So here is my first question this week from...GRACE ALPERS

9:52 pm on Saturday, January 5, 2013

Hi Hollie,
I agree with what you said about the tshirt. I mean if that is all you have to worry about then you are lucky. I was wondering what you think about the new kids place going where Grand Prix was, and what do you think about all the empty spaces for business on Main Street in Tewksbury? Especially where Osco used to be, that has been empty for years. Thank you and love the blog.

and the first comment on it....
Marianne

9:51 am on Monday, January 7, 2013

i am so disappointed and "mad" that everytime someone wants to open a store around here,it get voted down by the selectmen. Tewksbury is beginning to be a ghost town. there are no stores to shop. we are always going to Salem Nh . Rt 28 has everything.
why can't we have a Target store where Osco used to be. theres plenty of vacant spots on rt 38. all we have in this town is pizza stores and banks.. Its time we "explore" a little and bring some economy to this town. Wouldn't this also help with our taxes??? bring in jobs?? keep us shopping in town??
im signing this
disgusted

Hi Grace & Marianne & thanks for writing.
I think that the MVP or Merrimack Valley Pavillion that is now where Grand Prix was is a great thing to add to the seemingly defunct Rt. 38 section of Tewksbury. There are really no places for the kids to go, so I think it is a welcomed change. I agree with you Marianne in regards to the vacant spots on 38. If you start at the Wilmington end & work your way to Lowell, there are over a dozen empty business & lots. I think a Target would be perfect at the old Osco site. I think a few years ago they tried to come in , but were bullied out by all the stupid things the town wanted them to do, like widen route 38. So they went to Lowell instead. The town should look into getting more business into Tewksbury because I know alot of people who go to Wilmington to shop & a ton of people who go to Route 28 in Salem like you. I don't know why a special town vote by the residents is not allowed when things like that come up. Let the residents have a fair vote instead of letting a bunch of "seat warmers" do it. I wish whoever makes those decisions would think of the big picture & the "down the road" results. I mean look at Funland...who the heck owns that? It has been for sale for years..it is a cluster...and a haven for criminals..just check the police log. Why can't the town do something about that? Can't they evict the owners? or are they the owners? There are just so many things that I feel the ball was dropped on.

Hi Hollie,
What do you think about all these people who leave their Christmas decorations way past Christmas? I have neighbors who have all their lights still on, 6 different inflatables like 10 feet high, Santa, Snoopy, Frosty..etc It is frankly ridiculous. They still have a lighted Merry Christmas sign on the front of their house! It is driving me nuts! They usually leave it up til like March..I think this is stupid..What do you think? would you say something?

They say confession is good for the soul. I confess the longest I've had my Christmas Tree up is Valentine's Day. Real tree, too. Wasn't pretty but yes, I procrastinated. :(

Hi Barry,
Well Bah humbug...I mean if that is your only gripe with your neighbors, then your lucky. I mean March is a little long, but maybe they are just keeping them up for winter. Its not like they have a big light up middle finger hanging on the house pointed at you.. You never know what means something to you could have a whole different meaning to someone else. So, no I wouldn't say something. You have to pick your battles, and frankly, this seems like one you should avoid. Honestly, if it was me and I had the decorations up, and some nosy neighbor came over and said something to me, I would leave them up year round!

hahahaha..Hollie,
I would leave them up too! That was a great answer! Where are you from originally? Just curious. thanks. Heidi

Who cares where she is from..does she have any other columns she writes? I think you have wonderful insight and a great wit in your answers. Great job. My sister has a patch in her town and they don't have a blog like yours so she reads Tewksbury's Patch to see yours!!!

Hi Hollie,
First of all, that mac and cheese recipe you gave last week was amazing. My wife is making it for the game on Sunday. Which leads to my question. My wifes sister and husband and 2 teenage boys are coming over to watch the game (invited or not ) They eat me out of house and home and never ever bring 1 thing. We have requested that they bring sodas, or desserts before, and they came empty handed anyway, the excuse was that they forgot. An excuse before that was that the store they pass on the way was closed. They are just rude. They have money so that is not the issue. How do we get them to pony up? Thanks.

Hi Greg,
I would have nothing available for them to eat when they come over. I mean use the same excuse they give you. Tell them that Market Basket was closed. You need to be straight foward with them. It is more of an ignorance thing than anything. You could tell them that you are ordering take out when they come over. Have a menu available for a good restaurant, and let them choose off the menu. Make sure you get their money before you call in the order. No money, no take out. And too bad if they play the "Oh we didn't bring any money" card, then they can watch you guys eat. I think they just might get the hint at that point, or find an ATM real quick. I can't stand whem people play dumb. I mean common etiquette in my eyes, is if you are invited somewhere, especially a family of four, then you should bring something. I always ask the host what is being served, and what I can bring. Even if a host, says something like, " don't bring anything", I still bring something. Even just a dessert or bottle of wine. It is just good manners. Good luck, and go Pats!