Daily Briefing: An iconic event facility is getting a second life

ALSO: All the top headlines to start your day. Advertisement [eNewspaper]( | [Crosswords]( | [Horoscopes]( [Read in browser]( [Read in browser]( The Daily Briefing YOUR MORNING NEWS ROUNDUP Thu Sep 28 2023 Will Richmond | Managing Editor Communities & R.I. [@Will_Richmond]( Good morning, I'm Will Richmond at The Providence Journal and this is the Daily Briefing. Having truly cut my teeth as a reporter and later editor at The Herald News in Fall River, Massachusetts, I can assure you I spent plenty of time at the Venus de Milo in Swansea. Over the years, I covered political debates and forums. Waited for election night results to come in with candidates for office. Wrote about organizations holding events and attended fundraisers. One year I was even fortunate enough to be honored with the Media Award from the Bristol County Educators' Association. And no matter what there was a line for the minestrone soup. [Venus De Milo] Workers on site restoring sign. Monte Ferris Jr. is renovating and remodeling the Venus de Milo restaurant. David DelPoioi I even recall running into the Venus lounge one night after covering an event to catch the end of a Celtics playoff game. In comparison, my memories of the Venus are pretty minor. For those who celebrated marriages or spent holidays in the massive ballrooms, the iconic venue on Route 6 holds a special place in their heart. That's why over the years as talk that the facility was closing and then would be sold, it probably felt like a piece of some people's lives was also coming to an end. But The Journal's Gail Ciampa has some good news. Following a recent interview with Monte Ferris Jr., the third generation of the Ferris family to be involved in the Venus, there are plans to bring the Venus de Milo back, starting with an extensive reservation. Ferris found that some of that nostalgia that many held onto with the Venus was too much to let go of. And now, there's a whole new generation that will make lasting memories at the Venus. What exactly is planned? [Check out Gail's story for all the details.]( This free newsletter is possible thanks to our subscribers. [Support local journalism with a subscription to The Providence Journal.]( WORTH A READ 📺 Late-night TV is back: Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert, more to return after writers strike. 📷 Swipewipe app changed my life, says TikTok star. Meet the New Hampshire man behind it. 📰 Do you agree with [Eric Rueb's high school football rankings]( [Today's Weather]( 🌤️ Partly sunny and comfortable. Highs in the low-70s. TOP STORIES [Washington Trust will pay $9M settlement over accusations of redlining]( [A Washington Trust bank branch in Coventry, Rhode Island.]( The Department of Justice alleged that the bank engaged in 'redlining' or discriminating against communities of color. The bank will pay $9m to settle. 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