Alzheimer’s Association Hosting Workshop on Communication Strategies for Caregivers

The Alzheimer’s Association announced it will be presenting a workshop on communication strategies for dementia caregivers Tuesday, Nov. 15 from 4-6 p.m. at the Alzheimer Association, 480 Pleasant St., Watertown. The workshop is free and open to the public. Effective Communication Strategies explores how communication takes place when someone has dementia, teaches strategies to decode verbal and behavioral messages and will help caregivers connect and communicate through all stages of the disease. To register or for more information call 800-272-3900 or visit alz.org/MANH. 

The Alzheimer’s Association, with headquarters in Watertown, has regional offices in Springfield, Raynham, and Worcester, Mass., and Bedford, N.H. The Alzheimer Association provides services and programs for those with Alzheimer’s, family and professional caregivers in the form of support groups, a 24/7 Helpline, care consultation, advocacy efforts, research funding and education programs. For more information about Alzheimer programs, visit alz.org/MANH or call 800-272-3900.

Watertown Insurance Agency Looks for Record Collection for Toys for Tots

If you stop by the offices of H & K Insurance, you’ll see a brightly wrapped and bow covered collection box for Toys for Tots. The box was dropped off Nov. 1, and before it’s picked up again in December, H & K announced it hopes to fill it to overflowing. Another record-breaking toy drive for the insurance agency, all for a good cause. Every year the Toys for Tots program makes Christmas possible for millions of children throughout New England and the greater United States.

Historical Society Hosting Talk on 19th Century China Trade, Has Old Family Photos

The Watertown Historical Society announced two upcoming events, one about the history of the China Trade and the second seeks to find homes for family photos from the 1940s and 1950s. Massachusetts and the 19th Century China Trade
A Slide-show and lecture will be presented by Doug Stewart on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016 at 7 p.m. at the Watertown Savings Bank Meeting Room in the Watertown Free Public Library, 123 Main Street, Watertown, MA 02472.  

Two hundred years ago, greater Boston was the richest corner of the nation, thanks to the tea, spices, porcelain, silk, and other luxury goods that daring local shipmasters brought back from East Asia. The early nineteenth-century China Trade merchants of Massachusetts included the new nation’s first millionaires. Many Boston-area institutions, from MacLean Hospital and the Museum of Fine Arts to Theodore Lyman’s Waltham estate, were built in part with China Trade wealth.

Senior Center Wins Annual Watertown Mall Scarecrow Contest

The Watertown Senior Center won first place in the 25th Annual Scarecrow Contest sponsored by the Watertown Mall. Mall officials announced that the winning entry was the pumpkin-headed scarecrow is dressed in a tuxedo with his cane resting on his chair and reading a copy of the Watertown Senior News. The scarecrows were on display during the later half of October, and mall visitors could vote for their favorite.

Plenty Going On at the Watertown Senior Center in November

The Watertown Senior Center is chock full of activities in November. Here is the Senior Center Newsletter submitted by the staff. Some of our NOVEMBER 2016 events include:

With Thanks from the Director

I could not be more grateful for all those who support the Senior Center by attending an event or class, calling or visiting for assistance or information, volunteering to run a program, facilitating an activity, working at the Food Pantry, organizing a special event, donating to our efforts, or serving on the Board or a committee. You all help to make the Center a vibrant place and the staff and I thank you. We hope to see you at the Center this month.

Old Family Photos Donated to Watertown Historical Society, Owners Sought

The Historical Society invites you to the Fowle House at 28 Marshall Street on Saturday, November 12, 2016 between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to discover whether they have old photos of your family or friends. Drtad and Harry Boyajian of Oxford Studios in Cambridge preserved the history of many Watertown families in classic style studio portraiture. When the brothers left the business, the proofs were given to the Boyajian family. There were photos of people from many towns in the greater Boston area. Harry’s son David has donated photos of Watertown residents to the Historical Society of Watertown.