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Needham Bank, Wellesley
Write Ahead, Wellesley

Wellesley outdoors: ‘Very robust’ lawn conversion plan taking shape; Conservation Land Trust updates

January 19, 2023 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Catching up on some of Wellesley’s outdoors-related news:

‘Very robust’ lawn conversion plan taking shape

The Natural Resource Commission this spring will begin expanding upon the lawn conversion pilot rolled out last year at Simons Park next to the main library branch on Washington Street. The effort is designed to show the beauty of ditching plain old lawn for a variety of native species in a habitat more friendly to at-risk critters, including bees and butterflies.

NRC Director Brandon Schmitt shared an update during the NRC’s Jan. 5 meeting (see Wellesley Media recording about 12 minutes in) and acknowledged being both excited and concerned about what he described as “a very robust plan” that will include a meadow, bee nesting strip, flowering grassland, and more. It sounds as though the ambitious project will be done in phases, with trees and “woodies” planted early in the process.

NRC Commissioner Michael D’Ortenzio said he’s excited about the project, which he described as a “see to believe” kind of concept that could win over people across town.

Among those likely to be most excited about the project are rabbits, who were all over the pollinator garden planted near the police station, said NRC Commissioner Laura Robert. So steps will be taken to ensure the bunnies don’t mess things up at Simons Park.

About 10,000 sq. ft. of the open space will be used for the project, leaving plenty of traditional grass for other uses.

Conservation Land Trust updates: Pickle Point work, leading guided walks, board openings

 

The Wellesley Conservation Land Trust seeks volunteers to help carve out a new entrance trail to Pickle Point Sanctuary from the Crosstown Trail on Morses Pond.  Some of the work will be heavy labor, and includes raking, brush removal, bench cutting, digging, and hauling. Weather permitting, the work is planned for Thursday-Saturday, Jan. 26-28, from 8am to 12pm each day. All tools will be provided, but bring appropriate work gloves.

2008wellspicklepointnov22_opt

The Land Trust is also launching a 4-session training program for Leading Guided Nature Walks. No prior experience or skills required—just an enthusiasm for nature and helping to share it with others. Upon completion, participants will be expected to volunteer to lead at least 2 future guided walks on Land Trust sites. Training will take place in Wellesley open space over the winter and spring.  Additional training programs (Invasive Removal training and How to Monitor Conservation Properties) are in development for 2023. Fill out this form if interested.

The Wellesley Conservation Land Trust has 2 openings on its 11-seat board. Members must attend monthly evening meetings (the second Tuesday of each month except July & August), volunteer on various committees, and perform activities between meetings. In you’re interested in joining the board or have questions, please email info@wellesleyconservationlandtrust.org.


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Linden Square, Wellesley
 
EXPLO, Wellesley

Wellesley Free Library seeks public input ahead of strategic plan

January 14, 2023 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Wellesley Free Library, main

The Wellesley Free Library is developing a strategic plan and seeks the public’s input in several ways.

  • Take an online survey, open until Feb. 2. Print copies are also available at all three libraries.
  • Participate in an interactive online meeting to learn about the planning process and share your input.
    • Register for Monday, Jan. 23 from 7 -8:30pm
    • Register for Tuesday, Jan. 24 from 10-11:30am

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      • Please send tips, photos, ideas to theswellesleyreport@gmail.com

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Page Waterman, Wellesley
London Harness, Wellesley
Wellesley Lacrosse

Wellesley business buzz: Lululemon has relaxed opening; FIXT Dental bites on additional space; Starbucks bucking for expanded hours

January 12, 2023 by Deborah Brown 1 Comment

Lululemon has relaxed opening

Fashion retailer Lululemon has opened a 4,500 sq. ft. goldmine—er, shop—at 50 D Central St. in Wellesley Square. The Vancouver-based business has had a rabid following for years among Wellesley fashionistas who want to look good but stay comfortable while attending Zoom meetings, running errands, and yes, working out.

Lululemon, Wellesley Square
There are so many different styles on Lululemon’s wall ‘o leggings, we couldn’t fit them all into the picture.

 

Lululemon, Wellesley Square
Large men’s section at Lululemon.

Perhaps best of all is the addition to the retail landscape of a sizable men’s section. Lululemon joins Orvis in Linden Square and the recently reopened E.A. Davis on Washington St. in helping to fill the void in menswear left when the Gap moved out in 2020


FIXT Dental bites on the real estate left open by LAER Realty

After about five years in Wellesley, Laer Realty Partners, which has a presence from here to Florida including about two dozen offices Massachusetts, has closed its office in the Belclare complex in Wellesley Square.

FIXT Dental, Wellesley
Drs. Jason Tubo (right) and Marc Bou-Abboud at FIXT’s grand opening last year.

FIXT Dental (590 Washington St., across from Smith & Wollensky), which opened under the leadership of Dr. Jason Tubo in 2022, snapped up the space adjacent to their already commodious office. Seems that the dental practice recently hired a full-time ceramicist who needs space to work creating crowns, bridgework, veneers, and more on-site.


Starbucks bucking for expanded hours

The limited hours of the Wellesley Square Starbucks over the past year (the shop temporarily closed in November 2022 due to the hiring squeeze) has had coffee lovers looking for caffeine in the downtown area in a bind. Although the location has been opened at least during mornings for some time now, a sign on the door has updated customers on the current situation. Through Jan 22, hours will be 6:30am-noon, and mobile order pickup will end at 11:30am. The good news: management says for now afternoon hours will be devoted to training new staff, “so that we may open again with full hours.”

So if you find the doors are locked at Starbucks in Wellesley Square, but you see people in there who look perfectly able to pour you a chai latte, don’t pound on the door in desperation. Have patience. Barista reinforcements are coming.

Here’s all you need to know about Wellesley’s 50+ dining options.


How to advertise on Swellesley

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Sara Campbell, Wellesley

Moon show over Wellesley

December 31, 2022 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Days after being treated to a spectacular sunset over Wellesley, the moon put on a show last night.

Thanks to John Lee for sharing these photos taken a Sprague Fields.

The next full moon will appear on Jan. 6.

Moon shots (photo courtesy of John Lee)

Moon shots (photo courtesy of John Lee)


Please send tips, photos, ideas to theswellesleyreport@gmail.com

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Favorite Wellesley photos of 2022

December 27, 2022 by Bob Brown 1 Comment

We don’t claim to be the world’s greatest photographers, but despite our shortcomings, here are some of our favorite Wellesley photos from 2022 that help to tell the town’s story of the past year.

EA Davis, Wellesley
The old cash register at E.A. Davis before the store was renovated (the much-loved antique survived the buyout and remains in the 579 Washington St. store, which is under ownership by Mahi Gold Outfitters.

 

hunnewell clapout june 2022
Hunnewell Elementary School sent off longtime crossing guard Judie Johnson Johnson, who safely shepherded students across the street for 58 years. She retired at the end of the 2022 school year. On clap-out day, Judie was showered with applause, given flowers, and serenaded with a chant of “Judie! Judie! Judie!”

 

Hardy School, Wellesley
Wellesley’s Hardy School students as part of a physical science learning activity took the educational experience out of the classroom and onto school grounds, where they had a blast launching their own water bottle rockets high into the sky.

 

squirrels
Seeing double. Photo courtesy of Jay Prosnitz

 

Herlda Senhouse, Wellesley
Herlda Senhouse and friends celebrate her 111th birthday at the Glen Grove apartment complex in Wellesley. How does a centenarian carry on the party after the cake is cut? In Herlda’s case, she and her entourage were chauffeured by private car to the Encore Casino in Everett, where she played the slots.

 

before and after mopo swim
Swimsuit models pose after a Jan 1., 2022 dip in the cold waters of Morses Pond.

[Read more…]

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Deland, Gibson, Wellesley
Rick Cram, leader

Wellesley HS Winter Concert—Dec. 15

December 15, 2022 by admin Leave a Comment

Wellesley High School concert

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Wellesley Square’s Holiday Stroll gets the town into the spirit

December 5, 2022 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Wellesley Square’s Holiday Stroll just about had it all this past weekend, from Santa photos to shopping deals to the annual tree lighting. The only thing missing? Flying horses.

The kid in the stroller “wanted to know if the horses are going to fly,” a mom told me, pointing from the child to the horse-drawn carriage about to make its way from in front of the Station Oak at the post office up the hill to Town Hall.

Soon enough flying reindeer will be doing their thing.

In the meantime, Wellesley Square visitors had loads of fun, all leading up to the tree lighting at dusk.

frosty rudolph stroll

toy shop holiday stroll
Wellesley Toy Shop was a draw

Singing students at #Wellesley Square Holiday Stroll pic.twitter.com/uvQFRSaYhH

— swellesley (@swellesley) December 4, 2022

holiday stroll tree car
The tree was not purchased in the Square, but came for the action

 

holiday stroll london harness
Colors of the season at London Harness

 

horse carriage ride holiday stroll
Horse-drawn carriage at Station Oak

Horse-drawn carriage heads towards #Wellesley Town Hall pic.twitter.com/W2jNzRDgJ9

— swellesley (@swellesley) December 4, 2022

holiday stroll santa

holiday stroll sing

frosty rudolph holiday stroll Anderson's Jewelers
Frosty & Rudolph visit Anderson’s Jewelers (Photo courtesy of Beth Sullivan Woods)

holiday lighting at fire station

holiday lighting rick delorie santa
Fire Chief Rick DeLorie talking chimney safety with Santa

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