CMS Chamber logo  

 

In This Issue
Holiday FUN at FIVE
Talents & Treasures Auction
Neighbors Helping Neighbors Campaign Launches
Winebuyer's Outlet Tastings
2014 Annual Meeting Recap
Endocrinologist Joins Harrington
Harrington Awarded Grant
Psychiatrist Joins Harrington
Southbridge Savings Supports Holden Race
Salem Cross Inn: Holiday Happenings
Publick House Community Feasts
Cooking with Rico: Carne Di Maiale Porchetta
Christmas Craft Fair
9th Annual Beer Tasting
Thanksgiving Eve at Table 3
Thanksgiving Day Brunch
Traditional Thanksgiving Day Feast
Country Folk Art Craft Show
Thanksgiving Traditions at OSV
Last Green Valley's Ranger Talk
Gateway Players: Inspecting Carol
Pictures with Santa
Christmas By Candlelight
24/7 Training
Save these Dates!
NBSB ad
CFAS
Chamber of Commerce 
Board of Directors
 _________

Executive Committee
 
 
     
Michael Checkosky
Chairman

 

Brian Treitman

First Vice Chair 

B.T.'s Smokehouse

 

Cindy Howard

Second Vice Chair

Center of Hope

 

Melissa White
Immediate Past Chair 

Rehabilitative Resources, Inc.


John Lafleche
Bay Path Voc. Tech. High School
Treasurer 
__________ 

Board Members
 

Cheryl Barber
Country Bank

Jessica Bettencourt
Klem's

Jocelyn Callis

OFS

 

Chris Canniff

Harrington HealthCare System 


Bob Datz 
datzmedia 

Alycia Dzik
Webster First Federal Credit Union

Jordan Hoy

Savers Bank 


Jonathan Krach

The Vienna 

 

Rita Schiano 

Live a Flourishing Life

 
Jean Sullivan
Sullivan & Company Real Estate

Barbara Vacarr
Encore.org 

Michael Wales
Michael L. Wales Painting Co.

Bruce Watkins 

Jim Donahue
Honorary Board Member
Old Sturbridge Village

George I. Hammond

Attorney at Law 

Legal Counsel

 __________

Chamber Staff

Alexandra McNitt
 Executive Director

Paulette Hughes
Finance & Administration

Jack Starkey
Communications Specialist 

Chamber Links

CMS Chamber logo
Stur Townships - Everything but Ordinary  

    

 
Welcome to November's Crossroads Events!
In this issue we share the latest news from our Members, and many terrific events to kick off the holiday season. Plus, we provide a recap of our Annual Meeting and our 2014 Award Winners! 

Would you like us to promote your upcoming events in Crossroads? Post your happenings to the Chamber's
Events page and we'll share them with our nearly 800 subscribers.

Follow us on Facebook, Google+, and Pinterest for more from the Chamber and our Members!    

ornaments-pile.jpg
Fun at Five logo
Holiday 

FUN at FIVE!

Thursday, December 11 

5:00-8:00pm

Publick House
277 Main Street, Sturbridge
www.publickhouse.com 

 

Join us for some holiday cheer with our Members and Guests! Our last Fun at Five
of the year will be a historic bash at
The Publick House in Sturbridge
featuring amazing food, great prizes and your chance to revel with a festive crowd!

HOLIDAY CHEER & SURPRISES!
Please bring plenty of business cards
and one of each of any small promotional items from your business. We have a fun-filled scavenger hunt among other surprises in store for you this evening!

We can't wait to celebrate with you!

 

RSVP by phone at 508-347-2761 or email [email protected].

   

Cost: $10 for pre-registered Members, $15 at the door, or $20 for non-Members.  

 

Thank you
to our Holiday Fun at Five Sponsor!
Garieri Jewelers Garieri Jewelers 
  139 Main Street, Sturbridge 
508-347-9934 
Center of Hope 
14th Annual Talents and Treasures Charity Auction 
TONIGHT! 
Friday, November 14, 2014 
Publick House Historic Inn, 277 Main Street, Sturbridge
COH Auction
 Auction Item Viewing and Cocktail Hour: 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. 
Buffet Dinner: 6:00 p.m. 
Live Auction Bidding: 7:00 p.m.

Dinner Tickets are $35.00 per person

Please RSVP by contacting Marie Barse at
508-764-4085 ext. 640    
The Center of Hope Foundation provides services to over 600 families with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Help us help them in a time of need.
Hometown Bank Launches 11th Annual 
Neighbors Helping Neighbors Campaign
Nieghbors Helping Neighbors Hometown Bank kicks off its 11th Annual Neighbors Helping Neighbors Campaign on November 1st with a challenge to local residents to help support local food pantries. Each year, customers and community members are invited to be a Hometown Hero for a $1 donation or a Hometown Superhero for a $5 donation. Hometown Bank then matches donations dollar for dollar and splits the funds among food pantries that serve the areas surrounding each of its seven offices.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors donations benefit the Oxford Ecumenical Food Shelf at the United Methodist Church in Oxford; Food Share, a Southbridge-based program that serves residents of Sturbridge, Charlton and Southbridge; the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry at Sacred Heart Church in Webster; the Athol Salvation Army Food Pantry; WHEAT Community Services in Lancaster, and the Auburn Youth and Family Services, Inc. Food Pantry. This year, with the opening of the Bank's new Leominster branch office, Ginny's Helping Hand, a 30-year old non-profit agency serving that community, has been added as a participating food pantry.

Hometown Bank President and CEO, Michael D. Hewitt says "Last year's campaign concluded with a record total donation of $15,000.00, representing contributions from personal and business Customers and Employees, and a dollar for dollar matching gift from the Bank. Individual checks in the amount of $2,500.00 were presented to each of the six participating food pantries."

"In this, our 125th anniversary year, as we enter into the next decade of the Neighbors Helping Neighbors campaign, we are hoping to break all previous records," Hewitt said. "This campaign is one of the most gratifying things we do all year, because we know the need is so great."

In addition to the in-branch fund drive, Hometown Bank also sends a letter to business customers inviting their help and contributions, which the bank has promised to match in the same way that it matches individual gifts, dollar for dollar.

Hometown Bank is a $400 million mutual bank with offices in Athol, Auburn, Leominster, Oxford, South Lancaster, Sturbridge and Webster.
Hometown Bank

Winebuyers Outlet

Free Tastings, Every Saturday!

 

Please join The Winebuyer's Outlet / Sturbridge Cheese & Chocolate at their Free Tastings of Artisan Cheeses, luscious Chocolates & Fine Wines every Saturday from 1:00 to 5:00 P.M. This is a great way to taste before you buy and discover new favorites.

 

179 Main Street   

508-347-1500 www.winebuyersoutlet.com

Annual Meeting Recap: Chamber Honors 2014 Service Award Winners, Welcomes New Board Members

The Chamber held its annual meeting and awards luncheon yesterday at the Southbridge Hotel and Conference Center. We were very pleased to welcome a large and enthusiastic crowd as we honored this year's Chamber service award winners, said thank you to our departing Board members, and welcomed incoming members and new officers to our Board of Directors.

Departing the Board are Kim Cameron of Southbridge Hotel and Conference Center (served since 2002), Michael Miller (served as Treasurer for the last 3 years and as Board Member since 2007), Victor Somma of Quinsigamond Community College (served since 2013), Christine Tieri of smith&jones Idea Agency (served since 2011) and Jim Waddick of United Lens Company (served since 2005). We are deeply grateful for their dedication and service to the Chamber.

We wish a warm welcome to newly appointed Board Members Jessica Bettencourt of Klem's, Chris Canniff of Harrington HealthCare System, Bruce Watkins of Karl Storz, and Danielle Wilson of smith&jones Idea Agency.

Newly elected officers on the Board are Chairman Michael Checkosky (Southbridge Savings Bank), First Vice Chair Brian Treitman (B.T.'s Smokehouse), Second Vice Chair Cindy Howard (Center of Hope) and Treasurer John Lafleche (Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School).

We would also like to gratefully acknowledge the commitment and service of Melissa White (Rehabilitative Resources, Inc.) who steps into the role of Immediate Past Chair after having served as Chair for the last two years.

2014 Chamber Service Award Winners
Jennifer Valois
Volunteer of the Year: Jennifer Valois (2nd from left)  

Chamber Volunteer of the Year Award: Jennifer Valois
Jennifer is an enthusiastic member of the Chamber community. Ever ready to lend a helping hand, Jen is often the first person to volunteer to work a shift or two at the Brimfield Shows, our Member Open House or the Annual Harvest Festival. She currently serves as Vice President of the Chamber's official networking and referral group, Community Business Associates, and has been instrumental in the group's growth and success. For years now, Jennifer has taken responsibility for collecting and artfully packaging our New Member Baskets that are presented at our Fun at Five events, as well as creating our dramatic "Your Chance to Be a Millionaire" Raffle Tower which raises money for our scholarships and charitable contributions. Part of Jen's nomination read, "Jen is an accomplished professional who strives to attain for the best from herself and from those with whom she works. Jen's creative talent and eye for design is a value-added gift she brings to the Center of Hope. And it is a talent she offers willingly. Her unwavering professionalism benefits everyone." Beyond what she contributes to the Chamber's membership and the Center of Hope, Jen is also an avid runner in road races to benefit youth and a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity. Again from her nomination, "What I have found in my working with Jen through CBA, at Chamber events, and as a client of Center of Hope services, is that she is open to other people's ideas and encourages people to be part of the creative process. She is patient and willing to go above and beyond to get the job done to the satisfaction of those she serves."

Country Bank
Country Bank President/CEO Paul Scully (2nd from left)

Business of the Year Award:  

Country Bank  

The nomination reads, "Country Bank epitomizes community service," and we couldn't agree more. One would be hard pressed to identify another organization in the region who contributes as significantly both financially and in sheer manpower than Country Bank. While far, far too many to list here, following are just a few examples of the range of ways Country Bank is making a difference in our neighborhoods: donated $30,000 towards the purchase of a new ambulance in Brimfield; donates $36,000 annually to the senior centers in their communities; annually donates $24,000 to local food pantries; annually provides scholarships to 16 different schools; annually donates to local domestic violence task forces; provides financial literacy programs in 41 local schools serving more than 5,500 students annually; and donated $500,000 to the Country Bank Education Center at Old Sturbridge Village. So far in 2014 alone, their total community donations are in excess of $507,000 and there are still two months to go! Additionally, Country Bank staff members contribute more than 1,500 hours of volunteer time annually at events such as fundraising walks, feeding the homeless, community clean up days, building playgrounds, a range of Chamber activities and committees, and much more.

 

Nancy and Ray Fournier
Ray and Nancy Fournier (2nd & 3rd from left) 

Citizen of the Year Award (Co-recipients):  

Nancy and Ray Fournier 

Ray, as President of Food Share and a coordinator of Relay for Life, and Nancy, the constantly working behind the scenes person, they have given twelve years of devotion and commitment to both of these charities in our area. Through their efforts at Food Share, many thousands of people have been fed that might have otherwise gone hungry. Some just need a little help getting over a rough patch, while others depend upon the organization on a more regular basis. What matters is they leave with their arms full of food and a smile on their face. On Relay for Life, Nancy and Ray have both served on the planning committee, both wearing many hats such as seeing to the details of t-shirts, food permits and campsites, among other things. Nancy is known for her big smile as well as her apple and cherry squares. Ray enjoys helping in any way he can, and seems to take a particular delight in helping in the survivor tent on the big day of the event. Together they are a formidable team in providing hope for a cure and in raising thousands of dollars to help make it happen. As their nomination concluded, "Their volunteer effort for one charity would be enough, but for both makes them especially deserving of Citizens of the Year." Here, here!!

 

Thank you to Southbridge Hotel for a wonderful lunch, our award winners, those who gave moving testimonials, and all who attended this year's annual meeting. We look forward to vigorously serving our business community and working alongside you in the coming new year. 

 

Endocrinologist David Erani, M.D., Joins Harrington
Former Medical Director for Joslin Center brings local access to diabetic patients

 

Dr. Erani Board-certified endocrinologist David Erani has joined Harrington Physician Services.

Dr. Erani has more than 15 years of clinical experience in endocrinology. He most recently served as Director of Medical Programs at the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, where he developed and directed innovative programs for patients; he also provided medical leadership to Joslin-affiliate centers across United States.

 

"The arrival of Dr. Erani is significant for our community," said Ed Moore, President and CEO of Harrington HealthCare System. "Many patients are looking for a skilled physician close to home to care for and monitor their diabetes. Dr. Erani is passionate about clinical care and patient education."

 

After receiving his medical degree from New York University School of Medicine, Dr. Erani completed a residency at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center and a fellowship at Harvard Medical School/Longwood Medical Area Training Program in Boston. He has worked at several prestigious healthcare institutions, including Brigham and Women's and New York Presbyterian Hospital.

 

Prior to his work in Boston, Dr. Erani was the Medical Director for the Joslin Diabetes Center in Houston, Texas.

 

Dr. Erani will be located at 128 Main Street, Suite 2 in Sturbridge. For an appointment, call 508-347-7585.

 Harrington Healthcare logo

Harrington Awarded $3.5 Million Grant from Massachusetts Health Policy Commission

Money will increase access to behavioral health services

 

Harrington HealthCare System has been awarded a $3.5 million grant from the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission (HPC) to increase access to much-needed mental health and substance abuse services.

More than two dozen community hospitals in Massachusetts received funding from Phase II of the Community Hospital Acceleration, Revitalization, and Transformation (CHART) Investment Program. The grant makes phased investments for selected hospitals to enhance their delivery of efficient, effective care.

 

"The Health Policy Commission has provided us with a great opportunity," said Ed Moore, President and CEO of Harrington HealthCare System. "The process was competitive, and we are pleased to have been recognized for making a strong case for Harrington's participation. We look forward to using this grant to fill a community need and enhance our programs so local individuals and families can more easily access behavioral health services."

 

Harrington's proposal was centered around the implementation of the "Medical Home Model." The model includes having licensed social workers who will work as part of the internal medicine and family practice offices to help to identify at-risk patients and to screen patients for mental health and substance issues. The social worker's role also includes working as the patient Navigator/Case Manager to help patients receive a complete continuum of medical and mental health services.

 

A portion of the grant will also help fund a new inpatient psychiatric unit at Harrington's Webster Campus.

 

In January 2014, Harrington received $490,000 as part of Phase I of the CHART program. The money was used primarily to connect providers to the state's new electronic health information exchange and to help update mental health medical records.

 

Harrington was among the top five grant recipients to be chosen from a pool of hospital-specific proposals. Several joint proposals across healthcare systems also received funding. The Health Policy Commission awards up to $6 million per community hospital, with $60 million granted in total.

 

Representatives from Harrington and the HPC will work together over the next few weeks to structure a detailed plan for the grant-funded program.

 Harrington Healthcare logo

Psychiatrist Jyotikaben Patel Joins Harrington
Outpatient Behavioral Health

Harrington Jyotikaben N. Patel, M.D., Board-Certified in Psychiatry and Neurology, has joined Harrington Outpatient Behavioral Health Services.
Dr. Patel will be working with adult patients in Harrington's Behavioral Health offices in Southbridge, Dudley, and Charlton.

Dr. Patel has more than 30 years of experience working as a psychiatrist. Her most recent position was at St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester, where she was chief of the psychiatric unit. She also is a faculty member in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

Prior to her work at St. Vincent Hospital, Dr. Patel held positions as medical director and chief of psychiatry at Westborough State Hospital over the course of 20 years. Dr. Patel completed her residency at West-Ros-Park Mental Health Center in Boston and attended medical school in Vadodara, India.


For an appointment with Dr. Patel or another member of Harrington's Behavioral Health team, please call our intake office at 508-765-2222.

 Harrington Healthcare logo

Southbridge Savings Bank Supports Holden Road Race

Holden Race

Scott Auen, SSB SVP Retail Lending, Marty Holman, Pastor of Fellowship Church

and Master of Ceremonies (MC) of the Holden Road Race


Every year, participants of the Holden 5k Road Race begin their Thanksgiving morning in a very different and charitable way. Organizers have worked very hard to put this event together to benefit their local community and Southbridge Savings Bank is proud to be able to help support this cause.

 

With over 1,800 runners expected, as well as spectators and volunteers, it always proves to be a successful event. This year's proceeds will go to the Wachusett Food Pantry, The Josephs Project, Hearts for Heat and Be Like Brit. These are local nonprofit organizations that will benefit a great deal from an event like this one, providing needs and services to its local community. ."Ron Cooper, Chairman of the Charitable Donations Committee stated "we are proud to help the Holden Road Race committee meet their goals with this event. The proceeds will assist important, local organizations which help those that need it so much."

 

If you're interested in being a part of this great event or want to register to run, visit them at http://holdenroadrace.com/

 

For more information about Southbridge Savings Bank, call 800-939-9103 or visit them on the web at www.southbridgesavingsbank.com.

Southbridge Savings Bank
Salem Cross Inn header
UPCOMING EVENTS

 

Fireplace Feast: November 15, 16, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30

December 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14 

Lend a hand as dinner is prepared for you in colonial style or just relax by the fire with a hot glass of mulled cider or wine. Stir the chowder as it bubbles in our cast iron cauldron.  See your prime rib roasted "to a turn" on the only known authentic Roasting Jack still operating in America, rotating slowly over a crackling fire of wild cherry logs.  Beware of the brimming bowl of freshly whipped cream, the perfect complement to New England's Best Apple Pie.


While your dinner is cooking to perfection, enjoy a horse drawn wagon or sleigh ride through the valley on the Inn's pristine 600 acres. After your ride, shake off the chill with warm mulled wine or cider at our dining event. Browse our extensive collection of Colonial and Federal period American antiques.  

The event includes:

Delicious Early American Fare for your consumption... you can even enjoy seconds!
Pie making, mulling and chowder demonstrations
Horsedrawn wagon or sleigh ride, weather permitting
Casual dress is a must for this event

Visit www.salemcrossinn.com for tickets and more information.

 

Deck the Hall: Holiday Crafting & Dinner

November 25, December 2 and December 9

Back by popular demand!

This is perfect for a girls' night out!  Learn to make a holiday craft and enjoy a great dinner!   Bring your friends and join us for delicious, seasonal comfort food combined with a fun holiday crafting workshop where you will learn how to make a take-home holiday craft.  After a great meal, Barry Mongeon will share his talent for holiday preparations and will give you step by step instructions on how to create your take home holiday design.  There will be 3 Deck the Hall events held.   

 

On November 25, learn how to make an Autumn Cornucopia, December 2 will be the Christmas Wreath workshop, and on December 9, learn to make your holiday centerpiece.

Dinner includes Salem Cross Inn's famous bar cheese and crackers, chicken pot pie with a buttermilk biscuit, harvest squash, duchess potato and a seasonal dessert.  Cost is $50 per person including tax and gratuity.  To order tickets, call 508-867-2345 or order on-line at www.salemcrossinn.com  

 

Christmas Memories

December 6, 7, 13, 14 and more...

Enjoy a play based on Dylan Thomas's "A Child's Christmas in Wales".  Listen to performers dressed in 19th century costumes sing over 20 beloved Christmas carols - better yet, sing along with them and rekindle memories of Christmases past while making memories of the Christmas present.

 

Dine on a traditional turkey dinner with all of the trimmings...a tossed garden salad, freshly made muffins and dinner rolls, fresh moist turkey with Grandmother's traditional bread stuffing and giblet gravy, real whipped potatoes, and fresh butternut squash seasoned to perfection. Complete the meal with a scoop of peppermint stick ice cream rolled in chocolate cake crumbs and topped with Salem Cross Inn's famous hot fudge, fresh whipped cream and a candy cane.  Glasses are filled with farm fresh apple cider...ready to be lifted to commemorate the holiday season.  Everyone feels like part of the celebration!

 

Appropriate for all ages. Advance ticket sales only. Ticket non-refundable and non-transferable. Visit the link or call for tickets. Adult - $55.00    Child 10 or under  $25.00

 

SALEM CROSS INN          WEST BROOKFIELD          508-867-2345 

Publick House Cooks For Community Organizations
Publick House
Help Publick House give back to the community by attending monthly feasts to raise money for local organizations. Each sponsored organization will receive $4.00 from every dinner served!


November 17
Autism Awareness
Serra Club Worcester South
COMFORT FEAST

December 1
Hockanum Valley Community Council
Sutton Lions Club
ITALIAN FEAST

CASH DONATION
Adults $13 / Children $5
(4-12 yrs.)
ALL YOU CAN EAT BUFFET!
Held in Paige Hall or under the Tent! Check the schedule below.

Two Seating Times
SEATING ONE: 4:30pm-6:15pm
SEATING TWO: 6:30pm-7:30pm

Casual Dining * Open Seating * No Reservations

All Feasts include...
Tossed Salad with Maple Vinaigrette
Dinner Rolls, Dessert, Coffee, Tea, Soft Drinks & Iced Water

SEE the full menus and more here:
 http://publickhouse.com/sites/default/files/2014_Fundraising_Dinners_3.pdf

Cooking with Rico: Carne Di Maiale Porchetta   

Avellino 

November 20, 6:30pm


Porchetta, a derivative of the word porco, "pork," is close to what it seems-roasted pork. Porchetta is often slow cooked on a spit or in an oven for hours to create a delicious, moist, and flavorful treat available almost everywhere in Italy. Porchetta is the quintessential Italian street food and is often roasted in open air street fairs, or in the Italian equivalent of taco trucks outfitted for the specific purpose of preparing this delicious treat.


Pretty much every region in central Italy claims this dish as their own. The history behind porchetta is long. It traces back to medieval times and there is evidence that even the Romans prepared porchetta very similarly to the way it's done today. Join Chef Rico as he introduces you to his version of this old world delicacy. Rico's preparation make a wonderful option for a holiday meal. As always, these events sell out quickly so make your reservation early. This event is $55 per person with wine pairings, or $42 without. Tax and gratuity are not included.

 

Make your reservations now by calling Avellino at 508-347-2321.

St. Christopher's Annual Christmas Craft Fair

November 22 & 23
Craft fair

St. Christopher's Parish, Rte. 20 Brimfield, will host their annual Christmas Craft Fair on Saturday, November 22 from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm and Sunday, November 23 from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm.  The fair will feature crafters with a wide array of handcrafted goods including jewelry, primitives, holiday decorations & ornaments , quilted and crochet items, hand carved wood items, soaps, watercolors, scarfs, gift baskets, pet gifts and more,  as well as popular vendors.  There are great gifts for yourself or your holiday gift giving. The women's club will serve a delicious breakfast and lunch throughout both days.  There will also be a Cookie Walk on Saturday and don't miss the great raffles.  

 

All are welcome and admission is free. Proceeds for the will support needed church repairs and upkeep.  For more information call 413-245-7274 or email [email protected] or visit the church's Facebook page.
Sturbridge Optimist Club's
9th Annual Beer Tasting
Saturday, November 22, 2014
7:00 pm-9:00pm
Admiral T.J. O'Brien's
407 Main Street
Sturbridge, MA

Beer   ▪   Appetizers  ▪   Raffles

$25/per person donation
For tickets please call 508-347-9511 or at the door.
All proceeds benefit the youth of the Sturbridge area.

For more information on Optimist International, please log onto www.optimist.org.
Thanksgiving Eve Celebration
The Duck and Cedar Street Grille

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

 

Join us at the Duck and Cedar Street Grille from 5pm to close on
Wednesday, November 26.
Enjoy free munchies and drink specials. Entertainment at the Duck.

 

Thanksgiving Day Brunch

Sturbridge Host Hotel, 366 Main Street, Sturbridge, MA  01566 

508-347-7393

RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED 

Sturbridge Host

Thursday, November 27, 2014

10:30am - 2:00pm

 

Salads and Treats

Fresh Sliced Fruit Display

Assorted Tea Breads & Pecan Rolls

*****

Autumn Bisque ~ Caesar Salad

Orchard Salad ~ Tortellini Salad

Roasted Beet and Onion Salad

 

Made to Order

Create Your Own Omelette

With all the accompaniments

 

Buffet

Fluffy Scrambled Eggs

Sausage Links & Crispy Bacon

French Toast with Maple Berry Compote

*****

Native Roast Turkey w/Sausage & Sage Stuffing

Seafood Newburgh

Smoked Roast Pork Loin with Candied Peaches

Butternut Ravioli with Toasted Pecans and Blue Cheese

Creamy Whipped Potatoes ~ Candied Yams

Butternut Squash ~ Green Bean Casserole

 

Delicious Desserts

Traditional Pumpkin Pie, Pecan Pie, Apple Pie

Mulled Cider, Coffee, Tea, Decaf

 

$28.00 adults   $23.00 Seniors   $15.00 children 5-10yrs  (under 5yrs free)

Traditional Thanksgiving Day Feast

Now taking Reservations!
Thursday, November 27 at The Duck & Avellino


Join us for a bountiful and festive dinner prepared by Executive Chef Enrico Giovanello and Head Chef Tony Pitts with all your favorites-and some of ours too! There will also be a great selection of scrumptious desserts by our dessert maestro, Patty Cakes. A complete menu and details can be found here. Last year was a sell-out, so make your reservations early by calling the Duck at 508-347-2321. Be sure to ask about our early bird special.

 

Country Folk Art Craft Show
November 28, 29 & 30 
Sturbridge Host Hotel
CFAS

Put some fun & excitement in your Thanksgiving weekend, November 28, 29 & 30 at the Country Folk Art Craft Show  . . . the place for 'Home Holidays & Gifts' . . . The ultimate craft show  featuring many top local and national artisan-crafters, all displaying and selling thousands of the finest, useful, creative, yet affordable creations in beautiful 3-sided room setting booths . . .  

 

Thousands of fun & functional seasonal decorating accents and gifts for sale: furniture, florals, lamps & prints, clothing, jewelry & gourmet delights, at The Country Folk Art Craft Show, . . . 'THEE' place for all your home- and handmade favorites for the upcoming holidays . . .  

Where you're sure to find something unique and special for everyone on your list!

 

So many fabulous things to choose from - you'll just have to bring your friends and come and see it all for yourselves!  Visit the link for more! 

 

Show hours: Fri 11/28: 11a-6p * Sat 11/29: 10a-5p * Sun 11/30: 10a-4pm * adm $6
FREE PARKING! - Your admission hand stamp re-admits you all 3 days!

 

Country Folk Art Shows, Inc. 15045 Dixie Hwy./Ste. A, Holly, MI 48442 Ph: 248-634-4151.

Rediscover Thanksgiving Tradition at Old Sturbridge Village

Families Invited to Celebrate Thanksgiving 1830s-style

Thanksgiving OSV
Old Sturbridge Village sharpshooters will showcase their marksmanship during 19th-century style shooting matches during Thanksgiving weekend at the Village Nov. 27-30.

 

Did you know that Thanksgiving was one of just a few holidays celebrated by 19th-century New Englanders - and by far, it was the most important?  Beginning Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 27 through Sunday, Nov. 30, Old Sturbridge Village costumed historians and interpreters will bring to life Thanksgiving traditions 1830s-style - demonstrating hearth cooking, Native American food traditions, musket sharpshooting matches, and a re-created wedding.  Also, tales, tunes and hands-on crafts will be offered throughout the holiday weekend. For details visit www.osv.org or call 800-SEE-1830.

 

Not only will a visit to Old Sturbridge Village during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend provide families a much needed escape from the holiday shopping madness, but more importantly, an opportunity to spend quality time together while experiencing the true meaning of Thanksgiving.  In fact, Thanksgiving at Old Sturbridge Village gives visitors a unique opportunity to discover little known Thanksgiving traditions and history - for example:

  • Turkeys were much smaller in the 19th century because they walked to market. Before railroads, it was common for 'turkey drovers' to drive herds of 200 domesticated turkeys from central Massachusetts to the main meat market in Brighton, near Boston. A common route was right through Sturbridge on the old Boston Post Road, now Route 20.
  • Thanksgiving pies were baked weeks ahead, and tucked into unheated bedrooms and attic spaces to freeze until the holiday arrived.
  • Target shooting matches were the 19th-century entertainment equivalent of watching today's Thanksgiving Day football games.
  • Thanksgiving was the most popular time to get married in early New England because families were already gathered for the holiday, and the hard work of harvest was complete.

Old Sturbridge Village historians in 1830s costume will roast turkey in a "tin kitchen," or reflector oven, which was a kitchen innovation in the 1830s. They will also roast meat dangling from a string over the hearth - a clever and easy way to rotate the meat for even cooking. Turkeys were much smaller than the big supermarket "butterballs" we see today, so preparing turkey was a lot of work for not much meat. In the 1830s chicken pie, mincemeat pie (with real meat), boiled stuffed chicken, and roast mutton were often served along with turkey for the Thanksgiving meal.

 

Native American historian Marge Bruchac, portraying "Indian Doctress" Molly Geet, will talk about Algonquian food traditions, noting that virtually all of the foods we associate with the Thanksgiving feast - turkey, cranberries, corn, squash, etc. - are foods cultivated or hunted by the original Native people of New England, who introduced these foods to European colonists. These Native people held not one, but many Thanksgiving feasts - one for every harvest in every season. Their 'Harvest Thanksgiving,' when squashes were gathered in from the fields and dried, fell roughly into season with Anglo-American autumn harvest festivals.

 

Visitors can watch an after-dinner shooting match between Village sharpshooters firing black powder muskets.  These shooting matches were a popular pastime in early New England, much like watching football games is today. Male villagers will gather with their flintlock smooth bore guns and try to shoot the closest to a paper target. The prize was often a turkey in these "turkey shoots."

 

Thanksgiving was also the most popular time to get married in early New England because the hard work of harvesting was done, and families had more time to travel and socialize. The wedding at Old Sturbridge Village will re-create the simple style of the early ceremonies. Wedding garments were often just the groom's best tail coat and the bride's best dress - not the elegant white gowns that became popular in the late 1800s.


 

Old Sturbridge Village celebrates New England life in the 1830s and is one of the largest living history museums in the country.  The museum is open daily 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. seven days a week.  OSV offers free parking and a free return visit within 10 days. Admission: $24; seniors $22; children 3-17, $8; children 2 and under, free. For times and details of all OSV activities visit: www.osv.org or call 1-800-SEE-1830.

 

 

TLGV logo

 The Last Green Valley's Ranger Talk 

Monday, December 1, 2014, 7 pm
Notables and Notorious: Curious and Infamous Characters  
from The Last Green Valley

 

For over 300 years, many interesting and important people have lived in this region. From colorful characters, to soldiers, statesmen and spies, to the well-known and not so well-known entrepreneurs, The Last Green Valley was home to many people who, in their own unique way, shaped the region, state and country.

 
This talk will be held at the The Last Green Valley Office, 203B Main Street (2nd floor, side door), Danielson, CT.  The talks last approximately an hour with time for questions.

The programs are free
to TLGV members and their guests. 
Registration is required.  To sign up, please contact Chief Ranger Bill Reid at 860-774-3300
or via e-mail at
[email protected].

Inspecting Carol
Inspecting Carol
Show dates are December 4, 5, & 6 at 7:30pm, and December 7 at 2pm. 
Tickets are $13 for adults and $11 for seniors and youth under age 18. There is a $2 discount for advance sales purchased through the box office by December 3rd. 
Tickets can be reserved by calling 508-764-4531 
Directed by Patricia Haddock, and Produced by Barbara Day. Written by Daniel Sullivan. Presented by permission through special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.

Synopsis: 
A Christmas Carol meets The Government Inspector meets Noises Off in this hilarious hit from Seattle. A man who asks to audition at a small theatre is mistaken for an informer for the National Endowment for the Arts. Everyone caters to the bewildered wannabe actor and he is given a role in the current production, A Christmas Carol. Everything goes wrong and hilarity is piled upon hilarity. Perfect anytime, this delight is particularly appropriate at Christmas.

Christmas Pictures with Santa
at Klem's
santa

December 6, 10am to 3pm 

Ho, Ho, Ho - Santa is meeting and greeting!

Spread the Cheer!

Children & Pets are welcome!

$5.00 Donation - Sponsored by the Spencer Lion's Club


Klem's           117 West Main Street          Spencer

Christmas By Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village

Friday, December 5, 2014 to Sunday, December 7, 2014

Friday, December 12, 2014 to Sunday, December 14, 2014

Friday, December 19, 2014 to Sunday, December 21, 2014

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings,

4:00 p.m.  - 9:00 p.m.

OSV Candlelight  

Escape the frenzy of a modern Christmas with an enchanted evening of gingerbread, roasted chestnuts, music, dance, and a sleigh ride (weather permitting). Meet Father Christmas and chat with Santa Claus (bring your camera!).

 

In order to focus on the evening holiday events, Old Sturbridge Village will be closed during the day from December 2-25. The Village will return to a daytime schedule for its popular school vacation week activities Dec. 26, 2013 - Jan. 4, 2014.  

 

Visit online for more information, advance tickets and the complete schedule of events. 

 

Christmas by Candlelight highlights include:

  • Re-creation of Mrs. Cratchit's Christmas Dinner
  • Sleigh rides (weather permitting)
  • Gingerbread House Contest - winners determined by your votes
  • Holiday traditions explained and recreated- roasting chestnuts, yule logs, mistletoe, and more
  • Demonstrations of period gingerbread baking and cider mulling
  • Victorian carolers
  • Christmas keepsake to make and take home
  • Display of model railroads and trains
  • Display of a miniature New England Village
  • Display of the Little Town of Bethlehem nativity
  • Visit Father Christmas and Santa Claus
  • Punch & Judy Puppet Show
  • Christmas carol sing-a-longs
  • Holiday magic shows
  • The dance from Dicken's A Christmas Carol
  • Readings of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and A Visit from Saint Nicholas
  • Readings of "The Nativity Gospel of Saint Luke" and "The Nativity Gospel of Saint Matthew
Coggno Training
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Save these Dates!
November 28-30: Country Folk Art Craft Show at Sturbridge Host Hotel
December 1: The Last Green Valley's Ranger Talk 
December 5: Christmas By Candlelight Evening Program Begins at OSV     
December 11: Holiday Fun at Five at The Publick House
December 31: Central Mass Antiques Show at Sturbridge Host Hotel  

Thank you for posting your events to our Events Calendar!

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