Adoption Option

WARL ADOPTION OPTION Meet Odin

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 handsome boy is Odin. Odin was adopted by a family from a shelter in Mississippi. His previous family had three children, a busy household and he was not able to be properly socialized. Going from being found in a box on the side of the road to a loud and overwhelming home was a big change for him. Odin is looking for a family who has the time and patience to spend with him showing and desensitizing him to the sounds of everyday life. The pandemic is a trying time for all of us, but being a scared puppy and not being able to go into the world to explore made it hard to socialize with people and other animals for Odin. When he is among friends, he is fun, play-bowing, kissing and cuddling. His adopters should be experienced dog owners who can let Odin take things at his own pace in a positive way. Odin is nervous around dogs and will at

Odin is available for adoption through

WARL. PHOTO COURTESY SARA MCCLURE

times run away or show his teeth. Odin also does not want to share his food or treats with anyone. He will guard these items and should not be in a home with children for this reason and because he is easily startled. This is something to be worked on at his age and we see a lot of potential in this young boy. If you would like more information about this precious guy or you would like to make an appointment to visit with him, please contact the shelter.

WARL COVID-19 Procedures

As of Nov. 9, 2020

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. • 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 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. • 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 ... nding homes for animals in need. • ANIMAL SURRENDERS: Our business practice for surrendering a pet remains the same. All pet owners must contact WARL in advance 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 o /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 sta 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.

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out box as a result of generous portions, said the owners.

Customers also can order grilled pizza at the restaurant and request special toppings. Spiro said she will prepare special dinner requests Monday through Thursday, if time permits. It’s a good idea to call ahead, she said.

Direnzo likes “everything on the menu,” praising Spiro, saying “she kills it in the kitchen.” And, he admitted that one appetizer on the menu, Uncle Freddy’s Baked Long Hot Peppers, is a particular favorite of his. The late Alfred Potenti, owner of the former Four Seasons Restaurant on Lake Avenue in Worcester, taught Direnzo the recipe. “I grew up in Worcester and I was in and out the restaurant even as a kid,” said Direnzo. “Fred was a great guy.”

For Calabria Ristorante, take-out and delivery “saved the day” amid the pandemic, and the services continue to help with the growth of the business. “Takeout is here to stay,” said

Customers can order a bottle of wine with a to-go meal, Direnzo said.

New to the restaurant is lunch service, which begins April 1, the same day for outside dining, weather permitting. There will be four outside tables. Hours will be 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. “We decided to give lunch a go because so many people asked us to do it,” said Direnzo. “The menu won’t be as extensive as our dinner menu, but guests will be able to order half portions of some entrees.”

The restaurant, located at 7 South Main St., Millbury is open for dinner from 4 to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Call (508) 581-9700 to reserve and for information about mercy dinners, etc. Visit www.calabriaristorante.com; connect on social media. The restaurant will be closed Easter, but will open Mother’s Day, May 9. Note: The restaurant is currently hiring due to added lunch service and outdoor dining. Buon appetito!

Maple Weekend March 20-21

It’s March Maple Month in Massachusetts and farms statewide are open.

The celebration of Maple Weekend is March 20-21. Visit the Massachusetts Maple Producers Association website, www.massmaple.org for updates and more information.

The message from local producers is “trees don’t get COVID-19 so they’ll be making sap, so sugarmakers will be making maple syrup!” Sugarhouse restaurants will be serving pancakes throughout the season, according to the MMPA. Masks and social distancing will be required at all sites. The recommendation is for visitors to call ahead before heading out to a sugarhouse.

The MMPA o ers classroom resources about maple sugaring for teachers and parents. It also shares recipes, product info and how to make your own syrup on its website. All sweet stu .

A win for O’Connor’s

Congratulations go out to owner Brendan O’Connor and sta at O’Connor’s Restaurant & Bar in Worcester for the top win in the Taste of Massachusetts online competition for Favorite Irish/Pub Restaurant 2021.

O’Connor and wife, Claire, opened the restaurant in 1989. In the competition, O’Connor’s won with more than 25% of the 4,000 votes cast, according to the website, www.tasteofmass.com. Visit the site to connect with the 16 restaurants that competed, all considered winners.

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