The largest city in Québec’s Eastern Townships, about 60 mi/100km east of Montréal and 30 mi/50 km northwest of Québec’s border with Vermont and New Hampshire.
Sherbrooke is known among many New Englanders as the closest city where one can legally buy codeine at the pharmacy without a prescription (Google “Tylenol 1” and “AC&C” for more information). Also, since Québec’s drinking age is 18, many northern New England youth frequent Sherbrooke’s pubs and clubs.
The Eastern Townships are similar in topography to nearby New Hampshire and Vermont and, by Québec standards, a fairly large Anglophone (English-speaking) community, many of whom trace their ancestry to New England loyalists who fled north after the American Revolution.
Sherbrooke is known among many New Englanders as the closest city where one can legally buy codeine at the pharmacy without a prescription (Google “Tylenol 1” and “AC&C” for more information). Also, since Québec’s drinking age is 18, many northern New England youth frequent Sherbrooke’s pubs and clubs.
The Eastern Townships are similar in topography to nearby New Hampshire and Vermont and, by Québec standards, a fairly large Anglophone (English-speaking) community, many of whom trace their ancestry to New England loyalists who fled north after the American Revolution.
Sherbrooke resembles a large, northern New England city, albeit with a French flair.
Sherbrooke is also the name of a major street in Montréal.
Sherbrooke is also the name of a major street in Montréal.
by DFJD May 09, 2006
Boston area drivers are known for acting as if they are the only ones on the road, but there is a phenomenon in Wellesley (a very affluent suburb) which I have dubbed the "Wellesley Wait."
Drivers from other parts of Massachusetts and especially from out-of-state should pay heed to the example if they have the chance to drive through this beautiful town.
Drivers from other parts of Massachusetts and especially from out-of-state should pay heed to the example if they have the chance to drive through this beautiful town.
You are driving along one of Wellesley's major streets, notably Route 135 (Great Plain Ave) and Route 16 (Washington St). A driver (sorry to say, it is almost always a female) of an expensive SUV or European Station Wagon comes to a complete stop at the end of a side street or long driveway (many of Wellesley's "driveways" are longer than actual streets) and common sense/consensus would indicate this means the driver will wait for you to pass and then pull on to the state highway.
But nooooooo. You are driving along at 30-40 mph; there is nobody behind you nor in front of you. Just as you approach the intersection/driveway, the Wellesley driver will obliviously pull out right in front of you and proceed at a cement mixer's pace.
I don't condone jack rabbit starts, but if you are going to cut somebody off in your "Limited edition" Jeep, Lexus, Mercedes, or BMW SUV, inevitably equipped with the optional V8 engine, or turbocharged Volvo or Audi station wagon, please try to get up to at least 25 mph within 30 seconds after causing a driver minding his/her own business to nearly rear-end your yuppiemobile due to a mixture of selfishness and sense of oblivion.
The offending "Wellesley Wait" driver is almost always yacking away on her cell phone, impervious to the world around her.
The worst intersection for this infraction is where Benvenue Street intersects with Route 135/Great Plain Ave.
If you come to this intersection and one of these drivers abruptly cuts you off at the last minute, don't waste your energy honking your horn or otherwise getting angry. Just be prepared to poke behind that BMW X5 or Volvo Cross Country at 20 mph until you reach Olin College; most of the time, the driver will FINALLY reach speeds of 35-40 mph.
But nooooooo. You are driving along at 30-40 mph; there is nobody behind you nor in front of you. Just as you approach the intersection/driveway, the Wellesley driver will obliviously pull out right in front of you and proceed at a cement mixer's pace.
I don't condone jack rabbit starts, but if you are going to cut somebody off in your "Limited edition" Jeep, Lexus, Mercedes, or BMW SUV, inevitably equipped with the optional V8 engine, or turbocharged Volvo or Audi station wagon, please try to get up to at least 25 mph within 30 seconds after causing a driver minding his/her own business to nearly rear-end your yuppiemobile due to a mixture of selfishness and sense of oblivion.
The offending "Wellesley Wait" driver is almost always yacking away on her cell phone, impervious to the world around her.
The worst intersection for this infraction is where Benvenue Street intersects with Route 135/Great Plain Ave.
If you come to this intersection and one of these drivers abruptly cuts you off at the last minute, don't waste your energy honking your horn or otherwise getting angry. Just be prepared to poke behind that BMW X5 or Volvo Cross Country at 20 mph until you reach Olin College; most of the time, the driver will FINALLY reach speeds of 35-40 mph.
by DFJD April 11, 2008
A "town that's technically a city" of approximately 55,000 residents in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, about 13 miles south-east of downtown Boston.
The town's length is about 7 miles north-to-south; the width is about 3.5 miles east-to-west.
Weymouth is on the South Shore, fondly nicknamed the Irish Riviera.
IMO, one of the town's true gems is Grape Island, located in the southern part of Boston Harbor and within Weymouth's jurisdiction.
The town's length is about 7 miles north-to-south; the width is about 3.5 miles east-to-west.
Weymouth is on the South Shore, fondly nicknamed the Irish Riviera.
IMO, one of the town's true gems is Grape Island, located in the southern part of Boston Harbor and within Weymouth's jurisdiction.
A couple of years ago, a Boston Globe columnist who grew up in Weymouth stated that "Weymouth ain't Wellesley, it's not Weston, and it sure isn't Hingham. And that's a really good thing." That quote is on the Weymouth government web site, BTW.
However, Weymouth, MA is quickly becoming a gentrified town. While it will never vie with nearby Cohasset, Hingham, Milton, or Norwell in overall demographics, the town is rapidly shedding its blue collar reputation.
I wouldn't be surprised if, in five-years time, many people talking about the "old neighborhood" will be referring to Brookline or Cambridge, not necessarily Dorchester, South Boston, or Quincy.
I am seeing more Subaru Outback, Audi Quattro, and Volvo Cross Country cars parked in even the most modest of Weymouth establishments.
Weymouth has traditionally been a "Chevy and Toyota" kind of town.
Although I am happy to see Weymouth progressing economically, I fear that many longtime residents, and first-time home buyers who traditionally consider Weymouth a "step-up" to more affluent communties, will be priced out of this town altogether.
However, Weymouth, MA is quickly becoming a gentrified town. While it will never vie with nearby Cohasset, Hingham, Milton, or Norwell in overall demographics, the town is rapidly shedding its blue collar reputation.
I wouldn't be surprised if, in five-years time, many people talking about the "old neighborhood" will be referring to Brookline or Cambridge, not necessarily Dorchester, South Boston, or Quincy.
I am seeing more Subaru Outback, Audi Quattro, and Volvo Cross Country cars parked in even the most modest of Weymouth establishments.
Weymouth has traditionally been a "Chevy and Toyota" kind of town.
Although I am happy to see Weymouth progressing economically, I fear that many longtime residents, and first-time home buyers who traditionally consider Weymouth a "step-up" to more affluent communties, will be priced out of this town altogether.
by DFJD May 10, 2006
I am referring to Norwood, Massachusetts, a middle-class suburb 15 miles south-west of Boston.
Norwood is located near the geographic center of Norfolk County.
The town's population has remained relatively steady at around 30,000, although the demographics have changed somewhat over the last couple of decades.
Approximately 80% of the population is white, most of whom are Catholic (predominantly Irish, with smaller groups of Italian, Polish, and Lithuanian).
15% of the population is Asian, with an almost equal number of Middle Easteners and Indians.
The remaining population is mainly Brazilian and African-American.
Norwood is located near the geographic center of Norfolk County.
The town's population has remained relatively steady at around 30,000, although the demographics have changed somewhat over the last couple of decades.
Approximately 80% of the population is white, most of whom are Catholic (predominantly Irish, with smaller groups of Italian, Polish, and Lithuanian).
15% of the population is Asian, with an almost equal number of Middle Easteners and Indians.
The remaining population is mainly Brazilian and African-American.
Along with Marshfield, Braintree, and Stoneham, Norwood has traditionally been a bastion of Irish-American residents, many of whom are justifiably proud of their heritage.
There is a fairly large, and active, Middle Eastern community in Norwood. Iranians, Syrians, and Lebanese are the predominant groups. Norwood is one of the largest towns in Massachusetts with a sizeable Muslim population not to have a Mosque.
Norwood does have a Synagogue, although Muslims easily outnumber Jewish residents at least 10-1.
There is convenient mass transit to Boston. There are three Commuter Rail stops, Norwood Depot, Norwood Central, and Windsor Gardens.
In addition, the Forest Hills to Walpole bus traverses Washington Street.
Most Norwood neighborhoods are solidly middle-class with relatively little turnover.
Norwood has one of the highest concentrations of apartment and condominium complexes in the area. Windsor Gardens is noted not only for its train station, but also a large transient population, many of whom are Indian or Pakistani.
South Norwood, aka "The Flats," is a working-class neighborhood centered around the corner of Washington and Dean Streets. Some areas are somewhat seedy; many of the two-decker and three-decker homes look as if they came straight out of Jamaica Plain or Dorchester. I would hardly classify the area as "ghetto," though.
If there is a truly "posh" section of Norwood, it would be the area adjacent to Willett Pond/New Pond near St. Timothy's Church, plus the southern part of Nichols Street (and adjacent side streets). This area abuts the more-affluent town of Westwood.
Norwood is most famous to outsiders for the "Automile," along Route 1/Providence Highway. Although most Automile dealerships are indeed in Norwood, some dealerships are just across the town line in Dedham, Westwood, or Walpole.
The late Ernie Boch, Sr. is famous for spearheading the Automile. His strong accent was a staple in Boston media for years. Example: "Boch Toyota*, Route One Nah-wood, my name is Ernie Boch, come on down!"
* If I recall, he pronounced Toyota as "Tie-oda"
There is a fairly large, and active, Middle Eastern community in Norwood. Iranians, Syrians, and Lebanese are the predominant groups. Norwood is one of the largest towns in Massachusetts with a sizeable Muslim population not to have a Mosque.
Norwood does have a Synagogue, although Muslims easily outnumber Jewish residents at least 10-1.
There is convenient mass transit to Boston. There are three Commuter Rail stops, Norwood Depot, Norwood Central, and Windsor Gardens.
In addition, the Forest Hills to Walpole bus traverses Washington Street.
Most Norwood neighborhoods are solidly middle-class with relatively little turnover.
Norwood has one of the highest concentrations of apartment and condominium complexes in the area. Windsor Gardens is noted not only for its train station, but also a large transient population, many of whom are Indian or Pakistani.
South Norwood, aka "The Flats," is a working-class neighborhood centered around the corner of Washington and Dean Streets. Some areas are somewhat seedy; many of the two-decker and three-decker homes look as if they came straight out of Jamaica Plain or Dorchester. I would hardly classify the area as "ghetto," though.
If there is a truly "posh" section of Norwood, it would be the area adjacent to Willett Pond/New Pond near St. Timothy's Church, plus the southern part of Nichols Street (and adjacent side streets). This area abuts the more-affluent town of Westwood.
Norwood is most famous to outsiders for the "Automile," along Route 1/Providence Highway. Although most Automile dealerships are indeed in Norwood, some dealerships are just across the town line in Dedham, Westwood, or Walpole.
The late Ernie Boch, Sr. is famous for spearheading the Automile. His strong accent was a staple in Boston media for years. Example: "Boch Toyota*, Route One Nah-wood, my name is Ernie Boch, come on down!"
* If I recall, he pronounced Toyota as "Tie-oda"
by DFJD May 10, 2006
An affectionate nickname for the South Shore suburbs of Boston, Massachusetts. The "epicenter" of the Irish Riviera are the towns of Scituate and Marshfield. However, from north to south, Weymouth, Hingham, Hull, Cohasset, Duxbury, and Kingston are also considered to be part of the "Riviera."
The close-to-Boston suburbs of Milton, Quincy, and Braintree are arguably considered a part of the "Irish Riviera." They are definitely a part of the South Shore.
Inland South Shore towns including Holbrook, Abington, Rockland, Norwell, Hanover, and Pembroke are often considered part of the "Irish Riviera."
The Marshfield neighborhood of Fieldston is the most Irish-American section of the second-most Irish-American suburb in the country. The town of Stoneham, north of Boston, home to figure skater Nancy Kerrigan, has the highest-percentage of people with Irish ancestry in the USA.
Inland South Shore towns including Holbrook, Abington, Rockland, Norwell, Hanover, and Pembroke are often considered part of the "Irish Riviera."
The Marshfield neighborhood of Fieldston is the most Irish-American section of the second-most Irish-American suburb in the country. The town of Stoneham, north of Boston, home to figure skater Nancy Kerrigan, has the highest-percentage of people with Irish ancestry in the USA.
by DFJD May 10, 2006
The most affluent section of Newton, itself the wealthiest city, as opposed to town, in Massachusetts. Waban is characterized by large, tudor houses, a small shopping district of "upscale" mom-and-pop retailers, and an MBTA Green Line stop to whisk commuters to jobs in Brookline and Boston.
It has been cheekingly said that Waban has the highest per-capita number of Volvos outside of Scandinavia!
Waban is relatively close to the interchange of Route 128/I-95 and I-90 Mass Pike.
Waban's Zip Code, 02468, is one of the most "desirable" within Route 128. US Census data from 2000 shows that more than twice as many residents over 25 hold graduate degrees than bachelor's degrees (as the highest educational attainment). Residents who hold "only" a high school diploma are about 1/5 of those who have bachelor's degrees and 1/10 of those who have a master's degree or higher.
It has been cheekingly said that Waban has the highest per-capita number of Volvos outside of Scandinavia!
Waban is relatively close to the interchange of Route 128/I-95 and I-90 Mass Pike.
Waban's Zip Code, 02468, is one of the most "desirable" within Route 128. US Census data from 2000 shows that more than twice as many residents over 25 hold graduate degrees than bachelor's degrees (as the highest educational attainment). Residents who hold "only" a high school diploma are about 1/5 of those who have bachelor's degrees and 1/10 of those who have a master's degree or higher.
Waban is NOT to be confused with Woburn, a middle-class city about 10 miles to the north-east.
While an unincorporated neighborhood of Newton, Waban is sometimes considered a W Town, along with Wellesley, Weston, and Wayland, due to socio-economic similarities. Waban is located just across the Charles River from Wellesley.
While an unincorporated neighborhood of Newton, Waban is sometimes considered a W Town, along with Wellesley, Weston, and Wayland, due to socio-economic similarities. Waban is located just across the Charles River from Wellesley.
by DFJD August 28, 2006
A Boston suburb of 20,000 residents, of whom about 17,000 are nouveau riche natives of Dorchester, South Boston, and West Roxbury.
Located on the South Shore, affectionately known as the Irish Riviera.
The town's nemesis is the neighboring blue collar, albeit increasingly yuppiefied town of Weymouth. Nearby Cohasset and Scituate are demographically similar, but do not have the "obnoxious reputation" of Hingham.
Located on the South Shore, affectionately known as the Irish Riviera.
The town's nemesis is the neighboring blue collar, albeit increasingly yuppiefied town of Weymouth. Nearby Cohasset and Scituate are demographically similar, but do not have the "obnoxious reputation" of Hingham.
The good...
There are, indeed, many Hingham residents are decent, empathetic, and modest in demeanor.
The Derby Street Shoppes have finally brought upscale shopping to the South Shore. This plaza is home to the South Shore's first Whole Foods Market.
The four best things to come out of Hingham, in no particular order: Route 3, Route 3A, Route 53, and Route 228.
The bad...
For those familiar with the British sitcom Keeping Up Appearances, Hingham has the highest-percentage of Irish-American Hyacinth Buckets in the country.
Money doesn't necessarily mean class. You can take the kid out of Southie, Savin Hill, Fields Corner, but you can't take the ___ out of the kid!
Hingham, living proof that one doesn't have to live in Texas to be a wealthy, vapid-minded philistine.
Hingham has a disproportionate number of Toyota Land Cruiser and Mercury Mountaineer SUVs, almost 100% of which have never been off-road. (Note: The parking lot of Derby Street Shoppes or the South Shore Plaza does not constitute "off-road" driving)
A Boston Globe columnist from neighboring Weymouth has, rightfully, mercilessly lambasted Hingham for its single-handed roadblocks in the rebuilding of the Greenbush MBTA Commuter Rail line. This columnist, as I have, has taken pains to state that there are many Hingham residents who are just as indignant at these petulant prima donnas as other residents of the South Shore.
There is a Commuter Boat line to Boston from the Hingham Shipyard. However, most of the parking is allocated to Hingham residents, at a discounted price! So the option for Hull, Cohasset, Weymouth, and Scituate residents commuting from the Hingham Shipyard is not always feasible.
Hingham, little more than West Roxbury with some harborfront views.
And, most puzzling of all, many Hingham residents mispronounce their town as "Higgim." Hardly anybody from outside Hingham mispronounces the name of that town.
There are, indeed, many Hingham residents are decent, empathetic, and modest in demeanor.
The Derby Street Shoppes have finally brought upscale shopping to the South Shore. This plaza is home to the South Shore's first Whole Foods Market.
The four best things to come out of Hingham, in no particular order: Route 3, Route 3A, Route 53, and Route 228.
The bad...
For those familiar with the British sitcom Keeping Up Appearances, Hingham has the highest-percentage of Irish-American Hyacinth Buckets in the country.
Money doesn't necessarily mean class. You can take the kid out of Southie, Savin Hill, Fields Corner, but you can't take the ___ out of the kid!
Hingham, living proof that one doesn't have to live in Texas to be a wealthy, vapid-minded philistine.
Hingham has a disproportionate number of Toyota Land Cruiser and Mercury Mountaineer SUVs, almost 100% of which have never been off-road. (Note: The parking lot of Derby Street Shoppes or the South Shore Plaza does not constitute "off-road" driving)
A Boston Globe columnist from neighboring Weymouth has, rightfully, mercilessly lambasted Hingham for its single-handed roadblocks in the rebuilding of the Greenbush MBTA Commuter Rail line. This columnist, as I have, has taken pains to state that there are many Hingham residents who are just as indignant at these petulant prima donnas as other residents of the South Shore.
There is a Commuter Boat line to Boston from the Hingham Shipyard. However, most of the parking is allocated to Hingham residents, at a discounted price! So the option for Hull, Cohasset, Weymouth, and Scituate residents commuting from the Hingham Shipyard is not always feasible.
Hingham, little more than West Roxbury with some harborfront views.
And, most puzzling of all, many Hingham residents mispronounce their town as "Higgim." Hardly anybody from outside Hingham mispronounces the name of that town.
by DFJD May 10, 2006