Wellesley Historical Society guest lecturer to give talk on the Irish Famine

October 7, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

Wellesley Historical Society, lecture The Wellesley Historical Society on Tuesday, October 13th at 7pm as part of its 2020-21 Lecture Series will host a virtual presentation delivered by Stephen Puleo, author of Voyage of Mercy: The USS Jamestown, the Irish Famine, and the Remarkable Story of America’s First Humanitarian Mission.

Advanced registration is required.

A mission like no other

More than 5,000 ships left Ireland during the great potato famine in the late 1840s, transporting the starving and destitute away from their stricken homeland. The first vessel to sail in the other direction, to help the millions unable to escape, was the USS Jamestown, a converted warship, which left Boston in March 1847 loaded with precious food for Ireland.

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Wellesley on the edge of evil Ardham in HBO’s Lovecraft Country

August 20, 2020 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

We haven’t seen HBO’s new Lovecraft Country series based on a novel that draws from the writings of H.P. Lovecraft and whose characters struggle against a racist society as well as monsters.

But reader Christine Roberts, who grew up in Wellesley and now lives on the west coast, shared this screenshot from the show indicating that Wellesley is right on the edge of Ardham, the epicenter of evil on the show. “In the Lovecraft stories, Arkham [Ardham in the show] is an approximation of Salem,” she says.

Whether Wellesley will rate a mention, well, we guess you’ll need to tune in.

Lovecraft Country

The Wellesley Free Library reopens—a first look

August 5, 2020 by Deborah Brown 3 Comments

We’ve missed the Wellesley Free Library terribly since it closed in March due to COVID-19 concerns, so you can bet we rushed right in to get a first look at the recently re-opened main branch. No matter how many rules we had to follow (and there are a lot of rules) it didn’t matter. We just wanted to drift through one of our old haunts and remember better days.

We managed our expectations and concentrated on molding our behavior to conform to present realities: no congregating, no computers, no copiers, no excessive chit-chat with the staff, no sitting, no bathrooms, no water fountain access. In addition, the library is not at this time taking book donations. But there are books to check out. Lots and lots of books and other materials, waiting to be checked out.

As many as 25 patrons at a time for a maximum stay of 30 minutes currently are allowed in for what Assistant Director Elise MacLennan said is a “soft opening” phase. Nobody timed me while I wandered about. The 30 minutes limit has been put in place for times when there is a line of patrons waiting to get in.

Here are a few pics:

Wellesley Free Library — Assistant Director Elise MacLennan reminds me that the library is closed for cleaning from 2-3pm on all weekdays. (Library hours listed below.)

Main Library hours:

Monday-Thursday, 9am-8pm (9-10am is limited to seniors and high-risk patrons)

Friday 9am-6pm, (9-10am for seniors and high-risk patrons)

Saturday, 10am-3pm

IMPORTANT: The children’s room is scheduled to open at 10am each day the library is open.

IMPORTANT: The library will be closed from 2-3pm for cleaning on all weekdays.

The Hills and Fells branches are not yet open.

Morse Institute Library in Natick reopens—a first look

Wellesley Free Library targets Aug. 3 for limited reopening

July 27, 2020 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Wellesley Free Library looks to welcome a limited number of patrons at a time back to the main branch beginning Aug. 3 for browsing and check-out only. No word yet on the Fells and Hills branches, as the initial focus will be on the main library.

“When we do open there will no computers, no copiers, and no congregating,” Director Jamie Jurgensen said during the recent Library Board of Trustees meeting.

Wellesley library, main branch — Wellesley Free Library, main branch. Photo by Duncan Brown

The library is also readying a Holds Express process by which patrons can enter the library via the Simons Park entrance (where the field is) and quickly pick up their items. Expect to hear about a test run this week, as staff looks to offload some 2,000+ holds for those who come in with their library cards and are wearing masks (no in-person fine paying for now).

The library continues to offer appointment-based curbside pickup as well, where the books are checked out before you arrive.

As for those allowed in for live browsing, there will be a limit of 25 patrons at a time to start and a max stay of 30 minutes. Those visiting will be asked to keep conversations with library staff brief, and to follow up online or by phone if needed. Masks must be worn and social distancing adhered to.

Hours will be 9am-8pm Monday-Thursday, with 9-10am limited to seniors and high-risk patrons. Friday hours will be 9am-6pm, 9-10am for seniors and high-risk patrons. The library will be closed from 2-3pm for cleaning on all weekdays. Saturday hours will be 10am-3pm, and the children’s room is scheduled to open at 10am each day the library is open.

Jurgensen says the library staff misses patrons, and has worked hard to develop a reopening plan designed to keep everyone safe.

Operation Friends: Temporary Wellesley Free Library delivery service

June 17, 2020 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

The Friends of the Wellesley Free Libraries has launched a temporary delivery service of materials for those who are unable or uncomfortable picking up holds at the library. For those able to go to the main library branch itself, curbside pickup is available by scheduling it online.

This doorstep delivery service can be arranged by calling 781-235-1610 x1117. It is available in Wellesley and adjacent communities.

The Friends of the Wellesley Free Libraries fund programs and services not supported by the Library budget.

More: Time for Mrs. Swellesley to pay up at Wellesley Free Library

June 2020 author events in Wellesley

June 5, 2020 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Despite the coronavirus pandemic, Wellesley Books has been holding author readings and discussions through the magic of Zoom. Here’s a list of the local independent bookstore’s online events — some are free, some are ticketed.

Although the store is closed right now, their website is open for business. In addition, curbside pickup service has resumed as of Monday, May 25th.

Upcoming Author Readings/Discussions

6/12 Bedtime story with the author: Robb Pearlman – Bob Ross and Peapod the Squirrel
6/15 Wendy Francis – Best Behavior in conversation with Laura Zigman
6/17 Elin Hilderbrand – 28 Summers — ticketed event
6/19 Bedtime story with the author: Dan Yaccarino – Smashy Town and Giant Tess
6/22 Liz Climo – You’re Mom: A Little Book for Mothers (And the People Who Love Them), in conversation with Nichole Bernier and Joani Geltman
6/23 Julia Spencer-Fleming – Hid from Our Eyes and Sarah Stewart Taylor – The Mountains Wild

Event descriptions:

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Author events—virtual book launch at Wellesley Books for Seaview Road; picture-book read alouds

May 12, 2020 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Seaview Road, Brian McMahon Brian McMahon — Wellesley High School graduate, town resident, and author — in partnership with Wellesley Books, is holding a virtual book launch on Tuesday, May 12, at 7pm. Here’s how to attend the online event and hear the author read from Seaview, his debut novel set in a fictitious Cape Cod town. The beaches are idyllic, of course, but simmering beneath the genteel cocktail parties and intertwined personal connections lay secrets and shocking denials.

McMahon self-published the fast-moving 250-page book, which he said allowed him, “flexibility and control over the creative project and the timeline. I was able to get the book out when I wanted it to get out.”

The Georgetown University graduate shouts out “the great teachers and motivators of WHS: Mr. McCullough, Mr. Cluff; Ms. Anderson; Mr. Esposito, and “so many more.”

“I was lucky,” McMahon says, “as were the vast majority of WHS students.”

The author took a “gap year” from his full-time consultancy job to write the book, but now thinks he may dive into the chasm that is the life of a full-time writer. We welcome him to the club.

When to tune in:

Tuesday, May 26, 11am The Good Garden by Katie Smith Milway

Tuesday, June 2, 11am Razia’s Ray of Hope by Elizabeth Suneby

Videos will post on @UNPublications youtube channel and on authors’ social media.

Catch up with Katie Smith Milway on her Facebook page.

Find out about Elizabeth Suneby’s books here.

Katie Smith Milway, Wellesley