1838
An old Worcester home stands on the threshold of a new era, with new owners. Buying the Salisbury House at Highland and Harvard streets this spring as its new headquarters, Preservation Worcester plans a renovation project including a trades preservation school that will become the linchpin of its educational programming. A Salvage Shop in the basement will sell the historical bits and pieces that are treasures to renovators and restorers, either professional or amateur. Grants are already in place to support the new trades preservation program and Preservation Worcester hopes to begin in the fall with local tradespeople as instructors.
508
508 Forever Young, the nonprofit helmed by Worcester court officer Woodrow Adams Jr. is again seeking donations for its annual summer backpack giveaway event. The group, which will hold its sixth annual drive Aug. 6 at Fuller Family Park with free food, games and haircuts, is asking for community support filling hundreds of backpacks for city schoolchildren. His organization is asking for donated backpacks of all sizes, as well as supplies it will stuff inside the packs. People can drop off donations at Fade Kings at 70 Vernon St., Addie Lee’s Soul Food at 596 Main St., the YMCA at 766 Main St. and Unified Insurance at 1094 Pleasant St., Suite 1.
$200,000
The North Central Pathway Bike Trail is one step closer to completion. Gardner was recently awarded a $200,000 state grant to extend the trail, which provides walkers and bikers with a 1.6-mile round trip between the Gardner Veterans Memorial Skating Rink and Route 140, according to Mayor Michael Nicholson. Once constructed, this project, alongside the pedestrian bridge and completed street projects in the area, will connect the North Central Pathway from the New Hampshire border, through Winchendon and through Gardner to Hubbardston via Gardner’s downtown corridor.
5/27
The new owner of Dresser Hill Ice Cream in Charlton, Michael Madulka, had hoped to open the popular ice cream haven on his birthday, May 27. However, with the building closed and gutted for renovation, he's now setting sights on perhaps a weeklong test run before fall. In April 2021, Madulka outbid all others interested in the place and plunked down $450,000 plus fees, when it was sold at auction. With long views over farmland, epic sunsets and country roads, he's been hoping to make the spot a destination - he just needs more time.
$4.84
Drivers may not be feeling much relief at the pump, but gas prices are coming down. AAA Massachusetts reported Tuesday that gas is now averaging $4.84 per gallon, down 8 cents a gallon from last week. The average price is down 10 cents a gallon over the past month, but is $1.84 per gallon higher than at this time last year. AAA's Mary Maguire said about 80% of stations are now selling regular gas for under $5 a gallon.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Central Mass. by the Numbers