US Army Base Fort Devens Devens, Ma.

Local Community Overview Time Zone Chart Climate Community Transportation Religious Activities

Events Calendar Military Related and Civic Organizations Cultural Attractions
Recreational Opportunities Shopping

Local Community Overview

History of Ayer, Massachusetts

Ayer is the home of Fort Devens, a thriving business district, an assortment of light manufacturing industries, the MA State Pheasant Farm, and a prosperous apple industry which ships products around the world. Originally settled by Major Simon Willard, the town of Ayer was once a part of the large area of land known as Groton Plantation.

Welcome to the Nashoba Valley!

Apple orchards, quiet countryside, and a small town, rural atmosphere are all wonderful ways to describe the Nashoba Valley area. Excellent educational facilities, both public and private, provide families with a sound foundation for raising children. Exceptional health care is available in both area hospitals and clinics and in the nearby Boston area. Commuters to Boston find it a one hour drive or train ride from the Valley, with commuter rail stops in adjacent towns.

Farmers' markets, town Christmas celebrations, and summer band concerts on town commons make the Nashoba Valley the ideal place for those looking for a peaceful, small-town style quality of life.

For additional information on the Nashoba Valley, contact the Nashoba Valley Chamber of Commerce at (978) 772-6976.

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Time Zone Chart

The local time zone for Fort Devens is Eastern Standard Time.

Location	Adjustment from GMT *	Standard Time
Pacific	-8	09:00 Tuesday
Mountain	-7	10:00 Tuesday
Central	-6	11:00 Tuesday
Eastern	-5	12:00 Tuesday
Greenwich (United Kingdom)	0	17:00 Tuesday
Central European (Germany)	1	18:00 Tuesday
East Asia (Japan)	9	02:00 Wednesday

* Standard Time -- Does not account for those countries
which practice Daylight Savings Time

Climate

Massachusetts offers four beautiful seasons. Winters vary from year to year; from heavy to light snow fall. Spring and fall are very comfortable. Suggested Clothing: Medium-weight clothing is suitable for most of the year. Light-weight garments are recommended during the summer, and a warm coat is a necessity in winter, since the temperatures tend to hover at freezing or lower. New England summer temperature can reach the 90's by August. They say if you don't like the weather in New England, just wait a minute and it will change.

Community Transportation

There is a broad range of transportation from Devens. Airports are in New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Rail system and Boston subway route schedules are available at ACS.

Name : Logan International Airport
Phone : (617) 428-2800	Fax :
Proximity To Site: 1 1/4 hours
Comment : The above number for Logan Airport is for the Massachusetts Port Authority, which is responsible for running the airport. They will be able to refer you to the correct department. You may prefer calling operator information if you know which department you need. Overnight parking is available but fees are expensive. There are several local limousine services that provide transportation to the airport, or you can take the MBTA commuter rail from towns neighboring Devens. Logan Airport is located three miles from downtown Boston and is easily accessible by public transportation, water shuttle, taxi and limousine services.

Name : MANCHESTER NEW HAMPSHIRE AIRPORT
Address : 1 Airport Road
City : Manchester	State : NH	Zip : 03103
Phone : 603-624-6556	Fax :
Proximity To Site: 30 miles

Name : MBTA Commuter Rail
Address : Main St.
City : Ayer	State : MA	Zip :
Phone : (978) 345-7711	Fax :
Proximity To Site: 5 minutes
Comment : Dependable and on-time MBTA stands for Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. The MBTA runs daily service on buses, trains and trolleys throughout Boston and some surrounding towns. The Boston rapid transit/subway system is referred to as the "T". The stations can be identified by a black "T" on a white circular sign. Tokens are available "T" station. You can board the MBTA commuter rail in downtown Ayer and in other neighboring towns. You may purchase your tickets in selected businesses in towns where train stations are located, or on the train itself. ACS has available train schedules.

Name : T.F. GREEN AIRPORT
Address : 2000 Post Road
City : Providence	State : RI	Zip : 02886
Phone : 401-737-8222	Fax :
Proximity To Site: 60 miles

Religious Activities

Services of all faiths and denominations can be found within a five to twenty minute drive from Devens. There are 33 churches represented. The yellow pages of the local phone book will give you a complete listing of churches in our area.

Events Calendar

The following events listed in the record listings are seasonal and held annually. The months in which the events are held are listed. However, for specific dates and times, call the telephone numbers below or contact the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism. They publish three seasonal calendars that list a variety of festivals, fairs & events across the state. For a free copy of winter, summer or fall calendars, call 1-800-227-6277 (Northeast U.S.) or (617) 727-3201. Call 1-800-227-6277 for a FREE Massachusetts GETAWAY Guide. In this guide is a map, listings of local lodging, attractions, events, tours, parks/forests, and towns/cities in this state.

Army Community Service maintains listings of local and regional community events occurring throughout the year.

For more Web site information
on this subject, visit
www.mass-vacation.com
http://www.mass-vacation.com

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Military Related and Civic Organizations

There are many military related and civic organizations in the area, including American Legion, VFW, Rotary, Lions, Elks, and business and historical groups. Army Community Service has a listing of them. You will find a sample in the record listings.

Name : American Legion
Address : Church Street
City : Shirley	State : MA	Zip :
Phone : (978) 425-4888	Fax :
Proximity To Site: 5 minutes

Name : Groton-Devens Memorial VFW
Address : 163 Main Street
City : West Groton	State : MA	Zip :
Phone : (978) 448-0023	Fax :
Proximity To Site: 15 minutes

Name : Shirley Historical Society
Address : 182 Center Road
City : Shirley	State : MA	Zip :
Phone : (978) 425-9328	Fax :
Proximity To Site: 10 minutes

Name : Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 3291
Address : 491 Main Street
City : Townsend	State : MA	Zip :
Phone :978-597-5644	Fax :
Proximity To Site: 20 minutes

Cultural Attractions

Devens is centrally located and within reach of many recreational, educational and cultural opportunities. New Hampshire to the north, Boston to the east,Cape Cod to the south with mountains, beaches, and local attractions in any direction.

Army Community Service maintains listings of many cultural attractions taking place all year long in the local area and across New England. Hanscom Air Force Base Ticket and Tours, and USO listings are kept current.

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Recreation Opportunities

There are wide ranges of recreational opportunities available in the area, including parks, state forests, canoeing and kayaking, whitewater rafting, horseback riding, roller-skating, bicycle riding, fishing, and local maple syruping. Many ski areas are also located not too distant from the Devens area. Army Community Service has information on many other activities.

Name : Mt. Wachusett State Park
Address : Mountain Road
City : Princeton	State : MA	Zip :
Phone : (978) 464-2987	Fax :
Proximity To Site: 25 minutes
Comment : A place for hiking and walking enthusiasts. Leashed pets are allowed in the park. There are several trails of varying degrees of difficulty. Many scenic viewing areas are scattered among the mountain's 2,849 acres. The visitor center has trail maps and information about the park's history. Rest room & handicapped facilities are available.

Name : Nashoba Valley Ski Area
Address : Power Road
City : Westford	State : MA	Zip :
Phone : (978) 692-3033	Fax :
Proximity To Site: 20 minutes
Comment : Hours: Morning (9-11), full day(9-5), afternoon (1-5), evening (5-10)

Name : Rollerskating	POC : "Roll-on America"
Address : Mechanic Street
City : Leominster	State : MA	Zip :
Phone : (978) 534-8303, (978) 537-4010	Fax :
Proximity To Site: 10 minutes

Shopping

Due to the high density of population in the area, there are many individual large and small shopping malls. A sample may be found in the record listings. Large shopping outlets are also in Maine and New Hampshire.

Name : Greendale Mall (over 55 stores/restaurants)
Address : 7 Neponset Street
City : Worcester	State : MA	Zip :
Phone : (508) 856-9400	Fax :
Proximity To Site: 45 minutes
Comment : Hours: Mon-Sat 1000-2100, Sun 1100-1800 Major stores: Marshalls, Best Buy Directions: Take Exit 1 on I-90 (from I-290 take Exit 19 toI-190) or just follow Gold Star Boulevard to West BoylstonStreet.

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