A blog for locals, by a local

The local behind the blog

Who I am

I’m Beth Melo of Southborough. It is the only place I’ve ever considered my hometown.

Drop me a line!

Got a story idea? Have an event you’d like to publicize? Have some great photos to share? Interested in advertising on My Southborough? Just want to say hello? Send me an email to mysouthborough@gmail.com.

My story

I lived here as a kindergartner. Before and after, my family moved around quite a bit. We returned when I was 12 years old and finally set down some roots.

My Southborough “street cred”:
• I used to walk across St. Mark’s golf course to attend Woodward Middle School.
• I went to Algonquin – though I once got lost on the way. (Don’t ask)
• My first job was picking apples at an orchard in town – didn’t last long.
• My second was working at the library – when it was half the current size.

After high school, I headed off to Providence College and various marketing and PR jobs.

When it came time to buy a house in 1998, this is the town where my husband and I decided we would want to raise our children.

When we moved in, I was surprised to realize that I no longer felt a sense of community. Eventually, having children and joining organizations helped me make new friends.

My history with the blog

It was when I discovered Susan Fitzgerald’s My Southborough that I really started to have a deeper sense of community. I loved reading not only about all that was happening in town, but the passionate debates around local issues.

When my friend Susan suggested that I write a blog about children’s books (my passion), I told her no way. I could never handle a blog, but I’d be happy to contribute articles to hers. She accepted.

Two years later, Susan announced she would be leaving the blog. She hoped she could find someone to take it over. I answered the call.

I sought to continue what Susan started when she created My Southborough. This should be a place to share news, debate issues, support each other in crisis, find out about events in town, and, hopefully, have some fun.

I publish new stories on the blog multiple times a day during the week, so check back often. I don’t typically post on the weekends because even bloggers need a break.

Blog History

My Southborough was founded in 2008 by Southborough native Susan Fitzgerald. Susan retired from the blogging life in 2013.

Beth Melo shared the responsibility for a transitional period in 2013, then took over the blog.

Interns: Over the years, some interns have helped out (Alyssa Borelli in 2014, and more recently Cass Melo and Michael Melo helped support the family business). In the spring of 2024, through a new partnership with Algonquin Regional High School, I’m working with interns Laney Halsey and Maggie Fitzgerald.

85 thoughts on “The local behind the blog”

  1. I just found this place. I was born in Boston and spent the early years of my life in the “old stone house” by the reservoir, belonging to my Grandfather, George Burnett, and then on Love Lane where we lived in the small cottage owned by the Priest (Sp?) family. After that, we moved to Boston and then I moved back to Southboro when my mother married a teacher at St. Mark’s. But, since I left Southboro in 1962, I have only been back a few times.

    Your blog awakened many memories through the pictures of all the places could still recognize. It feels wonderful to be back in touch with my roots.

    I have a son who works in Cambridge. On my next (first) trip to see him, I am going to drive back and spend a couple of days in the town.

    I miss it.

    Regards,

    Mac Callaway
    Copenhagen
    Denmark

  4. Dear Mac Callaway: I saw your posting mentioning your relationship to George H. Burnett. I am a member of the Southborough Historical Society and keeper of the Burnett Family Archives. Please see our website: http://www.southboroughhistory.org. We have posted lots of information about the Burnett family and Joseph Burnett’s pharmaceutical and extract business. Your grandfather was treasurer of the Joseph Burnett Company for many years.

    We also have the Joseph Burnett family genealogy thru June 1976, on a CD and in “Word”. We are undecided at this point on how to offer it to the public, but we can send you a copy upon request. The CD would be $25 for a copy & shipping.

    We are working on a history of Deerfoot Farms Company with many photos of the farm, dairy, sausage plant, bottles, ads, etc. It maybe sometime before we get it on our website as the data is very large. We do have a book on the history of Deerfoot Farms written by me in 1987. I have an addendum with new and updated information which will be included with the book. If you would like the book or other Southborough items, please contact our Museum Store by logging into our website.

    I would like to hear from you. You may reach me at padoucette[AT]southboroughhistory[DOT]org.

    Best Regards for the Holdiays, Paul A. Doucette

    PS: We have new information to be added to the story of the Joseph Burnett Company and family stories. We do this when time is available. I can email a copy of the updated stories direct to you if you wish.

  5. Thank you Susan! Your blog seemed to come out of nowhere to become THE place for Southborough news virtually overnight. It is a fantastic resource, and I feel more connected than ever with my town.

    Please stay with it.

    Cheers – Joe

  7. I love your blog. I’m fairly new to Southborough (3 years) and didn’t really feel connected with the area. That is until I found your blog. I keep up with it on a daily basis and I love knowing what’s going on around town. Please please please don’t stop writing!!

    Carol

  8. Susan,
    Finding your blog is a bright spot in my life!
    My parents and I moved to Southboro in 1949. My sister Susan was born in 1950. I attended the McCann nursery school, the old grammar school and then in 3rd grade moved to the new Woodward school, where I had Mary Finn as a reading teacher. I graduated from Algonquin in 1965 and was married in St. Mark’s Church in 1967.
    I am so enjoying your website and looking forward to any news anyone has on the old Kidder Estate – my parents sold their little home to Josephine Galligan and she told me seaveral years ago that she was going to sell to Fay and I am afraid the house has been torn down as part of the Fay West Campus construction. I checked Google Earth, but the sattelite pictures are from 2007.
    Would love to hear from local people. My sister and I made a trip back a few years ago to visit our old home, the church, library and had lunch at “the spa.”
    I may try to make a trip up in September.

  9. Judith,

    this is extraordinarily random, but Josephine Galligan is a dear friend of mine, (more or less my own Grandmother) and I was just at the house not more than 3 weeks ago. It still stands, along with the original Kidder Main House (Apts now). Your hold house is actually the only house not currently owned by the Fay School. I grew up across the street in what was called “South House.” – and almost drowned in the reservoir opposite it.

    By the way my parents were married in the St. Marks Church in about 1965 I think. My wife took an amazing picture of the church today that I bet you would love. Also things that I could help but laugh at… You had Mary Finn, and I went to Mary Finn!

    1. Caleb,

      Correction: Our parents were married at the St. Mark’s School Chapel, not the Church. They were originally going to be married there, but there was a scheduling conflict with another wonderful lady and longtime Southborough resident, Dodie Perkins.

      Your brother

  10. Caleb,
    Please give my love to Josephine – I have not seen her in several years. I am glad she is still there, that means she is doing well. My parents entrusted her with there little house and she has taken great care of it – making many improvements.
    When I lived there, the Capone Family lived in South House. They had three daughters and we all grew up together. They built a big home on Parkerville Road and moved when I was in college.
    I grew up at St Mark’s church – the Pator at the time, Gene Goll’s middle daughter and I were best friends. She and I still communicate and the last I heard, her father was still alive – well into his 80’s.
    It is such a joy to hear from old Southboro people!!!

    1. I am looking for Becky Goll Thompson — by any chance is she the “middle” daughter of former pastor Gene Goll? She was one of my roommates at Katherine Gibbs School in Boston and I’d like to find her. Perhaps you could help me.
      Thanks.

      2. Caleb,
        I am so sorry to hear that. I had missed that news and your post here was the first I had heard. She was a wonderful person – one of my mother’s closest and dearest friends. Was she still living in my parent’s home when she passed?
        Judith

  11. Dear Susan
    I grew up in Southborough and lived thereuntil I got married at St Marks in 1970.
    I still visit Southboro in my dreams. We (my sisters and I) had such an extraordinary childhood, growing up there. We lived on the south side of the Kidder estate property on the reservoir. As such we had so many things to explore as children. Fay School bought my parents home in the 60’s. I am sad to hear the main estate house will now be torn down. Although it was an apartment house after the estate was sold, it still was a huge and beautiful estate house from the outside.(except for the pink paint!) It had a wonderful wrap around porch where one could imagine the Kidders relaxing for cocktails as they looked out over the reservoir after returning from Boston by train to their summer house.
    I love that this blog exists. I have so many memories I would love to share with others who had the good fortune to grow up in Southboro.
    I will pass this site on to my Mom, who is 91, healthy and mentally perfect! She will love it.
    Polly Peace

  12. Susan,
    Did you live in the South House? I grew up in the South House of the Kidder Estate. I moved away from Southboro 20 years ago, but I actually visited the place a couple weeks ago. My Wife and I are seriously considering the idea of moving the two of us and our 6 month old back to Southboro to raise a family.

  14. hi
    I guess South House was the name Fay School gave it. But ,yes, I beleive it is the same house you lived in. After WWII , my father Ernest Capone, bought the southern part of the Kidder estate. He sold what was the laundry house to the Bailey family. We lived in the caretakers cottge which he renovated and expanded into our home. We also owned the Barn/carriage house which was a huge palyhouse for us growing up.
    its fun to know that someone else lived in our house and loved Southboro and that spot too.
    Polly

  15. Polly,

    Yes it is very fun! I loved that house, but did not love the basement, my parents tried to get me to play down there all the time, but it gave me the creeps.

  16. Caleb,
    I passed your message along to Polly and her sister this morning – thought you all would have fun things to talk about.

    Would love to share pictures and memories with you. You may contact me at my home email: judith_keneman@gallup.com

    Happy to hear from other people at that email also – do not want to monopolize Susan’s great blog and website.

    Judy

  18. Polly is absolutely right – Southboro was a great place to grow up. When my parent moved there in 1949, there were more cows than people in the town. The innocence and sense of trust in the 50’s allowed children freedom to roam the town and explore every day. Everyone knew everyone else in town, so if a child got into trouble or did anything, their mother knew about it by supper. Everyone watched out for each other. If it was raining and you saw someone walking, you just stopped and offered them a ride.
    My memeories of Southboro are like a Norman Rockwell image. The old marble soda fountain at McCann’s Drug Store, skating on the pond at St. Mark’s School and getting warmed by the roaming fire inside the little stone house, trick or treating all over town with my friends, learning to swim in the Fay pool and playing tennis on the Fay courts, fishing in the resevoir, playing in the Kidder Sunken Garden, buying penney candy and comic books at the “spa” or “news shop,” watching “Sputnik” in the night sky with my Dad, and best of all, marching in the annual Memorial Day Parade – getting a flag to carry each year from Miss Finn (of Mary C, Finn School) and getting “Hoodsies” at the Community House after.
    The town, like the rest of the world has sadly changed, but it still seems like a great place for families. Through the years, many people have asked me where I grew up and most never heard about Southboro. I guess that all will change after Money Magazine rated it as a great place to live. Watch out Southboro, your secret is out!
    My sister Susan and I visited 3 years ago – visited the library and found the shelves where Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys books were kept, walked around the Kidder Estate, visited our parent’s home and ate lunch at the “News Shop” – something our mother never let us do as kids.
    After the emails this week, I think we will visit again next month.

  19. Judy Bailey Keneman sent me an email today letting me know about the conversation that has been taking place. I have enjoyed all the memories very much. I can’t recall whether Miss Finn was my 4th or 5th grade teacher. I still remember grammar rules she drilled into us. She was also a big believer in memorizing poetry. Some of the poems (not to mention the Gettysburg Address) are still with me. My father is Gene Goll, who was the rector of St. Mark’s Church from 1950 till 1985. He is alive and well at 94. He moved to Maine in the last year to be near me and my sister, Marcia, who lives in the house next door. I am happy to hear that Olive Capone and Josephine Galligan are doing well. Southborough was a great place to grow up,

  20. Hi
    I am sitting here with my Mom Olive Capone (91) and we are loving reading Judy’s blog. my memories are exactly as Judy’s. I could share lots more and will. it was a special town and remains so. It has defined my life.

  21. glad to know that Rev. Goll is still with us and doing well. He married Ric and I 39 years ago at St Marks church. My sister Gloria sang Bridge over Troubled Water in church. I remember Rev. Goll wasn’t crazy about that but he allowed it anyway. My sister Gloria is an opera singer and that song was unbleievable with the acoustics of St Marks.

  22. Hi, My name is Gloria Capone. I grew up in Southborough along with my sisters, Sandra, Polly and Lisa. My father had his own construction company based in town and was responsible for the early development of Parkerville road in the 1960’s.
    I have so many fond memories of growing up in Southborough. I remember riding our bikes all over town without fear (or a helmet). Riding down to Ramelli’s market on a hot day for a rootbeer popsicle. Hanging out at the spa after school during Junior High. In earlier years I recall Mr. McCann’s pharmacy where you could sit at the counter and get an ice cream under the comfort of the old ceiling fans.
    My early days of music (I h am a singer) were forged in Southborough under the tutelage of one of my life’s mentors, Tony Volpe, who at that time did the music at A.S. Woodward Jr. High.
    My life has gone many miles since those days, but Southborough remains an important part of my tapestry.
    A few years ago I returned to give a benefit concert for the Belties of Breakneck Hill Farm. The town has changed a lot–but the magic is still there.

  23. I appreciate the work you put into this site. I attended SM back in the 70’s and the memories of the town and its citizens still resonate with me. I recall the annual parade and the Christmas tree lighting and attending church every Sunday.

    I enjoy coming back to visit, catching up with friends and walking through the center of town.

  24. Tony
    I forgot about the St Marks parade each year before the Groton game. I wonder if it is still an event in town.(assuming that was the parade you were referring to)

  25. I just happened upon this site and have enjoyed reading everyones comments. My parents bought the old stone house from George Burnett in 1947 and moved to Southboro with 4 children. They then had 3 more.I was the first of the second batch and was born in 1952.A good time and a good town to grow up in. The McCann’s pharmacy is a big memory. The ceiling fans and the triangular chairs around the marble topped table, also the old post office that was next door to McCann’s. I was just in Southboro this past June for my mother’s funeral. It is still a beautiful town. My siblings and I are hoping who ever moves into the stone house next will enjoy it as much as we did. It was a great house to grow up in and absorbs a lot of people.

  26. I am sorry to hear of Mrs. Garfield’s passing. I have such a distinct and great memory of her and the Stone House. She was my last and BEST stop on the Girl Scout cookie sale route. I could always count on her for at least 20 boxes! She was so busy but would say “just sign me up with 2 of everything!” I can see her now in that huge stone kitchen where there always seemed to be at least 3 high chairs and something always cooking. She was a very nice lady as I remember her.

  27. I have happy memories of going to summery holiday parties at the Garfields. I remember Mrs. Garfield was always warm, welcoming and fun. Condolences to Abe and his siblings.

  28. I was sorry to hear about your mother’s passing Abe. I never had the priveledge to meet her. I always loved the house and knew the “Garfields” lived there and always wondered what it was like inside. I believe that my mother may have known your mother, but she is also gone now.

    I hope that someone special will take good care you your old home. There are so many beautiful homes in Southborough from a long ago era, I hope that some of them are preserved. In today’s economy, that may be difficult, taxes and upkeep alone are very steep, not to mention repairs and maintenance. They are such wonderful testaments to the atmosphere and way of life that made the town so special, even if you did not live in one of them. I grew up in what used to be the laundry of the Kidder Estate, but I think the beautiful old homes I walked by each day blossomed into an interest in new England architecture. That is why it is such a shame that Fay is going to tear down the old Kidder House – it is a part of Southborough history and a great example of shingle and Queen Anne architecture – especially before it was painted pink. I remember when they first started painting over the old weathered shingles – we just couldn’t believe the color! My dad always thought that they must have found a good sale on the paint.

  29. I am Judith Bailey Keneman’s sister and I too am thrilled to connect with the best memories and people of my early life. Gloria Capone, Polly Capone, and Becky Goll were a daily presence in my early life. Gloria was and continues to be the only person that ever knew how to style my hair. I used to ride on Polly Capone’s handle bars down the sidewalk to Woodward School. My mother never let my sister or I ride bicycles to school. The “Big House” as we called it should never be torn down for it offers more than nostalgia. My sister and I visited our house and we walked in the old cornfield next to the reservoir. I imagined skating on the frozen areas of the field in the 1950’s. I also visualized the countless hours Gloria and went fishing behind her house and caught frogs. I was so glad that Fay School has not changed that landscape. I think Judy and I will return to this wonderful town again next month.

  30. I forgot about riding Susan Bailey on my handlebars! We had so much fun.
    Riding bikes, not just to school, was an important part of our childhood in Southboro. We were lucky to be given a lot of freedom and such a beautiful town to explore. Bikes were our ticket to adventure. Most Moms were stay at home Moms, without a second car. Therefore if you wanted to have a “playdate”(in today’s vernacular) or see a little league game during the week, it was walk or ride your bike. I always felt safe.
    I still love riding my bike. I imagine it is largely due to being reminded of those wonderful days of freewheeling in the Southboro countryside as a child.

  31. Susan,
    I have been organizing my parents old photos and have found some very old historic pictures of Southboro. I am sending them to the Historical Society, but I just found some of the old Garfield House and would like to share them with Abe Garfield.
    Could you share my email address with him so that he can get them if he wishes?
    Thanks
    Judith

  32. My sister Susan and I visited Southborough on Thursday. We had breezed through on Sunday, trying to meet up with some of the Kidder family descendants. A member of the family had died and they were in town for the funeral. Unfortunately, weather and traffic on 95 made us late for our meeting and we missed meeting them. I had informed them of the propossed tear down of the old Kidder house and they wanted to see it for themselves – some of them had never been to the estate.
    It was quite a shock for Susan and I to see all the new Fay buildings in what used to be a woods between the house and Main Street. The Fay North House was gone, the driveways removed and new buildings are everywhere! The house was still there on Sunday – still pink, but very shabby looking. The Kidder family told me that they had found the house with my directions and had spoken to some workers who informed them that the house was being repainted. That was good news to our ears, and low and behold, when we arrived on Thursday, the pink was mostly gone! The house was grey and the painters told us it was going to be blue when they were done.
    Sounds to me like demolition has been cancelled or at least postponed. Happy news to our ears!
    We had a great visit – had lunch at the “Spa” as we used to call it downtown, drove around town to see familiar sites and homes of past friends and even visited the Bargain Box on its opening day. Most of my clothes came from there when we were growing up. We spent a lot of time walking around the Kidder Estate, taking lots of pictures and visiting with Josephine Galligan who still lives in our parent’s home.
    We were surprised to see how narrow the streets in town are! Many of the old homes we remembered are still there, but look smaller to us as we have grown older and bigger.
    We had a wonderful visit! Southborugh is still the beautiful town we remember. We are sad we will miss Heritage Days – one year I will make the trip to be there and celebrate with the town we love so much.
    Judy and Susan Bailey

  33. From 3,000 miles away in Southern California I found this lovley website. My connection to Southboro is through my husband and his family, the McGillicuddys on Parkerville Rd. They built their home in the 1960’s and still live in their “house in the woods”.

    When I met my husband in California and got married some 18 years ago, I had never been to the East Coast. My only memory as a beach girl were the calendars we would hang up . The pictures depicting Fall and Winter were these magical and beautiful photos of New England villages. I loved them! This to me is Southborough. As we return each each year to visit, it is great to hear of all the stories of their youth and just the simple way of small town life they enjoyed etc. So different from growing up in So. Cal. My son who is 10 loves visiting Southboro and enjoys hiding things in the stone fences down the road and then returning to find them the next year.

    I too am fasciniated/obsessed with the stone mansion. I have told my husband, I would love to move back (and sacrifice the good weather) ONLY if we can live in stone house. Are there pictures anywhere on the interior?

    Sue

      3. Hi Nancy, I, also was in your HS class and now live here in Southborough. Both you and Kevin are on our “MIA List” for an effort to pull people together for our upcoming ARHS reunion year. There is a FB group 1976arhs, but maybe Susan can pass along my contact information. Please feel free to be in touch!
        Hope all is well with you.
        Karen (Swan)
        PS-Sue, if you read this, please tell Kevin, or hopefully someone will be in touch with his parents, as they do indeed, still live here in town. I remember going to do yearbook layouts at the “house in the woods”.

      4. Hi Nancy

        Just came across this as myself and yes Kevin are here visiting southborough.He’s not on social media. I’m sort of the one who reads the blog and shares with him. And he does love it. When I told him your name he said oh yes Nancy! He said lots of good memories!!

  34. Well, Sue McGillicuddy, this may be your lucky day!
    I just heard that the Garfield family is going to put the house on the market. They spent the first week in October going through the house and packing up their belongings – I can’t imagine what a sad and difficult job that must have been.
    If you are really interested in buying the house, this may be your big chance. I sure hope someone will buy it, fix it up and love it as much as the Garfield family has done for the last 50 years or so.

  35. My great grandfather, Charles Misener, and grandmother lived in Southborough in the late 1800’s and early 1900s. I am trying to locate John Misener or Bertha Misener. I plan on taking my parents to Mass. in August and am trying to reconnect with relatives. Anyway help you can give me would be greatly appreciated!

    1. Hi Elaine, I know how to get in touch with members of the Misener family and will forward your contact information on to them.

      (A note to readers: It’s fun to hear about all the different family connections from those of you reading this blog, but please note that I won’t publish comments that have details about where specific residents in town live. Just a privacy thing.)

      1. Thank you so much! We were there some years back and my cousin decided to throw in a trip to Southborough and Winchester. We actually went into our great-grandparents’ house. We also went to the cemetry and looked at all the graves. The people at the cemetery told us where Bertha lived and she was actually home but I don’t have any contact info on her. This time, I want to actually plan the trip and get together with people. My great-grandfather worked at St. Marys. My cousin and I are trying to get all this information before it’s all lost! Anyway help you can give me is GREATLY appreciated!

  36. Hi Elaine,
    I wish I could help but I haven’t lived in Southborough since 1975. Did want to let you know though that Bert Misner was my babysitter and that of my sisters Sandra and Polly when we were young children. I have pleasant memories of her. Good luck in you search.
    Gloria Capone

  37. Elaine,
    The Misener family name os very familiar to me, but I cannot exactly pinpoint my memory. My family lived in Southborough from 1949 until my parents moved to Florida in the 1980’s. Unfortunately both of my parents have passed and I know my mother would know about the family when they lived there.
    I do a lot of genealogical research on my family and I have tried various paths to find relatives. You can check with the vital statistics dept and see any people with that name who have benn born, married or died in the town. Check with the library to see if they have old phone books which would list addresses. Also, check with the historical society to see what kinds of records they have.
    I will do a little online research and get back to you if I find anything.

    Judith Bailey Keneman

  38. Thsi intrigued me, so I did some research on Ancestry.com and the New England Genealogical and Historical Society sites where I am a member.
    I have just emailed the Soughborough.com site with some Census records of the Misener family and also information on a family member still living in Southborough. Susan will have your email address so she can pass it along to you.

    Good luck with searching the family. I have done this many times myself and it is very rewarding.

    Judith Bailey Keneman

  39. Gloria,

    This is a riot,
    I have been looking for your email address for three days. I have some pictures I wanted so send you
    Drop me an email – my address is judith_keneman@gallup.com
    I was about to send Polly the pictures to forward along to you.

    Judy Bailey Keneman

  42. I only learned about and gained access to this site this (3/23/10) evening, and enjoyed reading about revived memories, about the cluster of folks who lived, played and grew up in the northwest part of town. In one way or another I have kept in touch with several of the families I knew over the decades from 1947, and thank Susan for providing a site for shared thoughts.

  43. Why Birkenstocks with socks? Because it’s friggin’ COLD in New England in winter. And being a coffee-swilling, recycling, crunchy sort myself, I do not shelve my Birks based on the weather. ;-)

  44. I grew up in southboro! on john matthews rd near neary attended Walcot, Finn, Neary schools, my mom taught at Wallcot, my dad was chairman of the school commitee! i survived luekemia, a stroke a coma rehab by the age of 12 while living in southboro! i had a home nurse helping me from labrie, and i rehabed and was pretty much born again! had lots of support from the town!!!!! i played southboro youth soccer, baseball basketball! then went to fay, st. marks, after college in upstate New York, i moved to NH, ME for about 8, 9 years teaching environmental education, leading canoue, hiking trips in ME, teaching , skiing ski patrol in NH, working with developmentally disabled people in ME growing my beard hair for 7 years!! i moved back to southboro a few years ago! and remembering all the great memories i have of the town! i now teach at A charter school in Marlboro, i drive by center of town almost every day, by st marks almost every day! so many great memories!!!!of sboro

  45. Can anyone tell me what tribe was on this land prior or during the development of the township? I couldn’t find any info on the southboroughhistory.org site.

    1. I think that you might be able to find the name of the native tribe by way of Framingham’s Historical Society. It may come up with names such as Nobscot and Algonquin. I think that there was a burial ground a bit North of Nobscot center – related to victims of smallpox – not far from the Boy Scout grounds and what used to be Nobscot Spring. This isn’t Southboro, but it’s only about 6 miles away.

  47. Susan, thank you for mentioning our course at the Southborough Library in your blog. After 2 sessions, the Library put the idea on hold – but it’s worthwhile to note many of the participants were glad to find a resource like ours. We’d be willing to offer some free computer (basics) lessons somewhere else – a small group of participants are best. Basically, we love what we do, and want people to be able to embrace their computers (and technology). Thank you again. LISA & JONATHAN SHAPIRO (www.help4computers.com)

  48. I forgot to add – Your website/blog is chock full of great information about Southborough and beyond. I’m so glad to have made this connection, and you are very talented and insightful.

  49. Dear Susan,

    I just discovered your wonderful blog when searching for info on the most recent power outage due to the October snow storm (my husband and I live on Atwood Road and were still without power when I left for work this morning). Now that I have found your blog, I will check back often for Southborough news.

    Thanks so much for providing such a great resource!

    Best regards,
    Lisa

  51. I lived on Deerfoot Rd. in Southboro for six years. I have such fond memories of playing on the stone walls in front of our house, riding our bikes to the reservoir where we’d fish (always throwing the fish back, of course!) or to a local homemade ice-cream stand (can’t recall the name!), walking to the spa to buy penny candy with the money we made at our lemonade stand, and playing for hours in the woods and fields near our house. I remember the lovely lilac trees that lined Sears Rd., the field of daffodils near the old Garfield House, the Christmas tree lighting at the community center, Heritage Day (the parade, etc.), the Firemen’s Muster, Church Fair Day, and so much more. I often tell my own daughters and my husband about my Southboro days, and what a beautiful, quintessential New England town it was. I’m glad to hear it’s retained its charm.

    I attended Peter’s School in 3rd grade (before it became the police station), and Woodward Elementary, then Jr. High until 7th grade. I was a classmate of Lisa Capone’s and believe her sister directed our school chorus for a brief time.

  52. I have lived in Southborough my whole life and am a graduate of St. Mark’s. I am currently getting a Masters of Architecture at the University of Virginia. I miss Southborough dearly when I am away and I really appreciate the work you do on this blog. I love checking in and feeling connected to the goings on of the town. Thank you very much for this wonderful blog.

  53. It is a joy to read comments and memories os Southborough – lived in since 1947 – since I recall several of the people and places.

  54. Hi-
    I’m Billy Claire, chairman of the art department at Fay School – and a former inhabitant of South House (only six months though). I’ve been teaching at Fay for 32 years now, and have seen lots of changes to campus! Originally, the plan was to take Kidder House down and build a circle of dormitories but we only built two and the economy tanked. So Kidder House has been saved thankfully, repainted, slowly being refurb-ed and is faculty housing now. But my question is – what is the little stone structure down by the reservoir, almost directly behind the barn but closer to the water? It’s only visible when the foliage is off, and some of my students and I were wondering about its purpose….

    And which house was the laundry? Is it still standing?
    thanks
    Billy Claire

  55. My family used to live in the “laundry” – from 1950 until my parents retired to Florida. It is the house that sits between South House and the “Big House” as we used to call it. The last I knew it belonged to Josephine Galligan. She and her husband made many improvements after they bought it from my parents.
    The stone building down by the reservoir used to be a root cellar and when I was a child the roof was still on it.
    I was so happy when they saved the “Big House” as it is part of Southborough history. The last time I saw it was when they were in the middle of painting it, changing it from the pink that it had been for many, many years to a blue gray. I am looking forward to seeing how it looks completed. I will be in town the end of April for Rev. Goll’s memorial service at St. Mark’s Church.
    Happy to answer any other questions you may have.
    Judy Bailey Keneman

    1. Thanks Judith-
      I appreciate the info- I was afraid there might be a well in there or something. I think we should get a project going to restore it. It’s got a lot of poison ivy though- might be tricky.
      Billy

      1. Poison Ivy was the bane of my existence when I was a child. It grew everywhere! I was sad to hear, just yesterday, that Josephine Galligan had passed away last month. I visited her just last April with my husband when we were in town. Do you know if she sold her house to Fay School – very interested to learn what happened to my childhood home which she bought from my parents.
        Thank you
        Judith

        1. It’s still too early to know what is going to happen with the house. It would make the most sense for Fay to buy it if it goes on the market since it is totally landlocked by Fay. However, I know there are relatives so it’s anyone’s guess what will happen.

        2. hi Judith –

          I am the current resident of South House, and we were Josephine’s neighbors when she passed. My family had become quite friendly with Josephine, her nieces and great-nephew. The house is still owned by her family; her brother was here today. When we know what is going to happen to the house – it’s been about eight months now – I will pass on to you any info I can!

          Heidi Q.

          1. Thank you Heidi. The people at Fay want to buy it, but the family claimed the price was too low. It is much bigger now than when I wS a child. Josephine added to the house twice, adding bedrooms, bathrooms and a dining room. When I lived there, we only had 2 bedrooms, one bathroom, a kitchen and living room. My father added a porch, which later became a small family room.
            Winters are always fun, but I bet Fay does a better job clearing the driveways than back in my time.

            Judy

  56. Hi, In the fall when school opens the NSMA will have a new music information web site. At the current time people can gather information from this link. https://sites.google.com/site/nsmusicassociation/
    Go Daddy is going to direct the old link to this new link but this has not happened yet. The page will provide both parents and student helpful and timely information about music programs and special events in all N&S schools. NSMA has a big fund raising opportunity during Applefest this year and the info is located under the news section of our web page. Janice Fournier co-chair NSMA

  57. Welcome aboard Beth.
    As you can see from past posts, I have enjoyed sharing old memories of Southborough with some of my old friends from back in the 50’s and 60’s. It was fun this morning to read all old comments and stories shared. The town is a place that creates memories that not only stick in your heart, but evoke floods of beautiful pictures that float through your mind. When I visited this April, it was even more beautiful than I remembered. Standing on the green, gazing at the churches and Town Hall, the trees and flowering shrubs made it look like the beginning scene of a movie – all we were missing was the orchestral music.
    This is a great website and I hope you enjoy your new role. Susan did a great job and we will all miss her.
    Judith Bailey Keneman

  58. This is amazing.
    My family lived at The Kidder Estate circa 1947-1949 and my mother, Pearl Markham Champagne, worked at St. Marks School. We then bought a house on Parkerville Rd and lived there until about 1953. Our neighbors there were the Potters.
    At Kidder, my mother was friends with the Pinks- i believe their little boy, Gregory, was my age.

    I have no memories of the Estate but i do remember Parkerville road, then a whistlestop village in Southville, with a few homes, a general store and an ice cream shop run out of the side porch of a house near the tracks.
    Judith, if you have posted some photos on Flickr or some other host, i would be excited to see them.
    Thanks so much for this lovely blog.

  59. Mariah,
    I just saw your post and what a flash of memories. I remember the Pinks very well. They were my parents best friends for many, many years, even after their built their home in Weston. They went to all the Pink children’s weddings. I remember Gregory and his big brother Jimmy and then I think they had girls. They lived in the first floor apartment that faced our home. We moved there in 1949, so I was only 2 when you lived there. I am happy to share photos – just email me judithkeneman@gmail.com

  60. Born in Framingham (June 1941) raised in Southborough on central street — left in January 1979 but search the web for all that’s good about Southborough . I was a police officer under Chief Frank Mattioli – our one room police station was in the town hall. Sgt Petrasick was my sgt – William colliery – Robert Dunn – William Harpster. fellow officers — Miss the town but enjoy all the good that the future holds – plan to return for a visit in late april or early May 2015

  61. Can anyone tell me what is up with that strange house on Pine Hill Road who installed machine guns on his front porch? Seems slightly antisocial to me.

  62. Well, South House is nothing but a hole in the ground now. Galligan’s house is next. Due to town sewage requirements, it was either connect to the sewage treatment plant Fay built (requiring getting through the ledge in the way) or tearing them down. Both houses weren’t in the best of shape so what happens next I don’t know….

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