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5 Things You Need To Know Today In Worcester – September 15

By TWIW Staff | September 15, 2021
Last Updated: September 15, 2021
Auburn PD Pink Patch Project 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 – Wednesday, September 15 – the City of Worcester announces the Youth Vax Fall Series, the Auburn Police Department joins the Pink Patch Project 2021, the Massachusetts Pirates bring the IFL championship to Worcester, Davis Mega Maze opens on October 2 and the Worcester Public Library Foundation announces its annual meeting and awards ceremony.

City of Worcester Announces the Youth Vax Fall Series

The City of Worcester announced the Youth Vax Fall Series, aimed at boosting youth vaccination rates.

The Series includes four clinics over four weeks from 4 PM to 7 PM at the following locations:

  • Friday, September 17, at the Worcester Youth Center at 326 Chandler Street.
  • Friday, September 24, at Boys and Girls Club of Worcester at 65 Boys & Girls Club Way
  • Friday, October 1, at YMCA at 766 Main Street
  • Thursday, October 7, at Girls Inc. at 125 Providence Street.

All clinics feature music, food, and raffles, including $150 gift cards for sneakers from Sneakerama, Scoop Drip and EbLens. Winners will be announced at each event. Anyone receiving a vaccination at any of the events are eligible to win.

While youth are the focus of the Series, anyone is welcome to attend for vaccination.

The Series is a collaboration between the Worcester Department of Health and Human Services, Blue Cross Blue Shield and Archipelago Strategies Group.

For more vaccine information, including a list of upcoming clinics, visit www.worcesterma.gov/coronavirus/vaccination. Eligible individuals may also enter Worcester’s Youth Vax Giveaway at www.worcesterma.gov/worcesters-youth-vax-giveaway.

Auburn Police Join the Pink Patch Project 2021

The Auburn Police Department announced patches for its version of the Pink Patch Project are available in the lobby of the Auburn Police Department at 416 Oxford St N in Auburn.

The Pink Patch Project is a collaborative effort by public safety to combat breast cancer. The Project has sold over 900,000 patches and raise $1.4 million with the participation of over 500 agencies.

The Project originated with the Seal Beach Police Department in Southern California, who wore pink patches on their uniforms during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, October, in 2013. In 2015, the Irwindale Police Department in California sold their patches to community members and raised over $20,000.

The Auburn Police Department badges are available for $10.

The Massachusetts Pirates are Indoor Football League Champions

The Massachusetts Pirates won the United Bowl on Sunday, September 12, by a score of 37-34, in overtime, to claim the 2021 Indoor Football League [IFL] Championship in its third season of play. It was the team’s first season of play in the IFL.

The Pirates launched in 2018, but did not play in 2020 after the National Arena League cancelled its season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Massachusetts finished the regular season with an 11-3 record and earning the second seed in the playoffs. It played the first seed Arizona Rattlers in Arizona on Sunday.

The Pirates led by seven with 19 seconds left when a field goal attempt by kicker Garret Hartley was blocked by Arizona. The Rattlers recovered on the Pirates three-yard line and punched it in to tie the game. Hartley missed a 42-year field goal as time expired to send the game to overtime.

The Rattlers were on the brink of the when the Pirates’ Khalid Wooten forced a fumble into the end zone on a second and goal play from the Pirates two-yard line.

The Pirates advanced to the Arizona 17 on the ensuing drive. Hartley kicked a 31-yard field goal to clinch the championship for the Pirates.

Hartley played in the NFL from 2008 to 2015. During the 2009 – 2010 NFL season, he kicked an overtime field goal as a member of the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Championship game. Two weeks later, in Super Bowl XLIV, Hartley became the first kicker to kick three field goals over 40 yards in Super Bowl history when the Saints defeated the Indianapolis Colts for the NFL championship.

Davis Mega Maze Opens Saturday, October 2

Davis Mega Maze BBQ & Brews, at 142 Redstone Hill in Sterling, announced on Tuesday, August 14, its Davis Mega Maze grand opening for the 2021 season on Saturday, October 2.

This year’s colossal 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?”

Davis Mega Maze BBQ & Brews also has award-wining BBQ, hickory smoked, Kansas City Burnt Ends, Smoked Ribs, Turkey Legs, Farm Fresh Corn, Homemade Apple Cider Glazed Donuts, locally crafted beers and more.

Also on-site is the Zip Zone Zip Line, quad carts for a spin, the Twin Turbo Slides and live music daily.

The Davis Mega Maze opens October 2 and is open Saturdays 11:30 AM to 7 PM and Sundays 11:30 AM to 5 PM through Sunday, October 24. It is also open Columbus Day, Monday, October 11.

To learn more and purchase tickets, visit the Davis Mega Maze website.

Worcester Public Library Foundation Annual Meeting and Awards

The Worcester Public Library Foundation holds its annual meeting on Thursday, September 23, from 6 PM to 7:30 PM, at the Worcester Public Library at 3 Salem Square.

The event will begin with a brief business meeting, which will include the President’s Report; Nominating Report, including the approval of new board members; Report on the State of the Foundation; Report on the State of the Library; and comments by City Manager Ed Augustus.

Due to last year’s Annual Meeting being virtual, the Foundation recognizes its 2020 Award recipients at this annual meeting. The 2021 award winners receive recognition at a fundraising event in November.

The Arthur M. and Martha R. Pappas Foundation will receive the 2020 Dr. Richard E. Greene Founders Award in recognition of its support for the Worcester Public Library Children’s Center.

The Friends of the Worcester Public Library receive the 2020 Dr. William F. and Betty O’Neil in recognition of their long-standing commitment, advocacy and volunteer service to the library.

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