A little History of the day: Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson suggested in a speech a day for "serious discussion of environmental problems."  What surprised Nelson - and others - was the response.  All over the country, on April 22, 1970, college campuses and public places  were vibrant with people.  In New York City's Central Park and Fifth Avenue, 100,000 people staged a quiet, contemplative parade.  Remember, this event pre-dated the internet; word was spread and reacted on, nation wide,  through newspapers, radio, TV and phone calls. 

But this didn't "just happen" according to Senator Nelson, he had been working on it for 7 years.  Back in Sept 1963, he and President John  F. Kennedy held a  five-day, eleven-state conservation tour.  That tour "was the germ of the idea that ultimately flowered into Earth Day."  For the following  years, Sen. Nelson spoke on environmental issues to a variety of audiences all across the country.  Then, in September 1969, he announced that in the spring of 1970 there would be a nationwide grassroots demonstration on behalf of the environment and invited everyone to participate. "The wire services carried the story from coast to coast. The response was electric.  It took off like gangbusters. Telegrams, letters, and telephone inquiries poured in from all across the country.  The American people finally had a forum to express its concern about what was happening to the land, rivers, lakes, and air - and they did so with spectacular exuberance,"  said Nelson. 

While on April 22, 1970, there were educational lectures and nature walks, there were also more dramatic demonstrations drawing attention to  environmental issues.  According to the New York Times, some activists held "mock funerals of 'polluting' objects, from automobiles to toilets." 

 For the past 45 years, folks have attended lectures, held clean-ups and spent the day at events to raise awareness of environmental issues and take care of our #1 resource. 

The Earth.  

Thanks for doing your part, Raynham.  

Your Credit Report

Monday, April 27 at 6pm

Raynham Public Library

A counselor from the American Credit Counseling Service in Taunton comes to the library on Monday, April 27, to discuss "Understanding your Credit Reports and Credit Scoring." 

Knowledge of how the credit reporting and scoring system works is crucial to everyone.

Topics of discussion will include how to read your reports, dispute errors, and improve your credit score.

This workshop is essential if you have been turned down for credit, or have been denied employment due to your credit history. Attendees will have the opportunity to obtain a copy of their free annual credit reports.

Please register for this program here

RYBSA Opening Day Parade Info 

71 Central St.

Celebrate spring with the BSU Alumni Chamber Choir's concert "Secular & Sacred" on Sunday, May 3rd at 4 pm at the Central Square Congregational Church, 71 Central Square, on the Common in Bridgewater. Directed by Guest Conductor Edwin Milham, the choir performs songs with historical origins from the renaissance to the contemporary, accompanied by piano or a capella. The "Secular and Sacred" repertoire includes a variety of works including Edward Elgar's "As Torrents in Summer", Rachmaninov's "Bogoroditse Devo", and the American traditional hymn tune "My Shepherd Will Supply My Need". Tickets are available at the door ($10 general public, $5 seniors/students). The concert venue is handicapped accessible. A reception with light refreshments follows the concert.  For further info, carptec2@aol.com, 781-888-4490,  www.alumni.bridgew.edu/choir