Door2Door's commitment to facilitating cultural outings has grown by leaps and bounds this past year.  In 2010, more than 200 individuals took advantage of Door2Door to the Arts to attend plays, concerts, museum exhibits and more.

Along the way, we met Sydney Leonard, a co-founder of the Boston Ballet. Sydney was delighted to have the opportunity to re-engage with the arts. "Lack of transportation is why a lot of seniors don't go to the theater anymore," she cites, "But with Door2Door it's so easy.  It's really wonderful!"

Ms. Leonard  started studying classical ballet at the old Boston Opera House at the age of five, in 1925!  In 1953, she was teaching for a dance school owned by Virginia Williams. Together, they turned the school into a proper dance company, calling it the New England Civic Ballet.

Most of the productions were in small venues and high school auditoriums to audiences of family and friends. Outdoor shows were conducted on the back of a flatbed truck. Sydney sewed the tutu's and costumes and operated the reel-to-reel tape player that provided the music.   The company's transportation (and makeshift dressing room) was an old hearse. The driver?  Sydney Leonard.

In 1961, the troupe got its big break when they met the famous Russian dancer, George Balanchine, who saw them perform and decided to help out. With the help of his connections, their ship had come in. The Boston Ballet was formed. Today, it is regarded as one of the major ballet companies in North America and among the top companies in the world.

We thank Sydney for her service then, and her service today.  She now sits on the Door2Door to the Arts Advisory Committee.  Thank you Sydney!

So Long, Rosie!

On December 26th, 2010,  the world said goodbye to Geraldine Doyle, the model for Rosie the Riveter.  Rosie first came to life in a pop song that hailed the tireless efforts of American women working in factories during World War II.  J. Howard Miller created the now infamous Rosie poster in 1942. During the 1970's, feminists dusted off Rosie's image, deploying her as a symbol of women's strength and abilities.  Rosie (and Geraldine) will always represent the "can-do" spirit of all Americans, with a special hats off to the women who helped us win that war. So long, Rosie!

KEEP MOVING:
Tips for Fall Prevention

Winter again!  Ice and snow are two New England specialties. Preventing falls is one of Door2Door's. Passenger assistance is key when the weather is cruel, and our customers can count on us to safely escort them to and from our vehicles. Not only do we train on the proper techniques for preventing falls, we provide a second set of eyes along the path. That's helpful for avoiding puddles and ice. 

Preventing falls goes hand in hand with staying healthy and independent. We all miss the days when a spill meant little more than a skinned knee and a bruised ego. As we get older, bouncing back is not so easy.  The Centers for Disease Control reports that, for persons 65 and older, falls are the number one cause of hospital admissions.  Injuries can have a long-term impact on our ability to do things for ourselves.

Door2Door is happy to lessen your slipping and sliding when you're with us.  Here's a few tips for everyday safety around the clock:

* Keep your doctors on their toes:  Have regular eye and ear exams.  Quiz your doctor on your medications, their interactions, and their likely effect on your sense of balance. And report back immediately if a change in medication makes you dizzy.

* Look at your home with new eyes:  Lighting a dark stairway, removing or taping down rugs, or putting the telephone closer to the bed are a few safety measures you might not have thought of. Like these ideas?  There's more. Call us for a home safety checklist: 617.625.1191 x 0.

* Keep moving:  Exercise is critical to maintaining strength. Many exercise programs also incorporate balance-enhancing routines.

Fall prevention happens also to be one of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' top public health priorities. A number of resources are available through your local elder services agency or Council on Aging.  Check it out!

Kinsey Award Winner: Denise Moriconi

Denise has worked for SCM for 17 years.  She st arted i n 1993 as a driver, and she worked her way through scheduling and dispatching roles before being promote d to Operations Supervisor in 2006.  Her peers love her because she is a great problem solver. S he is available if someone needs a hand, and she is a expert at creating elegant schedules. This makes for great customer service and a smooth work day for drivers.  Many a driver will tell you that they can always go to Denise for help, or with a suggestion to make things better.  They say that she really seems to listen to them and take what they have to say to heart.   Congratulations, Denise!