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Uxbridge Times
“Your Hometown News” Volume 20 • ISSue 7
A FREE Monthly Publication
uxbridge • North uxbridge • linwood • Douglas • Northbridge • Whitinsville • Sutton • manchaug
Independance Day Celebrations at OSV Fireworks display July 3rd Family Fun, Games, and Music on Monday, July 4th Independence Day celebrations at old Sturbridge Village will span two days this year, with fireworks on July 3rd and daytime events on July 4th. Evening events on July 3rd will include music, magic, a reading of the Declaration of Independence, and a dramatic fireworks display over the Village countryside. on July 4th, the celebration will continue with patriotic family fun including games, music, and a citizens’ parade. The fireworks rain date is July 4th. Both days’ events are sponsored by Country Bank. Beginning July 1st, all tickets will be available. For details, call 1-800-SEE-1830 or visit www.osv.org. According to old Sturbridge Village historians, Independence Day was one of very few holidays celebrated by early Americans. Aside from Thanksgiving, it was the most important and widely celebrated holidays of the time. Festivities included church services, patriotic orations, picnics, parades, dinners, and dances. Though fireworks were not common in rural villages like Sturbridge, they were used in larger cities like Philadelphia and Boston to celebrate special events. The old Sturbridge Village fireworks display will begin at dusk and is planned to be larger and more spectacular than in previous years. over 3,000 people are expected to attend the event, which has sold out for the past three years. The popularity of the oSV fireworks display is due, in part, to the relative lack of light pollution and the resulting excellent visibility. Prior to the fireworks, visitors can hear a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence by Massachusetts State Senator Stephen Brewer (Barre) and hear music by the Heritage String Band. other activities include sack races, pie-eating contests, juggling demonstrations, and magician Robert olson. Visitors can also enter the “Patriotic Fashion Contest” prior to the start of the fireworks. Guests can bring their own picnics or purchase beer, wine, sandwiches, snacks, and soft drinks, which will be on sale throughout the evening. During the daytime celebration on Monday, July 4th, visitors will be able to sign a giant reproduc-
PoSTAl PATRoN
JulY 2011
Legislators address Valley’s business climate By Constance Dwyer
tion of the Declaration of Independence and hear the document read. They will also enjoy listening to fife and drum music, taking part in a citizen’s parade, and watch militia marching. Visitors are invited to play games of 19th-century “base ball.” Though similar to today’s “national pastime,” there were some significant differences in the way the game was played in the 1800s. PRESoRTED STANDARD US PoSTAGE PAID BoSToN, MA PERMIT No 55800
ECRWSS
old Sturbridge Village celebrates life in early New England from 1790 – 1840. Located just off the Massachusetts Turnpike and Routes I-84 and 20 in Sturbridge, Mass., oSV is open year-round, but hours vary seasonally. Currently, the Village is open seven days a week from 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. For details, visit www.osv.org or call 800SEE-1830.
State legislators took time to come to a breakfast meeting at the Pleasant Valley Country Club in Sutton on June 18th to address issues affecting the Blackstone Valley towns that they represent. Legislators present were: Sen. Michael Moore (D) Grafton, Millbury, Upton; Sen. Richard T. Moore (D) Blackstone, Douglas, Hopedale, Mendon, Millville, Northbridge, Sutton, Uxbridge; Rep. Ryan Fattman (R) Uxbridge, Sutton, Blackstone, Millville; Rep. Paul Frost (R) Millbury, Sutton; Rep. George N. Peterson, Jr. (R) Grafton, Northbridge, Upton; Rep. John V. Fernandes (D) Hopedale, Mendon; Rep. Kevin Kuros (R) Douglas, Uxbridge. The 7:30 a.m. meeting was sponsored by the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce and a warm welcome was extended to the legislators and guests by Executive Director Jeannie Hebert. She brought a smile on faces when she added state Sen. Michael Moore would be late because of “bus duty this morning.” The purpose of the meeting was to update attendees, mainly business people, on issues affecting the conducting of business in the Blackstone Valley. The legislators also wanted to get input as to how they might facilitate business favorable governmental decisions in the future. Sen. Richard “Dick” Moore, kicking off the presentation, said that he wanted to do what he could at State level to facilitate favorable “regulations” and find solutions for businesses. He made a very important point in stating that the very next day (June 19) legislators would be reviewing the Budget Process for every state agency, not quite zero-based budgeting, but maintenance budgets with necessary employees, to see where “duplication” might exists in order to save money. He also wanted to see “electronic reports” filed for the public to see and be aware of what state agencies are doing. He said, “I am interested in efficiency; in good government.” Rep. George Peterson focused on health care and insurance reform and accountability. He continued on page 17
Business Bio:
Digger’s Liquors Priding themselves on knowing what their customers want, owners Bill & Lisa Lavallee, welcome everyone with a smile. A family-owned small business still making it on Main Street in Douglas.
See complete story on page 39
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