Make connections with the help of AARP this summer
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With summer in full swing, AARP Massachusetts is here to help you make the most of the season and make some connections. We know those social connections are important and can improve your life. So, we have activities planned to help you enjoy the lazy days of summer.
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Use your lifetime of experience to change lives.
Become an AARP Massachusetts volunteer and be part of a powerful force for good, protecting the rights and well-being of people 50-plus and their families. Use your time and talent to write letters, advocate online or in person, participate in events, and meet with decision-makers.
If you’d like to hear some jazz, we’re a proud sponsor of the Cambridge Jazz Festival July 27 and 28. Come to Danehy Park, hear some great music and say hi to us at the AARP booth.
If you want to stop and smell the roses, AARP Days at the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill are back! There are three dates in September (including one Saturday for the first time) you and five friends can gain free admission. We had hundreds of people show up back in May. So, you’ll want to sign up before we hit capacity. You can find the dates and times as well as links to register at aarp. org/garden.
There’s no need to scream for ice cream. We’re holding ice cream socials this summer so you can get the scoop on Social Security. If you register, you can get a free cone and stop by our table to learn more about the program and how you can help protect and save it. We have a number of ice cream shops set up for this. You can find locations, dates and times at aarp.org/getthescoop.
We’ll have more events throughout the summer, too. You can find links to register at aarp.org/maevents.
Giving back. Making friends. Changing lives. Volunteer opportunities with AARP—a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization—are open to people of all ages. Find your place at aarp.org/volunteerhere
social with us:
Social connections are important for older adults because they can help with health and longevity. Connection can help people feel engaged with their communities and friends and family. Research shows that social isolation can lead to poor physical and mental health.
Loneliness has been linked to many negative health consequences, including a higher risk of developing dementia, depression, even heart disease. It can have the same impact on your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, a report from the U.S. surgeon general says. And new research suggests that loneliness may cause the body to age faster.
Social isolation is more than feeling lonely. It’s the result of feeling disconnected from support groups of family, friends and community. This summer, join us and make some connections.
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Finally, this is my last column as AARP Massachusetts State Director. I hope you have enjoyed these columns highlighting the work AARP does here in Massachusetts. AARP is dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. We work to strengthen communities and advocate for what matters most to those 50-plus and their families: health and financial security, and personal fulfillment. In the past years here in Massachusetts, we have pushed for more help for family caregivers, expanding retirement savings options and comprehensive reforms in nursing homes. There is still work to be done. There is no doubt that the best job I ever had was with AARP. The extraordinary talent and passion I have witnessed firsthand continues to inspire me.
For information about licenses, training and support, review the QR Code Guidance on InfoNet or contact BrandHelp@aarp.org.
Mike Festa is the State Director for AARP Massachusetts. For more articles visit www.fiftyplusadvocate.com.
By Mike Festa, state Director aarP Massachusetts
Mike Festa
By evan Walsh contriButing Writer
MARLBOROUGH – Lynne “VioLynne” Canavan has a gift she can’t help but share.
The 61-year-old Marlborough resident spends her days traveling around the state with her violin, routinely playing her favorite instrument at different assisted-living facilities, wedding ceremonies, restaurants and other events.
“This is what I love to do. People say, ‘Oh, you have to work nights and weekends?’ This isn’t work for me. Even when I was working a full-time job and had to play three weddings on the weekend — that’s not work to me. This isn’t work — this is who I am,” said Canavan.
Canavan started playing the violin as a fifthgrade student in Connecticut. Her school district, known for having an excellent music education program, afforded her opportunities to perform in musicals and attend competitions in Philadelphia, New York City and Canada.
Canavan attended the University of Lowell, now UMass Lowell, where she earned an undergraduate degree in music performance. She started her career in the insurance industry, preferring the job’s stability and reliable salary. While raising her children, she decided to accept a 10-hour-per-week job at an assisted-living facility. It turned out to be the perfect opportunity.
“I was like, ‘Wow, this is really fun!’ Then, the memory care director at the time said, ‘Oh, I hear you
Lynne “VioLynne” Canavan. (Photo/Evan Walsh)
There was something inside me telling me I need to bring this to people.
play the violin. Can you come play the violin?’ And this was the start of me playing violin professionally. I connected with these folks like you wouldn’t believe. I thought it was so cool,” she said.
Growing up with parents in the music industry, Canavan knew all the “old” songs. Eventually, a resident played piano alongside her, and before long,
she was on the monthly activity calendar. The gig — which she called “one of the coolest things” — turned into a career. Soon, she became the assisted-living facility’s full-time activity director and then the sales marketing director.
It was great, she said, but then something happened: “I was getting the itch to play music again.”
“I had that epiphany that I’m getting old and I need to follow my passion. I have a purpose in life. I know I do. I don’t need money to live. I live very simply and I’m happy, but I needed to do something with this music thing. There was something inside me telling me I need to bring this to people,” Canavan said.
She handed in her notice in February and became a full-time musician. She’s “loved every moment” since.
Nowadays, Canavan goes to assisted-living facilities; her electric violin allows her to walk around the room and connect with the residents. It makes her program truly interactive, she said.
“It’s music therapy at its best,” she said. “When you’re a musician, there’s something deep down. You need to compose. You need to play. How am I going to share this gift that I have? I wanted to put a smile on people’s faces and help them have a better day. There are a lot of lonely people at these senior-living facilities. How can we, as musicians, touch these people’s lives?”
Canavan plays violin — and sings — all around the state. If your senior-living facility, restaurant, wedding, or other event would benefit from “VioLynne,” contact her at 508-308-2339.
By colin MccanDless contriButing Writer
PLYMOUTH – Perhaps researching and depicting colonial history is just in Richard Pickering’s DNA. He grew up in Braintree, the birthplace of John Adams, John Quincy Adams and John Hancock. The First Congregational Church he attended was the site where John Adams spoke out against the legality of the Stamp Act and debated its constitutionality.
Long tenure
Pickering is the deputy executive director and senior historian at Plimoth Patuxet Museums, the living history museum of 17th-century Plymouth Colony and the Wampanoag Homeland. He has spent nearly 40 years with the institution, serving in various capacities such as historical role player, research associate, director of education and director of special projects.
After graduating from college and working in retail, Pickering landed his
Richard Pickering describes himself as a public historian for general audiences, “but it’s based and grounded in the richest academic and archaeological resources.”
first job with the museum in 1984 as a historical role player. “A friend told me I had the personality for it, and I had no idea what he meant,” Pickering recalled.
“I came on a job interview not knowing what the job actually entailed in the slightest.” He initially played the part of Philip Delano, who arrived in Plymouth Colony in 1621 and is Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s grandfather to the ninth generation or so back, added Pickering. He has since played around 12 different people over the years. Performers at Plimoth Patuxet change roles as they get older so that historical figures are age appropriate. Pickering, 63, currently plays elder William Brewster, the ruling elder of the congregation. The part suits Pickering not only because of his age, but the fact that his father originally had plans of becoming a minister and he was raised in the Congregational Church.
“It just gave me the essential background that was needed to represent the highest officer of the church,” related Pickering. “For a historian, it is the ultimate experience because you keep returning to the same story,” he explained. “But when you have to enter that story from the perspective of some-
Keeping history alive Richard Pickering of Plimoth Patuxet Museums Subsidized
one else, whether it’s regional difference in England, religious difference, level of education—it’s really forcing you to look at this diamond from every facet. And you begin to understand the complexity of the community when you’re trying to recreate individual lives within that community.”
A
guest-centered approach
Besides his deputy executive director leadership duties overseeing the museum’s programs, as senior historian, Pickering is very hands on with ongoing research and the development of public programs based on that research. He described himself as a public historian, “which means that all the work that you do is intended to reach general audiences,” he explained. “But it’s based and grounded in the richest academic and archaeological resources.”
Pickering strives to make history more accessible and palatable to the public. “In some ways I’m a mediator between informal learners and the
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academy,” he explained. “And in this position, I’m moving back and forth between what the average American wants to learn or would be interested in,” he noted. “And also helping academic historians begin to approach their work in ways that aren’t limited to just reaching other academics, but having a broader audience for a greater impact.”
He said, for example, that Plymouth creates this experiment in self-government and establishes four important law codes of the 17th century, one of which is recognized by scholars as the first Bill of Rights in the English-speaking world. “And so that’s an important story that we’re trying to tell and have more people be aware of.”
One of the most significant changes Pickering’s seen during his time with the museum is the shift to a more guest-centered approach that ensures the experience is more meaningful. “And that they’re walking away from us with pragmatic applications for living.”
Evolution of the museum
The museum’s name has also evolved. Founded in 1947 as Plymouth Plantation, to mark the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower voyage, they initiated discussions with the surrounding native communities about approving a name change to honor the Indigenous Wampanoag.
“For Wampanoag people, this is Patuxet. The place of little waterfalls. And it’s also Plymouth,” noted Pick-
Richard Pickering, deputy executive director of Plimoth Patuxet Museums, currently plays elder William Brewster, the ruling elder of the congregation. (Photos/ Courtesy of Plimoth Patuxet Museum)
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ering. “And so, by changing our name, we’re also helping our guests understand they’re on a landscape that’s been occupied for 12,000 years. And that it is still Patuxet for Native People, even though it possesses the English name it was given by Prince Charles.”
Pickering said the museum has also come to acknowledge the reality that most people will not have the opportunity to physically visit the museum, which necessitates building a strong digital presence.
To meet that demand, they installed a live stream digital studio at the museum using $2.5 million in funding from the Lilly Endowment in Indianapolis. They also funded the production of a series of short documentaries on the history of religion in Plymouth Colony as well as two TED-style talks that will eventually be available online.
Pickering’s favorite part of working at Plimoth Patuxet as deputy executive director in recent years has been endeavoring to make the museum a kinder, gentler place. “That you felt welcome the moment you came in. The staff has engaged that project so beautifully,” he enthused. “We just try to be that little, little place here in Plymouth, that’s trying to teach big lessons in every encounter that we have.”
An immersive experience
Plimoth Patuxet comprises several major exhibits: the Historic Patuxet Homesite that examines the life of the Wampanoag, the 17th-century English
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The amazing woman behind the success of ‘Spag’s’
By Michael J. Perna Jr. contriButing Writer
SHREWSBURY – Olive (Lutz) Borgatti, the wife of Anthony “Spag” Borgatti, was half of the spectacularly successful husband-and-wife team that ran the regionally famous “Spag’s” store in Shrewsbury. It was a quirky and colorful retail operation known for offering bargains on any type of merchandise one could imagine―starting in 1934 and lasting until 2002.
High school classmates
When they were in high school, it seemed that Olive Lutz and Anthony “Spag” Borgatti didn’t really hit it off very well. She didn’t care for his habit of wearing knickers, and his somewhat lackadaisical attitude towards schoolwork. In turn, he thought of her as being too serious.
While we do know that he did attend a prom with her, according to their niece, Judy (Lutz) Polito, it wasn’t until sometime later that the relationship seemed to have developed. After graduating from high school, Olive was attending Worces-
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ter State College (now University). She had a part-time job at Granger’s Store, which was located at the corner of North Quinsigamond Avenue and Route 9. Spag would make a point of stopping by the store to make some small purchase, but really to try to strike up a conversation with Olive. Things began to progress when she mentioned that she sang in the St. Anne’s Church choir. Spag immediately developed an interest in being a choir member, despite, from what we know, never having sung a song in his life.
Although Olive’s dates with Spag were sometimes “different”― it wasn’t unusual, for instance, for a date to consist of going to pick up a load of manure for his fledgling store ― the romance continued.
It is also reported that Olive’s family was less than happy with the relationship due to Spag having been in business for a number of years and still appearing to not have much money. When Olive mentioned this to Spag, his response was, “You don’t need to worry about that. I’m going to be a millionaire someday.” A prediction that would turn out to be true.
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Olive (Lutz) Borgatti was a member of the Shrewsbury High School class of 1938 and went on to attend Worcester State College.
Olive Borgatti got her pilot’s license later in life, and flew herself and Spag around the country in the company’s Cessna Citation twin-engine jet.
Marriage and family
Olive also noticed that his command of the English language could have been better. When she suggested he might benefit from a tutor, it sounds like he took the opportunity to ask her to fill that role. The relationship continued to grow and they married on November 24, 1940―the day Spag often described as “the luckiest day of my life.”
Within a few years, three daughters, Carol, Jean, and Sandra, were born. Despite being a busy mother, Olive began to get involved in the accounting end of Spag’s rapidly growing business.
Olive was meticulous with her accounting, as described in Elsa Tivnan and Catherine I. Nickerson’s book “Spag: An American Business Legend”: “Olive was…analytical, factual, and fair, with no time for small talk. She was fastidious in her work and held high expectations of others. Anthony admired her ability to handle the financial aspects of the business. The office system was not computerized; Olive used a commonsense approach to her efficiently-kept accounts receivables and payables and kept close track of the intricate dealings with all their suppliers.”
In a radio interview taped in 1989, Spag commented on Olive’s meticulous attention to detail: “Everything
has to be exactly to the point with her. She is a perfectionist. She would go over the checkbook for hours to find where the missing ten cents was. I used to get her going by handing her a dime and saying, ‘For Christ’s sake! Here’s a dime.’”
When Spag proposed putting in an office for her at the store, she refused, saying she needed to be at home for her children. Spag agreed and added an office to the area adja-
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Olive was…analytical, factual, and fair, with no time for small talk. She was fastidious in her work and held high expectations of others. Anthony admired her ability to handle the financial aspects of the business.
Spag: An American Business Legend
cent to their house’s kitchen. Spag― his nickname was due to his love of spaghetti―was known as a “people person” and oversaw the buying, selling, hiring, and day-to-day operation of the store. Olive became increasingly involved in the operation of the business, eventually becoming the president of the firm.
Becoming an airplane pilot
As the business grew, Spag and
Olive would travel to trade shows throughout the country. These trips grew so numerous that they eventually had three full-time pilots to fly them from place to place. After a vacation in Australia, both Spag and Olive were extremely impressed with a flight they had taken in a small plane. She has been quoted as saying: “In 1967, I went to Australia, and the only way to into the great Outback was in a small airplane. I was absolutely thrilled with the ride. I said, this is for me―I’m going to learn to fly.”
Spag and Olive both decided to take flying lessons. While Olive quickly developed into a skilled pilot, Spag himself decided that piloting was not something he wanted to do. Olive continued on to earn her single engine, twin engine, commercial and jet pilot licenses. After they had purchased a number of propellor-driven aircraft, a Cessna Citation twin engine jet aircraft was obtained for the business, with her piloting it to destinations throughout the U.S. Spag’s became a hugely successful business but sadly, Olive was diagnosed with cancer in May of 1990. After learning that her illness was terminal, she made sure her daughters were well versed in the day-today operations of the business. She passed away a few months later, on December 28, 1990.
Anthony “Spag” Borgatti and his wife Olive were a spectacularly successful husband-and-wife team that ran the regionally famous “Spag’s” store in Shrewsbury.
Massachusetts ice cream trail leads to sweet hot summer relief
By sharon oliver contriButing Writer
REGION – The people of Massachusetts are serious about their ice cream. From chasing down ice cream trucks as a kid to licking the wooden spoon of a Hoodsie cup to trying their first gelato, cooling off with a frozen treat has long been a summer ritual. For some, it is a year-long love affair.
July is National Ice Cream Month, and the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) has teamed up with nearly 100 state dairy farms in an effort to introduce visitors to various ice cream stands that source local dairy for their delectable desserts.
Encouraging travel and tourism
Phu Mai, director of communications for the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, told MassLive, “This project will not only promote the consumption of Massachusetts dairy and encourage
visitors to discover new dairy farms and local ice cream stands, but it will also support travel and tourism and celebrate the hard-working cows and farmers of the Massachusetts dairy
industry, support travel and tourism, and excite ice cream enthusiasts everywhere.”
These farms supply the state with money and milk that helps
produce millions of pounds of butter, cheese, ice cream and yogurt. There will be a digital and print map available listing participating dairy farms and ice cream parlors featur-
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Steve’s Ice Cream was a Massachusetts ice cream pioneer in the 1970s, and had people literally lining up around the block at its Somerville shop.
ing some very dope flavors. Historically, the Bay State has not been afraid of featuring some interesting tastes. For example, located in the western part of the state, in the town of Hadley is a fifth-generation family-owned business called Flayvors of Cook Farm. Asparagus ice cream may sound like a joke, but customers have been coming to Flayvors for 20 years for their “Hadley Grass,” a green seasonal concoction made with fresh spears that is often topped with a caramel sauce.
Steve’s was an early pioneer
As for the die-hard lovers of ice cream, many can recall lining up around and down the block from Steve’s Ice Cream shop in Somerville for a nice hefty scoop. Perhaps lining up is an understatement. Surround and converge upon may be more like it. Established in 1973, owner Steve Herrell’s pioneering business concept of cookie and candy mix-ins inspired chains like Ben & Jerry’s and Cold Stone Creamery, and products like Dairy Queen’s Blizzard and Wendy’s Twisted Frosty. MSNBC’s travel/ leisure journalist Tom Austin credits Herrell with creating “modern gourmet ice cream.”
Steve’s Ice Cream, along with a few other local shops made lasting
I remember waiting in line for over an hour just to get to the front door! Delicious ice cream.
Christina Coleman
impressions evident by the following comments on Facebook.
Lawrence Lavigne:
“Kinda interesting to think about
all the regional ice cream names that made it big…Ben & Jerry’s, Steve’s, Herrell’s, Brigham’s, Friendly…And now JP Licks. New England sure does
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love a sundae.”
Allen Lomax:
“Awe, I remember Steve’s Ice Cream. They even opened a store in Washington, D.C. Sad it’s gone like Bailey’s Ice Cream and Brigham’s.”
Christina Coleman:
“I remember waiting in line for over an hour just to get to the front door! Delicious ice cream.”
Don Burchelt:
“I was often in that line, with my late wife. Once you got in the door, the line continued all the way around the inside wall. The ice cream freezer was in the window, working continuously.”
The state is a hotbed for serving up delicious satisfaction for some cold cravings. Toscanini’s would be another firm yes, as far as local favorites go. The busy ice cream parlor and café won the Best of Boston award for best ice cream in 1997, 2009, and 2010.
Massachusetts has about 95 dairy farms that contribute about $61 million to the state’s economy. The ice cream trail is one of many trail projects the state offers but this one is sure to please all those ice cream enthusiasts with a very discerning sweet tooth. Stay tuned for more details about the ice cream trail as July approaches.
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The Massachusetts ice cream trail will debut during National Ice Cream Month in July.
New Balance was founded in Boston to develop arch supports and orthopedic footwear
By colin MccanDless contriButing Writer
BOSTON – New Balance gear is now a $5 billion global shoe, clothing and sports equipment brand with more than 8,000 employees worldwide. Its apparel is endorsed by some of the biggest names in professional tennis including top 3-ranked American and newly-minted US Open champion Coco Gauff and top 15-ranked American Tommy Paul.
Gauff was wearing her signature New Balance CG1 shoe while winning her first major singles title in September. Major League Baseball two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani and NBA champions and all-stars Kawhi Leonard and Jamal Murray have also inked deals to represent New Balance. What used to be regarded as a fashion-challenged sneaker for dads is setting trends in the 2020s as the stylish, comfortable shoe everybody wants.
But New Balance, which was founded in Massachusetts, launched as a one-man operation that grew quite gradually over the course of
Entrepreneur Jim Davis, the Brookline-born son of Greek immigrants, purchased New Balance in 1972 and led it through a long period of growth and expansion.
more than a century, changing hands a couple of times before eventually blowing up into the thriving multinational corporation it is today. According to Forbes, as of 2023, New Balance sells footwear and apparel in more than 120 countries worldwide. Yet for decades, its reach barely extended beyond the
in 1906. His idea was to develop arch supports and orthopedic footwear that as the company name implies, would provide people with both comfort and “new balance.” As the story goes, he drew innovation from observing his backyard chickens perfectly balance on three claws, inspiring him to invent a flexible arch support with three support points.
Boston area and shoes remained the “sole” focus of the enterprise.
Early 20th century origin
New Balance had its humble origins in Boston, where English immigrant William J. Riley established New Balance Arch Support Company
In 1927, Riley hired a traveling salesman named Arthur Hall to pitch his New Balance Arch Support product, as it was not yet available in retail stores. The personalized approach helped set it apart from other competitors and slowly build its reputation one shoe at a time. Hall became a partner in the company in 1936 as they began targeting their product toward people who work on their feet all day such as retail workers and first responders.
The year 1938 marked a watershed moment for New Balance, when they created their first running shoe, which Riley designed for a local running club called the Boston Brown Bag Harriers. In 1941, New Balance transitioned into
manufacturing shoes for team sports including baseball, boxing and a sport with which they are now closely associated—tennis. Despite the leap into sports, they remained a low-volume producer in which every shoe was assembled in-house by a small team of workers.
A change of ownership came in 1953 when Arthur Hall sold the company to his daughter Eleanor and her husband Paul Kidd. They kept the initial focus on orthopedic footwear and general shoes, then ultimately switched to making sports footwear geared specifically toward athletes.
Growth and expansion
Entrepreneur Jim Davis, the Brookline-born son of Greek immigrants, purchased New Balance in 1972, which then had a staff of only six full-time employees averaging an output of 30 pairs of shoes per day. At the time, the business had less than $1 million in annual sales. Davis, the current chairman of New Balance, would go on to grow and expand the business exponentially. He is currently ranked in the top 150 richest people in the United States with an estimated net work of $6.5 billion.
In 1976, New Balance released the 320 running shoe, the first to be adorned with the ‘N’ logo, a successful endeavor that made it the number one running shoe on the market by Runner’s World magazine. Another milestone moment came in 1978 with the arrival of the business’ first clothing line, featuring Gore-Tex suits, nylon and mesh singlets and tricot shorts and tops.
Various shoe models and styles were introduced throughout the 1980s and ‘90s, with several in particular receiving popular acclaim, such as the 990 (the first sneaker to retail for $100) and the 1500, the latter of which was worn by President Bill Clinton during his runs. The 574 sneaker, which debuted in 1988, has now become an iconic lifestyle shoe celebrated for its comfort, support and walkability.
In 1998, New Balance’s reissue of the 576 model was featured on the cover of the women’s fashion and lifestyle magazine Elle, garnering the attention of the fashion world. More positive publicity came when Apple CEO Steve Jobs was spotted regularly wearing New Balance’s 991 model in
New Balance, founded in Boston in 1906, is now a $5 billion-dollar global leader in the footwear industry.
the early 2000s. By 2000, the company had reached $1 billion in sales.
New Balance resisted endorsements until 2009, when they started enlisting professional baseball and basketball players to promote the brand image. In 2012, the company launched a shoe specifically designed for President Barack Obama, the 990 ‘Made in the USA’ sneaker. From 201415, New Balance branched out into professional tennis endorsements for the first time, tapping Canadian men’s player Milos Raonic and later British women’s player Heather Watson as brand ambassadors. In 2018, New Balance, further bolstered its status in popular culture, collaborating with Marvel to create two special edition shoes for the “Black Panther” movie.
Fashion collaborations
Despite its skyrocketing growth and aspirations of doubling its current revenue to become a $10 billion company, New Balance’s headquarters has remained in Boston for the entirety of its 117-year existence. Riley may never have envisioned that New Balance would have transformed into a global corporate player, but his original emphasis on comfort and support were never compromised as the business made tremendous strides.
So, what is the source of New Balance’s exploding popularity and how did they evolve from a purely functional dad shoe to appeal to a hip and trendy crowd? Recent successful collaborations with New York fashion and lifestyle brand Aime Leon Dore and Chicago designer Joe Freshgoods have helped boost its image among a younger generation and expose them to a wider, more diverse audience outside of running and casual footwear for dads. Further expanding its youth reach, it has also launched a skateboarding shoe brand.
It’s also a versatile shoe that you can pair with a variety of outfits and styles. They’re worn by those who have to work on their feet all day, and for leisure purposes such as walking, playing tennis or just hanging out. New Balance itself attributes their business success to a combination of factors including innovation, an entrepreneurial spirit, quality craftsmanship and a little bit of risk taking. Whatever the reason, this Boston-founded company has come a long way and still has lofty ambitions for the future.
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A reverse mortgage might not be the magic wand to solve every life challenge, but it very well could be the next best thing. Take the first step and get informed. I have helped hundreds of people and would enjoy the opportunity of having that conversation with you over the phone or in person.
Alain Valles Reverse Mortgage Specialist
781-724-6221
Take Action!
A great place to start is get your free “How to Use Your Home to Stay at Home” 36-page book. This is the official reverse mortgage consumer booklet approved by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development and published by the National Council on Aging.
To receive your free copy, please call or text me at (781) 724-6221 or email me at av@powhse.com
I am also available to evaluate your specific situation, answer your questions, and calculate how much money is available to you.
*Alain Valles was the first designated Certified Reverse Mortgage Professional in New England. He obtained a Master of Science from the M.I.T. Center for Real Estate, an MBA from the Wharton School, and graduated summa cum laude from UMass Amherst. He is the senior reverse mortgage loan officer MLO#7946 at Powerhouse Funding Corp. NMLS #1740551. He can arrange but does not make loans. Alain can be reached directly at (781) 7246221 or by email at av@powhse.com
Take a road trip up the coast of Maine
By sanDi Barrett contriButing Writer
REGION – Lazy summer days beckon us to pack the car and explore. New England offers a broad spectrum of road trip opportunities and coastal Maine’s shoreline is a perennial favorite. Breathtaking scenery, amazing seafood, quaint shops, and historic homes add interest and variety to your US Route 1 adventure.
Portland
Portland is a vibrant seaport city filled with foodie-focused venues. Embark on a leisurely stroll over the cobblestone streets of the Old Port and discover unique boutiques, local breweries, and interesting dining options.
Take in a baseball game at Hadlock Field, home of the Portland Sea Dogs. You never know when a Red Sox superstar will need a rehab appearance.
Make your way to The Holy Donut, home to a delectable mashed potato treat. With flavors like pomegranate, dark chocolate sea salt, and maple bacon, your morning coffee never had it so good.
Freeport
Freeport, home to the L.L. Bean flagship store compound and outlet stores. Enjoy exploratory shopping for items you never knew you needed like lightweight backpacking tents, inflatable stand up paddleboards, double-ladder hunting tree stands, and more.
Bar Harbor
Close to the town of Bar Harbor is Acadia National Park. Miles of coastline, scenic routes, and hiking trails make it a popular spot for nature lovers.
Cadillac Mountain is one of the highlights of the park. At 1,530 feet, the car-accessible summit offers stunning panoramic views and is a popular sunrise destination.
Explore Maine’s beautiful coastal towns from Portland to Bar Harbor on a leisurely road trip focused on unique sites, delicious food, and picturesque views.
Brunswick
Located in the former small arms firing range on the former Brunswick Naval Air Station (now Brunswick
Landing) is Flight Deck Brewing, a fun spot to enjoy a beer and pizza. Try the Flying Dirty pizza with pepperoni and hot honey.
Stroll over the Androscoggin Swinging Bridge, one of the few remaining pedestrian suspension bridges, for a bouncy walk with a pretty view.
The luxurious boutique hotel, The Federal, is the perfect location for a get-
away stay. Indulge in dinner at their beautiful 555 North restaurant and enjoy a sumptuous repast without leaving your hotel.
Bath
A visit to the Maine Maritime Museum on the Kennebec River would not be complete without a lighthouse and nature boat tour. The three-hour sail snakes through numerous rivers and
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The view from McCloon’s Lobster, famous for its lobster rolls, on Spruce Head Island. (Photo/Sandi Barrett)
Planting the seed
The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.
~ Proverb
By Marianne Delorey, Ph.D.
inlets ending with views of the iconic Bath Iron Works.
Wiscasset
The pretty town of Wiscasset invites you to spend the afternoon strolling downtown shops and historic landmarks.
An al fresco lunch from the legendary Red’s Eats is a bucket-list venue for any Andrew Zimmern fan. The line gets particularly long during lunch and dinner, so consider queueing up for a mid-afternoon meal for a shorter wait.
Spruce Head Island
Lobster is king on this coastal road trip and you won’t find a better lobster
roll than at McLoon’s Lobster Shack. Tucked away on Spruce Head Island cove is a tiny red shack that serves up delectable seafood. It’s off the beaten path, but worth the drive.
Camden
Camden’s waterfront is a picture-perfect postcard. Sailboats and fishing vessels dot the snug harbor imploring you to sit and breathe the salty air.
Stay at the Camden Maine Stay Inn, a beautiful bed and breakfast within walking distance to downtown. Their sumptuous breakfast in the sunfilled dining area is a luxurious start to your day of exploring.
When people think of planning for their later years, they think about saving for retirement. This is great, but it is not enough. Planting a tree requires thinking about water, soil and sun. People have more diverse needs. They need food, clothing, shelter, and health care. But they also need to fill their psychological needs. Some need something to do, a purpose in being, a goal. This may be harder to plan for, but it is important nonetheless.
I sat down and spoke to a small group of ladies recently about their planning for retirement. When they were young and able, their hope was to use their later years to travel. Their bucket list consisted of so many places to go. One noted that she wished she invested earlier such as like-minded friends did so that she could have traveled more.
Now of these three ladies, one is still on the young side. She very much still wants to travel. With some health concerns, this will require a lot more planning on her part and help from family, but it is the one thought that helped her recuperate from a recent hospitalization.
The other two ladies are in their nineties. While their traveling days are coming to an end, they are not completely over. Gone are the days of Hawaii and Austria. Now they look forward to time at the Cape or in Maine. They also look forward to the quiet time. They enjoy simple pleasures like a card game with friends or some time to crochet. Regardless where you are in life, everyone needs to think about what they want out of life and how they can accomplish their goals. So, with the goal of making yourself accountable, please call in, write in, or email me a few of the special items on your bucket list. I will devote an upcoming article to the creative and purposeful items that I hear about.
Are you writing the great American novel? Is your goal to see your grandson graduate? Did you want to travel to Africa? Are you rounding out your music collection? Is your one goal to remain upbeat? To be involved in your family? Tell me what you want to do and why.
Tell me your age. Are you just retiring now? Do you have a plan? Are you 100plus years old and still have goals? Have you done everything on your bucket list? Did you have a plan when you retired? Which item brought you the greatest joy and why?
I believe strongly that what elders want is vitally important to know. It will help families and caregivers think about you in terms of what you are still capable of doing and it will help invigorate the next generation to plan. We may not have enough time to enjoy the tree that will grow as we age, but we need to plant it anyhow.
Marianne Delorey, Ph.D., is the executive director of Colony Retirement Homes. She can be reached at 508-755-0444 or mdelorey@colonyretirement.com and www. colonyretirementhomes.com.
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The L.L. Bean flagship store in Freeport celebrates its iconic Maine Hunting Shoe in a big way. (Photo/Sandi Barrett)
This sculpture at the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath represents the schooner Wyoming, which was built in Bath. (Photo/Sandi Barrett)
Am I growing vintage?
By Janice linDsay contriButing Writer
Imagine my surprise when I discovered that my telephone is considered vintage. I found its photo among vintage items on the internet.
I began to wonder: Do I own a lot of vintage? Am I vintage myself?
You might remember the type of phone. It’s boxy, a bit heavy, sits on a desk, plugs into a wall jack, and goes nowhere. The receiver attaches to the base with a cord. It has actual buttons for dialing. During a call, you can always hear the person on the other end; that person can always hear you. It has only one function: phone calls. Mine sports a shoulder rest of a kind no longer available, which has cracked and is held together by pink duct tape (the duct tape is not vintage).
I never thought of any of my stuff as vintage. It’s just my stuff. Like everybody else, when I started as a young adult to make an independent life for myself, I acquired the necessary stuff. Having grown up
in a Yankee environment (traditional motto: “use it up, wear it out, make do, do without”), I don’t tend to replace something just because it’s old, worn, or out of style, as long as it still works.
I’m a bit like my grandmother. When she died at 95, she probably didn’t consider that her house was full of antiques. It was just her stuff.
Internet gurus define vintage as representing a time period before the current one, but at least 20 years old and not yet 100 when it becomes “antique.”
So “vintage” is too old to be fashionable, old enough to have nostalgic appeal, but young enough to still be useful, and maybe more practical in some ways than newer models.
My couch must be vintage. My husband and I bought it in 1968 when we were first married. It has been re-covered once. I wouldn’t part with it. It’s so long that I can stretch out on it to my full length to take a nap, with room left over for the cat. And it knows how to provide comfort when my back is acting up.
My Singer sewing machine, a wedding present, must be vintage. It’s a “portable” that only a person with the muscles of the Incredible Hulk could actually carry.
Recently at a thrift shop I found a small casserole that matches the bigger one I have been using forever. The price was a little higher than what I might expect to pay there. The lady at the counter said it was a really lucky find, being vintage.
The wind-up wristwatch (1969) – battery-operated wristwatch (1980s) – raincoat with the removable wool lining (1990) – wool winter coat (1999) –favorite mechanical pencil (1978) – second favorite mechanical pencil (1990s) – favorite coffee cups (1968) – piano (1960s) – they all became vintage when I wasn’t paying attention. I was just using my stuff.
Have I become vintage myself? Am I too old to be fashionable, old enough to have nostalgic appeal, but young enough to still be useful, and maybe more practical in some ways than newer models?
Time slips away. One day, everything feels new and young. The next day, it’s vintage.
Besides “vintage,” according to the internet gurus, there’s “true vintage.” “True vintage” means that something is at least 50 years old, but not yet 100.
A lot of my stuff and I are true vintage. There is only one step left for us. My stuff and I are not ready. Contact jlindsay@tidewater.net
SUPER CROSSWORD PUZZLE
After playing basketball for Shrewsbury 66 years ago, woman returns to the court
By evan Walsh contriButing Writer
SHREWSBURY – It had been a while since Jan Bryan worked on her lay-up or three-point shot – but she’s not letting that stop her.
As she walked around the Oak Middle School gymnasium, dribbling a basketball underneath the basket, Bryan was met with both nostalgia and excitement.
Roughly 66 years ago, while she was still in Shrewsbury High School, she played for the varsity basketball team. Bryan stopped playing basketball after she graduated, but in May, she went back to her old stomping ground to join dozens of other Shrewsbury staff members in an exhibition basketball game against the Harlem Wizards to raise money for Shrewsbury Public Schools.
She was 14 when she scored her first point in this gym; she celebrated her 80th birthday this time around.
Journey to substitute teaching
Bryan grew up in Shrewsbury and, like her father and grandfather, graduated from Shrewsbury High School. She attended the high school – which became Oak Middle School in 2004 – from 1958 to 1962. The school, built in 1953, was new at the time, and still housed eighth-grade students. In addition to playing field hockey and working on the school’s newspaper, she played center on the basketball team.
“That was my life. I love basketball. I loved my team, and it’s a highlight in my life when I played basketball here,” she said.
Life soon took Bryan away from basketball. She attended UMass Amherst — majoring in English — married and had five children. She traveled throughout the United States, living with her husband in California and Pennsylvania for some time as he studied to become a dentist. She eventually returned to Shrewsbury and established Bryan Dental Associates with her family.
Bryan ran the front-of-house operations for the business, which is located on Maple Avenue in Shrewsbury, for 40 years, while her husband did most of the dental work.
The practice was a “family business” in every sense of the word. Bryan described how much she loved working alongside her family and children. The situation was, as she described, “perfect.”
So, when it came time to retire at 72, Bryan was puzzled. Something was
missing: She still wanted to do something with her time, but she wasn’t exactly sure what. Bryan’s daughter, remembering that her mother had three years of teaching experience in Pennsylvania, suggested substitute teaching. The job would keep her active, and it didn’t require working summers or weekends.
However, once the job started, she no longer cared about the schedule — she cared about the students.
“In the first two or three weeks, I fell in love with the kids. I really did. I came home and, basically, I decided I’d go in five times a week. I feel like I have 1,000 grandchildren. That’s how I look at it. I didn’t realize that kids would respond to that. You don’t know the impact that you can have on someone,” said Bryan.
Now, Bryan comes to Sherwood Middle School every day to see the kids. She’s the building substitute, always ready to enter the classroom and interact with — and teach — students. In addition to her substitute role, she’s done some long-term subbing. Whatever she’s doing, Bryan has become a favorite in the building.
“When you have someone that is dependable, dedicated, comes to work every day with a smile, knows how to communicate with kids at their level — it’s special. Jan knows kids,” Sherwood principal Jonathan Kelly said. “Once you look and see the impact she has, the amount of kids that showed up [to see her play basketball] just because she’s there, it’s incredible.”
Return to the court
On May 22, the Harlem Wizards, a
Jan Bryan stands on the Oak Middle School gymnasium floor in Shrewsbury, where she used to play basketball 66 years ago. (Photo/Evan Walsh)
educators; hundreds of students and community members attended.
Oak Principal Hallie Burak first thought of the event.
group, visited Oak Middle School for an exciting fundraiser run by the Shrewsbury Middle School PTO. The Wizards faced a group of Shrewsbury
“We’ve been looking for ways to get Sherwood and Oak kids together… For me, it’s important to try to bring students together at this age, grades five through eight,” she said. “Also, when students can see people in their lives make an impact doing fun things, it’s meaningful. I got through this time in my life as a student because of adults who were in my life that believed in me. Jan is one of those people. She has more impact than I think she realizes,” Kelly noted. So, when assembling the roster of Oak and Sherwood staff for the game, Kelly had some decisions to make. Who would students most want to see on the court? Who would fill the Oak Middle School gymnasium? Kelly asked Bryan, and although she was skeptical at first, she said she was ready to “humiliate herself” for a good cause.
By Brett Peruzzi Managing eDitor
NEWTON – Longtime Newton resident Harry H. Crosby was a noted Boston University professor of rhetoric who authored six textbooks, but it is his World War II service that he is now best known for.
In addition to his academic writing, Crosby was also the author of the memoir “On a Wing and a Prayer,” which recounts his wartime exploits as a navigator on a B-17 bomber. Crosby’s fame has surged this year with the release of the Apple TV+ series “Masters of the Air,” produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, which draws upon Crosby’s memoir as source material.
Early life
Crosby was born in North Dakota in 1919 and grew up in Iowa. He had completed his bachelor’s degree at the University of Iowa and was working on his master’s degree there when Pearl Harbor was bombed by the Japanese in December 1941. Less than a week later, Crosby had suspended his graduate studies and enrolled in the United States Army Air Forces. He was trained in California as a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress navigator, one of the principal bombers used by U.S. forces in the war.
He was then transferred to Boise, Idaho, and assigned to the 418th Squadron of the 100th Bombardment Group. In May 1943, the 100th flew its B-17s to England to begin its combat duty.
World War II service
From the Royal Air Force Thorpe Abbotts airbase in East Anglia, Crosby began flying on bombing missions against the Germans in Europe that June. He served as lead navigator for a highly successful mission in Trondheim, Norway, for which he received the Distinguished Flying Cross.
On another mission over Germany, a last-minute decision by Crosby may have altered the course of history in post-World War II West Germany. The night before the mission, Crosby had been listening to a symphony by Beethoven. In the liner notes for the record album he read that Beethoven had been educated at the University of Bonn. The primary target was obscured by clouds, and Bonn was on a list of targets of opportunity. As they flew over the city, Crosby looked down and saw a cluster of buildings he believed was the university. He explained to the crew over the intercom that Beethoven had gone to school there and convinced the pilot to select another target from the list, saving the city from destruction. Because Bonn survived the war relatively unscathed, it was selected as the capital of West Germany.
Crosby was later promoted to lead navigator of the 100th Bomb Group and flew a total of 32 combat missions by the war’s end, well over the minimum of 25 required to be rotated out of combat duty. He left military service with the rank of lieutenant col-
Left: The Apple TV+ series “Masters of the Air” used the World War II exploits of former Newton resident Harry Crosby as inspiration.
Above: Harry Crosby, second from right, studies a map with other U.S. Army Air Forces navigators during World War II.
Right: Harry Crosby was awarded seven medals, survived 32 bombing missions over Europe in World War II, and left military service as a lieutenant colonel.
onel. His unit earned the nickname “The Bloody 100th” due to its heavy losses—on one bombing raid on the German city of Munster, all but one of the 13 B-17s that went on the raid were shot down.
Crosby explained years later that he was heavily involved in the planning for D-Day in June 1944, but incredibly slept through the actual event.
“In the week before D-Day, I worked 24 hours a day superintending the preparation of maps, flight plans and formation for over a hundred different missions and variations,” he told Edward Jablonski, author of the 1965 book “Flying Fortress.”
at Boston University. He remained at BU until his retirement in 1984.
During the 26 years he lived in Newton, Crosby and his wife were very active and well-known in the community. He served on the board of aldermen for three years, school PTAs with his wife Jean, and worked on various political campaigns, becoming an early supporter of future governor and presidential candidate Mike Dukakis.
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“As a result, I worked for 75 hours straight. The night before D-Day I was a zombie and was ordered to go to my quarters and get some sleep,” he recalled. “Twenty-four hours later I awakened and it was all over! The BBC was announcing the landings and Axis Sally was corroborating. And I had missed it all!”
After the war
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When the war ended, Crosby returned to the University of Iowa and finished his master’s degree, then earned a doctorate from Stanford University. In 1958, he moved with his wife Jean and four children to Newton, after being offered a job as a professor
In 1993, his war memoir “On a Wing and a Prayer” was published by Harper Collins. And then, this year, came the Apple TV+ series “Masters of the Air” that was partially inspired by his book. Crosby, who serves as the narrator of the series, is portrayed by Irish actor Anthony Boyle. Crosby’s memoir also influenced the book “Masters of the Air” by Donald L. Miller, which was the primary source for the TV series. The series has been positively received, with a current 86 percent approval rating on the movie and television review website Rotten Tomatoes.
Harry H. Crosby died in 2010 at age 91, and was buried in Newton.
The Tasty was a Cambridge diner that served community spirit
By sharon oliver contriButing Writer
CAMBRIDGE – It may have been a hole-in-wall with its 300 square feet and 14-seat capacity, but the Tasty Sandwich Shop (or The Tasty) stood tall in the hearts and minds of those who frequented Harvard Square. Housed in the Read Block building until 1997, the greasy spoon was a place where people of all stripes gathered to chat and chew. Open 24 hours a day, customers could count on quick orders like burgers and fries or two eggs, fries, and white toast for just $2.75. Despite its confined space, the diner was known for charging prices far lower than most other restaurants in Harvard Square. It’s said that it was perhaps the only place where you could find yourself seated at the counter with a homeless person next to you on one side and a Harvard professor on the other side.
Packing them in
Bar stools lined around an old-fashioned yellow linoleum counter which faced a tiny kitchen manned by a short order cook. The back wall was covered by a large map filled with pins which pinpointed origins of postcards from various customers. The cooks earned a reputation of being
(Photo/Wikimedia Commons)
compared to bartenders due to their willingness to chat it up with customers. Students habitually visited the diner during late nights in search of something filling to tame a growling stomach.
The Tasty operated from 1916 to 1997 near the intersection of JFK and Brattle Streets. For a business that was no more than seven feet wide and thirty feet deep, the diner could be
Keeping history alive
Pickering | from page 5
Village, Mayflower II, the craft center and visitor center and Plimoth Grist Mill.
The Patuxet Homesite representing Wamponoag history is located on the site of a Wampanoag summer village. When French explorer Samuel de Champlain explored New England and charted the area in 1605, Patuxet was included on that map.
In the English Village, to the role players the year is 1627. But if you’re talking with a modern tour guide, they can examine the colony’s entire 70-year history. “We’re giving guests multiple ways of engaging the past,” remarked Pickering.
On the waterfront is Mayflower II, a full-scale reproduction of the Mayflower that transported the Pilgrims to the New World in 1620. It was brought over to the museum from England in 1957. An estimated 27 to 30 million people have toured the historic ship replica since then, said Pickering. “And really that is the most recognizable of our sites because of the fame of the ship.”
Plimoth Grist Mill is a reproduction
of a mill built in the 1630s. The reproduction was constructed in the 1970s and it still grinds corn meal.
The museum continues to evolve under Pickering’s leadership and find novel ways of drawing new visitors. In December 2023, Plimoth Patuxet held an inaugural Winter Fine Arts & Craft Fair featuring 70 artisans from around the country that attracted 2,000 regional visitors. “The response was huge,” asserted Pickering. So big, in fact, that they have made the craft fair an annual event.
They have offered their popular Thanksgiving dinner programs for 40 years, called the “Story of Thanksgiving.” Pickering hosts three seatings the day of and two the day after due to the high demand.
Additionally, the museum operates a cinema out of its visitor center that screens arthouse and independent films nightly.
“We’re trying to be that place where you come to Plimoth Patuxet, but you don’t necessarily need to care about history,” said Pickering.
For information on hours and tickets, visit plimoth.org.
crammed with around 70 customers on a busy night and it was also not unusual to see 300 to 400 burgers being served between the hours of midnight and 4 a.m. to hungry night owls.
In pop culture
Like many iconic places of interest
The tiny eatery was also used for a scene in the 1970 blockbuster movie “Love Story,” … about a privileged Harvard Law School student Oliver and his working-class girlfriend Jenny.
in Massachusetts, The Tasty made its way into pop culture. In the 1997 film, “Good Will Hunting,” Cambridge native and actor Matt Damon took costar Minnie Driver to The Tasty and in an April 2023 interview with Harvard’s student newspaper The Crimson, the movie’s producer Chris Moore shared that there was a push for The Tasty to be immortalized as a backdrop in the hit film. He explained, “It literally was the worst place ever to shoot because it’s tiny.” Describing the cramped seating arrangement, he added that the scene was shot during the day when it was less hectic.
The tiny eatery was also used for a scene in the 1970 blockbuster movie “Love Story,” the Erich Segal tale about
The Tasty | 19
The Tasty, a tiny diner in Harvard Square that was in business for over 80 years, served everyone from the homeless to Harvard professors.
By sanDi Barrett contriButing Writer
REGION - Summer with grandchildren is a wonderful way to enjoy each other’s company. Sometimes it is a simple day at the beach or playground; other times it may require expending energy, engaging in a new activity, or handson education fun.
Listed below (in no particular order) are some activities across Central Massachusetts, perfect kids of all ages.
Jam Time, Natick, Norwood, and Maynard
Jam Time is a toddler and preschooler playground where they can climb, jump, and explore their way through indoor play areas. Classes featuring games and music can add structure to your little one’s outing. https://www.jamtime.com
Southwick’s Zoo, Mendon Lions and tigers and bears ― oh my! Well, lions and tigers, no live bears. From cockatoos to giraffes, Southwick’s Zoo is a cornucopia of animal-focused fun. Mingle with sprightly deer at the popular 35-acre Deer Forest. https://southwickszoo.com/
The Worcester Art Museum collections range from modern art to a walkin medieval chapter house. Pieces from the Higgins Armory Museum (which permanently closed in 2013) are on display around the museum. A dedicated exhibit room for the Armory collection
Southwick’s Zoo in Mendon is a cornucopia of animalfocused fun.
is planned for the near future.
Embracing and educating young art enthusiasts, the Worcester Art Museum offers free admission for the 17 and under crowd. Children are encouraged to explore the museum, and activity sheets at the entrance invite scavenger hunts and ways for young children to enjoy the art.
https://www.worcesterart.org/
Polar Park, Worcester You don’t need to go to a ball game to enjoy Polar Park, although is it a wonderful adventure on a sunny summer evening. Park tours are available year-round where you get a sneak peek at some behind-thescenes areas.
George’s Coney Island hot dog restaurant is up the street from Polar Park. Savor an iconic hot dog, coke, and a Table Talk pie.
https://www.milb.com/worcester
New England Botanic Garden At Tower Hill, Boylston Strolling the beautiful gardens at Tower Hill allows you to breathe the sweetly scented air. Youngsters and the young at heart will love The Ramble, an interactive garden designed specifically for environmental fun and education.
https://nebg.org/
Patriot Place, Foxboro
Patriot Place offers guests more than concerts and sporting events; it is an extensive entertainment district. Go for the day, or stay over at Renaissance Boston Patriot Place Hotel and extend the fun.
Entertainment venues like Crazy Axes, Helix eSports gaming, Muse Paintbar, Splitsville Luxury Lanes, and Showcase Cinema will keep everyone entertained. Of course, the Patriots Hall of Fame will be the highlight of your adventure. There are plenty of spots to enjoy a quiet dinner or a quick bite.
https://www.patriot-place.com/
Discovery Museum, Acton
A hands-on, interactive play space, the Discovery Museum is a STEAMrich environment (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics). There is also an outdoor play space where the kids can blow off a little internal steam.
https://www.discoveryacton.org/
Red Apple Farm, Phillipston Summer on the farm brings back wonderful memories and you can recreate these memories with your own family traditions at Red Apple Farm. Experience seasonal pick-your-own outings, a rough and ready wagon ride,
Basketball | from page 15
Aside from playing driveway basketball with her children, Bryan hadn’t played competitive basketball for over 60 years. Still, she’s took the game seriously, regularly practicing, dribbling around and perfecting her “granny shot,” as she calls it. She wanted one of the Wizards to lift her into the air and let her dunk, but she’ll call scoring one basket a success.
More than anything, she’s excited to see her former students, her family in the stands, and have an evening full of fun.
She debuted on the court as a
14-year-old eighth-grader. Now, she’s emerging as an 80-year-old icon.
“[I’m hoping to] encourage one person who’s getting up to my age. Everybody thinks it’s over, but it’s never over. My motto was, ‘The best is yet to come.’ I’d always say that, and I was so happy at the [dentistry] practice… but when the opportunity came to come and substitute teach – it’s just getting better,” she said, noting that she treated the game as an 80th birthday celebration.
“I’ve had a really blessed life,” she said. “Who would think my life would change at 76 years old?”
Worcester Art Museum, Worcester
feed the resident animals, weekend BBQs, and a brew barn with adult beverages and kid-friendly options. https://redapplefarm.com/
Apex Center, Marlborough
The Apex Center is a kid-focused entertainment extravaganza. The
cars, laser tag arena, kiddy obstacle course, go kart racing, 18-hole mini golf course, pool tables, bowling, ropes course, and a sports simulator. Everyone will have a blast! https://www.apexentertainment. com/marlborough/
Wachusett Mountain, Princeton
When you need to unplug and explore the outdoors, Wachusett Mountain State Reservation is ready. Once ski season has wrapped and Wachusett Mountain Ski Area has shut down the lifts and silenced the snow guns, the hiking trails are a wonderful place to enjoy Mother Nature.
Hike to the summit of the 2,006foot peak and take in the beautiful panoramic views.
https://www.mass.gov/locations/wachusett-mountain-state-reservation
American Heritage Museum, Hudson
Tanks, weapons, enactments, and a plethora of military equipment are on exhibit at the American Heritage Museum. Events include tank demonstrations, antique auto showcases, aircraft displays, and more. Even non-military enthusiasts will marvel at this museum.
https://www.americanheritagemuse-
The Tasty was a Cambridge diner that served community spirit
The Tasty | from page 17
a privileged Harvard Law School student Oliver Barrett IV (Ryan O’Neal) and his working-class girlfriend Jennifer “Jenny” Cavilleri, played by Ali MacGraw.
Closure was controversial
A victim of expensive renovation projects instigated by Cambridge Savings Bank, and its prime location, The Tasty was forced to close. Owner Peter Haddad placed a sign in the window during move-out highlighting its lifespan: “81 years. 29,565 days. 5,913,000 people. 422,357 per stool.”
The controversy surrounding its closure was the subject of Frederico Muchnik’s 2005 documentary “Touching History, Harvard Square, The Bank and The Tasty Diner.” The short film features interviews with Peter Haddad, chef Charlie Coney, who died in 2009, and others. There are also archival materials and it reminds viewers of the longstanding relationships that existed between the public and private sector.
Weeks before The Tasty’s closing, Muchnik would order a couple of hot dogs, sit in the corner of the room, and train his camera on the diner’s lively
atmosphere of cooks teasing customers, ongoing conversations, and the constant clatter of silverware.
The Tasty became a cause célèbre and poster child for the unwanted transition in the popular neighborhood from unique local businesses to national chain stores. Opposition was also voiced by a number of groups, including the Harvard Square Defense Fund, and the weekly NPR radio talk show, Car Talk, hosted by brothers Tom and Ray Magliozzi, where they were known as Click and Clack.
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• Laundry & housekeeping services
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• Safety checks
The Worcester Art Museum offers free admission for the 17 and under crowd.
