Carleton-Willard at Home members enjoy a trip to the ICA and lunch at Legal Seafoods

What could be better than a wonderful docent led tour of the Institute of Contemporary Art and lunch at Legal Seafood overlooking Boston Harbor?  The trip sold out almost immediately, as Carleton-Willard at Home members took advantage being driven in the van down to the waterfront -a drive many noted they would not have undertaken on their own.  The docent, interestingly the same extremely knowledgeable one that led our recent tour at the Peabody Essex Museum, made even the most “unrecognizable” modern art objects understandable.  Chowder, lobster rolls and fish with a waterfront table put just the right finish to a delightful day.

Carleton-Willard at Home was one of five sponsors of Winchester’s Project Runway fund raiser.  Organized by Women Helping Women to benefit the Winchester Chamber of Commerce, over 640 women cheered and applauded the eight local designers who unveiled their creative designs – outfits made from campaign buttons, paint chips, duct tape, LED lights, artificial turf – anything and everything.  And the results were beautiful, occasionally daring, and always amazingly creative.

The designers had instructions to create an outfit, taking their inspiration from the news headlines. The results were kept carefully hidden until the models stepped out on the runway – even the MCs were kept in suspense. The Women Helping Women Project Runway Event is one of the most popular fundraising events in Winchester.  We hear that 30 minutes after the tickets went on sale, they were all gone.

Carleton-Willard at Home now provides services to Winchester residents 65 and older.  For more information, call the office 781 276 1910.

Carleton-Willard Village's Director of Dining Matt Hinkle shows off a Gourmet to Go meal.

Whether you are a seasoned chef or a last minute kitchen wizard, there are always nights when you just don’t want to put together another meal.  As a member of Carleton-Willard at Home you can have wonderful meals sitting in your freezer for just these moments.  Gourmet to Go, At Home’s food service delivers meals directly to your door.  Each order consists of an entree and two side dishes, fully cooked, flash frozen and ready whenever you need them.  All prepared by Carleton-Willard Villages marvelous chefs.  The menu changes weekly and includes such delights as Rack of Lamb, Chicken Marsala and Swordfish.  Want something a little simpler?  There is Turkey with Stuffing, Meatloaf and even that old favorite Salisbury Steak.  So, make your life in the kitchen a little easier but make sure your taste buds don’t suffer!

Carleton-Willard at Home members took a trip down memory lane last week with a visit to the Harvard Natural History Museum.  Agreeing that most of them had not been there in “years” everyone was delighted to see how much they remembered but also the many new additions.  Some of the wildlife was quite similar to ones encountered in their own backyards (see the picture above) but there was an array of more exotic animals as well. The highlight of the trip was a visit to the glass flowers, a remarkable collection of over 300 flowers, all made of glass.  Carleton-Willard at Home members were delighted to find that “nothing had changed” since they had seen them many years ago, but that they were still truly amazing.

Harvard Natural History Museum Glass Flower

After the tour, everyone had a lovely lunch at Casablanca on Battle St.  Many thanks to our wonderful volunteer At Home Kathy Marchese, who organizes and runs these great monthly trips.

Wednesday March 21st, 11am

Wednesday April 18th, 11am

Wednesday May 16th, 11am

Carleton-Willard Village Nurse Practitioner Barbara Chenoweth

It doesn’t matter if you have the current winter cold or have just undergone major surgery, getting well is your goal.  And the sooner the better.  But it almost always takes longer than we might think to get back to full strength.  Barbara Chenoweth, Nurse Practitioner at Carleton-Willard Village has some useful suggestions to help you understand the healing process and return to your “old” self as quickly as possible.  Click here to read the current To Your Health issue.

CHICKEN AND BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP

64 oz.  (8 c.) low sodium chicken broth

1 large breast of chicken with skin and bones, visible fat removed

bouquet garni with parsley, thyme, 1 bay leaf, peppercorns (wrap in cheesecloth)

1 small butternut squash, peeled, seeds and fibers removed, cut into small dice

1 large onion, diced

3 carrots, cut on the diagonal

2 lg. celery stalks, sliced

3 cloves garlic, sliced

black pepper; crushed red pepper

pasta of choice

Heat chicken broth and chicken to a simmer.  After 20 minutes, add the diced squash and continue to simmer until the squash is very tender and the chicken is just cooked, about 20-25 minutes more.   Remove the bouquet garni and discard.  Move chicken to a platter; once cool enough to handle, tear into bite-size pieces, and discard skin and bones.   Blend squash and chicken broth with a stick blender until smooth.  There should be very little fat, but if you wish, cool and remove any fat.  Reheat the broth to a simmer and add vegetables and garlic; season with pepper and crushed red pepper to taste.  Cook until veggies are soft, about 30 minutes.  Add cooked pasta of your choice and chicken to warm through and serve.  Serves 4.