Current Issue of The Mill

There is always that one moment in time that makes you realize how special Douglas really is. For me, I was sitting in a history class called Collective Memory and we were discussing Memorial Day. I was expecting that everyone would talk about attending Memorial Day parades. Instead, I had about twenty heads turn and look at me like I had ten heads when I mentioned ours. Maybe one other person in class had a town with parades, but they also came from a small town. Everyone else talked about Memorial Day sales, having the day off, and maybe having a cookout with friends and family. As I explained our traditions, one person actually commented that they thought things like that only happened on TV. But I couldn’t remember a time in my life when it didn’t exist. Family photo albums from my grandparents through me all show pictures of the parade through the years. At one point or another, every single one of us marched under one organization or another (had to have that hoodsie at the Old Fire Station). My grandparents lived right on Main Street, so everyone would congregate there and throughout the day we would have friends and family stop and visit. It wasn’t just a parade, it was a time for the community to come together. 

I remember feeling a sense of loss the first time the parade didn’t happen after COVID. I understood during 2020 and 2021, but the following years, it felt significant. Douglas always had a Memorial Day Parade, it was a part of our community identity, part of that small-town charm, and personally, tied tightly to my memories. 

When I learned that the Heritage & Honor Committee had been formed and they were bringing back that part of Douglas, that part of our identity, that part of our community, that hole that the sense of loss created, started to mend a little. So I hope that on Saturday, May 23rd, you are able to pull up a piece of real estate along the PARADE ROUTE and create some memories of your own.

Land Protection Information Offered to Douglas Landowners

The Douglas Open Space Committee invites Douglas landowners to attend an informational session on how to protect their fields and forests. The event will be held on Thursday, May 14 at 7 pm at the Douglas Municipal Center at 29 Depot Street in the Resource Room. A MassWoods land preservation webinar will be shown and Lisa Mosczynski, President of the area’s regional Metacomet Land Trust, will provide additional information and answer questions. 

Excellent permanent protection is available to landowners and can offer property tax reduction or elimination, be tailored to specific needs such as including a building envelope for future generations and offer peace of mind for estate planning. Permanent protection also has great public benefits including watershed protection, habitat preservation for flora and fauna and permanent protection for our farmland through agricultural preservation restrictions.

Come find out more! For more information email openspace@douglas-ma.gov.

Sat, May 2, 2026
~Last Day to Register to Vote Town Election

Mon, May 4, 2026
~ 4th Quarter Personal Property Tax Bill Due
~ 4th Quarter Real Estate Tax Bill Due
~ Whitin Reservoir Watershed District Taxes Due

Mon, May 4, 2026 @ 7:00 PM
~ Annual Town Meeting at Douglas High School Auditorium
— CLICK HERE to view the Annual Town Meeting Warrant and Special Town Meeting Warrant

Tue, May 12, 2026 from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
~ Annual Town Election at Douglas Municipal Center Gymnasium

Sat, May 23, 2026 @ 11:00 AM 
~ Memorial Day Parade

Mon, May 25, 2026
~ In observance of Memorial Day, the following will be closed: Douglas Municipal Center, Douglas Adult Social Center, Douglas Public Schools and the Simon Fairfield Public Library.

Flag Flying Holidays

Mon, May 25, 2026 – Memorial Day, Flags at Half Staff until 12:00 PM
Sun, May 3, 2026 – Fallen Firefighter’s Day, Flags at Half-Staff from Sunrise-Sunset
Fri, May 15, 2026 – Peace Officers Memorial Day, Flags at Half-Staff from Sunrise-Sunset

• Sat, May 2 @ 9:00 AM – Conservation Commission Site Walk @ 0 Woodland Road – Deer Crossing Development
• Mon, May 4 @ 6:30 PM – Board of Selectmen, Prior to Town Meeting @ Douglas High School Room C103
• Mon, May 4 @ 6:30 PM – Finance Committee, Prior to Town Meeting @ Douglas  High School
• Mon, May 4 @ 7:00 PM – Annual & Special Town Meeting @ Douglas High School Auditorium
• Tue, May 5 @ 5:00 PM – Recreation Commission @ Douglas Municipal Community Meeting Room
• Tue, May 5 @ 7:00 PM – Board of Selectmen @ Douglas Municipal Center Resource Room
• Wed, May 6 @ 6:00 PM – Economic Development Commission @ Douglas Municipal Community Meeting Room
• Wed, May 6 @ 6:30 PM – School Committee Meeting @ Douglas High School Room C208
• Wed, May 6 @ 7:00 PM – Zoning Board of Appeals @ Douglas Municipal Center Resource Room
• Thu May 7 @ 6:00 PM – Heritage and Honor Committee @ Douglas Municipal Community Meeting Room
• Thu, May 7 @ 6:30 PM – Whitin Reservoir Watershed District @ Douglas Municipal Center Resource Room
• Mon, May 11 @ 7:00 PM – Oktoberfest Committee @ Douglas Municipal Center Kitchen
• Wed, May 13 @ 2:00 PM – Open Space Committee @ Douglas Municipal Community Meeting Room
• Wed, May 13 @ 6:00 PM – Planning Board @ Douglas Municipal Center Resource Room
• Thu, May 14 @ 6:00 PM – Heritage and Honor Committee @ Douglas Municipal Community Meeting Room
• Thu, May 14 @ 7:00 PM – Open Space Committee @ Douglas Municipal Community Meeting Room
• Mon, May 18 @ 6:30 PM – Conservation Commission @ Douglas Municipal Center Resource Room
• Mon, May 18 @ 6:30 PM – Housing Authority @ Douglas Municipal Community Meeting Room
• Tue, May 19 @ 7:00 PM – Board of Selectmen @ Douglas Municipal Center Resource Room
• Wed, May 20 @ 10:00 AM – Building Facilities Construction Committee @ Douglas Municipal Center Resource Room
• Wed, May 20 @ 5:00 PM – Master Plan Committee @ Douglas Municipal Center Resource Room
• Wed, May 20 @ 6:30 PM – School Committee Meeting @ Douglas High School Room C208
• Thu, May 21 @ 6:00 PM – Heritage and Honor Committee @ Douglas Municipal Community Meeting Room
• Wed, May 27 @ 6:00 PM – Planning Board @ Douglas Municipal Center Resource Room

For regularly scheduled happenings at the Douglas Adult Social Center, please view the Daily Calendar. 

Douglas Adult Social Center May/June Newsletter

Please call the Douglas Adult Social Center at 508-476-2283 to sign up for Programs & Classes.

Two new programs will be starting this May.
~ Starting May 14th, Thursdays from 10:45 to 11:30 will be Tai Chi Classes taught by Gary from N.E. Kung Fu. (It is advised that you speak to your doctor before starting any physical fitness classes.)
~ Starting May 15th, Friday mornings from 9:30 to 10:30 belong to Mah Jongg. Call or stop by to sign-up.

• Mon, May 4 @ 10:00 AM – Wellness Clinic
• Thu, May 7 @ 10:00 AM – Hearing Aide Clinic with Darci 
• Wed, May 13 @ 12:00 PM – Mother’s Day Luncheon 
  • Sign-up by 5/4
• Thu, May 14 @ 11:30 AM – Lunch ($4.00) and a Movie, The Mighty Macs
  • Sign-up by 5/8
• Tue, May 19 @ 10:00 AM – Wellness Clinic

Sunshine Club Events

• Tue, May 5 @ 2:00 PM – Sunshine Club Meeting
• Fri, May 8 @ 1:00 PM – BBQ & Line Dancing
  • Sign-up by 5/1, $7.00 per person and due at sign-up.
• Thu, May 21 – Woo Sox Game
  • Sign-up at the Center on a first come first serve basis. $20.00 per person due at sign-up. Transportation will be provided.

Sun, May 3 @ 4:00 PM – Songs of the Silver Screen, Conducted by Diane M. Pollard

• Admission is Free, but Donations are Appreciated
  • Valley Chapel @ 14 Hunter Road, Uxbridge, MA

Exploring the Blackstone River Valley Recreational Hike Series
Trail Ambassador Spring 2026 Hike Series

Sun, May 17 @ 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM – Douglas State Forest, Three Quarts Hike
~ Meet at the Bill Anesse Trailhead parking area. This hike is ~4 miles over a rocky and rugged forest surface with moderate inclines. Bathrooms are not available at this site.

Sat, May 2 – 38th Annual Tiger Open at Blissful Meadows

Sat, May 2 @ 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM – Hummingbird Festival on the Common

• Click Here for Parking Information

Douglas Adult Social Center Food Pantry – Douglas Residents
331 Main Street, Douglas, MA 01516
508-476-2283

• Mondays-Thursdays — 9:00am to 3:00pm
• Fridays — 9:00am to 11:30am
• Donations accepted, but please contact the Adult Social Center to see what items are most in need.
• * If you are homeward bound and need assistance, please contact the Adult Social Center *
• * If you need transportation, please contact the Adult Social Center *

St. Denis Food Pantry
St. Denis Rectory
23 Manchaug St, Douglas, MA 01516
508-476-2002

• Saturdays — 8:00am to 10:00am 
• foodpantry@saintdenischurch.com
• Donate to the pantry directly during open hours or you may leave non-perishables in the bin at the Church at any time

Walking in the Light Ministries – Anyone In Need
Second Congregational Church
289 Main Street, Douglas, MA 01516
Contact: Jeannie Gagne (Phone: 508-476-9978, Cell: 508-847-9716, Email: jeannie@walkinglight.org); Dan Gagne (Email: dan@walkinglight.org)

• Donations accepted – there is a bin outside the door for drop-off donations on the handicapped side of the church
• Tuesdays — 1:00pm to 3:00pm (Most Tuesdays) or by appointment

• Sat, May 23 @ 11:00 AM – Memorial Day Parade
• Sat, June 27 @ 11:00 AM – Independence Day Parade and Celebration
  • Parade to start at 11:00 AM with Celebration to follow at Soldiers’ Field

250th Commemorative Challenge Coin – Get yours now!! The 250th Anniversary of our Country will be Celebrated with a Parade at 11am on June 27th. A Community Gathering to follow at Soldiers’ Field with Food Trucks and Games for the Kiddos…..With a small Donation of $50, you can help the festivities….That will get you a limited numbered coin (only 250), a Certificate with Coin # and your Name and you will be on a list to be archived in Douglas History forever….Come Join the Fun and be a Part of Town History!! visit the Town of Douglas

Click here to follow The Douglas Historical Society New Facebook Page where we’ll share information about our events and activities planned to stimulate interest in the history of the E.N. Jenckes Store Museum and the town. If you are a Facebook user, please visit our new page and follow us so you don’t miss any of the exciting events we’re planning to celebrate this historical year! We’ll be hosting Douglas Patriot Days in May and June with special programs created to celebrate the nation’s 250th including our town’s contributions to the Revolutionary War.

• Sat & Sun, May 2 & 3 @ 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM – Douglas Historical Society Opening Weekend
  • The Douglas Historical Society announces the Opening Weekend for our 2026 season. The E.N. Jenckes Store Museum, located at 283 Main Street, Douglas, MA,  will open at 10:00 AM on Saturday, May 2, with a bake sale, face painting for kids of all ages, and docents in period dress to share the history of the E.N. Jenckes Store and the town of Douglas.
    • You can stock up on your celebration attire for America’s 250th Anniversary with our T-shirts and baseball caps. In addition, we have sweatshirts featuring the Douglas Axe Company for cool spring and early-summer nights.
  • The Douglas Historical Society will be open on Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM throughout the summer and the fall. Stop by with questions about Douglas and the historical buildings you see along Main Street and throughout the town.
• Sun, May 17 @ 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM – Quilt of Valor Presentation
• Sun, May 23 – Open House (during the Memorial Day Parade)

On Sunday May 10th the DHS National Honor Society and DMS National Junior Honor Society will be participating in a Walk your Own Way Event to benefit Project Bread. Please consider donating to the team page or to an individual walker if you’d like, donations of any size are helpful! Click Here to Donate

• May 7 @ 5:30 PM – Spring Concert @ Douglas High School
• May 12 @ 6:30 PM – Athletic Boosters Meeting @ Douglas High School Library
• May 12 @ 6:30 PM – Douglas PTO Meeting @ Douglas Elementary School Library
• May 13 @ 6:00 PM – Douglas High School Art Show
• Sat, May 23 – Mon, May 25 – Recharge Weekend
• Mon, May 25 – No School in Observance of Memorial Day

Please contact rlavallee@cwmars.org with any registration dates for Youth Sports or Organizations, as well as any event dates. (Please note that any events will show up in next month’s newsletter)

• BSA Troop 316
  • Reminder to put in your preorder for Mother’s Day hanging baskets! Scouts BSA Troop 316 is once again selling 10″ baskets of Million Bells for Mother’s Day. Preorder your hanging basket and pick up on Saturday, May 9th 10:00am-2:00pm at Ripple Effect Insurance, 15 North Street (just off Main Street). We’ll also have a limited number of plants available for sale that day. Order today! Venmo: https://forms.gle/TzABs4Z8woDd5B1v5 Or credit card: www.Douglastroop316.com/mothersday
  • Sun, May 3 @ 2:00 PM 
    • Interested in joining Cub Scouts? Join Douglas Cub Scout Pack 316 Sunday, May 3rd at 77 Vine Street for Rocket launching! Bring your own Estes rocket & engines or borrow a pack rocket to launch.
      • Douglas Cub Scout Pack 316 year-round activities include hiking, camping, pinewood derby, rocket launching, fishing, and community service. Cub Scouts is for boys and girls Kindergarten through 5th grade. Join the adventure! For more information, email Douglaspack316@gmail.com. 

• Boy Scout Troop 316
  • Scouts BSA is a year-round program for boys 11-17 years old that provides fun, adventure, and character development. Email Douglastroop316@gmail.com to join the adventure! 

• Douglas Youth Soccer
  • Saturday, May 9 – Registration for Fall 2026 Opens
    • Click HERE to Register

• Northbridge-Uxbridge Bulldogs Football & Cheer
  • Open Registration for 2026 Season, Click HERE to Register 
  • March 1, 2026 through June 20, 2026

Sat, June 13 @ 9:00am – Quiet Corner ATHA Hookin Event

• Register by May 1st

• Sat, Aug 15 @ 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
  • 4th Annual Sensor Friendly Picnic at the Park at Soldiers’ Field.
    • Visit https://www.picnicattheparkdouglas.org/home for more information

For regularly scheduled happenings at the Simon Fairfield Public Library, please view the calendar. 

• Sat, May 2 @ 9:30 AM – SFPL Sleuths 
• Mon, May 4 @ 9:00 AM – SciFi Book Sale (with showings of the Original Star Wars Trilogy)
• Sat, May 16 @ 10:30 AM – SFPL Gardeners
• Sat, May 23 – Book and Plant Sale
• Wed, May 27 @ 4:30 PM – Vampire Masquerade Campaign (Planning Session)

Whitin Community Center

• May 18 to June 18 – New Mother’s Collection Drive
  • Drive for essential supplies for new mothers in need in the Blackstone Valley. Click here for more information.