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 – Tuesday, September 28 – the first ever Manufacturing Mash-Up comes to Worcester today, the 2021 Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Awards recognizes two individuals for their work during the pandemic, the Davis Mega Maze opens on Saturday, Cornerstone Bank hosts a reopening of its Sturbridge branch and gas prices stay flat this week in Massachusetts.
First-Ever Manufacturing Mash-Up Comes to Worcester
Nearly 500 representatives from the manufacturing community in Massachusetts will come together with public sector and academic leaders at the first-ever Massachusetts Manufacturing Mash-Up today — Tuesday, September 28 — at Polar Park in Worcester from 9 AM to 5 PM.
The Mash-Up was launched to connect the Commonwealth’s manufacturing ecosystem to solve challenges that impact the industry and to help the community learn from each other, network with partners, and celebrate the production happening in Massachusetts. Sessions will tackle critical topics including cybersecurity, working with the Department of Defense, robotics, data-driven decision making, and workforce development. The event will also feature a startup pitch competition.
The event will also play host to the 6th Annual Massachusetts Legislative Manufacturing Caucus Awards, which will feature awards to manufacturers from across the Commonwealth, and the announcement of the Jack Healy Leadership Award, an annual award handed out by MassMEP to “recognize excellence…within manufacturing companies and individual manufacturing leaders, that are shaping the future of global manufacturing.”
Nearly 500 executives from the Massachusetts manufacturing community, the Mass. legislature, and higher education institutions have registered for the event, which is sponsored by leading firms such as Amazon Robotics, PTC, Paperless Parts, and more.
Expected guests include Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy, State Senator Eric Lesser, State Representative Jeffrey Roy, Mike Tamasi, CEO, AccuRounds, Christine Nolan, Director, Center for Advanced Manufacturing at MassTech and others.
To register for the event email [email protected] or call (508) 870-0312 extension 293.
Kennedy Community Health Awards at Polar Park
The 2021 Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Awards honor two individuals for their work during the COVID-19 and support of the Worcester, Framingham and Milford area.
The Awards recognize Congressman Jim McGovern and Director of Prevention Services at JRI Health, Ismael Rivera.
The event is Thursday, October 7, at the Hanover Deck at Polar Park from 8 AM to 9:30 AM.
The event is free to attend, but advanced registration is required. Please RSVP by emailing [email protected].
Davis Mega Maze Grand Opening on Saturday
Davis Mega Maze BBQ & Brews has its grand opening for the season on Saturday, October 2.
This season, the Mega Maze is three miles of mind-boggling puzzle networks carved into an 8-acre corn field creating a larger than life, living sculpture of the classic I-Spy “Where’s Waldo?”
Outside the “Where’s Waldo? Mega Maze” features award-wining BBQ including hickory smoked, Kansas City Burnt Ends, Smoked Ribs, Turkey Legs, Farm Fresh Corn, Homemade Apple Cider Glazed Donuts and more! Pair your BBQ with one several locally crafted beers or choose your own craft beer tasting flight.
Davis Mega Maze is only open Saturdays, Sundays & Columbus Day from October 2nd – 24th. Visit DavisMegaMaze.com for dates, rates, and times. Davis Mega Maze is open weather and ground conditions permitting.
Cornerstone Bank Unveils Remodeled Sturbridge Branch
Cornerstone Bank is hosting a reopening and ribbon cutting at its branch at 200 Charlton Road on Route 20 in Sturbridge on Saturday, October 2 between 10 AM and 1 PM.
The bank will host games, food and family entertainment during the event, including a bounce house, face painting, ice cream truck, balloon artist, games, giveaways, and more.
Cornerstone Bank is an independent, community, mutual savings bank serving residents, businesses and communities throughout Central Massachusetts with 12 locations.
Gas Prices Stay Flat this Week in Massachusetts
AAA Northeast reports changes in gas prices across the region on a weekly basis.
Massachusetts’s average gas price is the same as last week, averaging $3.10 per gallon. That price is five cents higher than a month ago ($3.05), and 99 cents higher than September 20, 2020 ($2.11).
Massachusetts’s average gas price is eight cents lower than the national average.
“Consumers should see the usual autumn relief at the pump,” said Mary Maguire, AAA Northeast Director of Public Affairs. “But factor in that approximately 16% of crude production in the Gulf of Mexico is still shut down because of Hurricanes Ida and Nicholas and the concerns about what higher COVID cases could do to the economy, and this uncertainty is helping to keep oil prices elevated.”
AAA Northeast’s September 27 survey of fuel prices found the current national average to be one cent lower than last week, averaging $3.18 a gallon. Today’s national average price is four cents higher than a month ago (3.14) and $1.00 higher than this day last year ($2.18).
Comparison to neighboring states, according to AAA Northeast:
