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Local Business
SUTRA Studio
SUTRA STUDIO, a yoga and meditation center, is thrilled to announce its grand opening in the heart of Maynard’s cultural district. Located at 40 Summer St, Maynard MA, in the former Knights of Columbus building – expanding from their hub of 10 years in Lowell, MA, the Maynard location aims to provide an inspired and welcoming environment for the local community to explore and deepen their yoga and mindfulness practices.
SUTRA Studio, known for its community-focused approach, offers a diverse range of yoga classes catering to all levels, from beginners to advanced practitioners. Classes include Vinyasa, Power Yoga, Kundalini, Yin, SPA, Chair and Restorative yoga, each incorporating meditation and breathwork to enhance physical and mental well-being. Mindfulness classes such as guided meditation, yoga nidra (sleep yoga), sound baths and one on one instruction are offered as well.
When asked “Why Maynard?” Jennifer Howell, studio founder suggests that “Maynard feels like a community that’s connected and excited about exploring growth for the future in a way that nurtures diversity and inclusivity – something SUTRA deeply aligns with. It’s evident the cultural district is unique with its offerings and we are a unique kind of studio.” Howell exclaims that “while SUTRA is known for its edgy aesthetic, and sometimes ‘cup of coffee in a sea of tea’ our team works to perfect an environment to inspire a ‘real’ yoga practice of compassion and connection beyond what one might label as yoga”. She continues “our goal is to create an inclusive space where everyone feels welcome and inspired to grow in their practice.” said “Yoga has the power to transform and connect us, and we are here to support that journey for the community, keeping the yoga philosophy accessible and actionable in our everyday lives.”
The studio’s experienced team includes certified instructors with extensive training and a passion for fostering a compassionate and connected community. Additionally the studio hosts a boutique of consciously sourced items for sale, and has plans to continue its rotating artist installation in Maynard as well.
SUTRA encourages living a yoga-inspired life beyond the yoga mat or meditation cushion. Through music, art, comedy, and other offerings – SUTRA will have community inspired workshops, events, and entertainment. Join SUTRA’s mission to cultivate mindfulness, connection, and well-being in a historical space where wellness, art, and community can thrive together.
To celebrate the grand opening, SUTRA is offering an introductory special of 30 days of unlimited yoga and meditation classes for just $60. This offer is available exclusively to new customers and may be used in Lowell, Maynard and online – providing an excellent opportunity for individuals to experience the variety of classes and services available.
For more information about schedules, rates, and upcoming events, visit www.sutrastudio.com, or contact the studio at [email protected]
**Contact:**
SUTRA STUDIO
40 Summer Street, Maynard, MA 01754
250 Jackson Street, Suite 505, Lowell, MA 01852
Phone: (844) 337-8872
Email: [email protected]www.sutrastudio.com
Felixology: books, gifts, and art for the magical mind
Stepping inside Felixology is like stepping into a whimsical forest. When Elizabeth Parise’s son Felix passed away from Mesothelioma cancer in late 2018, Elizabeth knew she wanted to do something to honor her son.. At first the plan was to start a nonprofit, but when the idea of a bookshop came up, Elizabeth and her family knew that it was the perfect way to carry on Felix’s enchanted, magical, creative, deep-thinking spirit. Felixology: books, gifts, and art for the magical mind was born.
Nestled underneath Boston Bean House, on the corner of Main Street and Walnut Street, Felixology (Definition: the study of Felix) strives to be more than just a place to buy books and gifts, but also to be a space for community and collaboration.
The project of bringing Felixology to life has already been a collaboration of friends and family that has had a healing effect. The magical forest inside was created through the work of 6 different family members. Most of the painting, from the cottage walls to the daytime and nighttime skies, was done by Felix’s aunt, Sarah Brow-Hill. Nathaniel Brow-Hill, Felix’s cousin, assembled the counters and shelving for the cash wrap area.
The mini stage was built by Felix’s cousin, Elessar Brow-Hill, and the Disco Ball Wall behind it was created by Elizabeth and her partner, Noah Clawson, The stage will be set up for selfies, complete with photobooth props, when not in use for author talks, open mic, poetry readings, book signings, and other events.
There is a Scooby Doo style secret door in the bookshop built by Felix’s uncle, Marc Hill. See if you can find it! Felix’s sister, Rebekah Parise, is decoupaging an ever-evolving wall of philosophy and poetry to complement the cottage wall, and Felix’s brother, Frankie Parise, wrote a poem to capture the spirit of the bookshop.
Felix’s love of gardening is reflected in the outside garden and the wood pallet planters lining the entrance, made by Felix’s grandfather, Dave Brow, along with other family members. Dave, a now retired Lowell Sun photographer of 50 years, also restored the antique hutch that holds many wares from local artisans. Look for some of his photographs displayed on the gallery wall that also displays Felix’s and other artists’ work.
Included in the local artisans’ wares for sale are many crocheted items made by Felix’s grandmother, Jill Brow. Jill also made the whimsical table cover that transforms a display table into a magical reading nook underneath. In addition to showcasing local artisans and businesses such as Smudge Ink and Potager Soaps, Felixology carries books by local authors, both classic and modern. One of these books is Mandelbrot the Tree: a fractal story by Noah Clawson which is dedicated to Felix.
Felixology is currently “soft open” with limited hours of Tuesdays & Thursday-Sunday 12pm-4pm until November 26th, with extended hours Thanksgiving Weekend. The Grand Opening Weekend kicks off Friday, December 6th with the official ribbon cutting ceremony, December 7th for the Holiday Stroll, and December 8th for the Holiday Parade. Felixology will be offering free gift wrapping service (with purchase) all Grand Opening Weekend. The entire Felixology team is excited to be part of the Maynard community and can be reached at Felixology.com, @felixologybookshop on Instagram, Felixology on Facebook, [email protected], and at 978-298-5716
Barbershops and Hair Salons in Maynard
by Mark Alston-Follansbee
Have you noticed what great choices we have in Maynard for barbershops and hair salons? Eight, many with multiple chairs for other barbers and stylists! There must be a shop here that’s right for everyone. I remember going to my barbershop after watching the Beatles play on the Ed Sullivan show in 1962 and asking for a Beatles haircut. The barber smirked and gave me a buzz cut – like he always did. Some things do change and barbers now cut your hair the way you like it..
Shops are mostly clustered downtown and at Maynard Crossing except for Salon Aria at 86 Powder Mill Road, specializing in everything from hair coloring to styling. Downtown since 2017, we have Max’s Barbershop at 35 Summer Street for a haircut or beard trim, kids cuts or razor cuts, and Tress Hair Studio, at 37 Summer Street.
Kate Sanford is owner and master stylist at Tress. She’s been open in town since March and specializes in customized haircuts, dimensiontional color including grey blending and hair extensions and has been a hairstylist for 25 years. Before moving her business to Maynard she owned a salon in Arlington for 18 years and decided she wanted to downsize her business, be closer to home for her kids and work in her community. “Some of the things I love about Maynard is how walkable the downtown is, how many locally owned businesses there are and how welcoming and inclusive the community is,” said Kate.
Superior Cuts Barbershop at 35 Nason Street will trim your eyebrows (oh, the indignity of aging!) and can give you whatever kind of haircut you want. Around the corner at 55B Main Street is VV’s Hair Studio opened by Virginia Regan in 2014 who has her own client base and rents out chairs to other stylists, including Michelle Sherman. “Maynard is a quaint place,” said Virginia. “Everyone knows each other and my clients have become close friends over the years.”
Nearby, for the last 13 years, is Terry’s Barber Shop owned by Terri Newfell who said, “I love Maynard; there’s a real downtown where everyone looks out for each other and there’s a friendly, positive vibe.”
Maynard Crossing has Super Cuts and Hair in Harmony. Melissa Pease, owner of Hair in Harmony, said they opened in April of 2016 and were on Powder Mill Road for five years before moving to Maynard Crossing. They are known as an eco-friendly salon that specializes in hair color and cuts. They partner with Salon cycle to turn all of their chemical waste into energy and the hair that’s cut gets either composted or used to clean up oil spills. The products and colors that they use are some of the lowest tox and cleanest available because they care about the health of our clients as well as the health of the environment. The Salon also has two live plant walls to help clean the air.
Melissa said they service all ages and to them, hair has no gender. “We moved to Maynard crossing after five years at the plaza where the Assabet Coop is now. We needed more visibility and wanted a larger space for us to grow. It’s been a great move and we love being a part of Maynard for our 9th year in business,” said Melissa.
You may already have a barber or hair stylist you like and have gone to for years – but if you don’t, these are all great places to try and look your best and we recommend them all.
Town Hall
October 7, 2024 Special Town Meeting Revisited: Suggestions
by Bob McCarthy
To follow-up some of the questions we posed in the October newsletter after the NO vote on the bleacher project in Article 3, we list a few questions and potential changes we could make in the approach to approval of large scale capital projects and other high-cost investments for the town. We offer this with a strong disclaimer that these are meant as discussion starters only. We are looking for your feedback.
- A thorough process includes verifying there is alignment among stakeholders on prioritized community needs and available financial resources. It also implies that taxpayers must see the merits are justified and priority ranking against other big investments in the town are understood in order to make an informed choice. So what would we consider thorough enough?
- One suggestion is that we could envision a template for a simple project plan that ALL proposed large projects are scrutinized with, which would allow an average taxpayer (that does not have the ability to attend many meetings) to understand. It would offer the community benefits, and show funding sources and tax impacts of the current proposal as well as impacts related to our capacity to fund other neccessary upcoming proposed projects .
- It could also outline basic steps in the proposal process to show how costs are contained and “right-sized” for our targeted funding mechanisms.
- Once we utilize a “standard” plan template a couple of times (modified from on-line templates that we adjust for Maynard, see below), it could become a habit and make information sharing easier, in a familiar format that voters would see for each big project or investment.
- If it gets used throughout a project planning phase (as a working document open to mid-course adjustments), many of the questions like the ones for Article 3 at town meeting could be answered (or considered/debated) well ahead of the meeting vote.
- In this digital age, in addition to in-person public hearings, we could share deeper but simplified, concise and easy-to-understand information that could allow for greater input from town committees/boards and citizens. Scoping of a project or generation of more innovative ideas are more possible too. This buy-in appears to have been largely missing for Article 3.
- So, is now the time to enhance the communication between town staff and elected stakeholders in official town positions as well as disseminating clearer and accurate information to the voters?
- To be fair, interesting steps have been taken recently for:
- Town boards and committees to meet more regularly with town paid staff and debate and research together with a goal to make the best possible proposals to town voters. One such public joint “Quad Board” meeting was just held on November 12. See presentations (in link below) from the Town Administrator (TA), Council on Aging (COA), Capital Planning Committee (CapCom), School Committee (SC) and Finaace Comitttee (FinCom):
- The CapCom and FinCom continue to refine tools that could allow better voter understanding of the town’s capital and operating needs over multiple years. They are actively working to centralize and simplify summaries of their analyses to share directly with voters.
- And recently approved Select Board (SB) FY2025 goals for the coming year emphasize more budget forecasting and information sharing with citizens, including summaries at town meetings. See Item 11 on agenda for SB November 6. 2024 meeting https://go.boarddocs.com/ma/tom/Board.nsf/Public#
- It becomes clear when attending these meetings that a more specific and proactive approach to widely share these summary analyses about the towns’ projects and initiatives needs to be implemented in some manner to reach all interested voters.
The Maynard Advantage welcomes your comments and input on this and other topics. Please don’t hesitate to share your thoughts and ideas with us in our comment section.
From Nov 12 quad board meeting, see links to presentations at: https://go.boarddocs.com/ma/tom/Board.nsf/Public#
For more on this topic:
Would a development plan that is meant to be shared across our community early in the process be more likely to succeed at a vote? Consider the below excerpt from https://www.clearpointstrategy.com/blog/municipal-development-plan:
“Increased engagement. Think of the difference between a public works director reviewing a pre-calculated budget and a more engaging process of them developing and justifying their proposals. When a department’s management team works through the
budget puzzle together, they feel more responsibility for inevitable compromises. Engaging stakeholders earlier in the process develops a better understanding of tradeoffs and constraints and creates cohesion and buy-in.”
“Creating a development plan is important because it provides a structured approach to achieving long-term goals and addressing community needs. It helps coordinate resources, align stakeholders, and set clear priorities… that are well-organized, feasible, and sustainable, ultimately leading to improved outcomes…”
An example from a town in Oregon:
https://www.sherwoodoregon.gov/engineering/page/five-year-capital-improvement-plan
Benefits over time: https://www.munibondadvisor.com/capitalplan.htm
Community Voices
Green Maynard is a volunteer-led community group that aims to protect, preserve, and celebrate our connection to the natural environment. By partnering with and mobilizing the power of community, it raises awareness about the climate crisis and advocates for sustainable policies; shares information about local, state, and federal resources; and supports residents in making sustainable choices in their everyday lives. To learn more, visit Green Maynard at greenmaynard.org or on Facebook and Instagram.
In this three-part series, Green Maynard examines the growing problem of trash and explores practical steps every household can take to reduce waste, minimize cost, and safeguard health. 3 Things to Know About Trash Unfortunately, the cost of trash removal is going to go up. There are a few reasons for this, outlined below, but also steps you can take to keep your household’s cost down.
- Massachusetts is running out of landfill capacity. Less space means that communities will either pay more for the remaining space, ship the trash out of state, or switch to incinerating trash (more on this next). According to the state’s Solid Waste Update, in 2022 almost half of the solid waste produced here was exported to other states. Shipping trash out of state, of course, means higher transportation costs as it travels to destinations that include Ohio (the largest by a huge margin), New Hampshire, New York, Alabama, and Michigan.
- Our trash in Maynard goes to an incineration facility in Millbury. Incineration has its own set of issues. Trash is burned, leaving less (but still some) final volume to go to the landfill, and although it produces electricity (waste-to-energy), it also produces air pollution and
environmental justice issues. Most of the incinerators in the state are in or adjacent to environmental justice communities—neighborhoods that experience disproportionate environmental hazards and may lack access to resources due to inequities in social and
political power. The same is true for landfills. - Massachusetts has a zero-waste plan and is taking steps to divert as much trash away from landfills and incinerators as possible, with a goal of reducing trash by 90 percent (from 2018 levels). While you might first think of recycling and maybe composting as solutions to reduce trash —and both are important—the best way is well before that. Reducing the amount of stuff you buy is the best way to reduce trash. Where possible, try to get what you need second hand. There are loads of platforms for this, from brick-and-mortar secondhand, consignment, and thrift stores to online venues like Free Cycle, Buy Nothing, and Facebook
Marketplace. (There’s also the local Everything is Free Stow/Maynard Facebook group.) When you’re done with the item, pass it on to a friend or neighbor, or relist it online. For food, planning out and sticking to your menu and shopping list can help prevent food waste and save you money. The state requires residents to recycle mattresses and textiles, and it requires businesses and institutions that generate a large amount of food waste (more than one-half ton per week) to compost. Other measures are likely to follow to help divert trash and put systemsin place to support that shift. As Maynard revamps its waste removal program, keepingtrash volumes low can help to keep costs down for everyone. Smaller volumes mean lowercosts.
Maynard Bocce Tournament had us ROLLING
by Johnny Kinsman
Thanks to the Maynard Cultural District and a team of enthusiastic volunteers, the First Annual Maynard Bocce Tournament exceeded expectations and everyone came to Veterans Memorial Park ready to PLAY; the rocks were extra rocky, the roots were extra rooty, and the scintillating sunlight, balmy breezes and fall foliage provided an enchanting backdrop to a very silly time.
With the ice-cold cool ones from Amory’s Tomb and savory snacks from El Huipil, locals and visitors alike were able to see Maynard at its best and enjoy a gorgeous day of fun and laughter.
Congratulations to the winning team(s) of the tournament, The Legendary Dad Bods of Justice, who showed grace in their willingness to split their original crew in half (at the request of the tourney organizers), and then showed grit in beating out the entire field to face off AGAINST each other in the finals to claim first and second place overall (a feat of suburban athleticism that boasts hefty bragging rights and is embodied by what might very well be the world’s tiniest trophy.)
Thank you to all who participated and helped, and laughed and cheered; it truly was a magical day, and we can’t wait to see you all again for the next one!
Events
58th Annual Maynard Holiday Parade and Holiday Village
by Jen Picorelli
Though the autumn leaves are presently dancing through downtown, in just a matter of weeks the streets will be lined with families awaiting the 58th Annual Maynard Holiday Parade.
This year’s parade will be on Sunday December 8th at 2pm. We have pre-planned a rain/snow date of Sunday December 15th just in case mother nature decides to be dramatic again this year.
The theme of the parade will be TOYLAND which we hope will be just as fun to watch as it will be for our participants to create their floats and costumes. The parade will feature a long standing tradition of Santa flying over the parade route prior to the start of the parade, the Maynard High School band, local businesses with decorated floats, dancers, Scouts, musical groups, dancers and so much more.
This year’s Grand Marshal will be Police Chief Michael Noble who recently announced his retirement after 30 years with the Maynard Police Department. We are proud to honor him this year for his dedication and commitment to our town.
The Maynard Holiday Parade committee is proud to host again this year the annual food collection that will proceed down the parade route approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the parade. The food collected will go directly to the Maynard Food Pantry, Open Table and The Maynard Backpack Program which all help to assist residents who struggle with food insecurity.
We are excited to announce the new addition to this year’s parade, The Maynard Holiday Village in Memorial Park which will open prior to the parade beginning.
The Holiday Village will feature:
- Holiday gift vendors
- Holiday decoration vendors
- Toy vendors
- Sweet treat and hot cocoa vendors
- Crafts
- Temporary tattoos
- Face painting
- Make a S’more with a Maynard Firefighter!!!!
Parade Day Time Line:
- 12:00 PM NEW Maynard Holiday Village at Memorial Park opens.
- 1:45 PM Santa will fly overhead via helicopter to welcome parade goers downtown.
- 1:50 PM The Maynard Holiday Parade route will proceed down the parade route collecting donations.
- 2:00 PM The 58th Maynard Holiday Parade will begin!!!
Parade day is fabulous, but it does require a lot. Planning, resources, volunteers and funding. Anyone wanting to sign up to be in the parade, businesses wanting to become an Official Sponsor of the parade or individuals wanting to contribute can sign up via the Official Parade site: lightuptheholidaysmaynard.com
Donations are very much appreciated and help to make The Maynard Holiday Parade the best it can be.
Holidays in Maynard
The parade isn’t the only way to celebrate the holidays in Maynard this year! Below are five other ways to keep your holiday spirit glowing from now until the end of the year:
- December 1st Holiday Card Printmaking Workshop at with Artspace
- December 7th Annual Maynard Holiday Stroll and Park Lighting
- December 13th Senior Holiday Brunch
- December 13-15th WAVM Beacon Santa Telethon
- December 14th Maynard Fine Arts Holiday Movie Party
- December 15th Maynard Community Band’s 35th Annual “A Christmas Pops” Holiday Concert
Don’t forget that the holidays aren’t the only thing to celebrate and there’s so much more to do around town! Visit Discover Maynard for a full list of upcoming events.
Education
Maynard High School Innovation Pathways and Senior Capstone Project
Efforts are ramping up this Fall for MHS seniors who are engaged in a capstone project. Overall the effort aims to help our students to develop skills that prepare them to become the next generation work force. The requirements for completion consist of a number of steps.
- Mock Interviews
- Research paper
- Job Shadow/Interships (paid and unpaid)
- Final judged presentations
An example: Media Literacy Now
Mock interviews will take place on Wednesday November 20 at MHS where students will become familiar with presenting their backgrounds and capabilities to volunteers posing as job interviewers. Constructive feedback is offered on how they present themselves, which can guide them in preparation and practice for one of the tougher challenges in their career journeys.
We will update progress and volunteer opportunities to help throughout the school year and especially to help find workforce exposure placements for students. You can also volunteer for the final presentations in May. Historically it has been a very rewarding experience for all. No experience is required, and it is fascinating to witness students’ interests on a wide variety of topics
Below find flyers being circulated to help support these efforts. To get involved please email Jean LaBelle-Pierce at [email protected]
Around Town
The brief history of Glendale Street
From the Maynard Historical Commission
Glendale Street is one of the oldest planned streets in Maynard being laid out in the early 1850s. The road came to be known as Glendale Street after construction of the Glendale House tavern and hotel (1867, burned 1921) where Glendale Street meets Summer Street.
The name reportedly came from a blanket known as the Glendale Mills Blanket, manufactured by the Assabet Manufacturing Company. The earliest development of Glendale Street is associated with Assabet Village and predates the 1871 incorporation of the town of Maynard.
Residents of the oldest houses here are listed in the 1870 census for Stow. As a group, they were Irish immigrants employed either at the Woolen Mill or as laborers in unspecified industries. Some owned their houses, while others were tenants.
Francis Tuttle, a farmer, owned 37 Glendale Street in 1875, and Benjamin Conant, a real estate dealer, owned 41 Glendale Street and 43 Glendale Street the same year. The value of their respective real estate holdings reported in the 1870 Stow census – $15,000 for Tuttle and $12,000 for Conant – places them among the five wealthiest land-owners in the town.
Housing on Glendale Street was not owned by the mill corporation. Instead, residents of the mid-to late 19th-century houses near Warren Street and Colburn Avenue tended to be tenants of landlords who lived elsewhere, while the single-family dwellings built from 1910 onward east of Colburn Avenue tended to be owner-occupied.
Next time you’re out for a walk, stroll down Glendale and take a look down one of the oldest streets in Maynard!
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