Portsmouth Vetsto Hold Beirut Memorial Next Wednesday

BEIRUT MEMORIAL CEREMONY

30 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

WEDNESDAY, 23 OCTOBER 2013 @ 10 AM

PORTSMOUTH HISTORICAL SOCIETY

870 EAST MAIN RD.

PORTSMOUTH, RI  02871

Indoor ceremony followed by outdoor wreath-laying ceremony at the monument dedicated to the nine Rhode Islanders killed in the bombing of the U. S. Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon on 23 October 1983.

Public invited/encouraged to attend.  Please pass the word!

Portsmouth Historical Society Host "Harvest Social 2013"

Harvest Social 2013

You are invited to the Portsmouth Historical Society's 2013 Harvest Social for an “Old Fashioned Good Time”

        Sunday, October 20, 2013 Noon to 4PM

Historical Society Museum at the corner of Union St. and East Main Road

There will be games, prizes, and activities for young and old.  There may even be “guest appearances” from characters from Portsmouth’s past.  Come with an appetite.  There will be refreshments provided and baked goods for sale.  Sing along to some old-fashioned songs in the Church at 3 PM.

The Harvest Social is the Historical Society's main fund-raising event this year, so come and bid on their wonderful silent auction items.

This is always an informative and entertaining event and it is all for a good cause - supporting the collection, storage and maintenance of our historic buildings, artifacts, photos and documents. 

Among other activities, the Portsmouth Historical Society:
• provides programs of interest about Portsmouth to the public;
• has provided assistance with genealogical searches and property identification;
• has provided tours of various historical sites;
• members participated in the provision and dedication of the memorials to Anne Hutchison; and Mary Dyer which were placed at Founders’ Brook;
• has hosted meetings of the League of Historical Societies;
• has a cooperative relationship with the Portsmouth Conservation Commission;
• members participated in the survey of Portsmouth’s family and historical cemeteries.

Annual "Tasting in Portsmouth" at Portsmouth Free Public Library

The Portsmouth Free Public Library will be hosting their annual "Tasting in Portsmouth" this Friday, 18 October, from 7-9 PM. Chat with all of your friends, neighbors and other Portsmouth personalities while sampling the best food and drink our town has to offer. This once a year Portsmouth social event is not to be missed - and some great donations will be raffled off at very reasonable prices - all proceeds going to support our local library.
I strongly recommend Greenvale Vineyard's "Skipping Stone" white - the wine that carried our 375th anniversary label. Try pairing it with the Melville Grill Fish Chowder or one of the white pizzas from our local pizzerias. Sample the other delicacies from our local community - Clement's Market always contributes some great food to sample.
Our library is the center of our intellectual life in Portsmouth and deserves our strong support. I hope to see you there!

Are Your Kids Safe in Cyber-space? Learn More at Cyber-bullying Workshop

In the recent past, we’ve seen locally how online predators can entice our children to put themselves at risk. Learn what parents can do to protect their children from these online threats.

Senator Christopher S. Ottiano, (R-Dist. 11, Bristol, Portsmouth, Tiverton), in conjunction with Portsmouth Middle School, is sponsoring a seminar on internet safety and social networking responsibility at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 23.  The event will be held in the Portsmouth Middle School auditorium and is free, no reservations required.

The program will provide information to parents and educators interested in protecting their children and students from cyberbullying, sexting, cybermobbing and online predators. Specific instruction will focus on how predators target students and what teachers, administrators, and parents can do to protect them. 

375th Ornaments Make Great Holiday Gifts

Our 375th Ornaments/Medallions are still available and will make great gifts for friends and family. The ornaments are each numbered and only a limited quantity have been made. They are sure to become collectors items over the years, so get yours now, before they are sold out. They can be obtained in the following locations:

(1) Stop by the People's Credit Union Office on East Main Rd (Near Clements' Market) (ask for Dennis Chandler)

(2) Go to http://www.portsmouthri375.com/memorabilia.html and order one on-line.

(3) Send a Check to “Portsmouth 375 Committee, PO Box 420 PORTSMOUTH RI 02871

(4) Stop by Cory Farms on East Main Road (Just North of the Dunkin Donuts Plaza) 

Portsmouth's 375th Celebration: We're Not Done Yet!

While our 375th Gala weekend has come and gone, there is more in store for our anniversary celebration, which will continue until 31 December. In the next few weeks, the following events will take place: 

Sept 10 - Historic Trolley Tour of Portsmouth by the Aquidneck Land Trust. Waiting list only, but more trips are being planned.

Sept 14 - Symposium - "The Portuguese Among Us" - Guest Speaker Series, 12- 4PM, Portsmouth Portuguese-American Club

September 17 - "Hurricanes - 1938 and 1954" Historical Lecture by Jim Garman - 6:30 PM at Portsmouth Town Hall (Note change in date and place)

Sept 28 - Portsmouth High School Homecoming and 50th Celebration

Our distinguished visitors have all returned home and all thoroughly enjoyed the hospitality they received as our guests. On of the positive spin-offs of their visit was an agreement to examine ways in which closer cooperation among our communities can benefit all of us. This collaboration will begin with initiatives in education which are already in the planning phase but will likely include cultural and economic ties as well. 

In the meantime, we should all be proud of the way that our community came together and supported our Gala 375th weekend. If you have photographs of the reception, parade, picnic or other events that you would like to share, you can send picture files to the 375th committee at info@PortsmouthRI375.com . Ifyou have very large files you like to contribute  and the 375th SC will work with you to transfer these files. 

Keep an eye out for the latest 375th flyer which lists upcoming events or go to our website at www.portsmouthri375.com for the latest details. Lets keep the celebration going!

375th Thanks In Kind Supporters

In addition to our major sponsors and individuals who have donated money to our 375th efforts, we’d like to thank several local businesses who have contributed in-kind goods or services to help make our 375th Gala Weekend and other events successful.

These include:

Greenvale Vineyards                    Gala Reception beverage

                                                    Friday 375th SC Reception

                                                    Friday Chamber music /Wine

Newport Tent Company                      Gala picnic Tent

Coastal Electric                                   375th Street Banner (Install)

Leisure Limousine                               Lord Mayor from/to Logan

Event Temps                                       Wait-Staff   Gala reception

Flos’ Clam Shack                                 Founders Brook Fish/chips

Ferreira’s Package Store                    Gala Reception beverage

Allen’s Wine & Spirits                         Gala Reception beverage

Moriarty’s Liquor Locker                    Gala Reception beverage

Portsmouth Package Store                 Gala Reception beverage

Rentals Unlimited                               Gala Reception furnishings

Russell Morin Fine Catering               Gala reception Bar/wait staff

Newport Preservation Society            Topiary Gardens tour

Park Place                                          Assembly and Storage of 375th Float

JAM Construction                                Truck/Trailer to pull Float in 2 Parades

 

Please patronize these local businesses, and thank them personally for their community support to our 375th anniversary year.