Framingham State College Newspaper Wins Awards

Congratulations to the student journalists at Framingham State College. The Gatepost, the college's student newspaper, was honored recently as one of the top three student-run news organizations in the United States for a story about a campus bomb scare in February 2008.

And the previous month, the newspaper won two first place awards from the Society of Professional Journalists' schools in the mid-Atlantic states region, one for editorial writing, the other for breaking-news coverage.

I cut my journalistic teeth as an editor at another Massachusetts state college newspaper, at Bridgewater State. As a proud graduate of the state college system, I can fully attest that it's often the experience you get, and not necessarily where you get it, that matters most.

The Spring Migration of Classic Cars to Nobscot

In the village of Nobscot, there's no surer sign of spring than the return of classic cars to Riley's Roast Beef on Saturdays. From 2 p.m. until late into the evening, when the weather cooperates the parking lot of the 1950s-style eatery at 911 Edgell Road is crammed with enough beautifully-maintained autos from Model Ts to 70s muscle cars to open a museum. Give most of the owners, often sitting in folding chairs near their beloved vehicles, half a chance, and they'll tell you everything you ever wanted to know, and more, about their cars.

Music from the 50s and 60s blaring from loudspeakers adds to the festive atmosphere, and trivia contests and raffles keep things interesting for both the car owners and spectators. And motorcycle and truck owners are also represented as well. The only requirement is that the vehicle be at least 25 years old.

So stop by, grab a burger and a drink, and enjoy Nobscot's best free outdoor entertainment!

Santa Claus in Baghdad

Framingham's own award-winning filmmaker, Raouf Zaki, has created a beautiful story in only 38 minutes of film. Santa Claus in Baghdad, released in 2008, was filmed almost entirely in our town. Unbelievably, a Baghdad marketplace in the film was actually a set constructed within an empty warehouse on the south side of Framingham.

A tale of sacrifices and the power of a simple gift, the film is being used as an educational tool in schools, featured at film festivals, and other public screenings. At a cost of only about $100,000, Zaki's work was made on a shoestring but is extremely well-crafted, and clearly a labor of love.

Check out the film's web site for a schedule of public showings, or better yet, buy a copy of the DVD to support your local filmmaker!

Framingham's Award-Winning Brewery

Many of you from The Ham and nearby have probably drained a pint or two at John Harvard's Brewhouse at Shopper's World, and enjoyed both the beer and the food there. But did you know that the brewpub has the bragging rights of winning medals at a recent international beer competition?

Head brewer Maria Poulinas took home a gold medal at the World Beer Championship for her Mobay Stout, a Jamaican-style stout brewed with pure Jamaican cane sugar. She also brought back a bronze medal for another stout she created, Atomic Espresso Stout, a coffee stout brewed with espresso beans roasted for the brewpub by the Atomic Cafe` in Wakefield.

Congratulations John Harvard's, and Maria specifically! Save some for me.

A Walking Tour of Historic Saxonville

While driving through McGrath Square in Saxonville, where Concord Street and Central Street intersect, you've no doubt glanced over at the looming red brick mill buildings that once housed the Roxbury Carpet Company. Perhaps you've wondered about the history of the mill and the surrounding buildings with their ornate architectural features. Or maybe you even know a bit about the history of the village, which is the oldest settled area in Framingham, and still retains many of the vestiges of its boom times as a classic 19th century New England mill village.

But it's probably a sure bet there's still a lot you don't know about the history of the village, and that unless you live in the neighborhood, you have not explored it on foot. The view from the sidewalk at two miles an hour is dramatically different than the one you get through your car's windshield at thirty miles per hour.

The Friends of Saxonville offers guided walking tours of the village once or twice a year (usually conducted by yours truly), typically in June or September, as part of their annual Discover Saxonville event.

But now you can easily take the tour on your own, with the new brochure in hand that Friends of Saxonville has published. It contains a map, photos, and descriptions of the village's historic buildings and sites, and is being distributed at various points around town, including the McAuliffe Library branch on Nicholas Road in Saxonville. You can also download a copy at http://www.saxonville.org/walk.htm or request that a printed copy be mailed to you.

So the next nice day that you've got a spare hour or two, or perhaps some out of town guests who want something to do, forget Boston, forget the Freedom Trail, take a look at what your town has to offer in terms of walkable history!

Autumn Fun at Hanson's Farm

The rural country roads in northwest Framingham are one of my favorite places in town to bring visitors, particularly those who think of Framingham only in terms of the asphalt sprawlscape of Route 9.

In my opinion there's no better time than autumn to enjoy the scenic vistas in this undeveloped corner of town, as the changing leaves offer a painter's palette of colors, and the air is crisp and cool after the heat of summer has passed.

While Hanson's Farm and and its popular farm stand, at 20 Nixon Road, is a pleasant destination in the summer months for pick-your-own berries and fresh produce and flowers, autumn is when things really get fun. In addition to picking your own pumpkin out of the fields, you can go for a weekend hayride, or get lost in the Amazing Maize Maze. And every Friday and Saturday night in October, the Haunted Hayride is very popular as well.

In these days when family farms are becoming a rarity, the century-old Hanson's has wisely diversified to make their beautiful property a welcome destination for much of the year, for those who want a taste of the town's agrarian past.

Support your local farmer!

The Ice Cream Stands of Summer

Is there a summer pleasure more sublime than eating ice cream outside on a warm evening? Of standing in line in shorts and sandals, pondering the plethora of flavors listed while you wait your turn at the counter?

Framingham is lucky to have several seasonal ice cream stands where you can indulge and sit outside in the warm months.

Mad Willie's on Route 9 in Framingham Centre is a favorite during the school year for students from Framingham State, right across the street, and attendees at the popular Friday night summer concerts on the town green, just a short stroll away.

Mad Willie's has 20+ flavors, plus other food, including a raved-about lobster roll. There are tables and chairs out front for al fresco enjoyment, although the parking lot and Route 9 beyond are not exactly a quiet and picturesque setting.

Sunshine Farm is technically just across the border from the Ham by a couple of hundred feet, in Sherborn at 41 Kendall Street, but is frequented by many Hamsters, since it's located near the Beaver Street area of the South Side, a short walk from this beautifully located vegetable/fruit/ice cream stand and its adjoining farm.

A third generation family business set on 100 acres, this is by far the most rural setting you'll find to lick a cone around Framingham. Sunshine Farm offers about 30 flavors, including some exotic fruity ones like Pomegranate Chip and Orange Pineapple. Sunshine Farm has picnic tables for outside seating, and offers peach, strawberry, and raspberry toppings made from fruit grown on the farm, which also can be obtained at the farm stand or by picking your own in season.


Gerard Farm on Water Street, midway between North Framingham's villages of Saxonville and Nobscot, has a charmingly rustic ice cream stand that adjoins the take-out food store of this former turkey farm. With more than 30 flavors you're sure to find a favorite. Chocolate Raspberry Truffle was a hit on a recent Hamster research mission.

While turkeys are no longer raised here, you can get roasted-daily turkeys and ducks and other hearty fare to enjoy at home. With ample outdoor seating and a pavilion where you can wait out any passing rain showers, Gerard's also offers a Thursday evening outdoor chicken and ribs barbecue special that attracts plenty of locals.