So many things, so little time!

Sometimes I'm so busy enjoying Maynard's coolness that I don't have time to share everything that's going on. Now I'm forced to try to cram everything, so forgive me for the long post.

Erikson's!

Photo: Andrew Child, ArtSpace

The scoop on the scoops! Erikson's opened for the 2016 season on April 9th, much to people's delight.

Business Hours:
Monday through Saturday 12:00-9:00pm
Sunday's 11:00 - 9:00 pm

Outside of the standards, here are some of the flavors that have been made over the last weeks:

M&M
Mocha Almond Fudge
Snikkers
Strawberry Cheesecake
Purple cow
Dark n stormy

Mill & Main
Mill and Main installed their new signage. Other things: I mentioned in March that Building 10 was razed (that's where the expected courtyard will be). The area is now being cleaned up for its new look. And the area that will be the sort of gateway to the pond is getting cleaned out.

In the past people have come in with plans for various projects. Then it either takes forever, or the plans never come to fruition. It's nice to see that Saracen Properties is diving into this.

I've heard that Battle Road Brewing will be finished later in the summer, and that the boardwalk around the pond may be finished the end of summer 2017.















Jimmy MacDonald's new project
I've given you scoop on Jimmy MacDonald before. He owns three apartment buildings in town. Some disagree with the brick aesthetic of the exteriors of his buildings, others love it. He sure has done the town good by getting rid of some major (even condemned) eyesores.
Most recently (through my own observations), it seems that Jimmy is remodeling a colonial-style property that is opposite the post office on Florida Street. I'm guessing it will be apartments again. It's looking good.

Do you remember the yellowish building that this was? I wish I had a photo to show you.

The Purple House is no longer purple!
I'm not the biggest fan of purple, or asphalt-paved yards, so I'd shake my head whenever I passed  the Purple House when driving round the back of the fire station on Rte. 27. Last year I did a post on purple houses in Maynard. Many of you were good enough to share some that I had missed.

A few months ago I was amused to see that there were others who agreed with me—there was a commercial sign in the window that read "We buy ugly houses!" Yesterday I grabbed a picture of the house, where you can still see the sign in the window. Now there are only patches of the color left. It will be interesting to see what else happens there.

The Murphy and Snyder building got a new window
In November we were all amazed as we watched the plywood get removed from the windows of the Murphy and Snyder building. Here was the post that I did. The joy was brief as we watched new plywood go up in the window. I feared that the owner had done it out of spite because he had been getting phone calls and letters, not to mention the guerilla citizen who had painted the plywood black. Not so! I was glad to see that it was just a lull in the work and that the window was finished during the winter. Hooray! I'm sorry I don't have a picture of that one to share. If I get one, I'll add it to the post.

The Corner Closet got their sign up
It's nice when things feel more permanent, so seeing the Corner Closet's sign on the building made me feel good. If you haven't been in there, there's lots to see. We often think of them as having women's and children's clothes, but there are lots of clothes for teenagers, and clothes (need a suit?) for men.

Photo: Dave Griffin, Confluence Visuals

Don't miss the Spring ArtWalk!
While I've got your attention, I may as well remind you about the Spring ArtWalk coming up on Saturday, May seventh, from five o'clock to seven o'clock. This will be its fourth year, and every year it just gets better and better. There will be music and art in many downtown locations and artists doing there thing outside. River Rock Grill, Blue Coyote, El Huipil, and The Halfway Cafe will be offering 10% off to ArtWalk guests.
In the past there has been an art giveaway based on a scavenger hunt. You can see more pictures from past ArtWalks by clicking here.

The Feline Film Festival is sure to be a good time!
I saw this on my Facebook feed and had to share. "TICKETS ON SALE!!! CaRMaH (Cat Rescue of Marlborough and Hudson)'s long awaited Feline Film Festival will hold their premiere at the Maynard Fine Arts Theatre on Friday, May 20 at 7 pm! Dress fancy or plain, and come join us! We expect a sell out, so order your tickets early—just $10, and all proceeds go to the cats!"

"Diary of a Wimpy Kid" author, Jeff Kinney speaking in Maynard
How cool is it that author Jeff Kinney will be coming to Maynard!!  Many thanks to the Maynard Public Library for helping to make this event happen.

Wednesday, May 4th at 6pm.
Fowler Middle School Auditorium
April 19 at 7:45pm

From the Friends of the Library:
"We're excited to announce that children's author Jeff Kinney, author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series will be here in Maynard!! Jeff will visit the Fowler Middle School Auditorium on Wednesday, May 4th at 6pm.

Kinney is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series of books featuring a middle-school weakling named Greg Heffley, his friends and family. The first Wimpy Kid book was published in 2007 and became an instant bestseller. Now numbering 10 books, the series has more than 164 million copies in print. The books are currently available in 51 editions in 45 languages. In addition, three movies based on the book series have been filmed and the Diary of a Wimpy Kid Musical premiered earlier this month.

Since initial publication in 2007, the series has gone on to win many regional and national awards around the globe including two Children’s Choice Book Awards and five Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards for Favorite Book. Jeff Kinney was named one of Time magazine’s most influential people in the world. Jeff lives with his wife and two sons in Plainville, Massachusetts, where he owns a bookstore, An Unlikely Story."
Full details here.

Big Band at the Fine Arts Theatre

You can see a big band orchestra perform right here in Maynard! The Hal McIntyre Band will be performing a tribute to Peggy Lee, with the vocal stylings of Jody Ebling, Thursday, May 26, 7 pm. Tickets are on sale now at the theatre. 

This might make a great Mothers' or Fathers' Day present!

I grabbed this from the Fine Arts Theatre's Facebook page:

Here's a little history:

"Billed as “The Band America Loves,” the original McIntyre Orchestra debuted at the Glen Island Casino in New Rochelle, NY in 1941, as well as headline venues including New York’s Commodore Hotel, Hollywood’s Palladium Ballroom and Chicago’s Sherman Hotel. During the war years the group regularly played overseas for U.S. troops as well. McIntyre continued leading the orchestra well into the 1950s (including an appearance backing the Mills Brothers on their 1952 chart-topper “Glow Worm”.) Hal died in a house fire at his home in Los Angeles on May 5, 1959. 

With permission from the McIntyre family, Don Pentleton continued the band. Don is the musical director and drummer. He is a veteran Big Band drummer who has also performed with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Guy Lombardo Orchestra, Skitch Henderson, Ella Fitzgerald and comedians Phyllis Diller, Pat Cooper, Frankie Fontaine, and George Jessel." -Maudslay Arts Center, 2015

General Admission: $28, Seniors, $25. Come down to the box office for your tickets.

My dear neighbors, with so many things happening in Maynard you are going to be busy. I didn't get to list everything that's going on, but I hope to see you at many of these great events!