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October 2013

fall theater

inthisissue 4 Trinity Celebrates

50 Years in the Making

6

Les Misérables

8

AS220

“

W hen I was a girl I went to see ‘Auntie Mame’ and it changed my life. The house lights went

down, the stage lights came up . . . then the show star ted and I was hook ed – Costume Designer

”

Marcia Zammarelli Read her story on Page 10

10

11

Pr i m e Ti m e

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October 2013

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A Perpetual Costume Party

Marcia Zammarelli dresses the cast

Theater at RIC

Senior friendly performing arts series

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Don Fowler shows us where to go this fall

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Something spooky is happening

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and the Tockwotton Readers’ Theater

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A behind-the-scenes look at Ocean State Theater

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Get ready to VOLUNTEER!

o n t h e c ove r Trinity Rep’s 2004 production of Hughie with Brian Dennehy and Joe Grifasi.

(Photo by T. Charles Erickson)

PrimeTime |

through the years –

a look back

Brian McEleney and Stephen Berenson in King Lear.

(Photo by Mark Turek)

Son of Man and the Family, 1970-71. Pictured clockwise: Robert Black, T. Richard Mason, JoBeth Williams, James Eichelberger.

Trinity Rep’s 1979 production of Awake and Sing! with Academy award nominee and former artistic director Richard Jenkins and Dan Butler.

The cast of the 36th annual production of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. (Photo by Mark Turek)

Jennifer Mudge and Brian McEleney in the 1994 production of Angels in America: Part One, Millenium Approaches. Directed by then artistic head Oskar Eustis. | PrimeTime 4

October 2013

by DON FOWLER

Trinity

Celebration

There are not many cities that can claim to have a Tony Award winning theatre!

Providence, and all of Rhode Island, is blessed with one of the best: Trinity Repertory Company.

We’ve been attending Trinity productions since we moved to Rhode Island in 1965, beginning with productions in the Trinity Church on Broad St. in South Providence, where Adrian Hall had the vision to form a repertory company, one of the few remaining in the country today.

We have seen some of the greatest stage actors over the years, from Richard Kneeland, William Cain, Richard Jenkins, Bob Colonna, Peter Gerety, Kathryn Helmond, and a host of others who went on to Broadway and Hollywood fame, to our talented local company, made up of veterans like Fred Sullivan Jr. and Anne Scurria.

Our daughter, who was a “Project Discovery” student in High School, developed a love for the theatre by attending plays at Trinity. She, and thousands of young Rhode Islanders, saw their first plays at Trinity.

We have grown into our senior years, along with such veteran actors as Barbara Meek and Timothy Crowe, as the theatre continues to produce plays that not only appeal to seniors, but provide roles for senior actors.

Trinity’s affiliation with Brown University has developed into one of the finest Consortiums for theatre students in the country. Graduates go on to act, direct, and work behind the scenes in theatres throughout the country. Two were recently added to Trinity’s permanent repertory company.

Trinity’s 50th anniversary season started with a day-long festival that featured opportunities for community theatres to give performances on the Trinity stage, ending the day with performances by the theatre’s actors, recreating their favorite roles.

Trinity has supported other theatres in a variety of ways, loaning props and costumes.

Trinity actors Ed Shea and Tony Estrella, have gone on to run theatres of their own.

The 2013-2014 season continues with works by Christopher Durang, Lynn Nottage, Lionel Bart, Sam Shepard, and a world premiere by Trinity actor and playwright Stephen Thorne.

Richard Jenkins, one of Trinity’s most beloved actors, and interim Artistic Director, following a disastrous year (the only one in its 50-year history) who went on to star in a number of films, and received an Oscar nomination for Best Actor, will return to direct the musical comedy “Oliver.” His wife, choreographer Sharon Jenkins, will join him.

THEATER

50 years in the making While Richard has travelled all over the world to star in movies and television, he and his family have remained Rhode Islanders, and are often seen around the state.

Trinity remains a senior friendly institution, offering productions that appeal to seniors and providing an elevator for the second floor theatre and special handicapped seating offering discounts and special group rates.

Many of the ushers are senior citizens who volunteer their services in return for the opportunity to see the plays.

The highlight of the year for many of my friends is to bring their grandchildren to a performance of “A Christmas Carol,” which is often a child’s first introduction to the theatre.

You can add “Oliver” to the gift list this year, a much better choice than a new sweater or electronic toy.

Happy Anniversary, Trinity Repertory Company.

Thanks for the many wonderful memories.

Trinity Rep acting company today, under the artistic direction of Curt Columbus. From left: Anne Scurria, Stephen Berenson, Joe Wilson Jr., Stephen Thorne, Phyllis Kay, Brian McEleney, Rachael Warren, Fred Sullivan Jr. and Janice Duclos. Seated, From left: Timothy Crowe, Angela Brazil, Mauro Hantman, and Barbara Meek.

(Photo by Mark Turek)

October 2013

PrimeTime |

Les Misérables

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I

behind-the-scenes at Ocean State Theater Misérables, McNulty enjoys how the characters progress. She finds the evolution of the protagonist, Jean Valjean, particularly interesting and applies it to Cosette.

“I feel that Cosette’s character is very dependent on the role she plays in other peoples’ lives,” she said. “If it wasn’t for Cosette, Jean Valjean wouldn’t have made his decision to fight for his freedom. It’s my favorite part about the show.” Gorgone considers the tale equally as captivating, and has a similar approach to playing Éponine. She read the book multiple times, highlighting parts that reference her character.

“When you’re doing something like Les Misérables that’s been done so many times by so many different people, everyone’s going to come in and expect something,” said Gorgone. “The difficulty is trying to bring it back to the very basis of what is given to you in the text or the music and structuring your character based off of that instead of what someone else has done.” But Gorgone is up for the challenge. It’s a part she’s dreamed of having since her days at LaSalle Academy, and her goal is to make the role her own while staying true to the storyline.

“She has a complex journey and I want to make sure that I’m portraying her as truthfully as possible,” Gorgone said. “That’s always a challenge as an actor, but especially with this role because she’s so iconic. I’m nervous about it because it’s a legendary role. She truly gives herself up wholeheartedly for her love and ultimately sacrifices herself for him even though it’s an unrequited love” Gorgone and McNulty, who are both 25-years-old, are also focused on the music, as they want to perform it accurately. It’s a task each of them should pass with flying colors because they are both professionally trained.

McNulty has a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Rhode Island College, with a focus in Opera Performance. She recently attended the NYCinMA Musical Theatre Intensive under the direction of Michael Alan Jacobs, and has won numerous awards in vocal performance.

“I just fell in love with the musical theatre world,” she said. “It’s truly where my heart lies. I’ve been making steps towards making my dream come true, and here I am making my first professional role as Cosette. It’s exciting.”

Gorgone also received multiple acting awards, which accompany an extensive resume. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre Arts from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, and studied at Rose Bruford College for the Performing Arts in London, as well as the Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin.

She is looking forward to adding another performance at OSTC to her long list of shows.

“The space itself is absolutely beautiful,” Gorgone said. “They’ve done an amazing job of making it into a stateof-the-art theatre. They always have the MEET THE CAST: OSTC’s Producing Artistic highest level of production and quality.

Director and OSTC co-founder, Amiee Turner, I’m thrilled to be a part of the Rhode (below & right) starts the first rehearsal by introIsland Professional Premiere of the ducing herself to the cast. Each actor also shared production.” their names and information about themselves to get to know one another.

t doesn’t matter if she has brushed her teeth multiple times the day of a performance, Alyssa Gorgone must give them another brush right before every production she stars in.

She knows it’s a bit quirky, but it’s a pre-show ritual that makes the actress feel comfortable.

“After I’m in full make-up, hair and costume, I always have to brush my teeth,” said Gorgone, who grew up in Smithfield and lives in Providence. “It’s just a onceover brush, but I have to put my lipstick back on. I’ve always done it. It goes all the way back to high school.” Gorgone and her pearly whites are excited to be starring as Éponine in Ocean State Theatre Company’s (OSTC) production of Les Misérables.

The play will run in the Warwick theatre Oct. 2 through the 27, and is based on the 1862 novel of the same name by French poet and playwright Victor Hugo.

The musical marks Gorgone’s third production with OSTC, as she played Elle Woods in Legally Blonde: The Musical, and Sophia in Neil Simon’s Fools! But for costar Meagan McNulty, who will play Cosette, this is her OSTC debut.

“It’s my first professional show and I’m so happy to finally have this opportunity, especially getting to play a lead role like Cosette,” McNulty said. “That’s really special, and I’m extremely excited.” McNulty’s pre-show ritual is different from Gorgone’s, but equally as endearing. Before each performance, she usually talks to her mother on the phone.

“She wishes me luck,” said McNulty, who hails from East Providence and lives in East Greenwich. “She says, ‘Have fun out there. Break a leg.’ She’s always been very supportive.” To prepare for performances, both actresses do a close reading of the script. McNulty then gives it a second reading, often asking herself whether her character ever reaches her internal or external goal, as well as how her character effects the storyline.

“I try to figure all that stuff out,” she said. “That way, when I perform, I’m telling the story. If it means I have to read the script 1,000 times I will.” In terms of Les

| PrimeTime 6

October 2013

THEATER

Carpenters Jake Wasson, Cory Leugemors, along with Props Master Chris Lussier, assemble an upstage barricade for the show.

Alyssa Gorgone (left) and Meagan McNulty are starring in Les Misérables this month at the Ocean State Theatre Company (OSTC) in Warwick. Along with about 40 other cast members and staffers, they gathered at the Theatre mid-September for their first rehearsal.

To purchase tickets, visit OceanStateTheatre.org, call 921-6800, or visit the theatre’s box office in Warwick at 1245 Jefferson Boulevard.

(Prime Time photos by Jessica A. Botelho)

Bobby Miller, 9, a student in Cranston, is sharing the role of Gavroche Thénardier. He stands next to Fred Scheff, of East Greenwich, who is performing as Jean Valjean.

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October 2013

PrimeTime |

AS220 a worthy cause

b y M ichael j . cerio

Unique range of offerings help AS220 advance culture of art in Providence and beyond AS220 Artistic Director and cofounder Umberto “Bert” Crenca has long been a leading and powerful figure in Rhode Island’s arts scene. But prior to establishing AS220 in 1985 with Susan Clausen and Scott Seabolt, it was the lack of success of his one-person exhibit at the Antonio Dattorro Studio Gallery on Steeple Street in Providence that helped set AS220 in motion.

“The first show that Bert ever had was ripped in a review by the Providence Journal,” said David Dvorchak, communications director for AS220.

“While it crushed him and led to these people getting together and creating AS220, Bert would probably be the first to tell you today that he agrees with the review looking back on it.”

Together with Susan and Scott, Bert was frustrated at the lack of opportunities and space available in Providence for aspiring artists. As students were graduating from the Rhode Island School of Design, too many were looking to leave Rhode Island for places like Boston and New York. Something needed to be done to entice this next generation of artists to call Rhode Island home.

“Our founders had a very focused goal and vision – to create an arts space that had a strong community feel where everyone would be welcome,” said Dvorchak. “Art is not defined by any one person’s tastes or preferences; it is much more than that. They felt there needed to be a public venue with a gallery and performance space that would be free, un-juried and open to the general public.”

With a budget of just $800, the first space that AS220 occupied was on the upper floor of the Providence Performing Arts Center at 220 Weybosset Street. Within its name, the AS stands for “Alternative Space” while the 220 pays homage to the organization’s first home at PPAC. Shortly after it was established, AS220 organized its first show called The Rhode Island Art Event. Open to any Rhode Island artist creating origi | PrimeTime

nal work, the event was AS220’s coming-out party as artists from across the state arrived to display their work. A few years later, after outgrowing its space on Weybosset Street, AS220 moved briefly to Richmond Street and then in 1992 relocated to its current home; a 21,000square-foot complex on Empire Street.

“Our expansion over the years has been pretty impressive,” said Dvorchak.

Today, the non-profit owns three mixed-use buildings that total over 100,000 square feet of usable and livable space. Every inch supporting and advancing the presence of local artists with four rotating gallery spaces, a performance space, youth program, recording studio, print shop, darkroom and media arts lab, a black-box theatre, dance studio, four dozen affordable live/ work studios, and an AS220-owned and operated restaurant and bar.

Within the AS220 main gallery, the organization hosts two shows each month. All of the galleries, including the two new spaces on Mathewson Street, the Project Space Gallery and the Reading Room Gallery, often feature a two- to three-year wait.

“In a lot of ways, we’ve become a victim of our own success – I can’t think of anywhere else in Rhode Island that’s doing everything we are; the scope of what we offer is very unique,” said Dvorchak.

“Along with the galleries, I’d say that the performance stage at 115 Empire Street is what most people identify us with.”

Six days a week there are at least three bands performing on the stage every night. In fact, before hitting it big, Green Day took the AS220 stage in 1992. While the emphasis of AS220 remains on local artists, the organization realizes there are limited places where out-of-town artists can get involved with the arts in Rhode Island.

“We get a lot of out-of-town acts, but we always pair them with local acts – there has to be that presence on the bill,” said Ric Royer, program director for 95 Empire.

Representing a theatre and live arts

program of AS220, 95 Empire is comprised of the Black Box Theatre, two multipurpose spaces and a dance studio.

Touted as a learning place, in addition to a performance space, 95 Empire supports artists of all levels on a wide variety of mediums.

“I like to refer to 95 Empire as a place where artists can do just about anything they want – it’s truly a complimentary space to the rest of what AS220 offers in terms of being an arts space within an arts space,” said Royer. “We host open and private dance classes, rehearsals, improv shows, theatre performances, and even make the space available for private rentals, like a bachelorette party we recently hosted.”

Realizing that artistic expression is an invaluable outlet for people of all ages, particularly young people, the organization offers AS220 Youth, a free arts education program for people ages 14 to 21 with a special focus on at-risk teens and those in the care and custody of the state. Through workshops offered at three locations, including AS220’s downtown studio, the Rhode Island Training School and the Urban Collaborative Accelerated Program (a middle school for at-risk youth), AS220 Youth connects participants with professional opportunities in the arts while creating supportive relationships that help youth transitioning out of care.

In 2012, AS220 Youth was awarded the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program award by Michelle Obama on behalf of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. The award is considered the nation’s highest honor for after-school arts programs.

“For a program that started in a garage on Broad Street in the mid-90s, this level of recognition is something that everyone at AS220 is proud of,” said Dvorchak. “The youth we serve don’t have access to these opportunities at home or at school, so seeing them succeed and grow as artists is extremely gratifying.”

Further setting AS220 apart are its restaurant and bar. While each generates revenue, they are owned by the non-profit side of the organization, with part of their proceeds used to subsidize the performance space and galleries. In

addition to the restaurant’s heavy focus on local food – it works with more than 20 local purveyors – the business offers six-month internships to youth involved with AS220 Youth that have an interest in the culinary field.

“Because our galleries and performance space are open to anyone who wants to use them, they aren’t driven by profit,” said Dvorchak. “So, we’ve gotten creative in finding ways to support these spaces that help make them even more accessible to local artists.”

When you listen to Dvorchak talk about the reach of AS220, it’s impossible not to notice the pride in his voice as he explains how far the organization has come. Artists now come from as far away as Maine, New Jersey and New York to use the AS220 space. And, not including those who frequent the restaurant and bar, AS220 draws upwards of 90,000 people each year to its facilities and shows.

Where most non-profits are quick to state financial support as their biggest need, AS220 puts an emphasis on recruiting volunteers. After all, the organization was built from the ground up by volunteers and they continue to play a critical role today.

“We always need volunteers, whether to work the door on the night of a show, help to hang a gallery display, or to assist in the office,” explained Dvorchak.

“We’re happy to find the best fit for any talents and interests that people have – we have people from all walks of life who come here to volunteer.”

Those interested in volunteering with AS220 may e-mail their volunteer coordinator, Leigh Waldron-Taylor, at volunteer@as220.org.

AS220 truly is an incredible resource for our state, one that is strengthening Providence’s reputation as a leader in the arts world.

“I really want people to have a sense of awareness that we’re here and that we offer all this accessible space for creative expression,” said Dvorchak. “You don’t need to be an established artist to fit in – that’s what’s great about what we’re all about. If you’re interested in art in any way, come on down and learn about us; we’re here for all artists.”

For more information on AS220, visit their website at www.as220.org.

October 2013

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October 2013

PrimeTime |

b y J oe K ernan

Perpetual

Costume Party Dressing the cast

Looks, as they say, can be deceiving. Marcia Zammarelli has a down-to-earth quality that belies the sophisticated and professional level of her career. She looked affably industrious as she moved around the costume shop for Theatre by the Sea, checking out the progress of the seamstresses or busily putting some final touch on an over-thetop costume for the production of “La Cage aux Folles” in Matunuck.

“This is what we would call a ‘costume intensive’ production,” said Zammarelli. “There are five different outfits for each of the dancers in the club. We even have to make drag costumes for the family, so they can sneak out of the club.”

In case you haven’t heard, “La Cage aux Folles” centers on a St. Tropez drag-show nightclub owned by Georges and headlined by his longtime love, Albin. Although the original movie had elaborate and convincingly glitzy costumes and décor, a scaled down version for a venue like Theatre By The Sea simply couldn’t afford to buy all those clothes. That’s where the ingenuity of the costume designer comes in. It’s Zammarelli’s job to come up with convincingly beautiful costumes that will hold up for the length of the production but won’t push the producers into chapMarcia Zammarelli puts her ter seven bankruptcy. designing and sewing skills to work for “The costumes have to be profestheatre productions here and in New York. sional quality because they have to last beyond the run of the play,” she said, Zammarelli explained that the costumes for their productions have a life after the show closes.

They are used for future productions or other locations, or they are rented out to community theaters that need good costumes but

cannot afford to hire someone like Zammarelli. And hiring is like buying yourself a lifetime of devoted and passionate work in the theatre and like having the world of the theatre at your fingertips.

“When I was a girl I went to see ‘Auntie Mame’ and it changed my life,” she said. “The house lights went down, the stage lights came up and there was this little boy on the stage ... Why was he there? What’s this about? Then the show started ... and I was hooked.”

Zammarelli said she inherited her love of sewing from her mother, and when she learned that she could combine a love of sewing with a passion

One of the first things a costume designer must do is sketch an idea so that her collaborators can see what she sees. These are pre-production sketches for La Cage aux Folles

Assistant costumer Jessie Darrell puts some finishing touches on a costume. (Photos by Joe Kernan)

10 | PrimeTime

10 | PrimeTime

October 2013

October 2013

theater for the make-believe world of the theatre, she enrolled at Rhode Island College and began the process of learning how to make costumes for the theatre.

After college, she went to work as an assistant costume designer at Trinity Rep and then went on to New York, where she worked with John Houseman’s Acting Company and the likes of Kevin Kline and Patti LuPone.

“We did a lot of classics at the Acting Company, which was great experience for me,” she said.

She also did the costumes for Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods,” which is all heady stuff for an aspiring costume designer, but she fully admits she missed Rhode Island.

“I grew up in Cranston and I wanted to come home,” she said, knowing that there wouldn’t be as much work for a costume designer in Rhode Island. “Fortunately, Trinity wanted me back, and then I began teaching at Rhode Island College.”

When she heard that the revitalized Theatre By the Sea, under Bill Haney, wanted a costume designer, she applied and got the job, which is a big deal if you know how the business of the theatre works.

The costume designer does a lot more than just designing and sewing clothes. She has to be a part of the creative team, along with stage designers, directors and producers. The costume designer looks specifically at the characters, the characters’ actions, how the characters change through the play, the times and locations of the play, and the style of the play. Once designs have been approved, Zammarelli goes about gathering the materials she will need to make the costumes.

“The Internet has changed the way I work,” said Zammarelli. “I used to have to go around looking for material, catalogs and other sources. Now I

can go online, find what I want and it is on the way to the costume shop. It saves a lot of time.”

The costume designer does not usually build or buy the costumes, but by necessity or simply the love of working with needles and thread, Zammarelli is a hands-on designer and does a lot of sewing herself.

“Sometimes we have things custom-made in Hong Kong, but we do most of the work ourselves,” said Zammarelli. “I have four full-time and two part-time wardrobe people, but I love to sew myself. That’s something I got from my mother and aunts.”

Zammarelli said the first thing she does is some sketches for the director.

“Planning starts in February [for summer shows],” she said, “when we start research. Then by April, we have sketches and we meet to talk about them, make some changes and then the real work starts in May.” “It’s a wonderful story,” she said.

“It’s a big, noisy show, but there are many scenes, quiet scenes that you reflect on, mostly the message that you have to be yourself, no matter who you are. The song, ‘I Am What I Am,’ is all about that.”

The costumes looked great, and one wonders if Zammarelli ever feels cheated out of all the credit that goes to actors, directors and even set designers before it comes down to her. Having the respect of her fellow theatre professionals is plenty, but she admits she still likes to hear from the audience every now and then.

“When I hear people talking as they leave the theatre and say, ‘Weren’t those costumes wonderful?’ I do enjoy hearing that.”

b y don fowler

theater

Ric’s Fall performing arts series is senior friendly With many entertainment opportunities aimed at young adults and families with children, seniors often have to search a bit harder to find suitable programs in the performing arts.

Rhode Island College (RIC) offers a wide spectrum of programs in their Performing Arts Series that are senior-friendly.

We are regulars at RIC, and are surprised at how many seniors are not aware of the world-class entertainment that is available at very reasonable prices.

The 2013-2014 Performing Arts Series opens on Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 7:30 p.m. in the handicap accessible Sapinsley Hall in the Nazarian Center with “An Evening with Mark Twain.” Karl H. Sutton brings the wit and wisdom of America’s favorite humorist to RIC in this warm-hearted theatrical piece. Sutton uses his guitar, banjo and harmonica talents to recreate the sing-a-longs Twain led in his home almost every week.

Pianist Jon Nakamatsu returns by popular demand to Sapinsley Hall on Sunday, Nov. 3 at 2:30 p.m. in a program that will feature Schubert, Chopin and Schuman. The Van Cliburn Gold Medal winner is one of the most popular artists to grace RIC’s stage.

We have seen a number of folk ensembles from around the world at RIC. The Hungarian State Folk Ensemble will fill the stage at Roberts Hall “with a whirlwind of colorful works based on authentic Hungarian dances.” Their performance is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m. A live folk orchestra and the world-famous Gypsy Orchestra accompany on traditional instruments.

The Muir String Quartet has been performing at Rhode Island College for the past 20 years. The world famous string quartet is based in Boston, and has made RIC its second home. They will be in Sapinsley Hall on Monday, Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m. This program will feature the music of Haydn, Webern and Schubert.

The Salzburg Marionette Theatre, now in its 100th year, is staging an all-new production of Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland” on Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium at Roberts Hall.

People travel to Salzburg just to see these wondrous, handcrafted characters, in a show that is not just for children.

General admission to all these events is only $35, with a $5 discount for seniors. You can buy tickets online at www.ric.edu/pfa, or by phone at 456-8144. Their brochure is also online, or you may ask them to send you one.

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October 2013

PrimeTime | 11

THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT

theater

by DON FOWLER

Fall Theatre Providence Performing Arts Center It is another banner season for PPAC, as Rhode Island’s home for Broadway musicals mixes the best of the old and the new blockbuster hits.

“Ghost-The Musical”, based on the movie, is at PPAC October22-27.

Get your tickets now for an all new version of “Phantom of the Opera” as it begins its national tour on Nov. 27-Dec. 7. They make great Christmas presents.

Call 421-ARTS for reservations.

Trinity Rep Trinity Repertory Company is celebrating its 50th Anniversary season this year.

In November Trinity presents the New England premiere of Christopher Durang’s new comedy hit, “Vania and Sonia and Marsha and Spike”, directly from its successful Broadway run. Call 351-4242 for reservations.

GAMM The Gamm Theatre opens for its 29th season.

South-Boston native David Lindsay-Abaire’s Tony Award-nominated play, “Good People” runs November 7-December 8. The bold play illuminates the wide gap between the rich and the poor in today’s America. Call 723-4266 for reservations.

Ocean State Theatre Company Ocean State opens its second season in Warwick with the Broadway and International smash musical, “Les Miserables”, playing through October 20.

Eric Simonson’s “Lombardi”, an inspiring biopic about legendary coach Vince Lombardi will be at OSTC November 8-24. Call 921-6800 for reservations.

Wilbury Theatre Kyle Jarrow and Alex Timbers’ “A Very Merry Children’s Scientology Pageant” celebrates the 10th anniversary of the cult musical’s telling of the founding of Scientology that’s been called equal parts adorable and creepy, hilarious and unsettling. (Dec. 5-21).

Call 400-7100 for reservations.

Brown Theatre Brown University’s presnts Tennessee Williams’ “A Streetcar Named Desire”, directed

by Lowry Marshall October 31-November 10. For tickets go to brown.edu/go/tickets.

Doo-Wop coming to Vets Like many of our readers, I grew up in the fabulous ’50s and spectacular ’60s, when music was filled with melody and harmony.

Doo-Wop groups practiced on street corners, dressed alike in colorful outfits, sang at the hops, and made 45 rpm records that cost a nickel to play on the drug store juke box.

Many of the great doo-wop singers are gone now, but there are still a number who have kept the old groups like The Drifters, The Earls, The Crests and others alive, recruiting younger singers for backup.

Here’s your chance to go back to those great days of rock and roll and hear that music on the stage of the VMA in Providence.

Richard Nader’s DOO-WOP AND ROCK ‘N’ ROLL ALL STARS will be at The Vets for one performance on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 8 p.m.

Rock and roll legend Gene Chandler will be joined by the Charlie Thomas Drifters. Thomas was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.

Other Featured Performers The new Drifters first released “There Goes My Baby” in 1959, the year my wife and I were married. Their Top 40 hits include “Dance With Me,” “On Broadway,” “Under the Boardwalk,” “Up on the Roof ” and “This Magic Moment.”

Larry Chance grew up in the Bronx singing on street corners. He started in 1959 with the Hi-Hatters, which later became The Earls and had a number of hits including, “Life is But a Dream” and “Remember Then.”

The Vogues’ big hit, “You’re the One,” was released over 40 years ago, followed by seven more Top 40 hits.

Tommy Mara, who sang for years with Johnny Maestro, took over The Crest from him in 2002, and is best known for the all-time classic, “16 Candles,” which he still sings to honor his friend.

Richard Nader is best known for the award-winning Rock and Roll Revival Concert series that has toured 80 cities, four colleges, and has had two runs in Las Vegas.

The Revival was also the subject of a feature film, “Let the Good Times Roll,” two TV specials, and an HBO special.

And now they are bringing all of that nostalgia to Providence on Oct. 12. Tickets range from $37 to $88. For reservations, call 421-ARTS.

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12 | PrimeTime

October 2013

people

and

places

City made famous for witchcraft Part of the excitement of the month of October is filling the calendar with plenty of autumn-inspired activities that are full of thrills and some chills.

Visiting places that have spooky histories or tales of murder and mayhem are particularly attractive around Halloween. One such place may people enjoy seeing is Salem, Massachusetts.

Many historical places evoke feelings of mystery and horror, including Salem. In 1692, the Salem Witch Trials took place, and Salem has since become synonymous with a dark time in American history. More than 200 people were accused of practicing witchcraft, which went against the colonial and puritanical beliefs of Massachusetts settlers at the time. Nineteen people were ultimately executed as witches, while others died in prison.

Why the trials came to be or how the frenzy over witchcraft became so prevalent in and around Salem remains something of a mystery. Some historians surmise that origins of the trials may lie in immigrants bringing their beliefs from Europe, which had seen its own witchcraft craze beginning in the 1300s.

In 1689, the King William’s War drove refugees from areas of New York, Canada

and Novia Scotia into Salem Village, creating unrest and diminished resources.

The conservative Reverend Samuel Parris, who was Salem’s first ordained minister, thought that the quarreling was the work of the Devil.

When children began having “fits,” the supernatural was blamed and implicated women were brought in for trial. A steady stream of accusations all around Salem soon ensued, and paranoia was widespread. Although judges and courts eventually admitted wrongdoing and error in the Salem trials, many still believe that the innocent souls may still haunt the area looking for justice.

Many places around Salem continue to mark this dark time. The Witch House is a home where Magistrates Jonathan Corwin and John Hathorne examined the accused for signs of witchcraft, while local museums boast memorabilia and specimens associated with the trials. The 552 original documents pertaining to the witchcraft trials have been preserved and are still stored by the Peabody Essex Museum. Burying Point is the oldest cemetery in Salem and contains the graves of pilgrims and even Judge Hathorne himself.

Salem has become known as The

Witch City not only for its storied past but also because the area has become home to many modern-day witches.

There are a number of people educating others about witchcraft. The Witches Education Bureau and The Pagan Resource and Network Council of Educators are just two organizations working to provide accurate information about wiccan and pagan history and happenings.

In addition to the normal activities

available for tourists, specialized Halloween tours and “haunted” happenings also take place throughout the month of October, helping to make Salem a popular place to visit this time of year.

Those who cannot visit Salem but are interested in the hysteria surrounding the witch trials can read Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible,” a play based on the accounts of the Salem Witch Trials.

food

Bite into Fall with homemade donuts Autumn is here and along with those cool, crisp mornings comes a craving for something warm and delicious. Enter the Mini Pumpkin Pie Spiced Donut, a sweet morning treat baked with the quintessential flavor of fall.

Mini Baked Glazed Pumpkin Pie Spiced Donuts Donuts: 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 cup granulated sugar 2/3 cup milk 1 egg, lightly beaten 1 tablespoon Pure Vanilla Extract 1 teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice Vanilla Glaze: 4 cups confectioners’ sugar 1/2 cup milk 11/2 teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract

expo! th e se n io r livi ng at h ot bo ur o vi sit

Maple Glaze: 4 cups confectioners’ sugar 1/2 cup milk 1 teaspoon Imitation Maple Flavor Mocha Glaze: 8 ounces semi-sweet baking

chocolate, coarsely chopped 1/2 cup heavy cream 1 tablespoon Pure Coffee

Extract

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Preheat oven to 325°F. Spray mini donut pan with no-stick cooking spray. (If you do not have mini donut pan, use mini cupcake pan to make donut holes.) Set aside. Mix all ingredients in medium bowl until well blended.

Spoon batter into prepared pan, using 1 tablespoon batter for each donut. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

For glaze, mix all ingredients in large bowl until smooth. Remove donuts from pan, immediately coat in glaze. Place donuts on wire rack set over baking sheet or waxed paper to cool.

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October 2013

PrimeTime | 13

wHAT DO YOU FINK?

lifestyles

by MIKE FINK

For the love of yesteryear I can pin the story of my four score years upon the planet to the evolution of the penny postcard.

security and happiness of her very young son. I knew enough, even as a 7-year-old, always to cherish, keep and protect all these cards. (I even saved the scribbled pencil

In the days of immigrants arriving to our shoreline, the 1-cent message, a photograph on the decorative side, the address on half of the reverse, and the brief message on the other half, the postcard could determine your fate ... my destiny!

That was how you might meet your mate, and my mother and father met

at a cross-clan wedding. They became first cousins, not by blood but by a ceremony that linked their lives.

This was a common, not a rare, form of dating, of marriage arrangement.

My mother had many gifts, but the principal talent was for drawing, sketching, creating a charming image that said more than words could convey. In the “duration” of World War II, my brothers and I were sent away, not to escape from a dire danger zone, but simply to enjoy the summertime when Rhode Island was hectic with factories humming, and also with enemy submarines discovered in the rivers and bays near the shipyards and fortifications. My mother sent me daily postcards throughout July and August of l942 and 1943, but after the first few, she no longer necessarily needed to write a single syllable. She could disguise the address through hints on the cover of the card.

A train has a sign indicating the state of Maine. Perhaps scouts waving flags could spell in semaphore code the precise destination. Somehow, the U.S. Postal Service figured out, quite cheerfully, where to deliver a mother’s anxious concern for the 14 | PrimeTime

advice she might pin to a shirt she had washed, mended and ironed.)

Well, by the time I left home for more than a season of canoeing in the lakes of northern New England, for my freshman year at Yale, I was already hooked on the value of the supremely inexpensive “telegram,” which was the cream-colored image usually of Thomas Jefferson, or of Benjamin Franklin, leaving plenty of room to share all one’s news, or to paste a favorite image from the funnypapers for a bit of thoughtful amusement.

I sent many such epistles to neighbors, relatives, chums from public school days, until a simple four-letter word on such an open federal piece of cardboard got me into deep trouble. It seems that, in communicating with my brother, then studying architecture at M.I.T., I had used a major swear word. In those nervous HUAC years, when the repression of our language, especially on campus grounds, could run you down. I was actually “grounded,” exiled from classes, for a full three-week period of suspension. By the time of my senior year, the dean of students actually apologized to me, recognizing the absurdity of the charge against my reputation, and perhaps because of his

letter of support, I was accepted at Harvard, Columbia and Chicago law schools, with scholarship aid included. The postcard had brought me a crisis, and then, that same postcard had not only rescued me, but brought me great good luck. (I translated the law school scholarship into the graduate school of education, and turned to the profession of teaching for my entire career.)

But back to the postcard: I actually met and courted my wife through the postcard.

She was studying the violin at Meadowmount summer school in New York State, and we glued the comics from the daily newspapers to postcards to keep in touch – whimsically, philosophically, romantically. In those days, the mail was delivered twice a day, and a penny for your thoughts was a pretty reasonable way to pitch woo.

By now, the postcard has become history. Email demands far less restraint, less constriction or succinctness, and certainly, despite “spell-check,” infinitely less attention to care and concern for how a word looks upon a page. Your cursive handwriting, a design indication of your feelings in calligraphy, has no bearing upon your communication.

I have also kept postcards from less long-lasting persons in my lifetime, and less dramatic events to announce. Travel notes, souvenirs of brief encounters, passing friendships or auld acquaintance, and then, the adventure of the arrival in the vestibule of your dwelling. I have lived in the same house since 1936, and many letters have been dropped in the slot of my front door, bearing good or bad news, announcements and invitations, sympathy cards and postcards bearing more and more stamps upon them. And the uniformed men and women who handle those casual or urgent pictures and poetic words become allies in your life. Our mail carriers have incorporated their personalities into our neighborhood and community. They attend funerals, block parties. I have written open thank-you articles, editorials, columns and letters to the editor of the newsletters of the Postal Service.

I grieve for the diminishment of the

era of the ordinary letter, and particularly the postcard. I had an uncle, a renowned printmaker and painter, Herbert L. Fink, who was a muralist as well as a professor both at Rhode Island School of Design and at the University of Southern Illinois.

He was commissioned in 1960 to produce a major mural at the then-new automated post office in Providence. Since he had always enjoyed illustrating horses, he emphasized the Pony Express as a metaphor for the hard work, the noble task, of getting word across this great continent with a then-quite-youthful history, from one small cabin to another. He also enjoyed research, from the days of grammar school in a tiny hillside block, an interest lasting throughout his distinguished career. Like the penny postcard, that project has passed pretty much away from our respectful attention. I have endeavored time and again to investigate the fate of that magnificent enterprise. I visit the post office and inquire. I am always treated with respect and genuine concern, but there is no longer any evidence that, hidden beneath the walls, there survive traces of the story of the U.S. Postal Service in a mix of word and image, almost like a giant postcard for all to peer at and study.

And so, the story of the U.S. Postal Service is not only a grand saga but also an intimate and quiet passing parade of nostalgic personal reminders, to be sorted out in conversation or summed up here on the pages of newsprint. This is perhaps a love-letter, so far. It can and should be expanded into a documentary that combines data with memorabilia. I offer only a few visual souvenirs and brief accounts of the adventures of my generation. I did escape from those “McCarthy” years to spend a year at the Sorbonne in Paris.

In 1953-54, paper in the city of light was scarce, like everything else in that postwar Europe, just as our side of the “pond” was prospering and spreading out with large sedans and suburban lawns. And thick stationery! Nevertheless, our stamps were khaki, like the boxes on the street into which you thrust your flirtatious invitations. Paris, however, produced graceful and colorful stamps, featuring “haute cuisine” models showing off the renewed industry of dressmaking, of fashion.

Among my souvenirs, I keep not only the puritan postcards of America but a few of the French “pneumatiques” and cards that in their miniature way summed up the elegant formation of letters in pen and ink.

In the “war” between computer e-mail and hand-carved runes – fateful declarations trusted into other arms, I take the side of yesteryear!

October 2013

people

and

places

Happy Anniversary Saint Elizabeth Court

Saint Elizabeth Court, 109 Melrose Street in Providence, recently celebrated its 10th anniversary with a gala party that featured a Hawaiian theme and array of foods for the residents, families and friends.

Steve Horowitz, CEO/ President, and Maggie Connelly, the court’s administrator, welcomed more than 300 guests.

Each guest received a leis when they arrived. The evening included music, magic shows and even face painting.

Court RNs Lois Bogda and Louise Robillard and dining staffer Barbara Crank welcome resident family members Rose Cardin and John Repose during the celebration.

Guitarist Mike Coletta entertains Sylvia Stern and Beverly Hall.

PrimeTime photos by Pete Fontaine

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Rhode Island’s Korean War veterans were honored by the South Korean nation at a special ceremony in Chepachet on Sept. 11. More than 45 veterans from the Rhode Island Korean War Veterans Association Chapter 258 were thanked for their service and sacrifice at the Glocester Senior Center.

Commander John O’Brien of the U.S. Navy, a member of the Department of Defense 60th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration Committee, presented the veterans with certificates signed by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and the Republic of Korea presented them with special service medals.

Among the recipients was Tom Pagliarini (above) of Johnston, who was one of 250 members of a combat support battalion made up mostly of Rhode Islanders.

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October 2013

PrimeTime | 17

b y kathy tirrell

y k o o sp

theater

Something is happening at

The Barn W

hen you’re down the hill staring up at the Performing Arts Center at Roger Williams University, you can’t help noticing the right-hand side looks rather similar to a barn.

In fact, the William N. Grandgeorge Theatre inside the building is said to be located at “The Barn.”

“It was originally located at the Thomas Whipple Steere Farm in grandson of Thomas Whipple Steere, building it’s not.” had died in that corner of the barn after Last summer, The Barn celebrated Glocester,” said performing arts chairman Dr. Jeffrey Martin, who has leaving the state’s mental health facility. its 25 years of dance, music and theatre been teaching theatre at Roger Williams for the past 25 years.

This so-called “haunted corner” was performances by holding a Silver JubiAs part of a historic preservation project undertaken by Roger Williams students in the 1980s, led by professors William Grandgeorge and Kevin Jordan, the original barn was disassembled and rebuilt on the Roger Williams campus in Bristol.

The story goes that while the students were taking the barn apart, they noticed that some minor disasters (such as wood crashing down) were occurring in one particular corner of the barn. They soon learned that in the 1970s, an elderly man, the

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left intact and traveled with the rest of the disassembled barn to Bristol. The theatre students ultimately decided to name the ghost who came along with it, Banquo.

For those unfamiliar with the name, Banquo is a character in William Shakespeare’s famous play, “Macbeth.” Banquo starts out as a friend of Macbeth’s, but is later seen as a threat to him, murdered and then comes back as a ghost to haunt him.

Unlike Shakespeare’s Banquo, the ghost haunting The Barn is considered a friendly one. He has his own special chair reserved for him up in the gallery so he can watch the performances.

“He’s invited to watch any of the shows,” said Martin. “Frequently the staff watches from up there [in the gallery]. I usually sit next to him and take notes. He doesn’t mind.”

According to an article in the Roger Williams 2012 alumni magazine, “bad things will happen” if anyone sits in Banquo’s chair. Oh, not anything all that bad. Just maybe the lights will flicker or go out and actors may forget their lines. Sometimes people hear whispers.

Martin says Banquo gets blamed for lots of things.

On a recent tour of the building, Martin pointed out The Barn’s many features, including a dance studio that runs the entire length of the building, classrooms, faculty offices, dressing rooms, a costume shop, a background scene shop, a control room and the theatre itself.

“It’s what we call a black box,” Martin explained. “It’s a flexible space; we can configure seating any way we want.”

And as for the appearance of the theatre with many of its original parts, Martin said, “We tried to maintain the feel of the barn rather than turn it into a

lee. Alumni gathered to entertain, share some memories and commemorate the Barn’s 25th year.

“We’ve been in this building 27 years,” said Martin.

He said along with theatre productions, the music department holds concerts there, the dance department performs dances and outside entertainers perform as well.

“Almost every weekend there is some kind of performance,” said Martin.

“Some are free, some we charge. The most we charge is $10 and it’s $5 for seniors.”

Coming up in October is a production of “Metamorphoses,” adapted from “Ovid” by Mary Zimmerman and directed by Martin. The running dates are Oct. 11-13 and 17-19. This “magical, transformational” piece was nominated for three 2002 Tony Awards, including Best Play.

In November, the students will present the classic “Jane Eyre,” adapted from “Charlotte Bronte” by Polly Teale, directed by faculty member Peter Wright.

The dates are Nov. 15-17 and 21-23.

General admission for the theatre productions is $10 and $5 for students and seniors. All performances take place in the Performing Arts Center. Since seating is limited, reservations are recommended.

For more information about other fall productions at RWU or to make reservations, you can contact the school at 254-3666 or visit their website at http://departments.rwu.edu/theatre.

Roger Williams University is located at One Old Ferry Road in Bristol, R.I.

October 2013

DOER’S PROFILE

by JOAN RE TSINAS

theater

Bunny Bronson & the Tockwotton Readers’ Theater Trinity Repertory. The Gamm. The Wilbury Theater Group. The Community morphed into cast members. Bunny concedes that all participants did not readily Players. The Barker Players. The Manton Avenue Project. And more. Rhode Is- volunteer, they were recruited. But recruitment paid off. From the 55 residents land is Thespian-Heaven, hosting established, new and embryonic theater compa- of assisted living, she has gathered enough volunteers to sew, type, act and usher. nies – some professional, some amateur. Rank the Tockwotton Readers’ Theater Tim Anderson, the director of activities, sees that the Readers have the microamong the troupes. phones, the screens and the stage props they need.

The Tockwotton Readers tackle ambitious plays; recent Bunny has performed since college. Born and raised in the productions have included “The Grapes of Wrath, Act Bronx, she went to Hunter College in New York, then transOne,” “The Devil and Daniel Webster” and “Sorry Wrong It is wonderful to be ferred to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her goal was Number.” Upcoming is Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales,” to dance. And for many years she danced professionally. At including scenes built around “The Wife of Bath,” “The Par- given one more chance the 92nd Y in New York City, she taught dance. Along the doner’s Life,” and the “Priest’s Story,” as a puppet show, with way, she took acting classes. to live in the theater puppets made expressly for the production.

She liked acting. That recognition marked the first step in The costumes match the theme and the time. The actors, truly amateurs, have her new career. In her mid-30s, she got a Master’s in Theater at Boston University, been discovering that there is more to performing than simply reading the lines where she segued into directing. She moved to Rhode Island to work in a new off the page. The props, though modest, convey the mood. The Tockwotton Read- company, Looking Glass Theater, that focused on audience participation. Rhode ers typically schedule a few performances of each production. Finally, ecstatic Islanders remember Looking Glass, which performed in schools, acting out viaudiences have given the cast standing ovations. gnettes (some written by Bunny with the cast) from children’s classics.

Bunny Bronson, age 87, is the director, producer, cheerleader, organizer and From year one, Bunny said it was like Heaven. For 10 years, Bunny was the argeneral factotum behind the Tockwotton Readers. For the Chaucer production, tistic director. At one point, she ran a drama program from the Fox Point Library she took a version translated from middle into modern English and created a play that led to “All-A-Maze,” a children’s television show produced by WPRI. suited for The Readers. One prop is a huge plastic bottle she found in the laundry Life in the theater is harder at Tockwotton. As Bunny notes, its would-be reroom. She has helped to sew the puppets. Her cast and stage crew are fellow resi- hearsal stages are living rooms, with furniture underfoot. The designated theater dents of Tockwotton’s assisted living program, as well as enthusiastic staff. room serves as a workshop where residents make jewelry, paint, draw and sing.

One resident, Neva Hantover, who had never acted, is now feted as a Tockwot- Lectures happen there frequently, so Bunny must squeeze theater time into a ton star. Curtis Love, who has taken acting lessons at the Everett Theater, acted cramped calendar. To help staff practice their lines, she will arrange impromptu in all the past productions while he worked in Tockwotton’s kitchen. Today, as as- short practice sessions, sometimes in hallways. She works around residents’ and sistant director of activities, he continues to act. In “The Canterbury Tales,” Curtis staff schedules. will be playing a few roles: Geoffrey Chaucer, the Knight in one story, the thief in But she acknowledges the challenge as thrilling. the pardoner’s tale, and Chauntecleer the rooster. (For residents truly bitten by the “It is wonderful to be given one more chance to live in the theater,” she said. theater-bug, Curtis oversees a weekly Improv session at Tockwotton.)

In October, the Tockwotton Readers’ Theater will perform “The Canterbury Brenda Toll, director of nursing, also has appeared in past productions; in this, Tales.” Performances are open to the public. Go to www.tockwotton.org or call she plays the wife of Bath. Depending on the production, different staff have (401) 272-5290 for details.

“

”

Saint Elizabeth Home Just like family

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For more details, call Meghan Coffey, Admissions Coordinator at

401.471.6060 October 2013

Saint Elizabeth Home Member Saint Elizabeth Community

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PrimeTime | 19

b y don fowler

people

and

places

Life is a Cabaret at The Highlands The dining room and adjacent lounge were filled with happy faces as residents and guests of The Highlands on the East Side gathered to enjoy the beautiful voice of national television star Sgt. Daniel M. Clark, The Singing Trooper.

I hadn’t been to The Highlands since giving a travel talk years ago, and was impressed with all of the renovations and changes.

HallKeen took over management of the Assisted Living facility in January, under the care of Executive Director Valerie Houshar of Cranston, upgrading the entire building, living services and care plans.

Included in the changes are a series of cabaret style events that are also open to the public.

The Singing Trooper, well known for singing the national anthem at Fenway Park and appearing with the Boston Pops, mingled with his adoring audience, singing everything from Irish ballads to patriotic songs, while giving a short historical background to each.

Tours are offered after the entertainment. We were impressed with the apartments, which feature kitchenettes, senior-friendly showers, city views of the Providence horizon, large bedrooms, and dining areas.

In addition to the enchanting dining, which overlooks a tranquil patio, there is a private dining room, piano lounge and bistro. A beauty salon, fitness center, activities and enrichment center, relaxation and sensory room, reading nooks, veranda and courtyard, laundry facilities and many other amenities, give a warm and cozy atmosphere to The Highlands.

“Reflections” is the new person-centered memory care program designed to meet the needs of those with various levels of memory loss. Houshar’s philosophy is that “Life doesn’t end when memories fade.”

“We encourage our residents to be physically active and participate in the decisions of their daily lives,” she said.

There is a lot going on every day at The Highlands on the East Side. The cabaret is but one activity that residents look forward to.

More entertainment is planned for the fall.

Their location on the East Side of Providence offers opportunities for residents to explore the shops on Hope and Thayer street, participate in programs at Brown and RISD and enjoy Waterfire.

For more information, call 654-5259 or check them out online at www.highlandsri.com.

We’re looking for new members . . .

Korean War Veterans Korean Service Veterans Meetings held 2nd Wednesday of every Month Chepachet Senior Center, Rte. 44

your taxes

professional perspective

b y meg chevalier

Become a tax volunteer Are you looking for a way to help your community? Do you have a desire to help those in need? Consider becoming a volunteer with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs. There are more than 12,000 VITA/TCE sites across the nation and 76 sites here in Rhode Island.

These two programs are sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and provide free tax return preparation to people who cannot afford professional tax help, such as seniors, individuals with low to moderate incomes, persons with disabilities and those for whom English is a second language.

As a volunteer, you’ll provide tax preparation service to taxpayers who do not have the ability to prepare their own tax returns. Don’t know that much about taxes? Don’t worry. You’ll receive specialized training from a certified VITA\TCE volunteer or from IRS employees. Some of the volunteer opportunities include being a greeter, a reviewer, a tax preparer and more. The hours are flexible, the free training is easy and the time commitment is minimal.

Taxpayers rely on VITA\TCE volunteers to provide free quality tax return preparation and assistance yearly. Last year, more than 87,000 volunteers at thousands of sites across the nation helped more than three million taxpayers with free tax preparation.

In Rhode Island more than 400 volunteers prepared more than 16,000 returns this past filing season.

Volunteering can be an exciting, educational and enjoyable experience.

Think about becoming a volunteer and see what a difference it makes in your life as well as others. Can you say Volunteer?

To learn more about becoming a VITA/TCE volunteer, please contact Meg Chevalier either by email at Miguelina.y.chevalier@irs.gov, or by phone 401528-1856.

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October 2013

A GLIMPSE OF RI’S PAST

PEOPLE AND PLACES

h i s t o r y w i t h T e r r y d ’a m ato S p e n c e r

Hillsgrove selection for airport created a furor the airplane

Travel By Land VS. Air All of Rhode Island was thrust into the modern age as a result of Charles A. Lindbergh’s historical solo flight over the Atlantic Ocean to the Le Bourget Airport in Paris on May 20-21, 1927.

When Lindbergh came to Rhode Island in July 1927, he did much to help spur on the demand for a state airport near Providence.

As a national hero, Lindbergh was listened to with great respect and his comments were taken very seriously. He stressed the superiority of European airports over those in the U.S. and spoke on the idea of government subsidies versus private enterprise. He pointed out that “...At Providence I find it takes an hour to come from the field where I landed [Quonset] to the city. It took 45 minutes to come from Hartford to Providence...[by air].�

Lindbergh was optimistic concerning the development of commercial aviation and said, “Now there is coming rapidly enough demand for planes for purposes of commerce. No longer do we have to reconstruct army and navy planes for

commercial purposes. Planes are now being constructed for commercial use.�

Rhode Islanders, convinced in large part by Lindbergh’s speeches, approved a state airport by more than 76,000 votes out of 85,650 in the general election of 1928. The feeling among the voters and the experts at the time was that Gaspee Point and Spring Green would be the site selected. One of the main reasons for the desirability of having an airport at Gaspee Point was the concept in the ’20s that a landing area on water was as important as a suitable land site. Gaspee Point and the adjoining area at Spring Green could combine both.

The Providence Chamber of Commerce strongly recommended Gaspee Point and even went on to measure the distance from the Biltmore Hotel to Gaspee as 7.3 miles and said it was just 16 minutes driving time. Experts, from aviators to industrialists, hailed the site as the only ideal location in the state.

Surprise! Surprise!

Most people in the state were very much surprised when, on July 1, 1929, word leaked out that the State Airport

Commission under the leadership of Chairman Harry T. Bodwell, senator from Cranston, had selected Hillsgrove rather than Gaspee Point as the site for the airport. The news caused a furor in the state with many demanding that the commission explain Hillsgrove airport in 1946 their actions. of Providence...deplored Hillsgrove and Protests From All Quarters The Warwick Town Council quickly said Gaspee was the only place.�

Others said Hillsgrove would not “be passed a resolution urging the selection of Gaspee Point rather than Hillsgrove. worth a nickel� and that “the commisThe Providence newspapers blatantly sion’s site would be dangerous for the big opposed the move as did residents of planes of the future.� Charges of fraud, Hillsgrove. In spite of the opposition, “bossism� and corruption were heard the Commission, which had the power against Airport Commission Chairman of condemnation, insisted that the air- Harry T. Bodwell and Governor Norport would be at Hillsgrove and listed man S. Case.

Gaspee Point “A Decoy?� the land parcels that would be taken.

A number of years later, Irma M. According to a Providence Journal article in 1969, “a long and loud hassle� Gross, in her thesis on Governor Francis followed. They pointed out that “...The Farms, states, “...it appears that the farm aviation committee of the Providence was being used as a decoy, for the state City Council asked the airport com- was, at that time, buying up land GLIMPSE – PAGE 22 mission to reconsider...the civic clubs

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PrimeTime | 21

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senior issues

Caregivers and advocates lauded at RIHCA Awards Luncheon The Rhode Island Health Care Association (RIHCA) recently announced the winners of the 2013 RIHCA Awards. The awards were initiated 12 years ago to honor the talents and dedication of volunteers, professionals and others working to improve the lives of Rhode Island’s skilled nursing and rehabilitation population. Long-term care staff and advocates of the elderly and chronically ill in skilled nursing facilities are often unheralded for their efforts. The annual awards were implemented to showcase their exemplary contributions.

Candidates for the awards are nominated by RIHCA members for their efforts to fulfill RIHCA’s mission: To provide high quality health care and quality of life to the state’s nursing home residents. Nearly 300 people attended a special ceremony held recently at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick, to pay tribute to this year’s winners. They are: Distinguished Administrator: Donna Amaral, Eastgate Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, East Providence Distinguished Certified Nursing Assistants: Robin De Rosa, West Shore Health Center, Warwick; Eric Parkhurst, Trinity Health & Rehabilitation Center, Woonsocket; Wendy Pedro, West View Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, W. Warwick Long Term Care Nurse of the Year: Nadine Ryno, R.N., Village House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Newport Long Term Care Nurse Manager of the Year: Cheryl Edwards, R.N., West View Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, West Warwick Public Service Award: Representative Nicholas Mattiello Distinguished Associate Member: East Side Clinical Laboratory Lifetime Achievement: Gerald Romano, Administrator, Silver Creek Manor, Bristol Therapy Resources Management Spirit Award for Workplace Enthusiasm: Noel Pincince, Trinity Health and Rehabilitation Center, Woonsocket Isabelle Araujo, Silver Creek Manor, Bristol 2013 Volunteers of the Year: John Duffy, Evergreen House Health Center, East Providence Ray Petteruto, Cherry Hill Manor, Johnston The Rhode Island Health Care Association is a professional, non-profit organization comprised of approximately 80 percent of Rhode Island’s skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers. RIHCA members provide long-term and short-term, sub-acute care to more than 7,000 individuals each year.

22 | PrimeTime

GLIMPSE from PAGE 21

on which the present airport is located...” The Providence Journal, in 1969, tracing the events of the ’20s, insinuates that the man behind the decision was the Republican “boss,” Frederick S. Peck of Barrington. Peck, as finance commissioner, allegedly placed a ceiling of $300,000 on the purchase of the land, and this is one of the reasons given by Senator Harry T. Bodwell for the decision. In a 1929 article, Chairman Bodwell is reported to have “...explained that Gaspee Point, which aviators say is the best location, appeared too expensive to be obtained under the $300,000 bond issue voted by the people...”

The truth of this statement was questioned by the media. In an interview with John Francis Brown, son of Frank Hail Brown, trustee of the property, the paper concluded that no attempt had ever been made to obtain Spring Green. John Francis Brown, who was an aviator, having had experience as a squadron commander in World War I, is quoted as saying, “We never knew how much land they planned to take.

I can’t say how much opposition we would have raised to their plans because we never knew what their intentions (the Airport Commissioners) were.” Brown very clearly stated, “It was never our idea to hold up the state.

My own interest in aviation ... is very great. Our desire to keep the Governor Francis homestead in the family is sentimental, of course, and to us the land appears of great value.”

Hillsgrove Advantages Time has shown that the decision to locate at Hillsgrove rather than Gaspee Point had merit. The location at Hillsgrove proved capable of overcoming the shortcomings seen in the ’20s.

The great emphasis then had been on seaplanes and the fear that Hillsgrove would be difficult to spot from the air.

As seaplanes gave way to land-based aircraft, and sophisticated electronic devices made the necessity for visually prominent landmarks obsolete, the airport proved to be an excellent location.

As it is further from the bay than Gaspee, it has the advantage of not being as susceptible to fog.

Cleared Land and Turf Runways In 1961, Arthur R. Jones, then the R.I. chief of airport operations, in a Providence Journal interview, recalled

the early days of aviation at Hillsgrove.

He said, “Hillsgrove was not anything more than a few houses, open fields, brush and farmland.” He recalled that, “When the airfield opened in 1930, I went to work for Wings, Inc., which had one Waco bi-plane and a cement block hangar that had only the four walls and no roof. The only other building was a tin hangar used by E.W. Wiggins Airways.”

In 1930, according to Jones, “We had only 158 acres of cleared area and turf runways in those early days...” Jones remembered an “old Avro biplane in a garage at Post and Strawberry Field Roads. It had a rotary motor; that is, the propeller was attached to the cylinders and they revolved around a stationary crankshaft ... This plane used a landing strip near the old race track.”

He added that, “They used castor oil for lubrication on the planes and you certainly could smell them even before the engine was started.”

Rhode Islanders who had high hopes of seeing a modern airport emerge overnight were sadly disappointed. The state confined their effort in the early period to simply clearing and grading the field. During the early 1930s, the planes landed on grassy strips, as there were no paved runways. Private air companies erected their own hangars and it wasn’t until 1932 that the state began to build a terminal and administration building.

Low Pay and Long Hours There were those who felt getting into aviation meant high wages and ideal working conditions. Arthur R. Jones, a pioneer in flying in Rhode Island, notes, “It turned out to be low pay and long hours. I started as a mechanic’s helper at $8 a week.” Jones added that while working for Wings, Inc., he worked “as much as 16 hours a day, seven days a week, for $8. Also, we received 20 minutes free flight instruction.” He went on to say, “The schedule called for me to get instructions every Monday, but if the weather was bad or we were busy, I had to forfeit the 20 minutes. I soloed in two hours and 10 minutes. Today [1964], it takes a minimum of eight hours instruction.”

Jones also noted that in 1927, anyone who made application would receive a license without taking a flight test.

The story of the early days of flying at Hillsgrove, as seen by Arthur Jones and Kirby Fritz, will be continued.

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retirement sparks

lifestyles

b y elaine m . decker

Retirement Drama–

Dancing with the Elders Season 17 of ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” (DWTS) kicked off last month.

It typically features a cast of all-star dancers. Sometimes it’s celebrities who have already been on DWTS and may or may not have won. (Last year’s Bristol Palin, for example.) Likewise, the “celebrities” may or may not be names that are familiar to you. (Melissa Rycroft, anyone?)

The first few seasons this show was on the air, I watched it faithfully. Now I dial around for alternative TV fare and, should I find nothing worthy, I go upstairs to dig out my mending basket.

I’ll tell you what would get my attention. If ABC put together a season called “Dancing with the Elders,” (DWTE) I’d be there. Supposedly, they’ve tried (and failed) to get Betty White. I’m not surprised. She’s a hot commodity now, and is actually a celebrity. Ditto on failing to get Suzanne Somers, though you’d think she would have been happy to show off her thighs-mastered.

Among the men who’ve turned down DWTS is Sylvester Stallone. Maybe his pecs are a tad too bouncy now, but he was probably saving his energy for “The Expendables 2.” Richard Branson also nixed the idea. Rumor has it they couldn’t find him a Virgin partner.

I could provide a laundry list of elder celebrities that ABC could approach, but I’ll leave that parlor game up to my readers. My time will be better spent explaining the modifications to the standard dances that will be required so that these older contestants will survive the season.

Let’s begin with a dance with which we are all familiar – or so we think – the Waltz. As it turns out, there are two standard versions of that dance: the English (or Slow Waltz) and the Viennese. The former moves to 28 to 30 bars per minute; the latter moves to 58 to 60. DWTE will feature the Ever-So-Slow Waltz, moving to 18 to 20 bars per minute, a much more heart-friendly rate, but graceful and elegant nonetheless.

The Quickstep will also be slowed – from 50 to 52 bars to 28 to 30. The requirements will be simplified as well. Normally, the Quickstep is energetic, with syncopated rhythms, as in slow-quick-quick, slow-quick-quick. Slow steps are taken on the heel of the foot, quick ones on the balls (of the feet, thank you). The new Watch-Your-Step version goes more like slow-oops-oops, slow-oops-again. All steps are taken flatfooted and if they are syncopated, it’s probably by accident.

As with the Waltz, there are two styles of Tango, in this case based on the type of embrace in this dance of love. The open embrace allows some space between the dancers, enabling long steps and complicated footwork. In the closed embrace, the dancers touch either chest-to-chest or thighs and hips, sometimes with the legs slightly bent (as in Tango Canyengue). DWTE will feature the Tango Arthritico, with a modified closed embrace: Chest-to-chest (pacemaker to pacemaker), with legs completely bent.

Another modified favorite is based on the Cha-cha-cha (International Latin version, 30 to 32 bars per minute) and the Cha Cha (American Rhythm version, 28 to 30 bars). The DWTE one is called simply the Cha and in it, the couples take just one step per figure, not two or three. It looks quite like the Hokey Pokey, as the dancers put their right foot in, they put their right foot out, and… Well, you know the rest.

In a nod to Country/Western, DWTE will combine the Two-Step, Polka and Swing. This high energy, boisterous dance starts with a hop and the pattern bounces clockwise around the floor. Unlike the three-step Polka, the Swinka-Two (inka dinka doo!) swings side-to-side in a two-step, likely confusing many contestants.

Couples who stay upright throughout the spins and turns earn extra points. Those who get disoriented and go counter-clockwise lose points. Don’t expect any perfect 10s until the semi-final.

Finally, DWTE will also include the Lambada. This sensual, sexy “forbidden dance” is rumored to lead to pregnancy. (No risk of that on DWTE.) The typical Lambada is danced with arched legs, swaying side-to-side, with lots of hip movement and head rolling. Though the new version minimizes the scope of movement, it’s a challenging dance for most elders, often resulting in severe lower back pain.

Look for this Lumbago Lambada to separate the potatoes from the patatas in the Latin category.

So, there you have it. “Dancing with the Elders” will be an exciting line extension of the “Dancing with the Stars” franchise. Better polish up your dancing shoes.

Their next phone call could be to you!

Copyright 2013 Business Theatre Unlimited

Elaine M. Decker’s latest book, “Retirement Sparks Again,” follows her first two books, “Retirement Sparks” and “CANCER: A Coping Guide.” All are available at Books on the Square, the Brown University bookstore, and Spectrum-India, on the East Side of Providence, and on Amazon.com, including Kindle editions. Contact her at emdecker@ ix.netcom.com.

The perfect telephone for the hearing-impaired! www.CaptionCall.com | 877-557-2227 October 2013

PrimeTime | 23

Elderly Housing

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Electric Lights, Monthly Cable and Phone

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24 | PrimeTime

October 2013

P r i m e T i m e

g n i v i Le x p o

Ma g a z i ne

senior

Wednesday,

October 9, 2013 Warwick Mall 400 Bald Hill Rd., Warwick

10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

calendar of events The Haunts of Little Rest Hill Old Washington County Jail October 10 - 31. Peek into the jail’s cell block after dark!

Enjoy a historically- based evening tour of the village with guides from the Pettaquamscutt Historical Society.

Call 783-1328 www.washingtoncountyhistory.com Providence Ghost Tours Prospect Terrace Park – through October 31, 2013 Flames of Hope: A Celebration of Life Downtown Providence, October 11 – 13, 2013 Three-day event (401) 861-4376 www.flamesofhoperi.com The Southern N.E. Giant Pumpkin Grower’s Annual Weigh-off October 12, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Frerichs Farm 43 Kinnicutt Ave., Warren 245-8245 www.frerichsfarm.com

October 2013

Scituate Art Festival October 12-14 - Annual arts and crafts festival that takes place during the Columbus Day long-weekend Blackstone Valley Fall Foliage and Shopping Train Excursion Blackstone Valley Train, October 19 & 20, 9 a.m.

One Depot Square, Woonsocket 401-724-2200 tourblackstone.com The Hunchback of Notre Dame Silent Movie with the Wurlitzer Stadium Theatre – October 24 Travel back in time to see a screening of the 1923 silent classic starring Lon Chaney, accompanied by our Wurlitzer pipe organ.

Fall Color Walk with Dan Christina – Blithewold Mansion, Gardens and Arboretum October 27, 1:30PM - 3:00PM Admission: $7 Member, $12 Non-member. Take a walk with Assistant Grounds Manager Dan Christina and tour some of Blithewold’s best fall selections. Dan will provide insight into creating a four season landscape.

101 Ferry Road, Bristol 401-253-2707 www.blithewold.org

Theater theater Theater theater Theater theater The Crucible by Arthur Miller Captain Isaac Paine Auditorium October 11 - 20 Arthur Miller’s The Crucible takes place in Salem, MA in 1692. It recounts the events surrounding the Salem Witch Trials. 160 Foster Center Rd., Foster 888493 7100 www.swampmeadow.org Jesus Hopped The A Train Mixed Magic Theatre September 20th - October 13th By award-winning playwright Stephen Adly Guirgis.

Angel Cruz (Rudy Cabrera), a Puerto Rican bike messenger from Harlem faces attempted murder charges for shooting a prominent cult leader in an attempt to rescue a childhood friend. 999 Main Street, Pawtucket www.mmtri.com 401-305-7333 Shrek- The Musical!

Stadium Theatre October 18–October 20 28 Monument St., Woonsocket 401-762-4545 www.stadiumtheatre.com

2ND STORY THEATRE UpStage/DownStage Season 2nd Story is doubling the number of plays produced this season. They have built a 70-seat second space.

2nd Story’s UpStage/DownStage plays will be very different, yet much the same DownStage will be a little more intimate, a little more intense. UpStage will provide a little more spectacle. Call 401-2474200, or visit www.2ndStoryTheatre.com.

William Shakespeare’s Macbeth Roger Williams National Memorial October 16 - 27, Thurs-Sun 7:00 p.m. Free. Bob Colonna and the Rhode Island Shakespeare Theater present William Shakespeare’s Macbeth Bring a blanket, a chair, a picnic basket and enjoy the evening! 284 N Main St., Providence (401) 521-7266

PrimeTime | 25

senior

b y john grow

issues

Oh Where Has My Donut Hole (Going, Going) Gone?

Even before new health care coverage provided by the Affordable Care Act officially kicks off on January 1, or has all it’s major benefits in affect in 2016, a lot of seniors on Medicare have already noticed a drop in their prescription drug charges.

In fact, a few months ago Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said some 6.3 million Americans in the Medicare program saved a combined total of more than $6.1 billion on prescription drugs since the ACA, better known as ObamaCare, began phasing in reforms in 2010.

These savings are real. And if projections hold, things will get much, much better for seniors for a few reasons. But they started in a very bad spot.

Ten years ago, when Congress created Medicare Part D, the prescription drug benefit with it’s infamous “donut hole,” it was designed to confront a growing specter menacing the lives of many Americans--the impact of skyrocketing drug prices on seniors.

The prices pharmaceutical companies charged for prescription drugs in the United States were rising fast, outpacing the ability of many on Medicare to pay for them. And there was no end in sight.

Even though these companies were racking up enormous profits; even though they were selling many of these same drugs overseas for a fraction of the prices they charged here; and even charged the Veteran’s Administration lower, negotiated drug prices for it’s health care program, “Big Pharma,” as it’s known, wouldn’t budge for Medicare. Their pricing structure was necessary, they said, to fund research and development for future medical miracles.

To cope with these costs, seniors on fixed incomes were stretching their prescriptions to the limit and beyond – they cut doses in half, then half again. Sometimes they just stopped taking their expensive medications altogether. It was truly becoming a matter of life or death for many on Medicare.

Enter the United States Government. But instead of using the sheer buying power that the huge combined volume of drugs used by all the health care programs administered by the government to get a deal, Congress decided to go another way.

Part D was created, and used federal money--tax dollars--to pay a portion of the higher cost of prescriptions to the drug companies for Medicare recipients.

It was a big move. And Washington was nervous.

If people knew that the government was going to pay part of the tab, what would stop them from abusing the system; getting prescriptions for drugs they didn’t really need or using costlier brand name drugs rather than the cheaper generics? And Big Pharma would just go on charging whatever they wanted, because 26 | PrimeTime

Medicare would pay no matter what.

That’s why the “donut hole” was incorporated into Part D. It was meant to slow down spending, and incentivize the use of generic drugs. To be a “cost saving” feature. It worked like this: • The government would pay 75% of the cost for covered prescription drugs up until your bills added up to a certain amount. That amount was $2,830 in 2010; • After that the government paid nothing, $0, and you paid 100% of the drug costs until they added up to another amount. That threshold was $6,440 in 2010; • The difference between the two amounts--the period in which you pay 100% of the bill--that gap is the “donut hole,” which would have meant you’d pay $4,060 out of your pocket in 2010; • Once past the “donut hole” you entered the “catastrophic coverage” phase, when the government resumed coverage and paid 95% of your drug costs.

The prescription drug benefit did provide some welcome relief to many seniors, helping them pay for basic coverage for high blood pressure or heart disease medication, for example. It did provide incentives to use generics, which are about 80% of all U.S. prescriptions. And catastrophic coverage is a real safety net for critical and costly conditions.

But even with the “donut hole” to curb excessive spending, Medicare Part D has, according to a recent report by Forbes Magazine, added $16 trillion to U.S. unfunded liabilities. When It passed, it seems nobody figured out how to pay for it – to offset the projected costs.

It did create a new insurance – ”gap insurance.”

People paid another monthly premium to protect them from getting lost in the hole.

“The donut hole never made sense as a matter of health insurance,” Ron Pollack, Founding Executive Director of Families USA, wrote in a recent report on Medicaid.

“Why would you stop coverage when you need it the most...nearly 4 million beneficiaries with significant prescription drug costs--the people who need help the most--had to pay the full costs for their medications for months at a time. Many had to choose between buying their medications or buying groceries,” wrote Pollack.

Nothing was done to fix the problems until the ObamaCare became law in 2010. That first year checks for $250 were sent to people with Part D when they entered the “donut hole.”

Then discounts for prescription drug coverage during the “donut hole” were put in place. In 2013 and

2014 that discount is 52.5% of the cost for brand name drugs and 21% of generics.

The “donut hole” itself began shrinking from both the top and bottom thresholds. This year the 75% coverage phase goes from $0 to $2,970. From there to $4,750 you are in the new, discounted “donut hole.”

That’s a difference of just $1,780--and you don’t have to pay even that!

You pay 47.5% of brand name drug costs while you’re in there, and the government pays the other 52.5% But 100% of those prescriptions are credited against the magic number of $4,750 which get’s you out of the “donut hole.” You then exit into 95% catastrophic coverage for the rest of the year.

The gap between the top and bottom thresholds will keep shrinking until they meet. And the “donut hole” winks out of existence, finally, in 2020-- when, incidentally, without ObamaCare, it would have become $6,000.

ObamaCare is responsible for much of the prescription drug savings people are recording now, but not all. Some of the biggest and most popular drugs in history--like Lipitor, Plavix and Viagra--lost patent protection in 2011 and 2012, according to pharmaceutical industry information.

Once these patents expire, name brand drugs face potential competition from their lower priced, generic selves. That’s called going over the “patent cliff,” and some other, very big names are set to take the plunge this year.

Generic versions of Oxycontin for pain, and Zometa and Xeloda, cancer treating drugs, should become available.

Over the next two years, blockbuster drugs--Nexium, Cymbalta, Lunestra, Abilify and Crestor run out of their patent periods.

Evista and Actonel, drugs used to treat and prevent osteoporosis; Celebrex which is widely prescribed for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can be made available in a lower priced version.

Combivent and Symbicort, both widely used treatment for COPD, asthma and other breathing problems, and Nanenda which has proved very successful in cases of moderate to sever Alzheimer’s, will all be eligible for generic competition.

And competition lowers prices.

The combination of more prescription drugs added to Medicare Part D coverage, more popular drugs coming in cheaper generic form, and the vanishing “donut hole,” should all help make the move toward retirement a lot less frightening than it used to be.

October 2013

b y john grow

senior

issues

A primer for the path to

ObamaCare Like the headlights of a Mac Truck on I-95, HealthSource RI (HSRI), our health insurance program under what is both derisively and fondly called ObamaCare, is coming at us hard and fast: • Enrollment starts on Tuesday, Oct. 1; • Insurance coverage begins at 12:01 a.m., New Year’s Day, 2014; • Then the whole enrollment process for next year is over (for individuals) March 31.

But it’s taken quite a long time to get here.

Way back, 104 years ago, President Theodore Roosevelt said the government should see to it that all Americans are provided with health care. He was one of the first world leaders anywhere to propose the idea. And it caught on right away - only not in this country.

Over the years other U.S. presidents FDR, Truman, Johnson, Nixon, Carter and Bill Clinton (with First Lady Hillary to coordinate a national health care system) - all took a swing at it. And missed.

During the last century, Republicans, Democrats and third parties of all stripes have tried to get universal health care going in the U.S. But every time, strong political and economic factions shot it down.

In the meantime, every other industrialized nation on Earth adopted some method of protecting their citizens against devastating losses due to catastrophic illness or injury - the cause of almost 75 percent of all bankruptcies in the U.S. Finally, when President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act (ACA), in 2010, it marked the end of one very long journey for the country - and started a short, intense sprint in Rhode Island.

Basically, the ACA seeks to expand Medicaid coverage for lower income Americans, provide federal subsidies to help pay insurance premiums for those making more (for example, in Rhode Island, a single person making less than $46,000 a year, or a family of four earning under $94,000, qualify for some federal help), and give small businesses tax credits to offset the cost of maintaining health insurance policies for their employees.

The ACA asked states to set up their own exchanges where their citizens and businesses could go to buy affordable insurance. The plan was to reduce the October 2013

number of Americans without health coverage - estimated to be about 47 million people - and lower the overall cost of health care in this country, which is currently higher than any other nation on the planet.

Rhode Island was the second state to sign on to the provisions of the ACA.

By Executive Order, in January 2011, Governor Lincoln Chafee made Rhode Island one of 17 states (plus the District

care, lab service, test, etc. - had to be negotiated with the insurance companies that would provide coverage.

Then a delivery system had to be created, a website for access by individuals and businesses that would provide the answers for each person’s unique situation, and be the essence of “user friendly.”

The complete program had to be ready to go, start to finish, in about 30 months.

“

It all looks and sounds really complicated.

But when somebody who doesn’t know a thing about health insurance goes on the website, or calls in to talk to one of our staff, in 5, 10 minutes tops, they get it.

”

Christine Ferguson

Director - HealthSource RI

Of Columbia) to opt to set up and run it’s own insurance exchange, now named HealthSource RI. The other 33 states have, by default, become either willing or unwilling partners with the federal government to provide greater availability of health insurance within their borders. Some have accepted federal Medicaid money to expand health care to low-income families but are letting the feds set up insurance exchanges for the rest of their people.

But 23 state governments have taken a hard line and refused to accept any part of the ACA. In Rhode Island, however, turning down federal funds was never an issue, including grants totaling roughly $65 million awarded to help HSRI get started.

The task was to develop a program that would marry new plans from health insurance companies doing business in the state with new ACA guidelines.

HSRI would then provide access, and a competitive marketplace, for individual and small business plan purchasing.

Health care reform in every sense of the word.

To get going, insurance plans and levels of coverage needed to be devised, and premiums established for each level.

Workable deductible, co-insurance and co-pay amounts had to be decided, along with a thousand other details.

And all of this - every category of

Christine Ferguson was named director of HSRI in June of 2012. Her experience in this field is long and distinguished. She came over directly from the faculty of George Washington University’s School of Health and Health Services. Before that, she was both commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and ran Rhode Island’s Department of Human Services.

Back when she was counsel and chief of staff for U.S. Senator John Chafee, she helped to overhaul the country’s health care system.

So Ferguson speaks with great authority when she says it’s very difficult to make something as complex as the services HSRI provides, both approachable and simple for people to use.

She puts it this way: “It all looks and sounds really complicated. But when somebody who doesn’t know a thing about health insurance goes on the website, or calls in to talk to one of our staff, in 5, 10 minutes tops, they get it.”

Individuals and small businesses can use the website (healthsourceri.com), the phone, the mail, or come in person to find out what fits their needs and to buy insurance. The department is hiring 75 support people to work with those seeking health insurance answers.

Ferguson is proud of what her new department has achieved. Working out of a converted, windowless, basement gym, a staff of dedicated men and wom-

en have turned in virtually countless hours building what she claims is “the best health care system in the country.”

And she may be right.

By the end of August, rates and plans were available on the HSRI website, along with automatic calculations of government subsidies and tax breaks available to Rhode Islanders.

The process has proved to be painless, totally non-threatening and fast. Specific insurance rates, tax credits, etc. come on screen almost instantly.

Many people remain confused about ObamaCare because of all the fiery rhetoric and misinformation it’s generated over the past three years. In the middle of August, the Kaiser Family Foundation conducted a nationwide poll on ObamaCare awareness and found that as many as 51 percent of Americans say they don’t have enough information to understand how it will impact them or their family.

Forty-four percent either think the law has been repealed (8 percent), overturned by the Supreme Court (5 percent) or are unsure whether it’s still the law (31 percent).

Also in August, The Commonwealth Fund, a private foundation that tracks health insurance trends, reported that 27 percent of 19- to 29-year-olds they sampled were completely unaware new health care exchanges were coming.

That’s crucial information, because the law states that exchanges like HSRI must become self-sustaining, and not reliant on general state revenues, fairly quickly. To do that, a broad swath of the population needs to enroll, and start paying premiums - young, old and inbetween; healthy as well as those who aren’t.

A huge public awareness campaign is being waged nationwide. And in Rhode Island, more than $2 million has reportedly been budgeted to promote HSRI. The information gap should start to close here.

But by the same token, there’s a lot of money being spent on disinformation campaigns. A vocal and violently antiObamaCare crowd in Congress continues to try to derail it. And consumers get stuck in the middle wondering just what this new health care insurance program is and what it isn’t.

Health Care – Page 28

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senior

b y C amilla F arrell

issues

de ve l o p m e n t d i re c to r , a l z h e i m er ’s association r hode island chapter

Alzheimer’s Association RI Chapter announces new Board President The Alzheimer’s Association Rhode Island Chapter is proud to announce Jacqueline “Jackie” Waldon, CPA at Sullivan & Company, a division of BlumShapiro, as the new president of the Board of Directors, along with a new slate of officers and board. We also welcome Gary Epstein-Lubow, MD, of Butler Hospital as vice president; Thomas Enright, Esq. of Partridge Snow & Hahn, LLP as secretary; and Greg Gelineau of Bankers Life & Casualty Co. as a new board member.

Waldon, a resident of Lincoln, R.I., is no stranger to the Alzheimer’s Association Rhode Island Chapter. About 18 years ago, her godfather, Ray Bonenfant, started a Walk team in honor of his wife who was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. A few years later, Ray’s wife, Eugenie, passed away and Ray became even more involved in the Rhode Island Chapter, serving on the board for six years, and is now Emeritus status. One of Ray’s many accomplishments was achieving top team status for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, or “Memory Walk” as it was called back then. Ray’s team fundraising efforts culminated in the $100,000 Club with his accumulated donations over the years.

In 2012, Jackie Waldon was nominated treasurer of the Board of Directors of the Alzheimer’s Association, and in 2013 was nominated president of the Rhode Island Chapter. At Sullivan & Company, Jackie is a manager in the firm’s Tax Department and firm administrator for the Providence office. Jackie has over 14 years of experience in public accounting, following 16 years serving as assistant control-

Health Care from PAGE 27

First, let’s take a quick look at what it isn’t. Regardless of what you’ve seen or heard on some of the cable news networks, a few radio talk shows and claims made by politicians and pundits, this is not some new “government-run” health insurance.

Three insurance companies that have been providing coverage for people in Rhode Island in the past - Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island, Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island, and UnitedHealthcare - will still provide it, via HSRI, next year. And Tufts Health Plan recently announced it would come on board with HSRI in 2015.

It also isn’t anymore “socialized medicine” than automobile insurance is “socialized car repair.” (But like car insurance, most, but not all, Rhode Islanders will be legally required to have some type of health insurance, and there could be penalties for those who don’t.)

Most of HSRI’s premium rates for

2014 are now available. They are based solely on the coverage chosen and the age of the insured - the older the insured, the higher the rate.

Women are no longer penalized for being female - they pay the same premium rate as men. And people with pre-existing conditions are no longer rated up because of it. So how is that going to compare to the premiums people pay now?

Monthly premiums under HSRI will probably go up a few dollars for some people, and down a few dollars for others.

But there is no evidence for “sky rocketing” insurance premiums some folks are still threatening will happen.

With HSRI, the highest annual outof-pocket expense for a single person is $6,350 (total deductible and co-pay, without adding in monthly premiums), and $12,700 for a family. And there are plans with annual out-of-pocket costs lower than that.

The program also does away with lifetime caps - there will be no limits on the amount an insurer will pay over the life-

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ler and controller in various companies. She handles tax matters for corporations, partnerships and individuals in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, distribution, education and professional services. In this capacity, Jackie counsels her clients on a wide array of financial issues, providing year-round advice, including tax planning. She is also responsible for overseeing the preparation of reviewed and audited financial statements.

A graduate of Johnson & Wales University with a degree in accounting, is a member of the American Society of Certified Public Accountants, the Rhode Island Society of Certified Public Accountants, the Finance Committee at St. Jude’s Church and chairs the Finance Committee for the Alzheimer’s Association.

Sullivan & Company is one of the sponsors of the Walk to End Alzheimer’s this year and also plans to coordinate a large Walk Team with Jackie Waldon as the captain.

“The Walk is a family affair. Just as my godfather Ray started the team many years ago, we have continued the tradition and have sometimes had four generations of walkers at one Walk,” said Jackie said.

This year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s is on September 22 in Newport at Salve Regina University and on September 29 at Slater Park in Pawtucket.

time of the policy. The family of a person struck with a catastrophic health problem no longer has to worry about “running out of insurance.”

Some health services have no out-ofpocket expenses at all. Preventive care such as annual check-ups, vaccinations, diabetes and osteoporosis screenings, cholesterol and blood pressure screenings, mammograms, pap smears and other cancer screenings, even colonoscopies and many other services, are free to patients.

These are, or will become, part of the law.

Young people can already stay on their parents’ insurance plans until age 26. And insurance companies are required to refund over 80 percent of all profits unspent on actual health care now.

Expanded Medicaid coverage will allow many more lower income people to afford insurance. Anyone who isn’t otherwise insured, and makes up to 138 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), will qualify for Medicaid in Rhode Island. That means that a single person making up to $15,856 a year, or a family of four earning a total of $32,499, will be eligible for health care under Medicaid.

There are 12 insurance plans available through HSRI for individuals and their families, and 16 plans for small employers and their employees.

All Rhode Island companies employing 50 people or less on a full-time basis are considered small businesses, and can buy health insurance through HSRI. It’s estimated that there are 95,000 such companies in the state.

For-profit businesses with fewer than 25 full-time employees (earning an average of under $50,000 each) may qualify for a deduction on their 2014 taxes ranging up to 50 percent of their contribution to insurance premiums paid during the year. For non-profit companies, the tax credit tops out at 35 percent.

HSRI is one of the very few insurance exchanges in the U.S. to offer full employee choice. An employer decides how much

he or she will contribute to each employee’s monthly premium, and then selects either a sort of “one size fits all” plan, where everyone gets the same coverage, deductibles, co-pays, etc., or a plan that allows each employee to pick and choose the coverage they want for themselves and their families.

The employer’s involvement after choosing the program is simple: One check each month to HSRI takes care of it.

It would be naïve and, frankly, downright silly to assume the introduction of HSRI will go off without a hitch. After all, it only looks clean, simple and slick from the outside. Check under the hood and you see it’s a massive undertaking with a million moving parts. It’s insurance, and little on Earth is more complicated than that. Plus, it’s a collection of new insurance plans, new computer software programs and new people attempting to meet the needs of thousands of new customers in a very short amount of time.

But the hard work has been done. And the people at the heart of HSRI are pros, with a vast amount of experience and real dedication. They know what they’re doing.

So problems - and there will be a few - will be small, limited and swiftly corrected.

At an HSRI presentation in North Kingston recently, a local business owner there to get a briefing said, “I am really impressed with this. I’ve never seen so many choices. I think you people have done a great job.”

Everyone who learns what HSRI will offer seems to feel the same way - the amount of health care choices are remarkable and easy to understand. It’s another thing Christine Ferguson is banking on.

“If we are seen as offering health insurance with clear advantages and competitive pricing, it will help attract businesses to Rhode Island,” she said.

More businesses means more jobs.

And that’s another commodity Rhode Island can truly use.

October 2013

b y catherine T erry taylor d i re c to r , r i d e p a r t m e n t o f e l d e r l y a f f a i r s

senior

issues

a big month for health insurance in ri This month, two significant health insurance developments will demand the attention of Rhode Islanders of all ages.

First, starting on Oct. 1, Rhode Islanders who are under age 65 and who do not have health insurance will be able to enroll in a health insurance plan through the new health insurance exchange, known in our state as HealthSource RI, as called for in the new health care reform law. Subsidies to purchase health insurance will be available to low- and moderate-income individuals and families. HealthSource RI has a call center with staff trained to answer questions about the new law, which may be reached at 222-5192. You may also visit www.healthsourceri.com to learn more.

Second, Rhode Island’s 189,000 Medicare beneficiaries are invited to participate in the annual Medicare Open Enrollment period, which begins on Oct. 15, running through Dec. 7.

October 2013

As positive a development as the health insurance exchange promises to be for individuals without health insurance, it is causing confusion for some Medicare beneficiaries. It is important to note that Medicare is not part of the health insurance exchange system.

Medicare coverage is protected under the health care law. Your existing coverage cannot be reduced or taken away. If you have Medicare, a Medicare supplemental insurance (Medigap) policy, or a Medicare Advantage plan, you are already covered and do not have to replace your coverage through HealthSource RI. Do not drop your Medicare coverage. Be particularly alert to scams that promote “Obamacare health insurance for seniors,” request your personal information to sell you a bogus health insurance plan, or tell you that they need your personal information to send you a new Medicare card because of ACA.

Do, however, take advantage of Medicare Open Enrollment, the annual opportunity to take a look at your Medicare health insurance and Medicare prescription drug plans (Part D).

You should review your plan if your health care needs have changed during the year – for instance, if you have been diagnosed with a new medical condition, are recovering from an illness, or have recuperated. You may be on new medications, or are no longer taking others.

Even if your health care needs are the same as last year, you should take advantage of Open Enrollment to make sure that your Medicare health and Part D plans continue to meet your needs.

Plans sometimes add or drop covered services or medications, or become more or less (yes, sometimes that happens!) expensive. We want to make sure that you are getting the most from your health care dollar.

As in past years, the Rhode Island Division of Elderly Affairs (DEA) will join with our community partners to sponsor 30 Open Enrollment events across the state between Oct. 15 and Dec. 7, to help beneficiaries review their Medicare health and Part D plans. Trained Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) counselors will be available at all open enrollment events to offer free, confidential individual counseling to help beneficiaries identify options to obtain the most cost-effective, convenient and complete coverage.

Appointments are required at every Rhode Island Open Enrollment event.

To schedule a SHIP counseling session,

call the local event site directly. The full open enrollment event schedule is available by calling DEA at 462-3000, or by going to www.dea.ri.gov. TTY users can call 462-0740. The schedule is also available by calling THE POINT, Rhode Island’s Aging and Disability Resource Center, at 462-4444. TTY users can call 462-4445.

In order to get the most out of a visit with a SHIP counselor, bring your Medicare card, insurance cards (both health insurance and Part D), and a list of all current medications, including the correct dosages and frequency, to the meeting. Take a few moments to review the Medicare and You 2014 handbook that was sent to you in the mail. If you are unable to attend an Open Enrollment event, you may still schedule a SHIP counseling session at your local SHIP agency throughout the Open Enrollment period.

For more information on the 2014 Medicare Open Enrollment period, you may call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) seven days a week, 24 hours a day, or go to www. medicare.gov. TTY users can call 1-877486-2048. My staff and I and our excellent statewide network of SHIP counselors look forward to being of service to you during open enrollment.

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This Month in History October 30, 1938

Orson Welles performed his, “War of the Worlds” radio broadcast, based on the novel by H.G. Wells, which caused widespread panic when listeners took as true the realistically performed news reports of an invasion from Mars, 1938

30 | PrimeTime

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PrimeTime | 31

At Kent Hospital YOU NOW HAVE ACCESS TO

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For more information, or to make an appointment, call us at 401-681-4996, email cardiology@kentri.org or log on to kentri.org/bwcardio.

Brigham and Women’s Cardiovascular Associates at Kent Hospital is available to meet all your cardiac needs, from routine to complex, with expert care locally. This is all part of our continuing commitment to the highest standards of care. With Kent Hospital and our Brigham and Women’s Cardiovascular Associates team, you can expect compassionate care that is patient and family centered.

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32 | PrimeTime