Worcester Magazine May 21 - 27, 2020 by Worcester Magazine

MAY 21 - 27 2020 WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

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‘You don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone’ Worcesterites reflect on the small things they miss from the pre-lockdown life

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‘You don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone’: Worcesterites reflect on the small things they miss from the pre-lockdown life Story on page 10

A woman walks past the closed Beer Garden on Franklin Street. Photo by Christine Peterson; Design by Kimberly Vasseur

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Featured ......................................................................................4 City Voices...................................................................................8 Cover Story................................................................................10 Artist Spotlight .......................................................................13 Lifestyle......................................................................................14 Listen Up....................................................................................15 Table Hoppin’ ..........................................................................16 The Next Draft..........................................................................17 Film .............................................................................................18 New on DVD..............................................................................18 Adoption Option ....................................................................19 Games .........................................................................................22 Classifieds .................................................................................21 Last Call .....................................................................................23

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Worcester Magazine has put its calendar section and event recommendations on hold for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, and other standing features may be put on hold or appear more sporadically. Also, considering the pace of news these days, some articles may be updated online as the situation changes. For the most up-to-date versions of articles, visit WorcesterMag.com or Telegram.com.

FEATURED

Activists push for safety precautions at WRTA Hub

BILL SHANER

to put up some kind of a way for people to wash their hands,” said oncerned that the Worces- Thielker. “A portable hand washing station like the National Guard uses, ter Regional Transit Authority may not be doing all like they probably have at the DCU Center. You could put something like it can to keep passengers safe, local transit activists are taking that up here, and everyone would be able to wash their hands, but I matters into their own hands. haven’t been able to get them to For the past several weeks, activmove on it. So this is — I said why ists like Adam Thielker have been passing out face coverings and hand wait, if there’s something I can do, sanitizer to riders at the WRTA Hub, I’ll do it.” As we spoke, Thielker approached and asking them to fill out a survey bus riders, attempting to pass out on whether they believe the buses small bottles of hand sanitizer. Some are sanitary and safe for riders. “I’ve been trying to get the WRTA accepted and some didn’t, but in

Not only is the Hub a place that sees a lot of people pass through, it is also a focal point for the city’s homeless population, a group that has difficulty enough finding a way to wash their hands and keep themselves safe from the virus. “This is a good place to have a hand washing station just on general principle,” said Thielker. “You’d be curbing a lot of the infection just if you did that.” Though perhaps not as quickly as activists would like, the WRTA is at work on getting sanitation stations in place at the Hub. In a statement,

a spokesperson for the bus network said they’re working on acquiring sanitizer stations for the Hub and on all buses, but they likely won’t be in until July. “We’re taking additional steps to keep the buildings and buses as clean as possible,” said Meaghan Lyver, spokesperson. The buses are cleaned nightly and a back-door entry policy has been enacted for passengers to keep bus drivers safe. But Lyver said the authority does not have enough masks or sanitizers to distribute to passengers.

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past trips Thielker said he’d been able to pass out 50 bottles in as many minutes. He started going to the Hub when masks became mandatory. While he and several others have been putting in the work, he said he’d need about a dozen people to properly cover the Hub on a daily basis. Thielker is the chairman of the Riders Advisory Council. The group plans to use the survey data to lobby the WRTA, along with the Worcester City Council, the city’s delegation of state representatives and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation for more protections at the Hub.

Transit activist Adam Thielker hands out small bottles of hand sanitizer at the WRTA bus hub. RICK CINCLAIR

FEATURED

“We’re asking riders to help us out by taking care of their own face coverings,” she said. The back-door entry policy has effectively made the bus network free

But the back-door policy isn’t without consequence for riders. At the Hub, Thielker brought me to a bus about to depart and pointed out that if more than six or so passenRICK CINCLAIR

to ride, enacting by default the farefree policy activists have promoted for months. “This is a good experiment of what it would be like to have a farefree system,” said Thielker. “Frankly you’re not going to be collecting a lot of revenue from passengers all year. Run it this year fare-free, we’ll worry about next year next year.”

gers are on the bus, all pushed to the back, proper social distancing is impossible. “There’s no social distancing and there’s no mask enforcement,” said Thielker. “Most of the drivers don’t want to mess with the passengers that way, which is perfectly understandable.”

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FEATURED

Greater Worcester Land Trust challenges hikers to step out BILL SHANER

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e’ve been cooped up a long time, haven’t we? The Greater Worcester Land Trust wants to change that. This week the organization is launching a challenge to get out and hike the surprisingly dense and diverse network of trails in Worcester. If you complete all 10 trails in the challenge, you get a patch, similar to the one you get if you hike all the 4,000 foot peaks in the White Mountains. “The idea is to sort of spread people out. Get them to places they haven’t been before,” said Colin Novick, executive director of the GWLT. We met last week at the Cascades, one of the more popular trail networks in the city. Naturally, we walked and talked, taking a scenic loop from the base of the Cascades waterfall to Boynton Park and back. “The cascades have been found, and that’s great, but there’s some other sweet spots people ought to be going to,” Novick said as we started the steep summit up the side of the waterfall. The 10 trails comprising the challenge are spread throughout the city. They are as follows: The Cascades, Bovenzi, Crow Hill, the East Side Trail, Southwick Pond, Nick’s Woods, Asnebumskit, Holbrook to Donker Farm, Tetasset Ridge and Gods Acre, and Kettle Brook. The Moreland Woods, a trail without much difficult terrain, is the alternate for people who may not feel comfortable taking on some of the more difficult trails. Dense as it may be, turns out the second largest city in New England is actually full of open space, with miles and miles of trails weaving throughout the city’s woods. The East Side Trail, one of the hikes that Novick is particularly excited to turn people onto, illustrates the point. At 3.2 miles long, the trail takes hikers from Shrewsbury Street to Lake Quinsigamond while only crossing two major streets — Belmont Ave and Skyline Drive. The hike includes a lot of elevation changes, Novick said, and it’s decently challenging. “It’s one of those where you wouldn’t think you could be in the forest most of the time from Shrewsbury Street to Lake Quinsigamond, and you totally can,” he said. “It took us 15 years to put the pieces together, but now we do hikes where we lead people from the lake to dinner, or from Shrewsbury Street to the lake.” Though not necessary to get the badge, the challenge includes a social media element. “So we’re asking people, we’re not requiring, that when they’re

Colin Novick, executive director of the Greater Worcester Land Trust, at the Cascades. RICK CINCLAIR

FEATURED

out at places, to prove they did it, to post with the hashtag #hikeworcester as a way of promoting the crazy thing,” he said. “That being said, there are people who are sort of sketched out by social media, so we’re not going to require it.” The trail challenge could be particularly useful for those in Worcester without a car or are otherwise uncomfortable traveling outside the city. The network of trails within Worcester can connect folks to much longer and more substantive trails like the Midstate Trail, which stretches throughout Massachusetts, into both Rhode Island and New Hampshire. “I want to sort of like awaken the consciousness that you can legit get on a trail off a WRTA bus, take a left and go to Narraganset Bay, take a right and get up toward Mount Monadnock,” said Novick. “That’s super sweet.” As we walked the Cascades loop, we came across a lean-to in the woods, likely built by some children in the neighborhood. “Everyone’s always talking about the ‘end of childhood,’ ‘no one goes outside,’ so I see something like that and I’m like, ‘you go dude, all good,’”

he said. The Greater Worcester Land Trust partners with local youth organizations for help building and maintaining trails, the idea being that the kids will learn about the trails and continue to use them. The website for the trail challenge — gwlt.org/hikeworcester — includes a map of all the trails and information on how to get to them from WRTA stops. “Let’s be frank, there are people for whom their geographic extent is Worcester. That’s where they’re going to live, that’s where they can get around, there’s some sweet stuff here. They should know how to find it,” he said. A few hours into the hike, having already rounded Boynton Park on our way back to the Cascades, there was a short pause in a conversation that had ranged from invasive tree species to New Deal-era work programs to Worcester’s urban legends. I was sweaty and a bit worn from a hike that went on longer than I had anticipated. “I’m totally going to count this as your first hike, by the way,” Novick said.

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CITY VOICES

HARVEY

No pomp, under the circumstances JANICE HARVEY

high school kid refuses to respond to the myriad emails and phone messages we leave. Said one WPS ’m back at work if that’s what you call it, though it sure does elementary school teacher: “I think teachers are working feel different to me. I was “out of commission” as my mother very hard to connect and teach … this once-in-a-100-years catastrowould say, since Valentine’s Day phe has been difficult for adults after surgery, and when I left my to endure, so I can’t imagine how classroom in February I assumed rough it’s been for kids who live I’d return to it, because that was in less-than-stellar conditions. the place where I taught. Now I’ve realized (more than ever) that I teach from a table that holds teaching is a human experience. two computers and a cellphone. This all feels so unnatural.” It’s located several feet from my A big part of a teacher’s day now kitchen and not too far from the slider that leads to my patio. I look consists of trying to connect with families and students. We create out there sometimes when it’s lessons, take part in professional raining, which is every day pretty much, and wonder about the “new development via Zoom, and meet as a staff regularly the same way. normal.” I don’t know about you, but I’m having trouble remember- We keep communication logs, and ing the old normal without tearing logs of the hours we spend each week on these tasks. We reach up from time to time. out to one another for help, for We keep hearing about the new information about how to navigate normal from experts and expert wannabes, the warnings about how the internet successfully, and more life will never be the same post-pan- importantly, how to keep kids engaged. I teach high school English demic. Just when “post-pandemic” at an alternative program; the prewill occur, is anyone’s guess. Will it pandemic challenges I and my colannounce itself? I doubt it. Someleagues faced to keep kids invested thing tells me the coronavirus is going to hang in the shallow waters in learning are even greater now. These are the worries I have belike the shark in “Jaws,” circling, waityond academics: Are my students ing for us to be stupid. I’m thinking practicing social distancing? Do it won’t be a long wait, given the attention deficiency Americans suffer their families have enough food? Shelter? Are the tensions under from collectively. the roof boiling over? Are they witRemote teaching was never on nessing domestic upheaval? Are the list of things I imagined could they depressed? Scared? Lonely? be part of my career as an educaSafe? tor. I’m better at looking a kid in I watched the virtual high school the eye. Most of us are. I haven’t graduation aired on all the major talked to a single teacher who networks. President Barack Obama thinks this is better than conventional teaching, despite the snarky hit all the right notes of hope and remarks non-educators have made encouragement without sugarcoating the situation; entertainers about us working from home. No, offered a brief respite. Still, there’s we aren’t lounging about in satin no comfort offered that can remove pajamas, sipping mimosas and the sting of a never-worn prom eating bonbons. When the school dress hanging in a closet, or a cap doors abruptly slammed shut and gown still folded inside its on a Friday afternoon in March, plastic wrapper. The tassels that teachers were as flummoxed as dangle from mortarboards won’t be everyone else — maybe more. An joyously flipped from right to left. If enormous part of our day had little to do with pencils and papers nothing else, the class of 2020 will and everything to do with reading have very different memories to share when their 25th class reunion the kids in front of us. Is this kid hungry? Sick? Distracted by some- rolls around — unless those memories make attending a reunion too thing that happened at home? Hard to tell remotely, especially if a painful to face.

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FIRST PERSON

Things I hope to do once the pandemic poops out JOE FUSCO JR.

1) Hug all my grandchildren! 2) Cancel Netflix … Never watch CNN, MSNBC and Fox News again. 3) Play miniature golf while listening to Willie Nelson with my sister-in-law Susie in God’s Country, New Hampshire, because she is not a fan of either endeavor. 4) Enjoy the Hash Omelet at Annie’s Clark Brunch … over and over. 5) Gamble at Plainridge Casino with our good friends Connie & Sam and rub the face of the slotmachines like all the crazy people I make fun of do. 6) Stop the god-damn three-aday walks! 7) Only wear a mask when delivering babies at UMass Memorial maternity … oh, I’m not an obstetrician … never mind. 8) Fly to Tampa, Florida, and gawk at Derek Jeter’s, I mean Tom Brady’s, mansion from the lawn of our good friends Patti and Mike across the bay. 9) Enjoy the Chicken Parmesan with Ziti at the table for one facing Shrewsbury Street at Dell’Ovo’s Kitchen.

When the lockdown is over, one of the first places Joe Fusco Jr. is headed is Annie’s Clark Brunch. FILE PHOTO/CHRISTINE PETERSON

10) Pick up the litter in my Worcester backyard and not worry where it came from! 11) Sit behind the guy with the huge head while enjoying a play at Hanover Theatre (my daughter Amanda actually thought of this one because she sits behind me). 12) Frequent Bedlam Book Café, Roots & Press, D’errico’s Market, and the many other small businesses in Central Massachusetts. 13) Drive my car across state lines just for the hell of it! 14) Enjoy a Tanqueray & Tonic

poured furtively in a wine glass while having dinner with our good friends Lisa and Jim at La Cuchina. 15) Rejoin the three old white guys for Senior Wednesdays at Showcase Cinemas Blackstone then share discounted pastries at the Cake Shop Café in Millbury. 16) Finally, thank my wife, Cyndi, for her patience and endurance while she worked at home and I meandered about the house since mid-March. Joe Fusco Jr. is a poet and humorist living in Worcester.

CITY VOICES

WORCESTERIA

City stumbles with online education efforts BILL SHANER

ALL QUIET ON THE WPS FRONT? Would it surprise you to learn that all is not necessarily well in the Worcester Public Schools? Let’s just say I’ve been hearing rumblings of some serious friction between teachers and the administration since the shutdown. We’re talking vague and at times nonsensical work assignments, unrealistic demands, and the big kicker: trying to do online courses with a student body that has uneven, to say the least, access to the internet. You may have read in the Telegram last week that Worcester Public Schools started distributing Chromebooks to students without laptops at home, so they can participate more easily in online coursework. A survey conducted by the school found that 25 percent of kids don’t have access to a device at home, and 12 percent don’t have access to the internet at all. Up until that announcement last week, the district was sending out paper work packets to kids who didn’t have the internet, raising obvious issues of inequity. Now, it might sound good that the district found some laptops to start passing out. But you have to keep in mind that we’ve been at this whole shutdown thing for months. Schools were first ordered closed March 15. The Telegram story ran May 9. Other districts of similar size moved much, much faster on this issue. Springfield Public Schools got as many as 10,000 laptops out to kids by early April. The superintendent of Boston Public Schools had a Chromebook plan together three days after the shutdown, and had them passed out within a few weeks. From where I’m standing, it’s really hard to argue that Worcester didn’t bungle this one. Teachers are understandably pissed off, and I’m sure this is not the last we’ll be hearing of this. A FOUR-STAGE PLAN: I can’t be the only one left deeply confused by

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PETTY’S PATIO: As we continue to grapple with “this” (I’m a pop punk lyricist now), Mayor Joe Petty has an interesting order on this week’s City Council agenda. I’m writing this on Monday, my new and terrible deadline, so I have no idea how it will go over, but the mayor is asking the city administration to relax zoning restrictions to allow restaurants to more easily move to outdoor dining. I’m sure the mayor is getting at least slightly better information from the state than we are on what restaurant restrictions might look like, and this seems to suggest we might be looking at an all-outdoor, masks-on-the-waitresses type situation for restaurants reopening. Who doesn’t love patio dining, am I right?

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the governor’s four-stage plan to reopen the economy, which is supposedly but maybe not and possibly sort of starting this week? The language is vague, the time frames are loose and it can almost seem like the plan is to not have a plan. I mean “1. Start, 2. Cautious, 3. Vigilant, 4. New Normal” is straight out of “Politics and the English Language.” That being said, this week we’re expecting churches, construction work and manufacturing to resume, while other stuff, like bars, restaurants and retail, will still have to wait for a sort of undisclosed amount of time depending on undisclosed public health metrics. I’m not going to go on record screaming that we need to reopen the economy, not by any stretch. We should ride this out as long as it takes. But the decision to open churches, construction and manufacturing first does ring a little bit like the administration catering to its political pressures above good public health policy. Could be wrong there, but it certainly wouldn’t surprise me. Meanwhile, cases in Worcester are still on the rise, though they have slowed ever so slightly. Still, it’s not insignificant that on Sunday the city reported 75 new cases and we still have hundreds of people in the hospital. The churches could probably stay closed a few more weeks.

COVER STORY

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‘You don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone’

Worcesterites reflect on the small things they miss from the pre-lockdown life VICTOR D. INFANTE

COVER STORY se

It all seems like little things until, would have been galleries as the days get suddenly, those things are not so in travel tournalonger and the colors little. They’re the little things that ments for both. and shapes in art bring us joy, that make life just that Also, we would continually become little bit more bearable. have been highlighted in new “What I miss since lockdown reaching our and interesting ways.” began is going from studio to stuthousand-hour As spring fades, dio creating with my colleagues,” mark of commuhe fears he won’t see says rapper Louie nity service for this that site again until onz Gonz. “Being in the Worcester 2021. Much the same is eG i u physically area. The camaradetrue of District 5 City Councilor active, Matthew E. Wally. “For as long as I rie between these girls, the playing can remember,” he says, “the visual coaches and our parents is basketfor the start of spring in Worcester always welcome enjoyball at ment this time of year. was seeing packs of runners from open the local college’s track teams run- I miss the ballfields, the gyms, gyms, but most importantning on Park Avenue. Obviously and most ly, watching 130 girls help that sight was not seen in important others in need throughout 2020.” the ability to the city and beyond.” It feels like we’ve visit my family.” Restaurateur Angela Padasomehow lost an It’s much the same entire season to avan o vano says, “It might Pa d for singer-songwriter Giuliano sound silly, but this epidemic. a el D’Orazio. “I’ve missed the random I miss the “I sorely miss crack of the interactions with acquaintances in my Worcesthe community,” he says. “People bat on a ter Union you wouldn’t necessarily hop on a Sunday softball and afternoon Zoom call with or have a particular basketball reason to call them up — but the after tungirls,” says District folks you see at your local brewery ing in to 1 City Councilor Sean … people who work behind the bar watch the M. Rose, who is also the at your favorite local dive, or just Sox.” president of Worcester run into on the street. I’ve realized It’s not silly. Union Athletics. “By now, we

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me. I couldn’t help but feel a little robbed. I’m not alone in that feeling. Everyone seems to be missing some small thing that brought them joy. It’s easy to discount those losses, amid the more dire consequences to health and jobs, but in a lot of ways, those small moments are invaluable. They remind us of the little things that matter in our lives. “For me,” says re digital marketing ai strategist Giselle Rivera-Flores, “I have to say that one thing I miss since the lockdown is watching the sunset through the windows of the studio with the family after a day of work. There’s something about the way the sun sets on Portland Street that keeps us feeling inspired, and I miss that.” We respond to the particular light of the places we live and work, often unconsciously. Luis Fraire, gallery manager of the Sprinkler Factory, says he misses “viewing new shows for the first time in morning natural light, before the gallery opens. The sun moves differently across the

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aving not been there in weeks, returning to the offices of the Telegram & Gazette at the res Mercantile Center had F lo an eerie feel. The a Commercial Street parking garage wasn’t quite empty, but there were no people in immediate view. I grabbed a good parking spot, then crossed the bridge to the office building, swiping my way in with my passcard, as the building’s not currently open to the public. Indeed, I was only there to grab a few things from my desk. Opening the door, I expected the building to be silent. It was not. Instead, “Shake It Up” by the Cars blared throughout the building’s lobby. I laughed out loud, and found the presence of the building’s inexplicable constant soundtrack of ’80s music comforting. It was a familiar touchstone in what should have been a routine activity. I didn’t realize I had kind of missed it. But as I went about my errand, it occurred to me that being away from the office for so long had also made me a ll y miss one of my favorite E. W moments of the w year: The first time I leave work at the end of the day and the sun is still out. Working from home, I’d missed that transition entirely. I didn’t realize how much joy it brought

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COVER STORY i

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ss international fee shops and other food and drinks at the end populated by just how Ru student small businesses people eating of the week with friends much those that my in District 3 to and family has been such paninis or pleasant wife and just say hello pasta. Friendly a great celebration at moments I have and see what’s the end of the week. The faces of friends lift my day hosted going on.” He and family laughs and the now that during says both politics decompressfeeling of they’re not a n the past and his full-time job, ing from people just iva part of it.” three real estate, “are people the day with a walking As Joni Mitchyears that businesses, and I always try to drink in the dark.” in without ell once sang, “Don’t she has atnetwork informally.” Mayor Joseph M. it always seem to go/That you don’t knocking and tended Bancroft Some people miss crowds, Petty misses the know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone?” of hearing School,” he says. “She others miss places of refuge. events he used to about their It was a sentiment well in the aj i never had enough time to eat here Etel Haxhiaj, the Public go to. “Every week.” Worcester public discourse even h x at home so I’d prepare a delicious Education & Advoday of the Likewise, Ha before the pandemic, as the city breakfast-to-go, including chococacy Director at week I had City Councilorweighed change and genlate milk and a tangerine.” Central Massachurch serat-Large trification with the y Ma Earlier this school year, the chusetts Housvices, crime Morris A. pieces of its past e student returned to China to ing Alliance, watches, 95th Bergman says and culture says, “One of the celebrate Chinese New Year with birthday parties what he misses most “is that it loved. things that helps her family, with plans to return at my wife and I not being and meetings with From Notre the end of January for me decompress constituents. I miss able to meet up with Dame des ero Carls o graduation and to M is to spend that connection with friends at a Worcester Canadiens n dy attend Boston time alone people and the pace of restaurant or bar on a Church to College’s Carreading and the work. I miss the local Thursday or Saturday the Dive Bar roll School journaling at a restaurants. I evening.” Rapper Raff or the Cove etty P of Manlocal bookstore or cafe. miss waking Ace is no different, saying, Music Hall, . M agement. up early and I miss not being able “I miss being able to go the city has long ph She had to do either of those going to out to all the new restaubeen in a constant planned to things.” diners rants in town and mingle dialogue about what it return to For Councilor-atin the needs and what it’s losing for years, with new faces while trying Worcester Large Gary Rosen, the morndifferent foods from differnever really reaching an agreein just a few ing. Just absence is more particular, ent cultures, plus the live ment, save perhaps to acknowlweeks, but the ban meeting but also encapsulates a lot music that comes with it.” edge that, whatever else, these on travel from China up with of what this pandemic has stolen things slipping through A . B erg m Boil it down, and ris an the rapper and barred her return. “Even if she from us, in both small, intimate friends, our grasp indeed or M had been able to return,” says moments and bright having a the city councilor mattered. sen o Rosen, “her beloved Banfutures. coffee and want pretty much We miss those R croft School is closed “I really miss ry a laugh before the same thing: The places, and now with no senior prom every weekday starting the day.” need to connect it seems we miss and only a virtual morning makDistrict 2 City Councilor Candy with one another each other even graduation. So no ing either a Mero Carlson says she misses transcends backmore. more early morning bacon, egg and “being able to stop and get a cup grounds and walks “I miss bagel breakfasts-tocheese bagel of coffee from InHouse Coffee of life. Bartender Friday nights go. I fear she misses sandwich or a Molly Sullivan says she and chatting with all the people with friends in Gary’s fair breakfast lox and cream misses “the outdoor noc- on Shrewsbury Street.” District 3 my kitchen,” says fare as much I miss City Councilor George Russell also cheese sandwich turnal nightlife that occurs artist Michelle May. “For preparing it for her.” for the Chinese misses “stopping in at various cofin Worcester in the spring. Patios almost 25 years, connecting over

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, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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

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Elisabeth Donker, a fiber artist, is the artist in residence at Donker Farm in the Tatnuck Square area of Worcester. Donker works with the wool from the sheep at the farm to create felted hats and other homestead art. These pieces are felted to shape, not cut and sewn. Every Spring the flock at Donker Farm get shorn before the crowd at the yearly Farm Festival. A yearly haircut! From these fleeces, Donker cards the wool (combs to straighten and align fibers), spins the wool (to make yarns), weaves on a loom and uses the wool for several types of handmade artful pieces. Most recently Donker has been felting the fleeces to create several varieties of felted hats, berets and other wearable art. Felting is an age-old process that involves working the fibers of the wool to become compacted and interlocked together to create a watertight felt material. To create felt and to shape to wearable forms is a respected homestead art. Felting is simple to learn and Donker plans to host Felting Workshops at the farm. The yearly Donker Farm Festival, scheduled for June 21, 2021, has been opened to artists to set up on the grounds and be inspired by the rustic pastoral area and create art in real time at the festival. Many artists have had the new experience and opportunity to work in community and interact with people explaining their art inspiration and process. The Farm Festival has attracted painters, wood carvers and sculptors; a Felting workshop is planned as well. The Festival is always looking for additional artists!

CITY LIFE

LIFESTYLE

I went viral on TikTok and you can too SARAH CONNELL SANDERS

downloaded TikTok on Jan. 17, 2019, while I was waiting for the fifth-graders in my young environmentalist group to get picked up after school. A couple of the girls had talked me into it, and they snapped a short video of me spinning around in my desk chair. When their parents came, I deleted the app and didn’t think much of it until recently. Quarantine has me doing all kinds of unusual things. More than ever, I have come to appreciate my own sense of creativity. What else is left to set us apart from machines? I’m painting, cooking, writing and taking photos with startling regularity. Then, in April of 2020, I

re-downloaded TikTok. I was surprised to find that the original video of me spinning in my chair was still up and had accumulated about 200 views. It didn’t take long for the app’s addictive nature to become a creativity blocker for me. I started spending far more time on my phone than usual and I wasn’t putting myself out there at all; my fascination was purely voyeuristic. A variety of clips that showed up on the “For You” page shared my belief that during the pandemic, Facebook felt too depressing, Instagram felt too polished, and TikTok — well, TikTok felt hilariously unpredictable. The zanier your content, the more successful.

The TikTok algorithm promotes short videos that spark controversy and make use of trending audio.

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PIXABAY

And, while some celebrities had migrated to the app, it was mostly a place for normal people. It’s a basic concept. Users can augment one another’s original videos by recycling audio, replicating dances and “duetting” with other creators. It’s rare to see anyone fighting for credit or singular notoriety. Instead, TikTok has become a passionate collective teeming with innovation. On the morning of May 5, I

posted a short clip from last summer. In the video, four men are heckling each other at the pool of my friend’s apartment complex and I challenge them to a race. Someone says, “Go!” I do a little dive and take off swimming. In the final frames, you can hear my friend RB say, “Oh, oh, oh…” I touch the wall, and he concludes, “That was by a whole body length.” The end. I recognized that I was increasingly using TikTok as a distraction

from my responsibilities, so I turned off notifications and made a deal with myself not to look at it during the workday. When I tapped on the app at 5 p.m., I found that the post had roughly 40,000 views. Two weeks later, it’s at about 300,000. This is not unusual. Regular people go viral on TikTok every day. What made this particular post get so popular? I have a few ideas. 1. Encourage Video Completion: TikTok’s algorithm boosts the distribution of your video to a wider network as more and more users watch it in its entirety. This is why most successful videos are only about 15 seconds. Total strangers watched my whole video to see if I would beat the men in the race. 2. Spark Controversy: It seems the algorithm continues to accelerate a video’s circulation when a lot of people comment. My diving start set a debate in motion. Did it give me an unfair advantage? Had the rules been established before our race? And my personal favorite: How had my bathing suit bottoms managed to stay up with the sheer velocity of that streamline?

3. Use Trending Music: Selecting recommended audio demarcated by a blue music note or trending audio with a flame seems to increase your audience as well. My video is set to Sleepy Hallow’s “Deep End Freestyle.” I haven’t been able to replicate my initial success on TikTok, but not for lack of trying. Lately, I spin a globe and when my husband tells me to stop, I cook a recipe from whatever country my finger lands on. These videos are much more labor intensive and average only a couple hundred views, but they serve to satisfy my creativity and slow me down in a time characterized by frenzy and disorder. I had my 15 minutes of TikTok fame — you’re on deck now.

CITY LIFE

LISTEN UP

STEMS goes deep with ‘IAMNOTINVISIBLE’ VICTOR D. INFANTE

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C O N T I N U E D O N P A G E 16

kindness is rejected, and the persona is pushed away. It’s here we come to “Invisibility,” a song which has sort of ’90s rock vibe, the tone a heavy fog blanketing everything. “I will never see anyone/The way I saw you in my arms,” she sings, “And will not tell a soul about it.” There’s an acknowledgment of a secret, and of keeping it even after everything has turned to ash. Even without being overt, it’s clear that this is the sort of secret that becomes increasingly toxic in silence. It’s a heavy moment,

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hat happens when the world around you burns down? That’s the question that smolders at the heart of “IAMNOTINVISIBLE,” by Worcester musician Penelope Alizarin Conley, performing here as STEMS. Conley — who is also the guitarist for the band Endation — has been in the midst of an interesting project since March, releasing an album a month on Bandcamp. That’s a lot of music to sort through, but “IAMNOTINVISIBLE” — the May offering in the series — is as good an entry point as any: It’s a raw-nerved bit of rock ‘n’ roll that manages to be both intensely personal and eminently relatable, building its sound out from a garage band-like foundation into something that’s more lush and moody. It’s an album haunted by questions, both explicit and inferred, such as in the song “Invisibility,” where she sings, “Take my world and burn it down now/ Let the ashes drift it away.” The question inherent in that lyric is, “What comes next?” What are you when the things and relationships that defined you is gone. Here, the end of a relationship leaves the song’s persona unseen, with no apparent road forward. That’s the liminal space this album lives in, beginning as the opening jangle of rock guitar chords fold into the more Gothic-overtoned vocals of “St. Agnes,” named for the Christian martyr whose first miracles occurred to protect her from an assault. On one level, the song reads like the first of several ostensible breakup songs on the album, but between Conley’s agonized vocal tone and lyrics such as, “Growing up is part of pain/Although the trust is something that

we’ll never feel/St. Agnes is not real,” it’s hard not to feel more subtext brewing underneath the song’s surface. St. Agnes is the patron saint of chastity and purity, and much of the album, both on this song and others, wrestles with a sort of underlying sickness. On “Coffee,” a flat-out rocker of a song, the person wrestles with sleepless nights and asks, in the refrain, “Take this pain out of me/I don’t want to feel this feeling inside of me.” In a similar vein, the intense grind of “Blister Kiss” begins with the lines, “Look at yourself and see what I can see/It’s not the sickness that it has to be/Despite the redness that is in your eyes/There is no reason to apologize.” This seems a bit of a perspective shift, with persona shift, as the person sees herself from the outside, but the encouragement brings scant comfort. The moment of

CITY LIFE

TABLE HOPPIN’

Samuel Slater’s open for curbside, or dockside, takeout BARBARA M. HOULE

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amuel Slater’s Restaurant, located next to the Indian Ranch concert facility in Webster, joins the list of local businesses now open for takeout and curbside service. Another option is boaters on Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg (Webster Lake) can use dockside pickup. The restaurant, which officially opened in 2018, had been closed since March due to the COVID-10 pandemic, reopening May 13 with a new takeout menu that includes limited grocery items and a selection of beer and wine with the purchase of food. “With warm weather finally on our doorsteps, the lake is coming alive and we’ve seen a demand for Samuel Slater’s to be open for pickup,” said Josh Suprenant, director of hospitality. “We plan to reopen for dine-in service as soon as possible. In the meantime, we have put together a menu that is more accessible and flexible for the entire family, while maintaining our focus on using the best ingredients.” Grocery items will include restaurant quality beef, eggs and some produce, according to Suprenant, who explained how reopening the restaurant allowed for “getting the equipment up and running” and offered the public an opportunity to try executive chef Keith Polaina’s new menu. The award-winning Polaina has put an emphasis on comfort foods, offering items such as House Rubbed Bone-Wings, Grilled Street Corn, Slater’s Lobster Roll and a variety of burgers served with house-made kettle house chips and hand-cut fries

LISTEN UP

C O N T I N U E D F R O M P A G E 15

and the subsequent song, “Time Itself,” offers some relief with its brisk guitar line. The song has a sense of freshness that lightens the heaviness of what’s come before. It’s an appreciated and necessary interlude as the album pivots to the sullen “Scant Angel” — “Two of us are hollow/Two of

just in time for the Memorial Day weekend. There’s also a choice of salads, sandwiches, wraps and entrees that run the gamut from Mediterranean Chicken and Seared Salmon Pho to Vegetable Gnooci. For convenience, Shrimp Scampi, Steak Tips, Mac and Cheese and Bolognese are available in both single meal and family-size portions (4 to 6 people) that include a large garden salad and fresh bread. Keep the kids happy with favorites, such as chicken tenders, burger, mac & cheese or steak tips. The restaurant’s dessert options are Warm Belgian Waffle with Brown Sugar Ice Cream and Bacon Crumble, Molton Lava Cake and house-made chocolate chip cookies. Visit www.samuelslaters.com for complete menu. Guests will be able to order online or call (508) 943-1639. Hours are from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday; noon to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For curbside, no-contact pickup, follow the signs on arrival at Indian Ranch. Call on arrival. For dockside pickup, boats pull into one of the numbered slips on the outermost section of the marina. Food is delivered to the boat. Visit https://indianranch.com/ covid-19 for show announcements and updates regarding the 2020 Concert Series at Indian Ranch, 200 Gore Road. Curbside or dockside, check out Samuel Slater’s menu.

ily and friends over for a backyard barbecue. This holiday will be different from previous years as we follow COVID-19 guidelines. As far as food goes, we know that Memorial Day just isn’t a holiday without hot dogs and burgers on the grill. And, of course, there are family favorites — everything from salads and side dishes to desserts and everything in between. There’s no shortage of online recipes for weekend grilling, and we’ve even included a few easy ideas in today’s column for first-time cooks to try. If you’re tired of cooking and want to take the holiday off, there are several popular takeout spots that have reopened for the season serving fried seafood to ice cream. And, local restaurants offering takeout continue with creative menus. Take your pick and enjoy the holiday! Recipes for home cooks: This is a classic potato salad recipe with eggs, mayo and celery, courtesy of the Idaho Potato Commission.

The long Memorial Day weekend is ahead of us and that means the unofficial start to the summer season. It also signals a time when many cooks fire up the grill, inviting fam-

EASY POTATO SALAD 2 pounds potatoes, peeled and cut up ½ cup mayonnaise or light mayonnaise 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar 1 teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon black pepper 1 cup finely diced celery ½ cup chopped hard-boiled egg 2 teaspoons celery seeds Optional Add-Ins: ½ cup onion or scallion, finely chopped 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chives or dill, chopped

us will learn” — and the frenetic rock of “Why?” which revisits a lot of the imagery earlier in the album: Open wounds, being “sickly and afraid,” and a desire to be clean. St. Agnes isn’t directly invoked, but we’ve already established the persona’s disbelief. Perhaps oddly, the next song is probably the most catchy of the album, the wicked “She’s A Murder.” With its sinister vocal stylings

and guitar hooks, it’s an absolutely delectable portrait of a femme fatale, but it also serves to shake up the album’s narrative again. The listener starts fresh again with “Starlight,” which finds the persona’s perspective changed: “No more thin disguise,” she sings, and later, “think I’m taking flight.” There’s still a heaviness to the soundscape, but the weight that’s plagued the persona throughout the

Memorial Day recipes

Josh Suprenant, director of hospitality, and Keith Polaina, executive chef, show off some of the dishes offered for takeout at Samuel Slater’s Restaurant. From left; New England lobster roll with lemon aioli; grilled street corn topped with a smoked lime garlic butter and cojita cheese; 8-ounce Slater’s burger with cheddar cheese, caramelized onion, bacon, house made BBQ sauce; and Slater’s wings. RICK CINCLAIR

Place potatoes in a large pan and add enough water to cover them. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cook 13 to 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Drain. In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, vinegar, salt and pepper. Add potatoes, celery, hard-boiled eggs, celery seeds and optional add-ins. Toss to coat thoroughly. Chill. Makes 6 to 8 servings. Food Network’s Rachel Ray’s recipe for Cucumber and Tomato Salad is a no-brainer and takes about 10 minutes to put together. CUCUMBER AND TOMATO SALAD ½ English or seedless cucumber, diced album has begun to lift. The penultimate song, “In Dour Times,” has a sort of enveloping darkness about it, but with its refrain of “You live, you learn” delivered with an undercurrent of regret, it’s clear we’re not in the same emotional space in which we began. The album closer, “Till There’s Nothing Left,” is probably the sparest song on the album, but also the one

2 vine-ripe tomatoes, diced Handful flat-leaf parsley, chopped ½ medium red onion, chopped 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, a couple of splashes 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil Salt and pepper to taste Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Dress with vinegar and oil, salt and pepper, to your taste. Yields 4 servings. If you have a tidbit for the column, call (508) 868-5282. Send email to bhoulefood@gmail.com.

that best showcases Conley’s phrasing. The listener is left with a cold goodbye and a colder rage that’s still unsated. “Out of the wreckage,” she sings, “Receive/With out even knowing/Where to go.” Where do you go when everything around you has turned to ash? Conley doesn’t give you an answer here, but she does give you a direction: forward.

CITY LIFE

THE NEXT DRAFT

Taprooms closed before ever opening New breweries meet uncertainty of pandemic with hope MATTHEW TOTA

Oakholm owners, brewer Andrew Woodward, Rick Predella and son Chris Predella in the renovated barn which is not open to the public yet. CHRISTINE PETERSON

the whole team, figuring out who’s doing what.” That team, made up of mostly friends and family, has helped take orders and deliver beer to cars during the last two weekends the brewery has opened for curbside sales. “We’ve had a barrage of people volunteer to help us out — a lot of family,” Predella said. “We had a bunch of people from my side, and a bunch from Andrew’s side.” About 40 minutes away in Rutland, on another farm, Milk Room Brewing Co. only got to open two weekends — one in February and one in March — before having to close its rustic taproom.

MATTHEW TOTA

Milk Room Brewing Co. owner Kevin Jarvi brought bison back to Alta Vista Farm. He’s using them as an attraction and selling meat to help sustain his brewery.

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breweries have tapped into tremendous excitement and support from the community. Hours before its debut, Oakholm Brewing already had more than 200 online orders for beer. More surprising were the more than 80 people who paid the $100 membership fee for the taproom’s mug club, even with the taproom’s opening date still unknown. Less than a year ago, I stood with Andrew Woodward, co-owner and head brewer, in the foundation of his brewhouse. We were looking up at the empty barn, still covered in dust and cobwebs, as he described the pride that he’d feel seeing crowds fill his taproom. When I spoke with Woodward last week, he expressed that same feeling, but in watching hundreds of cars arrive to buy cans during the brewery’s curbside sale earlier this month. Throughout the shutdown, Woodward has celebrated the small victories, like getting his beer in cans. He brewed five different beers for the opening: “Tractor Bier,” an ale that drinks like a lager, “North Pond Blonde,” an American blonde ale, “Pole 63,” a hazy pale ale, “Crooked Post,” a New England IPA, and “Cows Over the Moon,” a milk stout. “To finally get the beers in cans, we were jumping for joy,” Woodward said. “That was Friday, May 8. We decided to sell them the next day. That night we were organizing with

cuts with beer, including his “Hoppy Buffalo Double IPA,” “Black Buffalo Stout,” and “Alta Vista IPA,” and have it all delivered to your door. As the state slowly allows businesses to operate again, it’s unclear how, when or if brewery taprooms will return to normal operations. In the meantime, both Milk Room and Oakholm want to take advantage of the outdoor space at their farms. Jarvi had always planned to make full use of Alta Vista’s 100 acres. He sees his brewery as more of a family destination, hoping to showcase his animals and his farm. “It was a big part of our plan from the beginning to really try to make it a place for warmer weather; it’s perfect for people to be outside, see the rolling hills and hang out with the bison,” he said. Oakholm Brewing co-owner Chris Predella, Richard Predella’s son, dedicated many hours to cleaning up the farm’s grounds after buying it in 2017. For years, an overgrowth of grass and weeds hid its brilliance. “Chris has this place looking amazing,” Woodward said. The brewery will use the space behind the brewhouse, a beautiful section of the property overlooking North Pond, in the months ahead, setting up its beer trailer and inviting people to picnic at a safe distance, he said. “I’ve thought about this for a long time — whenever I would see the farm, driving down Lake Road, with North Pond in the distance. It’s a destination, a place where people want to come and hang out,” he said. For the most up-to-date information on Oakholm Brewing Co. (oakholmbrewing.com) and Milk Room Brewing Co. (milkroombrewing.com) — their hours and available beer — visit their websites and social media accounts.

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o one would have blamed the owners of Oakholm Brewing Co. if they decided to abandon or, at the very least, defer their dream of opening a brewery in 2020. Two years of toil costing thousands of dollars went into building Brookfield’s first brewery, set amid the picturesque pastures of Oakholm Farm. Finally, the farm had a shiny 10-barrel brewhouse and a sleek, industrial taproom, newly built from the dusty bones of a decades-old hay barn. But Oakholm Brewing never got the chance to turn on its taps and ready its glassware. About a month before the taproom’s targeted April opening, the state, in the grip of the worsening COVID-19 outbreak, shut down. Only, the brewery’s tenacious owners did not see a global pandemic as a reason to stop moving forward, even with bank loans due and no on-premise sales expected in their immediate future. They even reached into their own pockets again to pay for the final few pieces of the taproom’s construction. “If you go 90% of the way, it can’t fall through. You almost have to finish it,” said Oakholm Brewing coowner Richard Predella. “We really believe in what we’re doing at this an iconic place here in Brookfield.” During Mother’s Day weekend, Oakholm Brewing, 80 Lake Road, started selling beer for the first time. Per the state’s order, you couldn’t buy a pint in the taproom and marvel at the barn’s perfectly restored ceiling beams. Instead, the brewery had five different cans available for curbside pick-up and a food truck — not the grand opening Predella and his partners had pictured. So much of the recent news about breweries has focused, understandably, on the layoffs and declining revenue. But in Oakholm and other breweries that have had no choice but to open in these uncomfortable times, I see hope. Despite never having had the opportunity to welcome people inside their taprooms — to fret over stolen glasses or hold a trivia night — these

Owner Kevin Jarvi built the taproom inside a former milking room at Alta Vista Farm, at one time the oldest and largest bison farm in the state. Jarvi held a soft opening in February and scheduled an official opening date for March 14, the same day the state ordered restaurants, bars and taprooms closed for on-site consumption. I visited Milk Room Brewing, 80 Hillside Road, one day before the shutdown; news about the state’s outbreak was growing more dire by the day, but Jarvi was upbeat as he took me outside and introduced me to Marvin, his 6-month-old camel, which he keeps as part of the farm’s petting zoo. Since then, Jarvi has stayed busy despite closing his taproom: He canned his beers for the first time and expanded his brewhouse, installing a new brew system and larger tanks. “We’re very fortunate that all of this started with the help of my good friends,” he said. “I didn’t have to go out with a staff of 15 people with full benefits.” Milk Room Brewing has also found a niche in beer — and meat — deliveries. When Jarvi and his wife, Ann, bought the farm three years ago, the same farm where he spent summers as a teen working, he brought bison back to its pastures and opened up a shop for its lean meat. During the week, you can order any of his bison and Black Angus

CITY LIFE

FILM

Big expectations JIM KEOGH

t’s a start. Variety magazine reported last Friday that movie theaters across the country are slowly reopening — about 200 at last count. Most of the theaters are clustered in southern and midwestern states where social distancing restrictions are being eased, but Massachusetts drive-in theater owners are petitioning Gov. Charlie Baker to permit them to begin screening movies. In an open letter to Baker, Dave Andelman, owner of the Mendon Twin Drive-In, outlined the distancing protocols he’s enacted and made a persuasive case he could keep his customers reasonably safe and happy. Movie theaters are not among the businesses included in the first phase of Gov. Baker’s reopening plan. According to Variety, most theaters nationwide are not expected to open until mid-summer with no major releases until Christopher Nolan’s time-bending thriller “Tenet”

launches on July 17. If that’s the case, then I’ll have to wait. But when July 17 rolls around, I’ll be first in line. Because frankly, I am tired of my TV screen, I am tired of my living room, I am tired of small. I want Big. Big screen. Big room. Big experience. In fact, I don’t think it much matters what movie I see when I return to a theater for the first time in months. I’ll just be happy to sit in the dark with my cup of overpriced popcorn and be treated to something that will feel a little unfamiliar at first. Maybe I’ll be wearing a mask, or be one of five people allowed in a row. Ushers may suddenly wield tremendous crowd-control powers not seen since the days when they would order you to remove your feet from the back of the seat in front of you — and you obeyed. Whatever the rules, I’ll gladly comply. The last film I saw before the theaters shut down was “1917,” and thank goodness I got to it in time. Like any well-done war movie, the

WWI epic about two British soldiers crossing No Man’s Land on a heroic mission of deliverance deserved to be experienced on as expansive a canvas as possible. Streaming diminishes its powers. Obviously, theaters in the Northeast will be slower to reopen than theaters in places like Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma, given our higher rates of COVID-19 infection. I’m not jealous or angry. While I do ache to get out of the house and into a theater, I don’t believe my rights are being trampled if I’ve got to stand down a little longer. For now, I hope drive-in theaters can wrangle a special dispensation, as golf courses have, to open earlier. Our day is coming movie fans. I can almost smell the popcorn. ***** A few years ago, the Academy Awards producers decided to kill the sound of the audience reaction during the In Memoriam segment, when photos of film industry profes-

Most theaters nationwide will remain empty until midsummer. GETTY IMAGES

sionals who’d died in the last year are shown onscreen. Clearly, they didn’t appreciate hearing the robust cheers greeting the visage of a beloved actor versus the light and polite claps for a costume designer. Too bad. I would love to have heard how the crowd responds when Fred Willard’s face is projected at next year’s ceremony. Willard died last Friday at age 86, and, in their

remembrances, his fellow comic performers placed him high in their professional pantheon, with Steve Carell calling him “the funniest person I’ve ever worked with.” Just for Fred, maybe the Academy Award producers could flip on the sound when his name is shown. That’s what you do for the Best in Show.

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NEW ON DVD

‘Onward’ relies on tired trope but still hits the right notes TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

etalheads finally get their due in a top DVD release for May 19. “Onward”: Tribune News Service film critic Katie Walsh says this animated adventure from Disney/Pixar, finally brings mainstream representation to a group previously relegated to the margins of popular culture: the fantasyobsessed metalhead. Chris Pratt voices older bro Barley, a burly chap (or elf, rather) in a battle vest with an affinity for all things Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering, or rather, the generically branded versions. In his trusty steed Guinevere, an old purple van airbrushed with a mighty Pegasus, Barley blasts sweet heavy metal tunes about wizards and beasts and magic. Barley is

a blast. This isn’t Barley’s story, though he’s an integral part. This is the story of his younger brother, Ian (Tom Holland), a shy young elf who discovers that he does, indeed, have a little magic in him. Walsh writes that “Onward” contains potentially the most morbid example of the Disney dead parents trope, which they’ve relied on for decades. Dead parents have been the easy shortcut right to emotional stakes for the young characters. But “Onward” literally embodies this ever-present longing for a lost loved one, as Ian and Barley drag their father’s sentient legs around with them on their quest. Despite that, Walsh says “Onward” plucks all the right heartstrings to produce many laughs and many tears.

“Emma”: Autumn De Wilde, a music video director, makes her feature debut with “Emma,” adapted from Jane Austen’s novel by Eleanor Catton. Tribune News Service film critic Katie Walsh says that de Wilde deploys everything at her disposal to execute an expertly choreographed and designed film highlighting the arch artifice of aristocratic culture and behavior in Regency England. Every cinematic element, including cinematography by Christopher Blauvelt, costumes by Oscar winner Alexandra Byrne, production design by Kave Quinn and music by David Schweitzer and Isobel Waller-Bridge, joins in a delicate dance to create a carefully constructed confection as sweet as one of the pastries they devour at tea, Walsh writes.

ALSO NEW ON DVD “Sonic the Hedgehog”: Jim Carrey stars in movie adaptation of the Sega video game. “The Way Back”: Ben Affleck in the story of a high school basketball coach who bounces back from addiction. “Brahms: The Boy II”: Katie Holmes stars in creepy killer doll sequel to 2016’s “The Boy” “Wildlife”: Carey Mulligan and Jake Gyllenhaal star in tale of a fractured marriage. Directed by Paul Dano. “Behind You”: Horror movie about two sisters running afoul of supernatural in aunt’s creepy house. “Buffaloed”: Zoey Deutch as a young woman desperate to get out of Buffalo, N.Y. “Call the Midwife: Season Nine”: The latest happenings at

Nonnatus House in the beloved PBS drama. “Creepshow Season 1”: Latest adaptation of Stephen King horror tales on the Shudder streaming service. “Fear the Walking Dead Season 5”: Another season of the spinoff to “The Walking Dead.” OUT ON HD DIGITAL “The Ballad of Esequiel Hernandez”: 2007 documentary about American teenager killed near U.S.Mexico border. Narrated by Tommy Lee Jones. “Tokyo Godfathers”: Restored version of 2003 anime classic.

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.

SARA MCCLURE

Meet Bandit. Back in September Bandit came to WARL as a stray in rough shape. He had a flea allergy that left him bald almost over his whole body with some infections. He was sore and not feeling like himself. After some much needed TLC, Bandit pepped up and found a loving home. The home he found was not the right fit for him and his heartbroken adopters brought him back. In his previous home he would often get bothered by the other animals or children bumping into him and he would snap at them. Bandit is looking for a home with no other animals or children this time around. He would love a home where he can get his daily walks, sunshine, attention, love and plenty of naps. Bandit is happy when meeting new friends and he will happily wag his tail to say hello. If you would like to make an appointment to meet Bandit please contact the shelter at (508) 853-0030 or info@worcesterarl.org.

As of March 25, 2020

• 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 off/pick up

procedures. • DONATIONS: We will not be accepting linens of any kind or used, stuffed dog toys. While we are grateful for your thoughtfulness, we will not accept these donations if brought to the shelter. • 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 suspended until further notice. • 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) 8530030 or info@worcesterarl.org. Thank you for your continued FURiendship and support.

• Casual visits to the shelter are prohibited. We will strictly enforce this in order to keep our animal care team protected while still maintain-

ing the most essential function of our operation...finding homes for animals in need.

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

• 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.

M A Y 2 1 - 2 7, 2 0 2 0

WARL COVID-19 Update

GAMES

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

M AY 21 - 27, 2020

J O N E S I N’ Across 1 Raised-eyebrow remarks 4 From Bangkok 8 Loud two-year-old, maybe 14 Kabuki relative 15 Fair share, between two 16 Baltimore player 17 Start of a best-selling 2003 Mark Haddon title 20 Remote button 21 Meas. for really fast rotations 22 Band supposedly doing their final concert in 2021 23 Pellets found in some old pocket puzzles 24 Catches 26 100 centesimi, once 29 Sargasso, for one 30 Scandinavian native properly called Sámi 33 Start of a time-traveling Mark Twain title 38 Like the Beatles 39 Some time ___ 40 Colin, to Tom Hanks 41 Wildebeest 42 Start of a Fannie Flagg title (the movie title being shorter than the book) 46 New Age vocalist from County Donegal 47 Chicago trains 48 Closed facilities (work out at home!) 49 Run off to get married (wait, how would that work these days?) 51 “On the Road” narrator Paradise 53 See 12-Down 56 Aries symbol 57 December garnish 61 Start of a classic 1972 Judith Viorst kids’ book title 64 1998 Olympics city in Japan 65 Japanese seaweed 66 Metal container? 67 Wallace’s canine sidekick 68 Big thick book 69 It gets caked on Down 1 Where “I’m not a doctor” spokespeople usually “play

“Books I Didn’t Finish” – it’s OK, you get the idea. by Matt Jones

one” 2 Hostess snack cake 3 “Falling Up” poet Silverstein 4 Part of a “hang loose” sign 5 Long-eared hoppers 6 Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Century (1999) 7 Befuddled comment 8 ___ nova 9 “Entourage” agent Gold 10 Shares a secret with, maybe 11 Focal points 12 53-Across students 13 Tasting party options 18 Like the mojito’s origin 19 Lifts 25 Actress Emily 26 “___-A-Lympics” (1970s Hanna-Barbera cartoon) 27 Words of support 28 One of the Bee Gees 29 Paper packaged with a board game, perhaps 31 Variety of owl, hippo, or seahorse 32 Airline that went bankrupt in 1991 34 Winner of the most French Open singles titles 35 Pad see ew ingredient 36 Opposing argument

37 “May contain ___” 43 Procedure where you may be asked to select numbers 44 Terbium or erbium, e.g. 45 Looked the wrong way? 50 “Ready ___ ...” 51 Band of murder hornets, e.g. 52 The Governator, familiarly 53 Candidate who dropped out in February 2020 54 Fruit spray banned by the EPA 55 Blocks that inspired an animated Batman movie 58 Chemistry 101 model 59 Drive-___ window 60 Pay attention to 62 “Fuel” singer DiFranco 63 Kanga’s kid

Last week's solution

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M AY 21 - 27, 2020 WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

Invitation For Quotes The Worcester Housing Authority invites sealed bids for Furnishing and installation of Carpet at 630A Plantation St. Worcester in accordance with the documents prepared by Worcester Housing Authority. Project consists of the furnishing and installation of new Carpet in specified areas: Offices/Conference Room, Storage Rooms including preparation of the existing substrate if needed per manufacturers specification. Quotes will be received until 2:00 p.m. on Friday, June 5th 2020 at the Worcester Housing Authority, Department of Modernization, 81 Tacoma Street, Worcester, MA 01605. The project address is 630A Plantation Street, MA 01605. Subject to COVID-19 restrictions or guidance received by WHA, a pre-bid conference will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 29th 2020 at the project site. In the event the pre-bid conference is cancelled, an Addenda will be issued. Attendees must comply with the latest COVID-19 Construction Field Safety Guidelines set forth by the State of Massachusetts. Failure to attend or visit the premises shall be no defense in failure to perform contract terms. Due to the current COVID-19 situation, the pre-bid conference may be suspended, or a video link may be posted. In addition, the contract award and/or Notice to Proceed may be delayed up to 90 calendar days from the date of the general bid opening. Quotes are subject to M.G.L c149 §44A-J and Davis Bacon wage rates as well as other applicable laws. If the quoted price is $25,000 or above, each bid shall be accompanied by a payment bond in the amount of 50% of the bid price in the form of a Bid Bond, issued by a responsible surety company licensed to do business in Massachusetts, or a certified check, or a treasurer’s or cashier’s check issued by a responsible bank or trust company, made payable to the Worcester Housing Authority by bidders for the greatest possible bid amount (considering all alternates). Bid forms and Contract Documents will be made available on the Worcester Housing Authority website (http://www.worcesterha.org/currentbids.html) at no cost. Hard copies will be made available on Wednesday, May 20, 2020 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. The amount of the deposit will be refunded to each person who returns the plans, specifications and other documents in good condition within ten (10) days after bid opening. Bidders requesting contract documents to be mailed to them should include a separate check in the amount of $50.00 for each set payable to the Worcester Housing Authority to cover mailing and handling costs. The contract documents may be seen, but not removed at Worcester Housing Authority, Department of Modernization, 81 Tacoma Street, Worcester, MA 01605. Attention is called to the following: 1. Provisions of Equal Employment Opportunity; 2. Provisions for payment of not less than the minimum wages as set forth in the Specifications 3. Provisions of Chapter 14, Acts of 1966, Imposing a Temporary Sales Tax, Section 1, Subsection 6 (d) and (k) exempting the Authority from the operation of such a chapter; 4. Requirement to furnish and pay for a Performance Bond and a Labor and Materials Bond as set forth in the specifications if applicable 5. Insurance certificate indicating coverage for public liability, property damage and workers compensation, in accordance with the contract requirements, must be filed by the successful bidder upon signing of the contract. The contract will be awarded to the responsible and eligible bidder with the lowest proposed contract price. The Worcester Housing Authority reserves the right to reject any or all bids, in whole or in part, or to waive any formalities in the bidding if it be in the public interest to do so. No bid of a General Bidder shall be withdrawn, after opening thereof, prior to thirty (30) days, Saturday, Sundays, and legal holidays excluded, without the consent of the Worcester Housing Authority. In addition, the contract award and/or Notice To Proceed may be delayed up to 90 calendar days from the date of the general bid opening due to COVID-19 circumstances. Questions regarding this project shall be submitted in writing 1 week prior to opening by noon time and emailed to Mod-Bids@worcesterha.org Reference: WHA Job Number 2020-03M only in the subject line. Worcester Housing Authority, Joseph P. Carlson, Chairman

CLASSIFIEDS

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

M AY 21 - 27, 2020

LEGALS Invitation For Quotes The Worcester Housing Authority invites sealed bids for HVAC Modifications at 630A Plantation St. Worcester in accordance with the documents prepared by Worcester Housing Authority. Project consists of modifications to the diffusers and returns only in the offices where it is applicable, balancing CFMs per each diffuser, testing all thermostats to assure all are functioning and the VAVs are producing correct temps, and the recommissioning to the exterior AHU unit outside. Vendor to provide preventive maintenance and recommissioning of the AHU per manufacturer’s specifications. Quotes will be received until 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 4th 2020 at the Worcester Housing Authority, Department of Modernization, 81 Tacoma Street, Worcester, MA 01605. The project address is 630A Plantation Street, MA 01605. Subject to COVID-19 restrictions or guidance received by WHA, a pre-bid conference will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 28th 2020 at the project site. In the event the pre-bid conference is cancelled, an Addenda will be issued. Attendees must comply with the latest COVID-19 Construction Field Safety Guidelines set forth by the State of Massachusetts. Failure to attend or visit the premises shall be no defense in failure to perform contract terms. Due to the current COVID-19 situation, the pre-bid conference may be suspended, or a video link may be posted. In addition, the contract award and/or Notice to Proceed may be delayed up to 90 calendar days from the date of the general bid opening. Quotes are subject to M.G.L c149 §44A-J and Davis Bacon wage rates as well as other applicable laws. If the quoted price is $25,000 or above, each bid shall be accompanied by a payment bond in the amount of 50% of the bid price in the form of a Bid Bond, issued by a responsible surety company licensed to do business in Massachusetts, or a certified check, or a treasurer’s or cashier’s check issued by a responsible bank or trust company, made payable to the Worcester Housing Authority by bidders for the greatest possible bid amount (considering all alternates). Bid forms and Contract Documents will be made available on the Worcester Housing Authority website (http://www.worcesterha.org/currentbids.html) at no cost. Hard copies will be made available on Wednesday, May 20st 2020 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. The amount of the deposit will be refunded to each person who returns the plans, specifications and other documents in good condition within ten (10) days after bid opening. Bidders requesting contract documents to be mailed to them should include a separate check in the amount of $50.00 for each set payable to the Worcester Housing Authority to cover mailing and handling costs. The contract documents may be seen, but not removed at Worcester Housing Authority, Department of Modernization, 81 Tacoma Street, Worcester, MA 01605. Attention is called to the following: 1. Provisions of Equal Employment Opportunity; 2. Provisions for payment of not less than the minimum wages as set forth in the Specifications 3. Provisions of Chapter 14, Acts of 1966, Imposing a Temporary Sales Tax, Section 1, Subsection 6 (d) and (k) exempting the Authority from the operation of such a chapter; 4. Requirement to furnish and pay for a Performance Bond and a Labor and Materials Bond as set forth in the specifications if applicable 5. Insurance certificate indicating coverage for public liability, property damage and workers compensation, in accordance with the contract requirements, must be filed by the successful bidder upon signing of the contract. The contract will be awarded to the responsible and eligible bidder with the lowest proposed contract price. The Worcester Housing Authority reserves the right to reject any or all bids, in whole or in part, or to waive any formalities in the bidding if it be in the public interest to do so. No bid of a General Bidder shall be withdrawn, after opening thereof, prior to thirty (30) days, Saturday, Sundays, and legal holidays excluded, without the consent of the Worcester Housing Authority. In addition, the contract award and/or Notice To Proceed may be delayed up to 90 calendar days from the date of the general bid opening due to COVID-19 circumstances. Questions regarding this project shall be submitted in writing 1 week prior to opening by noon time and emailed to Mod-Bids@worcesterha.org Reference: WHA Job Number 2020-02M only in the subject line. Worcester Housing Authority, Joseph P. Carlson, Chairman

Invitation For Quotes The Worcester Housing Authority invites sealed bids for Storefront and Glass Partitions and Doors at 630A Plantation Street in accordance with the documents prepared by Worcester Housing Authority. Project consists of the furnishing and installation of exterior storefront windows, interior storefront partitions, interior glass doors with hardware, interior glass partitions at the reception desk, and glass panel for a conference room. Quotes will be received until 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3rd at the Worcester Housing Authority, Department of Modernization, 81 Tacoma Street, Worcester, MA 01605. The project address is 630A Plantation Street, MA 01605. Subject to COVID-19 restrictions or guidance received by WHA, a pre-bid conference will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 27th at the project site. In the event the pre-bid conference is cancelled, an Addenda will be issued. Attendees must comply with the latest COVID-19 Construction Field Safety Guidelines set forth by the State of Massachusetts. Failure to attend or visit the premises shall be no defense in failure to perform contract terms. Due to the current COVID-19 situation, the pre-bid conference may be suspended, or a video link may be posted. In addition, the contract award and/or Notice to Proceed may be delayed up to 90 calendar days from the date of the general bid opening. Quotes are subject to M.G.L c149 §44A-J and Davis Bacon wage rates as well as other applicable laws. If the quoted price is $25,000 or above, each bid shall be accompanied by a payment bond in the amount of 50% of the bid price in the form of a Bid Bond, issued by a responsible surety company licensed to do business in Massachusetts, or a certified check, or a treasurer’s or cashier’s check issued by a responsible bank or trust company, made payable to the Worcester Housing Authority by bidders for the greatest possible bid amount (considering all alternates). Bid forms and Contract Documents will be made available on the Worcester Housing Authority website (http://www.worcesterha.org/currentbids.html) at no cost. Hard copies will be made available on Wednesday, May 20th, 2020 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. The amount of the deposit will be refunded to each person who returns the plans, specifications and other documents in good condition within ten (10) days after bid opening. Bidders requesting contract documents to be mailed to them should include a separate check in the amount of $50.00 for each set payable to the Worcester Housing Authority to cover mailing and handling costs. The contract documents may be seen, but not removed at Worcester Housing Authority, Department of Modernization, 81 Tacoma Street, Worcester, MA 01605. Attention is called to the following: 1. Provisions of Equal Employment Opportunity; 2. Provisions for payment of not less than the minimum wages as set forth in the Specifications 3. Provisions of Chapter 14, Acts of 1966, Imposing a Temporary Sales Tax, Section 1, Subsection 6 (d) and (k) exempting the Authority from the operation of such a chapter; 4. Requirement to furnish and pay for a Performance Bond and a Labor and Materials Bond as set forth in the specifications if applicable 5. Insurance certificate indicating coverage for public liability, property damage and workers compensation, in accordance with the contract requirements, must be filed by the successful bidder upon signing of the contract. The contract will be awarded to the responsible and eligible bidder with the lowest proposed contract price. The Worcester Housing Authority reserves the right to reject any or all bids, in whole or in part, or to waive any formalities in the bidding if it be in the public interest to do so. No bid of a General Bidder shall be withdrawn, after opening thereof, prior to thirty (30) days, Saturday, Sundays, and legal holidays excluded, without the consent of the Worcester Housing Authority. In addition, the contract award and/or Notice To Proceed may be delayed up to 90 calendar days from the date of the general bid opening due to COVID-19 circumstances. Questions regarding this project shall be submitted in writing 1 week prior to opening by noon time and emailed to Mod-Bids@worcesterha.org Reference: WHA Job Number 2020-04M only in the subject line. Worcester Housing Authority, Joseph P. Carlson, Chairman

HELP WANTED OLIGONUCLEOTIDE CHEMIST (Worcester, MA) sought by University of Massachusetts Medical School to synthesize chemically modified oligonucleotides for in vitro and in vivo studies to support RNA therapeutics. Must have Bach.’s Deg. in Bio. Chem., Chem., Chem., Eng. or rel. field, and 5 yrs. rel. exp. To apply, email resume to jobsUMMS@umassmed.edu. No calls please.

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LAST CALL

Karen Spencer Executive director of Girls on the Run T girls are isolated away from their friends, teachers and coaches, we want them to know they are not alone through this time. We still wanted them to know that they weren’t alone. Canceling our 5k was extremely hard. We’re doing everything we can to keep the girls engaged and active. With social distancing, everything has to be on your own. We’ve been trying to push our virtual 5k over What is Girls on the Run? Girls Memorial Day weekend. The girls on the run is an after-school program for girls in grades 3 through will kick it off on Thursday, May 21 with a pajama party featuring a DJ 8. We run two programs, an that they can watch on Instagram elementary school program and Live. Hopefully, that will get them a middle school program, across excited for the race. Any time from Worcester County. It’s a national Friday to Monday, people can nonprofit and we mostly implecomplete 3.1 miles on their own. ment our program at schools, If they’re not in a place where it’s but we also do it at community safe for them to run a route, we centers like the Y. We organize give them activity cards so they small groups of 15 to 20 girls to meet after school, twice a week for can do a physical challenge at 10 weeks. We have trained coaches home. When we ease back into who implement a social emotional normal life, the girls will need this program more than ever. development curriculum that is basically focused on girls empowWhat is your official role in the erment. We teach girls how to organization? I’m the executive stand up for themselves and deal director and I’m the founder of the with their emotions in a healthy Worcester County chapter. This way. We talk about communicaspring marks our fifth anniversation with friends as well as how ry. We started in 2015 with 69 girls to navigate exclusion or bullying. We have some high schoolers who and we’ve grown pretty organically through word of mouth. Now, volunteer as junior coaches. We host a Worcester County 5k. Typi- we serve about 500-plus girls a year. We had three sites that first cally, we try to keep it centrally located in Worcester. For the past season, and now we have between five seasons, we’ve done it on Lake 22 and 26 teams every season. We run a spring and a fall program. Avenue, which requires a police Each chapter is its own nonprofit. detail. This season, it was supposed to be at Assumption College Think of it like a franchise, if you will. We get our funding from for the first time. We were regrants and sponsorships. We ally excited about that because it would be a safe on-campus route. charge a registration fee of $165 for the 10-week program. But, if there was a girl in financial need, then How do you plan to pivot in we provide scholarship assistance light of the COVID-19 restricfor that. A lot of our teams at the tions? We had to cancel the schools in Worcester don’t pay program when we were only a few lessons into our seasons. That anything. The United Way has sponsored a team for the last three was kind of devastating for us. years through their Women’s IniAnd for the girls. And then, Girls tiative. There’s no socioeconomic on the Run International started rolling GOTR at Home. We’ve been parameter around who needs the program or who our audience is. doing virtual lessons. We give the girls two lessons a week that How can our readers support they are able to do on their own you? Sign up for the virtual 5k. with their family at home. The his year’s Girls on the Run 5k will go on — virtually. You can complete the race over Memorial Day weekend as a show of support for young women and their families who are making a concerted effort to recognize the power that comes along with making their own decisions. Register now at www.gotr-worc.org.

M AY 21 - 27 , 2020

SUBMITTED PHOTO

operate and pay for insurance as we develop and deliver a program for the Girls on the Run brand. We stand behind our programs. We have staff to pay and an office space with rent, and all of that is in jeopardy because we run a very lean budget. As you can imagine, we’re struggling with what’s going to happen in the fall if schools don’t open and if there’s

strict social distancing. The fall 5k generates most of our revenue. It’s tough. This is where you see the small businesses and nonprofits struggling. We still need to pay our bills. If we can make it through the summer, we’ll be able to continue delivering stellar programming. – Sarah Connell Sanders

We are struggling financially. Just to kind of give you an idea, when our spring program got canceled, we refunded almost 50% of our participants and a lot of the people were already on scholarship. We did have a lot of generous donors who were able to give back to the program. A lot of people get confused about the financial side of nonprofits. We still have to

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Karen Spencer with Brooke G. from Uxbridge.

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