Natick Report

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

Natick Youth Police Academy applications now available

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The Natick Police Department has posted the application for its free summer youth academy, a weeklong program in which kids age 12-14 learn the ropes of police work.

The program includes role play, CPR, lectures, team building, and more, plus a graduation ceremony.

The program runs July 10-14, 7:30am-2:30pm, and is based at the police station.

Applicants will be considered based on community and school standing, with applications due by April 15.

Natick police heart

Natick celebrates spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Natick’s children, town and spiritual leaders, community groups, and others from Natick and beyond joined for the 18th Annual MLK Day Celebration on Monday at Kennedy Middle School.

Many of these participants took part in a community reading of excerpts from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “The Drum Major Instinct.” Students from the Natick High School Black & Hispanic Student Alliance joined to read a poem titled “Community” in which they said “We are a community that gathers together to spread love within each other.”

We heard more than once during the program—and were convinced—that the community’s youth are the ones who will will truly help the world further the progress inspired by Dr. King.  The students sang, played music, read poetry, and displayed their art during the event. You can view MLK Day Creative Contest Submissions online.

Keynote speaker Kevin J. McCarthy, whose talk was titled “Creating the Beloved Community in Natick,” built on Dr. King’s words in leaving the audience with this: “What are you doing to make a change in your soul? And then what are you doing to make a change in your life that will make a change in the life of the next generation?”

 

Giana Macchiano's "What's Your Life's Blueprint"

 

 

Keynote speaker Kevin J. McCarthy

 

Lori Zalt, chair of the Natick Commission on Disability, was among those reading from Dr. King's "The Drum Major Instinct"

 

natick kms mlkday

 

Johnson Elementary School Peacemakers

 

MLK Day program 23

Rain doesn’t stop Natick from holiday celebration

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Natick took its holiday kickoff celebration inside the Common Street Spiritual Center to dodge the rain on Sunday, but that didn’t stop plenty of families from getting out to make crafts, watch dancers and singers, and meet Santa Claus. If we’ve learned anything from years of watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas, it’s that the Whos down in Whoville don’t let a little adversity stand in the way of celebrating. Natick residents seem to have absorbed the same message, and a festive feel prevailed as balloon twisters worked their magic, and kids waited on the steps of the Spiritual Center to be the first to catch a glimpse of the man in red.

The annual festive event was sponsored by Natick Recreation and Parks, the Natick Center Cultural District, and Punchbowl.

Natick holiday kickoff at Common Street Spiritual Center

Natick holiday kickoff at Common Street Spiritual Center

Natick holiday kickoff at Common Street Spiritual Center

Natick holiday kickoff at Common Street Spiritual Center

 

When the weather cooperates, like it did last year, Natick Common is packed with hundreds of revelers ready to welcome the holiday season with caroling, menorah and tree lightings, and an exciting appearance by Santa.

Natick Drama Workshop’s ‘Twinderella the Musical’: Nov 5-6

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natick drama workshop

The plot: Did you know that Cinderella has a long lost twin brother named Bob living in the same kingdom with his own wicked stepfamily? The separated siblings have enlisted the services of the Fairy Godmother, the Godfather and two enchanted gerbils to help wile their way into the exclusive royal festivities of Wychwood-under-Ooze. Bob has his sights set on Prince Percy’s all-kingdom baseball game, while Cinderella eyes the birthday gala for Princess Petunia. When the two strangers disappear at midnight after Cinderella hits a game-winning home run, the search is on to find the feet that fit the glass slipper and the muddy cleat.

Happy Halloween, Natick

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Monday, Oct. 31—How Natick does Halloween

Natick is definitely an October 31st trick-or-treating kind of town. (Even though every year there are pockets of fret about kids getting all wound up on a school night.)

Generally speaking, the littlest ones go out in their own neighborhoods at about 6pm.

The older kids head out a little bit later, around 6:30. We heckle kids who show up either without a costume or wearing a Patriots jersey and claiming, “I’m dressed up like a football player.” Seriously, big kids, if you’re too cool to put together a real costume, it’s time to let it go and fondly remember trick-or-treating as part of your misspent youth.

Most residents at 8pm close their doors, blow out the candles in their jack o’ lanterns, and turn off their front porch lights to signal that their house is done with Halloween.

This can vary from neighborhood to neighborhood, but not by much. As far as the candy goes, certain houses have a reputation for handing out full-sized bars, and the rabid following that goes with such generosity. We’re not going to spill those sweet secrets here. You’ll have to get out there and find the best pickings for yourself.

Natick dressed for the occasion at Spooktacular event

The Natick Spooktacular event on Saturday drew a big crowd of costumed kids—and even more impressively, dressed up parents or guardians—to Natick Common and surrounding businesses.

That should be a good warm-up for those trick or treating on Halloween night.

natick spooktacular common halloween

 

natick spooktacular common halloween

 

natick spooktacular common halloween

 

natick spooktacular common halloween

 

natick spooktacular common halloween