Kettle Point
2 Blount Circle
East Providence Starting in the $600,000s | 401-553-6389
Barrington $1,499,000 | 401-837-2355
1 Lister Drive
2 Bagy Wrinkle Cove Way
Barrington $1,045,000 | 425-894-6344
Warren $995,000 | 401-837-2355
3 Fairview Circle
38 Morning Dove Drive
Barrington $750,000 | 401-527-6799
Tiverton $460,000 | 401-965-9146
Barrington 401.245.9600
East Greenwich 401.885.8400
Providence 401.274.6740
Westport MA 508.636.4760
Cumberland 401.333.9333
Narragansett 401.783.2474
West Side PVD 401.457.3400
Relocation 800.886.1775
WRIGLEY STUDIO AND GALLERY
A working artist studio featuring the acrylic paintings of Brenda Wrigley Scott featuring birds, companion animals & flora on paper, canvas upcycled floorcloths, pottery and works by local artists. Gallery Open 11-4 Thursday - Saturday, Sunday by chance or appt. 3879 Main Road • (401) 339-9676 @Wrigley_studio
ROUTE 77
TIVERTON, RHODE ISLAND
Join Us for Events & Happenings
Holiday Bright Night Friday, December 4, 4-7pm
Shops Open Late with Luminaries Abound Specials and Fun for Everyone
TIFFANY PEAY JEWELRY
A gemstone lover’s delight. Featuring the collection of one-of-a-kind gemstone, pearl and gold jewelry handmade by renowned designer Tiffany Peay. The shop is enchanting and sure to impress. Never pay sales tax on Tiffany’s handmade jewels. 3851 Main Road • (401) 816-0878 • tiffanypeay.com
7th Annual re-Tree Outdoor Exhibition Friday, December 4 - Friday, December 18 An Outdoor Showcase of Festive Trees Created by the Community with Recycled Materials
Shop Late on Fridays in December
STUDIO BY THE SEA
As we explore, we create. Peter Tirpaeck, master jeweler, will assist in all your jewelry needs: repair, refashion or repurpose. Hand carved belt buckles, bottle openers and one-of-a-kind handmade jewelry. 3879 Main Road • (401) 639-4348 STUDIOBYTHESEARI.COM
THE CHEESE WHEEL VILLAGE MARKET
Many Participating Shops Open till 7pm
THE COTTAGE AT FOUR CORNERS
Fine Home Finishings and Amazing Gifts photo: Simon Pearce Hand Blown Glass 3847 Main Road • (401) 625-5814 • TheCottageRI.com
CÉDIAN PAINTING: STUDIO-GALLERY
Extensive selection of imported and domestic cheeses, local meats and produce, and house made bread. Featuring Marion's Table, Litl Rhody Pasta, and custom charcuterie boards. 3838 Main Road • (401) 816-5069 thecheesewheelri@gmail.com
Fine Art Painting and Decor by Jennifer Jones Rashleigh PILLOWS, PAINTINGS, TILES & TAPESTRIES wildlife cameos of birds, fish botanicals & beach scenes. Custom orders & appointments welcomed. 3879 Main Road • (508) 951-0696 • cedianpainting.com
TIVERTON FARMERS MARKET
Every Tuesday 2-6pm at Sandywoods Center for the Arts. Focusing on connecting the community to local farmers, vendors, makers and artists by offering a wide range of food, products and gifts. 43 Muse Way, Tiverton @TivertonFarmersMarket
Fine Art, Antiques, Unique Decorative Furnishings & Handmade Goods for the Home, Gourmet Food & Amazing Open Space. Explore a Beautiful New England Village in Tiverton. #TakeARideTiverton4Corners •
@tivertonfourcorners
Local Knowledge, Global Network
GustaveWhite.com | 401-816-4060 |
The Bay Magazine November 2020
Photo by Savannah Barkley
In This Issue
22
Mount Hope Farm Bristol’s quaint farm has ties to the Mayflower and First Thanksgiving
The Buzz
Life & Style
13 Artist transforms
29 HOME: A Portsmouth
retro postcards for hip
Colonial gets a coastal update
Newport hotel
34 INFLUENCER: Meet an artist 14 Falcons and more
of Providence’s VOTE mural
documented in photographer’s new book
35 SHOP: Gift ideas for shopping Small Business everyday
16 Mavericks pitch novel buyout plan for flood-prone Warren
Food & Drink 37 New frozen pumpkin treat guaranteed to give the shakes
18 RHODY GEM: Vintage Newport boutique brings
38 Thanksgiving meal
glamor to Broadway
prep to-go
Photo by Sol Arnal Photography courtesy of Three Sparrows Interior Design
20 CALENDAR: This month’s
40 IN THE KITCHEN: A Hope &
Pic of the Bay
must-do’s
Main business mixes things up
42 A stunning image from a local lens
ON THE COVER: Mount Hope Farm. Photography by Savannah Barkley.
The Bay • November 2020 5
Shop like our community depends on it.
Support small businesses. Share in job creation. Spread hope.
Sunday Sunday November DECEMber 15 & 22 13 & 20 from 10am-4pm OUR ANNUAL INDOOR HOLIDAY MARKETS ARE REDESIGNED WITH SOCIAL DISTANCING IN MIND!
SHOP THE LATEST & GREATEST IN LOCALLY-MADE FOOD & DRINKS. GET BRUNCH, COCKTAILS & LUNCH MADE TO ORDER. MASKS REQUIRED. CONTACTLESS PICKUP AVAILABLE.
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Come by for a tour!
12 Eagle St, Providence RI |
Publishers Barry Fain Richard Fleischer John Howell Matt Hayes
General Manager & Creative Director Nick DelGiudice
Editor in Chief Elyse Major
Assistant Editor Abbie Lahmers
Managing Editor Megan Schmit
Advertising Design Director Layheang Meas
Editorial Designer Abigail Brown
Senior Designer Taylor Gilbert
Account Managers Louann DiMuccio-Darwich Ann Gallagher Kristine Mangan Olf Sascha Martin Elizabeth Riel Interested in advertising? Email Marketing@ProvidenceOnline.com
Feel Good, Be Well!
Contributing Photographers Savannah Barkley
Force Four Photography
Grace Lentini
Contributing Writers Karen Greco
Sofia Rudin
Robert Isenberg
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769A Hope Street Providence 401.383.3089 The Bay • November 2020
Looking for an internship? Email Elyse@ProvidenceOnline.com
Distribution Services Special Delivery
PROVIDENCE MEDIA INC. 1070 Main Street, Suite 302, Pawtucket RI 02860 401-305-3391 • Mail@ProvidenceOnline.com ProvidenceOnline.com
evolveapothecary.com 8
Interns Gianni Dejesus
Copyright ©2020 by Providence Media. All rights reserved. Proud member of the Rhode Island Press Association
Online Join us Friday, November 20 5 -9 PM for the Bristol Holiday Preview
Web exclusive: Providence’s coziest speakeasy spots for grabbing a drink – sometimes even under the stars
Fine Handmade Handbags www.BABSetc.com Open Wednesday - Sunday 10 - 5
Permanent Botanicals www.TBHDesign.com
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Newsletter
BABS + Tish 47 Bradford Street Bristol, RI
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Check Out Our Extended Hours & Specials
During The Warren Walkabout on Sundays, Starting October 25th – November 29th 437 Main Street (In historic Warren, RI) • (401) 441-5460 • uptownfoodandspirits.com The Bay • November 2020 9
A NEW WAVE OF LIVING
NOW LEASING! LUXURY WATERFRONT LIVING IN HISTORIC WARREN, RHODE ISLAND The Residences at 99 Water is a newly constructed community situated on the beautiful Palmer River of Warren, RI. Our pet-friendly community offers stylish 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments. Every apartment showcases gleaming granite countertops, sleek stainless-steel appliances, in-unit washer and dryer, private outdoor patios, most with water views, some with fireplaces, designer paint colors and much more!
We offer many on-site amenities including heated indoor parking garage, fully-equipped fitness center, community game room, library, bike racks, outdoor fire pit and grilling area. Our luxury apartments are within walking distance from many local restaurants and shops, parks, beaches and local museums. Looking for outdoor recreation? Enjoy immediate access to the East Bay bike path!
APARTMENT AMENITIES
COMMUNITY FEATURES
• • • • • • • • •
• • • • • • • •
STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES GRANITE COUNTERTOPS IN-UNIT WASHER AND DRYER PRIVATE OUTDOOR PATIOS MOST UNITS WITH WATER VIEWS SOME UNITS WITH FIREPLACES CENTRAL AIR-CONDITIONING CABLE & INTERNET READY WINDOW COVERINGS
FULLY-EQUIPPED FITNESS CENTER HEATED PARKING GARAGE PET-FRIENDLY SMOKE-FREE COMMUNITY GAME ROOM BIKE RACKS LIBRARY COMMUNITY ROOM
Please Call or Email to Schedule your Personal or Virtual Tour!
99 WATER STREET • WARREN • 99WATERSTREET.COM To contact our professional leasing team for more information, please call us at
401-252-4116 or email 99waterstreet@dalkeymanagement.com
Make A Statement Even From A Distance
coffee crepes baked goods & much more 279 Water Street, Warren, RI 401.245.7071
Caron Jewelers specializes in
open seven days a week, all year
CARON JEWELERS Your trusted family jeweler since 1956 473 HOPE STREET | BRISTOL | 401-253-9460 | CARONJEWELERS.COM
e v e i l e B FOR GOODNESS SAKE!
HOLIDAY PREVIEW Downtown Bristol Friday, November 20 6PM - 9PM
GRAND ILLUMINATION Facebook LIVE Saturday, December 5 6:30PM - 7PM
CHRISTMAS STORYTIME Facebook LIVE Saturday, December 12 6PM - 7PM
Saturday November 21 10AM - 2PM
Friday December 11 5PM - 9PM
Saturday November 28 10AM - 2PM
Saturday December 12 2PM - 6PM
Friday December 4 5PM - 9PM
Saturday December 19 3PM- 7PM
Santa's Workshop Delight in the magic
of the holiday season as Santa's elaborate workshop comes to life in historic Bristol, Rhode Island Join us at the corner of Hope Street and State Street for an unforgettable North Pole experience!
COVID-19 SAFETY MEASURES
SOCIAL DISTANCING, WEARING FACE COVERINGS & BRINGING HAND SANITIZER ALL RECOMMENDED SPONSORED BY
@BristolChristmasFestival
www.ChristmasBristolRI.com
Bristol Christmas Festival The Bay Magazine The Bay • November 2020 11
A SHORT FICTION COMPETITION FOR RHODE ISLAND STUDENTS
CLASSES • QUILTING • FABRICS • NOTIONS
SUBMIT! Submit in December. Guidelines and submission L ONE AND GOAT HIL information online at RSHIP BY SCHOOL NE RT PA IN D TE CREA www.school-one.org or Write Rhode Island Facebook Page
STUDENTS GRADES 7-12
Stories must be written by students in grades 7-12. Stories should be 2500 words or less and incorporate Rhode Island as a theme in some way.
$
AWARDS cash prizes & publication
For more information contact Diana C. at School One, 401-331-2497 or dianac@school-one.org, visit www.school-one.org or www.goathillwriters.com
12
The Bay • November 2020
CREATED IN PARTNERSHIP BY
Sew Nice Fabrics TUESDAY- FRIDAY 10-5:30 | SATURDAY 10-4
3001 E. Main Road, Portsmouth 401-683-9238 • sewnicefabrics.com
The Buzz Buzz on the Bay
Rhody Gem
Calendar
Altered Vintage Postcard Collages Blend O ld and New Artist Jenny Brown brings new life to Newport’s old stories for Wayfinder Hotel interiors Local visual artist Jenny Brown, who infuses everyday mementos into her collage work, was recently recruited by The Wayfinder Hotel to contribute to their interior design concept. A Boston native who moved to Providence in 2008, Brown currently works out of her vintage paper-filled studio in Olneyville and has collaborated with retail brands like Alex & Ani and Anthropologie. Brown brings her lush style of found paper artifacts and saturated floral and sea creature imagery to The Wayfinder’s interiors, devised after many studio visits and collaborative sessions to test out different images and print styles. Her designs contribute to the hotel’s varied wall art, along with other pieces, like keycards and a collection of postcards. Brown’s art embraces nonlinearity in captured images of plants, celestial sea flowers, sketchbook drawings, and physical mementos like photographs and antique papers. She seeks to offer new perspectives of found items with her mixed media art, which combines the processes of collection, curation, drawing, and collage that stem from her lifelong interest in antiquing. “Thrifted ephemera is usually the catalyst
me to respond to visually,” explains Brown, whose recent work evokes a universe of marine life, caves, blooms, and stars. Having grown up with a grandmother who was a professional artist, Brown’s childhood was filled with art supplies and creative projects, along with life-long encouragement in her artistic pursuits. “It took years of experimenting, and most importantly understanding why I was using these materials, for me to find the right path for using collage in my works in a meaningful way,” says Brown, who channels a variety of mediums that make her art unique. “Both the rich history and abundant natural beauty of Newport inspired my works for The Wayfinder,” she explains, describing her process of thrifting old postcards for the collaboration. The work is meant to honor Newport’s history portrayed in the postcards, while also bringing a new narrative to it. These postcards, available for purchase exclusively at the hotel, are embellished with paper florals that pay tribute to that “beautiful corner of Rhode Island.” Beyond what you can see in The Wayfinder, visit Brown’s website and Instagram page for other gallery showings, or visit Studio Lore or Wild Flow Yoga & Barre to find original
that begins the production of a piece, almost acting like a prompt for
prints for purchase. JennyBrownArt.com | By Gianni Dejesus
Collage by Jenny Brown The Bay • November 2020 13
The Buzz
ON THE BAY
By Megan Schmit
Bird’s-Eye View
Peter Green never really imagined writing a book. Then again, he never really thought much about birds, either. Not until 2009, when, from his sixth-floor apartment, he spotted a Peregrine Falcon perched on the very top of Providence’s Superman Building. “From that day I was hooked on birdwatching,” Green remembers. “I purchased a professional camera with a powerful zoom lens and constantly carried it with me on the streets, hoping to encounter the falcons around the city.” Flipping through Providence Raptors, you’ll encounter stunning shots of birds of prey backed by familiar landmarks: A young Cooper’s Hawk trapped inside The Arcade shopping center; a Peregrine Falcon balanced on the crenulated tower of the Cranston Street Armory; a Snowy Owl spotted on a lamppost overlooking Interstate-95. “I’m drawn to their regal beauty, power, fearlessness, specialized bodies for flying and hunting, and their impressive
14
The Bay • November 2020
adaptability to the urban environment,” Green explains. “I rarely photograph a raptor in a tree anymore…for me, it’s all about showing how they’ve adapted to the brick and steel of the city.” While this is Green’s first book, it’s the culmination of a decade of photographs, research, and stories from his blog of the same name, giving readers insight into the world of birding and how they can help urban raptors survive through small choices like bird-friendly glass, keeping cats indoors, and donating. It’s also a chance for Green to highlight members of the local bird community, like the Born to be Wild Nature Center, Wildlife Rehabilitators Association of Rhode Island, and – especially near and dear to his heart – the Audubon Society of RI. “After getting into watching raptors on my own, I was thrilled to learn Audubon had an annual Raptor Weekend where you can get close-up views of live birds that are unable to be released back into the wild,
but live as educational ambassadors for their species,” says Green. He began as an attendee, offering ASRI his photos for free, but quickly grew into an essential member of the team, and was even hired as a graphic designer to work on rebranding the Nature Center’s materials like printed reports and trail signs. “And I’ve gone from attending Raptor Weekend to being one of the presenters,” he adds, “giving entertaining lectures about our urban raptors while sharing my photos.” For Green, not only is Providence Raptors a celebration of the birds he loves so much, but also a legacy to leave behind: “This book is my contribution to the city of Providence. After I’m gone, this book will still be around to tell the stories of the birds that lived here.” Learn more about Peter Green’s work and order your copy of his book at ProvidenceRaptors.com, or purchase at ASRI’s gift shop in Bristol or Carmen & Ginger in Tiverton.
Photo by Peter Green
Photographer and Audubon Society member Peter Green releases book documenting urban birds of prey
WARREN WALKABOUT
October 25 - November 29
Every Sunday 12-4PM
Six Sundays, six feet apart
2020 ! Edition
MUSIC! ART! FOOD! OUTDOOR SHOPPING! WATERFRONT! AND MORE!
Enjoy Warren, RI Without the Crowds! Low-Key Downtown Stroll With Plenty of Parking, Pedestrian Access, Bike, Boat or Bus. Sales, Specials, Pop-Ups and More!
MASKS -AND-
SOCIAL DISTANCING REQUIRED!
Follow
@discoverwarren on instagram & facebook for updates
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: DISCOVER WARREN THE TOWN OF WARREN STATE OF RI NAVAGANT CREDIT UNION THE BAY MAGAZINE
The Bay • November 2020 15
The Buzz
ON THE BAY
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PUBLIC’S RADIO By Sofia Rudin
Mavericks pitch novel buyout plan for flood-prone Warren By the end of this century, sea level rise is projected to split the Rhode Island town of Warren into three pieces. Part of town might even be on a new island. But a dynamic pair of town leaders is determined not to wait for a hurricane to force the town’s hand. Instead, they’re considering a controversial proposal: voluntary buyouts for at-risk property owners. Army, and bought this shop in the ‘80s. “Yeah, it gets pretty flooded over there, that corner. It’s actually pretty interesting to watch, sometimes you’ll just stand at the corner and be like, ‘Oh don’t do it, don’t drive through it,’” Pimentel laughs. “People tend to anyway.” The water, he explains, is salt water, so it does quite a bit of damage to the cars. Thinking about that part of town – the problems people like Steven already face, and the future that looms before them – Bob Rulli and Town Manager Kate Michaud came up with a bold, untested idea. “When we looked at the area we use as our poster child, Market Street, with dry cleaner’s, auto body, furniture stripping,” Rulli recalls, “it was a little bit of a hallelujah moment.” Long term, Rulli and Michaud would like to redevelop an area of strip malls on safer, higher ground and use the increased tax revenue to buy out flood-prone property owners in neighborhoods like this one. “I don’t want something bad to happen in
The section of Market Street in front of Warren Auto Body flooded by an especially high tide. Warren Planner Bob Rulli and Manager Kate Michaud often use this photo to highlight the town’s vulnerability to sea level rise and storm surge.
order for us to address the issue of flood vulnerability,” Michaud explains. But bold ideas are often only as good as the political buy-in they get. The duo took a draft of their idea to the town council in February. “Metacom Ave in my estimation and opinion represents the absolute best in late 1950s, 1960s planning,” Rulli said, warming up a cautious crowd of council members and town residents. He explained how their plan would work. First the town would redevelop Metacom Avenue. Right now, it’s a busy 4-lane road, with a lot of 50s-style strip malls and none of the charm that marks Warren’s other commercial streets. “Now is where you need to fasten your seatbelts and have some imagination,” Rulli continued. “Right now we have 100,000 square feet of Job Lot plaza, one-story, all the way to the back.” They showed the audience mock-ups of the Ocean State Job Lot parking lot replaced by four-story buildings, with businesses on the
Photos courtesy of Bob Rulli
Tidal rivers and bays surround Warren. The Palmer River runs up the town’s west side, Belcher Cove curls around the town center, and the Kickemuit River and Mount Hope Bay hug the eastern part of town. This makes Warren vulnerable. If a major storm were to hit today, the town projects almost half of the homes would be damaged. Fewer than a third of those properties have flood insurance. “I mean, it’s going to happen,” says town Planning Director Bob Rulli. “There are homes that are gonna be impacted. There’s people that’ll be impacted.” People like Steven Pimentel, the owner of Warren Auto Body. The shop sits at a low point on Market Street, where the road crosses a small brook. “Whenever we get a good rainstorm, any hurricane, the street just backs up with water, right there into the building,” Pimentel says. He learned the business from his dad, Diogo, who began fixing cars in the Portuguese
street level and offices or apartments above – part of a walkable neighborhood, with bike paths and bus lanes. He asked them to imagine a redevelopment project that would bring in a lot of local tax money. On the Job Lot plaza alone, Rulli told the crowd, “At present we collect about $110,000 in tax revenue on an annual basis. If we were to build that out to a reasonable scale, we probably would be able to collect $700,000 to $800,000 on an annual basis.” Rulli and Michaud propose putting some or all of that additional tax revenue aside in a special fund, a strategy known as tax increment financing, which is already allowed under state law. This is where their idea enters uncharted waters: they’d use the money to pay to move people and businesses out of the flood zone. But Rulli eased into the plan gently, talking about flooding risk and redevelopment without ever saying the word “buyout”. “We have an opportunity to say, we can control our own destiny,” Rulli told the crowd. “We can implement our own zoning laws. So what I want to break is the paradigm that ‘Okay, we’re just Warren, and we’ll wait for the state to tell us what to do.’ We know what to do. We have really qualified people here. We have all these people in this room.” It went over well with the council, and with the dozens of people who’d filled the hall. “I am happy that this room is full,” commented Councilor Joseph DePasquale. “There once was a time when this many people would be here in opposition, so that’s good.” “We haven’t taken a vote yet,” Rulli quipped, drawing laughter from the crowd. “Well nobody’s yelled or flipped out.” DePasquale replied. In fact, all five council members expressed support for redeveloping Metacom Ave, and seemed open to the idea of tax increment financing. The audience liked it too. “It’s almost like where do we go from here,”
Bob Rulli and Kate Michaud included this mock-up in their presentation to the town council, as a demonstration of how Metacom Avenue could be redeveloped. commented Andy Arruda, a commercial property manager in town. “And I’m excited because, Bob and Kate, they get things done.” Political momentum and public support will make or break Bob and Kate’s rogue plan. The Planning Board President and the Town Council President both understand the full scope of the buy out idea. And they’re behind it. “Absolutely,” says Town Council President Keri Cronin. “I mean, it sounds like it’s probably far off or it sounds like something that is, you know, so dramatic. But it’s legitimately upon us that we have to consider those type of programs.” The harder sell may be to the people and businesses in the flood zone. Steven Pimentel is not thinking about leaving. He’s saving up now to make on offer to his landlord to buy the property. And there are parts of his business that he wouldn’t be able to move. “You see this frame rack, over here?” Pimentel says, pointing. “My father built that. That was all pieces of steel. He drilled holes, he welded, he fabricated that. Something today, if you were to buy it, would probably cost you somewhere near $80,000. He was a pretty talented dude. I respect the guy a lot.” Flooding has cost Pimentel before. Superstorm Sandy left a foot of standing water in the shop, requiring him to replace the flooring in his front office. But he
doesn’t want to move. “I mean, I really can’t worry about it. I just gotta come in here every day and do what I do,” Pimentel sighs. “If it happens, it happens. As long as you have your insurance, you’re good.” Rulli and Michaud say their goal is to keep people in Warren, by getting ahead of a potential hurricane that could wipe out this section of town. But they know the conversations won’t be easy. “The fear of change is the fear of loss,” says Michaud. “I think if we sat back and took a reactive stance and just waited for something bad to happen, that there is a risk that the community could cease to exist, at least in the way that people know and love today. But what we’re talking about is this doesn’t have to be a loss, that a change can happen without people losing what they love about the town of Warren.” Warren is far from the only town wrestling with the question of what to do with floodprone properties. Barrington, East Providence, Cranston, and Westerly have all been talking about using property buyouts as a way to deal with climate change. Rulli and Michaud aren’t waiting for the state or other towns to move first. They’re setting the pace, and daring other towns to keep up.
The Bay • November 2020 17
The Buzz
By Abbie Lahmers
Photo courtesy of Closet Revival
RHODY GEM
To submit your Rhody Gem, please email Abbie@ProvidenceOnline.com
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The Bay • November 2020
magazines?
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We’re on the hunt for Rhody Gems! Every neighborhood has that secret, hidden, cool and unusual, or hole-in-the-wall spot that locals love. Email or tag us on social media using #RhodyGem to suggest yours, and we might just feature it! What it is: A consignment clothing store featuring a range of current styles for men and women, along with vintage and formal wear, accessories, and costume jewelry. Where to find it: In its 18th year on the lower end of Newport’s bustling Broadway, Closet Revival is a local destination nestled between the popular gathering spots, Pour Judgment, and Empire Tea & Coffee. What makes it a Rhody Gem? While you can certainly find racks of essential pieces to spruce up your wardrobe throughout the shop, Closet Revival is known for its Vintage Room, a repository of Hollywood glam and vintage luxury fashion backdropping framed portraits of celebrities and Vogue covers. From sequined and lace tops to searsucker suits and head-turning hats, you can find the perfect consigned piece to level-up a look, but owner Amanda Gallagher says they pride themselves on carrying everyday brands and styles, too: “from Banana Republic to Christian Louboutin, we provide styles and price points for everyone.” By appointment only for the time being, and with safe shopping measures in place, peruse vintage denim, casual blazers, Patagonia and North Face outerwear, and more winter pieces, all curated from long-term and new consignors alike.
Closet Revival 30 Broadway, Newport 845-0592 • ClosetRevivalNewportRI.com
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CorysCrusaders.org
CROSSROADS RESTAURANT SINCE 1977
Fresh Seafood • Certified Angus Steaks Chicken • Pasta • Saute’s
AND TAKEOUT Large Outdoor Patio Now Available
With 8 Tables, Seating for 32 Hours: Tue-Thurs 4-9pm Fri-Sun 12-9pm
Call 401-481-7703 For Takeout Orders & Dine-in Reservations
133 Market Street, Warren, RI • www.crossroadpub.net The Bay • November 2020 19
The Buzz
CALENDAR
By Abbie Lahmers
THE MUST LIST
5 essential events happening this month
White Horse Tavern Photo by Jennifer Balch, courtesy of White Horse Tavern
November 6-15:
ide statew For a f events o listing online! s visit u m ody.co h R Hey
Committed to keeping restaurant doors open, Newport Restaurant Week invites folks to dine out safely at their favorite spots, offering special promos and prix fixe menus all week long. DiscoverNewport.org
November 6-8:
Find unique handcrafted pieces for your home at the WaterFire Arts Center Fine Furnishings Show, restructured for safety, but still featuring 100 talented artists and craftsmen. Providence, WaterFire.org
November 14 and 21:
November 7, 14, 21:
November 27: Leave the leftovers at home and come out for a socially distanced nature hike and family activities for the Day After Thanksgiving event at the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium. Bristol, ASRI.org
Bring your own binoculars to spot migrating harbor seals and take in the fall foliage along the Pawcatuck River on Save The Bay’s naturalist-led Westerly Nature Cruises. Westerly, SaveBay.org
20
The Bay • November 2020
The Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra opens up their season to limited-seating performances at The VETS this month, plus live-streaming options, featuring two classical concerts. Providence, RI-Philharmonic.org
Stoneacre Pantry Photo courtesy of Stoneacre Pantry
The Bay • November 2020 21
A HISTORY OF
THANKS
On the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower’s landing, Mount Hope Farm is a touchstone of the Thanksgiving spirit
By Robert Isenberg
Four hundred years ago, the Mayflower arrived in the New World. The ship’s passage across the Atlantic was calamitous: endless delays, cramped quarters, poor navigation, and naive preparations. The Mayflower didn’t reach Virginia, as the Pilgrims had hoped. Their first winter in Massachusetts was a deadly mix of famine and disease. They would never have survived were it not for the Native Americans they encountered.
“The Pokanoket people reached out to the Pilgrims and invited them to learn how to grow corn,” says Sheri St. Germain, executive director of Mount Hope Farm. “They could have turned away. But they held out a hand. The spirit of Thanksgiving is about helping one another. And that is what we have here.” By “here,” she means Mount Hope, which played a pivotal role in Pokanoket life. Plymouth may have become the Pilgrims’ colony, and Thanksgiving may always be synonymous with that coastal town in Massachusetts – but Mount Hope Farm was once a village known as Montaup, the nexus of Pokanoket life. The seaside estate is drenched in history, from centuries before the Puritans’ arrival and up to the present day. To Mount Hope staff, Thanksgiving is as rooted here as in Massachusetts. “The rumor is that [the first Thanksgiving] was actually here,” said Gina MacDonald, Hope Farm’s former managing director, during a private tour last year. “Primary sources indicate that there was a gathering in Plymouth. We don’t argue with that. But there was a harvest gathering here, and that has been well documented. So, the question is, when did Thanksgiving become Thanksgiving? We say that the harvest gathering here was probably the first.” As the new managing director,
St. Germain makes a subtler claim: She feels that “the spirit of Thanksgiving” was cultivated here and extended to Plymouth. In the following years, Colonists came to Montaup to confer with Pokanoket leaders. Whatever the exact timeline, one thing is certain: Mount Hope is an essential piece of that early history, and its relevance has been felt ever since. In every stage of American life, Mount Hope has reflected the zeitgeist of the time. Not only is Mount Hope enmeshed in our most revered national holiday; it’s a microcosm of the American experience. And yes, that includes 2020 – in all its pandemic glory.
“The Pokanoket people reached out to the Pilgrims and invited them to learn how to grow corn. The spirit of Thanksgiving is about helping one another. And that is what we have here.” Sheri St. Germain, executive director of Mount Hope Farm
Mount Hope Bridge
,
King Philip’s Seat is set back in the woods, and the land controversially belongs to Brown University. But if you are lucky enough to visit there, you’ll see why the place was so revered: A bleached cliff rises out of the sod. The texture of the quartz is layered and rough. The ledge is high enough to serve as a lookout point, and Pokanoket sentries could monitor the bay from its apex. At the bottom is an in-
dentation; it looks like a geologic chair, placed there by a divine hand. This is the Seat, where the Pokanoket sachem – or “great leader” – would govern his nation. “It’s almost spiritual, when you go there,” said Susan Maloney, a Mount Hope board member, during our visit last year. “It’s very quiet. You can see how this would be sacred ground for the Pokanokets.” This place is also the site of profound
tragedy: King Philip – known to the Pokanoket as Metacom – fought back against the English colonists, and a 14-month conflict ensued. This is part of the dark epilogue to our Thanksgiving tradition, the story increasingly taught in schools: War and disease decimated the Pokanoket people, and Metacom himself was killed on these grounds, in the aptly named Misery Swamp.
Photos by Savannah Barkley
FROM KING PHILIP S SEAT TO THE MOUNT HOPE BRIDGE
What’s striking about Mount Hope is that, even today, the place retains its sacred atmosphere. The land was never paved over or squandered, like so many pre-Colombian landmarks. In the wake of Metacom’s death, four Boston merchants purchased the property and turned it into farmland. During the American Revolution, George Washington visited, and during a normal season, you can stay in the same room where the first president (literally) slept. The prolific doctor and statesman William Bradford bought the farm and retired here, until his death in 1808. The turning point came in 1916, when industrialist Rudolf F. Haffenreffer II purchased the ailing farm and added some radical personal touches. Haffenreffer was a complex character; among his many pursuits, he owned Narragansett Brewery for three decades. Haffenreffer had a strong interest in anthropology, and he developed a relationship with the Pokanoket people, which was extremely unusual for the time. The entrepreneur amassed a large collection of Indigenous artifacts, which would eventually become part of the Haffenreffer Museum, now operated by Brown University. The most visible symbol of Haffenreffer’s exploits stands just down the road from the farm: the Mount Hope Bridge. Originally spearheaded by William Henry Vanderbilt III, the troubled project was taken over by Haffenreffer in 1931. The structure was a major feat of engineering: It remained the longest suspension bridge in New England for 40 years. To St. Germain, the bridge is also a metaphor for Haffenreffer’s cross-cultural spirit. “There was no bridge before him,” she says. “There was a ferry. Haffenreffer was the one to connect the mainland to Aquidneck Island. It’s about connection.” Today, like so many scenic estates, Mount Hope Farm has become a civic greenspace and tourist destination. The land is officially private, maintained by the Mount Hope Trust in Bristol, but it’s been a popular spot for bird-watchers and dog-walkers, who often assume the land is fully public. The old farmhouse has been converted into an inn, drawing visitors from all over the world. The antique barn is used for banquets and weddings, and the grounds host a regular farmers market and myriad other events. Until this year, of course, when everything changed.
Photo by Grace Lentini
Photo by Force Four Photography
THE QUADRENNIAL THAT COULD The pandemic has wrought havoc in every corner of the planet, and Mount Hope Farm is no exception. The farm closed completely in March in order to weather COVID’s zenith. The grounds, once open from dawn to dusk, now receive visitors between 7am and 2pm, and no pets are permitted. The inn has been closed since the lockdown began, and instead of hosting its usual 80-90 weddings, Mount Hope Farm has hosted fewer than 15 ceremonies all year. Historically, this is a fitting way to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrims’ arrival. Throughout 1620, the would-be colonists starved and suffered, clueless as how to feed and warm themselves in the unforgiving New England winter. It wasn’t until the next year, 1621, that the Pokanoket gave them a crashcourse in local agriculture and celebrated
with the first Thanksgiving feast. If Mount Hope Farm has always been a mirror for its times, then that reflection may be clearer than ever in 2020: The estate is finding new ways to flourish in an era of total uncertainty. The farmers market has resumed, and it will continue into the winter in the Mount Hope greenhouse; here, the market will be limited to 15 vendors and customers will be carefully counted to maintain social distancing. They will also host a holiday market, showcasing local artisans, in early December. “We feel the challenges, as many people feel them,” says St. Germain, who took over as executive director only two months ago. But the farm is now in the midst of a membership drive and donor campaign (see website for details), and St. Germain expects the inn to reopen in 2021, once new safeguards are
in place. The organic garden has continued to donate crops to the East Bay Food Bank, a major boon during an economic slump. “There are so many components at Mount Hope Farm. But we’re open every single day. We closed the south gate, so that everyone, for safety, comes through the same area as always. We’re still taking care of our animals – our pygmy goats and our donkeys. We still have some wonderful, wonderful volunteers.” Indeed, Mount Hope Farm relies on volunteers – and this may be the most vivid connection to that original Thanksgiving spirit. Earlier this year, the farm received a grant from the America the Beautiful Fund, resulting in the planting of 50 new saplings. Thanks to professor and soil scientist Dr. Loren Byrne, six students at Roger Williams University volunteered to dig holes and put the saplings in
“I find that there are always repairs to be done with relationships. I feel a duty to try and tell a story, so that people understand history and are respectful of other people.” Sheri St. Germain, executive director of Mount Hope Farm
Photo by Savannah Barkley
the soil. This winter, the farm will remove invasive species and start the planting of a Memorial Grove. Here, donors can have a tree planted in someone’s name. This may not be the Thanksgiving that everyone expected, but when the real quadrennial comes next year, Mount Hope Farm will still be there, its symbolism stronger than ever, and its flora even lusher. “I find it interesting to understand where we’ve come from,” says St. Germain. “There’s a message about knowing history, and repeating history. I find that there are always repairs to be done with relationships. I feel a duty to try and tell a story, so that people understand history and are respectful of other people.” Then she adds, “And the property’s so beautiful. It’s such a magnificent place, in any season.”
Learn more about all the ways your family can get to know Gordon this fall at gordonschool.org/openhouse Nursery through eighth grade East Providence
The Bay • November 2020 27
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Photos by Sol Arnal Photography courtesy of Three Sparrows Interior Design
Home
Bright & Airy A renovated Portsmouth home draws its new palette from the nearby shoreline Mark and Terri-Lynn Thayer are about as Rhode Island as you can get. Both born at Newport Hospital and sweethearts since attending Portsmouth High School, they lived in Vermont for a number of years but came back 25 years ago to return to their roots. “Our families are native Rhode Islanders going back centuries,” Mark begins. “Terri-Lynn’s mother’s family has lived in Portsmouth for over 380 years. Her eighth-great-grandfather Philip Sherman signed the Portsmouth Compact in 1638.” History lesson: this was the first document that severed both political and religious ties with England.
The Bay • November 2020 29
Photos by Sol Arnal Photography courtesy of Three Sparrows Interior Design
Life & Style HOME
Back to 1990s Portsmouth, the couple began their home search, with new construction at the top of their wish list. “We looked at Kings Grant because two of the streets here, Thayer Drive and Thayer Court, which were not yet built, were to be named after Mark’s father, John Thayer, who was Portsmouth’s first town administrator,” says Terri-Lynn. Fast-forward to 2020, and after over two decades, the couple was ready to make some changes based on their patterns of use through the years. They enlisted Nicole Martel of Three Sparrows Interior Design in Warren to achieve an open floor plan with some updates, while maintaining a classic New England feel. Martel is known for creating a modern coastal casual look. “The Thayers love their town and their beautiful view,” she says. “With the newly created open floor plan on the first floor, we wanted to reflect the cool ocean
The Bay • November 2020 31
Photos by Sol Arnal Photography courtesy of Three Sparrows Interior Design
Life & Style HOME
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colors throughout. The kitchen cabinets are a warm white with gray undertones, cool crackle tile in the blue-gray family, and a subtle blue throughout. These colors are set off beautifully by the dark wide plank hardwood floors. All of the textiles and accessories build off the design creating a clean modern coastal vibe.” Terri-Lynn, who likes to cook, notes that the new appliances are like night and day. “It is not uncommon for us to have 15 guests on a regular weekend and 25 for Thanksgiving,” says Mark. The most significant structural change was taking down the wall between the family and living rooms, opening up the large space, which among other benefits, means sunlight all day long. Says Mark, “We haven’t experienced it yet, but Terri-Lynn could never view our Christmas tree from the kitchen, since it was in the living room. Now she’ll be able to do that this year.”
Want your home featured in The Bay? Email Elyse@ProvidenceOnline.com to learn more
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GET RHODY STYLE Nicole Martel of Three Sparrows Interior Design shares tips on achieving a classic coastal vibe MAP QUEST Martel calls using Rhode Island photography and nautical maps “a favorite trick to add a little splash of the Ocean State to each home.” Framed maps of Narragansett Bay, including one circa 1870 of Aquidneck Island showing Terri-Lynn’s family homestead, serve as wall art with personal meaning.
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Life & Style INFLUENCER
by Elyse Major
Meet Angie Gonzalez Acclaimed muralist known as AGONZA talks Rugrats, the best place for Latin food, and what she’s most thankful for
When did you realize that you had artistic talent? I’ve always known I had a talent for art because I have been drawing since I can remember. I would always draw the Rugrats characters and give them new clothes – I was curious as to why they wore the same clothes every day – and from there it blossomed.
put food on the table for their families. I liked painting and thought I would eventually end up in a museum but never on a building wall. I didn’t even know muralism existed until I moved to Massachusetts for a social work job that was sustaining me financially after graduation. I then started reaching out to open calls for murals, as I was a painter already in my personal life.
What was the path like from Angie to AGONZA? This path was scary and unknown. It was like walking into a dark alley blind-folded and just using my other senses to make the right decision in my art career. None of my friends who liked art that came from where I’m from had achieved anything in art. In fact, they lost their passion for it when life hit and they had to
Do you have a signature color palette or favorite colors to work with? What draws you to those colors and what do they convey to you? I actually do, unintentionally, as I paint with emotions. These colors are mostly black, orange, brown, blue, and white; to me they relate to individuality, culture, uniqueness, and power.
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The Bay • November 2020
What are you most thankful for right now? I’m thankful for the opportunities that have presented to me to make a change and speak up for those who don’t have a platform to express themselves. I’m also thankful to be part of The Avenue Concept as they have helped elevate my art to more than what it could have been here in Providence. Do you have any favorite shops, cafes, small businesses in Providence? The Avenue Concept: best public art company and I also am a board member. Bagel Express on Broadway is my favorite for lunch and coffee; Adler’s Hardware is where I buy all of my outdoor paint; and Lunch Box Restaurant has the best Hispanic/Latin food in Providence.
Photos by HAUS PVD courtesy of AGONZA
VOTE! mural, Dyer St, Providence
Life & Style SHOP
by Elyse Major
Small Biz Everyday Sure, shopping for the upcoming holidays can be as easy as click-review-send, track and wait, or it can mean donning a scarf, walking a city sidewalk, entering a cozy shop, and enjoying the art of perusing. Chatting – even behind plexiglass or a mask – with the shopkeep who knows the inventory while you eye the assemblage of items curated with an aesthetic results in giving that exudes personality and thought. Exiting back into the chilly air with a handled
paper bag or two, knowing in some small way you’ve helped maintain the dream of owning a business for someone, is part of the experience. 2020 has been rough on all of us, including small business owners. This year, make room on your shopping list for those locally owned brick-and-mortars who could use a break, because without our patronage, shopping online-only will become a reality. Here are some items from spots around the East Bay to get you started!
BABS Fine Handmade Handbags Bristol, BABSEtc.com
Daisy D ig ’ I n s Barrington, DaisyDigins.com
The Peyton Company Warren, ThePeytonCo.com
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Northeastern Harbors Scarf, The Portsmouth Shop
Portsmouth, ThePortsmouthShopRI.com
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Soy-based Candle, Daisy Dig’ins
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Cascade Pendant, Tiffany Peay
Tiffany PeaY Jewelry
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Bright Eyes Gel, The Peyton Company
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Totally Pink Tiverton Tote, BABS
The Portsmouth Shop
Tiverton, TiffanyPeay.com
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Food & Drink Meal Prep
In The Kitchen
Pumpkin Pie Gets an Adult Twist We’re falling for this hard shake from a Newport burger bar Harry’s Bar & Burger has won plenty of bragging rights for its Hereford
hard milkshakes. This season, Harry’s introduces the Pumpkin Pie Hard
beef sliders – they boast a host of awards listed on their website – but
Shake, combining two desserts into one: a blend of vanilla ice cream
that’s not the only worthy menu item. Browse through creative offer-
and authentic pumpkin filling, spiked with Pinnacle vodka, rimmed with
ings like plant-based “chicken nuggets”, lobster sliders, and bright green
graham cracker crumbles, and topped with whipped cream and caramel
kryptonite aioli for dipping; then get lost in their extensive drink selection
drizzle. They describe it as “wickedly delicious” – and we couldn’t agree
of canned beers, cocktails, and a grown-up spin on a childhood favorite:
more. Newport, HarrysBarBurger.com | By Megan Schmit
Photo courtesy of Harry’s Bar & Burger The Bay • November 2020 37
Food & Drink MEAL PREP
By Abbie Lahmers
Feast From Home Meal-prep services liven up Turkey Day with creative sides to bring to the table For many, Thanksgiving is a chance to bring their grit and skill to the kitchen – and family and friends to the table – for a bountiful meal showcasing passed-down recipes. And while candied marshmallow-crusted yams and grandma’s bacon green bean casserole are never bad ideas, this year may see some downsized gatherings, a little bit of leniency when it comes to tradition, and a heightened focus on health. For Bre Goldsmith, the chef behind meal-prep service Bites by Bre, this means opportunity for adventure: “We’re so lucky that diners trust us to give their palates something that, while it might be shocking or new, is ultimately harmonious and satisfying.” Whether you’re looking to substitute a few staples with low-carb sides or fill the other days of November with lean eats, the creative chefs behind many of Rhode Island’s meal-prep services are here to help make the season go a little more smoothly – and adventurously. Goldsmith, who started cooking personalized meals for Rhode Island families five years ago by request, explains the unofficial tagline behind her meal-prep service is “comfort food for fearless eaters.” “While we are fluent in dozens of cuisines, the common thread is always food that is prepared with and imbued with heart,” Goldsmith explains of the warming and flavorful fall offerings, from South Indian braised curry with carrot juice to pickled date relish on roasted squash. The Warren-based business, The Holistic Trick, evolved from a personal chef model to delivering meals to East Bay homes in April to meet clients’ needs during the pandemic. Nutrition and individuals’ unique relationships with food have always been at the core. “We want to connect folks to an easier way of eating, cooking, and living so they can focus on living their best life,” explains Haley Pollack, the nutritionist and chef behind the meal-prep service. “The long-term vision is to be situated on a collaborative farm that integrates food, agriculture, and nutrition through the services offered there.” In the
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The Holistic Trick
meantime, Pollack anticipates a Thanksgiving menu curated around pumpkin, warming spices, and comfort dishes. For the plant-based eaters at the table, Faits Maison is more than its Narragansett creperie storefront would have you believe, home-delivering vegan meals with a French flourish (and sweets on the side, of course). Chefs Olivia Wilcox and Elise Massenet are excited to whip up a vegan pumpkin pie and meat-free “meatloaf” for the big day, along with Shepherdless Pie and Mushroom Bourguignon during November. Or, try a plant-based take on turkey from LivPrepared, gearing up for their first Thanksgiving delivering meals to Rhode Islanders. Explains founder Olivia Barbero, “We plan to offer both family-size portions to support
plant-based families as well as individual plates for those of us who usually end up eating just sides on the holidays!” There’s no wrong way to do Thanksgiving dinner, whether you’re filling the table with traditional favorites or going on a culinary adventure with creative sides from the experts. Through a process of trial and error and breaking the rules, Goldsmith offers a bit of advice: “I think a lot of people who eat our food refer to it as some kind of wizardry, but at its simplest heart, cooking is the act of putting something that tastes good with another thing that tastes good. Make a dish with the best-tasting carrot you can find, the best tasting olive oil you can afford... Learning from ‘past loves’ is a great place to begin.”
Plan your Thanksgiving menu with these local meal-prep businesses in mind to fill in the gaps for all sorts of eaters. Apex Meals Turkey meatloaf, protein-enriched pumpkin muffins Statewide • ApexMealsRI.com
Bites by Bre Fall cheese boards, roasted squash, carrot-based curry Statewide • BitesByBre.com
Fresh Prep Pumpkin-Spiced Paprika Ginger Apples, Turmeric Couscous Warm Grain Bowl Statewide • EatFreshPrep.com
Feast & Fettle Sous Vide Turkey Breast, Herb Cornbread Stuffing, Apple and Goat Cheese Salad Statewide • FeastAndFettle.com
Faits Maison Vegan Pumpkin Pie, Shepherdless Pie, Mushroom Bourguignon Newport, Jamestown, North Kingstown, and Providence • FaitsMaison.com
GoalFood Shepherds Pie, Homestyle Turkey Cranston pick-up (delivery coming soon) EatGoalFood.com
The Holistic Trick Pumpkin Pepper Mole Chicken, White Bean and Pumpkin Turkey Chile East Bay • HolisticTrick.com
LivPrepared Vegan turkey, almond butter and maple-balsamic glazed brussel sprouts Statewide • LivPrepared.com
MISE Meals Lemon-seasoned asparagus, sweet potato and turmeric hummus Statewide • MISEMealPrep.com
Naked Foods RI Turkey Chili, Portuguese Kale Soup, Cauliflower Mash Statewide • NakedFoodsRI.com
Wicked Fresh
Bites by Bre
Cinnamon Flax Overnight Oats, Cauliflower Shepards Pie, Turkey Bolognese Johnston pick-up • WickedFreshCafe.com
The Bay • November 2020 39
Food & Drink
IN THE KITCHEN
by Karen Greco
Kicked-Up Cocktails Anna’s Kitchen Shrubs puts a Colonial-era elixir back on the menu
A serendipitous stop at Friendly Fruit in New Bedford, where Anna Scott procured a huge bag of pre-peeled ginger for $1, ended up launching Anna’s Kitchen Shrubs. “Who wouldn’t buy pre-peeled ginger? For a dollar?” Scott asks, adding, “but then I had to figure out what to do with it.” After making ginger ale and ginger beer (“I nearly blew up my kitchen,” she says, not realizing the fermentation process could cause bottle bombs), Scott decided to make her first shrub. Before refrigeration, fruit was preserved in barrels of vinegar. The vinegar with its fruity essence – the shrub – made a refreshing addition to spirits. Shrubs lost their appeal with the advent of refrigeration but are enjoying a resurgence from the craft
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The Bay • November 2020
cocktail movement. Scott was introduced to shrubs at her favorite restaurant in her native St. Augustine, Florida, where there was a shrub mimosa on the cocktail list. At first, the combination of champagne, vinegar, and blueberries made it a nogo. “But I was feeling kind of spunky, so I tried it and loved it,” she says. “Then over the next year, shrubs just kept popping up.” When Scott and her family arrived in Barrington soon after, the former corporate exec turned stay-at-home mom spent her days exploring her new ‘hood. That’s how she ended up at Friendly Fruit. That fateful bag of ginger led to her first flavor: Apple Cider Ginger. It was a big hit. “Then I kind of went down the shrub rabbit
hole.” It was her husband who encouraged her to come up with additional flavors. So she dug out her well-worn copy of The Flavor Bible and got to work concocting four additional flavors: Cranberry Mint, Banana Turmeric, Strawberry Lemon Thyme, and Peach Jalapeño. At first hindered by the lack of cottage laws in Rhode Island, which allow smallscale makers to use their home kitchens for commercial food projects, it was kismet that food incubator Hope & Main was one mile down the road. Scott went through their incubator program and used their commercial kitchen to make one batch of each of her shrub flavors. That yielded ten cases of each flavor. She simply wanted to break even: Pay for the incubator program,
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the ingredients, and the bottles. “I needed something to sell so I planned to sit on the cases and see how it was received. And a local distributor bought it all, pretty much immediately.” Now Anna’s Kitchen Shrubs can be found statewide, at restaurants like Celestial Café and Mill’s Tavern, and on the grocery shelf at Dave’s Marketplace. Plant City recently added them to their mocktail menu, and Scott just secured her first national account: Her Cranberry Mint shrub will be featured in Delta’s Sky Club Lounges. While she admits that the novelty of shrubs makes it a bit of a hard sell, she points out that “nobody heard of Kombucha” at first, either.
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