ISN0199 1949
Thomas D. Lopes
Publisher/
Geneal Manager
Dr. Norman Araujo
Chief Advisor
The CVN is published on a monthly basis out of the City of New Bedford, Massachusetts
The mailing address for the CVN is P.O. Box 3063, New Bedford, MA 02741 and the telephone number is
508-997-2300.
Our email address:cvn@comcast.net
Website: cvntv.com
Periodicals postage paid at New Bedford, MA 02741
Postmaster: Send change of address to:
CVN, P.O. Box 3063
New Bedford, MA
02741-3063
CVN May 2008, page 3
We will sell your house, or ERA will Buy It*
Senior Citizen's Discount 10%
Contact me for all your
Real Estate Needs.
Serving Buyers & Sellers
Call for a Free Market Analysis
New Bedford Office:
1815 Acushnet Avenue
New Bedford, MA., Phone: (508) 971-4461, (508) 995-6291, Fax: (508) 998-7170
New Bedford, MA., Phone: (508) 971-
Joseph Gomes
20 Years Experience
Jose S. Castelo Real Estate
NEW BEDFORD - BankFive and WSAR have named Robert French as the most recent Hometown Hero. French is well-known in the Greater New Bedford area for his advocacy on behalf of children and the environment.
Thomas F. Lyons, BankFive president and CEO, presented French with the Hometown Hero award at an event hosted by the staff of NorthStar Learning Centers.
“Bob is a very special individual,” said Lyons. “For over 25 years, he has been an advocate for children – making a difference in so many lives by encouraging pathways to education. Additionally, his passion for the environment with hopes of making a better world for all of us and future generations is to be emulated. It is an honor and privilege to honor this extraordinary man as our Hometown Hero.”
French, a parent himself, wanted to share with other children the same growth and development opportunities he had provided to his own son. However, he was very much aware that this would be a difficult task as many children had great need. Despite this hurdle, he remained committed to improving the outcome of their lives.
French will tell you that he long ago recognized that children force you to be hopeful. They are vehemently optimistic despite parental absence, poverty and a host of other dire circumstances. How could he create a better world for them?
One way French does it is by listening and learning from children everyday. By listening he gains insight into their feelings, their hopes and dreams. Armed with this knowledge, he is then able to provide direction focusing on the importance of education and the opportunities education can bring into their lives. Many say that French has been the driving force behind many young people getting into college and achieving their ultimate success.
-In addition to his advocacy on behalf of children, French also finds time to care about the environment. As a member of the Massachusetts Audubon Society of South Dartmouth, he works every weekend rebuilding stonewalls
Photo L to R Executive Director of North Star Learnings Center, Maria Rosario; President and CEO, Thomas F. Lyons, BankFive, President and CEO; Dr. Robert French and Senator Mark Montigny
and helping to restore natural species. His feeling is that in his own small way he is helping to preserve the environment for the future. For French, making a difference starts with one stone and one child at a time.
“I am honored to receive the Hometown Hero award; however, I am happiest and most fulfilled when I’m helping children achieve their dreams and working to create a better environment for them,” said French. “It is overwhelming and humbling to be honored for something I have such a great passion for. I sincerely hope that my story will encourage others to get involved and help make a better world.”
BankFive and WSAR name
Robert E. French Hometown Hero
Cape Verdean Vets Women Auxiliary installation and Tea
Margaret Russell is seen here being sworn in as a member of the Cape Verdean Vets. Women Auxiliary by its President, Mary Ann Rogers (photo Ervin Russell)
Seen here at table l-r Issy Vincent, Evelyn Brito, Mary Almeida, Louise Frances, Sabina Burga and Joseph Gomes; Standing to the left is Josephine Gomes (photo Ervin Russell
Kendyll Ramos seen here with retired educator Dorothy Lopes is a 2008 recipient of the Pope Pius X award that is presented to an extraordinary youth who selflessly serves their peers, parish and youth programs with commitment and dedication. The award was established in 1904, named after Pope Pius X who created the Fall River Diocese
GNB Voc-Tech Students Present Teddy Bears to Police
NEW BEDFORD – In what has become an annual tradition at the school, students at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School have again joined forces with the New Bedford Police Department to bring some comfort and joy to area children in need.
For the seventh consecutive year, students from several career and technical education programs at GNB Voc-Tech have teamed up on the “Books and Bears” community service project. Students majoring in Fashion Design, Media Technology, and Early Childhood Education produced 25 teddy bears – along with matching coloring books and story books – for children affected by trauma.
Students presented the bears, coloring books and crayons to a delegation from the New Bedford Police Department on April 17.
“These bears have truly made a difference in our community,” said Sgt. Rita M. Ribeiro, who supervises the department’s School Resource Officers Unit. “I couldn’t be more proud of this school and all of the
people involved in this project.” Sgt. Ribeiro also serves as chairperson of the GNB Voc-Tech School Committee.
“You have created some happiness for someone,” Superintendent-Director Michael R. Shea told the students.
More than 50 students took part in the project.
Juniors majoring in Fashion Design designed, stuffed and stitched four kinds of teddy bears: the polar bear, black bear, grizzly bear, and panda bear. Freshmen in Fashion Design constructed tote bags to hold the bears. Students from Early Childhood Education created coloring books about the bears and placed designs on the tote bags. Students majoring in Media Technology printed the coloring books.
In addition to Sgt. Ribeiro, the New Bedford Police Department was represented at the presentation ceremony by Officer Leanne Fisher, the School Resource Officer at GNB Voc-Tech; Sgt. Matt Rayner, Commanding Officer of the Juvenile Division; and Sgt. Pam Melo, Commanding Officer of the Domestic Violence Unit.
Police will keep the books and bears in their cruiser cars and distribute them to young children who are affected by traumatic events such as domestic violence, sexual abuse, a parent’s death, court proceedings, fires, or major accidents.
Students from GNB Voc-Tech who worked on the project included 12 juniors and 18 freshmen majoring in Fashion Design; 21 juniors and 2 sophomores from Early Childhood Education; and 2 freshmen from Media Technology.
Fashion Design teachers Eileen DeRego, Mary Ann Zuber, and Shirley Tavares; Fashion Design teaching assistant Amy Corriveau; Early Childhood Education teachers Deborah Brightman and Michael Lipp; Early Childhood Education teaching assistant Lynne Bagaco; and Media Technology teacher Maureen Lacasse all assisted with the project.
