Weston COA Community Updates

April Reflections and May Featured Programs

781-786-6280 20 Alphabet Lane westoncoa@westonma.gov website

Though much of our programming focuses on those 60+, our programs and presentations are open to Weston residents of all ages. As we continue to expand our offerings for caregivers and the general community, we encourage you to reach out to us by phone or email to register for a program if you see something you are interested in.

Volunteer Appreciation

We’re still reminiscing over last month’s Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon and thinking about how lucky we are to have nearly 100 volunteers who help to support our mission. Our nautical-themed luncheon was just one of the ways we do our best to say a special THANK YOU and show our gratitude for our dedicated and compassionate volunteers who give their time to serve the Weston COA and help older adults in the community. We couldn’t do what we do without their tireless efforts, indispensable talents, and inspirational spirits.

April Reflections

April kicked off a busy spring season for us at the COA!

To start, our Board hosted a lovely spring coffee in honor of our new director, Joan Ingersoll. Welcome to Weston, Joan!
We kicked off our Dementia and Alzheimer’s Training with nearly 50 community members in attendance at our Dementia Friends Training who can now consider themselves one of the 14,000 people in Massachusetts who have taken the training.
The Weston Garden Club hosted a terrarium workshop, sponsored by a grant from the Weston Cultural Council.
We had an incredible (and delicious) chocolate tasting and presentation on the Politics of Chocolate from Victoria of Cocoa Beantown
Weston’s K-9 Unit Officer Rizzitello and Knox visited us so we could learn about the training involved and how K9 teams work in the field.
Our Life Transition Binder Workshop returned with a fully subscribed series for the third time this year.
We rested and restored with a Yoga Nidra session – said to be the equivalent of 2-4 hours of deep, restful sleep… and we sure felt that way!
For those more eager to get active in the spring weather, we kicked off our new season of golf and took a trail walk on one of our favorite Weston trails.
We took a live virtual walking tour of Ljubljana, Slovenia – a destination we’ve all added to our must-see list!

Mass Audubon presented on The Nature of Spring on the record-hot April day we had, making it feel more like summer! They’ll be returning for Landscaping and Gardening for Wildlife in June
Doctor of Physical Therapy Josh Kaplan taught us about our hips: how they move, what to do when there is pain, and how to maintain mobility to keep them moving well link
COA-favorite Jane Blair returned for a captivating art appreciation presentation on Ancient Greece and Rome.
Our trained AARP volunteers wrapped up a successful season of helping residents 50+ with their income taxes.
We had a rockin' good time seeing Beehive: The 60's Musical at the Greater Boston Stage Company and on our private tour of Art in Bloom at the MFA. We were so incredibly lucky to have the beautiful flower Art in Bloom installation by the Country Garden Club of Weston in our lounge after the event for all to enjoy! Photos – beehive, flowers in lounge.

May Featured Programs

Call the COA at 781-786-6280 to register for a program. Visit our website for our full May newsletter for more programs and information.

Stop by the COA table at Celebrate Weston, Saturday, May 20, 11:00-3:00, in the Josiah Smith Tavern parking lot to meet our new director, Joan Ingersoll, and pick up a sweet treat. Then join our Zumba instructor, Ellen Cohen Kaplan, for Zumba at 12:00 on the stage! Parking in Town Center will be limited so call the COA for direct transportation from your home.

Join opera singer and opera appreciation instructor Ron Williams to explore the dark comic/drama of the Spanish nobleman Don Juan as told in Mozart’s opera Don Giovanni, Wednesday, May 10, 10:00-12:00 then join us for a trip to see the Metropolitan Opera in HD encore showing of Don Giovanni, Wednesday, May 24, 5:30-10:15 pm ($25; Space is limited).

Take a trip into the city to see the electric and powerful Nehanda at ArtsEmerson, Wednesday, May 17, 6:30-10:30 pm.

Experience the talents of young musicians at the Cambridge School of Weston with an impressive jazz concert Wednesday, May 10, 3:00-4:00 at the COA. Mark your calendars to stop by for a showcase of some of the outstanding artwork being produced in the Weston High School visual arts classes on display June 7-August 25, and join us for a reception Wednesday, June 7, 2:30-3:30 at the COA.

Take a walk around the Case Campus with Weston Town Manager, Leon Gaumond, and new COA Director, Joan Ingersoll on Wednesday, May 24, 1:00-2:00. (Meet at the COA at 12:50) Enjoy a cup of coffee and chat with friends and COA staff in the lounge on Monday, May 8, 10:00-11:00.

Join fitness instructor Michelle Nickerson Thursdays in May and June at 10:30 weekly for some fresh air walking around the Town Green. Meet Weston Forest and Trails trustee Meg Kelly in front of Town Hall on Wednesday, May 31, 1:00-2:30 for a walk down to the Rail Trail on a lesser-known trail that cuts behind Lamson Park and proceed east to an entrance to the Sears land.

Sign up for one of our many lifelong learning programs on Zoom:

The Four Freedoms Monday, May 8, 2:00-3:00 on Zoom
Native Expulsion and Manifest Destiny with University of Maryland Historian Richard Bell Tuesday, May 9, 1:00-2:00 on Zoom
Keep Your Knees Healthy & Moving Friday, May 12, 10:30-11:30 on Zoom
Let's Talk About Olive Oil Thursday, May 25, 6:30-7:30 on Zoom
Art Appreciation: Mother and Child Tuesday, May 30, 10:00-11:00 on Zoom
Live Virtual Walking Tour Queer Argentina: The History of So. America’s Friendliest Country Monday, June 5, 1:00-2:00 on Zoom
The Tragedy of Tom Paine with University of Maryland Historian Richard Bell Wednesday, June 7, 10:00-11:30 at the COA Space is extremely limited for this popular speaker.

Join us for part two of our 4-part Dementia and Alzheimer's Series: Healthy Living for Your Brain & Body Thursday, May 11, 11:00-12:00 on Zoom, followed by The 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Tuesday, June 13, 6:30-7:30 and Effective Communication Strategies Wednesday, July 12, 6:30-7:30. If you are seeing memory changes in a loved one or supporting someone with memory loss our social workers Joyce and Chris can help with family meetings and connecting caregivers with resources, including memory cafes and social day programs. You might also find our Caregivers Support Group meetings to be helpful. These meetings take place at the COA and on Zoom the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month. The next meeting is Thursday, May 18, 10:00-11:30 at the COA or on Zoom. Drop in is welcome. Contact the COA at 781-786-6280 to receive the Zoom link.

Photos by Nicole Mordecai, Linda Johnson, or Kristen Frady