The Farmer’s Market will also be in full swing from 12pm – 4pm, so be sure to stop by and enjoy more specialty items while you’re there.

Both events are free and open to the public. Attleboro Farms is located at 491 Hickory Road, N. Attleboro.

1st Row  L-R  Michele L. Rogers and Denise Bourget 2nd Row L-R  Chris Ricciardelli, Roger Lalonde, Paul Bourget

The Museum of Work & Culture to present the third Ranger Day Lecture Talk featuring Paul Bourget’s “Civil War Remembrances”

On Sunday, February 12, 2012, the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission, in cooperation with the Museum of Work and Culture and the Rhode Island Historical Society, will present the third in a series of Ranger Day Talks at 1:30 pm.  In keeping with the  Rhode Island Historical Society’s and the Museum of Work & Culture’s commemoration of the 150^th anniversary of the Civil War, the third Ranger Day lecture will present Woonsocket native, Paul Bourget, who will present various Civil War topics to enlighten and entertain.  The program will portray personages who were active in different capacities during the American Civil War.  This Ranger Talk will focus on the defense of Culp’s Hill during the battle of Gettysburg, the impact of spies during the Civil War, and the work of the US Sanitary Commission on and off the battlefields.

Mr. Bourget will portray Brigadier General George Sears Greene, a native Rhode Islander, and the Forgotten Hero of Gettysburg.  General Greene played a vital part in the Union victory at Gettysburg.  The oldest general on the Gettysburg Battlefield, “Old Pap” was responsible for successfully defending Culp’s hill against incredible odds during July 2-3, 1863.  Greene’s bravery and leadership most probably saved the Union Right.

Roger Lalonde will portray Colonel David Ireland, a native Scotsman, who led his fighting 137^th NY Volunteer Regiment in various Union battles of the Civil War.  His moment of truth came on the night of July 2, 1863, when he and his regiment held the extreme Union right flank on Culp’s Hill at Gettysburg against superior forces.

Michele L. Rogers will portray Rose O’Neele Greenhow, civil way spy.  With the outbreak of the Civil War, Wild Rose transformed overnight from a well-known Washington, DC socialite and hostess into a ruthless and fearless spy for the Southern Cause.  Mrs. Greenhow played an important role in the southern victory at the First Battle of Bull Run as she communicated important military tactical information to the Southern commander prior to the battle.

In addition, materials highlighting the important work of the US Sanitary Commission will be on display in the second floor gallery.  Mrs. Denise R. Bourget, will portray a battlefield nurse, who will answer questions regarding the contributions made in the various fields of medicine during the Civil War.  Of the over 620,000 soldiers that perished during the Civil War, it is estimated that nearly 80% of the deaths resulted from sickness, the last of cleanliness and poor hospital conditions.

The remainder of the Ranger Talks schedule is as follows:

Feb. 12  Paul Bourget presents “Civil War Sanitary Commission.”

Feb. 26  Sarah Zurier presents “Green Zones:  Rhode Islanders Garden in War Time.”

March 11  National Park Ranger Kevin Klyberg presents “R.I. and the War of 1812.”

April 1:  Former Woonsocket resident Chip Bishop presents a talk on his newly released book “The Lion and the Journalist.”

For more information about this or other programs in the series, call the Museum of Work and Culture at 401.769.9675. 

 Come join Mansfield’s Downtown Business Association for its Second Annual Chocolate Stroll on Saturday, February 11 from 11am – 1pm. Bring your own bag to N. Main Street and look for the balloons while you visit downtown businesses and collect chocolate treats for the holiday! 

This event is Free and Open to the Public.

Anita Israelyan

 Anita Israelyan, a senior advocate for the priority response department at Citizens Bank, has been awarded a Community Service Sabbatical. She will be on loan for three months to Rhode Island Foster Parents Association (RIFPA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting families that provide substitute care in the Rhode Island community. Israelyan is a Smithfield resident who grew up in Cranston, RI.

Israelyan, who has been with the bank for more than five years, is working with RIFPA as a full-time volunteer for three months during a paid leave of absence from the bank. Her sabbatical will begin today, February 1, 2012, and run through April 30, 2012. 

The Community Service Sabbatical reaches a milestone this year: its 100^th sabbatical placement. Started in 1994, the Sabbatical program has allowed Citizens colleagues to donate 48,000 hours of community service. This has saved nonprofits more than $1 million based on the hourly wage for volunteers as determined by Independent Sector.

“Community service is one of our core values at Citizens Bank, and we are very proud of the commitment shown by Anita and our other Community Service Sabbatical volunteers, who voluntarily suspend their ‘day jobs’ to donate their skills and their energy to organizations like RIFPA, which are so important to the health of local communities,” said Ned Handy, President, Citizens Bank, Rhode Island and Connecticut. “We know from the organizations for which our colleagues have volunteered in the past that our colleagues make a real difference in their sabbaticals. It is also a rewarding experience for our sabbatical recipients who come back to work with a different perspective on life and a better understanding of the needs in our community. We congratulate Anita on this opportunity and look forward to learning from her experiences ourselves.” 

Established in 1980, the Rhode Island Foster Parents Association is a leader in the assistance of foster children and families in Rhode Island. RIFPA strives to provide education and resources to foster children and families. An emphasis is placed upon their education. RIFPA supports the entire community, advocating for all children who are unable to live with their parents. For more information, visit the organization’s website at www.rifpa.org.  

As a full-time volunteer, Israelyan will help RIFPA by working with current and former foster youth in the ASPIRE program and assisting in advocating for educational stability for children in foster care. The ASPIRE program coordinates financial literacy instruction and activities for youth. She will also help the organization prepare for fundraising events and will focus on RIFPA’s redesign and rebrand.

“We are honored that Citizens Bank and Anita have chosen the Rhode Island Foster Parents Association for her community sabbatical,” said Lisa Guillette, RIFPA’s executive director. “Anita’s skills and community connections will greatly enhance our programming and support for children and youth in foster care.”

Dan Winslow

Local Rep Raises $60,000 in 2011 www.danwinslow.com.

State Representative Dan Winslow (R-Norfolk) raised more than $60,000 in the year before the 2012 election cycle, including $20,000 in a loan he made to his campaign, with a balance in his campaign Treasury of more than $35,000 at the start of the election year. He shortly will begin his 2012 fundraising to bolster his effort for reelection.

“I am so thankful to the people of Plainville, Millis, Medfield, Norfolk, Walpole and Wrentham for giving me a chance to represent them in state government,” said Winslow. “I hope I’ve earned reelection so I can finish the work that I started on Beacon Hill.

In his first year in elected legislative office, Winslow has been one of the most visible and active legislators in Massachusetts on the issues of jobs and the economy, ethics reform and budget innovations.  He co-sponsored the Alimony Reform bill and Judicial Reform proposals that were enacted as state law last year.  Governing Magazine last month tapped Winslow as one of the top 12 state legislators in the nation to watch in 2012.  He was the only Massachusetts legislator to be recognized by the magazine.

“With the help of my supporters, I will raise whatever campaign funds are necessary to bring my message of new ideas and problem solving to the voters of our towns,” said Winslow.  ”I know that times are tough and so I am deeply humbled by whatever donations I have collected”. During the 2010 campaign, Winslow raised over $72,000 from individual donors.

Voters who want more information about Winslow can contact him at his website

 Representative Elizabeth Poirier (R-North Attleboro) donned a red suit in support of the American Heart and Stroke Association’s Go Red for Women event at the State House. Held annually, the event is a dual effort of the American Heart and Stroke Association’s national campaigns aimed at bringing women together to end heart disease and stroke.

There will be 4 different entrees to choose from, have one or some of each.  Included with dinner are Salad, coffee, cold drink and dessert. 

Adults $9.00  Children $4.00  This supper sells out so get reservations in early.  For tickets or reservations please call (508) 695-9587

Future suppers:  Mar. 10  Lasagna.   Apr. 9  Shepherds Pie. 

Seated from left: Annemarie Galvin, Delaney Lancor, Taylor Levy, and Andrew Murphy. Standing from left: President Chris Servant, Elizabeth Galvin, Raye Ann Lancor, Athletic Director Paul O’Boy, Kimberly and Samuel Levy, and Susan & Thomas Murphy.  Standing in the rear are Vice President of Student Life Al Svendsen and Matthew Lancor

Bishop Feehan High School, senior Shamrocks signed letters of intent to play sports at four different colleges.  Soccer players Annemarie Galvin (Attleboro) signed for College of the Holy Cross, Delaney Lancor (Attleboro) for Central Connecticut State University, and Taylor Levy (Norton) for Monmouth College.  Quarterback Andrew Murphy (Franklin) will play football for St. Anselm College.  These student athletes join four others who signed letters of intent previously this year: Devin Devoy – soccer/Northeastern University; Brenden Fowler – basketball/Salve Regina University; Elizabeth Rubino – golf/University of Richmond; and Alexis Sells – basketball/Providence College. 

In observance of Black History Month in February, Linden Place Museum in Bristol, RI will host a special guided tour of Linden Place Mansion focused specifically on Bristol’s DeWolf Family and their involvement in the triangle Slave Trade.  Recently featured in the PBS film “Traces of the Trade”, The DeWolf family, Bristol’s premier family in the 18^th and early 19^th centuries, was once one of the largest traders of slaves in New England. 

The guided tour will take place on Saturday, February 25^th at 10:00am at historic Linden Place, the Federal-style mansion built by architect Russell Warren for George DeWolf.  The tour will explore in depth Bristol’s lengthy and profitable involvement in the slave trade.  The tour is $10, $8 for seniors and students and free for Linden Place members. 

The tour is limited to 25 people and reservations are recommended.  For more information and to make a reservation, please call the Linden Place office at 253-0390.

Friends of Linden Place is a non-profit organization responsible for the restoration and preservation of the historic house museum at 500 Hope Street in Bristol, Rhode Island, and for the promotion of cultural, artistic, and educational programs in the community. The mansion and grounds are open to the public from May to October, during the holiday season, and also by appointment. 

If you would like to come and meet with them to discuss state government issues or any other matters of concern, please join them on Thursday February 9, 2012 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.  All constituents are welcome and no appointment is necessary.