The Worcester Torch Club is a social organization for professionals from various backgrounds intended to promote friendship, conversation, and learning across disciplines. Members present original talks on professional, scholarly, or timely topics in an open, tolerant, and friendly environment.
The Club holds meetings on the second Thursday of each month from October through May at the Worcester Club on Oak Street in Worcester, MA. Meetings begin 6:00 p.m. and end at 8:45 p.m. These are social gatherings built around an evening dinner and typically include happy hour, a delicious catered dinner followed by the main presentation. The dinner costs $55.00 per person (alcoholic beverages extra). Reservations are required.
Meetings are open to non-members. If you wish to attend, please make reservations by email at least 3 days beforehand by calling Tom Pierce or using the Contact Us form. Please include the names of you and your guests.
2023-24 Schedule of Speakers
October 12, 2023
Steve McClure
“Chip Wars”
November 9, 2023
Rev. Aaron R. Payson
“Why Critical Race Theory Matters”
December 14, 2023
Bob Armstrong
“Custom Cut vs. Commercial Puzzles”
January 11, 2024
Tom Pierce
“Who Do You Trust?”
February 8, 2024
Margos Stone
“General Grant”
March 14, 2024
Guest Speaker: Dr. Gerald Stulc
“The Relationship Between the Art and Anatomy
of the Human Body Through History”
April 11, 2024
Guest Speaker: Virginia Swain
Grace Akallo: “Unknown Terrorist” Asylum Seeker
May 9, 2024
Guest Speaker: Royce Singleton
“The Battle of Leyte Gulf”
2022-23 Schedule of Speakers
In December, 2021, the Club moved back to holding in-person meetings at the Worcester Club. In all of the 2020-2021 season, talks were given via Zoom. At the present time, we require all participants to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. With the speaker’s permission, the talks will posted here.
October 13, 2022
Frank Callahan
“The Community Preservation Act”
November 10, 2022
Aaron Payson
“Grief, Loss and Resilience in a Time of COVID”
December 8, 2022
Guest Speaker: Sari Bittricks
“Christmas Carols”
January 12, 2023
Cynthia Turncliffe & Thomas Pierce
“Int’l Association of Torch Clubs”
February 9, 2023
Guest Speaker: David Horn
“Invasive Insect Species in Worcester”
March 9, 2023
Guest Speaker: Dr. Ruth Smith
“Philosophical Aspects of Language and Society”
April 13, 2023
Mike Peckar
“The Midstate Trail”
May 11, 2023
Hank Rose
“The The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire”
Past Presentations
Thursday, March 9th, 2023 Dr, Ruth Smith — Philosophical Aspects of Language and Society
Thursday, Dec 9th, 2022 Dr. Joseph Baratta — Reductionist Materialism
Reductionist Materialism (PDF, 5Mb)
Thursday, Apr 8, 2021, Mike Peckar — From Russia with Love
Thursday, Mar 11, 2021. Mark Mancevice — Ravenna – a city of Mosaics
Thursday, Dec 10th, 2020 The Rev. David Miller — What Your Teachers Won’t Tell You about the Founding Fathers
December 12, 2019 Colin Novick —