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Who knew that at the age of 13 Harry Schmidt saved the life of a Navy pilot who ditched his fighter in the Hudson River near their boat club? Graduating from college in 1950 just as the Korean War broke out he went into USAF pilot training. A year later he was a fighter pilot on Okinawa. Returning to the US after 2 years he was stationed at Otis AFB, and was entered into a USAF-wide competition looking for “the beat fighter pilot in the USAF”, and won that competition. He was hired by Pratt & Whitney to be their engineering test pilot at Edwards AFB testing the new generation of supersonic fighters, the most important of which was the F-101 Voodoo. The 101 was having major difficulties and no USAF pilot was able to test and resolve the problem. Except Harry. Be sure to join us to hear “the rest of the story”.

Guitarist, Composer and Educator Brad Ellenberg is the heart and soul of Portrait in Jazz. He currently has three CD’s showcasing his original mu-sic. Portrait In Jazz in some form has been together since 1993 and The Brad Ellenberg Quintet was formed largely to perform his original compositions. Don’t miss jazz at it’s finest!

Our speaker for Women’s Circle Break-fast is Southgate resident, John McClymer. The title of his presentation is “Frances Perkins and the New Deal.” Frances Perkins, the first fe-male cabinet secretary and, in the words of a recent biographer, “the woman behind the New Deal,” instead claimed that the real start of the New Deal was March 25, 1911, the date of the Triangle Shirtwaist fire in which 146 garment workers died. We will explore the reasons Perkins traced the New Deal back to the fire and her very important role as Secretary of Labor during the Roosevelt Administration. John McClymer taught American History at Assumption for 48 years and is the recipient of numerous honors and awards.

This Stephen Sondheim 1984 hit musical starring Bernadette Peters and Mandy Patinkin follows painter Georges Seurat in the months leading up to the completion of his most famous painting, “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.” Winner of numerous awards and 1985 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Originally a saw mill where logs were processed for the new homes of the neighborhood, the Old Mill and its whirling saw sang a song of progress and industry through five generations of ownership in the same family before its wheels were stilled. Reimagined into a country restaurant, today, the Old Mill is noted for tempting foods served in a setting of rare charm. Previous registration required.

We’re going to celebrate flag day with a Southgate favorite! Trooper Dan returns to the Flanagan Theatre! Dan Clark, also known as “The Singing Trooper” has performed in uniform while representing the Commonwealth of Massachusetts during his 20 year career. During his tenure with the State Police he performed at more than 2,500 events for Federal, State, and Military functions. Join us for a truly inspiring and exuberant performance!

Kevin Mizikar has been the Shrewsbury Town Manager since 2017. A Pittsburgh native, he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in public administration from West Virginia University. He has received several other recognitions and certifications, including being a certified public purchasing official. Kevin will update us on the status of Shrewsbury as we emerge from Covid!

Paul Gauguin: The Brooding Woman

In 1921 the Worcester Art Museum be-came the first museum to acquire a painting by Paul Gauguin. Painted during Gauguin’s first stay in Tahiti, The Brooding Woman came from the collection of the Impressionist painter Edgar Degas. Discover the fascinating life of this masterpiece both before and after it entered the Worcester Art Museum.

This historic Mill property was originally established in the 1800s as a woolen mill, later becoming the Roxbury Carpet Company. It is now the vibrant home of over 70 small businesses. We will tour several highlights of the property including The Mill Contemporary Art Studios and Gallery, Framed in Time and 52 Launch. Previous registration required. Note: This is a walking tour.

Public Programs Coordinator Rachel Quimby will join us for an overview of a nearby treasure! The Ecotarium is a science and nature museum located in Worcester. The museum features several permanent and traveling exhibits, the Alden Planetarium, and a variety of wildlife.

This show band offers a unique and delightful experience to audiences. These fun-loving musicians are ‘mature’ guys who got together in 2017 to create an entertaining show that included playing the best of 50’s rock n roll!

Jeff is a former movie reviewer for the Worcester T&G and has also taught film courses for Becker College and Assumption University. He is the author of Remembered Childhoods, a reading guide to coming-of-age memoirs. We’ll be watching and discussing the 1995 comedy “Smoke” starring Harvey Keitel, William Hurt, and Stockard Channing.