Natick Cultural Council presents “Once Upon a Fairy Tale”

December 28, 2020 by Admin Leave a Comment

Master storyteller Diane Edgecomb entertains young and old with this delightful re-telling of unusual fairy tales. From enchanted bears to a wild ride with a fairy-band, Once Upon a Time has never been this fun. This event is funded in part by the Natick Cultural Council, a local agency administered by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

Diane Edgecomb is one of America’s most beloved storytellers and is known for transforming into the characters in her tales, bringing stories to vibrant life. Whether live in the room or present to her audiences via her beautifully recorded videos and/or Zoom events, Diane’s warmth and invitation to participate brings today’s family audiences into the heart of the moment.

Diane has been featured on NPR and is the winner of the ORACLE award for Storytelling Excellence in the Northeast as well as five Storytelling World awards.

Fill out this form to get the zoom link to the program.

DATE: Dec. 29, 2020
TIME: 6:30pm – 7:15pm
LOCATION: Zoom event

Khloé Kardashian visits Lookout Farm’s Greenhouse the day after we review it. Coincidence? We think not

December 25, 2020 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Celebrity gossip site TMZ shared photos of Khloé Kardashian and her daughter visiting Lookout Farm in Natick this week, the day after we reviewed the farm’s new Greenhouse restaurant. Clearly, the reality TV star must be a Natick Report reader.

TMZ went into a tizzy over a big ring on Kardashian’s hand that it speculated could mean she’s now engaged to new Boston Celtics player Tristan Thompson.

Kardashian, who has approximately 125 million more followers on Instagram than we do, posted about the visit on her social media account. Kardashian and her daughter decorated gingerbread cookies at the farm.

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A post shared by Khloé Kardashian (@khloekardashian)

The UK’s Daily Mail also covered this, uh, momentous outing.

Not everyone was thrilled about the visit, or “travesty,” as one reader put it: “Kardashians at Lookout Farm! The neighborhood is ruined.”

We did actually recommend restaurants out this way to Thompson when he recently reached out on Twitter to his new Boston fanbase about where to in the Boston area. We also gave him a heads up about a multimillion house in Wellesley that should be on the market soon that was owned by former Celts player Gordon Hayward and his family. Wellesley has been a draw for Celts players and management in recent years, and word on the street is that Thompson has indeed landed in the town.

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TCAN among Foundation for MetroWest arts and culture grant awardees

December 17, 2020 by Admin Leave a Comment

The Foundation for MetroWest, which serves 33 cities and towns of MetroWest, has announced $150,000 in grants to nine local arts and culture nonprofits. The grants of up to $25,000 each are intended for general operating support, program support, and capacity building efforts.

Among the recipients is Natick’s TCAN, which has had a rough go of it this year without the ability to offer much in the way of in-person events aside from films. The recipients were selected from 45 applicants.

TCAN plans to use its funds to install professional-grade video equipment to offer live performances virtually to expand audience capacity and generate supplemental program revenue.

2020 Arts and Culture Grant Program recipients:

Framingham History Center $15,000

deCordova Sculpture Park & Museum $25,000

Amazing Things Arts Center (atac) $20,000

Discovery Museum $10,000

Gore Place Society $10,000

The Center for Arts in Natick $15,000

Lexington Historical Society $10,000

The Umbrella Community Arts Center $20,000

Hopkinton Center for the Arts $25,000

Virtual gala pays off

Maybe we’re burying the lead here, but TCAN’s first-ever Virtual Gala, featuring music from Lori McKenna and Mark Erelli via YouTube, raised more than $150K with an audience that the arts center estimated at 4-5 times TCAN’s seated capacity. The event was held live this past Saturday night.

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Natick represents at Mass Hort Festival of Trees

December 11, 2020 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

You’ve got through Sunday, December 20 to check out the Massachusetts Horticultural Society’s Festival of Trees, an annual holiday event that has been kept going this year due to the tireless efforts of masked-up volunteers and loyal supporters. They’ve moved heaven and earth to ensure that there are plenty of decorated trees to see (about 70); the always-popular snow village model train exhibit; and more. Outside there are decorations in The Gardens at Elm Bank, and visitors can keep warm and cozy melting s’mores at the fire pit.

Try your luck at the raffle and maybe you’ll win one of the trees, decorations on it, presents under it, and all. The raffle takes place on the last day of the Festival, and you will be contacted if you’re a winner.

When I stopped by to enjoy the display, volunteer Elaine Lawrence told me, “The Festival is a little smaller this year, but we are keeping everything very safe for everyone.” That means, in part, that timed-entry tickets must be purchased in advance.

In strict observance of all COVID protocols, visitors will be escorted through the Festival in small groups. You can get all the latest info on their website. Both the Festival of Trees display in the Hunnewell building and the Snow Village are accessible.

Here’s a look at a few of the decked-out trees:

Natick was well-represented at the event, with residents and business contributing their time and talents to the Festival by donating decorated trees:

Berkshire Hathaway; Catherine Clifford, Elizabeth Carol and Kate Grzesink; Friends of the Bacon Free Library; Monica Carlsson Foley; Natick Garden Club; Occasional Magic; and Tom and Christine Bolsvert.

Plan your visit:

[Read more…]

Natick Holiday Happenings, 2020

December 9, 2020 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Our roundup of holiday activities taking place in Natick, Massachusetts:

Don’t see your holiday event here? Contact Deborah at natickreport@gmail.com for inclusion.

Marsha Kelly Memorial Giving Tree donations

The Marsha Kelly Memorial Giving Tree is up and decorated again this year at the Natick Police Department at 20 E. Central Street, however, there have been some changes for 2020. The Natick Service Council has provided gift cards to families for their holiday gift needs.

The Service Council is asking for help in another area. Those same families are in need of necessities throughout the year. Items such as winter clothing, infant necessities, personal care items, and/or birthday gifts for children are all needed and in short supply. This year, each ornament will represent an item of necessity for families.

Please stop at the Natick Police Department and take a Wish List Ornament from the Marsha Kelly Giving Tree to continue to help those families in need. Donations must be dropped off at the station by Dec. 18th.

Any questions, contact Marylee Watkins, Natick Police Department, 508-647-9510 x2625

The Natick Service Council and the Natick Police thank you for your generosity.

Holiday Stroll, Dec. 12th

Stroll, shop, and enjoy the holiday lights in Natick Center. On Sat., Dec. 12, noon – 7pm there will be free giveaways, a festive atmosphere, and great shopping. You may even run into Santa who will be walking around downtown from 5-7 pm. Please remember to mask up and practice social distancing guidelines.

Join Chabad Center of Natick for Grand Menorah Lighting, Dec. 13th

Before the lighting, join in on the car parade:

First, let them know you’re coming, so that there will be enough goodies for all.

3:30pm: Line-Up on Boden Lane

Adorn cars with decorations before arriving if you wish.

Every car signed up gets Chanukah flags, chocolate gelt and ( individually wrapped), donuts, and light-up menorah necklaces or wristbands.

4:15pm: Arrive at the Natick Town Common for the Chanukah Menorah Lighting. There is plenty of space around the Common to spread out. Please social distance (or if you wish you may remain your car in permitted parking spaces around the block of the Natick Town Common )

4:30pm: Enjoy the music and watching the lighting of the Natick Menorah

More Menorah

There will also be Menorah Lightings at Avenu (3 Superior Dr.) on Mon., Dec. 14 (time TBD), and at Sherwood Village (145 Mill St.) on Tue., Dec 15 (time TBD).

Holiday window contest

Natick Center Cultural District’s 9th Annual Holiday Window Contest is going on through Dec. 16. Stroll the downtown to see how Natick’s local restaurants, shops, and services add to the seasonal magic in a spirited competition to win the title of “Best Holiday Window 2020.”

Drive-by Christmas celebration, Dec. 20th

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