Tom Leyden and Patrick French connect at Neroli Mercato. 

Patrick French is a Renaissance Man, very busy as a parent, professional, performer and coach.  His main responsibilities at "Work Human" are very interesting, as are his passions, which include improv performing and acting.  He was among the cast in Hocus Pocus 2. 

Patrick also teaches improv classes to elementary school students, and stepped up to coach the freshman boys soccer team at Westwood High School this year, which we talk about during our conversation. 

Patrick will be performing in Needham Community Theatre's production of The Crucible. Learn more by visiting www.needhamtheatre.org

Patrick French

Tom Leyden connects with Master Derek Field at the studios of Field Martial Arts Academy in Norwood. 

Derek Field is a sixth-degree blackbelt and Westwood Living's Expert Contributor in Martial Arts and Self Defense.  Tom and Derek talk about how he's continuing to grow his business while taking advantage of a number of marketing and growth opportunities along the way. Derek touches on his "shotgun approach" to marketing - there isn't one way to get 100 new students, but there's 100 ways to get one new student. 

They also touch on the power of networking with other business owners to learn and passing on the lessons and traditions of respect in the martial arts. 

To learn more about Field Martial Arts Academy, visit the website at www.fieldmartialarts.com

Derek Field, Field Martial Arts Academy

Tom Leyden connects with Sydni O'Connell in the studios of Exerpsych, a new facility merging adolescent psychology with exercise and movement. 

Sydni is a Clinical Psychologist and Westwood Living's Expert Contributor in Adolescent Mental Health.  Her first expert column will appear in the May issue, and Tom and Sydni set the stage by learning about her unique background as an athlete who became a school psychologist before branching out and starting her own business in Westwood. 

Exerpsych aims to empower primarily teen girls to engage physically while they let go of some mental anxiety and struggles. Sydni talks about her unique approach to counseling, whether it's done individually or in a group setting.  

Learn more about Sydni and her business by visiting www.exerpsyched.com

Sydni O'Connell, Exerpsych

Tom Leyden connects with Lenny Johnson, Jessica Clinton and Paul Tartufo at Comella's to talk Little League Baseball and Westwood Youth Softball. 

Lenny Johnson is entering his second season as president of Westwood Little League. He's the father of two sons, Colin and Liam, who play baseball and a daughter, Abby, who went through the Westwood Youth Softball program and currently plays on the Westwood Varsity team. More than 350 players are signed up for Westwood Little League in 2024. 

Jessica Clinton is Westwood Youth Softball's vice president and chief fundraising ambassador.  Her son, Ryan, plays Little League Baseball (on Lenny's team) and her daughters, Eve and Olivia, play Westwood Youth Softball under the coaching of her husband, Brian.  Jessica has been instrumental in the growth, financial and otherwise, of the softball program during her time on the board. 

Paul Tartufo is entering his fourth season as president of Westwood Youth Softball. His daughter, Julia, worked her way through the Westwood Youth softball program and is currently playing on the Westwood Varsity team. His son, Jack, plays baseball.  Paul helps orchestrate a group of more than 165 players who are signed up to play in 2024. 

The 2024 season gets underway this Saturday, April 27, with the annual Westwood Little League/Westwood Youth Softball parade, which culminates in a special ceremony at Morrison Field.  The parade starts at Downey Elementary at 9am and will progress down Smith Street and East Street to Morrison, where the varsity baseball and softball players will be waiting for the kids.

Lenny Johnson, Jessica Clinton & Paul Tartufo

Tom Leyden connects with Maureen Roycroft from the Westwood Community In Action organization to talk about the Westwood Promenade, Grad Walk and All Night Grad Party. 

Maureen was among the leaders who helped launch the Westwood Promenade concept, at the suggestion of Westwood High School principal Amy Davenport. In 2022, Westwood began this fantastic tradition of showcasing Westwood's students and their dates who are attending the prom.  

This year, the Westwood Promenade, sponsored by Sassy Boutique, will be held on Friday, May 10 at 4:15pm at Flahive Field. The event is open to the public and provides a great opportunity to see the kids dressed up and ready to go moments before they board the buses to the Royal Sonesta in Cambridge. 

Tom and Maureen also chat about the All Night Grad Party and how that wonderful event provides a unique opportunity for parents of younger students to "pay it forward" and support the graduating class of 2024. 

For more information, email westwoodangp@gmail.com and visit wwwwestwoodangp.com

Maureen Roycroft, Westwood Promenade

Tom Leyden connects with Aaron Buczek in the Edward Jones office on Washington Street. 

Aaron and his team moved into their new facility next to The Muffin House and Neroli Ristorante in 2023. In addition to his role as a Certified Financial Planner, Aaron also serves as the president of the Rotary Club of Westwood. 

Tom and Aaron chat about his background, what drew him into the world of financial planning after his graduation from Bentley, and why he feels so at home in the Westwood market.  Plus, learn what he likes to do outside of the office with his wife and two daughters. 

Reach out to Aaron by calling 781-613-0006 or stopping by his office on Washington Street in Islington

Aaron Buczek, Edward Jones

Tom Leyden connects with Paul McGovern, a partner and co-owner of CorMC Developments. 

Paul McGovern has lived in the U.S. for 15 years and, during that time, has established himself as a skilled contractor and project manager, who works with homeowners to renovate and reinvigorate their interior and exterior living spaces. 

Currently, Paul has overseen the development of The Pastures at Dover, a brand-new, 34-unit complex on County Street (Route 109) in Dover that will welcome its first tenants in June. 

Tom and Paul discuss the project, how long its taken to get to the finish line, Paul's background in construction and what drew him to the trade, along with what special amenities are included at The Pastures At Dover.  

Two numbers to call if you're interested - 978-377-1705 to connect with CorMC Developments, and 857-930-7662 to learn more specfically about leasing one of the beautiful new units. 

Learn more at http://www.pasturesatdover.com

Paul McGovern - CorMC Developments

Tom Leyden connects with Sarah Cantley and Courtney Hetrick from the Westwood Young Women's Club. 

Sarah Cantley is the president of the Westwood Young Women's Club and Courtney Hetrick is a co-chair of the Touch-A-Truck Event scheduled for June 8 at Westwood High School. Tom, Sarah and Courtney talk specifically about the event, which has become a staple of on the WYWC calendar. They also discuss the history of the Westwood Young Women's Club and what the organization does for the community while providing an opportunity for mom's to interact with each other and support Westwood. 

Learn more about the Westwood Young Women's Club and the upcoming Touch-A-Truck event by visiting http://www.wywc.org

Courtney Hetrick & Sarah Cantley

Tom Leyden and Eric Arnold connect from the grounds of Hale Education. 

Eric Arnold is the Executive Director of Hale Education and has overseen the growth and expansion of what Hale offers the residents of Massachusetts throughout the year on the amazing grounds located in Westwood and Dover. 

As the summer season approaches, Tom and Eric discuss how people can utilize and enjoy Hale in the months ahead, and also get into the details surrounding Hale's push to protect their property in perpetuity from development - what that entails and why the organization is working so hard to raise the funds necessary to do so.  

Sometimes, it's the simplest questions that garner the most useful answers and this episode features a number of those back-and-forths, so it's worth your time.  

To learn more about everything happening at Hale, visit http://www.hale.education or http://www.hale1918.org

Eric Arnold, Hale Education

Tom Leyden chats with Virginia and Nick Kayes at the Barrows Custom Window Treatments showroom on Route 9 in Newton. 

Virginia and Nick Kayes are Westwood residents and owners of Barrows Custom Window Treatments. Barrows sponsors the Barrows Featured Artist of the Month in Westwood Living, allowing us to shine a light on musicians, actors, painters, artists and more from our community. 

Virginia and Nick share the story of how they came to own Barrows and what they've learned about window treatments during their time in the industry. So much has changed with automation and the move away from dangerous pull strings. They've served over 20,000 customers and more than 1,000 homes in Westwood, alone.  Fascinating conversation. 

Learn more by visiting http://www.barrowscwt.com and give Virginia a call at 617-964-4580 to upgrade your house!

Virginia & Nick Kayes: Barrows Custom Window Treatments

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.

Courtney Hetrick & Sarah Cantley

Westwood Living

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