Electric vehicle event let eager drivers take a test run around Wellesley

May 20, 2022 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Over 115 drivers got behind the wheel of an electric vehicle (EV) or a hybrid at a test drive event sponsored by the Town of Wellesley, Sustainable Wellesley, and the Wellesley Municipal Light Department last Saturday at the MassBay Community College parking lot.

Electric Vehicle showcase, Wellesley — Looks like someone is angling for an ever greener solution to transportation—a bike.

Dealers brought several makes and models from Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Tesla, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Volvo for drivers to take on a spin around the Wellesley Country Club area. All the vehicles were beautiful and had that new-car smell, but in a sign of the times, there’s a waitlist if you want to purchase new. A dealer told me that although the chip shortage has eased up a bit, supplies and parts in general are in short supply. With a state tax credit of $2,500 as long as the vehicle’s price comes in at under 50K, and a federal tax credit of up to $7,500 for buying EV or hybrid, those waitlists have no shortage of folks in the queue. The tax credits applies only to new car sales and do not apply to leases.

Electrical Vehicle showcase, Wellesley — From left: Marybeth Martello, Sustainability Director, Climate Action Committee; Erry Johnson, Wellesley League of Women Voters; and Laura Olton, Climate Action Committee.

As test drivers waited for their turn to come up, they toured the part of the parking lot given over to about 20 proud owners of EVs and hybrid. Hoods up on their spotless vehicles they were there to preach the gospel of owning and driving an EV. Here’s what they told us:

“I haven’t put gas into my Prius Prime in about a month and a half.”

“We’re fine to New York City in a single tank of gas. It gets 15 miles on a charge. We can go months without putting in gas. It’s really fun to drive.”—Mini-Cooper driver.

“I’ve had mine for four years and I love it. I hardly ever go to the gas station.”

Electric Vehicle showcase, Wellesley, Raina McManus — Raina McManus shows off her Mini Cooper.

Drive, she said

I wasn’t planning to join in, but organizers steered me over to an all-electric Mustang Mach-E Premium and before I knew it, I was pulling out onto Oakland Street. The dealer said the all-wheel drive beauty with an extended battery would get me as far as 240 miles before I’d have to refuel. A premium vehicle gets priced like one, $55k in this case, but I was assured a very nice Mach-E could be arranged for $49K, which would allow me to take advantage of the state tax credit.

I’m no car connoisseur—Can it get me to the RDF and up and down Central Street? Can I run it through any old car wash?—so I won’t try to wax eloquent over the way the vehicle hugged the curves or the quality of its torque. But I can tell you that after the test drive was over, I didn’t want to give it back.

Please don’t tell my trusty Subaru about my cheating heart.

Beyond Wellesley—we get to New York City via a speedy seaplane

May 7, 2022 by Deborah Brown 1 Comment

There are many commercial outfits that can take you from Boston to New York City, but I’ve just experienced the quickest way to make that trip—via Tailwind’s seaplane service, which gets travelers from Boston’s Seaport area to midtown Manhattan typically in under 75 minutes in-air travel time.

The Federal Aviation Administration last summer gave the thumbs up for flights out of Boston Harbor after Tailwind spent almost ten years coming up with solutions for every problem that busy Logan airport’s flight patterns presented. For now, Tailwind is the only seaplane game in Boston, but others will likely take advantage of the regulatory legwork already done and try to enter the market.

Tailwind, Boston — Mrs. Swellesley is ready to try out a seaplane for the first time on Tailwind.

As part of a press tour to try out the service, my round-trip flight was paid for by Tailwind. Trust me, I wouldn’t have been able to experience the flight any other way. Prices range from $395 to $795 one-way, depending on advanced purchase and available inventory. There is a bargain option of $595 roundtrip if the passenger stays over on a Saturday night. Flying by seaplane from Boston to New York is for those for whom time is money.

Farewell for now, Wellesley

I hopped the Wellesley Square commuter rail into South Station and walked the 15 minutes to Tailwind’s check-in area at Boston Harbor at Fan Pier Marina in the Seaport area. The secret to finding this tucked-away spot is to put Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse into your GPS. Keep Davio’s to your left and look for Tailwind’s small brick building on the harbor. That’s where staff will greet you and you’ll get your bag weighed (20 lb. maximum) and relax until the ferry arrives at the dock. The seven-minute ferry takes passengers to a floating pier for take-off.

Because Tailwind screens passengers and confirms IDs in advance in compliance with all regulatory requirements, the check-in process is incredibly civilized. Nobody shouts at stressed-out passengers to take off their shoes and remove all electronics from their bags, and I didn’t have to remove my baseball cap and reveal the truth about my second-day hair. Passengers can show up at the dock well under 30 minutes before the ferry leaves, and be on the plane in short order.

Getting on and off the ferry and the plane, a Cessna Caravan EX amphibian aircraft with eight passenger seats, isn’t difficult, but it also isn’t accessible. The flight is staffed by a pilot and a co-pilot, who are in full view, as are their flight instruments and the plane’s GPS screen. There’s enough leg room and headspace in the functional and spotless, but not luxurious, cabin. So far so good, but I’d received disappointing news shortly before take-off. Due to low cloud cover, the flight wouldn’t be landing in New York Harbor. We’d be landing in Westchester County Airport in the lovely suburb of White Plains, about a 1-hour and 15-minute drive from midtown Manhattan. Sadly for me, no water landing. This time around I would experience a run-of-the-mill runway landing, not a problem for the aircraft, since it can handle both paved and water surfaces.

Don’t sweat the small stuff

I, too, can manage myself on both land and sea, but the White Plains landing presented logistical problems. Anxiety triggered, I briefly considered bagging the whole adventure. But I’d already booked my hipster-cool hotel, and the refund window had slammed shut. And I really wanted to wander through some shops and bookstores, and go to the Whitney Museum of American Art. Plus Riverside, a Polish rock band, was expecting me in the audience at The Gramercy Theatre. I couldn’t let those guys down on their 20th anniversary of rocking on, hell no. What was I? An intrepid traveler, or a wimpy traveler? So what if I didn’t have any idea how I’d escape from a leafy green suburb quite similar from the one I’d left. I’d figure it out.

“This is unfortunate,” a fellow passenger sighed about the detour to White Plains. I agreed, and together we hatched a ride-sharing plan into the city, which Tailwind paid for. Problem solved.

Time to take off and enjoy the flight. Lifting up into the air was an easy experience with just a few bumps. As we banked right I got up-close amazing views of Boston’s easily identifiable landmarks—the State House, Beacon Hill, the Charles River, and more. Soon we were at one with the clouds. A little over an hour later, we touched down nice and easy in White Plains. I clambered down the aluminum ladder to the tarmac, far from the midtown hotel I had chosen because it was a mere 6/10ths of a mile from Tailwind’s drop-off point at 2430 FDR Drive and 23rd Street. Ah well, my driver had me at the front doors of the Freehand Hotel in about 90 minutes, and the city was my oyster. Time to have some more fun.

Freehand Hotel, New York, about $350/night.

I chose the Freehand Hotel in midtown’s Flatiron District for a couple of reasons—its proximity to Tailwind and because before the Freehand was a hotel, it was home to many writers, musicians and creatives, so that seemed inspirational. Nearby were a couple of bookstores, some shopping, and the Gramercy Theatre, where I could catch a show and still stay safe while traveling solo.

The city is back in action

That evening, I headed over to The Gramercy, a 2,000 square-foot space with 375 theater-style seats, and standing room for about 125 more. The historic venue was built in 1937 and mostly served as a movie house and live theater spot over the years until Live Nation (which also owns several venues in Boston) bought the building in 2006 for use as a concert space. The closest comparison in this area might be The Paradise in the Boston University area.

Riverside was in the house for their 20th anniversary tour. “We were going to play all our hits,” lead singer Mariusz Duda told the crowd. “Then we realized we don’t have any hits. So we chose the longest ones. I hope you have time for that.”

Riverside, rock band, New York — Riverside, a progressive rock band based in Poland, showed the crowd a great time.

The audience, made up in large part of dudes who looked like they were in their own bands and who didn’t much care about “hits,” most definitely had time for that, as the quartet rocked the house. To see these musicians back on their first tour since COVID did my own rocker heart and soul good, and made me glad that I didn’t let a little thing like travel logistics scare me off.

My two-night stay also included a visit to The Whitney Museum of American Art, about two miles from my hotel, but I really didn’t need to leave the Flatiron District for a museum visit. I found myself wishing I’d stayed in the neighborhood and explored The Fotografiska (281 Park Avenue S), a branch of the Swedish photography museum by the same name. Anyplace with a tag line, “Have fun. Stay late. Get deep. Spill your drink,” sounds intriguing.

Whitney Museum, New York — Found art outside of the Whitney Museum of American Art. But no, The Swellesley Report won’t stop delivering news!

With area dining options both fancy (the Freehand has several including a very popular rooftop bar/restaurant) and casual (I could get a steaming bowl of dumpling soup, Mexican fare, and great breakfast options literally steps from the lobby), I was all set in the meals department.

A shopping jaunt took me to the Strand Bookstore (828 Broadway at 12th street), the last such indie outpost standing on what was once known as “book row”; Housing Works thrift shop (157 E 23rd street), where you just might find the perfect mid-century modern home accent item; and Fishs Eddy (889 Broadway corner of 19th), with its endless collection of dishes and glassware from defunct restaurants, as well as other odds and ends they just happen to come across.

Before I knew it, two days in the city had passed, and it was time to catch my early flight back to Boston. I showed up at the SkyPort seaplane base at the very eastern end of 23rd Street and relaxed in the small, nondescript lounge area. “We just got the OK to renovate the lounge,” a Tailwind team member told me. “It’s going to look a lot nicer soon.”

This time the weather cooperated and I did, indeed, get to experience a seaplane takeoff from New York (the views!) and a seaplane touchdown in Boston Harbor. The flight was a little bumpy ascending and descending due to windy conditions, but nothing scary. Splashing down was great fun and felt nice and smooth. A 15-minutes walk later, I was back at South Station where, with fortunate timing, the Worcester rail commuter line into Wellesley Square was boarding.

I could get used to this

Wish I could take the seaplane every time I wanted to pop into New York City, but alas, this was probably a one-off adventure for me. Unless we open up a Swellesley NYC bureau, which would, of course, necessitate frequent business travel. Now there’s a thought…

Starting May 25, Tailwind will start up its seaplane service from Boston Harbor to Provincetown Harbor, with pricing that starts at $275. The nonstop flight takes about 35 minutes dock-to-dock.

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Beyond Wellesley: Ocean Edge Resort on Cape Cod, wintertime

December 16, 2021 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

The weather has cooled off, but Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club on Cape Cod in Brewster extends a warm welcome to guests with a line-up of winter events and experiences available at the year-round resort. With its mid-Cape location (and just a sub two-hour drive from Wellesley), the 429-acre, 337-room resort is well-positioned for exploring Barnstable County.

We were invited to visit the resort as part of a press tour to see what the area has to offer now and through the rest of the season. Our room and meals were paid for by Ocean Edge. What we found was plenty to keep us occupied during our two-night stay—two indoor, 86-degree heated pools, each with an adjacent (even warmer) whirlpool, were available to guests; four restaurant options; and plenty of experiences were on tap. Ocean Edge recently has created a Director of Fun position, and when I tell you that Brandon brings on the energy, believe it. “I used to be a cruise ship director for 11 years,” he told us. “So I really learned there how to keep activities going. Plus I love seeing everyone having a great time, and I can’t sit still until they do. Even then, I can’t sit still.”

Yes, Brandon is the consummate extrovert, and he is fun personified. Whether he’s organizing Karaoke night at Bayzos Pub; a Trivia Night at the Frost Bar; or a Wizarding Week multi-day event for kids and families staying overnight at the resort during February vacation week; his attention to detail and ability to roll with the good times is unparalleled.

Accommodations at the year-round resort straddle route 6A. On one side is the historic Nickerson Mansion, which dates from 1912 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A rolling lawn leads up to the stucco and red-clay roofed structure, which houses guests within two adjoining wings, as well as in a collection of Presidential Bay Collection villas, many with water views. On the other side of 6A are The Villages, one-, two-, and three-bedroom multi-level villas with kitchens and washer/dryers. Long-term stays are available at The Villages, and select villas are pet-friendly.

Rooms on the Mansion side of the property range from 480 sq. ft. to 1,400 sq. ft. We stayed in the East Wing on the Mansion side of the resort, and enjoyed a 580 sq. ft. room that included a very comfortable bed placed catty-corner; a sitting area; a balcony accessed by a sliding-glass door; a dressing area; and a large bathroom. A plush robe for each of us was hanging in the closet for our use during our stay, along with a special treat—a paint-by-numbers canvas that featured a picture of the Mansion.

Mixing it up

Bartender Susan had us all in fine spirits as she took us through the steps for making perfect winter cocktails. With her Mixology Workshop, Susan spilled all the secrets of Ocean Edge’s classic and signature cocktails. Our group learned how to make a Mistletoe Margarita garnished with sugared cranberries; a Sugar Cookie Martini that included Baileys and Amaretto; and a Hot Toddy featuring Misunderstood Ginger Whiskey. We sipped and enjoyed appetizers and conversation as a fire crackled in the fireplace, casting a warm glow around the wood-paneled room.

“Here’s the thing about making the perfect drink. You can do all this work and then kill it with the garnish. You want to go easy on the garnish,” Susan warned us. Other tips included how to shake it, baby; the ease of making a simple syrup; and proper ratios of spirits to mixers.

The Mixology Workshop happens Thursdays at 4pm. Ours took place in the intimate Roscommon Room, but the workshops may also be held at the Frost Bar. Cost is $35 per person and includes a chef’s choice appetizer plate for each attendee.

Breakfast is also served in the Roscommon Room. Try the lobster frittata.

The Igloos

Back for a second season, warm and cozy Igloos have been set up on the resort’s Ocean Terrace. Ten Igloos have been set up, each accommodating up to 6 diners. They’ve been so popular that normally there’s a 90-minute time limit, but you can get around that by booking a New Year’s Eve Igloo Experience.

Reservations are now being taken for New Year’s Eve seatings between 5pm and 10:30pm, and there’s a special time extension to two hours. The cost is $195 per person and includes a bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne per Igloo, and a four-course menu.

There are other packages that include time in the Igloos. Check them out here.

The Frost Bar

Also on the Ocean Terrace is the Frost Bar, a dining room that also encloses a long bar area. We enjoyed dinner in the heated area, which is also open for breakfast and lunch. After a plate of the most beautiful Brewster Flats raw oysters-on-the-half, we moved on to the entrees. Grilled scallops and shrimp were given a seasonal glaze of ginger rum and were accompanied by sweet corn and garlic sauteed swiss chard, my favorite late-season green. A hint of anise throughout added a welcome and subtle flair.

The lobster mac and cheese was a hearty dish that contained generous chunks of lobster. The standby was updated with cavatelli pasta and 3-cheese bechamel, while given the throw-back treatment with a Ritz cracker topping.

Although it’s called the Frost Bar there’s no nonsense like chairs made of ice, and you most certainly don’t have to layer up until, like Randy in A Christmas Story, you look like a tick about to pop. Just wear the same regular winter-season clothes you would wear to any other restaurant. They have the warmth thing nailed. We were as toasty as chicks under heat lamps.

Later on at the Frost Bar, Brandon presided over a competitive game of Trivial Pursuit, where teams vied to see who could best put their arcane knowledge to work. That’s a fun thing that happens Thursdays, 8-10pm, at a different spot each week around the property. No reservations are needed.

You can ring in the New Year at the Frost Bar, which will seat guests on the big night between 5:30 and 9:30pm. A four-course menu and a Veuve Clicquot champagne toast is included, all at a very reasonable cost of $105 per person. The bar will remain open until 1am, with last call at 12:30am. During our stay in Brewster we came across a couple of places that also had New Year’s Eve special events that were priced at over $150 per person, so the Frost Bar seems to us like a good place to welcome 2022 on the Cape.

Bayzos Pub

We stopped into Bayzos Pub one night, and the room was crowded with a combination of wedding party members and other Ocean Edge guests. We bee-lined it to the last two available seats at the end of the bar, but were sitting too far away to see the beers on tap. The bartender worked his way over to us. The place was far too busy for a nuanced conversation about the provenance of the offerings, or the Bayzos curation strategy. I would have to draw on my descriptive skills and put my trust in Bartender Jeff, a popular—maybe even infamous—figure on the Cape. “Please set us up with a beer on tap, amber in nature, not too hoppy, and no funny business with a high alcohol content,” I said. Jeff came back to us with a Devil’s Purse ale, made in a small craft brewery located on the Cape in South Dennis. Bam. Nailed it.

Performer after performer made their way to the mic to sing Karaoke, including The bride-to-be and her entourage, who belted out a very impressive rendition of The Spice Girls’ “Wannabe.”

We hit Bayzos again to try out their new dinner menu. The Maine lobster roll, mayonnaise-based, doesn’t change from season to season—lots of lobster on a buttered roll, with a side of fries. So if you’re looking for reassurance that summer was once a real thing, or that summer will someday come back, this is your delicious proof. New menu items that looked interesting were the brie saganaki, with a blackberry brandy reduction served with toasted walnuts and crostini and butternut squash risotto with kale, asiago cheese, and candied walnuts. Fans of the famous Bayzos Pub Burger need not worry. The burger never goes off the menu. The staff doesn’t want a revolt on their hands.

The old-fashioned, comfortable, English-style pub is the type of place that makes Wellesley guests bemoan, “Why can’t we have a place like this back home?”

And so much more

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The Langham, Boston—14 miles from Wellesley to your perfect getaway

September 12, 2021 by admin Leave a Comment

SPONSORED CONTENT: We stopped in to tour The Langham, Boston, and after two years of renovations the changes are nothing short of jaw dropping. From top-to-bottom the former Federal Reserve Bank of Boston building, approaching its 100th birthday, leads the way in casual grace, American style, and European elegance. Located in the heart of the city, The Langham is your first stop for a weekend of luxury, and the New Langham, New Experience Package is the way to get it done in style.

The Langham Boston, loft suite — The Langham’s mulit-level loft suites give families just the right amount of breathing room.

The accommodations don’t feel like “rooms”—they feel like you’ve discovered the perfect spot for your own pied-à-terre. Book one of The Langham’s multi-level loft suites. We know you love the kids, but after a full day exploring Boston, there’s something to be said for a little family distance. Picture this: You’re upstairs in the spacious second-floor master bedroom, relaxing on the king-sized bed, a full-sized, luxurious bath mere steps away. The kids are downstairs enjoying the 65” LED HD-television. There’s even a first-floor powder room, so no pounding up to the loft to use your bathroom. With amenities like this, it’s possible you could achieve an uninterrupted hour of me-time. Oh, and of course there’s a TV up in the loft for the adults.

When dinner time rolls around, there’s no need to start family arguments by trying to build consensus. The Fed, located at street level, is the spot. With its sophisticated atmosphere, The Fed feels like a special night out, yet the vibe is relaxed and welcoming. On The Fed’s menu expect classic bar snacks and shareable dishes for all such as a customizable seafood tower with oysters, lobsters, prawns, shrimp, and scallops; a charcuterie board; classic burgers; and more. Don’t skip dessert—the Boston Cream Pie is not to be missed. Inspired cocktails and craft beers are available for the adults, of course. In addition to the cozy indoor seating, there’s a bustling sidewalk terrace scene.

The Langham, The Fed — **The Langham’s street-level cocktail pub, The Fed, offers a warm, casual atmosphere.**

All this is only 14 miles from Wellesley making The Langham your perfect, private Boston “getaway spot.”

The Langham, Boston

250 Franklin Street Boston, MA 02110
617-451-1900
tlbos.info@langhamhotels.com

Beyond Wellesley: The Langham, Boston—restored and reimagined

July 11, 2021 by admin Leave a Comment

The Langham, Boston has reopened after two years of a top-to-bottom transformation, ushering in a new era of American warmth and comfort with a reverence for European elegance. Built in 1922 as the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and located in the very heart of the city, The Langham is now the place to recommend to visiting guests who want to experience luxury, service, and tradition through a distinctly modern lens.

Think welcoming rooms decorated with a fresh and bright palette, along with innovative amenities (hello, Nespresso machines; Italian marble bathrooms with rainfall showers; and oversized windows that flood guest rooms with natural light). In addition, The Langham’s new collection of iconic artworks bestows the historic landmark with a feeling of grace and permanence.

But why should those from Beyond Wellesley have all the fun? Why not book one of The Langham’s 312 residentially-styled guest rooms and suites for a family getaway or a night on the town and enjoy five-star accommodations along with all that Boston has to offer? The North End, Boston Harbor, the Seaport District, Downtown Crossing, and Faneuil Hall are just a short walk away. A slightly longer walk (or car ride) will get you to Boston Common, Back Bay, Fenway Park, SoWa, and more. As part of its reopening celebration, guests will enjoy special access to many attractions, including Classic Harbor Line cruises and the Museum of Fine Arts.

If a never-to-be-forgotten celebration is what you have in mind, The Langham’s restoration has created glamorous spaces to make memories and celebrate the everyday.

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Beyond Wellesley: a winter wander around Gloucester, Massachusetts

March 9, 2021 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Our recent visit to Gloucester, Mass. included a hike at Ravenswood Park; a visit to the north shore town’s Main Street (there’s lots to see including two bookstores); and a great take-out lunch from local favorite The Causeway.

More here on our adventure.

Beyond Wellesley: Gloucester, Mass. — We followed the Ledge Hill Trail at Ravenswood Park. Once you get the top you’re rewarded with a view of Gloucester Harbor, known as America’s oldest seaport. Especially with young kids, if all you did was an out-and-back hike on Ledge Hill trail to the overlook, that would be a fine hike and a successful family outing. The path is lined with moss-covered boulders, some of them absolutely massive, and the hiking itself is easy, with no sudden elevation changes.

Beyond Wellesley: Andres Institute of Art in Brookline, New Hampshire

July 30, 2020 by Deborah Brown 2 Comments

In a small New Hampshire town on the Massachusetts border, art-lovers flock to a long-abandoned ski area. There, they wander the woods to view sculptures made of stone, steel, wood, and other materials in the same setting where, decades ago, thrill-seekers sped straight down black diamond trails.

At the Andres Institute of Art in Brookline, NH, artists from all over the world have contributed pieces to what is New England’s largest outdoor sculpture and hiking park. And new art is created and installed on the 140-acre hill every year at this hidden gem, which is free, fun, and open to the public year-round, dawn to dusk.

Over 100 thought-provoking, original works of art are nestled along walking trails all over the mountain, just waiting for visitors to view and enjoy the experience of a personal connection with nature combined with a chance to see large-scale art created on-site.

The park is the brainchild of engineer and innovator Paul Andres, who in 1996 purchased Big Bear Mountain and moved into the house at its peak. There, he was able to combine his lifelong love of nature and passion for art to devote a portion of the property to a sculpture park. Once Andres joined forces with sculptor and long-time Brookline resident John M. Weidman, there was no stopping the pair, and the Andres Institute of Art was born. What started as a few works in the front yard of Andres’ house has turned into a full-blown outdoor museum, with art placed among the many trails that criss-cross the mountain.

Start your visit by picking up one of the maps available in the parking area. An Andres Institute trails map is a curious thing — all at once necessary, inscrutable, and practically useless. Maybe the map is itself a work of art, and I’m too obtuse to understand it. I don’t know. Sometimes it map helped. But sometimes I consulted mine, looked up and around, and wondered if I had perhaps strayed to the edge of a flat world, one where beyond there were beasties waiting to devour me. Still, you need one of those maps if you’re to have a chance of really enjoying the place. Think of it as just one tool. Having your hiking wits about you is another. Basically, you can’t get all that lost on a 613-foot-high, 140-acre mountain, right? Also, there are signs here and there, so that’s one more tool in your kit.

Relax, you’re here to hike and enjoy art. If you bring children, fantastic. They can run and shout and actually touch the art. Even normally reluctant, complaining young hikers will be kept so busy looking for the next sculpture that before they know it, they’ll be at the top of the mountain and it will be time for a snack or lunch. If you bring a dog, also great. Just keep that member of the family on a leash, and it’s all good.

During my visit, I walked the Summit Loop with the goal of enjoying my bagged lunch with a view of the Monadnock Mountains range. Pro tip: when you get to the cell phone towers, you’re at the top, it just might not be 100% obvious. Here’s where your hiking wits come in. Where are cell towers placed? At the tippy top of wherever it is they are — church spires, sky scrapers, mountains, right? OK, you’ve got this. Walk a little further, poke around a bit, and before you know it, the Monadnock range will be arrayed before you, over a dozen peaks, great and small. To the left, there’s Barrett Mountain. Straight on, there’s Mt. Monadnock. Over to the right, Pack Monadnock. What you’ve got in front of you is a whole list of future adventures.

Old Man in the Mountains, NH. I miss the old lug. Photo credit: Library of Congress.

All that and art, too. You made it. Plop yourself down on the old bowling alley seating and enjoy the amazing view that include, of course, a perfectly placed, massive stone sculpture.

How the art gets there

Once a year, several artists from all over the world travel to the Institute to immerse themselves in its rural character and create their art as part of the Bridges and Connections International Sculpture symposium. The artists travel to the Andres Institute for a 3-week stint to craft what are often multi-ton works. The program is part short-term residency, part cultural exchange. Artists stay with locals who sponsor their stay, and work with volunteers who groom and prepare sculpture sites, and operate the heavy equipment needed to properly place the works.

According to the Andres website, “The artists are paid a small stipend for their attendance, but the real reward is that they are allowed to create whatever sculpture they like and to place it wherever they want on the mountain. The Institute provides tools and materials to help each artist realize his or her vision.”

The result is beautiful art hidden in plain sight among the natural backdrop of a New Hampshire forest.

The best part about the Andres Sculpture Park is that it’s unique and charming, with an original sculpture at every bend. The mountain itself, immovable and unchanging, serves as host to a this constantly growing work-in-progress that attracts an increasing number of artist applicants who vie for the four coveted spots per year.

We arrived for our visit to the Institute late-morning on a Saturday and enjoyed an easy, breezy socially distanced experience. The mountain was peopled but not crowded, and visitors were quick to don their masks upon approaching others. We’re told that a nice side trip is to stop off at the New Kun Garden Chinese Restaurant down the street for their Thai ice cream roll, followed by a dip at Potanipo Pond. We opted to hit one of the many farm stands in the area for organic produce and homemade baked goods.

Details:

Andres Institute of Art
98 Rte. 13
Brookline, NH 03033
603-673-8441

Open year-round, dawn to dusk.

Parking is plentiful.

There is a port-a-potty in the parking lot, but it was off limits when we was there due to COVID.

There is no water available, so be sure to bring your own.

This is a carry in/carry out park.

Downloadable maps are available online.

Wellesley Transportation provides airport, local, and long-distance service

February 28, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

SPONSORED POST: Let Wellesley Transportation help you and your family with all your transportation needs. Owned and operated by Thomas Shinnick since 1995, Wellesley Transportation, formerly known as College Taxi, has been proudly serving Wellesley and the surrounding communities for over 90 years. Originally established in 1926, Wellesley Transportation provides on-time airport, local and long-distance transportation in luxury vehicles. For reservations, call or text 781-235-2200.

If the idea of driving to the airport exhausts you before you even start your trip, let Wellesley Transportation’s professional licensed livery service get you there. Trade in the stress of fighting traffic and finding parking for a reliable, service-oriented, and safe experience.

All Wellesley Transportation drivers are commercially insured and registered, with spotless driving records.

Wellesley Transportation can:

Transport you both locally or long-distance

Pick up visitors from the airport and bring them to your door

Meet you or your visitors at convenient designated limo areas at the airport

Get all passengers and baggage safely into the vehicle

Thomas’ excellent communication skills will ensure that you will get the right vehicle to transport your entire party to your destination. For reservations, call or text 781-235-2200.

Beyond Wellesley: Tuning into Nashville

November 8, 2019 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

broadway nashville

You won’t find 2 more different places than Wellesley and Nashville. And that, of course, is the beauty of what people from either place will find visiting the other.

Nashville has so much to offer that you just don’t come across in Wellesley:

Vehicles driven by sober people lined on each side by drinkers peddling from their barstools while singing at the tops of their lungs.
Broadway, a non-stop party strip with country and other singers belting out tunes from open-air bars bearing the names of Kid Rock, Jason Aldean and others.
Pedestrians who more or less obey traffic signals.
A colorful pedestrian bridge linking the NFL’s Tennessee Titans football stadium to the central bar and restaurant area.

peddlers nashville — A little rain didn’t stop the party bikes from cruising Broadway

On and under the surface, Nashville is more suited to grown-up visitors than families, though granted, we didn’t seek out activities such as the acclaimed zoo. We also traveled without renting a car, so confined our excursions to those within a reasonable walk, run or ride-share.

I should mention that neither Mr. nor Mrs. Swellesley is much of a country music fan. We recognized some names and songs, but weren’t bowing at Music City’s altars like some visitors. We descended upon Nashville to attend a late-October journalism conference called the LION Publishers Summit, and take in the sights while there.

Nashville sights and sounds

We started off strong, taking a quick look at daytime Broadway after checking in to our hotel, which had a guitar-shaped pool we regrettably never used. Guitars are everywhere in Nashville, and southern charm and manners were alive and well, too. We made a concentrated effort to be friendly, and more or less succeeded.

We grabbed lunch at Acme Feed & Seed, which boasts a steady stream of customers and juicy brisket sandwiches. We ate on the rooftop bar, which

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Beyond Wellesley: The Downton Abbey exhibit at The Castle in Boston

September 6, 2019 by Deborah Brown 4 Comments

I recently had the opportunity to step back in time to post-Edwardian England at “Downton Abbey: The Exhibition,” appropriately venued at The Castle at Park Plaza in Boston. If you were a fan of the upstairs-downstairs British historical period drama which won 15 Emmys and three Golden Globes, you simply must go, darling. It’s been absolutely ages (ok, since 2016) since the PBS show wrapped up after six seasons of family drama, social commentary, and absolutely fabulous costumes. You need a Lady Mary fix, admit it.

Downton Abbey exhibit — Executive Chef and Natick resident Joe Lewi laid out quite a spread on media night. The former Ringling Bros. and Barnum Bailey marketing executive served up bits that would have appeared at the Downton Abbey table: cold stuffed tomatoes; cucumber gazpacho; artichoke and asparagus salad; Beef Wellington; and French macarons.

For the uninitiated, Downton Abbey followed the divine and dramatic lives of the Crowley family, who were to the manor born and lived “upstairs.” Meanwhile “downstairs”, their servants lived a somewhat parallel existence of good times and bad, but without all the money and fabulous bespoke clothing. Downton Abbey was a place where everybody knew their place, and deviance from social standards was not permitted. But Mrs. Patmore cooked so beautifully, and the parties were jolly, so to be a spoilsport about it all would be really quite bad form.

Downton Abbey exhibit, Boston — Gotta love Lady Mary, played by Michelle Dockery. Privileged, demanding, determined, and always impeccably turned out.

You’ve got until September 29th to see all the sets, costumes, and historical exhibits. No RSVP required, but you can get your tickets ahead of time here. It’s always an open house situation at an inherited cozy little 300-room place in the English countryside. The exhibition is open daily from 10am to 6pm, with the last ticket sold at 4:30pm. Expect to spend between 60 and 90 minutes exploring Downton Abbey. Guests are welcome to stay for as long or as little as they would like during hours of operation. The exhibition is fully accessible for the mobility impaired.

Downton Abbey, Boston — Hands down, this was my favorite of the over 50 costumes on display at the exhibit. Just a little Summer ensemble worn by Lady Grantham (Elizabeth McGovern). Also on display: wedding gowns, ball gowns, riding clothes, military uniforms, and more.

If you can’t make it to Boston by the exhibit’s September 29th closing date, you can always catch the exhibit at Biltmore in Asheville, North Carolina, where the Downton denizens will spend the holiday season. You can also catch up with the family later this month on the big screen. The Downton Abbey movie is set for release on September 20.

Viking Cruise line was the presenting sponsor of Downton Abbey: The Exhibition. Now there’s an outfit that knows how to explore the world in comfort.

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The Langham, Boston—14 miles from Wellesley to your perfect getaway

The Langham, Boston

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Details:

Wellesley Transportation provides airport, local, and long-distance service

Beyond Wellesley: Tuning into Nashville

Nashville sights and sounds

Beyond Wellesley: The Downton Abbey exhibit at The Castle in Boston

Memorial Day observances in Wellesley

Hemlock Gorge & Echo Bridge guided walk

Schofield 5k, Fun Run and Fun Fair

Hazardous Household Waste & Document Destruction Day

2023 Wellesley Democratic Town Committee Caucus