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Category Archives: Needham-Wellesley

Listening to Stories of New England with Mel Allen

By Isabell Macrina Hometown Weekly Staff

Legendary editor of Yankee magazine, Mel Allen, joined the patrons of Wellesley Free Library to discuss his long history with the magazine, some of the interesting people he met along the way, and what inspired him to look for people to feature in his new book “Here In New...

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Great Hall Concert Series returns

The Needham Bank Great Hall Concert Series, renowned for its world-class musical performances in a historic and convenient suburban setting, has just announced its 13th season. Performances will all take place at 7:30 pm at the Needham Town Hall.

Emmy, Tony and Grammy-nominee Lauren Ambrose opens the season, followed...

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Needham veteran receives diploma following 100th birthday

By Meghan Foley Hometown Weekly Staff

On June 29th, Needham High School recognized alumnus John Hasenfus, who had celebrated his 100th birthday a week earlier. Mr. Hasenfus was unable to attend his original high school graduation back in 1944 because he enlisted to fight in World War...

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Needham Celebrates the Fourth of July

By Isabell Macrina Hometown Weekly Staff

In celebration of America’s 250th Birthday, the Needham Exchange Club held their annual 4th of July celebration at Memorial Field the night before. People flocked there early with blankets and chairs to claim spots for the best view of the fireworks, but there were many other things to keep...

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NGC awards Scholarship to Katie Burns

The Needham Garden Club (NGC) has awarded its 2026 scholarship to Katie Burns, recognizing her academic achievement, commitment to environmental stewardship and enthusiasm for learning.

According to the Garden Club, Burns stood out among a strong field of applicants for her genuine passion for education. In her scholarship application, she explained that throughout high...

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Puppet Exhibit at Gorse Mill Gallery

This summer The Gorse Mill Gallery in Needham is presenting an exhibit of puppets and puppet theater by local artist John Lechner. The exhibit will include hand puppets, marionettes, shadow puppets, rod puppets, and crankies created by the artist over the last thirty years. The exhibit will run July 6th – August 23rd, and...

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WARS participates in annual event

By Meghan Foley Hometown Weekly Staff

Over the weekend, Wellesley Amateur Radio Society (WARS) gathered in Needham’s Memorial Park Gazebo to participate in the American Radio Relay League’s Field Day. Dan Brown of WARS’ Board of Directors explained the purpose of Field Day: “This exercise is an effort to provide emergency radio communications for potential...

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Needham graduates Class of 2026

By Meghan Foley Hometown Weekly Staff

After being postponed one day due to the weather, Needham High School hosted its graduation for the class of 2026 on Monday, June 8th at Memorial Park. The graduates proceeded down through their families crowded on the hill and took their...

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Wellesley High School graduates Class of 2026

By Isabell Macrina Hometown Weekly Staff

The Wellesley High School Commencement ceremony turned Hunnewell Field to a sea of red caps and gowns as over three hundred seniors entered amongst family, friends, and faculty alike. The commencement kicked off with the Wellesley High School Choral Ensembles and Senior Chorus giving a performance of “Lift Every...

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Hot Dogs and Cornhole! Who doesn’t love them?

For the past couple of Wednesdays, crowds have gathered at the Needham Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2498 on 20 Junction Street. They were there to join in “Weiner Wednesday” where folks are welcomed to the Post and enjoy a hot dog, chips, and a drink for only $5.00. The dogs are served from...

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Terrace grand opening at Wellesley Library

By Isabell Macrina Hometown Weekly Staff

With the warmer months upon us, Wellesley Free Library celebrated the summer by opening their brand-new outdoor space, the Terrace. The day celebrated local artists, the beautiful world around us, and creating a great space for reading, studying, and gathering.

“Covid...

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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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