USACE Recreation Area Fees Waived to Observe Veterans Day
USACE recreation area fees across the country will be waived on Saturday, November 11, 2023 in observance of Veterans Day. This is a pretty big deal. The U.S. Army Corps…
(Photo by John G. Mabanglo-Pool/Getty Images)
USACE recreation area fees across the country will be waived on Saturday, November 11, 2023 in observance of Veterans Day.
This is a pretty big deal. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operates over 2,850 recreation areas nationwide, so that's a lot of fee-free real estate for your weekend recreating. And this continues a tradition that the USACE started back in 2006 to honor the men, women, and everyone who has served the armed forces and the United States of America.
The press release from the New England District reads: "The waiver covers fees for boat launch ramps and swimming beaches. The waiver does not apply to camping and camping-related services, or fees for specialized facilities (group picnic shelters) and events. Other agencies that manage recreation areas on USACE lands are encouraged, but not required, to offer the waiver in the areas that they manage."
USACE Recreation Area Fees Waived to Observe Veterans Day
If you're looking to take advantage of the fee waiver here in Massachusetts, you have plenty of options. The USACE has an entire website dedicated to Corps Lakes and the activities you can participate in. If you pop over to the Massachusetts page, you'll find fourteen total lakes, dams, rivers, and canals for boating, fishing, hiking, biking, and other outdoor activites.
Something you might not know is that USACE is one of the top federally-funded providers of outdoor and water-based recreation in the country. They host millions of visits annually at their more than 400 lake and river projects. And roughly 90 percent of these USACE-operated recreation areas are located within 50 miles of metropolitan areas, which offers a great deal of convenience.
In addition to the Corps Lakes link above, you can visit Recreation.gov to find more information about the locations and what they have to offer, as well as trip-planning resources.
Here’s a Bunch of Old Massachusetts Convenient Stores to Remember
New York has bodegas. Here in the Boston area, we have something different. So let's remember some old Massachusetts convenient stores.
I got thinking about this topic after surfing this recent wave of '90s nostalgia. That wave crested for me with what ended up being a love letter to my all-time favorite candy bar--Sky Bar--which was invented here in Massachusetts. Turns out it's still made here, too. I learned that when I wrote this piece, and I'd love it if you'd take the time to read it. You'll learn something! And candy is delicious!
If you're a Masshole of a certain age, you probably grew up like I did: spending paper route money on candy, chips, soda and the like at your local convenient store. In Greenwood, we had Greenwood Pharmacy, and then Pump N Pantry. But elsewhere in Wakefield, we had convenient stores that were in other towns and cities, too. They were chains, but they were local chains in lots of cases. And they kinda ruled.
Here's a Bunch of Old Massachusetts Convenient Stores to Remember
Right off the dome, I was able to remember a handful of those corner stores, a few of which are no more. But I wanted to do some digging to make sure my list is comprehensive. Oddly enough, just last month, someone started a "Defunct local convenient stores" thread on r/boston. It's a pretty short thread (at least as of now), but it's a good start.
I decided to turn this list into a 12-Inch Poll, just for the fun of it. So take a pass through, find the spot you used to grab your sodas and sweets, and toss it a vote. Oh, and if I missed one, just hit up ROCK 92.9 on your social media platform of choice and let me know. And grab me a Sky Bar while you're at it.
Christy's Markets
The OG opened in Brockton in 1934. At its peak, there were 144 Christy's across MA, ME, and RI. Remember when Christy himself ran for MA Governor?
Cumberland Farms
With roots in Cumberland, RI and Bellingham, MA, Cumbie's is a local convenient store institution.
City Convenience
Their logo still looks like it's straight out of the '90s, but this spot is still alive and kicking on the BU campus.
Li'l Peach
We had a Li'l Peach at Four Corners in Wakefield back in the day. And it turns out there's still one left in Hudson!
Richdale
Richdale is still around, too. I just a few weeks ago grabbed some ice at the one by Wyoming Station in Melrose.
Store 24
Store 24 was omnipresent back in the '80s. And there's a local connection, too, which I'll get to.
Tedeschi Food Shops
Why did Store 24 disappear from Massachusetts? Because Rockland-based Tedeschi's bought 'em out in 2002.
White Hen Pantry
This one started in the Midwest, but if you grew up in MA or Southern NH, you grew up going to White Hen Pantry.
