Day Tripper Dispatches: Greater Boston

Saturday, October 15, 2011

King Richard's Faire

Every year, King Richard's Faire comes to Carver on week-ends from September through the end of October. Our Divas went on Sept. 3rd, the first day of the Faire, when Carverites can attend for free (admission is usually $26.). Once you are within the gates, everything is quite expensive. Reading reviews about the Faire, we can understand why some people feel it's "outrageously overpriced." But if you don't eat at the Faire, you can save quite a bit and still enjoy the sights and entertainment. - from Elizabeth Evans via Gather.

Tuesday, September 06, 2011

The Paper House ~ Recycling in the 20's

After a morning adventure in Bear's Neck, Rockport, Massachusetts, a friend and I went on a quest to find DogTown, " a deserted village taken over by evil crones and toothless witches" in the early-19th century nearby. After roaming around for a good hour, we gave up on our quest and decided next year, we'll take the tour offered at the Visitor's Center. Then it was on to The Paper House, a cottage built entirely of newspapers by Elis F. Stenman and his family in 1922.

The walls are made of 215 layers of newspaper. Most of the exterior layer type is completely readable, and if my friend and I had the time and inclination, we could have spent hours perusing classic headlines and snippets of articles. Needless to say, neither one of us has that kind of patience. A highlight was the writing desk made from accounts of Charles Lindbergh's transatlantic flight, and a radio cabinet plastered with news from Herbert Hoover's presidential campaign.

-- by Elizabeth Evans (a DayTripper Diva from Gather.com)

(See more photos on Gather blog)

Horsing Around at Sweet Meadow Farm

In August, we headed out to celebrate a friend's birthday party at Sweet Meadow Farm in Sherborn (where my daughter and her friend Anna blissfully attended camp this summer). Owner Patty Michaud starts birthday parties at the barn and kids get to work with ponies, then tack up the horses. Each guest gets to ride and feed the horses. Then everyone heads up to the pet store at the Michauds' house, where they can observe and handle the guinea pigs, kittens, birds, and other small animals. Finally, guests enjoy a small party at the farm house or the new indoor barn, which includes a Sweet Meadow gift for the birthday girl. It's a bit pricey at about $30 per guest, but we are huge fans of Sweet Meadow. The Michaud family gives back to their community by donating equine therapy, and they do a great job of educating kids about animal care and enjoyment. (Grownup Alert: Sweet Meadow is also near the Natick Mall if you want to drop off!)

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