YOUR LOCAL WORCESTER AREA DIGEST
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🪱 Happy Thursday!
As you can see we are trying out a new look and feel for the newsletter. What do you think? Really, I want to know.
If you see anything strange or incorrect or a typo (even with all this technology they still happen) just hit reply and share with me please!
I'd also like to welcome our newest subscribers to Wormtown Weekly!
Polls with be back next week also but for now we've got a lot going on this week so lets get to it!
In This Week's Issue:
- New Town Fair Tire in Worcester?
- Closing Reception of “The Stars Are Out Tonight”
- Gateway Players Auditions: “Charlotte’s Web”
- The Ric Porter Band comes to Worcester
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Straight from your neighbors' feeds
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This section features snapshots, screenshots, and overheard gems pulled straight from local Facebook groups, forums, and feeds — the places where Worcester County folks show their true colors (and occasionally their potholes).
From laugh-out-loud moments to heartfelt posts, it's all about celebrating the unique voice, wit, and warmth of our community.
📸 Got a screenshot?
Spotted something post-worthy and local? Email it to [email protected] with a short note!
Sent in by Ellen R - Millbury, MA
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New doors, fresh moves, and big plans across the Woo-region.
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🏨 Mathnasium of Auburn MA opens under new ownership
New owners say the math learning center at 717 Southbridge St. opened to Central Mass families on Jan. 15, 2026, offering customized K–12 math instruction and tutoring
Read More →
🛞 Town Fair Tire is eyeing a new Worcester store
Town Fair Tire filed with the city to open at 540 West Boylston St. (a former Dollar Tree site). Plans described include renovating part of the existing building for a six-bay installation center.
Read More →
📚 TEC, Inc. moved downtown and plans to grow its local team
The engineering and construction management firm relocated to Mercantile Center (10th floor of 100 Front St.) at the start of February, and says the new space supports growing its Worcester team to 40 employees.
Read More →
🚗 Former Sunnyside Ford site sold; Gordy’s Automotive Repair & Tire Center plans a move
The former Sunnyside Ford property at 944 Main St. was sold for $2.35M (Nov. 18, 2025) to an entity managed by Jeff Dion. The buyer plans to move Gordy’s from 513 Main St. into the historic dealership location.
Read More →
📢 Costco Wholesale expansion plans surface for Southborough
A proposal would significantly expand Costco’s footprint in Southborough (coverage cites a 1.8M sq. ft. expansion), tied to a rezoning request and long-term redevelopment planning.
Read More →
📢 New garden center taking root in Paxton: Sterling Greenery Too
Pleasant View Nursery says it has retired, and that Sterling Greenery Too (a new Packard family-run expansion from Sterling) is now operating at 242 Pleasant St. with garden center goods plus bulk materials and koi pond supplies. The site lists hours as 9–5 every day.
Read More →
📢 bankHometown energy-assistance help sessions continue past 2/19
The Community Energy Assistance Program (in partnership with Worcester Community Action Council) lists upcoming help dates including Feb. 20 and March dates—useful for folks needing support with winter heating costs.
Read More →
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Mark your calendars, Wormtown
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🧠 Trivia Night — Worcester
Join us every Thursday from 6–9 PM for Trivia Night at BirchTree Bread Company — great food, craft cocktails, local beer, and prizes for the top three teams.
🗓 Thursdays • 6:00–9:00 PM
📍 BirchTree Bread Company, 138 Green Street, Worcester, MA 01604
More Info →
📷 Reception for Tina Dobberpuhl Photography (Southborough Library)
Meet the artist and check out her fine art photography exhibit on display at the library (light refreshments, no registration required).
🗓 Saturday 02/21/2026
📍 Southborough Library - 25 Main St, Southborough, MA 01772
More Info →
🎉 CASA Fashion Show: “Roots and Divinity”
A fashion production exploring the African diaspora through art, movement, and design, hosted at Mechanics Hall (listing shows an evening program).
🗓 Saturday 02/21/2026
📍 Mechanics Hall, Worcester
More Info →
🎉 Closing Reception of “The Stars Are Out Tonight”
Closing reception + performance featuring obscure electronic soundscapes and live sonic experiments with “invented instruments.” Location: 910 Main St, Worcester (FrontRoom adjacent to the gallery). Parking across the street in the Clark U lot; light refreshments served.
🗓 Saturday 02/21/2026
📍 Harold Stevens Gallery at WCUW, Worcester
More Info →
🎉 Dead of Winter Horror Festival 2026
Horror fest weekend at DCU Center with films/guests/vendors (event listing shows Sat 11:00 AM through Sun 6:00 PM).
🗓 Saturday 02/21/2026
📍 DCU Center, Worcester
More Info →
🎉 Free Open Skate
Southborough Rotary + St. Mark’s host a free open skate with music and hot chocolate/donuts (while supplies last). Donations for the Southborough Food Pantry encouraged. Helmets required; bring your own skates (no rentals).
🗓 Sunday 02/22/2026
📍 St. Mark’s / Gardner Rink, Southborough
More Info →
🎉 Gateway Players Auditions: “Charlotte’s Web”
Youth production auditions (ages 7–17) at Fellowship Hall, Elm Street Congregational Church (61 Elm St, Southbridge). Cold readings + role playing; contact info included on the posting.
🗓 Tuesday 02/24/2026
📍 Elm Street Congregational Church - 61 Elm St, Southbridge, MA 01550
More Info →
🎉 “Ask Me Anything” with Select Board Members
Community Q&A with Select Board members at 25 Main St, South Grafton—bring questions about what’s happening in town.
🗓 Wednesday 02/25/2026
📍 South Grafton Community House, Grafton
More Info →
🎉 Flora in Winter 2026 Opens
Description...Floral installations throughout the museum galleries that reinterpret the art—runs 02/26 through 03/01. Tickets at the door (members free; special pricing applies).
🗓 Thursday 02/26/2026
📍 Worcester Art Museum, Worcester
More Info →
📣 Got an Event Coming Up?
Whether it's a craft fair, a concert at your cousin's brewery, or a holiday lights display so bright it scares the turkeys — we want to hear about it! Share your event here
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Your next best friend is waiting
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Meet Dorito
Dorito is a 1 year, 8 months old male Pit Bull Terrier/Mix who weighs 59 pounds. Dorito is a young, sensitive soul who is learning that the world can be a safe and kind place. At about 1½ years old, he is still growing into himself and discovering confidence one step at a time.
Dorito can be shy when meeting new people, but with treats, patience, and a calm approach, he warms up and shows his sweet, goofy side. Once he trusts you, his personality truly shines-and he has quickly become a staff favorite because of it. If there are to be kids in his new home, they should be older teenagers.
Dorito is very food motivated, which makes him a great candidate for positive-reinforcement training and confidence-building activities. He has lived with other dogs in the past, but he can be cautious about making new dog friends and would benefit from slow, thoughtful introductions. Dorito is looking for a home with mature, empathetic people who understand that trust takes time.
But once you have that trust, he is so much fun!
If you are interested in adopting Dorito, please come to the shelter, with the folks who live in your home and other dogs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 12-4pm.
If you are unable to come during those hours please email [email protected] to see what other times may be available. Additional Information Spayed / Neutered: Yes
Call (508) 853-0030 to inquire
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Your weeknight warmups + weekend shows around Wormtown (and nearby).
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Fresh picks across Wormtown & the suburbs—save these dates and support your local venues.
🎸 Katie Cronin
🗓 Fri, Feb 20, 2026 • 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Seven Saws Brewing Company — 112 Industrial Dr, Holden, MA 01520
Taproom piano set
Tickets / Info →
🎸 The Midnight Riders — Auburn
🗓 Fri, Feb 20, 2026 • 8:00 PM
📍 Halligan’s Bar and Function Hall — 889 Southbridge St, Auburn, MA 01501
Tickets / Info →
🎸 Sans Souci (JGB Tribute Night) — Worcester
🗓 Fri, Feb 20, 2026 • Doors 7:00 PM
📍 Electric Haze — 26 Millbury St, Worcester, MA 01610
JGB tribute night
Tickets / Info →
🎸 Dr. Robert — Auburn
🗓 Sat, Feb 21, 2026 • 8:00 PM – 11:45 PM
📍 Halligan’s Bar and Function Hall — 889 Southbridge St, Auburn, MA 01501
Tickets / Info →
🎸 Kyle Quitadamo — Grafton
🗓 Sat, Feb 21, 2026 • 8:00 PM
📍 Town House Tavern — 1 Grafton Common, Grafton, MA 01519
Part of Town House Tavern’s live music lineup
Tickets / Info →
🎸 Morgan Myles — Worcester
🗓 Sun, Feb 22, 2026 • 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
📍 Rascals — 70 James St, Worcester, MA 01603
Sunday afternoon show
Tickets / Info →
🎸 The Ric Porter Band — Worcester
🗓 Sun, Feb 22, 2026 • Doors 4:30 PM • Show 5:00 PM
📍 FrontRoom at WCUW / Harold Stevens Gallery — 910 Main St, Worcester, MA 01610
$20 at door; pizza party included; parking across the street in Clark U lot
Tickets / Info →
🎸 Pokey LaFarge — Worcester
🗓 Thu, Feb 26, 2026 • 8:00 PM
📍 Off the Rails Worcester — 90 Commercial St, Worcester, MA 01608
Ticketed show
Tickets / Info →
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🪚 Local Business Spotlight
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A local gem worth knowing
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🌟 Calabria Ristorante (Millbury)
7 South Main Street, Millbury, MA 01527
Classic Italian comfort, full bar, and a “come hungry” kind of menu. Tucked on South Main Street in downtown Millbury, Calabria serves Southern Italian-inspired dishes alongside a full bar. They’re open for weekday lunch and dinner Monday–Saturday, with takeout available (including curbside) and delivery options listed through Grubhub.
What folks are saying
• Reviewers on Tripadvisor frequently call out friendly service and fresh, authentic Italian food.
• A Worcester-area diners thread praised the cocktails and dinner as “amazing,” and specifically shouted out the calamari.
Why we love it:
It's Worcester's handmade heartbeat—perfect for unique gifts, home decor, and supporting local creatives.
Function room + catering = a solid go-to for showers, celebrations, and group dinners.
Takeout/curbside when you want the feast without the fuss.
📍 Location: 138 Green St, Worcester, MA 01604
🅿️ Parking: Lots of parking on site and street.
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Thank You, Wormtown! 🪱
Thanks for reading! If this issue helped you find a new favorite or skip a pothole, we did our job. Send us your hidden gems and events, and we'll keep the local love rolling.
— Team Wormtown Weekly
📧 Know a business or individual that deserves a shoutout?
Email us at [email protected]
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