Our annual guide featuring 200+ festive happenings across the state COVER STORY
All is Bright
Designer solutions maximize a Newport home for entertaining
67 Stories of Sowams
A National Heritage Area designation would put indigenous history on the map FEATURE HOME & STYLE
92
Bakeries put their best treats forward for the holidays FOOD & DRINK
Festive Desserts
Kiel James Patrick Flagship, Newport
Photo by Elyse Major
Home & Style
A26 FIELD TRIP: Best bets for a nighttime tour of Christmas lights
A29 INFLUENCER: Meet the Little Compton coastal grandmother turned model
A30 RHODY READS: Staf picks from Wakefield’s 40-year-old bookstore
A32 RHODY GEM: A Barrington flower shop grows into an expansive boutique
Food & Drink
77 EXPERIENCE: Late-night bites and bevvies in Providence
82 IN THE KITCHEN: The East Bay’s new Italian trattoria is pasta perfect
88 Meal prep chef dishes on new cookbook
94 RECIPE: Elevate your Thanksgiving spread with butternut squash
96 HEY RHODY PHOTOS
A colorful mosaic from our talented followers via Instagram On the Cover: A surprise Rhody skate date with Sarah and Kiel James Patrick. Photo courtesy of KJP
Photo by Liz Murray
Photo by Sarah Petrarca, courtesy of Cheryl Sparks
The Farmer’s Daughter, South Kingstown
Photo by Elyse Major
CONTRIBUTORS
EMILY HOMONOFF
In “Christmas Light Crawl” (page A26), Emily Homonoff shares a holiday tradition where she and her mom grab hot cocoas to-go and embark on quests for decorated neighborhoods. Homonoff is the founder of Little Lion Creative, which provides content creation, web design, and marketing. Offline hobbies include scenic drives and adventuring with her pup.
HUGH MINOR
Hugh Minor is on the News & Culture beat, writing about the Rhode Island Philharmonic’s new music director in “Orchestral Maneuvers” (page 11) and an artisanal candle-maker in Tiverton in “Lighting the Way” (page 20). When he’s not using his storytelling powers for good, Minor is sure to be reading to his dog Zee, who enjoys a wide range of subjects.
KOU TUKALA NYAN
It is always a treat to learn what Kou Tukala Nyan ordered during food experience assignments (because it always sounds so good). In “Seeing Red” (page 77), take note of her must-try items at this Providence hot-spot. Nyan is a multidisciplinary artist who works in creative writing, memoir, journalism, performance, and curation to tell stories.
JENNY CURRIER SHAND
Who better to write about Feast & Fettle founder’s cookbook than Jenny Shand? Reading her interview with the new author in “Recipe for Success” (page 88) is sure to inspire anyone with creative vision and determination. Follow Shand’s @travelingfoodwriter adventures, which now includes husband Rob, baby Charles, and a high chair.
Publishers
Barry Fain
Richard Fleischer
John Howell
Editor in Chief
Elyse Major
Editor
Ken Abrams
Digital Media Specialist
Jenna Kaplan
Advertising Design Director
Layheang Meas
Senior Designer
Taylor Gilbert
Account Managers
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Interested in advertising?
General Manager & Creative Director
Nick DelGiudice November 2024
Managing Editor Abbie Lahmers
Senior Editorial Designer Abigail Brown
Email Marketing@HeyRhody.com
Contributing Photographers
Ian Travis Barnard
Meredith Brower
Cate Brown
Mike Bryce
David Cruz
Ian Donnis
Sylvia Elzafon
Emily Homonof
Contributing Writers
Ian Donnis
Emily Homono f
Patty J
Robin Kall
Ann Martini
Andrea E. McHugh
Interested in writing?
Karen Kalunian
Andrea E. McHugh
Liz Murray
Donna Normand
Sarah Petrarca
Kristin Teig
Shannen Viveiros Photography
Hugh Minor
Liz Murray
Kou Tukala Nyan
Michelle San Antonio
Jenny C. Shand
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On Stage | Rhody Pets | The Public’s Radio | Maker | Wellness | Small Biz
Orchestral Maneuvers
The state philharmonic’s new music director brings a fresh attitude to her role
By Hugh Minor
Ruth Reinhardt recently returned to the United States from Switzerland where she spent time preparing scores and finding inspiration. Now she’s contemplating the upcoming season and her official debut concert as music director for the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School. A special welcoming event will be held at The VETS Auditorium this month, and she’s excited to take the baton.
Photo by Sylvia Elzafon, courtesy of Ruth Reinhardt
Ruth Reinhardt conducting
In June the Philharmonic announced that Reinhardt would take the helm as music director during the close of their season-ending Gala at The VETS. She previously conducted last February as part of her audition for the role, and will become the sixth music director in the organization’s 80-year history. Considered a rising star in the classical music world, this is her first music director position. The Philharmonic’s executive director David
Beauchesne sings her praises, saying, “Ruth is an exceptional conductor, artist, and human being. She is talented, intelligent, and radiates confidence and positivity. Her energy and enthusiasm on the podium are infectious.”
The new music director isn’t saying exactly what she has planned, but promises some great pieces and interesting soloists while reinforcing the Philharmonic’s commitment to music education, which is very dear to her. “The
first year will be a lot of planning – I can’t say too much yet,” relays Reinhardt. However, through her career she has become known for a collaborative approach, out-of-the-box programming, and fresh ideas, resulting in elegant performances. She has guest-conducted in Europe and the United States at top orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic, Helsinki Philharmonic, and symphony orchestras of
Reinhardt enjoying her new city
P hoto by Ian Travis Barnard, courtesy of RI Philharmonic
“I really love the vibe,” says Reinhard of Providence
San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Baltimore, Milwaukee, and Seattle. Reinhardt has built a solid reputation for not only bringing less traditional instruments to the orchestra, but also bringing new names to the scene, with an emphasis on women composers. She will lead the majority of the orchestra’s 2025-2026 concerts and annual Gala. She also plans to lead many of the Link Up Education concerts and engage with students at the Music School and around the state during non-conducting weeks.
In her downtime, Reinhardt looks forward
to getting to know the state better, which she finds very similar to her home in Germany. “I really love the vibe. Everyone is so down to earth. The people are great and very welcoming,” she says. A favorite activity of hers is walking along the river in Providence. She hopes to explore more of the arts venues in the area, including museums and other performance spaces. Like most visitors and natives, she loves the food, with special praise for Bellini in downtown Providence and Seven Stars Bakery on Point Street. Learn more and buy tickets at RIPhil.org.
P hoto by Ian Travis Barnard, courtesy of RI Philharmonic
THE
CHEESE WHEEL VILLAGE MARKET
Custom charcuterie & cheese boards available. Over 200 cheeses available, Sandwiches, Soups, House-Made Bread, Local Meats, Produce & Prepared Meals. Call to order! Open 9-5 Tues-Sunday. 3838 Main Road (401) 816 5069 • @thecheesewheelri
SAKONNET VINEYARD
Showcasing New England's special terroir through high quality wines 162 West Main Rd, Little Compton RI/ (401)635-8486 • @sakonnetwine Sakonnetwine.com
Save The Date
Holiday Bright Night
Friday, December 6, 4-pm
Shops Open Late • Lumiaries Aboud Specials & Fun for Everyone
Visit Santa at the Cheese Wheel & Carolers at Four Corners Gallery! 11th
Annual Re-Tree Exhibition
An Outdoor Showcase of Festive Trees Created by the community with recycled materials Opens Friday, December 6, on display through December 20. Come vote for your favorite until Friday, 12/20.
LOU LOU'S DECOR
Make your beach house a home with a cozy & fun addition from Lou Lou’s Décor with locations in Tiverton & Newport. Full interior design services available. 3913 Main Road • (401) 816 4362 www.loulousdecor.com
JEWELRY & HEALING ARTS
Explore the power of gemstones with Tiffany’s handmade fne jewelry. Fine
• @tiffanypeayjewelry
FOUR CORNERS GALLERY
New Artists & New Art Works!
Collections of painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography & jewelry
Art sessions offered for all levels, weekly classes & private lessons.
Check website for events. Kelly Milukas is a multi-media painter and sculptor. 503 S Lake Rd, Tiverton • (401) 480 3536 kellymilukas.com/events • @kellymilukas
Rhody Pets of the Month
By Karen Kalunian
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.
Litterbug
BREED: Mixed
AGE: 10 months
GENDER: Male
Litter your life with love! A high-energy puppy with lots of spunk, Litterbug is smart, wants to learn everything, and his smile is infectious. He has a beautiful colorful coat and eyes that sparkle with excitement. Playing fetch with a ball, going for walks, and sitting like a perfect gentleman for treats are just a few of his favorite things.
HEART OF RI ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE
401-467-3670, HeartofRI.org
Jessie
BREED: Domestic Shorthair
AGE: 2 years
GENDER: Male
This big handsome hunk is Jessie! From his bright green eyes to the heart on his side and right down to his white-tipped tail, he is a purrfect boy! He likes attention, treats, and the sunny spot in the window. This loyal and loving companion is in search of a home, ideally with adults only, where he will be your one and only and get all of your attention.
PAWSWATCH COMMUNITY CAT CARE CENTER
401-285-9800
Litterbug Jessie
Photos (left and center) by Karen Kalunian, (right) by Donna Normand
Ken
BREED: Husky
AGE: 1.5 years
GENDER: Male
Attention Husky lovers: this handsome boy –appropriately named Ken because he is a doll –is ready to join your family! Ken has the brightest blue eyes you’ve ever seen and enjoys being active. He’d love a big fenced-in yard or a hiking partner, and is ready for adventures. If you have been searching for a true beauty to bring along on life’s journey with you, Ken might just be the boy you’ve been searching for.
RHODE HOME RESCUE
RhodeHomeRescue.org
Ken
Can Rhode Island Voters Make a Difference in Swing States?
With the presidential race a cliff-hanger, a national campaign is targeting Democrats in blue and red states to help fund get-out-the-vote efforts in key battleground states
In partnership with The Public’s Radio • ThePublicsRadio.org • By Ian Donnis
Marti Rosenberg is a longtime liberal activist in Rhode Island. So it’s no surprise when she asks the more than 50 people gathered at the Blue Room, a bar and music venue in the Pawtuxet Village section of Cranston, to contribute to Kamala Harris’ campaign for president. “Give big, give now, spread the word,” Rosenberg said from the stage on a recent weeknight. “Take out your phone and use this QR code.” But this is not your standard political fundraiser.
The get-together was part of a national campaign called the Movement Voter Project (MVP). The idea is to raise money from Harris supporters in predictably blue and red states — and funnel it to grassroots groups to mobilize voters in the swing states that will decide the November election.
“The approach in MVP is completely different,” said Rick Brooks, another of the dozen or so volunteers organizing the Movement Voter Project in Rhode Island. Brooks said the project is a far more targeted approach than old standbys like mailing postcards to out-of-state voters or opening a campaign office in a strip plaza for a few months before an election. With the Movement Voter Project, he said, “They’re investing in organizations that have been in existence, that have credibility, have a track record and are going to be there a day after the election, win or lose.” The groups getting money through the Movement Voter Project focus on issues popular among Democrats like abortion rights, immigrants’ rights and voting rights.
THE MONEY HUNT
Through house parties and events like the one at the Blue Room, organizers said the project has raised close to $100,000 in Rhode Island since February. That may seem like a drop in the bucket when the Trump and Harris campaigns are raising and spending hundreds of millions of dollars. But the last few presidential races have turned on a small number of votes — about 40,000 in 2020 — in just a few swing states.
US Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse attracted applause at the Blue Room when he described the difference that a Democratic takeover could make
While an uptick in voting in key battleground states fueled Joe Biden’s victory four years ago, Brooks said the increase was even greater among voters targeted by the Movement Voter Project. “If you look at what the turnout, the increase in turnout, was for voters of color and young voters, it’s dramatically greater,” he said. “And that is directly attributable to organizing and mobilizing those communities.”
REPUBLICAN THUNDER
Republicans have their own efforts to bolster support from more voters, including a project called Trump Force 47. A Georgia man named
Mike Collins posted a video, about training team captains for Trump Force 47, on Facebook in August. “I encourage you,” Collins said. “Get involved with this campaign. If you’re anyone around Jackson, Georgia, tonight, 6:30-8, we’ve got another training session going on. We had almost 30 people in this first session and we’re expecting a big crowd tonight.”
But according to its website, Trump Force 47 is not staging any upcoming events in Rhode Island or Massachusetts. Local Republicans were unaware of other efforts to promote a counterpart to the Movement Voter Project. Regardless, Kyle Kondik, director of
by
Photo
Ian Donnis
communications of The Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, is skeptical about claims by the Movement Voter Project that it won the 2020 presidential race for Joe Biden or that similar groups can swing an election.
“Look, it’s so hard to evaluate really any sort of campaign activity,” Kondik said. “These campaigns still spend hundreds of millions of dollars on television advertising and even that is up for debate in terms of the efficacy. When you have an election that’s so close, you can point to any number of different things that might have been decisive in the outcome.”
WHAT DIFFERENCE?
Decisive in the outcome? Perhaps not. But back at the Blue Room in Cranston, the crowd loved it when US Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse appeared to talk about the prospect of Democrats keeping the White House and Senate in November and regaining the US House.
“What could actually really happen if we do our work and win the trifecta?” Whitehouse asked.
If Democrats run the table, Whitehouse said the possibilities include a permanent child care tax credit, tougher environmental laws, codifying Roe v. Wade, and his pet issue, US Supreme Court reform.
“And if we get that done on that schedule and more we could be gathering here a year from now to celebrate all of that already happening,” he said, as the crowd responded with a burst of applause. “How about that?”
Republicans have their own wish-list of priorities if Donald Trump can regain the White House. And with less than two months until the November election, polling shows that the race between Trump and Harris appears to be razor tight.
This article was originally posted on September 17, 2024. Ian Donnis can be reached at idonnis@ripr.org
DISCOVER FOUR CORNERS GALLERY IN HISTORICAL TIVERTON FOUR CORNERS
17 Regional Artists • Artist Owned Paintings • Ceramics • Jewelry • Photography Across Te Street From Groundswell Cafe
www.fourcornersgalleryri.com
Hours: Tues-Fri, Sun: 11am-4pm, Sat: 9:30am-5pm Te New York Times picks Four Corners Gallery as a “Standout.”
Lighting the Way
Motherhood inspires a Tiverton woman to launch a brand of eco-friendly lifestyle goods
By Hugh Minor
The Sakonnet peninsula is known for producing delectable wines and ruggedly designed boats that travel all over the world, and since 2021, the area has also been the source of handcrafted non-toxic household luxury items from Sakonnet Candle Co. The brand was launched by former teacher Alecia Milot, whose unique approach incorporates a combination of science, craftiness, and adoration of New England. As the Tiverton resident explains, “I’ve always loved being creative from a young age. I attribute my creative nature to my mother and grandmother.”
Milot’s line of exquisitely scented products includes the namesake candles as well as soaps, skincare, and perfumes, all made in Rhode Island using all-natural, safe, high-quality, and sustainably sourced ingredients. The idea for the business was born when Milot became a mom and decided she wanted to fill her home with healthier alternatives to some of the toxic merchandise on the market. “After I had my daughter, I realized there was a significant need for products that people could buy and use without worrying about harmful and unnecessary ingredients.”
Milot’s line of goods struck a chord with customers, filling a gap in the market that has allowed her to expand to meet the needs of her loyal fans. Everything Sakonnet Candle Co. offers is inspired by New England themes and locations; think Cliff Walk, New England Slopes, and Maine Woods. While the business is firmly planted in the East Bay, Milot’s sales span the globe, with customers seeking a reminder of the Ocean State or simply appreciating the beautiful fragrances of the region.
Milot also reminds customers that once the candle is done, it’s easy to repurpose the container by washing it with soap and warm water, and removing any label residue with some rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball. “Our glass can be used as a cocktail glass, planter, storage for items,” she advises.
Along with stocking her wares in local shops, Milot also sells wholesale to hotels and vacation rentals so guests may enjoy a healthier experience during their stay. She even makes personalized luxury custom candles for weddings, corporate events, salons, and local businesses, and shares that she’s currently working on a tallow cream (a rendered fat, like lard), an all-natural deodorant, and organic spray perfumes.
What’s next for Sakonnet Candle Company? Milot tells us she plans to expand into the greater New England region and hopes to open a brickand-mortar location in Rhode Island. Find Milot’s handiwork online at SakonnetCandleCo.com and in local shops like Fenwick and Oliver in Bristol and Kiel James Patrick in Newport.
P hotos by Shannen Viveiros Photography, courtesy of Sakonnet Candle Co.
The popular Cliffwalk candle evokes salty air and fresh linen
Stable Environment
A different kind of therapy in Charlestown builds on the calming connection between human and horse
By Alexandra Ashe
Strojin and Leach outside their Warren headquarters
Even before the pandemic, America’s mental health crisis was a very real concern, affecting tens of millions of people each year, with Rhode Island consistently ranking high for depression and other stress-related illnesses. This inspired Lynne Bryan Phipps – an architect, sailor, competitive equestrian, and Yale Divinity ordained minister – to create Beachwood Integrative Equine Therapy, a center that uses the responsive power of horses to treat cases of anxiety, trauma, and PTSD in the pastoral setting of Charlestown.
Shortly after Beachwood’s founding in 2016, Brown University established an ongoing study to evaluate the results of its specialized approach. Phipps’ Integrative Equine Therapy (IET) protocol proved so successful that word of mouth brought clients from around the country. Today, there are centers in Palm Beach, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Washington, DC, with six more scheduled to open over the next year.
Phipps details how Beachwood’s IET offers its own unique contrast to other equine therapy centers. Clients do not ride or take care of the horses; the process focuses solely on building a relationship between the client and the horse. Every client is different, but the protocol remains the same every time.
In a series of seven sessions, each lasting an hour and a half, clients visit the paddock of grazing horses with a certified IET therapist by their side to walk them through the entire process. The first session involves choosing a horse by standing before each of the center’s three horses and interacting with them, deciding which one they feel most connected to. Phipps explains, “The horse reads the client and responds, the client responds to the horse, and a bond is formed. It’s almost like a dance.” The next six sessions are spent standing in the paddock, reading and interacting with their chosen horse and noticing changes. Phipps explains that we can’t control our reactions to traumatic triggers because it’s the body reacting, not the mind; this process allows clients to build new neural pathways to handle emotional traumas without feeling easily triggered or scared.
VISIT OUR SHOWROOM
Warmblood horses have been specially bred for their intelligence and responsiveness, and therapists are trained to help clients discover which horse is best suited to them
Because horses are prey animals by nature, they’re always aware of what’s going on in their environments to ensure their survival. Much like humans, horses live in connected communities with complex social structures. When they sense danger, they’ll alert each other and react in sync to create safe spaces for themselves through subtle movements. Once they feel there’s no longer any threat, they return to their
lives as usual, as though nothing happened. These subtle gestures play a critical role during the client’s session. While the horses work to create their own safe space, the client feels and reacts to their own internal emotions and intentions, which the horse senses and reflects back onto the client like a mirror, creating a safe, non-judgemental, and empathic space.
The horses are carefully selected, specially
trained European breeds called warmbloods, known for their keen intelligence and powerful ability to read emotions and make strong connections with humans. “We know everything about each of our horses’ life histories,” says Phipps. “They don’t have any traumas of their own so they’re able to live fully in the present moment and not be burdened by the past. They’re bred and trained specifically for this method of therapy.
Photos courtesy of Beachwood Integrative Equine Therapy
Most of the 90-minute session includes the client, therapist, and horse
They choose to do it and they love doing it.”
As simple as the technique sounds, Phipps affirms that IET is shorter and more cost-effective than traditional talk therapy, explaining that slow, gentle steps and patience make a huge difference. She concludes, “Softening and allowing yourself to work through your feelings is courageous.” Learn more at BeachwoodRI.org
Social Security benefits can be a financial lifeline for many, yet the complexity of the system often leaves significant opportunities unnoticed. There are many rules and formulas that can be difcult to understand—and the Social Security Administration won’t inform you that you have unclaimed benefits. We recently worked with a client who uncovered more than $10,000 annually in unclaimed benefits. This success story provides a glimpse into the persistent efort needed to navigate the system.
Client Success Story: Maximizing Social Security Benefits
Our client was eligible for an unexpected financial boost by claiming SS benefits from both her ex-husbands, one deceased. With our guidance, the client will now see an increase of almost $850 per month in social security benefits. The process wasn’t simple, requiring multiple in-person appointments, documentation such as marriage and divorce certificates, and a lot of patience. However, the outcome clearly demonstrated the value of persistence and thoroughness in optimizing Social Security claims.
Strategies for Social Security Optimization
At AAF Wealth Management, we emphasize the importance of exploring all potential
sources of benefits. Our team uses simulation software to analyze claiming strategies, ensuring that clients make the most informed decisions about when and how to claim benefits. For many, early claiming can reduce benefits and potentially trigger earning limits or paybacks. And for samesex couples, there’s the added complexity of long-term legal considerations—as unfathomable and heart-wrenching as it sounds, marriage equality remains on the Supreme Court’s list of things to consider.
Personal Connection: Carmen’s Own
Social Security Journey
Fun Fact: Kitty and I were the first same-sex female couple to tie the knot in Tiverton, RI in 2013. We recently marked our 10th anniversary and have been talking about Social Security planning, and how benefits fit into our long-term financial plan. Our story echoes the same diligence we bring to our client work—making sure every decision is based on thoughtful consideration of all available options.
In this holiday issue, we aim to remind readers that Social Security benefits should never be left unexplored. With professional advice and the right strategies, these benefits can provide a welcome boost to income— one that’s worth the efort it takes to claim.
2024 Holiday Gift Guide
Happy Holidays!
SUPPORT LOCAL THIS HOLIDAY SEASON BY FINDING THE PERFECT GIFT AT THESE RETAILERS IN THE OCEAN STATE!
1. GIFT OF WELLNESS, Any amount, All that Matters yoga + wellness; 315 Main St., Wakefield, allthatmatterswellness.org
2. UNIQUE, DIGITALLY PRINTED SCARF BY CHINAR. (RENDERED IN A SOFT, WARM BLEND OF 90% WOOL & 10% SILK), $78, Green Ink; 89 Brown St., Wickford, greeninkboutique.com
3. MATUNUCK SURF SHOP X GRATEFUL DEAD INSPIRED FLAT BRIM LID, $35, Matunuck Surf Shop; 920 Matunuck Beach Rd. South Kingstown, surfmatunuck.com
4. WEDDING PEOPLE, A NOVEL BY ALISON ESPACH, $29, Symposium Books; symposiumbooks.com
5. CRYSTAL NAVETTE SHAPED GEMS MADE WITH SEED & SATIN BEADS WITH CHRISTMAS BULB DANGLERS (SIZE 11), $50, Tomaquag Museum; 390A Summit Rd. Exeter, tomaquagmuseum.org
8. HAND WOVEN PURSE IN VARIOUS SHADES OF BLUE, $54, The Woven Path; 11 Brown St, Wickford, thewovenpath.com
1. MERMAID, UNICORN, FLOWER, AND PRINCESS NAIL STICKERS & TATTOOS, $16, Bellevue Kids; 206 Bellevue Ave, Newport, bellevuekids.net
2. 1950’S RUDOLPH CERAMIC TEA SET, $75, Carmen and Ginger; 18 Child Street, Warren, carmenandginger.com
3. HANDMADE 10” LIGHTED SNOWMAN BASKET (GREAT GIFT CARD OR CANDY HOLDER), $20 ea., Changing Tides Gift Shop; 355 Arnolds Neck Rd, Warwick, changingtidesgiftshop.com
4. CARL LARSSON CHRISTMAS, ILLUSTRATED LINEN PILLOW, MADE IN SWEDEN, 18” X 18” W/FEATHER INSERT, $78, Cory Farms Past and Present; 3124 E Main Rd, Portsmouth, coryfarmsri.com
5. FESTIVE BRIE STONEWARE BAKER, (BRIE ORNAMENT SOLD SEPARATELY), $32, Eclectic Energy; 102 Main St. Wakefield, eclecticenergy.com
6. HANDMADE DOLL ( MADE IN LATVIA, 12” H, AGES 0+), $30, Flatfish Cottage; 12 Main St, Wickford, flatfishcottage.com
7. GRANNY SQUARE HAT, FLEECE LINED NEW ZEALAND WOOL, FAIR TRADE. MADE IN NEPAL, $44, Green Ink; 199 Wayland Ave., Providence greeninkboutique.com
8. STERLING SILVER ANCHOR CHAIN NECKLACE, MADE IN NEWPORT, $100, Style Newport; 491 Thames St, Newport, stylenewport.com
Small Business Every Day
Saturday is a state of mind for indie shops and eateries
By Elyse Major
What started as a marketing initiative in 2010 by American Express, Small Business Saturday has grown into a movement. Held the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the annual observance encourages folks to skip malls and chain stores as they start their holiday shopping, and instead spend their dollars at independently owned shops and boutiques. Officially cosponsored by US Small Business Administration since 2011, the day has become an important part of small businesses’ busiest shopping season. While Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals often can’t be beat, there is an authentic pleasure to strolling a commercial street or charming village – of which the Ocean State has plenty – perusing apparel, accessories, goods, and more, carefully selected by a shopkeeper/owner. Many merchants turn Small Business Saturday into a celebration, with special offers, swag, and treats offered – a merry vibe you just can’t find in even the most decorated big box store. Set a course for a shopping adventure on November 30 and all year long. Mix things up by pinning a new-to-you destination to explore, and make it a full day with meals and even an overnight stay (off-season reduced rates!).
Shop photos courtesy of owners; Annie’s photo by Elyse Major
Shop the enchanting inside a blacksmith’s forge-turned-cottage that now houses Simple Pleasures. Say hello to mother-daughter owners Mary and Alice Moore. 6 Richmond Square, Providence
Amy Olson is the designer behind Matriarch, a gift and bookstore featuring women-owned businesses. 468 Thames Street, Newport
NYC has Rolf’s, Newport has Annie’s, where you can get a delicious meal beneath a ceiling of a zillion hanging ornaments. 176 Bellevue Avenue
Enter the luminous shop and jewelry studio of Tiffany Peay and you’re likely to find her at work on a new piece. 3851 Main Road, Tiverton
NiceThe List
200+ FESTIVE HAPPENINGS
ACROSS RHODE ISLAND
BY THE EDITORS
From now through New Year’s Day, Rhode Island transforms into a festive wonderland of merry happenings almost daily. All across the state, art markets, tree lightings, crafty workshops, and holiday concerts and plays fill calendar squares. There’s going to be an Elf Parade in Wickford, candle-light shopping in Chepachet, an ice sculpture garden in Providence, and that’s just the start. Find all of these holiday-themed events and more right here.
Take Note
November 29
BUY NOTHING DAY: Collection sites bring winter gear, socks, and underwear from coat drives to the RI State House for people in need. RICoatExchange.org
November 30
SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY: An observance created in 2010 by American Express encourages buying local at brick-and-mortar shops rather than online and at big box retailers.
December 3
GIVINGTUESDAY: Designated in 2012 as a day of giving and generosity.
INSPIRING SHOP DISPLAYS AT THE FARMER’S DAUGHTER, SOUTH KINGSTOWN
Notes from the Editorial Elves:
• New events will continue to pop up after we go to press, so follow our social media accounts and sign up for the Hey Rhody Newsletter for even more merriment.
• Many events now require registration, even if they are free, for capacity and planning so if something interests you, sign up.
• Events are always subject to change, so always check with the venue.
• {SANTA SIGHTING} helps identify places to see Santa (or of course, his helpers)
• Help us discover new events by tagging Instagram photos with #heyrhodyphotos
• If we missed your favorite event or activity, let us know! Email Marketing@HeyRhody.com
WREATH-MAKING AT MOUNT HOPE FARM, BRISTOL
CENTRAL RI
NOVEMBER
NOVEMBER 23 - 24
{SANTA SIGHTING} Rhode Island
Christmas Festival: Get a headstart on holiday shopping with the help of local artisans, makers, and other small businesses alongside weekend-long entertainment. West Warwick, Facebook: Rhode Island Christmas Festival 2024
NOVEMBER 29 - 30
Holiday Craft Show: Visit the Community College of RI Knights Campus for a holiday craft show featuring handmade goodies perfect for stocking stuffers. Warwick, Facebook: New Holiday Craft Show at CCRI
DECEMBER
DECEMBER 1
RI Women’s Expo Holiday Showcase: The Crown Plaza hosts a mix of over 80 exciting vendors, talented artisans, and local businesses. Warwick, RIWomensExpo.com
DECEMBER 1 - 21
WCFA Winter Market: The Warwick Center for the Arts hosts its annual art sale featuring original handmade jewelry, photography, textiles, glass, ceramics, prints, greeting cards, and more. WarwickCFA.org
DECEMBER 2
A Christmas Carol with Gerard Dickens : Dickens’ great-great-grandson brings the classic story to life in a unique oneman show. Cranston, TheParkRI.com
DECEMBER 5 - 19
Holiday Laughs & Music Comedy Shows: John Perrotta’s Comedy Factory and fellow New England singers and comics perform at various spots for “all you can eat, all you can laugh” events. Cranston, ComedyFactoryRI.com
DECEMBER 5 - 22
{SANTA SIGHTING} Miracle on 34th Street – The Play : The Arctic Playhouse puts on a staged performance of the perennial Christmas favorite, a heartwarming tale of a department store Santa and the little girl who believes in him. West Warwick, TheArcticPlayhouse.com
DECEMBER 6
Christmas Tribute to Charlie Brown: Jazz great David Benoit presents classic music of Vince Guaraldi with guest vocalist Courtney Fortune. East Greenwich, GreenwichOdeum.com
DECEMBER 7
Pawtuxet Village Holiday Stroll: Kicks off the season with participating businesses and eateries offering special discounts, refreshments, music, and holiday menus for the entire family. Warwick, FriendsOfPawtuxetVillage.org
Gingerbread House Decorating Contest: Calling all builders who like to work in sugar and spice and everything nice for this absolutely scrummy house-building contest. Cranston, Artists-Exchange.org
{SANTA SIGHTING} Rhode Island
Author Expo: Shop for the readers on your list at this event where local authors will be selling and signing their books. Also on the agenda are writing panels, raffles, and a visit from Santa. Warwick, RIAuthors.org
DECEMBER 7 - 15
Step Into the Holidays: Tour the deckedout halls of the Clouds Hill Victorian House Museum, open select weekends in December, or by appointment, for a yuletide tradition with new decorations to discover every year. Warwick, CloudsHill.org
DECEMBER 11 - 14
Coppélia : The State Ballet of Rhode Island stages Herci Marsden’s comic ballet, a witty and enchanting story with life-sized dancing dolls and a dash of magic. Cranston, StateBallet.com
DECEMBER 14
Christmas Carol Sing: Participate or simply enjoy carols at this annual event hosted by New England Wireless and Steam Museum, held inside Frenchtown’s historic church building. Activities include storytime for children and desserts. East Greenwich, NEWSM.org
{SANTA SIGHTING} Lucia Festival: Start the season Scandinavian-style at the RI Swedish Heritage Association’s annual event at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Jultomte, the Swedish Santa, will make an appearance with treats for children East Greenwich, RISwedishHeritage.org
Billy Gilman: Home for the Holidays: The RI singer hosts this annual show with his band The Ragged Impresarios featuring Christmas classics along with signature hits. East Greenwich, GreenwichOdeum.com
SWEDISH LUCIA FESTIVAL, EAST GREENWICH
Photo courtesy of RI Swedish Heritage Association
Zuber & Cie, French, Irisé Wallpaper; Design for Moire Silk, ca. 1825. Mary B. Jackson Fund. RISD Museum
IRISH CHRISTMAS IN CRANSTON
DECEMBER 21
The Muppet Christmas Carol : The 1992 Muppetational spin of the Dickens tale comes to the big screen as part of Free Movie Nights at The Gamm Theatre. Pro-tip: arrive early for previews, trailers, and snacks. Warwick, GammTheatre.org
DECEMBER 22
Irish Christmas in America: Join fiddler Oisín Mac Diarmada and other leading Irish musicians for a family-friendly show of Irish music, dance, and stories of seasonal traditions. Cranston, TheParkRI.com
DECEMBER 26
Menorah Lighting: Join in a night of celebration in Pawtuxet Park that begins with the lighting of the Village Menorah and continues with hot latkes, gelt, dreidel games, and Hanukkah songs. Warwick, FriendsOfPawtuxetVillage.org
CHRISTMAS TREE FARMS & SELLERS
ADAMS FARM, Cumberland
BEAVER RIVER TREE FARM, West Kingston
BEDROCK TREE FARM, Wakefield
BIG JOHN LEYDEN TREE FARM & NURSERY, West Greenwich
BLACKBIRD FARM, Smithfield
BUTTERFLY FARM, Lincoln
CLARK’S CHRISTMAS TREE FARM, Tiverton
EVERGREEN ACRES, West Kingston
THE FARMER’S DAUGHTER, Wakefield
FRASER ORCHARD & TREE FARM, Co v entry
FREDERICKSON FARM, North Scituate
HEALEY RIPPIN FARM, North Kingstown
HYDE’S CHRISTMAS TREE FARM, Smithfield
JOHNSON’S ROADSIDE STAND, Swansea, MA
LOCKWOOD CHRISTMAS TREE FARM, Green v ille
MIKE’S CHRISTMAS TREE FARM, Cranston
NORTHLAND FARM & GARDEN CENTER, Cumberland
NYE CHRISTMAS TREES, Greene
PACHET BROOK FARM, Tiverton
PHANTOM FARMS, Cumberland
PINECREST FARM, Richmond
RIVERSIDE TREE FARM, Charlestown
ROSSI’S TREE FARM, Cranston
SEVEN CEDARS FARM, Smithfield
SLOCUMVILLE FARM, Exeter
STOP AND CHOP TREE FARM, Exeter
SWEET BERRY FARM, Middletown
EAST BAY & NEWPORT
NOVEMBER
THROUGH NOVEMBER 17
Apple Cider Bar: Saturdays and Sundays, take your seat on an Adirondack chair and indulge in mulled cider crafted from Rose Hill Heirloom apples harvested at their peak. Newport, TheChanler.com
NOVEMBER 2
Autumn Artisan Market: Shop from local artists at this fundraiser to preserve the 1810 Federal period mansion. Bristol, LindenPlace.org
Holiday Fair & Food Truck Festival: Kick off the holiday shopping season at this annual fundraiser replete with good vibes, vendors, and food trucks of all kinds. Warren, EastBayChamberRI.org
NOVEMBER 7
Holiday Sip & Shop: Enjoy an evening of holiday cheer as you sip on drinks from Two Gals Cocktails, savor bites from Common Pub & Grill and Wedge, and shop local inside the rustic barn. Bristol, MountHopeFarm.org
NOVEMBER 9 - 24
ThamesGiving: More than 100 of the City by the Sea’s businesses will participate in a month-long celebration that spans every weekend in November, with the ThamesGiving Artisan Market in Washington Square on November 10. Newport, ThamesGiving.com
NOVEMBER 16
Family Photoshoot Day: Win the Christmas card photo game by planning a session at Blithewold. Allan Millora Photography will be there to take pics in front of the living room fireplace. Bristol, Blithewold.org
Holiday Cards Workshop: An enjoyable evening of painting your own greeting cards is part of the Fun & Crafty Events series at Matriarch. Supplies are included at this class led by Boston-based botanical watercolor artist, Reta. Newport, MatriarchRI.com
Photo courtesy of The Park Theater
NOVEMBER 22 - DECEMBER 29
Sparkling Lights at The Breakers: Take in the sights of a half mile-long path of lights while Christmas tunes play, various dates throughout the season. Treats and drinks are available for purchase, too. NewportMansions.org
NOVEMBER 23 - JANUARY 1
Holidays at the Newport Mansions: The Breakers, The Elms, and Marble House get decked out in grand style for the season. New this year are mannequins wearing Gilded Age garb in The Breakers’ Music Room. Open daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. NewportMansions.org
NOVEMBER 24
Holiday Market Sip & Shop: Enjoy a day of sipping and shopping during this afternoon curated by Field of Artisans at Newport Vineyards. Middletown, FieldOfArtisans.com
Cranberry Craze: Stock up on fresh ingredients, locally made baked goods, and unique host gifts at the Tiverton Farmers Market’s specialty Thanksgiving event. TivertonFourCorners.com
NOVEMBER 27 - DECEMBER 6
Newport Nutcracker : On select dates, this unique performance of the classic ballet invites the audience to follow the characters from room to room through the halls of Rosecliff; Act 2 takes place in the Grand Ballroom where guests have reserved seating. NewportContemporaryBallet.org
NOVEMBER 27 - JANUARY 5
Christmas at Blithewold: The Early Years: Marvel at the manor bedecked with decorations inside or wander the grounds to see the Big Beautiful Bamboo Birds outside. Check online for schedule and admission. Bristol, Blithewold.org
NOVEMBER 28
Thanksgiving Dinner: Start an elegant new tradition with a four-course prix fixe feast set against ocean views. Complete the evening with the Parisian-inspired dessert confiserie. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day tasting menus are also planned. Newport, TheChanler.com
NOVEMBER 29
Day After Thanksgiving with Audubon: After a day of feasting, give thanks for nature’s gifts with familyfriendly activities like crafting, story time, animal interviews, and a special nature walk. Bristol, ASRI.org
Newport Illuminated Boat Parade: Maritime gets merry with this display of lights on the waterfront as decorated vessels circumnavigate Newport Harbor, visible from many points. Participate by registering your boat online. Disco v erNewport.com
NOVEMBER 29 & 30
Warren Holiday Festival: This annual town-wide extravaganza features magic shows, fire spinners, music, marching bands, vocal ensembles, trolley rides, interactive entertainment, and a scavenger hunt with prizes. WarrenHolidayFestival.org
NOVEMBER 30
Holiday Jazz Brunch with Chelley Knight’s Q uartet: Spend a lovely Saturday sipping mimosas and a plated brunch while listening to a live performance by Chelley Knight’s Q uartet before strolling the grounds. Bristol, Blithewold.org
DATES TBD
{SANTA SIGHTING} Bristol Santa House: This free-of-charge holiday destination is focused on creating magical Christmas experiences for children with special needs and their families, run entirely by volunteers. BristolSantaHouse.org
DECEMBER
THROUGH DECEMBER
Holiday Lantern Tours: Learn about early American holiday traditions in Newport while exploring the city by lantern light during this special yuletide tour on Fridays and Saturdays. NewportHistory.org
DECEMBER 1
Christmas at Whitehall: Whitehall is the historic home of the 18th century philosopher George Berkeley, maintained by the Colonial Dames, who invite guests to enjoy decorations, music, treats, and wassail. Newport, WhiteHallMuseumHouse.org
{SANTA SIGHTING} S’mores with Santa & Tree Spree: Get cozy with hot cider and s’mores while waiting for Santa to arrive via fire truck. Stay for caroling and the town tree lighting before Santa makes another stop
at the Wilkie Memorial Tree Spree. Little Compton, Facebook: S’mores with Santa
DECEMBER 1 & 7
Candy Cane Express Cruise for Kids: All aboard for candy canes, hot chocolate, and storytime with Mrs. Claus on Newport Harbor. Keep cozy in the boat’s weatherproof interior. Jamestown, CoastalQueenCruises.com
DECEMBER 1, 7, 8, 14 & 15
Holiday Bubbly Cruise: Sip prosecco while listening to holiday music and enjoying views of Newport Harbor aboard this 16+ cruise. For a twist, book the Holiday Cranberry Mimosa Cruise on December 14. Jamestown & Newport, CoastalQueenCruises.com
DECEMBER 2 & 16
{SANTA SIGHTING} Sing-Along with Santa: A memorable evening awaits that includes Santa Claus reading The
Night Before Christmas , singing carols, cookies and hot cocoa, and photos with the big guy. Bristol, Blithewold.org
DECEMBER 3
Make Your Own Bamboo Ornaments: Blithewold director of horticulture Dan Christina will show you how to create decorations from bamboo, as seen on the property. Bristol, Blithewold.org
DECEMBER 5 - JANUARY 4
Sparkle! Bundle up for a twinkly evening of strolling the famed gardens and grounds all illuminated. Pro-tip: pre-order a s’mores kit for the cozy fire. RI Cruisin’ Cocktails will be there serving up drinks for all ages. Bristol, Blithewold.org
DECEMBER 5 & 6
Wreath Decorating Workshop: Q uintessential Gardens leads two nights of learning how to make a wreath from greens and other materials. Two Gals Cocktails will be on hand with a cash bar. Bristol, MountHopeFarm.org
Wreath Making: Pack your gardening gloves and pruners for a morning of snipping greens to complete your own wreath, under the instruction of Blithewold garden manager Betsy Eckholm. Bristol, Blithewold.org
DECEMBER 6
{SANTA SIGHTING} Holiday Bright Night & re-Tree Opening: Tiverton Four Corners is somehow even more charming during this night of luminaries lighting the way to shops open later than usual. It’s also the opening of the re-Tree exhibit, a competitive showcase of upcycling at its most creative. TivertonFourCorners.com
DECEMBER 7
Barrington Tree Lighting: Deck the halls with friends and family at this community event, with details to be released. Barrington.RI.go v
RE-TREE AT TIVERTON FOUR CORNERS
P hoto by Meredith Brower, courtesy of Tiverton Four Corners
{SANTA SIGHTING} Bowen’s Wharf Tree Lighting: Set your watch because Santa and the Mrs. arrive by boat around 12:30pm and the big ol’ Christmas tree gets lit at 6pm. In between and following, there’s shopping, live music, and good cheer! Newport, BowensWharf.com
{SANTA SIGHTING} Coastal Q ueen
Brings Santa & Mrs. Claus to Town: Leaving the sleigh at home, instead the Clauses arrive via boat at 1 East Ferry Wharf before heading over to Conanicut Gift Shop for photo ops with kids. Jamestown, CoastalQueenCruises.com
{SANTA SIGHTING} Grand Illumination: Head to the Burnside Building for a visit from you-know-who, arriving to turn on the lights of the giant town Christmas tree and snowflake. ChristmasBristolRI.com
Warm Up for the Holidays: An afternoon of sipping wine and live music features Steve Heck, Dick Lupino, Pat Cardeiro, and Rick Wells. Portsmouth, Green v ale.com
DECEMBER 7 & 8
{SANTA SIGHTING} Christmas Festival European Marketplace: Satisfy wanderlust sans passport in Bristol at this annual event replete with European-style huts, carolers, and photo opportunities with Santa Claus. ChristmasBristolRI.com
DECEMBER 9 & 23
{SANTA SIGHTING} Children’s Holiday Tea: Enjoy dressing up and using fine china at this kid-friendly fete. Children are invited to explore the manor and meet and take pics with a very special guest in front of the 18-foot Christmas tree. Bristol, Blithewold.org
DECEMBER 10
Holiday Centerpiece: Love a make-andtake workshop? Spend two hours learning how to create a centerpiece in this festive hands-on class. Bristol, Blithewold.org
Holiday Jingle & Mingle Celebration: The Lobster Pot is the setting for this annual jovial evening of dinner, raffles, and community connections. Bristol, Web.EastBayChamberRI.org
DECEMBER 15
{SANTA SIGHTING} Christmas & Holiday Fair: Roller skate with Santa and the Grinch! Cookie decorating and shopping are also planned. Tiverton, Facebook: Longplex Family & Sports Center
{SANTA SIGHTING} Meet and Greet Cruise with Santa: All aboard for a festive outing that includes hot chocolate and a candy cane for each child as they exit the boat. All is cozy, thanks to a weatherproof interior. Newport, CoastalQueenCruises.com
DECEMBER 17 - 22
Holidays at the JPT: 2003’s Lo v e Actually kicks off a series of Christmas movies shown on the big screen, including National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Party (December 1819), and The Muppet Christmas Carol (December 22). Newport, JanePickens.com
DECEMBER 19
Cookie Decorating Class: If you have
limited experience with sugar cookies, find yourself frustrated with royal icing, or simply want to impress everyone at the upcoming holiday cookie swap or birthday party, this is the class for you! Bristol, MountHopeFarm.org
DECEMBER 22
Christmas Specialty Market: Lastminute shoppers are sure to find special gifts at the holiday edition of the Sunday Tiverton Farmers Indoor Winter Market. Over 45 vendors will be selling food and artsy gifts. TivertonFarmersMarket.com
DECEMBER 29
New Year’s Jazz Brunch: Chelley Knight’s Q uartet returns for a latemorning scrumptious plated brunch and signature drink served in the dining room and breakfast porch. Bristol, Blithewold.org
DECEMBER 31
A Night of Frozen Enchantment: A four-course Nordic-meets-New England chef dinner kicks off with sparkling champagne and canapé reception and caps with late-night bites and bottomless champagne. Live music and a live painter add to the ambiance. Newport, TheChanler.com
NORTHERN RHODE ISLAND
NOVEMBER
NOVEMBER THROUGH DECEMBER
Magnets, Ornaments, and Pins: Learn how to create a glass-blown keepsake at this hands-on class, one of many offerings at the studio, recurring Saturdays. Cumberland, BlackstoneRiverGlass.com
NOVEMBER 3, 10, 17, 24 & DECEMBER 1
Wreath Making Workshop: Deck the halls with local greens grown and harvested from Mapleville Farm. Join resident florist Casey in making a holiday wreath to grace your front door! Mapleville, BensBakery.com
NOVEMBER 7 - 9 & 14 - 16
The Three Scrooges : This adults-only play revolves around Carrie Scrooge and her two sisters in a world where the story of A Christmas Carol somehow does not exist. Hijinks, karaoke, ninja moves, and romance follows. Woonsocket, RIStage.org
NOVEMBER 8 - DECEMBER 22
{SANTA SIGHTING} Blackstone Valley Polar Express: This popular event brings the PVD-penned tale aboard the rails with a 90-minute train ride, treats, and a souvenir silver bell, with activities at the depot, too. Woonsocket, BlackstoneValleyPolarExpress.com
NOVEMBER 24
Thanksgiving Pumpkin Centerpiece Class: This 90-minute make-and-take workshop will have you ready to host a feast with style. Visit the website for additional classes. Mapleville, BensBakery.com
NOVEMBER 28
The Rhode Island Family Turkey Trot 5K & Youth Trot: Head to City Hall for a brisk holiday morning of movement on a scenic course. Pawtucket, RunRhody.com
NOVEMBER 29
Trans-Siberian Orchestra Tribute: Regional rock orchestra Ornament presents an extravagant musical production to tell the tale of a real and inspiring Christmas story. Woonsocket, StadiumTheatre.com
Wolf Hill Hike: Walk off that Thanksgiving meal with a moderate four-mile hike to Mercer Outlook. If it’s a clear day, you’ll catch a view of the Providence skyline and beyond. Smithfield, TourBlackstone.com
NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 1
Ocean State Artisans Holiday Craft Show: Discover over 100 local makers showcasing their best work at this Thanksgiving weekend tradition at the Twin River Casino and Resort Event Center. Admission fees benefit local charities. Lincoln, OceanStateArtisans.com
Christmas in the Valley: Foster Country Club is the setting for this juried holiday craft show. Bring a non-perishable food item in exchange for a chance to win the raffle. Foster, ChristmasInTheValleyRI.com
Holiday Sale and Pop Up Crafts: Shop handmade gifts, make your own ornaments, and enjoy glass-blowing demos featuring local creatives at Blackstone River Glass Center. Cumberland, BlackstoneRiverGlass.com
NOVEMBER 30 & DECEMBER 1
Nutcracker Ballet : Heritage Ballet presents the full-length classical ballet about a little girl named Clara who receives a nutcracker from her godfather for Christmas. Woonsocket, StadiumTheatre.com
NOVEMBER 30
Christkindlmarkt: The German American Cultural Society of Rhode Island hosts a Christmas market featuring artisans, craftspeople, and traditional food and drink, including Glühwein (mulled wine). Pawtucket, GACSRI.org
P hoto by Elyse Major
LOCKWOOD CHRISTMAS TREE FARM, SMITHFIELD
DECEMBER
DECEMBER 5, 7 & 8
It’s a Wonderful Life: A Radio Play: Fans of the movie will enjoy it retold as a 1940s radio broadcast. Woonsocket, StadiumTheatre.com
DECEMBER 5 - 8 & 13 - 15
The Foundry Show: Browse art, participate in a silent auction, and bring canned goods to donate to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank in lieu of an admission fee, at this artist-run holiday sale. Pawtucket, FoundryShow.com
DECEMBER 5, 12 & 19
Candlelight Shopping: Antique street lights cast a cozy glow for shopping small at unique storefronts decorated for Christmas. Chepachet, CandleLightShopping.com
DECEMBER 6
Wreath Fest: Join Lucky Clover Farm at the North Scituate Grange for this hands-on workshop making wreaths using fresh greenery and other supplies. Scituate, LuckyClo v erFarmRI.com
DECEMBER 7, 14 & 21
Christmas Market: Head to Mapleville for a full day of shopping hyper-local for gifts made by nearby vendors. Mapleville, BensBakery.com
DECEMBER 7 & 8
Hoppy Holidays: The Guild Brewing Company is the place to be for a Field of Artisans pop-up market in the rustic tap room. Pawtucket, FieldOfArtisans.com
DECEMBER 7, 8, 14 & 15
Old-Fashioned Christmas: Be transported to an old-fashioned holiday at Hearthside House Museum, where visitors are greeted by decked halls and volunteers dressed in period attire. Live music, hot cider, and a stocked gift shop await. Lincoln, GreatRoadHeritageCampus.org
HEARTHSIDE
DECEMBER 8
Hope Artiste Village Holiday Stroll: This juried event put on by MACS Boutique invites visitors for a jolly day of shopping art, jewelry, accessories, baked goods, and more. Pawtucket, Facebook: Hope Artiste Village
DECEMBER 13
Christmas in the Village & Festival of Trees: A tree lighting in the picturesque village kicks off a weekend of events that include activities at Hope Library, a concert, and decorated tannenbaums. North Scituate, Facebook: Scituate Business Association
DECEMBER 13 - 22
A Christmas Carol : This fresh adaptation of the classic Dickens tale features extravagant scenery, lavish costumes, and spirits! Find tickets and dates online. Woonsocket, StadiumTheatre.com
DECEMBER 14
Irish Winter Solstice Celebration: Enjoy the sounds of Lúnasa, universally acclaimed as one of the best Irish bands in the world, for a musical winter solstice celebration. Cumberland, RiverFolk.org
DECEMBER 17
{SANTA SIGHTING} Breakfast with Santa: Enjoy a breakfast buffet before St. Nick arrives to spread holiday cheer for all to hear. Foster, Facebook: Foster Country Club
DECEMBER 23
Holiday Pops with the Stadium Theatre Orchestra: The Stadium’s 20-piece orchestra, paired with vocals, performs your favorite holiday sing-alongs. Woonsocket, StadiumTheatre.com
HOUSE, LINCOLN P hoto by David Cruz, courtesy of Hearthside House Museum
PROVIDENCE
NOVEMBER
NOVEMBER 2
Iron Pour & Sims Avenue Street Festival: Head to The Steel Yard for this annual tradition of fire-art demonstrations, live music, food trucks, and over 20 local artists and makers in this epic collab. TheSteelYard.org
NOVEMBER 8 - 10
Fine Furnishings Show: This threeday show highlights American-made, handcrafted furniture, accessories, home decor, and art perfect for gifting, including projects from students at the Rhode Island School of Design, at the WaterFire Arts Center. FineFurnishingsShows.com
NOVEMBER 10
Temple Beth-El Artisan Marketplace and Scholastic Book Fair: Shop for holiday gifts and more with over two dozen vendors selling artisanal goods, holiday gifts, Judaica, and books for kids from preschool to eighth grade. Temple-Beth-El.org
NOVEMBER 10 - DECEMBER 22
120th Little Pictures Show & Sale: You read that right – the Providence Art Club’s oldest and largest exhibit returns for another landmark year, featuring artwork all under 16 inches. Pro v idenceArtClub.org
NOVEMBER 16 - 17, DECEMBER 14 - 15
Providence Artisans Holiday Show: Over 90 local artists fill the WaterFire Arts Center, showcasing handmade fine art and crafts, perfect gifts for everyone on your list. Facebook: PVD Artisans Market
NOVEMBER 21
Providence Gallery Night: Choose between a free guided tour or create one of your own to explore the Creative Capital, including art galleries, museums, and significant sites. GalleryNight.org
NOVEMBER 22
Masquerade Ball: The Graduate Providence is transformed into an Enchanted Forest for the 14th annual fundraiser benefiting
the comprehensive anti-violence agency. Our own Elyse Major will be among the judges for the woodland-themed dessert contest. SojournerRI.org
NOVEMBER 23 - 24
Good Trade Makers Market: More than 90 independent makers from around the country gather at the WaterFire Arts Center for this one-of-a-kind weekend of mixing and mingling with talented tradespeople (and, of course, shopping!). GoodTradeMakersMarket.com
NOVEMBER 23 - DECEMBER 4, DECEMBER 26 - 29
A Christmas Carol : The Rhode Island holiday tradition returns with Trinity Rep’s reimagined telling of Dickens’ classic, held at the Providence Performing Arts Center this year due to construction at Trinity. TrinityRep.com
NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 22
PVD Flea Holiday Markets: Beginning on Black Friday the Providence Flea hosts special shopping events leading up to the holidays, featuring your favorite regional small brands and makers, on Fridays and Sundays at Farm Fresh RI. Pro v idenceFlea.com
NOVEMBER 29 - JANUARY 4
Holiday Lights Spectacular: This magical walk-through experience returns with 40 acres of dazzling light displays featuring over two million lights – now that’s what we call merry and bright! RWPZoo.org
NOVEMBER 30
{Santa Sighting} Federal Hill Tree
Lighting: Don’t miss dance and choir performances, free trolley rides, a visit with Santa, and the Christmas Tree lighting at DePasquale Plaza at 5pm. FederalHillPro v .com
NOVEMBER TBD
{SANTA SIGHTING} Christmas on the Hill: Admire twinkling Italian lights crisscrossing Atwells Avenue and decorated trees while shopping and dining around Federal Hill. FederalHillPro v .com
Photo by Mike Bryce
PVD ARTISANS MARKET
DECEMBER
DECEMBER 1
Field of Artisans at Narragansett Brewery: The one-of-a-kind artisan market sets up shop with vendors selling exciting and unique goods in the iconic brewery’s space. FieldOfArtisans.com
DECEMBER 1 - 31
Craftland Holiday Extravaganza: The holiday season gets even jollier with the whimsical charm of Craftland, a landmark purveyor of handmade gifts celebrating its 21th year. You’re sure to find everything on your wish list – plus a little extra. CraftlandShop.com
DECEMBER 5 - 7
Three Nights of Light: Downtown comes to life with installations and activations by WaterFire, FirstWorks, and The Avenue Concept, plus tree lightings, live entertainment, holiday markets, and more. GoPro v idence.com
DECEMBER 6
Krampusnacht at Narragansett Brewery: It’s a nightmare before Christmas in this delightfully frightful event filled with thrilling costumes, live music, and dark brews. NarragansettBeer.com
DECEMBER 6 - 7
La Cuesta Mágica (The Magic Slope) : Five lost brothers embark on an extraordinary adventure in this magical holiday musical with songs and dances from Latin America, performed in Spanish, with English translations simulcast. TeatroEcas.org
DECEMBER 7
Handel’s Messiah Open Sing: All are welcome to sing along with the Rhode Island Civic Chorale & Orchestra performing the Christmas portion of Handel’s celebratory work at the Church of St. Sebastian. RICCO.org
Girl Gang Craft Fair: The femme-forward platform and community for creatives and entrepreneurs returns to WaterFire Arts Center for a day of shopping and community. GirlGangCraft.com
DECEMBER 7 - 8
Providence Bruins WinterFest: Celebrate the winter season at Amica Mutual Pavilion with ticket discounts for weekend hockey while raising funds for local charities. Pro v idenceBruins.com
DECEMBER 9
Wreaths Across America: Held at the RI State House, this wreath-laying ceremony is designed to raise awareness and appreciation for the sacrifices of our nation’s veterans and their families. Dignitaries and special guests are invited to speak. RIFDA.org
DECEMBER 10
The Christmas Show : Trinity Rep presents a 90-minute variety-style production for families showcasing new and classic selections, colorful costumes, and unforgettable characters. The show is being held at The Vets due to ongoing construction at Trinity. TheVetsRI.com
DECEMBER 11 - 22
Hamilton : The Broadway blockbuster that follows the rise and fall of founding father Alexander Hamilton returns to the Providence Performing Arts Center for its third run since its premiere. PPACRI.org
DECEMBER 15
Handel’s Messiah : The Rhode Island Philharmonic and the Providence Singers, behind conductor Christine Noel, bring the beloved holiday concert to life in a special matinee performance. TheVetsRI.com
DECEMBER 17
Emanu-El’s Got Talent: Check out the show and enjoy shopping at the Hanukkah Bazaar while joining the Hanukkah festivities on this special night with the Temple Emanu-El community. TEPro v .org
DECEMBER 19 - 22, 26 - 29
The Nutcracker : Don’t miss Ballet RI’s fresh take on the enchanting classic, featuring a 38-foot tree, Nutcracker by Big Nazo Lab, and choreography by Yury Yanowsky. TheVetsRI.com
DECEMBER 26 - 29
Disney On Ice: Step inside the magical adventures of Disney’s Frozen and Encanto , and all your favorite characters from two Disney classics. Pro v idence, AmicaMutualPavilion.com
DECEMBER 31
New Year’s Eve: Be on the lookout for restaurant siblings Providence GPub, The Rooftop at the Providence G, and Sarto to announce New Year’s Eve party and dining event details. SartoPro v idence.com
THREE NIGHT OF LIGHTS
SOUTHERN RI & BLOCK ISLAND
NOVEMBER
NOVEMBER 6 & DECEMBER 4
Just Dance Inclusive Thanksgiving Dance & Pizza Party: Enjoy a free night of dancing, pizza, and soft drinks at this DJ dance party for all ages and abilities. West Kingston, CourthouseArts.org
NOVEMBER 8
Pre-Holiday Bash: Head to The Windjammer for a night of great food, a silent auction, a giving tree, raffles, and plenty of dancing to local faves Eight to the Bar, in support of the Warm Center. Westerly, WarmCenter.org
NOVEMBER 9
{SANTA SIGHTING} Paint with Santa: A letter has arrived from the North Pole inviting your child to paint a handprint plate and a special ornament with Santa and enjoy cookies and treats. Reservations and advance payment required. Narragansett, CreateColorArtStudio.com
NOVEMBER 12 & DECEMBER 3
Sea Glass Tree/Wreath Workshop: Instructors from The Art Lab & Gallery provided the know-how and supplies to construct an illuminated wreath or tree from sea glass and battery-operated string lights. Westerly, Facebook: Westerly Elks
NOVEMBER 15 - JANUARY 1
Hobbit House Photos Open for Holiday Season: Book a session and BYO photographer to snap pics at this enchanting and oh-so IGready location. Richmond, PreserveASpot.com
NOVEMBER 18
Holiday Meat Raffle: Head to The Pub for this fundraiser where all proceeds go to local charities in need of support during the holiday season. Purchase raffle tickets ahead at The Pub or night of the event. South Kingstown, ThePubMTK.com
NOVEMBER 23
{SANTA SIGHTING} Mariner Marketplace: Pregame holiday shopping with
60+ vendors, food, kids’ crafts, raffles, and visits with Santa Claus, brought to you by the Narragansett High School PTO. Narragansett, Facebook: Narragansett High School PTO
Big John Leyden’s Tree Farm Opening Weekend: Tag a tree at the farm known for the phrase “real trees for real people,” shop at a curated Field of Artisans market, and enjoy beverages. West Greenwich, FieldOfArtisans.com
NOVEMBER 28
Thanksgiving Dinner: Sister resorts Ocean House and Weekapaug Inn invite you to leave the cooking and clean-up to them. Options include dining at The Bistro, Ballroom, or to-go (OH), or family style (Weekapaug Inn). Westerly, OceanHouseEvents.com
NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 1
Holiday Shopping Stroll: Skip the crowds on the mainland and make it a Block Friday weekend this year. Open shops, the lobster pot tree, and ferry service awaits. BlockIslandChamber.com
NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 15
A 1940’s Radio Christmas Carol : It’s Christmas Eve, 1943, and the Feddington Players are now broadcasting from a hole-in-the-wall studio in Newark, NJ, and set to present their contemporary “take” on Dickens’ classic story. Select dates. Westerly, GraniteTheatre.org
NOVEMBER 29
{SANTA SIGHTING} Santa’s Arrival: Santa and holiday pals arrive at Dixon Square via fire trucks, with free coloring books, crayons, and lollipops for kids. In case of inclement weather, the event will take place indoors at a TBD location. Westerly, OceanChamber.org
NOVEMBER 30
Christmas Tree Sale & Winter Coat Drive: The annual tree sale/fundraiser held next to the Charles “Ted” Wright Rotary runs until trees are sold out. Bring gently used winter coats in all sizes for the Jonnycake Center of Peace Dale. NarragansettLionsClub.org
Small Business Saturday: Head to George’s of Galilee for a day of shopping at a curated art market by the waterfront. Narragansett, FieldOfArtisans.com
{SANTA SIGHTING} Dinner with Santa: After the tree lighting ceremony, families are invited to gather for a festive buffet dinner, where you’ll have the chance to meet both Santa and Mrs. Claus. Westerly, OceanHouseEvents.com
5K Turkey Trot: Walk or run in this threemile course of rolling blacktop roads. The start and finish line is at the Fred Benson Town Beach Pavilion. BlockIslandChamber.com
P hoto courtesy of Festival of Artisans
FIELD OF ARTISANS
DECEMBER
DECEMBER - JANUARY
Santa’s Magical Drive-Through Christmas Display and Light Show: At press time, details were unconfirmed so check for updates on the Gemma family holiday display to benefit the Gloria Gemma Foundation for Breast Cancer Awareness. Exeter, Instagram: @gloriagemmafoundation
DECEMBER 1
Evergreen Wreath Workshop: Hone your skills creating a giant wreath for Casey Farm’s barn before crafting your own to take home. Ticket includes hot cider, materials, and expert guidance. Saunderstown, My.HistoricNewEngland.org
Westminster Youth String Ensemble Holiday Concert: Get into the holiday spirit by attending this performance featuring young musicians from the WYSE and adult musicians from the community. Westerly, OceanChamber.org
DECEMBER 1, 8, 15 & 22
{SANTA SIGHTING} Brunch with Santa: Celebrate the season in style with great food, festive drinks, and the chance to share a moment with the jolly man in red. Westerly, OceanHouseEvents.com
DECEMBER 3
Holiday Wreath Workshop: This hands-on workshop hosted at The Pub has participants using locally sourced greenery, all materials included. South Kingstown, ThePubMTK.com
DECEMBER 4
Holiday Stroll & Luminaria: A magical evening of shopping small includes sidewalks lined with luminaria and a complimentary cup of hot chocolate and cookie. Rain or shine. WesterlyPawcatuck, OceanChamber.org
DECEMBER 5 - 8
{SANTA SIGHTING} Festival of Lights Celebration: Wickford Village pulls out all the stops, starting with a tree lighting on Thursday, followed by daily arrivals of Santa by boat, horse-drawn hayrides with Santa, and an Elf Parade on Saturday. Wickford, Facebook: I Lo v e Wickford Village
DECEMBER 5, 12 & 19
Field of Artisans Holiday Market: Thursday evenings in December, motor over to Whalers Brewing Company to shop, drink, repeat. South Kingstown, Whalers.com
DECEMBER 5 - 8, 12 - 15, 20 - 22
A Christmas Carol : The classic tale returns to the Contemporary for the first time in five years, with a cast of five playing all of the parts. Wakefield, ContemporaryTheaterCompany.com
DECEMBER 6
Charlestown Holiday Ramble: Enjoy a charming stroll while you get some shopping done with discounts, offers, and raffle prizes. CharlestownRIChamber.com
WICKFORD FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
DECEMBER 6 - 8
Colonial Christmas Dinner: Enter the festooned tavern to be greeted by hosts dressed in Dickens-era garb. The team will serve adult beverages from the 1700s and hot cocoa for the kids, and prime rib featured each weekend. Charlestown, TheGeneralStantonInn.com
DECEMBER 6 - 21
Santa Checks In: We love that Santa has his own suite set-up at Ocean House. Have a personal meeting with Santa, capture unforgettable photos, and receive a special gift on Fridays and Saturdays leading up to Christmas. Westerly, OceanHouseEvents.com
DECEMBER 7 - 23
Culinary Decorating Workshops: Learn new skills at make-and-take classes perfect for foodies, including Cookie & Cupcake Decorating and Truffle Tree-Making on select dates. Westerly, OceanHouseEvents.com
DECEMBER 7 & 8
Annual Holiday Sale at Bosgraaf: It’s clear to see why this two-day event is so popular. Shop original glass works for sale from over 60 student artists, plus a complimentary hot cocoa and raffle prize entry. Peace Dale, BosgraafStudio.com
Christmas at the Castle: Smith’s Castle is filled with the aromas of mulled cider, baked goods, and evergreens at this allages celebration complete with music, crafts, and gingerbread cookie decorating. North Kingstown, SmithsCastle.org
DECEMBER 11
Gingerbread Village Competition: Students from Chariho, Lincoln High School, Exeter-West Greenwich High School, and Westerly High School compete for Best Gingerbread House in this sweet holiday tradition. Westerly, OceanHouseEvents.com
Pajama Party: A donation of new unwrapped childrens PJs for the North Kingstown Holiday Giving Program is your ticket to
the 29th annual event, featuring treats, raffle prizes, store discounts, and swag. Wickford, Facebook: Beauty and the Bath
DECEMBER 13
{SANTA SIGHTING} Nashville & Rock & Roll Xmas: Enjoy some of your favorite Christmas songs country style with Nashville Christmas, featuring a nine-piece band along with some special guests. West Kingston, CourthouseArts.org
DECEMBER 13 - 14
Holiday Arts Market: Find special gifts at this two-day event featuring goods for sale from a juried group of local artists, designers, and craftspeople. Non-perishable donations encouraged. JamestownArtCenter.org
DECEMBER 14 - 15
{SANTA SIGHTING} Christmas
Pops: Join The Chorus of Westerly for a concert of old favorites, new arrangements, sing-alongs, and maybe even some surprise visitors. ChorusOfWesterly.org
DECEMBER 15
Westerly Light Parade: Decorated floats, fire trucks, music, and displays are all part of this fun nighttime spectacle. OceanChamber.org
DECEMBER 19
Christmas Cocktail Cabaret: Enjoy a night of carols and music while helping to raise funds for the theater’s 2025 season. Protip: get a VIP Cup of Good Cheer Ticket for a front-row seat reservation along with two drink tickets for the event. Wakefield, ContemporaryTheaterCompany.com
DECEMBER 20
A Holiday Stargazing Spectacular: Head to Frosty Drew Observatory at Ninigret Park for a holiday view of the moon, planets, stars, speckled star clusters, nebulae, and vast galaxies. Charlestown, FrostyDrew.org
DECEMBER 29
Vodka and Latke Class: Discover the art of crafting latkes with a variety of gourmet toppings, including caviar, smoked salmon, and tartare, while learning how to perfectly pair them with vodka-based cocktails. Westerly, OceanHouseEvents.com
DECEMBER 31
Annual New Year’s Eve Bonfire: Ring in the new year with good company, refreshments, and a spectacular bonfire in Ninigret Park. CharlestownRI.org
New Year’s Eve Ball: This glamorous, blacktie event features gourmet food stations, an open bar, live music, and an electrifying countdown to midnight, complete with fireworks, all with a Monte Carlo theme! Westerly, OceanHouseEvents.com
New Year’s Eve Party: Join Rhody’s hardest working band, Neal and the Vipers, for a rockin’ eve to send off 2024 with gusto! West Kingston, CourthouseArts.org
DECEMBER TBD
Open Studios at Shady Lea Mill: The colony of artists and artisans at Shady Lea Mill welcome the public to explore the creative world firsthand during this special makers meet-and-greet. North Kingstown, TheMillAtShadyLea.com
Photo courtesy of Lori Lyons
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HOME & STYLE
Home | Field Trip | Influencer | Rhody Reads | Rhody Gem
Less is More
A
palette of sandy neutrals makes a condo feel twice its size
By Ann Martini
It’s almost a Rhode Island tradition at this time of year – the snowbirds begin to fly away to points south. A recently retired Aquidneck Island couple made sure they have something wonderful to come back to in the spring: their just-renovated three-level condominium in the Moorland Farm complex, not far from Fort Adams, in Newport.
The pair had a large house in Portsmouth and wanted to downsize to a smaller home that would be easier to manage. Newport offers the perfect respite from south Florida; they can return each summer to reconnect with friends, their boating community, and the clubs they belong to. When they found this property for sale, they knew they would want to renovate it before moving in.
Ally Maloney Winzer, an interior designer with offices nearby on Thames Street, was enlisted. “Fortunately they understood that renovating and furnishing a new home is a large undertaking, one they shouldn’t try to do alone. By hiring us to oversee the design, the renovation ran smoothly, on time and on budget. The finished product is a cohesive home with an intentional design; each space feels tailored and complete,” say Maloney Winzer.
To accommodate the clients’ adjustment to reduced space, Maloney Winzer was sure to add storage wherever she could. “The floorplan didn’t change much, but we did fully renovate the home. There’s a new kitchen, new bathrooms, installed new hardwood flooring, new fireplace, new closet systems, new built-ins, new lighting, and all new furnishings,” she explains and adds that while most everything in the home is new, they did bring a painting
Custom built-ins around the fireplace add ample storage behind closed doors, while open shelving provides opportunity to showcase decorative items
with them and asked that it be incorporated into the living room. “It’s a sentimental piece purchased while on a trip abroad.”
For their new home, Maloney Winzer shares that her clients knew they wanted the design to be more transitional and casually elegant. They also wanted the decor to have a subtle coastal feel and favored a cream-and-blue color scheme, and they
enjoy entertaining. To fulfill these wishes and increase visual space, a palette of pale neutrals was used on walls, with stylish treatments adorning expansive windows without sacrificing light. At less than 2,000 square feet, legged contemporary furniture helps with the flow.
Nods to the shoreline are evident in the blue patterned textiles, accent pieces, and occasional furniture used throughout. “There are so many ways to interpret what coastal style is,” says Maloney Winzer.
White oak base cabinets and white painted upper cabinets complement quartz countertops
Custom bedding and window treatments designed by Maloney Interiors, fabricated by Marion Drapery Workroom
Get Rhody Style
Ideas and resources for making the most of living in the Ocean State.
Designer Tips
To give living spaces a coastal vibe, Maloney Winzer suggests a bold fabric or wallpaper print from Quadrille (did you know it is printed in Westerly?); display coastal photography from a local artist such as Cate Brown, Wick Sweeny, and Francesca Dolnier; and add a set of colorful Adirondack chairs from Seaside Casual and enjoy entertaining outdoors (made in Coventry).
Anchors Away
“Coastal design doesn’t have to be preppy, blue and white, or like anything you’ve ever seen before,” says Maloney Winzer. Learn more about her services and style at MaloneyInteriors.com
Rhody Resources
Businesses used in this project include Supply New England for plumbing fixtures, Riverside Building Supply for kitchen and bathroom cabinets and countertops, Marion Drapery Workroom in Lincoln, and Best Tile and The Tile Shop in Warwick.
Christmas Light Crawl
A mother and daughter share their tradition of finding festive neighborhoods – and hot cocoa stops
By Emily Homonoff and Robin Kall
It truly wouldn’t be the season without at least several nights zipping around the Ocean State on a mission. We’re a mother-daughter duo that loves our car time, whether that means driving to Tiverton Four Corners, circling Iceland, or a last-minute ride up to Prince Edward Island, and it’s no different when it comes to getting into the holiday spirit. Over a decade ago we set out to find the state’s brightest holiday lights and it’s been one of our favorite traditions ever since. We grab our hot cocoa, turn on the tunes, and make it
a mission to visit a new neighborhood as well as our annual favorites. We typically have an idea of where we’re going but don’t mind steering off course at the sight of some reindeer or a glimmer off of Route 4. We’re always open to recommendations, and throughout the year, we even take note of neighborhoods we think might be strong contenders! This concept has even followed us to areas of Connecticut, Los Angeles, Copenhagen, and Houston. Here are some of our can’t-miss neighborhoods and our favorite nearby spots to grab a hot beverage.
CRANSTON
DEAN PARKWAY: Our tradition first began in this section of Cranston, an area we revisit year after year. There are Eiffel Tours, sparkling presents with bows, and glistening icicles that all blend together surprisingly well. If you want to see homes with robust decorations that may even include music, this is the spot.
KAFFEOLOGY : 48 Hillside Road
Photos by Emily Homonoff
Cranston
NORTH PROVIDENCE
BETWEEN 44 & DOUGLAS
AVENUE: Experience flair and festivities that are unlike any other. We’re particularly fond of the choo-choo trains, big bulbs, and blow-up characters that we’ve spotted.
LASALLE BAKERY : 993 Smith Street, Pro v idence
WARWICK
APPONAUG/WARWICK NECK
( BOTH SIDES OF 117 ) : This neighborhood is a hidden gem that really delivers. It’s also a great example of an area that we were first drawn to in the off-season. Luckily we circled back because there are ample homes here that treat lighting up as a sport.
PRESTO STRANGE O CAFE : 334 Warwick Neck Avenue
WESTERLY
BETWEEN 1A & FRANKLIN
STREET: Last year we hit paydirt in Westerly when we found the newest addition to our hunt! We went on a whim because why not? To our surprise, home after home was adorned with bright lights and baubles including our favorite dwelling that had signage for our state motto, Hope.
JUNK & JAVA : 49 Beach Street
WOONSOCKET
JUST SOUTH OF THE BLACKSTONE RIVER ON 146A: Discover a cluster of streets that have traditionally been very successful for us. Take in the array of colors and displays, and if you’re like us, you may find some friendly neighbors to gab with. While you’re in town, you can also stop by the Polar Express Station for a bit of organized fun.
COFFEE CONNECTION : 2364 Mendon Road, Cumberland
Westerly
Warwick
Middletown
Meet Cheryl Sparks
How weekly pandemic outfit postings turned a coastal grandmother into a fashion model
By Alexandra Ashe
How did you go from being a retired grandmother to a model and fashion influencer?
I’ve always loved clothes and putting outfits together, and when the pandemic happened, I made it a goal to look pulled together at least one day a week, even though I had nowhere to go. With some encouragement from my daughter, I started @_ifitstuesday_ on Instagram named after the film If It’s Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium to post my looks just for fun and see where it would go. “One outfit from my closet. One day a week” was the tagline. As time went on, I’d hear from women my age that it really resonated with them, and it became a goal for them to pull themselves together, too. I feel like the accidental influencer!
What are some of the most positive experiences you’ve had thanks to this platform?
I’m working with brands that I have loved and worn for years, and I’ve been introduced to smaller brands that are so beautiful and I might never have known about them without this platform. It is truly a pleasure to work with these amazing people, and I’ve become dear friends with some incredible women through this experience – kind, thoughtful women who are willing to mentor and support. This is a gift I never expected. I’ve said from day one, as long as I’m having fun and staying true to who I am, I will continue doing this.
What’s some advice you can offer about feeling confident in your clothing?
There is a mind shift when we start dressing for ourselves rather than for work or for someone else. The only thing I would tell anyone is to wear what makes you feel like your best self. That takes time to figure out. Have fun with it. Fashion and style aren’t frivolous – not if it makes us feel good.
What are some of your favorite spots around Rhode Island?
My favorite restaurant in Rhode Island is the classic Mill’s Tavern on North Main Street in Providence; it is our family go-to for get-togethers. The cozy feel, the delicious food, and the wonderful memories we make there are why we always go back! The Cottage in Tiverton is a shop I will always go to if I need a special gift, sometimes just for myself. And the Groundswell Cafe + Bakery, which is right next door, will give you a touch of France with their coffee and pastries!
Cheryl Sparks at Groundswell in Tiverton
Rhody Reads O Staff picks from the gang at Wakefield Books
By Michelle San Antonio
One of the perks of working at a bookstore is having the opportunity to read a lot, and to then recommend those books to customers. The Staff Favorites display at Wakefield Books features a wide variety of genres, and our chosen titles routinely become top sellers in the store. With that in mind, we’re sharing six of our recent picks – from nonfiction and historical fiction to thrillers and sci-fi – with a recommendation from each of our staff members. We firmly believe that an online algorithm will never be able to compete with personal endorsement from booklovers and booksellers, and whether it’s Wakefield Books or another indie, we encourage you to shop at your favorite local bookstore this holiday season (and every season!).
The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger is an atmospheric mystery set in southern Minnesota in the late ‘50s as people were picking their lives back up after two wars, and prejudices ran deep. When a prominent townsperson is found dead on the riverbank, suspicion immediately turns to Noah Bluestone, a Native American, and the wife he brought home from Japan after WWII. Krueger made me feel as if I was there in the little town of Jewel on the Alabaster River; the way he describes the setting is magical. – Sue Martin, buyer/bookseller
Set in Washington, DC 1950, The Briar Club: A Thrilling and Powerful Story of Female Friendships and Secrets by Kate Q uinn begins as police are called to a female boardinghouse to investigate a disturbance, and discover a body in the attic. I was fascinated by this look into the turbulent years when Senator Joseph McCarthy’s ravings against the “Red Menace” infiltrated the country. By including recipes from the dinners and songs to be played while eating them, Q uinn allows readers to truly join the party with this eclectic group who come together to form a strong sisterhood. – Lisa Monahan, bookseller
Sue Martin, Bob Ryan, Michelle San Antonio, Lisa Monahan, and guest bookseller, Lulu
Fans of Elizabeth Strout will be happy to return to Crosby, Maine and its beloved cast of characters in the Pulitzer Prize-winning Tell Me Everything , as they deal with a shocking crime in their midst and contemplate the great unanswered question: “What does anyone’s life mean?” Strout’s writing style has an almost lyrical quality, and is imbued with warmth. As with all her books, she shines a light here onto all facets of the human experience, sharing the stories of ordinary people in the most extraordinary way. – Michelle San Antonio, events/marketing
Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune finds Linus Baker thinking he’s content at his job as a caseworker for magical youth until he meets the children and headmaster of the Marsyas Island Orphanage. These six “dangerous” children and their enigmatic caretaker quickly put things into perspective for Linus, and in this highly anticipated sequel, he finds himself fighting for their right to simply exist as children. Full of unique magical gifts and lyrical writing, this and House in the Cerulean Sea are two of my favorite books. – Carrie Giarrusso, bookseller
I love biographies, and this one is especially great. In An Ordinary Man, The Surprising Life and Historic Presidency of Gerald R. Ford , Richard Norton Smith reveals a man who never dreamed of being President, and yet once he became our 38th, he did so many remarkable things, beginning with his pardon of Nixon, his support of the Equal Rights Amendment, and his 1975 Act supporting the education of children with disabilities. Some of these positions were unpopular with the conservative members of his party, yet Ford’s conscience led him to act despite the political damage. – Kim Knowlton, buyer/bookseller
The Bookshop: A History of the American Bookstore by Evan Friss is a comprehensive yet warm-hearted history of the American bookstore. The author profiles bookstores of various sizes and types in all of their idiosyncratic glory, and illustrates how bookselling, publishing, and readers have evolved in what has become, in many ways, an odds-defying business through which a bookseller must navigate with a combination of both art and science. Reading this book was as delightful as exploring your favorite bookstore, or discovering a new one. – Bob Ryan, owner/manager
ABOUT WAKEFIELD BOOKS
In business for over 40 years, Wakefield Books started as part of the Waldenbooks chain, but has been operating as an independent bookstore since 2011. Located in the Wakefield Mall, the shop carries books of every genre, along with gift items, puzzles, vinyl, and more. Like all indies, Wakefield Books pride themselves on providing topnotch customer service and personal recommendations that far supersede anything an online algorithm can deliver.
UPCOMING EVENTS
This month, Providencebased bestselling suspense author Vanessa Lillie will moderate a panel of four local authors, discussing the unique challenges and opportunities of writing books that take place in this little state we call home (date TBA). On November 30, watch for an in-store signing event with games, raffles, and giveaways to celebrate Small Business Saturday. Get updates at WakefieldBooks.com
Daisy Dig’ins
Floral, clothing, and decor boutique
What it is:
A female-owned floral, home, and gift boutique across two buildings, stocked with fresh flowers, linens and tabletop, clothing and accessories, and so much more.
Where to find it:
Located in the heart of Barrington on Maple Avenue across from Vienna Bakery, look for the blue-and-white “open” flag to find the charming pair of shops.
What makes it a Rhody Gem?
Since its opening in 1977, Daisy Dig’ins has been known among East Bay residents as a one-stop shopping destination and a mainstay in Barrington for the past 47 years. Owner Lois Coppolino brought her passion to building a business dedicated to not only selling fresh florals but also providing the best customer service possible. You’ll need time to truly take in the vast selection of unique, high-quality items, from bath and body products, clothing and jewelry, and houseware to custom flower arrangements. In 2021, Coppolino opened a second custom-built location next door, and a Sale Store nearby at 230 Waseca Avenue. With temptations at every glance, combined with a team of workers committed to sending off every customer with a smile, you’ll never leave the shop empty-handed.
Daisy Dig’ins
119 and 123 Maple Avenue, Barrington
DaisyDigins.com
Instagram: @daisydiginsri
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 marketing@heyrhody.com to suggest yours and we just might feature it! Photography by Elyse Major
Amanda Cortellesso, Realtor
PICK UP YOUR PIE For Thanksgiving!
ENJOY OUR SELECTION OF PASTRIES, PIES, PLATTERS AND MORE!
PHANTOM FARM IS A YEAR-ROUND DESTINATION
2920 DIAMOND HILL ROAD
FEATURE
Stories of Sowams
From indigenous and colonial past to the future of land conservation, a grassroots project aims to put the East Bay on the map
By Abbie Lahmers
Before there were property lines and state borders, there was Sowams, a fertile land that’s witnessed thriving civilizations since the glaciers receded 12,000 years ago, which was inhabited and named by the Pokanoket Tribe. Today this region is delineated by nine towns spread across the East Bay of Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts, but its history goes way back before being “founded.”
Sowams is “the time and place where two worlds met,” which is the first of five interpretive themes laid out by the Sowams Heritage Area Project, explains project advisor Andrea Rounds. She and a steering committee comprise a concerted effort to earn the historically significant place a National Heritage Area (NHA) designation – a recognition of a region’s past and present. For Sowams, this spans indigenous and colonial origins to conservation for tomorrow.
Sachem Tracey “Dancing Star” Brown with Jacqueline “Runs Strong” McKinney performing a blanket dance at a Pokanoket Heritage Day
LOOKING BACK
Seven years ago, before the idea of a NHA project was on anyone’s mind, now-project coordinator Dr. David Weed had recently retired when he learned that Massasoit Ousamequin, the sachem or leader of the Pokanoket Tribe, would be reburied behind his house in Burr’s Hill Park in Warren.
“It’s like having George Washington reburied in your backyard,” says Weed. “I’d lived here for 30 years and never knew anything about the early history of this area. So I began asking questions.” He set out to find landmarks of the 17th century, talking with historians and members of the Pokanoket Tribe, to map
out the story of Sowams on today’s landscape.
For those who never learned about Ousamequin and Sowams beyond a line or two in a history book, the land now occupied by the towns of Barrington, Bristol, East Providence, part of Providence, and Warren in Rhode Island, and Rehoboth, Seekonk, Somerset, and Swansea in Massachusetts was the setting of events that would define our nation’s origin story.
In 1621, the pilgrims and Ousamequin formed a treaty that protected the Pokanoket Tribe, who were vulnerable after suffering a plague, and enabled the English colonists to survive, learning from the tribe how to hunt and farm the land. During that time of peace,
Ousamequin sheltered Roger Williams, who arrived in Sowams in 1636 after fleeing religious persecution in Massachusetts, and went on to found Providence and lay the groundwork for the separation of church and state – which ties into the committee’s third theme: freedom of conscious and the birth of Rhode Island.
But the peace treaty wouldn’t last. As more colonists arrived and encroached on the region, tribal populations were diminished by smallpox outbreaks and the loss of their homeland. The tension between settlers and indigenous tribes culminated with King Philip’s War in 1675, named after what the English called Ousamequin’s son Metacomet.
Photo courtesy of Sowams Heritage Area Project
The Pokanoket Heritage Day took place in September at Burr’s Hill Park, offering a glimpse of tribal life past and present
Sowams Heritage Area project coordinator David Weed showing a historic marker in Barrington
INDEPENDENT STUDY
The Sowams Heritage Area Project will continue hosting community events, addressing topics ranging from freedom of religion to the King Philip’s War with talks and open discussions. Find maps, brochures, and stories of 17th century Sowams, plus news and updates about the NHA project, at Sowams.org.
Interested in getting involved?
Whether you’re an expert historian or social media guru, the project seeks a wide range of talents to make the NHA possible.
No v ember is National Native American Heritage Month – watch for celebrations and educational opportunities taking place across the state.
“It was devastating. It was the largest per capita fatality rate in North American history,” explains Rounds. “It became illegal for a Pokanoket to call themselves Pokanoket; they couldn’t speak the language anymore. In some ways, it was ground zero for what would become a pattern over time across our continent where encroachment occurs on native lands and indigenous peoples are subjugated.”
The second project theme deals with these consequences of King Philip’s War, and the
fourth, Rounds explains, addresses the era of the slave trade that follows, acknowledging the Pokanoket who were enslaved by colonists and sent to Barbados after the war, as well as the role Rhode Island played in the industrial complex that made its fortune on the slave trade. Rounds emphasizes, “What a National Heritage Area aspires to be is a living landscape; it’s not just about the past. It’s about how you carry your legacy and your heritage and all its complexity.”
Photo courtesy of Sowams Heritage Area Project
LOOKING AHEAD
Development and climate change have sculpted the region of Sowams into a place likely unrecognizable to its 17th century inhabitants. As shorelines recede with sea level rise and low-lying towns like Warren, Barrington, and Bristol are increasingly vulnerable to flooding during major storm events, it will be difficult to separate historic preservation from land stewardship going forward.
The fifth interpretive theme of the Sowams Heritage Area Project is the interplay of land and water. For the Warren Land Conservation Trust (WLCT), this means a number of things
in practice, from the possibility of forming a Palmer River Watershed Council to their groundbreaking work with Save the Bay to restore the saltwater hydrology of marshes, vital ecosystems that buffer stormwater flow and protect against flooding.
“The land itself, the environment, is an important part of the history and the story of the area,” says Rock Singewald, a steering committee member and past board president of the WLCT. One of the places the land trust protects is Sowams Meadow, “an area along the Palmer River that was farmed and used by Native Americans
for thousands of years before colonists arrived,” says Singewald. “When the Pilgrims came to sign their peace treaty, this is where they came, to Warren, just down the river from Sowams Meadows where Ousamequin’s village was.”
Trekking through the salt marshes of Hale Farm Preserve, you may encounter sweetgrass. “When you see people smudging at Native American events, that’s what they’re smudging: sweetgrass. It smells like vanilla,” says Singewald. He describes WLCT’s ongoing project with Smith College’s Botany Department. “They have collected seeds from our sweetgrass
Photos courtesy of Sowams Heritage Area Project
The East Providence Arts Council sponsored a mural of the Massasoit Metacomet in front of the rock formation known as the Three Sisters in Watchemoket Square
population and harvested a small number of plants. They’re propagating them to provide a seed that can be given back to the Nipmuc and Pokanoket tribes for them to plant for their own ceremonial and ritual purposes.”
The WLCT has kept the Pokanoket Tribe in the loop with their conservation goals and restoration work, acknowledging that every property they own was part of the tribe’s homeland. “These were culturally and spiritually important to the tribes because they recognize that these are life-giving areas,” says Singewald.
Sowams Meadow in Warren
THE PRESENT
“I’ve discovered how difficult it is to teach history to people who don’t think they’re interested in history,” shares Weed. “We’re hopeful that having a NHA will wake up more people.” To that end, Weed created a brochure of over 50 historic sites that’s been distributed widely; he teaches multi-week lifelong learning courses and gives informal history tours of various sites, only half-joking when he says, “Give me a date and time, a topic, and a cup of coffee, and I’ll be there.”
Making space for these important origin stories in school curriculum is also a priority, beginning with the Bristol-Warren Regional
School District. “Whatever we come up with there will be shared with the Barrington and East Providence schools, as well,” says Weed. “Over the next few years, we’ll see students who are exposed to this information at three different grade levels.”
The Sowams Heritage Area Project held four community conversations last fall and this spring, presenting the broad strokes of the initiative, and, most importantly, hearing from a wide range of perspectives, from tribal members to historical societies and town planners, for their input on how best to tell Sowams’ stories. “We’re in the process of doing a feasibility study, which is really critical to the whole
Photos courtesy of Sowams Heritage Area Project
Project advisor Andrea Rounds
A community conversation held at Mount Hope Farm in Bristol
process of designation,” says Rounds. “It’s due diligence, making sure you’ve talked to everyone and included the community,” as well as verifying historical research with experts.
It may be years before Sowams is officially made a NHA, but the designation is just the surface. “If that doesn’t happen now or in the future, we will always be learning and listening, and we can still function as a heritage area – we can work together, build partnerships, and engage with the community as a heritage area.”
“I would say we already are a National Heritage Area,” echoes Weed. “We just need more people to know about it.”
Rhode Island’s Premier 55+ Active Golf Community Live and Play Here!
FOOD & DRINK
Experience | In the Kitchen | Cookbook | Round Up | Recipe
Seeing Red
Craft cocktails and late-night bites are the key to a city escape
By Kou Tukala Nyan
Though a little off the downtown beaten path on Peck Street, The Red Door is easy to spot for its namesake feature and swinging sign with a keyhole. Once you set foot through the bright crimson entrance, you’re transported to a dimly lit, moody yet welcoming space for eclectic drinks, creative bites, and music. Flickering candles adorn the tables, and angular lights hang from the ceiling between exposed metal beams, teasing a modern yet industrial aesthetic and illuminating the vast lower-level bar area where we were seated. Upstairs is an intimate event venue, and an outside patio where live jazz takes place every Monday.
The Red Door proudly enters its fourth year of business in November. Owner and musician Phil Martelly gigged for decades while working as a contractor. When he learned that one of his favorite spots to play, Red Fez, was for sale, he and his cousin, Chris Martelly, and their friend Matt Dawson (State Representative for District 65) bought the building and renamed it The Red Door.
Photo courtesy of The Red Door
RI Coffee Milk Creme Brûlée
Our bartender Cassandra started us with two delicious tequila drinks: Death of Common Sense, which had a lovely, almost floral, minty aroma that tasted sweet and a little sour; and the Lo$t Tropics, a balanced blend of fruity passionfruit with vanilla and coconut notes.
For appetizers, we started with the Steak Skewers – the smokey, juicy bites of steak were wonderfully complemented by a creamy mint sauce and herbal rosemary and garlic seasoning. Next was the Fried Shoestring Pickles with sriracha aioli dip, which were absolutely addictive. Thinly sliced pickles were coated with crispy, seasoned batter and served with a dipping sauce that has a yummy, spicy kick to it; I was so obsessed that I dipped my steak in it, too.
Backyard Sliders
Photos courtesy of The Red Door
Fried Shoestring Pickles
H
L I D A Y M E N U
fried boneless chicken. Sweetened by pineapple salsa and spiced with sweet chili sriracha, it lived up to its name.
My Sweet Heat Chicken Bites came with a lime crema on the side, offering a pleasing adventure for the taste buds when paired with the breaded and
Finally, chef Misty Rae insisted on one final course: desserts. My niece enjoyed the richness of Grandma Helen’s Cheesecake, while I tucked into the RI Coffee Milk Creme Brûlée, which, simply put, was a dream. Once cutting through the crunchy coffee caramel top, I was
Photos courtesy of The Red Door
Steak Skewers
Must-Try Items
FRIED SHOESTRING PICKLES
( $10 ) Fried pickles and sriracha aioli sauce
STEAK SKEWERS ( $16 ) Garlic and rosemary skewers with house mint yogurt dip
SWEET HEAT CHICKEN BITES
( $14 ) Fried boneless chicken bites, sweet chili sriracha sauce, lime crema, and pineapple salsa
CUISINE: Creative cocktails and elevated pub fare
ATMOSPHERE: Music-forward bar
Helen’s Cheesecake
Living Innovations’ Shared Living Arrangements Help People With Disabilities Thrive
For years, people with Intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) had few choices about where to live. As an alternative to 24/7 residential group home living, there is growing evidence Shared Living Arrangements (SLAs) are the best 24/7 residential support service to assist adults with IDD become more independent and live the lives they choose.
Living Innovations is Rhode Island’s largest and most experienced provider of SLAs, and according to its State Director Joanne Malise, SLAs provide the most personalized level of 24/7 care. “A Shared Living Arrangement is a home- and community-based support service where a person with IDD lives with a qualifed and nurturing SLA provider in the provider’s home. Specifcally designed around the individual’s needs and wants, the SLA provider helps the person with IDD become an active member of the household and his or her community. We generally explain an SLA to parents as going from your loving home to another.”
Matching the person with IDD to an SLA provider of their choice is a key component.
Michael O’Sullivan and his wife worked with Living Innovations for an SLA for his daughter, Heather. “They set up meetings with their approved SLA providers to determine if they would be the right match for Heather and she’d be the right match for them,” O’Sullivan said. “When we went to the home of providers Eric and Jay Cruz, I was struck by the loving way they treated people. I then realized I wasn’t necessarily looking for just an organization, a structured, nourishing environment or three square meals a day—I was looking for love for my daughter —and that’s what Eric and Jay ofered.”
O’Sullivan ofers this advice: “Eventually that adult child of yours is going to have to make a transition, and it will be less traumatic for the entire family if you make that decision ahead of time—especially as you get older and you no longer have the ability to take care of that child. Be proactive and make the decision if a Shared Living Arrangement is best for them, then go to Living Innovations to fnd the right provider family.”
If you’re interested in a Shared Living Arrangement either for yourself or a loved one, or if you’re interested in becoming a shared living home provider, visit livinginnovations.com/rhode-island-shared-living.
treated to the fluffy, creamy vanilla interior, and the best iteration of coffee milk I’ve ever had. Whether starting up or rounding out a great night on the town, The Red Door is a destination for foodies and music lovers alike. The
535 Centerville Rd. Suite P Warwick, RI 02886
P:401-732-0304 • F:401-732-0307
Grandma
A Trattoria Tradition
Middletown’s new Italian restaurant dishes flavors of the Old Country
By Andrea E. McHugh
Small towns take notice when change is on the horizon, and Middletown is no exception. So when there was construction activity this summer in the space where Ming Moon had closed a year ago, there was a buzz amongst Aquidneck Islanders – and they didn’t have to wait long for the big reveal.
Pasta Vino opened on the last day of August, touting “authentic Italian cuisine” and manifesting the vision of owner Anthony “Tony” Lorusso and business partner Will Bard. The restaurant is the culinary companion of the duo’s Newport restaurant, Vieste, located on Thames Street, which sits next to their seafood-centric eatery, Hooked.
The duo hadn’t set out to open a Middletown restaurant, but when Lorusso saw the space had become available, the
wheels started turning, and he knew exactly who to call to get some insight. “I had a nice conversation with Barnaby – he has a great clientele, and he’s a friend of mine,” Lorusso says about Barnaby Q uinn, who owns the wildly popular bakery Le Bec Sucré. “He said, ‘Tony, I can’t think of a better neighbor. Why don’t you do this?’” Lorusso considered all of the customers at Vieste who said they’d love to see another location outside of Newport. Once he confirmed he’d be able to secure a full liquor license, it was all systems go.
With just a few months under its belt, Pasta Vino has already won a steady flow of fans, with reservations proving advantageous, as waits at the door aren’t uncommon. Located in the Polo Center on Aquidneck Avenue (which offers ample parking), the nearly 50seat restaurant isn’t a big space by any means,
by
Photos
Andrea E. McHugh
The owners of Vieste and Hooked in Newport recently opened a new Italian eatery in Middletown
Pasta Vino serves authentic Italian dishes
but makes the most of its square footage by clearly distinguishing its dining room from the 12-seat bar, which runs nearly the entire length of the restaurant and offers a pair of high tops. Behind the bar, a black wall with built-ins accommodates the shelves stocked with well-known spirits and carefully selected, predominantly Italian wines, representing the country’s vast and diverse winemaking regions of Tuscany, Lombardy, Salento, Campania, Umbria, Abruzzo, Piedmont, and beyond. Familiar songs pump through the speakers – from Dean Martin’s “That’s Amore” to a potpourri of Frank Sinatra hits.
The heart of the menu is housemade pasta –
plump ravioli, sheets of lasagne, wide ribbons of pappardelle, and lesser-known varieties including tonnarelli, an egg pasta similar to spaghetti only with a thicker, square-shaped noodle ideal for sopping up thick sauces. “We bring in a durum semolina flour directly from Italy – the big difference is that it’s not refined like you get here in the States, so the texture of the pasta is more al dente than you typically get in this country.”
Flavors at Pasta Vino are emblematic of authentic Italian dishes, so diners won’t find some familiar Italian American dishes, like chicken parmesan, on the menu, and that’s for the best.
“I wanted to try to bring more of the
trattoria pasta dishes that are just classics in Rome,” says Lorusso, whose family emigrated to the US from Vieste on Italy’s Adriatic coast in 1958. Examples include Bruschetta al Pomodoro – grilled Italian bread topped with grape tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, basil, olive oil, and oregano – and entrees like the Maccheroni Amatriciana: ribbed tube pasta and spicy tomato sauce with crispy pork cheek and pecorino cheese. “For the Tonnarelli Carbonara dish, we bring the guanciale – the pork cheek – in from Italy,” explains Lorusso. “When that dish is finished, and I’ve tested it several times, it’s as good as what you would get in Rome.”
Handmade ravioli
Photo by Andrea E. McHugh
Frank
Lizzie
RELAX FROM DINNER INTO LATE NIGHT AT THE SOCIAL HOUSE
This swanky cocktail lounge in Warwick has guests enchanted with city vibes and five-star service
When long-time restaurateurs Paul Voigt and Johnny Krikorian found a diamond-in-the-rough along Post Road in Warwick, they saw its potential to house their unique vision – which they’d waited years to execute – for a cocktail lounge. Debuting earlier this year after a complete renovation, The Social House boasts art deco furnishings and Instaworthy cocktails, and has become a sensational evening destination for socialites and locals alike.
Built around social dining, the glamourous space caters to groups looking for shareable plates in a cozy setting that keeps glasses raised and conversations buzzing. “Our goal is an upscale vibe, and you can see that right away from the dress code and doorman at the entry. Guests are excited about having a place like this outside of Providence,” shares Voigt. Voigt’s wife, Crystal, designed the interior, which combines old Southern charm with steampunk details. A sophisticated lounge area with low seats and dim lighting sits across from the long, dark bar with palm trees and bird cages. Deep green velvet curtains can drop closed, turning the lounge into an intimate area for private parties.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the duo – who draw from years of experience at Barry's, Prov, the
Atomic Grill, and PJ's Pub – have also curated an exquisite cocktail menu. “Our espresso martini has become quite the talk of the town,” says Krikorian of the slyly named Better Than MSC. Another highlight is the Jungle Bird, a Madagascar rum cocktail served in an ornate cage with pineapple leaves. Both wildly chic yet unpretentious, Social House blends creative food and cocktail menus with high-touch service, and your visit will easily flow from dinner and drinks, to lounging and late night.
A quick search reveals their playful social feed, as well as dozens of reviews calling The Social House everything from “Amélie Poulain meets Zelda Fitzgerald” to “Boston without the drive,” and summing it up most succinctly: “This place is unreal.”
The Social House is also a private event venue with an extensive catering menu, customizable event planning services, and a spacious private parking lot. They are booking now for holiday parties and the 2025 season.
From-scratch focaccia is served with topquality olive oil for dipping ahead of meals, and the antipasto menu offers a variety of small plates ideal for sampling and sharing. Lorusso lights up most when speaking about the very first item on the menu, Meatballs alla Nonna, made with beef, veal, pork, and bread crumbs served in housemade tomato sauce. “That’s my mother’s recipe,” he says, beaming, “along with the pasta that we’re making. My mom always home-made breads and pastas, and the ingredients that we’re using are what she taught us.”
Currently, Pasta Vino exclusively serves dinner Wednesday through Saturday nights, but Lorusso says that in the not-too-distant future, they’d like to expand to offering lunch and take-out as well. He also expects the menu to evolve with time. “Just like in Italy, they eat seasonally, so whatever we can get fresh that we can introduce into some of these pasta dishes, we will.”
Pasta Vino
694 Aquidneck Avenue, Middletown PastaVinoRI.com
The full bar is stocked with Italian wine and spirits
Photos courtesy of Pasta Vino
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• Honeymoon Local AND SO MUCH MORE! A Special Edition that highlights how Rhode Islanders can support their local wedding industry while planning their big day with topics like: For More Information call 401-305-0360 or Email Marketing@HeyRhody.com or visit Heyrhody.com/Meet-The-Staff to find your local Sales Rep
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Recipe for Success
The entrepreneur behind Rhody’s popular meal delivery service dishes about her new cookbook
By Jenny Currier Shand
Warren native Maggie Mulvena Pearson finds it ironic that her business, Feast & Fettle, which now serves over 10,000 members across six states and inspired her forthcoming The Feast & Fettle Cookbook: Unlock the Secret to Better Home Cooking , originated in her hometown. “It’s funny because as a high school student, I was like, ‘I’m never staying in Rhode Island,’ and now Feast & Fettle is deeply rooted in Rhode Island,” she says with a laugh. Feast & Fettle launched in 2016 out of
Hope & Main after Pearson graduated from Johnson and Wales University in Providence. While studying culinary nutrition there, Pearson worked as a nanny for a family in Barrington. “The mom I worked for was a physician in Providence, and she had three young children. I made them dinner every night, packed lunches every day. As someone who didn’t have kids yet, it opened my eyes to the struggles families go through.”
Pearson was managing everything food-related, from shopping for ingredients to prepping and storing meals for the week. She
started branching out to see if other households were seeking help preparing meals. “I immediately got 50 replies, which made me realize this is a really needed service.”
This was in 2014, before meal kit services had gained popularity, and fully cooked meal delivery services weren’t even on the radar. “I kept getting more and more requests from families, and I had to make a decision: do I take on more families, or do I start a meal delivery service?” Thankfully for the thousands of families she now serves, she chose the latter.
Photos by Kristin Teig, styled by Catrine Kelty, courtesy of Feast & Fettle
Feast & Fettle founder and author Maggie Mulvena Pearson
"Te most comprehensive World War II collection on display anywhere in the country."
—Ken Rendell, Historian, Author and Famed WWII Collector
Pearson’s cookbook, which released on October 15, was inspired by her experience at Feast & Fettle, from members who requested her recipes. “Writing a cookbook was definitely a bucket list item for me,” Pearson explains, “but I didn’t know how to go about it. Most cookbook deals are granted to celebrities or people with hundreds of thousands of followers.” Fortuitously, she had been following another Rhode Island writer, Christine Chitnis (author of Patterns of Portugal ), on social media for years, and when Chitnis began offering coaching, Pearson jumped at the opportunity.
“I had just had my second son, and Feast & Fettle was in a position where I could step away from business operations for a while to focus on writing a book. My publisher asked me, ‘How involved are you in the company? Because this is a pretty hefty commitment,’ but I was able to complete it during my maternity leave, even though it turned out to be a two-tothree year process.”
The Feast & Fettle Cookbook is uniquely organized into nine chapters based on seasoning method, from dressings and vinaigrettes to spice blends, marinades to compound butters. “It’s my ‘secret sauce’ to what we do at Feast & Fettle and how we elevate meals.”
The cookbook includes members’ favorite recipes as well as those that haven’t been seen before, and Pearson shares stories of her Portuguese background, including recipes that relate to her interest in food and cooking. She also describes the genesis of Feast & Fettle and its rise from a team of two best friends to a thriving business of over 260 employees.
Pearson and her co-founding partner, Nicole Nix, have come a long way since 2016 – not least of all, both have families of their own now. The convenience of having meals (including kids’ meals) made with fresh ingredients that are hand-delivered to their door is not lost on them. “I have two kids, Nikki has two kids,” Pearson says. “Thank god such services exist.”
Flan
Miso Salmon
Photos by Kristin Teig, styled by Catrine Kelty, courtesy of Feast & Fettle
Sweet Tidings
Rely on Rhody bakers to make your dessert course a breeze this season
By Patty J
From Friendsgiving to New Year’s Eve and everything in between, the holidays mean food – and let’s be real – dessert is a big part of any gathering. For pies, cakes, cookie trays, and more, leave the baking to the experts so you can spend more time mingling with family and friends. Here’s a handful of exceptional bakeries to consider this season.
Borrelli’s Pastry Shop
This bakery with an old-school dedication to crafting the best tasting treats using tippity top-quality ingredients does not disappoint during the holidays. Borrelli’s has everything from classic cookie and pastry trays to pecan pie and new twists on faves like cheesecake, namely their apple caramel and carrot cake versions. Co v entry, Facebook: Borrelli’s Bakery of Co v entry
Gingersnaps Bakery
Everything at this family-run shop is yummy: stuffed cookies, brownies, custom cakes, and more. For any festive get-together you’re hosting or attending this season, a pie from Gingersnaps is a must, whether it’s Pumpkin Cheesecake, Banana Cream, or Chocolate Cream. Guests will give these sweets big snaps. Lincoln, GingersnapsBakeryRI.com
NAVAD Bakers
In the interest of full disclosure, I’m a super fan of everything I’ve sampled from NAVAD. It’s that good! That being said, their sweets – the babka and rugelach – are hands-down some of the best treats in RI or anywhere, and the chocolate and cinnamon versions would be the perfect complements to an after-din-din coffee or tea. East Pro v idence, NAVAD.co
Pastiche Fine Desserts
Pastiche is known for their incredible fruit tarts, and this time of year, everyone starts buzzing about their Cranberry Raspberry Tart, which is only available November and December. Fans say it is the perfect marriage of sweet and tart, not to mention it’s almost too pretty to eat. Pro v idence, PasticheFineDesserts.com
Pastryland
This charming Italian cafe and bakery has terrific Sicilian bread, pizza, and calzones, but it’s the sweets you’ll want to stock up on for all your merrymaking this month. Craving cannoli and wandies? How about some sfogliatelle? It’s the most enjoyable way to add a taste of Italy to your dessert table this season. Smithfield, Facebook: Pastryland Bakery
SoCo Vedge
The wife-and-husband team behind this vegan meal delivery service are always cooking up mouthwatering apps and entrees. They also have fantastic plant-based desserts for all your entertaining needs. Think Pumpkin Cheesecake, Cookie Butter Tiramisu, and pies, all available for pre-order (a la carte) on their site. Narragansett, SoCoVedgeRI.com
Slice of Heaven
In addition to brekkie and lunch fare, this darling bakery cafe on Conanicut Island has an amazing selection of fresh-baked mini fruit tarts and carrot cakes that are sure to impress your dinner guests. If you’re looking for a festive cake, get your order in early – and be prepared to be wowed. Jamestown, SliceOfHeavenRI.com
Photos courtesy of respective bakeries
Banana Cream Pie from Gingersnaps Bakery
Pumpkin Cheesecake from Borrelli’s
Taunton Avenue Bakery
At this EP mainstay, go for the Bolo Rei (AKA King Cake), the delicately spiced and traditional Portuguese Christmas cake filled with nuts and fruits – or the cherry and coconut cream pies – and stay for a fancy hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and served in a glass mug. East Pro v idence, TauntonAveBakery.com
Three Wishes
Gluten-free eaters rejoice – there’s no need to bow out of the dessert course if you’re ordering from a bakery like Three Wishes, a go-to for celiac-friendly and festive cookie trays, chocolate yule logs, DIY cookie decorating and cannoli kits, gingerbread Swiss rolls, and more. Everything is baked from scratch with high-quality ingredients. Johnston, ThreeWishesBakery.com
Whisk Me Away
This bakery is a popular weekend breakfast destination for coffee and pastries. On top of custom orders for any occasion, they also make a mean cheesecake (their apple pie-flavored one sold out in the blink of an eye last year) and mousse pie, including cookie butter, come this time of the year. Pro v idence, WhiskMeAwayRI.com
Cookie Butter Tiramisu from SoCo Vedge
Starring Squash
This Mediterranean-inspired veggie dish might just upstage the turkey
By Liz Murray
Please even the vegan eaters around the Thanksgiving table this year by serving a colorful stuffed butternut squash, which serves as a rich, slightly sweet vessel to house zesty Mediterranean flavors like olives and sun-dried tomatoes. The hearty dish balances rustic roasted vegetables with bright lemony acidity, bringing something a little different to the holiday spread, or any winter meal.
FEAST LOCAL
Though teasing culinary traditions from overseas, many of the ingredients for this butternut squash dish can be sourced straight from your favorite winter farmers market. Along with finding market schedules at FarmFreshRI.org, here are two shop-local options tailored to the foodie holiday:
Thanksgiving Harvest Box: Farm Fresh RI compiles boxes of local produce, a fresh pie, and cranberry sauce made by Harvest Kitchen, with the option to purchase a box to donate, too. Order by No v ember 15 for No v ember 26 or 27 pickup at 10 Sims Avenue, Pro v idence, FarmFreshRI.org/ thanksgiving-2024
Thanksgiving CranberryCraze Market: Over 45 local vendors gather for this special edition of the Tiverton Farmers Market, with a focus on cranberries, along with a variety of fresh veggies, herbs, seafood, meats, and more. No v ember 24, 10am-2pm, 10 Quintal Drive, Tiverton Middle School, TivertonFarmersMarket.com
Photo by Liz Murray
Mediterranean Stuffed Butternut Squash
INGREDIENTS
• 1-2 butternut squashes
• 3 tsp extra virgin olive oil, divided
• 1 cup pearl couscous
• 1 ½ cups water
• ¼ tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp table salt, divided
• 1 cup chopped kale
• 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• ½ cup chopped cherry tomatoes
• ¼ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (from a jar)
• ¾ cup chopped olives (such as stuffed manzanilla)
• 1 Tbsp chopped parsley
STEPS
1. Preheat the oven to 450ºF. Carefully cut the butternut squash in half lengthwise, and place the pieces cut side up on a baking dish. Drizzle with 1 teaspoon of olive oil, and bake for 45 minutes until fork-tender.
2. While the butternut squash is roasting, make the couscous. Add water to a medium pot, and bring it to a boil. Toss in the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, 1 teaspoon of olive oil, and ¼ teaspoon of salt, and then add the couscous. Lower the heat to a simmer and cover with a lid. Allow it to simmer until all of the liquid is absorbed, about 8-10 minutes.
3. Heat a large pan over medium-high heat. Add 1 teaspoon of olive oil and toss in the chopped kale. Saute until wilted, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Once wilted, toss in the flour.
4. Stir to coat everything, then immediately add the vegetable broth. The mixture should thicken in about 2 minutes.
5. Remove the kale mixture from the heat and add the lemon juice and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Toss in the cherry tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and parsley. Add the cooked couscous and stir everything up until it is well combined. Taste and add more salt as needed.
6. When the butternut squash sections are done, remove from the oven and carefully scoop out the insides with a spoon. Mash them with a fork or potato masher and add about a half cup of the mashed butternut squash to the couscous mixture, stirring it in well.
7. Stuff each squash with the couscous mixture and sprinkle the top with a little more parsley. Serve and enjoy!
For more healthy Mediterranean recipes and cooking videos, visit RecipeHippie.com.
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