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Thursday, December 4, 2014 Fall River, Massachusetts FREE

CITY BUZZ

Fa la la Fall River The city goes all out for Christ- mas fun this weekend with the annual Children's Holiday THE SOUL OF Parade and Jingle Run happen- ing on Saturday followed by the Christmas Celebration at the Greater Fall River Re-Creation and a tree lighting ceremony at Government Center on Sunday. The parade, now in its 30th SESAME STREET year, steps o! from Kennedy Park at 1 p.m. Saturday, head- ing down South Main Street. There will be over 140 units and 30 fl oats, plus numerous giant infl atable balloons, march- ing bands, Clydesdale horses, and an appearance by Santa himself, fl ying in via helicopter. Free parking will be available at the 3rd Street and Pearl Street parking garages on Saturday, courtesy of Business for Better Parking. Also on Saturday, the Jingle Run starts at Kennedy Park at 12:30 p.m., ending at Government Center. Be sure to wear your bells and crazi- est Christmas outfi t. Then, on Sunday, join in the fun at the Christmas Celebration at the Greater Fall River Re-Creation site, 72 Bank St. from 2-4 p.m., after which head on over to the tree lighting at Govern- ment Center taking place at dusk, approximately 4 p.m. For more information on all events, visit www.gfrrec.org.

Sound tradition The traditional sounds of Ameri- can folk music will brighten the lives of Fall River residents at a free show Thursday hosted by the Marine Museum. Award-win- ning folk duo Atwater-Donnelly will be at the museum playing their unique combination of American and Celtic folk music, interspersed with poetry and dance, from 7 to 9 p.m. In addi- tion to music, the duo delights audiences with dance, poetry Friends Jim Henson, Walter Cronkite, First Lady Rosalynn Carter, Big Bird (Caroll Spinney) and the U.S. Marine Band help Joe Raposo (right) perform and traditional puppetry and “Sing” at the White House Christmas concert in 1977. JOE RAPOSO MUSIC GROUP tap-percussion. A local Arts Lottery award is making the free show possible. Families of By Phil Devitt all sizes are welcome. While it's [email protected] Raposo started free to attend, reservations are required. Call 508-674-3533 Away from paper and pen and piano, the composer ‘Sesame Street’ to secure your spot. Visit www. sat perfectly still. His summer home, by the beach in marinemuseumfr.org for direc- tions and details. Chatham, was his getaway from a world in love with his music and hungry for more. White House visits Joe Raposo planted his feet in the sand and gazed First Friday at the Atlantic Ocean. Out there, 2,400 miles east of By Phil Devitt Fall River Spirit Editor Lafrance Hospitality patriarch the Cape Cod shore, was Sao Miguel, the Portuguese Richard Lafrance, son of White's island where his parents were born. of Westport founders Roland “Can you believe this?” he asked his cousin Noreen The most famous home on Pennsylvania Avenue 'Aime' and Rita Lafrance, will Avery, seated beside him. He sounded like a child has always been good to "Sesame Street." address the Fall River Area who had stolen from the cookie jar without getting The White House has hosted "Sesame Street" at Men’s First Friday Club on caught. “Can you believe we were born in Fall River? its annual Christmas party since the Nixon admin- Friday. Since that fateful Easter And look at us now.” istration, a tradition started by Joe Raposo, the Sunday in 1955 when White's This is the way Avery remembers her cousin, a man show's fi rst musical director, veteran Big Bird pup- fi rst opened, the Lafrances who never forgot his hometown and never took for peteer Caroll Spinney says. have grown both the company, granted the monumental success he achieved in the Raposo, a Fall River native, also got to work with adding and developing hotel two U.S. presidents on separate projects. Jimmy and restaurant properties, and entertainment business. the family, with four generations It has been 45 years since Raposo wrote the fi rst Carter, who enjoyed watching "Sesame Street" with now helping run the busi- of more than 3,000 songs for “Sesame Street,” the his daughter, asked Raposo to write his campaign ness. This special First Friday groundbreaking PBS children’s television show, and music. Raposo met Ronald and Nancy Reagan Club event is expected to be 25 years since cancer ended his life at 51, but Avery through mutual friend Frank Sinatra. He wrote a a gathering of old friends with still pictures him here, on the beach, content and number of pieces for the Reagans, including the many members having enjoyed refl ective and grateful. music for Nancy's foster grandparents campaign. Lafrance family hospitality since She grew up with Raposo in a North Main Street "For a poor kid from Fall River, hanging out at the club's founding just eight duplex where she watched him pound piano keys the White House was absolutely electrifying," says years before White's opened. Joe Raposo sits at the piano in his Bronxville, until he was sore. Then, she watched him rocket to Nick Raposo, the composer's son. The evening begins with a Mass N.Y., home. JOE RAPOSO MUSIC GROUP Spinney fondly recalls visiting Washington, D.C., at 6 p.m. at St Joseph Church, success, propelled by the right combination of hard N. Main St., Fall River, that is work, genius and musical genes. Why wouldn't she with Raposo and the cast. open to the public. Any gentle- believe? Jim Henson and writer/producer Jon Stone to craft “I’ve gotten to work with an awful lot of First man interested in attending the Avery had come to Chatham for rare quality a children’s program unlike any other on television. Ladies,” he says. dinner after the Mass should time with her lifelong pal, a man she considered “Joe was the king of them all,” says Caroll Spin- How did the distinguished women react to contact Daryl Gonyon at (508) a brother. Neither she nor Raposo had siblings, so ney, who has played Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch working with an 8-foot puppet? Big Bird breaks 672-4822. they happily fi lled those roles for each other. They on “Sesame Street” since the beginning. “He was so it down: were "inseparable" as children, getting into and out prolifi c.” PAT NIXON: “I was standing for photos after More Spirit of trouble together, always able to make each other Raposo and Spinney, a fellow Massachusetts the performance with the children and cast. Often laugh, always loyal, always loving. Now their own native, met a few years before “Sesame Street” on with Big Bird, I’ll put my arm around the person ■ Page 2: Check our “Plug In” children were chasing each other on the beach, back the set of a children’s television show in Boston. After and bury them in feathers, but I thought with Mrs. feature for everything you need and forth, in circles, screaming and giggling under they reunited in 1969, Raposo often fondly recalled Nixon I better not do that since she was acting to know about The Fall River the summer sun. their fi rst encounter. rather formal. I just put my left arm and wing up Spirit’s online extras — web- “He was always impressed we had worked on her right shoulder. She reached up with her free exclusive stories, blogs, videos Avery tried to corral the little ones. “Away from the and more. water!” she shouted. together,” says Spinney. “He wrote so many of the hand, grabbed my wing, pulled it straight down ■ Coming next week: The story She turned to Raposo, but he was “completely fabulous songs of ‘Sesame Street’ and a lot of songs and never let go.” of Harley, a 15-year-old fresh- oblivious” to the chaos around him, on the beach but for me. Of course, you knew it was gonna be great BETTY FORD: “She was a hugger. She buried man at Diman Reg. Technical somewhere else, staring at the horizon but perhaps if he wrote it.” herself in my feathers.” H.S. who has equipped city seeing past it, fi lled with a boyhood wonder that had Raposo, leading a team of talented musicians, ROSALYNN CARTER: “She’s very quiet and shy, police cruisers with special never dimmed, and asking his cousin again: “Can produced songs at an astonishing pace for “Sesame very sweet.” custom-made kits for kids you believe it?” Street,” some seconds long, many minutes long. BARBARA BUSH: “She was fun, a very sweet, during emergencies. 'KING OF THEM ALL' He laid simple lyrics over deceptively complex and funny person, very outgoing.” If you’ve ever caught yourself humming the sophisticated instrumentals, always striving for per- HILLARY CLINTON: “Hillary was hilarious, a INDEX “Sesame Street” theme on a long drive, if you’ve ever fection. He put his voice on some tracks, including great joker with a wonderful sense of humor. She tearfully nodded to Kermit the Frog’s “Bein’ Green,” the ethereal “Flying” and matter-of-fact “Everybody got down on the fl oor and played with extra pup- if you’ve ever shamelessly swayed to The Carpenters’ Sleeps.” pets we had brought. She had fun pulling them Plug-In/Best Bets ...... A2 smooth cover of “Sing,” you know Joe Raposo. “He had a funky little voice he loved to use,” Spin- out of the Muppet boxes. I also worked with her Fur, Fin and Feathers ...... A3 ney says. on ‘Sesame Street.’” Spotlight ...... A3 He composed those classic songs – and many MICHELLE OBAMA Hague Textile ...... A4 more – for a show that, despite targeting youth, binds Raposo wrote other tunes for the show’s talented : “She is warm and outgoing.” generations of Americans. He signed on as musical Big Bird recently worked with Obama on her "Let's VOL. XI NO. 6 director at the start in 1969, working with puppeteer SEE RAPOSO, A5 Move!" campaign. The Fall River Spirit | Thursday, December 4, 2014 A5

in 1958, he went back to the According to Dean, Raposo set- RAPOSO City of Light for two more years tled into a hip New York dinner From Page A1 of study. When he returned to party one night and noticed the After 45 years, Spinney Boston, he conducted for radio seat next to him was empty. The cast. “C Is For Cookie,” for and television, and performed seat was for Sinatra, who walked instance, went to the program’s at jazz venues including Sto- in fashionably late. ravenous blue monster in ryville, accompanying legends “Joe could be very much the still loves being Big Bird residence. such as Ella Fitzgerald and Duke small-town boy,” Dean says. “He Raposo had worked with Ellington. could be very sophisticated but he By Phil Devitt Henson and his Muppets before He settled in New York City could easily retreat. Frank Sina- Editor "Sesame Street" on “The Ed Sul- with fi rst wife Sue Nordlund, the tra? He couldn’t believe it.” livan Show.” mother of Nick and his brother Raposo eventually “worked up “I think Joe was very much Joe, in 1966. (He later married the courage” to ask Sinatra why Caroll Spinney can tell you in touch with the child within television journalist Pat Collins, he wanted to record “Bein’ Green,” how to get to “Sesame Street.” himself and could express it and with whom he had two more chil- Dean says. Sinatra, without miss- He’s been commuting to it for could see the world through dren, and moved to Bronxville, a ing a beat, looked Raposo in the 45 years. that child and could write songs New York suburb.) eyes and said, "Because it's me." From his home in north- about it,” Henson says in “Sing! In the Big Apple, surrounded People all over the world iden- eastern Connecticut, it’s a ‘Sesame Street’ Remembers Joe by showbiz glitz and glamor, tifi ed with the song, according 150-mile journey southwest Raposo and His Music,” a 1990 Raposo was busier than ever. It to veteran “Sesame Street” per- to New York City, to a nonde- PBS special. was there he reconnected with former Bob McGrath, who has script building in Queens that, Nick Raposo, one of the com- former Durfee classmate Morton incorporated it into concerts. from the outside, resembles a poser’s four children, is licensing Dean, a respected CBS journalist. “You look in the audience and bank or police station. manager of The Joe Raposo “Everyone in the world of you just see everyone sort of nod- Don’t be fooled. Inside, the Music Group, which owns the entertainment knew Joe Raposo,” ding their heads like, ‘Yes, I know days are sunny and the air is copyrights to his father’s work. Dean says. “He was a special type where Kermit’s coming from,’” sweet. “No one in 1969 could have of guy.” McGrath says in the anniversary Here at Kaufman Astoria guessed that children’s music Dean says he remembers visit- documentary. “It’s not easy being Studios, “Sesame Street” – from a television show would ing Raposo when he had an o" ce whatever they are.” the iconic PBS children’s show last so long,” he says, but every at Carnegie Hall, and being in Spinney says Henson adopted populated by furry, friendly day, at least one request rolls in awe that a fellow Fall River native the song as his "personal theme" puppets – comes to life. from someone who wants to use worked there. for Kermit. In a packed New York Here, the empty body of a a Raposo tune in a show, movie “We used to joke that there had City cathedral, during Henson's giant yellow bird waits for its or advertisement. to be something in the water, in 1990 memorial service, Spinney soul, a gentle man who infuses “My father always said that the Watuppa (Pond),” Dean says, donned his Big Bird costume every feather with personality. children are not stupid people noting the success stories Fall and sang "Bein' Green" for his Spinney is Big Bird. He – they’re just little people,” Nick River has produced. “I think we old friend. always has been. says. “I believe it’s this respect all learned from Fall River the “I was surprised I didn’t cry At 80, the Massachusetts for kids, and the music certainly value of hard work, that there was during the song because I tend native is the last remaining refl ects this, that resonated with a greater world out there.” to cry easily," Spinney says. "I’m original puppeteer on an Caroll Spinney has played Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch on so many people and continues to When “Sesame Street” came very emotional.” iconic show he helped defi ne, “Sesame Street” since the show started in 1969. GIL VAKNIN/ resonate to this day.” calling, Raposo drew from his The song made a lifelong fan a show that once counted Jim SESAME WORKSHOP The music led Raposo to what childhood in Fall River to reach and friend out of Sinatra, who Henson and Frank Oz among his younger self could never have a new generation of children, all once called Raposo a "genius" its talent. He has no plans to imbuing them with his own At a recent screening for imagined: the chance to compose while raising children of his own. and recorded four Raposo tunes retire. traits. Bullied as a child for “I Am Big Bird: The Caroll themes for other TV shows, “The “My father was a wonderful for his 1973 album "Ol' Blue Eyes “We were born to be his name, size and lack of Spinney Story,” a documen- Electric Company” and “Three’s person,” Nick says. “He had the is Back." together,” Spinney said of Big athleticism, he identifi ed with tary now playing the festival Company” among them; visits ability to make you feel you were “You Will Be My Music,” the Bird, his voice slightly lower his characters’ tendencies to circuit, Debra was asked if her to the White House; admiration the only person in the world that fi rst track on the album, remains than but just as warm as the “go their own way.” Big Bird, husband would be the same and song covers from some of mattered. He was a loving and one of Avery’s favorite Raposo high-pitched, childlike voice in particular, resonated with man had he never “tapped the 20th century’s most iconic gentle father, always protective songs. he gives his character, a lov- Spinney, becoming the show’s into” Big Bird. performers, including Barbra able 6-year-old who towers most popular character and a “I really think he would Streisand and Ray Charles; and over everybody at 8 feet, 2 friend to millions of children. be the same person because a sweet friendship with the most inches. “Big Bird is full of heart,” I think Big Bird tapped into iconic of them all. Spinney, also the man Spinney said. “I play Big Bird him,” she said. “That’s his soul, The music, as it always had, behind Oscar the Grouch, like the child I hoped I could so he just puts it out there.” gave Raposo gifts he couldn’t said “Sesame Street” owes its be when I was a kid. I was the Playing Big Bird comes believe. longevity to the “cleverness in smallest kid in the class and at a price. Spinney said the FROM FALL RIVER TO FAME its creation.” The program has he’s the tallest character on role has always been physi- English was not Raposo’s fi rst been teaching children how to television.” cally demanding, but it gets language. Born in Fall River in count and spell and interact The wide appeal of “Sesame increasingly difficult with 1937, the only child of Azorean with others for 45 years this Street” didn’t register with age. Acting in the costume immigrants, he spoke Portuguese fall. Spinney, who goes largely requires constant focus and in his humble North Main Street “The great design of that unrecognized out of cos- coordination. Spinney, who home. show was that it should be as tume, until he walked into a at 6 feet tall comes up to the There, he also developed a love funny and entertaining as it is bookstore one day and saw bird’s chest, sees via a video for another language, one with- educational,” said Spinney. “I Big Bird staring back at him screen strapped to his torso. out words: music. think that’s why it’s been such from the cover of a Little He holds Big Bird’s 4.5-pound His father, Jose Soares Raposo, a success. Instead of it being Golden Book. The puppeteer head about a foot above his was an accomplished musician just rote stu! , it’s got humor decided he was in good com- own. After 10 minutes in in his native Sao Miguel before and a point to it. It’s not just pany as he glanced at other character, he’s usually ready he moved to the United States like, ‘Hi, boys and girls. We’re recommended titles: Mickey for a break. in 1917. In Fall River, he found gonna have a sweet time Mouse, Donald Duck, Snow The challenges are not work in the mills but quickly today. Oh, goody, goody.’ None White. insurmountable, not enough realized he could do better by of that stu! . ‘Sesame Street’ “I thought, ‘Wow.’ That’s to make Spinney quit. Being teaching guitar and violin. He made that old hat.” when I realized we had gotten Big Bird is still fun. founded Raposo Music Schools While some newer shows — to a really good place,” he said. “I’m apparently in good in 1928, the year before he mar- including one about “a certain “Sesame Street” has given enough shape to keep going,” ried mill worker Maria Vascencao dinosaur”— have thrived with Spinney many gifts: heartfelt Spinney said. Victorinho. the old method, “Sesame letters from children inviting When production resumes Street” has consistently early next year, Spinney will Raposo grew up with his Joe Raposo hangs out with Big Bird (friend Caroll Spinney) on Big Bird to their sleepovers; treated its young viewers as cousin, Avery, whose maiden the “Sesame Street” set. NEWSWEEK VIA JOE RAPOSO MUSIC GROUP countless awards, includ- commute to New York City name is Paiva. Avery, who was equals, Spinney said. Big Bird, ing a Grammy and Daytime a couple of times a month to the oldest of the two by about and always supportive. You can "I'll never fi nd the words to tell conceived by Henson as “a big, Emmys; a close friendship continue telling the story he a month, remembers starting hear it in his music.” you all the things I need to say," goofy guy,” quickly became a with Henson, who died in started nearly half a century piano lessons with Raposo in SIGNATURE SONG the second verse goes. "And I'm curious child under Spinney’s 1990; and his 41-year rela- ago. fi rst grade. Some songs take on lives of afraid that as time goes by that care, a character to whom tionship with wife Debra. Big Bird and Oscar, two “For the fi rst three years, I was their own. someday soon you'll go away." children at home could relate. Spinney, a father of three “wonderful, perfect” charac- better,” says Avery, now a Bel- So it was with “Bein’ Green,” LASTING IMPRESSIONS “So many things have been whose fi rst wife was “embar- ters, are waiting for him in a mont resident. “I practiced; he Kermit the Frog’s meditation on Raposo kept his cancer a secret. done right in creating and rassed” by his profession, darkened studio. didn’t. Then, one day, it was like his “ordinary” color. Henson per- For several years, Avery was executing ‘Sesame Street,'” met the love of his life on the “It’s kind of amazing,” he woke up.” formed it as Kermit for the fi rst one of the few people who Spinney said. “I was thrilled “Sesame Street” set. “I took Spinney said. “It’s been a won- Avery and Raposo attended time in 1969. knew her cousin was battling to be part of it.” one look at her and I knew,” he derful life. I’m so happy that I school at St. Vincent’s orphan- “One night we needed a song lymphoma. Spinney, a soft-spoken said. “Everybody loves Deb.” got this job.” age across the street from their for the frog,” musician Danny “He was worried that if word Waltham native who lives “17 home. Raposo was a natural on Epstein recalls in a “Sesame got out, no one would hire him,” feet” from the Massachusetts the chapel organ, impressing Street” 35th anniversary docu- she says. “It was a long haul and border, has a slight subur- the strict nuns enough to secure mentary. “I remember Jon Stone it wasn’t pretty.” ban Boston accent that is a regular gig at midnight Mass calling after Joe in the hallway: ‘I Raposo worked until the end. harder to detect when he is starting in fourth grade, Avery need the damn song tomorrow. In 1989, the year he died, he com- in character. He got his start says. By age 13, he was behind Remember, the thing is green.’ posed the theme for “Shining on Boston television in the the organ every Sunday at Santo (Joe) wrote ‘Green’ overnight. Time Station,” a PBS children’s late 1960s, drawing cartoons Christo Parish on Columbia That is a work of art if you know show starring Didi Conn and for children as Mr. Lion on Street. the lyrics to that song. It’s a piece Ringo Starr. By then, his profes- “Bozo’s Big Top.” The traveling By age 17, he could play and of literature. It’s profound. Jim sional legacy was clear. version of that show occasion- sight-read anything. After Henson singing songs like 'Bein' “What he and Jim Henson ally took him to Fall River and graduating from BMC Durfee Green.' It's not Pavarotti but it and Jon Stone did back in the other parts of southeastern High School in 1954, he studied sure is magic. It's a magic that early 1970s on ‘Sesame Street’ Massachusetts. at Harvard University, playing can never be duplicated.” changed the way the entire world Spinney worked just as hard piano at bars and clubs every It turned out the song wasn’t approached children's entertain- o! camera to combine his life- night to make money. only for frogs. One of Raposo’s ment,” Nick says. “The three of long passions for puppetry “While this might sound like favorites, it also is one of the most them used their uniquely child- and animation into a show hyperbole, his fi ngers would actu- covered tunes in the composer’s like — not childish — abilities to that ended up impressing ally be bleeding at the end of a catalog. Van Morrison, Diana fi nd the genuine and the beauti- one of the most famous men night of work,” Nick says. “He Ross and Ray Charles put their ful and the silly that is in each of in the business. As “everything was, even in the estimation of stamps on it decades ago. Cee us.” went wrong, naturally,” during his critics, an astonishing piano Lo Green sang it with Kermit on Raposo left another legacy a performance at a Salt Lake player.” NBC's “The Voice” last year. to his children, who are split City puppet festival, a dejected Nick says his father was his What did Raposo make of between New York and Los Spinney had no idea he was own toughest critic, but if any- other artists interpreting his Angeles, and who all work in the about to secure his dream job. thing was lacking from the pieces work? entertainment business. “I’m putting things away he composed, he was the only “He was ecstatic,” Nick says. “His main lesson to us was, ‘It's backstage. I hear this voice person who noticed. “Some people – particularly those not getting there that matters; it's behind me. It said: ‘I liked Raposo also never took him- from wealthy, upper-class back- how hard you work along the way. what you were trying to do.’ I self too seriously, Avery says. grounds, mistook his absolute That's the reward,’" Nick says. “I turned around and it was Jim While leading the band during a astonishment and excitement for do believe my grandparents' tra- Henson,” Spinney said. “He Harvard alumni event in muggy boasting, but that wasn’t what it ditional Portuguese household asked me if I’d like to work for Bermuda, he told musicians was at all. This was a guy whose and their relative poverty during him. He was gonna build two they could cool o! by playing in family had a Christmas branch the Great Depression left the characters: a large, silly bird, their underwear as long as they for the holidays.” strongest imprint on his charac- a puppet so big you could get remembered to wave rather than Spinney was with Raposo the ter. There are echoes of that in all inside it; and a grouch who stand and bow at the end. morning after Frank Sinatra of us.” enjoys trash. He drew me a “He really had a great personal- debuted his cover of “Bein’ Green” Raposo was buried in Cha- picture of what they were ity,” Avery says. “He was the type in 1971. tham, not far from the beach going to be. I thought, ‘I think that if you were angry or upset Joe was appreciatively excited where his cousin still pictures that’s what I’m looking for.’ with him, within three seconds he over that because if you write a him lost in good thoughts and Indeed it was. And I got the would have you laughing so hard song and Frank Sinatra records it, still hears him asking, “Can you job that day.” you couldn’t even talk.” you know you’ve made it. And so believe it?” Spinney initially doubted he Raposo’s professors sent him to Joe said, ‘Gosh, I guess I’ve made She has a response: “I think I was talented enough to work Paris to study orchestration and it,’” Spinney says. "He was just an was just blessed I had him for all with Henson, but he soon conducting. After he graduated incredible talent.” that time.” grew into his puppet personas, FOLLOW US

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Thursday, November 20, 2014 Fall River, Massachusetts FREE

CITY BUZZ ALBERT A. D'AMBROSIO WAY Giving Hearts A Thanksgiving dinner will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day at the VFW, 486 Bedford St. The volunteer- SIGN HONORS WORKER based event is open to the needy in and around the city of Fall River. The dinner’s orga- nizers said they received an D’Ambrosio recognized for 30 years of service to school overwhelming response from the community at the recent By Phil Devitt man he calls “Al D.” was long food drive held at the post. Sta! Editor overdue. at Crystal Springs, a school “He is quite a human being, in Assonet providing special The first surprise was the a testament to public service,” education services to children, applause. said Pacheco, who worked with adolescents and adults, has Al D’Ambrosio had not yet D’Ambrosio on the construc- spent the last six weeks collect- crossed the threshold of Fall tion of six buildings. “Al was ing non-perishable food items to donate to the cause. Trot- River's Morton Middle School the key man, making sure the tjoseph Lee, a local veteran and cafeteria when his old friends keys for everything were in the one of the dinner’s organizers, and colleagues started cheer- right place. Al had a system said of the outpouring of sup- ing for him. that we still use today. It’s true port, “We knew that we would The second surprise was and tested.” need a lot of help if this was the street sign, blue with bold, During a brief ceremony, going to be successful, and we white lettering: “ALBERT A. Fall River Mayor and School were hopeful. But the response D’AMBROSIO WAY.” Committee Chair Will Fla- we’ve gotten far exceeded our It will hang high on the nagan said the Morton expectations. It’s really encour- former Brownell Street, which cafeteria would be named for aging. And to have agencies like Crystal Springs get involved, I wraps around the school D’Ambrosio, before revealing think it speaks to the heart of D’Ambrosio helped build that the street that connects our local community. People before his retirement several President Avenue with North care, they really do; and every- years ago. Main Street would bear his one deserves a Thanksgiving “It was a big surprise,” said name, too. The School Com- meal on Thanksgiving Day.” D’Ambrosio, 88, a Fall River mittee approved the naming Al D’Ambrosio says he was “surprised” to learn the street that wraps around Morton To learn more about how you native now living in Dart- last month. can help, contact Angie Taylor, Middle School would be named after him for his decades of service to the Fall River School mouth. “When I saw the people “He dedicated thousands of Department. PHIL DEVITT/CHRONICLE community outreach coordina- I used to work with, I knew hours to … making sure our tor at 774-855-3301 or ataylor@ something was up.” children’s interests were at the crystalspringsinc.org. D’Ambrosio was employed forefront,” Flanagan said. “The for 30 years by the Fall River reason the city of Fall River is Crafting Turkeys School Department, oversee- such a great place to call home Looking for fun Thanksgiving ing construction of school after is because of people like Mr. Day activities to do with the school. D’Ambrosio.” children? The Fall River Public “I was happy working,” he A Navy veteran of World Library has you covered. This said, which might explain War II and the Korean War, Thursday, the library will be why he didn’t retire until his D’Ambrosio spent the cer- hosting the return of its most early 80s. “I worked with emony thinking of the one popular turkey craft ever - the good people. That made the person he wanted by his side: handprint turkey. The craft, di! erence.” Whilamena, his wife of 63 making turkeys out of con- D’Ambrosio sat quietly years. The woman everyone struction paper, will take place as city officials unveiled the called “Whilly” died on Christ- from 4-5 p.m. at the East End Library, 1386 Pleasant St. For sign and placed it in his lap mas morning three years ago. more information, contact for closer inspection. Later, “She put up all those years Conor Murray at 508-324- between bites of pastry, he with me,” he said. “She was just 2709 or [email protected]. chatted with former cowork- number one.” More turkey crafts will be held ers he had not seen in years. D’Ambrosio and his wife from 3:30-4:30 p.m., Nov. 24, “He used to make me look had four children: Mary at the Main Library, 104 N. good,” Fall River School D’Ambrosio of Westport, Main St. Contact David Mello at Committee member Robert Robert D’Ambrosio of Dart- 508-324-2700 for information. Maynard said. “Any time I had mouth, Albert D’Ambrosio a project, I just called him. He of Berkley and Dr. Joseph Fall River School Committee member Robert Maynard (right) catches up with old friend Al Futuristic was good to everybody. These D’Ambrosio, who lives out of D’Ambrosio. Operating Room days, you don’t find many state. people like him.” “It’s fantastic,” son Robert success in the school depart- Rubber Company – was fol- and they never let me down,” Construction is beginning Fall River Community Main- said of the street sign surprise. ment – and before that, as lowing the golden rule. he said. on an “operating room of the tenance Director Ken Pacheco “It brought a smile to his face.” a third-shift general fore- “I always treated people the That’s the real D’Ambrosio future” at Charlton Memo- said the dedication for the D’Ambrosio said his key to way I wanted to be treated Way. rial Hospital as part of a new man with Firestone Tire and heart and vascular center. The new center, called the Harold and Virginia Lash Heart and Vascular Center, will house an FOR JOBS WELL DONE expanding cardiovascular ser- Local emergency workers were vices department, according to honored for selfless actions Southcoast Health, as well as a at White’s of Westport Nov. 14 state-of-the-art hybrid operat- during the Greater Fall River/ ing room. New Bedford Emergency Medical Services Coordinating Committee’s annual confer- More Spirit ence. Curt Scherny (left), who rescued an 86-year-old PAGE 2: Check our “Plug In” man from an apartment fire feature for everything you need in March and assisted the to know about The Fall River Fall River Fire Department in Spirit’s online extras — web- locating a 26-year-old woman exclusive stories, blogs, videos still trapped inside, received and more. the EMS Impact Award. Ryan COMING NEXT WEEK: Learn Bielawa of the Saint Anne’s how a newspaper article Hospital Emergency Depart- written 25 years ago and one ment (center) was named man's persistence helped EMT of the Year. Lisa Porawski rewrite history for a Portu- (right), a nurse in the Saint guese diplomat who "refused Anne’s emergency depart- to succumb to the banality of ment, was named Nurse of the evil," but who died in obscurity. Year. In addition, Ryan Cabral, who works in Dartmouth and Stoughton, was named INDEX Paramedic of the Year; Fall River and Somerset medical director Wayne Christiansen Arts ...... 2 was named Physician of the On Stage ...... 3 Year; and Christine Saurette of Autograph tales ...... 4 Fall River, who recently saved PT Boat arrives ...... 4 a young student from choking at Watson Elementary School, was named Citizen of the Year. VOL. XI, NO. 4 PHOTO BY PHIL DEVITT