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Write Ahead, Wellesley

Get your Wellesley Thanksgiving dinner delivered by Feast & Fettle

November 14, 2023 by admin Leave a Comment

SPONSORED POST: This Thanksgiving, skip the lines for frozen birds and last-minute cranberries. Leave the cooking to top-rated meal-delivery service Feast & Fettle—and maybe donate a holiday meal or two while you’re at it.

Awarded “Best Meal-Delivery Service” by Boston Magazine for the second year running, F&F has made a name for itself among its devoted member base for providing fresh, locally-prepared, seasonal options that hit home. Aside from Greater Boston, this Rhode Island-based company serves most of New England. So if the holiday brings you to a neighboring state, be sure to check your travel zip to see if their in-house delivery team will do a drop-off for you anyway.

Feast & Fettle
Feast & Fettle’s fully prepared classics are a Wellesley Thanksgiving tradition.

Because you won’t want to miss out on this Thanksgiving Menu. Entrées include classics like Herb Turkey Breast with Gravy, Brown Sugar-Glazed Ham, and a Pumpkin Gnocchi Bake. You’ll also spot must-have sides—like Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Acorn Squash with Maple Sea Salt Butter, and Herb Sourdough Stuffing—plus an array of inordinately delicious-sounding pies (there’s streusel, there’s Bourbon…go see). 

To share some of that tastiness with those in need, scroll all the way down to the bottom of the menu to find individual meal donations. Anything you give will be distributed to Boston’s Pine Street Inn, where folks experiencing houselessness can enjoy a hearty holiday meal of turkey or ham, mashed potatoes, and roasted carrots.

Get $10 off your order with code SWELLESLEY. Just be sure to place your order by 4pm, November 18, to get your feast delivered on Nov. 22. Click here for the full menu.

Filed Under: Entertainment, Food, Holidays

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YMCA Needham

Last chance for Wellesley Rotary Club’s “Dinner On Us” Sweepstakes

November 10, 2023 by admin Leave a Comment

SPONSORED CONTENT: Time is running out for the chance to enter for a chance to win a Wellesley Rotary Club’s 3rd annual “Dinner On Us” Sweepstakes prize. The Wellesley Rotary Club has purchased gift cards from 50 Wellesley restaurants, and many restaurants donated gift card prizes of $100, $50, and $25. So now it’s your turn to step up and win–donate by Nov. 12, 2023 at 11:59pm for chances to win big.

Wellesley Rotary Club

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 2nd PRIZE—$1,500
Winner takes all $50 gift cards to 30 Wellesley restaurants

INCREDIBLE 3rd THROUGH 6th PRIZES—$450
Winners get all $25 gift cards to enjoy Wellesley’s pizza and coffee shops!

AWESOME 7th AND 8th PRIZES—$150
Winners get 2 tickets to the 2023 Taste of Wellesley!

Why enter the Sweepstakes?

In our own backyard, there are individuals and families facing the harsh reality of food insecurity, unsure of where their next meal will come from. It’s a challenge that touches lives right here in Wellesley, and it’s up to us to step forward and make a difference.

FUNDRAISER: “Dinner On Us” Sweepstakes
DONATION: $20 and up. Get entries here.
DONATION DEADLINE: November 12, 2023 at 11:59pm
DRAWING: November 14, 2023 at 6:59pm

Filed Under: Clubs, Food, Volunteering

Page Waterman, Wellesley
London Harness, Wellesley
MassHort, Festival of Trees, Wellesley

A comeback plan emerges for Wellesley senior center’s kitchen

October 28, 2023 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

The town this week revealed that upgrading the underused kitchen for seniors at the Tolles Parsons Center could be less complicated than anticipated. The kitchen has had serious shortcomings since the senior center opened in 2017, as it has commercial-grade appliances but fails to meet town standards to operate for activities such as serving meals made on site and offering cooking classes or demonstrations.

The ability to offer food service to the senior community is seen as being important both nutritionally and socially.

Wellesley Facilities Director Joe McDonough and associates within and outside his organization summed up results of a $25,000 study about upgrading the kitchen during a joint meeting of the Select Board and Council on Aging this week (see start of Wellesley Media recording).

“The results of the study are very favorable… the proposed scope of the kitchen renovation you’re going to see is much more modest than we thought it might be early on,” McDonough said, referring to concerns about whether the existing building footprint, utilities, and equipment would enable a proper working kitchen for the Council on Aging.

pot wash sink at COA
Pot wash sink at Tolles Parsons Center

The kitchen study done by partner Crabtree McGrath Associates, which designed the $4M Wellesley Middle School kitchen not long ago, addressed both the physical requirements of the Tolles Parsons kitchen as well as management and operational requirements that the facility will need to address in order to pass Health Department and health code muster.

The COA will need to hire a Serve Safe-certified kitchen manager or hire an organization to operate it. Fortunately, the finishes and equipment in the kitchen is still in good shape, per the study. But the setup will require changes: For example, the three-compartment wash sink is too close to the cooking area to satisfy cross-contamination prevention rules, and a dry storage area will be needed. Crabtree McGrath’s work on this puzzle included recommendations for rearranging some existing gear and the addition of other equipment, such as another hand sink in a key location. Electrical and plumbing reconfigurations will also be required, too.

Original design and construction of the kitchen failed to include adequate Health Department involvement, and certain decisions were made “in a vacuum” during construction that led to issues such as a required dry storage area for food being used instead as an electrical closet, said John Sousa, president of Crabtree McGrath. His firm brought in an architect to ensure that any changes planned for the kitchen wouldn’t mess up other code requirements, such as location of electrical and fire alarm panels.

The COA asked Wellesley’s Facilities Management Department in early 2022 to look at what steps would be needed to get the kitchen into commercial operating condition, and $25K was requested in the fiscal year ’23 cash capital budget. With positive results coming from that study, McDonough said he’s making a $60K request for design and bidding work in the FY25 cash capital budget, and putting in a request for a $400,000 placeholder in the FY26 budget for the construction phase. So yes, we’re talking about the revamped kitchen still being a ways out.


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In the meantime, there’s plenty of work to be done, including development of a plan for kitchen management. Deborah Greenwood, director of senior services at the COA, said consideration has been given to using the same company that runs the food service for Wellesley Public Schools, or possibly bringing in a catering vendor that could operate the kitchen for the COA and possibly its own business. Currently, the COA partners with local restaurants who prep food off-site that can be warmed up on site.

Kathleen Vogel from the COA board of directors said she’s excited that the upgrade looks to be less daunting than expected. “We’re really excited about the idea of having food service, food programming and classes, whatever it is that our seniors are asking for…”


Download (PDF, Unknown)

Filed Under: Food, Seniors

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Wellesley restaurants—over 50 dining options

October 27, 2023 by admin Leave a Comment

Wellesley Rotary ClubThanks to the Wellesley Rotary Club for sponsoring our swell restaurants page.

The Rotarians are at it again, fundraising to fight food insecurity. Help them out by entering for a chance to win a Wellesley Rotary Club’s 3rd annual “Dinner On Us” Sweepstakes prize. The Wellesley Rotary Club has purchased gift cards from 50 Wellesley restaurants, and many restaurants donated gift card prizes of $100, $50, and $25. So now it’s your turn to step up and win–donate by Nov. 12, 2023 at 11:59pm for chances to win big.

More information here on prizes from the Absurd Grand Prize (winner takes all $100 gift cards to 30 Wellesley restaurants); the Ridiculous 2nd prize (winner takes all $50 gift cards to 30 Wellesley restaurants); and more.

 

 

Filed Under: Charity/Fundraising, Clubs, Food, Volunteering

The Cashmere Sale, Wellesley

Wellesley Health Dept. must be very proud of Warren Building snackers

October 14, 2023 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

We noticed while at the Warren Building this week for the well-run Wellesley Health Dept. flu clinic—a who’s who of patients, personnel, and volunteers—that “healthy choice snacks” were kicking the butts of “regular snacks” in the vending machines.

Or maybe the healthy snacks machine just doesn’t get filled, but we’re going with it…

Healthy Choice Snacks vending machine at rec buildingsnack vending machine at rec building


See something? Send something: theswellesleyreport@gmail.com

Filed Under: Food

Fran's Flowers

Wellesley Food Pantry needs your help for a successful fundraiser

September 21, 2023 by admin Leave a Comment

The Wellesley Food Pantry (WFP) is participating in Three Squares New England’s Ride for Food on Oct. 1.  This event is the largest fundraising opportunity of the year.  The Wellesley Food Pantry has not had a fundraiser since before COVID, but now they are asking for your support in order to continue to provide supplemental and emergency food assistance to Wellesley residents in need.

Wellesley Food Pantry
Wellesley Food Pantry’s Ride for Food team, 2017

The Food Pantry has a team of 5 Wellesley residents who are riding to raise funds for the pantry, and now they need your support with a donation. Please consider donating to one of the riders by clicking on their page and making a donation of your choice.

Presenting the Wellesley Food Pantry Ride for Food Team

Liz Grover Harrington
https://ride.threesquaresne.org/fundraiser/4829251

Terry Moy
https://ride.threesquaresne.org/fundraiser/4916471

Peter Lull
https://ride.threesquaresne.org/fundraiser/4724689

Elizabeth Cook
https://ride.threesquaresne.org/fundraiser/4813912

Kelty White
https://ride.threesquaresne.org/fundraiser/4933700

The Food Pantry welcomes more individuals to join their team.  Participants choose to ride 25 or 50 miles, complete a 5-mile walk, or create your own virtual fundraising event. To register click here WFP Team Page  to join the team.

On a mission

To fulfill the Wellesley Food Pantry’s mission of offering healthy, high-quality food choices, the volunteer organization spends thousands of dollars each month to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables, meats and fish, eggs, cheese, and more.

“Our donations are down significantly while prices have risen dramatically so we have had to cut back on purchases of fresh produce, which we prioritize to provide healthy food options,” Wellesley Food Pantry president Peter Lull said. “We also have seen an increase in the need for our service, with nearly 40% of our clients in the senior category, which is a bit distressing.”

Filed Under: Charity/Fundraising, Food, Health

Tickets available now for Wellesley Rotary’s “Dinner on Us” fundraiser

September 11, 2023 by admin Leave a Comment

The Wellesley Rotary Club’s “Dinner on Us” annual fundraiser is aiming to raise major funds 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.
Rotary Club, Wellesley

“Dinner on Us” tickets are available until November 3—every entry bought helps end food insecurity in Wellesley.

The drawing will take place on Nov. 14, 2023.

Participating restaurants

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Charity/Fundraising, Food

A-maize-ing discovery along Wellesley railroad tracks

August 26, 2023 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

A reader shared photos with us this week of more than a dozen corn stalks growing near the railroad tracks behind 141 Linden St. (Not recommending that you venture back there… just enjoy the pictures.)

“I actually think these are self-seeded, as I frequently see corn cobs around the tracks, presumably carried there by critters after foraging in restaurant dumpsters,” the reader wrote. “I don’t believe the corn is edible, but it’s a nice sign once again, that nature abhors a vacuum.”

corn

corn  corn


We can use all the eyes and EARS we can get: Feel free to share photos and other tips at theswellesleyreport@gmail.com

Filed Under: Food

Public welcome at Wellesley Gateway office park cafeterias

August 24, 2023 by Bella Gonzalez 1 Comment

Wellesley’s Park 9 Complex has been redesigned to best accommodate both its employees and residents looking for a place to get work done, which includes a cafeteria with a digital ordering service.

Located off of Routes 9 and 95, the campus, which will soon be renamed Wellesley Gateway South, features four buildings, as well as outdoor space. Wellesley Gateway North is a near identical space just across the street.

“There’s a walking trail that loops around both properties,” said David Tinory, Beacon Capital’s Asset Manager, noting that Wellesley residents can find much more than a quiet booth and a delicious lunch at the complex.

Both campuses have a generous amount of space and great amenities, including indoor and outdoor seating and WiFi connectivity throughout.

Perhaps the most exciting update is that both Wellesley Gateways are now home to state-of-the-art cafeterias operated by Craft Food Halls.

Park 9 cafeteria

The menu features many made-to-order meals such as sandwiches and some à la carte options, all of which are ordered digitally instead of face-to-face, making the process “as seamless and efficient as possible,” according to Tinory. 

I met Swellesley editor Bob Brown at the complex for lunch. I built my sandwich and placed the order through the Toast app, while Bob used a physical kiosk to order his. One thing he liked, being a picky eater, was the ability to emphasize that no condiments should go on the sandwich.

The July Thursday we went there proved to be pretty quiet, though neither of us were able to get a strong WiFi connection on our laptops. 

Currently, the team behind the redesign is working to balance new menu items with longtime fan favorites, such as an omelet station in the mornings, and is hoping to keep faithful customers coming back despite changes to the ordering system. 

“We’re looking at actually trying to bring in some of those older ways of operation to these newer ways of doing it,” said Tinory, “because there’s a decent amount of people who enjoy being in a line and placing [orders] to a person.”

Park 9 cafeteria

In addition to the new ordering system, one of Craft’s three brands at the location, Sousviderie, uses the Sous Vide technique in the kitchen, cooking with higher water temperatures to enhance the flavors. 

The company operates two other brands—Vessel and Project X—creating a menu with a diverse array of cuisines, one of the most popular options being Mexican food.

“It’s to the level that you would go out on a weekend to a Boston taqueria,” according to Tinory, “that’s the experience they’re getting at lunch.”

Wellesley Gateway South and North are open to the public Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Park 9 outdoor seating
Outdoor seating at Wellesley Gateway South

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Filed Under: Food, Restaurants

Roll with the Wellesley Food Pantry “Ride for Food” team—sign up now

August 8, 2023 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

The Wellesley Food Pantry will participate in 12th annual Three Squares New England’s Ride for Food on Sunday, October 1, at Noble & Greenough School in Dedham. The Food Pantry needs riders (or walkers) to sign up and help make this event a huge success.

Wellesley Food Pantry's participation in the Ride for Food
Wellesley Food Pantry’s Ride for Food team, 2017

The ride is for all levels and abilities. Riders must be 14 years of age or older. Participants may ride 25 or 50 miles; complete a 5-mile walk; or create their own virtual fundraising event. Light breakfast items, coffee, and snacks will be on hand at the starting point, along with water stops along the route. After the ride there will be a celebratory event at Noble & Greenough complete with food trucks, music, and fun for everyone.

The Food Pantry’s goal for this largest fundraising opportunity of the year is to raise $20K to support its 400+ Wellesley clients in need. Each event participant is required to set a minimum fundraising goal of $350. Organizers report that historically the average raised by individuals is $1,000. All participants who raise $1,250 will receive a unique bike jersey, designed by a young local artist. For the non-cyclists who hit that fundraising goal, there will be a fun and fashionable alternative to the jersey.

On a mission

To fulfill the Wellesley Food Pantry’s mission of offering healthy, high-quality food choices, the volunteer organization spends thousands of dollars each month to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables, meats and fish, eggs, cheese, and more.

As inflation has risen, so have costs. Many of the Pantry’s clients are children, and nearly 40% of clients are seniors (aged 65+).

REGISTER for the Ride for Food and fundraise for the Wellesley Food Pantry Team.

DONATE to the Wellesley Food Pantry team.

QUESTIONS: contact manager@wellesleyfoodpantry.org

Filed Under: Charity/Fundraising, Food, Volunteering

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