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Joyce Westner | Staff Writer

Group Gathers to Protest Neo-Nazi Activity

Group Gathers to Protest Neo-Nazi Activity

by Joyce Westner “Unite against Hate and Extremism” was the theme of a gathering on Winchester Common on Saturday, September 2, organized by the community’s Network for Social Justice.  According to member Sandy Thompson, they gathered in response to a neo-Nazi group which had protested the arrival of 60

Tennis Courts Sustain Damage

Tennis Courts Sustain Damage

By Joyce Westner The Packer Ellis tennis courts on Palmer Street need repairs due to recent rainstorms and lack of maintenance, according to a resident who spoke at Monday night’s Select Board meeting.  Ferenc Vajda spoke on behalf of the Winchester Tennis Association (WTA), a 94-year-old non-profit whose members

Safer Community Group Plants Flowers

Safer Community Group Plants Flowers

By Joyce Westner The little park across from the Winchester Public Library was enhanced by the addition of bright yellow begonia plants in what the Winchester Coalition for a Safer Community calls a “Hope Garden.”  The organization, begun in 1998, has the mission “to reduce substance abuse, particularly in the

New Bike Path Planned

New Bike Path Planned

By Joyce Westner August 16 - The Mystic River Watershed Association (MYRWA) has obtained nearly $200,000 in grant money to create a shared use path along Mystic Valley Parkway.  According to their website, “The project will bring accessible facilities to a section of the Mystic Lakes State Park that

Free School Lunches for All

Free School Lunches for All

By Joyce Westner When school starts in September, parents may be pleased to know that Massachusetts is funding free school lunches for all students.  This program was started during the height of the pandemic, and according to an article in the Boston Globe, “The $172 million cost of the meals

September Cultural Events

September Cultural Events

By Joyce Westner Hard as it is to believe that endless summer days will be waning, September will bring the grand reopening of the Griffin Museum of Photography and also the Winchester Community Music School’s Music Fest will return for all residents to “meet the instruments,” and enjoy games

WinCAM Director Wants Streaming Services Taxed

WinCAM Director Wants Streaming Services Taxed

By Joyce Westner August 3, 2023 – At a recent State House hearing, WinCAM Executive Director David Gauthier testified for the need to support local cable access TV as their revenues have been steadily decreasing.  In 1984 Congress imposed a 5% tax on cable services using the argument that they were

So You Want to Play Pickleball

So You Want to Play Pickleball

by Joyce Westner July 31, 2023.  Many sports-minded residents have embraced the relatively new game of pickleball, and there are many places to play, from public courts, private clubs, to the Jenks Center whose members can take lessons from a local “Pickleball Ambassador.”  And she’s hoping the town will

Is Winchester Accessible?

Is Winchester Accessible?

by Joyce Westner July 23, 2023.  From curb cuts to accessible parking spaces to “Light It Up Blue” for autistic awareness, Winchester accommodates many types of disabilities but Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator Mike Towne is hoping to provide more assistive technologies for residents.  ADA in Winchester is three people,

Griffin Museum Closed for Renovations

Griffin Museum Closed for Renovations

By Joyce Westner July 17, 2023.  Trying to get some inside time during the heat and rain?  Alas, you can’t go to The Griffin Museum because it’s closed until September 1 while they renovate the interior but there’s still a lot of art to see.  According to

17-Year-Old Drowns at Shannon Beach

17-Year-Old Drowns at Shannon Beach

By Joyce Westner July 15, 2023.  Updated on July 17.  The body of a 17-year-old boy was pulled from six feet of water in Mystic Lake this evening.  According to State Police, he was swimming with a group of people several yards outside the swimming area when they noticed he

July 11 - Shannon Beach Closed

July 11 - Shannon Beach Closed

By Joyce Westner July 11, 2023.  Updated on July 12.  Once again, the state is warning people not to swim in the Upper Mystic Lake’s Shannon Beach, due to a “bacterial exceedance.”  The popular beach, with a newly rebuilt bath house, is Winchester’s only public swimming place but

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