Jennifer Coates Business Spotlight writer

JENNIFER COATES

My journey as a spotlight writer began ten years ago in the backyard of a longtime friend. There, a conversation with the former spotlight author led to an opportunity that would introduce me to a whole world. That day, that conversation, launched me on a journey of discovery, knowledge, enduring friendships, and wonder. Let me explain.

The highly accomplished philanthropist Melinda Gates defined the word “wonder” in her recent book “The Moment of Lift”. She writes: “Wonder has two meanings for me. It can mean awe and it can mean curiosity.”

As I have interviewed the owners of local businesses throughout our whole region, I have been filled with wonder – the kind that fills you with awe and the kind that feeds your curiosity.

“Awe” because I have felt the passion of each business owner for what they do. “Curiosity” because I could never learn ENOUGH about each business, even the ones that seemed at first glance to have the least appeal.

One example of this is an assignment I had to interview the owner of a shop that sold propane. The shop’s office was shabby and worn-out, reminiscent of some longforgotten roadside gas station on a deserted highway. The owner of this 50 year-old business was equally as “rough around the edges”, but I knew he had a softer side when I saw the photos of his grandchildren plastered on the station’s walls. Like with every interview, I paused and took in the whole scene, gleaning what I could from the cues around me.

At first, I could only think of two questions to ask him about propane, a topic that I immediately thought boring, at best. Once I got talking to this business owner, however, that impression changed immediately. He became animated and excited talking about how his family got in the business over half a century ago and about the many uses and benefits of propane. Our conversation/ interview lasted nearly an hour as I was caught up in his enthusiasm. What I came away from here was that sense of wonder that Melinda Gates described – awe for this man’s pure passion, and a curiosity about something that I had once known little about.

This one interview has stuck in my mind over the many years that I have been writing for Beacon Communications.

It is emblematic of how virtually every story has begun and ended for me. I have learned how much these businessmen and women love what they do, no matter what it seems like at face value. Most have invested their every penny into their product or service. Most have sacrificed everything to be successful, and many have survived natural disasters and even pandemics. Yet many have also failed, and I have felt a deep pang of sorrow when I drive by their shuttered stores or offices, knowing that what was lost was so much more than a business, but rather a dream, sometimes a lifetime of dreams.

What will keep the dreams and goals of these many diverse business owners alive is your continued patronage. Shop at your local stores. Support your local, family-run restaurants, salons, service stations, retail stores and propane dealerships! They need you to stay alive. We need them to thrive.

It has been the greatest privilege of my life to tell the stories of these friends and neighbors. I hope you will get to know them as I have, and to be filled with wonder at all they do and all they are.

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Line Cooks

Experience ideal, but willing to train.

Weekends & Closing

Shifts

Current Food Safety

Certification a plus

Apply Within:

Santoro’s Pizza 687 Tiogue Ave., Coventry

Fielding Manufacturing Inc. 780 Wellington Avenue Cranston, RI 02910

WE ARE GROWING & HIRING FOR THE FOLLOWING: MACHINE PROCESS TECHS

GENERAL MACHINIST/TOOL MAKER

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CLEANER: 2nd Shift, 20-25 hours per week, Monday-Saturday. Must be available 1st shift Saturday mornings. $14/ hour. Must have valid Driver’s License, reliable vehicle and clean BCI. Coventry, Warwick & Cranston areas. Call Paul, 301-1162.

By Ryan A. Berenz

Help Wanted Jobs Wanted

Childcare

CLEANING: 18+ Years of experience. Thorough, reliable, with excellent references upon request. Call 248-3839. **I’m fully vaccinated**

1. In October 2022, Jacob Runyan and Chase Cominsky were charged with multiple felonies in Ohio for allegedly cheating in a tournament of what sport?

2. American ballet dancer Jackson Haines (1840-75) is famous for his innovations in what sport?

3. In March 2012, what New York Yankees relief pitcher suffered an open dislocation of his ankle while at a trampoline jump center?

4. Whose resume includes head football coaching jobs with the Oakland Raiders, Tennessee Volunteers, USC Trojans, Florida Atlantic Owls and Ole Miss Rebels?

5. American professional pool player Jeanette Lee is known by what nickname?

6. Though he was born in the Soviet Union, former light-welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu represented what country during his pro boxing career?

7. What 1973 NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion retired from racing in 1988 and went on to a career in broadcasting until his death in 2007?

Answers

1. Walleye fishing (lead weights were found in their fish).

2. Figure Skating.

3. Joba Chamberlain.

4. Lane Kiffin.

5. “The Black Widow.”

6. Australia.

7. Benny Parsons. © 2023 King