by Christine Galeone

August is drawing to a close. Labor Day is on the horizon. But that doesn’t mean that people in the area have to stop enjoying warm breezes and summer fun.

Local businesses and organizations have been easing back into the swing of things as well. And they’ve been doing so in a variety of ways.

On Monday October 7, Engine Company No. 2 of Grafton, Inc. – a nonprofit run by firefighters from Grafton Fire Department Station Two in North Grafton – will hold its 18th Annual Grafton Fire Station Two Golf Tournament at Highfields Golf & Country Club. The event will raise money to help the GFD with training and equipment needs. Proceeds will also go towards a scholarship for a Grafton High School student. The registration fee of $150 per player includes greens fee, cart and dinner. Although the nonprofit is seeking golfers, sponsors and raffle prize donations, early sponsors and donors include Homefield Credit Union, Koopman Lumber, Noel’s Auto, The Post Office Pub, Theroux Dental and Wong’s Restaurant.  An auction and raffles will be held after the dinner. For more information, you can visit the nonprofit’s website, www.graftonengine2.org. 

Next month, on Saturday September 14, the Stephen H. Roney Cornhole Tournament will be held at Houlden Farm in North Grafton. The team registration fee of $100 should be paid by Sept. 1. Hole sponsorships of $100 per hole are also available. The event will also include food trucks, raffles, The Shanty bar and an oyster bar. Proceeds will fund the Stephen H. Roney Memorial Scholarship. More information can be found on the Houlden Farm Facebook and Instagram pages.

Local organizations will also provide opportunities to people who are looking to express themselves creatively. The 2025 Small Stones Festival of the Arts is calling for entries for its annual show and competition. Submissions of fine art and photography will be accepted from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. For more information, visit the festival’s website, smallstonesfestival.org.  

Koopman Lumber, the hardware and paint store which has a North Grafton location, as well as several others, has a lot to celebrate as summer winds down. It was founded 85 years ago, in August, by Pete Koopman. Its stores in Grafton, Whitinsville and Uxbridge will celebrate the milestone anniversary from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday Aug. 24. They will have food trucks, activities and discounted items.

Returning to routines can be enjoyable. And that’s especially true when you get the chance to savor the end of summer in some way. Then, it’s easier to look forward to autumn’s blessings. 

Contact Christine with your business news items at [email protected].