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OPEN WED. - SUN. 10AM TO 5PM
Tanks, Wings & Wheels June 19th and 20th
A special weekend event with all three museums open: Classic Car Barn, Historic Aircraft Hangar and American Heritage Museum. Not to be missed!
“An absolute must see for history lovers!”
568 Main Street, Hudson, MA
www.AmericanHeritageMuseum.org
(978) 562-9182
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TO EARN TOP DOLLAR & BE APPRECIATED ! S HOST ERS SERV ERS BUSS ACKS BARB RS ENDE T R A B S COOK P E R P S COOK LINE DA
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350 E. MAIN STREET, MARLBOROUGH | (508) 357-8883
PULSE MAGAZINE: JUNE 2021 COVER STORY Central Mass Outdoors Guide
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ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & CULTURE Serious 8 With Dearbones
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NowStreaming: 9 Weezer Van Weezer Entertainmant Listings
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PulseShots 11
DINING REVIEW Dining Review: Anokye Krom
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Hot & Now 15
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LIFESTYLE And the Beat Goes 18 Round – Joe’s Albums 420 in 508
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Out and About
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Style Savvy
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SPORTS Finding Balance
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PulseBrew 16 New in the Woo: Lucy’s Cake
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19 Paul Giorgio, Publisher pgiorgio@pagioinc.com Kevin La, Art Director kla@pagioinc.com Josh Lyford, Editior jlyford@pagioinc.com David Simone, Vice President, Sales dsimone@pagioinc.com
READ PULSE ONLINE: THEPULSEMAG.COM
14 Bernie Whitemore, Ryan Cashmen, Maria Connors, Josh Lyford, Travis Duda, Jason Savio, Paul Giorgio, Rachel Shuster, April Goddard, Giuliano D’Orazio, and Jennifer Russo, Writers
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: TWITTER @WORCESTERPULSE • INSTAGRAM @WORCESTERPULSE • FACEBOOK.COM/THEPULSEMAGAZINE PULSE Magazine is produced 12 times a year by Pagio Inc., 134 Gold St., Worcester, MA 01608. (508) 756-5006. Copyright 2021 All rights reserved. Pagio, Inc. does not hold itself responsible for statements made by any contributor. Statements or opinions expressed in Pulse reflect the views of the author(s) and not the official policy of the Pagio, Inc., unless so stated. Although all advertising material is expected to conform to ethical standards, acceptance does not imply endorsement by Pagio, Inc. unless so stated. Material printed in Pulse is covered by copyright. No copyright is claimed to any work of the U.S. government. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without written permission. For information on permissions, reprints and other services, contact Pagio, Inc. Also by Pagio Inc.: Worcester Medicine, Vitality Magazine, Thepulsemag.com, Thevitalitymag.com, & TasteWorcester.com
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Central Mass. Outdoors Guide Maria Connors
While boasting the perks of an urban center, the city of Worcester and surrounding towns have no shortage of outdoor spaces and activities to enjoy as summer arrives. Whether you’re looking to hike, swim, boat, or just sit and enjoy the sun, there are an abundance of spots in Central Massachusetts that will let you do just that. We’ll be taking a look at not only some of
generally flat, climbing through the chasm itself is a more challenging and demanding endeavor. Hikers should wear appropriate shoes and keep in mind their physical ability and health when setting off into the chasm, as scrambling over rocks is a necessary part of this adventure!
Mass Central Rail Trail--Northampton to Boston, MA
Hiking
Photo by Jake Melara
There is no shortage of day hikes available in Central Mass, and all of the ones listed here are under an hour’s drive from Worcester. Pack a lunch, lace up your hiking shoes and hit the trails!
Wachusett Mountain--Princeton, MA
While this mountain is perhaps best known for its ski slopes, it offers ample opportunities for hiking as well. Only a 50 minute drive from Worcester, Wachusett Mountain boasts 17 miles of hiking trails that hikers are easily able to cater to their physical goals or time constraints. Popular routes to the summit are Echo Lake trail, an introductory level 1.5 mile trip, Old Indian trail, a more moderate 3.8 miles, and the shorter Pine Hill trail, only 1.0 mile but a steeper and rockier climb to the summit that makes it a more difficult hike. Most of the trails should take under two hours, making it a perfect excursion that will have you home in time for dinner.
The 1938 New England Hurricane destroyed the Massachusetts Central Railroad in 1938, and finally the 104 mile corridor through the state is being repurposed into a rail trail perfect for hiking and bike-riding. Many trail segments are not currently connected, so trail users cannot yet traverse through the length of the trail. There are currently completed sections running through Oakham, Rutland, Princeton, Sterling, Holden and West Boylston, with various parking lots provided along the way for visitors to choose their starting point. Some sections of the trail are paved and the trail will take hikers and bikers through forested areas, across open fields and along wooded riverbanks, showing off all kinds of natural beauty our state has to offer.
Lookout Rock--Northbridge, MA
Lookout Rock positions hikers off of a country back-road connected to the old Quaker Highway, with many trails looping through the area. Standing atop the rock offers a view of the Blackstone River snaking its way through the woods, often dotted with kayakers, and River Bend Farm and it’s canal, arch bridge, and sprawling farmlands. Rock climbers will find a few desirable crags to scale at this location, giving you the best panoramic views from the top.
Moore State Park--Paxton, MA
Step out into nature and back through history at Moore State Park, a 737acre public recreation area with a myriad of trails, streams and historic mills built as early as 1747. The park is home to stonemill foundations, a retired sawmill, mill chutes, waterfalls and an abundance of gorgeous flowers and foliage in the summer. The wooded trails are shady and well maintained and there are opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing on Eames Pond.
Purgatory Chasm--Sutton, MA
Purgatory Chasm offers a unique arrangement of rock formations and shady trails to spend the day exploring. While the trails through the forest are 6 JU NE 20 21
Swimming and Boating
Photo by Tommaso Fornoni
Central Mass has no shortage of ponds, lakes, and reservoirs to spend the day at--it’s just a matter of choosing your favorite!
Shore Park Beach--Worcester, MA
Shore Park Beach is located on the northern shore of Indian Lake, an approximately 7.0 acre park located in a residential neighborhood. Fishing and boating (both motorized and non-motorized) are permitted on the lake, with a roped-in swimming area to keep swimmers safe. With a sandy beach, grassy and shaded picnic bench area, lifeguards on duty and a bathhouse with restrooms and a first-aid room, this beach is well-suited for a day out with the family.
Whitehall Pond--Rutland, MA
Nestled in the forest of Rutland State Park, Whitehall Pond is the perfect place to end a hike or spend the day swimming. Visitors are welcome to swim, boat, and picnic along the shore, with charcoal grills available for public use. Aside from the sandy beach much of the waterfront is wooded, offering visitors a shadier swimming experience.
Lake Quinsigamond--Worcester, MA
Regatta Point at Lake Quinsigamond offers facilities for swimming, boating, picnicking, and fishing, as well as tennis and basketball courts and a baseball field across the street at Lake Park. While you’re in the area don’t forget to stop for ice cream at Madulka’s, a staple of the Lake Quinsigamond shoreline.
Hopkinton State Park--Hopkinton, MA
It’s easy to spend a full day outdoors at Hopkinton State Park, with 1500 acres of forest to explore via hiking trails and Hopkinton Reservoir to swim, boat and fish in. Boating in Boston provides seasonal boat rentals for visitors, so you can enjoy the water from a kayak or paddleboard. The reservoir also boasts stocked fishing, two lifeguarded beaches, first-come-first-served picnic sites and two reservable pavilions for larger events.
deCordova Sculpture Park--Lincoln, MA
Indulge us while we stretch the boundaries of Central Massachusetts for just a moment--deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum is the largest park of its kind in New England, located 20 miles west of Boston. The park hosts rotating modern and contemporary outdoor sculpture exhibits across 30 acres of landscaped lawns, forests, gardens, and terraces along the shores of Flint’s Pond. A hands-on learning lab on the campus provides an interactive gallery where visitors can experience immersive installations and build and sculpt with loose parts. After exploring the outdoor park and learning environments, cool off at the indoor exhibits and grab a snack at the cafe. Thetrustees.org/place/decordova.
Drive-ins
Four of Massachusetts’ drive-in movie theatres are located in Central Massachusetts, providing ample opportunities to enjoy a double feature the old fashioned way. Take your pick of the Leicester Triple Drive-in
(Leicester, MA), Mendon Twin Drive-in (Mendon, MA), Tri-Town Drive-in (Lunenburg, MA) and the Mohawk Drive-in (Gardner, MA) and camp out for a night of your favorite movies, new and old. Drive-ins were a saving grace for many moviegoers during the summer of 2020, when indoor movie theatres shut down due to COVID precautions. Regular movie theatres may be up and running again, but that’s no reason not to take advantage of the opportunity for a retro night out!
Farmers Markets
What’s summer without an abundance of fresh produce? Central Mass is home to countless farmer’s markets that provide an array of delicious, locally sourced fruits and vegetables from the region’s many farms. There’s no better feeling than knowing where your food comes from, so make sure to include a trip to the farmer’s market on your weekly errand run.
REC Mobile Market
The Regional Environmental Council purchases produce in bulk from local farms and sets up shop in central locations for shopper’s convenience. Founded in 2012, this mobile market is the first successful endeavor of its kind in New England. Keep an eye on their website for updated schedules: Recworcester.org/market-schedule
Timberyard Brewing Co.--East Brookfield, MA
Timberyard Brewing Co. hosts “The Market” on their back patio every Saturday, offering fresh produce, baked treats, and other artisanal goods. With a brewery, taproom, full kitchen, and frequent live music to boot, Timberyard has something for everyone.
Fellow artists Lena McCarthy (left) and Lukas Therien (right) at Tower Hill Botanic Garden Show featuring Worcester’s own, “Croc Paints”, Dave O’Connor in February 2020. Photo by Kevin La
Arts & Culture
Outdoor entertainment is an essential part of any summer, and Central Mass has no shortage of spots to enjoy. Day or night, you’re sure to find the perfect place to enjoy a favorite pastime and the warm weather.
Grafton Farmers Market--Grafton, MA
An entirely volunteer-managed market, the Grafton Farmers Market aims to serve their community through fresh produce, baked goods, artisanal foods, and hand-crafted items. With vendors coming from across the region to sell their products, the Grafton Farmer’s Market offers an expansive array of locally-sourced goods to take home this summer.
Tower Hill Botanic Garden--Boylston, MA
Tower Hill Botanic Garden operates on 171 acres of beautifully cultivated trails, gardens, and orchards for visitors to enjoy. Tower Hill contains 17 distinct gardens, with much of the original woodland and open fields preserved in the current layout. Stroll through the gardens, watch the critters in the Wildlife Refuge Pond, and grab a bite at the Farmer and the Fork cafe. Towerhillbg.org.
Photo by Sinitta Leunen t h epu ls emag.com
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ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS & CULTURE
Photo Creditr: Ally Schmaling
Photo Creditr: Rickelle Tavares
If you’re familiar with Worcester-based band Dearbones, then the last thing you would expect to see the alternative/emo band do is dress up like ‘80s rock stars with big hair and eyeliner. It would really seem like the antithesis of this oftentimes moody and atmospheric group. That’s why the Spinal Tap-like video for their new single “Novena” comes as such a big surprise. Not only do the members of Dearbones dress up like ‘80s rockers, they play the part, too, hamming it up as though it’s second nature to them. All the stereotypical tropes from the era are included, from the band freaking out when they find the wrong M&Ms in their dressing room, to the keyboardist indulging in an illegal substance right off the top of his instrument. “To me, music videos are just kind of dumb, so it’s like, why not have fun and make it funny?” says guitarist Jason Pascucci, calling in on a group chat with the rest of the band on a writing retreat in Vermont. “We had a blast filming that video, it was so much fun. The song is pretty serious and we thought it would be funny to conflict it with the dumbest video ever.”
SERIOUS FUN WITH DEARBONES JASON SAVIO
Dearbones formed in 2018 when Chuili and Blondin, who were in a previous band together, started playing with bassist Andrew Quinn. Pascucci joined later via a Craigslist ad. The group released its debut five-song EP The Sleep Of Reason Produces Monsters that same year and followed it up in 2019 with the two-song New Medicine EP. For now, Dearbones is going to keep following the trend of releasing singles, says Chuili. “I think it’s the shortening of attention spans,” adds Pascucci. “People really don’t seem to listen to full length (records) anymore. It seems like people just stream individual songs, so we’ve just been focusing on releasing individual songs with a music video.”
The video was directed by Burke Cullinane and Justin Bedard of Connecticut’s King Wolf Creative and was filmed at Ralph’s Diner in Worcester, a venue Dearbones calls “home base.” The song itself, produced by Jason Maas, a sludging tune with a heavy tone, is much different from any ‘80s rock song.
As for the meaning behind the band’s name, Chuili encourages the curious to listen to their song “The Sleep’’ for the meaning. “We like to make it a riddle,” he says. The members of Dearbones say they’re all for supporting local music spots, having not only played at Ralph’s but also Hotel Vernon and other venues. They have traveled as far south as Philadelphia and as far north as Bangor, Maine, to play gigs, too. They say they can’t wait to play live shows again, but want to ease into it. “We don’t want to be the first to play shows,” says Pascucci, “but we’re excited and ready.” In the meantime, the guys in Dearbones are going to try making the most of the remaining days of the pandemic, although they admit it hasn’t been easy, hence the writing retreat up to Vermont.
Given the content of the “Novena” video, though, does that mean the guys in Dearbones are secretly metalheads of the bygone era? Not exactly. Although one member might be.
“It seems like even though everything has been stopped, I don’t know why it seems so hard to find time,” says Pascucci. “That’s why we came up here. We’re trying to write, practice.”
“[Drummer Jacob Blondin] had some reams fulfilled there,” says Pascucci, citing Blondin’s love of Metallica. Perhaps one of the funniest running gags in the video is Blondin struggling to stay in his seat as a fan meant to blow his hair nearly topples him over. The group says a leaf blower was used for the effect and Blondin really couldn’t breathe when it was on him.
For more, visit: Dearbones.com.
So, no. For the most part the members of Dearbones are in fact on the complete opposite end of the rock spectrum. “If you take an emo kid from 2007 and make them in their early 30s, that’s when you get Dearbones,” says Pascucci, adding with a laugh, “We’re elder emos.” “I listen to the Allman Brothers on the daily,” jokes singer Frankie Chuili. “No, I definitely don’t.”
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Photo Creditr: Chris Klumpp
NOW STREAMING: JASON SAVIO
WEEZER VAN WEEZER
The euphoric bliss of guitar finger tapping greets you at the beginning of “The End of the Game,” the first single off of Weezer’s Van Weezer. No, it’s not the late, great Eddie Van Halen. It’s actually Weezer paying tribute to Mr. EVH on the appropriately titled album. After a yearlong delay, the heavy metal-minded Weezer record is finally here. It may seem like a surprise, but Van Halen and other hard rock/metal bands of yesteryear are a big influence on Rivers Cuomo and his bandmates (ever compare the Van Halen logo with the Weezer logo? Their similarity isn’t a coincidence.) Big guitar solos, bigger choruses, and explosive power chords are splashed all over Van Weezer with a youthful and enjoyable glee that only the guys of Weezer could conjure up and get away with. In the opening “Hero,” Cuomo uses a veil of comic book quips to admit he’s not the guitar hero he envisioned himself growing up to be, but he’ll be damned if he doesn’t give it a go, laying out a flashy little solo. He continues his walk down memory lane in “I Need Some of That,” an ode to enjoying the simple life as a kid, riding his ten-speed around his neighborhood and listening to Aerosmith. “Even if we blow up/We’re never gonna grow up/’Cause this is where it’s at,” he sings. “Beginning of the End” jumps to Cuomo narrating stepping out on stage and performing, delivering the album’s best lines: “Nostradamus predicted a bomb would drop/And all our guitars would be hung in an old pawn shop/But watch us brush off the dust/In heavy metal we trust,” before indulging in more finger tapping. Much of this sounds like something Bill and Ted would write, but that’s not a slight here at all, it’s simply musicians having fun unabashedly emulating other musicians and the songs they look up to. In “Blue Dream” they copy the riff from Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train” so much so that Ozzy and Randy Rhoads receive a credit. Of course, this is Weezer, so the lyrics are about a talking octopus (check out the guitar solo that sounds like it’s being played underwater. Cool.) “1 More Hit” is likely the heaviest you’ll ever hear Weezer as the song drops into a Metallica-like breakdown. There is a bit of that Weezer happy meal hangover here. Many of the songs are pretty short and may not feel fully fleshed out. “All of the Good Ones” is another one of those hollow and annoying earworm Weezer pop songs that belongs in that growing pile of forgetful tunes that none of their fans ever want to acknowledge. With Van Weezer, Weezer set out to create a collection of songs that not only pays tribute to their rock heroes, but write a love letter to their years growing up listening to them. The album is even dedicated to Eddie Van Halen in the liner notes, as well as the late Ric Ocasek, frontman of the Cars and a friend of Weezer who produced three of their albums, including the classic Blue Album. Van Weezer feels like the album Weezer always wanted to record but were too afraid to until now. It still ultimately sounds like Weezer with those familiar quirky sensibilities, but a flashier version with some rock star bravado. Van Weezer is a feel-good listen that captures most of the spirit the band was going for. For more, visit Weezer.com.
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As COVID restrictions begin to ease and live music returns to the area’s bars and restaurants, we are excited to bring entertainment listings back to PULSE.
ENTERTAINMENT LISTINGS
Black and White Grille 508-885-5018 Blackandwhitegrille.com 206 North Spencer Rd., Spencer Blueprint New American Bar & Grille 978-668-5580 10 Village Sq. Westminster June 10 Chriss Reddy Boynton Restaurant & Spirits 508-756-8458 117 Highland St., Worcester Cafe Neo 774-253-6139 97 Millbury St. Worcester Compass Tavern 508-304-6044 90 Harding St., Worcester Chashu Ramen + Izakaya 508-304-7183 38 Franklin St., Worcester Firefly’s BBQ 508-357-8883 350 E. Main St., Marlborough The Backyard at Firefly’s BBQ Outdoor Acoustic shows Friday and Saturday nights. June 4 Kim Trusty June 5 Michael Gorgone June 6 Stephen Angelis June 11 Music by Fields June 12 John Copeland June 13 Ryan Pinette June 18 Greg Schuler June 19 Pete and Steve June 20 Ashley Hensel June 25 Alan Goodrich
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If you’d like to be included in future listings, please email Jlyford@pagioinc.com.
June 26 Antonio Casasanta June 27 Jae Mannion Indoor shows June 4 Undercover June 5 Playing Dead - $15 admission June 11 Drive South June 12 Rumor Hazit - $10 admission June 18 Road Dawgs June 19 Freeballin - $5 admission June 25 Kaleidescope June 26 Windfall - $5 admission
Indian Ranch 508-943-3871 Indianranch.com 200 Gore Rd., Webster
River Styx 978-696-5176 166 Boulder Dr., Fitchburg Live on the Patio
MB Lounge 508-799-4521 40 Grafton St., Worcester
Rock Bar 774-243-7000 81 Water St., Worcester
MCL Club 508-797-0141 Worcestermcl.org 181 Lake Ave., Worcester
The Comedy Attic Upstairs at Park Grill 508-756-7995 257 Park Ave.
Flying Rhino 508-757-1450 278 Shrewsbury St., Worcester
One Eyed Jack’s Tiki Bar & Grill 508-459-0089 433 Park Ave., Worcester
Greater Good Imperial Brewing 508-926-8736 55 Millbrook St., Worcester
Partner’s Pub 978-345-5051 970 South St., Fitchburg
The Mill at 185 Themill185.com 774-261-8585 185 W Boylston St., West Boylston June 5 Doctor Robert
June 3 Big Jon Short June 4 Ricky Booth June 5 Petty Larceny June 6 Pau Courchaine June 10 Big Jon Short June 11 Noella & King Duo June 12 Victoria Kelly June 13 Worcester Jazz Collective June 17 Big Jon Short June 18 Saison & Frankel June 19 Juneteenth All Day, Paul Courchaine-6p.m. June 24 Big Jon Short June 25 Chloe Belsito June 27 Worcester Jazz Collective
Peppercorn’s Grille & Tavern 508-752-7711 455 Park Ave., Worcester
Greendale’s Pub 508-853-1350 404 W Boylston Worcester
St.
North,
Halligan’s 508-832-6739 889 Southbridge St., Auburn Thursday Bike Nights
Purgatory Beer Co. 508-596-2194 670 Linwood Ave. Building C, Whitinsville Ralph’s Diner Ralphsrockdiner.com 148 Grove St., Worcester Rascal’s Rascalsworcester.com 70 James St., Worcester Reunion Tap & Table 774-293-5501 198 Worcester St., North Grafton
Vincent’s Worcester 508-752-9439 49 Suffolk St. Wachusett Brew Yard 978-874-9965 175 State Rd. E, Westminster Whiskey on Water 774-578-8829 97 Water St. White Eagle 508-753-9612 Whiteeagleworcester.com 116-120 Green St., Worcester WooHaha Thewoohaha.com 50 Franklin St. Worcester Beer Garden 774-530-9000 64 Franklin St., Worcester
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DINING DINING REVIEW REVIEW ANOKYE KROM
21 LOVELL ST. (COE’S SQUARE), WORCESTER 508-762-9991 COES.ANOKYEKROM.COM BERNIE WHITMORE
Each time I’ve gone out for African cuisine I’ve found something that surprised me. The samosas at Fatima’s Café on West Boylston Street were an unexpected item and amazingly delicious. At Anokye Krom the surprises started as soon as my friend and I opened their menu and found multiple double-sided pages of entrées – it may easily have been a bewildering process to plot a dining strategy. We soon realized that for our first visit we should make a range of selections to provide the widest-possible sampling of the Ghanaian cuisine. To that end we began with the Fried Chofi appetizer. Chofi, fried turkey tail, is the fatty nub of meat that attaches at the base of the cavity you stuff on Thanksgiving morning. I reckon most people discard them along with the carcass, but I’ve always enjoyed their tender fatty meat. At Anokye Krom you get about a dozen of them; they’ve been fried golden brown with crispy bits of fat along their edges. Some were pure meat, others had a ridge of tiny bones. What really set them ablaze with flavor, though, was the side dish of shito, a hot pepper sauce condiment. At first taste, Anokye Krom’s shito tested my tolerance for spicy heat but was so compellingly delicious I couldn’t resist it. During the course of the evening I came to love it on everything and would gladly have gone home with a jar of it!
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As I said, Anokye Krom has a bewilderingly large menu – I’d recommend you spend some time with their online version beforehand; particularly if you’re not familiar with Ghanaian cuisine. Continuing with our survey, I selected the Waakye & Goat Meat entrée. Sounds simple enough. In practice, it was a mini buffet of dinner items. For this dish, goat meat had been simmered in tomato gravy that had become rich, deep-colored and thick. Cubes of mild-flavored dark meat plied easily from bone. If you’re apprehensive of goat because of its feared ‘gamey flavor’, don’t be! The flavor of Anokye Krom’s goat registered somewhere between beef and lamb on the red meat flavor spectrum. A large curl of rubbery hide – having contributed its flavor and texture – was consigned to the butter dish. Nestled next to the goat stew was a chunk of tilapia, tender and easily forked free from its bones. And then there was the hardboiled egg, undressed spaghetti and mound of gari, powdery cassava meal that looked like brown sugar but possessed minimal flavor. Soon emerging as my favorite part of this dish, though, was the Waakye; deep-brown rice and beans in a mound that took up half the platter. Its crumbly texture and mild flavor seemed to shout for a mix-in of generous forkfuls of shito. Waakye and pepper sauce: a combination that proved so tasty we couldn’t resist it and came close to finishing the huge serving.
My friend’s entrée, Grilled Tilapia & Kelewele, was relatively simple in comparison to mine. In this case the entire tilapia, head to tail, had been lavishly seasoned with Anokye Krom’s spice mix and then grilled dark brown and garnished with tri-colored rings of crunchy-fresh sweet peppers. I suspect most people have not tackled a full fish, so make sure you’re ready for this DIY experience. My friend was adept at lifting the sweet white flesh from the frame of bones and dipped forkfuls in little dishes of green and red chili sauces. Then we turned our collective attention to his Kelewele, fried sweet plantains seasoned with Ghanaian spices. The portion was beyond generous; enough for both of us to enjoy a spicy-sweet ending to our meals. Save for a constant stream of people picking up takeout, the Coe’s Square Anokye Krom location was quiet on the evening we visited them. Our waiter used that lull as an opportunity to be exceptionally helpful and friendly. Ghanaian beers are offered, as well as some liquor and soft drinks. The last time I’d been in that dining venue it was a Chinese buffet. Its décor hasn’t changed much since then, but the food couldn’t be more different. Though Anokye Krom’s menu is epic in scope, our meals tasted freshly cooked, were attractively presented and served with pride.
HOT & NOW What’s hot and happening now in the restaurant scene PAUL GIORGIO
OUT OF AFRICA. Acacia Grill at, 1105 West Boylston St. in Worcester, has recently opened its doors. It’s food only and specializes in cuisine from Kenya. For those not familiar Kenya is located in Northeast Africa. The food tends to be hot and spicy. Worcester is exploding with African restaurants from all regions of the continent. OUTDOOR DINING EXPANDS. Che Empanada, located in Worcester’s Kelley Square has added outdoor dining. The few tables give you a street view of the Kelley Square peanut. The empanadas, which are hand held meat pies or vegetarian from south America are very good and made fresh daily GO BIG OR GO HOME. Bay State Brewing at the Ice Center in the Canal District has applied for 400 seats of outdoor dining. That’s a lot of seats and a lot of beer. No word yet on what they will be doing with all that extra seating capacity. EXPANDING CONCEPT. The company that owns the 110 Grill has a new restaurant called Evviva Trattoria located in Marlboro. They also have three other locations of the new concept they are trying out. Based on the name, I’m guessing the concept is Italian. SPRING TIME IS REOPENING TIME. It looks like Whiskey on Water on Worcester’s Water Street is getting ready to reopen its doors after being closed for almost a year due to the pandemic. LESS MOONSHINE. I n other Water Street news, it appears that Moonshiners at 105 Water St. will not reopen but it looks like a Mexican restaurant may replace it. We will keep you posted. SHREWSBURY STREET ICON SET TO REOPEN. Mac’s Diner, across from Cristoforo Colombo Park on Worcester’s Shrewsbury Street Is set to reopen. They will be getting a beer & wine license, which is new. Mac’s has been a BYOB place for a long time. This is the restaurant that led the charge on reshaping the Shrewsbury Street dining renewal under John Grosse over 20 years ago. NORTHBORO’S LOSS IS WORCESTER’S GAIN. Although it isn’t a restaurant, we bring news that Gentile’s Bakery will be relocating from Northboro to Worcester’s Plantation Street in a space that once housed Candela’s Market. Gentile’s supplies the Italian bread to a great many local restaurants. RESTAURANTS REOPENING. Word from our North of Worcester spies tell us that Brady’s in Leominster reopened at the end of May. Owned by Chef Bill Brady of Sonoma fame, Brady’s closed down when the pandemic hit. Holden’s Val’s Restaurant has also recently reopened its dining room to customers. Owner Val James used the Covid hiatus to make some changes to the dining room GOODBYE RUBY TUESDAY. A new Mexican restaurant, Torito Mexican Restaurant opened the last week of may in Worcester’s Lincoln Plaza in the spot that once was home to Ruby Tuesday, which closed because of the pandemic.
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK, 24 HOURS A DAY! 155 SHREWSBURY STREET • WORCESTER, MA • 508-791-4535 t h epu ls emag.com
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PULSEBREW RYAN CASHMAN There’s one brewing company I haven’t written much of in this column and it is one I feel deserves more recognition than it may receive: Wachusett Brewing Company. It is easy to see why Wachusett may be glossed over when pitted against the plethora of breweries in Central Mass alone. They don’t specialize in Imperials like Greater Good. They don’t turn their IPA’s up to 11 like Wormtown. They don’t push the limits of beer as we know it like Treehouse. What they do is give us a wide range of quality made beers which cater to virtually every taste. In this day and age, some would call that “playing it safe.” Personally, I find it commendable. You don’t have to push the boundaries of science to create good beer. Yes, Wachusett has their range of increasingly hoppy IPA’s - Glory, Larry, Green Monsta, Mass Soul, Wally Juice, and Wally - well crafted all, but I find where their genius lies is in the deceptively simple. I have in mind three beers: Blueberry Ale, Summer, and Country Pale Ale. We’ll start with the Country. This is the flagship; the one that started it all. The Country Pale Ale is the first beer Wachusett produced and remains a favorite among the brewers and the drinkers. It’s an effortless brew, smooth and palatable, with just the right balance of malts and hops. Easy to see why it’s remained so popular. Onto Summer, which, ironically, is not the most summery beer in Wachusett’s arsenal. At least not for this writer … more on that in a bit. It does combine the classic, winning summer flavors: wheat ale and lemon. The citrus is not overwhelming, just enough to let you know it is there. This again makes for exceptionally easy drinking, a trademark of this company. Finally, we reach my favorite: Blueberry Ale. This is actually the beer I wrote about in my first ever column for this publication (August 2018). This beer breathes summer. It oozes relaxation and satisfaction, especially when ice cold. It’s crisp, fruity, conducive with porch rocking or hammock swinging, and perfect with a grilled steak. To quote myself, the Blueberry Ale is a beer that will make you go: “Ah, that’s nice.” I’ve been doing a lot of thinking recently on what my favorite beer is. There’s basically one criteria: can I go back to this beer again and again and love it every time? I am tied between Allagash White and Wachusett Blueberry Ale. They share a remarkable similarity, despite their obvious differences in taste. They are both simple and flavorful. You enjoy drinking them. And that’s what it’s all about, really. Of course it is worthwhile to push the limits and be on the forefront of the next great phase of beer making, but that’s not my point. My point is that, in the end, it’s not the complex chemistry we return to time after time. It’s the simple truthfulness of a well brewed beer. 16 JU NE 20 21
NEW AROUND THE WOO: LUCY’S CAKE SHOP RACHEL SHUSTER Located at 256 Park Ave. in Worcester, Lucy’s Cake Shop is serving the Worcester community delicious sweets, made with love. Husband and wife team Julio Abreu and Lucibel Ruiz of Shrewsbury opened the shop in April of this year, with full hearts and a long-standing passion for sweets. It’s a great partnership between Abreu and Ruiz as Abreu runs the business and Ruiz makes the delicious goods. “I’ve always loved baking,” Ruiz, who is the face and brains behind the name “Lucy” says. “I used to work as a medical assistant but left my job in 2015 because I was baking and my kids were little. I decided then to pursue my passion for baking and stay at home with my kids.” Ruiz had been baking cakes for family and friends for a couple years, and people couldn’t deny her talent. “Everyone would tell me how delicious my cakes were and how great of a job I was doing,” he says. “Everyone kept saying how I should start selling them and start my own business” From there, Ruiz worked on her baking skills at home regularly and took online classes to refine them and get better and better. “Julio and I thought, when the time is right to open a business, this way, I’ll be ready to do so,” Ruiz says. And just like that, the time came and the opportunity to open their shop presented itself. “Julio was looking for locations for a long time, and when this location opened up, we took it,” Ruiz says. “It’s very eye catching, in a good neighborhood and it’s very well located.”
Lucy’s offers a variety of sweets with Spanish flair. “We are Spanish and we offer various Spanish desserts including a Dominican cake which is a vanilla cake filled with pineapple, guava and caramel, tres leches, and flan,” Ruiz says. Lucy’s also offers traditional baked goods including cupcakes, brownies, cookies and cakes. “We want to ensure our menu continues to expand so that we are catering to everyone,” Ruiz says. The shop also sells cheesecakes which is one of their best sellers. “People love them!” Ruiz adds. As for pricing, brownies are $2.50, cupcakes vary but start at $1.59, a slice of cake is $6, a slice of cheesecake is $4.99, and whole cakes, an 8-inch cake, is $25-30. So, what makes Lucy’s Cake Shop so special? It’s the love that’s baked into each item. “I bake my sweets as if I am home,” Ruiz says. “I like to make everything with love, and I want people to taste that greatness of a good sweet like they are eating it homemade. Sometimes once people open up business, their way of working or recipes change, but I want to stay true to my baking as if I was home baking for my family.” Lucy’s Bake Shop is open Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 6pm, Sunday 10am – 4pm and closed on Monday. For more information, find them on social media or call the shop at 508-304-9676.
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LIFESTYLE LIFESTYLE
AND THE BEAT GOES ROUND – JOE’S ALBUMS JENNIFER RUSSO Think about what goes into listening to a record. It requires some steps– taking it out of the sleeve, placing it on a turntable, turning the turntable on, maybe adjusting the speed to 33 or 45 revolutions per minute, placing the needle just so…just to listen to a song. Let’s get nerdy for a moment. Think about the science behind the creation of an album, how the song was recorded within the grooves of a vinyl disc, and how the sound then goes from those grooves through the needle and into your speaker so that you can hear it, to output a sound that is like nothing else, with its own unique characteristics that cannot be matched by any high-tech player or streaming service. The first micro-groove record album was created by Columbia in 1948, and at that time records cost around $2.00 or less. Today, that would be in the $10-$15 range. People would save their pennies to be able to listen to music this way, and today those in the know still do. Enter Joe’s Albums. This store, now located in the historic Mechanic’s Hall performance venue, has been thriving since 2010. It began when owner, Joe Demers, dusted off his old turntable and some records he had in the basement and took a trip down a musical memory lane. “I was instantly struck by the sound quality compared to what I had been listening to,” says Joe. “The tangible experience, combined with better sound quality, really makes you an active listener. Streaming music or loading thousands of songs on your device is convenient, but often just turns into background noise that you aren’t actually engaged with. Records are completely different experience.” Because, at the time, there really weren’t many record stores to fuel Joe’s rekindled love for old albums, he purchased some collections and then moved to build a website on which to sell them, so that passion could be shared with others. As the website grew, he found himself able to open a brick and mortar store. Though big online stores and department stores offer records, many people prefer to see what they are going to buy first, especially collectible records, and with his competitive pricing, it is worth the trip. Joe gets new records from various distributors and record companies and some smaller vendors, but he also has a great stock of used records, which he shares have been easier and easier to come by due to the store being well known throughout New England.
“People bring their records to sell from farther away than I would expect. My effort level to acquire used records is extremely low. Luckily, they find their way to us,” Joe tells us. One rare find he came across was a test pressing of Janis Joplin’s Pearl, which was one of very few that exist. He’s also had sealed original pressings and some autographed albums come through the store. In addition to what they have on the shelves, Joe also does plenty of special orders and does his best to help collectors or enthusiasts find what they are looking for. Requests touch on every genre and era of music, from Pink Floyd to Taylor Swift. He shares that part of the fun of record collecting is the thrill of the search and the happiness it gives people to find that unique item. This genuine passion for records and music and the personalized touch the business provides has contributed greatly to being able to get through the difficulties of 2020, along with people being at home more of the time and Joe’s having a well put together website for over 10 years that lists all of their inventory, which they always keep current. “When stores were closed throughout the country, the ecommerce portion of our business exploded. There aren’t many record store sites that have the quantity of new and used records that ours has. Many record stores throughout the country were scrambling to list their inventory in online marketplaces like eBay and Discogs. We didn’t need to do anything like that,” says Joe. Though some might wonder what the draw is about listening to a form of music that requires a bit more effort, Joe sums it up really well when he states that “listening to records is the most expensive and inconvenient way to consume music. But like most things, you get what you pay for.” To own a piece of band history, to listen to them the way they were intended to be heard at that time, to collect for the sake of collecting, whatever the reason may be…records are still valuable to music lovers everywhere. This year, Record Store Day will be split into two days – June 12 and July 17. Joe’s plans to open at 8:00 AM and expects there will be a line. There will be special album released that will be available on those dates and will be posted on their website a week prior. Visit Joe’s Albums at 317 Main St. in Worcester or online at joesalbums.com
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420 50 8 IN THE
TRAVIS DUDA
BRING ME THE GOOD STUFF! A few weeks back, on a day where my stash was particularly low, but busy enough where a mid-day trip to the dispensary was too much time away from the computer, I was forced to make a choice. I have a medical card so it felt like a right opportunity to try the free delivery service some of the dispensaries offer. Seeing as it was my first time, I didn’t know what to expect. Thankfully my jar wasn’t already empty because my order was delivered eight hours after I placed it. I don’t want to sound ungrateful, I’ve just become accustomed to a shorter window and faster gratification for delivery service. I understand that it’s a little more involved than a pizza. If I use the service again, I’ll remember to plan ahead. Most likely, I’ll just wait until there are more operators in the game. I assume it’s only a matter of time before the CCC approves an ad hoc courier service where customers get their cannabis delivered by a licensed delivery person. Companies like Uber have already identified this as a growth market, so I’m expecting to see more competition and shorter wait times as the industries around our favorite weed continue to develop. Who wouldn’t want to get Lyfted like that? For now, I’ll leave the delivery space available to the patients that really need it and just head down to the shop. MISSION POSSIBLE In an effort to experience all the dispensaries in Worcester, I recently checked out Mission on Lincoln Street. I was stoked to find a huge facility with ample parking on the North East side of the city. The building is a nice navy colored metal box with bright red rails that match the Mission branding and the lot is shared with the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. At the front door, two staff members filter out the Recreational and Medical customers, and all legal customers are welcomed to the same open room with gorgeous glass display cases positioned in front of the budtenders. The interior design reminded me of a ski lodge or high end sporting goods store with all the natural colored wood. The most novel part of the transaction is watching your order emerge from a small cubby door behind the teller. I imagined a great and powerful cannabis sorcerer back there, conjuring the dankest buds. However, their power is too great and no one can see their face. So thank goodness for the cubby door. The herb was wonderfully potent and I got to try some strains I didn’t know about. Their first time patient deals were a nice cherry on top as well. All in all, I’ll make it a Mission to get out there again soon and hopefully meet that wizard. HOW DO YOU OUTSMART YOURSELF? Munchies have always been a challenge for me. In my lower tolerance years, it would be common to devour an entire family-sized bag of Smartfood after a sesh. Stuffing my head and gut, one filled fist after another, like it was nothing. It’s even worse when there’s a sober friend nearby willing to make a late night fast food run. However, over the past year in quarantine, I’ve been building up a set of skills to outwit the bottomless trash human inside me. Obvious tricks include stocking only healthier snacks in the house and then storing them far away from my office. This forces me to have to move my fat keister up and down a flight of stairs, hopefully offsetting the snack a bit. But even as I write this column, I’m munching on a fresh bowl of cheddar popcorn. The deal I’ve worked out is, “ape-brained man can’t fist food to mouth, must eat piece by piece like civilized person.” These tactics aren’t perfect, but they help. Do you have any tricks? Hit me up on Twitter or Instagram @hunchbacktravis and let me know. I’ll share any good ideas I get in a future column. Thanks for reading and happy trails! -Travis (@hunchbacktravis)
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OUT AND ABOUT DO YOU BELIEVE IN LIFE AFTER COVID GIULIANO D’OR AZIO Happy Pride! As summer begins, I know I’m feeling ready to have some
fun after a year of being mostly shut in, and very restricted. Folks in the restaurant, nightlife and entertainment industries have been hit pretty hard over the past year plus and community members who enjoy being out and about, have been patiently (some more than others) awaiting a return to normalcy… whatever that means. There’s a lot to be excited about regarding vaccinations, and plummeting COVID numbers, especially here in Massachusetts, where we were one of the top three states to hit the 70 percent vaccination mark amongst adults. That being said, there are some precautions to keep in mind before we throw caution to the wind for an all-out summer of fun in the sun. Firstly, if you haven’t, and your doctor deems it safe for you to do so, GET THE VACCINE… As members of the LGBTQ+ community, our health and wellness is vital to our ability to thrive and continue to make strides towards equality. It is well-known that queer folks already face barriers to healthcare access for a variety of systemic reasons, so if you are able to get vaccinated, it’s one of the easiest ways to protect the people you share space with. Another important topic to keep in mind as we aim to live life to the fullest in the roaring twenties is substance use. After a year being cooped up, many of our habits have changed. The pace of life and socialization is not what it once was, and for those of us who enjoy the nightlife, the Wednesday through Sunday nights out might not feel the same as they did in 2019. Additionally, we want to avoid going out with the intention of having a great time with friends, only to get sloppy and make poor decisions like amateur college bingers. Yes, it’s been a minute since we’ve gotten to let loose, but let’s try to encourage ourselves and our friends to do it in ways that don’t leave us with regrets. Speaking of regrets, let’s not overlook our sexual health. While many folks have taken very responsible albeit difficult decisions to drastically scale back or even completely pause dating/hooking up during the pandemic, the medical community has actually seen a rise in STI’s, including Syphilis. Doctors suspect that for some, the rendezvous never stopped, but the willingness to get tested did, because of the stigma of admitting to sexual activity outside of one’s household bubble. While PrEP has become widely available and we now have a vaccine for COVID, there’s still a lot of things we need to be careful about, with consequences ranging from bothersome to life-threatening if left unchecked. So get tested. Here in town, AIDS Project Worcester offers free walk-in testing. The services are available to you, and there’s no shame in prioritizing your health, and the health of your partner(s). Before I wrap up, I want to encourage everyone to support local business at this time. While we are seeing a lot of growth in Worcester, it’s changing fast, and some of that change doesn’t necessarily benefit the homegrown community. Let me just shout out a few of my favorites who I think have done a stellar job surviving the pandemic and deserve our support this summer: The Woo on Shrewsbury Street (at Imperial Street). It’s a gay-owned establishment with a great bar, really good food, and the friendliest staff. Redemption Rock Brewing Co, also in the Shrewsbury Street neighborhood, offers an amazing deck space, a beautiful taproom with plenty of seating and A/C for those steamy days, and of course, great beer. The MB Lounge also has also re-opened after over a year of being COVID-shuttered… see you at karaoke?! Here’s wishing everyone a fun, safe and joyous summer. And remember, it’s totally fine to say no to that drink we’ve all been “meaning to grab”. Self care and protecting our personal energy might be a great takeaway from a year in isolation. Cheers, and Happy Pride, everyone!
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STYLE Savvy STYLE SAVVY APRIL GODDARD Happy June Readers! It went from 0 to HOT out in a matter of two seconds and with the warmer weather comes fresh new styles and patterns perfect for the amazing summer weather that is upon us. Many of these trends will keep you cool in more than one way all summer long, so read on to discover a few of my favorite summer styles for 2021. THE ONE-PIECE SWIMSUIT: The one piece is coming in strong (especially after that long quarantine of sweatpants and eating whatever, whenever). From a practicality standpoint this suit will be your go-to for more sporty activities or swimming with the kids without you having to worry about a wardrobe malfunction. You can sport the one piece in so many different styles and colors, from solid to patterned and tye dyed. No matter what body type you have or what styles you generally prefer, you will definitely be able to find a one piece swim that suits exactly what you want for unlimited poolside fun! PLATFORM/WEDGE SANDALS: Now that we are all able to go out and grab a bite to eat with a friend, or even attend an outdoor BBQ, the platform or wedge sandals are everyone’s go-to’s for this season. More casual and comfortable than their stiletto cousins, the platform/wedge will give you that dressed up look while being reminiscent of the quarantine-comfortable vibe. Coming in flip flop, strappy sandals, and open-toes, the style possibilities are endless for this summer staple. DISTRESSED/ RIPPED MOM JEANS: This relaxed, comfortable and ripped style is loose enough to keep you cool for being out and about at dusk. More breathable than skinny jeans and more on-trend, pair with a casual tank or tee shirt for a backyard fire or a dinner on the patio. Light and bright washes work the best for the season, but a medium wash works as well! Collared white button down: Ideal for brunching, or any other style-elevated gathering, the collared white button down shirt looks great with a pair of jeans and a nice pair of shoes. Ideal for styling with bold accessories due to the neutral color. My favorite way to wear this style is with a slightly distressed, light wash pair of cutoff denim, nice sandals, and gold jewelry. I like my button down shirts fitted well, but oversized is just as on-trend and can look great with a fitted skirt or a pair of shorts! Pop on a pair of oversized shades, and you are good to go for a day out! .
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SPORTS SPORTS&& FITNESS FITNESS
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RESPECTING THE UNEXPECTED JENNIFER RUSSO I am a planner. Friends often tease me for the fact that I will plan things months ahead, send them calendar invites for things and have itineraries ready to go. I may not always follow my own plan to the letter, but at least I know I have it all laid out.
our path. How we deal with them is what causes us to grow as individuals and leads us forward. We can respect that the world and everything in it is always changing. We can respect that we are always changing too. We can choose to find the best happiness we can despite it all, and The thing is though, not everything we can even determine that we will can be planned. We learned that les- see where that unexpected turn son pretty well last year when any- takes us and make it a whole new thing we had on our calendar was adventure. either cancelled or rescheduled to a “who knows when” future date. The Sometimes it is good to let go of unexpected happens sometimes plans for a minute and see a bigger and we can’t control every single picture. What may you be missing if outcome. This is a difficult pill to you have tunnel vision and only see swallow for those of us who like to your checklists and block out the know what to expect all the time, rest? You may pass something by but it’s just not realistic. that could have been a wonderful It wouldn’t really make sens opportunity. You may trip over the e to whine about it (though, I must stumbling block instead of appreadmit when a concert I was look- ciating it for being there to guide ing forward to was no longer hap- you a different way. However you pening, I did whine quite a bit). So, choose to handle those moments, what can we do then? We don’t have one thing is certain – there is never to like it, but we can respect it. a straight road. Eventually that unexpected thing will come. How will you choose to see it? When these unexpected things happen, good and perhaps not so good, Peace and Love. it is not those things that determine
Please Consume Responsibly. This product may cause impairment and may be habit forming. For use only by adults 21 years of age or older. Keep out of the reach of children. This product has not been analyzed or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). There is limited information on the side effects of using this product, and there may be associated health risks. Marijuana use during pregnancy and breast-feeding may pose potential harms. It is against the law to drive or operate machinery when under the influence of this product. KEEP THIS PRODUCT AWAY FROM CHILDREN. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. The impairment effects of edible marijuana may be delayed by two hours or more. In case of accidental ingestion, contact poison control hotline 1-800-222-1222 or 9-1-1. This product may be illegal outside of MA.
