Community Vine was an e-newsletter created by Jay and Jennifer Shenk of Westminster, MA. The Vine was published in 60 bi-weekly issues from August 2009 to December 2011. Due to an overwhelming number of reader requests, we decided to keep our website live so that stories will continue to come up in online searches. In the time that the Vine was published, we collaborated with locals to get information out to the general public and work with town boards and businesses to engage the community. As time passes some of the political content isn't as relevant and the formatting of the site might be a little funky since advertisements have been removed. We thank our many large and small local advertisers for supporting the Vine. We appreciate that our readers continue to use the site as a resource. If you have a question about anything related to Westminster, use the search box above. If you can't find the answer you are looking for, please email jennifershenk@hotmail.com and it is likely that we'll be able to point you in the right direction.

Even Jay has a recipe this week: Oysters Rockefeller

This is one of my favorite foods, and is surprisingly easy to make as long as you can shuck the oysters.

For years I’ve eaten the oysters raw, but since figuring out how to make this recipe, I take the extra time to put it together at least twice a week. A Kevlar glove and oyster knife makes this a much safer endeavor.

Read more... Even Jay has a recipe this week: Oysters Rockefeller  

• Vincent family says thanks for the Vine

  We all received some sad news 2 weeks ago when we heard that there would no longer be a Community Vine.  I personally have enjoyed this newsletter and so look forward to it.  I once even paid 45 cents a minute to read the Vine when I was on vacation as that was the cost to use the internet.  I had to have my Vine fix even on vacation!
  Jen and Jay have done so much for the community through the Vine.  They have kept us all informed and even entertained at times.  They have done an incredible job of advocating for small, local businesses.  Their support of local causes and benefits is like no one else we know.  If there is an event to raise money for a worthwhile cause, you can count on Jen and Jay to advertise, donate and attend.  They have kept us up to date on town politics.
  We will miss the Vine but we know that there are greater things in the future for Jay and Jen and we wish them the best.
  Bruce and Cindy Vincent

  We all received some sad news 2 weeks ago when we heard that there would no longer be a Community Vine. I personally have enjoyed this newsletter and so look forward to it. I once even paid 45 cents a minute to read the Vine when I was on vacation as that was the cost to use the internet.  I had to have my Vine fix even on vacation! 

  Jen and Jay have done so much for the community through the Vine. They have kept us all informed and even entertained at times. They have done an incredible job of advocating for small, local businesses. Their support of local causes and benefits is like no one else we know. If there is an event to raise money for a worthwhile cause, you can count on Jen and Jay to advertise, donate and attend. They have kept us up to date on town politics. We will miss the Vine but we know that there are greater things in the future for Jay and Jen and we wish them the best.  

  Bruce and Cindy Vincent

   

  
   

• Jay's take on Trick or Treating on Bacon Street and the Bonfire: An annual tradition that grows each year

  Marilyn Monroe, and two monsters), we decided to head for Bacon Street and the town bonfire. Jen would take pictures, talk to virtually everyone, and watch the kids, while I would provide moral support and occasionally say, “take a picture of this”. It didn't quite work out that way this year.

  Read more... Jay's take on Trick or Treating on Bacon Street and the Bonfire: An annual tradition that grows each year  

• What is the Mediterranean Diet and why would I want to eat that way?

  

  For my birthday this year, my mother offered to take me to an all-day cooking class, if that was something I was interested in. Was I! Although the kids thought this was about the dumbest thing they had ever heard of -- a COOKING CLASS as a birthday present, I was very excited. I love learning about new spices and interesting food prep techniques. Unfortunately, I had not paid close attention to when the class would be and had planned a surprise birthday party for my 10-year-old the night before. So, although I was wiped out from a very large sleepover, I was psyched for all that I was going to learn at the class. This wasn't a regular cooking class--this was a class on the Mediterranean lifestyle and diet.

  Read more... What is the Mediterranean Diet and why would I want to eat that way?  

• Jay wrote a book. I don't know where he found the time! Check out ‘Keeping Up’

  
  
  

  Jay and I have spent the past few years writing. While my main focus has been the Vine, he has been alternating between making technology and management recommendations to publishing companies and writing Westminster Board of Selectmen stories. Somehow he also managed to find time to write a book! If you’re in the publishing industry, it seems that everyone who crosses your path has written a book and wants advice on how to get it published. Despite Jay being more in the IT, customer service and finance side of the business, everyone from total strangers, neighbors, friends and family have asked us ‘how do you go about getting a book published?’

  Read more... Jay wrote a book. I don't know where he found the time! Check out ‘Keeping Up’