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In This Issue

So Rhode Island December 2022 Wickford Festival of Lights

29 A Month of Merriment Awaits Your guide for a December of festive fun around the region

47 HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE: Your idea book for supporting small biz this season

Photo courtesy of flatfish cottage

The Scoop

26 Art is accessible to all at this

7 A Warwick nonprofit helps

Jamestown studio and gallery

bridge the gap for those experiencing homelessness

Photo by David Simms

Life & Style 53 HOME: A couple makes

10 THE PUBLIC’S RADIO: How

a Watch Hill fixer-upper their own

the public lost coastal access protections In Watch Hill Cove

16 ON STAGE: Indelible

62 PROFILE: From EG to Bali, a local photographer’s

78 IN THE KITCHEN: Feast of the

adventures

Fishes from a Westerly chef

66 MAKER: Graphic designer

82 Sweet treats from local

sprouts new woodland

bakeshops

performances imbue urgency in a decaying blue collar town

20 RHODY PETS: Purrfect

ornament business

86 FOOD NEWS: South County’s

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22 CALENDAR: This month’s must-do’s

70 SHOP: Wakefield’s own

new BBQ truck, a healthy

independent toy store

approach to wings & wine

encourages all-ages play

and cocktails in Westerly

Food & Drink

South County Scenes

24 RHODY GEM: Hygge vibes

73 Add fresh flavor to holiday apps

88 A stunning image from a

and homegoods in Wickford

with Warwick-grown microgreens

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ON THE COVER: Peace and joy in Avondale. Photo by Holly Sisco-Bowen.

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The Scoop

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HOPE STARTS WITH A WARM SHOWER From hair cuts to permanent housing, a Warwick nonprofit is addressing homelessness in RI “Homelessness doesn’t discriminate,” begins Kelsey Lewin, a volunteer with Warwick-based House of Hope, a nonprofit organization working in local communities to try to end homelessness. “It’s easy to forget that when you’re on the other side of it. These are people with all different stories, backgrounds, journeys.” Lewin and her team from Shamrock Home Loans donate their time with House of Hope’s mobile hygiene program Shower to Empower, which offers basic needs ranging from showers to haircuts at no charge. The program also includes on-site case management and medical services to those experiencing homelessness. “Shower to Empower is an innovative approach to delivering services,” according to House of Hope’s executive director Laura Jaworski. “We want to meet our clients where they are, and this mobile approach really works to connect us to people out in the community.” With sites in Pawtucket, Providence, West Warwick, and Woonsocket, the program runs Monday through Friday at locations in the community accessible to House of Hope clients. Photo courtesy of House of Hope SORhodeIsland.com • December 2022

By Hugh Minor

Approaching the winter months, the need for House of Hope’s services increases, especially in the midst of a challenging economy. Whether donating time or funds, anyone can help. Volunteers are always needed, and groups and businesses are invited to hold drives for much-needed items like sleeping bags and coats. Purchases can be made from their Amazon wish list, and, of course, monetary donations of any kind are always welcome. For more information on their work and how to become involved, visit HouseOfHopeCDC.org.

SORhodeIsland.com • December 2022

For some, services and referrals are provided on the spot, while others are assisted with accessing services like housing, employment, and social security benefits. A family nurse practitioner and psychiatrist join the outreach

can to keep them safe.” The first step is to connect people experiencing homelessness with services, and then to make sure they have at least some form of temporary shelter, whether it’s a tent or

team and are able to provide some care literally on the street when necessary. “It provides an entry into services,” says Jaworski. “Many people don’t know where to go or where to start, so we find them and help connect them to an array of resources and referrals.” Ultimately, the goal of House of Hope is to guide people toward finding permanent housing, but that’s a long road for many, filled with many obstacles along the way due to a myriad of hurdles, including a difficult-to-navigate social services system. “Since our founding more than 30 years ago, we’ve always been focused on getting people into permanent housing,” says Jaworski. “But it’s not a simple process of moving clients from the street into a home. Until then, we need to do what we

a room in a hotel. Next begins the process of moving people into permanent supportive housing, finding employment, and accessing benefits. It can take years. Jaworski shares, “often we need to work with clients to overcome years of trauma, which is understandable after living on the streets for any amount of time. We need to build a relationship and earn their trust before we can provide any kind of long-term assistance.” And that relationship begins with Shower to Empower, the first service that many House of Hope clients encounter. Lewin adds, “While you wish there weren’t a need for this program at all, once you witness the transformation that a simple shower and haircut gives a person, you’re grateful it’s there.”

Photo courtesy of House of Hope

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

Federal regulations required greater public access to Watch Hill Cove. With local prodding, Congress changed the law to the benefit of private interests The Watch Hill Yacht Club controls more than half of the moorings in Westerly’s exclusive Watch Hill Cove, a flashpoint for public access to Rhode Island’s coast. A new investigation found local, state, and federal officials worked to change US law to help keep it that way. By Alex Nunes If Watch Hill Cove is anything, it’s highly desirable. Boaters, kayakers, swimmers, fishermen, tourists, vacation homeowners, and year-round residents of Westerly all want to get to the sheltered inlet at the end of the Pawcatuck River,

The view of Watch Hill Cove from Napatree Point Conservation Area in Westerly. The Cove was once a federally authorized anchorage area, where U.S. law required access be open to all boaters on equal terms.

‘A HIGH CRIME’ Watch Hill Cove looks the way it does today because of work done by the federal government decades ago. A spokesperson for the Army Corps of Engineers said the US government dredged the cove as part of a federal navigation project in the area in 1948 and 1949. According to an Army Corps information guidebook, the total work cost the federal government what would amount to more than $2 million in today’s money. Because federal tax dollars paid for the dredging, Watch Hill Cove was designated a federal anchorage area, where access is required to be open to all boaters on equal terms. That means access should have been managed in “the general public interest” and

or requirement of any kind,” according to US Army Corps of Engineers standards. But what emerged over time was something different. The cove filled up with moorings and boaters claimed them as their own, effectively blocking other boaters from much of the area. Eventually the Watch Hill Yacht Club, founded in 1913, and its members came to own most of these moorings. “There was no authority, it seemed, that was in Watch Hill Cove. And people characterized it as literally a ‘pirate cove,’” said former Westerly Town Council member Jean Gagnier. “They were squatting. The squatters show up and they don’t have any authority, but they’re there.” Then in 2018, the Army Corps of Engineers decided to put pressure on the town of Westerly to address the lack of access to the area that federal law required. Army Corps of Engineers Col. William Conde sent the Westerly

made aware that moorings in the cove were being managed in a way that “limits access on the basis of yacht club membership.” “Membership in a specific yacht club should not be a prerequisite for obtaining a mooring in the Federal anchorage area,” Conde wrote. “The Town must ensure proper use and access to the Federal resource...” Town officials realized if action wasn’t taken, they ran the risk of the Army Corps removing the moorings in Watch Hill Cove entirely. At that time in 2018, the town was working to draft an official harbor management plan that spells out its current and proposed regulations around public shoreline access, water quality, storm preparedness, and mooring management. In Rhode Island, harbor management plans need to be approved by the state’s Coastal Resources Management Council. CRMC, though, would not approve Westerly’s

in a way that “made no arbitrary distinction

Town Council written notice, saying he’d been

plan if its moorings policies in Watch Hill Cove

SORhodeIsland.com • December 2022

Photo by Alex Nunes

right by the open waters of Block Island Sound. It’s where the Watch Hill Yacht Club has its imposing three-story clubhouse atop an array of pillars and luxury pleasure vessels and sailboats dot a postcard-worthy view from Napatree Point across the water to Watch Hill’s central village. But this coveted spot now lacks federal regulations meant to protect public access, thanks to the work of government officials at the local, state, and federal levels that benefited private interests in Watch Hill. When town officials learned in recent years that federal law required public access to boat moorings in the cove, they did not use that as an opportunity to expand access to the water. Instead, an investigation by The Public’s Radio found officials lobbied Rhode Island’s congressional delegation to change federal law and keep the moorings in use by private hands.

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violated federal law. Westerly faced a choice: work with the yacht club to force open and equitable public access in the cove, or ask Congress to remove the federal designation and free the interests in Watch Hill of the protections inherent to a federal anchorage area. That would also mean the federal government would no longer be responsible for the upkeep of the area and would not be required to foot the bill for any future dredging projects, for instance. Kevin Cute, an official with the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council, cautioned the town at the time, saying deauthorization would “essentially accommodate the people in Watch Hill Cove who have absconded with public property for decades while keeping the public out,” according to minutes from a September 2018 Westerly Planning Board meeting. The minutes add, “Mr. Cute said from his

perspective this is a high crime.” Jean Gagnier, one of the town councilors at the time, said he preferred to delay a deauthorization vote until the town council took up its harbor management plan. The town could have used the uncertain future of the moorings, he said, as a way to force concessions from the yacht club on greater public access. “I always viewed deauthorization to be linked to the harbor management plan, because it gave the council, and it gave the town, the maximum leverage,” Gagnier said in a recent interview. Gagnier said on another occasion the council voted to send the congressional delegation its written objection to a federal railway plan, but he did not remember the town ever lobbying federal lawmakers to change US law at any other point during his two terms on the town council. Less than two weeks after CRMC’s Kevin Cute advised the town’s planning board that deauthorization would allow private interests to capitalize on public goods, Westerly’s town council voted to send a letter to Rhode Island’s congressional delegation requesting that lawmakers change federal law to strip Watch Hill Cove of its federal designation and its associated public protections. The resolution passed the town council in a 4-to-3 vote, formalizing the town’s intent to seek “the assistance of the Rhode Island Congressional delegation in getting Congress to enact legislation deauthorizing the anchorage portion of the Federal Navigation Project at Watch Hill Cove.” At that meeting, then-Town Council President Edward Morrone, a longtime property owner in Watch Hill, said the vote was the first step “to get us off the block.” “All of the intricacies and the mechanics of the operation of the harbor management

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plan will come forth as the project evolves,” Morrone said during the brief debate before the council’s 2018 vote. In a recent interview, Morrone, who is running again this year to get back on the town council, said deauthorization was a viable way to help resolve a complex issue and he voted for it based on the input he was getting from the town of Westerly’s legal counsel and the CRMC, which eventually backed the move. “I think we took the best advice we could on a very touchy subject matter, obviously,” he said. “I think that we were open and forthright with regards to the meetings that were held to listen to the concerns of citizens.” Then-Westerly town councilor William Aiello said recently that he voted for the deauthorization in 2018 because he thought CRMC’s Kevin Cute supported it and that deauthorization would lead to more parking options and better public access to Watch Hill Cove. Aiello is also running for town council again this year. Current Town Council President Sharon Ahern, who voted for the deauthorization as a town councilor

In the end, the Coastal Resources Management Council backed the deauthorization. In an email sent days before the town council vote and recently obtained by The Public’s Radio, CRMC’s Kevin Cute shared the draft resolution with staff from the office of US Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and told them “I wish to assure you that CRMC supports the resolution.” CRMC would not make Cute available for comment. In an interview, CRMC spokesperson Laura Dwyer said, “I can only speculate that Kevin, or whoever, is trying to help the process along” so the town can have “an approved harbor management plan.” When asked for CRMC’s current position on the deauthorization, Dwyer said only that the agency has not completed its review of the town’s harbor management plan, which the town submitted in 2019. She said the agency doesn’t have the resources at this time to properly review and approve Westerly’s plan. DEAUTHORIZED DURING THE PANDEMIC Despite Council President Morrone’s urgency

2018, the state’s congressional delegation did not immediately act on it. In 2019, a staff member from Rhode Island US Senator Jack Reed’s office contacted the Westerly town manager and director of development services by email to see if the town approved of language the office intended to use to deauthorize Watch Hill Cove. The new town council, which had taken office in November 2018, voted unanimously to reaffirm the deauthorization request. Reed and Whitehouse then inserted deauthorization language into a federal bill focused on waterways, which was later folded into the 2021 appropriations bill, a massive spending and COVID relief bill, and voted into law. When President Trump signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 in December 2020, federal protections vanished. In a joint statement, senators Reed and Whitehouse said they requested the deauthorization provision be included in legislation after a formal request from the town of Westerly. They said they “urge an open and consultative process with the public, just as every coastal

in 2019, did not respond to an interview request.

to approve the deauthorization in September

community in Rhode Island must under state

SORhodeIsland.com • December 2022

Photo by Alex Nunes

The Watch Hill Yacht Club sits in Westerly’s Watch Hill Cove. The club, founded in 1913, currently controls 72 moorings in Watch Hill Cove thanks, in part, to the deauthorization of what was once a federal anchorage area.

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and local laws and procedures.” The Army Corps of Engineers declined several interview requests. Spokesperson Bryan Purtell said in an email the Army Corps reviewed the deauthorization request and okayed it because the town wanted more local control of the cove and deauthorization would relieve the US government of the responsibility of paying to dredge the cove in the future.

Jason Jarvis, an artisanal commercial fisherman from Westerly, is pictured at the Quonochontaug Breachway Boat Launch in Charlestown. As of late October, Jarvis was number 23 on the waitlist for a mooring permit in Watch Hill Cove.

cess for moorings. The yacht club pays the town for the permits to the moorings and rents them to its members. There are a limited number available for transient boaters passing through the area. And when yacht club members leave for extended periods of time, the club lets others use those spots on a transient basis. The yacht club’s commodore and vice-commodore did not respond to multiple interview requests for this story. The yacht club’s general manager declined to comment. Roughly 50 boaters using other moorings prior to deauthorization were allowed to keep them. Ten of those will be phased out over time. The town has established a waitlist for boaters who want permits when the other 40 moorings in Watch Hill Cove become available. The current estimated wait time is three years. “We have a program in place and it seems to be working,” said Kimberlie Rayner-Russell, Westerly’s assistant harbormaster, who also served on the Harbor Management Commission that helped draw up the town’s new moorings policy. Rayner-Russell said the new system actually opens up the cove for more public access. The moorings permitted to the yacht club can be used for transient boaters. The waitlist for the other moorings ensures members of the public have a path to access their own mooring permits, even if there is a years-long wait. Rayner-Russell said she doesn’t understand why the Watch Hill Yacht Club is being singled out for scrutiny, because it’s not the only yacht club in Westerly that has moorings. She said it makes sense that yacht club members and the boaters who kept their

because they’re the people who have a need for them and the means to use them. Much of the recreational land and parking around Watch Hill Cove is controlled by the Watch Hill Fire District, a quasi-municipal entity that owns about 65 acres of property, most of it along the shore. The yacht club rents a parking lot along Watch Hill Cove from the fire district. A security guard is stationed there in the summer to block vehicles from entering. It’s hard for an average boater to use a mooring in the cove, even if they have a permit. When you look at the total picture, Rayner-Russell says, the way the town handled the situation with moorings in Watch Hill Cove is appropriate and fair. “When something’s been going on for 50 years, and [the mooring users in Watch Hill Cove have] not done anything wrong — they’ve gone through the channels that were in place at that time — why do they get penalized?” Rayner-Russell said. “It doesn’t make sense, and it would have made a lot, a lot of work for a lot, a lot of people. We just didn’t think that that was going to be in the best interest of our plan.” Rayner-Russell said, “My point is that it’s not this big group of people that are being

‘WE’RE AN EYESORE’ Jason Jarvis begs to differ. He’s a commercial fisherman from Westerly. On a recent day, he stood in the rain at the state-run Quonochontaug Breachway Boat Launch in Charlestown. It’s one of the spots Jarvis tows his boat to so he can get out to the ocean to fish. He’s on the waitlist to get a mooring in Watch Hill Cove, which he said could save him hours every day because the area is so close to Block Island Sound. But he’s at spot number 23 on the waitlist, and he says he doesn’t expect a mooring permit until “I’m about 82 years old, if I see it at all.” He says other fishermen would love a mooring in Watch Hill Cove, but the powers of exclusion in Watch Hill, enabled by town officials willing to appease them, are working against him and other boaters. “We’re an eyesore,” Jarvis said. “You know, you want to eat the fish, but you don’t want to see the commercial fishermen. You know, not in my backyard.”

moorings in Watch Hill Cove got priority,

disserviced by what was decided upon.”

reached at anunes@thepublicsradio.org

SORhodeIsland.com • December 2022

This article originally posted November 2, 2022. Alex Nunes can be

Photo by Alex Nunes

‘IT SEEMS TO BE WORKING’ The Watch Hill Yacht Club was an obvious beneficiary of the deauthorization. Today it controls 72 moorings in Watch Hill Cove. The town now runs an annual permitting pro-

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The Scoop | so & so •

By Karen Greco

Urgency on the Stage A review of The Gamm’s recent production of Pullitzer Prize-winning Sweat

Theater often wears blinders when it comes to stories that encompass the plight of blue collar America. New York City’s stages are filled with new plays featuring college-educated upper middle class urbanites sipping rosé and opining about class and race. Lynn Nottage’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Sweat, which ran November at the indispensable Gamm Theatre, gives voice to the laborers abandoned by their unions, their government, and, ultimately, their own community. When Sweat made its Broadway debut in 2017, the New York Times called it “topical.” Five years later, I’d call it urgent. With the play set in Reading, Pennsylvania – one of the key battleground states in the midterm elections – watching it just two wakeups away from voting day is a stark reminder of how little we’ve progressed in the last five years.

SORhodeIsland.com • December 2022

The time-traveling play opens in 2008, with two young men, Jason and Chris, separately meeting with their parole officer. We flash back to the year 2000 to learn exactly why these former best friends spent time in prison. Reading is a factory town and the majority of its citizens “work the line,” just like their parents and grandparents before them. In 2000, the tentacles of NAFTA were beginning to choke the life out of the very unions that brought manufacturing workers solidly into the middle class. At the local watering hole (a keenly observed set design by Jessica Hill Kidd), the lives of three friends – Tracey, Cynthia, and Jessie – who are also co-workers at the local factory, unfold. As the whiskey flows, they share their stories, filled with the pride in getting their union cards and doing hard physical

labor in their quest to make a decent living. These people are workers, we are reminded. It’s in their blood. Indeed, Tracey and Cynthia both have sons, and these boys, like their parents and grandparents before them, are newly minted union members. A palpable anger simmers just below the surface of the characters. After a lifetime spent as laborers, their broken spirits are reflected through their broken bodies; barkeep Stan literally went lame because of malfunctioning equipment to which management turned a blind eye. But these soul- and body-crushing jobs form the foundation of each character’s identity. The impersonal word deindustrialization has real human consequences. So when Cynthia gets promoted to a management position, the bonds of friendship

Photo courtesy of The Gamm

L to R: Conor Delaney as Jason, Jason Quinn as Brucie, Erik Robles as Chris

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The Scoop | so & so •

By Karen Greco

begin to strain; a looming lockout pushes them to their breaking point. As the situation at the factory turns more Lord of the Flies, finger pointing and blame gaming commence. Friendships disintegrate, racism is revealed, and xenophobia becomes endemic. As the workers find their stability under siege, the bonds that once held this community together fray and then snap under the pressure. No one is spared from the devastation. Playwright Nottage packs a lot into this dense play, and The Gamm’s cast is up to the challenge. Directed with a steady hand by Rachel Walshe, the events leading to one staggering moment of violence unfold with precision pacing. The ensemble cast is wonderful, a mix of Gamm regulars and newcomers. As Tracey, Casey Seymour Kim gives a spit-fire performance of a woman living on a knife’s edge. Kym Gomes brings a sensitive, layered performance

SORhodeIsland.com • December 2022

to Cynthia, a Black woman who worked hard to overcome institutionalized racism only to lose everything she strived for in the process. Kelly Seigh brings levity to the proceedings as the hard-drinking Jessie, a former flower child whose dream to walk the hippie trail was waylaid by a career at the factory. Erik Robles is a stand out as Chris, the young man caught up in a violent moment that changes the trajectory of his promising life. The recent URI grad is a chameleon, shape shifting from youthful bravado to a broken excon seeking salvation. Conor Delaney as Jason gives a heart wrenching performance as a young man who needs to figure out what, exactly, feeds his anger and why. Jermaine L. Peterson – who resembles a young Wendell Pierce – is terrific as the parole officer. Jamie José Hernández imbues a defiant Oscar – constantly overlooked by the barflies – with a quiet strength. Jason

Quinn, who plays Cynthia’s despondent husband who falls into addiction, finds humanity in a character that could easily fall into cliché. Steve Kidd gives a gasp-worthy performance as Stan. It feels reductionist to simply call Nottage’s play one about the plight of the vanishing middle class because, as Walshe’s production astutely points out, it is much more complicated. Race and class coexist in this uncomfortable silence, much like they do in our everyday lives, and a feeling of hopelessness prevails until the very last scene when the young men are faced with the consequences of their actions. The play is a bitter pill, to be certain, but like all good theater, it’s a story that lingers well after the stage lights dim. Sweat runs at The Gamm through November 27. GammTheatre.org

Photo courtesy of The Gamm

L to R: Kym Gomes as Cynthia, Conor Delaney as Jason, Casey Seymour Kim as Tracey, Erik Robles as Chris

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The Scoop | rhody pets •

By Belinda Jones

Pet Presents A South County gift guide for the critters and animal-lovers on your list

RHODY PET OF THE MONTH: RAFA By Karen Kalunian Are you in search of a canine companion ready to form a lasting bond? Meet Rafa, a six-year-old Shih Tzu that will melt your heart with his fetching looks. Once you get to know him, Rafa will reveal his true nature as a ball of energy with no shortage of personality. He enjoys long walks on the leash and would do best in an adults-only home with no other pets so he can be your one and only little prince. Contact Animal Rescue Rhode Island in Peace Dale by calling 401783-7606, ext. 105 to meet or learn more about Rafa. If you have been thinking of adopting or know of an animal in need, please contact Karen directly at animaltalk1920@gmail.com

When you’re making a list and checking it twice, don’t leave out the furry friends in your life! We’re spotlighting three South County shops that make it easy when it comes to spoiling your pets, and for finding fun accessories for animal-lovers.

patrons, too. Keilty stocks Fox & Hound’s dog shampoo in warming winter scents like Argan & Amber, and Norfolk Natural Living’s dog cologne in Coastal Walk fragrance, a spoton choice for Rhody rovers. 2 Broad Street, Westerly, Facebook: Indigo Elephant

INDIGO ELEPHANT Resident Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Eloise makes a beguiling model for Indigo Elephant’s range of hand-knitted, pure wool dog sweaters, sourced from Peru by stylish owner Jenn Keilty. “A boutique for the unique,” the Westerly shop’s selection of eclectic lifestyle finds for

THE PURPLE COW This family-owned gift emporium has been delighting South Kingston customers for 35 years and offers plenty of pet-themed gems. Locals love their South County mugs and portable cups depicting a Black Lab at the Narragansett Towers, while party people may

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SORhodeIsland.com • December 2022

Wine Lives cats curling at the base of the stem. Other fun stocking stuffers include Daisy the Dachshund ceramic planter, a wind-up Pug in a Peanut toy, Crazy Cat Lady Action Figure, and canine or feline sleep masks, socks, and clocks. There’s even an accessory for your camera phone that clips a dog treat just above the lens for perfect pet portraits. 205 Main Street, Wakefield, ThePurpleCowCo.net SERENDIPITY “Welcome! No need to knock, we know you’re here – The Dogs” is just one of the hilarious handmade-in-Rhode-Island signs available at Wickford’s beloved gift boutique. Shopping

Photo by Belinda Jones

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for a friend who likes festive tipple? Choose the “It’s not drinking alone if the dog is home” wine cup. And for pet parents with gourmet skills? Fable & Sage’s flour sack tea towel features a dog silhouette and the warning: “If it hits the floor it’s gone for sure.” Owner Melissa Beckwith also offers the ideal solution for when your pet pal hops down from your lap, leaving you feeling the chill – Greenwich Bay hot packs. These flannelcovered pouches can be warmed in the microwave and come in a variety of prints, including cartoon dogs and a pastel pink Sleep is Purrrrfect cat design. 3 Main Street, Wickford, SerendipityRI.com

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The Scoop | calendar •

By Karen Greco

THE MUST LIST

10 essential events happening this month December 8: Lace up your hiking boots and join the Westerly Land Trust’s Native American Ceremonial Stonework Hike, which features two fields filled with cairns that were built as landmarks or memorials. Exeter, WesterlyLandTrust.org

December 8-11: The URI Theater Department’s production of Or, by Liz Duffy Adams, is a neo-restoration comedy about one night in the life of Aphra Behn, a poet, spy, and the first professional woman playwright. Kingston, Events.URI.edu

Meet local writers at the RI Author Expo

December 3: Discover new books and get them signed at the Association of Rhode Island Authors’ 10th annual RI Author Expo, featuring panels and talks by local writers, with a keynote speech from Padme Vendekatraman. Warwick, RIAuthorExpo.com

December 10: Join the Audubon Society of RI for their Winter Birding Van Trip: Waterfowl and Seabirds at the Shore, a scenic tour of coastal habitats like Trustom Pond, Point Judith, Quonochontaug Pond, and more. Dress warm and pack a lunch. Exeter, ASRI.org

Through December 17:

Visit Hera Gallery’s new BackSpace Gallery, dedicated to experimental, multimedia and installed work, for their inaugural exhibit Erosion, featuring artists’ responses to the Supreme Court reversal of Roe v. Wade. Wakefield, HeraGallery.org

December 4: Rhode Island’s favorite cover band Take It to the Bridge – who perform hits from contemporary artists like Harry Styles to classic Led Zeppelin – plays Ocean Mist for a Sunday Funday show. Matunuck, OceanMist.net

December 16:

Through December 17:

December 6:

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.

Shop small at the Warwick Center for the Arts’ Winter Market, a festive opportunity to browse handmade items from over 20 local artists in a range of styles, open during gallery hours. Warwick, WarwickCFA.org

SORhodeIsland.com • December 2022

Join local artists Eric Lutes, Meredith LeBlanc, and Kerstin Zettmar, who each bring unique perspective to their mediums, for their Gallery Opening event at the Courthouse Center for the Arts. South Kingston, CourthouseArts.org

Bonny Light Horseman, 2020 Grammy nominees for Best Folk Album for their self-titled debut, stop at the United Theatre during their Rolling Golden Holy tour, presented by Westerly Sound. Westerly, UnitedTheatre.org

Photo courtesy of the Association of Rhode Island Writers

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

December 10: Marshall Crenshaw joins The Smithereens, who became a rock radio staple with gritty songs like “Blood and Roses” and “Only a Memory,” at the Greenwich Odeum. East Greenwich, GreenwichOdeum.com

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The Scoop | rhody gem •

By Karen Greco

flatfish cottage

Home accents and gifts 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: An artful boutique filled with unique home goods, gifts, and jewelry. Where to find it: Along Wickford’s Main Street, look for the cheerful pink building with a whitewashed staircase out front.

and herbal teas — flatfish cottage’s soothing products bring a sense of simplicity. Their kids’ section, filled with soft stuffed animals and whimsical toys, evokes cheerful childhood memories. Find motivation sorting through their quote cards, which are simple 3x5 cards offering inspirational quotes. Make your holiday shopping feel like a respite at this serene boutique, which has a second location in South County Commons.

flatfish cottage 12 Main Street, Wickford FlatFishCottage.com @flatfishcottage

SORhodeIsland.com • December 2022

Photo courtesy of flatfish cottage

What makes it a Rhody Gem? Owners Kate and Jim Fusaro have lovingly curated items that bring both calm and happiness to lives and homes. From cozy coastal New England decor to boho beachy jewelry plus a myriad of self-care items — think body lotions, aftershaves,

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

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The Scoop | so & so •

By Ken Abrams

Art for All A Jamestown studio and gallery fosters an inclusive community space to create For a Rhode Island town of around 6,000 residents, Jamestown has a considerable arts scene, including the newly renovated Out of the Box Studio and Gallery. Home to a vibrant community of over 30 professional and aspiring artist members, the now state-of-the-art facility launched in 2011 and was upgraded in 2018. Along with being

affiliated with Looking Upwards – an agency that supports individuals with disabilities – the unique gallery provides exhibition and studio space, technical support, networking, and inspiration. Their goal is to assist clients in living full lives, which includes having a sense of self-expression through the arts. “Out of the Box serves the whole

community,” explains creative art director Casey Weibust. “We are an inclusive space for art enthusiasts, artists who want to create and/or exhibit, and artists who want to share their knowledge through talks and workshops. Our membership is diverse, including artists with various interests and many artists with disabilities.”

Photo courtesy of Out of the Box Gallery

Wayne Quackenbush and Natasha Colon’s Funhouse exhibit at Out of the Box Studio and Gallery

SORhodeIsland.com • December 2022

Join us and ring in the brightest season ever! Regular programming – like Crafty Sunday open studios for all ages and experience levels – invites the whole community to get involved. They also host live poetry readings organized by the Rhodeo Poets every second Thursday of the month. New exhibits open every couple of months, with several exciting gallery events on the way. Irish Eyes, featuring artists Ann Biddle and Izzy Goff, runs through December 31. “Several Out of the Box studio members who created work during a workshop with Ann and Izzy will also have their work on display during the exhibit,” says Weibust. Another exhibit, Outsider Art: Harnessing Color, opens January 27 and will be housed at the Jamestown Arts Center. “We will be exhibiting alongside six other art spaces that provide services to artists with disabilities,” says Weibust. “This will be the third exhibit at the Jamestown Arts Center that Out of the Box has helped organize and curate, and the first time that we are exhibiting alongside other studio spaces that are outside of Rhode Island.” The studio is partnering with the Center for Creative Works in Philadelphia, Spindleworks in Maine, The Studio in Maine, Artists Exchange in Cranston, Downtown Design in Newport, and Studio 57 in Middletown. No doubt, the studio’s reach is widespread, including their inclusive Looms and Libraries project popping up around the state. “Six libraries will house a 36x48-inch loom from December 2022 through February 2023, and all community members are invited to contribute,” explains Weibust. “The finished tapestries will be displayed at Out of the Box Gallery in March 2023. After the exhibit, each tapestry will be donated back to the library where it was created for patrons to admire for years to come.”

Out of the Box Gallery 11 Clinton Avenue, Jamestown Monday – Saturday, 10am-2pm; Sunday 9am-12pm OutOfTheBoxArt.net

November 25, 2022 – January 1, 2023 Experience Roger Williams Park Zoo’s newest winter tradition - Holiday Lights Spectacular. Featuring festive, larger-than-life dazzling displays with more than 3 ½ million illuminated lights that transform the Zoo into a winter wonderland! From radiant reindeers to sparkly snowmen, this is a must-see experience this holiday season.

Tickets must be purchased in advance. For information on dates and times or to purchase tickets visit rwpzoo.org/holidaylights

SORhodeIsland.com • December 2022

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'Tis the Season So many ways to make merry all season long BY THE EDITORS One of the loveliest things about December is that whether or not you celebrate Christmas, you can’t help but be charmed by the festivities surrounding the holiday, and hopefully, the corresponding goodwill and merry vibes. Even the fact that sunset occurs before 5pm gives an early start to the magical glow from light displays and decorated store windows. South County has everything you need to create memories – and selfies – with friends and family. Our editorial elves and mensches have compiled a list (and yes, we’ve checked it twice!) to make sure our valued readers have no FOMO all month long. From December 1 to New Year’s Eve, we got you. Happy holidays from all of us at So Rhode Island!

Photo courtesy of Ocean House

FOR EVENT UPDATES, PLEASE CHECK WITH THE VENUE; FOR ANY RESTRICTIONS, VISIT COVID.RI.GOV.

DECEMBER 1-4

WICKFORD FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS: Santa arrives by boat – led by kayaking reindeer! – to begin the weekend’s festivities, including caroling, concerts, horse-drawn hay rides, and an elf parade. Wickford, Facebook: I Love Wickford Village

DECEMBER 1-18

LETTERS TO SANTA: Drop off your kiddos’ correspondence to Mr. Claus outside Charlestown Town Hall, where a special North Pole mailbox awaits. CharlestownRI.gov

DECEMBER 2

COLONIAL CHRISTMAS: The General Stanton Inn hosts an open house showcasing the inn’s history dating back to 1740. Charlestown, TheGeneralStantonInn.com

DECEMBER 2-3

CHARLESTOWN HOLIDAY RAMBLE: Spot Santa, carolers, and lots of great vendors with special discounts along the route, transforming Charlestown into a verifiable winter wonderland. CharlestownRIChamber.com

DECEMBER 2-21

HIDDEN ELF ON A SHELF: Eight elves are hidden around Charlestown’s parks – discover them and follow the directions to claim your prize! CharlestownRI.gov

airing on experience contempoGreenwich,

HOLIDAY FAIR: Find a host of local artisans, including maker of fun T-shirts 3rd Story Designs at this market held from 10am-3pm at Peace Dale Elementary School. Wakefield HOLIDAY STREET FAIRE: A unique holiday shopping experience at Clarke Road Grounds, this Narragansett stroll is full of talented vendors, Victorian carolers, competitive bell-ringers, and more. NaragansettCOC.com

Smile:

Show us your pics by tagging #heyrhodyphotos on Instagram. Wickford Festival of Lights

FOR EVENT UPDATES, PLEASE CHECK WITH THE VENUE; FOR ANY RESTRICTIONS, VISIT COVID.RI.GOV.

Photo courtesy of North Kingstown Chamber of Commerce

DECEMBER 3

CHRISTMAS WITH THE CELTS: Originally a successful show PBS, this Irish music and dance unites timeless tradition with rary Christmas classics. East GreenwichOdeum.com

Wickford Gourmet Factory Outlet

HOLIDAY ARTISAN BAZAAR: Arts and crafts by vendors and church members make for unique gifts, plus a ReGift Store, bake sale, homemade soups, raffle baskets, and holiday greens are for sale. Partial proceeds benefit the Jonnycake Center. Kingston, GoodShepherdRI.org PARADE, LASER SHOW & TREE LIGHTING: This annual East Greenwich event, which will feature dance and choir performances, gets a new addition: a 20-minute laser light show set to holiday music. The night concludes with a tree lighting by Santa! EastGreenwichChamber.com

Photo (top) by Elyse Major, (bottom) courtesy of Narragansett Chamober of Commerce

URI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA & CHORAL GROUP HOLIDAY CONCERT: A wintry performance featuring the Mozart and Mendelssohn’s classics, contemporary works, and Tchaikovsky’s magical Symphony No. 1, nicknamed “Winter Daydreams.” Kingston, URI.edu/music

L’Esperance shown performing at the Holiday Street Faire in Narragansett

ST. PETER’S HOLIDAY BAZAAR: St. Peter’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church hosts their annual bazaar featuring gift baskets, wreaths by Nancy Mead, holiday crafts, and their famous meatball sandwiches. Narragansett, StPetersByTheSea.com NIKOMMO: The URI Native American Organization and Tomaquag Museum host a Nikommo celebration of storytelling, dance, and a variety of vendors. Bring a gift donation for the Jonnycake Center of Peace Dale for free admission. Kingston, TomaquagMuseum.org

DECEMBER 3-4

25TH ANNUAL OPEN STUDIOS AT SHADY LEA MILL: The colony of artists and artisans at Shady Lea Mill welcome the public to explore the creative world first-hand during this special makers meet-and-greet. North Kingstown, TheMillAtShadyLea.com CHRISTMAS AT THE CASTLE: Smith’s Castle is filled with the aromas of mulled cider, baked goods, and evergreens during their family celebration, complete with music, crafts, and gingerbread cookie decorating. North Kingstown, SmithsCastle.org

SORhodeIsland.com • December 2022

ANNUAL HOLIDAY SALE AT BOSGRAAF: Browse original and enchanting stained glass pieces for purchase from student artists, along with a complimentary hot chocolate bar and wine tasting on December 3. Peace Dale, BosgraafStudio.com

DECEMBER 3-30

BRUNCH WITH SANTA: After a delicious brunch set to holiday tunes, bundle up for a wagon ride with the big guy around the Preserve Sporting Club’s 3,500 acres. Richmond, PreserveASpot.com HOLIDAY CONCERT: The Westminster Youth String Ensemble fills the Westerly Armory with music and merriment. WesterlyArmory.com JOYEUX NOEL HOLIDAY CONCERT: Enjoy classical and holiday works of the French tradition performed by the Warwick Symphony Orchestra. The first in a series of two performances, each at different locations. North Kingstown, WSORI.org

Bosgraaf Studio

NARRAGANSETT FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS: By day, join in the annual Jingle Bell Run on the beach, and by night, celebrate the season with a tree lighting, fireworks display, and more festive fun at the Towers. NarragansettCOC.com

DECEMBER 6

FIRST ANNUAL HOLIDAY COOKIE CONTEST: Put your baking skills to the test for a chance to win cash prizes in Coventry’s first-ever cookie contest. Cookies will be judged on taste, appearance, originality, and of course, festiveness. CoventryRI.MyRec.com

FOR EVENT UPDATES, PLEASE CHECK WITH THE VENUE; FOR ANY RESTRICTIONS, VISIT COVID.RI.GOV.

Narragansett Festival of Lights’ Jingle Bell Run

Photo (top) courtesy of Bosgraaf Studio, (bottom) by Todd Gianguzzi, courtesy of Narragansett Chamober of Commerce

SILVER AND SNOW: The Artists’ Cooperative Gallery of Westerly’s color-themed holiday show Silver and Snow features unique gifting items like whimsical ornaments, shimmering jewelry, and other wearable art, photos, prints, and more. WesterlyArts.com

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DECEMBER 7

25TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY STROLL & LUMINARIA: Bundle up for an enchanting evening of holiday magic, complete with luminaria-lined sidewalks, hayrides with Santa, strolling carolers, complimentary cookies and hot chocolate, and special shopping opportunities. Westerly, OceanChamber.org

It's a Wonderful Life at The Gamm

DECEMBER 9

CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR: Get your merry on at Charlestown Town Hall with snacks, crafts, rideable mechanical animals, and, of course, a visit from Santa Claus himself. CharlestownRI.gov

DECEMBER 9-10

HOLIDAY ARTS MARKET: Support local artists while finding the perfect handmade gift at the Jamestown Arts Center’s curated arts and crafts market. JamestownArtCenter.org

DECEMBER 9-24

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY: Now a much-loved family tradition, The Gamm brings back its staged 1940s radio broadcast of Frank Capra’s holiday movie classic of hard-pressed banker George Bailey and the angel who reminds him of what matters most. Warwick, GammTheatre.org

DECEMBER 10

CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR DRIVE-IN: Charlestown Town Hall hosts an extra-special drive-in experience, with a double-feature of A Charlie Brown Christmas and The Polar Express, plus complimentary hot cocoa. CharlestownRI.gov HOLIDAY FUN AT THE FARM: Live music, wreath workshops, gift baskets from local vendors, and animal visits from neighboring farms are all part of this first-ever event at Pasquale Farms new location. Richmond, PasqualeFarmsRI.com

FOR EVENT UPDATES, PLEASE CHECK WITH THE VENUE; FOR ANY RESTRICTIONS, VISIT COVID.RI.GOV.

Plan ahead:

Seeing a show or planning a day of shopping? Make dinner reservations now.

Photo courtesy of Gamm Theatre

CHRISTMAS BY THE SEA: Head to the North Beach Clubhouse at Narragansett Beach to shop for holiday gifts from local artisans and crafters. Narragansett, VisitRI.com

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December 2- 4 • December 9- 11 FRIDAYS 12PM-8PM • SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS 10AM-6PM FREE PARKING

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FACEBOOK: foundryshow INSTAGRAM: foundryartists

Fabulous New Cookbook! Outdoors sports writer and Jamestown resident, Leo Orsi has assembled a prized collection of outstanding recipes for appetizers, seafood, pasta, and some wonderfully eclectic culinary dishes that will excite even the most discerning palates! His collection of detailed, but easy-to-follow recipes were established over 40 years as the executive chef for the Princeton Fishing Team. The cookbook is further embellished by highly acclaimed recipes from some of Rhode Island’s top restaurants and their executive chefs including; 22 Bowens, The Black Pearl, Bouchard’s, Castle Hill Inn, The Spring House, BI and J22 - to name a few. Each recipe in the cookbook is accompanied by brilliant full-color pictures and detailed preparation instructions. And along with many of the recipes, there are interesting stories explaining the evolution behind the recipes and why they are included in this must-have cookbook. “Leo has captured the essence of many local dishes. They’re presented with colorful pictures and easy to understand instructions. I am honored to keep this in my cookbook collection.” - Chef Frank Terranova, Senior Chef Instructor – Johnson & Wales University, Executive Chef, WJAR Channel 10 Sunday Brunch “Orsi has given me many new ideas on what to do with all the fresh New England seafood that’s available right at our fingertips. My husband and I also quahog and now we’re opening up this cookbook to figure out what to do with our fresh catch. The book will have you running to the ocean with your fishing rod, or to the local market for some fresh fish.” - Jamie Coelho, Editor, Rhode Island Monthly Magazine

JUST IN TIME FOR HOLIDAY GIFTS! Author-signed copies available at:

OrsiFishermansKitchen.com (not sold on Amazon)

SORhodeIsland.com • December 2022

NASHVILLE CHRISTMAS: It’s your favorite holiday songs, country style, plus some special guest appearances by Elvis, Santa Claus, and more at the Courthouse Center for the Arts. West Kingston, CourthouseArts.org

Westerly Light Parade

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS STORY TIME: Author/illustrator Matt Tavares visits the Savoy Bookshop & Café to read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas: Or Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas. Each attendee will receive an activity kit. Westerly, BankSquareBooks.com WESTERLY BAND CHRISTMAS CONCERT: A community classic for all ages, complete with yuletide tunes and a visit from Santa (with gifts!). WesterlyArmory.com

DECEMBER 11

CHANUKAH STORY TIME AND CRAFTS: Children ages 2-8 are welcome to listen to Chanukah stories and create a holiday craft. Guests don't need to be members of Congregation Beth David or a student at the Hebrew school to participate. Narragansett, CBDRI.org SECOND ANNUAL WINTER WONDERLAND: This free event at Camp Westwood features crafts, pictures with Santa, hot cocoa, and more. Coventry, Facebook: Coventry Substance Abuse Task Force WESTERLY LIGHT PARADE: Thousands of LEDs light up the night during this parade of floats, music, and holiday displays you won’t soon forget. OceanChamber.org

DECEMBER 13-14

THE GEMINID METEOR SHOWER: Bring your binoculars and join Frosty Drew in watching the best and brightest meteor shower take over the sky, a dazzling display that rivals any holiday lights. Charlestown, FrostyDrew.org

FOR EVENT UPDATES, PLEASE CHECK WITH THE VENUE; FOR ANY RESTRICTIONS, VISIT COVID.RI.GOV.

Photo courtesy of Lisa Konicki

DECEMBER 11, 18

SANTA’S CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PARTY: Children and their adults are sure to enjoy this festive party in the new MeetingHouse at Weekapaug Inn. Children’s craft stations and treats will be available, plus all children will get a special meet and greet opp with the big guy in red. Westerly, WeekapaugInn.com

TRANSFORM YOUR BACK YARD

INTO YOUR OWN PARADISE Breakfast & Lunch Dine-In • Takeout • Outdoor Seating BEFORE

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CUSTOM FRAMING • GREETING CARDS ANTIQUE MAPS • LOCAL ART• GIFTS • MORE

www.picturethisgalleries.com

20% Off Gallery Art one item $100 or more

*Restrictions Apply. Coupon must be presented at the time of order. Coupon CAN NOT be fulfilled on order already paid. Not to be combined with other discounts, coupons, etc. Expires 12/31/2022

Come visit our sister restaurant South County Commons, South Kingstown 401-783-2900 • PasqualesPizzeriaRI.com

Quo Vadis Plaza • 552 Kingstown Road, Wakefield

401-789-6200

@picturethisgalleries SORhodeIsland.com • December 2022

DECEMBER 14

GINGERBREAD VILLAGE HIGH SCHOOL COMPETITION: Local high school culinary students compete to craft the best gingerbread creations. Enjoy snacks and house beverages as you view each student’s creation, and watch as a school and individual student are crowned winners at the end of the evening. Watch Hill, OceanHouseEvents.com

DECEMBER 16

AGING DISGRACEFULLY XMAS SPECIAL: Top Rhode Island comedians Doreen Collins and Charlie Hall take a look at aging during the holiday season… because “getting old is getting old.” West Kingston, CourthouseArts.org

DECEMBER 17

LA GRAN TAMALADA: Learn how to make traditional pork tamales and vegetarian versions during this fun, hands-on class. Each person will get their own six tamales, two recipes, and plenty of interesting tamal folklore and history. Jamestown, JamestownArtCenter.org

DECEMBER 17-18

Gingerbread House Competition

FOR EVENT UPDATES, PLEASE CHECK WITH THE VENUE; FOR ANY RESTRICTIONS, VISIT COVID.RI.GOV.

Christmas Pops Concert

Photo (top) courtesy of Chorus of Westerly, (bottom) courtesy of Ocean House

CHRISTMAS POPS CONCERT: The Chorus of Westerly puts on a fun, festive evening of music for the whole family. Westerly, ChorusOfWesterly.org

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DECEMBER 18

MENORAH LIGHTING: Each night of Hanukkah, just after sundown, head to the patio at the Contemporary Theater Company for a menorah lighting. All are welcome to attend this interfaith event. Wakefield, ContemporaryTheaterCompany.com

The Contemporary Theater Company’s Christmas Cocktail Cabaret

DECEMBER 22

CHRISTMAS COCKTAIL CABARET: Get into the Christmas spirit with the three C’s: cocktails, carols, and the Contemporary Theater Company! Narragansett, ContemporaryTheaterCompany.com

DECEMBER 23

HOLIDAY STARGAZING SPECTACULAR: Take in views of the night sky over Ninigret Park at the Frosty Drew Observatory, which will be dressed up in holiday decor, with festive seasonal music and much cheer to go around. Charlestown, FrostyDrew.org

DECEMBER 31

ANNUAL NEW YEAR’S EVE BONFIRE: Ring in the new year with good company, refreshments, and a spectacular bonfire in Ninigret Park. CharlestownRI.org

Frosty Drew

MYSTIC DEAD: Deadheads unite! Ring in the new year at The Knickerbocker with one of the region’s best Grateful Dead tribute bands. Wooly Mammoth opens. Westerly, KnickMusic.com NEAL AND THE VIPERS: Guitar jams will be front and center when the RI Music Hall of Fame inductees bring their rockin’ blues sound to the annual New Year’s Eve show at the Courthouse. The night includes light appetizers and a Champagne toast at midnight. West Kingston, CourthouseArts.org NEW YEAR’S EVE AT OCEAN HOUSE - THE HOUSE PARTY: Ring in the New Year at this glam and festive party, which features music, open bar, food stations, and a celebratory toast at midnight. Watch Hill, OceanHouseEvents.com

FOR EVENT UPDATES, PLEASE CHECK WITH THE VENUE; FOR ANY RESTRICTIONS, VISIT COVID.RI.GOV.

Stay over: Many hotels are offering special getaway packages.

Photo (top L) courtesy of Ocean House, (bottom L) courtesy of Scott MacNeill, (R) courtesy of Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce

DECEMBER 21

TRUFFLE TREE-MAKING WORKSHOP: Learn how to craft this impressive holiday treat in a class led by the Ocean House’s executive pastry chef. Everything is supplied; all you need to bring is yourself! Watch Hill, OceanHouseEvents.com

Starry Lights to Shine in Westerly Stars will be shining along the Westerly/Stonington line this holiday season when “Starry Lights” brighten up the night in the adjoining towns. With support from the Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce, Connecticut and Rhode Island artists are creating largescale star-themed art installations exploring a variety of recycled materials while taking advantage of a pair of parks and a reflective

South County Bread Co. Handmade Artisan Breads Pastries • Local Goods

pond along the border between the states. Seasonal sculptures will fill the towns as visitors stroll the Walk of Wonder, a twinkling light trail from Wilcox Park in Westerly to Donahue Park in Pawcatuck. The installation runs through December. StarryLights.org

Starry Nights

401-792-4303

333 Main Street, Wakefield socobreadco@gmail.com SORhodeIsland.com • December 2022

A CHRISTMAS CAROL: A witty, energetic retelling of the Christmas classic, performed on stage by the Granite Theatre. Westerly, GraniteTheatre.com

Field of Artisans pops up at Whalers Brewing Company

A CHRISTMAS STORY: A staged production of the holiday movie about a boy’s Christmas quest for a BB gun. Through December 23, Wakefield, ContemporaryTheaterCompany.com ANNUAL HOLIDAY POTTERY AND ART SALE: Peruse the artful assortment of pottery, ornaments, jewelry, paintings, drawings, and photography all made by SCAA members, now in year 51. Kingston, SouthCountyArt.org THE FARMER’S DAUGHTER X THE HARD-PRESSED CIDER COMPANY: Beautiful displays of fresh greens, trees, and gifts, plus homemade cider donuts, hot apple cider, and hot chocolate are sure to melt any Winter Warlock’s icy heart. Through December 18, South Kingstown, TheFarmersDaughterRI.com FIELD OF ARTISANS X WHALERS BREWING COMPANY HOLIDAY SERIES: Experience the magic of sipping and shopping during this special Sunday tradition. Through December 18, Peace Dale, FieldOfArtisans.com

FOR EVENT UPDATES, PLEASE CHECK WITH THE VENUE; FOR ANY RESTRICTIONS, VISIT COVID.RI.GOV.

Photos (top) courtesy of SCAA, photo (bottom) courtesy of Field of Artisans

All Season Long

South County Art Association's Holiday Pottery and Art Sale

CELEBRATING 66 YEARS!

REBALANCE AND RESTORE VITALITY WITH MYOFASCIAL RELEASE

• Servicing Adults and Children • New Location in Downtown Wakefield, RI

Margot Jones, OTR/L 401-541-8064 • www.sunstarhealingmfr.com

Because Your Home Matters to You! At Devils Ft. Road New Traffic Pattern Call For Easy Directions

491 Davisville Road, North Kingstown 884-8300 • bartscarpet.com

606 Ten Rod Road, North Kingstown, RI 02852 401-295-2760 • fabricgalleryri.com Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 10-5 • Thursday 10-6 Saturday 11-3 • Sunday & Monday closed

Hear for the Holidays 3 Comprehensive Hearing Evaluations 3 Hearing Aid Consultations 3 Hearing Aid Fitting & Service

Wickford’s One & Only

FISH MARKET On The Water! NOW OPEN!

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170 Main Street, Wickford 401.295.4600 Micheline Gauthier, Au.D. Owner/Doctor of Audiology

MONDAY-THURSDAY 10-6,FRIDAY-SUNDAY 9-7 NO HOT FOOD ON MONDAYS: RETAIL ONLY LOCATED AT END OF MAIN STREET ON GARDNER’S WHARF SORhodeIsland.com • December 2022

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PJ Party for a Cause in Wickford For the past 26 years, the holiday season has been about giving back for Lori Lyons, owner of Beauty and the Bath in Wickford. “From the beginning, as a new business owner and entrepreneur in my 20s, I always felt that I could use this platform to do good for this community where I was born and raised, and I knew I would have support from my customers,” Lyons says. “I wanted to give back.” Lyons’ inspiration comes from seeing a woman on the Oprah Winfrey Show many years ago who brought pajamas and read to children at a homeless shelter. “Some of the children came up to her and asked what the pajamas were for,” recounts Lyons. “They had never seen pajamas, never mind owned or wore them. They slept in their clothes. That really struck me. She later founded the national charity, The Pajama Program.” This gave Lyons the idea to host the first Pajama Party, which has since become an annual event collecting thousands of sets of sleepwear, as well as books, for children in need through the North Kingstown Holiday Giving Program. “Good nights make for good days, and a comforting bedtime routine and healthy sleep can make the difference for children and help them thrive,” says Lyons. Following the past couple of years of pandemic challenges and hurdles for many families, the Holiday Giving Program is once again seeking new pajamas (for boys and girls, from newborn through age seventeen) but also gift cards for families in need, many living in poverty. Last year, the collaborative effort of local residents and businesses helped the program to provide gifts for over 220 children. Donations can be dropped off at Beauty and the Bath up until the day of the Pajama Party event on December 7. The party has become a popular neighborhood tradition in Wickford, welcoming attendees to enjoy a 20 percent store-wide discount, giveaways, raffle prizes, food donated by local eateries, and plenty of holiday cheer. “As so many friends and customers tell me, it wouldn’t be the holidays without our Pajama Party in the heart of Wickford Village,” says Lyons. “Shopping for kids’ PJs for my party has become their favorite holiday ritual. It means a lot that all the effort will bring a little sunshine to a child’s life.”

Gondola Village at Ocean House

BEAUTY AND THE BATH'S 26TH ANNUAL PAJAMA PARTY 11 West Main Street, Wickford Wednesday, December 7, 5-9pm BeautyAndTheBath.com

Photo by Elyse Major

Photo courtesy of Beauty and the Bath

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS: Drive through one mile of millions of festive, sparkling light displays, synched with holiday music, at Wawaloam Campground’s Festival of Lights. Through December 30, West Kingston, Wawaloam.com GONDOLA VILLAGE: Satisfy wanderlust in state at this luxurious experience which transports diners to the French Alps with breakfast, lunch, afternoon Apéro, and dinner menus all served inside cozy, private vintage ski gondolas. Watch Hill, OceanHouseEvents.com HOLIDAY CINEMA UNDER THE STARS: Get cozy on a lounge chair under a fur heated blanket and enjoy hot cocoa, cocktails, popcorn, and movie-inspired eats while enjoying a holiday flick at the Weekapaug Inn on a Friday night. December 2, 9, 16, 23, Westerly, OceanHouseEvents.com IGLOO BY THE SEA: Experience a delish dinner overlooking the ocean inside a designer decorated snow globe. Igloos can accommodate two to eight guests. Make reservations early so you’re not left out in the cold. Narragansett, TheCoastGuardHouse.com/igloos OCEAN HOUSE AND WEEKAPAUG INN HOLIDAY TRADITIONS: The busy elves at these sister resorts have planned a variety of events yule be sure to enjoy. From festive meals to ornament-making workshops and tree lightings, be sure to peruse their listings and make reservations! Watch Hill, OceanHouseEvents.com SANTA’S BRUNCH: On select Sundays, Santa makes a special stop at the Ocean House for a family friendly brunch with live music, unlimited sparkling wine and mimosas, and plenty of photo ops. Watch Hill, OceanHouseEvents.com SMALL WORKS HOLIDAY ART SHOW: Browse and buy artful holiday gifts created by members of the Wickford Art Association. Through December 22, WickfordArt.org

FOR EVENT UPDATES, PLEASE CHECK WITH THE VENUE; FOR ANY RESTRICTIONS, VISIT COVID.RI.GOV.

Nautical Ornaments

Minutes from Rhode Island in Downtown Mystic 25 Cottrell St. - 2 Holmes St. 860.889.3793 Open 7 Days

MysticKnotwork.com SORhodeIsland.com • December 2022

SOUTH COUNTY DERMATOLOGY OUR PRIORITY IS TO PROVIDE THE HIGHEST QUALITY CARE TO INFORMED PATIENTS IN A COMFORTABLE AND CONVENIENT SETTING, WITH MINIMAL WAIT TIME FOR APPOINTMENTS.

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Jennifer Johnson, APRN, NP-BC

Lauren Volpe MSPAS, PA-C

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268 Post Road, Suite 201, Westerly | 3461 South County Trail, Suite 202, East Greenwich 350 Kingstown Road, Suite 202, Narragansett | 338B County Road, Barrington

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SORhodeIsland.com • December 2022

Holiday Shopping

Guide

2022

SUPPORT LOCAL THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

BY FINDING THE PERFECT GIFT AT THESE RETAILERS ALL IN SOUTH COUNTY!

SPONSORED CONTENT SECTION

Photo by Linda LaParle

HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE

5 6

7 8

IMPORTED SHAWL WITH VEGAN LEATHER LASER CUT DETAIL,

$325; Accessories by Charlotte (Located inside Store Four) 673 Kingstown Rd., Wakefield, accessoriesbycharlotte.com

RECYCLED CASHMERE FINGERLESS GLOVES $42,

All That Matters Yoga + Wellness; 315 Main St., Wakefield Village, South Kingstown, allthatmatterswellness.org

Honey Gallery; 6465 Post Rd., North Kingstown, honeygalleryri.com

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

SPONSORED CONTENT SECTION

YOGA + WELLNESS GIFT CARD, Various Amounts,

Girl Shop; 4632 Post Rd., East Greenwich, plantgirlshop.com

LIGHTED BEACH BOTTLE, TRACY KIMBALL, $42, Athalia of Newport; 26 Franklin St., Newport, facebook.com /athaliaofnewport

GREENWICH BAY WOOD CANDLE BOWL, $45,

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

MASALA SCARF, $32, Green Ink; 89 Brown St., Wickford & 99 Wayland Ave., Providence, greeninkboutique.com

PILEA PLANT & PLANTER, $39, Plant

A Gracious Soul; 110 Main St., East Greenwich, agracioussoul.com

HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE

Wrap Yourself In Luxury This Holiday Season

A Unique Collection of Fine Art, Ceramics, Glass, Furniture, Jewelry & Handmade Gifts

honeygalleryri @ACCESSORIESBYCHARLOTTE

LOCATED INSIDE STORE FOUR 673 Kingstown Road, Wakefield 401.662.7868 • AccessoriesByCharlotte.com Tuesdays-Saturdays 11am-6pm or by appointment

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6465 Post Road, North Kingstown 208-8637 • HoneyGalleryRI.com

Celebrate Your Milestones With A Unique Selection Of Jewelry & Artisan Gifts

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www.backyardbeachdecor.com

I t's our

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AllThatMattersWellness.org

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271 Post Road, Westerly • 637-4877 CompassRoseWesterly.com

89 Brown Street, Wickford • 294-6266 199 Wayland Avenue, Providence • 421-0250

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4632 Post Rd East Greenwich 401-425-1598 Handcrafted Jewelry by Emily Hirsch & Artisan Gallery

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26 Franklin Street, Newport

401-619-5639 • EmilyHirsch@hotmail.com facebook.com/athaliaofnewport

A Gracious Soul 110 Main St. East Greenwich

Holiday Hours: Sunday -Wednesday 10am-6pm Thursday - Saturday 10am-8pm

@agracioussoulshop

SPONSORED CONTENT SECTION

HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE

3 2

6 4

9 7 8

COBBLESTONE DRINK DISPENSER, $138,

Yes! Gallery; 17 Brown St., Wickford, FB: JW Graham/ Yes! Gallery, IG: jwgrahamyes

ROLF GLASS, SCHOOL OF FISH, STEMMED WINE GLASS, $15.95, Wickford Gourmet;

Station; 446 Main St., Wakefield, theglassstationstudio.com

HOLIDAY CARDS (PACK OF 5), $13, Vanessa Piche; 10 Main St., Wickford, vanessapiche.com

SPONSORED CONTENT SECTION

THE CAPTAIN’S HAT, $34, Matunuck Surf Shop; 920 Matunuck Beach Rd., South Kingstown, surfmatunuck.com

THE TUG BOAT, $30, Anchor Toffee;

SCARF, $65, The Woven Path; 11 Brown St., Wickford, thewovenpath.com

21 W Main St., Wickford

WINDSWEPT TREE OF LIFE MENORAH BY BANDHU DUNHAM, $440, The Glass

MEMPHIS VASE BY MIDDLE KINGDOM, $95, The Current; 99 Main St., East Greenwich, @thecurrentstore, thecurrent.store

8 Bowen’s Wharf, Newport & 51 Sims Ave., Providence, anchortoffee.com

MECHANICALLY ANIMATED TIDE CLOCK, $150, SunStruck Gift Boutique; 1171 Boston Neck Rd., Narragansett, sunstruckri.com

HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE Our favorite locally crafted jewelry made with our favorite

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17 Brown Street

Wickford Village

Wickford Gourmet Factory Outlet

(401)295-0757

Facebook : JW Graham/Yes! Gallery Instagram: jwgrahamyes

21 West Main Street • 401-294-8430 IN THE HEART OF WICKFORD VILLAGE

10 Main Street, Wickford www.vanessapiche.com

Featuring Hand-Blown Glass & Jewelry From Local And National Artists

446 ain treet, Wakefield 788 2 00 • theglassstationst dio.com

for the Holidays! YOUR ONE-STOP-SHOP

Your go-to surf shop - carrying everything you need to enjoy life by the beach, all year round! Serving the local surf community and visitors with a curated collection of surfboards, surf accessories, and shop gear designed in-house. Gifts for all! 920 Matunuck Beach Road, South Kingstown 783-2566 • surfmatunuck.com

Shop Online at

ANCHORTOFFEE.COM

10 Sims Avenue, Unit 112 Providence • 439-1517 8 Bowen’s Wharf, Newport • 619-1044

Check out what the buzz is all about!

1171 Boston Neck Road Narragansett, RI SunStruckGifts

SunStruck_RI

SunStruckRI.com

SPONSORED CONTENT SECTION

2 FLOORS OF GIFTS FOR ALL AGES Candy, Candles, Cards Woodstock Chimes

HACK & LIVERY General Store & Emporium H

SURPRISES AT EVERY TURN

Homemade for the Holidays

Thumbhole Mixing Bowl Present Coupon PRIOR To Check Out

25 % 1 SINGLE ITEM OFF

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Holiday Gifts A WIDE ARRAY OF

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1000 Division Street, East Greenwich 401-885-8390 • LesIsleRose.com 52

SORhodeIsland.com • December 2022

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

Life & Style

home | profile | maker | shop

By the Sea A Watch Hill fixer-upper makes the perfect weekend home for two DIY-ers Four years ago Tina Varona and Eric Dery purchased a second home in Watch Hill after spending countless day trips and weekends visiting the coastal Westerly neighborhood, a tradition of Varona’s since childhood. “My family would take a day trip on Saturday, come home, only to turn around and go back to the beach on Sunday. Rhode Island was my second home growing up and still is today,” she recalls. Photo by Tina Varona SORhodeIsland.com • December 2022

By Elyse Major

In 2016, Varona and Dery started a twoyear hunt, looking for the “perfect little fixer-upper.” Knowing they would be doing the renovations themselves, they didn’t want the house to be too big; they also didn’t want it to be too far from the ocean. “Our agent found us home after home, but we kept getting out-bid for the most part by home-flippers with cash,” Varona explains. Finally, upon first sight, the couple was smitten with a three-bedroom with “good bones” that had been well maintained over the years, nestled in a quiet neighborhood. “We knew with a little TLC, some updates, and a vision, we could really turn it into our little piece of heaven near the beautiful coastline of Rhode Island. A dream!”

SORhodeIsland.com • December 2022

The couple used granite on various surfaces including their wood-burning fireplace

Photos by Tina Varona

Life & Style | home •

PIER

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NEW YEAR'S DAY NOON: REGISTER EARLY

At the Narragansett Town Beach North Beach Clubhouse

Celebrating 14 YEARS!

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Backtobasicsri

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Quality Chocolates • Gourmet Truffles Chocolate Novelties • Candy Trays & Gift Baskets Wedding & Party Favors • Corporate Gifts Holiday Novelties • Sugar Free Chocolates

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Garden City (942-2720) & Wakefield (783-4433) • www.sweenorschocolates.com SORhodeIsland.com • December 2022

By Elyse Major

Varona and Dery began working on the home as often as possible, and their new neighbors took notice, cheering them on. “Every time we are working, cars stop and people say, ‘We can’t believe the transformation!’, ‘I love what you did – can you come and renovate my home?’ and ‘You should be

SORhodeIsland.com • December 2022

Photos by Tina Varona

Life & Style | home •

Family Owned & Operated Since 1953 Metallic finishes on accents and hardware add chic contrast and shine against hard finishes like granite

David O. Bannon invites you to experience a world of tile and styles for your home, beach house, boat, or business

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on HGTV!’” Exterior modifications by the pair have included adding granite stone to the front porch as a nod to the nearby shoreline. “Aside from being roughly two miles from the most beautiful coastline along the eastern seaboard, I love the neighborhood where we live,” says Varona.

SORhodeIsland.com • December 2022

Life & Style | home •

By Elyse Major

When it comes to the interiors, Varona draws inspiration from the nearby ocean – not in the tangible but drawing from the feelings the sea evokes in her. “Serenity, stunning, and calm. Everything in the home

SORhodeIsland.com • December 2022

is based on those three words,” she says. “One might think of seashells, fish, and boats to decorate a home on the coast, but I wanted to really focus on those three words and items that would elaborate on

the meaning of each.” Beaming with pride of ownership, she adds, “I wanted to create an atmosphere for us and our guests of that feeling I get when I walk along the beach in my home.”

Photo by Tina Varona

“Fresh, clean, simple, organic, light, elegant, classic, and timeless are words I use to describe my decorating style,” says Varona

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Life & Style | home •

By Elyse Major

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Homeowner Tina Varona shares favorite things about living in the Ocean State.

LOCAL ACCENTS “I love going into the local shops in Watch Hill, Newport, and Narragansett for unique items that add a personal, one-of-a-kind touch to the interior.” Her favorites include WH20 in Watch Hill and Lou Lou’s Decor in Newport and Tiverton. OCEAN STATE OF MIND “Whether you want to emulate the Gilded Age of the Newport mansions or the seaside town of Narragansett, choose three words that best describe that feeling you get when you are in that space. Once you figure that out, decorating and designing all seems to fall into place. It takes away the stress of figuring out what to do, what colors to choose, or where to even begin. Once you determine all of your design needs based on that feeling, remember to keep your style cozy and classic, avoiding trends.”

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

SORhodeIsland.com • December 2022

Photo by Tina Varona

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Life & Style | profile •

By Kathleen Pesta

Land and Sea How an East Greenwich-raised photographer’s passion brought him around the world David Simms came by his love of photography naturally. His father was an avid amateur photographer, whose primary focus was capturing family moments. Simms’ motivation, however, has always been a desire for adventure and exploration. Born and raised in East Greenwich, the now-Providence resident got his first camera when he was 17. Simms is a biochemist by day and takes every opportunity he can to explore the world and photograph its beauty, his passion having taken him to

mountains all over Europe, Asia, and the United States, including climbs at Mount Rainier in Washington State, Mount Elbrus in Russia, Island Peak in Nepal, and the Matterhorn in Switzerland. But he doesn’t always need to travel far to capture stunning sights – Simms is equally enthusiastic about taking an early morning outing before work to catch a sunrise at one of South County’s beautiful beaches or to head to downtown Providence after work to capture the sun setting behind the cityscape

or the tantalizing lights of WaterFire. Recently, Simms has started branching out in his subject matter, following a longheld fascination with underwater photography that drew him more to diving in the ocean than climbing mountains. “I was always inspired by it,” he shares, “although I didn’t really get my camera in the sea until 2002 during a trip to the Philippines.” Even then, Simms continued to concentrate mostly on mountain climbing until a couple of years ago, fostering an

Photographer David Simms enjoys shooting both underwater and above land

Photos by David Simms

SORhodeIsland.com • December 2022

appreciation for the different style. “Taking pictures underwater changes many things, from light to color to scale. In many cases, I’m moving as well as my subjects and getting fish to cooperate isn’t always easy! I recently purchased a housing, which enables me to bring other equipment, such as strobes for adding light to poorly lit areas, into the water along with my camera.” Above water, Simms usually shoots with a Fuji X-E3, using an assortment of

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Life & Style | profile •

By Kathleen Pesta

Photos by David Simms

lenses. His favorite shots are of landscapes, which use an ultra-wide angle lens. For underwater shots, he uses a SONY a6000, which he plans to take with him on his next adventure to Bimini to swim with the sharks and hone his skills. Three years ago, after much urging from friends, Simms set up a website to display his photos, many of which exude a simultaneous sense of great power and deep serenity. Aside from producing a yearly calendar featuring his work, he has sold several pieces directly from the website, provided the cover for a friend’s book of poetry, and been featured in a book produced by Backpacker magazine. Closer to home, a scroll through Simms’ Instagram page illuminates Rhody scenes interspersed with worldwide travels, as well as clams and black sea bass posing for the camera in Newport waters. View his work at DavidSimmsPhoto.com and follow at @davidsimmsphoto

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Life & Style | maker •

By Karen Greco

Sprouting Cheer

Mushrooms are having a moment. New York City recently hosted a Fungus Festival that drew over 1,000 enthusiasts. Research touting the benefits of psilocybin is now mainstream. Umami is all the rage in foodie circles. Closer to home, South Kingstown artist Emily Quillen launched Festive Fungi in time for the holiday season. Her red and white-freckled mushroom ornaments, created from upcycled Patrón corks, add extra

SORhodeIsland.com • December 2022

magic to the tree. “I love making these happy little things,” she says. The RISD-trained graphic designer and painter worked in Boston as a book cover artist for Houghton Mifflin before transitioning into the paper industry, crafting greeting cards, wedding invitations, and other personalized paper goods. “I did a lot of trend work for the greeting card company,” she says. “I’d do

presentations on what was popular in the marketplace, identifying holiday and seasonal trends.” Woodland themes were consistently popular across multiple genres, from wedding to baby. During the pandemic, Quillen was hanging out on her couch, staring at a decorative bowl of corks on the coffee table. A dome-shaped tequila cork caught her eye, and she realized it made a great mushroom.

Photos by Stefy Hilmer Photography, courtesy of Festive Fungi

A graphic artist transforms cork stoppers into mushroom ornaments

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Itching for a creative project, she dug out her paints and crafted a prototype, and Festive Fungi was sprouted. At first, Quillen didn’t consider selling her handicrafts; for her, they simply made a fun holiday gift for friends and family. But the recipients raved about the ‘shrooms, so she began investigating the market for nature-themed ornaments. After a few Google searches, she

SORhodeIsland.com • December 2022

Life & Style | maker •

By Karen Greco

stumbled on some fortuitous folklore. “In German, Austrian, and Slavic cultures, it’s traditional to gift mushroom ornaments during the holidays,” she says, explaining that the mushrooms, which are considered good luck, are re-gifted to friends and family at the new year. Each of her Festive Fungi comes with a card explaining the custom. Quillen and her husband aren’t knocking back tequila to keep her fledgling company stocked with the whimsical mushrooms. She found a source that sells old Patrón corks in

bulk. (“Yup, people actually sell this stuff,” she responds to this reporter’s incredulity, noting she cleans the corks before painting, though the tequila scent can linger.) She’s growing the product line to include key fobs, fridge magnets, and indoor garden charms, with seasonal colors coming soon. But the red and white fairytale mushrooms, which are the traditional for holiday gifting, remain the anchor combo. Festive Fungi couldn’t have come at a better time for Quillen. She was laid off from the

greeting card company at the end of 2019 and then was dealt a devastating blow when her father passed away in January 2020. “I felt really off track about what to do next, and this fun thing grew so organically,” she says, crediting the wee sprouts for helping cheer her through her grief. “The reaction from people is wonderful. It’s nothing but smiles.” Find Festive Fungi at Mills Creek in Charlestown and The Store at All That Matters in Wakefield or online at FestiveFungi.com.

Photos by Stefy Hilmer Photography, courtesy of Festive Fungi

A trio of lucky mushroom ornaments or “gluckspilz”

SORhodeIsland.com • December 2022

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Life & Style | Shop •

By Karen Greco

A Legacy of Fun Wakefield’s Pow! Science! remains an indelible part of a Rhody childhood

SORhodeIsland.com • December 2022

Inside the wonder that is Pow! Science!

Photos by Karen Greco

“I can’t talk about Pow! Science! without talking about Eric,” says Hema Bulmer, who carried on with the STEM-focused toy store after the unexpected death of her husband in 2018. “Pow! Science! is because of him.” Bulmer met Eric in her native Nepal, when he was in the Peace Corps. When it was time for him to return to the US, he proposed. She accepted and followed him to his native Rhode Island. When they arrived, Eric worked as a high school science teacher. It was then he identified a gap in early childhood education. Elementary schools covered reading, writing, and math, but kids had to wait until at least fourth grade to get any sort of science instruction. Eric wanted to introduce science concepts earlier, using fun, hands-on ways to engage the kids. “Eric had a vision when he taught,” she says. “He wanted to use everyday things to teach physics and chemistry. He wanted to make it fun.” That included getting on the floor and engaging with the kids at their level. “Eric taught me to understand the child’s point of view,” she says. “They respond better that way.” The couple, both passionate about education, started small, hosting birthday parties and workshops in an office space in Middletown. During the week, Eric would conduct workshops at regional elementary schools. Parents began asking to purchase the toys they used for their classes, so they installed a shelf to act as a mini gift shop. That soon turned into two shelves. By 2005, they had a physical store in Middletown, which grew to a second location in Providence in 2008. They moved their Middletown store to Wakefield in 2009 but shuttered the Wayland Square location in 2013, in no small part because parking was proving difficult for their customers, especially on weekends, when upwards of 25 families attending parties would vie for limited spots. Even though the store is in South County, their reach remains statewide. Still true to their original mission, instructors continue to fan out across the state for in-school workshops. At-home party bookings, suspended during COVID, will return in 2023.

ACCEPTING RESERVATIONS FOR HOLIDAY EVENTS Meanwhile, Pow! Science! continues to host their weekly Kinder Science class at their Wakefield Mall location on Fridays. During the pandemic, Bulmer, armed with a master’s degree in anthropology, pivoted to online learning, offering free weekly video instructions of science experiments that used everyday objects found at home. With the holiday season fast approaching, Bulmer knows she and her staff will get inundated with questions about the best toys to buy. Instead of pointing out the trendy items, Bulmer guides them to pick out a toy the grown-up loves instead. “This way, you end up playing with the kid,” she explains. “Kids don’t want the toy. They want the time.” This idea formed their popular Kinder Science program (for ages 2.5-5), which actually isn’t about teaching science to the kids. “It’s giving grown-ups the knowledge so they can take the experiments home and do the activities together,” says Bulmer. “Pow! Science! is just as much for the adults as it is for the kids,” she continues. “Adults say to me, ‘I wish I could be 7 or 8.’ You can be! Don’t put aside your playfulness. We don’t forget [how to play].” Eric’s presence looms large at the retail location. Posters of him dressed up as Captain America line the walls, and his beloved childhood train set has prideof-place in the front display window. For Bulmer, who credits the community’s outpouring of love and support for getting her and her daughter through the dark days following Eric’s death, letting go of Pow! Science! was never an option. “I am the caretaker of his legacy,” she explains. One of the last independent toy stores left in the state, Pow! Science! was built on passion, not profit motives. Neither Bulmer nor her husband approached the store with a money-making mentality. Instead, they crafted a place where adults never feel obligated to buy, even if they spend hours in the store playing with the displays. “Just put your stuff away when you’re finished,” Bulmer says with a gentle smile. PowScienceToys.com

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Food & Drink

recipe | in the kitchen | sweet treats | food news

Holiday apps get a pop of color with Fern Farm microgreens

EDIBLE GREENERY Add a little health to your hearth this season with garnishes from Fern Farm A small farm in Warwick won’t see their fields freeze over this winter – in fact, fields aren’t even part of the equation at the indoor facility where green sprouts pop up year round. “Not all farms are down long winding rural roads,” says Jen Tanner, who owns Fern Farm with Jason Santos. “You can foster community and sustainability in cities as well. We’re not your typical farm with tractors, cows, and acreage, but we are avid gardeners who really enjoy using the produce we grow in our cooking.” Microgreens are Tanner’s and Santos’ crop of choice. Their love for the nutrient-rich produce stemmed from a deep desire to prolong the growing season. “We were always disappointed when our fall garden came to an end every year,” says Tanner. “In 2019, we started researching the benefits of growing microgreens all year round and experimenting with different organic seeds and growing mediums. The benefits of growing microgreens got us so excited we wanted to share it with friends and family, which then led us to starting our small business.” Photos courtesy of Fern Farm SORhodeIsland.com • December 2022

Food & Drink | recipe •

By Abbie Lahmers

Now Fern Farm’s greens are delivered to homes across the state, and their winter availability makes it easier than ever to add a healthy spin to the holiday table. “Microgreens are vegetable greens just after the stems and leaves develop. They are harvested at their peak nutrient levels,” says Tanner. This means the small-but-mighty sprouts have up to 40 percent more nutrients than mature vegetables, and they’re full of beneficial enzymes. “During the colder months in Rhode Island, microgreens are a great way to still incorporate local produce in your dishes,” says Tanner, and greens from Fern Farm are

harvested the same day they’re delivered. Along with growing microgreens, Tanner and Santos develop recipes to showcase their harvests. “Each variety adds a different mood and flavor to your dish,” shares Tanner. Pea greens, for example, are an elegant finishing touch. “If you’re looking for a more festive look with a hint of spice, radish microgreens with their intense red stem and vibrant green leaves add that holiday burst. “Whether you want to create a sophisticated soiree or a whimsical evening, microgreens can help elevate those appetizers. They are so easy to use and make all dishes look more beautiful.”

FESTIVE MINI CHEESEBALLS • 2 Tbsp salted butter, room temperature • 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature • 2 tsp fresh lemon juice • ⅛ tsp Worcestershire sauce • ⅛ tsp hot sauce • ⅛ tsp freshly ground black pepper • ¼ cup freshly shredded cheddar cheese FOR TOPPING • ⅓ cup dried cranberries • ⅓ cup crushed nuts (almonds, pecans, or walnuts) • ⅓ cup green onion, finely chopped • ⅓ cup microgreens

Festive Mini Cheeseballs

• 12-15 pretzel sticks or rosemary sprig STEPS 1. In a medium bowl, add butter, cream cheese, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and ground pepper. Beat with an electric mixer until well combined and smooth. Stir in cheddar cheese.

Photos courtesy of Fern Farm

2. Use a spoon to divide the mixture into 12-15 tablespoon-size portions. Dip clean hands in a little bit of water and smooth each portion into a small ball. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or as long as you want in advance). Before serving, roll the balls in cranberries, nuts, microgreens, or green onion. Place a pretzel stick or rosemary sprig in each when you are ready to serve.

SORhodeIsland.com • December 2022

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Food & Drink | recipe •

By Abbie Lahmers

BAKED BRIE WITH CRANBERRY JALAPEÑO JAM AND TOASTED PECANS • 1 16-ounce brie wheel • 12 ounces fresh cranberries • 2 jalapeños, finely chopped (remove seeds for less heat)

GARNISHING GREATNESS Fern Farm delivers statewide, with ordering online at FernFarm.net. Tanner offers her top tips for bringing the wow factor by incorporating microgreens. 1. Create a tower of greens on top of a steaming bowl of soup

• Microgreens of choice to garnish

2. Add to a charcuterie board for a pop of color

• 1 tsp water

3. Use as a salad base

• ¾ cup sugar

4. Top a cracker or crostini with an herb spread and greens

• ½ cup chopped pecans • 2 Tbsp maple syrup

5. Add a little cheer to your cocktails or mocktails with a microgreen garnish

• 1 Tbsp cinnamon STEPS 1. Using a sharp knife, trace a circle around the top of the brie rind about ¼ of an inch from the sides. Carefully cut the circle away from the cheese wheel to expose the creamy center. 2. Place the cheese whole on an oven-safe plate or bowl. Make sure the plate has plenty of room for oozing, should some spill over. Bake at 350ºF for 10 minutes. 3. Meanwhile, add cranberries, jalapeños, sugar, and 1 tsp water to a small sauce pot and bring to a boil (cranberries will burst, releasing juices that will dissolve the sugar). 4. Prepare chopped pecans by tossing in maple syrup. Toast lightly in a small pan for about 4 minutes and then sprinkle a tablespoon of cinnamon on them.

caption caption

SORhodeIsland.com • December 2022

Photos courtesy of Fern Farm

5. Remove brie from the oven and top with cranberry sauce, pecans, and microgreens. Serve warm with bagel toast, crackers, or pita chips.

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Food & Drink | in the kitchen •

By Rose Kenyon

Winter Warmer in Westerly Chef Andrew Brooks celebrates coastal cuisine and Feast of the Fishes at Weekapaug Inn

SORhodeIsland.com • December 2022

Weekapaug Inn’s executive chef Andrew Brooks harvesting herbs

Photo courtesy of Weekapaug Inn

“When the opportunity arose to come back,” says Andrew Brooks, executive chef at Westerly’s Weekapaug Inn, “it was a no brainer for me. To me, this is the best of the best.” The quaint New England atmosphere, tight-knit staff, and just-right size that allows him to bring personalized experiences to guests make it an ideal work environment for Brooks. “The inn is small enough that you can put your heart and soul into every dish. Every plate that leaves the kitchen you’re seeing, you’re a part of. The team’s small, so we’re able to work so incredibly close together. It’s a family here. It’s a special place to work.” After graduating from Johnson and Wales and working in a handful of Providence restaurants, the Westerly inn overlooking the Quonochontaug Pond is where he got his first taste of hotel cooking. Now, after years working for the Omni Amelia Island Resort and Ritz Carlton – as well as a stint as executive sous chef at sister property Ocean House – he’s back. The 123-year-old inn boasts 33 guest rooms, a waterfront view, and the modern, yet historically minded updates of a recent renovation. In the restaurant, the cuisine reflects the inn’s unique history and location, with a rotating tasting menu highlighting products and flavors of Rhode Island and the Atlantic coast. Working with local growers, farmers, and fishmongers, the restaurant serves only the freshest ingredients, fluctuating with the micro seasons of coastal New England. For Brooks, “farm fresh” has always been a familiar concept. Growing up in Vermont where sustainable practices are more commonplace, he takes pride in the inn’s dedication to this initiative. Through a partnership with Earth Care Farms, the inn is able to repurpose the property’s food scraps to create soil for nearby farmers, as well as their own herb garden and greenhouse. A recently

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Food & Drink | in the kitchen •

By Rose Kenyon

installed state-of-the-art geothermal heating and cooling system and a white-water recycling system help ensure coastal ecosystems stay unimpacted. Brooks delights in the way these sustainable efforts support the environment’s natural cycles. “On top of the ecological benefits of it,” he says, “it’s a really fun learning experience for the staff, team, and guests.” While Brooks says the ambiance of the inn is special year round, the winter months are his favorite. Fireplaces warm every

SORhodeIsland.com • December 2022

room and guests cozy in to taste the latest seasonal dishes featuring winter squashes, salsify, swiss chard, mushrooms, and more. He also looks forward to the inn’s annual Feast of the Fishes Christmas Eve Dinner, an event that has become an anticipated tradition for locals and visitors alike. All served family style, “everything is as house-made as it gets.” The dinner offers the whole cornucopia of coastal New England flavors – charred octopus, calamari, scallops, muscles, and clams – plus

house-made cookies and cannolis to finish. Planning a visit? Weekapaug Inn is open year-round and always welcoming of locals. “We love having guests come see the property, enjoy a meal, or have a drink at the bar. We’re very welcoming to the local community and love to have as many guests drive on as we can.”

Weekapaug Inn 25 Spray Rock Road, Westerly (855) 679-2995 • WeekapaugInn.com

Photo courtesy of Weekapaug Inn

Warm eats and atmosphere draw locals to Weekapaug Inn during the winter

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Food & Drink | sweet treats •

By Abbie Lahmers

Comfort and Joy Holiday desserts from South County bakeshops bring a dose of cheer

Photo courtesy of Carolena’s Italian Bakery

No matter who you are or what you’re celebrating this month, baked goods from local spots are guaranteed to make the season a little bit sweeter. The lure of the familiar is especially strong during the holiday season, but why not try someplace new for this year’s dessert spread? From festive pies and bûche de Noël to cookie kits and trays, here’s a handful of South County’s bakeries sure to be slinging pastries perfect for entertaining this season. Pro-tip: get your order in early as these treats are going fast.

SORhodeIsland.com • December 2022

CAROLENA’S ITALIAN BAKERY A family-owned business taking a page from passed down Italian cookbooks, Carolena’s carries traditional pizzelles and cannolis, along with their almost-too-cute-to-eat Eggnog Christmas Tree Cupcakes. Pre-order online for a selection of fanciful pies, cheesecakes (including candy cane peppermint and candied cherry flavors), and an assortment of gluten-free pastries and desserts (even tiramisu!). Narragansett, Carolenas.com

COUSINS BAKERY Warning: Lu-Anne Cox’s cookie trays assembled with care in foil pie-pans may trigger feelings of nostalgia. Think trees with green sprinkles, Italian wedding cookies, red and green M&Ms, chocolate crinkle cookies, and other colorful morsels, all scratch-made at this mom-and-pop shop near URI that also takes orders for specialty cakes, pies, tarts, and more. Kingston, CousinsRIBakery.Wixsite.com/cousinsribakery

Photo courtesy of Sweet Cakes Bakery and Cafe

Photo courtesy of Scrumptions

SCRUMPTIONS If scratch-made butter cookies are calling to you, this long-standing EG pastry shop’s trays are loaded with all variety of festive flavors and shapes. A selection of housemade chocolates and candies also make great hostess gifts, or put in an order via their Toasttab page for an intricately decorated bûche de Noël with dark chocolate mousse on the inside and a rich layer of ganache. East Greenwich, Scrumptions.com

SORhodeIsland.com • December 2022

Food & Drink | sweet treats •

HOLIDAY LOAVES South County has no shortage of bread makers offering seasonal loaves, from braided challah to raisinstudded stollen, and much more. Seek out these experts ready to rise to the occasion! Loafing Around LLC, South Kingstown South County Bread Company, Wakefield Wild Harvest Bread Co., North Kingstown

Photo courtesy of Sweet Althea’s

SORhodeIsland.com • December 2022

By Abbie Lahmers

SLICE OF HEAVEN A cafe and pastry shop by the sea, Slice of Heaven is adored by locals for good reason and a great destination for a quick cuppa and snack to break up a holiday shopping jaunt. Though their menu isn’t yet confirmed at press time, December also means a case filled with fresh-made seasonal cakes, pies, and tarts perfect to bring home for entertaining. Jamestown, SliceOfHeavenRI.com

SWEET ALTHEA’S This bakeshop is open seven days a week to satiate all your confectionary cravings. Curate your own custom tray of scratch-made sugar shortbreads in holiday shapes, chocolate-dipped Oreos or pretzels, and more, or wow guests with a snowman or reindeer cake, plus cupcakes and pies. Cake pops from Sweet Althea’s are almost too pretty to eat (but you’ll be happy when you do!). Wakefield, SweetAltheas.com

SOPHIE’S BREWHOUSE Along with a warm chai latte, Sophie’s Brewhouse has its pastry cases well stocked with seasonal sweets this month. Inquire

SWEET CAKES BAKERY AND CAFE Behind the case of this unassuming SK cafe you’ll find the linchpin to any Christmas party: bûche de Noël. Sweet Cakes’ take on this choc-

about placing orders for assorted cookie trays, pies, and more. If last year is any indication, watch for hot cocoa bombs (chocolate confections for melting in warm milk), sugar cookie decorating kits, and mason jar mixes, all perfect for whole-family fun. Exeter, SophiesBrewhouse.com

olate sponge cake roll features vanilla buttercream filling and a chocolate sour cream frosting on the outside, adorned with meringue mushrooms and holly. Cookie boxes and gingerbread kits – complete with people, piping bags of icing, and add-ons – will also make an appearance this year. Wakefield, SweetCakesBakeryRI.com

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By Karen Greco

Brisket tacos from the BBQ bros behind new food truck

A BBQ food truck motors around South County “Pit masters are overrated; we are the fire lords,” jokes Arthur Evans who, with middle school chum Shane Rooney, founded South County Barbeque. The North Kingstown residents reconnected on social media, but their barbecue bromance blossomed through the pandemic, which they both spent smoking a lot of meat. “Everyone was watching Tiger King; I was trying to get my brisket right,” quips Evans. They planned to hold a barbecue pop-up to test market interest, but after getting caught in an administrative nightmare, they

SORhodeIsland.com • December 2022

went all in and bought a food truck, which launched in September. Keeping the business as local as possible, South County Barbeque gets meats from nearby farms, which are then smoked over hardwood sourced from Total Lawn Care in Wakefield. Everything, from sides to sauces, is scratch-made. “We’re melting faces with barbecue everywhere we go,” says Rooney, which includes the Field of Artisans Holiday Market at Whalers through December. Peace Dale, @southcountybarbeque

Photo courtesy of South County Barbeque

Food & Drink | food news •

Bomb Burritos launches wing joint When Dan Latimer and Chad Bauerle opened Bomb Burritos & Bowls, they had a second concept in mind, writing into their lease a right of first refusal for the empty retail space beside their restaurant. But when Bomb opened its doors, the demand was overwhelming. They shelved their second concept and leased the empty unit as a contactless pickup hub. As the pandemic waned, pickups moved back to Bomb’s storefront, giving them space to open Bomb Wings & Wedges. When refining Bomb’s burrito recipe, the pair lightened up the usually heavy food and they are taking the same approach with their chicken. Their wings are slow baked instead of deep fried, giving them a healthful twist without sacrificing flavor. “We’ve found over and over again that there’s just too much fat in most restaurant menus,” Latimer explains. “We hit that nice middle ground where it’s not unpleasant to indulge yourself.” Westerly, BombRI.com

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Upscale wine and cocktail concept in Westerly Mystic’s fine Italian dining spot Via Emilia opened an outpost in Westerly – Bar Emilia – with resident Justin Bothur at the helm. The wine enthusiast, who cut his teeth at Thomas Keller’s Per Se in New York City and was food and beverage director at Ocean House, cultivated Bar Emilia’s dynamic wine list and creative craft cocktail menu inspired by oldschool Italian aperitifs like the Negroni. The small bites menu features Italian bar food like Tagliere, Italian charcuterie with meats and cheeses imported from Italy and from local purveyors, and veggie-forward Spuntini. Head chef Andrés Trujillo, who hails from Peru, came to the states from Oishii in Lima, one of the famed chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s restaurants. “He’s a very deft hand at raw fish,” says Bothur, pointing to their crudo plates featuring fluke and bluefin tuna. A selection of homemade pastas made at their sister restaurant rotates daily. Westerly, BarEmilia.com

SORhodeIsland.com • December 2022

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Articles inside

Sweet treats from local

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Add fresh flavor to holiday apps with Warwick-grown microgreens

MAKER: Graphic designer sprouts new woodland

RHODY GEM: Hygge vibes and homegoods in Wickford

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RHODY PETS: Purrfect

PROFILE: From EG to

ON STAGE: Indelible

HOME: A couple makes a Watch Hill fixer-upper their own

THE PUBLIC’S RADIO: How