Anticipation for the first sprouts of spring
A sampling of the Easter and Spring Decor at Off the Common Antiques. (Courtesy of Off the Common Antiques Facebook page)
By Christine Galeone
The birds have returned from their southern sojourn, and they seem to spend their mornings catching up with their fellow winged creatures. Gardeners are eagerly anticipating the first sprouts to emerge from the thawed earth. Spring has arrived.
The three-month-long season is a time of hope, renewal and rebirth. Although there’s so much devastation in the world that most of us would like to see change, the season reminds us that there are still things to celebrate. And Grafton businesses and organizations have embraced that sentiment.
Through its wide selection of seasonal merchandise, Off the Common Antiques has been helping people prepare to celebrate Easter, Passover and spring. At the multi-artisan, multi-vendor shop, shoppers can find antiques, handmade items and reclaimed furniture to brighten their homes and holidays. Among the items that the shop currently sells are hand-crafted items and jewelry that reflect the beauty of the season and whimsical Easter décor.
A nearby business that’s also helping people prepare for holiday and spring celebrations is the Grafton Country Store. The gift shop located on the Grafton Common has a vast array of Easter and spring décor and gifts. It also sells Easter basket fillers and Modern Sprout Hydroponic Grow Kits for those who want to get a head-start on growing herbs. Additionally, the shop is selling Rustic Marlin signs from which 100 percent of the proceeds will go to the World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit that provides meals to hungry people in the Ukraine and elsewhere.
Murphy Academy of Irish Dance has been celebrating one of its favorite times of the year. The dance school has been busy sharing its love and talent for Irish dancing with audiences at many St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the area, including the Worcester Irish Festival and the Worcester County St. Patrick’s Parade.
It’s also been an exciting month for Quite Fetching, the barkery and pet boutique located on the Grafton Common. It just celebrated its 5th anniversary. Earlier this month, it was featured on an episode of “Chronicle.” And it also recently contributed to the Thimble Pleasures Quilt Guild’s fundraising efforts to support Guiding Eyes for the Blind.
The Grafton Public Library is celebrating the good work done by Cradles to Crayons. Through the end of March, the library is holding a pajama drive for the nonprofit. It’s collecting all sizes of new pajamas for infants through teens. For more information, you can visit the library’s website, www.graftonlibrary.org.
Finally, the Grafton Food Bank, another nonprofit that provides vital services to our community and is celebrated by many, is currently holding its annual donations appeal. In a recent statement on its Facebook page, the organization mentioned that in 2021, the need for the food it provides increased nearly 100 percent over 2019. Donations to the organization, which provides food, resource referrals and emergency help with utilities, to Grafton residents in need of a helping hand, can be sent to the food bank at PO Box 324, Grafton, MA 01519. Donations can also be made through its website, www.graftonfoodbank.org.
While spring is the season in which we can all find hope, renewal and rebirth, it’s also nice to be reminded that we can be part of those things in the lives of those around us. Maybe that’s what those birds have been chirping about.
Please note that this information was correct at the time the column was written. However, because the pandemic is rapidly changing things, it’s best to check the websites and social media pages of any business to see if new changes have been implemented. Contact Christine with your business news items at [email protected].
