The 3rd annual Star Wars Party and Blood Drive will be held on Saturday, June 22 from 10:00AM – 1:00PM at the South Attleboro Knights of Columbus Hall at 304 Highland Avenue (rte.123).

We welcome all to join us to hear more about Star Wars from Author Ryder Windham, pose for photos with their favorite character in costume from the 501st Star Wars Legion as well as a chance to donate blood to the RI Blood Center.

Admission donation is a canned good for area food banks.

Tim Brown (left), president and CEO of Jamie Oliver At Home, hosted a well-attended debut event for the new business on Wednesday, May 15 at its headquarters in Hope Artiste Village.

PAWTUCKET – An enthusiastic group of well-wishers crowded a large suite at Hope Artiste Village, 1005 Main St., for the launch event Wednesday night, May 15, for Jamie Oliver At Home, a direct sales business created by the British chef, TV personality, author and restaurateur.

According to its website, the new enterprise offers self-employed consultants the opportunity to host Jamie Oliver in-home parties featuring the celebrity chef’s wide “Jme” product range. “This new
venture celebrates and combines Jamie’s passion for food, education and bringing people together in the home,” according to the website, www.jamieoliverathome.com.

Company President and CEO Timothy J. Brown, a former executive with Princess House, said Jamie Oliver At Home shares a similar model. Brown at Wednesday’s event welcomed a visit from Charles Collis who he noted founded Princess House 50 years ago.

Tim Brown, president and CEO of Jamie Oliver At Home, with his daughter Meredith (left) accepts a proclamation presented by mayoral aide Lammis Vargas (center) from Mayor Donald R. Grebien welcoming the new business to the city.

Since launching in 2009, the similar Jamie at Home has enlisted more than 4,000 people to become one of the fastest growing direct sales businesses in the United Kingdom.

Brown, a Providence resident who said the Hope Artiste facility is ideal for his operation, said the city and Mayor Donald R. Grebien had been very welcoming to his new business. “Everybody’s been great. We love Pawtucket,” he said. Lammis Vargas, administrative assistant to the mayor, who was out of town and unable to attend but has been working with Brown for months, presented Brown with a mayoral proclamation elcoming the new business to the city.

Brown introduced his key staff people to the large crowd of well-wishers including his daughter Meredith, wife Amelia, deputy chief Mary Pat Smith, creative marketing director Michelle Girasole and vice president for sales Chad Leonard.

The Rhode Island Post Card Club, organized on May 25, 1958, celebrates its 55th Birthday at its next meeting on Sunday May 26th, 2013 from 9 AM to 2 PM at the Knights of Columbus St. Anthony Council Hall, 1 Volturno Street in North Providence. The hall is easily accessible from Route 95 by taking the Branch Ave. exit and heading west. Turn right onto Charles St. and then left onto Volturno. Post cards of all descriptions including town views and holiday greetings are available. A potluck buffet will be enjoyed at noon. Guests and club members are requested to bring along their favorite dish. There is no admission charge.

A special presentation “Once Around the Bog: Tracing the History of Edaville with Postcards, Pictures, and other Ephemera” will be given at 1 PM. Club member Reinhard Wohlgemuth will attempt to answer the question “What is it about this place that makes many people return year after year and generation after generation?” as part of his PowerPoint presentation. As a postcard collector who prides himself of having all but one commercially published postcards of Edaville in his collection he also amassed many other interesting pieces of ephemera since he started visiting there in 1976. All his postcards and other pieces of his paper collection will be on display for you to peruse as part of the event.

Monday, June 17th

Get ready to tee up at The United Regional Chamber of Commerce annual Chamber Golf Tournament on Monday, June 17 at Franklin Country Club, 672 East Central St., Franklin. The day of golfing, networking and fun starts at 11 a.m. The cost is $185, or $210 with a player passport, per golfer by June 3. Player registration includes lunch, green fees, cart fee, and dinner. Player passports include contests, mulligans and other extras within the tournament.

Sponsors of this year’s tournament include Middlesex Savings Bank, Rockland Trust, FUN Enterprises, HUB International, Dean Bank, Putnam Investments, and Guaranteed Rate. Other sponsorships are still available.

 For more information or to reserve your place at the golf tournament, call The United Regional Chamber of Commerce at 508-222-0801.

On May 9, the SA Knights of Columbus Council #5876  donated used cell phones, which they collected during a recent drive to ‘Cell Phones foSoldiers.’ This charity organization converts the used devices into calling cards for active military members serving around the world. The 142 devices collected will convert into 8,250 minutes of talk time and will make thousands of troops and their families very happy.  Thanks to all who donated and please continue to do so for the drive that the Knights will have in 2014.  

Featured in the photo from left to right are Knights of Columbus members:  PGK – Richard Enright, PGK –  Ray Lumbra, PGK – Art Caouette, Bob Bergquist from Cell Phones for Troops, Program Coordinator -
Dean Patterson, PGK – Fred Wyatt and Grand Knight – Matt Sweeney.

 From left, Salutatorian, Lauren Sachs; Vice Principal of Academics, Ann Perry; Valedictorian, Evan Grandfield; Bishop Feehan President, Chris Servant; Tree Dedicator, Sahana Nazeer; and Bishop Feehan Principal, George Milot.

Bishop Feehan High School is proud to announce the students ranked in the top 2 positions as well as its Tree Dedicator, an honorary title going to the third-ranked student in the class.  The Salutatorian will make her address at Senior Recognition Night on May 28, while the Tree Dedicator will address the student body outside after the Baccalaureate Mass. The Valedictorian will make his valedictory address at graduation on May 30.

 Valedictorian

Evan Grandfield is the son of Patricia and Scott Grandfield of Rehoboth, MA.  “A highly accomplished young man both in and out of the classroom, Evan is a dynamic and energetic individual,” commented his guidance counselor Rhonda Laliberte.  A member of the National, Science, Spanish, English, Math, and History Honor Societies, Grandfield has consistently achieved First Honors as well as top ten status. Throughout high school, he earned numerous academic awards for his stellar academic performance which include the Harvard Book Award, the Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award, and the President’s Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence.  For the past three years, Grandfield received gold medals for earning the highest overall grade in the class of 2013 for Theology, English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and Spanish.   Named Bishop Feehan Best in Fair at Feehan’s annual Science Fair, he proceeded to earn First Place at the Massachusetts Region 3 Science Fair, and the Institute of Food Technologies Award for Outstanding Project in the Field of Food Science. Grandfield’s love of the Spanish language and self-motivation paved the way for him to enter and subsequently win the National Spanish Junior Travel Award, which included an all-expense paid trip to Mexico. Evan’s writing skills are extraordinary and he had the opportunity to represent Bishop Feehan as a school finalist in both the New England Young Writers Conference and the NCTE Writing Contest.  To add to his already prestigious resume, Evan earned AP Scholar status and was named a National Merit Finalist.

Grandfield is a pivotal member of the Cross Country, Winter Track, and Spring Track Teams and earned a Varsity letter for each team as well as Eastern Athletic Conference and Sun Chronicle All Star status. Evan currently serves as a Co-Captain of the Spring Track Team.  In his entire high school career, Evan has broken several school track records and placed in many Division III State Track meets.

Grandfield gives generously of his time to many extra-curricular and community service endeavors.  A member of Mock Trial, he has positioned himself as an expert witness, cross examiner, and closer.  Elected to the Student Council as a freshman, Evan has spent four years representing his class as a Homeroom Representative and as a senior, fulfilled the office of Treasurer. In addition to those pursuits, Evan is also a contributor to the school newspaper, an active member of the group STAND, and a volunteer with the big Brother Program.  Outside of school, Evan works as a museum docent, archivist, and office assistant at the Linden Place Museum.  In addition, he volunteers at a local food pantry and teaches English language at a summer camp.

Evan will be attending Harvard University in the fall.

 Salutatorian

Lauren Sachs is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Henry Sachs of Walpole, Massachusetts.

Sachs is a member of the National, Math, Science, Spanish, English, History, and Music Honor Societies. She has consistently been an honor roll and a top ten student since her freshman year. Sachs has been the recipient of the Brown University Book Award for excellent verbal and written communication skills, the Rensselaer Medal and the President’s Award for academic excellence as well as a National Merit Commended Student. In addition, Sachs has won a silver medal on the National Spanish exam each of the previous three years and a gold medal this year.

Sachs’ thirst for knowledge has not been restricted to Bishop Feehan. Her intellectual curiosity led her to spend two summers on the campus of Mount Holyoke College and in 2011, Sachs participated in Brown University’s program entitled “Secrets of Learning and Memory”.

Sachs’ life, however, is not just about academics. Dance is her passion. She has danced for thirteen years; she was even able to share her love of dance by performing liturgical dances at her church, Blessed Sacrament, during the Christmas and Easter seasons. Sachs has also demonstrated her kind and compassionate nature through collecting and distributing toys at the Santa Shop, collecting clothing for the Easter Clothing Drive, working with St. Vincent de Paul, doing the Crop Walk, collecting books for the English Honor Society’s book drive, soliciting contributions for Thanksgiving baskets, and donating time to a local soup kitchen.

“Lauren Alexandra Sachs is an outstanding student, a true humanitarian and a lifelong learner,” stated her guidance counselor Patsy O’Boy.  Sachs will be attending Dartmouth College in the fall where she will pursue studies in the field of science.

 Valedictorian Evan Grandfield, Salutatorian Lauren Sachs, and Tree Dedicator Sahana Nazeer.

Tree Dedicator

Sahana Nazeer, daughter of Ms. Shobha Muthukrishnan of Franklin, Massachusetts.

“Nazeer is a phenomenal student, athlete, role model and young lady who serves as an amazing example of what an all-around Bishop Feehan student symbolizes,” commented Jenna Russell, Nazeer’s guidance counselor.

Throughout her four years at Feehan, Nazeer has worked hard and challenged herself with a most demanding curriculum of Honors I and Advanced Placement courses.  In an extremely high achieving senior class, having no final grade below a 90 while maintaining a first decile placement with a perfect 4.0 GPA, Nazeer has demonstrated the highest level of academic dedication and motivation.   She is a four year honor roll student and member of the Science, French, English, History, Math and National Honor Societies.  She is also the recipient of many noteworthy awards, which include the President’s Education Award, Yale University Book Award, Chemistry High Point Award, National French Exam Placement (Tableau D’Honneur), National French Week Essay Contest (Honorable Mention) and the MIAA Essay Contest Finalist.

Outside of the classroom, Nazeer’s schedule is heavily occupied by athletic, community service, volunteer and work commitments.  She plays a vital role within the student body at Bishop Feehan, most notably as the Founder & President of the Red Cross Club, making Feehan the first Red Cross school in the south shore. She is also Co-President of Academic Decathlon, a writer and member of The ‘Rock Report, Literary Magazine, Mock Trial, Math Team, Debate Team, Peer Ministry, Anchor Club and Explorations.  Swimming is a strong love and passion for Nazeer as she has been an active, four year member of the Bishop Feehan Swim Team (receiving her Varsity Letter as a freshman) and an eight year member of Bluefish Swim Club.  “Sahana’s warmth and sincere personality contributes to her outstanding volunteer experience,” said Russell of her volunteerism which includes being an academic tutor for Bishop Feehan students, a volunteer at Forge Hill Senior Center, Sturdy Memorial Hospital, Hockomock Area YMCA, Bluefish Swim Club, Saint Vincent de Paul, Feehan’s Santa Shops and at the Purr-fect Cat Shelter.  Finally, Nazeer is a lifeguard and swim instructor at the Hockomock Area YMCA, dedicating 15 hours per week, during the school year and summer.  “The sky is truly the limit for Ms. Nazeer and all that she will continue to accomplishment in her future.”  In the fall, Nazeer will be attending Brown University where she will pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy.  

CITY YOUTHS WIN ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Katie Nelson and Jeremiah Sullivan, both eighth graders at St. John the Evangelist School in Attleboro were recently recognized as the Elks Attleboro Youth Acheivement Award.

 Ethan Loew ’13 of Attleboro, Mass, was a presenter at Union College’s annual Steinmetz Symposium Day held Friday, May 10.

Loew presented researched titled “Expression of a Metacaspase from the Fungus Schizophyllum Commune.”

Every year, Union College celebrates its Undergraduate Research program by inviting students to present their creative and scholarly achievements. This year, over 450 students participated in the festivites that spanned all of the College’s academic disciplines.

The symposium is named for one of the College’s most renowned faculty members, Charles Proteus Steinmetz, who taught electrical engineering and applied physics. As a chief engineer for the General Electric Company, he was widely regarded as America’s leading electrical engineer.

Union College, founded in 1795 as the first college chartered by the New York State Board of Regents, offers programs in the liberal arts and engineering to 2,100 undergraduates of high academic promise and strong personal motivation. Union, with its long history of blending disciplines, is a leader in educating students to be engaged, innovative and ethical contributors to an increasingly diverse, global and technologically complex society.

Got Mice? Hold the Glue Traps There are Better ways to Deal With Rodents in Home

By Monique Coppola

A mouse sighting in the home can turn even the bravest person into a quivering mass. Whether it’s a few mice or a few hundred, there are effective and humane ways to deal with unwanted furry guests that don’t involve poison or glue traps.

According to John Griffin, director of humane wildlife services for the Humane Society of the United States, your first step should be sealing up holes and crevices in your home or structure and, in short, to “think like a mouse.”

“These guys can access entry points that are very small, so start looking for dime-sized holes and start to close them up with material that’s going to stand the test of time and also repel them,” he advised. “Steel wool is a good example, something that if they try to chew through they couldn’t get in.”

Griffin said it’s also important to place food in containers that you store in cabinets and be sure to clean up any crumbs or stored food that could be attracting the mice.

Griffin said that once you have sealed up any cracks and holes in your living space, the next step is removal. He said if you absolutely must kill them, one of the least-humane ways to do this is with glue traps, which mice get stuck on and either suffocate in the glue or die a slow and agonizing death.

“Choose the least inhumane methods, whether it’s a quick-kill trap like a snap trap or a catch-and-removal, catching with live traps and releasing outside after you’ve closed up the access to your home,” Griffin suggested.

He said catch-and-release traps are reusable and you just release the mouse outside. Be sure to check them often to be sure the mice don’t die inside the trap.

With glue traps, Griffin said, there is often collateral damage: other animals such as birds and bats get stuck on them, only to die painful deaths.

Historic New England’s Open House

Lincoln, R.I – May 2012 – On Saturday, June 1, 2013, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., all four Historic New England historic properties in Rhode Island are open for free tours and more.

Enjoy a taste of Rhode Island history by visiting a seventeenth century stone-ender, flying a kite at a coastal farm, shopping at an organic farmer’s market, and exploring walking trails to the Narragansett Bay.  Visit Arnold House at 487 Great Road in Lincoln; Casey Farm  at 2325 Boston Neck Road, in Saunderstown; Clemence-Irons House at 38 George Waterman Road in Johnston; and Watson Farm at 455 North Road in Jamestown.

Special Events

• Start your day at the Coastal Growers Market at Casey Farm, which runs until 2:00.
• Visit Watson Farm for some old time family fun – fly a kite or follow the self-guided tour of the farm trails. Kite flying starts at 1:00, so grab a kite, bring a picnic, and enjoy breathtaking views of Narragansett Bay. This program is in partnership with Rhody Ramble. Visit www.RhodyRamble.org for more information on other family-friendly events and programs.

Tweets: Tweet about your visit using #HNEopenhouse.

 Taking photos? Upload your photos to Instagram with the tag #HistoricNE. Visitors are welcome to take photos of the exteriors of our properties. Interior photographs require advance permission.

 Tours are first-come, first-served. Unless otherwise noted, tours are offered on the hour, last tour at 4:00 p.m.

Please call 401-728-9696 or visit www.HistoricNewEngland.org for more information.