Sleigh Makers Once Prominent Here

Westborough once had as many as nine, during the late 19th century.

When Santa’s sleigh arrives in Westborough overnight, it will fly over the sleigh atop Westborough Town Hall. The weather vane symbolizes Westborough’s thriving sleigh making industry of the late 19th century. As many as nine sleigh makers operated here at one point, Westborough Historical Society member Kris Allen says. The industry’s height here was from the 1870s to about 1885, she says. “There was as many as about 4,500 sleighs produced annually in Westborough. And they were the ‘one horse open sleigh’ that is talked about in the song. They were lighter. That's why they could go faster.” “Carpenters and wheelwrights, in the wintertime, that’s what they would be doing.” Brothers William and Frank Sibley were among the most successful …

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Trade School Visitors Send Troops Holiday Greetings

The Porter and Chester Institute hosts its 2nd Annual Winter Fun Fest on Saturday.

A metal elf waved to visitors to a Westborough trade school Saturday. And a few rooms away, Santa Claus posed for digital photos. The Porter and Chester Institute's campus at 129 Flanders Road resembled a Santa's workshop during the school's 2nd Annual Winter Fun Fest. Several classrooms featured holiday displays. Youngsters also were encouraged to create greeting cards for the troops.

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MAP: Where Can You Meet Santa Claus?

Santa has a busy schedule in the area this holiday season. See our map for details about his appearances.

Many of us often bemoan the fact we can't be two places at once. Santa Claus doesn't have that problem! The jolly old fellow is one busy guy. Hover your cursor over our interactive map to see where Santa will be this weekend and beyond, throughout the MetroWest area. Click "view larger map," to see an overview of his appearances as well as details about each visit. Know of a place Santa's public relations team has neglected to share with us? Add details in the comments. We will update the map as more details about his schedule become available.

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Santa Arrives in Westborough

The Rotary Club of Westborough's Festival of Lights annual tree lighting ceremony was Sunday night.

Santa began receiving Westborough kids' Christmas lists Sunday night, visiting town exactly one month before the holiday. With "Here Comes Santa Claus" echoing through downtown Westborough, Santa arrived at the rotary by Westborough fire engine for the Rotary Club of Westborough's Festival of Lights annual tree lighting ceremony. Santa then took his special seat in front of the World War II and Korean War memorial. One by one (and in some cases, two by two), kids shared their holiday wish lists with him, and then received a candy cane. The Rotarians provided "the lights, the electricity and everything that lights this town for the winter season," club President Kathy Wilfert told the crowd. The Westborough High School Choral Group sung …

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MAP: Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Let St. Nick know your holiday wishes.

Santa Claus is making time this holiday season to visit each town to meet all the good little girls and boys. Find out his closest stop to your neighborhood. Where do you take your children to meet Santa? Tell us in the comments!

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Patch Facts

5 Things You Need to Know Today: Dec. 7

Santa's map says he will be in Westborough over the weekend.

  Each morning, Westborough Patch presents “5 Things You Need to Know,” a collection of announcements, events and reminders to help you organize your day.   1. Members of the Westborough High School Tri-M Society will be performing at the Westborough Civic Club tree sale in the Tufts Machine lot on East Main St. on Sunday, Dec. 11 from 1 to 3 p.m. Santa will be there as well.   2. Stella & Dot, a global fashion accessories brand, launched the "Spread the Love: Buy One, Gift One" program that provides a gift from their girls’ line to underprivileged youth with the purchase of select jewelry styles. You can participate locally in this campaign by visiting Westborough mom and Stella & Dot representative Abbie Micucci at the Armstrong Parent …

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Holidays 2011

5 Holiday Events in Town

This month, Westborough residents can eat breakfast with Santa, shop at a Christmas market, take in a handbell concert and attend a Hanukkah party.

  1. Breakfast with Santa at the Senior Center, 4 Rodgers Rd., will be held from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Sat., Dec. 10. The cost for this annual breakfast, sponsored by the Friends of the Westborough Senior Center, is $3. There will also be crafts for children of all ages. Tickets are available at the Westborough Recreation Department, the Westborough Senior Center or by calling Judy at 508-870-1895, Barbara at 508-366-2773 or Nancy at 508-366-9266. 2. Breakfast With Santa at First United Methodist Church, 120 W Main St., will be held from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Sat., Dec. 10. Children in 5th grade and younger are invited to this event, which will feature breakfast, a story by Pastor John and a visit with Santa. Registration is requested and participants…

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VIDEO: Santa Visits For Festival of Lights

Mild temperatures and holiday music made for an enjoyable wait for Santa.

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Post Office Delivers Letters to Santa

Westborough children write to Santa and Santa writes back.

In between building toys for the boys and girls of the world, flight practice with the reindeer for Christmas Eve, and of course a few cookie breaks, Santa takes time to answer letters from the children of Westborough. Of course, this is Santa's peak season at the North Pole, so he relies on a number of extraordinary helpers. The elves and Mrs. Claus are always there to help out. And for the past 21 years, Santa also counts on the Westborough Post Office and community volunteers to lend a hand. Children from all over town have been busy getting their requests in to Santa. "We average about 300 to 350 letters every year," says Westborough Postal worker Thom Brault, "and this year we've got over 200" since we put out the Santa mailbox just …

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