In case you didn’t have a chance to close read all 20 of our posts over the last week, we’ve curated the best and most informative to keep you current. Here’s what happened in town when you blinked:
Wonder Woman readies for Marathon
Wellesley’s own seriously legit runner and uber-fundraiser Carol Chaoui got some love in a nice segment on CBS Boston news. The mother of four, and her husband Amin, is prepping for this year’s Boston Marathon and raising funds for Dana-Farber cancer institute, while battling stage four breast and thyroid cancers.
The CBS film crews showed up at her home to catch Carol and dozens of friends as they ran through the streets of Wellesley for a regular trot designed to help locals get off their couches and run 5K road races. I joined right in that day as over 30 of us mugged for the camera crews and created a scene as we bopped along, laughing and chit-chatting. I’m a non-runner, but that didn’t matter, all were welcome. Anyway, I knew that the real fun would be the post-run refreshments back at Carol’s, a place as colorful as her personality and her clothes, a home decorated with a flair and vibrating with an air that makes it feel like a slice of Cambridge tucked away here in Wellesley.
If you’re as inspired as I am by Chaoui, click here to help her raise $65,000 in funds for metastatic breast cancer research through Dana-Farber.
Wellesley’s Mr. Revenue
Another Wellesley resident who got some attention was Mike Heffernan, who was appointed as the state’s new commissioner of revenue. You may remember that Heffernan ran for State Treasurer back in 2014 but lost his bid for that office. One of our Facebook commenters said about Heffernan, “He does my lawn. Just kidding. I know he’s the other one.”
Greineder home razed
Next, a part of Wellesley’s dark past was razed. 56 Cleveland Rd., the house where convicted wife killer Dirk Greineder and his family once lived, was torn down. The house where the former allergist and his family lived was, as are many split-level homes in town, knocked down to make way for a new home. The 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom, 1,867 sq. ft. house sold for a little over $800K in September, after last being purchased in 2002 for $655K, according to Zillow.
Historic home in jeopardy
In other real estate news, a house with ties to Booker T. Washington may be headed for the wrecking ball. From the Townsman: “The home, which according to commission historian Joshua Dorin once housed a school for boys that counted African American icon Booker T. Washington’s son among its students, could be marked for demolition with no legal barriers standing in the new owner’s way.”
Mid-Century Mundane
Around the college scene, Wellesley College’s Clapp library was called out by architectural blog Mid-Century Mundane as a building that “lack(s) elegance but continues to serve students’ needs ably.” Faint praise, indeed.
Dropping the Interim at Fiske
Also in education news, there’s a new Fiske School principal. Rachel McGregor, who has served as the interim principal at Fiske Elementary School in Wellesley for the current school year, has been appointed as permanent principal now. She was selected from a pool of 53 applicants.
Au Revoir to Wellesley shop
In local business news, Your French Gift, the shop at 269 Washington St. in Wellesley that opened in 2013, is closing its brick-and-mortar location but will continue operating online. Signs hanging in the windows advertise space being available via Conviser Property Group. Au revoir to one of Swellesley’s earliest advertisers. We wish you the best.
Toy Swap
Also in local business news, a new nail salon will be moving into the former LittleBits Toys shop space at 304 Washington St. Wellesley has about a dozen nail salons/spas, which might be gaining in numbers on banks, as one of our Facebook page commenters noted.
Bird’s eye view
You absolutely have got to check out Wellesley College’s Ravencam. Pauline and Henry have returned to their nest for the third year in a row. Pauline has laid a clutch of five eggs, and she and Henry are busy making everything perfect for their soon-to-be-hatched family.
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