Hey Rhody March 2024

Spring NARRAGANSETT Restaurant Week

15TH ANNUAL SPECIAL RESTAURANT WEEK DEALS FROM MATUNUCK OYSTER BAR | GEORGES OF GALILEE | COAST GUARD HOUSE ARTURO JOES | SURF SHACK | FUEL COFFEE BAR |

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News & Life

8 The state’s new soccer team kicks off their season this month

10 THE PUBLIC’S RADIO: How should Rhode Island promote its heritage?

12 RHODY GEM: Coffee producer’s cafe below 95 in Pawtucket

14 RHODY PETS: Traveling tips + the adoptable pet of the month

16 Newport gets a new aquarium with expanded exhibits

Home & Style

54 The in-demand bowls of an East Bay ceramicist

56 INFLUENCER: Meet the Portsmouth mom who is the last trap fisherman

58 SHOP: Trip essentials from local brands and boutiques

On the Cover: A collage of Ocean State travels by Abigail Brown

Food & Drink

62 IN THE KITCHEN: Barrington chef’s local legacy

64 RECIPE: Go green with matcha overnight oats

68 EXPERIENCE: Reubens and rock-n-roll vibes at a West End bar

70 RHODY EATS: RESTAURANT GUIDE

Art & Culture

72 ON STAGE: Pop music seeks to lure newbies to the ballet

74 Emmy-award winner returns to RI for stand-up show in Westerly

76 Latest from NK author examines more weird state stuf

78 CALENDAR: This month’s must-do’s

80 HEY RHODY PHOTOS

A colorful mosaic from our talented followers via Instagram

Photography by Maaike Bernstrom

Photo courtesy of Rhode Island Football Club

Photo courteys of Lucky Enough

Publishers

Editor in Chief Elyse Major

Editor

Ken Abrams

Digital Media Specialist

Jenna Kaplan

Advertising Design Director Layheang Meas

Senior Designer

Taylor Gilbert

Account Managers

Shelley Cavoli

Managing Editor Abbie Lahmers

Senior Editorial Designer Abigail Brown

Louann DiMuccio-Darwich

Ann Gallagher

Kristine Mangan Olf

Chris Revill

Interested in advertising?

Email Marketing@HeyRhody.com

Contributing Photographers

Jennifer Bedford

Maaike Bernstrom

Lisa Bruno

Judith Gardner

Contributing Writers

Ian Donnis

Patty J

Karen Kalunian

Andrea E. McHugh

Interested in writing?

Dylan Giles Trey McIntyre Paw Print Studio CT Leah Miriam Pisari

Hugh Minor Liz Murray Emily Olson Ruthie Wood

Email Abbie@HeyRhody.com

Interns

Alexandra Ashe Shaliyah Dixon

Interested in an internship?

Email Elyse@HeyRhody.com

Distribution

SPRING INTO LOVE

Call Debra

401-289-0900

Complimentary consultation

Debra personally interviews and screens her clients

Handcrafted matches

JOIN MY MATCHMAKING DATABASE AT GETREADYTODATE.COM

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 20 years!

Hey Rhody!

As I write this note, “New England” by Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers keeps running through my head. The proto-punk ditty is a love letter to the northeast and the sentiment behind our cover story. “A Year of Staycations” is a gentle reminder that we live in a travel destination, so why should tourists have all the fun? For each month, local experiences are paired with accommodations and dining suggestions “worth packing for.” This is the first cover story ever to appear in all four Hey Rhody Media Co. publications (that’s 77,500 copies!), designed to be a useful year-round statewide guide.

In related features, Karen Kalunian, host of Animal Talk on Rhode Island PBS, offers tips on traveling with pets; Hugh Minor talks with author Bob Curley about his latest book covering the state’s weirdest secrets; and our blogger/digital media specialist Jenna Kaplan writes about travel essentials available from local brands and shops.

When it comes to restaurants, managing editor and resident foodie Abbie Lahmers dishes on a delicious night out of scratchmade bar snacks, sandwiches, and cocktails in Providence; longtime contributor Andrea McHugh interviews a Barrington deli owner who makes his own corned beef and

more, and this month Patty J takes us on a statewide zeppole tour!

This issue is packed with stories about interesting neighbors like the Portsmouth “fishermom” using her growing platform to draw attention to sustainable food sources, the late-night TV fixture returning home to perform an interactive show in Westerly, and the East Bay ceramicist causing a stir with her tableware. Browse colorful inspiration from this month’s home, get the stats on the new pro soccer team, discover a cafe tucked below 95, and so much more.

Thank you for being a reader, and thank you to our valued advertisers for their support – we hope you’ll patronize them and mention you saw them right here. Keep tagging snaps on IG using #heyrhodyphotos for a chance to be featured!

Happy Travels!

ELYSE MAJOR Editor in Chief Instagram: @elyse.elizabeth.major

Photographed at Champlin’s Resort & Marina, Block Island

Rhode Island welcomes a new professional soccer team

Photo courtesy of The Rhode Island Football Club

New Team Finds Its Footing

The state welcomes a new professional soccer team, kicking off this month

By Ken Abrams

Still grieving the loss of our beloved Pawtucket Red Sox and those family outings at McCoy Stadium every summer? Well, get ready to welcome a new team to town.

The Rhode Island Football Club (RIFC) is a new professional soccer team making its debut this month. Led by head coach and general manager Khano Smith, RIFC kicks off the season on March 16 against New Mexico United, one of 23 other teams in the USL Championship League, the principal minor league in American soccer. The team takes to the pitch with high expectations for success and a new state-of-the-art 10,000-seat stadium at Tidewater Landing in Pawtucket, expected to be completed for the 2025 season. Meanwhile, the 2024 season unfolds at Bryant University’s Bierne Stadium, where all 17 home games are scheduled to be played.

Co-founder and board member Michael Parkhurst, who grew up playing youth soccer in Cranston and later became an All-Star with the New England Revolution, is part of the group that brought the team to Rhode Island. “The goal is to provide something for the community and build something great,” he says.

Parkhurst, a former defender and US Olympian, was responsible for recruiting Smith, a teammate on the Revolution, as well as setting up training facilities and advising on stadium needs. He continues to work with Smith on player recruitment and development. “We’ve put together a very good roster for year one,” he says. “We know that people want to cheer on a winning team and we’re going to try to provide that for fans.”

With the team opener nearly sold out at press time, the challenge for organizers is to build a sustainable following in the state, a fanbase that will show up to twice-monthly matches that run through October. “The gameday experience will include lots of activities, including entertainment for kids, youth teams playing at halftime, and kids walking out with players, which is part of the soccer tradition,” adds Parkhurst.

The ownership group, led by Brett Johnson, has been working on bringing the team to Rhode Island since 2018. “It’s certainly been a long time coming,” says Brett Luy, team president who oversees all business operations, partnerships, ticketing, and merchandise. “We’ve got a wonderful grassroots team spreading the word at WaterFire, Brewfest, holiday outings at the Roger Williams Park Zoo, and all the youth tournaments in partnership with local youth clubs and Soccer RI, who has been a great partner.”

More children play youth soccer in Rhode

Island than any other sport, so reaching these players and their families is vital for the team’s success. “We want to make sure that the youth soccer community is aware that we’re here and give kids something to look forward to and aspire to on the field,” says Luy. “We’ll be offering some interesting experiences for coaches, players, and their families that maybe they’re not getting elsewhere. We’re out in the community with our players, and with Chip, the mascot. We take the off-field components of our mission very seriously.”

The Rhode Island Football Club makes its debut this month

Photos courtesy of The Rhode Island Football Club

Although the team won’t be playing in the new stadium until 2025, Luy promises a complete game-day experience this season. To that end, the team has installed new bleachers on the north end of Bierne Stadium, doubling the capacity of the venue. “We’ll bring in LED boards, we’ll have a hospitality area, a beer garden, and a food truck village. And we’ll also have field seats, which are extremely popular with fans; they really put you on top of the action.”

The team has a growing fanbase, led by Defiance 1636, a spirited club of dedicated

fans that bring energy and an appropriate bit of rowdiness to home games. “It’s gonna be a raucous environment,” adds Luy. “Khano has done an excellent job of assembling this roster in relatively short order. We aim to compete from day one. Our expectation is to win.”

“There will be something for everybody,” Luy continues. “If you want that family-friendly experience, we offer it. For hardcore soccer fans, you’ll find Defiance banging drums and popping smoke when we score goals in Section 13.” RhodeIslandFC.com, @rhodeislandfc

RIFC mascot Chip

How Should Rhode Island Promote Its Heritage?

Tourism has been an important sector in Rhode Island’s economy for years. But state marketing focuses more on beaches than historic places of interest that mark the state’s prominent role in American history. Is it time for that to change?

In partnership with The Public’s Radio • ThePublicsRadio.org • By Ian Donnis

Y “ou just stepped onto 400-year-old wood boards, some of them as wide as a foot wide,” Bob Burke said while stepping into the mini-museum he created on Weybosset Street, around the corner from his French restaurant, Pot au Feu. “This is white oak and this would have been growing at the time that Roger Williams, the founder of our state, was actually still here and alive.”

Burke is a local historian. He created what he calls a keyhole museum to offer an overview on Rhode Island history, done up with the feel of a colonial tavern.

“The reason why we created this as our visitors’ center theme is because it was the brave colonists in 1772 who met in a Providence tavern and debated whether or not they should attack the Gaspee,” Burke said.

The attack on the Gaspee is well known locally and it set the stage for the American Revolution. But while crowds turned out in Boston last week to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, few outside of Rhode Island know the story of that British vessel.

DO TOURISTS WANT BEACHES OR HISTORICAL EXPERIENCES?

Proponents of heritage tourism say the state could do a much better job of promoting its past. Heritage tourism has become much more trendy in recent years. But when it comes to promoting tourism, beaches and Newport mansions get more attention than Roger Williams’ role in creating the concept of religious freedom, Rhode Island’s central place in the Industrial Revolution, and how the Ocean State was enmeshed in the Atlantic slave trade.

By not placing a greater focus on Rhode Island’s place in American history, Burke and other history enthusiasts contend, the state is falling short of its potential in drawing tourists.

“We’re one of the only places that has the true historical assets, because our preservation movements have been so strong that we have assets that other places simply do not have,” Burke said. “They, like a historical theme park, are making up fakes. We have the real historical theme park here.

The only thing Rhode Island hasn’t done is put up turnstiles and actually organized it.”

Emerging on Weybosset Street, Burke points to the largest bell cast by Paul Revere’s foundry, visible at what is now the First Unitarian Church on the East Side.

He described how Providence was first settled thousands of years ago, and explains that Weybosset’s winding course is due to how it was a busy Native American trading route.

Burke believes Providence deserves a UN World Heritage designation because of such details. That may be a long shot, but he’s not alone in seeing significant room for improvement in highlighting Rhode Island’s history.

“I think this is really important,” said Ruth Taylor, the former director of the Newport Historical Society, and current chairwoman of the Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission.

Taylor agrees with Burke that emphasizing local history will bring more tourists. And she said boosting appreciation for history is important for the state’s self-identity.

“If we live in a place where important things have consistently happened, where innovation has happened, where struggles against good and evil have happened, that ennobles us in a way and helps us to think about bigger things,” she said.

STATE SPENDING ON TOURISM IS NOT THE PROBLEM

State spending on tourism promotion did increase significantly during the Raimondo administration, to more than $6 million a year. That’s up from a meager $700,000 about 10 years ago. And the boost appears to be paying off.

State officials say visits to Rhode Island grew by more than five percent in 2022, to a record of almost 28 million people. Spending by visitors topped $5 billion, an increase of 17 percent over the previous year.

McKee points to improvements at the State House as a sign of how his administration values history. And he cites the spike in visitors in expressing satisfaction.

“The percentage of people coming to Rhode

Island is up considerably,” McKee said. “I am very pleased with where we are right now.”

“And tourism isn’t one thing,” he said. “We can’t go out there and say, ‘We’re colonial America.’ Where there are markets that are interested in that, we talk to them. In the general gist of it, when we’re throwing out the fishing net, we have to talk about the entire authentic destination.”

But Secretary of State Gregg Amore, who taught history for 27 years at East Providence High School, is among those who think the state could do a much better job of promoting its past.

When he travels around the US, Amore said the historic sites he visits are filled with tourists from near and far.

By contrast, in Rhode Island, he said, “I think we’ve focused on our beauty and our culinary expertise and we’ve focused on the idea that this is kind of summer vacationland, but we really haven’t focused on our deep and rich history.”

For example, Amore said, Rhode Island is the only state to use leased space to house materials like the 1663 Royal Charter that set the stage for the principles of religious liberty and separation of church and state in the US. Amore and Gov. Dan McKee are backing a plan to create a new state archive and museum to host a trove of historic

documents.

Photo by Ian Donnis

Bob Burke shows off a portrait of Roger Williams at his mini-museum on Weybosset St. in Providence

“If you want to see the Declaration of Independence, our original copy with John Hancock’s signature on the back, you have to make an appointment at the archives,” he said. “We bring it out for you. You look at it for a couple of minutes and then you move on. We need to display these in a way that then prompts further interest to go visit the First Baptist Church, Touro Synagogue, et cetera, et cetera,” Amore said.

COULD THE SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL BE A TOURISM OPPORTUNITY?

Proponents of Rhode Island history also note that the state lacks the visitor centers that have helped destinations like Charleston, South Carolina, boost tourism. And they say as Rhode Island prepares to celebrate the nation’s semiquincentennial, or 250th anniversary in two years, it needs to deliver better marketing than its recent rollout of giant stuffie replicas at out of town airports.

This is not the first time the state has faced criticism for its approach to luring visitors. Rhode Island has faced ridicule for a series of efforts to boost the state, ranging from the “Biggest Little State in the Union” campaign in the early 1980s to the “Cooler and Warmer” tagline in 2016, which was scrapped after widespread criticism.

Bob Burke said that if Disney announced it was going into historic theme parks, the company would spend billions of dollars to create the kind of features that already exist in Providence. So, he says, why not turn Providence into a historic theme park that attracts visitors on a scale with places like Williamsburg, Charleston, and Savannah?

“Why aren’t we that heritage place that people are visiting?” Burke asked. “The only reason is that we do nothing to let them know we’re here.”

This article was originally posted on December 21, 2023. Political reporter Ian Donnis can be reached at idonnis@thepublicsradio.org

Hazel Origin Coffee

Coffee Importer and Cafe

What it is:

A coffee shop serving high-quality green coffee with a menu beyond baked goods.

Where to find it:

Using Hope Artiste Village as your reference, follow Belmont or Dudley Street from Main Street to Esten Avenue; look for the black brick building with the company name displayed in lights across the front entrance.

What makes it a Rhody Gem?

Off the beaten path, landing at Hazel Origin Coffee feels like a true IYKYK discovery. Not only inviting with a menu of great food options, but also committed to quality and the environment when it comes to your daily cup of java, the coffee company has been charming customers since opening in 2022. This family-owned and -operated cafe prides itself on being an “ally of Earth,” with owners, husband and wife Olvin and Dulce Lopez, dedicated to using organic practices each step of the way to craft their delicious and unique brand of coffee – from importing and selling coffee beans that are sustainably sourced from Central and Latin America farms, including their native homeland of Honduras, to working with farmers who share their passion of minimizing environmental impact. The journey doesn’t end here for the couple, as they soon plan to open their second location in Brown University’s newly renovated Chen Family Hall on Brook Street.

Hazel Origin Coffee

245 Esten Avenue, Pawtucket

HazelOriginCoffee.com

Instagram: @hazelorigincoffee.ri

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

Photo by Elyse Major

Traveling With Your Pup

Tips for prepping Fido for a Rhode Island getaway

By Karen Kalunian

When it comes to planning a vacation, a stay-local getaway right here in Rhode Island means it’s easy to travel with your four-legged friend. Before hitting the road, there are some things to consider to ensure a safe and comfortable trip with your pet. Johnna Devereaux, a clinical pet nutritionist and the owner of Fetch RI, offers her expertise to make road trips easier and more enjoyable for both you and your pup.

PUP ESSENTIALS

“A few important things you should pack besides food and water include your pup’s vaccine records, a first aid kit, and a current picture of your pet. Don’t forget those poop bags, either!” advises Devereaux. In the unfortunate event of your dog getting lost in an unfamiliar location, she recommends having your pet microchipped before you go if they aren’t already, and pack your dog’s crate if they’re crate-trained.

CREATURE COMFORT

Traveling can be stressful for pets new to the experience of venturing away from home, but there are ways to alleviate fears. “Long car rides and overnights in hotels or new spaces can be scary for dogs,” says Devereaux. “The best way to help them is to bring something they love from home along for the ride. Their favorite blanket or bed along with their favorite toy should help with their journey.”

NATURAL REMEDIES

“If you have an extremely anxious dog, there are several natural remedies that can help keep them calm,” Devereaux assures. She suggests products like full-spectrum CBD, and herbs like valerian and passion flower. “Just make sure to provide these calming aids at least 30-45 minutes before you are ready to get in the car. It often takes that length of time for the product to get into their bloodstream. If you get your pup in the car before they have a chance to work, you may find they have no impact at all.” To treat car sickness?

SPOT PET-FRIENDLY HOTELS

Browse listings that include pet fees, limits, and more at BringFido.com

Devereaux’s advice is ginger root. “The easiest way to deliver it to a dog is through a glycerine form where the potent properties of ginger have been extracted in vegetable glycerin, offering a slightly sweet taste your dog will tolerate.”

LEASH UP

Most importantly, if traveling by car, always leash your dog before they exit the vehicle. “This is especially important in new surroundings as a dog may become skittish to new sounds or sights and act out of character and run off, or worse, get hurt,” Devereaux explains. “And remember, our dogs feel our stress.”

HAVE FUN

Whether walking new scenic paths with your dog or seeking a nearby eatery serving pup cups or doggie treats, find ways to share your vacation with your furry friend. “The best way to ensure everyone is comfortable and happy is to realize how lucky we are to travel with our four-legged companions in the first place,” says Devereaux. “Take your time, enjoy the journey, and have fun at your destination!”

For holistic well-being products, treats, and toys, visit Fetch RI in Richmond, and online at FetchRI.com.

P hoto courtesy of Lightfield Studios / Adobe Stock

Pet of the Month: Candy

By Karen Kalunian

This year-old Labrador mix is as sweet as her name! She brings lots of puppy energy, and is very smart and eager to learn. Candy likes other friendly dogs, and would be happy in a home that already has a pup, along with a fencedin yard so she can run and play. An active girl, she is best suited for older children. To meet this beautiful girl, contact the Warwick Animal Shelter at 401-468-4377.

If you have been thinking of adopting or if you know of an animal in need, please contact Karen directly at animaltalk1920@gmail.com.

Under the Sea

A Newport aquarium prepares for an exciting move from Easton’s Beach to the city’s RIPTA hub

By Emily Olson

Aquarist Adam Kovarsky’s colleagues at Save the Bay often quote him characterizing aquariums as a perfect blend of art and science. Topher Hamblett, Save the Bay executive director, would add that a whole lot of community participation and input also has to be part of the mix.

Hamblett speaks from experience – Save the Bay is currently undergoing a massive project as it moves from its former Exploration Center & Aquarium at Easton’s Beach to a new facility in downtown Newport. “Our old location was beautiful,” says Hamblett, “but it’s vulnerable.” The move was instigated, in part, by damage caused by Hurricane Sandy. “The Exploration Center was under three feet of water and one foot of sand, and the risk of that kind of damage is only going to increase over time due to climate change.”

Getting ready for the new aquarium facility in downtown Newport

Touch tanks at the former Save the Bay Aquarium

Photos courtesy of Save The Bay

The Hamilton Family Aquarium, which, at press time, is slated to open this winter, is located on America’s Cup Avenue on the first floor of the Gateway Transportation & Visitors Center. The new space is 5,000 square feet bigger than the current location, an exciting prospect for Hamblett and his team.

Along with the return of favorite experiences, such as the kid zone and the sand shark touch tank, the new facility means more exhibits, including the Bay of the Future, which explores climate change; the Big Fish of the Bay tank highlighting native striped bass and flounder; and the Bay at Night, giving visitors a peek at bottom-dwelling creatures. Observing the aquarium activity from above is a locally built 14-foot model of a basking shark, one of 50 species of shark that swims in New England waters.

EAT • DRINK DINE

The new aquarium also includes a community room, space dedicated to rotating exhibits from other organizations, and perhaps most exciting, three touch tanks with native creatures that will cycle from the bay to the tanks and back to their natural environment, which Hamblett describes as the most ethical and humane way to house animals. “Behind the touch tanks are murals by local artist Amy Bartlett Wright,” Hamblett says of the Portsmouth-based painter. “The murals depict the preferred habitats of the creatures in the touch tank, so it will all feel very immersive.”

The touch tanks and aquariums are staffed by docents prepared to answer questions from visitors. “Unlike other aquariums that are designed just for observation, ours is staffed by very knowledgeable educators excited to share information,” Hamblett says. Curious patrons will even have chances to peek behind the scenes in the operation rooms. “You’ll be able to see the filters, the pipes, and the holding tanks.”

It takes a boat-load of planning to retrofit a building for use as an aquarium, which requires a lot of electricity and, of course, water. “The building also needed a strong floor

to support the thousands of gallons of water in the tanks,” Hamblett says. “We had to take up the old floor and lay steel beams to support the weight!”

The infrastructure is complete and ready for the fun part: preparing for animals and visitors. “Each week I go down there and see something new,” Hamblett says. “It’s really coming together, and the whole organization is jazzed about it.”

Meeting sea creatures at the OG aquarium

Photo courtesy of Save The Bay

A Year of Staycations

12 PLACES IN RHODE ISLAND WORTH PACKING FOR

BY ELYSE MAJOR

As Rhode Islanders, it’s nice to remind ourselves from time to time that we live in a tourist destination.

Looking from the outside in, national media outlets including Travel + Leisure , People , and the New York Times have all recently touted the charms of the smallest state, not to mention that Newport consistently tops lists of best places in the country to get married. Sometimes the best way to appreciate what you’ve got is to revisit it with a fresh set of eyes and immerse yourself like a traveler. Here, you’ll find a year of ideas, pairing places with things to do and where to stay. In most cases, you only need to park the car once, so you can explore by foot or public transportation, which only adds to the feel of being off on an adventure. We’ve aimed to include a range of price points and encourage researching year-round rates for the best fit for your budget. If we missed your favorite, please let us know by sending an email to marketing@heyrhody.com

CHAMPLIN’S

JANUA RY Providence

Cosmopolitan Living

Downtown at The Beatrice

Events like Providence Restaurant Weeks and Rhode Island Brew Fest make January perfect for a city sleepover. There’s nothing like knowing that after a night on the town, a beautifully appointed room – with a heated toilet seat – awaits. Since its 2021 opening, The Beatrice has received praise from Condé Nast Traveler (ranked #6 Best Hotel in the Northeast) and on Tripadvisor (#1 hotel in the Providence market). Elegant first impressions aside, this boutique hotel is full of heart (named for the owner’s beloved mom) with thoughtful details at every turn. Rooms are contemporary and comfortable, and while there is a long list of amenities, guests are quick to gush about the Dyson hair dryers and bidets (with various settings). Enjoy an Italian meal at posh onsite Bellini Providence, before heading to the private Bellini Rooftop for craft cocktails backdropped by the skyline. Along with ongoing deals, look for pop-up specials that connect stays with popular attractions. TheBeatrice.com

P hotos courtesy of The Beatrice

THE BEATRICE

OceanCliff is a Historic Homebase for Winter Adventures

February in the City by the Sea means the annual Newport Winter Festival. Encompassing 10 days, the schedule truly has something for everyone: live music performances, scavenger hunts, trail rides, walking tours, workshops, sports clinics, and more. Having lodgings close to the action enables rolling out of bed for earlyriser plans like the Aquidneck Growers Market at Stoneacre Garden, and doing the hustle after dark at the OceanCliff Hotel Silent Disco. Not just for weddings, historic OceanCliff has guest rooms in the main building and the four-bedroom Gatehouse – many with sleigh beds and ocean or estate views – so you can wander to your room after the last dance.

NewportExperience.com

COCOA AND A LA CARTE AT THE CHANLER

FEBRUA RY

For a decadent treat, motor over to The Chanler at Cliff Walk for their Hot Chocolate Bar. Bundle up to sip your choice of dark or milk chocolate (adult twist available) by the firepit. Linger longer by making a reservation at one of their restaurants: The Cafe (a la carte and prix fixe lunch and dinner), and Cara, a Forbes Five-Star restaurant with blindtasting menus. Instagrammers won’t want to miss the opulent restrooms. TheChanler.com

OceanCliff Hotel photos courtesy of The Newport Experience; The Chanler courtesy of J/PR

THE CHANLER

OCEANCLIFF

OCEANCLIFF

To commemorate the Weekapaug Inn’s 125th anniversary, the venue is offering a weekend buyout of the property, priced at $125,000, which includes all meals and activities.

March Westerly

Stargazing and Quiet Luxu ry at Weekapaug Inn

During summertime, Weekapaug Inn is a parade of color with lobster boils, sundresses, and yellow pool umbrellas, but in the thick of winter, it’s equally spectacular. Far from bright lights, after dark, the back lawn becomes a stargazer’s wonderland. Adirondack chairs are at the ready, and if you’re lucky, the firepit is ablaze and s’mores kits are nearby; on those special nights when the stars align, embark on a moonlit paddle on Q uonochontaug Pond led by the resident naturalist. Back inside, a cozy bed fitted with luxury linens awaits. Spend days playing board games by the fireplace in common rooms, or on beach or birding expeditions, donning boots borrowed from the Hunter closet. The atmosphere extends to The Restaurant, where chef Andrew Brooks serves farmto-table dishes (don’t skip the biscuits). This gem has been recognized as one of the “Best Hotels in the World” by Travel + Leisure and is part of the Relais & Châteaux group. WeekapaugInn.com

WEEKAPAUG

Daffodils from Dusk to Dawn at Hotel Viking

For decades, all-volunteer non-profit Newport In Bloom has encouraged the planting of daffodils around town, resulting in 1,350,000 flowers and Newport Daffodil Days. The nearly month-long jubilee includes Daffy Deals during Newport Restaurant Week, plus a calendar of everything from races to dog parades. Plant yourself smack-dab in the action at Hotel Viking. The landmark lodgings offer a mix of modern and quaint, starting with its impressive exterior. Enter to find the lobby bar, access to One Bellevue Restaurant, and Hill Market, a convenient mini-cafe. Pre-game photo ops in nearby flower fields with services at the award-winning SpaFjör, and finish the day outside at the courtyard fire pit beneath strands of lights, before heading to your room. Ready for even more daffodils? Drive to Windmill Hill in Jamestown for a view that evokes Holland. HotelViking.com

April Newport

P hotos courtesy of Hotel Viking

HOTEL VIKING

DAFFODILS AT NEARBY

DUNLAP-WHEELER PARK

Dinner, a Show, and Breakfast in Matunuck

In the South Kingstown village of Matunuck, expect to find the trappings of a beach town worth its weight in salt: a surf shop, beloved pub, bar that hosts live music, and places for ice cream, pizza, sandwiches, and coffee. Within a small radius, there is also the renowned Matunuck Oyster Bar, and equally acclaimed barn playhouse, Bill Hanney’s Theatre by the Sea. The former brings gastronomic tourists from NYC and the latter puts on Broadway-caliber shows – starting up with May’s A Chorus Line . Until 2021, there was no place nearby to stay (and avoid the pitch-black drive home).

Enter Admiral Dewey Inn, a 12-guestroom house, locally owned and operated. Each morning a continental breakfast is served in the dining room, and if you spend time in the parlor playing board games or LPs, you’re sure to run into travelers on the same culinary, theatrical, or seaside adventures. AdmiralDeweyInn.com

MaY Matunuck

P hotos courtesy of Admiral Dewey Inn, (bottom right) by Elyse Major

ADMIRAL DEWEY INN

Turn Gaspee Days into a Weekend with Grego ry Hill Boutique Vacation Cottages

Rhode Islanders need not wait until July to celebrate the red, white, and blue, when there’s Pawtuxet Village in June. This charming riverside enclave gets festooned with a flag on every pole along Broad Street in preparation for Gaspee Days, a commemoration of the 1772 burning of the HMS Gaspee, considered the first violent act against the Crown by the colonists leading up to the American Revolution. Activities are planned around the clock and the entire area feels like a party. Booking a Gregory Hill Boutique Cottage ensures you don’t miss a beat – no need to fret about parking or a designated driver. Each cottage is styled in coastal-chic perfection, so live like a Nancy Meyers character as you lounge on a plump sofa prior to venturing to the farmers market before Saturday’s parade, or perhaps enjoy the Perfect Picnic add-on while witnessing Sunday’s Burning of the Gaspee at Pawtuxet Park. GregoryHillHomes.com

PERFECT PICNIC ADD-ON

GREGORY HILL’S OYSTER HOUSE COTTAGE

A rt, Sun, and AC at Blue Beach Motel

There is some sort of fete happening year-round in Wickford. Even if you don’t go just to shop and dine, or experience village-wide events like Daffodil Days (April), Wicked Weeks (October), or the Festival of Lights (December), chances are you’ve been to the Wickford Art Festival. Each July, Wilson Park becomes a fairgrounds of canopy tents where browsers can view the work of over 200 artists in a wide variety of mediums. While there’s plenty of food available at the festival, village restaurants are just a half-mile walk away – with everything from juice bars to cafes to waterfront dining. Nearby is the Blue Beach Motel, an underthe-radar spot along Post Road. All 21 rooms and suites have been completely renovated with a shoreline palette of aqua, white, and gray. After a full day in the sun, what’s better than returning to a cool room close by? BlueBeachMotel.com

P hotos (top) courtesy of Blue Beach Motel, (L) by Judith Gardner, (R) by Elyse Major

WICKFORD COVE

BLUE BEACH MOTEL

WICKFORD ART FESTIVAL

Seaside Fun at Champlin’s Marina & Reso rt

A visit to Champlin’s Marina & Resort is not your typical Block Island experience. The expansive property on nine acres boasts a 140+ slip deep-water marina, and the amenity-rich resort feels like an all-ages summer camp in the best possible way. Stemming from the welcoming staff, the atmosphere is folksy and one can imagine many lifelong friendships have been forged in the pool. With zero hassles, it’s easy to go from one activity to another, and there are multiple dining options. A day might begin at Cafe Boutique, some pool time, a bike ride to Payne’s Donuts or a paddle, and lunch at the pool or food truck. Guests at The Landing restaurant emit the freshly showered relaxed vibes of vacationers, and after a delicious meal are sure to stop for ice cream at Sugar Shack before mudslides and live music at Trader’s Dock Bar. Newly renovated rooms are stylish, comfortable, and steps away from everything. ChamplinsResort.com

August

Block Island

FERRY TO MONTAUK

Like Block Island, Montauk, NY is prized for its beaches, has a historic lighthouse, and loads of oceanfront activities and allure. Viking Superstar provides high-speed ferry service directly from Champlin’s Marina. Season begins in May. VikingFleet.com

P hotos courtesy of Champlin’s Marina & Resort

MINI GROCERY AT CHAMPLIN’S

CHAMPLIN’S MARINA & RESORT

September Providence

A rtful Suites in a Former Mill at Dye House

While it may still feel like summer, the return of college students infuses a mix of fall and academia into the air. The city aims to impress with some kind of fest most every weekend – from seafood to veg to beer – and while the WaterFire 2024 schedule is TBD at press time, last September saw two full lightings. Downtown has many excellent hotels, but if you’re seeking a uniquely New England experience, head to the Olneyville area. Dye House is a boutique hotel and event space that takes its cue from its origins as a textile mill. Since opening in 2020, the owners have worked to be boosters of the neighborhood, connecting the dots for guests to hyper-local activities, shops, and eats, including Wes’ Rib House, a beloved joint recently resuscitated. Suites are spacious, elegant, unique, and furnished with Rhody-made goods, and for those wary of valets and garages – there’s a parking lot. DyeHouseRI.com

P hotos courtesy of Dye House, (R) by Jennifer Bedford, courtesy of WaterFire

WATERFIRE

DYE HOUSE

Dinner and a Ghost Sto ry at General Stanton Inn

Love a good ghost story or want a tale of your own? Make a reservation at General Stanton Inn. Mindfully renovated and reopened in 2022, the grand yellow property is rich with history and has hosted notable guests since 1740, including being a “room where it happened” with Generals Washington and Lafayette, and a stop on the Underground Railroad. Visits must begin at the Tavern, where over a sumptuous meal with craft beers and specialty cocktails (save room for the skillet cookie with ice cream), servers are ready to dish about spectral encounters with The General, one of his young daughters, or the ghost cat. Cozy up in one of 15 well-appointed guest rooms, either updated Colonial spaces in the main house or deluxe coastal-themed rooms on the western side of the property, and consider sleeping with one eye open on spirit watch. Pro-tip: a Saturday stay ensures early arrival to The General’s Market on Sunday after enjoying the brunch buffet! GeneralStantonInn.com

October Charlestown

GENERAL STANTON INN

November Richmond

Horseback Riding with a Side of Potatoes at The Preserve Resort & Spa

If you enjoy activities like shooting clays from a 25-station course, then you’re probably familiar with The Preserve Resort & Spa, a luxury residential and sporting club on 3,500 acres in the heart of Washington County. If not, you might know it as the place with the Hobbit Houses – as seen on Instagram – of which there are three. During a visit, you could give archery a shot, zipline across 250-foot elevation drops, ride ATVs, or go fly fishing, for starters, followed by a trip to the OH! Spa for restorative treatments and yoga. Accommodation options include a room or suite at Hilltop Lodge, a tiny home, cottage, townhome, or cabin – each with their own amenities such as a fireplace and special views (water, forest, horses). For dining, in addition to the Hobbit Houses, there’s Double Barrel Steak, which is known for its Thanksgiving Day Buffet, complete with all starters, classic sides, and sweets. ThePreserveRI.com

December Westerly

P hotos courtesy of The Preserve

THE PRESERVE

P hotos courtesy of Ocean House

SANTA’S ROOM

THE SPA

Merriment, Massages, and More at Ocean House

When a hotel has a suite called Santa’s Secret Hideaway, you know it’s a special place. Each year children await the Santa Checks In event at Ocean House, where the big guy is on hand to hear lists and give small gifts. The yellow beachfront resort in the Watch Hill area of Westerly is the only AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five-Star hotel in the state, and has a full schedule of annual traditions. Make memories while creating wreaths, ornaments, truffle trees, and more at workshops; reserve a spot at holiday brunches and dinners; and marvel at the gingerbread house before grabbing a sweet from the candy bar. The Relais & Châteaux property has 49 guest rooms and 20 signature suites, all outfitted with thoughtful touches and luxe amenities. For grown-ups seeking relaxation amidst the merriness, the Ocean & Harvest Spa puts the “treat” in treatment, especially with seasonal offerings like 2023’s Sugar Cookie Massage – an absolute indulgence of vanilla oil and house-made nutmeg sugar scrub. OceanHouseRI.com

LEADING LADIES

inspiring, passionate, determined leaders who are making a difference in our communities 30 +

Photography by Lisa Bruno of 64 Degrees Photography

Photography by Nick DelGiudice

Photography by Nick DelGiudice

Joanne M. Daly, CDFA®

Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor, Family Wealth Advisor and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst®, Morgan Stanley

JOANNE DALY cares deeply about her clients and their families. 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 include 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 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 a fairs 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

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, URI Osher Life Long Institute (OLLI), URI Alumni Foundation, and The Rhode Island Society of CPAs, to name a few.

I am their wealth coach, helping them navigate through their financial journey

Though Joanne’s o f ce is in Providence, she often meets with clients in their home, o f ce, the firm’s Newport o f ce, 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 MS 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 the 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, Rotary Club of Wakefield board, RI Society of CPAs, and the Estate Planning Council of RI. Joanne lives in Narragansett with her husband and two daughters.

1 Financial Plaza 19th floor Providence • 863-8467

joanne.daly@morganstanley.com, Advisor.MorganStanley.com/Joanne.Daly

*Morgan Stanley and its Financial Advisors do not provide tax advice. Individuals should seek advice based on their particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor.

The use of the CDFA® designation does not permit the rendering of legal advice by Morgan Stanley or its financial advisors which may only be done by a licensed attorney. The CDFA designation is not intended to imply that either Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors are acting as experts in this field.

© 2023 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. NMLS ID:1510426 CRC5391187 01/2023

Photography by Lisa Bruno of 64 Degrees Photography

Alyssa Findley, MD, FAAD, FACMS

Board Certified, Fellowship-Trained Mohs Surgeon & Dermatologist

Dr. Alyssa Findley’s story is one of passion, expertise, and a deep-rooted commitment to patient well-being. Her practice, FINDLEY DERMATOLOGY , is focused on patientcentered dermatological care, providing Mohs micrographic and reconstructive surgery for skin cancer, as well as surgical and cosmetic dermatology. Dr. Findley’s legacy is not only in the lives she transforms through her surgical expertise but in the paradigm shift she represents – where empathy and precision converge.

Mohs, renowned for its efectiveness in treating various skin cancers, combines surgical expertise, pathology, and reconstructive artistry into a single visit. Ofering the highest chance for a cure by visualizing all tissue margins and providing real-time microscopic examination of the tissue, it minimizes the removal of normal

skin, resulting in more favorable functional and cosmetic results. Patients leave surgery cancer-free and with the lowest likelihood for recurrence. Dr. Findley’s expertise extends beyond routine cases, as she is one of the few surgeons in the region with fellowship training to perform complex reconstruction and Mohs for melanoma.

“As a fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon, I am dedicated to educating my patients about the importance of selecting a surgeon with the proper training to perform this procedure. By completing a rigorous surgical fellowship in Mohs surgery, cutaneous oncology, and complex reconstruction, a surgeon gains the instruction and expertise to ensure an optimal outcome and recovery for their patients,” says Dr. Findley, who holds an MD from Tufts University School of Medicine. She has performed thousands

of Mohs surgery procedures over the past decade, giving her ample experience to care for her patients in the best possible manner.

Dr. Findley has completed an internal medicine internship, dermatology residency, and fellowship-level training, and is a fellow of the American College of Mohs Surgery (ACMS) and member of other state and national medical associations. She is dual board certified by the American Board of Dermatology in both general dermatology and Micrographic Dermatologic Surgery.

At the heart of Dr. Findley’s practice is a commitment to patient-centered care. Embracing a philosophy that extends beyond clinical procedures, she operates under local anesthesia, ensuring the comfort of her patients while cultivating an environment conducive to forming personal connections. “My staf and I are aforded the opportunity to really get to know our patients. I hit the jackpot when I chose my profession. The chance to build long-term relationships with my patients and engage in work I’m passionate about brings me endless fulfillment.”

Whether the patient needs skin cancer surgery, benign lesion removal, or a cosmetic procedure, the goal is always to safely achieve the most optimal outcome. When it comes to minimally invasive cosmetic treatments, Dr. Findley helps patients achieve a well-rested, refreshed look. “When patients feel confident in their skin, it really shines through. Whether they’re looking for a subtle enhancement or a complete rejuvenation, we ofer a wide range of procedures, including Botox, Dysport, dermal fillers, PRP, microneedling, chemical peels, and more,” says Dr. Findley.

Even for those who don’t have any pressing cosmetic or skin concerns, Dr. Findley recommends scheduling a full-body skin exam performed by a board-certified dermatologist to potentially detect and diagnose skin cancer or other issues the patient may otherwise believe are harmless.

Dr. Findley’s extensive training, patientcentric approach, and unwavering dedication make her the trusted choice for comprehensive and efective care.

Photography by Nick DelGiudice

Kathleen Flaherty

Sales Associate, Residential Properties

& “The East Coast Rhody” “Love

Where You Live”

“Through resilience and perseverance, anything is possible.” No one knows this better than Kathleen Flaherty, whose life journey has been filled with many unexpected twists, turns, and challenges – all of which she has bravely faced with determination, versatility, and a commitment to community.

A mother of four and a graduate from Johnson & Wales University, Kathleen has worn many hats in her career, from math interventionist, to real estate professional, to published author of children’s book An Octopus Named Mom. However, nine years ago, Kathleen sufered a traumatic brain injury that altered the course of her life forever. Her indomitable spirit saw her through, and she emerged stronger than ever, using the experience as a catalyst for personal growth –the perfect opportunity arising when she and her family moved to Barrington.

I’m excited to continue helping clients on their real estate journey while living life to the fullest and finding joy in the simple things.

Rhode Island holds a special place in Kathleen’s heart. Growing up in Hog Island along the Narragansett Bay, you could say the ocean runs in her veins. Despite a background in education, Kathleen made the decision to pivot entirely to real estate, viewing her work as a way to “positively impact people’s lives, one transaction at a time.” Today, she is a full-time sales associate with RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES, member of the Greater Providence Board of Realtors, and has been recognized with the Circle of Excellence Gold Award. “I love the friendships and connections I’ve made with my clients while helping them,” says Kathleen, saying that it is her favorite part of the job.

Kathleen has also garnered quite the digital presence through her Instagram account and persona, The East Coast Rhody (@theeastcoastrhody). This platform is a

true reflection of her unparalleled love for the Ocean State, through which she’s been supporting and promoting local businesses for the last six years in the form of thoughtful posts and stories.

Unfortunately, Kathleen recently faced another formidable challenge – a serious back injury. Her days were filled with prolonged pain and, oftentimes, the inability to walk. But in true Kathleen Flaherty fashion, this did not slow her down one bit. She underwent not one but two major back surgeries, all while steadfastly fulfilling her role as both a devoted mother and dedicated real estate professional. This period of adversity only underscores Kathleen’s unwavering resilience, determination, and positivity.

Kathleen continues to face every obstacle head-on, finding fulfillment in helping others navigate challenging times in their own lives. She finds joy in being an active member of the community, whether it’s in her personal life or professional role. “I wake up each morning with a heart full of

gratitude for my family, friends, clients, and my good health,” says Kathleen. Her commitment to community is a testament to her belief in the power of collaboration and mutual support, two things that were key in her own healing journey.

To say Kathleen serves as a positive role model is an understatement. Her story continues to inspire those around her, not only as one of professional success, but a narrative woven with strength, family values, and deep appreciation for the local community. As for what’s next? “I’m excited to continue helping clients on their real estate journey,” says Kathleen, “while living life to the fullest and finding joy in the simple things.”

259

Caroline Chang, MD, FAAD

Board Certified Dermatologist & Founder of Rhode Island

Dermatology Institute

Just like every work of art is unique, so is each individual face. That’s why Dr. Caroline Chang’s treatments are never cookie cutter – the dermatologist and founder of the RHODE ISLAND DERMATOLOGY INSTITUTE works closely with each patient to build trust and find the best possible procedure.

“It’s the best feeling when my patients have full confidence in me and trust me with their faces,” relays Dr. Chang, who started her practice from scratch five years ago. “Those five years have been extremely rewarding and also challenging. I had to rebuild my patient base and navigate COVID. Through it all I’ve grown so much as a dermatologist and a business owner.” Offering Botox, dermal fillers, laser treatments (for skin rejuvenation, rosacea, and hair removal), chemical peels, non-surgical thread lift, brown spot and mole removal, Dr. Chang manages all aspects of the business, from marketing to performing procedures.

With a focus on taking the time to listen to patients’ individual needs in order to reach their personal goals, Dr. Chang runs a direct care office, meaning insurance isn’t accepted and a fee is paid at the time of the appointment (often the same cost as a copay for seeing a dermatologist). “I became disillusioned with the healthcare system, which was causing overworked doctors, short visits for patients, and general dissatisfaction,” she explains of this choice. “In this model, I spend more time with my patients, you see an actual doctor at each visit, I am accessible by phone or email for all my patients, and I am the one that responds to these messages.”

My patients know that building a trusting relationship with your doctor is the first step in getting the most out of their visits and treatments. Whether it’s a medical visit or a cosmetic concern, I look at each patient as an individual and tailor the treatments to their concerns.

Direct online booking streamlines the process of getting an appointment, which average 30 minutes and are often available the same day or same week. Once you’re in Dr. Chang’s care, you get her honest, informed opinion and there’s never any pressure to go through with a procedure. “My patients know that building a trusting relationship with your doctor is the first step in getting the most out of their visits and treatments. Whether it’s a medical visit or a cosmetic concern, I look at each patient as an individual and tailor the treatments to their concerns,” she says. “I specifically focus on low-downtime procedures because my patients are like me – busy and can’t take time off!”

Dr. Chang’s accolades and professional memberships speak to her accomplishments in the field. A Board Certified Dermatologist since 2012, she’s earned awards from Providence Business News , and serves as a member of the Review Board for Prevention Magazine , as well as several professional societies, including the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), Rhode Island Dermatology Society (RIDS), and others.

Her track record of happy patients is testament to her skilled work. An artist herself (with an art history degree from Princeton), Dr. Chang has a knack for evaluating form and balance when it comes to cosmetic treatments with a “less is more” approach. Guiding patients through small steps to achieve their desired results – within their budget – takes precedence.

“When done correctly, no one should know you’ve had a cosmetic treatment. That is my goal,” says Dr. Chang. “You should look better but not different. Glowing and confident, not obvious. I want to be my patient’s best kept secret!”

Photography by Nick DelGiudice

THE LEADING LADIES OF HEY RHODY MEDIA CO.

RHODY MEDIA CO. (formerly 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 over 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: Abby joined Hey Rhody Media Co. 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 RI/New Business: Along with being devoted to her sales territory, Shelley

helms New Business Development where she works to create advanced opportunities to engage with businesses across the state. “Every day I see enthusiastic clients discover ways to be successful, I’m proud to be part of their success.”

Louann DiMuccio-Darwich, Account Manager for East Bay & Providence: Louann has been with Hey Rhody Media Co. for 16 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.”

Ann Gallagher, Account Manager for South County: Ann has been with Hey Rhody Media Co. for 16 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 ma-

terials 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.”

Jenna Kaplan, Digital Media Specialist: Recently joining the team in 2023 as our digital media specialist, Jenna manages our social media platforms, boosting our brand’s visibility and engagement. She is part of the creative force behind our e-newsletter, keeping subscribers informed and entertained. Plus, her online content keeps the Hey Rhody blog buzzing with the latest.

Abbie Lahmers, Managing Editor: After joining the editorial team in 2019, Abbie was promoted to managing editor in 2021. In addition to writing or assigning all dining stories and long-form features, she also curates the Neighborhood News section, assists with the Hey Rhody newsletter and online articles, and writes sponsored content.

Elyse Major, Editor-in-Chief: Since landing her dream job in 2018, Elyse’s duties have included developing cover stories,

HEY

From Left to Right: Abigail Brown, Shelley Cavoli, Louann DiMuccio-Darwich, Ann Gallagher, Taylor Gilbert, Jenna Kaplan, Abbie Lahmers, Elyse Major, and Kristine Mangan Olf,

NOHEMI RODRIGUEZ Owner

“I always wanted to start an arepa business because they are such a beloved food in Venezuela,” says Nohemi Rodriguez, who first purchased a food truck in 2000 to make that dream a reality. Her restaurant, LA AREPA, opened in 2006 and expanded almost immediately the following year. Nohemi has been serving a wide variety of dishes made with fresh, natural ingredients ever since, with a focus on cultivating a fun, welcoming atmosphere. “Serving food is definitely my love language!”

582 Smithfield Avenue, Pawtucket, 401-335-3711, LaArepaRI.com

HEIDI WERTHER COACHING & CONSULTING, LLC

Founder & CEO

overseeing the Life & Style and Art & Culture sections, and mining small businesses for her Rhody Gem columns. 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: With over 30 years of sales experience – and 12 with us, Kristine prides herself on helping any sized business grow and prosper, utilizing the various media tools we ofer. “I love all of our products and it is important for clients to know that we wholeheartedly support them and strive to continually grow their business, always creating new products or services to help them succeed.”

Since the pandemic, company culture is a topic that’s more important than ever, and HEIDI WERTHER, EXECUTIVE COACH & CONSULTANT has the skills and experience to help. “I’ve heard from many human resources colleagues that improving company culture is a huge focus for 2024, and a challenge. The reality is, they cannot do it alone,” says Heidi. Team and company culture is just one of the many areas Heidi supports when she engages with her client organizations.

An experienced leader, Heidi landed her first leadership role at the age of 23 at a Fortune 500. She learned the hard way, without much support, and has since led various teams in both for profit and nonprofit organizations. Heidi leverages her passion, success, and focus on efective communication, to support leaders and teams to increase their efectiveness and drive optimal business results.

“Partnering with leaders, from emerging

ALEXUS LEE Singer

Known for her commanding stage presence and four-octave range, ALEXUS LEE is a singer-songwriter who performs all over the East Coast. “When I was eight, I started taking piano and violin lessons with my mom, but even before that I was writing songs.” Off stage, she shares her love of music teaching private lessons in voice, piano, and songwriting, as well as co-hosting the Hot 106 Hot Morning Show. Hear Alexus Lee at the Leading Ladies party March 28 at Chelo’s Warwick.

AlexusALee.com

to senior level, engaging in one-on-one coaching, team and group coaching, and training, I support my clients to elevate their leadership skills, self-awareness, and confidence, resulting in improved working relationships, leading to healthier cultures and improved outcomes.”

Portsmouth 617-365-9550

HeidiWerther.com

1944

Photography by Nick DelGiudice

Tanya Donahue President & Owner

Tanya Donahue has not only carved a path in the construction industry but has also elevated her firm to one of the largest in the New England region, ranking in the national remodeling Top 500 and 550 firms for many years. Growing up surrounded by the buzz of construction, Tanya’s journey may have seemed predestined, but the legacy she’s built for RIKB DESIGN BUILD speaks volumes about her dedication and passion for the industry.

“I have sawdust in the blood,” Tanya jokes, reflecting on her lifelong love for construction. This enthusiasm aligns seamlessly with RIKB’s commitment to delivering warmth and professionalism as they bring clients’ dream spaces to life. Her leadership style, characterized by innovation, creativity, and care for her team, has created an environment where employees thrive, and clients receive

exceptional service.

Together with her team, Tanya especially enjoys creating spaces for all chapters of life, from raising families and entertaining friends to providing for loved ones or facilitating aging in place during retirement. “We take pride in meeting our clients exactly where they are in life and find immense joy in the direct impact we have on our clients’ lives, as they welcome us into their homes and trust us to uphold our promises,” Tanya shares. Her commitment to client satisfaction is demonstrated through the various design awards their team has won, but also the GuildQuality and Houzz customer service designations.

Her dedication to her team’s professional development is ingrained in the company culture as RIKB has been recognized as RIKB has been recognized as a PBN “Best Place to Work” every year since 2018.

“RIKB isn’t just a remodeling firm; it’s a place where careers are built,” Tanya proudly shares. “We have employees who we trained right out of school as interns, apprentices, and design associates who now have full careers here. Without our team, nothing else matters.” Her joy lies in witnessing their growth, both professionally and personally, and seeing them transform into industry leaders.

Witnessing the transformative impact we bring to our clients’ lives is the most fulfilling aspect of my journey.

Tanya’s achievements and accolades, including the Extreme Sales award from ProRemodeler magazine and the MVP award from the Builders and Remodelers Association of Greater Boston, underscore her commitment to excellence. Her impact extends beyond her firm’s success; she has been an integral part of the industry, serving on the Rhode Island Builders Association board and sharing her insights at national conferences.

This year holds exciting prospects for Tanya and RIKB as they unveil their newly remodeled Design Center and host several seminars and client events that exemplify their meaningful influence in the lives of those they serve. Tanya remarks, “Witnessing the transformative impact we bring to our clients’ lives is the most fulfilling aspect of my journey. Crafting dream spaces goes beyond construction; it’s about creating lasting joy, comfort, and memories for those we serve.”

If you’re thinking of remodeling, join the RIKB team at one of their complimentary seminars at their Design Center. “These seminars really help anyone thinking of remodeling to discover cutting-edge innovations, styles, and trends, engage with our award-winning designers, explore recent projects, and immerse themselves in inspiration at our design center displays,” says Tanya.

TIFFANY PEAY Artist/Owner

Tiffany Peay of TIFFANY PEAY JEWELRY & HEALING ARTS is a shining example of creating the life you want. Her shop is a luminous wonderland of gemstones and pearl jewelry. “It’s a calm and creative space that also houses my studio, where I make my jewelry and share my process.”

In addition to celebrating 27 years in business, Tiffany recently purchased the building that houses her shop, and over time has assembled a small staff of amazing creatives, starting with Hannah Soares, her forewoman for 14 years.

For 2024, Tiffany has planned a roster of special events along with launching a refreshed charm bar. “We help you create a meaningful and beautiful personal statement with our new vintage collection of silver and gold charms to be combined with our gemstones as a necklace. Add to your own chain or start something new, let your attraction to the gems be your guide. We are here to help you.”

“The gemstone colors relate to different energy centers of the body and the gems raise one’s vibration when wearing them.” Smiling with a gem affixed to her forehead, she adds, “Wearing them close to your heart and with intention can aid you in many ways.”

LINDA MELLO Sales Associate

Linda Mello didn’t always work in real estate – in fact, her career began as a behavior specialist after graduating with a B.S. in Human Development & Family Studies. She was inspired to change paths after working with victims of domestic violence, an area that often intersects with families in need of housing. Today, Linda is a licensed real estate agent with ISLAND REALTY. As a South County native, she knows the area by heart. “I love helping people find their dream home.”

4 East Ferry Wharf, Jamestown, 401-741-4547, IslandRealtyRI.com

BARBARA MARICONDA Author

For Barbara Mariconda, the written word has always been a refuge. “Writing’s always allowed me a place to sort feelings, indulge imagination, hone a viewpoint, and define my world,” Barbara says. The author of scores of books – including fiction, nonfiction, professional books, children’s, YA, articles, and blogs – Barbara’s latest project, WRITERS’ REFUGE is intended to help others meet their writing goals. After retiring from her company, Empowering Writers, where she taught teachers across North America the art and craft of writing, Barbara continues to do what she does best – write and teach.

ROBIN TREGENZA ABR, PSA, RENE Sales Associate

Since 2010, Robin, a top sales associate at ISLAND REALTY, has successfully closed sales exceeding $125 million. Recognizing the significant value of your home, she excels as both a buyer’s and seller’s agent, adept at navigating any situation. Robin emphasizes, “I’m aware of the emotional stakes and commit to managing every deal with confidentiality and honesty.” Beyond her professional expertise, she actively engages in community service, dedicating her eforts to numerous groups in her hometown of Jamestown.

4 East Ferry Wharf, Jamestown, 203-246-6899, robintregenzarealestate.com

3851 Main Road, Tiverton Four Corners, 401-816-0878, TifanyPeay.com

“Every published author had to start somewhere,” she explains, “but often aspiring writers are unsure where to begin.” Regardless of your level of experience, Barbara can help you elevate your writing, taking you from first draft through the submission process. She breaks the craft into graspable skills, ofers

editing, revising, manuscript preparation, college essay coaching, web text creation, and proofing, all geared to your specific needs. Whatever your writing goals, Writers’ Refuge is where your writing dreams can become a reality.

203-915-7920, Mariconda.B@gmail.com

Barbara-Mariconda.squarespace.com

ALECIA MILOT Owner

After becoming a mom in 2021, teacher-turned entrepreneur Alecia Milot started seeking cleaner, healthier alternatives to toxic household products. Blending science and creativity, she developed a line of non-toxic, New England-inspired luxury home and body care, and thus, SAKONNET CANDLE CO was born. Today, SCC allows Alecia to stay home with her daughter, while also growing a thriving business, offering a line of opulent candles, perfumes, creams, and beyond. “It’s more than just candles; we make products you can trust.”

Tiverton, 401-366-4777, SakonnetCandleCo.com

KAREN BEEBE Owner

There’s not much Karen Beebe can’t do. She’s mentored students at The Met School, worked at her family’s construction business, made over 600 masks during the pandemic, is currently studying for her captain’s license, and even started organizing charters in the British Virgin Islands. But what she’s most proud of is being owner of fashion boutique QUEEN OF HEARTS and its lifestyle sister shop, MODERN LOVE

A self-taught businesswoman armed with only an associate’s degree, Karen opened Queen of Hearts in 2006. At first, it was a small consignment store where she sold her own design label, Lucille, named for her mother. However, when a bigger space opened up on Westminster Street, Karen took the leap and expanded, later adding Modern Love next door.

“I love every one of my job duties,” says Karen, who enjoys everything from spreadsheets and window displays to

SARA BEATRICE & LINDSAY LETOURNEAU Owners & Creative Directors

Though TANDEM DESIGNWORKS was founded in 2017, owners Sara Beatrice and Lindsay Letourneau have been working in “tandem” in design and marketing for nearly two decades. To this day they eagerly tackle each new design challenge to meet clients’ unique needs, from food packaging to higher education collateral, and everything in between. Sara explains, “We love to work ‘with you,’ not ‘for you,’ and many clients say that rings true after many years of amazing partnerships with large and small companies.”

Wakefield, TandemDesignworks.com

trade shows and trend forecasting. “Every day I am doing something diferent.” In that spirit of embracing change, she hopes to continue growing online sales and host in-house events this year.

DR. AMANDA ZARRIELLO, PT, DPT Owner

Dr. Amanda Zarriello embraces a holistic approach to recovery that delves beyond the symptoms. Her mantra?

Skilled manual therapy can make an immediate impact on pain and mobility, and she’s on a mission to prove it.

RESTORE PHYSICAL THERAPY caters to females aged 35-60 striving to reclaim their fitness and manage age-related challenges such as joint or back pain, headaches, musculoskeletal changes, etc. She also works with adult athletes to overcome hindrances like tendinitis, sprains, and back/shoulder pain. With six- to eight-session programs, progress is tracked through an app, keeping patients focused on recovery. Every hour session of one-onone care with a doctor in PT ensures a deep understanding of each patient’s unique needs.

“Pain is a complex issue that manifests diferently in each person, both physically and emotionally,” says Dr. Zarriello. “That’s why we spend more time with our patients than your typical PT clinic.”

Armed with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Sacred Heart University and a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from URI, Dr. Zarriello’s journey blends her athletic background with a deep passion for helping others through manual therapy, dry needling, and therapeutic exercise. If you’re ready for personalized care, book your discovery call at RestorePTRI.com.

220 & 222 Westminster Street, Providence, 401-421-1471, ShopQueenOfHearts.com

10 Worthington Road, Cranston, 401-250-3060, RestorePTRI.com

KERIANN KOEMAN Owner

Each spring, admirers of WICKED TULIPS FLOWER FARM flock to Rhode Island and Connecticut to revel in the beauty of these breathtaking blooms. Tulip lovers have three locations to choose from and a total of 1.6 million tulips to view and pick. The experience brings happiness to both patrons and its co-owners Keriann and Jeroen Koeman.

After realizing, despite having the family and life she always dreamed of, she wasn’t happy and she wanted more, Keriann found herself exploring embodied movement to reconnect with and center herself. “It led me to giving myself permission to do what brought me joy, rather than what I ‘should’ do,” she explains.

As a result, Keriann became a The Movement Experience® Facilitator, leading to a friendship and partnership rooted in supporting ambitious women with vision. The In Her Element Co-Creation Membership was born – a virtual Red Tent of sorts. It’s not about doing more but about focusing your time and e forts on authentic creative expression to have an impact that’s true to women’s desires and design.

Join Keriann in the tulips for transformational movement classes and sign up for her newsletter to learn more about other endeavors like a recent retreat to Scotland.

MEREDITH BROWER Director & Marketing Manager

Meredith Brower is an eco-artist who specializes in gathering things and turning them into a cohesive whole, so it’s no wonder that being director and marketing manager of TIVERTON FARMERS MARKET (TFM) is a perfect fit. Meredith launched the market in 2020, a time when everything seemed to be coming apart.

“It sprung from a cultural moment when we were all craving connection,” Meredith begins. “And it’s grown into not only a source of local produce, artisanal foods, and neighborly camaraderie, but also an educational experience of our food system.”

Now in year four, TFM ofers 50 markets a year, of which include nine specialty food-themed markets, like the Strawberry Social in June, Cranberry Craze Market in November, and this past October’s inaugural Garlic Roast Market, which brought in over 50 vendors and 2000 patrons.

SAYLES LIVINGSTON Owner

Known for her distinctive event designs, Sayles Livingston is a true “dream installer,” bringing in myriad facets of her background to fulfill a client’s vision, from surprising color palettes to lush hanging floral canopies. “It’s magical seeing an event come together, collaborating with our amazing team to bring clients’ preferences, design ideas, and taste to fruition,” she says. SAYLES LIVINGSTON DESIGN has been featured in over 50 national magazines, on TV, and has won numerous awards.

“I love connecting people in our community. Sunday is our big market day when we get to set up our market table display, open our doors to the public, welcome guests and engage with the neighbors and friends!”

Winter: 10 Quintal Drive;

Summer: 3588 Main Road, Tiverton, TivertonFarmersMarket.com

Exeter and Johnston, RI; Preston, CT, Info@wickedtulips.com, WickedTulips.com

In Her Element: keriannkoeman.com

With degrees from Brown, URI, and an MFA program underway, Sayles is a writer, artist, and trained horticulturist, in addition to being a real estate agent for Lila Delman, Compass. The proud mother of four works one on one with each of her clients to help them make the most of their investment in curating a beautiful event. Kind but directive, her attention to detail yields truly enchanting results.

Speaking to her company’s 35-yearstrong endurance, she says, “If you believe in your product, take care of your team, and always put your clients first, you will ride out the storms.”

3855 Main Road, Tiverton, 401-635-9500, SaylesLivingstonDesign.com

MICHELINE GAUTHIER, AU.D., CCC-A, Owner

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 seven years, 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.” 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.

1150 Reservoir Avenue 305B, Cranston 1130 Ten Rod Road E104, North Kingstown 401-942-8080 • Atlantic-Hearing.com

West Greenwich Animal Hospital: 14 Victory Highway, West Greenwich, 401-397-8887, WGAH.net

The Greene School: 94 John Potter Road, West Greenwich, 401-397-8600, TGSRI.org

The concept of “one medicine” in the veterinary profession refers to the similarities in human and animal health, promoting collaboration to understand and treat diseases, and it’s an idea that Dr. Amy Pratt takes a step further: “In my mind, this extends to the one world we share and the health of the natural systems. People need to understand more about the natural world.”

The owner of WEST GREENWICH ANIMAL HOSPITAL, with husband Dr. Ralph Pratt, Dr. Amy and her team help families understand anatomy, physiology, health, and sickness in an approachable way. An advocate for education, she also founded THE GREENE SCHOOL, a charter high school with a rigorous pre-college curriculum which focuses on environmental issues.

Dr. Amy holds degrees from the University of Rhode Island and Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. “I love helping animals and the families who love them,” she shares. “I like listening to people, helping them

After years of wandering the world, Barbara Diener turned her passion for travel into a successful business: CRUISE PLANNERS

LAND & TOUR VACATIONS. As an expert travel advisor, Barbara ofers access to the best rates with major cruise lines, special amenities, and exclusive deals on specialty dining, onboard credits, and group pricing. “I organize and coordinate adventures that pertain to each individual wish list,” says Barbara, who tailors every trip to the traveler, whether a cruise, custom-planned vacation, or tour. “Making travel planning stress-free is what I do!”

107 Old River Road, Lincoln, 770-740-9099, TravelSmartDreamBig.com

understand what is going on with their pets, and which options work for them in terms of veterinary care.”

Open since 1995, West Greenwich Animal Hospital provides care for cats and dogs with a passionate team of employees who love working together, and the Pratts also mentor new professionals in the field. “The pandemic has been stressful in the veterinary world and many people have had trouble finding care, but Ralph and I have been committed to helping animals.”

Serving on the board of The Greene School, the state’s only EL (Expeditionary Learning) school, Dr. Amy is proud of the institution’s broad, diverse reach, with a student body coming from over 26 school districts. The 70-acre campus in West Greenwich will see the addition of two classrooms this summer to improve science education. “The world needs environmentally literate citizens and leaders from all backgrounds,” says Dr. Amy.

“When I hear of our graduates going on to now graduate from college, I know what a diference The Greene School has made.”

BARBARA DIENER Franchise Owner

AMY PRATT, DVM Doctor & Board President

Photography by Nick DelGiudice

DEBRA L’HEUREUX

Certified Matchmaker

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

GetReadyToDate.com

CARMEN GRINKIS, PHD, CLTC, CLU®, CFP® , Wealth Advisor & Co-Managing Partner

“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

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!”

cgrinkis@aafwealth.com

401-573-4240

AAFWealthManagement.com

“When you consider events that have tested investors’ resilience in recent years—political infighting, inflationary concerns, COVID-19 recovery, and global unrest—it’s important we recognize the underlying emotional turmoil these situations can cause,” explained Carmen Grinkis, a licensed investment adviser and a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) professional. Carmen also holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology and has built her practice at the intersection of financial planning and psychology.

After all, financial planning is all about life planning. It’s about living our best life. But rarely do we find in one individual that ability to understand both the technical aspects of finance driving markets paired with an ability to help steer us through the psychology involved in life transitions. Carmen does this seamlessly, compassionately, and proactively.

She seeks to leverage her clients’ financial plans as a means for transforming and elevating their life

experiences. In doing so, she hopes to help her clients avert risk, leave cherished legacies, attain fulfilment, make a meaningful difference, and live the flexible lifestyle they deserve—one that ebbs and flows effortlessly through life’s twists and turns. While this is never an easy feat, for Carmen, it seems to come naturally.

With innate empathy and patience, Carmen approaches everyone with the goal of achieving attunement. “Each client comes to me at a di ferent stage in life, which requires a unique approach and strategy. My goal is to not just build a fixed plan that works today but one that’s adaptive and flexible enough to carry them forward as situations evolve,” she explains.

Carmen cherishes her life with her wife Kitty, a fine artist, in the quaint town of Tiverton, RI, where they find inspiration in its artistic backdrop. Together they value time on the coast, at local galleries, on the water, and in the community.

JEN MINUTO Owner

“Words, chords, melodies, protest signs, poetry, politics, art, laws – it all interconnects,” says Jen Minuto, owner of THE BLUE ROOM , who’s also a civil rights lawyer by day and musician since age six (with a new release coming soon). The live music venue and cocktail bar is expanding this year, inviting larger audiences. “It’s a place to be creative, support the incredible talent that surrounds us, and gather to experience joy, inspiration, and all that is wonderful about the world we share.”

2197 Broad Street, Pawtuxet Village, Cranston, 401-263-6171, TheBlueRoom.com

TAYLOR STEADMAN Owner

As the owner of WILDFIRE COFFEE COMPANY, the New England native is on a mission to build community through cofee. “We aim to create exceptional cofee while supporting vulnerable communities, organizations, and landscapes impacted by natural disasters, such as wildfires,” says Taylor. Our team got very interested in the ethics of the cofee industry from sourcing the bean to serving the cofee and soon after, WildFire was born. To learn more about their mission & the cofee bean process from plant to cup, visit their website at www.wildfirecofeeco.com.

WildFireCofeeCo.com

ASHLEY BOWNE Realtor

Whether it’s helping buyers and sellers achieve their real estate goals as a realtor for WILLIAM RAVEIS REAL ESTATE or connecting like-minded women via her group Entrepreneur Cofee, busy mom Ashley Bowne finds joy in making connections. Based in Westerly and licensed in both RI and CT, Ashley prides herself on taking a personalized approach. “My favorite part of my job is when my clients send me pictures of their home after closing,” beams Ashley. “It’s a full circle moment seeing the buying process come to life.

39 E. Main St, Mystic CT, 860-949-2641, Raveis.com/AshleyBowne/16503

KATHLEEN PLETCHER

Founder & Executive Artistic Director

235 Promenade Street, Suite 130, Providence, 401-421-4278, FirstWorks.org

“Founding FIRSTWORKS was for me, a creative act,” says Kathleen Pletcher, executive artistic director of the arts nonprofit, celebrating its 20th year.

“Moving to Providence from New York City – as rivers were being uncovered and a new downtown created – my passion evolved from making art to contributing to what the arts mean to this city,” muses the serial inventor of her third start-up, which includes what is now PVDFest.

An artist herself, Kathleen looks to early training as a classical pianist and later as an experimental puppetry artist/ director, as well as travels to perform and engage in cultural dialogs in Taiwan, Italy, Indonesia and Mexico, as the wellspring for founding FirstWorks. “The opportunities I had to experience incredible performers continually expands the deep meaning the arts have to a society and the need for the arts to change the narrative.”

Kathleen compares being the founder and executive artistic director of FirstWorks to being an entrepreneur. “My role as leader

is to articulate a strategy, secure resources, and build enduring partnerships. I have the privilege of working with an incredibly talented staf who devote themselves to the programs we bring to the community.” As artistic director it is her programmatic vision that both inspires FirstWorks to new heights (think of vertical dancers Bandaloop dancing on the side of a Downtown skyscraper in 2012 and 2017) and looks to be relevant and meaningful to our community. “Seeing artists at work is something that feeds my soul – from music, to circus, to electronic media –there is an energy that replenishes my energy to reinvent and create,” says Kathleen, with a palpable joy.

“2024 is a year of appreciating the people who I’ve learned from,” says Kathleen. “I’m so grateful to those people who believed in my vision for this organization, those whose labor built an idea into an organization, donors who took risks, mentors who encouraged me, and artists who joined with our passion to connect art with audiences.”

Local art sets the vibe inside a Providence condo

Photo by Leah Miriam Pisari

Collected Wisdom

An artful couple embraces “museum bookstore” style in their 1900s East Side condo

By Elyse Major

When East Side homeowner Leah Pisari came across the trending interior hashtag “museum bookstore,” it resonated, giving a name to her own predilection toward styling bookcases, composing gallery walls, and furnishing spaces with tactile materials and graphic punch. Indeed, the home she shares with her husband Ed and their two pets since March 2020, is skillfully outfitted with storied heirlooms, art work, and trinkets. “I have traditional elements like the green couch and the

dining room table, while mixing in the mid-century console and eclectic decorating,” says Pisari. Raised in North Kingstown, Pisari left the state for Maryland to earn her Master of Fine Arts, then lived and worked in New York City. When she landed a job at her undergrad alma mater, the University of Rhode Island, as a visual media specialist at the Harrington School, she knew she wanted to live in Providence – particularly the East Side – for its walkability and access to cafes and downtown. “We viewed three or four places, fell in love with our home, and got it right in time,”

she recalls. “We bought the condo weeks before the COVID shutdown! We closed on March 1.”

The spacious circa-1900 renovated townhouse boasts five bedrooms, three full baths, high ceilings, and large windows that fill the first level with light; the entire second floor was originally deemed a “bonus space” since it wasn’t liveable when the Pisaris first took ownership. “We spent most of the lockdown painting and learning how to fix things while FaceTiming with our parents,” Pisari chuckles.

When it comes to color, Pisari is very

Photos by Leah Miriam Pisari

Natural woods and deep blues are a cohesive element throughout the home

Get Rhody Style

Leah Pisari shares ideas and resources for making the most of living in the Ocean State.

A Natural Fit

“I feel like my style reflects Providence with the historic traditional architecture mixed with arts of all kinds and an eclectic community. I have always loved Providence. After city-hopping around the East Coast, including New York and Baltimore, I always came back. Providence feels the most authentic and always lives up to the hype.”

Small Biz Love

“Some favorites near home are Craftland (almost all of the bedroom art), and Oak Bakeshop (their black and white cookies featured in the living room photos). Closer to work: Wickford Gourmet, Nico Scout in South Kingstown, and Bagelz in Wakefield (best bagels and lox in the state!)”

Campus Commute

“I love working in South County and having a home in Providence. I love exploring the city and spending the day at the beach. I am so happy to call Rhode Island home.”

deliberate. Gray walls on the main level are a neutral foil for artwork while swaths of blue appear on kitchen cabinetry and upstairs walls; green is also a constant on both couches and leafy plants. “I wanted greens to bring in a pop of color in the sea of blues.” Accents like textiles infuse dashes of reds, pinks, and yellows.

“I like my ability to combine seemingly mismatched pieces. I always trust the process and just pick things that resonate with Ed and me,” Pisari muses from her peridot velvet couch. “My favorite part is that my home reflects us.”

Full Circle

By Elyse Major

A Barrington ceramicist’s in-demand small bowls are an ode to the Ocean State

Photography by Nick DelGiudice

Late last year, Michelle Phaneuf posted an image of a chalkboard to her Instagram account. “GOAL!!!!” the caption began. The Barrington-based ceramicist had reached making 3,000 Teeny Bowls, her trademark two-by-three-inch vessels. “The big question now is… what’s next year’s number?”

A designer by trade, and full-time ceramic artist since 2010, Phaneuf can be found in her studio prepping clay to be thrown on the wheel and fired in her kiln. “My two lives have joined together to create simple, graphic, modern tableware,” she explains. Her work is wheel-thrown and trimmed before the first firing, then glazed and fired again. Next, custom-designed decals of favorite Rhode Island landmarks – like the Industrial Trust Building in Providence and Beavertail Lighthouse in Jamestown –are applied. Each piece is then fired for a third and final time, ensuring that images are permanent. All work is food, microwave, and dishwasher safe, but as with all handmade ceramics, handwashing is recommended. “Highly usable and highly beautiful,” she says, smiling.

Once you know what to look for – state scenes and motifs, sometimes shapes and flourishes – it’s easy to spot Phaneuf’s work. Her line includes mugs, shot cups, vases, and planters, all cohesive and easy to mix and match. Her eponymous brand has amassed quite a following, along with a list of stockists around the state and beyond. Whether it’s a buffet of bite-sized foods, holding an array of sauces and toppings, or keeping salt and pepper out for cooking, Phaneuf’s Teeny Bowls make a big impact. Learn more at MichellePhaneufCeramics.com; @michellephaneufceramics

See Phaneuf’s work at Bloom Flower & Home Market, April 6-7, WaterFire Arts Center. BloomFlowerAndHome.com

Meet Corey Wheeler Forrest

The brand ambassador and documentary subject catches us up on what it means to be a trap “fishermom” in the East Bay

By Elyse Major

As a third-gen fisher, you are a strong advocate for trap fishing – a method where fish are funneled into a large floating trap secured by anchors, everything is alive, and what can’t be used can simply swim away. What is it about trap fishing that makes it so special to you?

Aside from trap fishing being one of the cleanest and most sustainable ways to harvest fish, I love that the traditions, stories, knowledge, and culture of trap fishing have been passed down through multiple generations since the 1800s. That speaks volumes about how Rhode Island’s fisheries are managed and trap fishing’s long-term sustainability.

The documentary The Last Trap Family by NY-based producer/director Hudson Lines about you and your life as a “fishermom” was made and premiered in 2019. Has it inspired more trap fishing families? My father likes to say, “If it were easy, everyone would do it,” which is probably why so few of us still fish this way. If anything, I hope the documentary sheds light on the amount of work it takes to harvest seafood, some of the issues we face, like rising costs to run a business, and the faces behind that effort. I hope it inspires people to be more thoughtful and supportive in choosing where their food comes from.

You are one of the nine ambassadors of the Alaskan-based shoe and foot brand XTRATUF’s Pro Team! How did that come to be?

I showed up on XTRATUF radar after I wrote a blog post about growing up in a fishing family, and they contacted me. Authenticity and a connection are my top priority when working with a brand; I’m not someone who can “fake it,” so it’s refreshing to know that there are real people behind their company who support people like me who genuinely put their products to the test every day, and can stand by their brand. I’ve loved working with them over the years. There is a boot or shoe for everyone, and I wear them all, from cozy fleece-lined slippers to their new Riptide shoe coming out this spring.

What are the best parts of living and working in the East Bay?

I live in Portsmouth, but my commute to Sakonnet Point is something I look forward to every day: the sunrise, the open spaces of farms and stone walls with the sea as a backdrop sprinkled with farm stands and coffee shops. During my fishing season, I love to stop by Walker’s Farmstand in Little Compton for tomatoes and sweet corn on my way home. The Art Cafe for Coffee in Little Compton is one of my favorites, especially during the off-season – the wood stove is always burning, and I’m guaranteed to see other local fishermen there. I love Cory Farms Past & Presents in Portsmouth for unique gifts with nautical flair.

Where can Rhode Islanders go to enjoy your fish?

I sell whole fish straight off our boat at Sakonnet Point during our season starting in May. Dune Brothers in Providence is another excellent choice; I love that they buy direct from us and other local fishermen and only use in-season fresh, local seafood. Follow at @fishandforrest

Photography by Maaike Bernstrom

Friday 3/8

Saturday 3/9 | 7:30pm

FOREIGN JOURNEY

Saturday 3/15 | 7pm

CREEDENCE CLEARWATER

REVIVAL SWEET HITCH HIKER

Saturday 3/16 | 7:30pm

AGING DISGRACEFULLY

Thursday 3/21 | 1:30-3:30pm

Saturday 3/23 | 7:30pm CROSBY STILLS NASH & YOUNG CSNY

Friday 3/29 | 7:30pm TRAILER PARK GIRLS

Saturday 3/30 | 7:30pm

Overnight Sensations

Pack like a superstar with cool goods from around the state

By Jenna Kaplan

Produced by Elyse Major

Just when you thought your vacation prep was in the clear, you discover a hiccup: essential items are missing! Enter Rhode Island’s own brands and boutiques, swooping in like superheroes to rescue your getaway. At brick-and-mortars or online, find everything your traveling heart desires and then some. Whether it’s soft Pima cotton sleepwear, all-natural luxury toiletries, or water-repellant luggage made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled water bottles, Ocean State retailers can turn any packing predicament into a stressfree shop-local spree. So, breathe a sigh of relief and let the charm of unique wares enrich your vacation before it even begins.

At

SOCKS

Green Ink

Pro v idence & Wickford

GreenInkBoutique.com

PAJAMAS

Kiel James Patrick

Newport KielJamesPatrick.com

TRAVEL-SIZE TOILETRIES

Farmaesthetics

Portsmouth Farmaesthetics.com

SHOECASE LEIGH

Westerly Shop-Leigh.com

POSTCARDS

Jenny Brown

Pro v idence JennyBrownArt.com

Comprehensive Hearing Evaluations

Hearing Aid Consultations

Hearing Aid Fitting & Service Ear Wax Removal

1130 Ten Rod Road, Suite E 104 North Kingstown • 401-268-5444

Matcha overnight oats with local tea

Photo by Liz Murray

Deli Done Right

From Providence to Barrington, a chef’s path to scratch-made sandwiches and homestyle catering

By Andrea E. McHugh

Few restaurants have the gravitas of Leon’s Cafe & Catering in Barrington. Chef/owner Bill Andrews grew up in the business, son of a cook at a New York System Diner in Johnston the 1970s, and a mother who Andrews describes as “an old-school Italian.” After learning the ins and outs of boots-on-the-groundcooking from his father’s side, Andrews left the steamed hot dog buns and celery salt behind for a formal education in the culinary arts at Rhode Island School of Design.

Not long after, Andrews opened a restaurant of his own on Federal Hill, a popular Mediterranean bistro with an inescapable Italian-American influence called Leon’s On The West Side, named for Andrews’ brotherin-law Leon, who had passed away. Andrews charmed as owner and head chef of the eatery.

“I was there until 2001. It had become extremely popular. We had an 85-seat restaurant and we were doing 250 covers [plates] for dinner and 450 covers for brunch on Sunday.”

After 21 years of ownership, Andrews transitioned to the industry side of the business, becoming the food service director at Eastside Marketplace. Noticing a void in the catering market in Barrington, he honed in on a small property tucked off of busy County Road where he could service both private clients and the public. “This place was an Italian-style deli with a deli case and all that. It only had about 18 seats,” explains Andrews. So he got to work, converting the deli case into a bar, building out a galley kitchen using every inch he could, and securing a beer and wine license as well as a caterer’s Class B license.

Leon’s Cafe & Catering opened in late 2014 with seating for 34 and menus devoted to

breakfast, brunch, and made-to-order sandwiches. Andrews continues to make a variety of breads the only way he knows how – from scratch. “We also make our own Canadian bacon in house, and I make my own pastrami. We cook the corned beef brisket in house – we don’t buy the deli meats,” Andrews explains. “The atmosphere that I have is very casual. I’m not much of a fine dining dude with tablecloths and all that, but I want the food to be fine dining, at that level.”

That can mean anything from crispy French toast featuring a house-made baguette dipped in vanilla custard batter and coated in Frosted Flakes to Andrews’ Mama Josie’s housemade meatball sub, which uses his mother’s “old school” recipe of ground beef, a grated cheese blend, eggs, softened bread, and “the right spices,” all simmered in marinara sauce

Photo courtesy of Leon’s Cafe and Catering

Chef Bill Andrews catering at a client’s home

and sprinkled with Pecorino cheese before being tucked into a baguette. The aforementioned pastrami is made with a brined brisket, spice-rubbed and slow-smoked for 12 hours and steamed for two hours, then sliced and served with Swiss cheese on toasted seeded rye, and slathered with coarse mustard.

Early in the pandemic, when food service businesses were shut down, Andrews shifted to a prepared food menu with delivery service and online ordering. The period was a substantial financial loss. “This month, we reached our goal for our sales, so we’re back to where we were pre-pandemic, but it took three years to get there,” explains Andrews.

Today, the catering arm of Leon’s is a substantial part of the business model. “I find it easy to work in someone’s home, even if they’re doing something between 50 and 100 people,” he says. Leon’s also caters at nearby Temple Habonim from time to time, putting expertise learned at Eastside Marketplace on traditional Jewish foods and meals into practice.

Andrews is also passionate about mentoring youth. “I think it’s vitally important in the industry that young people get some form of a vocation outside of school, because there’s nothing that can prepare you better than getting some skill sets in the real world,” he says. Andrews explains that while many parents want their children to go to college, it’s not the only path to success. “Some kids don’t fit into that mold and that’s where restaurants and small businesses come in very, very handy.”

While he lives in Providence with his family, Andrews has found a deep sense of community in Barrington. He says of local residents and neighbors, “I made a decision that I was going to make friends here, and get to know them as people, not just customers.”

Leon’s Cafe and Catering

230 Waseca Avenue, Barrington 401-247-1660 • LeonsCafeCatering.com

Photo courtesy of Nice Jewish Boys Brunch

Breakfast Goes Green

Wholesome matcha overnight oats is sure to put a spring in your step

By Liz Murray

Photos by Liz Murray

TEA TREK

Source the main ingredient locally by visiting tea cafes and foodie shops that sell retail matcha powder to bring home for your steeping and cooking needs.

Ceremony

Pro v idence

Jahmu

North Kingstown Schasteâ

Pro v idence

The Spice & Tea Exchange of Newport

Y Maru Maru

Pro v idence

Step aside Shamrock Shake –Matcha Overnight Oats is a green treat that’s both delicious and high in antioxidants. This easy-to-make recipe pairs the delicate flavors of the green tea powder with bright and citrusy lemon and sweet honey. It comes together in just minutes, and can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to four days. Serve on its own or with crunchy granola for a satisfying start to the morning.

Matcha Overnight Oats

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup rolled oats

• 1 Tbsp chia seeds

• 1 tsp flaxseed meal optional

• 1 ½ tsp matcha powder

• 1 ½ tsp honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 2 Tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice

• 1 tsp lemon zest

• ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt, or vegan alternative

• 1 cup milk of choice

STEPS

1. Add all of the ingredients to a large jar or bowl and mix well.

2. Transfer mixture to mason jars or individual serving tupperwares, and cover with a lid or plastic wrap.

3. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 4 days. Serve with granola, fresh fruit, nuts, or any other toppings. Feel free to add more sweetener to taste if desired!

For more healthy recipes and inspiration, visit RecipeHippie.com.

Zeppole Season is Here!

Italian bakeshops stocking display cases with the beloved pastry cream-filled fritters for Saint Joseph’s

By Patty J.

Saint Joseph’s Day (AKA, the Festa di San Giuseppe) is coming and it’s a terrific excuse to sample zeppole from all over Rhode Island. You definitely don’t have to be Italian American to indulge in these luscious, cream puff-style sweets that are synonymous with the March 19 holiday, showing up in bakeshop display cases across the state.

Borrelli’s Pastry Shop

Locals are in love with this timeless Italian bakery on Tiogue Avenue. Come Saint Joe’s season, you too can get in on the celebration by picking up a box of their traditional, ricotta, coffee, chocolate mousse, or fresh strawberries and cream varieties, or sample some of each. Facebook: Borrelli’s Bakery of Co v entry

The Bread Boss

This family-owned bakery is situated on Sanderson Road and like many establishments on this list, has a dedicated local following. They also have a superb selection of zeppole, from traditional and whipped cream to pistachio, chocolate, and rum. Decisions, decisions! Johnston, Facebook: The Bread Boss Italian Bakery

Colvitto’s Pizza & Bakery

If you live in South County, you’re probably already familiar with this perennial favorite, which serves up sweet treats along with their delicious pizza and calzones. They have zeppole year round, but come March they add chocolate and Irish cream to the mix.

Narragansett, Col v ittosPizza.com

Emilio’s Bakery

This under-the-radar cozy Italo-American bakery is known for bread and pizza strips, and zeppole, of course. They start rolling out trays overflowing with these delectable treats in February, and there’s no shortage of patrons popping in to purchase well before Saint Joseph’s. West Warwick, EmiliosBakery.com

Julianna’s Italian Bakery

Zeppole fans gravitate to this husband and wife-owned bakery on High Street for their spin on this classic pastry – along with their pizza strips and spinach pies. Get there early in the day or place a pre-order to ensure you don’t wind up missing out on these goodies.

Cumberland, JulianasItalianBakery.com

Pastryland Bakery

This coffee and wine bar meets Italian market and bakery on Route 5 is somewhere you’d expect to discover on Federal Hill or in Cranston’s “Little Italy” (Knightsville). Regulars adore their ricotta and Bailey’s Irish Cream zeppole, as well as the traditional ones. Smithfield, Facebook: Pastryland Bakery

Scialo Brothers Bakery

Located on Atwells Avenue, Scialo has been creating some of the most delicious zeppole in Rhode Island for over 100 years and counting – it doesn’t get more authentic than this. Call ahead or get

to Federal Hill early to avoid disappointment. Pro v idence, Scialo-Brothers-Bakery.business.site

Solitro’s Bakery

This third-generation, family-owned bakery in the Knightsville neighborhood is a zeppole hot spot. They carefully prepare hundreds of fried and baked versions, as well as some adorable minis, which are the perfect size to enjoy with an after-dinner espresso. Cranston, SolitrosBakery.com

Taunton Avenue Bakery

Attention chocolate lovers! This Portuguese

bakery and market has not only traditional zeppole with homemade custard cream but also varieties with chocolate mousse and Nutella mousse. Stop by for lunch and make a meal out of their tasty soups and sammies. East Pro v idence, Facebook: Taunton Avenue Bakery

Zaccagnini’s Pastry Shoppe

Lines are out the door here during zeppole season! This iconic bake shop on Smithfield Avenue bakes up dozens of these scrumptious pastries. And they aren’t afraid of mixing March holidays by creating a shamrock-topped St. Paddy’s Day version. Pawtucket, Facebook: Zaccagnini’s pastry shoppe

Zeppole take over bakeshop display cases

Photos courtesy of Solitro’s Bakery

Luck Has Nothing to Do With It

A West End neighborhood eatery curates rock-n-roll vibes and great cocktails

By Abbie Lahmers

It wouldn’t be a visit to Lucky Enough without a friendly greeting to “sit anywhere!”, the anticipation of seeing what’s new on the specials board, and someone dishing the latest gossip around town within earshot of the stool or seat you bellied up to. A casual neighborhood bar and eatery, Lucky Enough has quickly become an essential West End haunt inside new-build digs with old-school vibes.

Though there’s an element of familiarity –and nostalgia, with a portrait of the King of Rock ‘n Roll gazing down upon patrons and an impressive vinyl collection – luring guests back, no two seasons at Lucky Enough are exactly the same. Summer saw skilled cooks crouched in the alleyway stoking meats in a smoker, while February was abuzz with the Super Bowl on the 4K HD projector and

MUST-TRY ITEMS

BUILT FOR STORMY WEATHER ( $10 ) Slane Irish Whiskey, port wine, fresh lemon, honey, and Angostura bitters

VEGAN BOMB ( $12 ) Hummus, sauteed mushrooms, tomato, cucumber, red onion, pickled jalapeño, mixed greens, and red wine vinaigrette

ROAST BEEF ( $13 ) Chilled thinsliced roast beef, melted cheddar, shredded lettuce, tomato, sweet pickles, and garlic aioli

Cuisine: Scratch-made bar snacks and sandwiches

Atmosphere: Leveled-up dive bar with good energy

Inside the music-inspired sports bar and local hang

P hotos courtesy of Lucky Enough

this month sees rugby matches, March Madness, and a Smoked Corned Beef Reuben for St. Paddy’s Day. Even when there’s neither game nor holiday, Lucky Enough owner Art Chamberland and team make up their own reasons to revel, from Vinyl Wednesdays to Wing Night Thursdays.

Opting for a table close to the sweeping bar and in view of guests taking aim at the dart board, my partner and I browsed a cocktail menu of drinks named after lines from songs, deliberating over a T Swift-inspired “Baby, I’m Gonna Shake, Shake, Shake, Shake, Shake” while a Bruce Springsteen song played overhead…and ultimately settling on Kiss and Todd Snider namesakes. Party Every Day, served in a martini glass, combines the pleasingly peaty Laphroaig 10 Single Malt and Old Forester Bourbon, with earthy notes from an amaro and the sweetness of vermouth – I couldn’t recommend a better drink to make the transition from work day to happy hour. In lovely juxtaposition to my stiff drink was the

medicinal tonic-like Part 2, Book 3, Verse 4, Jackson 5, Nikki Sixx, a mezcal cocktail with ginger liqueur, lemon, honey, and mole bitters.

My first Lucky Enough love – a smoky barbecue cauliflower melt – had been replaced with a new flame, the Butternut Squash Melt. This sweet and savory selection featured a hearty portion of roasted squash with oozing cheddar and brie between slices of sourdough. Cranberry jam, pickled red onions, and arugula add color and depth to this sandwich, which garnered the following praise from my partner when it arrived: “That’s a nice cross section.”

With a rotating menu of cocktails and food, you never know what might be added to the menu, but you can rely on a strong selection of starters, sandwiches, and wraps. It’s easy to be a vegetarian here and not order a salad (though there’s plenty of options if that’s what you’re into), with vegan hot dogs, spicy Vegan Chili & Chips, and other hearty meat-free bar snacks on the menu.

When we learned from our friendly server that it was Mad Dog Monday – with rotating specials each week – my partner decided at the last second to order the chipotle dog. The loaded hot dog had a nice level of heat tempered slightly by a drizzle of sour cream, though pickled jalapeños brought the fire back, with a carrot slaw adding a little bit of crunch. I couldn’t stop snacking on the side of sweet pickles.

Whether you’re bonding with strangers over the big game or cozying up in a corner with a couple of close friends, Lucky Enough is a social experience; it’s a place to dish over scratchmade sandwiches and chat with the bartender about the extensive whiskey list (which boasts affordable pours). It’s a true third place you’ll want to return to over and over again.

Lucky Enough

1492 Westminster Street, Providence 642-2749 • LuckyEnoughPVD.com

A hot dog with the works

Discover the flavors of Rhode Island! From fresh seafood shacks to farm-to-table eateries, little Rhody offers a diverse culinary landscape that caters to all tastes. Indulge in delicious seafood, global cuisines, and locally-inspired dishes, and experience the culinary richness of the Ocean State with a dining experience that will leave you craving for more.

All Favorites Cafe

1678 Broad St, Cranston | 401-941-3550 allfavoritescafe.com |

A Breakfast/Lunch restaurant serving a mash up of Southern and French inspired flavors. Everything from French Toast to Cubanos.

Casa Azul

890 Allens Ave, PVD | 401-414-7799

CasaAzulri.com |

Our Casa is Your Casa. Authentic Mexican Flavors, Delicious Recipes and Vegan options. Home of the Wicked Best Margarita.

CAV Restaurant

14 Imperial Place, Providence | 401 751-9164

CavRestaurant.com |

Bistro style Brunch and Lunch. Fine Dining Dinner.

8 locations across RI!

Chelos.com |

A Rhode Island staple since 1955! Fresh, homemade deliciousness in every bite.

The Coast Guard House Restaurant

40 Ocean Rd, Narragansett | 401-789-0700

thecoastguardhouse.com |

Waterfront dining - local raw bar, lobster, pasta, steak & seafood. Award-winning wine list. Dining rooms, bars, patio & deck.

Dave’s Fresh Marketplace

Ten Locations throughout Rhode Island 401-558-0190 |

davesmarketplace.com/WeeklySpecials

Made fresh daily in our kitchens - 60+ Take Out Options!

MainStreet Cofee 137 Main Street, East Greenwich 401-885-8787 |

MainStreet-Cofee.com

Casual cofee house meets hip martini bar. Best Espresso Martinis in Rhode Island.

Marcelino’s Boutique Bar

1 W Exchange St, Providence | 401-666-0088

marcelinosboutiquebar.com |

Craft cocktail bar serving Mid-Terranean

Fusion Mezze and World-Class Craft Cocktails | #ItsMarcelinos

Twin Willows

865 Boston Neck Road, Narragansett 401-789-8153 | TwinWillowsRI.com |

Water-view dining with fresh lobsters & steamers served daily in this casual sports bar/restaurant.

Chelo’s Hometown Bar & Grille

On Stage | Profile | New Book | Calendar

Stephen Colbert with local boy makes good, Paul Mecurio

Photo courtesy of Paul Mecurio

OFF THE CHARTS

Woodman Center

250 Lloyd Avenue, Providence

March 15-17

BalletRI.org

Pop Culture

Innovative ballet seeks to lure first-timers by swapping classical music for chart-topping hits

By Ruthie Wood

Brenna DiFrancesco in Blue Until June

Photo by Trey McIntyre, courtesy of Ballet RI

Some of the best dance choreographers in the world are descending upon the Ocean State in March – not to take center stage – but to impart their movement styles for Off the Charts , a production of Ballet RI, the company evolved from Festival Ballet Providence. While Ballet RI is a dance company in the smallest state, the high level of physicality their dancers showcase attracts illustrious artists from all over the world.

Off the Charts isn’t just educational for company members, but culminates in evening-length “repertory performances” of existing works from celebrated choreographers. In this case, Off the Charts will showcase three pieces: George Balanchine’s Who Cares? , a jazzy, Americana piece filled with dance duets (pas de deux) and solos to the music of George Gershwin; Trey McIntyre’s Blue Until June , set to the moving music of blues singer Etta James; and Katarzyna Kozielska’s Ode , danced to “Nothing Compares 2 U.”

Kathleen Breen Combes, director of Ballet RI, explains, “It’s called Off the Charts because it’s very musically inspired,” featuring dances that were born from jazz, blues, and pop music. Part of the appeal of this unique repertory performance, she hopes, is the program’s ability to “cross genre” by connecting what might be considered the more accessible art form, popular music, to ballet.

“If you’re not a ballet lover and you’ve never been introduced to ballet, then this is an absolutely great program to come to because it’s music that you can easily just listen to and then be exposed to ballet for the first time,” says Combes. The point is to bridge the familiar (music) with the unfamiliar (choreographed movement).

For the non-dancer or a person unfamiliar with ballet, the names of these featured choreographers may be meaningless, but their prestige is awe-inspiring. Balanchine is one of the most famous choreographers ever , recognized as the father of American ballet. Polish choreographer Kozielska, commissioned for pieces around the world, is coming to Rhode Island to work with the ballet corps for three works before Off the Charts is staged. McIntyre has produced more than 100 pieces, and has won numerous awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award, and will stick around for opening night.

Combes’ inspiration to create the show came 24 years ago when McIntyre’s Blue Until June premiered with the Washington Ballet. Combes, then 18, was a dancer under McIntyre. “It was my first introduction to what ballet could be beyond tutus and tiaras,” she reminisces of the career-defining moment. McIntyre, like Kozielska, is coming to Rhode Island to work with the ballet corps; it is a huge honor, and their presence guarantees the reprisal of their respective pieces will be unique. “Anytime a choreographer comes and works with your dancers, they change [the piece] and they give it a flair for

your company,” says Combes.

Off the Charts will take audience members through three styles of choreography and three types of ballet: neoclassical, classical, and contemporary. Education and accessibility are Combes’ goals with this production, so there will be a video component before each piece to give audience members a backstory: what each choreographer was thinking while creating their movements. “It’s like when you are at a museum and you look at a painting on the wall,” Combes says. “You read about it, and you appreciate it so much more because you understand it.”

Photo (top) by Trey McIntyre, (bottom) by Dylan Giles, courtesy of Ballet RI

(L-R) Joseph Van Harn, David DuBois, Kobe Atwood Courtney in Blue Until June

Ballet RI Company in Blue Until June

Permission Granted

Award-winning comedian/actor returns home to perform off-Broadway one-man show in Westerly

By Ken Abrams

Emmy and Peabody Award-winning comedian/actor and Rhode Island native Paul Mecurio, a writer and recurring performer on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert , is bringing his show Permission to Speak to Westerly’s UNITED Theatre on Saturday, March 9. But don’t expect a traditional stand-up comedy routine; Permission to Speak is a one-of-a-kind show where Mecurio invites audience members to share their stories on stage. During the show, he remains at the center of the dialog, guiding the conversation with humor and compassion.

Providence born-and-raised, Mecurio worked at his parent’s furniture store as a teenager and believes growing up in the city gave him a leg up in the entertainment business. “We had to work in the business, we didn’t have any choice,” he says. “I was selling furniture when I was 10 or 12, so you learn how to talk to people.”

Mecurio grew up in an Italian neighborhood on Charles Street, and attended Classical High School, where he met kids from all over the city. “Rhode Island is a microcosm of the world,” Mecurio explains. “You can function anywhere if you grew up here. As a small state, there’s an instant familiarity we have with each other, or we think we have with each other. It’s a no-nonsense place without pretension.”

His show, which has run off-Broadway and now tours around the country, evolved organically. “I can’t say I sat in a room and planned this,” says Mecurio, who graduated from Providence College before leaving the state for Georgetown Law School. In the late 1990s, after selling a joke to Jay Leno, he took a bold step away from an established career in corporate law to perform stand-up comedy. He’s been at it ever since.

Initially, his conversations with the audience were a type of crowd work, a strategy comedians use to warm up the room. “I’ll see that you have a beard, but I don’t really care about your beard,” says Mecurio. “I just have a two-minute bit that I want to get to about beards. But I found that if you ask more questions beyond the surface, you get these amazing stories.” Topics can range from

accounts of first dates to stories about coming out to your parents. “Some people want to tell their story, and some people need to tell their story.”

As Permission to Speak took on more theatrical elements, a production team including award-winning puppeteer and filmmaker Frank Oz joined the show. In addition, 23-time Emmy Award Winner for Production Design, Jim Fenhagen – known for his work on latenight TV, the Olympics, and five Super Bowls – and animator JJ Sedelmaier, the artist behind ground-breaking animation on MTV’s Beavis & Butt-Head and Saturday Night Live ’s “TV Fun -

house” cartoons are part of the project.

“The premise of the show is we’re nameless and faceless and sort of generally disconnected from each other, but if we share stories and get together for a time, we realize we have more in common than we think and maybe we come together and connect a little bit,” says Mecurio. The result is a different show every night. The stories are compelling, unpredictable, and intended to highlight commonalities. “I really care about these conversations. When you start to hear these stories, it’s just incredible.” Learn more at UnitedTheatre.org and follow @paulmecurio.

Photo courtesy of Paul Mecurio

Providence’s own Emmy Award-winning Paul Mecurio performs March 9

The Secret is Out

Local author pulls back the veil on Rhode Island’s lesser-known history in latest book

By Hugh Minor

North Kingstown resident Robert Curley has been writing about Rhode Island for more than 30 years, including penning articles for this magazine, so he’s a bit of an expert on the topic. His favorite lane is the odd and obscure, and he shares some of the interesting stories collected over the years in his latest book, Secret Rhode Island: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful and Obscure .

“As you go along, you gather tidbits,” Curley says. “They don’t always fit what you’re working on at the time, so you store them away for later.” With Secret Rhode Island , Curley gives readers a smorgasbord of facts and stories that clarify mysteries and myths, as well as introduce new ones. “This book is a collection of things people often ask me about. They know part of the story, but there’s always more underneath. That twist is what I’m sharing with them. It’s right up my alley.”

Curley has written two other books featuring the Ocean State: 100 Things to Do in Rhode Island Before You Die , and Off the Beaten Path Rhode Island , now in its second printing with another edition possibly coming in the near future. A travel writer and recognized expert on the Caribbean Islands, Curley has made countless contributions to tourism magazines and websites and written the guide, 100 Things to Do Before You Die in the Caribbean .

In conversation, Curley is a treasure trove of fascinating legends and lore. He could start every sentence with the phrase, “Did you know…?” and you’d listen in rapt attention for the big reveal at the end. For instance, the first gas-lit street lamp in the United States

Images courtesy of Bob Curley

Bob Curley

was installed on Pelham Street in Newport and there’s a plaque to prove it; and during the 19th century, Little Compton was the US poultry capital and is honored with a monument in that town. Did you know that sideburns originated with Ambrose Burnside, a Civil War general from Rhode Island?

“Much of the book comes from me trying to answer questions for myself,” says Curley. “It’s great that I get to share what I find with others.”

Follow Curley along at RhodyTravel.com; @rhodytravel.

Te Must List

10 essential events this month

March 2: Don’t miss the newest member of the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame, nationally recognized jazz vocalist Shawnn Monteiro , singing from her latest album, You Are There , and more. Woonsocket, ChansEggRollsAndJazz.com

March 3: With wedding season around the corner, brides and grooms will have the opportunity to sample products and visit dozens of wedding-related exhibitors at the Rhode Island Bridal and Wedding Expo at the RI Convention Center. Pro v idence, BridalShowsRI.com

caption For a statewide listing of events visit us online!

HeyRhody.com

March 28: Join Hey Rhody Media Co. at Chelo’s Hometown Bar & Grille Banquet Room as we celebrate the state’s Leading Ladies featured in this issue. The evening includes entertainment from 2024 Leading Lady, singer Alexus Lee. Warwick, HeyRhody.com

March 3: Join Irish folk singer Karen Casey at the Blackstone River Theater for an afternoon of modern and traditional Celtic favorites with Niamh Dunne on fiddle and vocals, and guitarist and accordionist Sean Óg Graham. Cumberland, BRTRI.org

March 7: Support the Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England at their annual fundraiser Cookies and Cocktails , a 21+ event, at Farm Fresh RI with live music, food samples from local restaurants, and cocktails and beer tasting. Pro v idence, GSSNE.org

March 7: Were you one of those kids who waited all year for the Scholastic Book Fair to visit your school? Then head to the Grown Up Book Fair at Whalers Brewery for beverages and the latest best sellers. South Kingstown, Whalers.com

March 8: Acclaimed RI-based Celtic band Turas presents timeless Irish music on traditional instruments like the uilleann pipes, bodhran, and bouzouki in the ballroom at Linden Place in celebration of Irish Heritage Month. Bristol, LindenPlace.org

Photography by Nick DelGiudice

March 9: Brain Waves Rhode Island is an event celebrating International Brain Week, a global campaign to increase awareness of the benefits of brain research with 40+ tables of interactive games and activities for brains of all ages. Pawtucket, BrainWavesRI.org

March 16: The 68th annual Newport Saint Patrick’s Day Parade kicks off at 11am from Newport City Hall and winds through the City by the Sea. Join dozens of local organizations to celebrate, and don’t forget to wear green. NewportIrish.com

March 27: Empty Bowls is an annual fundraiser for Rhode Island Community Food Bank where guests choose a handmade bowl to keep, and enjoy delicious tastings from area restaurants. Pro v idence, RIFoodBank.org/empty-bowls

Alexus Lee

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