Natick formally dedicates Connor Heffler Park

September 21, 2020 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Natick this weekend formally dedicated the reimagined playground at the old East School at Rte. 9 and Oak Street as Connor Heffler Park to honor a spirited young resident who died four years ago at the age of 11 from cancer.

Connor and his family frequented the park, which has undergone a $2M-plus renovation that features tennis and pickleball courts, a baseball field, and a variety of colorful and modern playground equipment.

Connor’s mom Beth, a member of the Natick Police Department, shared words at the ceremony, including her son’s wisdom that you have to believe in something good to go after it.

The town launched a soft reopening of the park last fall.

Natick mourns passing of Mysore (Ravi) Ravindra, a man the town relied upon

September 9, 2020 by Bob Brown 2 Comments

Mysore (Ravi) Ravindra passed away peacefully at the age of 80 at his home in Natick on Aug. 15, leaving behind a legacy of good works in the town.

A longtime structural engineer, Ravindra shared his knowledge in helping the town develop buildings such as Kennedy Middle School, Natick High School and the Community-Senior Center. He played a key role in helping the town get big projects done on time and under budget.

Natick Select Board Chair Jonathan Freedman shared remembrances of Ravindra following a general moment of silence near the start of last week’s meeting. “Ravi was one of the people this town relies on to get things done in the way that it does,” he said.

Ravindra was a strong cricket player as a youth and young man growing up in India and England. He switched to tennis after moving to the United States, where he became a citizen, and enjoyed years of playing the sport.

The tennis courts at Natick High were named after Ravindra in 2015. A MetroWest Daily News story at the time included this fun fact: “[Ravindra is] credited with recognizing a flaw in the preliminary design for the high school tennis courts. The original plan had the baselines facing east and west rather than the preferable north and south. The plan was adjusted and Ravindra’s contribution is now acknowledged for all to see.”

Ravindra is survived by his wife Judy and daughter Jyothi.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Natick Service Council in his name.

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Natick 2020 Fall Ball is a go—sign up now

September 6, 2020 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

As summer winds down, Natick Little League is thrilled to announce another year of Fall Ball for participants born between 2005 – 2012. Fall Ball’s mission is to provide participants with a low-key, live game environment where players at all levels can work on their skills and have some fun.

Registration closes soon, so get your player signed up for Natick Fall Ball now.

The details:

– Three age groups are: U10, U12, and U14. (birth years 2012-2005). Every effort is made to have older participants play up to prepare for the next year.

– The Fall season runs from Sep 13 – Oct 25, 6 Weeks (no games on Columbus Day weekend)

– Games are on Sunday (double headers starting at 9am and 11am).

– Teams will usually meet prior to first game, and traditionally do not practice

– Number of teams / players in each group will be subject to sign-ups

– Players will be provided a shirt and are asked to wear black pants

– Natick will again participate in the Charles River League which includes Newton, Needham, Weston and Waltham, and other towns.

Let’s keep it safe out there

COVID safety guidelines are mandated by the Natick Board of Health, USA Softball, and expanded further by Natick Little League/Softball. We will strictly follow all rules. Each town may expand on those guidelines and we will be given notice prior to away games of any changes/additions.

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Natick grads making the most of their moment

August 10, 2020 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Thanks to Don Warren for sharing photos of recent Natick High School grads, who just can’t seem to take off those Class of 2020 graduation gowns. Seen here, a handful of grads hoop it up at Murphy Field on Monday, Aug. 10, 3 days after they graduated at Memorial Field.

While they’re too far away to see in detail, we’ll assume they were masked up.

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Saluting Natick High’s senior cross country and track & field athletes

June 8, 2020 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

We’ll never know what heights the Natick High School girls track & field team might have reached this spring due to the cancellation of their season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But based on the accomplishments of NHS cross country and track & field student-athletes over the past four years, there no doubt would have been plenty of highlights.

Senior Caroline Fleming, a NHS cross country and track & field competitor who heads to Boston College after graduating, has made the following video as a memoir and salute to her senior teammates.

Below is a list of those who plan to compete in college.

Gabby Pagnini: UMass Amherst—NCAA Divison I—Throws
Caroline Fleming: Boston College—NCAA Division I—Mid-Distance/Distance
Sophia Kovastis: Dickinson College—NCAA Divison III—Hurdles
Genna Girard: Williams College—NCAA Division III—Distance
Kylie Langan: Assumption College—NCAA Divison II—Sprints
Ashley Warren: Stonehill College—NCAA Divison II—Sprints
Camilla Samuel: Tufts University—NCAA Division III—Jumps

Highlights of their contributions over the past four years include:

2018 All-State Cross Country Champions (fantastic performance on a snowy course)
2018 Division 2 EMASS Cross Country Champions
2018, 2019 undefeated Cross Country BayState Herget (2 years in a row 9-0)
2019 Divison 2 EMASS Indoor Track Runner-Up
2019 Divison 1 EMASS Outdoor Track Champions
2019 All-State Outdoor Track Runner-Up
2020 Division 2 State Relays Runner Up
2020 Divison 2 EMASS Indoor State Meet Runner Up