🌱 Patch AM: Why are North Reading home sales surging far beyond statewide trends?

Cheers North Reading! We’re back, helping you stay up to date with what’s happening. Let's take on the day together! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Why are North Reading home sales surging far beyond statewide trends?
• What federal wildlife smuggling case now involves a North Reading resident?
• Could this free-heel ski style change your New England winters?

Also on today's calendar: International Folk Dancing for Beginners and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the shovel say to the dirt? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Friday: Cloudy; p.m. rain, breezy, with a high of 45 and low of 37 degrees.
• Saturday: Mostly cloudy, afternoon rain, temps: high: 45, low: 35.
• Sunday: Rain and drizzle in the a.m., with a high of 41 and low of 25 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Town sees double-digit increase in sales of homes, condos in 2025 (localheadlinenews.com) — Homebuyers and sellers in North Reading are seeing a hot market, with 2025 sales of both single-family homes and condos jumping by double digits and prices rising faster than the state overall. The article breaks down how many properties sold, what median prices look like locally, and how North Reading compares with Massachusetts and Greater Boston trends.
   

• Full list of wildlife parts, including sting rays and narwhal, surrendered by Mass. smuggler (masslive.com) — A North Reading man has pleaded guilty in federal court to smuggling and illegally trafficking wildlife parts, and has agreed to forfeit more than 100 items seized from his home, storage unit, and vehicle. The case details years of buying and reselling protected animal parts and could result in prison time under a plea agreement.
   

• John Cogswell: An Introduction to Telemark Skiing (smbceo.com) — North Reading gets a brief spotlight as home base for telemark-skiing enthusiast and financial strategist John Cogswell, but the real focus is helping you understand this distinctive free-heel skiing style. The piece walks through telemark history, gear choices, technique basics, and fitness benefits, aiming to make the sport approachable for curious New England skiers.
   

📸 Around North Reading

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in North Reading

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Friday January 9

• International Folk Dancing for Beginners
  Unitarian Universalist Church, 239 Woburn St, Reading
  12:30 pm

Sunday January 11

• Admissions Open House
  Shore Country Day School, 545 Cabot St, Beverly
  10:00 am

Thursday January 15

• Guest Speaker: AI at Home and School - Navigating Generative AI with Your Child Presented
  Shore Country Day School, 545 Cabot St, Beverly
  6:30 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Saturday January 10

• Tiny Art Drop-In Paint Studio
  Flint Memorial Library , 147 Park Street , North Reading
  11:00 am

Monday January 12

• Pre-K Story Time
  Flint Memorial Library , 147 Park Street , North Reading
  10:00 am
• The Cinema Circle Movie Club
  Flint Memorial Library , 147 Park Street , North Reading
  6:30 pm
• Romantasy Book Club
  Flint Memorial Library , 147 Park Street , North Reading
  7:00 pm
• Ipswich River Community Chorus Open Rehearsals
  Aldersgate United Methodist Church , 235 Park St , North Reading
  7:30 pm

Tuesday January 13

• Mah Jongg
  Flint Memorial Library , 147 Park Street , North Reading
  10:00 am
• Baby Story Time
  Flint Memorial Library , 147 Park Street , North Reading
  10:15 am

Saturday January 17

• Kanto Card Show
  DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Andover , 123 Old River Rd , Andover
  9:00 am

Monday January 19

• Ipswich River Community Chorus Open Rehearsal
  Aldersgate United Methodist Church , 235 Park St , North Reading
  7:30 pm

📣 North Reading Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making North Reading PatchAM possible:

• Blackdog Design/Build/Remodel — (603) 898-0868
  Making Your Dream Home a Reality Since 1989
• Partners In Rehabilitation LLC — (978) 447-1012
  HEAL BETTER. MOVE BETTER. FEEL BETTER.
• Total Basement Finishing, a Blackdog Affiliate — (603) 458-7962
  Basement Remodeling Experts in NH, MA and ME
• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
• Austin Preparatory School — (781) 944-4900
  Choose an Austin Prep Education Rooted in Augustinian Values

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

🗞 Nearby News

Reading

• Reading Man Enters Plea In Wildlife Trafficking Case, Prosecutors Say (patch.com)

Lynnfield

• Police Logs: Jan. 7, 2026 (itemlive.com)
• 13 standout defenders from 2026 New Year's Prep Puck Drop (hockeyjournal.com)

Wilmington

Ok North Reading! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I really dig you!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

• Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
• Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
• List items for sale or services offered

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook