Natick 11U baseball team having a summer to remember

July 10, 2026 by Admin

U11 baseball — Photos courtesy of Liz Colanto

The Natick 11U Bay State baseball team this weekend will put its undefeated summer record on the line at the Eastern Massachusetts Cal Ripken State Tournament.

The team has run up a 15-0 record this summer, and is 3-0 in the tournament. It is the top-seeded team heading into the July 11 State Semifinals at 2pm in Winchester.

The team has celebrated collective highlights, such as a 5-4 walk-off victory over previously undefeated North Attleboro. Individual players have also had their moments, such as Miles McKenna winning the State Home Run Derby during tournament opening ceremonies.

The kids are fortunate to have Massachusetts Hall of Fame high school coach Kirk Fredericks at the helm.

Good news for kids: Nature playground at Natick Chabad Center; Summer Eats Program kicks off

July 1, 2026 by Admin

A couple of positive developments benefitting kids and their families in Natick:

Nature playground Natick Chabad Center

A newish and evolving playground inspired by the educational and developmental benefits of being outdoors has enchanted kids at CKids GEO Jewish Afterschool held at the Chabad Center of Natick-Metrowest. The play area featuring rope and climbing elements, swings, and more has drawn children away from the traditional play structures at the site.

CKids GEO Jewish Afterschool — Courtesy photos

The nature playground was sponsored by Michael and Hadassah Milman, and designed by Hadassah, a teacher at the school who completed specialized coursework in playground design.

The playground is used by students attending the afterschool program, as well as during synagogue gatherings, family programs, holiday events, and more. Because the playground is spread throughout the space, children increasingly play in smaller groups, and sometimes indulge in independent exploration, resulting in an overall more relaxed and engaging environment.

Rabbi Levi Fogelman says the playground “has quickly become a favorite gathering place for children” attending activities at the Chabad site.

Summer Eats Program kicks off

The MetroWest YMCA and Gems at the Arts partnered with Project Bread, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and others to kick off the 2026 Summer Eats program at a special event.

The program provides free, nutritious meals to youth ages 18 and under when school’s out of session. This summer, the program will run at seven distribution sites−including West Hill Park, Morse Institute, and A Place to Turn in Natick−at lunchtime. Learn more online about dates and locations of distributions.

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Natick’s Lilja Carnival postponed until June 6

May 8, 2026 by Admin

The Lilja Elementary School Carnival, originally scheduled for Saturday, May 9, has been postponed due to expected bad weather to June 6.

Tickets already purchased are good for the new date, and can be refunded if you can’t make the new date.

The carnival is open to all Natick families.

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Wanted: Young riders for 18th annual Natick Pan Mass Challenge Kids Ride

March 27, 2026 by Admin

PMC Kids Natick — Natick PMC Kids Ride (courtesy photo)

Riders age 2-13 are welcome to take part in the 18th annual Natick Pan Mass Challenge (PMC) Kids Ride, which will be held on Sunday, May 17, at Belkin Family Lookout Farm on South Pleasant Street.

As an official Pan Mass Challenge program, the Kids Ride is a way to include young cyclists in the mission to raise money for cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Last year, the race attracted 500 people to cheer on 200 riders.

Riders have the option to raise funds in the name of a relative or friend fighting cancer, or to dedicate their ride to a special person.

“In 2016, my son Finn Carlson was born at 24 weeks. During his NICU stay, he was diagnosed with cancer and began chemotherapy at 40 weeks. Each year as a family, we ride to honor all those who continue to fight, and for those who we lost too soon. We ride with thankful hearts for all the doctors, nurses, and staff at Dana-Farber’s Jimmy Fund Clinic who took care of Finn for the first five years of his life. We ride to raise our voices and raise funds for a cure,” said Shannon Carlson, mom of Finn Carlson, the 2023 Natick PMC Kids Ride Pedal Partner.

The race offers the chance for kids to bring their bikes and ride along paved paths in the orchards of the Belkin Family Lookout Farm. The farm’s orchard offers two route options. The Mini Fruit Loop is designed for the littlest riders on more than two wheels, such as balance bikes, big wheels, trikes or training wheels. The Adventure Express is a 1.1-mile circuit through the orchard pathways for riders on two wheels.

“As parents we look for ways to model impact and service to the community for our kids. This ride turns kids’ energy into impact for kids at Dana Farber Cancer Institute. It’s all about kids helping kids,” said Julie Shank, parent coordinator of the Kids Ride.

At the end of the ride, Belkin Family Lookout Farm hosts an after party with music, food, apple cider donuts, a raffle and more. All riders receive free admittance to the re-opened Kids Play area on the day of the event.

Registration for the Natick Pan Mass Challenge Kids Ride is open at kids.pmc.org/natick. The registration fee is $20, with a required fundraising commitment of $40 per rider. For sponsorship opportunities contact pmckids.natick@gmail.com.

In 2025, the PMC Kids Rides Program raised $400,000, which contributed to the PMC’s $78 million gift to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. To date, the PMC Kids Ride Program has raised more than $12 million for the PMC, which has donated over $1 billion to Dana-Farber since 1980.

Article courtesy of Jane Ellen Newman, Natick PMC Kids Ride volunteer.

Natick’s Morse Institute Library sponsors annual Family Fun Day

March 9, 2026 by Maureen L. Sullivan

Volunteer Kathleen Donovan greets a family during the Morse Institute Library’s annual FamilyFun Day on March 7. — Volunteer Kathleen Donovan greets a family at indoor mini-golf event (photo by Maureen L. Sullivan)

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Snow may have covered the ground on March 7, but that didn’t stop hundreds of adults and children from enjoying a round of golf.

The Morse Institute Library hosted its annual free Family Fun Day, featuring mini-golf and children’s activities.

Local organizations decorated the course’s 18 holes, which wound its way through the stacks on the Main and Reference floors. A big favorite with the kids was the hole sponsored by the Natick Academy of Performing Arts, featuring an homage to “Legally Blonde,” complete with one adorable and pettable (stuffed) dog.

Another hole offered plenty of pie in honor of International Pi Day on March 14 (as in 3.14, etc.– it’s a math thing).

The other participating local nonprofits, town departments and library departments included Keep Natick Beautiful, Natick Community Organic Farm, Natick Drama Workshop, Natick Garden Club, Natick Health Department, Natick Public Schools Librarians, Natick Recreation and Parks Department, Natick Service Council, Natick Sustainability, OUT MetroWest, Project ABC, SPARK Kindness, MIL Info Services Team, MIL Children’s Team, and the MIL Outreach Team.

More photos from Maureen L. Sullivan: