I think there are sections of East Providence that are fabulous for first-time buyers or for people looking to downsize. But there’s also a lot of people from the East Side of Providence and other communities who are finding that they can buy a tremendous house with lower taxes and at a better price than maybe some of what the other communities are able to offer.”
With a deep understanding of the Rhode Island market, Alicia helps clients discover hidden gems that offer more for their money without sacrificing convenience or location. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or seeking a home that fits your changing needs—bigger, smaller, or just different—trust Alicia to guide you through Rhode Island’s real estate market.
1,045
30 DAYS ON MARKET +11% VS. AUGUST 2023 AUGUST 2024 DATA
Uncovering
Photo courtesy of Maddie Proulx
News & Culture
12 THE PUBLIC’S RADIO: Piano-driven “witch pop” from PVD singer-songwriter
14 RHODY PETS: Adoptable pets of the month
16 Women’s volunteer club seeks to build awareness and membership
18 BEER, WINE & Spirits TRAIL
20 CALENDAR: This month’s must-do’s
Home & Style
37 HOME: An architect blurs boundaries of inside and out in new South County build
42 TREND: Ways to infuse goth gardening style in spaces of all sizes
44 INFLUENCER: A savvy Newport content creator wants you to follow her – outdoors
46 RHODY READS: Six books with Ocean State ties that bring you outside
48 RHODY GEM: Postcard views and lattes at a Scituate village cafe
Food & Drink
61 EXPERIENCE: Fall beers from a Cumberland mill-turned-brewery
66 ROUNDUP: Dining destinations all about seasonality
68 IN THE KITCHEN: Pop-up chef shares her Filipino heritage
Hey Rhody Photos
72 A colorful mosaic from our talented followers via Instagram
Photography by Morten Smidt, courtesy of Sarah Jefferys Design
Photo by Abbie Lahmers
Photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman
Photos courtesy of GWFCRI
Rhode Island Fruit Growers Apples Now in Season!
APPLELAND ORCHARD
135 Smith Ave./Rt. 116, Smithfield (401) 949-3690 | Open Daily 8-6 applelandorchards.com
Mary Lou’s World Famous Apple Cider Donuts Apple Wine and Hard Apple Cider
458 Greenville Rd., N. Smithfield (401) 479-5903 | Open Mon-Sat 9-6; Sun 9-5 until Nov. 19
See Goodwin Brothers Farm Stand on FaceBook
BARDEN FAMILY ORCHARD
56 Elmdale Rd., N. Scituate (401) 934-1413 | Open M-Th 9-6; Fri, Sat and Holidays 9-5; Sun 12-5 bardenfamilyorchard.com
Farmstand, PYO, Fresh Cider
DAME FARM & ORCHARDS 91B Brown Ave., Johnston (401) 949-3657
Check website for hours damefarmandorchards.com You can be sure it’s American grown when you pick you own
ELWOOD ORCHARD
58 Snake Hill Road N. Scituate (401) 949-0390 | Mon-Wed 10-5 Fri-Sun 9-5
213 Narrow Lane, N. Kingstown (401) 294-3584 | Open daily 10-5
Growing apples, Mums, Pumpkins & other Veggies NARROW LANE ORCHARD
PYO Apples, PYO Blackberries and Blueberries. Peaches available at the farmstand
SCITUATE NURSERY FARM AND GREENHOUSES 717 Hartford Pike, N. Scituate (401) 934-0581 | scituatenursery.com
Open Tues-Fri 10-5; Sat & Sun 9-5; Closed Mondays
PYO Apples & Pumpkins, Hardy Mums, Our Own Garlic
FAMILY FARM
Please see our website for details. Our 5-acre apple orchard has Honeycrisp, Macoun, Gala, Empire, Jonagold, Mutsu, & more GOODWIN BROTHERS FARM
West Main Rd., Litle Compton (401) 635-0110 | youngfamilyfarm.com, Open for PYO apples Thur-Mon 10-4
ARE YOU READY TO FALL IN LOVE?
CONTRIBUTORS
BOB CURLEY
This month’s cover story was penned by Bob Curley, a South County-based writer who has authored three New England travel guidebooks and contributes to a variety of national travel and lifestyle publications. In “Small State, Big Game” (page 23), Curley shares how the RI DEM staff works to create access to learning and safely enjoying sportsman activities.
PATTY J
Lifelong Rhode Islander and social media maven Patty J has the scoop on what’s new and awesome across the state. In “Farmed and Foraged” (page 66), she shares a list of eight places that showcase the season’s harvests in their menu offerings. Join her ever-growing following on Instagram: @pattyjdotcom
ABBIE LAHMERS
Our managing editor has cultivated quite an interest in identifying plants and mushrooms. In “Wild Harvesters” (page 51) she gets to the root of medicinal plants and fungi conservation by talking to local experts. In her off time, Lahmers writes fiction, goes camping with her partner, and dotes on her cat and house plants.
HUGH MINOR
October marks the return of Rhody Read’s OG curator Hugh Minor, who compiles six books with outdoor themes (page 46). Minor was also on the beat to write “Passport to Membership” (page 9), attending the annual luncheon of a unique club to deliver this story. Minor is shown browsing at Symposium Books, one of his fave places to pick up new releases.
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NEWS & CULTURE
Field Trip | The Public’s Radio | Rhody Pets | Community | Calendar
Passport to Membership
With guidebook in hand, travelers seek to join an exclusive Rhody Island club
By Hugh Minor
onna Staab has officially become a member of the Rhode Island 39 Club after visiting all 39 cities and towns in the state. “I started in 2021,” Staab proudly shares, “then finished just this April, so it took me about three years.” Originally from New Jersey, Staab was not familiar with the Ocean State sites and scenes she would find along the way, but she documented each stop to earn her membership in the club. The highlight for her was Block Island, which she plans to revisit this fall when it’s less busy.
Photo by Mark Dalmeida,
Beavertail Lighthouse is among the sites featured in Rhode Island 39 Club
Stabb’s adventures were inspired by retired teacher Martin “Marty” Podskoch’s book Rhode Island 39 Club: Your Passport & Guide to Exploring Rhode Island . The work of 45 contributing writers, the hardcover book features fun and fascinating aspects of each municipality in the state – from Barrington to Westerly – curated by Podskoch. For example, did you know that the Beavertail Lighthouse in Jamestown, established in 1749, was only the third lighthouse in the American colonies?
In September, the Rhode Island 39 Club held its annual luncheon at Haversham Tavern, a 19th century restaurant in Westerly (check that city off the list!). At the lively gathering, members exchanged stories about their travels and showed off copies of their books, which are filled with notes, signatures, and memorabilia from their visits. Staab’s book is particularly well-worn from a visit to Newport where she left it on the roof of the car during a rainstorm. “I’m glad I didn’t lose it,” she says, “or I would
Author Marty Podskoch
Podskoch welcomes new members
Donna Staab and Peter Kulas at the September luncheon
Photo (top) courtesy of Martin Podskoch, (bottom) photo by Hugh Minor
have had to start all over again!”
Meeting attendee Bill Bower hasn’t finished his tour of Rhode Island, but he’s very close. He has visited 37 of the 39 locations, with only Narragansett and Block Island remaining. “We’ve made our reservations and we will get there soon!” says Bower. He and his wife Lois have been to both places in the past but that was before having the book to document their stop.
Tom Gulluscio, one of the writers featured in the book, got involved with the club through his role as the president of the Westerly Historical Society. “Marty reached out and asked me to write something for the book. Westerly has a lot of history, so I was happy to contribute,” he shares. Gulluscio’s segment describes the town’s role in the granite industry as well as highlighting favorite landmarks like the Flying Horse Carousel and the Ocean House hotel, both in Watch Hill.
Podskoch’s growing book portfolio includes Connecticut 169 Club , again urging readers to explore and document their travels through the Nutmeg State.
“We really want people to get out and explore,” explains Podskoch, “not just drive through. Once they see it up close, they discover there is so much to do in every city and town.” Find copies at Brown & Hopkins Country Store, Chepachet. Learn more at MartinPodskoch.com.
Piano-driven “Witch Pop”
The Providence singer-songwriter’s latest single, “Ghost Story,” is a cautionary tale about heartbreak and the perils of modern dating
In partnership with The Public’s Radio • ThePublicsRadio.org • By
James Baumgartner
With a background in literature and classical music, Providence musician Olivia Dolphin writes piano-driven pop songs about relationships and self-reflection. She stopped by the studio for an interview with Artscape producer James Baumgartner.
OLIVIA DOLPHIN: I call it “witch pop.” Which is something we’re trying on, but basically, honoring the things that make me feel a little witchy, like, loving friendship and magic, and the environment, and community and infusing all of that into my lyrics. And then with the musical content, like sometimes we go a little dark with the chords and the chord progressions and the sounds we’re making as a band. So yeah, we’re trying on the term “Witch Pop” today.
JAMES BAUMGARTNER: Listening to your music, I hear elements of a little Pat Benatar, maybe a little Alanis Morissette, maybe a little Tori Amos, correct me if I’m wrong, maybe even, a little element of musical theater?
DOLPHIN: That is the list that I hear often, which is an honor, always. I would add the people that I listen to most often, which are Brandi Carlile, Ingrid Michaelson, Vanessa Carlton, like, the really piano driven singer songwriters, Regina Spector. That’s like who I listened to, but as a ‘90s girl, I think there’s a lot of that ‘90s rock influence that I didn’t know I had, it’s just coming out naturally.
BAUMGARTNER: What about some of those artists really inspires you?
DOLPHIN: I love the storytelling aspect. When you listen to Brandi Carlile, Ingrid Michaelson, or Tori Amos, they use really poetic, lyrical, high energy content in their songs. They’re really touching on a lot of different topics, but at the core of it all is that strong storytelling, which I really loved. So marrying
a lot of my writing background with my music background, I think it’s only natural that I kind of blend some of those aspects together.
BAUMGARTNER: Tell me more about how your literary background influences your songwriting?
DOLPHIN: I have always been a reader. I grew up reading the Harry Potter books. I was the Harry Potter girl at school. And while my relationship to Harry Potter has changed because of recent comments by the author, I still really value the morals that I took away from Harry Potter, like community, like celebrating friendships, like fighting for what you believe in.
BAUMGARTNER: Tell us about your latest single, “Ghost Story”.
DOLPHIN: It’s what I call a spooky banger. It’s loud. It’s in your face. It’s a little Halloween all year round. And it is about being ghosted. I got ghosted by the same person twice. My bad, I should have read the signs. “Ghost Story” is about wishing that you had seen the signs in a relationship to not get ghosted.
BAUMGARTNER: You put together shows at Askew. And I hear you like putting together mixed genre shows. What is that all about?
DOLPHIN: I’m trying to capture a variety show vibe, but under a theme. We did one in February called “Love stories, a little salty a little sweet” and it was poets, storytellers, musicians, and singer-songwriters under this idea of love stories. And you can get a little salty with it and a little sweet with it, and we had comedians. And I think with Providence being such a creative city, it just makes
Photo courtesy of The Public’s Radio via Olivia Dolphin
sense to me to try to pull a little bit from every audience niche and try to combine them. And something I’ve been saying at shows a lot is, you gotta use it or lose it. You gotta use the venues, you gotta go to shows. And I am a millennial. I’m in my 30s. I love to be in bed by 9. It’s really hard to get out for events, especially hosting them and doing them. But, you know, I just applaud anybody that’s going to live music shows right now or finding, like, that weird community variety show or that open mic and saying, you know what? I’m gonna roll the dice on this event and I’m gonna go and I’m gonna stay up past my bedtime because that is what we need to keep the creative community in Providence alive right now. We’ve got to show up. And so that’s my hypothesis with mixed genre shows.
BAUMGARTNER: Does your classical music education show up in any of the piano arrangements, or the band arrangements, or the music that you write?
DOLPHIN: Yeah, I actually think when you say, I hear a musical theater influence in your music, what you’re actually hearing is the classical background. I see so much value in musical theater and I have gone to Broadway shows and I love PPAC and everything about it, but it’s just not really for me. So when people hear Broadway or musical theater in my work, I think what they’re actually hearing is a deep love and appreciation and background in classical music, the Romantic era, the symphonies. The very first thing I listened to, I remember my dad having Vivaldi’s Four Seasons in the house and like no two pieces there sound the same. You know, with classical music, you just go through these really long journeys. And I think that you can hear that in my music, where it takes you on these dynamic ebbs and flows.
This article was originally posted on June 27, 2024 and has been edited for length. James Baumgartner can be reached at jbaumgartner@ThePubicsRadio.org
Auto, Boat & RV Storage
At Atlantic Audiology, Inc. we understand that each patient is unique. Your hearing loss is unique as well. Our goal is to implement a personalized treatment plan to help you hear what you’ve been missing.
Rhody Pets of the Month
By Karen Kalunian
October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month. Looking to welcome a new furry friend into your home? Adopt, don’t shop! Shelters across the state have dogs and cats ready to find their forever homes. Here are some furry faces ready to meet you, or reach out to the shelters to learn about even more adoptees.
If you have been thinking of adopting or if you know of an animal in need, please contact Karen Kalunian directly at animaltalk1920@gmail.com.
Jed and Jethro
BREED: Hound Mixed
AGE: 10 months
GENDER: Male
These two boys are the best of the best: loyal, loving, smart, and handsome. They do not have to be adopted together but if you’d like to, they’d probably love being together in their happily-ever-after home. Both Jed and Jethro like to play and snuggle together, and as the saying goes, “two is better than one!”
EGAPL HEART OF RI
ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE
401-467-3670, HeartofRI.org
Jenny
BREED: Calico
AGE: 4 years
GENDER: Female
This incredible girl had a rough start in life, and unfortunately had to have one of her eyes removed when she first arrived at the shelter, but she has shown that she can overcome anything. When you first meet Jenny, she’s a little shy but once she warms up, she’ll rub up against you for affection. The folks at Warwick Animal Shelter have done an amazing job showing Jenny what true love is. If you’d like to be the one who gives Jenny the love she so deserves, go meet her and see how wonderful she is.
WARWICK ANIMAL SHELTER
401-468-4377
Jed and Jethro
Jenny
Photo (left) by Christine Bandieri, (center and right) by Karen Kalunian
Regina
BREED: Hound Mixed
AGE: 8 months
GENDER: Female
Regina will be a great addition to any family. She’s beautiful inside and out, and smart, playful and loving. She loves kids and is currently in a foster home with another dog, so if you’re looking to adopt a second pup, she might be the girl for you. Contact Go Fetch about Regina and be ready to fill your home with the magic of puppy love.
Group Effort
Women’s volunteer club seeks to expand awareness and reach in Rhody
By Alexandra Ashe
It’s the best kept secret in Rhode Island,” says Alexandra Hahn. She’s talking about the General Federation of Women’s Club (GFWC), of which she’s the state president, and she’s on a mission to change that adage to, “the best-known volunteer organization in Rhode Island.” The GFWC is a federation of approximately 2,300 women’s clubs in the US, founded in the late 1890s, whose members work tirelessly to enrich the lives of others through volunteer service.
The GFWC of Rhode Island is made up of an alumni club and five area clubs: GFWC Bristol County’s Women’s Club (established in 1952 as the GFWC Barrington Junior Women’s Club, expanded and renamed for broader reach in 2000), GFWC Cranston Community Women’s Club, GFWC Warwick Women’s Club, GFWC Wampanoag Women’s Club, and GFWC Women’s Club of South County, the largest of all. Nancy DeNuccio, president of the South County chapter, offers that because of their numbers, “We get to do what we do. Not just for South County, but the rest of the state, too.”
Devoted members commit their time to collecting and donating food and clothing for food banks and pantries, serving soup to workers at the plants and fisheries in Galilee for the Soup for the Docks program, cleaning up trash, reading to children, raising funds and awarding grants for nonprofit organizations, sending Valentines to veterans, and more, across the state.
A leading fundraiser for GFWC Women’s Club of South County is the Annual Book & Author Luncheon, which celebrated its 24th anniversary during summer. The event takes place at the historic Dunes Club in Narragansett, where approximately 300 guests enjoyed an afternoon listening to three award-winning authors speak about their latest works. All proceeds go towards providing educational scholarships for women in need, as well as grants to local nonprofit organizations supporting worthy causes such as homelessness, food insecurity, domestic violence, mental health, and more. Since its launch, the event has proved to be a fantastic aid to the community. “People love it,” says DeNuccio. “The tickets always sell out in just a few hours, and it’s all thanks to our
generous sponsors, the businesses and individuals who donate raffle prizes, and all our volunteers for their countless hours and dedication.”
So what’s next on Hahn’s agenda? In March 2025, the GFWCRI will be building their very own scavenger hunt to spread awareness. While the project is still in its early planning stages, Hahn shares the premise: “We’ll have our emblem up in 20 different female-owned businesses throughout the state. If you find one, take a selfie with it and upload it to our website. If you find all 20 emblems, you’ll win the grand prize!”
Spoken in true volunteer spirit, Hahn states why she feels it’s crucial to get the GFWC’s name out there as much as possible. “We’re not doing this for money; we’re doing this so we can keep making Rhode Island a better place every day and keep bringing so many wonderful women together. The sense of purpose and reward is unparalleled.”
DeNuccio echoes Hahn’s words. “In this organization, you can do a little or you can do a lot. Either way, you’re helping, and that’s what truly matters most.” Learn more at GFWCRI.org
Photo courtesy of GWFCRI
Wine Rhody
& Spirits Trail
We believe nothing connects people like sharing a great beer or a delicious bite. Take refuge from the daily hustles of life in our historic taproom or our beautiful beer garden. 334 Knight Street, Warwick. (401) 744-0415, ApponaugBrewing.com
RI’s largest craft brewery serves up small-batch beers and hard seltzers in three RI locations. Visit TheGuildRI.com for PVD, Warren & Pawtucket unique oferings.
The Langworthy Inn & Winery, a 7-bedroom B&B and Winery, located at 308 Shore Rd in Westerly RI just minutes from beaches, restaurants & shops in the Weekapaug, Watch Hill & Misquamicut areas. Visit this gem of the SE New England’s vineyards & wineries for a wine tasting, weekend getaway or private event. langworthyinn.com
Pawtucket’s award winning Rhodium gins & vodkas feature flavors built from fresh, farmed & foraged ingredients. Newly relocated. Tasting Flights & Cocktails. 40 Bayley St., Pawtucket, RI. RhodeIslandSpirits.com
Enjoy a full lineup of artisan craft beer, cocktails & spirits. Relax inside our family-friendly taproom with a board game, or enjoy the sunshine on our pet friendly outdoor beer garden. Wood burning pizza oven on site. 65 Canal Street, Westerly. 401.596.4151, GreySailBrewing.com
JONATHAN EDWARDS WINERY
At Jonathan Edwards Winery, enjoy award winning wine in a relaxed picturesque setting. Open daily, year round. Shop wine and event tickets online at JEdwardsWinery.com. 74 Chester Maine Road, North Stonington, CT, (860) 215-3725.
PRESTON RIDGE VINEYARD
Located in historic Preston, Connecticut, Preston Ridge Vineyard is at the peak of a ridge providing breathtaking views of the Connecticut countryside. 100 Miller Rd., Preston, CT; PrestonRidgeVineyard.com
Stonington Vineyards is a boutique farm winery located on the CT Wine Trail, open 7 days a week, 11am–5pm and from June – September open 11am–7pm on Saturdays. 523 Taugwonk Road, Stonington, CT. StoningtonVineyards.com
The Kayak Centre’s scarecrow contest entrant for Wickford’s Wicked Week Sip and Stroll
T e Must List
10 essential events this month
Through October 27: Get outside and enjoy all Rhody fall has to offer during Land Trust Days From full moon walks and guided hikes to workshops and socials, programming hosted by statewide land trusts invites guests to engage with nature. RILandTrusts.org
Through November 2: The annual Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular returns to the Roger Williams Park Zoo with the Trivia Edition, where visitors face brain-teasing questions while strolling past thousands of carved pumpkins. Pro v idence, RWPZoo.org
October 9-14: The 10th annual Rogue Island Comedy Festival is the state’s only stand-up comedy festival, and features a dozen shows with local and national headliners appearing at various locations. Newport and Portsmouth, RogueIslandComedyFest.com
October 18-31: Wicked Weeks returns with spooky fun to round out the month, including the Witches of Wickford Paddle on October 20, a sip and stroll event and Scarecrow Contest on the 24th, Horribles Parade on the 26th, and more. WickfordVillage.org
October 11-14: Thousands of attendees flock every year to northern RI’s largest fall festival, Autumnfest , featuring a parade, craft vendors, food trucks, amusement rides, and live music. Woonsocket, Autumnfest.org
October 12-14: The Scituate Art Festival is a long weekend tradition featuring over 200 artists, craftspeople, and antique dealers selling their wares in an open-air market with live music, a food court, raffles, and community vendors. ScituateArtFestival.org
October 12: Wakefield Oktoberfest is a good time for all ages, offering food and drink, shopping along Main Street, games, local artisans, live music with entertainment on three stages, and the final RiverFire of the year. Wakefield, ContemporaryTheaterCompany.com
October 13: The second annual Witch’s Ball at the WaterFire Arts Center is a night of costumed revelry with dancing, burlesque, palm readings, a psychic medium, the Providence Drum Troupe, a cash bar, and local food trucks. Pro v idence, WickfordWitches.com
October 13: Celebrate Indigenous People’s Day at PRONK! The Providence Honk Fest is a free, family-friendly outdoor music and art festival, featuring activist-centered brass bands, percussion ensembles, street performers, and more. Pro v idence, Pronkfest.org
October 18-26: The Rhode Island Stage Ensemble opens the fall season with Young Frankenstein , the hysterical musical stage adaptation of the Mel Brooks comedy that broke records on Broadway. Harrisville, RIStage.org
by
Photo
Elyse Major
A hunting they will go: Maddie Proulx and Zach Sevegny
ADVENTURE LOCAL
TAKE NOTE OF FALL PROGRAMS FROM DEM
By Emily Lynch, DEM chief program development, digital content strategy
CAMP: Fun and affordable, campsites can be found tucked into the woods or just a stone’s throw from the shore. Burlingame State Campground in Charlestown is open through October 14. Fishermen Memorial Campground in Narragansett, George Washington Memorial Campground in Chepachet, and Charlestown Breachway are open through October 31.
FISH: DEM staff will restart trout stocking this October when water temperatures are lower, usually around the holiday weekend. DEM’s Division of Fish and Wildlife operates several fish hatcheries. The Lafayette Trout Hatchery in North Kingstown is regularly open to the public.
LEARN: The public is invited to connect with the outdoors and learn some new skills at fishing days, hunter education classes, guided walks, and more. Most are set to occur in Exeter, North Kingstown, and the East Bay.
SHOP: DEM has a new RI Grown marketing program to promote locally grown commodities and connect people with the people who grow them via interactive tools at DEM.RI.gov/rigrown.
STANDOUT: Remember, orange is the new plaid when getting outdoors this season. Orange safety clothing must be worn by everyone in state management areas and undeveloped state parks, including hikers, bikers, and horseback riders, to stay visible to hunters.
Learn more at DEM.RI.go v and RIParks.RI.go v
Photo (top) by Sarah Petrarca, courtesy of RI DEM, (L and R) courtesy of Maddie Proulx
Proulx donning the required orange. Find details at DEM.RI.gov
Explore Burlingame Campground from one of 20 cabins
A petite young woman who stands not too much taller than her hunting rifle, Proulx cuts an unexpected figure as part of the face of shooting sports in Rhode Island. Suburban Warwick isn’t exactly the open range, nor did Pilgrim High School have a gun club or other hunting and fishing social organizations found at schools in more rural communities. Nonetheless, “I was fascinated by the idea of being self-sustaining and eager to learn more about that lifestyle,” Proulx recalls. “The concept of hunting intrigued me, and as a girl, it was something different. I realized that hunting was crucial for self-sustainability. Harvesting my own meat rather than buying it from the store was eye-opening.”
A high school friend who hunted introduced her to the state’s Hunter Safety course, which Proulx passed, and subsequently got her hunting license. For her senior project, she asked her DEM instructor to mentor her in cleaning and preparing a pheasant donated by Addieville East Farm, a hunting, fly fishing, and sporting clays center in Mapleville (learn more on page 29).
“I demonstrated that hunting isn’t just about the kill; it’s also about respecting the process,” she recalls. “The judges also enjoyed the meal.”
Like almost everything in Rhode Island, the local hunting population is tiny. In 2023, the state sold about 8,000 hunting licenses, or 0.7 for every 100 people — the second lowest rate in the US.
“The hunting community here is small,” says Proulx. “Everyone knows everyone because it’s Rhode Island.”
The number of people who fish in Rhode Island, by contrast, is huge, with more than 50,000 recreational fishing license holders. Between recreational and commercial, fishing contributes an estimated $419 million to the state economy each year.
Despite the disparity in participation, however, the state’s resources for hunting and fishing are vast — at least in proportion to Rhode Island’s small size. One of the richest fisheries on the east coast, Narragansett Bay alone covers 150 square miles, and the state’s water area is nearly half that of its land mass. Saltwater fishing predominates — this is, after all, the Ocean State — but the state also has about 100 lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams that are designated freshwater fishing areas, many of which are stocked with trout by DEM each spring.
As for hunting grounds, more than half of the state — 370,000 acres — is forested. DEM manages over 60,000 acres of public land, most of which is available to hunters and trappers, and some private property owners also permit hunting on their land.
Proulx with a duck decoy for a day of waterfowl hunting
WHAT’S OUT THERE
Rhode Island allows hunting of a surprisingly diverse list of species, from the familiar (deer, turkey) to the unusual (pheasant, mourning doves) to the unexpected (coyotes, fox, rabbits, squirrel). Most hunting in the state takes place from camouflaged blinds or tree stands, although pheasant hunters typically pursue the birds using hunting dogs that flush them from their hiding spots. State law sets limits on how many animals can be taken, although hunters are usually satisfied if they come home with even one kill.
“Deer have gotten smarter over the years: they look up for people in the trees now,” says John Dexter, president of Narragansett Bow Hunters, an archery club based in Exeter. “It’s a real challenge.”
Fur trapping, practiced by the Native American inhabitants of Rhode Island for thousands of years, continues into the 21st century, notably beaver trapping. “When I was a kid, we had no beavers,” says Jim Trappero, hunter safety education coordinator for DEM’s Fish and Wildlife division. “Now, they’re everywhere. They’re rodents, so they’re prolific.” In fact, beavers have become so common in Rhode Island that the trapping limit for residents was recently raised from 20 to 40 per season.
Hunters may use bows (long, re-curve, compound, and crossbows) to bag game, as well as shotguns and muzzle-loading rifles. A state license is required whether you hunt with a bow or a gun. “Archery is a lot cheaper than guns, but it’s a lot harder to kill an animal with a bow and arrow,” says Dexter.
Only handheld rod and reel fishing is permitted in the fresh waters of Rhode Island. Fly-fishing has become increasingly popular, says Kimberly Sullivan, DEM’s aquatic resource education coordinator and principal fisheries biologist. “We have a big community, and the Wood River is one of the best resources,” she says. “It used to be an elite sport, but now it’s more accessible, with cheaper gear.”
In addition to line fishing for 18 species of finfish, recreational saltwater fishing regulations allow Rhode Islanders to trap lobsters with up to five traps or dive to catch the tasty crustaceans. Up to 25 blue crabs a day and five horseshoe crabs a day can also be harvested, and shellfishers can take conch, quahogs, soft-shell clams, oysters, scallops, and surf clams.
Boats, docks, bridges, piers, and beaches are all options for saltwater fishing, and fish are generally abundant in Narragansett Bay. “The bay is cleaner than it was 50 years ago, and the ecosystem is improving,” says Sullivan.
Jonathan Zukowski catches a striped bass
Proulx practicing bow hunting
Photo (top) courtesy of RI DEM, (bottom) courtesy of Maddie Proulx
GETTING READY
Both private clubs and DEM offer a wide range of instruction to hunters and anglers, from the safety and proficiency courses needed to get a hunting license to basic instruction on hunting and fishing and specialized programs on topics like tying flies and dressing a deer. Most classes are free to state residents or offered for a nominal fee; the mandatory online hunter safety course costs about $25.
“A lot of these outdoor skills are no longer being passed from generation to generation,” notes Sullivan, who adds, “A saltwater license is $7 if you’re a state resident; a freshwater license is $18.50. That’s cheaper than a movie ticket.” Hunting licenses are $21 per year for adults, $14 for youths.
DEM’s free Come Clamming with Me class is popular with both residents and visitors interested in learning about the traditional art of quahogging. “You can use a rake or just dig them with your feet,” says Proulx, who runs the classes at local beaches four times a year. The agency also offers a class called Vamos a Pescar – Take Me Fishing to introduce fishing to urban residents, learn-to-fish sessions for kids and adults at the Carolina Trout Hatchery, and expert-led hunts for novice hunters.
Proulx at the DEM Fish and Wildlife Outreach & Education Center
Scup is a favorite fisherman’s catch
Photo
(top) courtesy of RI DEM, (bottom) courtesy of Maddie Proulx
A boutique shop on 1,000 acres in Mapleville outfits collectors and enthusiasts
Autumn is in all its glory in the northern part of the state. Winding roads pass forests, farms, and brooks, and deep in the woods, you’ll find Robin Hollow Outfitters. Under the radar for most, this destination is a boutique sporting goods shop specializing in antique and vintage equipment and goods for collectors and hobbyists.
“What we really sell is a lifestyle,” says owner Bill Hadfield. “Bird dogs, fly fishing, target shooting, the whole package. People want to return to ‘a day gone by,’ a phrase we use a lot.” The shop is situated on Addieville East Farm, a 1,000-acre preserve in Mapleville that offers fishing, bird hunting, and clay target shooting. The farm hosts corporate retreats, private functions, and fundraising events including the (former New England Patriot) Matt Light Celebrity Shoot-Out every September.
“What draws people in is the romance of the shotguns we sell, primarily vintage guns, from the turn of the century up to modern. We don’t sell the guns you see on the news; we cater to collectors, investors, the vintage gun crowd, with guns that are 50 to 150 years old,” says Hadfield. “Our business is a blend between American Pickers and a museum. We’re very much a boutique; we cater to those pursuing an investment grade shotgun or something historic. They’re old, they’re smoky, they tell a story, and they have a history.”
The business is customer-driven, prioritizing one-on-one relationships. “When people walk through the door this fall and winter, we’ll have a fireplace roaring and classical music playing,” says Hadfield. “We go back to a day gone by when the vast majority of people in the US either hunted or knew someone that did. We cater to that old-school mentality.”
For the less experienced, Robin Hollow offers individualized training on the specific model purchased. “We give them a one-on-one lesson,” adds Hadfield. “In 20 minutes, we show them everything from safety to handling to cleaning the gun correctly.” Learn more at RobinHollow.com; Addieville.com
WHERE TO GO
The 40-plus DEM administered management areas are the state’s prime hunting areas, although hunting also is permitted at some state parks, Nature Conservancy properties, and National Wildlife Refuges. These range from well-known protected lands like Arcadia Management Area in Exeter and the Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge in Charlestown to lesser known spots like Prudence Island and Patience Island in Narragansett Bay.
Rules vary from location to location regarding what can be hunted or caught, what weapons and traps can be used, and the time of year hunting can take place. For example, only coyote hunting is permitted on Patience Island, whereas bow hunters can go after deer and raccoons on Prudence Island.
Nicholas Farm Management Area in Coventry is particularly well known for hunting pheasant (DEM stocks birds here annually for hunting), while the South Shore Management Area in Charlestown has public pit blinds surrounding a goose landing field, available on a first-come, first-served basis.
“The public lands can get crowded; you sometimes have to camp or hike to get to the best spots,” says Proulx. However, some private landowners welcome hunters onto their property, particularly if they’re having problems with an overabundance of deer. “Don’t be afraid to ask people if you can hunt on their private property,” she says.
Fishing areas are less restricted. Other than places closed to shellfishing or other fishing due to pollution, fish can be reeled in from almost any boat or beach in the state as long as you stay below the mean high-tide line. Common catches include striped bass, bluefish, tautog, and sea bass.
There are countless lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams on public land open to freshwater fishing. DEM stocks brown, brook, rainbow, and golden rainbow trout in 110 locations each spring; if you catch a golden rainbow trout, you can take a photo of this rare fish and receive a special pin from DEM. Native large-mouth bass lurk in locations like Breakheart Pond in Exeter and Worden Pond in South Kingstown. You also may hook carp, perch, pickerel, pike, bullheads, and catfish.
Tillinghast Pond
Area in West
is popular for fishing, hunting, paddling, and birdwatching
When smaller ponds freeze over, Canada geese move to coastal areas like the open waters of Narragansett Bay
Management
Greenwich
Photo (top) courtesy of RI DEM, (bottom) by Maddie Proulx
WHY HUNT AND FISH
Not everyone who picks up a bow or a gun uses it to hunt: some Rhode Islanders limit their shooting to the range rather than aiming at live targets. Gun clubs across the state operate shooting ranges, and DEM has a public range in the Great Swamp Management Area that also includes a clay-shooting course.
While live hunts are prohibited on Narragansett Bowhunters’ 47-acre property, the club offers a monthly 3D target hunt where about 30 lifelike animals (including deer, elk, rabbits, alligators, and buffalo) are targeted; members of the public are welcome, and the cost is just $15.
For many Rhode Island anglers and hunters, however, enjoyment of the sport is not just for thrills, but to put food on the table. “I primarily trap for meat: it’s healthier and I get to go out and participate in the food chain,” says Trappero.
“It’s crucial to me that I utilize every part of the animal I harvest,” adds Proulx, who hunts deer and game birds like wild turkeys and Canada geese. “I take the life of an animal very seriously, and have profound respect for the creatures I hunt. Even if I don’t bring something home, the experience of waking up with the birds and witnessing a beautiful sunrise makes those 3am alarm clock mornings worthwhile.”
“It’s crucial to me that I utilize every part of the animal I harvest,” says Proulx
Proulx also enjoys another type of shooting: nature photography
An architect connects a new home with its seaside surroundings
By Andrea E. McHugh
Him: a bachelor-entrepreneur of discerning taste who bought a plot of land in Charlestown with visions of a coastal-meets-contemporary home capable of capturing the far-off ocean views and comfortably able to host his four adult children for respites by the sea. Her: a visionary architect with an enviable international portfolio, a finely tuned eye for detail, contemporary aesthetic, and passion for sustainable design. Together, they created a sleek four-bedroom, four-bathroom home with cool vibes, a sense of place, and the embodiment of casual, seaside living through an entirely contemporary lens.
When the client first approached Sarah Jefferys Architecture + Interiors, a New York City-based boutique design firm with projects in Rhode Island and beyond, the challenge was clear. The two-acre property he bought was on a low plot of land, and while there were ocean views, they were distant and camouflaged in the wooded expanse – hardly ideal. But Jefferys, principal of the namesake design firm she founded in 2001, was unbothered by these hurdles. Instead, she identified the highest point of the acreage and creatively designed a spacious, efficient home perched well above ground level, positioned with a tilt to capture the best angle for embracing ocean vistas.
Jefferys designed the 3,800-square-foot home’s exterior to appear as though it’s floating above the land, mimicking a ship sailing on the sea. Anchored by light concrete walls on the exterior of the bottom level, the base is slightly tapered to reinforce the gravity-defying nature of the facade. Deep gray siding cradles the exterior of the second and third floors, creating depth and dimension amid the backdrop of surrounding nature, with the gray hue a nod to
classic New England salt boxes that typically pepper its shorelines. The crowning piece is a private roof deck off the main bedroom, purposefully situated to have an unobstructed sightline to Block Island. Inside, the open-plan ground floor holds the living room, dining area, and kitchen, married by white oak flooring throughout and seamlessly continuing to the kitchen cabinets. Light is reflected from every angle, amplified by white walls, a high-gloss white kitchen
Inside, white oak flooring and kitchen cabinets, white walls, and minimalist furnishings in neutral tones radiate a contemporary, airy allure parallel to the beach beyond
island, and minimalist furnishings in neutral tones. Windows and glass doors on every floor frame the bucolic surroundings, bringing the outdoors in while providing extra insulation for energy efficiency. “[The] large glass openings blur the boundaries between the interior and exterior while elegant clean lines and open, light-drenched spaces set the perfect stage to highlight the nature beyond,” explains Jefferys.
A floor-to-ceiling poured concrete fireplace is a nod to the captivating rocks that surround the home, forming a focal point in the living room, where a low sectional and lounge chair by Italian furniture designer Giorgio Soressi is sleek but not a museum piece – it’s meant to be lived in, to welcome all who enter. Altogether, the atmosphere is muted but modern, calming but contemporary, elegant but airy – a summation of upscale living but with a clear invitation to take off your shoes and get comfortable.
“This was an exciting project where we had the fun opportunity to introduce a modern, sculptural home in a coastal context,” reflects Jefferys. “ It’s quite unlike a traditional beach home yet still speaks to its surroundings.”
With light concrete and gray siding, the home’s facade forgoes traditional New England notions with a softened, brutalist approach and nautical elements that seemingly float in the elevated hills
Carefully curated materials and an organic color palette create a warm ocean-front retreat as luxe as nearby boutique hotels
Get Rhody Style
Ideas and resources for making the most of living in the Ocean State.
Timeless Design
Jeferys took cues from beachy, traditional designs throughout the Rhode Island shore, and reimagined the home with an entirely contemporary lens. Learn more at SJDNY.com
Ready for the Elements
To create the illusion that the top two floors of the home are floating above the ground, Jefferys used deep gray modern fiber cement siding by James Hardie on the exterior of the second and third floors. Engineered to resist water and humidity and to withstand worst-case weather (from hurricanes and rain storms to extreme heat and hail), the siding is forecast-friendly.
Nature vs. Nurture
Jefferys says the facade of the home forgoes traditional New England notions with a softened, brutalist approach and nautical elements, calling it an innovative approach to coastal home design in New England. She sourced lumber, decking, railings, and more materials locally from Riverhead Building Supply in Westerly.
Photography by Morten
Smidt, courtesy of Sarah Jefferys Design
Refresh, Replace, or Redesign?
October 19 | 10–11
Essential "Need to Knows" for Your Kitchen & Bath Remodel
November 16 | 10–11am
Gardens Get Goth
Moody and mysterious blooms are having a moment in the sun
By Elyse Major
The term “goth” signals different things to different people. Architecture admirers may conjure images of pointed arches on churches, medieval castles, and even fanciful cottages of the gothic style, while literary buffs are sure to recall the haunting, gruesome tales of Edgar Allan Poe (a frequent visitor to the Providence Athenaeum), and musicians may hear Bauhaus’ nine-minute 1979 release, “Bela Lugosi’s
Dead.” For those who dig all things earthly and eerie, there’s goth gardening.
Unlike chaos gardens, where all kinds of plants are encouraged to grow wild, or poison paths, which is more of a witch’s formulary or potager, the goth garden focuses on dramatic flowers with dark, velvety, or intricately shaped or veined petals and leaves. Pass by sunny daisies at your local garden center and instead seek varieties where even the names are macabre, such as Black Magic
cosmos, Penny Black nemophila, and Dracula celosia. Once the planting is done, continue to layer ambiance with black gravel or dark paver pathways, and embellish the space with ornamental accents like rusted bird cages, sections of moss-covered iron gates, statuary shaped like gargoyles and angels, or broken doll parts.
“Any kind of adornments that can make a plant look a little monstrous are always fun,” begins Nicky Borden, community and
Photo (L) by Elyse Major
A dramatic bouquet of branches, stems, dahlias, rye grass, dried garlic, corkscrew willow, scabiosa, English ivy, echinacea seed heads, styled by Mapleville Farm
GETTING STARTED
Early fall is a great time to buy potted flowers and plants at a reduced rate. Let your eye guide you to dark shades of burgundy and scarlet petals, dark foliage, and fearsome fronds. Find stems, statuary, seeds, and more at these places around the state:
Alchemy-Works.com**
Cottage & Garden* , Newport
The Farmer’s Daughter* , Wakefield
The Floral Reserve , Pro v idence
Hilltop Garden Center* , Smithfield
Mapleville Farm , Mapleville
Stamp Farms , Cranston
Veiled Crow** , Warwick
Wildwood Nursery & Garden Center* , East Greenwich
*Statuary **Witch goods
administrative director at Four Buds Floral Studio in Providence. “Whether it’s doll arms or lizard eyes glued to a little chunk of moss on a stake, we love dressing plants up for spooky season.” Last year the Wickenden Street business did a pop-up market at North Burial Ground, a 300-year-old cemetery on Branch Avenue boasting 110 acres and 40,000 gravestones. “We used our most goth plant selections! We also used creepy doll heads to create little dried
arrangements with our popular handmade mushroom figurines, and assembled things like ‘cemeterrariums’ with handmade mini tombstones in glass coffins,” says Borden.
Artist, author, and witch Laura Tempest Zakroff grows a mix of both poison (datura, henbane, monkshood) and pretty (foxglove, hollyhock, black petunias) in her Providence garden, which she describes as “a variety of medicinal plants and those that are purely aesthetic,” as well as being a
PRACTICAL MAGIC
ADVICE FROM EMMA ECHT, FLOWER GROWER AT MAPLEVILLE FARM
“For a goth garden set in partial shade, some good options are a Postman Joyner Caladium or a Dark Star Alocasia; both are grown for their beautiful foliage and unusual dark petioles (stalks). English ivy is simple to grow in containers and can add a dramatic spilling effect. Try a Mahogany Splendor hibiscus, which is grown for its richly colored foliage with a maple leaf appearance and sturdy stems perfect for bouquets, or a Red Spike amaranth with its dark red feathery plumes. Dahlias are one of my favorite flowers for a dark, moody bouquet. There are several that come in tones ranging from deep crimson to almost black; look for varieties like Thomas Edison, Black Jack, or Kenora Macob. Red Malabar spinach, which is primarily grown as an edible vining plant, has gorgeous red tendrils and spiky black fruit clusters –they are visually interesting as well as delicious! For wet areas, corkscrew willow stays October-creepy all year round!” BensBakery.com
“feast for the senses.” An avid gardener, Zakroff grows herbs for cooking, healing, and those used in spellcraft. A standout bloom in her garden is the Angel’s Trumpet or Brugmansia. “They are among the most toxic of the ornamental plants,” she explains. Part of the nightshade family (Solanaceae), their large pendulous flowers can reach up to 20 inches in length. “Folks may wonder what I ‘do’ with such poisonous plants,” teases Zakroff. “I simply enjoy growing them.”
Monkshood, AKA wolfsbane, devil’s helmet, or blue rocket, is part of the Ranunculaceae family and extremely poisonous
Laura Tempest Zakroff admires the Angel’s Trumpet in her garden
Meet Meredith Ewenson
This mindful Newport-based marketer from Chicago wants you to follow her – outdoors
By Ella Corrao & Julia Deal
What inspired you to start making content about nature, hiking, and mindfulness?
I’ve been a yoga teacher for 10 years, and mindfulness in my everyday life has become the most impactful element of my practice. I’ve always loved wildlife and nature, but it was a handful of years ago when I started taking walking meditations in nature, that I really felt a deep sense of connection and meaning by blending the two of these together. I started intentionally exploring more hikes and outdoor spaces, and then sharing those experiences and lessons that I thought would benefit others. This led me to create things like my Rhode Island Hiking Collective group and my international group hiking trips – both aimed at bringing like-minded people together outdoors in an intentional, immersive environment.
You’ve had adventures in Machu Picchu and soon Patagonia. What do you find special about hiking in Rhode Island?
My favorite part is the abundance of hikes with ocean and water views; you just don’t get that in many other places. I think Rhode Island is pretty under the radar when it comes to hiking, so it’s pretty easy to enjoy trails without crowds. For the most part, trails are clean and free of litter, which I know can be a problem in other places.
What are some of your favorite Ocean State hikes?
Cliff Walk in Newport, Norman Bird Sanctuary in Middletown, Beavertail Loop Trail in Jamestown, Rodman’s Hollow and Clay Head Trails in Block Island, Goddard Memorial State Park Trails in Warwick, Claire D. Mcintosh Wildlife Refuge Trail in Bristol, Touisset Marsh Wildlife Refuge Trail in Warren, and so many more!
When not traversing trails, what are your go-to places to eat, shop, play?
I love Nitro Bar for a hot matcha or chai latte, Tallulah’s Tacos (especially the seasonal location in Jamestown), Bar ‘Cino and La Vecina in Newport for dinner, Wag Nation for healthy dog treats for Winnie, and newportFILM for documentaries.
What does a perfect day look like for you?
My favorite way to start the day is grounded in stillness and quiet in nature. I love to go to watch the sunrise at Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge in Middletown. I look for wildlife, sometimes take photos, and generally just soak in the moment. As a pretty extreme morning person, my favorite part of the day is generally before most people are awake. Learn more on Instagram @MeredithEwenson
Photography by Jennifer Manville, courtesy of Meredith Ewenson
Rhody Reads
Six books by local authors sure to inspire natural wanderlust
By Hugh Minor
October is the best time to experience the natural surroundings of New England. It’s neither cooler, nor warmer: it’s all that. Whether you’re reading in the yard, on the beach, or from the comfort of your living room couch, these six books by local authors will inspire your wanderings out into the fresh, crisp air that arrives every fall.
Hit the road with the windows down and the music blasting with East Coasting by Providence-based author Christine Chitnis as your guide. Beautifully illustrated by Monica Dorazewski, the book highlights destinations both familiar and off the beaten path, from Connecticut to Canada and everywhere in between. Spoiler alert: Rhode Island lighthouses are gorgeously illuminated.
Massachusetts native Ben Shattuck’s observations on nature and life are engaging and inspiring. Six Walks: In the Footsteps of Henry David Thoreau expounds upon the travels he takes throughout New England to clear his mind. In the process, he discovers his true self, meets wife-tobe Jenny Slate, and learns more about the people and the land around him, including a bit of history from Rhode Island, both recent and long past.
In his second novel, Ordinary Bear , Rhody-transplant C.B. Bernard delves deep into what’s at the heart of grief and healing. Set on the other side of the content in Alaska and Portland, Oregon, places he called home for years, the book addresses one of the most basic human needs: hope. Written with tones of mystery and dark humor, Bernard leaves the reader reflecting on ways they’ve overcome loss and what they’ve done to recover from tragedy.
SHOP INDIE
A statewide listing of Rhode Island booksellers:
Aerial Books
Providence, AerialBooks.com*
Arc{hive} Book + Snackery
Warren, ArchiveBookSnackery
The bicycle has continued to evolve as an accessible way to explore the outdoors since it was first invented in the early 1800s. In Mile Markers , our former editor, writer, and filmmaker Robert Isenberg of Cranston presents a celebration of this traditional means of recreation with his own unique perspective. From working as a bike messenger to teaching his own son to ride, Isenberg mixes joy with humor while expounding on this vehicle’s important legacy.
Instilling in young people an interest in outdoor adventures is critical in these times when they spend countless hours scrolling and staring at screens. With Adventures at Bramble Woods , 13-year-old author Nicholas Bramble of Warwick introduces us to Mr. Nick and his close-knit group of friends who come together to restore a rustic resort. Can they make Bramble Woods thrive again like it did in its heyday? Put on your work gloves, then pick up a copy to find out.
The story of David Attenborough’s mission to save our planet is presented for younger audiences in Wild Places by Haley Rocco and her husband, Caldecott Honoree John Rocco. With his lush illustrations and her gentle storytelling, children will not only learn about the diversity of the planet but also understand the importance of preserving and protecting every single species.
Please consider patronizing your local independent bookstore when making book purchases
Barrington Books BarringtonBooks.com
BaySpray Warwick, BaySprayRetail.com*
Books on the Square Providence, BookSq.com
Brown University Bookstore Providence, Bookstore.Brown.edu
Island Books Middletown, IslandBooksRI.indielite.org
Island Bound Bookstore
Block Island, IslandBoundBookstore.com
Lovecraft Arts & Sciences Providence, WeirdProvidence.org
Martin House Books Westerly, MartinHouseBooks.com
Mary’s Paperbacks
Warwick
Paper Nautilus Books Providence, PaperNautilusBooks.com
Riffraff Bookstore + Bar Providence, RiffRaffPVD.com
Stages of Freedom Providence, StagesOfFreedom.org
Stillwater Books Warwick, StillwaterBooksRI.com
Symposium Books Providence, SymposiumBooks.com
Twenty Stories Providence, TwentyStoriesLA.com
Wakefield Books
WakefieldBooks.com
*Online sellers
Cold Brook Cafe
Restaurant
What it is:
A family-owned breakfast and lunch spot.
Where to find it:
Look for the green house at the intersection of Danielson Pike and Route 116. Parking is behind the store, but enter through the front door while the back entrance is currently being renovated. An “open” flag and sandwich board confirm you’ve arrived.
What makes it a Rhody Gem?
Love a good latte, hearty breakfast, or savory sandwich? Head to Scituate to find Cold Brook Cafe. Open seven days a week, this charming spot is owned and run by longtime local restaurateurs Elias and Beverly Najjar. To the couple, the key to running their successful cafe is consistency. “From the coffee and teas to everything [Elias] cooks and bakes with the chefs, everything comes out consistent,” says Beverly. “Every single thing is put together the right way.” The couple appreciates their hardworking staff, who serve up good vibes with each order. “It’s not always easy,” says Elias, “but you know what? We’re serving great people and we love doing it. You gotta love what you do.”
The cafe is open Monday through Saturday 7am-2pm, and Sunday 8am-1pm, so plan accordingly to visit during the Scituate Art Festival (October 12-14).
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@HeyRhody.com to suggest yours and we just might feature it!
by Ella
Photo
Corrao
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FEATURE
Wild Harvesters
From making medicine to being citizen scientists, taking notice of plants and fungi comes with many benefits
By Abbie Lahmers
On a sunny morning in Foster, just a few steps past the trailhead, the forest floor is brimming with fruiting bodies of fungi. Tiny orange waxcaps and tendril-like spindles, black earth tongues and ribboned turkey tail – the further the path takes us into a trail at Borders Farm Preservation, the more spoils are uncovered. Rhode Island Mycological Society members fan out with their baskets to find and collect mushrooms like Easter eggs (and often equally as colorful) to bring back to the barn for identification.
“You see a whole different world when you’re actually looking. We’ve probably passed by a bunch of mushrooms, and when we walk back we’ll see other ones, which really just speaks to their abundance and how our brains work with pattern recognition,” notes founder Deana Tempest Thomas, who leads monthly Fungal Forays across the state for members to not only satiate their interest in the world of fungi but also to serve an undervalued conservation need.
Photo by Abbie Lahmers
Deana Tempest Thomas, founder of RI Mycological Society
THE ART OF LOOKING
Throughout the foray, members approach Thomas or confer with each other about their finds, sleuthing over what kind of russula a large specimen may be or discussing the nuances of chanterelles, which pull apart “like string cheese.” Thomas points out the viscid violet cort – her “spark mushroom,” and it’s easy to see why this pale purple lure drew her into the study of mushrooms. As they age, she explains, light spots appear on the cap that give it an outer space look.
Mushrooming is about seeing first, but identifying goes more than skin –or rather, flesh – deep. One step in discerning the difference between boletes, for example, is bruising. Mycologists will cut into a fresh mushroom to see what color it stains, sometimes blue, pink, or brown. This is just one indicator of many in untangling the complex web of some species.
While there are mushrooms – like perennial polypores, which can continue growing for decades – that you wouldn’t want to remove from their habitat, some species “must be picked because they can’t be identified just by looking at them,” explains Thomas. “You have to bring them back home and put them under a microscope or send them for DNA sequencing. In general, it doesn’t harm the fungus to pick it. It’s just the spore body.”
When a cluster of black trumpet mushrooms was spotted, the group descended on the patch. Eyes trained on the gray-brown vase-like fungi, it was like a radio dial easing past the static as several more – easily mistaken for dead leaves and forest detritus moments ago – came into focus. Black trumpets are edible, and many of the members shared that they’re great on pizza or with scrambled eggs. One asked if it’s medicinal, to which Thomas answered, “One of the best benefits is going out and finding them. When you pick something and bring it home to cook, that is really beneficial. All food is medicine, really.”
Members ID mushrooms found at Borders Farm Preservation
Fungi finds
Photos by Abbie Lahmers
FORAGING 101
For those new to foraging, never eat a wild plant or mushroom if you aren’t completely certain of what it is – many species have several look-alikes that may be poisonous. Here are a few tips from the pros for starting your wilderness awareness journey:
DON’T GO ALONE
“It’s important to always have a human teach you – someone who’s used the plants, who’s eaten the plants,” emphasizes Hatzpanian, as information found online isn’t always reliable or complete. The same goes for mushrooming.
CROSS-REFERENCING
Thomas explains that mushrooms in the wild don’t always “look like the glamor shot from the field guides,” so the best way to familiarize yourself with different species is to visit ones you’ve found often to observe how the color, texture, and size change over time. She also suggests joining iNaturalist, where an online community actively verifies species.
WHAT NOT TO PICK
Before seeking out a specific plant to forage, Hatzpanian recommends checking the United Plant Savers’ database of medicinal species at risk to avoid harvesting those that are in decline.
MUSHROOM WEATHER
Not seeing a lot of fungi? Plan around the weather. “It’s great when we get soaking rains and it’s not windy,” says Thomas, noting that fungi thrive in humid air.
PLANTS AS MEDICINE
“On my plant walks, I put the focus on one plant at a time and attendees see how each is important in the bigger picture,” explains Maggie Hatzpanian, an herbalist who makes teas and wellness products through her business, Maggie’s Healing Path. A former nurse, she turned to herbalism to aid with the stress of her demanding career, which was a natural segue into foraging her own ingredients.
Today, Hatzpanian leads Edible and Medicinal
Plant Walks at Mount Hope Farm in Bristol and Norman Bird Sanctuary in Middletown – intentionally chosen locale where the properties are stewarded to be wild. “The best place to learn about plants is where they grow,” she explains, noting that the familiarity our ancestors would have had with their natural landscapes has dwindled, as our lives grow ever more interior in modern society, but you don’t need to live in the middle of the woods to learn the art of wildcrafting.
Photo courtesy of Maggie’s Healing Path
Maggie Hatzpanian of Maggie’s Healing Path
prepped for tasty fritters
Dandelions
Photos courtesy of Maggie’s Healing Path
One of Hatzpanian’s favorite plants to work with is commonly perceived as a weed, and it comes in two varieties abundant to the northeast: narrow- and broad-leaf plantain. “The leaves can be used medicinally and for food. They’re delicious. The narrow-leaf variety is thinner and it’s nicer for a salad, or to put on a sandwich. It’s like lettuce, only a lot more nutritious.” It can also be used to craft skincare products or dried and steeped as a tea. Another “weed” many take for granted is dandelion, which she cleverly uses to make fritters with a simple batter of flour, water, spices, and a sprinkle of foraged nettle, among numerous other uses.
Hatzpanian’s focus on using species that are abundant is deliberate. “We’ve encroached on nature quite a bit, so where the wild plants grow is getting smaller and smaller,” she explains. “If you really want to make a tea or medicine or cook with a plant that’s rare, what I recommend is finding something equivalent that’s abundant.” She cites burdock root, a common regional plant, to use in place of Ashwagandha, popular in Ayurvedic medicine, for its adaptogenic properties.
“Let the wild plants grow in your own backyard,” Hatzpanian advises. “Let a few dandelions grow on the edge of your backyard, let some plantains come up through the sidewalk cracks – use it.”
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CLIMATE CHANGE INDICATORS
Back at the barn with the mycology crew, members empty their baskets on a rock slab table outside and start sorting into categories. Books are passed around to help indentify mushrooms, and Thomas notes that they’re almost all mycorrhizal species.
“Climate change is in the front of people’s minds right now, but not a lot of people are thinking about fungi and their connections to the trees and environment,” she explains. “Mycorrhizal species are helping trees persist in tough times and get all the nutrients and things they need, but as our trees die off, like our ash trees, what happens to the other species that are connected to them? It’s really important to watch what’s happening now so that as things change, we’ll be able to see those changes.”
Different species of fungi share different relationships with the plants and trees around them, sometimes parasitic, but often mutualistic. Thomas describes how the cells of some mushrooms help rootlets of trees absorb minerals and water, and store carbon in the soil, while the trees give fungi products like sugar – “there’s an exchange that’s happening.”
“They’re very much intertwined in their environment,” Thomas continues. This is also why, when identifying specimens, you’ll often hear mycologists taking note of the trees or habitat surrounding the fungi. Temperature is also a factor. “As the climate changes and we start to have warmer summers, more mild winters, and not as many frost days, it’s really going to change what fungi are able to produce spore bodies.”
Fungi conservation and research is largely underfunded, but awareness initiatives help get the public involved in finding and documenting rare and threatened species. The Fungal Diversity Survey Challenge encourages anyone in northeast North America to become citizen scientists searching for under-documented mushrooms. Participants can send in finds to be DNA sequenced, and the data collected helps scientists uncover the mysteries of the fungal world.
“It’s so important to talk about fungi and include them in our language when we talk about conservation or protecting habitats,” says Thomas, emphasizing the importance of public outreach. “Everyone should be able to enjoy and see these beautiful organisms, but also they can really contribute and make meaningful observations.”
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Mycorrhizal fungi species share crucial connections to trees and plants around them
Photo
Abbie Lahmers
FOOD & DRINK
Experience | Round Up | In the Kitchen | Recipe
Phantom of Its Former Self
A craft brewery in Cumberland brings new life and inventive brews to a former mill
By Ken Abrams
Photo by Ken Abrams
For true craft beer enthusiasts, understanding the origin story behind each pint is crucial, as is enjoying the brew where it was produced. And if you’re really lucky, the experience will transcend the taproom and bring you on a journey to distant places, whether it’s to Chile for a fresh spin on the German Festbier style or New Zealand to surprise the palate with unique hops.
Such was the case on a recent visit to Phantom Farms Brewing, one of the state’s newest craft breweries, where I met up with founder Jay Neveu and his brewing team to enjoy a few samples. The 10-barrel brewery, which opened in March, is located on the site of the 152-year-old Berkeley Mill, a four-story building along the banks of the Blackstone River. The factory originally housed over 900 looms for making fine textiles and employed hundreds of workers. Today, the space that once served as the mill’s boiler room is the site of a modern taproom spread over two levels, with massive brewing tanks adjacent to plentiful indoor and outdoor seating.
The brewery’s success is due in large part to head brewers Oscar Garrido and Andrea Riera, the husband-and-wife team from Chile who moved to Rhode Island last year to lead brewing operations. Both operated noteworthy Chilean breweries and previously worked in New Zealand and California. Garrido is known for including rare ingredients that produce truly unique flavor profiles in his beers.
“We’re very conscious about the ingredients we use,” noted Neveu. “For example, our ciders incorporate a blend of apples that come from the farm. We planted a peach orchard there last spring and we’re excited for the fall harvest this year. For our pumpkin ale, we used all the pumpkins leftover from last season.”
The renovated mill building space blends contemporary and historic styles A trio of creative beers
Head brewer Oscar Garrido
MUST-TRY BREWS
Swirl (5.8%)
Citra hops, and dry-hopped with Idaho 7, Nelson Sauvin
Sacred Tree (8%)
Saison with Patagonian pepper, giving aromas and flavors of black pepper, fresh wood, sage, white flowers
Blushing Sky (5.8%)
Gluten-free cider with all natural raspberry puree
Photos by Ken Abrams
Outdoor seating, with food truck pop-ups, brings fall vibes
While there, I sampled a few seasonal selections, along with a couple of top sellers. I began with the Vibrant Voyage, a hoppy IPA that goes down smooth with a mildly bitter aftertaste and a slight burn that lingers. It’s probably not for everyone, but as a fan of juicy IPAs, this one tops my list for drinkability.
Next up, I was among the first guests to try the 2024 Festbier, a fall favorite, which I enjoyed directly out of the tank, where it was being readied for canning. The singular blend includes austral pepper from the Canelo tree found in Chilean
Patagonia, an ingredient you won’t find at most local breweries. I noted hints of caramel, anise, and nutmeg in the malty, amber-toned brew.
A taste of Pyroclastic convinced me that any season is stout season. The strong brew – for sipping, not chugging – packs a punch with strong hints of coffee and chocolate. Next up, their Bohemian pilsner Footloose, recently awarded a Silver Medal in the Bohemian and International Pilsner category at the Aro Rojo International Beer Competition in Mexico, is a rich medium-bodied refreshing beer, with a distinctly bitter aftertaste
common in the Czech tradition.
I found Pulsar, a sour brewed with New Zealand motueka hops, to be quite enjoyable and not too tart. I’m generally not a fan of sours, but kettle sours, such as this stand-out beer, are distinct from the traditional fruited ones. It’s refreshing, with a mild lemon tang, neither sweet nor bitter, offering a smooth yeasty aftertaste. And it’s packed in one of the prettiest cans around, thanks to Riera, who designs many of the brewery’s labels.
A visit to Phantom Farm Brewing is an experience to be savored, much like the beers they
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Photos
Ken Abrams
love with al o Matunuck
Farmed and Foraged
Restaurants and markets showcasing Rhode Island’s bounty in creative dishes
By Patty J
Reap the rewards of the Ocean State’s autumn harvests by indulging in these inventive eateries turning fresh ingredients into fall feasts. From foraged mushrooms to hunted game, organically farmed to garden-grown produce, these restaurants let patrons feel connected to the land without getting their hands dirty.
Harvest Kitchen
Farm Fresh RI’s Harvest Kitchen is a sunny cafe and market where you can find Ocean State-grown produce, milk, and prepared foods. Grab some New Harvest Coffee, cheese from Narragansett Creamery, or hot scratchmade soup. It’s also a culinary job training program for teens who are aging out of foster care. Pawtucket, FarmFreshRI.org
New Rivers
Since 1990, this celebrated spot has been known to change up their menu daily with a specific focus on seasonal and local. They bring in the freshest seafood – regulars rave about their oysters, grilled fish, and more – and produce to use in equally fresh culinary takes, like sweet corn ice cream. Most of the sips come from Rhody vineyards and breweries, too. Pro v idence, NewRiversRestaurant.com
Newport Vineyards & Taproot Brewing
Sipping vino or beer among the grapevines is rustic without roughing it. A top-notch dining program includes many ingredients grown in a greenhouse right on their property – even the ketchup is made on the premises! The farm couldn’t be any closer to the table at this vineyard and restaurant. Middletown, NewportVineyards.com
Nick’s On Broadway
This Creative Capital classic, helmed by Johnson & Wales alum Derek Wagner, is oh-so local-centric. One look at their daily Instagram posts and you’ll see firsthand how Wagner and team are preparing culinary delights with everything from Baffoni’s Farm poultry and eggs to Schartner Farm veggies and RI Mushrooms. Pro v idence, NicksOnBroadway.com
Pat’s Pastured
This charming farm is a popular destination for those in the market for eggs from free-range chickens and prime cuts of beef from humanely raised, grass-fed livestock. Visit their store on the property, find them at weekend farmers
markets, or set up home delivery of your meat share. East Greenwich, PatsPastured.com
Sly
Fox Den Too
Chef Sherry Pocknett has won a James Beard Award for her menu of Northeast Indigenous food. Some of her most popular dishes include striped bass from RI waters, local venison, and the famous fry bread, which is used in many inventive sandwiches and even as the crust of a delectable strawberry shortcake. Charlestown, SlyFoxDenRestaurant.com
Tree House Tavern
Lunch or dinner at this converted farmhouse (the original building dates back to the 1860s) is
Photos courtesy of Nick’s on Broadway
Creative fare at Nick’s on Broadway prioritizes local ingredients
always a treat. Everything is made from scratch with local ingredients whenever possible. Don’t miss the Wild Mushroom Pizza with foraged fungi, cheese, garlic, sauteed spinach, ricotta, drizzled truffle oil, and fresh herbs. West Warwick, TheTreeHouseTavern.com
Wishing Stone Farm
This family-run farm overlooking the state’s southeastern coast earns praises from regulars not only for their organic produce and eggs laid by Rhode Island Red chickens but also for their baked goods (two words: oatmeal cookies) and prepared foods like pizza, dips and pesto, and pickled veggies. Little Compton, WishingStoneFarm.com
Lumpia Dreams
Filipino spring rolls are a tasty gateway for a cook to share the familiar flavors of her childhood
By Abbie Lahmers
For chef Andrea Nadeau, choosing a dish that best represents her popup kitchen is like having to choose a favorite child – she can’t do it. But, she concedes, “Lumpia is my vehicle into the future of the business. Rolling them by the hundreds in the middle of the night is where I find my center, but it’s also a nostalgic pastime for me with my grandmothers, and growing up in their respective kitchens.”
Born and raised in South Texas, Nadeau learned the art of making lumpia, Filipino eggrolls, from her paternal grandmother, Solly, who rolled them by the hundreds for special orders, along with hand-crafting siopao, meat-filled steamed buns. “She taught me all there is to know about showing hospitality to everyone who I share my food with – the heart of Filipino culture.”
And from her maternal Lolo (meaning grandfather in Tagalog), she learned how to get creative with leftovers to reduce food waste – “a method I now refer to on my menu as Kitchen Sink Cooking,” she relays. It was in Corpus Christi with her paternal grandparents that she forged cherished childhood memories at a breakfast spot called Andy’s Kitchen, which she didn’t know at the time would influence the name of her own business nearly 2,000 miles away in Rhode Island one day.
Nadeau opened Ande’s Kitchen & Catering, LLC in fall 2021, though she’d been toying with different ideas since the end of 2019 after having a child. “I thought of offering a prepared meal delivery service to aid new parents, and specifically saw a need for quick-access healthy dishes and snacks to assist with lactation for breastfeeding mothers,” she explains. The pandemic and demands of making deliveries with a baby in the backseat put that idea on hold, but then opportunity knocked when a client reached out asking her to cater for touring Filipino celebrities passing through Providence, along with their enthusiastic guests.
“By October 2021, I was privately selling homestyle comfort meals, desserts, and lumpia to the wide community of Filipino students at Brown University,” says Nadeau. Word of her modern
LUMPIA FIX
Follow Ande’s Kitchen & Catering popping up throughout the season at the Providence Brewing Company during the indoor Providence Flea Market, as well as other breweries, with a full schedule posted on social media. In October, watch for lumpia rolling classes, too. DM or email for statewide catering inquiries, with contact information online. Facebook: Ande’s Kitchen & Catering, LLC
P hotos courtesy of Ande’s Kitchen
Chef Andrea Nadeau
Ande’s Kitchen serves up modern traditional Filipino fare
traditional cuisine traveled quickly among the AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islanders) and Filipino Alliance clubs at Brown and the Rhode Island School of Design. It wasn’t long before she joined the brewery circuit, popping up at spots like Providence Brewing Company, Shaidzon Beer Company in West Kingston, and most recently, Lops Brewing in Woonsocket. Today, she also caters weddings and events, but enjoys the “street hawker state of mind” of vending at markets. “I can really be my zany, authentic self and talk with others around me, and confidently represent the Filipino heritage through every bite.”
While the recipes Nadeau uses were passed down from her grandparents, she values a health-conscious approach. Whether it’s using lean meats or developing vegan variations by not using an egg wash, she explains, “I’ve opened my creative process to look at how plant-based cuisine could shape the way Filipino food is presented to others unfamiliar with the culture.”
Hungry fans flock to special pop-up events,
like Friday Fry Days of fresh-fried sweet and savory lumpia or Sunday brunch, featuring Silog, a traditional egg and rice dish she infuses with her own spin: pico de gallo with a sour tamarind Sinigang seasoning. While Chinese, Malaysian, and Spanish influences find their way into the menu, Nadeau emphasizes, “I want to put more Filipino food on the map where it’s not confused for another, and it’s recognized for its standalone qualities.”
Some good things are fleeting – as is the case with a special Ube Halaya Lumpia dessert made with purple yam jam. It’s a labor of love Nadeau hasn’t made in a while because the process is timeconsuming, but it left an impression on those who got to try it. “It warms my heart that guests feel the love and thought I put into everything I do, including late-night lightbulb ideas I have while snacking on my favorite childhood foods,” she says. “I live for the head nods after the first bite and the fist bumps as they’re leaving the venue.” And who knows? Maybe the Ube Halaya will make a comeback soon.
Stew Over an Open Flame
Richmond’s own cookbook author shares a campfireready recipe perfect for fall
By Kimberly Ragosta
Football season and flannel shirts, crisp mornings and chilly nights – these are just a few of the reasons fall is my favorite time of year, and not least of all, it’s the perfect season to cook hearty meals over an open flame. Whether huddling around a campfire or cooking with a portable propane stove, preparing food outdoors is not only rejuvenating for the soul but also makes mealtime special for the whole family. This mouthwatering sausage stew is best made with a large cast iron pot. If you don’t have a portable stove, you can use a large grate to go over your own homemade fire pit or even a swing cookstand that suspends the pot above the flame.
RHODY RESOURCES
This recipe uses sweet Italian sausage from Wild Harmony Farm, a certified organic farm specializing in pastureraised pork and chicken and grass-fed beef. While choosing high-quality cuts of meat for your outdoor cooking adventure, order a copy of Kimberly Ragosta’s cookbook, A Time to Gather , sold in their online store. Exeter, WildHarmonyFarm.com
Author of cookbook, A Time to Gather , Kimberly Ragosta is a native Rhode Islander who loves cooking and eating foods that nurture the mind, body, and soul, especially with ingredients from local farms that care for the animals and land. KimberlyRagosta.com
Sausage Stew
INGREDIENTS
• 3 pounds sausage (sweet or hot, loose or links with casings removed)
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 5 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 onions, chopped
• 1 head garlic, chopped
• 3 pounds Yukon gold potatoes (or your favorite potato), skins on and chopped
• 4 quarts chicken stock (I use my homemade chicken bone broth)
• 10 oz baby spinach, roughly chopped
• 2 cups cream or milk
• Sour cream or parmesan cheese to top
• Fresh herbs to top (optional)
STEPS
1. In a large pot (cast iron if cooking over a fire), cook sausage, carrots, onions, garlic, and olive oil over a portable propane stove or fire. Break up the sausage and stir often.
2. When sausage is cooked through, add potatoes and broth. Bring stew to a boil. When potatoes are almost cooked through, add spinach and cream or milk.
3. Once the potatoes are ready (be careful not to overcook them), the stew is ready. Serve with a dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of parmesan cheese, and fresh herbs on top, to your preference. Enjoy this delicious stew in your backyard or at a local campground with family and friends – there’s plenty to go around!
