Volume 18 | March 2020
Welcome to the March 2020 Westborough Connects newsletter. The goal of this periodic communication is to shine a spotlight on the positive things going on in our community, including upcoming/recent events from Westborough Connects and other Westborough community organizations, interesting interviews with local people, examples of "connection" across our community, and noteworthy resources in Westborough and beyond. We welcome your input and would love to highlight the things that matter to you, so please send ideas/comments to WestboroughConnects@gmail.com.

If you've received this newsletter as a forward and wish to subscribe on your own, click HERE to be added to the list. It's free! To view previous editions of this newsletter, visit our website - www.westboroughconnects.org/newsletter .
Recent Westborough Connects Events
WE stborough  CONNECTED!
On Leap Saturday, Westborough Connects held its first  Connect Over Coffee  at Red Barn Coffee Roasters. What a great way to celebrate the extra day! Nearly 30 members and newcomers stopped by for coffee and conversation. Red Barn was the perfect setting! Red Barn Manager Doreen was our gracious host & photographer and helped to make the day a success. Thank you to Red Barn Coffee Roasters for providing their delicious coffee!

The vision of  Connect Over Coffee  is simple ... provide an opportunity for Westborough to come together in a casual setting to catch up with old friends or meet new ones. Watch for details of our next  Connect Over Coffee  soon!
Upcoming Events from Westborough Connects
Please note: This program is not just for parents of teens and tweens. Tell your friends, neighbors and adult family members as well as the coaches, instructors, troop leaders and other caring adults in the lives of children to attend this engaging, high energy program about one of the most discussed topics in today's society. 
Stay tuned for more details on our Kickoff to Kindness , Community Movie Night and all the events & initiatives during the week. We are grateful to our many Partners In Kindness for all the amazing ways they will make this a very special week in our town.
Save the Date!
May 2nd-9th

What is Westborough Unplugs? It is a local event in conjunction with National Screen Free Week. Click HERE to learn more. Stay tuned for more details as we get closer to the week. Please email Amy Wallace (benandamywallace@yahoo.com) if you, your organization or business would like to get involved.

Westborough Unplugs is co-hosted by Westborough Recreation , Westborough Education Technology Fund and Westborough Connects . We are grateful for sponsorship support from Westborough Civic Club . Thank you!

Exciting News from Westborough Connects
Westborough Connects is now a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization!

We are so happy to share that we received our IRS Determination Letter qualifying Westborough Connects as an exempt organization under IRC Section 501(c)3. Contributions made to Westborough Connects as of May 16, 2019 are able to be deducted as charitable donations. 

Thank you very much to Jim Tashjian for shepherding us through this process - which included multiple iterations and meetings related to our bylaws, articles of incorporation and ultimate 501(c)3 application.

Thank you, also, to the adhoc Governance Working Group who contributed much time and effort to this - Maureen Amyot, Heena Suratwala, Kelley Petralia, Bill Linnane, IP Singh, Gary Kelley, Gerry Gross, Christine Guthery, Michele Marotta and Kristy Showstead.
Opportunities for Involvement
in Westborough Connects
We ALWAYS welcome new community members to Westborough Connects and recognize that you may be unsure of how to get involved. Here are some easy ways:

Volunteer at Upcoming Events
There are several ways to volunteer for community events - from hanging flyers, to greeting people as they arrive for a program, to compiling feedback. No experience necessary! It's an easy, low-commitment way of learning a little more about Westborough Connects and helping out in the process. We're currently looking for help for the March 19th Katie Greer speaker presentation. Email westboroughconnects@gmail.com, if you're interested.

Join a Program Planning Team
We are currently wrapping up much of the planning for our 3 upcoming programs (noted above). However, it is never too late to join in to assist!
  • For Digital Safety with Katie Greer, email Kelley Petralia, kelleyconnects1@gmail.com
  • For Kindness Week, email Laura Cerniglia, lauraconnects3@gmail.com
  • For Westborough Unplugs, email Amy Wallace, benandamywallace@yahoo.com

Join a Committee (or just attend a meeting!)
Committees are a great way to get involved with Westborough Connects. We currently have three committees: Programming , Community Engagement , and Diversity & Inclusion . Our committees meet periodically and ALWAYS welcome new people. Click HERE for a (recently updated) description of our current committees and click HERE to sign up for one of them.

Still unsure how to get involved?
Email Kelley Petralia (kelleyconnects1@gmail.com) or Heena Suratwala (heenaconnects1@gmail.com). We welcome opportunities to meet new people in the community.
Upcoming Community Events
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.
PLEASE NOTE: This event takes place tonight!
Westborough Community Land Trust presents:

Snakes of New England and the World
Saturday, March 21, TWO SHOWS:  9:00 and 11:00 am
Knights of Columbus Hall, 17 Willow Street, Westborough
Bring the family and join us for our always-popular spring free live animal show!  Meet some fascinating harmless reptiles you may find while out walking in Westborough as well as some impressive specimens from around the world. Learn to identify, respect, and protect these fragile creatures.  You will be allowed to touch the animals—this show is always a big hit with the young and the curious of all ages! Plan to arrive early as seating is limited. This free event is presented by Rick Roth of the Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team. 
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Westborough Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.  Also supported in part by the Westborough Newcomers Club. For questions contact:  events@westboroughlandtrust.org
Westborough Senior Center
Soup for the Senior Soul
Thursday, March 26th at 11:30

Come out of your winter nest and join your neighbors for a bowl of Italian Wedding Soup, company and conversation. There is no charge and transportation is available, but registration is required. Call 508-366-3000.

For more about events going on at the Senior Center, click HERE for the March edition of Westborough Senior Scene, published by Westborough Senior Center
Events for Building Community Strength & Resilience
CONNECTion Spotlight
texture-graphic-community.jpg
Check out these recent and upcoming examples of (and opportunities for) connection in our town.

  • As the seasons give way to spring and spring cleaning around the house, please remember to save all your gently used coats for the annual In Your Shoes coat drive which takes place in October. They are also looking for gently used winter boots, hats, new mittens, new underwear and new socks. Collections will take place during the week of October 5, 2020, with bins located throughout the community. So please, save your coats! In Your Shoes is an amazing nonprofit organization working to contribute time, talents and resources to people in the Westborough community who are in need.
  • The Westborough Master Plan committee held a facilitated community meeting on February 29th (see photos at bottom of section). Over 100 people attended and participated in group discussions about their hopes and dreams for Westborough's future. As a follow-up, the committee is soliciting input from ANY AND ALL community members through its first public survey about the opportunities to help form the future. Take the survey HERE https://westboroughmasterplan.com/community-survey-1. Hard copies are available at the Westborough Library and the Senior Center, or upon request - call (508) 366-3055. Submissions will be accepted until March 31, 2020.
  • The Westborough Annual Town Meeting will take place on Saturday, March 28th, beginning at 1pm in the Westborough High School auditorium. This is an opportunity for registered voters in town to decide matters related to town spending and governance. HERE is a link to the town warrant for the meeting (the list of articles to be voted upon).
Noteworthy Articles & Resources
  • Need some inspiration & affirmation on the kindness that is in our world? You'll find lots to choose from in this beautiful video from The Foundation for a Better Life.
  • Find out why "One of the most important practices you can do this year is to 'us' all 'thems,'" in this Greater Good Magazine article.
  • Westborough residents have free access to INTERFACE, a mental health resource and referral helpline to help children, adults and families become connected with mental health and wellness resources. Call 1-888-244-6843 Monday-Friday between 9 am and 5 pm to consult with a mental health professional about resources and/or receive personalized, matched referrals. For more information about this important community resource, click HERE.
"Guard well within yourself that treasure, Kindness. Know how to give it without hesitation, how to lose without regret, how to acquire without meanness . "
- George Sand
About Westborough Connects