Recreation reopens
Due to the first hard freeze occurring in most of Rhode Island this week, the Department of Environmental Management announced the reopening of state-owned recreational properties it manages in Glocester this week. The parks were temporarily closed to lessen the risk of visitors and staff being bitten by mosquitoes potentially carrying Eastern Equine Encephalitis. The rescission of the emergency operation order originally signed on September 13 by DEM Director Terry Gray reopened the following properties as of November 2:
- George Washington State Campground and Bowdish State Boat Ramp (which will resume regular off-season operations)
- George Washington Management Area
- Pulaski State Park and Recreational Area
- Durfee Hill Management Area
The properties are now following regular operations. Pheasant stocking for the 2023-2024 hunting season at Durfee Hill Management Area will resume this weekend. Check DEM’s pheasant stocking webpage for timely updates on stocking locations. Durfee Hill Management Area and George Washington Management Area will also be open for deer hunting. For information on seasons, bag limits, zones, and regulations, visit the Rhode Island Hunting and Trapping 2023-2024 Regulation Guide and Rhode Island Outdoors to purchase a hunting license.
The now rescinded order described EEE as “an imminent peril to public health, safety, and welfare (that) justifies the temporary closure” of the properties. The temporary closure occurred after detections of positive EEE mosquito samples in Glocester and surrounding areas this season. A hard frost, which is meteorologically defined as three straight hours below 32 degrees, kills most adult mosquitoes. Its timing varies across Rhode Island. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), most areas of Rhode Island, except for areas of Newport and Block Island, experienced the first hard frost November 1-2.
Humans can only contract these diseases through a bite from an infected mosquito. Although extremely rare in humans, EEE is very serious and has a much higher human mortality rate than West Nile Virus. Approximately 30 percent of people with EEE die, and many survivors have ongoing neurological problems. Unlike WNV, which is prevalent in Rhode Island every year, EEE risk is variable, changing from year to year. For more information on EEE and ways to prevent it, visit health.ri.gov/eee.
Those visiting the Wildlife Management Areas are reminded to wear at least 200 square inches of solid, fluorescent orange during the hunting season from the second Saturday in September until the end of May. Covering or clothing consisting of 500 square inches of blaze orange is required during the shotgun deer season in December. For more details, visit dem.ri.gov/orange.
Closed for repairs
The Harmony Corner Store at () has announced that the business will be closed for repairs on Mondays through Wednesdays, Nov. 6 through 8 and Nov. 13 through 15. The store will be open Nov. 9-12 and back to regular, full time operation from Nov. 16 onward.
“We appreciate all of you and apologize for the inconvenience,” noted the business.
Veteran’s Day
The town of Glocester will hold its annual Veteran’s Day commemorative ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 11 at the Glocester Senior Center at 1210 Putnam Pike. The event is open to the public and starts at 11 a.m. The Ponaganset Chamber Chorus will sing two songs, representatives from the Wreaths Across American will address those present, and local and legislative leaders are invited.
The ceremony will be followed by coffee and pastries.
Izzy advocate
Rachel Lapham, a freshman at Ponaganset High School, is raising funds for the Izzy Foundation to help kids fighting pediatric cancer. Those who would like to help her campaign are asked to donate here.
Fill-A-Cruiser
The Glocester Police Department will hold its annual Fill-A-Cruiser event at Dino’s Park & Shop at 1120 Putnam Pike on Sunday, Nov. 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Officers will be collecting items to help stock the community food pantry in advance of the holidays.
Town meetings
The Foster/Glocester Regional School Committee Health & Wellness Subcommittee will hold a meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 7 starting at 2:30 p.m. at Ponaganset High School at 137 Anan Wade Road. The agenda is here.
The Economic Development Commision will hold a meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 7 starting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall at 1145 Putnam Pike. The agenda is here.
The Glocester Planning Board will hold a meeting on Tuesday. Nov. 7 starting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall at 1145 Putnam Pike. The agenda is here.
The Glocester Conservation Commission will hold a meeting on Thursday, Nov. 9 starting at 7 p.m. at Town Hall at 1145 Putnam Pike. The agenda is here.
