Spring is Coming: Connect with Your Community

Spread the Word. Do you have a neighbor who's new to town or still looking to find their footing in the community? HNN grows through personal connections. Share our information and invite them to join. It only takes a moment and can make a world of difference. 

Stay Connected: Check the Calendar. We have a variety of events planned this spring, so be sure to check the calendar and find something that works for you. If you don't see anything that catches your eye, let us know. We're always looking to add new activities based on what our members want. And if you haven't tried one of our brewery tours yet, don't let the name fool you. These events are really about taking an hour or two to slow down and make genuine connections. We have members joining us from all walks of life, from kids to retirees, and the focus is always on the people, not the pints.

We Need You! HNN is run by volunteers, and there are lots of ways to help. Whether you can spare an hour, help lead an event, or are interested in taking on an officer role, we'd love to hear from you. Reach out and let us know how you'd like to get involved.

While the weather hasn't made it easy to get together, it was great to see everyone at La Cantina earlier in the month. Those that made it out to 7th Wave Brewery in Medfield last Sunday before the storm got to watch some of the Winter Olympics on the TVs. Hope you will join us for more fun adventures coming this month!

Looking forward to seeing everyone who can make it to Axe Throwing and Brunch this month! 

Axe Throwing: Looking for something different to do on a Friday night?  Want to get out and try your skills of throwing an axe against a wall?  Let's all head to Pinz! in Milford for some Axe Throwing: 

Let's do Brunch!: After all the snow we've gotten Sundays should be a day for brunch and good company.  Join us at GlenPharmer in Franklin. 

These events and more are on the Google Calendars; please reach out to Jackie if you need the calendar links. 

This community thrives because of people like you. Step up, get involved, and help us write the next great chapter of Holliston Newcomers & Neighbors! We are looking for passionate, dedicated members to join our Executive Board for the 2026-2027 membership year. Whether you've been with us from the beginning or just found your home with Holliston Newcomers & Neighbors, your voice and your energy matter here.

This year, the following positions are open for election:

• President
• Vice President
• VP of Membership
• Secretary
• Treasurer

No prior board experience is required; only a love for this community and a desire to make a difference.

All position descriptions can be found on our website.

Interested? Reach out to me or any current Board member — we'd love to tell you more about what each role involves and help you find the right fit.

Children's Playgroup has been a wonderful way for our youngest members to play and for families to connect! It is great to see some familiar faces, and we look forward to welcoming new members to our upcoming gatherings. Hope you can join us this month on Saturday March 21 from 3 to 5 pm. For RSVP and location information, or if you have any questions, please reach out to Noora.

We had a great discussion of Kill Your Darlings (among other things) at our February meeting; thanks to Deb for hosting. We hope you will join us for our next meeting, on Wednesday, March 18, at 7:30 pm, when we will be discussing Writing Creativity and Soul, by Sue Monk Kidd: “Sue Monk Kidd will pull from her own life and the lives of other writers—Virginia Woolf, Maya Angelou, Harper Lee, and many others—to provide a map for anyone who has ever felt lost as a writer. Equal parts memoir, guidebook, and spiritual quest, Writing Creativity and Soul is a pilgrimage and a touchstone, a journey into the transformational force of the imagination and the creative genius that lies in the unconscious.”

Everyone is welcome to attend, regardless of whether you have finished (or even started) the book. Book Club is mainly an opportunity for old and new friends to get together and chat and snack.

The Holliston Public Library reserves several copies of each book for us; ask at the circulation desk for the HNN book. For those who want to get a head start on next month, our April book (depending on availability) will be Twice by Mitch Albom.

We meet the third Wednesday of each month. Please contact Debbie if you have any interest in hosting a meeting.

As we kick off another year in our wonderful community, I want to share something that's been on my mind: HNN needs you.

I know what you're thinking – "I don’t want to be the leader," or "I don't have a lot of time," or "What could I possibly contribute?" The most powerful force in any community isn't grand gestures or big titles. It's the quiet commitment of neighbors who show up.

Maybe you can greet people at an event for an hour. Perhaps you're good at sending a few emails or making phone calls. Post on social media? Set up chairs? These aren't "small" roles – they're the backbone of everything we do.

HNN thrives because people like you decide that community matters. Every single contribution – no matter how modest it seems – creates ripples that touch lives throughout our town. When you volunteer, you're not just helping an organization, you're weaving the social fabric that makes Holliston home.

So, I'm asking: What's your hour? What's your talent? What's your passion? We'll find a place for it.

Thank you to everyone that made it to our white elephant/ugly sweater party! It was so much fun, and we had a lot of laughs and yummy food. A great big thank you to Jackie for hosting our event!

Join us at our next Dinner Date gathering on Thursday, February 5th, 7-9pm, at La Cantina Winery, 357 Union Street, Franklin. Please RSVP to either Christel or Jackie by Monday, February 2nd so we can make a reservation for everyone that is coming. We’ll enjoy wine, pizza and small bites as we try to get cozy together away from the cold! 

Brewery Tours: Let’s get together for our next stop on the Brewery tour. These are meant for everyone.  Please feel free to bring your kids, friends or anyone who would enjoy some time together.  Join us Sunday, February 22nd at 7th Wave Brewing, 120 North Meadows Rd., Medfield from 1-4pm.

Children's Playgroup has been a wonderful way for our youngest members to play and for families to connect! It is great to see some familiar faces, and we look forward to welcoming new members to our upcoming gatherings. Hope you can join us this month on Saturday February 21 from 3 to 5 pm. For RSVP and location information, or if you have any questions, please reach out to Noora.

We had a great discussion of The Icon & the Idealist at our January meeting (with one new Newcomer—welcome, Liz!); thanks to Deb for hosting. We hope you will join us for our next meeting, on Wednesday, February 18, at 7:30 pm, when we will be discussing Kill Your Darlings by Peter Swanson: “an inventive, utterly propulsive murder-mystery in reverse, tracing a marriage back in time to uncover the dark secret at its heart.”

Everyone is welcome to attend, regardless of whether you have finished (or even started) the book. Book Club is mainly an opportunity for old and new friends to get together and chat and snack.

The Holliston Public Library reserves several copies of each book for us; ask at the circulation desk for the HNN book. For those who want to get a head start on next month, our March book (depending on availability) will be Writing Creativity and Soul, by Sue Monk Kidd.

We meet the third Wednesday of each month. Please contact Debbie if you have any interest in hosting a meeting.

Strategic Planning-We Need Your Voice!

Happy New Year! As we begin 2026, what better way to celebrate than by strengthening the connections that bring our community together? HNN has launched a strategic planning process to guide our future growth and ensure we continue fostering friendships and building community in Holliston for years to come.

We've organized the planning into four key areas: Audience and Community Engagement, Membership, Financial Sustainability, and Governance.

We're seeking volunteers for these planning committees. Whether you're a longtime member or just joined, your perspective matters! The time commitment is minimal - just 2-3 virtual meetings over a few months, with our goal to have the plan ready for the 2026-2027 membership year.

Join our virtual January meeting to learn more about each area and sign up for a committee that interests you. Can't make the meeting? No problem - just let us know which area interests you, and we'll connect you with the right group.

Your voice matters in shaping HNN's future!