Monday, December 17, 2012
While you may not be going out wassailing this season, take time to go caroling on the common.
Perhaps you still go wassailing (we just wanted an excuse to use the word 'wassailing'), but you still should lend your voice to the annual Caroling on the Common. This year, the event takes place on Sunday, Dec. 23, at 7 p.m. on the common, as the title of the event would imply. Gather on the common for this town-wide tradition, as song sheets and cups of hot chocolate are handed out to participants. It's also about the camaraderie, so no one will call you out if you lip sync. The Worcester Brass Consort, made possible by the "Arts on the Green" concert series and music committee of First Congregational Church, Shrewsbury, accompanies the carolers. While hot chocolate and songs are provided, light is not; it is advised that you bring a…
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Consumerism surrounds the holiday season: is greed inevitable, and how do you avoid it?
For those children who celebrate, Christmas' biggest connotation can be a pile of gifts under the tree. With this in mind, a panel of staff contributors at The Chicago Tribune tackled the question of whether it's inevitable to see greed in their kids around Christmastime. The parents weighed in on suggestions to remind kids of Christmas spirit. Among their suggestions? Help your kids round up some old toys to donate to charity before giving them new toys. Sign them up to participate in a community service project. The Tribune's advice got us thinking at Patch about how we were taught or are teaching our kids to be less greedy around the holidays. Some of our suggestions? Find a giving tree and let your child pick a name or two off of it, …
Monday, December 10, 2012
The annual "Fill the Wagon" for Toys for Tots was a smashing success this weekend.
- POLICE & FIRE
-
Monday, December 10, 2012
Submitted by David Faucher, vice president, Shrewsbury Police Patrolman’s Local 426 On Saturday, Dec. 8, the Shrewsbury Police Department Patrolman’s Union Local 426 held a Toys for Tots drive at the police station. The event was titled “Fill the Wagon” and the hope was to fill the department’s patrol wagon with new and unwrapped toys. What started as a small idea by Officer Ryan Chartrand grew into an event that far exceeded any of our expectations. Before the event even began we started receiving support from the local community in getting the word out about the event. Through the Community Advocate, Shrewsbury Daily Voice, Telegram and Gazette, Shrewsbury.net, Shrewsbury Patch, and the Boston Globe the event was published to reach a …
Thursday, December 6, 2012
The toys were stolen Tuesday along with gift cards and other donations.
The holidays are a time for giving, but after toys and gifts were stolen from St. Anne's Church earlier this week some families were left in the lurch. According to the Worcester Telegram and Gazette Hasbro is replacing the stolen toys. Hasbro spokesperson Karen Davis told the Telegram the company will provide about 300 toys to St. Anne’s, at a cost of about $3,000. Chruch volunteers have said they expect many of the donations to be replaced by community members.
42.274779
-71.748922
St Annes Rectory
130 Boston Tpke, Shrewsbury, MA
/articles/hasbro-replacing-stolen-toys-for-st-anne-s
805228
/locations/8320673
Does the lovable children's holiday classic send the wrong message? Tell us your thoughts.
In October, Patch asked readers how they felt about one parent's view that "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" condoned bullying. Specifically, blogger DadCamp wrote that the show sends the wrong message to children because of its "continuous teasing and bullying" It's not the first time a parent has spoken out against a classic children's program with such a claim. Last December, news spread that author and special ed professor George Giuliani said that "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" was also a program laden with the theme of bullying, considering how much Rudolph was an outsider due to his glowing red nose. Giuliani, as such, wrote a book titled "No More Bullies at the North Pole," which re-tells the story of Rudolph. What do you …
This week's Best of Craigslist has some missed connections, and free coal.
Notes on Craigslist perusing this week: there's someone in Hopkinton trying to sell a whole lot of Playskool toys; it's easy to pick up Dave Matthews tickets if you want them; and a nativity scene can be yours (even a glowing one) if you should do a search. There is also someone in the MetroWest area offering you an opportunity to make money by printing your own money, legally. Patch didn't feel comfortable passing along that link. That Santa's stacked, and that's a fact—ain't holding nothin' back David in Westborough is trying to unload a unique stacking ceramic Santa that is professionally hand-painted for $25. He'll only take cash, and you must pick it up. This smoking Santa comes from a non-smoking home We can't confirm that the …
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Thieves broke into a shed and stole hundreds of gifts from St. Anne's church.
Thieves stole hundreds of gifts that were gathered throughout the year to give to families in need in Shrewsbury. On Tuesday, Dec. 4, Shrewsbury police were called to St. Anne's Church, where presents were taken out of the shed that stored presents and gift cards valued at thousands of dollars that had been donated toward a drive headed by the Food Pantry. The presents were for children in need and most of the gift cards were to be used to purchase food and other essentials by the families, said police. The gifts were gathered throughout the year and were to be distributed during the holiday season. The gifts and cards are valued between $2,000-$3,000. JoAnn Keegan, who is the food pantry manager and volunteer coordinator, said the thieves…
Monday, December 3, 2012
The city of Worcester's annual Festival of Lights drew visitors from all over the area.
The City of Worcester's Annual Festival of Lights, sponsored in part by Harvard Pilgrim, was held Friday night, Nov. 30. Festivities included the annual holiday tree lighting and official opening of the public ice skating rink on the Worcester Common Oval.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Don't miss it. It's the third annual festivities on the common.
For the third year in a row, Santa Claus arrives on the front lawn of the Sumner House at Shrewsbury Town Common by way of firetruck to meet and greet his biggest fans. It's all part of the annual "Festivities on the Common" event hosted by Heald and Chiampa Funeral Home. "We host this on the first Saturday of every December," said Jim Heald, owner of Heald and Chiampa Funeral Home. "The weather is supposed to be ideal. We had well over 300 people last year, and it's turned into an annual town tradition. We're a funeral home, but we've become recognized as something 'other than a funeral home.'" The event includes holiday music, food, and a gift from Santa for all the kids. Photos are taken of the visits, and families will receive copies …
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Was your favorite gift an electronic one?
Tis the year of the smartphone and tablet. Did your Santa deliver one to you?
Carrie Wattu
12:59 pm on Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Fallon Community Health Plan also reached out to St. Anne's, replacing all of the stolen gift cards and more. Gift cards to Kohls, Walmart and Price Chopper—totaling $3,500—were delivered to St. Anne's Church on Monday, December 10th. more ›