Tom Leyden and Anne Cloherty Fortune connect to talk about the Westwood Community Chest and the 2025 Gala of Giving, scheduled for Saturday, March 29 at the Norfolk Golf Club. 

Anne Fortune is co-president of the Westwood Community Chest, sharing duties with Jim McLaughlin. In her third year on the board, Anne details the many ways The Westwood Community Chest serves Westwood's neighbors, helping financially in times of temporary need. 

The Westwood Community Chest has helped send 600 kids to camp and has provided more than $1.7 million in financial assistance to our neighbors. 

The Gala of Giving will feature food, cocktails and a fabulous silent auction. 

Anne details some of the great items up for bid, including Red Sox, Celtics and Patriots tickets, along with a trip to Stowe, VT, a round of golf at the Charles River Country Club and a driver education package from Needham Driving School - among others. 

Please join us at the Gala of Giving. A limited number of tickets are still available at http://westwoodcommunitychest.org

Anne Cloherty Fortune - Westwood Community Chest

Tom Leyden and Maddie Walter, who was featured on the March cover of Westwood Living, chat at Terma Goods in Dedham. 

Maddie, who suffered a traumatic brain injury in May, 2015, has been a force in the TBI community thanks to her intelligence, fitness and drive. Her commitment to recovery and dedication to helping other people who are experiencing similar challenges is nothing short of inspiring. 

The Walter family formed the non-profit charity called "Life Goes On After TBI" to assist other families who are working to recover from traumatic brain injuries. 

You can find Maddie's story, written by Diana Bezdedeanu at http://www.westwood-living.com/march25 and you can learn more about Life Goes On After TBI by visiting http://www.lgoaftertbi.com

Maddie Walter

Tom Leyden connects with Bryan Parkin, the general manager of Bar'Cino Westwood at Bar'Cino's bar. 

Bryan Parkin has been with the Newport Restaurant Group for many years and recently took over as the GM of the Westwood Bar'Cino, which opened in November.  During the conversation, Bryan talks about the unique business model that sets the Newport Restaurant Group apart. 

NRG is employee owned, and you'll hear Bryan talk a lot about the "ESOP" model, which refers to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan.  An ESOP is a retirement plan that gives employees partial or full ownership of a company. ESOPs are designed to align employee interests with those of shareholders. 

Bryan and Tom also discuss Bar'Cino's commitment to community, how the restaurant group regularly engages with town initiatives and, of course, what's been the key to Bar'Cino's success since the November launch. 

Also - they discuss catering, a powerful part of the business that Bryan helped develop and is available at their website, http://www.barcino.com/westwood 

Bryan Parkin - Bar'Cino Westwood

Tom Leyden connects with Aaron Buczek, president of the Rotary Club of Westwood, to share details of the Annual Rotary Family Pancake Breakfast, scheduled for Sunday, May 4 at First Baptist Church from 9am-12pm. 

Aaron Buczek is a financial advisor at North Atlantic Investment Partners, working in conjunction with Raymond James.  He has been the long-standing president of the Rotary Club, working with a mighty group of members to make a difference in the Westwood community. 

We invite you to join us on Sunday, May 4 for a fun time featuring food, drinks, music, arts & crafts, face-painting and general FUN for the whole family. 

Whichever elementary school has the highest participation by percentage will receive a special party, courtesy of the Rotary Club. 

Tickets are available now at http://bit.ly/rotarypancakes

Aaron Buczek - Rotary Club Pancake Breakfast

Tom Leyden catches up with Ed Jones from Iron Hog BBQ as he feeds the masses at Bubbling Brook. 

Ed Jones and his team from Iron Hog BBQ will be at Bubbling Brook every Tuesday throughout the summer - serving up brisket, pulled pork, chicken, ribs and mac & cheese.  If you're hungry and want some legit BBQ, now you know where to go. 

You can always call Ed to get authentic BBQ and he'll hook it up for you - 774-279-3660 or visit http://www.ironhogbbq.com 


Ed Jones - Iron Hog BBQ

Chris Tenaglia - High Pace Construction

Tim Harrison - Why & How Branding Works

Aaron Morehouse - Hale Education

Tom Leyden chats with Shannon Connell, the administrator of White Oak Cottages, about senior living and memory care. 

Shannon Connell has worked at Fox Hill Village for 25 years, spending the last 13 as the administrator at White Oak Cottages, the memory care households at Fox Hill Village in Westwood. 

Tom and Shannon discuss her background, lessons she's learned working in senior living for more than half of her life, questions families should be asking as they prepare to make end-of-life decisions and how to create a checklist of to-dos that make planning easier. 

To learn more, visit http://www.foxhillvillage.com

Shannon Connell - White Oak Cottages at Fox Hill Village

Tom Leyden connects with Jason Dornhoffer to learn more about United Private Car, the business Jason has co-owned for nearly 20 years. 

Jason Dornhoffer is a Westwood resident and founded United Private Car with his friend and colleague, Terry Murtaugh, in 2006. Tom and Jason discuss the growth of the business, how United Private Car has continued to set itself apart from the competition, Jason's experience of living in Westwood since 2003 and what he sees for the future.  

Learn more about United Private Car by visiting http://www.unitedprivatecar.com

Jason Dornhoffer - United Private Car

Tom Leyden interviews local business owners and residents to learn more about their journeys and missions. Join the Westwood Living Business Network and start connecting in a meaningful way with others in Westwood and beyond.

New tracks tagged #westwood living