Submit/Find An Event ll Table of Contents ll Shops/Dining ll Explore the Valley ll Home
Submit/Find An Event ll Table of Contents ll Shops/Dining ll Explore the Valley ll Home
On Monday evening (4/19/04), the National Heritage Corridor's Director of Volunteers Suzanne Buchanan hosted a wonderful gathering of volunteers who had participated in donating 23,124 hours of work throughout the Blackstone Valley. These Volunteers in Parks, better known as VIP, had contributed their skills and time for varied events or needs during the year throughout the Valley. These included the Paddle Club, Big Night to Flytying to "New Coat for Anna", a story that is read in elementary classrooms throughout the Corridor about the great Depression's struggles and how bartering and creativity often was used to get needed goods.
In the beautiful 1926 renovated Stadium Theatre foyer, tables were set up with the various activities in which these Volunteers had contributed their time during the past years. Then, everyone was ushered into the elegantlyadorned theatre, exactly as it was when comedian Charlie Chaplin graced its stage in 1926.
VIP Coordinator Suzanne Buchanan praised the tremendous participation which has spurred energy and commitment towards rehabbing the River, telling America's story and creating compelling events and memorable programs throughout each year that heralds the Blackstone Valley's heritage. She then introduced the Board Chair for the Stadium Theatre Bob Picard. Picard explained the great commitment and heroic efforts to resurrect this classic facility used as a vaudeville house from 1926-1950s. Memories of buckets and mops and overwhelming tasks ahead were not long past, according to Picard, who can't quite believe the treasure Woonsocket now proudly boasts.
The SOS, or Save our Stadium Theatre was a broad effort to clean up its filth and bring in John Canning and 8 artists to recreate the wonderfully painted ceilings and woodwork that had been painted over in all white during its 1970s tenure as a movie theatre. Canning had previously painted the interior of New York City's Radio Music Hall.
To this day, the $3 million renovation project continues to operate in large part with a broad spectrum of volunteer help. Although it now has an Executive Director and a small secretarial staff, volunteers such as Dan Peloquin helps with the lighting, Larry Poitras brings his schoolchildren in for Saturday morning cleanings and Anna Primack runs the concessions. Many others donate their time to manage the 1100 seat theatre. Last year, 100,000 people created an almost $1 million business.
Suzanne Buchanan then introduced her boss, NHC Executive Director Michael Creasey (seen on left in photo above) who spoke of the commitment that Suzanne has shown with inspiring results with the many volunteers that seem to increase each year, in numbers and in hours. Suzanne then introduced RI Tourist Director Bob Billington whose energy and enthusiasm is always noticeable for his beloved Blackstone Valley. He gave out five year awards to Pete Labonte, Susan Shea who helps at the Museum of Work and Culture, Jan and Michael ferry who created the Clean Water Festival in Rhode Island hosting well over 700 students from throughout the region this year. Val and Bill Paul were also honored. They teach maple sugaring in late winter. Many other names were mentioned as having donated even more years of service, including Irene Blais who is involved with story telling of "A New Coat for Anna", Roger Petit and Gene Peloquin who are managing the WWII Oral history project culminating at Stadium Theatre on May 30th and Keith Hanley.
Louise Redding was called up on stage for her 16 years of work, including her present role as Commissioner of the National Heritage Corridor. John Marsland, who initiated the River cleanup many years back recalled 1300 tires being pulled out of the Blackstone in 4 hours. Rachel Auclair and Julie Riendeau were also recognized for their teaching local history to schoolchildren in Burrillville.
Lastly, the Smile Award, created by Barbara Dixon of the NHC and Martha Wetzel, Director of the BV Chamber Tourism Committee, was given to Al Klyberg, who has long been a history scholar and tremendous asset to the Kelly House, Museum of Work and Culture and presently, the Heritage Museum.
