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Sullivan's Travels: Help the Special Olympics without getting wet

Wicked Local Northwest - 2/6/2021

Feb. 5—Usually on the second weekend of February, some crazy people stand on the shores of Lake Cochituate and take the plunge as a fundraiser for Special Olympics.

Not this year. You know why.

Although there will be no Polar Plunge this year, the AMVETS' Wayne Anthony said donations will be accepted; make your checks out to Special Olympics of Massachusetts, mail to AMVETS State Vice Commander Wayne Anthony, 5 Heidi Lane, Natick, MA 01760, and he will forward the checks to the Special Olympics headquarters in Marlborough.

The Polar Plunge will return on Feb. 12, 2022.

Notes:

... The Community-Senior Center on East Central Street is seeking Meals on Wheels volunteer drivers for March. Meals are delivered with no physical contact between the driver and the meal recipient to comply with current health and safety regulations. Drivers must be willing to wear masks and gloves at all times while delivering meals.

Most drivers deliver once a week or once every two weeks and receive orientation, training and ongoing support.

If you are interested in becoming a Meals on Wheels volunteer, please go to https://app.betterimpact.com/Login/Volunteer and search for Natick. This will bring you to our online volunteer application. CORI check and signed Confidentiality Agreement are required of all volunteers.

... Wondering how to get a parking pass with the Community-Senior Center closed? Susan Ramsey from the Council on Aging said to call the Council on Aging at 508-647-6540 and at the greeting select #6. This will connect you with the administrative staff who will preregister you for the pass and advise you on days/times you can pick up the pass at the center.

... The Friends of the Morse Institute Library have established a Book Nook Express near the walk-up window. The shelves are stocked with books, DVDs, etc. Proceeds from the Nook help the Friends provide additional funding for library programs.

... The Morse Institute Library has temporarily suspended in-person browsing, and the Friends will not be accepting book donations. The library now has a Walk-Up Window that allows you to pick up your holds with no appointment necessary. Come to the library and line up outside along the ramp. This initiative will give you the flexibility to pick up your items on your time, with expanded hours during the week and on weekends.

If you have holds to pickup, please use the Walk-up Window. This window is located in our interior entryway.

— One person may enter at a time

— Please enter at the bottom of the ramp, and wait on the marked spots to keep physically distant

— An exterior light indicator will go from red to green when it is your turn to enter the Walk-up Window.

— Scan your library card once inside, and we will grab your items for you.

— Don't have anything on hold? Give us a call at 508-647-6520 and we will assist you. Or head to "my account" and browse our catalog.

Walk-Up Window Hours

Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Sunday, 1-4:30 p.m.

... Leather boots need repair? Leather purse need a new strap? Cobbler Shop West on Pond Street is open; call 508-653-1064.

... Optica at 23 Main St. is open by appointment for eyeglass sales and repairs, as well as eye exams. Call 508-655-2594 for an appointment.

... Join the Natick Lodge of Elks and be part of a spirited, friendly and charitable organization. They support veterans, local charities, drug awareness programs and many more community related charities and activities. For more information on the lodge, including programs and events, contact Club Manager Paul Sanford at 508-653-9792, ext. 215, or manager.natickelks@comcast.net, or visit https://natickelks.org/

... The downtown lockers are now available to NCCD members on a first-come, first-served basis. The district is offering lockers to member merchants who would like to allow customers the option to pick up (or return) items after hours.

Located on Adams Street, next to the Natick Center Cultural District office, the brightly painted lockers are a great place to put items, but they are not airtight and some outside moisture may get in. If you are leaving any soft goods (clothes, papers, etc.) put them in a plastic bag for protection. The Natick Center Cultural District is not responsible for items placed in the lockers.

For details, visit https://www.natickcenter.org/natick-center-lockers/

... The Natick Community Organic Farm will soon begin maple sugaring, and with that, maple sugaring tours from mid-February to early March. For information, including tour dates and (yes) coronavirus information, visit https://www.natickfarm.org/maple_sugaring/

Not into maple sugaring? The farm is open daily from 9 a.m. until dusk. Say hi to the animals, and purchase a variety of items (including meats, maple syrup, veggies and yarn) from the market stand. Social distancing and masks required.

Signup for spring programs is under way. Visit natickfarm.org for details.

... This would be the time of year when the Natick Education Foundation would be planning for the annual Shining Light awards. However, due to the pandemic, those plans have changed.

The foundation wants to hear stories of the people who shone a light for others in the past year. They may be neighbors, educators, volunteers, first responders, health care workers or essential workers. We will post selected stories on social media and on the foundation's website to help us all celebrate those who made the year a bit more bearable.

To take part in the "Beam of Light" program, visit https://www.natickeducationfoundation.org/beam-of-light

... The Historical Society and Museum in South Natick remains closed to the public, but offers a variety of virtual programs, as well as a chance to share your stories about the coronavirus pandemic. Upcoming programs include a Virtual History Book Club on "Say Nothing" on Feb. 11, and "From Turnpike to Ted Williams: Route 9 in Natick" on March 9. For details, visit https://www.natickhistoricalsociety.org/

For the weekend:

... The Farmers Market is open most Saturdays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. across the street from the Common; some vendors will be outside the Spiritual Center, some inside. Social distancing guidelines will be observed, and everyone is required to wear a face mask. Pre-orders and "grab-and-go" options are available and encouraged. For information, visit www.natickfarmersmarket.org, or https://www.facebook.com/natickfarmersmarket/

And just beyond:

...Come to "Coffee with a Purpose" on Mondays from 9-11 a.m. at the Common Street Spiritual Center. Have coffee, get social and discuss local issues. For details, email Pat Conaway at bpconaway@gmail.com. For the time being, meetings are being conducted via Zoom.

... The Natick Catholic Community invites you to Pause for Prayer, a 10-minute prayer service via Zoom on Tuesdays at 7 a.m. Whether you need a moment of peace or are looking to build your prayer practice, come pray with us. You'll submit your special intentions via the Chat function, hear a Scripture reading, a reflection based on the reading, and enjoy a minute of silence. You can join with your camera on or just listen in! Log in using this same Zoom link every week.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89883406326?pwd=YkdLU0t4dTVhdVBqRXIzdjU5YWFXdz09

Meeting ID: 898 8340 6326

Passcode: 251205

The link can also be found on the NCC website at https://www.natickcatholic.org/140

... Troop 1775 will conduct a redeeBottle and Can Drive on Feb. 13 from 9 a.m.-noon at the VFW at West Central Street.

Have something for the column? Email me at msullivan@wickedlocal.com, or call 781-433-8226.

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