Cosmetology students conduct fundraiser to fight breast cancer.

COLUMN: East County Neighbors

The color of beauty

MARLBORO - Students in the cosmetology program at Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School will offer pink hair, nails and snacks today

for a donation of $5 to benefit making strides against breast cancer. Walk-ins are welcome.

"The young ladies are really excited about putting their talents to use for such a good cause, and are hoping for a large turnout from both the school and the community. I just hope that anyone coming in is prepared to possibly wait a bit. Every effort will be made to accommodate everyone who comes in, but a bit of patience is requested," said Sue Viens, the lead teacher in the program. The hours are from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. today. .

Hannaford donation

MILFORD - Hannaford's Supermarket has donated gift cards to Thanks to Yanks, a Milford-based organization dedicated to supporting, respecting, remembering and revering local veterans. The gift cards will be distributed to local veterans for the holidays by the town of Milford. Thanks to Yanks sponsors a military tribute dinner every Sept. 11.

A children's magic show is being planned. For information on the organization, call founder Michael Shain, [phone].

New Corridor staff

WOONSOCKET, R.I. - Jan Reitsma, executive director of the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission and superintendent of the Roger Williams National Memorial, announced recently that several new employees will join the offices in Woonsocket and downtown Providence.

"We are very pleased to welcome Jennifer Gonsalves to Roger Williams National Memorial," Mr. Reitsma said. "She will be the first full-time site manager at the memorial and brings a great deal of creative energy as well as diverse experience from several positions she held at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, most recently serving as the acting superintendent. The National Park Service is acknowledging the significance of the site and the story of Roger Williams as the defender of `liberty of conscience' by making this a full-time position, and we are looking to Jennifer to help us enhance the memorial as a destination and experience for visitors from near and far, in particular by working in partnership with the city of Providence and other institutions in the city," he said.

Ms. Gonsalves' career with the National Park Service began with the dedication of New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park in 1998. She is a New Bedford resident with three children and she holds a B.A. in English literature from UMass at Dartmouth and a master's degree in community planning from the University of Rhode Island. Ms. Gonsalves said her background will serve her well at the Roger Williams National Memorial. "The story of Roger Williams - religious freedom, social consciousness and constitutional rights - they are so relevant today," Ms. Gonsalves said. "I am intrigued by the challenge to translate those profound concepts to the general public, and Providence is such a dynamic city to synthesize this history and culture. I am looking forward to working with staff and partners there."

Bill Maurer has been named administrative officer for both the Heritage Corridor and the Roger Williams National Memorial. He is transferring from the Cape Cod National Seashore, where he worked as housing management specialist and, before that, in visitor services. He recently served as acting administrative officer at the Salem Maritime and Boston Harbor Islands National Parks. He has also served as a mediator in the federal government as well as in the private sector. "We are very fortunate to be able to fill this critical vacancy and to have someone with Bill's experience, qualifications and enthusiasm join the team," said Mr. Reitsma.

"I am truly excited about the new challenges and opportunities awaiting me in my new position," said Mr. Maurer, who will move to the Blackstone Valley. "The Heritage Corridor has a distinguished history and is involved in so many partnerships and exciting projects; I really look forward to the chance to contribute to its future success," he said.

Additional funding from the National Park Service has allowed the National Heritage Corridor Commission to hire a full-time volunteer coordinator for the Woonsocket office, serving the Blackstone River Valley. "We are fortunate to be able to hire Valerie Paul of Uxbridge to be our new volunteer coordinator," Mr. Reitsma said. "She has terrific skills and a very helpful background in both the business and nonprofit worlds. We expect her to broaden and enrich the excellent volunteer network that Ranger Suzanne Buchanan has built for us over the last several years." Ms. Buchanan is staying on to oversee the expansion of the volunteer program, enhance interpretive training and help develop new interpretive and educational programs.

A volunteer in parks herself, Ms. Paul has been a human resources professional since 1981 and president of Catalyst Consulting since 1998. She transferred many of her skills to a volunteer interest of her own in 2001 when she and her husband founded the Blackstone Valley Sugaring Association to educate area residents about the history of maple sugaring and to expose them to a hands-on experience. She holds a B.S. degree in psychology from Worcester State College.

The John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor was designated by Congress in 1986 as the birthplace of America's industrial revolution: 24 communities along the 46-mile Blackstone River are from Worcester to Providence. The Web site is www.nps.gov/blac.

ART: PHOTOS

CUTLINE: (1) Mr. Shain; (2) Ms. Gonsalves; (3) Ms. Paul; (4) Mr. Maurer