🌱 Autumnfest Loses Rotary Club + Apartments At Sacred Heart?

Up and at 'em, Woonsocket; today is National Tartar Sauce Day! Let's get you all caught up to start this day off on an informed note. Here's everything worth knowing in town today.

In a surprising step, the Rotary Club is bidding the Autumnfest farewell. Should an empty church building become an apartment building? Also, Woonsocket remains a stronghold of spiritual support for Ukraine.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and cold. High: 35 Low: 19.

Here are the top five stories today in Woonsocket:

1. “The major fundraiser for the Woonsocket Rotary Club is Autumnfest.” However, we learned Thursday that the Rotary “severed its relationship” with the event. According to the organization’s president, the Rotary “had to make a decision based on what was occurring.” At the heart of the issue appear to be failed contract negotiations involving branding and other concerns. In spite of the disappointment, the Autumnfest chairwoman noted that “organizers will still be able to pull it off, as this is a group that simply puts its head down and gets the job done.” (Woonsocket Rotary, The Valley Breeze)
2. Sacred Heart Church in Woonsocket has been unused for four years. Last week, a special City Council meeting dealt with a proposal to turn the venue into 33 apartments. A Pawtucket-based developer suggested that the “exterior of the structure would remain unchanged for the renovation, only altering the internal structural use of the building, and no additions would be made to the property.” Officials will vote on the proposal on March 21. (The Valley Breeze)
3. Woonsocket is the heart of support for Ukrainian people. St. Michael Ukrainian Orthodox Church and St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church have joined forces to “ask, to beseech, to beg our Lord, God the Savior Jesus Christ, to protect his people, to protect Ukraine, to protect a nation that has been under pressure.” “Father Kroner said no war is ‘just’ and war is horrible with pain and loss, but added Ukraine did not start the war.” (Independent RI)
4. Governor Dan McKee announced Tuesday that RI “stands ready to welcome refugees” from Ukraine. The Governor explained that he was “deeply moved by the spirit and courage of the Ukrainian people, who are standing up for democracy and independence in remarkable ways.” He has ordered that the State House feature the blue and yellow colors of the Ukrainian flag. (Patch)
5. The Justice Department announced Monday that the grand jury indicted a 35-year-old New York man for alleged involvement in “grandparent scams in several states, including Rhode Island.” He was charged “with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, three counts of mail fraud, and aggravated identity theft.” The alleged scammers targeted elderly residents and persuaded them that a grandchild or other family member was in dire need of cash. (Dept. of Justice)

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Today in Woonsocket:

• The Poutine Indulgence at Adeline's Speakeasy Kitchen Bar, Friskie Fries, Ciro's Tavern, KG Kitchen Bar, Ming's Asian Street Food, Red's Street Kitchen and Catering, The Poutine Peddlers (all day)
• Restaurant / Hospitality Job Fair at the Hyatt Place Warwick Providence Airport (9 AM to 5 PM)
• Cheese & Cocktail Pairing at the Rhodium & Edgewood Cheese Shop (6 PM)
• Fleetwood Mac Tribute at the Stadium Theatre (8 PM)
• DJ John Gotem at Ciro’s Tavern (9:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Earlier this week, Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park staff met with Stefanie Covino from the Blackstone Watershed Collaborative. This organization unites a wide range of partners in working for a healthy watershed. Learn more about the Collaborative here! (Facebook)

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! See you tomorrow for your next update.

— Sylvia Cochran

About me: Sylvia Cochran works out of sunny Southern California and has been freelance writing full-time since 2005. She loves dogs, cats, books, plays Best Fiends (don't judge), embraces social justice, and tries to live out Micah 6:8.