Natick Report

Since 2020: More than you really want to know about Natick, Mass.

A sweet sign of spring—Maple Magic at Natick Community Organic Farm

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Part of the volunteer breakfast crew at the annual Maple Magic, sponsored by the NatickCommunity Organic Farm, at the nearby Memorial School on March 14.
Part of volunteer breakfast crew at Maple Magic (photo by Maureen Sullivan)

 
The “Magic” was in the air, and in the hundreds of pancakes served on March 14 during the annual breakfast sponsored by the Natick Community Organic Farm.

“Maple Magic” offered visitors the opportunity to learn about the maple sugaring process, from tapping to boiling. The end product – pure maple syrup – was one of the condiments offered during the pancake breakfast. A gallon of the sweet stuff was among the items in a special fundraiser organized for Nick Zanussi, who is running the Boston Marathon on behalf of the farm.

Local community groups, including the Natick Historical Society, Bacon Free Library, SPARK Kindness, the Natick Garden Club and the Friends of Natick Trails, offered children’s activities along with information about upcoming events.

The farm will conduct maple sugaring tours through March 21 (advance registration is required), and maple syrup is available for purchase at the farm stand.

For information about the tours, or about spring and summer programs, visit https://natickfarm.org/

More photos from the event, by Maureen L. Sullivan:

This year’s batch of maple syrup is now available for purchase at the Natick Community OrganicFarm.
This year’s batch of maple syrup is now available for purchase at Natick Community Organic Farm

 
Volunteers serve up pancakes during the annual Maple Magic at Memorial School in SouthNatick.
Volunteers serve up pancakes during Maple Magic at Memorial School

 
The Trustees of the Bacon Free Library featured a button-making station during the annualMaple Magic at Memorial School in South Natick on March 14.
Trustees of the Bacon Free Library featured a button-making station during Maple Magic

 
The Natick Community Organic Farm’s Sugar Shack was ready for tours during the annual MapleMagic celebration on March 14.
The Natick Community Organic Farm’s Sugar Shack was ready for tours

 

Please send news tips, photos, ideas to natickreport@gmail.com

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Natick’s Morse Institute Library sponsors annual Family Fun Day

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Volunteer Kathleen Donovan greets a family during the Morse Institute Library’s annual FamilyFun Day on March 7.
Volunteer Kathleen Donovan greets a family at indoor mini-golf event (photo by Maureen L. Sullivan)

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Snow may have covered the ground on March 7, but that didn’t stop hundreds of adults and children from enjoying a round of golf.

The Morse Institute Library hosted its annual free Family Fun Day, featuring mini-golf and children’s activities.

Local organizations decorated the course’s 18 holes, which wound its way through the stacks on the Main and Reference floors. A big favorite with the kids was the hole sponsored by the Natick Academy of Performing Arts, featuring an homage to “Legally Blonde,” complete with one adorable and pettable (stuffed) dog.

Another hole offered plenty of pie in honor of International Pi Day on March 14 (as in 3.14, etc.– it’s a math thing).

The other participating local nonprofits, town departments and library departments included Keep Natick Beautiful, Natick Community Organic Farm, Natick Drama Workshop, Natick Garden Club, Natick Health Department, Natick Public Schools Librarians, Natick Recreation and Parks Department, Natick Service Council, Natick Sustainability, OUT MetroWest, Project ABC, SPARK Kindness, MIL Info Services Team, MIL Children’s Team, and the MIL Outreach Team.

More photos from Maureen L. Sullivan:

The Natick Academy of Performing Arts decorated a hole with a “Legally Blonde” theme.
The Natick Academy of Performing Arts decorated a hole with a “Legally Blonde” theme

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Hundreds of adults and children enjoyed a round of mini-golf during the Morse Institute Library’s annual Family Fun Day on March 7.
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The 10 th hole stretched down the main staircase of the Morse Institute Library.
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SPARK Kindness greeted golfers with a bright rainbow of balloons.
SPARK Kindness greeted golfers with a bright rainbow of balloons.

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Littering and recycling were the main “hazards” featured at the hole sponsored by Keep NatickBeautiful.
Littering and recycling were the main “hazards” featured at the hole sponsored by Keep Natick Beautiful.

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Along the hole sponsored by the Natick Community Organic Farm, artwork highlighted the maple sugaring season currently under way.
Along the hole sponsored by Natick Community Organic Farm, artwork highlighted maple sugaring season.

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Want to do more than dream of spring gardens?

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The Morse Institute Library in Natick recently opened a Seed Library on the second floor, in front of the Reference Desk. Using an old card catalog, the seeds are listed alphabetically; the current list of available seeds is next to the drawers, along with a reference guide.

Seeds will be added in the near future, so future gardeners are encouraged to stop by to see what’s available.

A library card is not required, and the packets are free.

For information, call the library at 508-647-6520 and ask for Kate Markopoulos.

new seed library
Seed Library at Morse Institute Library (photo by Maureen L. Sullivan)

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Natick Veterans Services Director Paul Carew retiring after 16 years of helping ‘uncountable veterans’

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Paul Carew photo
Paul Carew (photo by Maureen L. Sullivan)

 
Slowly, the walls and desk are being cleared in the Natick Veterans Services Office at the Community-Senior Center. It takes time to pack 16 years’ worth of service.

Even as he prepares for retirement in late March, Paul Carew always has a moment for veterans stopping in to say hello, or to get assistance with paperwork.

“My job’s not just black and white,” Carew said as he answered a phone call. “It’s a community with people. You build up a relationship, you build up a rapport. They need someone to heal and fix them.”

The veterans who come to Carew need a range of services, he said.

“There are uncountable veterans who’ve walked through these doors” over the years, he said. “Some are a little broken, some are a lot broken. They’ve heard that I’m a quick fixer.”

Carew cites a “very successful” record of filing claims with the Veterans Administration – about 96 percent, he said, adding that “not every case is a win” and he tries to be honest about the veteran’s chances to obtain benefits.

A Marine Corps veteran who served during the Vietnam War, Carew became Natick’s VSO in 2010 after working in the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office. In addition to overseeing the town’s annual ceremonies, such as Memorial Day, Veterans Day and the Pearl Harbor commemoration, Carew has conducted regular support groups focused on veterans’ suicide prevention; this will be among the tasks he will continue to perform once he retires.

He also plans to revitalize the Natick Veterans Council, and continue helping veterans with their benefits paperwork.

Carew’s last day will be March 27. The town is scheduled to announce his successor at the Select Board meeting on March 4.

Learn more about Natick Veterans Services.

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Mini golf coming to Morse Institute Library on March 7

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The Morse Institute Library in Natick Center will turn into a mini-golf course for the annual Family Fun Day on Saturday, March 7, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

All 18 holes will be decorated by local nonprofits, town departments and library departments, including Keep Natick Beautiful, Natick Academy of Performing Arts, Natick Community Organic Farm, Natick Drama Workshop, Natick Garden Club, Natick Health Department, Natick Public Schools Librarians, Natick Recreation and Parks Department, Natick Service Council, Natick Sustainability, OUT MetroWest, Project ABC, SPARK Kindness, MIL Teen Team, MIL Info Services Team, MIL Children’s Team, and the MIL Outreach Team.

The last tee time is 3:30 p.m.

The event is free, and registration is not required.

Morse Institute Library mini golf

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