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Uxbridge Times
“Your Hometown News” VoLuMe 25 • ISSue 2
FREE Monthly Since 1991
uxbridge • North uxbridge • Linwood • Douglas • Northbridge • Whitinsville • Sutton • Manchaug
FeBRuARY 2016
Southwick’s Zoo names new President Peter Brewer, D.V.M., became the new president of Southwick’s Zoo in January. Dr. Brewer has served as the zoo’s veterinarian for a number of years in addition to assisting with dayto-day operations. Justine Brewer, Dr. Brew-er’s mother, held the position for the previous 20 years. “Working with my five adult children and some of my grandchildren as a family business is a blessing, Justine stated; each one contributes their own expertise in many areas to make Southwick’s Zoo successful. I look forward to an exciting year.” Southwick’s Zoo, located in Mendon, is a family owned business whose origins can be traced back to Justin F. Southwick’s collection of exotic birds in the 1930s. The zoo, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2015, was later incorporated as Southwick’s Wild Animal Farm Inc., in 1965. It is currently owned and operated by Justin F. Southwick’s granddaughter Justine Brewer, her five children Peter Brewer, Cindy Lavoie, Betsey Brewer, Robert Brewer, and David Brewer. The Brewer
Historic Stone Arch Bridge on Wallum Lake Road in Douglas.
Trunkline Trail Project completed Last year, Bay State Trail Riders Association, Inc. (BSTRA) received a grant from the Blackstone River Valley Heritage Corridor, Inc., to improve a total of 5.3 miles of trails located in the Douglas State Forest and on the Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT). In addition to the work on the SNETT, there was a 1.4 mile section of the Ridge Trail in the Douglas State Forest which needed to be regraded. The total cost of the project was just over $26,800, with the grant paying for half the cost and BSTRA paying the remaining $13,400+. BSTRA is pleased to announce that the entire project has been completed and these trails are in great condition and ready for non-motorized use.
PoSTAL PATRoN
Two sections of the SNETT were targeted for this project and scheduled to begin in late fall. The first area is a 2.46 mile section of the SNETT in Douglas starting at the historic Stone Arch Bridge on Wallum Lake Road and continuing all the way to the Connecticut State line. This particular section of the SNETT needed to be brushed back, drainage ditches needed to be opened, washed out areas needed to be filled, and extensive grading was needed to remove the large moguls that had developed over the years and other problem areas. Processed gravel had to be brought in to cover the old railroad cinder stones, as well as, for other areas where needed, creating a much improved trail surface. PRESoRTED STANDARD US PoSTAgE PAID BoSToN, MA PERMIT No 55800
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The second area was the 1.44 miles from Monroe Street, Douglas, to West Street, Uxbridge. Drainage ditches needed to be opened up, processed gravel was added to cover more than 1,000 feet of cinder stone, the trail surface was regraded, and granite stones were set in place on the West Street entrance by the gate to keep out motorized users. Between both of these sections of the SNETT, a total of 15 truckloads of gravel, approximately 375 tons, were trucked in to complete the necessary work. BSTRA is grateful to Pyne Sand and Stone Co. Inc., of Douglas for their generous donation of a portion of this material. Donations from other sponcontinued on page15
Celebrating Our 25th Year!
“Working with my five adult children and some of my grandchildren as a family business is a blessing.” - Justine Brewer past president of southwick
family voted unanimously to elect Dr. Brewer as the zoo’s new president. Southwick’s Zoo has evolved and expanded a great deal over the past two decades. Numerous guest amenities such as food and gift venues have been added over the years, as well as, many new rides including the popular Skyfari Sky Ride. This ride, which opened in 2008, provides visitors with a bird’s
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Peter Brewer, D.V.M eye view of many exhibits. Southwick’s also now offers unique animal interactions for visitors including giraffe and rhinoceros encounters. The zoo’s most recent project is construction of a full service restaurant expected to open in late 2016. Many animal habitats have also been updated and renovated over the past 20 years including those of the giraffes, camels, chimpanzees, rhinos, lions, tigers, and leopards. Southwick’s has grown to become New England’s largest zoo spanning 200 acres with over 800 animals. It is also the only zoo in the region with white rhinos and chimpanzees, and is home to more primate species than any other zoo in New England. Notable species added in recent years include two-toed sloths, cheetahs, scimitar-horned oryx, cottontop tamarins, and Brazilian tapirs. In 2015, they became the only zoo in the United States with vicuñas, the wild ancestor of the domestic alpaca, on display. Southwick’s staff and employees are excited to continue the zoo’s legacy under the leadership of Dr. Brewer. Visit Southwick’s Zoo online at www. southwickszoo.com or www.facebook.com/southwickszoo.
~ INDEX ~ Town News ..............Page 4 Calendar...................Page 19 Society .....................Page 21 Senior Corner ..........Page 23 School News............Page 2 Business News........Page 31 Sports.......................Page 33 Classified .................Page 35