The Randall Library and other Stow, MA Things to Do Tips

Provincial tho' it may be, one could argue that the heart of Stow is here, at its library. It's always bustling with chatty locals, and be prepared for the librarians to make comments about the things you take out. Friendliness abounds, but the book selection is sadly meager. Sigh... someday we'll have lots of DVDs too, just like those spoiled punks in Wayland...

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Address: 19 Crescent St., Stow, Ma. 01775
Directions: right in the center of town
Website: http://www.mln.lib.ma.us/info/stow.htm

Despite Stow's tiny size, we have a quite dignified war memorial in the center of town, listing the names of all who fought and died in America's wars, all the way up to the Gulf War. I suppose more names will be added shortly.

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Directions: center of town, across from front entrance to the library

One of the major hobbies for the people of Stow is church! And you have several churches to choose from. Here is our oldest and most liberal church, the First Parish Unitarian Church. Back in 1683, the settlers of this area invited a minister to start a church on this spot--only once they had a preacher and a church building could Stow be incorporated as an actual town. This is currently Stow's only "welcoming" church--gay and lesbian folks are openly welcomed.

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Address: 353 Great Road, Stow, Massachusetts 01775
Directions: center of town, next to library
Website: http://www.fpc-stow-acton.org/

St. Isidore Catholic Church has the largest congregation in Stow--arrive early if you're worried about parking nearby.

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Address: 429 Great Road, Stow, MA 01775
Website: http://www.stisidorestow.org/

My church is the Union Church of Stow, a member of the United Church of Christ. It has been around since 1905, and as you can see from the photos, it hasn't really changed much. The biggest change to its appearance came just a few years ago when a handicapped ramp to the front door was added.

The church has a small but dedicated congregation. They are incredibly friendly folks who are always on the look out for fresh meat to recruit for some committee, Sunday school teaching, or singing in the choir. Our beliefs are very open and liberal, but it is not a "welcoming" church, something that I hope will change in the very near future.

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Address: 317 Great Road, Stow, MA 01775
Directions: On Rt. 117, next to Stow Police Station
Website: http://www.unionchurch.stow.ma.us/

Once upon a time, a trolley connected many of the towns of Greater Boston. But of course today all this convenient public transportation has been replaced by the mighty automobile. All that's left in Stow is the picturesque little trolley stop. It would almost be a pleasant place to sit if it weren't for all the traffic whizzing by.

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Directions: Off of Great Road, in front of the library and First Parish Unitarian Church

For most Bostonians, Stow is known primarily because of apple picking. Every weekend in the late summer and early fall, the roads are clogged with cars of city folks looking for an idyllic afternoon in one of Stow's picturesque little orchards. Don't get me wrong--they are indeed lovely, and picking apples is a very pleasing activity. Even I like doing it, and I live here. But come on a weekday, or first thing in the morning on the weekend. You don't want crowds of city folk to ruin your peaceful outing.

Honey-Pot is the largest and most popular orchard in Stow. In addition to apple picking, there is a shop that sells various apple products (the cider is very good), and hedge maze, and a petting farm.

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Address: 144 Sudbury Rd., Stow, MA
Website: http://www.honeypothill.com/

I've never golfed, even though my town is riddled with golf courses. The most well known is Stow Acres, and fairly popular country club in a beautiful, woodsy setting. I enjoy going for walks by Stow Acres, and the people seem to enjoy golfing there.

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Address: 58 Randall Rd., Stow, MA
Website: http://www.stowacres.com/

Stow has several lovely old cemeteries. The Lower Village Cemetery has some of the oldest tombstones, but it's location near the shopping center, stuck between two busy roads, makes it a less than idyllic spot to relax, picnic, or admire the old tombstones.

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Address: Great Rd. and Pompsitticut St.

On the west side of Crescent Rd. (it turns into West Acton Rd.), a fairly pleasant residential street, is this lovely old cemetery. Most of the tombstones date from the 19th century, and most are in beautiful condition. It's a lovely and peaceful place for a picnic or just a short stroll to appreciate these charming reminders of Stow's past residents.

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Address: Crescent St., Stow, MA