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Category Archives: Needham

Community Farm increasing production during pandemic

Over a year in the works, the installation of Needham Community Farm’s high tunnel was completed this month, just in time for the spring 2020 growing season, and just in time for COVID-19.

The tunnel shelters five new raised beds on previously unused land to provide protection from the elements...

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Needham SEPAC announces 2020 award winners

The Needham Special Education Parent Advisory Council has announced its 2020 SEPAC AWARD winners. Each recipient is a staff member for at least one of Needham's public schools. Included among this year's winners was a rare group award for Pollard Middle School's cluster 8-4 General Education Team. Other winners include a number of...

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Recycling/Transfer Station Friday hours changed

The Recycling and Transfer Station will close at noon on Fridays, beginning May 22, for the summer. Normal Friday hours will resume September 11. Residents are asked to go to the Recycling and Transfer Station during weekday hours to ensure social distancing.

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COVID affects Open Studios, art community

By James Kinneen
Hometown Weekly Reporter

Like so many other events during the time of COVID-19, the annual Needham Open Studios, originally scheduled for May 2 and 3, had to be postponed and rescheduled. But while the newly-scheduled date for the event is October 24, organizers have opted to hold a...

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Author Lamenzo mentors nine local students

Nine students from Mitchell Elementary and High Rock have been working on writing and illustrating their own children’s book in a program called Writing + Publishing with Jacky. Local Author Jacky Lamenzo created a program to teach children the process she took to write her own children’s book, "Addy Wants to Fit In."

A lesson from the pansies

By Amelia Tarallo
Hometown Weekly Staff

More people can be found spending hours upon hours in their garden as we transition from late spring into early summer. Some have opted for vegetable gardens after seeing the recent state of grocery stores, while others have planted flower beds to cheer up...

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Social Distance Files: Needham’s Ridge Hill

Ridge Hill Reservation is an ideal social distancing locale.

By James Kinneen
Hometown Weekly Reporter

My GPS told me the Ridge Hill Reservation was just north of “Ponzi Cons land,” which sounded like an amusement park version of the Federal prisons to which they...

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SPAN announces Needham parent Al-anon meeting

Substance Prevention Alliance of Needham (SPAN) has announced an Al-anon meeting for parents who have a child navigating addiction. This is a new open-speaker style meeting, and all are welcome. Weekly meetings will begin starting Monday, May 4, from 7 – 8:30 p.m. via Zoom.

The Zoom link is Read more

BID healthcare workers cheered on by parade

On Thursday, April 30, healthcare workers at Needham's Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital were greeted by the sight of emergency vehicles passing by their hospital. The Dover and Needham Police Departments, together with the Norfolk County Sheriff Department, flashed their lights and blared their horns as a way to thank healthcare staff battling COVID-19.

Needham Open Studios postponed

Unfortunately, due to the current circumstances related to COVID-19, Needham Open Studios will not be able to be held as planned in May. Artists are disappointed that they cannot welcome the community into their homes and studios at this time, but have rescheduled Needham Open Studios to Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October...

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Solarize Mass Plus Needham program extended

The Town of Needham has announced that the Solarize Mass Plus Needham program will be extended to the end of May. The program is a cooperative effort between the state, the Town of Needham, and local volunteers spreading the word on the environmental and economic benefits of having a Solar PV system on...

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BOH approves facial covering emergency order

Starting Friday, May 1, individuals will be required to wear face coverings in local businesses, work sites, government buildings, and common areas of residential and commercial buildings. This includes a fabric mask, scarf, or bandanna that covers both nose and mouth.

Needham has 217 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 33...

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Homemade masks: proper wear and care

Be Kind Needham recently began distributing instructions for proper use and care for homemade masks. "We have noticed and are greatly concerned by the number of people who are not wearing their masks properly," Sarah Heath of Be Kind Needham wrote to Hometown Weekly. "We are now handing out instructions with the masks...

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Trail experts see opportunities during lockdown

By James Kinneen
Hometown Weekly Reporter

With more and more people flooding the trails of Needham in an attempt to stave off Coronavirus cabin fever, town residents and visitors are going to realize what a unique resource they have at their disposal. But if you’re not an avid hiker, you...

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KoC adapts to life under lockdown

By James Kinneen
Hometown Weekly Reporter

The Knights of Columbus (KoC) pride themselves on acting in accordance with four principles: charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism. But with new social distancing rules in place and the Knights unable to gather the way they did before, they are having to find new...

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Park & Rec moves online

By James Kinneen,
Hometown Weekly Reporter -

With most Americans' current recreation plans eliminating gatherings with people outside of their homes, local park and recreation departments are finding themselves in the precarious position of needing to provide content while maintaining social distancing and ensuring community safety. 

NCC teachers stage fun parade

Teachers at a local daycare, Needham Children's Center (NCC), have really been missing their students. Since beginning social distancing, the NCC teachers have quickly transitioned to virtual classrooms and have enjoyed having Zoom meetings with their students. But they decided to go a...

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VFW Past Post Commander Daniel Keane

It is with great sadness that the Needham Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2498 announces the death of Past Post Commander Daniel Keane. He was a victim of the coronavirus.

Dan had been living in the Chelsea Soldiers Home, where he suffered from a variety of ailments. Prior to that,...

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