Tag Archives: Blackstone Heritage Corridor

The Joys of Volunteering!

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Getting practice helping a person into an adaptive bicycle

I come from a long line of volunteers. My parents often volunteered their time, volunteered their home, made meals for those in need, and simply modeled that when you have the resources to share, it’s a nice feeling to offer a hand when the need is apparent.

Volunteering also has benefits. Sometimes it’s simply creating the opportunity to get to know other like-minded folks who also enjoy spending time helping others. Other times you see that your meager efforts have made a difference. Sometimes you have a chance to get behind the scenes, or understand better what it takes to host an event. I like the chance to do a task that keeps my hands busy while sharing a job, be it painting, cleaning, or making pies or salads with others who have raised their hands to pitch in. Continue reading

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Fun in the Snow–Upton State Forest Make Your Own Storybook hike

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Happy smiles after a walk in the snow at Upton State Forest

I got some questions about whether we would cancel the Make Your Own storybook Hike scheduled for Upton State Forest. There had been (yet another!) nor’easter that had dumped up to 20 inches of snow in some areas, including Upton. But the snow was fluffy, and Division of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) staff members, Jody Madden and Kathryn Parent, were partnering with us for this event and did an amazing job plowing and shoveling so we could access parking and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) building, where we managed sign-ins and made our own books after our walk. Continue reading

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Partnering to Host Another “Make Your Own Storybook Hike” at Riverbend Farm, Uxbridge

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Enjoying running in the open field

Parents of school-aged kids often look for activities for their children during school vacation. Well, 68 (give or take–it was hard to count!) children, adults, and grandparents descended upon Riverbend Farm on the most summery February morning I’ve ever seen, to join us for a “Make your own storybook” hike at Riverbend Farm. Continue reading

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Dreams come true on the Blackstone River Bikeway

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She’s off! Margaret Carroll (waving in back on the tandem) gets her wish of touring the Blackstone Bikeway

Margaret Carroll is a fixture in Millville, and renowned throughout the Blackstone River Valley for her grasp of historical detail, and passion to preserve the past for the future. At the recent ribbon cutting, officially (after a year!) opening up the Bikeway, Margaret, who attended the ceremony, noted that she walked the trail back when it was first being talked about, some thirty years ago. She had worked hard to help make the trail a reality. She said she wished she could travel on the trail again now that it is finished, but figured it would never happen.  Continue reading

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Walking the SNETT in Blackstone

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Water views along the SNETT in Blackstone

Last summer the Massachusetts Walking Tour used the SNETT trail to travel between Bellingham, Franklin and Blackstone, avoiding a lot of road walking by using this still being developed trail system. I was able to confidently assure the group about much of the trail, but the section in Blackstone near Farm Street was not an area I had visited. Continue reading

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Staying Close to Home on a Hot Summer’s Day-Blackstone River Bikeway Woonsocket to Ashton Mills

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Hot day alongside the Blackstone River

I am truly ready for summer to be over. Besides berry picking, the lush greenery, and summer flowers, I really don’t love summer. The heat makes my legs stop working–really. But I need to get out. And so we set out on one of the most humid, warm mornings recently to take a bike ride. Close to home was the plan. Lucky for us, the Blackstone River Bikeway in Woonsocket, RI is a mere ten minutes from where we live.  Continue reading

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Hopedale Parklands–a familiar place, seen with new eyes

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Marcia capturing cattails on the edge of Hopedale Pond

I’ve visited Hopedale parklands countless times since I first learned about this special place, probably fifteen years ago. Each season offers different surprises, and regardless of the season, there’s always something new to see.

But this morning’s walk was different in another way. I met Marcia at the main, Hopedale Street entrance, and we set off in the cool of the morning, before the day got too warm for me. Continue reading

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End of first leg of the Massachusetts Walking Tour

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Saying goodbye for now…

After nearly a year in the planning, the ten days of the Massachusetts Walking Tour’s visit to the Blackstone Valley and the Upper Charles River watershed is done. Now I’m hearing from those who missed the concerts in their towns, who had hoped to participate but were prevented for various reasons. Continue reading

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On the Road-MA Walking Tour visits Uxbridge

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Riverbend Farm, from the tow path

The thing about the Massachusetts Walking Tour is that they, well, walk from town to town, kind of like those troubadours of old, only these talented musicians are not that old.  Continue reading

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Searching for Mountain Laurel-Blackstone Gorge

DSC00531.JPGThe Blackstone Gorge was on my way home and it is just the right time to look for mountain laurel in this area. The past several years I’ve managed to visit at the right time. As I wandered along the river’s edge, it looked like I was too early. Continue reading

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