A series of recent events in the East Greenwich area have brought residents together to celebrate literacy, honor military service, support healthcare initiatives, and reflect on local history. These gatherings, from the dedication of a new book-sharing box to a fundraising paddleboard event, underscore the town's active and engaged community spirit.
The activities highlight a commitment to remembering residents, supporting important causes, and recognizing the contributions of individuals who have shaped the local fabric, including a beloved book lover, a World War II veteran, and a dedicated surgeon.
Key Takeaways
- A new Little Free Library was dedicated in memory of local book enthusiast Deryl Joy Freeman Bissonnette.
- An East Greenwich World War II veteran was honored through participation in the Rhode Island Honor Flight program.
- The annual Paddle for Progress event in Wickford Harbor raised funds while honoring a local breast cancer surgeon.
- A historical artifact from 1952, a first-day cover celebrating paperboys, offers a glimpse into local history and youth work ethic.
A New Chapter for Literacy in Memory of a Resident
On October 3, 2025, friends and family gathered to dedicate a new Little Free Library in honor of Deryl Joy Freeman Bissonnette. The small, publicly accessible book-sharing box was established to celebrate her lifelong passion for reading and to share that passion with the wider community.
The dedication ceremony was a personal tribute, with those who knew Bissonnette sharing memories of her love for books. The installation serves as a permanent memorial that actively contributes to local literacy.
What is a Little Free Library?
Little Free Library is a global nonprofit organization that promotes reading and community bonding through free book exchanges. There are over 150,000 registered Little Free Libraries in more than 100 countries. The concept is simple: anyone can take a book or leave a book to share, fostering a cycle of reading within a neighborhood.
These book boxes are often uniquely decorated and placed in accessible public locations. They function on an honor system and are maintained by volunteer stewards. The new library honoring Bissonnette joins a worldwide network dedicated to making books available to everyone.
Honoring a Veteran's Service
A World War II veteran from East Greenwich recently participated in an Honor Flight, a program dedicated to transporting military veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials built to honor their service. The trip, organized by Honor Flight Rhode Island 'Justice', took place on September 27, 2025.
The veteran, along with other honorees, visited several key sites, including the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. These trips are provided at no cost to the veterans and are intended as a tribute to their sacrifices.
The Honor Flight Network
The Honor Flight Network is a national nonprofit organization with a mission to celebrate America's veterans by inviting them to share in a day of honor at our nation's memorials. Top priority is given to the most senior veterans—survivors of World War II, as well as those who are terminally ill and might not have the opportunity to visit otherwise.
The program relies entirely on donations and volunteers to cover all expenses, including airfare, ground transportation, meals, and logistical support. For many veterans, it is their first and only opportunity to see the monuments dedicated to their service, providing a powerful and emotional experience.
Community Paddles for a Cause
In nearby Wickford Harbor, the annual Paddle for Progress event took place on October 2, 2025, bringing together community members to raise funds and awareness for a vital cause. The event specifically honored an East Greenwich-based breast cancer surgeon for their contributions to medicine and patient care.
Participants took to the water on paddleboards, kayaks, and other watercraft in a show of support. The event combines a healthy, outdoor activity with philanthropy, a model that has proven successful in engaging the local community year after year. Submitted photos from the event showed a harbor full of enthusiastic paddlers.
Supporting Medical Heroes
The funds raised by Paddle for Progress are directed toward supporting advancements in breast cancer treatment and patient support services. By honoring a local surgeon, the event also highlights the importance of medical professionals within the community.
Community fundraising events like this play a crucial role in supplementing resources for medical research and patient care. They also provide a platform for residents to publicly thank and recognize the healthcare workers who serve their community.
A Look Back at Local History
A piece of local history recently surfaced in the form of a first-day cover owned by resident Don Rice. The commemorative envelope, postmarked October 4, 1952, celebrates the role of newspaper carriers, or paperboys, in American communities.
The stamp and cover were released to honor the vital service these young workers provided in an era before digital news. The motto featured in the historical context, "Busy Boys . . . Better Boys," reflects the mid-20th-century belief that such jobs instilled discipline, responsibility, and a strong work ethic in young people.
First-Day Covers Explained
A first-day cover is a postage stamp on a letter or postcard franked on the first day of its issue. Collectors, known as philatelists, seek these items, which are often serviced by the postal authority with a special postmark indicating the date and location of the first issue. They serve as historical artifacts, capturing a specific moment in time and commemorating a particular event, person, or theme.
This artifact serves as a reminder of a different time in local life, when the daily newspaper delivery was a cornerstone of community information. It also highlights a long-held community value of encouraging responsibility and engagement from a young age. These four separate occurrences, when viewed together, paint a picture of a town that actively remembers its past, honors its present-day heroes, and invests in its future through community-driven initiatives.
