Virtual Remembrance for Lauren Dunne Astley: A virtual remembrance will be held on Thursday, April 1, on WayCAM at 7:30pm (Channel 8 Comcast, Channel 37 Verizon or livestreaming online here
Town Elections: There are two contested races in Wayland’s May 11 Town Elections, School Committee and Board of Public Works. For a list of candidates and information on voting, click here
* Committee would reaffirm Wayland’s commitment to inclusion and equity. The purpose of a new Human Rights, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee in Wayland has been drafted, including the affirmation that Wayland “has, as one of its core values, the freedom from discrimination, disrespect, bigotry, other forms of microaggressions, macroaggressions, hatred and oppression.”
* State eyes Acton as host to regional COVID vaccination site. A joint effort by nine towns to create a regional vaccination site is one step closer to reality with the town of Acton becoming the favorite to be the host location. According to Concord Town Manager Stephen Crane, the KMart/Stop & Shop site at 252 Main St., is being considered as the host to a proposed clinic.
* How to End the War Over the Future of the Suburbs. Look at Wayland, Massachusetts, about 20 miles outside Boston. Trump took just 18% of the vote, but 100% of the town is zoned in concordance with his ideals. Implicit in the town’s bylaws is hostility to change: Land currently used for estates must remain for estates, commercial land must remain commercial. When an affordable housing developer tried to take advantage of a state law that supersedes town bylaws, the town and an organization of unfriendly neighbors succeeded in delaying the development for four years and counting.
* WSPN wins CSPA Gold Crown award. WSPN has won a CSPA Gold Crown award in the 2021 Crown Awards ceremony. The Crown Awards honor top student publications chosen from CSPA’s members. Announcement of winnersonline here.
* Touch-up for Torah scrolls at Congregation Or Atid in Wayland. Congregation Or Atid in Wayland recently had two of its Torah scrolls repaired and cleaned. Over the course of several days, smudged backgrounds were cleared, “broken” letters were inked, plaster dust was swept, and parchment pages were re-sewn by soferet Alexandra Casser.
* Search for new Wayland police chief could cost $15K. Town Administrator Louise Miller reported to the Board of Selectmen that assistance from Community Paradigm Associates of Plymouth in the search for a new police chief could cost as much as $15,000. Sean Gibbons became Wayland’s interim police chief on Nov. 30 upon the retirement of Chief Patrick Swanick.
* Wayland High School’s robotics team growing despite pandemic. “While it’s disappointing the team couldn’t host the annual Wayland STEM fair or run the robotics season with the entire team meeting in-person together, we’ve learned to shift gears and provide the best experience for our club members competing in this year’s remote challenges,” said Christine Chiang, coach of the Wayland High’s First Robotics Competition team. “I’m proud of the team for working through all the issues to provide a safe and rewarding season for the club.”
For those who are in need of basic food resources, please call 508-358-7701.
Wayland High School WSPN Fundraiser – Live online Practice SAT Exam, Saturday, April 10, 9am – 1pm. Cost: $20, all proceeds benefit WSPN. To register, click here. Take a full-length practice test under timed conditions. A proctored practice exam will help your child build testing endurance and give you a real-time snapshot of their testing performance. More details online here.
Please donate yarn to the Wayland COA.The Wayland Council on Aging is collecting donations of yarn and knitting needles for our “Knit Together” knitting group, which is making children’s hats, mittens, scarves and other items to donate to children in need. Our knitted items will go to The Knitting Connection in Medford, which gives knitwear to shelters and agencies that work with families in need. A marked bin for donations is located inside the front entrance of the Town Building. Thank you for helping us help others!
Wayland Community Fund serving Wayland residents temporarily in need of financial assistance. Please call us if you need help!
The Wayland Community Fund (WCF) provides short-term emergency financial assistance to Wayland residents who have lived in Wayland for at least one year. WCF provides funding for basic needs such as utilities, rent, food, medical bills, and other living expenses. Please call us if you need help with your bills, 508-358-3624 or go to the town website for an application.
Join the MRC! New Medical Reserve Corps Volunteers are always needed! We have a great group of volunteers, however, we would love to recruit new members. If you are interested in helping out your community and would like to volunteer please contact the Health Department at Health@wayland.ma.us.
Upcoming Meetings
Meeting Schedule for The Week: See the Town Website’s Calendar online here. Please check the online calendar for the latest updates, as meetings noted below could have been updated (change in date, time or location) since we captured them. Also, some meetings could have been added since we collected the calendar information.
Please check the Town Calendar to confirm meeting times, locations and agenda. There can be updates from when we capture the schedule below.
Links to join the meetings via zoom are posted on each agenda. The call-in number for public comment during board and committee teleconference meetings is 508-358-6812.
Monday, March 29
* Board of Health, 5:30pm. Agenda includes: COVID-19 case report, COVID-updates including state travel advisory related to school reopening, PIP for River’s Edge, PRFAS and resident notifications regarding Happy Hollow wells, letter to private well owners
* Board of Selectmen, 6pm. Agenda include: Town Administrator performance evaluation, Board retreat (goal setting)
* Historic District Commission, 4pm. Agenda includes: Public Hearings (30 Cochituate Rd – install high wood fence, 1 Bow Rd replace windows and entry door)
* School Committee, 5:30pm. Agenda includes: COVID-19 Response, FY22 operating budget, Director of Finance and Operations search, School Councils policy, remote day for WMS on May 11
Thursday, April 1
* No meetings currently scheduled
Friday, April 2
* No meetings currently scheduled
Announcements
New Listings
The latest from the Wayland Library (full newsletter online here)
Adult Programs:
* Wayland Reads 2021 (How To Be An Antiracist)
* Wayland Reads Author Talk: Against Civility (April 11)
* Medicinal Herb Gardening: What to Grow (April 5)
* Noon Book Group (A High Wind in Jamaica, April 9)
* Exploring a Human Rights Commission (April 13)
* Dystopian/Sci-Fi Book Group (April 15)
April Vacation Specials:
* Kids Cooking Green on Zoom: Seeded Chocolate Bark (April 20)
* Celebrate Earth Day! Story/craft with Ms. Elise on Zoom (April 21)
* Social Justice Storytime on Zoom (March 30, April 13 and 27)
* My Name is: Zoom Storytime with Ms. Elise (March 31)
* Food: Zoom Storytime with Ms. Elise (April 7)
* 4th/5th Grade Book Group on Zoom (April 13)
For Families: Pop-Up Parking Lot Library. Stop by the library on Wednesday afternoons between 1-4 p.m. for in-person browsing of popular and new materials, plus fresh air! Maintain 6 feet if there is a line. Wear a mask & hand sanitizer will be provided prior to browsing. Remember to bring your library card! Weather permitting.
On April 10, it’s a Mini Spring Fest at the Wayland Transfer Station. Drop off your roadside and trailside trash collections between 10am-3pm (more info on the Clean Up here). And pick up town discounted
1. rain barrels: They cost $69-70 ($60 for terracotta) and need to be ordered by 4/4. More details here.
2. compost bins: They are $61 and must be ordered by 4/6. More details here.
At the Transfer Station, please wear masks, socially distance, and follow all the rules.
Live Web Event Featuring Hollywood Filmmakers. In this free live webinar, Tiffany Woolf, seasoned filmmaker and daughter of Boston legend Bob Woolf, and Noam Dromi, Emmy Award-winning writer/producer, both founders of Silver Screen Studios, will teach you to create a video time capsule to spotlight your loved ones and inspire future generations of your family. Further information and registration at: https://parmenterfoundation.org/silverscreen/
“Renewal” – a juried exhibit. Renewal is an instance of resuming an activity or state after an interruption and the repair of something that is worn out, run-down, or broken. After more than a year of coping with the pandemic and intermittent shut-ins, we are beginning to reach out to friends and family and to resume some of our daily activities with greater protection and safety, as vaccines become available and the number of Covid cases decline. As spring flowers begin to blossom and the weather beckons us outdoors again, our emotional, creative, and spiritual energies can be renewed as well. We invite all artists to submit 2D and 3D artworks that speak to the theme of “Renewal” for our spring juried exhibit. All information is also available on the W Gallery website (artswayland.com) Jury: The entries will be juried by a committee made up of Arts Wayland member-artists.
The Importance of Native Landscaping in Residential Spaces, May 19. Doug Tallamy, author of Bringing Nature Home and Nature’s Best Hope, among many other books, will be speaking about the importance of native landscaping in residential spaces on May 19 at 7 pm. The talk is sponsored by the MetroWest Climate Solutions group (a MetroWest UU consortium), begun at First Parish of Wayland and supported by the Lydia Maria Child fund. To sign up for this event and the MWCS newsletter, send an email to MetroWestClimate@gmail.com. Questions about Dr Tallamy, creating environmentally healthy yards, or this upcoming lecture? Contact Jean.
Celebrate Spring and Shop small, shop local at the Wayland Depot. The Wayland Depot has fabulous gifts for all your special occasions. Find intriguing items for the Easter basket, graduation, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day. Cloth books, reusable metal straws, fine jewelry, clever wooden boxes, beautiful scarves, pretty pottery, local honey and maple syrup, and Wayland Booster apparel are all available at the gift shop located in the old Wayland train station.
Wednesday – Saturday, 12pm – 4pm
One Cochituate Road, Wayland, MA 01778
508-358-5386
Musicians of the Old Post Road presents C’est Magnifique. Saturday, April 24, 7:30pm. Live Streamed on www.oldpostroad.org. Tickets $10 students, $35 individual, $70 family.
On April 24 at 7:30 pm, the period instrument chamber ensemble Musicians of the Old Post Road will livestream its final concert of the 2020-21 season. Entitled C’est Magnifique!, the program will spotlight the fiery French Baroque style of the 18th century when composers were merging French elegance with Italian virtuosity. For more information and tickets: visit www.oldpostroad.org
2021 Kindergarten information is now available. Intent to Enroll is in progress. The Wayland Public Schools have begun planning for Kindergarten registration for September 2021. Letters have been mailed home to families with children who will be 5 years old on or before August 31. The Intent to Enroll process begins on March 8. More information is available on the Wayland Public School Kindergarten Information website
The Children’s Way now enrolling for 2021-2022.Ages 2.9 – 5 years (or until entrance to Kindergarten). Three, four or five days, half days or full days. Applications available at https://tcw.wayland.k12.ma.us/home. Go to the “For Families” tab at top to find applications. (No application fee required)
Novelty songs of the 50s and 60s. Thursday, April 1, 2:30pm, on Zoom. Celebrate April Fool’s Day with a few laughs as John Clark and his Great American Music Experience presents this lighthearted program. Comedy records achieved their greatest popularity in 1960 and 1961. But in the decade preceding and for a few years after, some of the most original and hilarious novelty records were hit singles. You will be treated to Lonnie Donegan’s Does Your Chewing Gum Lose its Flavor; Allen Sherman’s Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh; Bobby “Boris” Pickett’s Monster Mash and many others. And yes, even more wacky tunes are coming your way from Alvin & the Chipmunks, the Coasters, Roger Miller and Boston’s own Tom Lehrer. Just try to keep a straight face! Sign up by contacting the Council on Aging at coa@wayland.ma.us, or 508-358-2990.
My COVID Experience: A Pandemic of Institutionalized Loneliness. Tuesday, April 6, 7pm, on Zoom. Wayland’s Frank Cutitta spent 100 days in the hospital last year after contracting COVID, more than 40 in a coma. Now, this health care journalist has had time to reflect on his experiences, and particularly on the loneliness he felt and observed in others. His story has been told by The Boston Globe, National Public Radio, andNortheastern University, where he teaches. Join us for this fascinating first-person account, an exploration of the emotional impact of the pandemic on patients, families, and health care providers, and a conversation about antidotes to loneliness. To sign up, contact the Wayland Council on Aging at coa@wayland.ma.us or 508-358-2990.
The Floral Heart Project : A Covid Memorial (created by Kristina Libby, NYC)- It has been over a year since the first case of COVID-19 showed up in Massachusetts. To remember those lost and those struggling, a banner and floral heart (generously donated by Russell’s Garden Center) has been placed on the front yard of First Parish, 225 Boston Post Road, Wayland to remain until the end of March. (Questions: Rev. May) Feel welcome to visit the memorial, with friends, family, small socially distancing groups, add a flower/wreath. Display your own floral heart image at your house or business. Contribute to charities that support and aid those suffering financially from this pandemic. Support neighbors/all of Asian descent who fear increasing numbers of hate crimes, especially the latest shootings in Atlanta.
Listings from Prior Newsletters
Roundtable Spotlight Series: Amplifying the Voices of Male Survivors of Sexual Assault. Over the course of the year, the Roundtable has hosted a Spotlight Series focusing on segments of our communities that face additional barriers when considering if and how to seek help or support. In recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, please join the Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable on Tuesday, April 13 at 3pm for their next Spotlight Series event: Amplifying the Voices of Male Survivors of Sexual Assault. This event will feature male survivors from the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center’s (BARCC) Survivor Speakers Bureau, who will share their stories and what they want the community to know. The conversation will be moderated by a staff member from BARCC and allow time for participants to submit questions through the chat. The BARCC Survivor Speakers Bureau (SSB) was formed in 2002 by a group of survivors who wanted to share their stories as tools to educate others about the realities of sexual violence. The members of the SSB share their stories and engage in a dialogue with audiences ranging from college students to mental health counselors. For complete details, including registration information and support resources, please click here.
Capturing the Stories of our Elders: from Hollywood to our own families, April 6. Hollywood filmmakers will teach you to create a video time capsule to spotlight your loved ones and inspire future generations of your family. In this live webinar, Tiffany Woolf, seasoned filmmaker and daughter of Boston legend Bob Woolf, and Noam Dromi, Emmy Award winning writer/producer, will share their inspirations to create Silver Screen Studios to celebrate the stories of our elders. They will tell us why capturing our senior family members’ stories of hope and resilience can enrich the lives of future generations and help ease our grief when these relatives are no longer with us. Tiffany and Noam will also provide unique advice regarding how to gather and develop the stories, whether you’re on a shoestring budget or interested in a professionally produced film. All of this, sprinkled with anecdotes and clips from Tiffany’s upbringing with her renowned celebrity/sports agent father, as well as Tiffany’s and Noam’s projects with such Hollywood icons as Carl Reiner, Larry King, Norman Lear and Marion Ross. In addition, we will kick off a contest to win an exclusive Silver Screen Studios film production featuring your elder loved one’s life. More information, including registration online here.
WayCAM Board Seeking New Members. WayCAM’s Board of Directors anticipates two vacancies later this year, and encourages interested parties to seek information now. The board meets regularly with Executive Director Jim Mullane and brings a variety of skills to discussions and decisions. A nonprofit organization, Wayland Community & Access Media, Inc. (WayCAM) manages facilities for community access TV on the Public, Educational, and Governmental (PEG) access channels of the Wayland cable television system. Contact Executive Director Jim Mullane for an overview of WayCAM’s mission and how board members contribute.
Household hazardous waste day will be on April 24th, online registration will begin in early April.
Wayland Youth Fishing Derby cancelled for 2021. Safety for all youth and families comes first. With so many changes in the ways we live our lives over the last year, it is with sadness I bring news that the Wayland Youth Fishing Derby 2021 will be canceled until 2022. After consulting with many health care organizations, speaking with many of the loyal supporters and families, we have decided it is in the best interest to stay safe and healthy until we can overcome Covid. Thanks to all for understanding the hard decision that has been made. -Tom Antonellis (Organizer and Sponsor)
Roundtable Spotlight Series: Amplifying the Voices of Male Survivors of Sexual Assault. Over the course of the year, the Roundtable has hosted a Spotlight Series focusing on segments of our communities that face additional barriers when considering if and how to seek help or support. In recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, please join the Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable on Tuesday, April 13 at 3pm for their next Spotlight Series event: Amplifying the Voices of Male Survivors of Sexual Assault. This event will feature male survivors from the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center’s (BARCC) Survivor Speakers Bureau, who will share their stories and what they want the community to know. The conversation will be moderated by a staff member from BARCC and allow time for participants to submit questions through the chat. We encourage everyone to join us on April 13th at 3:00 PM to hear and participate in this important conversation. Working together, we all have a role to play in recognizing the voices and stories of all survivors of sexual assault in our communities. Registration is required, and can be completed through the Roundtable’s website. For questions, please email infodvrt@gmail.com. For complete details, click here.
Virtual Remembrance for Lauren Astley, April 1, 2021 at 7:30pm. at http://www.waycam.tv/live or on WayCAM Channel 8 (Comcast) or Channel 37 (Verizon)
EMASS Senior Softball League opens registration for 2021 season.Eastern Massachusetts Senior Softball (EMASS) is opening its annual registration campaign for slow-pitch softball players age 50 and over. With over 400 members, the league attracts players from towns across Eastern Massachusetts with games played on fields in Wayland, Medfield, Ashland and Framingham. The EMASS season opens in May with 18 weeks of regular season games scheduled through Labor Day and year-end playoffs completed in early October. Click here for full post
The W Gallery March Member Salon, This exhibit will be open for viewing in the gallery from 1-5 pm on Saturdays and Sundays from March 1st through April 3rd. We have safety protocols in place including social distancing and mask wearing requirements. Details online here
Music-making continues virtually. Wayland’s favorite senior singers continue to lift their voices together every week, and YOU can join the fun by (old-school) telephone or (new-school) computer, tablet or smartphone. After 30-something years of music-making, we’re determined to stay connected and healthy with singing! Contact us at goldentones.org, or call 508-318-6318 to learn how to join our 90-minute “virtual rehearsals,” weekly on Tuesdays at 10am, and Fridays at 2pm. There are no auditions and no attendance requirements, only a friendly group of music-lovers from all over MetroWest who enjoy singing, dancing and music-making to pop classics and show tunes.
Transportation for Wayland Seniors. Under a new, grant-funded program, the Wayland Council on Aging (COA) can now arrange for free taxi rides for seniors who have no other way to get to non-emergency medical appointments or other essential errands such as grocery shopping, visits to food pantries, or to pharmacies to pick up prescriptions. The program is funded by a Metropolitan Area Planning Council/ MassDevelopment grant designed to offer short-term support to communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Wayland residents age 60 and over who find themselves without transportation options may contact the COA to request a ride. COA staff will review requests for compliance with the grant’s guidelines. For those who qualify, staff will make arrangements with either Tommy’s Taxi and JFK Transportation, who are partnering with the COA under the terms of the grant. Ride requests must be made at least one full business day in advance. The program runs through December 31, 2020, or until the funds are depleted. If you have questions or would like to ask about a ride, call the COA at 508-358-2990 or email coa@wayland.ma.us
Would you like to serve on a Town Board or Committee? Many appointment opportunities, ranging from A-Z (literally! from the Audit Committee to the Zoning Board of Appeals) are posted online here.
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