Following a commanding 22-0 victory over Blackstone-Millville/Hopedale on Saturday, Bellingham High School’s Dan Haddad has been named the first New England Patriots High School Coach of the Week of the 2021 season.
Except that Burns has been doing that for 82 years and turned 100 on Sunday.
She already pre-celebrated her personal centennial in 2020 with a high of 118 for a single string and a 316 triple at her home alleys, Sparetime Recreation on Church Street in Whitinsville.
Burns is a native of Millville and only four years younger than the town itself, which was incorporated in 1916 after breaking away from neighboring Blackstone. For a little place, though, Millville has good athletic tradition that includes more than candlepin bowlers.
Burns grew up a half-Worcester away from the home of Hall of Fame catcher Gabby Hartnett, and big-league pitcher Tim McNamara was a Millville boy, as well.