A gallery show at Blackstone Heritage Corridor’s office in Whitinsville, MA, celebrates the “Beautiful Blackstone Valley” with artists from the Blackstone Valley Art Association (BVAA). Pictured here (left to right) are Bob Evans, BVAA Vice President (also a Blackstone Heritage Corridor Photography Ambassador); Linda Nelson (a BHC 2020 Calendar Photo Contest winner for May and the cover); Carol Frieswick; Lisa Shea, BVAA President; Brandi Van Roo; and Beverly Tinklenberg. Not shown: James Hunt, Bob See, Bonnie Frederico, and Libia Goncalves. A closing reception is scheduled for Friday, March 20 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Whitinsville, MA (February 12, 2020) – Following the success of its first gallery show in November for its 2020 Calendar Release Party, Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor (BHC) invited artists from Blackstone Valley Art Association (BVAA) to celebrate the “Beautiful Blackstone Valley” with a
show featuring different art mediums. A call for artists was sent out by BVAA president Lisa Shea and on January 18, several BVAA artists came to BHC to hang their work.
Among the participating artists is Bob Evans of Northbridge, MA, who serves as BVAA Vice President and is a volunteer with BHC’s Photography Ambassadors. He has two photographs in the show, “Blackstone River and Mount Wachusett,” a colorful drone shot above the Blackstone River, and “Millville Lock,” a black and white photo of the historic lock along the Blackstone Canal in Millville, MA.
Carol Frieswick of Whitinsville, MA, has four oil paintings in the show including “Blackstone Marsh,” “Birding House,” “Plummers Landing,” and “A Fallen Treasure.” Bob See of Sutton, MA, shared his color photograph “Sutton Gazebo,” which was featured in BHC’s 2016 calendar in the month of December. Brandi Van Roo of Douglas, MA, submitted her watercolor painting “Village Congregational Church,” capturing its stunning Greek Revival architecture. The church sits across from the Town Common on Church Street in Whitinsville, MA. Bonnie Frederico of Grafton, MA, joined the show with her painting, “Swan in Flight.” Linda Nelson of Sutton, MA, hung two color photographs, “Slater Mill” and “Millbury Bike Path.” Nelson is also a Blackstone Heritage Corridor calendar photo contest winner. Her photo “Morning Has Broken” is featured both on the cover and in the month of May in BHC’s 2020 calendar.
Beverly Tinklenberg of Whitinsville, MA, contributed an oil painting titled “Casualty of the Blackstone.” The casualty she captured in her painting is a fallen tree in the Blackstone River. James Hunt of North Grafton, MA, submitted his archival inkjet print, “Dock, Blackstone Canal, Fall 2016,” taken at Blackstone River & Canal Heritage State Park in Uxbridge, MA. His photo of the famous dock overlooking the Blackstone Canal Tow Path was featured as a November image in BHC’s 2018 calendar. Libia Goncalves of Milford, MA, added her mixed media painting, “Fun at River Bend Farm” to capture people kayaking in the Blackstone Canal. Lisa Shea, who lives in Sutton, MA, contributed her color photo titled “Sutton Sunset” which captures a brilliant orange sky reflecting on the road below.
All of the pieces in the show are available for sale and a portion of the proceeds will be donated by the artist to the Blackstone Heritage Corridor. The BHC Gallery is located at its office at the Linwood Mill, 670 Linwood Avenue, Whitinsville, MA, and is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. A closing reception will be held on Friday, March 20 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
A Paint Night on March 5 will celebrate maple sugar season in the Blackstone Valley. Attendees will be led by artist Libia Goncalves to paint her rendition of “First Snow over the Maple Field.”
Whitinsville, MA (January 15, 2020) – To celebrate maple sugaring season in the Blackstone Valley, Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor (BHC) has teamed up with artist Libia Goncalves of DColorex: Art Lessons and Crafts for All to host a Paint Night on Thursday, March 5, at her new studio located at the Alternatives’ Whitin Mill, 70 Douglas Road, Whitinsville, MA. The paint night will run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and a portion of the $35.00 class fee will benefit Blackstone Heritage Corridor.
According to BHC’s Volunteer Coordinator, Suzanne Buchanan, the idea for hosting a paint night was partly inspired by the National Park Service’s “Arts in the Parks” initiative. “I was looking to celebrate some of our program themes this year in a new and creative way and engage our volunteers and the public in the process,” she explains. “After I stumbled upon a maple sugaring painting on Pinterest, the light bulb went off! Soon after, during a meeting with Blackstone Valley Art Association (BVAA) president Lisa Shea about a potential new gallery show at BHC’s office, BVAA member Libia Goncalves’ name came up as a possible artist to lead the paint night and Lisa made the introduction for us. Libia’s studio at the Alternatives’ Whitin Mill is located within the boundaries of Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park.”
Libia followed up and submitted her own rendition of the maple sugaring-themed painting, titled “First Snow over the Maple Field.” The March 5 paint night falls just before the annual Maple Sugar Days event at Blackstone River & Canal Heritage State Park in Uxbridge, MA, on March 7 and 8. Volunteers from BHC’s Volunteers-In-Parks program assist with the event, leading hands-on activities and interpretive tours throughout the weekend. “It’s something they look forward to each season,” Buchanan noted. “It’s almost a reunion of sorts, when volunteers come together near the end of winter to celebrate this New England tradition.”
Future paint night ideas include birds to celebrate spring migration and the bird walk series presented by the Blackstone Heritage Corridor Birding Ambassadors, pollinators for Pollinator Week in June, and in autumn, a river-themed painting to celebrate Blackstone Valley Paddle Club’s 20th season this year and the colors of the fall in the Blackstone Valley.
Advance ticket purchase is required as seating is limited. Purchase tickets online at BlackstoneHeritageCorridor.org/tickets or in person at Blackstone Heritage Corridor’s office at 670 Linwood Avenue, Whitinsville, MA. For more info, contact Bonnie Combs at bcombs@blackstoneheritagecorridor.org or call 508-234-4242.
Volunteers Receive Awards at 5th Anniversary of Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park
Whitinsville, MA (December 20, 2019) – At the 5th anniversary celebration for Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park on December 19, 2019, Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor (BHC), recognized several volunteers for their outstanding service in the Volunteers-In-Parks (VIP) program. The awards also recognized corporate and non-profit partners.
Blackstone River Watershed Council/Friends of the Blackstone of Manville, RI, received an Outstanding VIP Partnership Program Award for the non-profit organization’s commitment to the VIP program and the substantial impact its volunteer projects have made on the natural resources within the Blackstone River Valley. “This award also recognizes and celebrates its commitment to building an environmental education center which opened this year,” noted Suzanne Buchanan, BHC’s Volunteer Coordinator. “This all-volunteer organization has been the driving force behind river restoration and cleanup events, improving access to the river, and providing canoes for the public to enjoy the river. The completion of the Friends of the Blackstone River Environmental Center demonstrates its dedication to the preservation of the river and its resources.”
Displays2go, of Fall River, MA, received an Outstanding Corporate Volunteer Award for its continued support of the VIP program. Displays2go employees volunteered several times in BHC’s Day of Service program and have made a significant contribution to the National Heritage Corridor and the National Historical Park. “Their employees have volunteered along the Blackstone River Bikeway to repair fence posts, remove vegetation, and improve the experience for all who use the bikeway,” noted Buchanan. “They also helped to close an historic home, packing and sorting its contents. They come each time with a passion to give back and have an incredible work ethic.”
Other volunteers recognized for their volunteer contributions include Julie and Steve Riendeau of Burrillville, RI; Beth and Paul Milke of Uxbridge, MA; Betty & Carlo Mencucci of Burrillville, RI: Jill and Dick Winski of Northbridge, MA; Carol and Rob Dandrade of Uxbridge, MA; Pat Choiniere of Lincoln, RI; and Marjorie Turner Hollman of Bellingham, MA.
Julie and Steve Riendeau have been volunteers since 2002 and have volunteered together helping to plan and execute paddle trips for the Blackstone Valley Paddle Club, entering its 20th season in 2020. Julie also volunteers at area schools to bring education about the watershed, how it works, and how littering negatively impacts water quality and the health of wildlife.
Beth and Paul Milke have been volunteering together in the VIP program since 2016 and lead bird walks throughout the Blackstone River Valley in the spring and fall. Their interest in birding led to the creation of the Blackstone Heritage Corridor Birding Ambassadors program and the two have developed a growing audience over the years.
Betty and Carlo Mencucci have been volunteering together since 2011 and in addition to leading history walks, the two are well-known for their historic cemetery conservation efforts. In October, the couple received the 2019 Antoinette F. Downing Volunteer Service Award presented by Preserve Rhode Island and Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission.
Jill and Dick Winski visited the BHC office one day in 2017 looking for a map of the Blackstone River Bikeway/Greenway and soon became key members of the volunteer program. Both volunteer with the Blackstone Heritage Corridor Bikeway Ambassadors, offer BHC program support and hospitality, and also volunteer behind the scenes at the office.
Carol and Rob Dandrade began volunteering in 2016 and today Carol’s interest in photography has led to the creation of the Blackstone Heritage Corridor Photography Ambassadors and curated its first-ever gallery show at the Museum of Work and Culture in September, 2019. Rob serves on BHC’s Board of Directors and is volunteering on a committee to explore the completion of the Blackstone River Greenway/Bikeway.
Pat Choiniere, a volunteer with the Corridor since 2001, has volunteered as caretaker of the Valentine Whitman House in Lincoln, RI, for 28 years until it was sold by the town to Preserve RI in 2019. “Pat has kept the history of the area alive all of these years,” noted Buchanan, who added that Choiniere had been volunteering long before joining the VIP program. “Her commitment and dedication to the Valentine Whitman House is exceptional. She is a champion volunteer!”
Marjorie Turner Hollman has been volunteering since 2015 and addition to leading Story Book Walks and oral history workshops over the years, she contributes her writing skills by writing blogs about volunteers in action and BHC programs. “These carefully written stories serve as testimonials to the impact our volunteer program has on people and the community,” explained Buchanan. “Marjorie has a gift for capturing the magic and writes from the heart.”
Over the past five years, volunteers in the VIP program have contributed 69,159 hours in volunteer time, at a total dollar value of $1,687,256. The volunteer value is considered an in-kind donation which BHC can use as matching funds when applying for grants, etc.
“Though the gift of a volunteer’s time has a dollar value, which currently is $25.43 per hour, they are giving a gift of themselves, often juggling more than one job, step-families, health issues, and more,” Buchanan shared. “We truly appreciate the passion they bring to this program, and by logging and reporting their hours, we can continue our mission to preserve and promote our legacy as the Birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution, and work with community partners to preserve and enhance the historic, natural, cultural, and recreational resources for current and future generations.”
To learn more about the Volunteers-In-Parks program, visit BlackstoneHeritageCorridor.org or considering attending BHC’s next Volunteer Open House on Wednesday, January 8, 2020, at 6:30 p.m. at BHC’s office at 670 Linwood Avenue, Whitinsville, MA. To register, RSVP to Suzanne Buchanan at Volunteer@BlackstoneHeritageCorridor.org or call (508) 234-4242.
(Whitinsville, MA – September 16, 2019) Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor (BHC) has announced the winners of its 2020 Calendar Photo Contest and plans for a calendar release party and gallery show at its offices at the Linwood Mill in Whitinsville, MA, on Thursday, November 7.
Judging of the photo submissions was done by volunteers of the Blackstone Heritage Corridor Photography Ambassadors. With the theme for the 2020 calendar being weather, the eight judges reviewed the photos which best met the required theme and were tasked with making the selections for the twelve months, plus the cover photo. All judging was done blind, without knowledge of the photo’s owner, and critiquing included composition, clarity and relevance to the theme.
This year’s cover photo titled “Morning Has Broken” was taken by Linda I. Nelson of Sutton, MA, at Manchaug Pond in Sutton, MA. Nelson is owner of Old Holbrook Place Family Camping in Sutton and took the photo from there looking out at what she calls the pink morning fog at the point. The contest judges felt strongly that this photo was also best suited for the month of May, so Nelson’s photo will appear both on the cover and inside for admirers to enjoy all month long.
Mary M. Silva of Northbridge, MA, was out walking at Shining Rock Golf Course in Northbridge after a fresh snowfall and captured a brilliant sun just above the tree line shining its bright light on the snow below. The judges picked this shot to represent the month of January for the 2020 calendar.
Carol Dandrade of Uxbridge, MA, was traveling through Grafton, MA, in the midst of a snow storm and the scene in front of the Grafton Country Store caught her creative eye. Dandrade’s “Surprise Snowfall” was picked for the month of February.
The sun was setting over the Mumford River at the Douglas Street Bridge in Whitinsville, MA, one day and Dean Cerrati of Northbridge, MA, was there to capture it. The judges selected his photo for the month of March with its lightly snow-covered tree branches almost decorating the Whitin Mill buildings along each side of the Mumford River.
Calendar Release Party and Gallery Show to Be Held November 7 at the Linwood Mill
A storm was blowing in over the Blackstone River Bikeway in Woonsocket, RI, and Debra Boucher, who lives in Woonsocket, was there to capture the wispy clouds. “I loved the way the storm clouds had soft curves in them,” she noted with her entry. The judges agreed and selected it for the month of April.
When it came time to pick the photos for May, the judges selected Linda I. Nelson’s cover-winning photo of morning breaking over Manchaug Pond in Sutton, MA, with thick mist hanging over the water and the sun breaking through the trees.
A photo of a deep blue sky punctuated with thick, puffy storm clouds hanging over a rich green landscape caught the judge’s attention and they selected it for June. It was taken by Bob Evans of Northbridge, MA, who took it using a drone camera near the Riverdale Mill looking toward Sutton.
Meanwhile, over in Douglas, MA, Chris Bilodeau has been doing drone photography and his submission of an aerial shot over Wallum Lake was selected to represent July for its representation of a summer afternoon with artistic cloud formations decorating the sky.
The iconic Crook Point Bridge over the Seekonk River in Providence, RI, was the scene for MacGregor Kniseley’s photo, but what made it a contest winner for the month of August was the rich orange sky casting a shadow of the bridge on the river below it. Kniseley is from Providence and named it “Stuck Up Bridge” which is appropriate since the bridge has been left in a “stuck-up” position since being abandoned in 1976. It has been in that position for more than 40 years and has become a landmark on the Providence skyline looking out from Gano Park.
Kingshuk Bose of Lincoln, RI, was out with his camera at sunset behind the Manville Dam in Manville, RI, and snapped a serene photo of a cloud formation in an orange sky reflecting in the Blackstone River below. A large patch of Purple loosestrife added color and accented the undertones in the sky above. His “Nature’s Canvas” submission was selected to represent the month of September.
Carol Dandrade of Uxbridge, MA, had a second photo selected for the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor’s 2020 calendar this year and it was the fog hovering over a small farm in Sutton, MA, with sunlit foliage glowing in the background that caught the judge’s attention. “Low Lying Fog at Dawn” was selected for the month of October.
The winding Blackstone River over by Rice City Pond in Uxbridge, MA, was accented perfectly by a blanket of white fog, clearly defining the bends in the river and Leon Droby of Uxbridge, MA, was at the perfect vantage point at Lookout Rock to capture it with is camera. ”Lookout Mist” was selected for the month of November.
A white rowboat displaying a bright green Christmas tree was anchored in Whitins Pond in Whitinsville, MA, when Dean Cerrati spotted it as a photo opportunity. The pond was serene, covered in thick fog, but the boat in the foreground is sharp and the simply-decorated tree with white balls reflects on the water in the foreground. This is Cerrati’s second photo to appear in the 2020 calendar and the judges placed it to appear in December.
The 2020 Blackstone Heritage Corridor calendar also features a timeline of historical weather events in the Blackstone Valley, along with black and white photos from the collection at the Worcester Historical Museum.
A Calendar Release Party and Gallery Show will be held at BHC’s office at the Linwood Mill, 670 Linwood Ave., Whitinsville, MA, on Thursday, November 7, 2019, from 5:00 p.m. to 8: 30 p.m. BHC will launch new gallery space in its office, and the show is being sponsored by Linwood Mill, LLC. The gallery will feature the 2020 calendar photos displayed on an historic quarried granite wall which was once part of the retaining wall for the waterwheels at the mill. The photos will be featured in a silent auction with proceeds to benefit BHC. Purgatory Beer Co. will be open and will release a special beer for the event. Tickets to the Calendar Release Party are $10 and include a 2020 calendar. Tickets are available in advance at BlackstoneHeritageCorridor.org or at the door.
The Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor 2020 Calendar will be available for sale starting November 7 at its office located at 670 Linwood Avenue, Whitinsville, MA, and on its website at BlackstoneHeritageCorridor.org. For more information, call (508)234-4242.
Whitinsville, MA (August 30, 2019) – Volunteer photographers with the Blackstone Heritage Corridor Photography Ambassadors have their first gallery show on display at the Museum of Work & Culture (42 S. Main Street, Woonsocket, RI) throughout the month of September.
The Photography Ambassadors are a volunteer group with the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Volunteers-In-Parks program. For this first-ever show, the group traveled to 19 different locations throughout the National Heritage Corridor and the National Historical Park, including historic homes, mills, museums, and mill villages. The gallery show was curated by BHC volunteer and photographer Carol Dandrade.
“Our group of photography enthusiasts thoroughly enjoyed exploring history through our lenses,” Dandrade shared. “Winding our way through barns, attics and basements looking for treasure to photograph is as fulfilling as capturing the historic main floors of the sites. We like knowing that these non-profit locations receive all of our images for their use at no charge.”
The 19 locations the BHC Photography Ambassadors selected to visit include Blackstone Valley Historical Society, Lincoln, RI; Daniels Farmstead, Blackstone, MA; Dorr Rebellion Museum, Chepachet, RI; E.N. Jenckes Store, Douglas, MA; Hearthside House Museum, Lincoln, RI; Hunts Mills, E. Providence, RI; Moffett Mill and Hannaway Blacksmith Shop, Lincoln, RI; Museum of Work & Culture, Woonsocket, RI; Riverdale Mill, Northbridge, MA; Salisbury Mansion, Worcester, MA; Smith-Appleby House Museum, Smithfield, RI; Uxbridge Antique Fire Museum and John Farnum House, Uxbridge, MA; Valentine Whitman House, Lincoln, RI; Whitin Lasell Manor, Whitinsville, MA; and the nodes of the Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park including Ashton Village/Blackstone River State Park in Lincoln, RI; Hopedale, MA; Slater Mill Historic Site, Pawtucket, RI; Slatersville, RI; and Whitinsville, MA.
Photography Ambassadors featured in the show include Debra Boucher, Woonsocket, RI; Carol Dandrade, Uxbridge, MA; Silvana Della Camera, Norfolk, MA; Rob DeRobertis, Franklin, MA; Denise Duhamel, Fall River, MA; Bob Evans, Northbridge, MA; Ellen Kawadler, Sharon, MA; Sarah Keates, Sharon, MA; Dennis Smith, Uxbridge, MA; Cynthia Vogan, Wrentham, MA.
All photos in the gallery show are available for sale. The photos are displayed in 11” x 14” mats, ready for framing. A portion of the proceeds benefit BHC. Admission to the gallery is free during museum hours.
For more information about the Blackstone Heritage Corridor Photography Ambassadors and the gallery show, contact Suzanne Buchanan at 508-234-4242 or sbuchanan@BlackstoneHeritageCorridor.org.
Whitinsville, MA (July 15, 2019) – Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor (BHC) is partnering with All Out Adventures to bring a series of four free, adaptive kayaking events to Wallum Lake at Douglas State Forest, Douglas, MA, on Tuesday, August 27, Tuesday, September 10, Saturday, September 14 and Tuesday, September 17.
With funding provided by a grant BHC received from the National Network of Libraries of Medicine, New England Region, this program expands BHC’s recreational programming to those with disabilities. Earlier this year, BHC and All Out Adventures presented a series of five adaptive cycling events in May along the Blackstone River Bikeway in Worcester, MA, and Blackstone, MA.
“We’re grateful to the National Network of Libraries of Medicine for providing funding to offer this amazing program,” noted Suzanne Buchanan, Volunteer Coordinator at BHC. “Imagine offering folks a chance to experie
nce kayaking and the freedom of paddling on Wallum Lake, and seeing this beautiful resource from the seat of a kayak! Volunteers of the Blackstone Valley Paddle Club will provide support throughout the program. Join in the fun to make memories, friends, and enjoy this unique recreational opportunity.”
The adaptive kayaking program is open to people with disabilities with a guest. Through the use of tandem kayaks, paddle adaptations, and outriggers, All Out Adventures makes kayaking accessible to people of all levels of ability. Adventures are available at 11:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m., by advance registration only. Space is limited. Directions and details will be sent upon registration. To register, visit AllOutAdventures.org or call 413-584-2052.
To learn about volunteering with the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, contact Suzanne Buchanan at 508-234-4242 or volunteer@BlackstoneHeritageCorridor.org.
Whitinsville, MA (July 12, 2019) – Volunteer photographers with the Blackstone Heritage Corridor Photography Ambassadors will present their first ever gallery show at the Museum of Work & Culture (42 S. Main Street, Woonsocket, RI) throughout the month of September. A free, opening reception will be held on Thursday, August 29 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. where the public can come and meet the photographers and discuss their work.
The Photography Ambassadors are a volunteer group with the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Volunteers-In-Parks program. For this show, the group traveled to 19 different locations throughout the National Heritage Corridor, capturing images of the many historical sites and mill villages between Worcester, MA, and Providence, RI. The gallery show is being led by BHC volunteer and photographer Carol Dandrade who reveals that there will be four photos from each of the 19 sites and a special “Photographer’s Choice” wall will feature about a dozen more.
“Our group of photography enthusiasts has thoroughly enjoyed exploring history through our lenses,” Dandrade shared. “Winding our way through barns, attics and basements looking for treasure to photograph is as fulfilling as capturing the historic main floors of the sites. We like knowing that these non-profit locations receive all of our images for their use at no charge.”
Free Gallery Opening Reception August 29 at Museum of Work & Culture
The 19 locations the BHC Photography Ambassadors selected to visit include Blackstone River State Park, Lincoln, RI; Blackstone Valley Historical Society, Lincoln, RI; Daniels Farmstead, Blackstone, MA; Dorr Rebellion Museum, Chepachet, RI; E.N. Jenckes Store, Douglas, MA; Hearthside House Museum, Lincoln, RI; Hopedale, MA; Hunts Mills, E. Providence, RI; Moffett Mill and Hannaway Blacksmith Shop, Lincoln, RI; Museum of Work & Culture, Woonsocket, RI; Riverdale Mill, Northbridge, MA; Salisbury Mansion, Worcester, MA Slater Mill, Pawtucket, RI; Slatersville (N. Smithfield), RI; Smith-Appleby House Museum, Smithfield, RI; Uxbridge Antique Fire Museum and John Farnum House, Uxbridge, MA; Valentine Whitman House, Lincoln, RI; Whitin Lasell Manor, Whitinsville, MA; Whitinsville, MA.
Dandrade has had several of her photos featured in BHC’s calendar over the years and started volunteering with BHC in January of 2017 to share her photography skills. She is a longtime member of the Stony Brook Camera Club of Franklin, MA, where many members decided to join her as Photography Ambassadors with BHC. Throughout the year, volunteers take photos at BHC’s events, including the annual GO! event in September, which is where many of the ambassadors were introduced to locations in the show for the first time.
Suzanne Buchanan, volunteer coordinator at BHC, helped facilitate some of the photo shoots by reaching out to the various venues to get permission and arrange a time when there were no visitors. After the photos are taken and edited, the volunteers share them with the location to use on their website and marketing materials. “It’s incredible to open the digital photo albums after their visit and see these venues in a whole new light,” Buchanan remarked. “We are so excited to showcase their work and celebrate what makes the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor so special.”
All photos in the gallery show will be available for sale. The photos will be displayed in 11” x 14” mats, ready for framing. A portion of the proceeds will benefit BHC. Additional sizes are available by contacting the individual photographers.
Photography Ambassadors featured in the show include Debra Boucher, Woonsocket, RI; Carol Dandrade, Uxbridge, MA; Silvana Della Camera, Norfolk, MA; Rob DeRobertis, Franklin, MA; Denise Duhamel, Fall River, MA; Bob Evans, Northbridge, MA; Ellen Kawadler, Sharon, MA; Sarah Keates, Sharon, MA; Dennis Smith, Uxbridge, MA; Cynthia Vogan, Wrentham, MA.
For more information about the Blackstone Heritage Corridor Photography Ambassadors and the gallery show, contact Suzanne Buchanan at 508-234-4242 or sbuchanan@BlackstoneHeritageCorridor.org.
Blackstone Heritage Corridor volunteer Betty Mencucci (center) is shown here giving a walking tour of Harrisville, RI. On Wednesday, September 4 at 6:00 p.m., Betty and Carlo Mencucci will offer a Harrisville History Tour, departing from the First Universalist Church at 134 Main Street.
Whitinsville, MA (July 11, 2019) – Go explore historic mill villages, go paddle under the full moon, go to an apple festival, and go explore the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor! With more than 100 events to choose from, Blackstone Heritage Corridor proudly presents its 5th annual GO! program this September, highlighting the Blackstone River Valley as a destination for family fun and exploration. This year’s GO! offers guided walks and paddles, bike and museum tours, festivals and many more family-friendly events. GO! 2019 is generously sponsored by UniBank and Navigant Credit Union.
“I love the Blackstone Heritage Corridor’s GO! program,” noted Diane Prete of N. Smithfield, RI. “The summer was always my favorite time of year and I felt a little sad when it was over. But since I discovered BHC’s month-long GO! in September, I really look forward to the fall and discovering a whole world of wonderful attractions and activities right in my own backyard. I’m exploring places that I didn’t even know existed, learning about the history of Blackstone Valley and meeting some wonderful people along the way.”
A special GO! kickoff event takes place Thursday, August 29 at the Museum of Work & Culture (42 S. Main St., Woonsocket, RI) unveiling a gallery show featuring the stunning work of 10 volunteers from the Blackstone Heritage Corridor Photography Ambassadors. A free reception is being held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. where the museum’s gallery will debut 80 extraordinary photos highlighting the historic, natural, cultural and recreational resources within the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. The show will remain on display through September 30th, with free admission to the gallery during museum hours. Photos will be available for sale with proceeds benefiting the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor.
New this year to the GO! program is a series of adaptive kayaking events being offered at Wallum Lake at Douglas State Forest, Douglas, MA. In partnership with All Out Adventures, Blackstone Heritage Corridor is offering four adaptive kayaking events, made possible with funding provided by National Network of Libraries of Medicine, New England Region. Dates include: Tuesday, August 27; Tuesday, September 10; Saturday, September 14; and Tuesday, September 17. This 1.5 hour program is free and open to people with disabilities accompanied by a guest. Space is limited and pre-registration is required at AllOutAdventures.org or 413-584-2052.
Experience the Blackstone River Valley with Special Tours, Walks, Paddles & Festivals Special kickoff event August 29 at Museum of Work & Culture, Woonsocket, RI
Celebration is in the air this fall with a handful of festivals planned throughout the valley including the 20th annual Dragon Boat Races & Taiwan Day Festival, Pawtucket, RI (September 7), the French Heritage Festival in Woonsocket, RI (September 7), the 21st annual Pet Rock Fest, Grafton, MA (September 8), an Apple Festival at Douglas Orchard & Farm, Douglas, MA (September 14), a Green Living Expo, Whitinsville, MA (September 14), PawSox Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival, Pawtucket, RI (September 14), stART on the Street Arts Festival, Worcester, MA (September 15), 13th annual North Smithfield Great Pumpkin Festival, North Smithfield, RI (September 21), and Daniels Farmstead’s Apple Fest, Blackstone, MA (September 22). Still feeling festive? A special “High Tea and Hats” event will celebrate Margo Bik’s famous hat collection on Sunday, September 8 at the GB & Lexi Singh Performance Center, Whitinsville, MA. Guests are encouraged to wear fancy hats and bring a favorite tea cup, though not required. RSVP at HighTeaAndHats.Eventbrite.com.
Interested in geology? A number of special events will explore this topic including Glacial Geology Hikes at Purgatory Chasm, Sutton, MA (September 4, 11 and 18); a hike at Blackstone Gorge, Blackstone, MA (September 5), a Native American Ceremonial Landscape Tour, Upton, MA (September 7), a Geologic History of the Blackstone tour, Lincoln, RI (September 17), Purgatory Chasm Hikes, Sutton, MA (September 7, 14 and 21), and Stone Walls of New England – a talk by author Robert Thorson, Worcester, MA (September 28).
For those intrigued by local history, there are numerous chances to explore, including a new Canal Walk Series presented by Blackstone River & Canal Heritage State Park (September 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29). The weekly tour will depart from various locations to highlight different parts of the canal’s history and the impact it had in different communities. Other new events that the highlight history of the Blackstone Valley include a Waters Farm interpretive tour, Sutton, MA (September 8), Quinsigamond Village Walking Tour, Worcester, MA (September 15), Precious Blood Cemetery Walk, Woonsocket, RI (September 15) and Explore the Mammoth Mill Ruins, Blackstone, MA/N. Smithfield, RI (September 21). Also new this year, a discussion on King Philip’s War will be held in Worcester, MA (September 20) and a Whitin Village Walking Tour in Whitinsville, MA (September 21). Returning this year is the signature Great Road Day, Lincoln, RI (September 21).
For nature lovers, enjoy new guided hikes at Metacomet Land Trust’s Hop Brook Conservation Area, Blackstone, MA (September 7); Cormier Woods, Uxbridge, MA (September 12), and Cumberland Land Trust’s Mercy Woods, Cumberland, RI (September 15). Also new this year is an Adaptive Hiking event at River Bend Farm, Uxbridge, MA (September 26). For bird lovers, volunteer-led bird walks will be held at Chase Farm, Lincoln, RI (September 21) and Hopedale Parklands, Hopedale, MA (September 28). Night owls might enjoy star gazing Uxbridge, MA (September 13) or a Full Moon Paddle with the Blackstone River Watershed Association in Blackstone, MA (September 14).
Explore the Blackstone Heritage Corridor on your bicycle with the Blackstone Heritage Corridor Bikeway Ambassadors for guided rides on the Ten Mile River Greenway, E. Providence, RI, (September 19) and the Blackstone River Bikeway, Worcester, MA (September 26). Celebrate National Bike Your Park Day on September 28 with ranger-led rides in Lincoln, RI, and Uxbridge, MA.
GO!2019 offers a number of family-friendly activities including Geocaching 101, Worcester, MA (September 1), Massachusetts BOGO Weekend at Southwick’s Zoo, Mendon, MA, (September 7 and 8), Whittier Farms Free Tour Friday & Apple Crisp Night in Sutton, MA, (September 13– advance ticket purchase required); Rhode Island and Connecticut BOGO Days at Southwick’s Zoo, Mendon, MA, (September 14 and 15), and Nature Walks with a National Park Service Ranger (September 8, 15 and 22), to name just a few.
Download a full digital copy of Blackstone Heritage Corridor’s GO! 2019 program by clicking here. Printed 48-page guide books will be available at any of the BHC’s visitor centers (for a list click here), at one of the many visitor information kiosks throughout the National Heritage Corridor or at BHC’s office at 670 Linwood Avenue, Whitinsville, MA. Follow Blackstone Heritage Corridor, Inc. on Facebook for news and updates on GO! and more.
About Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor:
An energetic nonprofit, the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor partners with organizations, local communities, businesses and residents to ensure the long term vitality of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. Learn more at BlackstoneHeritageCorridor.org.
2020 Calendar Contest Theme: Weather in the Blackstone River Valley
Chris Bilodeau of Douglas, MA, captured a striking image of an ice disk that formed at the Blackstone River & Canal Heritage State Park in Uxbridge, MA, this past winter.
Whitinsville, MA (June 14, 2019) – Between the stunning, varied landscape of the Blackstone River Valley and the four seasons that come to paint it, , one could easily find a winning image in their photo archives. From rainbows to sunsets and ice storms to fog, each day the weather paints a different picture.
BHC’s annual calendar photo contest receives hundreds of entries, but only thirteen images will be selected for the 2020 calendar to illustrate the cover and each of the twelve months. Submitted images not selected for the calendar are used throughout the year for BHC’s various promotional materials, including its website, annual report, rack cards and much more.
To be considered for the 2020 Calendar Contest, photos must focus on weather in the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor and must be original digital photography. Photos must be submitted in high resolution (300 dpi minimum), horizontal JPG format, 10 inches wide and 8 inches high. No black and white or altered images, please.
The deadline to enter is Wednesday, August 15, 2019. Entry forms can be downloaded from BHC’s website at BlackstoneHeritageCorridor.org, or requested by calling the BHC office at (508) 234-4242, or by emailing bcombs@BlackstoneHeritageCorridor.org. There is no limit on the number of entries. Each individual photo for the contest must be submitted with a signed entry form. Winners will be notified in early September.
About Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor:
An energetic nonprofit, the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor partners with organizations, local communities, businesses and residents to ensure the long term vitality of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. Learn more at BlackstoneHeritageCorridor.org.
Ken Warchol, known to many as the “Bee Whisperer,” checks on some of his hives in Uxbridge, MA. He will help kick off Pollinator Week at Herbs Make Scents in Whitinsville, MA, on Monday, June 17 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Whitinsville, MA (June 7, 2019) – Have you heard the buzz? Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor (BHC) is celebrating Pollinator Week (June 17 to 23) with several events designed to educate the Corridor communities about the role pollinators play in our ecosystem and encourage partners to take BHC’s Pollinator Pledge.
BHC is one of 33 National Heritage Areas to create a Pollinator Resolution as part of “Operation Pollination” conceived by Chris Stein, who was the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor’s first Chief Ranger from 1991 to 1994. Today, Stein is Chief of Heritage Areas and Partnerships with the National Park Service in the Midwest Region. His goal, he says, was to create small scale pollinator habitats to inspire more large scale projects. In its first year, three National Heritage Areas of the 55 across the country signed on. Today, he shares that number is now 33.
BHC announced the creation of its Pollinator Resolution in April and to date has signed pledges from 12 partners including Rhode Island College, Mass Audubon at Broad Meadow Brook Conservation Center and Wildlife Sanctuary, Metacomet Land Trust, Downtown Providence Parks Conservancy, Upton Conservation Commission, Hi-on-a-Hill Herb Farm, North Smithfield Land Trust, Blackstone Conservation Commission, Uxbridge Conservation Commission, Roots in Nature, Southwick-Daniels Farm/The Daniels Farmstead Foundation, Inc., and The Ecotarium. Pledge forms can be found on BHC’s website at BlackstoneHeritageCorridor.org.
“Pledges range from maintaining pesticide-free gardens to planting pollinator-friendly plants in gardens and from maintaining apiaries on campus to providing pollinator education classes,” explains Bonnie Combs, BHC’s marketing director. “We are inspired by the awareness that Chris Stein has created and we look forward to inspiring more pollinator-friendly habits and habitats throughout the Corridor with this initiative.”
To kick off Pollinator Week, local beekeeper Ken Warchol of Northbridge, MA, will be at Herbs Make Scents (76 Church St.), Whitinsville, MA, for a special Pollinator Tea Party on Monday, June 17 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Warchol has been keeping bees for 70 years and is the apiary inspector for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Many call him the area’s “bee whisperer.” He was part of the Harvard University team studying Colony Collapse Disorder and maintains 125 hives all over Central Massachusetts. Warchol will be setting up a demonstration hive and offering samples of many different kinds of honey. He encourages area youth to come visit after school to learn about honeybees and different pollinators. Terri Michaelson, owner of Herbs Make Scents, will be featuring a special tea menu and highlighting food items in her shop that have been pollinated by honeybees. The shop is normally closed on Monday and is opening at 2:00 p.m. for this special event.
Rhode Island College was the first to sign BHC’s Pollinator Pledge and will be hosting a “Beekeeping for Veterans” workshop on Wednesday, June 19 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 at the college’s bee education center (600 Mt. Pleasant Ave., behind buildings 7 and 8) in Providence, RI. The event recognizes both Pollinator Week and PTSD Awareness Month. Jim Murphy, sustainability coordinator at RIC who oversees the beehives at the college’s bee education center, will provide an overview of beekeeping and offer a hands-on experience at the hives. There will also be a tour of the greenhouse and campus garden to learn about the role pollinators play in our food supply. The event is a collaboration between Rhode Island College, Dare to Dream Ranch, and BHC. RSVP to Jim Murphy at jmurphy2@ric.edu or 401-456-8799. To learn more about the Rhode Island College Bee Education Center, visit RIC.edu/Bee-Education.
On Thursday, June 20, cross pollination is happening at Sprout CoWorking as Providence Green Drinks and Gallery Night Providence come together for Gallery Night at the Sprout Gallery at the Rising Sun Mills (166 Valley St., Building 6M, Suite 103), Providence, RI, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The two groups each host their monthly events on the third Thursday and on June 20 they will gather at the same hive to learn about each other, and pollinators. Meg Kerr, Senior Director of Policy, at Audubon Society of Rhode Island, will speak about her policy work for pollinators and Bonnie Combs from BHC will talk about the Pollinator Resolution and efforts to engage partners in protecting pollinators throughout the Blackstone River Valley. Other guests include Normand Peloquin, of Blackstone Valley Apiaries, who will have local honey and encaustic paintings; popup artist Michele Fremont of Jacqueline Dyer Studio; and ecoRI News who will have information on the Bee Vigilant campaign created with Convergence RI. The event is free and open to the public.
Pollinator Week closes out at Mass Audubon Broad Meadow Brook Conservation Center and Wildlife Sanctuary (414 Massasoit Rd.), Worcester, MA, on Saturday, June 22 from 10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. with a Pollinator Open House.Drop in between for pollinator scavenger hunts, games, and activities, view the butterfly gardens and bee hotel, and take home free pollinator-friendly wildflower seeds. While you’re there, explore the trails and nature play area and see how many ways to help pollinators you can find.
To learn more about BHC’s Pollinator Resolution and the Pollinator Pledge, contact Bonnie Combs at 508-234-4242 or bcombs@BlackstoneHeritageCorridor.org.
