Our country, our state, and some of our towns are gearing up to celebrate America’s 250 birthday and the signing of The Declaration of Independence in 1776. Many of us remember our country’s bicentennial in 1976, an exciting time of Tall Ships, parades and much pomp and circumstance. In Bristol, we have a robust 250 Commission assigned with the task of creating our own celebrations and we are very much looking forward to involving the entire community, with a weekly feature called 250 Words of Joy. The task is to ask yourself, What gives you joy?….and to write 250 words to be featured in the paper. The Phoenix will feature one per week. We are looking for all age groups to tap into their creativity and write an essay, micro short story, poem, or reflections. Let’s get a good start towards what we know will be a memorable celebration in our beautiful town! Please send submissions to cnadalin@eastbaymediagroup.com.

It’s Tuesday, September 4, 2001 and after spending Labor Day weekend with my husband Bart Ferris moving into our new home in our new town I am driving to the YMCA with our first born, 13-month-old Ryder strapped in his car seat. I drive by the Bristol Bagel Shop, a few women are gathered out front each adorned with a toddler on the hip. I think, “Lucky them, they found each other.” After stints in Honolulu, and St. Louis (where I had had my own new moms’ circle) I wondered if someday I could be one of those moms meeting up for coffee and a playdate? Now 25 years later I’m beeping my horn in encouragement to members of the Huskies X-Cross country team running up Chestnut Street, talking gardening weather with Rick and receiving a piece of candy from Tom at the Post Office, checking out a book from Aradhana at Rogers Free Library, seeing a photo of our daughter Reyn at town camp on the wall at the Parks and Rec building, waving hi to some of BPD’s best Patrolman Silvia and Lt. Vieira at a Christmas Festival detail, placing an order with Tula at BHOP, asking Rei at BH&PS for info about a historic home, these and the infinite amount of individual interactions I have experienced these past 25 years is what brings me joy from living in the town of Bristol, Rhode Island where feeling a part of the community abounds at every corner.

- Nina Murphy