The Reading Post

07/29/2024

Boston and the Olympic Cauldron

Forty years ago today, Boston had its own Olympic cauldron lighting, as opening ceremonies took place at Harvard Stadium. Over the next few days the venue played host to six Olympic soccer matches as part of the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

It’s also History: Tales & Tidbits from Alan’s Archives Alan Foulds is a local historian who has written several historically related articles in addition to his book, “Boston’s Ballparks & Arenas.” [...]

07/11/2024

After an executive session during which the Select Board approved and voted to make public executive session minutes from June 4, the board discussed and responded to two additional open meeting law (OML) complaints filed against them. The first, filed by John Lippett, alleged that Chair Carlo Bacci violated OML when he spoke with former chair Jackie McCarthy prior to the Town Manager selection vote, as Bacci allegedly knew how Select Board member Chris Haley was going to vote on the issue. Lippett, in his OML filing, suggests that this knowledge indicates that Bacci and Haley had had a conversation prior to the call, thus creating a violation.

Open Meeting Law Complaint Reading, MA -- After an executive session during which the Select Board approved and voted to make public executive session minutes from June 4, the board [...]

07/08/2024

Neighboring News from Wilmington

06/29/2024

Leave the Fireworks to the Professionals

There have been more than 500 fires and explosions involving illegal fireworks in Massachusetts in the past five years. Seven firefighters were injured in these incidents, and damages were estimated [...]

06/27/2024

During a special meeting called to discuss an Open Meeting Law complaint, the Select Board voted by a vote of 3-2 to rescind its appointment of Select Board member Karen Herrick as its representative to the Killam School Building Committee (KSBC) and replace her with member Christopher Haley on Thursday morning. This action came after KSBC chair Carla Nazzarro had communicated with Carlo Bacci regarding a list of what Bacci referred to as “non-professional behavior.”

Reading, MA -- During a special meeting called to discuss an Open Meeting Law complaint, the Select Board voted by a vote of 3-2 to rescind its appointment of Select [...]

06/26/2024

Boston 25 News opened its twenty-first year of “Zip Trip” by visiting Reading last Friday. The morning news team of hosts Gene Lavanchy, Shiri Spear, and Catherine Parrotta spent the morning at Camp Curtis Guild, highlighting local businesses and organizations during their morning news broadcast. The last time the Zip Trip came to Reading was in 2008. | Whitelam Books Cal's Creamery Tin Bucket Di Cara's Deli Reading MA Cupcake City-Reading Public Kitchen Reading MISSION of DEEDS, Inc. Colonial Chorus Players Empower on Haven Post 1917 Calareso's Farm Stand & Garden Center Town of Reading, MA

https://flic.kr/p/2pZBhpf Reading, MA -- Boston 25 News opened its twenty-first year of “Zip Trip” by visiting Reading last Friday. The morning news team of hosts Gene Lavanchy, Shiri Spear, and [...]

06/25/2024

Paul Coolidge Dustin, former Moderator, and Selectmen, passed away on June 12, 2024, at the age of 93. In 1987, Dustin was elected as Moderator of Town Meeting. “Reading Town Meeting is a rite of spring for some people.” “They perceive it as a god-given right to get up and expropriate time.” He served in the position until 1997.

Paul Coolidge Dustin, former Moderator, and Selectmen, passed away on June 12, 2024, at the age of 93. Dustin was elected as a member of Town Meeting in 1969. “I [...]

06/22/2024

Good Morning, PorchFesters. The good news, Thunderstorms not likely until later. Not so good news, there will likely be some occasional light rain throughout the afternoon. With no raindate, we plan on going ahead with the current schedule found on the website. Some disruption is inevitable, so we ask that you are flexible and enjoy what is able to take place. We will post any changes we know of right on this page.

First Congregational Church of Reading UCC, First Baptist Church, and Church of the Good Shepherd have all said they have indoor space for their performances as well as Post 1917. Many venues have told us they have added extra canopies for both performers and audience. Lets get out there and enjoy the music.

06/20/2024

Reading PorchFest is now in its sixth year and it is bigger than ever, achieving “town tradition” status as it takes place every fourth Saturday in June.

Its success wasn’t always assured, however, and it nearly died in its second year.

Reading, MA -- Reading PorchFest is now in its sixth year and it is bigger than ever, achieving “town tradition” status as it takes place every fourth Saturday in June. [...]

06/20/2024

By a 5-0 vote, the Select Board chose to move forward and create an Ad Hoc Commemoration Establishment Committee, charged with determining the best way to celebrate the life and impact of former Reading resident and Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell. According to Tara Gregory, presenting for the Coalition of Us (CATO), the committee would also seek to “explore ways to educate and acknowledge and express accountability for the mistreatment of Bill Russell and his family” while he lived in town.

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06/17/2024

The schedule for Reading PorchFest 2024 is now online at ReadingPorchFest.com. It can be viewed at the site, and it can be downloaded for printing. With 94 acts this year, the schedule takes up three full pages. During the week, an interactive map of the 46 venues, complete with performance times, will also be found at the site. | Reading PorchFest 2024

Reading, MA -- The schedule for Reading PorchFest 2024 is now online at ReadingPorchFest.com. It can be viewed at the site, and it can be downloaded for printing. With 94 [...]

06/14/2024

The Cookie Monstah is set to open a seventh bake shop in Reading at Jordan’s Furniture on June 19. Offered daily will be nearly 15 of Boston’s best Cookies with their motto “Fresh Batch, From Scratch” where each batch is mixed in the morning and baked as needed. Also served will be their signature Cookie Monstah sandwiches (select two fresh-baked cookies and one ice cream flavor), Quakes (frappe with a cookie blended), Cookie n’ Cream (choice of one cookie and ice cream), cups of ice cream, floats, and an Iced Tea Crusher. | Jordan's Furniture | The Cookie Monstah

The Exclusive Eliot Cookie Monstah Sandwich to benefit The Jordan’s Charitable Foundation Reading, MA – The Cookie Monstah is set to open a seventh bake shop in Reading at Jordan’s Furniture on June 19. [...]

06/14/2024

14th Annual Friends of Reading Rec Fireworks Show
Saturday June 15th - Birch Meadow Fields. Field lights out and Starts 9pm. DJ starting 730pm. Bring dinner and blanket and chairs

Birch Meadow Complex 9pm

06/14/2024

Saturday, June 15, from 100-700 pm on the Reading Town Common Grab your family and friends, take advantage of the glorious weather, and come down to the Town Common on Saturday, June 15, to celebrate Juneteenth! This is a family-friendly event with music, food, speakers, and a pop-up market.

Saturday, June 15, from 100-700 pm on the Reading Town Common Reading Public Library, Reading, MA—Grab your family and friends, take advantage of the glorious weather, and come down to [...]

06/13/2024

Steve Gousie, Chair of Friends of Reading Scouting (FoRS), has been named a recipient of the Spirit of Adventure Council 2024 Silver Beaver Award. The Silver Beaver Award is a distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America, given at the council level. Recipients of this award are registered adult leaders who have made an impact on the lives of youth through service given to the council, they are nominated by their local Scout council and approved by the National Court of Honor.

Reading, MA -- Steve Gousie, Chair of Friends of Reading Scouting (FoRS), has been named a recipient of the Spirit of Adventure Council 2024 Silver Beaver Award. The Silver Beaver [...]

06/13/2024

This year, Reading PorchFest has a record of 93 musical acts, taking place at 45 venues all over town. Together with the schedule, an online map will appear at ReadingPorchFest.com in the next few days. Among those sites are five, which are almost musical festivals in their own right. Revelers could park themselves at any one of these and hear great music all afternoon long. | Reading PorchFest 2024

This year, Reading PorchFest has a record of 93 musical acts, taking place at 45 venues all over town. Together with the schedule, an online map will appear at ReadingPorchFest.com [...]

06/07/2024

Where can you hear great music, ride a train, climb on Town vehicles, pet farm animals, and try your hand at mini-golf and inflatable axe-throwing? It’s all here and it’s free, at the 19th Reading Friends and Family Day (RFFD) on Saturday, June 8, 2024. All events take place in the Birch Meadow Fields area from 10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Residents of all ages will enjoy a full day of fun, food, music, giveaways, and demonstrations!

Reading, MA -- Where can you hear great music, ride a train, climb on Town vehicles, pet farm animals, and try your hand at mini-golf and inflatable axe-throwing? It’s all [...]

06/06/2024

After much discussion, the Select Board voted 4-1, with Select Board member Christopher Haley as the dissenting vote, to raise the water rates in town by 3.75% for Fiscal Year 2025. The new rates will be reflected in the bill residents receive in December of 2024. The average water bill will rise from between $6.22 and $8.30 a bill or $25 to $37 for the entire year. The board will be retaining the four tiers of billing based upon usage. The new tiers range from $11.15 per 100 cubic feet of usage for tier one to $12.47 per 100 cubic feet for tier four.

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06/05/2024

Post 1917, a steakhouse that integrates classic steakhouse with contemporary flair, is officially open, and it’s time to celebrate. Chef Jason Carron and the Post 1917 team hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, June 4. Following the ceremony, friends and family celebrated with live music on their newly opened patio. | Post 1917

Reading, MA -- Post 1917, a steakhouse that integrates classic steakhouse with contemporary flair, is officially open, and it’s time to celebrate. Chef Jason Carron and the Post 1917 team [...]

06/03/2024

With Reading PorchFest 2024 just around the corner – June 22nd – the response has been truly amazing. This year’s festival already has a record 84 musical performances lined up. In case you’re keeping score, that’s 52 more acts than Woodstock. The talent ranges across genres and ages, staged at 40 porches, driveways, and front lawns all over town, and all free. Reading PorchFest 2024

Reading, MA -- With Reading PorchFest 2024 just around the corner – June 22nd – the response has been truly amazing. This year’s festival already has a record 84 musical [...]

06/02/2024

Why are you crying that you didn’t get tickets for tonight’s show? They’re still available at the door with cash or check! Doors open at 7:30!

🎟️: https://www.ticketstage.com/T/QPTHEATER
📷: Jonathan Sachs

05/22/2024

As the 250th anniversary of our nation’s birth approaches, many towns and cities are planning to commemorate the people and the events that led up to July 4, 1776. This year, 33 new Revolutionary War markers will be placed on the graves of all those who participated in that war and are buried here in Reading’s oldest cemetery, Laurel Hill.

Honoring Their Service Reading, MA -- Each year, a group of volunteers decorate Reading’s four cemeteries in preparation for Memorial Day. Each veteran receives a metal marker, and then the [...]

05/22/2024

RMHS High Five — Miguel Borrero Class of ’24

MIGUEL BORRERO Class of ‘24 Favorite Book: “Living with a SEAL: 31 Days Training with the Toughest Man on the Planet” by Jessie Itzler Favorite Quote: “If you don’t challenge [...]

05/21/2024

Douglas Post’s “Murder in Green Meadows” May 24-June 9

Thomas Devereaux, a successful architect and local contractor, and his beautiful wife, Joan, have just moved into their dream house in the quiet suburban town of Green Meadows when they are visited by their new neighbors, Carolyn and Jeff Symons, and a friendship develops quickly between the two couples. But underneath the cool, middle-American exterior, something is truly rotten. | Quannapowitt Players Inc.

Douglas Post's "Murder in Green Meadows” May 24-June 9! Thomas Devereaux, a successful architect and local contractor, and his beautiful wife, Joan, have just moved into their dream house in [...]

05/19/2024

In 1955, John began his teaching career as a math teacher, football coach, and golf coach at Reading Memorial High School (MA). He served as Director of Athletics for his last seven years. His impact extended far beyond the classroom and the field, leaving an indelible mark on the school and the town. John’s dedication to education and coaching earned him a place in the Massachusetts High School Coaches Hall of Fame and the Reading High Hall of Fame. In 2011, the Reading football field was fittingly named “John Hollingsworth Field” in his honor, a tribute that touched him deeply.

Former Reading High School Athletic Director John Hollingsworth has died at the age of 97. In 1955, John began his teaching career as a math teacher, football coach, and golf [...]

05/17/2024

RMHS High Five — Henry Myatt Class of ’24

HENRY MYATT Class of ‘24 Favorite Book: “The Humans” by Matt Haig Favorite Quote: “He that plants trees loves others besides himself.” -Thomas Fuller Favorite Class: Honors Principles of Engineering [...]

05/16/2024

The Reading Garden Club will be having its annual Plant Sale on the Reading Town Common on Saturday, May 18, 2024. The event will be held rain or shine.

Reading Garden Club Geraniums & Plant Sale is Saturday, May 14th The Reading Garden Club will be having its annual Plant Sale on the Reading Town Common on Saturday, May [...]

05/16/2024

The Reading Police Department will host its annual open house on Saturday, May 18, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, May 18, 11am - 2pm Reading, MA -- The Reading Police Department will host its annual open house on Saturday, May 18, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. [...]

05/15/2024

New Select Board Member Murphy Thanks Supporters

Dear Reading Residents, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone, especially the residents who took the time to come to the polls and cast their votes. I am [...]

05/15/2024

Unofficial results from the May 14 Special Election for the open seat on the Select Board have been tallied, and Melissa Murphy has won the seat for the next year. Murphy received 3,266 votes while winning six of the eight precincts. Challenger Tara Gregory totaled 2,695 votes and won two precincts.

Murphy to Join the Select Board Selectboard Candidates Night at RCTV Melissa Murphy - Photo by Kenan Cooper Reading, MA -- Unofficial results from the May 14 Special Election for [...]