Executive Director's Message
The John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor is a unique place and a unique partnership. It is a pleasure and privilege to become the Commission’s new executive director. I look forward to renewing old friendships and acquaintances, to making many new ones, and to becoming more familiar with all parts of the operation as soon as possible. There is a lot to learn, and I will appreciate all you can do to help me learn quickly.

This is a time of challenge. In the short term, we are facing the possibility of significant budget cuts that could have a serious impact on our operations. We also still have the challenge of getting development funding restored so that current projects can continue and new projects can be undertaken that will protect the resources of the Valley and continue the revitalization of its communities. This is, after all, one of the core concepts driving our collaborative successes to date: primarily our ability to stimulate and support the work of so many partners at the community level.

In the next few years, we have to complete a Special Resource Study, evaluate the possibility of establishing a permanent unit of the National Park System, and update the Management Plan. Above all, we must develop consensus and active support for a long-term organizational structure that can most effectively ensure that our partnerships will continue to produce results well into the future. On this subject, there are many different opinions; our collective challenge will be to keep our eyes on the prize, on what we have in common, and on not missing a beat in making progress.

As we address these challenges, it is important that we keep having fun. Experience and celebrate the beauty of the Valley, the diversity of its heritage, the enthusiasm and dedication of each other. As this newsletter and other sources (see, for example, www.eventblackstone.com) illustrate, there are many events and opportunities to enjoy the Valley and the fruits of our (your) labor. I hope to see many of you at events that have been scheduled. In the mean time, please do not hesitate to call on me if you think I or our staff can be helpful to you.

Jan Reitsma

Meet and Greet our new Executive Director
You are invited to New Beginnings a reception to meet and greet our new Executive Director, Jan Reitsma on Thursday, October 18 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Chrysandra Walter, Deputy Regional Director of the National Park Service will join us and this is a great opportunity to learn about exciting partnership programs and projects that we will be carrying out over the coming years!

Refreshments will be served.
Please r.s.v.p. by October 15 to Barbara Dixon at 401-762-0250 x- 30.

10th Anniversary Gala at Museum of Work and Culture
Dignitaries, friends, patrons and staff at the Museum of Work and Culture will cap off a decade of operation with a gala on October 10th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the museum located at 42 South Main Street in Woonsocket. The Commission will host the Blackstone Valley’s very own Pendragon as the evening’s entertainment, hors d'oeuvres will be provided from GianCarlo’s Restaurant, and beer and cheeses have been arranged by the Quebec Government’s Boston office. A wine glass with the museum’s new logo will allow patrons to toast the museum’s next decade along with announcements of a capital campaign, new exhibits and of many exciting things to come.

The public is invited and tickets ($50) are available through the museum and by calling 401-769-WORK.

Starting line of the 2007 Greenway Challenge

Unibank Greenway Challenge a huge success.
Participants in the UniBank Greenway Challenge had a beautiful fall day to enjoy the Blackstone River Valley on Saturday, September 29, 2007, during the 7th annual adventure relay race. They covered 54 miles from the I-295 Blackstone River State Park Visitors Center in Lincoln, RI north to the finish line at Waters Farm in Sutton, MA. The over all Championship team calling themselves "Explosif" completed the course in a blistering 4 hours and 22 minutes - a full 17 minutes ahead of the next team from Fuss & O'Neil and 22 minutes ahead of the defending Great Canadian Canoe and Kayak Co. team. But for many, the day was about the challenge the cycling, paddling and running presented to their team and about being outdoors for the day.

For more on this year's event, including results, please visit http://www.greenwaychallenge.org