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have led to improved health and living conditions for people around the world work collaboratively with our regional health care systems. A case in point is UMass Medical School researcher Craig Mello, Ph.D., whose discoveries regarding the transmission of genetic information earned him and his colleagues the 2006 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Living in the Central Massachusetts area offers an opportunity to broaden your knowledge and understanding of other cultures. An assortment of cultural boutiques, fine and casual dining establishments that specialize in ethnic cuisine, specialty retailers, outdoor seasonal festivals, and eclectic art shows provides a personal look into the various ethnicities that comprise our community today. Arts and culture lovers need not travel an hour or more to enjoy the best of Broadway, well-known musical talent, and best-selling authors. One of the crown jewels of downtown Worcester – e Hanover eatre for the Performing Arts – presents all these shows and more. Listed on the National Register, this cultural treasure has proven to be not only an important entertainment venue, but also a key economic driver for Worcester and surrounding towns. Along with its more established world-class neighbor down the street – Mechanics Hall – e Hanover eatre has added depth to Worcester County's rich cultural life. e stories and photographs in this book showcase the many attractions the greater Worcester area has to offer. From the downtown business district, which continues to grow and attract new investment and interest, to the neighborhoods and towns with their mix of historic architecture, exciting new development, and rural charm, the Central Massachusetts region continues to be a vibrant place to live and do business. Consider this book a guided tour through a region rich with the amenities of a large metropolis, the warmth of a mid-size city, and the natural beauty of a historic countryside with a vast array of attractions in between. As you examine every facet of the Central Massachusetts area through your pictorial journey, we hope you come to appreciate the fullness of life in the region, the vitality of the people who live here, and the bountiful opportunities that exist in the Heart of the Commonwealth. n P H OTO : E D D COT E 8 HEART OF THE COMMONWEALTH: A Photographic Portrait of Worcester & Central Massachusetts u Continued from previous page Discovery, Diversity, and Development Drive Regional Growth