More than you really want to know about Wellesley, Mass.
Babson College was a good neighbor to Wellesley this year, allowing Wellesley High’s Class of 2020 to stage the start of its graduation parade there, and allowing voters to use its sports center in June.
The campus is off-limits to the general public now though, as Babson focuses on keeping students and staff safe during the pandemic.
Here’s the view from the periphery.
As we head into the expected surge period for COVID-19, Wellesley residents and businesses continue to adjust. With confirmed Wellesley COVID-19 cases steadily climbing (up to 43 entering the weekend), the practice of mask and glove wearing has started to take hold in town among those out shopping as well as those just walking or running in less crowded areas.
Holiday food shopping has led to full parking lots and long lines at local grocery stores, but praise continues for those working at these retailers as they seek to practice social distancing while moving people along.
The Captain Marden’s crew also is adhering to strict safety measures while providing assistance to customers.
With local fields still closed…
…More people headed to other local open space. But that openness become a bit less so as crowds ventured out in the relatively nice weekend weather at spots such as Longfellow Pond, which had a full parking lot on Saturday afternoon (thanks to reader MT for sharing this photo).
It would have been a nice opening weekend for golf at Wellesley Country Club, but not yet.
Nearby at Babson College, it was the flags that were missing from Kerry Murphy Healey Park
Meanwhile, a twist on a birthday party where revelers needed to keep their distance (thanks to reader BN for sharing).
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Dozens of colleges across the country have responded to coronavirus concerns by trading in classroom instruction for online learning, or by taking even stronger measures by requiring students to move out of dormitories. The three colleges located in Wellesley — Wellesley College, Babson College, and MassBay — have put forth three markedly different responses to what the Centers for Disease Control calls an “emerging, rapidly evolving situation.”
Wellesley College says it so far “has not yet made a decision to do remote instruction at Wellesley, but we are giving that option serious consideration and will make a decision by the end of this week” in response to coronavirus concerns. Students have not been asked to leave school.
The College has, however, decided to temporarily suspend access to events for visitors from outside the Wellesley College community. The Carillon Open Tower (March 12) and the Midday Muse (March 19) have been cancelled. As of now, later events such as concerts and recitals will take place as scheduled, but only Wellesley College students, faculty, and staff may attend (with College ID).
MassBay also continues to hold classes at its Wellesley location, as well as its Ashland and Framingham campuses, and says it is “actively monitoring the global, national and regional news and information around the COVID-19 disease. There have been no reported cases of COVID-19 among our students, faculty, or staff” as of March 10th. Students commute to the state school campuses, which do not have dormitories.
The Wellesley Symphony Orchestra, in residence at MassBay, has pushed off its family concert scheduled for Sunday, March 15. The orchestra hopes to reschedule the event.
As we reported yesterday, Babson College in Wellesley has announced that all students must be out of residence halls by March 21, and that all classes will transition to fully online by March 13 and will remain online through the end of Spring semester.
Babson College in Wellesley has announced that “as a proactive measure against the spread of COVID-19, Babson College will transition all classes fully online beginning Friday, March 13 and will remain online through the end of the Spring semester.”
According to Babson, “Students will be able to meet academic requirements remotely. We are requiring students to move out of their residence halls by March 21. We acknowledge that this is a challenge for all, and recognize that some students will need to remain in campus housing due to travel or other unique circumstances. More specific information and guidance will be communicated tomorrow.”
Babson hopes to be able to hold commencement in the spring.
Colleges have been announcing drastic measures left and right this week due to coronavirus concerns, with MIT nixing classes next week and going online only March 30, Harvard requiring students to move out within the week, and other schools making moves as well.
More: Latest Wellesley events canceled or postponed due to coronavirus concerns
Here’s a round-up of what a couple of Wellesley theater groups are up to:
Wellesley Repertory Theatre, the award-winning professional theatre company in residence on the Wellesley College campus since 1998, will bring playwright Peter Sinn Nachtrieb’s boom to the Ruth Nagel Jones Theatre at Wellesley College on January 16 — February 9, 2020.
At an evolutionary museum far in the future, a curator tells the story of two present-day people on a first date interrupted by a comet hitting the Earth, with globally catastrophic repercussions. This couple soon finds themselves as the last two people on the planet; the fate of humanity suddenly lands on their shoulders as they realize they could be the new Adam and Eve. Spanning billions of years, boom riotously looks at the depths of humanity – what we want from one another, how we take care of each other, and how our stories become important.
Wellesley Theatre Project‘s (WTP) audition-only touring group, IMPACT! will attend the Junior Theatre Festival January 17 – 19 in Atlanta Georgia as the only group from Massachusetts, along with 6,000 others performing artists representing 129 groups, 31 states, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. WTP will present a selection from Disney’s The Little Mermaid.
At the festival, youth theatre companies perform 15-minute staged selections from titles in musical licensor Music Theatre International’s Broadway Junior collection for adjudication, after which students attend interactive workshops. Students interested in technical theatre can participate in the tech track, which includes the opportunity to work alongside industry professionals backstage for the festival’s main stage events.
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The Wellesley Club will welcome guest speaker Dr. Stephen Spinelli, Jr. to its January 13, 2020 meeting at the Wellesley College Club. Dr. Spinelli, Babson College’s 14th president, assumed his new role in July 2019. A successful entrepreneur, academic leader, scholar, and philanthropist, Dr. Spinelli co-founded Jiffy Lube International in 1979 and was chairman and CEO of the American Oil Change Corporation, helping to pioneer the quick-lube industry nationwide and turning Jiffy Lube into the nation’s dominant competitor.
MEETING LOCATION: Wellesley Country Club, 300 Wellesley Ave.
DATE: Jan. 13, 2020
SOCIAL HOUR: 6pm
DINNER: 7pm
The Wellesley Club is the oldest civic organization in Wellesley, having been established 130 years ago in 1889, and has been influential in the development of the Town. The Club’s mission is to promote literary and social culture among its members, with a focus on discussions relating to the welfare of the Town of Wellesley. The Club provides a forum for public discussion of
pertinent topics and an opportunity to meet and discuss a wide range of issues. Town residents with an interest in the Club should contact Club Secretary, Peter Cory at [email protected]
Snow and ice will be here soon as Wellesley Theatre Project (WTP) presents Disney’s FROZEN, JR Friday, December 13th at 5pm and 8pm and Saturday, December 14th and Sunday, December 15th at 2pm and 5pm. All performances will take place at the Sorenson Center at Babson College, located at 19 Babson College Drive, Wellesley, MA 02482. Tickets are priced $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors, and may be purchased online at http://wellesleytheatreproject.org in advance, or at the door for $18 for adults and $12 for students and seniors.
Based on the 2018 Broadway musical and the 2013 Disney film, Disney’s FROZEN, JR brings Elsa, Anna, and the magical land of Arendelle to life, onstage. A story of true love and acceptance between sisters. When faced with danger, Princesses Anna and Elsa discover their hidden potential and the powerful bond of sisterhood. With a cast of beloved characters and loaded with magic, adventure, and plenty of humor, it is sure to thaw even the coldest heart!
