Page 20 - BusinessWest August 18, 2021

clinic run by staff from the Public Health and Fire departments.
“Through all those efforts, we are confident that everyone who wanted to get a shot was able to get one,” she said.
Like many senior centers in the area, Wilbra- ham also offed a grab-and-go lunch program when it could not open the center for meals. “The real plus to the grab-and-go was it introduced us to people we’ve never seen before at the senior center,” Dubord said.
Happy to open the doors at the senior center
“I’m hoping to take what we’ve learned from the past 18 months to help our businesses succeed going forward. It’s going to take some time, but we can get there together.”
almost three months ago, she said having some- place to go gives people a purpose and plays a key role in our health as we age.
“Many of our seniors live alone, so the center is important because it gives them access to vital community services and for the social connec- tions they make,” she noted. Indeed, according to a Harvard Health study, the negative health risks of social isolation are comparable to smoking and obesity, increasing mortality risk by up to 30%.
While a new senior center can address the
needs of Wilbraham’s growing elder population, Dubord said the plan is for the new building to also house services for veterans in town.
“There are benefits for the new center beyond seniors,” she explained. “The larger space can
be used by Boy and Girl Scouts, as well as wom- en’s groups or other orga- nizations in town.”
Moving Forward
Gradual easing of
COVID-19 mandates
is also good news for
Wilbraham businesses.
Grace Barone, executive
director of East of the
River Five Town Cham-
ber of Commerce, noted
that, like everyone else, Wilbraham businesses are looking forward to something resembling busi- ness as usual once again.
She pointed to a recent annual meeting of the chamber which more than 130 members attend- ed in person while others joined remotely as an example of gradually getting back to attending events while still staying safe.
“The chamber’s golf tournament at the end of September is another way to get back to network- ing and taking advantage of the outdoors while we can,” she added.
New to her role at the chamber, Barone has
Grace Barone says Wilbraham businesses are looking forward to getting back to some semblance of normalcy.
been in the job since late June after working with the Keystone Commons retirement community in Ludlow for the last five years.
“I’m hoping to take what we’ve learned from the past 18 months to help our businesses suc- ceed going forward,” she said. “It’s going to take some time, but we can get there together.”
Boilard shares Barone’s optimism about the future.
“It’s awesome to see how well everyone works together,” he said. “From boards to community groups, they are all focused on making Wilbra- ham a better place to live.” u
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