Needham Community Education

Join Dan Dain, author of the book A History of Boston, as he leads you through a history of one of Boston’s greatest cultural assets: its sports teams. The discussion will go beyond just the big five (Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics, Bruins, and Revolution) and look at less popular spectator sports (lacrosse, rugby, roller derby), individual sports (candlepin bowling, tennis, golf), and women’s sports (Renegades, Pride/Fleet). The talk will dig deep into Boston sports trivia (did you know that the Philadelphia Phillies started in Worcester?) and sports stadiums and arenas (Braves Field, Huntington Avenue Grounds), and even look at the impact of Boston sports on popular culture (Tessie, Field of Dreams). This will be an interactive program, so come prepared for some deep Boston sports debates (was it really a mistake for Russell Wilson to pass on second down at the end of Super Bowl XLIX?). Please note that the location has changed from what is listed in the printed catalogs. The new location is room 201 at Needham High School.

This program is designed for people who feel connected to their intuitive gifts, as well as those who are “psychic curious.” By learning how to be more consciously aware of your natural intuitive abilities, you can develop psychic skills. We will start with the basics of the human energy field (your aura), discovering how it works, and how to protect it and keep it healthy and balanced in your daily life. You will also see how naturally psychic you are when you learn how to give a reading. You will have a blast and likely surprise yourself!

Who was N.C. Wyeth? How did he become a famous illustrator and painter? On the first evening, your study of N.C. Wyeth will begin with viewing images of his childhood in rural Needham, on the banks of the Charles River, in a family compound with Swiss immigrant grandparents. We will follow his path as he studies in schools in the Boston area until leaving for study under well-known painter and illustrator, Howard Pyle, in Wilmington, Delaware. On the second evening, you will learn about his artistic journey, starting with him becoming an illustrator and traveling to the far west, which later influenced his magazine illustrations that made him famous. We will have a look at his highly-regarded illustrations for Treasure Island. You will learn about the letters N.C. sent to his Needham family, in which he shared news of his life and his longing to be recognized as a painter. We will also view his later work, done near the family’s summer home off the coast of Maine. Our overview of N.C.’s life will conclude with noting his devotion to his five children, whom he educated and trained at home, and resulted in three becoming artists. The program finale will be a Saturday morning trip to the Needham Public Library, where we will view and discuss the N.C. Wyeth paintings on display.