This Is Framingham

Hi. I’m Ethan (Michelle’s significant other). ????? ???? ????? ??????? 2024 ?? ??? Michelle is away for a few days, so I’m filling in.

When Michelle and I went to visit the Fountain Street Studios a while back, one of the artists happened to mention that Henry Hobson Richardson had designed the old Framingham railroad station. [For those that don’t know, H.H. is considered one of the three most important American architects, and was the first to have a worldwide influence.] I have to admit I was doubtful because even though I’ve spent many a time sitting at the traffic light at the intersection of Waverly and Concord Streets, I never once looked over and said “Whoa! Look at that railroad depot! Is that an H.H. Richardson here in Framingham???” Research however proved the artist correct, so I went downtown on foot to take a closer look.

After checking it out up close and with a friendlier eye, I still have to say the building is really nothing to blog about. It’s definitely not Boston’s Trinity Church (one of H.H.’s most famous designs), BUT it’s not every town that can say it’s got a building designed by one of the most important American architects ever. At the risk of sounding a little dorky, I think it’s pretty neat that we’ve got one.

The only sad part to this story is that the building isn’t being used right now. Evidently an Indian restaurant called Udupi Bhavan was the last to call it home, but they’ve moved on to another location. I’m not sure if there are plans to use the old station for something new yet, but I really do hope so. It would be sad to see an H.H. Richardson building left vacant and useless. ???? ???? And I hope whoever takes it on next puts in just a little effort to spruce it up a bit. Seems like even though it’s no Trinity Church, with a little dusting off it could be a nice cultural treasure in downtown Framingham.

I have to go out of town for a few days but in the meantime Ethan said he may write something on here something at least once.  If he’s too busy partying then I’ll be back with a new post sometime next week.

I thought we’d try something a little healthy this time and go to “Big Fresh” at the strange route 30 mall.  I remember this mall used to have actual stores in it but now inside are just the back doors to restaurants you’re supposed to go in from the outside. Weird place.

Big Fresh was better than I thought it would be like inside.  It’s put together well for having such a small space and they display local artists’ work on the walls.

We just got ours to go.  I got a salmon and brown rice wrap and Ethan got some sort of Asian chicken wrap and a side of beet and asparagus salad.
The wraps were pretty good although I thought they could have lightened up on the amount of rice, I know its good filler but maybe a little more greens would have been good.  Ethan thought his was decent too.

The beet and asparagus salad was ok, nothing amazing but it I felt better about eating that than chips or fries.
I’d go back to Big Fresh, it’s nice to have a healthy option for fast food in the area.

 
I stopped by Riley’s Roast beef last Saturday to check out some of the cars at their weekly antique auto get-to-gether.  I never really thought of stopping to look at old cars but I was passing by and it the weather was so nice, I thought I’d check it out. ivermectin amount to take if i weigh 360 pounds
It seems like a real craft to care for these automobiles and they all looked like they rolled out of a showroom. pra serve a ivermectina I have a newfound respect for what these people do, it certainly must be labor of love. acheter ivera

Here’s just some of the many cars that were on display:
 

I was scanning through ebay and found these little gems.  Anyone interested in old postcards of the real Shopper’s World might want to hop on ebay and bid on these beauties. (I won’t be bidding, I buy too many nick nacks!)

I noticed a new store in the Trolley Square plaza called “nuwaves” and went to see what it was all about.
It’s a card/gift store that is well stocked and very well put together. They have fun little trinkets like decorative soaps, plush toys, “over the hill” stuff, chocolates and novelty items.

I was impressed with how neat and clean the store was even though it has so much inventory. Sometimes places like this in a small space can be too cluttered and disorganized but they do a good job with presentation.

I had a nice conversation with the lady working at the register. She said for 20 years they used to be down further west on route 9 and recently moved to this location.
Sometimes I find myself needing to get a card and a little something for an occasion and it’s great to have a nearby shop I can go to without going to the mall, shoppers (stupid) world or target and get something just as nice.

 
Monday night Ethan and I went to the Framingham Historical Society’s lecture about how Framingham is named after it’s sister town in England, “Framlingham“.  The above picture is a woodcut printed on the programs for the lecture. ???? ????? 31   The guest speaker was s nice man who is the trustee of the museum at the castle in Framlingham England, and took time out from his vacation here to give the lecture.

The seats filled up quickly and attendance was more than they planned so it was a tad uncomfortable but good to see there was such an interest. ???? ???? ??????
It was a pretty detailed lecture, not best for the mildly interested- guilty as charged, although I wasn’t sleeping like the lady next to me was (plenty of people were immersed though). ???? ?????   At the end of the 1 hour and 40 minute lecture it was concluded that losing the “L” was most likely a result from lack of uniform spelling rules when naming the town.

There will also be a Framingham Hauntings and Mysteries Trolley Tour on October 27th that I want to go on.  I’m glad they’re doing this; it’ll be interesting and fun to hear old(e) spooky tales of Framingham!