Welcome to our first LLL Newsletter

Many BLLLessings,

Erin Abrams, LLL Leader of Sturbridge, MA

Please send any submission by the first of each month.

LLL Leader Meeting:
Monthly meeting of Leader, Leader Applicants and potential Leader Applicants that would like to explore how they can support breastfeeding mothers in our community.
Date; October 15th
Time: 1-2:30PM
Location: Spencer Playground
Please email Erin Abrams if you are interested: info@lllsturbridge.org.
Click here for directions.

Nighttime Meeting:
Open to all nursing mothers, nursing children welcomed to meeting.
Date; October 16th
Time: 7-8:30PM
Topic: The Family and the Breastfed Baby
Location: Earth Spirits on Rt. 20 in Sturbridge
Click here for directions.

Toddler Playgroup:
Open to all mothers that have toddler's nursing and siblings or plan to nurse through toddler-hood.
Date: October 17th - Please note that this is a new date then the original email.
Time: 1 - 3pm
Location: Home of Sylvie Dugas - 14 South Road in Sturbridge, MA
Bring a snack to share.  Sylvie's phone is: (774) 241-0333 or email: shastadreamers@charter.net.  Thanks for hosting Sylvie!!

Daytime Playgroup:
Open to all ages
Date: October 24th
Time: 10-11:30 AM
Topic: The Family and the Breastfed Baby
Location: Sturbridge Federated Church
Click here for directions.

LLL Family Gathering
Once a month or every few (depending if we can coordinate schedules ;) we would like to have the whole family come together where father's can meet, older children can play and us moms can marvel at how wonderful our families are and deepen our community.  If you would like to host a gathering, please email Beth Sodecki at elizaspecials23@gmail.com.
Date: November 1st - healthy Halloween Party
Time: 4pm-?
Location: Home of Sylvie Dugas - 14 South Road in Sturbridge, MA
Please bring a Pot-luck dish to share.  Kids (and parents) are welcomed to come in costume. Sylvie's phone is: (774) 241-0333 or email: shastadreamers@charter.net.  AGAIN, thanks for hosting Sylvie!!
 

If you have a breast pump that you would like to donate to a LLL friend, please email info@llllsturbridge.org as we have two mothers in need of electric (hospital grade) pump.

If you have anything gently used or would like to donate to someone in the group or do a swap (please no selling), email me by the 1st of the month.

Christine Melvin just wanted to say THANK YOU for everyone who help donate clothes to the student-in-need.  The student is very happy and was appreciative for the support.   "She only told us about the clothes—we found out today that she has NOTHING, barely any toys, no baby toiletries, no crib.  She’s just finding out about support programs in the area--the family just didn’t know who to turn to as they are not from here.  I found out today that to get items in Worcester is a little harder than other towns because the need is so great here (she’s on a waiting list)."  So if anyone has any of these items (toys, baby toiletries, crib) they no longer need or use—Christine will be more than happy to pick them up anywhere, anytime after school during the week or even the weekends. To contact Christine: (508) 751-7668 or MelvinC@techhigh.us.

Christy Bishop-Kosciolek is searching for an infant sling/s and or carrier that can use when baby boy #2 is born in just a few weeks time now. She currently has a ergo pack but is looking for a more sling style type of carrier.  She is looking for a sling that can make life easier and give the baby an opportunity to be in arms/nursing, etc. Christy is hoping the LLL community would have some great advice and or expertise with many of the products out there.  She has two hotslings (not looking for a ring sling) and was also hoping to find a winter/fleece sling or any other infant+ carrier. If you can provide any offerings she can be reached at home (774) 241-0253 and email at christyjulia@yahoo.com.

Any of the homebirth mamas want to share any tips for must have items at a homebirth please share with Christy Bishop-Kosciolek at (774) 241-0253; email: christyjulia@yahoo.com. Christy is planning to be at home for the birth of her second son in Nov. with her 3yr old son Owen to take part.  Blessing of joy, heath and ease to Christy and her family!

Our LLL nursing station at the Natural Living Expo Sept. 27-28th at the Sturbridge Host.  Thank you for those that stopped by!!!  It was well used - so well used that it will be back next year!
 

Family Yoga: FlowForms Yoga on Lake Ave. in Worcester offers Family Yoga (and PreNatal workshops) each month.  Taught by LLL friend, Jen Faldetta, she offers a heart opening class to share with your whole family - all ages are welcomed, it is worth the trip (and Trader Joes is right around the corner to make it more worth while ;).  The next workshop is Sunday, Oct 12 from 2-3 PM.  Other dates to mark your calendar for are:  Nov 23 and Dec 14.  More info: www.flowformsyoga.com.

Hyland Farms October Fest: each weekend in October starting at 12pm.  Enjoy hayrides, pumpkin picking, apple picking, music, animals, great food from LLL friend BT Smokehouse, and good old fashion fun!!

Halloween Hike at Boo Meadow Brook Sponsored by Broad Meadow Brook Program
Location: Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary in Worcester
Fee: Adults $5.00 m/ $6.00 nm, Children $5.00 m/ $6.00 nm
Date(s) and Time(s): Friday, October 17, 2008 - 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM At sundown, Broad Meadow Brook transforms into a magical, slightly haunted forest. Our resident spirits, primarily native wildlife, come out to greet visitors as you are guided through the woods on the trails lit by luminaria. Encounter old favorites and new characters on your walk as you learn about some of the creatures of New England and their many fascinating habits. More info: http://www.massaudubon.org/Nature_Connection/Sanctuaries/Broad_Meadow/news.php?id=76-BM08FA1&news=no&sanc_code=4

Sturbridge Harvest Festival going on the weekend of Oct. 18-19th.  More info go to: http://www.publickhouse.com/harvest_festival.htm

Caravan Puppet Show - Oct. 18th at Tantasqua Regional Junior High School Tantasqua Regional Junior High School  at 10 am.

Tickets will be available for the Sturbridge Town Library Halloween party on Oct. 18th: Halloween Spooktacular Show w/the Toe Jam Puppet Band (Ages 2 & up w/caregiver). For more info go to: http://www.town.sturbridge.ma.us/Public_Documents/SturbridgeMA_LibCal/?FormID=158

OSV: What Goes Things That Go Bump in the Night
Date: October 25
Times: 5:00 PM-9:00 PM
Detail: Old Sturbridge Village becomes a cauldron of Halloween fun for kids of all ages. "Bump" is fun for everyone! Trick-or-treat in our haunted village and stroll among living scarecrows, vampires, trolls, ghosts, witches and wizards. Performers include Lucky Bob the comedic juggler, Caravan Puppet Theater with puppeteer Jonathan Keezing, and fortune telling by Dena Reynolds! Young and old alike will enjoy hundreds of hand-carved jack o' lanterns, hot chocolate, and snacks -- all in the safe environment of Old Sturbridge Village. More info: http://www.osv.org/activities_events/event_calendar_more.html?ID=513&DateID=1112.

Sturbridge Library: 'Fraidy Cats Storytime (Ages 2 & up)
Date: October 30, 2008
Time: 6:30 PM Library Meeting Room
Stories, songs, craft, FUN! Costumes welcome. Register in advance. More info: http://www.town.sturbridge.ma.us/Public_Documents/SturbridgeMA_LibCal/?FormID=158

Once a month, leaders and leader applicants meet to discuss and support our community of breastfeeding mothers. If you have ever thought of giving back, please join us or click on this link: http://www.llli.org/LAD/TaLLL/TaLLL.html  to see if becoming a leader is something that fits into you and your family's lives.  If you would like to explore becoming a leader, please join us once for our meeting while our children have a playdate with each other. For more info: email info@lllsturbridge.org for more information.

Extended Nursing:
According to research, the immunological benefits of Breastfeeding actually increase during the second and third years of nursing.  The antibodies in breast milk that protect a newborn against pathogens, viruses, and bacteria are still present in the milk of mothers nursing their toddlers.  Thousands of antiviral, antibacterial, and antiphrastic factors are found in human milk, protecting against hundreds of infections and diseases, including E. coli, pneumonia, strep throat, Salmonella, influenza, rotavirus, rubella, West Nile virus, mumps measles, diabetes, meningitis, and many childhood cancers such as leukemia.  These immunological factors remain present whether the nursing child is three months or three years old.

Research shows that the fat and energy content of breastmilk actually increases after the first year.  Breastmilk adapts to a toddler’s developing system, providing exactly the right amount of nutrition at exactly the right time.

EarthSpirits - http://earthspirits-herbals.com - Located on Rt. 20 (East bound side) above TJ O'Brien's.  After entering Sturbridge from the MASSPike, drive down Rt. 20 West, go to your fourth traffic light (at Rt. 20 and Cedar St.) and make a left hand turn to reverse your direction onto Rt. 20 East - immediately you will see the entrance to EarthSpirits.

Sturbridge Federated Church - Located between the Town Hall and Library.  take Rt. 131 off of Rt. 20 when entering Sturbridge.  Travel up a 1/4 mile and you will pass the Post Office (red building) on your left.  At the traffic light, take a left and park on your right side.  If you need additional parking you can park across the street in the back of the Town Hall.  The Federated Church is adjacent to the Joshua Hyde Library. Enter through the side entrance and take the elevator down to the nursery.  From the elevator, take a right and enter through the doors and the nursery is on your left.

Spencer Playground
From Rt. 20E in Sturbridge, take Rt 49 to Spencer.  At the end of Rt. 49 take a right.  At your next set of lights (Hess Station in our your right) make a left. Follow this road for about a mile.  Your first left you will see Spencer Playground just off this main road.

Submission are accepted by the first of each month, if not they will be included in the following month's newsletter.  Please send submissions to info@lllsturbridge.org.

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