Ashland November 2016

Page 12 Local Town Pages www.ashlandtownnews.com November 2016
Ashland Greatest Fall Hits List
By Julie Nardone,
Contributing Writer
Ever since I moved to Ashland
in 1997, I’ve heard complaints
that the town needs to be more
like this or that town. The problem
with other town-envy is that
we lose sight of what’s already
great about Ashland.
With the collaboration of my
fellow residents who contributed
their ideas on Facebook, I created
a list of must-see and must-do’s in
Ashland this fall. Enjoy!
Outdoor Exercise: Hike the
three-mile loop with family,
friends and pets around the scenic
and pristine Ashland State Park.
In 1881, 164 acres were flooded
to construct the 1800-foot long,
20-foot wide, 60-foot high
earthen dam at the north end
of the park. An eight-foot lower
concrete core holds it in place.
Park at the Chestnut Street or
South Street Parking lots and do
the complete loop. For even more
hiking, cross Chestnut street and
hike the wide paths crisscrossing
the 120-acre Warren Woods.
Hot Toddies: Sip a warm libation
in front of the fire at the
historic and haunted Stone’s
Public House. It was originally
a hotel named The Railroad
House, constructed in 1832 by
John Stone. Several spirits are
believed to roam the restaurant,
including a man killed, perhaps,
over a gambling debt by John
Stone during a card game and
Mary, a 10-year-old girl, allegedly
hit by the train. Passersby have
reported seeing the little girl looking
out the windows. 179 Main
St. (www.haunted-places-to-go.
com/haunted-places-in-massachusetts-1.html)
Karaoke: Sing your heart out
every fourth Thursday of the
month at TJs restaurant on Route
135 with hosts Michelle and Ron.
The hosts have a great sound system
and an extensive song list.
Gorge on TJ’s famous Z-burgers
and yummy drinks in between
songs. TJ’s is an restaurant icon
in Metrowest.
Witches Caves: Hunt along
five different trails for several
witches’ caves hiding in the Ashland
Town Forest. Witches who
survived the Salem Witch Trials
headed west to Framingham. It
is believed that these women and
their families first hid in several
caves sprinkled throughout the
forest. This delightful forest has
550 acres of trails, streams and
woods to explore. Park in Winter
Street lot.
Thanksgiving Charity Workout:
Pump some muscle with Bob
Savin for a good cause during the
5 th Annual Thanksgiving Morning
Workout at Fitness Together.
You’ll burn enough calories to
justify eating a large holiday meal.
Suggested donation is $25. Register
for 8 and 9 am workout times
at https://fitnesstogether.com/
ashland/. 200 Butterfield Dr.
2 Myrtle St. Colonial John Jones
built the home in 1748, making
it one of Ashland’s oldest buildings.
Attend the Ashland Historical
Society Nov. 20 Sunday talk
entitled, “Early New England
Glassmaking. Presented by Kirk
Cousins, Director, New Bedford
Museum of Glass. (www.ashlandhistsociety.com)
Thanksgiving Market: Stock
up with food for Thanksgiving
and gifts for the holidays at the
Market Day Farmer’s Market on
November 19, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Just when you thought the Fab
Farmer’s Market was over for the
season, you get one last chance
to buy food and wares from your
favorite food and artisan vendors.
Ashland Middle School, 87 West
Union Street (Rt. 135).
Ocean House
(Photo/Cliff Wilson)
Civic Duty: Attend and speak
up at the fall town meeting on
Monday, Nov. 28. This free
event is a terrific opportunity to
get your brave on and speak up
about issues that concern you.
Best free speaking opportunity
you will ever find. Ashland High
School, 65 East Union St. 7 p.m.
Trivia Night: Test your trivia
knowledge at the Ashland Lion’s
Nov. 19 trivia night. This is a
highly competitive, challenging
and fun trivia night. If you want
to warm up before the big trivia
event, check out Hanto Restaurant’s
trivia night every Wednesday,
beginning at 7:30 p.m. with
alternating hosts Zach and Jodi.
Lions trivia is at The American
Legion, 2 Summer St.
Ashland State Park
(Photo/Julie Nardone)
Ocean House. Learn about
our local history and admire the
extensive Telechron clock collection
at the historic Ocean House,
Now Offering
ORTHODONTICS FOR ALL AGES
Pre -Thanksgiving
Ashland
Farmer’s Market
(Photo/Cynthia Whitty)
Accepting many insurances including Mass Health
Call to schedule an appointment
508-498-6360
hopkintonsquaredental.com
22 South Street, Suite 104
Hopkinton (Price Chopper Plaza)
Education: Raise money for
the Ashland Education Foundation
on Friday, Nov. 18 at the
third annual casino night! Play
various games of chance, including
Blackjack, Craps, Texas
Hold’em, and Roulette. The
event will be held at Hanto, 380
Union Street (Route 135) from
7:30 to 10:30 pm. Purchase your
tickets at www.ashlandeducation.
org/casino-night.
Inspiration: Follow the North
Star to Ashland’s newest downtown
shop – The Reiki and Wellness
Center. This beautifully
decorated downtown oasis has
lots of inspirational gifts for your
holiday shopping. Located in the
historic Greenwood Building, one
of Ashland’s finest historic “skyscraper”
and home to The North
Star Lodge, a local organization
of FreeMasons. 54 Front St.