The Wayland Historical Commission is sponsoring its 11th annual volunteer Spring brush clearing weekend at the Wayland Depot (1 Cochituate Rd.) on Saturday, May 5 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday May 6 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Volunteers are encouraged to come either day to help remove brush, vines and undergrowth along the inactive railroad tracks near Wayland Depot and through Wayland. We will also continue to excavate the steam locomotive turntable pit to expose more of the circular granite walls, in addition to removing brush that has grown up along the tracks and the enginehouse site. Volunteers should bring work gloves and pruning tools, shovels, and should wear work clothes and boots. In cooperation with Friends of the Wayland Rail Trail we will be clearing brush along the entire railroad line through Wayland.

For more information call Rick Conard at (508) 358-4597 after 7 p.m. or by E-mail at RRConard@earthlink.net.

The focus for this meeting will be on some important events coming up: 

• April 29th – Earth Day Participation 

• May 5th -Trail Maintenance Day

• May 9th – Walking to School Day 
• June 2nd – National Rail Trail Day

If you would like to help, but can't make this meeting, please email Larry Kiernan at larrykiernan04@gmail.com or call at 508-358-2568. You can sign up for our newsletter at www.waylandrailtrail.org.

Photo:  New "Mass Central Rail Trail  – Wayland"  T-Shirts to debut at Wayland's Earth Day event April 29th.

• Rice Road, especially down the hill across from the Holy Spirit Church (all along that bend)
• Old Conn Path from Rice to Rte. 20
• Plain Road from Rte. 20 to the old railroad tracks
• Far end of Claypit Hill Road at Rte. 126 around the wetland area… lots of trash and liquor bottles
• Rte. 27 from the Golf course to Water Row (slightly beyond town line)

But anywhere you're inclined to clean up is welcome.  We suggest you collect recyclables in one bag and trash in another.  Both can be dropped off at the Wayland transfer station on Saturday between 8am and 4pm.  Please join your neighbors in a collective effort to keep our town a little cleaner and greener.  Thank you.   – Wayland Schools Green Team

The Friends of the Rail Trail monthly meeting is intended to inform, and drive progress with the trail.   We will start with an update on Wayland's progress, then open for questions.  We will then discuss the action plan for both our short term objective (removing the tracks and creating a three mile soft surface path across Wayland), and our long term objective (a 26 mile hard surface trail).  

• Improving safety, and developing a trail maintenance plan for the existing trail
• Working with DCR to begin removal of tracks and ties
• Planning events on the Wayland trail and visiting other rail trails
• Working to improve the Friends website and overall communication

If you would like to help, but can't make this meeting, please email Larry Kiernan at larrykiernan04@gmail.com or call at 508-358-2568.  You can sign up for our newsletter at www.waylandrailtrail.org

Have you ever thought about tutoring someone in English?  Most people who decide to become tutors are thinking of the good it can do, helping others become more proficient in English and better able to cope with employment, landlords, schools or the medical profession.  But then they discover the rewards, the satisfaction that comes as progress is made and a relationship develops that enriches both learner and tutor.  Tutors often speak of their pleasure in learning about another culture and their greater appreciation for the challenges facing those who are adapting to ours. 

Because of the constant demand for tutoring, all available tutors are now working with students, and the next tutor-training course has been scheduled.  Program director Ginny Steel is currently enrolling prospective tutors for the five-session course that starts on February 29.  The class will meet in the Raytheon Room at the Wayland Library on five consecutive Wednesday mornings, from 9:30 – 12:30.  No prior knowledge of a foreign language is needed, just an openness to other cultures and the desire to share your knowledge of English.  The training is free, although it is necessary to purchase a textbook for about $20.   

For more information or to enroll in the tutor-training course, you can phone Ginny Steel at 508-358-7517 or email her at virginia@thesteels.com.

SOAR 55 is currently accepting applications from former and current (part-time) executives/professionals with marketing or development expertise who are available to help local nonprofits with management projects through the award winning SOAR 55 Nonprofit Management Consulting Group program, generously funded through the Tufts Health Plan Foundation. The group works in teams of 3 on assignments lasting 6-9 months and requiring approximately 20-25 hours a month when on assignment. Qualified candidates will be interviewed and those selected will participate in a comprehensive 45-hour training program over an 8-10 week period beginning in November. Ongoing support is provided while on assignment.  

This is an opportunity to use your skills, connect with others in a purposeful endeavor and to make a difference in your community.

Please contact Jan Latorre-Stiller at 617-969-5906, ext 120 or at jlatorre-stiller@ncscweb.org. Please visit us at www.ncscweb.org/programs/soar55.

SOAR 55 is a program of Newton Community Service Center, with a satellite office at the Framingham Public Library, and part of a national network of volunteer agencies mobilizing adults 55 and over to contribute their skills and experience to help strengthen and expand the capacity of local community service organizations in Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Newton, Wayland, Wellesley and Weston

The school council, including the school principal, shall meet regularly and shall assist in the identification of the educational needs of the students attending the school, make recommendations to the principal for the development, implementation and assessment of the curriculum accommodation plan, and shall assist in the review of the annual school budget and in the formulation of a school improvement plan.

Please nominate someone (or yourself) to serve by visiting http://www.happyhollowpto.org/parentresources/schoolcouncil.html and filling out the form today!  Nominations will be accepted until October 11th.  Nominees are asked to submit a paragraph about themselves to: happyhollowpto@gmail.com.