For those of you have recently bought or rented a house in Weston, MA, I want to let you know about one of the town’s best summer perks – the Concerts on the Town Green. Each Wednesday night from 7 – 8:30 p.m., various bands play on the Town Green, and Weston residents and visitors alike bring picnics, blankets, chairs, frisbees and dogs (to name just a few) to enjoy the summer night. Highlights include singing and dancing to the music, eating hors d’oeuvres and ice cream (from the ice cream truck), watching a multitude of kids running wildly around the Town Green, socializing with friends and neighbors and so much more. A good time is always had by all.

Spearheaded and organized by the Weston Recreation Department and sponsored by the Cambridge Trust Company and Omni Foods, the concerts generally start at the end of June and run through August. The upcoming concert information for the summer is as follows:

• July 11 – Roy Scott Big Band
• July 18 – Gopherbroke
• July 25 – Classic Grove
• August 1 – Nowheremen (pictured here)

For additional details about the Concerts on the Town Green, please contact the Weston Recreation Department. And for more information about the real estate market in Weston, Wellesley, Wayland and the surrounding towns or if you are considering selling your home, please contact me, Lisa Curlett (781-267-2844 or www.homesalesbylisa.com), to answer any questions or for a complimentary home appraisal.

Are you familiar with US Weekly Magazine’s “25 Things You Don’t Know about Me,” which features celebrities getting personal and sharing some lesser known facts about themselves?  As I was reading last week’s segment on Madeleine Stowe, I thought it would be such a great idea to bring this same concept to Weston, MA….  I’m starting with just 10, and then I’ll continue with more fascinating fun facts over time….

So without further ado, here are 10 Things You Might Not Know About Weston, MA:

1. Weston is celebrating its 300th anniversary in 2013.  According to Wikipedia, “The Town of Weston was originally established as the West Precinct of Watertown in 1698, and the town was separately incorporated as the town of Weston in 1713.”  Planning for the big celebration is just getting underway, and if you’re interested, you can request to be part of the Weston 300 Group on Facebook or email the group at Weston300@groups.facebook.com.

2. Weston has more than 2,000 acres of conservation land.  The Weston Forest & Trail Association owns 186 acres, and there are approximately 100 miles of trails.  Known for its rural feel, open space, trails, meadows and woods, Weston is conveniently located a mere 12* miles from Boston – it’s the best of both worlds.

3. Weston has two reservoirs: First, the Weston Reservoir, located off of Ash Street, is part of the greater Boston’s water supply and maintained by the MWRA (Massachusetts Water Resources Authority).  This is a popular spot for residents and visitors to walk their dogs, enjoy for exercise and simply just appreciate the beauty of it.  Second, the Norumbega Reservoir, located off of Glen Road and Oak Street, is a 125 million gallon water storage tank now used to hold water.  This reservoir was opened to the public a few years ago for recreational use.

4. Weston has a government comprised of the following – an Open Town Meeting, Board of Selectmen and Town Manager.  As delineated on the town’s website, “The Town Meeting is the legislative body and must approve all spending, changes in the Town By-laws and Zoning By-laws.  It is conducted by the elected Town Moderator.  Any citizen of Weston who is a registered voter may participate in Town Meeting.”

5. Weston just approved an override for a new Field School, the elementary school housing grades 4 and 5.  The new school is scheduled to open in September 2014.  Weston is also in the midst of constructing a new science wing for its high school, which is expected to open for the 2012-2013 school year.

6. Weston was Ranked #1 Best Public High School by Boston Magazine in 2010 and 2009.

7. Weston has a Recreation Department, which provides wonderful programs, classes and activities for all ages.  Here is the Spring/Summer 2012 Brochure so you can get a glimpse of what Weston Recreation is all about. In addition to the approximately 500 programs offered over the course of the year to more than 7,500 participants, the Recreation Department also manages Memorial Pool and coordinates the Concerts on the Town Green during the summer on Wednesday evenings.  The concerts are a great way for the entire family to have fun together, enjoy the music, dance, picnic and more.

8. Weston is and has been the home to many well-known figures, including David Ortiz, Jerry Remy, Bobby Orr, Jim Pallotta and Steve Pagliuca.

9. Weston is a somewhat dry town.  From 1838 to 2008, Weston was a dry town, but in 2008, the town voted that Omni Foods could sell wine in its supermarket.  The sale of beer and hard liquor are still prohibited, however.

10. Weston was briefly considered, in 1967, as a site for a stadium for the professional football team then known as the Boston Patriots.  As most of us know, the stadium was ultimately built in Foxborough, MA, and today it is known as Gillette Stadium.

These are just some of the fun facts about Weston, MA.  There are many more to come…so stay tuned.  But in the meantime, do you have any special Weston facts that you’d like to share? I can’t wait to hear….

* This mileage distance is per the town’s website found under the “About Weston” section. I have also seen other sources saying the distance between Weston and Boston is 15 miles.

I was always a city girl through and through.  I graduated from college and moved straight to Boston.  The first year I lived in Beacon Hill, and the second year, I lived in the Back Bay.  The next year, I moved to Manhattan and experienced six fabulous years living there.  I loved the nightlife, the hours and excitement of the city, the liveliness, the stimulation, the culture, the convenience, the ability to walk most places or take local transportation.  But soon thereafter, I got married, moved to the burbs and had my first child.  And I must admit that although I missed the conveniences, energy and feel of the city at times, once I had a child, I was happy to be living in the ‘burbs.

And now after having lived in Weston, MA for almost 14 years and having worked in real estate for almost 10 years, I feel like I have seen and experienced – both first and second-hand – the advantages to living in the ‘burbs.  Here are some of the pros of living in my burb hometown:

• Finding a parking place outside your home is never an issue and parking in town is free.
• There’s no need to carry your groceries from block to block anymore. Therefore you can shop til your heart’s content, load all of the groceries and bags into the car, and you’re all set.
• Getting the kids into the car is as easy as 1-2-3.  I have heard logistical nightmare stories from clients who live in a brownstone and have to take one child in a stroller down in the elevator, leave the child there and then go up and get the other child.  And that’s not even getting the kids into the car, that’s just getting them out the door.
• The kids can run freely in your backyard.
• Wildlife is also right outside your door – deer, frogs (as pictured above) and wild turkeys to name just a few – which the little ones love to see.
• The kids can ride their fun mini jeeps right out the back door.
• You can have a tent or a bouncy castle for parties in your backyard.
• During the holidays, you can have as many snowman, Santa or reindeer inflatables featured wherever you’d like on your property.
• Sledding is right outside your door.
• The bus picks up the kids at the end of your driveway; no need to walk or even drive to school.
• Taking the dog on a walk involves accessing trails and reservoirs where your dog can run off-leash, socialize with other dogs and be free of the threat of cars.
• You can have your very own vegetable garden.
• Passing through the town center gives you a feeling of community and connection.
• You have access to all of the programs, classes and events – for young and old alike – that the town’s recreation department offers.
• The town pool offers a fun summertime alternative for families and friends.
• The peacefulness of being outside and hearing absolutely nothing for a full minute is priceless.
• As most home inspectors like to say, “In the burbs, it’s mice; in the city, it’s rats.”  I personally would take mice over rats any day.

Honestly I could go on and on about the fabulous benefits to living in the ‘burbs….  And even with the power outages from time to time, a greater reliance on your car than your feet and the fact that most businesses and stores close their doors at 6 p.m., the pros of suburban living still outweigh the cons – in my opinion.  What are your thoughts?  And what are some of your favorite pros about living in your ‘burb hometown?  I can’t wait to hear….