What better way to help celebrate National Library Month than by supporting the Friends of the Medfield Public Library during their bi-annual book sale, which ends Saturday. The Friends’ largest fundraiser helps fund programming and other items outside the library’s annual budget such as the self-checkout stations which were purchased by the Friends.  For this sale, thousands of books (and other media) are on display in the lower level meeting room (mostly fiction), its adjoining room (mostly non-fiction plus cassettes and games), and the hallway (mostly VCR tapes and DVDs).  The books are …

Are you using SCRIP, the gift certificate and pre-pay program that raises thousands of dollars for the Medfield School System each year? We have just recently been introduced to the program, which seems like a wonderful way to raise money to help benefit all students in town and in some cases, a specific school or child of your choosing. I’m told it’s shamefully underutilized, which is surprising because it’s so simple – you can buy gift cards as presents for someone else or you can pre-pay your daily expenses (at face value) then a portion of the card value will be credited back to the …

We’ve all heard that, when it comes to real estate, it’s all about location – location – location. I would imagine that’s true when you’re selling your house but when you’re buying, I might argue that it’s all about realtor – realtor – realtor. I’ll be honest: Before I moved to town, I sent a shameless e-mail to many of my Medfield contacts detailing the type of home for which I was looking and the general location. While many of the responses were helpful, two would eventually lead me to a realtor who would prove invaluable – Petrina Floody with Coldwell Banker at 504 Main St. What started …

Its reputation preceded it though I was a bit skeptical – how could all of the rave reviews be true?  But then I saw it for myself … the Swap Area at the Transfer Station. This area of the Transfer Station is set aside for gently-used items that one person no longer wants but another person could surely use. You name it, it’s there. On my first trip to the Swap Area, I discovered books, toys (including a large plastic playhouse), furniture (including end tables and lamps), rugs, housewares (from can openers to dishes), holiday items, and yard tools (including two lawn trimmers).  This week, …

Moving and settling in to a new town can be a daunting task but those moving into Medfield have a wonderful organization that tries to make that transition a little easier. The New ‘N Towne Club of Medfield has been in existence since 1969, and was originally part of the Welcome Wagon organization. Today, it has approximately 100 member families who enjoy social activities and community events throughout the year. As I was moving to town, several people suggested my family join the group, and I’m glad we did. Before my children started the new school year, the club put me in contact with …

Medfield is a beautiful place to live in great part due to the Medfield Garden Club.  This multi-generational group of 61 active members (and 10 honorary members) sees it as their mission to beautify their town – and they’ve been doing so since 1933.  If you’ve noticed planted gardens at the major entrances to town, island gardens intersecting roadways, or perhaps a container garden at the end of your street – it is likely provided, planted and maintained by the volunteers of the Medfield Garden Club. What a welcoming feeling you get when you see those pansies, mums, holiday greens and bows, …

The best part about any town, I think, is the people who live there, and Medfield is no different. I was recently introduced to Jennifer Jaques, a Medfield resident and enthusiastic fitness instructor at the Medfield Parks and Recreation Pfaff Center. Having heard about Jaques from friends who have taken her classes, I was excited to finally talk to her in person. What a treat. Jaques offers several weekly co-ed classes, including Body Sculpting (low impact to shape thighs, abdominals and arms); T’ai Chi (a 2,000-year-old Chinese discipline that reduces stress and improves coordination); and …

What better way to discover Medfield than to take the annual “Discover Medfield History Day” trolley tour, which I did this year and my head has been reeling ever since. The annual trek into Medfield’s past began in 1992 and is sponsored by MEMO, the Medfield Employers and Merchants Organization.  As always, Town Historian Richard DeSorgher entertained and enlightened hundreds of people throughout the day with historical facts and a bit of folklore. Many of the locations mentioned on the tour can be found on the “Medfield History DVD” available for $10 at Lord’s Department Store or the …

On a recent steamy afternoon, we found ourselves in need of a milkshake and air conditioning and soon after, found ourselves saddled up to the lunch counter at Lord’s Department Store. It was noontime, so our plans for a simple shake turned into a full lunch including a grilled chicken Caesar wrap, tuna salad on light rye, and macaroni and cheese. While waiting for our lunch to arrive, we soaked in our surroundings.  Lord’s is an icon in the community as is the lunch counter itself. Originally run by founder Raymond Lord and then Bill Kelly, the counter at the back of the store is now run by …

Walking, jogging, running, bicycling – at all times of the day, you can see people taking advantage of Medfield’s sidewalk system and roadways designed to make manually maneuvering the town’s streets a pleasant (and green) experience. Whether going solo, with a friend, with a stroller, or with a dog – folks are out and about enjoying the fresh air and getting some exercise around town. While sidewalks see steady weekday traffic with children walking or bicycling safely to and from school, and families with strollers on their way to a friend’s house or the Children’s Room at the library – the …

Home Sweet Home. Home is where the heart is. Home is where your story begins. Home is where you hang your hat – I'd like to hang my hat in Medfield. Over the past year of covering (and discovering) this town, I've discovered that Medfield is a place that I'd like to call home. The town is steeped in history, centrally located, socially active, culturally diverse, child-centered and has spectacular schools – what's not to love. Well, there is one thing ... The rental market. Due to a little thing called timing, my family will need to rent for the first year we're in town – a good thing, I …

With the Fourth of July upon us, many folks are getting ready to celebrate Independence Day in the traditional fashion with parades and fireworks, picnics and barbeques – and waving the American flag.   Where better to prepare for this holiday than a traditional American hardware store like Will’s Hardware, a “Do It Best” store at 75 West St., where you can pick up everything from a flag to a cooler to a grill -- and Cape Cod fire logs, made from 100 percent recycled wood – and more. Some will celebrate this three-day weekend by undertaking a yard or home improvement project. Will’s owners …

I love to try new restaurants and, surprisingly, Medfield has lots to try.  I recently discovered Takara, a Japanese restaurant and bar at the corner of Green and North Streets.  The atmosphere is relaxing, the staff is friendly, and the food is delicious! Their extensive menu includes everything from a quick, light appetizer for one to a sushi party boat for 70.  Our party tried several dishes, including the vegetable tempura (vegetables in a flaky batter served with rice and salad), Yaki Soba (Japanese egg noodles stir fried with vegetables served with Miso soup), Beef Don (spicy beef with …

One of the things that makes Medfield beautiful is its natural landscape – the Charles River, the state forest, its reservations, and the magnificent Buttonwood Sycamore at 19 Wight St. This enormous tree has been gracing the bend of Wight and School Streets for centuries and is quite a site to see.  I was introduced to this tree last year and we soon became fast friends. I enjoyed its wonderful, thick summer leaves; I marveled at its colorful fall foliage; I was amazed by its stark winter beauty; and I was looking forward to seeing its rebirth this spring – but when I rounded the bend last …

Is there any place more peaceful than a cemetery?  I don’t think so. And I don’t think a “final resting place” should be reserved for the deceased, it should be enjoyed by the living – this is especially true of the Vine Lake Cemetery. According to its website, Vine Lake Cemetery was established in 1651 and is the town’s only active cemetery except for a small burial site reserved for former patients at the Medfield State Hospital. It has served as a burial place for Medfield’s early settlers, war veterans, industrialists, farmers, laborers, and ordinary citizens for more than three centuries…

The month of May was a busy one for Olivia Bonfilio.  The nine-year old student at Wheelock Elementary School – where she is known for her big beautiful eyes and glowing smile – was honored by the Boston Red Sox, was a guest of honor at the PMC 2011 Kids Ride, was the benefactor of the “Walk for Olivia,” and was featured on FOX25 news. Olivia has been battling a rare form of leukemia since Thanksgiving.  According to her family, one week before her ninth birthday, Olivia was taken to the doctor after she lost a tooth that would not clot. She was soon rushed to Children's …

Memorial Day is one of my favorite holidays.  I love it.  It’s meaningful, it’s important, there’s no frivolity involved.  Everyone comes together for one specific purpose – to be grateful and to honor men and women who have died – DIED, under the most horrible of circumstances – so that I can live my life the way I want to. WOW! Many of those soldiers volunteered to go to war.  They willingly said, “What can I do to protect my country and my neighbor?”  They enlisted and the served with pride.  Anyone who would do such a thing deserves a day of remembrance and celebration, in my opinion.  …

One of the things that makes Medfield a great little town is its neighborhoods.  Belnap Estates is one such place. Perhaps the best part about this neighborhood off Nebo Street is that it is not a short-cut or cut-through to anywhere, which means most people are driving slowly and watching out for pedestrians, cyclists and joggers. There is no official sign for this hidden gem that is filled with character, and features street names like Hearthstone, Hillcrest, Ledgemere, Rolling Lane, and Wildwood.  The streets are lined with flowering trees and bushes, the lawns and houses are well kept, …

With Spring comes pollen and with pollen comes a dirty vehicle.  Enter: Medfield Car Wash. The car wash and Gulf gas station at 270 Main St. has had a long-standing deal where customers save 20 cents off each gallon of gas with the purchase of a car wash. This is a good deal in and of itself and they are now offering the Unlimited Wash Club which seems particularly ideal if you put a lot of miles on your vehicle and like to keep it clean while doing so.  Does it hurt less to put $60 worth of gas into a car that looks good?  Maybe … There are four wash plans to choose from -- Bronze ($35 a …

Do you still need to pick up a gift for Mother’s Day?  If so, not to fear - Lovell’s Flowers, Greenhouse & Nursery and its gift shop, Accents By Lovell, is here (and near!) where you are sure to find the perfect gift. Lovell’s is located at 160 Main St. (Route 109) and has everything for Mom from traditional floral bouquets to lawn ornaments to Vera Bradley bags and John Medeiros jewelry.  I popped in last week to pick up a few plants for the garden and scout out the cut flowers for this weekend.  The place was buzzing with activity as customers made their way through well-organized displays …