Natick Report

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

Call for artists to help create summer 2023 Outdoor Reading Rooms in Natick

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In celebration of the Morse Institute Library’s 150th anniversary, the Town of Natick and the Morse Institute Library have issued a call for artists to design, construct, install and maintain three original, temporary Outdoor Reading Rooms in public green spaces across the community next summer.

cole center playground

Outdoor Reading Rooms are open-air ‘rooms’ where anyone may sit and read—no library card needed. The Morse Institute Library’s Bookmobile and Book Bike will support each Outdoor Reading Room with pop-up programming such as children’s story times, author talks, book clubs, and historical programs. The spaces will also be available to support public programming led by other municipal departments, nonprofits, and community groups. The Morse Institute just need artists to make them!

Check out the call for artists and consider applying. Responses are due Friday, October 21, 2022.

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Enter your great pics of Natick (and beyond) in Oldtown Calendar Competition

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All are invited to enter Natick’s annual Oldtown Photo Calendar Competition, a community-building tradition organized by the Eliot Church.

Now in its 17th year, the show brings in hundreds of community members to see photographers’ perspectives on the Natick area, not to mention the fun of competition and the sense of history and community from the event. Images captured in Natick, Dover, Sherborn, Wellesley and Needham are eligible. Photographers of all skill levels are welcome.

Oldtown Photo Competition, Natick

The show will take place in the historic Eliot Church sanctuary at 45 Eliot Street in South Natick. On Sunday, October 16, come vote for your favorites, and check out the just-published 2023 calendar, featuring the winners from last year’s competition.

Photographers, please register here.

Important dates for Oldtown Photo contest

  • Registration deadline; October 7, 2022
  • Show Setup; October 15, 3-5 PM (at the Eliot Church, 45 Eliot Street)
  • The Show; October 16, 11 AM – 3 PM
  • Photo pickup after the show; October 16, 3-4 PM

Open studios weekend

The Old Town Photo Competition is part of Natick Artist Open Studios weekend, which takes place Saturday, October 15th & Sunday, October 16th 11am-5pm. Over 30 artists will either open their studios all over town to the public, or set up their work in Natick Center locations. More information coming soon.

Still time to apply for Natick Cultural Council grants

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The Natick Cultural Council is accepting grant applications until Oct. 17 from those who have great ideas for arts, humanities or science projects that would benefit the Natick community.

The Council has more than $14K to divvy up for projects in fiscal year 2023.

Last year’s grants ranged from $200 to $1,000, and included programs such as hip hop dance chair exercise for seniors, know Natick history, and juggling.

Ask questions of the Council at natickculturalcouncil@gmail.com

We once scored a Wellesley Cultural Council grant for a project called Wellesley Dump Art.

dump art

 

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

Groove with the music at Natick PorchFest on Sept. 24

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Natick Center PorchFest is a grassroots community music festival, and it’s free!  This fun annual event takes place on Saturday, September 24, 2022, 2pm-6pm, on the porches of generous hosts, who are sharing their porches and lawns with neighbors and the community around Natick Center.

Natick Porchfest

 

Musicians play on front porches, driveways, and front yards.  Attendees enjoy lots of free music as they walk and bike around the neighborhoods. It’s a great opportunity for local musicians to share their talents with their neighbors, and for residents to discover their neighborhoods anew. 

Natick PorchFest will conclude with a Finale Concert on the front lawn of the Natick Police Department at 20 East Central Street,  at 6pm. 

An event map and schedule will be available at (natickporchfest.org) closer to Sept. 24. 

The rain date is Sept. 25, 2pm-6 pm. 

Natick PorchFest is generously sponsored by Music Go Round of Natick, located on Route 9.  

Beloved Natick children’s librarian retires

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Bacon Free Librarian’s Fran Daneault was given a fond farewell as the beloved children’s librarian turned the page on the next chapter in her life. Fran retired on September 9 after many years of service. The Friends of the Bacon Free Library hosted a party in Fran’s honor that included refreshments, a book in which patrons entered their favorite Fran memories, and cake, of course.

Bacon Free Library, Fran

“The hardest part is leaving all these people I’ve had relationships with for fifteen years,” she said. “I’ve seen so many kids grow up. And I’ll miss doing story time.”

Amy Sadkin says that during the two years that she’s been the Bacon Free Director, it’s been at least a weekly occurrence for teens to come in and reminisce about Fran reading stories to them when they were little.

Fran’s only plans so far include “taking a whole week off.” Of course, being a librarian Fran’s a big believer in the power of information, gesturing to a pile of books she’s borrowed on shifting gears, retiring successfully, and how to manage her next act. The Natick resident says she’ll be around, but keeping a low profile. So if you see Fran out and about, greet her with a warm hello and congratulations.

MORE: Bacon Free Library fall hours

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