A decidedly biased piece by
Beth David, Editor
It’s time for one our favorite annual stories: Shopping with the Neighb News! Here, you will learn how you can find gifts for everyone on your list, a few things for yourself, and spend some fun time exploring all that Neighb News advertisers have to offer .
After the Thanksgiving Day feast is over (that you spent with only your household members or other close relatives, right?) and you’re looking for a way to work off some of it, it’s time to buy gifts for your precious loved ones, whether you want to or not!
No need to get all stressed out, the Neighb News is here to take some of the anxiety out of your Christmas and holiday shopping journey. You need only to look within these pages to find all you need for even the hardest-to-buy-for relative.
First, you’ll want to call Cyclone Cleaning to get the house spruced up. Sure, you won’t be having any parties for a few more weeks because of the scourge that shall not be named here, BUT you want to be ready for when the cloud lifts, right? And, you’re going to have a special time with your household loved ones, and you all deserve a nice clean space for it. The drop-off center is open, so you can swing by with your area carpets. While you’re there, grab a gift certificate for your parents’ place.
After that, you’ll want to decorate with some wreaths and baskets and all manner of decorations using natural greens, and Christmas trees, too. You’ll find all that and a friendly (masked) face at Roxann’s Gardening Center.
And part of decorating outside should also include flags and banners with all kinds of fun stuff on them. Take a peek at the selection of old favorites and original designs from Brewer Banner Designs. It’s the simplest way to dress up the outside to match the inside, and show your holiday spirit to the world.
This Friday is the big shopping day, of course. So, you’ll want to start as early as possible. At just about the crack of dawn, you’ll want to start with a hearty breakfast and we’ve got a great spot for you. The Bayside Lounge serves a great breakfast and lunch, and has lots of other great items on their menu. And they have gift certificates, too. So don’t just feed yourself, check someone off your list.
Right about the time you’re done with breakfast, the banks will be opening. We’ve got just the spots for you to choose from
Visit St. Anthony of New Bedford Credit Union, which is offering holiday loans to help you get through the spending. It’s a nice small place, very cozy, where everyone knows your name. If you’re more inclined to stay on this side of the river, visit Southern Mass Credit Union. It’s another cozy, hometown place. Both offer car loans and CDs. Now that’s a great gift!
Speaking of cars….
A&A Auto has a great selection of used cars to fit any budget. I’ll bet Alex will even put one of those big red bows on it, too, if you ask. And they do repairs, too, if you’re not quite ready to buy.
Hmm…maybe you want to sell that old car you only drive in summer, huh? Then check out Custom Auto, they’ll give you cash for that old gas guzzler. They do repairs, too.
Both of these reputable car places will give you gift certificates. An oil change or A/C recharge is a great gift for the person who has everything.
Looking for that home-town New-Englandy village experience? Well, Fairhaven’s got it all here, as New England as it gets in the center of town. Park the car and walk around.
Nothing says Christmas better than a stroll among quaint shops for village-style shopping. Your best bet is Euro Phoenix where you’ll find gifts for every pocketbook, from dollar doodads to imported Norwegian sweaters. Take the kids with you. Their allowances will go far at this Fairhaven gem.
While you’re still in the vicinity, take a stroll by our magnificent town hall, Millicent Library, and Unitarian Church. These spectacular buildings were gifts from town benefactor Henry Huttleston Rogers. You might not be able to stroll around inside, depending on the COVID restrictions of the day, but if you’ve got your camera with you, you’ll be able to get some great shots of our architectural wonders.
Now you’ve worked up an appetite with all that walking and oohing and aahing over our town center, so scoot over to Wah May’s Restaurant. Have some tea to warm you up, and grab a couple of gift certificates to hand out on the big day.
Got a sweet tooth? Have some people impossible to buy for? Well, no one can resist the home made sweets at Dorothy Cox’s Chocolate and Ice Cream. Ice cream all year long. So, yup, it’s the ultimate comfort food stop. And they have gift certificates! I mean, who doesn’t just LOVE a dozen yummy truffles, or a box of mixed chocolates that you get to choose yourself? (Did I mention the fudge?) Oh, and grab a bottle of wine, too, for later on.
Now it’s time to take care of that young couple who just bought their first house — a real fixer-upper, and they need all the help they can get.
Maybe the old place just needs some TLC? Well, check out our classifieds. They are loaded with people who can help out with those little jobs, and cool stuff for sale — cheap. And that includes the Mattapoisett Craft Show, but that’s for tomorrow. They’re only open for a couple more Saturdays, so don’t forget to mark your calendar.
It’s quite possible that the old place is perfect for a really sarcastic card that says “360 payments and it’s ours!” But it could be that it’s just that unkempt yard making it look a lot worse than it is. We have a couple of possibilities to help them out. Call Ron’s Lawns or Carlos Landscaping to get that yard in shape. You’ll be amazed at how a professionally cleaned up, raked up, mowed down yard can change the feel of a place. They each have their own specialties, so give ’em a call to see which one best suits your needs.
For electrical work, you’ll want Eric from Eric Sylvia. He can do it all, big or small.
And now that they’ve got all upgraded electrical, they can plug in all their gadgets. New house, new electric, they definitely need new gadgets too, or at least an upgrade. But it’s such a hassle to update and reconnect and make sure the security software is up to date and all the other stuff that makes you just want to scream. Call Glenn at Fairhaven Computer Repair. He can fix what you’ve got, or fix you up with advice on what to buy, and set it all up for you, too.
Maybe the old place should have an alarm, huh? Yeah, I thought so, now that you’ve got all those new, shiny gadgets. Call Wayne Electric. They do alarms, and that’s a cool gift!
You’ll want Robert Furtado to do all the other projects, from cabinet making to the new bathroom.
Do the kids have their hearts set on a new kitchen? No one does kitchens like Fairhaven Lumber. They have cabinets, flooring and other products and services, like windows, to keep that big old wooden wonder cozy and warm.
You have other choices for the exterior work and for that combo interior/exterior work that the old house is bound to need.
Check out Marc Gadbois, whether it’s time to replace the siding, windows, roofing, or fix what’s there. He does everything, no matter how big the job seems to be.
Just be sure to check out Shawn Fitzgerald, too. He can get that roof on in a jiffy.
I’m willing to bet that big old monster has a big old monster of a heating system, too. If so, they’ll be using up a little more fuel than they like for a year or two until they can replace that antique. Send Luzo Fuel over to fill up the oil tank. Now that’s a gift!
Now that all the repairing and fixing up and patching and replacing are done, you’ll want to make sure that space does just what you want it to do. You’ll need Chaisson Interior Design to make sure that place is decorated just the way they want so it’s all comfy and cozy, or classy and glamorous…whatever suits their fancy. After all, with this pandemic, we’re all spending lots more time at home, so it needs to be what you need it to be.
While we’re talking about outside work, I’m thinking some of that stuff might require some heavy equipment. Or, maybe the kids got a good deal because the old septic system needs an upgrade, or the driveway looks like a bomb hit it? Well, if that’s the case, they need Arne Excavating.
Of course, an old house like that probably has a fireplace or a wood stove, too, and that can take some pressure off that old boiler. Call Fitzgerald Tree Service. He’s got seasoned wood to make Christmas morning nice and toasty. And he can take down that tree that looks ready to topple onto the chimney, too.
Speaking of chimneys. Call Lenny Fleurent & Sons if that baby needs repairing. Better yet, send Lenny to the basement to waterproof it. He can even fix up that old stone wall.
That should do it for stuff. What about protecting it all now? Call Vieira Insurance Agency for that. They specialize in insuring houses in seashore towns. Does it get any better than that?
Still don’t have something for the person who has everything?
Maybe you’re looking for an experience. Look no farther than the Fairhaven Office of Tourism. You’ll get info on all kinds of stuff, although much of it might be virtual this year.
Speaking of virtual, the MO LIFE Gala is coming up. That would be a fun thing for the whole family, even far flung family members, and no masks required, because it’s online.
Now, I know that no one wants to think of the bad stuff during the holidays, but then you watch some sappy old Christmas movie with the obligatory hospital scene. And then you realize no one has updated the will in forever. Time to call one of our great law firms, including Surprenant & Beneski, which specializes in elder law; or maybe Woodacre Law or Whitney and Pacheco. They all can handle the full range of legal beagle stuff. It’ll be a load off your mind and you’ll be happy you did it.
While we’re on the subject, you know you’re thinking of all those who have gone before us, and the last time you visited, you noticed the gravestones getting pretty yucky looking. Give John at J&L Cemetery Plot Maintenance a call. He’ll clean up the stone and plant something really nice for the holidays there, too.
Still have a few people on the list? Perhaps a boater? Maybe you’re thinking of Uncle Johnny and that old boat of his and how he always has such a devil of a time getting it running in the spring. Call Moby Dick Marina and give Uncle Johnny indoor winter storage, or a spot on the dock. You know he’ll love that!
Now it’s party time. First, you’ll need a body tune-up at the chiropractor to get straightened out. Call Pine Grove Chiropractic to get your back and neck and everything in shape for the next part of the program.
Did I mention it’s party time?
Of course, parties look a little different this year. You’ll be cooking for just you and yours, and not a whole group. So…ah forget it? NAH! Instead of just eating a bologna and cheese sandwich, call Mac’s Soda Bar. They have a catering and take-out menu to fit every budget. You can even get great holiday meals, so you have the special dinner without all the hassle.
And they have gift certificates, too. So, while you’re planning your own (little) party, check a couple of people off your list.
Let’s see, boats, electronic gadgets, food, what did we forget? Oh, right, houses and apartments. You know what happens: People come “home” for the holidays and they think, shoot…why did I ever leave? Call Howe Allen Real Estate and they’ll find the perfect house or apartment for your prodigal relatives.
Maybe you’ve decided to buy that house next to the kids? (My Big Fat Greek Wedding anyone?) Well Howe can help you with that, too. And so can the teams from South Coast Elite Real Estate. They all have inventory and are ready to find what you’re looking for. Choose he one that’s the best fit for you. Just be sure you tell them that you found out about them from the Neighb News.
Maybe your wayward relatives want to move back but are getting up there in age and don’t want the hassle of home ownership. Take ’em on over to Fairhaven Village. It’s right on the bus route to shop or head out of town.
Speaking of the Neighb News, don’t forget that we sell pictures of events we’ve covered, to decorate those new walls.
Okay, now you’re done. Time to sit with a drink and some friendly faces. Well, of course, the bar scene is out this year, but you can always grab that bottle of wine and some munchies and head back to the kids’ house. You know someone who plays the guitar, or the mandolin, or some other cool strings instrument, right? If not, I’ll bet someone wants to learn. Well, there’s no better place to go that Fairhaven Frets, for a brand new stringed instrument for the expert, or a used starter set of strings for the beginner.
And, no, we didn’t forget about one of our favorite Yuletide traditions. What’s Christmas without a heartwarming and fun tale? Snuggle up with a good story about Christmas magic on a small island. If you have a Nook or Kindle, you can get my short story, Who Makes the Magic? with a shorter, bedtime version for younger children.
Just visit www.zorena.com for info on all my fiction and travel pieces.
There’s my fantasy novel, Zorena and the Medallion of Corandu, (no, I haven’t finished the sequel yet…I’m working on it!).
And then there’s the one on my trip to Lebanon available for Kindles and Nooks. If you don’t want to read my ramblings about my summer vacation, there are about 200 photos that make it worth the $2.99.
Be sure to keep an eye on my Amazon author page because I’ve been working on some other stories that I hope will be ready soon.
Okay, so now you know: there’s no reason to shop outside the Neighb News family of advertisers. You’ll find everything you need, and you’ll be supporting local businesses at the same time.
Merry shopping to all and to all a good holiday season! •••
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Click here to download the entire 11/6/20 issue: 11-26-20 Shopping
