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Wellesley's Wonderful Weekend

Suburban Striders: Women Supporting Women

May 16, 2022 by admin Leave a Comment

We’d been told during the peak of the pandemic by one of our readers that the Suburban Striders Running Club really helped sustain her and other local runners by maintaining regular human connection. We invited the club to share its story:

suburban stridersSpring is here, marathon fever is running rampant, and the Suburban Striders Running Club (SSRC) is inviting new members for the 2022-23 year! The outfit is celebrating its 18th year as the only USATF-certified women’s running club in the Wellesley/Weston/Needham area. The group was founded by Mary Worthington of Weston and some of her running friends who were looking to build a supportive program for women that offered weekly track sessions with a coach.

The group meets at the Wellesley High School track every Wednesday from 9-10am. Coach Kathy Fleming designs four unique workouts each week, including long, short, fitness, and fartlek options, ranging from one to three miles of intervals. Runners choose their workout and complete it at any pace they feel comfortable with. Indeed, runners always find time to chat during the rests, as the social-emotional exercise is just as important as the physical. The workouts are designed so that there’s something for everyone and for every experience level, whether you are preparing for a marathon or 5k, or simply trying to increase speed and stamina or improve your health.

A typical Wednesday morning starts with warmup drills led by Sue McNatt, a lifelong runner and physical therapist from Needham. She takes members through a dynamic warm-up of stretches, skips, and strides. Next, the group takes a few minutes to announce upcoming events, recognize recent race participation by members, and discuss anything else that’s going on in their running world. Coach Kathy then explains the day’s training options, offering further clarification regarding the specifics of the workout and suggesting modifications to anyone recovering from an injury or training for an upcoming race.

What members say

The club became particularly important in members’ lives during the COVID-19 pandemic as outdoor activities became the main means of social engagement. Although the pandemic disrupted the group’s usual plan of holding winter sessions at Babson College’s indoor track, members still found the motivation to gather for their Wednesday workouts even on the coldest mornings. When snow and ice made outdoor track workouts impossible, members continued to meet for fartlek workouts on quiet neighborhood streets or for group runs on the Carriage Road in Newton. Kathleen Woodward, a board member, praised the group for demonstrating “how a supportive community has sustained its members during COVID through human connection and a shared love of running.” 

Member Shana Frank has two young children and was running recreationally on her own when she moved to Weston from Washington, D.C. in 2020. “I had never been part of a team before and was slightly intimidated by the whole idea of running clubs. I had done a few races here and there but never properly trained or set actual goals for myself,” she said. “Wednesday mornings are the highlight of my week now!” The workouts helped Shana improve her 5K personal record by almost two minutes and she has even placed in some local races. 

Wellesley resident Martha Cooney ran a little bit of track and field in high school but never realized her potential. Now as a mom of two school-age children, it’s the camaraderie of the sport she enjoys the most: “The best thing about being a part of the SSRC has been getting to know so many strong and supportive women who share a love of running. I look forward to meeting on the track every Wednesday even on those cold New England days.”

Every year,  members either qualify for the Boston Marathon or run for a charity.

Monica Gonalez de Wuff of Natick ran the Boston Marathon in 2021 raising funds for Dana Farber. Monica moved to Natick from Caracas, Venezuela. “We learn from each other since we have different backgrounds. Going to the Wednesday workout is my favorite time of the week that helps me connect with friends and share our experiences as moms, giving support to each other.”

Coach Kathy, also a Natick resident, has been coaching members for nearly 10 years. She brings a wealth of experience stemming from her career as a professional middle-distance runner and a college-level coach. Kathy reflected back to when she first started coaching SSRC: “I remember thinking that I had never experienced a team where there was such a dichotomy of social running and competitive training all woven together in one hour. Some women would chat to each other through their intervals and some would concentrate on every split. Invariably, the Wednesday track sessions are always fun and fresh while also being so effective for gaining speed and endurance. Today, the energy, social connections, and community spirit we gain from our weekly workouts give us the motivation that we need to get through the rest of the day.”

The club also hosts a monthly post-workout coffee gathering at the track, an annual party, and various other team activities through road races and running events. Additionally, members often arrange to run together other days of the week.

If you are interested in joining, just show up on Wednesday morning. Hope to see you at the track!


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Filed Under: Clubs, Health, Sports

Linden Square, Wellesley
Wonderful Wellesley
Riverbend School

Registration is open for Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club Wonder Run

May 6, 2022 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

The 9th annual Wonder Run 5K & Kid’s Fun Run will take place on Sunday, May 22 as part of Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend. Sponsored by the Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club, the Wonder Run will begin at 8am followed by the Kid’s Fun Run and activities led by Sensei Nicco at 9am at the Wellesley High School track.

Wonder Run, Wellesley

The Wonder Run will be hero-themed so break out those capes or scrubs and support the WHJWC. Costumes are encouraged for all ages.

Registration details

Pre-registration fee: $35 for adults, $15 for kids
Pre-registration closes Thursday, May 19 at 11pm
Kids Fun Run registration is capped at 200 registrants.
Same-day registration fee: $40 for adults, $20 for kids
Please register here.


EVENT: Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club Wonder Run
DATE: Sunday, May 22, 2022
START TIME: 8am
LOCATION: Wellesley High School

[Read more…]

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Filed Under: Clubs, Fundraising, Kids, Sports, Volunteering, Wellesley High School

Page Waterman, Wellesley
London Harness, Wellesley

Wellesley Mothers Forum springs into action

April 8, 2022 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Good to see the Wellesley Mothers Forum’s spring carnival back at Town Hall green this past weekend.

mothers forum

mothers forum

Thanks to roaming photographer Dennis McCormick for sharing a couple of photos.

The group has a bunch of activities coming up this month.


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Filed Under: Clubs, Kids

Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend

Wellesley's Wonderful Weekend

Save the date: Wellesley Historical Society Spring Gala is May 12

April 4, 2022 by admin Leave a Comment

Tickets are on sale now for the Wellesley Historical Society’s History in Bloom: A Spring Gala, taking place on Thursday, May 12, 6:30-9:30pm in the Wellesley Country Club Ballroom.

Wellesley Country Club building
The Wellesley Country Club will be the site of the Wellesley Historical Society’s fundraiser, History in Bloom: A Spring Gala.

History in Bloom: A Spring Gala is one of the Wellesley Historical Society’s largest fundraisers and is essential to the Society’s ability to continue to serve the Wellesley community. The Society is an independent 501(c)(3) organization which does not receive any regular funding from the Town of Wellesley. Funds raised will contribute to the General Operating Fund to:

  • Collect, preserve, and share Wellesley’s historical records and artifacts
  • Teach and share our history through tours, lectures, and exhibits
  • Employ professional staff to care for the collections and provide research support
  • Maintain the Society’s historic buildings
  • Create community partnerships with Wellesley’s educational and service organizations, as well as with local businesses
  • Host social events which combine food, drink, and a side of history

In addition to conducting the drawings for the winners of the accompanying raffles, the event will feature a wide variety of items from the collections for all to peruse, including paintings from well-known Wellesley artist, Mary Brewster Hazelton, plans by noted landscape architect, Charles P. Gorley, Jr., a hand-made engagement outfit showcasing needlework by the Wellesley bride-to-be and her mother, and much more. In addition, attendees will have an opportunity to play for many prizes through fun, trivia-style games while learning more about the collections and Wellesley history. Heavy hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be served.

EVENT: History in Bloom: A Spring Gala
DATE: Thursday, May 12, 2022
TIME: 6:30-9:30pm
LOCATION: Wellesley Country Club Ballroom

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Filed Under: Clubs, Entertainment, Fundraising, History

Exercise Coach, Wellesley

Wellesley Girl Scouts send aid to Ukraine

March 22, 2022 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Girl Scouts from Hardy Elementary and St. John Schools in Wellesley, and Rashi School in Dedham, moved by the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, have assembled 50 medical kits that will be sent to hospitals and other areas of need in the war-torn country.

The scouts are working in partnership with the United States branch of the Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization. Founded in 1911, the 501(c)(3) all-volunteer aid group has branches in multiple Ukrainian cities. These branches stand ready to receive supplies and move them to areas in the country where supplies are running desperately short.

Wellesley Girl Scout troop
Wellesley Girl Scout troop stands with Ukraine by donating much-needed medical supplies to the war zone.

Hardy PTO president, scout leader, and second-generation Ukranian Tanya Lisowsky explained how the supply chain works. “Once the scouts put together the vacuum packed kits, they will be delivered by a troop members’ family to a Ukranian church in Jamaica Plain,” she said. From there, the medical kits will be routed via mail to New Jersey, then Poland, then onto Ukraine. Wellesley Girls Scouts is using part of the profits from the annual cookies sale to handle the cost of the kits, and shipping.

When the kits make it to Ukraine, they will be routed via a “green corridor,” a defined area where governments agree to pause hostilities, allowing the safe passage of not only humanitarian aid, but civilians fleeing war.

Wellesley Girl Scouts
Each medical kit contains globes, surgical pads, butterfly closures, large band aids and gauze pads, antibiotic ointment packets, and a bandage roll.
Wellesley Girl Scouts
The scouts earned the “Take Action” badge for their efforts.

Ahead of putting together the kits at the Warren Center, the girls in an earlier meeting, and with the help of troop leaders, identified and researched a problem. They then developed a team plan that they could put into action. For their efforts, each scout earned the “Take Action” badge for their role in addressing an issue and influencing events.

How to donate

The scouts on behalf of the 10,000 scouts of Plast in Ukraine ask the public to consider making a serious donation to the tax deductible Plast Fund for Ukraine. This donation will be used immediately for:

1.  Food for displaced persons and refugees in Ukraine and Poland
2.  Medicine and medical supplies to doctors/hospitals
3. Humanitarian aid to the territorial defense and local army units

Donate at https://aid.plastusa.org


Good scouts do their best

Is your Wellesley scout troop also doing a thing? Let us know at [email protected]. We’d love to share their activities with the community.

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Filed Under: Clubs, Fundraising, Hardy Elementary School

Deland, Gibson Insurance, Wellesley

Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club accepting scholarships & grants applications

October 30, 2021 by admin Leave a Comment

Wellesley Hills Junior Women's ClubThe​ ​Wellesley​ ​Hills​ ​Junior​ ​Women’s​ ​Club​ ​(WHJWC)​ ​is accepting​ ​scholarship​ ​applications for​ ​2022-2023 ​through March 1, 2022.

In​ ​2021, the​ ​Club​ ​awarded​ ​$62,000 ​in​ ​scholarships​ ​and​ ​awards​ ​to​ ​23 ​Wellesley​ ​students. Scholarships​ ​were​ ​given​ ​to​ ​graduating​ ​high​ ​school​ ​seniors​ ​and​ ​undergraduate​ ​college​ ​students in amounts​ ​ranging​ ​from​ ​$500 ​- ​$4,000.

Applications​ ​are​ ​evaluated​ ​based​ ​on​ ​demonstrated​ ​financial​ ​need,​ ​academic​ ​achievement,​ ​and involvement​ ​in​ ​community​ ​service.​ ​Applicants​ ​must​ ​be​ high school seniors graduating from Wellesley High School, Wellesley​ ​residents​ ​graduating​ ​from​ ​high school​ ​in​ ​or​ ​outside​ ​of​ ​Wellesley,​ ​or​ ​Wellesley​ ​residents​ ​currently​ ​attending​ undergraduate institutions​ ​on​ ​a​ ​full-time​ ​basis.​

Scholarship applications must be submitted by March 1, 2022.

WHJWC​ ​also offers three​ ​one-time named​ ​awards

• The Brenda Capobianco Scholarship, on behalf of Dr. Brenda Capobianco, a WHS graduate, WHJWC scholarship recipient, science teacher educator, and researcher in STEM education, recognizes a female college-bound high school senior based on financial need, demonstrated academic achievement, and an expressed interest in pursuing a degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.

• The Patricia C. Doiron Memorial Scholarship recognizes a graduating high school senior who has shown a commitment to early childhood education through participation in the Child Lab program at Wellesley High School, established in memory of Mrs. Doiron, a former Club member.

• The Suzanne Stevens Scholarship recognizes a high school senior (or current college student) who has demonstrated academic strength and a commitment to community service despite adversity or hardship, named in honor of Mrs. Stevens, a former Club president.

Information on grants

The​ ​​Club​ is accepting applications for grants through February 1, 2022. In the last six years, WHJWC has given away almost half a million dollars. In 2019, the club awarded more than $100,000 in grants including grants celebrating the club’s 75th Anniversary to local Capital Campaigns. These grants were given to 36 non-profits among Wellesley and Metrowest organizations. In 2020 and 2021, the club focused charitable contributions to meet the immediate needs of our most vulnerable
populations during the coronavirus pandemic.

The club donates to a variety of educational, youth, elderly, civic and community programs. Particular emphasis is placed on those programs that have a significant impact on the Wellesley community. In recent years, the club restructured the grants process, aiming to make a greater community impact through fully funding concrete programs. The club will continue this
approach for 2022.

Application forms can be downloaded online at www.whjwc.org. Completed applications, as well as any questions, should be sent by e-mail to the attention of Erica Gelser at [email protected] If email is not possible mailed, mail applications to WHJWC Grants, PO Box 81194, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481-0002. Applications must be received or postmarked by February 1, 2022.

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Filed Under: Clubs, Education, Volunteering

Wellesley Rotary Club launches “Dinner on Us” fundraiser

October 29, 2021 by admin Leave a Comment

Wellesley Rotary ClubThanks to the Rotary Club of Wellesley for sponsoring The Swellesley Report’s Restaurants page.

The Club’s “Dinner on Us” fundraiser is aiming to raise $40,000 to help fight food insecurity. Food insecurity exists right here among those who live, work, and go to school in Wellesley. Rotary members want those in need  to know that there are resources to help them and their families through these difficult times.

2,000 “Dinner on Us” tickets are available at $20 apiece—every entry bought helps end food insecurity in Wellesley. Get your ticket here.

The Rotary Club of Wellesley members have not withdrawn during this pandemic and continue to seek creative ways to raise money with or without gathering in-person.

Why buy a “Dinner on Us” ticket?

First, you will be supporting three Rotary projects to end food insecurity in Wellesley. The Village Table feeds community members, the Mass Bay CC project feeds students facing food insecurity, and every year Rotary serves meals to veterans at the New England Center for Veterans.

Second, there is a lot to win. Just think, if you win first or second prize, you could eat at a different Wellesley restaurant every week for more than half a year. If that seems extravagant, it’s because, well, it is.

Absurd Grand Prize – $3,000—Winner takes all $100 gift cards to 30 Wellesley restaurants

Ridiculous Second Prize – $1,500—Winner takes all the $50 gift cards to 30 Wellesley restaurants

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Filed Under: Clubs, Fundraising, Restaurants, Volunteering

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