Wellesley Food Pantry moving to temporary summer location

May 25, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

The Wellesley Food Pantry will spend the summer at the Unitarian Universalist Society (UU), 309 Washington St., while the Wellesley Hills Congregational Church, the pantry’s permanent home, undergoes renovations. The pantry will be ready to open on Monday, June 1. The pantry’s morning hours will not change. Curbside donations will remain Mondays, 8:30am – 10:30am (look for curbside bins at the UU’s west entrance). Also look for the designated donation bins at Roche Bros. and Whole Foods.

The pantry’s food distribution hours will remain Tuesdays from 9am – 11am.

Food Pantry, UU Wellesley — The Wellesley Food Pantry’s summer location at UU Wellesley. Photo credit, Peter Lull

The pantry will not have evening hours during the summer. Clients who need special accommodations should contact the pantry at [email protected]wellesleyfoodpantry.org to discuss options.

Curbside pick-up or delivery (only if unable to pick up) is available to clients who call or email to fill out shopping forms by the prior Friday.

Please follow all local and state health guidance including wearing masks and maintaining proper physical distances from other (6 feet of space). All clients, staff and vendors should enter and depart through the door on west side of building. Parking is restricted to the west side of the building, and the driveway circles around the church to exit. Look for the signage.

Donations wish list

The pantry is accepting donations but for now would like only items on the wish list due to limited storage capacity. Here’s the list:
[Read more…]

Feast & Fettle offers special Mother’s Day deliveries for Wellesley residents

May 5, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

SPONSORED POST: For everything she does, Mom deserves only the best for Mother’s Day.

Given that we’ll all be stuck at home this year, finding the perfect gift while minimizing trips to the store poses a unique challenge.

Feast & Fettle, Mother's Day

Feast & Fettle, a top-rated local meal delivery service, is offering special Mother’s Day deliveries to help local residents.

Their service offers bundles of Local Flowers, Seven Stars Bakery Berry Muffins, Aura’s Chocolate, New Harvest Coffee and more, available for delivery in Wellesley and its surrounding towns. All deliveries will be made May 10th, from 9am – 10am.

The one-time menu even features an “essentials” bundle, which comes with flowers, handmade bread, local eggs, and milk.

A subscription to the service is not required to order, and the order deadline is Thursday, May 7th, at noon. Here’s a link to Feast & Fettle’s full menu and everything you need to know about how to place your Mother’s Day order.

How to make Mother’s Day special:

Mother’s Day Local Flowers & Chocolate Bundle

Mother’s Day Local Flowers & Muffins Bundle

Mother’s Day Local Flowers & Kitchen Staples Bundle

Mother’s Day Local Flowers, Muffins & Coffee Bundle

Mother’s Day Local Flowers & Single Tier 1 Gift

Mother’s Day Local Flowers & Couples Tier 1 Gift”

Where was your most recent sit-down restaurant meal in Wellesley?

April 29, 2020 by Deborah Brown 1 Comment

Door No. 7, Wellesley — Door No. 7 in Linden Square: Hopefully its doors will re-open soon

We fondly remember those days when we’d lazily discuss where to get dinner in Wellesley, pick a place, and simply enjoy, perhaps with friends and family. Wait staff would bring our food, take away the dishes, and manage all clean-up. Those were the days.

It got me thinking, when was the last time I went AWOL from the kitchen and enjoyed a leisurely meal out? I asked a few Wellesley folks to reminisce about the good old days. The question: Where was your most recent restaurant meal in Wellesley?

Who: Mary Bowers, active with the Wellesley Council on Aging, namesake of the Mary Bowers Cafe and Lounge at the Tolls Parsons Center, mom of three (two daughters and a son), and Wellesley High School graduate.

Most recent sit-down restaurant meal: Mark’s Pizza & Subs, 10B Washington St.

Mary says, “My son was down from New Hampshire. He was on business at Hanscom Field. He called me up and said, ‘Hey, let’s go out for pizza.’ We went to Mark’s and had hot and spicy chicken fingers and pizza with peppers and onions. We washed it down with cold drinks.”

Due to COVID-19, Mary is now confined to the grounds of Waterstone at Wellesley, like the rest of the residents at the 134-apartment independent and assisted living facility in Wellesley Hills. “They just said they don’t even want us going over to CVS at this point,” she said.

Who: Veronica Sagherian, owner of Impulse in Linden Square

Most recent sit-down restaurant meal: Door No. 7, Linden Square

Veronica joined a friend over at the bar for drinks and appetizers after work one evening. “It was a couple of weeks before everything shut down and it was still normal to just go out,” she says. “We had crispy cauliflower, which they do nice and light, and I remember we had some type of taco. For a cocktail, the bartender made me a Blind Tiger. It had grapefruit, tarragon infused mezcal, spicy habanero agave, and there was salt on the rim, kind of like a margarita. It was great.

“I really miss my normal, everyday life,” Veronica sighed. “On the plus side, we’ve upped our online game at Impulse, and we do free curbside delivery now.”

Who: Beth Sullivan Woods, Board of Selectmen

Most recent sit-down restaurant meal: Maugus Restaurant, 300 Washington St.

Beth and her family went to their favorite family gathering spot, the Maugus. “For us, that’s kind of a touchstone. Our son (Wellesley HS student Jimmy Woods), loves it. He loves their hot dogs, french fries, and root beer. I do make hot dogs at home for him, but somehow my hot dogs are never as good. We’ve been going there forever. It’s comfortable, easy, and consistent. My husband Gary always brings his newspaper and then leaves it behind for the next person. He gets the open-faced turkey sandwich. I get the grilled cheese and tomato on whole wheat with a side of onion rings.”

Who: John Adams, Wellesley Rotary Club member

Most recent sit-down restaurant meal: Alta Strada in Wellesley Square

John and family members went to Alta Strada to celebrate the birth of John’s first grandchild, Carter John.

“We went to Alta Strada, and it was a lot of fun. It was a festive occasion because my grandson had just been born two days earlier on February 18th. At this point, there was a little bit of knowledge and worry about the virus, but restaurants were still open. We had a nice time. I had a pasta dish, ravioli. It was delicious. All around us were families with kids. It wasn’t super-crowded but there were families having a night out. My grandson lives in Wellesley, too, so I’ll get to see a lot of him.”

Who: Demian Wendrow, owner of London Harness in Wellesley Square

Most recent sit-down restaurant meal: Door No. 7 in Linden Square

This one is definitely cute. Demian Wendrow and his wife Amy, the team behind London Harness, went to Door No. 7 to celebrate Valentine’s Day. “It was our first time there,” Demian says, “and Amy and I though it was very good. We shared the shrimp cocktail and the brisket wontons. I had their special steal filet, and Amy had their pan-roasted chicken breast. Their cocktails are amazing. We had a nice time and really enjoyed the atmosphere.”

Glamorous Valentine’s Day celebrations are long behind them as they help their first-grade daughter Madison with her online learning. “Amy’s mother has been staying with us for the past six weeks, and she was a teacher so that’s been great.”

Who: Tory DeFazio, Celebrations Committee volunteer for Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend

Most recent sit-down restaurant meal: Captain Marden’s on Linden St.

Tory knew right off the bat where he’d last eaten in town. “This one’s easy, because we had family visiting so I can even remember the date — Monday, February 17th, and we went to Captain Marden’s. I had what I love there, which was the lobster roll. The whole lunch there was very nice. It was a busy lunch hour and a crowd was there, but we could still hear each other talk.”

Although Tory’s commercial printing business, Windsor Press, is closed for now, he’s been making good use of his time. “I’ve been going through things and shredding my past,” he laughed. What we wouldn’t give to get our hands on those incriminating documents.

Who: Deborah Brown, co-editor of The Swellesley Report

Most recent sit-down restaurant meal: Smith & Wollensky in Church Square

Swellesley was in need of someone on the college admissions beat who could write an occasional column on topics like standardized tests and campus visits. I had found someone who seemed willing, so we went to lunch to figure things out. What we didn’t discuss at Smith & Wollensky, but what she ended up writing about: college admissions during a time of contagion.

“It’s really just a bad flu,” our server assured us. Martha and I exchanged glances, but didn’t pursue the matter. A week later, fine dining with white tablecloths and soft background music was a thing of the past.

But lunch was fabulous. I had the Caesar salad topped with grilled shrimp. My dining companion had the Broken Wedge salad with red wine vinaigrette, bleu cheese crumbles, red onion, heirloom tomatoes, and bacon.

If knew then what I know now, I would have added on a bottle of champagne, a dozen oysters, and one of those chocolate desserts restaurants always call “sinful.”

How about YOU?

Use the comments sections below to tell us all about your most recent sit-down restaurant meal in Wellesley. Or go over to the Swellesley Facebook page and let us know there. Remember to like and follow us on Facebook while you’re there. We’re pretty close to 6k followers. Maybe you’ll be the one to push us over that benchmark. Thank you!

Wellesley restaurants offering take-out and delivery

Pouring it on at Wellesley Food Pantry

April 28, 2020 by Bob Brown 2 Comments

Wellesley Food Pantry has changed many of its procedures in light of the coronavirus crisis, but is still providing services to those in need.

If you require food pantry assistance, please check out new ways of ordering and receiving items from the pantry.

Food and financial contributions continue to stream in, though there remains a need for certain items that you can check for at the pantry’s website.

wellesley food pantry — Wellesley food pantry donators aren’t afraid of a little rain (thanks to reader, and food pantry contributor, Beth Nast for sharing)

Wellesley COVID-19 update: Schools closed for rest of school year; cases spike by 40%; pollen’s here; smiley neighborhood cookies; endless dump line

April 21, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

Gov. Charlie Baker on Tuesday ordered all public and private schools in the state closed for the remainder of the school year due to COVID-19 concerns. That should make Tuesday night’s Wellesley School Committee meeting extra interesting.

Cases spike by 40%

Wellesley had a relatively quiet weekend on the COVID-19 front according to the Monday, April 20 report, with the number of cases rising from 84 on Friday to 87 as of Monday night. But the case numbers rose dramatically by Tuesday to 122 following widespread testing at local longterm are facilities. The state’s COVID-19 dashboard shows between 10-30 confirmed cases at Elizabeth Seton Residence, which tested residents and staff, regardless of whether they were symptomatic.

Elizabeth Seton Residence posted on its Facebook page that: “We tested all residents Friday and learned that most with symptoms did indeed test positive, while a number of residents who are not currently showing any symptoms also tested positive. This information was very helpful, as we have been able to further separate those who tested negative from those who may have no symptoms, but are positive. All those testing positive are being monitored very carefully, and tended by staff in full protective gear. We are focused on maintaining comfort, providing supportive care, and managing symptoms to give our residents the best chance for their bodies to fight this virus. We appreciate your words of support, kindness, and prayer.”

Separately, and before the latest numbers were released, Wellesley Communications and Project Manager Stephanie Hawkinson answered a few questions for us based on an inquiry from a reader over the weekend about the town’s process for reporting (or not reporting) on COVID-19 cases.

The town assembles its daily reports with input from the Health Department and all other town departments and boards. There’s a daily 4pm meeting when the Massachusetts Department of Public Health case numbers are shared and other news to be disseminated to the public is discussed. “Most of us are working remotely but are in touch throughout the day as we conduct Town business, hold virtual meetings, develop new programs to support the community, and generally keep the Town running. I continually draft and update information on the Town website, the Coronavirus Information Hub, social media, and news releases. We all also monitor the information from the Governor, the State Legislature and surrounding Towns to make sure what we’re providing to Wellesley residents is as up-to-date as possible,” Hawkinson says.

The town had been issuing updates 7 days a week at the start of the crisis but has scaled that back to weekdays unless something significant happens locally over the weekend. This is a common practice for local communities, which generally only have 1 communications person (if any).

The Town does not report on deaths. Following guidance from Mass DPH, the state reports fatalities by county only to help protect privacy. Other communities, such as Natick, are reporting deaths. The town has been shaken by 17 deaths at the Mary Ann Morse Healthcare Center, whose CEO has been providing public updates.

The state is now sharing numbers on suspected and confirmed cases by hospital and by confirmed cases at nursing homes.

Pollen’s here

Sure, nature’s beautiful, blah, blah, blah. But not this vernal pool coated with pollen. That’s just bad news for allergy sufferers.

vernal pool pollen — Courtesy of reader PC

Complicating COVID-19 self-diagnosis is the arrival of spring allergy season. The itchy eyes, nose etc., are more likely a sign of allergies than COVID-19, but consult symptom checkers and your physician if unsure.

Smiley neighborhood cookies

Our neighborhood’s great, but clearly needs to step up.

Wellesley’s Karen Griffith and friend Alison shared a surprise gift in Wellesley’s “Historic Triangle” neighborhood.

“We’re a close-knit group that are truly ‘neighbors’ to each other and I thought this would put a smile on their faces during this time,” Griffith says. “We get together for birthdays, graduations and New Year’s Eve and I always bring my cookies! I teamed up with my friend Alison who has an Etsy shop making these cards and prints (@alisonrosevintage). She custom made the ‘neighbor’ card for me to include with my cookie gifts.”

Endless dump line

The line of cars heading into the Wellesley Recycling & Disposal Facility on Tuesday morning, the day after 2 days of the RDF being closed, reached epic proportions. Past the Brook Street intersection.

Credit to Mrs. Swellesley, who on Monday night recommended that the Swellesley Jrs. wait until after today to bring our stuff. The RDF recently put in new social distancing rules that limit the number of vehicles at the dump and separate the ones that are in there.

Share your good, bad or ugly COVID-19-related news: [email protected] What’s really going on out there?

Wellesley Rotary aims to raise $200K for local restaurants

April 15, 2020 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Under normal circumstances, we’d be just a month away from the Rotary Club of Wellesley‘s annual Taste of Wellesley, an event at Elm Bank Reservation that highlights local restaurant offerings and raises funds for charitable causes such as food insecurity. This year’s event has been scrapped due to the coronavirus crisis, but filling the void is a crowdfunding initiative to benefit local restaurants and healthcare workers.

A goal of raising $200,000 has been set. Money would be divvied up among 14 restaurants, which would commit to delivering 600 meals apiece over a 3-week span to 20 area hospitals. The effort would not only benefit the restaurants, but their suppliers.

The Rotary states on the fundraising page: “Over the past three years participating restaurants have helped the club raise over $78,000 for the Rotary Club of Wellesley Foundation. Now they are struggling with the COVID-19 restrictions and it is time to help them recover and feed the front line workers in the war versus COVID-19.”

The Rotary hopes to attract individual and corporate donations.

Meanwhile, you can save this date for the next Taste of Wellesley: May 13, 2021.

More: Wellesley restaurants offering take-out and delivery

Happy Passover, Wellesley

April 8, 2020 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Passover starts today at sundown to commemorate the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery. The holiday is traditionally a festive and social spring-time ritual which lasts for seven days. All that is still true, coronavirus or not, except the social component will be handled differently this year. Synagogues including Temple Beth Elohim in Wellesley are celebrating Passover Seder with their members online as they carry on the ancient traditions — even finding the afikomen.

Wellesley Passover 2020 — Roche Bros. in Linden Square has a special area set up for their customers who have ordered their holiday meal.