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5 Things You Need To Know Today In Worcester – October 22

By TWIW Staff | October 22, 2021
Last Updated: October 22, 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 – Friday, October 22 – the Worcester Railers host a block party before its home opener on Saturday, Worcester Public Library announces is primary annual fundraiser, YWCA hosts its Daybreak Breakfast on Monday morning, McDonald’s on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester holds a vaccination clinic and a longtime public servant retires from the Worcester Country District Attorney’s office.

Worcester Railers Block Party and Home Opener on Saturday

The Worcester Railers host a block party, open to the public, on Saturday on Commercial Street, behind the DCU Center, from 5 PM to 7:30 PM.

The cover band, Holly Heist, performs a pregame concert and the block party includes inflatables and an obstacle course for children, several mascots, and video boards celebrating Railers hockey. Food and beer vendors will also be on site.

Doors to the DCU Center open at 6 PM and the first 5,000 fans receive lightning rally towels. Pregame opening night ceremonies begin at 7:25.

The block party is free to attend. Tickets to the game start at $15.

Worcester Public Library Announces “Celebrate Our Library” Event

The Worcester Public Library Foundation announced on Thursday, October 21, that it will host its annual “Celebrate Our Library!” event at Mercantile Center at 100 Front Street Thursday, November 4, at 5:30 PM.

Celebrate Our Library! is the Worcester Public Library Foundation’s signature fundraiser in support of the library’s mission to inform, enrich, and enlighten our diverse population. The event will run from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM. and will include cocktails, food stations and mingling with the featured authors, an author speaking program, and a fund-a-need auction.

The Author Speaking Panel includes:

Moderator Stephanie Pasha is the President of the Worcester Public Library Board of Directors and Assistant Vice President of Strategic Volunteer Engagement at WPI.

Amy Quan Barry was born in Saigon and raised on Boston’s North Shore. She is the Lorraine Hansberry Professor of English at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is the author of six books of fiction and poetry, including the recent novel “We Ride Upon Sticks.”

Jane Green, author of twenty-one novels including eighteen New York Times bestsellers, one cookbook, and various short stories. She is published in over 25 languages and has over ten million books in print worldwide.

Elin Hilderbrand is the proud mother of three, a dedicated Peloton rider, an aspiring book influencer, and an enthusiastic at-home cook (follow her on Instagram @elinhilderbrand to watch her Cringe Cooking Show). She is also a grateful seven-year breast cancer survivor. Golden Girl is her 27th novel.

Tickets are $125 per person and include cocktails, food stations, author speaking program, and a book by one of the featured authors. Tickets are available online at wplfoundation.org or by contacting [email protected] or (508) 799-1656.

YWCA Daybreak Breakfast on Monday

The YWCA host its Daybreak Breakfast on at its 1 Salem Square location at 8 AM on Monday, October 25. The event is designed to educate, motivate, and inspire people to build safe communities by raising awareness of domestic violence, supporting survivors, and promoting healthy relationships.

The keynote speaker is Lovern Gordon, founder of Love Life Now Foundation, Inc., which promotes year-round awareness around domestic violence and the author of “The Legacy He Left Me”– a domestic violence memoir.

Mayor Joe Petty and State Senator Harriette Chandler are also scheduled to attend.

McDonald’s in Worcester Hosting Vaccine Clinic on Monday

Any area resident that wants to get the COVID-19 vaccine can do so at McDonald’s at 465 Shrewsbury Street on Monday, October 25, from 11 AM to 1 PM.

Everyone that receives the vaccine at the clinic will receive a free crispy chicken sandwich. Residents can choose between the Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Worcester County DA’s Communications Director Retires

For nearly 15 years, Tim Connolly has been the conduit to the public for the Worcester County District Attorney as the Communications Director. Among his many responsibilities are public relations, community outreach and the Office’s website. Connolly also manages the DA office’s relationships with news media and ensures member of the media have the information necessary to keep the residents of Worcester County informed about the work the DA’s office does.

On Friday, October 21, Connolly will serve his last day as Communications Director and retire from the position he took in 2007.

After earning Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at Assumption College, Connolly had a 20 year career as a reporter at the Worcester Telegram and Gazette. He was communications director at the Massachusetts Department of Revenue for 6 years before joining the DA’s office in 2007.

Congratulations Tim! Enjoy retirement.

 

Lead image: McDonald’s/Facebook

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