More than 1,100 acres of Hale Education land are now permanently protected, marking the culmination of years of work and what Executive Director Dr. Aaron Morehouse calls a “generational achievement.”

In this conversation with Westwood Living’s Tom Leyden, Morehouse explains what it took to complete Hale’s historic conservation restrictions, why the process was so complex, and how Hale worked to protect not only the ecological importance of the land, but also something equally central to its mission: keeping people connected to it.

From hiking, mountain biking and swimming at South Beach to outdoor education programs serving more than 200 schools and 16,000 participants, Hale has become an extraordinary resource for Westwood and the Greater Boston region.

“If the land is healing the people, then we also need to do what we need to do to heal the land,” Morehouse says.

Now it’s time to celebrate.

🌲 Hale’s Fall Equinox Celebration

📅 September 24, 2026

📍 Cat Rock Field at Hale Education

🎶 Live music, food, community and a celebration of everyone who helped make this historic accomplishment possible.

Morehouse also talks about what he learned through the lengthy conservation process, Hale’s unique commitment to active access and experiential education, and why the phrase “Nature for All, Forever” perfectly captures what this moment means.

🎟️ Space for the Fall Equinox Celebration is limited. Visit Hale Education’s website at www.hale.education for event and ticket information.

More than 1,100 acres of Hale Education land are now permanently protected, marking the culmination of years of work and what Executive Director Dr. Aaron Morehouse calls a “generational achievement.”

In this conversation with Westwood Living’s Tom Leyden, Morehouse explains what it took to complete Hale’s historic conservation restrictions, why the process was so complex, and how Hale worked to protect not only the ecological importance of the land, but also something equally central to its mission: keeping people connected to it.

From hiking, mountain biking and swimming at South Beach to outdoor education programs serving more than 200 schools and 16,000 participants, Hale has become an extraordinary resource for Westwood and the Greater Boston region.

“If the land is healing the people, then we also need to do what we need to do to heal the land,” Morehouse says.

Now it's time to celebrate.

🌲 Hale’s Fall Equinox Celebration

📅 September 24, 2026

📍 Cat Rock Field at Hale Education

🎶 Live music, food, community and a celebration of everyone who helped make this historic accomplishment possible.

Morehouse also talks about what he learned through the lengthy conservation process, Hale's unique commitment to active access and experiential education, and why the phrase “Nature for All, Forever” perfectly captures what this moment means.

🎟️ Space for the Fall Equinox Celebration is limited. Visit Hale Education's website at http://www.hale.education for event and ticket information.

Westwood Living

Connecting the people, businesses and organizations that make our community special.

#HaleEducation #WestwoodLiving #WestwoodMA #Conservation #NatureForAll

ONE NIGHT. ONE COMMUNITY. ONE BIG SUMMER CELEBRATION. ☀️🎶🍻

The Westwood Living Hale Education Summer Bonanza is back Thursday, August 27 from 5–9 PM, and we want YOU there!

Presented by Kadeema Rentals & Ian Brown Land Design, the Summer Bonanza has become one of our favorite Westwood traditions, bringing families, friends, neighbors and local businesses together for an unforgettable night at beautiful Hale Education.

🎶 Live Music from South Street Six

🔥 BBQ from Pollard’s Test Kitchen

🍷 Beer & Wine from Decanted Mobile Bar

🍦 Bubbling Brook Ice Cream

🎨 Face Painting

✏️ Caricatures

📸 Professional Photos & The ARCH Orthodontics Photo Booth

🎯 Lawn Games & Activities

✨ Chair Massages from Panacea Mobile Massage

🌲 A beautiful summer night at Hale

More than 900 people have joined us during the first three years of the Bonanza, and we're getting ready to do it all again.

This year's celebration also helps support Dana-Farber and our friend Diana Bezdedeanu, giving us another great reason to come together.

Don't wait until Thursday to decide. Grab your tickets, invite some friends, bring the family and COME JOIN US!

🎟️ TICKETS & DETAILS:

Get Your Summer Bonanza Tickets at http://bit.ly/summerbonanza26

📅 Thursday, August 27

⏰ 5:00–9:00 PM

📍 Hale Education | 80 Carby Street, Westwood

Summer's almost over. Let's send it out the right way.

#WestwoodLiving #SummerBonanza #WestwoodMA #HaleEducation #Community #FamilyFun #SummerInWestwood

What if the massage came to you?

On this edition of the Westwood Living Podcast, Tom Leyden sits down with Becca Primeau of Panacea Mobile Massage to talk about bringing professional massage therapy directly to clients and making relaxation, recovery and self-care more convenient.

Becca shares the story behind Panacea Mobile Massage, her approach to working with clients, and why massage can be about much more than simply relaxing for an hour. From relieving everyday stress and muscle tension to helping active people recover and feel their best, massage can become an important part of an overall wellness routine.

Tom and Becca also discuss the advantages of mobile massage therapy, including one of the biggest: when your massage is finished, you’re already home. No driving, no rushing back into the day and no immediately losing that post-massage feeling.

In this episode:

The story behind Panacea Mobile Massage

Why Becca chose the mobile massage model

Benefits of regular massage therapy

Stress relief, recovery and muscle tension

Who can benefit from massage

What clients can expect from an in-home session

Making wellness and self-care more convenient

If you’ve considered massage therapy but have trouble finding the time, this conversation may change the way you think about fitting it into your life.

Subscribe to the Westwood Living Podcast for more conversations with the people, businesses and organizations that make our community special.

#WestwoodLiving #PanaceaMobileMassage #MassageTherapy #MobileMassage #Wellness #Recovery #SelfCare #WestwoodMA

Meet Trina Holland, a Westwood resident and owner of The Bella Boutique Spa in Newtonville, Massachusetts, and discover how her passion for skincare grew into a welcoming destination for facials, massage therapy, relaxation, and self-care.

In this conversation with Tom Leyden of the Westwood Living Podcast Network, Trina shares her journey from working at a dermatology clinic to becoming an aesthetician and business owner. She also explains what makes The Bella Boutique Spa different from a traditional med spa, including its hands-on approach to helping clients achieve healthier skin.

Trina discusses:

• Customized facials and long-term skincare

• Dermaplaning, microneedling, and microdermabrasion

• Relaxation, hot stone, and CBD massage therapy

• The importance of sunscreen and regular skin checks

• Creating a peaceful escape from everyday stress

• Her journey from County Galway, Ireland, to Newton

• Her favorite recommendations for visiting Ireland

The Bella Boutique Spa features six private treatment rooms and offers personalized services designed to help clients look better, feel better, and take meaningful time for themselves.

Learn more or book an appointment:

thebellaboutiquespa.com

Call The Bella Boutique Spa:

617-796-7920

Subscribe to the Westwood Living Podcast Network for conversations with the people, businesses, and organizations making a difference throughout Greater Boston.

Tom Leyden connects with the father/daughter team of Joe & Jackie Bethoney at the offices of Discover Properties in Dedham.

Joe has been in real estate for almost four decades and Discover Properties is a family-owned business. Jackie joined the team three years ago, and they now work together with a number of clients in the region.

Tom, Joe & Jackie talk about the lessons learned over four decades, the most important things Jackie has embraced since joining the team, some of the projects the team is working on throughout Dedham, Westwood and Norwood, and why exactly you should consider working with them in the future.

Learn more about the JB Team by visiting http://www.discoverproperties.com

Tom Leyden catches up with Domenic Esposito, an accomplished sculptor and founder of The Opioid Spoon Project.

Domenic will be showcasing his work in Miami this December and is working with a team to produce a manuscript and screenplay that captures the last 5-6 years of his life. Tom and Domenic also discuss Villa Monarca Tuscany, a luxury villa in Italy owned by Domenic and his wife, Monica, that's available for rentals.

Learn more about the Opioid Spoon Project by visiting http://www.theopioidspoonproject.com and learn more about Villa Monarca by visiting http://www.villamonarcatuscany.com

Tom Leyden connects with Westwood's Susan Kagan, the Executive Director of Christopher's Haven, a home for kids when cancer hits home.

Christopher's Haven was founded in Boston with a mission to operate a supportive community consisting of temporary apartments and community recreation activities for families of children being treated for cancer in nearby Boston hospitals.

Learn more about Christopher's Haven and some upcoming events by visiting http://www.christophershaven.org

Danielle Silva & Emma Gerbutavich join Tom Leyden to get caught up what's happening at Orangetheory Fitness in Westwood.

Danielle recently took over as head coach, and Emma is part of the team that welcomes you to the gym when you walk through the door. Throughout the day, starting at 5am, you can take classes and follow your progress on the many monitors around the studio.

Follow the team at @otfwestwood on Instagram and visit the studio on Washington Street in Islington.

Tom Leyden and Lucy DePaula catch up at the Norwood office of GC Marble & Granite.

Lucy DePaula is the owner of GC Marble & Granite and Westwood Living's Expert Contributor in Marble & Granite. In an industry without many woman-owned businesses, Lucy has set herself apart as the go-to because of her intimate knowledge of natural stone, quartz and her ability to guide customers through the process of selection and installation.

In this chat, Lucy shares her background, how she started her own business in 2022 and shares the plans of her move to a brand new showroom and office in Whitman.

To learn more about GC Marble & Granite, visit http://www.gcmarbleandgranite.com