Charlestown, MA|News|
5 Things: Newtown Donations, Townie Santa Deliveries
Deadlines, events and other items you should know about on Dec. 21 in Charlestown.

E-mail: Becca.Manning@patch.com
Phone: 781-217-4233
Hometown: Resident of Malden since 2013; previously resided in East Boston and Newton. Moved to Massachusetts (South Shore) in 2008. Born and raised in Troy, Ohio.
Birthday: November 6
About Me: A Massachusetts transplant, I grew up in Ohio and moved to the East Coast three years ago, spurred by a love of the ocean and a special affinity for Boston in particular. My first job in Massachusetts was working as assistant editor of a community weekly, the Pembroke Express, for the independent, family-owned Clipper Press. I had a great experience there, starting a newspaper from scratch in the town of Pembroke and watching it grow and become well received by the town. I was promoted to editor in 2009 and briefly took over as editor of two other Clipper Press weeklies, the Hanson Express and the Whitman Express, before signing on with Patch. I love community news, and I'm thrilled to be with Patch and especially excited to be covering the neighborhood of Charlestown.
Before reinventing myself as a New Englander, I worked for three years for a daily newspaper in Piqua, Ohio (just a few miles from my hometown of Troy). At the Piqua Daily Call, I started out as the education reporter and quickly added on the city government beat as well as page design and copy editing duties. Prior to that, I graduated from Ohio University's E.W. Scripps School of Journalism with a BSJ in journalism and an environmental studies certificate. During and right after college, I wrote for the independent student newspaper The Post and for magazines including Perspectives, Southeast Ohio, E/The Environmental Magazine and Bird Talk.
I have been writing for as long as I can remember, and telling stories even before that. I'm also an avid reader, and when I can combine all three of my loves — the ocean, writing and reading — with a day at a quiet beach, I am absolutely in heaven.
Deadlines, events and other items you should know about on Dec. 21 in Charlestown.

Charlestown families could sign up for the 'Christmas for Kids' drive earlier this month.
Donations made to support the holiday figures set up in the Thompson Square area will be sent to the Connecticut community.
The national group issued a statement about preventing future tragedies following the school shooting in Connecticut.
ReadKiddoRead asked authors, athletes and celebrities to share their favorite books.
Deadlines, events and other items you should know about on Dec. 20 in the North End.
Deadlines, events and other items you should know about on Dec. 20 in Charlestown.
Patch is compiling a list of Wrentham, Plainville, and Norfolk stores and restaurants that will be open during the holidays.
Patch is compiling a list of Dedham stores and restaurants that will be open during the holidays.
The new lighting scheme allows MassDOT to create custom colors for special events.
Be aware of the symptoms of hypothermia, and remember to check on your elderly neighbors.
Community organizations are selling an architectural guide, calendars, a mug and other items this holiday season.
Deadlines, events and other items you should know about on Dec. 19.
Here are the upcoming transportation options available to Charlestown residents.
Need to pick up a turkey, egg nog, stocking stuffers or just the basics? Here's a look at the free bus services available to Charlestown residents.
Deadlines, events and other items should know about today, Dec. 19, in Charlestown.
A special post office box has been established for those wishing to send condolences to Newtown, CT.