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Worcester, MA Permit No. 2

E N I Z A G A M

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5 1 0 2 , F Y R A U R B E Feb. Sturbridge screening opportunity for renowned indie film Kip Andersen and Keegan supported by simple but beau - Kuhn, producers of the ac - tiful cinematography.” claimed “Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret” have From The Huffington Post: been enjoying much global in - “[Andersen] pulls no terest in their film about envi - punches and makes no apolo - ronmental sustainability gies: ‘The future of our planet specifically as it relates to the is being destroyed by this in - food industry. dustry.’ Hard to argue with the Andersen and Keegan are data.” distributing their work through a unique system with the Tugg From Louie Psihoyos, School, which works to bring “Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret” will be screened at Sturbridge Cinemagic Theatre on Oscar-Winning Director of independent feature-length Tuesday, February 24 at 6:30 p.m. The event is being hosted by Tip Top Country Store in Brookfield. In - "The Cove": motion pictures to American terested parties should reserve their $12.00 tickets online at www.tugg.com/events/13131. “Cowspiracy may be the cinemas without influence most important film made to from corporate entities. must achieve a critical mass of demon - Excerpts from The London Economic: inspire saving the planet.” The Sturbridge event will be strated interest through advance ticket pur - Following is from the review of this film From The Examiner: sponsored by Tip Top Country chases. In this case, in order for the film to from Nick Figgis of the above publication: Store in Brookfield, and it be screened in Sturbridge, a total of 72 in - “To start with this is a masterclass in scheduled for the Sturbridge dividuals must order tickets for the Febru - documentary film making. Deft pacing, a ★★★★★! A fresh Cinemagic Theatre on Tuesday, ary 26 event on or before February 17. A dry sense of humour and a self-effacing take. Few films are brave February 26 at 6:30 p.m. status check on the Sturbridge ticket order - protagonist make it eminently watchable. enough to tackle a topic this The arrangement through ing and purchase of tickets can be done at There’s an engaging simplicity to the controversial. Tugg requires that the film www.tugg.com/events/13131 . narrative and data presentation which is

2 THE STURBRIDGE TIMES MAGAZINE THE CHRONICLE OF STURBRIDGE COUNTRY LIVING STURBRIDGE AREA LIVING FEBRUARY 2015 THE STURBRIDGE TIMES MAGAZINE

PUBlISHeR & eDITOR ...... PAUl CARR MANAgINg eDITOR ...... jOHN SMAll STORy eDITOR ...... STePHANIe RICHARDS

ADveRTISINg DIReCTOR ...... KAReN ROTHWeIleR ADveRTISINg PRODUCTION ...... TeRRI RACCA

WRITeRS ...... lISA BOUley , MS ...... THOMAS CHAMBeRlAND ...... AMANDA COllINS ...... PATRICIA A. gAUMOND ...... ROBeRT geORge , eSQ ...... RICHARD MCgRATH ...... KATHy MeNARD ...... RICHARD MORCHOe ...... MICHAel Neely ...... STePHANIe RICHARDS ...... PeTeR SAgANSKy ...... g.e. SHUMAN

THe STURBRIDge TIMeS MAgAzINe | C ARR , Q UINN & S MAll , I NC . P.O. BOx 418, STURBRIDge , MA 01566 Tel . 508-347-7077 FAx 508-347-8150 STURBRIDgeTIMeS .COM CQSMeDIA .COM THe STURBRIDge TIMeS MAgAzINe is published 11 times a year, with no january issue, in Sturbridge, Massachusetts by Carr, Quinn & Small, Inc. We accept photos, opinions, short articles, stories, poems and drawings from the general public, but assume no re - sponsibility for failure to publish a submission or for typographic errors published or incorrect placement. The contents of this magazine consist of copyrightable material and cannot be reproduced without the expressed written permission of the author and the publishers of The Sturbridge Times Magazine . We reserve the right to refuse any advertising for any reason. We reserve the right to require editing to any advertising that is accepted for publication. Opinion printed herein report views of the authors and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the magazine, its publisher, or Carr, Quinn & Small, Inc. We invite varying opinions and information from our writers and readers, wishing to provide a public forum for well-tempered, well-reasoned thoughts, ideas and opinion. ADveRTISINg DeADlINe: Camera ready: the 20th of each month prior to publication. The 17th of the month for Nov. and Dec. ADveRTISINg OFFICe: 508-347-7077 ext. 2 (Karen Rothweiler, Ad Director). 3 DelIveReD INTO eveRy HOMe AND BUSINeSS AND POST OFFICe BOxeS IN STURBRIDge AND TO SeleCTeD HOMeS IN BRIMFIelD BROOKFIelD CHARl Annual Subscription Rate , , , - If you live outside Sturbridge and Sturbridge Times TON , eAST BROOKFIelD , HOllAND , NORTH BROOKFIelD , WAleS , WeST BROOK - Magazine is not mailed to your home, you may sub - FIelD , SOUTHBRIDge , SPeNCeR . AlSO MAIleD TO INDIvIDUAlS AND scribe at our annual rate of $29.00. Checks must indi - BUSINeSSeS elSeWHeRe IN THe UNITeD STATeS . AND TO MeN AND WOMeN OF cate “Annual Subscription” on the detail and be made THe U S ARMeD FORCeS WHO ARe SeRvINg OUR COUNTRy IN THe UNITeD payable to Carr, Quinn & Small, Inc. and forwarded . . to: Sturbridge Times, P.O. Box 418, Sturbridge, MA STATeS AND ABROAD .

THE CHRONICLE OF STURBRIDGE COUNTRY LIVING THE STURBRIDGE TIMES MAGAZINE 3 GETTING READY | TAX TIME Sturbridge Coffeehouse Tom Dubrey’s five top tax tips for 2015 moves to new grounds By Tom Dubrey fordable Care Act is a twist on the MA health By Stephanie Richards gathering information to prepare your care reporting we have been complying with tax return can be an exciting experience or for a number of years now. like MA, the fed - Seven years ago, Pia Rogers and her mom (then a dreadful one depending on your antici - eral law does provide for a “shared responsi - a partner) set out to create a special blend in a busi - pated result. Here are some tips for making bility payment” or tax penalty for not being ness that captured the two in the heart of Stur - the experience as pleasant as possible and a enrolled in a qualified health plan. The law bridge’s Main Street area. few new items to watch for as you embark carries a maximum $12,240 per family For Sturbridge Coffee House, the New year on this year’s tax journey. penalty for not being enrolled. All of us need brewed up a move this month from the former to report our coverage as part of this year’s tax Hearthstone Inn to a space just down the road adja - Tax Tip 1 - Stay organized filing. A tax credit is available for taxpayers cent to Admiral T. j. O’Brien’s. The building may be It doesn’t matter if you are a do it your - who meet income eligibility guidelines and smaller, but the aroma inside is the same with its sig - self tax preparer or use a professional tax also purchase insurance through the Federal nature blend of coffee and community. “Our sign in service, staying organized is likely to make insurance “Marketplace” (MA Health Con - front now says community. I will always be in Stur - the experience more pleasant. If you use a nector). bridge; I wouldn’t consider a location other than professional service, ask for a client organ - Main Street in town,” Rogers said. “The space is izer. This document will list all of the items Tax Tip 4 - Small Business Expensing smaller, but it is still all about good coffee in a com - you had in last year’s tax return and ask a Ask any small business owner who pur - munity gathering place...that has always been the series of questions to alert the prepare of chases equipment or vehicles and they will tell whole idea.” changes to your life that may impact the re - you how important this law is to them. IRC Ironically, Rogers looked at the new space three turn. When you arrive for your appoint - Section 179 allows small businesses to expense other times but said it just didn’t “feel right. The old ment, having all of your required up to $500,000 of fixed asset purchases in - building (Hearthstone) was beautiful but expensive documents will avoid rework and ultimately stead of depreciating them over several years. to heat. I’d spend $90 a day in oil. you have to sell a reduce professional fees. Another way to The law expired in 2013 and was retroactively lot of coffee to make that up,” she said. “I also spent stay organized is to provide a summary of extended this past December for 2014. Tax - a lot of time in my office doing paperwork. I wanted expenses. Tax preparers don’t need to see payers flooded equipment and auto dealers to to be back on the front-line and interact with cus - every business receipt that you have accu - take advantage of the last minute tax law tomers more. It was time to move on.” mulated throughout the year. Providing a change before it expired again at the end of located at 408 Main Street, the new 2,000 summary makes things easier on both of the year. square-foot space includes a living room area with you. couches set around a pellet stove, toy box with chil - Tax Tip 5 - What if I get audited? dren’s items and a craft area. Rogers wanted to Tax Tip 2 - Repaired or replaced? The thought of being audited is enough to recreate a homey atmosphere. She is also returning In 2014, The Treasury issued final reg - trigger anxiety in the calmest of people. Au - to her roots with a Children’s Music Hour (in the ulations on this long debated topic. gen - dits are a necessary part of our “voluntary” near future) and extended hours, open seven day a erally, if a taxpayer makes large capital tax reporting system. The key to leaving the week from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. As time goes on, she will improvements to commercial or residential audit without an adjustment is having your evaluate how things go and make adjustments to rental property, the cost is depreciated over documentation ready and organized. The hours if needed. Open mic time will also be offered several years. If an item is repaired, it can IRS will need receipts and other verification, on a regular basis for anyone who is brave enough be written off immediately. The new regu - providing it timely and organized will make to step up to the microphone and sing, play an in - lations provide a strict framework to distin - the process run smoothly. Remember, the au - strument or recite poetry. guish a repair from a replace. The ditor is an employee doing his or her job. By As always, coffee is ground into the new locale. regulations have a far reaching impact for providing the items they need, you are allow - One new feature will be a self-serve, coffee to go line property owners who have used an im - ing them to work efficiently and close the audit with a $2 cup of jo. “Customers will find our Red proper method in past years. Depreciation so you can return to life. Barn (Upton, MA) and Saccuzzo (CT) Coffees along deductions may be disallowed under audit, with specialty drinks that are popular like Milky Way resulting in lost deductions forever. The Thomas A. Dubrey, CPA, MST is Managing and Crème Brulee. My employees will continue to 2014 tax year provides us an opportunity to Partner of Dubrey, Culliton & Fanning LLC, Certi - come up with new ones too. One change is that our look at those improvements, and make a fied Public Accountants located at 139 Main Street, ice drinks will now be shaken, which ensures they are retroactive election to save the write off. Sturbridge. 508-347-3495 evenly mixed,” Rogers said. “The menu is changing a bit too as we won’t offer fried foods like burgers Tax Tip 3 - Understanding the ACA For most of us in Massachusetts, the Af - Continued on page 6

4 THE STURBRIDGE TIMES MAGAZINE THE CHRONICLE OF STURBRIDGE COUNTRY LIVING Tough love, of the puppy kind, and other stories

ebruary is, without a doubt, the sayin'. ally touched me!' (yes, it can be that wife something to celebrate this spe - month of love. We, (The 'we' My own wife would smile if I sappy.) It's also kind of fun to watch. cial day, but it probably won't be Fbeing used as the most general of brought her chocolates, but I even - valentine's Day is almost here. chocolates. terms. ) celebrate St. valentine's Day, tually learned that she preferred Do something special for that some - right in the middle of this cold and jewelry. Here is where I would like one special in your life. I will get my uncomfortable second month of the to tell you that my dear wife has not new year. It is probably very appro - changed one bit in the 42 years of priate and, in general, a good idea to our wedded bliss. It's true. She really begin a new year with thoughts of hasn't. She actually still fits in the love. Hopefully, one of these years, earrings I bought her in high school. we human types will remember to When I was a child there was love each other throughout the re - probably no more stressful thing maining ten months. than what your parents called yes, the 14th is pretty close to the 'puppy love', and no more stressful very middle of a twenty-eight day a time than valentine's Day. If a boy cycle of life, and of days, of the 'liked' a girl in his class, notes were shortest month of the year. I'll leave passed, third hand, to the girl's best you to figure that cycle of life stuff friend, to be delivered to her, in out for yourself. For me, this month deepest secrecy. I actually remem - always brings back memories of my ber writing one of those “I like many years in department store you... do you like me?” notes. management. (I know, I'm such a “Write yes or no and send this back hopeless romantic.) Anyway, I will to me.” Wow. A man on the way to always remember that last few hours the electric chair has less stress than before the store closed on the magi - a boy opening one of those re - cal day of February 14th. It was turned notes. funny, in a way, and a bit frustrating, These days I teach junior high as seemingly hundreds of husbands and high school english, and I in our town tore into the store at the know for sure that 'puppy love' is still very last minute, on their way home alive and well. This bit of juvenile from work, to frantically buy some - courting has changed, but still sur - thing for 'the wife'. This, shoring up vives. I don't think notes are passed the notion that I always wanted to anymore, but the messages are thee, tear down, of bone headed men, I’m sure, through texting and Face - grudgingly taking out their wallet to book. The stress must still be there, buy something, ANyTHINg, too. again, for 'the wife'. This, mostly, to Seventh grade boys don't write keep on 'the wife's' good side. (A side many notes these days, but they do note... and this is the truth. If you are steal ipods and phones. What better a husband, listen up, if you are not way to get a girl's attention than to a bonehead. If you are one, this will put her phone in your backpack or not help you.) I have always hated shirt pocket? Her friends will tell her that term 'THe wife'. The word who took her phone, and she just 'the', in the place of the word 'my' has to come find you, confront you takes all the meaning out of a name to get it back, and slap your arm, for someone who is supposed to be usually with a smile on her face. I the most important person in your know all about those young, lovesick life. Understand? That term is only boys' motivation. Any attention is a hair's-width away from referring to good attention... the sting of that her as 'the old ball and chain'. just arm slap is memorable... 'She actu -

THE CHRONICLE OF STURBRIDGE COUNTRY LIVING THE STURBRIDGE TIMES MAGAZINE 5 Sturbridge Coffeehouse move

From page 4 dent janet Sosik owns the build - and fries anymore. That is not ing. “It is refreshing to have local what I set out to do; coffee was ownership as they see first-hand the focus.” what is going on and are inter - For food items, customers can ested in it. Plus, the outside has choose from breakfast sand - been painted and some other wiches, croissants and yogurt in work to the building has been the morning and salads, soups done; it has peaked people’s in - and sandwiches using Boar’s terest driving by,” she said. Heads meats for lunch. grilled Sturbridge Coffee House has cheese and the popular house become an iconic part of the and curry chicken salads will community, with residents, work - continue to be staples. Muffin ers and even celebrities stopping tops will be available all day long by for a cup of jo. “local resi - in various kinds on a rotating dents come in as well as others basis, such as blueberry, cran - who work in the area, like the berry nut and mocha fudge. As National grid or highway de - always, gluten free options are of - partment employees. Some peo - fered, including snack bars, soups ple hold meetings here or and breads. conduct business. Because of the This is the third location for local connections, we have found Sturbridge Coffee House (it was people jobs, places to live, and initially located at 479 Main even dog sitters,” Rogers said. Street), but there is a major dif - “We also have celebrities who ference, Rogers said. local resi - have stopped by including ac -

6 THE STURBRIDGE TIMES MAGAZINE THE CHRONICLE OF STURBRIDGE COUNTRY LIVING Don’t worry folks, Pia signed a 10-year-lease on the new location.

tresses Sigourney Weaver and Mary Kate small business. “If I was starting from the be - Olsen, and actor Stephen lang.” ginning, I would take small business classes, Running a small business does have its share especially to understand the tax system of challenges. The recent raise in minimum more,” she said. “you also have to know that wage to $9 an hour equates to an extra $30,000 owning a small business can be consuming. I a year for employees, Rogers said. Heating, wake up at 4 a.m. and think about muffins. electric and other expenses, such as food, are I’d recommend talking with other owners of also on the rise. “you have to balance how to similar businesses. I have friends who own micro-manage everything…expenses, ordering coffeehouses in Plymouth and Wilbraham supplies, etc. When I first opened, I would run and we talk and give each other advice.” to the grocery store when I was out, but now I even with the challenges, Rogers says she shop for food vendors. However, you have to has gained knowledge and skills owning a usually meet a minimum order to get food or business and benefitted from establishing re - supplies,” she said. “One great resource is small lationships. “you do everything as a business business owners in the area. We bounce ideas owner…I have done plumbing, welding, car - off one another and share what works. If I need pentry and snow shoveling,” she said. “But something in a pinch now, I pick up the phone if I could do anything, this is totally it. I love and call one of the them and my (immediate) the atmosphere and people of this commu - need is met.” nity. I signed a 10-year lease on the new lo - Rogers has some advice for anyone inter - cation …we plan to be here for awhile.” n ested in going out on their own and starting a

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THE CHRONICLE OF STURBRIDGE COUNTRY LIVING THE STURBRIDGE TIMES MAGAZINE 7 Midpoint Engineering Grading and Drainage plan of the Holiday Inn Express project for Rt. 20 and New Boston Road, Sturbridge. Holiday Inn express project expected to break ground next month SturbridgeTimes Brief By Stephanie Richards ______month. Construction of the hotel, which he Holiday Inn express & Suites will take about a year, is expected to begin project received site plan approval by in late March. The project, which will be tThe Sturbridge Planning Board Dec. 17. located at the corner of New Boston Road Owner jay Patel is currently working with and Route 20, will includes the hotel (with MassDOT to gain an access permit, which business meeting rooms), and a restaurant he hopes to get approval for sometime this and bank (yet to be determined).

8 THE STURBRIDGE TIMES MAGAZINE THE CHRONICLE OF STURBRIDGE COUNTRY LIVING SHOPPING NEWS ByGone Alley j Chickadees j Pam Décor

The SHOPS By Stephanie Richards hether you are looking for a vintage and antique items. AT 425 unique birthday or house - Collectibles in the shop include wWarming gift, searching for antiques Boyd Bears, vinton glassware, or collectibles or interested in Colo - McCoy Pottery, Hummel’s, Hub - MAIN ST ley cars, Tin Windup Toys and nial period furniture or décor, the STURBRIDGE Shops at 425 Main Street in Stur - vintage games. Collections of bridge have something to offer. g.e. and Westinghouse glass re - OFFER HANDMADE GIFTS, ANTIQUES, ByGone Alley Antiques & More frigerator bottles, old radios, cam - COLONIAL PERIOD FURNITURE, opened in October and features a eras and clocks, and a variety of DECOR AND ALL KINDS OF combination of antiques, col - coins, tin pipes and metals are also GREAT STUFF. lectibles and primitive items. The included in the mix. 800-square-foot shop located be - In addition to handmade soaps hind Chickadees has an intimate and scrubs, the shop includes and charming atmosphere and fea - miniature dollhouse food such as tures exposed beams and ceiling. pizza, cake and roast beef (made Owners linda Dupuis, Debbi out of Polymer clay and hand Baird and yvonne gamache have painted). They have a collection of more than 35 years of combined primitive décor, and small furni - experience collecting and selling Continued on page 12

THE CHRONICLE OF STURBRIDGE COUNTRY LIVING THE STURBRIDGE TIMES MAGAZINE 9 INSIDE BANKING

By PATRICIA A. GAUMOND VICE PRESIDENT & TREASURER , SAVERS BANK P ROFESSIONAL A DVICE F ROM A L OCAL B ANKING E XECUTIVE FOR READERS OF Regarding your budget T HE S TURBRIDGE T IMES M AGAZINE

he beginning of every year is the perfect time • When will you be able to get out of debt? budgets and stick to them, and comes with a great to plan a budget well into the future — with • What happens if there’s an emergency? mobile app. cTonsideration to unexpected events and for the secu - The biggest hurdle for budgeting is accounting You Need A Budget rity of your lifetime. for your expenses and income. you spend money (www.youneedabudget.com) The Perfect Reason to Start a Budget every day. you pay in cash, credit, and debit. you yNAB has a great community and provides The National Retail Federation took a survey of tip. you have one-click checkouts online. you support with financial classes for its users. It is a over 7,500 consumers in October 2014, to see how might share accounts with families, friends, busi - paid service, but can be tried out on a 34 day trial much they were planning to spend on holiday gifts. nesses, and coworkers. How do you keep track of with full features. However, the mobile app for The answer, on average, was $459 for their family it all? yNAB is free, and can be a great start to the budg - gifts, a number that was likely to have ballooned Budgeting tools eting process. when other holiday expenses such as travel, food, In most cases, bank accounts, credit debt, loan GnuCash (www.gnucash.org) decorations, self-gifting, and other items are consid - repayments, and even receipts can be accessed The open-source user’s dream of budgeting ered. It’s very easy to find yourself dipping into sav - and tracked online, and accounting and budget - software--and completely free and usable on any ings or credit to cover the expected and last-minute ing are no different. There are myriad opportu - platform--gnuCash takes a hands-off approach, expenses, more stress that none of us needs during nities with budgeting software that you can help not requiring hookups to accounts or online pro - the holidays. you track all these expenses from your computer, grams. It can import both Quicken (QIF) and At this point in time, planning out a budget to pay tablet, and phone. Following are a few of our fa - OFx files (Open Financial exchange), which down those holiday credit cards and restore your sav - vorites, selected from the top five nominations many banks use as their format for transaction his - ings account is a great launching point. Budget basics from “lifehacker,” a weblog that features blog tories. are simple: create a plan to limit spending and max - posts on a wide range of topics. Setting Your Budget Goals imize savings. By creating a budget you can answer Mint (www.mint.com) A budget is more than living within your means: those questions about money that keep you up at One of the first free budget programs to come it’s about paying down debt and saving for the fu - night: out, Mint is still going strong. It’s a web-based pro - ture. Setting these goals helps you get ready for • What bad spending habits do you have? gram that doesn’t handle your money, just reads those yearly purchases like holiday gifts, but also • How much do you save per month? your financial information. It helps you draw up helps you budget for buying a new car, paying off

10 THE STURBRIDGE TIMES MAGAZINE THE CHRONICLE OF STURBRIDGE COUNTRY LIVING Friends of Sturbridge Trails to hold winter event debt, an emergency, and retirement. you are welcome to join the Friends of • every few years there’s a major expense Sturbridge Trails on Saturday, February you’ll have. A new car, a remodel of the house, a 28th, 7:00 p.m. for their annual Winter Sky new computer for the office: these are expenses you Night Hike. can see coming and put aside money for. This also The group will meet at the Heins Farm allows you more time to look for deals and dis - trail head, 197 leadmine Rd in Sturbridge. counts. Children are welcome, but pets will not be • From presents to college loans to home allowed. Dress for the weather; hot chocolate mortgages, people accrue debt. Without a plan this will be served at the end of the hike. gary can quickly become a task of just paying interest Staab will have his telescopes set out in the and barely touching the principle. Budget to pay field to look at the night sky, stars and con - more than minimums and save money in the long stellations. run. • Bad things happen. Sometimes prevention isn’t enough, and you need to plan for unexpected expenses. An emergency fund should be more than just a few hundred dollars or whatever you keep in your savings: it should be the equivalent to six months of income. • you are never too young to plan for retire - ment, and the younger you invest, the more you will accumulate. Based on what you can afford, maxi - mize your IRA, 401k, or other retirement accounts, especially if your company will match contribu - tions. The most important part of your budget is you. you have to stick with it. you may have lean times, you may need to modify your budget: but keep your goals on the table and always work to fund them. just like a holiday waistline, the only way to get your budget fit for holiday expenses—as well as emer - gencies and retirement—is by monitoring and ex - ercise. That’s what a budget allows you to do. n

THE STURBRIDGE TIMES MAGAZINE 11 Shopping News: The shops at 421 Main Street

Continued from page 9 Bygone Alley Antiques & More is open ByGone Alley Antiques & More is open from 10 from 10 a.m to 5 p.m., Thursdays through Sat - a.m to 5 p.m., Thursdays through Saturdays and ture items, along with 1970’s kitchen tools and urdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sundays. For 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sundays. For more information, table wear, such as utensils, jugs, milk bottles, more information, call 413.544.1558 or on call 413.544.1558 or on Facebook search “By - dishes and glassware. Facebook search “BygoneAlleyAntiques” GoneAlleyAntiques” Recent finds in the store includes an 1857 Chickadees has an eclectic mix of gifts for coin, bottle stopper and coffee scoop handmade the home and garden and from local crafters. on a lathe, and a pink elephant bar set from the Sylvia Baca and her sister opened the shop three 1950s. There was a 1940 golden Nugget jack - years ago; the two have owned the building since pot machine in the original wood, re-plated and 1998. A retired english teacher at Franklin repainted. Another gem was a 1950s high chair High School, Baca needed something to do and Chickadees is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. that flips and turns into a play chair for a tod - wanted to share her love of live plants and gar - Thursday through Sunday (changing to Tues - dler. “We like to do research and find out details dening while showcasing area artisans. “We days through Sundays in March) and on Mon - on the items we sell and pass them along to peo - have 12 local crafters who have handmade items day holidays. For more information, call ple who buy them. We are always learning as in the shop. We don’t have any employees; some 508.314.8865. we sell new items,” Baird said. of the crafters take turns running the shop with As items come in, Dupuis said photos are me. It is really charming for someone to be able posted on Craigslist and Facebook and she to come in and buy an item and meet the person noted offers could be made over the phone. For that made it,” said Baca, who lives in grafton. those interested in renting shelf space, various lamps, stuffed animals and cards, photo - Pam Décor is open on the weekend and by sizes are available beginning at $20 a month graphs, stained glass, elegant glass pieces, can - appointment. For hours and more information, (wall and floor space also available). “We take dles, colored plates, and playful wall hangings call 774.241.0700 or go online to items on consignment too,” she said. “We also are plentiful throughout the store. A variety of www.pamdecor.com. On Facebook search buy items outright and conduct estate sales and hand-sewn items for gift giving can also be “Pam Décor”. cleanouts.” found including coasters, placemats, potholders,

12 THE STURBRIDGE TIMES MAGAZINE THE CHRONICLE OF STURBRIDGE COUNTRY LIVING and crocheted and fleece blankets. In keeping Pam Décor is a showplace for Colonial pe - the comfort level too,” she said. “It is about with Baca’s love of gardening and the outdoors, riod furniture and home décor. Owner Pam them getting the style and look they want along a line of accent pieces can be found including Maher opened the store in November to have with the comfort.” statues, hand painted birdhouses, stepping a showroom for her custom furniture, fabrics The shop also features home décor, includ - stones and wind chimes. “We have strong ani - and reupholstery business. “This is an 18th cen - ing pillows, wall hangings and some cabinetry. mal and nature themes and really a mix of a tury Carriage House and is perfect for my busi - “We also have a re-upholstery service–it is a lot of different things,” Baca said. “grandpar - ness,” she said. “It feels homey and is great to dying art,” she said. “For this, we can do any ents come in and buy birthday and baby gifts. display furniture pieces, home décor and kind of furniture with fabric from period-style Fleece blankets for children of all ages and jew - lanterns.” to designer and more contemporary. Depend - elry for teens are very popular as well as items The Sturbridge resident had a background ing on the size of the item, typically the process like fingerless gloves (for kids to text).” in clothing retail when she decided she wanted is two to three weeks. We also sell fabric by the The gift shop also has a variety of jewelry to do something different. “I got a job at an - yard as many people like to make there own items, such as earrings, necklaces and the pop - other company to learn the trade and then things, like curtains and bedspreads.” ular horsehair bracelets. “A lot of our crafters went into business on my own in 2009. The fur - In addition to coming to the store, orders take orders for items,” Baca said. “We have had niture is made in North Carolina and con - can be placed on the website and shipped. “We people bring in horse hair to make a bracelet structed out of solid maple, then shipped to us have shipped to Alaska, Canada and even Aus - and share the story behind it. Customers also or our customers,” said Maher, who has 30 tralia,” Maher said. “I love having a place in bring in material to have things like blankets or years experience in retail. Sturbridge and encourage people to explore pillows made. It makes for a more individual - Some of the 18th and 19th century repro - and shop at local businesses.” ized gift.” duction furniture pieces are similar to what you Pam Décor is open on the weekend and by Chickadees is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. would find at the Publick House or Old Stur - appointment. For hours and more information, Thursday through Sunday (changing to Tuesdays bridge village, Maher said. Production takes six call 774.241.0700 or go online to through Sundays in March) and on Monday hol - to eight weeks. “Our pieces have quality and www.pamdecor.com. On Facebook search idays. For more information, call 508.314.8865. style and customers are pleasantly surprised at “Pam Décor”.

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THE CHRO NICLE OF STURBRIDGE COUNTRY LIVING THE STURBRIDGE TIMES MAGAZINE 13

Christine Chamberland lends fresh voice to legion auxiliary By Stephanie Richards for as long as she can remember. Her junior those who serve by enhancing the lives of our Both of her grandfathers served in the sash as a youth is a bit worn today, but she veterans, military, and their families, both at military during World War II, with one in traded it in last fall to become President of the home and abroad. For god and Country, we Normandy who helped liberate concentra - organization, taking the helm as her grand - advocate for veterans, educate our citizens, tion camps. Her father is an Air Force vet - mother and mother once did. mentor youth, and promote patriotism, good eran who was stationed in Okinawa, where The American legion Auxiliary was citizenship, peace and security.” he conducted refueling missions and inter - founded in 1919 and is the world’s largest (www.alaforveterans.org) pretations of SR71 ariel photos of what the women's patriotic service organization with The Sturbridge American legion Auxiliary bombings did in vietnam. More recently, about 800,000 members. local American le - Post 190 began in 1947 with 73 charter mem - her brother served in the Army overseas in gion Auxiliary units, such as the one in Stur - bers. Today, the organization has 33 members, Iraq. bridge, are located in more than 9,000 with an active core group of 10. To be a mem - For Sturbridge resident Christine Cham - communities nationwide. The American le - ber, you have to be the wife, mother, daughter, berland, the military is ingrained in her fam - gion Auxiliary’s purpose statement is: “In the sister, grandmother, granddaughter or descen - ily’s blood. Although she never served in the spirit of Service, Not Self, the mission of the dant of a veteran who served in the Armed Armed Forces herself, she has been involved American legion Auxiliary is to support The Forces during times of war or a female veteran. in the American legion Auxiliary in town American legion and to honor the sacrifice of Chamberland became involved as a child in

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14 THE STURBRIDGE TIMES MAGAZINE THE CHRONICLE OF STURBRIDGE COUNTRY LIVING the junior (ages 18 and younger) unit, march - younger person take an interest. As I looked ing in almost every parade and volunteering to around, I realized I was one of the youngest clear off tables at dinner events. “Once I hit women in the room.” college, my level of involvement dropped off The organization engages in fundraising ac - and I volunteered in the Boy Scout program. tivities to support active military and veterans. About three years ago, I decided to volunteer Perhaps one of the most well known is the an - again and then took a position on the Auxiliary nual Poppy Sale, which raises almost $5 million Board,” she said. “I never aspired to be the nationwide each year. volunteers can be found President, but was nominated and felt I had in front of local grocery and department stores new energy and ideas. I am very enthusiastic on Memorial and veterans Day to accept do - and actively participate –that’s just who I am.” nations, and in return, give out handmade At 33 years old, Chamberland is bringing a poppies as a thank you. The poppy flower was younger perspective to rejuvenate the organi - selected as a symbol of remembrance for the zation. “It really provides a way to give back– sacrifices of fallen soldiers because it was not that you can ever pay back a veteran for prevalent in the battlefields of Flanders Field their service,” said Chamberland, who works (France) during World War I. “We hand out as a math paraprofessional at Assabet valley 300 to 500 poppies a year. Donations collected Regional Technical High School and has a benefit disabled and hospitalized veterans,” Master’s Degree in guidance and school coun - Chamberland said. “We have also partnered seling. “I never thought of myself as being too with organizations, such as Fisher House (hous - young to be involved. However, when I at - © 2015 Sturbridge Times photo by Stephanie Richards ing for military families while treatment takes tended an Auxiliary conference, many mem - At age 33, Sturbridge resident Christine Chamberland has place at military or vA medical centers) and bers commented how it was good to see a taken the helm of the American Legion Auxiliary. Continued on next page

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THE CHRONICLE OF STURBRIDGE COUNTRY LIVING THE STURBRIDGE TIMES MAGAZINE 15 Christine Chamberland Continued from previous page in a career in government, non-profit or serv - Soldier’s Wish (ramps on homes, wheelchairs, ice-oriented work.” programs for military kids). Any funds raised To help spread the word about their efforts, here go specifically to help veterans who reside Chamberland created a Facebook page to at - here.” tract new audiences. She also is developing a In addition to the Poppy Sale, the group quarterly newsletter. She said the public’s per - holds other fundraisers to support veterans and spective is that the legion is an old men’s scholarships programs focusing on civic duties. drinking club and she wants to be instrumental For the first time, they have scheduled a valen - in changing that. “It is a place where veterans tine’s Dance from 7 to 11 p.m., February 14. can go and be real and discuss their experi - Tickets are $10. “you can go out for a nice ences, freely. My brother came back from Iraq dinner to celebrate the occasion and then stop and had a two week debrief–I was livid,” she by for music, dancing, snacks and raffles,” said. “veterans must have a place to go where Chamberland said. “My goal is to do three they feel connected and can talk openly. I feel events a year other than dinners. They are like we are slowly rebuilding the Auxiliary, good fundraisers but time-intensive, which re - which in turn supports the American legion’s quires more volunteer hours and that is difficult shelters. In addition, volunteers visit shut-ins at efforts. Since we are in the community, we need with busy schedules.” local nursing homes, march in parades, and to be part of it. veterans are the core, but help - Funds raised help the American legion provide support to the American legion. ing the community is another aspect.” Auxiliary assist veterans and their families in The organization also supports an annual The federal government has now formally several ways. To help homeless veterans tran - scholarship for a female high school junior at recognized the value of auxiliaries nationwide, sitioning into their own place, they put together Tantasqua High School to participate girls Chamberland noted. The U.S. Senate passed Buddy Baskets, which include kitchen and Nation. The non-partisan program, which a resolution (S.Res. 506) last fall recognizing laundry items such as soap, plates and cups. teaches about government and how it works, the patriotism and contributions of auxiliaries Chamberland said the baskets have direct im - has reached nearly one million young people. of all veterans service organizations. pact in the area as they work with local organ - “The girls take on roles that mimic our posi - The American Legion Auxiliary meets at 6:30 p.m. izations, such as veterans, Inc. Clothing, tions and learn what they are about through the third Monday of every month at the American Le - toiletries, household supplies, children’s toys things like classes and projects,” she said. “We gion Hall, 507 Main Street, Fiskdale. For more infor - and more are also donated to area veterans give preference to someone who has an interest mation, call 508.347.3248 or on Facebook search

16 THE STURBRIDGE TIMES MAGAZINE THE CHRONICLE OF STURBRIDGE COUNTRY LIVING HE ROO KFIELDS T t B t t B ROOKFIELD E AST B ROOKFIELD N ORTH B ROOKFIELD W EST B ROOKFIELD Second Chance: only shelter-run subsidized vet care in state By Amanda Collins

Affordable health care has gone able to afford it otherwise. who really love their animals and It’s not fair to say that if an to the dogs – but not in the way In addition to a low-cost spay want to take care of them, but owner can’t afford to care for their you might think. In North Brook - and neuter program, the shelter don’t have the means to,” said pet they shouldn’t have one, Blan - field, it’s a good thing. has a reduced-rate veterinary Second Chance executive director cato went on to say, because the Following in the footsteps of clinic open to the general public as Sheryl Blancato. “Maybe it’s an reality is that the needy do own health clinics that work on sliding part of their Community Healthy elderly person on a fixed income animals, and they’re welfare is im - scales or physicians who allow pa - Pet Initiative. Second Chance is – for many of them, they’re pets portant. tients to pay what they can, Sec - the only pet shelter in the state to are their whole world and they “There could also be the cir - ond Chance Animal Shelter offers offer subsidized vet services to want them to have the veterinary cumstance of someone unexpect - affordable veterinary care to ani - people who qualify. services they need, but sometimes edly losing their job, or something mals whose “people” might not be “We’re talking about people they just cant do it.” Continued on page 19

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THE CHRONICLE OF STURBRIDGE COUNTRY LIVING 17 r MUSINGS FROM LONG HILL s GRIN & BE AR IT

BY RICHARD MORCHOE

had planned to put the electric netting around bear heading toward them. The second fellow the bee hives that day. It was getting late fall is about to start running when he sees his com- Iand a marauder might find the remaining honey panion sitting down and putting on the run- LEGAL tempting. Approaching our small apiary, I saw I ning shoes. The man blurts out, “What good was a day late and set to salvaging what remained. are those shoes, you can’t outrun the bear.” BRIEF While working at that, the realization came The first man says, “I don’t have to outrun the ROBERT A. GEORGE, ESQ. that there was a crowd at the end of the driveway. bear.” STURBRIDge ATTORNey That was odd, as a gathering usually only hap- Many of the people who had stopped to M O N T H l y l e g A l A D v I C e pens if there is an accident. I heard no crash. watch moved toward the bear as well. I looked F O R R e A D e R S O F The congregation was holding cell phones up to them over and was sure that if necessary, I T H e S T U R B R I D g e T I M e S M A g A z I N e take pictures of something in the wild life man- would not finish last in the race. It was hard to agement area across the street. say if we all made the same calculation about DEBT COLLECTORS Moseying down to the road, a black form was discretion, but it seemed so as everyone de- noticeable about a 150 feet into the forest. It was cided to move back toward the road. ven if you owe the money, you might be able to obvious that this was what everyone was watch- That was probably a good idea as the bear ewin a court case filed by the debt collector trying ing. The late autumn day was slightly overcast started to move. The animal did not go toward to get it from you. Debt collectors make mistakes and, and the trees were mostly leafless. Still, the woods us, but parallel to the road. Maybe he went when they do, there are ways to beat them in court. looked lovely. that way because we bored him, or because Say you know you owe the money, but if Catching up to the others, it was easy to dis- there was a crowd and he thought it politic to you don’t know who the debt collector is. Then cern the object in the forest was a bear and prob- amble off. His pace was deliberate with no sign there’s a fair chance he’s not the one you owe it to. ably the culprit that wreaked havoc on the hives. of panic. When a debt collector buys a debt, the creditor he like everyone else, I was fascinated by the animal All of a sudden he moved left crossing long is buying it from sells it to him by using what’s called who seemed happy enough. Was he oblivious to Hill Road, and climbed up on my land near an assignment. Many times debt collectors buy debt us? That was hard to say. Slowly, I moved to- where it borders the neighbors’. This was in bulk, thousands of debts at the time, and the pa- ward our friend. Moving closer and closer, it oc- done at a faster pace and his followers reacted perwork is missing, or never even filled out. curred to me that this might not be wisest course at the same gait. His activity made us think Tell the judge that you have no idea who this per- of action. maybe something was going on that would son suing you is, and make the debt collector pro- There is the old Maine folk tale that goes; Two lead to some climax. In my mind, as curious duce the assignment. He might not be able to. If not, men are walking in the woods. The first man has as I was, it was a mixed blessing. you win. a pair of fine running shoes hanging around his Again, after a short pause, he, or was it she, If he does produce the assignment, look at it care- neck. All of a sudden in the distance, they see a Adjacent page fully. Is this the first debt collector trying to collect this debt? The second? The third? Debt gets passed from collector to collector and, as it passes, the years pass too. Debt collectors only have a certain period of time, usually six years, to file a lawsuit. Sometimes the statute of limitations passes on a debt. In that case, not only can you win the lawsuit, you might also ask the judge to award you damages. Debt collectors are not supposed to pursue claims past the statute of limitations. There are a host of other rules they are supposed to follow and, if they’ve been calling you at night, calling you at work, swearing, threatening to put you in jail or just generally harassing you, then you can file a countersuit against them. In that case, say sure, you owe them the money, but they owe you even more because of the nasty way they’ve been behaving.

18 THE STURBRIDGE TIMES MAGAZINE THE CHRONICLE OF STURBRIDGE COUNTRY LIVING Second Chance grin and Bear It From page 17 From previous page Several years ago, a neighbor said happens in their life, and they be - (no one had the least desire to do he always carries a gun when he goes come disabled,” she said. “Should “In general, what was necessary to determine into the forest. I did not follow his they have to give up the pets if a person qualifies that) again moved. By this time, the suggestion. Since my meeting with they’ve loved and cared for be - for some sort of thrill, if not gone, was waning. We little Smoky, I have thought about cause they can’t afford something government assistance, wanted action. C’mon, eat some- his policy. Furry critters abound in that’s pretty simple to treat?” they will qualify one…..else. Okay, no one really felt our neck of the woods. According to Second Chance began offering for the subsidized that. MassWildlife the bears are somewhat subsidized care, allowing low-in - care here.” It moved on all fours down the shy of us though will they will attack come or elderly pet owners to take — S HeRyl BlANCATO small hill and came to a stop on my defensively. care of their beloved animals, in exeCUTIve DIReCTOR SeCOND CHANCe ANIMAl SHelTeR driveway. Stardom had clearly taken If you see a raccoon in daytime, October 2013 to respond to what something out of our ursine friend. give it a wide berth as it is probably Blancato called “an overwhelming There was no further inclination to rabid. Mostly, you are probably safe need.” Staff and volunteers at the grants and donations to cover the do anything else. His fans, now a tad enough traveling in woodland as well shelter would see pets come in for cost to add a $35,000 x-ray ma - blasé, started to depart. He was my as the trails of Sturbridge Country. their low-cost rabies or spay and chine to the clinic in the future. guest, but though I consider myself We feel it our responsibility to neuter services that were in need There are residency require - a gracious host, there was no chance issue a long Hill guideline for tra- of medical care that owners could - ments to take advantage of the I was going to be the last person to versing the woods if you decide to go n’t afford. subsidized care at Second go. unarmed. Always wear well fitting Rather than take those pets in, Chance Animal Shelter, but peo - I left our newest family member shoes or boots that will facilitate run- treat them and try to re-home ple do have to meet income stan - sitting there. When I returned next ning. Also, observe the buddy system them, Blancato said it made more dards to be eligible for reduced day, I did not try to find him. He is and travel with a companion who sense to develop a clinic where rate services. To qualify, pet own - probably now in the middle of a long cannot run as fast as you and of people could pay reduced fees for ers need to be below 150 percent winter’s nap. whom you are not overly fond. the veterinary care, and the pets of the poverty level, and income could stay in their home. In the verification is required. last 15 months the subsidized “As a general rule, if a person clinic has grown immensely, going qualifies for some sort of govern - from just one vet to eight. The ment assistance, they will qualify care they provide helped Second for the subsidized care,” said Chance serve more than 16,000 Blancato. animals last year. And thanks to PetSmart Char - The clinic has state-of-the-art ities, subsidized care will soon be equipment and a staff of talented on the move in the area. Second and certified veterinarians and vet Chance received a grant to build technicians. They Wellness Clinic a mobile unit to take veterinary provides routine exams, vaccina - care on the road. The unit should tions, micro-chipping, heartworm be ready in April. treatment and preventative care, “It will help us get into the mass removals, dental surgeries, communities that can’t get to us,” cleaning and extractions. vets can said Blancato. “We’re thrilled.” run diagnostic blood work on site, Those who do not qualify for which means pet owners can have the chance subsidized care pro - their animals tested and treated gram ca still use the wellness usually in just one trip. They can clinic for their pets’ care. They also treat ear, skin and urinary in - will pay the regular fees and all fections. proceeds benefit the shelter pro - “We pretty much see a little bit grams that help pets in need. of everything, and a lot times, we For more information, or to find that something an owner is re - make a donation, visit second - ally worried about is a simple, easy chanceanimals.org. The shelter thing to fix,” said Blancato. operates completely on donations Currently, they have to refer out and grants, with no government x-rays, but are hoping to find funding. n

THE CHRONICLE OF STURBRIDGE COUNTRY LIVING THE STURBRIDGE TIMES MAGAZINE 19 YARD WORKS Caring for what grows in your yard By Tom Chamberland, ISA Tom Chamberland is the Tree Warden for the Town of Sturbridge and a Certified Arborist

Massachusetts under state-wide quarantine for emerald Ash Borer

Well it finally happened, an emerald Ash mid-west Ash trees make up some 60% of the have to live with for many, many years to come. Borer (eAB) insect originally from Asia, has forest, here in Massachusetts that percentage is So what does this all mean to our local popu - spread throughout Massachusetts enough so the lower, closer to 10 - 15%. For street trees, ac - lation of Ash trees? Ash trees are an integral part full state is now under quarantine. Here is why cording to the Massachusetts Urban Forestry of our forests, street and yard trees. Ash trees it is so important to know about the eAB, and folks, 6 - 10% are Ash trees on average through - can be identified by their smooth to finely fur - what to do if you have Ash trees in your yard, as out the state. In Sturbridge a recently completed rowed bark with compound leaves of 7 leaflets, the eAB now joins the tree lexicon of AlB, street tree inventory shows Ash trees make up each leaflet about 3-4” long and just over 1” DeD, & HWA, all serious invasive pests to the some 25% of our street trees. Ash is also a valu - wide. trees in our yards and forests. able wood source. Some of the most common For more help in identifying your ash tree History on the eAB: using dendrocronology, uses are baseball bats, tennis rackets, snow shoes, visit: http://forestry.about.com /cs/treeid/a/ the US Forest Service (USFS) has determined tool handles, wood flooring, furniture and cabi - the_ash.htm this insect was introduced into North America nets. Ash is a clean very straight grained wood, If you have an ash tree in your yard, and it is sometime in the mid 1990's. It was first reported which is also used for wooden buckets, and as a one you want to save, because it is a good yard killing ash (genus Fraxinus) trees in the Detroit cane material in baskets. Massachusetts has tree, research has shown that appropriate appli - Michigan area in 2002. Since then, infestations three common Ash species, White, green and cation of selected insecticides, the better ones are have been found throughout Michigan, Ohio, Black. (Mt Ash is not of the same genus). injected into the tree and or soil, work good. Indiana, the Chicago area, Maryland, into How did the eAB move so fast? Research has There is no other viable control. Research is on - Canada and just this year in Kansas, New york, shown that the eAB can fly up to 8 miles in look - going to find alternative treatments especially in Connecticut and now Massachusetts, for a total ing for an Ash tree to call “home”. This should the biological area, but nothing has proven to be of 22 states in just ten years! This insect is now have kept the forward movement of eAB to just reliable over a long period. The best injected in - so prevalent that the US Forest Service only about a crawl, over these past years, however it secticides are showing residual control now last - manages thru regulation and education of the is “we, the people” that moved eAB so much ing up to two years. population. It does not plan to eradicate this in - faster in our wood products, from firewood, to sect. saw logs and pallets. It is projected by some re - Ash Tree Decline: In general Ash trees in our The eAB mainly attacks Ash trees, (it has searchers that eAB will over spread the full nat - area have been in decline over the past decade shown some liking to White Fringe trees also, not ural range of our Ash trees in the United States due to a fungus known as “Ash yellows”. Basi - native or common here in Massachusetts) in the within the next 5 years. It is an insect we will cally this fungus blocks sap flow creating a con - dition we call “die back” of the tree leader or branch. Keeping your ash tree healthy, thru proper pruning, watering and occasional feeding will greatly help your ash tree in fending off Ash yellows and making it stronger to resist an eAB infestation. What should I do if I have an Ash Tree? Now with the statewide eAB quarantine, any ash in decline is a good candidate for immediate re - moval consideration, with focused efforts of sav - ing those truly “specimen” trees. Research has shown that stressed Ash trees give off a smell that the eAB can recognize as a stressed tree to in - vade. As always, consulting a Certified Arborist is recommended. However I would not wait any longer than another year or so before starting treatments on any ash trees. Research is contin - uing, allowing for more education on this, but de - veloping a good treatment plan, including Continued on page 23

20 THE STURBRIDGE TIMES MAGAZINE THE CHRONICLE OF STURBRIDGE COUNTRY LIVING PETS Q&A WITH KATHY MENARD

Fear problems with dogs in new situations

Q. We recently adopted a dog from our local an - leash to make him, but don't yell, just calmly tell to closely monitor what they are doing. The imal shelter. At the time we adopted him they him off and immediately give him a treat once terrible teen stage is just that - they will inten - told us he was very sweet with no obvious issues. he gets down. In the meantime, you might want tionally do things they know you'd prefer they We have had him for two weeks and he has to let the shelter know what problems you are didn't, they make sure you know they did it, snapped at us several times when we try to make having. Most shelters have people they can rec - and if you reprimand them in any way it him get off the couch. He rolls over, refusing to ommend you to for help. seems like they laugh at you. Stay consistent get off, and has actually made contact but hasn't in your commands and rewards during this broke the skin. I want to send him back but my sta Q. I have an 8 month old pit bull puppy who ge. Do not chase them even if they stole husband wants to give it longer. What would you was extremely sweet and well behaved until your most prized possession (catch me if you recommend? lately. All of a sudden he is destroying every - can is every dog's favorite game), as this will A. Without meeting and evaluating him it is thing and doing things he knows he's not sup - encourage him to do it again. Instead, pickup hard to say for sure. I would recommend meet - pose to. I yell at him, but he doesn't seem to the nearest small object and act like it's the ing with a professional who specializes in aggres - care. What am I doing wrong and how do I most fascinating thing in the world. Turn sion/fear issues. If you like the dog, I would give fix it? your back on your dog with it like you're try - him longer. Rolling over is probably submission, ing A. This is the most difficult age for a pup. Put to keep it from him. This should encour- not defiance. This means he is afraid and doesn't him back in his crate when you cannot keep age him to come investigate if what you have understand what he is doing wrong. If/when you your eyes on him. Puppies go through several is better than what he has. He should drop keep going towards him he feels he needs to de - stages somewhere between 8 -10 months of age what he stole and try to see what you now fend himself. Combine that with only having that typically last about 6 weeks, as long as the have. Nonchalantly walk away from what he had him for 2 weeks and he is probably pretty behavior isn't reinforced, i.e. he learns it's fun to dropped and into another room, then redirect stressed. It takes an adult dog 6 months to totally chew your couch, woodwork, etc. At this age him to a toy. Don't lunge quickly at what he bond with you and feel like your house is his they will go through the true destructive chew - dropped, as he probably will be quicker than home. He doesn't really know if he can trust you ing stage, the terrible teens and a fear period. you. The fear period many dogs go through yet. Until you can have him evaluated, try put - The destructive chewing stage is the same stage at this age usually shows itself as being unsure ting him on a leash and actually teaching him to that a baby goes through when they will put of someone they know well, and often as ag - get on the couch. Reward him with a treat. bugs, sticks, dirt, etc in their mouth. It is a very gression to other dogs. Then use the treat to lure him off the couch, and oral stage. They can't help it, so you need to again reward. If he refuses to get off, just use the Kathy Menard has been a dog trainer for over 35 years keep them safe by crating when you aren't able and is certified through the Certification Council for Pro- fessional Dog Trainers. She Kathy is the owner of Com- patible Canine in Fiskdale. MA.

THE CHRONICLE OF STURBRIDGE COUNTRY LIVING THE STURBRIDGE TIMES MAGAZINE 21 INSURANCE GUIDANCE By Richard McGrath, CIC, LIA PRESIDENT & CEO, McGRATH INSURANCE GROUP Appealing a surcharge for an at-fault accident

n auto accident can be doubly damaging. traffic control sign or signal. ask for corrections to be made. First, you have to deal with any personal Other “Standard of Fault” categories in - you should have an accurate notice in hand iAnjury and damage to your car; then, if you are clude colliding while backing up, while making before filing an appeal. However, once you re - at fault, you have to deal with the damage to a left turn or U-turn across the path of another ceive your notice, you have 30 days to fill out your driving record. moving vehicle, or while pulling out of a park - and file the surcharge appeal form. If you are If you are found to be at fault, you can ex - ing space, parking lot, alley or driveway. you’ll unable to file within 30 days, you will need to pect a surcharge that will significantly increase also be considered to be more than 50 percent contact the Merit Rating Board within the your insurance premiums. Fortunately, there is at fault if a collision results when you have Board of Appeal and request a late appeal. a process for appealing the surcharge, although opened or are opening a door on your vehicle, The Board of Appeal must receive your late an appeal will be futile unless you can make a or when failing to yield the right of way to an appeal within 30 days of your policy renewal. valid argument demonstrating that you are not emergency vehicle. When you submit your appeal, you will need at least 50 percent at fault. you will be presumed at fault in a single-ve - to include a non-refundable fee of $50, which hicle collision or if your vehicle is unattended is payable by check or money order. your can - The Safe Driver Insurance Plan and rolls, resulting in an accident, or if you are celed check will serve as your receipt. In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, not in a collision, but your actions cause an ac - The Board of Appeal will mail you a notice surcharges are levied based on a Safe Driver In - cident involving one or more other vehicles. with information about your hearing about surance Plan, which was created to encourage three weeks before your hearing date. your safe driving by requiring high-risk drivers to How to appeal hearing may be scheduled in Boston, Brockton, pay a greater share of insurance costs. Sur - In many cases, your chances of winning an Peabody, Plymouth, Somerville, Springfield, charges are applied for at-fault accidents and appeal will be slim, while in some cases circum - Waltham or Worcester. traffic violations. stances may make it difficult to determine Under the Safe Driver Insurance Plan, a sur - whether you were more than 50 percent at fault At the hearing charge will be added to your premiums after an in an accident. you can appear in person at your hearing, auto accident if your insurance company de - Weather conditions may also play a factor. submit a written statement or send a represen - termines you are more than 50 percent at-fault If, for example, icy conditions cause an accident tative to appear on your behalf. Whichever op - and pays out more than $500 on the claim. you when you were driving cautiously and at a rea - tion you choose, you will need to bring or send can appeal if you disagree. sonable speed, you may be able to avoid a sur - copies of all relevant information, including However, you will be presumed to be more charge. any documents or photos that you want the than 50 percent at fault if you fall into one of If you believe that you are not more than 50 hearing officer to consider. the following “Standard of Fault” categories: percent at-fault for an accident in which you re - If you decide to submit a written statement colliding with a parked vehicle or with the rear- ceived a surcharge, you may appeal to the Di - – by mail or fax, or through a representative end of another vehicle; having an accident vision of Insurance Board of Appeal. If you appearing on your behalf – the board must re - while driving out of your lane, on the wrong appeal, you will be entitled to a hearing before ceive it at least five days before your hearing. In side of the road or in the wrong direction (e.g., an impartial hearing officer. addition to including all relevant documents the wrong way on a one-way street or highway); If your insurance company plans to apply a and photos, you must sign the notice confirm - colliding when entering a main road from a sec - surcharge to your premiums, you should re - ing that your statement is truthful and that you ondary road, merging onto a highway or rotary, ceive a “notice of surcharge” in the mail. your are waiving your right to a personal hearing. or colliding at a “T” intersection; colliding surcharge appeal form will be on the reverse Any materials you submit will not be returned, when arriving at an intersection after the other side of the notice, so do not discard this notice. so be certain to make copies. vehicle, or if arriving at the intersection at the If you do not receive a notice in the mail, your hearing, which will be informal and same time as the other vehicle and failing to contact your insurance agent or the insurance public, will last about a half hour or less. It will allow the vehicle on the right to proceed first. carrier and ask for a notice. Once you receive be recorded by the hearing officer. you may The driver will also be presumed to be more a notice, review it carefully to ensure that all in - bring a witness or witness statement to support than 50 percent at fault when failing to obey formation on it is accurate. If any information your case. driving rules and regulations, such as failing to is inaccurate contact the insurance carrier and After the hearing, the hearing officer will signal or failing to proceed with caution from a

22 THE STURBRIDGE TIMES MAGAZINE THE CHRONICLE OF STURBRIDGE COUNTRY LIVING emerald Ash Borer quarantine Continued from page 20 may have to deal with large tree appropriate removals, is a good debris storm events will all have to idea. As Tree Warden I will be learn a new way of selling fire - proposing a two pronged ap - wood and removal of tree debris. proach, removals of declining ash EMERALD ASH BORER Our forests, our trees in our trees and injection of good quality yards, have again been affected by Ash trees. our global economy. We can all do take your appeal under advisement. What to look for: The eAB it - our part by controlling, by remov - To win your appeal and have the sur - self is a small, ¾” long x 1/8” ing invasives from our yards. charge removed from your record, wide flat face beetle. It is bright learn more, Take action! If you your testimony and any evidence green in color. Its larvae can be up believe you have the eAB the presented must overcome the pre - to 1- 1.5” long, cream colored with ONly number to call to report it sumption of fault. The law says the a 10 segment abdomen. It has a is: 203 741 5641. As Tree Warden presumption of fault is “determina - one year life cycle with beetle ac - news/bad news is with the I am not authorized to identify the tive unless and until the operator tivity in june thru August; each statewide quarantine, sales of fire - eAB only the USFS APHIS folks overcomes the presumption by pro - beetle usually lives about three wood and timber within the quar - can.203 741 5641 ducing sufficient evidence at an ini - weeks. Females can mate multiple antine zones is allowed, but this tial review or hearing.” times, and lay upwards to 60 eggs. hasten the spread of the eAB Tom Chamberland is the Tree War - The final decision will be mailed each egg is deposited individually throughout the state. locally land den for the Town of Sturbridge and a to you within two to four weeks. If in bark crevasses or under bark owners who timber harvest their Certified Arborist. He enjoys caring for the decision is marked “vacate,” your flaps on the trunk or branches and property will have to address plants that grow in his yard and wel - surcharge will be removed. If it is soon darkens to a reddish brown. movement of ash saw logs out of comes reader suggestions for future arti - marked “upheld,” it will not. The eggs hatch in 7-10 days. After state, and those who sell fire cles. Email him at: tchamberland@ Board of Appeal will contact the hatching larvae crew thru the bark wood, as well as communities who town.sturbridge.ma.us Merit Rating Board and your insur - into the sap layer (phloem) creat - ance company to update your driv - ing serpentine galleries packed ing history record. with fine sawdust-like frass. The If you disagree with the decision length of the gallery can up to 3- and believe the Board of Appeal de - 4’ long. This gallery “construc - cision is incorrect, you may appeal tion” in the phloem layer is what further to your county’s Superior causes the ash tree to die, as this Court or in Boston Suffolk County interrupts for flow of sap in this Court. you have 30 days from re - area to cease. Feeding is usually ceipt of the decision to make this sec - completed in late autumn, and the ond appeal. you will need to enclose larva overwinters under the bark. a certified copy of the “memoran - Pupation begins in late April or dum of finding and order,” which May with these new adults emerg - you can obtain from the Board of ing through a very distinctive “D” Appeal for a $13 fee. shaped hole, ¼” dia in size. For Keep in mind, though, that as dif - more complete information on the ficult as it may be to have a surcharge emerald ash borer, please visit the dropped by the Board of Appeal, it visit the national eAB website at: will be even more difficult to win in http://www.emeraldashborer.info Superior Court, so only pursue a sec - / which is multi-agency informa - ond appeal if you believe you have a tion website. very sound argument and evidence What is happening now: the to back it up. State DCR has developed a man - Richard A. McGrath, CIC, LIA is Presi - agement plan for the eAB. This dent and CEO of McGrath Insurance Group, plan includes the state wide quar - Inc. of Sturbridge, Mass. He can be reached at antine and regulations regarding rmcgrath@mcgrath insurance.com. This article is written for informational pur - the transportation, treatment and poses only and should not be construed as pro - sale of Ash wood both interstate viding legal advice. and intrastate. The good

THE CHRONICLE OF STURBRIDGE COUNTRY LIVING THE STURBRIDGE TIMES MAGAZINE 23 WINE CONNOISEUR

By PeTeR SAgANSKy , IMPORTeR -exPORTeR , Matching wines CHARleS RIveR WINe COMPANy with chocolates

ith valentine’s Day ap - French Importer john O’Neill Oloroso Sherries. Port (lBv), and vintage Port. The proaching I decided to take referred me to his “significant I reached out to grapes of key is to match the sweet, acid and aW new look at matching Wine with other” Irene Miller who he notes Spain’s Andrew Holod having bitter components of the chocolates Chocolates. To be honest I do not “is both an experienced somm and read that bigger reds from Tinto with the wines. serve wine with chocolate and do a former production manager for de Toro (Tempranillo) pair well Pedro feels that the wine tannins not have a lot of personal experi - an artisan chocolatier in San Fran - with Chocolates. found in red wines clash with choco - ence combining them. I read up on cisco.” Andrew wrote: “Dark chocolate lates. The ultimate partner is a ma - the subject and found nothing new Irene wrote: “…we did some 80% or more cocoa mass with dry red ture vintage Port with resolved or surprising. I decided to reach out experimentation with chocolate and wine. wine can work. I think a wine with some tannins but the other styles men - to a few talented associates to get The conclusion was that dry red wine oak is in order as the toasted flavors of tioned are the most practical. their opinions. and chocolate is a tough combination. If the wood help bridge the flavor gap of the Pedro loves combining dark Many of the notes that I found one insists on dry table wine, it should be roasted cocoa. A Tinta de Toro, like the chocolates flavored with elements on line suggested that zinfandel something big and juicy (Grenache-based “Prima” could be a good choice here. I like Raspberry nibs with a selection and Syrah are two of the best Cotes du Rhone or Languedoc or event also like Ruby Port with dark chocolate.” like a lBv. “The acid and choices of dry wines to serve with Zin if you don't mind high alcohol) with Importer Pedro veloso of bitter/sweet of the chocolate with Chocolate. Bill easton of easton a dark, bitter chocolate (but a chocolate Wines in Motion is my “go to” ex - the lingering red raspberry fruit fla - and Terre Rouge makes some of with a fruity character…Port, either vin - pert when it comes to wines from vors match perfectly with the ripe our country’s best wines from those tage or tawny - vintage for the dark fruit Portugal. Pedro imports a fine fruitiness and red fruits scents and grapes and his wife is a noted chef characteristics to pair with the fruity range of table wines from all over flavors of the Port. The chocolates so Bill was the first one that I qualities in a dark chocolate, or tawny be - Portugal and he is our source for melt in the mouth with a velvety tex - reached out to. cause nuts and chocolate always taste the excellent Kopke Port wines. ture followed by the lingering after - Bill wrote back: “I never drink good - and with the nuttier aged tawny Pedro’s love from Chocolates tastes of the Port.” wine with chocolate, although some wine you should go with a lighter chocolate. I nearly rivals his love of wines. We The lower cocoa level of Milk maker dinners pair my LH Zinfandel would stay away from anything too sweet had a great chat on the subject of Chocolates with their forward with chocolate and some sort of raspberry - certain milk chocolates would be fine matching Chocolates and Ports. sweetness makes them match well sauce or variation. I would think that a and others not - depending on the amount Pedro’s rule is “the darker the with Tawny Ports. Additions of such good unsweetened chocolate (bitter) with of sugar and the cacao content.” chocolate the darker the Port.” He ingredients as sea salt, almonds, a drier Zinfandel might work. Zinfandel Irene went on to mention these suggests that dark chocolates with hazelnuts and flavorings like mocha and mole sauce works well and there is other fortified wines as possible cocoa content over 65% matches and coffee enhance the complexity some bittersweet Mexican chocolate in that good matches; Bual and Malmsey best with Ruby style Ports; Ruby, of the food & wine pairing. While sauce that also has cinnamon in it.” Madeiras and sweeter style Ruby Reserve, late Bottle vintage there are younger styles of Tawny

24 THE STURBRIDGE TIMES MAGAZINE THE CHRONICLE OF STURBRIDGE COUNTRY LIVING HEALTH &FITNESS By Michael Neely FITNESS COACH Ports real Tawnies only start to come into Everybodys Fitness, Shaw’s Plaza, Sturbridge their own at 10 years old. exceptional matches of Tawnies with Chocolates requires 20 to 30 year old Tawnies (labeled as such) and including Col - Achieving weight loss in the abdominal area heitas (single year Tawnies in that age range.) rying to lose the extra weight in the mid - way to achieve this is through interval training. Pedro loves how the complexity that develops section has always been a major focus area Interval training allows you to use the large in Port wines of this age matches with the wThen it comes to weight loss. Walking around muscle groups in your body as primary movers, chocolates. He mentioned the wine’s natural the supermarket while getting your groceries or but it also requires you to use the smaller mus - oxidation and nuttiness with hints of exotic chasing your kids around the backyard will help cles to be utilized for helping and supporting. wood scents and flavors (from long aging in you more with losing weight, especially around Between all the muscles being used, and the barrels well saturated with dark fruit juices the midsection, than doing 500 sit ups. cardiovascular system that is needed to supply and alcohol) blending perfectly with the fla - In a sit-up, how many times have you caught the muscle with the nutrients, the calorie burn vors of cocoa, salt, almonds, etc. in the yourself locking your hand behind your neck to do this exercise is massive. Not only will you chocolates. and pulling your head up to your knees rather burn more calories during the actual exercise, Pedro enjoys how the Ruby Ports “open than using your core to lift you up? This is an but your body will experience what is called the in the front” with the chocolates lasting into example of your body adjusting itself in order afterburn effect, which will burn more calories the finish while the Tawnies “open more in to do the exercise. When you lock your feet, throughout the rest of your day as well. the back” showing complexity and charm in you end up using the extra leverage to help get After you get the clearance from your pri - the finish. you up, and when you lock your hands behind mary care physician, start with a light cardio gifts of Chocolates and Wine may be en - your head, you end up using the muscle in your based exercise regimen that allows your body joyed served together or on their own. If you back and chest to help hoist your upper body to move fully, and slowly increase the intensity want to serve them together a bottle of fine up. Instead of achieving the desired results, you each week. If you want to work your core for Port matched with some Chocolate Truffles end up forcing your spine and muscles that are more strengthening and developing purposes, makes for an ideal valentine’s Day gift. In - designed for structural support to move in a way focus on isometric based exercises such as clude Truffles with berry and nut flavors and they are not designed, which can lead stress and planks. The function of your core is to prevent, for fun try both milk and dark versions. The injury to the surrounding muscles. resist and stabilize against movement. So while harder chocolate exteriors of the Truffles The best way to lose the midsection is not working your core is certainly beneficial and with the lushness of the interior garnache through targeting specific muscles, but by burn - will make you stronger, it will not burn the combined with the Port should make for a ing the maximum amount of calories that you calories necessary to lose your midsection. memorable treat. can during your workout. The most successful Ports get more expensive with age so for a very special gift buy a half bottle of 10 year Old or 20 year Old Tawny. Brachetto is an Italian sweet table wine that is a nice lower alcohol alternative. If you picture a Moscato d’Asti made instead from red grapes with red berry scents and flavors you get the picture. The sweetness is more mellow and less cloying than a dessert wine and the flavors should work fine with choco - late. For those who prefer to not fuss rest as - sured that drinking some nice wine first and enjoying some awesome chocolates second is a lovely plan for valentine’s Day.

Sturbridge-based Importer and Distributor Peter Sagansky runs Charles River Wine Company. His wines are featured at The Winebuyer’s Outlet and at finer stores and restaurants throughout Massachusetts.

THE CHRONICLE OF STURBRIDGE COUNTRY LIVING THE STURBRIDGE TIMES MAGAZINE 25 HEALTH &NUTRITION By Lisa Bouley, MS Sturbridge Times Magazine Staff Nutritionist Better lifestyle choices for better health in 2015

any of us see the beginning of new Allow for quiet time. Whether you call and one organically grown, and do a taste year as a good time to make changes. it meditation or just quiet time with yourself, test. Most likely, you will taste the difference. MAllow 2015 to bring you better health and making time to be still can have great benefits. Another benefit of eating organically grown serenity. Consider these ways of improving It is during the quiet moments that we often produce is that the nutrient levels tend to be your life. resolve problems, come up with solutions, or higher because in order to grow healthy pro - Breathe. Surprisingly, many of us do not just regain our inner calm. duce without chemicals, the land must be know how to use our breath to benefit our Drink fresh water. Drinking fresh, pure healthy and healthy land is full of nutrients health. Breathing brings in needed oxygen water is crucial for health. Water is cleansing for the growing plants. and allows us to release carbon dioxide. and helps maintain our bodies’ hydration. Be Minimize or eliminate addictive When you inhale, be sure to feel your chest ex - sure to bring water with you and drink food substances. Salt, oil, and sugar in panding, like a balloon, and filling to its capac - throughout the day. food often trigger our tendencies to overeat. ity, and when you exhale, empty your lungs as Move your body. Daily exercise is ideal Seek to get fats from whole foods, such as fully as possible, feeling your chest flatten with for our bodies. Whether we take a walk, run seeds, nuts, and avocados, sugar naturally oc - the exhalation. on a treadmill, ride a bike, swim, or house - curring in fruits and sweet vegetables, and Get fresh air. Keeping a window open, clean, using our muscles and moving our salt from seaweed or as it naturally occurs in at least slightly, allows some fresh air to circu - limbs in an aerobic manner is important for food. If you choose to do an experiment and late throughout your house. If this is not pos - health. eliminate added salt, sugar, and oil from your sible, be sure to allow some new air to come in Stretch. Keep your body limber by diet, you will be amazed at how much better daily. Consider purchasing an air purifier if stretching daily. Release tension and increase you feel, once your mind has adapted to the you have concerns about air quality, flexibility. If you have never learned the gen - change. Our tastes do change and in time, tle art of stretching, consider taking a yoga our body acclimates to the absence of these class, purchasing a book, video, or DvD, or added substances and no longer misses them. finding instructions on-line to guide you Eliminate or minimize caffeinated through a gentle stretching session. drinks. eating a healthy diet energizes nat - Chew food. Digestion begins in the mouth. urally. If we need to drink a cup of coffee to Proper chewing allows the digestive enzymes get going in the morning, likely we are not present in the mouth to properly mix with food well nourished or not sleeping enough at and begin breaking it down. Aim to chew 50 night. Try to address the root of your need times per mouthful. even if you don’t chew for caffeine or other stimulants and then de - quite that long, likely you will improve upon crease and / or eliminate the need. your usual time. An added benefit of longer Prioritize sleep. Nighttime is when our chewing is that we tend to eat less, as this gives bodies assimilate nutrients and regenerate our bodies longer to register that we are full. our cells. Not sleeping enough can take a Increase raw produce in your diet. toll on us in more ways than one. Not every - eating fresh, uncooked fruits and vegetables one needs eight hours of sleep, but if you re - provides us food that is naturally full of water, quire an alarm clock to get up in the vitamins, minerals, and fiber. The more raw morning, likely you are not getting your food that we eat, the healthier we usually feel. ideal amount of rest. Consider buying a juicer or blender if you Decrease the amount of plastic you prefer drinking your produce. use. Plastic is a petrochemical (derived from Eat more organically grown food. petroleum). Whether we are concerned that Not only is organically grown food better for the plastic won’t break down in landfills, the environment (due to the absence of the leaching of plastic particles into our food or plethora of chemical fertilizers and pesticides drinks may occur, burning plastic from land - allowed on commercial produce), but the taste fills may pollute our air and ultimately our of organically grown produce tends to be su - land, water supply, and bodies, or that wars perior to that of conventional produce. If you are fought over petroleum, avoiding plastic as are not a believer, consider buying two bags of much as possible can only be of benefit. celery or carrots, one conventionally grown Consider alternatives when avail able. 26 THE STURBRIDGE TIMES MAGAZINE THE CHRONICLE OF STURBRIDGE COUNTRY LIVING The Best of greater Sturbridge Sturbridge Times Readers’ Choice Awards for 2015 Bakery—Publick House Recreation Equipment—Bicycle Concepts Hair Salon/Barber—Hair Gallery ! you voted. Fish Market—G&R services Bank/Credit Union—Savers Bank Here it is. s

n Wine & Cheese—Winebuyer’s Outlet Aesthetic Spa—VogueCare Travel Service—Sturbridge Travel THe BeST

OF o Small Quick Market — Micknuck’s Personal Trainer—Paula Patruno Accountant—Tom Dubrey (Dubrey, Culliton, Fanning) gReATeR i STURBRIDge Appetizer/Tapas — Cedar Street Grille Yoga—Metta Yoga Auto Mechanic—C&R Tire t Cup of Coffee — Sturbridge Coffeehouse

a Pet Store—Compatible Canine Fine Cabinetry—Fine Lines l Healthy Food — Tip Top Country Store Pet Boarding—Woof ‘n Whisker Electrician—JD LeBlanc u Soup — Soup to Nuts Manicure/Pedicure— (Tie) Hair Gallery, Top Nails Fix-It Person—Michael Beaudry t Deli — Micknuck’s

a Financial Advisor—Jeff Burdick-Edward Jones Law Office—George & Davis

r Dessert — Publick House Insurance Agency—McGrath Interior Designer— Nancy Fors

g Farmer’s Market — Hitchcock Academy (Brimfield) Dental Office—Dr. Audet Landscaper—Carrier Landscaping n Ice Cream — Jimmy D’s Gym—Everybody’s Fitness Plumber—Gordon’s (Southbridge) o Family Entertainment — Cinemagic Pet Trainer—Kathy Menard, Compatible Canine Veterinarian—Bay State Mobile Vet C Live Theater—Stageloft Repertory Pet Groomer—Bark & Bubble restaurants, food, fun Gathering Place—TJ O’Briens

General Excellence Restaurant — Publick House Neighborhood Bar—TJ O’Briens

Breakfast Restaurant— Churchill’s shopping

Comfort Food Restaurant —Soup to Nuts Clothing/Women’s — Paradise Found

Italian Restaurant— Avellino Clothing/Children — New 2 You

Vegetarian Choices— Kaizen Clothing/Consignment—New 2 You

Vegan Choices — Thai Place Clothing/Work — Klem’s

Steak Choices —Kaizen Antiques/Collectibles—Sturbridge Antiques Shops

New Restaurant—Jimmy D’s Place to Buy Art — Framer’s Gallery (Auburn)

Asian Restaurant—Kaizen Gifts — Sadie Green’s

Budget Restaurant—Annie’s Country Kitchen Jewelry—Garieri’s

Gourmet Quality Food —Salem Cross Inn Artisan Jewelry—Sadie Green’s

Seafood Restaurant—Sturbridge Seafood Primitives — The Handmaiden

Bar Menu — Teddy G’s Sporting Goods — Klem’s

Late Night Dining — Teddy G’s Furniture—Charlton Furniture

Cocktail — Rovezzi Lawn & Garden — Klem’s

Pizza — Enrico’s Greenhouse—Velvet Greene (Brimfield)

THE CHRONICLE OF STURBRIDGE COUNTRY LIVING THE STURBRIDGE TIMES MAGAZINE 27