SO Rhode Island April 2023

Thank You!

PRESENTED BY Bryant University

Thanks to your support, the 26th annual Women’s Summit continued the tradition of empowering, supporting, and encouraging women to excel professionally, personally, and financially. Thank you to our esteemed speakers and all who attended for your participation and perspective.

A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR LOYAL AND VALUED SPONSORS

Platinum Sponsor: Amica Insurance

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Silver Sponsors: BankRI, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, Brown Medicine, FM Global, Hasbro, IGT, Navigant Credit Union, Providence Journal, TIAA, The TJX Companies Inc., Washington Trust

Bronze Sponsors: AAA Northeast, BankNewport, BD, Bristol County Savings Bank, Centerville Bank, Dassault Systemes, Diego’s Newport, EY, Gilbane Building Company, Hope Global, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., JF Moran, Marcum, LLP, Meeting Street, Ocean State Job Lot, Providence College, Robinson+Cole, Sodexo, Target, The Beacon Mutual Insurance Co., The Women’s Advisory Group

Media Sponsors: Providence Business News, Providence Media, Rhode Island Monthly, WSBE RI PBS

Other Supporters: Residential Properties

Women’s Summit® is a registered trademark of Bryant University.

SALLY HELGESEN Premier expert on women’s leadership, internationally bestselling author, and speaker.

DR. DARRIA LONG Harvard and Yale trained Emergency physician, national television contributor, and TEDx speaker.

KATHLEEN C. OROVITZ ‘04 CEO, Navigant Credit Union Kati Machtley Woman of the Year awardee.

BEVERLY JOHNSON First African-American supermodel. Founder, Chairwoman, and CEO of Beverly Johnson Enterprises, LLC. Sponsor list as of March 1, 2023.

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CORRECTION:

On the contents page of our March issue we miscredited the photo above. We apologize for any confusion or inconvenience this may have caused and it is important to us to make it right. The correct source is Exodus Construction, LLC Below is another example of their beautiful work. Check out their Instagram @exodusconstruction or their website ExodusRI.com for more.

Photo by @lodisto

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Photo courtesy of Exodus Construction

Photo courtesy of Exodus Construction

In This Issue

So Rhode Island April 2023

31

A Chowder of Our Own

Why Rhode Island’s brothy clam soup is a must on many South County menus.

The Scoop

9 Kingston crafters spell messages using American Sign Language

12 THE PUBLIC’S RADIO: Chariho School Committee seat hangs in balance

16 RHODY PETS: Three adoptable pets of the month

18 FEATURE: From edibles to entrepreneurship, RI’s cannabis industry hits a high note

26 RHODY GEM: A co-op art gallery housed inside the Westerly train station

28 CALENDAR: This month’s must-do’s

Life & Style

47 HOME: A couple builds a greenhouse from architectural salvage

54 INFLUENCER: Meet the designer helping foodies wear activism on their sleeves

56 ENTERTAINING: Coastal shopping provides ideas to bring home

58 Vinyl lovers young and old flock to local record stores this month

Food & Drink

63 Celebratory vegan macarons and more arrive in Richmond

64 IN THE KITCHEN: The Italian mobile bevvie bar elevating spring soirees

68 EXPERIENCE: Rustic meets modern at a North Kingstown inn

72 FOOD NEWS: South County’s best wraps, an EG eatery expands & Warren burger joint moves

South County Scenes

73 A stunning image from a local lens

Photo courtesy of Two Ten Oyster Bar & Grill

Photo courtesy of Skydog Farm

Photo courtesy of Amy Larson

MLS # 1325590

MLS # 1325831

The Scoop

SIGNS OF LOVE

A sweet gesture turned creative endeavor spreads American Sign Language awareness

Kingston-based creative Emily Maxwell’s hands are spreading love, positivity, and awareness across the state. Using creative and thoughtful designs depicting American Sign Language (ASL) letters, Emily devises artful prints, notecards, and clothing under Love Letters by Emily. What began as a way to forge opportunities through art has turned into a successful crafting business reaching audiences nationwide and overseas.

Emily has faced and overcome many challenges in her life, beginning when she was born with a complex congenital heart defect. Years after being diagnosed with other physical and developmental conditions, her parents learned she had Charge Syndrome. “Emily’s developmental delays and communication challenges to a great degree put typical employment and social and independent living opportunities out of reach,” explains her mother Carolyn. But in 2012, the creation of Love Letters by Emily paved a path for new possibilities.

Photo courtesy of Love Letters by Emily

The brand came to fruition after Emily’s teacher of the deaf sent her home with a collage of her hands signing “LOVE.” Feeling inspired, Carolyn began gifting a similar framed design of Emily’s hands, and it was a hit. With Carolyn’s graphic design and teaching background, she realized she had something that, if turned into a business, could create job tasks and social opportunities for Emily when her special education school program ended. “Emily’s teacher gave us more than a wonderful expression of love – she gave us the gift of an idea, which has continued to grow and grow.”

Mom and daughter photographed Emily’s ASL alphabet and started creating designs they sold via Etsy. Beyond the sales they made, the venture served another important role. “Love Letters by Emily became the core of her self-directed plan funded by RI Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals, and allowed us to hire day staff to support her needs and assist with her participation in business tasks,” Carolyn says, adding that she and her husband have taken support staff roles due to recent staffing shortages.

With support from organizations like Easterseals of Rhode Island, Rhode Island Parent Information Network, and The Fogarty Center, the business grew and gained visibility. They brought their designs to local art fairs and markets, and were able to open an Amazon store in 2019. Describing their success, Carolyn says, “We are now celebrating 10 years of working together and have been amazed by the

opportunities that have come our way.” Emily’s designs can be found all over, from local outlets to the gift shop at the Worcester Art Museum to as far away as Australia.

Emily thoroughly enjoys her work, and she and Carolyn hope to continue making new designs to sell in even more stores, as well as find more helping hands to

support Emily. “We’re happy to have the opportunity to share the gifts we make from the heart, to promote deaf awareness and differently abled individuals, and have the support of so many who keep us going,” Carolyn says. They also encourage anyone to learn ASL, because “communication is everything.”

Find Emily’s designs at these Rhode Island shops, as well as LoveLettersByEmily.com .

ENDEAVORS AND MORE, Coventry

FAYERWEATHER CRAFT GUILD , Kingston

WE BE JAMMIN’, Warwick

Photo courtesy of Love Letters by Emily

Emily Maxwell’s designs spread positive messages through ASL signs

Chariho School Committee Seat Hangs in Balance, as Contested Appointment Advances Conservative Agenda

The Rhode Island Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments soon in a case that could influence the direction of the Chariho Regional School District. At issue is the contested appointment of a far right activist to the school committee that underscores the continued influence of conservative politics in some school districts.

Richmond resident Jessica Purcell had largely stayed away from the ins and outs of the Chariho Regional School District, which serves the towns of Charlestown, Richmond, and Hopkinton. But in March 2021, with her older son in first grade and her younger son approaching elementary school age, she decided to get involved.

Purcell started following district school committee meetings online and hearing what parents, teachers, and taxpayers had to say about the direction of their schools.

The Chariho School District has long had a strong reputation. The high school is ranked in the top 10 statewide by U.S. News & World Report, three of the four elementary schools are as well, and the school system is well-regarded among parents in and out of the district for its career and technical programs and Advanced Placement o erings.

But many comments Purcell heard from conservative residents didn’t reflect that success. Instead, they reflected outrage over students forced to wear masks for protection against COVID-19 despite opposition from their parents; the alleged creep of controversial materials on race, gender, and sexuality into curriculum; and disagreements over who has a say in what books belong in school libraries.

Purcell says much of the criticism was against an anti-racism task force started in the wake of police violence against Black Americans in 2020.

“I wanted to know why, what the possible motive was for these concerns?” Purcell said in a recent interview. “And I also feel like a lot of the information being shared is actually unsubstantiated claims. In our school, I haven’t seen or heard any specific instances that have alarmed me.”

‘THIS WAS A PART OF A POLITICAL AGENDA’

Purcell describes herself as a firm believer in public schools. She was educated in Newport’s school system and at a state university, and her mother worked as a public school custodian. So in 2022, she decided to run for a seat on the Chariho School Committee. She says her motivation wasn’t to push back against the “cultural concerns” being raised by conservative residents. Instead, she says,

Jessica Purcell, of Richmond, has filed a lawsuit against her town, arguing she should have been appointed to fill a vacancy on the Chariho School Committee

she wanted to discuss challenges Chariho faces with an open mind and find solutions.

“I’m a partner to the schools already,” she said. “That’s what I do every day when I send my kids to school. I need the school so that I can work, so that my husband can work, so that our children can be educated and all the students in the school can be educated.”

She added, “But my greatest concern is that we keep it focused on specifics and the challenges that Chariho faces, the issues that are happening, what the teachers are discussing and what they need.”

In the end, Purcell finished 27 votes behind the second place finisher, just missing one of the two open seats. Then, a few months later, a school committee member from Richmond resigned from his seat. Under Richmond’s home rule charter, the unelected candidate with the most votes – in this case Purcell, who is a Democrat – is appointed to fill the vacancy.

But three Republican Richmond Town Council members, who hold a majority on the five person council, voted instead to appoint a resident who wasn’t on the November ballot. Their appointee, Clay Johnson, is a conservative activist

known statewide as chair of The Gaspee Project, a group that advocates far-right political ideas and promoted the January 6th rally that led to the attack on the U.S. Capitol.

The appointment has prompted public outcry from residents who support Purcell and led her to file a lawsuit against the town, arguing Johnson’s appointment should be undone and she should be seated on the school committee.

“They’re taking away the voices of the voters in Richmond,” Purcell said of the council members. “This isn’t just about me; it’s about recognizing the position I’m in to fight back against o cials who are deciding the rules don’t apply to them.”

The central question in the case is whether the state law governing the school district, the Chariho Act, gives the town council discretion to pick an appointee who’s not the next top vote-getter.

The councilors who selected Clay Johnson say the town charter can’t supersede state law to deny them a choice in their appointment. Jessica Purcell’s attorney, Je Levy, says the councilor’s argument is incorrect, because the state law and town charter are in harmony: the former establishes who

Photo by Alex Nunes

makes the appointment, the latter says who they should appoint.

“Every elected o cial serves at the pleasure of the voters and is working for the voters who elected them,” Levy said. “I think it’s important for the council to understand that they don’t have a right to discretion if the voters of Richmond choose to take the discretion away from them...They have to respect that.”

The case has galvanized supporters of Purcell and Johnson alike, because it’s about more than a narrow legal disagreement over how a school committee vacancy gets filled. It points to the influence of a conservative movement that’s increasingly focused its energies on school policy in recent years, at the local level in South County and nationally, blending rhetoric about divisive cultural issues with tough talk on government spending.

In Chariho, important decisions about the future of the school district are also at stake. Chariho is in the process of setting its budget for the coming fiscal year, and the district’s teachers union is working under an expired contract that needs to be renegotiated. Opinions on both of these issues are divided.

“I think this was a part of a political agenda. I think that the councilors, the Republican, conservative councilors saw an opportunity,” Levy said. “They took advantage of that, and I think they knew that they were doing something that was contrary to law, but they thought they’d take a chance and grab some power while they could.”

APPOINTEE WITH POLARIZING BACKGROUND

When contacted by The Public’s Radio, Clay Johnson did not agree to an interview and instead asked that questions be emailed to him. He defended his appointment to the school committee, saying it “brings much needed balance to the committee.”

Johnson referred to the case brought by Purcell as “another sign of the arrogance of the extreme left that they feel they are owed positions of power. It is disappointing

that they force the continued expenditure of public resources on vanity projects.”

Johnson has prior experience as a Chariho School Committee member, but some residents are concerned about his role chairing The Gaspee Project.

The group has identified Clay Johnson as one of its top two named donors to the organization and said all other contributors give at a level below one-thousand dollars. The Gaspee Project has put its resources to use advocating conservative causes in Rhode Island. Last year, it paid for a mailer sent to Richmond residents before the election that accused elected o cials of promoting “a divisive and racist agenda.”

“An agenda that seeks to either shame you or victimize you depending on the color of your skin,” Johnson wrote in the letter. “An effort to ‘decenter whiteness.’ Can you imagine something more racist? This needs to stop!”

Johnson encouraged recipients of the letter to vote for Richmond candidates who support “The Parents United Pledge,” defined on the #ParentsUnitedRI website as a commitment to “oppose all e orts to teach our K-12 students any divisive race-based or gender-based theory and any inappropriate and explicit sexual content.”

In the letter, Johnson specifically named Michael Colasante, Helen Sheehan, and Mark Trimmer – the town councilors who would later appoint him to the school committee –as people deserving of voters’ support.

Colasante did not respond to interview requests from The Public’s Radio.

In an interview, Sheehan said she appointed Johnson because of his experience with budget analysis. She said she also shares the ideological concerns raised in Johnson’s letter to residents and feels “more secure that he will protect the children overall than someone with a more liberal ideology.”

“All of the schools are being moved in this direction that, if you’re white, you’re bad. If you’re Black, then you’re a poor little oppressed thing,” Sheehan said. “And I don’t support an agenda that says, if a child is white, that they are an oppressor. I don’t like that. I don’t think it’s proper. I also do not like children being given sexual materials, especially in grades one through three.”

When asked if young children in the Chariho School District are being given explicit material, Sheehan said “it’s more implicit” content that’s “worked into some of the materials.” She said she also took issue with a

“fairly biased” summer reading list for high school students she saw about a year ago but that she could not remember specific book titles that concerned her.

“They were about race and gender,” Sheehan said.

Trimmer, the town council president, said his vote was not motivated by politics or anything personal he has against Jessica Purcell, and he emphasized that Clay Johnson’s mailer did not constitute direct financial support for his campaign.

Trimmer said he has concerns about potential increases in the Chariho budget, and he doesn’t want to raise taxes in Richmond to pay for additional costs. He says the school district should take a closer look at employee compensation to save money, and he sees Clay Johnson as an appointee who can be relied on to make prudent financial decisions.

“In my mind, it was all about experience and fiscal conservatism,” Trimmer said. “I really haven’t looked at the budget. But the salaries and the benefits just need to be in line with the rest of the world.”

‘THE ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO DESTROY PUBLIC EDUCATION’

Jessica Purcell says comments being made by council members reveal the true motivation behind their decision to appoint Clay Johnson as well as the agenda that’s propelled conservative rhetoric on controversies like “critical race theory.” In her mind, it’s about capitalizing on manufactured outrage

ALEX NUNES

South County reporter for The Public’s Radio on the best part of covering his beat:

South County is a very small world. Each town is the type of place where people know each other, are aware of the issues in their community, and really care. Because of this, people are very engaged with the subjects I write about, which is probably the most rewarding thing for a journalist.

to advance e orts to cut school funding.

“It provides an opportunity for those organized enough, and with enough funding, to take advantage of feelings, and to turn feelings into action that result in cutting school budgets, cutting the school budget of a regional school district, a successful one,” Purcell said. “And I fear that it could turn our successful school district into a struggling one. And that’s hard to come back from, and I don’t want to see that happen.”

Others say those concerns are justified. Maurice Cunningham, a retired UMass Boston professor who’s written about conservative advocacy groups and school privatization, sees the Chariho case as part of a broader, ongoing national movement – part of what he calls “white backlash politics” meant to create a “poisonous atmosphere” that disrupts school systems. Ultimately, Cunningham says, the rhetoric is spread top-down by groups at the national level that are funded by people who want to erode trust in public schools.

“Unfortunately, in this country, we have a long history of being able to activate people on race, and so that’s what’s happened with these newer groups,” Cunningham said. “The ultimate goal is to destroy public education, destroy teachers unions, and privatize education. That’s what they’re about.”

The Chariho matter is expected to be argued before the state Supreme Court in April. Both sides say they will accept the court’s decision.

This article was originally posted on March 7, 2023. Alex Nunes can be reached at anunes@thepublicsradio.org

Alex Nunes

Photography by Nick DelGiudice

Rhody Pets of the Month

Looking to welcome a new furry friend into your home?

Adopt, don’t shop! Shelters around South County and the state have dogs and cats ready to find their forever homes. Here are three pets 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 directly at animaltalk1920@gmail.com.

With a name that means “beloved,” it’s Maria’s fate to find a loving family of her very own – maybe it’s yours! This twoyear-old tabby has distinctive white accents and green eyes that sparkle. She’s an all around purr -fect kitty who would make a wonderful companion to most any animal-lover – she enjoys spending time with her human and can even live with another friendly cat.

Animal Rescue RI

506B Curtis Corner Road, Peace Dale 783-7606, ext. 105 AnimalRescueRI.org

Double the trouble – double the fun! The cutest adoptable duo is waiting to meet you. Benny and Joon are young Rat Terrier mixes. Both have very unique coats with deep dark eyes that will steal your heart. These siblings are a bonded pair who require a lot of love, time, and patience, but the e ort is worth it to come home to these fun pups every day! They are in search of a quiet, adults-only home where they can blossom at their own pace.

Save One Soul Animal Rescue League Info@sosarl.org

SOSARL.org

Photo courtesy of Animal Rescue RI

Maria Benny and Joon

MARIA

BENNY AND JOON

Photo courtesy of Save One Soul

BAILEY

An exuberant young Shepherd mix, Bailey is an athletic girl who will light up your life with her energy. This beauty has a gorgeous shiny black coat complemented by her sparkling chocolate-brown eyes and white-tipped toes. Bailey needs a secure fenced-in yard so she can run and play. She’s great with kids but wants to be in a family where she can be the one-and-only four-legged friend.

Exeter Animal Shelter

169 South County Trail, Exeter 294-2754

ExeterRI.gov/acs

Photo courtesy of Exeter Animal Shelter

The Scoop | feature • By Emily Olson

Turning a New Leaf

Rhode Island’s budding recreational cannabis industry and how dispensaries are setting themselves apart

With Rhode Island cannabis laws now allowing recreational sale and use as of December 2022, purchasing marijuana today is as easy as grabbing a bottle of wine in a liquor store – but the landscape was much different a generation ago.

“A stigma was born when cannabis was prohibited in 1937 and matured through the war on drugs,” says Katherine Fotiades, who, with partner Mark Phillips, owns Scituate’s Skydog Farm, a community gathering spot in North Scituate that devotes a

corner of its land to medical marijuana cultivation. “People who lived under the stigma still have a lot of fear associated with cannabis even though the laws are changing.

“And when I think about how many people – particularly Black men – went to jail

Photo courtesy of Skydog Farm

because of a joint,” Fotiades continues, lamenting the racial injustices the stigma has also historically borne.

Blake Costa is the COO of Sweetspot, a recreational and medical dispensary in Exeter, and every day he meets people peripherally damaged by the war on drugs. “Our average customer is 41 years old,” says Costa. “They want to explore cannabis, but grew up in a world that stigmatized it.”

Costa finds that those customers crave one-on-one education. “A lot of dispensaries are like deli counters,” he says. “You’re a number.” But Costa went a di erent route, catering as much to customers who want expert, individual guidance as to those who want to get in and get out.

Sweetspot’s vibe is that of an upscale apothecary – minimalist and clean, and not a bit intimidating. Shades of soothing green are accented by brightly lit display cases and blond wood shelving filled with display packages. The walls are printed with educational information about the types of products for sale and their effects, and easy-to-read symbols denoting product strength.

Magnus Thorsson, who developed the cannabis entrepreneurship program at Johnson & Wales University, says an entrepreneur like Costa is on the right track. “Recreational legalization in Rhode Island is so new,” says Thorsson, “and competition is going to tighten.”

Thorsson says that competing on price is a race to the bottom that forces dispensaries to sell product at cost, a phenomenon seen in states that legalized recreational marijuana years ago. “I teach my students to compete on service and experience,” he says. “When you provide education to customers, they’re going to return for reasons other than price.”

Sweetspot customers have access to about 60 different products, curated largely by demand. “I like to diversify our products and let customers decide what we keep in stock,” says Costa, gesturing to Sweetspot’s merchandise wall that

The Scoop | feature • By Emily

DISPENSARY CRAWL

Aura of Rhode Island, Central Falls

Greenleaf Compassionate Care Center, Portsmouth

Mother Earth Wellness, Pawtucket

RISE Dispensary, Warwick

Thomas C. Slater Compassion Center, Providence

Sweetspot Medical and Recreational Dispensary, Exeter

displays information about their consumption options: flower, distillate, edible, topical, and tincture.

As recreational consumer demand rises, both Costa and Fotiades stress the importance of policies that protect the patient channel. “If we carry the same product for medical patients and recreational customers, and we run out of the product allocated to recreational users, we can’t give them the product reserved for patients,” Costa says.

“It can take a lot of trial and error for a patient to find a strain that works for them, and we have a responsibility to make sure that they have what they need,” says Fotiades, who for years has been a caregiver for medical patients and cherishes the close relationships forged between grower and patient. However, the direct-to-consumer relationship is not allowed by laws governing recreational use. The next best thing? “Know your dispensary,” Fotiades

recommends. “Ask about their inventory. Ask them how their growers operate” – exactly the kinds of questions that a dispensary like Sweetspot welcomes.

But beyond knowing your dispensary, Fotiades recommends consumers get to know the plant. “People who consume marijuana should at least try to grow it. But if you can’t grow it, visit it and get to know that plant when it’s alive. You’ll approach your use of it differently,” she says. “I consider

Photo (top) courtesy of Skydog Farm, (bottom) courtesy of Sweetspot

ABOVE: Katherine Fotiades of Skydog Farm

BELOW: A look inside Exeter dispensary Sweetspot

Olson

people who grow cannabis because they’ve learned to appreciate the plant herbalists and masters of their craft.”

This spring, Fotiades and Phillips are launching a series of programming called Conscious Cannabis, which will be held in their botanical oasis, an enchanting greenhouse flooded with sunlight, soothing music, and heady fragrance. “Without proper

knowledge, anything can be misused,” Fotiades says. “We teach people how to use the plant in a conscious, respectful way.”

The Conscious Cannabis programming at Skydog Farm will include free community discussions, medicine making, and growing workshops, along with a six-month intensive that invites participants to witness the plant’s entire growing cycle. “We also plan

to host BYO elevate-and-create events,” says Fotiades.

Skydog Farm offers consultations for home growers and for people navigating the medical application process. During COVID, they launched a grow-your-ownat-home program. “Mark will come to your home and make site and greenhouse recommendations; then he’ll teach you how

Photo courtesy of Sweetspot

From flower to distillate, Sweetspot carries a range of cannabis products

Robert K. Dyer MD, MPH

Nancy Kate Staley PA-C

Vincent D. Criscione, MD Katie Sliney MSPAS, PA-C

Meighan Dingle Blanco, FNP-BC

Tori Jedson MSPAS, PA-C

Jennifer Johnson, APRN, NP-BC

Lauren Volpe MSPAS, PA-C

CANNABIS COLLOQUIAL

While dispensaries like Sweetspot and others are happy to talk you through the terms, here’s a cheat sheet of the types of cannabis consumption available and other vocabulary you might hear.

FLOWER: The “flower” of the plant is the traditional form of consumption, which is ground and smoked.

DISTILLATE: A pure, distilled extract known for its potency that’s often consumed via a vaporizer.

EDIBLE: In the form of gummies, teas, and more. “Low and slow is the way to go with edibles,” cautions Sweetspot’s Blake Costa.

TOPICAL: These come in the form of lotions or salves and are commonly used by arthritis su erers.

TINCTURE: “A new generation of users aren’t interested in smoking, but they don’t want to wait for an edible’s e ects,” says Costa. “A tincture acts faster. It also won’t upset the stomach of, for example, a cancer patient.”

STRAINS: A term that refers to the di erent types of cannabis you’ll find that yield di erent e ects, whether relaxing or energizing, including indica, sativa, and hybrids.

CANNABINOIDS: You’ve likely heard THC and CBD used when talking about cannabis – the former is the cannabinoid, or group of compounds, that produce the psychoactive e ects, whereas CBD, when extracted from the plant and used on its own, doesn’t produce a high.

TERPENES: The chemical compound found in cannabis responsible for the aromas and flavors of di erent strains.

Sweetspot aims to create a comfortable, boutique atmosphere

Photo (L) courtesy of Skydog Farm, (R) courtesy of Sweetspot

to up-pot and feed the plants. Mid-season, he’ll make new feeding recommendations as the plants mature. And he’ll teach you how to harvest, dry, and store the flower when the season ends.”

The winter skeleton of an accidental cannabis plant rises from the center of Fotiades’ medicinal herb garden, situated in plain sight, next to the road. Cannabis plants are bred not to have seeds, yet improbably, last spring a seed found its way to the carefully tended, fertile soil and sprouted. “She popped up out in the open,” Fotiades says of the plant.

“She wants to be seen.” And Fotiades took its growth as a sign that it was time for her to openly embrace her role as an activist and educator.

In Buddhist tradition, bodhisattvas are enlightened beings who delay their entry into paradise in order to show others the way. And Fotiades sees parallels between that teaching and her own life. She believes, like the bodhisattva, her role is to educate and guide others on their path. “I help people climb the wall and show them the possibilities on the other side,” she says.

Artists’ Cooperative Gallery of Westerly

Art Gallery

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 full-time fine arts gallery managed and sta ed by member volunteers, now in its 30th year.

Where to find it:

The Artists’ Cooperative Gallery of Westerly (ACGOW) is housed inside the historic Westerly Train Station downtown.

What makes it a Rhody Gem?

With 50+ juried artist members, ACGOW showcases a variety of art mediums including oils, watercolors, acrylics, encaustics, pottery, glass, jewelry, origami, photography, calligraphy, and mixed media. Exhibits featuring new art rotate every month, with opening receptions held on first Fridays. Artist members o er classes and workshops as well as gallery talks. Says Jane Rollins, the gallery’s publicity chair, “ACGOW complements the cultural opportunities in the greater Westerly area, it reflects the collaboration of the above mentioned artists, and its location puts a spotlight on the unique destination that Westerly had on the NY - RI tourist trade.” There’s also the Gallery Shop, filled with a ordable works of art. April events include a palette knife painting workshop with Tammy Blais, and one focused on adding texture to artwork with Patricia Cheyne. Be sure to preregister.

Artists’ Cooperative Gallery of Westerly

14 Railroad Avenue, Westerly 596-2221

WesterlyArts.com

THE MUST LIST

10 essential events happening this month

April 13-16:

Da odil Days kicks o in Wickford Village with a sip and stroll, followed by family-friendly events including pony rides, chalk art, historic tours, live music, food trucks, and, of course, hundreds of blooming da odils. WickfordVillage.org

April 1:

Grab a basket and bring the kids to the Audubon Society’s Camouflaged Easter Egg Hunt, an opportunity to learn about natural habitats by searching for hidden eggs – find the golden one to win prizes! Exeter, ASRI.org

April 7-8:

Tennessee

First Person is a peek into the acclaimed playwright’s personal life and public persona, as told through his letters and memoir, adapted and performed by Je rey Ouellette. Wakefield, ContemporaryTheaterCompany.com

April 13:

Sip brews and meet local artists and makers for the Field of Artisans’ monthly market at Whalers Brewing Company, featuring original designs, projects, and other creations. Wakefield, FieldOfArtisans.com

April 22:

Author Jana Milbocker, who combines horticulture, design, and travel tips in her writing, will be at Wakefield Books signing copies of her book The Garden Tourist’s New England on Earth Day. WakefieldBooks.com

April 22:

Sway to the sounds of eighttime Grammy nominee and multi-platinum selling recording artist Joan Osborne when the Kentucky-born singer songwriter comes to the Greenwich Odeum. East Greenwich, GreenwichOdeum.com

April 26:

Check out a pair of beloved indie-folk singer-songwriters when Newport Folk Festival favorites Langhorne Slim and John Craigie stop by the United Theatre for an intimate show. Westerly, UnitedTheatre.org

April 27-May 14:

Don’t miss The Children by Lucy Kirkwood, the latest production from the Gamm Theatre. It tells the tale of a retired couple trying their best to live a normal life in the wake of a nuclear disaster. Warwick, GammTheatre.org

April 7:

Presented by Westerly Sound, roots-rock singer-songwriter Hiss Golden Messenger will be chanting his self-proclaimed “black-eyed prayers and snake songs” in a solo performance at the Knickerbocker Music Center. Westerly, KnickMusic.com

Teach the kids to fish with the help of South Kingstown Land Trust sta and volunteers on Youth Fishing Opening Day at Biscuit City Preserve, kicking o trout season with a fully stocked pond. Kingston, SKLT.org

April 8:

Please note that events may require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test and mask-wearing regardless of vaccination status. Be sure to check each venue for updates.

Photo courtesy of Wickford Da odil Days

Williams: Singular

Da odil Days takes over Wickford this month

BY ANDREA E. MCHUGH

There are Rhode Islanders, and then there are Rhode Islanders. The Durfee family is the latter, as in, they can trace their ancestry back to one Thomas Durfee, who arrived in Portsmouth on the northern tip of Aquidneck Island from Essex, England in 1660. One indentured servitude term and 17 years later, Durfee would secure a license to “sell victuals and drink to travelers, and to a ord them entertainment as may be needful and convenient.” Hospitality, it seems, runs in Durfee DNA.

“King Philip’s brother was named Wamasutta, and he was friends with my ancestor, so the story goes,” begins Kevin Durfee, the third-generation owner of George’s of Galilee in Narragansett, referencing Metacom, the leader of the Wampanoag Tribe who was given the regal title by white colonists. “They traded recipes and became good friends,” explains Durfee on how quahogs made their way into an English soup. Quahogs were a staple food for Rhode Island’s Pokanoket Tribe and Wampanoag nation, and Durfee says the Rhode Island clam chowder served at his family restaurant has not changed much from the way it was made centuries ago.

Rhode Island clam chowder is a beautiful, brothy departure from its creamier cousin – and that’s just the way folks like it

Photo by Elyse Major

Rhode Island clam chowder is not much at all like it’s creamier and, let’s face it, more famous cousin, New England clam chowder. It’s the Jamie Lynn Spears to Britney, the Frank Stallone to Sylvester. And that’s understandable. Rhode Island clam chowder, also known as Rhode Island clear broth clam chowder (the latter name a lesson in setting expectations), is decidedly simple – typically just a handful of ingredients: cherrystones or quahogs, bacon or salt pork,

maybe butter, maybe not, diced onions, sliced or cubed potatoes and celery, clam broth and/or clam juice, herbs (which can include bay leaves, dill, thyme, chives, and/or parsley), and salt and pepper. But a simple ingredient lift doesn’t necessarily mean the chowder is simple to pull o . “It may seem very very basic, but if you ever taste a steamer, littleneck, or any type of clam, they are extremely delicate flavors, so you really don’t want to mess it up,” warns Durfee.

GEORGE’S OF GALILEE

If my kids were ever home sick when they were young, instead of chicken noodle soup, they got Rhode Island clam chowder.

- KEVIN DURFEE

George’s of Galilee

Photo by Elyse Major

And the chowder’s simplicity also doesn’t mean it lacks serious street cred. “Clear chowder is the traditional Rhode Island way,” says well-known water-man and owner of Matunuck Oyster Bar, Perry Raso, with such conviction you might expect to hear someone shout an “Amen!” from the back of the room. When he opened the restaurant on Potter Pond nearly 15 years ago, which he has since expanded to include a lauded destination aquaculture farm, as well, Rhode Island clam chowder was a menu non-negotiable, quickly becoming a staple. “At a New England seafood restaurant, clam chowder is really important, and in Rhode Island, you’ve got to have clear chowder,” explains Raso. “It embodies Rhode Island because of the importance of quahogs here in the state, and having grown up on the coastal salt ponds and harvesting quahogs and steamers, this is the comfort food made with those local shellfish.”

In Rhode Island, you’ve got to have clear chowder. It embodies Rhode Island because of the importance of quahogs here in the state.

- PERRY RASO, Matunuck Oyster Bar

MATUNUCK OYSTER BAR

Photo courtesy of Matunuck Oyster Bar

Clear Chowder Crawl

PLACES AROUND THE AREA TO ENJOY LITTLE RHODY’S SIGNATURE SOUP:

BENNY’S CLAM SHACK Narragansett

CHARLESTOWN RATHSKELLER

Charlestown

FINN’S HARBORSIDE East Greenwich

GEORGE’S OF GALILEE Narragansett

GREENWICH BAY OYSTER BAR East Greenwich

HOMESTEAD RESTAURANT Exeter

IGGY’S Narragansett/Warwick

*JIMMY’S PORT SIDE Narragansett

JIM’S DOCK Narragansett

MATUNUCK OYSTER BAR Wakefield

MIDDLE OF NOWHERE DINER Exeter

*MONAHANS, Narragansett

PROVIDENCE OYSTER BAR East Greenwich/Providence

TAVERN ON THE HILL West Greenwich

*TOMMY’S CLAM SHACK Warwick

TWO TEN OYSTER BAR AND GRILL South Kingstown

*Closed for the season as of 2/24. Please check for the opening date! Did we miss your favorite?

Email Marketing@ProvidenceOnline.com to let us know!

“Comfort food,” for Durfee, is an understatement and his childhood memories include clamming just steps from George’s when his grandfather owned the place, and Rhode Island chowder was a household staple. “I grew up on it, and my kids grew up on it,” he says. “If my kids were ever home sick when they were young, instead of chicken noodle soup, they got Rhode Island clam chowder.”

Creamy New England chowder, Durfee says, “wasn’t even a thing” back in the day. He only added it to George’s menu in the past decade or so in a decision that wasn’t taken lightly. “My father would roll over in his grave if he ever knew that I did that because he just stuck to his guns. There are a lot of locals – they call themselves Swamp Yankees – that are like, ‘I don’t want that New England crap!’”

Even when they first tested the market by making creamy New England clam chowder a special, they’d get push back from locals. “They’d say, ‘I can’t believe you are selling out! I can’t believe you’re doing this!’”

On the George’s of Galilee menu, patrons will find the New England clam chowder labeled, “For you ‘thick’ chowder lovers,” and the Rhode Island clam chowder o ered two ways: plain, which is standard, or “tomato,” which is the standard clear broth chowder with some tomato juice added.

But wait, there’s more! There’s a lesser-known, secret chowder known almost exclusively to locals: milk chowder, also known as white chowder. “When [my grandfather] ran the place…what we sold at the time was Rhode Island clam broth chowder, and we would put a little bit of half-and-half in it. They called it ‘milk chowder’ or ‘white chowder,’ but it was still a Rhode Island clam broth chowder with just a little cream in it, but not to be confused with New England clam chowder,” reveals Durfee. “Whenever somebody wants the white chowder that we o ered years ago, it is usually a local, and that’s the way they liked it since they were a grandkid, and we’ll do it under the radar.”

Durfee describes most of these folks as “old fashioned, Swamp Yankee, saltof-the-earth” people, hard-working farmers or fisherman much of the time, and he’s pleased to serve their chowder any way they like.

GEORGE’S: THE OG OF RI CHOWDER

Photo courtesy of George’s of Galilee

Chefs and restaurateurs in these parts can be particular about how they prepare their chowder. Durfee’s culinary team at George’s keeps the recipe pure: chopped clams and quahogs, clam broth, salted pork, and potatoes. “I know people get a little froufrou with it. They will cook different types of vegetables in there, maybe leave the skin on the potatoes. They add all kinds of herbs. But ours is just a simple, original recipe that goes back so far and you either love it or hate it.” Raso’s Rhode Island chowder is a little more herb-forward, and he prefers skin on, whether using Yukon Gold or other all-purpose potatoes.

For Jon Smith, manager at Greenwich Bay Oyster Bar in East Greenwich, the simplicity of Rhode Island clam chowder makes it the foundation of all three chowders that they serve – that’s right, three. Manhattan clam chowder has entered the chat.

Raso’s Recipe

MATUNUCK OYSTER BAR’S CLEAR BROTH CLAM CHOWDER

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Hands-On Time: 45 minutes

Yield: 8 to 10 servings

INGREDIENTS

• 8 pounds small quahogs or large cherrystone clams

• 7 cups water

• 6 cups clam broth (from steaming) or 4 cups clam broth plus 2 cups bottled clam juice

• 3 slices thick-cut bacon, cut into ¼-inch cubes

• 4 Tbsp unsalted butter

• 2 medium-sized onions, cut into ¼-inch cubes

• 3 ribs celery, cut into ¼-inch cubes

• 2 bay leaves

• 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into ½-inch pieces

• 2 Tbsp chopped fresh Italian parsley

• 2 Tbsp minced fresh chives

• 1 tsp minced fresh dill

• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Scrub the clams and rinse them clean.

2. Add 7 cups of water to a large stockpot fitted with a steamer basket or colander and bring to a boil.

3. Add half the clams to the basket and cover. Steam until the clams open, 5 to 10 minutes. (Discard any clams that don’t open.)

4. Repeat with the second batch of clams.

5. Reserve 6 cups of the broth. Set aside.

6. Cool the clams; remove the meat from the shells and dice it into ½-inch pieces. Keep them covered and refrigerated until ready to use.

7. Place the bacon in a 5- to 7-quart pot over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 10 minutes.

8. Pour o all but 1 tablespoon of the bacon fat, leaving the bacon in the pot. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the butter, onions, celery, and bay leaves, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft but not browned, 6 to 8 minutes.

9. Add the potatoes and reserved clam broth to the pot.

10. Continue cooking over medium heat until the chowder begins to simmer. If it begins to boil, reduce the heat slightly.

11. Cook until the potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes.

EIGHT POUNDS OF CLAMS

12. Just before serving, remove the pot from the heat, stir in the clams and herbs, discard the bay leaves, and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Photo courtesy of Matunuck Oyster Bar

e t o p tes

Years ago we had a waiting list for plates, so we rolled up our sleeves and got to work and now we have plenty in stock. Visit our showroom and pick out your own, or order online and we ll ship anywhere.

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“I say it’s the basis of all three chowders. We render down with the bacon fat, we shuck the quahogs and chop ‘em up, add the fresh clam stock, red potatoes – skin on – and just some fresh thyme,” says Smith. “It’s pretty straightforward for us. In seafood dishes, you want to let the seafood shine.”

Smith says the oyster bar does get a good amount of travelers through their doors who need a quick tutorial on clear broth chowder. “It’s amazing how many people don’t even know what it is,” he says, “but some of the locals, as well – sometimes they are taken back that there’s a third chowder.” Others, however, know exactly

what it is and come specifically for their briny bowl. He says while New England clam chowder dominates, nearly a third of all chowder orders at the restaurant are for the Rhode Island style.

Executive chef Aaron Lambert at Two Ten Oyster Bar & Grill in South Kingstown says fresh and simple is the only way to make Rhode Island clam chowder. Having earned his stripes in kitchens throughout South County, he’s proud he brought the purest form of the clear broth-style chowder to the menu. “Housemade, original recipe,” he says. Yes to celery, onion, butter, fresh minced clams, and peeled and diced Idaho potatoes; no to bacon and salted pork.

TWO TEN BOASTS VIEWS OF SALT POND

If you really know chowder, you’ve got to have your Rhode Island chowder.

- AARON LAMBERT, Two Ten Oyster Bar

Photo courtesy of Two Ten Oyster Bar & Grill

“If you really know chowder, you’ve got to have your Rhode Island chowder,” says the chef. “The ‘clamminess’ really comes from Rhode Island [chowder], and if you don’t have that down, you really don’t have the New England either.” In the summertime, he says, Two Ten Oyster Bar will serve about 100 pounds of Rhode Island chowder in a single week.

Back at George’s of Galilee, Durfee says Rhode Island chowder is woven into the very fabric of the Ocean State’s identity. “When people visit Rhode Island, they have to try Del’s lemonade, they have to try co ee milk, New York System wieners, and you have to try Rhode Island chowder at George’s.”

Photo courtesy of Two Ten Oyster Bar & Grill

TWO TEN OYSTER BAR & GRILL

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Greenhouse with Envy

How an East Bay couple used their downtime to build a garden shed

When lockdown hit due to COVID-19, some took to Netflix, some started baking bread, and Jenna and Iain Kinghorn decided to tackle some yard projects around their home, which at that time, they’d lived in for just over a year. Plans pivoted when Jenna spotted a greenhouse made of architectural salvage on both Instagram and Pinterest and was smitten. “When I learned the greenhouse was built using recycled windows I was intrigued,” she recalls. “Our budget was extremely tight due to the shutdown, so my goal was to reuse what we had, find what I could on a budget or for free, and buy only the necessary items needed.”

Photos courtesy of Jenna Kinghorn

To keep things simple, the Kinghorns decided on a small footprint for their outbuilding, and at 6’x9’ the modest structure is smaller than your average shed and thus didn’t require a building permit. The couple already had piles of leftover lumber from a deck they tore down along with some wood discovered in the attic of the garage. With most vintage and antique shops

closed at the time, Jenna took to Facebook Marketplace where she scored 15 windows and a door for $25, and side transom windows for free. Other supplies like paint and clear corrugated panels were purchased from nearby hardware stores.

Armed with supplies, basic construction skills, and time, the next step was to plan out

the space, which Jenna did with paper on the ground. “Once you know the width and length, you can start to map out your window layout. I laid out the windows on our lawn several times to get just the right configuration. The challenge is adjusting your plans to fit your found windows and doors,” she says.

Jenna o ers the following advice for anyone

Photos courtesy of Jenna Kinghorn

inspired to follow suit and build a greenhouse in the backyard of their home: “Have the vision to be flexible when something doesn’t fit. Our goal was to use as much reclaimed materials as we had on hand to keep costs down, but sometimes you’ve got to spend a little bit on new stu .” In total, the project cost $250. Today, the building a ectionately known as

Le Petite Greenhouse is used as a potting shed/ she-shed. “It’s now the centerpiece of our yard –which we are going to re-landscape around it to create a sweet little pottage style garden,” says Jenna. “Every morning this is where I come to have my co ee. My sweet greenhouse still has some things on the checklist to be done in it, but for now it is the best place to start my day.”

Jenna Kinghorn is owner of Blanc + Blue. Follow on Instagram at @blanc.and.bleu for online pop-ups, virtual workshops, custom furniture makeovers and a cottage rental in France.

Photos courtesy of Jenna Kinghorn

Photos courtesy of Jenna Kinghorn

ACCEPTING RESERVATIONS FOR EASTER

FIELD NOTES

The greenhouse in Riverside took four weeks from start to finish to build, as the Kinghorns had time off from working to devote to the project. Below are snippets from Jenna’s Instagram posts logging the progress:

START: Right now there is a deck in the backyard attached to the garage. It totally doesn’t make sense for us since it’s not attached to the house at all. So this weekend we will be taking it apart to make room for a small garden house instead. This is going to be a fun project because we are going to use 80 percent or more reclaimed materials, including the deck we are ripping out. I’ve already started collecting vintage windows and I found a door, too. So excited for this sweet little cottage to get a mini little garden cottage.

PROGRESS: Yesterday we started to do the door and final window install. I had to face some facts – unfortunately, I’m actually going to need to splurge and spend some money on trim pieces.

FINISH: We are approaching the finish line with #lepetitegreenhouse. Just need to do a second coat of paint on the interior, add some braces to the bottom of the door, add a door knob and latch, pea gravel and moss to the floor, but this sweet little project is coming to the finale.

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Island Realty

Jamestown

Outstanding 180° view including the Dutch Island Lighthouse, West Passage, and Block Island. is custom home is sited on 2.5 acres with 250' of waterfront. Highlighting the views is an expansive wraparound deck and two second oor balconies. e home boasts two primary en suite options, one on the main level. ere is an oversized two car integral garage and a two story boat shed. 4BD/4.5BA. 120 Ba ery Lane ~ $3,985,0000

Renovated Cape with a welcoming porch, lovely yard, and oversized two car garage. e main level ows nicely with a large living room, dining area, kitchen with generous island, and den space. ere is also a bedroom and a full bath. e second level has two bedrooms and a full bath. Full un nished basement, central air, and great location in town near Mackerel Cove! 3BD/2BA. 9 Pleasant View Avenue ~ $1,400,000

Meet Amy Larson

The goods you create through your Overseasoned brand are available nationwide, and three collections even give back a portion of proceeds to organizations including Planned Parenthood. How did it all begin?

I started my business in 2016 publishing recipes in monthly zines, highlighting the key, seasonal ingredients to cook from that month. Then in January of 2017 in the wake of the Women’s March, I penned my first slogan, “Smash the Garlic and the Patriarchy,” and began printing it on tea towels, tote bags, and aprons. Customers and stores started requesting it on other products and my merchandising business started growing. I began coming up with other slogans that intersect food and feminism like “Cabernet and Equal Pay” and “Shuck the Patriarchy.”

You recently relocated to Rhode Island from Cambridge. What brought you here?

I loved living in Cambridge but am originally from Portsmouth and after almost 10 years of city living, my husband and I wanted to move to RI to get more living space and access to the beautiful coast.

What are your bestsellers and what makes those items resonate with customers?

The Smash the Garlic and the Patriarchy design was my first creation and it continues to be a bestseller; I came out with the Shuck the Patriarchy collection in 2022 and that is also a bestseller. Lately people are really loving the Hot Girls Eat Pasta and Hot Girls Eat Bread lines as well. I think all of these designs respond to a societal frustration in my customers and that’s why they resonate so well. Like, the people who are loving the Hot Girls Eat Bread line are sick of diet culture and a male-dominated society telling women how they should look, dress, and eat. And then the Shuck the Patriarchy collection speaks to a special demographic of people (many of whom are in New England) who love oysters and hate the patriarchy.

Where do you like to eat and shop around South County?

Alma Juice Bar, Jayd Bun, Matunuck Oyster Bar, Wild Flow Yoga, Curiosity & Co., and Our Table in Jamestown are some of my favorites.

Any upcoming market events?

We’ll be popping up at PVD Flea on April 23 and Field of Artisans at Narragansett Brewery PVD April 28. Check our schedule on the website for the most up-to-date events at Overseasoned.com

Equal parts design, activism, and cooking are a recipe for success for this apparel and kitchen goods creator

Photo by Rita Tinega, courtesy of Amy Larson

The Winter Blues

Set a table that celebrates all things Ocean State – no matter the forecast

We Rhode Islanders cherish our little state. With miles of coastline, there’s no need to wait for warmer temps to revel in its coastal charms. Embrace the lingering chill by infusing cool color and rustic texture in your entertaining. A shopping trek at a few of our many tourist towns is “shore” to provide everything you need!

TABLETOP IN TIVERTON

In the heart of Four Corners, find an array of unique small businesses, including Groundswell, a casual-chic compound that includes their Cafe + Bakery, Garden + Home, and Table + Provisions. In the two stores, many goods for entertaining are displayed e ectively by themes and color groupings. Shelves of ceramic dinnerware, glassware, tabletop decor, cookware, bar accessories, and so much more are sure to inspire entertaining ideas.

ACCENTS ON AQUIDNECK

Love paper goods? Sincerely, Eileen (formerly Eileen Graphics) in downtown Newport carries greeting cards, tea towels, stationery, candles, and other items featuring her watercolor artwork. The RI Love Kitchen Towel is a great multi-functional piece as it can be used as intended or folded as an oversized dinner napkin. In addition to her designs, find coastal treasures like a line of Decoupage Shells, a collab with Blue Door Vibes – choose from a variety of vessels, handpicked from nearby Middletown beaches. For a centerpiece, think beyond blooms with a trio of sailboats constructed from sticks and cloth on driftwood, all available at Eileen’s new storefront on the corner of Touro and Spring Streets.

NAUTICAL FROM NORTH KINGSTOWN

For artisanal place settings with local flavor, we turned to Honey Gallery in North Kingstown. Within the Post Road shop, there’s an artful selection of products by makers like stemless wine glasses etched with our state’s singular area code 401 by CharBella Designs, and marble coasters with original hand-drawn illustrations of Rhody places and landmarks by AUCOIN Designs – both of NK. Ever-popular Teeny Bowls by Barrington’s Michelle Phaneuf Ceramics complete our Ocean State ode. All three items are from di erent artists, but together, look like they were designed as a collection.

RHODY RESOURCES

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April is for Analog Lovers

Annual event features limited releases for vinyl fans of all ages

The fourth Saturday in April is the most wonderful time of the year – for record collectors, that is. Not only is April 22 Earth Day but also Record Store Day (RSD), an annual event for fans of vinyl who hope to find limited releases and more at their local record shop. It’s a day when serious collectors rub shoulders with first-time buyers (thank you Taylor Swift) lining up outside stores for the chance to pick up the latest release from their favorite artist.

“When Record Store Day started, there was a lot of doom and gloom around

record stores,” says Carl Mello, director of brand engagement at Newbury Comics, a Boston-based chain with two Rhode Island stores, in Providence and Warwick. “Everyone was su ering with file sharing and illegal downloading in the early 2000s. Stores were closing left and right; a lot of the big chains went away, followed by the little stores… things were in pretty bad shape.”

The industry responded with what was initially seen as a gimmick, an effort to get customers into stores. “We thought, let’s build a few exclusive titles and see if that

gets people to come to the stores,” says Mello. “Each year it’s kind of gone from strength to strength. It’s been transformational for people who sell records, which is not what it set out to do.”

Hundreds of titles are released on RSD, most of them one-time pressings. Many sell out fast and show up on the secondary market before the day is over. The albums range from classic rock acts like Paul McCartney, The Doors, and Carole King to more contemporary bands like The Magnetic Fields and The 1975. In fact, RI natives The Cowsills

Photos by Savannah Barkley

are releasing their new album The Rhythm of the World on RSD this year.

In the early years, there were only a couple of dozen releases, a number that has increased dramatically. According to Mello, what set the ball in motion was Metallica. “They were very early in signing on to RSD. They did an in-store performance at an indie record store in San Francisco, Rasputin, that was a really big deal.” Soon, classic rock artists like The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, and The Beatles were releasing albums as well.

Olympic Records

18 YEARS OF WEALTH

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•

•

•

LOCAL STORES PARTICIPATING IN RECORD STORE DAY

Armageddon Shop, Providence

Newbury Comics, Providence

Newbury Comics, Warwick

Olympic Records, Providence

Kangaroo CD's & Tapes, North Providence

In Your Ear, Warren

Vinyl Guru Record Shop, Newport

Looney Tunes, Wakefield

Although the vinyl industry has grown steadily in recent years, it took the pandemic to spark an even greater interest. “When the pandemic hit, everybody in the world decided that they wanted to start buying vinyl,” laughs Mello. “Our sales went through the roof. Before, we were selling maybe 10 percent more each year. All of the sudden, we’re selling over 100 percent more annually. In 2020 and 2021, vinyl sales nationally were up over 50 percent, although things have cooled since,” he adds.

One highlight this year promises to break all RSD records: “A ‘not so limited’ Taylor Swift album, which by far, will be the biggest release that’s ever come out on Record Store Day,” says Mello. “Taylor Swift saying ‘I validate Record Store Day’ is just another example of what Metallica was thinking. I love the encouragement of younger customers coming out!”

If you’re planning to line up on April 22, remember to get there early – and that not all titles will be available at all locations, but you’ll certainly find something you love. RecordStoreDay.com

Photo by Savannah Barkley

Food & Drink in the kitchen | experience | food news

MACARONS ON THE MOVE

A plant-based bakeshop opens new Richmond cafe in time for spring specials

Though the formerly Warwick-based vegan bakeshop treats every day with revelry, Celebrated has an extra reason to live up to its name this season. Owner and pastry chef Becky Morris recently set up shop in Richmond, allowing the brand, which has become synonymous with petite plant-based macarons, to flourish.

“Our ‘celebrators’ are now able to dine in our new brick-and-mortar shop in addition to having take-away treats,” says Morris. “We’re excited to o er a full espresso menu in addition to a variety of new breakfast pastries, including croissants, mu ns, and scones.” Responding to the community’s cravings for fresh loaves, Celebrated will also rise to the occasion by partnering with a local bread vendor. With a mission of making sweet indulgences available to anyone, Morris set out to prove that vegan eats don’t have to sacrifice on taste and quality when she first opened Celebrated. “We embrace the idea that everyone should be able to partake in eating delicious pastries, regardless of their allergies or dietary preferences,” says Morris. “We veganize traditional favorites, such as French macarons, cookie dough, and oatmeal cream pies.”

Swing by the shop this month to find a pastry case filled with vibrant, floral macaron flavors including Lychee Rose, Lavender White Chocolate, Pear Chamomile, and Lemon Olive Oil, or place an order for Easter-themed goodies. With an emphasis on the special moments in life, Morris crafts custom cakes and dessert orders for events, including spring soirees. “We suggest a dessert table filled with bite-sized citrus cookies, fresh fruit tarts, and strawberry shortcake trifles,” she recommends. Celebrated.co | By

Abbie Lahmers

Photo by Joe Gonzalez-Dufresne, courtesy of Celebrated

Buono Bevis

Mobile beverage service turns New England venues into old-world Italy

Just the sight of Bevi e Vivi motoring onto the scene sets the tone for an old-world European soiree. Its name meaning “drink and live” in Italian and outfitted with five taps pouring beverages for all tastes, the 1991 three-wheel ivory Piaggio Ape is the culmination of owner Alessandra Pallozzi’s three passions: “my love for Italian hospitality, appreciation for my family’s roots, and passion for mixing up the perfect cocktail.”

“My father was born and raised in Italy, and my summers growing up were spent exploring the Italian coastline with my parents and brother,” continues Pallozzi,

who fondly remembers spotting Piaggio Apes – compact vehicles that double as mobile market stalls – filling the narrow cobblestone streets, driven by kindly old men selling everything from fresh fruit and flowers to loaves of bread. “My brother and I always joked that we’d have one someday, and last year, my husband and I decided to make that dream a reality. Bevi e Vivi brings everyone along for the ride to experience Pescara, Italy the way we did growing up.” Another nod to family, “Vivi” is short for Viviana, the name of the Pallozzis’ daughter.

PAZZO PER TÈ:

Kombucha Mocktail

• Ice

• ½ oz pomegranate juice

• ½ oz cranberry juice

• ½ oz orange juice

• 1 oz soda water

• 3 oz pomegranate kombucha

• Garnish with a sprig of rosemary

SPRITZ THYME:

A spin on the Italian classic Aperol Spritz

• Ice

• 4 oz prosecco

• 1 oz Aperol

• 2 oz cranberry juice

• Top with a splash of soda water

• Garnish with cranberries and thyme

Photos by Lucio Andreozzi Foto, courtesy of Bevi e Vivi

MIX IT UP

Planning a warm-weather get-together? Don’t let your beverage menu fall to the wayside. Pallozzi o ers tips for concocting a personalized drink list. Follow @bevievivi for more inspo, and visit BeviEVivi.com to book the Piaggio Ape.

LOCAL BEVVIES

With five taps to mix and match, you can make sure there’s a little bit of everything: spiked and booze-free, sweet and dry, bubbly and smooth. Cheers with southern Rhode Island brands like Gooseneck Vineyards, Langworthy Farm, Leyden Farm Vineyard & Winery, Sons of Liberty Spirits Co., and South County Distillers.

ASK THE EXPERTS

Not sure if the red will complement your passed hors d’oeuvres? “We o er as much or as little input as clients like, including personalized menu planning, beverage consultation and ordering, and pick-up and delivery of alcohol on event day.”

FIND YOUR FOCUS

“In the planning phase, I like to work with clients to find a focus, like a theme, color, or detail you’ve always imagined. We take that focus to help guide you through decisions to create a seamless, cohesive, and unforgettable experience for your guests.”

With Pallozzi and husband Andrew at the helm – and her brother Lucio Andreozzi capturing dreamy images and compiling old family photos of their jaunts in a transportive mood board of all things Italy on their Instagram page – Bevi e Vivi adds luxury and intrigue to cocktail parties and wedding receptions. Their coverage area spans Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, and most venues are fair game: “Our truck is small enough to fit into

Photos by Lucio Andreozzi Foto, courtesy of Bevi e Vivi

any space with double doors – and it’s a great photo op!”

Whether you’re into sipping prosecco, beer, seltzers, cocktails, co ee, or any bevvy in between, what’s on tap is totally up to you. “If it can be kegged, it can be served!” says Pallozzi, though she’s always happy to bring her bartending wisdom to menu design. “I thrive on a good theme. Just give me a few details about your event and I’ll be sure to come up with a fun and creative cocktail or mocktail.”

Bevi e Vivi owner Alessandra Pallozzi

Historic Haunt

Classic entrees complement rustic atmosphere at a North Kingstown mainstay

An alluring blend of past and present, North Kingstown’s Carriage Inn has garnered a reputation not just for its great food and live entertainment but also for its stories. While the main dining room offers sophisticated, modern appeal – and an enticing collection of wines displayed behind glass – the tavern, now whiskey room, dates back to 1760. Walking beneath the original stone thresholds and taking in the sounds of glasses clinking, patrons chatting, and fireplace crackling, you’ll feel transported

to a different era.

When a friend and I visited, we sat next to a tiny doorway where, our server (and storyteller) Celia explained, tavern guests would have passed through to get to the stables (now a banquet room) at the end of their stay. Celia also regaled us with chilling tales of paranormal sightings, from a mysterious small child running across the restaurant to curious ghosts who like to tamper with locks in the wine cellars.

Celia may have served up both haunts

and menu highlights, but it was clear by the time our drinks arrived we had nothing to fear. My light peachy floral Blossom Cosmo with cranberry was an excellent preface to the meal. My friend had the House Special Margarita and raved over the splash of orange brightening the shot of Grand Marnier.

CUISINE: Classic American dining

PRICES: $10-$30

ATMOSPHERE: Historic tavern

Kou Tukala Nyan

Photo by Jacquelina Paiva, courtesy of Carriage Inn

Calamari Giovanni

Must-Try Items

Giovanni Calamari ($15)

Tossed with roasted red peppers, banana peppers, olives, and scallions in a white wine garlic soy sauce

Steak Tips ($23):

Tender marinated filet medallions finished with sauteed onions and peppers, served with choice of two sides

Seafood Delaney ($22):

Sea scallops, shrimp, and mussels

sauteed in a garlic butter with white wine, chorizo, pesto tomato cream sauce served over pasta, with garlic bread

First out of the kitchen was the Giovanni Calamari. The sizable appetizer came with kale, red bell peppers, banana peppers, black olives, scallions, and lemon on the side. The calamari had a delicate crisp and medley of flavor from marinating in a blend of citrus and pepper juices, white wine, and garlic soy sauce.

For an entree, I had the Steak Tips filet mignon – the hearty, tender medallions were topped with grilled onion, green peppers, and mushrooms. It paired wonderfully with sweet potato fries and a side salad. My friend indulged in Seafood Delany, highly recommended by Celia. The garlicky mussels, shrimp, and scallops served over creamy pesto and tomato pasta dazzled the senses. We also indulged in the Shrimp Fajitas – a sizzling platter that included veggies, with a

neat stack of warm tortillas and dish of cold chopped tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, and lettuce to assemble our own perfect pockets.

We couldn’t leave without a bite (or two) of dessert. The House-Made Apple Pie is a perfect homage to the property’s historic American roots. The warm, comforting morsel was bursting with cinnamon-covered tart apple slices cooled by a scoop of vanilla ice cream. A slice of Strawberry Shortcake was soft and spongy, topped with

By Kou Tukala Nyan

Photos by Jacquelina Paiva, courtesy of Carriage Inn

Fajitas

whipped cream and fresh strawberries.

Once we resurfaced from this cozy time capsule, we were already longing for a return trip. From Whiskey Dinners to Drag Brunches to Psychic Nights, along with plenty of weekly specials, the Carriage Inn isn’t just for history buffs. Carriage

Seafood Delany

Gansett Wraps, the popular fast-casual restaurant wrapping authentic Lebanese favorites such as falafel, hummus, and fattoush salad – along with a menu of American classic sandwiches and soups – will open a new spot in North Kingstown later this year. The locally owned chain already has locations in Narragansett, Westerly, and Middletown. Owner Bahaa Mahmoud describes his menu as “fresh salads with a Mediterranean twist.”

“Gansett Wraps started as a family business using mom’s home-cooked recipes from

Lebanon, taking a journey through di erent continents, starting with our first location in Narragansett,” adds Mahmoud. Everything is made from scratch, based on modern and traditional recipes. “We focus on keeping a family-friendly environment,” says Mahmoud. “We ensure that our service and food put a smile on our customers’ faces as we consider them extended family members.” And don’t worry, if kabobs, falafel, and gyros are not your style, Gansett Wraps o ers traditional salad and sandwich fare including tuna, turkey, chicken and more. GansettWraps.com

Passersby have long been speculating on the fate of former Providence haunt The Grange, which will soon be home to the second iteration of East Greenwich eatery The Patio on Main. “We’ve been thinking about expanding our brand and when we saw this opportunity in a historic urban neighborhood, we were eager to pursue it,” says Patio owner Jason Winpenny.

Known for outdoor dining in EG, Winpenny expects to open the new Patio on Broadway up to the surrounding neighborhood. “People enjoy dining al fresco more than ever before,” he says. “We are excited to be located in an area with natural surroundings, the perfect way to enjoy everything the city o ers. We’re working to provide a unique ambiance with expanding windows to get an outdoor feel while dining inside and enjoying an innovative and exciting culinary experience.” Expect a similar menu at the Broadway location, with tasty salads, sandwiches, burgers, and bowls leading the way, plus craft beers and cocktails. Providence, ThePatioRI.com

Known for slinging some of the best burgers in Warren, Chomp is moving to a new location at 279 Water Street. Co-owner Tanner Larkin, who promises water views from every seat, envisions Chomp becoming part of an emerging bar crawl scene in the town. “We’re really excited to be able to move into the heart of Warren. There are so many awesome small businesses from one end of Water Street to the other. Between us and The Guild, it’s going to be a great strip.”

Chomp’s menu won’t be affected much by the move. “Right now our menu changes seasonally and we run weekend specials,” says Larkin. “We can kind of do whatever we want as long as it fits between two buns or some sort of sandwich concept.” Chomp offers an extensive selection of craft beers, including favorites from local brewers Buttonwoods and Proclamation. Larkin expects to offer more bar snacks and shared plates. “Sometimes people just want to come in for a beer and a snack, rather than having to sit down for a full tray of wings or a whole burger.” Warren, ChompRI.com

An

EG fave opens second location “where The Grange used to be”

Local chain of flavorful wraps expands beyond Gansett

Burger joint on the move in Warren

Photo courtesy of Gansett Wraps

South County Scenes

Blooms as far as the eye can see at Wickford Tulips in Exeter

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.