Chuck MacDonough GENERAL CHAIRMAN
Camille Teixeira VICE CHAIRMAN
Dudley Hallagan
TREASURER
Deb Rainey
RECORDING SECRETARY
Maria Cesario
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY
Bristol Fourth oF July Committee 1776
Welcome, everyone, on behalf of
the
Bristol Fourth of July Committee!
Welcome to Bristol, Rhode Island, where we have been celebrating our nation’s independence longer than anywhere. Our 237th celebration on July 4 is the culmination of many people’s hard work. From our all-volunteer committee, to our Town Officials, our Town departments, our Police and Fire departments, they all are the real heroes of our celebration.
With patriotic pride, we do what we do for our community and for the joy it brings us each time we raise the flag, say the pledge, fire a cannon or musket, or just sit and watch the fireworks. We celebrate freedom achieved through the loss of life and the spilling of blood, and through this celebration we hope to honor those sacrifices.
We stand together for many different reasons, but always with the recognition of those lives lost and in honor of those who served and continued to serve so that we all can be free.
Thank you to Joe and Rosa DaPonte, for accepting the invitation to be Chief Marshals for our 237th
Celebration. You inspire us all with your kindness, generosity, and your laughter.
Always on our minds and in our hearts are the men and women of our military, first responders, police, fire and our healthcare workers. Thank you for all you do for
us each and every day. Happy Fourth of July!
Chuck MacDonough General Chairman
Bristol Fourth of July Committee
NAT SQUATRITO
Chuck MacDonough (right) poses with 2022 Chief Marshals Joe and Rosa DaPonte on the night they were introduced to the Committee and to the public.
The Fourth of July is an exciting time of year here in Bristol, Rhode Island. We look forward to the spirit of the celebration and having fun times with family and friends.
Some of the many highlights are the concerts by Bristol Harbor, making fun memories at the carnival on the Town Common, or being out in the night air during the fireworks. This year the parade will bring back many of the marching bands from around
the county, and a visiting United States Navy Ship will return for a visit in our beautiful harbor.
Thanks and appreciation goes out to all of the members of the Fourth of July Committee for dedicating their time, talent, and energy to preserve this fantastic celebration. Whether you are visiting for the first time, or have never missed a parade, I hope you have a happy and safe Fourth of July!
Meet Bristol’s 2022 Chief Marshals
Jose and Rosa DaPonte embody the ‘American Dream’
BY CHRISTY NADALIN
“I arrived in Bristol on a Sunday night, and started working on Monday morning,” said Jose (Joe) Carlos DaPonte from the executive offices at C&C Fiberglass Components on Ballou Blvd., a business he and his wife Rosa built from the ground up.
The year was 1973, and Joe was only 17 years old when he and his family — father Jose, mother Maria Conceicao, sister Maria Eduarda and brother Fransico — came to Bristol from Sao Miguel.
As a child on the family farm in the town of Pico da Pedra, his day began before dawn, milking cows, collecting eggs, and clearing fields before attending school. He brought that work ethic with him to Rhode Island, working both the first and second shifts at Robin Rug in Bristol and Central Falls. After two years, he began working construction, building Cumberland Farms stores. Over the next several years he would find employment locally at the Converse Factory and finally at Pearson Yachts, where he would find his passion for boat building.
“My first job at Pearson was as a toolmaker. I went there, and to be
honest, I don't even know how to read a tape measure,” said Joe. “My supervisor gave me a piece of paper and a tape measure with these measurements. I said ‘I don't know what am I supposed to do?’ And he said ‘Yeah, you can figure it out.’ And that's how I started. I used to bring the blueprints home and study them — that’s how I know how to read blueprints.”
In 1986 he was approached by the owners of Clarke Ryder to run their tooling department, overseeing 12 employees and building the SeaSprite 29’ and 33’, as well as power boats. In 1992, he began working with Albin Marine, relo-
cating the company to Bristol and becoming their production manager.
Growing family and business
Somehow, when he was not working Joe managed to find the love of his life and together they built a family. Maria Rosa was one of six children living with her parents in the town of Cabouco Da Lagoa on Sao Miguel when Joe first met her, at church, during a visit in 1979.
He admits that running into her was not exactly happenstance.
“Her sister was married to one of my cousins, and I used to go to his house,” said Joe. “That's how I first met her — I saw a picture on the wall.”
Happily, the affection was mutual and before long, Rosa had immigrated to the United States. They were married in St. Elizabeth Church on Jan. 17, 1980, and welcomed their first son, Cesar, nearly three years later. Son Craig would follow in 1992. For the first several years of their marriage, Rosa worked for a company in Portsmouth that manufactured badges, until she began raising their sons full-time following the birth of Craig.
In April of 1998, Joe followed his dream of starting his own company. For someone who had been working long and hard for others his entire life, it was a big, bold move.
“Some companies take care of you and some don’t. And towards the end, I worked for a company and they weren't really taking care of me,” Joe said. “That was bothering me and I said, I’ve got to do my own thing because everything I did in life to this point, I've been successful. Why not try this?”
“I came home on Friday and she [Rosa] said, ‘what's the
matter?’ I said, ‘I quit my job, but don't worry about it. I’ll be working on Monday.’”
C&C Fiberglass Components Inc. opened up in a small 4,000-square-foot garage on Metacom Avenue, primarily building fiberglass parts for other companies as well as car bodies. With one employee at the time, Joe and Rosa outgrew the space and moved into 12,000-square-foot building on Franklin Street. Then, in 2002 C&C Fiberglass purchased NorthCoast Boats and began building, marketing, and selling their own boat line. In 2005, they built their current facility in a 60,000-square-foot building and welcomed son Cesar to the management team; Craig would follow a decade later when he’d finished his education. In addition to NorthCoast, C&C Fiberglass builds the popular line of sailing vessels, J/ Boats.
Free time and turf wars
Believe it or not, they do have a little free time these days. When they find it, Joe enjoys fishing with friends, golfing, and spending time with family. Rosa emphatically does not enjoy fishing, though she does like a nice boat ride from time to time. She also likes time spent with family and friends, as well as baking and gardening.
Then there’s the grass.
She claims to like cutting the grass — Joe does not — but he often ends up doing it nonetheless. “We had a landscaper, but she said she wanted to do the grass,” said Joe. “I asked, why do you want to do that?” So, he sold their lawnmower.
“It’s exercise, I enjoy doing it,” said Rosa. So he bought a new lawnmower. But Rosa still doesn’t get to use it much.
“The neighbors are going to look out the window and think
I’m making my wife cut the grass! Are you serious? I can’t do that,” said Joe, laughing. So he’s been known to sneak out of the office on Fridays, in effort to cut the grass before Rosa can get to it. Rosa doesn’t say anything to that — but she smiles in a way that suggests that arrangement works just fine for her as well.
And now, Chief Marshals
Over the years, as they were working, building a family and a business, Joe and Rosa became an integral part of Bristol’s community, and in 2011 they became U.S. citizens. Longtime parishioners of St. Elizabeth Church, Joe was one of the founders of the Holy Ghost Feast. Over the years Joe and Rosa have hosted the Domingas multiple times, sponsored the 4th of July Ball, and served as VP and President of Santissima Trindade. They are former members of Don Luis Filipe and current members of the Portuguese cultural and recreation club of Warren.
They have also put their professional skills to use in the community — most notably recently repairing Bristol’s parade-weary Mr. Potato Head.
“I chose them because of their inspirational story,” said Chuck MacDonough, General Chairman of the Bristol 4th of July Committee. “They have truly lived the American dream.”
For Joe, his otherworldly work ethic isn’t all that surprising. “It’s because I never forget that my parents gave everything away in the old country to bring me here.”
Of the Chief Marshal honor, “I was shocked,” said Joe. “I got tears in my eyes.” Rosa admitted that it was an emotional moment for her as well. “It is a big, big thing.”
1826 Col. Giles Luther 1826-1834 No record
1834 Col. Arnold H. Bush
1835 Col John Gladding
1836 Col. Nathaniel Fales
1837 No Parade
1838 Col. Nathaniel Fales
1839 No Parade
1840 No Parade
1840 Martin Bennett, Esq. 1841-1843 No Parade
1844 W.H.S. Bayley
1845 David S. Coit, Esq.
1846 John Adams, Esq.
1847 John Adams, Esq.
1848 John Adams, Esq.
1849 Col. John Gladding
1850 James F. D’Wolf, Esq.
1851 James F. D’Wolf, Esq.
1852 James F. D’Wolf, Esq.
1853 James F. D’Wolf, Esq.
1854 Maj. Ambrose Burnside
1855 Charles Sherry, Jr., Esq.
1856 James H. West, Esq.
1857 Charles Sherry, Jr.
1858 Alexander D’W. Perry
1859 Capt. John Y. Lawless
1860 James D’W. Perry, Jr.
1861 Charles Sherry, Jr.
1862 Walter C. Barclay
1863 Charles F. Page
1864 Lt. Charles Gibson
1865 James DeW. Perry, Esq.
1866 Gen. Lewis Richmond
1867 Lt. William J. Bradford
1868 William B. D’Wolf
1869 Maj. Raymond H. Perry
1870 Mark A. D’Wolf, Esq.
1871 Col. Samuel P. Colt
1872 Capt. Allen G. Wright
1873 Isaac F. Williams
1874 No Parade
1875 Col. Samuel P. Colt
1876 George T. French, Esq.
1877 Maj Raymond H. Perry
1878 Col. Raymond H. Perry
1879 Col. Samuel P. Colt
1880 Col. Richard B. Franklin
1881 William T.C. Wardwell
1882 Col. Samuel P. Colt
1883 J. Howard Manchester
1884 Dr. George A. Pike
1885 Col. George O. Eddy
1886 J. Howard Manchester
1887 Capt. John H. Morrissey
1888 Isaac F. Williams
1889 Gilbert Wilson
1890 Col. Richard B. Franklin
1891 J. Howard Manchester
1892 H. Maitland Gibson
1893 John J. Christie
1894 H. Maitland Gibson
1895 Henry M. Thompson
1896 Charles F. Chase
1897 Charles F. Chase
1898 Charles F. Chase
1899 Dr. W. Fred Williams
1900 Dr. W. Fred Williams
1901 L. Maitland Minsher
1902 L. Maitland Minsher
1903 L. Maitland Minsher
1904 Benjamin L. Hall
1905 Wallis E. Howe
1906 Peter C.R. Morris
1907 Charles B. Rockwell
1908 George W. Warren
1909 Wallis E. Howe
1910 Wendell R. Davis
1911 Col. Arthur B. Spink
1912 Howard W. Church
1913 Capt. W.C. Metcalf
1914 Capt. W.C. Metcalf
1915 Capt. W.C. Metcalf
1916 Rudolph Haffenreffer, Jr.
1917 Col. Andrew W. Anthony
1918 Col. Harold J. Gross
1919 Col. Andrew W. Anthony
1920 Col. L.H. Callan
1921 Capt. Edward L. Leahy
1922 W. Fred Williams, Jr.
1923 Charles B. Rockwell, Jr.
1924 James W. Salisbury
1925 James F. Lavender
1926 Henry Wood
1927 Lt. Bertram W. Wall
1928 Capt. Edward L. Leahy
1929 T. Clyde Foster
1930 W. Fred Williams, Jr.
1931 Carl W. Haffenreffer
1932 Dr. John H. Morrissey
1933 Roswell C. Colt
1934 Col. Samuel A. Hall
1935 Col. A.M. Merriman
1936 John W. Church
1937 Col. M.A. Cheesman
1938 George M. Cady
1939 Stanley E. Friswell
1940 Edward J. Fitzgerald
1941 John W. Haley
1942 William L. Serbst
1943 Stephen W. Hopkins
1944 J. Francis Connell
1945 Roswell S. Bosworth
1946 The. Rev. Anthony R. Parshley
1947 R. Adm. Gilbert Hoover
1948 Dr. Samuel D. Clark
1949 Capt. Ray’d J. Makowsky
1950 Harold Church Paull
1951 Gov. Dennis J. Roberts
1952 Dr. C. Paul Bruno
1953 John H. Tuplin
1954 Mathias Brito
1955 George R. Fish
1956 Col. E.S. McMillan
1957 M. Theresa Donovan
1958 Lt. Cmdr. J.G.A. Riccio
1959 U.S. Sen. Theo. F. Green
1960 William H. Smith
1961 Clinton J. Pearson
1962 John Andrade
1963 R.F. Haffenreffer, III
1964 Anthony Pinheiro
1965 Anthony T. Campagna
1966 Caesar Brito
1967 Edward G. Medeiros
1968 Salvator V. Gianola
1969 Dr. Victor P. DeMedeiros
1970 Dr. Ralph E. Gauvey
1971 Gaetano D. Parella
1972 Anthony A. Nunes
1973 John P. Andrade
1974 James J. Velleca, Jr.
1975 Dr. Manuel L. daSilva
1976 Anthony R. Berretto
1977 Frank D. Balzano
1978 Richard Alegria
1979 Dr. Joseph Perroni
1980 Dr. Anthony Bernardo
1981 Roswell S. Bosworth, Jr.
1982 Joseph M. Brito
1983 Peter A. Quito
1984 Halsey C. Herreshoff
1985 Manuel Joseph and Anthony Januario
1986 Joan Doyle Roth
1987 Seraphin DaPonte
1988 Frederico Pacheco
1989 Marie and Robert Rondeau
1990 Kenneth J. Marshall
1991 Anthony Agatiello
1992 Santo “Sam” Mascena
1993 Thomas Byrnes
1994 Gerry and Mickie MacNeill
1995 Joseph and Mary Parella
1996 Orlando J. Bisbano
1997 Richard Ruggiero
1998 John R. Partington
1999 Hildeberto (Herbie) Moitoso
2000 Anthony Iasiello
2001 Diane C. Mederos
2002 Jerome Donovan
2003 Raymond Cordeiro and Oryann Lima
2004 Joseph and Mary Lero
2005 Col. Russell S. Serpa
2006 Santa W. “Sandy” Matrone
2007 Manuel C. “Manny” Correira
2008 Edward Castro
2009 Joseph Coelho Sr. and Joseph Coelho Jr.
2010 S. Dudley Hallagan Jr.
2011 Joseph M. Brito Jr. and Elizabeth “Betty” Brito
2012 Antonio A. “Tony” Teixeira
2013 Louis P. Cirillo
2014 David E. Barboza
2015 Raymond E. Gallison Jr
2016 Herculano S. Falcoa
2017 Lisa Sienkiewicz and Gail Parella
2018 Kathleen Bazinet
2019 James W. Farley, Jr.
2020 Suzanne Magaziner
2021 Kenneth, Steve and Michael Januario
2022 Jose and Rosa DaPonte
A servant of Bristol, with a love of history
Longtime town leader and public servant
Louis Cirillo is the 2022 Patriotic Speaker
BY ETHAN HARTLEY
This year’s Fourth of July Patriotic Speaker is Louis Cirillo, a native Bristolian who has dedicated much of his life to serving the Town in various capacities. Cirillo expressed much gratitude for the role.
“Being named Patriotic Speaker is a great honor,” he said. “I have attended many of the Patriotic Exercises programs in the past, as a participant and also as a spectator. Knowing that the exercises are the part of the celebration that shares in common with the first observance of 1785, I am both pleased and humbled to be asked to join the lineage of this long tradition.”
For most of his adult life, Cirillo has been an active participant in public service. At age 28 he declared to run for office and was elected to the Bristol School Committee. Two years later, he was elected to the Bristol Town Council and served for six years. He was then appointed to serve on the Board of Canvassers and directed elections in Bristol for eight years until he was elected Bristol Town Clerk – an office he held for 16 years until his retirement in December of 2020.
Cirillo has a keen interest in Bristol’s history. If pressed, he will tell you modestly that he has read nearly everything written about our town, and tends to recall dates and facts readily. A past-president and life member of the Historical Society, he would often share his knowledge with groups of school children. These talks caught the eye of former teacher and school admin-
istrator Donna Bettencourt-Glavin, who convinced him to write a curriculum in Bristol history for elementary students. Bristol’s thirdand fourth-grade students have enjoyed his well-received “Learning About Bristol” for more than 20 years.
Cirillo said it is difficult to pin down specific memories or moments that have contributed to his love for Bristol.
“Bristol is my hometown. There used to be a sign on Hope Street near the Warren town line that declared our town ‘a wonderful place to live, work, and play.’ I have done most of my living and spent most of my working career within a comparatively small distance from the home in which I grew up,” Cirillo said. “Our parks, shoreline,
and shaded streets offer amazing recreational opportunity. For me, the combination of these are what gives the town its special quality. I have traveled to many places and cannot imagine a better place to serve. In my work, every day was rewarding, and I would find it impossible to differentiate between the little things and the more substantial ones. Each in their own way providing great personal satisfaction.”
During his career in public service, Cirillo was asked to speak at many public events, dedications and commemorations. He gave the Memorial Day address in 2006 and was the guest speaker at Firefighter’s Memorial Sunday three times. In 2008, he was the main speaker at the Bristol Fourth of July
Interfaith Service.
Prior to his years as Town Clerk, he enjoyed a quarter-century at the former Dixon Industries (later Furon Company), where he held various positions, rising through the ranks to the role of worldwide product manager for the flagship Rulon® line of bearings and bearing materials. Upon leaving Furon, he served as executive director of Linden Place Mansion.
In 2013, Cirillo was selected as Chief Marshal of the 228th Fourth of July Celebration. The Rhode Island Republican Party recognized his years of service to the community with a Constituent Whisperer Award in 2021. The Constituent Whisperer Award rec-
ognizes model local and state officials who go above and beyond to advocate for and respond to constituent concerns.
Cirillo said that patriotism, to him, is about rising above the things that threaten to divide people and channeling positive energy toward a greater love for your community, and honoring its history.
“I feel the best illustration of one’s patriotism includes a regard for and understanding of the past, taking care of oneself and doing one’s part to bolster the lives of others, and most importantly, to apply the ‘golden rule’ of treatment of others in the way one expects to be treated,” he said. “Our country was established on
these ideals, and we should celebrate them every day … especially on the Fourth of July!”
In retirement, Cirillo enjoys photo-chronicling Bristol scenery along the route of his daily early morning exercise walk. The photos are shared on social media, and reach a large following of current and former Bristol residents. He also enjoys cooking and baking, painting, traveling and spending time with his wife of 50 years, Susan.
He particularly enjoys, along with his siblings, preparing for and hosting a Fourth of July picnic for dozens of relatives and friends, at the family homestead on High Street – a tradition that goes back more than 70 years.
A PROUD HISTORY OF PATRIOTIC SPEAKERS
1785-1814 The Rev. Dr. Henry Wight
1815 The Rev. Barnabas Bates
1816-1819 The Rev. Dr. Henry Wight
1820 Joseph W. Torry, Esq.
1821 Professor John DeWolf
1822-1825 The Rev. Dr. Henry Wight
1826 Walter W. Dalton
1827-1835 The Rev. Dr. Henry Wight
1836 J. Russel Bullock
1837 The Rev. Dr. Henry Wight
1838 Dr. Silas Holmes
1839-1850 No Record
1851 The Rev. J.C. Richmond
1852 The Rev. J.W. Smith
1853 E.P. Whipple, Esq.
1854 Thomas Shepard, Esq.
1855 James T. Brady, Esq.
1856 Asa Arnold Esq.
1857 The Rev. Dr. S.K. Sweetman
1858 John Turner, Esq.
1859 Charles Blake, Esq.
1860 The Rev. David H. Ela
1861 Thomas W. Bickness, Esq.
1862 The Hon. Frances Minor
1863 The Rev. S.F. Upham
1864 The Rev. William Stowe
1865 The Hon. Sidney Dean
1866 The Rev. Mark Tafton
1867 The Rev. J.J. Peck
1868 The Rev. George L. Locke
1869 John C. Pegram, Esq.
1870 The Rev. G.L. Westgate
1871 The Rev. James P. Lane
1872 The Rev. William Miller
1873 The Hon. N.F. Dixon, Jr.
1874 LeBaron B. Colt, Esq.
1875 Col. Henry H. Robinson
1876 The Rev. James D’Wolf Perry
1877 The Hon. Francis Brinley
1878 LeBaron B. Colt Esq.
1879 The Hon. James C. Collins
1880 No speaker
1881 Rev. Edwin F. Jones
1882 Col. George T. French
1883 Samuel Norris, Jr., Esq
1884 Col. Daniel R. Ballou
1885 Gen. Horatio Rogers
1886 The Hon. Henry J. Coggeshall
1887 Rev. S. Hamilton Day
1888 Samuel Norris, Jr., Esq
1889 Theron H. Carter
1890 The Rev. W.F. Davis
1891 The Rev. S.D. Moxley
1892 Orrin F. Bosworth, Esq.
1893 Samual Morris, Jr., Esq
1894 The Rev. S.D. Moxley
1895 William F. O’Donnell
1896 The Rev. A.W. Kingsley
1897 Irving H. Gamwall
1898 The Hon. Orrin F. Bosworth
1899 Henry W. Hayes
1900 Lefferts S. Hoffman
1901 William T. O’Donnell
1902 The Rev. Wilenoir Hood
1903 Col. Frank T. Eastern
1904 The Rev. J.F. Downing
1905 The Rev. Samuel Smith Drury
1906 William A. Kennedy
1907 Rev. John McVay
1908 Edward Lawrence Leahy
1909 James F. Lavander
1910 Gov. Aram J. Pothier
1911 The Rev. A.C. Larned
1912 The Hon. Geo. O’Shaunnessy
1913 The Rev. A. Clark McGilton
1914 Lt. Gov. Roswell Burchard
1915 The Rev. Jamuel Lindsay
1916 Col. H. Anthony Dyer
1917 M. Louis DeSadeleer
1918 The Hon. LeBaron B. Colt
1919 The Rev. F.S. Penfold
1920 Asst. Attorney General
1921 Sen. Herbert M. Sherwood
1922 The Rev. Luciano R. Capone
1923 Sen. McGrane
1924 Mrs. Ray Cox Flint
1925 The Hon. Leo M. Harlow
1926 The Hon. Richard W. Jennings
1927 Bishop Louis C. Sanford
1928 Attorney Gen. Charles Sisson
1929 Asst. Attorney Gen. J.F. Hughes
1930 The Hon. A.A. Capatosto
1931 The Hon. M.A. Sullivan
1932 The Hon. Ray Rawlings
1933 The Hon. Francis B. Condon
1934 The Hon. Felix Hebert
1935 The Hon. Alexander G. Churchill
1936 Asst. Justice A. Capatosto
1937 John Scanlon
1938 John W. Haley
1939 Gov. W.M. Vanderbilt
1940 The Hon. M.A. Sullivan
1941 The Hon. John P. Hartigan
1942 Dr. Lucius A. Whipple
1943 Capt. Gilbert C. Hoover
1944 The Hon. M.A. Sullivan
1945 Asst. Justice Capatosto
1946 Cmdr. Paul Theiss, USN
1947 U.S. Sen. J.H. McCrath
1948 Vice Adm. John D. Price, USN
1949 Rear Adm. H.S. Kendall, USN
1950 Sen. Edward L. Leahy
1951 Gov. Dennis J. Roberts & Capt. Richard Visser, USN
1952 Dr. You Chan Yang, Korean ambassador
1953 Hon. John Muccio, U.S. ambassador to Korea
1954 Lt. Col. B.W. McLean, USMC
1955 Capt. William L. Eagleton
1956 Joseph F. Bruno
1957 Brig. Gen. A.K. Sibley
1958 Judge Robert E. Quinn
1959 Justice J.R. Weisberger
1960 George T. Howe
1961 Sen. John Pastore
1962 Sen. Claiborne Pell
1963 The Hon. Arthur Carrellas
1964 The Hon. Edward Plunkett
1965 Mort Blender
1966 Monroe E. Toevs
1967 Rear Adm. Means Johnston, Jr., USN
1968 Dennis J. Roberts
1969 Roswell S. Bosworth
1970 Dr. Werner A. Baum
1971 Edward Travers
1972 Gen. Robert E. Cushman, Jr., USMC
1973 The Hon. J.R. Weisberger
1974 Bishop Louis E. Gelineau
1975 Rear Adm. Lucien Capone, Jr., USN
1976 The Hon. Joseph Bevilacqua
1977 The Hon. Anthony J. Dennis
1978 Brig. Gen. Raymond A. Thomas
1979 Joseph G. Kinder
1980 Louis P. Alfano, Jr.
1981 Robert L. daC. Bernard
1982 Dr. William Crausman
1983 William Rizzini
1984 Judge Eugene Cochran
1985 The Rev. Walter Rudy
1986 Roswell S. Bosworth, Jr.
1987 Joseph Janario
1988 Robert Arruda
1989 Joseph Caromile
1990 W. DeWolf Fulton
1991 Manuel C. “Manny” Correira
1992 Mario Mancieri
1993 William B. Sweeney
1994 Richard Simpson
1995 Lt. Cmdr. Porter A. Halyburton
1996 Retired Lt. Col. Anthony D. Nastri, USMC
1997 Cmdr. Linda Lou Borges Dubois
1998 Jerome M. Donovan
1999 Frank J. Williams
2000 Retired Gen. Michael T. Byrnes
2001 Anthony Santoro
2002 David Foehr
2003 Rear Admiral Barbara McGann
2004 Judge Anthony Dennis
2005 Paul Fletcher
2006 Sen. Jack Reed
2007 Dr. Patrick T. Conley
2008 Dr. William F. Bundy
2009 Col. Edward Cyr
2010 Rev. Daniel Barron Randall
2011 Retired Brig. Gen. Rick Baccus
2012 Ira Magaziner
2013 RADM Robert O. Wray, Jr.
2014 MG Kevin R. McBride
2015 Dr. Donald J. Farish
2016 Robert G. Flanders Jr.
2017 Col. Andrew James Drake
2018 Dick Devault
2019 Ryder Ferris
2020 Capt. Mark Turner
2021 Major Margaret Lero Larson
2022 Louis Cirillo
Celebrating Fourth royalty
BY JEN CAMPISI
The Fourth of July festivities are well underway, with family and friends filling the Mt. Hope High School auditorium on the last Saturday in May for the coronation of Miss Fourth of July and Little Miss Fourth of July. Thirteen girls between the ages of 16 and 20, and 15 girls between the ages 7 and 9 vied for the opportunity to represent Bristol in the pageant and appear at a wide range of events and programming leading up to Parade Day.
Mt. Hope junior Gwenyth Tucker was crowned this year’s Miss Fourth of July, with Alana Crowell crowned Little Miss Fourth of July 2022.
“I’m feeling very happy,” said Crowell, while donning her glitzy American flag tiara. “This means so much to me. My favorite part about the Fourth of July is doing the dance, and now winning.”
With the crowning of a new Miss Fourth, the time had come for Miss Fourth of July 2021 Victoria Travassos to relinquish her crown, a bittersweet moment for her to take the stage one last time and bid farewell to her role this past year.
“I am just so happy with the outcome, and honestly, I feel like everything is coming full circle,” Travassos said. “I’m probably just as happy as I was last year when I won, because these girls are so deserving. I’m so proud of them. Everything happened the way that I think it was supposed to, and you really can’t ask for more than that.”
Little Miss Fourth of July 2021, Eden Sweeney, had the extra special opportunity to crown this year’s winner – her older sister, Gwenyth Tucker.
Gwenyth Tucker and Alana Crowell crowned in Miss Fourth of July
Pageant
“I’m just overwhelmed with joy,” said Tucker. “To have my sister pass the crown to me was so emotional. I was about ready to cry. I just have so many family members here, it’s so overwhelming, but it’s so exciting.”
In addition to her sister, Gwenyth had two of her cousins competing in the pageant. Sophie Tucker, a third-grader at Colt Andrews Elementary School, and last year’s Little Miss first runnerup Hope Tucker, a fourth-grader at Colt Andrews, were both on stage alongside her.
Gwenyth said she has been preparing for this moment since she was five years old.
“I used to watch the parade and just look at the pageant girls in awe. To me, they were like celebrities at every moment in time,” said Tucker. “As a little girl, I just wanted to hug them and squeeze them. And for me to now be that girl, is unbelievable for me.”
The panel crowns its Court
Mt. Hope sophomore Beilah Teixeira, 16, was named fourth runner-up, while 16-year-old Mt. Hope junior Casey Little came in as third runner-up.
Samantha Martins, 19, was selected as second runner-up. A 2020 graduate of Mt. Hope High School, she just completed her sophomore year at Rhode Island College, where she majors in education. Martins is no stranger to the pageant spotlight, being crowned Little Miss Fourth of July in 2012, and earning a spot as second runner-up in last year’s 2021 Miss Fourth pageant.
Eleni Gatos, a 17-year-old Mt. Hope junior, was named to the court as first runner-up. Gatos was also awarded Miss Congeniality by her peers.
For the Little Miss category, Tessa Correia, a third-grader at Guiteras Elementary School, finished as second runner-up, and Charlotte Loftus, a third-grader at Rockwell Elementary School, was
awarded first runner-up. Both will get to celebrate on the Miss Fourth float in the annual parade.
The ceremony and featured guests
Mary Lou Palumbo served as the Mistress of Ceremonies, while the board of judges consisted of Carolyne Marcello, Marilyn Shannon McConaghy, Neena Sinha Savage, Mark Harriman,
Alana Crowell receives applause after being crowned Bristol’s 2022 Little Miss Fourth of July.
and tabulator Frank Fales.
Palumbo introduced Pageant Committee Chairman Patty Squatrito, who expressed her enthusiasm and confidence she had in the young ladies who competed. “No matter what, these girls are all winners,” she said.
After each participant had the chance to model their patriotic evening gown attire and answer hand-
PHOTOS BY JULIE FURTADO
Eden Sweeney, Little Miss Fourth of July 2021, congratulates her sister, Gwenyth Tucker, after she is crowned the 2022 Miss Fourth of July.
Eleni Gatos reacts as she is announced as the winner of the 2022 Miss Congeniality award.
selected questions, the judges went off to deliberate as the audience was entertained by contemporary dancers from Rosemary’s School of Dance and members of the Mt. Hope High School Vocal Ensemble.
Palumbo introduced Joe and Rosa DaPonte, the chief marshals for the 237th parade. The DaPontes are Portuguese immigrants who have immersed themselves into the local community and have personally impacted their neighbors and fellow Bristolians. They were granted United States citizenship in 2011, and are proud to represent what the American dream is all about.
The crowd was also proudly introduced to Fourth of July Committee General Chairman Chuck MacDonough, who spoke to the sentimental value the pageant holds for him and his family. His daughter Kaitlyn, now 34, was crowned Miss Fourth in 2008 after
The 2022 Miss Fourth of July Court: (back row, left to right) Casey Little, Third Runner-Up; Eleni Gatos, First Runner-Up and Miss Congeniality; Miss Fourth of July Gwenyth Tucker; Samantha Martins, Second Runner-Up; and Beilah Teixeira, Fourth Runner-Up; and (front row) Charlotte Loftus, Little Miss First Runner-Up; Little Miss Fourth of July Alana Crowell; and Tessa Correia, Little Miss Second Runner-Up.
being selected as the first-runner up in 2007.
Taking it all in
After being surrounded by her loved ones, the newly crowned Miss Fourth was nearly speechless. When the flashes of the photographers died down, she finally had a chance to catch her breath in a surreal moment that she says she will never forget.
“To be Miss Fourth of July means everything to me, because not only am I representing Bristol, but I’m representing America right now,” said Tucker. “It’s a huge title
to have, and it’s just so overwhelming, but I can’t believe I’m representing Bristol. This is my home, this is my town, and it’s amazing.”
A proud descendant with a powerful message
Descendant of trailblazing Black leader carries his torch
BY ETHAN HARTLEY
Keith Stokes, director of Business and Development for the City of Providence, will deliver an address as the 2022 Interfaith Speaker that provides a meaningful opportunity for reflection and education regarding race relations during the late 19th century in Rhode Island that retains great value through to modern times.
“I am honored to be a part of this,” Stokes said. “I hope I can provide an opportunity for people who want to learn more, and learn together. That’s really the goal here — to get all of us as Rhode Islanders to come together and learn about our history and our heritage.”
A Newport native, Stokes is the descendant of civil rights champion Rev. Mahlon Van Horne, the first person of color to be elected to a Rhode Island school board in 1872 and then the first to be elected to the Rhode Island General Assembly in 1885.
The lecture will include the delivery and interpretation of a speech given by Van Horne in 1887, “The Negro in Rhode Island: His Past, Present and Future,” which provides critical insight into black/white relations of Rhode Island’s past. Copies of the speech will be provided to attendees.
“It’s one of the few times where you have a Black voice speaking firsthand of issues of races and religion and equality, not only in Rhode Island, but in America,” Stokes said, adding that the history of African descendants are normally told from the perspective of white institutions. “What he tried to present was an opportunity to recognize the importance of African heritage to people in Rhode Island and their contributions.”
Mahlon Van Horne was the first person of color in Rhode Island to be elected to a school board and into the General Assembly.
Stokes talked about how the contributions made by and successes enjoyed by Black families throughout the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries in America are not often discussed or well understood, in part because he posits that the main focus of learning about Black heritage has been framed around the institution of slavery.
“We all understand the evils of the slave trade, but we now need to understand the power of dignity … What he presented was that we’re proud people. We survived slavery and discrimination. That we’re proud members of this society, and we need to be recognized as fellow citizens.”
Coming from African and Jewish heritage, Stokes feels a deep connection to Van Horne’s message and hopes to spread more awareness of his contributions to Rhode Island’s history.
“I think what’s important here is that I stand on the shoulders of men and women who are my personal mentors, and historical people
such as Van Horne, who deserve to be known today and widely read and understood,” he said. “These individuals, at the time that they lived, during very difficult times, still had a sense of broad humanity. They sought equality for all citizens, regardless of race or religion.”
In today’s politically-charged environment, discussions of race relations can often become emotional and combative. Stokes said that the starting point for positive progress is to approach these subjects with an open mind and to encourage a growth of perspective through education.
“This all starts with education — giving schoolchildren the opportunity to learn history that is factual, validated and documented, and gives them a comprehensive and integrated approach to who we are as Americans and Rhode Islanders,” he said. “We’re not looking to shame people in history, we’re looking to educate people in history.”
Stokes has degrees from Cornell University and the University of Chicago. His past professional positions have included executive director of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation and executive director of the Newport County Chamber of Commerce.
Keith Stokes, the 2022 Interfaith Speaker, will deliver a speech from his ancestor, Rev. Mahlon Van Horne.
It runs in the family
The Daniel Family designed the official Bristol Fourth of July button for the third year in a row
The Bristol Fourth of July Committee recently announced the winners of its annual Button Contest, which includes the official button for the 2022 celebration.
Evan Daniel, a junior at Mt. Hope High School, submitted the winning design, depicting Uncle Sam with a flag. This is not his first winning design, nor the family’s. Evan won the Grades 6-8 category in 2019, while his brother, Luke, submitted the overall winning designs each of the last two years, in both 2020 and 2021. Evan is the son of Cherie and Eric Daniel.
Winner in the Grades 6 to 8 category this year is Marissa Cabral, a seventh-grader at Kickemuit Middle School. Marissa won the K to 5 contest two years ago. She is the daughter of Mary and Keith Cabral.
Winner in the contest for Grades K to 5 is Adele Sweeney, a fifth-grader at Colt Andrews Elementary School. Adele’s twin sister, Eden, was Little
Miss Fourth of July last year. Her parents are Tracy Sweeney and Matthew Tucker and Beth and Eric Sweeney.
Each of the artists received a $50 prize, and the overall winner received an additional $75. All three are invited to ride in a float during the Fourth of July parade.
BUTTON CONTEST WINNERS
1992 Jennifer Tavares
1993 Patricia Martins
1994 Patricia Martins
1995 Jonathan Martins
1996 Filipe Soares
1997 Jesse Zawerucka
1998 Sam Carreiro
1999 Lizabeth Marshall
2000 Adrian J. Mascena
2001 Nicole L. Guercia
2002 Ava Mascena
2003 Kevin Calisto
2004 Meghan McMullen
2005 Matthew Martins
2006 Corianna Mascena
2007 Meghan McMullen
2008 Jared Souza
2009 Danielle Dunbar
2010 Bowen Drawbridge
2011 Hunter Rodriguez
2012 Hunter Rodriguez
2013 Zoe Fournier-Swire
2014 Zoe Fournier-Swire
2015 Rachel Mello
2016 Forest Rodriguez
2017 Forest Rodriguez
2018 Forest Rodriguez
2019 Hunter Rodriguez
2020
2021
2022 Evan Daniel
Evan Daniel shows off his winning design.
Marissa Cabral submitted the winning design in the category for Grades 6 to 8.
Adele Sweeney submitted the winning design in the category for Grades Kindergarten to 5.
Fourth of July Committee Members
General Committee
Richard Alves
Ginette Amaral
Rick Baccus
Loriann Bento
Ed Boardman
Karren Boardman
Alice Bradford *
Jeanne Bundy
David Burns *
Deborah Burns *
Angela Cabral *
Vicki Cairrao
Betsy Cambra *
Gena Campbell *
Ann Carey *
Maria Cesario
Donna Chabot
Edward Correia *
Bernice Correira *
John Daniels *
Diane Davis *
Carla DeCosta
Charlotte DeMarco *
John Desautel
Dick Devault *
Julie Dollins *
Roger Dubord *
Donald Durfee
Donna Falcoa *
Okie Falcoa *
Frank Fales
James Farley *
Maria Ferreira *
Patti Ferreira *
Paula Ferreira
Lisa Fisher
Dan Fryer
Carol Gafford
Tim Gannon
Karen Gray
Madeline Grimo *
Dudley Hallagan *
Margaret Howland
Kym Januario
Caroline Muldoon
John Larson
Ray Lavey *
Jeanne Linacre *
Ines Loureiro
Chuck MacDonough
Donna Marshall *
Charlotte Martino
Michele Martins *
Nina McCarthy
Tara McCarthy
Anthony Mederos *
Tammy Mojkowski
Bryant Montalvo
Bette Anne Moreira *
Gina Moreira *
Mary Moreira
Ana Barboza-Motta
Diane Nelson
Patti Nenna
Susan Nerone *
Frances O’Donnell *
Kerry Oliveira
James Palazio *
Alan Palumbo
Barbara Palumbo
Sean Palumbo
Frances Pray
Jeanne Raimondi *
Deborah Rainey *
Steven Ricci
Elisabeth Ridder
Elaine Roderick
Rick Roderick
Jane Rossmeisl
Elaine Rusk
William Silva
Rosemarie Sirois
Sara Jane Soboleski
Ann Soscia *
Jerome Squatrito
Nat Squatrito *
Patricia Squatrito *
Robert Squatrito *
Judy Squires *
Donna St. Angelo *
James St. Angelo *
Jose Taboada
Marylou Taboada
James Tavares *
Camille Teixeira
Alexandria Teixeira
Maria Ursini
Heidi Vermilyea
Julie Wilcox
* Denotes Lifetime Members
Fourth of July Committee Officers are (left to right) Deb Rainey, Recording Secretary; Camille Teixeira, Vice Chairman; Chuck MacDonough, General Chairman; Dudley Hallagan, Treasurer; and Maria Cesario, Corresponding Secretary.
Executive Board
Fourth of July Committee Officers: Chuck MacDonough, General Chairman
Camille Teixeira, Vice Chairman
Dudley Hallagan, Treasurer
Deb Rainey, Recording Secretary
Maria Cesario, Corresponding Secretary
Executive Committee:
David Burns, Gena Campbell, Dick DeVault, Roger Dubord, Donna Falcoa, James Farley, Ray Lavey, Donna Marshall, Bette Ann Moreira, Fran O’Donnell, Nat Squatrito, Judy Squires, Ray Lavey, Donna St. Angelo, Jim Tavares, Michele Martins, Ed Correia, Donna Chabot, Frank Fales, Maria Ferreira, Lisa Fisher, Tony Medeiros, Diane Nelson, Ana Motta, Patti Nenna, Alan Palumbo, Jerome Squatrito, Patty Squatrito, Heidi Vermilyea, Rick Baccus
Trudy Palazio *
PHOTOS BY NAT SQUATRITO
Two lives dedicated to helping others
BY ETHAN HARTLEY
The selfless actions and benevolent spirits of Ken and Mary Watkinson have so epitomized the meaning of the Hattie Brown Award that the honor is being bestowed to both of them.
“I was fortunate to know and work with Hattie on the Fourth of July Committee, and I know she would be delighted that they are receiving her award, because they certainly exemplify everything the award stands for,” said Judy Squires, chair of the Hattie Brown Award Committee.
Born in the Azores, on the island of Saint Miguel, within the village of Villafranca, Mary emigrated to America with her family in 1953. Her mother, a native Californian, enabled the family to earn their American citizenship on an expedited timeline, in just three years.
Mary would become the first member of her family to graduate from high school, earning a diploma from Hope High School in Providence.
After she was passed up for a promotion at a doctor’s office she had worked at for a decade, and thanks to the prompting of her daughter, Wendy, a registered nurse, Mary went on to attend the CCRI Newport Extension Nursing Program and became an RN in 2001 at age 50.
Mary eventually found her passion for hospice nursing, and has worked for Beacon Hospice for 18 years. She considers it a privilege to be able to be a comforting presence for families as they prepare for the passing of a loved one.
and Mary Watkinson, the
“I feel as though we walk into a family’s life and they’re in crisis,” Mary said. “We are able to normalize something that they feel like is totally out of control. I truly consider it a privilege to be able to hold somebody’s hands while they take their last breaths. They trust the hospice nurse because you’re going to come in and you’re going to make it okay.”
Ken, a lifetime Bristolian, graduated from Bristol High School in 1968. He was the co-owner of Watkinson’s Automotive for many years prior to his retirement. Ken joined the Army Reserves in 1968
and served until 1975, and was a member of the Jaycees from 1972 to 1976. Ken received the Humanitarian Award for his work on a project that provided care for abandoned children in Saigon, Vietnam.
Ken volunteered at Beacon Hospice for many years until the pandemic broke out. He remains a member of the Eveready Fire Department and has worked to assist the homeless population in Newport. Both Ken and Mary are members of the Worship Team at Calvary Temple A/G in Fall River, where Ken plays the saxophone
PHOTO BY NAT SQUATRITO
Ken
2022 recipients of the Hattie Brown Award.
and Mary sings and plays the keyboard.
Haiti’s Child
Perhaps the most ambitious and touching volunteer endeavor taken on by the Watkinsons is their efforts to provide food, housing and supplies to impoverished children in Haiti. The work began after the earthquake in 2010 that devastated Port-auPrince. After seeing the continuous horror on television, Mary told Ken that she wanted to go and lend a hand however she could. Eventually, Ken relented. Upon her return home, Mary knew that she couldn’t simply return to normal life while there was so much suffering happening in the country.
“That was an awakening,” Mary said, telling a story of how she heard the voice of God inside her during the trip. “That was a day I vowed to open my heart, open my arms to these people and help them as much as I could.”
They went to work for an organization called Haiti’s Child, run by a Haitian woman and, along with her and 10 to 20 other team members, they run a school in Haiti for nearly 250 children. They are involved all year long with fund-raising to support the school. They also have a sponsorship program where donors can sponsor a classroom.
Recently, they were able to raise funds and get 15 musical instruments donated for the school and also provide and pay for a music teacher for six months. Along with Haiti’s Child, they have also sponsored World Vision since 1986 and the Love a Child Ministry in Haiti.
Every year they organize a mobile clinic in Haiti. They recruit volunteers to travel with them to offer medical assistance and they work with two Haitian doctors and interpreters. They pay their own way and raise money for supplies and medications. On each trip they have been able to treat up to 700 people. Some years they have traveled during the Christmas season to throw a Christmas party.
River of Hope
Ken, along with six others, also support an orphanage called Center River of Hope, just outside of Port-au-Prince. It is run by a pastor who brings in children living on the streets into a safe environment. He now has 16 children. The team is able to send money to feed and educate the children.
“I’m 72 now, and this is my life. How can I back out on these people now?” Ken said. “You can have all the money in the world, but it doesn’t satisfy you, unless you can help somebody.”
During the past year, since they have not been able to travel
to Haiti, they have turned their energy into serving the homeless. They have collected warm blankets, socks, winter clothes and personal hygiene items for them.
Locally, Ken and Mary are members of the Rotary Club, where they have helped support the Bristol Food Bank, scholarships for high school students and the Senior Center, Benjamin Church. Three years ago they were presented with the Paul Harris Fellowship Award, the highest award one can receive from the Rotary.
Ken and Mary have been married for 52 years. Ken, as Mary says, is a “True-Blue” Bristolian who would never live anywhere but Bristol. They have three children: daughter Wendy Friend who lives in Rehoboth, Renee Anderson Costa (whom they adopted after meeting her through the foster system of Rhode Island) and son Kenny, who as Mary and Ken say, “has gone home to the Lord.” They have five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
“For Ken and I, it is a way of life,” Mary says of their motivations for the work they do. “But the most important part of all of this, is that we don’t do it alone. There are many who partner with us. There is no ‘I’ in team. We are all in this together. What else are we here for but to help one another?”
HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!
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33 Broadcommon Road, Unit 4 Bristol, RI 02809 Telephone: 401-254-0151
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33 Broadcommon Road, Unit 4 Bristol, RI 02809 Telephone: 401-254-0151
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14 nights, 24 bands!
The Bristol Fourth Concert Series is back at Independence Park for the first time in three years
By Scott Pickering
The traditional Bristol Fourth of July Concert Series is back to its traditional location. Of course, when you talk about traditions in these parts, it helps to be clear. It’s like saying the dollar store is next to the old Almacs. (For those younger than 50, the ‘old Almacs’ is the new Seabra.)
No, the concerts are not back on the steps of the Colt School, where they resided for many, many years. They are back at their waterfront home at Independence Park, where they have resided for the past decade or more.
The Fourth of July Committee is hosting 14 nights of concerts on the big stage, beginning Sunday, June 19, and finishing Saturday night, July 2. It will be the first time the series takes place at its Thames Street venue in three years. The 2020 series was outright canceled, along with must public events, because of the pandemic. The 2021 series was moved to the campus of Roger Williams University because Covid restrictions at the time it was being planned prevented Independence Park from being the venue.
So the concerts are back downtown again in 2022, and people are already buzzing with anticipation.
“We’re back to ‘normal,’ and peo-
ple are excited,” said Patti Nenna, co-chair with Tammy Mojkoswki of the concert series.
Nenna said there was tremendous interest from musical acts in joining this year’s series. After posting an application online for the first time, the committee received 88 applications for 24 slots.
Nenna and Mojkowski try to see every band play before inviting them to the series, and they know they can’t make every musician happy. They really want to make the audience happy.
“We want an enjoyable experience for people in our community. It’s about making sure that we bring new and different things, and making it a wonderful experience for the community,” Nenna said.
Many of the most popular bands of recent years are back this year. They include Changes in Latitude, a Jimmy Buffet tribute band; DMB Project, a Dave Matthews tribute band; the 88th Army Band; the World Premier Band, popular for their funk and R & B; and local legends Steve Smith & The Nakeds.
The committee continues to favor a heavy dose of local talent. Those include popular musician and music teacher Andre Arsenault, Jon Tyler, and 7 Day Weekend, featuring a Mt. Hope
High School graduate on guitar and vocals. “They were by far the most requested band from last year,” Nenna said of 7 Day Weekend. “They’re so high energy. We had a gazillion requests for them to come back again this year.”
As always, there are new additions to the lineup. Some members of the Fourth of July Committee requested a cultural influence in the concert series. So on Saturday, June 25, two acts from two international backgrounds take the stage. First is the Irish band Turas, followed by wildly popular Portuguese musician Luis Neves. “That will be a very busy night at the park,” Nenna said. They expect a large crowd of Luis Neves fans to attend from far and wide.
Another new addition is the Redhanded Band, a group out of New Bedford that Nenna describes as “high energy” and a lot of fun.
“We have a ton of vendors back again this year, so people will be able to relax, get some food, listen to music and have a very good time,” Nenna said.
She’s excited to get things back to “normal.”
The concerts are hard work, and it’s a huge commitment,” she said, “but it’s a work of passion. It’s so much fun.”
Andre Arsenault will perform on opening night.
Summer concert schedule for 2022
Sunday, June 19
5 P.M. - EAST BAY WIND ENSEMBLE
The East Bay Summer Wind Ensemble was organized in June of 1976 by Founder and Conductor, Lt. Col. Steven Grimo (retired commander/conductor of The United States Air Force Academy Band) of Bristol, R.I. as a non-profit, educational community music program to offer residents of the East Bay area of Rhode Island a chance to become actively involved in cultural activities. This season marks the 47th anniversary of the ensemble performing music in the East Bay. Under the direction of David M. Marshall, Sr. of Bristol since 2006, the ensemble continues to provide community musicians of all ages and levels of expertise with a quality summer music experience.
6:30 P.M. - TRINITY
Five musicians perform the music and tell the tales of one of the first super groups ever formed – Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. Playing all of their classic hits, along with songs from the individual members catalogs, you will be transported back to a time of peace and protest … when harmonies and lyrics mattered. With soaring vocal harmonies, intricate guitar work, piano/keyboards and driving rhythm section Trinity is a powerhouse, with a show to behold.
7:45 P.M. - ANDRE ARSENAULT
& FRIENDS
Andre Arsenault has grown a loyal fanbase as an acoustic performer and soulful singer who puts his own spin on rock, pop, folk, blues, country and much more. He has gained notoriety for his engaging livestream concerts and original songs about his hometown of Bristol, R.I. With an ever-growing repertoire spanning more than seven decades, Andre is at home with any crowd. He is excited to share the stage with friends and accomplished local musicians Bob Tomassone (guitar), Eric Leffingwell (bass) and Scott Grimo (drums). The quartet recently recorded Andre's highly anticipated debut EP "02809" and is sure to rock the concert series this summer.
Monday, June 20
7 P.M. - R.I. ARMY NATIONAL GUARD’S 88TH ARMY BAND
The 88th Army Band, as part of the Rhode Island Army National Guard, has the primary responsibility to provide musical support across the state. The band has a long and proud history of service to the state and country. Instituted in 1892, the band performs a wide range of music, including patriotic, classical, contemporary, big band swing, country, and the latest top-40 hits. Their Pop Rock Ensemble is consistently in the top East Coast Army Ensembles. Their show is a lively Patriotic presentation coupled with a high energy rock set that will keep everyone entertained.
Tuesday, June 21
6:30 P.M. - JON TYLER
Born and raised in Bristol, Jon Tyler has been playing music in town since the late ’90s. He enjoys playing area establishments, and his material is based on music that he grew up with, and is passionate about.
7:45 P.M. - PAUL PETIT & DOUBLE SHOT
Expect rock music from A to ZZ.
7 Day Weekend
Wednesday, June 22
6:30 P.M. - VIRGINIA JAMES
Virginia James is a duo/partnership or a trio who combined vocal harmonies, guitar/bass, violin, and drums. Virginia James is able to choose from a wide variety of music, from the ’60s to today, for a great evening of music and entertainment.
7:45 P.M. - CRUSHED VELVET
Crushed Velvet is a high-energy rock band, tributing the golden age of the 1970’s rock. Their performance includes songs from bands such as David Bowie, Queen, Foghat, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, etc. … A popular act on the local club scene with an elaborate following.
Thursday, June 23
6:30 P.M. - RUSTY
Rusty is a high-energy classic rock cover band based out of South Kingstown, R.I. Its members hail from South Kingstown, North Kingstown, Tiverton and Bristol. Rusty was born twelve years ago around a fire pit at a house party when two middle-aged guys started sharing tales of their high school rock and roll greatness. What Rusty initially lacked in talent was made up for in their bond with each other, as the band was made up of close college friends and a couple of brothers. Their love for rock and roll, each other, and beer became the staple of the Rusty rock and roll sound. Over the years the band has gained a strong local following and played at numerous venues throughout Rhode Island.
7:45 P.M. - CATNIP JUNKIES
The Catnip Junkies are a New Orleans-flavored party band that brings the streets of New Orleans to the streets of New England. This group of artists, dancers and friends are on a mission to bring joy to the people with their fantastic blend of music and dance. You’ll hear familiar songs played with a NOLA twist as well America’s most famous jazz standards.
Friday, June 24
6:30 P.M. - JESSE LIAM
The Jesse Liam Band is led by Jesse Liam Gauthier, a Rhode Island College graduate, and his father Jack, a Grammynominated recording engineer and former producer of
Changes in Latutides
Dispatch, who also manages blues legend Duke Robillard. With their signature family-harmony sound on display, Jesse and Jack perform as a duo or with a full band, alongside drummer Michael DeQuattro and bassist Steve Johnson. Their deep catalog of cover songs spans popular music from the Everly Brothers and Beatles to the current charts, including Jason Mraz, Train and Bruno Mars.
7:45 P.M. - 7 DAY WEEKEND
Playing hits from every generation, 7 Day Weekend is truly unique in their brand of fun, diversity and variety. Current Top 40 hits from Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, Justin Bieber, and the Chainsmokers are just some of the artists showcased on the always evolving set list. If it’s rock anthems you like, 7 Day Weekend will play favorites by Def Leppard, Journey, Bon Jovi, up through Third Eye Blind, Sublime, Blink 182 and Fallout Boy. And when you’re ready for some guilty pleasures, 7 Day Weekend has you covered on all bases. Whether it’s a medley of country classics, a mix of 90’s hip hop, or some classics, you are guaranteed to be on your feet.
Saturday, June 25
6:30 P.M. - TURAS
Turas, meaning “journey” in Gaelic, will be taking a journey across the musical seas with this Rhode Island band of musicians. Turas is a Rhode Island band that features both traditional Irish and Celtic music, as well as modern compositions. Turas is made up of Bob Drouin, cofounder of the legendary Celtic band, Pendragon, on fiddle, flute and guitar, Josh Kane on flute and whistle, Rob McConeghy on piano and guitar and Dean Robinson on bodhran, bones, djembe and whistle. Together they will bring the sounds of Ireland to Bristol.
7:45 P.M. - LUIS
NEVES SHOW
Luis Neves gathers his musical influences in Portugal, U.S.A., and Latin music, bringing them together to present an exciting musical direction, full of life. Known for his diversity and songwriting and singing in various languages, Luis Neves started singing in Portuguese and English, but his singing took a decidedly different direction to rock. Starting his career early, Luis released his first EP in 1979. Since then, he's gone on to release 12 more albums, including hard-hitting songs that touch personal narratives
Continued on Page 28
Summer concert schedule for 2022
speaking to life and love in this day and age. Luis Neves keeps attacking massive crowds, and always giving his best to keep the audience on their feet.
Sunday, June 26
7 P.M. - CHANGES IN LATUTIDES
Changes In Latitudes is the country’s premier tribute show to the Mayor of Margaritaville, Jimmy Buffett. This nationally acclaimed band travels the country with beach balls flying, dancing conga lines, and “Trop Rock” for all. It’s the ultimate beach party that’s good clean fun for all ages. Throughout its 10-year history, the band has traveled from Maine to Barbados, and Cape Cod to Chicago. From the Walt Disney Theaters aboard the Disney Cruise ships to the National Hamburger Festival in Ohio, Changes In Latitudes has thrilled audiences with an amazingly authentic reproduction of the Jimmy Buffett concert experience.
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Monday, June 27
6:30 P.M. - PATTERSON SMITH TRIO
The Patterson-Smith Trio is comprised of Alan Patterson on drum and vocals; Nick Smith on guitar and vocals; and Ken Patterson on bass and vocals. The band came together in 1990 and has wowed audiences ever since. Their repertoire includes blues, jazz, classic rock and originals.
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7:45 P.M. - MERCHANTS OF COOL
Everyone has a favorite band and era. Merchants of Cool are no exception. They pay tribute to two of the most popular bands in history … Foreigner and Bad Company. Not only are they both chart topping bands with a string of hits, but
their songs also bring you back to a time and place that bring back good memories. Merchants of Cool plays all of both band’s hits, plus hidden treasures. Besides playing all of the hits, Merchants of Cool throw in some surprise songs to always keep it interesting.
Tuesday, June 28
6:30 P.M. - OCEAN STATE RAMBLERS
The Ocean State Ramblers is a four-piece bluegrass band, based in southern New England. They play bluegrass standards, bluegrass-flavored folk and country favorites and originals, providing fresh and fun local entertainment. They were voted “Favorite Bluegrass Band” in the 2021 Motif Magazine R.I. Music Awards. The magazine described the Ramblers as “a warm and inviting assemblage of kindly neighbors that carries the torch for a traditional form of distinctly American music that endures solely because of the love and labor of musicians like these.”
7:45 P.M. - BULLETPROOF
Bulletproof exploded on the New England music scene in 2019. Hailing from Providence, they have quickly established themselves as a powerhouse country rock act cover, social media clips generating thousands of views and likes along the way, with a steadily increasing loyal fan base. The boys are bringing an intense and fast-paced live show sure to make your boots move. They cover artists like Jason Aldean, Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton, Luke Bryan, Brothers Osborn, Kane Brown and many more.
Wednesday, June 29
7 P.M. - WORLD PREMIER BAND
When true musicians of multiple back-
grounds and talent come together, the music becomes a wall of sound that no jam session could ever produce. Audiences inspire the musicians to reach beyond the dimensions of their abilities to satisfy the listener. This is The World Premier Band –musicians with endless imaginations seeding the music of the ’90s and today with funk, dance, originals, and R&B. Multiple vocalists, choreographed stage moves, and Boston’s finest musicians present a performance not to be missed.
Thursday, June 30
7 P.M. - STEVE SMITH & THE NAKEDS
Now celebrating nearly 40 esteemed years touring throughout the U.S. and Canada, this rhythm & blues powerhouse has taken their distinct infectious blend of rhythm, brass, and fun to the touring stage with Bruce Springsteen's saxophonist, Clarence Clemons. They have been featured on television, appearing on MTV's video countdown program "The Basement Tapes,” and the title track for their CD, “I’m Huge,” gained notoriety by being included on the Fox TV season 6 Family Guy DVD box set. The song is the driving force behind the animated music video featuring the band and the Family Guy characters. The music video caused quite a buzz on www.youtube.com with more than 450,000 views. Recently inducted into the R.I. Music Hall of Fame, Steve Smith and the Nakeds’ performance will not allow you to sit still.
Friday, July 1
6:30 P.M. - REDHANDED BAND
A New Bedford-based band, they bring hits from all generations, Red Handed will be the band everyone is talking about. From Michael Jackson, James Brown, Whitney Houston, Journey,vMadonna and Aerosmith, to Jessie J, Bruno Mars, Maroon 5 and Ariana Grande, there isn't much they wont do.
7:45 P.M. - BACK IN THE DAY BAND
Back in the Day is an international touring rock ’n roll ’80s tribute band originating in Boston. BITD is made up of five e veteran musicians who have been around the music scene for 30-plus years. BITD has performed is big outdoor festivals, along with casinos and nightclubs. Relive the music of Journey, Bon Jovi, Van Halen, STYX, Boston, Loverboy, Whitesnake and others.
Saturday, July 2
6:30 P.M. - BAR
FLY
Bar Fly is a premiere cover band from Aquidneck Island, with a strong following. All of the members of Bar Fly are accomplished musicians with an extensive history of playing in and around Rhode Island in various musical projects. The band was formed in 2015 out of several past musician partnerships. In the last four years, the band has built a reputation as one of Rhode Island’s favorite cover bands. The band was also nominated by the Newport Mercury “Love Award” for best rock band. They have an extensive setlist concentrating on contemporary rock artists, such as The Killers, The Goo Goo dolls, Collective Soul and The Black Keys, as well as timeless rock classics like Queen, Tom Petty, U2 and The Red Hot Chili Peppers.
7:45 P.M. - DMB PROJECT
“The DMB Project” has earned a reputation as one of the most electrifying and authentic Dave Matthews Band tribute experiences in the country. From the incredible musicianship of this 6-piece band, to the soulful lyrics and toe-tapping Jams, “The DMB Project” really delivers on all aspects, while exploring and recreating the entire Dave Matthews Band song catalogue.
World Premier Band.
Pet Foods Plus
Calendar of Events
June
JUNE 3
Italian Cultural Night
6 p.m. at Bristol Maritime Center
JUNE 9
American Culture Night
St. Michael’s Church
JUNE 12
Orange Crate Derby at Bay View Avenue
JUNE 14
Flag Day Ceremony
6 p.m. at Bristol Town
Common: The official kickoff of the Fourth of July Celebration
JUNE 17
Fourth of July Ball
5:30 p.m. at Herreshoff Marine Museum
JUNE 18
Old Fashion Days
JUNE 18
Vintage Baseball
11:30 a.m. at Bristol Town Common: Watch the Providence Grays take on the Lisbon Tunnelmen in a game played by historic baseball rules (no gloves!)
JUNE 18
Block Dance Party
6 p.m. at Bristol Town Common: Singing, dancing and treats at the Bristol Common tennis courts with DJ Scott Pellerin.
JUNE 19
Concert Series
Nightly concerts at Independence Park, Thames Street (see separate story for all the details).
JUNE 22
Foot Races
5:15 p.m., around the Town Common: The 35th annual races are open to all Bristol residents; there will be a one-mile race for ages 3 to 12, and another one-mile race with no age restrictions.
JUNE 24
Carnival
June 24-July 4, at Bristol Town Common
Open 5 to 11 p.m. daily, and 12 to 5 p.m. on July 4.
JUNE 25
Independence Rhode Race
6:30 a.m. at Independence Park: The half-marathon runs through the historic downtown, along the shore and through the campus of Roger Williams University.
The Fourth of July Carnival returns to the Bristol Town Common nightly from June 24 to July 4.
JUNE 26
Interfaith Service
2 p.m., St. Elizabeth’s Church, Wood Street
July
JULY 3
Fireworks
Typically begin at 9:30 p.m. over Bristol Harbor
JULY 4
Patriotic Exercises
8:30 a.m., Colt School: The most traditional of all traditions, this is a time-honored event recognizing the patriotism of the day.
JULY 4
Annual Military, Civic and Firemen's Parade
10:30 a.m., stepping off from the corner of Hope and Chestnut streets.
JULY 9 & 10
John Partington
Tennis Tournament
8 a.m., Roger Williams University
JULY 17
Spirit of America
Golf Tournament
1 p.m. shotgun start at Swansea Country Club
Direct Line: (401) 396-5401 • Cell: (401) 447-1119 sholland@jadeplastics.com
15 New Industrial Way • Warren, Rhode Island
Tel: (401) 253-4440 Ext. 111 • Fax: (401) 253-1605 www.jadeplastics.com
7 Monterey Drive • Bristol, RI • 401-808-2966 mthopegaragedoor@gmail.com
Lasting impressions
For 25 years, the art of Richard Kaiser has commemorated Bristol’s celebration
BY CHRISTY NADALIN
The history of artist Richard Kaiser’s involvement with the Bristol Fourth of July Celebration stretches almost the length of an entire wall in the Memorabilia Room at the Byfield Building — it’s a 25-year legacy of creating the image that will represent that year’s celebration, appear on the cover of this very book, be signed, numbered and framed and given to chief marshals, honored guests and those who make it all happen through sponsorship and volunteerism.
It’s been so long, even Kaiser
himself doesn’t remember exactly how he came to work with the Committee prior to the 213th celebration, though he and Dudley Hallagan, the current Committee treasurer who at the time was in charge of managing souvenirs for the event, credit Donna Falcoa for the introduction.
A Warren resident and graduate of Swain School of Design, Kaiser worked as a middle school art teacher in Rehoboth for 35 years. Though retired from that position, his lifelong dedication to art has not waned. His work can be found in private and public collections nationwide, and he is the only art-
ist to have created three consecutive years of trout paintings for The Rhode Island Trout Conservation Stamp.
Recently, he rehabilitated the large mural in the interior of the Historic Warren Armory, and is currently beginning a mural at the Blue Kangaroo Café in Barrington, a Parisian café scene. “I’ve been painting my whole life, and I also enjoy teaching,” said Kaiser. In addition to his own work and commissions, he teaches at the Senior Center in Warren.
Primarily a painter, Kaiser has created most of the commemorative Fourth illustrations in pen and
ink with painted accents. This year’s is an exception in that it is primarily painted, with the additional technique of using frisket, a medium applied prior to paint that masks small areas and creates a distressed effect.
Though he does collaborate with the committee on the design, unlike his usual creations, there are a lot of cooks contributing to this particular broth. “Usually they (the committee) suggest something that’s a possibility and then I take it from there and bring it back to the committee,” Kaiser said. “And they'll decide if they want to change this or that. We try to get it all and make everybody happy.” According to Hallagan, it’s that ability to work within the dictates of a large committee, that makes Kaiser unique among artists.
“My wife and I were discussing all the adjectives you could use to describe Richard — artistic, creative, social — and she said ‘accommodating’, and that’s absolutely true.”
Despite featuring many prominent Bristol landmarks in his illustrations, Kaiser has been known to take a little artistic license when it comes to location and scale — as with one image featuring the statue of the late Sen. John Chaffee in Colt Park, aligned with the old stone bridge that, in real life is, not visible from that angle.
After 25 years, Kaiser does have several favorites, notably a well-composed image of the Bristol Ferry lighthouse with the Mount Hope Bridge in the background, and his sentimental favorite, which features a veteran in a wheelchair in front of the
historic 1890’s water tower on the campus of the Rhode Island Veterans Home. The image of the veteran was based on a real man who Kaiser came to know through his brother, who worked at the Home at the time.
“This veteran was so cool,” said Kaiser. “My brother introduced me and then he posed for it. He always had a bomber jacket on — even in the summer.”
Even after 25 years, Kaiser has no plans to walk away from the legacy he has created in Bristol — which is welcome news to Hallagan, Jim Tavares, and the other members of the committee who have enjoyed Kaiser’s talents as well as his forbearance over the years. “I’ll keep doing it as long as they’ll have me,” Kaiser said.
“Thank God,” said Tavares. “The day you quit, I quit.”
A collection as unique as Bristol
The Fourth of July Committee’s memorabilia room at the Byfield building continues to grow
BY CHRISTY NADALIN
Special days call for special mementoes: the little things that get saved because they feel too important to throw away. A program that gets tucked in a desk drawer or a button stashed in the corner of a bureau; a badge that is carefully mounted in a shadowbox that passes down through the generations despite never moving from the shelf in the library of the family home. In a town like Bristol, after 237 years of celebrating, July 4th memorabilia is hiding in plain sight all over town, and for a few years now, Committee members Jim Tavares and Dick Default have been spearheading the effort to collect it in a curated exhibit on the second floor of the Byfield Building.
The large, bright room includes wellorganized displays of memorabilia of all kinds:
posters, and prints, programs, buttons, banners, announcements of events past and present; records of Patriotic Speakers, Chief Marshals and Hattie Brown Award winners, and a collection of ribbons on loan from the library, donated to them by the late Richard Simpson, one of which is adorned with an engraved bullet. Limited edition prints line the walls, and since the 213th celebration they have
Fourth of July Committee member Jim Tavares talks about the official Memorabilia Room, which celebrates and commemorates more than two centuries of Bristol July 4 celebrations.
been created by local artist Richard Kaiser. “I’m especially proud of the prints,” said Tavares. “We can’t thank Richard Kaiser enough — we give him our ideas every year and he comes up with these wonderful designs.”
The button collection is a tradition that began in the late 1980s, and three years after the committee began producing them, Tavares had the idea of getting local children involved and turning it into an annual contest. Each winning button is on display.
The room, a former classroom with high ceilings, is stark white, but with added color thanks to a fireworks mural and July 4th Committee logo painted by artist Thomas Dugan. A growing collection of canvas-printed photographs by official photographers Nat Squatrito and Tammy Mojowski adorn another wall. “These pictures show all our events and highlights of the celebration: the road race, tennis tournament, May breakfast, drum corps, the Patriotic Speaker, the Town Crier, Bristol’s finest, the Bristol Train of Artillery, freedom walk, concerts, the parade, ribbon cutting, clydesdales …,” said Tavares.
There are also, in separate stand-alone cases, the costumes of former Town Criers Gerry MacNeill and Jim Rielly.
Another case pays tribute to the visiting ship of years past. “I still hear from people, my age, who visited Bristol with the Navy ship and they remember the experience,” said Devault, himself a retired Navy captain.
Sitting on a large table donated by former Chief Marshals Mary and Joe Lero, are several outsized scrapbooks containing news clippings from celebrations past. “We’re putting these storylines together and keeping it going for future generations,” said Tavares.
“We’re also getting the word out about memorabilia — if people have something something spe-
Display cases feature banners, ribbons, buttons, flags and more from the many celebrations over the years.
cial and they want it preserved, they could consider donating it,” said Devault. One such donation came from the family of former Chief Marshal John Partington, whose engraved ribbon-cutting scissors and a section of ribbon are on display in a shadow box.
Tavares and Devault give the lion’s share of credit for the establishment of this memorabilia space to former General Chairman Michele Martins.
“Michele is the one who stepped up and made this happen,” said Devault. “She was the driving force behind it.”
“We have a lot of hope for this,” said Tavares. “Hopefully it will keep expanding and continue to grow.”
The July 4th memorabilia room is free and open to the public any time you pass by and see the sign out in front of the Byfield building at the corner of Church and High streets, or by appointment. At present, the space is not yet handicap accessible. For more information, opening hours, an appointment to tour, or to purchase prints, contact jimtavares49@gmail.com or at 401/480-1608.
Images of the Fourth line the room inside the Byfield building on the Bristol Town Common.
Photos provided by Nat Squatrito Photography
June 25, 2022 • 6:30 a.m. independence Park
Farmer & First, P.C.
CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
Joseph B. Farmer, CPA, MST Principal Six State Street, Warren, Rhode Island 02885
joe@farmerfirstcpas.com
Viesta Rosa
21 Mill St. • Johnston, R.I. 02919 Matt Giarrusso • Treasurer/CFO Cell 401-255-7623 matt@viesterosa.com
Carl F. Benevides
70 Tupelo Street. • Bristol, R.I 02809 401-253-3157 • Cell: 401-439-1656 1clben@msn.com www.carlbenevides.com
Ana B Sounds
Ana Barboza Motta • 401-829-7832
Professional DJ providing sound and lighting to your special event
20 Gooding Ave, Bristol, RI 02809 401-396-5510
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OFFICIAL FOURTH OF JULY SPONSORS
THANK YOU TO OUR PROUD PATRIOTIC SUPPORTERS
A Fire & Safety Co Doreen DaSilva, President
Joan and Richard Abrams
Zane and Carole Anderson
John Andrade Insurance Agency, Inc
Sandra Andrade
Ron and Jackie Armillotto
Linda E. Bowers
Betty and Joe Brito
Jenne Bundy
Bennett and Charlotte Burnham
Michael Byrnes
Agnes Campanella
Edward & Rachel Castro
Lori & Skip Castro
Jane P. Castro
Louis P. & Susan E. Cirillo
Columban Fathers
Ms. Ann Marie Conklin
William H. "Rusty" Correia
Ms. Martha Costa
Dick & Lydia Devault
Stan Dimmock
David Duggan
Patricia Enright & Frank Grunberg
James & Pierrette Farley
Paul & Paula Ferreira
Ferreira Electric
Mr. & Mrs. DeWolf Fulton
Mrs. Ronald Gladue
M. Edna Greene
Gayl and Dudley Hallagan
Capt & Mrs. Peter Hewett, JAGC,USN (Ret)
Kevin E. and Linda S. Jordan
Pam Lenehan & Larry Geuss
Mary & Joe Lero
George C. Lima Funeral Home, Inc
The Magaziner Family
Jeanette Matrone
Jay and Marj McBride
Sue Nerone
Happy Birthday America
Congratulations to the entire Bristol Fourth of July Committee
Have a Happy and Safe 4th of July
Happy & Healthy 4th!
Happy 4th of July!
Congratulations Nick & Chelsea and love to Liza, Tom, Claire and Wesley.
Happy 4th to everyone and to our new Chief Marshals, Joe and Rosa Daponte
Happy Birthday Manny Januario, Chief Marshal 1985
In memory of Francis N. Perry, General Chairman 1959-1960
Columban Fathers
Happy to support the parade. All the best to you!!
Courtesy of Rusty Correia BSHS '62
I love the Fourth of July
Enjoy this Special Day
Happy 4th of July CM 2019
Happy 237th celebration. Thank you Bristol!
Happy Fourth of July from Ferreira Electric
Congratulations to the Committee on 237 SRONG!
Happy 4th of July to everyone
In memory of John Greene. Happy 4th to All
Happy Birthday America and thanks to all the front liners!
Happy 4th!
Congratulations to Joe and Rosa DaPonte from Mary and Joe Lero, 2024 Chief Marshals
With appreciation to the hardest working committee in America, the Fourth of July Committee! Thank you! Happy 4th from the Magaziner family!
Semper Paratus
In memory of Bo Nerone, Ann Raier, Paaul Januskiewicz and Peggy Formissano. Congratulations to Donnie and Jenny! The Nerone Family
OFFICIAL FOURTH OF JULY SPONSORS
THANK YOU TO OUR PROUD PATRIOTIC SUPPORTERS
Patrick& Nina McCarthy
Ms. Eleanor McGinn
Cliff & Kathy McGovern
Richard & Robin Medeiros
Tammy Medeiros
Patricia Mello
Robert Mirick
Mr. Hildeberto Moitoso
Mr. Joseph Moniz
Doris Oberbeck
Ocean Massage
Oliver Insurance Agency
Deodete Pacheco
Michael A. Patalano
Elliot Pavao
Mary Pavao
Dr. Joseph Perroni
Oliver and Donna Poissant
Pomodoro Pizzeria Mark Micheletti
Joan Prescott
Principe Real Estate Group
Reba Rebekah Lodge #12 I.O.O.F.
Maggie Rezendes
Mr. Robert Rondeau
Paul & Maryann Salesi
Ismail & Leyla Saltuk
Lydia Serpa
David Silvia
Mary & Jerome Squatrito
Ted Stefos
Mr. & Mrs. Edward P. Stuart, Jr
Antonio & Jacqueline A. Teixeira
Ursillo, Teitz & Ritch, Ltd
Dick and Betty Usher
Sharon and Bill Volpe
Alayne White Spa
Clare White
The Chris Woodard Team
Mr. and Mrs Michael Wright
Rebecca Nichols
Looking forward to our 237th celebration
Happy 4th everyone
Happy Fourth to Everyone,God Bless America and a big thank you to Michele Martis for a job well done for the past 2 years
Happy Fourth
Happy 4th of July
Happy 4th from the staff at Oliver Insurance
Wishing you a happy 4th of July
Happy & Safe 4th
Thank you Fourth of July Committee for another amazing celebration!
Thank you for all you do for our beautiful 4th celebration
Thanks for carrying on the great 4th of July tradition in Bristol!!
In loving memory of Mary & Nick Mascagna
In memory of Russell S. Serpa 220th Fourth of July Chief Marshal
In memory of Arthus & Lucy Silvia
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy & safe 4th of July!
Thank you to all the 4th of July volunteers & best wishes for a safe & enjoyable 4th of July
Happy Fourth from your Town Solicitors, Mike, Andy, Scott, Troy, Amy & Pete @ Ursillo, Teitz & Ritch, Ltd.
Enjoy the day - happy Fourth!
Congratulations to the 4th Lottery winner for March!
Thanks for all the support!
Happy 4th Everyone!
Congratulations to Jose and Rosa DaPonte from Becky, John and staff at Jay-El Trophies
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