The Swellesley Report

Since 2005: More than you really want to know about Wellesley, Mass.

Wellesley Neighbors—a full schedule of upcoming activities and events

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Wellesley Neighbors, parade
Wonderful Wellesley parade, 2026

Wellesley Neighbors has a full roster of events and activities designed to take area seniors through summer and into fall. The membership-based non-profit organization brings neighbors together to build lasting friendships, foster lifelong learning, and provide the mutual support necessary for continued independent living.

Here are just a few upcoming calendar items

EVENT: Cape Ann Museum & Manchester-by-the-Sea
DATE: Thursday, Aug. 13
DESCRIPTION: Docent-led visit of “Avery, Gottlieb & Rothko: By the Sea” followed by seaside lunch and more art, at Cape Ann Museum & Manchester-by-the-Sea

EVENT: Dinner at Fiorella’s Trattoria
DATE: Wednesday, Aug. 19.
DESCRIPTION: Fiorella’s is a casual Italian restaurant where you place your order at the counter and relax at a table until your order is brought to you.

EVENT: Healthy Feet, Active Life: A Zoom Conversation with Podiatrist Jonathan Kaplan
DATE: Friday, Sept. 18
LOCATION: Zoom
DESCRIPTION: An informative and practical Zoom presentation on understanding and navigating foot issues.

Full schedule here.

Join anytime

Wellesley Neighbors helps create a vibrant social network through a wide variety of gatherings that bring members together in meaningful and enjoyable ways. From monthly men’s luncheons and women’s dinners to neighborhood cluster gatherings and concerts hosted in members’ homes, there are plenty of opportunities to connect. Wellness lectures and workshops, meetings at local libraries and community centers, and more provide ways to stay active and engaged.

Executive Director Joan Minklei says, “At its heart, Wellesley Neighbors remains a community built on connection, friendship, generosity, and mutual support. Our members continue to create the welcoming and caring community that has defined Wellesley Neighbors from the beginning.”

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Wellesley police bond with older adults at Annual BAR-B-Q with the Blue

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Council on Aging BAR-B-Q with the Blue
Courtesy photos

 

A full house gathered at the Council on Aging on July 21 for the annual BAR-B-Q with the Blue, an event hosted by the Wellesley Police Department that brought officers and residents together for an afternoon of conversation and community.

Police Chief Scott Whittemore welcomed those in attendance, thanking residents for coming and emphasizing the importance of opportunities like these to strengthen relationships between the Police Department and the community.

The event gave seniors an opportunity to meet with members of the Police Department in a relaxed setting, ask questions, and share conversations with the officers who serve the community.

Council on Aging BAR-B-Q with the Blue

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Wellesley Council on Aging updates on coffee, the kitchen & more

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The June 18 Wellesley Council on Aging (COA) meeting featured updates on the status of coffee service at the Tolles Parsons Center—a topic patrons showed up to comment on—as well as early returns from the newly opened commercial kitchen. (See Wellesley Media recording for all the action.)

The COA recently modified its all-day coffee service based on staffing and other factors, and some patrons aren’t happy about it, citing the key role coffee service plays in community and connection.

New Director of Senior Services Sehar Kiani started off her update on this topic by stating that “coffee is not going away, coffee has continued to be available during core business hours” and special events. She emphasized that service has been reduced not due to any lack of funding, but as a result of operational factors, such as staffing and volunteers, the latter of which are harder to line up during summer. She acknowledged the transition was difficult, but that it is now manageable, and the COA staff is monitoring the situation. One possibility will be supplementing coffee service with availability of other beverages (hot water and tea remain available).

“The goal is not to take something away. The goal is to offer hospitality in a way that is thoughtful, reasonable, and sustainable for patrons, staff, volunteers, and the overall operations of the center,” Kiani read from a statement.

Following her statement, a handful of patrons shared their concerns. One called the change to coffee service as “an unwelcome surprise,” describing coffee as “a social lubricant” that brings people together. Another recommended coming up with a staff rotation system that would enable them to keep coffee service going more fully. Another called it “ridiculous” not to have coffee available during afternoons when there is heavy programming and a large clientele on site, and said having a cafe at the Tolles Parsons Center when it opened really transformed the COA from its previous location where patrons had more of a transactional with the organization than a community-oriented one.

Kiani thanked those who spoke for sharing their thoughts, and said she plans to continue working with them on this issue. In a follow-up email to us, after we reached out, the director said she’s looking into single-serve instant coffee packets, but hadn’t rolled this out yet.

On a more positive note regarding food, Kiani cited successful programs held or scheduled to be held in the newly opened Richard Campana Kitchen, which has its own story.

Coming up are a program on crafting your own crackers with Land’s Sake Farm and another on sauces and marinades. Popular cooking instructor Roberta Hing will be among those sharing their kitchen magic with patrons.

“We’re really excited to be using the kitchen for programming, supporting learning, creativity, and social connection,” Kiani said.

Also at the meeting:

  • It was noted that the Select Board approved three candidates for the COA Board: Ann Raider, Renee Spencer, and Corinne Monahan. Also, COA Board member Peter Grape is joining the Advisory Committee, so will vacate his COA Board position, and a candidate to finish one year of his term will be sought.
  • Kiani has been making the rounds at other departments in town from public safety to Recreation. One possible partnership could bring COA programming to Rec Center space in Wellesley Hills, offering perhaps a more convenient location for people who live closer to there than the Tolles Parsons Center.
  • When Kiani was hired, the COA Board determined it should identify a mentor to bring her along in the role. Rather than one mentor, it wound up going with three whose combined experiences are seen as relevant to Kiani’s job—Executive Director Meghan Jop, Assistant Executive Director Corey Testa, and CFO Rachel DeRoche.
  • A new bus driver has been hired and trained, so the COA bus will now run five days a week.
  • About 55 people attended an AI Awareness workshop. While some still don’t seem to believe it, many older adults are embracing technology and use it regularly, as we see through our large readership in this demographic.

Wellesley Council on Aging hosts 1st Father’s Day BBQ Luncheon

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COA Father's Day event
Courtesy photos

 
The Wellesley Council on Aging recently hosted its first annual Father’s Day BBQ Luncheon, welcoming 60 seniors for an afternoon of great food (catered by Blue Ribbon BBQ), music, and fellowship.

The event celebrated the fathers, grandfathers, and father figures who have made a lasting impact on our community.

Guests enjoyed a festive barbecue meal, lively entertainment, and the opportunity to connect with friends while honoring the special role fathers play in our lives.

The Friends of the COA supplied an array of gifts that were raffled off.

Due to the enthusiastic response, the Council on Aging hopes to make this an annual tradition.

COA Father's Day eventCOA Father's Day event

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Wellesley Council on Aging honors its volunteers at ice cream social

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COA Ice Cream Social
The scoop on COA’s ice cream social (courtesy photos)

 
The Wellesley Council on Aging honored those who share their time and energy with the organization at the annual Volunteer Ice Cream Social held on June 1 at the Tolles Parsons Center.

Volunteers enjoyed ice cream served by Truly’s as a token of appreciation for the many individuals who support COA programs, transportation services, special events, and daily operations throughout the year.

During the event, the Friends of the Wellesley COA presented the 2026 Frank Lam Distinguished Volunteer Award, recognizing a volunteer whose generosity, positive spirit, and dedication reflected the values exemplified by former COA Assistant Director Frank Lam.

Congratulations to Louise Balanda on receiving the award.

(Text and photos courtesy of the COA.)

Kathy Savage, (Assistant Director) Louise Balanda (Volunteer)
COA Assistant Director Kathy Savage & volunteer awardee Louise Blanda

 
Board Members Pat Decker Tim Fulham Judy Gertler
COA Board members Pat Decker, Tim Fulham & Judy Gertler

 

Thousands of people—including lots of older adults—visit The Swellesley Report daily to keep current on Wellesley:

Council on Aging gets jump on Mother’s Day with Friday luncheon

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Wellesley COA Mother's Day lunch
Photos courtesy of the COA

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The Wellesley Council on Aging celebrated Mother’s Day last Friday with a special luncheon filled with good food, warm conversation, and appreciation for the mothers, grandmothers, and special women in our community.

Guests enjoyed a festive afternoon together as staff and volunteers helped create a welcoming celebration honoring the occasion.

Wellesley COA Mother's Day lunchWellesley COA Mother's Day lunch
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Thousands of people—including lots of older adults—visit The Swellesley Report daily to keep current on Wellesley:

A kitchen years in the making opens at Wellesley’s Tolles Parsons Center

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tolles campana kitchen
Richard Campana Kitchen ribbon cutting (Photo by Raahi Mehta)

 
Older adults gathered at Wellesley’s Tolles Parsons Center, greeting familiar faces as they filtered into the building to view the newly operational kitchen. As they were welcomed inside the center’s multipurpose room, not a single seat was left unfilled and the room buzzed with conversation. 

The long-awaited commercial kitchen at the Tolles Parsons Center officially opened on Friday, March 6. For years, construction hurdles and licensing issues left the space underutilized. Now, with approval from the Wellesley Health Department, the Council on Aging (COA) is ready to bring the space to life.

Kathy Savage, COA Acting Director of Senior Services, said the kitchen would help transform what is often a solitary chore of cooking into a vibrant community experience for older people to “age healthy” together. 

“Some of them are on their own and they live on their own, and it’s really hard,” she said. 

About 75 people attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony that celebrated completion of the Richard Campana Kitchen. It was named after the late Wellesley resident Richard A. Campana, who made a $400,000 bequest to support programs and services at the Tolles Parsons Center.

Members of the Council on Aging board and relatives of Campana gathered to celebrate the opening and honor his contribution. The highlight of the afternoon came when Linda Campana, his cousin, lifted a pair of oversized ceremonial scissors and cut the green ribbon to open the kitchen.

 “The scissors were very heavy,” she said with a laugh. 

campana kitchen Tolles Parsons Center
Linda Campana cuts the ribbon at the Tolles Parsons Center kitchen (photo by Raahi Mehta)

 
The room erupted with applause and the attendees eagerly made their way into the kitchen.

Heidi Campana, Richard’s niece, gave a speech commemorating his contributions to the town and his devotion to his family. “My uncle served as a role model for me,” Heidi said. “My memories of Richard are very fond, and he would be so pleased to know that we have a room full of people who are here today in his memory.” 

Savage said the space will be used to host cooking classes and educational sessions on healthy eating for older people. There are also plans to collaborate with community farms to provide expertise on fresh produce and progressing simple recipes into complex dishes, she said. 

The kitchen was open to the public and guests continued to move through the kitchen throughout the event, taking pictures of the prep area. 

tolles campana kitchen
Photo by Raahi Mehta

This project has been years in the making. A feasibility study conducted about 10 years ago determined that a commercial kitchen was possible, but the space lacked a required dry storage area after earlier construction changes. The recent renovation addressed that issue, allowing the kitchen to meet licensing standards. The Wellesley Health Department approved the kitchen earlier this year. 

The COA catered events at the Tolles Parsons Center under special permission from the Health Department, which allowed a once-a-month exception despite the kitchen not meeting construction requirements. However, officials made clear this could not be a permanent arrangement, said COA Board Chair Judy Gertler.

The recent remodeling began last year and concluded in January. Town Meeting approved funding for the renovation, while the Campana funds are being allocated to programming at the Tolles Parsons Center. 

“It is already a tradition to hold the annual St. Patrick’s Day luncheon with funds from the Campana Fund,” Gertler said. “We anticipate there will be many more activities that will utilize the kitchen and will be made possible due to Richard Campana’s generosity.”

The initial Tolles Parson Center design plans included a kitchen, but due to construction issues and the lack of funding, the kitchen area had been closed off, according to COA Vice Chair Marlene Allen.

“I worked hard to get it,” said Allen. “I feel that’s what the town expected. That’s what they planned for, that’s what they paid for, and for the long future of this building, that’s what it should have.” 
 

Wellesley Media video on ribbon cutting
 
This story was produced through a partnership between The Swellesley Report and Boston University’s Department of Journalism.

Seniors

Wellesley Council on Aging Board takes another shot at hiring a director

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The Wellesley Council on Aging (COA) Board held a special meeting on March 26 to conduct a public interview with a candidate for COA director, and by the end had voted unanimously to make an offer (see Wellesley Media recording).

Sehar Kiani, assistant director for the Dedham Council on Aging, impressed the COA Board with her energy and potential. While she lacked the experience of a recent COA Board selection who declined to take the job, the board voted unanimously to make Kiani an offer, acknowledging that it will need to put in place a support system to mentor her in the new role.

Tolles Parsons Center COA
COA headquarters: Tolles Parsons Center

Kiani’s interview started off a bit on the stilted side, as she referred to notes on her phone in introducing herself, but she loosened up as COA Board members asked questions to get at whether the job might be too big for her or how she might respond to being in a true leadership role. “At some point I’m going to need to fly,” she said.

The candidate won points for sharing that “I feel like I have a good day every day at the senior center,” when asked to give an example of what a really good day at the center might be like.

Kiani pointed to 9-plus years in state and municipal government, including previous experience in human resources and taking responsibility for running the Dedham COA when her supervisor is off. She cited working closely with other departments across Dedham and a desire to do likewise in Wellesley if she gets the job here.

In Dedham, Kiani has dealt with some of the same challenges Wellesley’s COA has, such as making more people aware of programs and figuring out how to best use a commercial kitchen.

In vetting candidates, the board’s director search subcommittee interviewed Kiani previously, as did a group including members of other town bodies such as the Select Board and Health Department.

The COA Board had been considering hiring a recruiter to help it identify director candidates, but if Kiani accepts, it will get to avoid going that route.

The Wellesley Council on Aging’s previous director, brought on at the start of 2023 after a challenging hiring process, was placed on leave last April and resigned over the summer.

Thousands of people—including lots of seniors—visit The Swellesley Report daily to keep current on Wellesley: