Good morning, Waltham,
We are back with Issue 7. Thank you to everyone who shared last week's issue and continues to read along. I have a quick announcement: The website is finally unlocked. This means you can read all our past and present issues on the site without hitting a forced subscribe wall. Feel free to share the links directly with your neighbors.
This week we are covering a brand new addition to Main Street, arguably the biggest spring festival in the city, and a piece of colonial history hiding in the woods.
🍽️ THIS WEEK'S EAT
Monarca Taqueria, 663 Main Street
There is a massive new addition to the local food scene. Monarca Taqueria officially opened their doors in February, taking over the old Gustazo location. They are completely changing the dynamic of the block.
They are serving up incredible authentic Mexican food with a heavy focus on Birria. The Quesabirria tacos are an absolute must order, and if you go on a Saturday or Sunday, they serve traditional Menudo and Pozole. It is exactly the kind of vibrant, locally owned spot that Main Street needs.
📍 663 Main St | Open daily
📅 3 THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND
The 39th Annual Sheepshearing Festival at Gore Place
Saturday April 25 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. This is the single biggest springtime event in the city. Gore Place expects thousands of people for live music, sheep shearing demonstrations, over 100 craft vendors, and a Mighty Squirrel beer garden. General admission is $25, but it is completely free for kids under 12. To avoid the chaos, park at the satellite lot at 41 Seyon Street and take the free shuttle over.
Annual Citywide Clean Up Event
Saturday April 25 from 9:00 am to noon. If you want to give back to the city, Waltham Public Works is hosting a massive morning clean up. Grab some gloves, meet your neighbors, and help get our public spaces ready for the warm weather. Meet at the staging area behind 155 Lexington Street to get your zone assignment.
Free Social Series at the Waltham Museum
Sunday April 26. Head over to the Waltham Museum for a relaxed Sunday afternoon. They are hosting a free presentation featuring Maria Sheehan from the Waltham Community Access Corporation. It is a great deep dive into the history of local community media. You just need to pre register to save a seat.
🛍️ LOCAL FIND
The Historic Stone Walls
Waltham is an incredibly urban area, but if you look closely, you will find colonial history hiding in plain sight. Deep in the woods of Prospect Hill Park and even right near the Brandeis campus, there are historic stone walls winding through the trees.
These are not just old farming fences. Many of these walls date all the way back to the 1636 Great Dividends, marking the exact boundary lines of the original English land grants. You can hike the trails and see the exact property lines settlers built by hand nearly 400 years ago.
📍 Prospect Hill Park and various conservation lands
💬 ONE GOOD THING
In August 1770, the original Waltham meeting house was struck by lightning and the steeple caught on fire. It could have been a disaster for the small farming town. Luckily, a local farm hand was milking cows right next door. He rushed over and completely extinguished the flames using only a pail of fresh milk. When the town finally repaired the steeple, they installed the very first lightning rods in Waltham history.
See you next Thursday,
Pankhi
The Waltham Insider
P.S. Know someone who'd love this? Forward it - it's free.