REGION - Walking, one of the easiest and best exercises for every age and ability, is the perfect way to lift your spirits and commune with nature. You don’t always have to hike through rocky remnants of the Ice Age. A gentle hike also offers trekkers beautiful vistas and physical health benefits.
One of the best parts about a hike is the discovery or reward at the end. When you traverse a mountain, the panoramic view is your reward. Conversely, taking a walking trail around a pretty lake and enjoying the sun dancing off the water is great for your emotional well-being. No matter where your outdoor adventure day takes you, the scenery, fresh air, and physicality will simply make you feel better.
Below is a list of just a few of the many hiking trails across the state of Massachusetts.
Mount Greylock State Reservation
The mac daddy of hiking in Massachusetts can be found at Mount Greylock State Reservation in the western part of the state. The 3,491-foot summit is the highest point in Massachusetts. Be sure to visit the Veterans War Memorial Tower when you reach the peak. According to AllTrails.com, there are no less than 47 hiking trails in the reservation.
Six easy rated trails that range from one to two miles long are perfect for the new-to-
hiking outdoor enthusiast. The 1.7-mile-long Glen Meadow Loop Trail is a popular option. It offers everything you want from an easy hike; wooden bridges, well-maintained trails, and pretty scenery.
Two dozen hard rated trails include sections of the Appalachian Trail. The 11.6-mile Mount Williams, Mount Fitch, Mount Greylock, and Stony Ledge Trail is a beautiful, albeit challenging, hike to the Greylock summit. It passes by a beautiful waterfall (off the trail) and eventually joins up with the Appalachian Trail.
Wachusett Mountain State Reservation
Princeton is home to the 2,006-foot Wachusett Mountain, offering outdoor adventurers 31 trails traversing 17 miles through dense forests, pretty meadows, and small ponds in
Central Massachusetts. Hop on the Echo Lake Trail via Echo Lake Road for an easy 0.6-mile hike. The reward for this gentle walk is views of beautiful Echo Lake.
A more challenging hike is the Midstate Trail: Princeton Station To Barrett Lane, a difficult 13.8-mile point-to-point trail. Be prepared for uphill scrambling, but your reward are the amazing panoramic views from the summit.
This gorgeous urban green space in the Boston area is a popular respite from the city congestion. Offering scenic views over 125 miles of trails, there is an option for everyone. The most challenging hike is the 15.2-mile iconic Blue Hills Skyline Trail. Not the trail for novice hikers, it is long and dif-
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ficult. A gentler option is Tucker Hill Green Dot Trail Loop. The easy and enjoyable walk covers 2.9 miles passing by Houghton’s Pond and Tucker Hill.
In Hingham, Worlds End is a charming 251-acre undeveloped South Shore peninsula spreading out into Hingham Harbor. The gentle rolling coastal drumlins meander through the property providing peeks of the Boston skyline and pretty water views. The property was designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted in preparation for a residential subdivision that never came to pass.
Advanced parking passes are required on weekends and strongly recommended during the week due to the small parking lot.
If you find yourself vacationing on Cape Cod this summer, spend a little time walking the Cape Cod Rail Trail (CCRT).
The 25-mile paved bike and accessible walking path runs from South Dennis to Wellfleet where you pass by charming towns, ponds, fields, and wooded areas.
With parking locations scattered along the trail, there are lots of interesting sections to explore.
Accessible hiking trails and paths
Every year more hiking areas have increased accessibility. Whether you are pushing a stroller or require a wheelchair, you can find a list of accessible hiking trails on AllTrails (https:// www.alltrails.com/us/massachusetts/ada).
Massachusetts is blessed with a natural beauty. From hiking gentle trails to summiting mountain peaks, you can find a hike perfect for your fitness level all year round.
CONCORD - Author and naturalist Henry David Thoreau intentionally lived alone in a modest cabin in the woods at Walden Pond from July 1845 until September 1847. This immersive back-to-nature experience would inspire his seminal environmental work “Walden,” published in 1854.
More than 175 years later, visitors still flock to see Walden Pond at the state park that bears its name to enjoy its recreational activities and/or learn more about the life of the celebrated transcendentalist writer and philosopher.
Numerous visitors from near and far Walden Pond State Reserva-
tion, most of which is located either in or just outside Concord, welcomes approximately half a million annual visitors, some of whom make the trek from other states or countries. Through its association with Thoreau, the National Historic Landmark is widely regarded as the birthplace of the modern conservation movement.
Established as public property in 1922, today the Walden Pond State Reservation offers ample recreational opportunities including a public swimming beach, hiking trails, boating, fishing and birding. There are easy hikes with gradual elevation changes, the most popular of which is a roughly two-mile loop circling the pond. The pond itself is stocked for fishing twice a year, usually some species of trout. While the
park doesn’t rent boats, they do provide a boat launch for people who bring their own canoes, kayaks or boats with electricpowered motors (gas-powered motors are prohibited).
“The big draw of this place is, sort of the natural beauty of Walden itself,” said Lisa Little, forest and park supervisor with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. “And through Thoreau’s eyes, many people have been able to experience that in his book ‘Walden.’ But really embracing those themes of the everchanging seasons of being kind of in this simple mindset – sort of a removal from the hustle and bustle of everyday life – I think that’s what a lot of people kind of seek out when they come here.”
Of course that comes with a caveat. If you’re seeking solitude, you’ll want to avoid the peak season and schedule your Walden Pond outing during winter or other off-season times, noted Little. The bulk of visits occur between July and October.
Besides the recreational offerings, the park also contains a replica of Thoreau’s singleroom cabin. His original cabin was moved a couple of times before ultimately falling into disrepair.
of the house’s roof was as a hog pen, according to Little.
Visitors center attractions
The Walden Pond Visitors Center, built in 2016 to welcome people into the property and share the legacy of Thoreau and the history of Walden, features exhibits on his life and his time spent at Walden Pond. There are also displays about the natural history of the pond as well as a 20-minute eponymous film about Walden produced by renowned documentarian Ken Burns.
Eagles’ founding member Don Henley, who appears in the film, founded Walden Woods Project, a nonprofit dedicated to the legacy of Thoreau and the preservation of Walden Woods. The organization helps fund some of the park’s programs and has protected property adjacent to Walden Pond from development.
Thoreau would approve of the visitors center’s green architecture, a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design) gold certified building.
It’s a sleek and modern structure but it almost fades into the surrounding landscape, becoming like a part of the scenery, said Little.
Additionally, there are solar panels in the parking lot, and the park produces more energy than it consumes. EV charging stations are available onsite as well. “We’re really committed to diminishing the fossil fuel aspect, moving forward with
all these things,” asserted Little.
Commenting on Thoreau’s enduring appeal and why his Walden Pond experience still resonates with people in the 21st century, Little noted that while Thoreau may have stayed here in the 1840s and witnessed the onset of the Industrial Revolution, the work has a timelessness to it.
“And I think that we still today grapple with this sort of ‘what is our place in this world
in terms of technological advances and how we relate to nature,’” mused Little. “And those are just really essential questions that I think everybody at some point in time reflects on. And so, his writings were really seeking that out and trying to find these answers and trying to see, ‘Where do I belong? Where do I fit in?’”
“And also offering some ideas behind that in terms of our connection with nature—that we are a part of these places,” Little continued. “And kind of walking the ground where he trod these spots, I think is really inspirational for a lot of people.”
Corinne Smith of the Thoreau Society, a scholarly organization founded in 1941 to help promote the life, work and legacy of Thoreau, maintained that a lot of the topics Thoreau wrote about, including nature, the environment, the role of government—remain relevant today. “He’s still read, he’s still taught in school. You still see his quotes everywhere,” said Smith, who manages the Tho-
reau Society-run bookstore in the visitors center.
While not everyone comes to Walden Pond because of Thoreau—many people are there just to swim—he’s still a major draw. His nonconformist viewpoints, written in the first person, can also appeal to younger people trying to find themselves. Thoreau’s message of “you don’t have to be like everyone else,” can be a powerful one. “We meet people every day for whom this is a bucketlist pilgrimage,” related Smith, who has authored two books on Thoreau. “It’s a spiritual place for some people.”
Additionally, along with John Muir, Thoreau is often cited as one of the precursors of environmentalism and conservation, and his detailed observations of the natural world made during his time at Walden even provided a data set that has been informing contemporary issues such as climate change, conveyed Little. “Definitely folks come here, whether Walden Pond | 6
they’re literary fanatics or connect with that idea of conservation, people want to come here and see where Thoreau was,” she stated.
Originator of the tiny house movement
Thoreau is also generally credited with being the original proponent of the tiny house movement. By promoting living simply, connecting with nature and prioritizing necessities over wants, his experiment was a formative example of minimalism—shedding our obsession with big spaces and material possessions. He built his oneroom, 150-square-foot sparselyfurnished cabin in Walden using materials that cost $28,
Irish railroad worker. By utilizing repurposed materials, he incorporated environmentalist principles. “Walden,” which reflected on his time at Walden Pond, praised the virtues of a stripped-down, elementary existence and extolled the merits of self-sufficiency and independence.
Smith stated that, ironically enough, Thoreau’s association with the tiny house movement was “just kind of accidental.” He sought to escape the noise of his parents’ house and his friend and fellow transcendentalist essayist and philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson owned land next to Walden Pond. “That was just a writing retreat for him. He didn’t see himself as a model,” she explained. However, she adds that in “Walden” he also famously said, “simplify the problem of life, distinguish the necessary and the real.”
Regardless of Thoreau’s intent, his experience and the phi-
losophy that inspired it appeals to champions of the modern tiny house movement who are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint and use less resources. Tiny House Talk, a blog advocating the benefits of tiny house living, calls Thoreau “an inspiring role model for those of us seeking to simplify our lives.”
Quips Little of Thoreau’s cabin, “I mean I can’t think of a more famous tiny house.” She remarked that Thoreau’s friend Channing called it “the ink stand in the woods.”
“So he came here to write,” said Little, “and certainly it became this experiment in simplicity that everybody is aware that he lived.”
If you’re planning a visit to Walden Pond, particularly during the warmer months, Little cautioned to check ahead because they have a limited capacity and can only allow a thousand people in the park at a time. Visit mass.gov and see the DCR advisory dashboard for updated park alerts on capacity and closures.
NORTHBOROUGH – Are you ready to rock?
Michael Fraclose has been involved with music since he was 10 years old, playing in an array of bands – including original touring rock bands, jazz ensembles and local cover bands – and also recording with various artists up and down the East Coast. Fraclose received a bachelor’s degree in music and an MBA in strategic leadership, and now he’s excited to spread his love of music to the broader community.
Fraclose is the proud owner of Northborough’s newest business, School of Rock, which aims to give everyone, regardless of age, the opportunity to “rock out.”
“There’s just a sense of joy and fun playing music. I’ve always tried to find a way to
make music a part of my life. Then this opportunity came. I thought, ‘What better way to share music than teaching kids and adults how to play?’”
Fraclose told the Community Advocate.
The location, which opened on May 6, features several practice spaces filled with modern equipment and instruments. Each room is named after a music festival, and the building has fresh decor, a spacious lobby, and funky murals that encapsulate the rock vibe. However, the centerpiece of the facility is the lounge, which recreates the iconic garageband atmosphere, pull-down door included.
School of Rock is a performance-based music program where students receive individualized lessons focused on music technique and theory. Students are also placed into a band, allowing them to im-
mediately become part of the action. Students “jam out” in the garage-like practice room, developing chemistry and rapport with their bandmates while building their own selfesteem, confidence and musicianship.
“I believe that students learn faster when they play with other students. They learn how to listen. In the band setting, we work on dynamics, performance, and stagecraft, such as how to hold a microphone. All those little things that you might not get if you’re just doing individual lessons. But they also get that musicianship in the individual lesson with the teacher. We use fun to teach music,” Fraclose said.
“We get loud. We make it feel like a live venue. We want them to have that experience of a real place – speakers, microphones, monitors to prepare them for the stage. That’s ultimately where you learn the best. You learn alongside
others,” he added.
School of Rock focuses its teaching on the major elements of a rock-and-roll band: guitar, bass, drums, vocals and keyboards. The school’s philosophy is, “We don’t teach music to put on shows. We put on shows to teach music.”
Eventually, Fraclose aims to bring the bands out into the community. Right now, he has plans to hold concerts in the fall and late winter for local residents.
School of Rock offers lessons for all ages. Younger students have an opportunity to participate in the specially designed Little Wing Program and Rookies Program. Older students can rock out in the Performance Program or Rock 101, and there is also a vibrant Adult Program. The company’s passionate, trained staff are ready to help people reach their potential. Regardless of age, it’s never too late to get involved with music.
“The greatest thing about
music is you can play it your entire life. I think sometimes we get overwhelmed with the idea of starting something, but here we try to make it inclusive for everybody, regardless of experience,” Fraclose said.
As a parent himself, Fraclose also emphasized School of Rock’s safety procedures. The facility is video-monitored and all the instructors are thoroughly background checked. In addition, the facility strictly protects students’ hearing, strongly encouraging earprotection measures.
All in all, Fraclose hopes to foster an inclusive, positive environment for students of all ages and abilities. School of Rock hasn’t been open long, but he’s liking what he’s seeing so far.
“[The first day] was great. The parents were welcoming, the kids were awesome, and everything was positive. Everybody was excited. What I saw that day was exactly why I wanted to open this place: the community. It was awesome,” he said.
School of Rock is located at 10008 Shops Way (Northborough Crossing) in Northborough, but welcomes students from throughout Central Massachusetts. For more information, please visit https://www. schoolofrock.com/locations/ northborough or call (508) 692-6003.
Business Profiles are advertising features designed to provide information and background about Community Advocate advertisers.
NORTHBOROUGH – With summer around the corner, it’s time to break out your golf clubs.
Juniper Hill Golf Course, once the site of a dairy farm, has been operating for over 90 years and features 36 picturesque holes in the heart of Northborough. The 18-hole Riverside Course follows the Assabet River as it winds through the property. It’s your traditional New Englandstyle course, with tree-lined fairways and lush countryside acres. The 18-hole Lakeside Course, constructed in 1991, is a more difficult Carolina-style course with narrower fairways and challenging topography. All told, both courses provide over 12,000 yards of space to play. With 36 holes and more than enough space, the course is able to accommodate players of all abilities. The golf course has an
on-site golf teaching center, designed to help spread the game to younger players. And while beginner golfers are perfecting their swing, more-experienced players can attempt to tackle the course’s more difficult holes. There’s something for everyone at Juniper Hill.
“I think people come back
Dudley Darling stands in front of the 17th hole of the Riverside Course. It’s Darling’s favorite hole.
(Photo/Evan Walsh)
because we make an effort to try to provide a good golf course to golfers. We try to provide a fun environment. We’re not selling golf. We’re selling experiences. One of the key things I try to say to as many people as possible is, ‘Have a good time. Have fun.’ I think that’s part of the deal — making sure that people
are having an enjoyable experience,” said Dudley Darling, the third-generation manager of the property.
“We’re trying to grow the game. It’s not just a sport. It’s about lifelong experiences,” he told the Community Advocate while traversing the course.
“But we also have some challenging spots. We have one hole — a par-three over wetlands, with wetlands on either side — and when we opened up the golf course someone from the PGA [Professional Golfers Association] came to the course and said, ‘This has got to be the hardest par-three in New England.’”
Golf is, of course, central to everything at Juniper Hill, but there’s much more to discover on the property. Juniper Hill makes the perfect destination for any number of events, including weddings, ceremonies, and other get-togethers. The
course’s clubhouse can hold up to 300 guests and overlooks the gorgeous, lucious landscape. The friendly staff at Juniper Hill are happy to help coordinate any event. The course’s atmosphere is quiet and serene, with red-tail hawks and blue herons often visiting the wildlife sanctuary.
Aside from planned events, it’s always worthwhile to stop by the Juniper Grille, which offers a wide range of tasty dishes that can be eaten outside looking over the 13,000-squarefoot practice green. Looking to bolster your game? Stop by the golf pro shop to purchase equipment, including Titleist, Ping, Callaway, TaylorMade and FootJoy. Club repair services are also available.
Whether you’re coming to play, shop, or eat, Darling is just excited you’re there.
“The best thing about the job is the people. I enjoy seeing
Hill | 11
PORTSMOUTH, N.H. - New Hampshire’s mighty port city is filled with charming local shops, historic homes, delicious eateries, and beautiful sunsets. At only about an hour’s drive from the Boston area, it’s a wonderful spot for a quick coastal getaway stay.
Places to visit
A short walk from downtown Portsmouth is the Puddle Dock neighborhood, home to the Strawbery Banke Museum. Experience this living history museum dedicated to preserving artifacts and buildings dating back to the region’s Indigenous Abenaki people to present-day life. Costumed role players set the tone when you enter their homes and businesses, reenacting the life and times of colonial New England-
ers. Enjoy the beautiful gardens, historical homes, and busy workshops as you stroll through the active neighborhood.
On the waterfront side of Strawbery Banke Museum is Prescott Park. Ten acres of pretty landscaped gardens, artistic sculptures, and inviting benches. It is a lovely spot for an afternoon stroll.
A must do when visiting Portsmouth is a sunset cruise through Portsmouth Harbor and along the Piscataqua River. It’s the perfect way to see the vibrant sunset and twilight lights of Portsmouth. Book passage on Portsmouth Harbor Cruises and enjoy over an hour of on-the-water scenery. Its dock is on the waterfront near all the restaurants and pubs, so you only have a short walk for a fabulous after-cruise dinner.
Hikers and wanderers will enjoy the 1.5-mile Little Harbor Loop Trail that winds around
the Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion. Guests can tour the period 40-room waterfront mansion that was home to New Hampshire’s first governor, Benning Wentworth.
Military history buffs of all ages will enjoy a selfguided tour of the USS Albacore submarine. The U.S. Navy tested top-secret features with the USS Albacore that led to modern-day submarine improvements. Enjoy crew member stories, peer from the periscope, and more during this unique marine vessel visit.
Portsmouth is a shopping paradise. Market Square is filled with unique shops; jewelry, boutiques, independent bookstores, galleries, and foodie-focused stores offer something for everyone. Window shopping and popping in and out of storefronts is a popular way to spend an afternoon. Portsmouth is also a short drive from Freeport, Maine, home to L.L. Bean’s flagship store. You will find independent and outlet shops lining the streets of Freeport.
Where to dine
Portsmouth’s restaurants offer diners a wide array of menu choices. From rooftops to waterfront, fine dining to pub eats, you will easily find a restaurant that fulfills your culinary desires.
The Rooftop At The Envio, located on the top of the AC Hotel, offers fine dining in a casually elegant setting. With one of the prettiest panoramic views of Portsmouth, it is the perfect spot for a delicious dinner. The Envio Shrimp Cocktail will become the benchmark for all future shrimp cocktail appetizers―it’s so good you might not want to share. Reservations are strongly recommended.
Juniper Hill | from page 9 people who are out here having a good time, enjoying themselves,” he said.
Juniper Hill aims to positively impact the community outside of golf. In late May, the course will hold a charity golf tournament to benefit children
If you are in the mood for a more casual pub meal, the Thirsty Moose Taphouse should be your destination. With wallto-wall televisions, this sports bar offers delicious pub grub and dozens of regional beers on tap. Finding something you love on the extensive menu is easy― narrowing it down to one dish is a difficult task. The prime rib sliders with horseradish sour cream come three to a plate, tasty and perfect for sharing while you sip a draft.
Where to stay
There are lots of great hotels clustered around the downtown Portsmouth area. It is a mostly flat, walkable city. Valet
of military families. Every November, Juniper Hill holds “Turkey Day,” which raises food for the Northborough Food Pantry for Thanksgiving.
“I try to give back… I think it’s probably people’s duty to try to give back to people in need,” Darling said.
your car and add some steps to your daily count.
The Residence Inn Portsmouth Downtown/Waterfront is a lovely hotel. It straddles the waterfront and all the downtown shopping and dining. Another popular choice is the Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside Hotel with rooms offering views of the harbor. The Hilton Garden Inn Portsmouth Downtown is in the middle of all the action. Whatever your budget, you will find a room perfect for your visit.
If you are looking for a closeby city that has dining, history, and fun things to do, consider Portsmouth, New Hampshire for your next getaway.
Juniper Hill Golf Course is located at 202 Brigham St. in Northborough. For more, visit https://www.juniperhillgc. com/ or call (508) 393-2444. Business Profiles are advertising features designed to provide information and background about Community Advocate advertisers.
Movie in the Park – Thursday, June 20, Grafton Common. Activities will start at 7 p.m., the movie “Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie” will begin at dusk. Bring your lawn chair, blanket and, or course, your pet. Sponsored by Grafton Recreation. Information: www.graftonrec.com.
Big Truck Day – Saturday, June 22, 10 a.m. to noon, Millbury Street School. Sensory-friendly from 10 to 11 a.m. Sponsored by Grafton Recreation. Information: www.graftonrec.com.
Fourth of July Parade – On Thursday, July 4, the third annual parade will step off at 10 a.m. from the North Street Elementary School, and end at the Common. The “Dog Mayor” competition is also part of the plans. After the parade, stay at the Common for
activities. Pizza and Kona Ice will be available for purchase. This will be a rain-or-shine event. Information: grafton4thofjulyparade@gmail.com.
Hudson Fest – Saturday, June 8, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., South Street. An old-fashioned street fair with vendors selling crafts, gifts and more; food trucks; live music; local community nonprofits; and the Rotary’s annual Duck Race. Free admission; sponsored by the Assabet Valley Chamber of Commerce. Information: https://www.discoverhudson. org/events/
Classic Car Show – Sunday, June 2, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Main Street. Sponsored by the United Breth-
ren Masonic Lodge. Live music, food trucks, marching band and more. Information: https://www. marlborocarshow.com/
Labor Day Parade – Monday, Sept. 2. One of the region’s largest parades, featuring bands, floats and more. Information: https:// marlboroughlabordayparade. com/
Porchfest – Saturday, June 22, 2 to 6 p.m., various locations in town. This music festival shines a spotlight on local talent. Rain date June 23. Information: https:// www.town.northborough. ma.us/cultural-council
Rocking the Boroughs Concert – Saturday, June 15, 7 p.m., and
Sunday, June 16, 2 p.m., Flanagan Theater at Southgate in Shrewsbury. Tickets – general admission $20, seniors and children (ages 6-18) $15, free for children 5 years of age and younger. Tickets must be reserved in advance by emailing rockingtheboroughs@gmail. com.
Rocking the Boroughs sings rock and roll songs from the 1950s, 60s and 70s. This group was inspired by the Young at Heart Chorus (youngatheartchorus.com) and practices at the Senior Center on Thursdays at 1 p.m.
SELCO Community Open House – Friday, June 28, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., SELCO Service Area, 30 Municipal Drive. Learn about the programs and services offered by Shrewsbury Electric and Cable Operations. The event will include an electric vehicle display,
children’s activities, Smiley the WooSox mascot and more. Information: https://shrewsburyma. gov/
Fourth of July Parade – Tuesday, July 2, 11 to 11:30 a.m., Southborough Library (parking lot). All children are invited to join the library’s annual Fourth of July parade to the Town House. Flags and other patriotic accessories will be provided. After the parade returns to the library, refreshments will be served. Sponsored by the Friends of the Southborough Library. Information: Kim Ivers, 508-485-5031, kivers@ southboroughma.com.
Summer Nights – Saturday, Aug. 24, Neary Field. Come celebrate summer with live music, entertainment, food and fireworks. This free community event is funded by the generous support of local businesses. The fun starts at 5 p.m., and ends with a fireworks display. Rain date TBA.
Strawberry Shortcake Social –Sunday, June 16 (Father’s Day), the Congregational Church of Westborough, West Main Street, after the 10 a.m. service. Part of the church’s 300th anniversary celebration. Ice cream and strawberry shortcake will be served. Open to the public. Information: https://uccwestboro.org/
4th of July Block Party – Friday, June 28, 5:30 to 9 p.m., Bay State Commons. Get an early start on Independence Day celebrations. Games, dunk tank, food, music and more. Sponsored by Westborough Recreation.
Fireworks Display – Friday, June 28, Cristoforo Colombo Park (East Park), Worcester. Bring the family for a festival of live music, food vendors and more. Rain date June 29.
Bolton Fair – Aug. 9-11, the fairgrounds at Lancaster, 318 Seven Bridge Road, Lancaster. Rides, a midway, exhibits, demonstrations, food and much more. Information: https://www.boltonfair. org/
support and understanding of your Christopher Heights family. You will also enjoy quality care, well–balanced meals prepared with fresh seasonal ingredients, lively group activities, and your own
Christopher Heights off season of your life! In our community you will be surrounded by the support and understanding of your Christopher Heights family. You will also enjoy quality care, well–balanced meals prepared with fresh seasonal ingredients, lively group activities, and your own private apartment. Don’t weather the seasons alone, let us take care of you in your new home!
To learn more about our senior lifestyle plans or to schedule a tour, call 508-281-8001 today. We would love to hear from you!
Christopher Heights offers unique senior lifestyle plans to fit every season of your life! In our community you will be surrounded by the support and understanding of your Christopher Heights family. You will also enjoy quality care, well–balanced meals prepared with fresh seasonal ingredients, lively group activities, and your own private apartment. Don’t weather the seasons alone, let us take care of you in your new home!
ingredients, lively group activities, and your own private apartment. Don’t weather the seasons alone, let us take care of you in your new home!
To learn more about our senior lifestyle plans or to schedule a tour, call 508-281-8001 today. We would love to hear from you!
learn more about our senior lifestyle plans or to schedule a tour, call 508-281-8001 today. We would to hear from you! Don’t delay! Apply
Christopher Heights offers unique senior lifestyle plans to fit every season of your life! In our community you will be surrounded by the support and understanding of your Christopher Heights family. You will also enjoy quality care, well–balanced meals prepared with fresh seasonal ingredients, lively group activities, and your own private apartment. Don’t weather the seasons alone, let us take care of you in your new home!
To learn more about our senior lifestyle plans or to schedule a tour, call 508-281-8001 today. We would love to hear from you!
Don’t delay! Apply at Christopherheights.com/apply
To learn more about our senior lifestyle plans or to schedule a tour, call 508-281-8001 today. We would love to hear from you!
Don’t delay! Apply at Christopherheights.com/apply
Don’t delay! Apply at Christopherheights.com/apply
Grab a chair or blanket and enjoy an evening of free music (and on some nights, movies)
Thursdays at 6:30 p.m., Common. Sponsored by Grafton Recreation.
July 11 – Hit the Bus
July 18 – Petty Larceny
July 25 – Big Chief
Aug. 1 – Dock 10
Aug. 8 – Holdin’ Back the 60s
Aug. 15 – Claflin Hill Symphony
Aug. 22 – Northern Fried Revival
Updates: www.graftonrec. com.
Wednesdays at 5 p.m. on the Common
July 10 – Roy Scott Big Band
July 17 – Hopkinton Community Summer Band
July 24 – Hot Acoustics
July 31 – Electric Youth
Aug. 7 – Jah Spirit
Aug. 14 – Jumpin’ Juba
Aug. 28 – Din Check
The Downtown Music Series, sponsored by the Hudson Downtown Business Improvement District, will be held Saturdays from 6 to 9 p.m. May to September in front of Town Hall. In addition to the music, there will be food trucks and retail vendors.
2024 performers will be announced soon.
Information: https://www. discoverhudson.org/ events/#toggle-id-1
The summer series at Wood Park and Cellucci Park will be announced later this spring. The dates for Wood Park will be June 14, 28, July 12, 26, Aug. 9 and 23. The dates for Cellucci Park will be June 15, July 20 and Aug. 17.
The summer series will be announced in late May.
The summer concert series will be announced later this spring. The Northborough Cultural Council will present the firstever Porchfest on Saturday, June 22, from 2 to 6 p.m. Musi-
cians will perform on porches, in backyards, at businesses, green spaces and popular community spots while spectators enjoy free music as they walk or bike around the town. This festival is a new opportunity for local musicians to share their musical passion and talents with our Northborough neighbors.
For updates and a map of locations, visit https://northboroughculture.org/northborough-porchfest-2024/
Concerts will take place at Dean Park’s bandstand from 6 to 8 p.m.
July 8 – Mental Math Syndicate
July 15 – TBD
July 22 – 4EverFab
July 29 – Hit the Bus
Aug. 5 – Tom Knight
Aug. 12 – Compaq Big Band
The series is sponsored by the Shrewsbury Cultural Council.
6 to 8 p.m. Neary School Stage. Co-sponsors – Southborough Community Fund, Friends of Southborough Recreation, Mass. Cultural Council
July 10 – Hit the Bus
July 17 – Brett Warwick and Friends
July 24 – Paxton Crossing
July 31 –Last Call Radio
Aug. 7 – Stacey Peasley (kids performance)
Aug. 14 – Elastic 5 Band
Food trucks TBA Aug. 24 – Summer Nights, 6 to 8:30 p.m. Come celebrate
summer with live music, entertainment, food, and fireworks at Neary Field. This free community event is funded by the generous support of our local businesses. The fun starts at 6 p.m., and ends with a fireworks display by Atlas Pyro Vision. Updates: https://www.facebook.com/southboroughrec
All concerts will take place at
Baystate Commons, Union Street. Sponsored by the Westborough Cultural Council.
July 12 – The South Street Band, 6 p.m.
July 26 – 4Ever Fab, 6 p.m. Aug. 2 – Music with Mister Vic (children’s concert), noon Aug. 9 – The Workingman’s Band, 6 p.m.
Information: https://www. facebook.com/westboroughREC
Silver Lake Beach
245 Upton St.
Season from June 17-Aug. 13. Hours from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (closed Mondays)
Day passes: Resident -- $5 person, $12 per car, $3 for seniors (age 65 and older). Day passes available at the beach; proof of age/residency required.
Season passes: Resident – $20 individual, $45 family, $10 seniors (age 65 and older); Nonresident -- $40 individual, $75 family, $20 seniors. Season passes available online only, and may be picked up at the Recreation Office or at the beach.
The Recreation Department will offer the following special events at the beach – Family Fishing Clinic, June 29, 6 to 8 p.m. (free; for ages 6 and older); Paddling Nights July 11, July 25, Aug. 8, 6:30 to 8 p.m. (fees charged for canoe/kayak rental); Doggie Dip Day, Aug. 13, 4 to 6 p.m. (free). Details: www.graftonrec.com.
Hopkinton State Park
164 Cedar St.
(Supervised by the Department of Conservation and Recreation)
508-435-4303, Hopkinton. park@state.ma.us https://www.mass.gov/locations/hopkinton-state-park
Swimming area open weekends from late May through Labor Day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Boat rentals and picnic areas also available.
Parking fees (May 14-Oct. 30) – $8 for Mass. residents, $30 for non-Mass. residents. Passes and mobile app available via the website.
World War II
Memorial Beach
Causeway Street
Opening Day TBA
Public Swimming Hours: 11 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. daily; parking lots open at 10:30 a.m. Bathrooms close at 6:30 p.m., parking lot at 7 p.m.
The beach will be closed the week of Aug. 28-Sept. 1. Beach will reopen for Labor Day week-
end (Saturday-Monday from 11:30 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. – bathrooms close at 5:30 p.m., parking lot at 6 p.m.)
Last day for public swimming will be Monday, Sept. 4.
Admission of free for Marlborough residents (must show driver’s license/car registration for admittance to parking lot). Nonresidents are subject to $20 daily parking fee.
Handicapped parking available.
Details – https://www.marlborough-ma.gov/recreationdepartment/pages/wwii-memorial-beach
Splash Pads
Splash pads are at Ghiloni Park, 239 Concord Road, and at Stevens Park, 10 Martin St.
Opening Day TBA. Closing Day on Sept. 5.
Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Details: https://www.marlborough-ma.gov/recreationdepartment/pages/splash-pads
Wading Pools
Farrell Wading Pool – 85 Sawin St. Ward Wading Pool –157 Orchard St.
Opening Day TBA. Closing Day Aug. 25
Hours – daily from noon to 5:45 p.m. Gates will be locked at 6 p.m.
Use the school parking lots.
Details – https://www.marlborough-ma.gov/recreation-department/pages/wading-pools
The town manages the state boat ramps at Flint Pond and Lake Quinsigamond. The launching of any boat, including cartop watercraft, requires a fee to be paid during the below dates and times. Users can pay a daily fee of $15 or purchase a seasonal pass for $100, in advance, by mail or at the Shrewsbury Town Hall, Parks & Recreation Office on the 2nd floor of Town Hall Building.
Flint Pond, Route 20
Saturday and Sundays and holidays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., starting May 26
Lake Quinsigamond, Corazzini Ramp, N. Quinsigamond Avenue
Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., starting May 26
• Intended use of a public boating access facility means the launching and retrieval of any trailered or cartop watercraft and parking of the vehicle used to launch and retrieve watercraft in a properly marked parking area.
• A pass does not guarantee a parking space. Please note on some busy dates ramps may be full.
• Seasonal pass is valid at either location.
• Pass must be displayed in vehicle’s passenger side window and shown to the ramp attendant. Pass covers one vehicle and the trailered boat attached to it; or the cartop watercrafts
on top of said vehicle.
• Failure to pay the ramp fee may result in a fine and suspension of ramp privileges on Lake Quinsigamond/Flint Pond.
• Lost or stolen passes cannot be refunded or replaced and should be reported to attendant or office staff immediately. Please lock your vehicle to protect your parking pass and other valuables.
• Start and end dates subject to staff availability.
Information: https://shrewsburyma.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details. aspx?ProgramID=29998
Chauncy Lake, 60 Lyman St. Opening Day (tentative) –June 26
Hours – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Season Pass and Walk-in Fees: $4 daily walk-in rate; $30 individual (resident); $65 family (maximum of six, resident)
Paddle Nights will take place on July 18, Aug. 1 and 15. Time slots available – 6 to 7 p.m., 7 to 8 p.m.
Rental fees – single kayaks, one person, $30; tandem kayaks, two persons, $46; canoes, 2-3 persons, $52
Details – https://westboroma. myrec.com/info/default.aspx
The Farmers Market will be at the Common on Wednesdays starting June 14 from 2 to 6 p.m. Local vendors offer a variety of goods, from ice cream to candles and breads. Information: http:// www.graftonfarmersmarket. com/
The summer Farmers Market will open on Sunday, June 9, at the Common from 1 to 5 p.m. For updates and a list of vendors, visit https://hopkintonfarmersmarket.com/
HUDSON
Get ready for the Farmers Market, which will run Tuesdays from June 18 through Sept. 24 from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Town
Hall, 78 Main St. Information: https://www.facebook.com/ hudsonsfarmersmarket/
Open Saturdays from June 15 through Oct. 5 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. along Weed Street. Information: https://www.facebook. com/MarlboroughFarmersMarketMA/
The Farmers Market will kick off its 10th season on Thursdays starting June 6 from 3 to 7:30 p.m. (no market on July 4) at the parking lot of the Senior Center on Maple Avenue. Information: summermarket@ shrewsburyma.gov
The Rotary Club of Westborough sponsors the Farmers Market, which will run Thurs-
days from 2 to 6 p.m. at Bay State Commons, off East Main Street. For updates, visit https://www. facebook.com/westborough. farmers.market
Berberian Farm
68 Otis St., Northborough 508-393-8079; berberiansfarm@gmail.com https://www.facebook. com/people/BerberiansFarm/100063772020692/ Featuring the farm’s own fruits and vegetables.
Chestnut Hill Farm
Chestnut Hill Road Southborough 508-785-0339; chestnuthillfarm@thetrustees.org https://thetrustees.org/place/ chestnut-hill-farm/ Features Trustees-grown produce, meat, eggs as well as local, organic food.
from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; weekends from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The deli is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Ferjulian’s Farm
Houlden Farm
95 Wesson St., Grafton 508-839-2409; houldenfarm@ gmail.com
https://houldenfarm.com/
Davidian’s Farm Market
500 Church St., Northborough 508-393-3444; info@davidiansfarm.com https://www.davidiansfarm. com/
The market is family-owned; the farm has been running for more than 100 years. Open all year long with local goods we love being part of the local community. There is a full deli with made-to-order sandwiches, soups and assorted prepared foods.
We also stock local meats and other essential groceries. The market is open weekdays
7 Lewis St., Hudson 978-562-3447 https://www.ferjulians.com/ Ferjulian’s is a 70-acre family owned and operated farm. For 80 years it’s been our privilege to grow flowers, fruits and vegetables for our community and to carry on the only working farm in Hudson.
Hours are Mondays-Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sundays from noon to 6 p.m.
Harvey’s Farm and Garden Center
7 Maple Ave., Westborough 508-366-1545
https://www.harveysfarm.com/ Featuring home-grown, nonGMO fruits and vegetables, along with flowers. The farm stand is located in Emily’s Gift
From spring through Christmas, the farm store offers perennials and annuals, fruits and vegetables, dairy, farm-raised meats, baked goods and more.
Nourse Farm
70 Nourse St., Westborough 508-366-2644; jwnourse@aol. com
https://www.noursefarm.com/ Farmstand opens in late May; it offers a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, jams, honey, homemade pies and more. The farm’s VegOut truck offers a plant-based menu, and will open for the season in late May.
Paquette Farm
71 Grafton St., Shrewsbury 508-842-5082
https://www.paquettefarm. com/
The farm is a family-run business that features fresh vegetables and sandwiches. The farm is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Yellick’s Farm
238 Hudson St., Northborough 508-571-8242; yellicksfarm@ gmail.com
https://www.facebook. com/people/YellicksFarm/100071484789658/ Vegetables and flowers grown with natural and organic methods.
Open from May-October.
Contact
your local food pantry to find
out what’s needed, how to
donate or volunteer, or how to access services.
Grafton Food Pantry, Municipal Center (second floor) 508-277-4535, graftonmafoodbank@gmail.com; https:// www.graftonfoodbank.org/
Open for public aid two days per month on the second and fourth Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and 4 to 6 p.m.
Hudson Community Food Pantry, 28 Houghton St. 978-562-5280, hcfp28@gmail. com; https://hudsoncommunityfoodpantry.org/
Hours of operation – Tuesdays and Saturdays from 9 to 10:30 a.m.; first Thursday of the month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. To donate goods, stop by on Saturdays at the back entrance between 8:30 and 1:30 a.m. There is also a donation box at the Stop & Shop. For monetary donations, contact the Food Pantry.
The pantry also stocks fresh and frozen meats, vegetables and fish, as well as fresh produce and fruits. Those wishing to donate perishable food items, email hcfp28@gmail. com to arrange a time to either meet at the pantry or pickup at your home.
Marlborough Community Cupboard (a program of the United Way of Tri-County) 255 Main St., 508-370-4902; https://www.uwotc.org/mcc Pantry Hours – Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Wednesdays from 5 to 7 p.m.
The Marlborough Community Cupboard provides groceries and produce to Marlborough residents each month. Fresh fruits and vegetables are also available to clients on a weekly basis through the Produce Marketplace so people can access healthy items that may otherwise be too expensive in a retail grocery store.
Northborough Food Pantry 37 Pierce St., 508-393-6897, info@nfpantry.org; https:// nfpantry.org/nfp/ Hours of operation – Wednesdays from 9 to 10:30 a.m.; Thursdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
The Northborough Food Pantry is a source for supplemental food to those who are on a limited income or have an acute need. Residents of Northborough or persons with active membership in a church located in Northborough may shop at the pantry one time each week.
St. Anne’s Human Services Food Pantry
130 Boston Turnpike, 508-7994169; humanservices@stannesparish.org; https://www.stannesparish.org/food-pantry
The food pantry is in the basement of the church. Use the left-side double doors for donations, office and food pantry. Food is distributed every Monday at approximately 10:30 a.m. while supplies last. New clients can sign up at this time. Please line up in the parking lot and remain in your car. A volunteer will come to sign you up.
Southborough Food Pantry Pilgrim Congregational Church, Fellowship Hall, 15 Common St.
The pantry is accessed through the back entrance of the church. 508-485-4847, southboroughfoodpantry@gmail.com; https://www.southboroughfoodpantry.org/
The Southborough Food Pantry is a service of the United Parishes of Southborough Hours of operation – Thursdays from 6 to 7 p.m.; Fridays from 9 to 10 a.m.
Westborough Food Pantry Forbes Community House (rear entrance)
508-366-3007, https://westboroughfoodpantry.org/
Distribution Hours – Tuesdays from 9 to 11 a.m. (for clients age 60 years and older); Thursdays from 9 to 11:30 a.m., 6:30 to 8 p.m. Food donations for the pantry can be dropped off during distribution hours. Food items can also be dropped off at the Westborough Fire Department, Roche Bros. and the Lyman St Stop & Shop. Please do not donate expired items or severely dented cans.
