Published Works

Here are my recent works for various publications!

Newton Beacon

Wegmans will offer delivery service to customers of Chestnut Hill pharmacy after it closes - Newton Beacon

Wegmans is offering free prescription delivery services to customers of its Chestnut Hill pharmacy, which is closing Saturday.
Jeff Freilich, who started a petition asking Wegmans to keep the pharmacy open, has been working with Julie Lenhard, the supermarket chain’s pharmacy services vice president, to spread the word about the concierge service. Lenhard would not agree to an interview, but Wegmans emailed a statement about the decision to develop this service.
“As a direct result of the custom...

Chris Boyd campaigns for Congress on a call to invest in region's future - Newton Beacon

Chris Boyd is still waiting for his American dream.
Growing up in Bellingham, Boyd experienced firsthand the struggles of a low-income American family and remembers when the 2008 recession hit home. With his single mother providing their only income, Boyd said, his family had to rely on public assistance programs.
“Let’s make sure that we’re investing in these programs to make life more affordable so that we can actually get that American dream,” Boyd said, “because we were promised an American...

Newton architectural photographer Peter Vanderwarker turns his lens on Boston - Newton Beacon

Photographer Peter Vanderwarker, shown here in his Newton home, has artwork on display at the Cooper Center for Active Living. Photo by Lea TranNewton photographer Peter Vanderwarker has captured monuments in Paris, colorful sites in Yellowstone and natural wonders in Costa Rica. But as the 250th anniversary of American independence approaches, Vanderwarker’s new exhibit captures what he knows best: the city of Boston.
“Boston Freedom” features 11 photographs shot and chosen by Vanderwarker that...

Committee takes up controversial overnight parking ban again - Newton Beacon

A City Council committee may decide soon whether to repeal or modify Newton’s hotly debated winter overnight parking ban.
The Council’s Public Safety and Transportation Committee heard public input March 4 and debated the measure, but ultimately decided to put the issue on hold.
Jeremey Freudberg, co-leader of the group Repeal the Ban, urged the council to act.
“Indeed the overnight parking ban is or does pose a hardship for a lot of people,” Freudberg said.
He said the council could consider ch...

Newton teen creates award-winning app to help people with Type 1 diabetes - Newton Beacon

Aaron Prager of Newton has created an app that helps monitor Type 1 diabetes and won the Eastern Region Congressional App Challenge. Courtesy photoAs the son of two software engineers, Aaron Prager figured app development was in his future. Little did he know that the first app he made would be recognized on a national platform.
His app, BoostT1D, designed to help people with Type 1 diabetes, was chosen by Rep. Jake Auchincloss as the winner of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge in the Massach...

Wegmans’ plan to close Chestnut Hill pharmacy sparks outcry - Newton Beacon

Wegmans plans to close the pharmacy in its Chestnut Hill store next month, and local residents aren’t happy. Some are fighting back.
The supermarket chain is closing the Wegmans Pharmacy to create more space for groceries in Chestnut Hill, a Wegmans executive told a local resident in an email. Wegmans’s corporate office did not respond to repeated calls and emails from the Newton Beacon.
Deana Percassi, Wegmans’ vice president of community engagement, explained the decision to close the pharmacy...

Snow, Well: Newton residents work at staying chill amid this brutal winter - Newton Beacon

By Kate Brodkin, Celine Hijazi and Lea Tran
In Newton Centre, the snow was so much that several businesses stayed closed a day or two after Monday’s blizzard. In Newton Highlands, pedestrians gingerly stepped through narrow shoveled strips of sidewalk. In Newtonville, residents complained about the slush and ice that is everywhere but mostly took this unrelenting winter in stride.
“I think it’s given us a lot of highlight moments,” said Kerry Murphy, a cybersecurity software engineer who works r...

Newton-based Bricks for the Blind helps people without sight enjoy Legos - Newton Beacon

Newton resident Matthew Shifrin leads a nonprofit, Bricks for the Blind, which brings the joy of Legos to the sight-impaired. Courtesy photoNewton resident Matthew Shifrin leads an initiative to make Legos more accessible through his nonprofit Bricks for the Blind.
“It’s been really wonderful because blind people have been able to explore the world in different ways,” Shifrin said.
Shifrin, 28, who grew up and lives in Newton, was born blind. His love for Legos began when he was 13 and a family...

In new City Hall role, Lauren Berman looks to help Newton's business community thrive - Newton Beacon

Lauren Berman is founder of All Over Newton, which fosters community connection while spotlighting local businesses. (Laney McAden / Heights Editor)Lauren Berman has organized PTO fundraisers, helped revamp Newton’s farmers market and organized a “bakery crawl” to benefit small shops. Now that she has assumed the role of the city’s economic development director, she’ll have a bigger hand in supporting businesses here.
“We want to make sure that the experience of opening a business is easy,” Berm...

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