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May 2026

NOTE: DUE TO THE LENGTH OF THIS NEWSLETTER, IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO CLICK "VIEW ENTIRE MESSAGE" AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN IN ORDER TO READ THE FULL NEWSLETTER OR CLICK HERE to View as Webpage .

Hello Neighbors and Friends -


We're sending this month's newsletter earlier than usual because next week is Westborough Unplugs. And what a week we have planned, thanks to many partners hosting events (24!) and our supporters who make it all possible! There is something for everyone. Our hope is that the week serves as a reset and a reminder of the importance of nurturing our in person-relationships and experiences in our tech-saturated world.


Additionally, several other annual observances take place this month:


  • May is Mental Health Awareness Month. As part of our Square One Collaboration, we are working on a special bulletin and an updated Mental Health Resource List for later this month (stay tuned).
  • May is also Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
  • Jewish American Heritage Month is celebrated in May.
  • This year, Teacher Appreciation Week is May 4th-10th. Westborough Education Foundation offers a way for residents to honor special teachers. Keep reading for a link to their Gratitude Gardens initiative.
  • Memorial Day is Monday, May 26th. Read on for an opportunity to join the Westborough Memorial Day Parade. We will share specific details about this year's parade last in the month.


Finally, we've added a new newsletter section starting this month, featuring upcoming fundraising events by Westborough groups benefitting our local community.


Yours in Community,


Kelley Petralia

Executive Director, Westborough Connects

kelleyconnects1@gmail.com


p.s. Since this newsletter is going on out April 30th, Happy Birthday Camden and Mom!

 

UPCOMING PANERA FUNDRAISER TO SUPPORT WESTBOROUGH CONNECTS!

May 5th

IMPORTANT NOTE: You must present the flyer (digital or print) when ordering, OR use code FUND4U when ordering online or at a cafe kiosk.


Your support of this and other Westborough Connects' fundraising efforts help make our events possible (and FREE).


Thank you!

 

Noteworthy

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A curated selection of articles, videos, audio and resources that we find worthy of sharing each month (no matter where you live).


  • Talk to strangers! (in person) Read this Greater Good Magazine article to learn more about why you should and some "QUICK" tips if it feels difficult for you.

Locally focused items centered on resources and announcements in Westborough.


  • Next Wednesday, May 6th, Westborough elementary schools will participate in MA Walk, Bike and Roll to School Day.
  • The Westborough Youth Commission is seeking two high school students, who will be juniors during the 2026-2027 school year, to serve as voting members of the Westborough Youth Commission. Learn more HERE.
  • Thanks to the generous gift from Westborough Civic Club, furniture has arrived at Westborough's newest community space: the Civic Plaza, located next to the Forbes Municipal Building (45 W. Main Street). Perfect timing with spring!
 

Thank you!

Thank you to the following sponsors for renewing their support of Westborough Connects:


EverRise


Mathnasium of Northborough


We are thrilled to welcome Willows of Westborough as a Friend of Westborough Connects sponsor.

We have many in kind supporters that donate items to us! This month, we'd like to thank CorpEvents New England for providing us with a new exhibitor package.

Thank you Wegmans of Northborough for the delicious food at our recent "Not-So-Trivial" Volunteer Social. Our backdrop for the event was the beautiful Broken Creek Vineyards. We are grateful to them for hosting us!

 

Westborough Unplugs: May 3-9

Click the flyer to view a printable version.

Starting Sunday, May 3rd...


Join us for the 7th annual Westborough Unplugs!


More than 20 events with many partners, inviting local community members to put away their digital devices and turn their focus to in-person connections and activities.


To keep up to date with all the details, visit westboroughconnects.org/westborough-unplugs.


NOTE: Several events require registration, so don't delay looking!

 

Take Part in Our Town Wide Yard Sale

Register your yard sale by May 18th. Learn more and register HERE.


Looking to shop the sale? We'll share the map with all yard sale locations after registration has closed!

 

Where can you find us this month?

(besides all the Westborough Unplugs events!)

  1. SPECIAL Westborough Unplugs Edition: May 5th, 9:30-11am; Location: Westborough Recreation Center, 1500 Union Street (2nd floor); learn more about plans for Bridging Differences & Divides and pick up some tips for how to have connecting conversations with others.
  2. May 19th, 10-11:30am; Location: Red Barn Cafe, 17 South Street
  3. May 27th, 9:30-11am, Location: Willows of Westborough, 1 Lyman Street


Never been to a Connect Over Coffee before? Please don't worry about that! We welcome you to drop by and say hello. These informal meetups are opportunities to connect with Westborough Connects staff, board members, new and existing Volunteers as well as anyone who is interested in connecting with fellow community members. Drop in for a free cup of coffee or stay for the whole time! Come by yourself or bring a friend! Thank you to Red Barn Coffee Roasters for providing coffee and pastries.

Westmeadow Plaza, 180 Milk Street, Westborough

Saturday, May 2nd, 10am


Visit our table (9:30-11am) at the Grand Opening of ACE Pickleball Club in Westborough!

Find us at the many events happening around town during Westborough Unplugs, of course!

 

Get Involved!

Local Opportunities for Volunteering, Connection, Civic Engagement, Learning, and Helping the Environment

 
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The Westborough Veterans Advisory Board (WVAB) seeks assistance with placing American flags at Westborough Rotary on May 16th and flag removal on May 30th. Choose either or both! This is a quick, easy and rewarding community-building event and morning. 


Learn more and sign up HERE.


Westborough Veterans Advisory Board is

seeking additional units to participate in this year's Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25th. Clubs, teams, and groups of all types are invited to join and display their banner or enter a decorated vehicle. Following the ceremony and remarks from the Grand Marshal, refreshments, provided by VFW Post 9013, will be available for all attending the parade and program. To join the parade, contact the

VSO office in Town Hall (34 W. Main Street), or call 774-293-2208.

 

Invasive Plants: What are they, and what can we do about them?

Westborough Community Land Trust

Sunday, May 17, 1:30-3:30pm

Location: The MacCallum Wildlife Management Area.


Join The Westborough Community Land Trust’s popular program leader Sam Plummer on a walk focusing on native and invasive plants! Learn to identify common invasive plants in Westborough and why they are a threat to local plants and animals, and find out the best ways to remove them.


Meet off Milk Street, in the MassWildlife parking lot across from address 218 Milk Street

 
 

PROGRAM FROM OUR FRIENDS IN NORTHBOROUGH; WESTBOROUGH RESIDENTS WELCOME TO REGISTER!

Register HERE.

 

Westborough Farmers Market begins June 11th!

10 Union Street, Bay State Green

every Thursday, 2:30-6:30pm, through mid-October


Featuring local vendors, community activities, POP Club incentives for elementary children and older adults (70+).


Still accepting local vendors and musicians. Learn more HERE.


Westborough Connects will be there each week, sharing resources and community-building activities.


 

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Check out these opportunities to help make sure no one in our community goes hungry


 

These recurring community events have been featured in previous Notes on Connection newsletters. They offer FREE opportunities for people to connect to others:


 
 

Community Programs and Events in Westborough

10am-2pm

122 Turnpike Road, Westborough

Tacoborough will also be on-site at this event!

Register HERE.

Register opens May 11th. Check westboroughlibrary.org for details.

Early Morning Bird Walk

Westborough Commumity Land Trust

Thursday, May 14, 6-8am

Location: Lake Chauncy



Pre-registration is required and runs Tuesday, May 12 through 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13: email Nick at grendelpgill@yahoo.com; or text or leave message at (508) 330-4401. Co-sponsored by WCLT and Forbush Bird Club


Westborough Historical Society

Sibley Open House

Sunday, May 3, 2-4pm

During Westborough Unplugs

Location:13 Parkman Street


Experience Westborough History First-Hand! Bring your family of all

ages to the Westborough Historical Society. See artifacts spanning three centuries, including Revolutionary War

artifacts, an Eli Whitney rifle, 1800s school slate and maps, plus 1920s

memorabilia from Lake Chauncy Dance Hall.

Living History: Meet John Adams - A Lively and Revolutionary

Conversation with America's Second President

Thursday, May 14, 7pm

Location: Willows of Westborough Community Room, 1 Lyman Street


In a spirited and witty performance, George

Baker presents John Adams and incidents in his life, including the Boston Massacre Trial of

1770. Co-sponsored by the Willows of Westborough.

Register HERE.

In addition to the events mentioned above, WPL will host many great programs in May:


  • Several events during Westborough Unplugs!
  • Family Storytime (every Wednesday evening & Saturday, 5/16)
  • Mindfulness Drop-In Course (Tuesday, 5/19)
  • Board Game Afternoon (5/30)


...Storytimes, Author talks, Teen Drop-in Events, and MUCH more!


Check out their full May calendar and event registration links HERE.

Welcome to the new Program & Engagement Coordinator, John Klingenstein. Meet John at a special Root Beer Floats with John on May 21st at 2:30pm.


May programs and events include:


  • Cuatro de Mayo (5/4)
  • Donuts with the Director (5/18)
  • Movie Screening: Minari (5/18)
  • Bagels with the Board (5/19)
  • Hundredth Town Chorus Performance (5/20)


...Nurses appointments (Tuesdays), Cribbage (Tuesdays), Dull Men's Club (2nd and 4th Thursdays), and MUCH more!


Check out the May Senior Scene newsletter HERE.

There are many opportunities to have fun at the Community Center (1500 Union Street), including many free activities. Check out the calendar HERE.


  • Open Play Times
  • Adult Table Tennis schedules
  • Gym Court schedules


Check out the Spring/Summer 2026 Brochure HERE

 

Square One Corner

Note: this newsletter section features resources and programs focused on mental and behavioral health, including some items shared through the Westborough Public Schools' Wellness Team's "Wellness Bites" bulletin.

As we do every May during Mental Health Awareness Month, the Square One Collaboration is working on a special bulletin and updated Mental Health Resource List for later this month (stay tuned).


 

Hosted by PPAL. For additional upcoming event, click HERE.

Moving to Young Adult Life

May 12, 2026

10-11:30am

VIRTUAL


Learn about transition planning, a formal process to help students with special needs think about what they want to do after high school, how to get there, and what supports and services can help them along the way.

 

Local Impact Events

This NEW section is a list of fundraisers or fee-based events in Westborough that benefit local groups or individuals.


To submit an event for consideration in this section, please email westboroughconnects@gmail.com

  • By supporting Reliant Foundation's Drive for a Difference on Monday, May 18th, you're helping this foundation fund organizations like Westborough Connects and many others who are improving lives and communities locally! Golfers, complete this form HERE.


 

Westborough Connects, a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization (EIN # 84-1751472), is a community connector with a mission to help build a thriving, kind, and connected community where everybody belongs. By listening and responding to the needs of the community, we connect people to resources and to each other. We foster meaningful relationships through events, collaborative partnerships and communications. Westborough Connects is the proud winner of the Civic Pride Award as part of the Westborough Economic Development Committee's 2022 Year in Review Awards.

Community Sponsors

Community Grant Sponsors

Westborough Connects is proud to be a member of:

Interested in becoming a sponsor of Westborough Connects? We'd love to talk to you. Please email us at westboroughconnects@gmail.com
westboroughconnects@gmail.com
www.westboroughconnects.org

If you have received this email as a forward and wishing to be added to the Westborough Connects mailing list, please click HERE.