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Natick ‘Sticker Shock’ campaign reminds adults not to supply booze to minors

May 13, 2023 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Don’t get too excited if you notice bright orange stickers on your favorite adult beverage at local grocery and liquor stores: The products aren’t necessarily on sale. Rather, those stickers are there to remind adults not to buy alcohol for those under the age of 21 during this annual party season highlighted by proms and graduations.

Natick High School students belonging to the Natick Above the Influence group joined forces with the town’s Natick 180 coalition to put some 1,300 stickers on packages of alcoholic beverages at stores throughout town. This is the seventh time the program has been held in town.

All of the off-premise alcohol retail stores in Natick are participating, including: Dion’s, Fannon’s, Natick Wine and Spirits, Nine East Emporium, Tilly & Salvy’s Bacon Street Farm, Total Wine, Town Line Liquors, and Wegmans.

“We think it is a great program that brings awareness to underage drinking,” says Scott Arndt of Fannon’s, which earlier this year relocated to 319 North Main St., and plans for a grand opening next month. “It reinforces that one  should not purchase for anyone underage, especially this time of year with proms and graduation parties looming.”

Sticker Shock campaigns are held across the country and have been supported by groups like MADD since early this century, says Katie Sugerman, program director for Natick 180, the community’s principal addiction education, prevention and recovery outfit. “While no single communications campaign alone is likely to change behavior, messaging that reinforces existing laws and community norms that discourage underage drinking is an important part of a comprehensive community approach to reducing underage alcohol use,” she says.

According to data from the 2021 MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey, past 30-day use of alcohol use reported by Natick High School students has declined by nearly 21% since 2014.

The sticker campaign was complemented by promotion of the annual After Prom Party, funded through the Natick High School PTSO and held this past Friday, May 12. The party, located at the high school, is designed to keep the fun going in a safe way on prom night.

The town’s school, safety, health, and other leaders also signed a letter discouraging adults in the community from serving alcohol to minors at parties this season.

sticker shock
Stickers applied at Wegmans (Photo courtesy of Natick Health Department)

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Filed Under: Business, Health


Natick marks May with many mental health programs

May 8, 2023 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

The Town of Natick as part of National Mental Health Awareness Month will sponsor a series of events and activities throughout May to promote positive mental health and to connect community members with valuable resources.

Natick mental health awareness
Stop by the Morse Institute Library to help the Community Tree grow. Green construction paper ribbons are available for patrons to express different ways everyone can support family members, friends or neighbors. The library also has books, movies—even temporary tattoos—about mental health.

“It is important that we normalize community conversations about mental health in order to combat the stigma that has historically been a barrier to people seeking support,” said Jamie Errickson, Natick Town Administrator.

What’s going on

Virtual and in-person events: In addition to virtual mental health awareness events during the month (a mental health literacy webinar presented by Senate Senate President Karen Spilka on May 8, 7pm, and a “Youth Mental Health” webinar on May 17, 6:30-7:30pm),  there will be in-person informational opportunities at the Natick Farmer’s Market on May 13, and a suicide prevention training seminar at the Morse Institute Library on May 24, 6pm-8pm. Registration information for these events here.

Natick mental health awareness
Green construction paper ribbon on the Community Tree at the Morse Institute Library with suggestions on how to show support.

Shining a light: Look for Town buildings to be lit up at night in green, the international symbol of mental health awareness. Green signifies new life, new growth, and new beginnings.

A banner event: A mental health awareness banner will hang over North Main Street in downtown Natick in mid-May.

Natick mental health awareness

Natick mental health awareness

Wearing of the green: Don’t be surprised if you’re gifted with a green ribbon at the Farmer’s Market, the library, or other places around town. Wear yours with pride, compassion, and as a signifier that mental health should be prioritized, not stigmatized.

It takes a village—partner departments and organizations

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, Education, Embracing diversity, Health



Meaningful Connections Memory Café, in Natick on May 18

May 2, 2023 by Admin Leave a Comment

A Meaningful Connections Memory Café will be held on Thursday, May 18 from 11:30am-1pm at the Natick Community-Senior Center (117 E. Central St). This is a welcoming environment for individuals living with memory loss and their care partners.

Entertainment will be provided by Stephen McGovern, who will perform hits from Louis Armstrong to Frank Sinatra and the big band era.

Registration is required by May 15. Please call Debbie Budd at 508 647 6540 ext. 1906


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Filed Under: Health, Seniors

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Natick residents invited to complete MetroWest Community Health Assessment

April 30, 2023 by Bob Brown 3 Comments

The MetroWest Health Foundation, in partnership with local health and human service organizations, is asking Natick and other MetroWest residents to share feedback on health issues and services.

The 10-minute, anonymous survey can be completed online in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. The survey will remain open until June 1.

The last assessment was conducted in 2019. Past assessments have informed community efforts related to issues such as access to care, behavioral health and healthy aging. The end product of the 2023 survey will be made available in the fall at mwhealth.org.


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Filed Under: Health

Natick taking part in Prescription Drug Take Back Day on April 22

April 20, 2023 by Admin Leave a Comment

You can drop off old and unneeded prescription medicine in Natick on Saturday, April 22 from 10am-2pm at the Natick Police Department (20 E. Central St.) and Wegmans 2nd floor garage entrance at Natick Mall.

Natick’s taking part in the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency’s national Prescription Drug Take Back Day (find other collection locations). The idea is to get these drugs out of homes, where they could be misused and lead to addictions.

Natick’s numbers from its past 2 collection days, per the town’s Health Department:

  • 179 lbs of meds (4/30/22)
  • 180 lbs (10/29/22)

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Filed Under: Health, Police & crime

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