In this episode of Corridor Chats, volunteer Abigail Epplett plays an American music melody on her violin, Blackstone Heritage Corridor Cemetery Conservation Ambassadors recognize Rhode Island Historic Cemetery Restoration & Awareness Day (April 11), volunteer Marjorie Turner Hollman says hello on one of her Easy Walks, and a “Secret Singer” belts out “God Bless America” at his backyard fire pit. 

Special thanks to BHC Photography Ambassador Bob Evans for piecing it together!
BHC Announces New Cemetery Conservation Ambassadors Program
RI Historic Cemetery Restoration & Awareness Day April 11
Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor is proud to announce the addition of a sixth volunteer program to its Volunteers-In-Parks program roster with the launch of the new Blackstone Heritage Corridor Cemetery Conservation Ambassadors.*

Inspired by the dedication of volunteers Betty and Carlo Mencucci of Burrillville, RI, who have been restoring historic cemeteries in Burrillville, RI, for the past nine years, BHC volunteer coordinator Suzanne Buchanan saw the opportunity to attract more volunteers who had the same interests to support their work. 

According to Suzanne, just last spring, the Mencuccis held a Volunteer Skills Workshop on cemetery conservation at the Swan Point Cemetery in Providence, RI, and they filled the reception room with nearly 40 people from both Rhode Island and Massachusetts. They were soon approached by the Sutton Historical Society to host a workshop in Sutton, MA, and again they packed the room. They followed up the workshop with a hands-on program at the cemetery behind Sutton Town Hall. She then learned about another couple from Woonsocket, RI, who were volunteering to cleanup and restore the city’s St. James/Bernon Cemetery. All of them are now official volunteers with BHC’s Volunteers-In-Parks program.

Since creating the program, an opportunity arose for the BHC Photography Ambassadors to support this program by photographing headstones for the Rhode Island Historical Cemetery Commission. Learn more about the Blackstone Heritage Corridor Cemetery Conservation Ambassadors here .
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*Note: We were set to launch this program in March with scheduled events to celebrate RI Historic Cemetery Restoration & Awareness Day on April 11, in addition to a Skills Workshop on Cemetery Conservation and a talk on "Woonsocket's Forgotten Cemeteries," but to the COVID-19 outbreak, those events have been canceled. Please read the story in this week's Valley Breeze (link below) about volunteer opportunities once stay-at-home orders have been lifted.

Pictured above, left to right: Blackstone Heritage Corridor volunteers Carlo and Betty Mencucci of the Burrillville Historical & Preservation Society ; Ross Weaver from Sutton Historical Society, Inc. ; and new BHC volunteers Johnelle Bergeron and Greg Duhamel who volunteer at area cemeteries, including Bernon Cemetery in Woonsocket, RI. 
Volunteers practiced social distancing while volunteering at Historic Cemetery #30 in Burrillville, RI, before stay-at-home orders were issued. This is the before picture with a volunteer in background leaf blowing and a volunteer in foreground photographing a gravestone for the cataloging project.
Here is an after photo at Cemetery #30 showing the impact one volunteer can make cleaning up a cemetery while practicing safe social distancing. Stay tuned for announcements of cemetery cleanup events once it is safe to do so.
New GearHeads Junior Ranger Activity for Cemetery Education:
Tomb It May Concern
Celebrate National Junior Ranger Day - Saturday, April 18
Explore, Discover, Protect, and GO!
Junior Rangers in the Blackstone River Valley are called GearHeads.

GearHead (n.): a kid, powered by the Gears in their brain; who explores nature, discovers history, protects the environment, and goes on adventures through 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!

"Volunteers! We've Got You Covered!"
In light of COVID-19 and the CDC supporting the wearing of cloth facial coverings , BHC Volunteer Coordinator Suzanne Buchanan has been busy stitching cloth face masks during the office shutdown. And she supported a local business, Ryco Creative Sewing Cente r, in Lincoln, RI, which has been working around the clock to support mask sewing efforts around the region. VIP Jill Winski is joining the mask sewing effort for BHC's volunteers. If you'd like to help, reach out to Suzanne at SBuchanan@BlackstoneHeritageCorridor.org .

While the volunteer program is still in suspension, the masks will be available for those who feel more comfortable once restrictions are lifted.
"Are Parks Open or Closed?"
We've been asked the question "Are parks open or closed?" and the answer depends on which state, Massachusetts or Rhode Island, and also who the parks are managed by. The answer also changes by the day.

As of now, all Rhode Island state parks and beaches are closed . The Blackstone River Bikeway remains open, however, there will be some daytime closure between the Manville Parking Lot and the Front Street Parking Lot section in Rhode Island due to construction. Learn more here.

Massachusetts State Parks, managed by Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation, remain open. They are closely monitoring and are encouraging strict social distancing .

Many cities and towns are issuing their own orders for local parks and public spaces. For instance, the City of Providence has closed all of its city parks, trails, and golf courses until May 1, and the Town of Lincoln, RI, has closed Chase Farm and others. It is best to check with each town for current status.

Mass Audubon has closed all of its sanctuaries and trails as well. The Trustees of Reservations , which manages Cormier Woods in Uxbridge, MA, had closed all of its trails, but as of April 9 has reopened some and Cormier Woods is on the reopen list. The Nature Conservancy has closed some of its trails in Rhode Island, including the Lime Rock Preserve in Lincoln.

If you are considering a walk along a trail, here are some Social Distancing best practices. And please, Leave No Trace.

"What about fishing?" Click here for fishing and trout season info for Rhode Island and click here for information for Massachusetts.

Please Fish Responsibly and Leave No Trace.
Virtual Gallery Tour of "Beautiful Blackstone Valley"
"Beautiful Blackstone Valley" VIRTUAL Closing Reception

Among the many events that were canceled due to social distancing restrictions was the closing reception at the Blackstone Heritage Corridor Gallery with artists from the Blackstone Valley Art Association.

But with some quick thinking by BVAA president Lisa Shea, she created a LIVE video event that now lives on YouTube. Lisa interviewed each artist who shared fascinating and inspiring backstories to their art.
Read about the artists and the show here . After watching the video, if you see a piece you'd like to own, the art is for sale with a portion of proceeds benefiting Blackstone Heritage Corridor. Please send inquiries to Bonnie at BCombs@BlackstoneHeritageCorridor.org.
Don't Forget the 2021 Calendar Photo Contest!
During this "down time" through COVID-19, consider going through your photos looking for "Historical Landmarks & Artifacts" in the Blackstone River Valley for the Blackstone Heritage Corridor Calendar Photo Contest.

Explore our website for ideas of places to visit to capture new photos. See link below for details and submit them electronically.

Got questions? Reach out to Bonnie at BCombs@BlackstoneHeritageCorridor.org.
From all of us at BHC, we wish you well and look forward to seeing you soon!