Governor Francis Farms Winter 2008 Newsletter

The Governor Francis Neighborhood Association is a non-profit community
organization originally founded in the 1950’s by Governor Francis neighbors to
build community. The GFNA provides and promotes programs, services and
activities aimed at encouraging connections between neighbors and fostering
civic involvement in our community.

Farm Chat… a letter from the President

Happy New Year! We had a great year in 2007, here in the neighborhood. We are looking forward to continuing many of the same activities and add a few new ones too! Since our last newsletter, we have had several successful events. In October, we held our 1st Annual GFNA Golf Tournament. It was a beautiful day and 40 friends and neighbors had a wonderful time together. Our overall winning foursome was Allen
Gilbert, Michael Gilbert, Kevin Hackman, and Joe Caromile. Congratulations to all of you. We also held our annual Pumpkin Patch and Fall Festival on Spring Green Rd. People of all ages had a great time and enjoyed a delicious cook out. Madeline Brannon won the pie contest with her blueberry pie. Look for the winning recipe further in newsletter. Our other winner that day was Sandra Toth who won the 50/50 raffle.
Congratulations to the both of you! We tried to do some caroling this year, but the weather didn’t cooperate so we will try again next year. Lastly, we held our 1st Annual Door Decorating Contest. You could vote for your favorite door at the Coffee Grinder or online. Our first winner was the Doucet Family on Squantum Drive. Visit our website at www.mygfna.com to see a picture of the winning door and pictures of the
other lucky winners this year.

Looking ahead, the GFNA Committee is very excited to bring you some new events and activities. You can read all about what we have planned in the following pages. We have been very fortunate this year to receive many generous donations from neighbors and local business.
This has allowed us to offer prizes and host our events with no cost to you. This year, we are looking to improve and expand our events and would greatly appreciate any donation you can offer. We have enclosed an envelope this year in our January newsletter. This will be the only
time the GFNA Committee we will ask for donations this year. You can make checks payable to GFNA. Thank you in advance for your support and commitment to our great neighborhood.

Our next open meeting is scheduled for February 13th. Come join us for a fun and entertaining presentation regarding crime prevention. Over the last few months, our neighborhood has fallen victim to auto break-ins, an auto theft, and vandalism to private and public property. As a friendly and connected community, we can work together to keep crime out of our neighborhood and send a strong message to criminals that
we are watching out for each other. Please join us to learn what we can do to protect our property, our neighborhood, and ourselves.

I’ll be looking forward to seeing all of you on February 13th!

Sincerely,
Diane Brannon, GFNA President

Congratulations MadelineBrannon
2007 GFNA Pie Contest Winner Blueberry Pie Recipe

Ingredients: 2 pie crusts, 5 cups fresh blueberries, 1 1/4 cup sugar, 3 T. flour
Step One—Line pie plate with one crust.
Step Two—In large bowl, combine sugar and flour. Gently stir in blueberries un
til well coated.

StepThree—Transferblueberrymixtureintopieplate,coverwiththesecondcrust,
crimp edge and cut slits on top.
Step Four—Bake at 375 for 50 minutes or until filling is bubbly and pastry is
golden brown.

The Governor Francis Neighborhood Association would
like to extend a heartfelt thanks to all of the people who
made our Pumpkin Patch & Fall Festival a huge success!
Hundreds of our neighbors of all ages had great fun at this
event!

Excel Tech, Inc.
891 Warwick Ave, Warwick
Joe Grimes
For Donating the GFNA
T-Shirts

Virginia & Spanish Peanut Co.
260 Dexter St, Providence
Bob Kaloostian
For lots of Cotton Candy!

Zaccagnini’s Pastries Co. Inc.
701 Oaklawn Ave, Cranston
The Zaccagnini-Vincent Family
For their delicious party pizza!

Governor Francis Inn
Warwick Ave, Warwick
Craig Callahan
1251 Warwick Ave, Warwick
For making all that terrific
Chowder, with spoons, crackers,
cups, and donating tons of
burgers & rolls.

Dino’s Salon & Spa
110 Ridgeway Ave, Warwick
Jen & John Cole
For their generous donation
of the Kids Train, with Conductor John at the wheel!

Dr. Christopher Dunn, DDS
1862 Warwick Ave, Warwick
For contributing toward the
Kids Train, which was a
big hit!

Donabedian’s
479 Warwick Ave, Warwick
For Donating Corn Stalks
and Pumpkins

Dave’s Marketplace
Hoxsie Store
For the Generous Gift Card
Which we used to buy treats!

Yardworks Inc.
1309 Warwick Ave, Warwick
The Fox Family
For all those Pumpkins
Which the children decorated!

Warwick Firefighters
For leading our Costume
Parade

Thanks to
Stop& Shop and Shaw’s
Supermarkets

COMMUNITY SERVICE
If you or someone you know is interested in earning community service hours for school, or just want to volunteer, email diane@mygfna.com. We are always in need of helpers to get things done. There is no better way to accomplish your goals than to help out in your own neighborhood!

BASKETS
Don’t throw away those old gift baskets! The Welcome Committee is looking for donations of any medium size baskets you may have. Email Linda@mygfna.com for pick up or drop at 604 Algonquin anytime throughout the year. Additionally, if you know of any business that
would like to contribute, we always welcome a product or gift certificate.

EMAIL
Keep yourself up to date by checking the GFNA website regularly. Register for our secure email list to receive
information regarding neighborhood crime, and information regarding upcoming events. www.mygfna.com

GET INVOLVED……..
OUTREACH COMMITTEE
Looking to get involved in something that gives back?
The Outreach Committee will explore ideas for neighborhood emergency funds, scholarships, and disaster
preparedness. Have fun planning fundraisers that will contribute to our neighbors in need and other worthwhile causes. Call Michele at 463-0055 or email michele@mygfna.com to get involved.

THE BOOK CLUB
The GFNA Book Club is nearing it's first year's anniversary! We have enjoyed meeting monthly in
different homes throughout the neighborhood and we're always welcoming more members! The last two books we discussed were Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See and Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. Our next meeting is scheduled for February 28th at 7pm and we will discuss Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons by Lorna Landvik. Our March meeting is scheduled for March 27th at 7pm and we will talk about Ken Follett's epic novel Pillars of the Earth. Please contact patricia@mygfna.com for more information. Happy
reading! New members are always welcome!

UPCOMING EVENTS—Check mygfna.com for details
February—Neighbor Appreciation Month

Lets take a moment to celebrate those around
us! Send a card, bake some cookies or do something to
show your neighbors how much you appreciate them
during the month of February!

March—Family Bowling Fun Day

Come join us for an afternoon of bowling for the
whole family on Saturday March 15th. More
details on page 2.

April—Earth Day Clean Up
In celebration of Earth Day 2008, we will again
be beautifying our neighborhood on Saturday April 26th
at 1pm (rain date April 27th)!

May—Show Your Patriotism

Fly a flag or tie a ribbon in honor of Memorial
Day and those who serve our country. We’ll
be delivering one to you early in May.

June—Yard Sale

Our annual neighborhood yard sale will be
back Saturday June 21st (rain date June 22nd).
So, start cleaning out your closets, attics and garages!

July—Fourth of July Parade

Begin brainstorming some fun ideas for our
first annual GFNA Fourth of July Parade!

August—National Night Out

The GFNA is proud to be included again
this year in celebrating National Night Out.
America’s Night Out Against Crime is August 5th.

September—Golf Tournament

Plan on joining The Second Annual GFNA Golf
Tournament. Date to be announced.

October—Pumpkin Patch & Fall Festival

If you didn’t get a chance to join us in 2007 save the date
for Saturday October 18 and bring the whole
family!

November—Charity Drive

Help support a local charity by collecting
warm clothes, coats and food.

December—Holiday Caroling

Join in an old fashioned tradition on
Sunday, December 14, 2008.

Door Decorating Contest

Participate in this fun activity by decorating or
voting for your favorite holiday door between
Thanksgiving and New Year’s.

NEIGHBOR WELCOME BASKETS

The Welcome Committee has been hard at work delivering
baskets to new families in our neighborhood. We delivered 30
baskets in 2007. Please contact linda@mygfna.com if you are
interested in joining this committee, have any ideas for items to
be included in the baskets, or know of a privately purchased
home in need of a basket.

A MESSAGE FROM THE GARDEN CLUB
A heartfelt thanks to all our neighbors that made it possible to
continue to have the rotaries and common areas mown,
trimmed and cared for in 2007. This spring, the landscaper
will be trimming trees, planting bushes and shrubs and
continuing to improve and update our common areas. The
project to have work done at the Algonquin rotary has been
postponed until we know the date of the sewer installation for
Phase II.

As spring is approaching I would like to encourage all our
neighbors to help by cleaning up the trash along the roads as
we take our walks. It is our neighborhood, let’s take pride in it.

Again I would invite anyone interested in joining the Garden
Club to call 463-8704.
Joanne Corbett—Gov. Francis Farms Garden Club President