sm
Since 1974 fo r
rs
Supp or
Locally owned and operated since 1974
cal Journ g Lo ali tin
ea O ver 5 0 Y
Your community. Your news. Your paper.
Shrewsbury · Westborough · Northborough · Southborough · Marlborough · Hudson · Grafton
After foreclosure, town retains Empire Dry Cleaning property
100% FREE
Vol. 51 | No. 48 | November 28, 2025
Civic Club celebrates 50 years of service
Bunny Perron celebrates 104 years
westborough | 6 Public art honors community — and apples By Evan Walsh Managing Editor
northborough | 14
SHREWSBURY – What should Empire Dry Cleaning become? That question will be asked in the coming months after the Select Board voted to retain the property at its Nov. 18 meeting. The 0.24-acre site, located in the heart of Shrewsbury Center, has been an abandoned property — and eyesore — for years. Empire | 15
Zeh School roof estimated to cost $8M: ‘A tough sell’ By Shealagh Sullivan Reporter NORTHBOROUGH – An $8 million capital request to replace the roof of Marion E. Zeh Elementary School was met with skepticism from the Northborough Financial Planning Committee Nov. 18. “I can’t reconcile $8 million for a roof,” said committee member Ryan Maynes. While the sticker cost shocked some town officials, district leaders said the project is expected to have about 50 percent of costs reimbursed through the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), leaving $4 million to be covered by the town. Assistant Superintendent of Operations Keith Lavoie said the district is finalizing the feasibility and schematic design phase; the town does not have a final cost estimate yet. “ T h i s i s a h u ge a m o u n t o f money. Even with the estimated [reimbursement], it’s still over Zeh | 15
Officials to narrow down options for Neary School
Members of the Civic Club stand with the old tree sale sign in the late 1980s. (Photo/Courtesy)
By Leighah Beausoleil Assistant Editor WESTBOROUGH – One winter holiday season, a young couple came to the annual tree sale hosted by the Civic Club. They arrived in what was described as a “beat-up car” and were seemingly looking to use their last dollars to get themselves a Christmas tree, but ultimately decided they couldn’t afford it. “Merry Christmas — here’s your tree,” Donald Shapleigh recalls telling the couple as he placed a tree by their car. A member of the club since the 1970s — before it was even known as the Civic Club — Shapleigh said in its 50-year history, there have been a lot of good times and a lot of “brutally sad times.” He remembers another tree sale season, on a particularly cold day, when a man from a nearby nursing home walked up East Main Street with hardly any layers on. After 40 years, tears still surfaced
along with the memory as he recalled the man telling him he was looking for his wife. Shapleigh helped him get back to his home, but says he remains touched by this incident. “Human beings are human beings,” he said simply. For Shapleigh and others, it was moments like those that kept members motivated to remain in the club and continue to serve its mission. The Civic Club was established as a nonprofit organization in 1975 and exists for the sole purpose of benefiting the town and its residents. Prior to its establishment, founding members had been a part of Civitan, an Alabama-based service organization. However, with the cost of out-of-state dues, they decided to part ways and create their own organization. Since that time, the tree and wreath sale has served as the club’s only fundraising source. And in the last 50 years, Civic Club | 13
Graphic designer finds new inspiration to create children’s books WESTBOROUGH – For over 35 years, Tina Berthiaume served as a graphic designer and art director for The Community Advocate. Now, after retiring from a career dedicated to visual communication, she has Designer | 14
southborough | 16 $46M Route 20 corridor improvement project ‘on schedule’
shrewsbury | 29
Stay up to date with all the news!