westwood living - november, 2023

Loren Owens spent more than 40 years as co-host of the Loren and Wally Show on 105.7 FM. DUring this time, he called Westwood home. Our November cover feature focuses on Loren's life of purpose, from his time serving as a Marine in Vietnam, to his time in Boston as a beloved media personality. 

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By Tom Leyden 

Photo By: Rick Bern Photography

As a late September fog lifts in the early morning of a crisp day, Loren Owens arrives at Westwood’s Veterans Memorial Park, sharply dressed and ready for his cover shoot. Rick Bern, as always with our cover subjects, keeps Loren relaxed as he frames his photos, capturing the essence of Americana and the stoic spirit of a long-time Westwood resident, Hall-Of-Fame broadcaster and veteran of the Marine Corps.  

Within the first few moments, Loren asks us, “Do you remember when the church used to be here?”

This question was a classic example of why I love publishing Westwood Living. The chance to meet new people and learn unique factoids about our community has been fascinating. Since I’ve only lived in town for eight years, I had no idea the First Baptist Church used to be at the intersection of High Street and Pond Street. In 1989, with great fanfare, the structure was moved to its current location just east of Thurston Middle School.  Six years later, the Fisher School building was moved to the space adjacent to the First Baptist Church property, and that stretch of High Street as we know it today was complete.

Owens, 79-years-old and full of energy and wit, shared details of the move as we shifted positions, waited for the sun and wind to cooperate, and got to know each other a little bit. The historical knowledge oozed with ease from the lips of a skilled story-teller, engaging and educational at the same time.

For more than 40 years, Loren Owens woke up with Boston, half of the Loren & Wally morning show on 105.7 FM. While WROR was the final landing spot on the dial for a genuine, caring man whose life and career took him around the world, there were many interesting chapters along the way, from his upbringing in Terre Haute to his longtime residence in Westwood.

“The original plan was to go to medical school and I was going to join my uncle in his practice. He was a doctor in Indianapolis,” said Owens after we retreated to Bibi Bakery to finish our interview. “I got my degree, in biological sciences, but along the way, I needed a job to pay for school. So my sophomore year of college at Indiana State, I had a buddy who worked at the radio station as the record librarian, and he was about to graduate and go into teaching. He said, ‘You should go ahead and apply for my job.’ So I did.”

This step into an unfamiliar world began a journey in communications that changed the course of Loren’s life and influenced millions of people across the United States.

“I met a guy named Sheldon Fisher, and he was the boss,” said Owens. “He asked me if I knew anything about music. ‘Who wrote the 1812 Overture?’ And when I said, ‘Tchaikovsky.’ he says, ‘Wow, you do know music. You're hired.’ So I became the record librarian. One night, a guy got sick and couldn't go on the air. Someone asked if I could fill in, so I did it. I fell in love with the business and went into radio.”

Shortly after Owens graduated from Indiana State, at the height of the Vietnam conflict, he knew a military deployment was likely.

“Well, you know how it is,” he said. “Everybody registered for the Selective Service. So, when I got out of school, I kind of knew it was coming. I got my draft notice and I took a bus to Indianapolis, which is about 60 miles from Terre Haute. We got into a big room, probably about 100 guys. We had to take physicals and it was a process. When we were done, this Marine steps to the front of the room and says, ‘I’m going to need 10 of you men for the Marine Corps. We’re just going to pull your names out of a hat.’ My name was the first one to come up out of the hat.”

While this turn of events was rare and unexpected, there was an understandable and sad explanation.

“It was the time of the Tet Offensive, and the U.S. military lost a lot of people. The Marine Corps didn’t have enough people, so they just drafted some of us to be Marines instead of joining the Army. I thought I’d probably get drafted to the Army and head to Fort Campbell in Kentucky, which wasn’t that far from Terre Haute, but I ended up in San Diego at a Marine bootcamp.”

More than 50 years later, following a deployment to Vietnam, Owens remains stoic and somber when recalling that era of his life. He holds few, if any, keepsakes from that time and doesn’t dwell on the experience. Though courteous and engaged with his responses, it was made clear by this former Marine’s tone he saw and experienced enough to make an indelible impression.

“I was lucky,” he said. “We lost a lot of guys, but I was lucky. It was a time when you had to do what you had to do. I knew that I wanted to be in radio, and I knew that to be in radio, I had to live in America. I knew some people who opted to go to Canada, but the deal was - if you did that, you never knew if you'd be allowed back into the United States. I thought it was the right thing to do. I was 23.”

Read the full story in the November issue of Westwood Living

By Gillian MacDonald, R.N.

Senior care providers play a crucial role in ensuring the well-being and comfort of our elderly friends and relatives. These professionals are responsible for assisting seniors with daily tasks, providing companionship, and often serving as a lifeline for those who may be isolated or experiencing health challenges. However, in some cases, a senior patient may find themselves no longer liking or getting along with their care provider. This can be a challenging situation, but it's essential to address it with care and consideration for both the senior and the caregiver. So, what are the best steps?

Open Communication

The first step in resolving any issue with a senior care provider is open and honest communication. Encourage the senior patient to express their feelings and concerns about the caregiver. Listen attentively and empathetically to understand their perspective. Some seniors may simply need a safe space to vent their frustrations, while others may have valid concerns that need addressing.

Identify the Root Cause

Try to identify the underlying reasons for the senior patient's discomfort with the care provider. It could be due to personality clashes, differences in communication styles, or misunderstandings. By pinpointing the root cause, you can better address the issue.

Mediation

If the issues between the senior patient and the caregiver persist, consider involving a neutral third party, such as a family member or a supervisor from the senior care agency. A mediator can help facilitate a conversation between the two parties, offering an objective perspective and helping to find common ground.

Assess Caregiver's Qualifications

Evaluate whether the caregiver's qualifications match the senior's specific needs. Sometimes, a caregiver may be well-trained but not the right fit for a particular individual. In such cases, it might be necessary to explore alternative caregivers who can better meet the senior's needs and preferences.

Request a Care Plan Adjustment

Work with the senior care agency to request adjustments to the care plan. Sometimes, changing the schedule or responsibilities of the caregiver can improve the situation. For example, if the senior patient dislikes a caregiver's cooking, it may be possible to adjust the meal planning.

Encourage Patience and Flexibility

Both the senior patient and the caregiver should be encouraged to exercise patience and flexibility. Building rapport and trust can take time, and sometimes initial discomfort can evolve into a positive relationship over time.

Monitor and Reevaluate

After taking steps to address the issue, monitor the situation closely. Continuously check in with the senior patient to assess their comfort and satisfaction with the caregiver. If problems persist or escalate, be prepared to reevaluate the situation and consider other options.

Seek Alternative Care Providers

In some cases, despite efforts to resolve the issue, it may become clear that the senior patient and the caregiver are not a compatible match. In such instances, you will have to explore alternative care providers who can better meet the senior's needs and preferences.

When a senior care provider is no longer liked by the senior patient, it's essential to address the issue with sensitivity and compassion. Open communication, mediation, and a willingness to make necessary adjustments are key strategies for resolving such conflicts. The primary goal is to ensure the senior's well-being and comfort while providing the best possible care. By following these steps and considering the individual needs and preferences of the senior patient, it is possible to find a solution that benefits everyone involved in the caregiving relationship.

Gillian MacDonald is a registered nurse and owner of Premier Health Care. 

By Tom Leyden

It is perhaps the most unheralded, yet vital positions in sports – the long snapper.  Before every kick in a football game, the long snapper handles the ball, his assignment straightforward and simple: Deliver the ball with speed and accuracy to the holder or punter…every time.  Succeed, and no one ever knows your name. Fail, and no one ever forgets. That’s the job.

Joseph Vinci is one of the rare athletes to embrace and master the art of long snapping. His achievements on the field and in the classroom have earned him a full scholarship to play football at Notre Dame, and he made the commitment official this fall.  A current Wolverine will soon be a member of the Fighting Irish.

“I would say the time when I first noticed I was pretty good at it was around the summer leading up to my junior year,” said Vinci. “I went to one of the long snapping ranking camps. We actually reached out to the guy and said, ‘Hey, is there any chance I could go participate in the camp?’ And he said, ‘Yeah, of course,’ so that’s what really got the ball rolling.”

Vinci left that camp ranked #13 in the country as a long snapper and it was at that point he figured going to college to snap could be a real possibility. Whether that was Division I, FBS, FCS, he wasn’t sure.

“It’s kind of surreal how it's gotten to the point where I'm at right now,” he said.

The process has been eye-opening and a true testament to how many coaches and recruiters keep their eyes on social media.

“I tweeted I was going on a visit to Notre Dame, and before you know it, I got a text from a guy at the University of North Carolina asking if I was at the school, and he wanted to talk to me. BC had shown up the day I wasn’t there, then I think Ohio State showed up. They showed up twice, actually. Penn State also showed up. I was like, DANG, word passes around really well. I posted that on Twitter, and I think within 15-20 minutes, I had a message from a coach at Purdue and then UNC. I thought it was a little crazy.”

“All the coaches and players are very excited for Joseph,” said Brad Pindel, Westwood’s head football coach. “This is a great opportunity for him and we will all be cheering for him over the next four years. I've known Joseph since he was little. He's grown up to be a tremendous leader, who cares greatly for each of his teammates and has a relentless work ethic. From academics to athletics, Joseph's determination has gotten him to where he is today.  We all look forward to the next chapter of his life.”

Vinci was led down the long-snapping route by people who can identify and cultivate talent. Longtime coaches Bill and Kevin Crabtree worked extensively with Joe.

“If it wasn’t for them, I probably would have never picked it up and worked with it as much as I have. Also, Coach Pindel and Coach Milligan – so helpful. They’ve really made this high school experience fun. And obviously my parents, who helped me through this process. It’s not as easy as it seems, at points.”

From here, the path gets even more interesting. Joe will graduate from Westwood High School in a special ceremony this December, then head to South Bend, where he will enroll in January and start taking classes while working with the football team in spring drills.

“In all honesty, it's been a dream school of mine from the start,” said Vinci. “Even looking beyond sports. The school itself is just absolutely magnificent. It’s beautiful. The academics are best in the country, and I think what they have there for coaches is exactly what I'm looking for. They’re very unique in the fact that they have two coaches who are committed to special teams and special teams only. Coach Marty Biagi and Coach Jessie Schmitt are strictly special teams, which was huge for me.”

Good luck to Joseph as he continues the pursuit of a dream, and we mean this is the nicest way possible – may nobody ever know your name!  Congratulations.

Thanks to our partners at Islington Pizza for presenting Joseph with a gift card to celebrate his accomplishments with friends and family. 

If you want to nominate someone to be a future Dental Arts of Westwood Athlete of the Month, email Diana Bezdedeanu at dbezdedeanu@bestversionmedia.com

By Meaghan McNutt, Westwood High School Class of 2024

During the last couple of years, I’ve worked with children of all ages at summer camps and after-school programs. On one occasion, I was playing make-believe with some first graders. I don’t remember what scenario we were pretending to be in, but I do recall there being unicorn fairy princesses and dinosaur ninjas involved. I think Spider-Man was there too. A little bit into the game, one of them says to me, “Let’s pretend you don’t know everything, even though you’re a teenager.” 

Well, I was indeed a teenager; a teenager who attends high school, drives around town, and reportedly knows everything. As much as I’d like to believe it, I am doubtful that it is true. How come the kids thought I did? I tried explaining to them what a teenager really is, but the only thing I could think of was doing homework. Kids don’t want to hear about homework. Since that day, I’ve questioned the true image of myself and my peers. What makes us teenagers special? How are we important to society?

Hollywood has some idea of what a teenager is. Although, it is crucial for me to acknowledge they have made some incorrect assumptions. While I wasn’t alive in the 1950s, I’ve gathered that teenagers didn’t routinely change into elaborate costumes and burst into song like the characters in Grease did. And as cool as it may seem, I’ve never heard of anyone riding on a parade float while ditching school like Ferris did in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. On the other hand, movies like Mean Girls, while they are a bit over dramatic for entertainment purposes, illustrate the challenges of being a teenager: it’s incredibly difficult to stay true to your own identity while simultaneously trying to fit in with others. Popular teen shows like Dawson’s Creek demonstrate how being at the bridge between childhood and adulthood is tough: seeing the people you played with on the playground change for the better or the worse can be alarming. 

Change will always be present in an individual’s life, but when you’re a teenager, it sometimes seems like you can feel the earth rotating on its axis. Everything is changing by the second, we wonder if we can keep up. 

However, being lost or stuck in a maze of insurmountable change does not define a teenager. Teenagers have incredible powers, like managing to get to class on time after waiting in line at Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts for the entirety of their lunch break. They can complete a packet of calculus problems in addition to a formal analysis of The Great Gatsby in about a night or so. But above anything else, teenagers have the gift to persevere through one of the most challenging times in their life. Trying to complete work for six different classes, commit to extracurriculars, and spend time with family and friends can be a lot to juggle. Throw in college applications during senior year, and getting everything done seems physically impossible. But somehow, teenagers come out of high school intact. They go through times when it seems much easier to just give up, but they don’t. Even when we feel stuck in the nostalgia of childhood and the unpredictability of adulthood, we think of our younger selves, who would be starstruck by the person we became.

I am unable to describe with words the joy that I feel knowing the kids that I work with look up to me. They’re admiration has allowed me to feel truly remarkable during a messy time in my life. I may not be a unicorn fairy princess or a dinosaur ninja, but to some of those kids, I’m the coolest person in the world. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I’m taking time to remind myself of how grateful I am to be where I am, and who I am. 

I’m a teenager who attends Westwood High School. Everyday, I am surrounded by a close-knit community of diverse classmates and exceptional teachers, who see the uniqueness and potential of every individual student. Being a teenager in Westwood is special, but it is even more amazing to be a part of a community where the teenage voice and presence matters. This is the beauty of “Wolverines View,” a place where the voices of tomorrow have the chance to shine. 

By Tom Leyden 

What started as a fleeting mention in a conversation with Asanka Moehring last spring evolved and blossomed into a wonderful kickoff to what hopefully will become a sustainable, impactful development program for Westwood students. The Lessons From Leader Series, presented by Dedham Savings, united an incredible team of professionals, each dedicating time and energy to share their expertise and experiences with students who were interested in learning more about their specific fields. 

The feedback from those who attended the series of three in-person events was remarkable, with many reporting back to their parents and teachers how beneficial the experience was to their development - not only from an information standpoint, but also in how it helped them learn how to network in a low-stakes environment. 

Each night, students were treated to a keynote address from a local professional. Dr. Peter Kevorkian from Westwood Family Chiropractic, Ariel Dangelo from Nightingale Wealth Solutions and Mike DiSarro from Neroli Mercato & Ristorante each spoke to the assembled students and professionals, offering unique and tangible advice to our future leaders. 

After the addresses each night, students were free to visit with whichever professionals interested them, asking questions about their professions and the paths they followed to get to where they are. The interaction was organic and inspiring, both adults and students benefiting from the one-on-one communication. 

Our efforts don't end here. We have created a unique Digital Directory Page for each participating professional at lfleaders.com. Students can search the directory and find more useful information and advice pertaining to careers that may interest them. 

We offer sincere thanks to Amy Davenport, Aishleen Marcus and Caroline Higgins at Westwood High School, along with the professionals who made the launch of this initiative so successful.  We look forward to improving and building the program moving forward and further serving the community in a powerful way.  Please consider supporting and joining us. 

By Jay Resha 

WESTWOOD – Welcome to November, folks! 2024 has sure gone by quickly, and the Holiday season is on the horizon already! This year has brought us the Paris Olympics, a new President, and so much more.

Let’s do a recap of the year now, while it is all still fresh in our minds (“fresh in our minds” in this context means “How am I supposed to remember news when I have to get my Powerball tickets and finish stringing up sixteen thousand tiny lights before the in-laws arrive?!”)

Without further ado, let’s bullet-point our way through the year – from our town, our five-state New England region, our country and the rest of the world! 

• The Powerball jackpot reached $2.5 billion in January. As a result, officials met and decided to hold drawings every day, causing another buying frenzy.
• Political ads ramped up markedly during the winter – and as usual, half of them were for some Congressional race in New Hampshire that no one knew about. People were understandably irate. In a surprise move, comedian/writer Dave Barry entered the presidential race and immediately began leading the polls.
• In March, Vermont and Connecticut were kicked out of New England: Connecticut for having too many New Yorkers, and Vermont for being too…you know…Vermont.
• The total eclipse made news in early April. My 14-year-old asked me if I knew the difference between a lunar eclipse and a solar eclipse and I answered him, “No, sun.”
• The Red Sox announced they were cutting payroll and raising ticket prices. For reasons not fully explained, they also announced a new marketing campaign, aligning the team with the Titanic (which, like Fenway Park, launched in 1912.)
• Locally, construction began on the Clapboard Flyover. The Flyover is a two mile long, elevated bypass from the Sheehan School to East Street. Officials finally buckled to public pressure when morning traffic reached critical mass – no one could get out of their driveways until noon on weekdays.
• Shock waves reverberated through the country when most of the presidential candidates withdrew after the primaries – Dave Barry’s poll numbers had made it clear that no one else stood a chance in the general election.
• On July 25, the International Olympic Committee raised eyebrows by announcing several new medal events for the Summer Games. Though details were initially scarce, IOC members were observed on the tarmac at Charles de Gaulle International Airport, guzzling red wine from large chalices and chanting, “It’s nice in Nice!” over and over, before each boarding their own private jet.
• On July 26, the Olympics began in Paris. Though previously winless since 1900, France won by a wide margin over the USA, which finished second. The host nation also swept all the new events, among them “grape stomping,” “chalice emptying,” and “Duolingo Francais.”
• With still no winners, August saw the first $50 billion Powerball jackpot, prompting officials to add hourly drawings.
• The Clapboard Flyover was completed just before Labor Day, and was initially deemed a success. Days later, however, the town of Norwood began construction on something called the All-Vehicle-Redirection-Into-Westwood Flyover.
• The “Unsinkable” Red Sox finished in last place for the third consecutive year.
• Also in October, Vermont was allowed back in to New England following an appeal, but only because they promised to be less…you know…Vermont.
• The level of zany reached its zenith on November 5, when Party party candidate Dave Barry was elected POTUS in a landslide. A political outsider, he capitalized on frustration with the status quo in Washington. And at age 77, Barry positioned himself favorably as a much younger alternative to the prior leaders.
• Finally, the record-shattering $250-billion-dollar Powerball jackpot – still no winners as of press time! Turns out it may not grow any higher until it is won, though, as lottery agents have run out of paper.
• That’s more than enough news for one year! Whoever wins Powerball might be able to help with any whale carcass issues, right, Mr. President? Anyway, can’t imagine what 2025 will have to offer. Hopefully a new flyover…yeah, I’m stuck in my driveway again.

Westwood Living? No…thank YOU for living in Westwood.  

See you next month, and I look forward to hearing from you any time at jayresha@comcast.net