Feature Articles

By Magda Dakin

On a Saturday of gorgeous weather, the 3rd Annual Wooed By The Food took place at the Whitin Community Center’s Whitin Park. “It’s a perfect day for this event,” said Jeanine Dionn, an activity director for the Northbridge Senior Center and actively involved in The Giving Tree project. “Last year we were standing here in the rain, hoping people would stop long enough to ask why we had a Christmas tree up in... Read More

The Last Green Valley, Inc.’s (TLGV) updated, brand new edition of Explore, a comprehensive and complimentary Guide to Outdoor, Indoor, and Around Town Adventures in The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor, is available now! Covering 35 towns in eastern Connecticut and south-central Massachusetts, The Last Green Valley is a destination worth discovering. Modern-day expl... Read More

“Pay attention to your surroundings,” advised Dudley Police Chief Stephen Wojnar at the Lunch & Learn seminar sponsored by the Webster Oxford Chamber of Commerce and hosted by Christopher Heights of Webster last month. He echoed that important message several times during his talk to members of the local business community.

The chief’s topic was Tips for a Safe Workplace. “It’s unfortunate that we have to deal with eme... Read More

By Rod Lee

Not all persons who hold the position of veterans’ services officer (VSO) are created equal. Some take their duties more seriously than others.

A visit with Robin L. Fletcher, VSO for the towns of Mendon and Upton, confirms that he is that rare individual who will go beyond in assisting and advising vets and their dependents in their attempts to obtain benefits from the U.S. Department of Vet... Read More

by Christine Galeone

“Raised by scientific and philosophical parents, I always knew that I would be an artist,” said Allison Coelho Picone. “My desire to unite aesthetics, science and spirituality inspires my painting.”

The Grafton resident, who’s represented by L’Attitude Gallery in Boston, has had her fine art included in exhibitions at places such as Arts Worcester’s Hadley Gallery... Read More

By Rod Lee

They are older now of course and the turnout for parades isn’t what it used to be but members of Upton VFW Post 5594 will continue an important tradition by conducting Memorial Day observances next Monday (May 29th).

So too will veterans in other Blackstone Valley towns including Grafton, Millbury and Sutton.

“We had to shorten the parade route,” David Kennedy, quartermaster of Upton V... Read More

By Amy Palumbo-LeClaire

Maura O’Connor, a sixth-generation Stowe family descendent, wasn’t about to leave behind her American bulldog, Leo, the rescue dog assigned her at Star Academy for Professional Dog Trainers in Texas, where she became certified with a new diploma -- K-9 Training Specialist -- in March of 2017, following three months of school. Nor did she plan to return to the family farm with Tim... Read More

by Christine Galeone

Although Memorial Day is a solemn occasion to honor and remember the many brave men and women who gave their lives to protect our freedom, it’s also a time for family, friends and neighbors to come together to gratefully celebrate that freedom. The holiday also signifies the unofficial start of summer. And with it, comes a more relaxed season.

Several Grafton businesses have embraced that summer... Read More

By Rod Lee

What irony! Hank Phillippi Ryan expounding on her new book “Say No More” (about “what happens when silence becomes your power”) when all that members of Woman in Business Inc. wanted was for her to keep talking.

  In an enthralling approximately forty five-minute address as guest speaker at WIB’s annual motivational gathering in the Oliver Wight Tavern at Old Sturbridge Village the evening of May 10th, Ms... Read More