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5 Things You Need to Know Today in Worcester – June 16

By TWIW Staff | June 16, 2021
Last Updated: July 8, 2021

In today’s daily 5 Things You Need to Know feature, ThisWeekinWorcester.com explores five important items and stories that Worcester and Central Massachusetts residents should keep a close eye on.

These five things can cover a whole range of subjects and issues that we feel are pertinent to understanding what’s going on in the city and the cities and towns surrounding Worcester.

In today’s edition – Wednesday, June 16 – Gov. Baker and the Mass Lottery launch “VaxMillions,” the state’s Juneteenth exhibit opens today, the YWCA’s Camp Wind-in-the-Pines is welcoming campers, the Chandler Street yard waste site is closed today and the state launches the MassNotify smartphone service.

Massachusetts VaxMillions Giveaway

Governor Charlie Baker and the Massachusetts State Lottery announced the Massachusetts VaxMillions Giveaway for fully vaccinated residents.

Fully vaccinated residents 18 and older can enter to win of five, $1 million cash prizes. Fully vaccinated residents between 12-17 years of age may enter for the chance to win one of five $300,000 scholarship grants.

Eligible residents can enter the drawing beginning July 1. Drawings will be once a week for five weeks beginning the week of Monday, July 26 and continuing through the week ending Friday, August 27.

Only fully vaccinated, lawful, permanent residents of Massachusetts are eligible. Residents must have received their vaccine doses within Massachusetts. Residents must be fully vaccinated prior to submitting their entry.

Secretary Galvin Opens Juneteenth Exhibit

Secretary of the Commonwealth William F. Galvin will open the Commonwealth Museum’s official Juneteenth celebration today –Wednesday, June 16 — at 11 AM.

The Commonwealth Museum is on Columbia Point in Dorchester, in the State Archives, next to the JFK Presidential Library

The museum is free-for-all visitors on weekdays from 9 AM until 5 PM. Special Juneteenth visiting hours will be held on Saturday, June 19th, from 9 AM until 4 PM.

The exhibit features 14 documents dating from 1641 to 1865. The centerpieces of the exhibit are an order from the Massachusetts Adjutant General announcing the Emancipation Proclamation and the Act by the Massachusetts Legislature ratifying the 13th Amendment.

Other highlights include a letter from Frederick Douglass, a census of enslaved people in colonial Massachusetts, and documents from the court cases which resulted in the abolition of slavery in Massachusetts in 1781.

YWCA Camp Wind-in-the-Pines Open at Full-Capacity

YWCA Central Massachusetts welcomes campers to full capacity at Camp Wind-in-the-Pines this summer.

For the convenience of working parents, the day camp will run from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Friendly House will provide lunch and snacks on site.

Camp Wind-in-the-Pines is located on Stiles Reservoir in Leicester. It provides campers, ages 6 to 13 years old, with a robust day of themed activities, games, swim lessons, boating, and more. The lake front property features a boathouse and dock, several recreation halls, a ball field, nature trails and equipped with private restrooms, showers and changing areas for campers.

2021 Camp Wind-in-the-Pines Session Themes:

  • Nature: June 21-25
  • Scarecrows: June 28- July 2
  • Independence Day: July 5-9 (closed July 5)
  • Birds of a Feather: July 12-16
  • We Are Family- A Multicultural Celebration: July 19-23
  • Mad Science: July 26-30
  • Superheroes: August 2-6
  • Safari: August 9-13
  • Hawaiian Luau: August16-20
  • Camp at its Best: August 23-27

Vouchers are accepted and limited scholarships are available for those who qualify. Please visit our website to review the qualifications and download the Camp Scholarship Application.

For more information or questions about programming, please contact our Camp Director, Cynthia Landry, at [email protected]. See YWCA website for session theme descriptions or to register.

Chandler St. Yard Waste Site Closed on Wednesday

The leaf and yard waste drop-off site at 300 Chandler St. will be closed on Wednesday, June 16, 2021 because of graduation events taking place at Foley Stadium.

The leaf and yard waste drop-off sites at 299 Clark St. and 1065 Millbury St. will be open from 8:30 AM to 3 PM.

Governor Introduces New Tool to Enhance COVID-19 Exposure Awareness

Governor Charlie Baker announced the launch of MassNotify on Tuesday, June 15.

MassNotify is a smartphone service that Massachusetts residents can use voluntarily to let others know they may have been exposed to COVID-19.

Developed in partnership with Apple and Google, MassNotify can be enabled on an iPhone or Android phone in seconds, and provides an additional layer of awareness and safety for Massachusetts residents as the Commonwealth reopens.

MassNotify alerts provide valuable awareness for both vaccinated and unvaccinated residents to help prevent future COVID transmission and keep Massachusetts open and residents safe from COVID-19. The technology works anonymously and does not track users or divulge personal information.

Massachusetts joins 28 other states across the U.S. and over 35 countries around the world who are utilizing similar exposure alerts to increase awareness and continued vigilance as vaccination numbers boost and re-opening resumes.

For more information visit the MassNotify website.

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