Mother's Day Weekend 2009: 11 Things to Do

Hi Moms,
In addition to our listings in the May print (and online issue) of baystateparent, we've found some more ways to make the most of Mother's Day weekend(read these unedited releases sent to us for more information). Have a good one, ladies, whatever you do.


Free Zoo Admission on May 10

Time of event: 10am-6pm
Franklin Park Zoo
1 Franklin Park Road
Boston, MA 02121

Stone Zoo
149 Pond Street
Stoneham, MA 02180

Is there a better way to spend quality time with Mom? Bring the entire family to either Franklin Park or Stone Zoo for an enjoyable day. Mothers receive free admission on Mother's Day!

Moms FREE
$12 Adults
$10 Seniors
$7 Children

Phone number of event: 617-989-2005

E-mail address of event: bwardrop@zoonewengland.com

Web site for event: www.franklinparkzoo.org

Family Play Day On the Mothers' Walk

Date: Saturday, May 9th, 2009
Time: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Location: in the Wharf District Parks on the Greenway

Kids, bring your moms...moms, bring your kids to a day of FREE family festivities on the Greenway.

Meet in the Wharf District Parks on the Rose F. Kennedy Greenway at 10 AM for a recognition of caregivers and the unveiling of the Mothers' Walk wall.

The dedication will be followed by music and dance performances, jugglers and stilt walkers, a tour of Rose Kennedy's neighborhood, a family craft project, and a sneak peak of the soon-to-be-released Rose's Garden children's book.

Visit www.hellogreenway.org for a full schedule.

Bring a picnic lunch or dine at one of the local restaurants along the Greenway offering special menus for the day.

After the event on the Greenway, the celebration continues at the Volvo Ocean Race Village at Fan Pier with live entertainment and an oyster festival. And while you are across the channel, visit over 70 Fort Point Artists opening their studios as part of Art Walk the Fort Point Arts Community's Spring Open Studios Event.

Family Play Day is rain or shine; all festivities will be held under a tent. There will be limited seating available for the 10 a.m. Mothers' Walk wall unveiling on a first-come, first-served basis. The Greenway is fully accessible. For directions, information about parking, or the schedule for the day, visit our website www.hellogreenway.org.

Raising Funds For REAS
Local business to sponsor car wash

Sturbridge, MA - On Saturday, May 9 from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., The McCurdy Group is hosting a “win-win” community event. “We invite people to come by our office parking lot and, for a reasonable donation that will benefit the REAS Foundation, people can get their car washed, talk with a Sturbridge police officer about car seat safety and with a Sturbridge firefighter about fire safety for the home. A fire truck will be on hand, too, for the kids to enjoy.” The McCurdy Group parking lot is located at 511 Main St. Sturbridge (Fiskdale).
McCurdy, a local businessman and the owner of the Dennis McCurdy Insurance Agency and The McCurdy Group, believes the business community must be proactive in helping those in need. The Residential Energy Assistance for Seniors (REAS) Foundation, the beneficiaries of the event, has “reached beyond it initial focus of providing financial fuel assistance to seniors,” added McCurdy. In January of this year the foundation, in partnership with Southbridge Savings Bank, Hometown Bank, and the Publick House, established a fund for Sisley family whose home was destroyed by fire.
“The Foundation also inspired 10-year old J.T. Mills to 'pay it forward' by asking that friends and family who attended his birthday celebration make a donation to REAS instead. I believe he gifted over $250.00,” said McCurdy.
On Saturday, May 9, McCurdy and his staff is hoping to “wash cars non-stop” and raise a lot of money for REAS.
-#30-
Editor: Contact Dennis A. McCurdy directly at 508-347-0810.



Celebrate your mom (remember Mother's Day is Sunday, May 10th) and spend the morning with her at Broad Meadow Brook Conservation Center and Wildlife Sanctuary, 414 Massasoit Avenue, on Saturday, May 9th from 10 a.m. - 12 noon. Begin with a gentle family hike to view the wildflowers in bloom. After the hike, moms will be invited to sit and relax on the deck while dad (or another adult) and the kids will make some special gifts just for mom. Appropriate for all ages. Wear shoes for walking. For more information and to register call 508 753-6087.

Singing in Spring

Music Worcester is pleased to present the Worcester Chorus in their spring concert - Sergei Rachmaninoff's Vespers, performed in the magnificent St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 102 Russell Street, on Saturday, May 9th from 8 - 10 p.m. Featuring the 100-voice Worcester Chorus with tenor soloist Thomas Cooley, this concert will be the farewell performance for Music Director Andrew Clark with the chorus. Tickets $25, $18 for students and are available online, by calling 508 754- 3231 or at the door.


Mother's Day at Belkin Family Lookout Farm in South Natick

www.lookoutfarm.com
89 Pleasant Street,
South Natick MA 01760
508-653-0653







Lookout Farm will be open every Saturday and Sunday starting May 9 from 10:00 - 5:00. Celebrate spring - visit us this weekend for Mother's Day and Bloomfest.

Happy Mother's Day - pay for the first admission and Mom will get in FREE. PLUS, all Moms will be given a FREE spring plant.

Join us this Saturday and Sunday for train rides through our flowering orchards, farm-themed Children's Play Area, caterpillar rides, hay pyramid, moon bounce and burlap maze.

Enjoy live children's entertainment shows at 12:00 and 2:00, face painting and our new Busy Bee Learning Center.

Celebrate Bloomfest at the Farm - our most beautiful time of year! Lookout Farm's apple and peach trees are alive with colorful pink and white spring blossoms. Bring your camera and spend the day surrounded by New England's natural beauty.

Enter our Lookout Farm photo contest. Submit your favorite shots of our beautiful farm and you could win a $200 gift certificate to a snazzy restaurant. Details are available at the Admission window.

Our new Greenhouse and Garden Center is open daily from 10:00 - 5:00 offering beautiful flowering plants, annuals, herbs and house plants. Start a vegetable garden this year! Both organic and conventional vegetable starter kits are available.


Come spend the day with us and you'll see just why Belkin Family Lookout Farm is #1 in Outdoor Family Fun!

"Come visit Apple Blossom Country and celebrate Mother's Day!"

This spring, it's time to visit Johnny Appleseed Country, our beautiful area of north central Massachusetts. Come see hillsides dotted with explosions of white. Drive the back roads and see where the apples come from in the area given its name by apple cultivator and peripatetic folk hero Johnny Appleseed.

Come see Sholan Farms in Leominster (birthplace of Johnny Appleseed), Red Apple Farm in Phillipston, or Carlson's Orchards in Harvard.

Peak blooming time is predicted to be around May 9 to 15 - but remember Mother Nature is never predictable. A rainstorm one day, a cool snap for a few days, and voila, the schedule changes!

While you're at it, check out the small-town apple festivals that dot the region - the Apple Blossom Festival at Sholan Farms (www.sholanfarms.com), on Pleasant Street in Leominster is on May 9th and celebrates the coming of spring with crafters, a marching band, rock, jazz band and bagpipe procession, and butterfly release. Or visit the Apple Blossom Festival also on May 9th (appleblossom@jumpinc.org) at Harvard Common, in Harvard, where fine arts and crafts, antiques, entertainment and more attract the crowds.

Mother's Day events include the whole weekend at Davis' Farmland (978-422-MOOO), in Sterling, where kids bring Mom for free Saturday and Sunday, May 9 and 10. Make Mom a necklace or watch her relax with a complimentary chair massage.

Spring, apple blossoms, Mother's Day - a perfect combination!

866-755-7439 or visitorinfo@worcester.org



Treat Mom to a Free Lunch at Canobie Lake Park on Mother's Day

SALEM, NH - All mothers who are accompanied by a paid child admission purchased at the Park on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 10th, will receive free admission to Canobie. Lunch for Mom is also free and will be served from noon to 3:00 P.M.

Special spring pricing is still in effect as well, and Canobie Lake Park is currently open on Saturdays and Sundays. The Park will be open daily beginning May 22nd. For more information and Park hours, visit canobie.com or call 603-893-3506.

# # #

With over 85 rides, games, shows and attractions, Canobie Lake Park is New England's premier destination for affordable family fun. Canobie Lake Park is located at exit 2 or 3 off Route 93 in Salem, New Hampshire. For more information, visit www.canobie.com.

My Mother—My Hero
A Memorable Mother’s Day Thanks to
Plimoth Plantation and Verona Salon
Plymouth, MA, Plimoth Plantation – May 1, 2009, - Cook up something deliciously fun for mom this Mother’s Day by treating her to a special celebration, as Plimoth Plantation presents the third annual Mother’s Day Brunch on Sunday, May 10th, at 11:00 am. In addition to a tasty meal, and a unique kid-friendly craft program that moms will treasure, Mother’s Day at Plimoth Plantation includes Verona Salon’s big reveal of the “My Mother—My Hero Make-over Contest” winner!

“The Wampanoag Nation is a matriarchal society that values the many contributions women make to the life of their families and the community. And one of the reasons Plimoth Colony survived is that there were women here right from the start–mothers, wives and daring adventurers in their own right–who braved the ocean voyage and cared for their husbands and children,” said Ellie Donovan, Plimoth Plantation’s Acting Executive Director.

Last month Verona Salon called on local residents to describe why their mother was so special, by nominating them for the “My Mother—My Hero Make-over Contest.” Similar to a make-over television program, one lucky mom will “win” a well-deserved day of luxury: massage, facial, hair, manicure, pedicure and make up, courtesy of Verona Salon. In turn, her inner and outer beauty will be revealed to the world during Plimoth Plantation’s Mother’s Day Brunch, promptly at 11 am!



In addition to all the fun, tickets to Plimoth Plantation’s third annual Mother’s Day Brunch includes: museum admission; a self-guided tour of the world-renowned, 17th century, living history museum, and a delightful opportunity for children to create a memorable, hand-made gift for mom and grandma, too!

Space is limited so make reservations today and insure your front row seat at the big reveal! To make a reservation for Mother’s Day Brunch or for more information please call 508-746-1622, ext. 8365. Ticket prices are Adult: $35, Child: $21, Member: $17.95, Member Child: $9.95, by Thursday, May 7.

###


Plimoth Plantation is a 17th-century living history museum located an hour south of Boston in Plymouth, (Exit 4, Route 3 south) and 20 minutes north of Cape Cod. The museum is a private, non-profit educational institution supported by admission fees, contributions, memberships, function sales and revenue from our dining programs/services and museum shops. Plimoth Plantation is a Smithsonian Institution Affiliate and receives support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, The Federal Institute of Museums and Library Services, The National Endowment for the Humanities, private foundations, corporations, and local businesses. For more information visit: www.plimoth.org.

CELEBRATE MOTHERS DAY AT CLAYTIME in Worcester. SUNDAY MOTHER'S DAY MOM RECEIVES 50% OFF HER STUDIO FEE!!

Claytime Staff
email: claytime@townisp.com
phone: 508-798-9950
web: http://www.claytimestudio.com

Celebrate the arrival of spring with the 14th annual Draft Horse Plow Day. This year’s event will take place on Saturday, May 9 from 11am to 4pm at the historic Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm on Little’s Lane in Newbury, MA.

*Special notice - Our friend and farmer of 65 years, Dick Walsh, will be honored at the Plow Day with commendations from Senator Kennedy, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the Trustees of Historic New England. Dick began his tenure at the Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm in 1944, growing spinach for the war effort, and has been a fixture at the farm for 65 years. His photograph is attached.

Teams of draft horses and mules from throughout New England will participate in plowing demonstrations. Welcome the new resident pigs, Dave and Romeo and plant springtime seeds. Watch the shearing of the six resident sheep and learn how their wool is made into cloth. Enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides, baby farm animals, sheep shearing, spinning, weaving, and masonry demonstrations, children’s crafts and games. Listen (and dance) to New England fiddle music performed by E. J. Ouelette or watch a puppet show by the incomparable Martha Dana. The seventeenth century manor house will be open from 12-4 and is full of activities for families. A fresh lunch menu and cold drinks will be available. Admission is $6 for adults, $4 for children and free to Historic New England Members. For more information please call 978-462-2634.

The Plow Match continues a long tradition of work horses on the farm used to prepare the soil for spring planting. In the 1880s, brothers Edward Francis Little and Daniel Noyes Little imported draft horses by rail from Iowa to Newburyport. Trained at the Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm, the horses were sold to other farms and coast guard stations.



About Historic New England

Historic New England is the oldest, largest, and most comprehensive regional heritage organization in the nation. We bring history to life while preserving the past for everyone interested in exploring the authentic New England experience from the seventeenth century to today. Historic New England owns and operates thirty-six historic homes and landscapes spanning five states. The organization shares the region's history through vast collections, publications, public programs, museum properties, archives, and family stories that document more than 400 years of life in New England. For more information visit www.HistoricNewEngland.org.


Bethany Groff
North Shore Regional Site Manager
Historic New England
5 Little's Lane
Newbury, MA 01951
(978)462-2634
www.HistoricNewEngland.org