1-Year Anniversary Party at Waterstone

We recently welcomed residents, friends, family and local dignitaries to a 1-year anniversary party at Waterstone at Wellesley. With live music, delicious food, creative cocktails and – of course – wonderful company, it was bound to be a success, and it definitely was. Below are

some photos from the event; if you joined us, thanks for stopping by! We’re rapidly approaching 100-percent full status, so if you are interested in one of our independent or assisted living apartments, come by for a tour sooner rather than later!

Tap dancing, music and fashion – a little bit of everything

Happy Hour isn’t just for young professionals – it’s one of the best times of day here at Waterstone, and something we enjoy. We often host impromptu gatherings over cocktails and wine, and they are usually accompanied by entertainment of some sort, from bands to solo musicians to jack-of-all-trades performers. It’s a lovely way to socialize and continue to develop our community. Just recently we welcomed a new face: Tappin’ Ted Powers. Ted was a member of a rock band for many years before branching out to learn more instruments and skills, and then learning tap dancing. Ted’s unique performance had everyone else’s toes tapping along with him.

Earlier this month, also welcomed Bill Graham of the shop ‘Beautiful Things’ in Salem, who brought his popular “Little Black Dress” event with him. Bill uses his skills in decorating and accessorizing to explore the ways a woman can take a little black dress and adapt it to different circumstances and styles using accessories. Since first introducing this event in 2006, its popularity has exploded, and Bill has brought it to garden clubs, social clubs, and other gatherings across New England. We loved welcoming him to Waterstone, and the ladies of our community especially liked learning some new and fresh ways to revamp a classic black dress. Finally, we welcomed back the US Navy Band Northeast Woodwind Crosswinds, who performed and also socialized with residents, much to our delight. We hope to have them back again!

We have a number of other great events to round out March, including a cappella on the 27th and a fascinating history lesson with Gary Hylander on the 28th. Stop by for either, or both!

Caring for yourself during a tough winter

Winters in New England can be, as you probably know, a bit difficult. Brutal cold, heavy snowfall, intense wind, and dry air can all contribute to our skin, hair and nails feeling dry and uncared for, even if we slather on the lotion and creams. Treat yourself to a little pampering next month when we welcome some local experts for a skin care and pampering seminar. We will offer individualized skin care consultations as well as a discussion about the types of products to use depending on your skin type, as well as what to avoid. Should you really spend $100 on that tiny tub of face cream or would a $15 jar from the general store work just as well? Get answers to such questions and much more on March 26 at 2 p.m. at our community.

In the meantime, here are some tips and techniques for keeping your skin in good shape throughout the winter months.

• Hydrate! Think about caring for your skin from the inside, out. If you aren’t hydrated, your skin is going to feel extra dry. So be sure to drink plenty of water.
• Moisturize, of course. Whether cream, lotion or oils, moisturize early and often. Keep a spare bottle of your favorite product on your desk, by your nightstand, in the bathroom, in your purse, etc., so you can apply at any time.
• Use a home humidifier to make the air in your home (or at least your bedroom, when you’re sleeping) more moisture-rich, as it will prevent your skin from drying out further.
• Turn down the water temperature. It may be tempting to take a piping hot bath or shower when it’s so chilly out, but the hot water will have a serious drying effect on your skin. Keep bathtime short and use lukewarm water.
• Exfoliate, but not too much. Use a gentle exfoliant once a week or so to make your skin soft and even more able to accept moisture. But don’t overdo it – too much and you will just dry yourself out.

Artists, pantomimes and musicians at Waterstone

We’re offering several fun and educational events at Waterstone at Wellesley this month. We are excited to host two art classes with multi-talented artist Linda Landsberg. Landsberg will teach watercolor, sketching and pastels on Thursday, Jan. 17 and Thursday, Jan. 31 at 2:30 p.m. This is the perfect opportunity to hone your artistic talent, or finally learn to do something you’ve always been interested in. Artists – or aspiring artists – should sign up for classes in AL reception. Class size is limited to eight, so sign up soon! Classes will be held in Country Kitchen.

We will host what is sure to be a thoroughly entertaining performance by mime and comic Jody Scalise in the River Room on Friday, Jan. 18 at 2:30 p.m. In addition to being a pantomime and comic, Scalise is also an actor, dancer and singer. With his gymnastic eyeballs and perfectly timed acts, it’s no wonder Scalise is rated one of the best talents in Boston.

The art awareness program Art Matters will also visit us this month on Monday, Jan. 28 at 2:30 p.m. in the River Room. Art expert Jane Blair will discuss and showcase art from the Renaissance. With a mission to entertain, stimulate and educate people with and about art, Blair’s presentation will be an enriching experience for art lovers and novices alike.

We’ll end the month with a performance by Rick Walsh Trio on Thursday, Jan. 31 at 7:30 p.m. in the River Room. Walsh is a talented singer and piano player who performs standards and classic hits from the 40s through today, accompanied by his saxophone player and bass player. The talented trio is known for their fun, engaging performances. We hope to see you at any or all of these events.

Waterstone at Wellesley is located at 27 Washington St., and includes 134 apartments for seniors 62 and older. It features independent and assisted living rental apartments. For more information, call 781-235-1614.

Welcoming Chef Ming Tsai to Waterstone

As mentioned in a previous post, we’re excited to welcome Chef Ming Tsai of Blue Ginger, a well-respected Wellesley restaurant, to our community on Monday, Dec. 10 for a book signing. Ming will be signing copies of his new book, “Simply Ming in Your Kitchen.”

Ming is a well-known culinary figure both in Boston and beyond, so it’s a special honor to welcome him to our community for this event. He opened Blue Ginger in 1998, having studied both mechanical engineering at Yale and the culinary arts at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. He has also trained with Paris pastry chef Pierre Herme and in Osaka with Sushi Master Kobayashi. He also holds a master’s degree in hotel administration and hospitality marketing from Cornell University. Talk about an impressive resume!

Blue Ginger was a hit right out the gate, receiving “Best New Restaurant” distinction from Boston Magazine in its first year. That same year, Ming was named “Chef of the Year” by Esquire. Most recently, Blue Ginger was ranked by Boston Magazine is one of the magazine’s 50 best restaurants. Needless to say, if you have experienced Ming’s East-West cuisine at Blue Ginger, book a reservation ASAP! And, in 2013, you’ll have a new opportunity to experience Ming’s culinary expertise, at his soon-to-be-opened gastropub, Blue Dragon, in Boston.

Ming will visit us at 2 p.m. on Monday. Please contact Lisa Beckwith at 781.235.1614 or LBeckwith@WaterstoneAtWellesley.com to reserve your seat today!

Community Life: Book signings, Thanksgiving and more.

November was a busy month for the Waterstone community, between myriad performances, discussions, visitors, outings and, of course, our own very first Thanksgiving celebration. Our team did a wonderful job decorating the community for the Thanksgiving holiday, and the bright, bold sunflowers that adorned the tables were especially pretty. We pride ourselves on

good food, but the dining team really outdid themselves for the holiday celebration, and the food was both abundant and delicious!

Before the holiday, we had the pleasure of welcoming not just one, but three local authors for a book signing and intergenerational discussion. Authors Liz Sunaby,

Mitch Zukoff, and Karen Day stopped by to stopped by to sign copies of their books; See What You Can Be, Lost in Shangri-La, and A Million Miles from Boston, respectively. We’re lucky to have a lot of accomplished and interesting people living in our community and in nearby communities, and are even luckier that they were happy to join us for this great event.

Just some October fun at Waterstone

First, the team at Waterstone would like to extend its thoughts and prayers to those affected by Sandy. We were fortunate to have missed the brunt of the storm, and residents reported feeling safe and comfortable within our home at Waterstone as the winds whipped outside. We all know, however, that many have been tragically affected by this storm and our thoughts and prayers are with them.

Before Sandy decided to make a mess of things along the eastern seaboard, residents and guests were having a lot of fun throughout the entire month of October, as you can see in some of the pictures below. Let’s review some of the interesting, unique and just plain fun events we enjoyed as October passed by. In one, you’ll see our beloved head chef Randy Farmer as he gives a talk about fine cheeses. We welcomed Wasiks Cheese Shop for that presentation and it was a huge hit. Who doesn’t love a fine cheese?

We also welcomed students from Babson College for a workshop and presentation on vision impairment. In the photo below, you’ll see a student working with resident Amalia Kalyvas during that presentation. It was wonderful to have the students visiting; it’s exciting to hear about their lives and passions as they just begin to pursue their interests.

We also welcomed the New Sound Assembly Barbershop Chorus for a rousing concern. They were such a talented and inspiring group of gentlemen. Our own Harold Bossung decided to join in on the fun and got up to perform as well, singing along with the best of them. We hope to welcome the chorus back again, since their visit was such a big hit.

Finally, look at friends Mildred Goodman and Pauline Grubin as they grin and display their fall crafts, cornucopias both created in honor of the harvest season. Quite a few residents participated in this unique event and the results were stunning. It was also just a really fun thing to do.

If you or you and a loved one or friend would like to participate in the regular slate of events, presentations and crafts we have going on regularly, just give us a call or check on our upcoming events on our website. We would love to have some neighbors and friends join us.

Enjoying the local talent

Boston and the surrounding towns and cities are rife with talented musicians, performers, and entertainers. Walking down any major street or along a T station, you’re likely to encounter at least one or two performers. From small improv theaters to major performance halls, there’s something for every interest. Being home to numerous universities, performance halls, and performing arts schools has a lot of perks, including the existence of a deep well of local talent. One such local talent is Stephen Collins. You may have seen him in the Boston Globe recently: he was featured in an article about him and his work, and the article even included a performance of his here at Waterstone. We’re lucky to have him joining us again this month for a performance, this time of Walt Whitman classics. He was a huge hit with the residents and guests here the first time he visited; come by and see what the buzz is about for yourself. We’d love to have you. Read below for more information and to RSVP. Below is also some information about other upcoming performing events we have going on. Please stop by and enjoy this great local talent with us. Call 781-235-1614 to RSVP.

• Rick Walsh Concert, Oct. 9, 7:15 p.m. - Rick offers songs from as far back as the 1930’s through today. He covers most every genre from big band to rock including artists from Frank Sinatra and Elvis to Chris Isaac, the Temptations, or Marvin Gaye.
• Stephen Collins performs Walt Whitman, Oct. 10, 7:15 p.m. - We’ll welcome local talent Stephen Collins as he performs his popular one-man show focused on the work of Walt Whitman.
• Classical Guitarist Scott Sanchez, Oct. 17, 2 p.m. – Join us as we welcome Scott Sanchez for a classical guitar performance. An American born guitarist, Scott Sanchez is often praised for his virtuosic and musically passionate performances.

Exploring our creative side at Waterstone

The residents at Waterstone at Wellesley and EPOCH Assisted Living at Waterstone are a diverse bunch. Many have unique interests and passions, which is part of the reason they chose Waterstone over other senior living options: we have opportunities for them to explore their interests and to discover new ones. A growing group of residents, for example, has recently uncovered their mutual interest in art. And not just fine art in museums and hanging on walls, but their own art. The Life Enrichment team at Waterstone recently set up an art class for EPOCH Assisted Living at Waterstone residents, and the response has been really positive. Now residents from our independent living wing are asking to join in on the fun. Below are a few pictures from our latest gathering. Getting creative through activities like painting have been shown to improve brain function and stave off memory-related illnesses. Plus it’s lots of fun!

Creating a community, senior or otherwise

If you attended college, you probably recall with fondness the freshman moving-in process. At the time, it was overwhelming, exciting and a bit scary, but most of us look back on those days with a smile. When else do you get to move to a new place, meet entirely new people, and start friendships with no pretense or assumptions? With local college students flooding back into the Wellesley area as school starts, the greater community around us has taken on an electric atmosphere. Wellesley is bustling, and there’s a sense of youth and excitement in the air. Sure the roads may be a bit busier, but it’s a small price to pay for that revitalizing energy livening up the entire town.

Things aren’t too different here at Waterstone. We’re welcoming new residents into our community with the same enthusiasm, even if the circumstances are a bit different. The parallels, though – moving to a new place, meeting new, interesting people, letting your interests dictate how you spend your time – are undeniable. It’s a unique experience, seeing a community being formed from the ground up. As we observe friendships being formed, acquaintances being made, and residents becoming more comfortable and at-home in their surroundings, we’re starting to see the real Waterstone, beyond the walls and landscaping, emerge. Come be a part of our community; stop by for one of our upcoming events. We’re hosting the Dixieland Swing Quintet next week on Sept. 13 to close out our summer concerts in the courtyard series. You’ll love our outdoor courtyard and the entertainment is top notch. See you soon.