The Middleborough Friends came together in 2007 when a group of citizens believed that they lived in a great community and wanted to keep it great and maybe even make it a little better. The Friends wanted to make Middleborough a better place and promote community events that are inexpensive or free that was open to the entire town regardless of wealth. It was an all you can eat breakfast with all
proceeds going to the COA. The Middleborough Friends believe that everyone in the community will either use or know someone close to them that will use the services provided at the Middleborough COA. The COA is an adopted benefactor of the Middleborough Friends. In the Winter of 2008, the Middleborough Friends were approached to continue the Middleborough Music Nights Summer Concert Series on the Town Hall Lawn. They agreed to continue the program with help from Colleen Lieb, who books the acts. Since that first season, the Middleborough Summer Concert Series continues to be free music on the Town Hall Green (Lawn) on Thursday nights from July through Labor Day. The proceeds of the first two years concerts went help pay for a new roof for the aging Middleborough Animal Shelter. Looking around the town hall during the concerts, the Friends noticed that the grounds could use some sprucing up, so in the fall, Mimi Duphily spearheaded a cleanup of the town hall. With community volunteers, the town hall was dressed up and some flowers planted. The Oak Point Gardeners Club provided topiary planters. Mimi continues with downtown beautification annually with over 60 hanging planters. The Middleborough Friends donated a watering tank and annually gives to help pay for the planters. With the new roof at the animal in site a final push on funding was needed, the Middleborough Friends held a ham and bean supper with brown bread. It was a fun event that put the funding over the top and allowed the roof to be installed the following spring thanks to the help of A. Along the way, the Middleborough Friends lost a great Middleborovian, Victor Silvia. He was a voice that would ask a question when it needed to be asked at Town Meeting or at a public meeting. He was active in cleaning up the Rockland Industry site in Middleborough as well as fighting for an ALS registry (which has since come to fruition). To honor and respect Victor, the Friends created an annual Scholarship in his name to go to a student who is pursuing studies in ALS research or environmental law. The Annual Halloween Ball held in the Middleborough Town Hall Ballroom each year raises money to fund the $1,000 scholarship. A small seating area at the town hall has two benches are dedicated to Vic in a garden, which was one of Victor’s passions after his wife and family. People are often seen eating their lunch or waiting for a public meeting, sitting there. We believe Victor is watching from that garden to make sure no shenanigans go on during meetings. Here we are today, a few years later, still promoting the great town of Middleborough and providing great events for everyone. We invite everyone to come to an event and bring a friend or meet a new one.
