MAY IN NEWTON
Spring is in full swing and there are lots of events in Newton. We’re highlighting a few here. This is by no means a comprehensive list so, if we don’t mention your favorite event, please submit it to our Facebook page! We’ll start off with one of our own major spring initiatives – the Diaper Drive.
THIS WEEK THROUGH MAY 6: CITYWIDE DIAPER DRIVE COLLECTION DISTRIBUTION ON MAY 13
One in three families struggles to afford diapers, making it even harder for them to buy food and other necessities. Help us support local families who need diapers! Last year we were able to provide diapers to 100 families and we hope to support even more this year. This is the FINAL WEEK to donate diapers – help us make sure we can give each family a generous supply!
Sizes requested: Newborn - Size 7
Open boxes are welcome, but please put diapers in labeled plastic sleeves or bags.
Purchase diapers from our Amazon Wish List: Diapers will be shipped directly to one of our collection points. Click HERE to access our registry.
Donate diapers at:
FamilyACCESS of Newton (492 Waltham St, West Newton): Drop off inside the front doors from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm when the building is open. Look for a table with a diaper dropoff sign. NO weekend dropoffs.
American Legion Nonantum Post 440 (295 California St, Nonantum): Drop off in the main office 7 days a week from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. From the parking lot, enter the glass doors, up the steps, and turn left.
Porch dropoff (128 Herrick Road in Newton Centre): Leave your donation in the bin marked “Diapers” at the top of the driveway or on the front porch, depending on the weather.
Does your family need diapers?
You can pick up free diapers on May 13 from 7:30 am -12:30 pm at FamilyACCESS of Newton or American Legion Nonantum Post 440. All are welcome – no registration required.
May Events in Newton
Newton Inspires
Thursday, May 4, 6:00 pm Newton South High School
Spend an evening with fascinating Newtonians talking about how they got their start, their careers, and what inspires them. Newton speakers include:
Tiziana Dearing
Jonathan Kaufman & Anping Shen
Dr. Lisa Owens
Matt Malloy
Andy Gluck & Andrew Thompson
Andrea Hemment
Hanni Myers
Sarah Volkman
May 6: Honoring Our Ancestors: A Ho-Chunk Dinner by Chef Elena Terry
Saturday, May 6, 6:30 - 9:00 pm
Join a five-course dinner by notable Ho-Chunk chef Elena Terry, to support Newton’s 2023 Indigenous Peoples Day Ceremonial Celebration. Chef Elena is a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin and the executive chef and founder of Wild Bearies, an educational, community outreach nonprofit. She is looking forward to sharing her knowledge with you.
Newton Piano Summit
May 6, 7, 13, 14, 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Second Church in Newton, 60 Highland Street
The Newton Piano Summit 2023 season will feature Classical, Latin, Jazz, and more. We are raising funds now and any donation is highly appreciated.
Confirmed returning artists are Andrus Madsen, Harold Charon, and Kevin Harris. Five more incredible talents have signed on for this season: Hidemi Akaiwa, Sylvia Berry, Leo Blanco, Dennis Montgomery III, and Utar Artun.
NewtonSERVES Day
Sunday, May 7, various times
Register by May 3!
The focus of NewtonSERVES volunteer efforts this year is on cleaning and improving our parks, school grounds, open space areas, and conservation lands. Wear long pants and bring your garden gloves, sunscreen, and reusable water bottles. Sign up by May 3 on the NewtonSERVES website.
There are lots of sites in need of volunteers so find your favorite! A few examples:
Cold Spring Park Invasives Pull: 9-11:30am, Cold Spring Park Beacon Street trailhead (1200 Beacon Street, Waban)
Dolan Pond Invasives Pull: 9-11:30am, Dolan Pond (76 Webster Park, Newton)
Trail Work in Nahanton Park: 9-11am, Nahanton Community Gardens (nahanton community gardens, Newton)
Houghton Garden Invasives Pull: 1-3pm, Houghton Garden at MBTA tracks (210 Suffolk Road, Chestnut Hill)
Bike Rodeo for Grades K - 6
Sunday, May 7, various start times
Newton South High School
The Third Annual Newton Bike Rodeo is hosted by Newton Parks, Recreation and Culture, with instructors provided through MA Safe Routes to School. This program is for students in Kindergarten through 6th grade at Newton Schools who are comfortable riding a bike independently.
Newton Community Farm Seedling Sale
Saturday, May 20 – Sunday, May 21, 12:00 - 3:00 pm
Newton Community Farm, 303 Nahanton Street
Newton Community Farm’s Annual Seedling Sale will feature nearly 100 varieties of plants, as well as soil and soil amendments and NCF t-shirts for sale. All sales will be in-person at the Farm on May 20 – 21, from noon to 3 pm; there is no preordering option. All seedlings will be $6 per unit that they are started in, either a 6-pack, 4-pack, or pot depending on the type of plant. Cash, check with id, credit card, and SNAP/HIP accepted.
Department of Public Works Day
Saturday, May 20, 11:30 am - 2:30 pm (rain date May 21)
Newton City Hall, War Memorial Circle
Residents are invited to learn about Newton's Department of Public Works’ (DPW) many projects. Public Works staff will showcase their work and be available for questions. There will be games, touch a truck, music and more! Food will be available for purchase.
Fill-a-Truck Food Drive
Newton’s DPW is also hosting a Fill-a-Truck food drive during this year’s DPW Day. You can help by bringing non-perishable items to the DPW Day event or by dropping items off at Newton City Hall during the month of May. All donations will help fill a Newton Public Works Truck and benefit the Newton Food Pantry!
49th Annual Theodore D. Mann Newton’s Mayor’s Community Breakfast
Wednesday, May 24, 7:30 to 9:30 am.
UMass Mt. Ida Campus, 100 Carlson Ave, Newton
The 49th Annual Theodore D. Mann Newton Mayor’s Community Breakfast, Embracing CommUnity, will be held Wednesday, May 24, at 7:30 am. in the Shaw Hall Courtyard at the UMass Mount Ida Campus. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Adrian Mims, founder of the Calculus Project. Full program and event details will be shared with event registrants.
Tickets are $40 per person, $320 for a table of eight. Register here.
For more information, contact harmonyfoundationnewton@gmail.com.
Summer Is Around the Corner! Gath Pool and Crystal Lake Memberships are now available for online purchase. Registration will begin on May 15 for swim lessons. Schedule will be announced soon. Please visit the Parks and Rec website for more information. Questions? Please call the Aquatics Office at 617-796-1500.
And finally, share your thoughts
Please take 15 minutes to complete the online public input tool for Newton’s first bike/ped plan. The goal of this project is to create an implementation-focused Bicycle and Pedestrian Network Plan that will strategically recommend investments over a five-year timeframe to ensure the walking and biking networks in Newton are safe and accessible for all ages and abilities. The plan is being developed by Kittelson and Associates.
Input Tool and Project Website: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/789ae475277a423a95d75a4ead46659a
The “StoryMap” page describes the network plan’s purpose and goals, and asks for specific public input:
What are your most frequent destinations?
What are your preferred transit and micromobility hubs?
What/where are the challenges to walking and biking in Newton?
And a little demographic information
Contact bikepedplan@newtonma.gov with any questions.
Hope to see you at one of these awesome events! Be on the lookout in the middle of May for our Helping Neighbors newsletter.