Worcester Magazine - February 11 - 17, 2021

FEBRUARY 11 - 17, 2021 WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

CULTURE • ARTS • DINING • VOICES

An epic romance

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e r a h s s r e n w o y d Eggroll La Valentine’s tale , des that spans deca continents

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An epic romance Eggroll Lady owners share Valentine’s tale that spans decades, continents.

Story on page 10 Photo by Dylan Azari; Design by Donald Cloutier

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FEATURED

Vanilla Box Productions presents ‘Love Stories’ including ‘Other Letters,’ two men’s story RICHARD DUCKET T

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n the late playwright A.R. Gurney’s popular 1988 “Love Letters,” a male actor and female actor read to the audience letters and notes between Andrew and Melissa from early childhood through their respective marriages, children, and, in Melissa’s case, divorces.

There is a good deal of humor in what is read and the authors of these letters do love each other, but for various reasons important opportunities get lost.

In “Other Letters,” a play by Bryan Renaud and Carin Silkaitic inspired by “Love Letters,” Charlie and Tommy begin passing notes when they are 8 years old. What follows are lives and a love similarly told in letters, notes and emails with some connections and lots of near-misses.

For the Vanilla Box Productions presentation of “Other Letters” that will be live online for four performances starting Feb. 19, the two characters are played by Kyle Collins and Norman Dubois of Worcester, who are a couple in real life.

“I think you have a mix of both powerful scenes that deal with loss but it is really funny,” Collins said of “Other Letters.”

Like “Love Letters,” when Charlie and Tommy are “ready to jump into their relationship, something always comes up,” said Dubois.

“Other Letters” debuted in Chicago 2016. Renaud and Silkaitic have also written a version for two women.

The letters and notes between Charlie and Tommy begin in the 1970s. One of the characters gets put through conversion therapy by his freaked out parents.

However, “It’s not too focused on the fact they’re gay, it’s more focused on their relationship and they happen to be gay,” Collins said.

“It’s very relatable. I didn’t grow up in the ‘70s, but growing up in the ‘90s a lot of what they talk about is very relatable.”

“Other Letters” is part of a double-header of plays being put on by Vanilla Box Productions with Valentine’s Day in mind under the

overall title of “Love Stories.”

The other play and the first part of “Love Stories” is “Blind Date Trilogy,” a very recent work by Tanis Galik made up of three scenes. In the first, Stanley and Alice are each getting ready for their blind date. The second depicts the aftermath, and in the third scene there is another couple and a surprise. The cast is Christopher Pinkerton, Dalita Getzoyan, Paul Spanagel and Heidi White.

“Love Stories” will be presented live online at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19, 20, 26 and 27.

Vanilla Box Productions has staged many large musicals at live, in-person productions at the former Holy Name Central Catholic Junior/Senior High School in Worcester, now St. Paul Diocesan Junior-Senior High School.

With the pandemic, the theater group co-founded by Christine C. Seger and Joel D. Seger has been putting out a number of live online productions over the past few months. The actors perform from their homes and Joel Seger links it all together.

“Vanilla Box Productions has become known for producing family-friendly musicals. Producing virtual plays gives us a chance to explore beyond what we were doing and expand our offerings,” said Joel Seger, who is directing “Love Stories.”

Norman Dubois and Kyle Collins, a couple in real life, star in “Other Letters,” part of Vanilla Box Production’s upcoming presentation of “Love Stories.”

LAUREN PIANDES

“One way we can push the boundaries is to tell stories that are not always heard and show characters that are not always seen. We are trying to be more aware and more inclusive when picking shows. Since Act One (of “Love Stories) showcases a more traditional romantic narrative, we chose a show to complement that in Act Two which shows the complicated relationship of two men that meet when they are in grade school. We couldn’t be more excited to share these shows that we believe haven’t been seen in this area before,” he said.

Joel Seger approached Collins

cember 2019. “Which feels like it’s not actually a year ago,” Collins said with a nod to all that has happened in the world since.

Away from theater they both have day jobs. Collins works at the laboratories of Worcester State University doing prep for lab courses. Dubois is employed at the St. Vincent call center.

Collins is originally from Framingham and Dubois from Milford, but they settled in Worcester believing it has a tremendous upside for the arts. Both emphatically said they would like to be professional actors here. “Yes.” “Yes.” “I think that Worcester is on a horizon to have professional theater start popping up. I would and Dubois really like to do that. We’ve been about “Other trying to get our feet in the door,” Letters.” Although Collins said. the two actors had Further afield, they were both never worked at Vanilla Box Productions before, they in an online North Shore Players production of “The Importance of knew the Segers, Dubois said.

Being Earnest” Nov. 7, with Collins “It’s great. We’ve never been as Algernon and Dubois playing like a couple onstage before. It’s a Jack. new experience for us. It’s a good Still, with the pandemic, “We experience for us,” Dubois said.

“It’s nice,” Collins said. Previous- haven’t seen as many auditions and shows going up, so it’s really nice to ly “We’ve played Frankenstein and be asked by Joel to have this opporIgor (in ‘Young Frankenstein’).” tunity,” Dubois said.

Collins and Dubois met doing Collins and Dubois will be readtheater while students at Framinging the letters from their kitchen ham State University. with a camera set up.

“We were friends for a while. It “Kyle and Norman are wonderdeveloped into more,” Collins said. ful,” Seger said. “They are bringing a They have both been active lot of life to these notes, cards and on the area theater scene, each letters that the characters send to drawing good reviews. They have each other. I found myself drawn also appeared in shows together, in to the story and even emotional including with the Regatta Players during rehearsal. The concept of (“Young Frankenstein,” “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”) and Worcester the show is simple, which means County Light Opera Company. But the audience can really focus on the characters and the story.” that isn’t always the case and they “It’s not just two guys reading have been up for the same role in letters, it’s our own (character’s) a show.

A male couple auditioning for a story,” said Collins.

“It’s interesting playing these role can be have a different experience than a male and female couple characters. Interesting to see the depths of the relationships and auditioning, Collins noted. “I feel a how that comes out when we’re couple that are a man and a womperforming,” Collins said. an, they’re not going for the same roles. With us, one of will get the Tickets for “Love Stories” are role and the other one won’t — but $11 and on sale now on the website: we can be there for each other.” www.vanillaboxproductions.com.

They were both in WCLOC’s “The Drowsy Chaperone” in De-

FEATURED

The broken billy club: Worcester lawyer Burton Chandler recalls groundbreaking civil rights case in city VEER MUDAMBI

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Worcester lawyer Burton Chandler RICK CINCLAIR

His unprecedented step of placing a lien on their houses outraged the WPD. The matter was brought before the City Council, who eventually agreed to pay — with interest.

In retrospect, Chandler said it’s “hard to say if the police really learned anything.” But he said the case sent a clear message, and “the city was never terribly friendly with me after that.”

This was even more true for Hazard and his brother, who said they endured subsequent police harassment. “The big joke was everywhere I went, I had a police escort,” said Hazard. “Everywhere we went we were followed — to the point that none of us would go anywhere alone.”

As lead counsel on many prominent civil rights cases in the city, Chandler was dedicated to the preservation and defense of individuals’ rights and liberties but he never stopped practicing commercial law. The American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts honored Chandler in 2008, with its Lifetime Achievement Award.

His other cases included gender discrimination in the school system and military. After the police case, “word was out that I was a civil rights lawyer,” he said.

For the most memorable of his civil rights cases, Chandler was gratified to see the young men flourish in the following years.

“After the case, both brothers went to Worcester State College on scholarships from the Black community, and went on to have very successful careers. One was vice president of an airline company.”

Fifty years before the BLM and Defund the Police movements, Chandler successfully prosecuted a police brutality case in federal court and the precedent that it set was key to holding law enforcement accountable.

“We used our case as a model, down the years whenever we met someone who had been victimized by the police, that you can really do something,” said Hazard.

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

ask a colleague who was a trial attorney to take the case. When the other lawyer refused in order to avoid going up against the Worcester Police Department, Chandler was left with no choice but to take it himself. The senior partners in his law firm cleared the way for him to do so, even though he explained that his clients couldn’t pay his fees. “I couldn’t believe it,” he said, the surprise still evident years later.

“At the time, law firms were not doing pro-bono work for minority groups,” unlike today where it is viewed as good publicity.

The lead client was Aaron Hazard, a 22-year-old veteran who was honorably discharged and working as a letter carrier for the USPS. His brother was five years younger and their brother-inlaw was 20 years old. They were accompanied by Hazard’s friend, Kenneth Troy, who left before he could be arrested and was later referred to by Chandler as the “chief witness.”

Hazard, his brother-in-law and Troy were waiting to pick up Hazard’s younger brother from a friend’s house when police pulled up and asked what they were doing in that neighborhood, Troy recounted. “We explained but the cop said we were giving him

determined to go ahead with a complaint in the Federal District Court in Boston, alleging civil rights violations and undue force or, in the vernacular, ‘police brutality,’” Chandler said.

Despite his firm’s generosity, Chandler knew money was still a serious issue. He consulted with the Worcester NAACP, which provided the entire content of its bank account to cover the expenses of the plaintiffs.

Unlike the previous trial, the proceedings in the Federal Court were presided over by a judge instead of a full jury. On the day of the trial, Chandler arrived “to see the entire city law department sitting at the defendants’ table. “That got my adrenaline pumping.”

Chandler had asked for all witnesses to be sequestered so each would not hear the previous testimony. That, Hazard said, proved to be an artful move since the officers could not coordinate their stories. “One cop comes in, gives his account, then sits down and listens to the subsequent testimony — with all the conflicting information, it was literally a case of the cops holding their heads at the gaps in their stories.”

Chandler had heard that some city official had suggested Chandler might be too afraid to make an appearance because of his inexperience. But Troy said that they always had faith in Chandler. “He was asking the right questions and looking in the right places.”

After 19 months, the judge did ruled in favor of Chandler’s clients. “We were getting nervous,” Hazard admitted.

But the story did not end there.

The city announced it wouldn’t pay the damages awarded to the plaintiffs, asserting that the individual policemen were responsible for the monetary charges. Chandler knew getting the money from the policemen would not be easy.

“So I did a search and found that the three policemen ordered to pay owned their own houses,” he said. “So I attached their houses.”

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urton Chandler didn’t set out to become Worcester’s go-to civil liberties lawyer. But as a young, aspiring corporate lawyer, who had been practicing for about nine years, he challenged the city in the name of social justice.

After that, he says now, “anyone who had any kind of civil liberties case against the city of Worcester came to me.”

In the first Black History Month since the murder of George Floyd, after a year when we witnessed nationwide Black Lives Matter protests, it is worth noting Worcester’s early civil rights case.

The deaths of George Floyd and many other Black men at the hands of law enforcement have forced the country to acknowledge how skin color drastically impacts lived experiences, especially during interactions with the police.

At a time when there were no reported cases of police brutality in the Commonwealth, Chandler represented two young African American men and their white brother-in-law, filing suit against seven Worcester policemen for excessive violence and undue force. The Hazard et al. v Rida et al. trial ended in spring 1971, and a decision favoring his clients was handed down in late 1972. “(It) certainly had the most publicity and press, being the first case of its kind in the history of Worcester, Mass,” Chandler recalled.

The case landed in his lap in October 1968 when Chandler’s wife, Harriette, now a state senator for the 1st Worcester District, returned from a meeting. “The place and purpose for [the meeting] has been lost in the dustbin of history,” said Chandler. “She met a couple of black kids who had been beaten up by cops and couldn’t get a lawyer to represent them, so she told them, ‘don’t worry I’ll give you my husband.’”

Initially, Chandler said he wasn’t too worried about being volunteered, as he planned to

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bull(expletive), and he also told us he had a short fuse and the next thing we knew, billy clubs were swinging.”

They were accused of drunkenness and disturbing the peace with disorderly conduct yet were asked to drive home on their own — unusual since visibly drunk individuals are usually not allowed to drive home. When they refused, they were beaten at the scene, arrested and struck repeatedly at the police station in full view of other officers, who did not prevent the violence.

Police officers claimed it was a peaceful arrest, but the plaintiffs had to seek medical help at a hospital for severe injuries, right after they were bailed out by Hazard’s wife and their local reverend. Hazard recalls how at the hospital, the nurse took one look at their injuries and assumed they had been in a car accident. That same nurse would later testify to the state of their injuries. The police steadfastly denied beating the young men and would “claim that in the 20 minutes or so after we left the station and got to the hospital, we either self inflicted injuries or something equally bizarre,” said Hazard.

All three young men lost their jobs while they recovered, and the hospital records and doctor and nurse testimonies were consistent with their statements. A broken billy club discarded at the scene also provided material evidence of the intensity of the attack during the arrest. The club was picked up by Troy, who went back to the scene to search for Hazard’s broken glasses. “[The officers] could not explain the broken billy club,” Chandler said.

The trial in the District Court of Worcester was a jury case, in which the three young men were found not guilty of the drunkenness charges but guilty of disturbing the peace and fined $10 each. The result was unsatisfactory for both Chandler and his clients, who believed the officers had to be held accountable for their actions. “By this time, I had

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CITY VOICES

LETTERS

Open any new checking account and get up to $200*!

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Letter to editor GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCKPHOTO

Of eggs and Spider-Man ERIC JAMES YANKUS - FRANCO

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(The editors would like to note that content editor Victor Infante makes a mighty nice omelet )

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(Stan Lee would like to reply that with great power, also comes great responsibility, but not always killer dance moves.)

Eric James Yankus-Franco is from Worcester.

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Back in Style?

Why Cuz, Why cuz people stopped using “NOT” at the end of statements? It was hilarious. I don’t think it should ever be used again .... NOT. See??

Sincerely, Eric James Yankus-Franco

A Late Review Why Cuz, Why cuz in “Spider-Man 3” Peter Parker acts like such a jerk? I know he’s being affected by a symbiote, and Mary Jane breaks up with him and Uncle Ben’s killer is on the loose.

I’m just saying it’s a shame is all.

He’s a good dancer though.

Sincerely, Eric James Yankus-Franco

for our everyday heroes

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Why Cuz, Why cuz people are always saying they like breakfast when all they want is pancakes or French toast?

These people like desserts. Like egg or go home.

Sincerely, Eric James Yankus-Franco

(Borat would like to reply that he wants his joke back.)

$100* + $100*

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CITY VOICES

FIRST PERSON

POETRY TOWN

Did you order a Joe-ber?

‘As a child I knew you’

MAURO DEPASQUALE

JOE FUSCO JR.

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was idling in the handicap-parking area of UMass Memorial Hospital waiting for my wife to get out of work.

I was idling for approximately thirteen minutes listening to Sports Radio and scrolling through my iPhone. The Entourage was unlocked.

Suddenly, a man in a gray knit hat and light-blue COVID mask opened the side-door of my van and put his black backpack on the seat.

“Why are you in my car?!?!” I exclaimed.

“Aren’t you my Uber driver?” he inquired.

“I am not your Uber driver.

Get out of my car,” I countered.

He grabbed his backpack and shut the door of the van before walking to the side of the hospital and getting on his phone.

A bit shaken, I kept an eye on him but he just stayed on his phone waiting.

When getting into a Lyft or Uber, make sure that it’s really a Lyft or Uber!

GETTY IMAGES

(In my fifth month of retirement, I usually take my wife to and from work each weekday and run errands for my kids and grandkids. Maybe, I just have a “Driving Miss Daisy” look to me?)

My wife got into the van and I told her about the incident then

WORCESTER MAGAZINE’S LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY Letters to the editor are a great way to share your thoughts and opinions with thousands of readers and online viewers each week. There is no word limit, but we reserve the right to edit for length, so brevity is your friend. If handwritten, write legibly - if we cannot read it, we are not running it. A full name and town or city of residence are required.

Please include an email address or phone number for verification purposes only. That information will not be published. Make sure your letter makes it into Worcester Magazine in a timely fashion — send it in by the Monday of the next issue. Please note that letters will run as space allows. Send them to Worcester Magazine, 100 Front St., 5th Floor, Worcester, MA 01608 or by email to WMeditor@ gatehousemedia.com.

drove slowly by the side of the building where the man in question still stood.

“Hey, I’m sorry about getting so upset,” I offered. “Just don’t give me a bad rating. Want an orange Tic-Tac?”

When I was a child you were with me.

I was a child You whispered softly to me: Through my mother’s breath; You whispered softly to me: in my father’s strength; You held on to me: Through the warm loving embrace as I slept cuddled between my parents; You gently prayed to me: as my Nonna prayed the Rosary; You sang to me: through the song of the Italian language my grandfather spoke; You kept company with me: while I solitarily played, lost in imagination, discovering a universe in the safety of a home I believed was endless; You woke me up: Through the blue sky with pictorial and dancing clouds that fascinated me; You touched my soul: as My mother let me touch her pregnant belly to feel my unborn baby brother kick my hand from within; You laughed with me: Through the company of my brothers, sister, loving family and sincere friends; You showed me love through it all.

You let me experience mystery, wonder and Your Cross. The horror of space without you.

I became sorrowful, afraid, lost in a dark, noisy and stormy place surrounded by wolves and thieves. I thought You were gone. I floundered in emptiness, pain, starved, in crippling dread. Troubled and searching for healing. When I finally realized it was you I was searching for, through all the sound and fury, a gravitational force, as if being pulled by the wake of a huge anchor sinking fast in the silence of a deep black sea, I heard You whispering ever so softly: drawing me to you; freeing me from my self; freeing me from my mind and its distracting and vain intellect; Returning me to the place I first knew you; I am a child again.

You whisper to me: Know I Am with you always.

Mauro DePasquale is a musician and the executive director at WCCA TV 194, “The People’s Channel.”

CITY VOICES

WORCESTERIA

Worcester’s original Black sports superstar VEER MUDAMBI

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surrounded Patrick Mahomes, the young quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs. I’m not one to closely follow football but I’ve read Mahomes is one of only three Black quarterbacks to have won a Super Bowl, and had a chance to secure his second last weekend, although he didn’t. Considering that the Super Bowl also takes place during Black History Month, I think we should acknowledge the world’s first Black sports superstar, Marshal Walter “Major” Taylor. He truly paved the way for the likes of Mahomes and Lebron James. He’s also a Worcesterite — but that was probably a given considering where you’re reading this. Known as the “Worcester whirlwind,” Taylor won the world cycling championships in 1899 and 1900 and dominated A photo of Marshall “Major” Taylor sprint cycling in that first Black championship cyclist and decade. He was the sprinter. first African American athlete to hold the title THE MAJOR TAYLOR ASSOCIATION INC. of world champion.

Bear in mind, this was only a little more than 30 years after the end of the American Civil War, so Taylor endured virulent racism on and off the track. Winning the competitions was only half the battle — the other was surviving it. He later wrote in his 1928 autobiography that “in most of my races I not only struggled for victory but also for my very life and limb.” White cyclists would refuse to compete against him or try to harm him during races. After winning a race in Boston, Taylor was attacked and choked unconscious. He would go on to retire to Worcester at the age of 32 in 1910. His legacy endures in the city through The Major Taylor Association, Inc., which works to educate the public on his life and legacy. If you’re interested in more hidden history that better connects our past and present, the American Antiquarian Society, based in Worcester, will be highlighting an item every week this month that focuses on accomplishments by Worcester’s Black citizens. The first piece was an 1897 letter from Taylor, in which he described public reaction to a recent win, writing that he “created a big sensation” among both the “colored” and white population. One can only imagine the latter wasn’t terribly positive at the time. Hopefully, now his accomplishment gets the historical respect it deserves.

COVER STORY

Worcester’s Love Birds: Bao Bui and ‘The Eggroll Lady’ Phuong Lam

SARAH CONNELL SANDERS

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ao Bui sits quietly behind the counter of his family’s fish shack in Worcester, wrapping egg rolls in silence while his wife, Phuong Lam, does all the talking. He only looks up once, when she tells the story of their special scarf, a broad smile flashing across his face. Bui has always thought of her gift of conversation like a bird’s singing — intuitive, natural and exquisitely beautiful.

The day she spotted the scarf was meant to be a goodbye of sorts. Lam had arrived in Portland, Oregon, in 1988. She knew Bui from church and had no intention of striking up a romantic relationship with him. It wasn’t for lack of interest, but rather, the simple understanding that Lam would marry for money. She had a large family back in Vietnam and felt it was her responsibility to lend financial support. Even so, Lam recognized her own unhappiness in the Pacific Northwest.

“After six months, the rain had made me sick and depressed,” Lam remembers. Someone gave her a slip of paper with contact information for a friend in Worcester, and the promise of a job. Lam knew what she had to do. “I decided to move from the ‘Rain City’ to the ‘Snow City,’” she says.

There was still the problem of saying goodbye to Bui. She remembered the first day they had locked eyes as she leaned out the church window to call everyone in for dinner. “I didn’t want to think about dating at that point in my life,” she remembers, “But, the look he gave me

was glued to my heart.” His roommate drove her home and she never stopped chattering in the front seat. That was the first time he thought of her as his songbird. She was a difficult woman not to fall in love with.

Lam hoped her feelings for Bui would pass; her future depended on it. She intended to marry someone with more than the $200 Bui had saved in his bank account. She knew of other Vietnamese refugees who had been forced to sell their bodies just to make ends meet in America. The prospect terrified her. Lam distracted herself by practicing English and searching for work, but she couldn’t help admire the sacred love and honor Bui demonstrated for God and his family.

“It was a difficult decision for me at that time,” she remembers, “I would pray every day, asking, ‘Should I choose him to be the man of my life?’”

Lam agreed to take a shopping trip with Bui before her departure to Worcester. She knew his salary was meager, but he had saved up enough money to buy her a blouse, along with a pair of pants for himself. The fact that he had so little to his name made it easier for her to come to terms with leaving. She would meet a wealthier man in Worcester and try her best to forget the undeniable chemistry she’d felt with Bui during her time in Portland.

“We were about to leave when I spotted a beautiful scarf hanging in a store window,” Lam recalls, “I casually told him I wished I had the money to buy it to send to my mother back in Vietnam.”

Bui told her to wait for him by the stairs and disappeared into the market.

“I want to share my love with everyone and encourage and remind you to spend every moment you have with the ones you love,” Lam says, “Life is too short.”

DYLAN AZARI

COVER STORY

DYLAN AZARI

loved ones. No one is left hungry in her orbit. Sit in her kitchen for long enough and she will indulge you with chocolate-covered strawberries, Korean short ribs, steak, spicy broccoli, freshsqueezed orange juice, and of course — eggrolls.

A 1990 article published in The Economist, “The even unluckier ones,” describes the inhumane conditions on the passage to Malaysia. It states, “Too often [Vietnamese refugees] are attacked on the way or are towed back to sea, and to their deaths, when they arrive.” It was common for women to be raped and killed by fishermen or pirates; bodies that washed ashore were buried in mass graves on the beach. To escape meant certain torture, but also, a chance at freedom. Lam tried to focus on the latter.

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad’s ruthless attitude toward Vietnamese refugees is shown running rampant in Steven Erlanger’s 1990 piece for The New York Times, in which it was revealed that between 50% and 60% of boat people

were being sent back out to sea.

Mahatir insisted that Vietnamese refugees had been treated with decency in Malaysia since 1975, and complained that the United States could pick and choose who sought asylum in America, ergo leaving behind those whom he referred to as “the scum.” Mahatir leaves readers with the coldhearted query: ‘’Why should Malaysia be the repository of the unwanted of this world?’’

One might speculate that Lam’s earnest generosity in some ways sprouted from the cruel and seemingly endless rejection she experienced during this period of her life, but that would be too simple an explanation. She holds

C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 12

11

“Boat People” By the time Lam arrived in Worcester, she had already navigated her fair share of adversity.

“I was on a riverboat in the ocean for four days; it was weaker than a canoe,” she remembers of her escape from Vietnam. “The first day I arrived in the USA, the piece of bread volunteers gave me tasted so good and the clothes from the refugee camp felt so warm,” she says, “I will never forget their love.”

According to the UN Refugee

Agency, 796,310 people escaped Vietnam by boat between the years 1975 and 1995 — a group that is now collectively known as “boat people.” Lam’s journey took her four days by sea to Malaysia and then to a refugee camp in the Philippines.

Scholars estimate upward of 10% of boat people perished at sea. Drownings, dehydration, starvation and pirate attacks were exceedingly common obstacles faced by those who were brave or desperate enough to attempt the journey. The alternative, staying in Vietnam, meant living in perpetual fear under an oppressive regime. Lam recounts one instance in which she was pushed into the street and treated like an animal by communist soldiers as a young girl. She dreamed of a different life.

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

She took note of the holes in his shabby pants as he walked away.

“At least now he’ll have a new pair of pants to impress a nice girl,” she thought to herself.

“Bao came back with a bag in his hands and by the time we got home, I realized he had returned his newly bought pants and used the money to buy the scarf for my mother,” says Lam. “I could not say anything but cry.” The gesture left an indelible impression on her. “When I finally traveled to Worcester, my heart was in great conflict; I was leaving my man in The Rain City.”

Big shows of emotion are not out of character for Lam. She melts at the sight of a puppy. She will drop everything to brew you a Vietnamese cold remedy if she hears even a sniffle. More than anything, she lives to feed her

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Bao Bui and ‘The Eggroll Lady’ Phuong Lam demonstrate the best way to make an eggroll.

COVER STORY

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“I thank God every day for my lifetime Valentine, Bao Bui,” Phuong Lam says. Bui may have been her first Valentine, but a certain city has her heart. “I must also recognize the blessing of another love — my second Valentine, the city of Worcester and its people. Your love keeps my heart warm on the coldest of New England days.”

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COV E R S TO RY

their church in Portland, Oregon, for a celebration among foster family members and friends. In her complex affection for America, the photos, Lam wears lace gloves and a silky ruffled dress with a Worcester in particular, as dear and close as she holds the recipes long white train. Bui is in a cobalt bowtie and cummerbund. The on which she built her business. bridesmaids and flower girls are Lam’s compassion is honest and also in blue, an ocean of puffed pure. sleeves and white patent leather “Worcester is a family that shoes. The church twinkles by chose me with more love than I expected or ever imagined,” Lam says, candlelight. A bouquet of roses complements the bride’s iridescent “I ask for any sadness that you, the people of Worcester, have so I might red lips from behind a sweeping veil; she is awash in adoration. turn it into peace and blessings.”

Upon arriving in Worcester in Her advice? Sleep on it 1988, Lam shared a single apartMarriage didn’t make life easier ment with 10 other refugees. She right away. If anything, building a had only been there two weeks future together was complicated. when she got a call from Bui. “Like many other couples, after “Bao called me and said he getting married, we had our share would move to Worcester to be with me and care for me, whether of arguments,” Lam recalls, “We felt so stressed out. We did not know I chose to commit myself to him how to manage our finances, our or not,” says Lam, “He told me new life, our eating habits, and we that he believed in us and would were especially worried when we continue to pray for our future. I had our first child.” truly felt blessed.”

After one particularly difficult When Lam got off the phone, day of new parenthood, Bui and she was shaking with anticipation.

Was he really coming to Worcester? Lam came across a Bible verse that

By Dec. 31, 1988, the couple was changed their lives forever. Ephesians 4:26 states, “Do not let the sun married. “My dream was to wear go down while you are still angry.” a white wedding dress and have a Together, they decided to apply this ceremony in a church,” Lam says. principle to their marriage and soon She got her wish. found it difficult to remain angry The couple traveled back to

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C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 11

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Marriage didn’t make life easier right away.

If anything, building a future together was complicated. “Like many other couples, after getting married, we had our share of arguments,” Lam recalls, “We felt so stressed out. We did not know how to manage our finances, our new life, our eating habits, and we were especially worried when we had our first child.”

roll, Lam is happy to advise. She cradles it in a lettuce leaf along with a few sprigs of cilantro and then drizzles her masterpiece in fish sauce. The results are as astonishing as they are scrumptious.

Small Shack, Big Love Lam and Bui take their girls cruising every year on a family vacation. They have traveled throughout the Caribbean and Hawaii. Lam doesn’t mind boats anymore. “If you live in the past, you will always be stuck there. It’s important to move forward in your life, appreciate C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 14

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after a good night’s sleep.

“We forgave each other, not just for that one day, but for 32 years,” she says.

Today, the couple has three grown children: Christina Bui, Jennifer Bui and Gwendolyn Bui. As a family, they have cultivated one of Worcester’s most beloved businesses, Eggroll Lady and Fish Shack on West Boylston Street. The eatery began as a small trailer on the New England fair circuit and now possesses a cult following that turns out for more than just the egg rolls.

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The wedding of Bao Buim and Phuong Lam.

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It’s easy to see that Bui and Lam are still very much in love. He C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 13 spends his days off working in the shop with her, sometimes until what you have in the present, and show love to everyone around you,” three or four in the morning.

“I thank God every day for my she says. lifetime Valentine, Bao Bui,” Lam This year has been especially says. Bui may have been her first difficult because of the pandemic.

Valentine, but a certain city has her Gwendolyn, Bui and Lam’s youngheart. “I must also recognize the est daughter, helped to develop blessing of another love — my secCOVID protocols and answer ond Valentine, the city of Worcester phones while the restaurant was and its people. Your love keeps my short-staffed, in addition to finishheart warm on the coldest of New ing nursing school. Christina and England days.”

Jennifer work in the Boston area, Lam knows February 14th isn’t but that doesn’t prevent them from traveling to Worcester nearly every easy for everyone. “I want to speak to those who may have found love, weekend to help out with the fambut also to those who may be going ily business. Their motto is, “Small through a heartbreak or a loss. I exshack, big love.” tend my heart to you and give you “I want to share my love with my love, for love comes in many everyone and encourage and reshapes and forms.” mind you to spend every moment In lieu of a cruise this year, the you have with the ones you love,” couple broke out their Hawaiian Lam says, “Life is too short.” This prints to indulge Worcester Magabecame especially clear when zine for a photo shoot. she was diagnosed with cancer a “He’s lucky, I look so cute,” few years back. “My love for our Lam sings out like a beautiful little customers got me through cancer Today, the couple has three grown children: Christina Bui, Jennifer Bui and Gwendolyn Bui. songbird. He can’t take his eyes off with no complaints,” she declares SUBMIT TED PHOTO of her. with a smile.

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CITY LIFE

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

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15

way to bring the figure to life with motion. Specializing in pen and ink, with a newfound love for digital media – colorful imagery encapsulates the world with a keen eye and brings attention to the obscure. Recently, she has worked in her Worcester community for a hands-on installation, as Hope wishes to broaden her artistic impact toward local places.

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

Rebecca Hope is a senior Illustration major at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth. Working with various materials, Hope finds a

CITY LIFE

CONNELL SANDERS

I went on a date to Rotmans Furniture and it was fantastic SARAH CONNELL SANDERS

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W

hen the Telegram reported last month that Rotmans Furniture was set to liquidate its inventory for a “merchandise reset” I felt a pang of regret. Long had I dreamed of the day when I could see for myself what was so “faaaan-tastic” inside the confines of Rotmans sprawling brick warehouse on the cusp of College Hill. I vowed to find out before it was too late.

My husband and I don’t get out much these days, so the idea of visiting a 200,000 square foot showroom felt downright extravagant. When I saw the police detail, I knew this was the big leagues. We doubled up our masks and set out to immerse ourselves in the beguiling depths of local history.

We ascended the glorious front steps to find a tinkling water feature bespeckled with loose change.

I wondered how many years-worth of lucky pennies waited beneath the glassy surface. I like to imagine President and CEO Steven Rotman fishing one coin out every day and embarking on grand adventures to grant the wishes of his customers.

Or, perhaps he just entertains himself riding around on his fleet of miniature taxi cabs. That’s what I may have done, too, if my husband hadn’t insisted they were “meant for children.”

We started our visit in the handmade rug gallery where an elder-millennial in white thickrimmed glasses kept a close watch on the inventory. It seemed like overkill until I knelt down to admire one of the carpets and my eyes bulged wide at the fourteen gees spelled out on the price tag.

I gasped, audibly. The hipster rug salesman sighed. I should have known better. I’d grown up watching the television commercials.

Rotmans was made for interior design influencers like Derek Lowe and John Valentin — not for lowly school teachers like myself.

Artificial glasses of Coca Cola decorate the tables in the Rotmans Furniture attic.

SARAH CONNELL SANDERS

While we’re on the topic of education. I do have one bone to pick, and it’s not just because I can’t afford a hand-knotted Moroccan throw rug from Rotmans. Where is the apostrophe? It just seems to me that the company name should be graced with a possessive: “Rotman’s Furniture.” As in, keep your grubby little mitts off our rugs if your name ain’t Antoine Walker.

I guess that was when Rotmans’ spell started to wear off. “I mean, wasn’t this place supposed to have an IMAX theater?” I asked.

“That’s Jordan’s,” my husband

told me.

“Yeah, well what about the free popcorn?”

“I think that’s Bob’s,” he said.

“Do we get a discount if the Sox win?”

“I’m pretty sure that’s Bernie and Phyl’s, and it’s not even baseball season, Sarah.”

I could tell I was losing him.

That’s when I spotted it — Cafe Fantastique. I hadn’t been to a restaurant in many months, and by God, here it was staring me in the face. We had come this far. Could it hurt to share just one order of

mozzarella sticks to consecrate this very special date?

When we got up the stairs, I realized it was a ruse. Cafe Fantastique was nothing but a showroom for kitchen furniture. All of the sudden, everything started to feel artificial. The plastic plants.

The bottles of Corona filled with yellow food coloring. (Did I taste test them? A lady never tells.) Every room reminded me of the room where Dory Sief is held hostage in TBS’s “Search Party.” I felt betrayed.

By the time we reached the fifth floor, I’d had it. That’s when

I heard them — a group of staff members singing and laughing together. Rotmans employs 150 real live local workers, which is actually pretty fantastique, if you ask me.

Take that, Andy Jassy.

In the end, I couldn’t bring myself to splurge on anything, but I had paid my respects to a Worcester landmark before the big reset and that was enough. We stopped on the way home to pick up meatball sandwiches from Vincent’s and scratch my apostrophe itch. This is Worcester. This is it.

CITY LIFE

TABLE HOPPIN’

Clear Path gets help from local restaurants to offer Grab ‘n’ Go meals to veterans BARBARA M. HOULE

rent, you name it.”

Clear Path has provided coats, helped with extra school supplies for students, toys for children during the holidays and Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets,” said Jeanne Purcell “Sometimes it’s easier for vets to open up to us if there’s a need.”

“Veterans face many challenges,” said Bulger, “and our staff of veterans can follow up and contact other agencies to help out. We’re very grateful that Clear Path had the opportunity to launch Grab n’ Go. It has helped so many service members and veterans.”

An added note of good news is that Bulger expects USDA’s Farm to Family program to restart soon.

Visit Clear Path’s website for more information and to donate.

Volunteer if you have the time. A local chef volunteer said it’s not only rewarding work, but you’ll meet great people along the way.

No doubt about it.

C

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University in Providence, Baking/ Pastry, Culinary and Food Service lear Path for Veterans Management — started Doh! Girl in New England in Devens January, working out of the Worcesoffers a multitude of ter Regional Food Hub. At her first programs responding to pop-up at the food hub at 25 FranCOVID-19 by providing service cis St. at the end of January she sold members and veterans and their out of 24 dozen bagels available families with boxes of non-perin half-dozen variety packs that ishable food supplies and most included cinnamon raisin, plain recently Grab n’ Go meals. and everything bagels. “I couldn’t Food insecurity is a continubelieve it,” said Clark about selling ing issue during COVID-19, said out. “It was so amazing.

Donna Bulger of Norfolk, execuClark plans to continue with tive director and vice president Saturday pop-ups, probably two or of Clear Path, a 50 (c)3 with the three a month, she said. The pop-up mission “to build a safe, supportive Dan Purcell, CEO of DC Holdings, Inc., Donna Bulger, director of dates will be posted on Facebook, and respectful place for Veterans.”

Clear Path for Veterans New England, Jeanne Purcell, a Clear where you can connect with Clark.

Bulger and her husband, Scott For Valentine’s Day, Clark sold a Path volunteer, and Wayne Beauregard, Columbia Tavern owner Bulger, are founders of Clear Path. are pictured at the tavern. $25 gift box (chocolate bagels and Donna Bulger said that in 2020 more) that had to be pre-ordered ASHLEY GREEN with help from the Massachusetts online.

Military Support Foundation Clear Center, next to Clear Path for Vet- and said he “couldn’t say no” to his Future plans for Clark include good friend Dan. The program has erans New England, 84 Antietam Path was able to distribute 200 selling her bagels wholesale to local helped his business maintain staff St., Devens. The program is for food boxes to veterans weekrestaurants and businesses. “Maybe during the pandemic, he said. military/veterans and immediate ly. Beginning in October 2020, a food truck later on.”

The tavern’s hearty comfort household members. Pre-registrathe nonprofit received a weekly Clark said she would seriously food meals, such as turkey dinner tion is required for both prepackshipment of 1,000 boxes of food think about selling doughnuts in and classic Shepherd’s Pie, are aged perishable food boxes and distributed by the USDA Farm to Bagels to go from Doh! Girl addition to bagels if she owned Grab n’ Go favorites, according to Grab n’ Go meals.

Visit www.

Family program. “People in the Doh! Girl is the new business a food truck. “There are so many Bulger. “I think we can all agree clearpath.org to sign up. Leomincommunity as well as veterans launched by Robin Clark, former possibilities,” she said. “It’s exciting that comfort food is simple and ster Veterans’ Services also will benefited,” said Bulger. executive pastry chef for Niche and terrifying at the same time.” satisfying, especially in winter pick up food boxes and meals for Last month, Bulger’s brother, Hospitality Group in Worcester and A former contestant on Food months,” she said.

Dan Purcell, president and CEO of veterans unable to get to Devens, former chef de cuisine at deadhorse Network’s TV competitive cooking Note: Diners can visit Facebook hill restaurant in Worcester. said Bulger.

DC Holdings LLC in Leominster show “Chopped,” Clark also wowed for Columbia Tavern’s hours and For his part, Purcell is “ecstatic” with co-founder Chris Stearns, Clark’s decision to go out on judges at the 2018 Worcester’s specials. The business usually opens her own is something she had stepped in to help Clear Path after about the success of Grab n’ Go. Best Chef competition, winning learning that USDA’s program had People in the community and busi- at 4 p.m. weekdays and offers lunch considered for a long time. When the Judges’ Choice Award, which nesses have been “super “generous and dinner on weekends. “Hours ended in December. she lost her position at Niche as a brought her to center stage for in support and donations, he said. will change with state COVID-19 Purcell’s suggestion that Clear result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the final round of competition. As “I’m just happy our company could regulations,” said Beauregard.

Path offer Grab n’ Go meals to she said, she couldn’t shake the a judge at the event I can attest Happy Jacks, a Mexican restau- idea of starting her own business. help,” said Purcell. “We know many veterans was just the beginning.

Clark’s a tough competitor and rant in Leominster; Evviva Trattoria “I was sitting around at home and He said his company would match of the people who really benefit amazing chef, whether she’s baking in Maynard and Apex Marlboro are thinking about what I was going to or cooking. from this program and a lot of $10,000 in donations made to the among other Grab n’ Go program them are the elderly.” nonprofit. And, it happened. do,” said Clark in a recent telephone Tidbit about Clark’s bagels: She participants. Interested restaurants interview. “I got to the point of Leominster residents, Purcell Donations and DC Holdings gets flour from a Hadley business match helped “big time,” according and his wife, Jeanne Purcell, volun- and businesses can contact Bulger telling myself, ‘OK, you can do this.’ that mills it to order. The flour to Bulger, who said Clear Path cur- teer regularly at Clear Path’s events at Clear Path for more information. I’ve got a good reputation as a chef makes a world of difference in her Purcell and his wife are among and programs. Purcell personally rently purchases $10 meals from in the city and great support. I’m bagels, “making them so good,” she Clear Path’s many volunteers. local participating restaurants and reached out to local restaurants, turning 31 and ready to go for it. said.

Jeanne Purcell works beside veterincluding Columbia Tavern, 28 provides 250 of the meals weekly.

If I were to continue to work 60 Keep an eye out for Doh! Girl’s ans from Clear Path at the weekly Veterans look forward to the meals Manning St., Leominster, to help hours or more in a week I decided it next pop-up! start Grab n’ Go. He continues his food box and meal distribution and the food portions are more would be for myself,” said Clark. “It site. “I love talking to the people,” search for more local restaurant than generous, she said. was the time to make a move and If you have a tidbit for the said Purcell. “It’s not only about the make it happen.” participation.

The Grab n’ Go program takes column, call (508) 868-5282. Send Wayne Beauregard has owned food, but also learning what the place from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursdays Clark — who received three email to bhoulefood@gmail.com. vets may need. Heating, housing, Columbia Tavern for seven years outside Devens Empowerment degrees from Johnson & Wales

CITY LIFE

SCREEN TIME

‘Framing Britney Spears’ makes compelling case JIM KEOGH

Britney Spear,” which was produced by the Times, is the ongoing ritney Spears has been controversy over the placing of her off the pop-culture radar fortune, her career, and even her for so long it’s like she’s personal life under the control of disappeared into her own her father, Jamie Spears, and his Bermuda Triangle. To be honest, lawyers 13 years ago. This conservamy awareness of her ends with the torship — a legal measure typically infamous night when she shaved reserved for the elderly or cogniher head and brandished an umtively impaired who are incapable brella against a horde of paparazzi, of attending to their own affairs — smashing the car of one. That was continues to inspire a “Free Britney” in 2007. movement among her most ardent As New York Times film fans who have questioned her and culture critic Wesley Morris father’s motives for seizing control explains in the new documentaof her finances and seemingly ry “Framing Britney Spears,” the squelched her performing career. head-shaving was less the impetuAs one legal observer notes ous act of a “crazy” person — which about the case, “We don’t know is, indeed, how her behavior was what we don’t know.” And this clearframed in the mass media — than ly is true. We don’t know the mental her attempt to rob the parasitic health issues Spears may have tabloid press, the celebrity-obsessed confronted, and may still be facing. public, and the thankless entertain- We are largely unaware whether ment industry of the image she’d hints of personal irresponsibility carefully curated to please them all. may in fact indicate deeper-rooted They’d contributed substantially to behavioral deficits. a stretch of misery in her life, and But the documentary makes a depriving them of further fuel was compelling case the Britney Spears her payback. lockdown is legalistic overreach, The impetus for “Framing and, at worst, grossly opportunis-

B

Britney Spears performs during a concert in Taipei, Taiwan, in 2017.

AP PHOTO/CHIANG YING-YING, FILE

tic. (One former lawyer involved with the conservatorship sought a substantial hike in pay, apparently linking his request to a string of Britney’s professional successes.)

Again, we don’t know what we don’t know. Since neither Spears nor any member of her family, including her father, participated in the documentary, we can only speculate. I’m accepting the assumptions offered by others in her corner that some-

thing rotten underlies the longevity of this arrangement.

Moving away from the legal aspects, it’s impossible not to sympathize with the singer, who became both punchline and a piñata for the public. Time and again we watch the paparazzi swarm her during her low ebbs, and we hear the fear in her voice as she pleads with them to back off so she can do the little things, like open her car

door. At one point, Spears hurriedly drives off with her infant daughter in her lap, igniting headlines that she’s a bad mother. Finding herself grilled about the incident on the “Today” show by that paragon of virtue, Matt Lauer, she breaks down and sobs out an apology. When “Family Feud” features the clue “Name something Britney Spears has lost,” the answers range from “Her husband” to “Her Hair” to the most audience-pleasing of all, “Her sanity!”

Embedded somewhere in all this is the counterargument that if Britney Spears didn’t want the riches, the fame, and the complications and disruptions accompanying it then she should have chosen a different profession. Some would suggest a gilded cage is still gilded, and that’s still pretty good, isn’t it?

No, it’s not. She’s still controlled, still at odds, and still strangely silent, except for her popular Instagram posts. Unless I hear a reason to believe differently, count me on the Free Britney team.

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NEW TO DVD

‘Freaky’ makes Friday the 13th magic KATIE FORAN - MCHALE

A

body-swap horror movie that equally frights and delights tops the new DVD releases for the week of Feb. 9.

“Freaky”: It’s homecoming week, which, in the town of Blissfield, is also The Blissfield Butcher’s (Vince Vaughn) hunting season. This means trouble for high-schooler Millie (Kathryn Newton), who waits and waits on a bench outside her school for her mom (Katie Finneran) just one night after The Butcher has struck their community. Grief-stricken after Millie’s dad’s death, her mom has passed out drinking on the couch again, leaving Millie to fend for herself when The Butcher finds her. After a brief chase, it’s mayhem on the football field, as The

Kathryn Newton stars in “Freaky.”

BLUMHOUSE PRODUCTIONS

Butcher has Millie in his clutches, raising a cursed knife stolen from a rich collector and plunging it into

Millie’s shoulder as the full moon fills the sky. Only, as Millie’s cop sister (Dana Drori) interrupts, the

stab wound makes The Butcher bleed, too.

The next morning, the unthinkable has happened (or, if you’ve seen any iteration of “Freaky Friday,” it’s pretty thinkable): Millie and The Butcher have swapped bodies, leaving the serial killer free to roam the high school and trapping Millie in a brutish man’s body (“I’m a giant,” she laments, trying and failing to keep a low profile).

From there, chaos and deaths abound, and creative ones at that.

But what the film accomplishes is much bigger in its playful but sharp gender identity analysis, not to mention revenge against the patriarchy and privilege, in the script

by Michael Kennedy and writer-director Christopher Landon. And it’s downright fun. Best friends Nyla (Celeste O’Connor) and Josh (Misha Osherovich) help establish

the charming, bonkers vibe (“It’s a slaughterhouse!” Josh announces, almost cheerily, after four of their classmates are brutally murdered).

But at the forefront, Vaughn’s performance as Millie-as-The Butcher is an absolute delight. It would be an easy role to mine for cheap laughs, but he manages to both keep it grounded in truth, as Millie fights to get her body (and agency) back, and wildly funny.

And Newton holds her own as The Butcher-as-Hot Millie, trapping predatory high school boys with newfound sexuality and deftly weaponizing white woman tears.

The ending is a bit much in a way that feels like a drastic tonal shift, but the rest of the film is such a boisterous romp that it’s easy to forgive, a giant, fresh storytelling success.

CITY LIFE

NEXT DRAFT

Flying Dreams leaves Worcester – for now MATTHEW TOTA

F

Flying Dreams brewmaster Dave Richardson shakes hops into the kettle while brewing the winter lager in 2017. Flying Dreams is no longer at the Park Avenue site in Worcester.

CHRISTINE HOCHKEPPEL

lot more space than they (Tackle Box) need and a lot more than they can afford theoretically,” Richardson said. “We’ve talked to them, and they will allow us to contract brew most of our bigger brands until we can find investors

“We didn’t leave Worcester because we wanted to. We want to come back and show you what we’re made of. We really feel like we’re Worcester natives.”

was seamless. The first beer Richardson brewed at Peppercorn’s was his dark ale, “Nightcrawler,” which he sold in 22-ounce bottles for $8.

Oliveri wouldn’t say what he plans to do with the space now, noting that he still has all the brewing equipment set up inside.

Of course, I asked him if Peppercorn’s would one day host another up-and-coming brewery. He only said he’s keeping his options open.

If you ask me, though, anything other than a brewery opening up in that tiny space would feel wrong.

19

— Dave Richardson

and a new Worcester space.”

It’s both strange and sad to walk into the back of Peppercorn’s and not smell wort or see kegs.

You cannot write the history of craft beer in Worcester without mentioning the restaurant, where Oliveri and Ben Roesch first founded Wormtown in 2010.

Before then, Worcester had gone 50 years without a brewery.

Oliveri had been running an ice cream shop, The Ice Cream Factory, in the back of his restaurant before teaming with Roesch to open Wormtown.

The transition from Wormtown to Flying Dreams in 2015

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

Until Richardson can find a new home in Worcester, he said, Flying Dreams will brew the bulk of its lineup at Tackle Box Brewing Co., which recently reopened on Route 20 in Marlboro.

“For a startup, it’s definitely a

F E B R U A R Y 1 1 - 1 7, 2 0 2 1

or the first time in more than a decade, a brewery will not call the back of Peppercorn’s Grille & Tavern home.

In October, Flying Dreams Brewing Co. moved out of the Park Avenue restaurant after Peppercorn’s owner Tom Oliveri opted not to renew the brewery’s lease. Flying Dreams took over the roughly 1,200-square-foot space in November 2015 when Wormtown Brewery moved production to its new brewery on Shrewsbury Street.

Now, technically, Worcester is down to five breweries: Wormtown, 3cross Fermentation Coop, Greater Good Imperial Brewing Co., Redemption Rock Brewing Co. and Bay State Brewing Co. Flying Dreams will always be a Worcester brewery in my mind, though, even sans a brick-andmortar location. While the pandemic has hurt the brewery, Flying Dreams is surviving thanks to its taproom and brewery in Marlboro. And owner Dave Richardson has vowed to return to Worcester as soon as he can find a suitable location.

“Worcester, we love you, we love being here, as soon as we get through this we will be back, bigger than ever; we really want to do it up right,” Richardson told me when I first talked to him in November about Flying Dreams leaving the city. “We didn’t leave Worcester because we wanted to.

We want to come back and show you what we’re made of. We really feel like we’re Worcester natives.”

Richardson did not want to discuss the details of his parting ways with Peppercorn’s, saying only that he felt “blindsided” by Oliveri’s decision.

Not only was the ending of the lease unexpected, he said, it also left Flying Dreams without the majority of its brewing equipment, which Oliveri owns. Flying Dreams had been brewing most of its beer on Park Avenue, as its Marlboro brewery only has a small pilot brewing system.

CITY LIFE

ADOPTION OPTION

20

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

F E B R U A R Y 1 1 - 1 7, 2 0 2 1

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.

This beauty was found by a good Samaritan and brought to our shelter. Brie knows how to sit and lay down but needs a little bribery with cookies. Her previous owner didn’t seem to teach her very many things or introduce her to many people. For this reason, she appreciates space and the opportunity to come to you first, when meeting new people, particularly men. Brie likes to go for walks and LOVES to roll in the grass. This girl really likes to go for car rides and quietly sits in the back seat like a sweet little angel. She enjoys doing food puzzles and enrichment toys to pass the time and would be happy to do this in her new home with her new family. Brie needs to be the only pet in your home, she does not like other animals. Her new family will need to be savvy and keep her away from other animals when walking and out in public. Not having any previous history on her, she isn’t suitable to live with children. When Brie first got to the shelter she had some missing fur and skin sensitivities. She likely has some allergies that her new family will need to care for to make her comfortable. During her spay, the vet also removed a lump off her that was a mast cell tumor. These tumors can pop up on older dogs and need to be removed. If you think Brie may be the one for you, please contact the shelter to schedule a meet and greet.

WARL COVID-19 Procedures As of Novemeber 9, 2021

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, we want to share with you some changes we have implemented so that we can continue to serve the pets and people of our community while keeping our team protected.

more about our available animals then call us at (508) 853-0030 ext.0 or email us at info@worcesterarl.org to schedule an appointment.

• ADOPTIONS: At this time, adoptions are being held BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. If you are interested in adoption, please visit our website worcesterarl.org/adopt/ to learn

• ANIMAL SURRENDERS: Our business practice for surrendering a pet remains the same. All pet owners must contact WARL in advance

• Casual visits to the shelter are prohibited. We will strictly enforce this in order to keep our animal care team protected while still maintaining the most essential function of our operation...finding homes for animals in need.

of surrendering a pet. Please call (508) 853-0030.

• SPAY/NEUTER CLINICS: All scheduled appointments will be honored. If you have a scheduled appointment, we will be contacting you to discuss changes to our drop off/pick up procedures.

• DONATIONS ACCEPTED except for open bags of food.

• Pet food, cat litter, and other shelter supplies will be essential in continuing to provide for our animals and to assist community

members in need. To avoid unnecessary travel and exposure, items can be purchased online from our Amazon Wishlist - https://www. amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/3AX342JIL73M0 • Weekly training classes are going on for adopters.

• The WARL Volunteer Program is temporarily suspended. All regular volunteer shifts are on hold.

We look forward to welcoming you back as soon as we can.

We have many animals in our care

who depend on us to stay healthy and well. The above measures help to protect our staff and community from the spread of COVID - 19 by minimizing face-to-face interactions while continuing to operate only core essential services. Please continue to follow our Facebook page for additional updates. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact the shelter at (508) 853-0030 or info@worcesterarl.org.

Thank you for your continued FURiendship and support.

GAMES

J O N E S I N’

Call

66

-34 4 5 2 8 8 8

or email edia.com m e s u o h e t a g classifieds@

Last week's solution

©2021 Matt Jones (jonesincrosswords@gmail.com) Reference puzzle #1027

21

Down 1 Colony resident 2 Dragon’s den 3 “Picnic” playwright 4 Really wish you could 5 Instrument that can play quarter tones

44 Oldest ever U.S. ex-president 45 It’s still a good idea to get a shot for it 47 Pet food brand 48 The Lightning Seeds lead singer Broudie 49 Wanda of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” 52 Mass movement of viewers to another Twitch stream 53 Air France assets, once 54 Magazine with a final print issue in 2018 55 Mineral-rich source 56 Quick swim 58 “Pay attention!”

59 Scottish mystery writerJosephine

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

R U O Y E C A PL AD HERE!

6 Refrain for a “sweet chariot” 7 Letters for the 2020 Super Bowl 8 Margin in a close game, maybe 9 Bugs 10 Green-minded org.

11 Fitting 12 Bill who appears in the 2021 Amazon movie “Bliss” 15 Much of a penny 17 Part of some three-day weekends, for short 21 Belgian salad green 23 Artery along the thigh 24 “Be back ___” 25 2020 Pixar movie 26 Au pair 27 Oakland athlete 28 Kyoto garment 31 Blood flow facilitator 32 ___ Lingus (carrier based in Dublin) 33 Techno offshoot big in the 1990s 35 Ryerson who shows up (again!) during repeat viewings of “Groundhog Day” 37 Traffic noise 38 How some flat, green insects are described

F E B R U A R Y 1 1 - 1 7, 2 0 2 1

Enjoy Fun By The Numbers 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! Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

Across 1 A name by any other name?

6 ___-pitch softball 9 Gradually withdraw 13 Country singer Griffith 14 Place first 15 Titular “Pinhead” of comics 16 Short, effective set for a stand-up comedian 18 Pissed 19 Gain again, as trust 20 Former Quebecois premier ___ Levesque 22 Cosecant, for one 27 “Citizen Kane” studio 29 Grant temporary use of 30 “Frozen” princess 31 Raphael’s weapon, in “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” 32 Molecule unit 34 Held for possible sale, maybe 36 Midwestern NBA follower, maybe 39 Japanese period for over 250 years (headquartered in what is now Tokyo) 40 Oboe, for one 41 Suffix for trick 42 Leakes of reality TV 43 Final Four initials 45 Post-apocalyptic zombie series, to fans 46 Tank dwellers that need a lot of care 50 “Cinderella Man” antagonist 51 Feature of some interesting stories 54 Internet connection device 57 “Heads up!” (or advice to crossword speed-solvers) 60 A fire sign 61 “Yikes!”

62 High-ranking 63 “Edward Scissorhands” star 64 Ham sandwich bread 65 Like some bathwater

“True/False Test”--either way, it’s correct.

By Matt Jones

CLASSIFIEDS LEGALS

22

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

F E B R U A R Y 1 1 - 1 7, 2 0 2 1

thorityWorcester Housing Authority Public Notice hority The in- Worcester Housing Authority inhe Manvites sealed bids for Office Building s located Renovations - Interior Storefronts, orcester, BFI 630 Plantation St, Worcester, o. 2021MA 01605; WHA Job No. 2021-02, he docuin accordance with the documents ter Housprepared by Worcester Housing Austimated thority. The work is estimated to cost $135,000. ot limited Project consists of but is not limited and New to: Furnishing and installation of inon desk, terior storefront systems for the ofnd carpet fice spaces as described in the specifications and drawings. cuments Bid forms and Contract Documents the Worwill be made available on the Worwebsite cester Housing Authority website org/curre (http://www.worcesterha.org/curre rd copies ntbids.html) at no cost. Hard copies February will be made available on February Housing 11, 2021 at the Worcester Housing ModerniAuthority, Department of ModerniWorceszation, 81 Tacoma Street, Worcester, Monter, MA 01605 and thereafter, Monthrough day thru Friday 8:00 a.m. through contract 4:30 p.m. Copies of the contract ained documents by may be obtained by orm ofdepositing a $50.00 in the form of a yable company to check, made payable to Authority, the Worcester Housing Authority, s so obfor each set of documents so obtained. ved until General Bids will be received until ruary 25, 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 25, using Au2021 at the Worcester Housing Auodernizathority, Department of Modernizaorcester, tion, 81 Tacoma Street, Worcester, nd place MA 01605 at which time and place ened and all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. e heldAatPre-bid Conference will be held at ruary 18, 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, February eet, Wor18, 2021 at 630 Plantation Street, hich time Worcester, MA 01605, at which visit the time bidders will be invited to visit ter Housthe project site with a Worcester e. All Housing atAuthority representative. comply All attendees are required to comuidelines. ply with State COVID-19 guidelines. l be held Snow Date for site visit will be held February at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February d or visit 19, 2021. Failure to attend or visit efensethe in premises shall be no defense in t terms. failure to perform contract terms. : Friday, Project completion date by: Friday June 25, 2021.

Worcester Housing Authority Public Notice The Worcester Housing Authority invites written quotes for the Management Office Renovations located at 275 Pleasant Street, Worcester, MA 01605; WHA RFQ No. 202101Q, in accordance with the documents prepared by Worcester Housing Authority. The work is estimated to cost $24,400.00.

Project consists of but is not limited to: Demolition, Alterations and New construction of transaction desk, lighting fixtures, painting and carpet flooring.

Bid forms and Contract Documents will be made available on the Worcester Housing Authority website (http://www.worcesterha.org/curre ntbids.html) at no cost. Hard copies will be made available on February 11, 2021 at the Worcester Housing Authority, Department of Modernization, 81 Tacoma Street, Worcester, MA 01605 and thereafter, Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. Copies of the contract documents may be obtained by depositing $50.00 in the form of a company check, made payable to the Worcester Housing Authority, for each set of documents so obtained.

General Bids will be received until 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 25, 2021 at the Worcester Housing Authority, Department of Modernization, 81 Tacoma Street, Worcester, MA 01605 at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud.

A Pre-bid Conference will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 18, 2021 at 275 Pleasant Street, Worcester, MA 01605, at which time bidders will be invited to visit the project site with a Worcester Housing Authority representative. All attendees are required to comply with State COVID-19 guidelines.

Snow Date for site visit will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 19, 2021. Failure to attend or visit the premises shall be no defense in failure to perform contract terms.

Project completion date by: Friday, May 28, 2021.

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Sudoku Answers

LAST CALL

Haley Rose

Key Real Estate Services

H

some it meant more space, for others, they were able to take advantage of remote work and explore a new place. Mortgage rates are historically low, so it’s been a great time to invest in real estate.

Is there anything else our WoMag readers should know about you?

I’m not here to send a listing and unlock a door for you. I, along with the rest of my team, want to understand who you are and what makes a house a home. And because I just went through it myself, I get what it’s like to buy in this market.

SUBMIT TED PHOTO

Bread Co., and so many other great businesses that make Worcester such a unique city.

I was crazy enough to buy my first house during

the pandemic. Are other people doing the same thing?

You know, a lot of folks have. I even bought my first house in 2020. The pandemic helped people rethink how they wanted to live — for

23

Why did you decide to enter the world of real estate?

I’ve always been fascinated by the industry. I love meeting

new people and learning what makes them excited about a home. To be the person to help them find the place they want to put down roots is so rewarding. And every day is different!

— Sarah Connell Sanders

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

What connections do you have to Worcester?

As a public relations consultant, I’ve worked with a variety of local businesses over the past 10 years, including deadhorse hill, Volturno, and Discover Central Mass. I also absolutely love Seed to Stem, Crompton Collective, Birchtree

Can you share a few pro tips about house hunting in New England during this unprecedented time?

Right now, the market is hot, so be prepared. Know what your budget is and get pre-approved so you’re ready to move forward with an offer as soon as you find something you like. More and more people are looking outside of cities, so the suburbs have seen a lot of activity. That being said, that also means better deals for those looking to buy in the city.

No matter where you want to live, now is an excellent time to invest in real estate.

F E B R U A R Y 1 1 - 1 7, 2 0 2 1

aley Rose launched her own public relations business eight years ago, representing a variety of clients across Worcester and Boston in the hospitality, entertainment and fitness industries. Rose’s love of PR developed after graduating from New York University in 2006, at which point she spent a year working in the prestigious NBC Page Program where she managed audiences for “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” and “Saturday Night Live.”

Rose’s success as a page paved the way for her to become assistant to the CEO of PMK|HBH, where she worked with Counting Crows, Jessica Simpson, George Michael and Barbara Walters. Rose moved to Boston where she landed at marlo marketing, overseeing public relations for local favorites like Narragansett Beer and Bully Boy Distillers.

As restaurants, venues and gyms began grappling with pandemic challenges, Rose decided to broaden her own repertoire. She recently attained her real estate license in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. We caught up with Haley to find out how to navigate the unique circumstances of buying a home in these unprecedented times.

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