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 – Monday, November 28 – Planting the Seed Foundation’s 50th toy drive is next week, take a candlelight tour of the Salisbury Mansion on Fridays over the holiday season, the Worcester Public Schools superintendent is asking families to take a Listening and Learning survey, the City of Worcester has plans to restore the pond at Elm Park and win a $500 gift card to Peppercorn’s.
Planting the Seed Toy Drive Celebrates 50 Years
The Planting the Seed Foundation’s annual toy drive will celebrate 50 years next week.
The toy drive and party hosted by the local nonprofit charitable organization is being held on Dec. 8 at MacDonald’s Tavern inside Worcester Fitness at 440 Grove St. at 5:30 PM.
Planting the Seed is collecting toys for children and teens ages 18 and under. Toys, books and gift cards are all great gift ideas. Suggested amounts for gift cards are $20-$25 to Target, Walmart, TJ Maxx/Marshalls, Gap/Old Navy, Amazon, Dick’s Sporting Goods Visa Gift Cards, and more.
If you can’t make the toy drive party, you can still drop toys and gifts off. See below for a list of drop-off locations:
DROP OFF LOCATIONS (located in Worcester unless otherwise noted)
- Little Gym
342 W. Boylston St., Suite #342b, West Boylston - 10X Self Storage
215 Simarano Drive, Marlborough - 10X Self Storage
40 Pullman St. - Acton Self Storage
4 Post Office Square, Acton - Bulbs.com
243 Stafford St. - Central Mass Collaborative (CMC)
14 New Bond St. - Central Mass Dance Academy
65 Water St. - Coldwell Banker
6 Park Ave. - Elevation Fitness
10 Mill Rd., Boylston - Flynn Law Office
2 Millbury Blvd Unit 1, Oxford - Forward Financial Services, Inc.
645 Chandler St. - Hebert Candies
574 Hartford Turnpike, Shrewsbury - International Ceramics
235 Brooks St. - JJM insurance
623 Chandler St. - Joey’s Bar & Grill
344 Chandler St. - Little Gym
400 Union St, Suite 101, Westborough - Mancuso-Norwak Insurance
252 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury - Notre Dame Academy
425 Salisbury St. - Pinecroft
539 Prospect St. - Probate Office
225 Main St. - Quinn’s Irish Pub
715 West Boylston St. - Quinns Blue Plate
661 Main St., Holden - Rawson & Sons Insurance
195 Lake Ave . - Resinate
1191 Millbury St. - Sheldon’s Harley Davidson
914 Southbridge St., Auburn - Sheriff’s Office
240 Main St. - Sneakerama
12 Lake Ave. - Spectrum
95 Higgins St. - Wells Fargo
10 Mechanic St., Suite 200 - Wheelock Chiropractic
268 Burncoat St. - Worcester Fire Department
Multiple locations - Worcester Fitness
440 Grove St.
Take a Candlelight Tour of Salisbury Mansion
The Worcester Historical Museum has brought back their annual program, Home for the Holidays at Salisbury Mansion. Candlelight tours will be held every Friday through December (Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30) from 4:30PM to 6 PM.
Salisbury Mansion, Worcester’s only historic house museum opens its doors with each room – parlors, library, drawing rooms, and other spaces – decorated to display the joy of the season. Each space offers a different interpretation, whether it is the parlor chamber with its glitter wallpaper reflecting the lights of the tree, the sitting room with its warm and colorful atmosphere, or the small library with its blue and silver ornaments.
Enjoy a self-guided stroll through the period rooms, encounter docents and volunteers who will share the stories of Worcester and the Salisburys as you feast your eyes on holiday decorations. Immerse yourself in Worcester’s history and heritage.
Admission is $10 per person at the door and free for Worcester Historical Museum members. Call (508) 753-8278 to make a reservation.
Worcester Public Schools Superintendent Asks Families, Educator to take Listening and Learning Survey
First-year Superintendent Dr. Rachel Monárrez wants families and educators to participate in the Superintendent’s Listening and Learning Survey.
The survey asks respondents what the strengths of Worcester Public Schools is, what opportunities there for WPS to improve and what they would do if they were superintendent.
The survey is three questions and can be taken here.
Superintendent Monarrez wants families and educators to participate in the Superintendent’s Listening and Learning Survey so she can learn what is important to you. Please help craft the future story of the WPS and take a few minutes to answer 3 questions.https://t.co/GafrxeHshy pic.twitter.com/ig2qiuB7sM
— Worcester Schools (@worcesterpublic) November 23, 2022
City of Worcester to Present Plans to Restore Elm Park Pond
The City of Worcester will go before the Conservation Commission on Monday night to present plans to dredge the pond at Elm Park to excavate sediment to reconnect the northern end of the pond with the southern end.
The City has contracted EcoTec, Inc., an enviornmental consulting service, to draw up the propsal. The city proposes removing 100 cubic yards of sediment. By removing the sediment, it will create a larger space and allow fish and other wildlife to move throughout either end of the pond.
The sediment is collecting under the bridge on the northern end of the pond.
The Conservation Commission meets tonight at 5:30 PM in the Levi Lincoln Chamber at City Hall. See the full agenda here.
Win a $500 Gift Card to Peppercorn’s with Secret Santa Scratch Ticket
The Secret Santa Scratch Ticket is back at Peppercorn’s to help kick-off the holiday season.
For every $50 spent at Peppercorn’s on dine-in or takeout orders, customers will receive a Secret Santa Scratch Ticket. Every ticket is guaranteed to contain a prize, including money off your next bill, a free appetizer or dessert.
The grand prize is a $500 Peppercorn’s gift card.
The promotion isn’t valid with online gift card purchases. IMPORTANT: Tickets must remain unscratched until you bring them back to the restaurant in January to redeem them in front of your server.
