Hey Rhody March 2022

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FEATURES

NEWS & LIFE

Public Art Riverzedge Arts will use NEA grant funds to beautify downtown Woonsocket with Blackstone River imagery

24 Leading Ladies Meet the Leading Ladies of 2022, over 30 inspiring, passionate, determined leaders who are making a difference in our communities

38 CO V E R S TO R Y

Let’s Go to Burrillville The northwest corner of the state offers rural beauty, delicious eats, and even famous ghost stories – all within an hour’s drive

22 FOOD & DRINK

Date Night A foodie couple dishes on their Fox Point rendezvous of dinner, drinks, and desserts

Harrisville Mill Pond in Burrillville P hoto by P ete Wood

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CONTENTS

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P ho to by Gre g P re m r u P ho to g ra p hy co u rtesy of Bl akel y I nteri or D es i gn

Ph oto cou rte sy of T he B ud d i ng V i o l et

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Ph oto cou rtesy of M u rphy’ s

News & Life

Food & Drink

Home & Style

Art & Culture

10 RHODY PETS: Local Bachelor sweethearts’ beloved pup + the adoptable Pet of the Month

16 Celebrate St. Paddy’s

48 HOME: Inspiration for using a limited colorway in a Wickford home

58 ON STAGE: A timely tale of women’s labor at The Gamm

12 COVID’s effect on the statewide school bus driver shortage 13 RHODY GEM: A North Smithfield gift shop champions inclusion

Day at these northern Rhode Island pubs

18 RHODY RECIPE: This

60 Successful furniture designer couple whose story starts at RISD

kale salad features pasture-raised North Scituate protein

52 BEAUTY: Rhody-made

20 A Pawtucket

54 INFLUENCER: RI

distributor lets you sip ancient vino from the birthplace of wine

Comedy Hall of Famer on being a funny gal amongst the guys

64 CALENDAR: This

55 SHOP: Feel like a

65 #HEYRHODYPHOTOS : A colorful

Burrillvillian with these fun goods and apparel

mosaic from our talented followers via Instagram

products to get skin ready for spring

62 RHODY READS: Six books to inspire traveling where you live month’s must-do’s

On the Cover: Scenic Harrisville Dam captured by David Lawlor Hey Rhody MARCH 2022 |

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ARE YOU LOOKING FOR LOVE?

CONTRIBUTORS

CALL DEBRA

401-289-0900 Complimentary consultation She personally interviews and screens her clients Both men and women are guaranteed to meet potential partners

JULIA BARBER A story about RISD grads who fell in love with Providence and each other was the perfect assignment for fellow alum, art and architecture historian Julia Barber. In “When Form Met Function” (page 60), Barber interviews Ben and Aja Blanc, a creative couple who produce limited-edition furnishings from their Jewelry District studio.

Hand crafted matches, no computer program or software

ANGIE AND JEFF DIMEO Specialty food industry consultants Angie and Jeff DiMeo describe themselves as “a passionate couple obsessed with celebrating date night in the state we love so much.” In “A Fox Point Rendezvous” (page 22) the pair park the car for a walkable multi-course dinner on the East Side that includes cocktails, pizza, baklava, and more.

Debra L’Heureux, Rhode Island’s top Matchmaker for Get Ready To Date has been in the business of helping people find love for over 18 years!

JOIN MY MATCHMAKING DATABASE AT GETREADYTODATE.COM

KATARINA DULUDE Unless you are a parent of a child in public school, you may not realize there is a shortage of bus drivers. It’s a very real problem and one that Katarina Dulude investigates in “Stopping Short” (page 12). Dulude is a recent Rhode Island College grad who enjoys environmentalism, pop culture, and language learning.

PATTI MCALPINE Patti McAlpine enjoyed digging into the many villages and their tasty eateries for our cover story “Destination Burrillville” on page 38. McAlpine is also a poet and has shared her work with What Cheer Writers Club, Wickford Art Association, and is included in a Notable Works antholog y. By day she’s the marketing associate at Blackstone Valley Tourism Council.

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Hey Rhody MARCH 2022 |

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March 2022

Publishers Barry Fain Richard Fleischer John Howell

General Manager & Creative Director Nick DelGiudice

Editor in Chief Elyse Major

Managing Editor Abbie Lahmers

ONLINE

Editor Karen Greco Digital Media Manager Sascha Roberts Advertising Design Director Layheang Meas

Senior Editorial Designer Abigail Brown

Senior Designer Taylor Gilbert Account Managers Shelley Cavoli Louann DiMuccio-Darwich

Web Extra: Make the most of winter indoors

Ann Gallagher

and outside around South County

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Email Marketing@ProvidenceOnline.com

NEWSLETTER:

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Contributing Photographers Savannah Barkley

Cat Laine

Lisa Bruno

Dave Lawlor

Greg Premru Photography

Wolf Matthewson

Brandon Harmon Rebecca Bernardo Hartly

A Salute To Craft

Steve Sabo Pete Wood

Contributing Writers Julia Barber

Karen Kalunian

Angie & Jeff DiMeo

Patti McAlpine

Katarina Dulude

Hugh Minor

Jackie Ignall

Liz Murray

Patty J

Nina Sparling

Belinda Jones

P ho to by @ j i l l l . jp e g

Interns

Share your Ocean State photos on Instagram using #HeyRhodyPhotos to be featured here!

Casey Williams Looking for an internship?

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You can help raise $4.01 million for

On April 1, 2022, United Way of Rhode Island is hosting 401Gives, the statewide day of giving. Let’s all step up to support those that support us.

Join us on April 1.

Learn more and get ready at 401gives.org.

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powered by United Way of Rhode Island presented by

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NEWS & LIFE Co m m u n i ty P ro j e c t | R h o d y P e t s | Wo r ke r S h o r t a g e | R h o d y G e m

8 Riverzedge student Cay mixing ink for a screenprinting project P h o t o c o u r t e s y o f R i ve r z e d g e A r t s

NEWS & LIFE

A River Flows Through the City R i ve r ze d g e A r t s s t u d e n t s a n d s t a f f w i l l c re a t e a n i n t e ra c t i ve i n s t a l l a t i o n i n Wo o n s o c ke t w i t h t h e h e l p o f N E A g ra n t f u n d s

By Abbie Lahmers

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Public art student Izabella works on a mural for client Keller North America

as well as Expanded Learning Opportunities to earn academic credit outside of the classroom.

Building on a more holistic approach, and in response to the hardships of COVID, the arts organization even opened a free “grocery store” of pantry goods and they’re working on offering access to counselors and mental health professionals – all contributing to a foundation of success.

Looking back on 20 years, Darrow shares highlights including earning a National Arts and Humanities Youth Programs Award in 2010 (which gave students the chance to meet then First Lady Michelle Obama) and installing the Martin Luther King , Jr. Memorial at the intersection of Mason Street and South Main. Artistic director Brad Fesmire echoes the feelings of all staff when he says, “The end of every year is a standout moment for us, when our graduating seniors are accepted to

jobs and universities and other cool projects.”

With the help of the NEA grant to fund media and installation hardware, artistic and technical consultation, and more, the team at Riverzedge Arts looks forward to unveiling The Blackstone Meets Main Street – more than an educational experience, it’s an opportunity to engage meaningfully with the Woonsocket community.

“Our city has a rich history, stretching from the first settlements of the Pequot and the Wampanoag to the 18th-century foundries and the vast factories of the Industrial Revolution,” says Darrow. “In every period, the Blackstone River has shaped Woonsocket’s culture and economy. By reconnecting the river’s many pasts to residents’ and visitors’ imaginative perceptions of our present and future, we hope to lay the foundation for revitalizing Woonsocket’s creative economy.” RiverzedgeArts.org Hey Rhody MARCH 2022 |

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Photos courtesy of Riverzedge

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s Riverzedge Arts prepares to celebrate 20 years of empowering northern Rhode Island youth through hands-on art and design programming, 2022 also brings $25,000 in funding for a multimedia project beautifying downtown Woonsocket. Among over 1,000 nationwide projects, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) awarded Riverzedge this grant for “The Blackstone Meets Main Street.”

“We’re very excited to partner with the City of Woonsocket and other community stakeholders for this multimedia installation and mixed-used venue for cultural activities,” shares communications and development assistant Geo Darrow, describing a blend of photo and video imagery and auditory soundscapes that will transform Main Street, portraying the Blackstone River in all of its “seasonal changes and moods.”

“Hidden speakers and video projectors will project these sensory images over the walls and parking lots of the city’s downtown core, visually, audibly, and imaginatively reconnecting Main Street to the natural landscape obscured

by Woonsocket’s contemporary built environment,” Darrow continues. These immersive glimpses and soundbites of the river are gathered by visual media students throughout the year. It’s one of many community-focused projects youth who go through Riverzedge’s paid studio programs – which also include graphic design, print works, and public art – engage in.

“Youth in our studios create real-world products both for sale on our website and for paying clients,” says Darrow. “In doing so, we provide them with hands-on experience with industry-standard tools and skills while offering the chance to see how their artistic talents can translate into practical career opportunities and develop a sense of pride and professionalism with respect to their work.”

Along with after-school programming, Riverzedge Arts provides academic tutoring and support to help students achieve a minimum grade requirement to continue pursuing studio work,

Time to Flourish 20TH ANNIVERSARY EVENTS Riverzedge Arts is celebrating this landmark year with a variety of events. With health their top priority, specific dates and details are subject to change as they monitor COVID patterns and policies.

The Alumni Wine and Cheese Hour on April 14, hosted by Keller North America in their Cumberland offices, is a 21+ event for alumni, donors, and friends to reflect on their accomplishments and share stories.

A Summer Block Party at Riverzedge’s historic home on 2nd Avenue in Woonsocket invites neighbors, participants, and their families for food, games, and fun in the community garden.

In October, their 20th Anniversary Exhibition will feature the work of expert on-staff artists as well as alumni.

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Purveyors of unique and unusual plant material, pottery, fountains and garden décor OPENING DAY: SATURDAY MARCH 19TH • DAILY 9AM-5PM

THE FARMER’S DAUGHTER 716 Mooresfield Road (Rt. 138), Wakefield • 401-792-1340 Open Daily 9am-6pm • www.thefarmersdaughterri.com

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RhodyPets: BUT FIRST, LOIS NEWS & LIFE

Bachelor sweethearts-turned-cafe owners on how their pup prepared them for life with a baby

By Belinda Jones, Animal Rescue Rhode Island

RHODY PET OF THE MONTH: MANNIE & SASHA

By Karen Kalunian This adorable duo will truly melt your heart. Meet Mannie and Sasha, litter-mates and BFFs. Mannie has a black and white coat and is a total love bug, while Sasha is a tabby and watches over her brother. Mannie has FeLV but is doing very well; now these kitties just need a family to love them. Both are playful, loving, and adorable. What’s better than adopting one kitten? Adopting two, of course!

Learn more at East Greenwich Animal Protection League (EGAPL) Heart of RI Animal Rescue League, 44 Worthington Road, Cranston.

401-467-3670, HeartofRI.org If you have been looking to adopt or know of an animal in need, please contact Karen from Animal Talk directly at animaltalk1920@gmail.com

Life is sweet for Ashley Iaconetti Haibon and Jared Haibon. The two met on Bachelor in Paradise, the AB C spinoff of its popular dating and relationship reality television series, The Bachelor. Jared was a cast member on The Bachelorette and Ashley was on The Bachelor. Now married, the Haibons are the proud owners of a newly opened day-to -night coffee house and lounge, and recently welcomed baby boy Dawson. As these Rhode Island-based lovebirds reveal, they already felt like parents to a ver y special fur baby.

Sitting fireside at their venue, Audrey’s Coffee House & Lounge at South County Commons, the celebrity couple sip their favorite drinks: an espresso martini for Jared

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and a vanilla chai for Ashley. The pair look smitten as they gaze at the wall canvas of their Pomeranian Shih Tzu mix Lois, and there seems little doubt who would get their rose.

“It all began when I stopped to pet a woman’s dog at the mall and formed an instant friendship,” Ashley explains of how Lois entered their world. “A week later, the woman called and said a little, fluffy, white dog had been dropped off at a local Petco because the owner was unable to take care of her, so I went straight there.”

“I had no idea that Ashley was going to look at the dog. I thought she was getting her nails done,” Jared laughs. “When I went to pick her up, she had a six-month-old puppy in her arms!”

Lois is now three and a half but she made a

great first impression. “She was so playful and spunky with such an expressive face; even her ears have so much life in them,” says Ashley.

“Contrastingly, she sleeps hard,” Jared adds with a chuckle. “ When I take her out for her goodnight walk, I have to pick her up and she’s all dead weight. Once she gets comf y, she doesn’t like to move.”

“I love watching Jared cradle Lois and sing to her until she falls asleep in his arms. It’s so sweet to see how safe she feels with him and clearly demonstrated to me how nurturing a dad he was going to be. I feel the same way when he plays catch with her or chases her around – they’re both at their happiest in those moments.”

The couple refer to Lois as “daughter,” so

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how is she taking to having a ver y human baby brother ? “Initially I thought she’d hate it because he’s going to steal so much attention away from her,” Jared admits.

“But all through the pregnancy she was loving Ashley’s tummy – cuddling up next to it overnight so we were confident she would be protective and loving and she is.”

Of course, the couple’s other baby is their cafe, a lifelong dream fulfilled. Monday nights are The Bachelor Watch Parties and though dogs are not allowed inside, you can always get a Puppuccino to go!

AU D R E Y ’ S CO F F E E H O U S E & LO U N G E South Kingstown • @audreyscoffeelounge

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NEWS & LIFE

Stopping Short Union representative weighs in on the school bus driver shortage made worse by pandemic

By Katarina Dulude

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s Rhode Island schools began to reopen after initial COVID shutdowns, among the health and safety concerns and protocols that came with it was another crucial problem: there weren’t enough bus drivers to bring kids back to the classroom. Still in the midst of the pandemic and several union negotiations later, the shortage persists.

“People are leaving ,” shares Secretary Treasurer and Principal Officer Matthew Taibi of Teamsters Local 251. “People aren’t going [into the industry] because of the typically low-pay work and fairly high qualifications.”

Teamsters 251 represents over 1,000 school bus workers within the state of Rhode Island, from cities and towns throughout the state and from three different companies. Taibi explains that the issue was already present before the pandemic, but COVID exacerbated the problem faced by many underpaid yet essential industries, and presented unique challenges, too.

“Actually, the beginning of [2021 was when] we saw the issues that COVID laid bare. The issue of virtual days, like individual day layoffs, became more so than usual,” says Taibi.

“School bus drivers have sort of planned-in layoffs – holiday weeks and summers and things of that nature – so they work 36 or so weeks a year typically. That’s always a challenge, knowing that you’re laid off a chunk of the year and you have to split shifts,” Taibi adds. “It’s also part time and especially with all of the requirements that are involved, the critical nature of the job

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– taking care of our kids – it’s a lot of responsibility and typically not a lot in the way of pay.”

Prospective school bus drivers must go through a formal training program and first earn a passenger endorsement, then a bus driver endorsement. In Rhode Island, the typical training course is rigorous and takes six to eight weeks, with a minimum of 14-20 hours of practice behind the wheel before they are allowed to transport students.

The rigorous and time-consuming requirements and relatively low pay are barriers to those considering entering the field and the reason for many current, qualified drivers finding alternative sources of employment in a post-COVID world, jobs where they’re not facing the added health risks. In an effort to raise wages and ensure safe working conditions, many drivers are seeking revised contracts and turning to unionizing.

Bus drivers from First Student’s numerous locations, for instance, have been bargaining to gain fair contracts for several months. In Bristol-Warren, a contract has been ratified and in Scituate, Pawtucket, and Portsmouth, contracts have been pre-ratified, which means workers have ratified contracts listing the minimum of what they would accept, and First Student must respond with agreement to those conditions as a minimum.

School bus workers at Durham School Services in Smithfield voted overwhelmingly to unionize in 2020. After bargaining for over a year, Durham workers in Smithfield have reached a tentative agreement with the company for fair wages, hours,

and working conditions as of January 2022.

In Providence, First Student bus workers have had a contract since 2018 after a labor strike, but their contract expires in June of this year and there is pressure on First Student to avoid another labor dispute.

Teamsters 251 also successfully advocated for new transportation legislation in the state of Rhode Island that became law last year. “We set out to change the law in Rhode Island – and we did – which called for a 180-day school calendar that is paid for school bus workers, as well as a prevailing wage statute, which still hasn’t been determined yet,” explains Taibi. “ There are some other things in the law that passed that aren’t that relevant to bargaining , but that were beneficial to the workers, but it’s issues like the 180 days that need to be in the revenue contracts or revenue agreements between the school districts and the vendors and the companies. The existing contracts didn’t have that; that was one of the issues and there wasn’t a requirement or funding to have that be put into place under the law.”

Teamsters 251 has also called for the funds allocated to the state and to municipalities from the American Rescue Plan Act to be used to close funding gaps and address issues faced by bus workers.

Progress is slow, but steady, and though the lack of bus drivers has caused grief for families and students, it’s also exposed underlying issues facing the essential industry as all parties seek to reach agreements.

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NEWS & LIFE

The Budding Violet Gi f t Sho p What it is: With over 40 vendors’ wares on display, The Budding Violet sells unique, handmade, and artisan gifts while supporting makers with disabilities by creating an outlet for them to grow their businesses.

W h e re to f i n d i t : Sharing a space with sister business Red, White & Brew Coffeehouse, find this North Smithfield shop on Great Road, across the street from the Urgent Care.

W h a t m a k e s i t a R h o d y G e m?

Founded around inclusion, Sheila Coyne first opened the family-owned Red, White & Brew Coffeehouse to make her son’s dream of working in food service a reality. Michael, who has autism, struggled to find employment but discovered his niche with the coffee shop. Seeing the talent in Michael’s artist and entrepreneur friends, the pair decided to open The Budding Violet (named after Michael’s great grandparents Bud and Violet) for local vendors to sell everything from handmade scarves and quilts to stuffed toys, glamorous jewelry, and original artworks. For the craft-minded, you can also peruse a vast selection of Dixie Belle chalk paint. “At The Budding Violet, we embrace inclusion and are breaking barriers for people with developmental disabilities,” says Sheila. “We’re a place where differing abilities thrive and we’re hopefully changing the way the world sees people with disabilities, one human at a time.”

The Budding Violet 601 Great Road, North Smithfield BuddingViolet.com @buddingviolet

Photo courtesy of The Budding Violet

Every neighborhood has that secret, hidden, cool and unusual, or hole-in-the-wall spot that locals love.

We’re on the hunt for Rhody Gems!

Email Abbie@ProvidenceOnline.com to suggest yours and we just might feature it!

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TWO FLOORS 28,000 SQUARE FEET Antique To Modern Art • Books • Collectibles Electronics • Furniture • Glassware • Kitchenware Linens • Musical Instruments Pottery • Rugs Sterling Flatware And Holloware • Tools Vintage Clothing & More For information on consigning visit our website https://www.mikesestateservices.com/consign

401-825-7670 65 Manchester Street, West Warwick

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FOOD & DRINK I r i s h P u b s | R e c i p e | W i n e | D a te N i g h t

22 Chopped salad and Buffalo Stix from Pizza Mar vin Photo by Jeff DiMeo

FOOD & DRINK

St. Paddy’s Pub Hopping

8 Prov i d e nce Co u nty t ave r n s a n d p u b s to h it u p th is month for a p int a n d a Reu b en sa n d wi ch

By Patty J

T

here’s an old saying about everyone being a little Irish on Saint Patrick’s Day and I gotta say, I concur! We’re pretty lucky here in Rhode Island because we have quite a few incredible Irish pubs and taverns for springtime shenanigans. Here’s a handful of spots in Providence County worth dressing up in green (or donning a fisherman’s sweater) to visit this month and beyond.

Grab a seat at the bar for St. Paddy’s celebrations at Murphy’s

BLACKIE’S This restaurant and bar (formerly Blackie’s Bulldog Tavern and under new ownership) has been relocated and revamped with a chic yet comfortable interior of electric green banquettes and marble table tops. On the menu are plenty of casual eats and drinks. So if a Reuben with fries and a beer sounds like the makings of a perfect St. Paddy’s meal, you’ll want to motor over to this neighborhood eatery. Smithfield, EatAtBlackies.com

LUCKY DOG TAVERN Even if you have the luck of the Irish on your side, you won’t want to leave getting a table at this cozy, chef-owned and -operated restaurant to chance.

This tavern’s 12 tables and 12 bar seats fill up fast.

Old and new fans adore their drink menu (draft beer and handcrafted cocktails), Portuguese calamari, grazing boards, seafood, and desserts. Reservations are always recommended. North Smithfield, LuckyDogTavern.net MURPHY’S This popular spot in downtown Providence dates back to 1929 (when it was a New York-style deli) and has the distinction of being the oldest

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still-in-operation pub in the capital city. Whether you’re looking to grab a Guinness and some corned beef on St. Patrick’s or a burger, fries, and pint with a buddy another day, look no further than Murphy’s. Regulars can’t get enough of their Shepherd’s pie, Irish poutine, and relaxed vibes. Providence, MurphysProvidence.com SKEFF’S NEIGHBORHOOD PUB You can eat, drink, and be Irish at Skeff ’s on Manville Hill Road on the third Thursday in March – or any night, really. This family-owned establishment has become a go-to because of their marvelous craft beer menu (that they change up frequently to keep things fresh), casual bites (their ever-popular Reuben sandwich on marbled rye is guaranteed to sell out come March 17), and friendly staff. Cumberland, Facebook: Skeff ’s Neighborhood Pub SULLIVAN’S PUBLICK HOUSE Located on Armistice Boulevard, Sullivan’s is an Irish pub and neighborhood favorite. Go for the 24 cold brews on tap and stay for the terrific service, tasty pub eats (think fish and chips, burgers, wings,

Reuben egg rolls, hot dogs, and even a black bean quinoa burger for anyone who might be eschewing meat), and lively atmosphere. Pawtucket, Facebook: Sullivan’s Publick House TAMMANY HALL If a draft, cigar, and corned beef Reuben (or cheeseburger) with fries sound like the makings of a perfect St. Patrick’s Day, then this Federal Hill parlor is a must. Dark and cozy bar meets cigar lounge complete with walk-in humidor, a nice selection of beer and booze, and lots of character.

Look closely and you might even spot some of the state’s movers and shakers enjoying stogies and Scotch. Providence, Facebook: Tammany Hall THE TAVERN ON MAIN Dating back to the 1700s, it’s long been whispered that this old timey bar and restaurant (Alice’s table specifically) in Chepachet is haunted. Also, legend has it HP Lovecraft used to stop in when traveling to and from West Gloucester. Bookmark it if you’d like a side of RI history (and spookiness) with your brews and pub fare. Chepachet, TavernOnMainRI.com Hey Rhody MARCH 2022 |

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Photo courtesy of Murphy’s

FRIENDLY SONS OF ST. PATRICK An Irish pub in the Valley Falls section of Cumberland that in another life used to be an actual church? If that isn’t enough to pique your interest when planning for St. Pat’s, you should also know that Friendly Sons is synonymous with affordable drinks, affable bartenders, and a fun ambiance. It’s the ultimate no-frills Irish pub experience around these parts! Cumberland, Facebook: Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick

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FOOD & DRINK

Let’s Hear it for the Greens

A h e a r ty d i n n e r s a l a d u s e s l o c a l l y s o u rce d c h i c ke n , t a n g y h o n ey m u st a rd , a n d s m o ky m u s h ro o m s B y Li z M u rray

L

evel up your kale game by topping it with sweet and tang y baked honey mustard chicken breast and an earthy take on bacon: smoky roasted mushrooms. Hearty enough for dinner, this salad recipe is hassle-free, using the same ingredients to season the “bacon,” chicken, and dressing. It’s also healthy with nutrient-rich kale packed with vitamins A, K , and C, along with antioxidants.

When sourcing local meat, you can add sustainable (and flavorful) to this hearty salad’s list of benefits. Deep Roots Farm in North Scituate was founded by Katie Steere with a mission of returning to the source – the land – when it comes to livestock farming. With practices that promote healthy soil and biodiversity, pasture-raised cows, pigs, and chickens graze freely and are treated with care. Chicken breasts, whole chickens, and other protein can be purchased online for pick up or deliver y. WildEarth-Farm.com

Alicia Reynolds C r i s py K a l e S a l a d w i t h C h i c ke n a n d M u s h ro o m B a con MUSHR O O M BACO N • 2 large portobello mushrooms, sliced ¼-inch thick • 2 tsp liquid smoke • 2 tsp honey mustard • 2 Tbsp honey • 2 tsp garlic powder • 2 tsp rice vinegar (white vinegar works as well) • ¼ tsp table salt

C HIC KEN SA LA D • 2 skinless chicken breasts • ¼ cup honey mustard • 1 tsp garlic powder • ¼ tsp table salt • Cracked black pepper • 3 cups loose kale, stems removed and washed • 2 Tbsp olive oil

DRE SS I N G • 1 Tbsp honey mustard • 1 Tbsp honey • 3 Tbsp olive oil • 1 Tbsp rice vinegar

STE PS 1. Preheat the oven to 415ºF. 2. In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the mushroom ingredients: liquid smoke, honey mustard, honey, garlic powder, rice vinegar, and table salt.

Gently toss with the sliced portobello mushrooms, and spread flat over a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving room for the chicken breasts.

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3. Place chicken breasts in a bowl, and toss with the chicken salad ingredients: honey mustard, garlic powder, salt, cracked black pepper. Mix until fully coated and transfer to the parchment paper-lined baking sheet with the mushrooms.

4. Place the baking sheet in the oven and cook for about 40 minutes.

Around 25 minutes in, flip the mushrooms and remove any tiny pieces that may burn. When done, remove from the oven and transfer the chicken and mushrooms. Line sheet with a new piece of parchment paper.

5. While the chicken and mushrooms are cooking , make the dressing. Combine all dressing ingredients in a mason jar and shake until combined (or whisk).

6. Toss the washed kale with olive oil. Spread evenly over new parchment-paper lined baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, until the edges begin to crisp up.

7. Lay sliced chicken breasts over the crispy kale, and sprinkle with the mushroom bacon. Drizzle with the dressing and enjoy !

For more tips and recipes, visit RecipeHippie.com or follow @recipehippie on Instagram.

www.aliciareynoldsrealtor.com

19

FOOD & DRINK

A Wine for the Ages Pawt u cket d istributor S aperavi USA bri n gs anc ie nt Ge o rg ian w i ne to Rho de Isl a nd

By Kare n Greco

I

n 2017, the academic journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences published a study that named Georgia, a tiny countr y on the coast of the Black Sea, the oldest winemaking region in the world. Wine residue was found on potter y shards that dated back to 6,000 B.C. It was an extraordinar y find that took the wine world by surprise, but not the Georgians.

“Georgia was the Napa Valley of the Soviet Union,” says Gayle Corrigan, who launched Saperavi USA (named for the unique Georgian grape used in their wines that has red skin and red flesh) in 2020 specifically to bring Georgian wine to the US. Corrigan, a Rhode Island native, was raised during the height of the Cold War when many Soviet Jews emigrated to the US. Her father, a teacher at Hope High School, invited the newly settled students and their families over for Thanksgiving , which sparked friendships that remain to this day.

In 1989, Corrigan left to attend the University of Rochester, majoring in Russian political science, studying the former USSR . “It was still the Soviet Union back then, and things with Gorbachev were really heating up,” she says. While traveling around the countr y during her stay, she met a group of Georgian students who invited her and a friend to join them at a feast. “ We show up and the table is just full of so

20

From the grapevines of Georgia to Rhode Island, Saperavi USA distributes wine from top makers much food, which was amazing at that time, because this was the Soviet Union, and there were chronic food shortages. They had this homemade wine. I don’t think I’ve ever had something so delicious.”

Corrigan lived in Russia for seven years, eventually returning to Rhode Island with her Georgian husband and kids. But she missed the international connection she had living in Europe and she wanted to bring some of that stateside. A visit to the Georgian Wine Symposium in Texas led her on a connoisseur’s tour of the tiny countr y, culminating in a four-day inter view with Giorgi Khatiashvili, one of Georgia’s top winemakers. “He wanted to make sure we were worthy of bringing this wine to the US,” she says. “ Wine is revered ; it’s part of their life,” she continues, noting that Georgians have the highest life expectancy of all of Eastern Europe. Could it be the wine ?

“Georgians live a ver y agricultural, simple life,” Corrigan says with a laugh. But, by law, Georgian winemakers can’t put any additives in their wine (which translates to low sulfides). While most of their wines are not certified organic, Georgians don’t use pesticides on their crops.

Khatiashvili and his vineyard Shumi developed a specific brand for Corrigan to bring to the US market, formulating the wine for an American palate. “Johnson & Wales has

a wonderful wine program,” says Corrigan. “ We worked with them to decide what wines to import over.”

Like other vineyards, Shumi uses cutting-edge technologies in their winemaking.

But they also work in the traditional Georgian process of wild-fermenting the grapes in clay pots buried underground. This makes up Saperavi’s Qveveri line, named for the ancient vessel. The Kisi Qveveri uses the Kisi grape, a white wine grape, that is fermented along with the skins and stems. This process gives the wine a unique orange hue.

The growing appetite for natural wine makes the Qveveri method poised for a breakout; and orange wine is beginning to pick up buzz in the wine world. Rhode Island is one of the few places in America to find this ancient vino.

Working in a political hotspot like Eastern Europe comes with its challenges. When Russia, who once purchased 100 percent of Georgian wine, imposed sanctions on the country and refused to import it, it could have spelled the end of this ancient wine. Instead, the Georgians strengthened their laws to ensure the quality of their winemaking endured and worked tirelessly to promote it to foreign markets.

“I have confidence in the wine and the mission,” says Corrigan, who notes that the wine retailers in Rhode Island have greeted her and the wine with enthusiasm. We’ll raise a glass to that.

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Ready to branch out from the usual Merlot or Chardonnay? Saperavi’s reds are robust and flavorful, but not too sweet. Their whites have a crisp dryness that rivals a French Sauvignon Blanc. Embark on your own Georgian wine adventure with a bottle from these Rhody retailers. Visit Saperavi. com for more locations.

Allen’s Wine & Spirits, Portsmouth Bottles Fine Wine, Providence Centerville Liquors, West Warwick Charlestown Wine and Spirits, Charlestown Chepachet Village Wine & Spirits, Chepachet Clift’s Liquors, Riverside El Antojo, Central Falls Fernandez Brothers Liquors, Pawtucket Gold’s Wine and Spirits, Middletown

Photos courtesy of Saperavi USA

Grapes and Gourmet, Jamestown Grapes and Grains, Barrington

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21

FOOD & DRINK

A Fox Point Rendezvous

Provid e nce D ate N i g ht I G fo o d i e s d i s h o n th e p er fect d ate n ig ht ja u nt on th e Ea st Sid e

By Angie and Jeff DiMeo

W

ith the occasional springlike day seeing many of us venturing outside, March offers a welcome break from the chilly gloom of winter to indulge in a proper date night. If you’re aiming to get dressed up and hit the town for a walkable three-stop adventure, might we recommend heading to the heart of Fox Point ?

Start off the evening with Ride the Tiger and The King’s Maze cocktails from The East End Photo by Jeff DiMeo

DR I NKS If you want to kick off a special evening with a place that truly cares about their craft – and also touts a robust selection of whiskey – The East End on Wickenden Street is for you. We opted to put ourselves in the hands of the skilled staff and try a few of their recommended cocktails, and we weren’t disappointed!

Ride the Tiger is passion fruit-forward with the perfect juice-to-vodka ratio and a hint of cinnamon, ser ved in an irresistible coupe glass we couldn’t stop stealing sips from. If you’re looking for something a bit more complex and warming , go for The King’s Maze, a rye cocktail with a cranberry-maple cordial.

DINNE R Next we headed east down Wickenden to the more casual and retro -themed Pizza Mar vin, a newcomer to Fox Point that daringly threw its hat into the world of Rhode Island pizza. In a small state that holds its pies in high regard, you must be really good or really innovative.

We started with Nancy’s Chopped, a salad made of bitter greens, chickpeas, cured meats, cheeses, and little peppers. It’s dressed with a mix of red wine vinegar and herbs that kept us coming back for one more bite. But the star of the show is clearly the pizza. Neapolitan style with a twist, these pies are made from scratch with fun toppings and boast a chewy crust delightfully blackened in the pizza oven.

Roni Island is the most popular pie, covered in pepperoni, cherr y peppers, and a sweet

22

honey drizzle. If you’re up for a second round of drinks – or want to bring one home for later – many of their local sodas and housemade cocktails are canned on site.

The g uys at Pizza Mar vin have curated a distinct ambiance at this lively joint, from the

DJ-selected playlist to the high tops and redchecked paper lining plastic trays. We recommend a seat by the window to people-watch Wickenden’s night denizens between shared glances with your sweetie. Who would’ve thought retro could be so innovative ?

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A Neapolitan-style pie with a twist from Pizza Marvin Photo by Jeff DiMeo

DE SS E RT Steps away from Pizza Mar vin is Aleppo Sweets on Ives Street – the perfect place to round out a date.

We found ourselves sipping ginger, cardamom, and mint tea while enjoying the many baklava options – lady fingers with whole pistachios being our favorite.

Whether with friends or a special someone, it’s worth emerging from that winter cocoon to don your hat and scarf for a delicious evening traipsing Fox Point. For more foodie adventures follow @providencedatenight on Instagram.

The East End 244 Wickenden Street TheEastEndPVD.com

Pizza Marvin 468 Wickenden Street PizzaMarvin.com

Aleppo Sweets 107 Ives Street AleppoSweets.com

No Fox Point jaunt is complete without Aleppo Sweets Photography by Brandon Harmon

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She is dedicated to helping them take control of their financial future. “I am passionate about helping others become financially empowered and make smart well-informed decisions about their money, especially women,” she says. Joanne’s clientele includes individuals, couples, doctors, small business owners, and professors, but many of her clients are women who have become responsible for their financial future after experiencing death of a loved one, divorce, or inheritance of significant wealth.

Joanne knows personally how important it is to be involved in your finances, since her mother became a widow at 45 and her sister went through a divorce after 25 years of marriage. Joanne saw firsthand the emotional and financial challenges they faced, which is why she requires that both spouses participate in their meetings. Joanne strives to ensure that if something happens to one of them, the other will be better prepared to handle their financial affairs on their own. “Of course, I will be there for them, to guide them and advocate for them,” she says, “helping them navigate through the overwhelming paperwork and helping them preserve their wealth so that they can live a comfortable lifestyle.”

As a result of Joanne’s personal experiences, she has truly made it her mission to help her clients become financially informed and engaged in their finances, to help ensure they make smart decisions about their money. “I am their wealth coach, helping them navigate through their financial journey,” Joanne says. “I essentially act as PAID ADVERTISING SECTION

their personal CFO, helping them in many financial aspects of their life and working in collaboration with their attorneys and CPAs to create a holistic wealth plan that incorporates their personal values and goals. I provide customized financial and investment strategies to help them enhance and preserve their wealth so they can achieve what’s most important to them.” Through ongoing financial education, coaching, and planning, her clients feel confident in making informed financial decisions.

Joanne enjoys educating others through financial presentations to civic organizations and companies. She is a frequent guest speaker on various topics, including financial empowerment, wealth planning, and divorce. She has presented at Bryant’s Women Summit, South County Hospital, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), URI Alumni Foundation, and The Rhode Island Society of CPAs, to name a few.

I am passionate about helping others become financially empowered Though Joanne’s office is in Providence, she often meets with clients in their home, office, the firm’s Newport office, or via virtual meetings. Joanne has more than 25 years of financial services experience, was a former CPA Tax Manager for Ernst and Young, and earned an M.S. in taxation from Bryant University. Joanne has attained Morgan Stanley’s Family Wealth Advisor (FWA) designation, which is granted to those financial advisors who have successfully completed an extensive accreditation program focused on the skills needed to help families communicate about money and values, share their goals, and grow and preserve wealth across generations. She is also a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®.

Outside of work, Joanne is an active volunteer, including being a member of: United Way of RI board, Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England board, South County Health Foundation board (past Investment committee), Christ the King Parish Finance Committee, GFWC Women’s Club of South County, Women United Executive Committee, RI Society of CPAs, and the Estate Planning Council of RI. Joanne lives in Narragansett with her husband and two daughters.

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25

Eveline Luppi

Professional Painter ARTISTIC LIFE Born and raised in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, EVELINE LUPPI has led a dual life between the contemporary art scenes in New York City and Rhode Island. She studied for several years at the Art Students League in Manhattan, where her mentors and instructors were Knox Martin, Larry Poons, and William Scharf, all nationally acclaimed artists. She developed her iconic style amid Manhattan’s flurry of artistic activity in the 1990s and early 2000s. “I found myself in the middle of the creative ferment as part of the contemporary art scene and evolved my present geometric and digital styles,” she recalls of her time spent in the artistic community there.

She has since exhibited widely, earning awards such as the J. Banigan Sullivan’s Award at the Providence Art Club and the Felicia Meyer Scholarship Award from the Art Students League of New York. Her work has been reviewed in numerous magazines by prominent art writers and critics.

“My art grew out of and is deeply grounded in the Rhode Island experience of landscape, ocean, and rivers,” Eveline explains. “I am a professional painter always immersed in creative reverie and exploration, as well as the pragmatic and often mundane workshop tools and techniques needed to realize my art.” It’s a deep sense of immersion she brings to her daily life: “A permanent exploration, a permanent discovery leading to unexpected results.

Quite simply, that is why I love it.”

FROM ABSTRACT TO DIGITAL Displayed online for easy viewing, you can witness the progression of Eveline’s artistic body of work through the years, tracing her evocative perspectives of the world around her in technical yet emotional use of space. “My work includes abstract, iconic, and digital styles,” she says. “Lately, my art is aligned with and has grown into the tremendous explosion of activities in the digital art field, including new trends in

virtual reality and blockchain NFTs,” or non-fungible tokens – one-of-akind encrypted digital assets valued for their authenticity.

If you click through Eveline’s archive, you’ll also find her iconic Musicians series of acrylic paintings featuring, for instance, a study of Aretha Franklin in her red hat singing at President Obama’s inauguration, as well as other early abstract work like “‘Red Cardinal,’ with the explosive red bird head against a garden of white flowers,” she describes. Additional series like Treehouses and Sea Marks further demonstrate her Rhode Island scenic influences, depicted in stripped down, colorful renderings, and geometric interpretations.

IN THE COMMUNITY A teacher and a former gallery owner in addition to professional painter, Eveline is deeply involved in the local scene as a champion for others’ artistic pursuits, as well as online in Facebook and Instagram communities. She is a full member of the Pawtucket Advisory Commission on Arts and Culture, which works for the mayor to oversee and encourage the city’s art landscape, and she has close relationships with galleries in Manhattan and Cape Cod, as well as the Providence Art Club gallery.

This month, Eveline opens a solo show at Sprout Galleries in Providence and Warren, displaying a full retrospective of her career for the public to view a lifetime’s worth of her creative achievements.

“It’s a perspective on my life as an artist, full of the color, line, movement, humorous and serious pieces, that express what I enjoy and love,” she says. “In the end, what I care about is the viewers’ engagement with the human connection in my art, expressing my enjoyment of the world and my outreach to everyone else.”

163 Exchange Street, Unit 402 Pawtucket • 646-468-2000 EvelineLuppi.com

26

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ANN-MARIE GODDARD Designer/Co-Owner

351 Liberty Lane • Suite 16 West Kingston • 401-295-4300 ExodusDesignRI.com

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MANUELA MONTAQUILA Owner of Perfect Touch Interiors From admiring architecture in her travels to cultivating an eye for fabrics and style, Manuela Montaquila’s interests led to a career in interior design, as well as fulfilling a dream of owning her own business: PERFECT TOUCH INTERIORS. Manuela earned a BS in Textile Marketing from URI, a unique program combining marketing and developing functions with the production of textiles, and she is a Certified Interior Decorator.

“I love listening to the wants and needs of our clients, learning and understanding their style and taste to create a space that makes them happy. That is the ultimate goal,” says Manuela. She uses her vast knowledge of color, spatial awareness, styling, and access to industry resources to create designs that are beautiful, comfortable, and functional. Celebrating 10 years of owning the 30-year-old business and recently relocated to Lincoln, Manuela maintains a hands-on, personalized

“One of our favorite things to do is drive around where we live and show our family the houses we designed and built for other families to live, love, and grow within. In many ways our children have grown up on what were job sites that became someone else’s home. That’s a point of pride,” says Ann-Marie Goddard. She’s referring to the business she founded with husband Chris, EXODUS CONSTRUCTION and EXODUS DESIGN GROUP. “We live in the community we work in and we care about clients and building relationships.”

Ann-Marie has a background in design, having earned a degree from LA’s Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising along with degrees in other disciplines from the University of San Diego. The industrious pair fell in love on a construction job and have been together working and living almost every day since. Fast-forward and they have a 15 year-old daughter, and their own business turned 18.

Ann-Marie loves the interaction with clients and building relationships that

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approach to see each project through, from conception to installation. “There are many choices when it comes to hiring someone to design your home or office, but we are truly here for you.”

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last. Her favorite part of her job is designing custom homes and best skill set is attention to detail, choosing finishes, and sourcing materials for flooring, cabinetry, tile, lighting, plumbing, and more.

Designing and building custom homes has been a team effort for almost two decades for this power couple and will be for many more years to come.

Exodus has earned Best of Houzz every year since 2016. Ann-Marie received a Congressional Merit award in 2008 from our then-President, George Bush, as well as Woman of the Year award 2010/2011 from National Association for Professional Women.

“Running the two Exodus companies can be challenging work with grueling hours, but the people we meet and work with are all so diverse and interesting! I love working with my husband – the collaboration and teamwork is exhilarating.

We are working to build a family legacy for our children and grandchildren and we love what we do while we are doing that!”

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27

Tess Leighton Market Leader

“We grew up with very little,” begins Tess Leighton, “and paying the bills was an everpresent worry in our household.” Her family often struggled with financial uncertainty, but she remembers her grandfather’s guiding words: “Work hard, earn respect, and never get complacent.” This stuck with Tess and served as her compass in life, prompting her to seek work early. Her first job was as a telemarketer at a mortgage company when she was 16 years old, and she quickly moved up the ladder to become a loan officer (no licenses were needed at that time, Tess explains). “I did everything I could to learn all aspects of the business,” she says. “I learned from everyone possible and befriended those who seemed to have the most success and knowledge.

Throughout my career, I’ve always focused

28

Hey Rhody MARCH 2022 |

on working harder and longer than the person next to me so that I could eventually lead and help others find their own success.”

Today, Tess is a Market Leader for MOVEMENT MORTGAGE, a communitydriven mortgage lending company that started in 2008. Movement Mortgage’s presence in New England was non-existent until 2015, when Tess joined and helped the company build and grow its foundation in the region. “Since our inception in Rhode Island, we have experienced tremendous market growth leading to become the number one purchase lender in the state for three consecutive years,” she says. Tess’s hard work and dedication is key to this accomplishment – she has been the top market leader in New England for the last six years, a Movement Mortgage Changemaker

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for three, and nominated in 2021 as a Woman of Influence with HousingWire.

In her current role with Movement Mortgage, Tess oversees the development and growth of the Rhode Island and Massachusetts markets, including their expanding team, which Tess describes as full of talented, dedicated individuals. But her favorite part of the job is helping people become everything they dream to be, from identifying roadblocks to expanding on their ideas and casting their own visions. She enjoys empowering those who have not always had the right opportunities, and helping them not only meet but exceed their goals.

“A huge part of our mission at Movement Mortgage is to give back to the communities in which we serve, which has been extremely successful locally and nationwide,” says Tess, referring to the company’s year-round philanthropic efforts, which involve volunteering and raising money for local organizations.

Movement Mortgage also encourages employees to get involved with charities that mean the most to them, and even matches their giving through their Movement Foundation. Over the years, Tess has helped build Hope Centers and churches across El Salvador and raise money for multiple charities in conjunction with Movement Mortgage, Movement Foundation, and the KM Foundation. “I am proud to be part of a company that’s mission is to love and value others.”

When it comes to sharing the wisdom of all she has learned succeeding over the years in a male-dominated industry, Tess says, “Never say to yourself ‘It’s not my job.’

It’s so important not to have that attitude with your leaders, peers, employees, etc. but even more so with yourself. If you’re always willing to roll up your sleeves and do anything that needs to be done, from janitorial work to leading a company, you’ll likely be looked at as someone that will do anything for the growth of the team around you,” she explains.

Looking ahead to this year, Tess is most excited for Movement Mortgage’s continued growth in market share for Rhode Island and Massachusetts, as well as the establishment of their Newport office (206B Bellevue Avenue) and new flagship in Providence (72 Pine Street) to accommodate their evergrowing team.

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A URI grad and born-and-raised Rhode Islander, Dr. Micheline Gauthier is proud to use her audiology doctorate in the Ocean State. She has now owned ATLANTIC AUDIOLOGY, INC. for five years, where she serves as primary provider, diagnosing and treating patients with hearing loss and tinnitus. “I took over Atlantic Audiology with the goal of informing consumers that there are options for hearing aids other than ENT settings and retail settings,” says Dr. Gauthier. The award-winning practice involves the family in the process to help set the patient up for success.

With comprehensive evaluations, in-office device demonstrations, and personalized service, Dr. Gauthier helps ensure the best possible outcomes.

“Untreated hearing loss is very closely correlated with cognitive decline. We want to get the word out about how important hearing is for processing, understanding, and staying an active participant socially,”

which is why cognitive screenings will be available starting this year. Two locations (the second she opened after only four years) help Dr. Gauthier and her team assess and find hearing solutions for patients all over the state.

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29

REBECCA KING Realtor

PRUTHA J PATEL Realtor A self-made woman with a degree in Business Administration from Boston University, Prutha Patel brings 10 years of experience in property management and investing to help her clients find what they’re looking for. Prutha is an award-winning realtor at RE/MAX INNOVATIONS – with sights on becoming the next top real estate agent and investor in RI. “I love my job because it is so exciting to help others find their dream homes and build their own investment portfolios,” shares Prutha. “I have worked with firsttime home buyers, seasoned investors, and everyone in between!” She’s bought two multi-family investment homes, supervised over 50 units, recently launched her third AirBnB rental, and her upcoming venture for 2022 is to launch a business in real estate consulting to educate and empower others to succeed in their real estate journeys.

Active in the community, Prutha is also

JENNIFER JONES RASHLEIGH Art Studio & Gallery Owner

73 Simmons Road, Suite E, Little Compton • 508-951-0696 CedianPainting.com

30

Hey Rhody MARCH 2022 |

After

honing

her

marketing

skills

at

internationally recognized luxury brands like Conde Nast and Relais & Chateaux, Rebecca King joined GUSTAVE WHITE SOTHEBY’S

Vice President of the Board of Directors for Sojourner House, Commissioner on the Dexter Donation Commission, Board of Governors at The Miriam Hospital, and Chair for the Leadership RI Women’s Networking Group.

INTERNATIONAL REALTY. Clients love her market knowledge, professionalism, and the warmth she brings to finding their dream home, whether it’s a turnkey cottage by the beach or a charming home on Newport’s Historic Hill. “Real estate is an ever-changing landscape; it’s constantly bringing new people and experiences into my life,” says

289 North Main Street Providence • 401-573-2900 PruthaJp@bu.edu • PruthaPatel.com

“My work as an artist is about the process of observing the world acutely,” begins Jennifer Jones Rashleigh, “and distilling natural details into their salient essence that can continue to speak their truth and their unique natural poetic eloquence.”

Jennifer graduated with degrees in Art History and History, and conducted her doctoral research as a US Fulbright Scholar in Spain. She has taught art theory, art history, and fine art classes from collegeage to kindergarten, and in 2019 opened CEDIAN PAINTING: STUDIO-GALLERY in Tiverton. There, her portfolio of water and wildlife paintings dazzled visitors and attracted clients with her detailed, dynamic, and tactile art.

“I work with acrylic in every capacity,” Jennifer explains. “Diluted washes, translucent gel coats, brushed, spilled, poured, knifed, dragged opacities, and thickly pulled impasto textures that lift off the canvas.” But stretched canvas isn’t all Jennifer works on – she is also known for her hand-painted pillows, which allow the viewer to experience her art in

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Rebecca. “It’s why I love this profession.”

37 Bellevue Avenue, Newport 401-808-9334 • www.gustavewhite.com

a new way: “I encourage my clients to run their eyes and hands over the artwork,” she says. “There is something generative that occurs when we as humans look and touch something simultaneously.”

By the end of last year, Jennifer found herself running out of space as the list of commissions and scale of work doubled.

Her location in Tiverton Four Corners had grown too small, and so she seized the opportunity to open an even more expansive gallery in Little Compton Commons, where she continues to channel her creative energy into canvas.

“The response to my growing body of water and wildlife painting has been exhilarating,” Jennifer confesses of her wildlife studies of birds, fish, and botanicals.

Discover Jennifer’s inspiring art for yourself during her new studio’s grand opening on June 11, 2022 and stay tuned for Beginning Pillow Painting classes on Tuesday evenings during July and August. Stop by and visit Wednesday through Saturday, 12-5PM, or make an appointment!

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BETHANY MAZZA Boutique Co-Owner

GREEN INK is a stylish boutique that has offered quality items for 45 years. “I worked alongside my mom, Betty Givan, when I was just 11,” remembers Bethany Mazza, who now co-owns and runs the family business. “We’re a part of celebrations, but we’re also a part of everyday life,” Bethany says, adding that she feels fortunate to have an impact in her customers’ lives.

“We empower people to feel good, and that empowers us.”

89 Brown Street, Wickford 199 Wayland Avenue, Providence 294-6266 • GreenInkBoutique.com

ALICIA REYNOLDS Realtor

259 County Road, Barrington 401-835-2605 AliciaReynoldsRealtor.com

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CARRIE A. MCPHERSON, CRPS®, CDFA®, ChSNC® Financial Advisor “I was thankfully exposed to investing young,” says financial advisor Carrie McPherson.

“Due to my mother having a debilitating mental illness, I saw firsthand how difficult life can be without a safety net.”

These experiences drew Carrie to financial planning, where she helps clients feel more confident about building and maintaining their financial futures through strategic planning and diversified investment portfolios. “The best advice I can give is to start saving something today for tomorrow.

Pennies eventually do add up to dollars and the power of compounding investment income is incredible.”

Acutely aware of how chronic care can derail a family’s financial security, Carrie is developing a program to help families with special needs members prepare for their future. “I love being a partner to my clients

and like to think I make an impact in their lives today and in the future.”

BeaconPoint Wealth Advisors a financial advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC 1 Citizens Plaza, Suite 610 Providence • 824-2557 www.ameripriseadvisors.com/team/ beacon-point-wealth-advisors

Investment advisory products and services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC, a registered investment adviser.Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC. © 2022 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.

Whether you’re finding a new neighborhood, new town, or bringing the family “across the pond,” RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES LTD. realtor Alicia Reynolds can help make it happen. She brings years of mortgage lending and residential real estate experience and two Five Star Professional Rising Star awards to the job, but on a more personal level, she is intimately acquainted with the excitement and strife any relocation brings.

“As a native Rhode Islander with a large family, I’ve relocated my three kids – all at different ages and stages – around the world over the last 25 years, including Asia once and Europe twice!”

Alicia shares. Along with the typical stress that comes with any move, she has also navigated the process with the unique struggles that accompany living with a chronic illness. “I understand better than anyone the challenges that accessibility can present at all stages of the moving process and bring my own knowledge and empathy to the table.”

Hey Rhody MARCH 2022 |

Combined with the top-notch resources premier real estate company Residential Properties offers, Alicia is connected with a wide range of contacts, from building contractors and plumbers to attorneys and architects, to help make each step of the move painless. With a wry wit and empathetic ear, Alicia is a phone call away to answer questions throughout the process as a true advocate for her clients who prides herself in constant communication with all parties involved.

Entering a year when home inventory rates are at a historic low, Alicia says, “There has never been a better time to sell. I can help clients looking to sell or buy navigate the market successfully.”

Along with managing an autoimmune disease, Alicia sold over $7.6 million worth of real estate in her first year alone, and isn’t slowing down. “It is a huge leap of faith for someone to entrust you with one of the biggest decisions of their lives. I never take that for granted.”

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DOREEN PICONE REALTOR®

DR. CHRISTINE NOEL Artistic Director PROVIDENCE SINGERS celebrates two notable anniversaries this year: 50 years of choral singing and nine years under the leadership of artistic director Dr. Christine Noel. Since taking the podium, Dr. Noel has led the choir through world premieres, their fourth commercial recording, and many collaborative performances with the Rhode Island Philharmonic, including annual performances of Handel’s Messiah.

Her busy spring season includes Bach’s Magnificat on March 5, a concert of musical theater choruses on April 3, and Beethoven’s 9th Symphony in May. A Rhode Island native, Dr. Noel attended Rhode Island College, then studied in Italy and Hungary before pursuing her masters and doctorate degrees at Boston University. Deeply committed to music education, she is the founder and artistic director of the Rhode Island Children’s Chorus, a program that has taught over 2,000 singers over the past 19 years. Her

MICHELLE PARENTEAU Lead Designer & Principal, Michelle Lee Designs

1200 Hartford Avenue, Suite 12 Johnston • 401-954-2065 MichelleLeeDesigns.com @michelleleedesigns

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Hey Rhody MARCH 2022 |

students have performed in Carnegie Hall (2019) and appeared in the movie Moonrise Kingdom (2012). Several former RICC singers are pursuing careers in music education and sharing the joy of singing with a new generation.

667 Waterman Avenue, East Providence • 401-751-5700 ProvidenceSingers.org

It may have been the Chinese philosopher Confucius who said, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life” but it may as well have been Michelle Parenteau. The lead designer and principal of MICHELLE LEE DESIGNS, an award-winning interior design firm based in Johnston, loves what she does and it shows.

“I started the company in 2004 when my twins were two years old,” says the mother of three with the infectious smile. “I built Michelle Lee Designs one client at a time and today I am excited to be celebrating 18 years in business.”

Over time, Michelle has truly found her niche, adding panache and style to residential and commercial properties. If you’ve visited Mews Tavern in Wakefield, Wickford on the Water, or the brand new Drip Coffee House in East Greenwich, you’ve seen her handiwork in action. A lifelong Rhode Islander who loves the sea, Michelle draws much of her inspiration from the shoreline.

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Doreen Picone is always committed to helping her clients reach their home buying and selling goals. A successful Realtor with COASTAL PROPERTIES GROUP, Doreen previously owned a decorating and drapery business.

She is also an Accredited Staging Professional with a keen eye for design and construction. Doreen is a Member/Volunteer for the WVA, NK Lions, NKWC, WAC, WAA, NKFP, QDNYC and food pantry.

7 Main Street, Wickford.

447-4492 • CPGRI.com

Tell-tale signs of a Michelle Lee Design are natural textures mixed with a range of blues and unexpected sparkle. The busy entrepreneur is currently finishing up a 6500 square foot modern farmhouse, and preparing to renovate a home in Los Angeles.

An exhibiting artist, Michelle’s colorful paintings have been featured in galleries across the state, and she brings that flair to even the smallest of spaces via unexpected flourishes like hardware and wallpaper. She is ever-clever with space and helps clients make use of awkward nooks so common in New England architecture.

In the business, Michelle has also built a solid reputation of working with and hiring local talent and small businesses, relying on a regular roster to supply everything from lighting to countertops and more.

“I’m usually brought in to give dark, dated spaces new life,” she says. “When I can bring a client out of their safe zone, it’s the best feeling!”

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KIM CURTIS Pastry Chef

AMY WALSH Executive Director

A graduate of Johnson & Wales and owner of SWEET ALTHEA’S, Kim Curtis has had a lifelong passion for both baking and art. Her bakery, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year,

makes

equally

gorgeous

and

delicious cakes daily from scratch, as well as pastries, cookies, brownies, scones, and more. “Sweet Althea’s is a very special place,” Kim says, “and has what every small bakery should have: the best coffee, high-quality pastries, and wonderful people.”

542 Kingstown Rd., Wakefield.

932-9473, SweetAltheas.com

You don’t often hear people say they are passionate about banking but this is very true for Amy Walsh, Executive Director for Middle Market Banking & Specialized Industries at JPMORGAN CHASE COMMERCIAL BANKING. In this role Amy brings the firm’s global capabilities to the local business community, helping companies succeed at every stage. “I’m passionate about helping businesses in ways that foster growth,” she says.

Amy’s career started as a management trainee at another firm where she quickly discovered her interest in helping businesses. She has also owned a small manufacturing company. “While I have progressed to helping larger, mid-sized companies, I continue to stay close to smaller, growing businesses, too,” she says. “Having JPMorgan Chase in the state provides access to banking services that help companies grow at any stage in their journey.” Experiences as a business

owner and a mother of a child with special needs have contributed to Amy’s growth.

She is a champion of providing people of all backgrounds with opportunities. “Our world, our businesses, and our families are better when we prioritize diversity and inclusion.”

10 Dorrance Street Suite 725, Providence • amy.walsh@chase.com chase.com/commercialbanking

ALETHEA DUNHAM-CARSON Assistant Head of School for Teaching & Learning

45 Maxfield Ave. East Providence • 401-434-3833 GordonSchool.org

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“My career path has taken me to a variety of educational settings, but my interest has remained consistent: to find ways to increase equity and access in education, allowing all students to have high-quality, engaging, and joyful school experiences,” says Alethea DunhamCarson, new Assistant Head of School for Teaching and Learning at the GORDON SCHOOL. “I was excited to come to Gordon because of its authenticity and clarity of vision. The effort to cultivate community, creativity, and human dignity runs through everything we do.”

Alethea is a first-generation college graduate. She earned her BA in Sociology from the University of Pennsylvania and a Master’s degree in Educational Policy, Advocacy and Leadership from New York University. A trained S.E.E.D (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity) Facilitator, Alethea is a past selected participant in the prestigious Fellowship

Hey Rhody MARCH 2022 |

for Aspiring Heads sponsored by the National Association of Independent Schools. Prior to joining Gordon, she held various positions at Meadowbrook School of Weston, most recently as their Director of Multicultural Affairs.

In her role at Gordon, Alethea makes a direct connection between the school’s mission and the classroom experience.

This year that includes leading the Study on Belonging, an initiative assessing Gordon’s diversity, inclusion and equity work that will help inform the next steps in the school’s growth and evolution.

Alethea is passionate about understanding the experiences of and partnering with different groups at Gordon – students, families, faculty, staff and leadership. “I am a firm believer in the power of schools to positively transform the lives of the children, families, and communities that they serve.”

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SARAH KENNEDY & LAUREN GREENE Managing Directors Years of experience in the public sector and working on campaigns have made Sarah Kennedy (Fairfield University) and Lauren Greene (University of Rhode Island) the skilled storytellers and communicators they are today. As managing directors at the communications and public policy agency NEW HARBOR GROUP, the pair create bold, strategic communications plans for a wide variety of clients – from quasi-state agencies and customer-facing businesses to nonprofits and advocacy organizations.

“We develop and implement campaigns focused on public awareness, traditional media, and social media that tell our clients’ stories in a way that creates a climate where they can succeed. Our unique solutions and customized support are designed for clients who are starting a new business, who may be in a short-term crisis, launching a new initiative or just want to communicate better and more effectively.” With an organized, thorough approach and experience in a

DEBRA L’HEUREUX Certified Matchmaker

310 Maple Avenue Suite L05-A, Barrington, 401-289-0900 GetReadytoDate.com

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Hey Rhody MARCH 2022 |

LORRAINE SENA Manager

Lorraine Sena is the proud manager of THE BUCKET NUTRITION as of last year, though her journey began as a child of immigrant parents, helping her

wide range of industries, Sarah and Lauren look forward to welcoming a number of new clients this year. “We are always learning something new from our clients – every day at New Harbor is different and that’s what makes it interesting.”

dad with the family business. Armed with a degree in communications and a career in healthcare, Lorraine learned the needs of her Pawtucket community.

Along with conquering her own weight loss goals, she shares, “I love helping people feel good about themselves and be their best self! There is nothing better than that.”

400 Westminster Street, Suite 204 Providence • 401-831-1200 • NHarbor.com

“I’m in love, I’m in love and I don’t care who knows it,” says the character Buddy in the delightful 2003 movie Elf. It’s a joyous moment in the film and the impression one gets from the radiating smile of Debra L’Heureux. “I was hit by Cupid’s arrow at 49 and found the love of my life,” she beams. This profound feeling caused Debra to leave her longtime job in academia to become a matchmaker and start a company which she named GET READY TO DATE. Along with a knack for connecting people, Debra has solid creds – she received her certification from the Matchmaking Institute and is a graduate of the Relationship Coaching Institute.

On her Get Ready to Date website she keeps a blog and a Dear Debra page with the kinds of dating do’s and don’ts you don’t get from an app.

“My clients say I have a discerning and passionate heart and am a consummate romantic. I possess the

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863 Newport Avenue, Pawtucket.

401-362-9547 • @thebucketnutrition

tenacious resolve of a headhunter to introduce clients to their next great love,” she says. Debra’s process begins with a complimentary consultation. “I create what I call a second chance for love blueprint. I interview clients who have decided that finding love is a top priority in their life. I comb New England to find quality matches that clients would not find on their own.”

While nothing gives this matchmaker more joy than finding new love for widows, she works with any clients over 40 and the demand for her services is clear, as many singles looking for love have visited her Barrington office. “It’s never too late to dream a new dream and have the courage to love again,” says Debra before citing a favorite quote: “If it’s not mad passionate love, it’s a waste of time. There are too many mediocre things in life and love should not be one of them!”

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KATIE KELLY Owner of Anchor Toffee

10 Sims Avenue, Suite 112, Providence • 439-1517 AnchorToffee.com

When Katie Kelly and her husband were blessed with a daughter, Michaela, the idea to open a family business focusing on artisan candy was serendipitous.

Getting their start at Hope & Main, ANCHOR TOFFEE blossomed into its own Newport shop, earning them recognition from Yankee Magazine, The Boston Globe, Rhode Island Monthly, and Edible Rhody. Now, lots of hard work and happy customers later, they’ve grown into a second location with a kitchen and retail space in Providence.

“I created the retail space with little reminders of growing up near the ocean,” shares Katie about the new space. “There is warm hardwood decking for shelves and table tops, shiplap wall covering, and hints of the sea welcoming our guests into our store. I created a place where I feel I can give that same high-quality customer service I learned so long ago.”

Bringing a passion for food fostered at Johnson & Wales and a talent for

customer service honed over years of working in retail, Katie wears many hats, from creating a personalized shopping experience to packaging boxes of sweets with a wax seal and perfectly tied bow. Having always wanted to own her own business, Katie notes that Anchor Toffee is like a “second child,” which she has nurtured and grown to offer only the best. “I love that we built Anchor Toffee from just a few products at farmers markets into a growing regional candy brand in the Northeast, with aspirations to go national in the future.”

In the meantime, Katie looks forward to rolling out new toffee flavors, truffle varieties, and a sugar-free line as soon as they perfect the formulas, along with tours of the new space and a signature candy bar. Proud to be a working mother, Katie shares, “I have not given up even when things got really tough, and the challenges seemed insurmountable. Great toffee, great family – I’m very grateful.”

THE LEADING LADIES OF BLACKSTONE GROUP LEASING & MANAGEMENT investments.” A senior property manager Adeliz Rodriguez has climbed the ranks and now manages two of the largest portfolios at Blackstone, building strong relationships with each of her clients along the way. As assistant property manager and Blackstone’s legal coordinator, Rebecca Phelps uses the empathy and patience cultivated through an education in social work to ensure a smooth rent collection process. “There is a lot of financial help for tenants in Rhode Island currently, so I also assist with that process,” says Rebecca.

On the accounting end of Blackstone, Jennifer Sunderland, director of accounting, draws on past property and business management experience to lead her department in the fast-paced environment through each new From left to right: Jennifer Sunderland, Amanda Csigay, Adeliz Rodriguez, Yanis Rodriguez, and Becky Phelps

challenge. “I am a big fan of complicated problems and this position allowed me to create company policies that help streamline accounting

The women of BLACKSTONE GROUP LEASING & MANAGEMENT not

processes for a growing company,” says Jennifer. Accounting assistant

only make up a key component of the team but have also played

Yanis Rodriguez shares Jennifer’s interest and skill in problem-solving,

a huge role in the company’s growth and expansion in coverage

providing support and monitoring payable and receivable accounts.

area and scope of services. With a unique investor-focused mindset,

Each member of the team brings different skills and experiences to

Blackstone offers full-service property management including but not

the company, creating a blend of unique perspectives. “I feel appreciated

limited to property marketing, tenant screening, financial reporting,

and encouraged every day to give the best of myself,” says Adeliz. “As a

and other valuable services for property owners.

woman, it can be hard to have a voice, but I’ve never felt that in Blackstone.

“We want the best for our clients and tenants in every circumstance,”

Every time I suggest an idea, my opinion is heard and respected.”

says property manager Amanda Csigay who started working for Blackstone in 2018. “We advise our clients with up-to-date, legally backed information so they can make the best decisions for their

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Hey Rhody MARCH 2022 |

15 Circle Street, Rumford.

401-223-2838 • BlackstoneRI.com

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Carmen Grinkis, Ph.D., CLTC, CLU®, CFP® Wealth Advisor & Co-Managing Partner

Carmen Grinkis is a unique licensed investment adviser. Not only is she a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) professional, she has a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. “I transitioned from psychology after 15 years to financial planning after joining my father’s retirement planning practice,” she explains.

“I especially enjoy helping clients focus their resources to support their best lives.”

Her professional background may be a bit unorthodox, but her perspective as a psychologist brings surprising benefits to her financial planning work. “So much of financial planning is life planning. I approach each individual client with the intention of becoming attuned to their unique spirit and goals,” says Carmen. “This is the magic I love so much about personal financial planning.

“At AAF WEALTH MANAGEMENT, we

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Hey Rhody MARCH 2022 |

serve as a Financial Sherpa for our clients, helping them navigate their financial journey—including managing money, striving to provide them with peace of mind, helping them to achieve goals, and ultimately fulfillment,” she continues. “We believe that the future our clients envision cannot be achieved through investments alone.”

In her role as Financial Sherpa, Carmen is involved in a full range of services that are not typically part of a financial advisor experience. Instead, the focus is on the interplay of all the elements that comprise a client’s financial life, including taxes, business interests, investments, philanthropy, insurance, and estate planning. “We forecast, implement, monitor, and react in ways that keep their financial plan on course and bring longterm goals into clear view,” she explains.

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While her approach to financial planning and managing wealth is structured, it is also highly individualized to match each client.

“I love the uniqueness and originality of the clients I advise—from the professions they choose to the legacies they are planning to leave. Each of our client’s goals is personal, distinctive, and in progress,” she says. “One commonality of our clients is that they have complex financial needs. It’s incredibly fulfilling to understand their short and longterm goals, and to leverage all the resources available to help integrate and coordinate all the elements of their financial lives.”

Carmen’s creative spark allows her to bring new, unconventional ideas to financial planning, discovering “win-win” solutions that have a long-term positive impact on people.

From connecting with clients over Zoom wine tastings to working one-on-one with them to understand their intricate financial needs, Carmen values the close, personal relationships she develops with them through being a boutique Registered Investment Advisor (RIA). “We are approaching $500M in Assets Under Management, and our organic growth is due to client referrals—which is the highest compliment we can get,” she says.

Carmen is proud to call picturesque Tiverton home. She and her wife Kathrine “Kitty” Lovell, a fine artist who paints nature scenes, were the first female couple to get married in the town, within days after it was legalized, holding their wedding in their backyard garden.

She and Kitty are both active supporters of South Coast Artists, Inc. and the Tiverton Land Trust. They are also members of the Tiverton Yacht Club, the University Club of Providence, and the LPGA Amateur Golf Association. When you see her around town, ask about her other passions, which include music, vintage turntables, golf, squash, travel, and outdoor adventure. “Not to brag,” she jokes, “but I’ve been recognized five times for the Four Corner’s Art Center Annual ReTree Event.” Her entry in 2021 was an homage to her late parents and their love of golf.

“I am deeply in love with my RI Sakonnet Coastal region. We are surrounded by artists and creative, like-minded people,” she says.

“I remain deeply committed to the success of our Rhode Island community.”

cgrinkis@aafwealth.com 401-573-4240 AAFWealthManagement.com PAID ADVERTISING SECTION

THE LEADING LADIES OF PROVIDENCE MEDIA PROVIDENCE MEDIA is the locally owned publishing company of four award-winning monthly magazines: Providence Monthly, So Rhode Island, The Bay, and Hey Rhody. The free publications reach roughly 100,000 readers every month, bringing the best of food, arts, culture, fashion and much more, in a uniquely Ocean State voice. Additionally there are websites, social media pages, and a podcast, all produced by a small but mighty team of editors, graphic designers, and a seasoned sales force to make it all happen.

Abigail Brown, Senior Editorial Designer, started with Providence Media in 2019.

Her talent for design quickly led to taking the lead in laying out every article, cover story, and cover for all four magazines each month.

You may also see her name attached to original illustrations, a few of which have been turned into merchandise for causes available at Frog & Toad, Providence.

Shelley Cavoli, Account Manager for Northern Rhode Island and Providence.

Staff and customers were glad when Shelley recently rejoined the sales team after taking time away to assist her parents. “Our creative team publishes the best magazines. Everyday I see enthusiastic clients discover ways to be successful, I’m proud to be part of their success. Happy to be back!”

Louann DiMuccio-Darwich, Account Manager for East Bay and Providence.

Louann has been with Providence Media for 14 years. Known for her warm demeanor, she has a long history of developing strong relationships with clients. “I am blessed to work with an amazing team and local business community.”

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Ann Gallagher, Account Manager for South County. Ann has been with Providence Media for 14 years serving her seaside beat of South County. “I love that I can shop and support local businesses while also helping them get their message out through our magazines.

It’s so gratifying to see small businesses prosper with our help.”

Taylor Gilbert, Senior Graphic Designer. Taylor uses her talents to create ads, rate cards and sell sheets, plus marketing materials for special events and more; additionally she assists with editorial design. “We all work together as one big family, constantly supporting and motivating us all to be a better company.”

Karen Greco, Editor. The newest addition to the team as editor, Karen is a seasoned writer whose career started at Elle Magazine and Ladies’ Home Journal. She enjoys writing about fitness, food, and digging in to write in-depth cover stories and features. Karen is also the novelist of seven books and a novella.

Abbie Lahmers, Managing Editor. In 2021, hardworking Abbie was promoted to managing editor. In addition to taking on newsier stories, she assigns all Food & Drink, Rhody Gems, and Neighborhood News, and has transformed the Hey Rhody newsletter into a mini e-publication filled with magazine highlights, weekend must-do’s, and seasonal roundups.

Elyse Major, Editor-in-Chief. Since landing her dream job in 2018, Elyse’s various duties have

Hey Rhody MARCH 2022 |

included developing cover stories and overseeing the Life Style and Art & Culture sections. As the face of the company, she often appears on local TV and at events, proudly repping the magazines. Elyse also serves as co-president of the Rhode Island Press Association.

Kristine Mangan Olf, Account Manager for South County & Aquidneck Island. Kristine has been with Providence Media for nine years.

With over 25 years of sales experience, Kristine prides herself on helping any sized business grow and prosper via advertising in both print and online. “I love our magazines and what they offer to the local community.”

Sascha Roberts, Digital Media Manager.

While Sascha joined as an account manager, her enthusiasm for community led to her being recast as the company’s first digital media manager. Sascha now coordinates all social media (creator of #heyrhodyphotos), website content, and co-hosts the wildly popular Hey Rhody podcast.

Elizabeth Riel, Account Manager for Providence. Liz has been at Providence Media for over 14 years and has long been known for her dedication to helping businesses in Providence grow and thrive. She works closely with owners to create effective ad campaigns. “I love our little city and seeing all the exciting changes over the years.”

1944 Warwick Avenue, Warwick • HeyRhody.com

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Destination: Burrillville The northwest corner of the state offers rural beauty, delicious eats, and even famous ghost stories

BY PATTI MCALPINE Think you know Little Rhody like the back of your hand? When’s the last time you visited Nasonville ? How about Mapleville ?

If the suffix -ville didn’t give the location away, we’re talking about Burrillville, a town in Providence County which lies in the northwest corner of the Blackstone Valley.

Part of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, which took shape in the late 1980s, Burrillville still retains much of its rural character with farms and open space.

Like many valley communities, Burrillville comprises several mill villages that thrived during the Industrial Revolution, each with their unique offerings of arts and culture, recreation, nature, and histor y – some with haunting undertones.

Photo courtesy of Wright’s Farm Restaurant

Photo courtesy of Patti McAlpine

A Burrillville must is a visit to Wright’s Farm Restaurant. For over 50 years, this popular spot has been serving up award-winning family-style chicken dinners. Located off Broncos Highway (yup, that’s in Rhode Island), be sure to check out their amazing gift shop for local products; with 4,000 square feet, it’s the largest gift shop in the area.

Harrisville

Centered around Harris Mill and Clear River, Harrisville has a rural New England ambiance. A small town, yes, but it contains many amenities you might find in an urban center, and venues are within walking distance to each other with scenic views, wayfinding signs, and benches. The village is also home to The Farm on Round Top Road, a 1700s farmhouse known better as “the Conjuring House,” the home on the Arnold Estate where the Perron family experienced the real-life hauntings for which the first The Conjuring movie is based.

THE VILLAGES

Photo by Dave Lawlor

EAT Set a course for the waterfall and find a range of eateries, including the aptly named Waterfall Cafe & Martini Bar, The Taco Shop (pro tip: try the crunch wrap), and Niko’s Pizza House. Love food trucks ? On Sundays from May until October, The Assembly Theatre hosts PVD Food Truck events.

A scenic overview that includes the Jesse M. Smith Memorial Library BELOW: Liberty Farm & Carriage Company

SHOP The Art Box Studio & Retail Galler y offers craft workshops and gifts for sale by over 35 local artisans. From June through September, find local food, art, children’s activities, and music at the Burrillville Farmers Market, held at the Stillwater Mill Pavilion.

EXPLORE Footbridges, mills, pond overlooks, and more can all be found on a self-g uided walking tour of Harrisville, accessed at BlackstoneHeritageCorridor.org.

There’s also the Jesse M. Smith Memorial Librar y and Stillwater Mill Complex. By appointment, purchase pasture-raised beef, chicken, turkey, and pork at Liberty Farm.

Before you call in your order, why not reser ve a horse-drawn carriage ride by a team of Clydesdales and Percheron draft horses with a luxur y picnic add-on?

Photos courtesy of Patti McAlpine

THE BURRILLVILLE BIKE PATH Walk or bike ride from Harrisville to Pascoag along this 1.2-mile scenic trail deemed “very easy” by ExploreRI.org.

Pascoag

Some say “pas-coh” and some say “pas-kwag” and likely the name is derived from the Nipmuc word for snake (“askug”) referring to the village’s stream. Like Harrisville, Pascoag is a principal village of Burrillville that traces its roots back to the first half of the 18th century, when a sawmill and other businesses were built in what is now the village center located along Route 100. Rhode Island horror author HP Lovecraft set part of his story “The Horror of Red Hook” here.

EAT When James Toomey, director of marketing at Blackstone Valley Tourism Council says, “Burrillville probably has the most pizza joints per capita in Rhode Island,” he’s probably talking about Pascoag. In a small radius, find George’s Pizza ‘n Pub, Olympia Famous Pizza, and Serio’s Pizzarama. For deli sammies and burgers, visit Cow’s Tail Deli and Creamery and do not miss one of their six types of specialty fries (cinnamon and sugar!). The Thai Royal Restaurant and Bar is one of the only restaurants offering fresh and authentic Thai-inspired food in the area, and if you are just looking for a classic diner-style burger or hot dog with $1 drafts all day to wash it down, then Pascoag Cafe is the place to eat. Hot spot Bravo Brewing Company is a veteran-owned nanobrewery that donates 1 percent of its annual sales to Home for Our Troops. With an expanded tasting room, it is the place to go.

Grace Note Farm kicks off their concert season on March 13: GraceNoteFarmWeb.com BELOW: A flight at Bravo

SHOP Love perusing unique vintage and antique collectibles ?

Check out Little Shoppe of Treasures by Diesel Fuel, a thrift and consignment store.

EXPLORE Rustic charm abounds in Pascoag , especially at Grace Note Farm, a historic c. 1730 farmhouse offering a choice of B&B or farm stay where guests can help with the animals. The grounds are under a conservation easement with the Burrillville Land Trust and make up an idyllic location. Enjoy nature, hiking , mountain bike riding or horseback riding in the adjacent George Washington Wildlife Management Area. Owned and operated by Virginia Sindelar, a trained classical musician, the farm hosts monthly indoor concerts, Music at the Farm, every second Sunday of the month featuring world-renowned classical musicians. Last year Grace Note hosted its first Chamber Music Festival, which returns again this June.

Pascoag is also the location of the RI entrance to Wallum Lake via the Wallum Lake Canoe Launch. Hand-carried boat (canoes, kayaks) enthusiasts up for the task can traverse their way to the other side in Douglas, MA (estimated round-trip : five hours).

The Pascoag Reser voir is a popular fishing lake, open Memorial Day through Labor Day. A DEM access site, there is a cement plank boat ramp that provides access.

Photo by Dave Lawlor

A quiet winter moment at Wallum Lake

THE VILLAGES

Photos courtesy of Patti McAlpine Photo by Dave Lawlor

Trail riding and horse boarding is available at Grace Note Farm BELOW: White Mill Park

Bridgeton

A village within a village is Bridgeton. Now considered part of Pascoag , it’s home to the historic Bridgeton School. Built in 1897, this two -room schoolhouse ser ved the community until 1966. It later opened again as a kindergarten until 1995 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Today it’s home to the Burrillville Historic and Preser vation Society and houses town archives, open by appointment or during special events. Betty Mencucci, principal officer of the society (and local beekeeper; see Glendale), says they will be hosting a spring celebration highlighting local farms in April. A perfect place for a family afternoon is White Mill Park, which has a playground, picnic tables, a fishing area, and walking path.

Photo by Dave Lawlor

VICTORY HIGHWAY &

TURNPIKE VILLAGES Mapleville EAT A small family farm run by four siblings, Mapleville Farm sells fresh produce and doubles as an artisan bake shoppe. Order online from this sweet gang for curbside pick-up of delicious baked bread, pies, cookies, and more. Local seasonal goods are also for sale, such as honey, soap, and flowers. Watch for farm-to-table meal events and a fall farm festival in September.

SHOP Want to be transported to Lancaster, PA? Step inside The Village Barn Country Store and Antiques. Full of primitive country decor and antique memorabilia, it’s a treat for shoppers, and for enthusiasts of old-timey stuff, a stop along the Antique Trail (the nationwide tour of vintage shops and malls).

EXPLORE For the outdoor sportsperson, Addieville Farm East is the place : 1,000 acres with a bird habitat and two trout ponds. Here you can learn the art of fly-fishing or shotg unning , test your skills at sporting clays, or experience a European-style hunt (an optimal pheasant hunting experience with two shooters apiece at 12 stations), complete with continental breakfast to meet and greet with your partner, warm up clays, and off to your peg for high-flying pheasants.

Mapleville Farm’s chief of bread, Ben Ryan BELOW: Village Barn

Photos by Elyse Major

Photo courtesy of Betty’s Bees

Glendale EAT Chapman’s Food & Drink is a great place for handheld fare, ser ving ever ything from burgers to specialty egg rolls. On the other side of the spectrum is Bella Restaurant, a family-owned restaurant, bar, and banquet facility offering indoor and outdoor dining with sumptuous views – perfect for special events.

SHOP

Honey from beekeeper and author Betty Menucci (see “Rhody Reads” on page 62) BELOW: With swimming, boat rentals, and an oldtimey arcade, Spring Lake is a popular summer spot

Photography by Savannah Barkley

Founded in 1987, Betty’s Bee Farm sits on 14 acres with 20 colonies of bees run by Betty Mercucci. Honey can be purchased from the farm by appointment or found locally at spots like Mapleville Farm and farmers markets.

EXPLORE The small village of Glendale, considered part of Harrisville, is home to one of Blackstone Valley’s premiere recreational facilities, Spring Lake Beach. Open for the season on Memorial Day weekend, this popular place has fresh-water swimming (with a diving dock and kiddie slide) and boat rentals, and is also home to one of the oldest penny arcades. Spring Lake is within the boundaries of the Black Hut Management Area and offers hiking , birdwatching trails, and wildlife viewing ; it is also open for hunting so be sure to wear orange October through May.

VICTORY HIGHWAY &

TURNPIKE VILLAGES Nasonville

LEARN MORE Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, Inc. BlackstoneHeritageCorridor.org

EAT

Blackstone Valley Tourism Council TourBlackstone.com

Nasonville is home to several locally known restaurants, including Western Hotel Pizza. Formerly a stopping place on the Douglas Turnpike in the early 1800s for food and lodging , the pizza is known as the cheesiest around. Other popular joints are Uncle Ronnie’s Red Tavern, known for live entertainment and dinner specials; and Johnny’s Victor y Diner, operating since the 1930s, opens ever y day at 5am and is the place to get a hearty breakfast or lunch.

Town of Burrillville Burrillville.org

EXPLORE Once divided into three parts – Nasonville proper, Mohegan, and Tarkiln – Nasonville was founded in 1825 by Leonard Nason. A little gem just minutes from Western Hotel Pizza is Shrine of the Little Flower at Church of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, a place for those seeking a quiet place for spiritual contemplation and connecting with nature. Located at the Our Lady of Good Help Parish, this pilgrimage site for nearly 100 years has grounds surrounded by groves of trees and is open to all denominations. There’s even a gift shop.

The Shrine of the Little Flower BELOW: Clear River behind Stillwater Mill Complex and Jesse M. Smith Memorial Library

Oakland

On the National Register for Historic Places, Oakland is home to one of the few remaining stone mills, though in fragmented ruins. All of the village is in the historic district and most of the housing was originally built to house the workers. Oakland is considered a pretty village with a mill pond that houses the water from both the Clear River and Chepachet River.

Photos courtesy of Patti McAlpine

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HOME & STYLE H o m e | B e a u ty | I n f l u e n c e r | S h o p

48 Colorful textiles and plants transform the neutral living room P h o t o s b y G re g P re m r u P h o t o g r a p h y c o u r t e s y o f B l a k e l y I n t e r i o r D e s i g n

Patterns of Use

A coh e si ve co l o r sto r y a n d c u sto m c a b i n etr y b r in g org a n ization a n d c a lm to a W ic kford col oni al

By Elyse Major

W

hen Susan and Dennis sold their four-bedroom colonial in Cowesett and downsized to a one-level condo in East Greenwich, they thought they were all set. But then, Dennis left his career in banking to take over Susan’s family’s home improvement company and the industrious pair now required space for a home office, not to mention parking a commercial vehicle. It was time to upsize.

A home in Wickford at the end of a cul-de-sac checked all the boxes: space on the main floor for an

48

office and plenty of room to host holiday gatherings, plus a private yard and easy access to the highway.

“Our home felt like ‘us’ right away. Classic and comfortable, not too precious or fussy,” says Susan. “ We felt really challenged about decorating this time around because we were upsizing and needed so much more than anticipated to finish this house.

And of course, we wanted it all done ASAP !” Susan explains. They decided to go pro and hired Janelle Blakely Photopoulos, owner and creative director at Blakely Interior Design, a full-ser vice residential interior design firm right in town.

Textiles and accents in blue and green connect spaces visually

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Photos by Greg Premru Photography courtesy of Blakely Interior Design

HOME & STYLE

Pattern heats up the fireplace surround

Stair runners add warmth and style

“I remember Janelle asking to see my Pinterest board, and I didn’t even know what that was,” says Susan with a laugh. “ When we were at the Blakely studio, I kept noticing these blue and green pillows that Janelle had in the waiting area.

When I felt stuck about color, I finally said to her ‘I love the colors in those pillows!’ and we started to find our direction.”

“Susan and Dennis were concerned about the lack of light,” Blakely Photopoulos begins. “ We opened up the wall between the kitchen and Dennis’ office and added French doors to allow the southern light to come in while still keeping it private. In the family room, we added a wall of white builtins, accented with brighter blues and pops of fun yellow.

By touching nearly ever y aspect of the main floor, we could

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Photos by Greg Premru Photography courtesy of Blakely Interior Design

HOME & STYLE

Get Rhody Style I d e a s a n d re s o u rce s fo r m a k i n g t h e m o s t o f l i v i n g i n t h e O ce a n S t a te .

Trave l Lo c a l “Our usual travel has been replaced with lots of golf, Bonnet Shores, and cheering on our PC Friars basketball team during the pandemic,” says Susan.

We s t B ay Fave s A favorite shop in Susan’s new hometown is The Wickford Collection “for gifts and unique home accessories, and gorgeous holiday decor,” but she heads to East Greenwich for longtime faves The Green Door and Zuzu’s Petals. “Zuzu’s is my go-to for fun summer dresses and when I need something for a special occasion.”

R h o d y Re s o u rce s Local vendors on the Wickford Highlands Project included Rome Point Woodworking, West Kingston; Tegan & Company, North Kingstown; and Prime Painting, Westerly.

L i ve Co l o r f u l l y Blakely Interior Design is known for designing spaces that transform not only homes, but the everyday lives of clients with function, form, and plenty of panache. BlakelyInteriorDesign.com

“Powder rooms are the perfect place for pretty wallpapers,” says Janelle Blakely ensure the color palette harmonized from one room to another, while keeping in mind fixed elements that weren’t changing , like the countertops and dark hardwood floors.”

“It’s funny how North Kingstown feels more coastal to us than East Greenwich,” says Susan.

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“ We love being 20 minutes from ever ything and the combination of quaint Main Streets in so many towns with proximity to Boston and New York. Add in a great restaurant scene and beautiful beaches – it’s hard to beat Rhode Island.”

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HOME & STYLE

Hello, Sunshine Face spring with four beauty products made in Rhody

By Jackie Ignall We sur vived another New England winter, and it’s time to say hello to spring ! The change of season is always an ideal time to make modifications to your beauty routine and incorporate different products. Here are a handful of goods made around Rhode Island that will detoxif y skin, protect it from the sun, and make it look more even, so you’ll be ready to face the sunshine.

FACE MASK Spring is a great time to introduce a face mask to your routine. Tr y the Flora Terra Clay Face Masque by Warren-based Herbal R ae, which contains three types of clay, neem leaf, crushed yarrow, and chamomile flowers to zap oil and impurities while also hydrating. Mix the powder formula with some water and apply to the skin for 10 minutes, then rinse. Your complexion will be glowy and smooth for days. HerbalR ae.com

SUN BLOCK Sun protection should be worn all year, but in warmer months it’s essential. Adding in Block Island Organics’ Natural Face Moisturizer to your regimen should do the trick.

Made with invisible zinc so there is no chalky cast, this moisturizer with SPF 30 contains antioxidants like green tea to protect and shea butter to keep skin soft. BlockIslandOrganics. com

DEODORANT All-natural Resinous Rose Deodorant Cream from Beecher’s Botanicals is made with organic ingredients such as cold pressed coco nut oil (an antibacterial), arrowroot powder, baking soda, and essential oils to help you stay dr y and smell good even on the warmest days. A blend of myrrh and palmarosa add a subtle floral scent. BeechersBotanicals.com

SOAP Photos courtesy of Jackie Ignall

Kick up your daily shower with an all-natural face and body soap with a refreshing citrus scent from Bubbly Muse. The homemade Bromelain Rosehip Soap with vitamin C helps to remove dead skin cells to brighten and even out complexions. BubblyMuse.com Learn more beauty tips from Jackie Ignall at WanderAndLash.com, @wanderandlash

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HOME & STYLE

Meet Doreen Collins Rhode Island’s First Lady of Comedy talks being a funny gal in a guy-dominated biz

By S ascha Roberts

You perform on stage, TV, and radio – do you have a favorite way to entertain?

I love to entertain anytime, anywhere, but, I have to say, live is probably my favorite. That being said, I did love doing the TV show, Rhode Bytes, which aired on WJAR NBC 10 after SNL from 2009-2012, and still miss doing it. When you do TV, you get to do it until you get it right and you can control the finished product. You also have a broader reach, more people watching. Rhode Bytes used to average 60,000 households an episode. But you can’t hear the laughter. On the other hand, you don’t hear the non-laughter either. When you perform live, you get to feel the energ y, hear the laughter, bask in the applause.

In 2015, you were inducted into the RI Comedy Hall of Fame and are still the only woman in that esteemed group.

How does that feel?

It was a huge honor. I was being recognized for doing what I’ve loved doing for over 50 years. Yes, I’m old.

A fellow comic once referred to me as the Ruth Bader Ginsburg of RI comedy. But I was also honored to be the first female to make the cut. I was warned that, “if I wanted to hang with big boys, I’d better be able to take a hit” – and hit they did during the roast. A roast is always rough, but when your roasters are two of RI’s most quick-witted sharp-tongued comedians, a sitting Congressman, a news anchor, an uncensored drag queen, your bitchy gay bestie, and your big brother, it’s a whole other level of heat. One of the best nights of my career.

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES MARCH 5: Courthouse Center for the Arts, Kingston MARCH 6: Chan’s, Woonsocket MARCH 11: Bally’s Tiverton Casino MARCH 13: Wayfinder Hotel, Newport MARCH 19: The Ladies Room, East Greenwich Fireman’s Club MARCH 20: George’s of Galilee, Narragansett MARCH 27: Finn’s Harborside, East Greenwich TheDoreenCollins.com

Is Rhode Island’s comedy scene different from others you’ve experienced, and if so why?

Laughter is laughter no matter where you are, but one of the things that made me fall in love with the state was the way Rhode Islanders enjoy laughing at themselves. I have gotten spoiled performing here. After all, this is the I-know-a-guy state, so once you’re “the guy,” people know, it’s easier to get booked. That’s everywhere, though. Look at Adam Sandler movies, or Martin Scorsese, or Spike Lee – they always use their buddies and it helps when your buddies have talent. I need to know better guys…

Photo by Steve Sabo, courtesy of Bike Newport

Where is your favorite place to perform?

I love to perform in almost ever y venue I book.

My favorites are the ones that are sold out! And the bigger, the better. It’s so much easier to perform in front of 2,000 people than it is to perform in front of two.

HOME & STYLE

Town Pride

By Elyse Major

R

eady to make the trek north to explore Burrillville? Chances are good it’s just shy of an hour’s drive – or less – from wherever you may live in Rhode Island, so you don’t need to pack a suitcase (unless you plan to stay at Grace Note Farm). Get into the spirit of local tourism with some B-ville goods. As you wear your swag, impress townies by knowing that the place with so many consonants was once part of Glocester and named in honor of James Burrill, a PVD-born Brown grad and noted Rhody statesman whose impressive career included serving as Attorney General, being a member of the State House of Representatives, chief justice of the RI Supreme Court and a US Senator. Who needs to go “Down East” when you’ve got Blackstone Valley?

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64 An evening of wine and dining at RI PBS’ signature fundraising event Photo courtesy of Rhode Island PBS

ART & CULTURE

This Woman’s Work

Dire cto r R a c h e l Wa lsh e ta ckles gender inequity in Ironbo und

By Karen Greco

Donnla Hughes as Darja

I

n Martyna Majok’s Ironbound, which begins performances at The Gamm Theatre on March 17, we meet Darja, a Polish immigrant struggling to get by on her cleaning job. Over the course of 20 years, Darja encounters three different men who offer her either love or financial security – never both. It’s a stark portrait of what it means to be a woman fighting for survival in America.

First produced in 2016, the play feels even more urgent now, after COVID lockdowns pushed 3.5 million women out of the workforce. Women in front-line occupations – grocer y store workers, health care aids, service industr y staff – often lived precariously to begin with. Without health insurance, living paycheck to paycheck, the pandemic

heightened the inequities around work that were building over the decades.

“The pandemic laid bare the extreme weakness in our social fabric,” says director Rachel Walshe. “In Ironbound, Darja’s labor is undervalued. She’s doing work others refuse to do.”

Walshe points out that it’s easy to romanticize the working-class hero. But with Ironbound, Darja’s character doesn’t fall into sentimentality. She is portrayed as a complex, full human. “She makes terrible decisions,” says Walshe, noting that Darja can be unlikable.

“She can be really awful to other people.”

The title Ironbound comes from the neighborhood in Newark, New Jersey, where the play is set. But Walshe says there’s symbolic power in that word. “An iron heart is at the

Photo (L) by Cat Laine, (R) courtesy of The Gamm

Director Rachel Walshe

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core of Darja’s stor y. What does it cost something like Darja to not be able to be a full person, to not take emotional risks, not have the emotional resources ?”

These are the plays – ones that interrogate the unpaid emotional labor borne by women – that Walshe feels drawn to. “ When you look at most of the caregivers in this countr y, who are doing CNA work, nursing home work, child care work, they are working class women of color. They are immigrant women. They are responsible for some of the most intense, emotional, physical, psychologically demanding work that others won’t do.” It’s work that often goes unrecognized.

“I came from a family of working class folks,” says Walshe, who grew up in War wick.

“Nobody in my family was doing art for a living , that’s for sure.”

But when Walshe arrived at URI, a philosophy professor encouraged her to pursue theater. She headed to Chicago, where she got an MFA in directing from DePaul University.

She spent two years in Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar studying Renaissance drama before returning to work professionally at some of their storied theaters, like Steppenwolf (the theater co -founded by actor Gar y Sinise).

With a growing family and a teaching offer from URI, she and her artist-husband, also from Rhode Island, decided to return to the state. For a few years, they divided their time between the Creative Capital and the Windy City, eventually deciding to go all in on Rhody.

“The realities of raising a family and being a working artist, and the benefits of having family nearby, outweighed the desire to be in Chicago. And I really loved teaching.”

While Chicago is known as a theater town, Rhode Island’s rich theater scene is bringing more professional artists to our small state.

Walshe rattles off our many local theaters, from regional staple Trinity Rep to Mixed Magic to her artistic home, The Gamm.

“Rhode Island audiences have an appetite for culture,” she says. “But they demand we justif y why they should sit through this difficult, highly charged material. I like that. It keeps me honest. As an artist, it means I’m constantly required to re-interrogate the purpose, the meaning , the value, the clarity, of a stor y.” Ironbound plays at The Gamm Theatre from March 17 – April 10. GammTheatre.org

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ART & CULTURE

When Form Met Function

From their Providence studio, Ben & Aja Blanc produce limited-edition furniture, lighting, and objects beloved by the design world

By Julia B arber

The Blancs at their studio

I

The Pillar Side Table showcases the natural beauty of white oak

Photography by Wolf Matthewson

Hand-spun, hand-painted silk fiber adds unexpected texture to the Half Moon Mirror

n Providence, we have the very good luck to be surrounded by talented artists and designers who, drawn to the Rhode Island School of Design from all over the world, settle in our capital city after graduation. The country’s smallest state has real appeal for curious and creative people who find a welcoming community here. Ben and Aja Blanc, who met in a graduate program at RISD, now run a widely renowned design business based in the Jewelry District, fueled by the chemistry they found here, and in each other.

Aja grew up in Washington State. While working at a museum in Seattle after college graduation, she met a RISD graduate she deeply admired. Although she’d never heard of the art school, her graphic designer colleagues gushed about its stellar reputation, and she began to consider moving across the country to attend a graduate program here. Ben, who grew up in Illinois, credits meeting Aja as the best part of attending RISD. One of their first collaborations, Half Moon Mirror, revealed their creative potential as a couple, and they haven’t looked back since. The mirror has been hung worldwide and continues to receive glowing reviews.

The Blancs were charmed by Rhode Island. “ Why wouldn’t you stay in Providence ?” Ben asks. “So much room to breathe, a really great community of creatives and a solid community willing to share knowledge. And the beaches aren’t bad, either.”

They live and work in the Jewelr y District and relish exploring the RISD Museum. For Ben, the museum’s monumental Japanese Buddha Mahavairocana is a must-see, while Aja is drawn to Etruscan vessels in the antiquities galleries. Their investment in the local community has borne fruit: the couple is responsible for the luxe interior of the Café Pearl at the RISD Museum, a collaboration with local favorites Bolt Coffee named after one of the museum’s longest ser ving docents, Pearl Nathan.

The two draw from a wide range of design influences (many of whom can be seen in the RISD Museum’s collection), such as Louise Bourgeois, Ray Eames, Meret Oppenheim, and Donald Judd. For contemporary furniture and design, Aja recommends New York’s The Future Perfect and Los Angeles’ GARDE; locally, she loves Covet & Lou in Newton, Massachusetts. Aja also suggests typing “weird” in front of nearly any functional object in the eBay search field to see what unexpected beauty might turn up.

These days, the couple is at work on a one-of-a-kind series of mirrors, exploring the concepts of reflection and color through painted and antiqued surfaces, silk fibers and horsehair, and mottled textures juxtaposing reflective and translucent material.

A recent collaboration with the Paris-based Venet Foundation has allowed the couple to work with artist Yves Klein’s famous ultramarine pigment, International Klein Blue, melding art history with future design. The two have launched lines of light fixtures – delicious experiments in texture and light – and furniture pieces that are both striking experiments in formalism and appealing home furnishings. Their academic background at RISD launched this stellar trajectory; Rhode Island’s creative community, and beach air, fuel its growth. Learn more at BenAndAjaBlanc.com

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ART & CULTURE

Rhody Reads Hit the Rhode using six books

by local authors as your field guide

By Hug h Minor

W

hen Willie Nelson sings “On the Road Again,” we know he really means “On the Rhode Again.” There is so much to see and do in the Ocean State and this month’s Rhody Reads highlights six books sure to give you a wider perspective of all RI has to offer. Whether you take the tour from your armchair or the road, come along !

You can check out more of this month’s featured town in Burrillville Revisited by Betty Menucci, written on behalf of the Burrillville Historical & Preser vation Society. With a collection of historic photos, Menucci chronicles the saga of Burrillville’s more than 300-year histo r y and its successful growth as a result of the booming mill industr y. Along the way, she highlights some of the fascinating characters and events that make it a classic American town.

Conjure up a haunted adventure while exploring even more of Burrillville at the Arnold Estate in Harrisville. Featured as the center of The Conjuring movie, the true stor y begins in the book House of Darkness: House of Light – The True Story, Volume One by Andrea Perron, who lived on the property with her family as a child. What did they experience ? Read the firsthand account and decide for yourself.

Take a walk on the wild side with environmental enthusiast Scott Turner and his recently released collection of essays, Beauty in the Street: Nature Tales from the Neighborhood. For more than a decade, Turner was a columnist for The Providence Journal, sharing obser vations of his surroundings from the city limits

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to the coastline, reminding us to take time to appreciate the lessons and beauty of the natural world.

Barrington Books: BarringtonBooks.com

No trip is complete without the right companion, and a coonhound named Billy sounds like the perfect choice. He’s the star of Billy the Rescue Dog, a new children’s book by Rhode Island author Susan Joyce with illustrations by Thea Ernest. Rescued by PAWS New England, Billy adapts to his new home on a farm and, with newfound confidence, returns the favor. Join him and a menagerie of barnyard friends on this fun adventure.

Curiosity & Co.: Jamestown, Facebook: CuriosityandCompany.store

Send your Rhody book recommendations to Hugh at RhodyReads@gmail.com

HeyRhody.com

A statewide listing of Rhode Island booksellers:

What better selection for this month’s list than Jim Ziegler’s Road Worthy, an exploration of both the physical journey we take and our life’s voyage. The inspiring tale relates the true adventures of a father and son coming together to explore the past and the meaning of community. You’ll be moved by their discoveries while you smile and laugh at the antics and escapades they encounter along the way.

For many, becoming a senior citizen is just the beginning of a new journey. Let Herb Weiss g uide you through growing older in his book, Taking Charge: Collected Stories on Aging Boldly. Weiss shares the stories and challenges faced

by Rhode Islanders over 50 as they maneuver through a bold new world.

Sometimes touching and always insightful, these essays will help readers car ve a clear path toward living longer and living better.

Hey Rhody MARCH 2022 |

SHOP INDIE

Book Nerd: Barrington, Facebook Books on the Pond: Charlestown, BooksOnThePond.com Books on the Square: Providence, BookSq.com Cellar Stories Bookstore: Providence, CellarStories.com Charter Books: Newport, CharterBookStore.com

Inkfish Books: Warren, InkFishBooks.com Island Books: Middletown, IslandBooksRI.indielite.org Island Bound Bookstore: Block Island, IslandBoundBookstore.com Lovecraft Arts & Sciences: Providence, WeirdProvidence.org Paper Nautilus Books: Providence, PaperNautilusBooks.com Rarities Books & Bindery: Wakefield, RaritiesOnline.com Riffraff Bookstore + Bar: Providence, RiffRaffPVD.com Savoy Bookshop & Cafe: Westerly, BankSquareBooks.com Stillwater Books: Pawtucket, StillwaterBooksRI.com Symposium Books: Providence, SymposiumBooks.com Twenty Stories: Providence, TwentyStoriesLA.com Wakefield Books: Wakefield, WakefieldBooks.com

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ART & CULTURE

10 essential events this month

Through March 27: Set in 1904, Gem of the Ocean, the first play in legendar y playwright Aug ust Wilson’s 10-play American Centur y Cycle that dramatizes the African American experience over generations, comes to Providence. TrinityRep.com Through March: The Museum of Work & Culture presents their 6th Annual Poutine Indulgence & Competition for museum passport holders to sample local fries smothered in gravy and cheese curds.

Woonsocket, ShopMOWC.com March 5 & 6: Rummage through the racks of vintage finds from over 85 vendors of preloved clothes, vinyl, books, furniture, and more at Little City Thrifty’s Vintage Mart at WaterFire Arts Center. LittyCityThrifty.com

March 6: Catch an unforgettable show from

64

April 9: Save the date for Rhode Island PBS’ Uncorked! – a food and wine event to benefit your local public TV station at the Pawtucket Armory Arts Center, with tickets on sale March 1. Pawtucket, RIPBS.org

the chart-topping , genre-bending sound of folk band Talisk reverberating within the Black Stone River Theatre, performing new and classic hits. Cumberland, Riverfolk.org

March 12: Don your best green attire and grab a spot to see the Newport St. Patrick’s Day Parade, traveling from Newport City Hall, down Thames Street to Saint Aug ustine’s Church, held rain, snow, or shine!

NewportIrish.com March 17: Visit the Vegas-style venue The Last Resort for a St. Paddy’s Day Celebration with great food, green beer, and more, featuring New England party band He Said She Said. Smithfield, TheLastResortRI.com

March 19: Head to Bally’s Twin River Event Center to hear Grammy award-winning band Blood, Sweat & Tears and jam out to their

ide statew For a f events o listing online! s visit u m ody.co h HeyR

rock, jazz, and blues hits with a rousing horn section. Lincoln, BallysLincoln.com

March 19: Lace up your running shoes for the Shamrock Shuffle, St. Pat’s 5K , or Irish 5K , making up the Tour De Patrick, a three-part 5K race series through the state.

North Kingstown, Providence & Pawtucket, TourDePatrick.com March 24, 26 & 27: Rescheduled from December, don’t miss Almost, Maine, a romantic comedy set beneath the northern lights for a midwinter night’s tale of hearts broken and mended at Stadium Theatre.

Woonsocket, StadiumTheatre.com Please note that events may require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test and mask-wearing regardless of vaccination status.

Be sure to check each venue for updates.

Hey Rhody MARCH 2022 |

HeyRhody.com

Photo courtesy of Rhode Island PBS

The Must List

Support your local public TV station while sipping and savoring the night away

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