Friday, November 30, 2012
In the hometown of WPRO talk show host and EG resident John DePetro, the tree lighting at Town Hall was called "holiday tree lighting" on the town's calendar.
The very tall evergreen on the lawn in front of East Greenwich Town Hall came alive Thursday night in the town's annual tree-lighting ceremony – with help from Santa, who arrived via fire truck and flipped the switch. Was this a Christmas Tree lighting? Not according to the notation on the town's calendar, which referred to a "holiday tree lighting" at 4:30 Thursday, Nov. 29. As of Thursday evening, it was not known who was responsible for the listing. Contacted after the fact, EG resident and WPRO talk radio personality John DePetro said, "If Santa is there, it is a Christmas tree lighting." There were no protests. DePetro made a big issue last year over the decision by Gov. Lincoln Chafee's office to call the tree that adorns the State…
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Access from Peirce Street to Town Hall is limited for the next two months, while the ramp from Peirce Street is being repaired.
Those beautiful new stairs at the entrance of Town Hall? Get ready to use them. The ramp connecting Town Hall with Peirce Street is closed for the next two months for extensive repairs, making access to the building more challenging during that time. Work on the ramp began on Monday. The parking lot, ramp and both entrances on the west side of the building are blocked of for the duration of the construction, which is being carried out by Martone Construction at a cost of about $65,000. The ramp had been failing for some time, with netting in place below to catch falling debris. If the stairs on the Main Street side are too daunting, there is an alternate entrance open during construction, off Courthouse Lane. That door will lead visitors …
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
He lit the tree in front of Town Hall, then settled down in Council Chambers to pose for pictures and hear what kids were hoping for this Christmas.
East Greenwich held its annual tree lighting ceremony with Santa on Sunday night. The night started with Christmas carol singing by the children's choir of St. Luke's Church led by Pricilla Rigg. Santa then arrived in a fire truck driven down Main Street. Kids cheered as he climbed down from the engine in front of Town Hall to light the town Christmas tree and take pictures with the kids. The tree lighting took place a bit earlier than advertised - 5:15 instead of 5:45 - leaving a few EG residents disappointed on their arrival around 5:30 p.m. EG Photo took pictures of the children with Santa. Pictures can be found on their website to be ordered.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Travel back in time with the Wednesday Patch Passport, to discover the history and roots of East Greenwich
Let’s face it: We in East Greenwich are pretty lucky when it comes to claiming a spot in our nation’s history. After all, we are the birthplace to the US Navy — or at least one of those who lay claim to being such. In addition, there is a story about how Revolutionary War hero Layfayette himself disembarked from his ship in Greenwich Cove and made his way up King Street to General Varnum’s house on Peirce Street. Then, there’s Varnum himself, a pivotal - if largely forgotten - figure in the Revolutionary War. East Greenwich was founded in 1677 and is the eighth-oldest town in the state. English settlers bought the land from the Narragansetts, the native Americans who lived here then. The town was named for East Greenwich, England, in the …
Monday, June 6, 2011
The old stairs are gone and a new foundation is being poured.
Work on the staircase leading up and into Town Hall is continuing. Now that the steps are removed, Town Hall looks a little exposed - as indeed it is - like a man who's shaved his long-worn mustache. Town officials warn that the front entrance will remain closed for most of the summer. The steps being replaced were original to the building, which was built in 1804. The foundation that is being poured for the new stairs will provide firmer footing. That means maybe these will last 200 years instead of a mere 100, suggested Main Street Coordinator Bruce MacGunnigle.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
The front entrance steps will be under construction for the next three months.
For the next three months, the only entrance to Town Hall will be at the rear of the building, using the lower level parking lot or the Peirce Street ramp. The front entrance is closed for replacement of the brownstone steps. The work is being paid for with a $50,000 grant from the Rhode Island Historic Preservation and Heritage Society. One of its staff architects is overseeing the project. The handrails will be re-used, maintaining the building's authenticity. The front entrance on Main Street is temporarily blocked by a wire fence, with signs directing traffic to the rear of the building. A number of local residents have expressed interest in having one of the existing steps, however the society is considering using them in a project at…
Jim Iezzi
8:20 am on Monday, December 3, 2012
If this article was just reporting the evenings events Ann Marie, then why drag Depetro (who I would never defend) Plain, and the former Governor into it? Notice the article has changed too. I understand municipalities reasoning for calling it a Holiday Tree and I think Depetro needs to give it a rest. But why bring him into the fold if he isn't even involved? more ›