Town of Natick, New Year’s schedule

December 30, 2020 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

The Town of Natick will follow a holiday schedule on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Here’s the breakdown:

Department of Public Works

Curbside trash and recycling will be delayed one day in observance of New Year’s Day. Regular Friday collections will occur on Sat., Jan. 2nd.

Natick Public Schools break

All Natick Public School buildings will be closed through Fri., January 1, 2021.

School will resume on Mon., Jan. 4, 2021

Town buildings

Please remember that most Town buildings remain closed to the public due to the ongoing pandemic. Staff is working remotely and available to respond to all questions, emails, and phone calls.

All departments will be closed on Fri. Jan. 1, 2021

Beginning on December 26, new State guidelines were put in place to reduce capacity limits to 25% for most businesses, offices, restaurants, libraries, and other industries.

These new limits will be in effect until Saturday, January 9, 2021 but may be extended longer.

Morse Institute holiday hours

Morse Institute Library is closed to in-person browsing due to the pandemic.

Contact the library for services such as contactless hold pickup appointments. Or try out the new Walk-up Window, which allows patrons to pick up holds with no appointment necessary. Come to the library and line up outside along the ramp, where you will be protected from the elements with the library’s new Holiday Window Display. This exciting initiative gives you the flexibility to pick up your items on your time, with expanded hours during the week and on weekends. More information here.

Thur., Dec. 31, 2pm closing
Fri., Jan. 1, closed
Sat., Jan. 2, closed

Bacon Free Library

The Bacon Free Library (BFL) is closed to in-person browsing due to the pandemic.

The BFL will be open for curbside pickup on Thur., Dec. 31, 10am-2pm.

Thur., Dec. 31, 2pm closing
Fri., Jan. 1, closed

Curbside pickup details

The BFL will be open for curbside pickup on Sat., Jan 2, 10am-noon.

Curbside pickup is available every weekday from 10am–4pm. On Tuesdays, curbside pickup is extended to 6pm. Saturdays the service is available 10am-noon. More info here.

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Town of Natick, holidays schedule

December 24, 2020 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

The Town of Natick will follow a holiday schedule on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Here’s the breakdown:

Department of Public Works

Curbside trash and recycling will be delayed one day in observance of Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Regular Friday collections will occur on Sat., Dec. 26th & Sat., Jan. 2nd.

Natick Public Schools break

All Natick Public School buildings will be closed for winter break from Thur., Dec. 24 through Fri., January 1, 2021.

School will resume on Mon., Jan. 4, 2021

Town buildings

Please remember that most Town buildings remain closed to the public due to the ongoing pandemic. Staff is working remotely and available to respond to all questions, emails, and phone calls.

All departments will be closed on Thur., Dec. 25 and Fri. Jan. 1, 2021

Beginning on Saturday, December 26, new State guidelines will further reduce capacity limits to 25% for most businesses, offices, restaurants, libraries, and other industries.

These new limits will be in effect until Saturday, January 9, 2021 but may be extended longer.

Morse Institute holiday hours

Morse Institute Library is closed to in-person browsing due to the pandemic.

Thur., Dec. 24, 2pm closing
Fri., Dec. 25 and Sat., Dec. 26, closed
Thur., Dec. 31, 2pm closing
Fri., Jan. 1, closed
Sat., Jan. 2, closed

Bacon Free Library

The Bacon Free Library (BFL) is closed to in-person browsing due to the pandemic.

The BFL will be open for curbside pickup on Thursday Dec. 24, 10am-2pm.

Friday Dec. 25, closed
Thur., Dec. 31, 2pm closing
Fri., Jan. 1, closed

Christmas worship services, Natick churches

December 23, 2020 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Natick has many houses of worship that observe Christmas. This year almost all services will be online, and the few that are not have a reservation system in place.

Online or in-person, all the services and masses will be joyful, and all are welcome. Merry Christmas, Natick.

Mass Hort, Festival of Trees — Merry Christmas, Natick (photo by Natick Report, at Mass Hort Festival of Trees).

Annunciation Orthodox Church

37 Washington St., Natick, Mass. 01760
508-481-2028

Thur., Dec. 24, 5pm., more info on the church’s website

Boston Christian Assembly

26 Wellesley Rd., Natick, Mass. 01760
781-883-9708

All services online. More info on the church’s website.

The Bridge Metrowest

7 Strathmore Rd., Natick, Mass. 01760
508-651-0277

In-person worship will take place. Register online
Dec. 24, doors open at 5:30; service is 6pm – 7pm

Christ Lutheran Church

113 Union St., Natick, Mass 01760
508-315-3170

Dec. 24, 5pm – 6pm, via zoom. More on the church’s website
Dec. 25, 10am – 11am, via zoom

Common Street Spiritual Center

13 Common St., Natick, Mass. 01760
508-655-9636

Dec. 24, 4pm, on Natick Common
Dec 24, 8pm, via Zoom, https://commonstreet.zoom.us/j/98477887406

Eliot Church of Natick

45 Eliot St, Natick, Mass. 01760
508-653-2244

Dec. 24, 5:30pm – 6:30pm, virtual service

Fiske Memorial United Methodist Church

106 Walnut St., Natick, Mass. 01760
508-653-1674

Dec. 24, 7pm, service of lessons and carols via Zoom

First Church Natick, UCC

2 E. Central St., Natick, Mass. 01760
508-653-0971

Dec. 24, 7pm, virtual worship will be live streamed on Pegasus

Hartford Street Presbyterian Church

99 Hartford St., Natick, MA 01760
508-653-4839

Milestone Church

Natick venue
217 West Central Street, Natick, MA
781-235-6025

Wellesley venue
42 Elmwood Road, Wellesley, MA
781-235-6025

Join Milestone Church as they host a very special online Christmas Eve gathering at 6pm for the whole family. There will be sing-along music, a special Christmas message, and lots of surprises along the way. Milestone’s Christmas episode can be watched on Facebook, Youtube, Milestone online, and local TV. Milestone Christmas, what to expect.

Natick Catholic Community — St. Linus Parish

119 Hartford St., Natick, Mass. 01760
508-653-5505

Tentative Christmas Mass schedule
Dec. 24, 4pm
Dec. 25, 9am

The schedule is subject to change. Please know that the 4 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass will be broadcast by the local Pegasus channel.
Sign up here to attend mass in person.

Natick Catholic Community — St. Patrick Parish

44 E. Central St., Natick, Mass. 01760
508-653-1093

Tentative Christmas Mass schedule
Dec. 24, 2pm & 4pm
Dec. 25, 7:30am & 11am

The schedule is subject to change. Please know that the 4 p.m. Christmas Eve and 11 a.m. Christmas Day Masses will be broadcast by the local Pegasus channel.

St. Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Church

145 Oak St., Natick, Mass. 01760
774-534-1175

See website for information.

St. Paul’s Episcopal

39 E. Central St., Natick, Mass. 01760
508-655-5880

See the church website for links to all online events.

12/24, noon-1pm, The Incarnational
All are invited to come by the church yard from 12-1pm on Christmas Eve for an Incarnational. Wear a mask, sign in upon arrival, and follow our safety flow through the path of blessings and offerings. You may even hear a trumpet or a bagpipe.

12/24, 3pm, The Pageant, via Zoom, Youtube, or Facebook

12/24, 7pm, Lessons and Carols, via Zoom, Youtube, or the website

12/25, 10am, Christmas Morning Eucharist, via Zoom

Don’t see your Natick Church Christmas services here? Contact us at natickreport@gmail.com for inclusion.

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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