By Hiroko Sato, The Sun, Lowell, Mass. Apr. 6--GROTON -- Richard Hewitt was happy to spot Oriental Bittersweet bearing burning-red berries in his backyard a few years ago. He didn't know where the shrubs came from, but the fruits were the perfect material for his wife to make wreaths with.

By Hiroko Sato, The Sun, Lowell, Mass. Dec. 23--PEPPERELL -- Mell Harney keeps track of time by listening to the music from the clock tower of the Community Church of Pepperell across from her Main Street home.

By Hiroko Sato, The Sun, Lowell, Mass. Sep. 7--PEPPERELL -- Thomas McGrath, who grew up in Pepperell, used to know what color papers the mills up in Fitchburg were producing each day without leaving town.

By Hiroko Sato, The Sun, Lowell, Mass. Jun. 22--PEPPERELL -- Dark circles around her eyes were the first sign that something might be wrong with 2-year-old Ayva. Then, strange-looking bruises began to show up all over the girl's body. Her doctor suspected a viral infection, but she grew sicker.