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Explore the Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge: FREE NRWA Series for Families

HARVARD/DEVENS: Come explore the Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge (ONWR) with Nashua River Watershed Association (NRWA) naturalists, Stacey Chilcoat and Gaynor Bigelbach. The NRWA will lead a series of three free family programs, each focused on a different habitat in this 1,697-acre Refuge that runs along almost eight miles of the Nashua River, including woodlands, wetlands, old fields, oxbow ponds, and river ecosystems. Join us for one, two, or all three programs.
 
  • Saturday, August 7 from 9:30-11:30am: Who Lives Here? ONWR in Harvard - Explore wetland habitat looking for signs of mammals, bird spotting, identifying plants, and investigating what is living in wetland waters. Consider the interconnections of all species living in this habitat. 
  • Saturday, August 28 from 3-5:30pm: Who Lives Here? ONWR in Devens - Explore river habitat during a guided paddling tour looking at signs of beaver activity, and abundant bird life. Also talk about the history of the land surrounding the river, used by humans for farming, recreation, military training, and now conservation.
  • Saturday, September 11 from 2-3:30pm: Who Lives Here?  ONWR in Devens - Explore upland forest habitat and riverside trails looking for tracks, dens, scent mounds, scat and other clues that we are not the only ones using the trails and forest. 
These programs are appropriate for families with school-age children, Kindergarten and up.  Adventure backpacks will be available for families to use during the program including hands-on science tools such as binoculars and plant and animal identification guides. Come discover the wonders of our local federally designated national wildlife refuge! 

For the comfort of all, no dogs are allowed and appropriate COVID safety protocols will be followed. Registration is required; space is limited. Directions to the sites provided upon registration. To register, email registration@NashuaRiverWatershed.org, indicate which program(s) you wish to attend, number of people in your group, and ages of any children, as well as the best phone number where you can be reached in case of weather-related changes in program plans.

This free series is being offered by the NRWA in partnership with US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex, funded by a grant from the Freedom’s Way Heritage Association. The NRWA is a non-profit environmental organization providing water and land protection and environmental education programs in the 32 communities of our watershed. Learn more at www.NashuaRiverWatershed.org.
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Bottled Water Rebate in Ayer

AYER: The Town of Ayer is offering a  water bill rebate for consumers who are pregnant or nursing women, infants and people diagnosed with compromised immune systems.  The Town's water system recently received notification of PFAS6 results showing that the system exceeded the 20 parts per trillion (ppt) PFAS6 Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) drinking water standard during the January – March 2021 compliance period, with a quarterly average of 26 ppt. Ayer has installed treatment to remove PFAS at one of their supplies and is constructing a PFAS treatment system at the other water supply location, which should be completed at the end of this year.
 
The MassDEP has stated that consumers in sensitive subgroups (pregnant or nursing women, infants and people diagnosed by their health care provider to have a compromised immune system) should consider using bottled water when the level of the six PFAS substances, individually or in combination, is above 20 parts-per-trillion (ppt). The Ayer DPW and Select Board have decided to offer rebates on water bills to customers in the sensitive subgroup. This rebate is based on the average cost for purchasing bottled water. If you qualify and submit a completed application, a credit will be added to your water bill each billing cycle. Credits will be as follows:
 
  • $21 per infant less than one year old in home
  • $57 per pregnant or nursing mother
  • $57 per immune-compromised

For more information, call 978-772-8240.
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Ayer Police Department Host Annual Food Drive

AYER:The Ayer Police Department was made aware from local food pantries that they are anticipating food shortages by early fall. Therefore, they are reaching out to the community to help by donating nonperishable food items. Time and time again, this community has rallied for great causes. No one should ever go hungry!
 
For the entire month of August, the Ayer Police Department will be accepting donations which can be left in the lobby. All nonperishable food items will be accepted, especially including:
 
  • Boxes of cereal
  • Canned soup
  • Canned carrots, green beans, corn, & mixed vegetables
  • Canned beans
  • Canned fruit
  • Instant potatoes (pouches or boxed)
  • 1 or 2 lb pound bags of rice
  • Peanut butter & jelly
  • Box cartons of shelf stable whole milk (not evaporated)
  • Toilet paper

The drive will end on August 31 and the all of the food provided by you will be given to pantries in need on September 1, 2021.  For more information please contact: Sergeant John MacDonald, Ayer Police Department - (978) 772-8200 Ext: 570
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Ayer Cultural Council Seeks New Members

AYER: The Ayer Cultural Council will hold its next meeting on July 27th, 6:30pm, at the Town Hall. There are currently two openings on the Council for those who would be interested in volunteering. Minimal commitment, but a maximum contribution to the Arts & Humanities in our region. For more information, please email CulturalCouncil@ayer.ma.us.
 

Scavenger Hunt on Lunenburg's Peabody Conservation

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LUNENBURG: The Peabody Conservation consists of three-quarters of a mile worth of trails that are a part of the North County Land Trust. Hiking trails can be accessed across the road from the Lunenburg Public Library parking lot for the Lane Forest on the eastern side of Holman Street. A private landowner has generously agreed to a quarter-mile trail, called the Tenderness Trail, that crosses his land to connect the Lane Forest parking area to the Peabody Conservation Area trail system. Hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, snowshoeing, fishing, and cross-country skiing are allowed at the Peabody Conservation Area.
 
This summer, the Library invites everyone to explore this beautiful local hiking area with your family. Starting this Monday, July 26, there will be some woodland animals hiding along the trails for you to find while you are there. Stop by the library for a map and list of animals before you go. Try to find as many animals as you can to earn a badge and/or raffle ticket as part of the summer reading program. These animals will then be at Peabody for the rest of the summer, so stop by anytime to do your scavenger hunt.
 
Remember... once you have found the animals, leave them where they are cuz that's where they are happiest, and also so they can be found by the next lucky hunters!
 
Lunenburg Library is located at 1023 Mass Ave. For more information visit them online at www.lunenburglibrary.org.
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100th Anniversary of the Appalachian Trail

SHIRLEY: On Saturday, August 7 at 1:30 pm, the Shirley Historical Society, in co-sponsorship with the Town of Shirley Greenway Committee and Freedom’s Way Heritage Area, will present a program at the Shirley Historical Society Museum, 182 Center Rd, Shirley MA celebrating the 100th anniversary of Benton MacKaye’s 1921 publication of his proposal to create the Appalachian Trail. Featured in the program will be John and Trudy Phillips of Lynchburg ,VA, who will speak about their two-year experience hiking the entire 2,200 mile hiking trail from Georgia to Maine.  As active volunteers with the Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club, they will discuss the important role played by the 31 trail clubs that maintain the Appalachian Trail in partnership with the Natural Park Service.

Richard Evans, a Shirley native now living in Robbinsville, NC, will give a brief talk on the 287-mile Benton MacKaye Trail on the Smoky Mountain ridges spanning northern Georgia to western North Carolina, which provides vital wilderness protection as a companion trail to the Appalachian Trail.  

The program will conclude with a short walk to nearby Shirley Center to view the MacKaye homes on Parker Road, visit the Shirley Meeting House, and stop by the MacKaye memorial stone in Center Cemetery.   Following the walk, visitors can view MacKaye  memorabilia from the Society’s collections.    Admission is free with donations gratefully accepted.  For more information, visit www.shirleyhistory.org.

Nashoba Park Resident Receives Special Lifetime Achievement Award

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AYER: Rose Bardell, a Lynn native and former Townsend resident, was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at Nashoba Park, recognizing her long list of accomplishments throughout her life and honoring her personal history.

Born in Lynn, Massachusetts in 1933, Rose moved to Montreal, Canada as a baby and lived there until she was 12. After leaving Canada, Rose returned to Lynn, where she attended St. Mary’s High School. After graduation, Rose went on to work for General Electric in Lynn for four years. In 1951 she met her husband, Bill, on a blind date and was married that same year. They went on to have two children together, Bill and Rod. Rose’s career featured roles at Champion Lamp in Lynn, Lydia Pinkham’s Company, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Social Services. After she retired, Rose moved to Townsend to be closer to her family.

In her spare time, Rose was part of the bowling leagues in Lynn and Peabody. She has been bowling since her early 20s and would bowl Thursday nights, Friday nights and in the morning before work. She even went on to win a few bowling championships with her league! Rose also enjoyed scuba diving with her husband, venturing to Lynn Beach, Red Rock and George’s Island on their boat. Rose is most proud of her children, four grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

“The Lifetime Achievement Award is really about recognizing that every single person in our community has achieved so much throughout their lives,” said Kimberly Gagnon, Executive Director of Nashoba Park. “Every resident has a story to tell, and it’s important that we honor that and share their stories with others.”

Nashoba Park is a Volunteers of America Massachusetts non-profit Assisted Living community located in Ayer. For more information about Nashoba Park, please visit www.NashobaPark.com.

AARP Massachusetts Fraud Watch Update: July 2021

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Did you know that someone’s identity gets stolen every two seconds?  The AARP Fraud Watch Network provides you with tips and resources to help you spot and avoid identity theft and fraud so you can protect yourself and your family.  Our watchdog alerts will keep you up to date on con artists’ latest tricks.  It’s free of charge for everyone:  AARP members, non-members, and people of all ages.  Be a fraud fighter!  If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam. Report scams to local law enforcement. Contact the AARP Fraud Watch Network at www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork for more information on fraud prevention.

SCAM ALERT #1: DOOR TO DOOR SCAMS
Warm weather is here which means door-to-door sales crews are here, too. But what they’re selling isn’t always legit. Be cautious anytime a stranger comes knocking, especially if the visitor is trying to sell you goods or services. Be wary of contractors who say they stopped by because they just happened to be in the neighborhood. The good ones are usually too busy to roam around in search of work. Also be on guard for high pressure tactics to make a quick decision for a steep discount, and requests for payment upfront. Your best bet is to proactively seek out services if you need them, versus reacting to an unexpected sales pitch. It’s always okay to explain you don’t do business at your front door (or to not answer when strangers knock).

SCAM ALERT #2:  PROTECT YOUR DEVICE, PROTECT YOURSELF
Many scams originate right at your fingertips through your computer or smartphone. The good news is the way to block them is also within your grasp. Here are three tips to keep your devices safe from criminals. Make sure your devices’ operating systems are up to date; you should be able to set an auto-update feature that downloads the latest software when available. Next, make sure to change the password on your Wi-Fi router so it’s different from the password it came with. If you have a lot of devices connected to it, they could be vulnerable if the router is compromised. Lastly, a password manager is a great way to create unique and hard-to-guess passwords for all of your online accounts and apps.

SCAM ALERT #3: RENTAL CAR SCAMS
America is open for business again and millions of people are traveling, or planning to. One thing you may run into is sticker shock – especially with rental cars. The lack of travel in 2020 led rental companies to sell a lot of their inventory of cars. Now that demand has spiked, supply is tight and prices are high.
Unfortunately, criminals are paying attention and posting fake rental car deals at rock bottom prices online. While everyone loves a good deal, doing business with an entity you aren’t familiar with could be risky. Whatever your travel needs, stick to reputable websites with proven track records. If you do find a deal with an unfamiliar provider, do your research: look up the company name with “scam” or “complaint” and see what appears, and check out reviews.

SCAM ALERT #4: FREE TRIAL OFFERS, NEGATIVE OPTIONS
Who doesn’t love something for free? But beware, that “free trial offer” might mean months of payments that you didn’t know you signed up for and will have a hard time canceling. These types of sales tactics are called negative options – a customer signs up for a free trial and unwittingly accepts a subscription – sometimes for a questionable product – often by not seeing a pre-checked box in the very tiny print. When it comes to free trials, research before you enroll. Fully understand the terms and conditions by reading the fine print. Keep a close eye on your credit and debit card statements so you spot unexpected charges right away. Contact your bank or credit card company to address the issue; calling the company you inadvertently signed up for a subscription with will likely get you nowhere.

Be a fraud fighter!  If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam. Report scams to local law enforcement. For help from AARP, call 1-877-908-3360 or visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.
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Road Closing and Detour East Main Street Reconstruction Project in Ayer
IMPORTANT NOTICE

AYER: 7/2/21 UPDATE: The following work is anticipated starting Tuesday July 6th: The Contractor, PJ Albert will be removing the sidewalk pavement and replacing it with compacted gravel until they are ready for the final grading and new cement concrete sidewalks to be installed.
 
During construction, there will be a usable sidewalk on one side of the road and sidewalks in the work zone should be passable at the end of each day. Some sections of sidewalk will be closed during work hours and pedestrian detour “cross here” signs will be placed to direct pedestrians.
 
The work will be from Maple Street toward the bridge at Main Street on the north side (Library side) of the road and then from the Bridge to Maple Street on the south side ( Court House side) of the road. The Contractor will then remove and regrade sidewalks from East Street to Maple Street They will also begin installing granite curbing beginning on July 12.
 
Alternating one way traffic and detours will be setup as necessary and detail officers will be onsite to direct traffic. Local access will be allowed at all times.
 
If you have any questions, please call them at 978-772-8240 (7:30 to 3:30) or email DPW@ayer.ma.us. Ayer DPW will provide regular construction updates on the Town web site www.ayer.ma.us , FaceBook (Town of Ayer, MA) and we will send out E-Alerts via email. To sign up for E-Alerts visit www.ayer.ma.us/subscribe.
 
The East Main Street Road Reconstruction Project is progressing and the first phase of road reconstruction and paving is in progress. Base Paving between Maple Street and East Street will be done on Wednesday June 30 and Thursday July 1. In order to complete this work quickly and before the Holiday weekend, work will begin at 5 AM and the road will be closed to through traffic. A detour in both directions will be clearly marked on Columbia Street, Central Avenue and Sandy Pond Road.
 
There will be traffic delays and detours. Seek alternative routes. Police details will be onsite to direct traffic and detour signage is in place. The road will be open to local traffic, the Ayer Library, Pirone Park and Ayer Court House.
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Nashoba Park Assisted Living Celebrates National CNA Week

AYER: Nashoba Park Assisted Living found a special way to give back to their associates for National Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) Week. The Volunteers of America Massachusetts Senior Community used the occasion as an opportunity to show their appreciation to their dedicated group of Resident Care Associates, who work around the clock to provide for the care of the community’s residents, with an ice cream sundae bar and personalized giveaways.

“Our wellness team members are some of the most dedicated, passionate individuals I have ever worked with,” says Kimberly Gagnon, Nashoba Park’s Executive Director. “We are trying to find as many ways as possible to recognize the hours and sacrifices they are putting in to care
for residents and keep them safe.”

In addition to regular appreciation events, Nashoba Park also offers professional development opportunities and educational training for associates. Nashoba Park currently offers a variety of opportunities to join their close-knit team. Learn more and apply online at www.NashobaPark.com/Careers.
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The Wall That Heals at NMRHS

TOWNSEND: The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, The Wall That Heals will be on display at the North Middlesex Regional High School July 1st through July 4. The to scale replica of the Vietnam Memorial honors veterans and the families of Central Massachusetts and Middlesex County, Townsend, Pepperell, Groton and Acton. The exhibit will be open 24 hours a day. You can find additional information on the Wall that Heals at www.vvmf.org/The-Wall-That-Heals.
 
 
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DONORS URGENTLY NEEDED: Red Cross Still Facing Severe Blood Shortage

The American Red Cross continues to experience a severe blood shortage that is negatively affecting blood product availability across the country. Donors of all blood types – especially type O and those giving platelets – are urged to make an appointment to give now and help ensure hospital shelves are stocked with blood products over the Fourth of July holiday and beyond.
  
Right now, the Red Cross is working around the clock to provide blood products to hospitals responding to an unusually high number of traumas and emergency room visits, as well as overdoses and resulting transplants. As a result of the blood shortage, some hospitals are being forced to slow the pace of elective surgeries until the blood supply stabilizes, delaying crucial patient care. 

In addition, while summer is traditionally a time when blood donations decline, this year is particularly challenging as many Americans receive their vaccinations and resume summer activities after more than a year of limited interactions and travel, leading to lower donor turnout. The need for blood doesn’t take a holiday break − patients still depend on lifesaving transfusions.

Donors are needed now to prevent further delays to patient care. Schedule an appointment to give blood now by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

As a thank-you, all those who come to give July 1-6 will receive a Red Cross embroidered hat by mail,* while supplies last. And, donors who come to give July 7-31 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email, plus a chance to win gas for a year (a $5,000 value). (Terms and conditions apply; visit rcblood.org/fuel). 
In most cases, those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine can donate. However, knowing the name of the manufacturer of the vaccine they received is important in determining donation eligibility.
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Town of Ayer 2020 Water Quality Reports Released

AYER: The Town of Ayer Department of Public Works - Water Division has presented their 2020 Water Quality Report. This report provides an overview of the water quality that we supplied to the Town in 2020 and information on how the Town manages and protects its water resources. In an effort to be more environmentally responsible, they are no longer printing and mailing reports. They are available on the Town website and at Town Hall, the Library and the DPW office. If you would like a copy mailed to you, call the DPW at 978-772-8240. Visit www.ayer.ma.us/ccr to download or view the water quality report.
 
Also, in October 2020, MassDEP promulgated a new drinking water regulation and maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 20 nanograms per liter (ng/L) for the sum of six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (called PFAS6). Ayer DPW recently sent out a public notification with information regarding PFAS in the Town drinking water. The DPW is actively working on removing the PFAS from the drinking water including construction of 2 treatment plants. One is in operation and the other will be completed by the end of the year. For more information, visit www.ayer.ma.us/water-department/pages/pfas-drinking-water.
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Join Shaw's in Giving Back Where it Counts - to July'21 Recipient ArtsNashoba

GROTON: ArtsNashoba Youth Arts program is thanking you in advance to show at the Shaw's Supermarket at 760A Boston Road in Groton next month.  And while you're there, please consider purchasing one (or more) of the store's "Give Back Where it Counts" re-usable bags. ArtsNashoba has been selected by the store leadership as the benefiting non-profit for the month of July, so the non-profit 501(c)3 organization will receive a $1 donation from each purchase of the $2.50 bags purchased!  So mark your calendars, shop at Shaw's in July, and don't forget to take your groceries home in a bag that COUNTS!!!  For more information about ArtsNashoba, visit them online at www.artsnashoba.org.
 
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Erin Raber joins Virginia Thurston Healing Garden as a Clinical Care Specialist & Music Therapist

HARVARD: The Virginia Thurston Healing Garden Cancer Support Center is pleased to announce the appointment of Erin Raber as a Clinical Care Specialist and Music Therapist. Raber, a recent Healing Garden intern who completed a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Music Therapy in May 2021, joined the Healing Garden clinical staff on June 15th and will lead several support groups, provide music therapy groups and individual sessions, and will be available for short-term individual counseling for clients new to the Healing Garden.

Erin is a music therapist, clinical mental health counselor, and certified sound healing practitioner based in Boston, MA. Erin’s expressive, voice-based music therapy approach combines theories and ideas from transpersonal and psychodynamic frameworks and ancient and modern music and sound healing techniques from a variety of Indigenous and non-Western cultures. She has also received accreditation through the California Institute of Integral Studies in Sound, Voice, and Music Healing and the Vox Mundi School of Sound and the Voice, and vocal training at the California Jazz Conservatory.

“I am so excited to join the staff at the Healing Garden and to begin this chapter of my career at an organization that provides compassionate, integrative care for people with a cancer diagnosis, and understands and values the importance of music therapy in cancer care. It has been such a joy and honor to work with Healing Garden clients, and I am so grateful I get to continue this work,” said Raber.

The Healing Garden is a local non-profit organization dedicated to providing education and supportive, integrative therapeutic services, programs, and classes for all those affected by cancer. Clients and caregivers come from over 165 of the towns and cities in the Commonwealth. The Healing Garden provides high quality, evidence-based therapies in a magnificent healing environment, located on eight acres of lovingly created gardens on a wooded hillside in Harvard, Massachusetts. Here, without reminders of the disease and medical interventions, clients can begin treatments feeling calmer and supported. We offer, a community of others to share in the journey, counseling and support groups, mind-body medicine for symptom management, stress reduction and restoration of wellness, education about choices that contribute to health and healing, such as nutritional education, exercise, and mindfulness, expressive therapies as an alternative to talk therapy for processing/releasing emotions, programs, and services to help regain control in life, both during and after medical treatment.  For a detailed description of the various modalities of care and their contributions to healing, visit www.healinggardensupport.org or call (978) 456-3532.
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Pay as you Throw Trash Bags in Ayer Increased

AYER: The Town of Ayer Rate Committee recently determined the need to increase the price of the Pay As You Throw trash bags to help cover the rising cost of operating the Transfer Station. The price of each sleeve of five bags will be increased by $5 beginning July 1st.
 
15 GALLON BAGS (sleeve of 5 bags) $20
33 GALLON BAGS (sleeve of 5 bags) $25
55 GALLON BAGS (sleeve of 5 bags) $30
 
Bags purchased between now and July 1st may be limited to three rolls per customer so that bag inventory can be maintained for all residents that use the Transfer Station. Please direct any questions to the Public Works Department at 978-772-8240.
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Read to Luna the Dog Live! at the Concord Free Public Library

CONCORD: The Concord Free Public Library invites children to Read to Luna the Dog on the Main Library lawn the second Friday of each month beginning in June between 11:30am-12:30pm. Luna is a certified therapy dog through Pets & People Foundation, Inc. Did you know that reading to dogs boosts reading skills and emotional and social skills for children? This event is for children ages 5+. Children are invited to register for their own individual 15 minute session with Luna. Register in advance by visiting the library's events calendar online at www.concordlibrary.org.
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June is PTSD Awareness Month

June is PTSD Awareness Month. Though most often associated with veterans who experienced atrocities of war, anyone, including children and teens, can suffer with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Children typically recover quickly from stressful events, but when it comes to severe stress, especially serious injuries, the death of a close family member or friend, sexual assault, living through a disaster, or witnessing a violent act such as a school shooting, children can often suffer the long-term effects of PTSD.
The National Center for PTSD estimates that 7-8% of people will experience PTSD during their lives. Worse yet, over 65% of children who are exposed to a traumatic event will, at some point, attempt to take their own lives.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the symptoms of PTSD are different for young children than those of older teens and adults. Children younger than 6 will often wet the bed, forget how or refuse to talk, act out the traumatic event during routine play, or become unusually clingy with a parent or other adult.

Research shows that depression rates increase after a trauma and tend to be especially high among children with PTSD. If your child or someone you love is struggling with depression or thinking about suicide, get help now. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255), is a free resource, available 24 hours a day for anyone who is in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. The Crisis Text Line is a free 24/7 text line where trained crisis counselors support individuals in crisis. Text “Jason” to 741741 to speak with a compassionate, trained Crisis Counselor. Confidential support 24/7, for free.

The Jason Foundation is another available resource.  The Jason Foundation is dedicated to the awareness and prevention of youth suicide through educational programs that equip youth, parents, educators, and the community with the tools and resources to identify and assist at-risk youth. Many times, a young person will exhibit clear warnings signs prior to an attempt. By knowing the warning signs, and knowing how to help, you could save a life.  Visit The Jason Foundation’s website to learn more about youth suicide, the warning signs, and how you can help make a difference.  The Jason Foundation has never charged a school, community, or individual for the use of their programs or resources.  http://www.jasonfoundation.com
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Emerson Hospital & IMPACT Melanoma Team Up to Protect the Public

CONCORD: Emerson Hospital and IMPACT Melanoma, a national non-profit organization dedicated to reducing the incidence of melanoma, have teamed for the third consecutive year to protect residents from skin cancer. The organizations have deployed touchless, automatic sunscreen dispensers at 16 high-traffic locations, including parks and recreation facilities, beaches, rail trails, and athletic fields throughout Concord and the greater area. The dispensers provide complementary sunscreen throughout Acton (at The Discovery Museum), Bedford, Chelmsford, Concord, Harvard, Hudson, Maynard and Westford.
Jen Melanson, Community Service Coordinator for the town of Chelmsford, reported after the 2020 season, “The program was so well received, we had positive feedback on social media and from citizens who were very excited and appreciative. We are grateful to Emerson Hospital for providing the dispensers and are excited to support the program again this year.”
 
“We are pleased to work with Emerson Hospital on this invaluable initiative for the third year,” said Deb Girard, IMPACT’s Executive Director. “It is imperative to educate communities at all levels – residents, government, employees, and visitors – to create a broad sense of sun-safe practices aimed at healthier lifestyle choices for our skin. With this initiative in motion, we can achieve exactly that with the fleet of free sunscreen dispensers, and educational messaging. We are excited and hope that neighboring towns take notice. Together we can make a great IMPACT and practice of safe skin.”
Emerson Hospital is sponsoring bright yellow sunscreen dispensers that are filled with SPF 30 sunscreen. The dispensers are monitored regularly and replenished as needed, ensuring that everyone in the area who needs sunscreen has easy access to it. SPF 30 or higher sunscreen is rated and recommended for use by children ages six-months and up, and adults. All sunscreen ingredients are safe and approved by the FDA.
 
“Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in our service area, according to our latest Community Health Assessment,” notes Christine Gallery, Senior Vice President, Planning and Chief Strategy Officer, Emerson Hospital. “We are proud to support IMPACT Melanoma again this year, so that people throughout our towns can have fun this summer, while easily protecting themselves from skin cancer. We anticipate the community will use the sunscreen often and it will become a routine part of their summer safety regimen. We encourage the community to be in touch with a physician with any questions or concerns about their skin.”
To learn more about the importance of sunscreen and where the complimentary sunscreen dispensers are located, please visit www.emersonhospital.org/sunscreen.