Winter 2007/2008 Publisher’s Letter

Is the season for entertaining and being entertained with special get-togethers, lunches, business functions, holiday galas, high school reunions, neighborhood parties, and family feasts filling the calendar. And of course what holiday season would be complete without shopping, and lots of it! When I moved to Wellesley twelve years ago, I was surprised to find so many wonderful shops, galleries, and boutiques right here in my backyard. Today, there are even more. We all have our favorite tried-and-true stores in Weston, Wellesley Square, Church Square, and Wellesley Hills, and this year, we have new stores to discover at Linden Square in Wellesley and at the new Natick Collection.

It’s also the season for dressing up ourselves and our homes as we make the most of the festive atmosphere that pervades between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. I love dusting off the storage boxes and opening them to reveal the cherished holiday decorations that have been lovingly collected over the years. Most of these items have a story behind them, and I’m proud to display them in their special places of honor throughout the house. It’s also fun to try new decorating ideas and experiment with garlands and wreaths in different colors and textures. Inevitably, the wonderful new ideas I have clipped from magazines fall by the wayside as I get too busy to implement them, but the merriment of the season prevails nonetheless. To help you get started with your holiday decorating, be sure to read our “10 Tips for a Festive Holiday Doorway.”

Also in this issue, you’ll read about Weston residents who belong to the Women’s Community League Juniors who have been busy decorating six of Weston’s finest Colonial homes for their Holiday House Tour. This is the first time most of these homes have been open to the public, and I’m certain that many gorgeous new and traditional decorating ideas will be decking the halls of these pre-Revolutionary War homes. With the proceeds going to the League’s Service and Scholarship Fund, the spirit of giving back to the community will certainly be enjoyed, as will as the festive atmosphere.

Our two towns are filled with people who make the community service part of their daily lives. In “Crossing Borders” you’ll meet members of local interfaith initiatives whose goal is to work together with people of all religious faiths to gain a better understanding of each others’ similarities and differences. Members of the interfaith communities in Wellesley and Weston are combining forces with other groups to help solve complex problems locally and globally and are indeed “crossing borders” to help make the world a better place.

In “Businesses that Give Back,” you’ll meet four women entrepreneurs who combine good business sense with sensible giving to causes they are passionate about for very personal reasons. By donating a portion of their business proceeds to worthy causes, the magic of the holiday season is felt by people in need all year long.

I’m giving thanks during this special season that I am fortunate enough to live in a town like Wellesley, and that I’m able to be involved in the life of this wonderful community. Happy Holidays!

I hope you enjoy all of the wonderful changes that fall has to offer.

Sincerely,

Beth Furman