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 – Thursday, July 28 – Easterseals and Worcester Bravehearts Pen Pals meet in person today, the Regional Environmental Council awards two scholarships, there’s a Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood-inspired exhibit now at the EcoTarium, CASA’s annual backpack drive is underway and there’s a special youth performance of “Footloose” at the Hanover Theatre in August.
Easterseals and Bravehearts Pen Pals Meet in Person
Eleven patients under the care of Easterseals Massachusetts rehabilitation services staff at Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children in Canton have been connecting with Worcester Bravehearts players in pen pal letter exchanges since May. The patients and players have written about how life has changed since the pandemic, sharing hobbies, describing activities enjoyed, and learning about each other’s role models.
After Thursday’s Bravehearts game at Fitton Field at Holy Cross College with a special first pitch time of 10:30 AM, the pen pals will meet at a special luncheon at 1 PM, along with Paul Medeiros, President & CEO of Easterseals Massachusetts and Dave Peterson, General Manager of the Worcester Bravehearts.
Two Students Awarded Regional Environmental Council Scholarships
The Regional Environmental Council (REC) has awarded two student scholarships.
The Laura McNaughton Scholarship is named after the 19-year member of the REC Board of Directors. The McNaughton Scholarship Fund was established in 2017,
The sixth recipient of the McNaughton Scholarship is Timia Gayle, a psychology student at Quinsigamond Community College.
The REC also issued the first award of the Cleo Williams Scholarship. The scholarship was established by REC Board President Rubin Williams, his wife Shirley Williams, and their daughters, Akilah Williams, Kamilah Blalock, and Jamilah Charles.
The first recipient of the Cleo Williams Scholarship is Keiran Agyapong. Agyapong graduated from the YouthGROW program in 2021 and is studying Exercise Science at the University of Massachusetts Lowell.
A Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood-Inspired Exhibit at the EcoTarium
“How People Make Things,” a current exhibit at the EcoTarium, at 222 Harrington Way, links familiar childhood objects to a process of manufacturing that combines people, ideas, and technology.
The exhibit, inspired by the factory tour segments from the Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood television series, offers hands-on activities using real factory tools and machines to create objects with four manufacturing processes – molding, cutting, deforming, and assembly.
Hands-on activities using real factory tools and machines include:
- Use a die cutter to make a box and a horse
- Cut wax using different sculpting tools
- Deform a wire by taking a straight wire and making it a spring shape
- Mold spoons using real melted wax
- Assemble a trolley and test your skills on the testing track
The EcoTarium is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM. For tickets, visit the EcoTarium website.
CASA’s Annual Backpack Drive is Underway
The Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Worcester County are hosting their annual backpack drive and are in need of backpacks and school supplies to provide to students for the upcoming school year.
If you would like to donate, click here.
Footloose: Youth Edition at Hanover Theatre
A one-hour version of the musical “Footloose,” specially designed for young performers, comes to the Hanover Theatre on Saturday, August 6 for two performances at 2 PM and 6 PM.
All tickets are general admission for $18. Call the box office at (877) 571-7469 or visit the Hanover Theatre website.
