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Category Archives: Needham-Wellesley

Forest and Deforestation Talk

By Isabell Macrina Hometown Weekly Staff

Jonathon R. Thompson, PHD, is the director of the Harvard Forest comprised of over 4,000 acres of land, research facilities, and the Fisher museum with a dedication to conservation and environmental changes. Thompson, in partnership with the Wellesley Conservation Land Trust, took the stage at Wellesley Free Library to...

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Sun shines on Rollie’s Family Fishing Festival

Hometown Weekly Staff

Needham family and friends gathered at the Needham Reservoir Trail on Dedham Avenue behind the Needham Public Service Administration Building for a day of fishing and fun at the town-favorite Rollie’s Family Fishing Festival.

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The Pneumatic Krakens make history

By Kathryn Gentile Hometown Weekly Correspondent

In late April, five students from Brookline, Wellesley, Newton, and Needham came together to participate in the VEX IQ Robotics World Championship. These students, also known as Team 6177D or the Pneumatic Krakens, had worked theirway up to this stage through a series of competitions, during which they showed...

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Award-winning landscape designer comes to NFPL

Trevor Smith, an award-winning regenerative landscape designer and a principal of CFS Regenerative Design Studios, will discuss practices that climate change has brought to home gardening: planting native species to preserve biodiversity, combatting invasive species, building healthy soils, installing green infrastructure and managing water. The program will follow a very brief Friends’ Annual Meeting...

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Rockets’ girls’ golf wraps up season

By Meghan Foley Hometown Weekly Staff

Girls’ golf is one of the newer programs at Needham High, the team completing their sixth regular season last week.

“We started out with fifteen beginner golfers and we’ve grown to having 52 girls try out this year,” explained Head Coach...

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Rockets’ rugby wins big on senior night

By Meghan Foley Hometown Weekly Staff This year is only the fourth season for Needham High School’s girls’ rugby program after its institution in 2023. The team recently earned success with a win on May 7th, when they defeated Algonquin Regional High School on the road 75–43, making history...
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Community mourns MacAusland children

By Julia Beauregard Hometown Weekly Editor

On Saturday, May 16, the Wellesley community grieved the MacAusland children at their funeral service, which was held at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.

The two children, ages 6 and 7, were found dead in their home back in April after they...

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Rockets’ softball dominates in 15–3 win

By Meghan Foley Hometown Weekly Staff The varsity softball team recently had a big win over the Natick Redhawks. Going into the game, the Rockets had a record of 6–2 and the Redhawks 3–9. The first inning was scoreless, and Needham held Natick to no runs again in the top...
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Fatal crash in Wellesley

A fatal single-vehicle crash on Route 16 in Wellesley claimed the life of a driver Thursday morning, prompting an ongoing investigation by local authorities. According to the Wellesley Police Department, the incident occurred shortly before 11:30 a.m. along Washington Street, which is part of Route 16, near the intersection with Glen Road. An officer on patrol...
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75,000 blooms return to Elm Bank

by Elizabeth Connolly Hometown Weekly Staff Massachusetts Horticultural Society’s (MHS) Tulip Mania is back for its fourth year, and it’s better than ever. Located less than 20 miles from downtown Boston at The Garden at Elm Bank, this picturesque destination offers nearby residents the chance to wander through fields...
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Boys’ volleyball faces Brookline in championship rematch

By Meghan Foley Hometown Weekly Staff On April 30th, the boys’ volleyball team (9–1) hosted an anticipated match against the Brookline Warriors (9–0), who defeated them in the finals last season three sets to one when Needham was the 3rd seed and Brookline was the 1st. The game was competitive from the start, with a good rally during...
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Needham’s Garlick honored at Arc Gala

 The Arc of Massachusetts, the leading advocacy organization for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and autism, celebrated “progress and possibility” for its community last night during its annual gala at the UMass Club in Boston. 

This year’s event highlighted three Partners in Progress, whose work advances opportunities and rights for people with IDD and autism: Hon. Denise Garlick,...

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Bestselling author McFadden reveals herself to be Needham physician

One of the literary world’s most successful psychological thriller authors has stepped out of the shadows, revealing her true identity as a local physician specializing in brain disorders.

Sara Cohen, a doctor living and working in the Boston area, confirmed this week that she is the woman behind the global bestseller The...

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Taste of Neponset a delicious success

By Bill Gilman Managing Editor

 The Neponset River Regional Chamber hosted its annual "Taste of the Region" event Wednesday evening at the Blue Hill Country Club, bringing together hundreds of local residents and business leaders to sample the area's diverse culinary landscape.  

The two-hour showcase, held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30...

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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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