The Swellesley Report

More than you really want to know about Wellesley, Mass.

Wellesley Junior Women’s Club Wonder Run is May 19

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SPONSORED POST: The big day is coming up as the Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club (WHJWC) prepares to welcome runners of all talent levels for its 6th annual Wonder Run 5k and Kids Fun Run on Sunday, May 19. The 5k starts at 8:30am at the Wellesley High School track and takes runners on a scenic tour of town. The Kids Fun Run, also at the WHS track, starts at 9:30am. Think of the Wonder Run as your own personal “Boston Marathon” without all the arduous training and fundraising.  Register here.

One of the great things about the Wonder Run is the wholesome, party atmosphere it brings with it. People run singly, stretching their legs after a long winter, or in large, raucous groups. You’ll see plenty of parents pushing strollers and triumphant kids crossing the finish line of their first-ever 5k. It’s just good, Spring-time fun. To add to the fun and in honor of the Club’s 75th Anniversary, the run will be 70’s “Retro” themed this year – sweatbands and tube socks encouraged!

The Wonder Run 5k and Kids Fun Run are part of Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend. The WHJWC anticipates hundreds of participants and great community support. ALL runners and walkers are welcome, so on your mark, get set, go!

Check out the course map:

Wellesley Hills Junior Women's Club, Wonder Run

Run for fun, run for community

Proceeds generated from the Wonder Run directly support community groups, scholarships for deserving local students and grants to organizations and programs that provide education, enrichment and essential services to members of the surrounding community. In 2018, the Junior Women’s Club awarded $143,000 in scholarships and non-profit grants.

Wellesley Hills Junior Women's Club Fun Run
These girls are ready and set to go on Sunday, May 19 at the Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club Wonder Run 5k and Kids Fun Run.

Wellesley sorority women sister it up on annual Badge Day

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It was Sorority International Badge Day in Wellesley, and for the first time in many years I had to miss out as this group of super-fun Wellesley women got together and reaffirmed the bonds of  sisterhood. On Badge Day, everybody digs out their sorority pins from their days as a Gamma Phi Beta (me!), or a Kappa Alpha Theta, or a Pi Beta Phi, and more, and spends an evening reminiscing. Some have daughters who have rushed the same sorority at the same college they attended, others are very involved in helping out the local chapter of their sorority, while others just show up for the good time.

It’s a small but cheerful group. Some of us may have forgotten the secret handshake or what the heck it meant to sign off “Love in PKE” on letters (remember those?). But we all remember silly, bygone times and talk with pride about the service and scholarship components of our chapters, and about the way sorority life has changed with the times. Here’s to love, labor, learning, and loyalty, ladies.

Wellesley sorority badge night
Wellesley sorority Badge Day…sorry I had to miss it this year. Don’t take me off the email list, girls! Gosh, you all look fabulous, BTW. And HS, you’re welcome for the judicious cropping of this pic.

To to all you closeted sorority women out there, and I know you’re out there: it’s time for you to get on next year’s mailing list so that you can meet others who misspent their youth. Drop me an email at [email protected] and I’ll make it happen. C’mon, we’re all worried about you — it’s not like you to snub fun. We need you to teach us new bad habits and help us generally sister it up.

MORE:

Hanging with the sorority ladies in Wellesley

It was Wellesley sorority annual Badge Day. Here’s what we did about it

Wellesley sports and social clubs

Wellesley Kitchen & Home Tour will be Saturday, May 4, 2019

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The much-anticipated Wellesley Kitchen and Home Tour presented by The Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club (WHJWC) is in its 20th year and will be held on Saturday, May 4 from 11am to 3pm, rain or shine.

During this fundraiser, anyone who loves beautiful design will have the chance to see it in six of Wellesley’s most stunning private residences, all of which represent the latest trends in design and architecture.

Wellesley Hills Junior Women's Club
Photo credit: Sarah M. Winchester

Tour guests will be invited to visit the first floor and outside spaces of these impressive properties, while enjoying gourmet bites and shopping at pop-up boutiques located at each home, just in time for Mother’s Day. Architects, interior designers, and/or contractors will also be on hand to answer questions specific to the home.

Children under the age of 18 are not permitted inside tour homes due to insurance regulations. Tickets, which are $45 in advance and $55 on the day of the event, can be purchased online or at Roche Bros. in Wellesley. The addresses of tour homes will be announced on the WHJWC website on April 21st. The Wellesley Kitchen and Home Tour is a community fundraiser by the WHJWC, a 501(c)(3) organization, and ticket purchases are tax deductible. The WHJWC gives out over $140,000 annually which goes back to Wellesley and surrounding communities in the form of local scholarships and non-profit grants.

Wellesley Hills Junior Women's Club
Photo credit: Read McKendree

Make sure you wear comfortable, slip-on walking shoes because they must be removed and replaced with booties that will be provided at each home. Here are other tips for event-goers.  So save Saturday, May 4 in your calendar right now. In the meantime, you can find sneak peeks of the homes, and information as it’s updated, on the WHJWC’s Instagram and Facebook.

Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club wears its 75 years well

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The Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club (WHJWC) earlier this month held its 75th Anniversary Gala at the Wellesley Country Club for all past and present members of the all-volunteer service organization. Generations of Juniors gathered to celebrate their shared history and raise money to ensure the club’s grants and scholarships continue to contribute to the community. The event was black-tie optional and featured food stations, open bar, an auction, and dancing.

Best of all, the event was attended by over 200 past and present Juniors and supporters of the WHJWC and raised $40,000 which will go back to the community in the form of scholarships and grants.

Here are some pics:

Wellesley Hills Junior Women's Club
Past presidents of the Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club, in attendance at the event.
Wellesley Hills Junior Women's Club
Gala co-chairs Catherine Cerio and Marjorie Lacallaide, in front of welcome sign decorated by Carol Hudson Designs
Wellesley Hills Junior Women's Club
The live auction portion of the event heats up.
Wellesley Hills Junior Women's Club
So many Juniors…
Wellesley Hills Junior Women's Club
…even more Juniors.

Wellesley Gardeners’ Guild to get shady at meeting

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Wellesley Gardeners' GuildThe Wellesley Gardeners’ Guild will host a program entitled Designing Shady Retreats by Joan Butler and Jana Milbocker of Enchanted Gardens on Wednesday, March 13 at 10am at the Wellesley Community Center, 219 Washington Street. Community members are invited to join the club for coffee at 9:30am, followed by the program at 10am. In this richly illustrated lecture, Joan and Jana will explore a variety of intriguing gardens that will inspire you to create your own shady retreats. They will show you design tricks and strategies to light up shady corners, highlight unusual plants that thrive in low-light conditions, and illustrate the creative use of art objects, seating and water features.

Joan and Jana are avid gardeners, plant collectors, garden designers and writers. Their lectures combine horticulture and garden design to educate, inspire and delight both new and seasoned gardeners. They are past presidents of the Holliston Garden Club and active in the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts and other horticultural societies.