The Swellesley Report

Since 2005: More than you really want to know about Wellesley, Mass.

Get ready: Wellesley Wonderful Weekend 2026 is just around the corner

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Wellesley Wonderful Weekend, 2026The town of Wellesley is preparing for one of its most anticipated traditions as the Celebrations Committee gears up for Wellesley Wonderful Weekend. This year’s festivities are set to be particularly historic, as the community gathers to celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States.

The major events include the Veteran’s Parade, followed by the Town picnic, concert, and fireworks, on Sunday, May 17. In addition, there’s plenty to do  over the whole weekend including checking out historical displays; open houses all over town (police, fire, MLP, and more); the Schofield 5k Wonder Run; Rotary Club of Wellesley’s Pups in the Park event; and so much more.

Honor our local heroes

At its heart, Wellesley Wonderful Weekend is about honoring those who have served. As always, the Celebration Committee invites everyone to recognize the veterans who have defended our country, and the organizations that serve our community every day.

If you are a Wellesley Veteran, the Committee wants you to be a part of the festivities. All local veterans are encouraged to sign up here to participate in the parade, join the reviewing stand, or attend the special reception.

Join the march

The Wellesley Veterans’ Parade is a massive undertaking that traditionally brings the entire town to the streets. In past years, the parade has featured over 104 units, 14 bands, and more than 2,500 participants.

The Celebrations Committee is now accepting registrations for groups that want to march in this year’s milestone event. Whether you represent a local organization, a youth group, or a community service club, now is the time to register and join the ranks of those celebrating Wellesley’s spirit.

Your community “to-do” list

To make this weekend happen, the Celebrations Committee relies on the generosity and participation of residents. Here is how you can get involved today:

  • Donate to the cause: Please contribute to the event fund. Every donation goes toward supporting the parade and the various community activities held throughout the weekend. Donate today to help recognize those who serve.
  • Register to march in the parade.
  • Vote on parade balloons: The Committee has already begun inviting the public to vote on which balloons will soar through the streets this year. Vote here.
  • Clear your calendar: Wellesley Wonderful Weekend will take place Friday, May 15 – Sunday, May 17. From the Picnic in the Park to the fireworks spectacular at Hunnewell Field, you won’t want to miss a single moment of the fun.
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Sports

Wellesley Athlete of the Week: Boys’ volleyball’s Paxton Lee

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Wellesley Athlete of the Week is made possible with sponsorship support from Deland, Gibson Insurance. The family-owned and operated business has carried on this Wellesley tradition for over 30 years.

Athlete of the Week: Paxton Lee (9th grade)

Paxton Lee, volleyball player

Sport: Volleyball (setter)

When & how you got involved in volleyball: I started playing volleyball at the age of 11 by doing clinics over the summer. Then I started playing club volleyball at the age of 13.

What you love most about volleyball: Being in club volleyball has allowed me to meet people from across the country. I have built relationships with my teammates that I know will last me a lifetime with the memories that we have created. There is a large sense of camaraderie in volleyball.

Pre-match routine: I listen to music before a game and have a protein bar.

Top goal for this season:  To be a better all around volleyball player and help my team improve and win.

Thoughts about this year’s team:  We are still getting used to each other and we’re getting better with each game.

An accomplishment that you’re especially proud of: My club volleyball team is very successful. We are the highest ranked volleyball team in our age group in New England. The last tournament of this past season I received an All Tournament recognition.

A funny or inspiring story related to your involvement with this team: For me the inspiring story on this team is that I have been able to join the varsity team as a setter being an “undersized” freshmen. A setter is equivalent to being the quarterback of the team and that is a lot of pressure as a freshmen. I hope to come out of this experience being a more vocal and better leader by the end of the season.

Interests outside of volleyball: Outside of volleyball I enjoy playing video games and hanging out with friends.

What other sports do you play, if any? I used to play club and town basketball.

Coaches Carlos Mercado and Vivien Huang: “Paxton has truly earned recognition as Athlete of the Week for his outstanding performance and leadership on the court. As a freshman setter for Wellesley Boys Volleyball, he demonstrates a level of poise, vision, and consistency well beyond his years, making smart decisions and elevating the play of everyone around him. His experience competing at the club level with the 15s National Team has clearly shaped his high-level skill set and competitive mindset. Volleyball has been part of Paxton’s life from an early age, inspired by his family’s deep roots in 9-man volleyball, and that passion shines through in every match he plays. With his strong work ethic and natural feel for the game, Paxton is already making a significant impact. We look forward to seeing how he continues to grow and contribute throughout the rest of this season and the years ahead of his high school career.”

(Athletes of the Week are nominated by their coaches.)

Past Athlete of the Week profiles

Deland, Gibson, Wellesley

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Wellesley Wonderful Weekend
Wellesley Symphony Orchestra, 2026
Education

Wellesley Public Schools appoints Dr. Diana Guzzi as next Schofield Elementary principal

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Dr. Diana Guzzi, principal at the Bowen Elementary School in Newton for the past 17 years, has been appointed as the next principal of Wellesley’s Schofield Elementary School (27 Cedar St). Guzzi, who starts July 1, had previously been a kindergarten and first grade teacher in Newton.

She’d also recently been a candidate for a principal’s position at a Westwood elementary school, but withdrew from that process in March.

Dr. Guzzi earned a Bachelor’s Degree in early childhood education from Boston College, a Master’s Degree in education with a specialization in literacy from Lesley University, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Boston College.

Wellesley Public Schools posted the Schofield principal job opening earlier this year, as Dr. Stephen Goodwin was hired last year as principal on an interim basis.

According to state data, Schofield has enrollment of 274 students for 2025-2026.

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

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Friday is letters-to-the-editor day—read what Wellesley Middle School students have to say

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Each year Wellesley Middle School Social Studies students take part in a Civics Action Project. In partnership with The Swellesley Report, some of the students choose to write an editorial about a wide range of topics reflecting their individual interests. They are then responsible for emailing their editorials to us.

Thanks to WMS Social Studies head Adam Blumer, and to the entire social studies department, for spearheading this important civics project.

We’ll publish several letters per week.

In this week’s letters from the middle schoolers:

In a letter from the wider community:

You can see all the letters here.

How many Fridays are we going to encourage this display of civic involvement? For as many as it takes for the WMS Social Studies students to air their opinions.

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Music

Wellesley Town Band, Choral Society uniting for concert at high school (April 12)

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The Wellesley Town Band and Wellesley Choral Society for the first time will be performing together at a concert on Sunday, April 12 at 3pm at Wellesley High School (50 Rice St.)

The Town Band will be joined by the Choral Society in performing pieces such as “Shenandoah, Gloria Tibi” from Leonard Bernstein’s Mass, and “America the Beautiful,” with lyrics by Wellesley’s own Katharine Lee Bates.

In addition, the Town Band will play three rousing marches (by John Philip Sousa, Sergei Prokofiev, and Kenneth J. Alford), plus Percy Grangier’s “Country Gardens,” and the theme from “The Incredibles.”

The Band will also perform “Rhapsody for Flute” (Stephen Bulla), with their own Marie Nagode as the flute soloist. The piece’s blend of classical and jazz styles showcases the flute’s lyrical and virtuosic capabilities.

Mark Maiden, chair of the Wellesley Town Band Executive Committee said collaborations like that between the Band and Choral Society can help “promote greater awareness of local live performances.”

The Wellesley Town Band is a non-audition group open to new members at all levels (Grade 8 and up). They rehearse on Monday evenings at Wellesley High School (learn more: info@wellesleytownband.org.  For more on the Wellesley Choral Society, please visit www.wellesleychoralsociety.org.

Admission to the concert is free and Wellesley High School is an accessible venue. Free refreshments will be served after the performance.
This event is supported, in part, by a grant from the Wellesley Cultural Council – a local agency, which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

Wellesley Town Band
Wellesley Town Band
Wellesley Choral Society
Wellesley Choral Society

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Obituary: Rosemary Holland, 82

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Rosemary Orsi Holland, 82, of Mashpee, MA, died peacefully at home on Easter Sunday morning, April 5, 2026, after a long and remarkable life, one that ended with the same grace and strength she carried throughout, following a journey with ovarian cancer. She is the beloved wife of Clinton Holland with whom she shared 59 wonderful years together.

Obituary information for Rosemary Holland

Rosemary Holland
Rosemary Holland

Rosemary was born November 5, 1943, the daughter of William E. Orsi, Sr., and Catherine L. (Fitzsimmons) Orsi, in Fall River, MA. She grew up in Taunton, MA, and attended St. Mary’s High School. Her life was shaped early by both loss and love. After losing her father at age seven, she was raised by her mother within a close-knit circle of family, friends, and church; a foundation that shaped her lifelong devotion to caring for others. After graduating, she answered her call to become a nurse and caregiver. Rosemary attended nursing school in Boston and blossomed into a career that perfectly matched her spirit. From emergency room night shifts to GI outpatient care, and later as a parish nurse, Rosemary did not simply treat patients; she cared for people. Her career spanned several states and specialties including pediatrics, ER, and GI nursing. She was deeply admired and lauded by her patients and her fellow nurses and physicians.

It was during her time as a student nurse that she met her husband, Clint Holland, then a college student and her patient; a meeting that grew into a 60-year love story defined by compassion, humor, and a lifelong partnership. Rosemary’s life took her and her family to Wellesley in 1984.  She built many special connections with co-workers and patients as a Newton-Wellesley Hospital GI Nurse. After retirement, Rosemary and Clint settled in Mashpee on Cape Cod near family in Cotuit, where she found a deep sense of peace and belonging.

Rosemary remained deeply involved in her community. She volunteered her time in many ways, including as a nurse supporting runners at both the Boston Marathon and the Falmouth Road Race for many years, continuing her commitment to helping others in every way she could. She supported Cotuit Library fundraisers as an active member of their book club, was a passionate bridge player involved in several local groups and was a devoted member of Christ the King Parish in Mashpee. Her faith guided her to lead the parish nursing program, where she continued caring for others in a meaningful, lasting way.

She was known for being both a remarkable nurse and an unforgettable presence, equally at home, offering care in a hospital room, or lighting up a gathering with stories and laughter. She was a loyal friend, generous beyond measure, and someone who treated strangers with the same warmth she gave to family. If you complimented her on something she was wearing, there was a real chance she would take it off and hand it to you, insisting it now belonged to you.

The light of every room, Rosemary was full of laughter, conversation, and possessed a legendary gift of storytelling that made everyone feel special. She was truly an everyday angel whose kindness touched more lives than we will ever know. She had a rare ability to put people at ease, offering comfort through a story and a smile, even in the most difficult moments.

Rosemary will be remembered as an angel, a storyteller, a caregiver, and a friend, someone who showed, every day, what it meant to live a life of giving.

At the center of everything was her family. Rosemary is survived by her beloved husband, Clinton Holland; her sons, Jeffrey Holland, and Peter Holland and his wife Laura Holland; her cherished granddaughters, Jules Holland and Jenna Holland; and her brother, William Orsi, Jr.

Rosemary once answered the question, “What is your definition of perfect happiness?” by saying, “My idea of perfect happiness is to be in good health, have a job that I love, be married to a wonderful husband, be blessed with children and grandchildren that we are proud of, and have enough resources to travel and maintain our home until it is time to go to Heaven. I have it all—but I haven’t experienced Heaven yet.” Her faith in God was strong, and she looked forward to Heaven and her funeral with peace and grace.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Christ the King Church, 5 Job’s Fishing Rd., in Mashpee. For those unable to attend the mass, livestreaming will be available by visiting www.christthekingparish.com/live-streaming.

Burial will take place at St. Joseph Cemetery, in Taunton, MA at a later date where Rosemary will be laid to rest alongside her mother, father, and other family members.

In lieu of flowers, Rosemary requested donations to the Matthew 25 Fund at her church. Gifts will support the charitable works of Christ the King Parish. Gifts can be made by sending to Christ the King Parish, PO Box 1800, Mashpee MA 02649, or online at www.christthekingparish.com/online-giving.

Obituary also published at the Chapman Funeral Home website.

If you’d like us to run a complete obituary of your loved one on Swellesley, please send to theswellesleyreport@gmail.com

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Wellesley Police investigate vandalism at recently purchased Arden Rd. home

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The Wellesley Police Department is investigating an act of vandalism targeting a residence on Arden Road. On Wednesday morning, officers responded to a call regarding 20 Arden Road and found that the five-bedroom home overlooking Beebe Meadow, in the Dana Hall area of town, had been defaced.

According to police reports, the property—which was recently acquired by a new homeowner—suffered physical damage including a broken glass slider. In addition to the structural damage, the vandals spray painted the rear exterior of the white house.

A resident provided a photograph of the damage to Swellesley, however, the specific words spray-painted onto the structure were not legible. Police have not released information regarding potential suspects, or a description of the graffiti.

Anyone with information regarding the incident or suspicious activity in the Arden Road area on Tuesday night or Wednesday morning should contact the Wellesley Police at 781-235-1212.

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Wellesley eats up library’s Edible Book Festival

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Luciana Gonzalez next to her Harry Potter themed edible creation.
Luciana Gonzalez next to her Harry Potter-themed edible creation (photos by Emma Mullay)

 
When asked why she picked Harry Potter as the theme for her edible creation, 9-year-old Luciana Gonzalez, standing proudly at her station—which showcased an intricate scene depicting characters and places like the Sorting Hat, Hogwarts Castle and Hedwig the owl made from cake, Rice Krispy treats, fondant and more—said it was simple. 

 “I like magic!”

The Wellesley Free Library hosted its second annual Edible Book Festival on March 29, with colorful and delicious creations depicting different scenes from over a dozen children’s novels. 

Emma Weiler library
Emma Weiler, children’s supervisor at Wellesley Free Library

 
Emma Weiler, the children’s supervisor at the Wellesley Free Library, said she heard about it online and wanted to take part.

“People organize these globally, it’s always around April 1, and I’ve always wanted to do one,” she said. “I like that, as a librarian, I can take my interests and turn them into programs.”

This is the second year Wellesley has held festivities for International Edible Book Day since librarians Judith A. Hoffberg and Béatrice Coron founded the holiday April 1, 2000.

Weiler said the library event was open to everybody, regardless of age. It awarded six different prizes for both youth and adult submissions. Two awards, Best Kid Creation and Funniest/Punniest Entry, went to 8-year-old Avery Lee who created “Make Way for Booklings,” a play on Robert McCloskey’s iconic “Make Way for Ducklings” book. 

8-year-old Avery Lee, who won Best Kid Creation and Funniest/Punniest Entry for her “Make Way for Booklings” design.
8-year-old Avery Lee, who won Best Kid Creation and Funniest/Punniest Entry for her “Make Way for Booklings” design

 
Isabella Conway, 10, based her creation off of Jasmine Warga’s “A Rover’s Story,” which she chose because she “wanted to have something that represented a lot of life lessons” and was “inspiring” to her and her peers. 

Conway said she chose to frost a rectangle cake because she knew it would be easier to design and wanted it to resemble the cover of a book. She said she heard about the event through the bulletin board at the library and is planning on taking part in it again in the future. 

edible books
Isabella Conway next to her “A Rover’s Story” edible creation

 
Gonzalez decided to recreate a variety of scenes from the Harry Potter series by JK Rowling, which are both her favorite books and movies, with the castle Hogwarts, the Sorting Hat and Harry’s pet owl, Hedwig, among those showcased in her design.

Her friends and family also all love the books, so she said it was an easy decision. Gonzalez said she had “so much fun” with the hopes to do it again next year. 

Weiler said she aims to continue the event next year, hoping for increased turnout and more engagement from the community. 

“I feel like every year, you tweak things and try and make it a little better,” she said “This is only our second year, but I’ve certainly been billing it as our second annual, and we’re going to do it again next year.”

This story is part of a partnership between the Swellesley Report and the Boston University Department of Journalism.

A Raisin in the Sun
A Raisin in the Sun

 

Edible Book Festival sign
Photo by Emma Mullay
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Wellesley in Bloom starts May 2!

Wellesley in Bloom starts May 2!