Executive Director's Message

Greetings!

Last Friday the Corridor Commission presented the 2007 Chafee Heritage Awards during its annual meeting and dinner event at River Bend Farm in Uxbridge. The recipients are individuals and organizations that exemplify the late Senator John H. Chafee's legacy. They are all actively involved in projects, programs and institutions that promote the cultural heritage, natural preservation and quality of life in the Blackstone River Valley. The Commission also presented the Gerry Gaudette Community Stewardship and Business Award and a Corridor Star Award at the ceremony which was attended by over 200 friends and advocates of the Corridor. Thanks to all who came and helped make the event a success, pouring rain and chilly temperatures notwithstanding.

Please join me in congratulating these very deserving awardees!

Jan Reitsma
Executive Director

Marilyn Baker and the Northbridge Recycling Committee
"For over fifteen years, Ms. Baker and the volunteers of the Northbridge Recycling Committee have instilled the value of recycling in the community of Northbridge and the entire Blackstone Valley," Commission Chairman Ted Sanderson said as he presented the award to Ms. Baker and committee representatives. "This grassroots organization was established in the parking of lot of Whitinsville Plaza with bins, dumpsters, and trucks collecting recyclable materials. Their dedication has evolved the program into an expanded volunteer organization that has significantly impacted the recycling program in the town of Northbridge and as well as the health and well being of the entire Blackstone Valley. We are also proud to include curbside recycling in Northbridge and the creation of the Blackstone Regional Hazardous Material Center among their many accomplishments.

NeighborWorks of Woonsocket
"For over twenty years, NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley has worked to preserve the Blackstone River Valley's architectural and neighborhood heritage," Commission Chairman Ted Sanderson said as he presented the award to Mr. Joe Garlick, the organization's Executive Director. "Through the development of a wide array of affordable housing, economic development, neighborhood revitalization and community improvement initiatives, this non-profit organization has been an engaged community partner that undertakes real estate development that improves the quality of life and the built environment in the communities of the Blackstone Valley. "NeighborWorks has also spearheaded a variety of unique community projects and initiatives including Woonsocket's annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Celebration and history program and the Neighborhood Artist in Residence Program

Nicole Sauber of Millbury High School
"As a student leader with a strong academic record, Nicole Sauber served as President of Millbury High School's Environmental Council and cultivated strong participation in the school's recycling program," Commission Chairman Ted Sanderson said as he presented the award to her. "Through her dedicated work with the Environmental Council she has been enthusiastically involved with the "In Business for the Blackstone" program which is the Blackstone River Coalition's effort to get businesses and communities to adopt best practices for a Fishable/Swimmable Blackstone River by 2015. Ms. Sauber's love of the environment has contributed greatly to the good of the Blackstone River Valley community," he added.

Ms. Sauber is also an alumna of the Blackstone Valley Youth Leadership Academy (BVYLA) where she participated in a variety of classes on leadership development. She has volunteered for numerous Corridor events including the UniBank Greenway Challenge and Earth Day Clean-ups

John Spillane (Posthumously)
"The Corridor Commission lost a longtime friend when John passed away," Commission Chairman Ted Sanderson told the family and friends of John Spillane as he presented the award posthumously. "John was a member of the Worcester Canal District Task Force and was instrumental in efforts to re-open the waterways of the Blackstone Canal. Active in many civic, charitable and social causes throughout his life, he was also a dynamic force within the legal and business fields in which he participated. Spillane's passion and advocacy will be sorely missed by the Corridor Commission."

Mr. Spillane died on December 25, 2007. He practiced law in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Alternatives Receives 2007 Gerry Gaudette Community Stewardship and Business Award
"We are most pleased to recognize Dennis Rice andAlternatives with this award that was established in memory of Gerald Gaudette of Northbridge, Massachusetts," Commission Chairman Ted Sanderson said as he presented the award. "He was a former Corridor Commissioner and co-founder of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce. His vision of regionalism, preservation and community development is honored each year with this award and our recipient this year exemplifies his vision."

"Through the leadership and vision of Executive Director, Dennis H. Rice, Alternatives Unlimited, Inc. successfully renovated the historic Whitin Mill -- an underutilized, deteriorated historic complex located within the Whitinsville Historic District -- into a preserved jewel and an outstanding community gathering place," Sanderson explained.

The five buildings on just over an acre were transformed into a multi-use facility that includes Alternatives' administrative headquarters, training facilities, a new career center, a riverfront restaurant, multi-use theatre, community plaza and three affordable apartments for people with disabilities.

"To help face the challenges of tomorrow, the complex incorporates energy technologies that provide significant sources of renewable energy," Sanderson added. "The non-profit organization Mr. Rice manages provides residential, day, and employment services to over 550 adults with developmental and psychiatric disabilities throughout Central Massachusetts. Using the newly restored Whitin Mill as an anchor; the facility will bring people with disabilities together with those who don't and will help to build relationships to positively impact the Blackstone Valley community."

Francis Tucker Deary Corridor Star (Posthumously)
"Francis 'Tucker' Deary was the Park Supervisor at the Blackstone River & Canal Heritage State Park," Commission Chair Ted Sanderson told the audience Friday night when he presented a Corridor Star to his wife, Debra. "He passed away on April 5, 2008, after a four month battle with cancer. "Tucker" as he was known to all his friends, was employed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation for the past 33 years and he always displayed a positive attitude and thrived on his role within the agency. Most recently, in fact, working with the Corridor staff to complete the restoration of the three Blackstone Canal water control structures in Uxbridge and overseeing the landscape improvements going on at the Blackstone Gorge."

"We will remember Tucker for his talent, hard work, colorful personality and the many contributions he made as the park supervisor of the Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park," he remarked.