Search Results for: wellesley's wonderful weekend

Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend Veterans Parade a combo of somber & celebratory

May 23, 2022 by Deborah Brown 1 Comment

Almost 100 groups marched down Route 16 as part of the 54th annual Wellesley Veterans Parade and presented themselves to presiding officer Tori DeFazio and other members of the Celebrations Committee at the reviewing stand in Wellesley Square. This year’s parade theme was the 90^th anniversary of the Purple Heart (here’s a list of all Wellesley Purple Heart medal recipients). As always, the parade also honored all United States military veterans, and recognized the many organizations and people who serve the Wellesley community.

More than a dozen individuals and organizations were recognized during the event. From Parade Grand Marshal Constantin Chrysafidis, a former Wellesley resident at 35 Fells Rd. for many years and a Purple Heart recipient after being wounded in battle during World War II, to posthumous Community Service awardee Catherine L. Johnson for her dedicated public service on behalf of the Town, the event allowed for somber remembrances in a celebratory atmosphere. Here are profiles of each of the 17 honorees.

Wellesley's Wonderful Weekend — Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend, photo credit, Mario Teixeira

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Wellesley's Wonderful Weekend, Schofield School — Schofield School float.

Wellesley's Wonderful Weekend, Mothers Forum — Wellesley Mothers Forum

The Celebrations Committee last held Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend in October 2021 as a comeback from COVID (the event was canceled in May 2020 and 2021). Here it is, seven months later, and they turned around and put the whole shebang together again, just to remind us all that Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend is a spring thing. After covering both weekends from one end to the other, we’re all worn out. But we’ll be all rested up by next May and ready for more fun.

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Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend heats up

May 22, 2022 by Bob Brown 1 Comment

We tried to make the rounds during Saturday’s Wellesley Wonderful Weekend events before the real heat set in, but you know how it goes. Too much fun, too many friends, and the next thing you know you’re dragging your sweaty self home an hour later than planned.

But it was well worth it to see the return of favorite events like town department open houses, and to meet some people we’d only known through emails and Zoom calls.

A steady stream of pancakes, ham, and other breakfast goodies were doled at Wellesley High School by the Key Club, Wellesley Kiwanis Club members, and Whitsons Food Service staff to appreciative patrons.

pancake moorheads — Sofia, Sarita & Geoff Moorhead digging into breakfast

Things were busy at Wellesley High, as the girls’ lacrosse team faced off vs. Franklin (unfortunately falling 6-4).

Pedal power

Then it was over to the Tailby Lot, where Wellesley Police and the Kiwanis teamed up for a bike safety event. We missed out on seeing kids pop wheelies, but WPD members impressed on their wheels. As one officer said to the other: “Would you have believed it if someone told you that you could get paid for riding your bike?”

Wellesley Kiwanis Club bike rodeo. From left, Officer Kathy Poirer and Officer Stan Dunajski, with Kiwanis John and Dwin Schuler in between.

Come on by

From there we headed to Rte. 9, storming the gates of the Municipal Light Plant, Department of Public Works, and Wellesley Fire Departments. Hey, if you invite the masses to stop in for an open house, and you offer cookies, hot dogs, juice boxes, and other goodies, we will pay a call.

MLP and other town officials were sharing information on mobility and other efforts in town.

The DPW had a bunch of things going on at once. DPW Director Dave Cohen was collecting gently worn business attire to pass on to those who might need them for job interviews and other work-related events. The DPW was also filling a truck with goods for the Wellesley Food Pantry. And of course there were trucks, trucks, and more trucks for kids and adults to ogle and climb on. After two years of COVID restrictions on such events, Cohen said it was nice see people have the chance to actually touch the trucks again.

Wellesley DPW. Bob Zani (left) and Mike Murphy.

green DPW gear — The DPW rolls out its latest acquisitions in all-electric equipment.

Rescue me

At the Fire Department Chief Rick DeLorie regaled us with stories about…everything, as kids climbed about a boat, explored the interior workings of the fire engines, and sprayed real water at a phony fire.

Wellesley's Wonderful Weekend, Fire Chief Rick DeLorie — Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend, Fire Chief Rick DeLorie

Hot dog!

Time for lunch. So we visited the Police Department, and snarfed hot dogs fresh off the grill after taking a look at the shiny new communications room. The next police entry exam is coming up June 25, so if you want to join this community-oriented police force, make your move.

Wellesley's Wonderful Weekend, police station — Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend, police station. Left, Officer Mark Mark DeBernardi, and Sgt. Mike Lemanager, dressed for hot dog grilling success.

police open house bouncy — Inflatable fun in front of the Wellesley Police Department.

We might have held off on the hot dogs if we knew chicken was on the spit at the military encampment in front of Town Hall.

Wellesley's Wonderful Weekend, encampment — We thought about taking a nap in one of the Encampment tents, but somehow found the strength to power through the afternoon.

From there we got artsy, and swung by Art in the Park at Simons Park, where the “exquisite corpse” project was well underway.

Our final stop of the day: The Rotary’s pooch parade to raise funds for Ukrainian animals.

Wellesley's Wonderful Weekend, Pooch Parade — Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend, Pooch Parade, Wellesley resident Gig Babson and Pippi. The event raised $5,000 to help animals effected by the crisis in Ukraine.

After all that, well, we were pooped.

Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend—2022 schedule

May 19, 2022 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend, organized and funded by the Wellesley Celebrations Committee, is ready to bring the excitement with loads of events from Thursday, May 19 – Sunday, May 22. The weekend will kick off with an outdoor movie at the Tailby Parking lot (register through the Wellesley Recreation site) and end on Sunday, May 22 with a fabulous fireworks display at Hunnewell Field.

Don’t miss the fun with activities like the Hunnewell Fun Fair; the Pancake Festival at Wellesley High School put on by the Kiwanis; the Touch-a -Truck event/DPW Open House (bring some non-perishable grocery items to fill up a truck for delivery to the Wellesley Food Pantry); the Rotary Club-sponsored Pooch Parade at Hunnewell Field; and so much more.

With a favorable extended weather report, looks like it’s going to be a very Wonderful Weekend!

Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend schedule

Wellesley's Wonderful Weekend

*Please note, asterisk indicates a small fee may be charged.

Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend continued…Fireworks & more this Sunday

October 15, 2021 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

The Wellesley Celebrations Committee has rescheduled the following Wellesley’ Wonderful Weekend activities to Sunday, Oct. 17: Fireworks, Picnic and Concert.

3 p.m. to Dusk — Picnic in the Park at Hunnewell Field
4 p.m. — Concert featuring music by The Reminisants and a USO Variety Show by The
Wellesley Theatre Project
7 p.m. (dusk) — Fireworks

The 53rd Wellesley Veterans Parade and many other activities took place earlier this month.

The overall theme was Celebrating the 80th Anniversary of the USO.

One other bit of unfinished business: Parade float awards.

Best School Trophy—Schofield School

Best Theme Related Float – Sustainable Wellesley
Best Organizational Float — Hardy School
Most Original Float — Fiske School
Most Patriotic Award — Wellesley Theatre Project
Chairman’s Award –Wellesley Scholarship Fund
Judges Award – Rotary Club of Wellesley
Best Youth Organization –Wellesley Mother’s Forum

Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend continued: Fireworks, concert, picnic

October 6, 2021 by admin Leave a Comment

The Wellesley Celebrations Committee has rescheduled the following activities to Sunday, Oct. 17:
Fireworks, Picnic and Concert

3:30 p.m. to Dusk — Picnic in the Park

4 p.m. — Concert

7 p.m. — Fireworks

Our theme is Celebrating the 80th Anniversary of the USO

Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend gets off to a fun start

October 2, 2021 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend, organized and funded by the Wellesley Celebrations Committee, drew enthusiastic crowds to a variety of events on Saturday, starting with the pancake breakfast at the high school and ending with activities such as Art in the Park and the EV showcase nearby.

We did the rounds throughout the day to capture the scene.

We started with a Wellesley Trails Committee guided walk in the in the North 40, the 46-acre triangular parcel along Weston and Turner Roads that the town bought from Wellesley College in 2014. The plan is to keep half of the acreage as open space. It is unclear what might become of the rest.

vernal pool boardwalk north 40 — View of vernal pool from North 40 boardwalk

On the way to the guided walk we noticed new signage for a housing development being built right up against the North 40. The marketers made extensive use of almost every trite marketing term for this sort of thing: “exclusive,” “connoisseurs,” and “luxury” were all used to draw in those with a craving for a posh lifestyle and the deep pockets to attain it. We refuse to sign on until we’re guaranteed a “curated” and “bespoke” experience.

From there we swung by the pancake breakfast at Wellesley High School, organized by Wellesley Kiwanis Club and Wellesley High School Key Club. At least 1,000 pancakes and waffles were cranked out, according to Chef Brian.

pancakes key — Wellesley Key Club at your service

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Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend 2021 schedule

September 30, 2021 by Deborah Brown 1 Comment

Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend is this coming weekend (Sept. 30-Oct. 3), and organizers will be planning for the 2022 edition, to be held in late May, right after this one is done.

The Annual Wellesley Veterans’ Parades cost about $60K apiece, with $4,700 coming from the town per parade, organizers say. So organizers are seeking donations now and during the events this weekend to support these traditions.

They also need convertible vehicles for the parade honorees to ride in. Contact the Celebrations’ Committee at Town Hall, 781-431-1019 x2295 or visit the WWW website for more info.

Thursday, Sept. 30:

EVENT: Two free outdoor movies—Captain America: The First Avenger & USO – For the Troops
TIME: 7pm
LOCATION: Tailby Parking Lot (Commuter Rail Lot, Wellesley Square)
SPONSORS: Wellesley Recreation Department, Wellesley Youth Commission and Wellesley Kiwanis Club

Saturday Oct. 2:

EVENT: Pancake Festival*
TIME: 8am-1pm
LOCATION: Wellesley High School, 50 Rice Street
SPONSORS: Wellesley Kiwanis Club and Wellesley High School Key Club

EVENT: Wellesley Lions Club Eye Mobile collecting used glasses. All types of glasses, for all ages are needed: prescription glasses, readers, and sunglasses. The Lions collect, sort, and clean the glasses, then send them to those in need.
TIME: 8am-1pm
LOCATION: Wellesley Lions Club Eye Mobile, Wellesley High School, 50 Rice Street
SPONSOR: Wellesley Lions Club

EVENT: North 40 Walk
TIME: 9am-10am
LOCATION: Meet at 9am at gate to Morses Pond at end of Turner Road (off Weston Road)
SPONSOR: Wellesley Trails Committee

EVENT: Live WWII Army Camp Living History : 26th Infantry “YANKEE” Division
TIME: 10am-2pm
LOCATION: Wellesley Town Hall front lawn, 525 Washington Street

EVENT: Touch a Truck, Police Car and Fire Engine
TIME: 11am-3pm
LOCATION: Wellesley Department of Public Works, 20 Municipal Way (off 455 Worcester Street, Route 9)
HOSTS: Police, Fire, MLP and DPW departments

EVENT: Art in the Park
TIME: noon-3pm
LOCATION: Simons Park (Corner of Washington & Brook Street, left of the Library)
SPONSORS: Wellesley Community Art Project & Wellesley Women Artisans

EVENT: Open House Tolles Parsons Center
TIME: 1pm-3pm
LOCATION: 500 Washington Street
SPONSOR: Wellesley Council on Aging

EVENT: Build Your Own Woodland Troll & Fairy House
TIME: 1pm-3pm
LOCATION: Cochituate Aqueduct, Russell Road / Kendall Road (for elementary school kids)
SPONSOR: Wellesley Conservation Land Trust

EVENT: Community Play Space – Family Games
This “for the love of play” group will provide a variety of unique, athletically inspired activities and equipment for participants to play and use at their own leisure. Free event.
TIME: 1pm-3pm
LOCATION: Hunnewell Field
SPONSOR: Wellesley Recreation Department

EVENT: Wellesley EV Showcase
View different makes and models of environmentally-friendly EVs and PHEVs.
TIME: 1pm-4pm
LOCATION: Cameron Street Parking Lot (next to Main Library and Hunnewell School)
SPONSORS: Energy New England; Sustainable Wellesley; Wellesley Climate Action Committee; Municipal Light Plant.

EVENT: Veterans’ Ecumenical Memorial Mass
TIME: 4pm
LOCATION: Saint Paul Church, 502 Washington Street
SPONSOR: Wellesley Veterans’ Council

Sunday Oct. 3:

EVENT: Annual Wonder Run 5K and Kids Fun Run 1K*
TIME: 8am—5K Run & 9am—Kids 1K Run
LOCATION: Wellesley High School, 50 Rice Street
REGISTRATION: www.whjwc.org
SPONSOR: Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club

EVENT: Antique Car Show Wheels of Wellesley VIII
TIME: 11am-4pm
LOCATION: Central Street (from Juniper Restaurant to Fire Station 1)
ORGANIZED BY: Wheels of Wellesley and Wellesley Celebrations Committee

EVENT: 53rd Annual Wellesley Veterans Parade
TIME: 1pm-3pm
THEME: 2021 Theme: 80th Anniversary of the founding of the USO (United Service Organizations)
LOCATION: The parade starts at the intersection of Route 16 (Washington Street) and Route 9 and continues westbound along Route 16 to Wellesley Square. The reviewing stand is in Wellesley Square.
SPONSOR: Wellesley Celebrations Committee

EVENT: Picnic in the Park at Hunnewell Field—Food*, drinks*, kid’s rides*, crafts, games, pony rides* & other fun. Hand sanitizer dispensers throughout field.
TIME: 3:45pm

EVENT: Concert for Wellesley, featuring the Reminisants and a USO Variety Show by Wellesley Theatre Project
TIME: 4pm
LOCATION: Hunnewell Field

EVENT: Fireworks
TIME: 7:30pm
LOCATION: Hunnewell Field
SPONSORS: Roche Brothers/Sudbury Farms and Wellesley Dental Group, Drs. Ali and Ali

*Please note, asterisk indicates a small fee may be charged.