Blackstone Valley takes center stage; Culture, history to be celebrated.Byline: Susan Spencer BLACKSTONE VALLEY - Patricia A. Perry says that if she has any claim to fame, it's that she's a Valley cheerleader. "I love the Blackstone Valley," said Ms. Perry, who is chairwoman of the Blackstone Valley Interpreters Network and coordinator of the fifth annual Footsteps in History program. There will be plenty of opportunities this fall for the public to share Ms. Perry's delight in the region. Footsteps in History, which highlights local historic, natural and social sites, has been extended to include not only Columbus Day Columbus Day, holiday commemorating Christopher Columbus's discovery of America. It has been traditionally celebrated on Oct. 12 throughout most of the United States, parts of Canada, and in several of the Latin American republics. weekend but events throughout October. Footsteps in History began with a federal Preserve America grant to introduce the public to as many culturally significant sites as possible in each of the 24 cities and towns in Massachusetts This is a complete list of towns in Massachusetts, arranged in alphabetical order. These 301 towns were incorporated under Massachusetts law, and have not formed a city government.
Rhode Island, island, 15 mi (24 km) long and 5 mi (8 km) wide, S R.I., at the entrance to Narragansett Bay. It is the largest island in the state, with steep cliffs and excellent beaches. that comprise the Blackstone River Blackstone River River, central Massachusetts and Rhode Island, U.S. It flows about 50 mi (80 km) past Worcester and across northeastern Rhode Island to Pawtucket, where it becomes the Seekonk River. It furnishes power to a highly industrialized area. Valley National Heritage Corridor. Organizers said the program drew approximately 15,000 visitors to museums and historical societies, farm festivals, guided walks and other events. The three-day-weekend focus, however, was exhausting for site hosts and limited the number of places people could visit. Footsteps in History 2009 will not just be spread out on the calendar; it will tell the story of the Blackstone Valley in three themes - textile mills, hearth and home, and Blackstone Valley "Jeopardy!" Blackstone Valley history aficionados, in teams of one to three members, will compete in a "Jeopardy!"-style Tournament of Champions on Oct. 18 at High Rock condominiums in North Smithfield, R.I. Quilting quilting, form of needlework, almost always created by women, most of them anonymous, in which two layers of fabric on either side of an interlining (batting) are sewn together, usually with a pattern of back or running (quilting) stitches that hold the layers in the Blackstone, a quilt show on Oct. 24 at the Blackstone Valley Historical Society in Lincoln, R.I., will celebrate textile mills, the Valley's historic economic engine. Quilters are invited to submit a square for a Blackstone Valley quilt, which will feature each of the region's 24 communities. People can also display their own quilts in a contest for the people's choice award. The biggest excitement, Ms. Perry said, is about the Baking in the Blackstone Cook-off, a celebration of hearth and home, which will be held on Oct. 25 at River Bend
River Bend may refer to:
typical, wholesome American dessert. [Am. Culture: Flexner, 68] See : America . Marcy J. Kaminsky, an award-winning personal chef A personal chef is a chef that goes to a client's home and prepares meals for their client based on their needs and personal preferences. Unlike a private chef that purchases the ingredients, prepares the meal, and cleans up after the dinner, a personal chef will leave meals and former caterer who lives in Sutton, is one of the contest judges. "Pie baking and apples have been part of my life since I was born," she said. "My husband and I both love historical things, and this just touched everything I loved in all senses." "We have so many farms in this area. We're trying to get people interested in Blackstone Valley apples," Ms. Perry said. "William Blackstone Sir William Blackstone (originally pronounced Blexstun) (10 July 1723 – 14 February 1780) was an English jurist and professor who produced the historical and analytic treatise on the common law called Commentaries on the Laws of England (an early settler) was known for his orchards." Footsteps in History provides a chance to explore each of the Blackstone Valley towns. The attractions include: tours of the Hassanamisco Indian Museum The Indian Museum was founded by Dr Nathaniel Wallich a Danish botanist at Serampore (originally called Frederischnagore) near Kolkata (Calcutta), India, in 1814. It is a multi-disciplinary institution of national standing and is one of oldest museums in the world. in Grafton on Oct. 17, Pumpkin Fest at Alternatives' Whitin Mill in Whitinsville on Oct. 24, Waters Farm Fall Farm Days in Sutton on Oct. 3 and 4, a Millbury Historical Society Museum open house at the Asa Waters Mansion on Oct. 17, and a Heritage String Band concert at River Bend Farm in Uxbridge on Oct. 4. "One of the things I'm really hoping people will come away with is we are one Valley. We are all interconnected by our orchards, our people, our history," Ms. Perry said. For event listings, contest rules, entry forms and other information, visit www.footstepsinhistory.com. ART: PHOTOS PHOTOG pho·tog n. Informal A person who takes photographs, especially as a profession; a photographer. : SUSAN SPENCER PHOTOS CUTLINE: (1) Marcy J. Kaminsky, left, and Patricia A. Perry will be busy during the fifth annual Footsteps in History program. (2) River Bend Farm at Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park in Uxbridge. (3) The Blackstone Canal in Uxbridge. (4) Patricia A. Perry, left, coordinator of the fifth annual Footsteps in History program, sits with Marcy J. Kaminsky, a judge in the upcoming Baking in the Blackstone Cook-off. |
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