Professor Peter Kumble and nine second-year masters students in the LARP program, conducted a seven week studio in Southbridge, on Ecotourism/Heritage.  The program started on March 28th, 2008 and will end with a presentation, at University of Massachusetts, Amherst on Wednesday, May 9th, to the faculty.
The group plans on making a similar presentation to the Town Council soon afterwards and have it broadcast on cable.

The students are: Andre Boskhom, David Maynes, Gabrielle Whitcombe, Kevin Hartzel, Laura Shaffer, Lianying Bao, Matt Medeiros, Neal Overstrom, Todd Lynch,

Here are some photographs taken by Dick Whitney during the Charrette conducted in the Pioppi Room of the Jacob Edwards Library, on Wednesday, April 16th, 2008.

Pictured above are David Maynes (UMass) and Sandy Acly, Director Economic Development, who opened the April 16
meeting which was arranged by Margaret Morrissey
 

Left to right:
Gabriel McCarthy, local developer, 12 Crane; Gabrielle Whitcombe, Lianying Bao, Matt Medeiros,
Neal Overstrom, Sandy Acly, Director Economic Development,
Dick Whitney of Carl Zeiss Vision (formerly AO) and local historian.
 

Map of downtown Southbridge
 

Seated: Laura Shaffer, Jack Starkey, Graphic Designer and Margaret Morrissey, librarian and board member of the Downtown Southbridge Partnership,
Kevin Hartzel, Todd Lynch, Ron Chernisky, Town Council and chairman Downtown Southbridge Partnership.
 

Spearheading the studio project is Professor Peter Kumble, ASLA, Lecturer, Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning, University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
On display are some of the detailed maps and illustrations generated by the studio group, around the Pioppi Room.
 

Margaret Morrissey, librarian and board member of the Downtown Southbridge Partnership, Mike Checkosky of the Southbridge Savings Bank and member of the Redevelopment Authority, whose Revitalization Plan is available at the library and town hall for review and Ron Chernisky, Town Council member and chairman of the Downtown Southbridge Partnership.

Kevin Hertzel, opens the Charrette and Gabriel McCarthy, local developer, 12 Crane.
 

 My Top Ten List about why I am optimistic about the town and its future.

Centre Village Walking Tour Pamphlet - JEL Copy