SO Rhode Island April 2021 by Hey Rhody Media Co.

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In This Issue

So Rhode Island April 2021 Photography by Mackenzie Bremges

Flower Power How business continues to bloom despite a year-long pandemic

Photo by Peter Lofgren, courtesy of Lofgren Consulting Architect, LLC

The Scoop

Life & Style

11 The East Greenwich artist

39 HOME: A Westerly shell is trans-

behind some of the area’s

formed into a coastal dream house

charming murals

44 INFLUENCER: World-traveling 12 The restoration of an old church in

author, poet, and educator on life in

Wickford reveals layers of history

the Ocean State

14 THE PUBLIC’S RADIO: 2020 was a

46 SHOP: Handmade goods benefit

record year for new business filings

the RI Community Food Bank

16 RHODY PETS: The importance of

Food & Drink

properly disposing of pet waste

51 Ice cream season opens with an egg-studded special

18 CALENDAR: This month’s must-do’s

53 FOOD NEWS: Renovated bakery cafe, green initiatives, and updates in Wakefield

20 RHODY GEM: Charlestown

Photo by Read McKendree, courtesy of Tony Degiacomo

South County Scenes

farm mixes compost perfect for

54 EG eatery celebrates one year and

58 A stunning image from

spring beds

boasts a strong patio dining game

a local lens

ON THE COVER: Sarah Partyka, Nancy Viseth, Thanh Luu, and Polly Hutchinson. Photography by Mackenzie Bremges.

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Interns Maia Correll Kaila Raymond Looking for an internship? Email Elyse@ProvidenceOnline.com

Distribution Services Special Delivery 57 Esmond Avenue, North Kingstown Represented the Buyer

32 B Fort Ninigret Road, Charlestown Represented the Buyer

2 Pojac Point, North Kingstown Represented the Buyer

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34 Enﬁeld Avenue, North Kingstown Represented the Buyer & Seller

145 Sauga Avenue, North Kingstown Represented the Buyer

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SORhodeIsland.com • April 2021

The Scoop

so & so | calendar | rhody gem

WALL OF COLOR The pretty imprint of illustrator and muralist Liz Kelley

Wild Flow Yoga, North Kingstown

If you’ve come face to face with a tidal wave of dusty pastel pigment, wavy fronds, floating black specks, and fluid lines while crossing the street or placing an order here in Rhode Island, chances are good that you’ve encountered a mural by Liz Kelley. At last count there were ten around the state – some on sides of buildings, some on interior walls – all providing a welcome infusion of color and whimsy to their surroundings. “The scope of work varies from a simple black and white linear mural to a full wall of color,” explains Kelley, who is also an illustrator and creative consultant, and a former visual manager for West Elm in Wayland Square. While in school for illustration, she became very interested in painting, especially using gouache, a form of watercolor that dries with a matte finish. “I was used to working small-scale, but the pull towards larger and more impactful pieces was always there.” The push to “go big” came from colleague Jayna Aronovitch, owner of LORE, a handmade lifestyle shop on Brook Street in Providence, who asked Kelley to design and install a temporary painting. Kelley accepted and found the experience to be liberating. “I fell in love with working on an art piece that was taller than me, that required buckets of paint instead of small tubes.” Kelley explains that a mural can take anywhere from one to three weeks to complete installation. She does all of the design work herself, and until her son was born last May, did the painting as well. “Since then my husband Bobby assists with executing murals. This works out because he is also a designer and has a meticulous eye as well as a steady hand,” she says. To transfer designs from computer screen to paper to building, she once relied on the commonly used grid method – an involved process that she enjoyed – however, to accommodate the growth in her business, she now uses a time-saving projector. “I love partnering with my residential and commercial clients to understand their vision and how we can bring it to life through color, texture, and statement pieces,” says Kelley. When asked, she admits that The Nitro Bar mural in Newport is her current favorite for a few reasons, including painting during late-spring weather, the texture of the wall, and the pleasure of working with the owners for a second time. “I am so grateful for the work that has come my way and I look forward to sharing current and future projects.” Learn more at HelloLizKelley.com | By Elyse Major

Photo courtesy of Liz Kelley SORhodeIsland.com • April 2021

The Scoop | so & so •

By Julia Barber

Faith Restored

The Old Narragansett Church, built in 1707, is one of the oldest Episcopalian churches in the United States. In 1800, in what was surely the event of the season, the church was moved five miles from its original home on Tower Hill in Narragansett to its current location in Wickford Village, drawn by a team of 48 oxen over a system of rolling timbers. The noted early American painter Gilbert Stuart was baptized in the church; during the Revolutionary War, the building served as barracks for American soldiers. It’s a vital part of our vernacular history here in Rhode Island, and architect Peter Lofgren knew that preserving the structure was imperative. The church has stood for 314 years, withstanding its great move, nor’easters and hurricanes, successive adaptations and renovations, and most recently, the loss of its barrel-vaulted roof. An ice dam – a common danger for buildings in New England – accumulated on the church roof during the winter of 2019, and the subsequent water damage caused the plaster covering the roof to collapse. Lofgren, contractor Mark Holden, Odeh Structural Engineers, and their team used new three-dimensional scanning technology to create a meticulous blueprint for the roof restoration. The curved ribs of the barrel-vaulted ceiling, pictured here before they were once again covered in drywall and plaster, reveal the elegant simplicity of the building’s design, reminiscent of the hulls of wooden ships built by early New England settlers. Historic preservation is rarely a simple process. In a building with as varied a structural history as the Old Narragansett Church, architects, historians, and current inhabitants must decide which iteration

SORhodeIsland.com • April 2021

Photos by Peter Lofgren, courtesy of Lofgren Consulting Architect, LLC

Preserving the history of the Old Narragansett Church in Wickford

of the building they wish to restore. Lofgren and his team have chosen to preserve the original character of the church while also incorporating evidence of its long history. The team restored a circular window once concealed by a 19th-century steeple: In a building with no electricity or heat, windows would have been an essential part of the initial design, drawing light and warmth into the structure. Many of the wooden benches bear names, drawings of birds, and geometric shapes, scratched in by a long-ago parishioner perhaps bored with a long sermon. Although these unofficial additions to the structure could easily be sanded out, restoring the pews to their pristine original condition, they are an integral part of the history of the church and its congregants, and will remain after the renovations have finished. The church will reopen to the public soon, holding services, tours, and weddings. It’s an essential visit and a powerful connection to our regional past. Learn more at StPaulsWickford.org or visit the location at 60 Church Lane, Wickford.

SORhodeIsland.com • April 2021

The Scoop | so & so •

By Joe Tasca, Weekend Host for The Public’s Radio

In Partnership with The Public’s Radio • ThePublicsRadio.org

2020 was a record year for new businesses in Rhode Island Rhode Island saw an unprecedented number of business closures in 2020, but it was also a record year for new business filings in the state.

Erin Trumpetto of Westerly loves to cook. After working as a waitress for six years, Trumpetto decided last summer it was time to pursue her dream. “I’ve always wanted to own a restaurant,” she says. Trumpetto said her husband Jayson came home one day and asked her if she was interested in opening a restaurant in town. A 4,400 square-foot building along Route 1 had caught his eye. The building was for lease after a seafood restaurant that had been operating there closed in March. “You know, with COVID, it probably wasn’t the best time to be investing in a restaurant just because of (reduced) capacities, but we were just like, ‘You know, let’s go for it!” says Trumpetto. And with that, the No Bull Steak House and Pub was born. Its doors opened back

comfortable with the idea of dining in public. “I guess the toughest part is every week, there’s no set number of people that are going to come in the building and you’re hoping people are going to go out,” says Trumpetto. “That’s one thing for us. Obviously, we are doing quite a bit of takeout, but the toughest thing is the anticipation of ‘Are people actually going to come out this week?’” Trumpetto says she’s been operating with a limited menu and a small staff this winter, which is helping to reduce expenses. Her husband is also a carpenter, so that saves money on labor. Despite all the uncertainty, Trumpetto says opening during the pandemic has been beneficial in some ways. “For us, it was kind of like, with less people being able to come in, we can get all the kinks out and figure out how to run this business so when COVID, you know, goes

for when we actually get up and running.” Trumpetto’s restaurant is one of over 10,500 new businesses that began operating in Rhode Island in 2020. It’s the first time the state has surpassed 10,000 new business filings in a single year. One person who is not surprised is Ed Mazze, a distinguished university professor of business administration at URI. “It’s very, very easy to start a business because, frankly, the information that you need to do it is so readily available on the internet,” says Mazze. That may be so. But it doesn’t explain why so many people are starting businesses in a time of economic uncertainty. The fact is new business filings fell in Rhode Island following the financial crisis of 2008. But Mazze says the pandemic has completely changed the paradigm. He says so many people have lost their jobs, and many of them are worried about the stability of in-

in October. Trumpetto says the capacity restrictions have been challenging so far, along with the fact that some people aren’t yet

away and gets better and we have more people in the building, we’re going to learn from having less capacity that we’ll be ready

dustries they’ve worked in for years. As a result, more people are pursuing self-employment. “In this type of pandemic situation, because

SORhodeIsland.com • April 2021

Photos by Joe Tasca

The No Bull Steak House and Pub in Westerly opened in October

South County Distillers opened last March

of the changing business models and because of its universal impact, it’s really caused people to do things out of necessity and opportunity,” Mazze says. Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea says the key to starting a business is finding where those opportunities are, and that can be a challenge when the business landscape is in flux. The pandemic has caused people to spend more time at home, and that’s causing a dramatic shift in consumer behavior. Consequently, Gorbea says her office has seen business growth in specific areas. “You’re seeing that business owners are identifying a gap in the marketplace, right?” Gorbea begins. “And that’s something that they can fill. You can think about things like businesses in beauty or cleaning, construction, daycare, food, or investors that are taking advantage of low mortgage rates and are building or acquiring properties that they’re now putting into an LLC.” That’s what Lauren Ezovski of Lincoln is

doing – building a business around new consumer demands. And she’s doing it all online. Ezovski established a website selling various products at a discounted rate, such as tools and hardware. It’s been a slow go so far, but she’s confident that things will get better. “People buy stuff. It doesn’t matter what it is. People will buy stuff off the internet. All this is very new to me, so I’m learning to right my wrongs and do everything else. But I think once I get a grove and we get a clientele and everything else, I think it’ll be amazing,” says Ezovski. Many new business owners have tried to improvise during the pandemic to stay relevant. Last March, Jennifer Brinton teamed up with four partners to create South County Distillers, which produces craft gin and vodka spirits. The business launched just as bars and restaurants were being shut down, so the demand for her product took a hit. But instead of despairing, Brinton decided to use the distillery to make hand sanitizer. “It started as a 100-percent donation project,

so we made it, we donated it to food pantries, fire departments. We had a police department in Massachusetts that came down to get some. My job for about a month was maintaining the spreadsheet of who was getting what and who picked up and when we were going to have another batch ready,” she explains. New business owners like Brinton are doing their best to adapt to a changing business climate, but URI professor Ed Mazze says most of the businesses established in 2020 won’t survive long-term. “Easily 50% of them will probably fail because of one of three reasons: there’s no market for what they’re doing, or they lack capital, or that they go back to a job that they may have been working at before the pandemic began,” he says. Statistics indicate Mazze is being conservative with that 50% number. In reality, about 65% of new businesses go belly up within ten years. And that was before we had a global pandemic. SORhodeIsland.com • April 2021

The Scoop | rhody pets •

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Rhody Pets: The importance of properly disposing of your pet’s waste

Produced by RI Stormwater Solutions with support from the Rhode Island Department of Transportation and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

You’ve probably encountered it lying on the sidewalk and wondered why that dog’s owner didn’t pick it up. What you might not have considered is that stepping in it is only one consequence of not scooping the poop. In fact, dog waste is one of the seemingly small sources of pollution that can add up to big problems for water quality, and even human health. Being a natural product, it might be tempting for many dog owners to assume that their dog’s waste simply decomposes. And while it’s not the most neighborly thing to leave your dog waste

on the sidewalk or street, sometimes you just find yourself caught without a plastic bag. However, the reality is that dog waste doesn’t just decompose. When left on a paved surface, dog waste becomes yet another contaminant that stormwater (the water you see flowing down the street during a heavy rain) can transport to local waters. When heavy rains wash down the sidewalk and street, and right over the dog waste, they pick up particles of that waste. That stormwater then flows either directly to local waters such as Narrow River, Potter Pond, or

Who’s Got the Scoop Worden Pond, or down storm drains and then to local waters. That’s right. Storm drains do not filter or treat the water; they simply provide a pipe to transport it to the nearest water body. So, what’s in dog waste that can make it a legitimate source of pollution? Animal waste of most kinds contains both nutrients and pathogens. While we usually associate the word “nutrients” with healthy food choices, when animal waste decomposes, the nutrients provide too much food for aquatic plants. The consequence is excessive growth of algae and weeds. If you’ve ever seen a lake or pond covered with green slime, then you’ve seen this in action. Animal waste also contains pathogens, disease-causing bacteria and viruses that can make local waters unswimmable and unfishable, and have caused severe illness in humans. So what’s a dog owner to do? Fortunately, the solution is fairly simple. Just keep a plastic bag with you on every walk with your dog. Then you’ll have the equipment necessary to remove your dog’s waste. (There are even compact, refillable bag dispensers that attach right to your dog’s leash.) Once you’ve collected it, throw the waste in the nearest trash can, and you’re done, removing not only a pedestrian hazard but a water quality hazard as well. RIStormwaterSolutions.org

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The Scoop | calendar •

By Abbie Lahmers

THE MUST LIST

5 essential events happening this month

April 18: Choose your adventure with the BoldrDash Trail Run, whether you’re looking for an easier three-mile trail to warm up with or a rugged eight-miler with plenty of hills and technical challenges. Exeter, BoldrDashRace.com

SORhodeIsland.com • April 2021

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

A pre-pandemic BoldrDash run in Exeter

April 8: RI Council for the Humanities hosts a virtual Reading Across Rhode Island event with author Jason Reynolds on his book, Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You, for a live reading and discussion. RIHumanities.org

April 9: Capacity may be limited, but energy will be high at the Greenwich Odeum thanks to local Steely Dan tribute band Hey Nineteen! If you miss it, the full show will stream online the next day. East Greenwich, GreenwichOdeum.com

April 9-18:

Photo courtesy of BoldrDash

This year’s Newport Daffodil Days will be a socially distanced stroll rather than a festival, but the yellow blooms will also backdrop Restaurant Week and the annual Rhode Race on April 17. NewportDaffyDays.com

April 10: Stand-up comedian Charlie Hall hosts a star-studded evening of local celebrities competing in virtual game show Rhodywood Squares, raising funds for Aldersbridge Communities. Aldersbridge.org

Journey through a wonderland of illuminated larger-than-life lanterns inspired by our wild world. From dazzling and interactive displays to delicious Asian-inspired cuisine, this enchanting multicultural experience is sure to delight all ages!

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Tickets are online sales ONLY, to purchase visit rwpzoo.org/lantern SORhodeIsland.com • April 2021

The Scoop | rhody gem •

By Abbie Lahmers

Earth Care Farm Compost Center

We’re on the hunt for Rhody Gems! Every neighborhood has that secret, hidden, cool and unusual, or hole-in-the-wall spot that locals love. Email or tag us on social media using #RhodyGem to suggest yours, and we might just feature it!

What it is: A family-run compost-making operation that churns out high-quality soil from their farm for purchase in bulk or by the bag.

What makes it a Rhody Gem? What do you get when you take beer dredging from Whalers, coffee bean chaff from Dave’s Coffee, and bedding from Roger Williams Zoo? Believe it or not, this mixture of distinctly Rhode Island trash makes up some of the ingredients in the top-grade, nourishing compost Earth Care owner Mike Merner has been committed to producing since 1977. He and daughter Jayne Merner Senecal take hundreds of tons per year of would-be landfill waste and turn it into living soil that serves as the foundation of a healthy garden. “This microbial life invigorates tired soil and raises the nutrient density of produce. And it makes growing so easy,” Senecal explains. Passionate farmers themselves, the family also puts out weekly gardening videos with tricks of the trade. “There is a level of care that people can sense. Our family lives in the middle of the farm so we have three generations keeping a good eye on the farm at all times.”

Earth Care Farm 89A Country Drive, Charlestown EarthCareFarm.com @earthcarefarm_ri

SORhodeIsland.com • April 2021

Photo courtesy of Earth Care Farm

Where to find it: Tucked away in a woodsy stretch of Charlestown, turn onto Country Drive off of Biscuit City Road and you’re almost there.

To submit your Rhody Gem, please email Abbie@ProvidenceOnline.com

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Flower Power How business continues to bloom despite a year-long pandemic By Megan Schmit Photography by Mackenzie Bremges

t’s a brisk day in February, and Polly Hutchinson gestures to the land carved out in the side of Hammond Hill. It might not look impressive now: Cold dirt, bare stalks, and dried stems. But in another month, it’ll start to bloom. Polly and her husband Mike own Robin Hollow Farm, twoand-a-half acres nestled in Saunderstown. While neither grew up in farming, they fell in love with it; both are certified organic vegetable growers who helped historic Casey Farm get back into active agriculture in 1993. “It’s an amazing combination of working with your hands and creating things from the magic of seeds,” reflects Polly. When they established Robin Hollow in 2005, according to Polly, there were no other full-time flower farmers in the entire state. Today, there are seven flower farms in South County alone, and all across Rhode Island, that number is growing – even a pandemic can’t stop them.

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Like many flower farms, Robin Hollow operates within the realm of wedding and event design. “It’s phenomenal how well-aligned the growing season is with the wedding season,” Polly notes, referring to the March through November bloom period. “There’s a lot of amazing places to get married in our tiny little state, and as a floral designer, that is such a wonderful opportunity.” Despite the picturesque landscape, Robin Hollow is not a wedding venue itself; in fact, the farm is only open by appointment. Behind the scenes, it’s a flurry of constant activity: Planting, harvesting, researching organic growing methods, bouquet-making, budgeting. As soon as the flowers – think baby snapdragons, anemones, eucalyptus, stocks, tulips – begin to bud, they’re clipped for maximum vase life for customers. “If you see a flower farm full of flowers,” says Polly, “chances are, they’re losing money.” When we first met Polly late last winter, it was the tail-end of a bustling engagement season, so they were busy

Founder and chief designer Polly Hutchinson assembles harvested from Robin Hollow Farm.

building proposals, booking clients, and prepping for the “wild ride” that is spring: Weddings and farmers markets almost every weekend, peppered with open houses, floral design classes, and pop-up events. Of course, she could’ve never predicted quite how wild of a ride spring of 2020 would be. “We were very lucky to find that flowers matter to people,” says Polly, who, along with every local business in Rhode Island, had to make pandemic pivots – in their case, expanding home delivery and “bringing the love to relatives and friends through the beauty of flowers.” This has been so successful that Polly plans on keeping delivery and contactless pickup even with a full wedding schedule. And Robin Hollow is not alone in finding surprising success amidst what, at least for the global floral industry, has been some of the hardest hit times.

You might be familiar with Wicked Tulips, the flower farm owned by Keriann and Jeroen Koeman, who last year transferred their operation to Exeter (and recently added a second location just over the border in Preston, CT). Typically, between the middle of April and beginning of May, their fields will be a sea of giant, colorful, aromatic tulips, and the throngs of people who come to pick them. “We’re part of agritourism,” Keriann explains. The couple is no stranger to the business; Jeroen comes from a long line of Dutch flower farmers, and together they ran a successful farm and online bulb store in Virginia. It was there they tried their first U-Pick event – but it wasn’t until the move up north that it was a true success. “When we came to Rhode Island, it was like coming home,” remembers Keriann. “After the first three days of our first season here, we’d made more than our best year in Virginia.” At that time, Wicked Tulips was much smaller; it was run by a little crew of employees, family members, and volunteers and charged visitors just $1 per stem. Today, it’s a large-scale operation with nearly 50 employees and online-only tickets that sell out quickly. While the tulip season is short – on average, two weeks – the farm is a year-round affair. In summer, it’s time to break down and dig up bulbs. Fall means planning for next season, prepping the land, shipping bulbs to customers, and planting. Then, in winter, they’re plotting out paths and parking, thinking about the next U-Pick event, and marketing through their website and e-newsletters. Finally, spring returns, which means hiring, selling tickets, crafting “Bloom Reports”, and the tulip experience itself. So how did such an event-centric business survive the pandemic? According to Keriann, with a complete business model flip – and quickly. “We pivoted to a touch-free curbside bouquet pickup,” she says, but it came with a learning curve: None of their staff were trained to pick this way. “This was not a ‘going into the field and leisurely picking a bouquet’ but more of an assembly line.” However, the pivot found success, and Keriann and Jeroen continued to keep customers engaged through an online virtual tulip experience and Tulips For Love And Hope program that donated more than 10,000 tulips to frontline workers, nursing homes, food pantries, and more. “It was a tough year but we ended up making a lot of people happy,” says Keriann. In addition to keeping the virtual and donation programs, she reveals plans for a smaller, socially distanced U-Pick in tandem with curbside pickup. “Demand for local flowers has been on the rise, and I don’t see COVID stopping that,” says Keriann.

When we came to Rhode Island, it was like coming

here, we’d made more than our best year in Virginia. –KERIANN KOEMAN, WICKED TULIPS

Picking the oversized blooms at Wicked Tulips has become a tradition for many Rhode Islanders, and while the season is short, the farm

While primarily known for their delightful garden displays, The Farmer's success in its cut-yourthey will be expanding this year.

The Farmer’s Daughter in Wakefield has been a long-established garden destination since it opened in 1998. Much of the year, it’s abuzz with activity. There’s their Seedling Sale in May, classes and workshops, a summer veggie stand, the Fall Harvest Festival, and their Christmas Tree Farm with lush handmade wreaths. The cut flower fields are just one part of the business for owner Sarah Partyka, but it’s grown exponentially since its start five years ago. “We thought it was a natural extension of our love for flowers and internal drive to always try new things,” says Partyka. The Farmer’s Daughter has four cut flower fields; two are used to source flowers for their bouquets sold at the shop, while the other two are open to the public in the summer to cut their own dahlias and fillers. “People are looking for an experience,” says Partyka, reflecting on the families

and DIY brides that come to clip their own blooms. “They want to touch, feel, and smell the flowers, and bring that beauty home.” That desire only strengthened during COVID, she adds. They welcomed scores of new customers who were using the time at home to learn to garden, and family units that wanted to spend time cutting their own flowers to bring back. It was a popular socially distanced activity, Partyka explains, and it prompted her to expand those cut flower fields this year to accommodate more visitors. “Out of the bad came some good.” Partyka finds South County to be extremely supportive and appreciative of what she dubs the locally grown movement. She’s also impressed with the variety of “niches” local flower growers fall into, from wholesale and weddings to U-Pick and cut-your-own – and there’s room for them all.

Find a Florist Looking for a colorful arrangement to celebrate an occasion or bring some spring inside? Southern Rhode Island has bunches of floral designers with fresh flowers and trimmings at the ready. Black Begonia Floral Design, Westerly Broadview Landscape & Florist, Westerly Busy Bee Florist, East Greenwich Char’s Flower Shoppe, Warwick Flowers by Bert & Peg, North Kingstown Flowerthyme, Wakefield Full Vase Florist, East Greenwich G. Iannotti Flowers, Coventry Greenwood Flower & Garden, Warwick Ice House Flowers, Coventry Indigo Path Flowers, East Greenwich Jack Iannotti Flowers, Coventry Kenyon Avenue Floral Co. Inc, Wakefield KLW Floral Design Co., Westerly Les Isle Rose, East Greenwich Pleasant Acres Florist & Greenhouses, Westerly Rosanna’s Flowers, Westerly Rustic Rose, Charlestown Sprigs Flowers, North Kingstown and East Greenwich Stems RI, Narragansett The Secret Garden, Jamestown Twigs Florist, East Greenwich Weedweaver’s, Wakefield

For Thanh Luu, the process of growing is just as important as the product, and she prides herself on Petals Farm being low-waste and sustainable.

Thanh Luu runs the small but mighty Petals Farm in West Kingston. While the operation is modest in size, the work is not; Luu can be found in the greenhouse sowing seeds in winter and planting, watering, weeding, harvesting, and designing in spring, summer, and fall. Amazingly, all of it is done by hand. Luu had no experience in agriculture when she started the flower farm. Instead, the former algologist was inspired by the joy a bunch of sunflowers brought to her aunt suffering from Stage 4 lung cancer. In 2013, Luu decided to move to Rhode Island from Maine and broke ground on the oneand-a-half acres of silt loam soil. “No seeds or plants are sowed or planted with negative feelings, thoughts, or intentions,” says Luu, “only positivity.” Her process is rooted in sustainability and natural balance; she’s also a soil conservationist at the Natural Resources of Conservation Services in Warwick. She harvests flowers for wedding bouquets, wholesale, farmers markets, and flower share subscriptions – all of which were halted when the pandemic hit. Luu describes COVID as a domino effect which left her business struggling; even though farmers markets eventually resumed, it was two months later than usual: “Our business had no cash flow for those two months, plus four months of winter.” This was only compounded by the revenue lost due to cancelled summer weddings. But the savvy young entrepreneur sought solutions: She promoted and expanded their CSA schedule, added another farmers market, continued the cut-your-own dahlias program (safely, with limited numbers, time slots, and contact tracing), and even collaborated with her friend and local yogi to offer one-hour yoga and meditation classes. “We focused the business around health and wellness, both mental and physical,” explains Luu. Since she started her business, Luu notes that the popularity of flower farming has swelled. “The trend for sustainable, locally farm-grown veggies and flowers has continued to grow,” she says. “The realization of fresh product is quality, and quality leaves a sweeter taste.” And, she notes, the appreciation for local growers has only increased with imported flowers being wasted, unable to ship, during COVID.

No seeds or plants are sowed or planted with negative feelings, thoughts, or intentions. Only positivity. –THANH LUU, PETALS FARM

Nancy Viseth has watched the floral industry evolve with the farm-to-table movement, both of which emphasize shopping local.

Membership in our CSA flower shares has almost doubled. We’ve always enjoyed the way people’s smiles light up the room when they pick up their weekly flowers, but this year even more so. –NANCY VISETH, SOUTH COUNTY FLOWERS

“Membership in our CSA flower shares has almost doubled,” says Nancy Viseth, owner of South County Flowers in Charlestown. “We’ve always enjoyed the way people’s smiles light up the room when they pick up their weekly flowers, but this year even more so.” South County Flowers was once a family horse farm; today, you can still see barns, fenced paddocks, and hay fields alongside a heated greenhouse, two hoop houses, and two acres of flower fields. “That first year, we grew just a few rows of sunflowers and zinnias,” Viseth remembers. “We harvested them in buckets, put them in the back of a truck, and drove around South County introducing

ourselves to florists.” Fast forward just over a decade, they also grow all their own foliage, host summer bouquet shares, and offer cut flowers May through October, including DIY bulk orders, à la carte florals, and full-service wedding design. “[The industry] evolved as an extension of the farm-to-table movement,” says Viseth. “The appeal of local flowers is that they are vibrant, fresh, local, eco-friendly, offer variety and seasonality and a direct connection with the farmer and designer growing them.” And the increased demand for local products during the pandemic, she points out, may have actually helped

the local flower industry in ways like flower shares, curbside pickups, delivery services, and micro weddings. “Farmer-florist is a title well-known now,” Viseth observes, “but barely heard of just a little more than a decade ago.” And that farmer-florist community is strong. Viseth shares about the close relationship she has with other local flower farmers, whether it’s exchanging growing techniques or occasionally grabbing specific colored blooms when running low – “and they know they can count on me for the same,” says Viseth. “We really do have a great sense of community and collaboration.”

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Life & Style home | influencer | shop

Strong Foundation URI sweethearts turn a Westerly house into their dream home It’s that old Rhody Ram love story of Westerly boy meets Connecticut girl at URI, they marry, and keep driving by this house in his hometown for two years… “At the time it didn’t speak to us so it was simply a drive-by,” says Tony Degiacomo. Wife Aerilee chimes in, “We had even purchased a piece of land to build on but decided to take one last look at the house.” But this time the couple walked the property and fell instantly in love with the location. Photos by Read McKendree, courtesy of Tony Degiacomo SORhodeIsland.com • April 2021

By Elyse Major

While the area was the main draw, the house itself was essentially an exterior shell with framing on the inside. “It was an open canvas. We were excited about the challenge of completing the project,” says Tony of the over 4,000-square-foot structure. “The whole house was basically a DIY project and we attempted to use as many local vendors as possible. Whether it was sourcing materials or talented skilled contractors, we never ventured outside of our local community and family members.” In addition to structural work, the Degiacomos completed all kinds of smaller projects, which contribute not only personality but sense of place throughout the home. “Our

SORhodeIsland.com • April 2021

sunroom coffee table is literally a log that got washed up to shore in Watch Hill,” explains Tony. “I was doing a landscaping project and there it was just sitting in the sand, standing up, just like it is today in our sunroom.” Tony and Aerilee describe their style as “luxury beach house” and explain that the ocean is a big part of their lives. “Our two young daughters spend their summers on the sand almost daily,” says Aerilee. “We took some of the color palettes and design choices of a typical beach cottage and made it into a full-time home.” For main rooms, neutral and light colors were selected for a timeless, calming feel, while the couple got more adventurous with secondary

Contrasting the dark blue walls with light furniture gives the appearance of a larger space. The driftwood coffee table was a seaside score of Tony’s.

spaces like the sunroom and powder room. “We wanted unexpected pops of color and pattern.” With the hard work behind them, what’s the best part? Tony’s eyes light up as he says, “Seeing our family enjoy all the spaces we’ve created. We have some great sitting areas where you can just look out at all the views… golf course, nature, distant water, rolling hills in the lawn.”

Photos by Read McKendree, courtesy of Tony Degiacomo

Life & Style | home •

Life & Style | home Want your home featured in So Rhode Island? Email Elyse@ProvidenceOnline.com to learn more

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GET RHODY STYLE Tony and Aerilee Degiacomo share how their love of where they live is reflected in their home. W IS FOR WONDERFUL What’s the best part of living in RI? “The ocean, the beach, the blend between the locals and the tourists. The tight-knit community. The small commercialized areas such as downtown Westerly and Watch Hill, the undiscovered areas such as Weekapaug.”

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BLUES CLUES Tips on getting a seaside vibe? “We hired a local artist to paint a picture of a quahog using our continual coastal color palette. Also, driftwood and sea glass, and books about the beach.” SHOP LOCAL Favorite nearby businesses? “Bay Street in Watch Hill is full of great local shops in the summertime. Downtown Westerly has a great mix of restaurants and shops. And of course, Tony’s business, TJD Landscaping.”

For more information or to donate, please visit our website

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Life & Style | influencer •

By Elyse Major

Meet Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie The award-winning author on learning, living, and exploring in the Ocean State You have lived and taught all over the US and the world including Namibia and The Netherlands. What brought you to Rhode Island? I came to Rhode Island to start my PhD at Brown University. I am a student in the Theater Arts and Performance Studies program. Your most recent book, children’s book Layla’s Happiness, was awarded the Ezra Jack Keats Honor for writing, a prestigious award given to writers and illustrators whose work reflects diversity. In a year like 2020, did this achievement have a special significance – personally, culturally? Being awarded the Ezra Jack Keats honor for writing means a great deal to me, not so much because of the devastating year we just had but because of my journey. I’ve been writing for over 20 years. I had three books published before Layla’s Happiness. They all were well received, but even if you put those books together they would not match the reach of Layla’s Happiness. The Ezra Jack Keats honor meant that my work was being seen and being recognized in a way that had not happened before. As much as I’d like to pretend I don’t care about having my work acknowledged, the honor touched me. Now I feel like my journey has been useful in some way.

What are some of your favorite local places? Coronavirus has stopped my family and I from really exploring Rhode Island the way we would like to, but going to the beach has really helped me through some stressful times. We went to the beaches a lot last summer. My husband and I also like to go on nature walks with our five-year-old daughter. He picks places and we go and walk on trails. I am not a hiker but as a New Yorker, I love walking. And being able to walk in the forest is perfect. Learn more at EkereTallie.com

Photo by Sindayiganza Photography

As someone with many balls in the air, any tips for finding balance? I often say I don’t balance them. My goal is to be present in whatever I do. Also I’ve had a lot of support. My parents supported my dreams of being a writer early. They used to go to all my poetry readings in New York. My mother used to proofread my cover letters and poems before I sent them out to journals, contests, and residencies. Now my husband is a great encouragement. He often sees possibilities where I don’t and he is always telling people about my work. The point is no artist is an island; community makes my work possible and it makes it worthwhile.

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Warm Fuzzies From her studio, Roberta Shapiro designs and hand-makes a range of charming items: felted wool trivets and magnets; zip pouches from vintage sari silk and linen; Swarovski crystal earrings packed in glass vials; and enough crocheted produce to fill a market tote. Shapiro donates all profits from her Fuzzy Goods line to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, only keeping

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enough to cover the cost of materials. “This means that at least 60 percent of your purchase helps hungry people in Rhode Island,” she says. Fuzzy Goods recently went online as Shapiro saw the indoor craft shows where she sells being cancelled. In the last two years, Shapiro has raised $10,000 for the Food Bank. “I don’t want to fail them this year, when they need donations more than ever.”

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Discover the Prout Advantage!

Academic rigor, athletic opportunity and exceptional arts education!

Hello max refund. For more information or to set up a tour, contact Admissions Director Sharon DeLuca at 401.789.9262, Ext 514.

The Prout School Wakefield

Rhode Island

Come in to get every dollar you deserve.

A Catholic, Diocesan, Coeducational, College-preparatory High School. www.theproutschool.org

Call or come by. 24 Salt Pond Road D5 • Wakefield, RI 401-789-7986

SPECIALIZED AND EMERGENCY CARE FOR YOUR PETS

Ocean State Veterinary Specialists and Bay State Veterinary Emergency Services offer emergency care 24 hours per day 365 days a year • Servicing dogs, cats, pocket pets, reptiles and birds 24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE

OCEAN STATE VETERINARY SPECIALISTS 1480 South County Trail East Greenwich, RI 02818 401.886.6787 www.osvs.net

SORhodeIsland.com • April 2021

• Board Certified Specialists available by appointment • Specialty services include: Internal Medicine, Radiology, Surgery, Oncology, Neurology, Cardiology, Ophthalmology, Avian/Exotics & Critical Care • We are fully equipped with the latest advances in veterinary technology including MRI and CT

24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE

BAY STATE VETERINARY EMERGENCY SERVICES 76 Baptist Street at the intersection of Rts 6 & 136 Swansea, MA 02777 508.379.1233 www.bsves.net

Food & Drink food news | in the kitchen

SEASONAL SCOOPS Clementine’s opens for spring with an Easter special starring candy eggs April means finally trading the frosty weather for frosty treats, and Clementine’s has the perfect special to usher in ice cream season. An Easter-themed spin on a classic, a vanilla base gets some springtime cheer with mini Cadbury eggs mixed in. “It may be simple, but the vanilla ice cream goes perfectly with the milk chocolate eggs, and their coated shells add a great crunch,” says owner Warren Sternberg, who’s looking forward to bringing the annual Easter special back, just in time for both the East Greenwich and Middletown locations to reopen for the season. “All of our ice cream is homemade on site, which makes it extra rich and creamy.” Fans will remember past specials, like Red Velvet Cheesecake, Blueberry Lemon, Black Raspberry Oreo, and other flavorful variations, too, which Sternberg hints will see a comeback this summer, along with some new creations. Online and walk-in options make ordering a breeze. Along with some limited outdoor seating, Sternberg says, “We will be opening up the shops mostly to-go. As we get closer to the summer, we are hoping to get back to indoor seating.” And for the Middletown location that opened in those early pandemic months, this will be their first time slinging scoops for hungry patrons to eat indoors. In the meantime, subvert your gaze from any lingering snow on the sidewalks and grab a Cadbury ice cream to-go. Watch for photos of the colorful egg-studded treat popping up on Instagram (@clementinesicecream), along with summer specials. East Greenwich and Middletown, ClementinesEG.com | By Abbie Lahmers Photo courtesy of Clementine’s Homemade Ice Cream SORhodeIsland.com • April 2021

IMC ’s premier ballet academy

2021

Summer Dance Programs ONE WEEK CAMPS:

Creative Movement, Pre-Ballet, Ballet I- Ballet III

TWO WEEK SUMMER INTENSIVE:

Ballet IV/V

SIX WEEKS OF EVENING CLASSES:

Ballet III/IV

May 21, 2021 DATES, DETAILS AND TO REGISTER:

newportacademyofballet.com libby@islandmovingco.org / 401-849-8473 All Camps, Classes & Workshops will adhere to RIDOH COVID-19 guidelines

SORhodeIsland.com • April 2021

Food & Drink | food news

Casey Farm Summer Camps

Summer Fun Days, Ages 5 –13 One-day specialty camps $55 per program

All Camps, Ages 5 –12 Jamestown bakery-cafe expands menu Trading their Georgia roots and corporate careers for Jamestown, Stephanie and Lindsay Haigh set out to add their own flair to the Village Hearth Bakery & Cafe. These new owners have a clear vision in mind: kneading local, seasonal, high-quality ingredients into every hand-crafted delicacy at the bakery, which is accented with rustic-modern renovations. The Haighs are excited to share their style, a blend of New England and Southern flavors, with locals while keeping alive some of the 19-year-old bakery’s traditions, like Sunday Pizza Night. An updated menu will include new

favorites like Lindsay’s Bourbon Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies, more kid’s meals and madeto-order items, bags of whole bean coffee, beer from local breweries, and gluten-free breads. A BLT sandwich with shiitake bacon is perfect for vegan eaters, and Stephanie’s favorite, the Roast Beef Sandwich, adorned with arugula and onions, features house-made horseradish sauce. With a prix fixe reservation-only dinner series in the works for this summer and a cozy new interior to satisfy all eaters, the Haighs are dedicated to serving a village. VillageHearthBakeryCafe.com -Maia Correll

Photos by Stephanie Haigh, courtesy of The Village Hearth

Westerly craft brewery first in state to use green initiative Hazy Day makes a great Belgian witbier, but is less ideal when it comes to the atmosphere – which is why Grey Sail is capturing the waste carbon dioxide emissions produced in the process of brewing and reusing it to carbonate their beer. The first craft brewery in Rhode Island to take on this green initiative, owners Alan and Jennifer Brinton teamed up with Earthly Lab to implement carbon technology to help keep the atmosphere clean and contribute to the state’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas

emissions by 45 percent by 2035. “As a local business in a coastal community, we are committed to doing what we can to reduce our carbon footprint in all aspects of our operation,” says Alan. “This investment in Earthly Labs technology allows us to reap environmental benefits from brewing great beer.” So while you’re sipping a Captain’s Daughter at Grey Sail’s beer garden or taproom this Earth Day, you can feel confident the only haze you’ll find is in a refreshing IPA. GreySailBrewing.com -Abbie Lahmers

Six one-week sessions $305 per session

Little Ducklings, Ages 4 – 5 Six three-day sessions $95 per session

Saunderstown, R.I. Register online at HistoricNewEngland.org/Camp

THE FARMER’S DAUGHTER Purveyors of unique and unusual plant material, pottery, fountains & garden décor

Main Street staples shuffling in Wakefield Both Green Line Apothecary and Caf Bar are setting their sights on new destinations come spring – but thankfully, neither are leaving the central location of Main Street. Established in 2016, Green Line Apothecary is modeled after a classic soda fountain, complete with ice cream sundaes, soda jerks, and full-service pharmacy. New digs down the road on 245 Main Street include a total renovation where details like a restored vintage fountain ensure an authentic, transportive experience to a different time. Double the original’s size, the new building is also outfitted to better serve customers,

whether you’re filling a prescription or hankering for a chocolate shake. Meanwhile, if you’ve felt avocado toast and fresh smoothie withdrawal while they’ve been away – don’t worry, Caf Bar will be embellishing lattes with artful swirls of cream only a half mile away on 396 Main. Also known for their hospitality and service, the team is excited to welcome customers into their new home, where you can still find a menu made up of healthy, whole foods and sustainable ingredients. CafBarRI.com and GreenLineApothecary.com -Abbie Lahmers

716 Mooresfield Road (Rt. 138), Wakefield 401-792-1340 • Open Daily 9am-5pm thefarmersdaughterri.com SORhodeIsland.com • April 2021

Food & Drink | in the kitchen •

By Abbie Lahmers

Casual Porch Fare Awaits East Greenwich eatery celebrates a year of bringing together neighbors under a tent When Angel and Jay Winpenny opened The Patio on Main in early 2020, they couldn’t have imagined their moniker of “patio” would be translated so literally. But faced with restrictions keeping most operations outdoors, they designed a different kind of oasis, with potted palm trees swaying in the summer and then heaters and a vented tent to keep things lively through the winter. “We envisioned a small neighborhood eatery where our customers could come

for lunch and later on grab a craft cocktail or beer with their friends,” Angel recalls now, after a whirlwind first year. “With such a small space, we had communal tables to maximize it but also wanted to seat everyone together to push the community theme we had going.” Think close and cozy diner, the kind folks used to wait in crowded yet delightfully buzzing entryways for a coveted seat close to a window – an experience many of us are likely vying for a return to.

The Goddard Parm with house marinara

Photos courtesy of The Patio on Main

The Odeum fried chicken sandwich

This is the vibe the Winpennys carefully designed but never got to fully indulge. “We really had to reinvent ourselves. First by perfecting our take-out process and then creating an outdoor space so we could serve our customers safely.” Though a new face on East Greenwich’s bustling Main Street, they quickly emerged as a patio destination, where diners could socially distance over burgers and brews – or crowd-pleaser sandwiches like the EG Avenger with fried

SORhodeIsland.com • April 2021

The Patio embraces outdoor dining in every season

chicken, prosciutto, mozz, and the works on an artisan roll – all beneath umbrellas and transplanted greenery. While the restaurant has been reconfigured in big ways, the inviting, neighborhood atmosphere has always remained at the core. Angel says the true joy of the job is the customers: “We love that we got so many regulars so quickly. At any given time you’ll see all ages of people, and with their kids or dogs, inside the tent, enjoying themselves.” Through the winter months, they’ve even managed to create a nightlife scene

under the tent with live music and comedy from local talent like singer-songwriter Kevin Herchen and comedian Brad Pierce with Golden Mike Promotions. Ticketed sip and paint sessions and classic fun like BINGO and trivia are all part of the experience. A menu of sandwiches, salads, and small bites rotates around what’s seasonal and fresh, so hearty specials will be traded for lighter fare and cocktails (plus frozen bevvies) this month with the launch of their spring and summer menu, but you’ll never have to worry about not finding a burger

decked in toppings to fit your taste. Ask about the off-menu lobster roll, which Angel hints will be making a comeback, too. Someday soon you may be able to squeeze into a communal table again, but in the meantime, there’s no better spot to enjoy some salty air while sipping a fruity cocktail. “We are a completely different restaurant now from when we started,” Angel reflects, “but we are blessed to be in East Greenwich and by how much the town has helped us navigate through COVID.” ThePatioRI.com

SORhodeIsland.com • April 2021

Shop In-Store Or Order Online For Quick Pick Up, Shipping, Or Local Delivery TO SOUTH KINGSTOWN OR NARRAGANSETT (APRIL 1ST – 3RD”)

Introducing

K TIME An Exclusive New Product Line From Milan, Italy!

MAURA’S HAIR SALON Following all COVID Procedures for A SAFE SALON ENVIRONMENT

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Let’s Impove Your Smile Together! Welcoming New Patients Online Scheduling Available Dental Implants from Start to Finish Invisalign® KöR Dental Whitening

SORhodeIsland.com • April 2021

BONNET OVERLOOK

401-301-2835

750 Boston Neck Road, Narragansett

Our new Pint Pot continues our penchant for mid-century design and is the perfect vessel for too much coffee or your choice of stronger rew. Order online and we ll ship to friends or family anywhere.

peter pots pottery 494 Glen Rock Rd., W. Kingston 401-783-2350 peterpots.com daily 10-5, Sun.12-5

Local news for Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts

Open Year Round

WE HAVE EXPANDED

Deck & Patio Are Open! Open for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Monday - Thursday: 11AM - 8PM Friday - Sunday: 8AM - 8PM

JOIN US FOR

Easter Brunch

85 Brown Street | North Kingstown

401.294.7900 wickfordonthewater.com SORhodeIsland.com • April 2021

South County Scenes

Early spring blooms popping up in South County.

ABOUT LINDA @lll_images Based in Westerly, I was born and raised in Newport. Photography has been a favorite hobby of mine since high school. I love to be outdoors, and over the past few years, I have developed an interest in photographing the natural beauty of our area.

Local Knowledge, Global Network SERVING ALL OF RHODE ISLAND

JAMESTOWN: Spacious 3,600+ sq Cottage Near Mackerel Cove – $1,625,000

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GustaveWhite.com | 401.596.8081 Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated

Where we live... is where life happens. Where we live is where our best memories are made. It’s where we relax. Where we create. Where we dine. Where we shine. At Residential Properties we are in the business of helping you love where you live. If you are planning a move in 2021, call on the local experts at Residential Properties to assist you. Our blend of strategic marketing and concierge level service has helped home buyers and sellers in South County and across the state for over 40 years. Let our success work for you! Barrington 401.245.9600

East Greenwich 401.885.840 0

Providence 401.274.6740

Westport MA 508.636.4760

Cumberland 401.333. 9333

Narragansett 401.783.2474

West Side PVD 401.457.3400

Relocation 800.886.1775