🪱 Hello Wormtown, thanks for stopping by!
Greetings Friends and happy holidays to you all! As I mentioned last week, our website has had a complete overhaul and I'd love any feedback. You can check it out here wormtownweekly.com. Also, from that same page you can check out our additional pages such as:
Worcester 101 Guide (perfect for newbies to our area)
Worcester Regional Guide (the beloved areas we cover)
Local Brewery Directory (see anything missing? Let me know!)
Once again, Wormtown Weekly isn’t a national media brand or an AI driven overview from afar — it’s a small, local effort run by a neighbor who actually lives here. That means your feedback really shapes what we publish. Got suggestions or found a typo? Email me directly at [email protected]. Thanks for reading and for keeping it local.
Here's what we're talking about this week:
- Worcester Legacy Business Program
- Storytime with Santa in Northborough
- ReStore in Worcester takes the spotlight this week
Read on!
This Week’s Poll
I spend a lot of time scouring the internet (and every other source I can find) for events, activities, and local businesses to check out. That being said — how far are you typically willing to drive to get to something fun?
How far are you willing to travel for an event?
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 or photo that made you say “yup, that’s Wormtown”? We want it! If you’ve spotted something post-worthy and local, send it our way for a future issue.
Just email it to [email protected] with a short note, and we’ll take a look.
No town roasts, just love (and maybe a little side-eye for those double-parkers).
If this isn’t small town charm I don’t know what is!
🪵 Koopman Lumber Names Denise Brookhouse CEO (Effective Jan. 1)
Whitinsville / Uxbridge area • Starts Jan 1, 2026
Koopman Lumber announced that Denise Brookhouse will take over as CEO effective January 1, succeeding Dirk Koopman, who has served in the role since 2010. The company operates more than 10 locations in Massachusetts, including two in Uxbridge and one in Whitinsville.
Why it matters: Beyond being a big milestone as the first female CEO in the family, it’s also a major leadership transition at a long-running local employer that serves homeowners, contractors, and communities across Central Mass.
🏆 Nominate a “Worcester Legacy Business”
Worcester • Deadline: Mon, Feb 2
The City of Worcester launched a Legacy Business Program to honor long-standing, locally owned small businesses that help shape the city’s culture and economy.
Why it matters: This is a simple way to shine a spotlight on hometown favorites — and help them get official recognition and added visibility.
🏗️ CDBG Public Facilities Grants Are Open (Worcester)
Worcester • Deadline: Wed, Jan 14, 2026
Worcester is accepting applications for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Public Facilities Projects — including ADA improvements, public safety upgrades, interior rehab, and energy-efficiency improvements — with awards ranging from $10,000 to $110,000.
Why it matters: These grants can help community organizations improve the spaces where neighbors gather, learn, and access services — which supports stronger neighborhoods (and a stronger local economy).
📈 Shrewsbury Economic Development Plan: Public Survey Open
Shrewsbury • Open now
Shrewsbury is building an economic development plan focused on key transportation corridors, aiming to identify opportunities for new development, jobs, and tax-base growth. The town is asking for public input via an online survey.
Why it matters: If you live, work, or run a business along these corridors, this is your chance to influence what gets prioritized — from land use to future investment.
🌐 West Boylston: Ripple Fiber Winter Construction Update
West Boylston • Winter update
West Boylston shared a winter status update from Ripple Fiber: construction is complete in the FDA20 area (pending final quality checks before service is ready), and crews are moving into FDA21–FDA23. Overhead construction continues through winter, with restoration work continuing now and again in the spring.
Why it matters: Expanded high-speed internet options can be a real quality-of-life upgrade — especially for remote workers, students, and small businesses.
💡 Worcester Green Worcester ElectriCITY: New Contract Brings Fixed Rates Starting December
Worcester • Begins with Dec 2025 meter reads
Worcester says its municipal electricity aggregation program will move to a new 24-month supply contract starting with December 2025 meter reads, offering fixed-rate options and additional renewable energy. The city notes no action is required for current participants, and customers can opt out anytime without penalty.
Why it matters: For households and businesses, fixed supply rates can mean more predictable bills compared with National Grid’s changing Basic Service rates.
🛒 Worcester’s Grocery Gap + Commercial Tax Rate Debate
Worcester • In the news
GBH reports on Worcester’s supermarket shortage and how the city’s commercial tax rate is part of the ongoing debate about attracting (or losing) major retailers. The piece notes the City Council vote setting the new commercial rate and includes reactions from city and business voices.
Why it matters: Grocery access is a daily-life issue — and the policies that shape business costs can influence whether new stores choose Worcester or neighboring towns.
⚠️ Grafton Warns of Permit Application Scam
Grafton • Alert
The Town of Grafton is warning residents and business owners about fake “permit approval” emails that request wire payments for bogus fees. The town says it will never invoice applicants asking for wired payment and encourages anyone targeted to contact the police or the town for verification.
Why it matters: This is the kind of scam that can hit contractors, homeowners, and small business owners hard — a quick double-check could save someone a lot of money and stress.
A Christmas Carol (Sutton High School Drama Club)
Sutton • Thu, Dec 18 (7pm) • Sat, Dec 20 (7pm) • Sun, Dec 21 (2pm)
SHS Drama Club presents Charles Dickens’ classic featuring Ebenezer Scrooge. Tickets: K–12 $5, Adults $10.
EcoTarium: Budding Scientists
Worcester • Thu, Dec 18 (10:30–11:15am)
Hands-on science and nature explorations for curious kids (recommended ages 4–6). Included with museum admission; tickets available at the front desk (capacity limited).
Technocopia Open Hack (Free Weekly Open House)
Worcester • Thu, Dec 18 (7–9pm)
Drop in to tour the makerspace, meet other creatives, and bring a project (or just bring yourself). Great “try it out” night for curious tinkerers.
Storytime with Santa
Northborough • Thu, Dec 18 (11:00am–12:00pm)
Santa and Benny the Elf stop by for a special story, plus time to meet Santa and snap photos. Registration recommended.
Teen: Resin Crafts
Leicester • Thu, Dec 18 (6:00–7:00pm)
Make and customize one (or two) resin creations. For teens and their adults; registration required (space is limited).
Gale Free Library: Ongoing Thursday Storytimes
Holden • Thu, Dec 18 (10:00–11:30am)
Weekly storytime session for little ones (check the listing for the age group and weekly details).
Yoga Classes (Camp Gleason)
Auburn • Fri, Dec 19 (9:00–10:30am)
Start your Friday with a reset — community yoga at Camp Gleason (261 Central St). Event listing includes the contact number for questions.
Pilgrim’s Family Holiday Breakfast
Southborough • Sat, Dec 20 (8:15–9:30am)
Annual family breakfast hosted at Pilgrim Congregational Church’s Fellowship Hall (15 Common St).
📣 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 upcoming Central Mass event and we’ll help get the word out to thousands of locals who actually read the newsletter (seriously).
Meet Halo!
Halo is a 1 year old female Domestic Shorthair/Mix cat who weighs 7 pounds.
Female/Spayed
Age:1 year old
Adoption Fee: $145
Halo's story is one of patience, kindness, and trust. For months, a caring woman watched over her bringing food, offering shelter, and slowly earning Halo's confidence. As the weather grew colder and Halo began to open up, she allowed herself to be gently touched and placed into a carrier for her ride to WARL, where she's now waiting for a forever home.
Halo was quiet and well-behaved on the ride and remains a bit shy as she adjusts, but she is a very good girl with a calm, gentle nature. She's looking for a kind person or family who will give her the time and love she needs to fully blossom.
Halo has only been with us since December 6th, so we're still getting to know her, but one thing is already clear: she has a sweet soul and is sure to make someone very happy. Could that someone be you?
We have walk-in adoption days on Monday's, Wednesday's & Thursdays 12:00-4:00. If you can't make that, please complete the online Adoption inquiry form found on our website and we can set up a time/day that works for you!
Note that many cats do not reach full size until they are about a year and a half old. The weight listed here is Halo's current weight.
Additional Information
Spayed / Neutered: Yes
Adopting one of these babies will 100% put a smile on your face I promise!
🎸 Miss Fairchild (Halligan’s Bar)
Auburn • Fri, Dec 19
Halligan’s has Miss Fairchild slated for a Friday night stop — perfect excuse to make Auburn your “we’re just popping out for one” destination.
🎄 Revival Worship Collective Christmas Concert
Holden • Fri, Dec 19 • 7:00–9:00 pm
A full Christmas concert from Revival Worship Collective (RWC) — a great “big voices, warm vibes” kind of night.
☕ Trinity’s Coffee House / Open Mic
Northborough • Fri, Dec 19
A community coffee house + open mic night featuring local talent (music, and sometimes a little poetry too). Bring a snack, bring a friend, and enjoy the hometown stage.
🕯️ An 18th-century Yuletide Concert by Candlelight
Sutton • Fri, Dec 19 • 7:30 pm
Musicians of the Old Post Road brings a special holiday concert to Vaillancourt Folk Art — candlelight + period-instrument holiday magic in the coziest possible setting.
🎶 Stephn George (Halligan’s Bar)
Auburn • Sat, Dec 20 • 8:00–11:30 pm
Live music in the front bar with Stephn George — a classic Saturday night hang with a soundtrack built in.
🍻 Chad Clements (Town House Tavern)
Grafton • Sat, Dec 20 • 8:00 pm
Town House Tavern’s Saturday-night live music continues with Chad Clements — grab a table, grab a drink, settle in for the weekend.
🔔 MVR Holiday Concert “Tidings with a Twist!”
Shrewsbury • Sat, Dec 20 • 7:00 pm
Merrimack Valley Ringers brings a holiday handbell concert to Saint Anne’s — festive favorites plus a few surprises (admission listed as free, with a free-will offering).
🪚 Local Business Spotlight:
640 Lincoln St, Worcester, MA 01605
🪚 Worcester ReStore (Habitat for Humanity) — Lincoln St “DIY Treasure Hunt”
Worcester • 640 Lincoln St, Suite 100
If you’ve never been, the Worcester ReStore is basically the grown-up version of a treasure hunt: a home-improvement thrift store where you can browse new + gently used furniture, appliances, lighting, cabinets, sinks/vanities, doors/windows, flooring, paint, hardware/tools, and other DIY-friendly finds — often priced well below retail.
Why we love it: It’s a win-win — you can score a serious deal for your home (or your next landlord-special project), and every purchase supports Habitat for Humanity’s mission to build homes, communities, and hope for local families.
What to look for: The “big wins” are usually the bulky stuff you don’t want to pay full price for — solid wood dressers, dining sets, area rugs, vintage mirrors, statement light fixtures, cabinet sets, or an appliance upgrade that’s still got plenty of life left in it. If you’re a small-biz owner, it can also be a sneaky-good spot for office furniture, shelving, and display pieces on a budget.
Worm tip: Inventory changes fast. If you spot “the one” (that perfect vanity / table / light fixture), don’t assume it’ll be there tomorrow. Bring a tape measure, snap a quick photo of dimensions, and have a plan for transporting larger items.
Good to know: The Worcester ReStore is listed as open Tuesday–Saturday (10am–5pm). They also accept donations via a drive-thru drop-off window (typically Wednesday–Saturday, 10am–4pm), and offer a free donation pickup option in their service area for qualifying items.
Shop the Worcester ReStore online
A Huge Thank you to one of our readers for submitting ReStore as a possible Local Business Spotlight business! Don't forget we want to hear from you! Who will we spotlight next? Good question, but you could help decide! If you have someone or a business in mind just shoot me a quick email at [email protected] and I'll take it from there.
Thank You!
Appreciate you spending part of your week with me — and until next week, thanks for reading Wormtown Weekly!
If you’ve got input, a can’t-miss event to share, or a local business you want featured in our Local Spotlight, just hit reply and send it my way. And if you spot something fun, weird, or wonderfully Wormtown, toss me a quick snapshot for Seen Around Town.
Just reply to this email and it will get to me — I read every one.
— Team Wormtown Weekly 🪱
PS. Do you know a business or individual that could use a shoutout? Let me know here! [email protected]
