Tag: fundraiser

  • Everything came up green for Wellesley Middle School teachers at Spelling Bee

    Three Wellesley Middle School teachers won their first victory after 20 years of competing in the Wellesley Education Fund’s annual spelling bee Wednesday night, correctly spelling “ailurophile” to defeat 38 other teams.

    The Spell-tics – two middle school teachers and one retiree – studied for hours at Starbucks to prepare for the 36th annual competition, according to Kari Sciera, a member of the winning team.

    “We’ve come 20 years in a row,” she said, “and this is the first time we’ve won.” The winning word, “ailurophile,” is a noun used to identify a cat lover. 

    The champions entered the competition with extra motivation: Their own students beat them last year. The Spell-tics eliminated the reigning champions, eighth graders, in Round 4.

    Dozens of grinning and giggling Wellesley residents packed the Wellesley High School cafeteria for the good-natured fundraiser, which attracted participants ranging from middle school students to firefighters and tennis coaches. In all, 39 teams competed.

    Beyond spelling prowess, teams competed for costume awards. The WPS Secretaries won first place for best costume, Wellesley Cotillion took second and the Spell-tics placed third in Boston Celtics uniforms. Other contestants wore Dunkin onesies,  tutus and a blow-up bumblebee costume. 

    “It’s our biggest event of the year and we love how it brings the whole community together,” said Tizzy Chamberlain, co-president of the Wellesley Education Fund.

    Gregg Myles Levin, Treasurer for WEF, said the group typically funds around $250,000 in annual grants for Wellesley educators, including projects such as an Anatomage Table, guitars for Wellesley High School, cell phone pouches for Wellesley Middle School, and library furnishings. 

    The spelling bee’s sponsors included Needham Bank, Babson College, Wellesley College, and Schumacher Companies Landscape Artisans. 

  • Natick Days 2025 preview: Community’s ready to gather on the Common

    Thousands of visitors are expected to attend Natick Days this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Natick Common. Featuring food vendors, bounce houses, carnival games and more, the annual event raises money for local charities and celebrates the work of community organizations and volunteers. If it rains, the festival will be pushed to Sunday from 1-5 p.m.

    “It is the premier opportunity for nonprofit and other community groups to connect with people who live in Natick,” said Joshua Ostroff, president of Friends of Natick Trails, a non-profit group focused on the preservation and enhancement of local trails. “We’ve attracted a lot of interest and support over the years at Natick Days and so we would never miss it.”

    The community festival debuted in 1998 as an effort to consolidate fundraising, inform the public about local resources, and increase the safety of groups attempting to raise money. Before then, according to the town’s website, sports teams and others would frequently solicit funds at the busy intersection of Massachusetts Routes 135 and 27.

    Natick’s Recreation & Parks Department Director Lauren Meurer reported several changes to Saturday’s event. While the festival itself is free to enter, ticket prices for vendor goods increased from 25 cents to $1. “It felt like it was a little bit overdue,”

    Meurer said. “Not a lot of things cost 25 cents anymore.” In addition, the event’s shuttle will now solely operate out of Wilson Middle School.

    Keefe Regional Technical School, the festival’s headlining sponsor, is bringing its culinary arts program to sell food at Natick Days for the first time. Town Communications Director, Jay Poropatich said street tacos and other dishes will be available. The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority is sponsoring free, portable drinking fountains.