Worcester Magazine March 5 - 11, 2020

MARCH 5 - 11, 2020 WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

CULTURE • ARTS • DINING • VOICES

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A t i m e f o r I rish mu sic Derek Warfield & The Young Wolfe Tones return to the Worcester Hibernian Cultural Centre

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M A R C H 5 - 11, 2020

IN THIS ISSUE

M A R C H 5 - 11, 2020 • V O L U M E 45 I S S U E 28 Find us on Facebook.com/worcestermag Twitter @worcestermag Instagram: Worcestermag

100 Front St., Fifth Floor, Worcester, MA 01608 worcestermag.com Editorial (508) 767.9535 WMeditor@gatehousemedia.com Sales (508) 767.9530 WMSales@gatehousemedia.com President Paul M. Provost VP Multi-Media Sales Michelle Marquis Ad Director Kathleen Real-Benoit Sales Manager Jeremy Wardwell Executive Editor David Nordman Editor Nancy Campbell Content Editor Victor D. Infante Reporters Richard Duckett, Bill Shaner Contributing Writers Stephanie Campbell, Sarah Connell Sanders, Gari De Ramos, Robert Duguay, Jason Greenough, Janice Harvey, Barbara M. Houle, Jim Keogh, Jim Perry, Craig S. Semon, Steve Siddle, Matthew Tota Creative Director Kimberly Vasseur Multi Media Sales Executives Deirdre Baldwin, Debbie Bilodeau, Anne Blake, Kate Carr, Laura Cryan, Diane Galipeau, Ted Genkos, Sammi Iacovone, Bob Kusz, Helen Linnehan, Patrick O’Hara, Kathy Puffer, Jody Ryan, Henry Rosenthal, Regina Stillings, Randy Weissman Sales Support Jackie Buck, Yanet Ramirez Senior Operations Manager Gary Barth Operations Manager John Cofske WORCESTER MAGAZINE is a news weekly covering Central Massachusetts. We accept no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts.

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21 Featured ......................................................................................4 City Voices...................................................................................8 In Case You Missed It ... .......................................................10 Cover Story ...............................................................................11 Artist Spotlight .......................................................................17 Lifestyle......................................................................................18 Listen Up....................................................................................18 The Next Draft..........................................................................20 Table Hoppin’ ..........................................................................21 Film .............................................................................................22 Film Capsules ..........................................................................22 Calendar ....................................................................................24 Adoption Option ....................................................................28 Games .........................................................................................29 Classifieds .................................................................................30 Last Call .....................................................................................31

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Derek Warfield & The Young Wolfe Tones Story on page 11 Photo Ben Ryan Photography; Design by Kimberly Vasseur

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Crompton Place and 90+ Cellars to open outdoor rosé bar Canal District ‘wine garden’ set for spring SARAH CONNELL SANDERS

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rompton Place and 90+ Cellars announced plans this week to launch Worcester’s first wine

garden in the courtyard at 138 Green St. in the spring. The new rosé garden will open on Thursday nights from 4 to 8 p.m. beginning May 28 and running through Oct. 1. The 90+ Cellars rosé truck, which has become

Kelsey Lemmon, left, and Amy Lynn Chase announced plans to launch Worcester’s first wine garden.

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M A R C H 5 - 11, 2020

DYLAN AZARI

a regular fixture of the Worcester nightlife scene, will function as the primary service bar.

Once dismissed as unsophisticated by shortsighted consumers, vibrant pink wines have experienced

a sharp spike in demand with the rise of social media. Over the last decade, serious wine drinkers have embraced rosé, sparking a trend that industry experts predict will only continue to grow this summer. Popular merchan-

dise featuring slogans like “rosé all day” and “yes way rosé” have helped align the beverage with lifestyle brands and influencers.

“It’s not just about coming here to drink in our garden,” said owner

FEATURED

of Crompton Collective and The Haberdash Amy Lynn Chase, “We’re planning to host yoga classes, a dog adoption night, a fashion show, a cupcake pop up and other themed events.” The space will feature a variety of outdoor games, local craft vendors, flexible seating and a Mija Sangria tent.

Crompton Place entrepreneurs are working collectively to attract a Thursday night after-work crowd by instituting extended hours that correspond with the rosé garden. “We want Thursdays to have a different vibe,” said Chase. “It’s going to be fresh, young and fun.”

Crompton Collective, Seed to Stem, Birch Ally, Alexis Grace, The Haberdash, Bedlam Book Café and Blue Collar Salvage will stay open until 8 p.m. on evenings when the rosé garden is open. BirchTree Bread Co. has already begun serving hearth-baked pizza on Thursdays from 6 to 9 p.m. and will offer a takeout option for patrons of the rosé garden once it opens this spring.

Neighboring Mexican restaurant, El Patron, is also open until 9 p.m. on Thursdays for dine-in or takeout.

90+ Cellars Event Marketing Manager Kelsey Lemmon is working with

Chase to ensure that the rosé garden is well-stocked with a wide variety of instagrammable pink wines in addition to other offerings like Lot 50 Prosecco, Mija Sangria and two beers from Wachusett Brewery. Most wines will be priced at $8 per glass, with a limited number of $10 reserve selections. Parties of four or more will have the option of purchasing a bottle for $36.

Lemmon is confident that the rosé garden will serve to heighten 90+ Cellar’s continued success. “With so many taprooms and beer gardens across Massachusetts, I figured, why not try the same model with wine?” said Lemmon.

Lemmon has laid the groundwork for the rosé garden by participating in a number of “sip and shop” events at Crompton Place over the last few months. 90+ Cellars’ summer residency marks the latest placemaking effort in the Canal District, which has undergone unprecedented growth and development in recent years.

For rosé garden updates, check with @90pluscellars and @shopcrompton, and follow the hashtag #RoséAllThursday on Instagram.

artists CITY LIF E

ng, ia.com . Fair warni itor@gatehousemed digital copies artist, email WMed bio and high resolution will e a small or know of a local tion and what need to provid based on resolu If you are an artist, e what will run, h your work, you’ll in order to publis We reserve the right to choos art. of some of your newsprint. on reproduce best

TLI GHT ART IST SPO

M A R C H 5 - 11, 2020

WORCES TERMAG

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well as schoo and aristo had all kinds and events as going on to art poets, painters found herself the country in gallery shows of creative tors, dancers, over the same types she is today. Aimee now shows all nd herself with the artist that BFA in 2006. She ls. She continues to surrou surrealistic world. that receiving her and arts festiva the luminous colors of her the Harlequin, a magical being l and of at various music paint , playfu g with the idea inspire her to uins are sexual their own to people which has been workin it. These esoteric Harleq and she world now our For several years the world that surrounds beyond the boundaries of and ng : can change itself s in their thoughts of traveli following events Greenfield. sometimes deviou ly elastic points of views. om/coletteaimee or at the in 13-15 Sept. al: ndous rawartists.c town Festiv reach treme of her work at Aug. 24, Worm own Spencer: Check out more Party in downt Spencer Street

Let us feature your artwork in Worcester Magazine’s Artist spotlight! Email WMeditor@gatehousemedia.com high res samples of your work and a brief bio!

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Mayflower Medicinals faces union push ahead of Worcester opening BILL SHANER

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M A R C H 5 - 11, 2020

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n adult use cannabis company hoping to open a Worcester location has come under fire for actions the United Food and Commercial Workers Union says are attempts to block unionization efforts.

Last week, the Local 1445 branch of the UFCW filed a complaint against Mayflower Medicinals for issuing written warnings to two workers involved in an effort to unionize staff at a Holliston cultivation facility, as well as spreading anti-union messaging.

“These types of companies are making millions of dollars and they should be sharing it with their employees,” said Richard Poole, representative of the UFCW local.

“These aren’t run of the mill employees, they come from the culture and they believe in it and they want the company to succeed.”

Mayflower Medicinals, which already operates in Holliston and Boston, has full city approval to open a retail location at 645 Park Ave. Both the License Commission and the Planning Board approved the proposal in the fall. But the company has not yet received final approval from the Cannabis Control Commission. A request for comment from the commission on the new antiunion allegations went unanswered as of press time.

For months, workers at Mayflower facilities in Boston and Holliston have been organizing to join the Local 1445 union. Recently, the management has come down on two employees active in the unionization effort for infractions the union said does not typically require punishment. Further, documents provided to Worcester Magazine by the union appear to show a letter circulated by the company dissuading employees from joining the unionization effort.

“You may be approached by a paid union organizer or one of your coworkers that is in favor of organizing a union,” the letter reads.

“The union organizers may ask you to sign a ‘union authorization card.’

Signing these cards has serious consequences.”

The letter goes on to warn employees that union membership

The space at 645 Park Ave. Mayflower Medicinals hopes to occupy.

BILL SHANER

FEATURED

means “you could be put on trial or fined” for failing to follow union bylaws, and that, via collective bargaining, “you could get the same, or you could get less.”

In the two-page letter’s closing note, the company writes, “We support our employees and respect their rights to make informed decisions about their employment. Therefore, we encourage each of you to obtain answers to the important questions above before making any commitments.”

For the union, this letter, and the

the paper described as a brief statement.

Poole said he feels the new allegations should give both the city and the CCC pause about doing business with the company.

“I think Worcester is a union town,” he said. “I believe that if you have a dispensary that is going to be moving into Worcester, then you should really look at things like, are they actively funding an anti-union campaign?”

The UFCW has been working aggressively to unionize workers in the nascent cannabis industry through-

“These aren’t run of the mill employees, they come from the culture and they believe in it and they want the company to succeed.”

- Richard Poole, representative of the UFCW local out the country. They currently represent more than 10,000 workers in 15 states. Last year, the union organized more than 100 workers at Sira Naturals, a Milford-based cannabis company. Workers at Mayflower Medicinals were inspired by the effort at Sira to launch their own campaign, Poole said.

The complaint went to the state Department of Labor Relations Board, but has not yet been heard.

Poole said he doesn’t expect harsh punishment for the company, but hopes a ruling will stop Mayflower from actively working against unionization efforts.

M A R C H 5 - 11, 2020

two disciplinary actions, constitute illegal interference in unionizing efforts.

“It tells us that the company in this situation is not allowing the employees to choose, which is the law,” said Poole, representative of the Local 1445. A majority of the statements made by the company in the letter are “framed in a way that is quite frankly incorrect.”

Mayflower Medicinals did not respond to a request for comment, but a spokesperson for iAnthus Capital Holdings, the parent company, told the Boston Globe last week that Mayflower employees “will have the opportunity to decide whether they want union representation” in what

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CITY VOICES

FIRST PERSON

An ode to Kelley Square SHANE MATTHEWS

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he roundabout redesign of Kelley Square is underway and it only seems right to give our old landmark a proper send-off. Some aspects of the area still feel the same. Many of the old brick buildings and tripledeckers remain. There’s no shortage of colorful characters walking around, and we still must navigate a vortex of converging roads where anarchy reigns. But the bulldozers, jackhammers, and orange cones remind us that the days of driving through Worcester’s Wild West are numbered. By this time next year, we will be steering around a much more sensible traffic circle.

Worcester Public Market and the Kelley Square Lofts hint at a

POETRY TOWN

narrative describing certain parts and people of our nation but is difmore polished future. The transficult to illustrate in a single setting formation of this intersection within a wide scope of 50 states. symbolizes the closing of a chapter The atmosphere of Kelley Square, in the city’s history. It feels like the however, captures the essence of end of one era and the beginning of what can be called Middle Masanother. As a 27-year-old Worces- sachusetts. There’s nothing fancy ter native, I’ve only known one about it. Small businesses encomconfiguration of these crossings. pass the junction and populate the I’m accustomed to a tangled mess surrounding streets. Nearby resiof New Englanders honking and dences are modest at best. Most shouting at each other. Everyone of the people driving through this vies for their own advancement intersection live and work locally. into the fray, but we’re dependent Boston gets all the attention on each other to get through to the from the rest of the country for its other side. The lack of stoplights antiquated roadmap, abundance forces us to rely on an autonomous of one ways, and controversy over system that rewards assertiveness. the Big Dig. The capital city is The number one rule for success: widely regarded as having the most “just gotta keep movin’.” quaint layout for a major muSuch a unique place is somenicipality. Boston’s fame prevents thing to take pride in. The idea of any of its streets from providing Middle America is a well-known an accurate snapshot of Middle Massachusetts quite like Kelley Square. Unlike Worcester, the most popular squares are often traversed by people from all over the world.

Large banks, luxury hotels and major corporations are clustered throughout the city.

There are no sleek skyscrapers to be seen when taking Exit 13 off of 290. You see the image of

‘The Two Winfields’

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M A R C H 5 - 11, 2020

PAUL SZLOSEK

The street, which I live on now, was once long and serpentine, snaking along the southeast quadrant of Worcester, Massachusetts, running from Chandler, past Mason and Dewy, slithering across Route 9 before swerving hard to the left like a drunken sidewinder.

Then over a decade ago, one day, without explanation, a chain link fence unexpectedly appeared, surrounding the center of the thoroughfare and bisecting it into halves.

Perhaps the city, looking for ways to cut the budget of the Department of Pubic Works, simply sold the right of way, or maybe it was an act of reverse public domain: the owner of the vacant lot deciding to poach this stretch of pavement trespassing through his private property.

Instead of one Winfield Street, there were suddenly two, sharing the same name, but separated by an eighth of a mile, occasionally causing confusion & chaos — taxis, police cars, ambulances searching for house numbers on the wrong block.

And this short, orphaned section of road caught in the middle, caged and withering to black rubble, serves as a perfect metaphor for myself in the present, stranded between whom I once was and whom, God knows, I might still become.

Paul Szlosek is a poet living in Worcester, and also a co-founder and cohost of The Poetorium at Starlite Reading Series & Open Mic Series held the last Tuesday of the month at the Starlite Bar & Galley in Southbridge.

Worcester that some Bostonians might see from their City upon a Hill: a sparse skyline with little shine. Approaching the chaotic crossing at the bottom of Vernon Hill can only confirm an outsider’s dismissive view. But what can’t be conveyed through the traffic is the direction in which Worcester is going. There is an undeniable buzz about the city right now. Kelley Square’s makeover coincides with a wave of projects that are gradually redefining the Heart of the Commonwealth.

Over the past few years, downtown has added a number of restaurants, apartments, and hotels while promoting an increasingly vibrant public art scene. Union Station is fresh off another facelift.

The Canal District continues to boom as a nightlife destination.

Main Street is in the midst of its own rejuvenation that will feature new sidewalks, bike lanes, green spaces, and artwork when completed. Construction of Polar Park broke ground over the past summer and will host the inaugural season of the Woo Sox in 2021. All of this adds to already established attractions like higher education institutions and the endless array

of options to eat and drink on Shrewsbury Street. The gritty underdog reputation is incorporating a growing sense of recognition as the legitimate hub of Central New England.

As we advance into a Renaissance Age this decade, here’s to hoping we retain some of the charm that Kelley Square has exemplified over the years. I once heard a man describe Worcester as “the biggest small town in America” as a nod to the incredible connectivity that exists among city natives and residents. It seems like everyone is a friend of a friend in one way or another. Worcester will never be Boston but there is some beauty in that. We drive by our coworkers, bosses, teachers and students as we maneuver around this old hazard. We see ourselves in one another as we rush to our next destination in a quintessential New England manner. Our individual approach may seem aggressive but we ultimately guide each other to collective safety in the best way we know how: just gotta keep movin’.

Shane Matthews is a Worcester native.

CITY VOICES

WORCESTERIA

Big changes at Voke, big parties for Bernie BILL SHANER

GOODBYE, MR. BRENNER: Hubris is the folly of man, and let my deci-

sion to try to break the Worcester Tech Principal Kyle Brenner news in my weekly column be a testament. Brenner is leaving Worcester Tech to take the top job at Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School. You may have read this in the Telegram. I knew about it a few days before the Telegram story and honestly thought, for some reason, that I could sit on it for a week. Silly. But the Telegram and WoMag are now one, after all, and I am happy the news got out there. There are many reasons why this is a huge deal for Worcester, chief among them is the sense out there that Brenner’s leadership at Worcester Tech since 2015 has been marked by such success so as to attract the attention of big names; most recently, Governor Baker was there recently to tout the school’s advanced manufacturing facility. When I talked last week with Bay Path School Committee Chairman Bob Tremblay, I remarked that they had coldly and ruthlessly poached him from Worcester. He responded with a knowing chuckle. “We feel bad,” he said. “Everyone up there seemed to love him.” So long Mr. Brenner. Now, all eyes on the Binienda administration as the school district is tasked with filling some big shoes.

MY APOLOGIES: Last week, I published an item relative to the Table

Talk Pies TIF agreement that was just flat out, stone cold, dead wrong. In putting together my column, I read the wrong City Council agenda, and I pushed out news that was a few weeks old. It was a very stupid mistake and I am embarrassed.

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

WEEKEND AT BERNIE’S: Speaking of that, Worcester had an absolutely jam-packed and star-studded weekend of shows and rallies in support of Bernie Sanders. Worcester native H. Jon Benjamin (“Archer,” “Bob’s Burgers”) was here. Susan Sarandon (“Rocky Horror Picture Show,” “Bull Durham”) was here. Sam Seder (“The Majority Report”) was here.

The folks behind the Weather Is Happening page were here. A series of shows was accompanied by a coordinated effort by more than 300 people to knock on doors all weekend ahead of the primary. This is what people talk about when they talk about Bernie having an unrivaled field army.

Weekend-long events mixing organizing with culture and fun happened all around the country as volunteers work to get out the vote for Bernie.

No other campaign has a real movement behind it like this, and it’s why he’s going to beat Trump.

M A R C H 5 - 11, 2020

MCGOVERN GOES IN: Haven’t written much about our rep in Washington lately. This should come as no big surprise, but Congressman Jim McGovern has endorsed Senator Elizabeth Warren for president. In a post on his Facebook page, McGovern said, “As Elizabeth’s friend and colleague in our state’s Congressional Delegation, I’ve had an up-close look at what she can get done, from her fiery interrogations during committee hearings to her policy plans that lay out a bold, progressive vision for what our government can do when it works for all people instead of just those at the top. I have never — not even once — had to question whose side she is on or why she’s in this fight.” Now, I’m writing this on Monday morning, but you will likely be reading this during or after the Massachusetts primary Tuesday. It is unclear how Warren will fare, and it’s possible she may be bested in her home state. This is, to my mind, a good thing.

The longer she hangs in, the worse it is for the left wing of the party. We have one of the most stalwart champions of the American left in a front runner position and if moving the needle in a progressive direction is something we really care about (more than political personalities and infotainment) now is the time to consolidate around him.

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ...

The Sort of Late Show with Shaun Connolly Do you like the idea of attending a taping of a late-night comedy show but don’t want to drive all the way to New York for Trevor Noah or Stephen Colbert? You’re in luck!

Worcester’s home to the long-running “Sort of Late Show with Shaun Connolly,” currently held monthly at Nick’s Bar and Restaurant, where Connolly and comedic cohorts Doug Guertin and Bryan O’Donnell ape the format of the late-night variety show with local comedians, musicians and other interesting people. The guests on the Feb. 29 installment included comedian Logan O’Brien, Christopher Simpson of Sail to Trail WineWorks and Lynn Cheney of Maker to Main.

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WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

M A R C H 5 - 11, 2020

Photos by Dylan Azari

COVER STORY

A time for Irish music

Derek Warfield & The Young Wolfe Tones return to the Worcester Hibernian Cultural Centre RICHARD DUCKET T

“T

he month of March for a traveling Irish band like ourselves — it’s Christmas time,” said Derek Warfield, veteran of the legendary Wolfe Tones and the founder of Derek Warfield & The Young Wolfe Tones.

It’s also a good month locally for fans of Irish/Celtic music, as performers and bands make their way to this area with St. Patrick’s Day in mind. March 17 is the official date to celebrate the patron saint of Ireland, but really any time in March

BEN RYAN PHOTOGRAPHY

M A R C H 5 - 11, 2020 W O R C E S T E R M A G A Z I N E . C O M

Derek Warfield & The Young Wolfe Tones

is just fine to celebrate the music since Worcester has a significant population of people with Irish-American heritage.

Derek Warfield & The Young Wolfe Tones will be performing at 8 p.m. March 13 at the Worcester Hibernian Cultural Centre. Two days earlier, Irish tenor and star of Celtic Thunder Emmet Cahill is scheduled to return to the area to perform a benefit concert for the Philip E. Philbin Jr. Scholarship Fund at 7:30 p.m. March 11 in Clinton Town Hill ($35; $50 meet and greet; www.emmetcahill.com). On March 12 at The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts, the annual “WGBH presents A St. Patrick’s Day Celtic Sojourn with Brian O’Donovan” will

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COVER STORY

feature a wide rage of Celtic dancers, musicians and singers (www. thehanovertheatre.org). Celtic Woman returns to The Hanover Theatre March 29. Lots of local groups that play traditional Irish music will also be on the march during the month. For example, on March 7 at 7 p.m. Apple Tree Arts in Grafton will host Banda Gan Ainm (Band Without a Name), which features several well-known area musicians ($20; www.appletreearts.org).

“People expect good music to come to Worcester from Ireland,” said Worcester multi-instrumen-

sometimes caused controversy.

The name set the tone. Theobald Wolfe Tone (1763-1798) was a leading Irish revolutionary figure who met his untimely end after being captured by the English following the failed Irish Rebellion of 1798.

Since about 2004, Warfield has been keeping the tradition going with Derek Warfield & the Young Wolfe Tones, surrounding himself, as the name of the group would suggest, with talented younger Irish musicians and singers.

With it all, Warfield has matters in perspective. “We have a follow-

Celtic Woman returns to The Hanover Theatre March 29.

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M A R C H 5 - 11, 2020

PROMOTIONAL PHOTO

talsit Brendan Keenan, who will be joining Derek Warfield & The Young Wolfe Tones for the March 13 show. Proceeds after expenses from the March 13 concert will benefit the Worcester County St. Patrick’s Parade, which is scheduled for March 15 and will step out onto Park Avenue from Mill Street to Highland Street beginning at noon.

Warfield, 76, was on the road Stateside when he spoke during a telephone interview last week. “It’s an extensive tour,” he said. “We’re in demand all over. Everyone loves to explore their culture around St. Patrick’s Day, so this is a big time for us.”

He’s done a lot of traveling, and is no stranger to Worcester. In 1963 he was a co-founder of the Wolfe Tones, which had 13 bestselling albums with traditional and original songs (many of them written by Warfield) that often dealt with Ireland’s traditions, history, struggles and rebellions, and

ing everywhere, but we don’t have a following of tens of thousands.

Traditional music of any country is not mainstream,” he said.

However, in the case of Irish music and Ireland in general, “Sometimes people think of Ireland as a small little country, but people were dispersed. The Irish diaspora is almost as powerful outside Ireland as in Ireland. The Irish diaspora is a powerful element in our own heritage,” he said.

Beyond March, Derek Warfield & The Young Wolfe Tones have Easter dates back in Ireland, another U.S. tour in May, and also perform regularly in England and Europe.

You don’t have to be Irish to enjoy Irish music, Warfield said. “Music is an international language.

We can go to countries across Europe and they understand.”

Keenan has a full-time day job, but is also active playing traditional Irish music in the area. “We’re doing it all year. This is our big season, but we’re out there playing

COVER STORY

On March 12, The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts will host the annual “A St. Patrick’s Day Celtic Sojourn with Brian O’Donovan.”

T&G FILE PHOTO/BETTY JENEWIN

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sequently “deferred”) but Warfield said it has long been a part of his repertoire.

“It’s always been a popular song … with the old band and The Young Wolfe Tones,” he said.

“Every community has a memory of the Black and Tans and the terror they created. People responded with songs and poetry. There’s a lot hidden in the background of that song.”

Ireland has “a very powerful heritage of writing songs,” Warfield said. “Basically, it was the only means the Irish had to express their feelings.”

The Wolfe Tones were known as a “rebel” band with songs like its version of “A Nation Once Again” envisioning a united Ireland. In an interview last year, Warfield said that the Good Friday Agreement of 1998 between the British and Irish governments “has been positive in every regard.” But he said last week that people in Ireland have cast a wary eye at the new government of United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the country’s recent “Brexit” from the European Union, of which the Republic of Ireland is a member.

“The Brexit has been very unsettling for Ireland. Both the north and south (of Ireland) wanted to remain in Europe … I can see a lot

M A R C H 5 - 11, 2020 W O R C E S T E R M A G A Z I N E . C O M

every month,” he said.

Meanwhile, in January Warfield found himself top of the pops when the Wolfe Tones’ 1972 version of “Come Out Ye Black and Tans” reached Number 1 on the Ireland and UK iTunes charts.

The sudden reemergence of the song in the charts came during widespread criticism of the Irish government’s planned commemoration of the Royal Irish Constabulary as part of its “Decade of Commemoration” marking the events of 1912–1922 that led to Ireland’s independence initially as the Irish Free State in 1922 (Northern Ireland has remained part of the United Kingdom). The Royal Irish Constabulary was formed when the whole of Ireland was under British rule. As conflict erupted in Ireland to a crisis point in 1920, the British government recruited a special reserve for the constabulary that became nicknamed the Black and Tans due to their distinctive uniforms. However, the Black and Tans also became hated in Ireland for their brutal behavior.

The Wolfe Tones’ “Come Out Ye Black and Tans” is catchy and melodic but also has fighting lyrics: “Come out ye Black and Tans, come out and fight me like a man.”

The song was a hit again (the planned commemoration was sub-

COVER STORY

of trouble ahead with the present government in England,” he said.

Still, “Ireland is very much united in its place as part of the European ideal,” Warfield noted.

Doomed rebel Theobold Wolfe Tone spent some time in postRevolution America. “He would

have been of the same generation as George Washington. He came to this country to see how this country succeeded,” Warfield said.

“In Ireland, America is seen as the beacon of hope,” he added.

“America has come to the rescue of Irish people and absorbed so

Apple Tree Arts in Grafton will host Banda Gan Ainm (Band Without a Name) which features several wellknown area musicians.

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M A R C H 5 - 11, 2020

SUBMIT TED PHOTO

COVER STORY

Irish tenor Emmet Cahill is scheduled to perform a benefit concert for the Philip E. Philbin Jr. Scholarship Fund at 7:30 p.m. March 11 in Clinton Town Hill. (guitar and vocals), Cormac McGuinness (vocals), Wayne Brereton (bass and vocals), and Andreas Durkin (keyboard and vocals).

Woods is recognized as one of the foremost banjo players in Irish music, and has appeared on many radio and television shows in Ireland. She also organizes an annual traditional arts camp in County Cavan, Ireland. Moylan is well-known for his performances in the world-famous Temple Bar district in Dublin.

“I enthused it with the energy and passion of young people,” Warfield said of his band.

“I’ve learned a lot from him,” said Keenan. He joins the band when he can when it is performing in the region. He got to know Warfield after one of the bands he’s been in, Fergus, opened for Derek Warfield & The Young Wolfe Tones locally. He also plays on

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many people over the years.”

Warfield is also a musical historian and one of his books is “Irish Songster of the American Civil War.” He has extensively researched, uncovered, performed and recorded Irish songs of the American Civil War and released CDs in a Civil War series.

He had Irish musical history in mind, as well as entertainment, when he formed Derek Warfield & The Young Wolfe Tones.

“The idea was I wanted to pass on to a younger generation all my knowledge and research. These songs are popular world-wide. I felt I could do this with a young band and they could continue.

It’s been a great journey for me,” Warfield said.

The current lineup, besides Warfield (vocals, bodhran and mandolin), includes Damaris Woods (tenor banjo), Mylo Moylan

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their album “Last Man Standing.”

The album includes a rendition of Tommy Makem’s famous song “Four Green Fields,” part of which was recorded in Princeton at Wachusett Recording Co. with engineer/producer Roger Lavallee.

Keenan’s grandparents came here from Dundalk, Ireland, and settled in the College Hill area of Worcester. His grandfather started a landscaping business.

“The immigrant story has always been close to my heart. We talked a lot about it, how they had to reinvent their life and livelihood.”

His grandparents were fans of the Wolfe Tones.

When Keenan first made a trip to Dundalk his relatives there called it “coming home even though I had never visited Ireland.

It’s a sweet sentiment.”

Derek Warfield & The Young Wolfe Tones performed at the Worcester Hibernian Cultural Centre almost exactly at this time last year and were made to feel quite at home. Warfield was given the key to the city by Worcester Mayor Joseph M. Petty.

“It generated such a buzz,” Keenan said of the show. “To have

them return for St. Patrick’s week, it’s a real treat.”

“It was a wonderful show,” Warfield recalled. “We got a really nice crowd that responded to our music.”

Asked if he’s given any thought to retiring as he moves through the second part of his 70s, Warfield quoted Pete Seger: “‘Retirement is death.’”

In other words, it’s going to be March and Christmas for quite a while yet.

“I thank God every morning that I have my health and the ability to do what I love,” Warfield said.

Derek Warfield & The Young Wolfe Tones When: 8 p.m. March 13 Where: Worcester Hibernian Cultural Center (located at Fiddler’s Green Pub), 9 Temple St., Worcester How much: $25. www.CelticWorcester.com

artists CITY LIF E

ng, ia.com . Fair warni itor@gatehousemed digital copies artist, email WMed bio and high resolution will e a small or know of a local tion and what need to provid based on resolu If you are an artist, e what will run, h your work, you’ll in order to publis We reserve the right to choos art. of some of your newsprint. on reproduce best

of an actor and

ging Aimee ghout her upbrin a ballerina. Throu New York. Musicians, acKent,

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well as schoo and aristo had all kinds and events as going on to art poets, painters found herself the country in gallery shows of creative tors, dancers, over the same types she is today. Aimee now shows all nd herself with the artist that BFA in 2006. She ls. She continues to surrou surrealistic world. that receiving her and arts festiva the luminous colors of her the Harlequin, a magical being l and of at various music paint , playfu g with the idea inspire her to uins are sexual their own to people which has been workin it. These esoteric Harleq and she world now our For several years the world that surrounds beyond the boundaries of and ng : can change itself s in their thoughts of traveli following events Greenfield. sometimes deviou ly elastic points of views. om/coletteaimee or at the in 13-15 Sept. al: ndous rawartists.c town Festiv reach treme of her work at Aug. 24, Worm own Spencer: Check out more Party in downt Spencer Street

AZINE.CO

ter in to create small town of ée is the daugh that Colette took her life in the Colette Aim in and out of of the influencesSUNY New Paltz in New York, of art flowing l at crats were many

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19 5 - 21, 20 AUGUST 1

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TLI GHT ART IST SPO

Let us feature your artwork in Worcester Magazine’s Artist spotlight! Email WMeditor@gatehousemedia.com high res samples of your work and a brief bio!

wanted

CITY LIFE If you are an artist, or know of a local artist, email WMeditor@gatehousemedia.com. Fair warning, in order to publish your work, you’ll need to provide a small bio and high resolution digital copies of some of your art. We reserve the right to choose what will run, based on resolution and what will reproduce best on newsprint.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

M A R C H 5 - 11, 2020 WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

Andrew Noone is currently a music teacher with the Worcester Public Schools. After receiving his second M.A. from Syracuse University in Renaissance Art History on a fellowship in Florence, he taught art history at Clark, Assumption and Anna Maria. A lifelong calligrapher, he’s been creating watercolors for the past five years, and has exhibited at several area galleries. He is a member of ArtsWorcester, the Princeton Arts Society and the New England Watercolor Society. Check out more of his work on Instagram.

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CITY LIFE

LIFESTYLE

What I learned about marketing from a world champion buffet eater SARAH CONNELL SANDERS

you’ll likely find Clark’s hesitance as odd as I do. With two decades of international marketing experience razy Legs Conti doesn’t have a cellphone, but he does have for Adidas and one of the most successful sports advertising campaigns an answering machine. He in history to his name, I can only asalso has four world records sume they thought his offer to teach in competitive eating (buffet food, was too good to be true.

French cut green beans, pancakes & If Norman is the most popular bacon and sweet corn) and screenguy on the basketball team, Clark writing credits on a few well-known is the artsy wallflower bridled with sitcoms — not to mention a stint doubt by his affections. But, this is on the Discovery Channel where not some sort of elaborate prank to he managed to visit the land of the midnight sun by stuffing himself with propel the Shakespearean riff of a teen movie. Norman truly wants to reindeer-sausages. find internships for Clarkies and in “Traveling is great, but it’s always teaching “Marketing to You,” he has better if you can get someone else managed to do just that. to pay for it,” he told the 42 Clark After years of promising to deliver University students in Lawrence a roster of A-list guest speakers, Norman’s “Marketing to You” class Clark finally agreed to give him a go. last week.

The class was an instant success.

Norman, whom Crazy Legs refers Over the course of the semester, to as “Professor Larry,” shares his Norman’s guests included the likes of guest speaker’s passion for travel Puma’s CMO Adam Petrick, Boston — so much so that he has made Celtics President Rich Gotham and the weekly trip from Manhattan to former CEO of Reebok Uli Becker.

Worcester all semester long.

On the day of my visit, I counted I would hasten to guess that Nor15 professionals from companies man’s dedication to the commute such as Asics, Wanderu and Haprobably outweighs whatever Clark nover Insurance occupying a “VIP” is paying him, but he doesn’t seem section in the back to scout for to mind. It has been a longstanding goal of his to teach an undergraduate promising interns. The guest speaker was pro-eater Crazy Legs Conti, course at his alma mater. In fact, he pitched various versions of the “Mar- a stark contrast to the traditional executives who have preceded him. keting to You” class for four years in He and Norman have known one a row before they finally gave him a shot — a persistence which he likens another since high school.

Crazy Legs is sharp. His blueto Andy Dufresne’s case for a prison dipped dreads and curled mustache library in the movie “Shawshank distinguish him from the crowd.

Redemption.”

One look at Norman’s resume and When he speaks on passion, humility

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and relentlessness, everyone sits at attention. Most of his advice is framed by punchlines. The only time Crazy Legs grows serious is when the conversation turns to hot dogs.

“Hot dog qualifying is the most fraught,” he told the group, “I took up yoga to eat more hot dogs; it helped me stoke the fire inside and find my mantra — my daily affirmations.”

Crazy Legs is earnest, but believable. Equal parts performance artist Pro-eater Crazy Legs Conti speaks to Professor Lawrence Norman’s and gastronomical “Marketing to You” class at Clark University. athlete.

CLARK UNIVERSITY/STEVEN KING When one student asked if he has ever and I am left wondering what it Instagram before remembering that taken things too far, Crazy Legs sighs his penchant for landlines precludes means to influence without having and tells him to Google his Coney any followers at all. him from the social media parade.

Island Wonder Wheel stunt. He reCrazy Legs earns trust by conveyI consider asking him for his home counts a tale in which he almost lost ing compelling stories. He practices phone number, thinking maybe his head while riding 150 feet in the patience. He shelves the day-to-day he too needs an intern — I can eat air atop a moving car and downing a minutiae in favor of that which is French string beans with the best of dozen dogs. It was Crazy Legs’ closest grand. He leaves the room wanting them — but, he had already disapcall, even gutsier than his stint in the more. peared into the night.

Popcorn Sarcophagus.

How can we begin to replicate The second half of class, dubbed “You need to learn to strike a balthat restraint in our own personal “Clark Tank,” is dedicated to student ance between spectacle and personal marketing pitches. Norman discusses brands? If you figure it out, leave me growth,” he concluded. a message after the beep. how many followers qualify an acDuring the mid-class break, I took count as a macro-influencer (15,000) out my phone to add Crazy Legs on

LISTEN UP

Big Jon Short delivers classic blues on new album VICTOR D. INFANTE

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here is probably no more ubiquitous a Worcester musician than Big Jon Short. You are extremely likely to run across him doing his one-man-band thing at any number of area bars, coffeehouses or outdoor events.

Indeed, see him a few times, and you can almost identify his distinctive

playing by its low-groove and the stomp of his suitcase drum, even before he begins singing. It’s this sense of familiarity and accessibility in his music that’s made him such an in-demand performer, and it’s what makes his most recent effort, “Short Plays Long,” such an endearing piece of work.

Recorded at Wachusett Recording and engineered by Roger Laval-

lee, the album crystallizes Short’s strengths as a musician. It’s got a spare, stripped-down feel, which well-suits him as a solo performer, but it also has a way of capturing the fullness of his one-man-band sound. That paradox lies at the heart of Short’s music, and it lends a sort of energy to his classic blues and Americana stylings.

The album itself is a rattlebag of

traditionals, originals and classics to which Short has given a twist. He takes songs such as Mississippi Fred McDowell’s “Gravel Road,” “Clyde’s Corrina” and “Hip Shakin’ Momma” and gives them a personal touch.

“Down in seven hills,” he sings in “Gravel Road,” “Show you lots of fun … I come around the corner here/I see that Polar bear.” It’s a delightful bit of localization, taking a song

that already has a sort of universal appeal and making it feel close and immediate.

In a lot of ways, Short’s playing in a classic style, adhering to the blues basics but executing them at a high level. The result is a relatively lean song, such his take on Robert Pete Williams’ “High As I Want to Be,” managing to catch a sort of sense of

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exuberance, whereas another, such as his version of Lead Belly’s “Poor Howard,” has a sort of heaviness to it, all while remaining within the same musical palette.

On his original work, Short adheres so closely to the feel and style of classic blues that they feel ripped from some old recording. You listen to “P&W Moan,” with its overt references to the Blackstone River and Vernon Hill, and your first instinct is that Short has found some blues gem from yesterday that has local references, not that he’s created a blues gem all on his own. Original songs such as “Three Legged Dog” and “Skin & Bones” are less localized, but they’re still marked by that same vintage feel.

In some ways, the album feels a bit like a blues survey, the way it

jumps in and out of time between traditionals such as “Henduck” and “Gallis Pole,” and his own original material, but the upswing is a sense of connectedness, a sense of a line that links the classic sounds of the Mississippi Delta to the listener catching Short at Birchtree Bread

Company or Rapscallion Brewery, and that’s a pretty neat trick for a one-man-band.

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CITY LIFE

THE NEXT DRAFT

Charlton tries to capture Tree House’s international acclaim MATT TOTA

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day after he learned the town he manages hosts the fourth best brewery in the world, Andrew Golas thought he should visit Tree House Brewing Co. for himself.

Golas, who just finished his first month as town administrator here, had never traveled to Tree House before, but he had heard about the fame and the mystique that surrounds it and tasted some of its juiciest IPAs. Everyone around town knows about the beer — and now coffee — mecca on top of the hill off busy Route 20. The trip, during which he toured the busy taproom, welloiled brewhouse and new, massive warehouse, did not disappoint.

“I never actually have gone and stood in line and been through the process,” said Golas, who lives in Palmer. “It’s extremely, extremely impressive — what they’ve built here in Charlton, what they continue to build, their plans for the future, and what they want to contribute to the community as a vital industry here in town.”

Every year, RateBeer.com, which bills itself as “one of the most-visited” sources for beer information, ranks the top 100 breweries in the world.

The breweries that make the list only represent a tiny portion of the top 1% of brewers worldwide.

For 2019, three Massachusetts breweries landed on the list, including Trillium Brewing Co. at three and Jack’s Abby at 29. Tree House moved to No. 4, up one from last year’s ranking.

Tree House’s new ranking is yet another honor for the brewery, which also had the most check-ins in the world on the beer review app Untappd in 2019, with more than 1.1 million.

But what does all of that fanfare mean for the rural farming community that hosts Tree House?

“It basically means the town of Charlton is synonymous with a brand that’s going worldwide,” Golas said. “It’s not just the beer that’s going out there getting the recognition, it’s coming to Charlton,

as well.”

Now, he said, Charlton has to figure out a way to take advantage of Tree House’s global popularity — to get the droves who come and go from the brewery pushing dollies loaded with 16-ounce cans to instead linger for a while.

“An interesting comparison is in Palmer, we had talked about the casino issue, the potential of traffic coming to town, and you see it in Springfield, too. People are going to that location to go to that location, they aren’t necessarily going to visit everything around it,” Golas said.

“We have to figure out that next step as an overall community, not only get people to go to Tree House, but to stay in Charlton and visit other places here.”

It’s a delicate balance, Golas said, of using Tree House’s success to enrich Charlton while also managing some of the challenges that arise from having a brewery in town that draws massive crowds, including the traffic nightmare on Route 20. But he expects Tree House will be “a great community partner” through it all.

Having Tree House in town has also made Golas popular among his fellow town administrators, most of whom have already sent him beer orders. And he’s trying to plan a future meeting of the Massachusetts Municipal Association at the brewery.

“I think I might win a record for draw if I can pull it off,” he said.

Tap Notes • Last weekend, Bay State Brewing Co. surprised everyone with an unannounced grand opening. Co-founders Chip Jarry and Shawn Rich had to work fast after getting approval from city last week: They wanted to open by Feb. 29 to honor Worcester’s incorporation as a city, which took place on the same day 172 years ago.

The city’s sixth brewery is now officially pouring on two floors of the Fidelity Bank Worcester Ice Center.

The hours may change, but as of now the brewery is open 4 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday,

Visitors relax on the patio of Tree House Brewing Co. The Charlton brewery was ranked No. 4 of the top 100 breweries in the world in 2019 by RateBeer.com.

FILE PHOTO/CHRISTINE PETERSON

11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and noon to 9 p.m. on Sunday.

“I was flabbergasted,” Jarry said of the overwhelming response to Saturday’s opening. “And then Sunday morning when we opened our doors, people were streaming in. We really have two completely different vibes in the space.

Downstairs is the brewpub, and upstairs is like a sports bar. Lots of kids. Lots of families. It’s cool to see all the families up there. It was a nice mix.”

• Mass Beer Week returns Saturday with a long tap list of events at breweries around the state, including a panel on beer can design March 10 at Harpoon Brewery in Boston, a beer and cheese pairing

March 11 at Lost Shoe Brewing & Roasting Co., and a homebrewers competition at Barrel House Z in Weymouth.

One of the more noteworthy events surrounding beer week this year will be Wormtown Brewery’s 10th anniversary party, set for Saturday, March 14, from noon to 11 p.m. Dance-themed, the bash will include a new beer release: “Decade Dance,” an imperial pastry stout brewed to celebrate the occasion.

I’ll have more on Worcester’s oldest brewery turning 10 in next week’s column.

You can find the complete lineup of events for Mass Beer Week at massbrewersguild.org/ massbeerweek.

• Wachusett Brewing Co. has partnered with Dublin Liberties Distillery in Ireland for a new barrelaged version of its Quinn’s Amber Ale. The distillery shipped casks of its Bourbon Cask Aged Irish Whiskey to the Westminster brewery, which brewers filled with Quinn’s. The beer was aged for several months in the oak casks, producing a heavier, boozier version of the red ale.

But the collaboration didn’t end there. Wachusett sent back the beer casks to Dublin, where the distillery expects to use them to age a new whiskey.

Quinn’s Barrel Aged is available on tap and in 16-ounce cans in Boston and across Massachusetts at all the bars, restaurants and retail stores that sell Wachusett.

CITY LIFE

TABLE HOPPIN’

Nostalgia is sweet at Nothing Bundt Cakes BARBARA M. HOULE

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here’s a renewed love affair with bundt cakes, thanks to Nothing Bundt Cakes, a company with more than 350 franchised locations, including the bakery that Alan (Al) Gulachenski and wife, Elizabeth (Liz), opened in December 2019 at the White City Plaza in Shrewsbury.

tions, Gulachenski’s background speaks for itself. He was CEO of Necco (New England Confectionery Co.) from 2011 to 2015. The country’s oldest continuously operating candy company closed operations at its Massachusetts plant in 2018.

Gulachenski said he learned about the Nothing Bundt Cake franchise from a friend on the West Coast who had opened a bakery. “I flew

Al and Liz Gulachenski, owners of Nothing Bundt Cakes at White City Plaza in Shrewsbury.

Local bundt cake trivia: Nancy E. O’Neill of Worcester in 2006 won national recognition with her Cape

The Fork It Over fundraiser for the Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts is set for 5 to 7 p.m. March 12 at Mechanics Hall in Worcester.

Ten participating restaurants/caterers will prepare sweet and savory dishes using Girl Scout cookies.

Tickets cost $50 each; $80 for two.

Visit www.gscwm.org, or call (413) 584-2602 for more information and to reserve. There will be a silent auction that will include round-trip JetBlue tickets, a one-night stay at the Charles Hotel in Cambridge, tickets to a Tanglewood summer concert featuring John Legend, Boston Harbor cruises and more.

All event proceeds benefit Girl Scouts and their continuing efforts to provide innovative programs and vital support to girls in grades K-12 throughout Central and Western Massachusetts.

This year’s Fork It Over falls on the Girl Scouts 108th birthday. A special cake made by Pete of Pete’s Sweets in East Longmeadow will be served at the event, in addition to amazing dishes prepared by chefs.

Fork It Over participants: Culinary students at Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School in Charlton; Bushel N’ Peck; JPs Twisted BBQ & Grille out of Leicester; Karol’s Corner Take Out in Rochdale; Milk & Sugar in Charlton; NOMS Eatery, a food pop-up and catering service out of Worcester; Nuestra in Worcester; Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge; Pepe’s Italian Restaurant in Worcester; the Publick House in Sturbridge.

I will be on the judges’ panel with Brad Kane, editor of the Worcester Business Journal; Cornelius Rogers, lead chef trainer at Worcester Public Schools, Diana Casavec-

You can keep the plate The Pasta Benefit Dinner at Worcester Center for Crafts, 25 Sagamore Road, Worcester, will take place at 6:30 p.m. March 7.

VIP tickets, $65 per person, allow guests early admission at 5:30 p.m. and “first dibs” on a ceramic handmade plate to use for dinner and take home. Also, festive appetizers and a “libation.”

Adult regular admission at 6:30 p.m. is $45 per person; Children under 12, $10 per person (paper plate).

Good food and good company!

Comedy show at Manor to benefit Uganda Frank’s Comedy Safari: A Night of Comedy is scheduled March 13 at the Manor Banquet Facility, 42 West Boylston St., West Boylston.

Comedians will include Kristin O’Brien, Frank Foley and Joe Hebert.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and show begins at 8 p.m. Cost is $30 per person; the event will include light appetizers and cash bar, as well as a sports memorabilia auction and raffle. Call (508) 835-4722 to reserve a spot at the show.

All proceeds benefit World Wide Friends of Ugandan Orphans, a nonprofit organization that the Manor’s owner Savvas Fotiades helps raise funds.

Fotiades said all money from the comedy show would be used for the completion of a school in Mityana, Uganda, which has 130 students.

“It’s a school for day students and orphans from the village,” said Fotiades, who has made several trips to the school site. “It’s exciting to see how things have progressed,” he said, “and we’re now on phase three, which completes doors, windows and plumbing.”

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out there in 2018 and spent a week with him. When I returned home I researched the franchise,” said Gulachenski. “It was a lengthy process before my wife and I had our first interview with the company, which receives around 5,000 applicants a year and accepts 35 to 50. Nothing Bundt Cakes looks for a dedicated person to family and community and one who gives back.”

All the cakes are baked on premise, according to Gulachenski, who received training in “crafting and frosting” despite having experienced bakers on staff. “The cakes are crafted by hand and made from the finest ingredients, real eggs, butter and cream cheese,” he said. The bakery sells nine classic flavors: Chocolate Chocolate Chip, Classic Vanilla, White Chocolate Raspberry, Red Velvet, Confetti, Carrot, Lemon, Marble and Pecan Praline, in addition to seasonal feature flavors. Free cake

Fork It Over Fundraiser for Girl Scouts

chia of Mechanics Hall and Scott Croteau and Michael Bonner of MassLive.

Guests will get to sample the chefs’ dishes and vote for the People’s Choice favorite.

Join the celebration!

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

Indulge in a little bit of bundt nostalgia when you first walk through the door at the Shrewsbury bakery.

That’s, of course, if you have any memories of the cakes that enjoyed a heyday in the 1950s and 1960s.

Nostalgia aside, Nothing Bundt Cakes is known for its quality and assortment of cake flavors that keep customers coming back for more, said Al Gulachenski. The cakes range from 8 to 10 inches (all occasion) to tiered to Bundlets and Bundlet Towers and bite-sized Bundtinis. Each cake is topped with four petals of cream cheese frosting.

It’s a sweet deal, no matter what size or flavor you choose.

Al Gulachenski grew up in Southboro and works full time at the bakery; Liz Gulachenski is director of the Marlboro nonproft Employment Options Inc. The couple and their children live in Southboro.

When it comes to sweet confec-

Cod Bundt, a cake selected as one of the top 10 in the “Bundts Across America” contest sponsored by Nordic Ware. She was a state finalist before national.

Wife of executive chef Jay Powell, Nancy (O’Neill) Powell is a Holy Cross alum and former Worcester teacher. She’s also a terrific baker!

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samples are offered daily in the store stocked with fun and brightly colored decorations and items that can be purchased separately, or tucked into arrangement gift pieces.

Cakes are the showpieces.

Red Velvet and White Chocolate Raspberry are among the most popular flavors at the Shrewsbury store, according to Gulachenski, whose personal favorite is lemon. Chocolate Chocolate Chip sells the most nationwide, he said.

Mother’s Day, May 10, is the next big holiday for the Shrewsbury bakery, which offers a cake, Best Mom Around. “I made one for my 90-year-old mother and she loved it,” said Gulachenski about the celebration cake.

Nothing Bundt Cakes, 98 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Call (508) 753-2253 or visit https://www. nothingbundtcakes.com to preorder and for information about all occasion cakes, weddings, corporate gifts, etc. Sign up for eClub on the website to receive exclusive offers, special announcements and a free birthday Bundtlet. Gluten-free and vegan options are available.

“As franchise owners of Nothing Bundt Cakes we are committed to marketing our products,” said Gulachenski, explaining how he regularly delivers free cakes to local businesses. “People get so excited and say, ‘You made my day.’ It’s our way of getting feedback about our products, but honestly the cakes sell themselves,” said Gulachenski. “One bite and you’re hooked.”

Nothing Bundt Cakes also offers a direct mail offer of a free Bundlet, any flavor, as an introduction to the bakery, he said.

Dena Tripp and Debbie Shwetz, two friends who loved bundt cakes, founded Nothing Bundt Cakes in Las Vegas in 1997. Main ingredients to their success: nostalgia and a passion for baking.

Needlesss to say, Gulachenski is excited about the bakery. “We’re all about celebrations and making people happy,” he said. “It doesn’t get any better.” _____________

CITY LIFE

FILM

Giving up bad columnist habits for Lent JIM KEOGH

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hough raised Catholic, I’m not what you’d call an intense follower of the faith. But one aspect that still intrigues me is the concept of Lent, which gives you a finite window — Ash Wednesday to Easter — to exert some discipline on your unkempt life or add something good to humanity, even if it’s just refraining from being an a-hole for a few weeks.

In the spirit of Lent, I’m trying to place some controls on this column and my wider thinking. For instance:

• The spread of the coronavirus had me considering writing about contagious-disease movies such as “Outbreak,” “Cabin Fever” and “The Andromeda Strain” (even most zombies are bred from a contagion that wipes out then reanimates much of humanity). Stories “ripped from the headlines” are natural fallbacks during a slow season at the movie theater (and it is Tom Brady-loping-foryardage slow out there). Still, while there is no bigger headline than the virus, I discarded the column idea.

Real people are dying real deaths.

Anything I write that’s remotely jokey will sound, at the very least, thunderously insensitive. Sometimes you need to let your internal filter rule the day.

• Speaking of Tom Brady, I’d planned to write something about his professional fate, and have since thought better of it. Have we not endured enough speculation about No. 12’s final destination next season? Would I prefer he stay? Sure. I’d love to see Brady finish his career in a Patriots uniform, even if his equipment by that point includes a walker with red, white and blue tennis balls on the legs. But the will-he-or-won’t-he dance has grown tiresome. I used to care. Not anymore.

• While it kills me to do this,

From left, Cuba Gooding Jr., Kevin Spacey and Dustin Hoffman star in “Outbreak.”

WARNER BROS.

the news “Hawaii Five-0” is ending its series run after 10 seasons has me baffled — not that it’s over, but that it’s been around for a freakin’ decade!

How could this current version have lasted nearly as long as the original, which aired from 1968 through 1980? I don’t begrudge this cast their

sun-splashed fame, but where does Alex O’Loughlin get off co-opting the name Steve McGarrett? Will his ashes one day be scattered off the Hawaiian coast like Jack Lord’s?

Where have you gone, Kam Fong?

Sorry, I think I just broke my Lenten promise.

Winstead, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Ewan McGregor, Rosie Perez, Ella Jay Basco, Chris Messina, Ali Wong. (1:49) R.

laden adventure tale. With Antonio Banderas, Michael Sheen, Tom Holland. (1:46) PG.

Jeremy Strong, Eddie Marsan, Colin Farrell, Hugh Grant. (1:53) R.

“Bombshell” — Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman and Margot Robbie play Fox News employees whose allegations of sexual harassment help topple network founder Roger Ailes.

(1:48) R.

“Fantasy Island” — Visitors to a magical island see their fantasies turn into nightmares in this horror flick based on the classic TV series.

With Maggie Q, Lucy Hale, Portia Doubleday, Michael Pena, Michael Rooker, Kim Coates. (1:50) PG-13

I’m trying to refrain from making contemporary-versus-classic comparisons, because, inevitably, the shiny new thing always comes up wanting. When a person hits a certain age, any attempt to remake a beloved movie or TV show is perceived as a kick in the crotch. So

• Finally, I will sample fresh content on my cable and streaming services rather than continually retreat to the comfortable. This is a life-altering challenge. For instance, reruns of “The Office” are like scripture to me.

I can recite entire episodes, chapter and verse, without stutter or hesitation (challenge me on the dinner party or Yankee Swap episodes, I beg you). I replay favorite episodes of “Big Mouth” and “The IT Crowd,” and my greatest joy is watching other people experience them for the first time. My inertia is partly the result of being one of those people who goes into a rigor mortis-like state when presented with too many choices. It was true back in the video store days, when I would survey the hundreds of titles on the shelves and return home with nothing, and it’s true now with thousands of content options alluringly displayed across my TV screen like so many Amsterdam hookers. Life is short, and I’m ready for something new. Give me your best suggestions.

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FILM CAPSULES “1917” — Two young British privates during WWI must cross through enemy territory to warn their fellow soldiers of an impending ambush in director Sam Mendes’ real-time thriller. (1:50) R. “Bad Boys for Life” — Will Smith and Martin Lawrence reunite for one last go-round as Miami narcotics detectives. With Vanessa Hudgens, Kate Del Castillo, Nicky Jam, Joe Pantoliano. Written by Chris Bremner, Peter Craig, Joe Carnahan; story by Craig, Carnahan. (2:03) R. “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” — Tom Hanks slips on the friendly cardigan of children’s TV show host Fred Rogers to dispense lessons in kindness to Matthew Rhys’ jaded journalist. (1:48) PG. “Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)” — The Joker’s now ex-girlfriend teams with a crew of female superheroes to save a young girl from a twisted villain.

With Margot Robbie, Mary Elizabeth

“Brahms: The Boy II” — A family moves into an English country mansion where their young son becomes friends with a creepy lifesize doll in this sequel to the 2016 horror tale. With Katie Holmes, Christopher Convery, Owain Yeoman, Ralph Ineson. (1:26) PG-13.

“The Call of the Wild” — A sled dog has a series of adventures in the 19th century Yukon in this update of the Jack London novel. With Harrison Ford, Dan Stevens, Karen Gillan, Bradley Whitford. (1:45) PG. “Dolittle” — Robert Downey Jr. headlines as the veterinarian who can talk to the animals in this effects-

“Ford v Ferrari” — Matt Damon is American car designer Carroll Shelby and Christian Bale is British racer Ken Miles in this fact-based drama. (2:32) PG-13.

“Frozen II” — Anna, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven join Elsa as she searches for the truth behind her powers in this sequel to the blockbuster 2013 animated musical. With the voices of Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel. (1:43) PG. “The Gentlemen” — An American drug kingpin in London faces threats to his empire. With Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Henry Golding, Michelle Dockery,

“Impractical Jokers: The Movie” — The pranksters from the basic cable TV show bring their hidden-camera hi-jinks to the big screen. With Brian Quinn, Joe Gatto, James Murray, Sal Vulcano. Written by Quinn, Gatto, Murray, Vulcano, Chris Henchy.

Directed by Henchy. (1:33) PG-13.

“The Invisible Man” — A woman whose abusive ex purportedly committed suicide is tormented by an unseen entity in this update of H.G. Wells’ classic thriller. With Elisabeth Moss, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Storm Reid, Aldis Hodge. Written and directed by Leigh Whannell. (2:02) R “Judy” — Renée Zellweger portrays Judy Garland during the legendary entertainer’s run of sold-out stage shows in 1968 London. (1:58) NR. “Jumanji: The Next Level” — Danny Glover and Danny DeVito join Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart and Karen Gillan in this

sequel to the 2017 action adventure hit about young people trapped in a video game. (1:54) PG-13.

“Just Mercy” — Michael B. Jordan portrays Bryan Stevenson, the reallife civil rights activist and criminal defense attorney famed for fighting for justice for the wrongly convicted.

(2:16) PG-13.

“Knives Out” — Writer-director Rian Johnson rounds up a stellar group of suspects for this whodunit about the murder of a famous crime novelist.

With Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Jamie Lee Curtis, Toni Collette. (2:10) PG-13.

“Little Women” — Writer-director Greta Gerwig adapts Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel about the four determined March sisters coming of age in Massachusetts during the Civil War. With Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, Timothée Chalamet, Laura Dern, Meryl Streep. (2:14) PG. C O N T I N U E D O N N E XT PA G E

CITY LIFE

TA B L E H O P P I N’

C O N T I N U E D F R O M P A G E 21

Fotiades hopes to visit the school in April with his 83-year-old former high school teacher from Jamaica Plain, who first introduced him to the plight of the Uganda orphans. “I went to visit Mr. K at a time when I looked to do something different

Fotiades has held to benefit the orphanage. He said he is very fortunate to have had help from local groups, family and friends. “It means a lot to me,” said Fotiades.

Guests at The Manor and the Draught House, both owned by Fotiades’ family members, can check out photos of the school at the entrance of the restaurant.

Savvas Fotiadis, owner of The Manor in West Boylston, is holding a comedy fundraiser in March to help build a school for orphans in Uganda.

ASHLEY GREEN

FILM CAPSULES

“Sonic the Hedgehog” — The speedy blue critter battles an evil genius in this video game adaptation.

With Jim Carrey, James Marsden, Neal McDonough and the voice of Ben Schwartz. (1:40) PG

C O N T I N U E D F R O M P A G E 22

“My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising” — The young warriors face a new villain in this anime tale. Directed

by Kenji Nagasaki. In Japanese with English subtitles. (1:44) NR. “The Photograph” — A woman finds romance with a journalist while exploring the early life of her estranged mother, a famous photographer. With Issa Rae, Lakeith Stanfield, Chanté Adams, Chelsea Peretti. (1:46) PG-13

“Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” — Forty-two years after “a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away” first appeared on movie screens, the ninth episode brings the space saga to its conclusion as the Resistance struggles to defeat the First Order. (2:35) PG-13.

“Uncut Gems” — Adam Sandler stars as a desperate New York City jeweler juggling numerous deals in this crime thriller. (2:15) R.

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“Playing With Fire” — Firefighters find their lives turned upside down when they rescue three siblings but can’t find the kids’ parents.

If you have a tidbit for the column, call (508) 868-5282. Send email to bhoulefood@gmail.com.

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Anyone who personally knows the Fotiades family can attest to their generosity and local community involvement. The family opened The Manor in 1997 and Savvas Fotiades and wife, Janet, at one time leased and operated Grill on the Hill at Green Hill Muncipal Golf Course in Worcester.

Ante up on March 13!

M A R C H 5 - 11, 2020

in my life,” said Fotiades. “As a kid I always wanted to visit Africa and really never had the chance as my life took off in other directions. When Mr. K told me about the orphanage and school, I was all in. The people there don’t have the resources, and it has taken time to build three floors, but the project has come together.

The first thing we did was to build a guesthouse for people who visit the orphanage and then we moved on to building the school.”

This isn’t the first fundraiser that

CITY LIFE

THINGS TO DO COMPILED BY RICHARD DUCKETT, VICTOR D. INFANTE AND CHARLENE ARSENAULT

Love and weirdness Pilgrim Soul Productions begins its 2020 season with “Outside Mullingar” by John Patrick Shanley (“Moonstruck”), a comedy about Anthony and Rosemary, two introverted misfits in rural Ireland who fight their way toward solid ground and some kind of happiness. The play has been called “a valentine to the wonder and weirdness of love.”

Matthew J. Carr directs a cast featuring Dave Clark, Bernard Galvin, Susan Nest and Cherry Lynn Zinger.

The other plays in the Pilgrim Soul Productions season (its “Lucky Season 13”) will include “Absent Friends” by Alan Aykbourn (May 8 to 17), “A Doll’s House, Part 2” by Lucas Hnath (Sept. 11 to 20), and “The Treasurer” by Max Posner (Nov. 6 to 15). There are substantial savings on offer in the theater company’s season pass.

What: “Outside Mullingar” by John Patrick Shanley When: 7:30 p.m. March 6, 7, 13 and 14; 2 p.m. March 15.

Where: GB & Lexi Singh Performance Center at the historic Whitin Mill, 60 Douglas Road, Whitinsville How much: $20; seniors and under 18 $18; groups of 10 or more $16.

Tickets at the door or can be reserved by calling (508) 296-0797, or send email to pilgrimsoulproductions@gmail.com

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M A R C H 5 - 11, 2020

Thursday, March 5 Jean McDonough Arts Center — Official Unveiling!: 4:30-6 p.m.

Mar. 5, Jean McDonough Arts Center, 20 Franklin St., Worcester.

Cost: Free. With live music, champagne, and remarks from the City Manager. Free.

Adult Open Sew: 5-8 p.m. Mar. 5, The Burncoat Center for Arts and Wellness, 78 Burncoat St., Worcester. Cost: $25.

Wood Turning 1: 6-8 p.m. Mar. 5, Technocopia, 44 Portland St., 6th floor, Worcester. Cost: $65.

Hooked on Blacksmithing with Jonathan Maynard: 6-9 p.m. Mar. 5, The WorcShop, 243 Stafford St., Worcester. Cost: $85-$99. For information: email theworcshop@ gmail.com.

Higher Ed Presents Battle of the Bands: with DJ Slim, Greyhound, Sour and Raff Ace, 7-11 p.m. Mar. 5, Electric Haze, 26 Millbury St., Worcester. $10.

Los Lobos: 7:30 p.m. March 5, The Bull Run Restaurant, 215 Great Road, Shirley. Sold out.

The Wootown Throwdown: 8-9:30 p.m. Mar. 5, The WooHaHa Comedy Club, 50 Franklin St., Worcester.

Cost: $10. Every crew in every comedy scene across the country thinks that they are the funniest.

We invite them to worcester to settle the argument. Competitors will be announced close to event.

Vanessa Collier & Laura Chavez: 8-9 p.m. Mar. 5, Chan’s Fine Oriental Dining, 267 Main St., Woonsocket. Cost: $20-$25. For information: (401) 765-1900, info@chanseggrollsandjazz.com.

Friday, March 6 Deep Dive: Walden and Civil Disobedience-Homeschool Program: 1-2:30 p.m. Mar. 6, Technocopia, 44 Portland St Sixth Floor, Worcester. Cost: $200.

2020 Worcester Home Show: 4-5 p.m. Mar. 6, DCU Center, 50 Foster St., Worcester. Cost: Free.

Leather 101 — Bracelets with Leather Pixie: 6-8 p.m. Mar. 6, The WorcShop, 233 Stafford St., Worcester. Cost: $40-$50. For information: email theworcshop@ gmail.com.

Forge a Railroad Spike Knife with Jason Scott: 6-9:30 p.m. Mar. 6,

Tales of ‘Church Ladies’ “Church Ladies” by Kathy Frady consists of monologues from some irrepressible women who might just be recognizable in many churches today. They have their hilarious quirks, but they’re all part of the same sisterhood. The Women’s Fellowship of Elm Street Congregational Church and the Gateway Players Theatre, both in Southbridge, combine to present a performance of “Church Ladies” — in church. Frady is an early education specialist, writer and the wife of a pastor. Refreshments will be served following the program.

What: “Church Ladies” When: 2 p.m. March 8 Where: Elm Street Congregational Church, 61 Elm St., Southbridge How much: Free

The WorcShop, 243 Stafford St., Worcester. Cost: $85-$99. For information: email theworcshop@ gmail.com.

Splash of Zan: 7-11 p.m. Mar. 6, The Barn at Wight Farm, 420 Main St., Parking and Entrance off Cedar St., Sturbridge. Cost: $10.

Learn the basics of brush lettering: 7-8:30 p.m. Mar. 6, The Burncoat Center for Arts and Wellness, 78 Burncoat St., Worcester. Cost: $50.

“The Hottest August”: screening, 7-8:30 p.m. Mar. 6, Park View Room, 230 Park Ave, Worcester. Cost: $8.50-$10.

Date Night Paint and Sip: 7-10 p.m. Mar. 6, Windows Art Gallery, 112 Main St., Putnam. Cost: $35.

Steve Dedman: with open mic, 7:30-10 p.m. Mar. 6, The Vanilla Bean Cafe, 450 Deerfield Road, Pomfret. Cost: $5.

Dante Nero: 8-9 p.m. Mar. 6, The WooHaHa Comedy Club, 50 Franklin St., Worcester. Cost: $20.

Live Petty: 8-9 p.m. Mar. 6, Chan’s Fine Oriental Dining, 267 Main St., Woonsocket. Cost: $10-$15.

For information: (401) 765-1900, info@chanseggrollsandjazz.com.

TB Light: 8-10 p.m. Mar. 6, Chuck’s Steak House/Margaritagrill, 10 Prospect St., Auburn.

Paul Landwehr: 8-9 p.m. Mar. 6, The Comedy Attic at Park Grill and Spirits, 257 Park Avenue, Worcester.

Cost: $15.

Danny Klein’s Full House: 8 p.m.

March 6, The Bull Run Restaurant, 215 Great Road, Shirley. $20.

Dan Kirouac: 8:30-11:30 p.m. Mar. 6, Blueprint, 10 Village Square, Westminster.

Eric Grant Band: 9 p.m.-12 a.m.

Mar. 6, Moonshiners, 105 Water St., Worcester.

Consider the Source and Bella’s Bartok: 9 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Mar. 6, Electric Haze, 26 Millbury St.,

Bluegrass roots Bill Thibodeau has been an active presence in the New England bluegrass scene, and now the Bill Thibodeau Band is making a name for itself. With Thibodeau on guitar, Debbie Hall on bass, Larry Neu on banjo, Cathy Bumgarner Day on fiddle and Sal Sauco on mandolin, the music has roots on more than one level. Band members are descendants of first-generation bluegrass pioneers, pickers and families, adding a unique flavor the authentic group. The show opens the Grass Roots Coffeehouse 2020 season. Hot foods (soups/chili) along with hot and cold beverages and homemade desserts are available both before the show and during intermission.

What: Bill Thibodeau Band When: 7:30 p.m. March 7 (doors open 6:45 p.m.)

Where: The Grass Roots Coffeehouse, Rockdale Congregational Church, 4 Folwer Road, Northbridge.

How much: $15; $5 students. www.rockdalechurchonline.org

Worcester. Cost: $15-$18. $hitfaced Stand-up: 9-11:30 p.m.

Mar. 6, Hibernian Cultural Centre, 19 Temple St., Worcester. Cost: $15-$120.

Above the Din, Bare Ass, Wrought Iron Hex and Alex Lopez Band: 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Mar. 6, Ralph’s Rock Diner, 148 Grove St., Worcester.

The Rowdy Show WooHaHa!: 10-11 p.m. Mar. 6, The WooHaHa Comedy Club, 50 Franklin St., Worcester. Cost: $10. Hosted by Brian Glowacki.

Saturday, March 7 I Am Worcester Photoshoot — Second Session: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Mar. 7, Worcester Public Library, 3 Salem St., Worcester. Cost: Free.

Rhythm Of Healing — A Benefit For Sissy Poe: 12-3 p.m. Mar. 7, Electric Haze, 26 Millbury St., Worcester. Cost: $10. Merry “Sissy” Poe is a mother and grandmother who is fighting a battle against an unidentifiable form of cancer.

The club has rallied some of New England’s best Selectors and MCs to come together.

Worcester Irish Festival: 12-9 p.m. Mar. 7, Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 102 Russell St., Worcester. Cost: $7. For information: (508) 799-7843, mgcoonan@gmail.com. Featuring music by The Joshua Tree and Belfast Cowboys, Irish Dancing of the Murphy and McInerney Schools of Irish Dance.

Pretty Powerful — Suffragette Tea & Theatrical Performance: 2-4 p.m. Mar. 7, Worcester Historical Museum, 30 Elm St., Worcester. Cost: $19.20. For information: (508) 753-8278, annesadick@worcesterhistory. net. In celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Women’s Suffrage Movement.

Gary McKinstry, Internationally known Psychic Medium Entertainer.: 2-4 p.m. Mar. 7, Asa Waters Mansion, 123 Elm St., Millbury. Cost: $35.

Rockabye Beats: 3-4 p.m. Mar. 7, Worcester Public Library Roosevelt Branch, 1006 Grafton St., Worcester. For information: (508) 799-8327, lsheldon@mywpl.org.

Opening Reception — A Snapshot of Main South: 4:30 p.m. March 7, the Aurora Gallery, 660 Main St., Worcester. Free. An exhibit that aims to to depict the neighborhood of Main South in Worcester.

Let the Shenanigans Begin — All Things Irish 2020: 4:30-9 p.m.

Mar. 7, American Legion, 450 South Barre Road, Barre. For information: (978) 270-2457, tkane@

CITY LIFE

‘Hot’ Takes The documentary “The Hottest August,” to be screened March 6 by cinema-worcester, takes a close look at the inhabitants of New York City over the course of August 2017, examining the residents’ feelings on the new president, rising rents, marching white nationalists, unrelenting news of wildfires and hurricanes, and other things that cause them anxiety and preoccupy their thoughts.

Woonsocket. Cost: $40-$45.

Listen! A Poetry Series: hosted by Dave Macpherson, 7-8:30 p.m. March 8, Nicks Bar and Restaurant, 124 Millbury St., Worcester. Cost: Free.

What: Screening of “The Hottest August” When: 7 p.m. March 6 Where: Park View Room, 230 Park Ave., Worcester How much: $8.50-$10

poluscenter.org. Music from the Quaboag Highlanders Pipes & Drums, Traditional Irish Band Yokeshire, and Irish Step Dancing by the Listening Wellness Center and Irish Rhythm School.

St. Cecilia’s Country Fest 2020: 5-10 p.m. Mar. 7, St Cecilia Parish Hall, 188 Mechanic St., Leominster.

Cost: $10.

Opening Reception for Today and Tomorrow — Worcester Public Schools Visual A: 5-8 p.m. Mar. 7, Sprinkler Factory, 38 Harlow St., Worcester. For information: info@ sprinklerfactory.com. An eclectic selection of works in various

Beyond ‘The Wall’ Brit Floyd returns to The Hanover Theatre with its new 2020 production that includes highlights from Pink Floyd’s “The Wall,” “The Dark Side of the Moon,” “Wish You Were Here,” and a 23-minute “note-for-

Sunday, March 8 Straight Up Jazz: 2-4 p.m. Mar. 8, The Vanilla Bean Cafe, 450 Deerfield Road, Pomfret.

WYSO @ The Movies: 4-5:30 p.m.

Mar. 8, Mechanics Hall, 321 Main St., Worcester. Cost: Free-$24. A movie-themed afternoon featuring silent film shorts and beloved movie scores, featuring the 3504pipe Hook Organ.

Kim Wilson: 8-9 p.m. Mar. 8, Chan’s Fine Oriental Dining, 267 Main St.,

Tuesday, March 10 Solving the Climate Challenge: 3:30-4:30 p.m. Mar. 10, Worcester Public Library, 3 Salem St., Worcester. For information: (508) 799-1655, lsheldon@mywpl.org.

Presentation by Judy Palken, a volunteer with Citizens’ Climate Lobby, an advocacy organization focused on implementing a

Tough Laughs In an installment of “Live at Gotham,” comedian Dante Nero quips, “Some of you are looking at me like, ‘Why is the bouncer on stage telling jokes?’” Nero, the comedian co-host of the podcast “The Man School 202,” is a tough guy, certainly, but what makes his comedy so funny is a quick wit and a balance between fearlessness and empathy that makes his jokes hit just the right, hilarious mark.

What: Dante Nero When: 8 p.m. March 6, 7 and 9:30 p.m. March 7 Where: The WooHaHa! Comedy Club, 50 Franklin St., Worcester How much: $20

national policy to address climate change, and empowering citizens within our democracy to take action.

New England Shutterbugs Camera Club March Meetings: 7-9 p.m.

Mar. 10, Leominster, 100 West St., Leominster. Presentation by Lisa Cuchara on the topic of Industrial and Junk Yard Photography.

Poetry Open Mic: 7 p.m. Mar. 10, Strong Style Coffee, 13 Cushing St., Fitchburg. Free.

The Cobra Kings: 7:30-10:30 p.m.

Mar. 10, Greendale’s Pub, 404 West

Found What You’re Looking For There are plenty of locally oriented St. Patrick’s Day events in the offing, including the Worcester Irish Festival March 7 at Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Worcester. The event will feature performances by U2 tribute band The Joshua Tree, Belfast Cowboys and Irish Dancing from the Murphy and McInerney Schools of Irish Dance. Another event is Let the Shenanigans Begin — All Things Irish 2020 in Barre, which will feature music from the Quaboag Highlanders Pipes & Drums, traditional Irish band Yokeshire, and Irish Step Dancing by the Listening Wellness Center and Irish Rhythm School.

What: Worcester Irish Festival When: noon to 9 p.m. March 7 Where: Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 102 Russell St., Worcester How much: $7

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What: Let the Shenanigans Begin — All Things Irish 2020 When: 4:30-9 p.m. March 7 Where: American Legion, 450 South Barre Road, Barre

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What: “The World’s Greatest Pink Floyd Show BRIT FLOYD: Echoes 2020” When: 8 p.m. March 11 Where: The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester How much: $38 to $58; VIP packages available. (877) 571-7469; www.thehanovertheatre.org

Point Breeze, 114 Point Breeze Road, Webster. Cost: $10.

Don White Birthday Show: with surprise guests, 8 p.m. March 7, The Bull Run Restaurant, 215 Great Road, Shirley. $30 Peacheaters: 8-9 p.m. Mar. 7, Chan’s Fine Oriental Dining, 267 Main St., Woonsocket. Cost: $15$20.

Pete Towler: 8-10 p.m. Mar. 7, Chuck’s Steak House/ Margaritagrill, 10 Prospect St., Auburn.

John Davidson: 8 p.m. March 7, The Bull Run Restaurant, 215 Great Road, Shirley. $25.

Tigerlily: 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Mar. 7, Halligan’s Bar, 889 Southbridge St., Auburn. F

Susan Schmidt: Joys, Sorrows, Concerns: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mar. 9, Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Art Gallery, College of the Holy Cross, 1 College St., Worcester.

For information: (508) 793-3356, prosenbl@holycross.edu.

CMHA/34th Annual Meeting: 4-6:30 p.m. Mar. 9, The Beechwood Hotel, 363 Plantation Street , Worcester. Cost: $35. A night of celebration recognizing the achievements of Grace K. Carmark, Matthew Wally, Etel Haxhiaj and Leonor Cintrón.

Open Mic: hosted by Rick Hamel, 6:30 p.m. Mar. 9, Funky Murphys, 305 Shrewsbury St., Worcester.

Free.

The Dirty Gerund Poetry Series: 9 p.m. Mar. 9, Ralph’s Rock Diner, 148 Grove St., Worcester. Free, donations requested to help pay the performers.

M A R C H 5 - 11, 2020

note” performance of “Echoes,” written 50 years ago, from Pink Floyd’s breakthrough 1971 album “Meddle.”

Some people think “Echoes” is Pink Floyd’s best song. Brit Floyd is billed as “The World’s Greatest Pink Floyd Show,” complete with a multi-million dollar light show, circle screen, lasers, inflatables and theatrics.

media from 33 artists-educators of the Worcester Public Schools.

One weekend only. Also Sunday, 1-4 p.m.

Dual Nature — Across Mediums, Encaustic Plus One: 5-8 p.m. Mar. 7, Sprinkler Factory, 38 Harlow St., Worcester. For information: info@ sprinklerfactory.com. Opening reception. Participating artists are Linda Bigness — abstract narratives in oil and encaustic paintings and constructions; Joanne Holtje — abstract oil paintings and their encaustic interpretations; and Doreen LaScola — relating oil paintings to encaustic through abstract.

Continues through March 29.

Sum Girls — Crushes 12x12’s

by Don Hartmann: opening reception, 5 p.m. March 7, Sprinkler Factory, 38 Harlow St., Worcester. For information: info@ sprinklerfactory.com. Free.

Dante Nero: 7 and 9:30 p.m. Mar. 7, The WooHaHa Comedy Club, 50 Franklin St., Worcester. Cost: $20.

Vibration Saturdays: Hosted by Nievesfilmz, music by DJ Alexc, 7 p.m.-12 a.m. Mar. 7, Vibrations Nightclub, 109 Water St., Worcester. Cost: F-$10.

An Evening of Stand-up Comedy: 7-10 p.m. Mar. 7, American Legion Dudley-Gendron Post, 156 Boston Road, Sutton. Cost: $30.

The Bill Thibodeau Band: 7:30-9:30 p.m. Mar. 7, Grass Roots Coffeehouse, Rockdale Congregational Church, 42 Fowler Road, Northbridge. Cost: $5-$15.

Jazzed Up with Mauro DePasquale: 7:30-10:30 p.m. Mar. 7, Cheng Du Restaurant, 157 Turnpike Road, Westborough.

Redwood Hill: 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Mar. 7, The Vanilla Bean Cafe, 450 Deerfield Road, Pomfret. Cost: $15.

For information: (860) 928-1562, ask@thevanillabeancafe.com.

Long Arm Rex with Space Junk Is Forever and Wig Party: 8 p.m.1 a.m. Mar. 7, Electric Haze, 26 Millbury St., Worcester. Cost: $10.

Cold Train: 8 p.m.-12 a.m. Mar. 7,

Monday, March 9

CITY LIFE

THINGS TO DO Boylston St., Worcester.

Southside Talent Showcase: open mic, 8:15 p.m. Mar. 10, The Southside Grille and Margarita Factory, 242 W. Broadway, Gardner.

Tone-Deaf Tuesdays: hosted by Poise’N Envy and Harley Queen, 9 p.m. Mar. 10, Electric Haze, 26 Millbury St., Worcester.

Rain: A Tribute to The Beatles: 7:30-9:30 p.m. Mar. 10, The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester. For information: (877) 571-7469, marketing@thehanovertheatre. org. Tickets are $44, $54, $64 and $74. Discounts are available for members and groups of 10 or more.

Wednesday, March 11 Rainbow Lunch Club: 12-2 p.m.

Mar. 11, Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester, 90 Holden St., Worcester. For information: (508) 756-1545, jknight@eswa. org. $2.50 suggested donation for

those age 60+; the fee for younger individuals is $5.50.

Monthly Writers Group: 5-7 p.m.

Mar. 11, Booklovers’ Gourmet, 55 East Main St., Webster. Cost: Free.

Opening Reception for Susan Schmidt — Joys, Sorrows, Concerns: 5-7 p.m. Mar. 11, Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Art Gallery, College of the Holy Cross, 1 College St., Worcester. For information: (508) 793-3356, prosenbl@holycross. edu.

Irish Tenor Emmet Cahill: 7:30-9 p.m. Mar. 11, Clinton Town Hall at Fallon Memorial Auditorium, 242 Church St., Clinton. Cost: $35.

For information: (719) 488-3200, emmetcahill@emmetcahill.com.

Comedy on the Lawn: featuring Tricia Auld, Al Christakis, Chris Kinback, Moseph Mussa, Emma Schmidt and Luis Vazquez, 8 p.m. March 11, Redemption Rock Brewing, 333 Shrewsbury St., Worcester. Free.

Brit Floyd: 8-11 p.m. Mar. 11, The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing

Dishing at the Craft Center

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M A R C H 5 - 11, 2020

The Worcester Center for Crafts annual Pasta Dinner fundraiser always knocks it out of the park with good food, good company and home plate.

That’s to say, a handcrafted ceramic plate to take home made by one of the center’s talented students, faculty, associate artists and artists in residence.

Ciao Bella of Worcester will cater the dinner, which will include pasta, sauce, meatballs and salad; vegetarian and gluten-free options will be available.

Guests will be able to purchase beer and wine, and there will also be an auction.

What: Worcester Center for Crafts Pasta Dinner When: March 7. 6:30 p.m. regular admission: “VIP” admission 5:30 p.m. (includes opportunity for first choice of handmade plates, appetizers and a libation) When: Worcester Center for Crafts, 25 Sagamore Road, Worcester How much: Reservations $45 per person/plate; children $10 per person (paper plate). “VIP” tickets, $65 per person. Tickets can purchased online at www.tinyurl.com/WCCPASTA20, or call (508) 753-8183, ext. 301, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday

ASHLEY GREEN

CITY LIFE

Art Attack The Sprinkler Factory was quiet for the winter, but that is evidently over, as now it’s opening a whopping four exhibitions all at once.

The shows include “Today and Tomorrow — Worcester Public Schools Visual Arts,” a selection of works in various media from 33 artistseducators of the Worcester Public Schools; “Dual Nature — Across Mediums, Encaustic Plus One,” which includes work by Linda Bigness, Joanne Holtje and Doreen LaScola; “Sum Girls — Crushes 12x12’s,” by Don Hartmann; and “Jumping the Shark,” new work by Peter S. Wise.

What: Four art exhibit openings When: 5-8 p.m. March 7 Where: Sprinkler Factory, 38 Harlow Street, Worcester How much: Free

information: (508) 217-4450, tracy@worcesterchambermusic. org.

WGBH presents A St. Patrick’s Day Celtic Sojourn with Brian O’Donovan: 7:30-9:30 p.m. Mar. 12, The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester.

Cost: $45. For information: (877) 471-1689, info@ thehanovertheatre.org.

Will Martin: 8-9 p.m. Mar. 12, The WooHaHa Comedy Club, 50 Franklin St., Worcester. Cost: $10.

WOOtenanny Presents: Hot Dog! A Comedy Sideshow: 8-9:30 p.m. Mar. 12, Coney Island, 158 Southbridge St., Worcester.

Featuring: Jeremiah Broderick (Clean Dog) Marie Connor (Blonde Dog) Logan O’Brien (Shore Dog) Lou Ramos (Dizzy Dog) Dave Robinson (Resident Hot Dog) Angela Sawyer (the best Dog) Karl Xie (just another dog, dog)

Stage

With its 2018 album, “Is Me That Monster?,” Northampton band Bella’s Bartok demonstrated the wild-minded creativity and unrestrained rock ethos that defines its work. Marrying shades of punk with Eastern European sounds and carnival music, the band dives into a dark, manic and extremely engaging musical vibe.

What: Consider the Source and Bella’s Bartok When: 9 p.m. March 6 Where: Electric Haze, 26 Millbury Street, Worcester How much: $15-$18

p.m. March 15, GB & Lexi Singh Performance Center, 60 Douglas Road, Northbridge. Cost: $20.

PilgrimSoulProductions.com.

“Doubt: A Parable”: March 13-15; 20-22, Studio Theatre Worcester, Greendale People’s Church, 25 Francis St., Worcester; www. studiotheatreworcester.org.

“Evita”: 7-9:30 p.m. Mar. 13 & 14, 2-4:30 p.m. Mar. 14, Westborough High School, 90 West Main St., Westborough. Cost: $12-$15.

Auditions “Of Mice and Men” Auditions:

March 29 & 31 (Show dates: June 5,6,12,13,14, 2020). Gateway Players Theatre. Elm Street Congregational Church, 61 Elm St., in Southbridge. www. gatewayplayers.org “God of Carnage” Auditions: Aug. 2, 3 (Show Dates:October 2,3,9,10,11, 2020).Gateway Players Theatre.

Elm Street Congregational Church, 61 Elm St., in Southbridge. www. gatewayplayers.org “Happy Hollandaise! “ Auditions: October 5 & 7 (Show Dates: December 11,12,13, 2020).

Gateway Players Theatre. Elm Street Congregational Church,

61 Elm St., in Southbridge. www. gatewayplayers.org

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“The Drowsy Chaperone”: March 6, 7, 8. Theatre at the Mount 444 Green St., Gardner. https://mwcc. edu/campus-life/tam/ Arts, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester. “Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: 7:30 p.m.

Cost: $38-$158. For information: March 5; 8 p.m. March 6; 2 and (877) 471-1689, info@ 8 p.m. March 7; 1 p.m. March thehanovertheatre.org.

Matt Brodeur: 7 p.m. 8:30 p.m. Mar. 8. Audio descriptive services from Audio Journal and ASL 11, Art’s Food & Spirits, 541 W. interpretation provided 1 p.m.

Boylston St, Worcester.

March 8, The Hanover Theatre and Wacky Wednesday Jam: 8:30 p.m.

Conservatory for the Performing Mar. 11, Greendale’s Pub, 404 W. Arts, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester.

Boylston St, Worcester. $39 to $79. (877) 571-7469; www.

Duncan Arsenault and friends: 9 thehanovertheatre.org. p.m. Mar. 11, Vincent’s, 49 Suffolk “The Lady Vanishes”: March St., Worcester.

5-15, Calliope Theatre, 150 Main St., Boylston; www.

Thursday, March 12 CalliopeProductions.org.

“Outside Mullingar”: presented Fork It Over: Girl Scout Cookie

by Pilgrim Soul Productions, 7:30 culinary competition and p.m. Mar. 6, 7, 13 and 14, and at 2 fundraiser, 5-7 p.m. Mar. 12, Washburn Hall — Mechanics Hall, 321 Main St, Worcester. Cost: $40$50.

Cara Brindisi: with Jesse Ljunggren and others, 6-9 p.m.

Mar. 12, Apple Tree Arts, 1 Grafton Common, Grafton,. $20.

Writing Mechanics: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Mar. 12, King’s Berry Farm, 123 North Brookfield Road, East Brookfield. Cost: $42.

Worcester Chamber Music Society – Of Birds and Flowers: 6:30-9 p.m. Mar. 12, Nuovo, 92 Shrewsbury St., Worcester. Cost: $30-$67. For

‘Monster’ Mash

CITY LIFE

ADOPTION OPTION Welcome to Adoption Option, a partnership with the Worcester Animal Rescue League highlighting their adoptable pets. Check this space often to meet all of the great pets at WARL in need of homes.WARL is open seven days a week, noon-4 p.m., 139 Holden St. Check them out online at Worcesterarl.org, or call at (508) 853-0030.

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M A R C H 5 - 11, 2020

EAST DOUGLAS PHOTOGRAPHY

Meet Tiger! Blackie and Tiger are a sad case that shelters see often.

The 9-year-old siblings only lived with one person all their lives, and she had very few visitors. The owner’s health failed, and she could no longer care for the cats. Blackie and Tiger are completely lost without the woman who was their caretaker and their home. They are spirit cats — very shy with people, spirit cats live in your home, but are rarely seen. They are a fine choice for people who don’t have a lot of time to devote to a pet — most of these kitties do not need or want much attention from people. They will not magically turn into normal acting cats; what you see is what they will be like for a long time, maybe always. Some will change more than others, but be prepared for what you see now. Blackie and Tiger must be adopted together for a reduced fee of $100 for both cats.

GAMES

J O N E S I N’

“Soy If I Care” – it coulda bean worse.

by Matt Jones

Across 1 7 10 13 15

Fun By The Numbers Like puzzles? Then you’ll love sudoku. This mind-bending puzzle will have you hooked from the moment you square off, so sharpen your pencil and put your sudoku savvy to the test!

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Last week's solution

©2020 Matt Jones (jonesincrosswords@gmail.com) Reference puzzle #978

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1 Old Ramblers, e.g.

2 Baltimore bird

44 Disco ___ (“Simpsons” character) 49 Light bulb measure 51 Attribute 53 Tries to punch 54 Light up, old-style 55 Oozed 57 Fang, e.g.

59 Be behind 62 It may get blown 63 Mitt Romney’s state 64 On the open waters 65 Computer capacity units, briefly 66 Toasted or wasted 67 .org relative 68 “The Masked Singer” network

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Down

3 Physician’s patron 4 Blows away 5 Pick the wrong side in a coin flip 6 Groups of three 7 “Hawaii Five-O” setting 8 Motivate 9 Range in Wyoming 10 19th Greek letter 11 Split ___ (new wave band from New Zealand) 12 Historic “Affair” of 1797-98 14 “The Metamorphosis” writer Franz 19 Agonize (over) 21 Yarns 25 Right direction?

26 1 + 2, in Germany 27 Engineering detail, for short 29 Just scratch the surface 30 Tiny, to twee pet owners 32 Hulk portrayer Ferrigno 33 Word sung twice after “Que” 36 Some 38 “Back to the Future” antagonist 40 Rulebook pros 41 First name in the Jazz Hall of Fame 42 Mario Kart character 43 Relative of Crazy Eights

M A R C H 5 - 11, 2020

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Margarita glass stipulation Be decisive Ranch handle Gallery display “... how I wonder what you ___” 16 Indiscriminate amount 17 Coal region of Poland that caused some 18th-century wars 18 2007 Simon Pegg buddy cop film 20 Elizabeth I was the last to represent it 22 Yellowstone animal 23 Genre for Toots and the Maytals 24 Essentials 28 “Nothing is as it ___” 31 “___ Well That Ends Well” 34 Ball field cover 35 Dr.’s org.

37 “Stay (I Missed You)” singer Lisa 39 Match, as a bet 40 Like shiny metal space suits and the dieselpunk genre, e.g.

45 “Strange Magic” band 46 “Girls” creator Dunham 47 Back on a boat 48 Design problem 50 “Three Little Pigs” antagonist 52 Japanese hybrid apples 56 ’70s-’80s Egyptian president Anwar 58 Have a latke on one’s mind?

60 Pub choice 61 Vegan breakfast dish (and this puzzle’s theme) 66 Ignored 69 Gets less strict 70 Last words of an engagement 71 Org. before the gates?

72 Draw 73 Prom rental 74 Forced laugh sound 75 Didn’t fade

CLASSIFIEDS

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M A R C H 5 - 11, 2020

LEGALS Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Worcester Probate and Family Court 225 Main St. Worcester, MA 01608 508-831-2200 CITATION ON PETITION FOR FORMAL ADJUDICATION Docket No. WO20P0466EA Estate of: Elise Kreiger Also known as: Elise L. Kreiger Date of Death: 01/13/2020 To all interested persons: A Petition for Formal Probate of Will with Appointment of Personal Representative has been filed by: Susan K Royer of East Greenville, PA requesting that the Court enter a formal Decree and Order and for such other relief as requested in the Petition. The Petitioner requests that: Susan K Royer of East Greenville, PA be appointed as Personal Representative(s) of said estate to serve Without Surety on the bond in an unsupervised administration.

IMPORTANT NOTICE You have the right to obtain a copy of the Petition from the Petitioner or at the Court.

You have a right to object to this proceeding. To do so, you or your attorney must file a written appearance and objection at this Court before: 10:00 a.m. on the return day of 03/17/2020. This is NOT a hearing date, but a deadline by which you must file a written appearance and objection if you object to this proceeding. If you fail to file a timely written appearance and objection followed by an affidavit of objections within thirty (30) days of the return day, action may be taken without further notice to you. UNSUPERVISED ADMINISTRATION UNDER MASSACHUSETTS UNIFORM PROBATE CODE (MUPC) A Personal Representative appointed under the MUPC in an unsupervised administration is not required to file an inventory or annual accounts with the Court. Persons interested in the estate are entitled to notice regarding the administration directly from the Personal Representative and may petition the Court in any matter relating to the estate, including distribution of assets and expenses of administration.

WITNESS, Hon. Leilah A Keamy, First Justice of this Court. Date: February 13, 2020 Stephanie K. Fattman, Register of Probate 03/05/20 WM

Worcester Housing Authority Public Notice Designers registered in Massachusetts are advised that applications are available for preparation of plans and specifications and construction administration for the Federalization of 705-1 & 705-2 scattered sites at the Worcester Housing Authority. The firm must provide full basic services including investigation and initial design through preparation of contract documents, bidding and construction contract administration. The project manager or person charged with handling this project must be Architect registered in Massachusetts.

The construction cost is $890,000.00.

The Fee for Basic Services is $107,000.00.

Applications and requirements can be obtained by sending a selfaddressed, stamped envelope to the Worcester Housing Authority, 81 Tacoma Street, Worcester, MA 01605 beginning March 4, 2020.

Copies may be picked up between the hours of 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the above address or visit our website at (http://www.worcesterha.org/curre ntbids.html) Fifteen copies of the application must be submitted to the above address by 03/18/2020 at 2:00 p.m.

A briefing session will be held at 9:00 A.M. on March 11, 2020 at the above address.

The successful applicant will be required to submit certificate of professional liability insurance indicating minimum coverage in the amount of $250,000.00.

SERVICE DIRECTORY

HELP WANTED BIOMED SCIENTIST (Worcester, MA) sought by

UMass Memorial Medical Center, Inc. to repair medical linear accelerators, CT-simulators and other equipment. Travel to system sites in Worcester, Fitchburg and Marlboro. Must have Master’s Deg. in Biomedical Eng. Travel to additional worksites in Fitchburg and Marlborough, MA. Apply to Leigh M. Corl, HR Business Partner, UMass Memorial HR, HB-791, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA 01655.

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LAST CALL

Robb Zarges

executive director of CASA Project Inc.

T

CASA. We ask a lot from our volunteers.

– Sarah Connell Sanders

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Do you have plenty of volunteers? We always need

Awesome. Tell me about the big event that’s coming up on March 6. We have an amazing committee that’s put together a really unique event. It’s our second annual Champions for Children event and with our celebration we’re honoring three people who have made a difference in the lives of kids this year. The first is Dr. Heather Forkey from UMass Memorial. She has done incredible work in the lives of foster kids

around health issues as well as the brain science around trauma.

The second person is one of our judges, the Honorable Deborah A. S. Capuano. And then, finally, we are honoring our volunteer of the year Suzanne Remington. She has done an amazing job on legislation and by advocating for kids both on CASA cases but also outside of CASA cases. We will have food vendors from all over Worcester County coming to provide dishes at different stations. At each one of those stations, the food vendors will have a volunteer and a storyboard there. You’re going to have a chance to see 10 to 12 different stories. You can ask volunteers any questions you may have. We’re not selling tickets at the door, so you have to get them ahead of time. You can buy tickets on our website, we have a few left, but not many.

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

What is the commitment like?

It’s 30 hours of training on the front end before you even can be considered. We do 12 hours of continuing education every year. That’s not a big lift, but it’s required. The commitment is 10 to 12 hours a month. And so, you’re visiting the child every month face to face, making sure you’re getting eyes on that child. You’re doing phone calls or visits with schools, with therapists, with mental health providers, home providers and anybody else that might be involved in the life of that child so that we get the biggest fullest picture of what’s going on in that child’s life. And then we can make those recommendations back to the judge about what’s in the best interest of that child.

more, especially from North County. That includes anything north of Sterling to the New Hampshire border. We extend from the New Hampshire border to the Rhode Island border. Right now, we have about 325 trained volunteers. We think we need about 600 to be able to reach every child. We have a training coming up in April. If you’re interested in finding out more about that, then just go to our website, www.theCASAproject.org.

STEVE LANAVA

M A R C H 5 - 11, 2020

about 2,400 kids in foster care — in the care of the Department of Children and Families. Each year, about 1,700 new children enter the foster care system in Central Massachusetts. Across the whole state there are about 8,000 kids.

What is your history with The length of the stay is case-deWorcester?

I’ve loved Worcester since I moved pendent based on what’s going on here in 2003, and I absolutely love with the family and the resources available for placement of that what’s happening now. I came child. But, the typical stay is somehere for work. I was previously involved with an organization that where right around 16 months. helped kids transitioning from the What is the most challenging juvenile justice system and that’s part about serving as executive what brought me to Worcester. I had the opportunity to join CASA director and the most rewarding part? Well, the rewarding in August of 2016 and I’ve been part is easy. Seeing kids get here ever since. adopted or return home safely to their families and seeing that What is CASA Project reunification. Every year, the Worcester? CASA stands for: Friday before Thanksgiving, we Court Appointed Special Adhave our National Adoption Day vocates. We recruit, screen and at the Worcester courthouse. This train volunteers from the local year, 86 kids were adopted. It’s just community to be advocates for kids who have been removed from a great day to see these “forever their homes because of abuse and families” being created, but also it’s a celebration when we see kids neglect and placed into the foster care system. We are appointed by go home and get reunited with their families. That’s an amazing judges to work a case. That could thing. The biggest challenge is include one child or it could be always raising money. We’ve alfive children, depending on the most doubled in size over the last makeup of the family. They do everything that they can to deter- four years. Last year, we served mine what is in the best interest of about 900 kids. Our goal is to be able to serve all 1,700 in Worcester that child. They’ll interview their County. We still have some more teachers, their therapists, their growing to do. Other challenges foster family. They’ll talk to the birth parents. They’ll look at every include navigating the systems.

The DCF system, the court system, angle of what’s going on in that and understanding the changing child’s life. And then, the judge nature of those things over time. is looking for recommendations concerning that child as well. The We ask, “How do we best serve the ultimate goal is whether the child kids that we can with the resources available to us?” should return home to the family of origin or whether they should be freed up for adoption. Our goal Who is your optimal volunteer?

If you love children and don’t is always to shrink the amount of have a CORI background issue, time that kids are in foster care we can train you to do the rest. and minimize the number of Volunteers come from all walks placements for kids while they’re of life. We have retired educators, in the foster care system. we have stay-at-home moms, we have graduate students and we What is the typical amount of have people who are working time that a child would spend full-time jobs. Every single type in foster care and how many kids are in foster care in Central of person that you can possibly think can find a place here at Mass? At any given night, there’s he 2nd Annual Champions for Children Celebration will take place on Friday, March 6, at Mechanics Hall beginning at 6 p.m.

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M A R C H 5 - 11, 2020