This Is Framingham

As I posted last month, I have the honor of running the Boston Marathon this year.
I found a photo from 1984 of my sisters, cousins and myself (I’m in the pink pleather pants) handing out water at my dad and uncle’s store on Waverly St.
We’d look forward to that every year and I’d never guess back then that one day I’d be running this thing!  My sister (the one looking at the camera in the photo) and her kids will be there to watch me too. I’m really looking forward to it!

I’m in my 5th week of training and it’s been interesting.  I’m up at 5:30am (so I can be on the roads with less traffic) to run 6 days a week, plus working full-time and some late nights for work events.  As tired as I am, it’s been so amazing to see parts of the Ham and Sherborn (my usual routes) when the sun is rising and have had some great moments seeing animals that we don’t get a lot of downtown like deer, horses, small herds of turkeys and some furry…thing I saw scampering across the street today.

Also, I wouldn’t have this opportunity if it weren’t for Selectman Sisitsky and my work, The Framingham History Center.
I’m running to raise funds for what we do.  We’re a non-profit that needs help to do cool things like get the old Shoppers World sign up and lit again for an exhibit, provide educational programs for Framingham Public Schools and cultural events for people of all ages on all kinds of historical topics.  I’d be so grateful if anyone wants to pledge any amount. We’ve set up a pledge page and if you’re so inclined, please visit:
http://framinghamhistory.org/runforhistory/

Thanks!

I heard that the Salvation Army’s thrift shop completed the move from downtown to route 9 so I went to check it out.
The location is at 215 Worcester Rd. where Pier 1 used to be.  I’m guessing they’re working on it, but there are no signs on route 9 at the entrance to the parking lot or on the actual store front it self (which oddly faces away from the road).
Inside is clean an organized, much different from the old shop downtown.

I did think it was weird there seemed to be only one employee there. paysafecard ????????   He was helping someone find something and then would yell “I’ll be right there! ?? ?? ???? ???? ????????? ??????? ” to someone waiting to check out at the register. skrill ????????   It happened a couple times while I was walking around.
When I first heard about SA’s store moving to route 9 I was disappointed that a tax exempt agency would be occupying valuable retail space on route 9 but the space has been vacant so long that something might as well be in there.  I guess it’s better than another church since we have so many churches that use former retail storefronts in town. At least here I might find something useful and it supports a good organization.

I have only been to the Happy Swallow once, which you can read about here.  I haven’t been back but not because I didn’t like it but I just haven’t got to it, time flies by and before you know it, it’s being sold to a new set of owners. ???? ??????
I just read this article in the MWDN that describes the plans the new owners have for the place which will focus on food more than the Swallow did. ?? ??????? ?? ????????   I’ll try to check out the new place which will be called Railroad Six Sports Grill.  Good luck to them and I look forward to checking it out.   Read the article here: http://www.thisisframingham.com/the-happy-swallow

While we are working from home today because of the weekly snowstorm installment, Ethan ran out of Coke and was going to go out to a store and get some.  I thought he was crazy to go on the roads and risk someone sliding into his car (or vice versa).  The closest convenience store is a 10 minute walk, which normally is fine but with the snow still coming down and the roads the way they are (and the sidewalks are a mess too) it still seemed unappealing or unsafe to go out for something like a bottle of coke.
Then I thought of the hospital, which is right across the parking lot from our house and why not check out their gift shop?  Well the shop was closed, but the cafeteria was open so we headed up to the second floor and followed the cafeteria aroma…

It had plenty of coke and pretty much anything else you could think of to drink and eat- they even have sushi. I probably wouldn’t eat it but for anyone who might feel adventurous- you’re in a hospital anyway I guess.

Not only that but they have one of my all-time favorite ice cream treats: Twix ice cream bar!

I didn’t get one but this is great to know when it gets hot out (winter will end, right?) and I can scoot over and get some Twix awesomeness!  Those things really are fantastic.

Anyway, hope everyone is enjoying the snow, I know I’m not but…hopefully only one more month of this (even though we’ve already run out of space to put snow).
Happy shoveling!