Alan Hoffman

The Retired Men’s Club of Arlington on Wednesday, May 24, heard historian Alan R. Hoffman make a presentation about his book Lafayette in America in 1824 and 1825. 

His talk also included discussion of the earlier period involving Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, from 1777 through 1781, and his crucial role in assisting the American Revolution.

Lafayette joined George Washington when only a 19-year-old in 1777, participating in several battles and soon rising to command his own division. Lafayette culminated his military career in 1781 in the Virginia campaign and at the siege of Yorktown.

Hoffman then discussed Lafayette’s even more important, but perhaps not as well-known, diplomatic role -- as the mediator between America and its earliest ally, France.

Arlington Seniors Association board members were honored recently. From left are Claire Foley, Lorraine Accardi, Joanne Morel, Pat O'Connell, Elisa Lopez, Peggy Pellegrino, June Mackey, Tim Mast and Rose Eromin. / Frank Tadley photo                 SEE MORE PHOTOS >>

“Everybody can be great ... because anybody can serve," said the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

"You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve .... You don’t have to know the second [law] of thermodynamics in physics to serve.

You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”

In that spirit, an estimated 70 volunteers attended as the Arlington Council on Aging held its annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon earlier this month at the community center.

Executive Director Kristine Shah with Volunteer Coordinator Michelle Tse addressed those at the gathering to thank them for their dedication to the older adults of Arlington.

UPDATED Nov. 30: The Council on Aging offers programs to Arlington residents 60 and older who may volunteer within town departments to earn property tax credit or rental assistance.

As well, some elderly and disabled residents may qualify for tax relief funds.

Space in these programs is limited.  Awards or placements are subject to availability and application approval. All programs require background checks. 

See below for the programs’ details, application deadlines and links.

To request a paper copy to be mailed to your home, call the Council on Aging’s office at 781-316-3400. 

UPDATED May 2: The Retired Men’s Club of Arlington heard an excellent presentation by Mark Thompson about Dieppe, a disastrous WWII raid in France 1942.

At the April 27 meeting, he told the club about the dark times of that war, the planning put into raid and the plan’s execution. Next was the preraid support, such as battle ships and air attacks made available and their place in the overall scheme of the war.

Mark continued with the slaughter of the attack and the postmortem. His presentation wound down with the finger-pointing from those responsible and the raid’s implication toward the future attack on mainland Europe.

His talk was based on his book, Disputed Decisions of World War II.

Susan Carp speaks as a senior listens in 2019.

3 programs offer property tax, rental assistance

Arlington residents age 60 and older may volunteer in town departments to earn property-tax credit or rental assistance. Here is some information about three options:

• Elderly and Disabled Property Tax Relief Fund
• Senior Homeowner Property Tax Relief Work Off Program
• Harry Barber Renters Work Off Program 

Application links are here or call our office if you need a paper copy mailed to your home. Please see application for deadlines.