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September 2020
Hello Neighbors and Friends -

Like everything else over the past several months, the transition to fall feels very different this year. While there are glimpses of normalcy in nature - leaves beginning to turn colors and the cooler evenings - our daily lives and routines are not the same. This has been, and will continue to be, particularly challenging as the start of the school year approaches. There is an incredible range of emotion and concern as every teacher, bus driver, administrator, student, parent, grandparent, etc. has their own vantage point. Many people are also struggling with isolation and striving to find ways to preserve their social and emotional well being. All of this is further compounded by a national awakening about systemic racism, a highly charged political climate and the personal struggles of everyday life - all of which challenge our connection with each other.

Living in a community that is connected to and supportive of one another means recognizing that we each have our own unique experiences and challenges that are not always visible on our faces, in our voices or within our social media posts. Especially in these times of physically distancing, where we have less opportunities to talk with those outside our immediate family and social circles, it's easy to lose sight of the important practices of empathy and giving people the benefit of the doubt. We can model our desire to have a kind, connected community by keeping in mind that we are all doing our best in a time when there is not precedent, no guide book and no crystal ball into the future.

Over the summer, the Westborough Connects team has been busy planning - adapting and modifying the way we do our work of promoting connection and strength in the community. We're excited to share information about several upcoming programs and initiatives. Please read on to learn more.

We also continue to listen and learn about how to build on our work, bring people together in different ways and be a resource for the community that seeks to ensure that everyone is seen, heard and feels supported. We will pursue our goals to build programs, share resources and partner with the community to promote our core values of inclusion and equity. Kindness and connection are at the root of it all.

Yours in community,

Kelley Petralia
Executive Director, on behalf of the Westborough Connects team
kelleyconnects1@gmail.com
Upcoming Westborough Connects Programs
HAPPENING TOMORROW!
Still spots left. Come join us.....
*Registration Information Coming Soon!*
SAVE THE DATE!
NOW What? How to Manage Emotions During Uncertain Times
November 10th, 7pm

Lynn Lyons, LICSW, returns to Westborough for a virtual presentation offering positive, action-based strategies to help people of all ages and stages of life manage the worry, disappointment and uncertainty of our current pandemic-dominated environment. Using creativity, connection and energy, Lynn will describe how to increase flexibility, support the tolerance of uncertainty, and emotionally equip ourselves and those we love as we move through this unique and challenging time.

This free Square One program is co-hosted by Westborough Youth & Family Services, Westborough Public Schools, Rotary Club of Westborough and Westborough Connects. Additional details and program registration information will be announced soon.
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.
New FREE Program from Westborough Recreation!
How to Be an Antiracist Book Discussion
Wednesday, September 16th, 7pm
Hosted by Unitarian Universalist Congregational Society of Westborough
Join in this opportunity to discuss the book How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram Kendi, facilitated by congregation members Kim Hall and Jerry Breecher. All are welcome and you do not need to be a member of the congregation to participate. To join in the discussion, register HERE.
Twilight to Moonlight Walk
2 EVENTS! - October 1st & 2nd, 6:30-8 pm
Hosted by Westborough Community Land Trust

Two walks are offered to accommodate different age levels—adults on October 1, families and Scout troops on October 2. Enjoy the sunset across Lake Chauncy, then take a walk by the light of the full moon to get into the Halloween spirit. We will learn to imitate some owl calls and listen for an answer! The October 2 walk will also include some fun with flashlights at the end.

Take Fuller Way/Hospital Road off Lyman St. to the old State Hospital land and bear left along the lake shore. Park and meet at the lake edge, at the yellow gate between Hospital land and the Fish and Wildlife land, past the Chauncy Soccer Fields. Walk will be 1-2 miles on mostly level unpaved trails, with one small hill. Bring a flashlight for emergencies, but we plan to keep them off most of the time so our eyes can adjust to the moonlight. Click HERE for a map.

Covid Update: Masks covering the nose and mouth are required for all WCLT events, and social distancing will be practiced. Contact events@westboroughlandtrust.org with questions.
Kids can read anything they want, work at their own pace, and qualify for fun prizes along the way! The program runs September 1 - December 31. Logging is done online, but everything else has an offline focus. Click HERE at any time to sign up.
Opportunities for Connection
EXCITING NEW INITIATIVE FOR ADULTS!
Become a Pen Pal with a fellow Westborough Resident

Westborough Connects has space for just 20 more seniors between 70 and 100 years of age to become a pen pal to another adult Westborough resident!

If you know someone who might like to take part, please speak with them and try to spark their interest. When your friend/family says yes, help them out by emailing Westborough Connects member Janet Hart at hartfamily04@verizon.net; give her the name and address of the person and then in early October, their first pen pal letter will arrive!

Each pen pal is asked to write back to their new friend twice before the new year. There is no commitment to continue writing after the new year but in the meantime, you’ve helped your senior make a new friend, learn something he/she didn’t know before and just have a bit of fun!

You can find Janet Hart and Kelley Petralia talking about the Pen Pal program on a recent episode of Westborough TV's Frank & MaryHERE. -
You can submit a photo of your child headed back-to-school whether that's to a school building or at home. It can be any photo you'd like to capture and celebrate their first day "back" whether that means a cute outfit on the front step or a picture of them learning remotely. 

To submit your photo to our little archive click HERE and they will share it with the community and save it for generations to come so they will be able to get a sense of just how resilient and special each of our kids were during a "first day back" like no other. 
CONNECTion Spotlight
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  • The Westborough Affordable Housing Trust Working Group has launched a web site to share information and resources, and to provide the community an opportunity to share ideas and ask questions. Check out the web site HERE. The more you comment, the more you will encourage others to participate. ‘Subscribe’ to be notified of future updates.
  • Westborough TV recently launched a fun new series called "What's Up Westborough?" featuring drone camera footage. Click HERE to view their most recent episode (episode 4 - highlighting our beautiful downtown).
  • Our first responders have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic (and always!) to support the community. Recently, residents of the Highlands in Westborough visited Westborough Fire to show their gratitude. Read about it in this Community Advocate article, "Highlands Residents Offer a Special Thank You to First Responders."
Community Spirit and Strength
Spreading words of kindness and encouragement to others
Recently, a group of Westborough Connects volunteers and friends came together to paint Kindness Rocks for neighbors. Simple gestures such as these remind us all that we are part of a caring community.
We invite you to share your photos and stories of community spirit. Email them to westboroughconnects@gmail.com.
A Few Worthy Reads (and a Video)
  • A recent New York Times article, "To Build Emotional Strength, Expand Your Brain" suggests that learning something new helps build emotional strength. (it appears a subscription is not needed to read this article).
  • Antiracism as a practice is a frequently used term recently but many people don't know what that means and aren't sure how it applies to them. Read this Greater Good Magazine article, "Ten Keys to Everyday Antiracism," to learn more about how to incorporate it into your own life.
  • Many people live their lives believing the goal is happiness. This TED Talk - "There's More to Life than Being Happy" - offers a good perspective on living a meaningful life.
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.