The Winchester Rotary Club held its 23rd charity golf tournament this year at the Winchester Country Club. Despite chilly temperatures and sprinkles of rain, teams headed out to tees enthusiastically to start an afternoon of golf - all for a good cause.   Many local and national businesses sponsored prizes as well as teams, including Herb Chambers BMW and Bonnell Ford who provided vehicles for 'hole-in-one' competitions on the 9th and 14th holes.

The En Ka Society held its annual fair and parade over the weekend. The Jenks lot was transformed with rides and their attendents, food tables, old fashioned games, books, bargin goods and a quilt. At 9 a.m., En Ka's long parade of participants wound their way through the roped off streets to the fairground. At 10 a.m. the fair opened and the hub burst into activity as volunteers met the needs of all who came to play.

Though the turnout was smaller this year due to the rain, the sense of community and support was clearly in abundance on Sunday at Wright-Locke Farm's Spring Fling. A petting zoo, the music of rock band 'Six', a book sale, raspberry plant sale and farm tours were a few of the attractions. The BeGinn Again foundation was also represented, taking registrations for their upcoming fundraiser, 'A Race to Remember.'

Winchester High School's Hall of Fame Committee inducted several former pupils to it's Hall of Fame Thursday night, in front of an audience of over 350 family members, fellow team members and friends. The Winchester Sports Foundation is a fund-raising organization, which supports sports at the high school. It was created in 1989 to raise supplementary funds in light of reduced state aid for sporting programs. The Hall of Fame Committee was established in 1990, with the induction ceremony being the highlight of the year.  2011 inductees were: Verne Slack, 1949 - football, hockey, baseball …

Everyone came out last Saturday night to Chefalo Park dressed in their best prom attire despite the rain to support the Winchester Foundation for Educational Excellence. A silent auction, Blackjack tables, dinner catered by Bistro 5 and music from band, Six made Prom 'n Aid a success.

Many Winchester teams kicked off the 2011 baseball season last week.  Over at McDonald field the Athletics and the Cubs, comprised of Winchester children between the ages of 10 and 12. Coaches were on hand to offer support and encouragement as teams took to the field for the first game of the season. Many families turned out to enjoy the balmy temperatures and cheered on players. For more information on Sachem Youth Baseball, visit their site.

Coming into Tuesday's game against Winchester, the Reading High girls lacrosse team was looking for some revenge after dropping its season opener to the Sachems, 10-6 on April 4.  But against an undefeated Winchester squad that is 7-0 in the Middlesex League, the Rockets came up short yet again, losing, 15-9, at Parker Middle School. 

"She just came out of the ICU yesterday", said, Kelsey's Aunt Donna. Kelsey had been there for six out of the 22 months of her life. "She is a real spitfire, despite everything." Her mother, Lisa, and father, John, were down in Texas where Kelsey is hospitalized. They are hopeful, but struggling financially. Last Friday night a fundraiser to help support the cost care was held at the Sons of Italy. People who have known the Corlitos since childhood came out to support them.   Kelsey has had seven open-heart surgeries in an attempt to correct a heart defect. Her struggle continues, but friends…

After coming off its toughest stretch of the season, the Winchester boy's lacrosse team played its first home game. The Sachems jumped out to an early two-goal lead thanks to goals by Alex Kohn, Ryan McGoff and Brendan Kelley, as Winchester (4-4) defeated Belmont 7-1, Tuesday afternoon at Skillings Field. The Marauders were able to get on the board in the first period after a goal by Paul Curran, but were unable to keep up with Winchester's offense. "This team has toughness and constancy," said Winchester Coach John Pirani. "We've been through a real tough patch, but now we're back home. We'…

For this week's Viewfinder,Winchester  Patch's weekly photo essay, photojournalist Rick Nohl takes us across the border to Stoneham, where the Woburn Fire Department took on Winchester Fire during the third annual Metro Fire Hockey Tournament Sunday.  Woburn firefighters posted a win over Winchester by a score of 5-2. This year's champion for the 3-day tournament was Somerville Fire, who defeated Malden Fire.

Over 20 children's book writers and illustrators visited schools last Wednesday for Winchester's 18th Annual AuthorFest, sponsored by the Winchester Foundation for Educational Excellence (WFEE). During the day, each grade enjoyed presentations in their classrooms; then later, the authors were at Town Hall to sign books and talk to their young fans. The program was made possible through the generosity of the Winchester Foundation for Educational Excellence, EnKa, the Winchester Cultural Council, and the schools' PTOs. 

Hundreds came out to support Team Milan this past Saturday night at the fundraising event, "A Springtime Gala of Hope." Among the guests were Milan's classmates, friends, family and scores of people who did not know him personally, but are personally touched by his story.   There was a silent auction with items that included a day with Senator Scott Brown in Washington and an personally autographed U2 poster. According to the event's Chair, Heather Daglio, "Here is a clear illustration of what a community like ours can accomplish."

The Winchester girls tennis team, which has won four straight state titles started the new year on the right track. The Sachems extended their winning streak to 93 as they defeated Stoneham, 5-0, in the season-opener.

Over 500 women crowded the Burlington Marriott Wednesday evening, all in support of the Women Helping Women Organization, a subset of the Winchester Chamber of Commerce.  The event was a huge hit even before it happened - so much so, that the event had to be moved from the Woburn Hilton to Burlington because they needed more space. Tickets sold out for the event in less than a month. Kim Miles and Dot Butler organized the event and a had huge runway down the center of the main ballroom. Several boutiques participated in the event, including Flower Drum, Recess Boutique, Hidden Treasures, …

The weather may not be as warm as it will be in another few weeks, but spring is slowly approaching. Mahoney's has flowers in bloom and Winchester students have been spotted at Cups and Cones getting some ice cream. Bike riders and baseball have also been out in force this past week, so spring must be approaching. Take a look at our photo gallery of the signs of spring around Winchester.

The Griffin Museum was packed as it hosted, "Toast the Taste, A Taste of Winchester", the yearly fundraising event held to benefit the exhibitions, programming and lectures of the photography museum. Every restaurant and culinary shop in town could be seen celebrating. There was also a live auction, which included framed prints, an in-home wine tasting, a private chocolate dessert cooking demo, and a Red Sox autographed picture.

So far, Election Day has not seen a large number of residents head to the polls. But here are some of the images from around town at the various polling places.

The paintings of Glen Victor Doyle hang on the walls of Mad About Shoe. The opening and trunk show brought art and shoe lovers alike out to view some of the shop's Spring collection and leather handbags from Hobo International. A native of England, Glen has been in the Boston area for about 30 years, and in Winchester for 10. Glen showed his artwork to Linda Sharpe, the shop's owner and according to them, "It seemed like a good fit -- pardon the pun."  Revamping the store in '09, Linda had the idea to make it not only a shoe store, but a salon of sorts, for art exhibits. Come check it out. …

St. Patrick's Day is here. The day when everyone becomes a little Irish. And Winchester has plenty of kelly green decorations scattered througout town. If you're looking for ways to enjoy the day, Book Ends has its own St. Patrick's Day decorations and book section. And the Black Horse Tavern will have the March 17 dinner special - corned beef and cabbage. And beginning at 6 p.m. Joe Leary will be playing traditional Irish music at the tavern. Be sure to take a look at our photo gsllery of the sights of St. Patrick's Day around town.

The Winchester Relief Association held its an annual fundraiser at the Winchester Police Station to provide for death benefits of current and retired police officers. Some of the proceeds go toward local charitable organizations such as, Children's Hospital of Boston, Sachem Youth Football, Council of Social Concern, Masonic Angel Fund, Deana's Fund and Paul Pasciuto Memorial Fund.