Author: Patti McAlpine

Veteran’s Day is November 11th, and this year it falls on a Thursday. Do you know why this date was chosen? Originally, it was celebrated as Armistice Day and fell on November 11th because it celebrated the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. In 1954 it was changed to… Continue reading Veterans Day – Ways to Honor Our Veterans in the Blackstone Valley

A 1600’s “Salem Village” was built as the setting for Disney’s “Hocus Pocus II.”  It is not news that for the past few months, we in the Blackstone Valley have been watching as the set has been going up in the Lincoln, Rhode Island park on Great Road.   Kathy Hartley, President & CEO of the… Continue reading Hollywood Comes to Chase Farm During Lincoln’s 150th Anniversary Parade

It’s that spooky time of year again! There are many Halloween events planned around the Blackstone Valley (see below).  We may not have the corner on witches (except for maybe the Sanderson Sisters with the current filming of Disney’s Hocus Pocus II), but the Blackstone Valley has its share of many eerie legends and haunted… Continue reading Exploring the Paranormal in the Blackstone Valley

First Eternal Flame Lighting in Rhode Island This Sunday, October 17, 2021 five World War II veterans will light an Eternal Flame, the first of its kind in Rhode Island, as part of the World II Memorial dedication in Woonsocket. Sponsored by American Legion Fairmount Post 85 and funded by the Heritage Harbor Foundation, “The… Continue reading WWII Memorial Dedication

Festival Season Is Upon Us  The annual Scarecrow Festival in Chepachet brings our fall festival season to an end, but fall foliage is just beginning so please feel free to check out our great places to hike and bike for spectacular views!  October 16 @ 12 – 5 pm-  Scarecrow Festival, Glocester,  –  Scarecrows (contributed… Continue reading Festival Season

Bioblitz returns to the Blackstone Valley in Cumberland So what is a bioblitz?  As defined by Rhode Island Natural History Survey (RINHS):   “A BioBlitz is an attempt by volunteers, working scientists and avocational naturalists, to tally as many species of organisms as they can in 24 hours on a particular parcel of land. It is… Continue reading Bioblitzing in the Blackstone Valley

Explore three centuries in three miles while commemorating the 150th Anniversary of Lincoln, RI.   One of Lincoln’s featured events is the Annual Great Road Day put on by Friends of Hearthside House.  When the Town of Lincoln separated from Smithfield in 1871, Great Road was already 200 years old. On September 25th, from 11 am… Continue reading Great Road Day Commemorates Lincoln’s 150th

We welcome Fall in the Blackstone Valley. It is our season to explore and a great time to visit!!! The air is crisp and the sun is still warm with lower humidity. This is the perfect time to get outside and enjoy the fall festivals as well as biking, hiking and just plain old meandering… Continue reading WELCOME FALL!