By Michele Taranto

It is hard to be bored in Norwood in the summer. The Town provides many cost-effective, if not free, options each and every week through the warm season. For outdoors, there can be events held on the Town Common four times a week. The Norwood Recreation Department offers a full school vacation schedule to keep the kids active and busy almost every day. Indoors, the Morrill Memorial Library and  the Norwood Historical Society, boast many day and evening classes, book clubs, and speakers. To beat the heat and the hot kitchen, there are so many choices for indoor and outdoor dining throughout the Town is widely admired.

On the Common, there are three weekly opportunities to listen to exceptional music under the stars. On Sundays, the Concerts on the Common series celebrates its 29th year of hosting big bands. Mondays, Norwood’s hidden gem, the carillon, fills the air with soothing bells, and on Wednesdays, Summerfest keeps Norwood’s hub rocking. There is also the Norwood Farmers Market every Tuesday afternoon, 2-6 p.m., that not only offers fresh food choices and ingredients, but entertainment for the kids and many themed days activities.Within the Norwood Recreation Department, kids can join many summer playground camps, sign up for field trips, learn a new sport, or find a new interest or hobby. Of course, there are two pools to cool off, learn to swim, or exercise. Throughout the Town, there are many playgrounds, tot lots, and fields to use daily or on join a team.

With Norwood having its own airport, Norwood Memorial Airport, what better way to enjoy morning coffee or bring a picnic lunch and watch the planes take off and land! Again, free! Maybe hiking or exploring trails is in your future. Learn more about Norwood’s many trail options through the Trails Advisory Committee, at the Town of Norwood website, www.norwoodma.gov, hit government, then boards/committees. While you are there, many browse around; there may be an adult committee that fits your background and interests!

If you are a senior, the Norwood Senior Center is the place to check out! Not only does this valuable resource provide a cool environment during those scorching days, it is the place to visit to meet new friends, learn a craft, listen to a lecture, dance, and many more activities! To view their newsletter, visit www.norwoodma.gov/residents/senior_center. The Norwood Senior Center is located at 275 Prospect St., and is open 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Friday, and until 8 p.m., on Tuesdays during July and August. 

Most of these summer activities are free or have very reasonable costs. The most important thing to take away, however, is that Norwood can be an interesting, educational, and entertaining summer resort within its own town borders!