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Category Archives: Needham-Wellesley

A sugar-filled history of New England treats

By Isabell Macrina Hometown Weekly Staff

New England has a few standout treats that have become synonymous with the region: fluffernutters, whoopie pies, fig newtons, and more. Susan Mara Bregman, author and sweets lover herself, came to Wellesley Free Library to share some of the history she uncovered when researching for her book New England...

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Needham couple killed in helicopter crash

By Bill Gilman Managing Editor

A sightseeing helicopter crash off the coast of Kauai, Hawaii, has claimed the lives of a married couple with deep ties to Needham.

Patrick Haskell, 59, and Margaret Rimmler, 65, were two of the three people killed when their tour helicopter, operated by Airborne Aviation,...

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Celtics honor Circle of Hope Executive Director Ari Barbanell

The Boston Celtics recognized Circle of Hope Executive Director Ari Barbanell as a “Hero Among Us” at the Sunday, March 1 game against the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden.

Through the Heroes Among Us program, the Boston Celtics present an award to an individual or individuals who have made exceptional and lasting contributions to...

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NHS students travel to help spread power of education

By Isabell Macrina Hometown Weekly Staff

During their February break, nine Needham High School students traveled to Central America to be a part of something bigger than themselves.

Down in Tululché II, Guatemala, the students joined Boston-based nonprofit School The World to play a hands-on role in the dedication of their 200th school.

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International Women’s Day paints a fierce picture

By Isabell Macrina Hometown Weekly Reporter

In celebration of International Women’s day this past weekend, Wellesley Free Library held the presentation “Fierce Females: Women in Art” by Jane Oneail, founder of Culturally Curious.

Her company curates and presents art appreciation programs in New England. This one is to celebrate the fearlessness, creativity, and determination of...

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WHS AD announces retirement

By Bill Gilman Managing Editor

After leading the Wellesley High Athletics Department for two decades, AD John Brown has announced his retirement.

Brown made his decision public in a social media post Monday. He plans to remain in the position until October to help the school department find a replacement and to assist with the...

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Needham Artists Flourish with upcoming fundraiser

The arts and business communities of Needham will join forces later this month for Needham Artists Flourish, a fundraiser for the Needham Council for Arts and Culture.

The event, which is being co-sponsored by the Needham Community Council, will take place over a two-week period, from March 14-28.

More than a dozen local artists...

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Needham Nutrition Services serves DPW during storm

On Monday, Feb. 23, as Needham Department of Public Works crews worked for hours plowing roads and clearing snow, Needham Nutrition Services stepped in to provide a hot meal in appreciation of their efforts.

Chef Jamie Silverberg of Newman Elementary School, Pollard Middle School...

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Free Admission Student Concert

Sing-Shen has been serving the Needham community for the past three years. She offers private lessons in violin, viola, and piano. Inviting you to attend our Free Admission Student Concert on March 15 at 2:00 PM at First Baptist Church of Needham. 

Sing-Shen Lin is a...

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WSO seeks to make symphony more approachable

By Isabell Macrina Hometown Weekly Staff

Symphony music can be a gorgeous experience filled with instruments in harmony, but it can be overwhelming for people who are unfamiliar in that space.

Wellesley Symphony Orchestra hopes to change that, so their String Quartet came to Wellesley Free Library to present a fun,...

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Local students win national theater award at 2026 Junior Theater Festival West

Students representing Wellesley Theatre Project earned recognition at the 2026 Junior Theater Festival West (JTF West). The monumental weekend dedicated to rewarding and celebrating excellent student-driven musical theater programs happened February 6-8, 2026, at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center in Sacramento, CA.  

Wellesley Theatre Project received the Excellence in...

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Lunar New Year at Wellesley Free Library

In celebration of the upcoming Lunar New Year, Wellesley Free Library hosted a Lunar New Year Paper Lantern crafting night.

In many east Asian countries, the new year means family reunions, fresh starts, and good fortune. Paper lanterns symbolize unity, prosperity, and the coming together of family and friends. What better craft to bring...

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Eventful senior night for Raiders’ girls’ hockey

By Meghan Foley

On February 7th, Raiders’ girls’ hockey played a very eventful game with some controversial calls on their senior night. The Raiders (4–11–2) were playing the Framingham Flyers (7–7–4) for the second time this season after being beaten by them 2–3 last month. Before the game began, the Raiders recognized their seniors...

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Missing dog located

By Meghan Foley

Photo credits: Needham Police Department via Facebook

On January 27th, Needham Police made a Facebook post announcing that they had located a dog who had been missing for six days. The police say Lala was “dumped” and had been on her own during the snowstorm while police, fire, animal control, and...

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Girls’ hockey faces Milton Wildcats

By Meghan Foley

On Wednesday, January 28th, varsity girls’ hockey took on the Milton Wildcats for the second time this season. The Wildcats have had an impressive year, entering this matchup with an 11–1–1 record to the Rockets’ 3–9. The Rockets fell to the Wildcats only two weeks earlier, with a 2–4 loss on...

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Needham comes together on MLK Day

By Isabell Macrina

In remembrance of the civil rights leader who paved the way for change, Needham High School in partnership with the Needham Diversity Initiative and Needham Interfaith Clergy Association put on a program for Martin Luther King Jr. Day Observance. This program, entitled “We The People,” honored his message of peace. It...

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Wellesley Raiders get revenge versus Newton North

By Meghan Foley Hometown Weekly Sports Reporter

Last year, varsity girls’ hockey was 6–15–1 and qualified for the playoffs after defeating Ursuline Academy 11–5, but were eliminated by Hingham High—who went on to win the tournament—in the next round. This season, the Raiders were 1–3 when they went up against the Newton North Tigers on...

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Triumph for Needham High Robotics

On Saturday, December 20, the bustling energy of the FIRST FTC Qualifier in Revere was the stage for a significant display of skill and spirit from the Needham High School Robotics Club. The club, a vibrant community of 47 students, fielded three distinct competition teams: T-10, the all-girls/non-binary HackHers, and Liquid Oxygen (LO2).

The...

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Rockets continue winning streak

By Meghan Foley Hometown Weekly Sports Reporter

Varsity girls’ basketball ended last week with a 5–0 record after defeating Walpole in overtime on December 23rd and Westwood in regulation on the 30th.

Last year, the Rockets lost to Walpole 27–34 but were the first to defeat them...

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Rockets win in overtime

By Meghan Foley Hometown Weekly Sports Reporter

Last season, the Rockets were 12–18 and made it to the playoffs as the 21st-seed, but were knocked out of the first round by Archbishop WIlliams (seeded 12th). The Wellesley Raiders were 10–11–1 and were seeded 32nd, but were also...

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