Thompson, Conn. launches new brand logo

 Posted by Wayne G. Barber  

Thompson’s Branding Strategy Implementation Committee, Economic Development Commission and Board of Selectmen recently announced the launch of a new municipal brand: Thompson, CT…Find Your Way.

Planning companies and committees agreed on three primary marketing messages: Thompson is reachable, centrally located and convenient to Boston, Providence and Hartford; Thompson is a welcoming, green and growing community, brimming with opportunities to live, work, play and visit; and Thompson is committed to achieving growth in a way that is green, sustainable, and innovative.

A brand logo, themes and iconography for marketing materials were developed based on Thompson’s landmarks and natural features. The River Mill and farms represent the city’s past as well as future economic growth and development. The inclusion of trails, waterways, bicyclists and hikers in the logo are representative of the outdoor recreation opportunities in Thompson.

Author Line-Up for 10-27-20

 Posted by Wayne G. Barber

News, Book Signings, Industry News, Poetry, Publishing Questions and Author Interviews.

9:05 am Author Dr. Michael Fine will discuss his latest, " The Bull " and other stories and the Rhode Island Pandemic Crisis too !

A bull gets loose in Tennessee. a black sergeant stops the murder of a Trump supporter in North Carolina. The third husband of a nurse in Pawtucket wins the lottery. A schizophrenic women who lives on Kennedy Plaza discovers that social security thinks she is dead. The 19-year-old Latina caretaker of a rich old man loses her mother to Covid-19. A horse that represents the hopes and dreams of a family in India falls asleep, and then awakens.

Ten stories. People whose lives are transformed. People who struggle and survive, who see their world through lost hopes, inappropriate loves, and irrational dreams. Ten stories, each one a new way to listen, see, feel, and dream.

9:40am Author Leo Frisk " Mr. Nobody' will discuss his latest two books

Visit The Bull Hill Preserve in Thompson, CT

Connecticut Mustangs 18u 6 Johnston, R.I. 1

 Posted and Photo's by Wayne G. Barber  

Beautiful fall day for a fall ball double-header.. The Ct. Mustangs had #15 Cam L'Heureux start and was in total control with a hot fastball and pinpoint location. This was a 3 to 1 game till the Mustangs broke it open in the fifth with 3 powered by a two run double off the fence by shortstop #13 Mason Barber who missed a homer by inches.  #10 Kaden Murphy closed out the last frame to preserve the win on a wicked line drive to the shortstop to seal the deal. Well coached game by  both teams and a break for a quick sandwich and then, "let's play two"

!

1938 Hurricane Track

 Posted by Wayne G. Barber 

On September 21, 1938, the Great New England Hurricane came ashore near Long Island, New York and moved north into the New England area. The majority of the storm damage was from storm surge and wind. Damage was estimated at $308 million, the equivalent of $5.1 billion today. Due to the lack of technology in 1938, New England residents were not warned of the hurricane's arrival, leaving no time to prepare or evacuate. The winds reached up to 150 mph, with waves surging to around 25–35 feet high. The photograph shows a map of the track of the storm put together by the Army Corps of Engineers

Ct. Mustangs 16 up's now at 5 in a row ........

Posted by Wayne G. Barber and Photos by Wayne G. Barber

The Mustangs of the summer of 2020

The boys of the summer of 2020 are starting to jell as a unit with depth.

On July 8th, 4 pitchers combine a no-hitter against East Lyme for a 1-0 sqeaker victory. On a steamy hot Saturday July 11 then turn it up a notch with a sweep in a double header at home at the Woodstock , Ct. middle school on a excellent manicured playing field. 3 in row is no easy feet with the good competition in the tri-state region.
 On Sunday the NE Eagles traveled down from the Hudson area and were spanked with the bats finally heating up after the pitchers carried the team in the start of the tight compacted baseball season.  Game one a 10-0 shutout and then re-hydrate and light lunch before making their statement that they are the team to beat in 2020 with a impressive 16-2 lopsided victory and starting the game batting first for the big Blue Machine scoring a whopping 7 runs before the third out. The pitchers did not slack off and limited the Eagles to two runs  Some of the boys are driving now and most are working part time for vehicles and insurance and practice almost every afternoon in our latest heat waves. This group's roster has really matured from Bad News Bears 7, 8, 9 10 year old teams to fine young men and great role models in our communities.

Thompson Town News....

Posted by Wayne G. Barber & Photos by Wayne G. Barber Library

Thompson Town Hall offices are now open by appointment (*with exception that appointments are not required for the Tax Office or the Assessor’s Office*; all customers for the Tax Office and the Assessor’s Office must enter through the upper back 2nd floor entrance.)

To make an appointment with other offices, contact the office you wish to see. You will be asked screening questions and given additional details regarding your appointment.

When you arrive at the building, you will find that all exterior doors are locked, however phone numbers for each office will be available on the doors. To enter the building for your appointment, call the office you are meeting with and they will meet you at the door.

* There will be a security person at the upper back 2 nd floor entrance who will be screening customers at the door and will allow two people at a time to enter each of the Tax Office and the Assessor’s Office.

Please keep in mind that we are asking that only those paying cash to come to Town Hall. We encourage those who are paying by check to mail it (PO Box 899, North Grosvenordale, CT 06255 or to leave it in one of the drop boxes. (1 outside the 2nd floor door, 1 outside the 1st

floor door nearest the Post Office.) We encourage those paying with credit cards to pay on-line.

Masks are required when in Town Hall.

At this time, there are no public restrooms.

Eastbound Train on a Westbound Track

NEW ROCKY POINT R.I.FISHING PIER NOW OPEN

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Pier provides prime saltwater fishing access 10 miles from Providence

 

PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and Warwick Mayor Joseph J. Solomon today held a ribbon-cutting event to celebrate the completion of a new timber fishing pier at the iconic Rocky Point State Park in Warwick. Financed by RI Capital Plan and Green Economy Bond funding, the $1.8 million project provides anglers of all abilities with access to one of the state's prime fishing areas.

 

“Public access to clean, safe, and attractive recreational facilities is a public good,” said Governor Gina M. Raimondo. “Being active outdoors is important for our physical and mental health. I hope that Rhode Island anglers will enjoy this new fishing pier at Rocky Point, cast a line into the waters of Narragansett Bay, and appreciate the beauty of our state.”

 

“Expanding shoreline and fishing access is core to our mission at DEM and we’re thrilled that the new pier will enable anglers, regardless of their physical abilities, to experience the joy and bounty of fishing on Narragansett Bay,” said DEM Director Janet Coit. “I hope that the public will benefit from this recreational investment and asset for decades to come.”

 

“I have been involved with efforts to preserve Rocky Point for two decades and it has truly been a labor of love. Previously, as Council President, I was proud to support the City of Warwick’s acquisition of the land at Rocky Point, which was a long, complicated process. I convened a special meeting of the Warwick City Council to grant permission for the State to purchase the remaining portion of the land at Rocky Point, and I also docketed legislation for the easement needed to build this pier. Now, as Mayor, I am very gratified to continue making improvements at our iconic park, and to stand with my partners from state and federal offices to officially open the fishing pier at Rocky Point,” said Mayor Joseph J. Solomon. “We have, working together, ensured the preservation of Rocky Point for the public so that generations of Rhode Islanders can continue to enjoy it. This project is just the latest in a series of enhancements that I have championed at our beloved park, and it is one multiple investments I am making in Warwick’s open spaces and recreational opportunities.”

 

The new fishing pier features a 280-foot-long, T-shaped pier with a shade structure, benches, railings, and solar lighting. Railing heights vary to allow people of all ages and abilities to enjoy access to Narragansett Bay. 

 

The fishing pier moved forward as a result of a partnership between DEM, the City of Warwick, The Nature Conservancy, and others to create and improve public access sites for fishing and boating. The project provides saltwater fishing access less than 10 miles from Downtown Providence, advancing a key element of this coastal public park. The fishing pier also complements a variety of recreational opportunities at Rocky Point State Park, including walking, bird-watching, rock climbing, a youth fishing camp, DEM’s popular “Come Clam With Me” workshops, and open spaces for picnics as well as family-focused events like Food Truck Nights and Movie Nights run by the City and other gatherings.

 

DEM Director Coit noted that DEM works in close partnership with the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA) to promote recreational fishing and introduce the sport to young Rhode Islanders through its popular fishing camp at Rocky Point State Park. Fishing is an important part of Rhode Island’s social and cultural fabric and an important driver for the state’s economy. Rhode Island’s marine recreational fishing industry contributes $420 million to the state’s economy and supports over 4,000 jobs.

 

“This new pier will provide a safe place for recreational anglers to catch fish and hopefully teach fishing to our children and grandchildren,” said Stephen Medeiros, Executive Director of RISAA. Source: RI DEM MEDIA PRESS RELEASE AND PHOTO

May, is a great month for birding.......

Posted by Wayne G. Barber and Photos by Wayne G. Barber

With our new feeders in place and a front row seat from my home studio the bird count is up to 51 and new arrivals every day along with the predators.

During May, migrating songbirds are particularly attracted to oaks. Most local oaks bloom in May, marked by dangling clusters of male flowers. Oaks are naturally home to all sorts of insects, and those flowers attract even more bugs. Warblers, vireos, flycatchers, and other spring-returning insect-eaters all visit oak flowers to eat bugs. 

From my backyard, I can see the crowns of three large oaks in the neighborhood. One is a black oak, another is a red oak, and the third is a white oak. These trees are islands of bird life—I have seen and heard all sorts of songbirds in those oaks during May. 

These are crazy times. North America’s songbird population has dropped by close to three billion over the past five decades. I savor any chance to share space with these fellow organisms in the environment.