January at the Y: Virtual MLK Day Service, Sign Up for Feb. Break & Summer Programs

The following information was provided by the West Suburban YMCA:

Happy New Year! There’s a lot happening at the Y right now, including a MLK Day of Service, Winter Programs, and summer camp registration opening!  Please let me know if you have any questions or would like more info. What’s Happening at the West Suburban YMCA 

Participate in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service This year, the Y’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service is going virtual. The West Suburban YMCA is putting together care packages of succulents, a handmade card or bookmark, and a puzzle book with a pencil, eraser, and sharpener for the clients of Newton At Home, which includes senior citizens in the community that may be isolated at home due to COVID. You can help by sponsoring care packages or creating cards or bookmarks. Learn more and get involved:  https://www.wsymca.org/events/mlk-day-service-event-0 

Summer Camp Registration Opens on January 11 In 2020, the Y operated a fun and safe summer for hundreds of campers!  In 2021, the Y plans to operate similarly with all COVID safety procedures in place.  The Y offers two day camps, Camp Pikati on-site at the Y and Camp Chickami in Wayland, as well as one overnight camp, Camp Frank A. Day, in East Brookfield.  Learn more:  https://www.wsymca.org/camps 

Winter Programs: January 4 – February 14, 2021 Registration is Open  2020 was a challenging year that required families to break from their typical routines and adapt to new ways of doing things. Since July of 2020, the Y has been adapting as well.

Discussion of Historic Shick House Just One Virtual Senior Center Event

The Shick House is on property owned by the Mount Auburn Cemetery and likely to be sold to Buckingham Browne & Nichols School. The history of the Shick House will be presented during one of this week’s virtual Senior Center events. The house is located on Grove Street in East Watertown, and may be torn down. The property on which it is located was sold to Buckingham Browne & Nichols School, and the school plans to build playing fields on the site. The house will be torn down unless it is moved to another site.

Dance Film & Photography Exhibit Showing at Watertown Art Studio

A shot of the new art installation at Room 83 Spring, “up in the air,” by Margaret Wiss. Watertown art studio Room 83 Spring is hosting an exhibition featuring the work of one artist, who has produced a film featuring dance as well as a photography exhibit. The show, up in the air, features the work of Margaret Wiss, a young, bright, emerging star, according to Room 83 Spring founders and co-curators Ellen Wineberg and Cathleen Daley. The show can be seen by coming into the studio, or from outside. “The whole show can be seen through our  windows and is especially vivid in the deep dark winter nights,” Wineberg and Daley said in the show’s announcement.

Seinfeld Trivia; Genealogy & One Book, One Watertown at the Library This Month

The Watertown Free Public Library. The Watertown Library sent out the following information:

WFPL is pleased to announce Matt Haig’s novel, The Humans as our selection for One Book, One Watertown 2021! This year, we faced the task of selecting a title during this time of great uncertainty, isolation, and hardship in our community, our country and around the world.  Despite the challenges we all face, we have also observed wonderful demonstrations of bravery, selflessness, and kindness.  We wanted to find a book to help us celebrate the good we see around us.  

Matt Haig’s book is a laugh-out-loud, heart-filled exploration of what it truly means to be human.

Film Discussion, Chair Yoga and More in This Week’s Senior Center Zoom Events

Watertown Senior Center

The following information was provided by the Watertown Senior Center:

Programs for Week of January 4, 2021

All Watertown Senior Center Programs via Zoom, Call (617) 972-6490 for details. Join us via Zoom for the following programs. Call for access info: (617) 972-6490. New participants always welcome in every program! We hope you’ll join us! Monday:     10:00 AM, Art with Dawn Scaltreto12:30 PM, Chair Yoga with DianeTuesday:     10:00 AM, “Some Like It Hot” Film Discussion Program12:30 PM, Tai Chi & Meditation with Marie2:00 PM, Line Dancing with Bradley                                     Wednesday:  11:00 AM, Exercise with Joanna2:00 PM, Great Ladies of Song: American Music Experience Thursday:        9:00 AM, Pilates with Marina Z.10:30 AM, Talk with Tom1:00 PM, Zoom “Cook Lunch, Eat, & Talk”Friday:            10:00 AM, Exercise with Shannon Lee Jones     12:00 PM, Seated Strength & Balance with Pearl1:30 PM, Mellowtones Chorus with Anne Silverman

Looking Ahead

Monday, January 11, 2021 at 2:00 PMHistory of the Shick House with Marilynne Roach, Watertown Historical SocietyTuesday, January 12, 2021 at 10:00 AMAnnual Taxes and Exemptions for Watertown Seniors PresentationWednesday, January 13, 2021 at 2:00 PMVirtual Zoom Trip to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Senior Shuttle Bus UpdateThe Watertown Senior Shuttle Bus is back on the road for grocery shopping!

Dance Studio Offering Scholarships for Kids’ Classes

Ballroom in Boston announced it will offering scholarships for children to take part in classes, which begin in January. The studio sent out the following announcement:

Does your kiddo need a fun activity to keep them moving this winter? Not sure if you can make the finances work for extra activities or want to try something without any long-term commitment? Please apply for a class scholarship or attend one of our free community classes in person or online at Ballroom in Boston! 

We offer classes for kids ages 5-10. Our next series of classes starts the first week of January and includes fun themes like Star Wars, Frozen, Safari & Musical Theater (The Greatest Showman, Hamilton, Aladdin & more)!