You can go home again
Amid those gathered last Sunday to recognize the 100th anniversary of the Sanborn House in Winchester, two guests had especially intimate knowledge of the grand estate. J. Edward Downes Jr., 94, of Weston, and his "baby sister," 93-year-old Rose Downes Arnold of Arlington, had lived there.
The Downes family moved from Boston to the Sanborn house in the summer of 1925. After more than two decades, the family sold the 19-room home on nearly 10 acres to a religious order whose nuns built Marycliff Academy on the property. The Sanborn House was later occupied by the town's Recreation Department before coming under the stewardship two years ago of the Winchester Historical Society, which also celebrated its 75th anniversary last Sunday.
According to president Bob Colt, the Winchester Historical Society has embarked on a fund-raising campaign to restore and renovate the exterior and interior of the home, which is now used as a community center. The estimated cost is $3 million, with an additional $1.28 million for furnishing and decor restoration.
While disappointed that the second floor had been turned into dormitory rooms for the nuns, Downes said the home still brings back many fond memories. On a typical day, he said, he and his four siblings would gather in the oak room to wait for their father's return from work at Downes Lumber in Boston. Formal dinner was served promptly at 6 p.m. by servants in the dining room, which still features the same gilded ceiling.
Although the library was lined with leather-bound books, the family preferred retiring to the music room, where the children and their father sang along to Civil War and World War I songs that their mother would play on the piano.
"I'm so impressed with the Historical Society, but there's an awful lot of [restoration] work to be done," said Downes, who worked in his family lumber business after serving overseas during World War II. "The house is a jewel. No one will build one like it again."
DESTIGMATIZING MENTAL ILLNESS: As medical director at McLean Hospital treating adolescents who engage in self-injurious behavior, Dr. Blaise Aguirre of Lexington agreed to participate in actor Joey Pantoliano's documentary because of their shared desire to educate the public about mental illness. After learning about Pantoliano's foundation, however, he wanted to do more.
Aguirre recently hosted a fund-raiser at his home, which raised more than $5,000 for No Kidding, Me Too!, a nonprofit organization that encourages people to openly discuss their mental illnesses in order to eradicate the stigma associated with them.
Pantoliano, who has appeared in "Risky Business," "The Matrix," and "The Sopranos," said he enjoyed the opportunity to socialize among Aguirre's 40 guests while sharing the message of his film, "Hope's Angels." During the event, artist Peter Rubino of Connecticut created a sculpture that was auctioned at the end of the evening.
"In today's economic times, all the nonprofits are fighting for the same money," said Pantoliano, who lives in Connecticut. "I was blown away by the party and how much trouble Blaise went to."
Aguirre said he was impressed by the passion with which Pantoliano delivered his message of tolerance, which was well received by the attendees. "As a psychiatrist, I'm struck by how persistently mental illness is stigmatized. Why is that, when it's a brain illness and we don't stigmatize people with kidney or heart illnesses?" Aguirre said. "There are lots of good causes to support, but this one is close to me."
PUBLIC ACCESS: Joe Viglione of Medford was just 15 years old in 1969 when he produced his first issue of Varulven, a fan magazine featuring interviews and film and music reviews. A collector of 8mm science fiction and fantasy films, Viglione was also an aspiring filmmaker and musician whose original songs first aired on WBCN-FM when he was 17.
While his magazine is no longer in production, Viglione has since founded a record label by the same name, worked as a radio station programming director, and continued writing about films and the Boston music scene. Locally, however, Viglione may be best known for his public access television show, "Visual Radio," which is broadcast in 18 towns including Arlington, Billerica, Burlington, Lexington, Medford, and Stoneham. A weekly segment airs in Manhattan.
Since launching "Visual Radio" in 1995, Viglione has produced more than 400 shows featuring interviews, concerts, and lectures by local authors, politicians, and community activists.
"Why do I keep doing this? It's in my blood and interviews keep coming my way," Viglione said. To learn more about Visual Radio, visit visual-radio.net.
Submit items to Cindy Cantrell at cantrell@globe.com. 