Congratulations, Chrissie Lawrence,Platinum Sales Winner for 2009!

As a life long resident of Wellesley, Chrissie has extensive knowledge of the area and the local real estate market. With four children attending Wellesley Schools and participating in town sports and activities (including membership in Town Meeting and coaching soccer), she has a real pulse on what’s going on in town.

Chrissie brings a strong marketing and sales background to real estate. She holds an MBA from the Wharton School of Business and worked as a Marketing Manager for a major consumer goods company for 8 years prior to beginning her career as a realtor.

Since joining Rutledge Properties in 2002, Chrissie has produced a track record as an exceptional realtor. A consistent award winner in sales, Chrissie continues to grow her business in both number of transactions and total dollars.

Let Chrissie’s solid business experience and creative marketing strategies, extensive knowledge of Wellesley, and enthusiasm work for you to solve your real estate needs. If you would like the opportunity to receive an updated property analysis or information on available properties, give Chrissie a call at (781) 235-4663. For more information, visit her site at www.rutledgeproperties.com/chrissie.html.

Congratulations to Betsy Kessler,our Top Producer for 2009!

Since arriving on the real estate scene in 1999, Betsy has been a consistent leader in the Wellesley market. By offering a unique combination of knowledge, integrity and enthusiasm, Betsy has ensured her loyal clientele successful completion of their real estate transactions in today’s turbulent market. Her enthusiasm and cooperative spirit have made her widely respected by her peers and clients alike.

Betsy’s marketing background at some of the country’s most influential advertising agencies is evident in the sales and strategic planning she brings to her clients. A Wellesley native, Betsy and her husband are raising their two children here in town. Currently serving in her 8th year as a Town Meeting member, Betsy has an in-depth knowledge of the area, the schools, and of course, the real estate market.

Contact Betsy for your real estate needs by calling her at (781) 235-4663. For more information, visit her website at www.betsykessler.com.

Come Watch Nation’s Oldest Football Rivalry

At 10:00 AM, Thanksgiving morning, rabid citizens from Wellesley and Needham will come to Wellesley High to root on their football teams as they play out the latest chapter in the nation’s oldest public school rivalry. Dating back to 1882, the year after Wellesley seceded from Needham, the annual contest always draws legions of families, fans, and high school alumni from the two towns. This year’s contest, installment number 122, will feature two excellent teams as Wellesley enters with a 8-2 record and Needham’s stands at 7-3. Kickoff is at 10 AM at the WHS field at 50 Rice Street, but fans are advised to arrive early to make sure they get a seat.

The story behind an important Antique Colonial in South Natick

Rutledge Properties is pleased to offer an American Masterpiece - an Antique Colonial originally built in 1750 on the banks of the Charles River in South Natick. This house on a pastoral setting, is easily accessible to Boston. Here is more information about this lovely home for sale:

SOUTH NATICK - Important 1750 colonial moved and meticulously reassembed on the banks of the Charles River in 1933 and joined to auxiliary house to achieve 14 rooms, 7 bedrooms, 4 baths. Stately facade with pedimented doorways, gracious through halls on two floors, eight principal rooms each with a fireplace, wide oak floor boards, original paneling and high ceilings. Beautifully sited on an acre with 3-car garage, this is an American masterpiece. EXCLUSIVE $1,600,000 Look for MLS # 70996901

Here is an excerpt from an article featured in the now defunct newspaper, The Boston Traveler, Saturday September 29, 1934 by Charles A. Parker, about the moving of this house to its present location.

Transfer Notable Feat
Its transfer – overnight as it were – is characterized as a masterpiece in moving. What the novice would not dream could be done has been accomplished. Last year (1933) the house, of 8 rooms and eight fireplaces, stood deserted by the Norwich Ct. town roadside abandoned after having served as an inn.

Dreams Realized
The loveliness of an early American masterpiece c.1750 has been realized as a dream come true. Outside it bears the semblance of a generous square-set English colonial with twin chimneys. The front of the house as it was in Norwich, in South Natick faces the rear, that is, the large front door opening into the lower hall faces the river – for this is the more secluded and preferable side of sitting outdoors. Window sashes all around the house are of the 12-pane type, ends of the dwelling show the “overhang” which was the Connecticut style. The ancient front hall with its black walnut stairway and black walnut banister carvings, unusual width and depth of treads, is more beautiful because of the exceedingly wide oak floor boards, wide panels, wall dado, and then a carved cornice with square and colored medallions, showing everywhere the hand work of the early day carpenter and woodcraft expert.

Be sure and contact us at Rutledge Properties at 781-235-4663 or email us at rutledge@rutledgeproperties.com to see this fascinating property. You can see extra pictures of it here.

Rutledge brokers spelling team competed in the WEF Spelling Bee to benefit Wellesley Schools

The Wellesley Education Foundation (WEF) held its 20th annual Spelling Bee Nov. 5. 49 teams from every facet of life in Wellesley were there: real estate offices, law firms, banks, PTAs, student organizations, and townspeople banded together as alumni and neighborhood groups. Rutledge Properties has been an enthusiastic entry every year, never actually winning but doing our very best for our schools. The Rutledge team consisted of (from left to right), Chrissie Lawrence, Janet Montgomery and owner Roberta Swenson.

This year’s winner was from World of Wellesley (celebrating diversity in our town), strongly challenged by the high school students in Wellesley Pops. The winners received the Ruth Humphries Bee Trophy to keep for the reigning year (named after our own Ruth Humphries, who was one of the original owners of Rutledge Properties, and a broker with us for many years). Congratulations to everyone who participated!

Check out the Wellesley Education Foundation website to see pictures from this year’s Bee, and previous years too. Read about this year's Bee in the Wellesley Townsman.