West Medford Community Center, Inc.

Quarterly Newsletter Spring 2013

Now that the last piles of snow have been shoveled and a tough winter has finally blown its last angry winds over the Ville and WMCC, its time to update the neighborhood on whats been going on over the last few months at our beloved community center. Weve got a lot to report including an array of new dance classes in the upstairs salon, and a second classic film festival in honor of Black History Month. Were springing into another fantastic year as the weather starts to change for the better. This month, we hosted a major Health and Wellness Fair with our community partners at Hallmark Health System. Hallmark manages Lawrence Memorial and a number of other expanded health and critical care facilities in greater Middlesex county. Their employees regularly volunteer for our senior lunch program during the week. See the story on page 7 for more details. It was a banner day for the community and we hope you didnt miss it! WMCC continues to house two different GSA Daisy Troops, 65264 and 68137, who meet here a few times each month, as well as Boys Scout Troop 421. Theyve all been very generous toward WMCC, taking out memberships and donating paper goods and office supplies, as they continue to use the center for home base. Thanks to Ann Kossuth, Liz
West Medford Community Center 111 Arlington Street

Liz White, Rebecca Scott, Marah Atwell, and David Blacquier for steering these resources to the center. If youre interested in knowing more about any scouting troop, we can connect you with their leadership via phone or email. Community rentals continue to be a great source of income and recognition for the center as a neighborhood institution. Weve been a convenient local venue for folks from West Medford and beyond to hold their baby and bridal showers, birthday parties, family dinners, fundraisers, and small gatherings of all sorts. Rates and availability are available by calling the WMCC at 781-483-3042. Lastly, were inviting you to help us keep the good news comingstart or renew your individual, senior or family WMCC membership and come down to
West Medford MA 02155 781-483-3042

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see whats going on! Our regular hours of operation are Tuesday through Thursday, 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. and the telephone number is 781-483-3042. Dont hesitate to call with your concerns, or suggestions. We cant please all of the people all of the time, but were listening and looking to be as responsive as possible to our members and supporters.

WMCC hosted two gala birthday parties for local nonagenarians in 2012 including a 90th year celebration for the perpetually young-at-heart Dorothy Elizabeth Tucker and a 95th anniversary for the ever-popular Evelyn Tyner. The house was full for both events and brought together the families, friends and well-wishers of both familiar Medford matriarchs. Good times were had by all, especially the two birthday girls. The Tucker party took place last October and the Tyner event was held on March 24 of last year. We see both ladies regularly here at our senior lunches and other weekly activities. Why not come out and join them, while were all still youngor at least youngat-heart!
Below - Dorothy Elizabeth Tucker shares a laugh with the late Eunice Margetson.

For the entire month of February, the WMCC Senior Club, hosted its second fabulous Classic Black Film Festival in celebration of Black History Month. Each week, a different exceptional film played to an enthusiastic audience just after 1:00 p.m. in the Founders Room. The four free movies shown ran the gamut of film genres including, drama, musical, comedy, and documentary. This years line-up included the original Sparkle with Irene Cara and Lonette McKee, Claudine with Diahann Carroll and James Earl Jones, an award-winning documentary about Black and Native Americans called Black Indians: An American Story, and the hilarious Tyler Perry stage play, Madeas High School Reunion. Kudos to former Senior Club President Leona Martin for selecting the movies and helping to promote the festival. Popcorn and refreshments were served and a good time was had by all who attended over the course of the four-week event.

Above - Evelyn Tyner gets ready to have some cake!

West Medford Community Center

Lonette McKee and Irene Cara shine in Sparkle!

111 Arlington Street

West Medford MA 02155

781-483-3042

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After a highly successful fall term, Les Ptits Bouts, has settled back in to finish their first school year in residence at WMCC. The pre-school is a program of a French educational and cultural collaborative called EFGB and currently serves about 15 children being immersed in French culture and language prior to being mainstreamed to English-only classrooms for kindergarten and beyond. The children continue to charm and entertain the seniors here at the center on a daily basis and keep things lively. The school recently hosted parents and supporters in the Founders Room to celebrate the coming of Spring and enjoy the childrens presentation of their work with the five senses: Le Gout (taste), La Vue (sight), Le Toucher (touch), LOdorat (smell), and LOuie (hearing). The colorful, handson displays, posters, and drawings decorated the Founders Room nicely and gave us all a bit of a French lesson to boot!

On Saturday, March 23, 2013, long-time Medford resident, practicing attorney, and local NAACP President Neil Osborne officially kicked-off his 2013 campaign for Medford City Council with a fun and festive Fish Fry here at WMCC. Candidate Neils supporters, friends and volunteers were treated to a delicious dinner of deep-fried catfish or haddock with french fries and all the trimmings. Neil was able to speak informatively about his vision for Medford, representing this community at City Hall, his qualifications for the job, and being a councilor for all the people. His slogan is simple, CommittedDedicatedTrusted. Good luck to Neil in the electionand to our WMCC neighbors and friends, dont forget to exercise your local rights and vote, vote, vote!
Candidate Osborne at work on the campaign trail

PTits Bouts parents enjoy the handiwork of their kids..

West Medford Community Center

111 Arlington Street

West Medford MA 02155

781-483-3042

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The West Medford Community Center relies heavily on its loyal and active volunteers, as well as its talented and engaged Board of Directors, in the next few issues well get to know some of themFirst up, Calvin Lindsay, Jr. Calvin grew up in West Medford and attended Medford Public Schools. Like many youth in the community, WMCC was like a second home. As Calvin puts it, My folks always knew where to find me when I wasnt around. I was either at Dugger Park playing basketball, or at WMCC hanging out with my friends. It was a safe, positive environment and there was always something good to do! Clearly hanging out at the center was just one of the good things Mr. Lindsay did as a young person. After graduating from Medford High School, he went on to undergraduate studies at Middlebury College and Northeastern University, where he was first bitten by the creative bug and began to develop a love for media and film. While in college he joined the production staff at WGBH as an intern working on the legendary Say Brother series, the longest-running public affairs program in US history. Honing his skills further, Cal mastered all aspects of TV production, including sound, lighting, camera work, staging, working with talent and ultimately directing. Before he was done, hed become the series producer and shared in several New England Emmy Awards for his efforts. Following his highly successful tenure at GBH, Calvin took his skills across the

Calvin directs his videographer on a recent field shoot.

Charles to the City of Cambridge, becoming the Director of Cable Television. His ongoing responsibilities there include the management and operation of the municipal television station for the city. As a part of a newly instituted programming strategy, he has developed a number of series and projects that incorporate the independent film community, local producers and acquired national programs into the realm of municipal sponsored television. Calvins most ambitious and dynamic media venture to date is his own independent production company, Centurion Filmworks, LLC. According to the founding partner, the mission of Centurion Filmworks is to be uniquely positioned as a film production company to acquire, develop and produce dramatic feature film and documentary projects. The Centurion Filmworks creative team possesses in excess of 50 years of producing and writing experience and lists myriad producing, writing and cinematography awards to its

West Medford Community Center

111 Arlington Street

West Medford MA 02155

781-483-3042

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credits. Centurion is currently developing a number of documentary and feature film projects including the debut film of Boston playwright and director Robyn L. Rease's Empty Kitchen Chairs. He has also produced a film project, "REBEL: Secret Soldier of the American Civil War," a story about Loretta Janeta Velazquez, one of more than 200 women who fought in the Civil War disguised as male soldiers; the film will have its national premiere on PBS at 10:00pm on May 24, 2013. His work on the board at WMCC evokes a similar passion with Calvin. He was on the ground floor in the development and construction of the great new building here at 111 and continues to be pleased with the changes that are taking the Center back to its glory days as the social hub of the Ville. Says Lindsay, Were still just five years into the new building and weve experienced a lot of challenges, but the future looks bright. Weve developed a lot of great partnerships and a solid nucleus of folks has really stepped up to keep the dream alive. Ive been proud to serve in board leadership, but Im equally enthusiastic about supporting Brian Collins as the new president. Calvin is married and has three children; he lives in Randolph, but spends a lot of time here in Medford visiting his parents and working to ensure the ongoing success of the Center.

Our newest community tenant is Joanna Matthews and shes got it going on upstairs in the dance studio! From Thursday through Saturday, Joanna, a Medford resident and a graduate of the renowned Hofstra University Fine Arts program is teaching a variety of dance and creative movement classes for all ages, from 3 yrs. to adult. Shes offering Zumba for kids and adults, hip-hop classes, and a number of other popular and affordable programs. For more information, or to reserve a spot in any of her weekly classes, call Joanna at 781-760-2039.

West Medford Community Center

111 Arlington Street

West Medford MA 02155

781-483-3042

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The great seniors who come out to meet, greet and eat at the Center on a weekly basis are worth their weight in gold! They host two or three fundraising events each year to benefit WMCC. From fashion shows and barbeques, to tea socials and flea markets, theyre always looking for new ways to donate time, energy and finances to their beloved home away from home. The Board of Directors is especially grateful to the membership of the Senior Club for its generous 2013 donation of $1000 to the general operating fund. Club president Rev. Florence King was on hand recently to present the check to Board Operations Chair Rachel Tanner. If youre interested in joining the club, their general meetings are held once a month on the third Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. in the Founders Room. You can come out to Senior Lunch at 12:00 noon and stay for the meeting. Call ahead for lunch reservations at 781-483-3042.

Hallmark Health System and its strong network of community health providers returned to the WMCC for a timely and terrific health fair on Saturday, May 4th. The free health screenings included blood sugar and blood pressure. Doctors were on hand to discuss womens and geriatric health concerns. A pharmacist was available to talk about prescription medicines.

There were also stations for Alzheimers information, visiting nurse services, family nutrition, ambulance and emergency services, and a number of other medical specialties. Hallmark President and CEO Mike Sack was on hand and Medford City Councillor Rick Caraviello stopped by and donated a basket of great goodies for our charity raffle. Rafflle baskets were also donated by Hallmark Health VNA, WMCC Board Cataldo Ambulance, Armstrong Ambulance, and member Rachel Courtyard Nursing Care Center. It was a great Tanner accepts $1000 donation day and a tremendous show of support for the from Senior Club people of greater West Medford and the WMCC. President Rev. Special thanks to Hallmark Health Ops. Director Florence King at Sam Tarabelsi and the members of Team its March Medford for their hard work and volunteer meeting. spirit. Be sure to come out for the annual health fair event in 2014!
Neighborhood folks gather and learn at recent WMCC health event.

West Medford Community Center

111 Arlington Street

West Medford MA 02155

781-483-3042

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Kenny Gibson and David Johnson have been practicing and perfecting the ancient oriental art of T'ai Chi Ch'uan for many, many years and are now offering the West Medford community a unique opportunity to gain from their knowledge two nights a week here at the center. Join them for a program they call Wellness through Movement that emphasizes slow, repetitive stretching and reflexive movements that aim for better balance and leverage, while gently and measurably increasing internal circulation (breath, body heat, blood, lymph, peristalsis, etc.) and healthy respiration.
Slowness is the basis of speed. Grace is the by-product of awkwardness. Circles are shorter than straight lines. As a disciple, this is a world of paradoxes. This is a soft and gentle system of exercise, its physical components are unorthodox. Sensitivity is developed by the practitioner through exercises like lifting up clouds, hands floating on water. Hands and arms are strengthened, by holding the hands up to the height of the navel. Standing, and walking, turning, twisting, and training technique, help to make the practitioner improve stamina and flexibility throughout the whole body. Balance and awareness comes when one walks with the T-L-V footwork, also by standing on one foot, while swinging the other foot while making small circular movements. The goal is to enable one to find their own rhythm of life and become in tune with the universe.

This modern twist on the ages old Tai Chi discipline concentrates on relieving the physical effects of stress on the body and mind. The focus and calmness cultivated by the meditative aspect of this discipline is seen as necessary in maintaining optimum health (in the sense of relieving stress and maintaining organic integrity) and cultivating a sound mind, body, and spirit relationship.
Above Warren Beldon Sr. and Cherry Youngblood practicing their Tai Chi with instructor Kenneth Gibson. Wellness prevention is a free class sponsored by the Center and meets every Tuesday and Wednesday at 6:30 pm. All are welcome to join.

The 90 minute class is offered on Tuesdays and Wednesdays beginning at 6:30 p.m. All adults are welcomeno prior experience required.

West Medford Community Center

111 Arlington Street

West Medford MA 02155

781-483-3042

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Top Beverly Rice greets dinner guests during the fundraiser on April 25

Top The West Medford Lobster Fest crew looking good during their Pasta Dinner fundraiser at the Center. From left to right: Kenneth Keel, Shirley Rice, David Shelton, Beverly Rice, Lawrence Taylor, Scott Carter, Peter Clayton, Valerie David, Rose Andrews, Carol Rickenbacker. Bottom Peter Clayton getting his chef on in the kitchen. Photos courtesy of Warren Beldon.

The Center supported the West Medford Lobster Fest organization as they hosted a pasta dinner fundraiser to benefit their annual West Medford Lobster Fest. The Lobster Fest is now going into its 18th year and this years event is due to be held on August 17. Hundreds of community residents will coalesce on that day to reconnect, dance, play and eat lots of Lobster! There will be Pony rides and bouncy houses courtesy of Pony Express and Tommy Dolfy. To find out more about the Lobster Fest and their upcoming Fish Fry event or other information regarding the West Medford Lobster Fest, contact Valerie David at 781866-2035.
Below David Shelton, aka Dysko, hooking up the jams just in case anyone gets the urge to get their groove on!

West Medford Community Center

111 Arlington Street

West Medford MA 02155

781-483-3042

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Its that time again - when the chance to submit your ideas for programs you would like to host at the Center. This endeavor yielded excellent results last year with four new programs being accepted, including the popular Wellness Through Movement class. The Board of Directors seeks to find and initiate community based programs to offer at the Center on a regular basis, and now they want more! Submit new proposals for the Summer/Fall season of 2013 now. In this regard, the Center will make program space available, at no charge, as permitted by prior rental commitments and WMCC scheduling. Proposals will be considered in order of submission, but must be complete and meet WMCC proposal guidelines as listed on our website http://www.wmcc.us/. For more information, contact the Center offices at 781-483-3042, or Brian Collins at icesemail@gmail.com.

Daisy Scout Troop 68137 in the Founders Hall. It doesnt get much cuter than this.

The Girl Scouts youngest troopers are having a great spring here at WMCC. Troops 65234 (1st gr.) and 68137 (Kinder.) are crafting, discovering and creating new memories a few times each month, building character, independence and confidence for their membership. WMCC is proud to support these outstanding efforts. Stop by the Center for more information on the Daisy Scouts.

Daisy Scout Troop 65234 pose with paper posies they made for our Seniors Spring is here!

West Medford Community Center

111 Arlington Street

West Medford MA 02155

781-483-3042

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See our website: wmcc.us for more information about upcoming events and potential new partnerships including:
Senior Club Fall/Winter Trips 2013 WMCC Program Proposals 2013-14 Membership Activities WMCC Board Communications

Check us out and like the WMCC on facebook!

Thanks for your ongoing support of the West Medford Community Center, Inc.
West Medford Community Center 111 Arlington Street West Medford MA 02155 781-483-3042