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Frequently Asked Reference Questions:

Adult Literacy, ESL, GED and etc. 
Anniversary, Two Hundred and Fiftieth
Antiques Evaluation
Armory
Big Apple
Book First Printed In Worcester
Braille Books
Callahan Tunnel, Boston
Catch 22
Census
"Cheers" Bar
Christmas Lights
Cold Storage Chart
The Legend of the Claddagh Ring
Depression Garden
Desiderata
Do Not Call
- National & Massachusetts
Donating Books to the Library
Dyslexia--Famous People
EdCentral
Elephant Man's Disease
ESL & GED Classes
Famous Visitors
Flower Gardens (Chemical Depression)
Flowers of the Month
Friday the 13th (fear of)
Gehrig, Lou (disease)
Genealogy
Government Pamphlets
Grants
Greetings, Presidential
-Gry Words
Happy Birthday
Hurricane Names
Irish Blessing
Jewish Videos and DVDs at WPL
Lasalette Shrine
Literacy
(Worcester)
Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester
Longitude and Latitude--US
Malpractice & Physician Profiles
Massachusetts Citizen Information
Massachusetts Military Museum
Massachusetts State Emblems
Mathematician--First Woman
Military Museum
Molasses Explosion
Molasses Flood
Mystery Hill
Native Americans
NE Document Conservation Center
Night Life Course Catalog --Worcester
Numbers, Large
Pita Bread
Play Dough
Pledge of Allegiance
Presidential Greetings
Quabbin Reservoir, ghost towns
Seven Dwarfs
Seven Ancient Wonders
7 Wonders--America
7 Wonders--Middle Ages
Seven Natural Wonders
Seven Wonders of the Modern World
Seven Scenic Wonders
"Some Men See Things ……."
Space Shuttle Disaster
Speed of Rotation of the Earth
State Data Center
Street Cars
Taxation
Thirteen, fear of
Ties
Time
Toll-Free Telephone Information
Trapp Family Lodge
Tribute to his Brother (RFK)
Triskaidekaphobia
Twelve Days Of Christmas
Twenty-One Gun Salute
Vietnam Veterans Day
Weather--Highs and Lows In Worcester
Wizard Of Oz Film
Worcester Altitude/Elevation
Worcester Center
Worcester Firsts--Tap Dance On Radio
Worcester Latitude and Longitude
Worcester Public Library
Worcester--Seven Hills
Worcester Tornado
Worcester--Wormtown
Workforce Central
Year and a Day

 

 

ANNIVERSARY, TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH

What is the official name for a two hundred and fiftieth anniversary?

Term: Semiquincentennial

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ANTIQUES EVALUATION

Where can I obtain an estimate of the value of my antique?

www.sothebys.com/about.contact/as_auctionest.html
Sotheby's offers auction estimates in selected areas; this differs from a formal appraisal.
www.sothebys.com/help/faq/faq_beforeauction.html#a03

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ARMORY

I've heard there is a military museum in Worcester-where is it?

See: Massachusetts National Guard Military Museum

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BIG APPLE

For many years now, New York City has been called "The Big Apple."  Why?

Answer: "The big apple" was adopted from racetrack parlance. It was applied to horse races in which large purses could be won. In early 1930’s, jazz buffs referred to Harlem, the city’s black neighborhood, as "The Big Apple." For a short time, there was a Harlem nightclub of that name.
Parade Section, T 11-12-78.

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BOOKS-FIRST PRINTED IN WORCESTER

What was the first book printed in  Worcester?

The title is "A Narrative of the Excursion and Ravages of the King’s Troops Under the Command of General Gage, On the Nineteenth of April, 1775, together with the Depositions taken by Order of Congress, to Support the Truth of It." The date is 1775 and the event of course, the opening skirmish of the American Revolution of Lexington. The book is made up of the evidence gathered by the Provincial Congress at Watertown in an effort to prove that the British troops were the aggressors. Copies were
sent to King George III and his ministers. The American Antiquarian Society has a copy of the book. On this title page, in the handwriting of Isaiah Thomas, who founded the library in 1812, is written:
"This was the first printing done in Worcester, Mass."
He should have known, for he printed the book.

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BRAILLE BOOKS

Where can I obtain books written in Braille?

Braille and Talking Book Library
www.perkins.pvt.k12.ma.us/general.htm
Perkins School for the Blind
Phone: 1-800-852-3133

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CALLAHAN TUNNEL, BOSTON

When was the Callahan Tunnel opened in Boston?

It was opened 11-11-1961.

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CATCH-22

What is the passage from Catch 22 by Joseph Heller from which the phrase "Catch 22" originated?

"There was only one catch and that was Catch-22, which specified that concern for one’s own safety in the face of dangers that were real and immediate was the process of a rational mind. Orr was crazy and could be grounded. All he had to do was ask; and soon as he did, he would no longer be crazy and would have to fly more missions. Orr would be crazy to fly more missions and sane if he didn’t, but if he was sane he had to fly them. If he flew them he was crazy and didn’t have to; but if he didn’t want to he
was sane and had to."

Source: Catch-22 Joseph Heller, 1961

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CENSUS

Where can I find official census information?

Center for Massachusetts Data
114 Draper Hall
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA 01003
Information for a fee via computer tapes

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"CHEERS" BAR

Where is the "Cheers Bar" located?

The Bull and Finch Pub
(In the Hampshire House)
84 Beacon St, Boston
Phone (617)227-9605

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CHRISTMAS LIGHTS


Where in Massachusetts is there a famous display of Christmas Lights?

See La Salette Shrine

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THE LEGEND OF THE CLADDAGH RING

What is the legend of the Claddagh ring, and how is it worn?

There are many stories about this symbol.
According to this fascinating legend which began in Galway Ireland, more than 400 years ago, the crown represents loyalty, the hands friendship, and the heart love. When a man gives the ring to his girl, it symbolizes that she will hold his heart in her hands, and when a girl gives the ring to her man, the same holds true for him. The ring is worn in friendship when the crown points away from the wrist and symbolizes engagement when the ring is reversed. The clasped hands (originating from the ancient Romans) are in constant use in that curious local community of fishermen inhabiting the Claddagh at Galway on the western coast. The ring is passed down from mother to daughter often as a wedding ring.
www.potgold.com/claddagh.htm
There are numerous references on the web.

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DEPRESSION GARDEN

See
Flower Gardens, Chemical

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DESIDERATA


When was the original text of the poem "Desiderata" written and how was it published?

The poem was written in 1927 by Max Ehrmann, and published in "The Poems of Max Ehrmann"
(820.81 E33p) by Crescendo Publishers, 48-50 Melrose Street, Boston, MA 022116.
Source: Indiana Media Journal, Fall/Winter 1997 vol 20 #12.

"Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass. Take kindly the council of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Be a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees of the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy."
 

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Do Not Call -- Massachusetts

Register Online: www.mass.gov/donotcall
or Call toll free: 1.866.339.1475

Do Not Call -- National 
Register Online: http://donotcall.gov/


DYSLEXIA – FAMOUS PEOPLE

Who are some famous people afflicted with Dyslexia, or had symptoms of dyslexia or related problems?

Refer to GLAMOUR Magazine v. 79 p. 146 Aug. 1981
See also http://dyslexia.com/qafame.htm
or www.meadowbrook-education.com/famous_folks.htm

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EDCENTRAL

484 Main Street, Suite 500
Worcester, MA 01608
Tel. 508-754-6829
Fax 508-799-0069
http://www.cowc.org/EDCENTRAL/


ELEPHANT MAN’S DISEASE

What are some official medical names for Elephant Man's Disease?

also known as Neurofibromatosis
also known as von Recklinghausen’s disease
Source:
R 610.3 Stedman’s Medical Dictionary

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FAMOUS VISITORS

What famous people have visited Worcester?

Bill (Bojangles) Robinson came to Worcester January 18, 1946.
Duke Ellington came to Milford January 5, 1959.
ST 16 Jan 77

James "Grizzly" Adams
Samuel Adams
Edwin Aldrin
P.T. Barnum
Ethel Barrymore
Henry Ward Beecher
Harry Belafonte
Sarah Bernhardt
Edwin Booth
John Wilkes Booth
Jimmy Breslin
Captain John Brown
Luther Burbank
Cab Calloway
Al Capp
Eugene Cernan
Winston Churchill
Henry Clay
Samuel L. Clemens
Buffalo Bill Cody
Wilkie Collins
Samuel Colt
Bernard Cooke
Stasia Czernich
Bette Davis
Dorothy Day
Eamon DeValera
Billy DeWolfe
Charles Dickins
Emily Dickinson
Stephen  Douglas
Dorothea Dix
Bob Dylan
Duke Ellington
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Gloria Estefan
Admiral David Farragut
Henry Ford
Stephen Foster
Michael  Fox
Benjamin Franklin
General John Fremont
Marilyn French
Anna Freud
Sigmund Freud
W. L. Garrison
Frank  Gifford
Grimke Sisters
Emma Goldman
Samuel Goldwyn
Gustav VI (King of Sweden)
E. Everett Hale
Alexander Hamilton
John Hancock
Bret Harte
Victor Herbert
Bob  Hope
Harry Houdini
Sam Houston
George Jessel
Billy Joel
Al Jolson
John Paul Jones
James Joyce
Meir Kahane
Garrison Keiller
Fanny Kemble
Dorothy Kilgallen
Coretta  King
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Louis Kossuth
General Henry Knox
Lafayette
Lillie Langtry
Admiral William Leahy, Jr.
Ursula Leguin
Jenny Lind
Charles Lindbergh
Archibald MacLeish
Connie Mack
Malcolm X
General George McClellan
Czeslaw Milosz
Lola Montez
Lucretia Mott
Daniel Moynihan
Thomas Nast
Admiral Edward Nelson, Jr.
Rudolf Nureyev
Jesse Owens
Ron Perry
Roger Perry
Pius XII
Tony Randall
Edwin Reischauer
Eddie Richenbacker
John Rockefeller
Rolling Stones
Eleanor Roosevelt
Babe Ruth
William Thacheray
Sacco & Vanzetti
May Sarton
Rabbi Schindler
General Philip Sheriden
General Sherman
Chaim Weizman
Daniel Webster
Prince Of Wales (1860)
John Quincy Adams
President Arthur
President Clinton
President Eisenhower
President Grant
President Hayes
President Lyndon Johnson
President Andrew Johnson
President Lincoln
President Nixon
President Polk
President Tyler
President Franklin Roosevelt
President Theodore Roosevelt
President Taft
President Washington

ex-President Pierce
ex-President Van Buren   

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FLOWER GARDENS (CHEMICAL)

How would I make a chemical flower garden?

6 tablespoonfuls of salt
6 tablespoonfuls of bluing
6 tablespoonfuls of water
1 tablespoonful of ammonia water,
and pouring, after thorough mixing, over a clinker, a piece of coke or of brick in a broad bowl or dish. After the clinker (or coke or brick) has been wet with the liquid, drop on it a few drops of mercurochrome solution or of red ink or green ink. But do not use iodine, because this reacts with ammonia water to form the dangerously nitrogen iodide, a black powder which is safe as long as it is wet but explodes with a loud report from very slight shock when it is dry. After the materials have been brought together, a coral-like colored growth soon begins to appear on the clinker. This increases rapidly. The growth also tends to form on the edges of the dish and will climb up and over them unless they have been rubbed with Vaseline. The growth will not extend beyond the Vaseline. The "depression flower garden" is a capillary phenomenon involving the tendency of ammonium salts to "creep." The saturated solution deposits crystals around its edges and upon the clinker where the evaporation is greatest. The crystals are porous and act like a wick, sucking up more of the solution by capillary action. The solution thus sucked up evaporates to produce more crystals, more wick, and more growth. The addition of
a little more ammonia water to the dish will produce more growth after the first growth has stopped. Or the whole may be allowed to dry and may then be kept without further change. The "mineral flower garden" which florists sometimes sell or display in their windows, depends upon an entirely different principle, that of osmosis or of osmotic pressure. A solution of sodium silicate or "water glass" is poured into a jar or globe, and crystals of readily soluble salts of certain metals which form colored and insoluble silicates are thrown in and allowed to sink to the bottom. Growths resembling marine plants spring up from these crystals and in the course of a few minutes climb rapidly upward through the liquid, often branching and curving, producing an effect which might lead one to believe that he sees exotic
algae growing in an aquarium. The experiment works best if the solution of water glass is diluted to a specific gravity of about 1.10.

Ferric chloride produces a brown growth;
nickel nitrate, grass green;
cupric chloride, emerald green;
uranium nitrate, yellow;
cobaltous chloride or nitrate, dark blue;
and manganous nitrate and zinc sulfate, white.

Source: The Chemical Formulary Bennett, H. v.1 Ref. 660.83 B471c

Also known as DEPRESSION GARDEN

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FLOWERS OF THE MONTH

What are the birthstones and flowers which correspond to each month?

January
Garnet  
Carnation or Snowdrop

February  
Amethyst  
Violet or Primrose

March
Aquamarine
Daffodil

April
Diamond
Daisy

May
Emerald
Lily-of-the-valley

June
Pearl
Rose

July
Ruby
Larkspur

August
Carnelian
Poppy

September
Sapphire
Aster

October
Opal
Cosmos

November
Topaz
Chrysanthemum

December
Turquoise
Holly

Source: Ref 642.4 L479c Lee Complete Book of Entertaining
Also--Almanacs

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FRIDAY THE 13TH, fear of
See Triskaidakaphobia

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GEHRIG, LOU (DISEASE)

What is the medical name for Lou Gehrig's Disease?

Amytrophic lateral sclerosis

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GENEALOGY

Where can I find out more about my family history?

The Federal Records Center (National Archives and Records Administration) is located at:

380 Trapelo Road
Waltham MA 02452-6399
Phone: (781)647-8104
Fax: (781)647-8088
E-Mail center@waltham.nara.gov


Information can also be found at
Massachusetts Society of Genealogists
705 Southbridge Street
Worcester, MA 01610
(508)792-5066

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GOVERNMENT PAMPHLETS

Where can I purchase published government pamphlets?

Consumer Information Center
Department MT
Pueblo Colorado 81009

-OR-

Unique books, maps, and posters are available at your
U.S. Government Bookstore
Room G25, JFK Federal Building
Sudbury Street
Boston, MA 02203
Hours: 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Monday-Friday
Telephone: (617) 565-2488

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GRANTS
Where can I find information on grant and proposal writing?

Besides our Grant Resource Center, open during regular library hours, there are two other Foundation Center Libraries in Massachusetts:

Associated Grant Makers of Massachusetts
294 Washington Street, Suite 840
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: (617) 426-2606

Western Massachusetts Reading Resources Center
65 Elliot Street
P.O. Box 1730
Springfield MA 01101
Phone: (413) 732-3175

Information on Proposal Writing:

Support Center of Massachusetts
41 Winter Street, Suite 55
Boston, Massachusetts 02108
Phone: (617) 338-1331

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GREETINGS, PRESIDENTIAL

See PRESIDENTIAL GREETINGS

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- GRY Words

What are English language words that end with "gry"?

angry
hungry
gry- to roar (OED)

No less than twelve replies arrived in the mailbox to answer Patricia L. Joy’s query
about the three words in the English language ending in "-gry" (RQ, Fall 1995)
www.tempe.gov/library/netsites/gry.htm
The question has apparently been making the rounds; at least two readers enclosed copies
of newspaper question-and-answer columns where it had appeared in a quiz show. Three
possibilities were found in various dictionaries. The first , "angry," describes a certain type
of variegated glass bead found buried in the earth in Ghana and in England. This definition
appears in Webster’s Third New International Dictionary (OED). Librarians in Alabama,
New Jersey, New York, and Arizona submitted that one.

The second possibility is "puggry," a variant spelling of "puggree," which is "a light scarf wound
around a hat or helmet to protect the head from the sun." That word appears in the OED, but
also can be found in Webster’s New International Dictionary, 2d ed., and Funk and Wagnall’s Crossword Puzzle Word Finder. Librarians in Illinois and Florida brought this to our attention.

The third possibility is the word "gry" itself, an obsolete word, according to the OED, which
could mean "the grunt of a pig, the dirt under the nail; hence the veriest trifle." It is further explained
as "the smallest unit in Locke’s proposed decimal system of hundredth of an inch, and the
thousandth of a (philosophical) foot." The word can also be found in Walker’s Rhyming Dictionary
of the English language, a seldom-used source, and Funk and Wagnall’s New Standard Dictionary. Georgia, New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey librarians contributed this word.

Sally Garrett, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, New York, sent a copy of a
Newsday clipping (May 9, 1975) that carried the question and the same three answers in a
column called "Problem Line," by Anita Richterman. The query also appeared in the Boston Globe’s "Ask the Globe" column (December 4, 1975), according to Jean O. Nyang’ani, Reading (Massachusetts) Public Library, but the reply wasn’t nearly as helpful. Apparently the editors queried G.&C. Merrian Co.; their response was that the only three words in the English language that end in "-gry" are angry, hungry, and anhungry-"the last word being an obsolete term for hungry." I think "Exchange" readers beat the Merriam Co. 3-1 on this question!

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY

How might I say "Happy Birthday" in different languages?

French--"Bon Anniversaire"
Italian--"Buon Compleanno"
Spanish--"Feliz Cumpleanos"
Portuguese--"Feliz Aniversario"
German--"Herzlichen Gluckwunsch Zum Geburtstag"
Swedish--"Lyckliga Fodelsedung"

or visit www.npyl.org/branch/central_units/d/f/expressions/list/happyb.htm

You may also find useful expressions and greetings in 26 languages at www.nypl.org/branch/central_units/d/f/useful.htm

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HURRICANE NAMES

When were hurricanes first given names?

Hurricanes were first given female names in 1953, and given male and female names in 1978.
Source: National Hurricane Data Center
A link to the list of names according to year can be found at
www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutnames.html

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IRISH BLESSING

What is the text of the "Irish Blessing"?

There are a number of variations; here is one:

"May God sleep on your pillow
May He hold you in the hollow of His hand.
May the road rise with you
Fair weather to your heels.
May the wind be ever at your back…
And may you be a long time in Heaven,
Before the Devil knows you’re gone…"

Old Irish benediction, anonymous

Source: The Wind At My Back – Pat O’Brien

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LASALETTE SHRINE

Where is the annual Christmas Light Display located?

Route 118 Attleboro, Massachusetts
Phone: (508) 222-5410

Call for details.

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Literacy 

Literacy Program of Catholic Charities...756-4101
Adult Learning Center...799-3170
Worc. Public Schools...799-3116


Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester

Tel: 508-754-8056
Fax: 508-421-9376
Location: Worcester Public Library, 3 Salem Square, Worcester MA 01608
Website: http://www.lvgw.org
E-mail: mail@lvgw.org


LONGITUDE & LATITUDE – US

What are the longitude and latitude coordinates of Worcester?

Accurate to the tenths of a minute –
See Index Nat’l atlas of USTC Ref SSH Worcester

42° 16’ 17" North Latitude 42.16 N
71° 48’ 11" West  Longitude 71.48 W
Source: World Book Atlas Index – page 429 HIST.F912 W927

Also see
http://shiva.pub.getly.edu/tgn_browser/

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MALPRACTICE & PHYSICIAN PROFILES

Contact Board of Registration in Medicine
Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulations
10 West Street, 3rd Floor
Boston, MA 02111-1217
Tel: 617-727-3086
www.massmedboard.org

  1. Physician Profiles Tel: 617-727-0773, 1-800-377-0550
    www.docboard.org/ma/ma_home.htm
  2. Malpractice Information: 617-727-1788, ext. 359

MASSACHUSETTS CITIZEN INFORMATION

What is the contact information number for citizen information?

The number is (800) 392-6090hat is

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MASSACHUSETTS NATIONAL GUARD MILITARY MUSEUM

What is the address of the Massachusetts National Guard Military Museum?

MASSACHUSETTS NATIONAL GUARD MILITARY MUSEUM
44 SALISBURY STREET
WORCESTER, MA 01609
508-797-0334

PLEASE CALL FOR CURRENT SCHEDULE

Visit website at
www.state.ma.us/guard/Museum/museum.htm

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MASSACHUSETTS - OFFICIAL EMBLEMS

What are the official emblems of the state of Massachusetts, and how were they decided?

State Flower – Mayflower 1918
State Tree – Elm 1931
State Bird – Chickadee 1941
State Beverage – Cranberry Juice 1970
State Horse – Morgan 1970
State Insect – Ladybug 1970
State Fish – Cod 1974
State Song – "All Hail to Massachusetts," written by Arthur J. Marsh

On the Track of Unknown State Objects By Chris Pope Of the Telegram Staff

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MATHEMATICIAN--FIRST WOMAN

Who was the first woman Mathematician?

Hypatia 370? – 415 AD

Women of Mathematics Ref 920.72 W872

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MILITARY MUSEUM

See MASSACHUSETTS NATIONAL GUARD MILITARY MUSEUM

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MOLASSES EXPLOSION

Where can I read about the Molasses Explosion?

Molasses Explosion in Boston – Jan. 15, 1919
Literary Digest – March 1, 1919 – p.25
Reader’s Digest – Aug., 1955 – p.63
Hill – Yankee Photographer – pp. 112-117

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MOLASSES FLOOD

Where can I read about the Great Molasses Flood?

"Without Warning: Molasses in January.."
Smithsonian v.14 – p.213 – 11/83

"Boston’s Great Molasses Flood"
Modern Maturity v.24 – p.16 – Aug/Sept. 1981

"How Slow Is Molasses In January?"
Yankee v. 53 – p.101 – 1/85R

When Technology Fails. Gale, 1994. Pp. 246 – 250,W567

Hill, George H. Yankee Photographer. Coward-McCann, 1953,pp. 112-117 (eyewitness account)

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MYSTERY HILL

Where is Mystery Hill located?
Mystery Hill – Salem, N.H.
5 miles East of I-93 just off N.H. #111 in North Salem

Also called "America's Stonehenge"
See www.paranormalatoz.com/americasstonehenge.html

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NATIVE AMERICANS


Where can I find some local Native American contact addresses?

Hassanamisco Reservation
(508)757-5098
Brigham Hill Road
Grafton, MA 01509

or visit

http://500nations.com/ma
www.indiandata.com/roster.htm
www.blackstonevalley.com/communities/grafton

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NEW ENGLAND DOCUMENT CONSERVATION CENTER

Where is the New England Document Conservation Center located?

100 Brickstone Square
Andover, Mass 01810-1494
(617)470-1010

or visit

www.nedcc.org

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NUMBERS, LARGE

What are the names of the very large numbers?

10100 = ONE googol

10googol = one googolplex

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PITA BREAD

How many calories are in a portion of pita bread?

1 Pita (2 2/3 oz. ) = 173 calories

ref. Leonard & Taylor – The Live Longer Cookbook

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PLAY DOUGH

How can I make homemade play dough?

You will need:
21/4 cups non-self-rising wheat flour
1 cup salt
1 tablespoon powdered alum
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
11/2 cups boiling water
food coloring or poster paints

How to make play dough:

  1. Combine flour, salt, and alum in a bowl. Add vegetable oil.
  2. Stir in boiling water. Stir vigorously with a large spoon until mixture holds together.
  3. Knead the dough until it is smooth.
  4. Divide the dough into several lumps. Add a few drops of food coloring or poster paint to each lump and knead to mix the color into the dough.

Makes about 3 cups.

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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

When was the phrase "under God" added to the Pledge of Allegiance?

"Under God" was added to the pledge of allegiance in 1954. Plan was introduced to Congress by a Michigan Democrat. His name was Louis C. Rabaut.
Source: Worldbook, 2000, Vol. P, p.572.

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PRESIDENTIAL GREETINGS

Please follow the following instructions from The White House Greetings Office:

Thank you for your interest in a greeting from President Bush. The White
House Greetings Office handles as many requests as possible, in
accordance with a set of long-standing guidelines. PLEASE NOTE THAT
ALL GREETING REQUESTS MUST BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING TO:

The White House
Attn: Greetings Office
Washington, D.C. 20502-0039

Please review these guidelines carefully before mailing your request to the
White House.

1.U.S. CITIZENS ONLY. The White House will send greetings to United States
citizens only, for special occasions as outlined below.

2.ADVANCE NOTICE REQUIRED. Your request must be received six (6) weeks
in advance of the event date. We make every effort to honor every request,
but we cannot guarantee a greeting if this guideline is not met. (Greetings are
generally not sent after the event date, except for wedding congratulations and
newborn acknowledgments.)

3.ANNIVERSARY GREETINGS. Anniversary greetings are extended only to
those couples who are celebrating their 50th (and subsequent) wedding
anniversary.

4.BIRTHDAY GREETINGS. Birthday greetings will be sent only to individuals 80
years of age and above.

5.OTHER GREETINGS. A limited number of special occasions other than
birthdays and anniversaries exist for which the Greetings Office will send
appropriate recognition to United States citizens. These occasions include
important events such as:
a.Wedding (send your request after the event)
b.Baby's Birth (must be born during the Bush Administration; send
request only after baby's birth)
c.Eagle Scout Award
d.Girl Scout Gold Award
e.Bar/Bat Mitzvah or equivalent occasion

6.REQUIRED INFORMATION. Please include the following in your request:
a.name and home address of honoree(s)
b.form of address (Mr., Ms., Mrs., Dr., Miss, etc.)
c.exact date of occasion (month, day, year)
d.age (birthdays) or number of years of marriage
e.your (the requestor's) name and daytime phone number
f.any specific mailing instructions if other than to honoree's address
g.Wedding (Include couple's married names and current or new address)
h.Baby's Birth (Include baby's date of birth and full names and address of
baby and parents)

7.WHEN TO EXPECT YOUR GREETING. In most cases, greetings will be
mailed from the White House approximately ten (10) days prior to the event.

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QUABBIN RESERVOIR, Ghost Towns

What are the names of the towns and villages submerged under the Quabbin Reservoir?

Dana, Enfield, Greenwich, Prescott, Millington, Pelham, New Salem
From An Atlas of Quabbin Valley and Quabbin: the lost valley

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SEVEN DWARFS

What are the names of the seven dwarfs?

Bashful, Sleepy, Grumpy, Sneezy, Happy, Dopey, Doc

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SEVEN ANCIENT WONDERS

What are the seven Ancient Wonders, and how many remain today?

    1. Pyramid of Khufu
    2. Hanging Gardens of Babylon
    3. Statue of Zeus at Olympia
    4. Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
    5. Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
    6. Colossus of Rhodes
    7. Lighthouse (Pharos) of Alexandria

How many of the seven wonders of the ancient world can still be seen today?

Only one of the seven ancient wonders exists today: the pyramids of Egypt. Nothing remains of the other six: the hanging gardens of Babylon, the statue of Zeus at Olympia, the Colossus of Rhodes, the temple of Artemis at Ephesus, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus or the Alexandria lighthouse.

You can visit the "forgotten wonders," which took their name from being left off the first list. These include Angkor Wat in Cambodia, the Aztec Temple in Mexico City, the Coliseum in Rome, the great Wall of China, Machu Picchu in Peru, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Parthenon in Athens, Stonehenge in England and the Taj Mahal.

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7 WONDERS- AMERICA

What are the seven wonders of America?

    1. Panama Canal
    2. Empire State Building
    3. Hoover Dam
    4. San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge
    5. Colorado River Aqueduct
    6. Chicago’s Sewage-Disposal System
    7. Grand Coulee Dam


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7 WONDERS – MIDDLE AGES

What are the seven Wonders of the Middle Ages?

    1. Coliseum of Rome
    2. Catacombs of Alexandria
    3. Great Wall of China
    4. Stonehenge
    5. Porcelain Tower of Nanking, China
    6. Leaning Tower of Pisa
    7. Hagia Sophia


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7 WONDERS OF TODAY

What are the seven wonders of today, as of 1931?

    1. Great Pyramid of Egypt
    2. Hagia Sophia
    3. Leaning Tower of Pisa
    4. Taj H Mahal
    5. Washington Monument
    6. Eiffel Tower
    7. Empire State Building


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SEVEN NATURAL WONDERS

What are the seven natural wonders of the world?

  1. Mount Everest, on the Nepal-Tibet border
  2. Victoria Falls on the Rhodesia-Zambia border
  3. Grand Canyon of the Colorado River
  4. Great Barrier Reef of Australia, the world’s largest coral formation
  5. Caves in France and Spain with their prehistoric paintings
  6. Paricutin, a young volcano in Mexico
  7. The harbor at Rio de Janeiro.

Many other natural wonders are often listed, such as the giant Sequoia trees of California; Rainbow Natural Bridge of Utah; Yellowstone Falls in Yellowstone Natural Park; Crater lake and Wizard Island in Oregon; and the Carlsbad Caverns of New Mexico.

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SEVEN WONDERS OF THE MODERN WORLD

What are the seven wonders of the modern world?

Control of diseases Vaccines and antibiotics have cut the toll in death and misery from many infectious diseases. In the late 1970s, for example, small pox was declared extinct. And genetic engineering may yield more weapons against diseases.
Electric power In little more than 100 years the world has been transformed by the production of energy in a form that can be conveniently used to do all kinds of work.
Space exploration Age-old dreams, including walking on the moon and close-up looks at other worlds, have come true.
Communications and information processing Almost any spot on earth is no farther away than the time it takes for a signal traveling at the speed of light to get there; hand in hand with this communications capability is rapid access to huge amounts of information, made possible by the computer.
Organ transplants and artificial organs Loss of function of a vital organ-whether because of age, accident, or disease-no longer must mean loss of life. Kidney, Liver, heart, and marrow transplants, for example, are prolonging people’s lives; and the transplanting of brain tissue is under study. There is also progress in creating and implanting completely artificial tissues and organs, e.g. mechanical hearts.
Supermaterials and microtechnology New kinds of ceramics and plastics can be tailored to have the exact combination of properties desired for new information, communication, and medical technologies. This is made possible through new techniques of engineering at the microscopic and even molecular levels.
Lasers and other optical technology The use of lights to perform tasks requiring pinpoint accuracy, as well as to carry information, has found a place in the modern world in everything from the optical scanners at supermarket checkout counters, to eye surgery, to weapons systems-almost before people learned that laser stood for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation.

Source: Reader’s Digest Book Of facts 1987 Ry 031.02 R286

But some limit the modern wonders to geographical formations, so an alternate list is:

1. Suez Canal
2. Dneproges Dam on the Dnepr River in Russia
3. Atomic Energy Research Establishment at Harwell, England
4. Alaska (or Alcan) Highway, connecting Alaska with Canadian and other United States highways
5. Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco
6. Eiffel Tower in Paris
7. Empire State Building in New York City

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SEVEN SCENIC WONDERS-U.S.

What are the 7 Scenic Wonders of the United States?

    1. Grand Canyon of the Colorado River
    2. Giant Sequoias of California
    3. Carlsbad Caverns
    4. Yellowstone Falls
    5. Petrified Forest and Painted Desert
    6. Crater Lake
    7. Rainbow Natural Bridge


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"SOME MEN SEE THINGS……." : A TRIBUTE TO HIS BROTHER

What was the famous tribute by Edward Kennedy to his brother?

Tribute by Edward M. Kennedy
Delivered at the Funeral of Senator Robert F. Kennedy
St. Patrick's Cathedral, NY June 8, 1968

"Some men see things as they are and say "why". I dream things that never were and say "why not".

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SPACE SHUTTLE DISASTER

When was the space shuttle disaster and who was on board?

1-28-1986. The crew of the Challenger included: Commander, Francis R. (Dick) Scobee; pilot, Comdr. Michael J. Smith of the Navy; Dr. Judith A. Resnick; Dr. Ronald E. McNair; Liet. Col. Ellison S. Onizuka of the Air Force; Gregory B. Jarvis; and Christa McAuliffe.

Source: Worldbook, 2000, Vol. 18, p.725.

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SPEED OF ROTATION OF THE EARTH

What is the speed of rotation of the Earth?

1,040.555 mph is the speed of the rotation of the Earth

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State Data Center

Where is the State Data Center Located?

Massachusetts State Data Center
University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute
220 Middlesex House
Box 35520
Amherst, MA 01003-5520
(413)545-0176

The web address is: msdc.donahue.umassp.edu

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STREET CARS

When did the last streetcar in Worcester run?

Last streetcar ran in Worcester on December 31, 1945
Ref 388.4 qW923zb Becker, Philip. Worcester Consolidated Street Railway, p. 1 of text.


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TAXATION

What year did income taxes become law? I don't remember paying any tax in 1925.

The federal income tax came into existence under President Wilson when the 16th Amendment was passed on February 25, 1913. Nearly everybody laughed it off. The tax was one cent on a dollar; a single person was exempt $3,000; a married person $4,000; and average wages being $624 a year meant that few ordinary people paid. Rates and wages changed as the years went on, so it was probably in the mid-1920's before taxes caught the common man. Incidentally, there was a federal income tax during the Civil War, but the law was repealed when the war ended. Massachusetts taxed income for the first time in 1916. The rate was one and one half cent on income above $2,000; a wife was worth another $500 exemption; with children or other dependents, the extra exemption could rise to a total of $1,000.

State and Federal Tax Offices in Worcester

Massachusetts Department of Revenue
40 SouthBridge Street
3rd Floor (above the Ding Ho Dynasty Restaurant)
Worcester MA 01608
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday 8:45 - 5:00 pm
To print forms online at: www.mass.gov/dor

Federal Internal Revenue Service

Flagship Bank Building (attached to the Worcester Common Outlets)
6th floor Suite #600
Worcester, MA 01608
508-7930260
www.irs.ustreas/gov/
Recorded Refund & Tax Info: 1-800-829-4477
Problem Resolution Office 1-800-829-1040

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THIRTEEN, fear of Friday the Thirteenth

See Triskaidekaphobia

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TIES

Could you walk me through the different knots for formal ties?

See www.ehow.com/  enter search term "necktie"

Also Color For Men, by Carole Jackson

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TIME

Who keeps the national standard of time?

National Standard of time kept by atomic clocks at
National Institute of Standards and Technology
325 Broadway Street
Boulder, CO 80303
(303) 497-3000
www.nist.com

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TOLL-FREE TELEPHONE INFORMATION

Where can I find a toll-free telephone number directory?

You can obtain information on toll-free watts lines by dialing
(800) 555-1212
or www.anywho.com/tf.html

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TRAPP FAMILY LODGE

Where can I find the US town in which the Trapp family built their lodge?

(800)826-7000
See also Mobil Travel Guide and check under Stowe, VT.

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TRIBUTE TO HIS BROTHER (RFK)

What was the famous tribute by Edward Kennedy to his brother?

Tribute by Edward M. Kennedy
Delivered at the Funeral of Senator Robert F. Kennedy
St. Patrick's Cathedral, NY June 8, 1968

"Some men see things as they are and say 'why'. I dream things that never were and say 'why not'".


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TRISKAIDEKAPHOBIA

What is the fear of Friday the Thirteenth called?

In most western mythology, Friday is not a good day for anything. Compounded with 13 being an unlucky number, Friday the 13th is double bad luck. The fear of this day is called "triskaidekaphobia".


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THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

What are the lyrics to the Christmas Carol "The Twelve Days of Christmas"?

On the (insert day) day of Christmas, my true love sent to me:

1st A partridge in a pear tree
2nd Two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.
3rd Three French hens, two turtle doves, etc.
4th Four colly birds, three French hens, etc.
5th Five gold rings! Four colly birds, etc.
6th Six geese a-laying, five gold rings! Etc.
7th Seven swans a-swimming, six geese a-laying, etc.
8th Eight maids a-milking, seven swans a-swimming, etc.
9th Nine ladies dancing, eight maids a-milking, etc.
10th Ten lords a-leaping, nine ladies dancing, etc.
11th Eleven pipers piping, ten lords a-leaping, etc.
12th Twelve drummers drumming, eleven pipers piping, etc.

This carol is an anonymous reminder of a form popular in the Middle Ages, the "counting" song. "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is unique among Christmas Carols in being entirely about getting gifts and having nothing else to do with the season.


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TWENTY-ONE GUN SALUTE

How did the Twenty-One gun salute originate?

Here is the official explanation of the twenty-one gun salute, from the chief of the news branch of the U.S. Army Public Information Division:

The firing of gun salutes dates back to the early days of the British Navy. At that time, guns could not be loaded quickly so the act of firing one in a salute indicated that the saluter had disarmed himself in deference to the person being saluted. Since twenty-one guns was the number found on one side of one of the larger "ships of the line", firing all of them became the highest mark of respect, reserved for heads of the state. Smaller numbers of guns were fired in salutes to people of lesser importance. But for all salutes, only odd numbers are used, reflecting the old seagoing superstition against even numbers. This form of saluting was first recognized in the United States in 1875. As Commander-in-chief, the President is accorded with the highest salute of twenty-one guns.


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VIETNAM VETERANS DAY--MASSACHUSETTS

When is the official Massachusetts Vietnam Veteran's Day?

March 29 of every year by Governor's Proclamation
Massachusetts Laws Chapter 6:15 MM

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WEATHER--HIGHS AND LOWS IN WORCESTER

When was the coldest day recorded in Worcester?

According to the records of the U.S. Weather Bureau at Worcester Airport, the record coldest day was February 16, 1943, when the thermometer struck 24 degrees Fahrenheit below zero. That was the middle day of a cold snap. A minus two was recorded on the day before and the day afterwards. To go to the other extreme, a record high temperature of 102 degrees was recorded in Worcester in July, 1911.

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WIZARD OF OZ FILM

What was Dorothy's last name? Gale.

What were the names of the farmhands who played Lion, the Scarecrow and the Tinwoodsman in the Wizard of Oz? Hunk was the Scarecrows, Zeke was the Lion and Hickory was the Tinwoodsman.

(McClelland, Doug. Down the Yellow Brick Road Pyramid, 1976)

Also see www.eskimo.com/~tiktok/

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WORCESTER ALTITUDE/ELEVATION

What are the altitudes in different locations in Worcester?

Worc: 514’
City Hall – 481’
Union Station – 475’
Lincoln Square – 477’
So. Worc. Junction – 469’
Tatnuck Hill – 1000’

Altitudes also in Massachusetts Town and City Monographs.
Source: Dictionary of Altitudes in U.S.

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WORCESTER CENTER

When was the old Worcester Center opened?

The official opening was July 29th, 1971.

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WORCESTER FIRSTS-TAP DANCE ON RADIO

When was the first tap dance on radio?

Radio station WCTS (C.T. Sherer Co.) had dancing firemen who did their first dance around 1925.

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WORCESTER LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE

What is Worcester's longitude and latitude?

Latitude is 42 ° 16' 17" North
Longitude is 71° 48' 11" West

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WORCESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY

When was the Salem Square building originally dedicated?

The building was dedicated May 22, 1964.

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WORCESTER--SEVEN HILLS

What are the seven hills of Worcester and what are their elevations?

  • Hancock Hill (780 feet)
  • Green Hill (777 feet)
  • Chandler Hill (721 feet)
  • Bancroft Hill (720 feet)
  • Mt. St. James (Pakachoag) Hill (693 feet)
  • Newton Hill (672 feet)
  • Union (Sagatabscot) Hill (625 feet)

(Cutler's "Jottings from Worcester History")

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WORCESTER TORNADO

When was the Worcester Tornado?

The Worcester Tornado was on June 9th, 1953.

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WORCESTER--WORMTOWN

How did Worcester get to be called "Wormtown"?

The moniker was bestowed upon the city by L.B. Worm, a locally famous disc jockey who coined the name in the late 1970's when rock 'n' roll was in it's punk heyday of green hair and pierced body parts. The Worcester punk scene was so lifeless that it made Mr. Worm think of death and worms--hence Wormtown. The name caught on, with its "ring" and cleverly satirical and self-effacing allusion to "Beantown". It has been used as record titles "Wormtown '78" and "Exile in Wormtown", a radio show name "Radio Free Wormtown", concert names "Wormtown Revue", "Wormfest", and "Wormtown Underground". Telegram and Gazette Sports Writer John Gearan wanted the IceCats to be called the Mighty IceWorms. Further use includes big black letters painted on the old Ethan Allen Furniture Store in 1984 proclaiming "Wormtown Rocks", the Wormtown Wiggle, a 1985 concert at Mount Wachusett, and the Wormtown Warriors, a Worcester Modified Pitch Softball Team. When the team rallies, they cry out "The Worm has turned". Their logo is a pair of crossed bats with worms crawling out of the holes in the wood.

(Excerpted from Paul Della Valle and James Dempsey, Worcester Telegram and Gazette Columnists)

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Workforce Central 

Address: 44 Front Street – 6th Floor Worcester, MA 01608 
Phone: 508-799-1600, Fax: 508-799-1628 
http://www.detma.org/workers/centers/Worcester2.html
Hours: 
Mon - Fri, 8:45-5 
Unemployment Insurance Services Walk-In Hours: Mon-Fri, 8:45-5 
Unemployment Insurance Orientation: Wed at 1:30 

Directions: 

From east of Worcester: From I-290 west, take Exit 16, turn right onto Central Street. Follow East Central Street to Main Street. Front Street is the fourth left. 

From west of Worcester: Take I-290 east to Exit 16, turn left on Central Street. Follow East Central Street to Main Street. Turn left onto Main Street. Front Street is the fourth left. Parking is available at the Worcester Common Outlets Garage at the end of Mechanic Street on the left. Numerous other paid parking lots are in the area.


YEAR AND A DAY

Why does the phrase "year and a day" occur so often in Celtic myths?

There are 13 lunar months in the solar year, with one day left over, which is why "a year and a day" occurs so often in old Celtic myths. (An ABC of Witchcraft, past and present by Doreen Valiente, 1973).  

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