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Four Seasons Newsletter |
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| Spring Vol 2, Issue 1 |
March, 2006 |
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Happy St Patrick's Day!
Even though snow is predicted for St. Patrick's
Day, the first day of Spring is just around the
corner. The warmer temperatures these last couple
of weeks, robins and red-winged blackbirds seen and
heard along the Blackstone River. It's the perfect
time to look ahead for the many outdoor
opportunities that await you in the Valley!
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Blackstone Valley Receives White House Preservation Grant from First Lady, Laura Bush |
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In a ceremony held in Washington, D.C. on March 9,
First Lady Laura Bush and Honorary Chair of Preserve
America awarded $120,000 from the Preserve
America program to Robert Billington, President of the
Blackstone Valley Tourism Council and Commissioner
with the Blackstone Valley National Heritage Corridor.
The grant presented to the Rhode Island
Historical and Heritage Preservation Commission on
behalf of the Preserve America communities in the
Valley allows for expansion of the Blackstone River
ValleyFootsteps in History Preserve America
Weekend, which was launched in October 2005.
According to Billington, Footsteps in History
was created to invite visitors and residents to
experience and enjoy the rich culture, arts and
history of the 24 Preserve America communities
within the Blackstone Valley. "Last year we had a
one-weekend event, this year we will still offer a
Columbus weekend event but will also explore the
possibility of 24 events in our 24-town Corridor. "With
the help from the White House Preserve America
grant, we will be able to achieve our sustainable
tourism development goals for the Blackstone Valley",
Billington noted.
In the picture from right to left: RI Senator Lincoln
Chafee; Secretary of the Interior Gail Norton; First
Lady Laura Bush; Martha Wetzel, Blackstone Valley
Chamber of Commerce; Robert Billington, President,
Blackstone Valley Tourism Council.
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Keep America Beautiful launches in the Blackstone Valley |
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Keep America Beautiful is here! Recently,
April Buther, Director of Keep America Beautiful
Affiliate Services joined Bob Billington, President of
the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council and Kristin
Zawistowski, Keep America Beautiful Program
Coordinator and AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer on a
visit to seven of the nine Blackstone Valley
communities to introduce the program. The
Blackstone Valley Tourism Council and Keep
America Beautiful will work for the next few
months in making the Blackstone Valley an official
Keep America Beautiful affiliate.For the
past three years, Billington has participated in the
Great American Cleanup, a program of
Keep America Beautiful. The program brings
national sponsors and resources to the participating
organizations. Through the Keep America
Beautiful affiliation, we will expand the
partnership and networking opportunities within each
of the nine communities of the Blackstone Valley, RI
and the Keep America Beautiful Affiliate Network.
If you are doing a clean-up or green-up event or
want to participate in one, Contact Kristin by calling
401-724-2200 or email her at
kristin@tourblackstone.com. She would love
to exchange ideas and help you out in any way she
can.
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Twentieth Anniversary Celebration - Apple Blossom Reception |
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Thursday, April 27, 2006
Apple Blossom Reception
Smithfield, RI
5:00pm-7:30pm
Hosted by Smith-Appleby
Cost: $15.00 per person
Upcoming Events
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Celebrating the 200th Anniversary of the
Slatersville Mill
Slatersville, RI
5:30pm-7:30pm
Sponsored by DSF Advisors and Re:Investments,
Inc.
No Admission Charge
Thursday, June 1, 2006
Wine & Cheese Reception
Cumberland, RI
Hosted by Diamond Hill Vineyard
5:00-7:30pm
Cost: $20.00 per person
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Easter Bunny Express Rolls into the Valley |
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Presented by the Blackstone Valley Tourism
Council, the always “egg-citing” Blackstone Valley
Easter Bunny Express "rolls" into the Blackstone River
Valley Saturday, April 8, Round trip tours depart
from Ann & Hope in Cumberland, RI at 10:45am and
1:45pm and last 90 minutes each.
“Last year we had over 600 people aboard the
Easter Bunny Express with families and
children enjoying themselves, and this year’s
excursion is sure to provide another great seasonal
event for everyone”, said Donna Houle, Special
Projects Manager. The trip includes a special
visit from the Easter Bunny with juice and cookies
provided by McDonald’s. There will also be a
homemade Easter Bonnet & Bow Tie contest, Bunny
Stories, and Easter sing-a-long, Easter baskets and
coloring books and crayons for each child.
Tickets are still available so reserve your seat now
401-724-2200 or 800-454-2882. Tickets are $27.50
all seats.
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FARMSTAYS - Grace Note Farm Offers New Experience the Blackstone Valley |
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Grace Note Farm Inn in Burrillville, RI offers
FARMSTAY, a fresh opportunity to work and live on
an antique farm in the Northwest corner of the
Blackstone Valley. Grace Note Farm has been a
working farm since the 1700's. Participate in the day-
to-day chores of maintaining the farm, caring for
horses and other farm animals or simply take in the
beautiful vistas, sounds of nature and breathe in the
fresh air. Located adjacent to the George
Washington Management Area, there are miles of
trails to enjoy a hike, mountain biking, horseback
riding as well as the abundant wildlife and quiet
surroundings. For more information, contact Virginia
Sindelar at 401-567-0354.
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Valley Tapestries |
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Looking to celebrate the wearin' of the green,
here
are a few St. Patrick's Day celebrations along with
other events happening around the valley.
- Friday, March 17 at 12:00pm, join the
Mayor and the City of Pawtucket for a flag
raising celebration to honor the city's Irish
Heritage
- Saturday, March 18 at 8:00pm celebrate
the Celtic tradition in music with Pendragon
at the Blackstone River
Theatre (BRT) in Cumberland. BRT
continues the celebration with a traditional Irish Ceili
and Set Dance on Sunday, March 19 at 5:00pm.
- This is Maple Sugaring time in the Valley
and Chepachet
Farm puts out approximately 200 taps
throughout rural Glocester. The "Sugar
House" is
open to the public on days they are boiling. Call
(401) 568-9996 for times.
- "Big Night". Typically the first warm rainy
night in March amphibians make their annual
migration from uplands to vernal pools. So keep your
eyes out for spotted salamanders. Contact Audubon Society of
Rhode Island at 401-949-5454 for more
information.
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Coming Soon...Tour RI |
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Tickets are on sale for Tour RI which is scheduled
for Saturday, May 6, 2006. This is an opportunity for
Rhode Island residents to explore the diverse
attractions and wonders of their home state.
Contact AAA at 877-874-7845 for reservations.
Tour RI
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Save the Date! |
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Mark June 19, 2006 on your calendar for
the Second Annual Blackstone Valley Heritage Golf
Tournament! Why not set up a foursome for this
fundraising event. Sponsors and donations for the
silent auction are also welcome! Contact Amanda at
401-724-2200/800-454-2882 or by e-mail:
amanda@tourblackstone.com
For Registration Information....
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Accepting Reservations for Programs Aboard the Blackstone Valley Explorer |
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The Blackstone Valley Tourism Council is
accepting reservations for school programs aboard
the Blackstone Valley Explorer starting May 1, 2006.
Explorer programs are also available for other youth
programs, seniors, and corporate charters. For a
copy of our 2006 program brochure or education flyer
or to book a program for your school or group,
contact us by phone at 401-724-2200/800-454-
2882.
For listing of programs offered...
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Call for Teams - Seventh Annual Chinese Dragonboat Race/Taiwan Day Festival |
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Blackstone Valley Tourism Council is seeking
teams of
all abilities for the 7th annual Rhode Island Chinese
Dragon Boat Race/Taiwan Day Festival. The event
takes place this year on Saturday, September 9,
2006. Business sponsors are also welcome. For
more information, contact Amanda Wood or Gordon
Beeton at 401-724-2200/800-454-2882.
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