A generous gift…read more George H. Gilbert started a mill back in the 19th century and it did so well that a whole town grew up around it. And of course in honor of George Gilbert the people named the little town Gilbertville. To be technical, Gilbertville is actually a village in the town of Hardwick but it doesn't really matter because nobody really cares. This part of New England has zillions of little villages that make up larger towns and most people don't really know where one begins and another ends. George wanted his mill workers to have access to a nice library so in 1912 he had one build. A very stout and solid looking place, the kind of library that looks like it will last forever. The inside is lovely with nice old furniture, cool windows and lovely ceilings. Lots of art, some obviously by school kids and other paintings of dour looking old dead guys probably painted long ago. The library has lots of different programs for both adults and kids and has been modernized with computers and working wifi. A cool library that still is doing exactly what George built it for back over a hundred years ago.

This touching monument is dedicated to Feeding Hills native Anne Sullivan, who achieved immortality…read moreas the teacher and lifelong companion of Helen Keller. Their relationship was the subject of "The Miracle Worker" which existed as a Broadway Play, a Television Special, and a 1962 movie that won Academy Awards for Anne Bancroft (as Anne Sullivan) and Patty Duke (as Helen Keller). Sullivan taught the deaf-blind Keller to communicate by using fingertip signals to spell out words. The memorial expresses how this was done as Sullivan spelled the word "water" in one of Keller's hands while running water on her other hand. This sculpture was dedicated on June 28, 1992. It's located in a town green next to the Clifford M. Granger Elementary School. It shows Sullivan and Keller sitting on a stone slab. The fingertips of Sullivan's left hand are touching the fingertips of Keller's right hand. Sullivan is looking directly at Keller, while Keller is looking upward. Look at the tortured expression on Keller's face..... It's a very moving image that adds some local flavor to a story most of us are familiar with.

Unassuming sculpture of an underrated account in history. Were it not for these two people, tactile…read moresign language may have taken much longer to be developed enough to benefit the deaf/blind community. The actual house where she lived and taught is directly diagonal accross the intersection from here. It's the house that now serves as a bank.

The word "useful" is an adjective and it means "capable of being put to use or of a valuable or…read moreproductive kind." "Critical" is also an adjective and while it has many meanings, in this reference it means "indispensable or vital." "Essential" means something "necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable." The Merriam-Webster dictionary is all of those things. Especially known as the oldest dictionary publisher in the United States, it was founded in 1831 by George and Charles Merriam. In 1843, after Noah Webster died, the company bought the rights to An American Dictionary of the English Language from Webster's estate. All Merriam-Webster dictionaries trace their lineage to this source. I have a helpful and facilitative dictionary from Merriam-Webster. it is a frequent and repeated reference as is their website. When you are an avid (that means "characterized by enthusiasm and vigorous pursuit") Scrabble player, the dictionary is the end all and be all of defining which words are illegal and which words confirm to the established rules of play. My goodness, this review has me quite enthusiastic and frenzied as I depict my dictionary in accessible and fundamental terms. In addition to regular updates of their seminal dictionary, Merriam-Webster also publishes "word of the day" calendars and the website has a word of the day. Today's is "impetus" which means, "a force that causes or encourages something to be done or to become more active." [Review 16930 overall - 1123 in Massachusetts - 446 of 2022.]

The Smiths sang about a guy from here (This Charlton Man), and Di's former husband owns the town…read more(The Royal Prince Of Wales, AKA Prince Charlton). This is a little town in Massachusetts somewhere along the highway which is a regular stop for me because they have bathrooms and the oft-busy rest area, which also has extraordinarily overpriced gas and food, so watch out. But overall, Charlton is a nice sleepy town right off the Massachusetts Turnpike. It doesn't have much diversity, with 98% of the population being white, and it's a pretty well off little town named after a place in England, much like Dudley (the neighbouring town) and so many others in the aptly named New England.

This review is as a tourist in the City of Worcester. We were wandering the Common behind this…read morebeautiful building. I looked up some information about the structure online where I learned a few things such as the balcony out front was where the Mayor would address the citizens before the time of radio. I also found out there is a star on the sidewalk out front where a messenger riding from Philadelphia to Boston with a copy of the Declaration of Independence stopped in Worcester for a rest. He stood on that spot and read out the new declaration to the citizens of Worcester. History indeed! With hope that we could visit the interior, I stepped inside and asked the security guards if there was any information about the building that a tourist like me could read and see. With a smile one of the guards said absolutely! We signed in to their system, got visitor badges, had my bag searched and then the security guard gave us a quick rundown of the first floor. Here the walls and floor are original to the building which was constructed in 1898. He noted updates have been kept to a minimum in order to keep the building as original as possible pointing out the stone steps leading up are worn down from years of foot traffic. I love that. After a couple of other items of interest on the first floor, he told us about some other items on the floors above and sent us up to wander and explore. On the next level up, to the left of the staircase you will find a lot of information about items inside the building. Take a few minutes to read this. There are plenty of plaques throughout the building and painting of past mayors and city councilors. On the third floor you get a beautiful view of the central staircase and it's gorgeous ceiling dome. We just love the historical information we found inside and were intrigued by some of the updates that are noticeable such as the old light switches that are push-button. The elevators are lovely and it looks like the original exterior fixture that indicates the floor has had to be updated with a more modern mechanism. On our way out the guard who helped us upon entry let us know about a couple of other historical sites in town we might like. So thoughtful. Outside you will find statues and more plaques. It's a gorgeous building. Architecture plus local U.S. history. A nice stop for the tourist and locals alike.

Awesome visit today. As an introvert I really appreciated the peaceful silence and contemplation…read more Afterwards I met some of the members and they were very laid back and approachable. One of them showed me the library and was kind enough to let me borrow a few books to learn more about them. Unfortunately I was unable to stay for lunch, but it was an awesome environment.

A recent visit shocked me by how the meetings of The Religious Society of Friends have changed…read moredrastically since the 70s and 80s when I was a 12+ year member. The sincere expressions of waiting for the voice of the Inner Light have been replaced by amusing anecdotes and vapid comments from younger members, who arrive disruptively 15 minutes before the meeting ends. In response to the times, there is a "sharing time" for personal concerns. Meetings are no longer held in the traditional circle, although there is ample room to do so. The Meeting House shows no attempt to make the atmosphere welcoming or spiritually comforting. There is no longer a greeter at the door; I was met with indifference, ignored, actually. The room itself is stark, without even a plant, fake or otherwise, to add something to make the space more welcoming. Distressing to me was the absence of the pamphlets about Quaker principles, most notably "The Impossible Ideal" which is a short commentary on the Peace Testimony, which is at the heart of George Fox's Journal. After many years away from organized religion, I was looking for a spiritual home, I had so many good memories of the meetings. Yes, I know the people I knew 40 years ago had passed on, but I thought the Spirit I was seeking to know again would still be there. It wasn't. This is my experience, from the perspective of age, time, and the times themselves. I don't wish in any way to discourage you from attending a meeting. You may find it just what you are looking for, as it was for me the first time I walked through the door.

Beautiful interior, quiet as expected, and very kind and friendly personel. The library also…read moreembrace the arts by bring to town live music events, showcasing local artists in various media form and guest speakers. Could only pray, that one day the doors would be open every day!

Balconies stain glass…read moreand gargoyles The Merrick Library was opened in 1884 with money donated by William Banister and Pliny Merrick. The land that the library sits on was donated by Nancy Felton. The library is still a lovely and very cool place. Actually pretty small, it's one of those old buildings that look larger from the outside because back then aesthetics were as important as volume and libraries were more than just a place to hold books. The library definitely looks cool from the outside, with it's peaked and slate roof, rough sandstone blocks, to the really cool gargoyle rain spouts. The inside is also pretty amazing with intricate stain glass windows and a unique if somewhat cramped balcony. All kinds of interesting stuff inside like the original grandfather watchman clock, globe and antiques. A wonderful library that has a feel all it's own and typifies how libraries use to be built. A building to enjoy, admire and appreciate and not just a place to keep the books dry in the bad weather.