5 Things You Need To Know Today: September 9

Today is Friday September 9, 2011. Here are five things you need to know.

November City Council Meeting Cancelled

The Woonsocket City Council has changed their schedule for November and will not be meeting on the 21st. November 14 will be the only meeting and public hearing for the month. The council's next meeting will take place on Monday, September 12.

Celebrate French Heritage

The 29th French Heritage Festival will take place on Saturday from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at . This fun-filled family event features traditional French Canadian music, dance and food.  There will be arts and craft vendors, games for the kids, demonstrators, farmers selling produce, music and dancing. Admission is free.

There will be demonstrations on a spinning wheel, crepe making, and playing of the spoons. Les Joyeux Copains, a Rhode Island based group of musicians get the day started playing traditional French Canadian folk music.

Quebecois French group Réveillons will perform in the afternoon, singing and playing reels, jigs, French songs and music for dancing. Patrons will be encouraged to dance the traditional French Canadian dances throughout the day. Roger Laliberte from WNRI radio will be the emcee. 

French Meat Pie, Salmon Pie, Dynamite, Dyna dogs and hot dogs will be for sale in the kitchen.  Mickey G’s clam shack will also be on site offering french fries, dough boys, clam cakes and other goodies

New this year will be a reenactment group called Regiment Bourbonnais portraying a French regiment that fought in America’s Revolutionary war. The group demonstrates military life of the 18th century as well as domestic skills and cooking over open fires. During the afternoon, the group will be marching and firing their muskets.

Also new to the line up of activities that day will be Ray Price, a dance master specializing in Breton Folk Dance.

The Woonsocket Historical Society will be sponsoring city sightseeing tours at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. In partnership with the , a special admission rate of buy one get one free will be offered throughout the day.  

At 1:30 p.m. there will be a pie eating contest at the Woonsocket Historical booth. A restaurant gift certificate will be awarded to the winner. The venue continues at night for the soiree that will take place at the Our Lady Queen of Martyrs School Hall at 1409 Park Avenue from 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. Back by popular demand, the Canadian group Réveillon will once again provide the music for an evening of music, dance and entertainment. People are encouraged to come at 5:30 to get dance instructions before the start of the evening.  
Tickets are $10 and includes beer and dynamite. They can be purchased at , Museum of Work & Culture, , , Special Place,  and . They will also be available at the door. 

Sponsors are Auclair & Auclair Financial, Menard & Lacouture Funeral Parlor, The Call, Catholic Financial Life, Harlequins, No. RI Council of the Arts, Soucy Insurance and Conway Tours. Proceeds will benefit the art council’s Mardi Gras celebration which has been held in Woonsocket since 1995.

Lessons for Constitution Day

On September 16, 2011, the Bill of Rights Institute will celebrate Constitution Day with engaging educational games, videos, and activities for people of all ages, and classroom lessons for teachers across the country.

The Bill of Rights Institute’s newest resource, the Constitution Duel, is a 15-question quiz that challenges you to defend your constitutional honor. Individuals will be asked 15 multiple-choice questions from four categories; the Constitution, primary source documents, landmark Supreme Court cases, and historic people. Take the quiz as an individual, or as a team - even challenge another classroom, family, or workplace to a Constitution knowledge duel! 

Additional activities include Life Without the Bill of Rights? which explores how life would change without our constitutionally-protected rights and Madison’s Notes are Missing, which allows you to “travel through time” to converse with the Founders and report on the Constitutional Convention.   

The Bill of Rights Institute is partnering with the National Constitution Center to provide resources for Constitution Day. Tune in to Constitution Hall Pass, a free webcast which allows teachers and students to learn more about this historic day while chatting live with the National Constitution Center’s education staff. This year’s episode, Constitution Hall Pass: Freedom of Expression, brings the story of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights to life. The episode will be available on the Center’s website on September 16, with a live chat from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST.

Ghost Hunters Visit the Stadium

The crew of the original Syfy series Ghost Hunters comes to the Stadium Theatre for one spooky night! Get your ticket to see Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson talk about their scariest experiences on and off the set of Ghost Hunters, and perhaps witness something paranormal for yourself!

Ghost Hunters will be at the Stadium Theatre on Thursday, September 29 at 8 p.m. Admission is $36 for orchestra select seating, $31 for orchestra seating, and $26 for balcony seating. Tickets are available at the Stadium Theatre Box Office or by calling 401-762-4545 and online at www.stadiumtheatre.com.

And for your final Friday thing to know, Reflections with Connie Lemonde:

REFLECTIONS

Jack and Jill were getting ready for a card game.  “Don't forget the peanuts,” Jack reminded her.

“I've got them. Do you know what Jennie, told me today? She said that I have no willpower. I was really upset. I do have willpower.”

Jack rolled his eyes. “And what brought that on,” he asked.

“She said that I should have stuck to my old diet,” Jill answered, as she opened a can of peanuts. “It took me months just to lose a few pounds. It's not worth it. My new diet is much better.”

“How do you know,” Jack quizzed her. “You just started it.”

“For one thing, it's not what you eat, but how much. Now I can eat anything I want.”

“I see,” Jack said. “So that makes it easier?”

“Of course,” Jill  remarked. “Now I can eat peanuts and chocolate--as long as I'm not eating too much.”

“And what's too much,” Jack asked, as he observed her throwing a handful of peanuts into her welcoming mouth.

“Depends what I'm eating. Now, for instance, I won't empty this can. I'll actually keep some for you,” she quipped. “See! I do have willpower.”

“I see nothing,” Jack retorted. “For one thing, the evening's just starting. And..I'm taking my share before you go in again,” he continued, as he grabbed the bag and shook peanuts into his hand.

“Hey!” she said, as she pulled back the bag.

“Anyhow, if all you have to do is eat less that what you used to eat, don't be surprised if you gain weight instead of losing it. And it sure isn't a way of determining if you have willpower, or not.  I know of someone who has a much better way to evaluate that.”

“Really?” Jill exclaimed in a tone of faked disbelief. “Now what could that be.”

“Really!” Jack replied. “Here's what Pat Elphinstone said: “Willpower is being able to eat only one salted peanut!'  Think about it, Baby. Think about it.”

My short inspirational, surprising and humorous stories about local people can be heard on radio station WOON 1240 AM every Friday at 9:05 a.m. and Saturday at 8 a.m. Also available online at www.onworldwide.com anytime. Just scroll down to to C'est La Vie.  Do you have an inspiring or interesting story to tell? Contact me a conlemonde@gmail.com. SUBJECT: radio