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Blackstone Valley Xpress - South Edition - July 10, 2026

Blackstone Valley Xpress - South Edition - July 10, 2026

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South Edition: Douglas, Northbridge, Uxbridge

Historic “Oak” anniversary with

80 years of marriage

In a milestone reached by less

than 1% of married couples,

Frank and Alice Susskey are

celebrating their 80th wedding

anniversary. Married on July 6,

1946, the couple will commemorate

eight decades of partnership—fittingly

known as an “oak

anniversary” for its legendary

strength.

Frank, 99, and Alice, 98, first

met as young teenagers. The

couple’s anniversary was marked

by a celebration at the Uxbridge

Senior Center located at 36 South

Main Street. This event included

State Rep. Michael Soter, Uxbridge

BOS member, John Wise,

and Uxbridge Town Administrator,

Steve Sette, along with State

Senator Ryan Fattman’s Assistant,

Amanda Hellyar.

ANNIVERSARY

continued on page 2

Exceptional Care

Every Resident, Every Day

Electrical Diagnostics

& Repair

We Service & Repair

All Automotive A/C

Systems

Engine/Transmission

Replacements

Classic Car Projects

290 Providence Rd. | S. Grafton, MA | 508-839-7071

Alice and Frank Susskey with daughter Sally Grimaldi and husband Lawrence & son Frank

Susskey Jr. with wife Michele. Photo credit: Gail Boutiette

85 Beaumont Drive

Northbridge, MA 01534

508-234-9771

www.adviniacare.com

CABINET DEPOT

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Call Margaret to get your

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Free Design & Quote

and ask how you can get

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*Does not include install

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Whitinsville, MA

508-372-9023

Exceptional Price & Great Quality at

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SHOWROOM OUTLET

• Weekend & Shift Differentials

• Flexible schedules

• Tuition reimbursement

• Supportive, knowledgeable

team environment

• Unlimited Employee

referral bonus program

• Comprehensive benefits

package including 401k

match

July 10, 2026

Local students

recognized at the

Worcester Regional

Science and

Engineering Fair

Blackstone Valley Regional Vocation

Technical High School Students are first

to receive the Garden’s Plant Science &

Sustainability Award

“Margaret is my

‘go to’ when I need a new

kitchen. Cabinet Depot

has both great quality and

great prices.”

Scott B., Contractor

Marscott.CabinetDepot@gmail.com

New England Botanic Garden

at Tower Hill is pleased

to announce the inaugural

winners of its Plant Science and

Sustainability Award, which

debuted this year as part of the

Worcester Regional Science and

Engineering Fair. The award recognizes

projects by high school

students that align with the

Garden’s mission of creating experiences

with plants that inspire

people and improve the world.

Winning projects use plant science

to address questions about

ecosystems, agriculture, climate

resilience, or sustainable use of

land and resources.

Britha Abunga, Anna Platek,

and Evan St. George of Blackstone

Valley Regional Vocational

Technical High School earned

the special recognition this year.

Their project, Cracking the

Code: Enhancing Fruit Life by

Identifying the Enemies of Freshness,

aims to provide solutions

to global hunger by researching

alternative methods for preserving

fresh fruits and vegetables.

Through experimentation, they

explored how applications of a

specific bacterium can help slow

decomposition in combination

with refrigeration.

“We offer our enthusiastic congratulations

to the winners,” says

Marissa Gallant, Director of Education

at New England Botanic

Garden. “We were impressed

by all of this year’s entries and

are inspired to see our region’s

students applying themselves to

the sciences in ways that improve

our collective world.”

Projects were judged by

New England Botanic Garden

representatives who looked for

how well students demonstrated

a clear plant- or nature-based

research question, applied sound

methods, communicated their

AWARDS

continued on page 3

Postal

Customer

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2 The Blackstone Valley Xpress • www.theblackstonevalleyxpress.com • July 10, 2026

Douglas Public Library schedule

Please note that some events do

require registration. If you have

any questions regarding any events,

please do not hesitate to contact the

library at (508) 476-2695 or email

us at douglas@cwmars.org.

Address: 290 Main Street, Douglas,

MA 01516, Phone: 508-476-

2695

Hours: Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-

8 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Monday, July 20 at 1 p.m. - Barks

and Books with Dog Orphans &

Louise Chadborne

SUMMER READING PROGRAM

Wednesday, July 15 at 1 p.m. -

Rainforest Reptile Shows

Wednesday, July 22 at 1 p.m.

- Massachusetts Horticultural

Society Plantmobile (Registration

Required)

Wednesday, July 29 at 1 p.m. -

Ed the Wizard: Reading is Magic

Wednesday, August 5 at 1 p.m. -

Science Heroes: Digging It

Wednesday, August 12 at 1 p.m.

- Robert Rivest Comic

CHILDREN’S HAPPENINGS

Monday, July 13, July 20, July

27, August 3, August 10 at 10 a.m.

- Summer Storytime (Registration

Required)

Wednesday, July 15 at 5:45 p.m.

- Reading to Bryce (Registration

Required)

Thursday, July 16, July 23, July

30, August 6, August 13 at 10 a.m.

- Summer Storytime (Registration

Required)

TEEN HAPPENINGS

Tuesday, July 14, July 28, August

11 at 4 p.m. - Battletech Club

ADULT BOOK CLUBS

Tuesday, July 14 at 6:30 p.m.

- Intrepid Readers, Cleopatra by

Stacy Schiff

Tuesday, July 21 at 6:30 p.m. -

SciFi Book Club, The Infinite Sadness

of Small Appliances by Glenn

Dixon

ADULT HAPPENINGS

Monday, July 13, July 20, July 27,

August 3, August 10 at 6:30 p.m. -

Writer’s Accountability Group

Saturday, July 18 at 10:30 a.m. -

SFPL Gardeners

Wednesday, July 22, August 12 at

5:45 p.m. - Fiber Arts Friends

Saturday, August 15 at 10:30 a.m.

- SFPL Gardeners

ANNIVERSARY

continued from page 1

The couple was presented with

citations from the Massachusetts

House of Representatives and the

Massachusetts Senate, recognizing

this great accomplishment.

Heads attended the celebration,

including Uxbridge Police Chief

Marc Montminy and Sgt. Tim

Burke, DPW Director, Benn

Sherman, Town Assessor, Ken

O’Brien, and Senior Center

Director, Lisa Bernard. Father

Michael Hoye, from St. Marks in

Sutton (formerly from St. Mary’s

Above: Alice & Frank with Amanda Hellyar, Senator Ryan Fatman’s office, State Rep Michael

Soter & Uxbridge BOS Member, John Wise.

Below: Alice & Frank with Uxbridge Town Police Chief Montminy, DPW Director, Benn Sherman,

& Town Assessor, Ken O’Brien.

CALL US TODAY TO SCHEDULE

YOUR APPOINTMENT!

40 Douglas St.

Uxbridge, MA 01569

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The Susskey family attended the

event, including their two children,

son Frank Jr and daughter

Sally, as well as their grandchildren

and great-grandchildren.

In addition, many other family

members, friends, and neighbors

attended the celebration.

The Susskey family has been

proud residents of Uxbridge,

Massachusetts, all their lives.

Many Uxbridge Department

Economy Canvas & Awning Co.

Pool Cover

Repairs

Over 34 years of service

in the community

Retractable & Stationary Awnings

Boat & Truck Covers and

Related Products

• Full Awning Service -

Installation, Removal & Cleaning

• Manufacture &

Repair All Canvas Products

in Uxbridge), also attended andpresented

the couple with blessed

rosary beads from Pope Leo.

If you would like to wish Alice

and Frank a Happy Anniversary,

please forward cards to the

Uxbridge Senior Center at 36

South Main Street, Uxbridge, MA

01569.

Submitted by the Uxbridge

Senior Center

115 Hamilton St., Southbridge, MA

508-765-5921

www.EconomyCanvasAndAwning.com


July 10, 2026 • www.theblackstonevalleyxpress.com • The Blackstone Valley Xpress 3

AWARDS

continued from page 1

research, and made connections

to real-world environmental or

community needs.

Each student awardee received

a one-year family membership

to New England Botanic Garden

and garden gear. They were celebrated

at the New England Botanic

Garden on June 25 during

the 185th annual meeting of the

Worcester County Horticultural

Society, the owner and operator

of the Garden. A number of other

annual awards were also made at

this time, honoring individuals

and groups whose contributions

advance the horticultural field

and strengthen communities

through plants and gardening.

To learn more about New

England Botanic Garden at Tower

Hill, visit nebg.org.

organization located at 11 French

Drive in Boylston, Massachusetts.

A regional destination, the

Garden is operated on nearly 200

acres by the Worcester County

Horticultural Society, one of the

oldest of its kind in the country,

and is open to the public for

garden viewing, trail walking,

educational programs, private

events, weddings, exhibitions,

and more. In 2023, New England

Botanic Garden was voted

“Top Botanic Garden in the U.S.”

by TravelAwaits. New England

Botanic Garden is an AAMaccredited

museum that includes

an irreplaceable collection of

plants and creates opportunities

for visitors to experience the

wonder of plants, learn about the

natural world, and make joyful

connections. Learn all about the

New England Botanic Garden,

including its history, mission, and

staff, at www.nebg.org.

About New England Botanic

Garden at Tower Hill

New England Botanic Garden

at Tower Hill, now celebrating its

40th anniversary, is a nonprofit

Plant Science and Sustainability Award recipients from Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School pictured with Worcester

County Horticultural Society Board President Gayle Weiss and New England Botanic Garden CEO Grace Elton. From left: Gayle Weiss, Evan St.

George, Anna Platek, and Grace Elton. Awardee Britha Abunga (not pictured) was also recognized. Photo by Troy B. Thompson Photography.

Local student earns national

recognition on national spanish exam

Providence, RI — Gavin Pintarich

of Uxbridge, a freshman at

La Salle Academy in Providence,

Rhode Island, has earned a Silver

Medal on the 2026 National Spanish

Exam, recognizing his outstanding

achievement and dedication

to Spanish language studies.

The National Spanish Exam

(NSE), sponsored by the American

Association of Teachers of

Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP),

is the largest Spanish assessment

program of its kind in the United

States. More than 83,000 students

in grades 6 through 12 participated

nationwide in 2026.

Silver Medal recognition places

Gavin among the top-performing

students in the country and reflects

FARM

FOPPEMA’S

“Family Owned & Operated

Since 1983”

his commitment to academic excellence

and language learning.

La Salle Academy students

earned a combined total of 40

medals and 65 honorable mentions

on this year’s exam, highlighting

the school’s strong tradition

of excellence in world language

education.

The National Spanish Exam has

promoted the study of Spanish

since 1957 and offers national

recognition and scholarship opportunities

for high-achieving

students. More information about

the program can be found at www.

nationalspanishexam.org.

Press release and photos submitted

by Kaitlyn Pintarich

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4 The Blackstone Valley Xpress • www.theblackstonevalleyxpress.com • July 10, 2026

Douglas Fire Chief John Furno honored upon retirement

The Town of Douglas celebrated

the retirement of Fire

Chief John Furno on June 25,

recognizing his remarkable career

of 41 years of dedicated service to

the community.

Known not only for his

leadership of the Douglas Fire

Department but also for his

commitment to local schools as

a longtime softball coach, Chief

Furno was praised for his true

selflessness and unwavering

dedication to the town. Community

members expressed their

gratitude for the lasting impact

he has made through both his

public service and mentorship.

As Chief Furno begins the next

chapter of his life, the Douglas

community extends its heartfelt

congratulations and best wishes,

thanking him for his decades of

honorable service and the example

he has set for generations

of residents.

Photos from the Douglas Fire

Department Facebook Page.

Published on the 2nd and 4th Fridays

of the month. Direct mailed to nearly

65,000 homes and businesses each

month and available on news stands in

the region.

2nd Friday: The YankeeXpress South:

Charlton, Dudley, Webster

2nd Friday: Blackstone Valley South:

Douglas, Northbridge & Uxbridge

4th Friday: The YankeeXpress North:

Auburn, Oxford

4th Friday: Blackstone Valley North:

Grafton, Millbury & Sutton

Contact us:

Patty Roy, Editor:

proy@theyankeexpress.com

Submit business news and

community events to

news@theyankeexpress.com

To request advertising info, please

email ads@theyankeexpress.com

Jen Schofield, Publisher: The Yankee

Xpress, Blackstone Valley Xpress,

Local Town Pages, Milford and Upton

Mendon Free Press;

jenschofield@yankeeshopper.net

Bill Cronan, Blackstone Xpress

North and South (Douglas, Uxbridge,

Northbridge; Millbury, Grafton, Sutton);

bcronan@theyankeexpress.com

Kate Carr, The Yankee Xpress North and

South (Auburn, Charlton, Dudley, Oxford,

and Webster);

katecarr@localtownpages.com

Susanne Odell Farber, Upton, Mendon,

Hopedale: sue@sodellconsult.com

Laura Gleim, Billing & Sales:

lgleim@theyankeexpress.com

Kimberly Vasseur, Production Manager

Sally Patterson, Graphic Artist

Contributing Writers and Columnists:

Tom D'Agostino, Christine Galeone,

Mark Marzeotti, John Paul, Janet Stoica,

Christopher Tremblay

Blackstone Valley Xpress/©2026

9 Industrial Road, Milford MA 01757

508-943-8784 • theyankeexpress.com

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July 10, 2026 • www.theblackstonevalleyxpress.com • The Blackstone Valley Xpress 5

Four stages of raising confident, money-smart kids

Mark Freeman, CEPA

FINANCIAL FOCUS ®

Provided by Edward Jones

Good financial habits are a

little like brushing your teeth.

When you learn them early, they

become second nature, and you

carry them with you for life.

And while money can feel complicated,

especially today, the

foundation starts simply.

Parents can begin the conversation

with very young children,

and young adults can build on

those basics as they take on more

responsibility. Step by step, these

habits create confidence that

helps build longterm financial

security and a more fulfilling life.

The following are the four

key stages of financial growth.

Stage 1: For very young children,

the goal is to make money

feel simple and manageable. A

great place to start is with three

jars labeled “Spend,” “Save”

and “Share.” When kids can

actually see their money grow or

shrink, the idea starts to make

sense. Saving also introduces

them to goalsetting, and working

toward paying for a small

toy or outing teaches patience.

Most important, you’re helping

your children see money as a

tool they can understand easily

and use with confidence.

Stage 2: If you have tweens

(children roughly 9 to 12 years

old), they’re usually ready for

slightly bigger financial ideas.

This is a great time for them to

earn money through chores or

small jobs, helping them see the

connection between effort and

reward and building a sense of

ownership. Conversations about

needs versus wants also become

more meaningful, because kids

are now making real choices

with money they earned themselves.

Your tween may be ready

for a simple savings account to

watch their savings grow, or a

reloadable cash card for spending.

Stage 3: By the time teens

reach high school or young

adulthood, budgeting becomes

essential. This doesn’t need

to be overly strict or complicated.

A simple system that

helps them track deposits and

withdrawals can make all the

difference. Whether they use

an app, a paper notebook or

a spreadsheet, the real goal is

awareness. Teenagers also benefit

from learning how credit

works. Understanding how to

build a healthy credit score and

how to use credit wisely protects

them from costly mistakes

in later life.

Stage 4: Then come the

early working years, when habits

shift from learning to building.

One of the smartest steps

at this stage is paying yourself

first. Automatic transfers to

savings or retirement accounts

help establish stability without

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extra effort. Even small retirement

contributions matter

more than most people realize,

because time allows compounding

to do the heavy lifting. This

is also when young adults can

start organizing their money

into different buckets for rent,

automobile payments, emergencies,

retirement and everyday

spending. These habits help lay

the groundwork for financial

freedom down the road.

Throughout every stage, the

theme is confidence. Each small

success creates a sense of control

and each good habit makes the

next one easier. Over time, these

habits turn into a lifetime of financial

security and fulfillment.

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When you start strong and stay

consistent, money becomes a

tool that helps your children

support the lives they want.

Contact Mark today to discuss

this topic or any of your

financial goals.

Mark Freeman, CEPA

Edward Jones Financial Advisor

77 West Main Street,

Hopkinton, MA 508-293-4017

Mark.Freeman@edwardjones.com

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SCHULTZY’S PLACE

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6 The Blackstone Valley Xpress • www.theblackstonevalleyxpress.com • July 10, 2026

Blackstone Valley Art Association update

July will be a wonderful month

with the community of local

artists at the Blackstone Valley

Art Association! Our July art

show is a “Carbon Copies” forgeries

show, where artists create

fun versions of Picasso, Renoir,

Monet, or any other historic

artworks. Add a cat to the Mona

Lisa! Turn the Scream into a dog!

The Forgery reception is Friday,

July 31, giving everyone a full

month to vote for their favorites.

We’d love to have you enter, vote,

and then come to the party! All

are welcome to vote and attend

the reception.

The next show dropping off

August 1st is our Show of Hands

show, which is open to the public.

This show is for everything

except photography. It’s the opposite

show of our Photographyonly

show, which we hold in

January. Bring in your watercolors,

colored pencil art, sculpture,

acrylic paintings, drawings,

sketches, and more! We’d love to

see what you come up with.

All summer long in June, July,

and August, we have FREE opento-the-public

creativity-inspiring

sessions every third Tuesday.

That’s Tuesday, July 21 and August

18 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. We’ll

have watercolor paints, acrylic

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•FIELD MOWING

Bev Tinklenberg, First Place, watercolor

•STUMP GRINDING

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paints, pens, pencils, Gelli plates,

and more. You can drop in any

time between 6:30-8:30 p.m.and

give it a try! We’d love to meet

you and chat about art.

Congratulations to the winners

of our “Series Show”, where

each artist put in 2-3 pieces that

related to each other. It was an

Lynne Galluzzo, Second Place, colored pencil

inspiring show of over 90 pieces.

You can see artwork in a wide

variety of styles through July

11th. The winners were: 1st / Bev

Tinklenberg watercolor. 2nd /

Lynne Galluzzo, colored pencil.

3rd / Melissa Beyer watercolor.

Honorable Mention / Dave Skillins,

acrylic. Honorable Mention /

Diane Mulligan watercolor. Honorable

Mention / Merilyn Rocks/

watercolor and acrylic. Honorable

Mention / Mike Backunas

photography.

For more information about

the Blackstone Valley Art Association’s

Uxbridge Community

Gallery, visit BVAA.org or stop

by the gallery at 5 South Main

Street, Uxbridge, on Saturdays 10

a.m. – 3 p.m. We’d love to meet

you!

Photos supplied by Lisa Shea

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July 10, 2026 • www.theblackstonevalleyxpress.com • The Blackstone Valley Xpress 7

Etiquette Express: Making

everyday interactions better

Etiquette & Leadership Coach helping people show up with confidence,

kindness, and credibility.

BY LEE-ANN BARKHOUSE

Customer Service Begins with

Connection.

In today’s digital world, we can

order almost anything online,

check ourselves out at the grocery

store, and communicate with the

tap of a screen. While technology

has made life more convenient, it

has also made genuine human connection

more valuable than ever

Whether you’re greeting a customer,

answering a phone, serving

a meal, or helping someone find

what they need, every interaction

leaves an impression. People may

forget exactly what was said, but

they’ll remember exactly how you

made them feel.

Customer service isn’t just about

completing a transaction. It’s about

building relationships, earning

trust, and creating an experience

that makes someone want to return.

You never know when today’s

customer may become tomorrow’s

client, business partner, employer,

or friend. Our paths have a way of

crossing again.

Being mindful of your words,

your body language, your tone, and

even your facial expressions can

make all the difference. A smile, a

warm greeting, or simply acknowledging

someone when they walk

through the door costs nothing yet

can completely change someone’s

day.

Here are a few etiquette questions

I have recently received about

customer service and everyday

interactions.

Q.

I work in customer service.

What are the biggest etiquette

mistakes employees

make without realizing it?

A.

Often it’s not what we say,

but what we communicate

without words. Failing to

acknowledge someone who walks

in, avoiding eye contact, appearing

distracted, or looking inconvenienced

can leave a lasting impression.

Great customer service begins

with self-awareness. Be present.

Smile. Make eye contact. Remember

that every customer deserves to

feel seen, welcomed, and valued.

Q.

I often see children roughhousing

in stores while

their parents are shopping.

Is it my place to say something?

A.

Unless someone is in immediate

danger or you’re

responsible for the store,

it’s usually best not to intervene. If

safety is a concern, quietly notify

an employee. Parents, however,

have a wonderful opportunity to

teach children how to behave respectfully

in public. Those lessons

build confidence, consideration,

and respect for others.

Q.

Someone introduced themselves

by saying, “Hi, I’m

Ellen,” but never asked my

name. Should I introduce myself

anyway?

A.

Absolutely. A simple,

“Nice to meet you, Ellen.

I’m Lee-Ann,” keeps the

conversation comfortable and

helps build rapport. Never hesitate

to introduce yourself. It’s a small

gesture that often opens the door

to a meaningful connection.

Q.

I walked into a small

business and felt like I was

interrupting the owner.

They weren’t very welcoming and

were actually very rude. Should I

take it personally?

A.

Probably not. We all have

difficult days, and you

never know what someone

may be dealing with. Extend a little

grace. At the same time, remember

that first impressions matter.

If a business consistently makes

customers feel unwelcome, it’s

perfectly reasonable to choose to

shop elsewhere.

Q.

I was verbally invited to a

casual cookout. Do I need

to RSVP?

A.

Yes. Casual doesn’t mean

inconsiderate. Your host

still needs to plan for food,

seating, and supplies. A quick text

or phone call to let them know

whether you’ll attend is always appreciated.

Q.

I interviewed for a position

that would require me to

relocate across the country.

I haven’t heard anything. Should I

follow up?

A.

Yes. If a hiring timeline

was provided, wait until

after that date. If not, a

follow-up about a week after your

interview is appropriate. Thank

them again for the opportunity,

express your continued interest,

and politely ask if they have an

update. If you don’t hear back, one

additional follow-up a week or two

later is perfectly acceptable. After

that, let the process unfold.

ETIQUETTE TIP OF THE MONTH

People may not remember every

conversation they have with you,

but they’ll remember how you

made them feel. Whether you’re

the customer or the person providing

the service, choose to leave

others feeling welcomed, respected,

and appreciated. Courtesy is contagious,

and it often comes back to us

when we least expect it.

Warm regards,

Lee-Ann

Have a situation you’d like help

with? Write in or email (info@

investinuma.com) and your question

may be featured in a future

column. Let’s build a kinder, more

respectful world, one interaction

at a time.

Lee-Ann Barkhouse is the

founder of Invest in U, where she

helps individuals and organizations

build confidence, professionalism,

and meaningful connections.

She is a certified etiquette trainer,

board-certified health & wellness

coach, and workshop facilitator who

inspires people to communicate with

confidence, strengthen relationships,

and show up as their best selves.

Learn more at www.investinuma.

com

Call today

for a FREE

estimate.

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8 The Blackstone Valley Xpress • www.theblackstonevalleyxpress.com • July 10, 2026

Uxbridge Senior Center

Lisa Bernard – Director

Gail Boutiette – Outreach Coordinator

Donna Oncay – Transportation

Coordinator

Omer Boucher – Van Driver

Sally Selvidge – Activities Coordinator

Pat Ordway – Chef

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Golf Course &

John Henry Tavern

Are Open

For The Season!

& The John Henry Tavern

42 Magill Dr., Grafton

(508) 839-1945

www.highfieldsgolfcc.com

DIRECTOR NEWS

Our Shuttle Service is officially

three years old this month!

This community shuttle takes

older adults and individuals with disabilities

to destinations such as the

post office, pet care appointments,

hair salon or barber, the bank, the

Check us out on

Pro Shop is open 7am -6pm

Monday – Sunday

pharmacy, and shopping anywhere

in the Uxbridge and Northbridge

area. The shuttle runs every Wednesday

from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; requests

require a 48-hour notice. For more

information and to book your rides,

please call the senior center.

For medical appointment

transportation, please call Donna to

book your ride. This service is available

Monday through Friday and is

on a first-come, first-served basis.

Feeling depressed, lonely, anxious,

or troubled, the Massachusetts

Behavioral Health Help Line

is here to help. Call 1-833-773-

2445. You will talk with a trained

staff member who will assist you in

accessing the treatment or support

that meets your individual needs. It

is free of charge and confidential.

Starting Tuesday, July 7, Mah

Jongg is now scheduled as a scheduled

event here at the Uxbridge Senior

Center. Thanks to Gail Epstein

for teaching us!

Monday, July 13: 11 a.m.-1

p.m. – Pout Pond Outing. Join us

at Pout Pond for lunch! If inclement

weather, we will have lunch

at the senior center. Drew Carey

will be entertaining us! Please call

ahead to RSVP. Transportation is

available, and you are more than

welcome to meet up there. Bring

comfortable seats.

Tuesday, July 14: 9 a.m. –

SHINE Appointments. Pat

Nectow will be available for your

health insurance questions. Call to

book an appointment.

Tuesday, July 14: 1 p.m. – Uxbridge

Library Book Club. They

will be discussing “The Martha’s

Vineyard Book Club” by Martha

Hall Kelly. You are welcome to join

us for lunch on this day, just be

sure to call ahead to “book” yours!

The next book club meeting is on

Tuesday, August 11.

Tuesday, July 14: 1 p.m. – Benefit

Enrollment Specialist. Tri-

Valley, Inc. Call the senior center

to book an appointment. Next date

will be Tuesday, August 11.

Thursday, July 16: 1:30-3:30 p.m.

– Big BINGO at the Uxbridge Senior

Center. Join us for a fun afternoon of

BINGO & cash prizes! Packets of 10

games for $10. Transportation will

be provided. Let us know if you’d

like to join us for lunch on this date

by calling or stopping by to RSVP.

You must sign up by 12 noon the day

before game day.

Friday, July 17: 12 p.m. – Lunch

& Learn to discuss the Master Plan

Survey for Uxbridge – a long-range

strategic roadmap to outline the

town’s future framework. CMRPC

will present along with members of

the Planning Board. Please RSVP.

Monday, July 20: 1:30 p.m. –

“Ask the Attorney” with Attorney

Ralph Tepper by appointment

only. Please call 508-278-8622 to

schedule your appointment.

Thursday, July 23: 11:30 a.m. -

Empire Buffet Trip – Come join

us for lunch at the Empire Buffet

located in Woonsocket, RI. You can

either ride in the van or meet us

there. Cost is $17 per person, which

includes a meal, soda or tea & gratuity.

You must pay when you signup.

Friday, July 24: The Beer Can

Museum – The evolution of an

American Icon (the Beer Can).

Kevin Logan will be here to talk

about the infamous Beer Can Museum.

Please RSVP.

Monday, July 27: 1:30 p.m. –

Bemis Farms Milhouse Pitcher

Craft – Join us in making a craft

with Bemis Farms Nursery. Class

size is limited, and the cost will be

$20.00 per person, which is payable

upon signup. The refill date for the

flowers will be on August 10, 2026.

Tuesday, July 28: 11 a.m. – 12

p.m. – Ask the Nurse Free Blood

Pressure Clinic with the Salmon

Health VNA. RSVP if you’d like to

join us for lunch.

Wednesday, July 29 - 11:30 a.m.

- 12:30 p.m. – “PopUp Library”.

Books will be on display for checkout,

library card sign-ups, book

hold pick-ups, etc. This program is

being offered by the Uxbridge Free

Public Library.

Thursday, July 30: 1:30 p.m.

Keep Us In Mind

For All Of Your

Special Events!

•Outdoor dining on Patio

overlooking 18th Green

•Wedding & event seating up to 200

– Free Afternoon Movie at the Senior

Center! We will be watching

Frankie Avalon & Annette Funicello’s

“Beach Party“. Refreshments

to be served, and transportation is

available.

Friday, July 31: 12 noon – July

Birthday Cake Celebration. We

will celebrate all the July birthdays!

Heather Deary will be back to

entertain us during lunch!

Card Game played during

lunch on Mondays. No game on

July 13.

Walk & Talk Every Monday:

9 a.m. Join Doreen Cedrone, our

wellness coordinator, to walk the

Town Loop every Monday morning.

Weather permitting. Pre-registration

required! Get enrollment

forms at the center. Meet at the

McCloskey School.

Hannaford grocery shopping

every Tuesday. Pick up begins

at 8:30 a.m.. Please sign up in

advance by calling 508-278-8622 to

reserve your seat on the van.

Knitting Club every Tuesday:

1:30 p.m. – Even if you don’t know

how to knit or crochet, come and

visit us! The group members are

always willing to teach you!

Mah Jongg every Tuesday at

1:30 p.m. - Thanks to Gail Epstein

for teaching us!

Every Wednesday : 9 a.m. - 3

p.m. – The Uxbridge Senior Center

Transportation Program Community

Shuttle. This shuttle is

for seniors and individuals with

disabilities to destinations such as

post office, pet care appointments,

hair salon or barber, bank, pharmacy

& shopping anywhere in the

Uxbridge/Northbridge area. Call

508-278-8622 for more information

and to book your FREE ride.

Requests require a 48-hour notice.

NO SHUTTLE JULY 22

Every Wednesday– BINGO is

played during lunch! No Game

July 8.

Wednesdays - “Canasta” Hand,

Knee & Foot Card Game : 1:15

p.m. Let us know if you’d like to

join us for lunch!

Wednesdays – Play Scrabble! 1:15

p.m. – Come by for an afternoon

playing Scrabble. Boards are supplied

by the senior center. Let us know if

you’d like to join us for lunch!

Medical Transportation is

accepting appointments. Call 508-

278-8622 to schedule your rides.

Feel free to contact us at 508-278-

8622 or visit us on our web page

at Uxbridge-ma.gov/coa or like us

on our FB page, or by googling Uxbridge

Senior Center and our new

YouTube Channel or even dropping

by. www.facebook.com/Uxbridge-

MASeniorCenter

www.youtube.com/channel/

UCNh_RIq99rucmFH-UO7VFBw

www.uxbridgetv.org/schedule/192


BVT students earn 132 medals at

SkillsUSA Competitions in 2025-26

Blackstone Valley Regional

Vocational Technical High

School (BVT) students

demonstrated their vocationaltechnical

abilities at the SkillsUSA

National Leadership & Skills

Conference (NLSC), held June 1-5

in Atlanta. The annual event is the

world’s largest gathering of career

and technical education students

and highlights the critical role of

career-ready skills.

The national conference marked

the third and final stage of the

SkillsUSA competition series. BVT

students earned five bronze medals,

while contestants who earned

medals or met a threshold score

for their event were also awarded

skill point certificates representing

achievement in demonstrating proficiency

and workplace readiness.

“Our students welcome the

opportunity to compete against

themselves and other highly skilled

students at the SkillsUSA district,

state, and national championships,”

said Superintendent-Director Anthony

E. Steele II. “During the 2025-

26 school year, our students proved

their technical skills are among the

best in the country by earning 132

medals at all three levels.”

The following BVT students

placed among the top 30 competitors

at the 2026 SkillsUSA National

Leadership and Skills Conference.

Additional information is available

at www.valleytech.k12.ma.us/

skillsusa.

BLACKSTONE

4TH Place: Hunter Savard and

Valleycast announces key

Appointments and summer events

Nikki Erskine Appointed Director

ValleyCAST, the arts and culture

arm of Open Sky Community

Services, today announced the

appointment of Nikki Erskine as

Director following the upcoming

retirement of Director of Community

Outreach Cristi Collari.

Erskine has over two decades of

experience in arts administration,

marketing, and event planning to

support independent artists and

accessible cultural programming.

As Director, she will spearhead arts

and gallery administration, event

management, community engagement,

grants, and communications

for ValleyCAST. Through collaboration

with local partners and creators,

Erskine will aim to further

sustain and expand the region’s

diverse cultural opportunities.

David Wolfe has been appointed

to the position of Coordinator, and

will support Erskine with community

outreach, arts programming,

and event management to connect

the Blackstone Valley with the arts.

He has nearly a decade of experience

working with nonprofit,

community-focused organizations

as a graphic designer and communications

specialist.

In her nearly two-decade tenure

at ValleyCAST, Collari served as an

Artist-in-Residence and in various

administrative roles, ultimately

VALLEY CAST

continued on page 11

Celebrating 75 years in Business

July 10, 2026 • www.theblackstonevalleyxpress.com • The Blackstone Valley Xpress 9

James Thibault, Additive Manufacturing.

DOUGLAS

Bronze: Devin Drumheller,

Mechatronics.

GRAFTON

Bronze: Robert Lazo, Mechatronics.

24th Place: Caroline Brown,

Advertising Design.

HOPEDALE

Bronze: Ella Foster, Career Pathways

Showcase Engineering.

MILFORD

National Voting Delegate: Maria

De Oliveira, also the outgoing

Western Region Vice President.

13th Place: Emily Kee, Health

Occupations Portfolio.

15th Place: Dominic Quintino,

2677 Broncos Highway,

Nasonville, RI

(Former Roots & Shoots)

401-766-7333

Cyber Security.

MILLBURY

Bronze: Allison Garden, Career

Pathways Showcase Engineering.

26th Place: Jonathan Tremblay,

Diesel Equipment Technology.

NORTHBRIDGE

5th Place: Autumn Gromelski,

Restaurant Service.

15th Place: Tarek Bensellam,

Cyber Security.

UPTON

State Officer Elect: Madison

Denise, also a National Voting

Delegate.

UXBRIDGE

Bronze: Gabrielle Gannon, Career

Pathways Showcase Engineering.

About Blackstone Valley Regional

Vocational Technical High

School (BVT):

Blackstone Valley Regional

Vocational Technical High School

serves the towns of Bellingham,

Blackstone, Douglas, Grafton,

Hopedale, Mendon, Milford, Millbury,

Millville, Northbridge, Sutton,

Upton, and Uxbridge. Located

in the heart of the Blackstone Valley,

BVT creates a positive learning

community that prepares students

for personal and professional success

in an internationally competitive

society through a fusion of

rigorous vocational, technical, and

academic skills.

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10 The Blackstone Valley Xpress • www.theblackstonevalleyxpress.com • July 10, 2026

SPORTS

Freshmen duo taking the reins

BY CHRISTOPHER TREMBLAY,

STAFF SPORTS WRITER

This spring, Douglas track

and field coach Jeff Thayer

was blessed with not one, but

two talented freshmen to join his

team. The duo of Kassidy Price

and Lillian Denomme were both

successful in their individual meets

and, between the two, scored the

majority of the Tigers’ points this

season. Price ruled the middle distances,

while her counterpart was

throwing the discus to unbelievable

distances and competing in

the pentathlon.

Price runs everything from the

100 to the 800, with the 400 and

800 being her better events. During

the CMAC Meet of Champions,

the freshman ran a 62-second 400,

and at the South Shore Twilight

Meet, ran a 2-minute 26-second

800; both times were relatively

close to school records. In addition

to her time in the 400 at the CMAC

Meet of Champions, in which she

earned a second-place finish, Price

also finished second in the 200

and high jump, walking away with

three second-place finishes.

During the State Tournament,

Price finished 16th in the 800 and

20th in the 400.

“Kassidy has run against topquality

varsity athletes since day

one; she is a hard worker who is

driven,” Thayer said. “This year she

set a lot of goals for herself; she

is currently within range of both

the school records for the 400 and

800.”

While Price is closing in on a

few Douglas school records, Denomme

has already secured herself

in the record books as only a firstyear

thrower. The school record for

the discus (86’ 10”) was set in 2013,

and this past season Denomme has

broken it three times, with her latest

throw being 103’ 3”. Denomme

also owns the school Pentathlon

(100m, discus, shot-put, javelin,

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Kassiday Price (left) and Lillian Denomme of Douglas track and field. Courtesy photos

and 200m) record, set at the District

E Weight Pentathlon, where

she shattered the old record by

exactly 500 points. The previous

record was 1671, and she amassed

2171 points.

“Lily definitely has the body of a

thrower; she’s strong and determined

to learn the event and figure

it out,” the Douglas Coach said.

“Her form is good, but still not

great yet, and has a ways to go. She

will definitely get better over the

next few years.”

Denomme’s first-ever throw in a

meet was 80’, which was exceptional

for a freshman and already close

to the record. Her very next meet

against Sutton, the freshman threw

92’ and broke the school record for

the first time.

Price is a year-round soccer

player while also playing basketball.

She began running at a very

early age when she joined Speedy

Kids, a running club, because she

was consistently moving and loved

to run. According to her mother,

she ran a 7-minute mile at the age

of 7.

“Originally, I did it basically for

the fun of it and to help me keep in

shape for soccer. This year I wanted

to get better and go for the school

records,” Price said. “I prefer running

the distances because I am not

fast but am a good finisher. I am

not opposed to running a longer

event, but I don’t know yet.”

Being three seconds away from

the 400 and less than a second

before topping the 800, Price will

SPORTS

continued on page 11

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July 10, 2026 • www.theblackstonevalleyxpress.com • The Blackstone Valley Xpress 11

VALLEY CAST

continued from page 9

taking the reins as Director in

2015. She consistently prioritized

art as a pathway to inclusion, expanding

gallery exhibits, diversifying

the summer concert series, and

launching community initiatives

like the Whitin Mill Mural Project

and the Freestyle Weaving Studio.

“We hope the community will

join us to celebrate Cristi’s legacy

and send her off in style,” said

Erskine. “Taking the helm of ValleyCAST,

with its rich history of

breaking down barriers through

the arts, is truly a privilege. I’m

looking forward to meeting our

neighbors, collaborating with local

SPORTS

continued from page 10

be shooting for both these records

come next spring. To do so, she

will continue playing soccer and

strength training to improve her

speed and acceleration.

As an eighth grader, she was able

to make it to the States to run the

800, where she finished second.

This year, she thought that she’d be

able to run well in the States, but

unfortunately, things didn’t work

out that way.

“I went in looking to break the

school record, but I didn’t do very

well that day,” Price said. “It was

not what I was hoping for – I think

that I started out too fast and didn’t

have enough to finish. I’ll have to

mentally prepare myself for next

year.”

Much like Price, Denomme

was also looking for something to

do during the spring season that

would help her improve her soccer

and basketball playing. At first, she

really wanted to take up what she

wanted, but a few of her teammates

on the track team convinced her to

give it a try.

“I figured joining track would

be a good bonding experience,”

she said. “I eventually came to

the conclusion that I would be a

thrower because running was not

my strong suit.”

Upon picking up the discus and

throwing for the very first time, the

freshman thought it was really fun,

while her coach was in astonishment

at what she had just done.

Not only was Coach Thayer in

shock at the throw, but Denomme

also surprised herself and, in doing

so, found her newest passion.

“When I broke the school record

at just my second meet, it felt too

easy, but I knew that it was going

to take much more,” Denomme

said. “I know that I have to continue

to work hard, especially on

the smaller things, but I did pick

the basics up quickly.”

Having already broken the

creators, and finding new, accessible

ways to bring people together

– starting with a great night of art

and live music!”

Collari’s final event as Director

of Community Outreach will

be held on Thursday, June 25,

2026, at Alternatives’ Whitin Mill.

From 5 to 8 p.m., ValleyCAST will

welcome the general public for a

gallery reception and kick-off to its

summer music series:

INFORMAL – an art exhibit

running through August 20, 2026,

at the Spaulding R. Aldrich

Heritage Gallery, will feature the

works of a wood sculptor, a metal

sculptor, and two painters: Michael

Bourque, Nathan Bourque, Madeleine

Lord, and Derrick Te Paske.

They each have distinctive styles,

school record three times, the

Douglas athlete will need to set

higher goals as she moves forward

in the event. Sitting at 103’ 3” coming

into next season, her new goal

will be 110’ and if she eclipses that,

she’ll continue to raise the bar.

As for the pentathlon, Denomme

was familiar with four of the

five events, with the 200 being the

sole event that she had never taken

part in. Going into the event, she

was hoping to finish in the top 25

while looking to improve her personal

records. By amassing 2171

total points, she was able to finish

tenth, something that she did not

expect in the least.

Now with another three years

of eligibility, both athletes will be

looking to improve their standing

while chasing school records.

Denomme wants to improve

herself while capturing as many

records as she can and setting

higher goals along the way. The

now sophomore is also looking to

eclipse a milestone on the basketball

court as well. Currently,

she has scored around 600 points

for the Tigers over the last two

seasons and would love to be on

the 1,000-point club. After high

school, she would like to join the

track or basketball team at the collegiate

level.

influences, and outcomes, yet the

artists have discovered intriguing

commonalities through sharing

exhibit space. Find more details at

https://www.openskycs.org/event/

valleycast-presents-informal/.

The 17th Annual Summer Concert

Series, free and open to the

public, kicks off with singer-songwriter

duo Ash & Eric, followed by

the Blackstone Valley Community

Concert Band. Through September

3, 2026, local bands, dancing

and food trucks will fill the

Dennis H. Rice Community Plaza

for an inclusive community event

every Thursday night. For the full

season lineup, visit: https://www.

openskycs.org/event/valleycastpresents-the-2026-free-summerconcert-series/.

Price is hoping to get faster and

work her way up in her events.

She would eventually like to go to

college on a scholarship for soccer,

track, or possibly both. At this

moment, she would prefer to play

soccer, but would take either sport,

just to be able to compete on the

college level.

Both athletes are looking to

eventually extend their careers at

the collegiate level, but for the next

three years, they will represent the

Douglas track and field team, all

the while setting school records.

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Upton, MA

(508) 529-2161

For Your Childhood

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STAR WARS, He-man,

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Please Call 860-933-5549

RENTALS

CHAMBERLAIN CONSTRUCTION

Remember,

GIFT CARDS

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Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sat. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Propane

tanks filled here

every day

HOMEOWNERS

WELCOME!

VISIT US FOR YOUR NEXT PROJECT!


12 The Blackstone Valley Xpress • www.theblackstonevalleyxpress.com • July 10, 2026

LIVE MUSIC BY THE LAKE • 200 GORE ROAD, WEBSTER, MA

JULY 11 • 1PM JULY 12 • 1PM JULY 16 • 7PM

JULY 17 • 7PM

Uxbridge community

gathers for tribute

night at Polar Park

in honor of Officer

Stephen LaPorta

On June 4, Polar Park in

Worcester hosted “Uxbridge

Takeover Night,” an evening

that brought together the Uxbridge

community, local public safety

members, and fans for a night of

moment of reflection at the start of

the evening.

On the field, Officer LaPorta’s

son threw a ceremonial first pitch

in his father’s memory. Later in

the night, the Worcester Red Sox

JULY 19 • 1PM JULY 25 • 1PM JULY 26 • 1PM

JULY 30 • 7PM

SCHISM

(TOOL TRIBUTE)

ROTTEN APPLE

(ALICE IN CHAINS TRIBUTE)

LOUNGE FLY

(STONE TEMPLE PILOTS TRIBUTE)

DROWN

(SMASHING PUMPKINS TRIBUTE)

AUGUST 1 • 12PM AUGUST 14 • 7PM AUGUST 15 • 1PM

AUGUST 23 • 1PM AUGUST 28 • 7PM AUGUST 29 • 7:30PM AUGUST 30 • 1PM

THE PIKE HAIRFEST ................................................................... SEPTEMBER 6 • 12PM

NASH ICON LOCAL COUNTRYFEST 2026 ................................ SEPTEMBER 13 • 12PM

BLACKBERRY SMOKE ............................................................... SEPTEMBER 20 • 1PM

38 SPECIAL ................................................................................... OCTOBER 3 • 1PM

For tickets and more information,

visit www.IndianRanch.com

INDIAN PRINCESS

LAKE TOUR

JULY 11

JULY 12

JULY 16

JULY 17

JULY 19

JULY 25

JULY 26

JULY 30

AUGUST 1

AUGUST 14

AUGUST 15

AUGUST 22

AUGUST 23

AUGUST 28

AUGUST 29

AUGUST 30

SEPTEMBER 6

SEPTEMBER 13

SEPTEMBER 20

OCTOBER 3

AUGUST 22 • 1PM

MARGARITAVILLE

CRUISES

JULY 24 | SEPTEMBER 4

100 FM THE PIKE

DISCO DANCE PARTY CRUISE

HOSTED BY CHUCK PERKS

SEPTEMBER 26

100 FM THE PIKE BOOS CRUISE

HOSTED BY CHUCK PERKS

OCTOBER 16

FOR FULL CRUISE SCHEDULE AND TICKETS VISIT WWW.INDIANRANCH.COM/CRUISES

200 GORE ROAD, WEBSTER, MA

baseball and recognition.

The event, hosted by the Worcester

Red Sox and presented by Altus

Dental, welcomed leaders from

the Uxbridge Police Fallen Officers

Foundation along with the family

of Uxbridge Police Officer Stephen

LaPorta, who died in the line of

duty earlier this year.

Before the game, members of the

Uxbridge Police and Fire Departments

served as the honor guard

for the national anthem, marking a

(774) 808-6035

StoweFarm.com

Special Weekly

Themed Events

Featuring animals to pet and visit,

themed events built

around family time and

different tasty options/

activities. Products to

sample and enjoy.

The “Dock”

Summer Concert

Saturday, July 18

6 p.m. to 9 pm

Gates open at 4 PM.

Bring your own seats

presented the family with a signed

baseball bat for his son, a gesture

offered in recognition and support.

The evening was marked by a

community gathering and remembrance,

with families, first responders,

and fans sharing time at the

ballpark in honor of a local officer

who is remembered by many in

Uxbridge.

Photos from the Uxbridge Police

Department Page

15 Stowe Road,

Millbury, MA

Wednesday Family Nights

All July long

3 pm to 6 pm

$10 each (2 and under are free)

Each Wednesday will feature

different family activities,

from face painting to animal

experiences and interactions.

Unplug

From The World....

Register for our one-of-a-kind

golf cart tour of the grounds and

Special

Orchard Tent

Experience to Savor

Something Unique!!


July 10, 2026 • www.theblackstonevalleyxpress.com • The Blackstone Valley Xpress 13

TALES FROM BEYOND

Reuben Jenckes’s Black Horse Tavern Ghost

BY THOMAS D’AGOSTINO

This is an old ghost story

dating back a few centuries.

It is typical of the romantic

tales of haunted places that

Rhode Island has become famous

for. This account has been told

and retold in several antiquated

tomes. A tavern called the Black

Horse once stood in the middle

of Scituate Village in northwestern

region of Rhode island.

A man named Reuben Jenckes

owned the establishment and

was cordial to all who entered its

door, whether it was food for the

hungry, drink for the thirsty or

lodging for the weary.

As the story goes, the ghost of

a Narragansett Indian haunted

the building out of embarrassment

for an event that took place

many years before while he was

alive and visiting the hostelry.

Some claim he also haunted the

Black Horse Tavern because he

preferred the nearby Pine Tree

Tavern in life and haunted the

Black Horse in hopes their patrons

would migrate to his once

preferred drinking establishment.

The ghost haunted the family

in the form of strange dreams. He

would be seen by various family

members while they slept, pointing

to someplace on the property

before slowly walking toward

where he was pointing. The

vision was often followed by

some sort of horrific nightmare.

One of the main recipients of

the ghostly dreams was Reuben

Jenkes’s daughter, Lucy. He often

appeared to her in her nightly

slumber, pointing toward the

carriage house. In her dream, she

would be compelled to follow

him, but he would either vanish

before reaching the destination of

his quest, or she would suddenly

wake up.

One night, she saw the man in

her dreams, but this time, she did

not wake up and followed

him as he moved toward the

carriage house, with each turn,

pointing the way. The ghost led

Lucy Jenckes to a loft in the carriage

house where a coffin lay in

the rafters. The next day, Lucy

ventured into the loft where she

spied the coffin she had been

led to in her nightly vigil. She

slowly ambled toward the box

and opened it. Inside she found a

dressmaker’s doll with its hair cut

off. That is when an old tale came

to light.

It was rumored that the Indian

scalped the doll in an angry

drunken state, thinking it was

a rude person who would not

return his conversation. When he

realized it was a doll, he became

thoroughly embarrassed by the

act. That was when the Narragansett

chose to take his business

down the road to the Pine Tree

Tavern.

That night, the ghost came to

her in her dreams and requested

that she remove the doll from the

attic where it had been stored for

many years. The next morning

she followed the ghost’s wish and

removed the doll. The haunting

supposedly ceased, yet guests

of the tavern still insisted the

Indigenous man was making his

presence known. Many who spent

the night at the tavern were jolted

out of a sound sleep in the dead

of night by frightening war cries.

Some claimed to be pulled out

of bed by the hair. Still, others

claimed that the ghost was appearing

to them in their rooms at

night, sometimes in their dreams.

tomdagostino.com

Soon the tavern saw fewer guests

and over time, the inn became

obsolete. Perhaps the Indian

ghost fulfilled his mission of

scaring customers of the tavern

to the point where they transferred

their business to the Pine

Tree Tavern.

Although the structure is no

longer a tavern, various owners

have experienced some strange

unexplained occurrences. Whether

the Indian’s ghost still wanders

the confines of the building, or

perhaps the spirit of another person

who was once involved in the

history of the edifice, is a matter

of conjecture. The story has stood

the test of time, almost as long as

the old tavern has.

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14 The Blackstone Valley Xpress • www.theblackstonevalleyxpress.com • July 10, 2026

BY AMY PALUMBO-LECLAIRE

The annual New Hampshire

trip wouldn’t be the same

without a good old-fashioned

adventure– or two. Our beloved

river, a tried-and-true source of

refreshment, proved no exception.

As though he’d sniffed out the

aroma of sizzling bacon, Luke

lifted his nose and bulldozed

forward. If he were getting ready

for a date, I swear he’d be a hairy

bachelor wearing a robust cologne

called River.

The bitches are wild for my

River vibe.

I tugged him back, nearly losing

my footing.

“Luke!”

A dog’s instinct to run free is

powerful – especially when it

involves a body of water.

“Go easy.”

LIVING WITH LUKE

Tales of the river, circa 2026

For a firm two seconds, he

went easy.

Then the scent of a different

cologne wafted through

the air: Childhood Flower. The

fragrance left me nostalgic. Less

enchanting, a black fly circled

my sweaty brow. I swatted at it,

flicked the tiny corpse from my

hand, and sighed. A creature the

size of a freckle should not be

allowed to cause massive distress.

But it could be worse, I told

myself.

I was about to eat my words.

We reached the shoreline.

Luke froze. I could see he was

overwhelmed by a breathtaking

realization: the picture he’d carried

in his mind while we hiked

matched this one. Deep creases

formed across his boxy head. The

river shimmered beneath the sunlight,

reflections dancing across its

surface like a flock of birds.

Luke sat surprisingly still,

overcome by a sense of peace. I

followed his meditative stare. The

two of us seemed entranced by the

river’s aura. We inhaled mountainfresh

air that tasted of freedom and

goodness. My hand rested on the

clip of his harness.

Dog’s territory.

Quietly, and under the river’s

spell, I set him free.

What could go wrong?

Luke bathed in the drink of

a cold-water river refreshment.

He drenched himself in a sea of

bubbles. Unrestricted, he reminded

me of a toddler licking a dripping

ice cream cone. He paddled. He

whimpered. He resumed the bizarre

habit of biting at the bubbles

he created.

All was well.

But would it end well?

My son’s hand floated to his

forehead.

“Mum. I knew this would happen.”

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Above: Allison cares for Luke after a coldwater

swim.

Below: Ben and Ally share a peaceful moment

in the wake of adventure.

What had happened?

Within a minute, Luke was still

paddling happily, but something

had changed. He wasn’t swimming

in place anymore. The current had

quietly claimed him. Every stroke

carried him farther downstream

and, judging by the blissful look on

his face, he hadn’t noticed a thing.

Pardon the cliché, but Luke

was flowing like a river—with the

oblivion of a dog paddler. A victim

of a dog’s mantra to live in the moment,

he adapted easily to the invisible

current. Ironically enough,

he was going with the flow—my

favorite lesson.

“Don’t panic.”

I faced my son and his fiancée

with the feeble confidence of a bugbitten

Dog Mom propped against a

stick lest she slip down the eightydegree

riverbank incline.

“I’ll go in.”

My future daughter-in-law,

an athlete and caregiver at heart,

stepped up as well.

“I’ll grab him. I don’t mind.”

LUKE

continued on page 15


July 10, 2026 • www.theblackstonevalleyxpress.com • The Blackstone Valley Xpress 15

Waves & well-wishes

A Summer of Projects at BVT

The final morning

of the school year

brought sunshine

and smiles. On June 15,

Blackstone Valley Regional

Vocational Technical High

School (BVT) teachers,

administrators, and support

staff gathered outside

to wish students a happy

summer. With cheerful

waves, they watched the

last school buses roll out.

At BVT, the Last Day

Wave is an annual tradition

that marks the end of

a successful school year. It

also signifies the start of

summer projects. As teachers

and students embark

on a well-deserved respite,

administrators, support

BVT administrators, teachers, and staff waved goodbye to students and

bus drivers on the last day of school, wishing them a happy summer as

the final buses of the school year rolled out.

Photo submitted

staff, and the facilities

team will tackle

numerous tasks,

projects, and routine

maintenance during

the eight-week summer

break.

“Our annual task

list is always ambitious

by design,”

said BVT’s Facilities

Manager Robert Dolegiewicz.

“We maximize

every minute

to address routine

preventive maintenance

and capital

projects. A few projects

on this year’s list

include renovations

to the boys’ locker

room, continued site

work behind the MRS building,

baseball field irrigation improvements,

an Automotive Technology

air system upgrade, phone

and fire alarm system upgrades,

the HVAC building project, a

renovation of a Science Room, a

Culinary Arts renovation, and a

60,000-square-foot roof replacement

project.”

These seasonal projects are

supported by in-house talent and

grant funding, helping reduce

costs while protecting and maintaining

the facility.

Blackstone Valley Tech will

welcome the Class of 2030 and

their families at a cookout for

incoming freshmen on Thursday,

Aug. 20. Freshmen Orientation

Days will be held Aug. 20 and

21. The first day of school for all

BVT students is Aug. 24.

Until then, have a fun, sunsoaked

summer!

LUKE

continued from page 14

She removed her sandals, a posh

pair of Birkenstocks that had no

place here.

My son, Ben, twice our size in

both bulk and attitude, commanded

the two of us like Moses.

“Stay here. I’m going in.”

I faced Allison and grimaced.

“What about the bloodsuckers?”

Ben took off his T-shirt, handed

me his phone and wallet, and issued

a firm warning.

“Do NOT drop this in the river.”

The pain of hearing a Verizon

employee state the obvious—your

phone’s brain is wet and it’s going

to cost eight hundred dollars—was

legitimate. I wrapped the phone in

his T-shirt and stumbled forward.

The threat of losing our dog downriver

was one thing. Now we also

had to fight physics to stay upright

and save our phones.

Allison, a natural problem

solver, came up with an ingenious

plan.

“Pappas!”

Standing ten feet behind us, she

shouted in Luke’s favorite language

and hurled giant stones into the

water near him like oversized dog

toys.

Luke perked up, pitching his

Licensed & Insured

ears like little tents so that his head

and neck rose above the water.

What’s that sound? A giant toy?

He began swimming back

toward us.

“He’s coming back! Keep up the

great work, Ally!”

My heart lifted.

“Come on, Pappas!”

He swam against the current,

taking two paddles forward and

one paddle back. Would he be able

to keep chasing the rocks toward

shore?

Perhaps.

But not with a brotherly linebacker

charging after him.

Elbows lifted, Ben shuffled

through the water, gaining ground

until he was about twenty yards behind

Luke. Spooked, Luke resumed

his downstream swim, paddling

even faster.

A game of Keep Away had

emerged.

You’re not holding me down,

Brosie.

Luke charged ahead, but Ben

stayed the course. He had to move

twice as fast against the current to

reach him. Finally, Luke was within

grabbing distance. Ben bearhugged

the paddling dog, who

squirmed and resisted like a seal

caught in a net, then power-lifted

his soaking-wet eighty-five-pound

body above the water.

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The feat was admittedly Herculean,

even from a distance.

Finally, Ben carried Luke to the

stony bank on the opposite side

of the river, restrained him for

a few seconds, and then guided

him back to us. He shook wildly,

looked up at me and smiled. The

river wouldn’t be the same without

another adventure.

Stay tuned for more Living with

Luke stories.

Write to Amy. amyleclaire@

hotmail.com

Visit Luke on IG@livingwithlukevalentino

Lodging ~ Daycare

Grooming

Training

Pet Supplies

139 Upton St. (Rt. 140),

Grafton, Ma 01519

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Phone: 508-839-1757

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Fri. 9:30am-4pm Closed for lunch 12-1pm

Sat. 8am to noon Sun. 5pm to 6pm only

•Spring Clean-Ups

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www.GibsonsNaturalPet.com


16 The Blackstone Valley Xpress • www.theblackstonevalleyxpress.com • July 10, 2026

TRANSMISSION SPECIALISTS

& AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES

(508) 476-3926

Classic Car

Service and Repair

COMPLETE AUTO GLASS

SPECIALISTS

• Chip & Crack Repair

• Windshield Replacement

• FREE Mobile Service

MOBILE AUTO GLASS SPECIALIST

Insurance Company Preferred Shop.

• Certified technicians to your location

• Foreign & domestic auto, truck, bus,

motor home, windows & sunroofs

• Construction equipment, heavy duty vehicles

• Fabrication of flat glass

• Vehicles equipped with convertible or vinyl roof

• Brakes

• Tires

• Shocks

• Exhaust

• Alignments

• Tune-Ups

• All General

Repairs

Specializing in Transmissions

151 Davis St., Douglas MA

(508) 476-3926

Located 1.5 miles off of Route 146

exit 6 on Route 16 in Douglas

WE BUY CARS!

DEAD OR ALIVE!

Call Rob

at (508) 958-7138

Evergreen Auto, Inc.

KearnS

K

COLLISION Repair

FREE ESTIMATES • QUALITY SERVICE

1734 Providence Rd., Northbridge, MA•508-234-5211

Thomas F. Colonair Jr.

www.kearnscollision.com

201 W. Main Street, Dudley, MA 01571

800-479-7697 • 508-949-1327

Monday-Friday 8am to 5pm • Saturday 8am to 12pm

Visit Us at roysautoglass.net

THE CAR DOCTOR

• In-shop service • Free mobile service

• Saturday service

• Free pick-up and delivery within a 10 mile radius

• Quality workmanship guaranteed

• Customer safety and satisfaction is our first priority

• Servicing customers for over 25 years

Bloem’s Auto Repair

jpaul@aaanortheast.com

Replacing batteries, new engines,

deactivated keys, and more

Q.

I just read the write-in

about keeping the car

running while replacing a

battery. Although I had this done

on my car a few years ago without

any issues, I sort of agree with you

on this being a bad idea. What do

you think about this: instead of the

engine running, attach a trickle

charger or some other sort of 12-

volt device to the car to keep the

computer settings. Still a bad idea?

A.

Some of the trickle chargers

use the battery to

regulate voltage, so that

may not work to maintain the

vehicle’s electronics memory. Some

advanced battery chargers have

a “supply” mode that maintains

a constant voltage to the vehicle’s

electrical system while the battery

is disconnected. Some portable

jump starters include a specific 12-

volt output mode designed for this

purpose. At AAA, when we replace

a battery, we typically use a full-size

jump pack to maintain memory.

We attach it to a ground terminal

and the positive cable, insulate the

connection, and then disconnect

the battery. In a pinch, could you

use a 12-volt cordless tool battery

and jumper wires to maintain the

computer memory? Yes. And just

to reiterate, it is never a good idea

to change/disconnect a car’s battery

with the engine running.

Q.

My wife just purchased a

2026 Subaru Forester. The

engine starts at 1500 RPM

and after a few minutes goes down

to 650 RPM or so. I explained to

her to let the idle drop before driving

away, which she does not. My

question to you is: is she causing

harm to the engine by driving off at

the higher RPMs?

A.

Is she causing harm to

the engine? Probably not.

The elevated idle speed

during startup is normal and part

of the engine’s cold-start strategy.

The car should be good to drive

once all the warning lights on the

dashboard turn off, regardless of

the idle speed. What I recommend

with any car (new or old) is to

avoid hard acceleration for the first

few minutes to allow all the vital

fluids to circulate.

Q.

My son’s Land Rover

Defender key deactivated.

My husband took him the

other key so he could drive his car.

How do we get his key reactivated?

A.

Keys rarely become deactivated

on their own. They

are electronically programmed,

so unless someone was

trying to reprogram the key or the

vehicle, it is unlikely, but still possible.

This can sometimes happen

if the fob is left in the car for an

extended time.

To reactivate a

smart key, the

vehicle must

be started

using another

activated smart

key, or the vehicle

must be

unlocked and

locked using

the InControl

BY JOHN PAUL

Remote App. At the same time, it

would be wise to check or replace

the fob battery if it is more than a

couple of years old.

Q.

I have a 2011 Ram 1500

that is in need of front and

rear brakes. Can you recommend

a good brand of replacement

pads and rotors, and what

type of pads? Would you recommend

ceramic or semi-metallic

brake pads for my truck? Should I

stay with factory parts or aftermarket?

Aftermarket seems to be less

expensive, but I want quality parts.

A.

Factory parts are always

a good way to go, but, as

you pointed out, they are

expensive. The original equipment

brake pads have a list price of

$182. A quality aftermarket brake

pad is less than half that cost. As

for brands, many shops are using

Akebono brake parts. I have used

CAR DOCTOR

continued on page 17

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July 10, 2026 • www.theblackstonevalleyxpress.com • The Blackstone Valley Xpress 17

REAL ESTATE

That house that’s been sitting

could be your best shot at a deal

Open up a home search and

you’ll see them. Listings that

have been on the market for

two months. Three. Some longer.

Most

buyers

scroll

right past

them,

assuming

something’s

wrong

with the

house.

But that

BY MARK MARZEOTTI

CAR DOCTOR

continued from page 16

instinct

could

be costing you, since the longer

a home sits, the more motivated

the seller usually gets.

Here’s where some buyers are

finding better deals. If affordability

has been your #1 hurdle

to buying, here’s a surprisingly

simple strategy that could help

you finally get your foot in the

door. Start with the homes that

have been sitting the longest.

That’s often where the best deals

are. Here’s why. Statistics show

that there’s a connection between

longer time on the market and

lower sales prices. Basically, the

longer a house sits, the more

PowerStop pads and rotors on my

own vehicles and had good luck.

Traditional names such as Wagner,

Bosch, and Raybestos still make

a good-quality brake part. As for

semi-metallic or ceramic fiber,

both are good. Ceramic pads are

generally quieter and produce less

dust, while semi-metallic pads tend

to provide better heat dissipation

and braking performance under

heavy loads or towing.

Q.

We want to fix up a 1998

Buick LeSabre that was

inherited. There is an issue

with the horn. It sometimes

(unpredictably) remains on after

I remove my hand. On occasion,

it has activated without pressing

it. What could be the issue, and if

parts are needed, are they difficult

to obtain?

A.

There are three parts to the

horn. The horn switch is

integrated into the driver

airbag module (part of the airbag

cover), horn relay/wiring, and

horn. A first “guess” is to replace

the horn relay, which is located in

likely it is that the seller will

reduce the price. If you focus on

these homes that are just sitting

and waiting, the opportunity for

you is bigger than you may think

right now.

Data shows there’s $347 billion

worth of stale listings on the

market right now – more than

ever before for this time of year.

So, ask a member of The Marzeotti

Group or your trusted agent

to filter listings for you from

oldest to newest. The home that

fits your budget might already be

there. Just further down the list

than you thought.

Lingering doesn’t always mean

something’s wrong. Let’s say you

do that and something catches

your eye. Still, you might be

questioning why the home has

been sitting in the first place.

Just remember, sometimes it has

nothing to do with the home

itself. Common causes are: The

asking price was set too high to

start or the home didn’t show

well online or there are a lot of

homes for sale in the area, so it

just got buried. So, nothing that’s

necessarily a deal breaker, or even

anything that’s wrong with the

home itself. If there’s a real issue,

a thorough inspection will surface

it and that’s information you

can use to negotiate. Not a reason

to assume it’s a house worth skipping

over.

How to turn a lingering listing

into a win. So how do you

capitalize on a lingering listing?

Essentially you have two

big cards to play. The first is

price. Work with your agent to

study what comparable homes

recently sold for, then build an

offer around that. Coming in

below asking price is fair game

when a home has been sitting.

The second is concessions. If a

seller won’t budge much on price,

they may still help in other ways,

like covering some closing costs,

repair credits, or even a mortgage

rate buy down that lowers your

monthly payment.

A member of The Marzeotti

Group or your local trusted agent

has the experience to tell which

homes are the real opportunities

and which are ones you should

skip. A house sitting on the

market isn’t always a red flag. In

today’s market, it may be your

best opportunity yet. For help

deciding which lingering listings

are actually worth a second look,

connect with a member of The

Marzeotti Group.

the fuse box in the engine compartment.

The horn relay is a standard

part and easily sourced. The

more difficult part will be the horn

switch/pad. Looking online, the

GM part has been discontinued. A

used part from a salvage yard may

be your only option. These horn

pads have been known to distort

over time and cause phantom horn

activation.

MASTER PLUMBER

LIC. NO. 9216

Member FDIC · NMLS #583135 1 Homeowners insurance required.

Subject to credit approval. Other terms, fees, and conditions may apply.

Maribeth Marzeotti

REALTOR®, GRI, SRES

Marzeotti Group

MBMarzeotti@LamacchiaRealty.com

(508) 864-8163

www.MarzeottiGroup.net

945 W Boylston Street

Worcester, MA 01606

Local Mortgage Lending. Trusted Guidance.

Whether you’re buying your next home, building your dream house, or

refinancing, UniBank’s local mortgage lenders are here to help.

We’ll put our expertise to work for you – offering personalized guidance

and making the mortgage process feel a little less overwhelming and a

lot more approachable. From your first home to your forever home – we’re

here to help.

Let’s Connect!

Visit unibank.mymortgage-online.com or

scan the QR code to connect with one of

our trusted lenders today.

Connecting all offices: 1.800.578.4270

www.unibank.com

MASTER SHEET METAL

LIC. NO. 115

Valley Plumbing & Heating, Inc.

PLUMBING • HEATING • GAS FITTING

BIG OR SMALL, WE DO IT ALL! SENIOR DISCOUNT

RICHARD J. WUNSCHEL

(508) 234-3649

10%

DISCOUNT

30 LACKEY DAM ROAD, SUTTON, MA 01590-2714

SENIORS

VETERANS

HANDICAP

$

50

off

ANY

JOB

(one per

household)

U-KNIGHTED

AUTO & TRUCK REPAIR

We are the “Give me a BRAKE...

I’m EXHAUSTed Repair Shop”

45 East Hartford Ave., Uxbridge

508-526-3169

Senior

Discount

Available

Custom Exhaust & Brake Experts

FREE Brake Inspection

with every Oil Change

•Engines •Transmissions • Tires •Oil Changes

• Brakes •Converters •Welding & Fabrication Services

Same day

service on

most repairs

430 Main St., Oxford, MA

We repair all makes and models of Garage Doors and

Electric Openers

- Commercial and Residential -

Sales • Service • Installation

800-605-9030 508-987-8600

www.countrysidedoors.com email: countrysidedoors@aol.com

Renew your home’s appeal

with a new garage door.

Many new styles and colors

to choose from.

Visit our display by appointment


18 The Blackstone Valley Xpress • www.theblackstonevalleyxpress.com • July 10, 2026

Happenings!

NOTE: Community bulletin board-type

items are welcome for inclusion in

the Happenings! section of the Xpress

newspapers. Please allow enough

lead time for publication. Email your

calendar or event notice to news@

theyankeexpress.com.

TUESDAY, JULY 14

• Booklovers' Gourmet, located at 72 East

Main Street in Webster, MA is hosting a

summer meet & greet with author Jenn

Bouchard for her newest release Palms

WEEKLY SPECIALS

AFTER WORK

PARTY

EVERY WEDNESDAY

5:30PM TO 7:30PM

Great music, fun games, giveaways and prizes

HAPPY HOUR

EVERY WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY

2PM TO 5PM

LAKESIDE DINING

200 GORE ROAD, WEBSTER, MA

WWW.SAMUELSLATERS.COM

THURSDAYS

5:30PM - 8:30PM | FREE ENTRY!

JULY 23 - TYLER FAUXBEL

AUGUST 6 - TONY GARCIA

AUGUST 13 - JEDIAH

AUGUST 20 - STEPHEN GEORGE

AUGUST 27 - INTERSTELLAR

SEPTEMBER 3 - TONY GARCIA

SEPTEMBER 10 - JEDIAH

SEPTEMBER 17 - MISSY MAXFIELD

SEPTEMBER 24 - STEFAN COUTURE

OCTOBER 1 - TONY GARCIA

Samuel Slater’s Restaurant

is open Wednesday-Saturday

(12-9pm) and Sunday

(12-8pm) for lunch and dinner

on the Cape, on Tuesday, July 14th, from

12-2 p.m. The event is free and open to

the public. Signed copies of several of her

books will be available for purchase. For

more information or to RSVP, please call

508-949-6232 or email deb@bookloversgourmet.com.

About the Book: After a tumultuous

childhood, Rachel Sinclair has made a

life for herself. On the verge of turning

forty, her upscale beach bar–Palms on

the Cape–is packed throughout the

UPCOMING EVENTS AT

SAMUEL SLATER’S HALL

JULY 10

JULY 31

Cape Cod summer season. She has surrounded

herself with a devoted staff and

great friends, including her best friend,

Carlos...who she might be in love with.

When Rachel learns of a plan to take

over her business, she must decide if it’s

worth the gamble to join forces with an

unlikely ally, or risk losing everything she

has worked for.

SATURDAY, JULY 18

• Northbridge Annual Fireworks Show.

(Rain date July 19) Gates open at 5 p.m.

Celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday

with an evening of music, activities, food

and a spectacular fireworks display at

Northbridge Middle School in Whitinsville.

• Come and celebrate America's 250th

with St. Patrick's Parish, 7 East Street,

Whitinsville on Saturday, July 18th

from 5pm - 9pm. They will be serving

dynamites and ice-cold beer prior to the

Northbridge fireworks! The menu will

also include hot dogs, chips, soft drinks,

and treats. Take-out options will also be

available. FMI 508-234-5656 . Payment

by cash or VENMO. The rain date for this

event is July 19th.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 15

• The Whitin Community Center (WCC)

is excited to invite all automotive enthusiasts

and families alike to celebrate

the 12th Anniversary of our highly anticipated

“Cars In The Park” event. Join us

for a day of automotive excellence and

community fun from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at

the picturesque 7.5 acre Whitin Park, located

at 60 Main St., Whitinsville. This year’s

Cars In The Park promises an unforgettable

showcase of classic and contemporary cars,

trucks, and motorcycles. Participants can

vie for the prestigious Best In Show title

and 25 other trophy categories, People’s

Choice Award, with the first 100 registered

vehicles again this year receiving exclusive

Show Dash Plaques and Goodie Bags.

The event will also feature a selection

of food trucks, exhibit vendors, a 50/50

raffle, and live entertainment, ensuring a

fun-filled day for the entire family. Entry is

complimentary for all spectators, making

it the perfect summer outing. Last year’s

event had a turnout of over 300 cars! Vehicle

owners are encouraged to register

early and take advantage of a special $10

donation fee before July 15th, after which

the registration donation will increase to

$20. Pre-registration closes on August 12,

2026. Registration for vehicles is available

online at www.WhitinCommunityCenter.

com, in-person at our Member Services

Desk, or on the day of the event. Additionally,

we are now welcoming applications

from exhibit and food vendors looking to

be part of this exciting event. Funds raised

during Cars In The Park will directly support

the Whitin Community Center’s mission as a

non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated

to enhancing the health, well-being, and

community spirit of the Blackstone Valley.

For more information on vehicle and vendor

registration, volunteering, or any other

inquiries, please visit our website or contact

Tammy Bodwell, Director of Operations, at

Tammy.Bodwell@OurGym.org or call 508-

234-8184 ext 118.

FOR RESERVATIONS, EVENT TICKETS, AND MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.SAMUELSLATERS.COM

Nicolopoulos

Plumbing and Heating, Inc.

5 Harback Road

Sutton, MA 01590

508-865-3713

RESIDENTIAL - COMMERCIAL

•Heating Repairs & Installations

•Plumbing Repairs & Replacements

•HVAC Repairs & Replacements

•Remodels •Drain Cleaning

NO JOB

TOO

SMALL

NOW SERVICING OIL SYSTEMS!!

- 24 Hour Emergency Service -

www.nicolopoulosplumbingandheating.com Lic. #MPL 15663

GET NOTICED! Contact Bill at 774-289-5564 or by

email at bcronan@theyankeexpress.com

to advertise today!

Now Serving

Breakfast and Brunch!

$5 off

Breakfast or Brunch

with this coupon

1227 Providence Road,

Northbridge, MA • 508-372-9030

Breakfast Hours: M-F | 8am - 11am

Brunch Hours: Sat. & Sun. | 9am - 2pm


SUMMER SALE!

July 10, 2026 • www.theblackstonevalleyxpress.com • The Blackstone Valley Xpress 19

Strawberry Festival brings community together for a

sweet celebration at the Northbridge Senior Center

The Strawberry

Festival at the

Northbridge

Senior Center was a

wonderful success,

offering an afternoon

filled with engaging

conversation, fresh

local flavors, and a

strong sense of community!

Guest speaker

Ken Foppema of

Foppema’s Farm

captivated attendees

with his presentation

that covered their

strawberry-growing

process from

“seedling to sweetness!”

He shared the

history of his family’s

farm, established

in 1983, and gave a

vivid look into the care and dedication

behind their strawberries as

well as their seasonal harvests.

The crowd was enthusiastic

and engaged, enjoying both the

presentation and the opportunity

to connect over a shared appreciation

for both strawberries and

local agriculture. The festival took

place in the Center’s beautifully

decorated dining room, where

festive, strawberry-themed décor

added a bright and cheerful touch

to the celebration. Guests delighted

in fresh, flavorful refreshments

that highlighted the best of the

Foppema strawberry season, which

included delicious homemade

strawberry shortcake (recipe and

efforts courtesy of Maggie Creaser

and several other treasured volunteers

of the senior center)! As a

special takeaway, free raffle baskets

were awarded to two lucky winners,

and each attendee received

a strawberry themed favor—a

scrumptious homemade cookie

from Oat and Olive Bakery!

The entire event created a

warm, welcoming atmosphere that

celebrated not only strawberry

season, but also the importance of

supporting a local farm and coming

together as a community.

For more information about

the senior center’s special events,

please call (508) 234-2002. For

more information on Oat and

Olive, please email oatandolivebakery@gmail.com,

and for more

information on Foppema’s farm,

please call (508) 234-6711 or visit

their farmstand at 1605 Hill Street

in Northbridge.

Photos and press release submitted

by Amy Cowen


20 The Blackstone Valley Xpress • www.theblackstonevalleyxpress.com • July 10, 2026

FOR ALL YOUR FUEL NEEDS

NEW BOILER INSTALLS

• Crown Boilers

• Williamson Furnaces

• Oil Tank Installs

Central air conditioning

and ductless mini splits

ALL NEW

INSTALLS COME WITH

A 3 YEAR PARTS

AND LABOR WARRANTY,

AS WELL AS THE

MANUFACTURERS

WARRANTY.

A Full Service Oil Company

24-Hour Emergency Service

We do NOT

Sell Biofuel!

Which will help prevent

system breakdowns.

HELP WANTED -

Class B CDL driver with air brake, tanker and hazmat

endorsements. Must have DOT Medical Card.

WWW.LMTOIL.COM • WE DO ONLINE ORDERING

BEN’S CONTAINER

& RUBBISH

Delivering affordable and fast

dumpster, portable toilet and luxury

restroom trailer service throughout

the Southern New England Area.

14 West Street,

Douglas, MA

508-476-1500

www.benscontainerandrubbish.com

CALL TODAY

508-476-1500

SERVICES INCLUDE:

•15 Yard Roll-Off Dumpsters

•20 Yard Roll-Off Dumpsters

•Standard Portable Toilets

•ADA Accessible Portable Toilets

•Luxury Heated and Cooled

Restroom Trailers

•Emergency Service Deliveries on

Nights & Weekends

12th

Annual

Fitness. Family. Community.

In

The

REGISTER

online

or scan

qr code

Share your Talent

in an inclusive community that

welcomes all abilities!

Take Down the Wall Presents:

OPEN MIC NIGHTS

Learn and collaborate with other musicians!

6:00-8:30pm

people’s

choice

award!

august 15th

10:00am - 3:00pm

whitin park

60 main st. whitinsville, ma 01588

food trucks • entertainment

vendors • 25 trophies

50/50 raffle

$10

$20

donation

before 7.15

donation

as of 7.15

pre-registration

ends 8.12.2026

cars in the park is an event of the whitin community

center. a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

www.whitincommunitycenter.com

Saturday, July 11, 2026

July’s theme:

Christmas in July

Saturday, August 8, 2026

August’s theme:

S’more Acts, Please!

Sign ups begin @ 5:30pm

Singh Performance Center, 60 Douglas Rd., Whitinsville, MA

Hosted by Open Sky’s Community Membership Dept.

Questions? Michelle.Benjamin@openskycs.org or visit openskycs.org/openmic

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