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5 Things You Need to Know Today in Worcester – June 9

By TWIW Staff | June 9, 2021
Last Updated: July 8, 2021
grand opening of new stores

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 9 – Veterans Inc. announces its annual Stand Down, ArtsWorcester’s block party in downtown Worcester is this Saturday, the Summit Agency is hosting a ribbon cutting for its new Health and Wellness Center, a virtual panel on women in baseball is being presented by the Worcester Historical Museum and Massachusetts is ranked the 14th fastest state recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Veterans Inc. Stand Down on June 18

The Veterans Inc. Stand Down takes place on Friday, June 18th at the Veterans Inc. headquarters at 69 Grove St. in Worcester from 9 AM to 3 PM.

The event provides counseling & substance abuse referrals, employment and training services, healthcare services, housing resources, legal services, wellness activities, and a career fair. Veterans and their families will also receive clothing, shoes/boots and personal care items. Lunch will be served.

The event is open to homeless and in-need veterans and their families. All services and items are provided free of charge. Veterans should bring a DD-214 or VA card as proof of veteran status.

Veterans are encouraged to pre-register at www.veteransinc.org or may contact (800) 482-2565.

For more information on any of our events please visit our website at www.veteransinc.org or contact Sherry Leger Callahan at [email protected]

ArtsWorcester Block Party is Downtown on Saturday

El Salón, the JMAC, and ArtsWorcester present a downtown block party on Saturday, June 12 from 11 AM to 3 PM at Portland St. and Franklin St. The length of Portland Street between Myrtle and Franklin Streets will be shut down for the safety of visitors.

Artwork from the El Salón collective and the artists of the 19th ArtsWorcester Biennial are featured along with live music and performances, a maker’s market, and more.

Tickets are not required but RSVPs are encouraged.

Parking is available at the Worcester Public Library (McGrath) Lot, the Federal Plaza Garage across from The Hanover Theatre, and the Worcester Common Garage on Eaton Place.

The inclement weather date for the event is Sunday, June 13.

Summit Agency to Host Ribbon Cutting for Health & Wellness Center

The Summit Agency is hosting an open house and ribbon cutting at its new Summit Health and Wellness Center on June 17 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Visitors can tour the building and meet the staff, including Dr. Oliver Joseph, a psychiatrist who is the chief medical officer of the center. Senator Michael Moore and Worcester Chamber of Commerce CEO, Tim Murray, will be among the keynote speakers at the event.

The new clinic is located at the corner of Fruit Street and William Street. It will officially open on July 1 to serve and support families in Central Massachusetts with children with autism and other related diagnoses.

The clinic will offer mental health counseling, occupational and physical therapy, massage therapy, chiropractic therapy, and acupuncture.

WHM to Host Virtual Panel on Women in Baseball

The Worcester Historical Museum presents a panel discussion titled “Women in Baseball: A League of their Own” on Wednesday, June 9 at 7 PM.

This virtual program is free and requires registration.

The panel explores events and milestones for women in baseball dating back to the American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL), created by Chicago Cubs owner Philip K. Wrigley.

The panel lineup includes:

  • Moderator: Kate Myshrall, VP of Advancement – Seven Hills Foundation.  Former Coordinating Producer for New England Sports Network and Red Sox Baseball, and Production Associate for NBC SportsPanelists
  • Maybelle Blair, Pitcher in 1948 for the Peoria Redwings who were part of the All American Girl Professional Baseball League from 1948 – 1951, Maybelle and her teamates were the inspirtation for the 1992 major blockbuster hit “A League of Their Own” produced by Penny Marshall.
  • Kim Miner, Worcester Red Sox Vice President and General Council. Her professional baseball career began in the front office of the Boston Red Sox including her role as Fenway Ambassador of Fan Services. Kim formerly played varsity softball and pitched for Tufts University.
  • Julie Creedon-Linton, Owner/Founder of the Worcester Bravehearts (2014) and the Nashua Silver Knights (2019), and Vice President of Creedon and Co., Inc. She also attended Notre Dame Academy and was coached by Patricia (Patty) Provost.
  • Patricia (Patty) Provost, Physical Educational Director, Athletic Director and now Co-Athletic Director, Notre Dame Academy, a role she’s played in encouraging young girls in sports locally for the past 45 years.

Massachusetts Ranked in the Top 15 Fastest Recovering States

A new study by Wallethub.com ranked Massachusetts the 14th fastest recovering state from the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ranked all 50 states and the District of Columbia (Washington D.C.) and allocated a total score on a 100 point scale using 21 key metrics across three major categories to rank each state.

The score for Massachusetts is 59.29. The state’s rank in each category is:

  • COVID Health: 5
  • Leisure and Travel: 43
  • Economy and Labor Market: 49

Here is how New England and surrounding states ranked:

State Overall Score COVID
Health
Leisure &
Travel
Economy &
Labor Market
NH 5 65.31 8 31 17
CT 8 63.68 3 33 45
ME 11 61.00 22 12 35
VT 13 59.99 5 43 28
MA 14 59.29 5 43 49
RI 18 57.48 20 23 29
NJ 31 52.85 15 41 48
NY 35 52.31 9 45 51
PA 46 47.42 40 40 40

The top 5 states ranked in the study are Iowa, Nebraska, Alaska, South Dakota and New Hampshire.

The worst 5 states ranked are Georgia, Louisiana, Oregon, West Virginia and Michigan.

To see the full study and read the methodology or the study, visit WalletHub.com.

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