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Hello Neighbors and Friends -
Spring is here and the nice mix of sun and rain means the snow is gone (hopefully)!
April is Global Volunteer Month. What better excuse to commit to giving back to your local community? "Dip your toes" with some volunteer opportunities in this newsletter (keep reading to find them).
Several faiths celebrate important holidays this month: Jews celebrate Passover (April 1-9), Christians mark Easter (April 5), Sikhs observe the festival of Vaisakhi (April 13) and Bahá'ís celebrate the festival of Ridván (April 20-May 2). Wishing meaningful celebrations for all.
Yours in Community,
Kelley Petralia
Executive Director, Westborough Connects
kelleyconnects1@gmail.com
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A curated selection of articles, videos, audio and resources that we find worthy of sharing each month (no matter where you live).
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National Week of Conversation from Listen First Coalition is April 6-12th. In addition to the program we are hosing on April 7th (see below), we wanted to share this resource with inspirational stories and upcoming programs focused on conversations, connection and community. (We are proud members of the Listen First Coalition).
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The annual World Happiness Report examines trends across the globe. This year's report was just released, with a big focus on the impacts of social media on youth happiness. (Finland was deemed the happiest country for the 9th year in a row; U.S. ranked 23rd). You can read the Executive Summary and comprehensive report HERE.
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Locally focused items centered on resources and announcements in Westborough.
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In honor of Arbor Day (April 24th), we wanted to make sure that Westborough residents knew about the DPW's Adopt-a-Tree program. (NOTE: the page may indicate it is a 2025 program, but we confirmed that it is available for 2026, as well).
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April is Autism Acceptance Month. Read this WBUR piece about the Blue Envelope Initiative that has been implemented in several MA towns and state police departments (with a connection right here in Westborough).
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The Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC) is working on a Regional Vision Zero Action Plan to improve transportation safety across Central Massachusetts — and Westborough residents have a seat at the table. Take a few minutes to complete the Regional Vision Zero Action Plan Survey. Your responses will directly shape regional safety improvements and help municipalities work better together.
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Thank you to the following businesses and community organizations for helping make our FREE programs possible:
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WASA (Westborough Athletic and Social Association) for providing a grant to support Westborough Unplugs 2026 and Fall For Wellness (September 27, 2026).
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Westborough Civic Club has awarded a grant to support the 9th Annual Kindness Week (November 7-14.
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Brio 33 for their recent restaurant fundraiser and donation.
| | | Thank you, Dolan & Maloney Insurance Agency, for your continued support as a Connector Sponsor. | | Upcoming Westborough Connects Programs | |
Struggling to communicate with others across differences? Family members, friends, co-workers, Facebook friends? This program is for you! | | | | Where can you find us this month? | | |
SPECIAL ONE BOOK ONE BOROUGH EDITION: April 6th, 5:30-7pm; Location: Westborough Public Library, 1500 Union Street
Never been to a Connect Over Coffee before? Please don't worry about that! We welcome you to drop by and say hello. These informal meetups are opportunities to connect with Westborough Connects staff, board members, new and existing Volunteers as well as anyone who is interested in connecting with fellow community members. Drop in for a free cup of coffee or stay for the whole time! Come by yourself or bring a friend! Thank you to Red Barn Coffee Roasters for providing coffee and pastries.
Learn more about One Book One Borough HERE.
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Details coming soon. Click HERE for a look back at last year's Westborough Unplugs. Westborough Unplugs 2026 is sponsored, in part, by WASA (Westborough Athletic and Social Association).
Interested in providing a FREE community program or initiative during Westborough Unplugs? Contact Laura Cerniglia (lauraconnects3@gmail.com) by April 18th.
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Get Involved!
Local Opportunities for Volunteering, Connection, Civic Engagement, Learning, and Helping the Environment
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The Westborough Veterans Advisory Board (WVAB) seeks assistance with placing American flags on veteran graves at St. Luke's Pine Grove cemeteries on Saturday morning April 11th, starting at 9am.
This is a quick, easy and rewarding community-building event and morning.
Learn more and sign up HERE.
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Annual Earth Day Town-Wide Cleanup
hosted by Westborough Community Land Trust
Week of April 11-18, 2026
ONLINE REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Join the annual town-wide litter clean-up sponsored by WCLT! Come on your own, or rally your family, co-workers, or neighbors and form a team to beautify our town!
Families and individuals sign up HERE between April 1st and 9th.
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Light refreshments will be served. The open house will include a brief presentation along with opportunities to review materials and share feedback directly with the project team. Learn more HERE. | | | |
Training Active Bystanders is an interactive, skill-building workshop that helps community members recognize harmful situations, evaluate options, and take safe, effective action instead of remaining passive. | | | |
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Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Check out these opportunities to help make sure no one in our community goes hungry
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These recurring community events have been featured in previous Notes on Connection newsletters. They offer FREE opportunities for people to connect to others:
| | | | Community Programs and Events in Westborough | | |
Westborough Historical Society
Community Programs
Location: Sibley House, 13 Parkman Street
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Buried Treasure: Discovering Westborough’s Stone
Age
April 6, 7pm
For thousands of years Native peoples explored this land on trails leading
north, south, east and west. Archaeologist Michelle Gross describes the work and
discoveries of invaluable stone tools unearthed during the three archaeological
digs in Westborough in the 1970s and 1980s. Sibley House, 13
Parkman Street.
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Revolution Comes to Westborough!
April 27, 7pm
Historian and colonial
printer Gary Gregory discusses how Revolutionary Boston’s Committee of Safety and the Provincial Congress alerted the people in rural towns of Massachusetts to plan and create a
revolution against British rule.
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Location: 4 Valente Drive, Westborough
All are welcome!
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PROGRAM FROM OUR FRIENDS IN NATICK; ALL ARE WELCOME! | | | | |
In addition to the events mentioned above, WPL will host many great programs this month:
- Haiku and Hangout for Teens (4/7)
- Create with Craftlab (4/7)
- Jam making for adults (4/16)
- Kids Groove Scapes Concert (4/18)
- Board Game Afternoon for Adults (4/25)
...Storytimes, Author talks, Teen Drop-in Events, and MUCH more!
SPECIAL collaboration program this spring: One Book One Borough
Check out their full April calendar and event registration links HERE.
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April programs and events include:
- Boy Scout Pasta Dinner (4/4)
- QPR Suicide Prevention Workshop (4/9, with free lunch!)
- Donuts with the Director (4/13)
- Sunshine Cafe (4/22)
- Bagels with the Board (4/21)
- Dinner with Harvey Leonard (4/14)
- Free Veteran Breakfast (4/18)
...Nurses appointments (Tuesdays), Cribbage (Tuesdays), Dull Men's Club (2nd and 4th Thursdays), and MUCH more!
Check out the April Senior Scene newsletter HERE.
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There are many opportunities to have fun at the Community Center (1500 Union Street), including many free activities. Check out the calendar HERE.
- Open Play Times
- Adult Table Tennis schedules
- Gym Court schedules
Check out the Spring/Summer 2026 Brochure HERE
| | Note: this new newsletter section will feature resources and programs focused on mental and behavioral health, including some items shared through the Westborough Public Schools' Wellness Team's "Wellness Bites" bulletin. | | |
Westborough Public Schools' students in Grades 6-12 recently attended two assemblies, "Start with Hello" and "Say Something." The developmentally appropriate and evidence-informed curricula developed by the Sandy Hook Promise Foundation are designed to build student awareness and skills in five key areas: belonging, identity and self esteem, warning signs, empathy, and youth agency and decision making. The program was offered in partnership with theMassachusetts Attorney General and made possible through the Massachusetts STOP Grant. | | |
Community Resources
Below are some Sandy Hook Promise resources that are relevant for parents, families and all community members.
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Tips for Trusted Adults HERE
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Things you can do to end social isolation in children (short video clip) HERE
You can learn more about Sandy Hook Promise and access additional resources HERE.
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April 20, 2026
10-11:30am
VIRTUAL
Learn about transition planning, a formal process to help students with special needs think about what they want to do after high school, how to get there, and what supports and services can help them along the way.
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Westborough Connects, a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization (EIN # 84-1751472), is a community connector with a mission to help build a thriving, kind, and connected community where everybody belongs. By listening and responding to the needs of the community, we connect people to resources and to each other. We foster meaningful relationships through events, collaborative partnerships and communications. Westborough Connects is the proud winner of the Civic Pride Award as part of the Westborough Economic Development Committee's 2022 Year in Review Awards.
| | Westborough Connects is proud to be a member of: | | Interested in becoming a sponsor of Westborough Connects? We'd love to talk to you. Please email us at westboroughconnects@gmail.com | |
westboroughconnects@gmail.com
www.westboroughconnects.org
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