By Danielle Ray
Landmark Correspondent
STERLING — The fire station was abuzz with activity and excitement Aug. 18 for the filming of segments for Boston 25 News ZIP Trips that are all about Sterling.
The town turned out for the momentous occasion. A large crowd of all ages gathered inside the station, where production was moved from Memorial Park due to rain.
Several town and area businesses and organizations were featured in various segments that were taped that Friday, including The Brick Mexican Grill, which had a spread of food; Davis Farmland and mascot Moo Moo; Sterling National Country Club; Sterling Street Market; a performance by the Sterling Strummers ukelele group; and the Wachusett Regional High School Mountaineers football team, to name a few.
Segments recorded previously included Barber’s Crossing and Emma’s Cafe, and veteran Bob Temple, who was born and raised in Sterling, was named the DCU Hometown Hero.
David Chandler from Meadowbrook Orchards brought a disc golf basket that Boston 25 News anchors Elizabeth Hopkins and Gene Lavanchy tried out, dancers from MEM Dance Theatre put on a showstopping performance, and the high school Wachusett Singers sang a beautiful tune before being presented with a $2,500 check from Ernie Boch Jr.
ZIP Trips producer Bella diGrazia was thrilled when she realized they were filming at the Sterling Fire Department, where her cousin and lifelong town resident Emily Todorov is an EMT.
“I grew up watching ZIP Trips — there’s nothing like this,” said diGrazia, who is in charge of social media for the show. “When we say we are a local station, we really are out there in the community.”
Boston 25 News is celebrating 20 years of ZIP Trips this summer, and Sterling is one of eight towns in the state being featured. When asked how they select town and cities to visit and what to focus on that highlights what makes each one unique, diGrazia said a year’s worth of research goes into it.
Local businesses and sponsors set up tents behind the fire station, and several town officials and business leaders were on hand, including Select Board Chair Maureen Cranson, who nailed a town trivia segment; Sterling Municipal Light Department General Manager Matt Stelmach; Sterling Post Office Postmaster Bob Marrama; Town Administrator Bill Caldwell; and others. Fire Chief David Hurlbut and Police Chief Sean Gaudette were joined by many staff members from each of the public safety departments who were interviewed on camera.
At one point filming was paused so that Hopkins could report breaking news about a tornado warning in Norfolk and Plymouth counties, which prompted kids and people to crowd behind her to get in the shot.
To view the Sterling ZIP trip, visit https://www.boston25news.com/specials/ziptrips/?fbclid=IwAR11ZHIHxlp1NDJ3p60DayczCialP70__lfUTS7s02vXBs3jgwLpxJJL4aA.
