweetstick contest, and won a year's supply of cheesesticks in the process. This Monday the winner will be announced.

Win or lose, Lufkin will have eight boxes of cheesesticks delivered to her house every two months for an entire year.

What does one do with a year's supply of the cheesesticks?

"What I'm going to do is share them with my friends and my family, because that's a lot."

If Lufkin wins, she will get her picture and her recipe printed on the box of cheesesticks. Plus, she will receive an all expenses paid trip to New York City and $500 spending money. And if that is not enough, she would get a second lifetime supply of cheesesticks.

"I'm very exited," said Lufkin, "I would love to go to New York City and it would be a honor to have my picture on the front of the box."

Lufkin entered the contest in May. According to the contest rules, applicants are supposed to take one of John William Macy's products and create a unique recipe with it by adding other ingredients. This recipe is then sent electronically to the company, which then recreates it and pronounces judgment based on the creativity of the recipe, the taste, ease of preparation and the "flavor profile." Semifinalists' recipes are then displayed on line for public voting.

For this contest, Lufkin crumbled up John Wm. Macy's SweetSticks and added the crumbs to a cookie batter. The idea, she said, came from another recipe of hers in which she crumbles pretzels in the mix. Overall, however, she credits her family for her cooking skills.

"I come from a family of excellent cooks and they inspire me," she said.

To get Lufkin's recipe and to find out who wins the contest visit: http://cheesesticks.us/

Essex needs a water chief

The town of Essex is looking to hire a new water plant systems operator. According to Department of Public Works officials, the position being filled became open when the last person to hold the job, David Frithen, was promoted.

Whoever is hired will join the two other systems operators who help keep the water filtration plant on Centennial Grove Road working. According to the notice put out by the town, the new plant systems operator will be paid a starting salary of $21.92 an hour, with step raises and increases as the new operator expands his or her license qualifications.

The new systems operator will be required to work in a number of capacities for the Department of Public Works. Some duties at the water treatment plant include manual labor on the distribution system and the complex operational duties at the plant. They will also be required to perform other duties for the Department of Public Works such as sewer work.

The town is interested in someone who is flexible enough to work a rotating shift, with some work on weekends and over the holidays required. Plus, the applicant will be required to obtain the appropriate treatment and distribution licensing from the state within two years of being hired.

Minimum education requirements call for a high school diploma with a background in the sciences. Applicants should also have some computer skills and experience in construction.

No one will be hired without first passing a physical and a drug test.

Prospective candidates should apply at the Public Works office at the Water Filtration Plant at 44 Centennial Grove Road. The town will accept applications until 2 p.m. on Aug. 28.

Michael Farrell can be reached at gt—reporter@gloucestertimes.com.