Natick volunteers readying for 3rd ‘No Kings Day’ rally

March 21, 2026 by Deborah Brown

Natick residents are organizing a No Kings Rally to be held on Saturday, March 28, noon-1:30pm, on the Natick Town Common, joining protesters at thousands of other such events scheduled around the country. The Natick rally will feature speakers who are community leaders on immigrant rights, climate change, and other key topics.

No Kings rally in Natick — “No Kings Day” protesters outside the Morse Institute Library, 2025

“We’re encouraging people to bring signs and make their voices heard,” says Natick resident Julie Gordon, who is helping to organize the event. “This is a crucial time for all of us to step up in the defense of democracy and democratic freedoms.”

This is the third in a series of nationwide No Kings rallies. In June 2025, an estimated 5 million people attended No Kings events to protest authoritarianism and protect democracy. In October, up to 7 million people attended 2,700 No Kings events.

2026 scholarship application deadlines approaching for Natick students

March 12, 2026 by Deborah Brown

You don’t need us to tell you that an education beyond high school is expensive. Here are a few organizations that are looking to defray the costs for eligible students.

The below 2026 scholarship-granting organizations are ready for applicants.

Don’t see your group’s scholarship information listed here? Contact natickreport@gmail.com for inclusion.

Want to sponsor this story? Well, that would be fabulous. Contact natickreport@gmail.com for information

Professional Women in Construction (PWC) app deadline is March 13, 2026

Scholarship award program for undergraduate and graduate students planning to study/work in the construction-related industry: Construction, Construction Management, Interior Design, Architecture, Landscape Design, Construction trades, or Civil, Mechanical, Structural, and Electrical Engineering. Gender is not a factor in the scholarship award decision.

Note: Although the PWC chapter offering the scholarship is based in Connecticut, applicants do not need to reside in CT. Students who attend schools in New England and NY will be given preference, but their current residence does not need to be New England or NY.

The Mark Bavis Leadership Foundation scholarship deadline is March 15, 2026

The Mark Bavis Leadership Foundation scholarship was created to help deserving young men and women excel in their quest to improve themselves, their school or their community.

The scholarship is available to any high school student in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It is awarded on the basis of need, and is not academically based. In addition, the Foundation will give more serious consideration to those students who have made efforts to make a difference in their communities and/or have shown leadership qualities within their school or community.

MathWorks Scholarship Program deadline is March 23, 2026

The MathWorks Scholarship Committee announces the opening of the application period for The MathWorks Scholarships. The Town of Natick will award two $15,000 scholarships to high school seniors who live in Natick and have strong academic records in mathematics and science. Applicants must commit to pursuing a degree in mathematics, engineering, science or related program at an accredited four-year college or university. Each Scholarship is structured as a four-year award, with the first year being $2,500, the second year $3,500, the third year $4,000 and the fourth year $5,000. Ongoing eligibility requirements must be met to receive the award in the second through fourth years. Students attending public, private, non-profit and parochial schools are eligible to apply. This scholarship program is open to all high school seniors living in Natick.

Applications and associated instructions are currently available at this link.

Questions should be directed to: mathworksscholarship@natickma.org

Journalism Education Foundation of New England deadline is March 27, 2026

Up to $2,000 scholarships are available to high school seniors and college students pursuing a career in journalism. Must be residents of a New England state. Application here.

Natick Elks Club application deadline is April 1, 2026

The 2025 Natick Elks Scholarship application has opened online. The Natick Elks Lodge Scholarship open to high school seniors planning to attend a two- or four-year academic program, with at least one parent or grandparent who is a current member in good standing of the Natick Elks Lodge 1425. Applications are due by April 1, 2026, no later than 5pm. No late or incomplete applications will be accepted. Please reach out the the Scholarship Committee with any questions at scholarships@natickelks.org.

Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts application deadline is April 1, 2026

The Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts, Inc. offers scholarships for undergraduate students (including high school seniors who will be freshmen in the fall), and graduate students who will be attending accredited colleges and universities.

Applications are due April 1, 2026

Scholarships are available for students majoring in: Horticulture; Floriculture; Landscape design or architecture; Conservation; Forestry, agronomy; City planning; Environmental studies; Land management; Botany; Biology; and allied subjects

Northern Bank Charitable Foundation scholarship deadline is April 24, 2026

The Northern Bank Charitable Foundation launched the James E. McGarry, Jr. Scholarship in 2014. It honors the late “Jim” McGarry, Jr., of Woburn, for his 50 years of service to Northern Bank and his lifelong appreciation for local fire and police departments.

All graduating high school seniors, who have a parent or legal guardian employed as a police officer or firefighter in Middlesex County, are eligible to apply. Applications, which can be found here, are due by April 24, 2026.

Annual $5,000 college scholarship award.

For more information about Northern Bank’s charitable giving and the scholarship application process, please email mcgarryscholarship@nbtc.com.

Natick Girl Scouts application deadline is May 1, 2026

Every year, Natick Girl Scouts awards Natick Girl Scouts Scholarships to two graduating Natick Ambassador Girl Scouts who have made significant contributions to Girl Scouts and the community. Each Scout will receive a scholarship award in the amount of $250.

Email completed application to girl.scouts.natick@gmail.com

Metrowest Educational Foundation scholarships application deadline, May 1, 2026

Each year the MetroWest Educational Foundation awards both STEM and Arcadius, Emma & Robert Lemieux scholarships to students in the MetroWest Chamber’s member towns. In 2020, the Chamber added the following scholarship categories: the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism Scholarship, the Inclusion Scholarship, and the Arthur ‘Ted’ Welte Community Service Scholarship. Scholarship links can be found here.

The applicants must be residents of one of the following towns: Ashland, Bellingham, Dover, Framingham, Franklin,Holliston, Hopedale, Hopkinton, Hudson, Marlborough, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Milford, Natick, Northborough, Sherborn, Southborough, Sudbury, Wayland, Wellesley, Weston or Westborough.

The Friends of Natick Drama Workshop application deadline is May 1, 2026

The Friends of Natick Drama Workshop offers scholarships to high school seniors applying in the spring of their senior year. Seniors at all area high schools are eligible to apply provided they have taken part in at least two Natick Drama Workshop productions while in middle school and are planning to attend college or other formal training that fall. Scholarship amounts depend on funding, the number of applicants, and the extent of their participation in Natick Drama Workshop. Scholarship amounts may change from year to year. Applications must be completed fully and received by May 1, 2026 to be considered.

Applications can be completed online or emailed to board@natickdramaworkschop.org

Subscribe to our Natick Report daily email
Please send tips, photos, ideas to natickreport@gmail.com

These scholarship deadlines have passed:

[Read more…]

Here’s how to apply for a Natick Community Garden plot

March 4, 2026 by Deborah Brown

Natick is home to four vibrant community gardens, where residents transform overlooked green spaces into thriving hubs of local connection and edible abundance. These gardens are more than just plots of dirt; they are welcoming sanctuaries where growers come together to nurture the land and forge bonds.

Trade your screen time for green time, and participate in this enriching program. The annual cost for a plot is $75. Plots are available to Natick residents only.

March 16: applications for returning gardeners open

April 13: new gardeners can apply

DIGITAL APPLICATIONS: online via CommunityPass through Natick Recreation and Parks

PAPER APPLICATIONS: available at Natick Recreation & Parks Dept., 179 Boden Lane

For additional information, email communitygardens@natickma.org

Volunteers needed for “All Aboard”—help bring accessible and adaptive cycling to Natick

February 26, 2026 by Deborah Brown

The Town of Natick is looking for volunteers to assist with All Aboard, an accessible and adaptive cycling program. Anyone willing to assist program participants with a mobility limitation experience the freedom and fun of cycling on the Cochituate Rail Trail is encouraged to come help out.

To register as a volunteer, please click here.

Cochituate Rail Trail, adaptive cycling, Natick — Cyclist and volunteer at Cochituate Rail Trail “All Aboard” event, 2023.

All Out Adventures will bring a fleet of adaptive and accessible tricycles and bicycles to Natick on scheduled Saturdays. Staff will ensure a proper fit, and volunteers will accompany riders. All rides will start at the 11 Mechanic Street lot on the Cochituate Rail Trail.

The first date of “All Aboard” is April 18, and there several additional dates. Volunteer for as many or as few dates as your schedule allows.

This free program is supported by funding from the MetroWest Health Foundation and the MathWorks Community Grant Program, in partnership with the Friends of Natick Trails.

Those interested in participating as a cyclist can sign up here.

Natick business buzz: Prestige to bring car wash competition to town; Welcome to new advertiser The Skin Suite; MutualOne promotes; Inn at Fireside Tavern updates

February 25, 2026 by Deborah Brown

The latest Natick (and nearby) business news:

Prestige to bring car wash competition for ScrubaDub

As Natick Report first reported last spring, an outfit called Prestige seeks to open a car wash at 625 Worcester St. (Rte. 9 west), the former location of Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, which closed in 2023. The Natick Planning Board will open a public hearing on the proposed Prestige car wash project on Wednesday, Feb. 25.

prestige rendering — Prestige rendering submitted to Planning Board

According to the pitch: “The Applicant is proposing to demolish the existing 20,000 square-foot building on site and construct a one story, 5,494 square-foot car wash building with associated parking, access, utilities, and landscape. The proposed building will house two automatic car wash tunnels, 110 feet long and its associated equipment. Site plans submitted show the proposed car wash building with 18 vacuum spaces including one handicap space and two employee parking spaces all in compliance with local zoning requirements. Car Wash drive-through lanes have a stacking capacity for 31 cars including carsin the car wash tunnels. No traffic backups to Worcester Street from the proposed car wash building are anticipated.”

That last sentence might grab the attention of those who complain about the traffic tie-ups at the ScrubaDub site that sits on the opposite side of Rte. 9 at Oak Street.

Welcome to new advertiser The Skin Suite

It’s always glow-up time at The Skin Suite, 11 South Main St., in Natick.

Owner Britt offers “a range of services designed to enhance your natural beauty and leave you feeling like your best self.”

Advertiser support helps us bring you the news: Learn more about partnering with Natick Report.

MutualOne Bank promotes Grieco

MutualOne Bank has announced the promotion of Natick’s Donald Grieco to Assistant Vice President, Mortgage Loan Underwriter and Commercial Credit Apprentice.

Grieco has been with the bank since 2014 and previously served as Senior Mortgage Loan Underwriter. In his new role, he will continue to oversee mortgage loan underwriting while expanding his knowledge of commercial credit analysis.

Beyond Natick: The Inn at Fireside Tavern Sherborn to open

We’ve enjoyed Fireside Tavern’s classic American tavern offerings several times since Sherborn resident Laura Robbins opened the 33 North Main St. spot in 2024.

Now Robbins has revitalized the space located directly above the Tavern, renovating the square footage into four thoughtfully designed private guest rooms and bathrooms. The rooms at The Inn at Fireside Tavern are named Orchard, Pond, Farm, and Forest, to reflect the beauty of the town’s surrounding environment. Inn guests share a central, cozy living and dining area—the perfect spot to gather before or after enjoying a meal downstairs. The Inn is accessible via stairs only.