This weekend in the Blackstone Valley

Holiday stroll, shopping, lighting, and of course...Santa!

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here

eNewsletter: December 10, 2015 Holiday fun happening all around Rhode Island's Blackstone Valley. In the community... Main Street Holiday Stroll Saturday, December 12th 1 pm - 8 pm  Between Market & Monument Squares Main Street Woonsocket, RI This winter-themed event will bring neighbors and business owners together to celebrate the holidays while renewing interest in Woonsocket's historic downtown Main Street area. Aside from shopping along the brightly decorated storefronts, attendees can enjoy carolers, street and musical performers, children's activities, arts & crafts, free Christmas movie screenings, a visit from Santa Claus, and much more! MORE INFO Foundry Artists Holiday Show Continues this weekend... December 11th (12 PM - 8 PM) and 12th and 13th (10 AM - 6 PM) The Pawtucket Armory 172 Exchange Street Pawtucket, RI For thirty years, this popular New England holiday tradition has offered the opportunity to both view and purchase work by 60+ top regional artists. With a juried selection of artists, caliber of work is high. Categories of fine art and crafts range from art glass to wood, and include painting, sculpture, metal, fiber, mixed media, jewelry, ceramics, photography, millinery, artisan beauty products, handmade books, and furniture. MORE INFO Santa at Stillwater Saturday, December 12th 1 PM - 3 PM Stillwater Mill Complex 100 Tinkham Lane Burrillville, RI  Head up to Burrillville for their annual "Santa at Stillwater" celebration. Santa arrives by Harrisville Fire Truck for you to tell your Christmas wishes. He'll even have a small gift for those on his "good" list.  Warm up with hot chocolate and donuts, and enjoy holiday music provided by the Burrillville Middle School Chorus. Plus, get your face painted in the Library Café & decorate cookies with Mrs. Claus in the library's community room. DON'T FORGET YOUR CAMERA! and bring Christmas to the Burrillville Animal Shelter by donating pet food, treats, & pet products in the drop box at the event. After that... Stop over at Mapleville Farm's 1st Annual Holiday Lighting starting at 4 PM. This quaint family-run farm will have caroling, hot cocoa and cookies, and a festive lighting at 4:45!  CLICK HERE for more info. __________________ MORE INFO An Old-Fashioned Christmas - Open House December 12th (4 PM - 7 PM) and 13th (2 PM - 6 PM) Hearthside House 677 Great Road Lincoln, RI  With a chorus of traditional carols being sung by costumed carolers, visitors are welcomed into the cozy warmth of Hearthside. Take a leisurely self-guided tour through the house to enjoy the treasured elegance of Christmas by the amber glow of candlelight and the twinkling lights of the ornate trees.  Enjoy the sounds of the season and capture memories with a picture taken with our Victorian-style Santa Claus.      MORE INFO Upcoming Blackstone Valley Tourism Council Events... THE POLAR EXPRESStm Train Ride Weekends from Nov 20th - Dec 20th Historic Woonsocket Depot 1 Depot Square Woonsocket, RI  Celebrating our 16th year, this holiday experience has become a classic for families far and wide. Join us for a 90-minute train ride complete with storytelling, holiday songs, games, delicious hot chocolate served in a souvenir mug, and a special gift for all the kids from Santa. Put on your pajamas...grab your camera...and get ready to make some memories on this "magical trip".  PURCHASE TICKETS Rent the "Center by the Blackstone"  for your next event this holiday season Blackstone Valley Visitor Center 175 Main Street Pawtucket, RI  The "Center by the Blackstone" meeting & event facility is a great alternative to banquet halls, traditional meeting rooms, and conference centers. This unique and trendy multifunctional facility provides a spacious interior that includes a gallery space and intimate 90-seat theater. It boasts a beautiful interior design with ample parking and close proximity to Slater Mill on the banks of the Blackstone River. Located just 5 minutes from I-95, the "Center by the Blackstone" is the perfect location to host your holiday party or upcoming public event.  MORE INFO Blackstone Valley Tourism Council | 401-724-2200 | TourBlackstone.com STAY CONNECTED:

Forward this email Blackstone Valley Tourism Council | 175 Main Street | Pawtucket | RI | 02860

FHS winter sports, wrestling won; Lauren Rudolph is a 'Player to Watch'

From Hockomock Sports, we share the schedule for Friday's competition, the results of Thursday's wrestling match, as well as the "Players to Watch" outlook for Girls Basketball.


-------------

Friday's competition

Girls Basketball

Franklin vs. Holy Name, 6:30

FHS Panthers

Swimming

Franklin @ Stoughton, 4:00

For the complete schedule around the Hockomock League on Friday
http://www.hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-121115/

------------

Thursday's Results

Wrestling

Franklin, 60 @ Stoughton, 24 – Final

For the other results around the Hockomock League on Thursday
http://www.hockomocksports.com/thursdays-schedule-scoreboard-121015/

Girls Basketball - Players to Watch

Lauren Rudolph, Franklin – Franklin is flying under the radar at the start of the season after losing a number of pieces from last year’s squad but one player who could make a big leap this winter is Rudolph. The senior wing has plenty of range, which works well in Franklin’s drive-and-kick attack and she has also developed the ability to take the ball to the basket as well. She suffered an injury during soccer last year that forced her to miss the beginning of the season, but this time around she is ready to jump in and become one of the primary scorers for the Panthers. There is talk that Franklin lacks some of the star power of recent seasons, but Rudolph has shown the potential over the last two years that she may be ready for a breakout.

Continue reading about all the players to watch for girls basketball here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/girls-basketball-ten-players-to-watch-in-2015-2016/

in the News: Franklin Police "wait and see"; children's school registration

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

Dean College

According to Team Ops’ website, no prior experience is necessary for applicants, and all training is provided prior to a first scheduled assignment. 

On Wednesday, Franklin Police Chief Stephan Semerjian said the department will “wait and see” how the situation plays out. 

“We’re certainly in discussion with the campus,” he said, adding that the department hasn’t had the chance to go over specifics on what Team Ops is responsible for and what police will have to pick up.

Continue reading the article online here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151210/NEWS/151219029/1994/NEWS

Registration for the Franklin Children’s School will take place beginning Jan. 22, 2016 and run through Feb. 7. 

The preschool will use a lottery system to fill all program openings. A priority will be given to all currently-enrolled FCS students, siblings and alumni. All applicants will be notified either by phone or email of their placement or waitlist status by Feb. 12.

Continue reading the article online here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151210/NEWS/151219420/1994/NEWS

Library Book sale and Holiday sing along

Monthly Library Book Sale - Saturday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and the Bag sale - Sunday, 9:00 AM to Noon

Library book and bag sale 12/12-12/13

And then Sunday, a Holiday sing along with Jamie Barrett at 3:00 PM

Holiday sign along - Jamie Barrett

These items were shared from the Franklin Library page here
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2015/12/franklin-public-library-book-bag-sale.html

and here
http://franklinpl.blogspot.com/2015/12/holiday-sing-along-with-jamie-barrett.html

Parmenter Holiday Shop

The Holiday Shop happens at Parmenter School today from 5:00 - 7:00 PM.

Holiday Shop

For more info about the Parmenter School check out their page on the web
http://parmenterelementary.vt-s.net/Pages/index

“On Monday, we found out everyone was terminated”

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

"Dean College has announced its plan to eliminate its campus police force and hire a private security company, causing the campus police union to file a complaint against the school. 

The newly-formed Dean College Campus Police Association has filed with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and is alleging that after informing the school president last week of its intention to unionize, officers were let go. 

The would-be union’s attorney, Scott Dunlap, said federal law requires a union to notify an employer of the officers' intent to organize before a petition is filed with the NLRB, and he did so to Dean College President Dr. Paula Rooney at 5:30 p.m. Friday via email, he said. 

“On Monday, we found out everyone was terminated,” he said."

Continue reading the article online here (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20151209/NEWS/151206324/1994/NEWS?template=printart

BFCCPS student fund raising for Walk4Wells

Walk4Wells is a program run by Plan USA that raises money and awareness for people in third world communities that do not have local clean drinking water. Women and children in this situation have to walk an average of 3 miles a day just to get water, even if it isn't the cleanest it can be. 

Walk4Wells uses the money to install wells in the communities in need. Wells access water that is naturally filtered in underground water chambers. Franklin is community that also depends on well water like many other communities around the world. 

Right now, they are working in Burkina Faso, an African country that suffers greatly from this issue. People like us can raise money for them by hosting walkathons for their communities.

-Francisco Coakley