It seems like the folks at the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center never run out of ideas and interesting programs highlighting the Port of New Bedford, its past, present and future.

Executive Director Laura Orleans and her small but intrepid staff bring to the forefront programs that help us all learn more about commercial fishing in New Bedford.

A busy December is planned at the center, and Orleans joined Townsquare Sunday this week to get the word out.

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A free program will kick off the month on December 2 entitled "Women on the Water."  Women from Long Island, New York who are involved in fishing there will take part in a panel discussion with women from Greater New Bedford who are involved with commercial fishing here.

"It's just a wonderful opportunity to hear about different aspects of the fishing community," Orleans said.

The Fishing Women of Long Island (they're called baymen there) will visit local schools during the morning of December 2, then take part in the 7 p.m. panel discussion at the Fishing Heritage Center. Limited seating is still available.

Orleans is also touting a program at 6 p.m. on December 8, the final night of AHA for 2022. It will feature a free presentation by painter-photographer Steve Kennedy of Cape Cod.

Kennedy's work is featured in a current exhibit at the Heritage Center entitled "Fishboats: Art of the Industry."

According to Orleans, the exhibit "contains sort of surprising art that is made by captains, people in the fishing community and others involved in fishing. There are 10 artists, and Kennedy is one of them," she said.

Kennedy is also the chief photographer for trade paper, Commercial Fisheries News.

Orleans also shared details about some holiday shopping opportunities on November 27 and December 3, and more details about the center's latest intergenerational project entitled "HerStory."

It's all in the complete interview with Laura Orleans of the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center, available here:

Townsquare Sunday is a weekly public affairs program heard at 6 a.m. on 1420 AM and 99.5 FM.

The program highlights individuals and organizations seeking to make the SouthCoast a better place to live and work.

If you would like your organization featured on Townsquare Sunday, please e-mail the host at jim.phillips@townsquaremedia.com.

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