Photo of the Sutton Gazebo by Linda I. Nelson |
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Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor |
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In This Edition - December 22, 2021
- Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park's General Management Plan
- Public Comment Period and Public Meetings
- Work/Life Series with Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park
- Saturdays: January 29, February 12, February 26
- First Day Hike at Blackstone River & Canal Heritage State Park - January 1
- Save Your Stretchy Plastic for Recycling at Blackstone Valley Tech
- Free Streaming of 'Microplastic Madness' December 26 to January 1
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To all of our friends, volunteers, partners, and supporters, we wish you a very bright and happy holiday season and a very happy New Year! |
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Happy Holiday Wishes from BHC's Executive Director Devon Kurtz |
During this festive time of the year, we at BHC wish you all the very warmest of Holiday greetings. We are so thankful that you have been part of our story, part of our family, here in the Blackstone Valley.
In my own family, we gather together on Christmas Eve, and, just before our boys go to bed, we read Clement C. Moore’s, A Visit from Saint Nicholas.
Then there’s a mad rush with my wife and me as we pull out presents and fill stockings. We end the evening with a nightcap, bathed in the light of our tree, and think back over the year and giving thanks for all that we have and have done.
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May this Christmas end the present year on a cheerful note and make way for a fresh and bright New Year. And to all of you, we raise a glass and,
“May the best ye’ve ever seen Be the worst ye’ll ever see. May a moose ne’er leave yer girnal Wi ‘ a tear drap in his e’e. May ye aye keep hale an’ herty Till ye’re auld eneuch tae dee. May ye aye be jist as happy As we wish ye aye tae be."*
Traditional Scottish toast by Allan Ramsay (October 1686 – January 1758)
*May the best you’ve ever seen Be the worst you’ll ever see. May the mouse never leave your pantry With a tear-drop in his eye. May you always keep healthy and hearty Until you’re old enough to die. May you always be just as happy As we wish you now to be.
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Molly's Favorite Christmas Memories |
To me, Christmas has always meant time with family and friends, good food, and lots of traditions. A few have been passed down in our family, like spending a full weekend making plum pudding/Christmas pudding every year. Many more traditions were made up by my parents, sister, and me.
Growing up, we watched the movie The Santa Clause at least once a year. In the film, Santa Claus is interrogated and asked for his name. He answers with the name of Santa Claus all over the world. My sister and I thought this, especially the name Topo Gigio, was hilarious and still sign each other’s gifts as being from Topo Gigio and Sinterklaas.
Whether you are gathering with family or having a quiet holiday weekend, I hope that everyone has a safe and happy holiday and that Topo Gigio is kind to you and your family if he visits your home.
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Bonnie's Favorite Christmas Memories |
When I think of Christmas, I always go back in time and think of my Nana. So many of my favorite holiday food traditions came from her, including Cranberry Nut Bread and Bread Pudding, which I now love making with Egg Nog! And when I see the jarred Mincemeat in the special holiday display at the grocery store, it is instant time travel back to being in her kitchen to enjoy her famous Mincemeat pie!
The sweetest memories were made gathered near the Christmas tree at night to watch Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas. The whole family enjoyed it, and it became an annual tradition. When it eventually became available on DVD, I bought a copy so that I could relive the memories and keep the spirit of Christmas alive for years to come!
This year I am doing something completely different for Christmas. I am going to India! For dinner, that is! India restaurant in Providence is offering a special Christmas Day Buffet. and it sounds too delicious to pass up!
I hope you all enjoy your favorite traditions this holiday season or even create some new ones!
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Happy Holidays From Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park |
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Dear Colleagues and Friends,
Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to the Blackstone River Valley in 2021 to make it another great year throughout the National Heritage Corridor. We sure had some challenges to overcome – COVID chief among them – but you came back strong to accomplish many wonderful things, both online and in person.
My staff and I at Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park could not be more grateful for the partnership we enjoy and all that we are able to do in collaboration, and we look forward to having a great 2022 together.
With best wishes for happy holidays,
Eric Breitkreutz, Superintendent
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Pictured above (left to right) are Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park rangers Kevin Klyberg, Allison Horrocks, Andrew Schnetzer, and Mark Mello. |
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Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park Invites You To
Give Public Comment on Its General Management Plan
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During this effort, there will be a number of opportunities for you to contribute your ideas and concerns about the park and help shape its future, including public meetings at key stages. When the draft general management plan is produced, you will be invited to review it and provide comments. Thank you for being involved in this process!
The public comment period starts on January 3, 2022, and ends on February 15, 2022.
You are also invited to attend one of two virtual public meetings:
- Thursday, January 6, 2022, at 11 a.m. EST
- Thursday, January 20, 2022, at 8 p.m. EST
Click the above image to view the four-page PDF.
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Celebrate the New Year With a First Day Hike! |
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First Day Hike at Blackstone River & Canal Heritage State Park
Saturday, January 1, 2022
10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Meet at River Bend Farm Visitor Center
287 Oak Street, Uxbridge, MA
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Celebrate the New Year with a First Day Hike at Blackstone River & Canal Heritage State Park as we walk along the canal towpath, view the river, and find signs of winter wildlife along the waterways and forest.
The hike is 1.5 miles, about 60 minutes long. Be prepared for cold weather: dress in layers and wear winter boots. If conditions permit, bring snowshoes and hiking poles. Dogs are welcome on leash. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m.
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Recycle Your Stretchy Plastic From the Holidays and Everyday! |
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Students for Environmental Action at BVT are Taking
the NexTrex Plastic Film Recycling Challenge
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Congrats to the Students for Environmental Action Club (SEA Club) at Blackstone Valley Tech for taking on the NexTrex Plastic Film Recycling Challenge with the Trex Company. They are collecting "stretchy plastic" through Earth Day and are competing against other schools to win a bench made from recycled plastic.
We find ourselves inundated with plastic film during the holiday season, including everything from shopping bags to bubble wrap, and none of it should go into your curbside recycling bin. Instead, please bring it to a participating retailer which hosts special recycling bins. But if you'd like to support the students of the SEA Club in their efforts, consider holding it aside to donate to their collection. To learn more, contact Rachel Pilger, SEA Club Advisor, at RPilger@valleytech.k12.ma.us.
To learn more about the recycling challenge and the types of plastic film that can be recycled, visit https://recycle.trex.com/.
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Stay Connected This Winter With the Work/Life Virtual Series |
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Join Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park and Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor for a free virtual series of winter workshops on how people have worked, rested, and played in the Blackstone River Valley. Together with historians, artists, and craftspeople, we’ll explore the struggle for a balanced life of work and wellness.
These 60-minute discussions will take place on Saturday afternoons at 1:00 PM.
January 29 - Discussion on Work
What is it like to work in a restored mill building?
Join us for a brief ranger-led history of Slater Mill and an insiders' view of Hope Artiste Village. We'll be joined by the Outsider Collective and Anastasia Azure, artists who work in the Hope complex. Together, we will talk about new uses for old buildings in and around Pawtucket, and how concepts of work have changed over time.
February 12 - Discussion on Rest
During the past two years, a staggering number of people have left their jobs in the midst of a global pandemic. Millions of workers have also reported unprecedented levels of burnout. With this in mind, what can histories of workplace injuries and mental health teach us today? For this discussion, labor history scholar Robert Forrant will offer an overview and history of how industrial accidents have been managed. We'll also be joined by Paul Piwko with Alexandra Orlandi, who coordinate the National Museum of Mental Health Project, Inc. They will share the local history of the movement for mindfulness and wellness at work.
February 26 - Discussion on Play
What do you do with your free time? For centuries, workers who have reported their time or been bound to a clock have struggled for more opportunities for leisure. During this talk, rangers will offer a short history of Slater Mill, as both an industrial workplace and later, as a place where people could ride bicycles for pleasure indoors. We'll also be joined by Joe LyonWurm, the founder of Pedal Powered Anthropology, a highly creative approach to blending fitness and education about human history.
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Become a GearHead Junior Ranger |
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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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Free Streaming of 'Microplastic Madness' December 26th to January 1st |
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Use this link between December 26 and January 1:
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Year-End Giving to Support Blackstone Heritage Corridor |
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Help Keep the Gears of Progress Turning!
Please Consider a Year-End Gift for the Blackstone Heritage Corridor!
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Together, with the support of friends like you, our communities established the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor in 1986. During that time, we have led the efforts to preserve this amazing, living landscape and created a national park to interpret the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution. Today, we ask you to help us continue this important work.
YOUR SUPPORT OF BLACKSTONE HERITAGE CORRIDOR HELPS US TO:
- Partner with nonprofits, businesses, and residents to restore, retain and reinvigorate the Valley;
- Coordinate enthusiastic volunteers to work on behalf of BRVNHC and its partners;
- Facilitate a variety of programs and events to connect people to the National Heritage Corridor and its nationally significant resources;
- Provide services to the 25 communities that make up the Corridor in Massachusetts and Rhode Island; and,
- Act as the local coordinating entity of the Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park.
Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor!
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NEW DONATION FEATURE! In addition to making a one-time donation, we've added options to donate monthly, quarterly, and annually!
OTHER WAYS TO GIVE:
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If you volunteer with us, a corporate volunteer grant program may be an easy way to provide us with additional financial support! Volunteer grant programs are corporate giving programs in which companies provide monetary donations to organizations where employees volunteer regularly. If you have any questions about this, please reach out to Molly Cardoza at mcardoza@BlackstoneHeritageCorridor.org.
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Thank You For Your Support |
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Navigate & Explore the Blackstone River Valley
with our Interactive Map!
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670 Linwood Avenue, Whitinsville, MA 01588
(508) 234-4242
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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