Save the date: Author to discuss ‘The Combat Zone’ at Wellesley Free Library on Feb. 7

December 29, 2022 by admin Leave a Comment

Come to Wellesley Free Library (530 Washington St.) on Feb. 7 at 7pm for an author presentation with Jan Brogan, author of The Combat Zone. This re-examination of the 1976 murder of a Harvard football player in Boston’s old Combat Zone reveals the impact the two trials had on the city, state and ultimately the nation.

Although this non-fiction account takes place in the 1970s, The Combat Zone deals with issues that are even more relevant today: race, police corruption, victim’s rights, and flaws in the criminal justice system. Beyond a suspenseful narrative, it also explores survivor grief and the fine line between justice and revenge. It was recently nominated for a 2022 Anthony award for best non-fiction and short listed for an Agatha award for best non-fiction.

Jan Brogan has been a journalist for more than thirty years, working as a correspondent for the Boston Globe, a staff writer for the Worcester Telegram and the Providence Journal, where she won the Gerald Loeb award for distinguished business writing. She is the award-winning author of four mysteries, Final Copy, Confidential Source, Yesterday’s Fatal, and Teaser. Transactional Pictures, (Steven Soderbergh and Philip Fleishman) have purchased the rights to A Confidential Source for development.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Wellesley Free Libraries.

Buy Jan Brogan books

Wellesley Black Lab pup becomes a local literary sensation

November 9, 2022 by Deborah Brown 1 Comment

Pippi the Black Lab and author of picture book Tails with Gig isn’t a slacker. She just has a short attention span for drudge work, especially when she knows she can count on her human friend, Gig Babson, to manage administrative tasks. Sure enough, the day before Pippi was scheduled to make a very important author’s appearance at Wellesley Books, it was Gig who was putting together doggy treat bags to gift to Pippi’s fans.

“I don’t mind,” Gig said. “Tomorrow we’re going to set up a table outside the store, sign books, give away dog treats. It’s going to be fun.”

Tails with Gig, Wellesley — Gig Babson (left), who provided dictation for “Tails with Gig,” and illustrator Kathy Macdonald greet fans in front of Wellesley Books. “We’re both Babson grads and we think they might take back our degrees,” Macdonald said of their foray into the business of book publishing. Either that or if the school has any sense, they’ll make Gig, Kathy, and Pippi full tenured professors.

When the big day came, crowds of people and pets lined up outside Wellesley Books to buy Pippi’s book and meet the star author, along with Gig (who provides dictation for Pippi in the book, and on Pippi’s blog); and Kathy Macdonald, the book’s illustrator.

Tails with Gig, follows Pippi’s escapades during the pandemic as she grows from a puppy to a young dog. There are food adventures, of course—tuna fish somehow goes missing (tasty, but Pippi would like to try out the packed-in-oil variety next time). Shoes are chewed. Messes are made. Important household items go missing. Just another day in the life of a young dog trying hard to be a very good girl, without losing her natural vivacity or lust for life (or for Moose, her boyfriend.)

Not that Pippi is letting success go to her head, but her book is currently in its third printing. The project is almost entirely a local affair. Watson Printing on Cedar Street handled the publication of the story. “They did a great job,” Kathy said. “The paper look and feel was essential, and when we got it back, the book looked really nice.”

An initial printing of 50 copies sold out almost immediately. Wellesley Books snapped up 10 to sell on consignment in the store. The rest were purchased by family, friends, and those who closely watch literary trends. After the first batch of books was gone, Pippi suggested they think bigger. Gig and Kathy agreed and put in an order for 200 more. Then another 200. “Welcome to the world of self-publishing,” Kathy laughed.

Pippi is currently trying to earn her Canine Good Citizen Certificate from the American Kennel Club. It’s a goal that so far has remained out of reach, much to Pippi’s mystification. “After you read my book, will you help me understand why I don’t yet have that Certificate?” she asks in her official promotional brochure.

Proceeds from Tails with Gig are donated to the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. If such generosity doesn’t get Pippi her coveted Canine Good Citizen Certificate, well then, that piece of paper is simply not worth chewing to bits. Pippi darling, you are such a good girl.

About Katherine L. Babson, Jr.

An avid hiker and life-long dog owner, “Gig” finds her life full of adventure with her pandemic puppy, Pippi, by her side. A retired attorney, a former Wellesley Select Board member and Town Moderator, Gig has served in Wellesley town government for over 50 years.

Gig is a graduate of Wellesley High School and received her AB from Vassar College, her MBA from Babson College, her JD from Boston College Law School, and an Honorary Doctor of Law from Babson College. Pippi’s adventures are chronicled on Facebook at @KatherineBabson.

About Katherine K. Macdonald

Outdoors woman, animal lover, and artist, Kathy enjoyed illustrating Pippi’s mischief. Kathy received her BA from Central Connecticut College, with a major in English and a minor in art. She received her MBA from Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College. She is primarily an oil painter and recently exhibited at PAAM in Provincetown, MA.

The Swellesley Report, by the way, is self-published, too. If you like what we do and want to help, please consider making a completely non-deductible contribution
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Wellesley artist takes Halloween display Operation to higher level

October 14, 2022 by Bob Brown 1 Comment

Wellesley’s Ann Gagliano, whose outside Halloween display at 3 Upson Rd. has become an annual must-see, really outdid herself this season with a Game Night theme featuring the classic board game “Operation.”

Upson Halloween operation — Ann Gagliano must have had butterflies in her stomach before embarking on this project (Photos courtesy of Ann Gagliano)

Gagliano, an illustrator, says Operation was her favorite game, or actually her “FAVORITE GAME,” when growing up.

“My daughter knows my love for this game and purchased me a mini version to keep on my drawing table. As I was playing the game brainstorming for my Halloween ideas it occurred to me: Why not make a life-size operation game and have my 5 friendly skeletons playing it! Maybe I’ll do an Upson game night,” she says.

Those skeletons to which she refers last year got entangled in some apple picking exploits for Halloween.

Of course a project like the Game Night display takes a team. “My husband helped me so much in the construction of my design… as I illustrated and painted the board by hand. This took weeks as I always keep my ideas top secret until I make my revealing presentation,” said Gagliano, who enjoys the reaction from neighbors, especially kids.

Gagliano is certainly having her moment this season. She’ll be joining Wellesley author Ushma Multani at a book signing at Wellesley Books this Saturday, Oct. 15, 10am-noon, for Multani’s “Reena and the Diwali Star.” Gagliano illustrated the book.

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A post shared by Ann Curch Gagliano (@annillustrates)

Save the dates: Wellesley library book sale Oct. 20-23

October 10, 2022 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

The Friends of the Wellesley Free Libraries annual autumn book sale:

Location: Wakelin Room, Wellesley Free Library, 530 Washington St.
Member Preview Night: Thursday, October 20, 5pm-8pm
Public sale: Friday, October 21, 9:30am-6pm and Saturday, October 22, 9:30am-5pm
Bag sale ($10/bag): Sunday, October 23, 1pm-4:30pm

If you’re not already a member of the Friends, you can join at the door or on the Friends website.

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

September 30, 2022 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

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:

Richard Preston, author of bestseller “The Hot Zone”
Adam Haslett, twice-nominated for the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award
Nina Shope,novelist of “Asylum”
Vanessa Mártir, writer, educator, and social activist.

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

Wellesley Business Buzz: Go pink for Ellie Fund; Stretch Lab cuts ribbon; Wellesley Books author visits are back; Real estate renaissance; Soccer signups

September 26, 2022 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

The latest Wellesley, Mass., business news:

Wellesley goes pink for the Ellie Fund

Be on the lookout for Wellesley retailers who are honoring National Breast Cancer Awareness Month by turning the town pink with decorated storefronts, and pink-themed events in support of the Ellie Fund.

The support of the Ellie Fund takes place across Wellesley for the entire week of October 1-8. As part of the Wonderful Wellesley campaign to invigorate shopping in town, shops and restaurants will be stepping up and stepping out to turn Wellesley pink for Ellie Fund. Starting October 1 and throughout the month, stores like Natureworks, Isabel Harvey, Sara Campbell, Kenzie & Hope, and more will be decked with pink window displays and balloons. Look for employees at Roosters and The Cottage wearing Ellie t-shirts donated by Custom Ink. Others will be donating a portion of sales on a specific day(s) to Ellie Fund. Some businesses will be rounding up each sale and donating to the charity. More information here on Wellesley Square participants and Linden Square doings.

The Ellie Fund’s mission is to provide essential support services for breast cancer patients to ease the stresses of everyday life, allowing the focus to be on family, recovery and healing. The foundation provides transportation to medical appointments, light housekeeping, nutritional and grocery assistance, childcare reimbursement, nutritious prepared/delivered meals and integrative therapy services free of charge. No proof of financial need, residency, or citizenship is required. To donate to the Ellie Fund, click here .

“Ellie Fund is near and dear to Wellesley businesses and our customers. We are looking forward to Wellesley Goes Pink to raise the awareness and funds needed,” said Demian Wendrow on behalf of the Wonderful Wellesley campaign. Wendrow is the President, Wellesley Square Merchants’ Association and Owner of London Harness and TUMI Wellesley.

StretchLab in Linden Square under new ownership

It’s not a stretch to say that Dr. Jamie Snead is qualified to assess the safety and efficacy of a studio that offers one-on-one stretching as a way for clients to stay limber and prevent injuries. Jamie (as he prefers to go by in the studio) is not only chief of orthopedics at Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro, he’s also gone through the StretchLab training program, which he proclaimed, “pretty intense.”

StretchLab Wellesley — StretchLab owners Dr. Jamie Snead (wearing hat) and Kelly Snead (wielding scissors) at the grand opening. Local luminaries attended including Select Board member Beth Sullivan Woods (far left, in bright blue) and Lise Elcock from the Charles River Regional Chamber.

The idea behind the one-on-one stretching is that certified “flexologists” work with clients individually to identify tightness and body imbalances, and customize a stretch routine. The goal is to experience the freedom that comes with having a wider range of motion and flexibility.

Jamie, along with his spouse and business partner Kelly, came across a StretchLab franchise when they were on vacation in Arizona a couple of years ago. They tried out a sample stretch and were impressed. “When we got back here we looked into it, and ended up buying the existing Wellesley Linden square franchise,” she said.

One of the flexologists gave my twitchy hip flexors a 30-minute workover while I was there for the studio’s grand opening. Although I still need a hip replacement (they’re flexologists, not miracle workers), I came away feeling that my joints benefited from the attention. Most importantly, the young woman working with me listened. As she stretched me out, there was no pressure to endure any pain, and she made no sudden movements during the session.

Business: StretchLab
Location: Linden Square, Wellesley (across from the CVS drive-in)
Phone: 339-217-0217

Sign up now for Wellesley Youth Soccer

Registration is still open for Wellesley Youth Soccer’s pre-K through third grade in-town programs and for the additional professionally led development program for grades pre-K through fifth grade.

Wellesley Books author visit

In-person author visits are back at Wellesley Books, so I stopped in to see best-selling dynamic author duo Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone on their tour to promote their joint effort, A Merry Little Meet Cute. With frank scenes about mental health struggles, the progressiveness of sex work, queer self-acceptance, and more, the holiday-themed novel isn’t your average rom-com romp. What it does have in common with that genre is romantic fiction fun, hi-jinks, and hilarity.

Julie Murphy (left) and Sierra Simone (right) spoke about their holiday rom-com, A Merry Little Meet Cute, at Wellesley Books — Julie Murphy (left) and Sierra Simone (right) spoke about their holiday rom-com, *A Merry Little Meet Cute*, at Wellesley Books

Julie is the author of the Y/A book Dumplin’ (and its Netflix adaptation starring Jennifer Aniston), about a self-proclaimed fat girl who takes on her small Texas town’s annual beauty pageant. Sierra, as she delicately put it at the reading, writes “a little on the spicier side. I tend to write a little more of the forbidden stuff.” Medieval bodice rippers that include ancient and sexy secrets are right in her wheelhouse.

It all started in the back of a van

Julie and Sierra were a kick at the sold-out reading, treating the audience to the story of their own best-friends origin story. Like so many meet-cute tales, theirs started in the back of a van at the start of an authors’ tour. Julie had agreed to go on tour, but had a laundry list of misgivings. “I’m not very good with strangers. And I’m not very good at sharing a room with people I don’t know. I like my privacy,” she revealed to the audience.

Prepared to hate Sierra, her tour roomie, Julie had her lead all prepared. “Hi, I’m Julie Murphy, and sometimes I snore,” she said by way of self-introduction.

“That’s ok,” Sierra said. “I have narcolepsy, and I can sleep through anything.”

That was eight years ago, and they’ve been best friends ever since. A Merry Little Meet Cute got its start when the pair retreated to a little cabin in the middle of nowhere in Oklahoma, right before Christmas. It was a place where Julie and Sierra found they could let themselves work in their own rhythm. “These little cabins were always decorated for Christmas, and it really set a mood,” Julie said.

And out of that mood came A Merry Little Meet Cute, which Sierra said is a plus-size rom-com about “an adult content creator who has partnered with an adult entertainment producer with a heart of gold. His work producing adult films isn’t as lucrative as he needs right now. So he figures what if to make a quick buck he breaks into the holiday movie business?”

Of course, the star of the squeaky-clean Hallmark-type movie has to keep her regular gig in adult film-making a secret. Of course, someone on the set knows her secret. Things just might get so steamy in the town of Christmas Notch that snow begins to melt.

Note: Sierra’s Y/A chops notwithstanding, this is not a book for your young adult reader. A Merry Little Meet Cute is strictly for the 18+ year old crowd.

BOOK: A Merry Little Meet Cute
AUTHORS: Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone
PUBLISHER: HarperCollins

What’s behind Wellesley’s ‘Real Estate Renaissance’?

The Charles River Regional Chamber on Oct. 6 (12-1pm) presents an online panel discussion on Wellesley’s “Real Estate Renaissance,” the topic of a recent Boston Globe article written by a reporter who interviewed non other than Mr. Swellesley among other locals. The online session is free for members, $20 for non-members.

Wellesley’s real estate action has included new restaurants and retailers, new multi-family developments, plus the early stages of bio labs.

Presenters

Scott Faber, senior VP of investments, Lincoln Property
Amy Frigulietti, assistant executive director, Town of Wellesley
Elizabeth Holmes, director of corporate services, R.W. Holmes Realty
Joel Kadis, co-CEO & partner, Linear Retail Properties

MORE: Wellesley’s amped-up restaurants scene

Beyond Wellesley—we visit the beautiful Cornell University area

September 16, 2022 by Deborah Brown 2 Comments

Ithaca, N.Y., is the kind of destination where the usual summer fun is on tap—there are plenty of spots to hike, bike, swim, shop, and dine—yet the two-college city (Cornell University and Ithaca College) feels homey, a place where its 30k+ full-time residents and the student population work, play, and live side-by-side. Fortunately for the 1.6 million visitors between May 2019 and 2020 to the Commons, the area’s busiest shopping and dining district, the locals like to share their secrets.

We booked an Airbnb for a few nights in early September and drove the 5.5 hours from Wellesley. Our goals: to see Ithaca’s famous gorges, enjoy some good meals, bike the safe and scenic Rail Trail up to Taughannock Falls (the tallest waterfall on the East Coast), hike the beautiful Robert H. Treman State Park, visit the Johnson Museum of Art on the Cornell University campus, and more. You don’t go to Ithaca to experience the fall “shoulder season,” that period of time after the crush of tourists has gone home and you can finally get into all the cool restaurants and attractions. You just go to visit Ithaca. If you want a party scene, it’s there for you, somewhere. Certainly the red solo cups littered around student rental houses after a Saturday night debauch attest to that. It’s just not in your face, demanding your attention and participation. (We’re still kinda exhausted from last year’s adventure to Block Island, a rock-on place if ever there was one.)

Working out the kinks

After being in the car for so long, we were eager to stretch our legs. We went straight to the Fall Creek Gorge suspension bridge, a part of the Cornell campus, where we walked 140 feet over the rushing water, alongside students on their way to class. There’s a small parking area at 310 Fall Creek Dr. After walking over the bridge, there are plenty of paths along the water for additional exploration.

We were told ahead of time that the beauty of the bridges was marred by fencing and safety netting that was put in place in 2010 after a long history of people jumping from the Fall Creek Gorge and other nearby bridges. We found that the unobtrusive netting couldn’t grab attention from the roar of the water and the natural beauty of the scene. When you consider that before safety measures were installed, 27 people died by suicide between 1990 and 2010 (including 15 students) by jumping from the five area bridges, the protective measures seem a small price to pay.

The Commons, dining and shopping

Ithaca Commons is the area’s hot hangout scene, a place to catch a movie at the Cinemapolis Art House Theater, or visit Buffalo Street Books to browse volumes on two floors, and their basement collection of vinyl. We peeked into the iconic Chanticleer, but the landmark corner dive-bar looked too cool for the likes of us. We didn’t want to go in and risk altering the vibe. Lots of indie shops and restaurants gave the two-block pedestrian mall an authentic feel. You couldn’t just as well have been in Faneuil Hall. The Commons is all Ithaca, from the head shops to the outdoors store to upscale artisans shops and restaurants. Not much in the way of chains here.

Down the street a couple of blocks from The Commons is the famous Moosewood Restaurant, which we tried out our first night in town. The vegetarian eatery is under new ownership since earlier this year. Danica Wilcox and her husband Nicholas, after living in Spain for many years, came home to take over the restaurant where Danica long ago was hired for her first job in the Moosewood kitchen. We sat outside on the lovely brick patio and watched the street scene go by. Our servers, both local students— one experienced and one in-training acolyte—were attentive and able to answer our questions about the dishes on the curated, seasonal menu. The choices included five apps, a few salads, several mains, and three side dishes, all vegetarian, with vegan and gluten-free options. I tried out the strozzapreti pasta (similar to penne) with shiitake and oyster mushrooms, baby spinach, sherry cream, gremolata, and parmesan. The dish, unfortunately, was bland and barely sauced. Moosewood is the kind of place where there are no salt and pepper shakers on the table, and I was determined to eat dinner as it was served for the purposes of this story. I doggy-bagged most of the meal and doctored it the next day on my Airbnb’s hotplate. A dash of seasoning and a little cream brought the strozzapreti to life, making it what it surely would have been if the chef’s final tasting hadn’t somehow been missed. Mr. Swellesley dared try his historic first black bean burger, and lived to tell about it. Who knows what the future could bring for his limited palate.

The lemon tahini broccoli and the spicy coconut curry we’re told are two must-try items. Homemade desserts include their famous fudge brownie. Wines and beers, some local, as well as a selection of creative non-alcoholic drinks such as ginger tea and fresh-squeezed lemonade, are available in this restaurant, which offers nice ambience in a convivial downtown location.

It’s all uphill from here

We made a quest out of our desire to see Taughannock Falls, a 215-foot waterfall billed as the highest vertical drop waterfall in the northeastern United States. Ithaca Bike Rental, located in view of the 45k-acre Cayuga Lake, outfitted us in good-quality bikes up to the task of taking us along a scenic paved

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