Fells Branch library in Wellesley, a work in progress

August 15, 2018 by Deborah Brown 1 Comment

Work is coming along on the Fells Branch Library on Weston Road, temporarily closed for renovations that will transform the historic building into a place with unique and intimate early learning experiences for its patrons ages infants – 6. Here are some exterior pictures of the work-in-progress on Wellesley’s oldest municipal building. The 160-year-old structure was originally a one-room schoolhouse.

The last time the branch shut down was under much less favorable circumstances. In 2006 – 2008 the Fells (and Hills) branch was shuttered due to lack of funds, but private fundraising brought it back into action. The library now operates 100% on privately raised funds. The $70 – $90k renovation project being covered through private donors and grants.

The project is expected to reach completion in late Fall, 2018.

The book drop at Fells is still operational during the renovation project.

Museum of Science Traveling Planetarium at Wellesley Library August 16

August 12, 2018 by admin Leave a Comment

Night Sky! with the Museum of Science

Thursday, August 16

6:30 – 7:00 OR 7:15 – 7:45 OR 8:00 – 8:30

Wellesley Free Library, Wakelin Room

Join us for Night Sky with the Museum of Science Traveling Planetarium on Thursday, August 16. Using the MOS portable planetarium, families will tour the solar system and beyond while learning useful tips to navigate the evening sky.

Families with children entering grades K and up are invited to sign up for ONLY ONE of three shows (or waitlists) from 6:30-7:00 pm, 7:15-7:45 pm, & 8:00-8:30 pm. Space in the planetarium is strictly limited. Registration is required for both adults and children if they plan to be admitted into the planetarium. Sign up going on now.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Wellesley Free Library.

Calling all Wellesley boys AND girls to register for Cub Scouts on August 13

August 10, 2018 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Calling all boys — and for the first time also calling all girls — in grades K-5 to join Wellesley Cub Scouts Pack 140. Camping, overnights at museums and ballgames, citizenship, service, and just plain fun is what kids can expect. During the school year both the Pack and each Den meet once per month. Expect annual dues to run about $75 per scout.

Town-wide sign-up night for Scouts is on Monday, August 13th from 7-8pm at the Wellesley Community Center, 219 Washington St. Kids who sign up that evening get a free model rocket kit to then be launched on Sunday August 26th from 5-7pm at the Sprague field. Sounds like a great way to launch a new age in scouting.

Out of town that evening? Email [email protected]

Elm Bank Reservation in Wellesley to host free summer concert Thursday, August 16

August 9, 2018 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Goddess Garden at Elm Bank. Photo credit: Mass Hort.

All are invited to the Goddesses in the Gardens event at The Gardens at Elm Bank, Thursday, August 16, from 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. Enjoy an evening of live music, harvest tastings, kids’ activities, and garden tours. Bring your picnic dinner, and blanket or chairs and enjoy live music by What’s Goin’ On.

Kids can discover Weezies’ Garden for Children and create art from plants with special garden craft activities. Everyone can try
something fresh from our Seed to Table vegetable garden. Visitors can also help with flavor evaluations of new vegetable trials growing in Mass Hort’s Trial Garden.

Wine, beer, and other beverages will be sold.

What’s Goin’ On will entertain with live music – Classic R & B, Soul, Blues and Jazz – featuring singer Nicole Boyd Webster. Nicole’s soulful style of singing incorporates her love of Gospel, Jazz, R & B, and Rock. Band members Ric Maure and Michael Ball will also perform.

This year also features the New England Sculptors Association’s exhibition at Elm Bank. Nestled among the flowers, grasses, bushes and wooded areas are 31 sculptures created by New England Sculptors Association members. The exhibit runs through October 5, 2018.

Admission is free to all.

Rain date is August 23.

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The Wellesley Schools summer reading books aren’t going to read themselves — here’s an inspiring video by Sprague teachers

August 4, 2018 by Caleb Brown Leave a Comment

The Sprague elementary school teachers have outdone themselves once again in their annual short film encouraging students to push through their summer reading even when the going gets tough. Sprague students are encouraged to read about 30 minutes per day during the summer. (You can check out all Wellesley schools’ suggested summer reading on our Wellesley Summer Reading page.)

The film stars Ms. Fiore as an enthusiastic reader who must overcome a difficult section of her once-beloved, The Book. The film begins with Ms. Fiore having fun with The Book (played by Ms. Bartelloni), but things go sour when Ms. Fiore reaches a difficult part of The Book. After pushing The Book away, the rest of the story follows the path that leads Ms. Fiore to give The Book another chance, and it turns out the hard part can be overcome after all.

Highlights include a fantastic junk food binge scene and some expertly choreographed dancing. The soundtrack was full of hits, from The Turtles to Sinead O’Connor.

This masterpiece was directed by Mr. Craig, and his choices of the film’s various sets will be familiar to Sprague kids and parents. The story features various classrooms, hallways, the cafeteria and, of course, the library.

The inspirational messages at the end had me putting War and Peace and other classics on my summer reading list. I can read them after all!

Wellesley Sprague School video — We weren’t able to upload the video, but if you go over to the Sprague School’s site at this link, you can see The Book and The Reader and in all their dramatic glory.