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 – Wednesday, April 27 – members of the five ad hoc advisory committees for distribution of ARPA funds are announced, the Peach Truck returns to Worcester County this summer, Hanover Theatre announces its new Vice President of Advancement, Holy Cross’ Cantor Gallery now featuring work of Visual Arts seniors through May and medical experts provide tips on avoiding and treating tick bites.
ARPA Ad Hoc Committee Members Named
City Manager Ed Augustus provided to City Council on Tuesday the 36 committee members selected to serve on five advisory committees which will set priorities for funding within key areas and , depending on privacy considerations for applicants, be involved in the review and ranking of applications.
The committees and individuals selected are:
Creative Economy
- Phyllis Macharia
- Utsav Shrestha
- Jesse Gibson
- Matthew Freijie
- Alissa Briggs
- Roseanne Fitzgerald
- Charlie Washburn
Mental Health
- Alex Mooradian
- Zhani Lito
- Kerry Whiterell
- Chantel Bethea
- Kathleen Gervais
- Lisa Brennan
- Ethan Belding
Business Assistance
- Ivette Olmeda
- Jennifer Marble
- Jessica Velez
- Tony Adade
- Sandy Webb
- Margie Breault
- Mary Piecewicz
Community Programs
- Meg Coffin
- Eliana Agudelo
- Scott Galbraith
- Darshia Diaz-Lugo
- Tariana Nguyen
- Moses Dixon
- Joel Wallen
Affordable Housing Trust Fund
- Jackson Restrepo
- Johanna Hampton-Dance
- Gabriel Rodriguez
- Xaulanda Thorpe
- Lucelia DeJesus
- Benetta Kuffour
- Victor Agudelo-Ortiz
- Keith Krikorian
- James Brooks (City Manager Designee)
Peach Truck Returns to Worcester County this Summer
The Peach Truck Tour is coming back to Worcester County.
The popular Nashville-based peach delivery service partners with local farms to bring flavorful and fresh peaches, pecans, gourmet jams, sauces and more.
On two dates this summer – July 13 and 14 — The Peach Truck will be making multiple stops across Worcester County, including at the Auburn Mall and The Tractor Supply Co. in Westborough, Gardner and Leominster.
The Peach Truck will be bringing 25 pound boxes of peaches and 10 oz. bags of pecans.
To pre-order, click here.
Hanover Theatre Announced New Vice President of Advancement
The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts announced that Linda Rosenlund has joined its team as Vice President of Advancement.
Rosenlund has previously served as Acting Vice President for University Advancement at Assumption University.
Holy Cross’ Cantor Art Gallery to Feature Work of Senior Visual Arts Majors
The Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Art Gallery at the College of the Holy Cross will present the work of nine graduating visual arts majors in the exhibition “Remember Tomorrow,” on view from Wednesday, April 27 through graduation day, Friday, May 27.
An opening reception will be held Thursday, April 28 from 5:30 PM to 7 PM.
The artwork on view was developed during the year-long Senior Studio Concentration Seminar by students Dora Calva, Aliyah Coplan, Julia Covelle, Paige Epp, Grace Hoelscher, Shea O’Scannlain, Sommer Ross, Natalie Scholz, and Stanislav Yarmoussik. The students will give presentations about their work during the Academic Conference on Wednesday, April 27 at 10:45 AM.
The artwork presented includes drawing, painting, sculpture and mixed media in both figurative, landscape and abstract forms – reflecting the students’ range of experiences during the pandemic and their hopes for the future of the world they are entering into
Medical Experts Provide Tips for Prevention and Treatment of Tick Bite
With spring in full swing, the physicians and providers at American Family Care, with a location at 117 Stafford Street in Worcester, remind local residents about the potential danger from tick bites and offer tips for prevention and treatment.
“Prime tick season begins in April and lasts through late fall,” said Dr. Vincent Meoli, regional medical director of AFC. “Ticks can transmit a variety of diseases, including Lyme disease, which is one we see most often here in New England. That’s why it’s important to take preventative steps to avoid tick bites, know how to treat them and understand when to seek medical care.”
Ticks can be found in places that are grassy, brushy, wooded or inhabited by animals, which includes settings ranging from backyards to hiking trails, campgrounds to beaches.
Dr. Meoli advised that people who will be spending time outdoors in these areas treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin and apply insect repellents containing Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved ingredients such as DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Once inside, he recommended, people should check their clothing and bodies for ticks.
“Ticks like warm areas, so pay attention to areas with folds of skin such as under your arms, behind your ears, behind your knees, around your groin, in your belly button, and in and around your hair,” he said. “Be sure to check your children and pets if they spend time outdoors as well.”
If a tick is spotted, Dr. Meoli noted that quick removal is key. “Use a clean pair of tweezers to get as close to the surface of the skin as possible,” he said. “Firmly grab the tick with the tweezers and pull straight up with steady pressure. Avoid jerking or twisting, which can cause the body to break off from the mouth parts. Then thoroughly clean the area with soap and water or rubbing alcohol. Also, don’t kill the tick with your hand; dispose of it in a sealed bag or container, flush it down the toilet, or put it in alcohol.”
Not all ticks carry disease, so a tick bite isn’t necessarily cause for alarm, especially if it is removed quickly and completely. Symptoms can appear a few days to several weeks after a tick bite.
“Symptoms to watch for include a fever and chills, headaches, muscle and joint pains, fatigue or a rash,” said Dr. Meoli. “If you have any of these symptoms, are unable to remove the tick or have any other concerns, it’s best to come in and get checked by a medical professional. We can perform blood tests and prescribe a preventive antibiotic if necessary.”
The AFC staff in Worcester offers convenient, walk-in care seven days a week for patients of all ages, including urgent care, physicals, stitches for cuts and lacerations, on-site x-rays, and diagnostic rapid tests and antigen tests for COVID-19 with results available within 15 minutes.
