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MLK Day 2021 events schedule—Wellesley, Massachusetts

January 17, 2021 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

World of WellesleyMLK Day, World of Wellesley invites everyone to its Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day community events, which will this year take place virtually on Monday, Jan. 18.

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee will use the pandemic as an opportunity to bring the community together to not only talk about the phenomenal legacy of Dr. King, but to also engage in a series of virtual events focused on “Good Trouble: More Than Just a Day—A Call to Action.”

Schedule of Jan. 18, 2021 MLK Day events:

Good Trouble Virtual “Breakfast:” 8:30am – 10am

Good Trouble: Art Workshop,  Grades K-7, 12:30 – 1:30pm
Student art will later be displayed at the Wellesley Public Library.

Good Trouble: Book Group, Grades 8-12 – 1:30pm – 2:30pm
Book groups will be facilitated by Wellesley Public School Students and focus on a short piece from Sterling Hayden’s Wanderer.

Family Story Time: Family event – all ages 2:30pm – 3:10pm
Children and families are invited to listen together to the story of Vitamin D and Me – How Humans Outsmarted the Sun, an amazing story of how and why human beings have different color skin tones.

Register for events here.

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Martin Luther King Jr. Day, 2020

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Filed Under: Education, Embracing diversity, History, Volunteering

Linden Square, Wellesley
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Wellesley Square clock is alive and ticking

January 12, 2021 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

If you’ve been missing the Wellesley Square street clock, which the town sent out for repairs late last year, it’s time to take a look at the newly reinstalled and restored beauty. An Electric Time Co. truck rolled into town early this morning with the two-dial street clock crated and secured in the back of Medfield business’ vehicle. Between David Cintolo, the venerable company’s go-to guy for installations all over the region, and the Wellesley Department of Public Works crew members, the 15-foot cast aluminum clock was put in place in just over an hour.

(Thanks to Wellesley DPW’s Kevin Collins for the swell video.)

The clock looks fabulous and refreshed after its several months at the spa (as would we all with the kind of pampering such time would allow.) For its spa treatments the clock was stripped down, sandblasted, painted, and had certain parts replaced and upgraded (sounds like heaven).

Wellesley Square clock
The over 15-foot clock  has stood in Wellesley Square since 1998.
Wellesley Square clock
The clock face and post were unpacked from a fancy wooden crate by Electric Time Co., hauled up into the air by a DPW cherry picker, and was good to go in just over an hour. The temperature was a cool 25 degrees.
Wellesley Square clock
Such a pretty face.
Wellesley Square clock
Who are those masked men? From left, Kevin Collins, Anthony Mannolian, Joe Clinton, Antoine Parker, Dennis Furbush, Electric Time Clock’s David Cintolo, and Scott Cliff.

Fun facts about Roman numeral IIII

Back when I was in elementary school, Roman numerals were drilled into me as efficiently as the multiplication tables. One thing I thought I knew for sure was that 1 = I; 2 = II; 3= III; and, wait for it, 4= IV.

Behold, the Wellesley Square clock expresses 4 as IIII. Was this a case of a paint job gone awry?

Nope.

According to Electric Time Clock’s website, “There does not seem to be a definitive reason why the number four is represented by IIII rather than IV, but it is how the dials on tower clocks have been done for centuries.”

It goes on to say that possible reasons include IV was commonly used to notate the Roman god Jupiter (in Latin, Ivpiter), and the numeral IIII was used to differentiate between the lowly number and the exalted god; visually, IIII forms better symmetry with the VIII on the other side of the clock, as well as creating radial symmetry in that only I appears in the first four hours, V only appears in the second four hours, and X only appears in the last four hours; IV is oddly positioned and difficult to read from the normal angle where four appears; and/or Romans simply preferred IIII as they largely avoided subtraction.


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Filed Under: History, Technology

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What Wellesley’s business landscape used to look like

December 13, 2020 by Bob Brown 12 Comments

News that The Gap will be vacating the Wellesley Square space it has occupied for nearly 30 years has saddened those who shop there or did when they lived around here. It’s also triggering nostalgia for shops that have moved on in years past.

We found this poster, undated and somewhat erratic on actual locations, that shows a tremendously different Wellesley business landscape from not that long ago. Some continue to operate, including Captain Marden’s and Maugus and Ice House, but many others no longer exist. Whatever became of Successful Singles?

For those of you who have lived here for a while, or who used to live here, take a trip down memory lane. Any guesses as to when this poster was printed? (We don’t know.)


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Filed Under: Business, History

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Wellesley takes Veterans Day ceremony outdoors at Town Hall

November 11, 2020 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Members of the public joined Wellesley firefighters, police officers, town officials and veterans in recognizing Veterans Day outside of Town Hall at the war memorial along Washington Street.

2020 wellesley veterans day ken johnson
Navy veteran and Wellesley Middle School teacher Ken Johnson makes remarks

The event usually held in the Great Hall at Town Hall, but the COVID-19 pandemic doesn’t allow for that.

The outdoor venue proved nice on a pleasantly sunny and windy day, though between the wind, masks and finicky mic, I won’t pretend that I heard most of what veterans like Royall Switzler, Pete Jones, Ken Johnson and Lorelei King said, but the gist was that they were proud to serve and encourage us all to honor veterans.

Holding its #VeteransDay2020 ceremony outside was a great day for flags in #Wellesley pic.twitter.com/fOX56MZZF6

— swellesley (@swellesley) November 11, 2020

Wellesley Media was on hand and has posted its recording.

You can also soak in local and national military history by strolling around Wellesley this month to see window displays saluting veterans.

Earlier in the day, Natick honored veterans wounded in combat as it raised its new Purple Heart flag at the Natick Community-Senior Center.

Army Sergeant Lorelei King, a Wellesley veteran, shares a poem
Army Sergeant Lorelei King shares a poem

2020 veterans dog

Army Sergeant Royall Switzler of Welelsley
Army Sergeant Royall Switzler of Welelsley

 

2020 wellesley john dirlam veterans
Navy Veteran and MassBay Professor John Dirlam shares some Veterans Day and Armistice Day history

 


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Filed Under: History, Military

Wellesley showing movie Midway outside to celebrate veterans

November 5, 2020 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Mobile Movie Night on Nov. 10

The movie Midway (1976 version with Charlton Heston and Henry Fonda) will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 10 in Wellesley’s Tailby parking lot. The lot will open at 4:30 p.m.

The movie will run from 5 p.m. to approximately 7 p.m. and is free for Wellesley residents. Space is limited; please register in advance beginning on Thursday, Nov. 5 at 10a.m.

To sign up, use the Wellesley Recreation Department online registration portal or call the Recreation Department at 781-235-2370.

wellesley drive in movie knives out

More: Stroll through Wellesley into military history


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Filed Under: Entertainment, History, Military

Stroll through Wellesley into military history

November 4, 2020 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Storefront displays saluting veterans throughout the month of November have been set up across Wellesley Square and Church Square. Some of the displays honor locals, others recall national themes.

The Wellesley Celebrations Committee, which was unable to host its usual events during Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend in May due to the pandemic, is spearheading the November displays as well as other activities. The Celebrations Committee is partnering with American Legion Post 72, the Veterans’ Services office and the Wellesley Select Board, as well as local businesses and property managers.

Upcoming events include a ceremony on Veterans’ Day, Nov. 11, at 11am at the war memorial in front of Town Hall (program will include a POW/MIA observance, Wellesley Police Department and Wellesley Fire Department Honor Guards, Veterans’ readings and personal reflections), and a Nov. 14 performance by the Boston Fireman’s Band downtown.

Here’s a whirlwind tour of the downtown window displays. These photos, due to window glare, don’t do the displays justice. Viewing them in person if you can is definitely the way to go.

veterans displayveterans displayveterans displayveterans displayveterans displayveterans display


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Filed Under: History, Neighbors

Wellesley charity roundup: Library virtual gala flies by; Historical Society looks to the future; Junior Women’s Club rekindles fundraising efforts; Friendly Aid annual appeal; Thanksgiving dinner to be delivered to seniors

October 28, 2020 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Our roundup of the latest Wellesley, Mass., non-profit news:

Library virtual gala flies by, raises funds

The prospect of sitting through a Zoom meeting at night after a full day on the computer for work is a tough sell. But when the Wellesley Free Library Foundation asked us if we’d be interested in attending its Virtual Gala this past week, we agreed since we are huge library fans.

And we have to give organizers huge credit for pulling off an enjoyable online event that flew by and raised a boatload of money for the organization, which funds library projects and resources such as unique play spaces, tech classes for kids and older patrons, and English as an additional language courses.  A silent auction and virtual paddle raise, along with ticket sales, fueled the fundraiser.

The traditional country club affair was not quite as swanky usual, though the Foundation made attendees feel special by arranging for elves to drop off gift boxes earlier in the day packed with fancy chocolates, cheese, and more.

We spotted a few nice dresses during the web conference, but most attendees went casual, some eating their dinners as they took in the action. Predictably, Lynne Smith stole the fashion show, though in a more understated way than usual. Her necklace and earring combo, paying homage to the the Foundation as well as the books of gala guest Susan Orlean, was magnificent.

lynne smith
Lynne Smith, center, sporting a necklace of tiny Susan Orlean boos. Also shown: Orlean, top left, host Lisa Hughes, bottom left, and Gary Smith.

 

Magnificent too were author Orlean and local news anchor and Wellesley library patron Lisa Hughes, who emceed the gala and interviewed the author of books such as The Orchid Thief, and more recently, The Library Book (a good read that intersperses personal history, library history, and a suspected crime).

Orlean acknowledged the morphing of libraries, but didn’t lament those changes. “Libraries have evolved since the beginning of time,” she said.

They aren’t “museums of books,” Orlean said. Rather, they “are spaces open to communities, open to everyone,” she said.

Upcoming changes to the Wellesley Free Library that Town Meeting this week threw its support behind are in that spirit.

Orlean said that with so many people working remotely—and getting used to the idea—could actually boost library use by those who stop toiling at traditional offices.

But here’s hoping the Foundation, notwithstanding its successful online gala, will be able to get everyone together in person the next time it holds the fundraiser.

 

Wellesley Historical SocietyThe future is now for the Wellesley Historical Society

For several years now there has been a sign reading “Future Home of the Wellesley Historical Society” in front of 323 Washington Street, which the 501(3)(c) organization purchased in 2012. The longer the sign has been there, the more frequently the group  has been asked “So when is the future going to happen?”

The fact is, the Historical Society has been moving toward the future since they bought the 4,000 square-foot space, raising over $1 million dollars that has gone to architectural planning; accessibility improvements; lighting; IT infrastructure; painting; and partial mortgage paydown.

Now they are launching a Capital Campaign to raise an additional $1.5 million to complete the project and realize the goal of having the space to collect, preserve, and share Wellesley’s history for many years to come.

More information here about the Wellesley Historical Society’s Capital Campaign and how to get involved

WHJWC fundraiser — Wellesley Home for the Holidays

Wellesley Hills Junior Women's ClubThe Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club is putting together two fundraisers. They’re rekindling an old favorite, Luminary Night, and bringing in something new, the Wellesley at Home Cookbook. Here are the details:

Luminary Night

WHAT: On Luminary Night, residents and local businesses are encouraged to line their front walks and driveways with the soft glow of candle-lit lanterns, a unifying site that can be safely enjoyed from a distance. The pre-packaged kits of 10 luminaries will be available for purchase here. New this year, a reusable tote bag stuffed with seasonal swag will complement each kit. Kits with totes are $30, with the option of purchasing additional kits of 10luminaries for $20.

WHEN: Friday, December 11th (rain date Sunday,December 13th)

Cooking up a storm

WHAT: The WHJWC has put together a limited edition Wellesley at Home Cookbook, unlocking access to cherished recipes from notables in the local food scene as well as tried-and-true favorites from current and former WHJWC members. Suitable for gifting to teachers, friends, and family near and far, it will be available for purchase for $35 on the website, along with the Luminary kits.

FUN FACT: Mrs. Swellesley has contributed a fabulous, quick, and easy chicken recipe that has saved dinner many a night at our house.

Thanksgiving dinner for senior citizens

wellesley fire thanksgiving dinner
Thanksgiving Dinner 2019

The Thanksgiving Dinner hosted annually by the Wellesley Fire Department will take place as a delivered meal on Sat., Nov. 21st, and is open to the first 200 Wellesley residents over the age of 60 who register. Registration can be done on My Active Center or by calling the Tolles Parsons Center at 781-235-3961 beginning on Wed., Oct. 28th at 9am.

Wellesley Friendly Aid keeps close to service mission during socially distant times

wellesley friendly aidWellesley Friendly Aid (WFA), a local 503(c) charity, has launched its annual fund raising appeal with letters and emails sent to Wellesley residents and businesses. All dollars raised are used to help Wellesley residents.

“Each fall we ask neighbors to help neighbors by making a donation,” said Deb Cogill, president of the 17-member Board of Directors. “Our funds come almost exclusively from Wellesley residents and organizations, and they are used for a range of programs to help our neighbors in need. Our Board members not only oversee the organization, but also serve as volunteers who organize and assist with many of these activities.”

Please make a donation directly through Wellesley Friendly Aid or by responding to the Annual Appeal mailing. For more information, contact Karen Mondell at [email protected].

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Filed Under: Fundraising, History, Houses

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