Downtown Walpole

[Unregistered]

It's just a case of local Townie owners who don't clean up or restore their buildings. We just need to stop talking about DOwntown Walpole because, let's face it, it's not going to come back. Even Norwood Center is starting to degrade due to lack of tenents. BUt at least Norwood Center has a spectacular Christmas display with lights on every tree and A Town Hall that looks beautiful. I just love the manger in the Center of Walpole with all the advertisements hung up around it. Lot's of class!

C'mon, everything doesn't have to be perfect to be nice. Have a heart.

[Unregistered]

C'mon, everything doesn't have to be perfect to be nice. Have a heart.

I agree, let's not dismiss downtown Walpole or the town, in general. And let's not imply, "Why can't we be more like Norwood?" When you think of that premise, it's kind of a joke -- many Norwood people we know have moved out of Norwood to live what they perceive as a better life in Walpole. I don't know of any Walpole people dreaming of moving to Norwood.

I think, ultimately, we have to look at Walpole as a whole. We have nice-looking neighborhoods, great neighbors, terrific community involvement and events, relatively safe streets, very good schools, and proximity to Boston, Providence, Patriot Place and the Wrentham Outlets. Our downtown has solid bones with its open spaces, great landscaping and some great nice small-town USA stores and restaurants -- Fresh Start Bakery, Dee's Nimble Needles, Walpole Music, Betro Pharmacy, First Sandwich Shop, Joe's Barber Shop, the Quilt Shop, Jalapeno's, and a Secret Haven. With the Candy Boutique (the "fresh fudge" sign looks great!) and a refreshed, more family-oriented Tee T's coming soon, I think we are on the right path -- not perfect, of course, but we would rather be here, than, say, Randolph or Brockton. The wonderful big old homes on Common Street and its church augment our appealing classic small-town USA look. And although I am not too crazy about having to pay more taxes, I think the idea of a new library is great, thus, preserving and improving upon a great cultural institution, the American public library. What especially makes me proud to be in Walpole is the way people come together when someone else has a tragedy or crisis in their family. We have seen this over and over again, and it's real testimony to the integrity and decency of our residents.

You don't have to agree with me on any of these opinions -- and I know, we could debate all day -- but I guess I'm saying in the course of things, we really don't have all that much to complain about. Yes, it is expensive to live here -- and we, personally, might someday find another town to live, where we can get more bang for the buck. That's not to denigrate or disrespect Walpole in any way -- it would strictly be a financial move to a similar-type town with a better cost-of-living presence. But we cherish and are grateful for the moment and the memories -- that we can live in a town like this.

To stress that we need not nitpick, here's another way to look at the town you have chosen to live: Not to overstate things, but the fact that 840 million people worldwide are malnourished, 30 percent of our world population has no electricity, and about 1.1 billion people have inadequate housing or none at all suggests that we should be thankful for what we have. Ultimately, we should try to keep our complaining and sarcasm to a minimum. It's really counterintuitive to building good morale and community togetherness.

Merry Christmas and I hope you find peace with yourself and others in 2010 and beyond -- and a gratefulness that you live where you do.

[Sparky]

Not disagreeing that Walpole is a nice town, but the Manger Scene crowded up against the gazebo with the singers in the background and the sign/banners in front of it is a mockery. Who in town makes that call? Hopefully they will get some feedback and not repeat the mistake next year.

(BTW, as an aside, I agree that it is nonsense to accompany this type of criticism with a "Walpole can't do anything right" attitude, because that is total BS. Walpole does a lot of things right, and if you don't think that is the case, then that makes YOU the misfit for choosing to live here.)

[Unregistered]

Not disagreeing that Walpole is a nice town, but the Manger Scene crowded up against the gazebo with the singers in the background and the sign/banners in front of it is a mockery. Who in town makes that call? Hopefully they will get some feedback and not repeat the mistake next year.

(BTW, as an aside, I agree that it is nonsense to accompany this type of criticism with a "Walpole can't do anything right" attitude, because that is total BS. Walpole does a lot of things right, and if you don't think that is the case, then that makes YOU the misfit for choosing to live here.)

The manger scene is done by others, not the town. The town just provides the spot. The center of town is beautiful at night during Christmas...

[Unregistered]

Major faux pas with the "Victorian" era singers on the bandstand with the 2000 year old era nativity scene... Kind of jogs the aesthetes out here..

[Unregistered]

Major faux pas with the "Victorian" era singers on the bandstand with the 2000 year old era nativity scene... Kind of jogs the aesthetes out here..

The christmas tree looks great in Walpole center.

Too bad Walpole citizens have neglected one of the nicest memorial parks in the Boston area.

I'm talking about Memorial Pond, part of Memorial Park, dedicated to veterans of all wars.

Simply a shame and plain disgusting to those of us who spent many an hour there, especially in the wintertime skating or in front of a bonfire.

[Unregistered]

The manger scene is done by others, not the town. The town just provides the spot. The center of town is beautiful at night during Christmas...

Then it's a problem with both the Town and those who put it up. Perhaps it should be discussed as to a new location of the Manger so that it's not engulfed in advertisement signs hanging around it.

Also, it's time that Santa and his sleigh or reindeers in front of the Police Station said farewell and replaced with a nicer Sant and rewindeer display. This one is now all pitted and disclored.

[Unregistered]

Then it's a problem with both the Town and those who put it up. Perhaps it should be discussed as to a new location of the Manger so that it's not engulfed in advertisement signs hanging around it.

Also, it's time that Santa and his sleigh or reindeers in front of the Police Station said farewell and replaced with a nicer Sant and rewindeer display. This one is now all pitted and disclored.

step up to the plate and get a group together and make it happen, but Im sure you wont. Im thinking the 7 and 8 year olds think "sant" and Rewindeer" display are just fine

[Sparky]

=

Also, it's time that Santa and his sleigh or reindeers in front of the Police Station said farewell and replaced with a nicer Sant and rewindeer display. This one is now all pitted and disclored.

Actually, I'd prefer they keep them and string them 20 feet off the ground like they used to many years ago. To this day, that was about the coolest Christmas display I have ever scene.

[Unregistered]

Actually, I'd prefer they keep them and string them 20 feet off the ground like they used to many years ago. To this day, that was about the coolest Christmas display I have ever scene.

Absolutely.