Tuesday, May 1, 2012

What's Happening in Charlestown - May 1-15

We are surrounded by signs of activity, ramping up for the summer season.

The Flea Market at the General Stanton Inn opened last Sunday.

ecoRI.org reported on the Cross Mills Farmers Market that opens Saturday and the Community Garden in Ninigret Park (looking for volunteers to join in the fun - 364-1222).

Linda reported on the re-opening of The Hitching Post.

We will have lots more to celebrate in the next few weeks!

Learn about well water

Despite what many people think, wells don't operate safely with no attention. Attend a free informational session at 7:00 pm on Thursday, May 3, in the Cross Mills Public Library and learn how you can protect your private well through regular testing, private well maintenance and good housekeeping practices. This session is sponsored by the URI Cooperative Extension Water Quality Program, the RI Department of Health and the Charlestown Conservation Commission.

Farmers Markets

As mentioned above, the Cross Mills Farmers Market will open starting on Saturday, May 5. This year they have announced they will be open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday each week.

The Richmond Farmers Market will continue its schedule for Saturday morning markets starting a week later, May 12. This market is known for its special events and they have a full calendar of attractions on their website.

Also on May 12, you can attend the URI East Farm Spring Festival from 10 am until 1 pm on Route 108 south of Route 138. This festival is hugely popular and you can preview the activities on the website.

The Charlestown Land Trust Farmers Market which has operated on the library grounds for several years will be moving to the Church of the Holy Spirit, the Episcopal Church across from Washington Trust, starting on June 22.

Fishing Derby

Our Parks and Recreation will be holding the 15th Annual Roger P. Quillen Fishing Derby in Ninigret Park on Friday, May 11th from 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM (rain date of Saturday, May 12th at the same time).
Children ages 3-15 are welcome . This event is free and sponsored by The Breachway Bait and Tackle. There is no pre-registration.

Walks and bird watching

Our local nature organizations are giving us a lot of choices for getting outdoors this month. (Details on all of these can be found in the calendar.)

On Saturday May 5 you can see the birds around the Kettle Pond Visitor's Center, take a bird watching walk with the Wood Pawcatuck Watershed Association, or bird watch in the Ninigret Wildlife Refuge.

On Saturday May 12 you can take a bird walk around the Turstom Pond Wildlife Refuge.

More!

You can learn good pruning technique at the Cross Mills Library Garden Lecture Series session on Saturday, May 5, at 9:30 am.

Watching the sky

This Saturday, May 5, will offer up the largest full moon of the year. It will reach its closest point to earth around midnight.

Get the rest of the story on these suggestions and find lots more in our calendar, a free service at Progressive Charlestown. If you know of other great events, let us know by email.