Category Archives: neighborhood happenings

ACL in the News

If you haven’t seen it yet, Village 14 has run an article co-written by our own, Janet Linder, about the two community libraries in Newton –  the Auburndale Community Library and the Waban Library Center. The link to the article is here.

Create Garden Art for the Auburndale Community Library!

CALLING ALL ARTISTS…

Due to the current circumstances, our annual ACL GARDEN ART EVENT will be remote – Make At Home!

All ages and skill levels are welcome to create ART… from stones, sticks, branches, pine cones, leaves, recycled material, old balls and toys. Imagine whatever you think would look interesting, funny, or lovely, in our garden… and Make It! Please drop off your artwork at the ACL garden Saturday, July 11th, 10am- 12 noon, or leave by the green hose. We will apply a coat of polyurethane to protect your creation from the elements throughout the summer – to be picked up at a date to be determined in the fall. While we can’t be together this year, we appreciate your efforts to further beautify our gardens and we can’t wait to see what you have created. Enjoy and stay safe!

Needlers/Knitters, Read Aloud, Story Times, Bookclub… all online!

The ACL group, Newton Knitters And Needlers, is going strong remotely! 

This Auburndale Community Library group continues to meet via Zoom from 10:30 till Noon on Saturdays. All are welcome to join! You can find more info about the group on Facebook, Newton Knitters and Needlers.

Read-Aloud from local author (and ACL Volunteer), Lenna Kutner

Lenna reads from her book The Magic of Norumbega. The story takes place in Auburndale’s own Norumbega Park back in the days when it was a legendary amusement park. Who can forget the Totem Pole Ballroom? The Magic of Norumbega was on Newton’s 2016 summer reading list for students going into 4th grade. This link should bring you to all the uploaded chapters.

Online Story Times

While we can’t welcome our littlest patrons on Tuesday mornings, Janet and Barb are regularly posting online Story Times with stories, puppet shows, songs and simple craft ideas. The latest was about new babies and big brothers and sisters. Coming up – Gardens and Father’s Day. For those that missed them, here are the links to all the videos: Are you a big brother or sister?, Earth Day, Building Books with Barb, Rainy Day Craft and Story, Fun with Puppets and Songs!, The Three Penguins Popper, Ukelele Sing-along, Puppet Show with Barb & Janet, Garden Craft

The ACL/ANA Book Club meets again!

Please join us Thursday, June 11th at 7:30pm on Zoom for our next Auburndale Community Library/Auburndale Neighborhood Association Book Club. We are reading The Bookshop, by Penelope Fitzgerald. It’s a short book we think will be enjoyable these days when so many of us wish we could walk into our local bookstores. Everyone welcome! Here is the Zoom link. The book is instantly available free on Hoopla as an ebook or audiobook, through your Minuteman Library Network library card.

 

History of Auburndale: All Roads Lead to the Totem Pole at the ACL Weds, Jan 15th 8pm

You’re invited to a presentation on the history of Auburndale, including Norumbega Park and the Totem Ball Ballroom, both of which were widely used entertainment venues in the 1930s.  The presentation, which was prepared by Caroline and Larry Schwirian, was initially put together for Historic Newton and covers Auburndale history from the founding in 1678 through the closing of the Totem Pole Ballroom in 1964.  Refreshments will be provided.
Larry and Caroline Schwirian are architects with a combined 85+ years of experience, including research for the creation of the Auburndale Historic District.
RSVP:  Appreciated but not required, please reply to AuburndaleNeighborhoodAssn@gmail.com

Help the Newton Food Drive this Holiday Season by donating items at the ACL

BREAKFAST FOODS NEEDED for Newton Families
 
Please help our neighbors facing food insecurity.  Newton’s three food pantries provide meals for more than 1,800 people each month, and they need everyone’s help to keep up with the growing need right here in Newton.

Donate to the Newton Food Drive at the ACL
—Newton’s three pantries are asking for breakfast foods including cereal, granola, oatmeal, energy and granola bars, non-perishable milk boxes, coffee, tea, and peanut butter.  (Sorry, no open or expired food can be accepted.)
Donations will be collected from Monday December 2 through Friday December 27 at the ACL and more than 30 other locations across Newton.
 
Help us sort the donated food on Tuesday, December 31st from 10 – 10:30 am in the War Memorial at City Hall.  We need help from everyone, from youngsters to seniors.  Plus, we’ll have craft making, face painting, and refreshments for the Mayor’s New Year’s Eve Open House until noon.

Stocking Stuffers! ACL Water Bottles and Re-Usable Totes Available at Just Next Door and the ACL

Looking for that perfect holiday gift?  All the local hipsters are sporting ACL gear…the must-have accessories of the season!

We know it can be a little tricky to make it to the ACL during our part-time hours of operation during the busy holiday season.  So we are thrilled to let you all know that we have partnered with our neighborhood gift shop, Just Next Door, to sell our wares for the holidays.  In addition to the totes ($5) and stainless steel water bottles ($10), Just Next Door has lots of other goodies for everyone on your holiday list…

Auburndale’s “It girl”, Amy from Just Next Door, modeling ACL accessories

Bonus: shop at Just Next Door anytime on Wednesday, Dec 4th and mention Burr School at checkout and every purchase gives 20% back to one of our local elementary schools.
Just Next Door is located at 327 Auburn Street, just steps away from the ACL.  Shop local, folks!

Auburndale Neighborhood Association! First Meeting: Monday, Dec 9 at 8:00 pm

We are moving forward with organizing/creating a new community based organization for Auburndale focused on creating Auburndale-specific events that foster connection and community: the Auburndale Neighborhood Association.

If you’d like to be added to the mailing list, please email AuburndaleNeighborhoodAssn@gmail.com

If you’re interesting in potentially joining the board, the first meeting will be on Monday, December 9th, at 8:00 at the Auburndale Library.

Our Corporate Sponsor: The Village Bank’s Annual Holiday Gift Drive Through December 16

One of the ACL’s most long-standing sponsors, The Village Bank, is once again sponsoring its Holiday Gift Drive.To make the holidays brighter for local children, the City of Newton and The Village Bank have once again partnered to sponsor the annual Holiday Gift Drive. This year’s drive marks the 12th consecutive collaboration between the City and the Bank to solicit holiday gift donations for local families in need.

Local residents, businesses, groups, and organizations are encouraged to donate unwrapped gifts for children between the ages of newborn to 10, including age-appropriate DVDs, games, sporting goods, and toys. Gift certificates from local merchants are also encouraged to further support the community.

Donations will be accepted from November 18 – December 16 at any one of The Village Bank’s Newton branch locations, including Auburndale, Newton Centre, Newton Highlands, Newtonville, Nonantum, Waban, and West Newton.

“As a bank dedicated to the community, The Village Bank is proud to collaborate with the City of Newton to continue this tradition of enriching the holiday season for more than 200 eligible families,” said Joseph A. De Vito, president & CEO of The Village Bank. “Employees at all levels of our organization look forward to taking part either by providing donations or helping distribute gifts to local families in time for their holiday celebrations.”

Susan Paley, The Village Bank vice president and community relations officer, and Pamela Weissman, Newton’s director of social services, are managing the details of the Drive.

Community News…Commonwealth Ave Carriageway Enhancement

Learn about a proposed design to enhance the Commonwealth Avenue Carriageway from Lyons Field to the Charles River Bridge by adding more green space, improving pedestrian and bicycle access, and realigning vehicular traffic.  The meeting will take place on Thursday October 17 from 6:00-7:30 PM, at the Newton Marriott. Questions? Contact the City of Newton Director of Transportation Planning Nicole Freedman at nfreedman@newtonma.gov.

Let’s Re-energize the Auburndale Community Association! Meeting at the ACL on Thursday, October 24th at 8:00 pm

Come to an information session to learn how we can rebuild the Auburndale Community Association. Many years ago, the Auburndale Community Association (ACA) enriched the community by organizing a variety of activities, such as one of the first Newton Village Days. They currently support Rove the Cove, an annual road race.
Several of us are interested in reviving the ACA. Join us to hear about plans to revive this community focused organization! Come to listen, or bring your ideas and suggestions for community events.  For more information, email Susan at sgkatcher@gmail.com.