WILLIAMSBURG — The Lil’ Dog Lodge, owned and operated by Rae and Alex Woytowicz, will set up shop in Williamsburg this summer in the Guardhouse building of the Brassworks on Route 9.
Currently located on Huntington Road in Worthington, the business has been open for four years, Rae Woytowicz said.
“Things are going pretty good and we have been growing steadily even though we haven’t been trying to, so I can’t complain,” she said.
Taking on more clients is part of the reason to relocate to Williamsburg.
The Worthington facility can accommodate up to six dogs but the new location in Williamsburg will double that, to 12.
“We wanted a larger space for the dogs,” Rae Woytowicz said. “We have a small indoor space here. The one in Williamsburg is just shy of 2,000 square feet.”
At some point, she said, she and her husband may hire additional people, but for the time being, it is just she and her husband that work at the Lil’ Dog Lodge.
Rae Woytowicz, 38, and Alex Woytowicz, 39, have worked with animals for the last 20 years, as veterinary technicians in high-end animal care and also showing Great Danes.
Rae Woytowicz said that working in a veterinarian’s office often includes dealing with animal injuries and deaths.
“The sad stories wear on you and we really needed some happy stories,” she said.
She and her husband wanted to abide by a higher standard than they had experienced in some of the animal care venues in which they had worked.
“We opened our place to do things as we see fit,” she said.
The couple just received a special permit from the town of Williamsburg to open their business and say they’re hoping to be open by June first.
HAYDENVILLE — The Haydenville Congregational Church will hold a fundraising event called “Tuesday Taters and Toe-Tapping Tunes” on Tuesday, March 27.
The event will feature live music and a baked potato bar with a full range of toppings, including a prize-winning chili. There will also be salads and a dessert bar.
Williamsburg vocalist Susan Farrell and Northampton pianist and composer Jeff Olmsted will provide the musical entertainment.
Organizer Trish LeFreniere said the event is the first in a series of “fun fundraisers” to support programs at the church and in the community.
Tickets are $10 per person and $20 for a family with children. All are welcome.
The church is at 141 Main St., Haydenville. For information, call the church at 268-9344.
CHESTERFIELD — On Saturday, March 31, Chesterfield and Goshen will hold rabies vaccination clinics for dogs and cats at the fire departments in each town.
The Chesterfield clinic will go from 8:30 a.m. until 10 a.m., and the Goshen clinic will begin at 10:30 a.m. and go until noon.
There is a fee of $25.00 per vaccination. Proceeds from the clinics will go to the Chesterfield Firefighters Association and the Goshen Firefighters Association.
Town clerks will also be available to issue dog licensues.
“This makes it convenient for people to be able to go right to their local fire station and get it all done without have to set up an appointment at the vet,” said Sue Labrie, the Chesterfield town administer and Goshen fire chief.
CHESTERFIELD — District aides for state Sen. Adam G. Hinds, D-Pittsfield, will be available in Chesterfield at the Town Hall on Wednesday, March 28, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
All residents of Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden counties are invited to participate in these sessions if they have an idea, question or comment about state government they wish to share, or if they require assistance from the senator’s constituent services team.
Ideas for this column on life in the Hilltowns can be sent to Fran Ryan at: fryan.gazette@gmail.com.