Showing posts with label Pawtucket. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pawtucket. Show all posts

Sunday, July 23, 2023

Celebrate National Merry-Go-Round Day with a Free carousel ride in Pawtucket Tuesday, July 25

"The Pawtucket Parks and Recreation Division in collaboration with the Friends of the Slater Park Looff Carousel organization will once again be celebrating National Merry-Go Round Day on Tuesday, July 25 at the Slater Memorial Park Looff Carousel.  On this day only, the carousel will be providing free rides to all visitors throughout the day from 11 am – 8 pm.  This is the first National Merry-Go-Round celebration taking place in Slater Park since 2018 and 2016. 
The Friends of the Looff Carousel (a non-profit 501(c)3 organization)  will have a welcome booth at the carousel from 3 pm - 8pm, where they will be selling specially designed Looff Carousel Christmas ornaments, trivets, coasters, mugs, magnets and other items.   The profits from all merchandise found at the welcome tent or within the carousel, directly support the ongoing operation and restoration efforts of the carousel. 
Additionally, an estimated 20 artists throughout the Blackstone Valley will be at Slater Park to also join in the celebration. The artists will be scattered throughout the grounds of Slater Memorial Park, including the Potter Casino, home of the RI Watercolor Society and the historic Looff Carousel between noon and 4 pm. The Plein Air Painting event is sponsored by the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor and Volunteers of the National Park Service. 
Lastly, two-time Grammy award winning artist and Slater Park favorite, Bill Harley, will be performing as part of the weekly scheduled Slater Park Children’s Performance Series from 6 pm – 7 pm.  Bill Harley is recognized internationally by audiences and peers as one of the finest performing storytellers in the country through music and books. 
July 25 is chosen as National Merry-Go-Round Day because it coincides with the day when the first U.S. patent for the modern carousel was given to William Schneider of Davenport, Iowa in 1871. The Slater Park Looff Carousel is a nationally-recognized carousel built by Charles I. D. Looff in 1895 and moved to Slater Memorial Park in 1910.  The Slater Looff Carousel is currently open daily through August, weather permitting, from 11 am – 5 pm with the exception of being closed on Wednesdays.  Details regarding operational hours can be found on the Slater Park Looff Carousel Facebook page.:
Celebrate National Merry-Go-Round Day with a Free carousel ride in Pawtucket Tuesday, July 25
Celebrate National Merry-Go-Round Day with a Free carousel ride in Pawtucket Tuesday, July 25


Monday, October 3, 2022

Dean College: "Dean Leadership Institute Welcomes Dr. Charles Steinberg, President Of The Worcester Red Sox"

Dean Leadership Institute was pleased to welcome Dr. Charles Steinberg, president of the Worcester Red Sox, the Triple-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, as the first speaker of the fall semester for the Dean Leadership Institute.

Dean College Chancellor Edward Augustus introduced “Dr. Charles”, whose career in baseball began 40+ years ago with an internship with the Baltimore Orioles, his hometown team. Dr. Charles joined the Worcester Red Sox, known as the Pawtucket Red Sox at the time, as president on November 15, 2015, after many years as Executive Vice President of the Boston Red Sox.

Dr. Charles spoke to our students about the qualities that he looks for when hiring an intern – qualities that he wished he would have known when he was first starting his career.

“Integrity is paramount,” said Dr. Charles. “Can I trust you? Do you do what you say you’re going to do? Can I believe you?” he added. “I had no idea when I started my internship with the Orioles that they were going to notice me. I didn’t think they cared – they had bigger things to do. Later I would realize that interns are watched like hawks and your professional career starts on day one.” 
Continue reading the article about Dr Steinberg's insights that he shared

Two members of the Dean College baseball team presented Dr Steinberg with a special baseball bat
Two members of the Dean College baseball team presented Dr Steinberg with a special baseball bat

Next speaker at the Dean Leadership Institute is Michael Dukakis, Former Governor of Massachusetts, scheduled for 5 PM on October 26, 2022.

Event registration for the Oct 26 event will be available soon ->  https://www.dean.edu/academics/dean-leadership-institute-2/

Thursday, September 22, 2022

Dr. Charles Steinberg to open Fall Dean Leadership Institute Speaker Series - Sep 29

Dean College is pleased to welcome Dr. Charles Steinberg, president of the Worcester Red Sox, as the first speaker of the Dean Leadership Institute (DLI) Fall Speaker Series

Dr. Charles Steinberg joined the Worcester Red Sox, known as the Pawtucket Red Sox at the time, as president on November 5, 2015 after many years as Executive Vice President of the Boston Red Sox. In a vast career in which he has also worked with the Baltimore Orioles, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig, "Dr. Charles" has helped revamp and re-energize the WooSox front office while leading the effort to aggressively reach out to the community to restore and enhance bonds of connection. He has also been instrumental in the community engagement of Central Massachusetts, including the development of Worcester’s Polar Park and the relocation of the franchise to the city in 2021.

The program is FREE and open to the public. RSVP to attend the Dean Leadership Institute event on September 29, 2022 (https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration-form/?formId=4b46fee6-5f34-4a3c-afe8-1a4ac93373e2&envId=p-znTBbqSjmkypIjo1twnSVg

Dr. Charles Steinberg to open Fall Dean Leadership Institute Speaker Series - Sep 29
Dr. Charles Steinberg to open Fall Dean Leadership Institute Speaker Series - Sep 29

Monday, March 7, 2022

CommonWealth Magzine: COVID protocols lifted for State House entry today; Samuel Slater "Experience" opens

"WITH THE COVID-19 pandemic’s two-year anniversary approaching, legislative leaders lifted the mask mandate and proof-of-vaccination-or-negative-test requirement for entry into the State House, starting on Monday.

House Speaker Ron Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka cited a “steady decline in COVID-19 positivity rates and hospitalizations” in making their announcement. “While some individuals may choose to continue to wear masks, this will no longer be a requirement but rather an individual’s choice based on their preference and level of risk,” they said."



"AS SAMUEL SLATER traveled from England to the United States in 1789, he voiced his ambitions to revolutionize the US textile industry with knowledge he had gained in England. Yet he also heard the voice of his mentor in his head telling him if he left England, he would be considered “a spy, or worse, a traitor.” As a storm blows in, a visitor watching a video representation of Slater can feel the wind and rain, see flashing lightning, view the churning waves, and watch as young Slater vomits into a bucket. 

The Samuel Slater Experience, an interactive, immersive museum in Webster, opened to the public Friday. Half the museum is dedicated to the life of Slater, whose pioneering work building up the US textile industry in the early 1800s earned him the moniker “Father of the American Industrial Revolution.” The other half is dedicated to the town of Webster, which Slater helped found and build, with a focus on life around 1910."

This will be a place I'll visit some day. I grew up in Pawtucket, RI where the Slater Mill was part of the industrialization of New England.

The Samuel Slater Experience in Webster -> https://samuelslaterexperience.org/
 
the Slater Mill on the Blackstone River in Pawtucket, RI
the Slater Mill on the Blackstone River in Pawtucket, RI

Thursday, May 13, 2021

MA news: PawSox now WooSox; “It’s a weird feeling”

"The PawSox Moved, but Pawtucket Has Yet to Move On "
 
"The man entrusted with the key approached a dull-gray door flecked with rust. A turn of the wrist threw the lock to reveal a ballpark in suspension, its outfield far from true-hop ready, its billboards fading, its thousands of empty seats the hard-plastic playground of pigeons.

Maybe Pawtucket should charge the birds admission, said the employee, Chris Crawley, who is the maintenance manager for the Rhode Island city of 71,000. His joke was of the coping kind.

It was a sunny and mild Tuesday, perfect for the home opener of the spanking new Worcester Red Sox in a spanking new ballpark 40 miles to the north, in Massachusetts. That is all well and good and hooray for baseball, but — for a half-century and up until very recently — the Worcester Red Sox were known as the Pawtucket Red Sox."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
a night at McCoy in 2019
a night at McCoy in 2019

Tuesday, August 11, 2020

McCoy Stadium Welcomes Diners on the Diamond

McCoy Stadium Welcomes Diners on the Diamond

URCC Member Pawtucket Red Sox Adds a New Fan Experience


Everybody talks about pivoting during the COVID-19 pandemic. We all have to think about how people are feeling and how we can best serve our customers.

But United Regional Chamber of Commerce (URCC) member Pawtucket Red Sox hasn't just pivoted; they've reinvented; adding an experience that hometown fans will remember forever. The PawSox, celebrating their 50th anniversary this year, had the 2020 season cancelled by the coronavirus in an announcement made by Minor League Baseball on June 30. You'd think the stadium would be empty, but it isn't. So, what are they doing?

Instead of hosting Minor League Baseball games, McCoy Stadium has morphed into Dining on the Diamond, a unique dining experience that the leaders of the organization created. When they heard Rhode Island Governor Raimondo say in late April that outdoor dining would soon return, they asked themselves, "Who has a better outdoor dining venue in Pawtucket than the actual field at McCoy Stadium?" And the idea was born. Of course, the club is complying with Rhode Island guidelines in light of the coronavirus pandemic and asks diners to wear masks (except when dining) and conduct self-screenings when they arrive at the stadium.

"One of my many roles is to ask families as they're exiting how they would rate the experience," says Rick Medeiros, the club's head of Fan Services and a friendly fixture at McCoy Stadium for years. "It's amazing how, on a scale of 1-10, the most frequently stated number is 11. Really. It's been so gratifying for all of us to present an experience that provokes so many stories and elicits so many emotions. As a five-generation Rhode Islander, I think Dining on the Diamond is the best thing, and the most therapeutic thing, we've done in years. It really gets to the heart of the families and fans — of all ages."

Dining on the Diamond started on June 5 and has continued most Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings. During the four weekends in June, the PawSox hosted more than 900 families (which equated to more than 3,000 fans). The phenomenal response inspired more than 25 teams in Minor League Baseball to duplicate the concept. It paused in early July to see if it could co-exist with Boston Red Sox workouts at McCoy, and the big club gave its full support to continue the extraordinary innovation. And now there are more than 3,000 on the waiting list. That's 3,000 reservations; not 3,000 people. The tickets sell out each time in less than two hours, so if you're interested in sharing part of PawSox history, you have to move quickly.

To keep interaction to a minimum, you order your food online when you reserve your table. With ballpark fare and family-friendly pricing, the club added new items to the original menu, including a New England lobster roll, chicken caprese, and Rhode Island steak tips. The rest of the menu includes such specialty items as eggplant parmesan; barbequed beef brisket; pulled pork; and a Grand Slam hot dog smothered in bacon, pulled pork, and macaroni and cheese. More traditional ballpark offerings include Ballpark hot dogs, bigger better burgers, chicken tenders, French fries, and nachos. Vegetarians can enjoy not only the eggplant parmesan (with pasta), but also veggie bites. All dishes can also be prepared gluten free. A full variety of beverages, including beer, wine, and spirits, is available before and during dinner.

They've spread 33 socially distanced tables throughout the McCoy outfield. The number 33 has a real historic significance. It references the number of innings in The Longest Game in the history of professional baseball, played at McCoy in 1981 between the PawSox and the Rochester Red Wings, who were then the Triple-A Affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. Future Hall of Famers Wade Boggs and Cal Ripken, Jr. were among those players in the legendary game that started Saturday, April 18; continued until 4:09 a.m. Easter Sunday, April 19; and then concluded on Tuesday, June 23; a three-day game that attracted an international media throng. And this month, the club is accommodating even more families by adding more tables on the beautiful outfield grass.

And don't forget that the PawSox have a new line of COVID-19 inspired merchandise for charity, with t-shirts that read "Wash Your Paws," "Safe at Home," and "Hands…Washing Hands" which, of course, is a reference to Neil Diamond's Sweet Caroline.

Members of the Waiting List have the first opportunity to secure the tables, and fans seeking personal service can call the PawSox at (401) 724-7300, daily, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Also, just announced this past Saturday are their Drive Through Giveaways starting on August 12, they'll be giving away bobbleheads and jerseys that they intended to give away at games this season. This Thursday, they'll be giving away a Keith Foulke Bobblehead. For more information and registration, visit their website.

They're really pulling out all stops to keep the PawSox experience alive. Awesome job!

McCoy Stadium Welcomes Diners on the Diamond
McCoy Stadium Welcomes Diners on the Diamond

Wednesday, July 1, 2020

“Closing the gates for this season is heartbreaking" both King Richard’s Faire and Pawsox cancel seasons

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
It was a “royally difficult” decision to make, but this fall’s eight-week run of the King Richard’s Faire has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The popular Renaissance-themed faire was supposed to take place Sept. 5-Oct. 25.

“Even royalty cannot beat the coronavirus,” said the faire’s longtime producer, Bonnie Shapiro who runs the operation with her daughter, Aimee Shapiro Sedley.

Shapiro and her late husband, Richard, brought the faire to Carver in 1981. Spread over 80-acres, it transports visitors to the 16th century by offering an array of performers, artisans, hand-cranked rides, knife-throwing booths, animal attractions and period food and drink (think: bloomin’ onions and yards of beer).
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200630/hear-ye-hear-ye-king-richards-faire-cancels-2020-season


The Pawtucket Red Sox today confirmed that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused the cancellation of their 2020 Minor League Baseball season. International League President Randy Mobley said, “Due to the many COVID-19 related challenges that would accompany staffing team rosters for a two-month season, Major League Baseball has now advised that they will not be assigning players to the teams of Minor League Baseball in 2020.”

This year is the first in the 137-year history of the International League (founded in 1884) that no games will have been played.

The PawSox will continue their community efforts to help those affected by the coronavirus, and will continue to celebrate their 50th anniversary (1970-2020).

As Major League Baseball gears up for its season, the Boston Red Sox have discussed using McCoy Stadium as the home of some of their workouts. Schedules and details will be announced.

Continue reading the article online
https://www.milb.com/pawtucket/news/cancellation-of-2020-season

COVID-19 pandemic has caused the cancellation of their 2020 Minor League Baseball season
COVID-19 pandemic has caused the cancellation of their 2020 Minor League Baseball season

Friday, June 12, 2020

"Without baseball, PawSox turn McCoy Stadium into a field of eats"


From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
“Take me out to the ballgame!” ... Well, that won’t be happening for awhile, if at all this summer, but the next best thing might be taking yourself out to the ballpark for some Diamond Dining. The Pawtucket Red Sox are turning McCoy Stadium into a giant outdoor restaurant starting June 5. The team is slated to move to Worcester next year, where it will become the WooSox (groan).

The PawSox season is on hold, like every other sports team in America right now, but with Rhode Island easing its quarantine restrictions, the Red Sox’ triple-A affiliate is offering fans a unique opportunity. All your favorite ballpark foods and beverages are available for curbside pickup with online ordering and for designated weekend nights fans can dine in the stadium on the infield.

The Pawtucket infield will be dotted with 20 tables, seating up to five people each and safely distanced 14 feet apart from each other. A long lineup of ballpark food is available, from the quintessential hot dog, to hamburgers and cheeseburgers, chicken tenders, and veggie tenders for the more health-conscious.
Most of the items are priced in the $5 to $6 range with a few special delicacies like eggplant Parmesan or the BBQ Platter or the bacon-wrapped hot dogs priced at $10.The full menu of McCoy Stadium beverage options is available, from soft drinks to beers, including Wormtown Hoppy IPA, from the future home city of the WooSox. There are even three varieties of wines, available by the bottle for $15."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/entertainmentlife/20200611/digging-into-home-plate-without-baseball-pawsox-turn-mccoy-stadium-into-field-of-eats

To reserve your table at McCoy  https://www.milb.com/pawtucket
  
"Without baseball, PawSox turn McCoy Stadium into a field of eats"
"Without baseball, PawSox turn McCoy Stadium into a field of eats"

Friday, May 29, 2020

Ballpark Dining at McCoy Stadium



PawSox introduce Ballpark Dining at McCoy Stadium

   

With the return of outdoor dining to Rhode Island, the Pawtucket Red Sox are inviting fans and families to return to McCoy Stadium to enjoy ballpark fare either via curbside pick up or at pre-reserved picnic tables on the iconic baseball diamond.  "Ballpark Dining" at McCoy Stadium begins with Curbside Pick Up, this Friday, May 29, from 5-8 p.m., with fans receiving their dinners and driving off without ever opening their car doors.    

The curbside offerings will resume the following weekend, Friday and Saturday evening, June 5 and 6, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., along with the premiere of "Dining on the Diamond," which will have seatings at 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.  Additional dates will be announced.   

All ordering must take place in advance, payable via credit card, at pawsox.com, starting Thursday, May 28, 2020, at 10 a.m.  In accordance with state guidelines, reservations are required for Dining on the Diamond, seating is limited to five people per table, and the number of tables is limited to 20 per seating (thus 40 total reservation slots per evening).  To accommodate as many fans as possible, fans can dine for one hour.  

Fans can also call 401-724-7300, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday-Friday, to receive personal service from the PawSox staff. Visit pawsox.com for more information!


   







     
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Tuesday, August 6, 2019

"Funny part is, we played in these parking lots when we were kids"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Former Red Sox catcher Rich Gedman, a Worcester native, was right at home. So was former Sox pitcher Dennis “Oil Can” Boyd.

The star battery of the 1986 American League pennant-winning Red Sox on Monday christened home plate, or rather, where home plate will be when the new Polar Park opens in 2021.

And they led a gaggle of children in an inaugural charge around what will be the base paths in Worcester’s new field of dreams.

The Sox legends joined the manager of the Pawtucket Red Sox and three current PawSox players as guests of honor in ceremonies at the site of the future home of the Boston Red Sox top minor-league club, at Gold and Washington streets just outside Kelley Square."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190805/home-plate-planted-at-polar-park-site-in-worcester

Catch the PawSox while they are still playing in McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket this year and next.  https://www.milb.com/pawtucket

"Funny part is, we played in these parking lots when we were kids"
"Funny part is, we played in these parking lots when we were kids"
 

Friday, July 12, 2019

“We’re getting robbed of something culturally and financially”

From the Boston Globe, articles of interest for Franklin:

"An artist’s rendering showed a shiny new ballpark filled with Red Sox fans. State officials called it a historic moment. City officials hailed a “spirit of optimism.” Business leaders vowed to build restaurants and offices nearby.

There was even a polar bear mascot on hand.

It was a moment many imagined happening in Rhode Island over the past few years as the Pawtucket Red Sox considered moving from the old McCoy Stadium to Providence or, perhaps, a new Pawtucket ballpark."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/rhode-island/2019/07/11/pawsox-fans-bitter-worcester-breaks-ground-new-stadium/k5RnS2tesTMxssjatstsQM/story.html

I grew up in Pawtucket, just down the street from McCoy Stadium. I played pick up baseball on the fields outside the park that are now parking lots. I will still go to games at McCoy before they leave for Worcester. It is an easy ride, free parking and a relatively reasonable night out. The starting lineup for the PawSox will usually have one or more players who had been called up to Boston, if not a regular who is down for rehab before getting back to Boston. I wasn't close enough to the wheeling and dealing to get a deal done but it will be a sad day when the team leaves.

sunset at McCoy in June, 2019
sunset at McCoy in June, 2019



Saturday, May 11, 2019

Encore Music: Get Your Paws on PawSox Tickets




Encore Music
Encore Music: Get Your Paws on PawSox Tickets
Learn more about EMEF and its goals at www.wesupportmusic.org
On behalf of the Encore Music Education Foundation, Inc., the Encore EnHarmonix are performing on Saturday, May 18 at the Pawtucket Red Sox game!

Not only can you join us for a fun evening, but YOU can help us raise money for the Foundation with a simple click!

Tickets purchased at the dedicated link below include a voucher for concessions at the game, and the proceeds of ticket sales will directly benefit The Encore Music Education Foundation, Inc.

Invite your friends, invite your family, and simply click to purchase! 
Buy Tickets


Copyright © *2019* *Encore Music Academy and Recording Studios*, 
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Wednesday, April 3, 2019

In the News: MBTA looking for better service metric; Finding a baseball team to fill McCoy Stadium

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

MBTA looking for better service metric
"MBTA officials plan to develop a new way to measure service reliability on public transit, saying the metric they have used since 2016 does not fully account for certain types of delays that riders experience. 
The current on-time performance rates track how many passengers waited an amount of time equal to or less than what the MBTA sets as the expected headway between trains. However, MBTA General Manager Jeff Gonneville said that figure fails to cover delays once passengers are already on board and additional wait time if a train is too full to accept new riders. 
“If the trip time is delayed like the Red Line was (Monday) morning, some customers, their initial wait was less than the head time, but they sat on the train,” Gonneville said at a Monday meeting of the Fiscal and Management Control Board. “So we need a second on-time performance metric to capture when people’s trips are running longer than we want them to.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190402/mbta-new-system-to-gauge-reliability


"Finding a baseball team to fill the ballpark"
"Wanted: Professional sports team (or teams) to fill beloved old stadium and bring joy back to down-on-its luck Pawtucket. 
Baseball, soccer, lacrosse — city and state officials are open to all types of athletic competition, as well as music concerts, as their search for new tenants to fill McCoy Stadium and replace the Pawtucket Red Sox begins in earnest. 
On behalf of the city, the state Commerce Corporation on Tuesday morning went out to bid for “individuals, firms and/or organizations who are interested in using, redeveloping and operating McCoy Stadium.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190402/ri-pawtucket-seek-new-team-to-fill-void-at-mccoy-stadium

What is next for McCoy Stadium?
What is next for McCoy Stadium?