#1
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$ 614 M
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BRISTOL, RI
our RHODE ISLAND SALES VOLUME 2023 SALES VOLUME YTD*
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The Bay • November 2023
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A N E L E VAT E D R E A L E S TAT E E X P E R I E N C E H A S A R R I V E D .
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Brokerage in the United States*
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Total Sales Volume Year-to-Date More than any other RI Brokerage*
SOLD
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50 Watson Avenue, Barrington
8 Houghton Street, Barrington
Highest Off-Water Sale Ever** $2,795,000 Lisa Schryver K|S Team 401.529.5724
4 BD 2F 1H BA 2,984 SF $1,200,000 Elizabeth Kirk & Lindsay Mitchell 401.480.2221
3 BD 2 BA 1,767 SF $879,900 Jonathan Weinstein 401.339.1341
PENDING
UNDER CONTRACT
PENDING
21 Sea View Avenue, Riverside
235 Pleasant Street, Rumford
446 Maple Avenue, Barrington
3 BD 1F 1H BA 2,086 SF $879,000 Elizabeth Kirk K|S Team 401.225.0371
4 BD 2F 1H BA 3,214 SF $699,900 Kelly Zexter 401.255.0502
3 BD 2F 1H BA 2,591 SF $699,000 Elizabeth Kirk K|S Team 401.225.0371
SOLD
PENDING
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126 Anoka Avenue, Barrington
30 Clarke Road, Barrington
106 Touisset Road, Warren
3 BD 1F 1H BA 2,075 SF $645,000 Ted Friedman Friedman Group 401.864.0269
3 BD 2 BA 1,475 SF $599,000 Ted Friedman Friedman Group 401.864.0269
3 BD 1 BA 1,503 SF $574,500 Bob Walsh 401.595.4154
180 County Road
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401.274.1644
Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description. *Data is based on sales volume of real estate transactions closed between 1.1.23 – 10.05.23 in the Rhode Island State-Wide Multiple Listing Service. Sales volume for Compass in Rhode Island includes Lila Delman Compass, Randall Realtors Compass, and Compass. **Data based on sales price of all Barrington real estate transactions recorded in the RI State-Wide MLS.
In This Issue
The Bay Magazine November 2023
37
East Bay Made Photo by Meredith Brower, courtesy of Hotpoint Emporium
The Buzz
Life & Style
9 Insects inspire the photorealistic
25 HOME: How an RI DIY digital
paintings of an East Bay artist
creator updated her own home
12 THE PUBLIC’S RADIO: Martina
32 SHOP: Small-batch products
Martinez is documenting the
perfect for outdoorsy types
As holiday shopping approaches, area artisan-run stores promise the unique
stories of Latinos in Rhode Island
34 RHODY READS: Thrilling picks 14 CALENDAR: This month’s must-do’s
from a celebrity guest curator
Food & Drink
16 VOICES OF THE BAY:
47 Let a Warren private chef take
A Bristol horticulturist gears
the work out of Friendsgiving
Photo courtesy of Myrtle
up for the holidays
48 FOOD NEWS: EP’s new 18 RHODY GEM: Chefs on a mission
cocktail bar, Italian cafe in
52 ENTERTAINING: Tips for hosting
to provide goods for hosts and cooks
Gansett & smoothies in PVD
friends at a state park near you
Pic of the Bay 56 A stunning image from a local lens
20 FEATURE: Honoring veterans
50 IN THE KITCHEN: The owners
54 RHODY EATS:
with monuments and initiatives
behind Riverside’s gluten-free market
RESTAURANT GUIDE
ON THE COVER: A busy Warren Walkabout, photo courtesy of Made in Warren Artist Cooperative
6
The Bay • November 2023
• SPONSORED CONTENT •
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Clients often come to us because of some kind of transition or challenge. They may be heading into retirement, navigating a divorce, or coping with the loss of a loved one. In all these cases, there is so much more to consider than how investments are performing. Especially as we age, we find ourselves building or rebuilding a foundation for the next stage of life. This always introduces significant emotion, as we begin to think about whether we’ve achieved our goals and lived a meaningful life. What has been left undone, and how can we enter this next phase with that sense of accomplishment and fulfillment that we all hope to enjoy? We view part of our role as being an integral aspect of our clients’ support system during times like these. We work to ensure the practical details of life don’t get in the way of the big picture. There are myriad considerations beyond investments and income: health coverage, long-term care, family communications, and legacy planning. The list goes on. They are all important elements. However, one item we frequently see as a challenge is the accessibility of Medicare, especially with changes to relevant tax law. As a part of our financial planning relationship, we take an ongoing look at how income affects Medicare costs and
surcharges. We apply a unique planning tool to clients’ tax returns to analyze and make transparent current and anticipated tax brackets (income tax, capital gains tax) and potential Medicare surcharges called IRMA (Income Related Monthly Adjustment). With some proactive planning, these surcharges may be reduced using various advanced strategies related to when and how you take your income. For example, if you sold your house in 2021, you likely generated more income than usual through the sale. While that is only a onetime occurrence, two years later (in 2023), Social Security will notify you that you must pay additional Medicare costs based on the increase in income. This can be particularly challenging for widows/widowers. They not only lose a second income source from Social Security when their spouse passes, but they may also be subject to additional Medicare surcharges. Here’s a chart that shows how Medicare costs can quickly scale up:
We think ahead about issues like these so we may remove unwelcome surprises from already difficult situations. Your goal is to live your best life, and ours is to make that as achievable as possible.
cgrinkis@aafwealth.com • 401-573-4240 AAFWealthManagement.com The Bay • November 2023
7
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The Buzz Buzz on the Bay
Calendar
Voices of the Bay
Rhody Gem
Feature
“Wisdom” is part of East Bay artist’s Sill Life series in oils
The Bug Catcher East Bay artist Chil Mott turns dead insects into arresting, photorealistic portraits on oil When Chil Mott was in second grade, he drew a picture of a motorcycle during a math lesson. He based this little sketch on a Matchbox model propped on his desk. His teacher caught him, chastised him, and forbade Mott from going out to recess that day. But the young draftsman wasn’t deterred. “I was proud of how the drawing came out and showed it to my mother when I got home,” Mott recalls. “She was always encouraging.” If only that teacher could see Mott now – a working artist who specializes in ultra-realistic paintings. For nearly 30 years, Mott has made his way as a musician, graphic designer, and illustrator, but his paintings are a particular point of pride: at first, each portrait looks like a blown-up photograph, so convincing are his brushstrokes. “I can only go where I feel the image is best suited at this point,” he opines, “and so far it has been in the painstakingly slow process of poking around the areas of realism and blurred focus. Playing with the line where any two colors meet can occupy me for way too much time.” Artwork courtesy of Chil Mott The Bay • November 2023
9
The Buzz
ON THE BAY
By Robert Isenberg
“Ode to Summer”
10
The Bay • November 2023
things grew, what lived in ponds, what birds ate, and how adults make houses.” Mott is a prolific illustrator, but his more personal painting picked up about two years before the pandemic; he’s recently found himself busy with new works. While his online sketchbook showcases many different styles and subjects, from a knobby gourd to pensive faces, Mott’s major preoccupation is dead insects, a series entitled Sill Life. He specializes in “oil glazing,” which requires many layers of both colored and transparent paint and results in a glossy, photographic finish. These eerie entomological portraits started with a single wasp, which lay lifeless in Mott’s Middletown home. He has since completed dozens more, and with each new piece, the crumpled exoskeletons of bees and houseflies take on new, well, life.
“Everything in the natural world interests me,” says Mott. “The Las Vegas-based art critic David Hickey has a great quote about appreciating the levitating tigers of Siegfried and Roy and the portraits of Raphael for what they are – songs of mortality sung by prisoners of time. Since insects have such short lifespans, they make a great exclamation point to this concept. It seems as if the insects themselves have a better understanding of this notion than we humans currently show.” Similarly, Mott’s black-and-white sketches reflect this appreciation for the ephemeral world. “One of the beautiful things about drawing is that if something piques your interest, even for a second, you can just grab any implement and get an immediate conversation going with the marks that you make,” he says. “Instant satiation. And there’s no wrong way to do it.” Learn more at ChilMott.com
Artwork courtesy of Chil Mott
Mott has a philosophic demeanor, and he has gathered diverse inspirations throughout his life. His father was an educator who shifted jobs often, and Mott’s childhood was spread out across every New England state. His mother introduced him to moody figurative painters like Andrew Wyeth and Winslow Homer. A high school art teacher exposed him to more fanciful artists like Jean Giraud and Roger Dean. Later, he would become an active punk musician in Providence and learned graphic design from his partner Gail Greenwood and her sister Betsy. Meanwhile, Mott liked to explore the built and natural worlds. “As a kid I spent lots of time wandering the woods and around dumps and active building sites,” he says, “and ingested all sorts of printed images in schools and libraries that triggered my imagination and curiosity. I wanted to know how
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The Bay • November 2023
11
The Buzz
ON THE BAY
In Partnership with The Public’s Radio • ThePublicsRadio.org
Nuestras Raíces Marta Martinez is Documenting the Stories of Latinos in Rhode Island By Mareva Lindo Marta Martinez didn’t set out to make an oral history. Born in Mexico and raised in Texas, when she moved here in the mid1980s to attend Providence College, she just wanted to know more about the local Latino community. Out of that curiosity came Nuestras Raíces, which means “our roots,” a project collecting stories from the Rhode Island Latino community since 1991. Martinez sat down to talk about her oral history work with Laura Tamayo, a student at Brown University who’s been working on the project.
Marta Martinez (left) and Laura Tamayo (right). Martinez is the founder and community oral historian of Nuestras Raíces, an oral history project of the Rhode Island Latino community. Tamayo is a student at Brown University who’s been working on the project
LAURA TAMAYO: And when you got to Rhode Island, how did you find out that there was an oral history story, or a Latino story to be told in Rhode Island?
TAMAYO: And what did you find during your time then and during your time now doing oral history that you felt like you enjoyed the most? 12
The Bay • November 2023
MARTINEZ: What really inspires me is the response I get. First it’s more of a quizzical, like “why me, you know, I don’t have a story to tell. I’m just a person doing what I do.” But then, as I set up the interview and we start to talk, they feel comfortable. I’m gaining trust of a community that I did not belong to before, and I think just the idea that somebody wants to listen to – like the everyday citizen just goes through life – and many times they don’t have a chance to sit down and really tell people who they are. Nobody knows who they are until possibly after they’re gone. And so that moment of – somebody is interested in my story – that really tells them that there’s something that they’re saying that somebody is interested in. It makes me feel like the project is really making an impact in the community. TAMAYO: Do you have any specific memories or wisdoms from oral histories that
you’ve done? Any stories that have really, really stuck with you? MARTINEZ: The one that sticks the most with me is the very first one I made because I really watched the family. I was in a situation where I interviewed somebody named Josefina Rosario. We know her as Doña Fefa, and she’s become the center of my oral history. She was the very first person, but it was really her story that led to the connections of others that I’m interviewing. And it was a family of Dominicans, and we’re sitting around with a house full of people, and they’re not necessarily listening to us. But when she started telling her story, there were young kids who were playing at her feet and all of a sudden they stopped playing and they looked up and then they started listening to her. And when that happened, the adults who were sitting in the next room in the kitchen noticed that, so they came into the room. And they just sat down and started to listen to the story. And
Photo by Mareva Lindo
MARTA MARTINEZ: I met some really wonderful people, and they were not really the people I was looking for. I was – to clarify, looking for Mexicans – which is where my community is. Instead, I found some Dominicans and Caribbeans, Puerto Ricans. And I really was very impressed with the neighborhood. It reminded me of the neighborhood I grew up in. It was, all the businesses were Latino run, there was a lot of Spanish being spoken, it was a very positive and happy neighborhood that I found. So I went to the library, wanted to know a little bit more, to see what else I could find, like on paper. And there was nothing, I found a few articles. And it was mainly about the negative side of the Latino community – who was arrested and all the drug addicts and those kinds of images. And I knew that was not the case after spending a week on Broad Street. And so I did not go out to do oral histories, I just knew that I wanted to create a narrative to find a more positive side of the Latino community. And so I just started putting it together myself. I started writing and building the narrative. And that turned into the history project. Now it was an oral history project. But now it’s more of the history project of Rhode Island Latinos.
Photo courtesy of Marta Martinez
Josefina “Doña Fefa” Rosario (left) being interviewed by Marta Martinez (right), the founder and community oral historian of Nuestras Raíces, an oral history project of the Rhode Island Latino community.
the faces of the kids in particular, that they, when they heard the story of her life in the Dominican Republic and what it was like living under Trujillo, the dictator, and they turned to each other – and I got the sense, and later on they told me, they had never heard those stories before. And it’s that moment that made me realize that this is what oral history is. It’s having – not just somebody telling you their story – but having those around, you realize the importance of communicating and having conversations with somebody who you see every single day. And that’s how I approach the work that I do, I really make sure that everybody reflects, and realizes that their stories really do make a difference. TAMAYO: Lastly, I wanted to ask how you would like to be remembered. MARTINEZ: I hope that people remember as they start to read this history that did not
exist – I mean, it did not exist until I started pulling it out of newspaper articles, and then the oral histories. And maybe 10 years, 50 years from now, the kids who are picking up their textbooks in school will be reading the history that was put together by this woman who lived in the 2000s. And that’s my contribution to Rhode Island’s history and to the Rhode Island Latino community. Part one of a series of intergenerational conversations highlighting the stories of Latinos in Rhode Island, in collaboration with oral history project Nuestras Raíces. In part one: Community oral historian Marta Martinez talks about her work with Laura Tamayo, a student at Brown University who’s been working on the project. Learn more at NuetrasRaicesRI. net. This article originally posted September 27, 2023. Mareva Lindo can be reached at mlindo@thepubicsradio.org
Support the Rose Island Lighthouse
600 preorders are needed for the state to issue. $20 of each order supports our work to preserve the island’s history and environment and maintain the lighthouse for public access and education.
Order yours at roseisland.org or scan the QR above The Bay • November 2023
13
The Buzz
CALENDAR
By Ken Abrams
THE MUST LIST 10 Essential Events This Month
November 14 Celebrate Providence author Elizabeth Rush’s new book release of The Quickening: Creation and Community at the Ends of the Earth at the Barrington Public Library, with a presentation and copies for sale. Barrington, BLCT.org
November 18: Pete Francis, founding guitarist of Dispatch, performs his early hits and new songs from his latest release PTRN Sky with Andy K in the intimate Barn Sessions series at Ragged Island. Portsmouth, RaggedIslandBrewing.com
November 18: The Providence Singers perform one of the great choral selections of the Romantic period, Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Vespers, at St. Mary of the Bay Church. Warren, ProvidenceSingers.org
November 18-19:
Through November 30:
November 4:
November 24:
Thamesgiving invites shoppers, museum-goers, and restaurant lovers to enjoy holiday specials along busy Thames Street in Newport every Thursday of the month (except for Thanksgiving). Newport, DiscoverNewport.org
For the geographically curious, learn some new skills in Map Reading: Basic Orienteering, a class that will teach you how to read different kinds of maps, estimate distance, and use a compass. Bristol, Blithewold.org
Groove to the indie-rock sounds of award-winning local band The Naticks, appearing as an acoustic duo, while enjoying a craft brew or two at Pivotal Brewing. Bristol, PivotalBrewing.com
November 3-12:
November 9:
November 24:
Enjoy crave-worthy discounts, including prixfixe and BOGO deals at some of Newport’s best eateries, along with a foodie film festival at the JPT Film and Events Center during Newport Restaurant Weeks. DiscoverNewport.org
Start your holiday baking at the two-hour Cookie Decorating Class at Mount Hope Farm, featuring guided instruction from The Cookie Hub, themed drinks from Two Gals Cocktails, and all the materials you’ll need. Bristol, MountHopeFarm.org
Sail away on the Coastal Queen alongside dozens of decorated boats in Narragansett Bay for the Newport Illuminated Boat Parade as the festival of lights kicks off the holiday season. CoastalQueenCruises.com
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The Bay • November 2023
Photo by Corey Favino, courtesy of Discover Newport
ide statew For a f events o listing online! s u it is v m ody.co HeyRh
Stroll Newport Thursdays for Thamesgiving shopping
Courtyards Ltd. hosts a Holiday Open House with festive decor and ornaments on display, gifts for everyone on your list, the chance to enter a giveaway, and delicious homemade cookies and cider. TivertonFourCorners.com
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The Bay • November 2023
15
The Buzz VOICES OF THE BAY
By Nina Murphy
Kismet in the Garden A Bristol resident fulfills his childhood dream of becoming the director of horticulture at Blithewold Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum has played a pivotal role in shaping Dan Christina’s life. Some of the Bristol resident’s earliest childhood memories are of reading books on the great lawn with his family. It was during one of those outings young Christina said to Julie Morris, then Blithewold’s horticulture director, that one day he would fill her shoes. Those words came to fruition on the first day of spring last March, when Christina took on the position, filling a void left by the death of 20-year horticulture director Fred Perry who had passed away the previous November. Christina, a 2001 Mt. Hope High School graduate, was studying early elementary education at the University of Rhode Island, when, after a summer internship at Blithewold, he switched majors and graduated with a degree in urban horticulture and turf management. He then began his professional career at Blithewold as assistant grounds manager until 2014 when he left and became the chief horticulturist at Green Animals Topiary Gardens for eight years. These days Christina and his staff at Blithewold are gearing up for the return of Sparkle, the garden’s festive illuminated stroll, which had been scaled back in recent years due to COVID. DECK THE GROUNDS: Blithewold is reengaging the whole [Sparkle] experience with outdoor fires, music, roasting s’mores, and adding on a tour of the mansion. I want to make sure people have the opportunity to really enjoy what they’re getting to see by providing wholesome engagement in the environment without it feeling forced. The majority of the exterior decorations are handmade through the last 20 years out of bamboo and other natural materials. They’re very unique, one of a kind, so to see those and to experience being surrounded by these massive trees are ways of enjoying an outdoor space in the winter.
16
The Bay • November 2023
Photos courtesy of Dan Christina
Blithewold's director of horticulture Dan Christina
GARDENS AGLOW Sparkle kicks off Friday, November 24 and runs through January 1, 2024, with sweet snacks around blazing campfires, amid the glittering lights and ornaments decorating the gardens. Blithewold.org
LUMINOSITY: It’s hard to quantify how many lights there are because so many of them are handmade. There might be a single light per flower or a bundle of three or five lights, and we do strands of lights on a lot of trees. We probably have tens of thousands of lights. We’ve started the transition to all LED lighting for the exterior, which will reduce electricity consumption – we are trying to be conservation-minded. A lot is involved in breaking down the various handmade ornaments, rewiring them, and restructuring, which takes a
lot of time, so it may take three or four years [to completely switch over to LED]. MUSCLE MEMORY: I was riding a lawnmower down in the nutgrove toward the water garden, and as I’m chugging along, I ducked and moved my hand up to push the limbs out of my way. It was the same kind of maneuver I had done for years previously. I felt as if I had jumped back in time; it’s the same motions, and my body just knew to do it without even thinking about it. A nice little experience.
PAST AND PRESENT: Fred [Perry] helped to really form my concept of the landscape, how it could change and how people could really enjoy the space, both horticulturally and with programs and educational events. I’ve had such a long history here, so I feel very personally connected to the way I float through the property. I want our visitors to experience that same kind of tactile feeling you get when you touch some of the trees and experience the kinetic energy in the age of the landscape.
The Bay • November 2023
17
The Buzz
RHODY GEM
By Ruthie Wood
Utility
Kitchen/cooking store 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 family-run shop curating goods for both chefs and hosts. Where to find it: Along Aquidneck Avenue in Middletown, next door to Mission. If you see Flo’s Clam Shack, you’ve gone too far. What makes it a Rhody Gem? Utility was created by Anna and Tyler Burnley and Chad Hoffer, the creative minds behind Mission and Thames Street Kitchen (TSK). Its aim is to be “the perfect marriage between back of house and front of house,” says Anna. A bright space filled with clean lines and colorful gadgets, it’s like walking into the Museum of Modern Art for cooking enthusiasts: kitchen tools, cookware, and knives meet pantry items, host gifts, and homewares. The store aims to be an “anti-Amazon filter,” with the owners spending over a year vetting and sourcing wares from only independent brands. This holiday season, stop by the store for some must-have gifts for chefs and hosts, like a cookbook dedicated to pies from every state, and their knife-sharpening service so you can cut your turkey dinner (or other fancy meats) with ease.
Utility 58 Aquidneck Avenue, Middletown Shop-Utility.com @shop_utility Photo courtesy of Utility 18
The Bay • November 2023
Spring Bull Gallery
55 Bellevue Avenue Newport, RI 02840 (401) 849-9166
Holiday OPEN 12-4PM Closed Tuesdays
w w w. spr i ngbul l gal l er y. com
NOVEMBER 4, 2023 - DECEMBER 31, 2023
Small Works
Paintings Sculpture Mixed Media l OPEN 12-5:00PM Closed Tuesday 55 Bellevue Avenue Newport, RI 02840 (401) 849-9166
Original Fine Art since 1990
Across from The Newport Art Museum To submit your Rhody Gem, please email Elyse@ProvidenceOnline.com
The Bay • November 2023
19
The Buzz FEATURE
By Emily Olson
Serving on the Homefront What Rhode Islanders are doing to honor and uplift military families right now
As Hurricane Lee blazed its way up the coast in September, masons rushed to put the finishing touches on a low stone wall that would complete the newest monument at the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Exeter. The hurricane turned out to be a non-event, so with the wall complete, the state’s first monument honoring Indigenous veterans was dedicated on September 20 in a ceremony that included speakers, blessings, and honor songs. This dedication was the culmination of a project that started in 2020 when Charles Smith, a cemetery specialist at Veterans Memorial and member of the Seaconke Wampanoag Tribe, approached the Tomaquag Museum. “He was concerned that there was no 20
The Bay • November 2023
monument for Indigenous veterans,” says Lorén Spears, museum executive director, who helped create the Honoring Indigenous Veterans Committee to move the project forward. Over several years, the committee raised $80,000 to hire Indigenous masons to bring their carefully sketched design to life. The monument is made up of an archway that curves over a memorial stone engraved with the names of the 12 tribes represented by Indigenous veterans interred at the cemetery. “The reality is that Indigenous people have served in all branches of the military,” says Spears. “Since the Revolutionary War, the Indigenous have had the highest number of people, per capita, in the armed services. In my community, if you’re not a veteran, it’s
likely your life is touched by one.” Spears says this is owed to multiple factors. “Indigenous communities have warrior societies. There’s a lot of respect for warriors and pride in protecting your family and community. Of course anyone who protects their country does it with pride, but there’s an extra layer of pride when it’s your homeland. And the lack of any kind of monument to Indigenous service [in this state] is an oversight that was long due to be corrected.” Nicole O’Brien, owner and founder of Warwick gift shop Operation Made, is a former military spouse who was the recipient of a different type of community support. Years ago, O’Brien was stationed in Japan with her then-husband, and other military
Photo courtesy of Lorén Spears
The recently dedicated monument honoring Indigenous veterans at the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery
Goods made by veterans and family members on display at Operation Made
RHODY RESOURCES Whether honoring veterans’ sacrifices or bolstering businesses run by military families, here’s how to connect with the organizations included in this article: CUSTOM HOUSE COFFEE Middletown, CustomHouseCoffee.com NATIVE AMERICAN VETERANS MONUMENT Exeter, HonoringIndigenousVets.org OPERATION STAND DOWN Johnston, OSDRI.org
Photo courtesy of Operation Made
OPERATION MADE Warwick, OperationMade.com
members offered her much-needed encouragement as she launched her fledgling art business. When she returned to the states, she found great success with her business, and opened a manufacturing facility that had more space than she needed. So she reached out to other creatives in her military community, inviting them to join her. “On Veterans Day in 2018, I opened a little shop with 12 vendors in it,” O’Brien says. Today, Operation Made serves as a consignment platform for 80 different vendors who have either served in the military or are family members of veterans, creating a space for them to grow their product-based businesses. “I had no idea there was such a need for this,” she relays.
“Military makers really want a platform.” Among the products on display are everything from pet toys to hot sauce. “We have a wide range,” O’Brien says. But she does much more for military makers than offer them shelf space in her shop. “I keep everything low cost so that they can test their products and pricing strategies,” she says. “And if they need help creating a manufacturing process or promoting themselves, I assist them with that, too.” Although O’Brien’s store is designed to help makers build a business, she recognizes that not all of her vendors are interested in selling their products in volume on their own. “A lot of veterans started making art as therapy, so they simply want to make stuff,” she says.
To support veterans’ mental health, she recently turned a portion of her shop into what she calls the Impact Room, a space dedicated to bringing awareness to the high rate of suicide among veterans. “On average, 22 veterans commit suicide every day,” says O’Brien. The Impact Room will have a memorial to veterans who have died by suicide, and there will be resources for veterans struggling with mental illness. “If they want to make stuff or learn to make stuff, I’m here with the resources to help them do that,” she explains. “Art is so therapeutic.” Bob Mastin, owner of Custom House Coffee in Middletown, pays particular attention to those he calls “the codgers” who visit his shop; like O’Brien, he understands the The Bay • November 2023
21
The Buzz FEATURE
By Emily Olson
MORE WAYS TO UPLIFT Veterans Day is on November 11. Spend the day attending your town’s local parade, paying your respects at memorial services and cemeteries, or donating to organizations supporting veterans’ causes. A special Salute to Veterans WaterFire lighting takes place November 4 recognizing veterans, military personnel, and family members. DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS Providence | DAV.org
A portion of coffee proceeds goes towards Operation Stand Down via Veteran Coffee Roasters
MEMORIAL WALL OF HONOR AT THE LINCOLN PARK CEMETERY Warwick PORTUGAL VETERANS MEMORIAL AT THE RI VETERANS CEMETERY Exeter | RIDayOfPortugal.org VETERANS MEMORIAL MUSEUM RI Woonsocket VeteransMemorialMuseumRI.org
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The Bay • November 2023
struggle veterans face. “I like to look out for veterans, especially those from my era,” he says. “We weren’t treated very well after we returned from Vietnam. Let’s just say you wouldn’t advertise your military association.” Mastin opened Custom House Coffee over two decades ago, and nearly every year since has hosted Military Mondays, when active duty and military veterans receive half-off brewed coffee and freshly roasted coffee beans. “It’s been a big hit,” says Mastin. But about 10 years ago, he decided he wanted to do more and started Veteran Coffee Roasters, an offshoot of Custom House Coffee. One dollar of every
pound sold goes to veteran support organizations. “The majority of our support goes to Operation Stand Down Rhode Island,” Mastin continues, describing the Johnston-headquartered non-profit that supports veterans at risk of homelessness. “We are able to donate an average of more than $300 a month to them.” No matter if the coffee is sold under the Custom House label or the Veteran Coffee label, Mastin puts his exacting attention to detail into it. “We roast our own coffee because it has to be the absolute best. We never do anything halfway,” he says, explaining that Custom House roasts a new batch every day.
Photos courtesy of Custom House Coffee
JEWISH WAR VETERANS OF RI JWV.org
Inside Custom House Coffee in Middletown
OPEN FOR LUNCH THURSDAY SUNDAY CATERING
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“It’s not the most efficient way to roast, but it keeps the beans as fresh as possible.” In addition to selling bags of beans direct to consumers, Mastin has plenty of wholesale customers across the country. Locally, Tom’s Market in Warren stocks their beans and Belle’s Cafe at the shipyard in Newport pours Custom House’s Bosun’s Blend. “The name is short for Boatswain’s Mate. That’s a real salty job on the Navy ship – real sailor kind of stuff,” says Mastin. If these businesses and initiatives are any indication, Rhode Island has a fiercely supportive community that’s making a real difference in the lives of local veterans.
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The Bay • November 2023
Life & Style Home
Beauty
Rhody Reads
Upper cabinets were replaced with shelves, adding light and access to everyday dishes
Natural Instincts A 1945 Colonial gets a hands-on makeover from its homeowner, DIY blogger Carli Alves When Rhode Island-based blogger and DIY content creator Carli Alves and her husband Justin first laid eyes on their 1945 South County Colonial, it wasn’t exactly love at first sight. Between the overgrown hedges, the hostas growing from the gutters, and the mildew that shrouded the faded yellow facade, they knew they had their work cut out for them. Having just come off the heels of a 140-year-old Victorian renovation, Carli and Justin had some tricks up their sleeve to turn this 1,700-square-foot forgotten house into a home for their family of six. Photography by Carli Alves The Bay • November 2023
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Life & Style HOME
By Elyse Major
Black dining chairs connect with the light fixture above
For Alves and her family, the kitchen is the place to gather. “While I love a formal dining room, it just didn’t match our more casual lifestyle,” she says. So she instead turned the home’s dining room into a sitting room to enjoy cozy fires in the colder months, and in the kitchen, Alves built an almost 10-foot-long window seat to create a comfy dining nook for her family to settle
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The Bay • November 2023
on at the end of a long day. “It was the perfect way to maximize the space and create a comfy-cozy feeling in the kitchen.” The home’s dedicated family room was dark and dated so the couple vaulted the lessthan-eight-foot ceiling and installed two large skylights to brighten up the room. A large relaxed sectional completes the space making this family room perfect for movie nights.
Photography by Carli Alves
Effective layering includes artwork, textiles, lighting, and window treatments
Winter Markets ineup L g n i t i c x E ndors! e V l a c o L of
DECEMBER 19
CHRISTMAS & HOLIDAY
FEBRUARY 13 MARCH 28 • MAy 9
Hope & Main 691 Main Street, Warren RI
NOVEMBER 21
THANKSGIVING STOCK-UP & HOLIDAY ORDERS
Free Entry & Parking The Bay • November 2023
27
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TIFFANY PEAY JEWELRY & HEALING ARTS
Explore the power of gemstones with Tiffany’s handmade fine jewelry. Fine Art by Peter Dickison. The Dapper Flapper hats thru the holidays. 3851 Main Road • tiffanypeay.com (401) 816 0878 • @tiffanypeayjewelry
LOU LOU’S DÉCOR
Make your beach house a home with a cozy & fun addition from Lou Lou’s Décor with locations in Tiverton & Newport. Full interior design services available. 3913 Main Road • (401) 816 4362 • loulousdecor.com @loulousdecor
ARCH CONTEMPORARY CERAMICS
Explore a carefully curated selection of ceramic sculpture & functional pottery, featuring a unique collection of 24 regional artists. We have something for everybody, come to find the perfect gift this holiday season. 18 East Rd • @arch.ceramics • www.archcontemporary.com
COURTYARDS
Holiday Open House Nov. 18th & 19th! Courtyards celebrates the joy of all seasons with fun & unusual gifts for everyone. Jess Polanshek illustration cards & prints available. Open daily in November & December. 3980 Main Road • courtyardsltd.com (401) 624 8682 Collections of painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography & jewelry. Stop in and discover our artists and the new work! Hours: Tuesday-Friday & Sunday 11am-4pm Saturday 9:30am-5pm • 3848 Main Road fourcornersgalleryri.com • @fourcornersgalleryri
TIVERTON FARMERS MARKET
A growing collection of farms, food vendors and makers. Sundays 10am-1:30pm. Tiverton Town Farm Recreation Area, 3588 Main Rd Starting 11/5 Tiverton Middle School, 10 Quintal Dr tivertonfarmersmarket.com @TivertonFarmersMarket
FOUR CORNERS GALLERY
THE CHEESE WHEEL VILLAGE MARKET
Over 200 cheeses, local meats & produce, house-made bread, sandwiches, soups & spread and meals. Custom charcuterie & cheese boards available. Call to order! Open 9-5 Tues-Sunday 3838 Main Road • (401) 816 5069 @thecheesewheelri
STUDIO BY THE SEA
MILUKAS STUDIO
Art sessions offered for all levels, weekly classes & private lessons. Check website for events. Kelly Milukas is a multimedia painter and sculptor. 503 S Lake Rd, Tiverton • (401) 480 3536 kellymilukas.com/events • @kellymilukas
I transform your ideas into heirlooms! Internationally sourced Royal Blue Sapphire set with diamond components from an older family ring. What can Peter Tirpaeck, master jeweler create for you? 3848 Main Road • (401) 639 4348 studiobyetheseari.com • @studio_by_the_sea
CEDIAN PAINTING
Studio-Gallery of artist Jennifer Jones Rashleigh. Nature inspired wildlife paintings, pillows & tiles. 3848 Main Road • @cedianpainting cedianpainting.com
Explore a vibrant village of shops, galleries, amazing food, antiques, handmade jewelry, home & garden and so much more. Enjoy open space in the beautiful farm coast of RI. #TakeARideTiverton4Corners •
@tivertonfourcorners
MAP
Holiday Bright Night PRESENTS
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1 • 4-7 PM Frolic through a festive, brightly lit neighborhood of galleries & shops as you enjoy holiday décor & special offers to complete your list.
Visit Santa at the Cheese Wheel Village Market
V
isit our vibrant community and discover the enchanting shops, galleries and many working artists. Our magical village awaits you.
T
he Four Corners Arts Center is pleased to be hosting their 10th Annual re-Tree Community Exhibition opening on December 1. re-Tree is a festive & creative outdoor showcase of sculptural homemade trees created with recycled & repurposed materials up through December 15. www.FourCornersArts.org
E Come vote for your favorite re-Tree until 12/15. Popular vote winners will be announced December 15, 2023. Join Us!
njoy the shopping & open space in the farm coast of Rhode Island. Only 30 minutes from Newport & Providence, 45 minutes from the Cape Cod Bridges and one hour from Boston. Take a ride to Tiverton Four Corners.
In partnership with our Holiday Season Sponsors
@tivertonfourcorners For more information visit our website:
www.TivertonFourCorners.com
Life & Style HOME
By Elyse Major
Being just three miles from the beach, Alves drew inspiration from her surroundings for the couple’s bedroom. “I’ve always loved light, bright, and airy spaces, so using natural wood tones, mixed with grays, blues, and whites, was a no-brainer for creating a calm, coastal-inspired bedroom to retreat to,” she says. The home’s walk-up attic was a bonus. “My daughter has always wanted an attic room, so she claimed the space the moment she laid eyes on it,” Alves explains. Brightening up the attic with crisp white vertical
shiplap and freshly painted floorboards created not one but two additional spaces for the family to utilize. Alves turned one side of the attic into an office/studio space for her four children to create art and music, and the other side became a hangout room for her teenage daughter. “Finishing these spaces added roughly 300 square feet to our home, giving us all a little more room to spread out.” Although the footprint of the main level bathroom is small, Alves gave it an unexpected treatment by installing shiplap
vertically and painting it in a deep charcoal shade that added depth and drama to the small space. “The wall color was inspired by the wallpaper, and I figured if there was a space in our home to be a little dramatic, it was here.” Alves also chose a console-style sink that she modified herself to better fit the scale of the bathroom. “There are still a bunch of projects that we want to tackle in this home, including a second-floor bathroom renovation and basement we hope to finish, but for now we are enjoying the fruits of our labors.”
Photography by Carli Alves
A custom desk turns an attic nook into a study area
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The Bay • November 2023
Want your home featured in The Bay? Email Elyse@ProvidenceOnline.com to learn more
GET RHODY STYLE Carli Alves shares ideas and resources for making the most of living in the Ocean State. COASTAL CUES “As a native New Englander, I love incorporating coastal accents like vintage sailboat sketches, antique landscape paintings, and ocean-inspired brass trinkets to add charm and character to my home.” SHOP LOCAL “A few of my favorite local spots to thrift are the Jonnycake Center in Westerly, Estate Services in West Warwick, and South County Habitat Restore in Charlestown.” MADE BY CARLI Carli Alves has been chronicling her love for DIY and all things home and lifestyle on her blog since 2010. Her mission is to encourage and empower readers to easily make their homes beautiful on a budget. Learn more at FWMadeByCarli. com; IG: @madebycarli
Use plants to soften hard lines and add natural color and texture
DISCOVER WESTERLY “Westerly’s downtown is so charming with its historic buildings filled with trendy shops and restaurants. Our favorites include KNEAD Doughnuts, Surf Cantina, and The Andrea. Wilcox Park is great for enjoying open-air concerts, theater, and a host of other fun events,” says Alves. In December, Starry Lights takes over downtown Westerly-Pawcatuck, CT, with stellar displays on storefronts, over the river, and a sculpture in Wilcox Park. Updates at OceanChamber.org
The Bay • November 2023
31
Life & Style BEAUTY
By Callie Bisset
A Backpack of Beauty Help your skin recover from outdoor excursions with locally made eco-friendly products If waiting in line at 5am for a TV isn’t your jam, perhaps #OptOutside is the Black Friday tradition for you. The movement, started by retailer REI in 2015, encourages exploring the outdoors. Once back inside, here are some Rhody-made skincare products for your Small Business Saturday shopping list.
PUMPKIN CHAI EXFOLIATING HERBAL FACE MASK Herbs and Mylk offers a fall line full of fragrant small-batch skincare products to hydrate, smooth, and revitalize your skin. After a long day of exploring, cozy up with their revitalizing
SHAMPOO BARS Perfect for camping and travel, shampoo bars from Warren’s Stella Marie Soap Company offer an ecofriendly alternative to traditional plastic bottles. The Rosemary and Mint Natural Shampoo Bar can be used as a body and hair cleanser, perfect for saving space in your bag. Find it at local retailers including Olive del Mondo and Rhody Craft in Providence, and Honey Gallery in North Kingstown, or online at StellaMarieSoap.com.
mask, formulated with pumpkin and coffee grounds from Lincoln cafe, Fundati. 650 Ten Rod Road, North Kingstown; HerbsAndMylk.com
RITUAL BATHS Seek relief of achy muscles with Ritual Baths, a line of gentle soaks in a variety of herbal blends from The Veiled Crow. Each of the nine products offers a different metaphysical property. Pair with a matching Sacred Sugar Scrub, made from sugar and almond oil, to leave your skin feeling exfoliated and moisturized. The Veiled Crow, 3287 Post Road, Warwick; VeiledCrow.com
WELLNESS SALVE This nourishing salve from Herbalicious Skincare is a chemical- and petroleum-free alternative to OTC ointments – a hiking pack must. Use for treating insect bites, sunburn, eczema, and dry skin. Made in Narragansett with a powerful blend of herbal ingredients and essential oils, find this salve online. HerbaliciousSkincare.com 32
The Bay • November 2023
WE ARE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THAT JOSEPH WEISBERGER HAS JOINED OUR PRACTICE! DOUBLE-SHOT MOISTURIZING BODY SERUM Leave it to the gals at South Kingstown-based Java Skin Care to create a luxurious green coffeeinfused serum. Safe for the body, hands, face, and hair, use it to help prevent signs of aging and even out skin tone. The multi-functional serum is perfect for days on the go and it can even be used to remove makeup, smooth flyaway hair, and moisturize lips. JavaSkincare.com
Dr. Weisberger is a seasoned audiologist and specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss and tinnitus as well as fitting of the latest hearing instruments and assistive listening technology. He has special interests in noise-induced hearing loss, hearing conservation and psychoacoustics.
✔ Comprehensive Hearing Evaluations ✔ Hearing Aid Consultations ✔ Hearing Aid Fitting & Service ✔ Ear Wax Removal
Joseph R. Weisberger, Au.D., CCC-A Doctor of Audiology
ACCEPTING NEW & TRANSFER PATIENTS BOOK AN APPOINTMENT WITH DR. WEISBERGER TODAY!
1130 Ten Rod Road Suite E 104 • North Kingstown 401-268-5444
1150 Reservoir Avenue Suite 305B • Cranston 401-942-8080
ATLANTIC-HEARING.COM
IMPERIAL
PRECIOUS TOPAZ Caron Jewelers specializes in fine jewelry and estate pieces, custom wedding and engagement rings, luxury and vintage watches, artisan giftware, as well as its own Michi Designs featuring rare gemstones. In-house jewelry and watch repair, battery replacement, layaway and cleaning services available.
Caron Jewelers YOUR TRUSTED FAMILY JEWELER SINCE 1956 473 HOPE STREET BRISTOL • 401-253-9460 • CARONJEWELERS.COM The Bay • November 2023
33
Life & Style
RHODY READS
By Deborah Goodrich Royce
Six Picks to Fall For Thriller writer Deborah Goodrich Royce shares what’s on her book list The glorious third season marks – much more than January for most of us – the beginning of a fresh new year. The days sre shorter and the colors and comforts of autumn prevail. As a local author of twisty thrillers (Finding Mrs. Ford – set in Watch Hill! – Ruby Falls, and Reef Road) and host of the Ocean House Author Series, I am delighted to share with you my selection of new fall books, three of them featuring Rhode Island themes and/or authors. So settle in your favorite chair with a roaring fire and a dog or cat on your lap. The following list will keep you happily reading until the snow comes! Who doesn’t love a good fake? On September 5, Zadie Smith’s The Fraud was released. Based on a trial that divided Victorian England, it explores the true story of a lower-class butcher from Australia who claimed to be the rightful heir of a large estate and title. Seen through the eyes of a formerly enslaved man from Jamaica and a Scottish housekeeper, The Fraud examines truth, lies, and the liminal spaces between them. Playing the Witch Card by KJ Dell’Antonia, New York Times bestselling author of The Chicken Sisters, also came out in September and is loads of fun. Three generations of magic plus two rogue exes plus one tarot deck equal the perfect recipe for chaos. Billed as Gilmore Girls meets Practical Magic, all I can say is please make more hot chocolate and count me in! Halloween brings a treat in the form of Rhode Island-based Vanessa Lillie’s newest thriller, Blood Sisters. The novel follows Syd Walker, a Cherokee archaeologist for the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Providence, when she is called back to rural Oklahoma to investigate the disappearance of two women, one of them her sister. There are secrets in the land and Syd must go home to uncover them.
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The Bay • November 2023
I love the world of 1940s movies – the snappy dialogue, the glamorous clothes – and can’t wait for Sarah James’ Last Night at the Hollywood Canteen on November 7. At a glamorous WWII club for serviceman staffed exclusively by those in show business, a hated film critic is found dead. A newly arrived murder mystery playwright finds herself at the center of a hunt that may lead to a movie star killer, and may also land a target on her back. Rhode Island author Christa Carmen’s The Daughters of Block Island will land in your book stores on December 1. In a subversive twist on the classic gothic novel, the mysterious past of an island mansion lures two sisters into a spiderweb of scandal, secrets, and murder. The sisters, strangers since birth yet bound by family secrets, soon find themselves caught up in a century-old mystery on isolated off-season Block Island.
Please consider patronizing your local independent bookstore when making book purchases
With her sunny demeanor, who would guess that Royce is a writer in the thriller genre, examining puzzles of identity in her highly acclaimed books. She began as an actress on All My Children and in multiple films, before transitioning to a story editor at Miramax Films. Together with her husband Chuck, the Royces have restored beloved properties in RI and the Catskills, including the Ocean House, the state’s only AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five-Star hotel. Listen to a conversation with Royce on episode 47 of the Hey Rhody Podcast.
F I NDI N G MR S F ORD
On December 5, Luanne Rice brings us Last Night, a murder mystery set in the Ocean House Hotel. A famous artist is killed in a blinding blizzard. Her young daughter is a witness. A passing detective and his girlfriend are soon drawn into a tangled web. Making full use of every nook and cranny of the storied Victorian hotel, Rice takes the reader on a cat-and-mouse pursuit of a killer, a missing child, and a trove of buried secrets. Pro-tip: don’t miss the publishing party at Ocean House on December 6.
ABOUT DEBORAH GOODRICH ROYCE
A Novel DEBORAH GOODRICH ROYCE
OCEAN HOUSE AUTHOR SERIES The Ocean House Author Series brings world-class authors to readers in the stunning seaside location of Watch Hill. November highlights include Barrington’sown Julie Gerstenblatt, and Dr. Renee Alsarraf. Wine, light bites, and a signed copy included. For full schedule visit OceanHouseEvents.com
The Bay • November 2023
35
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The Bay • November 2023
Your John Medeiros Purchase Of $100 Or More
rtists·
XCHANG
MAKING SEASONS BRIGHT BUSINESSES AROUND THE REGION FOCUSED ON SELLING HANDMADE
Photos by Meredith Brower, couresy of Hotpoint Emporium
AN D R EA E. MC HUGH
T
he roots of the East Bay’s artistic community run so deep, they give any other Rhode Island region a run for its money. A flourishing art colony in Bristol Ferry – a Portsmouth neighborhood that prior to the Mount Hope Bridge being built was bustling with a railroad station, telegraph and post office, a hotel, and summer cottages – was a magnet for creatives in the 19th century, including renowned painters Oscar Miller and Sophia Mitchell, while Portsmouth’s own Sarah J. Eddy, the daughter of a wealthy art connoisseur, studied at the country’s leading art institutions at the time and became a prolific painter, sculptor, and photographer (in addition to being a suffragette, author, philanthropist, and animal welfare activist). These and many more artists propagated the region’s reputation as the apogee of creative inspiration, a legacy emanating today in the generous sweep of studios, galleries, and art-filled emporiums throughout the cozy coastal towns hugging its coastline.
SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY
Celebrate your favorite indie sellers on November 25 and all year long by shopping small! Additionally, help boost biz by following social media pages, posting about them, and telling friends!
“WHEN PEOPLE COME INTO THE SHOP, THEY’RE SO EXCITED TO SEE ART, BUT THEN THEY’RE ALSO ALWAYS ASKING, ‘WHERE CAN WE LEARN TO DO THIS?’” MEG A N D O UG LA S, WARREN
Jenn Degagne’s Mila Sol jewelry
Vinny’s Vehicles by Paul Venice
Photos couresy of Made in Warren
More than 40 artists are represented at Made in Warren, a number that’s grown over its nine years in business. Nearly every artist is from Rhode Island or the south coast of Massachusetts, many of whom work out of Warren’s Cutler Mill, a 155-year-old repurposed mixed-use mill where you’ll also find handcrafted furniture by Warren Chair Works, copper fixtures by Ferro Weathervanes, sign makers, and more. Artist Megan Douglas creates in Cutler Mill, too, handcrafting pieces for her MDP Pottery line at Mudstone Studio. She also has a dual volunteer role at Made in Warren (treasurer and public relations manager), which functions as an artists cooperative. “It’s a place that fully supports everybody wherever they are in the art world,” says Douglas, adding that the creative community she’s found at Made in Warren has encouraged her, and artists like her throughout the region, along the way. Douglas had only been making pottery for four years when she connected with the cooperative. “I didn’t think my stuff was worthy of selling, but other people did,” she says. “Made in Warren tries to get people kind of at the beginning to give them that jumpstart as a way to sell their art but also develop more what their art is going to be like and who they want to be as an artist.” Douglas says the cooperative has “taken some time to evolve to that place” where everyone is on the same page – a hurdle with any large group – but now, they’re in sync, pitching in and capitalizing on their other skills, too, like carpentry for displays, photography for social media, and bookkeeping to keep the business organized, so they all can flourish. Shoppers range from locals and folks popping in and taking a respite from the East Bay Bike Path just around the corner to travelers from across the region. With a broad-based appeal, Made in Warren stocks original works, Douglas says, priced from $5 to $500, adding, “We’re trying to make it accessible to everybody.” Douglas notes that the East Bay community has been equally supportive. “It’s so nice because it just feels so encouraging. When people come into the shop, they’re so excited to see art, but then they’re also always asking, ‘Where can we learn to do this?’” says Douglas, who points them to resources like pottery classes at Mudstone Studio, workshops at Cutler Mills, and the many offerings at Bristol Art Museum.
Half of the Made in Warren crew
Allison Tripp Kirkman’s work
SHOP HANDMADE
Some of the many shops selling local brands and goods around the region. BEACH BARN ART & GIFTS, Warren
BEAU BLEU BOUTIQUE & GIFTS, Bristol COURTYARDS LTD, Tiverton DAISY DIG’INS, Barrington FIREFLY MANDALAS, Tiverton FOUR CORNERS GALLERY, Tiverton IMAGINE GIFT STORE, Warren LOULOU’S DECOR, Tiverton SALT, Tiverton STUDIO BY THE SEA, Tiverton TIFFANY PEAY JEWELRY & HEALING ARTS, Tiverton WHIMSIES, Warren WINK GIFT STORE, Bristol Find even more at DiscoverNewport.com
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HOTPOINT HISTORY
According to Richard Bradley of My Pink Planet, the well-known neon ‘Hotpoint’ sign on the building was put there when it was an appliance store in 1934, and the businesses that followed ended up retaining the name: “Like the Hotpoint Cafe, the Hotpoint Diner, the Hotpoint Florist,” he says with a laugh. Two years after the collaborative opened in 2017, the artists looked into restoring the rusted, defunct, broken sign, which was on the chopping block after being deemed unsafe. But the collaborative, with support of property owner Steven DeLeo and the community, had it fully restored, much to the delight of Bristolians and beyond.
Photos by Meredith Brower, couresy of Hotpoint Emporium
Glass tray by Maria Prus Scorsone
Hotpoint Emporium in Bristol follows a similar “rising tide floats all boats” model, operating as a non-profit collaborative with nearly 40 artists represented. Like countless artists and businesses, the pandemic crippled them a few years ago, and though Hotpoint Emporium survived by shifting to online sales, which added a new platform for many artists, they were eager to return to interacting with their community and customers. Jewelry maker Richard Bradley, who’s My Pink Planet line of one-of-a-kind or limited-edition pieces, says being around creative people working in diverse disciplines has inspired him to expand his work into painting and sculpture as well. Working with the collaborative allows him to present his work to a wide audience he may not otherwise reach. “It’s much more sustainable because the rents are very high, and if you get yourself into a gallery, they take quite a large percentage out of the profit,” he explains. “Another thing that works out well for us is that there’s no sales tax on art in Rhode Island.” Eco-artist and photographer Meredith Brower is a familiar face at Hotpoint Emporium. “The most fun for all the artists is really doing your shifts and meeting the people and talking to them,” says the owner/operator of Firefly Mandalas. A mandala is a geometric configuration of symbols, often used in Buddhist and Hindu religions as an aid to meditation; it’s just one of myriad types of art found in the charming canary-yellow retail gallery on State Street. Hotpoint Emporium’s artists come from all walks and backgrounds. Suzanne Housley Noonan is a RISD alumnus whose hand-painted cloth rugs are dubbed “art for your floor.” Ceramics by Vivian Whitcomb and Nasseramics (AKA Andrew Nasser), glass art by Maria Prus Scorsone, handcrafted woodwork by John Hugo, and even sailor valentines by Melonie Massa of Mermaid Baubles can all be found stocked on shelves and in Hotpoint’s windows. “There’s a wide variety of artists in the sense of all different mediums, but then there’s also some of the younger people coming in right out of college, and there’s some people that are retired, so there’s the whole gamut,” says Brower.
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Inside Athalia of Newport
E M I LY H I RSCH, NEWPORT
Emily Hirsch had already established her jewelry line when she opened Athalia of Newport on Franklin Street in the City by the Sea nine years ago. The wide street right off upper Thames Street enjoys a long legacy of retailers, and today, the majority of the long row of locally owned shops are women-owned. “We formed a community,” says Hirsch, who is looking forward to the merriment of the holiday season, especially when Franklin Street hosts its annual holiday strolls. ”And so we’re a family, and I don’t think you find that a lot.” Hirsh says she carries the work of about 20 artists, and everything in the store is handmade, from the jewelry she makes plus that of a half dozen other jewelry makers to photography, ceramics, painted pottery, scarves, bags, and even some self-care items. She started carrying items by Spindrift Soap Company, owned by Colby Field, which includes skincare products handmade from beer, wine, and essential oils, like the hops-infused cleansing bar with
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hemp seed oil and pine. Stained-glass hearts by Newport’s M.EYEimages, decoupage shells by Rhonda Bishop, and a host of new items for the holiday season are tucked into every nook and cranny. Hirsch says that while the throngs of visitors in Newport are wonderful, it’s the local support Athalia of Newport and shops like hers thrive on. “I love and appreciate the tourists, but truly it’s the local people that support these businesses,” she says. “Rhode Island supporting Rhode Island, you know? I’ve had people come in and say, ‘Well, we did Bristol last weekend. We’re doing Newport this weekend, and we’ll do this next week, and they go to all the small towns and support the local businesses.” And for that, she’s grateful. “The point of what I do is to educate people on buying from artists and buying locally, and coming in and just seeing what these amazing artists are making. It’s basically a craft fair under one roof.”
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Jen Charleson Mixed Media Art & Design Fire Agate Planet Earrings @contradiva | jennifercharleson@gmail.com
Tatters Handmade Clothing Upcycled Vintage Textile Jacket @tattershandmadeclothing | tatters-the-church-palace.square.site
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John Gieg Crouching Larry, Flaming Moe: Limited edition print varnished on woodblock frame @johnlagnarok | Redbubble.com/people/johngieg/shop
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Mermaid Tears By MB Ocean Inspired Artwork for Your Decor @mermaid0102 | etsy.com/shop/MermaidTearsByMB
Salubrious Endeavors Functional Earthy Pottery & Ocean Life Castings @salubriousendeavors1 | Salubriousendeavors.wixsite.com
Sarah Hess Prints “Bartlett Pears” Handmade Block Print @sarahvhess | Sarahannehess.com
Shear Stones Unique Beach Treasure Art @shearstones | shearstonesri.com
Mermaids Baubles Block Island Sand & Paua Shell Pendant @mermaidsbaubles | MermaidsBaubles.com
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Chryssa Udvardy Ceramic Artist @chryssaudvardy | cudvardy@gmail.com | 401-808-9934
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39 State Street, Bristol | 401-410-2985 | HotpointEmporium.com
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Food & Drink Food News
In The Kitchen
Entertaining
Friendsgiving 101 A private chef offers tips for planning a holiday gathering, and hosts her own community feast this month Whether you bask in the glow of hosting parties and November is your time to shine in the kitchen or you’ve never basted a turkey, gathering around the hearth for quality feasting time doesn’t need to be an ordeal. Warren-based Mosaic Table private chef Anat Sagi – who naturally falls in the former category – imparts words of wisdom for the ambitious DIY hostess with the mostest. Before you send or text those invites, Sagi suggests you begin with this first step: “Working backward from the time of the event, make a timeline of what you need to have accomplished, and mark those tasks in your calendar.” Once you’ve nailed down what type of party you want to create, determined your guest list, inquired about any food allergies or restrictions, made the perfect playlist, devised a menu (and maybe assigned a few sides to your guests), before you know it – it’s party time. “Try to be done in the kitchen before the guests arrive. Relax, shower, dress, and enjoy a glass of wine,” Sagi recommends. For the host who’d rather avoid the kitchen, “If you choose to hire a private chef, hire someone who prepares flavors that you enjoy and who you trust and vibe with. Ask questions,” says Sagi. “I love listening to my clients’ visions. I want to understand the food they would like to have at their event and the story behind the get-together. All details are important details!” Sagi is willing to be as involved as the client requests, down to the lighting and plateware. On November 10, Mosaic Table is collaborating with East Bay farmers market vendor Brightside Seafood for a ticketed Friendsgiving pop-up bringing neighbors together. “We both believe strongly in sourcing fresh and local flavors,” says Sagi. “We love to serve our community, and cooking is our love language.” Follow @themosaictable on Instagram for event details to be released, and visit TheMosaicTable.com for Falafel Packages, Weekly Shabbat Dinners, Mezze Board holiday platters, weekly soups like Chicken Matzo Ball, and event inquiries. | By Abbie Lahmers Photo courtesy of The Mosaic Table The Bay • November 2023
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Food & Drink
48
By Ken Abrams
Eclectic cocktail lounge comes to East Providence
Feeling good with fresh smoothies in PVD
Italian-style cafe opens in Narragansett
One of the newest nightspots on the East Bay is Myrtle, a hip cocktail lounge and performance space located across the street from Jeff’s Pizza in East Providence. Inside the old Tool Crib building on a residential corner, Myrtle opened in September. “I’m finding most people coming in are really enjoying our cocktails, so we’re going to continue focusing on spirits,” says co-owner Natalie VanLandingham, who opened the business with her husband. “We also have a pretty large selection of domestic and craft beers and some interesting wines. It’s our mission to use as many local distillers, brewers, and distributors as possible.” Drinks are only part of the experience at Myrtle. Beyond the traditional bar, the venue is filled with an eclectic array of vintage second-hand furniture and wall hangings. “It’s nice to know it’s actually possible for two weirdo artists with essentially no money to be able to start a business in the great Ocean State,” adds VanLandingham. East Providence, Instagram: @myrtle.rhodeisland
Providing healthy, fresh, and delicious food is the goal at In The Pink, a new addition to the thriving Thayer Street foodie scene. Named after a phrase that means “feeling great,” it’s no wonder owner Chris Cancel’s shop, tucked in a small plaza across from the East Side bus tunnel, sees customers leaving in good spirits. “The smoothies and bowls are by far the highest selling items; people really love our iced coffee, too,” says Cancel, who expects to be brewing warmer drinks like hot chocolate and lattes as winter approaches. Menu highlights also include vegan options, oatmeal bowls, cold-pressed juice, and protein-packed treats. “Healthy eating is especially important given some of the other options on Thayer Street,” says Cancel. “You’re going to feel a lot better when you leave. After an acai bowl, with fresh fruit toppings and chia seeds, you’ll feel cleaner, not like you need to go lay down and take a nap.” There’s space to dine in, although take-out between classes is more popular among many of In The Pink’s Brown University clientele. Providence, InThePinkRI.com
Galleria Dolce Café opened in July in Narragansett and aims to provide an authentic Italian experience in Mariner Square, along with contributing to South County’s local art scene. “We do traditional Neapolitan. We offer breakfast and a quick bite to eat for lunch,” says owner Sabrina Labbadia. “We also display works from local artists and most of the art on the wall space here is for sale.” The menu includes toasts, paninis, smoothies, salads, and Italian pastries. “We serve a frittata, a 20-egg omelet with sausage, a vegetable, and potato every day. We make Italian desserts including crostata di nonna, a traditional open-faced pie with weaving on top, and fruit filling on the inside,” adds Labbadia. Guests can also enjoy biscuits prepared in house, and other baked goods from Scialo Brothers Bakery on Federal Hill. The cafe serves Italian coffees including Sicilian espresso imported from Italy and other drinks made to order. Narragansett, Instagram: @galleriadolcecafe
The Bay • November 2023
Photos courtesy of Myrtle
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Food & Drink IN THE KITCHEN
By Jenny Currier Shand
No Flour? No Problem! Over the summer, sister-and-brother duo Celeste Bremer and Brenden King opened May’s Gluten Free Market with a mission to provide a worry-free shopping and dining experience for those with gluten sensitivities and celiac disease. Nestled in a small plaza in Riverside, adjacent to a mural of Rhode Island’s native botanicals that adds a welcoming charm, this market is for anyone struggling to stock a gluten-free home kitchen. “I knew I wasn’t the only person feeling frustrated,” Bremer says. “While chain grocery stores may carry gluten-free brands, their selections are limited.” It became a harrowing experience, visiting multiple grocery stores in order to find all the ingredients her family needed, and there was no guarantee they’d be in stock every week. Bremer’s household is 99 percent gluten free. Although her son, now 16 years old, has been gluten free since he was seven as a helpful method of mood regulating, Bremer’s daughter was diagnosed at a young age with celiac disease, making a gluten-free diet mandatory. The market is, in fact, named for her (her middle name is Mei, pronounced “May”). Part of their hope with this market is to demonstrate that gluten-free options can be just as diverse and delicious as their counterparts. “It’s nice when people come in and are like, ‘Oh, I’ve tried this once and haven’t been able to find it again,’ or they find items they’ve been interested in but can’t buy locally.” Big retailers aren’t carrying goods from smaller businesses, and of the brands they do carry, they might only stock one particular flavor instead of the full selection. Unique items are of particular interest to Bremer and King. They follow the latest trends and carry a robust inventory that can’t be found elsewhere. For example, small producer Alla Lala cake mix can only be wholesale shipped from Wyoming – thanks to May’s Gluten Free Market, Rhode Islanders can bake with the best. They also support local businesses, from the familiar Narragansett Creamery to newer
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The Bay • November 2023
Black-owned business Kassumay, specializing in hibiscus jams and sparkling drinks. The siblings recently began a weekly meal deal, offering choices of three entrees, three sides, and three snacks, with new menus every week. Some examples include Turkey Sweet Potato Chili, Beef Shepherd’s Pie, and Japanese Vegetable Curry. Working out of Hope & Main’s dedicated gluten-free kitchen, they also sell fresh-baked goods, from Apple Cider Ricotta Cookies to muffins. A visit on any given day is a feast for the senses, with anything from frosted cinnamon buns on display to a self-serve crockpot of New England Clam Chowder, and the scent of empanadas wafting from behind the register, courtesy of fellow Hope & Main food-preneur, the Empanada Assassin. Items like Choya Yowanai Ume and Yuzu
Celeste Bremer and Brenden King
Photo (top) courtesy of May’s Gluten Free Market, (bottom) by Luminist Photography
This Riverside market provides a one-stop shop for all things gluten free
GLUTEN FREE FOR THE HOLIDAYS With foodie holidays upon us, Bremer’s advice for hosting, especially if you’re preparing a meal for gluten-free family and friends, is to “not be offended if they bring their own food.” It’s okay to consult with them first, and be especially mindful of cross-contamination and gluten lurking in hidden places, like seasoning and brine for turkey. May’s Gluten Free Market allows customers to pre-order gluten-free ingredients that might be hard to find, such as condensed soups for casseroles, stuffing mix, and croutons for salads. Customers can stock up on these items to make holiday food preparation less stressful. Whether you opt for naturally flourless dishes, like mashed potatoes and yams, or want to bake a celiac-friendly pie crust for your desserts this year, May’s has you covered.
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sparkling sodas and rose syrup from Okuizumo Rose Garden speak to Bremer and King’s half-Japanese heritage; their upbringing also plays into the prepared foods they offer. “We make a lot of Asian-inspired cuisine, knowing that if it doesn’t sell, at least our kids will eat it,” Bremer jokes. “We try to keep a balance of both traditional and adventurous items that will introduce people to new flavors.” Whether eating gluten free, cooking for someone who is, or just curious, May’s stocks hidden gems for a range of patrons.
May’s Gluten Free Market 7 Forbes Street, Riverside • 401-410-7475 MaysGlutenFreeMarket.com
Browse & bid at ripbs.org The Bay • November 2023
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Food & Drink ENTERTAINING
By Elyse Major, styled and photographed by Kayla Aucoin
State Park Soiree A take-out dinner, hand-held desserts, and seasonal decor make hosting an outdoor gathering a breeze Where can you enjoy saltwater fishing, horseback riding, and nine holes of golf, followed by a lovely DIY dinner at dusk? It might sound like we’re describing a fancy country club but we’re talking about Goddard Memorial State Park. Cross a bridge or two, and this waterfront gem on the shores of Greenwich Bay and Greenwich Cove in Warwick, open sunrise to sunset, is the ideal setting for savoring some take-out in the great outdoors (especially after the first frost when
Seasonal treats highlight a picnic dessert tray
Photography and styling by AUCOIN for Hey Rhody 52
The Bay • November 2023
pesky bugs are no longer an issue). The recreation area has many picnic tables for the taking on a first-come, first-served basis, and there are sites you can reserve for a low fee that also include a fireplace, or covered shelters for larger groups at a moderate fee. Find similar set-ups at Colt State Park in Bristol, conveniently along the East Bay Bike Path. With a bit of shopping and foraging, hosting an enchanting autumn gathering is as easy as a walk in the park.
SET A STYLISH TABLE Elevate a simple picnic with table linens, serveware, candles, and faux florals. For these and more, take a field trip to the northern part of the state to Brown & Hopkins Country Store, a general store that’s been in continuous operation since 1809. Let the russet tones of November provide the colorway for your fall fête as you wander their two floors of goods, selling everything from old-timey candy sticks to gourmet foods, unique gifts, apparel and jewelry, textiles, and more. The dining room display on the second level is sure to inspire!
BRING FOOD AND DRINK Fill a pitcher with an apple cider mocktail, a perfect choice as parks have a no-alcohol policy. As things get chilly, warm cider at home and pack in a thermos. Custom-decorated cookies from Sophie’s Sweets, cider donuts from Dave’s Marketplace, and pie from Vienna Bakery are sure to please. Pumpkins work double-duty as centerpieces and tablecloth weights. For last-minute supplies with farmhouse appeal, head to places like Johnson’s Roadside Farm Market in Swansea, and Sweet Berry Farm, in Middletown.
Goddard Park, Warwick
RHODY RESOURCES
Layers of textile create interest and style
A handy list of brands, shops, and makers featured in this article:
ANCHORED IN CLOTHING Featured: Fleece blanket Available at The Kayak Centre in Wickford @anchored_in_clothing_company AUCOIN Featured: Stylist North Kingstown | @aucoindesigns BROWN & HOPKINS COUNTRY STORE Featured: Candles, faux florals, home decor, serveware, paper goods Chepachet @brownandhopkinscountrystore DAVE’S FRESH MARKETPLACE Featured: Cider donuts Various | DavesMarketplace.com THE HONEY GALLERY Featured: Blankets, stemless wine glasses North Providence | @honeygalleryri KRISTI’S KRAFTAILS Featured: Infinite Fall apple cider Warren | @kristiskraftails
A weathered picnic table is perfect for rustic displays
SOPHIE’S SWEETS LLC Featured: Specialty cookies Cranston | @sophiessweetsri Also included: JOHNSON ROADSIDE FARM MARKET Swansea, MA VIENNA BAKERY Barrington
ADD SPARKLE AND COMFORT With all the rough surfaces and dark hues, glassware adds a bit of shine. Stemless wine glasses from Honey Gallery in North Kingstown lend elegance without being fussy. By early evening the temps may begin to drop, so be sure to bring along some cozy blankets, which can also be used to soften the wood benches while seated, and spread on the ground for additional picnic space. The Bay • November 2023
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com
Discover the flavors of Rhode Island! From fresh seafood shacks to farm-to-table eateries, little Rhody offers a diverse culinary landscape that caters to all tastes. Indulge in delicious seafood, global cuisines, and locally-inspired dishes, and experience the culinary richness of the Ocean State with a dining experience that will leave you craving for more.
El Paisa Restaurant Patio and Bar 598 Dexter Street, Central Falls 401-726-8864 | ElPaisa.com | Since 1978, El Paisa Restaurant and Bar has served home-cooked, classic Colombian recipes and cocktails with great joy.
All Favorites Cafe 1678 Broad St, Cranston | 401-941-3550 allfavoritescafe.com | A Breakfast/Lunch restaurant serving a mash up of Southern and French inspired flavors. Everything from French Toast to Cubanos.
Chelo’s Hometown Bar & Grille 8 locations across RI! Chelos.com | A Rhode Island staple since 1955! Fresh, homemade deliciousness in every bite.
MainStreet Coffee 137 Main Street, East Greenwich 401-885-8787 | MainStreet-Coffee.com Casual coffee house meets hip martini bar. Best Espresso Martinis in Rhode Island.
Casa Azul 890 Allens Street, PVD | 401-414-7799 CasaAzulri.com | Our Casa is Your Casa. Authentic Mexican Flavors, Delicious Recipes and Vegan options. Home of the Wicked Best Margarita.
The Coast Guard House Restaurant 40 Ocean Rd, Narragansett | 401-789-0700 thecoastguardhouse.com | Waterfront dining - local raw bar, lobster, pasta, steak & seafood. Award-winning wine list. Dining rooms, bars, patio & deck.
Mambo Sushi 380 Atwells Ave, Providence 401-642-8439 | mambosushiprovidence.com Peruvian Flair to Asian Cuisine
CAV Restaurant 14 Imperial Place, Providence | 401 751-9164 CavRestaurant.com | Bistro style Brunch and Lunch. Fine Dining Dinner.
Dave’s Fresh Marketplace Ten Locations throughout Rhode Island 401-558-0190 | davesmarketplace.com/WeeklySpecials Made fresh daily in our kitchens - 60+ Take Out Options!
Marcelino’s Boutique Bar 1 W Exchange St, Providence | 401-666-0088 marcelinosboutiquebar.com | Craft cocktail bar serving Mid-Terranean Fusion Mezze and World-Class Craft Cocktails | #ItsMarcelinos
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Al l erg en Fri en d l y Op t i o n s
EAT DRINK DINE LOCAL
New Harvest Coffee & Spirits 10 Sims Ave, Providence | 401 438-1999 NewHarvestCoffee.com | Our flagship cafe accentuates the journey from coffee seed to cup and the journey of grain to glass.
Rise ‘N Shine Coffee Bar 97 Holden St., Providence | 401 340-5112 @RiseNShineCoffeeBar | Espresso bar with organic coffee, signature drinks and fresh pastries located in historic 1858 Christopher Dodge Carriage House.
GET IN ON OUR PRINT PACKAGE! OVER 75,000 COPIES STATEWIDE ACROSS 4 MAGAZINES Plus, a premium listing on RhodyEats.com.
Slice of Heaven 32 Narragansett Ave. Jamestown 401-423-9866 | sliceofheavenri.com | Serving breakfast, lunch and daily handcrafted pastries. Family and dog friendly with a great outdoor patio.
Twin Willows 865 Boston Neck Road, Narragansett 401-789-8153 | TwinWillowsRI.com | Water-view dining with fresh lobsters & steamers served daily in this casual sports bar/restaurant.
Feature your Restaurant, Bar, Café, etc. All for only $175 per month
A brand new web guide to local eateries created and maintained by locals.
Explore the flavors of Rhode Island!
For more information, email Marketing@RhodyEats.com
Small State, Big Flavor The Bay • November 2023
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Pic of the Bay
ABOUT KAYLA @k___elizabeth
An autumn glow follows the tracks in Portsmouth
Awkward millennial sarcastically MacGyvering my way through marriage, motherhood & life with my camera in hand.
43 South of Commons Road | Little Compton 4 BEDROOMS | 6 BATHROOMS | OFFERED AT $4,150,000 LISTED BY CHERRY ARNOLD | 401.864.5401 Stunning Farm Coast Estate set on 18 pastoral acres, lined by historic stone walls and the circa 1930 main house featuring four bedrooms and six bathrooms with 5,000 square feet of gracious living space, complete with gym, sauna and wine cellar. A two bedroom guesthouse, gunite swimming pool, exquisite coastal gardens, and rolling fields as far as the eye can see are just some of the unique features of this very special private compound. Located in the heart of Little Compton, close to the Town Commons as well as the area’s beautiful beaches, farm stands and Sakonnet Point.
mottandchace.com
Each office is independently owned and operated
“
It is a pleasure to write a review for Alicia Reynolds who, as our realtor guided us every step of the way as we purchased a home in Bristol and sold our home in Barrington! She was great at troubleshooting and identifying solutions and resources for all unexpected issues that arose. We recommend her 100%, and have said more than once, what would we have done without Alicia.
“
Betty Vohr & Tom Gidley
ALICIA REYNOLDS Sales Associate Licensed in RI, MA & CT 401-835-2605 areynolds@residentialproperties.com AliciaReynoldsRealtor.com
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The Bay • November 2023