Tag Archives for Blackstone Valley Tourism Council

Arts Festival Is a Cultural Boon

Published in Senior Digest on September 2005

Only a few thousand people came into the city to attend its first arts festival. But attendance at the multi-day event has grown steadily over the last six years.  Festival organizers estimated that last year’s Pawtucket Arts Festival drew 35,000 people.

Richard Goldstein, an aide to Mayor James E. Doyle, stated that the first festival held in 1999, drew 35 people to the library. We had so many pizzas left, we wouldn’t let people leave the building without taking a pizza home with them,” he chuckled.

How things have changed, said Goldstein, as he reflected on the growth of the festival gala. “Last year, we had 30 times the number that attended the first year’s gala,” he said.

The upcoming gala, scheduled for Sept. 9 from 6 to 9:00 p.m. at the historic Pawtucket Armory, 172 Exchange St., is expected to draw a very large crowd, too, says Goldstein. At the kick-off event, more than 80 restaurants or stores will provide food and drink to feed the large numbers expected to dine and listen to the Rhode Island Firefighters Pipers & Drums and the Louisiana-based Nathan Williams and the Zydeco Cha Chas.  There is a $5 admission to help defray some of the costs of the $ 103,000 arts festival.

The start of the festival dates to January 1999, when newlyweds Kristine and state Rep. Peter Kilmartin were taking a leisurely drive through Slater Park. Kristine, a Smithfield native, had only lived in Pawtucket for a few months, and she asked her new husband why the city didn’t take advantage of its open space. She wondered why the city couldn’t organize an event such as the Scituate Arts Festival in the 209-acre Slater Park.

The Kilmartins turned to Mayor Doyle with the idea of creating an arts festival, and the rest is now city lore. The Kilmartins never imagined the idea would evolve into three weeks of artistic and musical events that would gain statewide and international attention.

Dragon boat races

In 2000, the dragon boat races and Taiwan Day Festival drew a crowd of 2,000 people to the School Street Pier to watch six teams race in 38-foot boats.  Four years later, over 15,000 spectators watched 30 teams compete, says Bob Billington, who heads the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council.

Billington expects the widely poplar event scheduled from 9:00 a,m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sept. 10 to draw more than 20,000.

“Those attending this year’s races will be able to watch the Ten Drum Art Percussion Group performed and learn about Chinese crafts, music and dance,” he said. At the end of the day, the winning boat takes home a $ 2,000 grand prize.

“The Rhode Island dragon boat races continues to grow each year because the even has remained faithful to showcasing traditional Chinese culture, an it’s free,” says Billington.

Head Downtown

On Sept. 11 from 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., people are invited downtown where art lovers can check out the city’s growing art scene by taking a self-guided tour with maps available at the Visitor Center at 175 Main St. Stops include galleries, the Gamm and Mixed Magic theaters, the Fusion Works Dance Co. at the Pawtucket Armory, artist studios and local businesses.

On the same day from noon to 5:00 p.m., the Slater Park Family Funfest will offer an array of children’s activities, says Jeanne Zavada, who oversees the Slater Mill Historic Site.

“It’s important to introduce kids to the wide range of arts,” says Zavada and that’s what will take place at the historic site, 67 Roosevelt Ave. Works created by high school students in the “Youth Arts Exhibit” will be on display ad artisans will demonstrate crafts such as jewelry and ceramic making and weave

In addition, members of the All-Children’s Theater will perform “When Elephants Fly.” and the Providence Circus School will offer a workshop.

Music Art in Slater Park

From 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 17 and 18 at Daggett Farm in Slater Park, a first-class lineup of musicians playing folk and world music will fill the air. Performers will include Aztec Two-Step, Dan Pelletier, Carlos deleon and the Mystic Jammers.  Also 38 artists will offer their one of a kind art work for sale during this weekend.

When looking at the jam-packed three-week schedule of the 2005 Pawtucket Arts Festival, Mayor Doyle considers the “icing on the cake” to be the return of the Pawtucket Teachers’ Alliance Pops in the Park event with the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra, which is scheduled for Sept. 24. The rain date is Sept. 25.

The Street Corner Serenade opens the widely anticipated concert at 4:00 p.m.  At 5:30 p.m., resident conductor Francisco Noya will lead the Rhode Island Philharmonic’s last concert of the Summer Pops Series.  Fireworks will begin at the conclusion of the musical program.  Bring lawn chairs and blankets.

“The Pawtucket Teachers’ Alliance again comes to the plate with its generous sponsorship and its continued support of the arts programming in Pawtucket,” Doyle said.

“Its sponsorship of this event  brings this cultural icon of Rhode Island right into the heart of Slater Park, giving any Pawtucket resident the opportunity to experience a high-caliber event at no cost,” he added.

Throughout the three weeks of the 2005 Pawtucket Arts Festival, other events will include Mirror Image’s six-night film festival, the announcement of winners of the 2005 Camera Werks photo contest, a furniture exhibit organized by Rhode Island School of Design’s Catalyst Arts, tango lessons and an open house at Providence Tango, script readings at the Visitor Center and exhibits and galleries managed by the Pawtucket Arts Collaborative, Slater Mill and the Water Color Society.

Bridging Generations: Travel Can Bring You Closer to Your Grandchildren

Published in Senior Digest on May 2004

Once upon a time, seniors interests, hobbies or life experiences were major factors in choosing where to go on vacation.

Today, however, the type of households in which their children live is another element influencing vacation plans for active seniors.

Single parents and partners of two-income households, of which there are a growing number can find it difficult to take time off from work. So their parents often step up to the plate and take the kids in the household on vacation. Trips are merging generational lifestyles, giving grandparents and grandchildren time to get to know each other a little bit better.

According to a soon to be released Travel Industry Association study, a growing number of seniors are now traveling with their grandchildren, which also strengthens intergenerational bonds and relationships.

The national travey study found that 17 percent of the estimated 93.2 million adults who took family trips in 2003, included grandchildren on those excursions, says Brian Kightlinger, director of Meredith Travel Marketing. The year before only 9 percent of the traveling adults brought along their grandchildren, he said.

Discretionary income combined with grandparents wanting to spend quality time with the youngsters are fueling the demand for intergenerational travel, says Kightlinger.

“With two parents working, grandparents are taking on a more active role with vacations,” he says.

Even the American Automobile Association’s (AAA) recognition of the emerging intergeneratioal travel niche was clear to see when the nation’s most widely recognized travel club launched its Ready, Set Travel! series.

When Helena Koenig became a grandmother 18 years ago, she created Grandtravel at her Chevy Chase, Md. travel agency to plan itineraries for seniors and their grandchildren. The travel agent combined 34 years of working in the industry with her new experience of being a grandparent.

Koenig says that Grandtravel’s goal is to “help grandparents create lasting memories for themselves and their grandchildren.” To encourage this bonding, no moms or dads are allowed on any of the 24 domestic or international trips, usually scheduled during Christmas and summer school breaks. When Koenig established Grandtravel in 1986, she offered three trips.

Banning parents from Grandtravel trips allows the oldest and youngest generations to get to know each other better. Koenig notes, adding that travel is a gr eat way for grandparents to transmit a “cultural inheritance” to their grandchildren.

Today, Grandtravel’s domestic offerings include the Grand Canyon, Alaska, Western Parks, New York and Dinosaur DIscovery. International offerings include trips to England, Ireland and Scotland, Italy, Australia, Southern Africa.

France, Peru, Kenya and Austria “Grandtravelers” can even take a Transatlantic passage on the Queen Mary 2 to London and Paris or to Ireland, Scotland and England.

Grandtravel trips can last from seven days to two weeks, costing from $ 3,000 to $ 8,000 per person.

For travelers who want to get to know their grandchildren better, only groups of 20 are booked on the company’s worldwide intinerary, says Koenig. These trips accommodate children of similar ages whenever possible.

Other companies are following Grandtravel’s lead. Disney Cruise Lines is placing a greater importance on appealing to multigenerational travel, says Christi Erwin, a spokesperson for the Port Canaveral Fla. company. “More than half of our guests now travel in multigenerational groups, says Erwin.

Responding to customer suggestions, Disney Cruise Lines has created several new areas to accommodate the interest of different ages within the teen and adult groups, says Erwin. The Stack is a new area for teens located in the ship’s forward (faux) funnel atop Deck 11, and on board programming is designed for specific age groups.

Erwin says at Studio C, considered to be the hub for family entertainment, grandparents and their grandchildren can attend dance parties and participate in sing-alongs and trivia-based games.

Day or night, the intergenerational travelers can even see first-run movies in the Buena Vista Theatre, says Erwin, who adds that the recently released Home on the Range just premiered at the theater.

At the larger Walt Disney theater, both old young can watch Disney movies, too, but also can attend special afternoon matinees of stage shows.

A daily schedule of events is delivered to every stateroom. “This type of programming gives grandparents more flexibility to plan the type of activities they want to participate in,” Erwin says.

Even with specific programming geared to children and family-centered activities, grandparent can slip away to recharge their batteries at the Quiet Cove pool, Cove Cafe lounge, Vista Spa and Salon or the Palo restaurant.

Costs for three-day ($ 409 per person), four day ($ 509 per person) and seven-day ( $ 829 per person) cruises included room meals and entertainment. Those prices exclude federal taxes and tips.

Established in 1975, Elderhostel, the nation’s first and the world’s largest, travel and educational organization for adults age 55 and over, views the world as it’s classroom. Each year, 200,000 seniors enrolled in over 10,000 programs offered by this nonprofit organizations in more than 100 countries.

Mary Harrington, Elderhostel administrator at the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, will be offering eight Elderhostel courses from July to October, two specifically designed for grandparents and grandchildren.

Harrington says participation in this program usually ranges from 25 to 45 seniors. Ten slots are put aside for local commuters who wish to attend the program but do not need hotel accommodations.

From Aug. 5-9, Kayaking, Biking and Hiking long the Blackstone River (four nights) allows physically active hostelers and “grandfriends” ages 11 to 14 to explore sections of the 46-mile river. With a naturalist and a historian on the hike, both old and young participants will earn more about the plants and creatures that inhibit riverbanks and local Algonquian history.

No kayaking experience is necessary, says Harrington, stressing that instruction and guidance will be provided. Kayaking, biking and hiking trips are two to three hours long and moderately paced. Bikes, helmets and easy access kayaks will be provided, she says.

Harrington promises that history will come alive in the Elderhostel course, History as a Great Story: Colorfully Told and Not Just for Kids (five nights). Designed for children ages 9 to 12, the course sheds light on Ocean State’s dazzling history. Field trips will take the participants to an 1870 lighthouse and early 19th century coastal fort in Newport. Children will enjoy riding an 1895 carousel at Slater Park and even learn a little bit about the Industrial Revolution that started at Slater Mill in Pawtucket.

Elderhostel Brings R.I. History Alive

Published in Pawtucket Times on Oct. 15, 2001

Some seniors age 55 and over have traveled to small French villages to see where Monet once walked and view his masterpiece artworks in Parisian museums.

Or those with a strong appreciation of music have traveled between cities, from Memphis to New Orleans, to learn about America’s greatest music – spirituals, blues and jazz.

The more adventuresome have immersed themselves in India’s 2,000 years of history and exotic culture by visiting the country’s ancient forts, temples, and palaces, traveling from Delhi to Jodhpur.

The described trips are just a few of more than 11,000 programs offered annually in more than 100 countries by the Boston-based Elderhostel, a nonprofit group considered to be one of the world’s largest educational and travel organizations that offer travel packages to seniors age 55 and older.

For Elderhostel’s fall programming, more than 34,226 seniors have attended in-depth lectures, field trips and cultural excursions as 1,847 enrollment sites throughout the world. In Pawtucket, Marcia Sandeen, 76, along with 39 other hostelers from Texas, Colorado, Nevada, New York, and as far away as Florid, came to learn Rhode Island’s history and view its quaint colonial streets, explore English-style mill villages and rare New England stoneenders.

Planned by the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council (BVTC), presentations by local historians and travel to local historical sites create an exceptional learning experience about Rhode Island’s history and and architectural treasures. Throughout the five-day jam-packed itinerary the older hostelers traveled throughout the Ocean State visiting an array of sites, from the Friends Meeting House in Lincoln to Pawtucket’s historic Slater Mill, the John Brown House, Pendleton Houses and a tour of Benefit Street in Providence, to a Newport mansion, “The Breakers.”

Even meal time brought history alive to the seniors who ate lunch at the Modern Diner in Pawtucket, a customized and factory-built Sterling Steamliner diner that was the first diner to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The group also dined at the Hose Company No. 6, a renovated 1895 fire station in Pawtucket and the Stagecoach Tavern Restaurant in Chepachet, located in an old tavern occupied by soldiers during the Dorr rebellion in 1842.

Sandeen admits “a retied teacher never stops learning.” And she hasn’t either. Since 1987, the former Houston elementary school teach who now resides in Las Vegas, has traveled to 35 Elderhostel programs across the United States, even traveling to four foreign countries.

Why come to Rhode Island? “It’s fascinating to be here because of its heritage and history,” she tells All About Seniors, adding that her favorite programs are always “historic and scenic.” That sums up Rhode Islan

During a tour of Pawtucket’s Slater Mill, Sandeen was clearly impressed with the preservation of the old mill complex.

The birthplace of America’s Industrial Revolution was a great onsite classroom for the older hostelers, too. “The tour guides were excellent and you could tell that they really love the subject,” she mentioned, as she walked with her group through the historic mill built in 1793.

Last month’s horrific terrorist attacks in Washington, D.C. and New York City did not stop 70-year old Lillian Mordas and her husband Joseph, 75, of Beacon, N.Y., from attending the Elderhostel program in Rhode Island. The retired elementary school teachers have visited eight states during their 10-year involvement with the Elderhostel organization.

Tourism should not be stopped by fear. Lillian Mordas says, with her husband nodding in agreement. The couple have lived through the Depression, World War II, the Korean and Vietnam Wars. “We’ve seen quite a bit and we must show the younger people that you should not be fearful of traveling. You manage to survive through the tough things,” she stated.

Before coming to Rhode Island the Mordas did not realize that the state was so industrial and had so many mill buildings. Now it’s obvious to them. “We’re overwhelmed at being in a state that is considered the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution and one that has made so many contributions to religious freedom,” Lillian added.

“So many cultures and life experiences come through Rhode Island’s Elderhostel program,” notes Bob Billington, BVTC’s executive director, who has organized 20 Elderhostel programs in Rhode Island during the last six years. “The programming must meet all the educational requirements and standards set forth by Elderhostel,” he says. But add to travel, meals, gratuities and medical or insurance coverage, you get a great deal of value, he says.

But for the older hostelers, a zest for living and curiosity of exploring new places and a desire to learn from each other are the right ingredients to keep them coming back for years.

Elderhostel’s programming is offered in all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For m ore information call the toll-free registration line at 1-877-426-8056, or visit the groups website at http://www.elderhostel.org.