The 'Wonder’ of it all, right here

An event hosted by the Webster House Restaurant last Monday evening that honored the area’s colleges and universities for being chosen No. 1 in a “Seven Wonders of Worcester” contest (one for each of the decades the restaurant has been in business to date) gave speakers like host Chris Liazos, Dick Kennedy and Ed Bourgault a chance to shine—and they did not disappoint.
Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce President Dick Kennedy, who always comes armed with a story, drew laughs in describing his arrival at WPI in the footsteps of his older brother Fran—who’d achieved academic excellence there. At first, Kennedy said, WPI officials were excited to have a second Kennedy on campus. “This is Fran Kennedy’s brother!” they said. After a while, they had doubts. “This is Fran Kennedy’s brother?” they mused. Finally, recognizing that the younger Kennedy wasn’t the same sort of firebrand as his sibling in the classroom, there was disbelief. “THIS is Fran Kennedy’s brother,” they moaned.
As virtually everyone knows by now, in spite of his penchant for self-disparagement to get a few chuckles, Dick Kennedy IS pretty swift on his feet—cerebrally.

The gathering amounted to a rare opportunity for the Webster House and “friends” to praise the schools being recognized (Anna Maria, Assumption, Atlantic Union, Becker, Clark, Holy Cross, Mass. College of Pharmacy, Nichols, Quinsigamond CC, Tufts Veterinary School, UMASS Medical, WPI and Worcester State) for the enormous influence they exert—and for the schools in return to thank the restaurant for the active role it plays in the life of the community and, more specifically, its neighborhood.

Chris Liazos set the tone for the night when he pointed out that Worcester is “blessed” to have so many institutions of higher learning
(although he himself is a graduate of “the School of Hard Knocks,” as he put it). Dick Kennedy echoed these sentiments, noting that with more than 30,000 young people studying here on an annual basis, “the impact is dramatic.” Ed Bourgault of the CPA firm Kashuk, Bourgault, Kittredge & Frustaci (KBKF), who is also president of the North Worcester Business Association (NWBA), described growing up in the Webster Square area (he obtained an Associate’s degree from QCC and a Bachelor of Science from Clark). “I remember rope pulls over the pond at (University) Park,” Bourgault said. The colleges and universities “have really contributed,” he said.

To a person, speakers commended the Webster House on its longevity. “Seventy years!” Clark University President John Bassett said. “I think it’s wonderful that the Webster House is taking the lead in publicizing the city’s 'Seven Wonders’Éits neighborhoods, architecture, parks, museums.” Holy Cross’ President Michael C.
McFarland, S.J., told Liazos, “one of my delights is getting to know you and the Webster House, Chris. The Webster House enriches us in so many ways. You’ve done a great job and we’re proud to be part of it.”
The Chamber’s Kennedy added, “Seventy years in business in this city is remarkable.” It is easy to take “institutions” like colleges and universities and restaurants that have been around for a while for granted; a week ago, it was just the opposite: a show of appreciation, and well-deserved.

The Webster House Restaurant’s Chris Liazos welcomes guests for an event honoring area colleges and universities as one of “the Seven Wonders of Worcester” (in celebration of the restaurant’s seventy years in business).