SO Rhode Island November 2022

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In This Issue

Ready, Set, Shop!

45

Holiday

&

& Drink

South County Scenes

Photo by Abigail

Photo courtesy of HŌMbädi

The Scoop

NEW WAYS TO REMEMBER

A foundation and museum dedicated to WWII history education meets students and veterans where they are

Students file o a school bus for a field trip at 344 Main Street, Wakefield, but inside, the stage is set for the Europe and Pacific theaters of World War II. Likely these students – who may be coming from all parts of Rhode Island and of all ages – have learned about D-Day in a classroom or have seen maps and photos online, but nothing quite compares to coming face to face with real artifacts and holding a section of the USS Arizona at the World War II Foundation Global Education Center and Museum.

“Some of the original World War II items are colorful, some are loud, and some catch younger people’s attention because they were actually damaged in battle, and students are interested in their backstory,” explains filmmaker and founder Tim Gray. “A lot of the students who visit are the same age as those who were doing the fighting.”

Thought goes into the collections found at the museum, both to best tell the story and to consider the audience. “We seek out items we believe younger people will gravitate toward and hopefully then want to know more about their history,” Gray continues. “It’s an incredible tactile experience for visitors and it’s designed to be that way. We are not a dusty old museum. We are very hands on.”

Photo courtesy of The World War II Foundation

The Scoop | so & so •

By Abbie Lahmers

Not a place to shy away from new technol ogy, virtual reality (VR) films cast on large Oculus Quest headsets add to the immersive experience. Gray is known for his award-win ning documentaries, even sending visitors home with a free film of their choice, so VR seemed like a natural addition. O erings span D-Day, Pearl Harbor, and the Battle of the Bulge with the option for students to take home a small cardboard VR viewer to watch films on their smartphones, too. “They’ve be come very, very popular,” says Gray.

These types of encounters elicit excitement for eager learners, but the museum is also a sober experience for veterans. “We have had many World War II veterans visit over the years, and it brings them back to a time that defined their lives,” says Gray. “They all seem to be young again when they tour, pointing out the items they used in combat or on the home

front. Many shed tears. It was a definitive time in their lives, both heroic and horrific.

“The veterans themselves may not remember what they had for breakfast that morning, but they sure remember the uniform they wore in the war or the type of rifle they carried in com bat when they see it again at our museum.”

The center is open to the public, but you can also catch Gray’s work airing on Rhode Island PBS and other TV stations. The founda tion’s newest production, Her War, Her Story: World War II, narrated by Jane Lynch, comes out this month. “It was not just America’s war; it was not just a man’s war,” says Gray. “There were women in America who worked in fac tories, women in England who witnessed the German ‘Blitz’ on the country, women who grew up in Nazi Germany, survived the Aus chwitz death camp, who were nurses or Afri can-Americans serving in a segregated Army.

One woman we feature worked on breaking the top secret German Enigma Code, one of the war’s most top-secret assignments.”

Also debuting this month is Gray’s Jack Taylor: The Enterprise, narrated by Gary Sinise, about the fighter pilot who founded Enterprise Rent-A-Car after the war. It will be the foundation’s 31st film to date.

With Veterans Day on November 11, a visit to the museum is a good way to remember the meaning behind the day o , and especial ly poignant for the children and grandchildren of WWII veterans. Says Gray, “Since many of the men and women of that generation rarely talked about what they did or saw, their fami lies want to know more. We try and fill in some gaps for them.” The museum is open Wednes days, Fridays, and Saturdays, 10am-4pm, or by appointment. Admission is free for veterans. Call 862-3030 or visit WWIIFoundation.org

Photo courtesy of The World War II Foundation

The World War II Foundation founder and award-winning filmmaker Tim Gray

Whitehouse Announces Grant to Protect Shoreline Use in Two Coastal Towns, but Says Broader Access Issues Are ‘Innately Local Questions’

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management is receiving a $200,000 federal grant to help protect existing DEM public access points in two coastal communities.

By Alex Nunes

The state will use the federal money being awarded on designs and permitting to im prove access at Gull Cove in Portsmouth and the Quonochontaug Pond Breachway, a popular boat launch used by fishermen and recreational boaters in Charlestown.

In both areas, rising sea levels have caused erosion and periodic flooding, cre ating obstacles for people trying to reach the areas by foot and vehicle.

“It’s mostly about coastal resiliency,” DEM Director Terrence Gray said of the planning grant at a news conference at Gull Cove. “So it really is protecting what we have now.”

The work to be done at the Quonochon taug Breachway, commonly known as the Quonnie Boat Ramp, is intended to help maintain a public access road to the area through Charlestown by moving it inward and protecting it with a vegetative buffer, Gray said.

“It’s really at risk,” he said. “What this does is really makes that access road a lit tle bit more stable, a little bit more durable – more resilient – so people will be able to continue to get out there.”

The expected improvements are to be made on the east side of the Quonochon taug Breachway and will not impact the breachway’s west side, where restrictions to public access over the Quonochontaug Barrier Beach in the town of Westerly are more significant.

The Westerly Town Council has asked the state’s Coastal Resources Management Council to review whether the sand trail leading down the barrier beach – which is mostly owned by special fire districts and private conservation groups – is also a public right of way.

The Rhode Island Department of Envi ronmental Management owns the breach way land at the end of the barrier beach

The Scoop | so & so • In Partnership with The Public’s Radio • ThePublicsRadio.org

DEM’s director Terrence Gray with Sen. Whitehouse

and holds easements associated with it, but it uses its access point through Charlestown to maintain the breachway and provide public use of the shore.

In recent years, the issue of shore line access has gained considerable momentum, as advocates in coastal towns have called for state and lo cal o cials to improve access to the ocean in areas where private prop erty owners have stepped up e orts to control the shoreline.

The federal money being used to plan for the improvements in Ports mouth and Charlestown comes from the National Coastal Resil ience Fund. Sen. Sheldon White house, who helped establish the fund in 2018, was on hand at the news conference in Portsmouth to announce the grant.

When asked what could be done at the federal level to improve pub lic access, Whitehouse said Congress could help provide funding to pro tect areas currently being used by the public, but decisions about where people can go to reach the shore or park their cars near the ocean “are re ally innately local questions.”

“My focus has been on making sure that the resource is there when the public finds their way through [to the shore],” Whitehouse said. “We’ve already seen the practical disappearance of what used to be enormous beaches along particu larly the South County shore.”

This story was originally posted on September 27, 2022.

Alex Nunes can be reached at ANunes@thepublicsradio.org

To navigate

market, you don't need a compass

moving in the right direction!

Photo by Alex Nunes

The Scoop | so & so • By Karen Greco

Giving Thanks

Wakefield’s Contemporary Theater Company mounts a production of the Broadway-bound play

In just her second year at the artistic helm of Wakefield’s Contemporary Theater Com pany, Tammy Brown pulled o a spectacular coup. She landed playwright Larissa Fast Horse’s The Thanksgiving Play for their 2022 fall season o ering, before the play opens on Broadway in the spring. For a theater with a proximity this close to New York City, get ting the rights to a play headed to the Great White Way is staggering. How did she do it?

“I have no idea,” she says, before cracking

a huge smile.

Back in April, Brown realized she had a sea son hole to plug in the October/November slot. She had read FastHorse’s play over the pandemic when she was reading “a play a day” to keep busy and also satisfy the theater’s robust diversity, equity, and inclusion require ments. She says she just stumbled on it during her search, and the story, about a group of progressive white folks attempting to put on a play about Thanksgiving, resonated.

The Scoop | so & so • By Abbie Lahmers

Contemporary Theater Company actors reading through The Thanksgiving Play

“I’m an activist outside of the theater and I’m friends with a lot of well-meaning white peo ple,” she explains, saying when she first read the play, she kept thinking, those are my friends.

In The Thanksgiving Play, four people are tasked with creating a family-friendly produc tion about the holiday. All are trying to do it with the utmost sensitivity. But when the director re alizes the actor she assumed is Native Ameri can is actually white, a meltdown ensues. How do you tell a historically accurate story about oppression without the voice of the oppressed? “The play is satirizing the left from the point of view of someone on the left. It understands this is done with good intentions but it’s gone awry,” explains Brown, who says she laughed

out loud several times while she read the script.

Brown is one of the few women of color in an artistic leadership position in Ameri can theater, a prospect that is at once ex hilarating and daunting. It also makes her acutely aware of the inequities within the broader nonprofit theater landscape, ad mitting to some discomfort directing the work because she is not a Native person.

Ironically, that’s the exact issue The Thanksgiving Play satirizes. “Do we not do this because we can’t do this perfectly?” Brown asks rhetorically. “Or do we do this imperfect version intentionally?”

Brown hopes members of the Narragansett Nation will see the play, while at the same time

she also worries about asking too much from the community. “I hear the conversations about emotional labor. We can’t expect marginalized persons to do the work for us. But I want to in vite them in, to welcome them,” she says, not ing there is a space for the community at CTC, which has worked hard to create a culture of inclusion, including o ering free tuition to sum mer camps and classes for tribal members. “Our goal is to have the theater be a strong engine for antiracism and inclusion,” Brown continues.

“The journey is figuring out how to do that.”

The Thanksgiving Play runs through November 12 at Wakefield’s Contemporary Theater Company. ContemporaryTheaterCompany.com

Photos courtesy of the Contemporary Theater Company

WHAT IS DRY NEEDLING?

The Scoop | rhody pets • By Belinda Jones

Animals in the Spotlight

RHODY PET OF THE MONTH: HARLEY

By Karen Kalunian

If you love big dogs, Harley is for you! This three-yearold gentle giant is a Great Dane mix and weighs about 120 pounds. Harley makes friends wherever she goes, has a wonderful temperament with all people, and likes other dogs, too. Her dream is to find a loving family with a fenced-in yard so she can run and play. She has a big heart and wide smile, and can’t wait to meet her forever family. For more information about Harley, visit Save One Soul Animal Rescue League’s website at SOSARL. org, call 401-206-0727, or email Info@sosarl.org.

If you have been thinking of adopting or know of an animal in need, please contact Karen directly at animaltalk1920@gmail.com

Every month animal advocate Karen Kalunian lovingly highlights an adoptable Rhody Pet of the Month on these very pages. Now, every week pet lovers will be able to tune in to her brand new Rhode Island PBS digital series, Animal Talk

The idea for the 26 bite-sized episodes first came about a year ago when show producer Scott Saracen took his family to the East Greenwich Animal Protection League Heart of RI shelter hoping to find a puppy pal for their dog Ryder. Kalunian introduced them to “little princess” Bella, and during the meet and greet, they got chatting about all things

animal welfare. Saracen’s wife Maria (also a producer at Rhode Island PBS) grew up on a game reserve in South Africa surrounded by domestic and wild animals, so there was much to discuss. Soon the plan for a show evolved, designed to educate, entertain, and inspire.

“I’m always looking for new ways to promote adoptable animals, and the wonderful people who care for them, and with digital streaming, we are able to bring them all directly into your home.” Kalunian enthuses.

Each episode is just three to four minutes long but can pack quite a punch – take sweet Sesame from Handsome Dan’s Rescue, a local

shelter for pit bulls. “His transition from a pit bull dog fighting ring to a warm, safe home is a moving and powerful story,” Saracen notes. Kalunian concurs, “He really is the epitome of strength, resilience, and the will to love again.”

Saracen also speaks about the lasting impression made by a 42-year-old blind hyacinth macaw named Count, featured on an episode educating about bird health at Warwick’s Rhode Island Parrot Rescue. Another installment dives into the e ectiveness of the trap neuter release cat program run by PawsWatch.

“The animal experts offer so much insight, as well as helpful tips,” Kalunian observes.

New Rhode Island PBS online series highlights the work of rescue leagues and more

Karen Kalunian (left) on the set of Animal Talk

Photo by John Smith, courtesy of Animal Talk

“For example, if we find injured wildlife, our first inclination may be to offer food or water, but it is best to immediately contact a trained wildlife rehabilitator, like Sweet Binks Rescue.”

“ Animal Talk is a great way to learn about the Rhode Island organizations that are doing so much good in the community,” says Saracen. “You may even feel motivated to join the volunteers doing this important, fulfilling work. I have to say when it comes to animals, we are a small state with a big heart!” Learn more at Watch.RIPBS.org/show/animal-talk/

Photo courtesy of Save One Soul

The Scoop | so & so • By Hugh Minor

Conventional Wisdom

At 10 years old, Rhode Island’s cherished celebration of the comic universe has never looked better

It’s hard to remember a November when the streets around the Convention Center in Providence weren’t filled with tens of thousands of fans excited to spend a weekend oohing and aahing over their favorite celebrities and artists, colorful lines of attendees costumed as characters from comic books and sci-fi movies winding their way around the block. For 10 years now, Rhode Island Comic Con has provided three days of programming, bringing big names, tourists, and dollars into the Creative Capital.

Some of the biggest names in fandom have thrilled audiences in the smallest state with their personal appearances, Q&A panels, and autograph signings, from classic small-screen heroes like Adam West (1960s Batman) and

William Shatner (Star Trek’s James T. Kirk) to movie stars like Billy Dee Williams and Jason Momoa, and a roster of rockers that has included Sting and Gene Simmons. Fans are happy to line up for autographs from comic book artists like Neal Adams.

“Personally, I enjoy the random celebrity encounters,” admits Kristen Adamo, president and CEO of the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Like running into Lou Ferrigno in the lobby of the Omni or Joey Fatone on the street,” she says referring to the star of the CBS network’s series The Incredible Hulk, which ran from 1978 to 1982, and former member of boy-band NSYNC, now a television fixture, respectively. “I work on a lot of events, but I can safely say that

RI Comic Con is the only one that gives you those kinds of experiences.”

Rhode Island Comic Con is a boon to fans as well as the local economy, bringing in guests from all over the world to stay in hotels, eat dinner, and explore Providence and its environs. Estimates for attendance in 2016, the largest crowd to date, were over 81,000 people.

“What I really like about RI Comic Con is that it lifts the profile of the city,” explains Adamo. “Comic Con is the draw, but then people get to experience Providence, some for the first time. Also, a lot of the celebrities will post about Providence on their social media, which provides invaluable exposure.”

Photo by Jeff Major

Revenge of the Nerds cast panel at Rhode Island Comic Con, 2017

Over the years, there have been some disappointments, with artists who had to cancel their attendance due to illness, other commitments, and even a shooting at the Los Angeles airport in 2013. However, the event only missed one year – 2020 – due to the COVID pandemic. An indoor gathering of that many people in the midst of a global health crisis was deemed unwise, even for a group of people who thrived on stories about the zombie apocalypse.

At press time, the growing guest list already boasts huge names and niche fan favorites. Susan Soares with Altered Reality Entertainment, the group that organizes the event, says, “We are thrilled

with the response to our 10th anniversary convention. Guests, vendors, and fans cannot wait for the day to arrive.”

Soares adds, “We have many household names this year, like Jared Padalecki from Walker, Supernatural, and Gilmore Girls fame; Ralph Macchio, better known as Daniel LaRusso from the Karate Kid movies and Cobra Kai; and Alicia Silverstone and Stacey Dash from Clueless. From the animated classics, we have the voice actors who portrayed Belle, Ariel, and Jasmine rounding out over a dozen actors from the World of Disney.”

In addition to onscreen celebrities, attendees can also meet the talent behind the scenes of comics and films like author

Timothy Zahn, known for his Thrawn book series, and Jae Lee, a penciller/inker whose portfolio includes work for comic book publishers DC, Image, and Marvel.

“Our 10th anniversary celebrates so many segments of fandom,” explained Soares, “from the big and small screen, to animation both American and Japanese, to wrestling, to Power Rangers, to legendary comic book artists, and everything in between. We have guests who have never appeared at a convention before. This show will not disappoint.”

Rhode Island Comic Con runs from November 4 through 6 at the Rhode Island Convention Center. Get tickets at RIComicCon.com

The Scoop | so & so • By Hugh Minor

Photo by Jeff Major

A

FOR

ISLAND

The

By Karen Greco

THE MUST LIST

10 essential events happening this month

Cheer on Shaidzon at the 5th anniversary

November 18-20:

November 12:

Local romance author

Elle Greco signs copies of her latest romcom The Groomsday Prophecy , a gen der-swapped Runaway Bride set in a fic tional Pt. Judith, at Rarities Books and Bindery. Wakefield, RaritiesOnline.com

For a statewide listing of events visit us online! HeyRhody.com

Raise a toast to Shaidzon Beer Company, celebrating their fifth anniversary weekend with food from Binge BBQ (Friday), Butterhead (Saturday), and Yagi Noodles and Blu Hill Cove Oysters (Sunday). West Kingston, ShaidzonBeer.com

November 3-27:

Lynn Nottage’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play Sweat confronts race, dein dustrialization, and the ever-shrinking middle class through this electrifying drama about a tight-knit group of factory workers fighting lay o s and picket lines. Warwick, GammTheatre.org

November 4-6:

RI Comic Con turns 10! Enjoy meeting actors from Cobra Kai , The Walking Dead , and more. Leading comic book artists, writers, and creators will be on hand selling and signing their art. Providence, RIComicCon.com

November 5:

Find your new best friend at Save One Soul Animal Rescue League’s Super Dog Adoption Day. More than 200 rescue dogs and puppies will be at Clark Farms searching for their forever homes. Matunuck, SOSARL.org

November 6:

Grammy Award-nominat ed singer and guitarist – and two-time B.B. King Entertainer of the Year – Tab Benoit brings his gritty and soulful Delta swamp blues music to the Greenwich Odeum. East Greenwich, GreenwichOdeum.com

November 13:

Cheer on – or up – the participants running the Angry Unicorn Half Marathon. The flat and fast certified course begins and ends at Matunuck Elementary School, just steps from the beach. South Kingstown, OceanStateMultiSport.com

November 14:

Show the URI Women’s Basketball Team some hometown love as the Rams play a preseason game against intrastate rivals the Providence College Friars at their gym at the Ryan Center. Kingston, Friars.com

November 19:

Get your home holidayready at the annual Arbutus Garden Club Holiday Sale at Quonnie Grange, featuring a selection of wreaths, swags, and more. Proceeds benefit South County High School. Charlestown, FriendsOfTheQuonnieGrange.org

November 25:

Join Rhody’s own rhythm and blues powerhouse Steve Smith and the Nakeds jamming out to a mix of covers and originals at a special Thanksgiving Weekend gig at the Narragansett Cafe. Jamestown, NarragansettCafeRI.com

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 by Savannah Barkley

HŌMbädi Boutique

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 boutique offering a beautifully curated col lection of gifts, jewelry, clothing, handbags, and housewares.

Where to find it:

On Franklin Street in front of the Storage Con nection and across from the Wine Store. Look for the blue sign with the bird on it.

What makes it a Rhody Gem?

The minute you step into HŌMbädi, you understand why patrons call shopping here a “mini-vacation.”

Everything in this eclectic boutique is about relax ation and fun, from the welcoming scent when you walk through the door to the warm greeting from owners Brenda Owren and Sarah Gardner. Chockfull of a mindful mix of beauty, fashion, and home items, HŌMbädi carries lines that share the found ers’ values: community-focused, eco-conscious, and women-led, so you’ll find brands like Corkcicle, Rifle Paper, and Capri Blue on the shelves. Create your own vegan tote with interchangeable straps and handbags from Ahdorned or check out the upcycled one-of-a-kind leather bags for your hardto-shop-for bestie. Fashionistas will appreciate the collection of cashmere wraps and scarves as well as size-inclusive sweaters and an extensive selection of stylish ponchos. Newly stocked for the holidays are Frasier Fir candles and di users from the luxury fragrance company Thymes. Host a private shop ping party with your friends, or attend one of their ladies nights or DIY workshops, cocktails included.

H Ō Mbädi 91 Franklin Street, Westerly HOMBadi.com

Facebook: hombadi, @hombadiri

Photo courtesy of H Ō Mbädi

The Scoop | rhody gem • By Karen Greco

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

FROM WESTERLY TO WICKFORD, BUCKLE UP FOR A DAY OF SHOPPING, EATING, AND SIGHT-SEEING ALONG ROUTE 1A

BY ROSE KENYON PHOTOGRAPHY BY ABIGAIL BROWN & JONI KENYON

S hopping small has many perks. The friend ly smile of a local business owner. The ser endipitous run-in with an old friend in the check-out line. The sweet reminder that com munity is still out there and that you helping it thrive. On top of it all, Southern Rhode Island’s shop-small scene o ers an additional, less er-known benefit, depending on which route you take. In addition to over a hundred shops and restaurants, Rhode Island Route 1A (more appro priately “Scenic 1A”) brings you past beach and ocean views, scenic farm lookouts, nature trails, and quintessential small-town neighborhoods. Just 45 minutes of total drive time through five Washington County towns – Westerly, Charles town, South Kingstown, Narragansett, and North Kingstown – it’s the perfect route for a day of shopping, eating, and enjoying the views.

TRIP SUMMARY

Follow our itinerary for one of many ways to enjoy a full day of shopping small. Better yet, use it as a guide to build your own unique adventure, supporting small businesses along the way!

TOTAL DISTANCE: 33.3 miles

TOTAL DRIVING TIME: 45 minutes

STARTING LOCATION: Beach Street, Westerly ENDING LOCATION: W Main Street, East Greenwich

Starting point: Westerly

9-10AM: BREAKFAST

10-10:45AM: SHOPPING

Park at 49 Beach Street, where you’ll have easy access to two delicious restaurants for a full breakfast (Amanda’s Pantry and 55 Beach Street Cafe), plus Junk and Java for a co ee, protein shake, or health drink. From there, review your shopping list and plan your priorities for the day ahead. After breakfast, get your spending juices flowing at Anther, a warm and relaxing shop and floral studio filled with candles, jewel ry, and all things bath and beauty. As you con tinue your journey through Westerly, you’ll end up on Watch Hill Road to find The Gray Goose Cookery – a welcoming spot for a meal – and its across-the-street neighbor, OMO Jewels & Gifts, stocked with jewelry, kitchen supplies, and a lovely marina view. Closing your Westerly tour on Shore Road, discover more food options, a winery, a few beautiful farm overlooks, and Audubon’s 86-acre Lathrop Wildlife Refuge.

What’s In a Name?

AS YOU TRAVERSE 1A, YOU’LL NOTICE THE STREET NAMES CHANGE FROM TOWN TO TOWN:

Beach Street, Watch Hill Road, Shore Road, Old Post Road, Main Street, Kingstown Road, Narragansett Avenue, Boston Neck Road, Brown Street, and West Main Street. Boston Post Road gets its name for being a system of mail-delivery routes connecting NYC and Boston.

November

In 2010 American Express created Small Business Saturday on the Saturday after Thanksgiving to encourage people to shop small. Nationwide the day has grown into a fun and festive event. At So Rhode Island, we love small businesses and we are one ourselves, so we encourage readers to support our advertisers and all independently owned shops, cafes, restaurants, and makers this month and all year long!

Next Stop:

Charlestown

11-11:30AM: NATURE WALK

11:30AM-12:15PM: SHOPPING

After a short ride on US 1, you’re now on Old Post Road in Charlestown with Ninigret Park at your very first right. This is the perfect place to jump out and stretch your legs. Walk over to Little “Nini” Pond, or explore part of the 900-acre National Wildlife Refuge, both great plac es to see birds and other wildlife. Afterwards, get back on Scenic 1A for a one-minute drive over to the Fantastic Umbrella Factory, an old farm homestead turned eclectic shopping destination; from clothing and jewelry to candy and games, there are many unique treasures to be found. Just don’t forget to leave time for Mill’s Creek Natural Market to peruse their extensive selection of locally made, earth-inspired gifts, many Rhode Island themed!

Next Stop: South Kingstown

12:30-1:15PM: LUNCH

1:15-2:30PM: SHOPPING

After another quick drive on US 1, you’ll pull onto Post Road, connecting you to Main Street in South Kingstown. By this time, there’s a good chance the hunger will have set in, making this the perfect destination for lunch. In addition to the popular Mews Tavern, Main Street o ers a wide range of dining options, including the recently opened New Wave Kitchen, which serves eclectic comfort foods (buns, soups, and bowls) made with local ingredients (Read more on page 72). From there, you can easily walk to a dozen stores and boutiques filled with clothes, jewelry, books, rugs, CBD, hand-blown glass, candy, and more. Once you’re ready to leave Main Street, plug “Quo Vadis Shopping Center” into your GPS for another hub of shops (records, cool gifts, cupcakes!). But be on the lookout as you drive, as you’ll find The Purple Cow gift store amongst a few others along the way.

MAIN STREET, WAKEFIELD

Next Stop:

Narragansett

2:45-3PM: COFFEE & SNACKS

3-3:45PM: SHOPPING

Your first stop in this seaside town is bound to be Narragansett Surf and Skate on Narragansett Road – a fun place for Gansett Juice beanies, sweatshirts, and tees. The rest of your journey will be along Boston Neck Road, which will be ocean-side the entire ride, so be sure to roll the windows down. If you’re in need of a pick-me-up, finding a co ee late in the afternoon can be tricky, so try to make it to Fuel Co ee Bar before 3pm. Carolena’s Bakery, which o ers a range of sweet and savory pastries (including gluten-free!), also closes at 3pm, so keep an eye on the time. Close out this leg of the journey at 1175 Boston Neck Road, where you’ll have access to Crosswynds Traders for goods with a beachy vibe, and SunStruck RI for accessories and local-inspired gifts.

SUNSTRUCK RI

Next Stop: North Kingstown

4:00-5:00PM: SHOPPING

5:00-6:30 PM: DINNER

Your last stop will be North Kingstown’s historic Wickford, which is packed with a range of family-owned and -operated shops. Expect to find pottery, children’s clothing, woven items, RI-made gifts, art, jewelry, housewares, and more. If you’re looking to sit down for a cozy dinner once you’re done, take a quick break to put your name in at Tavern by the Sea or Wickford on the Water. Or if you prefer a quicker bite, plan to grab a sandwich at Shayna’s Place be fore 5pm. As you close out your trip, don’t forget to take a stroll by the water, the perfect place to watch the boats float by in the harbor.

WICKFORD VILLAGE

We look for little things that help you save BIG.

These days, we all want to make a little bit go a long way. A no-cost Home Energy Assessment from Rhode Island Energy does just that. Our energy specialist will show you how to reduce usage and save energy. Plus, get direct access to generous rebates on qualifying energy-efficient heating and water heating equipment.

And now save 50% or more on approved insulation and air sealing up to $4,000

It all starts with a no-cost Home Energy Assessment. Schedule yours today at rienergy.com/saveathome or call 1-888-633-7947.

These programs are funded by the energy-efficiency charge on all customers’ gas and electric bills, in accordance with Rhode Island law.

Holiday Shopping

Holiday Shopping Guide Guide

2022SUPPORT LOCAL THIS HOLIDAY SEASON BY FINDING THE PERFECT GIFT AT THESE RETAILERS ALL IN SOUTH COUNTY!

Photo by Linda LaParle

1. IMPORTED SHAWL WITH VEGAN LEATHER LASER CUT DETAIL, $325, Accessories by Charlotte; 673 Kingstown Rd. Wakefield, accessoriesbycharlotte.com

2. STERLING SILVER MERMAID TAIL & FRESHWATER PEARL NECKLACE, $62, The Narragansett Shop; 4 Brown St., Wickford & 15 Bowen’s Wharf, Newport, thenarragansett.com

3. PEARL & TOPAZ 14K GOLD EARRINGS, $1,495, Compass Rose; 271 Post Rd., Westerly, compassrosewesterly.com

4. ORIGINAL HOLIDAY OYSTER SHELL BOTTLE STOPPER, $27.50, Backyard Beach Decor; North Kingstown, backyardbeachdecor.com

5. THE TUG BOAT , $30, Anchor To ee; 8 Bowen’s Wharf, Newport & 51 Sims Ave., Providence, anchorto ee.com

6. RHODE ISLAND GEMSTONE BRACELETS (available in 5 colors), $35, SunStruck Gift Boutique; 1171 Boston Neck Road Narragansett, sunstruckri.com

7. RADICAL CURIOSITY BY SETH GOLDENBERG, $30, Curiosity & Co.; 14 Narragansett Ave., Jamestown, curiosity.store

8. WILDE TREE OF LIFE MENORAH IN FALL COLORS BY BANDHU DUNHAM 12”Wx6.5”Hx5”D, $825, The Glass Station Studio; 446 Main St., Wakefield, theglassstationstudio.com

9. MASALA SCARF , $32, Green Ink; 89 Brown St., Wickford & 199 Wayland Ave., Providence, greeninkboutique.com

Life & Style

home | rhody reads | maker | rhody made

An antique ship lantern hangs above the custom wide plank dining table and bench ready to serve up to 16; an easy-care vinyl floorcloth adds fuss-free flair. The porthole door hides a walk-in wine cellar and veggie storage unit.

Colorful Outlook

A Watch Hill mansion gets an all-American coastal upgrade

Imagine you’re celebrating New Year’s Eve at your home when a frozen pipe bursts! This was the case for a Watch Hill family made up of a husband and wife with two grown daughters, one son, three grandchildren, and more on the way. The damage was so severe the entire house needed to be gutted.

“When the house was destroyed by water, I thought, ‘why not rethink the architecture of the spaces to create better flow and larger areas for their growing family?’ So we did,” says Kellie Burke, an interior designer based in West Hartford, CT, who was hired to completely renovate the four-bedroom 5,000-square-foot home, situated within walking distance to the beach and village.

Photography by Kyle Caldwell, courtesy of Kellie Burke Interiors

“The husband had worked on a naval Coast Guard ship off of Nantucket in his younger days and the wife is passionate about the preservation of her hometown of Watch Hill,” says Burke. Her aim was to create a coastal design that was cheer ful and practical with a comfortable flow for an expanding family. Most important ly, Burke wanted it to reflect the owners of the home. The end result is a yacht-in spired feel with nods of classic New En gland preppy.

The floor plan was modified to accommo date a larger open-style entertaining space. Structural changes included finishing o

Life & Style | home • By Elyse Major

Photography by Kyle Caldwell, courtesy of Kellie Burke Interiors

Grass-woven walls, custom lacquered teak doors with antique portholes, and teak and holly floors add up to traditional chart room style

Life & Style | home

By Elyse Major

Photography by Kyle Caldwell, courtesy of Kellie Burke Interiors

Ample seating allows everyone to gather in comfort

A vintage trunk was retrofitted to become a sink base with a modern blue sea glass Kohler sink atop; vinyl gloss blue wallcovering adds a dimension reminiscent of a fiberglass interior of a ship

the unused garage space to house lock ers, a cabana shower, and a mudroom area where all of the kids and dogs could drop into after spending the day at the beach. The kitchen now boasts an expansive open plan that includes a service bar and three sinks, allowing the family to better pursue their passion for cooking.

When it came time to decorate, Burke pre scribed a mix of antique and modern coastal. Think ship lighting and portholes, and teak and holly floors. “In this particular home, the client wanted a true coastal design using the nautical colors of the yacht club community, as well as the soothing, calm colors of the ocean,” says Burke.

Pasquale

WREATHS

ARTISAN GIFTS

GARLAND

HOLIDAY

DECOR

“Decorating for the environment is key,” advises the award-winning de signer. “You want to transform the way you feel in a space based on the cli mate, as well as your daily routine. In this particular town, we wanted to have a welcoming vibe that is suitable for entertaining while also being spacious enough for such a big family. You are always having guests come in and out. Now everyone has a space to relax!”

Life & Style | home • By Elyse Major

Photography by Kyle Caldwell, courtesy of Kellie Burke Interiors

The full gut made space for a prep area, service bar, and two task sinks

Elyse

GET RHODY STYLE

Ideas and resources for making the most of living in the Ocean State.

EXPLORE WATCH HILL

The family lists Coco + Lala, The Cooked Goose, Olympia Tea Room, and WH20 as favorite small businesses.

LOCAL ACCENTS

Burke recommends using framed histor ical maps and local art to imbue spaces with “a special touch.” She worked with Shamrock Builders, LLC in North Ston ington for this project.

BOUTIQUE VIBES

Kellie Burke Interiors is an award-win ning design firm that specializes in creating livable luxurious interiors for high-end clientele around the globe. “I love creating an upscale boutique hotel vibe in every client’s private residence. You deserve to experience that same luxe, inviting, and indulgent feeling ev ery day.” Learn more at KellieBurke.com

Want your home featured in So Rhode Island?

Email Elyse@ProvidenceOnline.com to learn more

Photography by Kyle Caldwell, courtesy of Kellie Burke Interiors

MARGIE & ANTHONY PASCETTA

Life & Style | rhody reads • By Hugh Minor

Curiouser and Curiouser

“Questioning Commonly Held Beliefs to Imagine Flourishing Futures” is the quote on the wall in Seth Goldenberg’s studio in Jamestown. Located above Curiosity & Co., a bookstore and wine bar run by his wife Liz Newton, the sun-filled workshop is where Goldenberg does some of his best thinking – and questioning.

A literary and culinary community center, Curiosity & Co. provides opportunities for people looking to find experiences where

they can connect and belong, especially af ter nearly two years of isolation during the COVID pandemic. “As these ventures ma ture, more opportunities, events, member ship, and social impact will come to life,” Goldenberg says.

Goldenberg’s ideas on how we can con nect with one another and improve the way we live are presented in a new book entitled Radical Curiosity, Questioning Commonly Held Beliefs to Imagine Flourishing Futures,

which has been well received internationally.

“It’s been really wonderful to hear how people are responding to the book, espe cially people I don’t know, and globally,” says the designer, curator, and entrepreneur.

In simple terms, Goldenberg’s meth odology challenges what we know: if you question what you believe in both your personal and professional lives, you can become open to greater experiences. It’s a return to basics, asking us to rely on human

New high-profile book by Jamestown’s Seth Goldenberg encourages questioning everything

Photo courtesy of Epic Decade

as a

makes

and fascinating case

But he delivers his

in a way that is digestible for his

“While the

they

can be heavy and

seems

to be resonating,” says Goldenberg. The book struck a chord among leaders in business and philosophy along with na tional media outlets like Time , Wired , and Fast Company

A framework for the practice that he uses to engage individuals, businesses, and communities, the book is the foun dation for much larger projects to come

through his design studio, Epic Decade. High-profile clients like Apple, American Express, and the Oprah Winfrey Network engage Goldenberg to discuss some of the most essential challenges of our time – topics like the Great Resignation, ineq uity, injustices brought forward by Black Lives Matter and MeToo, recession, infla tion, supply chain issues, the impact of

Hugh

climate change, and the war in Ukraine.

The book, design studio, and store are just the beginning. Next comes CSA House, which Goldenberg describes as “a food and health innovation center focused on how we grow, nourish, and replenish our living systems through re generative design.” Visit Curiosity & Co. at 14 Narragansett Avenue, Jamestown.

Photo courtesy of Epic Decade

Life & Style | maker

By Elyse Major

Cottage Industry

A Charlestown mom of two taps into her creativity for new wreath-making venture

For years, friends marveled over the hand iwork of Brandi Lacoste of Charlestown, who starts with simple grapevine hoops and other similar forms, and adorns them with faux foliage, sprigs, fruits, and blooms to create eye-catching wreaths. “I have

always made my own wreaths and would also make them as gifts. Everyone kept tell ing me I should open an Etsy shop and sell my creations,” says Lacoste.

What finally prompted the initiative was a series of events that kicked o in spring

of 2020: the birth of her first child, followed immediately by lockdown, getting laid o from her job in kitchen/interior design, and becoming pregnant again. “After many conversations and putting pen to paper to weigh the pros and cons of putting the

Photos courtesy of Duke & Lotte

FOR

Life & Style | maker • By Elyse Major

kids in daycare and me going back to work, financially it didn’t make sense,” she says. The months that followed found La coste brainstorming what she could do from home to make some money on her own schedule. “After a lot of thought, I

decided to take the leap and start up my wreath business.” The inspiration behind the name comes from her two children, Charlotte and Duke. All Duke and Lotte wreaths are one-of-a-kind designs, with La coste using high-quality faux florals and her

sense of style. “Each design is inspired by the current trends, seasons, and holidays. Right now, I am currently focusing on fall wreaths and will soon be moving into the winter/Christmas designs,” says Lacoste. Etsy.com/Shop/DukeandLotte

Photo courtesy of Duke & Lotte

By Elyse Major

Bright Ideas

Shining a light on the state’s lamp-makers

You don’t need expert advice to know how important lighting is to a room. Beyond the utility of illuminating work areas, a beautiful fixture can set the mood and be a statement piece. Across Rhode Island, makers (many with RISD ties) have studios, small factories, and showrooms where they’re busy handmaking lamps and more sure to infuse spaces with artisan appeal.

1. GLASS PENDANT LIGHT BY PROVIDENCE ART GLASS

Made in Cumberland

The award-winning fine arts duo of Rebecca Zhukov and Terence Dubreuil founded Providence Art Glass in 2006. Luminaries and glassware are made to order, and all types of customizations are always welcome. Staying true to their handmade pledge, every item is custom crafted in their Blackstone Valley factory. ProvidenceArtGlass.com

2. SOMERSET TABLE LAMP BY O&G STUDIO

Made in Warren O&G Studio was founded by Sara Ossana and Jonathan Glatt, two friends who met as grad students at RISD. Renowned for their hand-built Windsor chairs, O&G’s growing portfolio includes a range of furniture types in signature finishes, decorative accents, hardware, and lighting, all built in their Warren factory. OAndGStudio.com

3. LARGE INCENSE TRIPOD BY HWANG BISHOP

Made in Warren Saturated glazes, vibrant hues, and organic shapes have made Hwang Bishop a source for bespoke lighting for over 20 years. Founder Felicia Hwang and her team of ceramic artists handcraft each piece to order in a line that includes lighting and furniture in over 40 standard finishes and customization options.

ShopHwangBishop.com

4. PLANT LAMP BY PETER POTS POTTERY

Made in West Kingston Oliver and Elizabeth Greene founded their business when they were students at RISD. Seventy-five years later, they still follow a process that begins with a sketch for their hand-crafted line. They blend their own stoneware clay and formulate their own glass resulting in works that are both durable and lustrous PeterPots.com

SAVE TIME ORDER ONLINE

Narragansett Middletown Westerly Storrs, CT

scenic_narragansett

Food & Drink

in the kitchen | entertain | recipe | food news

A SLICE OF THANKSGIVING

When most people think of “Thanksgiving pie,” apple, pumpkin, and pecan come to mind – but not at Providence Coal Fired Pizza in North Kingstown. November marks the return of their fan-favorite Thanksgiving Pizza. It all started over seven years ago when an employee suggested a Turkey Day special. “We figured, why not try something and see what happens?” recalls operating partner David Bertolini. “Since then we have been running the Thanksgiving Pizza every year because of all the positive feedback we’ve had and the phone calls the second year asking if we would be running it again.”

Specializing in handcrafted, gourmet pizzas, Providence Coal Fired brings together the holiday’s sweet and savory best bets all on one crust. Think turkey gravy instead of tomato sauce for a base, which is topped with roasted dark and white meat, cornbread stu ng, roasted sweet potatoes, dried cranberries, cheddar cheese, and fresh sage.

All of their weekly specials will be on for the month, too, so why not turn an ordinary Wednesday into a Friendsgiving feast with their Hump Day deal – half o the pie of the month? Their chefs are slinging Thanksgiving Pizzas November 18-27 at both Providence and North Kingstown locations. ProvidenceCoalFiredPizza.com |

By Abbie Lahmers

Photo courtesy of Providence Coal Fired Pizza

& Drink

experience

Making Waves

By Kou Tukala Nyan

Ocean State bounties get an Asian-inspired twist at Wakefield’s newest eatery

A friend and I visited New Wave Kitchen on an autumn afternoon, but inside you can trick yourself into believing it’s still summer on the coast. The spacious ocean-inspired interior offers hints of surf life, like a tiny blue ukulele near the counter and a surf board propped up by the windows. In the back, we caught a glimpse of the chef hard at work in the kitchen, likely preparing one of the creative seafood or ramen dishes the name has become synonymous with.

Laying down roots in the Kingston Empo rium, New Wave Kitchen recently upgraded

to a new location on Wakefield’s central Main Street. Owner and chef Matt Rea gan’s goal is to serve organic ingredients, meats, and fish sourced from our seas and pastures and prepared with Asian-inspired styles and flavors. The menu changes with the seasons to chase what’s fresh. Though there’s only non-alcoholic beverages avail able, guests are welcome to BYOB.

Catching one of the last few warm and sunny days of fall, we chose to eat outside to soak up the rays while people-watching on the bustling street. Once we had studied

Must-Try Items

Tuna Nachos ($11)

Organic blue tortilla chips, eel sauce, spicy mayo, and scallions

Shoyu Salmon ($17)

Raw salmon with ginger, cucumber, greens, chili oil on rice

Shoyu Salmon

Photo by Kou Tukala Nyan

Drink

experience

the menu and perused the specials board inside, we went to the counter to order an array of tantalizing seafood eats.

Part of what makes the New Wave experi ence so fun is the wide selection of scratchmade sauces. For instance, they use Thai chilis from Brandon Family Farm in West Kingston to create an unrivaled chili oil that also includes garlic and herbs. Cedar Valley Farm in Exeter supplies the eggs they use for their mayo. No matter the sauce you choose, it will deliver a delightful kick to the kitchen’s already expertly seasoned dishes.

We started with the Lobster Bun. Smaller than the classic Lobster Roll, this adorable treat is packed with as much flavor as its

larger counterpart. Mayo seasoned with herbs, yuzu, and black pepper is slathered onto lobster meat and fluffy white bun. We also tried the equally dainty and flavorful Tuna Bun. Whereas the lobster version was satisfyingly savory, this dish was sweet ened with eel sauce and garnished with seaweed. It’s difficult to choose a winner.

Next up was a round of Tuna Nachos, which were absolutely scrumptious. Crispy organic blue tortilla chips are topped with soft, fresh tuna and scallions, then drizzled with eel sauce and spicy mayo. It’s hard to stop snack ing on this addicting appetizer – I gleefully finished the plate before our entrees arrived.

The Shoyu Salmon features a perfect

harmony of spicy heat from the chili oil, coolness from the cucumber sauce, and the melt-in-your-mouth buttery goodness of salmon. It’s served over brown rice with av ocado, spinach, micro-greens, and sesame seeds pulling the whole thing together.

Though a recent addition on the block, New Wave Kitchen is already a treasure on Main Street building a solid rep of showcasing the best of farm and sea that the Ocean State has to o er – and with a wonderful twist.

New Wave Kitchen

Main Street, Wakefield

By Kou Tukala Nyan

Photos by Rebecca N. Mancini (L) and Kou Tukala Nyan (R)

Tuna Nachos

Drink | in the kitchen

Feast With Friends

Catering pros o er fresh takes on classic Thanksgiving eats for more casual get-togethers

Turkey Day is just around the corner, which has most everyone dreaming about mashed potatoes, stu ng, and cranberry sauce. There’s a time and place for those tried-andtrue passed-down recipes to shine, but more and more folks are craving a looser menu with friends ahead of the big day – a more casual foodie gathering celebrating camara derie and veering away from the traditional sides and mains. We heard from local cater ing chefs and a mixologist on best bets for creating a truly unique Friendsgiving spread.

HAVE FUN WITH IT

“I think the best Friendsgiving menus are the kind that allow you to mix it up and kind of mess with the classics. We can always do a turkey if you want…but what about braised short rib with creamy spiced potato, or cauliflower with a rich romesco sauce? Roasted delicata squash is always a fall favorite. I love Friendsgiving – it’s none of the pressure, all of the fun.”

–Kaitlin Owens, Fox and Whale Catering

GET IT CATERED

If hosting the ultimate Friendsgiving is enticing but the actual cooking part sounds daunting, leave it to the professionals to cater your get-together, no matter the size.

Fox and Whale Catering

Currently taking holiday orders. Inquire about drop-o options, or have the chefs come to you with at-home catering services.

FoxAndWhaleCatering.com

SoCo Vedge

Find vegan o erings listed online, or inquire for special requests.

SoCoVedgeRI.com

MXR

Locally made drink kits, complete with recipes and all ingredients needed except the alcohol, are available online for delivery. MXRCocktails.com

A Whiskey Box from MXR

By Abbie Lahmers

Photo courtesy of MXR

Try This:

Owens recommends starting things off with a charcuterie spread. For sides, aspar agus wrapped in prosciutto; sauteed green beans with buttered almonds; leafy green salad; and pearl couscous with sweet po tato, pine nuts, and golden raisins are all creative uses of seasonal harvests. Swap turkey for rosemary lamb chops or braised chicken thighs. A round of mini apple cider donuts concludes this Friendsgiving meal, or “Convince friends to bring pie – it’s al ways the best!” advises Owens.

INCLUSIVE EATS

“Make sure to include things for every one! Offer some gluten-free, nut-free, vegetarian, and vegan options so that all your guests can be included. Oftentimes get-togethers have the same favorites, so switch it up with new and exciting dishes and fun twists on the classics. Put some

pomegranate molasses in your cranberry sauce, or toss your Brussels sprouts in an exotic spice blend, like dukkah or za’atar, so it gives a different flavor profile to the dishes we know and love.”

–Julie and Dean Couchey, SoCo Vedge

Try This:

Kick off a vegan Friendsgiving feast with butternut squash bisque with a hint of ha rissa. “The spicy and sweet combo is un expected and delicious,” the Coucheys ex plain, and instead of mashed potatoes, why not play with celery root or rutabaga? “A fun twist on a main entree is slow roasting a whole head cauliflower with poultry sea soning. Cook covered in foil for roughly 45 minutes at 350ºF, and remove the foil for the last 15 minutes to give it a crispy exte rior that everyone at the table will want to try.” SoCo Vedge also offers a vegan spin on pumpkin cheesecake for dessert.

BE REALISTIC

“My advice would be to lead with what you can do instead of what you cannot. Open ing up your home/living space for others and making it comfortable for them should be the priority. Manage expectations; don’t promise a 12-course feast when your apart ment barely seats four.”

–Michael Silva, MXR Cocktails

Try This:

For any size of gathering, prepare drinks in advance so there’s no need to play bar tender throughout the evening. “Get cre ative with sangria and mulled wine,” says Silva, or purchase a locally made drink kit from MXR – garnishes included – to take the work out of concocting your own reci pe. The Whiskey Sour is a classic choice, or Your Love is on Fire uses a cinnamon syrup – either can be prepared from the contents of a MXR Whiskey Box.

A plate of vegan spins on Thanksgiving staples from SoCo Vedge

Braised short ribs by Fox and Whale Catering

Food & Drink | in the kitchen

• By Abbie Lahmers

Photos courtesy of (L) Fox And Whale Catering, (R) SoCoVegde RI

entertain

Plan a Harvest Party

From paper goods to prosecco, Kayla Aucoin puts small businesses front and center in autumn hosting plans

If summer is the season of paper plates, autumn is surely when a bit of formality returns. Baskets of chips are replaced with quick breads faster than night falls, and even drinks get darker in color with mugs of warm cider over jars of lemonade.

Kayla Aucoin revels in entertaining, but her heart lies in the details of assembling tables capes with all the trimmings. The North Kings town entrepreneur behind AUCOIN designs divides her time between design and photogra phy, also producing hand-illustrated stationery, paper goods, and a range of wax stamps, which she uses to embellish everything from skewers to place cards for her tabletop collection.

For a harvest-themed feast (hello, Thanks giving), Aucoin assembles goods from Rhode Island sellers. “What’s better than walking into a small business and being able to talk to the de signer, artisan, or business owner? It becomes personal,” she says. “We created a Rhody style gathering! How cool is that?” Follow on Insta gram for updates on vending at community markets and more: @aucoindesigns

“When creating your composition, think about your framing and your use of textures and contrasting colors. Utilize shapes and understand how you fill your negative space. Make your subject pop!” says Kayla Aucoin, AUCOIN designs.

By Elyse Major | Styled and photographed by Kayla Aucoin

Styled and photographed by Kayla Aucoin

Kayla Aucoin

TABLESCAPE

Bowls, centerpiece, candle holders, flowers and plants, plates: Wildwood Nursery Home & Garden, East Greenwich

Need help with a centerpiece? Wildwood o ers design services and indoor/outdoor holiday planters and wreaths

Fabric dinner napkins: Susan Troy Cloth, North Smithfield

Napkins, place cards, seal skewers, and wine bags and charms: Aucoin Designs, North Kingstown

Pumpkins and winter squash: Chris and Kristina’s Market Garden, South Kingstown

Styled and photographed by Kayla Aucoin

Food & Drink | entertain • By Elyse Major | Styled and photographed by Kayla Aucoin

Set a high bar with Rhody libations

BAR CART Co ee & Black Walnut

Vodka, Rhode Island Red Vodka, Forager’s Gin: Rhodium Rhode Island Spirits, Pawtucket

Make a RI Fed Fizz: Mix the Rhode Island Red Vodka and Gooseneck Vineyards Prosecco

Wine and bubbles (Rhody Red, Sauvignon Blanc France, Prosecco, Wickford White): Gooseneck Vineyards, North Kingstown

Jack Pumpkin Ale and Boreal Imperial Stout: Tilted Barn Brewery, Exeter

Stemless wine glasses: Honey Gallery, North Kingstown

Tea and Scones

Warm your hearth with fall-spiced scones and a pot of local tea

Ever wonder what it was like to grow up in New England at the turn of the 20th century? Night caps and songs around a grand piano, letter writ ing, and elaborate horticulture pursuits made for lavish pastimes – as did the time-honored tradi tion of tea and scones. A trip across the Claire borne Pell Newport Bridge to the Blithewold estate in Bristol harkens back to the elegant pleasures enjoyed by the Van Wickle family at their coastal getaway, and you can recreate a piece of their tradition by filling your abode with the warming scents of apple and pecan conjured by home-made scones baking in the oven.

Even if aristocracy and unplugged life aren’t your cup of tea, this autumnal scone recipe is irresistible in any context and nicely comple mented with loose-leaf tea from South Coast Organics and Bulk Foods in Wakefield and a squeeze of local honey.

PUMPKIN PECAN SCONES WITH APPLE CIDER GLAZE

SCONES

• 1 cup raw pecans

• 2 cups whole wheat flour

• 1 Tbsp baking powder

• ¼ cup brown sugar, packed

1½ tsp cinnamon

½ tsp ginger

¼ tsp nutmeg

• ¼ tsp cloves or allspice

• ½ tsp salt

• 5 Tbsp cold butter

• ¾ cup pumpkin puree

• ¼ cup milk of choice

• ¾ tsp vanilla extract

GLAZE

• 1 cup apple cider

• ½ to 2 cups of powdered sugar (depending on consistency)

• 2 Tbsp butter

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• Pinch of salt

Food

• By Liz Murray

Photo by Liz Murray

STEPS

1. Preheat the oven to 425ºF. Place the nuts in a single layer on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Toast the nuts for 3 minutes, then chop into very fine pieces.

2. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, ¾ of the chopped nuts, baking powder, sugar, spices, and salt.

3. Use a pastry cutter to cut the butter into the dry ingredients. If you don’t have a pastry cutter, use your hands to mix the butter evenly into the flour mixture until there are no visible pieces left.

4. Stir in pumpkin puree, milk, and vanilla extract. Mix together until a dough forms.

5. Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface, and form the dough into a circle that’s about an inch deep all around. Use a chef’s knife to cut the circle into 8 even slices.

6. Separate the slices and place them on the baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15 to 17 minutes or until lightly golden brown.

7. While the scones are baking, prepare the glaze. Bring apple cider to a boil in a medium saucepan. Allow to simmer for about 10 minutes, until reduced by half (it is important for it to reduce).

8. Remove the saucepan from heat and toss in the butter, cinnamon, pinch of salt, and half a cup of powdered sugar. Whisk to combine, then add more powdered sugar as needed to reach desired consistency. It should coat the back of a spoon and be light in color.

9. Once the scones are done, drizzle with the glaze and sprinkle with the leftover chopped nuts. Allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving, and enjoy!

For more tips and recipes, visit RecipeHippie.com

Food & Drink | food news • By Karen Greco

Artisanal beef jerky in Richmond

Chris White, a bartender by trade, loves beef jerky. His home exper iments using a NESCO dehydrator got an enthusiastic response, en couraging him to consider selling it. But starting a jerky business was so time consuming, he back-burnered it. When the pandemic hit, he had extra time to dig into the process. He set up a professional-grade dehydrator in a commercial kitchen and started Branchish Jerky.

White’s jerky is not like the supermarket stuff. Top round is hand

cut into thick slices, marinated for 24-48 hours, and dehydrated for up to 10. He uses soy sauce or Himalayan sea salt instead of nitrates. “I cut it thick and only dehydrate it until it’s safe to eat,” he explains, noting that his meat holds more moisture than commer cial brands, which helps with the texture. “You know you’re eating meat.” Grab the artisanal jerky at the recently opened Pasquale Farms Garden Center. Richmond, BranchishJerky.com

Photo courtesy of Branchish Jerky

Specialty beef jerky made in Richmond

A bad experience with garlic fries led Westerly resident Ted Sherman to devel op a garlic sauce that his wife and son deemed so delicious at first taste, they created a name, logo, and website by the time they went to bed. “This stu needed to be sold,” says wife Carrie. Af ter leasing a commercial kitchen in Prov idence, 401 Garlic Sauce was ready to launch on March 14, 2020, but the world shut down the day before, putting their plans on hold. A chance drive past Town Made in Wakefield, with its close proxim ity to home, rekindled their idea.

Using organic garlic sourced locally, the versatile sauce is perfect “for any thing,” from meats to veggies to seafood or simply spread on bread like butter. It comes frozen and lasts for six months in the freezer, seven days thawed. The sauce is gluten free and they’re devel oping a dairy-free version. New flavors are on the horizon, like roasted jalapeño. Wakefield, 401GarlicSauce.com

Nonprofit, local journalism www.thepublicsradio.org

URI grad Edmund Addai already had the idea for his restaurant Stack House be fore the ink on his diploma was dry. In 2017, he eyed a restaurant up for sale in the Emporium. But part of the deal was retaining the eatery’s identity, and Addai wasn’t keen on giving up what started as a breakfast-forward concept.

Instead, Addai opened Stack House in Providence as a ghost kitchen during the pandemic. The wa es and fried chicken joint proved such a hit, when another Em porium space opened up, Addai jumped. The larger kitchen space allowed him to purchase a bigger frier and a high-tech breading station he calls a game changer, so the Kingston location can do a higher volume for his expanded Southern-in spired menu, which includes wa es and fried chicken as well as mac and cheese and 17 wing varieties. “It feels great to be here, creating a staple in the community,” says Addai. Kingston, StackHouseUS.com

A sauce for garlic lovers in Wakefield

Southern-style breakfast all day in Kingston

South County Scenes

Autumn colors backdrop a beautiful waterfall in Hopkinton

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.