Wednesday, October 28, 2015

A Chance to Experience Live Music from a Bygone Era, Right Here in Maynard!

In celebration of his 100th birthday, the Fine Arts Theatre is hosting a Frank Sinatra tribute, replete with a live band. This traveling show is scheduled to be in Maynard for one night only: Thursday, November 5th, at seven o'clock. Steve Martin, America's favorite Sinatra vocalist, and a fourteen-piece orchestra will take over the stage of the theater to bring you music of this musical legend.

Imagine, right here in Maynard, whether we're young or old, we can jump back in time to experience the music of another era. For me, I'm enjoying imagining that our wonderful historical theater will be giving a sigh of contentment as it's reminded of the heyday of its youth.

Tickets are $28 general admission, or $25 for Seniors. They are available at the box office and must be purchased in advance, so be sure to get yours.

Monday, October 26, 2015

Many Thanks to the Guerilla Citizen

The community of Maynard owes a great deal of thanks to the guerilla citizen who took it upon themselves to take paint to the plywood that has been an eyesore in Maynard for nearly ten years. Person-Who-Did-This, if you're out there and listening, you are a town hero, and we truly appreciate what you have done.

Sorry my picture was poor quality. I was stopped at the light. 

Friday, October 23, 2015

Open Table is on the Move

I got this today. Great news!

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Open Table which has served the greater Maynard community for seven years is moving to a new location.  Beginning on Monday, November 9 we will be located on the first floor of the former Coolidge School at 12 Bancroft Street.  The town of Maynard under the leadership of Andrew Scribner MacClain, Assistant Town Administrator, has been instrumental in assisting Open Table in finding a new location and in making the former school available to us.

Open Table pantry serves an average of 100 families each week, providing them with meat, eggs, dairy products, fresh produce and baked goods in addition to package non-perishable food and household items.  An all volunteer organization, Open Table welcomes all comers to both the food pantry and to their community dinner which is currently served at the Sudbury United Methodist Church on Route 27 on Tuesday evenings at 6 p.m.  

While we are continuing to look for a permanent location in the Maynard area where we can provide both the dinner and the food pantry, we are extremely grateful to both the Town of Maynard and the Sudbury United Methodist Church for providing us with temporary locations where we can continue to offer this critical service to our neighbors.

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Maynard Has a Toy Store

Have you ever lost your glasses and found that they're right on your head? Or maybe you're looking for something on your desk, and even though it's right there in front of you, somehow you keep missing it? That's how I feel about Maynard's toy store. What, you didn't know there was one?!? There sure is. It's right inside the Paper Store.

I think the problem is the name, and maybe even the history. "The Paper Store" says nothing about toys. And if you were a Paper Store customer years ago, then you'll think of pens, stationery, and the daily papers. But this place offers a heck of a lot more than that! Yes, you can get nice holiday cards. Yes, you can buy those really funky Christmas ornaments. Yes, they have lots of Vera Bradley bags. But when I went in there this week, I saw Patriots gear, funky socks, a big display of chocolates, books, picture frames—lots of things.

After stopping in I learned that they are carrying a lot of current books, and that if they don't have the book that you're looking for you can ask if they can order it for you. It will take a little longer, but this is your downtown—you don't need to give your money to Amazon. Keep it right here.

I didn't go into the Paper Store thinking that I'd be writing anything about the place. It was when I was in there, looking for stationery, that I realized just how many toys there really are. Legos, books, puzzles, art supplies and kits, stuffed animals, all kinds of great stuff. Again, if they don't have a product you're looking for, just ask if they can get it for you.

After my visit, I'd like to propose that they add a secondary name to their building—"The Maynard Toy Shop". They could hang it on the side of the building—on the wall that connects to the back parking lot. And they could hang one on the back of the building above the back door.

Everyone loves the fact that we have a real downtown. It's up to everyone to use it as much as possible. You don't need to go out of town to buy every toy gift. You can get it right here in Maynard.

Friday, October 2, 2015

Maynard Fest, Saturday, October 3, 2015, 9:00-3:30. Rain or Shine

Maynard Fest is one of my favorite times of year here. They shut down two of the main streets—Nason and Main— to make way for pedestrian traffic. Vendors, organizations and performers come from different parts of the region to help make this celebration really special.

People have asked bout Oktoberfest and Maynard Fest, and weren't they on the same day? Well, it's late, and I can't tell you what I've heard because I need some sleep. I'll try to tackle it sometime.

6 Bridges Gallery (which I'm a member of) invites you to come and make a bracelet for a few bucks with our artists. This project will be appropriate for kids or adults. Have your kids make them as presents to give to others. Artist Andrew Child will be spinning out cotton candy for a couple of dollars a cone—delicious!

While you're at 6 Bridges, pick up some Maynard Pride. There's something about living here—it just feels like we've got something really special—so special that you just want to wear that good feeling on your chest, or magnetize it to your bumper.

I hope to see you at the festival.

Oh, and thank you to those of you who have come up to me to tell me that you read this blog. It means a lot to me.