He had no idea what was coming. Even when he was sitting at the Chamber of Commerce’s annual luncheon, Lance Grenzeback thought he was just there to speak about the Town Meeting Members Association. “So, they finished and then they said, ‘By the way, you’re the Citizen of
As red, white and blue flags waved from the onlookers camped on the sidewalk, Winchester’s town center hummed with instruments and marching veterans this past Memorial Day. The parade started with words of remembrance for fallen soldiers who served for the United States and commenced the march through town.
Debbie Boyle has been dancing her whole life — and for the last 35 years, she has passed that passion onto the countless students who have made it through the doors of Ballet Arts Centre. But on May 17, Boyle closed the doors on her long-time business in order to finally
It’s May and the gardens around Winchester have started to deliver. We asked you to send us photos of whatever is growing in your garden and you sent us quite a few. Please send June photos to editor@winchesternews.org with “garden photo” in the subject line.
Every year, the Museum of Fine Arts hosts an exhibit of floral arrangements matched up with works of art. This year, Winchester residents Deb DePeter and Becky Tellefsen did a piece that echoes a 5,000-year-old Egyptian funeral dress. In addition, Winchester Garden Club members Lori Taylor and Julie Hintlian
Spring Town Meeting is done, but that doesn’t mean the work is over for Philip Frattaroli. The town moderator has been soliciting feedback and readying for the summer work needed to be done before the fall. “I had a lot of fun,” Frattaroli said, of his first Town Meeting
I had a chance last week to catch up with John Gedraitis, owner of Van Berkum Nursery (VBN) in Deerfield, NH. He was kind with his time during the busy period to talk about what is in demand (and not) and provide some insight into where his operation is going.
By Lucy Kratman Sam Russo says it’s the children who inspire her every day at Creative Corner School. As co-director of the Winchester-based early childhood program, she’s spent more than a decade watching young learners grow through play, creativity, and exploration. This year, the school marks 25 years
Lauren Valdario and Giacomo Cantoni share two very important things — both are Winchester natives and both are working at their dream jobs. On a sunny spring morning, both Valdario and Cantoni sat down to talk about what it’s like to work as police officers in the same community where
By Norah Doyle Students at Winchester High School are bridging a generational divide with the power of plants. A sociology class at the high school this spring participated in the Youth Grant Pitch Contest, an outreach program ran by Social Capital Inc. (SCI), a local nonprofit that promotes increasing the
When the first British colonists arrived in New England during the 17th century, the native inhabitants of the area now incorporated into the Town of Winchester were members of the Massachusett tribe. The original colonists were Puritans led by Gov. John Winthrop. The first colonial town to which Winchester territory
From Colonial times onward, the Aberjona River, running through town from Woburn down to the Mystic Lakes, offered a source of power for mills to operate in the area which became Winchester. The first industries were those essential to colonists, grist mills, sawmills, and a dye works. As the leather
Library-goers might be surprised to see the return of an old-fashioned card catalog cabinet, and even more surprised to see what it contains. Not cards but garden seeds, the brainchild of Young Adult and Reference Librarian Amanda Gogel. “I started gardening two years ago,” she says, “and I wanted to
I have seen some extensive and unexpected rabbit damage over the past few weeks as I have been getting out into client’s gardens. As someone who recommends plants and helps people in the fight to protect their plants, this is becoming an even more varied and moving target. Every
Jessica Jussino is the pet parent of Bailey Blue, a 2 1/2-year-old golden retriever. Bailey is well-known around Winchester. Artie at Fells Ace Hardware was one of her first friends and taught her “paw” when she was only a few months old. She also loves Emi and Jill at
Peter Franchi was fond of paintings that represented the vivid beauty of life, most notably “Luncheon of the Boating Party” by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, one of his favorite pieces. Renowned for his incredible artistic talent, Franchi passed away December 2024 at the age of 87. A beloved member of the Winchester
