Narragansett August Meeting / Pow Wow August 8 & 9
Where: Indian Church Rd. (off Rt. 2), Charlestown
Cost: Admission is $10 for adults, $3 for children, and $7 for seniors
When: Saturday, August 8, and Sunday, August 9
Mailbox
Mail sent to mail@CharlestownCitizens.org
Partial Solar Eclipse At Frosty Drew Observatory
When: Wednesday, August 12, 2026 from 11 am to 3 pm
Where: Frosty Drew Observatory and Science Center in Ninigret Park
Cost: $5 per person over 4 years of age
On August 12, the Northeast US and Canada will experience a fabulous partial eclipse of the Sun. Frosty Drew Observatory and Science Center will be open in celebration of this spectacular event!
Video: Channel 12’s “Rhode Show” Visits Frosty Drew Observatory in Ninigret Park
RI Channel 12’s “Rhode Show” team visited Frosty Drew Observatory in Ninigret Park on July 31 to learn about this amazing public resource: its history; scientific work; and the beauty and value of Charlestown’s night sky.
Charlestown Farm Day
When: Saturday, August 29 from 10 am to 3 pm
Where: A self-guided tour of some of Charlestown’s many farms
Farm Day provides a unique opportunity for visitors to explore the diversity of farms in Charlestown, a chance to meet farmers, and learn more about the role of farms across Charlestown.
Concert, Dinner, and Movie in Ninigret Park
UPDATE: Event Cancelled due to rain and wet conditions.
When: Thursday, July 30 (dinner starts at 6 p.m., movie begins at dusk)
Where: Ninigret Park at the Kimball Pavilion
What: Concert by Country Wild Hearts; movie Stand By Me; and food trucks providing dinner
Who: Brought to you by Charlestown Parks and Recreation Department
Cost: Music is Free. Dinner – pay for as little or as much as you want to eat
Charlestown Seafood Festival 2026
When: August 7, 8, and 9
Where: Ninigret Park, Charlestown, RI
What: Three days of food and entertainment
Seaweed Pressing
When: Wednesday, July 29 at 11 am
Where: Kettle Pond Visitor Center, 50 Bend Rd., Charlestown
Who: Brought to you by the Salt Ponds Coalition
Reservations are required – link to pre-register in post
Hands-on workshop where you’ll learn how to identify, arrange, and preserve colorful seaweed specimens to create stunning botanical artwork
Salt Ponds Through New Eyes
When: Tuesday, August 4 at 10:00 am
Where: Kettle Pond Visitor Center
and
When: Tuesday, September 15 at 10:00 am
Where: Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge
Who: Led by Salt Ponds Coalition and local artist, Frances Topping
What: Learning to sketch the beautiful, natural environment of Ninigret Pond
Reservations are required – link to pre-register in post
Questions And Answers About August 4 Referendum
When: Tuesday, August 4, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Where: Charlestown Town Hall, 4540 South County Trail
Who: Anyone registered to vote in the town of Charlestown
What: Charlestown referendum on whether to allow the use of land in Charlestown for a new, unified elementary school for all students in Pre-K through Grade 5 from Hopkinton, Richmond, and Charlestown on the site of the current elementary school at 363 Carolina Back Road (Rt. 112)
The August 4 referendum is about the school site, not the school bond, and is only for Charlestown voters.
Learn About Mystic Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Program
When: Wednesday, August 5 at 6 pm
Where: The Quonnie Grange, 5662 Post Rd, (Rt. 1) between East and West Beach Rd., next to Dunn’s Corners Fire Station (location map of the Quonnie Grange at bottom of post)
Who: Presentation by Sarah Callan, Director of Animal Rescue at Mystic Aquarium
Learn about the Mystic Aquarium Animal Rescue Program and bring your children and grandchildren to enjoy an ice cream social.
PLEASE NOTE: The start time for this is 6 pm
CT Examiner Explores NEPA and Other Law Changes That Could Impact Rail Bypass And More
Effective opposition to additional rails or rail realignments that destroy environmental and cultural treasures such as the Carter Preserve, the Pawcatuck River, or our historic mill villages “would be meaningfully more difficult under the 2025 SPEED Act, which would limit the role of the National Environmental Policy Act in shaping projects with federal funding or permits”
Removing “Institutional Knowledge” In Charlestown May Affect Ninigret Park Usage
At the Town Council meeting on June 22, a piece of history, the Goulding decision, was removed from the Ninigret Park Utilization Plan. When the land was given to Charlestown, Paul E. Goulding, Administrator of the General Services Administration, in his decision, noted that this area is a major migration site for waterfowl and other birds and of great ecological and scenic importance.
Connecticut Newspaper Story About The Study Of High Speed Rail In Charlestown
CT Mirror story on Amtrak’s New Haven to Providence Capacity Planning Study. Unlike NEC Future, the new study is not being conducted under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), a federal law that requires agencies to evaluate the environmental impacts of major infrastructure projects before approving them. Gregory Stroud said. “How do you engage with a federal process if you don’t know what rules it’s governed by?” Post links to story at CT Mirror.
Video Of July 7 Public Hearing On Lease Of Elementary School Land To Chariho
The August 4 referendum is just for Charlestown voters to give permission for the Chariho Regional School District to demolish the Charlestown Elementary School and build a new facility for use by the pre-k to fifth-grade students from all three towns if the November referendum to fund the new school bond passes district-wide. Video of the hearing, with highlights of the video content, in this post.
Madison Blues – Concert, Dinner and a Movie in Ninigret Park
When: Thursday, July 16 (dinner starts at 6 p.m. and the movie begins at dusk)
Where: Ninigret Park at the New Pavilion
What: Concert by Madison Blues; movie Blades of Glory; and food trucks providing dinner
Who: Brought to you by Charlestown Parks and Recreation Department
Cost: Music and Movie are Free. Dinner – pay for as little or as much as you want to eat
Charlestown Land Trust Annual Summer Party
When: Thursday, July 23 at 6 pm
Where: The Nordic Lodge, 178 Nordic Trail, Charlestown
What: Live music by Jus Tus, a raw bar, dinner, and a silent auction
Why: Support open space preservation and protection in Charlestown and have a fabulous evening with live music
History Of Shady Harbor And Shelter Harbor
When: Wednesday, July 22 at 7 pm
Where: The Quonnie Grange, 5662 Post Rd, (Rt. 1) between East and West Beach Rd., next to Dunn’s Corners Fire Station (location map of the Quonnie Grange at bottom of post)
Who: Presentation by Joan Lawlor, Quonochontaug Historical Society President and Zack Garceau, Westerly Historical Society
In Memoriam: Barbara Heavers
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Barbara Heavers, a woman whose devotion to conservation, agriculture, science, education, and public service has left a lasting and beautiful legacy for Charlestown and all of South County.
Thank You For Your Signatures
Thank you to everyone who gave up a part of a summer day to visit us at the Charlestown Mini Super and sign 7 different nomination papers for the Independent candidates the Charlestown Citizens Alliance is supporting in the November election. Thank you especially to the Mini Super for generously allowing us to set up our nomination papers in front of the store!
Informational Program For Private Well Owners
When: Thursday, July 23 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Where: Cross’ Mills Public Library, 4417 Old Post Road, Charlestown (map in post)
Registration: Please register by calling the Cross Mills Public Library at (401) 364-6211.
Cost: Free
Safe Well Water? Test to be sure.
Meet Candidates And Sign Their Nomination Papers Wednesday, July 8
Please join us on Wednesday, July 8 anytime from 1 pm to 3 pm, at the Charlestown Mini Super and help CCA endorsed candidates get on the November ballot.
Where: Charlestown Mini Super, 4071 Old Post Rd. (map in post)
When: Wednesday, July 8 from 1 pm to 3 pm
What: If you are registered to vote in Charlestown, all we need is your signature on the candidates’ nomination papers. These candidates will be volunteering their time for the next two years or longer, please take a few minutes of your own time to help them get started.
Nick Bosse – Concert, Dinner and Fireworks in Ninigret Park
When: Thursday, July 9 (dinner starts at 6 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m.)
Where: Ninigret Park at the Kimball Pavilion
What: Concert by singer/songwriter/musician, Nick Bosse and food trucks providing dinner
Who: Brought to you by Charlestown Parks and Recreation Department
Cost: Music is Free. Dinner – pay for as little or as much as you want to eat
Public Hearing On Lease Of Elementary School Land To Chariho
When: Tuesday, July 7 at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Charlestown Elementary School, 363 Carolina Back Rd, Charlestown
What: To discuss the proposed ballot question in advance of the August 4 Special Referendum
The August 4 referendum is only about agreements and leases with Chariho. Approval of the August referendum is not an approval of the bond for school construction, that vote will take place in November.
Will Evans – Concert, Dinner and a Movie in Ninigret Park
When: Thursday, July 2 (dinner starts at 6 p.m. and the movie begins at dusk)
Where: Ninigret Park at the New Pavilion
What: Concert by Will Evans, whose album “Rise” was nominated for three categories by the New England Music Awards; movie Jaws; and food trucks providing dinner
Who: Brought to you by Charlestown Parks and Recreation Department
Cost: Music and Movie are Free. Dinner – pay for as little or as much as you want to eat
Meet Candidates And Sign Their Nomination Papers Sunday, July 5
Please join us on Sunday, July 5 anytime from 1 pm to 3 pm, at the Charlestown Mini Super and help CCA endorsed candidates get on the November ballot.
Where: Charlestown Mini Super, 4071 Old Post Rd. (map in post)
When: Sunday, July 5 from 1 pm to 3 pm
UPDATE: Monday and Tuesday are now forecast to have rain. We were planning to collect signatures all three days, but we are likely to get rained out those two days. Please come on Sunday if you can. We will stay late if necessary.
What: If you are registered to vote in Charlestown, all we need is your signature on the candidates’ nomination papers. These candidates will be volunteering their time for the next two years or longer, please take a few minutes of your own time to help them get started.
Outstanding Candidates For The 2026 Election
Charlestown Citizens Alliance (CCA) is pleased to announce the names of the outstanding candidates we will support in the 2026 election. The steering committee reviewed all the declared local candidates and found these talented individuals embody CCA’s guiding principles of protection of our natural environment, civility, inclusiveness, consensus, and fiscal responsibility. They are individuals with the skills and dedication to act in the best interests of all the citizens of the town.
Join The Salt Ponds Coalition At Their Coastal Social And Fundraiser
Where: Point Judith Country Club, 150 Windermere Road, Narragansett
When: Thursday, July 9 from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm
What: Silent Auction, Food, and Drink
Ticket Sales Close Sunday, June 28
Don’t miss your chance to be part of one of the Salt Ponds Coalition’s most important fundraisers of the year.
Sign Up For Amtrak’s Mailing List And Provide Input To The High Speed Rail Study
The New Haven to Providence Capacity Planning Study includes a website that allows the public to sign up for the study’s mailing list and optionally to provide input to Amtrak about the study. Links to sign up and comment are in this post.
Join Charlestown Land Trust For A Guided Walk At Amos Greene Farm
When: Saturday, July 18 at 10am
Where: Amos Greene Farm, Charlestown
Cost: Free and open to all, but you must pre-register
Join The Charlestown Land Trust for a guided walk at the beautiful and historic Amos Greene Farm. This historic farm, now permanently protected by the Charlestown Land Trust, offers a glimpse into Charlestown’s rich agricultural heritage.
Rhode Island’s Role In The American Revolution
When: Wednesday, July 8 at 7 pm
Where: The Quonnie Grange, 5662 Post Rd, (Rt. 1) between East and West Beach Rd., next to Dunn’s Corners Fire Station (location map of the Quonnie Grange at bottom of post)
Who: Presentation by Historian Christian McBurney with Quonochontaug Historical Society and Friends of the Grange