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Hello Neighbors and Friends -
It's hard to believe that Westborough Connects turn 5 years old this month! We started as a group of community members brought together under the mentorship of SPARK Kindness in Natick. We were inspired by their work and motivated by our love of Westborough. We were filled with a desire to amplify all the good things that happen here and to build communication connection in a world that seems increasing disconnected. The work is slow, hard and SO fulfilling.
This week finally felt like spring (almost summer today). Westborough is always beautiful, but it is particularly so right now - with the green lawns, beautiful blossoms and leaves unfolding on the trees. We were happy to host and promote some fun outdoor events during our annual Westborough Unplugs week with some great partners and supporters (see below0. It has also been wonderful to see the sidewalks and green spaces filling up with more people each day. It HAS TO BE OK to finally say winter is behind us.
Last week was also annual Teacher Appreciation Week. It was not that long ago that we were in awe of what teachers and administrators were doing to support the children and families of our community. We felt that acutely and appreciated their dedication, particularly in the early days of the pandemic when EVERYTHING was so uncharted and uncertain. Speaking with the many teachers I know as friends or neighbors, I know the job remains very difficult. I hope they felt some love last week. I also know that the expression of appreciation is hard to sustain in our busy lives, but that reaching out with a quick email, note or in-person acknowledgement can go a long way for teachers and for ALL the people we deemed so ESSENTIAL during the lockdown. Human nature seems to lead us back to taking things for granted - even unintentionally. We sometimes lose sight that the smallest gesture of thanks can turn someone's day completely around - it's so powerful.
Enjoy the sunshine!
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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Westborough Civic Club is a sponsor of our 2022 Westborough Unplugs and Westborough for Life! programs. Thank you for your support!
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ALSO: a special thank you to Westborough's own Kris Allen - who shared her special cherry pie recipe with a group of teens during a fun Westborough Unplugs baking event! |
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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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The Teen Zone at the Westborough Public Library is hosting an exciting festival for all ages at the library, after hours! Cupcake walk, henna, crafts, games and cotton candy - all the ingredients for a fun time! Please join us rain or shine. No registration required. WPL is located at 55 West Main Street, Westborough.
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Martha Washington: The FIRST First Lady
Monday, May 16, 7pm
Presented by Westborough Historical Society
Martha Washington will be brought to life in this one-woman show, by storyteller Anne Barrett. In 1759, George Washington married the wealthy widow Martha Dandridge Custis. Her new role led Martha from the battlefields of the American Revolution to the highest ranks of the beginning republic. Anne Barrett brings us back to 1792, when Martha Washington reminisces about the winters spent near the Revolutionary battlefield, the soldiers she met and comforted, and the music of the times. She’ll describe the demands of First Lady, the political climate, and a wife’s concerns for the first president as he led the new nation. The program is co-sponsored by The Willows at Westborough and is supported in part by a grant from the Westborough Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council.
This program is free and open to the public at The Willows at Westborough, 1 Lyman Street. Seating is limited; please register by emailing westboroughhistoricalsociety@gmail.com.
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Geology Walk: The Making of Westborough
Sunday, May 22nd, 1:30-3:30pm
Hosted by Westborough Community Land Trust
Learn about Westborough’s landscape and how it was shaped by glaciers. The major glacial periods covered the land in a mile-thick ice sheet eight different times over the last million years! During this 2.5-mile round-trip hike, leader Andy Koenigsberg will take the group along the west and south sides of Lake Chauncy, and north to visit a glacially deposited former sand and gravel quarry. Come away with an understanding of how New England’s rocky, hilly, pond-filled landscape came to exist as we see it today. No reservation needed. Check HERE for weather cancellations before setting out.
Directions: Take Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller Way [formerly Hospital Road] off Lyman Street in Westborough. Go straight up the hill, past the soccer fields on your left. Then take the very last left turn before the parking lot for the condo building. Where that road meets the lakeshore, park and meet near the yellow gate.
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SAVE THE DATE
300th Anniversary Celebration!
June 18-19th, 11am-4pm
Featuring live music, food and LOTS of fun farm activities
Click HERE for all the exciting details.
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Westborough Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
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SAVE THE DATE! MARK YOUR CALENDARS! GET READY FOR THE.....
3rd Annual
Westborough High School Graduation Parade
Honoring the Class of 2022
More details to come very soon!
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Westborough Connects Community Grant Sponsor Reliant Foundation is hosting a golf tournament! Please consider supporting this event. Proceeds support the foundation's community grants program. Westborough Connects was a recipient of a community grant in 2020 and 2021. |
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Join Reliant Foundation on Monday, May 23rd at Pleasant Valley Country Club in Sutton, MA to support its charity and its mission to improve the health and well-being of individuals of all ages in the Central and MetroWest regions of Massachusetts.
Interested in Playing? There are a LIMITED number of golf Foursomes and Individual spots still available. Sign up with the Registration Form or by contacting the staff at (508) 231-4663.
Interested in Bidding in our Auction? Visit HERE to register and be notified when our Auction goes LIVE! To register, click the "Sign In" option at the top-right of the screen.
Interested in Attending the Reception? Reception-only tickets are available! Enjoy live music from singer Cara Brindisi, hors d'oeurves, a pasta station, desserts, beverages, raffles, our online auction, and more. Contact the team at (508) 231-4663 or foundation@reliantfoundation.org.
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Opportunities for Connection, Civic Engagement, and Helping Others & the Environment |
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Project Graduation Needs YOU!
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).
They are in need of help and support to make the event successful for all. To learn more about Project Graduation and the many opportunities to contribute to this special event, visit the Project Graduation website HERE.
Please consider being part of the vital community support that makes this possible!
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Westborough Connects is currently seeking volunteers to help with many immediate needs:
- Volunteering at community events
- Fundraising and grant writing
- Marketing and graphic design
If you have some time and are interested in any of the above volunteer opportunities, please email westboroughconnects@gmail.com.
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May is Bicycle Safety Month. The Westborough Police Department has partnered with Dairy Queen with the shared goal of encouraging safe bicycle riding. If you’re riding a bicycle around town while wearing a helmet AND you see a WPD Police Cruiser or Bike Patrol Officer, you may be a recipient of a $5 DQ token . Please use your best judgment and only approach the officer when it’s safe to do so.
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Are you a caregiver - for a spouse, sibling or friend who has dementia or Alzheimer's disease? The Westborough Senior Center offers an informal support group that meets twice a month. There is no charge and transportation is available. For more information, contact the senior center at 508-366-3000.
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The Westborough Veterans Advisory Board recently announced that the MA Quilts of Valor honored the following Veterans at a recent luncheon: 1ST LT CARY PARSONS U.S.ARMY, 1ST SGT WILLIAM HARRIS U.S.ARMY and LT COL MICHAEL VANNEST U.S.M.C. What is a Quilt of Valor? Learn about it HERE.
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Noteworthy Reads and Resources |
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In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month in May, the Square One Collaboration (Westborough Connects, Westborough Public Schools, Westborough Youth & Family Services, Rotary Club of Westborough and Westborough Public Library) developed this Mental Health Resource Guide. In it, you'll find a link to translated versions in multiple languages.
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Westborough Unplugs week has passed. Are you interested in reading and learning more about screen time and Fairplay, the nonprofit that hosts national Screen-Free Week? The Screen Time Action Network offers a free resource library HERE with a multitude of articles, videos and podcasts across an array of related topics.
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This Greater Good Science Center article can be helpful when we find ourselves in conversations where we may hold different opinions or perspectives from people we are speaking with, "How to Stay Open and Curious in Hard Conversations."
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"Keep it simple."
-Jim Henson
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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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