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Natick Service Council honors those who keep the heart of the community beating strong

June 5, 2023 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Natick Service Council has recognized outstanding members of the community with its three annual awards—the Founders Award; the Corporate Partner Award; and the Good Neighbor Award.

Natick Service Council

The Founders Award

The Founders Award celebrates a lifetime of dedication to the Natick Service Council and the Natick Community.

Natick Service Council, Founders Award

And the winners are…Jim and Pat Scurlock, for tirelessly giving their time and resources to help meet the needs of the Natick neighbors experiencing hardship. The Scurlocks have been a driving force for many of Natick Service Council’s key programs and initiatives. On any given day, the Scurlocks can be found picking up Food Pantry provisions, stocking shelves, organizing community drives, and assisting with fundraising events.

The Corporate Partner Award

The Corporate Partner Award recognizes a corporation or organization that uplifts the Natick Service Council’s mission and community.

And the winner is…Coach & Carriage Auto Body, which helped Natick Service Council launch its Transportation Program in 2021. Through the program, Coach & Carriage helps keep Service Council clients’ cars on the road by doing work at a reasonable rate for Natick neighbors in transportation need.

The Good Neighbor Award

And the winners are…Lucia Frenkel and Larry Dick, a couple whose commitment to public service and community runs deep. Lucia has been volunteering for nearly 15 years packing home delivery groceries and translating for the Natick Service Council team, volunteers and, clients. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lucia continued to come in and pack groceries even as the Council was forced to close the pantry to in-person shopping and transition to a curbside pick-up model. Larry, Lucia’s spouse, joined the volunteer team for weekly pantry shifts, and the dynamic duo continue to model the nurturing spirit within the community.

The 2023 awardees have shown unwavering commitment to Natick Service Council and the Natick community. Working to improve service models, helping develop and launch new programs and supporting our local friends and neighbors. The awardees set a gold standard for local engagement and philanthropy which inspires those they support, and those with whom they serve, to be better community members and create a better, more compassionate, and inclusive, community at large.

More on the Natick Service Council

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Charity/Fundraising, Community, Neighbors, Volunteering


Wellesley Neighbors (and Natick, too!) information session—March 23rd

March 16, 2023 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Wellesley Neighbors

Are you retired or retiring in the near future?  As an older adult, have you decided to remain in your community, active and engaged? Wellesley Neighbors is a nonprofit, membership organization for couples and singles aged 60 and older who seek new friends, activities and support. Members live in Natick, Wellesley, Dover, Needham, and Weston, with a few from Framingham, Sherborn and Holliston. Join some of us on Thursday, March 23 at 11am in the Community Room at the Weston Public Library, 87 School Street, Weston. Learn about what we offer and have your questions addressed. If you are unable to join us, obtain information from Joyce Wadlington at director@wellesleyneighbors.org or 781-283-0417, ext. 1.

Filed Under: Community, Neighbors, Seniors



Annual Family Promise Walk to End Homelessness will be May 13-15

April 28, 2022 by Admin Leave a Comment

Join Family Promise Metrowest during The Walk to End Homelessness, the non-profit organization’s largest fundraiser of the year. All funds raised go toward transforming the lives of families with children facing homelessness across the Metrowest region. Choose your own walk route between May 13 and May 15 and raise awareness and funds for families facing homelessness.

family promise metrowest

The 13th annual walk will feature independent walks throughout surrounding towns with participants’ friends, families, or organizations. Walkers choose their own route and raise awareness and funds for families in need. Walk 10 minutes or 10 miles, it’s up to you!

Register here.

Unable to participate in a walk? Donations are gratefully accepted.

Filed Under: Charity/Fundraising, Community, Neighbors, Volunteering

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Natick’s next square dedication: Atherton & High for the Radock family

March 23, 2022 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

The Natick Select Board this Wednesday is slated to hear a request to dedicate a square at the corner of Atherton and High Streets in honor of Anna and Edward Radock, who both served during World War II. The ceremony would take place at noon on March 26, marking Edward’s 98th birthday.

Update (3/26/22): Channel 5 interviewed Mr. Radock.

We’ve embedded the town’s resolution regarding the Radocks below.

According to the request by Natick Director of Veterans Services Paul Carew, “Anna served in the Navy {WAVE} from 5/4/1943 to 12/6/1945 reaching the rank of Yeoman 2nd Class. Edward served in the Navy from 11/3/1942 to 1/ 23/1946 reaching the rank of Radarman Second Class. Ed and Anna raised their children on Atherton Street.”

This information was brought to Carew’s attention by a retired Natick Police Department sergeant. Edward Radock worked for NPD toward the end of his career.

Learn more about Edward Radock through the Natick Veterans Oral History Project. The MetroWest Daily News also profiled him in 2014.

Download (PDF, 64KB)

More: Natick honors Kaufman family Vietnam veterans with square dedication


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Filed Under: Neighbors, Veterans

Natick resident embraces the spirit of kindness in holiday lights display

December 23, 2021 by Deborah Brown 2 Comments

Not every neighborhood has a holiday lights display designed to bring people together in a place where they can feel safe and connect with the Christmas spirit. That’s because not every neighborhood has someone like Brooke Ferrelli, who has made it her mission in life to generate a feeling of goodwill that visitors to the exterior of her 62 Pond Street, Natick, home will experience year-round.

Natick Christmas display

The many inflatables that grace the property include penguins, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, the Abominable Snowman, elves, a gingerbread man, the Grinch, snowmen, and  of course, Santa. In the side yard there’s a sofa in front of a fire pit, complete with fleece blankets to encourage lingering and conversation on cold winter nights. Multiple strings of lights keep everything aglow, and every kid who visits comes away with a present.

“I’m trying to show that if you just connect and show a little bit of kindness, it comes back to you a million times,” Brooke says. “Maybe if people see some sort of kindness in life, that will stick with them—because it stuck with me—and it will carry on and be passed on.”

Natick Christmas display

Brooke grew up as the oldest of five kids and has fond memories of life in a big family. She and her siblings weren’t raised with a lot in the way of material things. “We didn’t really have a lot of money,” she says. “We had a big family, we had a car, and we had Christmas music. We had the ability to hop in our car, put on Christmas music, and drive around and look at peoples’ lights. That’s what I carry with me from my childhood—the lights, the caroling, seeing family. That’s the essence of Christmas, to me. It was never about the presents for us. It was about really embracing the spirit of kindness and just enjoying it.”

Brooke always remembered the magic of those holiday displays from her childhood. As soon as she had a home of her own, she set about recreating the joy. Her hope was that she could share something that would help others feel the same excitement as that young girl in a car packed with brothers and sisters, oohing and ahhing over the lights, belting out Christmas carols.

Natick Christmas display

“I was 20 when I moved into my first house in Waltham. I had a porch, and my best friend and I would go crazy, and we’d decorate the whole outer porch and really go all out,” Brooke says. That was over 20 years ago. “I just carried it on as I moved here.”

She keeps the inflatables going all night, right into the morning so kids going to school will see a display at its best. Brooke firmly believes that no kid headed off to class needs to be confronted by a shriveled up, air-less Santa splayed out on the frozen ground. “The kids stop here because I put candy canes out every day, so they stop and get candy canes on their way to school and they know they’ll be refreshed on their way back, and you can see their smiles.”

Natick Christmas display

Generally speaking, everyone is respectful, she says. “I had problems about five years ago. but I kept going because I said the darkness isn’t going to take away the light. You can destroy my stuff, but you’re not going to destroy the spirit.”

For weeks after the vandalism, neighbors dropped off replacement decorations. There haven’t been any problems since.

Natick Christmas display

At its core, the display is Brooke’s labor of love. “It’s not about the money, it’s not about how much it costs, it really is about if I can just bring a little bit of cheer to somebody’s life with a little bit of light, a little bit of hope, a little bit of kindness—isn’t that what it’s all about?”

Brooke keeps her display up through Jan. 6 for the enjoyment of all.

Natick Christmas display

In her professional life, Brooke creates beauty as the principal of Eminent Design landscaping company (508-397-1193). She plants and maintains flowers, shrubs, and entire gardens, mows, and handles seasonal clean-ups. When the snow flies, she does residential plowing.

Natick Christmas display


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Filed Under: Community, Holidays, Neighbors

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