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Back at Wachusett Regional High School in Holden more than 20 years ago, Glen Hersey was among my favorite English teachers.

Sadly, the former Norton resident died June 12 after a long struggle with complications from minor heart surgery. He was 66.

I fondly remember Mr. Hersey's voice - he spoke like a folk singer - and his polite demeanor. Learning from him was easy because he was very approachable. In fact, I used to stop by his room to say hello.

He helped introduce me to popular music. One lesson involved analyzing the lyrics to a favorite song. I didn't collect tapes or records back then. I asked Mr. Hersey if a Simon & Garfunkel tune would work; my folks have one of their albums. Mr. Hersey liked my idea.

And the selection was a hit with my classmates. Mr. Hersey taught at Wachusett for 33 years. He then volunteered to tutor English at Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner. He also was president and secretary of the Shakespeare Club in Worcester.

He will be missed.

What's next for

middle school principal?

Norton Middle School Principal Roger Parent - who had his final last-day of school last week after seven years at the helm of the middle school - isn't sure what he will do next.

Parent, the subject of a feature in Wednesday's Sun Chronicle, says he might seek a job at a private or parochial school, "a smaller scale, no pressure of the MCAS."

He will, however, remain involved with the Netop District of Rhode Island's Narragansett Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Parent takes care of scouts' advancement in the district, which serves Providence, Cranston, North Providence, Foster, Glocester, Johnston, Smithfield and Scituate. He works with Eagle and Cub scouts.

Parent has been involved in scouting for about 20 years - or, about half his career in public education. He said he knew it was time to retire again when he awoke one morning and said to himself, "Maybe it's time."

"Most of the people I worked with in Rhode Island have been retired a number of years," said Parent, who turns 62 next month. "I thought, 'Maybe it's my turn.' "

At the library ... The Norton Public Library will kick off its 2008 Adult Summer Reading Adventure at 1 p.m. Monday, June 30. Wild about Wii offers adults the opportunity to try their hand at the video game with the wireless remote controllers.

The group will try bowling and duck hunting in the Community Room, as well as trivia and indoor skiing.

To register, stop by the library. This event is sponsored by the Junior Friends and YA groups of the library who purchased the game through fundraising.

The Boston Museum of Science program "Reptiles" will be presented at 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 2, at the Norton Public Library. This large-group presentation is geared for school-aged children, but preschoolers are welcome to attend with their families. No registration is necessary.

This program is made possible by the Museum of Science in Boston, and the Lowell Institute. This program is in conjunction with the 2008 Statewide Summer Reading Program "Wild Reads at your library."

Also in conjunction with Wild Reads, the next morning, Thursday, at 10:30, the library will hold a showing of a classic Disney family movie.

A hint: "The Jungle is Jumpin'!"

At 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 7, the library will hold a showing of a family adventure and fantasy movie. A hint: "Their World is Closer than you Think."

Kristi Johnston will present a wildflower art workshop for adults from 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 8. This program is free, but is limited to 20 participants.

Registration in person at the library is required. The program is being given courtesy of Kristi Johnston.

Using wildflowers, participants will create unique notepaper using two different techniques under Kristi's tutelage. Participants should bring a handful of small wildflowers.

'Wild about Art'

Also, in conjunction with Wild Reads, the library will present "Wild about Art" with Art-to-Gogh on Thursday, July 10. This program is divided into three times according to age group:

Ages 2-4 at 10:30 a.m.: speckled frog masks and animal bookmarks.

Ages 5-8 at 12:30 p.m.: jungle drums and animal bookmarks.

Ages 9 and up at 2 p.m.: clay animal masks and group animal mural.

This program requires registration. Summer reading participants may register beginning today. The program is funded by the Norton Cultural Council.

Ride cycle for good cause

Norton VFW Post 8049's 4th annual Motorcycle Run will be held Sunday, July 27. Registration starts at 9 a.m. The motorcycles will leave at 11 a.m. Entry is $15, which includes food and music.

The rain date is Aug. 3. For more information, call the VFW at 508-285-3845.

MICHAEL GELBWASSER covers Norton for The Sun Chronicle. He can be reached at 508-236-0439 or at mgelbwasser@thesunchronicle.com.