Short Stops

Down on the Farm

They’re cute, they’re cuddly, and they’re waiting for you to visit! Alpacas and llamas, goats, cows and ponies…you (and the kids) will find a lot of new friends at the farms in North Central Massachusetts!

Pet a pig at Red Apple Farm in Phillipston. Milk a goat at Davis Farmland in Sterling. Relax with a morning of yoga with alpacas at In the Meadow Farm in Lunenburg or Plain View Alpaca Farm in Hubbardston. Cuddle up to a calf at Smith’s Country Cheese in Winchendon.

And be sure to take lots of photos — because these are days you’ll want to remember for years to come!  🍎

Bam! Pow! Zap!

Got a favorite superhero? Have a passion for poring over comic books? Wish you could meet Batman or Robin face-to-face?

You’ve come to the right place — because comic characters and super fans alike will be roaming the aisles of the Plastic City Comic Con at the Wallace Civic Center in Fitchburg on July 16. Filled with artists, writers, and collectors, the roomy arena is the place to be — and to meet an array of costumed characters, up close and personal. And be sure to bring the kids, because there will be a children’s workshop area…and kids under 12 can attend the convention for free!

Want to know more? Visit plasticcitycomiccon.com or swing by the convention’s Facebook page for updates on all the vendors, artists and workshops you’ll find here.  🍏

Dog-Gone Cute!

It’s a dog’s life this year in Westminster. You see them everywhere: brightly painted pups adorning sidewalks and shop doorways all along Main Street from May through October.

They’re part of the Westminster Village Foundation’s “Dog Show” — a fund-raiser that has also raised awareness of the artistic talent of local residents and students. Once the outdoor “show” wraps up in the fall, the painted pooches will be auctioned to benefit community projects.

Take a stroll through the center of town to see the creativity on display!  🍏

Something Old, Something Newer

With local communities steeped in centuries of history, interesting and useful objects lurk around every corner, waiting for you to see and enjoy.

Historical society buildings are brimming with fascinating items documenting life through the years, from antique farm implements to delicate teacups from long-gone gracious hotels, to fine miniature portraits to toys made in local factories and played with by children around the world.

Want treasures you can take home with you? A host of antique shops — like Jeffrey’s Antiques in Lunenburg and Hobart Village Mall in Townsend — have nooks and crannies filled with everything from tools to tinware and tablecloths. On weekends, yard sales abound! Community-wide yard sales in Fitchburg, Leominster and surrounding towns will keep you busy for hours, searching for that perfect widget!  🍎