Members of the newly formed Burns Manor Garden Club, in hats and T-shirts sponsored by the Pawtucket Housing Authority, gather with some of the plantings that will go into four new raised beds as well as become part of a beautification project for the grounds of the seniors complex. Clockwise from left: Linda Flanagan, Doris Normandin, Gloria Beauvais, Julia Fitton, Gloria Barrows, Jeannette Flanagan, Ernie Paquin, Terry McAloon, PHA executive director Steve Vadnais, Doris Sirois, Julio Ramos, Fortunato Dossantos, Peggy Mon, Connie Santos, Joe Santos, Maria Cabral, Lou Mossor, Beth Roberge, Sandy Battersby.

PAWTUCKET – Residents of Burns Manor on Park Street didn’t allow cloudy skies to dampen their enthusiasm as they planted flowers and vegetables on Monday, May 21 for their new community garden and a beautification project for the seniors complex, which is operated by the Pawtucket Housing Authority.

“It’s great for the people here,” Burns resident Lourdes “Lou” Mossor said. “They’re so enthused about it.”

Burns residents Beth Roberge and Terry McAloon are co-organizers for the garden, working in conjunction with New Urban Farmers, which donated seedlings, and Ernie Paquin of Fogarty Manor, where the PHA also sponsors a community garden. New Urban Farmers previously worked with the PHA to bring a garden with 100 raised beds to Galego Court which also includes three plastic geodesic domes that host a food cycle from plants to fish and back again.

Plantings at Burns include cosmos, marigolds, snapdragons, impatiens, geraniums, coleus, tomatoes, eggplants, strawberries, cucumbers, sweet peas and peppers.

“Multiple sclerosis changes lives in many ways but it shouldn’t stand in the way of a higher education,” said Chapter President Kathy Mechnig. “Our recipients impressed us with their dedication to academics while handling many personal responsibilities.”

Romeo D’Andrea of Johnston – $2,000 scholarship

A graduating senior at Johnston High School, Romeo plans to attend the University of Rhode Island to study engineering. His mother has MS and she had to stop working due to her worsening symptoms. Romeo, who has two siblings, spends about eight hours a week preparing family meals as his mother can no longer stand for extended times. He drives relatives to places as his mother can no longer do this. “Nearly every day after school, I have to get home and take my mother to one of three places: physical therapy, a doctor, or the market,” he wrote in his application.

With an A- average, Romeo is in the top 5 percent of his class. He takes rigorous courses, such as AP Calculus, and received the Stonehill College Book Award in honor of academic excellence. He’s a member of the school choir and the National Honor Society, each for three years, and has worked on the school newspaper and in drama. He volunteered for many events and programs including peer tutoring.

Although his mother’s MS has made life difficult, Romeo doesn’t see her illness as a burden. “I believe that having all of these obligations since a young age is a beneficial aspect of MS. The ability to take care of another human being is now a valued quality I possess. I have always been content to help others and for that, I have my mother to thank,” he wrote.

Emily Fisher of Coventry – $1,250 scholarship

A graduating senior at Coventry High School, Emily plans to attend Rhode Island College where she will study education. She hopes to become a teacher and maintains an A and A+ average.

 She has held leadership positions for the Interact Club, WCVY Radio Club, and yearbook, for which she served as editor-in-chief. She belongs to the History Club and has been a member of the student newspaper for four years. She has been an active hospital volunteer, logging more than 200 hours of service.

 Emily’s mother has MS and Emily helps take care of her 10 nieces and nephews, all age 10 and under, an average of five hours each week. She spends about eight hours a week on house maintenance and another eight hours a week caring for family pets.

 “Thanks to my mom, perseverance is one trait I have a deep respect for,” she wrote in her application. “MS has never slowed my mother down. Although physical tasks are daunting, she pushed herself to complete them to avoid feeling useless … Whenever I need to do something difficult, all I have to do is look to my mom for inspiration. She taught me that anything is possible if you have confidence and courage.”

 Tanner Bergeron of Scituate – $1,250 scholarship

A graduating senior at Scituate High School, Tanner plans to attend the University of New Hampshire to study nursing. For four years, Tanner has been a member of Students Against Destructive Decisions and played on the hockey team. He was president of the lacrosse team and captain of the soccer team, sports he played all four years. In addition to working at Home Goods and as a cabinetry assistant, he is an Eagle Scout who has volunteered at the Chepachet Food Pantry for the past four years. He has volunteered at Providence Cross Roads and Camp Ker-Anna, and participated in MS Society fundraisers.

He helps his mother, who has MS and is anemic, around the house, including 10-14 hours a week spent doing laundry, eight hours a week caring for their dog, and another eight hours a week on yard work. Tanner’s father passed away in 2007, and his brother and sister have since left for college, leaving Tanner with his mother at their Scituate home. Because of MS, his mother has experienced optic neuritis, numbness, fatigue, occasional sharp pain, dizziness, and coordination difficulties.

“If I had one wish it would be for a cure so that my mother could rid herself from pain and live the life she has always wished for. Until the day a cure is found, I will always support and care for her. No matter what condition or pain she is in, she is the mother I love unconditionally,” he wrote in his application.

Hubert Eaves of Providence – $500 scholarship

Hubert received a $2,000 scholarship from our Chapter last year when he graduated from Moses Brown School in Providence. He is now a freshman at the University of Richmond and received a $500 scholarship this year. While at Moses Brown, Hubert worked maintenance 40 hours a week or more to help his family in addition to watching and preparing meals for his three younger siblings. His mother is a single mother, nurse, and midwife who’s struggled with MS for a decade.

The National MS Society believes MS shouldn’t stand in the way of an education. This is why the Society’s scholarship program exists — to help highly qualified students who have been diagnosed with MS or who have a parent with MS achieve their dreams of going to college. The Society established its scholarship program in 2003 and the program continues to grow both in terms of support and scholarships awarded. In its first year of operation the program awarded 36 scholarships for a total of $68,000; in 2011 more than $1 million was awarded to 639 scholars.

High school seniors who have MS or a parent with MS, or high school or GED graduates of any age who have MS or a parent with MS can apply for the scholarships for higher education purposes. Scholars are selected based on numerous factors including academic performance and potential, leadership and participation in school or community activities, work experience, and compelling personal or family circumstances and financial need.  

 Rhode Island motorists now have a quick and more convenient way to renew their driver’s licenses. Governor Lincoln D. Chafee today announced that online driver’s license renewals are now available on the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website at www.dmv.ri.gov.

“The DMV continues to make important strides to improve customer service,” said Governor Chafee. “Eligible Rhode Islanders may now avoid a trip to the DMV by renewing their driver’s license online – eliminating the need to stand in line and further reducing wait times for other motor vehicle transactions.”

To use the online renewal service, customers must have a valid Rhode Island operator license eligible for renewal up to 45 days before its expiration date and no more than 180 days past due. A credit card and billing address are needed to complete the transaction. Users will pay an enhanced access fee of $2.00 for the convenience of renewing online.

The welcome page describes the eligibility criteria and DMV will confirm user license number, name, date of birth and zip code. From this information, DMV will check for any issue that will prevent customers from renewing online such as problems with their social security number, license suspensions or tax blocks. Users will attest to having met the requirements of an eye exam and having motor vehicle insurance as required by state law. Users will also be asked if they want to register to vote or become an organ donor.

Upon completion of the online application, users will be able to print a receipt or have it emailed to them. New licenses will be sent to the mailing address on file within 28 business days. Completion of the renewal well in advance of the expiration date is highly recommended.

Due to federal regulations, Commercial Driver Licenses (CDL) cannot be renewed online and must be renewed in person at the Cranston DMV. For more information, please visit www.dmv.ri.gov.

Slater Park Fall Festival

 Saturday/Sunday September 15 & 16, 2012

 Call for Artisans, Crafters and Vendors

Slater Memorial Park

 11:00 to 5:00pm

“Relax and sell your wares in our open-air marketplace!”

 Show and sell your creative endeavors in beautiful Slater Memorial Park!  This annual event attracts over 20,000 people attendees and is a juried festival that will be open to the public on Saturday & Sunday, September 15 & 16 from 11-5pm each day. This event is open to all crafters as well as artisans and creators of original items made by hand. 

The Slater Park Fall Festival will be a weekend that celebrates the beauty of the park – from the Daggett Farm to Looff Carousel, the Rhode Island Watercolor Society and historic Daggett House.

This ‘open air market’ features food, craft, exhibitions and performances with a special performance by the Rhode Island Philharmonic  “Pops in the Park” on Saturday, September 15 at 5:30pm (rain date Sunday, Sept. 16).  Sunday will feature Sons & Daughters of Erin Irish Festival plus much more!  

 Your application, payment in full and images must be received by Monday,  July 2, 2012.  Please visit our website for the complete list of guidelines and fees, along with the downloadable application form.   www.pawtucketartsfestival.org.   

 For more information, please contact Pat Zacks, Slater Park Fall Festival chair at 401-273-5367 or psz333@aol.com.

For over fifteen years, Mr. Fuller has been Associate Director for Operations and Technology at Seekonk Library and, since September, 2011, has been Interim Director.

He received his Master of Library Science from The University of Rhode Island in 1979 and a Master of Public Administration from URI in 1992.

He has been in public service since 1979; most of that time spent working in public libraries.  As a librarian, public administrator, policy analyst and computer system administrator, Mr. Fuller has spent his career deploying new information technologies and promoting innovative programs.

On learning of his appointment, Fuller thanked the Trustees, the staff and library users for their support and confidence. “I am looking forward to working with the Board, the Friends of the Library, the Library Trust and Town officials to provide the people of Seekonk with the exceptional library service that they demand and deserve.”

 The award was presented to Senator Tassoni at the Labor Assistance Professionals inaugural award luncheon, held today in North Providence.

Senator Tassoni was chosen to receive the award to acknowledge his years of service as a member of the Rhode Island Senate, as a community activist, a businessman and former union executive. He was also recognized for his sponsorship of legislation, now law, to establish a pilot “recovery high school” in Rhode Island, aimed at helping students recover from substance abuse disorders while earning their high school diploma.

 The Rhode Island Labor Assistance Professionals is an organization of employee assistance coordinators, benefit representatives, local union officers and joint program representatives. The group is dedicated to obtaining comprehensive alcohol, drug, mental health and other services for its members.

 Senator Tassoni, who is a founding member of the RI LAP, is currently serving his sixth term in the Senate. He is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Housing & Municipal Government and member of the Senate Committee on Special Legislation and Veterans’ Affairs.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

6:00PM 

Join a famous frog, a glamorous pig, and their motley crew of friends for family movie night at the library. This new PG rated movie will be shown in the Campbell Auditorium. Bring snacks, a drink, and enjoy the show. Children under 9 are asked to bring a caregiver. 

The program is free and no registration is required.

 For more information call the Children’s Library at 725-3714 x209 or e-mail childrens@pawtucketlibrary.org

 For several weeks, 16 Burns Manor residents led by Beth Roberge and Terry McAloon have worked with cooperation from the Pawtucket Housing Authority and executive director Steve Vadnais, which operates Burns, and New Urban Farmers to bring a bland patch of ground to life.

 New Urban Farmers is supplying seedlings for peppers, cucumbers and other vegetables. The PHA is backing the effort with flowers along with hats and T-shirts.

 Burns Manor becomes the third PHA complex in the city to have spawned a garden, joining Fogarty Manor downtown and Galego Court on the west end of the city, which also boasts an aquaponics installation with three plastic geodesic domes overseen by New Urban Farmers.

 More on New Urban Farmers is available at www.newurbanfarmers.com. The website for the Pawtucket Housing Authority is www.pawthousing.org.

 Yesterday, Keith Stokes offered his resignation as Executive Director of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC), which I accepted.

 I thank Keith for his service to Rhode Island, not only at the helm of the EDC, but also as a former Board member of that agency and as the long-time Executive Director of the Newport County Chamber of Commerce.

 Keith is committed to seeing Rhode Island succeed and I am confident that he will continue to be very involved in the state he loves.

Friends and families joined faculty and staff for the annual Academic Awards and Class Night ceremony in the Griswold Theatre.

Cooper, a junior majoring in Crimiinal Justice and Poltical Science, received the Political Science Award.

At the ceremony, Senior Class President Jana Gleason gave the welcoming address and Sarah Calgreen delivered the Ivy Oration.

American International College is a private, coeducational institution founded in 1885, offering undergraduate and graduate programs in the schools of Arts, Sciences and Education, Business Administration, Health Sciences and Continuing Education.