Happy Arbor Day, Wellesley

April 25, 2025 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Arbor Day is the most symbiotic gift-giving holidays of them all. Those who celebrate by planting a tree give it the space to thrive and stretch its branches. The tree, in return, cleans the air, provides shade to an increasingly hot planet, and reduces flooding.

A poet once told us that everyone has “their” tree, and directed us to close our eyes and remember. Mine was easy—the red delicious apple tree dad planted in the backyard of our first house. Every spring its white blossoms were so plentiful the tree looked like a snowball had landed on a tree trunk. I’ve spent my life searching for a perfume to equal the fragrance of those flowers. Every fall my brother and I would climb its limbs after school, pick an apple straight off a spur, and snack away, legs dangling, juice dripping down chins.

Close your eyes. Remember “your” tree. Don’t have one? Arbor Day (or anytime in the spring) is the perfect time to remedy that.

Rotary Club joins the 500 Club

A fine crew of volunteers helped The Rotary Club of Wellesley and the Town to bag up saplings over 500 saplings at the DPW on Arbor Day so that each fourth grader in town may receive one to plant. Suzy Jordon, Wellesley’s Horticultural Technician, will hand out the trees to students and teach an environmental lesson.

Help support Rotary by attending the annual Taste of Wellesley fundraiser on Wednesday, May 21, at the Wellesley Country Club. Sample delicious creations from 16 amazing Wellesley restaurants. Tickets here.

Wellesley Rotary Club, Arbor Day — Wellesley Rotary Club tree bagging volunteers Susie Perkins, Tom Atkinson. Kip Dole, Paul Simard, Pat Hayden, Ashley Denton, Don McCauley, Vin Spoto, Fred Wright, Tory DeFazio, Dawn Taylor, Phyllis’s Theerman, Donna Armentano, Sue Bevilacqua, Paul Schellito, Cathy Trumbull, Lisa Moore, Katherine Babson, Cathy Macdonald, Don Eburne, Carol Hildebrand, Harrison Shaw, Joan Gaughan, Frank Rowbotham

Free trees from the NRC

Wellesley NRC, free trees — Photo by Town of Wellesley

Did you know that the Wellesley Natural Resources Commission (NRC) has a free tree program? In an effort to expand and protect the town’s Tree Canopy and replace trees lost due to construction, the NRC will plant a tree on your property for free. Find your tree soulmate and start a “treelationship” that lasts a lifetime.

Learn more here. Email the NRC here to sign up.

Our favorite tree in town—the Station Oak

We always take a minute to admire our favorite tree, the Station Oak, located in Wellesley Square near the post office. No matter the season, this gorgeous specimen is a stunner. Here are a few pics from over the years:

Station Oak, Post Office Square, Wellesley — The beloved Station Oak is 70-feet tall with multiple lower branches that extend over 80 feet horizontally.

Station Oak, Wellesley Square, fall 2020 — Station Oak, fall.

Wellesley College tree, edible ecosystem garden — Another favorite graces the Wellesley College edible ecosystem garden, near the Whitin Observatory.

Hunnewell School, Wellesley — Hunnewell’s massive White Oak tree presides over all the first day of school, 2018. The 200-plus-year-old tree was removed by the Department of Public Works in 2020 due to safety reasons. The school itself was torn down in 2022 and replace with a new Hunnewell, which opened in 2024. A couple of “tree cookies” were preserved from the oak and incorporated into the new school.

charles river tree tutus ice january — Trees on the Charles River in Wellesley wear their winter ice tutus.

9/11 tree at Simons Park, adjacent to the Wellesley Free Library.

Witch hazel tree in front of UU Wellesley on Washington Street.

Isaac Newton Apple Tree Babson — Sir Isaac Newton apple tree, one of eight at Babson College descended from the famed tree whose apple Newton watched fall to the ground in 1666, leading the prolific scientist, author, and theologian to formulate the law of universal gravitation. Photo by Babson College.

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Join Wellesley Neighbors today for caring, connection, community

April 25, 2025 by admin Leave a Comment

SPONSORED CONTENT: Wellesley Neighbors is a membership organization that makes life more connected, more enjoyable, and a whole lot easier for older adults. It’s a welcoming, low-pressure community where members regularly gather for shared meals, museum visits, local outings, and lively conversations. If you’ve recently retired or moved to the area, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to fill your calendar with interesting, easy-to-join activities. Whether it’s a group dinner, a cultural excursion, or a discussion group, just register and show up. It’s a great way to stay engaged and make new friends.

Wellesley Neighbors, Boston Marathon — Wellesley Neighbors cheer on runners at the Boston Marathon.

The benefits go beyond social connections. Need a ride to the doctor or help getting online? Friendly, dependable volunteers are ready to lend a hand. And when you’re looking for a trusted plumber, electrician, or even a good housekeeper, you’ll have access to a curated list of local professionals—all vetted by the community and recommended by fellow members. It’s like having a personal support team, just a phone call away.

With Wellesley Neighbors, you can stay in the home and neighborhood you love while gaining a community, a full calendar of social events, helpful services, and genuine connections. Join Wellesley Neighbors today. Membership information here. Affordable Access membership options are available.

Wellesley Neighbors, Natick Historical Society — Wellesley Neighbors tour the Natick Historical Society museum.

At Wellesley Neighbors, membership goes both ways. While you enjoy the support and camaraderie of the community, you can also give back as much as you choose. Many members find fulfillment by volunteering to assist fellow members, whether it’s offering a ride, helping with errands, or providing a friendly check-in. Volunteering not only strengthens the fabric of the community but also creates meaningful connections and a sense of purpose. It’s a wonderful way to stay active, share your time and talents, and make a direct impact in the lives of others who may need a little extra support.

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Friday is letters to the editor day on The Swellesley Report

April 25, 2025 by admin

The Swellesley Report accepts letters to the editor. Letters must be of general local community interest and must be signed. Community shout-outs are also accepted and encouraged. For example, a non-profit may thank an organization for a donation received.

Letters from Wellesley students

Wellesley Middle School Social Studies students as part of a Civics Action Projects has this month taken over The Swellesley Report‘s letters-to-the-editor page. The students are well-versed in their topics, have carefully researched all angles, and are ready to present their opinions to the community. Thank you to the WMS Social Studies teachers for organizing this community-based project.

In this week’s letters, safety is on students’ minds—safe water, safe and nutritious food, and a safe place to call home.

See the complete letters here.

How to submit your letter to the editor

The deadline is Wednesday at noon for letters to appear that week, or a week further out. Send letters to the editor to theswellesleyreport@gmail.com

Submitting a letter to the editor does not guarantee that your letter will be posted on The Swellesley Report.

Letters must be written for The Swellesley Report only—we do not accept form-type letters sent to multiple news agencies.

Please review detailed guidelines for letters to the editor here.

You can see all letters to the editor here.

Please send tips, photos, ideas to theswellesleyreport@gmail.com

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Wellesley weather forecast for April 18-25, 2025

April 25, 2025 by Matthew Moll Leave a Comment

Here’s the updated daily weather forecast from Friday, April 25 to Friday, May 2nd by Meteorologist Matthew Moll of New England Weather Consulting:

Eastern Massachusetts wraps up April with a dynamic spring pattern—mild and dry conditions to start, followed by a soaking Saturday, a brisk cooldown Sunday, and a return to sunshine and warmth early next week. A strong frontal system brings widespread rain and a few thunderstorms on Saturday, followed by cooler, drier air and gusty northwest winds on Sunday. The start of May looks bright and pleasant as high pressure builds in, with sunshine and spring warmth dominating Monday through Wednesday. A weak front may introduce a chance of showers by Thursday or Friday, but confidence on exact timing remains low. Overall, it’s a week of changing skies and temperatures—a classic New England spring.

Friday, April 25 — Mostly Sunny, Mild Afternoon:
A pleasant end to the workweek with mostly sunny skies and a few afternoon clouds. Inland temperatures climb into the mid 70s, while areas along the immediate coast stay cooler in the upper 60s due to a developing onshore breeze. Winds become easterly at 5–9 mph. Skies turn mostly cloudy overnight as a warm front approaches. Overnight lows range from the low 50s inland to mid 50s in urban areas and near the coast.

Interested in sponsoring our Wellesley weather reports? Please reach out: theswellesleyreport@gmail.com

Saturday, April 26 — Wet and Windy with Thunder Possible:
A developing low-pressure system brings widespread rain and embedded thunderstorms across the region. Showers begin mid-morning and become more consistent by afternoon. Rainfall totals range from 0.5–0.75″, with localized higher amounts. A few rumbles of thunder are possible later in the day. South winds increase to 10–14 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Highs reach the mid to upper 60s before cooler air arrives in the evening. Showers taper off overnight, with lows falling to the upper 40s.

Sunday, April 27 — Breezy and Cooler with Clearing Skies:
Rain exits early, giving way to clearing skies and breezy northwest winds. Gusts may reach 30–35 mph, making it feel cooler despite sunshine. Highs top out around 60°F inland and mid 50s along the coast. Dry air and sunshine dominate the afternoon. Sunday night is mostly clear and seasonably cool with lows in the low to mid 40s.

Monday, April 28 — Spring Sunshine Returns:
High pressure builds in, delivering a picture-perfect spring day. Expect sunshine from start to finish and light northwest winds. Inland highs reach the low 70s, with cooler readings near 65°F at the coast. Clear skies and calm winds persist overnight with lows dipping into the mid to upper 40s.

Tuesday, April 29 — Warm and Mostly Sunny:
A warm, dry day with just a few afternoon clouds. Temperatures rise into the mid 70s across most inland areas, with coastal spots remaining in the upper 60s to low 70s. A gentle southwest breeze develops by afternoon. Tuesday night is partly cloudy and mild with lows in the upper 50s to low 60s.

Wednesday, April 30 — Partly Sunny and Warm:
One of the warmest days of the week. Highs reach the upper 70s to near 80°F inland, while ocean-cooled areas stay in the upper 60s. Winds turn west at 10–15 mph with occasional gusts. Clouds may increase late in the day ahead of a frontal boundary. Wednesday night remains partly cloudy with lows near 58°F.

Thursday, May 1 — Increasing Clouds, Late-Day Shower Risk:
A mix of sun and clouds early gives way to thicker cloud cover in the afternoon. There’s a chance for scattered showers late in the day or evening as a front approaches, but much of the day will be dry. Highs reach 68–72°F inland and slightly cooler along the coast. Thursday night sees a better chance of scattered showers with lows around 52°F.

Friday, May 2 — Early Look: Possibly Unsettled:
Confidence is low, but Friday may bring more cloud cover and another chance for scattered showers depending on the speed of the front. Expect highs in the mid to upper 60s with a light west or northwest breeze. Some breaks of sun are possible, especially later in the day.

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Wellesley College non-tenured faculty members end strike amid continued contract negotiations

April 24, 2025 by Deborah Brown 3 Comments

The Wellesley Organized Academic Workers (WOAW-UAW), the union representing Wellesley’s non-tenure track faculty, has agreed to end its strike, while continuing negotiations toward a final contract. The 300 non-tenured academics walked off the job on March 27. Their demands include maintaining a four-course workload for its members, and an increase in both salary and job security.

Striking faculty will return to classes on April 25.

Wellesley College strike, non-tenured faculty — Strikers and supporters on day 1 of the strike.

“We are grateful to the WOAW-UAW’s bargaining team and members for coming to this decision. While the strike is ending, the critical work of negotiating a final contract that recognizes the significant contributions of our NTT faculty is continuing. Our next bargaining session is April 28,” College administration leaders said in a memo on the College’s unionization website.

For the past few weeks, union members and supporters that included tenured faculty and students held signs in front of Wellesley College’s pedestrian entrance at the corner of Central Street and Weston Road. The College maintained a visible police presence there, and at other entrances to the highly selective women’s college.

Union bargaining committee leadership in an update letter said, “As the semester comes to a close, we are ending our current strike and will return to the classroom tomorrow for the last week of class, with our strength established and our community stronger than ever. While we are returning to work, the fight is not over. We have yet to reach a final agreement, and we will not be worn down by Wellesley’s anti-worker tactics.”

MORE: Wellesley non-tenured faculty member strike begins (March 27, 2025 coverage)

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Gertrude Hughes is Wellesley’s oldest resident

April 24, 2025 by admin Leave a Comment

Congratulations to Wellesley’s oldest living resident, Gertrude Hughes, who celebrated her 106^th birthday on Saturday, April 19, 2025.

Wellesley's oldest resident, Gertrude Hughes — Gertie celebrated her birthday with her twin daughters Joan Orr and Jean Feuer (pictured), and other family members. Photo by Town of Wellesley.

As such, Gertie is now the official holder of the Boston Post Cane, a tradition started in 1909 by Edwin Grozier, editor and publisher of the Boston Post newspaper, to recognize the oldest resident of each municipality in Massachusetts. The Wellesley Select Board presented her with the Cane during a brief ceremony.

Gertie was born in 1919 in Flint, Michigan and was one of nine children. Longevity runs in her family—Gertie’s mother lived to age 100 and her baby sister, Nathleen, who lives in Arizona, remains active and engaged at age 103.

Happy Birthday to Gertrude Hughes, Wellesley’s spunky and sparkling centenarian!