Senior News

              A steady stream of visitors came from throughout central New England to attend “In and Out of the Box,” this year’s Goddard House Art Show.  Surpassing all of our expectations, an estimated 600 people viewed our 8^th annual juried art show from April 11 through May 9!  Visitors of all ages and walks of life came to admire the fascinating works of 53 local artists and to witness the diverse creative talent in the Worcester art community.  Visit our Event Photo Gallery to see images of the art show.

              The “Champagne & Chocolate” opening reception on April 11 continued our tradition of celebrating local art in high style.  From sampling elegant chocolate truffles to dipping fruit in the bubbling chocolate fountain there was something decadent to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth. The delightful jazzy sounds of Chet Williamson and his acoustic harmonica completed the event, providing the perfect accompaniment to an afternoon of fellowship among artists – and art lovers.

              The special events continued with an artist talk by Ron Rosenstock, poetry reading by the Worcester County Poetry Association, and coffee house featuring local favorites, Chuck & Mud and their musical friends, Walter Crockett and Mark Manuel.  In addition, a lovely Art Boutique enticed visitors with a variety of one-of-a-kind art gifts for sale – and an opportunity to raise funds to support the Goddard House Art Gallery.

              The display panels have been taken down, the regular artwork is back on the Goddard House walls, and the excitement has died down.  But not for long!  We’ve already started planning for next year’s show.  “In and Out of the Box” will be a hard act to follow, but we’re going to continue to bring the finest local art to the Goddard House Art Gallery for all of you to enjoy!

“In and Out of the Box” generated quite a lot of buzz in the local media. Here’s what some local arts reporters and participating artists said about the show:

“It happens every spring: Flowers bloom, birds sing, and a normally quiet Worcester home for elders becomes a hoppin’ art gallery for a month.” Nancy Sheehan, Telegram & Gazette, April 8, 2010.

“The Goddard House, an elder community in Worcester’s Webster Square neighborhood, certainly thinks outside the box when it comes to enriching the lives of those who live there.” Doreen Manning, Worcester Magazine, April 8, 2010.

“It doesn’t matter to me that the retirement home is an unconventional place. What matters is the quality of the work and the feeling of community amongst the artists.” Susan Swinand, Shrewsbury artist, quoted in Worcester Magazine, April 8, 2010.

“It’s great to get work hung in a show like this, in a place that’s definitely part of the community, but not necessarily a conventional gallery. People will see my work that I might not have the chance to meet otherwise.” Cade Overton, Worcester photographer, quoted in Worcester Magazine, April 8, 2010.

“The Goddard House show always brings diverse groups together and stirs wonderful exchanges of thoughts, opinions and ideas.” Rosemary LeBeau, Auburn artist, quoted in Worcester Magazine, April 8, 2010.

Goddard House, 1199 Main Street in Worcester, presents its 8th annual juried art show, In and Out of the Box, from April 11 through May 9, 2010. The exhibit is free and open to the public daily from 1 to 4 p.m. An art boutique and raffle will be held throughout the show; proceeds will help support Goddard House’s efforts to bring art to the city’s Webster Square neighborhood. For more information about the show and related events, call 508-753-4890 or visit www.goddardhomestead.org.

Exploring the Box as Metaphor

In and Out of the Box explores both physical and metaphorical concepts of boxes through the wide-ranging works of 53 local artists in a variety of mediums, including painting, photography, mixed media, textile, paper, collage, and sculpture. The exhibition invites the viewer to think beyond the obvious and consider the infinite ways that boxes appear, both literally and symbolically, in our lives. From skyscrapers to scallop shells, batter’s boxes to calf pens, the tried and true to the wildly unexpected, In and Out of the Box turns conventional ideas of boxes inside out.

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Worcester Cultural Commission, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

The Artists

The exhibiting artists include: Lisa Barthelson, Emily Boosahda, Emmeline Brown, Lora Brueck, John Buron, Laura Cahalane, Bettie Carlson, Rose Carlson, Doris Carter, Justin Clapp, Carrie Crane, Zabelle D’Amico, Donna Desautels, Mary Dewey, Susan Fisher, Ryan Foley, Muriel Funka, Jane Grover, Stephen Halpert, Tasha Halpert, Lindsay Howland, Elisabeth Hyder, Maren Jansen, Tom Kellner, Peter Krashes, Marcia Lagerwey, John LaPrade, Mary-Ellen Latino, Rosemary Lebeau, Susan Matusen, Julia McKinley, Beckie Moss, Cassie Murphy, Doris O’Keefe, Cade Overton, Stacey Parker, Don Ricklin, Leona Ricklin, Ron Rosenstock, Jacqueline Ross, Connie Salter, Donalyn Schofield, Susan Sedgwick, Amaryllis Siniossoglou, Marcella Stasa, Susan Swinand, Dick Taylor, Mary Walter, Julie Warchol, Cheryl Wareck, Christopher Whitehead, Agnes Wyant, Nicholas Yavarow, Mary Zywar.

Related Events

The following events will be held throughout the exhibit. All programs are open to the public. For more information and directions, call (508) 753-4890 or visit www.goddardhomestead.org.

Champagne & Chocolate Reception: Sunday, April 11 from 2 to 5 p.m.
In and Out of the Box opens with a Champagne & Chocolate Reception. Guests will meet the artists, enjoy decadent chocolate desserts and champagne, and listen to the toe-tapping jazz of Chet Williamson’s Chromatic Swing duo.

Artist Demonstrations: Sunday, April 25 from 1 to 3 p.m.
In and Out of the Box artists will demonstrate and discuss their techniques throughout the afternoon. View the exhibit, observe artists at work, ask questions, and learn how they make their art and what inspires them. Refreshments served.

Poetry Reading: Tuesday, May 4 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
The Worcester County Poetry Association will read poems inspired by the exhibit theme. A wine and cheese reception, allowing visitors to view the show, begins at 6:30; the reading begins at 7:00. All are invited to read or just listen.

Coffee House: Friday, May 7, 7 p.m.
Popular husband and wife duo Chuck & Mud, accompanied by Walter Crockett on lead acoustic guitar and Mark Manuel on bass, perform their much-loved blend of classic and original folk tunes. Admission is $12 per person and includes complimentary coffee and tea. Desserts will be available for purchase. Seating is limited; to reserve seats call 508-753-4890. Tickets also sold at the door.

About Goddard/Homestead

Goddard/Homestead has provided comfort, security, and companionship to elders for over 135 years. Goddard House, 1199 Main Street, Worcester, is a retirement community for independent living; Homestead Hall, 10 Homestead Avenue, Worcester, offers Level IV rest home care. Non-profit Goddard/ Homestead is an affordable alternative for elders who want or need to transition to a simpler, supportive environment.

These are challenging times for seniors who want to sell their house and move into a retirement community with supportive services. Longtime Worcester realtor Roz Levine has some seasoned advice that might help beat those housing market blues.

“De-clutter, de-clutter, de-clutter,” Roz says. “A buyer cannot visualize their own things in a house that is full of someone else’s.” That means packing all the knick knacks away, as well as photographs, until the house is sold, she advises.

Taking a careful look at the front door is the second most important strategy. “It takes six seconds to make an impression,” Roz says. “That means it is imperative that the front of the house be presentable.” She advises shoveling the sidewalks all around the house in winter, mowing the lawn in summer, and making sure the front porch is clean and tidy. A fresh coat of paint on the door and flowers in attractive planters help create a good first impression.

The two most critical rooms in the house are the kitchen and bathroom, according to Roz. “They have to look as if no one lives there.” Counters, sinks, and floors should be sparkling clean, dishes should be put away, and clean towels should be hanging on the rods. Throughout the house, holes in walls should be patched and painted and carpets that are stained or torn should be removed. “A buyer will immediately start deducting everything they think they need to do to the house from the asking price,” Roz explains.

What if there are problems with the house? “Be honest,” advises Roz. “Don’t try to hide things. There’s no such thing as a perfect house.”

This article was published in the Spring 2010 issue of “Our Homes to Yours,” a publication of Goddard/Homestead, Inc. For permission to reprint all or part of this piece, contact:

Goddard/Homestead
1199 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01610
T el: 508-753-4890
email: mpn@goddardhomestead.org

When elders decide to simplify their lives and move into a smaller home, they usually face the dilemma of what to do with all of the things they have accumulated over the years. In fact, the prospect of sorting through belongings and choosing what to keep, discard, or give away can be daunting.

Organizing expert Doreen Doyle, owner of Doreen Doyle Company in Holland, Massachusetts, says the best way to clean out a house is to follow a three-step process. After deciding what pieces of furniture will be taken to the new home, she says you should next identify items that you might want to sell, in part to help undercut the cost of move. Antique and collectible dealers, auctioneers, and booksellers are all potential buyers for items in your home. “Also, this is the time to give away select pieces to family members,” Doyle explains. “The point is to get the bigger things out of the house, hopefully with a financial retur, or to a family member that wants them.”

The second step is to donate items. “There are different charities that are interested in all of the different things in your house. People don’t realize how many donation opportunities there are out there,” says Doyle, adding that shelters and temporary housing for people left homeless by fires can use housewares, kitchenware, even food and toiletries. “Though you may think your pots and pans don’t have another life, they really could. Even things like old sheets and towels - animal shelters love things that you probably wouldn’t donate for humans.” Doyle says that donating items to a good cause is a win-win situation, “It’s much easier to let go of something if you know it’s going to a good home.”

Finally there is the trash removal stage, in which the remaining items are either sent for recycling or discarded. According to Doyle, calling a cleanout specialist to haul away the trash makes the chore easier. To help people decide what to keep and what to throw away, she recommends asking the following questions: “Do I love this? Do I absolutely need this? If the house was on fire, what would I grab?”
“Most people know they have too much. It’s just the process of going through it that they find really difficult,” Doyle says, adding that sometimes the best solution is just to do it. “Don’t be afraid to start. Pick a room and dive in.”

Charities that Accept Donations of Used Items

Big Brother/Big Sister
Clothing, household items
800-483-5503

Salvation Army
Furniture, clothing
800-958-7825

Vietnam Vets of America
Furniture
800-775-8387

Abby’s House, Worcester
Women & Children’s clothing, toiletries, small household items
(508) 756-5486

Starting Point Project
Home for teen-age boys
(508) 754-3006

YOU, Inc.
English books, textbooks, literature, electronics
(508) 765-9101

This is just a sampling of the many organizations that accept donations. Most gifts are tax-deductible; be sure to request a receipt.

This article was published in the Spring 2007 issue of “G&H Times,” a publication of Goddard/Homestead, Inc. For permission to reprint all or part of this piece, contact:

Goddard/Homestead
1199 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01610
Tel: 508-753-4890
email: mpn@goddardhomestead.org