10 minute read
Five Things
CONNELL SANDERS Worcester’s seniors get WISE to virtual learning
Sarah Connell Sanders
Advertisement
Special to Worcester Magazine USA TODAY NETWORK
The Worcester Institute for Senior Education (WISE) hosted by Assumption University relies on the curiosity and drive of our community’s lifelong learners. Monica Gow is the current director of WISE, which began o ering programming nearly 30 years ago. She accepted the position in June of 2020, a precarious time on many college campuses. Gow’s mother had previously enrolled in WISE courses and she Monica herself had atGow is the tended Assumpdirector of tion for her unWorcester dergraduate deInstitute gree, so the opfor Senior portunity felt Education tting from the (WISE). start. There was one catch. While previous WISE members had enjoyed participating in guest lectures, band performances and theater productions of the university, virtual learning brought change. Gow was determined to foster a welcoming online environment for seniors, but she knew it would be a challenge.
Zoom classes turned out to have their perks. Self-de ned seniors could work remotely from wherever they might be quarantining across the country and beyond. She was pleased to see that enrollment didn’t suffer. Moving forward, Gow even hopes to maintain a hybrid option in order to make classes more accessible to everyone.
WISE members show off their original “Six-Word Memoir.” SUBMITTED PHOTO
Benjamin Railton can relate. Railton is a professor of English and American Studies at Fitchburg State University and the author of six books. He has taught adult learning courses for close to a decade, but the prospect of adding another Zoom to his busy schedule during the pandemic made him weary. To his surprise, the online environment renewed and reinvigorated his love of teaching. “Su ce to say that everything great about WISE translated to that setting,” remarked Railton, “It felt even more inspiring and vital during such times.” This semester, Railton will teach a popular class titled “Echos of the 1920s.”
Fellow instructor Martha Gach has also taught WISE courses for many years. Gach is the education manager and conservation coordinator for Mass Audubon at Broad Meadow Brook. She shares Railton’s sentiments about the adult learning environment, stating, “It’s an easy lift because everyone in the class wants to be there, all of them bring experiences, and some have a great deal of expertise to contribute.”
Gach misses the eld trips and walks of the “before times.” She recalls one class on New England wildlife that paid particular attention to opossums. “As it happened, one student had been a wildlife rehabilitator and lived with an opossum for quite some time,” remembers Gach. “I learned, among other things, that opossums can be quite a ectionate — it was evident she’d been quite attached!” Gach will lead a class on climate change this fall.
The new semester begins Sept. 9, with 32 o erings ranging from classes like “How Magazines Shaped a Young Nation” to “Competitiveness in the International Business Arena.” Each course meets once a week for 90 minutes over ve weeks. Best of all, there are no tests or homework assignments, and registration is already open (https://assump tionwise.org/).
The $150 membership fee allows participants to take as many classes as they wish over the course of 10 weeks during the fall semester. The same is true of the spring semester in 2022.
Visit theFall Course Catalog at https://assumptionwise.org to see if there’s a class that piques your interest. Remember, the term “senior” is selfidentifying and non-discriminatory. Lifelong learners take every shape and form.
NEW ON DVD ‘Queen Bees,’ ‘Black Widow’ set for release
A comedy about a woman’s reluctant move to a retirement community tops the DVD releases for the week of Aug. 10.
“Queen Bees”: Ellen Burstyn stars as Helen, a widower living alone who is sent by her daughter to a senior’s home after a kitchen re incident. Though not wild about the move initially, friendship with a group of women known as the Queen Bees and romance with a new suitor quickly follow for Helen.
ALSO NEW ON DVD AUG.
“Finding You”: A young woman beginning her semester abroad in Ireland encounters unexpected romance when she meets a handsome movie star.
“The House Next Door: Meet the Blacks 2”: Carl Black and his family are back in this horror comedy sequel, this time moving into his old childhood home. Carl and his neighbors take on a pimp who may possibly be a real vampire.
“American Traitor: The Trial of Axis Sally”: In this World War II-set drama based on a true story, Al Pacino stars as the lawyer representing an American singer accused of treason for broadcasting Nazi propaganda.
“Are You Afraid of the Dark? Curse of the Shadows“: The second installment of the revival of Nickelodeon’s horror anthology series nds a group of children investigating the disappearance of their friend.
“My Heart Can’t Beat Unless You Tell It To”: Two brothers feud over how to care for their sickly younger brother in this horror drama.
“Occupation: Rainfall”: In this sequel to the Australian sci- lm “Occupation,” survivors in Sydney continue to ght against the invading alien forces.
“Pro le”: A female British journalist goes undercover to try and get recruited by the Islamic State, creating a false online identity.
“Victim of Love”: A man’s search for his missing girlfriend leads him to a nightmarish underworld in this Danish horror thriller.
“A Place In the Sun” (Bluray): The 1951 classic starring Liz Taylor and Montgomery Clift has been remastered from a 4K lm transfer for its 70th anniversary. Includes new bonus content with Leonard Maltin talking about director George Stevens and the innovative lm techniques he used on the lm.
“Friday the 13th 8-Movie Collection” (Blu-ray): Ahead of Aug. 13, the only Friday the 13th on the calendar this year, the horror franchise gets a box set release that includes newly remastered versions of the rst four “Friday the 13th” lms.
“Batman: Long Halloween, Part Two” (Blu-ray): This animated feature continues the story inspired by the ‘90s comic book series in which the Caped Cruasder must nd and stop a serial killer.
SUMMERISBACK
NOW– SEPT5TH
MOREMONEY MONDAYS
OnMondays,Momentummembers willget achance to wintheirshareof $10,000 Cash. CATCHIN’ RAYS TUESDAYS
Every Tuesday, compete againsteveryonein your status leveltowinup to 1,000MomentumDollars.
WILDWINNING WEDNESDAYS
DoubleMomentumDollars onslots. Double Status Points on tablegames. GetFreeSlotPlay when afriendjoinsMomentum. THRILLS &CHILLS THURSDAYS
EveryThursday, justplayyour favoritegamesand youcouldbe randomlypicked to winprizes and experiences.
FUNINTHESUN FRIDAYS
Get afreeHotSummer Funt-shirt*then catchthebestlivetributebands forfreeat Partyonthe Patio.
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
Don’tmiss thebiggestshowsofthesummer atMoheganSunArena,includingJeffDunham, Big &Rich, Toby Keith,StraightNoChaser, JasonMraz, TomSeguraandmore.
HOTSUMMERFUN NIGHTLIFE
Dine,play, winandpartyallnight at your favoritehotspotslikenovelleandthe brand-newTAO AsianBistro&Lounge. MOHEGANSUN.COM/HSF #HOTSUMMERFUN
*To thefirst 1,000Momentummembers.Rulesand restrictionsapply. ProperI.D. required. Mustbe21orolder.Visit aPlayer’sClubbooth fordetails.
FIVE THINGS
‘ABBA the Concert,’ Leather Lung and more ....
Richard Duckett, Victor D. Infante and Veer Mudambi Worcester Magazine | USA TODAY NETWORK
PROMOTIONAL PHOTO
In 1974, ABBA stunningly burst onto the scene by winning the Eurovision Song Contest with “Waterloo.” The Swedish group of Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid went on to be a Top of the Pops phenomenon for all time. They also made headlines as, respectively, Agnetha and Björn and Anni-Frid and Benny were married couples. Until their breakups, mirrored in “Knowing Me, Knowing You.” ABBA The Concert — A Tribute to ABBA has picked up the music, and the ABBA look, and is billed as “the closest to ABBA you’ll ever get.” The group “presents a visually and musically stunning tribute to Sweden’s pop superstars” taking people back to joyous hits such as “Dancing Queen,” “Mamma Mia,” “SOS,” “Fernando,” “Take a Chance on Me,” and more. (RD) What: ABBA The Concert — A Tribute to ABBA. Opener: DJ Dave O’Gara When: 7 p.m. Aug. 13 (doors 5 p.m.) Where: Indian Ranch, 200 Gore Road, Webster How much: $32.50 general admission, and up. www.indianranch.com
All that Jazz
The final “Pop-Up” performance of the Central Mass Jazz Fest will feature Jazzed Up Trio and special guest Bill Fanning from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 19 at Chashu Ramen + Izakaya, 38 Franklin Bill Fanning will perform Aug. 19 as part of the
St., Worcester. Trum- Central Mass. Jazz Festival at Chashu Ramen +
peter, composer and Izakaya, 38 Franklin St., Worcester.
teacher Bill Fanning PROMOTIONAL PHOTO
performs concerts and conducts clinics both in the U.S. and internationally and has performed with the Artie Shaw Band, the Benny Goodman Tribute Band, Max Carl and the Big Dance Horns featuring Glenn Frey, and the Nelson Riddle Orchestra. The Jazzed Up Trio has won a number of local awards. That won’t be the end of the music for this year’s “hybrid” festival. On June 14 several well-known artists came in to the studios of WCCA TV to record sets for the Central Mass Jazz Fest “Main Event” that will be broadcast on WCAA TV channels Sept. 6 through 10. (RD) What: Jazzed Up Trio with special guest Bill Fanning — Central Mass Jazz Fest When: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 19 Where: Chashu Ramen + Izakaya, 38 Franklin St. , Worcester How much: Free. www.centralmassjazzfest.com
21+ Hawaiian Luau at Davis Farmland DAVIS FARMLAND DISCOVERY FARM
Barnyard Luau
Looking to cool down this weekend with some real party animals? Tomorrow Davis Farmland will be hosting a tropical luau for guests 21 and over. Treat yourself to frozen tropical style drinks, craft beers and an All-You-Can-Eat Hawaiian BBQ. Music will be provided by Jason Roseman and the Tropical Gems. Dress up island-style and come over to mingle with the barnyard residents made up of the largest collection of endangered farmyard animals in North America. (VM) What: Davis Farmland 21+ Night When: 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 14 Where: Davis Farmland, 145 Redstone Hill, Sterling How much: $45 per ticket, reserve online at davisfarmland.com/calendarof-events/ Leather Lung will perform Aug. 20 at Ralph’s Rock Diner, 148 Grove St., Worcester.
PROMOTIONAL PHOTO
Beyond the Sludge
Boston rockers Leather Lung occupy a pretty interesting musical space, one which is quickly apparent when you listen to the band’s 2019 album, “Lonesome, On’ry and Evil.” The sludge-metal sound is there, with its heavy guitars and dragging basslines, all of which create a sort of sonic sinkhole that draws in the listener. But there are other things happening there, too. Throughout the album, Leather Lung delivers force and fury, but also surprises, such as the display of countrified musicianship on “Whiskey Barrel Blues” or the melodic oasis in the early vocals on “Skeleton Key.” It’s indicative of a talented band that’s willing to push the edges of genres, and that’s pretty cool. (VDI) What: Leather Lung with Conclave, Chained To The Bottom Of The Ocean and Doctored Ray When: 8 p.m. Aug. 20 Where: Ralph’s Rock Diner, 148 Grove St., Worcester How much: $12
Sing Along
You can let your voice be heard as The Assabet Valley Mastersingers has its first ever “Summer Sing” with an informal performance of Mozart’s choral masterpiece, Requiem, at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 17 at Congregation B’nai Shalom in Westboro. People are welcome to sing the choruses with members of the AVM chorus while professional soloists sing the solos. Bring your music score or borrow one at the door. Or you can just sit and enjoy listening to the forever-compelling music. The soloists are Andrea Ehrenreich, soprano, Jessica Tasucu, alto, Killian Mooney, tenor, and John Salvi, bass. The accompanist is Mark Bartlett. AVM artistic director Robert Eaton conducts. (RD) What: Assabet Valley Mastersingers - “Summer Sing,” Mozart’s Requiem When: 7:30 p.m. Aug. 17 Where: Congregation B’nai Shalom, 117 East Main St., Westboro How much: $10 suggested donation. As per current CDC and state guidelines, masks are optional for those fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Unvaccinated individuals are expected to wear a mask. Patron parties will be asked to socially distance by at least three feet. www.avmsingers.org. The Assabet Valley Mastersingers held their 40th anniversary concert in 2018 at St. John's High
School. ALLAN JUNG/T&G FILE
