Ya Think?

I read a brilliant statement in the newspaper today in reference to the Route 15 sewer issue being placed on the TM warrant.

"There's no denying that water and sewer are drivers for economic growth."

Brilliant.

Here We Go Again...

One step forward, two steps back. Seems like the "Sturbridge Shuffle" has been the dance of choice for way too long.

The latest company turning in their dance card...

The Whistling Swan

Property Listing

Click to view larger Sturbridge, MA 01518 502 Main St List Price: $1,800,000 Type: Commercial Type of Commercial: Commercial Status: New Space Available: For Sale Basement: Unknown Stories: 3 Buildings: 1 Total Units: 1 Parking Spaces: 55 Master Bath: Unknown Acres: 0.68 Lot Size: 29,621 Total Sq. Ft.: 13,000 Year Built: 1830~ MLS#: 71033455 View all 1 Photos Description: Historic 5 star Restaurant and Pub located in the heart of Sturbridge. The 30 year established elegant Whistling Swan is located on the main level and the pub style Ugly Duckling is on the second level. Sale price is for building and business and also includes an upstairs apartment.

All Hail And Welcome The Mole People

It's nice to read about a successful company moving into town. Mole Hollow Candles of Shelburne Falls, MA is owned by David and Beth Dunn. The Dunn's bought their first home out here in Sturbridge, and now are bringing the company they bought five years ago to town. Their reason is simple, Sturbridge is centrally located, and offers great highway access for the distribution of their candles. Mole Hollow Candle has been around since 1969, and has now grown to the point where the move makes sense. They will move into space owned by All Star Premium products on Route 20 (Charlton Road).

The Dunn's knew all about Sturbridge's great highway access, and central location because they lived here. They took that information and have used it to their advantage.

I'll bet you you anything there are many other companies out there that desire the same central location as Mole Hollow Candles did, but have no idea where it is, or where to start looking.

Looks like a job for Town Promotion Man, or woman. OK, OK.

Town Promotion Person!

From the rural roads of central Massachusetts to the corporate offices throughout New England, this promoter of excellent highway access, central location to everywhere in New England, and just plain good 'ol New Englandness spreads the message that Sturbridge is ready and willing to take on more industry!

Whoa. So cool. A person just for the sole purpose of promoting what we are, who we are, and what we could be for those companies exploring new opportunities.

Sounds like a paid position to me, or maybe a volunteer position with really great benefits.

In the hands of the right person, this is one position that could be very, very beneficial to Sturbridge.

So, what are we talking here? First, develop a plan. That's simple: Attract industry to town. How? Offer incentives. What kind of incentives? Tax breaks are popular. Help with infrastructure, such as sewer, and water connections. Anything that will get the owners of companies to pause, and look at what we have to offer is an incentive. Something that helps a company out during the moving and settling in phase, and after a period of time, fades away. After all, it is an incentive, not the "gift that keeps on giving."

Then we will need a knowledgeable, motivated person that is willing to work for peanuts. We know the town will not make this a paid position. I know a lot of good, knowledgeable people, but working for nothing is asking for a lot.

Wait!

Maybe one of our multiple business organizations could help out?

The end result? More companies on the tax roles is one thing, and more local folks being employed locally, too, is another. Activity, or in this case, industry, begets activity. More will come if the conditions are right, the locations offer good access, and town utilities.

Yep, those Mole Hollow folks are onto to something. Now, if we could take the torch and do our part we might be able stimulate our own packages here in town instead of waiting for the government to do it for us.

But Wait, There's More...

Submitted by Raoul O. Desy

"Hello and thanks for your informational articles. Here's a little history from Brian Burn's book, "Sturbridge a Pictorial History," copyright 1988, which illustrates the churches in Sturbridge, and includes the same mystery church picture as is at the top of your web site. In the 1800's there were, at one time or another, 3 churches in the vicinity of the town hall.In the 1830's there was a church on the site of what was, when Brian wrote the book, "the present day police station," which we now know, once more, as the old center school. (That church was moved to Fiskdale, next to what is now the Southbridge Credit union on Main Street. Eventually that church was moved to Old Sturbridge Village.)In 1892 there was a church located where the once Sturbridge Candy and Gift Shop, and now Sadie Green's is located. THAT IS THE CHURCH IN YOUR PICTURE. Brian's copy of that picture is in black and white. Yours must have been colorized. The caption under his/your picture reads "Looking west from Town Hall, the spire of the Unitarian Church clears the trees to the right. Just beyond the church is the present highway overpass. ~ Courtesy of Joshua Hyde Library."The church at the site by the town hall, where the Federated Church is today, was a Congregational church which was reported to have 124 years old when it burned down in 1908. The new church (today's Federated Church) was dedicated in 1910 and had extensive renovations done in the 1960's.According to Burns, the town hall was at one time only one story tall (and sixteen feet shorter than it was previous to our ongoing renovation). Needless to say, there were no columns, and a picture in his book shows that. He writes about the town hall: "When the annual fairs took place on the Common, the building served as as an exhibit hall..." interesting stuff..."


Thank you, Raoul! Excellent information. Both you and Bob came to the same conclusion. Now, I am going to have to find another old photo to test the likes of you, Tom, and Bob. --ed.

Could This Be The Hidden Church In The Old Postcard Above?

From Bob Briere:

"HOWEVER--- It appears to be the Unitarian Church location would be the area betwwen the Sturbridge Post Office and Sadie Greens.

Style is exactly the same, but the uphill in the background would have to be where the current Police/Fire complex is. There does not look like Route 15 is there, so it could be an older photo than that road. It also looks to set back further than the church was in my younger days.

But, the steeple is the same except the photo OSV has shows a color difference which is also what I remember. Could have been painted before what i have. And thast is the white area around the oval topped bell openings.

Tell you what-- I will copy the photo I have and send it as soon as I get it done as an attachment in another e-mail.

Bob"