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August 2020
Hello Neighbors and Friends -

To be clear, there is A LOT going on in this world that is heavy on our hearts and minds. The news, social media and physical distancing can compound some of the negativity, making it difficult to find a way to be (or remain) hopeful. But, it is possible!

I recently attended a SPARK Kindness program on Learned Hopefulness, featuring Dan Tomasulo, PhD. Dr. Tomasulo works in the field of Positive Psychology and the program was just what I needed to hear, just in time.

Listening to Dr. Tomasulo, I gained several new insights worth sharing. One takeaway was to start each day by thinking of 3 things you are grateful for from the day before. It could be anything - delicious cup of tea to start your day, phone call with a friend, a sunset. He also suggested that people share their gratitude with others and pointed out that kindness short circuits negativity. We will share the recording of his presentation and some additional resources as soon as they are available. In the meantime, check out the "A Few Worthy Reads (and a Video)" section of this newsletter for a link to his short video on self-compassion. I hope you find his words helpful as I did.

On the home front, our Westborough Connects committees (Programming, Community Engagement and Diversity & Inclusion) have been busy looking at programs and initiatives for the fall and beyond. We are excited to share more details on those soon.
Yours in community,

Kelley Petralia
Executive Director, on behalf of the Westborough Connects team
kelleyconnects1@gmail.com
Upcoming SPARK Kindness Program
A Q&A discussion with antiracist educator and parent Melissa Patrick, MSW. For parents and caregivers who are curious about how to talk to their kids about race and racism. ASL interpretation will be provided at this event.

To learn more about Melissa and her work, visit her website HERE.
Community Programs and 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.
This FREE program utilizes Zoom and is designed for children in grades K-3. It runs through August 20th. Click on the link below to register for individual dates. Children can register for as many classes as they'd like.
Westborough Community Puzzles & Games Swap Returns!
Are you tired of the games and puzzles in your home and ready to pass them along to a neighbor? Looking for new puzzles and games to occupy yourself or family members on rainy days?

Here's a solution...

DONATE: new or gently used puzzles or games (for all ages) on Monday, August 10th from 3-5pm outside the right side front door of the Forbes Municipal Building (45 W Main Street)

PICK-UP: A FREE donated puzzle or game on Friday, August 14th from 10am-noon on the Westborough Public Library front lawn


Question? Contact info@westboroughwomensclub.org or jkirkland@town.westborough.ma.us

Hosted by Westborough Women's Club, Westborough Recreation,
Westborough Public Library and Westborough Connects
Opportunities for Connection
Exciting new initiative!
Become a Pen Pal with a fellow Westborough Resident

With the challenging times we are going through and the shorter days of fall just around the corner, thoughts turn to our older residents who may be experiencing feelings of loneliness. Westborough Connects is organizing an adult inter-generational pen pal program for Westborough residents who might welcome the chance to receive and exchange letters with someone.

If you are, or know of anyone, who is done raising their family and looking for a way to possibly connect within our Westborough community but may not quite know how, this may be of interest to you. If you are roughly between 50 and 70 years of age (or beyond!) and interested in learning more about this new program, please email Janet Hart at hartfamily04@verizon.net.
The Westborough Master Plan is now in the "Westborough Reflects" phase and wants to hear from YOU! This project will shape the future direction of Westborough. Share your input and have your voice heard! The Westborough Master Plan website now features a storytelling section. The advisory team requests community members share their reflections (via the site). Here are 2 specific questions they are currently looking for community input on:

  • If you are a long-time resident, how has Westborough changed over the years?
  • Considering the current public health crises with COVID-19, how can the Westborough community emerge stronger in the future?
Community Spirit and Strength
Happy Birthday, Ryan!!
The community of Westborough showed up for a special birthday parade honoring Ryan - an amazing and super cool kid who has inspired and befriended so many in our town. Thank you to all who organized and participated in this. Happy Birthday, Ryan!!
Gratitude for others in the community
"I don’t know who is maintaining it this year but it just keeps getting more beautiful and I wanted to give a shout out to those who are. It’s wonderful to look at!"

- Karen R., community member
A Few Worthy Reads (and a Video)
  • Dan Tomasulo, PhD explains self-compassion and its importance in this short (2min 44sec) VIDEO.
  • We love this Harvard Health Blog post, "Writing As an Antidote to Loneliness." According to the post, "Writing provides a rewarding means of exploring and expressing feelings. It allows you to make sense of yourself and the world you are experiencing. Having a deeper understanding of how you think and feel — that self-knowledge — provides you with a stronger connection to yourself. It’s that connection that often allows you to move past negative emotions (like guilt and shame) and instead access positive ones (like optimism or empathy), fostering a sense of connection to others in addition to oneself."
  • Doing Good Together wrote "Expand Your Circle: 6 Fun Ways to Reach Out, Teach Empathy and Embrace Differences." According to the article, "Finding our village is good for our health. It's good for our jobs. It helps us live longer...But the smallness of our social circles limits our compassion, our ability to empathize, and our appreciation of the vastness of human experiences, talents, and comforts."
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. Westborough Connects always welcomes new members and is dedicated to connecting people to resources and each other.