Special Uxbridge Pull-Out Shopping Guide Inside!
~ THE NEW ~
Uxbridge Times
“Your Hometown News” VoLuMe 23 • iSSue 8
FREE Monthly Since 1991
uxbridge • North uxbridge • Linwood • douglas • Northbridge • Whitinsville • Sutton • Manchaug
“Free Meal” Ministry also feeds the soul Story and Photos by Constance dwyer On a monthly basis, the Congregational Church of Sutton offers a “free meal” to communities in the Blackstone Valley and beyond as part of its church’s mission. The idea was that of former Deacon Andy Smith of Sutton who spoke during Saturday night’s (July 12) supper, consisting of brats, kielbasa, hot dogs, three choices of salads (pasta, potato & garden), beverages and ample desserts, many homemade by church members. “My idea,” he said “ was as a church that we needed to do something concrete to help people. Although many put money in the basket, some are not able to donate anything, and that is fine with us; there is never any pressure to give.” The Community Dinners have been offered for almost 2 years. Pastor Victoria Snow is currently on sabbatical but she has encouraged the congregation to do more mission projects and this is one of many done by the church. Andy admits that as “you get older it is harder to walk on the cement floors in the kitchen” but he is there every month, working with other volunteers in the kitchen and happy to be there. Some of the volunteers are from the church and others are not affiliated. “There are a variety of people served— friends who tell friends, grandkids who come with grandparents, kids with parents and so on…” He said for many years there were monthly church suppers done as fundraisers but today’s suppers, our Community Dinners, are done as a church mission project, not as a fundraiser. The church has put on suppers for many years and has a reputation for providing good food and has, over the years, been the FAV eating place during Sutton’s ‘Chain of Lights’ on the first weekend in December,
PoStaL PatroN
heralding their popular roast beef dinner with all the trimmings for the low price of $10 a person. No tipping either! One couple from Whitinsville, Kay & Ron White, who were at Saturday night’s supper, said, “We’ve been coming here for over 30 years and love the great food and the people.” Ron said he knows the cooks adding, “We are glad to give our donation because we know it goes to a good place instead of a restaurant where it goes into someone’s pocket.” He said he and his wife when his 5 kids were small came to the meals at the church—regularly! Another couple from Douglas, Carolyn Amaral-Neaz & Paul Neaz, a love match made at the Sutton Senior Center 9 months ago, were happy to be back at the Congregational Church’s monthly supper. Carolyn commented that “It’s fun to see everybody and we are here every month (missing only one month when they were on their honeymoon).” Carolyn is known to bring something for dessert each month; this time she brought cookies. She is a member of the church The church’s mission goes beyond the church’s kitchen. Meals are also taken to homebound seniors. Again, that evening during the delicious meal, you saw young girls lined up with the takeout meals. The three, Katie Cofski, 13, Mary Winant, 13, and Lora Dufresne, 13, are all from Girl Scouts Troop 21027, and all are students at Sutton Middle School. Their troop leader, Jan Pacenka, a member of St. Mark’s in Sutton, was on vacation so Lora’s Mom, Joanne Dufresne, was filling in. She said that “different girl scouts come every month to help.” Adding that the troop meets at the Congregational Church. Mrs. Dufresne said she hopes maybe other churches like St. Marks or the Sutton Senior Center might get in touch with Troop Leader PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID BOSTON, MA PERMIT NO 55800
ECrWSS
auGuSt 2014
BVCC hosts Steamers at Sunset
LittLe MerMaid - a “Cool” Shot catches Sage Hurteau of douglas enjoying a refreshing swim on a hot day. Photo by Emily hurtEau
Jan Pacenka to see if the girl scouts might take meals to their homebound seniors as well. “We’d like to expand our service if at all possible in cooperation with the Congregational Church.” How does the church do this without going into the red? Deacon Andy Smith explained:. “Our expenses get covered every month. There was only one time when we were $40 short; somehow, the
word got out and I got a check for $40 in the mail. God provides.” The workers in the kitchen Saturday night were: Ed Leonard of Grafton and Tom Wypszinski of Northbridge, both parishioners at The Congregational Church. Other workers were: Alyse Aubin of Sutton, not a member of the church, who is the “significant other” continued on page 15
buSinESS bio
Morrisette & Sons merge with Eaglestar at far left; Chris yacino, owner, of Eaglestar Security Specialists with Pam and Jason morrissette, owners of morrissette & Son Electrical Contractors & their son, ryan. See story on page 31
The Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce announces its Annual Steamers at Sunset held on Wednesday, August 20th from 4:30-7:30 PM at Blissful Meadows Golf Club in Uxbridge. The event features a Caribbean themed evening of golf, cocktails, food, raffles, games and much more. The night, an extended Business After Hours, gathers chamber members and community together to celebrate the end of summer. A special feature of the evening is music from steel drummer and percussionist, Toby Tobas. New this year, the event introduces a Nine & Dine Tournament where guests have the opportunity to play nine holes and compete for first and second place prizes. Following the tournament guests will enjoy a traditional New England Lobster Bake. “This event is one that our members most look forward to throughout the year,” says Jeannie Hebert, Chamber President and CEO. “It’s a fun and exciting night filled with good music, great food, and perhaps one of the last opportunities our guests have to get in a round of golf before the end of summer.” The event is open to the public and advanced registration is required. Attendants must be 21 years or older. Sponsorships now available! Tickets are priced per meal: Lobster Dinner $50, Steak Dinner $45, Chicken Dinner $40 and Vegetarian Dinner $35. To register, call 508-234-9090 ext. 100, online at www.blackstonevalley.org, or email administrator@blackstonevalley.org. The Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce works to build and foster relationships between its members and the community. Steamers at Sunset originated with the goal of providing members with a unique and distinctive opportunity to gather together for our last event of the summer.
~ INDEX ~ town News ..............Page 4 Calendar...................Page 17 dining out…………Page 18 Senior Corner ..........Page 23 Society .....................Page 27 School News............Page 29 Business News........Page 31 Sports.......................Page 33 Classified .................Page 35