This Weekend in Needham: A Walk Through History, Animal Blessing and Lots of Apples

It’s Thursday, and the weekend is right around the corner. Patch has your back with a few fun things to do. Check our picks for the activities to hit and some places to explore. Here's what's happening in and around your town.

Needham Fall Clean-up Day

• Where: Public Services Administration Building, 500 Dedham Ave., Needham
• When: Saturday, Oct. 13 from 8:30-11 a.m.
• Why go: Help clean up Needham before winter sets in. Volunteers should meet at the PSAB between 8:30 and 9 a.m. to receive a clean-up site and trash bags. Individuals should bring their own work gloves. Registration is requested but not required. All ages are welcome to attend; children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Rain or shine. 
• Cost: Free; volunteers needed

Needham Community Council Coat Sale

• Where: Needham Community Council, 570 Hillside Ave., Needham
• When: Saturday, Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Why go: Shop from a great variety of men's, women's and children's coats from casual to formal, fleece to fur. All coats have been inspected by council volunteers and are in great shape. Proceeds support the council.
• Cost: Most coats cost between $5 and $15.

Family Fun at Carter Pumpkin Patch

• Where: Carter Memorial United Methodist Church, 800 Highland Ave., Needham
• When: Saturday, Oct. 13 from 1-3 p.m.
• Why go: Bring the family to pick up a pumpkin or two at Carter Memorial Church’s Pumpkin Patch (proceeds support church missions) and enjoy a trackless train ride around the church grounds while you’re there.
• Cost: Free activities; pumpkins start at $3

St. Joseph Benefit Concert Featuring Irish Tenor

• Where: St. Joseph Parish, 1360 Highland Ave., Needham
• When: Saturday, Oct. 13 from 7-9 p.m.
• Why go: Anthony Kearns, a founding member of The Irish Tenors, will perform a benefit concert for St. Joseph Parish Schools. The money raised by the concert will be used to support the general operating budget of the schools. Tickets for the event are available at the rectory or online at www.saintjoes.com.
• Cost: $35 for concert; $50 for concert and meet-and-greet

Homegrown Coffeehouse Presents Katrin

• Where: , 23 Dedham Ave., Needham
• When: Saturday, Oct. 13, 8-10:30 p.m.
• Why go: Katrin, a rising star in North America and Europe who hails from Newton, weaves together an awe-inspiring voice, unbelievable guitar skills and thought-provoking lyrics to captivate her listeners. Together, Katrin and her band deliver on a promise: audiences will be fixated by a powerful, pure voice, tight and distinctive musical arrangements and a group of friends that just have a blast on stage together. Outstanding local blues artist Jen Kearney will open. Proceeds benefit First Parish.
• Cost: $16 general, $12 students and seniors

Campaign Finance Law and the Citizens United Decision: A Needham Lyceum

• Where: , 23 Dedham Ave., Needham
• When: Sunday, Oct. 14 from 9:15-10:15 a.m.
• Why go: Local attorney Bob Smart will lead a discussion about the Citizens United decision and campaign finance law in the year's first Needham Lyceum event. The discussion will touch on public financing, limits on campaign and other expenditures, broadcast time for candidates and other alternatives.
• Cost: Free

Needham's Walk Through History

• Where: Needham Historical Society, 1147 Central Ave., Needham
• When: Sunday, Oct. 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Why go: Enjoy a self-guided tour through the familiar places that you only thought you knew well. Learn the hidden history behind the places you see every day. Pick up a guide map online at www.needhamhistory.org/ HistoryWalk, at the Historical Society or at any one of the Hubs on walk day. Speakers will be available at each Hub to tell stories and answer your questions. Kids can follow a Scavenger Hunt along the way. Answer questions about the sites on the Walk and win prizes.
• Cost: Free

Volante Farms Apple Pie Contest

• Where: Volante Farms, 829 Central Ave., Needham
• When: Sunday, Oct. 14 from 12-1 p.m.
• Why go: Amateur bakers interested in challenging their neighbors for bragging rights and valuable gift cards can show off their apple pie baking skills this weekend. Register with cashiers at the farm or online. Audience participation is encouraged, and after judging and awards the leftovers will be available for tasting. Also on Sunday, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., author Amy Traverso, lifestyle editor at Yankee Magazine, will be signing copies of her book, “Apple Lovers Cookbook.”
• Cost: Free

Needham Farmers Market Apple Fest

• Where: , 23 Dedham Ave., Needham
• When: Sunday, Oct. 14 from 1-5 p.m.
• Why go: This weekend at the Needham Farmers Market, celebrate the season with apple bobbing, apple tasting and a virtual orchard, along with the usual array of fresh produce, baked goods and other items for sale. This week’s featured artisans will be Karen Mahoney and Pat Brazill, and The Farmers Market Jazz Band will perform. Needham Junior Football and Cheerleading will be featured at the nonprofit table. The market is held every Sunday through October. Learn more at www.needhamfarmersmarket.org.
• Cost: Free admission; items for sale

Blessing of the Animals

• Where: Carter Memorial United Methodist Church, 800 Highland Ave., Needham
• When: Sunday, Oct. 14 at 3 p.m.
• Why go: Join the Rev. Stuart Tucker for a Blessing of the Animals on the grounds of Carter Memorial United Methodist Church. All animals must be under human control at all times.
• Cost: Free

Public Forum on Ballot Question 2: Prescribing Meds to End Life

• Where: , 23 Dedham Ave., Needham
• When: Sunday, Oct. 14 from 7-8:30 p.m.
• Why go: To help voters prepare for ballot question 2—whether terminally ill patients should be allowed to end their life with doctor-prescribed medications— the Needham Lyceum of First Parish and the League of Women Voters are co-sponsoring an informational forum. Two speakers will present their opposing views: Kevin Kozin, MTS, LICSW, a representative from Dignity 2012 who is in favor of the ballot initiative, and Jane A Driver, MD, MPD, a representative from the Committee Against Physician-Assisted Suicide who is opposed. 
• Cost: Free

Don’t see your event here? Make sure to add it to the Needham Patch calendar so we can help spread the news! Log in to your free account (or sign up now), click on “Events” in the blue navigation bar and then click “Add an Event.” Questions? Email becca.manning@patch.com.