Feature Articles

By Rod Lee

In a video that appears on the home page of the town’s website John R. Allen who is Grafton’s newly appointed economic development specialist encourages local residents to patronize local businesses as a way to keep spending dollars close to home.

Mr. Allen’s message comes as good news to merchants like Morgan King at Off the Common, an antiques marketplace at 4 Worcester St. His pitch builds on a success... Read More

By Rod Lee

In bestowing the coveted Gerry Gaudette Extra Mile Award on Leslie Reichert at its 40th annual meeting at Pleasant Valley Country Club in Sutton on November 16th, the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce was recognizing a woman whose enthusiasm for “green cleaning” is exceeded only by her concern for those in need.

“Leslie is an amazing woman who channels her compassion into action,” Chamber President/CE... Read More

The Webster Dudley Business Alliance invites all local business owners or representatives to a workshop entitled How the New Tax Law Will Affect Your Business to be held on Tuesday, February 12th, 6-7:30 p.m. at The Gladys E. Kelly Public Library, 2 Lake Street, Webster, MA. Free for WDBA members; $10 all others. To register, email... Read More

By Connie Reddy Dwyer

Last September Oxford welcomed its new Town Manager Jennifer “Jen” Callahan, who’s known as one who “loves helping communities solve problems,” Callahan is tenacious in resolving issues “from the beginning to the end.”

As a former state representative and town administrator, Callahan knows how a municipality operates and how to work with the state legislature to get things done right. Excited a... Read More

By Janet Stoica

Webster has experienced many transitions in the past several years, the latest being its new Police Chief Michael Shaw, who assumed his position on January 13, with the retirement of Chief Timothy J. Bent.  

It is an assignment he looked forward to enthusiastically. “It’s a mixture of excitement and nervousness,” he said. “I just want to do a good job.”

Chief Shaw has been part of Webster’s la... Read More

­­­­­­­Amy Palumbo-LeClaire

When Victoria McAleer, a lifelong dancer from Charlton, MA, thinks about how to best convey what it feels like to be immersed in a sea of red, white and blue amongst a team she’s followed since childhood, her eyes light up. 

“It’s electric,” the rookie New England Patriots Cheerleader tells me, doing her best to convey what a dream come true looks like. “When the Pats score a touch down,... Read More

By Magda Dakin

When a restaurant makes the 30-year milestone and is still owned and operated by the same family you know they’ve figured out what makes the patrons happy and have mastered the art of providing it.

For the past 17 years, Gator’s Pub at 1402 Victory Highway in North Smithfield, Rhode Island, has been operated by Kerry McGee. “I started working here 26 years ago, when there were three partners, one of t... Read More

By Rod Lee

Some of South County’s leading restaurateurs would probably not be surprised to hear one reason that Durgin-Park, a renowned eatery in Boston’s Faneuil Hall marketplace, is closing up shop after two centuries in business.

Famous for such New England staples as chowder, shepherd’s pie, prime rib, pot roast and Boston cream pie, Durgin-Park opened its doors when John Quincy Adams was president.

Massa... Read More

By Janet Stoica

Where is the best optical shop in Worcester County?  Did you say Charlton?  Yes, Charlton…and because of their loyal base of satisfied and happy customers, Peter Maly and his capable staff have captured the Best Optical Shop Award in the Worcester Telegram’s 2018 Annual Best of Central Mass. Awards. “There must be over 200 optical shops in this area,” said Mr. Maly, “and we are very proud that our customers... Read More