Town of Watertown Watertown Senior Center
The following information was part of the June Watertown Senior News:
We are pleased to present the annual Watertown Senior Center Art Exhibition within these pages. Congratulations to all of our Art Class participants.
From Dawn Scaltreto, instructor, “Over the past year, COVID precautions have dominated much of our lives. For many people, that has meant isolation, fear and loneliness. With the Monday Art Class, though, we have been blessed to be able to meet online via Zoom classes set up by the Watertown Senior Center. These classes have lifted our spirits and have added color, laughter and community to our lives. We begin our week on a high note, sharing stories and lively conversation before getting down to sharing our artwork and learning new techniques. The class has been a sanctuary of hope for all of us. I am delighted to share my students work with you, and so proud of all they have gained in creativity and artistry over the past year. I hear every day how much they love being a part of the class, and I certainly do too. Please enjoy their creations.”
Click here to see some of the beautiful art work and more information about all of our programs for June. We hope you’ll join us!
Anne-Marie Gagnon
Senior Shuttle Schedule
Sign-ups are required to ride the Watertown Senior Shuttle. Days are subject to change. Call 617-972-6490 on Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. to reserve a ride for the following week.
Date – Day – Location
6/3/21 – Thursday – Target/Mall/Home Depot
6/4/21 – Friday – Market Basket
6/10/21 – Thursday – John Brewers Waltham
6/17/21 – Friday – Roche Brothers in Watertown
6/18/21 – Friday -Stop & Shop Pleasant St & Russo’s
6/24/21 – Thursday – Market – Basket
6/28/21 – Monday – Target/ Mall
Senior Center Programs
Zoom Lunch and Laughter Group with Joanne Dustin
Wednesday, June 2 at 2 p.m.
Join us to share the funny and not so funny stories from you life. Let’s laugh together to celebrate life with all its funny and sad precious moments.
IT Clinic with Ed Frankenberry – iPhone/Mac PC – Beginner Level
Thursday, June 3 at 2 p.m.
This class is intended to answer your questions about different smartphone and PC functions such as using Zoom, Skype, social networks, sending and receiving text messages and emails, and taking pictures. The number of participants is limited to five people. Please call us to register and identify the top three issues you need assistance for.
Zoom w/ Sean Kent, Museum of American Bird Art
Monday, June 7 at 2 p.m.
Monarch Butterflies are fascinating and a delight to see soaring through a meadow on a warm summer day. During this talk, you will learn about the unique relationship that Monarch Butterflies have with our local ecosystem, especially the native plant milkweed and learn about how Monarch Butterflies participate in on of the largest animal migrations on the planet. Join Sean Kent, who has conducted research on the Monarch Butterfly and is the Education Manager for Mass Audubon’s Metro South Region and an educator at the Museum of American Bird Art at Mass Audubon in Canton. Learn more about their unique relationship with our local ecosystem and their host plant milkweed.
Zoom Talk with the Doc Presentation on Dementia with Dr. Kady Goldist, M.D.
Tuesday, June 8 at 11 a.m.
Dr. Kady Goldist will review dementia (including Alheimer’s) with information about early signs and diagnosis. There will be time for questions and discussion. Call (617) 972-6490 to register and get the Zoom link.
Watertown Farmers’ Market with Stephanie Venizelos, Community Wellness Program Coordiantor
Tuesday, June 8 at 10 a.m.
Watertown Farmers’ Market opens for its 8th season on Wednesday, June 16 at 2:30 p.m. at Saltonstall Park. During this session, Stephanie Venizelos, Community Wellness Program Manager, will share information about current programs such as Eat Well Watertown and the more recently established Walk with a Doc initiative, as well as new program ideas being considered.
Zoom session: Wild Bees of Massachusetts with Sean Kent
Wednesday, June 9 at 2 a.m.
Bees are fascinating and are essential for healthy functioning ecosystems. Although bee keepers have been stewarding honey bees for thousands of years, those bees are not native to our country and are not the best pollinators for many of our native plants. We do have native bees and they are adapted to pollinating the native plants of our wetlands, roadsides, parks and other open spaces. As a group, they are diverse and beautiful and they are in need of our support. Zoom Book Club Wednesday, June 9, at 9 a.m. We will be discussing The Splendid and the Vile, by Erik Larsen. In May, 1940, on Winston Churchill’s first day as prime minister, Adolf Hitler invaded Holland and Belgium. In his book, Larsen shows how Churchill taught the British people “the art of being fearless.” It is a story of political brinkmanship, but it’s also an intimate domestic drama, set against the backdrop of Churchill’s prime ministerial country home, Chequers; his war me retreat, Ditchley, where he and his entourage went when the moon was brightest and the bombing threat was highest; and, of course, 10 Downing Street in London. The book takes readers out of today’s political dysfunction and back to a time of true leadership, when, in the face of unrelenting horror, Churchill’s eloquence, courage, and perseverance bound a country, and a family, together. Upcoming: July: Please read a book to recommend for future months. We will compile our book list for the coming season; August: Emma, by Jane Austen.
IT Clinic with Ed Frankenberry: Android/Microsoft PC – Beginner Level
Thursday, June 10 at 2 p.m.
The class will be limited to five people, please call us to register and to tell us three topics that you are interested in. Programs in the Times of Social Distancing Flowers with Ernie Monday, June 14 at 3 p.m. Welcome Back! Let’s us get together and work together on the simple, but everyday arrangement of taking a premade store bought bouquet of flowers and turning them into a beautiful vase arrangement of flowers! No vase? Use a glass or even your favorite mug! Anything will become an art of beauty! This event will be held outside. Call us to register: the number of participants is limited to twelve people.
Zoom Morning Coffee with Anne-Marie, Senior Center Director
Tuesday, June 15 at 5 p.m.
Pride Month Grab-n-Stay Picnic at the COA’s Parking Lot
Tuesday, June 15 at 5 p.m.
We will be offering a special Grab-n-Stay boxed Dinner. The Council on Aging will be sharing the cost to offer this dinner to you for $5.00. You are welcome to stay longer, meet and greet friends at the parking lot in front of the Center’s entrance from 5 to 6 p.m. if the weather cooperates. Please park at the furthest row of the parking lot and walk to join us in front of the Center’s entrance. We will ask you to follow the rules of social distancing and wearing masks. The number of people staying in the parking lot is limited to 25 people. Call us to get registered for the grab and go meal and book a space for the outdoor meet and greet fun by June 10th.
Zoom LGBTQ Roundtable: LGBTQ Elders Discussion
Wednesday, June 16 at 2 p.m.
The month of June is Pride Month and it is also the 50th anniversary of Boston Pride. We will discuss the history of the LGBTQ movement. Leslie Horst and Louise Forrest will be hosting this meeting.
Zoom History of Music: The Great Ladies of Song Part 2
Thursday, June 17 at 2 p.m.
All three lovely ladies began their careers singing for musical groups and big bands, then went on to greater popularity on their own. Dinah Shore started with Xavier Cugat’s orchestra in the late 1930s, became a radio star and scored her first gold record with Blues in the Night in 1942. In her early twenties Patti Page performed with country bands, so not surprisingly her biggest hit, Tennessee Waltz, was written as a country song. Doris Day’s success was divided between acting and singing. Just as WWII ended, she scored the biggest hit of her career, Sentimental Journey with Les Brown’s band. In 1954 she sang the #1 hit Secret Love in the lead role of Calamity Jane and the Oscar winning Que Sera, Sera in 1956. Watch, listen and learn about three of the most talented and lovely singing stars of the forties and fifties.
Zoom Q&A with Steve Owens, State Representative
Monday, June 21 at 2 p.m.
Representative Owens will discuss what he will be doing in the upcoming legislative session around various issues and there will be time for a Q&A afterwards. Steve Owens represents the 29th Middlesex District which consists of North and West Cambridge and most of Watertown. He was elected this past November and believes in taking bold action to reduce the impact of climate change, solving our transportation crisis and making sure that every family has access to affordable housing.
Zoom Pet Lovers’ Group
Wednesday, June 23 at 9 a.m.
We are inviting all pet owners to meet and share their stories, experiences, and skills with a group of likeminded people. Please bring your pet!
Zoom Knitting Group
Wednesday, June 23 at 2 p.m.
Join our Zoom Knitting Group for a freely floating conversation, sharing patterns, and discussing yarn types over knitting.
Drive-Thru Grab-n-Go Lunch
Thursday, June 24 at 12:30 p.m.
We are offering a special grab-n-go boxed Lunch. The Council on Aging will be sharing the cost to offer this dinner to you for $5.00. Order by June 16 by calling the Senior Center.
IT Clinic with Ed Frankenberry: Microsoft/Android PC – Advanced Level
Thursday, June 24 at 2 p.m.
The class will be limited to five people, please call us to register and to tell us three topics that you are interested in.
Zoom Meeting with Senator Brownsberger
Tuesday, June 29 at 10 a.m.
Senator Will Brownsberger and the Senior Center staff will be hosting a town hall style meeting on Zoom to hear questions, thoughts, and concerns, and to share views about legislation and current events with Watertown seniors.
Zoom History of Film with Debi Block, Women Comedians who Paved the Way: Lucille Ball
Wednesday, June 30 at 2 p.m.
Join us for a me filled with laughter as we look at the life of one of Hollywood’s greatest icons, Lucille Ball. An American comedian, actress, model, studio executive and producer, Lucy continuously broke barriers for women in the entertainment business. She starred in and produced the sitcom “I Love Lucy”, a series that became one of the most beloved series in television history. We look at Lucy’s life on and off the big screen, before and after Desi, and share some of Lucy’s funniest TV sitcom moments.
IT Clinic with Ed Frankenberry: Android/Microsoft PC – Advanced Level
Thursday, July 1 at 2 p.m.
The class will be limited to five people, please call us to register and to tell us three topics that you are interested in.