The Thirwood Difference: August Events at Thirwood Place Spotlight Local History and Financial Wellness

At Thirwood Place, every day offers opportunities to connect, learn, and enjoy new experiences. Whether it’s a summer BBQ, dance class, or educational presentation, there is something for everyone to enjoy at Thirwood. One thing we’ve noticed is that residents love guest lectures. They view it as continuing education and are always looking for something new to learn. At Thirwood Place, lifelong learning is just as important as building meaningful connections. We recently had Nantucket Lightship Museum President Robert Mannino visit us for a discussion on lightships. In May, master gardener C.L. Fornari was here to speak about her new book.

In the month of August, we have two very exciting lectures scheduled. Local author and historian Anthony Sommarco will be presenting on the history of The Christmas Tree Shops on Tuesday August 4th at 11a.m. The Christmas Tree Shops were founded in Yarmouth Port in 1970 by Charles and Doreen Bilezikian and instantly became a Cape Cod staple. Known for its great deals, The Christmas Tree shops became a popular destination for bargain hunters on the Cape and those visiting.

This Christmas Tree Shops have been back in the news recently as well. Habitat for Humanity is currently auctioning two original 27-foot building signs from the shops. Greg Bilezikian, son of Charles and Doreen, donated these signs to Habitat Cape Cod so that the proceeds could be used for affordable housing on the Cape. The signs are currently on display at Habitat Cape Cod’s Yarmouth and Falmouth ReStore locations. Interested parties can join the watchlist and place bids by visiting  signsofhope.betterworld.org/auctions/signs-hope-christmas-tree-shops, and the public is invited to share a Christmas Tree Shops memory, tradition, or story by visiting the auction’s Facebook event page at facebook.com/share/1BaNFfdBKB.

Later in August we have another speaking engagement related to legacy planning. Jill and Sara Spatola, from Merrill Lynch – The Spatola Group will be doing a presentation on “Planning for Gifting, Grandchildren, and Legacy.” Jill and Sara bring over 30 years of combined experience helping families navigate important financial decisions. This presentation,” focuses on helping individuals get organized and intentional about their wealth—covering topics such as estate planning, wealth transfer strategies, the benefits of life insurance, and how trusts can help preserve, protect, and maintain control of assets. According to Sara, “attendees will gain a better understanding of how to define their wishes, take advantage of gifting opportunities, and build a plan that evolves with life’s changes.”

As you can see we like to provide our residents with a wide range of topics. In the fall we have the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History coming for a presentation. Wild Care Cape Cod will also be at Thirwood in the fall and will bring Eastern Screeching Owls with them. From local history and nature to financial planning and beyond, our goal is to provide enriching experiences that keep residents engaged, informed, and connected throughout the year.