Worcester Magazine June 25 - July 1, 2021 by Worcester Magazine

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM | JUNE 25 - JULY 1, 2021 | CULTURE § ARTS § DINING § VOICES

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Finding a community SUMMIT CAMPUS HELPS STUDENTS ON AUTISM SPECTRUM TRANSITION TO COLLEGE. PAGE 10

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IN THIS ISSUE

Worcester Magazine 100 Front St., Fifth Floor Worcester, MA 01608 worcestermag.com Editorial (508) 767.9535 WMeditor@gatehousemedia.com Sales (508) 767.9530 WMSales@gatehousemedia.com VP, Sales & Strategy Andrew Chernoff Executive Editor David Nordman Editor Nancy Campbell Content Editor Victor D. Infante Reporters Richard Duckett, Veer Mudambi Contributing Writers Stephanie Campbell, Sarah Connell Sanders, Gari De Ramos, Robert Duguay, Liz Fay, Jason Greenough, Janice Harvey, Barbara Houle, Jim Keogh, Jim Perry, Craig S. Semon, Matthew Tota Multi Media Sales Executives Deirdre Baldwin, Debbie Bilodeau, Kate Carr, Diane Galipeau, Sammi Iacovone, Kathy Puffer, Jody Ryan, Regina Stillings Sales Support Jackie Buck, Yanet Ramirez Senior Operations Manager Gary Barth Operations Manager John Cofske Worcester Magazine is a news weekly covering Cen tral Massachusetts. We accept no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts. The Publisher has the right to refuse any advertisement. Legals/Public Notices please call 8882543466, email classifieds@gatehousemedia.com, or mail to Central Mass Classifieds, 100 Front St., 5th Floor, Worcester, MA 01608 Distribution Worcester Magazine is inserted into the Telegram & Gazette on Thursdays and is also available for free at more than 400 locations in the Worcester area. Unauthorized bulk removal of Worcester Magazine from any public location, or any other tampering with Worcester Magazine’s dis tribution including unauthorized inserts, is a criminal offense and may be prosecuted under the law. Subscriptions First class mail, $156 for one year. Send orders and subscription correspondence to GateHouse Media, 100 Front St., Worcester, MA 01608. Advertising To place an order for display advertising or to inquire, please call (508) 767.9530. Worcester Magazine (ISSN 01914960) is a weekly publication of Gannett. All contents copyright 2021 by Gannett. All rights reserved. Worcester Magazine is not liable for typographical errors in advertisements.

City Voices ..........................................................................7 Cover Story.......................................................................10 Featured ............................................................................15 Artist Spotlight ...............................................................20 Table Hoppin’ ...................................................................21 New on DVD .....................................................................25 Adoption Option.............................................................28 Classiﬁ eds ........................................................................29 Games................................................................................30 Last Call .............................................................................31

On the cover The house at 37 Fruit St. is expected to make it easier for students on the autism spectrum to transition to college, offering “a community that supports them.” RICK CINCLAIR/TELEGRAM & GAZETTE

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CITY VOICES WORCESTERIA

FIRST PERSON

The Library of Disposable Art — toys trapped in the box David Macpherson Special to Worcester Magazine USA TODAY NETWORK

A Worcester version of Monopoly is in the works, in addition to the one that’s happening in the Canal District. SUBMITTED PHOTO

A few modest suggestions for Worcester Monopoly Victor D. Infante Worcester Magazine USA TODAY NETWORK

Just in time for Worcester’s latest round of battles over gentriﬁ cation comes Worces ter Monopoly, the board game that teaches you how to win through capitalism by bank rupting your friends and fam ily! The game, which according to the Telegram & Gazette, is “being created and manufac tured by Top Trumps USA Inc. and licensed by Hasbro, the of ﬁ cial owner of the Monopoly game and brand, will feature Worcester locations in the spots normally occupied by Boardwalk, Baltic Avenue, Marvin Gardens, etc.” And now, a few recommen dation to localize the game: PLAYER TOKENS: Instead of the traditional shoe, little

dog, iron or what have you, we recommend for Worcester, “the Boston Developer Build ing Luxury Apartments,” “Out OfTown Developer Building Parking Garages,” “The Uni versities,” “Worcester Old Money,” “Niche Hospitality Opening Another Restaurant” and “Other Worcester Locals,” but if you’re the last, you pretty much just have to sell when ev erything gets too expensive. DUNKIN’ DONUTS: Build instead of houses, and you can build as many of them on a street as you can possibly ﬁ t. POLAR PARK: Obviously, this would take the place of something like Boardwalk or Park Place. As a special ability, the owner of this card should be able to siphon $100 from ev ery other Canal District busi

One of the fi rst fi ghts my wife and I ever had was when she moved in with me and we unpacked her “Peanuts” toy fi gures. She had a lot of them. Snoopy and Woodstock. There was Lucy and Linus dressed for Halloween. (I got a rock.) The little action fi gures were still in the original packaging. “Why don’t you take them out so you can pose them and play

with them?” She gave me a steely look and I had the sensa tion that I said something VERY bad. She informed me that taking them out of the package was a deal break for the relationship. They came in the original packaging and they were going to stay that way. But this is not about me. This is about the refusal of many adults to take their toys out of the package. There is a whole generation of toy crea ture that will be forever en

cased in original plastic. You know what is better than having a Boba Fett action ﬁ gure? Having a Boba Fett ac tion ﬁ gure that has never been taken out of the package. Or a Donatello Ninja Turtle doll. That thing better be in its plas tic card for it to be worthy of collecting. This has been a thing for decades with toy collectors. Toys in the original box or bet ter than the toys themselves. See ART, Page 14

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HARVEY

Recent deaths show water safety is crucial Janice Harvey Special to Worcester Magazine USA TODAY NETWORK

Doris Abrazinski was four years old when she died in 1930. Her death by drowning had a profound impact on her 7year old sister Elinor, who would never learn to swim. Elinor’s in tense fear of water was instilled in her own four children, and only one would learn how to swim well enough to be consid ered a “swimmer.” Elinor was my mother, and I am not that child. In my lifetime, I’ve come close to drowning twice — once in the icy surf of Hampton Beach, and again in the murky waters of Coes Pond. Both times, I was careless and im pulsive, trying to ﬁ t in with the

Flood waters rage across catwalk at Coes Pond dam in 1955. T&G STAFF/FILE PHOTO

other kids. Both times I was plucked from the water by friends who recognized my dis tress. The terror I felt as the wa ter pulled me in and down is something I struggle to de

scribe today, but can retrieve in my memory as sharply if it were yesterday. The drownings of Worcester Police Oﬃ cer Enmanuel Fam ilia and 14yearold Troy Love,

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the boy he was trying to rescue, have brought to the table the importance of lessons in water safety for all ages, but particu larly for children. For innercity kids who grow up with little ex posure to water, such instruc tion becomes even more sig niﬁ cant perhaps, even fateful. A recent Worcester School Committee agenda included two general business items pertaining to water safety. GB #1172 dated June 8, 2021 was introduced by Tracy Novick, “To explore with the city ad ministration the creation of swim lessons for all Worcester Public School students as part of the district requirements.” GB #1174 dated June 9, 2021, and brought forward by Com mittee member Molly McCul lough requested “that the Ad ministration work with com munity agencies to help pro vide free or discounted options for WPS students in need of swim/water safety lessons.” “Water safety and swim ming lessons are crucial life skills for all,’ said Ms. McCul lough. “Working with the commu nity, I believe the WPS can work to ensure that all of our students have the opportunity to learn to swim and be safe in the water.” While it is indeed tragic that

two deaths brought attention to this issue, I can’t stress enough the dire need for the subject to be more than a predictable re action to headlines. Often trag edies like this one result in sug gestions that are shelved with the passing of time. As a kid I did take swimming lessons many times, but never con quered my fears. However, I watched as fellow students be came strong swimmers and re ceived certifi cates of comple tion. (I may have been the in spiration for the muchma ligned “participation trophy,” having earned the aff ections and pity of many a swim in structor.) There must be a way to incorporate water safety into the education of every Worces ter student. My memory is fuzzy regarding whether or not the Red Cross or The Girls Club sponsored the lessons I attend ed back in the 60’s. I do remem ber shivering poolside with the hair on my bony shins standing on end — and the dreaded bathing caps required. I’m sure that swimming lessons today would be less stressinducing for children. Ms. McCullough says the school committee plans to explore the use of Ele mentary and Secondary School Emergency Relief and engage the YMCA, YWCA, Red Cross and Boys and Girls Club in con versations. This is all good news. Ms. McCullough says I’m not alone as a landlocked adult; there’s more like me out there. A few years ago, I learned that avid swimmer Superintendent Maureen Binenda was once a lifeguard. She off ered to teach me to swim, if I wanted to join her at the ungodly hour of 5:30 AM. Though grateful, I de clined. Now that I’m retired, maybe I’ll take her up on it. They say you’re never too old to learn. But I refuse to wear a bath ing cap.

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!'"&%#$& Monopoly Continued from Page 7

ness every turn. But only when there’s a game on, of course. THE BRIDGE: Obviously, this would be one of the more valuable properties – like may be Marvin Gardens or some thing – but if you buy it, all the other players get to guilt trip you into just letting it stay the way it is. MAIN SOUTH, GREAT BROOK VALLEY, PLUMLEY VILLAGE: I’m sure they’ll be down in the Baltic Avenue ter ritory, but it’s good to include them just to remind city oﬃ cials that they actually exist beyond feelgood photo ops and mural reveals. MUNICIPAL BROADBAND INTERNET: Should be one of the utilities, but for some rea son, no player is actually able to land on it. THE CASCADES, BROAD MEADOW BROOK, GREEN HILL PARK: These would be sort of in the green neighbor hood, like North Carolina Ave nue, but when players land on them, they’ll constantly be amazed that they didn’t know they were there the whole time. Also, you can’t build on

them because they have con servation restrictions. SIR MORGAN’S COVE: Change the name of the prop erty every time it’s bought, and lose all cool points when you build a hotel on it, even though you’ll still remind everyone that the Rolling Stones played there once. THE AUD: If you buy this, you have to spend the whole game talking about what you’re going to do with the space, and then not actually do anything. VINCENT’S, NICK’S BAR & RESTARAUNT, ARMSBY ABBEY, RALPH’S ROCK DINER, GREATER GOOD BREWING, REDEMPTION ROCK BREWING, WORMTOWN BREWERY, ELECTRIC HAZE, HERBIE’S, THE BEER GARDEN, THE BOYNTON: Lose one turn every time you land on one of these spaces because you only meant to stop in for one drink and to say hello and then you lost track of time … Obviously, there are plenty of great, real possibilities for the game – including, all snark aside, many of the ones above – so you have until June 25 to vote for which 34 locations make the cut. Votes can be emailed to regionals@top trumps.com.

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COVER STORY

A ribbon cutting ceremony for the Summit campus, left, and the Health and Wellness Center, right, was held June 17 on Williams Street. RICK CINCLAIR/T&G

Summit campus helps students on autism spectrum transition to college Veer Mudambi Worcester Magazine | USA TODAY NETWORK

The transition from high school to college can be stressful for several reasons and for just about anyone. Nikki Koppel agreed, “college can be a very tough place — people think it’s a magical, romantic experience but for kids who have a tough time connecting and ﬁ nding their people, there’s not a lot of magic there.” h But the house at 37 Fruit St. is expected to make it easier for them. Koppel described it as “very homey so our kids arriving will do better and have a more positive outcome during this transition to college, knowing they have a commu nity that supports them.” It’s a welcoming dorm for college students — and much more. See CAMPUS, Page 11

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The entrance to Summit campus on Fruit Street. RICK CINCLAIR/TELEGRAM & GAZETTE

The entrance to the new Summit Health and Wellness Center on Williams Street. RICK CINCLAIR/TELEGRAM & GAZETTE

Campus Continued from Page 10

The local Worcester college students who will live there are on the autism spectrum. Kop pel, who is director of residence life at the dorm, said that stu dents with autism who are leaving home, often for the ﬁ rst time, need “an immediate, liv ing, learning community which says you’re not alone.” The Summit Agency, which runs the Summit Academy for kids on the autism spectrum K12, saw the need for an ex pansion of services beyond the high school years. With about

250,000 students on the spec trum heading to university over the next decade, support ser vices that will put them on the path to success are imperative. While autism includes a wide spectrum of symptoms and associated conditions, it is defi ned by core features such as delays in speech and lan guage, diffi culty in social com munication, and restricted in terests. These core symptoms are further complicated by ac companying conditions that are not psychiatric in nature, like gastrointestinal diffi cul ties, neurological conditions such as sensory diffi culties, See CAMPUS, Page 12

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Campus Continued from Page 11D

A dorm room inside Summit campus on Fruit Street. RICK CINCLAIR/TELEGRAM & GAZETTE

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apraxia and frequent head aches. So these students deal with multiple stressors — isola tion, anxiety, executive func tion disorder and depression which all aff ect cognitive per formance. On June 17, there was a rib bon cutting ceremony for the Summit Health and Wellness Center on Williams Street that will provide psychiatric help and behavior counseling to au tistic students in the Greater Worcester community. In addi tion, there is now a residential facility called Summit campus on Fruit Street for autistic stu dents continuing their educa tion and attaining life skills, which will open in time for the fall semester. Both the campus as well as the SHWC are new initiatives of the Summit Agen cy. Dan DiMezza, CEO of Sum mit and executive director of the academy, indicated that their whole mission is to reach as many families as they can, so developing initiatives like Summit Campus and SHWC was part of the larger plan. “Our focus will be on high function ing students on the spectrum — they can come to the center for services, whether they’re liv ing/affi liated with us or not. We want to reach as many people as we can in the spirit of a non profi t.” It is common to see individ uals with autism struggle in diff erent life domains. Not only academics, but also coassoci ated psychiatric conditions — such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, as well as independent living skills and social interac tion with peers. However, many of the traditional ser vices are only set up to help them academically or with mental health services. Dr. Oli ver Joseph, chief psychiatrist at SHWC, expressed frustra tion that the two arms — aca demics and mental health ser vices — are not usually inte

grated. And “the third part,” he said, “everything else like living skills, housing, sensory over load is not addressed at all. So we are trying to develop a mod el that incorporates all those three elements.” The Summit Campus build ing, a large classical Victorian, was rebuilt with sensory awareness in mind. Joseph ex plained that they frequently see sensory integration diffi culties in individuals with au tism — touch, light and sound. So as part of the rebuild, they installed high quality sound proofi ng and specialty lighting where colors can be changed for comfort as opposed to sharp white light. Joseph called it, “giving them the tools to make an environment that works for them.” He believes that nothing quite like this has been at tempted before. “What’s cool with the campus specifi cally, is to have it actually work in col laboration with the students’ counseling department or ac cessibility services at the schools. We hope to develop a collaborative partnership with the schools in the coming years, in the same way I might work in collaboration with a primary care doctor, if the pri mary care doctor was treating something that aff ected my pa tient psychiatrically.” The pro gram represents a revolution ary model of inhome supports through a dorm environment. Austin Gilghrist of Michigan who will be in Worcester for an internship at a welding busi ness, is looking forward to liv ing there. He shared that he is nervous, “I’m a type1 diabetic so there’s a little bit of worry.” Defi ning himself as “diff erent, always — I’m not the average type of person because of au tism, diabetes and learning dis abilities. But the learning dis abilities give me diff erent per spectives on life and learning things. It’s let’s me do wood working and welding so easily.” He hopes the small cohort will lead to some manageable social See CAMPUS, Page 13

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Campus Continued from Page 12D

situations and he will learn to be independent with “general life stuff like grocery shopping and laundry.” This is exactly what Joseph and Koppel hope to achieve and Summit is going to be off ering a strong base of support. They will use the Program for Educa tional Enrichment Relational Skills, a program for young adults with autism, teaching them how to communicate with professors and reciprocal conversations. The PEERS cur riculum was designed at UCLA and is one of the ways to help kids with social diffi culties by modeling new behavior and so cial functioning, through video and role playing situations. Koppel fi nds it invaluable in helping students. “If I asked about your weekend, it’s good to ask about my weekend.” Joseph is equally optimistic that this type of support will encourage students to learn to develop plans for creating their own zones, do chores, and practice social skills with each other. “Both group and individ ual work are necessary to de velop functional ability and historically, we’ve found that what limits the impact of men tal health counseling is the lack of real life application.” Though he admits that over the last fi ve to 10 years, mental health treat ment in colleges has been an area of growth. One of the biggest issues has been the closing of Becker Col lege. “When we built this pro gram, we had built it in part with them in mind,” Joseph said, “given that there is a large game design population there, which included many individ uals who could have benefi ted from this program.” It has been a particularly diffi cult time for a number of those students, since Becker provided really in tensive services through their counseling department that See CAMPUS, Page 14

Dan DiMezza, CEO of Summit, speaks June 17 during the opening of the Summit Health and Wellness Center. Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Timothy P. Murray, District 2 City Councilor Candy F. Mero-Carlson, and State Senator Micheal O. Moore, left to right, also spoke. PHOTOS BY RICK CINCLAIR/TELEGRAM & GAZETTE

Dan DiMezza, CEO of Summit, speaks June 17 during the opening of the Summit Health and Wellness Center.

A ribbon cutting ceremony for the Summit Health and Wellness Center was held June 17 on Williams Street.

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Art Continued from Page 7

Nikki Koppel pulls raffle tickets for prizes during a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Summit Health and Wellness Center on Williams Street Thursday, June 17.

We want things to be pristine. We want things to be un touched by human hands. But the things that are un touched by human hands, were meant to be played with by kids. I know we are adults and are wrapped with mortal ity and nostalgia. We want the toys of our youth. We begin to collect “Star Wars” or “Ninja Turtles” or “Transformers.” And to really make it perfect. Not only do plan to never play with the toy we spent so much money on, we demand that no one else ever touched it as well. We want our toys to be like cloistered nuns. What you will have is a piece of plastic encased in plastic. You will have object d’art and not a toy. You will have a facsimile of a toy. I know that I am annoying

Take the toys out and have some fun. You know, fun. Like playing with the toys you loved when you were a kid. AP FILE PHOTO

all the toy collectors out there, but I will say it. Screw the re sale value. Take the toys out and have some fun. You know, fun. Like playing with the toys you loved when you were a kid. Display your “GI Joe” toys in odd poses. Let them cavort with the Barbie dolls that you also released from their plastic prison. Put them in dioramas.

Perch them on edge of book shelves. Take them out in the wild and take action photo graphs with them. Hold on to that doll you always wanted when you were a kid, and whisper small truths into its plastic ear. That Mego SpiderMan ac tion ﬁ gure from 1975 is dying in his box. He can’t breathe. He is suﬀ ocating. He has been stuck in that box for 46 years. Im prisoned with no trial. No crime. He is the victim of the insidious penal system and the toy market. Release him now. The DNA evidence has come back inconclusive. Free the Holly Hobby Seven! I don’t understand the ap peal of a toy that has never been played with. It doesn’t feel like a thing of great value. It feels like the saddest cre ation in the world. David Macpherson is a poet and humorist living in Worcester.

RICK CINCLAIR/TELEGRAM & GAZETTE

Campus Continued from Page 13D

served their students well. Some of those students are moving to other Worcester col leges but there is “a huge con cern from parents about the services at new schools like Clark and WPI and access to mental health counseling pro viders.” Some of these students are going into their senior year, so they need to transition into a new school over a matter of months. Koppel explained that individuals with autism “don’t pivot quickly, they don’t like surprises and they need more time to adjust to change.” Cautiously optimistic that a further expansion of services in a scalable model is possible, Koppel said, “I don’t want to put the cart ahead of the horse but I would like to see apart mentstyle dormitory living —

it really does help instill those independent living skills.” She indicated that it is crucial for students to identify what their needs are and how those can be met, in order for the pro gram to be able to help them succeed. “We don’t want to tell them what to see but show them where to look.” As aca demic demands increase over the years, so does the diffi culty of balancing priorities like fi nding roommates, fi nding apartments, etc. Koppel’s passion for this project is fueled by her per sonal connection to Worcester — her 20yearold autistic son went to Becker. ‘I’ve been walking this road since he was diagnosed at 18 months, so I understand what these stu dents and their families are go ing through.” She knows that all parents want for their kids is for them to be happy and stable and that doesn’t happen magically when you go to col lege.

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FEATURED

Here comes summer — and Music Worcester with slate of indoor and outdoor concerts Richard Duckett Worcester Magazine USA TODAY NETWORK

This would normally be the time year when Music Worces ter Inc. could be expected to be soon announce its new season, starting in October. But the world has changed, and “The world is very diﬀ erent for Music Worcester these days, too,” said executive direc tor Adrien C. Finlay. An announcement is indeed being made, but this year it’s about the brand new “Sum mer@MW,” a summer series of indoor and outdoor concerts presented by Music Worcester. The news is just as good for music lovers as the announce ment of a fall to spring season would be. For Music Worcester it means that after a season consisting entirely of virtual programing, live performances are back. Summer@MW will get un derway 6 p.m. July 8 with the Brubeck Brothers Quartet (with Chris and Dan Brubeck, two sons of the late jazz legend Dave Brubeck) at the Riley Pappas Pavilion in Auburn (free; bring lawn chairs, blan kets). Also in the lineup is the jazz ensemble The Hot Sardines 6 p.m. July 22 at Indian Ranch in Webster ($35+); the gospel group Trey McLaughlin & The Sounds of Zamar at 6 p.m. July 25 at The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Perform ing Arts in Worcester ($35+); and The Women’s Ensemble of The Worcester Chorus — “An Evening of Broadway” — at 6 p.m. Aug 5 also at RileyPappas Pavilion in Auburn (free; bring

The gospel group Trey McLaughlin & The Sounds of Zamar will perform for Music Worcester at 6 p.m. July 25 at The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts in Worcester PROMOTIONAL IMAGE

lawn chairs, blankets). In September, a Concert Truck series of a husband and wife piano duo will tour, with exact dates and venues still be ing ﬁ nalized. There is also ex pected to be at least one more concert in the series in August, Finlay said. “We do believe going for ward Music Worcester is a yearround performing arts presenter,” Finlay said. A traditional Music Worces ter season usually began in Oc tober and concluded in April/ May after about 16 or 17 con certs with a breadth of oﬀ er ings that might well have in cluded large classical orchestras, chamber music, The Hot Sardines will perform for Music Worcester at 6 p.m. July 22 at Indian Ranch in Webster. See CONCERTS, Page 16

PROMOTIONAL IMAGE

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Concerts Continued from Page 15

world music, jazz, folk music, dance and ballet, and Music Worcester’s own Worcester Chorus. However, “To not do any thing in the summer months, as we’ve done, we would be missing out on major opportu nities. We did want to be part of this upswing that is Central Mass coming back to life,” Fin lay said. The concerts will “run the gamut” musically. Chris Brubeck has appeared in concerts presented by Music Worcester before with his trio Chris Brubeck’s Triple Play. Chris and Dan Brubeck have been making music together practically all their lives. Gui tarist Mike DeMicco and pia nist Chuck Lamb complete the quartet. Although the Brubeck Brothers Quartet’s style is root ed in “straightahead” jazz, their concerts are known for improvisational forays inte grating the inﬂ uences of funk, blues and world music. The Hot Sardines and Trey McLaughlin & the Sounds of Zamar were both originally scheduled for Music Worces ter’s 202021 season. The Hot Sardines are de scribed as “on a mission to make old sounds new again and prove that joyful music can bring people together in a dis connected world.” Bandleader Evan Palazzo and lead singer Elizabeth Bougerol bonded over their love for Fats Waller. Also inﬂ uenced by such greats as Dinah Washington, Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday, The Hot Sardines have head lined Midsummer Night Swing at New York’s Lincoln Center and been featured at the New port Jazz Festival and the Mon treal Jazz Festival. Finlay said previously that The Hot Sardines have “for a number of years been on our ra dar … They are super virtuoso musicians, and their singer — there is not much she can’t do

In September, a Concert Truck series of a husband and wife piano duo will tour, with exact dates and venues still being ﬁ nalized. PROMOTIONAL IMAGE

or perform.” Trey McLaughlin & the Sounds Of Zamar have made a name for themselves by per forming with gospel greats like William McDowell, Kierra “Ki ki” Sheard, Brian Courtney Wil son and James Fortune. They are known for their rich harmo nies and beautiful blends, ex pressive vocals and intricate arrangements of contemporary gospel. Led by Worcester Chorus as sistant director and accompa nist Mark Mummert, the Worcester Chorus Women’s Ensemble will be returning to the stage for their ﬁ rst inper son performance since 2019’s “Welcome Yule” holiday pres entation at Trinity Lutheran Church “It’s a big mix. Some are free events open to the public. Some are in venues,” Finlay said. In the case of Indian Ranch, it’s a new venue for Music Worcester. “For the ticketed events we have this summer at Indian Ranch and The Hanover Thea tre, we will have sections where distanced seating is available,” Finlay said. He envisions such an arrangement at venues “at least for the summer. It would

not surprise me for the fall and winter.” There will also be unre stricted seating available. Music Worcester is the um brella organization of three merged components: the Worcester Music Festival, the International Artists Series and the Massachusetts Jazz Festi val. As for its “regular season,” Finlay said the 202122 season “is in the works.” “We may announce chunks of programs at a time. Fall pro grams, winter programs, spring programs.” As for whether Music Worcester’s 202122 season will be diﬀ erent or diminished, Finlay said, “My answer is no.” Actually, part of the 202122 season has been put on Music Worcester’s website (although with no dates or venues yet) and it also has some perform ers who had originally been scheduled for 202021 but were cancelled/postponed. These include Dorrance Dance, The Knights & Aaron Diehl (orches tra), and the husband and wife banjo team of Béla Fleck & Abi gail Washburn. Additionally, the Worcester Chorus will return with Han del’s “Messiah,” and the Polish Baltic Philharmonic is listed for

a winter visit. Apollo’s Fire, the popular and critically ac claimed periodinstrument en semble specializing in early music that performed here in 2019, will return next spring, and American Ballet Theater is also listed for the spring. Finlay said the Worcester Chorus will perform perform Bach’s Mass in B Minor next spring, “which will be a delay of one year.” Meanwhile, “The return to rehearsal for the Worcester Chorus is a topic occupying our time right now. We’re discuss ing and debating. There’s so much we don’t know,” Finlay said. Music Worcester canceled live inperson performances in midMarch in 2020, when there where several concerts still to go. “We have been amazed at the level of support our patrons are giving us to get through all this,” Finlay said. A 202021 season of virtual, livestreamed and/or On De mand performances included renowned musicians such as violinist Joshua Bell; pianists Simone Dinnerstein, Asiya Ko repanova and Andrew Arm strong (And Friends); instru mentalists Rhiannon Giddens

and Francesco Furris; cellist Zlatomir Fung; tenor Lawrence Brownlee; and the Worcester Chorus, CONCORA of Hartford and Masterwork Chorus of New Jersey combining for a virtual “Messiah Singalong” and a rendition of Mozart’s “Requi em.” With that, Music Worcester still took a big fi nancial hit be cause of the absence of a live, inperson and ticketbuying audience. There was a huge 90% decrease in earned reve nue, Finlay said. “While we could not have made it through without the constant and remarkable sup port of our patrons at large, vir tual programing was was done to keep us in front of the public. As magnifi cent as virtual pro graming was, it generates pen nies on the dollar in terms of tickets for live events,” Finlay said. The average virtual ticket price was $15, compared to a live inperson concert ticket of $55, he noted. But for the virtu al concert the artist’s expenses are the same and you have the added costs of technology. “Virtual attendance remark ably resembled live atten dance. We were very happy to have all that, but it’s a huge par adigm shift,” Finlay said. “The virtual programing we did I would argue was robust, regular, and resembled the sea son we would have had. There was a similar breadth in variety of programing, and we didn’t question whether we should do it.” Finlay said Music Worcester had been considering going yearround and off ering sum mer programming before the pandemic hit. “When we started thinking about this the world was very diff erent,” he said. Now it’s time for “Sum mer@MW.” “We’re about to go all in,” Finlay said. For more information, in cluding links to tickets, visit www.musicworcester.org.

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM | JUNE 25 - JULY 1, 2021 | 17

The WorcShop’s most visible recent contribution to the area is the new welcome arch at the Blackstone Valley Heritage Visitor’s Center, built by WorcShop co-owner Randal Meraki and Eternity Ironworks. JESSICA D WHITE/TRUE LIFE PHOTOGRAPHY OF MA

WorcShop faces hurdles in move to Leicester spot Victor D. Infante Worcester Magazine USA TODAY NETWORK

You might not realize it, but you can see the handiwork of members of the WorcShop all over Worcester. The artisans and craftspeople who populat ed the maker space when it as located on Staff ord Street were responsible for everything from art pieces to fencing and staircases that can be seen in businesses along the Grid, out side the Printer’s building, at JMAC and more. The most recent and visible work from the WorcShop is the new welcome arch at the Black stone Valley Heritage Visitor’s Center, a metal arch with LED lights which leads to a pleasant little park setting near the main building. The arch — built by WorcShop coowner Randal Meraki and Eternity Ironworks, where he’s master fabricator and coowner — began its cre ation at the Staff ord Street lo cation, but had to be fi nished

piecemeal elsewhere. The WorcShop’s current location at 11 Hankey St. in Leicester – the former home of the Worcester Tool & Stamping Co. – where the organization moved in No vember, is currently subject to a cease and desist order, so no work can be done there. For creative director Angela Pasceri, the move from Worcester has been an ordeal. The original plan had been to renovate the Leicester space while still operating in Worces ter, moving over the course of a year. Then, the COVID19 pan demic hit, and plans had to change, as the WorcShop’s rev enue plummeted dramatically. “With COVID,” says Pasceri, “we lost a bunch of our income, and were forced to move into the (Leicester) property sooner than we’d liked, to save the or ganization.” Still, she had high hopes that everything would move smoothly, judging from previous dealings with Town See WORCSHOP, Page 18

18 | JUNE 25 - JULY 1, 2021 | WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

WorcShop Continued from Page 17D

Planner Michelle Buck. “The WorcShop sounds like a great business and I’m hoping we can make it work at that lo cation,” wrote Buck, in an email dated Aug. 8, 2019. “The easiest route, particularly given that the site is between multiple districts, would be to demon strate that it’s grandfathered since the Worcester Tool & Stamping company is (was?) a similar use (manufacturing).” The Worcester Tool & Stamping company still uses part of the building for offi ce space, according to Pasceri. As Buck implies, there are challenges to the property, as parts of the building are tech nically in a residential zone. Still, none of the issues seemed insurmountable, seeing as the manufacturing work set to be done at the WorcShop — such as welding, blacksmithing, glass work and carpentry — would normally fall under a manufacturing permit, and in deed, the WorcShop had func tioned that way in Worcester for years with few issues. However, things didn’t work out the way Pasceri expected. “When we moved into the building and applied for fi re permits and had walkthroughs with town offi cials,” says Pasc eri, “our understanding was that we would stay zoned for manufacturing.” The Worc Shop had future plans for mov ing into other areas, including livework space, automotive work and a possible brewery or winery, but those were “not things we need to do now,” says Pasceri. “That’s years down the line, as we said at numerous town meetings a year prior to moving in.” Still, the WorcShop worked with Buck to lay out a special permit to accommodate those things, although Pescari says she believed they would, in the short term, still be working un der manufacturing zoning. And therein lies the dispute, be

cause in December 2020, the WorcShop learned it would have to apply for the special permit, which necessitated a number of things, including a noise study, a survey of the property and having wetlands delineations marked. Pasceri thinks these were things they were going to be able to deal with later, but Buck remembers it diff erently. “I think some of it was mis understanding,” says Buck “They requested some zoning changes … They had some dis cussions with us, this was all a while ago, after an extensive public hearing process, they submitted the permit, which has been granted. We waited months and months and months for them to fi le the process. Right now I believe their issues are more with code issues than anything with the planning board.” Which is true, as far as it goes. Pasceri says the process of getting the special permit, which was approved at a town meeting in May, cost nearly $100,000. Despite the approv al, the cease and desist order hasn’t been lifted, as the build ing still needs to make a num ber of physical changes, includ ing sprinklers in the main area, bringing entrances up to ADA standards, adding more out side lighting and adding a sec ond Knox Box for the fi re de partment. Pescari estimates the cost of the changes at $400,000. “The town DOES want that building reused,” says Buck. “The town was very excited about a maker space.” When asked if she can understand how the WorcShop might feel like they walked into a situation that was diff erent than what they expected — one where, if they knew the problems they would face, they might have stayed in Worcester — Buck says, “I’m not sure how that got miscommunicated. They were at the hearings.” Which brings up some tim ing issues. Buck’s 2019 email seems to bear out Pasceri’s be lief that they should be zoned

Randal Meraki works on a project at the WorcShop, before it was hit with a cease-and-desist order. PHOTOS BY JESSICA D WHITE/TRUE LIFE PHOTOGRAPHY OF MA

for manufacturing, which is consistent with the building’s previous use. She says they weren’t made aware that they’d have to apply for the special zoning permit until December 2020, a full month after the WorcShop had moved into the space. Clearly, there was a communication breakdown somewhere in there. When asked if they’ve been made to feel welcome in Leices ter, Pasceri responds, “Not par ticularly. I feel like they’ve talked a good game, but when we’ve been clear and level with them to show where we are and that there’s a path forward there to update this building, and we can limit our occupancy or limit our usage of certain parts of the building to do so, they haven’t been responsive or helpful.” Indeed, Pasceri says they are waiting back to hear about per mits for just getting Eternity Ironworks up and running. It’s been pointed out that some of the slowness Pasceri is en countering might be just that Leicester has a much smaller staﬀ to process these things than Worcester, with which the WorcShop is more used to deal ing. Still, Pasceri believes there’s a path forward for the Worc Shop in Leicester, and hasn’t

From left, Angela Pasceri, Randal Meraki and Framingham Maker Space founder David Kent tour the WorcShop facility in Leicester.

given up hope. She says they have a plan to buy the building, but the ﬁ nancing is conditional on their becoming operational again. “Can’t close on the build ing,” says WorcShop educa tional director Jess White, “be cause you aren’t allowing us to operate.” The organization has launched a Kickstarter in order to help raise funds to expedite reopening, at https://www.go fundme.com/f/helptheworc shopreopenrebuild. If they can get to the point, says White, their metal and blacksmith shops are open again, they’ll be sold out for months, according to a member

survey. Pasceri says they’ve had a great deal of interest in glass work equipment that was donated to the shop from a for mer glass works located in the Sprinkler Factory building in Worcester. In short, there’s still a lot of demand for what the WorcShop is oﬀ ering, and Pasceri still believes they can do it in Leicester, despite the headaches they’ve encoun tered, saying she sees a future for their location where “art ists, entrepreneurs and hobby ists are all working and learn ing together.” But in the meantime, it seems there’s still work to be done.

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM | JUNE 25 - JULY 1, 2021 | 19

Assessing the impact of invasive Asiatic clams in Worcester water Veer Mudambi Worcester Magazine USA TODAY NETWORK

In New England with its penchant for clam chowder, one would think a rise in the lo cal freshwater clam population of Worcester’s ponds and res ervoirs would presumably be nothing to complain about, and even welcomed. Dr. Diana Sharpe of Worces ter State University believes that it may be too much of a good thing. Hailing from the tropics, Corbicula fl uminea, commonly known as Asiatic clams, are not our typical New England clams. Over the last few decades they’ve been spreading across the country and expanding into cold or temperate climates here as well. “It’s actually found on all continents now except Antarc tica,” said Sharpe. Along with a student assis tant, Sharpe will be examining water bodies throughout Worcester County this summer to assess the spread. Last week she went out on Patch Reser voir for a baseline biodiversity survey. While no C. fl uminea were found on Patch, a colony is confi rmed in Lake Quinsiga mond, along with community reports of sightings in other water bodies. The increase in numbers in Massachusetts can be traced back to about 10 years ago. The species itself has been found in the United States since the 1930s and can be classifi ed as an invasive. It was likely intro duced to the West Coast and assumed to have been import ed as a food source for immi grating populations. Alterna tively, it may have come in with the importation of the Giant Pacifi c oyster. The species quickly spread across the con

Student assistant Zoe Krouner, left, and Worcester State University researcher Diana Sharpe search for Asiatic clams June 16 in Patch Reservoir. RICK CINCLAIR/TELEGRAM & GAZETTE

tinent and is currently found in 44 states. One of the major ways that the clams can move between water bodies is through human activity — recreational fi shing, bait buckets, carried by water in the boat or weeds hanging off the engine. “Once they’re in an area,” said Sharpe, “that’s usually how they spread from one lake to another.” The community can still do its part, especially now as rec reational activities on lakes and ponds ramp up. Aquatic hitchhikers, especially in their microscopic larval stage, aren’t limited to fi shing gear. We can all do our part to slow the spread of invasive species in

one very simple way, which we should be doing anyway — af ter you get out of the water, clean your gear. Like all invasive species, C. fl uminea can be likened to one of those puzzle pieces that doesn’t quite fi t. At fi rst glance it might seem harmless but from a wider perspective it may do more harm than good. An in vasive species, be it plant or animal, adapts to its new home extremely well — too well — and often to the detriment of native species and the larger ecosystem. “You have these unique pair ings of species that have not ever been together naturally in their evolutionary history,” said

Sharpe, “so native species lack the right defenses or abilities to interact with these new spe cies.” And without their natural predators or hazards, invasives can grow unchecked, upsetting the ecological balance. Clams are fi lter feeders, meaning they draw water with phytoplankton and other tiny organisms through their si phons into their gills. The cilia in their gills trap the tiny food particles and move them down where they can be eaten and di gested. The water is then pushed out through the siphon again. However, C. fl uminea do this far more effi ciently, feeding and fi ltering at a much higher rate.

“They outcompete some of our native mollusks,” Sharpe observed, going on to say that of the 12 species of freshwater mussels in Massachusetts, half are listed as special concern or endangered. Many fi sh species feed on the same microscopic organisms as well, early in their life cycles, meaning the Asian clam’s voracious appetite also crowds out these juvenile fi sh. Displacing native species re duces biodiversity and has a ripple eff ect up the food chain, ultimately aff ecting humans. But C. fl uminea also causes di rect problems in the form of in frastructure damage by clog ging intake pipes causing boat engines to overheat, power plant cooling systems to fail and result in millions of dollars of damage each year. With climate change and global warming, we have seen temperature rise and winters become more mild, a combina tion that will inevitably see in vasive species from warmer climes expand their range northward. Sharpe is quick to point out that “not all introduced species are a problem and there are many that are moved to a dif ferent part of the world and don’t have a major impact.” However there are some that become highimpact invaders and lead to extinction and eco logical damage. Bivalves in dense populations excrete sig nifi cant amounts of nitrogen that can stimulate the growth of algae, and we have heard of more algae blooms every year that prevent the use of water bodies during the summer. De pending on the species and the locations involved, scientists are wary to call C. fl uminea a benign invasive at this time.

20 | JUNE 25 - JULY 1, 2021 | WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

ARTTIST SPOTLIGHT

Siddarth Choudhary: The Outside and the Other Zachery Thompson Special to Worcester Magazine USA TODAY NETWORK

What separates us from one anoth er? Siddharth Choudhary explores the isolating eff ects of our current political climate through the lens of immigration and personal othering. Born in Mumbai, India, Choudhary came to Boston by way of Hong Kong and Paris. While in Hong Kong, he discovered the artistic potential of digital art. His style is com posed of quick marks and strokes made with a stylus on a screen. His pieces are eventually printed on a canvas, and they seem as if they were thickly paint ed, yet he achieves these spectacular ef fects entirely with digital software. Choudhary’s most recent series, “Too Much Color,” has been a response not only to critics but also to the quarantine and the protests for racial justice that continue across the country. Digital art is seen by many as separate from the fi ne arts canon. Despite this prejudice, Choud hary is proud of his medium. He has found that it allows him to work quickly and expressively, where he fi nds tradi tional mediums confi ning. At the same time, he goes against the common per ception that digital is smooth and clean, creating quick gestural movements and almost doodlelike compositions. To show his pride in his medium, Choud hary places his subjects in a white void, the default of most digital software. This also allows the viewer to devote their attention exclusively to the fi gures of his pieces. “Self Portrait as an Alien” is an evoca tive piece. It depicts Choudhary as a monster with three drooping eyes, teeth bursting out from his jaw at odd angles, and a propeller sprouting from his head. The colors are vibrant and unnatural. His hair is a slimy turquoise, and red lines wriggle across his face. The only color he does not change in this work is

“Self-portrait as an Alien,” archival pigment print on canvas of computer drawing at 300 ppi, 2020

his skin, which remains warm and brown. He stares out at the audience, three eyes unblinking, with little move ment as if this were a photo. “Metamorphosis” explores the theme of othering in America through the use of the most recognizable symbol of the country. It depicts a stylized American fl ag, although the blue fi eld where the stars reside has been painted a warm brown. It is pushed out of align ment with the stripes, and seems to be trying to make its way back into the iconic confi guration. The orderly rows of red and white stripes, on the other hand, are attempting to crowd out the stars, but are slowly being pushed back by the large scrawled stars and fl eshy brown. Choudhary is also building every color in the piece up from black, leaving the white and red just translucent enough that they become less saturated and more muted. “Parkour” has a more jovial, joking tone to it, but there are hints of worry and unease just beneath the surface. It depicts Choudhary jumping through the city as if shot from a fi sheye lens; the fl at, grey buildings surround him at odd angles, almost like a fence. This unusual perspective gives the painting a feeling of some sort of ad or extreme sports video. He seems to grin as he propels

“Parkour,” archival pigment print on canvas of computer drawing at 300 ppi, 2020 PHOTOS BY SIDDHARTH CHOUDHARY/ARTSWORCESTER

himself through the scene, hands push ing oﬀ a ledge, legs extended with his vi brant shoes leading the way. Strands of blue dance atop his head, tossed by wind or momentum. He looks at the viewer with a worried smile because he sees this piece as “a fantastical scenar io, where I am being chased by ICE. I eventually disappear into the crowd for ever.” These works expose the breadth of how Choudhary sees otherness. Works such as “Parkour” and “SelfPortrait as an Alien” demonstrate the very personal way in which he internalizes otherness, whereas “Metamorphosis” expresses a more analytical, symbolic approach. These pieces oﬀ er a look into how he

feels about otherness and how it has im pacted him throughout his life. How does it aﬀ ect you? “Art History 201: Art, the Public, and Worcester’s Cultural Institutions,” at Clark University gives students the opportunity to work closely with regional contemporary artists. With individual artists from ArtsWorcester’s gallery programs, the students hone their visual and critical skills by producing short essays positioning the artists’ work within contemporary art history. This year, the students also curated small selections of their artist’s work for these online spotlights. This collaboration was funded by a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM | JUNE 25 - JULY 1, 2021 | 21

CITY LIVING TABLE HOPPIN’

Dropping in on Tom’s International Deli Barbara M. Houle Special to Worcester Magazine USA TODAY NETWORK

A recent visit to Tom’s Inter national Deli on Millbury Street in Worcester reminded us of the feeling you get when you go into places that evoke nostalgia diﬃ cult to forget. The tastes and smells of childhood often are the most powerful of mem ories. For some of Tom’s Deli cus tomers, it’s the musky smell of beef, homemade Polish spe cialties or spices that capture a nostalgic feeling. “People tell me that the minute they walk into the store it’s a deli smell they remember even when they wore masks during the pan demic,” said Dariusz (Darek) Gago who with his wife, Iwona, own and operate the business. “I’m here six days a week, so I guess I’m immune to it,” said Gago. Customers love the deli’s half sour pickles, too. No ordi nary pickles, but Regal Crown Pickles that originated in Worcester and today produced in Wayne, N.J. under Regal Crown Foods, a subsidiary of Patriot Pickle. The Worcester pickle factory building had been located on Mason Street. Some folks may remember going to the factory building with little pails or buckets to buy the pickles, said Gago. “Sometimes a customer will come into the deli with one of the little pails and ask if we want it. We sell the pickles and pickled vegetables, but we don’t use the pails. “Honestly, people in the city are crazy for those pickles.” When Tom’s Deli was on Water Street pickles and pick

Tom’s International Deli owners Darek and Iwona Gago at the 52 Millbury St. location on Friday, June 18. ASHLEY GREEN/TELEGRAM & GAZETTE

led vegetables were sold from barrels displayed in a front window. Customers at the Mill bury Street deli will ﬁ nd them in a selfserve area near the back of the store that also fea tures an olive bar. The business keeps to strict food codes, said Gago. Tom’s International Deli has history in the city dating back to 1969 when Thomas Haddad founded and established it on Water Street. Gago and his wife bought the deli in 2008 and re located it to 52 Millbury St. in 2010. He was employed at Commerce Insurance in Web ster and his wife had worked at Tom’s Deli for about a year un der former owners. “I had busi ness experience and my wife knew about the food,” said Ga go. “When the couple who

owned the deli wanted to sell, I told my wife, ‘Let’s give it a whirl.’” Gago grew up in Dudley, where he and his wife and their two children reside. The hus band and wife team work in the business, sometimes with one other employee. The deli origi nally was opened seven days a week, but Gago has scaled back to six. “We needed more family time,” said Gago about the change. “You learn as you go along. We even take vacation time now,” he said. Tom’s Deli is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Satur day. Closed Sunday. Telephone: (508) 7557295; Visit www.tomsdelisubs.com or connect at Facebook.com/ tomsdeliworcester; @tomsde

liworcester. FYI: Customer parking is in a lot across the street from the business, or on street, front and back. Gago said the centerpiece of the “Polish market” are sand wiches and homemade special ties ranging from pierogi and stuff ed cabbage (golabki) to chicken cutlet. The deli boasts a long list of sandwiches, com bos, hot sandwiches, deli sal ads, specialty sandwiches and “authentic Italian sandwiches,” in addition to fresh kielbasa (fi ve kinds), meats, cheeses, smoked fi sh and lox. Sandwich platters and 6 foot subs are a hit with the togo party crowd. European chocolates, snacks and specialty ethnic food groceries also are featured at Tom’s Deli. A good variety of products to slip into the sum

mer picnic basket or gift box. Gago continues catering the “Corporate Lunch,” but he has cut back on large catering jobs such as weddings. His last out oftown wedding was last weekend when he brought Pol ish food to a late night recep tion. Guests requested the food to be served hours after the ﬁ rst wedding reception, he said. The owner previously had done breakfast, lunch and dinner ca tering and recommends calling for updated information. Regulars to Tom’s Deli often share family stories with Gago, sometimes in Polish. Older family members now bring in their children and grandchil dren, he said. City neighbor hoods change and with it comes a new generation and new ideas,” said Gago, who has no plans to change his menu. For some customers, the food is a reminder of their family his tory, especially around the busy holiday season, he said. These days, word of mouth and social media also play an im portant role in the success of this business. From time to time, the Table Hoppin column will reintro duce readers to neighborhood businesses, such as Tom’s In ternational Deli. For some of you it may be the ﬁ rst time to learn about a place and for oth ers the story may bring back vivid memories. Some of the best conversations start over food. Note: Tom’s International Deli will close for vacation on June 25, reopening July 5. If you have a tidbit for the column, call (508) 868-5282. Send email to bhoulefood@gmail.com.

22 | JUNE 25 - JULY 1, 2021 | WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

CONNELL SANDERS

10 takeaways from Cousy statue dedication, including comments from Senator Manchin Sarah Connell Sanders Special to Worcester Magazine USA TODAY NETWORK

On Friday, June 18, Boston Celtics legend Bob Cousy was honored with the dedication of a statue outside the DCU Center in downtown Worcester. Cousy, known as “Houdini of the Hardwood,” played point guard for the Celtics from 1950 to 1963. He is a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross and a long time resident of Worcester. 10. Attorney General Maura Healy was cocaptain of the Harvard Crimson women’s basketball team before playing pro in Austria. She wore num ber 14 out of admiration for Bob Cousy. 9. Sportswriter Bob Ryan and his wife refer to one of the bathrooms in their home as the ‘Bob Cousy bathroom’ because it was built from the proceeds of the book he and Cousy co authored, “Cousy on the Celtic Mystique.” 8. Bob Cousy has had three little brothers throughout his long tenure with the Big Broth ers Big Sisters organization; two of the three were in atten dance for the statue dedica tion. In his remarks, Cousy said it was simply called Big Broth ers back when he got involved, but he’s glad they have become more “woke” by adding a com ponent for young women in re cent years. 7. Cousy says he’s had two great love aﬀ airs: his college sweetheart Missie, whom he married, and the city of Worcester. 6. The Cousys were always a dog family. The pups have passed, but are buried peace fully at their home on Salisbury Street. Cousy says his late wife Missie would have preferred

A statue honoring basketball legend Bob Cousy was dedicated outside the DCU Center Friday, June 18. RICK CINCLAIR/TELEGRAM & GAZETTE

them buried alongside her at Saint John’s Cemetery. 5. Sen. Joseph Manchin of West Virginia grew up idolizing Bob Cousy in the 1950s. Today, Manchin is one of the most powerful political ﬁ gures in the country. He is widely viewed as

the most rebellious Democratic Senator, conﬁ rming many of President Trump’s cabinet seats as well as Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Man chin ﬂ ew in with his wife Gayle to attend Cousy’s statue dedi cation.

4. Manchin met Cousy on a trip to Florida a decade ago. He advocated for Cousy to receive the Presidential Medal of Hon or from President Trump. Dur ing the ceremony, Manchin was booed by a spectator when he told the story of having lunch

with President Trump to make the ask. He began, “At that time, I had a good relationship with President Trump...” He paused at the interruption to clarify, “I said, at that time…” The individual yelled out “Boo again!” Manchin pressed on, pro claiming, “What a day for America! Cousy the one person that brings us together — bi partisan.” 3. Cousy’s likeness was im mortalized by the work of sculptor Omri Amrany, best known for his iconic statue of Michael Jordan, called “The Spirit.” 2. Tom “Satch” Sanders praised Cousy’s passionate in volvement in establishing the National Basketball Players As sociation, adding that he is grateful for the fruits of his re sulting pension. Sanders still dwells on the fact that if “Cooz” had passed him the ball ﬁ ve more times, he would have been an allstar. “But this is not about me,” he joked to a thun der of laughter from the crowd. 1. Boston Celtics majority owner Wyc Grousbeck is origi nally from Worcester. He praised Cousy for his public stance against racism in the 1950s and ‘60s and said Cousy paved the way for Celtics’ re cent $25 million pledge to com bat racial injustice in Boston. Mr. Cousy happens to live down the street from my hus band, my dog Wennington (named for former Chicago Bull, Bill Wennington) and my self. We’ve only lived in the neighborhood a short time, but I would like to state for the rec ord that if the Cooz ever needs a cup of sugar or a puppy to play with, I’ll be at his door in a ﬂ ash.

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM | JUNE 25 - JULY 1, 2021 | 23

LISTEN UP

Overlooked gems by JATK, J. Jordan, Salem Wolves, SeapeopleS and Zola Simone Victor D. Infante Worcester Magazine USA TODAY NETWORK

We get a lot of musical submissions. I mean, a LOT. Like, nearly every musi cian in New England. Obviously, we can't get to everything, but there are al ways a few gems from around the region we almost overlooked. Here are a few of them: “Japanese Butterfl y,” by JATK: Bos ton songwriter Matt Jatkola has been chronicling his cancer journey with up beat rock and roll through his power pop project, JATK, but even if you don't know that, his song “Japanese Butter fl y” is defi nitely worthwhile. There's a garage rock jangle and an indie rock vi brancy to the song, all framing some surprisingly delicate songwriting: “Tak ing off is easy/You show him how to start/by letting go of secrets/in caterpil lar hearts. In short, the song's a brisk, uplifting joy. “No Title,” by J. Jordan: This song by Lowell hiphop artist J. Jordan – a Fitch burg native – might have a prosaic title, but man, the song itself hits pretty hard … ironic for a song with the refrain, “I didn't mean to go so hard.” There's a brisk, propulsive quality to Jordan's fl ow, the way he clips each line, creating a torrent that's easy to get caught up in: “A round of applause for false gods/and these stage productions,” he raps, “spent the budget on a blood bath/and they gave us nothing.” Each line cuts, and when he delivers lines like “We're in America/losing our identity/using words like 'equal'/what exactly does it mean?” the impact is palpable. “Turn to Gold,” by Salem Wolves: There's really no good reason why we never got around to Massachusetts rockers Salem Wolves' 2020 album, “Never Die!!!”, but the music video for the band's song “Turn to Gold” defi nite ly proves that was a regrettable omis sion. The madcap and abstract animat ed video aside, what you have here with this song about being lost in the dark ness, about searching for something See GEMS, Page 24

Matt Jatkola PHOTO BY ANELEISE RUGGLES

Salem Wolves PROMOTIONAL IMAGE

J. Jordan PROMOTIONAL IMAGE

24 | JUNE 25 - JULY 1, 2021 | WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

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Gems Continued from Page 23

without knowing what it is that's missing: “Drive/ Through the night/From Prov idence to Boston/Don’t stop until it's daylight.” That mo ment when the light ﬁ rst ap pears – when everything “turns to gold,” is captured here amid a torrent of drums and squealing guitars, a mo ment of beauty amid the rock 'n'' roll chaos. “It Feels Heavy,” by SeapeopleS: The song may be called, “It Feels Heavy,” but the melo dy itself is anything but: the Maine and Bostonbased band SeapeopleS have created a sound here that's melodically pleasant with a rich, warm in viting tone. Which is funny, because the song itself does delve into some heavy feel ings: “I don't wanna hear what you're gonna say/I can hear you think from a mile away/I don't wanna know/where you're gonna go/it just makes me so paranoid/I don't wanna feel what you're having to deal with/you just use me to steal with.” The song's sense of bal ance makes it extremely en gaging and deeply resonant. “Iridescent,” by Zola Si-

Zola Simone PROMOTIONAL IMAGE

mone: This track from the Boston singersongwriter Zola Simone, produced by The Arci type, manages to catch the heat of a relationship that burns hotter than at least one person involved is willing to admit. “I can taste you want it,” sings Simone, “No part of this platonic/Say I’m just an op tion/But you lie, you lie.” Every line of this song is infused with smoke and the spark of poten tial that seems in danger of dissipating if unrealized too long. It's a beautiful song, the kind that gets under your skin.

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM | JUNE 25 - JULY 1, 2021 | 25

NEW ON DVD

Bob Odenkirk is tired of being a ‘Nobody’ “Nobody”: A dadsploitation fl ick about a seemingly mild mannered husband and father who rediscovers his inner rage tops the DVD releases for the week of June 22. Bob Odenkirk stars as the titular “Nobody,” a suburban dad named Hutch who’s always getting pushed around, but has a lurking certain set of skills. Emasculated following a home burglary where he does nothing to stop the robbers, Hutch fi nally snaps and taps into his re pressed past life as an assassin when confronted by hooligans on a bus. Directed by Ilya Naishuller, the fi lm “is a riff on the ‘John Wick’ model, which makes sense, because it’s written by ‘John Wick’ screenwriter Derek Kolstad, who’s had some fun with the formula adapting it for comedianturneddramatic actor Odenkirk,” writes Tri bune News Service critic Katie Walsh in her review. “Lean, mean and brutish, ‘Nobody’ is best enjoyed as the juicy piece of pulp that it is,” Walsh concludes. “But Oden kirk, stepping into an action hero role for the fi rst time, brings a sense of dolefulness and rue to this performance. Hutch’s character arc is fasci nating, because his turn to vio lence doesn’t necessarily ren der him virile, but vulnerable, which allows him to connect to his family, and himself.”

ALSO NEW ON DVD JUNE 22 “The Unholy”: After being visited by the Virgin Mary, a young hearingimpaired wom an can hear, talk and even heal the sick. But as strange events begin to occur, it becomes clear the “miracle” may be the work of an evil force. “The Paper Tigers”: Former martial arts prodigies known as the Three Tigers, now middle aged and dealing with the mun

Hutch (Bob Odenkirk) lets the bad guys know what he thinks of their dirty money in “Nobody.” COURTESY OF UNIVERSAL

dane responsibilities of every day life, must put aside old grudges and reconnect to avenge the murder of their kung fu master. “Death in Texas”: A man re turns home to El Paso, Texas, following his release from pris on, and discovers his mother is dying of liver failure. With her low on the transplant list, the man sets out to ﬁ nd an organ through illicit means and be comes involved with a cartel. Starring Ronnie Gene Blevins and Bruce Dern. “Georgetown”: Christoph Waltz, who also directed, stars as an opportunistic social

climber who marries a wealthy widow in Washington, D.C., so he can gain access to the world of powerful politicians. “Hunter Hunter”: A family living oﬀ the grid as fur trap pers in a remote forest becomes the hunted when a rogue wolf returns to the area. But all may not be what it seems in this horror thriller. “Siberia”: Willem Defoe stars as a man haunted by his past who moves to Siberia and opens a bar. One night, he trav els by sled dog to a nearby cave, where he confronts his per sonal demons and traumatic past events. Directed by Abel

Ferrara. “Umbrella Academy: Season One”: In this Netﬂ ix series, a family of former child super heroes must come back togeth er as estranged adults to save the world. Stars Elliot Page, Tom Hopper and David Casta neda. “Night of the Sicario”: Na tasha Henstrige and Costas Mandylor must protect the daughter of a key witness in a federal court case who is being hunted by members of a drug cartel.

OUT ON DIGITAL HD JUNE 22

“Batman: The Long Halloween, Part One”: In this ani mated ﬁ lm inspired by the iconic mid1990s DC Comics story from Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale, Batman partners with Go tham’s only trustworthy law men (James Gordan and Har vey Dent) after a brutal Hallow een murder. “Life in a Year”: Jaden Smith stars as a high school standout who ﬁ nds out that his girlfriend, played by Cara De levingne, is terminally ill and sets out to cram a lifetime of ex periences into the year she has left.

26 | JUNE 25 - JULY 1, 2021 | WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

5 THINGS TO DO

A promotional poster for "Kenny Scharf: When Worlds Collide." PROMOTIONAL IMAGE

‘KENNY SCHARF,’ ‘BAGGAGE CHECK’ AND MORE ... Richard Duckett , Victor D. Infante and Veer Mudambi Worcester Magazine | USA TODAY NETWORK

Pop Art

It will be cinema-worcester’s the first in-person screening since March, 2020, when it presents “Kenny Scharf: When Worlds Collide” at 7 p.m. June 25 in the Park View Room, 230 Park Ave., Worcester. For the past 15 months cinema-worcester has been showing movies online. The acclaimed documentary about the pop art icon Kenny Scharf features interviews and rare archival footage with Scharf, Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Ed Ruscha, Dennis Hopper, Yoko Ono, Kaws, Marilyn Minter, and Jeffrey Deitch. (RD) Continued on next page

What: “Kenny Scharf: When Worlds Collide” When: 7 p.m. June 25 Where: Park View Room, 230 Park Ave., Worcester How much: $10; $8.50 students and seniors. www.cinema-worcester.com

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM | JUNE 25 - JULY 1, 2021 | 27

The Jean McDonough Arts Center on Franklin Street, home to Worcester PopUp and BrickBox Theater. FILE PHOTO

Maker party

Back on stage

Evidently, this is the summer of outdoor parties! Next up on the social calendar is Technocopia, a maker space located in the Printers Building which has a a mission of making tools, technologies, and technology and craft education accessible and affordable. Technocopia will be throwing its first Maker Festival event, where it will showcase some of the crafts and technology that have emanated from the downtown maker space, and although the event itself will be outside, there will be tours of the building with participating organizations, including, Technocopia, WorcLab and ArtsWorcester. Some of the events on the agenda include screen printing, yarn bombing, wood working, leather working, large scale weaving and 3-D printing. (This event will be following COVID guidelines, include facemasks and social distancing.)

The Hanover Theatre Conservatory’s Youth Acting Company presents “Urinetown” for three performances June 25 to 27 at the BrickBox Theater. A winner of three Tony Awards, “Urinetown” is a musical satire set in a Gotham-like city where a terrible water shortage caused by a 20-year drought has led to a government-enforced ban on private toilets. (RD)

What: Technocopia’s Maker Festival When: 10 a.m. To 3 p.m. June 26 (rain date June 27) Where: Outside the Printers Building, 44 Portland St., Worcester How much: Free, but visit https://technocopia.org/make-it to preregister for tickets

‘Baggage’ claim The artist currently known as Bruja The Villain has presented her works under a number of different names, but her work has always been daring and viscerally exciting, and that’s definitely true for her current exhibition, “Baggage Check,” at the Worcester PopUp. “What if you actually had to carry your personality around like it was luggage and in this luggage you carried your personal baggage,” says a statement on the exhibition’s Eventbrite page. “All the items in one box which instantly shows everyone who you are and why you are.” Considering Bruja’s past work, this promises to be the sort of exhibit which will make a fearless delve into mental health and the nature of how we change. (VDI) What: “Baggage Check,” an exhibition by Bruja The Villain When: Opening night 6 p.m. July 1, exhibit running July 16 Where: The Worcester PopUp at the JMAC, 20B Franklin St., Worcester How much: Free, but preregister for opening night at https:// www.eventbrite.com/e/the-baggage-claimtickets-154096333281

Technocopia in the Printer’s Building, T&G STAFF/ASHLEY GREEN

What: “Urinetown” When: 7 p.m. June 25, 26 and 27 Where: BrickBox Theater at the JMAC, 20 Franklin St., Worcester How much: Tickets are $25. Seating is general admission. The Brick Box currently requires all audience members to wear masks. Please contact the box office at (877) 5717469 for more information.

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28 | JUNE 25 - JULY 1, 2021 | WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

ADOPTION OPTION

Meet Kovi and Poppy 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. Kovi and Poppy were surrendered to the shelter after their owner began hav ing ﬁ nancial and health problems and could no longer care for them. Kovi is younger and loves to play, run and have a good time. Poppy, his older friend, is all about the snuggles and relaxation. These two are the best of both worlds and are looking for a home together. They love going out for walks and being outside. Poppy enjoys meeting other dogs, however, Kovi can be very selec tive. He has met several dogs here and has not reacted well to them. For this reason, these two should be the only ones gracing your home. They have met older children, ages 6 and older and have done well. These two boys are a great couple that compliment one an other very well. They are looking for ward to a fresh start with a loving family. If you would like more information about Kovi and Poppy, or you would like to make an appointment to meet with them, please contact the shelter today. WARL COVID19 Procedures As of Nov. 9, 2020 As the COVID19 pandemic con tinues to evolve, we want to share with you some changes we have implement ed so that we can continue to serve the pets and people of our community while keeping our team protected. • ADOPTIONS: At this time, adop tions are being held BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. If you are interested in adoption,

Kovi and Poppy are available for adoption. PHOTO/ MICHELLE BOURGET PATRICK SUBARU

please visit our website worceste rarl.org/ adopt/ to learn more about our available animals then call us at (508) 8530030 ext.0 or email us at in fo@worcesterarl. org to schedule an ap pointment. • CASUAL VISITS TO THE SHEL TER are prohibited. We will strictly en force this in order to keep our animal care team protected while still main taining the most essential function of our operation ... ﬁ nding homes for ani mals in need. • ANIMAL SURRENDERS: Our busi ness practice for surrendering a pet re mains the same. All pet owners must contact WARL in advance of surrender ing a pet. Please call (508) 8530030.

• SPAY/NEUTER CLINICS: All scheduled appointments will be hon ored. If you have a scheduled appoint ment, we will be contacting you to dis cuss changes to our drop oﬀ /pick up procedures. • DONATIONS ACCEPTED except for open bags of food. • Pet food, cat litter, and other shel ter supplies will be essential in con tinuing 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.ama zon.com/gp/registry/wish list/3AX342JIL73M0 • Weekly training classes are going

on for adopters. • The WARL Volunteer Program is temporarily suspended. All regular vol unteer shifts are on hold. We look for ward 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 facetoface interactions while continu ing to operate only core essential ser vices. Please continue to follow our Facebook page for additional updates. Should you have any questions or con cerns, please contact the shelter at (508) 8530030 or info@ worcesterar l.org.

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM | JUNE 25 - JULY 1, 2021 | 29

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Across 1. Home planet of TV’s ALF 7. Sex ed subj. 10. Tests for college credit, briefly 13. Constellation whose name means “eagle” 14. “The Andy Griffith Show” kid 15. “High School Musical” star 20 Printer refill Efron 16. Keeps going and going 17. Quite skilled 19. Tavern gambling game, in some states 21. One more than zwei 22. It may get tacked on 23. Features erroneously added male film “Precious” was based to cows in some cartoons 25. Streaming device maker 29. More encrusted 44 Raise, as a flag 32. JFK flier, once 33. Smokey Robinson song that was covered by The Jackson 5 36. Veterans will mention it’s at the rainbow’s end” 4. ___-en-scene (stage setting) not their first 44. Reverend known for con5. Icy 37. Offensive or defensive fusing initial letters 6. Ex-ballplayer who wrote player 45. Restaurant chain with a “Juiced” 38. Mature, legally green and red logo 7. Get a glimpse of 42. Taco Bell taco variety with a Arson, e.g. 8. Gauzy, like a light dress 54 Prefix46. unique shell with information 47. Tense situation 9. “No Sudden Move” actor 45. Ozone depleter, for short 51. Fish sometimes wrapped Benicio ___ Toro 48. Strengthen in rice 10. Sky blue hues 49. Subway map dot 23 Potato chip flavor 53. Staticky output 11. Indianapolis fi ve 50. Reason for excommuni56. Move like lava 12. Flaky metamorphic rock cation 25 They flowngets for laughs in 57. Cat-loving poet’s initials that haven’t sometimes 52. “___ appetit!” 58. “Great White North” sketch high school geology 54. Nastase of tennis show 14. Plastic ___ Band 55. Started to stall, like a bad 59. City north of Utah Lake 18. Like the length and width Internet connection 60. Wallet stuffers of most crossword grids 62. Chicano rock band with the 61. “OK, now where ___ we?” 20. Description for some conapt debut album “How Will the 63. Sugary suffix ditioners 61 Printer refill Wolf Survive?” 24. “Cats rule, dogs ___” 64. ___ Creed (church recita(“Homeward Bound” line) tion) 25. 1980s D.C. monogram 65. Singer Kamoze with the 26. “Well, well, well!” 1994 hit “Here Comes the 27. Floored, as a boxer Hotstepper” 28. Well-trodden 66. Venti, e.g. 30. 1977 Burton role in “Roots” 67. “Dollface” actress Povitsky 31. Not certain 68. Part of MS-DOS (abbr.) 34. Pillages 69. Night before 35. Crafts that are also called 70. Create a new draft of UAPs (as of 2021 news) 39. Do something Down 40. Marshmallow residue 1. Sports announcer Albert 41. Prescience of a sort 2. Prefix for lateral 43. They Might Be Giants title 3. Ilsa ___ (“Casablanca” character who “proudly stands ©2021 Matt Jones character)

(jonesincrosswords@gmail.com) Reference puzzle #1046

WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM | JUNE 25 - JULY 1, 2021 | 31

LAST CALL

William Spangenberg and Louis Fiacco, winners of Holy Cross Shark Tank Veer Mudambi Worcester Magazine USA TODAY NETWORK

Thinking back to your college years — one thing that may spring to mind are the uncomfortable dorm beds. It’s safe to assume they haven’t gotten much bet ter, and as a result, many students use a mattress topper for a better night’s sleep. However, these are inevitably tossed out at the end of the year, leading to excessive waste. Will Spangenberg and Louis Fiacco, seniors at the College of the Holy Cross, hope to fi x this. Win ners of the Holy Cross Shark Tank com petition, the two students have created a service, Sader Sleeps, for their class mates to rent luxury mattresses for the school year or semester, eliminating the need for a mattress topper and cutting down on waste. As members of the Eco Action club at Holy Cross, the sustain ability this off ers is a key point, but the company also plans to donate 10% of profi ts toward the Green Fund at Holy Cross, which sponsors environmental initiatives on campus. How did this idea come about? Spangenberg: We were moving out in our freshman year and looking around on moveout day and saw a huge mountain of mattress toppers touching the ceiling and said “what an incredible waste.” Fiacco: The twinsized extralong mattress toppers for the dorm beds wouldn’t fi t on most people’s beds at home. And students can’t take mattress toppers home with them if they’re from out of state, so they just get thrown away every year. S: So we connected with a luxury mattress maker, Sealy, about renting mattresses that could be reused. F: My uncle actually works with Sea ly and that’s how we got our foot in the door. S: Every year, Holy Cross does a Shark Tank competition. We won against 10 other businesses for the $3,000 prize. It’s actually usually more but with COVID, funding for the compe tition was cut.

Louie Fiacco, left, and Will Spangenberg, Holy Cross students and founders of Sader Sleeps. DYLAN AZARI

What was the timeline for the pro ject and how else did COVID aff ect it? S: COVID really hurt us because we planned to implement our mattresses during our junior year but with COVID restrictions and school closures, it got pushed back, but even without that, anyone who has tried to start a business knows there’s always fi res to put out. We tried to form the necessary connec tions during sophomore year and by the end of the year had all the pieces in place. Then we had to discuss imple mentation with Holy Cross higherups and the social justice aspect — like peo ple wouldn’t get jealous if someone else had a nice mattress and they didn’t be cause they couldn’t aff ord to rent it. We’re planning to implement a fi nancial aid plan so anyone who needs a mat tress can aff ord one. This past year we fi nalized a contract with the school —

really exciting to see the culmination of all of our eﬀ orts pay oﬀ . Have your sanitization expenses for the mattresses increased postCO VID? S: Not really — we have a very protec tive sanitizing process of mattress en casements and we can guarantee that nobody has actually gotten through to your mattress. Even before COVID, we wanted to make sure the students didn’t have to worry about anything but sleep ing. F: We’ve actually seen rising costs in raw materials. S: There’s just huge supply chain is sues because the materials used to make mattresses were also used to make PPE. Also, they also come from China and international tensions have increased cost as well. Have you decided what you’re go

ing to do with the prize money? S: That money will go towards exist ing inventory, advertising the product on campus, particularly Holy Cross, and employees to help install mattresses — there are tons of diff erent applications. In the future, we hope to design our own luxury mattress for our brand, so we will probably need some seed fund ing to get that process started with the manufacturing company. What individual strengths do you guys bring to your partnership? S: Louis is really passionate and per severes through everything. He also created our website (www.sadersleeps.com) and fi netuned it. F: I’m a compsci major so I created the layout of the website. Will is a psy chology major so he’s better at writing and added all the text and images for the site. S: In terms of responsibilities, we’re kind of jack of all trades right now. But when we’re trying to sell our product, I’d take on most of that load. Any kind of technical questions about the process or the website, that’s what Louis will take on. We combine really well because we’re really hard working and dedicat ed. To clarify, where do things stand right now? S: We’ve done the fi rst installations for off campus students. We’re hoping to do our oncampus installations at Holy Cross on August 16. Next year, we want to take that model of a successful year at Holy Cross and expand to other schools. How big do you see your initial team getting? S: At Holy Cross, it will probably con sist of a few other students but hoping to increase exponentially when we start expanding. We’ll need some expert help but defi nitely want to set up work study positions at schools. Finally, where did you get the name Sader Sleeps? S: Holy Cross’s mascot is the Crusad er. It’s often shortened to ‘sader. We just combined those for a catchy name!

32 | JUNE 25 - JULY 1, 2021 | WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM

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LIFETIME OUT OF THIS WORLD SERVICEˇ DOWN TO EARTH PRICE.

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WARRANTY

*Typical job completed in as little as a day. See associate for details. **Offer good upon approval of credit/Includes product and labor for standard white wall system installation. Some additional charges may apply. Offer not valid in combination with any other offer, discount or coupon or on prior or current sales. Each dealership independently owned and operated. ©2021 Bath Planet LLC. All rights reserved. Offer expires 6/30/21.

Worcester Magazine June 25 - July 1, 2021

Articles inside

Last Call

Adoption Option

Featured

City Voices

Artist Spotlight

Cover Story

Table Hoppin’

New on DVD