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Drive-through plans for Starbucks head to Land Court
Vol. 51 | No. 17 | April 25, 2025
Woman makes Easter baskets for New England widows
Summer Camp &
By Maureen Sullivan Assistant Editor
Activity Guide
WESTBOROUGH – The applicant wishing to build a Starbucks with a drivethrough at 210 Turnpike Road has filed an appeal with the state’s Land Court. The appeal — filed by 6 Humphrey Street Realty Trust on March 24 — named the members of the Planning Board as defendants. According to documents filed with the Land Court, the plaintiff accused the board of exceeding its authority when it denied a special permit to allow a drive-through for the cafe. On March 4, the board approved a site plan review by a 5-0 vote; the cafe is allowed by right within the town’s
Meet Shrewsbury’s Select Board candidates Kerri Bratcher and other local volunteers made over 50 Easter baskets for families in need. (Photo/ Shealagh Sullivan)
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Shrewsbury Town Hall lit up in honor of Paul Revere’s midnight ride
Shrewsbury’s Town Hall on April 18
By Evan Walsh Managing Editor SHREWSBURY — “One if by Land, Two if by Sea.”
Town Hall | 5
Page 10
By Shealagh Sullivan Reporter REGION – Kerri Bratcher knows just how difficult the holidays can be after losing a loved one. After losing her husband 10 years ago, Bratcher started Kerri’s Kardinals, an events business that raises money yearround to help young widows and their families financially. Whether it’s gifts around the holidays, funds for a funeral, or even a housekeeper for a busy mom, Bratcher wants to be there for grieving families. For the past two years, she has put together Christmas gifts and shipped them across the country. Now, she’s bringing her mission back locally for Easter. “I remember, especially at Christmas time, not even wanting to wrap presents — I didn’t even want to get out of bed to begin with,” Bratcher said. “You have to keep going and keep … the holidays alive for your children and keep them special. I just wanted to ease their pain and give them a little bit of help.” Bratcher collected donations from com-
ing erv ly S 1996 d u Pro Since You
munities across Central Massachusetts and Rhode Island and gathered with residents across the state to put together baskets for families in need. She also accepted monetary and Instacart gift card donations to send groceries for Easter dinner. Altogether, she and other volunteers made over 50 baskets and filled over 1,000 Easter eggs with candy for local families, as well as a few families outside of New England. Around 25 of the families she’s donating to are located in Central Massachusetts. But for Bratcher, the help can go deeper than gifts and food. It offers a place for widows to find community, to talk about grief with someone who has been in their shoes. “Picking up the pieces,” she said, is never easy, and can often feel isolating for young mothers. “It gives them hope, which makes me feel good that I can help somebody in the same situation so they have someone to talk to, someone to relate to,” Bratcher said. Starting her organization came out of her own grief. Her children were 6 and 11 years old when her husband died from a
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