Feature Articles

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

By Janet Stoica

No one really wants to talk about planning for the future and how their families will be affected, says Dennis Antonopoulos, a financial advisor with the Edward Jones investment agency, who has made it his career to assist individuals with their estate planning.

“It’s important for me to see what’s important to my clients,” said Mr. Antonopoulos, “I’m here to help them achieve their goals. Educating... Read More

By Magda Dakin

Practice does make perfect and the 10th Annual East Meets West Health & Business Fair certainly proves that – Life-Skills and Page Chiropractic make a perfect combination in producing yet another hugely successful Health and Business Fair. 

A continuous stream of attendees were treated to lots of interactive activities, displays, raffles, demonstrations and a little bloodletting as well, at the Re... Read More

By  Amy Palumbo-LeClaire

Lisa Caccialino grew up in the late seventies—when using her imagination to create a cardboard Barbie Townhouse with hand-drawn bushes on the side was customary.  Forty years later, she’s kept her creative vision alive via ownership and management of the antique shop, Rust to Ruffles. Distinguished by handcrafted items and numerous vendors who claim to “rescue items from the past,” the charming Nor... Read More

By Thomas D’Agostino www.tomdagostino.com

This story is as it appears in our upcoming book on New England folk.

On December 5, 1895, seventy-two-year old Lucas Douglass was found dead in a snow-laden street in Ashford, Connecticut. He apparently died alone, cold and penniless, having never married and few relatives to share time with. He is buried in the Westford Hill Cemet... Read More

The Yankee Xpress and Blackstone Valley Xpress are preparing a Father's Day story highlighting father-daughter business teams. It could a business the dad passed on to his daughter, or one in which they work together, or both.We are looking for suggestions, preferably in southern Worcester County towns, including the Blackstone Valley. Please send suggestions to [email protected].. Read More

By Rod Lee

As subdued in personality as the muddy-banked river that flows quietly and unobtrusively (except when it floods) south from Worcester before emptying into Narragansett Bay, Megan DiPrete is well aware of the challenges she faces as the newly appointed executive director of the Blackstone Heritage Corridor Inc. (BHC).

On the other hand Ms. DiPrete’s elevation from deputy director to replace the articulate... Read More

By Rod Lee

Bill Staruk with his quaint sense of humor and a smile on his face says “I like to think people are coming here to see me, but it’s the lake.”

He understands the compulsion. Lake Manchaug Camping LLC, as the family’s property on Oak St. in Douglas is known, sits astride one of the most picturesque bodies of water in New England.

With just under two hundred sites available from May 1st to October 1s... Read More