this time of year I am always reminded how fortunate we are to live in a beautiful part of the country
with abundant natural resources. The first snowfall brings excitement to the holiday season and the promise of a multitude of fun winter activities.Whether it’s hitting the slopes, the ice rink, or simply sitting in front of the fire with a good book, early winter in New England is a special time.

During this season of giving, I am also reminded of the wonderful human resources we have in our communities, and the people who give of themselves to help others. In this issue, we celebrate some of our local philanthropists who practice the spirit of giving all year.While we mention just a handful of people and
organizations, it is our goal in coming issues to continue to call attention to other remarkable individuals
who also believe that it is much better to give than to receive.

This issue is filled with holiday delights from champagne and chocolate to gingerbread houses and
Christmas strolls. There are so many wonderful activities this time of year that are guaranteed to put you in the holiday spirit, even if you are not there already. Our local merchants deck the halls and make shopping a festive treat, and our area is teeming with service providers to help us prepare our homes for company. If you’re looking to get away for a delightful weekend, our “Excursions” article highlights the joys in traveling to Nantucket and Newport this time of year. And if you’re seeking a new athletic challenge to shed some extra holiday pounds or just to have fun, be sure to check out what some Wellesley and Weston women are doing with their free time in “Women on the Edge.”

You’ll notice a new department in this issue called “Inbox.” Our most recent addition to the magazine is dedicated to news briefs covering Wellesley and Weston people, places, and businesses. Do you know someone who has received a special honor? Has your business recently won an award? Are you involved with an event that you think our readers should know about? These are just a few examples of the kinds of items we are looking for.

You may recognize some friends or co-workers in our “About Town” section which appears again in this issue. If you have photos ofWellesley and Weston residents attending noteworthy events throughout Greater Boston, please share them with us. For both “Inbox” and “About Town,”send your news items and photos to
Jill@wellesleywestonmagazine.com. (E-mail submissions are preferred, and please limit them to 2mb with any photo of a resolution of 300dpi.)

All of us at WellesleyWeston Magazine would like to thank you, our readers, and our loyal advertisers for your continuing support.We extend our best wishes to all of you and your families for a peaceful, healthy, and happy holiday season.