Paddle heroes
When the Blackstone Valley Paddle Club held its annual end-of-season celebration last week at Spring Lake Beach, there were extra special achievements to celebrate. Harrisville Fire Chief Michael Gingell presented members with a special citation recognizing rescue efforts of a missing and injured resident along the Nipmuc River during a trip earlier this summer. The Rhode Island Canoe/Kayak Association also presented members who were involved in the search and rescue with special medals for Outstanding Volunteer Service.
View a story on the incident, published exclusively on NRI NOW in June, here.
Blackstone Valley Paddle Club members are volunteers with the National Park Service Volunteers-In-Parks program. A release from the organization noted that there are still two paddle trips remaining this season with more information found here.
Chicken dinner
The annual chicken dinner fundraiser at Addieville East Farm will take place on Saturday, August 26 from 4-9 p.m. The event, which raises money for the preservation of the First Universalist Church in Harrisville, will be held rain or shine under a pavilion that overlooks a scenic pond. The cost is $30 per person, or $15 for children, and tickets must be purchased in advance. To reserve tickets contact [email protected] or call (401) 568-8449.
Land Trust Days kickoff
The Burrillville Land Trust will hold an event on Friday, August 25 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the historic schoolhouse at 310 Eagle Peak Road to kick off Land Trust Days. Tours of the historic schoolhouse and guided hikes to the nearby granite quarry will begin at 9 a.m., followed by a speakers program, then a second round of tours and a hike. The public is invited to attend. Read more here.
Lemonade Stand raises $8K
Mapleville resident Benjamin St. Pierre held his 13th and final annual lemonade stand, a fundraiser for Burrillville Animal Control, on Saturday, August 12, raising a total of $8,075 for the organization with the one day event. St. Pierre had raised a total of some $27,000 for the shelter in previous years, and beat his record in 2023, with raffles and the sale of homemade treats.
The shelter thanked St. Pierre for his efforts this week, noting that the funds will be used for veterinary care for shelter animals.
Town meetings
The Burrillville Redevelopment Agency will hold a meeting on Tuesday, August 22 starting at 7 p.m. at the Wallace Lees Public Safety Complex at 1477 Victory Highway. The agenda is here.
The Pascoag Fire District will hold a meeting on Tuesday,August 22 starting at 7 p.m. at the station at 141 Howard Ave. The agenda is here.
The Burrillville Town Council will hold a meeting Wednesday, August 23 starting at 7 p.m. at the town building at 105 Harrisville Main St. The agenda is here.
The East Burrillville Fire District will hold a budget workshop on Wednesday, August 23 starting at 7 p.m. at the station at 46 Oakland School St. The agenda is here.
Bonus ‘thing’
Eleanor Slater Hospital and the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training will team up on Thursday, August 24 to host another virtual job fair. The job fair will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will focus on openings at the hospital’s Burrillville campus for registered nurses, certified nursing assistants and cook’s helpers.
Job seekers who attend will be able to talk with Eleanor Slater employees, ask questions and learn more about the openings and the hospital, as well as the application process. Eleanor Slater Hospital is operated by the state’s Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals. The hospital treats patients with acute and long-term medical illnesses, as well as patients with mental health conditions.
Job seekers who would like to attend the job fair can register at https://www.backtoworkri.com/job-fairs.
