Donald Clark/Grafton News

Ranger Chuck Arning leads a Walkabout through Fisherville.

According to Ranger Kevin Klyberg, “the Walkabout series is a great opportunity to share the tales of the Blackstone River Valley. People who came each week really got a sense about the diversity of the region.  From our core theme of the beginning of the American Industrial Revolution to canals and transportation, the Underground Railroad and even our colonial past, the breadth of the Heritage Corridor gives us a wide range of latitude for topics.”

This year, a new aspect was added to the Walkabouts. Several of the Heritage Corridor Volunteers in Parks (VIPs) undertook training to become Certified Interpretive Guides (CIG). As part of their training, they had to create and present new programs, several of which were debuted as Walkabouts. Some of the new program offerings this year included a wildflower walk at Lincoln Woods, a tour of Leicester Common and a visit to the Franklin Farm in Cumberland. Please look back at the events page of this website next spring to see the 2007 schedule.

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Proposed improvements to Manville River Landing

Manville River Landing Project Moves Forward
Manville River Landing, located in Cumberland, RI, has received final environmental permitting and can now move forward into construction in fall 2006. The Manville project, managed by the Town of Cumberland and the RI Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is leveraging $40,000 in Commission funding and technical assistance to utilize $390,000 in RIDOT Transportation Enhancement funding for construction. For more information on this project contact Diane Wendland at e-mail us.

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VIP’s Enjoy New Digs
On June 21st – the summer solstice no less! – The Volunteers in Parks volunteer program and the CorridorKeepers combined efforts to create a sustainable program that allows both organizations to grow Valley-wide. “The new office ‘club house’ will offer Valley volunteer organizations a place to gather for meetings, to network and create new opportunities and to hold trainings for their members. It is a place for all to come and to feel that they have a vested interested in this program,” Ranger Suzanne Buchanan explained with excitement.

Where is the “club house” you ask? It is in the Woonsocket Post Office, 127 Social St., Woonsocket, Room 160. Give us a call to schedule a visit or reserve the space for your next meeting. The VIP’s and CorridorKeepers can be reached at 401-762-0440. For more information, contact Suzanne Buchanan, e-mail us.

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Ranger Dan giving a program at the Kelly House

Ranger Dan Wegner (“The Walking Ranger”) Accepts New Position
Ranger Dan Wegner has accepted a new assignment as Park Ranger Interpretation at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Boulder City, Nevada beginning September 17, 2006. 

Ranger Dan became known as the “Walking Ranger” last October when he walked the length of the Blackstone River Valley from Worcester, MA to Providence, RI to promote a new initiative -- Footsteps in History – that highlighted the preservation efforts of landmarks throughout the Blackstone River Valley . “I will always remember with fondness the people, special assignments and events I participated in as a part of the John H. Chafee Blackstone River National Heritage Corridor staff,” he said.

Wegner’s new position will entail the development of Lake Mead's Comprehensive Interpretive Plan, curriculum based school programs and the coordination of teacher workshops in collaboration with other agencies.

Ranger Dan reflected that he made many friends during his employment at the National Heritage Corridor where he assisted with diverse projects such as Blackstone Expedition 2005 to interpretive programs at Slater Mill and River Bend Farm. He invites anyone from the Blackstone Valley who happens to be out that way to stop by to see him and the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.    

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