Lexington Youth Summer Theatre's ensemble is washing cars to raise money for children’s charities. It's a great way to shine up the old automobile for a few dollars -- and help other needy kids. Take your dusty car to the 4 Militia Drive parking lot on July 10, beginning at 9 a.m. Proceeds from this event, and the upcoming July 21 and 22 performances of "Bye Bye Birdie," go straight to charity. Posted at 5:45 a.m. this morning ... A few weeks ago, at the behest of Fred Johnson, president of the Lexington Symphony and LEF Executive Director Deborah Jackson, heads of committees and boards met …

Don't forget Lexington Arts & Crafts Society is open until 4 p.m. for those who want to sign up for adult and teen summer classes and workshops. Any questions? Call Sandy Blanchet at 781-862-9606. Hastings Concerts There’s no reason to stay home tomorrow night. If you’re not going to the Munroe Tavern Soiree then get to Hastings Park at 7:30 p.m. for Lexington Concerts in the Park. Posted at 5:45 a.m. this morning ... Fire engines were parked outside the newly renovated Munroe Tavern yesterday. Being a nosy reporter, I stopped to ask what was happening. A fire official was leisurely coming …

Here are a few more pictures from last night's celebration at the Depot. David Wells and John Rosenberg were serving ice cream and Colonel Nick Zallas, the town crier, introduced each speaker -- colonial style. Posted at 5:45 a.m. this morning ... Hearing the Declaration of Independence on July 4 is more than appropriate – especially when it’s done in an historic building by the Rev. Jonas Clarke. Admittedly, the good reverend looked similar to our modern day Rev. Peter Meek, but that’s just quibbling. His booming and exact voice articulated every consonant and vowel of the ancient document. …

July 4 means we really have hit summer. Around here, some leave for July or August, some commute to summer homes on weekends and some stay home. Those of us staying in Lexington have enough to keep us busy – and outside. The Josiah Willard Hayden Recreation Center offers summer camps  that give our children a place to socialize and have fun. There are also the center pools and the reservoir. If more than three people like to swim, buy the family package and take advantage of either water source. You'll get numbered tags, which must be purchased from the Recreation Department every year. They'…

Our Town Manager Carl Valente said Interim Fire Chief Keith Hoyle, formerly of Amherst and Franklin, was sworn in at 10 a.m. this morning by Town Clerk Donna Hooper. "We're fully covered," Carl said of the upcoming July 4th weekend. "I met his wife Lisa and personally thanked her for sharing him with us for the next few months," Carl said. Mary Middlemiss, we already thanked you, but it bears repeating. Have a great and safe holiday. All the events are listed on Patch -- and the Town's community calendar. Posted at 5:45 a.m. ... Last week Kay, the mom of a friend, asked why Selectmen Chairman…

Here are a few more pictures of last night's farewell event at the Depot, held for Chief William Middlemiss. I'll also offer a few words from Abby Jordan, patch associate editor and Lexington's former editor. We had coffee at Starbucks yesterday and she offered these words.  "In the year that I worked in Lexington, Chief Middlemiss was always kind, helful and informative -- even when I had to ask the tough questions." She and Patrick enjoyed working with Chief Middlemiss. Posted at 5:45 a.m. this morning... Lexington Depot was surrounded last night by brilliant red fire trucks and chief-…

Since we’re talking about the Senior Center, I’ll offer a few updates from Charlotte Rogers. The library is being reconfigured and will not accept book donations during July and August. Hold onto those books, though. You can bring them in September when the dust settles. The fix-it shop, where you small appliances are repaired, is being rewired. So hold off until July 7 when they’ll start fixing your too-new-to-throw-out toaster or that beloved coffee maker. Posted at 5:45 a.m. this morning ... LexMedia often has local information and weather before every show. That’s where I learned about …

Lexington, like other towns is run by a Town Manager, the Board of Selectmen, the Police and Fire departments, and a host of other officials in Town Hall (now parts are in Cary Memorial Building while the offices are renovated) and the Samuel Hadley Public Works Building. It takes more than that though. Volunteers for committees and boards help with the spillover – or the extras. For instance Patch just introduced the Estabrook Access Ad Hoc Committee and there'd be no Patriots' Day Parade without the Town Celebrations Committee. Consider volunteering for a committee, subcommittee, focus …

It would be a shame to miss tomorrow’s Farmers Market – anytime from 2-6:30 p.m. and always held at the corner of Woburn Street, Fletcher and Massachusetts avenues. The RadUrban Farmer and Cary Memorial Library have a few surprises in store.  Visit the site for more information on tomorrow's activities. While you're there sign up for the newsletter! See you there. I'll be at Hi-Rise getting more of those molasses cookies. Posted at 5:45 a.m. this morning ... Lexington does well with budget summits. During the winter, the Board of Selectmen, the School Committee, Capital Expenditures and the …

Over the last few months, I've run into Beverly Kelley, the author of "Lexington, A Century of Photographs," published in 1980. (Yes, she's also married to Selectman Peter Kelley). After seeing her at the Minuteman Cane Award ceremony in Lexington Depot,  I began earnestly searching for my worn and overly-read copy of her book. Suspecting it was lent it to someone, I was looking to buy another copy.  It's also possible I studied the pictures so often it disintegrated. So, I bought another one at Buckman Tavern soon after seeing her and am already dog earring pages -- again. After running into…

Sometimes, the most generous acts are done quietly and without fanfare Grace Chapel gets kudos, a gold star, and a place in heaven for the most recent act of kindness. The church, founded in 1946, is led by Pastor Bryan Wilkerson and has been for the last 10 or so years. Under his guidance, they're making a little easier for another church. Everyone knows the popular brick church off Worthen Road -- and the police details needed every Sunday morning to help herd the flock and Lexington residents in and out of Worthen Road.  Patrick and I met in the chapel's parking lot the other day and …

It’s odd to write about an event or committee when you’re a member. Some would say an objective viewpoint goes right out the window. Well, that's true. It does. I belong to an impressive group who is bent on creating the most memorable 300th  birthday party ever – or at least something to tide us over until the 400th. We belong to the Lexington’s 300th Anniversary Celebration Committee and two nights ago we went before the Board of Selectmen. During the first ½ hour I jotted notes for Tuesday’s column and then it was the committee’s turn to make a presentation and tell the selectmen our plans…

The Board of Selectmen’s meeting was pretty interesting last night. Maybe that’s because I was in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room for the first hour. Yes, I wanted the Town Manager’s Report, but I was also there as a member of the 300th Anniversary Committee, a subcommittee of the Town Celebrations Committee. I’m saving that story for tomorrow. Now, I’ll backtrack and tell you about the first portion of the meeting, which included a bit more than Town Manager Carl Valente’s report. Selectman Chair Hank Manz, not to be outdone by the Bruins, arrived wearing a brilliant yellow jersey from …

Today’s update is about Juliet Eyruad, a 2011 Lexington High School graduate and the keynote speaker at the LABBB graduation on June 16. Juliet was the Best Buddies Chapter president and has been involved in the program since she was a freshman. “I couldn’t think of a better person who represents the philosophy of LABBB Collaborative,” said the school’s Executive Director Patric Barbieri. According to the Best Buddies website it was founded by Anthony Kennedy Shriver in 1989 and “is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates …

If you've never been to a Contra Dance -- or don't know what that means -- now's the time to check it out.  Enjoy frozen fare too at the Ice Cream Social Square & Contra Dance at First Parish Church from 8-11 p.m. Need a lesson in these simple steps? Arrive at 7:e45 and Susan will teach you everything you need to know.  It's easy to learn and lots of fun. Yes, it's something I tried years ago. Maybe again? For more information call Susan Elberger: 781-674-2304 or visit the website.  Posted at 5:45 a.m. this morning... Black, white and gold never looked so good in Massachusetts. After 39 years…

Congratulations to the LABBB Collaborative High School students who graduate tonight. I'll have the full story -- and pictures -- in Monday's About Town. LABBB is an acronymn for the collaborative efforts of Lexington, Arlington, Bedford, Belmont and Burlington. Our children with special needs attend this award-winning school. My son graduated from LABBB years ago. It's a proud moment for parents -- and the students. Posted at 5:45 a.m. this morning ... Fred Johnson and Deb Jackson were talking last month. They imagined gathering the heads of town committees, boards or groups and putting them…

Phase I of the Town Office Building Renovation Project is almost finished. Recreation will leave Cary Memorial Hall and move home over the weekend of June 17-20. The Finance Dept. will follow a few days later.  Phase II begins in July, first  with the Assessor's offices and then with Community Development. Both will move to Cary Hall temporarily (probably in the spaces that were used by recreation and finance.) To learn more visit Town Office Building Renovation Project. Posted at 5:45 a.m. this morning... Yesterday was Flag Day. I always remember because it was my late father’s birthday. …

This morning I promised more information about the Boards and Committee Training Program held on June 7 and last night in the Board of Selectmen's meeting room.  Selectman Chair Hank Manz attended the first on June 7 and was at the beginning and end of last night's meeting. Hank said he got a lot out of the meetings and it dovetailed into his ideas of a chairman. One lesson: "Sometimes participation has to take a back seat to your role as facilitator," Hank said. "If you contemplate a hughe participatory role you may want to turn the chair over to someone else and do the facilitation part," …

Sgt. William Woitowicz, of the United State Marine Corps, was killed while in combat in Afghanistan on June 7, 2011. He is going home to Groton through Hanscom Air Force Base's Vandenberg Gate at about 10:30 a.m. tomorrow. According to town information, the motorcade will proceed from the base to the Groton-Westford area through the gate, then on Route 2A. Lexington officials are telling people to expect traffic delays in that area.  According to his posted obituary, Sgt. Woitowicz was born on April 14, 1988 in Concord, and received the Purple Heart. During his time with the Marines he was …

Did anyone else do a double take when reading that a Lexington detective was hit on by a prostitute. In Lexington. Yeah, that's what I'm saying! One last thing, before I finish for the weekend. 2. I'm taking Gwen (my pup) on future assignments. It seems she's a hit everywhere. People want to hold her, invite her in stores and even give her treats. Thank you to Fancy Flea and Crafty Yankee for inviting her in. I'm wondering if Gwen is eligible for a Patch Pup Press Pass. Posted at 5:45 a.m. this morning ... Yesterday’s mission was to find out how everyone was keeping cool. I waited 'til the …