Introducing the Raps HOPS Foundation

We are so pleased to announce the formation of the Rapscallion HOPS Foundation. Spearheaded by Spencer and Sturbridge mug members, HOPS — which stands for Helping Others through Philanthropic Support — provides financial support to mug members in need and community-centric charitable organizations.

Mug Members and Rapscallion work together to host charitable events that raise funds for these important initiatives. Working as a team, we are able to provide funds to mug members and the community at large when the need arises.

Reach out to HOPS@visitrapscallion.com with any questions or inquiries. All correspondence is completely confidential.

Heather Croteau at La Petite Galerie

February 6, 2024 through April 30, 2024.

Located in central Massachusetts, Heather Croteau has had a passion for art since childhood and has worked in many different mediums. She received her degree in Photography in 2009 and worked as a florist for more than 10 years. She currently works as a merchandiser in the balloon industry. These influences, as well as her love for nature, can be seen in her colorful works.

Heather Croteau enjoys most forms of creative expression, but has been focusing her artistic voice through pointillism since 2017. Pointillism is a technique of painting (or drawing) in which small, distinct dots of color are applied in patterns to form an image. Georges Seurat and Paul Signac developed the technique in 1886, branching from Impressionism.

Using Stabilo fine art markers on bristol paper, Heather layers thousands of tiny dots in many colors to create the vibrant images. While meditative, this process can be very time consuming, with most pieces being finished an average of three months after the initial light pencil sketch for composition.

Heather Croteau Opening

February 6, 2024, 7-10pm
La Petite Galerie at Rapscallion Pub
3 Arnold Road
Sturbridge, MA 01518

Heather’s Artwork

Mug Members Take First Place in Spencer’s Parade of Lights!

Float Participation + Charitable Initiatives = Huge Success!

We are so thrilled to announce that Rapscallion’s mug members won first place in the float portion of the 2023 Spencer Parade of Lights! This year was Rapscallion’s third year participating in this event.

The Spencer Parade of Lights is a very special annual event where vehicles from Spencer, MA and surrounding communities come together to put on a spectacular light show during a two mile car crawl parade through town. The event attracts well over 100 entrants broken into four categories: Fire Truck, Float, ATV, and Jeep. Prior to the parade itself, which ends at Rapscallion’s Spencer Brewery & Taproom, the entrants are judged and prizes awarded.

2021

In the first year, mug member Chris Lindquist generously offered his mini truck for some Christmas wrapping! We designed the wrap and had it done locally, after which our incredible mug members got to work decorating it. The mini Christmas rig looked incredible, and mug members and staff enjoyed walking in the parade and all of the amazing warm wishes and fun exchanges with the incredible amount of people camped along the route!

2021 Parade of Lights Rapscallion entry

2022

Last year, mug members caught the competitive bug and decided to really step up their game! Deciding on a Christmas Vacation-themed float, they held numerous planning meetings and building sessions at the brewery and eventually built what would become the Parade of Lights 2nd place float! Read about last year here.

Rapscallion mug members took 2nd place in the 2022 Parade of Lights with their Christmas Vacation float

2023

This year, our fun-loving mug members were adamant that they were going to win. And they also wanted to do a little bit more. Spearheaded by mug member Michelle LaRiviere, mug members decided they wanted to start a charitable arm of their membership, which is when Giving Trees came up. But first they had to decide on a theme, which “had to be iconic, something that people really connect with,” according to Michelle — and that let them to a Charlie Brown Christmas.

For several weeks before, mug members came together on a regular basis to design and build the float. The number of mug members who contributed significantly to the project are too numerous to list here, but suffice it to say we have the BEST mug members and they know who they are!

They built Snoopy’s doghouse complete with working propellor, Lucy’s full size psychiatrist booth, Pig Pen’s bass cello, and a giant Charlie Brown Christmas tree. They also decided on who would be playing which part, and who would be walking the parade.

At the same time, the team designed and sold Raps bracelets at the Spencer Brewery and Sturbridge Pub in an effort to raise money to help with costs and raise funds for a local charity. Also, mug members Tom and Karlene Lowkes stepped up and connected the Rapscallion team with Toys for Children Spencer, organized by ERA Key Realty. Toys for Children fulfills Christmas wish lists for Spencer children and teens who would otherwise not receive Christmas gifts, and in one short week, Rapscallion collected over 100 gifts for 15 children, completing their wish lists, much of which was clothing and other basic necessities. But of course mug members went the extra mile with their generosity and there should be some big smiles Christmas morning!

Finally, the float was done and mug members brought it to the parade where they were rewarded with a first place win! After all category awards were announced, the parade started and it was an incredible turnout on a beautiful 50 degree night!

There was an after-party at the Brewery where mug members hung their first prize plaque in the middle of the brewery. Mug members, staff, and guests alike enjoyed the evening and take great pride in our wonderful win.

Mug members have decided that their fundraising money will be split equally between the local food pantry and Toys for Children Spencer. And yes, they are already planning for next year! See all the photos below. Thank you so much to our wonderful mug members who continue to amaze us with their generosity and community focus each and every day.

Mug Member Food Drive a Huge Success!

We always say we have the best mug members, and we can prove it!

Mug members from Sturbridge and Spencer hosted a food drive at Rapscallion Brewery and Rapscallion Pub. They decorated boxes and partnered with Raps to create signage and promote the drive. Boxes were placed at both locations and we all worked to spread the word.

The food drive only lasted for 10 days, from 11/15-11/25. In that time this is what we collected:

Above ^^ is the haul from Spencer.

And that ^^ is the haul from Sturbridge!

Sturbridge items were donated to Wales Community Food Pantry serving the tri-community area of Wales, Holland, and Brimfield. Spencer items were donated to Mary Queen of the Rosary Church Food Pantry serving Spencer and the surrounding area as needed.

Thank you to our mug members for organizing and to our patrons for donating!

George Ludway at La Petite Galerie

November 1, 2023 through January 30, 2024.

George Ludway was a cartoonist and watercolor artist from Grand River, Ohio. After serving his country in the US Air Force pilot during WW2, he returned home to Grand River to the home he grew up in with his mother, sister and three brothers to practice and refine his talent as a full-time art cartoonist.

Throughout his life, he made a meager living selling his cartoons to publications like the New Yorker, Field & Stream Magazine and other publications.

At seventy-five years old, he decided to teach himself water color painting. His nick-name was “Shanty” because he loved making paintings of shanties around Lake Erie. As a self-taught painter, he created works until he was eighty-five. If you have ever been to the Lake Erie area east of Cleveland, you will relate to the scenes in his paintings.

George’s Artwork

George Ludway Opening

November 1, 2023, 6-10pm
La Petite Galerie at Rapscallion Pub
3 Arnold Road
Sturbridge, MA 01518

STURBRIDGE: New Menu!

Starting Tuesday, October 3, Sturbridge Pub is pleased to offer our new fall menu! Chef Oné has added some delicious offerings that will be sure to pique your interest. NEW this fall we are offering daily specials that are kind to your piggy bank — e.g. on Mondays, kids eat FREE and on Wednesday all handhelds are $10! Check it out below and remember that we also offer online ordering for pickup on those busy nights when you don’t feel like cooking. See you soon!

ACTON: Brunch Starting November 4!

Starting Saturday, November 4, we are so excited to offer a brand new offering: BRUNCH!

Brunch will be served every Saturday and Sunday from 11:30-3:30pm and will feature a brunch menu created by Chef Victor along with some brunch favorite drinks including Build-Your-Own-Bloody-Marys, Bellinis, and mimosas. Not up for brunch? No issue: you can still order off our regular menu during those hours as well! Check out the sneak peak at our brunch menu below.

 

ACTON: New Menu, New Hours!

Starting Monday, October 2, we will be offering a new fall menu and will be shifting our hours ever so slightly. It’s not a huge change, just opening a half hour earlier to better accommodate YOU, our fabulous patrons!

New Hours:
Sunday 11:30-8:00pm
Monday-Thursday 11:30am-9:30pm
Friday & Saturday 11:30am-10pm

New Menu:

ACTON: New Hours, New Menus!

We are so excited to be opening back up for lunch starting June 30, with a new menu coming out on July 3. We have brought back some of your favorites, have improved on some items you have requested, and have some brand new items from the ever-amazing Chef Victor, who is an amazing addition to our team (dare we say he’s the macaroni to our cheese?!)

New Hours:
Monday-Saturday: Noon-10pm
Sunday: Noon-8pm

New Menus:

Big News in Acton: Head Chef Victor Gonzalez

We are beyond excited to announce that Chef Victor Gonzalez is Acton Table & Tap’s new Head Chef. Chef Victor brings over 25 years of culinary experience to the Rapscallion team. Coming to the United States when he was 15 years old and settling in Acton, Chef began working at Papa Razzi when he was 18 years old. He began as a cook and moved his way up in the ranks to head chef just four years later due to his incredible talent and drive, and he stayed with them for over 20 years.

Chef Victor joined Rapscallion after Papa Razzi’s closing last month, and we could not be more thrilled. His talent and drive are only surpassed by his ability to conceptualize and prepare flavorful, fresh dishes from scratch that delight diners.

We wanted to also take this time to thank you for your patience over the past year. The Acton back of house has gone through a tremendous amount of transition, and we acknowledge that sometimes over the past year we have missed the mark. For those who have been with us for a long time: thank you, and we can’t wait for you to see that the food and service you came to love at Rapscallion is back. For those who only tried us once or twice, we invite you to come back, and promise you will not be disappointed!

Over the past year, our focused goal has been to bring a strong, talented Head Chef to the team that provides consistent, delicious food and superior service, and Chef Victor does all that and more. Visit us and see for yourself!

Cheers, Pete & Ced