The Landmark

06/15/2024

Paxton Days and Summer Jam happening now. Comeon out!

06/06/2024

05/27/2024

11/01/2023

In case you thought we missed it ...

10/26/2023

The Red Barn is holding its annual Halloween festivities this weekend...

Join the Friends of the Red Barn for
Costumes, Scarecrows, Prizes, Music, Food, Drink

Halloween Family Fun
12:00-3:00 pm
Saturday, October 28th
at
The Red Barn
52 Shrewsbury Street, Holden

Make your own scarecrow from 12:00 to 2:15 pm
Come early: first come first served due to a (limited number of frames
Prizes awarded for the best Scarecrows at 2:30 pm

Wear your Halloween costume and join the costume parade at 2:15 pm
Prizes awarded for the best costumes after parade at 2:30 pm

Bring your homemade Jack-o-Lantern to set up at the Red Barn
Prizes awarded for the best Jack-o-Lanterns at 2:30 pm

Jack-o-Lanterns and scarecrows will be displayed at the barn through Halloween

In case of inclement weather see: The Friends of the Red Barn

10/26/2023

10/20/2023

Have seen lots of chatter about the former inn. It is back on the market, priced well above the $600k it went for two years back.

For Sale - 240 & 223 Worcester Rd, Sterling, MA - $849,900. View details, map and photos of this commercial property with 0 bedrooms and 0 total baths. MLS # 73171928.

10/16/2023

Town of Holden Department of Public Works

Quinapoxet Street Update-Yes, we are aware that it is overtopping. Yes, we are working to address the issue. And, yes, it is safe to drive through the area (though it does stink). The reasons for this situation are twofold.
First, a family of beavers decided to move into the neighborhood and create/improve dams both upstream and downstream of Quinapoxet Street. That activity combined with the large amount of rain changed the amount of water flowing through the culvert, leading to a backup of water to start.
Second, the culverts at this location are failing. We have been engaged for more than a year with design and permitting for a replacement. The game plan had been to perform the construction work next spring/summer. Unfortunately, that probably is not going to work, and we will be looking at an emergency replacement in the near future.
There are steel plates buried under the asphalt, bridging the failing pipes, and thus preventing the road from collapsing. Unfortunately, the failing pipes are now restricting the flow through them, which leads to the backup of the water flow, and thus the water flowing over the top of the road.
As for the smell from the water, there's nothing that we can do about that. Thank the upstream beaver dam for creating more of a swamp type environment and the fragrances associated with such a water body. When the culvert is replaced and flow increases through the culvert, perhaps that smell will be reduced as less water is stagnating at the road shoulder.
As the "Go Slow" signs state, we recommend you go slow if you travel through this area. If you don't want to smell the water or get your vehicle wet, we'd recommend you seek an alternate route. Which brings us to the next bit of info...
When construction does start, Quinapoxet Street will be completely closed to all traffic at this location. There will be no through traffic. It will be several weeks of this happening. There is no road width available for keeping a lane of traffic open. We realize this is not an ideal situation, but as a former great football coach once said, "it is what it is". The work will go as quickly as possible, but the biggest issue will be water control. And as we can all see, there is a lot of water out there.
To summarize, beavers and old infrastructure are not a good mix. We have been working to address the situation for some time, but our hoped for schedule for doing the work has not come to fruition. Steel plates are bridging the failing pipes, and we do not believe there is any concerns about the road failing under a traffic load-if we have those concerns, we will shut the road down. When work begins, Quinapoxet Street will be closed for several weeks.
Its certainly not an ideal situation for anyone, but we are aware of the problem and have a plan in place to address the issue. As we get definitive dates for the road shutdown, we will be letting everyone know. Thanks for your understanding and patience as we work to address the issues at this location.
🦫🦫

09/21/2023

https://www.thelandmark.com/als-candy-shoppe-is-an-experience/

By Danielle Ray Landmark Correspondent HOLDEN — There’s some sweet sentiment behind the name of Al’s Candy Shoppe, the Main Street business launched by the McGreevy family in July. “We already have stores named to honor some members of our family that have passed — my grandmother Elizabeth...

09/07/2023

Walk for kitties!

One month to go for our annual Harold Moses walk !!! Come on out to help support the kitties - October 7th@ 11:10 am Sterling Rail Trail! All walkers receive a free Harold Moses Paws for walking T shirt and there will be light refreshments after the walk. To help raise money for the kitties we will also have some awesome raffle baskets ! Tickets are $1.00 each. All walkers will get 2 free tickets . We will also have our calendars available to purchase for $12.00 each. Hope to see a lot of you there !! 😺😺

08/22/2023

The Landmark has lost a true friend and supporter, and a wonderful man of service and integrity ...

Share Memories and Support the Family.

08/07/2023

Update 8/10 5:30PM - The search for Mr. William Blackwood has concluded. He was found a short time ago. Unfortunately, he was found deceased. Our thoughts are with his family. This was an isolated incident and there is no danger to the public regarding his death. We would like to thank everyone for their assistance in the search for him. We would especially like to thank the Princeton Police Department, Massachusetts State Police Special Emergency Response Team & Detective Unit, the Rutland Regional Emergency Communication Center and all other organizations who helped with this effort. All media inquiries can be made to the office of Joseph D. Early Jr., Worcester County District Attorney's Office.

Update 8/7 5PM - Vehicle has been located in Worcester. Mr. Blackwood remains missing.

MISSING PERSON: Please be on the lookout for William J. Blackwood, age 36 of Rutland. William was last seen on Saturday 8/5, operating a blue 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis (MA plate 7ZT431). If you have any information on William’s whereabouts, please contact our dispatch center at 508-886-4033 (dial 0).

Rutland Regional Emergency Communication Center
Wachusett Regional Emergency Communications Center
Princeton Police Department
Worcester Police Department (Official)

08/01/2023

Krystal's Wildlife Rehab hasn't slowed down this summer ...

07/28/2023

Running will be a lot better in October ...

07/21/2023

07/10/2023

Possum on a half shell

06/16/2023

Welcome to Holden's new Deputy Chief ...

Holden Police Chief Tim Sherblom recently added the new rank of Deputy Chief to the Police Department. After the testing process was completed, Lieutenant Chris Noyes was chosen to be Holden Police Departments first ever Deputy Chief. The newly promoted Deputy Chief Noyes was recently sworn in by Holden Town Clerk Jeanne Hudson as he was surrounded by family, friends and co-workers.

Deputy Chief Noyes has been working at Holden PD for 27 years and has risen through the ranks of Sergeant, Lieutenant and now Deputy Chief. Deputy Chief Noyes has been instrumental in the departments accreditation process.

Please join us in congratulating the Holden Police Departments newly appointed Deputy Chief Chris Noyes.

06/08/2023

Turn out to cheer on your favorite softball team ...

06/07/2023

For those who heard sirens last evening, a house fire was the cause.

06/06/2023

Looking snazzy, Sterling!

05/05/2023

We've focused a lot on Holden and Rutland this season, but things are happening over in Sterling as well, as our sister paper The Item notes ...

Neil Lefebvre and Kirsten Newman, running for Sterling Select Board, appeared at the candidates’ forum. Photo from SLCTV broadcast

05/05/2023

The Countdown is on…Opening Day is Tuesday May 16th from 3-6 and below is our LONG list of Vendors signed up for the market:
Mesa Farm (Veggies)
Sundance Farm (Veggies)
Rockpile Farm (Veggies)
Rock Harvest Farm (Veggies)
Indian Summer Farm (Herbs and Flowers)
Ashland Farm (Corn when in Season)
Greenwood Hill Farm (Lamb Meat)
Plant Matter Microgreens (Microgreens)
Birch Tree Bread (Breads and Pastries)
Leland Mushrooms (Mushrooms)
Arlene’s Soaps (Natural Goat Milk Soaps)
Pease Orchard (Apples and More) typically comes later in the market
Dave Morrison (Knife Sharpening)
Lucky Me Farm and Kitchen (Jellies and Onions)
Hillside Herbal Farm (Teas and Herbal Products)
Bee Nice Farm (Honey, Honey Based Soaps/Lotions with Beeswax, Candles and More)
Kate Bakes (Baked Treats)
03450 Flowers (Flower Bouquets)
Andean Dawn Alpaca (Alpaca Products)
Skip’s Jelly (Pepper Jellies)
Hillside Farm (Bedding, Plants etc)
Giacomo’s Gourmet Foods (Grab n Go Meals, Soups, Sides, Chilis, Salads, Baked Treats, Granola, Beverages and More)
Hancock Farm (Dairy Products)
Mathilde Duffy (Handcrafted Cards, Bookmarks etc)
Come and join us!