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 – Friday, June 3 – the Worcester Public Library launches its summer reading program, Worcester Arts Council grant applications are now available, seven Worcester County municipalities receive state grants for communications networks, Glazy Susan celebrates National Doughnut Day and learn how the Salvation Army established National Donut Day.
Worcester Public Library Launches Summer Reading on June 4
Worcester Public Library’s 2022 Summer Reading begins Saturday, June 4.
The theme this year is “Read Beyond the Beaten Path” – with loads of free programs being offered through August 13, both in-person and virtually. Participants are eligible to win prizes for reading and participating in programs. All ages are invited to sign up for summer reading at any WPL location on the library website.
The library will offer fun kickoff events at all seven locations:
- Saturday, June 4 at the Main Library;
- Monday, June 6 at the Goddard Branch;
- Thursday, June 9 at the Burncoat Branch;
- Friday, June 10 at the Roosevelt Branch;
- Tuesday, June 14 at the Tatnuck Magnet Branch;
- Thursday, June 16 at the Great Brook Valley Branch; and
- Friday June 24 at the Frances Perkins Branch.
For details on all of these events and many more visit the WPL calendar.
Worcester Arts Council Opens Grant Applications
Applications for Worcester Arts Council’s new, one-time Project Grants for Individuals are open now. Read the full grant guidelines and learn how to apply here.
The application deadline is July 10, 2022.
Important details:
- WAC will award these grants to individuals from Worcester County for projects that take place within the city of Worcester between August 2022 and August 2023.
- All grant funds must be spent, and final reporting must be submitted, by September 1, 2023.
- Projects must provide a public benefit, reach under-served populations, have artistic merit, and demonstrate artistic excellence.
- These grants are intended for individuals. Organizations, nonprofits, or groups are NOT eligible for these particular grants.
- Individuals who received or applied for one of WAC’s separate annual fellowships or project grants are still eligible for this new grant opportunity.
- WAC will notify all applications of our grant decisions in August 2022.
Contact [email protected] with questions or attend a meeting on Thursday, June 9, 2022 at 7 PM on Zoom. Register here.
Community Compact Grants Announced
Governor Charlie Baker’s officer announced Community Compact Grant awards benefiting 86 municipalities in school districts in Massachusetts.
Funds are allocated for use in construction or completion of municipal fiber networks to enable more efficient management of IT infrastructure and create opportunities to gain economies of scale by aggregating internet bandwidth purchases and associated security infrastructure.
Awardees in Worcester County include:
- Worcester: $237,500 – Expansion of the city’s existing fiber optic infrastructure
- Northbridge: $202,892 – Creation of a new municipal fiber network
- Spencer :$250,000 – Creation of a new municipal fiber network
- Sterling: $137,276 – Creation of a redundant municipal fiber network
- Sturbridge: $212,000 – Expansion of the town’s existing fiber optic infrastructure
- Sutton: $200,000 – Completion of the Sutton Fiber Network
- Westborough: $7,500 – Expansion of the town’s existing fiber optic infrastructure
National Doughnut Day at Glazy Susan
Glazy Susan, at the DCU Center at 50 Foster Street, is celebrating National Doughnut Day with:
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- Crème brûlée brioche special
- FREE Susies (doughnut holes) for all customers (with purchase, while supplies last)
- $50 gift card raffle in store tomorrow
SOLD OUT! Now who’s ready for National Doughnut Day?
We’re celebrating with:
🍩crème brûlée brioche special
🍩 FREE Susies (doughnut holes) for all customers (with purchase, while supplies last)
🍩 $50 gift card raffle in store tomorrow!#glazysusan @DCUCenter @VisitCentralMA pic.twitter.com/ZfBUrbMeHk— GlazySusan (@GlazySusan) June 2, 2022
National Donut Day Established by the Salvation Army
The Salvation Army established National Donut Day in 1938 to honor The Salvation Army’s “Donut Lassies,” who made history when they risked their lives to raise spirits and fuel hope by serving thousands of soldiers during WWI, in part by delivering donuts and other sweet treats to those in the war.
In 1917, Salvation Army volunteers traveled to France and set up makeshift huts on the front lines, where they provided essential goods and sweet treats to boost morale. The donut was then, and continues to be, a taste of home and a symbol of comfort for Americans.
More than a hundred years later, The Salvation Army is still serving on the front lines, now through a wide range of social services for America’s most vulnerable individuals and families.
“This National Donut Day, as the country celebrates with a sweet treat, we are proud to remember that this tradition started with our very own volunteers more than a hundred years ago,” said Major Marcus Jugenheimer, General Secretary, The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division. “For us, the donut is a symbol of hope that The Salvation Army provides to those in need.”
For more information about National Donut Day or to download the Donut Lassies’ original recipe, visit the Salvation Army website.
