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Vol. 5, Issue 2

Democracys Perfect Moment

www.BlackstoneDaily.com

Summer 2008

Summer Concerts

Independence Day Events

Our River: Blood on the Blackstone, Part 8 Miantonomi

by Joe Doherty Blood on the Blackstone, Part 8 Peirces Fight was one of the bloodiest and most important battles of King Philips War, and it was fought right here on our own Blackstone River. This is Part 8 of a series about the battle and its aftermath. You can catch up on earlier chapters at www.blackstonedaily.com/ourriver.htm. This installment may feel a bit out of place, as the action occurs three decades before the events of our main story. But trust me, its an important element of the larger tale. Youre bound to see some parallels next time in Part Nine.

This incredibly significant document, The Tory Protest, is at the Worcesters City Clerks office

By 1774, the Crowns General Gage understood that the revolution had already been won in the hearts, souls and incredibly powerful resistance of the farmer patriots throughout the shire towns and countryside of the Bay Colony. By autumn 1774, Worcester County patriots had changed the course of history. Yet, our history books dont relate this monumental drama. Even in our hometowns which sent hundreds of farmer patriots to participate in our Nations greatest moment of democracy, the compelling facts had not been recognized until award-winning author and historian Ray Raphael uncovered the first American Revolution that history had overcontinued on page 4

The American Revolution did not start with the shot heard round the world on the morning of April 19, 1775.

Happy Birthday, Picket Fence

Car Cruising Fundraiser

Thirty-two years before King Philips War was carried to the banks of the Blackstone River, two Indian sachems one Mohegan, the other Narragansett faced each other from opposite sides of a grassy plain near what is now Norwich, Connecticut. Behind each chieftain, hordes of warriors waited anxiously, roughly four hundred to five hundred on the Mohegan side, and perhaps as many as nine-hundred on the Narragansett. Ancient rivalries and a series of treacherous alliances with the English had drawn the two tribes to this time and place. Though not a single white man stood among them, both sides felt his presence on the field that day.

A lone Indian broke from the Mohegan ranks and started across the plain towards the Narragansetts. He bore a message from his sachem, Uncas, inviting the Narragansetts to parley. A short time later the messenger returned: Miantonomi, the Narragansett sachem, had accepted. It is doubtful whether Uncas or Miantonomi truly believed their grievances could be resolved by talk alone their feud was too old, too bitter, for words alone to succeed. Yet for reasons soon to become apparent, the two continued on page 15

Journeys

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Advertiser Directory
ADVENTURE & FUN: Blissful Meadows Golf Broadmeadow Brook Great Canadian Southwick Zoo Waters Farm West End Creamery ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT: Alternatives Valley CAST Spaightwood Galleries AUTOMOBILES: Harbro Last Ride Towing BUSINESS SERVICES: Amcomm Verizon Brown Painting Campbell Remodeling Chase-Harris Septic Pump Gaudette Insurance Grenier Electric DINING & DRINK: Deja Brew Falzones Italian Eatery Picket Fence Rebeccas Place, Too FARMS: Foppema Keown Sweetwilliam Farm FASHION: Peggys FITNESS & HEALTH Caring for Women Jazzercise GIFT SHOPS & Treasures: Country Bumpkins Douglas Flea Market Generations Herbal Apothecary Mendon Country Gift Barn Nanas Attic Pepperberries Rebecca LeCouteur Gift Shop Sweetwilliam Farm Vaillancourt Folk Art HOME & GARDEN: Ace Glass & Decorating Rebecca LeCouteur Robbins Garden Center Schotanus Design PETS & TRAINING: Azrael Acres Horse Trainer Paw Planet TLC Pet Haven REAL ESTATE: Alliance Realty Manchaug Mills SENIORS & WELLNESS: Select Mobility Services Senior Comfort Services

Blackstones Treasures
One of the most delightful places to celebrate Independence Day is the scenic and historic Daniels Farmstead in Blackstone, MA. This farmstead captivates children and adults alike with its scenic beauty, old cider mill, intriguing house and barn tours. On Saturday, July 5th, the fine Claflin Hill Symphony Summer Winds Patriotic celebration will become another memorable celebration for all to enjoy. Grounds open at 4 PM, Doris Kitchen is available along with games for the kids, house tours and plenty of fun! The concert starts at 7 PM. So grab your blanket or chairs and enjoy! The Daniels Farmstead stretches back to the mid 18th century as a working farm for generations of Staples, Southwicks and Daniels until 1993 when Charlie Daniels died. Probate records, researched by Carol McPherson, indicate in around 1850, Hiram Daniels changed the focus of the farm from crops to raising cows. He built a large mid-nineteenth century barn, probably attached to a smaller earlier barn, which appears to have been rebuilt by Daniels when he constructed the cider mill. Also Hiram Daniels built the cider mill for the small apple orchard, which he had on the property and which would become a mainstay of the farming for a period of time in the early 1900s. Thankfully, when last generation farmer Charlie Daniels died, he had willed the scenic farm to his older sister, Doris Daniels King, who worked tenaciously and tirelessly to preserve and protect the farmstead and its 188 acres for future generations to share even as she turned 100 years old! Her niece, Justine Southwick Brewer, is the current president of the Daniels Farmstead Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit preservation organization whose mission is to protect and preserve the rich historically significant farm and buildings located on pristine New England soil, restore the farm to its

Journeys

The History of Daniels Farmstead Originally part of the 1667 Mendon land grant to several Braintree colonists, Mendons South Parish eventually incorporated as Blackstone in 1845. The South Parish had continued to grow since the 1769 construction of Mendons second Meeting House, the beautifully restored, historic Chestnut Hill Meeting House which is now actually located in Millville, as Blackstone lost some of its size when Millville was incorporated into the Commonwealths second youngest town in 1917. Though Blackstone can no longer claim its historic Meeting House, its treasures still include: The East Blackstone Quaker Meeting House, the wild and exciting High Rocks Gorge and Rolling Dam on the Blackstone River and the lovely intact Daniels Farmstead.

former splendor, and operate a living museum where local historians, schools, and the general public can learn about the New England Farm life from the 18th and 19th centuries. *www.danielsfarmstead.org According to their website the Daniels Farm is not just a place, its part of a community made up of people who appreciate agriculture, history, education and beauty. You now have a chance to be part of that community! A Glimpse from the Past Daniels Farmstead Membership Drive In July l904, Hiram Daniels received a free bull from P.A. Skelton of Worthington, Massachusetts with the unpromising name of Blackstones Tormentor. Teams of oxen continued to be used on the farm long after most other farms discontinued the practice. A newspaper article (undated) with the caption, Blackstone Farmer Has Prized Pair of Oxen showed Hiram T. with a pair of oxen, his six-year old Holsteins named Amos and Andy. Hiram stated that he had used nothing but oxen on his continued on page 8

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Democracys Perfect Moment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 1 Our River . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 1 Daniels Farmstead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 3 Jane Keown:Farm Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 5 Education: Learning Styles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 7 Blackstone Treasures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 8 Dining Review: Cocke n Kettle . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 9 Summer Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pages 10-11 People: Malcolm Pearson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 12

Business: Personal Checkups . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 13 Earth Talk & Local Business News . . . . . . . . . Page 14 Find Journeys online at www.BlackstoneDaily.com Send us an email at BlackstoneDaily@aol.com to sign up for our bi-weekly Spark! ezine filled with news, stories, events. Check daily news, events, biking, kayaking, walking tours, historic or adventure itineraries and all the resources you need for shopping, services 24/7 at: www.BlackstoneDaily.com

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Democracys Greatest Moment,

looked. Yet it is arguably, Americas Greatest Moment of Democracy. These determined patriots changed the course of history forever. They were joined by farmers in Barrington, Springfield, and Braintree who gathered to overthrow the heavy-handed tactics of the Crown by shutting down their Courts. These farmers had never been so full of fear and rage as they saw the checks and balances of the Courts erode and solely favor the Crown. But the most dramatic scene occurred along the shire town of Worcesters dusty Main Street and 1751 Court House when nearly 5000 farmer patriots stood peacefully, yet forcefully in a struggle for freedom where participatory democracy has never again rung so true. The Flames of Sedition had already spread throughout the countryside where 95% of Massachusetts residents lived after a series of episodes, including the Tea Party and Stamp Act had led to tension and rage. The port of Boston was still controlled by the Crowns military forces and many of the educated elite had assembled in Philadelphia to decide whether they should wrest control away from the Crown. But at meeting houses and taverns across the Bay Colony, the farmers and shopkeepers were preparing and reacting in a determined rage to the loss of representation and oversight they once had to assure fairness in the Courts. The 1691 Charter, which guaranteed a system of checks and balances, had been revoked by the Crown. The Crown had always chosen the governor of the Bay Colony, who in turn appointed most officials, such as the sheriff, judges, tax collector and other officials, but these appointments had to be approved by the Council, whose members had always been elected by residents. Elected Council members were usually the wealthy and educated elite whose families exerted great power throughout their respective counties, but the common voters also knew that they could competently record deeds and understand the increasingly complex legal system. Most farmers and craftsmen were concerned with local issues - the struggle of daily life trying to grow crops on rocky soils or tend to church or local Town Meeting duties. Yet the contrasts of wealth between the educated elite and yeoman farmers was growing significantly while the rise of the strolling poor and landless was starting to increase as generations split up original land holdings again and again. Debts for farmers were growing steadily and historians have found that up to 22% of the farmers were facing litigation for unpaid debt. Courts had tremendous power to seize a farmers property, so this was a growing concern in the years leading up to the Revolution. A farmers worst fear was losing his land. In the early 1760s, Massachusetts had little reason to suspect this might happen. By the summer of 1774, they had every reason to believe that it would.* In 1765, the Stamp Act was enacted by the Crown to force additional taxes upon colonists to pay off the debt of the French and Indian War. This created a huge outcry and resistance from colonists. The schism between the elite landowners as representatives to the Massachusetts Council and local farmers was growing. Worcesters elected officials, Timothy Paine and John Chandler, tried to straddle both sides and say nothing. But thirty two names of Stamp Act supporters were published in the Boston Gazette on March

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31, 1766 after which more than half were voted out of office. Times were restless and the educated elite officials were no longer unquestioned as they served two masters, the Crown and their electorate. By 1766, the political monopoly of the Chandlers ended when Ephraim Doolittle was elected as representative to the General Court. He and his supporters demanded changes, including: transparency of governmental affairs, an end to the plurality and monopoly of office holding and bribery and most radically, an end to tariffs and the repeal of operating a Latin school. Worcester County citizens wanted their children to be educated in reading, writing and arithmetic, not some elite language only for scholars. Though the Crown finally repealed the Stamp Act, the Townshend Revenue Act was enacted in 1768 to place heavy export taxes on British goods. The House reacted with a strong statement against the taxes but the Crown demanded that the House rescind its original letter or the General Court would be dissolved. Within two years, the Crown also paid its officials directly, taking away the little control local citizens had left over its officials. By November 1772, Boston radicals formed a

Committee of Correspondence at their Town Meeting to write a letter, known as the Boston Pamphlet, to all 260 towns to request that they state their sentiments on the Crowns controlling efforts. It also listed numerous grievances against the Crown, including We cannot, when we think of the depravity of mankind, avoid looking with horror on the danger to which we are exposed. Reaction from Bay State communities was strong and vociferous. Worcester had 41 petitioners request that the Boston Pamphlet be presented at its Town Meeting in March 1773. Town Meeting voted that Timothy Bigelow, William Young and John Smith serve as a standing committee of correspondence. But it went further than that in the Chandler-Paine Tory stronghold territory. After the Boston Tea Party, in December 1773, Bigelow and other patriots formed the APS, the American Political Party, which as a private club, no longer had to discuss its objectives at Town Meeting. These members were dedicated to prepare against the enemy, which included the Crown as well as local Tories who were creditors and judges who posed constant threat to local farmers and craftsmen. They crafted a code to oppose the machinations of some designing persons in this Province, who are at grasping at power, and the property of their neighbors. By March 7, 1774, the 71 member APS had altered the course of local politics by electing three members of their party as Selectmen yet maintaining Timothy Paine, a moderate Tory. No longer was there a Chandler in elective office. The most pressing issues facing the new Board of Selectmen were: the Crowns direct payment of officials and judges and the exorbitant taxes without representation. They wrote a statement that the Town resolved not to purchase British tea and also to boycott anyone who sold contraband tea. Yet, the local Tories were enraged and James Putnam and thirty-one others signed a dissent, known as the Tory Protest. The Tories made sure that City Clerk Chandler entered it into the official records. Many decades later, local historian, Charles Hersey, recalled the stories he heard of his elders as a young boy: The Tories were pale with rage. James Putnam, leader of the Tories and the best lawyer in North America, known for his sound reasoning and oratory skills, arose. He made a speech against the resolutions as had never been heard before in Worcester; and when he sat down, it was said that not a man of the Whig party thought a single word could be said, and that old man Putnam, the Tory, had wiped them all out. Blacksmith Timothy Bigelow at length arose, without learning, without practice in public speaking, without wealth which the Tories of Worcester had, but there he stood upon the floor of the Old South Church, met the Goliath of his day,

O Fortuna
So much has changed in the world since I last sat down to write a few words for Journeys. The price of gas has approached $4 a gallon, and the price of diesel is approaching $5 a gallon. The presidential primaries have run their course, and they have been pretty exciting to watch....I wonder who will win the final prize and where that person will take the country in the next four years? The winter was long and hard, the spring very strange, and now summer beckons us into our shorts and tee shirts. The Patriots didnt win the Super Bowl, but the Celtics have won the NBA championship for the first time since my hair turned white. Natural disasters around the world have been numerous, and they are forecasting a busy hurricane season in the Atlantic for this year. Everyone is concerned about the bee population, and the seventeen-year locusts are about to appear (where did I put my hearing protection earphones?) Agriculture changes little from year to year. Oh, our approach to marketing can change dramatically, although we are still pushing retail sales and using wholesale when we have a glut in production. We plant new varieties of vegetables, but the fruit tree varieties were committed to years ago. There is stability in our labor force, which is a good thing, as it takes several seasons for people to really become competent and independent at their jobs. It is always a good thing for me when an accomplished field hand or retail person can

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Journeys
by Jane Keown
moved about ten thousand plants. Thats a lot of little tomatoes! Shrubs and flowers are still an active part of our sales, and I think it may be that people are looking to beautify their immediate environment, since vacations and travel are becoming increasingly expensive. Kris and I seldom take trips...we didnt spend one night away from our home last year, and doubt too much will change in 2008. I cant say I bother much with planting here at our wooded location, as Mother Nature has made it abundantly clear she can handle trees and plants. Wild flowers are everywhere, and birds chirp incessantly from predawn to post-dusk. At night, our acreage is visited by raccoons, opossum, skunk and deer, and in the deep darkness of night, we hear the beautiful, eerie sounds of the coyotes. A thousand people must live on our hill these days, but from our vantage point, it often seems we are alone in the wilderness. Mounds of bedding plants and flowering shrubs seem somehow to be superfluous. What will the season hold for us? Who can justly tell? I can hope that we will have clean crops of beautiful fruits and vegetables that will be desired by customers here in Sutton and in the greater Boston area. I am hoping that we do well enough selling our produce that we will make more than enough to pay our ever-increasing bills and have a little to show for ourselves at the end of the day. We have little choice but to continue farming,

just come in and know what to do...it allows me a blessed independence. Right now finished plants are being sold or planted, seedlings are being transplanted, and new seeds are being started for the late crop (a specialty of ours!) The farmers markets have started again, and Dan is in Boston today selling plants and honey to the city folk. Its a beautiful day, so hopefully many people will be tempted to buy flowers or herbs to take home with them. While I have been working at the greenhouse and stand, I have noticed that people are buying a lot of vegetable plants this year. Seems that everyone is feeling the pinch of higher food prices and are venturing into planting a vegetable garden. I think this is a great idea; I had a garden for many years before we started incorporating vegetables into our crops at the farm, and I would recommend gardening to anyone. There is nothing as satisfying as picking fresh vegetables and cooking them the very same day....or eating them fresh from the plant! Id say I missed the experience, but since I spend so many hours each day in the field or greenhouse, I guess I still have it, just on a larger scale. I used to plant ten or twelve tomato plants: now that represents two 6-packs to me! Yesterday I was transplanting tomatoes: green grape, yellow pear and white cherry. Sounds more like fruit than vegetables, but then, of course, technically tomatoes are a fruit. I dont remember precisely, but I think I

since we sold the development rights and must farm or fail. But there is the nagging question in the back of our minds, and in many other minds, I must guess, regarding the future and what it holds for any of us. We continue to do what we have always done, hoping that this year we will get it right. The NBA ads this year have featured the Celtics players doing their thing with the song O Fortuna from Carmina Burana by Carl Orff playing in the background. I performed that cantata when I was in college, and it resonates in my bones still. It seems to me to be particularly apt in this year of changes and destiny. How fortune will shine on us we do not know. We must persevere....continue to play the game and hope for the best. This much I do know: the sun will rise, the flowers will blossom and the fruit will ripen. Some things are constant, and I guess Ill hitch my wagon to that star. Jane Keown and nephew Artie Keown operate Keown Orchards & Farmstand, Sutton, MA. www.keownorchards.com

Democracys Greatest Moment,

and fully vanquished him. Some local Blackstone Valley town histories, such as Benedicts History of Sutton 1704-1876 reports that on January 11, 1773, a committee of seven men (similar to the APS in Worcester) was formed to obtain redress under such pressing and alarming Grievances. (p.89) By the following year, at Town Meetings, votes were taken to collect monies for arms, ammunition and militia training. It was declared that all men, 16 to 60, should be armed with bayonet, good firearm and acutriments as well as be trained in their use. Two months later, the Crowns new Bay colony governor, General Thomas Gage, replaced Thomas Hutchinson and the port of Boston was officially closed in retaliation for the Boston Tea Party. The Boston Correspondence Committee sent out another letter to which Leicester citizens responded if the Crown asserts the right to dispose of private property by shutting down Bostons port, then it might also stop any town or person from sowing grain, mowing grass, so long as his majesty thinks proper. Rage against the Crown could be heard in virtually every tavern across the land and another boycott called the Solemn League and Covenant was crafted. General Gage acted quickly as Governor, rejecting thirteen of the 28 men chosen by voters as representatives to the Council. In addition, the Massachusetts Act was enacted on August 6, 1774 which implemented further controls by the Crown. Local reactions were immediate as this new Act threatened each and every citizen. Just three days later, fifty two patriots from twenty-two towns in Worcester County met at Mary Stearns Tavern in Worcester to create a committee and draft resolutions of protest. Large amounts of ale and rum were drunk in the process but by the following morning, two letters were approved to oppose the tyranny rushing upon us. Resolutions, based upon Lockean principles and closely aligned with the 1691 Charter, were written and approved three weeks later at the coun-

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used a clause in every Way that shall not be productive of Carnage and Bloodshed but how could they respond if the British came using military force? Finally, language evolved that allowed patriots to respond with methods that they saw fit, allowing military force to be used against the Crowns military force. By the end of August, the patriots had such control that every official loyal to the Crown would not dare step out from Boston, which was heavily guarded by the Crowns forces. Two weeks before the September 6, 1774 Court session scheduled in Worcester, General Gage reacted to Salem, which had conducted a Town Meeting without his approval. The Meeting had finished its business before the Crowns 59th Regiment appeared, but General Gage ordered that those who called the Meeting be arrested. Some who were arrested paid bail, but others resisted and told the General that he would have to abide by the consequences if they were kept in jail. (It is important to remember that the farmers sustainability with crops grown and needed harvesting was at risk; the long, hard winter of these proud and noble farmers and their families was potentially sacrificed with their many long days and nights traveling and meeting on these urgent matters.) Gage backed down and released these prisoners seven months and twenty four days before the shot heard round the world. Gage then sent spies to Worcester who confirmed Worcester Countys powerful resistance. In Worcester, they keep no terms, openly threaten resistance by arms and threaten to attack anyone who resists them. Mr. Ruggles of the new Council is afraid to take his seat as Judge of the Inferior Court and I apprehend that I shall have to march a body of Troops into that Township to preserve the peace. With further thought, Gage determined his efforts to hold Court in Worcester County would be suicidal. So, on the morning of September 6, when 4,622 militiamen from 37 communities

ty convention. forced to ink over their own names. August 16, 1774 was the scheduled By August 27, thousands of farmer day in the shire town of Barrington patriots had arrived from Grafton, for the first Court session to be held Sutton, Oxford, Shrewsbury, Mendon, since the Massachusetts Act was Brookfield, Leicester and beyond to announced. While General Gage was force recantation of the Tory Protest by administering oaths of loyalty to the the remaining five holdouts. Nearly Crown for thirteen councilors to 500 farmers came from Sutton alone. replace those he had rejected, over Most left their arms outside Worcester 1500 patriots closed down the but they were determined not to fail in Barrington courthouse. Most of the demanding representation. frightened judges returned to Boston as They assembled at Paines home they were now fearful of living in first and eventually, he recanted. Still, their hometown communities. that was not enough. Paine was led In preparation of Worcesters through lines of orderly patriots until August 22, 1774 Town Meeting, the he reached the center and was told to American Political Society met the shout his resignation to the Crown preceding week to draft articles of sur- aloud. Up to 32 times, so that every render where the thirty-two Tories common man in attendance, would would be forced to reject their earlier hear equally Paines recantation to the Tory Protest recordCrown and the ed by Clerk Tory Protest. Each Chandler. A resoluindividual patriot tion to command would hear his Selectmen to invenword, perhaps the tory and ascertain a fairest, most proper amount of orderly yet arms and ammunidemanding crowd tion was also draftever to assemble ed. towards a comBy the Sunday The 1751 Second Worcester County Courthouse, formerly on mon goal - freeMain Street is now a stately residence on Massachusetts Ave, dom from the evening before Worcester, MA Mondays Town unfair and harsh Meeting, most of the Tories had constraints of the Crown. recanted their Protest, yet five held By noon, the crowd had dissipated; firm: William Paine, James Putnam some had traveled to Rutland for and three others. Ruggles recantation although he and Mondays long Town Meeting conother Tories had escaped to Boston, tinued to Wednesday evening wherenever to return to their hometowns. upon a resolution was passed that the Though General Gage eventually town clerk, in the presence of the town, referred to this crowd as a mob, obliterate, erase, or otherwise deface Paines words in his letter to Gage the said recorded protest, and the describe something very different: an names thereto subscribed, so that it impressive and orderly assembly may become utterly illegible and unin- showing the vast power of the comtelligible. mon people. Paine truly hoped the So there it wasJohn Chandlers Governor would avoid using military son, Town Clerk Clark Chandler, was power as many of these patriots were forced to draw his pen, line by line, unarmed. through the Tory Protest, in public Yet, the prospect of Gage ordering view. But that still was not enough as troops into Worcester on September 6 he was forced to draw loop upon loop was foremost in the patriots minds. of ink and then forced to dip his own They had methods to disavow loyalists fingers in the ink to smudge out any to the Crown, such as immediately detectable words across the twentyleaving church when a Tory entered or three page document. It appears that boycotting their shops and goods. the protestors themselves were also Early drafted resolutions from patriots

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Got floccipaucinilihipilification?
Got floccipaucinilihipilification? How would you remember this word? How long would it take you to learn to spell it? What strategy would you use to remember it? This article is about how you prefer to learn and the patterns used to understand and remember what is taken in via our senses. Since you never stop learning, your learning styles are used for your entire life. Lets look at some descriptions of various learning styles, and see what patterns you might use to remember floccipaucinilihipilification which the Oxford English dictionary states as meaning the act of estimating something as worthless. Hate Poetry? One researcher of learning style theory is Dr. Anthony Gregorc. I appreciate his theory on learning styles, as it explains my learning style to a T and why I hated poetry in high school English. Whether or not you like poetry, you may see yourself described in the paragraphs below. According to Dr. Gregorcs research, the mind perceives in two ways - concretely and abstractly. If you tend to register information directly through the fives senses-taste, smell, sight, touch, and hearing-then you use concrete perception; you tend to deal with the here and now, the tangible and the obvious. The theme for the concrete perceiver is-it is what it is. The other way to perceive the world and take in information is through abstract perception. If you tend to visualize things, to conceive ideas, to understand and believe in that which you can not see and go with your gut, then you use abstract perception. Using your intuitive intellect and imagination is a blast, along with reading medieval poetry, but only if thats the way you are wired. You can see beyond the obvious and view the subtle implications. The theme for the abstract perceiver is-things are not always what they seem. Most people perceive both concretely and abstractly, but the tendency is to favor one more than the other. After we gather information, we order it our unique way. Recipe for disaster? Dr. Gregorcs theory also describes how information is ordered either sequentially or randomly. When you follow a logical train of thought, a step-by-step approach to dealing with information, you are using sequential ordering. Sequential people prefer to have a plan and follow it rather than relying on impulse. The mantra for the sequential person is, Follow the steps! On the other end of the spectrum are the randomizers. People with a random style let their mind organize information in chunks with no particular sequence or readily perceivable order. Randomizers often skip steps in a procedure or start in the middle or end and work backwards, yet still produce the desired result. Needless to say, randomizers can be a great source of annoyance for sequentials. Many examples come to mind when considering a sequential vs. a random information organizer. Both are necessary and worthwhile ways of organizing, but personally, I think that trying out a new recipe and tweeking it along the way is half the adventure in baking. My husband is horrified when I do this with a recipe I am preparing when having guests over. It has worked nine times out of ten, and I am positive no one died from eating one of my tweeked recipes. C+R=SW (Strong Willed)! Putting together the perception and ordering tendencies create four unique learning styles: Concrete + Sequential (C+S) = a person who likes order, logical sequence, structure, and organization. They avoid chaos and struggle with philosophical discussions. Abstract + Sequential (A+S) = a person who likes to analyze situations before making a decision or finding solutions to problems. They prefer working alone and tend not to get sentimental or overly emotional. Concrete + Random (C+R) = a person who likes to take risks, solve problems independently, and discover answers by experimenting. Restrictions and limitations make them chafe. Abstract + Random (A+R) = a person who enjoys listening to others, acts as a mediator, and focuses on the issues at hand. They avoid competition and working with authoritative personalities. Do you see yourself in any combinations? No one is a pure style, but learning the common characteristics of the combinations helps to recognize and understand our own and others natural strengths and abilities. Do the eyes really have it? How do you remember? We use a variety of our five senses when processing and memorizing facts and figures. This is our sensory perception using one or more of our senses to understand and remember what we perceived. Three modes of remembering are visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. Yes, the eyes have it, since most learners tend to by visual, learning by seeing and writing. Roughly 40% of learners remember verbally (seeing words) or pictorial (seeing pictures). Seeing a picture or diagram helps a person to learn a concept better than verbal instructions. These were the kids who sat next to you in elementary school and made the flashiest flash cards. Auditory learners account for roughly 30% of the population, learning from verbal instruction or from hearing themselves say words aloud. Remembering by listening is easy, and if anything is set to music, it works for them. Remember School House Rock? Those songs are still the best ways to learn the multiplication tables. The last mode is kinesthetic, the learner who learns by doing. I interpret that to mean learn by moving! Touch is very important, as in experiential games and field trips. The kinesthetic learner remembers what was done, not seen or talked about.

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Journeys
by Kristie Proctor

These students need math and science manipulatives in order to learn concepts. Too bad these werent around when I was a student in junior high, or I might have earned better grades in Pre-Algebra. Left or right? Which side are you on? Lets look at the left-brain vs. the right brain approach to understanding what we learn. Because each person sees the world from his or her own frame of reference (global or analytical), it is possible that several different people can view the same event and have several different versions of what happened. If you tend to use your left-brain to process information, you look at the details. You gravitate towards numbers, sequencing, and linear lines. Your clock is ticking and it is punctual. Your road maps are filed in the cars glove compartment alphabetically. In comparison, the right-brain learner understands concepts from a global perspective, looking at the whole picture and disregarding details. You have a tendency to gravitate towards images, patterns, and the overall sense of how things are proceeding. Your clock is ticking, but who cares if you are early or late (mostly) as long as you arrive? You can be creative, intuitive, and spontaneous - who needs a road map? Please keep in mind that no single style is any smarter than another, nor is there any style combination that is automatically good or naturally bad. The key lies in how you use your natural style strengths and how willing you are to learn or communicate in a way that may be even more difficult for you.
Kristie Proctor obtained her masters degree in Education (Special) from San Jose State University, where she researched learning styles. After working as a postsecondary learning disability specialist, Ms. Proctor is now a disability consultant and special education advocate.

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Journeys

Blackstones Treasures
The Blackstone Gorge
In 1992, a critical piece of the Blackstone Valley was up for sale! The Metacomet Land trust stepped in to help preserve the High Rocks Gorge and Rolling Dam on the Blackstone River in Blackstone, close to where the border straddles Woonsocket. A major fundraising effort was spearheaded by Metacomet Land Trust to hold off sale until the MA state government could join with the R.I. Department of Environmental Management to find the funds to create a 200-acre bi-state park within the John H. Chafee National Heritage Corridor. The 22 acre dam site is perhaps the most wild section of the river and most of it remains in its natural condition. Most of the banks along the Blackstone River have been developed and altered over the centuries for grist mills, saw mills, or larger industrialization. But the Gorges high ledges and rocky cliffs prevented many of these man-made impacts. During a Thursday Evening Ranger Walkabout tour, the tale of how a mill owner moved his mill from the MA side to the R.I. side to save taxes was told. The mill is still there, after a hike along the path where the border marker denotes the crossing. Former Wild Bird Gardens owner Jeff Hickson had previously documented a wonderful itinerary of this unique kayaking adventure repeated here for new Journeys readers. (Other itineraries can be found at www.BlackstoneDaily.com) Directions to the Gorge: Take County Street off of Route 122 in Blackstone and follow the signs. From the parking area, it is a short walk to the river. Take one of the paths on your left and soon, youll reach the spectacular gorge overlook. Old Nipmuc Indian trails can still be found and many arrowheads and other relics have been found over the years.

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EXPLORING THE BLACKSTONE RIVER: A GUIDE by Jeff Hickson Blackstone MA to Woonsocket, R.I. Start: Blackstone Gorge Trail Head, County Road, Blackstone, MA NW 42 degrees 00.930 // W 071 degrees 33.188 Access: Public End: River St, Woonsocket, R.I. N 42 degrees 00.105 W 071 degrees 31.076 Access: Public at River Island Park, Woonsocket Length: 5.5 miles Duration: 3-4 hours Experience Level: Intermediate

farm for more than half a century, while his father, the late Hiram Daniels used them in preference to horses for nearly fifty years. The article continued: Although modern in many respects, Hiram T. Danielsand well known in Woonsocket, continues to use oxen for his farm work in preference to horses and farm machinery. Fifty years ago, he began work with a pair of oxen and is using his eighth pair to plow his land, remove stones and stumps for other general things, believing they are less expensive than horses and fully as good. His two six year old Holsteinseat no more in the course of a year than one horse and they do as much work around the farm as two horses. In explaining his reasons for using oxenMr. Daniels said only a yoke is needed instead of harness and the steers eat very little grain except when put to hard workIt takes years of training to learn the knack of driving oxen without reins, he said but practice and kindness will bring excellent results. His father, the late Hiram Daniels, started his son in the farming business with a pair of oxen as a gift. The younger Mr. Daniels continued to keep oxen for farm work although he sometimes purchased horses to aid in the work. From Research of the John H. Chafee National Heritage Corridor and National Historic Register

Special Conditions: Caution: (3) difficult portages at dams, Caution required before all! GUIDE: (In Blackstone, look for signs off Rte 122 for the Blackstone Gorge. Follow signs to public parking lot. Parking at head of the gorge) This trip on the Blackstone is just downright odd and interesting. It combines fairly strenuous walking portages, rural paddling and inner city paddling. This wraps almost every experience you can have on the Blackstone into one trip. You start your trip at the South side trail entrance off of public parking at the Blackstone Gorge in Blackstone, MA. Be prepared for a strenuous 3/4 mile portage with continued on page 18
continued

Democracys Moment,
assembled, our countrys history demonstrated a moment in history like no other. Westborough historian, Reverend Parkmans diary recounts this historic drama unlike in Boston, the leaders and people were one. (133) Though the political structure for hearing every voice was burdensome, each militia company chose a representative to consult with their constituents before any resolutions or votes could be taken. This was a huge task but eventually at midday on September 7, 1774, it was decided that court officers would walk for a quarter of a mile between the tavern and the Courthouse in front of about five thousand militia and citizens lined along the street, with hats off to repeat over and over again, so that all who gathered, could easily hear the disavowal of holding courts under the new Act. Other Tory supporters were also forced to recant their loyalty to the Crown and the Massachusetts Act. The British control over Worcester County was gone forever - without vio-

The quotations come from the following: Ray Raphaels incredibly fascinating book, The First American Revolution, William Benedicts History of the Town of Sutton, Parkmans Diary and the 1854 Worcester Historical Society Annual Report.

lence, yet with a humiliating retraction of loyalty to the Crown over and over again, for all to witness and hear equally. Boston patriots, used to deferential and elite leadership shared some ideals, but never understood fully participatory democracy as Worcester County farmer patriots did. Evidence firmly suggests that the revolution had already been won on the streets of Worcester, seven months before the shot heard round the world. Of course, there would be further military battles initiated by General Gage in less fortified regions that fill our history books, but it was the passion, fear, and pursuit of freedom of our rural Worcester County and Blackstone Valley farmers and artisans who changed the course of American history forever.

Dining Review: The Venerable Cocke n Kettle

Have I told you lately that I love you Have I told you theres no one else above you Fill my heart with gladness Take away all my sadness Ease my troubles thats what you do things: A grand, old historic mansion built in the Georgian style in the 18th century, and thought to have been built by Bezaleel Taft, a member of the prominent Taft family in Uxbridge. It remained a residence until 1968, when it was renovated and first became a restaurant. It was during these renovations when a Hessian sword, dating back to Revolutionary War days, was found inside the walls. The sword is now on display in the main dining room. Three comfortable dining rooms, each a little different, but each reminiscent of another era, with original brick and exposed beams, working fireplaces, antiques, carriage lamps, warm carpets, and copper pot wall dcor. Popovers, corn fritters, kidney bean relish and cheese spread. These help define the essence of Cocke n Kettles food that you will remember, as they phrase it. And this is where the Cocke n Kettle comes into its own. The food is excellent, uniformly fresh and appealing. The cuisine is traditional American, with a good selection of steak, veal and fish. On our recent visit, we were welcomed by our waitress who immediately brought a basket of assorted crackers and the famous kidney bean dip and cheese spread. The bean dip happens to be a favorite of this writer, though not everyone may care for its sweet pickle component. We ordered our drinks, and while we were waiting, a server came by with the corn fritters. We opted to skip them, waiting instead for the popovers. These came soon after, brought in a huge basket. They were steaming hot, almost too hot to touch, and must have come directly from the oven. Its hard to resist their crispy crust and soft, airy centers. Back to the menu, the appetizer selections include cherry stone clams ($1.49 each), jumbo shrimp cocktail ($2.29 each), clams casino ($6.99), and baked stuffed mushrooms ($7.99). The soups include a French onion soup ($4.99), lobster bisque ($7.99), and New England clam chowder ($5.99). We tried the soup du jour, vegetable, a very good choice, as it was a deep, dark broth thick with chopped vegetables and spicy enough to overcome any blandness a veggie soup might have. My companion chose to start with a garden salad, which was a standard assortment of greens, with carrots, red onion, cucumber and tomato. Diners can choose an entre from the a la carte menu: a 16-ounce sirloin ($23.99), a roast prime rib of beef ($25.99 for a 16-18 ounce cut or $21.99 for a 12-14 oz cut), a roast rack of baby spring lamb ($26.99), or a surf and turf, which includes a petite filet mignon and two jumbo shrimp stuffed with lobster, crabmeat and scallops (25.99), among others. Veal specialties include a veal cordon bleu ($20.99) and a Kettle veal chop ($27.99). The fish and seafood choices include baked stuffed shrimp with sherry ($24.99), broiled Norwegian salmon ($20.99) and fried baby Cape Cod scallops ($19.99). All entrees include a choice of soup or garden salad, choice of potato, rice pilaf or pasta, and the vegetable of the day. Alternatively, diners can choose from a selection of eight gourmet dinners, which we think are an excellent value. The gourmet dinners come complete with a salad or the soup of the

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As we were leaving the Cocke n Kettle dining room on a recent Saturday night, we couldnt help but be drawn into the lounge where the vocalist was singing the sweet words and melody of Van Morrisons classic love song. A number of couples danced slowly across the dance floor as the song continued. The Cocke n Kettles lounge, now newly named the Bezaleel Taft Tavern, has been a popular destination for Blackstone Valleys older dance crowd for years, a pleasant place for weekend musical entertainment. The Tavern features live music Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons. We try to feature a range of musical genres, soft rock, dance music, the nineties, something to appeal to all ages, said Nickol Cesaroni. On Friday and Saturday nights youll see people mostly in their thirties to fifties, she said, and on Sunday afternoon well have people still dancing in their eighties. The restaurants web site, www.cockenkettle.com lists the upcoming groups, (although it was not up to date when we checked recently). To go along with the change to a tavern, the Bezaleel (pronounced Beezley) Taft Tavern offers a full menu, complete with appetizers, soups and salads, sandwiches, and a small selection of light entrees. Their famous bean relish and popovers are available as well, but for a price. The change from lounge to tavern was prompted by a desire to offer patrons wanting to enjoy music and dancing, as well as a hamburger, later in the evening. There isnt any place around here where you can do that, said Nickol, a daughter in the Sampson family, which has owned and operated the Cocke n Kettle for 38 years. Over the course of those 38 years, the restaurant has developed a distinct personality in the minds of many of its faithful diners. What comes to mind? At least three

day, a family style pasta dish, choice of potato, the vegetable of the day, and dessert. We chose from this menu, the baked Boston haddock ($16.99) and the baked stuffed sole ($16.99). Other possibilities were a chicken breast Marsala ((15.99) an eggplant Parmigiana ($15.99), broiled tenderloin tips ($17.99), or an 11-ounce sirloin ($19.99). The stuffed sole was exquisite, with lobster and crabmeat stuffing, and covered with lobster Newburg sauce. The haddock, also prepared with a Newburg sauce was delicious as well. For our choice of potato we picked the Delmonico style, which was good, but added considerably to our calorie count for the evening. In addition, the meals came with family style pasta, this evening a penne with an unconventional rich, thick red sauce, very tasty. Our only disappointing menu item was the vegetable of the day, carrots prepared with raisins swimming in a much too sweet, syrupy sauce. For dessert, we chose the lemon mousse and the grapenut custard pudding with whipped cream. We could also have picked a brownie a la mode with chocolate sauce, apple pie a la mode, or ice cream puff with chocolate sauce. Nickol explained that the gourmet dinners were introduced after the early bird specials were dropped some time ago. However, the restaurant has reintroduced the early bird feature, now called early dinners, offered Wednesday through Friday from 4:00 to 5:30. The menu changes weekly and is all inclusive, with salad, entre, potato, vegetable, dessert, and coffee, for $11.99. Its hard to miss at the Cocke n Kettle Restaurant. With so many options for meals and entertainment, we highly recommend a visit. The restaurant opens Tuesday - Friday at 4 pm, Saturday at 5 pm, and Sunday at 1 pm. The Tavern opens at 4 pm Tuesday -Saturday and at 1 pm on Sunday. Rt. 122, Uxbridge, MA, tel 508-278-5517. Handicapped accessible.

~ Ce le brating Our 5th Annive rsary~

T hank you to all of our customers for your continued support!
BREAKFAST LU N CH ICE CREAM 338 Main Street ~ Douglas, MA
~ Established 2003 ~
Tak e-O u t Available Fu ll Seafood Men u on Fridays H om em ade Sou ps & Desserts

508-476-7990

H ours: Monday Friday 7 am til 2 pm Saturday & Sunday 7 am til 1 pm (serving breakfast only)

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Daniels Farmstead Claflin Hill Symphony Summer Winds Patriotic Celebration

Saturday, July 5th - Grounds open at 4 PM. Bring your blanket and chairs. Claflin Hill Symphony Concert 7-9. Silent Auction in the barn. Bidding closes at 8:20. Games for children ~ House Tours every half hour - 4-6 PM Dedication of House Restoration 6:30 PM. Doris Kitchen offering plenty of yummy food. Free, $5 parking. The Daniels Farmstead Foundation, 286 Mendon Rd. Blackstone, MA www.danielsfarmstead.org

Happy Bir t hday, USA!

Friday, July 4th 6-10 PM at Capron Park on Mendon Street, Uxbridge, MA. Festivities include: ~ Singing of the National Anthem and God Bless America performed by 12 year old Matthew Vera ~ Colors being presented by the Hopedale Fire Department ~ Music provided by the Small Planet Band and the Blackstone Valley Fife and Drum ~ Bobo the Clown creating balloon animals ~ Sutton Company firing salutes ~ Joel Delorey with the Water Fires ~ Stilt Walker and more fun activities.... Organized by the wonderful, hard working members of the Uxbridge First Night Committee which raises funds for the community. www.uxbridgeholidaynight.org

2nd Annual Fire on the Falls

For an authentic, old-fashioned Musical History Tour of our nations heritage, dont miss the the Valleys Heritage String Band performing: July 3 - 7-9 PM Lake Manchaug Camp Ground, Douglas, MA. July 4 - Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge, MA 4th Celebration, Fire Works Fri., 6-8 PM (Rain Date, Sun., July 6) July 10 - Concert on the Whitinsville Town Common, Northbridge, MA 6-8 PM

For a list of fireworks and other Independence events, go to www.BlackstoneDaily.com

Photo: Mane Impressions

Happy Birhday USA! Bring your lawn chairs and picnic basket to these free concerts open to the public. July 3 - On the quintessential Grafton Common. Includes Tchaikovkys 1812 overture with cannons firing and Sousa marches. Sponsored by the Lions Club. 7 PM Get there early! Thursday, July 3, 6:30 8:30. Jazz on the Plaza, is a ValleyCAST presentation at Alternatives, 50 Douglas Road, Whitinsville, Mass. Features the superb Sonic Explorers with Jerry Sabatini for an evening of fine American jazz. Light refreshments available. 508-234-6232.

Summer Concer t s
Sweet Summer Nights Friday Night Concerts Under the Tent at the beautiful Sweetwilliam Farm, 153 North St. Upton, MA 01568 - 508-529-2000 78:30 PM. www.sweetwilliamfarm.biz If its Friday, its Jazz at Sunset at the Ecotarium 6:30-8:30 PM. 508-929-2700 info@ecotarium.org Hopedale Summer Band Concerts at Town Park, Hopedale (corner of Dutcher and Northrup Streets) Sunday, June 22 5-7pm Raindate June 29 Sunday, August 3 Raindate Wed. Aug. 6, 7PM Wednesday concerts 7-9pm Raindates on Thursday June 25; July 9; July 16; July 23; July 30 5-7PM Pawtucket 2008 Riverfront Summer Concert Series. Free weekly concerts every Sunday at 6 PM. Shows include folk, Celtic, swing, country and oldies and outdoor plays. Veterans Amphitheater, Roosevelt Ave. & Exchange St. (Next to Pawtucket Fire Dept.) 401-724-2200 Brown Bag Lunch Concerts at Mechanics Hall Free Wednesday noon lunchtime concert series! Bring your lunch and enjoy great live music in the summertime inside historic Mechanics Hall. 321 Main Street, Worcester, MA. 508-752-5608 www.mechanicshall.org. July 30- August 6 & beyond. The Annual Celtic Festival, July 12 11 AM - 7 PM at Indian Ranch, Webster, MA. See details back page.
More concerts or other fun, www.BlackstoneDaily.com

Wednesday Concerts on the Grafton Common

All concerts start at 7 PM. July 9 - Infractions; July 16 - Claflin Hill Summer Wind Ensemble; July 23 - Snakebite; July 30 -Blackstone Valley Community Concert Band; August 6 - Tailspin; August 13 - Glass Onion and The Court House Horns; August 20 - Carlos Davis Group; August 27 - Heritage String Band. Childrens Concert - 6:30 PM July 24 - Mr. Kim All concerts are free to the public. Bring your chairs, blankets and picnic supper. Concerts are sponsored in part by the Grafton Recreation Commission, Grafton Local Cultural Council and the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Rain location Grafton Municipal Center gym, 30 Providence Road, Grafton

Thursday Night Ranger Walkabouts Each Thursday, The John H. Chafee National Heritage Corridor rangers or one of our volunteer partners will offer a free program somewhere in the Blackstone Valley so that you can explore the history or natural beauty of the Valley. 401-762-0250 June 26: Hopedale / July 10: Kelly House, Lincoln July 17: Fisherville, Farnumsville & the Canal July 24: Roger Williams National Memorial, Providence / July 31: Camp Fire Stories at the site of new Worcester Historical Museum. August 7: Hunt House, East Providence / August 14: Topic TBA / August 21: Camp Fire Stories at the site of new Worcester Historical Museum. Providence - The Rhode Island Historical Societys annual SummerWalks program begins Friday June 15, 2007 and continues through October 15, 2007. Two themed walks form the base of the summer program include: Benefit Street: A Mile of History, a 90 minute walking tour on Tuesdays through Saturdays at 11 a.m. Tickets: $12/person. RiverWalk: Before the Fires are Lit, a 60 minute walking tour on evenings of full WaterFire lightings at 5:30 p.m. Tickets: $10/person Both tours begin at the John Brown House, 52 Power Street, Providence, R.I. Questions: Barbara Barnes, 401-273-7507 x62 or bbarnes@rihs.org For self-guided walking tours, go to www.BlackstoneDaily.com

Summer Walks

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The Whitin Community Centers 20th Annual Picnic in the Park Summer Games 2008 celebration for the whole family will take place on Saturday, July 19th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 PM, rain or shine, at the Whitin Community Center and Whitin Park, 60 Main Street, Whitinsville, MA. www.OurGym.org or call Heather Elster at 508-234-8184.

55th Annual Native American Fair

The Sky Ride is coming! The Sky Ride is coming! The half million dollar sky ride will make Southwick Zoo even more compelling - if thats possible! As New Englands largest zoo with natural habitats and a train ride around the zoo, this is a wonderful destination for kids and adults alike! www.southwickszoo.com

A Smat t er ing of Summer Event s

Hassanamesit Nipmuc Reservation and the Nipmuc Nation present the 55th Annual Native American Fair. Powwow Ceremony, Crafts and food for sale. Gate opens at 10 am. Opening ceremony at 2 pm Suggested donation Adults $3 Children $1 Nipmuc Powwow, Brigham Hill Road, Grafton Learn about the traditions, music and crafts on the 3.5 acre Hassanamesit Nipmuc Reservation, the sole remaining native American land in the Blackstone Valley.
Chief Natachaman 508-393-8860 kgentzler@nipmucnation.org

Photo courtesy of CBImaging.com

Bring the kids and come on down to the farm for the exciting and unparalleled fun found at the Waters Farm Tack Sale and Donkey & Mule Show on July 19, starting at 9:30 AM. Come and see donkeys and mules strut their stuff and do some shopping too. Dont be surprised if you find yourself saying I didnt know donkeys could be so BIG or Wow, I didnt know mules could do THAT! -AND - On August 16th, Waters Farm is host to the Jukebox Concert by the Beatles Tribute Band. Show starts at 4:00 p.m. Gates open at 3:00 p.m., a cover band starts at 4:00, and Jukebox performs live eginning at 6:00 p.m.Tickets are $ 12.00 and will be available in many locations. Bring along a picnic lunch or visit our wonderful food vendors. Great food, a beautiful view and great music! www.watersfarm.com
Photo: Mane Impressions

4th Annual Classic Car Show & Flea Market August 10 (Rain Date 8/17) at the Oliver Ashton Post, 198 Church Ave, Northbridge, MA. 50 Awards, DJ, 50/50 Raffle, Games for Kids. Small fee, free with military ID or Kids Under 12. Fundraiser. www.americanlegionnorthbridge.com For plenty more events, visit the online calendar at www.BlackstoneDaily.com 24/7. Also, filled with annual and special events, stories and recreational itineraries and much, more more.

www.BlackstoneDaily.com ~ www.theBlackstoneValley.com

Mass Audubons Family Canoeing sponsored by Broad Meadow Brook on July 13th is just one canoeing experience in the Blackstone River watershed. Starting at Ekblaw Landing, Grafton, it is the perfect experience for beginner paddlers to practice skills. Other adventures include Neighborhood Nature on the Water at Green Hill Park and other itineraries. www.massaudubon.org or call 508-753-6087

Biking
The Bikeway Patrol offers programs at the Blackstone River State Park 295N Visitor Center, Lincoln, RI. Peloton Bicycle Shop Sunday Rides July 27 is the Parents Day Ride A ride for the entire family to enjoy together. Fill your backpacks with a picnic lunch and enjoy the cool of the shade and the serenity of the river. 10 - Noon Contact: VIP Karen Ciavarini 401762-0440 bvbp@verizon.net 10th Gear Christian Youth Cyclists - Sunday Family Bicycle Rides. Rides begin at 1:30 PM from the parking lot of the Village Congregational Church. www.10thgear.com Blackstone Valley NE Mountain Bike Association Wednesday Night Ride Series is a lot of fun, and its a great way to meet other riders and discover the trails in our region. Well be hitting the trails at 6:00 PM every Wednesday. You just need to show up and be ready to go by 6:00. www.bvnemba.org The Seven Hills Wheelmen is a recreational group for adults in the Worcester, MA, area who enjoy bicycling and other outdoor activities. Bike rides are for all abilities and are not competitive. ww.sevenhillswheelmen.org Events: Sunday, July 27, 2008 George Street Bike Challenge for Major Taylor - A ride up some of Worcesters steepest streets. Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008 Major Taylor Century Ride Bicycle 25, 62 or 100 miles on quiet, rolling back roads in central Massachusetts as the seasons change.

The River
Paddling Club - An affordable and fun way to explore a different waterway every Tuesday night in the Blackstone River Valley. Find the best paddling locations in the valley, learn about water quality, and enjoy a relaxing evening on the water. Meet at 6:15 PM each Tuesday night May through August. For the schedule, www.ricka.org or call 401-647-5887. Blackstone Valley Explorer - Cruise along the 49 passenger riverboat to explore the river that once was called Americas Hardest Working River. Discover the rivers ecosystem as you learn about the rivers industrialized past and its present restoration. Sundays, 1,2,3,4 PM at Central Falls, R.I. 800-454-2882 www.rivertourblackstone.com. Sam Slater Canal Boat Bed n Breakfast! Enjoy a British overnight and cruising experience on the Blackstone River aboard this unique 40 long canal boat built in Cambridgeshire, England by C. T. & P. Fox expressly for the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council. www.bedandbreakfastblackstone.com

Self-guided Itineraries are available online at www.BlackstoneAdventures.com or at the National Park Service website, www.nps.gov/blac. Also, kayak rentals are available at Great Canadian, Rte 146, Sutton, MA. www.greatcanadian.com or (800) 98CANOE. Teams will start practicing soon for the 8th Annual Rhode Island Dragonboat Race Taiwan Day Festival on September 6, 2008. For info to view or participate, go to www.dragonboatri.com. Its a blast!

Malcolm Pearson
Not only is he Suttons oldest male resident, he just might be its most revered. At a recent New England Antiquities Research Association (neara.org) conference held in Northampton, Malcolm Pearson was certainly recognized and heralded. Known by many historians as a treasure trove of historical research on stoneworks, beehive chambers and caves, he was also the photographer for James Mavors and Byron Dixs historical research book, Manitou as well as William Goodwins Great Ireland In New England. Malcolm Pearson lived his childhood at the site of the nations most exquisite beehive chamber, Uptons ancient chamber. But his footprint in life goes much deeper and continues nearly unabated. Ninety-seven year old Malcolm Pearson continues to be a man of industry and innovation, but for decades, he was the photographer for the world-known Whitin Mills in Northbridge, MA. In fact, though money was never his motivation, his innovative ideas and photographic technology earned millions for several companies as he urged them to incorporate new methods of developing large photographs and diagrams. He still resides in the home he built in the winter of 1950, including its stone walls and outdoor fire places. It has a built-in dark room where Malcolm and his late wife, Myra, developed thousands of photographs, including high speed movements, such as a bullet being fired, rarely understood at the time. In fact, the entire home is a product of his ingenuity, with built-in beds, recessed lighting constructed well before its appeal today. Malcolm lost his beloved wife nine years ago, but his daughter prepares,

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freezes and delivers his meals every two weeks. Otherwise, Malcolm is extremely self-sufficient though he gave up driving within the past two months. His time is filled with innumerable projects in his woodworking shop, currently building a photo negative light to view past negatives in order to plan their final destination. He

with plenty of stories to tell, from lifeguard training and a special swimming stroke that added speed to recounting every copper nail he used to build his sturdy home. His adoration of his late parents also runs deep. Malcolms research includes some of the most coveted material on subjects such as the Upton chamber, New

The Foundry of Whitin Mills by Malcolm Pearson

recently visited his old friend, now 100 years old, with whom he used to take on motorcyce rides. He recently enjoyed the University of Vermont graduation party of Southbridge resident, Brennan Gauthier, an occasional writer for Journeys who has absorbed much of Malcolms research, historical interests and more than forty of Malcolms research books. Malcolm feels very blessed to have such good health and clarity of mind. He smiles as he recalls his earlier days

Hampshires Mystery Hill (aka Americas Stonehenge) and many other ancient or Native American sites scattered throughout and beyond New England. During several hours of interviews at his home as well as to and fro from the NEARA conference, the stories never stopped. With a sigh of relief, NEARA officials were pleased that Pearson has chosen to donate many of his research findings on stoneworks to

their Concord, New Hampshire library. He has significant documentation and photos that are one of a kind, all with memories that speak to a life that was driven by seeking answers that rely on factual evidence, not whims, guesses or hopes. Still, Malcolms life has been much broader than his coveted expertise on stoneworks or photography. His photographs in the Whitin Mills newsletter, The Spindle, are remaining epitaphs to his highly sophisticated sense of dark and light angles or subject matter in photography. Yet, he has worked to preserve significant buildings or mentor new generations with their interest in studying the past. Recently, he heard about a cave in the deep woods in Northbridge that had escaped his attention previously. When can we go? he asked, understanding that it would be quite an arduous walk into the woods. Malcolm is also eager to get his glaucoma under control to get back his drivers license. His car is waiting and ready to go on many more adventures. His walls are filled with awards and letters of recommendation from General Electric to Harvard University to Riley Stoker, R.I. School of Design, Nashua Mfg, Albany Felt Company, Old Sturbridge Village and even E.I. DuPont De Nemours & Company. His awards for excellence seem to be never-ending. Sort of like his mind, body and soul.~
Photos: (L-R) Partial Interior of huge Upton chamber, Malcolm Pearson (R) with devoted fan, Malcolm and 100 year old childhood friend Agnes Hawes.

A Personal Check-Up
by Denise G. Minor, Esq. Once in a while, it is time to do a check up on your personal life. To protect yourself personally, you should consider the following, along with anything else your accountant or estate planner suggest. Please keep your Basic Documents in a safe place, which means a safe deposit box or fireproof safe. You should also give a copy of these various documents to a trusted relative or friend, in case of emergency or if he or she cannot get to your safe deposit box or into your home. 5 Basic Documents You Should Have 1. Health Care Proxy - allows a trusted person to decide on your medical treatment if you are in no condition to do so (stroke, coma, etc.); most doctors and hospitals have these

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portion of your property and money. I have simplified somewhat, but generally. First, all your debts and charges of the last sickness and funeral expenses will be paid. Then, the amount necessary to settle your estate will be paid out. (The court will name an administrator, and this administrator will most likely be paid.) Finally, some personal property can be kept by your spouse.The rest will be paid as follows: If you have a spouse, but no kindred - the estate goes to your spouse. If you have a spouse and children (or grandchildren) - half goes to your spouse and half to the children (or surviving grandchildren, if the child is deceased). If you have children (or grandchildren), but no spouse - the estate goes to your children, in equal shares, and to the surviving grandchildren if any child is not alive. If you have a spouse, no children, but other kindred - the first $200,000 goes to your spouse; one half of the rest goes to your spouse and one half goes to the kindred. KINDRED are as follows: Your mother and father, then; To brothers and sisters, and their children, if a brother or sister is deceased; and so on.
Denise Minor is an attorney and accountant who specializes in helping small business in all phases: startup, continued growth, and completing employee handbooks, etc. www.startherellc.com / minor@StartHereLLC.com She has written Part 1 of a series on Small Business Startups found online at www.BlackstoneDaily.com/business.htm What else can you find online: Hot Employment Trends by William Stark, employment specialist and owner of Express Employment Professionals, Grove Street, Worcester, MA. http://www.expresspros.com

2. HIPAA Form - allows doctors and hospitals to speak with designated individuals about your medical information; most doctors and hospitals have their own versions 3. Declaration of Homestead (if you own a home) - Protects the value of your home against certain creditors and lawsuits, up to a certain dollar amount (usually $500.000) 4. Will - indicates who gets what when you die 5. Power of Attorney - allows designated person to take care of any bill paying, legal issues, etc., in your name, as if you were the person doing the signing What If I Dont Have A Will? If you dont have a will, MA State Law determines who will get what

Planning A Green Retirement

Dear EarthTalk: I want to offer my employees a 401(k) plan that is socially and environmentally responsible. Are there such plans and, if so, where do I look? -- CJ Hughes Even though socially responsible investing (SRI) has been around for decades, only recently have some companies begun to offer their employees greener options for 401(k) retirement investment accounts. According to Rona Fried of SustainableBusiness.com, SRI options for retirement plans are still only offered to about 20 percent of employees, but thats changing fast. One survey found that more than two-thirds of employees want such choices. And a 2007 survey by the Social Investment Forum found that 60 percent of benefit plan sponsors polled plan to include SRI options for retirement funds by 2010. Retirement accounts are big business in the U.S.: Some 50 million Americans have invested $2.5 trillion in 401(k) plans to date. With so few SRI options out there now and employees eager to make their savings work for the environment, greener 401(k) plans are sure to take a bigger and bigger slice of the pie moving forward. Its a matter of simple supply and demand, says Paul Hilton of Calvert Funds, which currently offers one SRI retirement fund option but plans to add two more within the next couple of years. Corporations are responding to the increasing desire of Americans to invest with their values. Right now health care and government agencies are those most likely to include an SRI option for employees retirement accounts, but a handful of large companies have gotten in on the act as well. For instance, chipmaker Intel began offering its employees an SRI retirement plan option eight years ago. In 2000, we were trying to create a culture of corporate social responsibility and it made sense for us to practice what we preach by including this

option in our retirement plan, says Dave Stangis, Intels director of corporate responsibility. In addition, Intel itself is a top holding in many SRI mutual funds and we wanted to reinforce that with our employees. Its a way for us to be a role model. Still, most plans give employees only a limited number of funds to choose from, often from Calvert and another SRI mutual fund leader, Domini. Both firms ply the three main tenets of SRI: (1) rigorous research to assess the social and environmental integrity of companies being considered for inclusion in an investment portfolio; (2) using investors positions as stockholders (i.e. owners) of companies invested in to advocate for good corporate citizenship (often through the introduction of corporate resolutions); and (3) channeling affordable credit to needy communities ill-served by traditional lenders to rebuild neighborhoods and create jobs. SRI funds are also increasingly making early stage investments in new companies

on the cutting edge of environmental progress, such as alternative energy companies. In order to help diversify the marketplace for SRI retirement plans, consultant Rob Thomas started Social(k) in 2005 to offer companies a full array of SRI options for their 401(k) plans. Social(k) offers 140 different SRI funds from which employees at participating companies can choose. Thomass goal is to offer as many funds as possible and become the onestop shop for retirement investing. Companies can offer either Social(k) alone, or as a secondary option alongside an existing 401(k) plan. CONTACTS: SustainableBusiness.com, www.sustainablebusiness.com; Calvert Funds, www.calvert.com; Domini Social Investments, www.domini.com; Social(k), www.socialk.com.

EarthTalk: Safe Alternatives To Fighting Mosquitos

Dear EarthTalk: Is it true that the DEET used in most mosquito repellents is toxic? If so what problems does it cause? And what are some non-toxic alternatives for keeping mosquitoes at bay? -- Tom Pollack, Oakland, CA basis according to the instructions on ter than ever. In 2005, the U.S. Centers the label. for Disease Control (CDC) granted The upside of DEET is that it is approval to two healthier alternatives very effective. A 2002 study published to DEET-picaridin and oil of lemon in the New England Journal of eucalyptus-for protection from mosquiMedicine found that DEET-based toes. Picaridin, long used to repel mosrepellents provided the most complete quitoes in other parts of the world, is and longest now available in lasting prothe U.S. under tection the Cutter against mosAdvanced brand quitoes. name. Oil of Researchers lemon eucalypfound that a tus, which is formulation derived from containing eucalyptus leaves 23.8 percent and is the only DEET complant-based active pletely proingredient for tected study insect repellents participants approved by the for upwards Reading Outdoors Doesnt Need To Hit This Extreme CDC, is available of 300 minin several differutes, while a soybean-oil-based prodent forms, including Repel Lemon uct only worked for 95 minutes. The Eucalyptus, OFF! Botanicals, and effectiveness of several other botaniFight Bite Plant-Based Insect cal-based repellents lasted less than 20 Repellent. minutes. Some other good choices, accordBut a number of new concentraing to the nonprofit National Coalition tions of botanical repellents that have against the Misuse of Pesticides, hit the market since are reportedly bet- include products containing geraniol

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DEET is commonly known as the king of mosquito repellents, though not everyone is keen to slather it on their skin. A study conducted in the late 1980s on Everglades National Park employees to determine the effects of DEET found that a full one-quarter of the subjects studied experienced negative health effects that they blamed on exposure to the chemical. Effects included rashes, skin irritation, numb or burning lips, nausea, headaches, dizziness and difficulty concentrating. Duke University pharmacologist Mohamed Abou-Donia, in studies on rats, found that frequent and prolonged DEET exposure led to diffuse brain cell death and behavioral changes, and concluded that humans should stay away from products containing it. But other studies have shown that while a few people have sensitivity to DEET applications, most are unaffected when they use DEET products on a sporadic

(MosquitoGuard or Bite Stop), citronella (Natrapel), herbal extracts (Beat It Bug Buster) or essential oils (All Terrain). The group also gives high marks to oil of lemon eucalyptus, such as that found in Repels Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent. Another leading nonprofit, Pesticide Action Network North America (PANNA), likes Herbal Armor, Buzz Away and Green Ban, each containing citronella and peppermint as well as various essential oils (cedar wood, lemongrass, etc.). PANNA also lauds Bite Blocker, a blend of soybeans and coconut oils that provides four to eight hours of protection and, unlike many other brands, is safe to use on kids. CONTACTS: Comparative Efficacy of Insect Repellents against Mosquito Bites, http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/347/1/13; National Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides (NCAMP), www.beyondpesticides.org; Pesticide Action Network North America, www.panna.org.

VAILLANCOURT FOLK ART

On September 19th, 2008 Vaillancourt Folk Art located in the Manchaug Mills, 9 Main Street in Sutton, Massachusetts will begin a year long celebration to commemorate 25 years of creating American made chalkware figures. Chalkware, known as poor mans Staffordshire, was popularized in the 19th century when itinerant vendors would travel door to door selling their wares. Vaillancourt Folk Art has brought the art of making chalkware to a much higher level. Using antique confectionary moulds to form the pieces, painting intricate and historically accurate details with artists oils, then antiquing, makes each one a unique piece of art. Started as a cottage industry by artist Judi Vaillancourt and her business executive husband Gary, it has grown into a full artist studio employing 20 artists and artisans. Now locat-

Celebrating 25 years of MADE IN AMERICA

ed in a 19th century stone mill, the site includes the studio, gallery and a museum. Visitors may tour the studio seeing the start to finish creation of the chalkware. The museum houses one the most extensive collections of antique European and American confectionary moulds in the United States. Also featured are exhibits on chalkware and Christmas gift givers from around the world. The gallery offers a distinctive shopping experience. The Silver Anniversary celebrations will begin on Friday evening September 19th with a party from 6 to 8 pm and an Open House on Saturday the 20th from 10:00 to 5:00 at the Manchaug Mill. During these events new products will be introduced along with a special Vaillancourt Folk Art 25th Anniversary Santa. The festivities will continue with the Starlight Santa event on Friday October 31st and Saturday November1st, 2008. Other events are

planned through out 2008 and 2009. For further information visit www.vaillancourtfolkart.com or call 508-4763601.

Xerox Features Vaillancourt Folk Arts Print Materials

Vaillancourt Folk Arts print material will be seen by hundreds of thousands pairs of eyes at the worlds largest printing equipment exhibition in Germany this Summer. Over the past six months, Vaillancourt Folk Art has been working with Xeroxs Production Color Product Marketing group to help test several of their new printers. As a result of the beautiful quality of the workdepicting the signature Vaillancourt Chalkwareand because the Xerox group had such an interest in the collectibles, Xerox has decided

to feature the prints during Drupa, the worlds largest printing equipment exhibition hosted in Messe Dsseldorf, Germany every four years. During the show, Xerox will be printing Vaillancourt Folk Art collateral including: postcards, rack cards, posters, and letters that have a pull-out save the date refrigerator magnet built into the 8.5x11 sheet. The show draws nearly 400,000 attendees from 52 different countries and is situated in 40 acres of exhibit space. Xerox Corporation decided to exhibit the Vaillancourt Folk Art print collateral for many reasons, including its Made In America appeal and the exceptional quality and detail within such an unique product line.

For events, daily news updates, community news....or to sign up for the bi-weekly Spark! ezine, filled with stories and events...go to...

www.BlackstoneDaily.com

Blood on the Blackstone, Part 8 continued from page 1

sachems advanced ahead of their tribesmen and shortly met each other in a narrow space between the armies. On both sides, the warriors, standing within bow-shot of each other, remained spectators, writes John W. De Forest in his History of the Indians of Connecticut (1850). Miantonomi cut a regal figure. Tall and in his prime, he exuded the confidence of one who has an army twice the size of his opponents. Wrapped about his torso he wore a corselet of English armor, or mail, given to him by his English friend Samuel Gorton of the Warwick colony in Rhode Island. Gorton had bestowed it upon Miantonomi after hearing he was going to war against the Mohegans. Physical descriptions of Uncas are vague, as many historians have preferred to stress his personality rather than his personal appearance. What emerges is a composite portrait of a man who was arguably the most scheming and opportunistic Indian in New England history a leader who rose to power by rebelling against the tribe of his birth, the Pequots, and then later helping the English to destroy them. You have a number of stout men with you, and so have I with me, Uncas called to his Narragansett counterpart. It is a great pity that such brave warriors should be killed in a private quarrel between us only. Come like a man, as you profess to be, and let us fight it out. If you kill me, my men shall be yours; but if I kill you, your men shall be mine. But Miantonomi would not permit himself be gulled so easily. He knew his forces greatly outnumbered Uncass and that a Narragansett victory was almost guaranteed. After years of hostilities, at long last he stood at the brink of ridding himself and his tribe of its greatest enemy. My men came to fight, Miantonomi replied , and they shall fight. Uncas suddenly threw himself flat upon the ground. Immediately dozens of Mohegan warriors in the rear pulled back their bows and poured a shower of arrows among the astonished Narragansetts. Before Miantonomi or his men could grasp that they had been duped by the Mohegan sachem that he had anticipated Miantonomis refusal and had pre-arranged the sneak attack the Mohegans rushed in upon them, whooping and screeching, splitting skulls with tomahawks. Taken utterly by surprise, the Narragansetts, who outnumbered the Mohegans twoto-one, turned and ran for their lives. Uncas sprang up, and his warriors, pealing forth the yell of battle, and brandishing their tomahawks, rushed forward with him upon the staggering enemy, De Forest writes. The Narragansetts, panic struck at this sudden assault, made hardly an attempt at resistance, and speedily took to flight. The Mohegans pursued them with impetuous fury, drove them through the shallows of the river, and continued the chase into the forests beyond. Miantonomi ran with all the speed and strength he could muster, but to his profound dismay found himself bogged down by the heavy mail corselet. It had been presented to him in the hope that it might help to save his life; now it was to become the instrument that delivered him into the hands of his enemies. Mohegan warriors flanked Miantonomi on both sides, easily matching his impaired stride. They took turns shoving and jostling the Narragansett sachem as he ran, but they dared not bring him down. That honor belonged to Uncas, who was coming up fast from behind. (There is a local tradition that in his flight to elude capture by Uncas, Miantonomi leaped across a rocky chasm high above a whitewater segment of the Yantic River. It is said he landed hard on the opposite side and broke his leg. Uncas, meanwhile, is supposed to have leaped across the chasm after him.) When Miantonomi felt the hand of his hated enemy clasp his shoulder, he knew his reversal of fortune was complete. Thirty of his men lay dead or dying. Some had escaped, many others had been captured. Now he, Miantonomi, sachem of the Narragansetts, was about to be taken prisoner too. He slowed to a stop and sank to the forest floor, where he sat and stoically refused to answer his captors questions and taunts. One by one, Narragansett prisoners were paraded before him. When Miantonomi still refused to give Uncas satisfaction, the captives were slain before his eyes. Why do you not speak? asked Uncas. If you had taken me I should have besought you for my life. Uncas ordered Miantonomi brought back to the Mohegan fortress, but soon perceived that he might be too dangerous to keep there. With each passing day, the possibility of a retaliatory attack or rescue attempt by the Narragansetts seemed more likely. Meanwhile, the colonists of Rhode Island grew incensed by the treatment of Miantonomi. The sachem was much liked in Providence, and no wonder he and his uncle, the sachem Canonicus, had freely given to Roger Williams the land upon which Providence was built. The Narragansetts had a strong bond with the Rhode Island settlers, so it is no surprise that news of Miantonomis captivity spread rapidly. Samuel Gorton, the white man who had given Miantonomi the unfortunate coat of mail, contacted Uncas directly: Samuel Gorton, a wild-headed but kind-hearted enthusiast who had settled

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at Warwick, is said to have written Uncas a letter, commanding him to set Miantonomi at liberty, and threatening him with the English power if he refused. The epistle reached Uncas, and, being explained to him by the messenger, gave him not a little perplexity. He was by no means willing to set his captive free; but he did not dare, on his own authority, to put him to death. In this uncertainty he concluded to refer the matter to his old friends, the English of Connecticut. Uncas brought Miantonomi to Hartford and presented his dilemma to the Governor and Council, asking them to advise him how to proceed. But the English authorities begged off, explaining that they were not at war with the Narragansetts, so they thought it best not to interfere. They referred Uncas to the next meeting of the United Colonies of New England. In the meantime, at Miantonomis own request, the prisoner was left in custody of the English. The vanquished sachem felt he stood a better chance of getting out of the situation alive if he were among the English. Sadly, he was quite mistaken. Unbeknownst to Miantonomi, an old enemy of his, a sachem from Long Island, had made it known to the English that Miantonomi had been trying to build unity among the tribes of New England and New York as part of a plan to overthrow the English colonies and drive the colonists back into the sea. It is not known how much of the Long Island Indians claim was true, however what mattered to the English authorities is that it tended to confirm their worst fears about the Narragansetts that they could not be trusted, and that if a tribe of such strength were in fact to lead a united assault upon the colonies, the English could very well lose. When the first Court of Commissioners of the United Colonies of New England convened at Boston on September 17, 1643, its members considered the case against Miantonomi. As the supreme legislative body in New England at the time, the Commissioners had the power to free Miantonomi if they pleased, however they decided that if they were to let him go, he might seek vengeance upon Uncas, who had always been an ally to the English. Uncas wished to execute Miantonomi, but the Commissioners did not see sufficient cause for such an

extreme measure. They referred the matter to a panel of five ministers for their opinion, who somehow arrived at the shocking conclusion that indeed, Miantonomi must die. The Commissioners, having all their doubts removed by the verdict of the ministers, decided that the unfortunate sachem was worthy of death, and that Uncas might justly kill him, since his own life would be in constant danger, either by treachery or open force, as long as such a false and bloodthirsty enemy lived. It was clearly discovered, they said, that there was a general conspiracy among the Indians against the Colonies, and the prisoner was at the head of it. Also citing particular instances where the Commissioners felt Miantonomi had also violated Indian customs, the Court directed that Uncas and some of his best men be called to Hartford to retrieve the prisoner, and that he should be taken to a location beyond the English settlements and put to death. In this way, the English were able to eliminate a man they considered a threat, yet didnt have to dirty their hands with the deed. To this day, historians assert that Miantonomi was not guilty of all the charges lodged against him, and that he was executed for political reasons, rather than as a result of justice. Soon after the Courts decision, Uncas, in the company of his brother Waweqa and other warriors, sojourned to Hartford, where Miantonimi was placed in their custody. Two Englishmen joined them to serve as witnesses. The execution party retreated towards Indian country, following well-trodden forest paths until at last they came to the plain where the ill-fated parley had occurred months earlier. As Miantonomi and his captors walked single-file across the plain, Uncas signaled to his brother Waweqa, who followed behind the doomed Narragansett. Waweqa silently raised continued on page 16

his tomahawk and dashed it down upon the back of Miantonomis skull. The native weapon sliced deep into the muscle and bone, nearly severing the sachems head. There is a grisly tradition about what happened next. At least one 19thcentury historian claims the story is not to be trusted. True or not, the tale has become inextricably tied to Miantonomis death over the years. In fact, this very scene was rendered as a woodcut engraving in an 1833 youths history book of Connecticut (see illustration). It is said that when Miantonomi collapsed dead on the plain, Uncas drew his knife, bent down and carved a large piece of flesh from the fallen Indians shoulder. He placed it in his mouth and ate it with savage exultation, while proclaiming It is the sweetest meat I ever ate. It makes my heart strong.

Blood on the Blackstone, Part 8 continued from page 15

The executioners buried Miantonomi there on the plain, site of his last battle and final defeat. A small cairn of stones marked his grave. For many years after, every Narragansett Indian who passed by that way added another stone to the pile until the mound became quite large. The plain itself became known as Sachems Plain. Today, it is part of Sachem Park, in Norwich. During many subsequent years, parties of this tribe used to visit the spot every September, in spite of the almost continual hostility which existed between them and the Mohegans. On reaching the rude monument they would break forth into lamentations, and then throwing new stones upon the heap, would consecrate them with mournful cries and frantic gestures. The pile of stones continued to grow well into the 19th century, but the tradition ended abruptly when an enter-

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prising farmer with slight regard for history took all the stones away and used them to build the foundation of his new barn. Afterwards, a permanent monument was placed upon the spot, where it still stands today, off the road in a quiet neighborhood. So ended the life of the great sachem Miantonomi, son of Mascus, nephew of Canonicus, brother of Yotash, Pessicus and Cojonoquant, and husband to Wawaloam. He left behind three sons, one of whom was probably just an infant when his father was murdered by the Mohegans and the English. His name was Canonchet

NEXT: CANONCHET CAPTURED 2008 by Joe Doherty PO Box 31 South Salem, NY 10590-0031

Our Rich Community Fabric

Immigration The aim here was to get ahead, to better themselves. That has been the aim of everybody that came to America, I guess. And of course, the whole nation was different....it was the promised land. They came here for a better living and they worked like hell for it. Julien Cloutier, Run of the Mill Immigrant assimilation into the Blackstone Valley is a fascinating microcosm of Americas melting pot. The depth of nearly four centuries of Americas earliest traditions and layers of very diverse and rich cultures, traditions and customs brings the Blackstone Valley into the forefront of the American experience. While the French were vehemently committed to La Survivance of their heritage, the Swedish immigrants blended much more easily into the strong English culture and Protestant religion of the Yankees who owned the farms and ran the factories. The Irish experience differed some between Rhode Island and Massachusetts due to the variation in state politics but the Cape Verdeans faced dual obstacles. Color and language were factors that played substantive roles in both acceptance into the early American

culture as well as in maintaining a distinct and intact ethnic heritage. The Blackstone Valley is alive with incredible journeys, some very visible but some can only be found in old books and memoirs. But the fabric of life couldnt be richer and provides an exemplary, though not always glowing, picture of acceptance in the world and dynamic fabric of the American Dream. The mission of the American Dream even before the term was spoken was clearly in unison though the paths and outcomes varied greatly. Yet, what remains today is a fascinating and often tangible excitement that translates into a vibrant and compelling place to live or visit. Gratitude goes to all of the rememberers as the ethnic musicians Pendragon have advised. Whereas the buildings reflect the physical landscape, often scenic, sometimes challenging - the people clutch to their heritage and strong religious balance while pioneering a new life and braving unique and sometimes, uncomfortable conditions. That is a story we can all recognize as America. This past has tremendous impacts for us as a nation - who we were, who we are and who we will still become.

Our relationships and ability to work together, respect what is important to preserve is paramount to our future without forgetting our past. The human experience, the strong values, the sometimes challenging religious and racial (in)tolerance coupled with innovation and the diverse skills of various immigrant groups has led to a dynamic history that included Irish, French, Swedish, Cape Verdean and others. It is important to understand our varied pasts to properly respect the hardfought steps that have created a true melting pot. We are now seeing a new wave of immigrants coming to the Valley. Many non-skilled as well as many highly skilled management levels, such as engineers are expanding into our Valley communities. This is important as emigration continues in Massachusetts which is the only state in the Nation to lose residents. This has grave impacts on the workforce and new businesses establishing in the region. The French Woonsockets Museum of Work and Culture is a significant living resource to the French experience that

dominated the Woonsocket area and beyond for decades. Woonsocket, in fact, was the most French speaking community in the Nation at one time as the waves of French-Canadians were enticed away from their struggling farm lives to work in the mills in the Blackstone Valley. Since several Woonsocket mill owners were Belgian, they identified the French, who were struggling with hard times in Canada, as potential workers for the booming industrial age. La Survivance of their heritage was of utmost significance to the French-Canadians and at one time, there were seven Catholic churches in Woonsocket alone, many of strong French influence. The heart of the social and religious life for FrenchCanadians was the Church. They also continued on page 17

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Seeking tenants for newly renovated Whitin Mill abutting the Mumford River and Ring Shop Dam in an exciting opportunity to become part of an important new project in the Blackstone River Valley.

For additional information, call Tom Saupe or Phil Ingersoll-Mahonet at Alternatives (508) 234-6232.

Our Rich Community Fabric continued from page 16

sought to retain their French- Canadian heritage and maintained frequent contact with their homeland. Several other institutions were very popular in the Valley, including La Societe de St. Baptiste - one of about 200 French societies in the region. These were truly mutually beneficial societies passing the hat for funerals, creating scholarships and helping community. Schools with nuns were created with half the day in English and half spoken in French. But the pride among the French demanded American citizenship for membership. Festivities, such as St Jean de Baptist, celebrated Feast Day on June 24th every year. Though diminished, the French have honored their heritage at the lovely Woonsocket Museum of Work and Culture at Market Square. Even today in the local papers, the Valley Breeze or the Woonsocket Call, there are articles announcing French language or culture clubs, announcements for French Society events and many French Canadians still holding on with a firm grasp to their heritage. In fact, the coveted first prize for the Annual Fund Drive for the Museum of Work and Culture is a trip for two to where - why, of course, its Canada! In Massachusetts, Millbury was once a predominantly FrenchCanadian town, but recently its FrancoAmerican Club closed because of falling membership. Many middle aged and old timers remember how the traditional school day would be taught in French throughout the morning and then taught in English for the afternoon classes. The Cape Verdeans NHC Ranger Chuck Arnings Tape #28, Cape Verdean Voices (found at the Public Library in each Valley community) reveals a history of music, legendary sailors and whaling voyages for the Cape Verdean men out of Providence harbor, strong but poor women often left alone for months and years at a time, and an adjustment to being isolated for color and language differences by the predominantly Anglo-Saxon landowners. Cape Verde, off the coast of western Africa, is made up of 10 islands and eight islets. In the early 1800s, American whaling ships would head out from the east coast and seek out skilled whalers in Cape Verde and the Azores. Their growing familiarity with America fed into the universal quest for bettering life and immigration to America. However, the challenges of color and language, coupled with transit to their homeland during whaling expeditions, strengthened the embrace that Cape Verdeans felt for their culture and religion. Cape Verdeans held a Catholic tradition since the middle 15th century, yet the early American Catholic churches were not very welcoming to immigrants of a different color or language. Most of the early black population in America belonged to the Anglican Church. This isolation was unusual for the Cape Verdeans whose cultural heritage was comprised of Italians, Africans and even Jews who had fled to the island after the Inquisition. This multi-ethnic upbringing led to multiple skin colors within the fabric of Cape Verdean life which was quite different from the more rigid homogeneous Yankee traditions. The musical linguistics of the Cape Verdeans permeated their culture as they sought to create local connections by tracing family roots and links. Oh, were cousins was a familiar phrase once the family linkage was found. The rhythm of the language merely underscored the Cape Verdean musical traditions comprised of the violins of Portugal, the rhythms of Africa and the influences, including dances such as mazurkas and waltzes of Southern Europe. Music was at the core of all Cape Verdeans pursuits with a unifying identity. The Cape Verdean identity was also visibly promoted by leaders meeting in Boston to collect books and resources to share with new generations as they had less contact with the island. Though the whaling and shipping industry still held onto many Cape Verdeans, the Woonsocket and Blackstone mills eventually became employers for many. But the very strong traditions and culture has remained viably intact due to the long shipping interaction with their home-

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which advocated Americanization of lifestyle while the GAPA or Greek American Progressive Association stressed the retention of traditional customs and their language. Though a new wave of Greek immigrants headed to America from 1966-79 as the 1965 Immigration Act ended the national quota system, (the U.S. had a closed door policy from around 1925-46 that substantially limited numbers to below 1300 annually) the new wave never brought more than 11,000 Greeks to America each year, with the majority settling in the New York City area. Former State Legislator and businessman George Panichas provided a reprint from the Hellenic Calendar, printed by the Providence Journal on March 13, 1913 where historical records show that Pawtuckets first Greek immigrant, George Vaca, arrived in 1892, though he moved to Woonsocket a few years later. Vaca knew no one who could speak the language but by 1913, Pawtucket was home to the largest Greek community in R.I. and a second priest had to be appointed. The Greeks have always proved to be hard working, family oriented, loyal and social, loving to engage in get-togethers that extol their fine foods and social customs. To appreciate the rich culture and yummy goodies, a quick trip to Pawtucket can be an eyeopening pleasure! Every mid-August, a wonderful Greek Festival is held in Pawtucket for all to enjoy as it is open to the public! There are many other ethnic groups that enrich our melting pot fabric of life in the Valley. We shall look into some of those in the next issue of Journeys but you can explore the cultural diversity of Broad Street in Pawtucket, Central Falls and Cumberland through weekly tours offered. These feature a 60- minute river tour, ethnic dining at restuarants and live food demonstrations. Contact: the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council at 401-724-2200 or info@tourblackstone.com and ask about the Broad Street International Food Tour.

land and the strong bonds to kinship. There is, in fact, a Cape Verdean Festival in Pawtucket every May to fully enjoy and catch the spirit of their life, music and traditions. Almost 1-1/4 times the size of Rhode Island, the countrys population is 390,000. The largest population of Cape Verdeans not living in Cape Verde reside in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The Greeks The first wave of Greek immigration started when the economy in Greece faced turmoil. Greek sons, as young as fourteen, were sent off to America to work hard, send money back and eventually return to Greece to buy land. Many of the approximately 25,000 young men that came to America annually from 1890-1917 had been raised in rural areas, but most tended to find jobs within urban areas, such as New York, Pawtucket or Worcester. Though some headed west to work in mines or on railroads, many stayed in the East and became dishwashers, laborers, street peddlers and shopkeepers. By 1912, the Balkan Wars between Greek and Turkey erupted, and about 500 of Pawtuckets 2500 Hellenic population returned home to fight the Turks, showing their allegiance to Greece. Those surviving often chose to return to Americas career opportunities after the war instead of buying land as expected in Greece. By 1913, Greek women were also migrating to America, thus bringing the Greek culture and strong social traditions to life while their husbands or friends set up small shops such as grocery stores, confectionaries or diners. The Greek Orthodox Church remained central to their lives and soon, The Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary was built on George Street in Pawtucket. As World War I broke out, loyalties seemed to split somewhat as two distinct approaches to Greek life in America developed. Two national fraternal organizations developed: the AHEPA, or American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association

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Blackstone Treasures: A Kayaking Itinerary

gear through a gorgeous young hardwood forest. The trail parallels the river on the east side following a rising cliff till it peaks about 150 above the river. Pay attention and you will find a scenic overlook on the right. This overlook gives you a perfect view of the rapids and rocks that are causing you to portage. Caution here as slipping rocks and loose soil on the edge could cause a fall. The rapids you are portaging around are runnable at certain times of the year. In high spring waters or storm flows, this is a nice Class III section of rapids suitable for experienced white water paddlers. For anyone else or low flow conditions, you should use this portage to save the bottom of your boat and your ankles. Stories abound regarding the use of this area by Native Americans. One story tells of the use of this cliff to drive deer over during hunting. Possible, but it is unconfirmed. If you are down on the west side of the river below the cliffs, you will find circular depressions in the rock which are bowl shaped and smooth. Small pebbles are usually found in the bottom of these depressions. Local mythology would have you believe that these are the remnants of food preparation areas used by the Native Americans. These depressions were thought to be used to pound corn into flour. Although an attractive local legend, the real truth is that they are caused by small stones getting trapped in a crevice of the rock. Rising waters during high flows cause these small stones to start swirling about. Over hundreds and thousands of years, they carve small bowl shaped depressions. They look smooth and manmade, but water is powerful and patient creating these bowls over time. At the end of your long portage, you reach a meadow. The river entrance is immediately to your right and about 150 yards away. Location: N42 00.646 / W 071 degrees 33.103 This is a sheltered location, I sometimes come here just to picnic and relax. This is a fairly easy entrance into the river. Take the time to paddle upstream a little and you will be rewarded with scenic views of the cliffs you just walked past. At this point, paddle south. The paddling is easy and relaxed. The scenery is beautiful. Take note of the old Tupperware mill on the left. The rise and fall of this company and its presence in the Blackstone Valley affected thousands. Continue paddling south about two miles. You will see three bridges close togther. Approach with caution on the right side. Your exit to the portage is located under the third bridge at the right. Use extra caution as you are approaching within 75-100 feet of a low head wall dam. Location: N42 degrees 00.977 W 071 degrees 32.311 You DO NOT want to go over this dam! This is a difficult portage requiring you to lift your boat up and over a set of steps and a 4 foot high wall and then carry back down to the river over another wall. It is not a long portage (about 100 yards) , but it does require physical strength and caution. You enter into the water below the

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UniBank Greenway Challenge Registration Deadline Nears

Registration for the Blackstone Valleys premier adventure relay race is open and will close September 1, 2008. Teams are urged to register early for the September 27 event so they can realize the full advantage of information and pre-race events designed for participants. Individual racers can register in the Ironman or Ironwoman divisions and teams of up to nine can register in the division that most closely reflects their composition. Defend the Championship or have your company team go for the Corporate Cup. The Recreational division takes all comers and for the Masters division team members must all be over 55 years young. The all-women division is one of the fastest growing with more teams each year. Teams of all sizes are also allowed a support person who coordinates getting equipment from transition site to transition site. UniBank Greenway Challenge organizers are working out the last details for the 2008 course that will take teams over a route that is very different from the year before. They remind those thinking of entering that no one has an advantage on the route details that are released in early September. As always, organizers adhere to the tradition of showcasing the greenways and blueways of the Blackstone River Valley and cyclists, paddlers and runners always find themselves in a new and delightful part of the region they might never have been to before. Mark your calendars for September 27 and plan on joining in the fun. No matter where teams place, the Finish Line Celebration is where everyone gathers for great food, music, camaraderie and to share stories of their unique experience. Its an adventure race like no other come find out why!

dam. There is a quick flow here with a short section of Class II white water with exposed rocks at low flow conditions. Use strength and ferry to mid river position before starting downstream. The paddling of this section is easy. The river changes its texture here. You are starting to enter the most developed areas of Woonsocket, R.I. As you do so, more mills, factories and warehouses appear on the side of the river. The river banks are more cluttered and the river changes its feel. About two miles down from the last portage, you have an alternative exit at Cold Spring Park, located just 1/3 mile south of the MA & RI border on Rte 122. This picturesque park is located on the southbound side of Rte 122. drive down the long access road to the river. Continue just about 3/4 miles downstream from this point to your portage Location: N42 00.105 W 071 degrees 31.076. You will carry your boats up and to the public parking at the corner of River St. and S. Main in Woonsocket, R.I. This is the end of this trip. Stop and enjoy the historic downtown and get a real wiener or fish and chips. If you are continuing on the river, cross over to River Island Park. As always, PADDLE SAFE! On Thursday, June 12, at 8:30 A.M., the Whitin School 8th Grade held a dedication ceremony to honor the life of Brietta Esposito, a twenty year veteran of the Uxbridge Public Schools who passed away suddenly this past school year. The 8th grade students and faculty were in attendance at this ceremony. A tree in memory of Brietta was planted outside the school for all to see to remember her kind spirit and the legacy she has left behind.

Trees

Written by Alanna ODowd, Grade 8 Student Read by Bridgit Wallace, Grade 8 student They are a part of nature. They shade us when were warm and shelter us when were cold. Without trees, the world would seem empty. Often we take nature for granted. We forget that without it, we would struggle to go on. Its the same with people. We grow so accustomed to their presence that we take them for granted, as well. Then when they leave us, we struggle to carry on. Mrs. Esposito was a gift from God. She was beautiful and nurtured us like a tree in bloom. This tree will be a constant reminder of Mrs. Espositos presence in our lives. Her roots here grew deep, and we relied on her to shade and shelter us. We know you still stand by us, Mrs. Esposito, tall and strong and beautiful like this tree we remember you by, and we thank you for taking such good care of us.

Contact Barbara Dixon for more information at 401-762-0250 x30. Registration forms are available on line along with further details of the event at www.greenwaychallenge.org.

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