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Hello Neighbors and Friends -
After many months and countless hours of planning with an amazing team, I am excited to share that registration has now opened for the upcoming Kickoff to Kindness Week 2021 on November 13th. (see our announcement email with registration details HERE).
Kindness Week is November 13th-19th and it will include 60+ local Partners in Kindness offering various events and initiatives throughout the week to AMPLIFY KINDNESS IN OUR COMMUNITY! Our network partner, SPARK Kindness in Natick will also celebrate Kindness Week with their own events and initiatives, which we will share with you all.
"Isn't being kind something we should do everyday?" YES!! - but it's really fun to rally together around such a simple, positive and critical concept. Consider it "social emotional learning" for the entire community. If we can do fun things together and build bonds, maybe we can tackle the tough stuff too.
Please continue reading this newsletter to learn about other community events this month (including Monday's virtual program "How to Talk About Diversity at Home" with Dr. Liza Talusan) and some articles, resources and inspiration around our key interrelated focus areas: kindness, connection, inclusion and resilience! I tried to keep it brief this month because you will be hearing a lot from us over the next few weeks.
To those celebrating this week, I wish you a bright and joyous Diwali!
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
Dolan & Maloney Insurance Agency
for being a
Friend of Westborough Connects
We are grateful for your generous donation, which makes the work we do possible!
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Upcoming Westborough Connects Events |
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How to Talk About Diversity at Home |
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A workshop for
parents & community members led by Dr. Liza Talusan
Please join us
November 8th, 7-8pm
via Zoom
There is much going on in our world, nation, and community right now. In addition to the global health pandemic that has impacted our schooling, learning, and engagement, we are also responding to issues of racial and economic injustice. Some have struggled with how to talk about issues of diversity in our homes. Join Dr. Liza Talusan, a nationally recognized facilitator and educator, as we come together with community members to work through these difficult conversations.
Closed captioning will be provided for this program. All are welcome. Over 90 people already registered.
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Co-hosted by Westborough Public Schools & Westborough Connects. |
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Registration open for Kickoff to Kindness Week
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Over 60 already registered.
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Masks required for this in-person event. Virtual viewing option available. |
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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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Read the press release about
this wonderful community event HERE.
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Westborough Senior Center is hosting a: |
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located at 4 Rogers Road
call 508-366-3000 to make a reservation for this luncheon.
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The Town of Westborough
Veterans Day Ceremony
hosted by Veterans' Advisory Board
Thursday, November 11th
Please join this event to show our sincere appreciation and profound thanks to all who have served. Veterans who are currently serving are also encouraged to join.
The schedule of events is as follows:
- 8:30 AM: Knights of Columbus Hall on 17 Willow Street. All participants meet for coffee and pastries
- 9:00 AM: Bus departs Knights of Columbus for Minuteman Park
- 9:30 AM: Bus departs for the Saint Luke’s Cemetery
- 10:00 AM: Bus departs for the Pine Grove Cemetery
- 10:30 AM: Rotary Service: Select Board will present the wreath
- 11:00 AM: Bus departs for Forbes Municipal Building for service and wreath laying
At the conclusion, the Westborough Veterans' Advisory Board will offer a collation for participants and invited guests at 17 Willow Street, Westborough.
More details will be available through the Veterans' Advisory Board HERE.
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Westborough Turkey Trot
is back!
The Westborough Education Foundation's annual Westborough Turkey Trot will take place on Saturday, November 20th at 9am.
Even if you don't plan to run or walk, consider coming out to cheer on your neighbors as they make their way around town to help raise money for Westborough Education Foundation.
Click HERE to learn more!
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Westborough Winter Stroll
and Light Parade
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The Rotary Club of Westborough, Westborough Recreation Department, Westborough Public Library, Westborough Economic Development Committee, and event sponsor Realtor Gary Kelley are excited to announce the return of this much loved tradition! |
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Schedule of Events
2:00-5:00pm - Businesses are open and ready for visitors! Map of participating businesses and organizations will be available soon. Bus transportation along the Stroll route will be provided, thanks to Realtor Gary Kelley!
Mrs. Claus will be at the Westborough Public Library with children's stories every hour starting at 2pm - 5pm.
6:00pm - Light parade down West Main St.
6:30pm (Immediately after parade) - Rotary Club of Westborough presents the Westborough Winter Lights and Santa visits on the rotary!
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Opportunities for Connection, Civic Engagement, and Helping Others & the Environment |
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The Westborough Winter Stroll and Light Parade are back and they need you!
Westborough Recreation is looking for anyone that wants to light up their vehicle. In the past, neighborhoods have gotten together to go in on a car/truck/boat. This is also great for businesses, if you have a company truck or car that works too, it just needs to be lit up!
Please fill out THIS FORM if you would like to participate by Friday November 15th!
NOTE: The Rec Dept does NOT supply any materials. You would be responsible for all of the equipment you need to light up your vehicle.
The Westborough Winter Stroll and Light Parade are brought to you by the Rotary Club of Westborough, Westborough Recreation Department, Westborough Public Library, Westborough Economic Development Committee, and event sponsor Realtor Gary Kelley
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- If you drove through downtown Westborough on the afternoon of Thursday, October 28th, you saw the amazing turnout for the Main Street Trick or Treat event. The businesses and many town departments, led by Westborough Recreation, really put on a great event for the community.
- Third graders from Hastings Elementary School recently visited outside the Whitney Place for a Halloween Parade. Now, Whitney Place is reaching out to see how they might show their gratitude. Intergenerational connection helps build strong communities!
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Westborough Girl Scout Troop 20088 recently "hosted" The Little Free Pantry of Westborough. Troop members (8th graders) took turns checking in on supplies and re-stocking the pantry throughout the month of October. They saw first-hand the amount of use it gets and what it takes to do their part for this community supported initiative sponsored by In Your Shoes of Westborough.
We hope the upcoming Kindness Week inspires & provides many more opportunities for connection. Please share your experiences connecting with the community and perhaps we will showcase them here!
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Noteworthy Reads and Resources |
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November 20th is Family Volunteer Day. This annual day takes place each year on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. To make it easier to participate in this day, Points of Light offers guides, ideas and a searchable database to find local opportunities for working together to make a difference. It's a good time to start thinking about how you may want to participate in this national day. We will also remind you of it, as it takes place the day after Kindness Week ends.
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Mindfulness has been on my mind lately (pun intended). This Greater Good Science Center article shares "Three Ways Mindfulness Can Make You Less Biased."
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"Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received."
-Henry Van Dyke
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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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You can also support Westborough Connects with the purchase of these custom design products (other items also available). Click HERE to view and purchase merchandise.
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2021 Westborough Connects Grant Sponsor |
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westboroughconnects@gmail.com l www.westboroughconnects.org |
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