It was several years ago when locals Mary Greendale, Joanne Hulbert, and this writer Bobby Blair met at Coffee Haven then the Grill and Dunkies to come up with a plan to write a book for the 300^th Anniversary of the town. Where to start was always a topic of conversation over coffee and eggs over easy.

Hulbert for her part had written a history of the town in 2000. An amazing 562 pages of history called “Holliston A Good Town”. For the town’s 250^th Anniversary the late Dorothy Rees authored a Commemorative Booklet titled “Holliston Massachusetts 250^th Anniversary 1724 – 1974”.

Rees at that time told people she was only constrained by the books budget. It was finally decided that this new book would pick up in 1950, a time when the town grew exponentially. Between 1950-1960 a 65.8% growth and between 1960 – 1970 a huge 94% increase in population.

Instead of the usual format of one book, one author, it was decided to accept contributions from all – townies as well as newcomers. Cherie Hafford joined the trio and began setting up deadlines.

As we close in on the 300^th Anniversary, Mary Greendale told the Reporter that to date she had received 267 stories and hundreds of photos. Those stories are now being edited by no less than ten editors for spelling and grammar mistakes.

While Hafford has been of immeasurable help with fonts, where to place the page number and general organization, the book will now enter the layout phase. A title and covers are yet to be decided. Greendale estimates there will be 55 different authors included in the book.

Publication and release of the book if all goes according to plan is sometime in April.