Your Top 10 in Town News: The Stay at Home Edition

The biggest news in Weston - or at least the most consuming - is COVID-19. Staying at home is the best thing we can all do to minimize community spread of the potentially fatal disease and you are doing a great job, Weston!

We know it's getting difficult, draining, and sometimes sad, but Weston, this wonderful community of dedicated Town Departments, non-profits, and community organizations are working hard to keep your mind in the happy. So, please enjoy this special issue of the Top 10 in Town News.

Third Annual Town Cleanup

Technically, the town-wide, week-long event ends today but extraordinary times do not necessarily mean we need to adhere to this schedule; especially with the snow on the ground AND the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day coming up.

So grab a trash bag, your gloves, a grabber if you have one, and pick up the trash along the streets in your neighborhood, your favorite trail, or a wetland or stream. Mother Nature will sigh relief and you'll feel good about the difference you made. Please be safe in the road and keep that 6-foot physical distance from others.

Keeping up with Weston Recreation

So spring Recreation classes and programs had to be cancelled but that doesn't mean you still can't have fun!

Weston Recreation is offering free adult fitness classes, cooking and crafting projects with Miss Diane, and surprise projects to keep kids and adults engaged. Visit Facebook.com/WestonRecreation to find the fitness schedule (Yoga Tuesdays, Cardio Thursdays, Total Fitness Fridays) and links to Miss Diane's tutorials. Today's surprise adventure: build a snow-man.

Where in the WFTA am I?

That tagline was borrowed from a fun Facebook campaign. There are nearly 100 miles of trails in Weston and the Weston Forest and Trail Association helps the town maintain these trails and so much more. Get outside and enjoy the precious gift of nature!! Explore a new trail - Cat Rock and the Reservoir are not the only two conservation lands in town - WFTA has maps and highlights some special places to explore (and, of course, a link to becoming a member).

Just remember to please keep your dog leashed at all times, carry out what you carry in (that includes dog poop), and keep a 6-foot physical distance from others.

You're Not Alone with Weston COA

The staff at Weston's COA is busy working from home to provide engaging programming. From daily fitness classes to online discussions. There's something to keep you entertained. Look for more details in the May COA newsletter coming out soon! Staff is returning all calls 781-786-6280 and can also be reached at coa@westonmass.org

Fitness Classes

Monday

9:00 a.m. - Exercise for Everybody
10:15 a.m. - Zumba
1:00 p.m. - Yoga

Tuesday

11:00 a.m. - Stronger Seniors

Wednesday

11:00 a.m. - Functional Fitness
1:00 p.m. - Stretch and Balance

Thursday

9:30 a.m. - T'ai Chi
12:00 p.m. - Advanced Line Dancing
1:30 p.m. - Line Dancing

Friday

12:00 p.m. - Fitness Friday

Online Group Chats

Connect with you friends on a COA Online Group Chat or Phone Call starting April 28th; Tuesdays at 12:00 p.m. on Zoom, Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. by phone, or Fridays at 10:00 a.m. on Zoom.

Talk with the Town Manager
How to Use the Weston Public Library at Home
What’s the Buzz on Bees?
History of Weston Town Center
Info Session: Volunteering with the COA
Friday Afternoon Cooking Classes: A Taste of Thai Cooking, Cooking for Your Gut
Preventing Mental Health During Social Distancing
Caregiving Support Group for those caring for someone with memory loss
Springwell Information Session
Neuropathy Support Group
Caregiving During Coronavirus

Add Your Voice to the Historical Record of COVID-19

There have been many changes in Weston during this strange time. The Weston Historical Society is seeking Weston resident contributions to a growing archive of images and descriptions that will help future generations understand how this pandemic is affecting our town. You can help by going to the society’s website at WestonHistory.org and filling out the survey featured on the home page.

Digital photographs depicting our changed lives can be emailed to info@westonhistory.org. The Historical Society will also be the repository for journal entries assigned in middle and high school classes.

While visiting the website, take some time to read up on how the 1918 influenza epidemic affected Weston. Within the site are maps, photo galleries, Weston Historical Society Bulletins on topics from Modern architecture in Weston to town improvements over the years, videos of lectures and programs on Weston history (courtesy of Weston Media Center) and links to historical and genealogical resources at other institutions (and, of course, a link to becoming a member.

AIC: At Home

While hunkering down at home, taking care of yourself and loved ones, it’s important to find time for fun, creative, and engaging activities. Though you can’t come to us, the AIC can come to you- virtually. Our team has been busy curating a list of online resources to inspire you!

Visit WestonAIC.org website for the AIC At Home ideas and be sure to sign up for the newsletter so you can get the next idea in your inbox. See this week's issue, which featured street art.

Weston Public Library: Physically Distant but Virtually Close

Our Weston Librarians are hard at work from home (though it seems like it's really fun for them) reading stories, sharing poetry, and sharing craft time. Visit Facebook.com/WestonLibrary to tune in for the daily 3:00 p.m. story time and look through past posts for crafting videos, reading suggestions, and other fun at-home activities like listing out "My Weston Favs" and creating Haiku.

Dial-a-Story at 781-786-6188 and listen to one of our Youth Services Librarians read a great story.

Take a look at the new Weston Public Library YouTube channel, too, for more fun.

Oh! Also, subscribe to receive "The Latest Word" the Weston Public Library newsletter that was monthly but is now weekly with great ideas to keep us happy. Visit Weston.org/StayInformed to subscribe today. This week's issue featured a Reader's Bingo game.

You're Not Seeing Double - It's Just Double the Fun!

Apparently our Librarians were over-achievers in school and that is really working out in our favor during our stay-at-home time. Three listings in the Top 10 courtesy of Weston Public Library?! We really are fortunate, Weston!

So find some happy by:

learning a new language through Mango languages
research your family history through Ancestry Library
know before you buy through Consumer Reports online
find new magazines through RBDigital
find new music through Freegal Music
...and lots more!

Find more happy with a new read, listen or watch! Try Virtual Book Match. Answer a few questions and our Librarians will hook you up with some recommendations. Don't miss the Learn from Home Resources for kids, broken out by age group.

Plant a Victory Garden!

Victory Gardens were quite popular during WWII and were promoted, in part, for national morale because gardening is wholesome and it just feels good.

It seems that the coronavirus pandemic has spurred a resurgence in planting victory gardens, not just to minimize trips to the grocery store by growing your own produce, but also to boost morale through gardening and positively contributing to climate protection.

The Farmer's Almanac has a primer for getting started on your victory garden. If you don't want a vegetable garden because Land's Sake Farm has all the veggies you can handle (you got your CSA, right?), then plant a pollinator victory garden! Mass Audubon has a primer on pollinator gardens to get you started and it's a great time to plant. If neither of these articles help, it's safe to assume the Weston Public Library can assist you further.

The Sustainable Weston Action Group (SWAG), which has been pretty instrumental in helping Weston get its climate act together, is now getting ready to launch its next campaign: the Weston Plant Pollinator Alliance (WPPA. This campaign will seek to restore and protect habitat for native pollinators. If you would like some advice or more information on this new campaign, email SWAG@sustainablewestonma.org.

animal control officer with police department badge

Animal Control Corner

Last but not at all least, this is a great time to catch up on all the blog posts issued by Weston's Animal Control Officer. Visit Weston.org/ACOBlog for all entries, including

how to keep chickens
our native reptiles
how to leash train your dog
pupping season
what to do if you find baby wild animals
and so much more!

Officer Hoffman posts about once a month and you can subscribe to receive the next Animal Control Corner blog post in your inbox at Weston.org/StayInformed

Town of Weston Newsletter

The monthly newsletter is sent to subscribers. If you'd like to receive an email/text of the next newsletter, subscribe to receive the Town of Weston Newsletter at Weston.org/StayInformed.

If you have any questions or concerns about COVID-19 in Weston, please visit:

Weston.org/Covid19 for the latest case counts in important news
Weston.org/Health for health and resources, including mental health
Weston.org/Status for updates on town departments