Hollywood in Sturbridge

Providing heat for the needy in North Brookfield

2012-01-25T17:16:00.000-08:00

2012 h4h Spaghetti Dinner Poster Final

Samantha Gillogly, West Brookfield virtuoso, releases a CD

2012-01-22T11:39:00.000-08:00

A bit more than two years ago, Samantha Gillogly became part of the Youtube Symphony Orchestra. It was a futuristic event as the auditions took place on the web. Actually, it was more a present day event as the web is now and little is outside of it.

Yet the ancient technology of the compact disc has not gone away. Samantha, with friend Tim Maurice have released a CD of beautifully melodic Celtic chamber music. You can sample their artistry at CD Baby and purchase it as well. Of course if you are the more "with it" type and want to download it as MP3 you can do that at Amazon or iTunes.

Below is the story of Samantha and the Youtube Symphony as it appeared in the April, 2009 Sturbridge Times Magazine.Local virtuoso goes to the world through YouTube

Sturbridge Times Magazine is out, Shameless Self-Promotion-January edition

2012-01-09T18:14:00.000-08:00

A new year is upon and the gods are favoring us with bare ground and not horrible temps. I'm okay with that. For those of you who fear Global Warming, that's what separates us from Mars. A world without GW isn't a world.

The magazine cover is a winter scene that is not happening here. Unfortunately, we need only wait.

Anyway, we Sturbridge Timers have been lackadaisical about our self-promotion. Mea culpa! Still, the magazine is out and poor moi, I have only two offerings.

The first is a muckraking book about avarice in Congress. Yeah, that's a tough book to write. As noted in the article, solons making big bucks by being in "public service" is a dog bites man story, but it's the size of the bite that makes Throw Them All Out worthy of notice. Review on Page 9.

After going after Elizabeth Warren in November, I promised to eviscerate a Republican. My takedown of Mitt Romney is on Page 18.

Something I had little to do with is on Page 4. The Best of Awards are the people's choice of what's best in the region. So if you want to know the best place for anything, look it up.

There are many other writers with articles in the Sturbridge Times Magazine, so look for it on a newstand. If you don't find one, you can download a pdf at http://sturbridgetimes.com.

Old Sturbridge Village-Not much time in 2011

2011-12-30T17:24:00.000-08:00

It's not been an easy year at the village. The same storms that afflicted us, afflicted them. Posted on Facebook was the message below:

Getting ready for New Year's Eve...Eager to say good-bye to 2011 with its tornadoes, hurricanes, snowstorms and power outages. We need your help to end this year in the black...OSV trustees will match all new and increased donations, so your gift will be doubled: $1 becomes $2; each $5 becomes $10, etc. It will help us feed our little animals - and so much more! Can you help by donating here? http://www.osv.org/orders/giftform.php

Thank you!

Those beautiful Devon cows were one of the first breeds to come to New England. They are part of your heritage.

My Sturbridge Times Magazine review of the Cafe at Five Loaves Bakery-It's a jewel in Spencer!

2011-12-26T09:27:00.000-08:00

So on a rather decrepit side street in an old Central Massachusetts factory town, there is a bistro that bids fair to be one of the finest regional restaurants. Who'd a thunk it. Could Spencer with Mexicali, Grill, The Red Maple inn, Alron, Two classic diners and a few others become the gustatory capital of New England? Okay, that's a stretch. My review is below.

Review of the Café at Five Loaves Bakery

Defeat your inner slug and become more productive, my review of Willpower

2011-12-10T05:52:00.000-08:00

Most everyone has heard of Oscar Wilde's words, "The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it." Moi, I am only too much a slave to the temptation to not do something I should, and do something I should not. Two men, John Tierney, who writes on scientific subjects for the New York Times, and Roy F. Baumeister who heads the social psychology program at Florida State University, want to help you. They have written about the science behind willpower and have hints and strategies that may not turn us into superstars, but might help to make us less un-productive.

My review is below:

Willpower

Sturbridge Times Magazine is out, Shameless Self Promotion-December edition

2011-12-04T16:01:00.000-08:00

Ah, beautiful, tropical December in New England. So far, so good. Okay, so sunbathing is not happening, but it has not been unpleasant. Let's hope winter ended with that not yet forgotten snowstorm.

With the lovely weather, the Sturbridge Times Magazine is out and I have some pieces to shamelessly self-promote.

On Page 10 is my review of Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson. Jobs would never have been able to say, "No more Mr. Nice Guy," but there was more to his personality than his jerkness. Isaacson's bio is fair and though somewhat favorable, does make plain the man's faults.

Sometimes you stumble upon something that is wonderful, but completely unexpected. The Cafe at Five Loaves Bakery in Spencer is one of those. Read my review on Page 15.

My column is on Page 20. Some of you are under the impression that what we suffered in our week long loss of power was just a weather event. Hah, it was the First Annual Sturbridge and Environs Test of Post-Apocalyptic fitness. We flunked.

There are many other writers with articles in the Sturbridge Magazine, so look for it on a newstand. If you don't find one, you can download a pdf at http://sturbridgetimes.com.

It's this Sunday, White Christmas in West Brookfield

2011-12-02T09:44:00.000-08:00

Okay, maybe it won't be too white. After the October storm, I'm okay with that. Heck, 48 degrees and sunny won't be a problem.

It'll still be fun. Here is the committee's press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FEATURE ARTICLE
PHOTO OPPPORTUNITY

CONTACT PERSON: MADELINE ARN, CHAIRPERSON, WEST BROOKFIELD WHITE CHRISTMAS COMMITTEE
508-867-4201

“WHITE CHRISTMAS IN WEST BROOKFIELD”
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2011 NOON - 8:00PM

WEST BROOKFIELD, MA…The historic, picturesque town of West Brookfield will be celebrating the 19th Annual White Christmas festival beginning at noon. The day will include open houses at shops and businesses, craft shows, horse-drawn wagon rides, a tree lighting ceremony and a holiday music concert.

In and around the town will be open houses of shops and businesses designated with white flags. Many of these businesses will offer free raffles. Ye Olde Tavern and Quaboag Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center will each be hosting a craft show featuring many local artisans. The West Brookfield Elementary School will host the Elves “R” Us Gift Sale from 12 to 4 p.m. The Boy Scouts will be selling warm refreshments.

The churches in town will also be participating in the event. The Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church will be serving soup and sandwiches from Noon to 5:00 p.m. as well as singing Christmas carols. The First Congregational Church will offer a country store, silent auction and a luncheon beginning at Noon. “Carols and Cocoa” will also be offered from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. The George Whitefield United Methodist Church will be sponsoring a craft corner along with donuts and cider from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Be sure to stop by the West Brookfield Fire Department to enjoy homemade chili and chowder at their open house from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. Activities at the Senior Center will include a Chinese auction, a sing-a-long with the Silvertones (1:30 till 3 p.m.), a bake sale and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, all beginning at 12:00 and ending at 3:00 p.m. The Merriam-Gilbert Library will display a “Mitten and Hat Tree” where donations of new children’s hats, scarves, socks, gloves, and mittens will be accepted to benefit Socks for Siberia.

Don’t miss the free horse-drawn wagon rides circling the common from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. and afterwards enjoy some delicious warm cider by the campfire provided by the Pack 118 Cub Scouts. While enjoying the events on the common, be sure to try the roasted chestnuts. Also, take time to greet Father Christmas and Frosty the Snowman as they stroll around town.

The final events of the day will include the lighting of 2,000 white lights hung on the town common’s 70 foot high spruce tree at 5:45 p.m. The tree will be surrounded by 50 luminarias and a caroling sing-along will be enjoyed. A special concert featuring the Quaboag Choral Society directed by Eric Von Bleicken will be held in the Great Hall on the 2nd floor of the Town Hall at 6:15 p.m. Donations of non-perishable food items will be accepted to benefit a local food pantry.

The booklet of program events, including the location of open houses, will be available at local businesses. Support for this community event comes from area merchants advertising in the booklet, as well as individual donations made to the “Adopt-a-Light” campaign. The 19th Annual White Christmas festival is an event that the community is especially proud of and will surely warm your hearts. For additional information, please call Madeline Arn, Chairperson, at 508-867-4201 or Kathy Collings at 508-867-7165.

CALENDAR – Sunday, December 4, 2011, 12-8:00 p.m. – White Christmas, West Brookfield, MA

You missed it this time, but next year you should take in the North Quabbin Garlic & Arts Festival

2011-11-28T19:48:00.000-08:00

I don't know if it still happens, but when I was starting my so called professional life in the big city, a small detachment of youngish folks would come into the office bearing some merchandise (usually leather goods, if I remember correctly) and tell us that their boss wanted to help us out by giving us a good deal or some such palaver. One Friday afternoon, it was always Friday afternoon, such a crew came into our offices bearing copies of paintings that you have probably seen prints of, but might not know the names or titles, though the term impressionist could cross your mind. No one bit and they headed toward the elevator to leave as I was going in the same direction to get to our other floor. I was cornered as the leader of the pack began a strong sales pitch on his one victim.

Now, I am ashamed to say, as a young man, I was a rude and obstreperous fellow. In one area of my life, however, I have always tried to be unfailingly polite. Telemarketers, salespeople and the like I have always done my best to indulge. Call me up at dinnertime and offer me a mortgage and I will apologize that mine is paid off and wish you every success. I know such people are not earning big bucks and for some reason unknown to myself, feel compassion for them.

Trapped as I was, I wanted to escape with manners intact. So when the pitch got to the point where I was actually asked if I wanted to buy, it would be important to not hurt their feelings while ending the sales pitch. My response, "Nah, I hate art."

Their first reaction was a look of shock. I am certain no one ever had said that to them before. We are a nation of philistines, but it is criminal to admit it. As I kept a wide grin on my face, they quickly realized I was having them on and each actually let out a small guffaw and I was able to exit the elevator on good terms.

In truth, I don't hate art, but I am no savant. I do enjoy visual spectacle to the best of my ability. If you asked me to choose between Picasso and a dish made with a plethora of garlic, well, I know what I would choose.

Fortunately, every fall here in Nova Anglia, we don't have to choose.

NQ Garlic and Arts

I know there something missing this morning. Oh yeah, The Amherst Farmers Market!

2011-11-26T06:01:00.000-08:00

Above: A warm summer day at the market

For about a month and a half now, I've been getting up on Saturday mornings to travel up to Amherst Farmers' Market to sell honey and eggs and anything else the garden had produced. I've been doing this for about 20 years now and can't stop. I yield to no one in my dislike of early rising, but the Amherst market is worth it.

I wouldn't be so upset if today's weather were a howling snow storm (but we never have one of those this time of year). Unfortunately, today will be beautiful and warm, perfectly Indian Summerish. Ah but last Saturday was the last week.

The Amherst FM is like a festival. Okay, you may not be able to get everything there, but there is a lot. Vegetables are in colorful profusion, but there are crafts (see video below) as well. There is my breakfast, a jalapeño ciabatta (don't laugh) and then a pesto roll from the two bakeries selling.

Where there is also a hole in my day is across the street. Once set up, I go over to Amherst Coffee and get a large extra caffeine to go. Now the coffee we have during the week is not terrible, but it is not in Amherst Coffee's league. Man does not live by bread alone, because there is coffee.

Market Manager, Sarah Berquist, has been there a few hours already before I get there. We have had many good managers since I've been going there and she is in that Stalwart mode, unfailingly so.

Fortunately, winter will not last forever. Already, I've received some seed catalogues. Time to start planning.

Not only does everyone at the market love Justamere Tree Farm. They were featured in Martha Stewart Living Magazine.

Are some Sturbridge based filmmakers going off the deep end? Maybe

2011-11-18T16:40:00.000-08:00

The team making Dudleytown Curse – the 49th Key are traversing ground that few dare to tread. Who knows, maybe they will solve a mystery, or all this paranormal stuff is the work of overheated minds? Then again, they may be playing with a fire that will char them body and soul. In that case, the least we can do is give them one heckuva wake. Their press release is below.

Red Barn’s Dudleytown- “Scariest Horror Film on Earth”–Interviews Paranormal Investiagtor

Red Barn Media completed interview with paranormal investigator/author Thomas D’Agostino for indie feature horror film “Dudleytown Curse – the 49th Key” - about the cursed village of Dudleytown, Connecticut – Watch the Video!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRLog (Press Release) - Nov 15, 2011 -
Red Barn Media, a Massachusetts production group, announced today it has completed an on camera interview with paranormal investigator and author Thomas D’Agostino in connection with its indie feature horror film called “Dudleytown Curse – the 49th Key” - about the infamous and cursed village of Dudleytown, Connecticut – a place Dan Aykroyd reportedly called the “scariest place on Earth”.. The indie horror film, based on a story which Red Barn Media calls the "utterly terrifying incidents" at Dudleytown, Connecticut, began shooting in November, 2011.

Thomas D’Agostino has written nine books on the subject of the paranormal in New England, and has also written about the history and legend of Dudleytown. A Spokesperson for Red Barn said: “We are so pleased to have the opportunity to interview Thomas D’Agostino who has been investigating the paranormal in New England for over thirty years and has written extensively about the subject”! Red Barn Media has released online a snippet of the interview with D’Agostino in a video on YouTube called: “Dudleytown Woods – Actual Footage – Paranormal Activity Caught on Tape?” In the video, the paranormal investigator, Thomas D’Agostino, appears in the interview as crew members from the Red Barn team film actual footage of Dudleytown Woods from a public road. A Voiceover in the Video asks the viewers to judge for themselves as to whether any paranormal activity is caught on the actual footage from Dudleytown. Supernatural or not? Red Barn asks to let the viewers decide for themselves. The paranormal investigator talks about the reports of negative energy associated with Dudleytown and theories that it could be a vortex or thin region which allows entities to pass more freely between this world and something else. The Video on YouTube which includes the interview and asks whether the viewer can see any paranormal activity near a blue light which appears in the video can be viewed on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qTOQz31wtM

The Legend of the Dudleytown Curse says that Dudleytown is damned, the legacy of a “Curse” placed on the Dudley family by King Henry VIII and his demonic minions nearly five hundred years ago in England. The sons of the cursed family are said to have fled England and settled in Dudleytown, Connecticut where the “Curse” is said to have followed them.

For further information regarding Dudleytown Curse – the 49th key, visit www.dudleytowncurse.com. The Indie Film also has a Facebook Group at: http://www.facebook.com/groups/124889004194600/#!/groups

...
Please contact Doug Kirkpatrick at production@dudleytowncurse.com or (310) 804-8450.

# # #

Red Barn Media, a Massachusetts production group, has performed many years of exhaustive research, investigation, overcome many obstacles. It is shooting its indie feature film - “Dudleytown Curse – the 49th Key” - about Dudleytown, Connecticut.

--- end ---

Sturbridge Times Magazine is out, Shameless Self Promotion-November edition

2011-11-08T18:31:00.000-08:00

So November came in with a catastrophic freak snowstorm. If we have an asteroid hit in December, who is going to be surprised?

Better news, the Sturbridge Times Magazine is out and I have some pieces to shamelessly self-promote.

On Page 10 is my review of Willpower, Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength by Tierney and Baumeister. This is not a self-help tome, but there are some good insights.

I was at the first North Quabbin Garlic & Arts Festival and several others. It is a great early fall take in up in Orange, and is covered on Page 16.

My column is on Page 20. I am no fan of Scott Brown, but Liz Warren is not quite ready for prime time.

There are many other writers with articles in the Sturbridge Magazine, so look for it on a newstand. If you don't find one, you can download a pdf at http://sturbridgetimes.com.

The Sturbridge Harvest Festival is back, new and improved is not just a slogan

2011-10-11T07:36:00.000-07:00

The Harvest Festival is almost here. Some new stuff planned this year. Read about it below.

Harvest Festival 2011

Sturbridge Times Magazine is out, Shameless Self Promotion-October edition

2011-10-04T09:50:00.000-07:00

October, at least the mosquitos should die. The new issue of the Sturbridge Times Magazine is out.

The Harvest Festival is back and, though old and great is also new and improved. Read about it on Page 14.

Everyone living today is a tad too young to remember the Revolutinary War. No matter, Old Sturbridge Village gave us a reprise with Redcoats & Rebels, held in August. It was a re-enactment of part of the war, complete with battle and encampment. Read about it on Page 16.

My column on Page 20 is an open letter to the president calling for change. It is not the president of Los Estados Unidos.

On Page 21 is your ballot to vote for best of in the region. Finally, something worth voting for.

There are many other writers with articles in the Sturbridge Magazine, so look for it on a newstand. If you don't find one, you can download a pdf at http://sturbridgetimes.com/

My life in music

2011-10-01T18:37:00.000-07:00

My Life in Music

The Sturbridge region could use a film bureau!

2011-09-28T11:06:00.000-07:00

From the Brookfields to the Connecticut border, we have everything moviemakers could want in a location. Why isn't it happening?

The Sturbridge region needs a film bureau!

Mega Auction in Brimfield to bring Indy film to our region!

2011-09-23T18:50:00.000-07:00

Financing independent film is no piece of cake. The film trying to be born is going to hold an antique auction in Brimfield, Massachusetts. Brimfield is famous for its summer antique shows so its a natural. Below is the skinny.

Mega Auction to Benefit Indie Film- Dudleytown Curse- the 49th Key - Donate an Item! Come Bid!

The Indie Film “Dudleytown Curse – the 49th Key”” Shooting this Fall in MA and CT is to Benefit from a Mega Auction in Brimfield, MA – so Help Spread the Word, Come and Bid on Cool Items, and Donate Items for the Auction or Make a Cash Contribution to IndieGoGo Now! Click Here for More Auction Info on AuctioZip.com!
Here is the Info:

Field Auction - Saturday, October 8, 2011
11:30 a.m.
Preview Starts at 9:00 a.m.
15 Sturbridge Road (Route 20)
Brimfield, MA 01010

Rain Date: Sunday, October 9, 2011
11:30 a.m.
Advertisement

Contents of 18 Wheel Trailer chock Full of Cool Stuff will be Auctioned Off Piece by Piece (Antiques, Furniture, Smalls, All Kinds of Items)

Plus All Kinds of Other Antiques and Vintage Items
Part of Auction Proceeds Will Benefit the Following:

1) Independent Film Shooting this Fall in Brimfield and Sturbridge Called "Dudleytown Curse- the 49th Key"; and
2) Certain Items Will be Sold and the Proceeds Donated to the Harding Fund to Help the Brimfield Tornado Victims!

If interested in donating an Item to Benefit Either the Independent Film or the Tornado Victims, Please Call Doug at (310) 804-8450 or e-mail production@dudleytowncurse.com.
If Interested in Contributing a Monetary Donation to the Independent Film Online Visit IndieGoGo By Clicking Here: Contact Us at: production@dudleytowncurse.com or by Clicking Here if interested in the independent film!

Bring your own Fold Up Chair!

Casting and Crew Positions Still in Process – Send Headshot and Resume to; production@dudleytowncurse.com

Visit Dudleytown on facebook here.

Dudleytown Curse - the 49th Key from Dudleytown Curse on Vimeo.

See previous posting at Examiner.

Original posting at OurFilmSpace.

From the Sturbridge Times Magazine, August 2011-We Need a Film Bureau!

2011-09-13T06:24:00.000-07:00

The Sturbridge region needs a film bureau!

Flapjack Willy's is the place for breakfast and lunch in North Brookfield

2011-09-07T10:19:00.000-07:00

Review of Flapjack Willy's

Sturbridge Times Magazine is out, Shameless Self Promotion-September edition

2011-09-05T18:59:00.000-07:00

September, what will the weather throw at us this month? Can't wait to see. At least the new issue of the Sturbridge Times Magazine is out.

The horse is gone as a force in history and so is much romance. Barring the complete collapse of Industrial Civilization, the mounted warrior will never again come out of nowhere to conquer and pillage. On Page 9 I couple that with a review of Empire of the Summer Moon.

Everyone living today is a tad too young to remember the Revolutinary War. No matter, Old Sturbridge Village gave us a reprise with Redcoats & Rebels, held in August. It was a re-enactment of part of the war, complete with battle and encampment. Read about it on Page 16.

My column on Page 20 is about the unending crisis afflicting the financial markets and our nation. Disclaimer; I am not responsible for anyone who invests on anything I write about.

There are many other writers with articles in the Sturbridge Magazine, so look for it on a newstand. If you don't find one, you can download a pdf at http://sturbridgetimes.com/

Mexicali dials it up!

2011-08-26T06:03:00.000-07:00

I reviewed the Mexicali Grill in Spencer for the Sturbridge Times Magazine June 2011 issue. The link is here. The food is tasty, but the general temperature is moderate. Some like it hot, c'est moi. In doing the review, I asked the managers about that. They said they could ramp it up to order.

The fam went there this week and as a hotness lover, I asked them to dial it up on my Cali Burrito order. This was a test of the emergency heat capability. They probably thought they were increasing the temp as far as a gringo could stand it and it was much warmer. The waiter made it a point of asking if I was satisfied. When I told him, it was good, but could be higher heat, he did not hesitate in bringing out a tasty habanero sauce. He then came back with more after I had put the whole dish on the burrito.

The Mexicali is a fine establishment. They are accommodating to the diner. However, taste in heat varies such that you have to speak up to the level of torridness you desire. It is worth it.

Au revoir - Death of the Casino

2011-08-21T20:42:00.000-07:00

Update-Masslive has an article about Ware going after Fred. I am no lawyer, but I would love to see Fred engage a contingency fee attorney with the instincts of a shark. The destruction of his theater smacked of eminent domain without taking title. I hope he has a cause of action. The town probably did consult a lawyer beforehand so I'm just engaging in wishful thinking.

Actually, though Fred might be morally justified in going after the town, he would not be punishing those who destroyed the Casino, but the average Ware resident. None of the town officers stands at risk for any action they took in office." Again, these are the words of a non-attorney.

The Casino has been torn down for a while now

. The Town of Ware has a hole in it. I am not talking about the vacant lot. I’m talking about its soul.

Okay, maybe towns don’t have souls. Maybe the community that some people think exists is merely an agglomeration of individuals. Still, it is sad to think that there is no real social glue.

I do not want to assess blame. People work to their level and sometimes something happens and sometimes it doesn’t. That said, there are some reflections that will be noted below.

First up is Fred McLennan. Fred is the favorite whipping boy. Yes, he did not deliver, but he was the only one to step up to the plate. He flew on no budget so what little he accomplished was something. The arguments the town had against him were valid enough, but no one tried to engage him on terms other than adversarial.

At the demolition, I heard some fellow sneer, “I hear he didn’t even pay the dollar.” Yeah, a lot of people repeated that. It was usually said with an air of triumph.
“I’m so smart compared to that idiot, Fred.” Brilliant. Anyone who slagged Fred needs to tell us what they did for the theater. Health advisory, do not hold your breath.

Next is Mary T. I had only one conversation with her. I would say everything she said was correct. Fred did drop many balls. In the weasel words of Winston Churchill, everything Mary said was “true, but not exhaustive.”

Mary T is a bureaucrat. One would guess there is nothing in her job description about having “vision.” She does not have to think of the families who in the future might have had the joy of taking in a movie together. Legally, she can’t be faulted. You got what you paid for, Ware. If only there had been a little enterprise, some creativity (I hate that word). There probably was no one out there to replace Fred, but no one looked.

I want to compliment Pauline and Julie and anyone who might have helped them. You love your town far more than it deserves. I want to also tip the hat to everyone who joined the facebook page. You all had lives elsewhere, so even being on facebook was an act of heart.

Generations ago, there was a civic minded class in these old mill towns that could get things done. Now that class gets up in the morning and goes to work in Springfield or Amherst and is much less engaged where they sleep. Ah progress.

Le Mirage Café-Restaurant Review

2011-08-17T15:16:00.000-07:00

Hollywood in Sturbridge is about Southwest Worcester County. So what are we doing reviewing a Wormtown eatery. Well we had one of those accounts that you get hooked into and some points so we bought a discount voucher. My daughter expressed an interest in Le Mirage Café so Monday evening early found us there.

Le Mirage has a pleasant, neat dining room. We were seated at a June Street window and had a fine view of the passing scene. I did have a question for our efficient waiter. The daughter pointed to the top of the window. There was what appeared to be a bullet hole. I asked our good man if it was something someone said? He took it good-naturedly.

We had not come to engage in battle but to eat. The cafe bills itself as Mediterranean. We decided to give the south shore of that sea a try and shared an order of the Baba Ghannouj. The BG was delicious, but was a little too chilled. The flavors would have been brighter if it had been served closer to room temperature.

For her main course, my young empress ordered the Chicken and Shrimp Casablanca. The pasta and sauce were perfect, creamy and bright, but the very large shrimps and pieces of chicken were a bit overcooked and tough. The accompanying salad had a pleasant, tangy dressing.

My choice was the baked Kibbe with Fatuoush Salad. I asked for the added Feta. It has been a long time since I've eaten kibbe and enjoyed on Monday. The salad with the pieces of pita bread through it was also good.

The cafe does not have a desert menu. Instead, one goes up to the display case and chooses. If you don't handle temptation well, it is not for you. My daughter asked for the Chocolate Soufflé. It was heated for her, but was nothing like a soufflé. Not a problem as it was more a delicious, dense, mini chocolate bundt cake. As for moi, the most dangerous place on this planet is between me and anything with Key Lime in its name. I had the cheesecake.

Le Mirage is BYOB. I have no problem letting my inner sommelier out.

We left sated and will be back. I'm not worried about the bullet. It was small caliber and they aimed high. Not a dull place.

It was a mighty storm!

2011-08-11T13:01:00.000-07:00

My Dorothy Gale moment and loving la vida dull

Paul Girouard is the Guitar Stradivarius of Sturbridge

2011-08-08T13:29:00.001-07:00

The Stradivarius of Sturbridge

Sturbridge Times Magazine is out, Shameless Self Promotion-August edition

2011-08-04T12:32:00.000-07:00

Ah August. Less oppressive heat, but the occasional morning with the nip in the air the portends fall and then....... Forget I mentioned that.

I've beaten this drum before. Stubridge and environs has more going for it for movie locations than just about anywhere. In light of the State's generous incentives, why are other regions getting more, dare we say it, exposure? See Page 2 for why a film bureau would help.

Flapjack Willy's is the traditional American breakfast and lunch spot. A genre quickly passing. Still flourishing in North Brookfield. See review on Page 12.

My column on Page 18 is about my affair with J.K. Rowling. Okay, it's not what you think.

There are many other writers with articles in the Sturbridge Magazine, so look for it on a newstand. If you don't find one, you can download a pdf at http://sturbridgetimes.com/

Book Review, Wrong, as in everything you know is....

2011-07-30T08:50:00.001-07:00

Not everything, but experts can mislead us.
Wrong

Yes, Virginia, there is a Podunk

2011-07-14T10:25:00.000-07:00

We've gpt the story right here.

Podunk Remembered

The Salem Cross Inn-Happy 50th to a West Brookfield Institution

2011-07-06T17:38:00.000-07:00

The Salem Cross Inn is an historical gem, and great beef. The summer Drover's roasts are justly famous. I used to try and convince people not from West Brookfield that the placid steers grazing outside were like a lobster tank. If you had enough people in your party, the chef would roast the steer you chose and serve it. few people were that gullible.

Below is my review from the March, 2008 issue of the Sturbridge Times. Magazine.

Salem Cross Review

Sturbridge Times Magazine is out, Shameless Self Promotion-July edition

2011-07-03T10:46:00.000-07:00

Let's hope July is less eventful than the previous month with the tornado!

Do the experts know what they are talking about, some do, some guess or fudge it. On Page 5 is a review of Wrong, by David H. Freedman. Experts got some splainin to do.

Put knowledge of wood and love of music together in one man and what do you get? Paul Girouard, Fine Lines craftsman, is now making guitars. Read about it on Page 13.

Politically, economically and environmentally, we have problems. The new, local Green Rainbow Party has ideas on Page 17.

My column on Page 18 is about the tornado. Hint, I thought I was going to have a Dorothy Gale moment.

There are many other writers with articles in the Sturbridge Magazine, so look for it on a newstand. If you don't find one, you can download a pdf at http://sturbridgetimes.com/

Restaurant Review-Mexicali Grill

2011-06-29T08:44:00.000-07:00

The Mexicali Grill opened in Spencer late in May. Below is my review from the June issue of the Sturbridge Times Magazine.

Mexicali Grill Review

Sturbridge Times Magazine is out, Shameless Self Promotion-June edition

2011-06-11T08:14:00.000-07:00

Isn't that a handsome lad on the cover.

Okay, it's been out since the beginning of June. Unfortunately, I am dyslexic where Ben Franklin is concerned. I thought "Poor Richard said never do today that which you can put off until tomorrow."

When someone says, "He's from Podunk" there saying he's a hick from the sticks. Not around here. The Podunk section of East Brookfield had a rich history and you can read about it on Page 8.

There is a new Mexican restaurant in Spencer. My review is on Page 15. We don't do stars or thumbs up. but I liked the Mexicali Grill.

My column is on Page 22. It's about the implications of the death of Osama bin Laden. Hint, think of the big hit song Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli had.

There are many other good articles so look for it on a newstand. If you don't find one, you can download a pdf at http://sturbridgetimes.com/

SOCKS FOR SIBERIA SPRING FAMILY FESTIVAL-this Saturday

2011-06-09T14:43:00.000-07:00

The Fifth Annual Socks for Siberia Spring Family Festival is this Saturday at Hyland Orchard. More info at this link. Read about Wally and Michelle's work below.

Socks for Siberia

Two Events-Henna in Brimfield, Farmers Market in West Brookfield

2011-06-01T06:35:00.000-07:00

This Friday, from 4:30 pm to 6:30pm at Hitchcock Academy in Brimfield, Sangita Desai will hold a henna gathering. Facebook page is here.

The West Brookfield Farmers Market is today on the Common, 3 to 6:30 p.m. There is great stuff there. Don't worry, the Five Loaves Bakery always brings more than that.

My competitor, Grimes Apiary

West Brookfield Farmers Market is back-My article from last year

2011-05-23T06:58:00.000-07:00

Come to the Common this Wednesday-3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

West Brook Field Farmers Market

The Asparagus Festival was a good day

2011-05-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

As usual, Amy Dugas and crew did a great job. Happy to meet everyone in town I've not seen in the year. Took pics. Some below.

I was under the impression that it was the Dalai who was coming. Oh, these are Alpacas. Sorry

Love the Tavern's pizza anywhere oven.

You can get anything at the Asparagus Festival!

The Sixties will never die!

The line for the cotton candy was always the longest.

If you want a home where the Beefalo roam, Mark Kaufman has your place.

Little Rest Farm will be at the Farmers Market this week.

This guy's stuff all looks kinda like a self portrait.

Asparagus Festival This Saturday-My 2009 article

2011-05-19T05:37:00.000-07:00

Asparagus Festival

Sturbridge Times Magazine is out, Shameless Self Promotion-May edition

2011-05-06T07:38:00.000-07:00

Ah May. Time to be out in the garden, but no easy feat when Spring Fever hits. Someone as way behind as moi should not be wasting time touting his screed.

Not feeling well? Do we have the cure for you! Go out to a bee hive and get stung. Read about Bee Sting Therapy on Page 14.

Pretend your back in college and your prof assigns an essay question, "Compare and contrast the cultural implications of a Dropkick Murphy's performance and a concert at Tanglewood." That is the subject of my column on Page 18.

There are many other good articles so look for it on a newstand. If you don't find one, you can download a pdf at http://sturbridgetimes.com/

Sangita Desai is hennaing for mom's day

2011-05-04T06:43:00.000-07:00

I don't think your mom is gonna wanna put the big Harley Davidson tattoo on her forehead. Still, if you want to do something artistic with momsey yet not permanent, Sangita Desai has the event.

This Friday, from 2:00 pm to 5pm at Hitchcock Academy in Brimfield, both you and mom can have designs like those in the picture. facebook link is here.

Amherst Farmers Market-Great to be back, but boy was it cold

2011-04-30T19:14:00.000-07:00

Up there in Amherst, they know how to make a farmers market work, but oh was it chilly. It was great to see everyone back doing business at the same place, today. Thanks to Sarah, the market manager, for being so organized.

Above, Ann Starbard on right is the goat cheese queen of New England

Above, SideHill Farms smoothies are to die for.

Above, put some of Sunset Farm's Rhubarb with strawberries and you've got a pie.

Above, I finally got a grown up tent, but really didn't need it today.

Scandal in Ware-Theater may still be saved!

2011-04-29T10:13:00.000-07:00

It appears Fred McLennan has been doing some homework. The town of Ware awarded a demolition contract that might have a problematic history. Fred sent by registered mail to Nancy Talbot a copy of the 2008 OSHA Fine. Info included: 15 violations including a death in Holyoke (2008) on Main St when three men who were not properly trained were injured in a roof collapse, one died. Other records were included. Maybe not Watergatem, but we should all know who we are dealing with.

Below is my posting on yesterday's Examiner.

One last chance to save the oldest movie house in the country

The Town of Ware awarded a contract to demolish what is arguably the oldest movie house in the country. It looks bad for impresario Fred McLennan, but there is a glimmer of hope, your assistance is needed.

There is a petition before the Governor on releasing Mass Historical Commission emergency funds (that were applied for two years in a row)  and half of Your Ware Selectmen were willing to give a stay, while a Connecticut Cinema Corporation made a bid on the Casino this week.   So, if you want to help, please make a phone call to state and town.   Phone contacts from Fred: Nancy J Talbot Town Clerk/Selectman Chairman of Selectman (413) 967 9648 ext 101 . It could be easier to use Nancy's email; NTalbot@townofware.com.Governor's Office on release of Secretary of State Galvin's Emergency fund under his role as head of The Mass Historical Commission (617) 725 4005 or 888 870 7770

Please be polite. Tell Nancy you support the stay of execution and The Gov's office you support preservation of the historically important Casino.

This is a Hail Mary pass situation. The odds are still much against success. Still, a community theater is important for everyone interested in film in the region. I’m still dreaming of the Quabbin Film Festival.

Visit the fanpage at facebook.

Mexican is coming to Spencer

2011-04-25T06:43:00.000-07:00

The Sugden block will have a new tenant. the former Trumbull Bar & Grille space is to be the Mexicalli Grille. The restaurant will be operated by Mr. David Brambila of Sudbury. Mr. Brambila is a native of Mexico and has extensive experience in the Mexican restaurant business.

One can only wish Mr. Brambila all the best. Of course, south of the border cuisine has not done too well around here. As has been observed previously, this was not because the denizens are afraid of spicy food. Playa del Carmen was very bland. So, Dave, hurry up. We are waiting impatiently for you. Just make sure the food has some bite.

The Amherst Farmers Market starts this Saturday-My August, 2008 article is below

2011-04-21T11:04:00.000-07:00

Inside a Saturday Farmer's Market

Restaurant Week-Kaizen is exquisite

2011-04-14T05:54:00.000-07:00

The long awaited Sturbridge Restaurant Week is here. The other night, we went to Kaizen for the first time. We have been missing out. Not one bit of disappointment in the night from any of our party.

The Restaurant Week special menu had choices of appetizers. I started with Tuna-Tataki which paired with the wasabi and ginger at the side, made a great start. My wife ordered the Gyoza, that is the Japanese dumplings and, family being family, I sampled with pleasure.

Okay, I'm not a big sushi person. My daughter, Bríd, who was with us is better acquainted with the genre, and I ordered what she ordered. You got to choose the sushi entree from the regular menu. They had some cutesy names like Red Sox and Sturbridge. All I remember is I chose the one with salmon in it. What else was in it? Who cares? It was great.

Robin got the chicken dinner. I tasted that and it was good, but did not compare to my choice.

As we arrived late, all that was left was the Fried Ice Cream. Robin and I got the coconut and Bríd, the Green Tea. I had no inclination to share.

People had been telling us for the longest time to try Kaizen. Many say that it is the best place in Sturbridge. As an intellectual exercise, I am working up a rebuttal. It will take a long time.

Their website is http://www.kaizen479.com/

Restaurant Week Comes to Sturbridge Area-It's about time!

2011-04-07T05:41:00.002-07:00

Alright, who am I to complain. Still, this is an event that has been wanting for some time. One has to compliment the Central Mass South Chamber of Commerce and its tourism committe, the Sturbridge Townships for stepping up to the plate. Click here for the link to the participating restaurants and their menus.

For those who have never patronized restaurant weeks elsewhere, it works like this. A prix fixe menu of specials is provided at an attractive cost. For our restaurant week it will be 3-course menus for lunch and dinner, two options per course offered, priced $11.11 and $20.11 respectively.

So this is a chance to sample some of the area's eateries you have not yet been to.

Bon Appétit!

Sturbridge Times Magazine is out, Shameless Self Promotion-April edition

2011-04-05T04:38:00.000-07:00

April, that cruelest of months, is here with another issue of the Sturbridge Times, that kindest of magazines. It has been sent out and is on newstands. Moi, I have not been all that industrious for the first issue of spring, having but two items to tout.

On Page 23 is the account of my visit with AJ Comerford. You've seen The Green Boys trucks around town. AJ is one industrious lad who will go far.

My column is on Page 20. It's on Term Limits. Term Limits is an idea worth considering as a constitutional reform.

There are many other good articles so look for it on a newstand. If you don't find one, you can download a pdf at http://sturbridgetimes.com/

All is healed

2011-03-29T12:07:00.000-07:00

In spite of the rapid melt of the snow cover, we all have not forgotten the harsh winter just departed. The unseasonable cold that will not give way to spring warmth reminds us if we were likely to forget.

Yesterday, there was a touch of frostbite felt in my hands while milking the cow. It was such an unpleasantness. After filtering the milk and cleaning up and putting pans away, I moseyed out front. Walking up to the beehives, and expecting the worst, I was happily surprised to see a lot of activity. Bees were out and about. It was so heartening, especially as this is the toughest winter I've experienced out here in the Brookfields.

It made my day.

Sturbridge Times Magazine is out, Shameless Self Promotion-March edition-Sturbridge International Movie Project-some really shameless self promo

2011-03-02T10:58:00.000-08:00

Well, It's March and before you beware the ides, take a look at the Sturbridge Times Magazine which has been sent out or is on the newstands.

On Page 7 is my review of Decision Points, the memoir of the previous president's time in office. Because it is in the magazine and not The Sturbridge Review of Books, there was only so much room allotted. One could have gone on for several pages. After it went to press, I reread it and noticed a glaring error on my part. See if you can find it.

On Page 15 is an article about a road trip to the Culinary Arts Museum in Providence. Food is dear to my heart so it was a pleasure.

My column is on Page 20. It's on free speech. Yeah, I'm a fanatic.

There are many other good articles so look for it on a newstand. If you don't find one, you can download a pdf at http://sturbridgetimes.com/

Sangita Desai is the Sturbridge area Henna expert. We bantered back and forth on facebook and came to the conclusion as to what Sturbridge really needs. The movie project, Bollywood in Sturbridge is now in the pre-pre-planning stage. We know everyone in Western Central Mass will want to get behind this. The only thing the project lacks is money, a lot of it. Hey, creativity does not come cheap. To stimulate potential investors, there is some henna artwork below.

A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of working on a commercial in Canton Massachusetts. It was for a company, SkyMed, that will come and get you and fly you home if you have an emergency. The team doing the shoot is Rab Media. Their team consisted of Rob Bartolome and Allison Freitas. The project was commissioned by Jose Moniz of Rollin On TV. It will be shown on the Cox Sports Network which is, I think, a southeastern regional network. The other actors were, Susan Wyoral, Ted Hilchey and Cesar Rego. It was a lot of fun and as it was shot lying down, no heavy lifting. Enjoy it below.

The TM said the Casino would not last the winter-not a prophetess, Be counted, come to the Demolition Pre Bid Conference

2011-02-21T18:18:00.000-08:00

The Town Manager said the Casino would never make it through the winter. Okay, there are four weeks left, but buildings are dropping like flies all over Massachusetts and the Casino sails on. What does herself say now? It's all the holes in the roof. When I was in there, Light was not streaming through the roof.

When atheist H.L. Mencken was asked what he would do if he died and found himself before the 12 Apostles. He said he would say, "Gentlemen, I was wrong." I have no idea the TMs beliefs, but if she were Mencken, she would say, "Gentlemen, you are wrong."

Thei legal notice was posted on MassLive :

There will be a A pre-bid conference will be held for all interested parties on-site on Wednesday, February 23, 2011, 10:00 A.M. Meet at the Casino Theater, 121 Main Street, Ware, MA, at the front entrance. Attendance at this pre-bid conference is strongly recommended for parties submitting a bid.

Click the link for more info. Bids are being accepted on March 2. Some of us intend to be there on Wednesday. Hope you can come and show support. Thanks Pauline and Julie for the heads up.

Per Julie:

I spoke with Olivia Mausel of the Holyoke Historic Commission. She gave me ideas for help on the Casino. Involve the technical vocational students - Pathfinder, Palmer - Ware students go there. Involve the architectural classes at UMass.

Good points!

Freddie's not Dead-The Casino sails on while other Ware buildings sink!

2011-02-12T07:14:00.000-08:00

Above, Casino roof defies the snow.

The Town of Ware selectmen and town clerk are worried about The Casino Theater. The structure is said to not be the most stable. Why, if you listen to the concerns of some town dads and moms, if someone sneezes in Belchertown, the Casino could collapse and bring about the demise of scores of townspeople, if not Western Civilization.

Okay, I exaggerate the hysteria, but hysteria it is. The impresario of the theater’s rebirth has had a triumph of sorts this winter. The Casino, for all its purported instability, has sailed through the storms like a serene ship on calm seas.

Across the street, however, the building housing Cebula Insurance and Chantel Bleu Accounting has seen its roof collapse and the tenants evacuated. Hey, maybe they could relocate to a theater on Main Street that is currently vacant, but somewhat more structurally sound than was earlier thought?

This does not mean that Fred has clear sailing. I’m guessing the town still wants to destroy the place, though the current season’s costs have depleted available funds. The Connecticut entrepreneur who visited a few weeks ago will not take up the project.

Still, he is alive and has a building that is still standing after many another roof has collapsed.

You can support the rebirth of the Casino by joining the facebook page here.

Off Topic-Save Alfalfa-Not the one from the Little Rascals

2011-01-21T06:30:00.000-08:00

This is not a usual topic for Hollywood in Sturbridge. No discussion of movies or restaurants. No, this is an appeal to those who care about the quality of their, well my food anyway.

we live on what we pretend is a farm. We raise a lot of vegetables and sell some products at a farmers' market. We also keep a family cow. Our stony land can provide forage, but we could not raise the feed for the winter, therefore we buy hay. We do not feed our cow and calf grain as that does not provide proper nutritional balance. For more information on that subject, here is a link.

We do feed a small amount of alfalfa in the form of pellets. This is done more for management. If we need to inspect them or to keep the cow happy during milking, it is a way to do it without grain.

What appears to be happening is that the Biotech Industry is putting the pressure on the administration to approve the use of Monsanto's Genetically Engineered (GE) Roundup Ready ™ Alfalfa in time for spring planting. This link is an alert on the subject from the Northeast Organic Farming Association.

According to the alert, Despite three District Court rulings and a landmark Supreme Court decision that makes planting GE alfalfa illegal and requires USDA to formulate a valid management plan, the agency is going full steam ahead putting the deregulation of GE alfalfa on a fast track. While conceding for the first time that GE contamination of organic and GE-free crops and markets is a major problem in the U.S., USDA's court-ordered 2300 page Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) relies on faulty data and fails to take into account the scientifically-validated promiscuous nature of GE gene flow in crops. It also overlooks the widespread corruption of conventional seed varieties by GE strains (such as occurred with StarLink corn and LibertyLink rice) along with documented severe economic injury to farmers and markets. And, there is no mention at all of possible health consequences from eating GM crops.

It appears that the administration will be giving a gift to Monsanto. The alert has steps for you to request that big bio not get this gift. I urge you to click on the link and read it and take the steps it urges.

I intend to, even though my guess is the fix is in. does Hope and Change mean you've got hope if you've got the some change?

Help local indie film making-vote in the Openfilm contest!

2011-01-18T13:29:00.000-08:00

Even slight involvement with indie film making brings the knowledge that cash is not lush in the genre. Well there is a contest going on that can provide some filthy lucre to starving movie projects.

At Open Film, an online video platform for filmmakers and film festivals and short films contests, you have a chance to support local film makers trying to make the movie. They are holding a contest, the 2nd Get it made competition.

There are a couple of films with some local connections that are in the competition. Light of Knowing is being filmed in various New England venues, including the Sturbridge area, with a lot of great local actors. It is a spiritual thriller inspired by the mystical book, the Cloud of unknowing. More information on its facebook page.

The director of Light of Knowing is John Hartman. He has made other movies in this area. He is not native, but is based locally. One short movie he made elsewhere is Secession Path. A civil war psycho drama with no little amount of John’s expressionism thrown in. He and his producer, Zee Zarbock would like to make the full version. Secession Path is also in the contest. We in Massachusetts can hope some of it could be filmed here as we have a lot of old and rustic scenery that would fit the bill. The Civil War re-enactors are around here, unfortunately they are mostly bluecoats and too few rebs.

If you want to vote for Secession Path go here.

If you want to vote for Light of Knowing go here.

You can watch and then vote for both. Registration is required, but it is no big thing. So help out the starving indie film maker.

Sturbridge Times Magazine is out, Shameless self promotion-January/February edition

2011-01-09T07:15:00.000-08:00

The Sturbridge Times Magazine is out, both print and online. This is the monthly notice wherein I, with no shame, tout my unworthy offerings.

America took leave of its senses when it passed the 18th Amendment banning booze. The amendment allowing the income tax was enacted in the same era so some might think something was in the air. My review of Daniel Okrent's Last Call: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition is on Page 7.

Mike Elliott is a chimneysweep who gets high most days. Well, he goes high, on the roof to give people Piece of mind. Article on page 20.

My column is on Page 22 and discusses security theater.

I am not the only one writing. There are many entertaining and useful articles that I had nothing to do with. You can read the magazine online by clicking here and downloading a pdf, or you can click on the graphic below to find out where to pick one up.

Enjoy!

Inside the Ware Casino

2011-01-03T16:33:00.000-08:00

Today, at noon, Fred McLennan held a meeting with an entrepreneur from Connecticut. Douglas Trumbull is associated with a number of projects. He is an inventor and holds a number of patents. He asked a number of questions that Fred took several paragraphs to answer when one would suffice. DouglasTrumbull.com is worth a look.

Give Fred his due, though. Mr. Trumbull is the real deal. That does not mean he is a pushover. A staff came with him and an architect made it clear, for anything to happen, there has to be real community support. Also, the project would have to be financially viable.

For the first time since the last movie I saw there with my kids, I was in the Casino. Yeah, it's changed. Maybe we could squeeze some money out of state by having the Governor declare it a disaster area. Mr. Trumbull was not fazed as he went through the mess. He was evaluating it professionally.

So people of Ware and surrounding towns, if you want your community theater to live again, you better be ready to step up to the plate.

Playa del Carmen, RIP-Mexican dies in Sturbridge

2010-12-18T09:35:00.000-08:00

Playa del Carmen, RIP

De gustibus non disputandum est is a Latin phrase that means there is no disputing taste. My alternative translation used when discussing what I disagree with is there is no accounting for taste.

I had heard that Playa del Carmen had closed and thought that they just couldn't make a go of it in the current business environment. After all, Romauldo's is gone and 420 Main as well. On Thinking out loud in Sturbridge, there is a post about the demise of Playa del Carmen. It appears there is a tenant-landlord disagreement. One hopes that it is a resolvable misunderstanding, but that usually is not the case in my experience.

I was there at the birth of PdC. Bob Datz arranged a press luncheon. The owners were hospitable. The food was good enough for the shakedown cruise. I did not find it exciting, but the staff was just getting going and one had no reason to quibble as they did more right than wrong.

So after some time, I went back with my family. It was a disappointment. Be assured, no one wants to see Mexican food succeed in our region more than moi. Unfortunately, the verdict of the fam was bland. Also, the service was poor that night. I can overlook that as not all systems run smoothly all the time. I just never went back because of the food.

After that, when the subject of PdC came up, the sentiment was near unanimous, bland. One person called it the Rom's of Mexican food. I liked Rom's, as did a lot of people. We were under no illusions that we were in La Toscania, but value for the money, it was okay. PdC was not going to get that pass. Everyone always expects more of the new guy in town. More so as everyone had been waiting so long for Mexican to arrive.

Now, I did hear from some locals who liked Playa, so it was not without its fans. Nevertheless, I just finished processing the habaneros I grew, so you know what I'm voting for.

Mexican food and I go back a long time. In the early 70s, enjoying an all expenses paid government vacation down south, I discovered the cuisine at the Cafe Puerto Rico. I know what you're thinking, but it served only Mexican food made by a Mexican American family. I never thought to ask about the origin of the name.

Upon separation from the service and returning to Nova Anglia, I sought out Mexican food in Massachusetts. Chain Mexican may be abundant in urban areas now, but there was almost nothing back then. There was a joint in the Brighton area of Boston. Actually, it was a kind of Tale of Two Joints. On one side was Concannon & Sennet's, a working class Irish bar. Not that it had a bad rep, but I'd heard that the bars on the windows were not to stop break-ins. Rather, they were to prevent patrons being thrown out the window due to the occasional altercation. El Phoenix Room, Boston’s only Mexican Restaurant at the time, occupied the other side.

The style of the food was probably not the Mexican you find south of the Rio Grande. It would be called Tex Mex. Still, it was pretty good. In the new millennium, Concannon & Sennet's and El Phoenix have given way to yuppification and the location is now Harry's Upscale Whatever.

Despite the drought of Mexican here, Southbridge had The Flatiron Cafe, located, oddly enough, in the Flatiron Building. It was a great place, a cut above my beloved Brighton dive. Alas, even in the relatively halcyon late 80s, early 90s, it could not make a go of it. The hinterlands were not ready.

The original Playa del Carmen is still open in Holden. With a successful operation up there, they had every right to think the formula would work here. Hey, Holden is a suburb. We here in the exurbs are a little more discerning than our more domesticated brethren.

It was with no little pleasure that I heard that Playa del Carmen would be taking up the space that was Rom's. True, in the end the fare did not excite me. That does not mean it gladdened my heart to see it close. I wish no one who will take a risk and open a restaurant to fail. I do want something with a bit more bite. So Carmen, if you resolve your landlord problemos and make it back, I have only one suggestion, turn up the heat.

Great Time at the Red Barn Market-Pictures and Video

2010-12-12T09:38:00.000-08:00

So we had the market, thanks to Carol Joyce and Sarah Berquist for all your work. I know it's not Sturbridge and I wish something like it went on here, but until it does, I have to make do.

Thanks to Susan Guzik of Honey and Salt for providing high octane coffee.

Amongst the vendors was Roy Mansur, a man of beautiful pictures an portraits renowned in the Valley.

Portia is a regular at this market and has quite a following for her jewelry creations. Hasn't got me to wear any yet. Ah Cheshire Garden's mustards and preserves. Worth coming for by itself. Hope's brought her lovely wooden ware to the right. John Spineti's greenery is good to eat. It's good to grow. Heck, it's good to eat and grow. Jim Pitts has been around forever, but his farm has always been changing and growing in different directions, though his pesto has always been there. His pancakes kept people fed. Carol has herbs for every purpose. She has herbs you need even if you don't know you need 'em.

Video time. Carol talks about the herbs and John gives a recipe.

If you're going to be in Amherst on Saturday, come to the Holiday Farmers' Market and Craft Fair

2010-12-09T05:28:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, December 11th at Hampshire College's Red Barn there will be an array of farmers and crafters who will be there to make your Christmas or any other holiday you celebrate more festive. Heck, even if you don't celebrate, we've got useful stuff.

What's on tap?

~We will welcome back Roy Mansur, our fabulous photographer who creates glorious cards & matted photographs for sale.

~Also delighted to have Sangha Farm coming - they willl bring their creamy goat cheese and unusual, tasty goat cheese truffles (chocolate covered!)

~Don't forget to come by and stock up on potatoes, lettuce, & other veggies from John's Twin Oak Farm. He'll have his beautiful house plants and new this year: lettuce started in pots to grow (& clip for salad) in your kitchen!

~Richard will have his incredible beeswax hand cream that stops that winter dryness & honey from his hives.

~Hope (The Framstead) will have greenery to decorate your home & hand-crafted wooden items (like coasters & cutting boards) to grace your kitchen. She will have local Maple Syrup too!

~Keep an eye ut for Portia who will be hand-crafting her beautiful and affordable jewlery all day long.

~Cheshire Garden will have loads of salsa, jams and mustards...and don't forget her syrups, too! Yum!

~Jim of Delta organic Farm will be whipping up his hot whole grain pancakes for breakfast & selling slcies and whole pies.

~Don't forget that Susan wull have luscious sweets, cakes, organic coffee, and yummy goods at our Farmers' Cafe all day.

~Carl Family Farm will bring lots of crunchy apples for your holiday feast and his local honey.

~White Buffalo Herbs will have herbals, aromatherapy, and love potions! Also she has her annual gift of a FREE ceramic tea cup with every tea order, gift wrapped and ready to go.

So drop by and round out your holiday shopping. We can't wait to see you all!

For the facebook page, go here.

Sturbridge Times Magazine is out, Shameless self promotion-December edition

2010-12-03T07:01:00.000-08:00

The Sturbridge Times Magazine is out, both print and online. This is the monthly notice wherein I, with no shame, tout my unworthy offerings.

George Diaz in one person combines history and artisanship. When I was talking with him at his shop in Southbridge I got a couple of clips of him at work. You can read about him on Page 10.

Below is George planning a chandelier.

Next is George working at the forge. In principle, not much different from the one at OSV. Of course no propane then.

On Page 7 is the story of some serious money made out of the financial debacle we've been going through.

My column on Page 22 is an attempt to be counterintuitive.

I am not the only one writing. There are many entertaining and useful articles that I had nothing to do with. You can read the magazine online by clicking here and downloading a pdf, or you can click on the graphic below to find out where to pick one up.

Enjoy!

Indiana James and the Debacle at Ruggles Mine

2010-11-29T18:05:00.000-08:00

The feeling up at Ruggles Mine last Saturday was somewhat akin to the scene in Madagascar when the Penguins reach their goal and arrive in Antarctica. It's cold, windy and not what they expected. All of a sudden one says, "Well, this sucks." Yup, that was basically it.

There is a video in this post to document the day. An event filled with car accidents, near loss of all crew on the slippery mine parking lot. Fear that we would not make it home and reminders of the movie Alive in case we were to be stuck there forever.

There is also my feeble attempts to keep the language such that families other than the Mansons can watch.

Summer is really over-Amherst Farmers Market done-Red Barn Market coming.

2010-11-26T12:04:00.000-08:00

Yeah, I knew summer was gone a while ago. Still, as long as the market is going, one can be delusional. Especially, as some of the last few markets saw the temps rise to the point that coats, and sweaters were shed. Last Saturday's market was saw a windy and chilly day, but with the sun out, it was wonderful. Sadly, it is all over.

But, wait, there is more. No, we can't stop winter from crashing into us. We can have fun, and we have been having it for 12 years. Below is Carol Joyce telling you about year 13.

So after the Red Barn Market, we can dream of next year's market. We spoke with Justamere Tree Farm, Marian Welch. She and J.P. have been at the market since forever and help make it the unique institution it is.

Sometimes, Sarah Berquist, our market manager, provides the music and sometimes it's ad hoc. At the last market, it was the latter. They were just a bunch of kids getting together for a few tunes, but they were fun.

We'll update about the Red Barn as we get closer to the date

Calling all cinema tough guys. Show what kind of man you are as an Indy James extra.

2010-11-23T17:33:00.000-08:00

Indiana James to shoot at Ruggles Mine way up in New Hampshire on Saturday

It's been a long road for Thomas Pimentel and his band of actors and crew. Finally, it's led to the shaft. This Saturday, November 27, the team will be filming at Ruggles Mine in Grafton, New Hampshire. But, why should Thomas, aka Indiana James and his team have all the fun. Why don't you come along and be part of the gang

Indiana James is looking for a few good men. On previous shoots, it's been a mixed group, but on Saturday, Indy needs guys, bad guys over 18 to be dressed up like police officers
called, the BIKIS, a rogue group of the Police Department. If you think you can be tough on screen, come and have fun.

A few caveats are in order. This is a long way from the Sturbridge area, so check the old mapquest for directions to 286 Ruggles Mine Rd, Grafton, NH 03240 for time and distance. Extras call is 10:00 a.m.
Changing areas will be provided. They do not have rest rooms on site and if you need
to go the bathroom you will have to get in your car and find a place to take care of
business.

WHAT TO WEAR
It will be cold so heavy coats, hats and gloves are advisable. You will be wearing shorts and polo shirts in
the scene. Any layers that you can hide under them are okay to wear. We will have wardrobe available for
actors. Please wear underwear

WHAT TO BRING FYI
Pack yourself a small cooler with drinks and snacks and power bars or whatever keeps you going. We
might not have time to stop and eat. Once we start we probably will not stop. Anyone who comes please
make sure that you have your own car. It will be difficult for you to have someone else pick you up that
late at night especially when we don't know when we will finish. We will take breaks if we can.

Bring cell phone chargers that plug into the wall or your car chargers. We don't want anyone out of
contact or stranded after the shoot.

Everyone has always had a good time at an Indiana James and the Raiders of the Lost Shaker of Salt shoot. For more information, go to the extras website. RSVP to Indiana James.

full disclosure, I have the defining role in the movie, er, I have a small part.

Meeting to Save the Casino

2010-11-15T07:56:00.000-08:00

On the facebook page, Please restore the Casino Theater in Ware Massachusetts a post was left by the niece of the president of the Ware Historical Society.

There will be a meeting on Tuesday, 11/16 at 10 AM at the Wal*Mart in Ware in an attempt to save the Casino. Would it be possible for you to attend or send along your thoughts?

On November 8th Ware held a special town meeting. ARTICLE 13proposed the irrevocalbe death of the old movie house. It read as follows, To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money for the demolition of the Casino Theater, located at 121 Main Street, Ware, Ma. and to determine the manner of
meeting said appropriation whether by taxation, transfer of available funds, borrowing or any other means or combination thereof or take any other action relative thereto.

As there is going to be a meeting, I assume the article passed.

Fred McLennan, who has purchased the Casino doubts they can do it as they don't own the building. Fred is trying to bring the theater back. the town moms and dads seem to have lost patience with him. At one meeting, I heard the call, "Show us the money." Fred has all my sympathies, and he has a daunting task. In truth, he has presented no credible plan.

If you are near Ware tomorrow and want to help save an historical gem of an old movie house, please stop by. Ware claims to be The Town That Can't Be Licked The motto adorns signs on roads entering Ware. Don't let the slogan become, The Town That Licked Itself.

Historic Preservation and Local TV Pilot-The Blackington

2010-11-10T14:40:00.000-08:00

The OurFilmSpace crew has been working on getting new tv going in the Sturbridge, Massachusetts area for a long while now. One of the latest projects is Antique Warriors. Though not limited to the Sturbridge Area, the town is a natural for such an endeavor. Home to Old Sturbridge Village and next to Brimfield of the famed summer antique shows, the location is perfect. Lot of old stuff in the region.

Work on the Antique Warriors series has been going on for some time and there are teaser trailers at the facebook page. On a recent Saturday, the Boston film Industry Examiner followed the AW team at the Blackington Building in Sturbridge.

The Blackington Building is one of those old derelicts that break your heart. It is a gothic structure from 1880 with steep roof tower and dormers. Everyone from the area has driven by it as have the multidudes who exit the pike for Brimfield. It stands out as an aristocrat, but that will not be enough to save it.

Doug and Melinda Kirkpatrick, impressarios of OurFilmSpace assembled a crew to work on savioring the Blackington. They enlisted the camera skills of John Hartman, maker of Bridge Crusader and other movies. Talented as john is, he paled in comparison to the beautiful trio presenting the edifice to the public.

Many people in Sturbridge already know Lindsay Monroe for more than her extraordinary photography. Alicia Zitka was crowned Miss Massachusetts and when you see her as an Antique Warrior, you’ll not wonder why. Tee Whitlow is known as the Woman About Town and she does not suffer from a personality defiency.

Short plot synopsis, Lindsay is showing the Blackington to entrepreneurs , Tee and Akicia. Will they take the challenge?

Below are the behind the scenes videos. Part I introduces Tee and Alicia and we see Lindsay show the building. To see Part II starts with "boots on the ground," well, the floor anyway. Then we interview Tee. Doug comments and John admits to his undying devotion to the Boston Film Industry Examiner.

John, in the words of Phil Connors in Groundhog Day, I may be “a god, not the God.”

Save the Market!

2010-11-07T19:04:00.000-08:00

Okay, Hollywood in Sturbridge is about the Sturbridge and surrounding towns and movies. Still, sometimes your humble impresario branches out to other areas that are of interest to himself.

I have supported farmers' markets in our area both in print and online. However, long before the movement to bring farmers' markets to this region, I have been selling honey and beeswax hand cream at the Amherst Farmers' Market. Certainly, I would be better served now by going to a nearer market, but everyone associated with AFM, customers and vendors, are too wonderful to abandon. A Saturday morning in Amherst during the market season is a pleasure.

Life is good, what is there worry about? Plenty. a construction program is proposed that will lead to moving the market away from the common for 2011 and leave it with constricted space in the future.

Market Pres. John Spineti sent out an email outlining the problem:

SAVE THE AMHERST FARMERS' MARKET

SAVE THE SPRING STREET PARKING LOT

Construction proposed for 2011 to widen the Spring Street parking lot

sidewalks to 14 feet from their current width of five feet will result

in an 18 foot narrowing of the parking lot.

For this construction to take place, the Farmers' market, a 40 year

institution to the life of downtown Amherst as well as Valley residents,

has been asked to VACATE the lot for the entire 2011 market season.

Further, there will be a loss of four parking spots in this redesign of

the lot. The elimination of the four parking spots will result in four

farmers (vendors) losing their spaces. It does not seem reasonable.

Additionally, putting cars nine feet closer to traffic moving through

the lot obviously makes it more difficult for motorists to exit parking

spaces. Finally, to lose parking space and revenue when the cost of

creating parking space is so high and when recent news has focussed on a

scarcity of downtown parking is counterintuitive.

I am asking for public support to oppose this construction project.

Please contact the Select Board members and show your support for the

Amherst Farmers' Market.

John Spineti

President

Amherst Farmers' Market

I caught John and market manager Sarah Berquist on video explaining what's at stake and what can be done. Also, on the vid is a sample of the music on tap at last Saturday's market and one of the vendors is moved to dance.

So write a note to the select board letting them know that you support what is a valuable asset to the town and region at:

Amherst Select Board

4 Boltwood Avenue

Amherst, MA 01002-2301

suggested letter:

SAVE THE FARMER'S MARKET
SAVE THE SPRING STREET PARKING LOT

I oppose the construction of the 14' wide sidewalks along the Spring
Street Parking Lot. The dislocation and disruption of the market during
the 2011 market season and the loss of four parking spaces will hurt the
market.

____________(print name)

____________(signature)

____________(address)

The link to the farmers' market website is here. The facebook link is here. More info should be coming.

Sturbridge Times Magazine is out, Shameless self promotion-November edition,

2010-11-05T05:36:00.000-07:00

The Sturbridge Times Magazine is out, both print and online. This is the monthly notice wherein I, with no shame, tout my unworthy offerings.

We may have lost Peter Morin, but the Rimscha Concert Series still lives in Sturbridge, and on Page 18.

On Page 16, Normand Gibeault may or may not be shy, but he certainly is not retiring.

Read about educational sticker shock in my column on Page 26.

I am not the only one writing. There are many entertaining and useful articles that I had nothing to do with. You can read the magazine online by clicking here and downloading a pdf, or you can click on the graphic below to find out where to pick one up.

Enjoy!

OSV announces More Beautiful Than Any Other: Quilts from the Old Sturbridge Village Collection (SturbNew Old Sturbridge Village Antique Quilt Exhibit

2010-11-04T05:56:00.000-07:00

Passing on an OSV press release FYI for all you quilt lovers out there. You know who you are!

More Beautiful Than Any Other: Quilts from the Old Sturbridge Village Collection

(Sturbridge, Mass.) Nov. 2, 2010: For the first time in more than 10 years, antique quilts from the Old Sturbridge Village collection are out of storage and on display to the public in a newly opened exhibit, More Beautiful Than Any Other: Quilts from the Old Sturbridge Village Collection. Rare quilts from all over New England are featured, along with a variety of period quilted garments, including petticoats, hoods, coats, and period sewing tools and accessories.

The exhibit title refers to a silver medal-winning quilt made by a “Mrs. D. Baker” judged to be “more beautiful than any other” at an exhibition held at Faneuil Hall in Boston on September 20, 1841. Both the award-winning quilt and Mrs. Baker’s silver medal are part of the Old Sturbridge Village exhibit. The oldest quilt on view dates to 1793. The exhibit is free with museum admission, and will be open through June, 2011. However, since the fragile quilts can be displayed only for a limited time, a new group of the museum’s antique quilts will replace those currently on exhibit in February, 2011. For details: 800-733-1830;www.osv.org.

Exuberant colors

Quilting, the art of stitching together layers of fabric and batting to create a warm bed covering or garment, has a long history in New England. Not only was it a quilting practical way for New Englanders to keep warm and comfortable during the long, cold winters, it was also an expression of style. “Early New England quilts often featured exuberant colors and bold patterns,” says Rebecca Beall, collections manager at Old Sturbridge Village. “People today who are used to seeing old, faded quilts are often astonished at just how bright the original fabric colors were.”

Part of the OSV exhibit is an 1823 fabric swatch book that shows the true depth and tone of the period fabric colors. “Because the swatch book was kept closed for nearly 200 years, the rich hues and bright patterns of the fabrics inside have survived in nearly original condition,” Beall notes. Another good example in the exhibit of the bold, bright patterns popular at the time is an 1835 quilt from the Capen family in Stoughton, Mass.

Artistic skill and embellishments

In addition to elaborate patterns and intricate stitches, some quilters incorporated other artistic embellishments in their designs, such as theorem painting, or stenciling, which was popular in early New England. An example of this is a stunning eight-pointed star quilt stitched in 1837 quilt by Clarissa Moore of Eastfield, Conn., who stenciled her name, date and other decorations on the quilt.

Distinctly New England

New England women began to depart from English quilting traditions, adopting different piecing and stitching techniques. “One practical and distinctly New England innovation was the T-shaped quilt, which had cut-outs at the bottom to better fit around the bedposts,” notes Jean Contino, coordinator of households, horticulture and women’s crafts at Old Sturbridge Village. Some survive with the original ties in place, such as a pieced star quilt from the OSV collection made in 1849 by Betsy Lyford of Brookfield New Hampshire.

Early piecing

Period pieced quilts sometimes included dozens of different printed fabrics, including new fabrics, scraps, and fabrics re-used from old gowns or bed hangings. When the American textile industry boomed, the price of printed cotton cloth plummeted, and by the 1830s, women could buy American-made cottons for as little as four or five cents per yard, so they often purchased fabrics specifically for a quilt. Two good examples of early pieced quilts in the Old Sturbridge Village exhibit are an 1835 quilt from the Wilbur family of Swansea, Massachusetts, and an 1808 hexagonal patterned quilt made by Phebe Winsor of Johnston, R.I. Today, the hexagon pattern is often called “Grandmother’s Flower Garden,” and early names for the pattern were “Mosaic,” and “Honeycomb.”

Sentimental inspiration

Sometimes quilters used scraps from other garments not for frugality, but for sentimental reasons. Many early quilts contain fabrics that had significance to the makers and were remembrances of family and friends. An unusual example of this is a quilt on display made by Nancy Newton of Marlborough, N.H. sometime between 1825 and1850. The centerpiece of the quilt is a silk-embroidered linen “pocket” made in the 1700s that perhaps was a cherished heirloom handed down from the quilter’s mother or grandmother. (Pockets were worn by ladies around their waists under their gowns). The rest of the quilt’s design uses motifs from the centerpiece pocket.

Conspicuous consumption

The oldest quilt on display in the Old Sturbridge Village exhibit is a 1793 wholecloth wool quilt from the family of Elizabeth Mather of Sandisfield, Mass. At the time this quilt was made, the practice of displaying beautiful, high quality quilts demonstrated the owner’s wealth and taste. Quilts adorned beds in the best room of the house -- a room that was used for dining and entertaining as well as for sleeping.

Affordable affluence

Later, as British and American textile mills produced an increasing variety of printed cloth, wholecloth cotton quilts became a fashionable and affordable way to dress a bed, and the printed fabric, not the quilting stitches, became the focal point of the quilt. An example of this “affordable affluence” is a reversible quilt from Springfield, Mass. made between 1820-25 featuring a fabric patterned with tree branches and exotic birds.

Cradle comforts

A number of the quilts on exhibit at Old Sturbridge Village are cradle quilts, which show the same techniques and styles as their full-sized counterparts. “Cradle quilts were sometimes made by an older sister practicing her sewing skills before undertaking a larger quilt,” notes OSV’s Contino. “And unlike the pink and blue colors traditionally used for babies today, there was little distinction between color palettes for boys and girls in early New England.”

More Beautiful Than Any Other: Quilts from the Old Sturbridge Village Collection will be on exhibit through June 30, 2011. Old Sturbridge Village has one of the largest textile collections in the northeast, with more than 6,000 pieces, including 250 quilts of all sizes, dozens of quilted garments, and hundreds of other bed coverings, such as blankets, sheets, woven coverlets and counterpanes (summer bed coverings).

The overall Old Sturbridge Villager artifact collection of more than 60,000 artifacts. The museum celebrates New England life from 1790 – 1840, and is one of the oldest and largest living history museums in the country, with 59 antiques buildings, three water-powered mills and a working farm. The museum is open year round, but hours change seasonally. For details: www.osv.org; 1-800-733-1830.

Tomorrow is the last day of the West Brookfield Farmers Market

2010-10-26T09:27:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is the last day of the West Brookfield Farmers Market. It has been a great first season, but this can't go on forever.

Wednesday will be warm, but we risk a shower, but you won't melt. Come to the market and show what your made of.

Shameless self promotion-October edition, Also debut of mon fils as author!

2010-10-03T15:26:00.000-07:00

The Sturbridge Times Magazine is out, both print and online. This is the monthly notice wherein I, with no shame, tout my unworthy offerings. There is at least one article that I can tout with a bit of pride.

My Son, Ciarán, spent the summer in China on a project as part of his studies at WPI. He was working with Caterpillar, but he also learned a lot about the Chinese nation and people. His article is on Page 9.

On Page 14, I am not trying to scare anybody, but at the end of October, things will go bump in the night and you should be prepared.

Do you think that Roger Clemens injecting some stuff to whiff a few extra batters is a crisis of the Republic. Well, maybe you don't want to read my column on Page 22.

What's hot and what's not in Sturbridge Country? See the Best of Greater Sturbridge Awards. The readers have spoken. Go to Page 14.

I am not the only one writing. There are many entertaining and useful articles that I had nothing to do with. You can read the magazine online by clicking here and downloading a pdf, or you can click on the graphic below to find out where to pick one up.

Enjoy!

Antigonish, the movie to be made in North Adams

2010-09-30T19:16:00.000-07:00

I love the poster for the upcoming movie, Antigonish. I can't tell if it's the Swallows returning to Capistrano or the Seagulls returning to Antigonish. Not that it matters, as it evokes the dark aura I believe the filmmakers are aiming at.

Antigonish

Yesterday, upon the stair,
I met a man who wasn’t there
He wasn’t there again today
I wish, I wish he’d go away...

When I came home last night at three
The man was waiting there for me
But when I looked around the hall
I couldn’t see him there at all!
Go away, go away, don’t you come back any more!
Go away, go away, and please don’t slam the door... (slam!)

Last night I saw upon the stair
A little man who wasn’t there
He wasn’t there again today
Oh, how I wish he’d go away

What was Hughes Mearns getting at when he wrote that poem? It was inspired by a ghost haunting a house in the town of Antigonish up in Nova Scotia. Originally part of a play Mearns had written for an English class at Harvard, it is often called The Little Man Who Wasn’t There. Hardly surprising that.

The poem has had an influence in popular culture. The movie starring Billy Bob Thornton took its title from the poem. It was made into song, listen to a Glenn Miller version here.

The words of Antigonish present a conundrum. How can someone be there and not there at the same time. Ah, but such a problem spells opportunity for the artist. The possibilities are endless.

Just where would someone go who could go just about anywhere with the plot? This is the question facing the team of Alexis Rosasco (IMDB) and Christopher Grace (I MDB) who are making the movie, Antigonish. Alexis, a Williamstown native and graduate of the School of the Museum of Fine Arts has written the script. Christopher, director of Boston Film Festival entry, Third Shift: Michael’s Lament, will be at the helm when cameras roll.

Alexis, recently in Kevin McDonald’s Witching Hour, will also play Rachel Ames. Rachel is an eccentric young artist with a bored and disgruntled husband, Gerry. The not so happy couple is having some problems. Gerry has resorted to adultery. Always a sure method to simplify ones life.

Rachel is getting some guidance from James who is described as “a sweet art student and temporary library clerk.” That with the addition of an “intimate working relationship with jock-turned-art model Kyle” should provide some twists and turns that can only become complicated. With this setup, the therapy provided by stern marriage counselor can’t be that exciting.

Can Rachel and Gerry come to terms? Will Rachel find peace from the roaming hubby? Or is the source of her problems deep inside her? Calling Doctor Hitchcock.

Antigonish will not be filmed in the town the poem is named for. Rather, the venue will be the beautiful Berkshires of Western Massachusetts. This is a dark movie, so despite all the lovely locales, the work will be done in the old mill town of North Adams starting in 2011. As a small city, it might bear some resemblance to the Canadian town.

Other cast members include, Kyle Wilker as James, Ellen Soderberg as Sarah, Gina Gesamondo asAndrea, Rich Manley as Kyle.

Academy award winner Loren Miller will direct the editing with Nick Beaubien assisting.

David Palmacci is art director, and William Koroskenyi is in charge of music.

The Antigonish website is here. We’ll be keeping track at the Boston Film Industry Examiner so check back

Again, I must lament not that movies are being made elsewhere, but that they are not being made in Sturbridge Country.

One week left, don't miss the Big E

2010-09-25T17:51:00.000-07:00

The Big E

3rd Shift: Michael's Lament premiere at the Boston Film festival was the highlight of the season

2010-09-23T16:08:00.000-07:00

And the post screening social at W Lounge was a hit too. Okay, this is a bit of shameless self promotion. I had a small part in this movie. Congratulations to the people who made it. We should be making movies in this area. But it is not happening. Oh Well.

Last Monday, September 20th was a sunny, windy day for a movie made entirely at night to premiere. No matter, it was a pleasant contrast for everyone in the audience at the 26th Annual Boston Film Festival. It was even more so for the cast and crew in attendance at the Stuart Street Playhouse in Boston. When the last of the credits had rolled by, they had every right to feel good about 3rd Shift: Michael's Lament.

Christopher Grace, the director, described 3rd Shift as Neo Noir, or for the non francophone, New Dark. Dark it is. Mark Vos' Michael has much to lament of his life. He has a secret that not even the people closest to him know Then again in Michael's case, closest does not mean close.

The secret is horrible. Michael is a walking disaster area. He knows it and would end it if only. If only. We're he caught, no jury, or god would spare him the maximum torment. Yet for all that, our Michael is a sympathetic character. When you see the movie, you will want him to be able to find some resolution, even though one can see what he is a mile away.

Ally Tully plays Clara with heart. She loves Michael, and he is not without feeling for her, but that will not bode well for her destiny. Franz Strassmann is Frank, Michael's boss at a movie theater. We meet him with his paramour, Marie, a high class call girl played by Liz Eng. Frank seems to be in control, but events will eventually unnerve him. Gianna Simone is intense as Patty, a street walker oppressed by Zito, a bad actor played by good actor, Eric Eastman. Gianna and Michael go back a long way and her tragedy will be his tragedy. As if he needed more.

Shelly Whittle, Marv, the diner cook is likeable even as he doles out the near edible "slop." Michael Reed and Nicole Trychon are effective as an obnoxious couple. Kachina Dechert as Silver, does not have the proverbial heart of gold as Patty's replacement. Anny Rosario as Lucy makes the bad choice to put the moves on Michael.

Everyone else in the cast and crew deserves recognition. Instead, click here to go over to imdb where almost all of the cast is listed.

Enjoy the video. It consists of Christopher Grace telling how he gets work out of actors. Marc Vos plays Christopher as a dramatic role. Gianna Simone talks about life, movies and being an adult in film. Eric and Emily Eastman as well as Leo Kei Angelos speak. Also, who is more glamorous, Emily or Eric?

The Red Maple Inn-Gourmet Haven in Spencer

2010-09-11T08:21:00.000-07:00

Red Maple Inn

Review from 2008-Burning Up the Air-Jerry Williams and talk radio

2010-09-04T08:57:00.000-07:00

Review of Burning Up the Air-The Jerry Williams story

Shameless self promotion-September edition

2010-09-03T11:30:00.000-07:00

The Sturbridge Times Magazine is out, both print and online. This is the monthly notice wherein I, with no shame, tout my unworthy offerings.

On Page 12 is the story of Wally and Michelle Connors and Socks for Siberia. Talk about people with big hearts.

Ridge Shinn is passionate in a measured way about what he believes in. Read about him on Page 16.

Think our regional salvation will come with building a casino? Think again. Others have thought it was a sure fire plan. How'd that work out? Read the Review of Havana Nocturne on Page 19.

Got a buck? Maybe you too can overpay for a national news magazine. Read about it in my column, Musings From Long Hill Road on Page 26.

Enjoy.

I am not the only one writing. There are many entertaining and useful articles that I had nothing to do with. You can read the magazine online by clicking here and downloading a pdf, or you can click on the graphic below to find out where to pick one up.

BT's Smokehouse is looking for counter help

2010-08-30T05:17:00.000-07:00

BT's, the home of excellent BBQ, posted this on their facebook page,

The Girls have gone back to school and we need some counter/register help. Long days and weekends required.

So if you live in the Sturbridge area and are reliable and have time, this could be your job. Better you hate BBQ because the aroma would be torture to, say, a pulled pork or ribs lover.

Tell Brian, you saw this at Hollywood in Sturbridge.

Location:: 392 Main St. Sturbridge, MA 01566
,
Phone:: 508.347.3188, 508.344.6537
Mon:: 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Tues:: 10:30 am - 8:30 pm
11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Wed - Sat:: 10:30 am - 8:30 pm
11:00 am - 8:00 pm
Sun:: 10:30 am - 8:30 pm
12:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Farmers Market at Sturbridge Market Place outside the Old Mill tomorrow

2010-08-28T13:49:00.000-07:00

The weather promises to be perfect tomorrow, Sunday, August 29, for the Farmer's Market at the Sturbridge Marketplace by the Falls, 559 Main Street, Sturbridge. Hours are from 9-2. Support local favorites Roots Bakery (Kerri Fairbrother), Overlook Farm, Little Rest Farm, Bev's Beads, Max's Munchies (dog treats), Second Chance Bakery and Gifts and more! Buy local and be a local hero.

Come by to chat about the buying club. They would be more than happy to answer any questions and suggest great products.

Another vendor at the West Brookfield Farmers Market-Ragged Hill Orchard

2010-08-25T19:59:00.000-07:00

Ragged Hill Orchard of West Brookfield is a newer vendor at the West Brookfield Farmers Market, arriving after the Sturbridge Times Article. They were there today despite the damp weather to greet the ready customers.

Apples and peaches were on sale and going well.

Shameless self promotion-August edition

2010-08-07T09:57:00.000-07:00

The Sturbridge Times Magazine is out, both print and online.

On Page 10 is the story of the new West Brookfield Farmers Market. It was a struggle to get it here, but worth it.

The Food of the Sun at Spencer's Red Maple Inn is profiled on Page 14.

My Column, wherein I attempt to save homeowners from folly is up on Page 22.

Enjoy.

I am not the only one writing. There are many entertaining and useful articles that I had nothing to do with. You can read the magazine online by clicking here and downloading a pdf, or you can click on the graphic below to find out where to pick one up.

Pictures from the West Brookfield Farmers Market

2010-08-04T12:28:00.000-07:00

The West Brookfield Farmers Market Article written for the Sturbridge Times Magazine is out . Below are the pics that did not make it into the piece.

The Star Coop Farmers Market is back.

2010-08-02T11:10:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, August 1, the Farmers Market returned to the Fiskdale Mill Marketplace parking lot. A steady stream of visitors came by and had some nice goods to choose from.

Sangita Desai had Indian designs and Henna tatoos.
The Jewelry Lady was there for the fashion conscious.
Second Chance Bakery was there to feed the inner man and woman.
Overlook Farm had fresh produce.
Kerrie Fairbrother brought those delicious scomes.
Dog treats for your puppy.

Saving the Casino-Crunch time for Fred

2010-07-29T11:53:00.000-07:00

In attending the meeting of the board of selectman in Ware last night the conclusions are inescapable. The engineering report was presented via powerpoint. Fred disputed it, the board does not.

However much I want to agree with Mr. McLennan, it is clear that the board have the power and are impatient.... They have said present the Casino plan in a reasonable time frame (not exactly defined by either side). Still, it was obvious the town government will not give way.

Stay tuned

Will Brocktonitis come to Ware?

2010-07-28T08:00:00.000-07:00

Brocktonitis is a term to describe a dying Massachusetts city. It signifies the downward spiral as municipal management is more interested in managing the decline than doing something imaginative.

Ware is not even a city, yet some in the town want to infect it with that dreaded disease. Brockton always seemed to equate destruction with progress much as the Ware River News does. If you think that is a great policy, please take a ride through downtown Brockton and view the gaping holes of progress.

If you disagree and think saving the Casino is worthwhile, come to the Special Meeting of the Board of Selectmen on Wed, July 28, 2010 in the Selectmen’s meeting room from 7 – 9 p.m. The meeting is listed as a "Public Informational Meeting in regards to the Casino Theatre”.

Ware River News joins the bandwagon for the Casino's destruction

2010-07-26T18:00:00.000-07:00

There is the famous line of Tacitus, the Roman author, about his country's wars of conquest,

solitudinem faciunt, pacem appellant

Translated, it means "They Make a desert and call it peace.

The July 22 Ware River News editorial more or less takes the same tack as regards the Casino Theater in Ware. Their comment,

"Don’t let nostalgia involving a lost building get in the way of progress." They make that statement full in the knowledge that they have no idea what progress is other than destruction. Later on in the editorial is written, "So what could work here instead of empty parkingspots? That’s up to the experts to envision." They never tell who the experts are. How much is this paper part of Ware? It is owned by a company that run many papers in many towns. The editor has positions on other papers in other towns. Does he know or care about the Ware? Has he ever lived in a town with its own movie house?

Then there is this comment, "the Casino Theater is arguable (sic) the most visible and valuable piece of commercial property in the entire town. A block of prime real estate situated downtown that is leveled and cleared to its foundation does not come along very often."

I do not want to be unkind, but have the lads and lasses at the Ware River News been out of doors lately? The pulse is gone in the commercial and residential real estate market. It is especially gone in towns like Ware where industry has fled. Love him or hate him, Fred McLennan is your only game.

Another editorial quote, "Unfortunately, we have already heard the chatter of
turning the Casino Theater into a municipal parking lot, possibly reconnected to the town’s back lot that is almost lost to a jungle of weeds and fencing."

Before, I said I did not want to be unkind. When someone mentions making the Casino part of a parking lot, it is hard to avoid the temptation to bitterness. I never have a problem getting a parking space in Ware. No one ever has trouble finding a space for their car in The Town That Can't Be Licked.

Oh, there was a time that spaces were at a premium. Of course the Casino was open then.

If Ware really does not want to be licked, come to a Special Meeting of the Board of Selectmen on Wed, July 28, 2010 in the Selectmen’s meeting room from 7 – 9 p.m. The meeting is listed as a "Public Informational Meeting in regards to the Casino Theatre”.

Shameless self promotion-July edition

2010-07-09T08:18:00.000-07:00

Well, not much to report for July. The Sturbridge Times Magazine is out and I have only two pieces.

On Page 12 starts an article about 4-H in the region. Two wonderful clubs, the Quaboag Clovers and Animals, Animals and more Animals, are high lighted.

My column is on Page 18.

Enjoy.

I am not the only one writing. There are many entertaining and useful articles that I had nothing to do with. You can read the magazine online by clicking here and downloading a pdf, or you can click on the graphic below to find out where to pick one up.

It's here, It's great-The West Brookfield Farmers Market

2010-07-06T08:32:00.001-07:00

The first installment of the West Brookfield Farmers Market took place last Wednesday on the Common. It was a great success and Amy Dugas deserves congratulations.

Want a good time? Come tomorrow, June 7 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and stay for Concerts on the Common afterward.

Feast and Fire

2010-06-20T19:01:00.000-07:00

I tried to post the Feast and Fire Poster, but it showed up only once when I brought up the blog. So below is text of what will happen from the Merchants of Sturbridge website:

Join us as we celebrate an old fashion Independence Day FEAST & FIRE on the Sturbridge Town Common. Parade, Music, Food, Fun, and Festivities all capped with a large evening Bonfire behind the Publick House Historic Inn.

The celebration begins with a Parade - led by a Bagpipe Contingent -originating at the Sturbridge Host Hotel, traveling West to the Visitor's Center, then back East along Main Street - ending at the Town Common. Events Details can be found here.

Have an old fashioned Narragansett Lager Beer and meet the Gansett Girls.

Please take a moment to review the FEAST & FIRE Sponsor List here.

This is truly shameless self promotion-Also, casting call

2010-06-13T18:59:00.000-07:00

Okay, every month I shamelessly plug my articles and the Sturbridge Times Magazine. Some my consider that bad form, which is why it is shameless. Now, we hope to go a bit lower and plug an independent film I am part of. Recently, I've worked on a series of interviews and they are up at the video blog of the movie, Indiana James and the Raiders of the Lost Shaker of Salt. Below is the first effort, an interview with the leading lady.

The Link is here.

There is also a casting call coming up, so if you would like to be in a movie, read below.

ACTORS WANTED Various Roles Action/Adventure/Spoof (Boston/Medford/Salisbury, MA)

Seeking actors for various roles in a feature length film, Indiana James and the raiders of the
Lost Shaker of Salt. Indiana James is an action adventure spoof currently shooting in and around
Massachusetts. All roles are for NON-UNION actors and all roles are UNPAID. If you are picked for
Indiana James this is what you will receive as compensation.

1. Role in the film.
2. Credit.
3. Head shot and resume posted on production company website at www.take12tom.com.
4. Copies of still photographs for publicity.
5. Copy of finished DVD.
6. Invite to premiere for friends and family. We are currently looking to fill the following roles.

Captain Lastmango: BLACK MALE ship captain 30-65 years old. One day of shooting in Fall
River,MA.

Chocolate Moose: BLACK MALE ship mate 30 - 50 years old.

Police Officers: Men and Women 18-45 years old. WHITE and BLACK. Comedy roles. You will be
required to wear bike shorts and combat boots. We don't want people to think they are playing
Miami Vice roles. Good sense of humor. Lots of action, shooting weapons, several days of
shooting for the Police Officers. Night and day shoots. Athletic and physical types would be
preferred.

Jungle Natives: Men and Women. All Races. Dress in grass skirts and have body paint applied to
arms and faces. Must be able to run over uneven ground. Two days of shooting.

Pirates: Men and Women. All Races. Several days of shooting. Lots of action. Chases and sword
fights.

Cancun Drinkers: Men and Women. All Races. Mostly background work but many people will be
given one-liners for comedy scenes. Close ups needed. Several days of shooting.

Beautiful Daughters. Women. All Races. Ten beautiful girls needed to play the daughters of one
of the main characters. Two days of shooting only. Salisbury Beach. Must wear bathing suits.
Good sense of humor and not shy.

Submarine Captain: Man. 30 - 65 years old. One day of shooting. Fall River, MA.

Singers and Dancers: Men and Women 16-65 All Races Needed for musical number. Small
choreography needed. One day of shooting. Two to rehearse.

Zombies: Men and Women. All Races. One night shoot in Salisbury,MA.

University of Mixology Students: Men and Women. All Races. 18-35. Two days of shooting.
Student body of the New England University of Mixology.

No acting experience required. Fun, good natured, energetic individuals who are looking to be
part of an amazing movie. Many of our actors stay with us for a long time and become involved in
other projects with TNT LTD. PRODUCTIONS. Send head shot and resume to
take12tom@yahoo.com. Go directly to www.indianajames.com for info about the film. Casting
calls link can be viewed at www.take12tom.com/indianajamescastingcall.html We look forward to
working with you.
take12tom@yahoo.com
Click on link here to email head shot and resume or ask us any questions.

Tell Tom You heard about it at Hollywood in Sturbridge.

Shameless self promotion-June edition

2010-06-07T08:16:00.000-07:00

June is busting out all over. Mostly so far with some big electrical storms. Fortunately, the Sturbridge Times is out for the month, and, I've been going to the dogs. On Page 10 we visited Kathy Menard's Compatible Canine to watch Veterinarian Bud Allen bring his Western Mass acupuncture and chiropractic expertise to bear on Sturbridge area pets.

The Inn at Restful Paws is the place to go if you want a luxury B&B that accepts dogs. Actually, it could also be termed a deluxe spot that the pups can bring the folks. Read about the Korny's Holland retreat on Page 14.

My column is on page 18 and deals with the end of the world, or our world anyway. It is more prescient than I had intended, what with a number of recent tornado warnings.

I am not the only one writing. There are many entertaining and useful articles that I had nothing to do with. You can read the magazine online by clicking here and downloading a pdf, or you can click on the graphic below to find out where to pick one up.

A paying gig, just down the street in Brooklyn, CT

2010-06-06T06:40:00.000-07:00

We at Hollywood in Sturbridge wish there were more movies being made here in Sturbridge Country, but Brooklyn isn't too far, just past Pomfret.

Actually, there's more than one possibility. You have the opportunity to be cast or crew.

We'll let the DP tell you all about it.

From Rajah Samaroo,

The Casting Call:

I'm DP on M.E.S. Production's newest film His Take on Her, a dark comedy short film shooting in early September. We are holding an open casting call at the Brooklyn Coffee And Tea House this Saturday, June 12, 2010 from 1pm until 6pm.

There are four main characters that we are holding auditions for:

Steve late twenties to late thirties, smart, given to quick action. Body type: should be fit, athletic, strong, some stunt work experience desirable.

Elena - mid twenties to mid thirties, talented but a bit pushy. Body type: neither very heavy or very thin. Some experience reading poetry is a plus.

Ronald - late twenties to mid forties, intellectual, a tad pretentious, an ability to speak in a refined, eloquent, and erudite manner is necessary.

Pete - fifties, rough, wiseguy, should have a convincing working class accent.

These parts pay $250.

Synopsis:

Steven Bichelle is a talented filmmaker trying to put together his first feature length project with a couple of buddies. Enter Elena Samson a beautiful poet and an aspiring actress. They fall in love but there are complications. Elena appears to be suicidal and one of Steve's buddies is convinced that it's only a matter of short time before she offs herself. To compound matters Elena wants to be in Steve's film but he is very cool to the idea. Can Steve save her, his romance, and his film or will disaster strike?

The Crew Call

We're CREWING up for a Dark Comedy short film shooting on September 4-9 and are looking for a small experienced crew. All roles are paid.

Production Coordinator - experience as UPM or AD, a plus.

Assistant Director

Set Designer

Assistant Camera - follow focus experience a must. Familiarity with the Canon 7D work flow.

Sound Person - must have experience in sound mixing with a few FILM projects.

Gaffer - access to your own crew and equipment, a plus.

Please shoot me a reply message or send your resume to:
contact@edgeinfinity.com

Best of luck,

Rajah Samaroo

DP/Associate Producer, His Take on Her
Film Work: http://edgeinfinity.com/
Freelance: http://rajahsamaroo.com/

Another possible way to support the Ware Casino

2010-05-25T17:55:00.000-07:00

I have not had TV for a long time so this must have occurred at least 20 years ago. It was on Channel 5’s Chronicle. A man was explaining how he had been part of a campaign to save an architectural gem in the west of Ireland. They sold shares in the hotel, restored it and got it up and running. What did participants get for the investment? An upscale looking tie with the company symbol and a promise that they would never see a penny from their investment.

I remembered that when I heard of another idea for saving the Casino in Ware. The thought is that the seats would be sold to people in the community and that could raise the money necessary for the renovations.

This is actually and old tradition here in Nova Anglia. Theaters in Boston from about 1794 thru 1908 were financed through pre selling seats, even auctioning off future seats. In Beverly about 30 years ago EM Loews CABOT theater closed. A few town professionals go together and saved it as "LaGrand David Magic show" they have been to the White House three times, done off Broadway productions and have a full movie schedule. In Maine and New Hampshire have restored old opera houses by pre selling seats.

Outside of our region, there's a Drive In Theater in Pennsylvania (I believe) that closed and the town was not going to let it die. Now the whole town owns the Drive In, and of course they all show up to "Their Drive In." Bet the birth rate is up in that burg.

The end result would be a non profit theater that sort of belonged to the whole town.

The Casino supporters facebook is here.

Support the West Brookfield Farmers Market-Come and vote at the town meeting tonight

2010-05-18T03:55:00.000-07:00

Above, local produce being sold at the Amherst Farmers Market. Let's make this happen in WB.

Tonight the our West Brookfield town meeting will vote on whether to allow a farmers market to happen before the Concerts on the Common. Amy Dugas has been working on this for a while now and the meeting will decide if it will happen.

Okay, I know that going to the town meeting is as much fun as oral surgery, but we all have to take one for the team here. It is at 7:00 pm at the elementary school. Hope you can show up.

Asparagus Festival was a great day

2010-05-16T04:15:00.000-07:00

Picture above: Tony Woodman, expert with heavy equipment selling tickets for a gazebo to support the town bandstand. His wife Cheryl is in the middle of the three behind the table.

The Sun was shining, the temperature pleasant and the West Brookfield Common was packed. If you missed the Asparagus Festival, there are 12 months of regret ahead. Of course you can go out and buy some asparagus and fry it or steam it, but it won't be the same. All the music and events that happened will be a tad difficult to recreate at home.

Congratulations to Amy Dugas and her staff. It had to be an enormous amount of work to put the day on.

Support Amy's efforts to get a farmers market. Come to the town meeting on Tuesday and vote yes.

Tomorrow is the big day-Asparagus Festival in West Brookfield!

2010-05-14T04:49:00.000-07:00

It was at least ten years ago when the first Asparagus Festival was held in West Brookfield. The organizers did all they could, the day came and success. The location on the stereotypical New England common at the junction of routes 9 and 67 could not have been better. The entertainment was local and fun.

So now the festival is a town institution. It is expertly run by Amy Dugas and staff. The weather is forecast as sunny in the 70s. So, take a break from the Brimfield Antique shows and come up to West Brookfield and enjoy some asparagus which will be served all day.

If you want to read more about the day, let me shamelessly self promote the article I wrote last year for the Sturbridge Times Magazine. Click here and then on the left, click on the link to the May, 2009 issue and go to page 5.

Nerd Heaven in Worcester

2010-05-09T07:44:00.000-07:00

When my son was about five or six, he said to his godmother, "Ask me what I'm interested in." Upon the prompted question being asked, he replied, "Robots" I did not think too much about it. We did make a robot costume for Halloween and after an extended time where the interest sustained itself, we new this was his field.

Before he was high school age, he was part of the WPI associated FIRST Robotics Team. FIRST Robotics is a competition founded by inventor Dean Kamen. FIRST stands for, For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology. It is not Battlebots, where machines exist to tear each other apart. Rather, a game is worked up wherein teams of robots work as alliances to defeat another alliance by scoring points.

Ciarán is now a senior at WPI and still is part of the team though the rigorous engineering course of study means he is not as involved as before. Yesterday was the final day of the WPI sponsored Battlecry FIRST event. Teams from all over the country competed.

If you have a child who has a mechanical bent, look to see if there is a FIRST team in your area and point him or her toward it. They will get to spend time with kids who share their interests. It may reap rewards later on. Take it from me, it is a field with more of a future than majoring in history.

The FIRST website is http://www.usfirst.org/

Shameless self promotion-May edition

2010-05-04T09:44:00.000-07:00

The May issue of the Sturbridge Times Magazine has been out for a few days, so it is time to shamelessly self promote. I am less of an underachiever this month than last, but not by much.

Have you been to Capen Hill Nature Sanctuary? It's nearby and perfect for taking a break and seeing a little of nature. You can read about it on Page 4.

On Page 18 my column looks at the upper house of our national legislature.

Of course, it's not all about me:). There are many entertaining and useful articles that I had nothing to do with. You can read the magazine online by clicking here and downloading a pdf, or you can click on the graphic below to find out where to pick one up.

Rimscha Season Finale-Helen and Peter on the edge

2010-04-22T05:19:00.000-07:00

I know this is a bit late, but the evening was so well done, it had to be written about.

“This evening will be a little different and we hope we haven’t pushed the envelope too far”

That was a sentence from the program of the final Rimscha Concert last Saturday evening. Well how far did they intend to go? Something was up as Wally Hall was there to accompany them on drums as well as David Foote, a (horrors) sound engineer.

Actually, it all went rather well. The evening was billed as Classics with a Modern Twist. So , why the sound guy. Helen Morin made use of an electric violin in some of the pieces, or should I say numbers. The evening started off with Contradanza by Mike Batt. Batt is probably known most in this country for the soundtrack of Watership Down. We knew we were in for something different when the drums started to beat and Helen played the electric apparatus as if she had just had six expressos.

Peter played an original composition, Prelude from Rhapsody for Violin and Piano. Mr. Morin has been too modest in not featuring his own work. He should give us some more.

Helen, who has Hungarian roots, played a Gypsy tune, Csardas. She claimed to have played it on the street. I don’t know if one can quite picture her busking.

The program also included a Stephen Foster Medley, music from Carmen as well as works by Beethoven, Puccini, Corelli and Bach. All well done. So no, Helen and Peter, you did not push the envelope too far. Of course, had you added a couple of electric guitars and a strobe light, a rebellion might have ensued.

Stay tuned for the sixth season next October. Visit Rimscha Concert Series website here.

Rimscha Concert Series-Season Finale

2010-04-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

This is your last chance to hear classical music in Sturbridge until next fall. Helen and Peter Morin will perform Classics with a Modern Twist tomorrow, April 17 at 7:30 p.m., in the St. Joachim Chapel of St. Anne/St. Patrick Church in Sturbridge MA.

Helen on violin and Peter on Piano are a duo not to be missed. It has been a great season. The chapel is located at in the Parish center building, near the entrance from Rte 148/Brookfield Rd. (on the road connecting Church St. to Rte 148) .

Shameless self promotion-April edition

2010-04-09T08:55:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, for april, I don't have all that much to shamelessly self promote. Just my column on Page 22. It's the tale of how I changed my life, again.

Just because I am not over contributing does not mean quality has declined. Maybe the opposite. So give it a read. Click on the graphic to the right to find the places you can pick up a free copy.

“Fat Head” - Now you know, Where’s the Beef?

2010-03-29T11:06:00.000-07:00

At the movie site called EZTakes, you can download movies of different genres that you don't usually get to see. You can read the movie reviews I do for them here.

Below is my review at EZTakes of Fat Head. It is a documentary that eviscerates Spurlock's Super Size Me.

“Fat Head” - Now you know, Where’s the Beef?

Occasionally, I come across a movie I want to love even before I see it. Tom Naughton’s Fat Head is one of those. As a gourmand, it is certain that a movie that says you can eat all you want of what you like will be watched with fervor by those of us seeking justification for our love of meat in quantity.

Naughton starts by pointing out that the obese are not “obese.” Well most of them. The hype about the obesity “crisis” is hype. First he shows footage of morbidly obese, such as they show on the news when a new study saying whaleness is rampant is released. Then he shows an average looking person and points out that according to the studies, that man is obese. Now the man he is showing is himself, and though not skin and bones is hardly corpulent.

Then he goes on to the subject that got him notoriety. He infers, that Morgan Spurlock of Super Size Me fame is a fraud. I’m choosing my words carefully, because there is one simple thing Mr. Spurlock can do and Tom and I will have to admit his bona fides. So Far, he has not done so.

Spurlock claimed to have eaten 5000 plus calories a day on Mickey Ds cuisine. Naughton claims it is near impossible to eat that much a day even at the Golden Arches. Spurlock’s rules were 3 Mickey D meals a day. Eat everything on menu at least once and supersize only when asked.

How’d it go? He was only asked to supersize 9 times. Tom calculates a day went thus,

Breakfast 770
lunch 1450
dinner 1360
total 3580

Now that’s not even 4,000 calories. A supersize day would bring it up to 4,270. Morgie’s nutritionist says he ate 5,000 per diem. What gives?

Well, your man can completely exculpate himself if he gives over his daily food logs. He steadfastly refuses. So is Morgie a fraud? Won’t say I know, but my guess, and Tom does not say this, is that Supersize Me was a good career move. Would you not be tempted to fudge it if you had a chance to be loved by the cool people? Not to mention make some moolah.

He also skewers Center For Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). He never says it, but the term “pious fraud” came to my mind. The face of CSPI in the movie is the team of Michael Jacobson, who looks like he would stab his leg with a fork if he thought he was having fun, and Margo Wootan who does not look like she ever missed a meal.

CSPI thinks the fast food industry is evil and people are stupid. They are not shy about using the coercive power of Holy Mother State to make sure lumpen America live as they would have us.

Now deep down, why do Margo and Mikey do this? My belief is, it’s like Morgie, a good career move. Why eat tofu burgers in silence when you can make it a sinecure? This does not mean they are insincere. All fanatics mean it. Take it from me, monomania runs in my family.

Now we all know transfats are evil. Well, who pushed transfats in the first place? It was a CSPI jihad. Now that we know they are junk, who is suing KFC? CSPI’s motto should be eat nothing, die pure.

Naughton has a lot of fun in this movie, whether it’s standing by a McDonald’s entrance waiting to be forced to eat fast food or lampooning the lawyer who hates that McDonald’s provides free playgrounds in areas that don’t have any, and thus tempts kids.

Cutting out the high fructose drinks is something Morgie, Tom and I agree with, but the aspartame diet sodas are quite another. Aspartame is a trigger for my migraines, but c’est moi and maybe it makes him healthier.

So, yeah, I loved Fat Head. Then again, I believe bacon fat is the olive oil of the north.

Click here to download Fat Head.

If you want a West Brookfield Farmers Market, come to the Town Hall on Tuesday!

2010-03-20T17:02:00.000-07:00

No, the picture above is not from the West Brookfield Farmers Market. However, we live in hope that a scene like this may someday happen here.

There is another meeting scheduled with the selectmen on Tuesday, March 23 at 6:30p.m., Town Hall lower level, to discuss the market again. It appears that a market does fall under the definition of a farm stand and that it will be selling horticultural products and therefore needs a special permit. The permit process is rigorous, and costs about $150.00 (non-refundable) and clearly states that this permit is needed because a “building permit” has been denied. Requirements include:

1.A certified list of abutters
2. Full copy of the deed proving ownership
3. A photograph of the site where the proposed building or addition will be located
4. Boundaries of parcel with dimensions
5. Names of adjacent landowners
6. Outline of buildings with dimensions
7. Setback dimensions of structures
8. Locations of adjacent public ways
9. Existing and proposed sanitary systems
10 Provisions of surface water drainage
11. Landscape features
12. Evidence that all taxes have been paid on property

I hope no one expects Amy to pay out of pocket for the fee, as well as provide 5 copies for review. The 12 requirements above do not seem germane to what is being attempted. I intend to be at the meeting and hope that all the people who support a market and can come will be there. Amy has gotten almost 200 names on petitions, over 15 letters of support from residents, wrote two proposals, one letter and has been to three meetings and still has not received approval. She deserves support, but truly, in supporting her we are really supporting our town.

I hope everyone in town, no matter what position they occupy understands this.