Jeannie Hebert

Welcome to Jeannie Hebert – New President & CEO of BVCC
Jeannie Hebert of Shrewsbury, MA is the new President and CEO of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce in Whitinsville. A long time tourism advocate for the area, Jeannie comes to the Chamber after working as the Tourism and Marketing Director of the Central Massachusetts Convention and Visitors Bureau. “It’s the natural beauty and history of the area that enchants me,” she said.

Now at the helm of the Blackstone Valley Chamber, she is ready to serve the organization’s members to promote the economic vitality of the Valley. “During my tenure at the Convention Bureau I was able to observe and admire the strong commitment residents and business owners have made over several generations to this historic area where the American Industrial Revolution began,” Hebert said. “This is a great time to be involved with the Blackstone Valley. Now that Route 146 is completed, the opportunities for growth and business development have never been stronger. Towns are also actively involved with the development of the Blackstone River Bikeway that will travel through the valley from Massachusetts to Rhode Island. I share their affection for this beautiful region and I am looking forward to the challenge of growing the Chamber and the businesses it represents throughout the Valley.”

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Sen. Jack Reed cuts the ribbon to kick of the Wellness Walk-A-Thon.

Wellness Walk-a-Thon
Congratulation to the CorridorKeepers for organizing the inaugural and already outstanding Wellness Walk-A-Thon, held May 3, 2008. It was a great success! The Walk-a-Thon’s honorary chairman, U.S. Senator Jack Reed, cut the ribbon that started the event at the Blackstone River State Park 295N Visitors Center. The event featured a five mile walk along the Blackstone River Bikeway to promote health and wellness among the Blackstone Valley communities. Participants, vendors and exhibitors alike proclaimed it good fun. The course included highlights of some of the incredible resources available within the Blackstone River Valley.

A good time was had by all despite the fact that Mother Nature did not provide sunny skies and warm temperatures. Initially intended to be a one time fundraiser, CorridorKeepers President Michael Ferry indicated that the Wellness Walk-a-Thon is going to become an annual event. “This annual event will continue to grow by leaps and bounds,” he said. “If you want to be one of the early birds to sign up for next year’s event to be held on May 9, 2009, please send an e-mail to Corridorkeepers@verizon.net . We’ll hold a place for you and it promises to be even bigger and better! Thank you to the Corridor and to all the fantastic volunteers, exhibitors, sponsors, vendors and participants who helped make the first annual Wellness Walk-A-Thon a success!”

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2008 BRWA Canoe Race

Blackstone River Watershed Association Canoe Race Results
The BRWA ran its 32nd annual canoe race on May 17, 2008 on the upper Blackstone River. Fifty-seven participants started the race and officials were pleased that the event ran safely and smoothly. The top three finishers were:

Brian Sikora of White Plains, NY at 1:49:56
Keith Duggan of Leicester, MA at 1:53:48
Dennis Duggan of Leicester, MA at 1:57:18

The top female finisher was Alicia Wendolowski of Northampton, MA at 2:00:35

Full race results can be found on the BRWA web site. Congratulations to all!

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Janet Barricman Joins Corridor Staff
Welcome to Janet Barricman who joins the Corridor Commission as acting Chief of Administration. A graduate of Iona College with a degree in Criminal Justice, Janet has been employed by the National Park Service since 1990 when she started out as a Law Enforcement Ranger. In 2007, Janet graduated from the United States Graduate School after a year long leadership program that emphasized leadership competencies focusing on the Executive Core Qualifications: Leading Change, Leading People, Building Coalitions and Communications, Business Acumen and being results driven.

Janet was born and raised on Cape Cod and is currently the Fee Program Manager at Cape Cod National Seashore, which gracefully agreed to “loan” her to us “on detail.” She is the proud mother of a 20 year old daughter, Amber, and is excited about this unique opportunity to work with the staff at the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, the Corridor Commission and the partners in the Blackstone River Valley.

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