The Scoop

Sea To Sky

The man who brought parasailing and banana boating to the Block

On a clear day on Block Island, you don’t have to be in an airplane to catch a glimpse of four states at once – New York’s Montauk Point, the shores of Connecticut, mainland Rhode Island, and Cuttyhunk in Massachusetts are all visible when you’re floating aloft on 800 feet of line attached to captain Robert (Bob) Littlefield’s winchboat.

“Everybody expects parasailing to be something that it’s not,” says Littlefield, who owns and operates Block Island Parasail for a bustling yet fleeting eight-week season every summer, launching around 40 people each day during busy weekends. “It’s not like jumping out of a plane. As you’re clipped into the chute and we start to pick up speed in the boat, you gently lift off of the deck and then you’re slowly reeled out, so you’re actually sitting still and the boat is going away from you. It’s actually kind of relaxing.”

Littlefield grew up on Block Island and used to parasail o the beach as a kid, but the invention of the winchboat, a self-contained parasailing vessel reeling passengers up into the air and safely back onto deck, was a game changer. “Back in the late ‘80s, early ‘90s, it was just becoming a big thing at all the island resorts,” says Littlefield. After witnessing the phenomenon while vacationing in Hawaii in 1988, he knew he needed to introduce the craze to his home island. He didn’t waste any time in purchasing a winchboat, going before the council, and opening Block Island Parasail – which celebrates 35 years this summer.

“My business is all about families,” says Littlefield, explaining that he’s flown young kids who have come back as adults with their own children. “One lady from, maybe it was last year or the year before – the screensaver on her phone was her when she flew with her dad. She was five.” His youngest parasailer? “My nephew was six months old and he flew with my brother.” His oldest passenger was 94, and Littlefield has even made it possible for wheelchair users to take flight.

While it’s not for everyone, parasailing isn’t just for thrill seekers, either. “I actually fly a lot of people who are afraid of heights, and it doesn’t bother them because of the fact that they’re over the water, and it really is a different perspective,” says Littlefield.

Banana boating, on the other hand –“That’s a little crazier than parasailing,” says Littlefield, who o ers the group rides towed by his 23-foot competition ski boat. “It’s kind of like white water rafting on the ocean. All it takes is one person to lean incorrectly and it will flip the whole banana over. With that kind of ride, you’re going to get wet; you’re most likely going to fall in the water.”

The 10-12 miles per hour feels more like 30. Whether aboard a banana or drifting from

Launch Time

For folks looking to parasail or banana boat this summer, Block Island Parasail takes same-day reservations at Old Harbor Dock starting at 9am every morning. Late June through August is the busiest part of the season when the water temperatures are a comfortable 68 degrees, but for parasailers looking to avoid the crowds, still-warm September is the sweet spot. Parasailing is $85 per person, with tandem rides available (and triples for young children), and banana boats hold six passengers and rides are $45 per person. For more information, visit Facebook: Block Island Parasail, Inc.

a parachute, safety is top priority. Despite falling in love with parasailing early on, Littlefield is never strapped into the harness himself anymore for one simple reason: “I’m the only one that’s ever captained the boat,” he says. His many years of experience and knowledge of Block Island’s fickle weather patterns allow him to make sound judgements on and o the water.

But Littlefield doesn’t miss taking to the air, and looks forward to returning to Old Harbor Dock every June. “It’s a great job because you’re making memories and you’re making peoples’ vacations.”

All the World’s a Stage A Westerly director stages family-friendly Shakespeare in Wilcox Park

“I have very deep roots here,” says The Colonial Theatre artistic director Marion Markham, “probably as far back as Shakespeare.”

The Colonial Theatre was founded in 1986 and originally had their home in what is now the Granite Theater space. Comprising mostly New York-based actors, The Colonial became a home away from home when performers returned to the East Coast from their Broadway national tours. In 2000, the company relinquished their theater space and focused on producing free plays over the summer in Wilcox Park, a stunning Victorian-era strolling park that anchors downtown Westerly.

In 2018, Markham, who had been acting with the company since its inception – she played at least 15 of Shakespeare’s ladies “and plenty of his men” at The Colonial – was asked to take the helm. “It was meant to be,” the Westerly native says.

Markham trained at the renowned National Theater Institute at the Eugene O’Neill Center in Waterford, CT. She spent her early career in New York City, amassing credits in the celebrated o -Broadway scene. But South County always beckoned her back. “I don’t know if it was growing up with the fabulous music at the Knickerbocker,” she says, noting it was where she learned to swing dance.

The Tempest, this year’s production, is the perfect choice for the coastal town. In an act of revenge, magician Prospero conjures a storm to shipwreck a king and his children. The play is considered a comedy in Shakespeare’s canon and Markham, who directs, is making it family friendly and accessible.

“The Tempest is really about how lives transform after that big storm,” she says. “There are these incredible themes of freedom and forgiveness, reconciliation and imprisonment, powerlessness and conspiracy.” There’s also a feminist bent, since she cast women to play the roles of Prospero and Ariel. “I think that that’s going to be really fun to explore.”

The play includes Shakespeare’s regular comedy tropes like mistaken identity and young romance, and features plenty of highseas hijinks. Markham is adding live music and trimmed the script so it clocks in at a breezy 90 minutes. “Order dinner from one of Westerly’s fabulous restaurants, bring your kids, bring the dog, and come sit in the park,” she says. “It’s a wonderful night out.”

With Markham’s deep roots in NYC’s theater scene, she has access to a creative team with Broadway cred bringing high-caliber production values. Their set is a permanent fixture in Wilcox Park over the three weeks they perform.

Markham taps Rhode Island’s rich community of actors for her cast and also brings in performers from New York and Los Angeles. Housing in Westerly’s overheated real estate market during peak tourist season is costly for the strictly donation-based theater. “There’s a very supportive and generous community in Westerly helping us with this,” she says.

With big dreams for The Colonial, Markham hopes to someday return to full seasons of year-round productions, but it’s baby steps right now, and she’s working on partnerships with local businesses to expand their summer season with readings and short programs. During the spring, the theater collaborated with Westerly High School to produce an evening of short works written by students and performed by professional actors.

“We are on a mission to bring live professional theater to this community,” she says. “There’s something very valuable to the human spirit about getting together as a community and feeling that electric energy during an event. It’s good for the body.”

The Cottage Gallery

Art Gallery & Retail Shop

July to mid-October

What it is:

An art gallery and shop inside a residential two car garage.

Where to find it:

Set a course for Top Hill Road. A narrow blue and green sign hanging between the two green garage doors on the property confirms you’re at the correct address.

What makes it a Rhody Gem?

A true find, this seasonal gallery/shop in the unspoiled coastal area of Plum Beach is o the grid with no social media pages. Inside her garage, artist Carol Dugan has created an art space, open Saturdays 1-4pm or by appointment, from July to “probably around mid-October. No heat!” says Dugan. A guest artist is featured each month, and works on display and for sale include handmade accessories, and items like upcycled clam and oyster shells, painted furniture that screams “beach cottage!” textile wall hangings, and shelves lined with original oil and watercolor paintings. Don a straw hat, bring cash, and embrace your inner coastal grandmother at this labor of love.

The Cottage Gallery

70 Top Hill Road, Saunderstown 401-301-1180, CarolDugan@aol.com

In “Historic Step for Rhode Island,” Gov. McKee Signs Shoreline Access Legislation into Law

The new law outlines where members of the public are allowed to be along the state’s shore

Governor Dan McKee signed shoreline access legislation into law Monday [June 24, 2023], in what’s being called a major victory for beachgoers in Rhode Island.

The new law outlines where members of the public are allowed to be along the shore, setting the boundary as up to 10 feet landward of the seaweed line. In the event there are two seaweed lines, the one closest to the water should be used, the law says. When no line is present, people should use the point where the wet sand meets dry sand, plus 10 feet.

State Rep. Terri Cortvriend sponsored the legislation in the House. She said the new law will help end confusion about where the public is allowed to be on the shore, benefiting everyone who uses Rhode Island’s shoreline.

“Their access will be protected now,” Cortvriend said. “Shoreline beachgoers, shoreline users, fishermen – they will all know where they can be. … Property owners will know, too, where people should be and where they shouldn’t be.”

Cortvriend introduced a similar bill last year after a special House commission was formed to study the issue of lateral shoreline access. That proposal passed the House but failed to make traction in the Senate. This year, the legislation passed in both chambers with overwhelming support.

Speaking shortly after hearing word of the governor’s signing, Cortvriend said, “I’d like to savor the moment for a few minutes.”

“I’m just – I’m thrilled,” she said. “I’m excited for Rhode Islanders.”

Rhode Island’s Constitution has long protected public use of the shoreline for things like seaweed gathering, walking, fishing, and leaving the beach to swim, but it doesn’t define the line where public rights end and private property rights can be enforced.

Prior to Monday, the state relied on a Rhode Island Supreme Court ruling from the 1980s that set the boundary as up to the 18.6-year mean high tide line. Beachgoers had com- plained that the boundary was too di cult to determine and ambiguity was being taken advantage of by beachfront property owners who were denying people of their shoreline rights, going so far as to put up private property signs and higher security guards.

Mike Woods, chair of the New England Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, was among the advocates who pushed for passage of the law. On Monday, he credited the sponsors in the House and Senate, including state Sen. Mark McKenney, who had been a member of the House commission, as well as the “tremendous number of organizations and individuals – really too many to name – who came together to make this happen.”

“The fact that the General Assembly came together and reached a consensus and then took the steps to put that into law is something that really no General Assembly has been able to accomplish in 300 years,” Woods said. “To see that come together, and then the governor sign it, is a huge and historic step for Rhode Island.”

The new law comes amid a surge in shoreline access advocacy, which took o during the pandemic, as beachgoers looked to get down to the shore and property owners stepped up e orts to keep people away from certain beach areas.

The legislation put forward this year had been opposed by coastal property owners who say the boundary outlined under the new law amounts to an illegal taking of their property without compensation.

Advocates for shoreline access say the law is not an overreach. They’re confident it will stand up to a legal challenge because, they say, it’s consistent with historical use of the shore in Rhode Island.

This article was originally posted on June 26, 2023, and is part of a continuing series on shoreline access. Alex Nunes can be reached at ANunes@ThePubicsRadio.org

Rhody Pets of the Month

Looking to welcome a new furry friend into your home? Adopt, don’t shop! Shelters around South County and across 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.

Moose

With good looks and a charming personality, this dashing Lab mix is the total package. Just shy of a year old, Moose has a shiny black coat with dark eyes that gleam with excitement. He gets along with other dogs, loves people, and his penchant for a ection will make him a wonderful addition to your family. This special boy can’t wait to find his new best friend!

Save One Soul Animal Rescue League Info@sosarl.org SOSARL.org

ROSEBUD

Are you a hound lover? If so, the gorgeous Rosebud is ready to blossom in your home! She is four years old, so she still has lots of fun-loving energy for walks and loves to explore. Her coat is the perfect tri-color combo and her hound ears feel like velvet. Rosebud is friendly toward other dogs and after a nice long walk, she will gladly sit to relax with you.

Animal Rescue RI 783-7606, ext. 105 AnimalRescueRI.org

MILKSHAKE

As sweet as her name would imply, Milkshake is a young Calico cat, just under a year old, with stunning citrine green eyes. She loves people and will seek out your attention with a tiny meow. If you’ve been searching for a feline companion for your family, Milkshake could be the purr-fect match! Fill out an application online to learn more.

Ten Lives Cat Rescue TenLivesCatRescue.org

Hello@tenlivescatrescue.org