Natick Report

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

Maple-sugaring season begins at Natick Community Organic Farm

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Madison Latiolais of the Natick Community Organic Farm helps place a sap bucket onto one ofthe farm’s sugar maple trees on Feb. 12.
Madison Latiolais of the Natick Community Organic Farm helps place a sap bucket
onto one of the farm’s sugar maple trees (Photos by Maureen L. Sullivan)

 
In the depths of mid-winter chill, a sign of spring hangs on local maple trees.

The Natick Community Organic Farm, off Eliot Street, began its maple-sugaring season on Feb. 12 with the tapping of sugar maples on its property.

Within a few days, farm staff and volunteers will be hanging plastic buckets on more than 400 trees through the area, including at Elm Bank Reservation. Then, over the next several weeks, the farm will be collecting the sap, then boiling it into syrup in its sugar house.

Casey Townsend, executive director of the Natick Community Organic Farm, drills into one of the farm’s sugar maple trees on the first day of tapping on Feb. 12.
 
The sweet results will be part of the farm’s annual Maple Magic Pancake Breakfast on March 14 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Memorial School (next to the farm). The syrup will also be available for purchase at the farm (during Maple Magic and afterward) while supplies last.

Interesting in learning about how maple syrup is made? Sign up for a tour, offered from mid-February through mid-March. Discover the historical maple-sugaring techniques of indigenous peoples and colonists, as well as present-day methods on the farm. Learn about tree identification, qualities of sap and syrup, how to tap, and more at the outdoor displays and tapped trees. If conditions are right, you may get to see sap dripping into buckets, and watch a sap boil.

The cost is $10, and advanced registration is required.

Buckets, lids and other equipment stand ready as Natick Community Organic Farm begins itsmaple sugaring season on Feb. 12.
Buckets, lids and other equipment stand ready as Natick Community Organic
Farm begins its maple sugaring season

 
Casey Townsend, executive director of the Natick Community Organic Farm, tells his youngassistants about how they will hang buckets to collect maple sap on Feb. 12.
Casey Townsend, executive director of the farm, tells his
young assistants about how they will hang buckets to collect maple sap on Feb. 12.

 

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Natick AMVETS post hosts annual Passion Plunge for Special Olympics

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A brave Passion plunger
A brave Passion plunger (photos by Maureen L. Sullivan)

 
AMVETS Post 79, off Superior Drive, has been hosting the Passion Plunge for almost a quarter-century. During that time, the event has raised nearly $1.2 million, according to Wayne Anthony, a member of the AMVETS and a main organizer for the event.

“It shows the partnership between our veterans and the community,” said Amanda Hulbert of Special Olympics of Massachusetts.

While some years had participants jump into an ice-free lake, it was not the case on Feb. 7. Volunteers spent the morning keeping the hole clear. The chunks of ice that had been removed flanked the hole like winter sculptures.

Before they took the Plunge, participants young and old hung out at the second floor of the post, including brother and sister River and Rain Burnham of Natick.

“It’s fun … it’s something to brag to my friends about,” said Rain, who was taking part in her third Plunge.

“I just like jumping into freezing cold water,” said Rain’s brother, River, a student at Brown Elementary School.

Rain Burnham, front, and her brother, River, emerge from Lake Cochituate during the annualPassion Plunge at AMVETS Post 79 on Feb. 7.
Rain Burnham, followed by brother River, emerge from Lake Cochituate

 
For Ethan Bruso of West Springfield, helping the Special Olympics is well worth a quick dip into freezing water.

“It’s a good cause,” said Bruso, who took the plunge with his father, the state commander for AMVETS. “I’m glad to see a lot of people showing up. I raised $500 for Special Olympics – that’s all that matters.”

Event sponsors included Bolts Garage, Sons of AMVETS 74, McGovern Auto, Quarry Hills Animal Hospital, Hytek Automation Solutions LLC, Panera Bread, Dunkin’ Donuts and Micros Northeast.

According to the event’s website, more than $14,000 has been raised so far. Donations will be accepted through March 15.

More about Special Olympics of Massachusetts
 

Robert Bruso, right, state commander for the AMVETS of Massachusetts, makes his way to theshore of Lake Cochituate for the annual Passion Plunge on Feb. 7.
Robert Bruso, right, state commander for AMVETS of Massachusetts, makes his way to the shore 

 
Volunteers spent the morning of Feb. 7 keeping the Passion Plunge area at the AMVETS Post 79free of ice.
Volunteers kept plunge area clear

 

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AMVETS Post 79 annual Passion Plunge set for Feb. 7

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AMVETS Post 79, Superior Drive, will host the annual Passion Plunge to benefit Special Olympics of Massachusetts on Saturday, Feb. 7.

Registration and check-in will take place from 11 a.m. to noon; the event will begin at noon, when participants will brave the cold (and we mean cold) by taking a dip in Lake Cochituate. The extended forecast shows temps around 20 degrees Fahrenheit at that point.

Afterwards, the nice, warm post will offer a place to get dry and have some lunch.

According to the AMVETS website, the organization’s goal is to raise $40,000.

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Friends of the Morse beats the snow for successful book sale

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Friends of the Morse Institute Library’s firstBook, Music and Bake Sale of the year on Jan. 24.
Photos by Maureen L. Sullivan

 
It took a bit of hustle on the eve of the region’s first major snowstorm in several years, but the Friends of the Morse Institute Library managed to stage a successful Book, Music and Bake Sale on Jan. 24.

With the forecast calling for lots to snow to begin falling on Sunday afternoon, the Friends decided to change up the schedule – instead of Sunday, the Friends held a “pop up” sale on Jan. 23, followed by the regular sale the following day.

Despite the last-minute changes, the Friends reported a good turnout on both days.

The Friends will have sales on the weekends of May 16 and 17, and Sept. 26 and 27. Proceeds help the Friends provide funds for library services and events, including museum passes.

Learn more about the Friends at www.morsefriends.org.

Friends of the Morse Institute Library’s first Book, Music and Bake Sale of the year on Jan. 24.
Barbara Fahey Sanchez helps a customer during book sale

 
Friends of the Morse Institute Library’s firstBook, Music and Bake Sale of the year on Jan. 24.
One of the many categories of books offered at the sale

 
Friends of the Morse Institute Library’s firstBook, Music and Bake Sale of the year on Jan. 24.

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Friends of Morse Institute Library plan book, bake sale for Jan. 24

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Friends of the Morse Institute Library’s Book and Bake Sale

On Jan. 24, the Friends of the Morse Institute Library will conduct their first book and bake sale of the season at Morse Institute Library (14 E. Central St.).

Banish the winter doldrums with a selection of books, DVDs, CDs, puzzles and more. The snack table will feature an assortment of homemade goodies, including brownies and cookies.

Hours on Jan. 24 will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Plans to hold the book and bake sale on Sunday, Jan. 25, have been scrapped due to the predicted snowstorm.

book sale sign

Visitors are encouraged to wear masks; no strollers or scanners will be allowed on Jan. 24.

Proceeds from the sale will help the Friends provide funds for library programs and events, including museum passes, Speed Reads and large-print books.

Related: Bacon Free Library director retiring

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