Autumn Art Fair, Oct. 3, at Briggs Nursery, North Attleboro, Mass.

One of our favorite local art stores, Village Artisans Collaborative, of North Attleboro, Mass., just sent us a message that they will be sponsoring a fall arts and crafts day at Briggs Nursery, 295 Kelley Blvd. in North Attleboro, Sat., October 3, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. in the beautiful atrium at Briggs Nursery in North Attleboro.

The show will feature many works by local artists along with a free raffle for a $50.00 gift certificate to the Village Artisans Retail Store at 21 North Washington St., in downtown North Attleboro (Tel. 508-695-1010). We encourage you to stop by the event to support what we feel is a model not-for-profit organization -- Village Artisans showcases more 30 local artisans at its retail store while working closely with local organizations to foster creative programs. This local cultural vision helps make North Attleboro even that much better than it's already impressive presence as a close-knit, community-oriented town!

The Oct. 3 event should be a lot of fun. In addition to the wonderful service Village Artisans provides, Briggs Nursery remains one of the most impressive of its kind in the southern Massachusetts/northern Rhode Island area with an impressive array of plant and flower, gardening, tree and shrub, outdoor decor, home and gifts, lawncare, and landscape design merchandise and services.

Briggs Nursery
295 Kelley Blvd.
North Attleboro, Mass.
Tel. (508) 695-4721

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Art in North Atttleboro, Mass.

Article by Eric H.
Village Artisans Collaborative, which opened in April 2009, is really a fantastic addition to an already thriving downtown North Attleboro, Mass. Billed as a "An Art Community for Community," Village Artisans features some wonderful local art work, as well as quality crafts. This is not another pretentious store with overly expensive work, stuffy employees and insufferable new age wallpaper music lurking in the background. Rather, Village Artisans focuses on bringing art work to all walks of life, helping improve North Attleboro's strong sense of community with its cultural presence, and just being nice, down-to-earth people dedicated to fine customer service in the process. Isn't that the way all businesses should conduct themselves? Nice to see a new store follow the tenets of good business practice.

Just to let you know, the Village Artisans and the North Attleboro Cultural Council will be hosting a two-day Arts Festival at Veterans Park in downtown North Attleboro on from Sept. 26 -27 from 10am - 4pm. They are looking for all types of artisans and craftsmen to participate in what should be a fantastic event. The cost for a non-member: $50.00 per day/$80.00 both days, member $25.00 per day/$40.00 both days. This is an outdoor show so please note that there will be no overnight security if you choose to participate both days. Fair enough! Applications can be picked up at the Village Artisans shop or by emailing naarts@comcast.net.

We'll be featuring more Village Artisans information and events in the future! We really enjoy and respect the mission of this new store, and think that you will, too!

Village Artisans Collaborative
21 North Washington St.
North Attleboro, MA 02760

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Morin's Diner in Attleboro, Mass., Interviewed by Guy Fieri, of the Food Network

Article by Eric H.

We are so glad to see Morin's Hometown Diner in Attleboro, Mass., getting the recognition it deserves. Guy Fieri, of the Food Network's fascinating and well-produced "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" show, visited the 98-year-old restaurant last week. The segment should appear on the Food Network sometime this month.

On a personal note and perspective, Morin's is a terrific restaurant that we have been going to for years! This historic breakfast, lunch and dinner downtown dining spot has an unusual but most welcoming look with a diner, tavern, bar, and cozy dining room, all under one roof. We recommend the delicious "comfort classics" like the homemade meatloaf, chicken pot pie, steak tips, baked mac and cheese and Yankee pot roast. If you're feeling a bit more upscale, you can't go wrong with the braised lamb shank or lemon pepper salmon served with beer steamed mussels over saffron, zucchini and red pepper risotto. For appetizers the artichoke and spinach dip is absolutely phenomenal. We have also found breakfasts and lunch to be very good, too, especially the omelets and burgers. Oh, and the chocolate cake is moist, dense, bursting with chocolate flavor and served in a large portion!

Congratulations, Morin's, on being interviewed by Guy Fieri, and thank-you for continuing to put the customer first at your interesting-looking, pleasant restaurant with so many great food selections. We also love the authentic "hometown" feel of your restaurant where everyone seems to know each other. We are not surprised that the Food Network found you!

Morin's Diner
16 South Main St.
Attleboro, MA
(508) 222-9875

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The Neighborhood Feeling at Mackie's in North Attleboro, MA

Article and Photo by Eric H.

Eating at Mackie's, in North Attleboro, MA, feels like you're coming home to a nice, home-baked meal.

Upon entering through the old screen door, there's a counter with stools, television playing, colorful children's' drawings all over the place, a gumball machine, and an old-timer usually reading the paper over a cup of coffee and talking with the waitress. At the right is an entrance to the ice cream parlor and to the left, an intimate yet informal long dining room with wall sconces, hanging baskets, ivy, black picnic bench-like tables and the warm glow of unsassuming chandeliers hanging off high ceilings. The walls are filled with regional art work for sale (this is the Country Store!). Breakfast, lunches and dinners are straightforward but quite tasty including omelettes, pancakes, salads, homemade soups, wraps, steak tips, pot roast, roast turkey and pasta dishes. Mackie's also makes a delicious blueberry pie! The ice cream parlor feels old-fashioned with its old wood floors and features Herhsey's Ice Cream, floats, and milkshakes.

With pleasant service and an atmosphere that feels just right, Mackie's shines with its simplicity, and well-prepared comfort foods in a thriving North Attleboro downtown.

Mackie's Restaurant and Country Store, 49 North Washington St., North Attleboro, MA. Tel. (508) 643-4141

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