Autumn in the North Cemetery.

Sixty miles west of Boston, Massachusetts there is the small New England town of Sturbridge. Located at the junction of I-90 (The Mass Pike), and I-84 it has become known as the "Crossroads of New England". The town was first settled over 300 years ago, and like other small New England towns it has grown just enough over the years to be in a difficult place today. How do we embrace the future without forgetting how we got to our present? How do we attract the right kind of growth, and maintain who we are? And, what about our culture out here in Central Massachusetts?



These pages will cause one to think about how to protect what we have, our future direction, and how to move on in the very best way.


Those thoughts, and other ramblings, will hopefully inspire more thought, conversation, action, and occasionally a smile...

...seems to be working so far

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

A Little Bit Of This And That Kinda Weekend


O
ver the weekend, Jen and I took a ride to the Westville Dam area and put some money on the duckies. We bought a "six quack" of rubber ducks for $25.00, and tossed them into the large swimming pool they had set up. This was all to benefit Harrington Hospital. If one of our ducks were picked out of the pool at the end of the day we would have some cool cash coming to us.

Didn't happen.

On the way back home to check on Mary, who had been taken down with some sort of Ebola like GI thing, we stopped on "Old Route 15", and watched the Lions All American River Race taking place below us on the Quinebaug River. The first boats left Turners Field at 11:00 AM, and it was now about a half hour later, or so, and despite the rain, the participants were having a blast.

Maybe next year I'll try it. First I have to get me a boat, that would help.

The rest of the day was spent maintaining the quarantine at home, and just being there "in case". It helps one to recover so much faster when there is someone else there with you. I can personally attest to that.

By evening the Princess was getting back to normal, and by Monday although she was much improved, she needed something to kick her back into shape again. So, what is the number one thing some people like to do to feel like themselves again?

Go shopping.

We qualified for two MassSave appliance rebate reservations, so off to the appliance store we went. We went to Whitco over in Spencer.

Now, if you have never been to Whitco on Route 9 in downtown Spencer, you really need to. It is a trip. First of all, don't expect a "Best Buy" layout. No, don't expect that all. The store is a collection of turn of the last century buildings along Main Street with big yellow signs with red lettering on them over each window advertising what's on sale inside.

It is tacky as all hell, but too intriguing to ignore, and even better, the style works.

The inside is packed, really, really packed full. The filing system is the bit over here, and some more other there system, but as crammed as this store is, and as unorganized as it may appear, it is very organized. The employees know exactly where everything is, how many in stock, and where to find the price, rebate, and other valuable information in seconds. It is an amazing feat, but if you want kitchen appliances, bicycles, toys, or AV equipment for your home, this is the place you need to visit first.

Besides offering great deals that are comparable, or very often lower than other places offering the same item, the store is very New England. Like a country store for Kitchen Aide, Maytag, and GE, and only a about ten miles away. They install what they sell, and they service what they sell as well. Very important.

So, this Friday the Whitco truck will back into the driveway, and unload a new dishwasher, and fridge for this old house. The kitchen will then be that much less dated, and I'll tackle the other little updates over the summer.

Best of all are the rebates!! Not only did we qualify for the MassSaves rebates, but for sizable manufacturer rebates, too, all told it is $350 for the refrigerator, and $300 for the dishwasher.

Sweet.

And did the shopping make Mary feel better? Yes, it did, and I know I felt great after we saved all that money.

Really great.



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