We Need To Learn From This

I like dogs, always have.  Some dogs I like more than others, and I imagine that is a lot like other people.  All in all, I like dogs.

Dogs make great pets, service animals, and workers.  From sheep dogs to guide dogs, to guard dogs, and police and military dogs, they take their work as seriously as being a pet.

Over the milennia, dogs have become domesticated, and bred for specific purposes, such as hunting, companionship, guarding the sheep, routing badgers from holes, and attacking.  

Some breeds were bred for one thing, and when that thing was no longer needed, some folks enhanced that  trait by further breeding it to be an attack dog.  In the early part of the twentieth century they were bred to fight.  Dog fighting had become a popular, and lucrative pastime for many.

"Pit Bull is a term commonly used to describe several breeds of dog in the molosser family. Many breed-specific laws use the term "pit bull" to refer to the modernAmerican Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier and English Bull Terrier. However, a few jurisdictions also classify the modernAmerican Bulldog as a "pit bull-type dog". All three breeds share similar history, with origins rooted from the bulldog and a variety of terriers. The term can also refer to dogs that were known as "bull terriers" prior to the development of the modern Bull Terrier in the early 20th century."  source:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pit_Bull

Some dogs are meant to be pets, some aren't.  Pit Bulls are not meant to be family pets.  They were bred to attack, and fight till their opponent no longer moves.

I know, I know, you know someone that has a calm Pit Bull, or you own a great Pit Bull pet, and your kids are fine around it.  

You are lucky.  You are lucky that the dog has not taken, or found, the opportunity to strike.  Believe me, if the dog is provoked, or in the right situation, it will.  What is kind of provocation would it require?  I don't know, dogs haven't a different brain, what may provoke people would be ignored by a dog, and vice versa.  A fly buzzing around a dogs face may incite it to snap.

Now, some of these dogs are worse than others of their breeds.  Not all Pit Bulls are like the ones we hear about in the news, but they all have the potential to be, and if people would like to keep one of these dogs as a pet, then certain things must come with that responsibility.  We have all heard the news reports where the owner of an attacking dog states that the dog has never done anything like this before, or has always been a good dog.  Just like horses are not allowed in a condo complex, or exotic cats like panthers, Pit Bulls should not be allowed as well.  The density of people population only increases the likely hood of an attack.

Pit Bulls must wear a muzzle when outside their home at all times.  Doesn't matter if they are docile at home, have never barked, bared its teeth, or snarled.  They are a Pit Bull, and for that reason alone they must wear a muzzle.  Just as a horse being walked outside a paddock needs a bridal to insure control, and safety, a Pit Bull needs a muzzle.  A Pit Bull also requires a strong harness, and leash to control it when outside the home, and with that harness and leash, comes a person strong enough, large enough to use those tools effectively.

Recently, here in town, a Pit Bull with  long history of being a problem, was ordered to be euthanized by the Board of Selectmen.  Quite frankly, an order like this should never have to be made if the town adopts bylaws that are designed to protect people, and to insure the dogs are not placed in a situation that would not be best for them.  However, like anything else, bylaws can only help so much.  The bottom line is people need to be educated about the danger of owning some breeds, not the "street" education from cousin Larry who had a Pit Bull for years.

Bylaws are a great first step, but in order to enforce animal control bylaws, a town needs full time trained animal control officers that are on the clock 24/7, and that would really put some bite into enforcement.

Town orders pit bull to be euthanized

(NECN: Melissa Toupin) - The Sturbridge Board of Selectmen has voted to euthanize Peter, a pit bull that's allegedly been terrorizing residents. But Peter's owners are vowing to save him.

Residents raised concerns over the pit bull, and police brought the tough decision before the board Monday night, Shawn Sunoski, Sturbridge town manager, says they found the dog to be "dangerous and vicious" and voted to humanely euthanize him.

Sturbridge Police Chief Thomas Ford said his department was called to the Sturbridge Hills Condominium complex about once a month since August. Each time police arrived at the home of Bruce and Yaska Pote, they found violations by the 18-month-old pitbull and black lab mix named Peter.

Sunoski says the board listened to all sides for more than two hours. He says the Potes' lawyer offered an alternative of sending the dog to a trainer in Paxton, but that was rejected. 

Source: NECN http://www.necn.com/06/22/10/Town-orders-pit-bull-to-be-euthanized/landing.html?blockID=258864&feedID=4215

When They Say They Are Renting A Limo, Don't Stop Worrying

Killingly students barred from graduation after prom incident

By JOHN PENNEY Norwich Bulletin Posted Jun 15, 2010 @ 02:37 PM

Killingly, Conn. — Several Killingly High School seniors who arrived to prom drunk are barred from attending Friday’s graduation ceremony, school officials said.

The 11 students, who were not identified because of their age, showed up visibly intoxicated Friday at the Publick House in Sturbridge, Mass. for senior prom, said Superintendent of Schools William Silver.

The students, some who had trouble walking and standing, were ferried to the event via a “party bus,” he said.

“The police were called and several students were screened, with breathalyzers administered to others,” Silver said. “Fifteen kids were found to be intoxicated. Eleven of them were Killingly seniors and the rest were friends or guests.”

The students were separated and their parents were called, Silver said. No arrests were made. 
Copyright 2010 Norwich Bulletin. Some rights reserved

OK, I was a teenager once, well, in many ways I still am, anyway -- I'm a parent now, have been for sometime, and although the kids are no longer in their teens I think that with my experience as a teen, and my wisdom as a parent I would have been able to tell that something was up if the vehicle like the one at the left pulled into the driveway on prom night.


Yep, looks like trouble on wheels to me.  


One thing about being a parent in the know is that it comes with a responsibility. I would have inspected that chauffeurs paperwork, the registration of the bus, and the  inspection sticker.  I would have walked up and down inside that vehicle, and I would have seen what those kids were up to , yep, those kids were planning on standing up, and walking about the bus while it was moving!  Why?  There are no seat belts!  Not one!  


Teenagers!  Living on the edge.  Thrill seekers all of them!


Oh, and about them planning on drinking on the bus, and most of them having to be poured out of the bus when it reached its destination, I wouldn't have picked up on that.  I mean, really, what parent would have ever expected that?  We're not psychics, you know.

Now, This Is More Like It

I don't want to become the food and restaurant critic for the Sturbridge area, but sometimes one has an experience well worth sharing.  Mary and I had one of those experiences last evening here in town.

To celebrate our anniversary we like to go out to eat locally.  Last evening we went to the Cedar Street Restaurant on Cedar Street.  We have dined there before, and have always enjoyed the food, the atmosphere, the price,  and the wait staff.  You can't ask for more that that.

Last night was no different.

We arrived at 6:00, and were greeted by our server, who just happened to be at the door.  He was polite, informative, patient, and prompt.  All great traits.  He recommended an appetizer that was amazing.  It was a spring roll wrapped in prosciutto.  Mary told me that she was using taste buds she had not used in a long time.

We both ordered the NY Sirloin Strip, and they were cooked perfectly to order.  With each course, our wait person asked if we wanted cracked pepper, and accommodated us immediately.  I know, a small thing, but shows that the small details are not being overlooked.

We ate, talked, and relaxed with a glass of wine.  The atmosphere lent it self to our relaxing and enjoyment of the evening.

The cost for the meal, wine, and appetizer was around $88.00.  For the high quality of the meal, the preparation, presentation, and all that went with it, it was well worth it.

I strongly recommend the Cedar Street Restaurant.

Now, as I said, I am not a critic, nor do I want to be, but I do like to share.  And, if I am going to offer kudos to the Cedar Street Restaurant, I am also going to offer some advice as well.

The inside of the restaurant is immaculate, and very well designed, but one cannot ignore the outside of the restaurant.  The brush  around the parking lot in the rear of the building needs to be cut back, the exterior lighting on the poles rimming the parking lot needs repair since several of the poles have been hit by cars, and their glass shades have been broken.  The concrete walkway leading to the restaurant needs  a good power washing, and the railing along that walkway is in in need of repair.  The table set up outside on the patio also need to have umbrellas with them.

You see, no matter how good the food, the reputation, or how nice the interior of a place is, it is the exterior that draws the eye first.  Those first glances can often set the foundation for an opinion that may affect the overall experience.  These are all simple, and inexpensive fixes, but will be worth a great deal in adding to the positive word of mouth about the business.

If you have not tried the Cedar Street Restaurant,   try them out, and let me know how your visit went.

I doubt you will be disappointed.

★★★★☆


View Cedar Street Restaurant in a larger map

Three Free Deserts? Why, Yes, That Will Make Everything All Better

When we become accustomed to something, familiar with it, even intimate, it becomes beyond comfortable. It also becomes something that one is naturally loyal to.

Restaurants  are one of those somethings.  Spouses would be another, and probably a more important one, but at the risk of  divorce, I want to concentrate on restaurants today.

I have been a Piccadilly Pub devotee ever since I settled in town.  The chain was devoted to its customers, it's quality of service, and food.

Then, in 2009, the chain was sold to Repechage Investments Ltd., owner of the Elephant & Castle family of pubs.  After thirty five years under one ownership, it was sold.  John Luvison, the new Brand Manager for Piccadilly Pubs commented, “Repechage is very excited to be expanding its overall operations in Massachusetts from one Elephant & Castle in Boston to now include 13 Piccadilly Pubs. The Piccadilly Pubs chain is known for its friendly staff and New England charm and we intend to build on these qualities.”


Well, Mr. Luvison, ya blew it.

Over the past year, or so the changes at "The Pic" have been small, but consistent.  No longer are whole belly clams on the menu, a sign that the chain no longer wants to spend the money on them.  Clam strips are now promoted vigorously.  Clam strips in New England, may be fine for folks traveling through, but not for those of us that live here.  Now the Sea food platters have only two seafood's on them, the daily specials are bland, unimaginative, and as one waitress told me last night, they are being phased out.

In fact, the entire menu is bland, unimaginative, and lifeless.

Last night six of us went to the Piccadilly Pub, and ordered six meals.  We waited a very long time to order once our drinks were ordered.  No problem.  It happens.  There was a bunch of help on, but things can happen.

When we did order, the food eventually arrived not as ordered, or as represented in the text of the new menus.  Soup was cold, wrong dressings, no salads, and a Fisherman's Combo was like a Happy Meal gone bad with tiny, fried fish bits and scallops.  The fish did not have the taste I expected it to have, or the shape.

There was a time when I would accept things, not complain or raise a ruckus.  This was not one of those times, and I did complain.  My brother-in-law, a chef, went to find the manager.  He explained the situation to the manager.

The manager was not impressed.

They fixed the fish by changing it to fish and chips, no scallops though.  My brother-in-law opted to not re-order his meal, and eventually the salad arrived for another guest.

The manager came to the table and asked how things were.  He did not apologize, or offer to make to better beyond what had been done already.  Keep in mind we are once a month patrons for ten years.  He did tell us that we should expect off days.  A little while later he sent a waitress over to tell us that we could have three deserts for free to make things up to us.

What?

So we paid our check, and headed out.  We won't be going back until there are significant changes, but there won't be.  In Sturbridge there are as many restaurants as residents.  We won't be hard pressed to find a nice place to dine.

I do feel that the company that bought the Pic did so solely as an investment, not to be restaurateurs, either that, or the manager doesn't have the companies best interest in mind.  I do understand that anyplace can have an off night, and multiple things can go wrong, and affect the same table.

It could happen.  Yeah, it could happen.

What I don't understand is management not being able to pull one iota of customer service out of his pocket. He should have, at the very least, comped the entire check.  Period.

Three free deserts.  I don't think so.

They had a gold mine in 2009, they don't have anything close to the same thing today.

I am not a restaurant critic, I write about my experiences, and this was one of them.  I hope yours will be different.  Since I am not a critic I won't advise anyone not to visit "The Pic",  you should judge for yourself.

Maybe the stars were just not in their favor last night, and as a result they certainly aren't tonight.

★☆☆☆☆

Sources:  Repechage Investments Limited, owner of Elephant & Castle, announces acquisition of Piccadilly Pubs by its Massachusetts Pub Group subsidiaries


Piccadilly Pub

And Tell Them To Get Rid Of Their Mimeograph Machine, Too

We have been heading in the a peculiar direction with technology.  We are advancing our understanding of what lies out there for us to discover, and we are discovering a whole lot of it.

We are moving very fast.  We are advancing expotentially faster, better, and with larger discoveries with each new day.  What was a cutting edge discovery last week, is a common place, well used tool today.

Research scientists, hi-tech innovators, inventors, and tweekers of science are taking us further and further from science fiction to science reality with each blink of the eye.

The Global Positioning System (GPS) has been available to the public since President Reagan declassified it in 1983, and with the exception of a couple of years during the first Gulf War when the military took it over again, it has been available to the public since 1993 when it was decided to make the system free to the entire world.

Free.  Entire world.

Having a GPS system in ones car has become beyond commonplace.  The little units that once sold for hundreds and hundreds of dollars can now be had for less than $100.  Mapping technologies on the Internet such as Google Maps, and Bing can load directions directly into your cell phone.

The cost of finding your way into today's world has gotten significantly cheaper, if not totally free in some cases.

Then, with all of our advances, all of our new age discoveries, could someone spend a couple of bucks and fix the intercom to the boys down in marketing?  Marketing folks are far from techies.  The exist to market what needs to be sold.

I received the above advertisement in an email from AT&T today.  Imagine GPS in my cell phone!!  And, for only $6.99 per month!  A limited time offer!!

Is it me, or is this totally ludicrous?

I have an iPhone, and it has a map application on it.  Came with it, for free.  I can pinpoint my exact location, and get directions to anywhere.  I can get the directions for driving, walking, or using public transportation.

I also have a Garmin GPS for the truck.  Big screen, out of the way up on the windshield, and I received it as a gift.  Can't get any cheaper than that.

So, as I was saying, could someone at AT&T check on the guys in Marketing, and while you're at it, make sure they are getting the company calendar, they seem to think it is still 1999.

Summer Learning

Summer school.  (shudder)

When I was going from the seventh to the the eighth grade it was thought that some additional math classwork would be beneficial to me, and would give a well deserved break to Mrs. Doherty.

To be quite frank, it wasn't the information I needed, it was a new audience.  The crowd in the "7-F" class had gotten pretty stale.  I needed fresh faces to pick up my class clown act, and summer school looked to be just the place to find them.

That was until I was told that I would not be attending summer school locally.  Oh, no, it would be a couple of towns away in Norwood at St. Catherine's.

St. Catherine's.  This was the Paris Island equivalent to summer school.  The nuns at St. Catherine's also taught us Sunday School after Mass at St. Edwards in Medfield.  They knew us.  Worse, they knew me.  Even worse, they seldom laughed, unless they were inflicting some sort of punishment upon you.  It was widely whispered that they each had a black belt in karate, and had worked for the the CIA in Cuba.

Or, so the rumour mill had it.  I was too scared to pursue the thought any further.

That summer was the longest summer of my life.  I arrived to class on time.  I sat where I was told to sit, I spoke only when spoken to, and I did my homework.  All of my homework.

I did not break in a new audience that summer.  No new jokes.  No new gags.  No prat falls.  Nada.   I actually ended up learning more than I did in the entire previous school year.

Go figure.

True fear can fuel ones desire to learn, and I was scared to death that summer, which resulted in my becoming the smartest, best behaved, highest scoring seventh grader in New England for six weeks.  Then,  summer school was over.  I had a head full of new stuff, a better appreciation for the learning process, and understanding of just what it was the teachers were actually trying to do for me.  But, all that aside, I still had an act to polish up since I opened at the Junior High right after Labor Day, and the summer was waning.  There were laughs awaiting!

Today, tactics have changed dramatically. When it is determined that a child needs some extra class work, or if they have a desire to just learn more, there are programs that are far more effective,  than what I had experienced.

In the June edition of the Sturbridge Times there is an article of just such a program here in Sturbridge, Sturbridge Advanced Learning. I won't attempt to rewrite what is already an excellent article in the Times, but will ask you to read it, and then take a visit to their website at www.sturbridgeadvancedlearning.com.

They sure seem a lot less scary, and more effective than the six foot seven inch, black belted ninja nun that taught me in summer school.

Two Poles = 15 hours

"A tree that fell across Route 148 and took down two utility poles in Sturbridge hampered traffic during graduation ceremonies at Tantasqua Regional High School. The commencement went on despite the power outage. 

Power was still out along Route 148 at 9:30 last night and one lane remained closed. It was unclear when work would be completed in that area. " -- Worcester Telegram and Gazette June 7, 2010


Well, I'll tell you how long it took National Grid to make the repairs to two downed poles: about 15 hours.


Fifteen hours to replace two poles, and repair the damaged wires that came off the poles when a tree snapped in yesterdays storm and fell onto them.


We loss power here on Route 148 mid-afternoon on Sunday.  After a couple of hours the family piled into truck and we went off to reconnoiter the damage in the area.  About 1/2 mile north was the reason we had lost power.  A huge tree from one side of the road, fell during the storm and took out the poles and utility lines on the other side of the road.  Traffic was being diverted away from the scene as a crew worked to remove the tree from the wires.  At this point, with the sun now shining brightly, we took a ride over to Monson for an ice cream at the Westview Farm.  After a couple of hours, or so, of ice cream and riding about, we came back to check on the progress of the repairs.  There was a National Grid truck parked in the parking lot at the Compatible Canine store on Route 148.  


Good sign, I thought.


I then drove up Collete Road in order to come onto Route 148, look north and assess what was happening with the repairs, and then head back down 148.  


When we go to the intersection of Collete and 148 there was but a lone Sturbridge police officer standing guard, and directing traffic through the now one lane highway.  The poles were still broken, the wires untouched, the tree had been cut away, but there wasn't a National Grid truck, or employee around.  The police officer stood alone.  This was the extent of the repairs after five hours, or so.


I asked the officer what the status of the repairs was, and he gave me one of those looks.  You know the kind, the ones usually preceded by a deep sigh.  He then gave us a verbatim report that National Grid had given to him.  "...so don't expect the lights on till between 5 and 6 in the morning.", he said.


What?  It is two poles.  Over twelve hours to repair two poles?  Many times have I seen cars take out poles on major roads with a multitude of wires, and cables on them and have it repaired in a just a few hours, and often times in the middle of a storm, too.   The storm had passed.  However, it was a Sunday.


Overtime.  Probably more than plain time and a half, too.  Maybe there was a very small repair crew on for Central Mass, as well.  That is not good, either.  No one on call in case of emergencies, or multiple emergencies?


I can live off the grid, no issue besides inconvenience, but this is not an issue of my inconvenience, it is an issue of a repair that took too long, and in today's society, it does become a matter of safety.  Imagine if many poles were downed, or just  one more in town.  Then what?  Another "ice storm extravaganza"?  Extrapolate it out any way you want, the end result would not be good.  Repairs would take far too long and necessities  such as traffic lights  not be working for just as long.


The National Grid crews are out there in all kinds of weather repairing all sorts of damaged lines.  I don't blame them for the long delay in fixing the outage.  It is a management issue.


So what now?  Well, first of all the Selectmen in town need to be aware of this, and then they must formally make an inquiry of National Grid, and if necessary, a complaint with the Department of Public Utilities.  I'm a customer of National Grid, and a resident of Sturbridge, but as much as I would like National Grid to respond to my inquiry, they will be more responsive with the Town and DPU. 


Now, I understand the work involved.  I have seen all before, and I have seen much more damage repaired way faster.  So, understand that I am concerned about this one incident, this one time, this one storm.  Nothing more.


The late afternoon and evening wasn't a total loss.  Mary and I traveled up to Wal*Mart, and bought a couple of small LED lanterns for the family to use, an additional LED flashlight, and a large fluorescent lantern.  These were things we had needed to add to our emergency supplies anyway, and the power outage gave me the push I needed.  I also grabbed some ice, and put the perishables in the fridge in a few  coolers.

When the sun went down we gathered in the sun porch, fired up the lanterns, and pulled out our books, but we didn't read, we just sort of sat on the porch, and talked. Until we drifted off to bed one by one.

We did fine last night during our time without power, TV, computers, and lights.  We did fine, and will do fine next time, too, but with the equipment, manpower, know how that the utility companies have today, there is no reason to take as long as it did yesterday to repair the two poles, and the downed lines.

Unless, of course, they subcontracted BP to do the repairs.  

66 Years Ago This Morning In Normandy

UPDATED: Regarding The Southbridge Landfill...

Thank you for your recent comments on the Southbridge Landfill Facility permit modification.

Knowing of your interest, we wanted to advise you of the final permit, as modified and effective June 1, 2010.  Attached is the permit and related documents.  The permit also contains language governing appeal rights.

Sincerely,

Lynne Welsh

Acting Chief

Solid Waste Program

MassDEP-CERO

508 849-4007

The following is the link where the documents can be reviewed: https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B7yIzFs_U6CaY2FiM2QwYWMtMjFhMS00ODA5LWE4MTAtOTliZjI2MmE5Yjcw&hl=en


Worcester Telegram & Gazette article:

Casella can take trash it wants

State ruling on mix of waste

By Brian Lee TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

SOUTHBRIDGE —  Landfill operator Casella Waste Systems has been granted approval from the state to deposit household trash and garbage regardless of its origin.

The town-owned Barefoot Road landfill is permitted to bring in 180,960 tons per year, but takes in only a limited amount of household or municipal solid waste from Southbridge homes. The majority is construction and demolition waste from anywhere.

Casella spokesman Joseph Fusco said the waste management company will likely start bringing in the additional municipal waste right away.

Asked if construction waste has dwindled with the economic downturn, he said, “I think it’s fair to say the mix of waste changes as the economy changes.”

“Waste is a wonderful reflection of human activity,” he said. “You see a lot more cardboard boxes around Christmastime. In economic downturns, as people build fewer houses, perhaps remodel less, take on fewer of those larger projects, you do see changes in volumes. They’re not significant changes, but it becomes more challenging to find that kind of waste, certainly.”

In 2008 the Southbridge Board of Health, in a 3-2 vote, approved Casella’s request to change the mix of waste, with a capacity of up to 405,600 tons per year.

A year earlier town councilors voted 5-4 in favor of a long-term landfill extension agreement.

Asked when that full tonnage could be deposited, Mr. Fusco said, “I don’t think we have any definite timeframe in our minds. Under the site assignment a number of conditions (58) have to be met. It’s kind of a staircase: there are a number of steps between today and that,” including completion of a construction access road from Route 169 to Barefoot Road, a landfill gas-to-energy project and certain performance criteria.

“That’s a ways off,” Mr. Fusco said.

Town Manager Christopher Clark is slated to discuss the changes with councilors at Monday night’s meeting at Town Hall.

Several residents from Southbridge and neighboring Sturbridge and Charlton have expressed opposition to the waste management company’s request. 

Enough.

Defending one selves with chairs, poles, knives when attacked from the sky by repelling commandos, or from the sea in boats, with automatic weapons resulted in nine deaths this past week.

If one wants to stop an action there are two ways to do it. The above was the wrong way no matter how one feels. It is no different than fishing with sticks of dynamite. It's called over-the-top, and overkill. I am not interested in arguing whether they had the right to respond, that is a given, they do have a right to respond, but it is the manner in which they do, and did that is disturbing.

When done, it puts those responsible into the same category as others that have no regard for collateral damage, no desire to talk in earnest, and to use as much force as they can to make a point.

No civilized line separates the two. They are both desperate, and acting on impulse.

That is far more dangerous for the rest of us than one side remaining fairly rational.

Now, we are all at risk by two opposing sides, instead of just one group of fanatics.

I have always believed that both sides need a dope slap given by the rest of the world. That belief has only been reinforced this week.

Quite frankly, I am tired of it. Been tired for decades. Enough. If both sides feel that 2000 years of mistrust, and hatred is too much to overcome, then there is absolutely nothing we can do about it, as decades of talking has shown. Keep both parties on the land they both claim as theirs, away from the rest of the world, and let them annihilate each other. But, this is nothing new, they been doing it right along. It is only when they take their fight outside their sandbox that we should react.

I want to see just how the world will respond beyond the rhetoric. Just what will they say, and do. It will be very telling. I hope the words, and actions are chosen well. Maybe, just maybe if done just right, a positive impact could be made.

We can only hope.

Streeter Point Beach To Reopen For The Summer!

Lot's of depressing news in the papers, and on the TV. In order to keep ones head above the water, or oil, one needs to make their own good news, or search really hard for some.

Well, I found some. The Streeter Point Recreation Area on Route 20 in Sturbridge, after being closed in 2009, will reopen this year, and will be fully staffed.

Can I get a "HooYah!"?

This is fantastic news. Despite the financial crisis we are all slowly crawling out of, there are battles being won, and services being reclaimed across the country. This is one of those moments. Unfortunately, this is the only park that was closed last year that is reopening this year, and as lucky as we may be here in the Sturbridge area, there are many parks that will not reopen this year. That is some of the bad news I wrote of earlier.

Streeter Point is unique. In this land of many lakes, ponds, and rivers the public has little access to them for simple pleasures such as swimming, or having a picnic. Boating is a little different story. Most of our lakes and ponds are surrounded by homes, and there are no real public beaches with the exception of the the one off Cedar Street on Cedar Lake. That little beach is in a cove, and not actually on the lake proper, and is great for small children. There are no facilities for having a cookout, but it is a simple place to go to for a little while, and has life guards. Parking is a challenge when a dozen people, or so show up.

Streeter Point is somewhat different. There is a good sized beach on the lake, and it has life guards as well. It also has public restrooms, and areas for cookouts. There is ample parking, although a small fee is charged, it is well worth it. It is also a simple place, and larger with facilities, shade for those that like it, and a large, open sunlit, sandy beach for those that like that.

You can put your canoe, or kayak into water right there on the shore of East Brimfield Lake, and spend hours on the water.

It's all about public access. So many potential recreation areas, but so little public access for the simpler recreational pleasures.

I don't know how Streeter Point ended up being the only DCR facility to reopen, and I won't question it, but it may be that the DCR understands our area much more that I give them credit for.

DCR says no staff at some parks this summer

May 27, 2010 12:37 PM

By Globe Staff

For the second year in a row, some state parks, forests, and ponds will not be staffed this summer, due to tight budgets, the Department of Conservation and Recreation announced today.

Parking and restrooms will not be available and swimming will be barred, the DCR said. Visitors will be directed from the lesser-used spots to other nearby parks and beaches.

"While we have some facilities we will not be able to staff, DCR has no shortage of facilities for the public to enjoy," DCR Commissioner Richard K. Sullivan Jr. said in a statement. "We have hundreds of parks, lakes, pools and beaches that will be open this year for visitors and residents."

In one bright spot, officials announced that the Streeter Point recreation area in Sturbridge, closed last year, would be reopened.

The following areas will not be staffed: Ashland State Park, Chester Blandford State Forest, Lake Lorraine State Park, Windsor State Forest, Berry Pond in Harold Parker State Forest, Dean Pond in Brimfield State Forest , and Fearings Pond in Myles Standish State Forest

Streeter Point Recreation Area

Picnic area at Streeter Point 6 Streeter Point Ave Sturbridge MA 01566 508 347-9257 This accessible area has a 100 car parking area and offers fishing, swimming and picnicking on 400 acre East Brimfield Reservoir. Boating access is from ramps located on US Army Corps of Engineers maintained ramps on Rt 20. Park Directions The park is located off of Route 20 in south-central Massachusetts From the East or West: Follow the Mass Pike (Rte. I-90) to exit #9 in Sturbridge. Take Rte. 20 West. After crossing over Rte 148, look for signs to Streeter Point. Park entrance is on the left.