| Travel Writers Come From Afar |
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United Kingdom family-friendly feature writers representing travel publications Baby Hampton, Baby Hampshire, Baby Surrey and Take-A-Break were greeted by South County Tourism Council with a fun-filled itinerary featuring Watch Hill, Misquamicut, Downtown Westerly and Shelter Harbor. All four itineraries were due to the creative collaboration of South County Tourism Council and RI State Division International Tourism Manager, Jayne Panarello.
Karen Bartlett, travel and photo journalist, is creating a new coffee table book entitled "Rhode Island: A Photographic Portrait". Karen enjoyed the Council entertaining her with private tours to our eleven towns - providing a unique and sometimes secret view of South County's treasures. |
| Added Value is Priceless |
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South County Tourism Council is happy to report recent FREE publicity that was generated for the South County region. Women's World ran a 2-page spread on "Rhode Island's South County Must Sees" in their August 18 issue, which was seen by nearly 3 million readers! Areas highlighted were Narragansett, Westerly, Wickford Village, Gilbert Stuart Museum and the William C. O'Neill Bike Path. Other publications covering South County were Yankee Magazine, Maine Tour Magazine, Courier Magazine, So Rhode Island and Rhode Island Monthly. |
| 7th Annual South County Photo Contest |
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South County Tourism Council's 7th Annual Photo Contest winners were unveiled at the Courthouse Center for the Arts in August during a wine and cheese reception and presentation. Cash prizes totaling over $1,000 were awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners and five runners-up. Ten honorable mentions were also recognized.
Special thanks to Deb Stallwood of Charlestown, photographer and board member of the Courthouse Center for the Arts, who judged the entries. Winners were chosen from over 300 entries submitted and were selected on the basis of beautifully capturing the people and places that define the charismatic, nature-based attractions of our eleven towns. South County Tourism Council's Website www.southcountyri.com, Style Vacation Planner, Golf Brochure, Wedding Planner and new Official Map will be colorfully graced by these photographers' truly-inspired creativity. Thank you to all who entered and particularly Karen Cooke, Marketing/Program Manager, for her enthusiastic planning.
The top three winners were Steve Wood, Nate Bousquet and Collin McCarron. Runners-up were Tammy Anderson, G. Casey, Alicia Dauksis, Judi Wood, and Steve Wood. Honorable mentions were Susan Cannon-Carlson, Franca Cirelli, Gerry R. Grabowski, Ingrid Mathews, Eric Wertheimer, Judi Wood, Steve Wood, and Betty Zhang. |
| SCTC 22nd Annual Dinner Meeting |
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South County Tourism Council's 22nd Annual Dinner Meeting was held at The Towers in Narragansett the evening of Thursday, September 11. David C. DePetrillo, RIEDC, Director of Tourism, conducted the installation of the 2008-2009 Board of Directors: Charles Beck and Pam Lyons of Charlestown, Debra Fournier and Larry Harvey of Coventry, Hon. Michael Lenihan and Frank Prosnitz of East Greenwich, Pati DeWardener and Matthew Thole of Exeter, Hon. Brian Kennedy and Dave Punska of Hopkinton, Hon. David Caprio and Andrew Nota of Narragansett, Dale Grogan and Frank Lennon of North Kingstown, Dick Benson and Bill Bokon of Richmond, Marcia O'Brien and Diana Zanetto of South Kingstown, Hon. Kevin Breene and Dr. Clyde Fish of West Greenwich and Barbara Cardiff and Denise Marcey of Westerly.
The keynote speaker was Bay Keeper, John Torgan, of Save The Bay. Mr. Torgan described the evolution of Save The Bay during the past years and the importance in respecting our state's water resources as a tourism asset.
South County Tourism Council Starlight Awards were presented by Myrna George, President of the Council. "Civic tourism is about being connected to where you live and telling that authentic story to visitors. South County Starlight Awards 2008 honor those who are very special storytellers, whether that be by writing, landscaping or by demonstrating the art of horseshoeing. They are all telling stories in extraordinarily gifted ways about South County". The Council was delighted to present 2008 Starlight awards to North Kingstown historian and prolific story teller, G. Timothy Cranston, South County Museum Director, James Crothers and Wilcox Park Director, Alan Peck, as well as Congressional Citations from Congressman Jim Langevin to each recipient.
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| Successful Annual Big E |
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With the collaboration of Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation/Tourism Division, the 2008 Annual Big E/Eastern States Exposition was a success. We would like to extend a BIG thank you to all who volunteered, including Karen Cooke, SCTC Marketing/Promotion Manager, and SCTC Chairman, Bill Bokon & Debbie Bokon. Official South County Maps and 3,500 Style Magazines were distributed. |
| Civic Tourism |
South County's stewardship has long held the belief that our "unique quality of place" is defined by the soil and sea of our eleven towns. The resulting cultural and ecological factors that have driven our vibrant tourism economy have been guided by our deeply rooted sense of 'place' - we are native to South County. Civic Tourism I: The Poetry of Politics and Place, held in 2006 was attended by Myrna George, president of SCTC. Ms. George supported and applauded the concept that being native to somewhere is significant and an important element of tourism.
South County Tourism Council is proud to be a sponsor of Civic Tourism II: Defining and Animating Whole Places, being held October 15 - 18, 2008 at the Blackstone Valley Visitor Center in Pawtucket. Nationwide travel industry professionals will be in attendance from among various New England communities and will demonstrate how creating a geographic "place" for travelers provides both economic and cultural benefits.
Register online by clicking here. |
| To Every Season Change... |
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David DePetrillo, Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation Director of Tourism, led the Tourism Department at RIEDC to become the second economic engine in the state during his 30 years of service. He has decided to say farewell to his formal position as Director of Tourism, but continues to serve Geo-tourism and the Rhode Island Commodores. The Council wishes him continued success.
It is with regret that SCTC accepts the resignation of board member, Vice-chair and staunch advocate of South County Tourism Council, Debra Fournier. She has moved to a new position and area of Rhode Island. The Council wishes her every success.
Doris Layden, 1996 South County Tourism Council Employee of the Year, passed away September 30, 2008. Her melodious telephone greetings and personal warmth are well known to many throughout South County's Tourism Family. Her gracious spirit will be missed.
*All Photos: Courtesy of John Woodmansee |
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Did You Know?
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A barn owl, a very well-known animal in South County, has 95,000 nerve cells in the part of its brain concerned with hearing?
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The largest and wildest natural area in Rhode Island is the Great Swamp in South Kingstown?
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At least 30 kinds of orchids have been found in Rhode Island swamps, but only in Long Pond Area in Rockville (Hopkinton) has evergreen holly been seen?
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Kettle Hole Pond in North Kingstown was created by an ice block left by a retreating glacier 12,000 years ago? |
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