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Estate Planning Estate planning means making decisions on what will happen to a person’s assets after they pass away.

Estate planning includes making clear how all assets will be distributed, and detailing who will be given what, and when. It also includes desired funeral arrangements and medical wishes in the event that the person making the plan becomes disabled, or can no longer communicate their wishes.

Why Estate Planning Matters Some people shy away from estate planning, and that’s understandable. It can seem very daunting. An estate plan is necessary for adults to ensure their wishes regarding their estate, their funeral, and their end of life care needs are met.

Estate planning makes things easier for those who are left behind. A clear plan removes questions and doubts and gives guidance for everyone involved in handling the estate.

Without an estate plan in place, state laws

take effect. These laws govern everything from what happens if a person becomes incapacitated and cannot make decisions for themselves, to how their assets will be divided.

Estate planning lets people take control of their assets and make the best decisions.

It can also help save on taxes and fees. It’s possible to reduce the amount of tax paid on financial inheritance by spacing the payments out over a period of time. An experienced elder law attorney is a good resource.

When Is It Best to Start Estate Planning?

The sooner an estate plan is put in place, the more seniors and their families can relax, knowing that everything is taken care of.

Key Components of Estate Planning 1. Wills The online financial resource Investopedia notes that wills are legally enforceable documents that dictate how people want their affairs handled and assets allocated in the wake of their deaths.

What’s in the cards for you at Anchor Bay at Pocasset?

understanding the Basics

Wills should include a host of information, including who a person wants to assume guardianship of their minor-aged children should they pass away. This is especially important information to include in a will, as surviving relatives may have to go to court to contest guardianship if parents do not dictate who they want to serve as guardians in their wills.

2. Living Wills Living wills detail medical care instructions in the event that a person becomes incapacitated and cannot communicate their wishes.

3. Power of Attorney A power of attorney is a document giving another person the power to make decisions on the person’s behalf. These decisions might include: • Financial decisions • Medical care decisions • Home management 4. Trusts A trust is a relationship in which another party is given authority to handle a person’s assets for the benefit of that person’s benefi-

ciaries. When making a trust, a person will need to designate someone as a trustee, who will be tasked with distributing assets in accordance to the terms dictated in the trust.

There are many types of trusts, and working with an attorney who specializes in estate planning can help men and women determine which type of trust, if any, is best for them.

5. Is it better to have a will or a trust?

Both wills and trusts can be useful when estate planning. In fact, wills are often used to establish trusts, and many people have both a will and a trust. Estate planning is an important part of managing one’s finances. A qualified attorney who specializes in estate planning can help people write their wills and, if necessary, establish trusts that can help surviving loved ones in the wake of their death.

Getting affairs in order is one of the most helpful things you can do for family and loved ones. Contact an attorney who specializes in estate planning to get started.

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senior issues

e s tat e p l a n n i n g

by larry grimaldi

Things to know before drafting a living will

Yesterday is Today A recent PBS retrospective about the career of folksingers and social activists Peter, Paul and Mary featured the trio singing their seminal protest ballad, “The Great Mandela.” The stark lyrics chronicle a young man’s refusal to enlist in the Armed Forces and fight in the Vietnam conflict, an unpopular, costly, and ultimately pointless proxy war between Cold War adversaries. The song sharply outlines the bitter conflict between the son’s moral conviction and his father’s sense of patriotism and sense of duty. The tension takes on a painful realism when the father reveals that his older son has been killed in Vietnam. In an ironic twist, his surviving son dies while staging a hunger strike in his jail cell for refusing induction into the military.

The emotional sting of The Great Mandela pulled me back into the shadows of the turbulent 1960s. Like millions of other college students and protestors, I raised my voice in opposition to the Vietnam War. Eventually, the relentless drumbeat of dissent was heard in the halls of Congress and the White House. Our most divisive conflict was finally brought to an inglorious end. The names of more than 58,000 dead American servicemen and women are etched into the Wall of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C. The long, angled, black granite edifice is a solemn, sobering, and silent reminder of the horrific cost of battles fought far from our shores for vague objectives. For me, the unsettling memories of Vietnam echo in the raw emotions of today’s national landscape. The current stirrings of our national conscience radiate with

we learned from our history of unequal treatment under the law since then? Have we forgotten? Can we avoid repeating past mistakes?

The current rumblings of unrest should reflect a national Mandela that seeks to align our inner desire for peace, equality, mutual respect, and harmony with our outer reality of division and discord.

In other words, the struggle still goes on.

Seeded in the steady beat of protests and the urgent pleas for reforms is a sense of hope and a re-awakening of our collective senses of social commitment and shared responsibility. It’s inspirational to witness high school and college students, like my 17 year-old twin granddaughters, and young adults from diverse social, economic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds actively participating in this grand experiment we call democracy. I am heartened by their enthusiastic efforts to preserve and protect the basic human rights and hard-won freedoms of their fellow citizens.

We are witnessing the rising tide of outrage that leads to reform. For our Republic to survive, honest, robust and substantive discussions need to be held. Voices need to be heard.

Ideas need to be explored. Crises can bring solutions. The tumultuous era of the 1960s brought positive changes to America. It can happen again. We can do better.

Our past can be prologue to our future.

“What’s past is prologue.”

William Shakespeare The Tempest-Act II the same intensity of that uneasy era.

Our past is now reflected in today’s renewed search for justice and equal treatment under the law.

In Sanskrit, “Mandela” translates into the word “circle.” Mandelas most often symbolize the universe in Buddhist and Hindu traditions. The image heralds an age of renewed creativity and is also associated with the practice of meditation. Its purpose is to bring the inner self in harmony with the outside world. Sounds familiar doesn’t it? Does this ancient, yet timeless, spiritual concept hold lessons pertinent to today’s struggles? In his 1905 book, “Life of Reason,” author George Santayana wrote, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” In his 1948 address to the British House of Commons, Winston Churchill altered the observation slightly when he declared, “Those who fail to LEARN (my emphasis) from history are condemned to repeat it.”

Against the backdrop of countless peaceful demonstrations, sometimes violent and fatal confrontations between protestors and law enforcement, and constant public acts of civil disobedience across the country calling for equality and voting rights, President Lyndon Baines Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act into federal law in 1964, and the Voting Rights Act in 1965. In many ways, the Texas Democrat signaled a bold new step in the journey to achieve racial and social justice. But how much have

Larry Grimaldi is a retired freelance writer living in North Providence. Comments can be e-mailed to lvgrimaldi49@gmail.com.

During the prime of their lives, people typically don’t give much thought to scenarios in which they become ill or are facing the end of life. Sickness and mortality are not easy conversations to have, but it is important for everyone to approach these heavy topics with close family members so that individuals can rest easy knowing their needs will be met if or when their health falters.

An advanced healthcare directive also known as a living will - is a legal document in which a person lists the specifics of medical care and comfort actions they desire should the individual no longer be able to make decisions for themselves due to illness or incapacity. The legal advice resource Legal Zoom says the living will may list certain things, such as whether life support is desired or if pain medication should be administered. A living will should not be confused with a traditional will, which is a legal document that explains wishes for financial and personal assets after a person dies. Living wills also differ from living trusts, which address how assets will be managed if a person becomes incapacitated.

A living will is not always a necessity if a person does not have strong feelings about decisions made on his or her behalf while not cognizant. However, for those who do want to have a say in care, a living will is the best method for ensuring choices will be carried out. The following are some other questions people should ask themselves concerning living wills.

• Do I want to remove the burden of tough choices from my loved ones? A living will relieves grieving loved ones of the responsibility of making challenging decisions of invoking life-saving procedures or not - particularly if they’re not sure what you desire.

• Do I have firm feelings about life-saving methods? A living will allows you to spell out preferences on insertion of feeding tubes, if you want specialized hydration, if you want to be hooked up to life support if brain function is minimal, and a host of other scenarios.

• Is cost preventing me from drafting a living will? Cost need not be a factor in setting up a living will. You can download a free template from any number of online legal sources. Local hospitals often have forms as well, which can be notarized for only a few dollars. These forms are generally comprehensive and can help you answer all the questions and write in specifics.

• Have you selected a trusted person to carry out wishes?

A health care proxy, according to the American Bar Association, is a person appointed by you with the authority to make decisions for you if you are unable to express your preferences for medical treatment. Together with the living will, the health care proxy, also called a durable medical power of attorney, can fulfill your wishes accordingly.

A living will is an important component of medical and estate planning. LP203738

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retirement sparks by elaine m. decker

Pandemic Beauty Regimens A friend contacted me during the stay-at-home phase of the COVID-19 pandemic to participate in a Zoom meeting with several other women.

She described it as a chance to do hair and makeup, adding LOL at the end. LOL is right, thought I. I keep my hair very short, getting it cut at least every 6 weeks. It was going to be 12 weeks out from its last cut when we Zoomed. As for the makeup part, in a typical year, I put on makeup maybe five or six times.

That’s not per week or month. That’s per year.

It pretty much depends on how many weddings we go to. I stopped putting on makeup for funerals years ago. The mourners at funerals these days have eyesight as bad as my own. They’re just glad I can still show up and share memories.

So this “do hair and makeup” for my friend’s Zoom party got me thinking. Exactly what should I do to prepare for this event? I color my own hair. It was a few weeks past its prime, but the roots weren’t really due for a while. Would the emerging gray show up more on the computer screen? I know those cameras magnify the tiniest details.

More importantly, how would I do the “styling?” I wouldn’t be able to just mush it with my fingers like I can when it’s short.

It’s an understatement to describe my sequester look as raggedy. It was more like extreme bed head. Years ago, I cut my own hair, but I’m not that flexible anymore. I’m sure I can’t reach around to the back now.

I could draft my husband to help; I cut his hair, after all. But he has challenges to his vision for which the treatments are on hold during the pandemic. It would tempt fate to let him near my head with our barber shears.

I suddenly had a great idea. I could wear a hair band to push the wayward locks

back from my face. It was a look I wore often when I was young and I still have a basket of bands in different materials and widths.

A test run showed my hair wasn’t long enough yet for those to work. I have plenty of scarves I could try tying on my head, but would I look like Rosie the Riveter?

I decided to defer a decision on my hair and move on to the makeup part of my friend’s suggestion. The other women on this Zoom call are all at least five or ten years younger than I am, so they have less mileage on their complexions. As I already mentioned, I never was one for a lot of makeup. I have a bottle of base coating from decades ago and lipstick that’s almost as old. Mostly I just do my brows and lashes and dust some color on my cheeks.

As I leaned in to the mirror in my bathroom, I saw that there are now wrinkles all around my eyes. When did they arrive? Probably about the same time as the crinkly lines I saw around my mouth. I guess I haven’t leaned in that far in a long time. I realized there would be virtually no chance of hiding any of these without a major spackling job, and I wasn’t about to get into that. It’s not like I would be going to someone’s wedding, after all.

The close-up did remind me that I’d need to pluck all my chin hairs the day before the call. Ditto for shaving the fuzz on the sides of my face with that special

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device I found in the “As Seen On TV” section of the local drug store. I decided I should also spend some time thinking about the lighting around the area where I planned to sit when we Zoomed.

I got my laptop and tried out a few locations, being sure to do it at the same time of day as the get together was scheduled. We have windows on four sides of our condo, but only two sides are options that made any sense. I tried out a few spots, having first removed a cat or two from the place I planned to sit.

Good grief! My neck wattle shone like a distress signal in the fog! No matter how I angled the laptop or repositioned the chair, there was no getting rid of that glow. It seemed like the only solution would be a Dr. Brix-type camouflage—I have plenty

of scarves, after all. Of course, that meant I’d have to coordinate my hair scarf with the one on my neck, which would take some doing. Then the perfect idea came to me: I’d just wear my COVID-19 facemask.

It hides everything.

Copyright 2020 Elaine M. Decker Elaine M. Decker’s newest book is Retirement Downsizing—A Humorous Guide.

Her other books include Retirement Sparks, Retirement Sparks Again, Retirement Sparks Redux and CANCER: A Coping Guide. Her essays appear in the anthologies: 80 Things To Do When You Turn 80 and 70 Things To Do When You Turn 70.

All are available on Amazon.com. Contact her at: emdecker@ix.netcom.com

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posiTiVe aging

your TaXes

by paT r i c i a r a s k i n

by m e g c H e Va l i e r

IRS alert:

Managing emotions during COVID-19 pandemic

The Internal Revenue Service alerted nursing home and other care facilities that Economic Impact Payments (EIPs) generally belong to the recipients, not the organizations providing the care.

The IRS issued this reminder following concerns that people and businesses may be taking advantage of vulnerable populations who received the Economic Impact Payments.

The payments are intended for the recipients, even if a nursing home or other facility or provider receives the person’s payment, either directly or indirectly by direct deposit or check. These payments do not count as a resource for purposes of determining eligibility for Medicaid and other federal programs for a period of 12 months from receipt. They also do not count as income in determining eligibility for these programs.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has issued FAQs on this issue, including how representative payees should handle administering the payments for the recipient. SSA has noted that under the Social Security Act, a representative payee is only responsible for managing Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. An EIP is not such a benefit; the EIP belongs to the Social Security or SSI beneficiary. A representative payee should discuss the EIP with the beneficiary. If the beneficiary wants to use the EIP independently, the representative payee should provide the EIP to the beneficiary.

The IRS also noted the Economic Impact Payments do not count as resources that have to be turned over by benefit recipients, such as residents of nursing homes whose care is provided for by Medicaid. The Economic Impact Payment is considered an advance refund for 2020 taxes, so it is considered a tax refund for benefits purposes.

The IRS noted the language in the Form 1040 instructions apply to Economic Impact Payments: “Any refund you receive can’t be counted as income when determining if you or anyone else is eligible for benefits or assistance, or how much you or anyone else can receive, under any federal program or under any state or local program financed in whole or in part with federal funds. These programs include Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly food stamps). In addition, when determining eligibility, the refund can’t be counted as a resource for at least 12 months after you receive it.”

Additional information about EIPs and representative payees involving Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits can be found at www.ssa.gov/ coronavirus/#reppayee.

Additional information on EIPs can be found at www. irs.gov/eipfaq.

None of us expected CO- Some of us get angry and support, developing and VID-19. We were not pre- scream. following an action plan are pared and emotions are runThe solution? Simple but key ingredients to working ning high during this time. not easy. First you have to through the "small" issues We can get angry, get to the that have large emotions anxious, excited and bottom of attached to them. It's never joyful one moment The question your feel- too late when you believe and then our mood is, why do the ings and there is hope and make up changes quickly. admit how your mind to give it your little things We as seniors you really best shot. COVID-19 gives get to us? have a greater need feel without us a great opportunity to for routines and somaking ex- practice. cialization and it’s cuses. Then easy for our emotions to get you have to find a way to the better of us at this time. share those feelings with Here are some sugges- the other person or per- Patricia Raskin is president of Raskin Resources Productions, Inc. tions to stay in touch, com- sons. Words to begin with She is recognized as the “powerhouse voice” of positive lifestyle municate and understand are , "When you do this, I and aging and “positive media” pioneer. An award winning radio producer and business owner, Patricia has served as a catalyst for our feelings. feel..." There is no blame creating positive change for almost four decades. Her programs We tend to get upset here. This is how you feel. have aired on FOX, PBS, NPR affiliates and for ten years on WPRO over the little things - the If the other person gets de- radio in Providence. Internet radio & podcast program, The Patriway someone says some- fensive and angry, you can cia Raskin Positive Living Show, in its seventeenth year, is heard thing, the item they forgot, let them know that these are on VoiceAmerica.com and iTunes. the clothes they left on the your feelings. If none of floor, the dirty dishes in the that works, I suggest prosink, to name a few. fessional help to work this The question is, why do through. the little things get to us?

These small things build Why are they such a big and one day they become deal? The real reason goes so big and the goal here is much deeper than what is to catch this before it escaon the surface. Using in- lates. When you want your sight, intuition and reason- relationship to work, a good ing, you can get to the heart intervention is to address of the matter. the deeper issues of the anWhat all of those an- noyances. Wanting to work noyances have in common things out, finding the right is that someone did not hear or listen to you which means that they do not care.

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FAMILY FEATURES

urging spring temperatures can bring volatility that translates into major weather events. The 2020 storm season could see above-average probability for major hurricanes hitting the United States coastline and the Caribbean, according to the annual Colorado State Tropical FAMILY FEATURES Meteorology urgingForecast. spring temperatures can bring volatility that As those in theinto paths of seasonal property translates major weatherstorms events.know, The 2020 storm damageseason and power come with the territory.for Being couldoutages see above-average probability major prepared for weather disasters and power is critical hurricanes hitting the United Statesoutages coastline and the to protecting property, productivity and well-being.

Caribbean, according to the annual Colorado State Tropical Meteorology Forecast.

Assess external threats. Before storm season arrives, Asinventory those in the paths of seasonal know, take of potential problemsstorms outdoors thatproperty could damage and power outages comeFor with the territory.

Being be exacerbated by bad weather. example, trees may prepared for weather disasters power outages is critical need trimming if limbs threatenand power lines, the house or to protecting property, and examine well-being. other structures on yourproductivity property. Also the house for necessary repairs, suchBefore as loose guttering, Assess external threats. storm season shutters arrives, or shingles that may need to be secured outdoors and torn that screens, all of take inventory of potential problems could which can worsen in heavy weather and causetrees moremay damage. be exacerbated by bad weather.

For example, Another consideration is itemspower that could in heavy need trimming if limbs threaten lines,topple the house or winds,structures such as barbecue grills or lawn When other on your property.

Alsofurniture. examine the house possible, lookrepairs, for ways to secure these items so they don’t for necessary such as loose guttering, shutters or take flight, cause additional damage.all of shingles thataren’t may destroyed need to beorsecured and torn screens, which can worsen in heavy weather and cause more damage.

Another consideration is items that could topple in heavy winds, such as barbecue grills or lawn furniture. When possible, look for ways to secure these items so they don’t take flight, aren’t destroyed or cause additional damage.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

It can be easiest to determine which type of home standby generator system is right for your household by first thinking about what items your family needs to remain functioning normally during a power outage. The number of home appliances or electrical loads you want to power will determine the size and cost of the generator.

There generally three different typesofofhome standby generators, which It can be are easiest to determine which type standby generator vary based on how muchhousehold your home to power: system is right for your byneeds first thinking about what items your family needs to remain functioning normally during a power outage. numberHome of homeGenerators: appliances or electrical SelectThe Circuit Powerloads you want to power will determine the size and cost of the generator.

Essential Appliances There are generally three different types of standby generators, which A select-circuit generator system is a cost-effective way to power your vary based on how much your home needs to power: home’s basics to get you comfortably through a power outage. These units can power up to 10 electrical loads in your home, including the fridge, some Select Circuit Generators: Power lights, television andHome the microwave.

Essential Appliances

A select-circuit generator system is a cost-effective way to power your home’s basics to get you comfortably through a power outage. These units can power up to 10 electrical loads in your home, including the fridge, some lights, television and the microwave.

Managed Whole-House Power Generators: Smaller, More Power

A standby generator equipped with a smart power management solution gives your family the benefits of whole-house power with a smaller, more affordable generator system. These home generator systems can Whole-House power all your electrical needs, includingSmaller, up to two Managed Power Generators: air conditioners.

More Power A standby generator equipped with a smart power management Whole-House Generators: Maximum Backup power with solution gives your family the benefits of whole-house aPower smaller, more affordable generator system. These home generator Needs systems can power your electrical needs, including upbackup to two Whole-house standbyallgenerator options are typically used as air conditioners. power solutions for extra-large and luxury homes. They power an array of high-wattage appliances, from double ovens to hot tubs with

commercial-grade Generators: performance. Maximum Backup Whole-House Power Needs

Whole-house standby generator options are typically used as backup power solutions for extra-large and luxury homes. They power an array of high-wattage appliances, from double ovens to hot tubs with commercial-grade performance.

Assemble emergency resources. An overnight storm is no time to discover your flashlight batteries are dead or you don’t have the right size batteries to replace them. Making time to update your stash of storm supplies before weather hits can save some frustration and help ensure you’re prepared to safely wait out theemergency storm.

Assemble resources. An overnight storm is no In addition to replacing flashlight batteries checking time to discover your flashlight batteries areand dead or you that don’t they’re goodsize working order,toifreplace you don’t have a light time source have theinright batteries them.

Making to in every room it’s a good plan to place flashlights or lanterns update your stash of storm supplies before weather hits canin rooms where you may need to be able to see in an emergency. save some frustration and help ensure you’re prepared to safely The idea is tostorm. give everyone in the family the ability to illuminate wait out the their path and to move safelyflashlight through the house and no matter where In addition replacing batteries checking that they areinwhen lights go out.if you don’t have a light source they’re goodthe working order, yourit’s preparation should alsoflashlights include restocking in Part everyofroom a good plan to place or lanterns in your first-aid kit. may Some items in able the kit, likeinointments and rooms where you need to be to see an emergency. medications, can expire so you’ll need to replenish The idea is to give everyone in the family the ability toanything illuminate you’ve used double-check thatthe thehouse contents are still safe to their path andand move safely through no matter where use. If don’t they areyou when the already lights gohave out. them, be sure to add a batteryoperated a portable power bank so you have access Part of radio your and preparation should also include restocking to news updates canitems charge low battery. and your first-aid kit.and Some in athe kit,phone like ointments Take inventory of yourso non-perishable food items toanything ensure you medications, can expire you’ll need to replenish have plenty options on hand in that the event power stays through you’ve usedofand double-check the contents are off still safe to one or meals.already You may alsothem, want to somea books and use.

If more you don’t have bestockpile sure to add batteryboard games for convenient access to entertainment while your operated radio and a portable power bank so you have access power down. and can charge a low phone battery. to newsis updates Take inventory of Because your non-perishable foodarea items ensure you Make power plans. power outages neartocertainty have plenty of weather options on hand in the event power stays off through during severe season, reliable electricity is a necessity one or more meals. mayand alsodaily want life. to stockpile some books and for powering work,You school An appropriately board games forgenerator convenient to your entertainment whiledoesn’t your sized standby canaccess ensure home power power down. miss a is beat when faced with seasonal storms. Because standby generators areplans. fueledBecause by natural gas outages or liquidarea propane, the tank Make power power near certainty doesn’tsevere requireweather regularseason, refueling with electricity gasoline which means no during reliable is a necessity last-minute to the gas and station when generator runs out for poweringtrips work, school daily life.your An appropriately of gas.standby generator can ensure your home power doesn’t sized “Standby generators power an entire home, and because miss a beat when facedcan with seasonal storms.

Because standby they are wired the home’s electrical there isthe minimal generators are to fueled by natural gas orsystem liquid so propane, tank interruption,” Brianrefueling Northway, Briggs & Stratton service doesn’t requiresaid regular with gasoline which field means no manager. “When a storm knocks outwhen power, thegenerator generatorruns auto-out last-minute trips to the gas station your matically of gas. takes over to deliver power, allowing you to take care of family and accomplish whatpower you need to rather than worry about “Standby generators can an entire home, and because the power outage.” they are wired to the home’s electrical system so there is minimal Generators with a smart power management system,field suchservice as the interruption,” said Brian Northway, Briggs & Stratton line of units offered

by Briggs & out Stratton, can manageautohighmanager.

“When a storm knocks power, thehelp generator wattage appliance priority.

These power management matically takes over to deliver power, allowing you totechnologies take care of allow aand homeowner to prioritize power they than needworry duringabout an family accomplish what you the need to rather outage at aoutage.” lower upfront acquisition cost. the power Learn more with abouta standby powermanagement options at powernow.com.

Generators smart power system, such as the line of units offered by Briggs & Stratton, can help manage high-

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Garden-fresh, locally-grown produce now available at Rhode Island farmers’ markets Senior Farmers’ Nutrition Program coupons available at senior centers in early July The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announces that farmers’ markets at two state parks are now open with new procedures in place for the safety of patrons and vendors. From now through late October, farmers’ markets in Goddard Memorial State Park and Fishermen’s Memorial State Park will offer consumers a wide assortment of freshly grown fruits and vegetables, meats and seafood. Among produce items currently in supply are vegetables and vegetable plant starters (tomatoes, rhubarb, lettuce, peppers, herbs, beets, bok choy and garlic) and a variety of flowers for planting and bouquets. Traditional offerings of baked goods, fudge, coffee, bedding plants, hanging plants, honey and maple syrup are also available for purchase at the markets.

“We are excited to invite Rhode Islanders to visit our DEM farmers’ markets and purchase delicious and freshly harvested local foods and products. This year, we’re asking customers to take additional steps to protect themselves and the people around them so everyone can enjoy a safe shopping experience,” said DEM Director Janet Coit. “During this very difficult spring, many of us feel deeply appreciative of the simple pleasures that make life better. Surely, enjoying fresh, local food from our hard-working farmers is one of those special experiences. It is so great to welcome them back!”

The following farmers’ markets are open now through late October: • Goddard Memorial State Park Farmers’ Market in Warwick, Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• Fishermen’s Memorial State Park Farmers’ Market in Narragansett, Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

DEM understands that this is a unique season and the shopping experience will be different at outdoor farmers’ markets and on-farm markets. To maintain proper physical distancing, vendor stands/booths are located at least six feet apart from each other and one-way aisles have been established to guide customers through the market. A limited number of customers will be allowed within the market area at one time, and it may be necessary for customers to wait to enter the shopping area at certain times. While in the parking lot and at vendor booths and areas where lines may form, customers must follow social distancing guidelines and remain at least six feet from others outside their household.

Handwashing stations with soap and water and/or sanitizer will be provided for vendors, customers and staff use to ensure regular hand sanitation. Vendors will frequently disinfect surfaces and objects within their booths that are touched by customers.

All customers, vendors and staff should wear face coverings whenever they are within six feet of other people outside their household. A face covering needs to be worn in all public places where you are close to other people and cannot easily, continuously, and measurably maintain six feet of distance from people in other groups. For more information on wearing face coverings visit https://www. reopeningri.com/resource_pdfs/FAQ-outdooractivities-05.22.20.pdf.

While enjoying outdoor spaces, residents must continue to follow the CDC and RI De-

partment of Health guidelines for preventing the spread COVID-19: • If you’re not feeling well, stay home! Signs and symptoms of coronavirus include fever, cough and shortness of breath.

• Practice social distancing by keeping at least six feet of distance between yourself and others, even when outdoors.

• For the safety of all visitors, please have a face covering with you and wear it in public areas and if you are within 6 feet of another person who is outside your household. The only exceptions from these rules are for people with disabilities, anyone whose health would be in jeopardy because of wearing a face covering or any children under 2 years old.

• Avoid close contact with others outside your household, such as shaking hands, hugging, or high-fives.

• Bring and use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

• Avoid unnecessary contact with surfaces that are often touched, such as doorknobs and handrails.

DEM encourages everyone to follow guidance about COVID-19 from Governor Raimondo and the Rhode Island Department of Health. More information about COVID-19 and Rhode Island’s response can be found here: https://health.ri.gov/diseases/ncov2019/ The farmers’ markets at Goddard and Fisherman’s are very popular, and people should expect that they may encounter traffic backups and filled lots at these markets. Please be patient and plan for delays.

Most vendors at every DEM farmers’ market accept farmers’ market checks from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) administered by RIDOH (to purchase fruits and vegetables). Purchases through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will be available at the Goddard Park Farmers’ Market only beginning in early July. The successful Senior Farmers’ Nutrition Program, administered by DEM for purchase of fruits and vegetables, will be available later in the season. The coupons will be available at senior centers in early July; to qualify for the program, persons 60 or older make a simple self-declaration of income based on household size.

DEM continues to work across many fronts to benefit and strengthen Rhode Island’s green economy and to assist local farmers and fishers in growing their businesses. There are more than 1,000 farms sprinkled across the state and Rhode Island is home to a thriving young farmer network.

The state’s food scene is often cited as an area of economic strength ripe for innovation and growth. Already, the local food industry supports 60,000 jobs, and the state’s green industries account for more than 15,000 jobs and contribute $2.5 billion to the economy annually.

For a list of farmers’ markets operating throughout the state; visit http://www.dem. ri.gov/rhodygrown/.

For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ RhodeIslandDEM or on Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM) for timely updates.