This Polyphemus moth flew into Blackstone recently to kick off National Moth Week. Workers at Cumberland Farms discovered it outside their store.
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Corridor News - August 1, 2023 |
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Share Your Smile
Thursday, August 3rd
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Worcester Common Oval
Front Street, Worcester, MA
In honor of the world’s most famous smile—Smiley Face, created here in the Blackstone Valley in Worcester—will you accept Harvey Ball’s challenge to “Do an act of kindness, help one person smile”?
Smile Train, the world's largest cleft-focused organization, is seeking to make history via GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™, and you can help by sharing YOUR smile! By World Smile Day, October 6, Smile Train endeavors to set a Guinness World Records title for the “Largest Online Photo Album of Mouths.”
On August 3rd, Worcester Historical Museum's photographer will be at the Worcester Common Oval to capture your smile. Save the date of Friday, October 6, for a World Smile Day event at Worcester's Elm Park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Elm Park is home to Art in the Park, with 28 sculptures on display through World Smile Day.
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Share the Beauty of the Valley |
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Thank you to volunteer Mark Dennen for sharing this photo of a Black Crowned Night Heron he captured along the Blackstone River Bikeway near the Pratt Dam on the Cumberland/Lincoln line.
Share your photos from around the Blackstone River Valley in our Photo of the Week contest. We look forward to highlighting them on social media, in our newsletters, and promotional material!
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It's Time to Hit the Road |
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Another field trip idea is the Samuel Slater Experience in Webster, MA. Admission is free on Saturday, August 19, as part of Highland Street Foundation's August Adventures 2023 program.
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Before heading to the August 10 Ranger Walkabout at Waters Farm, watch our video to learn the backstory of the living history museum and the six generations of the Waters family. For info on the walkabout with Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park, visit https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/ranger-walkabouts.htm.
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Learn about the historic village of Manchaug during a community walkabout on Thursday, August 17 with Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park. Learn how one large mill complex was recycled and made new for modern business. Presented with local historian Christine Watkins from the Sutton Historical Society and Deb Dunleavy from Manchaug Mills, Inc. The walk begins at 6:30 p.m. at 9 Main Street, Sutton, MA.
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The Blackstone Bucket List is Updated! |
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Thanks to those who took the survey and added suggestions!
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Accessible Cycling Returns to the Bikeway/Greenway |
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Thank you to the employees of Verdantas for their Day of Service volunteer event with the Blackstone River Watershed Council/Friends of the Blackstone yesterday. The group paddled along the Blackstone River doing litter removal. Their project had an in-kind value of $1,081 for the National Park Service Volunteers-In-Parks program. If you'd like to schedule a Day of Service event, reach out to Molly Cardoza at volunteer@BlackstoneHeritageCorridor.org.
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Congrats to Molly!
Molly Cardoza, our Director of Volunteer & Community Engagement, was recently certified as a Certified Interpretive Trainer (CIT) from the National Association for Interpretation with the sanction to instruct the Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) course.
Molly is excited to be able to offer the CIG course to our Volunteers-In-Parks volunteers and partners to help them build on their expertise, learn presentation skills, and create engaging programs in the Blackstone Valley!
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Volunteer Opportunities!
There are many volunteering opportunities coming up over the next several months. Volunteers should check their Inboxes. If you'd like to get involved with our Volunteers-In-Parks program, reach out to Molly Cardoza, Director of Volunteer and Community Engagement, at mcardoza@BlackstoneHeritageCorridor.org.
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Above are some scenes from the Plein Air Painting at the Slater Park Looff Carousel on National Carousel Day, July 25th. |
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Plein Air Painting at Hunt's Mills
Saturday, August 12
Watch a video of Hunt's Mills:
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News From Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park |
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Bike with a Park Ranger
Join a national park ranger for a bike ride along the Blackstone River Bikeway on Wednesdays through September 27 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Each week will have a different theme.
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First Fridays Summer Concert Series
Join us for an evening of free entertainment!
Come to Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark for the First Fridays series. The mill will be open late with special programming. Concerts, movie nights, and special tours. The next program is on Friday, August 4, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. Bring a chair or blanket to enjoy music until 8 p.m. Get the details at https://fb.me/e/3DTfSbXxQ.
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Science Saturday at Roger Williams National Memorial |
Are you looking for some summer fun in downtown Providence? Join us at the Roger Williams National Memorial, located at 282 North Main Street, for three exciting Saturday events on August 12th and September 9th from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. You'll get to learn all about birds, trees, physics, and plants from some amazing organizations like the National Park Service, Providence Parks Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Audubon Society of Rhode Island, Roger Williams Park Zoo, and the Rhode Island Black Storytellers. And don't forget to get your face painted with your favorite animal and celebrate the wildlife! These events are designed mainly for young people, but everyone is welcome to join in on the fun - and best of all, it's free! See you there!
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WWII Comes to the Valley
Commemorate the Blackstone Valley’s involvement in World War II during a special program this summer.
Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park and ValleyCAST will present an informative afternoon of history at the Whitin Mill in Whitinsville, MA, on Sunday, August 13, from 11 AM – 3 PM. Program will be presented with Open Sky Community Services.
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Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark is open for the season on Thursdays through Sundays with free tours at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.
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Towpath Walks
Take a walk with us this summer!
Join a ranger for a Towpath Talk on a Saturday afternoon (at 1 p.m.) through August. Talks run 30-45 minutes.
Free to attend. Meet at 1075 Lower River Rd., Lincoln, RI.
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Ranger Walkabouts on Thursday evenings at 6:30 p.m.
Through August 31st
Find all the details on the NPS Calendar:
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River Bend East Songwriters Festival
September 1 & 2
The 2023 River Bend East Songwriters Festival will occur Friday, September 1st through Saturday, September 2nd, outside at Slater Mill National Park, )67 Roosevelt Ave., Pawtucket, RI 02860), along the banks of the beautiful Blackstone River!
This year's festival will "kick off" with a Friday evening multi-media event and continue on Saturday afternoon, September 2nd, with the traditional showcase of the region's best singer-songwriters! Check back early and often for River Bend East 2023 line-up announcements and more information. Follow this link for more info and updates: https://fb.me/e/RzlDcQIp.
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Take a Hike With Our Trail Ambassadors |
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Save these dates to hike with Ernie:
Ernie also leads hikes at the Hunts Mills trail on the second Sunday of each month (March through November) at 1:30 p.m. during the East Providence Historical Society's Open House at 65 Hunts Mills Road, East Providence, RI.
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Night Sky Program at
River Bend Farm
287 Oak St., Uxbridge, MA
Friday, August 25
8:00 p.m.
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Would you like to learn the constellations visible right now? Astronomers from Skyscrapers will be able to guide your way around the sky. Telescopes will be available for close-up looks of the moon and stars. Free event.
Photo by Jim Hendrickson.
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Historical Society & Museum Events |
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Tuesdays through August 8
Smith-Appleby House Hosts Summer Music Series
Sundays through October 1
Daniels Farmstead hosts Farmers Markets
Thursday, August 10
Willard House & Clock Museum Free Admission Day
Saturday, August 12
North Smithfield Heritage Association offers "Nipsachuck Legacy Heritage Hike"
Saturday, August 26
Grafton Historical Society hosts "Travel and Transportation in Early 19th Century New England”
Sunday, August 27
Guided Tours of the Hearthside House & Campus Sites
Monday, September 4
Museum of Work & Culture Labor Day Open House
Tuesday, September 5
Sutton Historical Society hosts "Bathsheba Spooner: A Revolutionary Murder Conspiracy"
Saturday, September 30
Sutton Historical Society hosts "200th Anniversary General Rufus Putnam Building"
Saturday, September 30
Upton Heritage Day
Saturday, September 30
BeWitched, BeDazzled Magical Fall Festival
Find all the details on these events and more on our events page.
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The Armenians of Whitinsville invite you to subscribe to their newsletter HYELIGHTS.
Each issue details what's new for their project, what's been added to their website, and what's coming next.
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A group of volunteers with an interest in canoeing and kayaking formed the Blackstone Valley Paddle Club in 2000 in conjunction with the Blackstone Heritage Corridor and Rhode Island Canoe & Kayak Association (RICKA). The Paddle Club meets weekly from May through August on Tuesday evenings at different sites within and just outside of the Valley.
Volunteers act as members of the land crew, paddle club guides, and sweep person on the weekly paddles. They provide an important link to the exploration of the natural resources within the Heritage Corridor.
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To participate in the Blackstone Paddler's events, a RI Canoe and Kayak Association membership fee of $15.00 is required, as is a $10.00 membership fee for the Blackstone Valley Paddle Club. These fees provide a family membership and are good for the entire season. If you are a current RICKA member, you may join for the additional $10.00 membership fee. If you are not yet a RICKA member, you may join and pay your dues for both RICKA and Blackstone Valley Paddle Club by going to the membership page for payment options. Please pay your dues in advance. Inflatable boats and PFD's are not allowed on Blackstone Valley Paddle Club Trips.
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Kayak & Canoe Rentals
Central Falls Landing
15 Madeira Ave., Central Falls, RI
Prices
Single kayak: $20 (1.5 hours) / $30 (3 hours)
Tandem kayak: $30 (1.5 hours) / $50 (3 hours)
Canoe: $30 (1.5 hours) / $50 (3 hours)
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Book a tour of the Blackstone River aboard the Blackstone Valley Explorer riverboat.
NATURE & HERITAGE TOURS
Sundays at 1 PM, 2 PM, 3 PM & 4 PM
EVENING RIVER CRUISES
(unguided trip)
Saturdays at 4 PM, 5 PM, 6 PM & 7 PM
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Connecting with Canoes
Saturday, August 19, Saturday, September 16, and Saturday, October 21.
Arrive at 9:30 a.m. for a 10 a.m. launch. A fee of $30 per person includes canoe and PFD. RSVP by text or call to 401-644-3215.
Meet at BRWC's Environmental Education Center at 100 New River Road (below the bikeway parking area), Manville, RI.
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Get Your Events on Our Calendar! |
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Share your events with us by listing them on the Blackstone Heritage Corridor's events page.
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"Explore, Discover, Protect, and GO!"
The Junior Ranger motto is recited by children around the country, each taking an oath of their own to protect parks, continue to learn about parks, and share their own ranger story with friends and family. Here in the Blackstone River Valley, Junior Rangers are called GearHeads. What's a GearHead, you might ask?
GearHead (n.): a kid, powered by the gears in their brain, who explores nature, discovers history, protects the environment, and goes on adventures throughout the Blackstone River Valley.
Click through the GearHeads website and claim your Junior Ranger status today! Submit a completed activity, and we'll send you a Junior Ranger badge!
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Navigate & Explore the Blackstone River Valley
With Our Interactive Map!
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If you're looking to spread the word with your events, submit them today!
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Blackstone Heritage Corridor, working with community partners, provides strong leadership to preserve, promote, and celebrate the Valley’s historic, natural and recreational resources for current and future generations. |
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Stay Connected With Us On Social Media! |
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670 Linwood Avenue, Whitinsville, MA 01588
(508) 234-4242
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