What a great Saturday I had this past weekend… a series of events that, looking back, really capture a day in the life of our fascinating state—from children’s programs to the arts to help for the homeless, with a dash of college hoops and economic development thrown in for good measure.
I started the day with a delegation of Southeast Asian community leaders in Providence to encourage participation in the 2010 Census.
I went from there to the Warwick Mall, where I read to children as part of NEARI’s Read Across America event. This is the fourth time I’ve participated, and I thoroughly enjoy it every time.
I then visited the RISD Museum for its Free-For-All Saturday, with special programs for families and children. RISD students had drawn details of human eyes, ears, and hands on the walls throughout the entry area next to the current exhibition of Pat Stier drawings—to a quite striking effect. Children and families were spending the afternoon in this fascinating environment; I felt lucky to be there, too.
Next stop: the RI Philharmonic Music School. Under one roof are the RI Philharmonic Symphony, the Providence Singers, the RI Music Educators Association, and lessons in voice and many instruments. Students range in age from 9 months to 80 years old, so you can have eight-year-olds coming for music lessons while Philharmonic Conductor Larry Rachleff teaches a master class. The energy in the halls is palpable. For more information on programs and classes, click here.
The museum and music school were exciting and stimulating places to visit, but they also served as a reminder of the economic importance of the arts in our state. Between them, they employ hundreds of Rhode Islanders.
I headed down to Kingston to the URI women’s basketball game as part of a Celebrating Women program; while the team didn’t win, they played well and I enjoyed talking with RI’s Olympiad swimmer, Elizabeth Beisel, and the many loyal fans in attendance.
Rounding out the evening, I went to the Warm Hearts Winter Gala, a fundraiser for the Westerly’s WARM Center, a homeless shelter that also provides social and advocacy services—what a delightful group of people, what a good cause.
I finished the night with a stop at the GEARS award ceremony in Ashaway, applauding the creation of new high-tech manufacturing jobs at the Hopkinton Park, and honoring community leaders and business owners who helped bring this about—a good example of community and government working together toward economic development.
A full day, but one that reinforces my belief that our state has, and can continue to have, so much to offer.