Volume 4 | November 2018
Notes on Connection From Around Westborough
Welcome to the November 2018 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.
Westborough Responds to Hate Crimes With Unity and Support for Each Other

Westborough is a community of inclusion
Westborough is a community of acceptance
Westborough is a community of kindness
Westborough is a community of caring
Westborough will not accept anything less

Recent hate crimes across the nation targeting multiple groups have left many of us wondering how we can come together and show that we are a community united in our hope for peace, love and justice for all. The murders of Jewish worshipers in Pittsburgh and of African Americans in Louisville, and the pipe bombs sent to various public figures serve as stark reminders that we need to be vigilant and deliberate in our support of our neighbors and in our rejection of hate in all forms.

Our first act in this community commitment will be a showing of support for our brothers and sisters in the Jewish faith on November 9th. For more information, please click here .
Westborough Connects event recap: "Lost Boy" Gabriel Bol Deng
Lost Boy Gabriel Bol Deng brought his story to Westborough on October 25th. All Mill Pond students attended his presentation during the day, after reading Brothers in Hope by Mary Luana Williams in class. Over 130 people attended Gabriel's evening presentation on the power of hope, importance of resilience and the benefits of a connected community. We learned about his amazing work building a school for his home village in South Sudan through his foundation Hope for Ariang.

Thank you to all who made this possible, particularly the Mill Pond Parent Group for sponsoring his school visit, WPS Assistant Superintendent Daniel Mayer, Mill Pond Principal Peter Guellnitz, Mill Pond Reading Specialist Kathy Ferrecchia, the WHS National Honor Society for helping with free babysitting, the WHS journalism students for interviewing Gabriel, WPS IT Director Steve Masciarelli, Westborough TV, Westborough Public Library Children's Room and the Westborough Connects Programming Committee and volunteers.

If you missed his presentation, the WHS Lobby Observer online newspaper will be publishing a recap of their interview and the presentation.
What has Westborough Connects been up to?
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Westborough Connects recently held two committee meetings - Steering and Community Engagement.
  • Steering Committee re-cap: The Steering Committee met on October 22nd. Attendees discussed various committee updates and future organizational considerations for Westborough Connects. We are excited to announce that meeting attendees voted to investigate and begin the process of becoming a formal non profit organization. If you are interested in being a part of that effort, please email Steering Committee chair Maureen Ambrosino (maureenconnects@gmail.com). A special thanks to Karen Henderson of Westborough TV for hosting this meeting.
  • Community Engagement re-cap: Westborough Connects held its first Community Engagement meeting on October 30th, graciously hosted by Karen Henderson at Westborough TV. This first meeting was a chance to meet new WC members and to talk about all of the wonderful opportunities ahead. The Community Engagement committee will focus on developing relationships with community partners, increasing community awareness of the WC mission, and increasing our visibility throughout Westborough. There are many ways to get involved! We are eager for your ideas and participation! If you have questions about the committee, please feel free to reach out to Co-Chairs Kristin French (knellfrench@yahoo.com) or Kathy Ferrecchia (kferrecchia@gmail.com). We look forward to hosting our next meeting in January. Sign up below to be part of the Community Outreach Committee and to receive updates and meeting information. 

Upcoming Diversity and Inclusion Committee meeting
The Diversity and Inclusion Committee is excited to announce our first fall meeting on Tuesday, November 13th from 6:30-8pm. We are still growing and we welcome volunteers to join us. We embrace all forms of diversity, allowing all our community members to interact, relate and connect with people of varied backgrounds. Bring in your ideas and questions for our wonderful community. We also plan to discuss ideas for a broader community effort to demonstrate unity and support for all in light of the recent hate crimes. Please RSVP here . Looking forward to connecting with you! -Your Diversity and Inclusion Committee Co-Chairs, Heena Suratwala and Suzanne Kenny

Upcoming Programming Committee meeting
The Programming Committee will meet during the last week of November. On the agenda will be discussion of several proposed programming ideas and the formation of sub-committees to support upcoming events and initiatives, including the Westborough Interfaith Clergy MLK Community Celebration, a Westborough Rotary substance abuse education and prevention seminar, a spring "Kindness" week and several others. We are still forming and welcoming new members, so please join us if you can! If you are interested in attending the meeting, please click here to help us finalize the date.

New Website !
Westborough Connects has a new website! Check it out at westboroughconnects.org.
We are still forming and welcome new members!! Interested in Westborough Connects, but you haven't signed up or aren't sure how you want to be involved? Here are some options:
  • Subscribe to our mailing list to receive our newsletters, invitations and information.
  • Attend one of the upcoming committee meetings.
  • Join one of our committees. Click here for a description of our current committees and here to sign up for one of them.
  • Contact our Steering Committee Chair, Maureen Amborsino (maureenconnects@gmail.com) or Programming Committee Co-Chair, Kelley Petralia (kelley_click@hotmail.com) with questions.
Community Events Highlights
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Honoring our Veterans in Westborough

Westborough's official Veteran's Day Ceremony will take place on Sunday, November 11th. The ceremony will kick off at 9am at VFW Post 9013 on Milk Street. Vietnam Veteran Gerard (Ken) Gagnon will be this year's Westborough Veterans Day Grand Marshall. Please click here for a detailed outline of the ceremony. Please join in as we offer sincere appreciation and profound thanks to all who have served.

Thank you, veterans!
WestboroughTurkey Trot The Westborough Education Foundation's annual Turkey Trot will take place on Saturday, November 17th 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 WEF.
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48th Annual Westborough Community Thanksgiving Dinner
This wonderful tradition will take place on Thursday, November 22nd at 1pm at the Knights of Columbus, 17 Willow Street. To RSVP, call the Westborough Senior Center at 508-366-3000.
Community events at the Westborough Senior Center
The Westborough Senior Center hosts so many wonderful community events! Three upcoming ones of particular note:
  • Sunshine Cafe, November 7th, 1:30-3pm: The Sunshine Café is a safe place for those dealing with memory issues and their caregiver or partner to enjoy an afternoon of entertainment & refreshments.
  • 6th Annual Holiday Fair, November 17th, 9am-2pm: Raffles, Baked Goods, Kids Table, Crafts, and a Luncheon, all to benefit the Westborough Senior Center.
  • Honor Our Veterans Luncheon, November 9th at noon: annual luncheon, free to veterans thanks to a generous donation by Central One Federal Credit Union.

To learn more about these events and to RSVP, call 508-366-3000. Transportation is available for Westborough residents. For a look at more events and news from the Council on Aging, click here for their most recent newsletter.
Free Parent Book Study Group

Do you want to learn how to better collaborate with your child? Do you want to help your child learn to problem solve, be empathetic, as well as become more insightful, thoughtful, and resilient? If so, we have the book for you! Raising Human Beings, by Ross Greene.

What: A book study group that will meet to discuss the strategies learned and support one another in connecting and applying our new learning to teaching our children.

When and Where: 6-7pm at Mill Pond on 5 consecutive Tuesday evenings - 1/8, 1/15, 1/22, 1/29 & 2/5, 2019

Who: Kim Tynan (District Clinical and Social Emotional Learning Coordinator), Maura Kovaleski (Mill Pond Assistant Principal) and up to 20 parents/guardians.

For more information and to register, click here.
Join in this much loved tradition, fun for all! Vehicles still needed for the Light Parade. If interested, contact Westborough Recreation at 508-366-3066.
SAVE THE DATE: Westborough's First Annual MLK Jr. Community Celebration - an interfaith community celebration and honoring of the life and enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. At 10:00 AM on January 21st, 2019. Westborough will gather together at the high school auditorium to hear speakers, enjoy refreshments, and work together to complete service projects. More details to follow, including an essay contest for high school students with opportunities for students to speak at this wonderful community event, sponsored by Westborough Interfaith Clergy, Central Massachusetts Connections in Faith, and Westborough Connects.
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CONNECTion Spotlight
As we enter the "season of giving," we are reminded that many people in our own community could use a helping hand. There are many ways to give - your time, your money and your spirit. Here are a few ideas that will help your friends and fellow residents in Westborough:

  • The Westborough Food Pantry serves over 125 needy families in town. Current needs include personal hygiene products, Ramen noodles, canned pasta, canned tomatoes, pasta sauce, peanut butter, tuna, canned pineapple, tomato soup, beef stew, mac and cheese and instant oatmeal. Cash donations are also needed in order to purchase perishable items. Drop-off at fire station, Roche Bros. and Lyman Street Stop & Shop.

  • Last year, the annual Free Holiday Store sponsored by Westborough Youth & Family Services provided gifts to 117 families and 254 children. Items needed include toys, 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 multiple locations in town, including the library and Central One Federal Credit Union. For more information or to make an appointment to shop at the Free Holiday Store, contact Julia O'Neil Welch at Westborough Youth & Family Services, 508-366-3090.

  • The Meals on Wheels program delivers hot meals to qualifying seniors Monday-Friday. These meals provide nutritional food for people unable to prepare them on their own. Drivers are needed to deliver the meals. If you cannot commit to a regular shift, fill-in opportunities are available. Contact the Westborough Senior Center at 508-366-3000.

  • Pass on your gently used books, CDs, DVDs, video games, and audiobooks to help the Friends of the Library. Funds raised by book sales are used by the Friends to support the library and its programs and services. The Friends currently provide the majority of funds for library programming and many of the museum passes/discounts available to Westborough Public Library patrons. Drop-off at the Westborough Public Library.
Noteworthy Articles & Resources
  • Halloween is behind us now. A special thanks and acknowledgement goes out to our neighbors in our very festive "downtown" neighborhoods, who welcomed swarms of costumed children and passed out hundreds of pieces of candy. We know this night requires you all to purchase A LOT of treats for children who come to the center of town because it is the "place to be." Thank you! This article shares a great perspective on the history of Halloween and its role as a community bonding event.
  • Interested in keeping up with notices from our town government? The Westborough town website has an e-alerts section - sign up here to receive alerts and notices from different boards and departments.
  • Do you wish you knew what events were coming up around town? Download the Burbio app or visit burbio.com and "follow" the events calendars for many of the organizations in town. If you are part of a group or organization in town and want your events included on Burbio for Westborough, contact groupsupport@burbio.com.
  • Shrewsbury Coalition for Addiction Prevention and Education (SCAPE) and Shrewsbury Youth & Family Services (SYFS) will sponsor "Middle Schoolers at Risk: What Every Family Needs to Know," a forum to hear from experts on topics such as vaping, social media, gaming, marijuana, and how to talk to your kids. Tuesday, November 13th, at 7pm. For more information, click here.
We cannot walk alone.
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
About Westborough Connects