09/07/2008
Category: General
Turners Falls RiverCulture Receives $10,000 WMECO Grant
Turners Falls RiverCulture Receives $10,000 WMECO Grant
Turners Falls RiverCulture receives $10,000 from Western Massachusetts Electric Company’s Community Investment grant program to stimulate economic development in Turners Falls. WMECO is dedicated to the vitality of the communities it serves. They support communities by partnering with local organizations engaged in economic and community development, workforce development and education, and environmental leadership and stewardship
WMECO’s Ken Garber, who presented the grant, said “based on RiverCulture achieving important goals and objectives linked to previous grants from Western Massachusetts Electric Company, WMECO is pleased to award a new grant to continue the organization's momentum and progress. Through the efforts of RiverCulture’s force of energetic people, it is making a positive, valuable impact on Turners Falls' village economy through arts and culture-related activities. Our grant will support the village's continued evolution to a strong, self-sustaining economy.”
Lisa Davol, the project’s Cultural Coordinator, said “we would not have been able to accomplish all that we have without the support of WMECO. They were a significant funder of the initial year of the project and have continued support each year to make our programming possible.”
Funding will support cultural programming, organizational sustainability, cultural/business collaborations, economic impact analyses, and refined marketing efforts through strategic partnerships in the region.
Turners Falls RiverCulture encourages the development of creative and cultural industries in the Turners Falls area by hosting and promoting cultural events, nurturing local artists and establishing an environment that attracts businesses, residents and visitors. We believe that inviting people to experience creativity and offering access to arts and culture significantly enhances their quality of life and is a vital component to a desirable destination. By highlighting our heritage and indigenous assets as we cultivate creative endeavors, we intend to engender a strong sense of community.
For more information about the WMECO grant, please call Lisa Davol, Cultural Coordinator of the Turners Falls RiverCulture Project.
We are always looking to connect with community members who would like to be involved in making RiverCulture projects happen. We have specific opportunities as well as big picture planning. From October's Haunted House, to Feast for the Arts, to helping us with a marketing plan, to many things in between, we have something just right for you. 
It is the battered cassette jammed in the tape deck of the getaway car, the music Ida Lupino cues up on the roadhouse jukebox as she counts the till after close. This is Queen of the Minor Key by Eilen Jewell, a smart cookie with a heart of burnished gold and enough stories to keep even the rowdiest crowd hanging on her every word. Though its long shadows and dark corners make her kingdom feel intimate, her sovereign domain stretches as far as the imagination. Its denizens seek refuge in padded rooms, abandoned automobiles... and strong spirits. They defend their territory by any means necessary: weird voodoo, sawed-off shotguns, broken bottles. 
Come partake in merriment and play as you are transported to another time: Merchants hawking their wares, Games to test the skills of both children and adults, Stages showcasing the realm's finest entertainers! Wander the streets listening to minstrels infusing the air with music. Meet Robin Hood and his Merry Men as well as Maid Marian! But watch out for the Sheriff! And the Twisted Pixies! 
The Strathmore Mill Redevelopment Project will result in the restoration of a picturesque brick mill complex and adjacent grounds to its place as a cornerstone of the community and downtown economy in the historic village of Turners Falls, Massachusetts. The Town of Montague seeks an innovative partner to serve as master developer for this unique redevelopment opportunity in a location that boasts both natural beauty and the conveniences of an urban area. 
RiverCulture is the proud recipient of the 2011/2012 
