Tag Archives: Friendly House

Mike Moreshead of Worcester’s Friendly House

By Rosalie Tirella

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The gift. photos: R.T.

Last night I made this kinda rough looking Dollar Tree gift basket for a guy who saved my life. A lopsided token of thanks for a guy who got me and my two dogs out of my car, out of homelessness, a few months ago, and into this beautiful apartment.

It’s my first gift basket ever and I’m a little ashamed of it. It’s so … prosaic. No glitter, no sparkle, no big red velvet ribbon tied at the top. The gifts are from Dollar Tree. It’s smallish, too, especially when you consider that Mike performed a MIRACLE.

I had been homeless for more than a year when I met him. I had hit all the Worcester social service agencies and filled out all their application forms (hundreds), multiple times, it seemed. I had connected with Congressman Jim McGovern’s office and a few other political poo bas. They couldn’t have cared less about my predicament. Except for Pam Ortiz and Christine at Central Mass Housing Alliance, every social worker type had their head up his/her arse. FILL OUT THIS FORM, they’d say, obliviously. GET ON A COMPUTER AND GO TO THIS LINK, they’d say, callously. CALL THIS PHONE NUMBER! GOOD LUCK! …Holly, the young woman in charge of Congressman McGovern’s office, actually laughed at me. Laughed in my face! So I was expecting more of the same when I drove up to the Friendly House on Wall Street one sunny afternoon.

I’ll never forget meeting Mike Moreshead, assistant to the Friendly House director: I was desperate, stinky, depressed. Out walked Mike to “assess the situation.” He stood by my car, neat as a pin wearing dress pants and dress shirt, blue neck tie. He had a pen and clip board in hand. He was soft-spoken, fine-boned, short – I’d say he weighed no more than 100 lbs – and looked almost as depressed as me. I thought to myself: GREAT! LOOK AT HIM! I NEED A STRONG PERSON! WE’RE HOMELESS! WE NEED HELP – BIG TIME!! AND THIS IS MY SOCIAL WORKER?! We’ll be in my freakin’ car forever!

Boy, was I wrong about Mike Moreshead – now the assistant director of the Friendly House! Did I ever underestimate this quiet, understated social service … POWERHOUSE. Mike actually did the work, filled out the paperwork and followed through with scores of phone calls on my behalf. I checked in with him every day. He gave me my side of the equation to work but went over it all before PDFs were emailed. Made copies and kept the duplicates. When you’re homeless file folders are a luxury.

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No fancy ribbon up top!

When I despaired, Mike stayed strong and focused, worked his contacts for me, THOUGHT THE PROBLEM THRU. Once he got me a few weeks respite in a motel. When property directors started getting a bit obscure or didn’t call me back like they said they would, Mike called them on my behalf – and stayed on them. He had clout but used it wisely, softly, diplomatically … the opposite of this old broad’s interpersonal style! I learned a lot watching Mike Moreshead!

Mike loved Jett and Lilac. Whenever I drove up to the Friendly House, he’d come out and I’d feel reassured, “on track” as he caressed Lilac’s old face and say, Only a few weeks more, girl … or pat Jett and tell him: Just a little longer, Jett. You’ll have a home! You could see the compassion in this young man’s eyes. You could tell his heart broke for my two dogs, my Jett and Lilac.

Mike’s softness doesn’t make him a pushover. He’s tough, very strong willed, eyes on the prize. I’m tenacious. Mike Moreshead is twice as tenacious as I am! For all his Friendly House clients, for social justice. By the end, I was urging him to run for Worcester City Council. WORCESTER NEEDS YOU, MIKE! I’d say over and over again.

Mike’s letters have real grace – I framed one of his recommendation letters about me! A “me” that I want to be now! Every day I strive to be the Rose in Mike’s letter! UMass Amherst gave him that great liberal arts education: he’s well spoken, can do the research, write well, read critically … He’s gifted!

Gift basket making is another thing. It is not as easy as the YouTube videos make it out to be and if you don’t have a lot of $$. You need gifts, first of all. The influencers say you need to color coordinate and get your bows all in a row, small to large, in a special holiday caddy! I have no bows or caddies, just bought the transparent tape last week! … But I thought of Mike Moreshead when I put it together. I remembered all he’s done for me and my dogs this past half year and got inspired! I went to the dollar store and mixed and matched and really hunted for things that would make Mike smile. For all his phone calls, his sympathetic ear, his gentle ways, his openness, the call backs, the intelligent advice, the honesty, the perseverance. The love for all his Friendly House clients, for all the poor families and struggling single moms in the neighborhood. Once outside Mike saw a woman struggling with a heavy food box and said: GOTTA GO, Rose! SHE NEEDS HELP CARRYING HER BOX!

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The pancake spatula is Christmas red!

I tried to be creative when creating Mike’s Christmsas gift box! Tried to transcend the pennies in my purse! Mike is a young guy just starting out with his young hairdresser wife. Mike is the owner of two dogs – and a cranky cat. Mike Moreshead, is now the very very busy assistant director at the Friendly House. So I thought of a relaxing Sunday morning or day off and bought him a box of Old Fashioned Pancake mix at Price Chopper – I like their baking mixes – and a spatula to flip those pancakes. And I put in a serving plate for all those warm pancakes, plastic knife and fork tied to a Christmas ball. All strategically arranged in a cute dish I found on the side of the road (and washed!! Shhhh! Don’t tell Mike!) My favorite breakfast gift item I put in Mike’s Christmsas gift basket? This potholder set! Christmas pups and kitties celebrating “Santa Paws”! I know he’ll love it!

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Adorable “Santa Paws” potholders!

When Friendly House Executive Director Gordon Hargrove retired after decades of loving service to the people of Friendly House, to Worcester’s poorest of the poor, I was worried. Gordon was so wonderful! So giving and caring! So intellectual but also so hands-on – and wise and savvy. How could anyone ever take his place? I feared the Friendly House would shrivel up and die – or become just another pointless Worcester social service agency. Again: boy, was I was wrong. They’ve got Trish and Mike Moreshead and Josephina at the helm – and a great staff to help serve the community.

Mostly, in my opinion, they’ve got Mike Moreshead.

Worcester news you can use …🌷🌷🌷🌷

De-escalating Interactions between the Police and People with Mental Illness who are in Crisis

May 16 – from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The Bridge of Central MA

4 Mann St., Worcester

Lead by Sergeant William Chanis, Officer James Hodgerney and Officer Angel Rivera – The Worcester Police Department Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)

Families, Friends and People Living with Mental Illness will learn:

Overview of the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)

How the CIT partners with the community

What families, friends and people living with mental illness can expect

The Worcester Police Department is a partner with NAMI Massachusetts Criminal Justice Diversion Project (CJDP) aims to prevent the unnecessary arrest and detention of individuals with mental illness.

The CJDP supports police departments and other first responders in engaging with individuals experiencing mental health crisis, and fosters connections between law enforcement, behavioral health providers, and other community stakeholders.

Parking in back entrance of The Bridge of Central MA

NAMI members will greet you at the door.

Questions: email hannigan01583@charter.net

AT THE FRIENDLY HOUSE!💚

Lip Sync Battle flyer(1)

At the Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center in Great Brook Valley:

19 Tacoma St., 3rd Floor Conference Room

Refugee Health Groups in ARABIC

Thursday, May 18

At 11 a.m

Important information to keep you and your family healthy!

This group will discuss healthy tips for the summer and summer programs for youth.

Arabic interpreter available

Bus passes provided

Please call Sousn Imam for more information:
508-852-1805 TTY 800-439-0183

This program is sponsored by Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center. This program is funded by the Office of Refugees and Immigrants Massachusetts Refugee Health Promotion Program.

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The Greater Worcester Community Foundation is now accepting applications for the Youth for Community Improvement (YCI) Class of 2017.

This is a great opportunity for young people…

In its 18th year, YCI is a youth led program focused on creating change through Worcester County through grantmaking in their communities.

High school sophomores and juniors from across Worcester County sit on a youth committee of on average 18 youth, in which they solely decide upon how to distribute funds provided to them of about $20,000 in grants to support community initiatives.

Which programs and how much funding each program will receive is determined by the committee.

Throughout the program, teens enhance and develop skills in leadership, facilitation, negotiation, teamwork, and critical thinking skills.

Committee members are in charge of facilitating conversations, researching community assets and challenges, developing a request for proposals and evaluating applications, and together reaching decisions on how to best utilize their grant dollars.

From the beginning of the program to the end, participants gain a better understanding of grantmaking, redefine their own definition of community, and develop a new passion for work in nonprofits and philanthropy.

This is a great opportunity for any sophomore and junior interested in service, leadership, nonprofits and fundraising, and who is looking to expand their network beyond their school.

We encourage students of all skill and experience level to apply.

We do have limited spots available for this upcoming year and an application and interview are required.

Applications must be received by Friday, June 2.

YCI meets every Wednesday once a week from 4-7pm from September- December at the GWCF office in Worcester.

As the advisor to this program, I am happy to chat and answer any questions! Many thanks for your time and assistance in helping connect YCI with our talented and passionate future leaders!

-Sarah Shugrue, Program Officer
sshugrue@greaterworcester.org

From PETA.ORG:

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An Irresistible New Guide to Vegan Love and Dating!

Have you recently adopted a vegan lifestyle? A new book by Maya Gottfried explores the intricacies of the love-and-dating side of things. This guide explains everything about vegan dating, from whether you should crush on a nonvegan, to where to go on a first date. Vegan Love: Dating and Partnering for the Cruelty-Free Gal, With Fashion, Makeup & Wedding Tips is the tool you need to navigate the world of vegan relationships!

Vegan Love is a practical guide for single vegan women who are looking for love, but it’s also a means of support for those already in committed relationships. However, the deeper purpose of the book is key: It will help you develop the skills to give love, compassion, and respect on every level, and this will spill over into your romantic life. Plus, Vegan Love includes guides to shopping for vegan and cruelty-free makeup and clothing.

In the book, author Maya Gottfried discusses the personal health crisis that led her to realize that going vegan would save both the lives of animals and her own. Insights from animal rights filmmakers and authors are featured throughout the text. Some of the bright minds who weigh in include Marisa Miller Wolfson of the film Vegucated, as well as Jasmin Singer, author of Always Too Much and Never Enough, and Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, author and host of the Food for Thought podcast.

Worcester news you can use … and a song!🎵

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Fun in Recovery!

But we aren’t a glum lot. If newcomers could see no joy or fun in our existence, they wouldn’t want it. We absolutely insist on enjoying life.

~Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous

We at Jeremiah’s Inn realize the importance of finding ways to have fun in recovery.

We encourage our residents to get involved in the local recovery community and participate in as many activities as they can.

This spring, Jeremiah’s would like to enter a team in the Worcester Sober Softball League, but we need your help!

There are many costs associated with this, from league fees to team shirts and equipment.

We are looking for sponsors to help us offset some of these costs.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of our team, and would like to donate, please contact me (Melissa) and I can fill you in on how you can help.

Help us show our residents that it is possible, and essential even, to have some fun in recovery!

Warmest Regards,

Melissa Waddell

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photo: Chef Joey

Cooking Up a Career!🍦🍞🍰

Obtain skills to become an entry level prep cook!🍅🍆🌽

For Ages 17 – 24 years

Out of School or in Alternative School

Paid Internship!!🍉🍇

WHEN:

Jan 31st – Mar 7th
Tues, Wed, Thurs
2pm – 5pm

Mar 13th – Mar 17th
Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri
11am – 3pm

WHERE:

Worcester Youth Center
326 Chandler St.

CONTACT
Demario Andrews
(508)-791-4702

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Gordon P. Hargrove (1)
Gordon Hargrove, executive director of Friendly House, and man with a heart of gold!

Friendly House
36 Wall St.
Open to ALL!

FRIENDLY HOUSE – at a glance!

By Danielle Delgado

When you think of Friendly House, what images come to mind? A small Social Service Agency in Grafton Hill? A place where people can go to get food, or youth to play basketball? Those
are only a few of the many amazing things that happen at Friendly House, located at 36 Wall St. For over 97 years
Friendly House has been a facet in the Grafton Hill Community. Growing from what was literally a small house to
its current ever changing location
still on Wall Street.

2016 was a year of enhancement, helping, productivity and healthy living for
Friendly House.

During 2016, Friendly House served well over 10,000 children, individuals and
families in some capacity.

These services included:

Youth Programs – Afterschool Program,
Teen Leadership, Summer Gym and Swim and Youth Hoops, Family Events & Programs

Social Services – emergency food, immigration support, translations,
utility assistance,coat and clothing distributions

Food Program – summer feeding sites, afterschool program and community feeding sites

Shelters … and 40 scatter site apartments

2016 at a glance includes:

Gymnasium Renovation

On November 1, 2016, we opened up ours door to a completely renovated gymnasium. Over 75,000 was raised to complete this project which included; a new floor, bleachers, wall padding,a dividerand paint.

Our gymnasium hosted numerous events over the course of the year but may commonly known as the site for our:

Annual Christmas Party, Community Halloween Party, Thanksgiving Food Distribution, Annual Coat Distribution, Grafton Street School community events and Summer Gym & Swim Program.

Over 6,000 people passed through our gymnasium this year to enjoy these
activities and events!

Thanksgiving Food Distribution

This year we distributed 921 turkey baskets (187,295 lbs of food) to over 3,400 people – thanks to the hard
work of many people, including WPI’s Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, the Sheriff’s Office, the City of
Worcester, Fallon Health, Worcester County Church of Christ and so many more who donated food/money to benefit the many families we served.

Summer Gym & Swim

Summer 2016 hosted over 250 children age 5-16 from all over Greater Worcester. The summer was high-lighted by themed activities, guest appearances from
Boston Bruin Alumni, Worcester Railers Mascot and book authors and various other special events. Each day
consisted of a new adventure either in our building or at the state parks.

After School & Teen Program

The Afterschool and Teen Programs provided services to over 250 participants each school year. During this time the youth were actively engaged in recreational, leadership, academic and community service programs.
Highlights included theaddition on the F.U.N (Fitness and Understanding Nutrition) Program which was
sponsored by our partnership with the Herbalife Family Foundation.

Additionally we hosted family celebrations and informational sessions.

Set for Success

Over 75 children were given a brand new backpack filled with all the necessary school supplies to start off
their school year with a SUCCESSFUL state of mind!

These supplies were donated through various school supply drives, headed by community supporters and partners. In addition supplies were purchased with
funds donated to the Set for Success Program

Social Services

Social Services assisted 7,787 people/families with food from our Food Pantries, gave 599 people baby food, assisted 1,763 people with Immigration applications, completed 598 document translations, distributed Farmer’s Market Coupons to 1,200 low income elderly.

… Friendly House has enjoyed 97 years
of helping to build up the Grafton Hill community and our city, Worcester! We look forward to enhancing all aspects of our agency in 2017! Thank you to all who helped make each step possible!

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TO BE TREATED RIGHT

By Terry Reid

The Friendly House annual Christmas party – always in style!

This year’s Annual Holiday Program for our neighborhood families celebrated, in addition to the Spirit of the Season, two other events: our 50th such Christmas Party and the first major event in our newly renovated gymnasium.

The program was attended by more than 1,100 people who enjoyed performances by the Friendly House Afterschool Program, Friendly House Teens, a clown act, the Imperial Lion Dance Team, Herbalife Dancers, Irish Step Dancers, Santa, WAIT, Ritmos Academy, In Da Zone (IDZ) and Novian.

– Gordon Hargrove, Executive Director
Friendly House

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Dorrie – always in style! … ‘Tis the season for helping the less fortunate – people and animals!

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Dorrie says dropping off clean, warm clothing and blankets at the Mustard Seed soup kitchen on Piedmont Street is the giving thing to do this Christmas!🐺🐶🐕🐺🎄🎄🎄🎁

By Dorrie Maynard

Happy Holidays, Season’s Greetings, Merry Christmas, Meilleurs Voeux, Felices Fiestas, Happy Chanukah, Happy Kwanza, and any others that I may have missed!

As we all go on about with our busy preparations for the festivities this season with family and friends, please take some time to remember and acknowledge those who don’t have people to spend the holidays with. There are many out there who don’t even have a safe and warm place to sleep at night.

I know there is a fine line between enabling and helping, but just for this season we can all try to not judge others until we have walked in their shoes or know their battles. Some are out there because they are drinking and/or drugging and choose to continue to do so, and others are out there because of circumstances that they may have contributed to or had no assistance to handle.

A place like the Mustard Seed on Piedmont street is a great place to start giving back to your community! You can drop off gently used, clean, warm clothing, groceries, toiletries, sleeping bags, blankets, pairs of socks, or even offer to prepare and serve a meal to the sometimes more than 100 hungry people who visit daily.

The Mustard Seed is open Monday through Friday, 4 pm – 6 pm.

Other local places to consider: Abby’s House, the Veteran’s Shelter, St. John’s Feeding program, your local senior center, the Boy’s & Girls Club of Worcester, the Friendly House, the Salvation Army, just to name a few.

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Children at the Friendly House Annual Christmas Party, held this past Sunday at FH, 36 Wall St., met Santa, got a holiday gift, had fun and were treated to entertainment because of the efforts and love of volunteers – and FH Executive Director Gordon Hargrove! Donations of gently used (or new!), warm, clean clothing and blankets are always needed this time of year at the Friendly House!

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I don’t like to give money to pan handlers, but I do try to always have some granola bars in my car to hand
out. There was one man on a corner I recognized from working at a local food pantry, and I offered him a bar.

He said, “No thanks. I don’t have any teeth.” And then he smiled at me.

I didn’t have have anything else to give him, but he was gracious when I offered something.

I also try to have on hand: a pair of gloves, mittens, hat, scarf this time of year to give out to folks on street corners. I know it might be their attempt to look cold, thus making people
feel more sorry for them, but at least I feel better knowing they have something warm as I drive off.

If you are more into helping animals, as some are, for various reasons, another suggestion is to give to your local animal rescue league/society. They are always in need of used, clean blankets and towels, rolls of paper towels, bleach, cat litter, pet food, etc. You can always call ahead or look on line at their wish lists to find out what they truly are in need of, as things change daily, depending upon what they have or have run out of.

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Help animals who may need food, shelter or a forever home!

I always believe it is best to donate to small local rescues, as they help animals in your area. I don’t like to donateto the places that you see ads for on TV as they are paying for those ads, and those “free” t-shirts or bags
that they are willing to send you for your donation aren’t “free” either.

Something else that people can do this holiday season and throughout the year: Volunteer!!! Pick a passion! Get involved in your community! It may take some time to find the perfect place where you feel like you belong, but there are plenty of places out there
that are in need of regular volunteers.

So with all this said, I would like to wish everyone a very warm, safe, happy and healthy holiday season. All the best in the coming New Year! In this very difficult world that we live in, try to have a little compassion in your heart and empathy for others. Peace on Earth, Good Will Towards All!

Friendly House families have a great Thanksgiving, thanks to WPI fraternity!!!

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The Friendly House on Wall Street – a busy, giving place during the holidays!  photos: Elio Daci

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The students give out food packages at the Friendly House … Go, WPI, go!!!!!

Story submitted by Elio Daci

It’s Thanksgiving Day! Most families look forward to spending time with their family over a warm, delicious Thanksgiving meal. Unfortunately, this is not a reality for many of our neighbors. Between heating costs, paying bills and other expenses, many people do not have the luxury of providing a holiday meal to their families.

There is a common misconception of what
those who are unable to feed their families look like. The vast majority of the people who seek help feeding their families are not people who you see on the street corner. Many who need help feeding their families are our neighbors who work multiple jobs simply to make ends meet – the men and women who have to make tough decisions every day, such as whether to pay for heating or food.

These are the people who work hard, but cannot provide a full Thanksgiving meal to their families.

Luckily, we live in a community that is dedicated to helping alleviate this pressure for our neighbors. Over the past month, a Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) fraternity, Lambda Chi Alpha, has worked with the Worcester County Sheriff’s office and the Friendly House of Worcester to make sure families who are struggling have a Thanksgiving meal. Our just completed food drive is part of an ongoing partnership that dates back 21 years! Over the course of this partnership, more than 2.3 million pounds of food have been collected for the Friendly House!

“Although most of us are only in Worcester for four years for college, we definitely become a part of the community,” says Elio Daci, the External Vice President of Lambda Chi Alpha at WPI. “We all want to make sure we leave this city a better place than we found it, and this is just one way we do that.”

A large portion of donations for the food drive actually comes from the fraternity’s major bag drop event. More than 10,000 bags are distributed to homes across Worcester and Shrewsbury, asking for residents to fill them with non-perishable food items. The following week, all of the donations are picked up.

“It is very rewarding to see all the
donations on people’s door steps, especially after you’ve spent so much time distributing the bags,”said Aaron Pepin, a brother of Lambda Chi Alpha. The fraternity prides itself on its ability to give back to Worcester, and this tradition will continue as long as the need exists. The work these young men do in the community is perfectly captured by Elio Daci: “We might not be changing the world, but we are definitely making a difference for a lot of families, and that is what it’s all about. That’s what makes it all worth it.”

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A few of the “brothers” carry the Thanksgiving groceries for a young mom.

WPI fraternity’s Thanksgiving Food Drive for the Friendly House! Go, WPI, go!!!

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Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity brothers

Each year, Worcester’s Friendly House, along with the Worcester Sheriff’s
Department, Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity and other local sponsors, work together to collect food for a Thanksgiving meal program.

Our mission is to give local families a chance to spend their Thanksgiving holiday not worrying about putting food on the table.

Last year, our food drive was able to collect about 183,000 pounds of food!

This year the group is looking to raise the bar to 300,000 pounds. All of the donations will be distributed by
Friendly House to local families
in time for the holiday season.

In addition to serving food to families in need, Worcester’s Friendly House also
hosts a variety of after school programs for local youth at their facility and continues their work year round to support our Worcester community.

This is everyone’s chance to pitch in on the effort. Collection bags will be distributed to homes through most Worcester neighborhoods on Sunday, November 6, with a collection returning on Sunday the 13th.

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This is an opportunity to
make monetary or non-perishable food donations.

In addition, donations can be
made from November 16 to Nov. 18 at the Price Chopper at 564 Southwest Cutoff.

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Please take full opportunity to help us work to fight hunger in our Worcester community this holiday season!

Thank you!

Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity

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And …

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And …

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A view from Grafton Hill

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The Mayor’s Walk began at Friendly House. FH Director Gordon Hargrove (center) begins the early evening tour! pic submitted

By Gordon Davis

Joe Petty, the mayor of Worcester, walked the Wall Street neighborhood yesterday with city officials, District 2 City Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson and neighborhood folks. He visited the Friendly House, Westerman’s, Grafton Street School and more. One of the stops on his walk was the empty lot that used to be the El Morocco Restaurant. The lot sits on high ground with a terrific view of the Worcester skyline.

A housing project of 90 units of 1, 2, 3 bedroom apartments is being planned for the now empty lot. All of the units will be market rate. There will be no affordable housing units. The developer stated that he could not build any affordable housing units under the state program.

Longtime director of Friendly House, Gordon Hargrove, felt that some of the units will eventually become affordable units.

Mr. Hargrove is working closely with the developer to ensure some additional benefit to the neighborhood. He indicated that the project would include upgrades to the Shale Street School playground.

The Mayor and developer showed a schematic of the building layout. However, the developer saidthe final project would look different than what was on the schematic. He did not have a copy of the revisions.

Like Mr. Hargrove, the Mayor felt that the housing units would help the neighborhood and the city.

The streets in the neighborhood are narrow, as most of the streets on the East Side were built well over 100 years ago. There might be some concerns about traffic and parking. For planners one and one-half cars per unit is considered standard.

Another concern expressed was how many children would live in the project and where they would go to school. An employee at Grafton Street School, only two blocks away, said the school was at capacity.

She also said Grafton Street School is the oldest functioning school building in the Worcester School District. There are some renovations going on at the school today, including a new boiler, windows and an elevator for people with physical handicaps.

During the walk City Manager Edward Augustus asked a DPW employee how often the storm drains were cleaned on this street, as he pointed to a clogged drain. The DPW worker said his department cleans the drains.

The walk ended on an interesting note – at Westerman’s, a vendor in Worcester that provides props for local movies. Included in props was the Teddy Bear from the movies “Ted” and Ted2”!

Mayor Joe Petty in our in-city neighborhoods – always in style! … and … a cool recipe Italiano!!!

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From the Mayor’s Office!!!!:

TODAY!

5 p.m. – starting at the Friendly House!

Worcester Mayor Joseph M. Petty will be leading a Mayor’s Walk around the Wall Street portion of the Grafton Hill neighborhood this evening …

… from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

We will be starting at Friendly House (36 Wall St.), then moving on to the former El Morocco site, and finally stopping at Westerman’s (50 Suffolk St.).

The Mayor will be joined by fellow elected officials, members of the administration, service providers and neighborhood group representatives.

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And…

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Don’t forget! Tomorrow! REC Beaver Brook Farmers Market – across the street from Foley Stadium!

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Veggies at ICT head honcho Rosalie’s shack:

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She’s growing a 5-foot-tall tomato plant but ZERO tomato buds! What the?????

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A friend gave R this corn yesterday – straight from the farmer’s farm! Thank you, friend!

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P.S. Here’s a great Italiano recipe from PETA.ORG!

Put the brakes on animal cruelty/American factory farms!
EAT LESS MEAT!!!!

Giambotta – Southern Italian Vegetable Stew!

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Also spelled Ciambotta, this is a traditional dish hailing from Southern Italy!

It’s comfort food at its finest — and simplest!

1 Tbsp. oil or water…Saute in frying pan:

1 large yellow onion, chopped

2 stalks celery, diced

3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced

Add to big pot filled with 1/2 cup water or vegetable broth and 1 (28-oz.) can of fire-roasted diced tomatoes:

3 medium carrots, peeled and diced

1 medium eggplant, chopped into 1-inch pieces

2 large yellow potatoes, peeled and chopped

2 red bell peppers, seeded and diced

2 medium zucchini or summer squash, diced

Spice it up with:

2 bay leaves, fresh or dried
1 tsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. dried parsley
1 tsp. dried tarragon
1 tsp. salt
Freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup (10 to 12 leaves) chopped basil

Cook in pot to taste…enjoy!

Copyright 2015 Compassionate Cooks, LLC. Reprinted and adapted from The 30-Day Vegan Challenge: The Ultimate Guide to Eating Healthfully and Living Compassionately by permission of the author, Colleen Patrick-Goudreau