Maurice the Pants Man was an iconic clothes shopping destination for generations of Worcester-area residents. Photo/Courtesy of Worcester Historical Museum

Come on down and see Maurice the Pants Man

By Sharon Oliver Contributing Writer WORCESTER - Back in the day, there was only one place to go in Worcester for your back-to-school clothes shopping—Maurice the...
Fred the Baker, portrayed by actor Michael Vale for Dunkin’ Donuts TV commercials in the 1980s, became an iconic figure for the brand, with his catchphrase, “Time to make the doughnuts.”

It was always ‘time to make the doughnuts’ for Fred the Baker

By Sharon Oliver Contributing Writer REGION - Although Michael Vale, aka Fred the Baker, passed away in 2005, he is still Dunkin’ Donuts’ most iconic advertising...
Cornerstone Ranch in Princeton offers horseback riding on trails that run through peaceful forested landscapes. Photo/Sandi Barrett

Saddle up for a horseback ride in central Massachusetts

By Sandi Barrett Contributing Writer REGION - Practiced equestrians and novices alike can enjoy cantering through local woodland trails and wildflower fields astride a beautiful horse....
Table Talk Pies of Worcester sells nearly a quarter billion of its signature four-inch snack pies a year.

Worcester was the birthplace and is still the home of Table Talk pies

By Michael Perna Jr. Contributing Writer WORCESTER – A century later, people are still talking about the little pies made in Worcester. The Table Talk Pie...
Now a global brand with over a thousand department stores, Marshalls began as a supermarket in Beverly. Photo/Wikimedia Commons

Marshalls department store empire grew from a Beverly supermarket

By Sharon Oliver Contributing Writer BEVERLY - The off-price retail chain Marshalls is well known for offering apparel and homewares at low prices. But founder Alfred...
Expansive views are part of the reward while climbing Wachusett Mountain. Photo/Sandi Barrett

Spring is an ideal time to explore Wachusett Mountain

By Sandi Barrett Contributing Writer REGION - More than a wonderful spot to ski in winter, Wachusett Mountain State Reservation has lots to offer year-round. Springtime...
The chow mein sandwich is a beloved Fall River culinary invention, going back to its origins as a cheap, filling lunch for the city’s factory and mill workers.

The chow mein sandwich is a Fall River original

By Sharon Oliver Contributing Writer FALL RIVER - As strange as it may sound to anyone outside the southeastern region of Massachusetts or parts of Rhode...
Anthony’s Pier 4 restaurant on Boston’s waterfront was open for 60 years and hosted scores of celebrities over the decades. Photo/Wikimedia Commons/Dale Cruse

Reputation of Anthony’s Pier 4 restaurant remains anchored

By Sharon Oliver Contributing Writer BOSTON - During its first 20 years of existence, Anthony’s Pier 4 restaurant attracted out-of-town celebrities and locals, including politicians and...
The classic orange roof with its spire topped with a weathervane was the signature look for Howard Johnson’s restaurants. Photo/Wikimedia Commons/Christopher Ziemnowicz

Howard Johnson’s empire started as a Quincy corner pharmacy selling ice cream

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By Sharon Oliver Contributing Writer QUINCY - Though the old look may be disappearing from city landscapes across the nation and various countries, Howard Johnson’s landmark...
In the mid-19th century, the large deaf population of the town of Chilmark on Martha’s Vineyard had its own sign language.

Martha’s Vineyard once had its own sign language

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By Sharon Oliver Contributing Writer CHILMARK - By the mid-1800s, one in 25 people living in the quaint Martha’s Vineyard village of Chilmark was born deaf....