THE NEW
Uxbridge Times Established in 1991 Vol. 31 • Issue 4
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UxbrIdge • North UxbrIdge • LINwood • doUgLas • NorthbrIdge • whItINsVILLe • sUttoN • MaNchaUg
aPrIL 2022
Dreaming of the future while honoring the past Photos & Article by Christine Beauchaine
Douglas Historical Society members, Jean Dwinnell (above left) and Laurie Church, stand at the counter of the E.N. Jenckes Store Museum.
The Douglas Historical Society is headquartered in the E.N Jenckes Store Museum at 283 Main Street in Douglas. The building, which was erected in approximately 1833 was listed on the National Register of Historic buildings in 1988. It’s the only building on the list in the entire country which is still being used for its original purpose. The building, “a greek Revival, wood frame, two-story structure” was donated to the historical society in 1972 by the Jenckes family. When you walk into the store/museum you really get a “a feel for what people’s lives were like,” says Jean Dwinnell, a historical society member. In its heyday, from 1890 to 1920, the store sold food, dry goods, clothing, grain, wallpaper and a variety of other items. They also made deliveries, long before Amazon made that something we take for granted. The store and museum offer a great view into the past but the Douglas Historical Society also has an eye on the future. “Our main goal is to really get things rolling again,” said Dwinnell, noting that the organization’s events, like almost everyone else’s, were put on
Vintage shoes adorn the display shelves at the museum. hold due to the covid pandemic. Now that the pandemic seems to be easing up, the Historical Society has some big dreams for itself. Historical Society member Laurie Church said she would love to see the museum have costumed interpreters and a “cohesive gift shop” which would
ideally sell modern day versions of items which were sold in the original E.N. Jenckes store. The Historical Society currently participates in the town’s annual Oktoberfest celebration and takes photos with Santa before Christmas. They are also considering a variety of new ideas for the future, including game nights, outreach with local artisans, cafes, and more regular museum hours. Dwinnell said the best thing about Douglas is its “small town feel” and a “sense of belonging”. Church added that the town also has some “grand architecture”. The E.N. Jenckes store and museum embodies both traits. The building also has a small space available for functions. An open house is planned for May 1st, from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. with complimentary coffee and pastries. Other events are being planned for Memorial Day weekend and Veteran’s Day. The Douglas Historical Society is currently looking for volunteers and anyone who is interested should email jdwinnell@charter.net. Additional information can also be found on the group's Facebook page. The Douglas Historical Society is a nonprofit organization which receives no financial allocations from the town.
Milford E.D. Chief, Hopkins runs Boston Marathon in support of front-line workers The leader of Milford Regional Medical Center’s Emergency Department is lacing up for the 126th Boston Marathon to raise funds for the medical center, and in honor of his colleagues who have had their own physical and emotional endurance tested amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Jeffrey Hopkins, MD, chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Milford Regional, is running this year’s Boston Marathon on April 18th on behalf of Milford Regional Healthcare Foundation. “Every day we come in and see people basically running a marathon of
POSTAL PATRON
their own. Seems like it’s never-ending and there’s never going to be that finish line with COVID,” says Hopkins, who has been training for the past several weeks in the cold, snow and fluctuating New England climate, and is taking his inspiration from the people he works with every day from the ancillary and support staff to the doctors and nurses. “Just seeing my colleagues’ endurance, their perseverance, their commitment….it’s been inspiring to see everyone continue to battle COVID over the past two years,” he says. “I guess I’m a glutton for punishment because I figured to show support, what pRESORTED STANDARD uS pOSTAgE pAID BOSTON, MA pERMIT NO 55800
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better way than to do something that required a lot of endurance and commitment? And it’s going to be really painful, but hopefully we’ll bring some good and return some much-needed funds and attention to the front-line providers who have been running a marathon of their own for the past couple years.” Shefali Desai, chair of Milford Regional Healthcare Foundation Board of Trustees, praises Dr. Hopkins’ commitment to his colleagues and community. “Dr. Hopkins is one of the strongest leaders I’ve had the pleasure working
Let’s Play Ball On Sunday, April 24th, at 11:00 a.m. members of the Uxbridge Baseball Association and Uxbridge Softball Association will parade together through downtown to the athletic fields next to the Taft School on Oak Street. At
Jeffrey Hopkins, MD,
the fields, there will be softball and baseball games, face painting, vendors, ice cream, and much more!
alongside,” says Mrs. Desai. “His support of Milford Regional Medical Center reaches over many facets of the organization including his enthusiasm surrounding philanthropy and the Healthcare Foundation. His commitment to the 2022 Boston Marathon in support of the Medical Center is a true inspiration and testament to his dedication to our community.” For more information or to make a donation in support of Dr. Hopkins, visit https://foundation.milfordregional.org/getinvolved/specialevents/2022b ostonmarathon.
~ INDEX ~ Town News.........Page 4 Society……....…Page 15 Senior Corner.....Page 17 School News....Page 21 Business News...Page 23 Classified...........Page 26