If you have received this email as a forward and wish to subscribe to the Westborough Connects mailing list, please click HERE. For previous newsletters, click HERE.
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Hello Neighbors and Friends -
February. As I write this, it is bright and sunny. But, still it's February and I am already craving spring. We'll get there in due time, right?
At Westborough Connects, we are spending our days waiting for spring by planning for several upcoming programs (information for two of them is featured below) as well as finalizing dates for more informal opportunities to be in each other's company - through our Connect Over Coffee and Turquoise Table small group meet-ups. I am full of hope for a spring where we have many chances to see each other again (or for the first time!) - outside of Zoom screens.
I wish those who are in the middle of the Lunar New Year wonderful celebrations as you welcome the Year of the Tiger. February is also Black History Month, in honor of the contributions and struggles of Black people in America. Read on for links to some resources to help you mark this important month.
Finally, a reminder to please take our Community Input Survey. We want to hear from you as we plan for the future! (Link is below).
Please stay safe and kind to one another.
Yours in community,
Kelley Petralia
Executive Director, Westborough Connects
kelleyconnects1@gmail.com
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Community Support for Westborough Connects |
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Thank you
AAFCPAs
&
New England Recovery Center
for being
Friends of Westborough Connects
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We are grateful for your generous donation, which makes the work we do possible! |
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It's official! Westborough Connects adds a
Program Manager staff position
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In recognition of the growth of Westborough Connects as well as the important role that Laura Cerniglia has played as Programming Co-Chair since March 2019, we are thrilled to announce that her position is now officially a staff role - Program Manager.
Laura brings so much to this job - her background in school and community psychology, experience in running community programs for many years, collaborative spirit, and her ability to "over-think things" just enough to ensure the success of whatever she is working on. Please join me in welcoming Laura as our Program Manager.
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REMINDER: We want to hear from you! |
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Please take our Community Input Survey |
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We have developed a Community Input Survey in order to better understand what YOU want and need from Westborough Connects.
Will you take some time to complete our survey? The survey takes less than 10 minutes and your responses will be completely anonymous. The survey will close on Saturday, February 12th.
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Using the spring 2021 program, In Their Own Words as a starting point, come talk with other Westborough parents and caregivers of adolescents about how to support our children’s emotional and mental wellbeing.
These small group conversation circles (8-10 people) will focus on de-stigmatizing conversation about mental health, recognizing mental health distress in our youth and learning about what resources exist in the school system and the local community. Cara Presley from Westborough Youth and Family Services will be present, along with a parent from the community, to contribute to the conversation and to share resources.
Currently offering two session options
Register Today!
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Small group programs providing opportunities for:
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parent-to-parent/caring adult connection & conversation
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sharing resources around youth emotional/mental health
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eliminating stigma around mental health
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promoting ongoing conversation in the community
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This program is made possible, in part, through grant funding awarded to
Westborough Connects by Reliant Foundation.
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May 1-7, 2022
As part of the national Screen-Free Week, organized by the nonprofit Fairplay, Westborough Connects is excited to be planning for the 4th annual Westborough Unplugs - an all ages initiative. Westborough Unplugs celebrates community resources and offerings that do not require screens to access, while promoting a healthy balance of screen use in our lives.
Interested in helping plan this or learning about sponsorship opportunities? Please email Kelley Petralia - kelleyconnects1@gmail.com.
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Community Programs and Events |
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PLEASE NOTE: A goal of this newsletter is to highlight free, community-focused events that are open to all and bring us together. We do our best to keep up with all the great things going on around town, but we need your help! Please reach out and let us know about any events that would be important to include! Email us at westboroughconnects@gmail.com. Thank you.
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Making Maple Syrup at Home
Hosted by Westborough Community Land Trust
Sunday, February 13, 2022, 1:30-3:30 pm
Tatnuck Bookseller, 18 Lyman Street, Westborough
Do you think you have a sugar maple tree in your yard? Have you ever wondered if you could make your own natural maple syrup, but didn’t know how to get started? Or maybe you thought the equipment would be too expensive and hard to find? You can do this!
Come find out how to identify a sugar maple, how to collect sap using a few dollars’ worth of equipment from any hardware store, and how to boil the sap to make syrup, candy, and more. Presenter Janet Anderson has been making maple syrup from her backyard trees in Westborough for over a decade, and has made all the mistakes so you don’t have to! Samples will be offered.
Dress to go outdoors, as the talk will conclude with a demonstration of tapping a nearby sugar maple tree. No reservation needed.
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Get ready for a night of fun for all ages featuring BINGO type games and challenges. Bring your best BINGO good luck charm. There will be lots of prizes for everyone. There will be a special appearance by everyone's favorite snowman....Olaf!!!! This event is open to everyone but you must register to attend. Space is limited. Register HERE.
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Upcoming SPARK Kindness Program
(Westborough is invited!)
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March 8th, 7-8pm (virtual event)
Click HERE for more information and to register.
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Opportunities for Connection, Civic Engagement, and Helping Others & the Environment |
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Earth Day Town-Wide Cleanup &
Cleanup Volunteers’ Picnic
Advanced signup required
Join the annual town-wide litter clean-up sponsored by WCLT (Westborough Community Land Trust), and enjoy a drop-in Earth Day Volunteers’ picnic lunch afterwards! Come on your own, or rally your family, co-workers, or neighbors and form a team to beautify our town!
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Families and individuals go HERE between April 1st-8th to sign up and choose an area to clean. For larger groups, please email earthday@westboroughlandtrust.org by March 15th to sign up.
- Trash bags will be dropped off at participants’ homes by the 9th, or if necessary, you can arrange to pick up.
- Clean your chosen area any day or time between April 9th and noon on April 16th. For the cleanup, wear gloves, long pants, long sleeves, and sturdy shoes. Leave closed bags by the road in the area you cleaned, and they will be removed on April 16th.
- Join fellow community members from 11:30-12:30 on April 16th at Bay State Commons for an appreciation picnic of pizza with all the sides!
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Westborough Town Seal Review Committee Public Comment Survey
The Westborough Town Seal Review Committee seeks public comment about the current Westborough Town Seal. They have developed a short, 5-question survey. Comments can also be emailed directly to the committee: TownSealReview@town.westborough.ma.us
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Westborough Town Elections will be held on
March 8th
Westborough High School
90 W. Main Street
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Annual Town Meeting
Saturday, March 19th, 9am
Westborough High School, 90 W. Main Street
This is an opportunity for registered voters in town to decide matters related to town spending and governance.
HERE is a link to the draft town warrant for the meeting (the list of 32 articles to be voted upon).
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Project Graduation Westborough
Project Graduation is an all-volunteer organization designed to offer graduating seniors a FUN, SAFE, CHEMICAL-FREE night (and allows parents a worry-free evening knowing that their graduates are in a safe environment). To learn more about Project Graduation and the many opportunities to contribute to this special event, visit the Project Graduation website HERE.
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Kindness Week is contagious! That's right. This week, Northborough is celebrating its first ever Kindness Week. Check out this Community Advocate article and the organizer's Facebook page HERE. Connecting communities through kindness - WOW!
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Recently, historian and longtime Westborough resident Kris Allen led a guided walk through the grounds of the former Westborough State Hospital and along some current-day trails in town. The event was sponsored by Westborough Community Land Trust and open to all. You can read a little more about it in this Community Advocate article.
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Noteworthy Reads and Resources |
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In honor of Black History Month, we wanted to share 2 items: Westborough TV's recording of the 4th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Celebration HERE (co-hosted by Westborough Interfaith Clergy, Central MA Connections in Faith, Westborough Public Schools and Westborough Connects), and a link HERE to all editions of the 2021 Racial Justice Toolkit from Westborough Connects (a supplement to last year's MLK program)
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When the snow clears a bit, visit our StoryWalk® on the front grounds at Westborough High School (90 W. Main Street). The current book, My Name is Sangoel by Karen Lynn Williams will remain on exhibit for a self-guided tour through the month of February. If you can't make it to see the exhibit in person, you can watch a guided reading HERE.
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Thanks to Westborough Connects member Jody H. who shared this useful article, "7 Daily Habits That Harm Your Brain" (Medium). While the title sounds quite negative, it offers helpful tips for promoting brain health.
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We liked this National Geographic article which offers a good overview of the traditions of Lunar New Year.
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The INTERFACE Referral Service helpline is temporarily closed to new callers until February 22nd. In the meantime, Westborough Youth & Family Services has offered some alternative resources to assist community members with connecting to outpatient mental and behavioral health services:
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Behavioral Health Partners of Metro West, 1-844-528-6800
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Massachusetts 211, Dial 2-1-1
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Therapy Matcher, 800-242-9794
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Psychology Today "Find a Therapist"
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Contact Westborough Youth &Family Services for further assistance: 508-366-3090
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"You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make."
-Jane Goodall
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About Westborough Connects
Westborough Connects is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization (EIN # 84-1751472) focused on building a more connected and kind community where everybody feels like they belong. Often in partnership with others, Westborough Connects creates opportunities to support and celebrate the diversity, spirit, and character of Westborough through programs and events that are community-based, strengths-based and dedicated to connecting people to resources and each other.
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2022 Westborough Connects Grant Sponsor |
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westboroughconnects@gmail.com l www.westboroughconnects.org |
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