The Swellesley Report

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

Blessing of the Animals in Wellesley

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In honor of St. Francis of Assisi, the Patron Saint of Animals, some of Wellesley’s finest pets received a blessing at churches in town this past weekend.

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and Wellesley Hills Congregational Church shared photos with us of their Blessing of the Animals services.

Rev. Judy Swahnberg of the Hills Church wrote to us that “St. Francis would be pleased at this Holy Chaos. Here are some happy and blessed good boys and girls and their humans.”

Hills Church blessing of the animals
Photos courtesy of Hills Church

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At St. Andrew’s, according to Beth Hinchliffe, “It was a fun, heartwarming, and touching celebration of the pets who enrich our lives.”

Thanks to Beth for enriching our lives by sharing these photos:

St. Andrew's Blessing of the Animals
Suzy Littlefield and Archie (photos courtesy of Beth Hinchliffe)

 

St. Andrew's Blessing of the Animals
Rev. Adrian Robbins-Cole blesses 13-year-old Cooper, while mom Julie Koeninger watches.

 

St. Andrew's Blessing of the Animals
Rev. Robbins-Cole blesses Clover, and gives thanks for his health after a life-threatening illness.

 

St. Andrew's Blessing of the Animals St. Andrew's Blessing of the Animals St. Andrew's Blessing of the Animals

More: Blessing of the Animals in Natick

Linden Square, Wellesley
Dedham Country Day School, DCD
Wonderful Wellesley

Wellesley sports news: Soccer teams play at Gillette; 8th grader makes mark on local & national golf scenes; Youth Learn to Play Hockey programs

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The latest Wellesley, Mass., sports news:

Wellesley High soccer teams play at Gillette

The Wellesley High School boys’ and girls’ soccer teams played at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough on Sunday vs. Natick while the Patriots were on the road and the Revolution had just finished their home schedule.

Both high school soccer matches ended in 1-1 ties. (The Natick girls are defending state champs, and came into the game undefeated and ranked #3 in the state.)

Thank you to Stephen Keep for sharing these photos from the games.

WHS Gillette2022
Photos by Stephen Keep

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Wellesley 8th grader making mark on local, national golf scenes

When Reeta and Siva Lavu watched the inaugural Drive, Chip & Putt Nationals in 2013, it sparked their interest in junior golf, according to their now 13-year-old son Aarav. It would have been a stretch for them to imagine Aarav would one day qualify to take part in the April, 2023 competition, which will be held a week before the Masters at Augusta National and televised by the Golf Channel.

Aarav, an 8th grader at Wellesley Middle School who first tried the sport at the age of 4, has compiled quite a golf track record since starting to play competitively when he was 6.

“I tried different sports (soccer, basketball, swimming, tennis) for a few years and I loved golf from the beginning,” Aarav says.

It’s a passion that runs in the family: His sister Alika, a Wellesley High sophomore, plays varsity golf.

Aarav has a couple of weekday practices after school at Blue Hill Country Club in Canton and plays tournaments on most weekends. During winter, he practices on simulators and sometimes travels south to play a tournament.

Aarav describes his golf strengths as “Mental stability and not getting frustrated.” He enjoys driving the ball a long way, and is working on areas such as course management and slowing down his game.

He did all of that in July to shoot a bogey-free 59 to win the Massachusetts Young Golfers’ Amateur Championship. Among Aarav’s keys to success is “staying focused on the next shot,” he says.

The teen says he has achieved his main golfing goals this year, including getting past regionals to qualify at national tournaments. On his schedule is playing in the PGA Jr. League (Team Connecticut) in action to be covered live by ESPN2 and affiliates this coming weekend. In December, Aarav is scheduled to take part in the Notah Begay lll Junior Golf National Championship in Arizona, which will be shown on the Golf Channel.

Despite the busy golf schedule, Aarav has plenty of other interests. In school, he enjoys history, facts, and trivia. He’s also an avid football fan.

Even though Aarav is getting a taste of regional and national golf success, he has local aspirations, too. “I’m looking forward to play next year for Wellesley High School,” he says.

 

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A post shared by Aarav Lavu (@aaravlavu)

 

Wellesley Youth Hockey Learn To Play Hockey programs

Wellesley youth hockeyWellesley Youth Hockey is offering Learn to Play Hockey  programs as part of a multi-year introduction for those new to the sport. You can register your child born in 2016, 2017 or 2018 (or older kids who may want to skate for the first time) for the upcoming Learn to Skate or Pre-Mite Development programs.

Start date: Oct. 17, 2022 thru March 2023 (35-40 skating sessions)

Season schedule:

  • Tuesdays at 5-6pm (Chris Hontvet-run practice)
  • Wednesdays at 6:10-7:10pm (Coaches/Volunteers/Parents run practice with direction from Wellesley Youth Hockey and USA Hockey)
  • Fridays at 5-5:50pm (Driscoll skills)
Where: Boston Sports Institute, 900 Worcester St., Wellesley


More: Wellesley High Athlete of the Week

Page Waterman, Wellesley
London Harness, Wellesley

In remembrance: Jean Ellen Smith

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Jean Ellen Smith of Acton, MA, formerly of South Dartmouth, MA, died on October 2, 2022. Jean was a three-time cancer survivor who fought her final battle with pancreatic cancer until her last breath. She leaves behind her two children, Jake Pilecki and Julia Pilecki, along with her husband Jack Pilecki. She also leaves her older brother Stephen Smith.

Jean was a labor and delivery nurse and then obtained her MBA from Boston University. She then went to work for Hewlett Packard in their Medical Products Division. She retired after the arrival of her daughter Julia.

Jean was a devoted mother to her two children and loved them more than anything. She was incredibly proud of them, often speaking to friends about their accomplishments. Nothing made her happier than watching their sports games or just spending time with them. She was also an animal lover who always had a cat or two as part of the family, along with several dogs over the years.

Having grown up on the ocean, Jean loved to be near the water and always insisted on dining at a restaurant with an ocean view when traveling. She taught swimming while in high school and dreamed of buying a second home on the ocean.

Jean had many friends who loved her for her kindness, generosity, and humor. She will be deeply missed by everyone.

A wake will be held October 7th from 4-7pm at Acton Funeral Home, Massachusetts Avenue in Acton, MA. A private service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to be made to The Julie Fund for Women’s Cancers or The Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

Submit an obituary or remembrance

Newton-Wellesley Orthopedic Walk-In

Wellesley Natural Resources Commission seeks board member to serve until March

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The Wellesley Natural Resources Commission, which has a stated mission “to provide stewardship, education and advocacy of the Town of Wellesley park, conservation, and open space system,” is seeking a board member to replace Allison Burson, who is leaving town. The appointed replacement will serve until the next town election in March.

Candidates must be Wellesley residents. Individuals interested in this opportunity should email a letter or resume stating their qualifications and interest in serving on the NRC to Director Brandon Schmitt or call 781-431-1019 ext. 2298. The deadline to apply is Thursday, Oct. 20.

Commissioners attend NRC meetings two times per month and as needed; take an active role in NRC projects and initiatives; attend affiliated meetings; participate in community events; and work with other elected officials, town departments, grassroots and non-profit groups in Wellesley, in nearby communities and regionally.

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

Bar Mitzvah Expo
Call and Haul, Wellesley

Wellesley Business Buzz: Orvis is coming to Linden Square; Heroes Fitness expands; Free Bach to Rock class for kids

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The latest Wellesley, Mass., business news:

Orvis is coming to Linden Square

Vermont retailer Orvis will soon be opening a store in Linden Square where the Tyed with Love used to be in between Talbots and the now-closed Wellesley Tavern. Orvis has dozens of stores and does a brisk mail-order business for its outdoorsy clothes, not to mention fly fishing gear.

orvis linden

Heroes Fitness offers class for hero moms

With Heroes Fitness expanding its presence in Wellesley Square with new front-door access at 98 Central St. (the former Dunkin’ Donuts space), business owner and personal trainer Conner Griffin finally has the space he’s long wanted to increase the studio’s class schedule offerings.

Allison Leard has stepped in to offer a core connections class for women that she calls “The Mom Session.”

“I wanted to create a session for women that catered to not only the needs of an athlete, but the female athlete,” she said.

The class focuses on functional body building with while building a strong core and pelvic floor.  For information, contact Allison at themomsession@gmail.com or 508-808-2034.

Business owner Griffin adds that Heroes is now offering a full schedule of bootcamp classes as well as youth classes every day of the week at 4:30pm.

heroes

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Free class for kids in Linden Square

Bach to Rock, WellesleyFREE Bach to Rock Toddler Jam is back!
Rockin’ Fun Time
Tuesday, October 4 from 9:30 – 10:30am, in Linden Square studio, across from the CVS drive-in

Come join Bach to Rock in studio for an hour filled with music and play.

Toddlers, ages infant to pre-k, will explore different instruments while learning simple musical concepts such as soft vs slow and loud vs soft.

There will be lots more with singing and playtime at the Instrumental Petting Zoo. Kids will leave with a coloring sheet and a big smile!

No reservations required.

Rick Cram, leader

Walkers raise millions more for Jimmy Fund

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Thousands of people walked all or part of the Boston Marathon course in Wellesley and beyond on Sunday to raise money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

We caught a glimpse of walkers, many donning their red Jimmy Fund Walk t-shirts, as they headed down the hill past the Warren Building on Washington Street. Many wore inspirational slogans, such as “Defy Cancer, “or images of loved ones lost to cancer or battling the disease.

The Jimmy Fund Walk has raised more than $155 million for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in its 33-year history.

jimmy fund walk

jimmy fund walk

 

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

National Children's Chorus

Roots and Wings event on Oct. 12 to celebrate writers who graduated from Wellesley High & their teachers

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The “Roots and Wings: Wellesley High’s Legacy of Nurturing Creativity” program at Wellesley Free Library (530 Washington St.) on Oct. 12 at 7pm will celebrate Wellesley High School’s long history of graduates who are writers, and the teachers who inspired them. Those attending are invited to a reception at 6:30pm where they can have a chance to speak with the writers and writers.

You can attend the event in person or online via Zoom. Registration for the event is required either way.

The program,  sponsored by Friends of the Wellesley Free Libraries, will feature a discussion with:

Town historian Beth Hinchliffe, herself a presidential speechwriter and town historian, will moderate the discussion along with longtime WHS English teachers Jeanie and Brooks Goddard.

“The response has been tremendous—we have over 125 names on the authors’ list, and are astounded at the variety of accomplishments,” says Hinchliffe, referring to a work-in-progress list of Wellesley High graduates who are writers that will be hosted on the Wellesley Free Library website.  “This project (which will be ongoing) will be a way to share with the town the special way that WHS nurtured and encouraged these writers.”

The project celebrates writers of all kinds, including fiction, nonfiction, scriptwriting, journalism, and poetry.

The event and project are in honor of Katharine Lee Bates (WHS Class of 1874), Sylvia Plath (Class of 1950), Wilbury Crockett (WHS English teacher 1944-1980, Chair for 30 years), and all WHS writers and teachers past, present, and future.

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

Deland, Gibson Insurance, Wellesley
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