Raytheon To Transfer Additional Employees To Tewksbury

Company spokesman says move solidifies Raytheon's commitment to the community.

Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems, one of the nation's leading defense contractors, has announced plans to add employees at its Tewksbury headquarters. The Town Crier first reported the news over the weekend, though Raytheon declined to specify exactly how many employees would be added. In a public statement, Raytheon spokesman David Howell seemed to indicate that the employees coming to Tewksbury would be transfers from other Raytheon facilities, rather than new hires. "As part of an ongoing effort to evaluate our real estate allocations, IDS is planning to move additional employees to Tewksbury," said Howell. "This decision will help to ensure we are maximizing our available real estate and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the …

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QOTW: Where Do You Shop Locally?

We've been offering a variety of local gift ideas during this Christmas season but now we pose the question to you -- where do you shop?

When you're looking for that perfect gift or a little something for yourself, are there any Tewksbury businesses that you always check out? Is there a particular little shop along Route 38 or Andover Street that's your go-to for gifts? Perhaps you have a favorite gift shop or retail outlet that you frequent every holiday. Maybe there's a bakery that gets your order for all those special occasions in your life. At Tewksbury Patch, we love everything about the town, and we love shopping local. As we make those last minute trips to complete our Christmas shopping, we want to know — Where do you shop locally? Let us know in the comments.

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Jon Ryan's Pub Set To Open Wednesday

Owner is putting the finishing touches on renovations, staff hires.

Tewksbury's newest eatery, Jon Ryan's Pub, will open for business on Wednesday, Dec. 14. The restaurant is located on Route 38 in the former Picadilly Pub. "The first day (Dec. 14) we will probably be open just for dinner," said owner Bob Ryan. "But after that, we'll be open from 11 a.m. to midnight every day." According to Ryan, the restaurant will feature casual dining, as well as a separate sports bar area. The menu will feature a variety of meat and seafood entrees, as well as classic pub fare. The interior of the restaurant has not changed dramatically with the new ownership. However, patrons will notice flat screen TVs have been added to the walls of the dining area to broadcast sporting events. Despite the name and the green …

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You Ask ... Patch Answers

Where Does Your Christmas Tree Comes From?

You might be surprised to learn about the long strange journey your tree has traveled to get to your living room.

So, as you head out to chose the family Christmas tree, did you ever wonder where exactly it came from?  Did you ever think about how it grew so perfect or when it started its journey into your home? Well, Ken Risher of _Mahoney’s Garden Center_ can tell you all that and more about a lot of the Christmas trees available for purchase at their stores. This year 8,000 of those trees arrived in the Boston area straight from Mahoney’s own farm in Nova Scotia.  Sitting on approximately 500 acres of land this farm is a natural growing balsam fir plantation owned and operated by Mahoney’s.  If you, like me, envisioned a Christmas Tree Farm where straight rows of carefully planted trees sit waiting to be cut down and brought home then, you too, are…

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5 Great Christmas Gift Ideas For Dad

Dad is pretty tough to buy for but we have some ideas on the subject.

(Editor’s note: This is the second in our series of Christmas Gift Ideas. Next week, “Gifts for Mom.”) Your dad is almost always the hardest person on your Christmas list to buy for. What do you get for the man who seems to have everything and when you ask him what he would like he says, “I don’t know. Whatever you get is fine.” We’re here to help.  Here are five ideas for gifts you can get your dad that he will truly appreciate. 1. An Oil Change – Dad loves his car almost as much as he loves his family. Get him a gift certificate for an oil change to help him keep it running in tip-top shape. Some local shops to consider are: Concord Auto Service Sooner Lube First Class Auto Service Quality Auto Repair 2. Dunkin Donuts – You know dad …

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Applebee's Sold, Renovations Planned

Parent company selling off all 66 New England locations.

The Tewksbury Applebee's Neighborhood Bar and Grille is under new ownership. California-based Apple American Group LLC has purchased the restaurant, at 85 Main St., along with the other 65 Applebee's in New England from DineEquity in a $55 million deal. The change will officially take place in November, according to Manager Michael Calandrello. DineEquity is the parent company for Applebee's and IHOP. On Tuesday, the Board of Selectmen approved the liquor license transfer associated with the sale of the Tewksbury restaurant. "Applebee's, in whatever form it's been, has been a good citizen of Tewksbury," said Todd Johnson, chairman of the Board of Selectmen. Atty. Joseph Devlin represented Apple American Group at the hearing. According to …

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