Vine Lake Seeking Arbor Day Volunteers on Friday

Volunteers sought for Arbor Day of Service on Friday, April 26, to prune and remove trees in the old section of Vine Lake Cemetery.

  According to the Vine Lake Preservation Trust's monthly newsletter, Quiet Voices, volunteers are being sought for work on Arbor Day, Friday, April 26 in two areas of the Vine Lake Cemetery.  Volunteers will complement four tree companies who will volunteer labor and equipment to improve the cemetery's canopy. Volunteers are needed at: The event lasts until approximately 2 p.m.  People can volunteer for either task by sending an email to organizers. For more information, visit www.vinelakepreservationtrust.org About the Arbor Day of Service The event is sponsored by the Massachusetts Arborists Association as a planned event across the Commonwealth on Arbor Day, this year Friday the 26th.  Over $30,000 of volunteer equipment and labor was …

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Civil War-Themed Concert to Recognize 75 Civil War Vets in Vine Lake Cemetery

On March 16, the Vine Lake Preservation Trust will present "Be Jubilant, My Feet" - a Concert to Recognize Medfield’s Civil War Veterans. The program will include songs from the era including The Battle Hymn of the Republic.

  The following press release was submitted by the Vine Lake Preservation Trust. Hear stirring renditions of Civil War folks songs sung by a professional duet.  Witness the portrayal of Julia Ward Howe by a charming actress as she composes "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." "Be Jubilant, My Feet" is a free family concert to recognize 75 Civil War veterans buried or honored in Medfield’s Vine Lake Cemetery.  It will be held Sat., March 16, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Church of the Advent, 28 Pleasant Street, Medfield. The Civil War saw a boom in music publishing such as the United States had never seen.  Whether on the battlefield or at home, people sang. These songs brought to mind happier times, comforted those at home, and …

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Fourth Grade Annual Cemetery Treasure Hunt

Fourth grade students from Dale Street participated in this annual fall event but, because of inclimate weather, some children will have to wait until Spring.

  Earlier this month, about 80 fourth graders in two separate groups walked from Dale Street Elementary School to Vine Lake Cemetery for a morning of different activities. Using a treasure hunt designed by Vine Lake Preservation Trust, students and teachers hunted for answers at 10 different gravesites  in the old section of the cemetery which was founded in 1651. Those "treasures" focused on history and art while other activities, led by their teachers, focused on nature exploration and creative writing.  This educational program is one of many Vine Lake cultural opportunities available to people of all ages at the cemetery. For weather reasons, five Dale Street classes had to be rescheduled until May when they will follow the same …

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Veterans Day: Vine Lake Vets

Here's a look at some of the veterans' headstones, grave markers, and intriguing stories at the Vine Lake Cemetery.

Medfield is rich in history, and a big part of that history is the men and women who have served in the country's military. Here is a glimpse at some of the veteran highlights from Vine Lake Cemetery including grave markers from the Mexican War, Revolutionary War, Civil War, Sons of the American Revolution, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War; also Grand Army of the Republic, Ladies Auxiliary, and other intriguing markers. Some of Medfield's servicemen have interesting stories are noted in the "Walk Among the Shadows" map and guide (available at a kiosk in the cemetery) to the cemetery's old section. Here are a few of those stories, courtesy of the Vine Lake Preservation Trust. Julius Augusts Fitts (1843-1944). Massachusetts…

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Uniquely Medfield

Uniquely Medfield: Murder and Body Snatchers, Halloween 1802

This very spooky story takes place here in Medfield back in the year 1802 and involves both the Mason and Allen families.

Editor's note: By many requests, this story, which has run in the town newspapers (as well as here on Patch) in the past, is being published again at Halloween-time. Read on, and you'll know why we decided to publish it again.  It is perhaps the strangest and most horrifying story in all of Medfield history. The fact that these events unfolded on Halloween just adds to the intrigue. This very spooky story takes place here in Medfield back in the year 1802 and involves both the Mason and Allen families. Asa Mason, at the time, lived on the Mason Farm in the very northeastern part of Pine Street, at the Dover line. Today, this would be the property at the very end of Overfield Drive. At age 75, Asa was not in good health and his mind was …

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Cemetery Work Sessions This Weekend

Volunteers are needed to help clean and re-set small headstones in the Vine Lake Cemetery on Oct. 19 and Oct. 20.

The following was taken from Quiet Voices, the newsletter for The Vine Lake Preservation Trust.  The last two gravestone preservation sessions (numbers 14 and 15 for year 2012) are planned for Friday, Oct. 19 and Saturday, Oct. 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. During these sessions, volunteers will clean and reset small headstones and footstones.  All materials and tools are supplied by the Trust. Leadership is provided by well-seasoned volunteers for these dramatic and easy projects. New volunteers are always welcome.  At the Trust's booth on Medfield Day, five persons signed up who expressed long-standing interest in improving memorials at Vine Lake Cemetery. Thank you to them and to everyone else who participates throughout the year. …

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Harvard Student from Alaska Has Medfield Ancestors to Thank for Scholarship

An Alaska man received a scholarship set up at Harvard University for descendants of a Medfield family.

Portions of the following were taken from Quiet Voices, the newsletter of The Vine Lake Preservation Trust.  A freshman from Alaska who is attending Harvard University is the recipient of a scholarship tied to a Medfield family. Dylan Hardenbergh recently visited Vine Lake Cemetery to see for the first time the memorials to his fourth great-grandparents, Seth and Mary (Fairbanks) Ellis. Being their direct descendant allowed him to apply for a scholarship funded by more recent relatives, Calvin Ellis and Lucy Ellis, brother and sister. "The scholarship is available to a Ellis descendant who gains admission to Harvard and that makes an argument that they're connected to the Ellis family," said Rob Gregg, President of the Vine Lake Cemetery …

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Police Log: Attempted House Break, Two Arrests, Kids "Up to No Good," Stolen Pumpkins, Stuck Ring, and Missing Girlfriend

Here is a look at the Medfield safety log for Oct. 7 and Oct. 8.

Sunday, Oct. 7 12:12 a.m., Elm Street. Police spotted a suspicious vehicle at the Wheelock School. Car was registered to a Winchester address. 8:02 a.m., Spring Street. Police provided traffic control at 8:02 a.m., 10 a.m., and 12:05 p.m. 9:32 a.m., Causeway Street. Caller reported that she had four pumpkins stolen during the night. 1:06 p.m., Bridge Street. Caller reported she had a ring stuck on her finger. Medfield Fire Department responded and cut off the ring. 5:25 p.m., Kamark Drive. Police responded to a family disturbance. Monday, Oct. 8 7:55 a.m., Hawthorne Drive. Caller reported she is housesitting and the dog ran away. 9:21 a.m., North Meadows Road. Police stopped a Lincoln Town Car on Route 27. A 65-year old Boston man (driving…

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Five Things You Need to Know Today

5 Things, Including Library Book Sale and Governor Patrick

Here's a look at a few things to consider in Medfield today.

  Our weekday morning column, "5 Things You Need to Know," provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations.  Here you go... 1. Today, the Friends of the Medfield Library are holding their annual book sale from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the library's meeting room.  2. Did you catch Patch's Live Chat with Governor Deval Patrick yesterday?  Here's a look at the conversation.  3. Wii Weekdays continue from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Teen Lounge at the Medfield Public Library.  4. Planning ahead for the weekend? Consider the dedication of the Robert E. Naughton Civic Square or the Vine Lake Cemetery Walking Tour highlighting historic causes of death on Saturday.   5. Make sure you…

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