With winter finally releasing its grip on Norwood, MA, most homeowners are heading outside for the first time in months. Before hosting family gatherings or setting up outdoor furniture, it is worth taking a careful walk across your deck to check for any damage that may have developed over the colder months.
Massachusetts winters put significant stress on outdoor structures. Freeze-thaw cycles cause wood to expand and contract repeatedly, which accelerates wear over time. Here are five things worth looking at before the season gets underway.
1. Soft or spongy boards underfoot
If any boards feel soft or give slightly when you step on them, that is a sign of rot beginning beneath the surface. This is the most important thing to catch early because it can affect the structural integrity of the deck if left unaddressed.
2. Visible rot or dark discoloration at board ends
The cut ends of deck boards are the most vulnerable points for moisture penetration. Dark staining or crumbling wood at the ends of boards is a reliable early indicator that replacement may be needed.
3. Boards that splinter or crack along the grain
Surface splintering becomes a safety concern, particularly for families with children or pets. Boards that show deep cracks along their length are typically past the point of cosmetic repair.
4. Fasteners popping above the surface
Deck screws or nails that have worked their way up above the board surface are a tripping hazard and also indicate that the wood beneath them has shifted. This is worth addressing before regular foot traffic begins.
5. Water pooling rather than running off
Healthy deck boards allow water to shed between gaps. If water sits on the surface after rain, it may indicate warping or that the gaps between boards have closed due to swelling. Persistent pooling accelerates deterioration.
Catching these issues at the start of the season gives Norwood homeowners time to plan repairs before outdoor living gets into full swing. A few minutes of assessment now can prevent significantly larger projects later in the summer. Bevilacqua Deck Builders 117 Kendrick St Suite 300, Needham, MA 02494 508-254-8241 <a href="https://bevilacquadecking.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">https://bevilacquadecking.com/</a>

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Final Performance of 2025-2026 Season to Feature Nine-Time All-Ireland Fiddle Champion, Called &ldquo;A Virtuoso&rdquo; by The Irish Times
NEEDHAM, Mass.&mdash;March 19, 2026&mdash;On Saturday, May 2, the <a href="http://greathallperformance.org/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Needham Bank Great Hall Concert Series</a> will bring Grammy-winning and Emmy-nominated Irish fiddler Eileen Ivers to the stage for a 7:30 pm performance at the Needham Town Hall.
Ivers is a nine-time All-Ireland Fiddle Champion.&nbsp;Proclaimed &ldquo;a national treasure,&rdquo; she connects her American, Irish traditional, jazz, blues, and world roots. She was the groundbreaking musical star of Riverdance, a featured instrumentalist on Back to Titanic, and contributed to film soundtracks including Gangs of New York. Ivers has been called a "sensation" by Billboard magazine, "the Jimi Hendrix of the violin&rdquo; by The New York Times, &ldquo;the future of the Celtic fiddle&rdquo; by The Washington Post, and &ldquo;a virtuoso&rdquo; by The Irish Times.
Writer Frank McCourt sums up her genius eloquently: &ldquo;Eileen is to Irish music as Michael Flatley is to Irish dance&mdash;a pioneer, an innovator, a universalist. She grew up in boom-box Bronx and she carries sounds from childhood that are surely embedded in her musical soul&hellip;. Like Whitman she contains multitudes, and cannot be contained by Irish music itself.&rdquo;
&ldquo;It is a privilege to bring Eileen Ivers to Needham,&rdquo; said Michael Greis, Co-President, Great Hall Performance Foundation. &ldquo;She is an exceptional performer and we are&nbsp; excited that she has chosen to be part of the Great Hall Concert Series. Our audience will enjoy a memorable evening.&rdquo;
Experience Eileen Ivers&rsquo; talent at <a href="http://eileenivers.com" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">eileenivers.com</a>.
To purchase tickets for this 7:30 pm program, see&nbsp;<a href="http://greathallperformance.org/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">greathallperformance.org</a>&nbsp;or call&nbsp;781-355-6076.
About the Great Hall Concert Series: World-Class Music In Your Backyard!
The Needham Bank Great Hall Concert Series is brought to music lovers by The Great Hall Performance Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Its mission is to provide great music close to home, while supporting economic development, music education, and the building of a vibrant local community. Many local sponsors also show support including title sponsor&nbsp;Needham Bank, Louise Condon Realty, Inc., Plum Street Advisors, and NEC Solar. To learn more about this Needham treasure, see&nbsp;<a href="http://greathallperformance.org/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">greathallperformance.org</a>.

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The Bulfinch Group is pleased to announce that Leigh McCloskey, of Needham, Massachusetts has earned the designation of Five Star Wealth Manager for the sixth consecutive year. The Five Star Wealth Manager award is annually given to an elite group of financial managers who are identified through research conducted with peers and firms; the program analyzes internal and external research data, including a survey to more than 3,000 registered financial services professionals and all local financial service companies registered with FINRA or the SEC, to select each year&rsquo;s winners. Nominated wealth managers who satisfied a total of ten objective eligibility and evaluation criteria are awarded this prestigious title.
Leigh was named to Executive Club for the first time and Leaders Club for the sixth time by The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America&reg; in 2026, as well as named as a three-time Top of the Table member for the Million Dollar Roundtable (MDRT). 
&ldquo;These recognitions are a tremendous honor. I strive to do a great job servicing clients and have many happy and trusting relationships. It is how I define success. I&rsquo;m pleased that I have clients that trust me with their financial needs and introduce me to others, which is how I&rsquo;ve built up my practice and grown over the years&rdquo;, explained McCloskey. &ldquo;I pride myself on truly getting to know each of my clients, understanding their financial goals, learning where they&rsquo;re comfortable taking risks, and providing advice based on the bigger picture to help them achieve long-term financial balance. It&rsquo;s all about putting the client first&rdquo;
&ldquo;Earning the Five Star Wealth Manager designation and industry recognitions is a powerful testament to Leigh&rsquo;s dedication to serving his clients. His work consistently elevates the financial lives of the individuals, families and business owners he serves, and we are proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition,&rdquo; said Kevin S. Schneider, CLU&reg;, Principal of The Bulfinch Group.
Leigh and his wife and two children reside in Needham; they enjoy all that the town has to offer and Leigh currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Needham Community Council.
The Bulfinch Group
Founded in 1994, The Bulfinch Group is a financial services firm headquartered at 160 Gould Street in Needham, MA with offices throughout New England. The Bulfinch Group provides a comprehensive selection of wealth management and business solutions for clients including succession planning for smaller, privately held businesses; employee benefits, including 401(k) plans and group medical, dental and life insurance; retirement, higher education, and savings planning for individuals and families; charitable planning; and more. The Bulfinch Group is a general agency of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian), New York, NY. For more information, call 781-449-4402 or visit <a href="https://www.bulfinchgroup.com" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">BulfinchGroup.com</a>.

Needham Resident Leigh McCloskey Celebrates 12...

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The Bulfinch Group is pleased to announce that Michael Hertz, RICP&reg;
of Needham, MA has earned the designation of Five Star Wealth Manager. The Five Star Wealth Manager award is annually given to an elite group of financial managers who are identified through research conducted with peers and firms; the program analyzes internal and external research data, including a survey to more than 3,000 registered financial services professionals and all local financial service companies registered with FINRA or the SEC, to select each year&rsquo;s winners. Nominated wealth managers who satisfied a total of ten objective eligibility and evaluation criteria are awarded this prestigious title. Michael attended Northeastern University and is a resident of Needham, Massachusetts. 
&ldquo;Earning the Five Star Wealth Manager designation is a powerful testament to Michael&rsquo;s dedication to putting clients first. His work consistently elevates the financial lives of the individuals, families and business owners he serves, and we are proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition,&rdquo; said Kevin S. Schneider, CLU&reg;, Principal of The Bulfinch Group.
The Bulfinch Group is committed to providing the highest level of service and experience, as well as continuing to make a positive and lasting impact in the communities we serve. With a client-centric focus, The Bulfinch Group works to help protect wealth from risks such as market volatility, erratic interest rates and the potential for insufficient assets &ndash; all threats to long-term financial stability. The Bullfinch Group&rsquo;s experienced team of specialists create in-depth assessments on how to maximize cash flow, optimize tax strategies, provide protection and build and grow wealth to reach each client&rsquo;s unique goals. 
The Bulfinch Group
Founded in 1994, The Bulfinch Group is a financial services firm headquartered at 160 Gould Street in Needham, MA with offices throughout New England. The Bulfinch Group provides a comprehensive selection of wealth management and business solutions for clients including succession planning for smaller, privately held businesses; employee benefits, including 401(k) plans and group medical, dental and life insurance; retirement, higher education, and savings planning for individuals and families; charitable planning; and more. The Bulfinch Group is a general agency of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian), New York, NY. For more information, call 781-449-4402 or visit <a href="https://www.bulfinchgroup.com" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">BulfinchGroup.com</a>. 
About Guardian 
Guardian makes a difference in the lives of people when they need us most. With more than 160 years of stability and fiscal integrity, we are a trusted partner to millions of consumers, helping them prepare and plan for a bright future and recover and thrive in times of unexpected loss. We believe in inspiring well-being across mind, body, and wallet, and in driving value beyond dividends. We invest in our colleagues, are building a progressive and inclusive culture and are helping to uplift communities through thoughtful social and environmental programs. Guardian, which is based in NYC, is a leading provider of life, disability, dental, and other benefits, and has received <a href="https://www.guardianlife.com/about-guardian/customer-service-awards" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">accolades for its culture and service</a>. Our colleagues and financial representatives serve with care and experience, and our commitments rest on a strong financial foundation, which at year-end 2024 included $11 billion in capital and largest dividend of $1.6 billion in the company&rsquo;s history. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.guardianlife.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">GuardianLife.com</a>.

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Needham, MA|Local Classified|Gigs & Services|1d

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