The Swellesley Report

Since 2005: More than you really want to know about Wellesley, Mass.

Entrepreneurship

Wellesley kids turn stray golf balls into a thriving business

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Jamie & Dylan golf balls
Get yer golf balls here!

When I first turned off Ingraham Road onto Dover Road across from the entrance to the Nehoiden Golf Club on Saturday morning and saw a couple of kids and a man setting up a table with signs, I assumed it was a lemonade stand. But no, this was a case of location, location, location: Jamie (11) and Dylan (7) were selling paper bags of 10 golf balls—make that “premium” golf balls—for $10 apiece.

“You get a couple of Titalists in each,” Jamie said.

“No practice balls,” Dylan chimed in.

The friendly boys, whose enterprise also includes older brother Hugh, say they find the balls all over the place, including in local waterways. They invested in a ball cleaner that really spiffs up the golf balls, Jamie said, even more spotless than the bright yellow one he held up to show me.

Definitely a small business for the local “reduce, reuse, recycle” crowd to embrace.

I’d first figured these guys lived in the corner house in front of which their table stood, and had retrieved balls from their front yard. But they said they lived elsewhere in town and that the woman at this house was nice and let them station themselves there.

As of shortly before 10am, the boys had already made $37 in less than an hour, and I gave them the $3 in cash I had on me to round that up to $40. Just as I was leaving, a couple of runners stopped at the table, and looked to be making a purchase. For those without cash, there is a Venmo QR code displayed for one of their parents.

I asked the boys what they might use their money for from what they described as their first business. Jamie said probably for savings, and Dylan said that maybe he’d open a bank account.

Neither golfs, though they said their older brother is interested.

It was as busy a day for runners and walkers as I’ve seen in town, so hopefully all that foot traffic will translate into lots of business for these young entrepreneurs.

Disclaimer: I’ve golfed maybe 10 times in my life. Though probably should have a bucket list item to golf at Wellesley’s two courses.

Got a great Wellesley slice-of-life story to share? Let us know: theswellesleyreport@gmail.com

     

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Sports

‘Heart and soul” of Wellesley Youth Basketball to step down; New director sought for first time in a decade-plus

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Since Nancy Williamson joined the Wellesley Youth Basketball Association (WYBA) board in 2011 and shortly after became director, the organization has evolved, with a primary focus on giving as many kids as possible a chance to learn, play, and even coach.

Nancy Williamson
Nancy Williamson

The 22-year Wellesley resident has let the board know that she will retire from the part-time job next year, but is sticking around for the upcoming season to allow for a smooth transition. The board for the nonprofit organization finds itself in the unfamiliar position of seeking a new director, and that paid contractor will have some Brittney Griner-sized shoes to fill. They’re looking for someone “passionate about youth sports, who enjoys working with volunteers and families, and who takes initiative to get things done.”

Williamson has done all that an more during her tenure, according those who have worked alongside her as administrative and coaching volunteer.

“For as long as I can remember , Nancy has been the heart and soul of WYBA,” says Glen Magpiong, who coaches the Wellesley High School girls’ varsity basketball team. “What has always impressed me most about Nancy is her passion for connecting the Wellesley High School girls’ and boys’ basketball programs with our youth players and her willingness to do whatever was necessary to make those positive shared experiences happen.”

Williamson has made a lasting impact on the coaches, athletes and families in Wellesley, Magpiong says.
 

An evolving program

 
Williamson joined the WYBA board as it was combining the Metrowest and CYO youth basketball organizations, providing oversight of programs for kids who just wanted to play as well as those more serious about basketball, with tryouts and travel part of the deal. As the parent of one child who was more of a rec player and another a dedicated travel team player, Williamson says she loved that the organization was able to serve them both so well.

“Wellesley Hoops is the envy of other towns,” Williamson says of the rec program that serves second-to-ninth graders. “Most of our neighboring towns do not have anything like it. To be able to play with and against your classmates is so unique and such fun. Crowds of spectators show up for the playoffs with students cheering for their friends.”

The results have been the product of Williamson working tirelessly for years, with much of that effort happening behind the scenes, says WYBA Board Member Ann Marie Andrews.

WYBA Treasurer Mark Barrett concurs, and adds that Williamson really shines come playoff time.

“Nancy works so hard to organize playoff schedules, court times, refs, trophies and all the things that make this a very exciting week for girls and boys from 4-9th grade and their families,” he says. “On top of all the organization, Nancy is always in the gym cheering on the kids and leading the presentation of the WYBA Spirit Awards to the kids across the program. It’s a great culmination to the season that always fills the gym with kids and families.”

The WYBA has grown to include skills programs for kindergarten and first grade students, leagues for second and third graders, and has strengthened programming for high school students who might play other sports in school. Over the years spring leagues, 3-on-3 tourneys, and other programs have been tried, with some sticking and others not.

“Even during COVID when the schools were closed, we teamed up with a new partner, Babson College, to have some modified programs during the 2020-21 season,” Williamson recalls.

One cherished memory for Williamson was the experience that her daughter and her high school friends had coaching a Wellesley Hoops team. The squad seemed hapless at the start, but the high schoolers were devoted to giving the kids a fun experience, introducing plays with silly names and ensuring all players had an equal chance to contribute.

“It all paid off. The team improved and actually made it to the semi-final game,” she says. “The coaches were trying to get every player to score during that game. One of the coaches called their play ‘squirrel’ and the last girl finally got a basket. Her teammates went wild, celebrating her. They lost the game but the girls were so happy that everyone had made a basket they didn’t seem to care.”
 

Time for a transition

 
Last year was challenging for Williamson, who underwent treatment for breast cancer.

“It made me realize how things can just change in an instant,” she says. “My long tenure with WYBA has filled my brain (and laptop) with so many organizational details that I got nervous about what would happen if I couldn’t perform my duties. While the board members have so much knowledge and are in charge of their programs there is A LOT that happens behind the scenes… I would never want to leave WYBA in the lurch.”

Nancy Williamson
Kirk and Nancy Williamson—and Chili

Though leaving will give her more time for other interests, including cycling. She’s taking part in her 16th Pan-Mass Challenge in August (see Williamson’s PMC page, which includes more on her story of living with cancer).

“My experience at Dana Farber this past year and all of the federal cutbacks to researchers and labs has made me even more passionate about my support,” she says.

Looking back at her time with the WYBA, Williamson says she is proudest of the customer service she provided.

“I help serve over 1000 players, 200 coaches, 20+ board members each season. I even work with the high school coaches setting up team fundraising clinics and trying to get more kids to attend their games,” Williamson says. ” I try my best to always be responsive and timely to everyone’s needs—even if that means working 7 days a week during the fall.”
 

 

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Guest post

Our Family’s First Year with Wellesley Cub Scout Pack 185

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Special to The Swellesley Report by Bo Yan.

The countdown began on a sunny afternoon at Kelly Field. Dozens of scouts and their invited guests clutched the rockets they had built, eyes fixed on the sky. “Three… two… one!” Our son’s face with pure excitement told me everything I needed to know about our family’s first day with Cub Scout Pack 185.

When our older son joined Cub Scout Pack 185 last fall, we honestly did not know what to expect, other than strong recommendations from my neighbors. Our older son had just started kindergarten and joined the Lion Den, while his younger brother, only three years old at the time, tagged along to many activities. Looking back now, as we just participated in the parade during the Wonderful Wellesley Weekend as a Pack, almost a full school year later, scouting turned out to be far more than an extracurricular activity for us. It became a way for our family to explore the outdoors, build friendships, and create memories together.

Camping was a major milestone for us. We attended both the fall and spring campouts, our very first camping trips with the kids. Going in, we were uncertain whether we could manage sleeping outdoors with young children, and we built detailed packing checklists just to make sure we did not forget anything important. Once we arrived, though, we discovered just how supportive the scouting community is. Experienced families helped newcomers, the kids played together nonstop, and evenings around the campfire with plenty of S'more became highlights of the weekend. The night hike was very adventures/scouty, and I feel the completion as a family is something that would surprise the grandparents.

The scouts quickly built real friendships. Scouts who first met at den meetings soon recognized each other at soccer games, school events, and around town. Over time, scouting helped create a stronger sense of connection, not just for the kids, but for parents as well.

cub scouts
The writer’s two boys at the camping site.

 
Of all the activities this year, fishing was our older son’s favorite. Before joining scouting, he had never really had the chance to fish. Pack 185 organized a fishing derby at Morses Pond and provided rods, instruction, and plenty of encouragement for beginners. What could have been intimidating for first-time families instead felt relaxed. Watching the kids “patiently” wait for a bite and simply enjoy being outdoors together made for a wonderful morning.

My most memorable adventure was the Battleship overnight visit. Our pack joined other packs with about 300 scouts from the Mayflower Council. I didn’t bring my younger son as I was not sure how well a four year old would behave during the night, but this trip became a great bonding event for me and my older son. I hope to bring both boys to the Battleship again.

A photo of the sunset taken on USS Massachusetts Battleship. cub scouts
Sunset from the USS Massachusetts Battleship (photo by Bo Yan)

 
I appreciate how naturally the Lion Den activities combined fun with practical life lessons guided by the Scout handbook. Den meetings included hikes, a beach cleanup at Morses Pond, a visit to the police station, and even a trip to the Davis Museum at Wellesley College. Along the way, the scouts learned outdoor essentials, hiking preparedness, and safety principles such as “Stay, Answer, Whistle,” as well as lessons about protecting themselves and others.

Service to the community turned out to be one of the most meaningful threads of the year. Our older son took part in the pack’s popcorn fundraiser, which supports both the national Scouting program and our local pack’s activities. My son’s grandma stopped by and bought two bags to show her support, along with many lovely neighbors.

I still remember walking the neighborhood with my boys on a quiet weekend morning, dropping off Roche Bros. bags on doorsteps for the Wellesley Food Pantry drive. A week later, we walked the same route to pick the bags up. From our small corner of the neighborhood alone, we collected about a dozen bags of donations; across the whole pack, scouts brought in hundreds of bags for the food pantry. We were grateful for living in such a generous and supportive community.

Our family found something refreshingly different in scouting: opportunities for children to explore, learn practical skills, gain confidence, give back, and simply enjoy being kids outdoors.

If you have a child entering grades K-5 and you have ever wondered what Cub Scouting in Wellesley looks like, I would warmly encourage you to come check out Cub Scout Wellesley Pack 185.

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Business buzz

Code Ninjas reopens in Wellesley under new ownership, but with the same mission

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Code Ninjas, an educational coding center where kids ages 5-14 are taught to be savvy with technology through video game development, opened in February at 386 Washington St. 

But this was not its first Wellesley location.

Wellesley became home to one of the country’s earliest Code Ninjas in 2019. Over time, however, the beloved location in Linden Square began to struggle with business expenses, and eventually, in May 2025, the center closed.

Victor Lee, CodeNinjas
Code Ninjas owner Victor Lee (Photo by Jack Schwed)

 
Victor Lee, then owner of the coding school’s Sudbury, Northborough and Hopkinton locations, said the Wellesley location’s former owner, Annie Duong, had run an “amazing center” and had a “positive presence” within the community. 

Duong could not be reached for comment.

With the Wellesley location gone, now there were students left without a local center, he said. So, Lee decided to dedicate months to searching for a smaller, more inexpensive location to bring Code Ninjas back to Wellesley, he said.

“For the students who were previously attending Code Ninjas, to have a Code Ninjas to go to, I think, is a very special thing,” he said.

When Lee immigrated to the United States from Korea as a second-grader, he said, English was his second language. A decade before then, he said, knowing English gave Americans a major advantage in terms of earning potential.

But, at this point, the landscape had already shifted, he said.

“The language of today is the language of computers, which is coding, which is Python and JavaScript,” he said. “So when kids come [to Code Ninjas], they’re learning those languages.”

However, as artificial intelligence rapidly emerges, knowing specific languages has become less important, Lee said. What’s become more valuable, he said, is critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which Code Ninjas aims to help reinforce. 

Lee said he began the process of opening the new Code Ninjas by examining various locations over the course of several months. 

Since Code Ninjas is an after-school program, he mainly considered proximity to schools, residential areas and grocery stores, as parents may head there after dropping their children off, he said. 

Eventually, he landed on the current location in Wellesley Hills, which used to be home to a Cycle Bar, a franchise offering indoor cycling classes. After rebuilding the open interior to feature three classrooms, the center officially opened, Lee said.

“Wellesley is such a great town with lots of parents that care about education,” he said. “I’m very excited for them to really come and experience the plethora of curriculum that we’ve developed and have been offering our students, and that the kids already love.”

Aaron Moniz, the current center director who previously worked at the Sudbury location, said one of the center’s main goals now is to rebuild Code Ninjas’ relationship with the community.

For example, he said the center plans to host the New England Youth Basketball Association to introduce coding to dozens of kids from around Boston, Dorchester and Quincy. The center has also held free sessions at the Wellesley Free Library, and intends to continue doing so in the future, he said

“Anytime we can get out to the community and give back, that’s really our biggest focus,” he said.

Lee said the center also places heavy emphasis on hiring the right “senseis,” or instructors. Across the locations he owns, he said there are around 50 senseis and over 500 students.

CodeNinjas
Senseis Joe Laconte & Mike O’Brien (Photo by Jack Schwed)

 
Mike O’Brien, a sensei who worked previously at a Texas location, said all of the senseis are “former engineers.” 

“The kids think they’re coding a game,” O’Brien said. “What they don’t understand is we’re giving them the foundations of what computer science is.”

Joe Laconte, a first-time sensei who worked previously in tech-oriented fields, said some kids come into the center having never used a keyboard before and come out having developed permanent skills.

“We just want to give kids the keys to that new world and all those opportunities,” he pointed to the wall and read the center’s slogan. “A world where kids write the code.”

Learn more about Wellesley’ Code Ninjas, which offers summer camps in addition to its programs during the school year.

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Wellesley eats up library’s Edible Book Festival

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Luciana Gonzalez next to her Harry Potter themed edible creation.
Luciana Gonzalez next to her Harry Potter-themed edible creation (photos by Emma Mullay)

 
When asked why she picked Harry Potter as the theme for her edible creation, 9-year-old Luciana Gonzalez, standing proudly at her station—which showcased an intricate scene depicting characters and places like the Sorting Hat, Hogwarts Castle and Hedwig the owl made from cake, Rice Krispy treats, fondant and more—said it was simple. 

 “I like magic!”

The Wellesley Free Library hosted its second annual Edible Book Festival on March 29, with colorful and delicious creations depicting different scenes from over a dozen children’s novels. 

Emma Weiler library
Emma Weiler, children’s supervisor at Wellesley Free Library

 
Emma Weiler, the children’s supervisor at the Wellesley Free Library, said she heard about it online and wanted to take part.

“People organize these globally, it’s always around April 1, and I’ve always wanted to do one,” she said. “I like that, as a librarian, I can take my interests and turn them into programs.”

This is the second year Wellesley has held festivities for International Edible Book Day since librarians Judith A. Hoffberg and Béatrice Coron founded the holiday April 1, 2000.

Weiler said the library event was open to everybody, regardless of age. It awarded six different prizes for both youth and adult submissions. Two awards, Best Kid Creation and Funniest/Punniest Entry, went to 8-year-old Avery Lee who created “Make Way for Booklings,” a play on Robert McCloskey’s iconic “Make Way for Ducklings” book. 

8-year-old Avery Lee, who won Best Kid Creation and Funniest/Punniest Entry for her “Make Way for Booklings” design.
8-year-old Avery Lee, who won Best Kid Creation and Funniest/Punniest Entry for her “Make Way for Booklings” design

 
Isabella Conway, 10, based her creation off of Jasmine Warga’s “A Rover’s Story,” which she chose because she “wanted to have something that represented a lot of life lessons” and was “inspiring” to her and her peers. 

Conway said she chose to frost a rectangle cake because she knew it would be easier to design and wanted it to resemble the cover of a book. She said she heard about the event through the bulletin board at the library and is planning on taking part in it again in the future. 

edible books
Isabella Conway next to her “A Rover’s Story” edible creation

 
Gonzalez decided to recreate a variety of scenes from the Harry Potter series by JK Rowling, which are both her favorite books and movies, with the castle Hogwarts, the Sorting Hat and Harry’s pet owl, Hedwig, among those showcased in her design.

Her friends and family also all love the books, so she said it was an easy decision. Gonzalez said she had “so much fun” with the hopes to do it again next year. 

Weiler said she aims to continue the event next year, hoping for increased turnout and more engagement from the community. 

“I feel like every year, you tweak things and try and make it a little better,” she said “This is only our second year, but I’ve certainly been billing it as our second annual, and we’re going to do it again next year.”

This story is part of a partnership between the Swellesley Report and the Boston University Department of Journalism.

A Raisin in the Sun
A Raisin in the Sun

 

Edible Book Festival sign
Photo by Emma Mullay

My Gym opens in Wellesley Square with activities for babies and kids

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The landscape of youth fitness in Wellesley has a new addition as energetic as a kid before recess. My Gym Children’s Fitness Center has officially opened its doors, offering active play experiences and classes for children from as young as three months up to 10 years old. Located at the former We Rock the Spectrum space in Wellesley Square, My Gym, with over 600 franchised locations worldwide, is all about physical play and developmental growth.

My Gym, Wellesley
The Swellesley Report stopped into My Gym during one of the play spaces rare quiet moments.

Under the leadership of Ryan Debin, CEO and founder of Momentum Enterprises, this new location marks the eleventh My Gym under his corporate umbrella. Debin’s Momentum Enterprises, a Boston-based firm, includes a variety of fitness-oriented ventures such as adult fitness clubs and racquet sports. For Debin, the Wellesley opening is more than just a business expansion.

“Opening our eleventh My Gym location in Wellesley is an exciting milestone for Momentum Enterprises,” says Debin. “Everything we do is rooted in helping families feel connected, supported, and inspired.”

Let’s keep it moving, people

The core philosophy of My Gym is simple: keep kids moving. The curriculum is structured so that there is no sitting or waiting in line. Instead, children rotate through various stations with active supervision from trained instructors.

“Every kid loves the ball pit,” says Craig Semenza, director of operations. “The rock wall is a big hit with the older kids, and we also have the trampoline, which they love.” Semenza says a zip line is expected to be operational by the end of the month, pending the arrival of final safety components.

My Gym, Wellesley
Ball pit

Semenza is currently overseeing the Wellesley start-up, hiring staff and establishing the fun-and-safe vibe of the place. He’ll drop down from a full-time presence in Wellesley to occasional visits before he “slowly fades away” to allow the local team to lead.

Healthy body, healthy mind

The programming at My Gym is built around four core developmental pillars:

  • Cognitive Development:Focusing on following directions and creative problem-solving.
  • Physical Growth:Promoting strength, balance, and agility.
  • Emotional IQ: Building trust, confidence, and self-esteem.
  • Social Skills: Moving from parallel play to teamwork and fostering friendships.

For the youngest participants, the gym serves as a resource for caretakers as well. Semenza observed that parents and guardians often use the class time to discuss learning milestones and share parenting insights.

My Gym, Wellesley

Class structure and accessibility

To ensure safety and personalized attention, My Gym maintains capacity strict limits and instructor ratios. The facility is designed to be family-friendly, welcoming grandparents to participate or watch. There’s also a comfortable entry area with a sofa for parents who need to catch up on work while their children play.

There are no long-term contracts or membership fees, and families can start or pause their enrollment at any time.

For more information on class schedules or to book an introductory session, check out My Gym’s website.

My Gym, Wellesley
Rock wall/parallel bar

Wellesley Toy Shop closes after 32 years in business

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Wellesley Toy Shop has closed its business in Wellesley Square after 32 years of supplying area kids and kids at heart with the latest and classic toys.

Even Elmo was a regular at the store, or at least during Wellesley’ Square’s Holiday Stroll.

elmo wellesley toy shop

 

The shop, at 59 Central St., posted a message on its storefront thanking customers, employees, and its landlord.

Tributes to owner Andy Brown, his staff, and the shop have been pouring in.

Alicia Talanian wrote: “Andy and his team were such a constant in Wellesley Square. Such strong supporters of Wellesley kids—He set up a table for my son to sign and sell his self published book during July Jubilation and carried his Bitcoin book all year—refusing to keep a profit. Downtown Wellesley will never be the same.”

Cynthia Sheppard commented on this post: “Very sad indeed. Online shopping has really taken a toll on local communities. Another wonderful toy store in Concord went out of business several years ago as well. We must shop local while we can! It matters!”

Wellesley Toy Shop shifted into its now shuttered space about 10 years ago after the related Wellesley Gift Shop closed.

One silver lining is that the Toy Shop has established a partnership with Learning Express of Needham. You can redeem any Wellesley Toy Shop gift cards you have on hand at the Learning Express store.

Running independent retail businesses has become increasingly challenging with the rise of online shopping, but here’s hoping another original will fill that space.

Andy Brown, Wellesley Toy Shop
Wellesley Toy Shop’s Andy Brown with fidget spinner in 2017

 

 

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LEGO Winter Village has arrived at Wellesley library children’s room

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LEGO Winter Village

The LEGO Winter Village, an annual year-end holiday attraction at the Wellesley Free Library’s children’s room, has been set up in all its glory.

The delicate work of art and inspiration from Nick Tatar will be available to view through Friday, Jan. 2.

Santa’s workshop and reindeer, a lighthouse, a clock tower, and lots of critters are among the highlights. Plus running trains.

LEGO Winter Village LEGO Winter Village

LEGO Winter Village

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