November 2019 Newsletter from Westborough Connects

Volume 14 | November 2019

If you've received this newsletter as a forward and wish to subscribe on your own, click HERE to be added to the list. It's free! To view previous editions of this newsletter, visit our website - www.westboroughconnects.org/newsletter

Notes on Connection From Around Westborough

Welcome to the November 2019 Westborough Connects newsletter. The goal of this periodic communication is to shine a spotlight on the positive things going on in our community, including upcoming/recent events from Westborough Connects and other Westborough community organizations, interesting interviews with local people, examples of "connection" across our community, and noteworthy resources in Westborough and beyond. We welcome your input and would love to highlight the things that matter to you, so please send ideas/comments to WestboroughConnects@gmail.com.

Click HERE to register/donate

Sunday, December 8th, 12 - 2 pm, at Lake Chauncy, Lyman Street, Westborough, MA

In Your Shoes , a giving circle, with support from Westborough Connects will host a Polar Plunge fundraiser to benefit both organizations.

We're asking for support from the community. There are several ways you can support Westborough Connects through the Plunge:

Take the Plunge: Plunging costs $100. Remember, you can also get sponsors to offset the cost of the plunge! Even more fun would be to put together a Plunge Team of family, friends or organization members. You must be 18 to plunge.
Be a "Virtual Plunger": We get it - plunging in the chilly waters of Lake Chauncy does not appeal to all! If you'd like to be part of the team but not get wet, you can register as a "Virtual Plunger."
Donate: Visit inyourshoeswestborough.com and click on donate/sponsor. We greatly appreciate any small or large donation! Every bit counts and it's tax deductible (In Your Shoes is a 501(c)3)!
Volunteer at the Plunge: We need lots of volunteer support to make this successful! HERE is a sign up sheet if you are able to help out.
Come cheer on the Plungers: Even if you don't take the plunge yourself, we would love your support as a spectator on December 8th between 12 and 2 at Lake Chauncy in Westborough. We will have refreshments, a bonfire, music and a lot of fun!!

Important Note: Register as a Plunger OR Virtual Plunger by November 14th to guarantee an "I took the plunge with In Your Shoes and Westborough Connects" t-shirt.

It would be incredible to fill the beach at Lake Chauncy with a huge team of people who believe in and support the missions of these 2 organizations.

Will you take the plunge with

In Your Shoes and Westborough Connects ?

Upcoming Events Co-Hosted by Westborough Connects

Recent Events from Westborough Connects

Hot Topics was held on October 17th and was co-hosted by Westborough Connects, Westborough Public Schools and Westborough Youth & Family Services. We were thrilled to offer 8 workshops designed to explore topics important to parents and caregivers of elementary and middle school students.

Workshop themes included: social-emotional learning, approaches to dyslexia, stress management, youth behavior risk, mindfulness for parents/caregivers, nutrition in children, having difficult conversations and handling conflict.

We are incredibly grateful to all the educators, professionals and volunteers who helped plan the event and lead the workshops. For more information and materials from the program, click HERE to read the follow-up note we sent to registrants.

Over 200 people were in attendance for last Sunday's event aimed at highlighting social, recreational and educational opportunities for adults in Westborough to connect with each other.

We enjoyed listening to the life experiences, perspectives and passions of our 3 speakers - Bruce Frankel, Dr. Harmesh Sharma and Lisa Borchetta - and are grateful to them for sharing with us.

Our Resource Fair was filled with exhibitors from many corners of Westborough. We are thankful for all the exhibitors who came and provided an opportunity for community members to engage.

We collected many ideas in the Idea Cafe - hopes and dreams and thoughts for what could make Westborough an even better place for adults to live their lives fully.

Thank you to everyone who came out to be part of this special event. Stay tuned for more details and next steps based on this event. We heard from many that it is one we should repeat! If you missed it, Westborough TV filmed the event and you can view it HERE . (Thank you, Westborough TV!)

Opportunities for Involvement

in Westborough Connects

We've heard from many people that they aren't sure how to get involved in Westborough Connects. Here are some easy ways:

Volunteer at Upcoming Events

There are several ways to volunteer for Westborough Connects events - from hanging flyers, to greeting people as they arrive for a program, to compiling feedback. It's an easy, low-commitment way of learning a little more about Westborough Connects and helping out in the process.

We welcome volunteer support for the upcoming Polar Plunge fundraiser with In Your Shoes Westborough. Check out opportunities HERE.
Along with Westborough Interfaith Clergy, Central MA Connections in Faith and Westborough Public Schools, we are hard at work planning for the 2nd annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Celebration. If you are able and willing to help, we welcome you! Please email Heena Suratwala (heena.ankurs@gmail.com) with the subject line "MLK Day 2020."

Join a Program Planning Team

We are now forming a Kindness Week 2020 program planning team. An initial meeting will take place on Thursday, November 14th from 7-8:30pm at Westborough Public Library top floor meeting room. RSVP HERE if you can make it. All are welcome!
The Westborough Unplugs program planning team will begin to take shape with an initial planning meeting on Wednesday, November 20th from 4:30-5:30pm at the Westborough Town Hall bottom floor conference room. RSVP to Amy Wallace (benandamywallace@yahoo.com), if you can make it. All are welcome!

Join a Committee (or just attend a meeting!)

Committees are a great way to get involved with Westborough Connects. We currently have three committees: Programming , Community Engagement , and Diversity & Inclusion . Our committees meet periodically and ALWAYS welcome new people. Click HERE for a (recently updated) description of our current committees and click HERE to sign up for one of them.

Still unsure how to get involved?

Email our Board President, Maureen Amborsino (maureenconnects@gmail.com) or one of our Board Co-Vice Presidents, Kelley Petralia (kelley_click@hotmail.com) or Heena Suratwala (heena.ankurs@gmail.com) with questions. We love face-to-face connection and welcome opportunities to meet new people in the community.

Diversity and Inclusion Committee Update

The Diversity and Inclusion Committee met on October 29, 2019. We thank all our community members for their interest and participation in this important work. Christine Guthery, Founder and Executive Director of SPARK Kindness, facilitated this meeting to help with the strategic planning exercise for this committee. We will soon be sharing the report with our Diversity and Inclusion Committee members as well as our Board members.

Upcoming Community 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.

FREE Community Trail Walk

November Monday Morning Bird Walk November 11, 7-9am

Join WCLT at the Westborough Wildlife Management Area to look for the wide variety of waterfowl stopping at Lake Chauncy during their migration. Everyone is welcome and new birders are encouraged to participate. Binoculars strongly recommended. Take Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller Way [formerly Hospital Road] off Lyman Street in Westborough. Park and meet just before the yellow gate at the end of the road near the water. No registration needed. Trail map HERE .

Presented in partnership with the Forbush Bird Club (Worcester County’s bird club since 1931) by expert birder Nick Paulson.

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 WEF.

Annual Westborough Holiday Stroll, Light Parade

and Tree Lighting

Sunday December 1 ^st

Schedule of Events:

12-4pm: Winter Stroll around downtown to visit local businesses
4pm: Mrs Claus @ the library
5pm: Light parade down West Main Street
5:30pm: Annual Holiday Tree Lighting/Santa visits at the Rotary sponsored by Rotary Club of Westborough

Have a Jeep, a fun or classic car (or a boat!), or just love being in a parade? The Light Parade is in need of more vehicles! It's fun and FREE. For more information or to enter your vehicle in the Light Parade, contact Jenn Kirkland at 508-366-3066.

Free shuttles provided by Gary Kelley

Join in this fun, much-loved tradition.

Honoring Our Veterans

Photo credit: Andy Toorock, USMC, Retired

The Westborough Rotary Field of Flags is back on display this year, thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Westborough Veterans' Advisory Board. The display is a moving tribute to acknowledge the service and sacrifice of our Westborough veterans and active military personnel. On Saturday, November 2, volunteers, including Westborough High School students, scouts and members of the Veterans' Advisory Board placed over 700 flags at the rotary. These flags were donated by civic groups and individuals to honor our Westborough Veterans.The Westborough Rotary Field of Flags will remain at the rotary through Saturday, November 23, 2019.

For a full schedule of Veterans Day 2019 events in Westborough, please click HERE .

All community members are welcome to attend and it is a great way to show that we support our Veterans!

Mill Pond School will host a Veterans' Tour of Duty on November 12th. Any veteran is invited to the school at 8:30am for a patriotic-themed tour of the school. For more information or questions, contact Mill Pond Principal Peter Guellnitz at guellnitzp@westboroughk12.org.

CONNECTion Spotlight

Check out these recent and upcoming examples of (and opportunities for) connection in our town.

On October 16th, community members gathered at The Boro Sugar Shack for a community celebration of Diwali. It was a wonderful opportunity for people of all backgrounds to come together during this celebration of new beginnings and of light over darkness, which has historical roots across several cultures. For some it was a chance to celebrate, for others a chance to learn and enjoy some of the holiday traditions. Westborough TV filmed the event. Watch it HERE.
Students from Armstrong Elementary School visited the Highlands Gracious Independent Living on October 29th for the 4th Annual Harvest Celebration. This inter-generational event brings together children and residents for some craft-making and visiting. Everyone had a great time, with several new friendships made that afternoon.
Last year, the annual Free Holiday Store sponsored by Westborough Youth & Family Services provided gifts to 113 families and 250 children. Items needed includetoys, books, purses, wrapping paper, bows, tape, gift cards, gift tags, holiday cards, gift bags, hats, mittens, shoes, string back packs, clothing items and personal items. Beginning after Thanksgiving, donations may be dropped off at Drop off at the Library after Thanksgiving or reach out to Julia O'Neil Welch at Westborough Youth & Family Services, 508-366-3090. Please note updated address to Y&FS: 45 W. Main St room 305
The Westborough Public Library is a great place for writers! In fact, the library recently announced some dedicated time for writers to come to the library and enjoy a quiet place to focus on writing with a group of like-minded patrons. Writer's Circle will be held every Friday from 12-2pm. Writers are invited to come to the library (with laptops, writing tools, etc.) and join the group! BTW - the library welcomes writers at any time. They are offering this as "fun time to meet other local writers, network, and ask questions in an encouraging, supportive environment." No registration required. Simply check in at the Adult Circulation desk on your first visit.

*Do you have an example of community connection to share? We'd love to hear about it. Please email Kelley Petralia (kelley_click@hotmail.com).

Noteworthy Articles & Resources

This CNN article on the connection between happiness and longevity is full of some good information and worth passing along. As Harvard psychiatrist Robert Waldinger notes, "People who are more socially connected to family, to friends, to community, are happier, they're physically healthier, and they live longer than people who are less well connected."
We are excited to share this month's Westborough Public Library WORLD Language book title.Happy Reading to our community members. Farmer Duck by Martin Waddell, available as: কৃষক হাঁস (Bengali), O Pato Lavrador (Portuguese), Le Canard Fermier (French), किसान बतख (Hindi). From the publisher: “A kind and hardworking duck suffers at the hands of a lazy farmer. When he nearly collapses from overwork, the rest of the animals come to his aid.”

" Give thanks for a little and you will find a lot. "

- Hansa Proverb

About Westborough Connects