On Friday, August 7, as this issue of YankeeXpress South went to press, Deb Horan, owner of Booklovers Gourmet in Webster, was scheduled to throw out the first pitch at the WooSox game against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Horan’s pitching debut on the Polar Park mound was on behalf of the Webster Dudley Business Alliance (WDBA), which held its 20th anniversary celebration at the ballfield.

“We wanted to do a special event in recognition of the WDBA’s 20th Anniversary this year and wanted it to be memorable and fun for all of our members,” according to Horan. More than 80 people RSVP’d to attend the anniversary celebration.

Horan was one of the original organizers of the WDBA, which was founded in 2006 to give small business owners a chance to network and learn from each other. Held at Point Breeze Restaurant, the event attracted about 15 people. Today, the organization’s events attract 50 to more than 100 participants.

“Our mission is to build and sustain a vibrant and dynamic community by contributing to the success of local businesses and in turn the health of the local economy,” said Horan.

Southbridge was featured at Town Takeover Day at Polar Park on the 7th, with the town’s fire department providing the color guard before the game began. Proceeds from the sale of Southbridge Town Takeover game tickets will support the nonprofit Our Bright Future. As described on that organization’s website: “Primarily a youth development organization, we focus on providing proper resources to empower upcoming generations. We believe that in order to best fulfill our mission, it takes a village. For these reasons, we also provide fresh food redistribution and delivery for those in need.”

To learn more about the Webster Dudley Business Alliance, its membership and upcoming events, visit its website at thewdba.org.