Steve Boczenowski

Dear Editor: Another Brigher Days Success

May 082013

On behalf of the Teenage Anxiety and Depression Solutions (TADS) Board of Directors, we’d like to thank the Groton community for helping to make our annual fundraiser, Brighter Days, a tremendously successful event. TADS serves the mental health needs of our community by raising awareness, providing education, and enabling access to care.

These local businesses and organizations donated to the Brighter Days silent auction: Chaos to Calm, Groton Market , Filhos Cucina, Main St Café, Moisons Hardware, Greco Graphics, Blackbird Café, Katryn Miller Yoga, PC Myette, Herb Lyceum, GDAY, Solas Therapeutic Massage, Fitness Your Weigh, Holistic You, ColorFull, Che Bella Hair Salon, Lucia’s/Markoh’s Restaurants, Serenity Spa and Salon, The Law Office of Sheila Harrington, Groton Fire Dept, Heart of the Dove, Toujours Belle, Kristen McEvoy Pottery, and Malerbi Woodworking. We appreciate the generosity of these and other local businesses through the years, and would encourage all Groton residents to support local businesses.

These people donated to our silent auction: Kate Nelson, Joann & Kathy Boczenowski, Steve Liljegren, Dyan Sierra, Ellen Todd, Denise Rainis, Alicia Hersey, Alice Lenhart, Janet Ryan, Carmyn Young, Virginia Wood, Cassie Sampas, Terri Ragot, and The Powder House Gang.

We’d also like to express special thanks to Lisa Oldham and the Groton Country Club for hosting our event, and Joanne Csaplar for her terrific catering services.

The musical entertainment was great with Blue Taxi, featuring John Wiesner, Andy Peterson, and Larry Prestia; and The Powder House Gang, featuring John Jackson, Dave Hill, Kurt Staven, Jim Oehler, and Judy Anderson.

We would especially like to commend John Wiesner for playing great music all night long and the next day running the fastest time for all Groton residents in the Groton 10K Road Race!

With appreciation,
Steve & Deb Boczenowski, Founders

Teenage Anxiety and Depression Solutions (TADS)

Dear Editor: A Response to the Violence of the Past Week

By Steve Boczenowski

Apr 192013

We have all been saddened to read the news of the past week and we abhor the violence that has been perpetrated on so many innocent people.

The Groton Interfaith Council reminds everyone in our community that we should recognize that these acts of hate were conducted by a small group of troubled individuals. Until we learn more from reliable news sources, we should not conclude that they are representative of any group of people. We also ask our community to remember that violence done in the name of any faith is a misrepresentation of that faith. During these difficult times, we would encourage everyone to stay calm, seek peace, and perform acts of kindness and compassion. Let us seek to be among the peacemakers and open our hearts especially wide to one another in this time of stress and sorrow.

The Groton Interfaith Council is an association of religious organizations and individual community members from the greater Groton area. The mission of the Groton Interfaith Council is to foster understanding, respect, justice and peace among people of a variety of religious traditions through worship, fellowship, education, and service. Inspired by our different faiths and our common values, we thus bind ourselves together in association for mutual enrichment and community service and agree to honor the differences among us in theology, polity, worship, and practice. Together we will seek ways to create more understanding and acceptance of people of diverse religions and cultures.

Steve Boczenowski, President
Groton Interfaith Council

Robin Young Joins TADS Board

By Steve Boczenowski

Apr 152013

Robin Young

Teenage Anxiety and Depression Solutions (TADS), a Groton-based organization that raises awareness and provides education on mental health issues, announces the election of Robin Young to its Board of Directors. Young lives in Groton and works at the Emerson Hospital emergency room as a behavioral health clinician providing psychiatric triage and crisis intervention for emergency room patients of all ages. Young and her husband Andy have three children. Young is also a member of the Groton-Dunstable SEPAC and PTA.

TADS promotes awareness on mental health issues by holding community forums, provides mental health training or educators throughout the state, and has contracted with the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology to bring a mental health referral service to Groton and Dunstable, Ayer, and Shirley. Last year, TADS spent more than $20,000 on these services and programs.

TADS annual fund raiser, Brighter Days, will be held at the Groton Country Club on Saturday, April 27th. For more information about TADS, visit their web site at www.tadsma.org.

TADS Brighter Days Fundraiser Dawns April 27

By Steve Boczenowski

Apr 122013

Depression and anxiety are major problems for our nation, and our neighborhoods — it’s a global problem.

How wide-spread is depression?

Approximately 60% of the people who die by suicide in our nation suffer from depression.
More than 38,000 die annually from suicide – more than homicide and war combined.
Depression is also the leading cause of disability in our nation. It is estimated at mental health problems cost our nation $79B each year, and most of that is from lack of productivity.

So what are we to do about this “global” problem? You can “act locally” and support Teenage Anxiety & Depression Solutions (TADS) by attending our Brighter Days fundraiser on April 27.

TADS is a Groton-based organization that “puts boots on the ground” in the battle against depression, co-founder Steve Boczenowski said earlier this spring. “We have defined the mission of TADS this way: to address mental health issues by raising awareness, providing education, and enabling access to care. To raise awareness, we’ve spoken at parent forums and we recently completed work on a video that we can bring to your community. To provide education, we have contracted with Screening for Mental Health for them to come to our town of Groton each year to train a roomful of educators on the well-known SOS Signs of Suicide curriculum. To enable access to care, we have contracted with the Mass School of Professional Psychology to bring the MSPP INTERFACE Referral Service to towns in our area – Groton and Dunstable, Ayer and Shirley.”

brighter_days_2013 Brighter Days will be held at the Groton Country Club on April 27 at 7:00 p.m. Brighter Days is a very fun event at which we celebrate our successes over the past year. And there is much to celebrate, thanks to the generosity of many people in our community. This year, entertainment will be provided by Blue Taxi, a trio of three guys from Groton. We will also have warm hors oeuvre’s served by local high school students and a cash bar. There is a silent auction that will include items from local businesses and local artisans. Advanced tickets are $30 and can be purchased at the Blackbird Cafe, the Main Street Cafe, and Moison’s Ace Hardware. Tickets at the door will be $35.

Proceeds support TADS and the MSPP INTERFACE Referral Service is available in Groton-Dunstable, Ayer-Shirley, Littleton, Harvard, Chelmsford, and Westford school districts. Anyone can call the helpline during business hours at 888-244-6843 x1411 and they will set you up with a mental health specialist who has an opening with your insurance within two weeks.

Silent Auction Contributors

Some great silent auction items and services have been donated by many members of the community:

Alicia Hersey Jewelry
Blackbird Café
Butterfly Pillows (Carmyn Young)
Cassie Sampas Photograph
Chaos to Calm
Che Bella Hair Salon
color*full
Denise Rainis Painting
Dyan Sierra Gift Basket
Ellen Todd Painting
Filho’s Cucina
Filho’s Cucina
Fitness Your Weigh
GDAY Relaxation Basket
Greco Graphics
Groton Fire Dept
Groton Market
Herb Lyceum
Holistic You
Katryn Miller Yoga Classes
Kindle (Alice Lenhart)
Limerick Heritage Alpacas
Lowell Spinner Tickets (Steve Liljegren)
Lucia’s Tavola
Lunch @ State House w Rep Harrington
Main Street Café
Markoh’s on Main
Meredith Bempkins Photograph
Moison ACE Hardware
Ogunquit, ME Getaway (Joann Boczenowski)
PC Myette
Powderhouse Gang Singers
Red Sox-Yankee tix (Kathy Boczenowski)
Salad Tongs (Janet Ryan)
Serenity Spa and Salon
Sheila Harrington Estate Planning
Solas Therapeutic Massage
Solas Therapeutic Massage
Virginia Wood Pottery
Zumba Classes (Kate Nelson)

Music Fills the First Parish Coffee House Tonight

By Steve Boczenowski

Mar 062013

First Parish Coffee House is set for this Friday Evening, March 8, at 7:30 p.m. (music starts at 8:00). Music will be performed by some of First Parish’s best musical talent and a visiting band from the Ashby UU Church. Enjoy the coffee house atmosphere with tables for two, four, or more. A cash wine bar and a variety of hors d’oeuvre and desserts will be served. Proceeds from this event will support the First Parish Music Fund and the performance of the Missa Gaia Earth Mass in April. Admission is $15.

Coffee House performers will include:

Haley Watson will be singing “Listen to Your Heart” by DHT accompanied by Shawn McCann on keyboard, and Taylor Swift’s “Back to December” accompanied by Zymurgy. Haley sings with the FPCOG youth choir and is currently a student of voice at Indian Hill School of Music.
Karuzin (Mark Karuzis, Nancy Rines, Chris Norman) – Fun acoustic folk music, featuring guitar and ukulele.
Lauren Tellier plays acoustic guitar and sings popular folk music from a repertoire including selections from the Indigo Girls, Stevie Nicks, Janice Ian and others.
The Lizards in the Hayloft are based in New Ipswich, NH, and Ashby , MA . The band features a variety of acoustic instruments, including fiddles, banjos, guitar, bass, mandolin, mandola, and ukuleles. Their repertoire includes a wide variety of historic and ethnic music, as well as modern tunes. Band members include (from New Ipswich): Christine Anderson, fiddle; John Rosenfelder, bass and fiddle; Sarah Rosenfelder, guitar, fiddle, uke, and vocals. (From Ashby): Stephan Arsenault, bass and vocals; Mark Haines, banjo and vocals; Cedwyn Morgan, mandolin, mandola, banjo, uke, and vocals. Stephan is a Berklee-trained musician and the music director of First Parish UU Church in Ashby.
The Powder House Gang (Judy Anderson, Michelle Stiller, tenor; John Jackson, lead; Dave Hill, baritone; Kurt Staven, Jim Oehler, bass) is an a cappella barbershop group singing four-part harmony and entertaining audiences since 2010. The Powder House Gang has sung at Grotonfest, Around Town with Jane Bouvier, Worcester Barbershop Harmony Night, A-List Show, Main Street Cafe, First Parish Church of Groton, Groton Community School Home Tour, and the Groton New Year’s Gala.
Zymurgy (Steve Burne, bass; Andrew Watson, guitar; Shawn McCann, keyboards; with special guest Paul Funch, flute) plays an eclectic mix of folk, rock, and pop music from the 1950s to today, including many album tracks that were rarely heard on the radio.

Get In Shape for Women Presents $2,200 To TADS

By Steve Boczenowski

Jan 262013

Groton’s Teenage Anxiety and Depression Solutions (TADS) organization will receive a $2200 donation from Westford’s Get In Shape For Women studio today, the result of a six-month long community outreach program.

Get In Shape, at 142 Littleton Road, pledged to donate $100 for every new client referred by a current client. Neil Pendleton, the manager of Westford’s Get In Shape For Women, and Deb Boczenowski, a current member of GISFW and founder of TADS put the project together.

“I was thrilled when Neil told me about this membership drive because it combines two of my passions; staying in shape and helping young people in need of mental health services. Studies have shown that exercise can help to reduce ailments such as anxiety, depression, and ADD,” Boczenowski said. Exercising has been proven to release “feel good” brain chemicals, reduce immune system chemicals, and increase body temperature which can create a calming effect (Mayo Clinic), she said.

“We teamed up with TADS because we want support our clients both in and outside of our studio,” Pendleton said. “TADS was started by a client of ours whose son tragically passed too soon in life after having battled with anxiety and depression. We wanted to support her and other clients who live in the local communities TADS provides services in. Additionally, many of our clients are mothers of teenagers who may need help and benefit whether it be directly or indirectly from the mental health prevention and awareness services that organizations like TADS provide. I’m so glad we are able to support TADS, the Boczenowskis, and twenty-two new clients, who took their first steps towards improving their health and wellness. Our studio is a very special community of women all working toward reaching health and fitness goals.”

Teenage Anxiety and Depression Solutions (TADS) was founded in 2011 by a group of concerned citizens bound by the shared tragedy of a loved one lost to suicide. Based in Groton, their mission is to address issues of mental health issues by raising awareness, providing education, and enabling access to care. Some of TADS accomplishments have been annual training in suicide prevention curriculum for educators from across the state and providing a mental health referral service for local communities Groton, Dunstable, Ayer, and Shirley.

“Carrying On” For Suicide Survivors Meets Tuesday 01/15

By Steve Boczenowski

Jan 112013

The next meeting of the support group “Carrying On” will be held on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. in the Great Room of the Parish House of First Parish Unitarian Church on Powder House Row in Groton. Anyone who has survived the loss of a loved one to suicide is welcome to attend this meeting.

“Carrying On” was formed in the spring of 2010 as a peer-led support group for people who had lost a loved one through suicide. We strive to provide a safe place to talk about those we have lost and to provide a supportive environment to help each other heal. Refreshments are served. Anyone with an interest in the subject matter is welcome. For additional information, call Steve or Deb Boczenowski at 978.448.5013.

Interfaith Council Presents Gospel Concert On Saturday

By Steve Boczenowski

Jan 102013

The Boston Community Choir Performs in Groton on Saturday

The Groton Interfaith Council will sponsor a gospel concert featuring the Boston Community Choir in the sanctuary of the First Parish Church of Groton on Saturday, January 12, at 4:00 p.m. The Boston Community Choir has become well-known throughout the Boston area for its inspired and uplifting performances. In its special way, this choir is adding to the very rich and exciting history of gospel music. This event is free and open to the public.

The mission of the Groton Interfaith Council is to foster understanding, respect, justice and peace among people of a variety of religious traditions through worship, fellowship, education, and service. Inspired by our different faiths, we seek ways to create more understanding and acceptance of people of diverse religions and cultures.

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Groton Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. This program is also supported in part by the Groton Trust Funds.

Groton Interfaith Council Plans Christmas Tree Lighting on Sunday 12/02/12

By Steve Boczenowski

Nov 282012

Lighting the 2011 Christmas Tree

The Groton Interfaith Council will hold its annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony this Sunday, December 2, at 4:00 p.m. There will be prayers led by Groton’s clergy and music featuring the Groton Wind Ensemble. And, of course, we will light the Christmas Tree. Recently retired Town Moderator Bob Gosselin, will do us the honor of flipping the switch.

Please join us for this longstanding Groton tradition in front of the Union Congregational Church at 218 Main Street.

Dear Editor: Would You Spend Two Hours To Help Your Kids Beat Depression?

By Steve Boczenowski

Oct 092012

Dear Editor;

Would you be willing to spend two hours to educate yourself about something that could make a significant difference in the life of your child? About 11% of adolescents will suffer from depression by the age of 18. Signs of anxiety, which can grow into depression, are becoming more common in the early elementary grade levels.

Depression can strike anyone – even the most joyful 3rd of 4th grader can be struggling with this disorder by age 13 or 14. But depression is treatable, especially if addressed early.

Please consider joining us on Wednesday, October 17 when GDAY will host a presentation featuring the TADS video entitled, “Removing Obstacles to Help and Treatment.” This video was designed to provide parents with practical guidance for seeking mental health services for their children. Following the video, there will be a Q&A panel featuring Dr. Steve Liljegren, Alice Lenhart, GDRHS Guidance Counselor Mark Hennelly, as well as Deb & me.

Please join us on October 17 at 7:00 PM at the Richardson-Mees Performing Arts Center at Lawrence Academy.

Sincerely,
Steve Boczenowski
Founder & President, Teenage Anxiety & Depression Solutions (TADS)

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