Wednesday, December 26, 2012
A two-alarm fire on Kenmore Road in Stoughton caused extensive damage, but there were no injuries.
Easton fire officials aided the Stoughton Fire Department with a two-alarm fire that caused extensive damage to a Stoughton home on Christmas Eve, according to Stoughton Fire Department officials. The Stoughton Fire Department received a call at 9:13 p.m. on Dec. 24 for a fire at a single-story wood-frame dwelling at 38 Kenmore Road in Stoughton, SFD Captain Don Jasmin said. A fire on the first floor extended in to the attic space, according to Jasmin. The home has extensive damage, but there were no reported injuries to any of the home's occupants or to the first responders who were on scene, Jasmin said. The Stoughton Fire Department was led by Group 4 under the command of Deputy Chief Greg Goldberg and Captain Bob O'Donnell, according …
Monday, December 24, 2012
Check Out the Photo Inside the Foyer of Buddy's Union Villa
For today's column, I needed, of course, to do write one with a Christmas theme. To that end, I was playing with ideas yesterday, but still not sure where I was going. Readers of this column know that I usually, but not always, tie the column to Easton. Then again, stalwart Easton folk believe that it all ties back to Easton, one way or another. So, last night I was at Buddy's Union Villa, and I stopped in front of a photo attached to the wall in the foyer of the entrance on the Unionville Playground side of the highly popular family restaurant. When you walk in, it is to your right. It is a photo the essence of which is family and love and Christmas. The photo was taken about 20 years ago, on Christmas Eve, at the home of Edmund “…
Friday, December 21, 2012
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation is urging residents to drive safety and use public transportation.
During the holidays, we're all in a rush to get to our respective celebrations in Easton and enjoy the holidays. But also during this time of the year, the weather doesn't always cooperate. Information for Drivers With some wintry weather in the forecast, drivers should be prepared to encounter varying roadway conditions as they head to their holiday destinations, according to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT.) MassDOT encourages residents and visitors to drive safely and use public transportation where possible during the upcoming holidays. Although holiday traffic is the worst around Thanksgiving, road conditions can still get pretty congested during peak travel times. “Historically the days surrounding Christmas…
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Consumerism surrounds the holiday season: is greed inevitable, and how do you avoid it?
For those children who celebrate, Christmas' biggest connotation can be a pile of gifts under the tree. With this in mind, a panel of staff contributors at The Chicago Tribune tackled the question of whether it's inevitable to see greed in their kids around Christmastime. The parents weighed in on suggestions to remind kids of Christmas spirit. Among their suggestions? Help your kids round up some old toys to donate to charity before giving them new toys. Sign them up to participate in a community service project. The Tribune's advice got us thinking at Patch about how we were taught or are teaching our kids to be less greedy around the holidays. Some of our suggestions? Find a giving tree and let your child pick a name or two off of it, …
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Does the lovable children's holiday classic send the wrong message? Tell us your thoughts.
In October, Patch asked readers how they felt about one parent's view that "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" condoned bullying. Specifically, blogger DadCamp wrote that the show sends the wrong message to children because of its "continuous teasing and bullying" It's not the first time a parent has spoken out against a classic children's program with such a claim. Last December, news spread that author and special ed professor George Giuliani said that "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" was also a program laden with the theme of bullying, considering how much Rudolph was an outsider due to his glowing red nose. Giuliani, as such, wrote a book titled "No More Bullies at the North Pole," which re-tells the story of Rudolph. What do you …
Thursday, November 29, 2012
A Connection Between Easton And The Big Apple
I guess it is all too easy to lament – but that doesn't mean that easy can synch with what is true and right and proper – that the holiday season has become one mashing of commercialism and fighting and clawing for Black Friday deals and getting first in line, or close to first in line, for the best purchase price for some huge whatever inch flat screen TV. Yeah, laugh at me – as well you should, maybe – that I still hold hands with and hold on to a nostalgia of the holiday and Christmas season that is tied to traditions and festivities that could and were experienced by all – and which lifted the spirits and made happy people and induced smiles – and which did not demand making big purchases at department stores. And, as you know, in …
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Where is Santa? Patch will be offering NORAD's reports about Santa Claus’ whereabouts on Christmas Eve.
Santa Claus is preparing his sleigh and his workshop is putting the final touches on the toys. On Christmas Eve, Santa will make his worldwide trek – and Patch will be there to let you know his location and when he comes to Massachusetts. Check back with Patch on Christmas Eve (Saturday, Dec. 24) and we’ll provide NORAD's latest information about Santa Claus’ location. You can check Santa's current whereabouts with the map above (from NORAD) or by clicking here: http://www.noradsanta.org/en/
Friday, December 23, 2011
What is your favorite holiday movie?
- HOLIDAY GUIDE
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Friday, December 23, 2011
For some, the holidays would not be complete without that movie that only gets pulled out once a year. Whether it's the classic "It's a Wonderful Life" on Christmas Eve, or the 24 hour marathon of "A Christmas Story" usually played by one of the cable channels, holiday movies are an important part of the season for lots of families. What is your favorite holiday movie?
Our Ties To Music, Stories, Religious Observance, and Events From The Past
The essence of feel good and soul enrichment during Christmastime and on Christmas Day is often rooted in childhood and a nostalgia for times past. It never leaves us. In one of the episodes of the hit TV series, Mad Men, broadcast on the AMC network, advertising executive, Don Draper, is making his pitch to Kodak executives for what he thinks should be the name of a new machine Kodak has created that spins and projects, one after another, the images from a cartridge of photo slides on to a screen. Don Draper talks about nostalgia; here is an excerpt from his presentation: Nostalgia - it's delicate, but potent. Teddy told me that in Greek, "nostalgia" literally means "the pain from an old wound." It's a twinge in your heart far more…
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Who are the hardest people to buy presents for?
- HOLIDAY GUIDE
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Thursday, December 22, 2011
You've known these people for years, if not your entire life. Yet sometimes, you just don't know what they'd like. And if they do like whatever you're thinking of buying them, maybe they already have it. The clock is ticking and Chrismas is around the corner and you still don't know what to get. Who in your life is hard to buy for?
Betty Smith
8:10 am on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
I do see your point. more ›