Launched in 2005, WellesleyWeston Magazine is a quarterly publication tailored to Wellesley and Weston residents and edited to enrich the experience of living in two of Massachusetts' most desirable communities.
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letter editor's over the past year,I have attended a number of inspirational special events support- ing a variety of important causes. Each event was a lot of fun, thanks to the creativity of the organizers who know how to put the "fun" into fundraising. Much more important than the entertainment aspect, however, were the reasons for being there in the first place. Across the board, I was deeply moved by the stories told by the individuals who founded these organizations or whose lives were changed because of them. Our About Town pages are much more than "party pictures." They highlight local residents attending JILL NILSEN jill@wellesleywestonmagazine.com events for a variety of charitable organizations and supporting them financially as well as with their time. During the holiday season many of us think about doing more to help others, but as our About Town pages and the articles in this issue show, there are quite a few people in our midst who make service to others an integral part of their everyday lives. Their stories are interesting, inspirational, and sometimes heart-rending. Having an opportunity to publish profiles of these talented and special people is one of the most rewarding parts of my job. Dr. Richard Ehrlichman is a case in point. A successful plastic surgeon, this Wellesley resident has always donated his time to those less fortunate with annual visits to Columbia to treat children with cleft lip and palate disfigurements. Three years ago, however, at age 54, Dr. Ehrlichman decided to pursue what many would consider unthinkable: he enlisted in the National Guard and was soon deployed to Afghanistan where he used his expertise as a physician to help the local citizens in that war-ravaged country. The stories he tells of his time spent in the combat zone are fascinating and heart-warming. In our Good Works article, you'll read about Janet Rose, Liz King, and fellow parishioners at the Wellesley Congregational (Village) Church who also decided to do something about events taking place in a faraway country. Concerned with the plight of impoverished children in Africa, they became involved with Communities Without Borders and adopted the town of Fumbelo in Zambia. The funds they raise sponsor children attending government schools, help pay for school lunch programs, and provide access to medical care. Also read about Eleanor Uddo and her work on behalf of Sleeping Children Around the World, an organization that donates bedkits to children in 33 countries. I hope you enjoy all of the articles in this issue and that you will find many of them to be inspirational in a meaningful way. If you have story ideas or comments that you'd like to share, please send me an e-mail at jill@wellesleywestonmagazine.com. Happy Holidays! 18 WellesleyWeston Magazine | winter 2012/2013 CAROLY N ROSS