This new outdoor space features a full bar, large covered dining area, multiple local RI brews on tap and plenty of large TV’s. Roll down weather proof sides allow enjoyment from May to November regardless of weather! LIVe MusIc on the weekends all summer long and all the sports games you want! This is a new twist on Gregg’s you really need to see!
and Cannolis!
ian festivals,” said Palmisano, who is a third-generation feast festival promoter and a well-known local philanthropist. Our family loves the area and has been a part of this community for years. When this space (for the restaurant) was available, it was like coming home again,” he continued.
The restaurant employs a dozen people and prides itself on serving dishes with a nod to the “Old Country.” Diners can feast on several signature dishes, including their bone-in veal chops that are so big that they take up the entire plate, their linguini and clams and their Italian stuffed artichokes. Patrons can also dive into their fresh fish dishes, chicken or veal parmigiana with pasta, or perhaps for dessert, their amazingly delicious homemade cannolis.
Perhaps their calling card is their "World Famous Expresso Martinis,” among other specialty cocktails that are infused with rosemary, ginger and other herbs to give them an authentic flair and taste.
Palmisano said that his goal for operating a successful restaurant is simple: “I want people to feel like they are eating at my house.”
He noted about how meals are cultivated back in Italy. “It starts with visiting the local butcher shop for the freshest meat, then walking to the garden to select the vegetables, and maybe to the local store to pick up a bottle of wine. Palmisano said that the restaurant strives to maintain this tradition because “farm to table” offers the best quality and flavors for their customers.
“I hope that when customers visit Anthony’s Italian Cuisine, they enjoy a little piece of Italy with every made-to-order dish,” he said.
The restaurant is open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM, and Sunday from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The bar remains open one hour after closing.
They also cater events and have daily specials and promotions. For more details about these upcoming events, please call 401273-5900. More details may be found by visiting their website at www.AnthonysonFederalHill.com.
Stacie
ShopInRI 09
This Summer?
Already dreading long security lines for your next flight? There’ve
a spot ahead of time that sends them to the front of the line at TSA checkpoints.
There’s an easier way to renew your passport—online. The State Department has opened a trial run allowing a limited number of people to apply for their updated travel documents with a few clicks, the AP reports. You can’t just start anytime—windows will open at midday Eastern time each day and then close once the system has reached its daily limit. The department says it’s taking it slow so it can monitor how the system is working. There are also a series of requirements to meet to be able to apply online, including:
You’re 25 or older.
TravelTips
The for the
You’re renewing a passport issued between 2009 and 2015.
The Clear site explains how the process works: In advance of your flight (how long in advance depends on the airport), you’d simply log on to make a reservation for the time you’d like to pass through security. You’ll receive a QR code that, on the day of your flight, you’ll show to a staffer in the Reserve lane near the TSA checkpoint. The service isn’t available at every airport (there are about 20 in the US, Canada, and Europe currently listed) and even at those airports, the service may be limited to certain areas. A company rep said they’re working on adding more airports into the mix.
You aren’t changing any personal information.
You won’t travel overseas for at least eight weeks after you apply.
There are plenty of other criteria on the State Department’s travel website, where you have to create an account to renew online. Expedited service still has to be done by mail. The move comes after travelers faced massive wait times to renew their documents amid a backlog blamed on lingering pandemic effects like staffing shortages and a pause in online processing last year that flooded the agency with applications. Current processing time for a routine passport renewal is six to eight weeks.
Reserve customers must still remove their shoes and jackets and take their electronics out for screening. Clear also offers a paid service called Clear Plus, which for the price of $189 per year allows users to not only skip to the front of the line, but also to not have to show ID; instead, your eyes or fingerprints are scanned. TSA PreCheck also offers a paid service ($78 for five years) that, because you’ve gone through advance vetting, means you don’t have to remove your shoes, jacket, laptop, or other items. Reserve remains an option for those who don’t want to pay. “Travelers can now save even more time by seamlessly reserving their spot in the security line,” a Clear rep said in a statement.
Shop In RI Selects Sugarbush Resort, Vermont as their #1 Skiing Getaway on the East Coast!
Shop In RI Selects: The Taste of Maine Restaurant in Woolwich, Maine as their #1 weekend getaway spot for Lobster lovers.
Shop In RI Selects: The Taste of Maine Restaurant in Woolwich, Maine for having the world’s largest lobster roll.
There are a few food items that are synonymous with Maine, one of them being the ever-so-delicious lobster roll. Tourists have been flocking to every corner of the Pine Tree state for decades to devour the delicacy. However, not all lobster rolls are built the same. Often, the biggest complaint people have about a lobster is...not enough lobster. So, the Taste of Maine restaurant in Woolwich decided to solve that problem once and for all.
Sugarbush is an overlooked gem among its peers, with many skiers heading to nearby Killington, Stowe, or Mad River Glen over this double mountain resort. So why shouldn’t you do the same? To put it simply, Sugarbush offers practically everything that those more popular ski areas boast, minus the crowds. So if you fancy schussing down a freshly groomed slope without queuing for a lift or dodging snowploughers this could be just the place for you!
There are a few food items that are synonymous with Maine, one of them being the ever-so-delicious lobster roll. Tourists have been flocking to every corner of the Pine Tree state for decades to devour the delicacy. However, not all lobster rolls are built the same. Often, the biggest complaint people have about a lobster is...not enough lobster. So, the Taste of Maine restaurant in Woolwich decided to solve that problem once and for all. Shared on Facebook by Taste of Maine restaurant, they claim to be serving the world’s largest lobster roll, a monster sub at least three times the size of a typical lobster roll. The number one question in comments seems to be about the price. Given current market conditions for lobster, the daily market price for the ’world’s largest lobster roll’ has been between $150 and $170. Some will scoff at the price, but if you’re traveling from afar just to get your hands on a Maine lobster roll, why not try the largest one?
Shared on Facebook by Taste of Maine restaurant, they claim to be serving the world’s largest lobster roll, a monster sub at least three times the size of a typical lobster roll. The number one question in comments seems to be about the price. Given current market conditions for lobster, the daily market price for the ’world’s largest lobster roll’ has been between $150 and $170. Some will scoff at the price, but if you’re traveling from afar just to get your hands on a Maine lobster roll, why not try the largest one?
Fourth of July Airfare Down By 27% From Last Year
States Where It Costs the Most to ’Live Comfortably’
Travelers who plan to fly over the Fourth of July holiday weekend can expect to pay less for their domestic tickets this year, as round trip tickets will be 27% lower this year than they were at the same time in 2022.
A round-trip ticket this year will cost a traveler a little more than $300, which is over $100 cheaper than last year. The prices of round-trip tickets are in line with how much round-trip tickets cost in 2019, according to an analysis by Hopper.
Terrain: The resort is made up of two interconnected mountains, Lincoln Peak, where the majority of trails are, and Mount Ellen. Other lower peaks include Castle Rock, Gadd Peak and North Lynx. For the type of gnarly terrain you would expect from Mad River Glen, just hop aboard the Castle Rock Double chair to Castle Rock. From the top at 3,812 ft, you’ll have the steep double black chutes of Lift Line and Rumble to get stuck into. If clocking up maximum vertical drop is more your thing then you’ll find the slopes here laid out much better for top-to-bottom shredding than at Killington. Even if you ski all 111 trails here, there’s also 2,000 ac of backcountry to explore in the Slide Brook Basin area!
In the 10 most expensive states in the nation, you’d need to make six figures to “live comfortably,” according to Visual Capitalist. The site defines the term as the amount a single individual would have to earn to cover what it calls a “50/30/20 budget”— meaning 50% for necessities such as housing and utilities, 30% for discretionary spending, and 20% for saving or investments. Here, the 10 most and least expensive states, and the amount you’d require annually for that comfy lifestyle:
Most Expensive States:
This year, the most booked destination in the United States over the Fourth of July weekend, which is from June 30 through July 4, is Las Vegas. The domestic cities that follow include
Massachusetts $116,022
4 Shop In RI
Hawaii $113,693
California $113,651
New York $111,738
A person three miles or obtain able cold, tions like South the physical than same down
Woman United
Atlanta, New Orleans, Chicago, and New York City.
Washington state $106,496
Colorado $103,293
New Jersey $103,002
Maryland $102,918
June 29 and June 30 are expected to be the busiest days of the holiday weekend, with 3.7 million people expected to depart from U.S. airports on both days. The least busy day of the long weekend will be on the Fourth of July itself. A total of 3.5 million people are expected to depart from airports on July 5.
Oregon $101,088
Rhode Island $100,838
Least Expensive States:
Iowa $83,366
Mississippi $82,742
The busiest airport in the country is expected to be Atlanta’s, where over 1.8 million travelers are expected to pass through. Other airports which will be exceedingly busy include Dallas (DFW), Denver (DEN), Los Angeles (LAX), and Las Vegas (LAS).
Louisiana $82,451
Town: If all that wasn’t enough, Sugarbush is generally a notch cheaper than pricey Stowe, but not at the sacrifice of luxury. For lavish lodgings, look no further than Lincoln Peak Village. For these reasons and more, when it comes to the most practical ski destination in Vermont, Sugarbush is a fantasic choice for a winter weekend getaway!
South Dakota $81,453
Ohio $80,704
Kentucky $80,704
North Dakota $80,538
You can’t a domestic get a man went a ”stinging dropped the floor, snag ”After on flight lanta ponded MedLink provided said. local customer Feel off those chanics neering non-stop It’s a L’Agulhas, sia—roughly Appalachian encountered via bridge, boat
For travelers who are driving instead of flying, car rental prices are also down considerably from last year at 25%. On average, car rentals this year will set back travelers $47 per day.
Oklahoma $80,413
Arkansas $79,456
West Virginia $78,790
There’s
a
Fresh Geyser Mystery in Yellowstone
She Became a Bride and a Widow Within Minutes
The Internet as We Know It Depends on 22 Ships
It’s the tallest active geyser on the planet— with an emphasis on “active.” From 2015 to 2017, it didn’t erupt at all. There was another largely quiet period from 1911 to 1961, but in 2018 it logged a record-setting 32 eruptions, a feat it has crushed this year with 47 eruptions, per the US Geological Survey. Why? Good question, and one that hasn’t been answered. It’s one on a long list of geyser mysteries, in fact. The geyser-research field is a thin one, and as Yellowstone National Park’s hydrologist explained the area beneath Steamboat hasn’t been mapped. However, seismic sensors there have revealed that the geyser’s water source may sit as deep as 130 feet.
When you think of what lurks in the ocean’s depths, fiber-optic cables probably don’t come to mind. They should. As Josh Dzieza reports in a lengthy piece for the Verge, there are some 800,000 miles of these cables running through our oceans that keep the world as we know it chugging along. They carry 99% of the planet’s data— should they all fail at once, satellites would keep less than 1% of things going. In that total-failure hypothetical, “modern civilization would cease to function,” writes Dzieza, in large part because the financial system would abruptly stop working. While his piece digs into the particulars of the cables, what he really focuses on is the “secretive global network of ships” at the ready to repair them when they break.
Johnnie Mae had suffered two recent losses, including that of her father, when she stood in front of friends and family and committed to the love of her life on Monday. But within the hour, her groom was dead, too. As Mae and new husband Toraze Davis of Omaha, Nebraska, left the church where they said “I do,” Davis suffered a blood clot that made his heart stop. “It happened within seconds ... just after the ceremony had begun,” friend Jewel Roberson said. Family and friends are now rallying behind Mae, director of ECO Supportive Living, which assists the elderly and those with disabilities. “Johnnie Mae has suffered through so much,” says Roberson. Now “she’s been widowed and married in a 10-minute span.”
“It’s seriously the saddest thing ever,” Tricia Pugsley said. She was supposed to DJ the couple’s wedding reception, but “they went to the hospital instead.” That’s where Mae “had to say goodbye to her new husband.”
A GoFundMe page has raised more than $20,000 for Mae and the children the couple shared. Mae “always helps others; this is our time to help her,” the page reads. Some are finding solace in knowing that 48-year-old Davis died on what was evidently “the happiest day of his life,” a friend said. Another friend says she hopes the tragedy will teach others to care for themselves, including through annual
Front Page
And breaks do happen, with some regularity: about 200 times a year. When they occur, there are just 22 ships designed to repair them, staffed by an increasingly aging set of workers. Their task is one of “precision engineering on a shifting sea using heavy metal hooks and high-tension lines that, if they snap, can cut a person in half,” writes Dzieza, who details the intense and “extraordinarily delicate” process through a tense lens: the aftermath of the 2011 tsunami that hit Japan and caused the Fukushima disaster. Seven of Japan’s 12 transpacific cables were severed, likely by underwater avalanches caused by the quake. The cable maintenance ship Ocean Link worked nonstop for 154 days to repair many of them. (Read the fascinating full story at: www.theverge.com/c/24070570/ internet-cables-undersea-deep-repairships
Most other geysers seem to be fueled by shallower reserves; deeper equals warmer, so that could be a factor in Steamboat’s ability to propel water to heights of more than 300 feet. Michael Poland with the USGS earlier this year said it’s possible that increased snowfall in Yellowstone of late has led to more groundwater to fuel the geyser. What scientists are saying is that there’s no link between the increased activity and any potential looming eruption of Yellowstone’s supervolcano. “Yellowstone has an incredible geyser system that is unrelated to magmatic activity—other than the magmatic system basically providing heat,” tweeted one volcanologist. USA Today noted that the Waimangu Geyser in New Zealand has managed to shoot water taller than Steamboat has, but it’s been
Top 4 Red Sox Center Fielders of All Time
THE TOP EARNING MUSICIANS OF THE DECADE
Top 4 Providence Friar Lottery Picks (Top 14) Since the NBA Implemented The Lottery Sy stem (1985)
Top Draft Selections Prior to 1985:
Jimmy Walker #1 1967
Marvin Barnes #2 1974
Ernie DiGregorio #3 1973
Lenny Wilkins #5 1960
Dom DiMaggio
Otis Thorpe #9 1984
Johnny Damon Meet the Olympics’ Youngest Male Track Star Ever
Real Life Happy Gilmore Hears From Adam Sandler
For the record, his given name is Landon Gilmore. But the teenage Indiana golfer has been going by ”Happy Gilmore” since he was a little kid because he can hit the ball like the fictional player of that name in Adam Sandler’s 1996 movie, per the Indianapolis Star. Now, the two have connected in real life. After Gilmore announced his commitment to golf for Ball State University, Sandler took note on Twitter. ”Go get em Happy,” Sandler wrote. ”Pulling for you.” Replied
“WE GOING TO THE OLYMPICS” read Quincy Wilson’s excited Instagram post, announcing the 16-year-old’s successful bid to make it to the Summer Games in Paris as the youngest American male track star ever at the Olympics, reports NBC News. The Team USA relay roster won’t be formally announced until next Monday, but Wilson’s coach, Joe Lee, confirmed to USA Today that Quincy will take part in the men’s 4x400 race. “The call came directly to me from USA Track & Field,” Lee says, adding, “I called Quincy afterwards with the good news.” Before Quincy, the youngest male track stars were Bob Mathias (1948 London Olympics), Jim Ryun (1964 Tokyo Olympics), and Erriyon Knighton (2021 Tokyo Olympics), all 17 at the time. Quincy smashed two records during his US trials debut: First he broke an under-18 record for the 400-meter dash during the quarterfinal on June 21, coming in at 44.66 seconds. Then, two days later, he broke his own record there in the semifinal, finishing in 44.59 seconds.
and, yes, he enters tournaments under the moniker of Happy Gilmore. One key difference between reality and art: Gilmore doesn’t play hockey and can’t even skate. He has, however, mastered the unique hockey-style tee shot used by Sandler in the movie. ”It never fails,” he says of fellow junior circuit
Beyoncé ($685 million)
Taylor Swift ($825 million)
U2 ($675 million)
Dr. Dre ($825 million)
Devin Carter #13- 2024
Eric Williams #14 - 1995
Austin Croshere #12 - 1997
Kris Dunn #5 - 2016
North Korea Is Sending Trash
T.
Balloons Across the Border
World News News
Rex Skeleton Sold at Auction for $6.2M
heirs can’t quit squabbling. Here’s a look at where things nearly two years since Prince died, the executor of the Trust, can’t split the money among Prince’s six surviving Revenue Service and executor agree on the estate’s value
Flights in and out of Incheon, South Korea, were paused for hours when balloons presumably sent by North Korea began descending on the city’s airport.More than 1,500 balloons carrying trash, excrement, dirt, worms, and “slashed ‘western’ clothes” have landed across the country since late May. Three runways at Incheon International Airport, about 25 miles from the North Korean border, were temporarily shut down after a balloon landed on the tarmac. Several other balloons were seen in and around the airport, a rep said.
Meet the New Electric Road
15 Years Later, Tsunami’s Toll Remains Mind-Boggling
This Could Be the World’s Next Fast-Food Phenom He Went In With Metal Detector, Came Out With
Ethiopia Planted 353M Trees —in Half a Day
12 Year Old Steals Moms Credit Card.. Heads on Vacation
might happen. The IRS and state of Minnesota are entitled the estate can stretch out the payments over time. Court Prince’s death suggested that it was worth around $200 actual value remains one of the biggest secrets in the case, redacted documents. The actual valuation could have gone up because the various attorneys, accountants, and industry yet finished appraisals and deals for the use of his music, his Paisley Park studio.
A 67-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton might have had puny arms, but sold for a hefty $6.2 million at Zurich’s Koller auction house. The 38-foot-long and nearly 13-foot-tall fossil “is one of the most spectacular T. rex skeletons in existence,” though it’s actually not made up of just one T. rex. It’s named “293 Trinity” for a reason: The skeleton is comprised of 293 bones hailing from 3 different T. rexes found in Montana and Wyoming. Still, in an interview on Koller’s website, Dr. Hans-Jacob Siber of the Aathal Dinosaur Museum said that there are just “20 or 30 good T. rex skeletons in the world and this is one of the bigger and better ones.”
Egypt opened two of its oldest pyramids, located about 25 miles south of the capital Cairo, to visitors for the first time since 1965. Antiquities Minister Khaled el-Anany told reporters that tourists are now allowed to visit the Bent Pyramid and its satellite pyramid in the Dahshur royal necropolis, which is part of the Memphis Necropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Bent Pyramid, which the AP reports was built during the Old Kingdom of the Pharaoh of Sneferu, in about 2600 BC, is unique in that it has two internal structures. El-Anany said the Bent Pyramid represents a transitional form of pyramid construction between the Djoser Step Pyramid (2667-2648 BC) and the Meidum Pyramid (also about 2600 BC). The Guardian notes its "unusual" shape: The first 160 feet rise at "a steep 54 degree angle, before tapering off towards the top."
It still haunts me.” The line from 28-year-old Thai resident Suwanne Maliwan to Reuters expresses a common sentiment Thursday, the 15th anniversary of the Indian Ocean tsunami that claimed 230,000 lives. Ma liwan, for instance, lost both her parents and five other relatives. ”Sometimes I dream that a wave is coming,” she says. Vigils and memorials across Asia were commemorating the staggering loss of life in what was one of the world’s deadliest natural disasters. A 9.1 magnitude earthquake off Sumatra island the morning after Christmas in 2004 triggered the tsunami and unleashed waves as high as 57 feet.
You may one day drive down roads charged with electricity that your vehicle automatically detects and sucks up through an automatic arm—if a Swedish project gains any headway. Called eRoadArlanda, it has turned 1.2 miles of road outside Stockholm into a kind of slot-car track where electric trucks insert movable arms into a rail to recharge the vehicle’s battery while driving. Designers say the technology is weather-proof and the arm will rise automatically when one car passes another, Sky News reports. The rails are also said to be safe to the touch.
The balloons disrupted airport traffic from roughly 1:45am to 4:45am, the Guardian reports, noting eight arriving flights had to be diverted to other airports in South Korea. One China Cargo plane was diverted to Yantai, China. “Northerly or northwesterly winds, favorable for North Korean balloon launches,” were occurring this week, per the AP. The military said roughly 100 balloons had arrived in the country over 2 days, mostly in Gyeonggi province, with Seoul at its center.
sentative contacted school officials Thursday about the surprise message, says a spokeswoman for the district.
Johnson said he admires Kelzenberg's courage but that he won't be able to attend prom because he'll be in Hawaii filming Jungle Cruise. Instead, Johnson rented out a nearby movie theater on Saturday for Kelzenberg and more than 230 friends and family to watch his latest movie, Rampage. Johnson even covered the cost of snacks and drinks for the theater. "I couldn't believe it. I was so surprised," Kelzenberg says. "I just kept thinking, 'He saw me! He knows who I am!'" Kelzenberg says she became a fan of Johnson's five years ago. Her favorite movies of his include Central Intelligence and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.
“One of the most important issues of our time is the question of how to make fossil-free road transportation a reality,” says eRoadArlanda Chairman Hans Säll. “We now have a solution that will make this possible, which is amazing.” Among its pluses, Säll says the electric road lets vehicles have smaller batteries and therefore makes vehicles cheaper to produce. The $7.7 million project will be tested with a truck fleet for two years, and if the government approves, it could be implemented for $1.9 million per mile and include buses and cars. “Sweden is at the cutting edge of this technology, which we now hope to introduce in other areas of the country and the world,” Säll says.
Though the dinosaur was purchased by a private buyer, Koller indicated hope that it would be put on public display. Speaking to the BBC, Edinburgh University dinosaur expert Steve Brusatte expressed concern over private purchases—this was the first T. rex skeleton ever auctioned in Europe—saying in part that “museums can’t compete with the deep pockets of the oligarchs and the super-rich.”
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff threatened to again launch anti-North Korea propaganda broadcasts using loudspeakers at the border. Whether the broadcasts resume is “up to North Korea’s actions,” the statement said. North Korea has said its balloon deliveries come in response to similar balloons sent across the border by the South. Activists have used trackable balloons to send messages, leaflets criticizing the North’s leadership, and even K-pop music.
Coastal areas of Thailand, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, and other countries were deluged. One of the first areas hit was Indonesia’s Aceh province, notes CBS News. In fact, most of those killed were in Indonesia alone, where 170,000 deaths were registered. ”No words can describe our feelings when we tearfully saw thousands of corpses lying on this ground 15 years ago,” said acting Aceh Gov. Nova Iriansyah at a ceremony in Sigli. ”And now, we can see how people in Aceh were able to overcome suffering and rise again, thanks to assistance from all Indonesians and from people all over the world.”
Brusatte added that he’s worried “that these very rare dinosaur skeletons, which are scientifically very valuable and are important for education and public engagement disappear into the vaults of private collectors which means that they are not available for public display.”
A man exploring with a metal detector hit the jackpot, uncovering what a veteran gold prospector calls a “oncein-a-lifetime find.” The amateur gold digger, who is remaining anonymous, was searching the goldfields of Australia’s Victoria state, site of an 1850s gold rush, when he stumbled upon a 10-pound rock dotted with gold. He then showed up at Darren Kamp’s prospecting store in Geelong. “He pulled this rock out and as he dropped it into my hand he said, ‘Do you think there’s $10,000 (AUD) worth in it?’” Kamp of Lucky Strike Gold tells the BBC. “I looked at him and said, Try $100,000.” It was now Kamp’s turn to be gobsmacked. “He said, ‘But that’s only half the rock,’” the prospector tells the Guardian.
slow food, and soul food,” says Yusuke Nakamura, who heads the Onigiri Society, a trade group in Tokyo. Fast because you can find it even at convenience stores. Slow because it uses ingredients from the sea and mountains, he said. And soul food because it’s often made and consumed among family and friends. No tools are needed—just gently cupped hands. “It’s also mobile, food on the move,” he said.
A 12-year-old Australian boy has pulled off a bold feat that drew international headlines: He stole his mom’s credit card and managed to fly to Bali, Indonesia, for a posh, four-day vacation before getting caught. As recounted in the Australian program A Current Affair, the boy did some research online and figured out he could fly alone without needing a letter from a parent on Jetstar Airways. He nabbed his mom’s credit card, tricked his grandmother into giving him his passport, took a train to the airport, and flew to Bali. “They just asked for my student ID and passport to prove that I’m over 12 and that I’m in secondary school,” says the boy, identified only as Drew. He then checked into a four-star hotel, having made reservations in advance, telling the clerk that his older sister would be joining him soon.
The word “onigiri” became part of the Oxford English Dictionary this year, proof that the humble sticky-rice ball and mainstay of Japanese food has entered the global lexicon. The rice balls are stuffed with a variety of fillings and typically wrapped in seaweed. It’s an everyday dish that epitomizes “washoku”—the traditional Japanese cuisine that was designated a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage a decade ago, per the AP.
What’s in it?
El-Anany also announced that Egyptian archaeologists have uncovered a collection of stone, clay, and wooden sarcophagi, some of them with mummies, in the area. He said archaeologists also found wooden funerary masks along with instruments used for cutting stones, dating to the Late Period (664332 BC). Mostafa Waziri, secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said they also uncovered large stone blocks along with limestone and granite fragments indicating the existence of ancient graves in the area. Egypt has been whipping up publicity for its new historical discoveries in the hopes of reviving a devastated tourism sector still recovering from the turmoil following a 2011 uprising that toppled longtime autocrat Hosni Mubarak.
The Most Complex Marine Mammal Rescue Ever
As Kamp tells CNN, the amateur digger had broken apart the full nugget,
Ethiopia claims it has smashed record in the name of climate change— and the tree planting isn’t even More than 353 million tree gs were planted across the country just 12 hours as part of Prime Abiy Ahmed’s Green Legacy tation campaign. The campaign to see 4 billion indigenous trees ed between May and October. had been encouraged to plant lion trees but Ahmed tweeted million had been planted after hours. At the end of 12 hours, the country’s minster for innovation chnology, Getahun Mekuria, announced 353,633,660 seedlings had the ground—more than five times as many trees as were planted in 12 hours in 2017. Some schools and government offices closed to dents and civil servants to take part, which notes 2.6 billion trees been planted across Ethiopia. The Guardian reports each citizen plant at least 40 seedlings. The goal is to transform Ethiopia’s landscape, is seeing degradation, soil erosion, deforestation, and droughts and tied to agriculture. About 80% of Ethiopia’s population relies on to make a living, with the result that just 4% of land is now forested, pared to 30% at the end of the 19th century, according to Farm Al Jazeera, a recent study estimates that 1 trillion new trees could most 750 billion tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere—or much as humans have released in the last 25 years—over several
France is trying to hang onto a medieval painting with a crazy backstory. The nation has blocked the export of a small, 13th-century work by the Italian artist Cimabue, a painting that hung unnoticed for decades above a hotplate in a French woman's kitchen. An auctioneer spotted the painting as the elderly woman was preparing to sell her house, and then sold for a staggering $26 million at auction earlier the Guardian. The buyers are anonymous, but they're group of Chilean collectors based in the US. Now, however, they won't be able to own the painting after all.
hoping to find gold inside, not realizing dirt was concealing the gold “oozing out of the rock everywhere.” Altogether, the man had found a 10.1-pound nugget containing 5.7 pounds of gold. “I haven’t seen a specimen in this amount of gold in my 43 years of prospecting,” Kamp said.
Some want classic onigiri: Yosuke Miura runs Onigiri Asakusa Yadoroku, a restaurant founded in 1954 by his grandmother. It claims to be the oldest onigiri restaurant in Tokyo. Also a classical flautist, Miura sees onigiri as a score handed down from his grandmother, one that he’ll reproduce faithfully. “In classical music, you play what’s written on the music sheet. Onigiri is the same,” he says. “You don’t try to do something new.”
And there he stayed, having a fine time while his panicked mom reported him as missing back home. It wasn’t until the boy posted a video of himself in the hotel pool that his vacation finally came to an end. “I was shocked and disgusted, there’s no emotion to feel what we felt when we found out that he’d left overseas,” says mom, per news.com.au. One reason she’s ticked: Her son had actually tried this stunt twice before, only to be turned away at the airport by Qantas and Garuda Airlines. Mom says she was informed her son’s passport would be flagged by federal authorities as a result, but that apparently never happened. In the aftermath, Jetstar promises to tighten up its policies. “He just doesn’t like the word no and that’s what I got, a kid in Indonesia.”
The sticky characteristic of Japanese rice is key. What’s placed inside is called “gu,” or filling. A perennial favorite is “umeboshi,” or salted plum. Or perhaps “mentaiko,” which is hot, spicy roe. But in principle, anything can be placed inside onigiri, even sausages or cheese—then the ball is wrapped with seaweed. Even one nice big onigiri would make a meal, although many people would eat more.
“Maybe in the 1850s there was probably a few found, but in today’s terms it’s very rare.” He estimated the value at $160,000. “He said to me, ‘Oh, the wife will be happy,’” adds the prospector, who ended up buying the rock. The finder had been using a budget metal detector capable of locating items buried only a foot underground, which turned out to be well worth the $800 cost.
Art Expert Gives Museum Some Really Bad News
France's culture ministry has declared the work to be a and has at least temporarily overruled the sale, reports ministry hopes to hang the painting permanently in now has 30 months to come up with the money to buy me, the family of the unidentified woman who displayed years, unaware of its origin or its worth, must continue insured. They also owe a multi-million-dollar inheritance likely have to work out a deal to pay it after the sale goes
A museum in southern France suffered a terrible blow when experts declared that over half its paintings are forgeries, The Terrus museum, dedicated to the work of painter Étienne Terrus, apparently knew nothing of the fakes until an art historian informed them. “It’s a catastrophe,” the mayor of Elne, where the museum resides, tells the Telegraph. “I put myself in the place of all the people who came to visit the museum, who saw fake works of art, who paid an entrance fee. It’s intolerable and I hope we find those responsible.” Police have taken the fakes and are trying to find those responsible.
Someone Spent $25.3M for A ’Highly Important’ Bowl
US Teen Wins $3M at Fortnite World Cup
Some want to experiment: Miyuki Kawarada runs Taro Tokyo Onigiri, which has four outlets in Japan. She’s eyeing Los Angeles, too, then Paris. Her vision: to make onigiri “the world’s fast food.” Kawarada’s onigiri has lots of gu on top, for colorful toppings, instead of inside. And each one comes with a separately wrapped piece of nori to be placed around it right before you eat.
Multimillionaire Invites 10
People to Come Live in ’Paradise’
War has costs for whales, too. Indeed, two beluga whales held at an aquarium in Kharkiv, eastern Ukraine, were considered unlikely to survive Russia’s bombing of the region, until animal lovers thousands of miles away found a way to help them. The two whales were whisked from Kharkiv’s NEMO Dolphinarium to Europe’s largest aquarium, Oceanogràfic in Valencia, Spain. Dan Ashe, head of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, said it took “the world’s most elite team of marine mammal experts” to pull off what was “likely the most complex marine mammal rescue
The Tyrannosaurus rex, which has one of the most distinctive skulls in the animal kingdom, is among the most iconic dinosaurs in pop culture. As an American Museum of Natural History information page notes, the 1902 discovery of the first T. rex skeleton in Hell Creek, Montana, also sparked long-lasting interest in dinosaurs in general. Trinity, however, isn’t the most expensive T. rex ever sold. In 2022 the Guardian reported that honor
Looking to permanently while away your days overlooking the Tasman Sea and sipping on vino while watching "nice animals" with other "nice people"? Karl Reipen wants to hear from you. The Guardian reports the German multimillionaire has placed an ad seeking 10 people up to age 70 to come live in what he calls his "paradise," a 550-acre, $5.6 million estate in Awakino, on New Zealand's North Island. "If you are interested to live a life with a Group of Interesting people it can be a new life for you," reads the ad, which Stuff NZ reports was published twice in the New Zealand Herald. Reipen,
History: Onigiri in its earliest form is believed to go back at least as far as the early 11th century. It’s mentioned in Murasaki Shikibu’s The Tale of Genji. It appears in Akira Kurosawa’s classic 1954 film, Seven Samurai, as the ultimate gift of gratitude from the farmers.
Apparently 82 of the museum’s 140 works are phony, spotted at times because they contained buildings constructed after Terrus died in 1922. Acclaimed for his landscapes of French Catalonia, Terrus was close with artists Aristide Maillol and Henri Matisse and lived mostly in Elne, a town on the Tech River that’s less than three miles from the Mediterranean coast of Languedoc-Roussillon. The museum spent over $190,000 acquiring paintings they thought were his. But the Terrus likely isn’t alone: Art experts say at least one in five paintings in the world’s top museums may well be fake.
teen contestants Emil Bergquist dersen from Sweden and David from Austria shared a $3 million
who made his fortune in canned iced coffee, notes in the ad that the estate boasts a winery "for social meetings and dining," and that residents "can enjoy walking, fishing, shopping, kayaking, bird watching, swimming or looking at the nice animals."
The bowl is pretty and small, and also represents the “peak of painting on porcelain.” The Chinese antique went for $25.3 million at an auction with an unknown entity scooping up the ”highly important” artifact crafted sometime in the mid-18th century, per CNN.
Background: Onigiri is “fast food,
Pennsylvania 16-year-old Kyle Giersdorf plays 8 to 10 hours of Fortnite a day, but his parents aren’t complaining: Giersdorf, better known as ”Bugha,” won a record-breaking $3 million at the inaugural Fortnite World Cup at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York. The contest featured 100 participants out of around 40 million who entered the online competition. Giersdorf, who won the solo event in front of a packed stadium, says he plans to save the prize instead of going on a spending spree. ”All I want is a new desk and maybe a desk for my trophy. In the duo event
ever undertaken.” The operation, which took months to plan, covered 36 hours and 1,900 miles. A Ukrainian team first moved the whales from Kharkiv to Odesa in transport crates that had to be drained of water when they needed to be lifted, an official says. After an inspection, the animals were then trucked across the border to Moldova, where they were moved
“The superb painting of two loving swallows beside a flowering apricot tree intertwined with a willow tree is complemented by a short poem evocative of the spring,” reads the description of the bowl, sold on the Sotheby’s site.
There are also stables and an indoor equestrian center on-site, and Reipen says, "If you would like to bring your own horse it is possible." Interested parties who prefer privacy will like that the property is an hour and a half from the nearest large town or city. The current government under Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern put in place a ban on foreigners owning homes in New Zealand, but Reipen scooped up
Customers: Miki Yamada, a food promoter, intentionally calls onigiri “omusubi,” the other common word for rice balls, as the latter more clearly refers to the idea of connections. She says her life’s mission is to bring people together, especially since the triple earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disasters hit her family’s rice farm in Fukushima, in northeastern Japan, in 2011. “It energizes you. It’s that ultimate comfort food,” she says.
of the Yongzheng Emperor, who ruled over China from 1722 to 1735, is an example of falangcai (“foreign colors”) ceramics, “among the rarest and most celebrated imperial ceramic wares of the Qing dynasty.” The porcelain pieces from this group were fired in the kilns of the city of Jingdezhen, then brought to the imperial workshops within Beijing’s Forbidden City. The emperor himself would greenlight the design, and then painters would finish the enamel job, before the pieces were fired a second time for completion.
to a cargo plane “equipped with an interior crane,” per the Times.
With a total prize pool of $40 provided by Epic Games, Fortnite’s rent company, the tournament e-sports record, though that record cted to be broken by an August led “The International” Giersdorf, player in the North American East to qualify for the tournament, was nant in the six-game series, beating including runner-up Harrison Chang, who took home $1.8 Giersdorf was hugged by his family the win. “This is life-changing mother Darcy Giersdorf says. “He’s playing video games since he was this is his passion. He told us he this, he put his mind to it and he
“The experts at Oceanogràfic will be working intensely to help them recover,” Carlos Mazón, president of the Valencian government, said in a statement, per IFL Science.If the whales had stayed put, “their chances of survival would have been very slim.”
the property years te. He still had to get nation's Overseas which signed off on it determined he had and means to build and maintain it. "It to bring it to the standard writes in the ad. It's ture dwellers in Reipen's med utopia will be
This particular bowl changed hands multiple times over the years, most recently landing in the possession of collector Alice Cheng, who scooped it up in 2006 for $19.3 million. The sale was just one of many in the auction house’s Hong Kong spring block, whose art sales saw nearly $210 million collected. Nicolas Chow, chair of Sotheby’s Asia division, called this week’s auctions “exceptional”
Egypt Opens “Bent Pyramid”
Reflecting on the Hospitality
Student Career Summit: Paving the Way Towards Employment
by Heather R. Singleton President/CEO, Rhode Island Hospitality Association
The recent Hospitality Student Career Summit, hosted by the RI Hospitality Association (RIHA)/RI Hospitality Education Foundation (RIHEF), was an inspiring and transformative event for everyone involved. As interim president/CEO of RIHA and RIHEF, I’m immensely proud of the effort put forth by our team and partners to create an enriching experience for the more than 200 local high school students enrolled in culinary arts, foodservice, and hotel management programs, who gathered at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence to engage with industry professionals and explore various career pathways.
importance of first impressions, social media presence, and respectful interactions. These are crucial elements that often determine how young professionals are perceived by potential employers.
Reflecting on the summit, I’m struck by the enthusiasm and dedication displayed by the students. Their eagerness to learn and grow reaffirmed our commitment to nurturing the next generation of hospitality professionals. The interactions between students and seasoned industry veterans were particularly heartening, as they highlighted the wealth of knowledge and experience our industry has to offer.
The summit encapsulated our mission to equip students with the tools and confidence they need to embark on their professional journeys. The event featured a series of breakout sessions designed to provide practical skills and valuable insights. One of the standout sessions was “Highway to Employment,” where HR professionals guided students on building confidence, presenting their best selves, and navigating job interviews. This included mock interviews with sample questions, offering students a taste of real-world interview scenarios.
Throughout the day, students actively participated in sessions that covered essential topics such as resume building, interview techniques, and effective communication styles. They arrived well-prepared, bringing printed resumes and business cards, eager to make connections and learn from industry leaders. This firsthand experience was invaluable in helping them understand the importance of professionalism and preparedness in the job market.
The significance of first jobs and training in shaping one’s career trajectory cannot be overstated. These initial experiences lay the foundation for future success by teaching responsibility, teamwork, and customer service skills. Through our sessions, students learned not only the technical aspects of their chosen fields but also the soft skills essential for thriving in any workplace.
A particularly rewarding aspect of the summit was the opportunity to discuss the scholarship funds available for ProStart or HTMP students who are looking to pursue higher education and need financial assistance. By investing in these students, we are investing in the future of the hospitality industry, ensuring it remains vibrant and innovative for years to come.
The event also emphasized the role of social skills in professional settings. Students were advised on the
The success of this event underscores the critical role of education and training in the hospitality industry. At the RI Hospitality Association and the RI Hospitality Education Foundation, we are dedicated to providing opportunities for career growth and development. Our programs are designed to support students, unemployed adults, and current employees, ensuring that everyone has access to the training and resources needed to succeed in our industry.
The Hospitality Student Career Summit was more than just an event; it was a stepping stone for many young individuals on their path to professional success. It reinforced the importance of education, training, and mentorship in building a strong and dynamic workforce. By fostering these connections and providing these opportunities, we are not only helping individual students, but also strengthening the hospitality industry as a whole.
Heather R. Singleton
By Paul Lonardo
Eat Korean BBQ & Shabu-Shabu is a new restaurant that recently opened in North Providence, and Manager Sean Hu is encouraged by the enthusiasm and support the restaurant has received from diners in the opening weeks.
“I didn’t realize we would be so popular, so quickly,” Hu said, about the rush of business he’s seen early on.
The year-long renovations that went on at the landmark location – the former home of Luca Music – along with pre-opening advertisement, created a lot of buzz for Eat Korean BBQ & Shabu-Shabu. When the doors finally opened on May 8, people were anxious and excited to try the unique cuisine.
Hu previously managed Jason’s Korean BBQ, located in Lawrence, MA., which has a menu similar to what this new eatery has to offer. The Mineral Spring Avenue location is much bigger, so it presented Hu and the restaurant owners with some challenges and risks that often go along with a larger sized establishment. The dining room can accommodate up to 150 customers quite comfortably, with a retro-Asian style design that creates a comfortable and
quaint dining atmosphere.
Hu sees a lot of opportunity with a dense population center in and around North Providence, and he seeks to introduce people to some new types of delicious food that they might not have eaten before. Hu is confident that once diners sample the tasty cuisine, they will most certainly return to experience even more of their extensive culinary dishes.
Several sites were considered around the state, but there were a number of key factors that ultimately went into choosing North Providence as the home of Eat Korean BBQ & Shabu-Shabu.
“The location on Mineral Spring Avenue comes with a huge parking lot, so there are plenty of spaces for the customers to park onsite,” Hu said. “People don’t have that convenience in the city, where they would have to drive, and then try to find some place to park. But we are right here, in the neighborhood.”
Food quality and customer service are top priorities, and as such, they employ a large staff to ensure that diners have a great experience, one they will want to tell their family and friends
about, and then return with those in their social circle, to experience again.
Eat Korean BBQ & Shabu-Shabu is an all-youcan-eat style restaurant, so bring your appetite, and what you don’t try on your first visit, will be waiting for you when you go back. They offer a variety of food for all tastes, from children’s classics, such as French fries and chicken nuggets, to steak and snow crab, and a whole lot more. With so many options, Hu hopes that people will try new food they may not have eaten before.
Besides continually adding new dishes to the menu, there will be a seasonal menu available soon, which will include dishes that people prefer, at particular times of the year. Also in the works, is having a traditional dining option available for those patrons who may not prefer the all-you-can-eat dining experience. Additionally, take-out ordering is something that is being planned for, in the near future.
While there are lots of changes ahead for Eat
Korean BBQ & Shabu-Shabu that will enhance the dining experience for patrons, their menu is available now.
Eat Eat Korean BBQ & Shabu-Shabu is located at 1530 Mineral Spring Avenue, where Luca Music was formerly located, and is open weekdays, from 4pm to 10pm, Saturday, noon to 11pm, and Sunday, noon to 10pm.
Visit https://www.eatbbqri.com/menu/ to view, for yourself, their extensive and impressive menu (along with photos of their extensive meal options).
Notes from the Cooker, Traveler, Master Gardener and Serious Sipper of Creative Cocktails
THE PERFECT LOBSTER ROLL
Our annual BOYZ weekend at my house is over, and it was a huge success. No small factor in that success was the food we all brought to the table. I made my lobster rolls, and got thumbs-up from all who tried them.
Last year, I was having dinner at The Boat House restaurant in Tiverton, RI, with my buddy, Lee, who lives in Maine half the year, and we started talking about what makes the perfect lobster roll.
Often, when you go to a restaurant and order one, they’ll first ask if you want it cold with mayonnaise or warm with butter. (A warm lobster roll with melted butter, we were told by our bartender, Cayce, is called “Connecticut style.”) The three of us discussed the mayonnaise-to-lobster ratio, and other significant factors. The final conclusion was that everyone likes their lobster roll a little differently.
It’s certainly easy to go to a clam shack or seafood restaurant to get one, but nothing beats making one yourself.
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon Kosher salt
When I make my own lobster rolls, freshness is key. I always start with live lobsters. I get them from my lobster man buddy, Gary, just down the street at his dock in Tiverton, RI. Gary’s brother runs the Sakonnet Lobster Company on Sakonnet Point in Little Compton, RI.
1 tablespoon ground coffee (use your favorite)
1 teaspoon granulated garlic
One of our favorite restaurants here in Rhode Island is Fluke Newport in…well…Newport. We’ve dined
I went to Twitter for some help. Since I follow a number of chefs, I asked the question: I’m cooking for a real chef for the first time. What’s the #1 tip you can give me? Only one chef answered, but it was none other than Andrew Zimmern, and he said simply: “Be yourself.” Be myself? Yeah…I think I can fake that!!!!
Once you’ve bought your live lobster, the next step is to cook it right. Some people steam and some people boil. I’ve always been a boiler myself. I fill a large pot half-way with water and add sea salt. I bring it to a rolling boil before the lobsters go in. And then I do the math…
1 teaspoon granulated onion
1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
So I started thinking…Chef Eddie works with seafood all day at Fluke. Skip that. He’s Italian and makes amazing homemade pasta. Skip that. What do I love to cook and do pretty well…? Barbecue!
After the lobsters have been removed from the pot and have cooled for a few minutes, I get to work: cracking the claws and tail and removing every bit of beautiful meat I can find. Lobster lovers will tell you that the legs have some meat in them and that the tomalley (the green liver and pancreas) and roe (eggs) are delicacies not to be missed. For the purpose of making lobster salad, I don’t use these parts. But I do save the tomalley and roe for a separate treat…and I save all the legs and cleaned empty shells for lobster stock.
I have a beautiful grass-fed Angus beef New Zealand brisket in my freezer. That’s what I need to make! A simple, comfort-food meal. Barbecued brisket…twice-baked sweet potatoes…a big old salad…and as an appetizer: my no-fail recipe for Oysters Rock-aFellow! (OK, I had to get a little seafood in there.)
Cleaning lobster legs is easy: simply remove all the legs from the body and place them flat on a cutting board. Grab a rolling pin, and one at a time, roll the pin over the lobster legs, starting at the claw end and working your way up. Like a tube of toothpaste, the meat will squeeze right out of the leg!
Now for the important stuff. What goes in a lobster roll, and more importantly, what doesn’t… I have very strong opinions in this matter.
When I smoke my brisket low-and-slow in my smoker, I use a coffee steak rub that I developed a couple of years ago. It gives a deep, rich crust to the meat that is just fantastic.
I boil my lobsters for 10 minutes for the first pound. I add 3 minutes per pound for each additional pound thereafter. For example, a 2-pound lobster should boil for 13 minutes and a 1 1/2-pound lobster should boil for 11 1/2 minutes. And if I’m boiling more than one lobster, the same rule applies: 3 2-lb. lobsters = 6 pounds. So 10 minutes for the first pound, plus 3 minutes x 5 for each extra pound (that’s 15) for a total of 25 minutes. (These times are for hard shell lobsters. I reduce the boiling time by 3 minutes if I’m cooking softshell lobsters.)
Depending on the size of the brisket, you might need to double the recipe.
Remember, you’re going by total weight of all the lobsters, because the more you have, the longer it takes the water to return to the boil once you put them in.
First, there should NEVER be anything green in a lobster roll! No celery, no pickle, and it certainly shouldn’t be sitting on a bed of lettuce! Nothing should be crunchy in a lobster roll! The magic is in the texture of the perfectly cooked lobster meat. Don’t mess with it!
NO paprika or Old Bay seasoning! A pinch of celery salt? Yes!
If the brisket is frozen, I like to thaw it a couple of days ahead of cooking it, rubbing it down with the coffee rub, and placing it in the fridge for about 24 hours to rest. I bring it out about an hour before smoking, to let the meat come back to room temperature, and then I place it in the smoker for about 12 hours at 225 degrees, smoking it with hickory wood.
A larger lobster is not always better. My uncle used to buy the largest lobster he could find, and it was impressive when he placed at the center of the dinner table. But the meat was like rubber. And personally, I felt bad for the old lobster that made it that far in life. His last days should’ve been in the ocean, not on a plate.
Mayonnaise? Only Hellman’s! White pepper, not black, and just a touch.
When it’s done, I remove it from the smoker, and wrap in foil and let it rest at least 30 minutes before slicing diagonally against the grain of the meat. If I’m not serving it right away, I place the wrapped brisket in the oven at the lowest setting, about 150 degrees, just to keep it warm.
Salt? A pinch of Fleur de Sel or other fine finishing salt.
And the secret weapon to bring out all the flavors: the tiniest squeeze of fresh lemon juice…not enough to give it lemon flavor…just to brighten the taste.
When I’m ready to serve, I always slice the brisket on the bias, against the grain of the meat.
My maximum lobster size is 2 lbs. But at 1 1/2 pounds, you have the perfect ratio of meat-to-shell…with lots of delicious meat that is still sweet and tender. It’s perfect.
As for the roll, you can’t go wrong with Martin’s potato long rolls: soft and squishy straight out of the bag, or to take a page from the Connecticut-style lobster roll lovers: lightly grill the rolls and brush them with a little melted butter!
Fitness Tips
By Stacie Venagro
The Simple Power of Walking
| 2017 World Miss Fitness America Pro
the risk of falls—a major concern for older adults. Engaging in regular walking can strengthen the muscles that support balance, making everyday movements safer.
As we age, maintaining an active lifestyle becomes increasingly crucial for our overall health and well-being. While the natural changes that come with aging can make high-intensity workouts challenging, staying active doesn’t have to mean intense exercise. In fact, something as simple as walking a mile or two a day can have profound benefits for seniors. Let’s explore why walking is an ideal activity for older adults and how it can enhance quality of life.
The Benefits of Walking for Older Adults
1. Improved Cardiovascular Health
Walking is a low-impact exercise that gets the heart pumping, which can help lower blood pressure, improve circulation, and reduce the risk of heart disease. Regular walking helps maintain a healthy weight, further reducing cardiovascular strain.
2. Enhanced Mobility and Flexibility
Consistent walking keeps the joints flexible and muscles strong, which is essential for maintaining mobility as we age. It can help alleviate symptoms of arthritis and prevent stiffness, allowing older adults to move more freely and with less pain.
3. Mental Health Boost
Physical activity, including walking, releases endorphins, which are natural mood lifters. Regular walks can help reduce feelings of depression and anxiety, improve sleep quality, and boost overall mental health. Walking in nature, in particular, has been shown to have additional calming effects.
4. Social Interaction
Walking can be a great social activity. Joining a walking group or simply walking with a friend or family member provides an opportunity for social interaction, which is vital for mental and emotional well-being, especially for those who might feel isolated and lonely.
5. Cognitive Benefits
Studies have shown that regular physical activity, like walking, can help keep the brain sharp and reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. The increased blood flow to the brain during exercise helps support its health and function.
6. Balance and Coordination
Walking helps improve balance and coordination, reducing
Tips for Incorporating Walking Into Your Routine
1. Start Slow
If you’re not used to regular exercise, start with shorter distances and gradually increase your walking time and speed. Even a 10-minute walk is beneficial.
2. Set Realistic Goals
Set achievable goals based on your current fitness level. Aim for consistency, rather than intensity. Walking a mile or two daily is a fantastic start.
3. Choose the Right Footwear
Invest in a good pair of walking shoes that provide support and cushioning. This helps prevent injuries and makes walking more comfortable.
4. Make It Enjoyable
Choose scenic routes, listen to music or audiobooks, or walk with a friend to make the activity more enjoyable and something to look forward to.
5. Incorporate Walking Into Daily Activities
Integrate walking into your daily routine by taking short walks during breaks, parking farther from your destination, or opting for the stairs instead of the elevator.
6. Stay Safe
Walk in well-lit, safe areas, and be mindful of your surroundings. If walking outdoors isn’t feasible, consider walking indoors at a mall or on a treadmill.
Overcoming Common Barriers
- Weather: If the weather is unfavorable, consider walking indoors, such as in a shopping mall or using a treadmill.
- Health Issues: Consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new exercise regimen. They can provide guidance tailored to your specific health needs.
- Lack of Motivation: Setting goals, tracking progress, and finding a walking buddy can help maintain motivation.
Staying active as we age do esn’t have to be complicated or strenuous. Walking a mile or two a day is a simple, effective way to reap numerous health benefits and maintain an active lifestyle. By making walking a regular part of your routine, you can enhance your physical health, boost your mental well-being, and enjoy a higher quality of life well into your golden years. So, lace up your walking shoes and take that first step toward a healthier, happier you!
Summer Sports! Great Exercise, Great Fun, With No Intimidation!
By: Susan Gazerro
Summer is always the perfect time to try something new. Tired of going to the gym and being in the same routine every day? Here, in the Northeast, summer allows us only a limited time to be outdoors, so maybe trying something you have never contemplated trying before, will be a great idea that leads to improving your health and wellbeing.
Many sporting options have beginner or training lessons, so there is no reason you can’t try one or all of them. Do not let age, weight, or athletic ability stop you from trying something new.
We need to keep moving our bodies, if we want to be healthy. Summer in our area of the country allows us to be outside frequently, so even if it means going for a walk, do it! Everyone always feels better after they do some form of exercise.
Following are sport activities you can try for change and fun. The best thing is that you will not only be benefiting your body while exercising, you will also have the ability to meet different people and become more social, and that is just as healthy for everyone’s overall being.
Let’s start with the game of golf. Although golf is not the easiest game to pick up, you don’t have to be a star athlete to play, and it will keep you busy for a few hours at each session. Borrow or rent a couple of clubs and start at the range. Get out there and hit some balls. Once you go out on the course, you can get some extra exercise by walking the course, instead of taking a cart.
Two other sports you can try are tennis or the new craze, pickleball. Both of these activities will provide a great workout. Pickleball can be played closer to the net, and it uses a softer ball, so it doesn’t have to be hit as hard as a tennis ball, and both sports will keep you moving.
Volleyball is another fun, outdoor sport. You can play this on the grass, or maybe try beach volleyball with some friends.
If you love water, grab some paddles, and go canoeing. This is a great upper body workout. If you just want to be in a pool, swimming laps is a great idea. Depending on the level of your athletic ability and age, you may also be able to swim laps by grabbing a pool noodle and kicking your feet
and legs while holding on to it. (This is a really good lower body and cardio workout.)
One sport that doesn’t require equipment or much athletic ability is hiking. A beginner can be a hiker, or someone very advanced can be a hiker. Your level of expertise will determine the type of trail you choose. You can hike a couple miles, or flat trail walk while enjoying nature, or maybe your preference is mountain hiking, which requires some extra gear, as well as a bit of extra stamina.
There are also those more traditional sports such as baseball, softball, basketball, street hockey, etc. If you haven’t played any of these, maybe you would enjoy grabbing some friends to participate with you.
Frisbee has also become quite popular. What used to be referred to as the Ultimate Disc League is now called the Ultimate Frisbee League. (These leagues usually run April thru July.)
Any type of a cardio workout will also work to keep your heart healthy.
I have spoken to a lot of people who have started playing pickleball. What I keep hearing is that pickleball is acknowledged as a community sport. This is one sport where everyone feels welcome. You can take a few lessons, learn the game and the rules, then drop in any pickleball facility. People welcome people, and there is no intimidation with this sport.
It’s important to reiterate that since summer allows us to be outdoors with the warmer weather for only a limited period of time, we should take advantage and make it a point to consistently try something that will keep us active.
In almost all my articles I express the importance of moving. The human body was not meant to be idle. To keep the inside organs healthy, we must move. This, along with a healthy diet, are what keep our organs functional.
This social aspect and human communication are just as important for our well-being, as is physical exercise.
If you are physically limited in what you can do, have a friend take you to watch and keep score. At least get outside and participate in the social side of sports to help with your mental health.
No excuses. No intimidation. Summer is short. Make the most of it, and I promise you, your mind and body will be much happier, and better for it.
“Fresh air is as good for the mind as for the body. Nature always seems to try to talk to us as if she had some great secret to tell, and she does.”
“In the spring & summer, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.”because we grow old. We grow old because we stop exercising.”
Dynamic Thoughts
By: Dr. Pete Dionisopoulos, PT, DPT
We are in the middle of the summer and people are immersed in plenty of activity outdoors. With that being said, most people will do some quick stretches to limber up and get going.
What if I told you stretching isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. In fact, it really doesn’t do much of anything.
I know you’re probably thinking, “This guy is nuts.” Bear with me, and I’ll explain.
Recent research has shown that muscles don’t really change length. You would have to stretch a muscle for 5min before it truly changes and lengthens. Within 30s, it goes right back to where it was before.
Even when you can go further in each stretch, you are just improving your tolerance to stretching, where your body will allow you to push a little more. Again, the muscle isn’t changing length; it is just able to tolerate a strain more.
Movement should be easy and not have resistance to it. Resistance to movement is like putting on the brake. The more you push, the harder the brake pushes. That’s why it gets tighter and tighter as you go. Eventually the brakes can give out. Not good.
The better solution
Learn how to access positions and warm up without resistance. This may be through foam rolling, soft tissue release, and activating muscles in the right positions to lessen the braking force of the ones holding you back.
Spending time doing the right things will save you time from doing things that aren’t actually helping anyway.
Don’t know how to even get into the right positions? Let the experts at Dynamic Performance help you!
What the 40 plus guy needs to know about this concept. AGILITY FOR MOBILITY
By Kevin Kearns | Burn With Kearns
As we age, we all know that we don’t move as fluidly as we did when we were younger. The days of going into the gym and banging out bench presses and deadlifts without a warm up are now a thing of the past. This could work in your 20s and 30s, but once you approach the 40 mark, your body may not allow for this type of activity.
When we are young, our joints are more flexible and pliable. They are not the same as when our bodies were younger, so you get the idea. That cute photo of a baby lying on its back holding its foot in its mouth is no longer possible as our bodies age. As we age, our joints are literally drying out. The synovial fluid in the joints is decreasing every year. This fluid acts to keep the joint lubricated during the life of the joint. Each of the joints in the human body contains synovial fluid. This fluid is a thick viscous liquid that “greases” the joint and allows for ease of mobility. In joint diseases like arthritis, the synovium of the joint is the main place where inflammation occurs.
This means that your joints are getting stiffer every day. It’s Mother Nature’s little joke, but there’s not much you can do about it. Or is there?
Any time you watch professional athletes, they are always doing some type of warm up or movement before they get on the field or the court. Why shouldn’t we? If it makes sense for them, it should make sense for us.
Here are some simple concepts you can remember to enhance your movements in the gym. Warm up properly with what we call movement prep. It’s a scientific fact that we move better when our muscles are healed up. So, spend the time warming up. I will give you a sample warm up in this article.
Movement prep 1
Forward reaching lunge - better known as spidermans- From a standing position, step forward and try to bring your same side elbow to your ankle. Repeat for 10 reps each side with a 3 to 5 second hold.
Backwards lunges to a reach over - From a standing position, step one leg back and reach your opposite arm over your opposite shoulder. Repeat for 10 reps each side, with a 3 to 5 second hold.
Inch worms - In a push-up like position, inch your feet into your hands until your body is in a trianglelike shape. Then reach the hands forward until you are in a push-up like position again . Repeat for 10 reps, with a 3 to 5 second hold at the top of the movement.
Airplanes - Standing with both feet together, lean forward and kick one leg back towards the ceiling and drive your heel up. Repeat for 10 reps each side, with a 3 to 5 second hold.
Lateral lunges - Form a parallel stance step out to the side and lean into the leg that you step out with. Then, step back to the middle and repeat on the side. Repeat for 10 reps each side, with a 3 to 5 second hold.
Drop lunges - From a parallel stance, take one leg and shoot it behind you on the floor at a 45 degree angle. Now, drop down into a semi squat-like position. Next, return and repeat on the other side. Repeat for 10 reps each side, with a 3 to 5 second hold.
Scorpions - Lying on the floor with your chest down, take your opposite heel and rotate your lower body, as you try to touch your opposite heel to your opposite hand. Then, return and repeat on the other side. Repeat for 10 reps each side, with a 3 to 5 second hold.
Calf plank - In a push-up like position, put one foot behind the other. Now, bend the knee towards the ground and then straighten the leg back out. Repeat for 10 reps each side, with a 3 to 5 second hold.
Next, we will cover some agility drills. There are some mobility drills that you can do anywhere and anytime. They are better known as ‘grass drills.’ It has been said that “if you don’t move, you don’t improve. “ That can also be said for your joints. If you don’t move them, you can lose them fairly quickly. There are many different ways to perform agility work. From other grass drills like the above to uses of cones, agility ladders, and other apparatus. One of our favorites is the agility ladder for lower and upper body. Yes I did say the upper body, as well. The agility ladder is a great tool for the 40-plus guy or girl to add to their arsenal of exercises, for several reasons.
Versatile - If you can think, you can do it on the ladder. Some of my favorite drills were made up by my kids. Why ? They are thinking about playing and moving, versus being all stiff in the workout. This lends itself to the quote, “When you train the way you play, you play the way you train.”
Inexpensive - The cost is nominal and the result is forever.
Portable - There is no place that the ladder can’t go. You can put it in your gym bag if your gym does not have one.
Great cardio - It’s just as good, if not better, than warming up on a bike or treadmill. I, personally, think it’s much better.
Teaches eye/foot coordination - This is another bonus for this piece of equipment.
Great for a warm up - It’s quick and effective for a warm up.
Mimics athletic moves - Many of the movements are used in sports. For the weekend warrior dads and moms that play sports, they will be a step ahead of the other team .
It’s functional - It translates into different moves you might need everyday and not even know it.
Here are some sample drills
2 feet in on the forward - Step forward on your toes into each box, as you move down the length of the ladder.
2 feet in 2 feet out on the lateral - With both feet in the box, step 2 feet out and then back in, as you advance forward.
High knees - Step one foot into each box, as you run through the ladder.
Lateral push up - With both hands in one box, start by moving your arms and legs in 1 -2 type format, down the length of the ladder.
Last concept - Cool down. It is imperative that as a 40 plus adult, you stretch after your workout. I can not stress this enough. You have to get in there and stretch. Whether it’s yoga moves or stretches from high school, just do them. It won’t just make your joints and muscles happy and more pliable, it will also decrease muscle soreness and tightness for the next day .
So, here’s a great way for the 40 plus adult to stay mobile and agile, as the clock keeps ticking forward.
For Diamonds, Gold and Platinum No Appointment Necessary!
For over 70 years Esten & Richard has been helping clients with their insurance needs. They provide all types of Business and Personal insurance programs.
“Our goal is to continue to provide our customers with the best insurance coverage and service possible in order to protect their assets and therefore to secure their financial well-being, “ advised Frank Richard, President of the Esten & Richard Agency. “Partnering with World Insurance Associates will further strengthen our ability to do so.”
PROVIDING
PERSONAL AND BUSINESS INSURANCE SERVICES
Auto Insurance • Business Insurance
Home Insurance • Life Insurance
Personal Umbrella Insurance
342 Park Avenue, Woonsocket, RI 02895
401-766-4200
What’s Up With That?
With over 250,000 deaths per year, medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States.
WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?
Octopuses have three hearts.
WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?
If an Interstate Route has an odd number, it runs north and south; even numbers run east and west.
WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?
Elevators are supported by six to eight tension cables, all of which can hold the full load of the elevator on their own.
WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?
Over 24 hours, the average human sheds nearly a million skin cells.
WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?
The megalosaurus, the first dinosaur ever discovered, was originally named the “Scrotum Humanum.”
WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?
Stewart and Lynda Resnick, the billionaire owners of Fiji Water, have pledged to donate $750 million to fund climate change and environmental sustainability research.
WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?
Your working memory can only remember three to four things at a time.
WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?
Extroverted people are more likely to overlook typos and grammatical errors that often cause introverted people to negatively judge the person who made them.
WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?
We spend between 30% and 47% of our waking hours simply daydreaming.
WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?
Automated Business Solutions Promotes First Female Vice President
by Mark Berger
Hard work, dedication and perseverance has truly paid off for Jennifer Thomson of Warwick. She recently became Automated Business Solutions first female Vice President in their 32-year history. She was named Vice President of Sales and Marketing in an announcement that caught her off-guard.
“I was surprised and honored,” Thomson said. “Not many people could surprise me here, since I have my hands in numerous departments and handled many presentations for meetings, but they surprised me.”
From her beginnings as a fresh-eyed, recent college graduate with a new job to someone who strives to make the company even better can be a lesson in achieving a goal.
Thomson began at Automated in 2005 as their Accounts Receivable Representative, collecting money from their past due accounts receivables. Five years later, she became Office Administrator. Before that, she was doing Accounts Receivable, as well as gathering Meter Readings to bill contracts, billing all of the equipment deals, working with the lease companies on meters, and equipment funding.
She would acquire several more job titles and a firmer grasp of the business. Along the way, executives were guiding Jen through the company and showing her the inner workings of Automated Business Solutions.
“My ‘A-ha!’ moment would come as soon as I joined the Sales part of the business and seeing our portfolio of offerings grow, which meant we had more ways to help our customers save time in the office. That has been and still is intriguing to me. There are so many different ways
for an office to run, and we can help with 99% of it!” Jen said.
She cites several people who helped her in this journey, but one person really gave her the direction needed to be successful.
“My biggest mentor of all time was and will always be (ABS Co-Founder and Former President) Alan Albergaria. He taught me so much about life, people, and business. He saw my potential, and continuously would push me to be all that I can be. He helped me through so many tough times in my life, and showed me the path of becoming a leader, friend, and a mentor. He believed in all of us and pushed us to be our best,” Thomson said.
Sadly, Albergaria did not live to see Jennifer reach her full potential. Alan was killed by a drunk driver while out for a walk on March 27, 2020.
“Although he cannot be here with us today, Alan would be proud of the work we have done over the past four years,” Thomson said.
In Jan 2023, Jen became their Sales and Marketing Director. She oversaw all sales going out, and managed two sales managers, her sales support team, and Marketing. She worked with the sales managers, to ensure that their team is growing their portfolios, and maintaining the customers they currently support.
Her staff produced. In 2023, they grew the business by about 8%, and she continues searching for ways for the reps to expand their talk track to think outside of the box(copier). Thomson said that type of forward thinking has its advantages.
“As more and more companies are moving to the cloud, and prints are going down, we are trying to push more workflow software to help our customers change how they do things in this new world, which will be a huge opportunity in the coming years,” she said.
Automated Business Solutions also launched their newest website in 2023, trying to have more informational blogs to help show what they offer and how they can help with office solutions for all types of businesses.
With the opportunity to find new frontiers to conquer, Thomson instead kept churning. She enjoys what she does and the people she works alongside.
“When I started, I knew a printer could print, but once I learned how it all worked, and how printers and copiers were such a strong part of business. I wanted to be part of the solution,” she noted.
ABS President Mike Ardry believes in the power of following a dream and seeing good people succeed.
“Jen is the classic American story. She has gone from a young single mom struggling to make ends meet, to being the mentor she is today. Jen accomplished all she has through her work ethic, commitment and a true caring for others.” Mike Ardry.
Outside of ABS, Jen is married, has a 20-year-old daughter, who is currently attending the University of Hartford, studying to become a psychologist. Jen is also a “green thumb”, caring for about 100 different plants! She loves the ocean and volunteering. She participated in the Gloria Gemma Flames of Hope for the past 10 years. She recently became the volunteer coordinator at their latest event in September 2023.
For over three decades, the Warwick-based Automated Business Solutions has experienced remarkable growth and success. This is a result of the company’s steadfast and unwavering commitment to its original vision.
Their mission is creating long- term partnerships by providing office technology solutions and IT managed services that improve client workflow, efficiency, and profitability. Their vision Is to be New England’s office technology solutions and managed services provider of choice. From the local New England office to the National Fortune 500 company, our business philosophy and services offered reinforce our commitment to our customers, employees, and community at large.
They provide organizations with the ability to print, copy, scan, and access information effectively. Sales and Service Professionals work together to provide and support office solutions that maximize your company’s daily workflow and productivity related to document output and network communication. Their corporate office is located on 415 Kilvert St., and they also have offices in Connecticut, and throughout Massachusetts.
For more information about the Automated Business Solutions please contact Jennifer Thomson at: 800832-2729, extension 135 or by email at: jthomson@ absne.com
Women and Retirement: Financial Considerations
By Carrie McPherson
As women plan for retirement, they must consider several realities that statistically set them apart from men, including the probability of earning less money and living longer. Of course, every person’s situation is unique, but the fact that women generally spend more years in retirement with fewer assets than their male counterparts can create challenges. Here are some factors women should consider when planning for retirement.
Anticipate a long lifespan.
In the United States, on average, women outlive men by five years. As a result, in 2022, there were twice as many women aged 85 and above compared to men. A longer lifespan means more years in retirement and a need for additional savings.
Overcome the income gap.
Women workers generally earn less than their male counterparts, roughly 82 cents or less on average for every dollar a man earns.Recent trends show that women are closing this gap by increasing their education level, entering more nontraditional fields and negotiating their salary when changing jobs. However, the data also shows that as women age, the income disparity widens. Women also are more likely to have gaps in their work histories due to caregiving responsibilities that have historically been disproportionally handled by women. These work hiatuses may reduce earnings over their work life, impacting Social Security and retirement benefits.
Take charge of your financial well-being. These strategies can help you be proactive and save toward the retirement you deserve.
Make regular contributions to retirement accounts. Automatic monthly payments make it easy to save every month. Max out any employer matches available to you. Open an IRA. You can fund a traditional IRA with pre-tax contributions, which may help reduce your tax bill by deferring taxes on those dollars until you are in retirement. Or, you can make after-tax contributions to a Roth IRA. Withdrawals from Roth accounts are not taxed, assuming it has been open at least five years and the withdrawals are made after you reach 59½ years of age. Note that there are income limits attached to Roth accounts.
Make catch-up contributions. Annual contribution limits for retirement accounts change when you reach age 50 and beyond. You are allowed to make catch-up contributions to increase your 401(k) and IRA. Check current guidelines at IRS.gov.
Live within your means. This is an obvious one. Overspending creates debt. Interest rates on unpaid balances can grow, making your debt payments unmanageable. Get a handle on your expenses and ensure you’re saving more than you spend, so you can put excess money away for retirement.
Leverage the power of compounding by investing early and often. Money that is invested can earn interest, which can then earn its own interest. This compound effect leads to optimal growth over time.
Advocate for higher wages. You have the right to be fairly compensated at work. If disparities exist, don’t be afraid to negotiate for the salary you deserve or pursue higher paying work.
Postpone retirement or continue to work part time. Most experts recommend waiting until full retirement age to start receiving Social Security. Once you reach full retirement age, you can choose to delay your benefits in exchange for a larger monthly check down the road. Or, you can continue working and earning while receiving monthly Social Security income.
Make sure you’re taking the appropriate amount of risk in your investment portfolio. A conservative investment strategy may backfire if it causes you to miss out on market gains while you still have a longtime horizon until retirement. That said, you may want to take some risk off the table if you’re planning to retire in the next few years and you want to guard against big market swings. A financial advisor can help you create a plan that addresses your unique financial goals within the timeframe you have to invest.
A.
Financial
CDFA®,
is a Financial
and Certified
with BeaconPoint Wealth Advisors, a financial advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. in Providence, RI. She specializes in fee based financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 15 years. Please contact her at www.ameripriseadvisors.com/team/beacon-point-wealth-advisors or (401)824-2557, 1 Citizens Plaza Ste 610 Providence, RI 02903.
Ameriprise Financial, Inc. and its affiliates do not offer tax or legal advice. Consumers should consult with their tax advisor or attorney regarding their specific situation.
Stock investments involve risk, including loss of principal. High-quality stocks may be appropriate for some investment strategies. Ensure that your investment objectives, time horizon and risk tolerance are aligned with investing in stocks, as they can lose value.
There are risks associated with fixed-income investments, including credit risk, interest rate risk, and prepayment and extension risk. In general, bond prices rise when interest rates fall and vice versa. This effect is usually more pronounced for longer term securities.
The initial consultation provides an overview of financial planning concepts. You will not receive written analysis and/or recommendations.
Investment products are not insured by the FDIC, NCUA or any federal agency, are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed by any financial institution, and involve investment risks including possible loss of principal and fluctuation in value.
Investment advisory products and services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC, a registered investment adviser.
New England’s Office Technology & Managed Service Provider
By: Carrie McPherson
I T SERVICES
Proactive security and improved productivity through infrastructure evaluations and our highly experienced, in-house Help Desk
• Network Management
• Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
• Cyber Security and Firewall
• Document Management
OF FICE SOLUTIONS
Standardization for streamlined workflows, providing technical support, supplies, and service for your whole organization.
• Multifunctional Copiers (MFPs)
• Wide Format MFPs
• Interactive Whiteboards
• Mailing Solutions
• Data Deconstruction
“An
“We
“Omg,
Financial Guide to Inheriting a Home Due to a Death in the Family
By: Edward Pontarelli Jr.
If you stand to inherit a property such as a family home or vacation condo, the gift presents a critical financial decision: whether to sell, rent, or keep it. While the inheritance itself may be a blessing, often it’s the result of losing a loved one who’s passed away, which could complicate matters from an emotional and practical standpoint. Do you wish to hold onto to the property for sentimental reasons? Is it financially possible to maintain it if you already own or rent a residence? Do you own it outright, or is it a split inheritance with other beneficiaries (i.e., siblings), whose own financial situations and priorities will need to be taken into account?
Sorting through these and other questions can feel overwhelming, but don’t let that stop you. As with most major decisions, it helps to start with the facts. Here are some steps to consider:
Set up an appraisal to learn the property’s value. Hire a professional appraiser who can determine the fair market value of the property on the date you assumed ownership. Having a solid idea of the value can not only help you decide whether to sell or keep the home today, but it can establish a cost basis, should you decide to sell it in the future.
Calculate the cost to maintain the property. If you decide to keep it, the property’s mortgage payments, annual property taxes, and utility bills will be your responsibilities – but it doesn’t stop there. Make sure to factor in other regular expenses, such as yard maintenance, snow removal, and housekeeping, to get a realistic picture of what it will take financially to keep the home. Also, if in doubt, check with your attorney to ensure there are no tax liens or other assessments on the property.
Determine your ability and desire to maintain the home. Do you have the time to handle the upkeep? Additionally, think about how you’ll manage the property in retirement, if you’re unable to perform maintenance tasks yourself.
As you work through these actions, here are some additional considerations that come with the decision to sell, rent, or keep the home:
SELL
Parting ways with a family home can be emotional – even when you know doing so is the right decision. Give yourself time to prepare the home for sale. This way you can sort through your loved one’s belongings and find closure at your own pace. When the time is right, a cleaning company, home staging services, and a realtor, can help you put the property on the market. If you make a profit on the sale, apply the money toward your financial goals. The extra sum can help make your goals of retirement, college tuition for grandkids, or estate plans a reality. Selling the home has tax implications that vary by state, so talk to a tax professional for guidance.
RENT
If renting the home is appealing to you, research what the rental market is like in the area of the property. Determine if a reasonable monthly rental price provides enough cash flow to cover upkeep costs. Hiring a management company to clean, make minor home repairs, or manage the rental process may be attractive, particularly if the property is miles away from your primary residence. Additional tax considerations may apply, depending on the number of days you use the home versus rent the space to others. Consult a tax professional to understand if and how your tax situation may change. You should also determine whether the property is subject to rental restrictions related to local ordinances and home owners associations (HOAs).
KEEP
The ability to continue family traditions, have a future retirement space or a vacation getaway, may make keeping the home the right decision for you. If you’re sharing ownership with a sibling or another family member, it’s critical to clearly communicate (ideally, in writing) how you will split the financial and maintenance responsibilities. If you inherited the home outright, the choices are yours to make.
Consider the following financial steps, as well:
Purchase home insurance. If the property has a pool, trampoline, boat, or other recreational items, you may need additional coverage.
Save strategically for a remodel or upgrades, if you want to adapt the home to suit your family’s lifestyle.
Update your estate plan. If you intend to keep the home in your family for another generation or two, don’t wait to prepare your legal documents. Advance planning can help pass the property smoothly to your inheritors. Have a conversation with your beneficiaries, so they know what to expect.
Making decisions after the loss of a loved one can feel overwhelming. It’s okay to take your time and ask for help with choices, along the way. Guidance from a realtor, attorney, and financial advisor, may help you be thoughtful about how the inherited home fits into your lifestyle, financial plans, and long-term goals.
Ask An Expert
My name is Tom Lopatosky. I’m the President of LOPCO Contracting (www. LopcoContracting.com) & I’m honored to have the opportunity to talk to you about home improvement on a monthly basis. I love answering your questions! Please send them to tom@LopcoContracting.com or call 401-270-2664. Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this column!
What Is the Best Material to Use for Your Exterior Trim?
We replace A LOT of trim on the exterior of people’s homes, most often due to wood that has rotted out.
One of the most common questions we get asked in working through this process is: “What is the best material to replace the rotted trim with to best prevent future rot?”
My answer to this is either red cedar (wood) or composite – two very different types of building materials!
When deciding between red cedar and composite for exterior trim, it’s important to consider factors like durability, appearance, maintenance, and cost. Each material has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Let’s take a closer look at red cedar and composite, and ideas that help generate the most informed approach.
RED CEDAR
Red cedar is a type of wood known for its natural beauty and durability. It has been used in construction for many years and is definitely popular for exterior trim.
ADVANTAGES:
Appearance: Red cedar has a warm, natural look, with beautiful grain patterns. It can be painted or stained to match your home’s style.
Natural Resistance: Red cedar is naturally resistant to rot, decay, and insects. This makes it a good choice for outdoor use.
Environmentally Friendly: Red cedar is a renewable resource and biodegradable, making it a green choice for environmentally conscious homeowners.
DISADVANTAGES:
Maintenance: Red cedar requires regular maintenance. You need to paint or stain it every few years to protect it from the weather.
Cost: Red cedar can be more expensive than some
other types of wood.
Weathering: Over time, red cedar can weather and change color if not properly maintained. It can also change shape to some degree if exposed to extreme weather conditions.
COMPOSITE
Composite trim is made from a mix of wood fibers and plastic. It’s designed to look like wood, but with added durability.
ADVANTAGES:
Durability: Composite is highly resistant to rot, insects, and weather damage. It doesn’t warp, crack, or split, as easily as wood.
Low Maintenance: Composite doesn’t need to be painted or stained, although you can if you want to change its color (and it typically holds paints and stains better than most wood does!). It also keeps its appearance for a long time with minimal upkeep.
Consistency: Composite trim pieces are uniform in appearance, without the natural variations found in wood. This can be beneficial for achieving a consistent look.
DISADVANTAGES:
Appearance: While composite is designed to look like wood, some people feel it doesn’t have the same natural beauty or warmth as real wood.
Cost: Initially, composite trim can be more expensive than wood, but it may save money in the long run, due to lower maintenance costs.
Environmental Impact: Composite materials are often made from a mix of recycled and new materials. While some composites are environmentally friendly, others may not be as green as cedar.
Comparing Red Cedar and Composite:
When choosing between cedar and composite for exterior trim, consider the following factors:
Durability:
Red Cedar: Naturally durable and resistant to insects and decay, but can still be affected by extreme weather.
Composite: Extremely durable; resists rot, insects, and weathering better than red cedar.
Maintenance:
Red Cedar: Requires painting or staining every so often to maintain its appearance and protect it from
Composite: Low maintenance; usually, just needs occasional cleaning to keep it looking good.
Appearance:
Red Cedar: Offers a natural, warm look, with unique grain patterns. Can be painted or stained for a custom look.
Composite: Designed to look like wood, but may not have the same natural beauty. Available in a variety of colors and finishes.
Cost:
Red Cedar & Composite, particularly the more optimum brands, these days, are very often comparable from a pricing perspective (though this has not always been true).
Environmental Impact:
Red Cedar: A renewable, biodegradable resource that’s environmentally friendly.
Composite: Made from a mix of materials; some brands use recycled content, but not all are equally green.
Choosing between red cedar and composite for exterior trim depends on what you value most. If you love the natural beauty of wood and are willing to do maintenance as the need arises, cedar might be the best choice for you. It offers a classic, warm appearance, and is environmentally friendly.
On the other hand, if you prefer a lower-maintenance option that’s highly durable and weather-resistant, composite might be the better choice.
While you truly cannot go wrong either way, this decision will ultimately come down to personal preference, when considering these different wood options.
About Tom Lopatosky
Tom Lopatosky has run his own RI-based painting and repair business since 1995; LOPCO Contracting – the “Personable, Particular Professionals” – specializes in exterior & interior painting and carpentry. Recently LOPCO Contracting was named ‘RI’s Finest Painting Contracting Company’ by ShopInRI Magazine. In 2013, Tom was named “Humanitarian of the Year” by the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America (PDCA) and a “40 Under 40” award winner by Providence Business News. He is a member of both PCA (Painting Contractors Association) and RIBA (Rhode Island Builders Association). Tom has often had weekly ‘Home Improvement Tips’ that have aired on the radio on 630 WPRO AM and on television on WPRI 12. You can catch Tom LIVE on the radio EVERY Saturday, 2pm-3pm, on 630 WPRO AM (99.7 FM) during his weekly ProTalk Home Improvement Radio Show!
Nothing Gold Can Stay
By Jim Ignasher
Nature’s first green is gold, Her hardest hue to hold. Her early leaf’s a flower; But only so an hour. Then leaf subsides to leaf, So Eden sank to grief, So dawn goes down to day. Nothing gold can stay.
Robert Frost - 1923
There’s a cemetery on Chamberlain Street in Smithfield; Historical Cemetery #84. Acts of vandalism over the years have led to toppled, broken, or missing stones. However, a portion of one headstone has survived that bears an inscription which hints at a long forgotten and tragic love story.
Crawford Allen Smith was born in 1864, the only son of George and Sarah Smith, who owned and operated a successful farm in what was once Enfield, but is today known as Esmond. The farm next door was owned by Ephraim and Mary Sweet, who had a daughter Lucy Anna, born in 1868, who preferred to be called by her middle name.
Crawford and Anna met as children. He being four years older, probably looked upon her as a little sister, at least at first. As children, they no doubt shared many summer adventures together while exploring what was then rural countryside, and when school was in session, it is assumed that Crawford dutifully carried her books. Anna had pretty blonde hair, startling blue eyes, and a charming smile, and as she grew into a young woman, Crawford began to take notice of her in a different way. She noticed him also, for hard work on his father’s farm had left him lean and muscular. By the time she was 17 he began courting her, and to some around Smithfield, it seemed inevitable that they would one day marry.
Every summer the Sweet’s would plan trips to the Rhode Island shoreline to swim, picnic, and escape the heat. Before the days of automobiles and paved roads, travel to Narragansett Bay from Smithfield was quite an ordeal, but the time spent at the beach was worth it, and something to remember fondly during the winter.
On the morning of August 10, 1885, The Sweets left for the beach in their horse drawn wagon. Crawford and the Sweet’s 15 yearold farm hand, Richard Manders, had been invited to come along. They arrived at Still House Cove in Cranston’s Pawtuxet Village around 11 a.m. The horses were unhitched and allowed to graze while Anna and her mother set about preparing a picnic lunch. Meanwhile the men waded into the shallow water looking for clams to bake, but after an hour of digging they had but a few clams to show for their efforts, so Mrs. Sweet made a fire and cooked chowder instead.
After eating a sumptuous meal, Mr. and Mrs. Sweet went to rest in the shade and enjoy the water view, while the youths opted to go swimming. Crawford and Richard donned overalls, while Anna dressed in a modest bathing dress, complete with straw hat, and slippers. It was now about 4 p.m., and the tide which had been going outward for the last few hours was about to turn and start coming in. Since the water was at its lowest level, the trio was able to wade over three hundred feet out from shore. Yet even at that distance, the depth of the water was only about three feet deep.
First published in Your Smithfield Magazine, September -2010
Crawford and Anna held hands between bouts of playful splashing while the summer sun warmed their faces and the cool waters rushed past their feet. They frolicked as two young people in love would be prone to do, laughing and gazing at each other in silent acknowledgement, each knowing the other felt the same. For the two young people in love it was a glorious day.
All the while, Richard Manders was keeping a respectful distance, but noticed the fact that the water was steadily getting deeper. He was much shorter than his companions, and therefore noticed it before they did. They gradually waded farther from shore, and before long the water was up to his neck forcing him to go no further, but his companions seemed not to notice even when it was up to their torsos.
Meanwhile, Anna’s parents watching from shore grew increasingly uneasy. They knew Crawford to be a strong and capable swimmer, but Anna was still recovering from a bout of ill health, and they feared she might not have the strength to make her way back. As they looked on, a sailboat happened to pass near to the couple, and from their vantage point it appeared that Crawford and Anna had raised their arms to wave to those aboard.
However, Richard later recalled what happened next. Crawford, who was a little farther out than Anna, suddenly raised his arms and slipped beneath the water. When he didn’t resurface right away, Anna became alarmed and went to his aid, followed by Richard. When Anna got to the spot where Crawford had disappeared, she suddenly found herself in trouble, and called out, “Save me Dickie, I’m exhausted!” Those were her last words before she slipped beneath the waves. Richard, who was encumbered by the weight of his overalls, could not reach her in time.
The Sweet’s knew right away that something bad had happened even before Richard could make it back to shore. Help was sent for, but it was already too late. Crawford’s body was recovered shortly after midnight, but it took searchers two more days to find Anna. Those familiar with the area said there was an unexpected drop-off where the youths had gone under, and that, coupled with strong currents made it a dangerous place to swim. The Sweet’s were apparently unaware of this when they planned their trip.
The couple was brought back to Smithfield for burial, but before interment, Ephraim Sweet spoke with George Smith. He tried to console his neighbor by telling him what a fine man Crawford was, and that the drowning was not his fault. “I can’t help thinking’, Sweet told Smith, ‘that this sad affliction was ordered by a higher power.” He essentially felt it had been preordained.
Perhaps it was, for the two men decided that the young couple should be together in eternity as they had been in life, and buried them side by side in the same grave. A beautiful white marble obelisk was erected over the tomb. On one side was carved Anna’s name, on the other, Crawford’s. On a third side are the words”They were accidentally drowned while bathing”.
What remains of the obelisk was pushed over by vandals, but to the immediate left of the grave is an old tree with a double trunk, its roots no doubt extending far and wide throughout the area. In a way, the couple is still enjoying the light of summer. The farms once owned by the Smith’s and the Sweet’s have long disappeared, and the once open meadows surrounding the cemetery overlooking the Woonasquatucket River are now filled with private homes.
It seems that poet Robert Frost had it right, “Nothing gold can stay.”
Meet The Dream Team: Greg Smith
Come
Each month, Shop In RI Magazine profiles one member of “The Dream Team,” a weekly networking group that meets in Smithfield. This month, we feature Greg Smith of RE/MAX Premier Properties in Woonsocket. Smith began his professional career working in both finance and sales.
visit Rhode Island’s largest window treatment showroom ... or let us bring the showroom to you, with our FREE shop-at-home service.
properties, as they are driven by the missioncritical needs of a business.
He worked at several high-tech companies before changing gears. His earlier experience and knowledge in those fields translated nicely into a career in real estate. After earning his real estate license and meeting Duane Boucher, during a property showing, Smith joined Boucher Real Estate in 2018. “I knew Duane had an exceptional reputation in the industry,” Smith said. “What impressed me about Duane was his demeanor, reputation for responsiveness, ability to provide meaningful guidance, and in general, helping others grow and progress in their real estate careers.”
Smith works on many real estate fronts: commercial, residential, leasing, and rentals. He believes that his versatility has helped him to open doors for opportunities with a diverse group of clients.
The upcoming presidential election will have an impact on what happens with interest rates at year’s end and moving into 2025. Smith explained that the Federal Reserve is scheduled to meet in September, and may ease rates, leading into the election. If interest rates drop enough, Smith believes it may provide some much-needed stimulus for both the residential and commercial markets, during the holiday season leading into 2025.
Commercial properties are in a much different market, where the supply and demand are in flux, and have had their challenges ever since the pandemic. Virtual offices and technology have combined to have a negative impact on the need to have people in the office, and/or shop in brickand-mortar stores. Warehouses and industrial properties are faring better than office and retail
As for joining The Dream Team, working with the group weekly provides Smith with a positive, productive, and creative sales team that helps him meet his clients’ needs, and to eventually reach his goals of delivering a positive and productive experience for his clients.
“I joined the group to provide/offer real estate advice and work in conjunction with other professionals within the group to capture business opportunities. We are truly a group of friends and professionals with a focus on helping each other achieve our separate business goals. I am confident that if I should ever need help or advice on a given topic, this group will never let me down,” Smith said.
For more information about Greg Smith’s services, please contact him at 401-439-6964, or at gregorysmith@remax.net.
“The Dream Team” currently has 26 members and is growing. They meet every Wednesday morning, from 7:00 AM to 8:30 AM, at the Home2Suites Hilton on Douglas Pike (Rte. 7), in Smithfield, across from Laura’s Bar and Grill. The group is looking to grow its team and is interested in meeting professionals from various businesses, looking to connect and help each other grow through referral business. The Dream Team is all about “Friends helping Friends.”
Further information about the group may be found by contacting either President Rocco Elgar at 401-265-0857 or at therockhbi@msn.com, or Vice President Tim Richard at 401-766-4200 or at tim@estenandrichardinsurance.com.
Pools Plus An Ongoing Family Tradition
by Mark Berger
The summer months mean time for vacations, outdoor events and family get-togethers. No matter what people do, plans are being made to enjoy those precious moments and/or making new memories.
While some people are looking to travel locally to family and friends’ houses, others are staying home. They could engage in family game night, movie night or some other type of themed event. There are those who would rather stay home than go out—say, to the beach. Why hassle with traffic, parking, crowds, lessthan-ideal water conditions and more? There is another option to rid them of these stress points.
At Pools Plus, located in Johnston, they are the experts on installing, servicing, and maintaining pools and spas. The Martin family and their staff are trained to handle above-ground and in-ground pools designed to fit any backyard vision and to take the fear of pool ownership out of the equation.
Pools Plus Sales Manager Stephanie Marsella said the company prides itself on being there for their customers long after the pool gets installed.
“We are with the customers from the time they purchase their pool, throughout the installation, and for any future maintenance needs,” she said. “Our staff has installed more than 75 pools this season already. After the pool gets installed, our technicians will complete a thorough, at-home tutorial to teach pool care, including water chemistry and equipment maintenance. For those who do not wish to tackle these tasks, our fullservice crew is available to complete openings, pool maintenance services and closings.”
In addition to those services, Pools Plus also provides the following services: liner installations, pump and filter replacements, pool rehabs to include underground re-plumbing. They have a full hardscape division that specializes in pool patios, retaining walls, walkways and driveways. Pools Plus aims to be a one-stop-shop for all your backyard designs and needs.
Pools Plus has been servicing Rhode Island since 1990, when Wayne Martin, Sr., originally opened their doors on Rte. 44 in Smithfield. Stephanie mentioned that the pool store initially had trading cards and comics for sale, formerly known as Wayne’s Cards and Comics. The reins were passed down to his son, Wayne, Jr., who began working at the store when he was only 14. Today, about half of their extended family works there in some capacity.
Due to the fact that they are a small, family-owned company based in Rhode Island, they are able to get to know their customers personally. It has created plenty of relationships over the years and has grown their company to service the entire state, parts of Massachusetts and northeast Connecticut as a result. Stephanie states that this sets them apart from their competitors in the pool industry.
“Many people will go shopping for a pool online and will see an advertised price that may differ from what they see in store. However, what the customer doesn’t realize is that they will be sacrificing quality of product, lack of guidance and access to experienced installers and technicians. It could wind up being more expensive in the long run. Plus, when you have a problem, there is nobody to call to troubleshoot and resolve the issue with.
“At Pools Plus, we’re here to help all of our customers with any problem they may face with pool ownership. We often have customers who bought their pool elsewhere call us after they learned the hard way their bargain purchase was anything but,” she continues.
“When you purchase a pool with Pools Plus, our staff is here to guide you through every step of the way. We look to build relationships and not be oneand-done after the pool gets installed. Pools are not purchased for one time use, but rather an investment in your home and family that will be enjoyed for years to come.”
Pools Plus is open year round and with that comes another means of enjoyment for you and your family. Hot tubs also offer many health benefits and are the perfect way to relieve stress. They sell and service hot tubs from two well-known manufacturers
based in the United States. Strong Spas, based in Pennsylvania, are well known for their hard cover. Their hard covers can hold up to half a ton of weight. Which, as Stephanie pointed out, is a very important feature for our New England winters.
Cal Spas is one of the world’s leading manufacturers in hot tubs and swim spas. Their diverse lines offer spas to meet any needs and budgets. From their new Chill Spa, which offers the benefits of an ice bath and your traditional hot tub, to swim spas, they have an option for everyone.
If you are looking to upgrade your backyard with a new pool, spa, or patio, or if you are in search of a new pool store, Pools Plus is here to help! With a full retail store and in-store water analysis they invite you to give them a call or stop by to see what they have to offer.
They are open Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM, Saturday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Sunday from 9:00 AM till 3:00 PM.
For more information about their products and services, please call them at 401-764-5800 or email them at poolsplusri@gmail.com.
Additional details may also be available by visiting their website at www.poolsplusri.com.
Kingdom Living Design Livens Up Any Space
by Mark Berger
The real estate market changes with the seasons. Realtors debate interest rates, inventory, consumers’ purchasing power, and other trends. Because of such fluctuations, it becomes difficult for consumers to determine the best options for creating their “perfect space.”
Some options for homeowners include either adding or updating their existing space. Anyone could make it cozy and marketable for buyers.
One company working with homeowners on beautifying their domain is Kingdom Living Design in Johnston. For 15 years, Owner Tyler Paquette, has transformed rooms into an oasis for his clients. His approach to helping customers stems from wanting to see them “wowed” at the project’s completion.
“The decision to enter the design and remodeling industry was fueled by a passion for transformation and a gap in the market for high-quality, detail-oriented services,” Paquette said. “Observing the often-overlooked importance of design detail in living spaces, I was motivated to create a company that not only addresses these needs, but also elevates the standard of living and working environments through innovative design solutions.”
The company’s name derives from expanding its influence and leadership in the market, and moves toward establishing a dominant presence and setting an industry standard. It signifies a commitment to overseeing a vast territory of design excellence, where they strive to dominate the market through collaboration and strategic partnerships, rather than competition.
Initially focusing on high-end residential design, KLD has adeptly expanded to encompass both commercial projects and community developments, applying rigorous standards to a wide array of design challenges. Their growth is driven by its dedication to surpassing client expectations and understanding the diverse needs of their markets, ensuring every project not only meets, but exceeds the highest standards.
The company serves Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and communities throughout the East Coast. Clients include homeowners seeking bespoke living solutions, commercial entities, and real estate brokers and investors focused on community development and transforming the market.
Paquette’s attention to detail (earning the nickname, “The King of Detail”), is just one thing that sets him apart from other like-minded industry professionals.
“At Kingdom Living Design, we are committed to creating spaces that are not just visually appealing, but are built to last and function superbly. Our approach integrates the finest materials, cutting-edge techniques, and timeless design principles to elevate both the aesthetics and functionality of any environment,” he said.
Other ways that Paquette believes KLD sets itself apart are their unwavering commitment to quality and
tailored approach to each project. They do more than just renovate; they transform spaces by blending timeless elegance with modern functionality. His team excels in bringing visions to life, ensuring every project is executed with the utmost precision and care, achieving the highest standards of quality and client satisfaction.
KLD offers a comprehensive range of services in both residential and commercial sectors. Its residential services encompass all aspects of home remodeling and design, tailored under the KLD brand to ensure consistency and excellence. Commercially, they formed strategic partnerships to broaden their offerings, which include advanced design solutions catered to diverse business needs. They primarily focus on estate clean-outs and property restoration. This service is particularly designed to assist families during transitional periods, providing respectful and meticulous handling of property renovations and modifications.
As for the market over the next several months, Paquette said that the call for remodeling and design services is trending upward, driven by increasing demand for customized and luxury living spaces. With a focus on sustainable practices and high-quality outcomes, KLD is well-positioned to capitalize on these trends. The emphasis on combining traditional techniques with modern design sensibilities appeals to a broad spectrum of clients, from historical homeowners to contemporary commercial enterprises.
As for new business opportunities, Paquette’s company focuses on affluent regions known for their rich heritage and distinctive living spaces. Locally, their reach extends beyond Westerly and Block Island to include the historic East Side of Providence, as well as the charming areas of Portsmouth, Tiverton, Little Compton, and Barrington, where they bring their unique blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern design.
Expanding its footprint even further, KLD actively engages with markets in Connecticut and New Hampshire, targeting communities that value meticulous design and high-end finishes. In Massachusetts, their services are sought after in upscale locales, such as Newton and Osterville, located on the Cape, where they
cater to both residential and commercial clients, looking to elevate their environments. Paquette welcomes the challenge of creating something memorable.
“I look forward to discussing how Kingdom Living Design can bring visionary transformations to more spaces and lives. Let’s explore the potential for collaboration and the expansion of KLD’s distinctive approach to design and remodeling in new markets!” he said.
Paquette is looking for talented individuals who are available for project work. Anyone interested may contact him for more information.
Interested parties who wish to book a no-obligation appointment may contact Tyler Paquette at (401)301-7933 or at tyler@kingdomlivingdesign.com.
Be on the lookout for their Mind of Design Podcast, where you listen to programming. Additional information may be found by visiting their website at: www.kingdomlivingdesign. com, and on Facebook and Instagram.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CLEAN THIS ON YOUR OWN.
A hot pan left unattended on the stove started a fire that not only destroyed the kitchen pictured above, but also spread toxic smoke, sticky soot, and other residues throughout every room in the house. A furnace puffback at another property belched smoke and soot throughout the home via its air duct system, coating walls, ceilings, floors — just about everything inside — with oily, black grime.
Almost as bad as the flames from a fire, smoke, soot, and other toxic residue left behind by these types of property disasters need to be cleaned away quickly before even more damaging effects can develop.
Eliminating smoke and soot residue is one of the most difficult aspects of disaster restoration and to safely minimize further damage, these substances must be strictly handled by specially trained restoration professionals, like Rhode Island Restoration.
Expertly trained in soot and smoke removal as well as water damage and full building reconstruction and repair, both homes were quickly and thoroughly cleaned and then fully restored to their pre-disaster conditions within weeks — much to the relief of the grateful homeowners. Rhode Island Restoration — Ready. Rapid. Reliable.
12 Things You Didn’t Know
12 Things You Didn’t Know
VILLAGE PAWS
1. The word "thug" comes from 1350s India from the Hindi word "thag," which means "deceiver" or "thief" or "swindler."
Charles F. Feeney has given away $8 billion—he now has $2 million to live on.
Spanish just for the purpose of trash talking opponents.
The sentence “the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog” uses every letter in the English language.
The world’s first labor strike was held on the site of a pyramid.
MC Hammer once challenged Michael Jackson to a dance-off.
New research has found that the more visually creative a person is, the lower the quality of their sleep.
2. The average person walks 639 miles per year—to travel that in a car would cost about $308.49.
The average American woman now weighs as much as the average 1960s man.
The world’s oldest hotel has been operating since 705 AD in Japan.
All of the Rugrats were voiced by women.
The average human eats 8 spiders in their lifetime, at night.
Subscriptions to streaming music services increased by 50% in 2016, totaling 92 million.
3. If every ice sheet and glacier on Earth melted, global sea levels would rise by 260 feet—London and L.A. would be underwater.
Research shows that the creativity maybegin in the cerebellum, rather than the “right brain.”
The name tag on Heath Ledger’s nurse uniform in “The Dark Knight” read “Mathilda” the name of the actor’s daughter.
The average human eats 22 flies in their lifetime, at night.
In a group of 23 people, there is a 50% chance that 2 of them will share the same birthday.
According to an extensive study, the best day to buy plane tickets is Sunday—especially if you’re booking more than 21 days in advance.
Making art has been found to lower stress hormone levels in most people, regardless of skill.
4. 5-10% of internet users are actually unable to control how much time they spend online because of psychological addiction.
A rhinoceros horn is made of compacted hair.
You can control the volume of a YouTube video by using the up and down arrows on your keyboard.
One man, without help and without proper construction tools, spent 34 years building the Watts Towers, which still stand in Los Angeles.
Studies show that, when it comes to food, the human brain is bad at judging quantity increases but accurate at judging quantity decreases.
5. A study demonstrated that shoppers are willing to spend 30% more for an item if they first watch a sad movie clip.
In New York City, about 1,600 people are bitten by other humans every year.
A U.S. study found that the most disproportionately commoninterest found on people’s resumes in New Hampshire is “Bigfoot.”
Louisiana has the highest incarceration rate of any U.S. state, and New Orleans has the highest incarceration rate of any city in the state.
The shortest war in history was between Zanzibar and England in 1896. Zanzibar surrendered after 38 minutes.
6. Your brain uses one fifth of a calorie per minute.
50% of Netflix users watch an entire season of a show in a week.
A new U.S. study has found that economy round-trip and one-way airline tickets are the lowest they’ve been since 2013.
The design of the tallest residential building in the world, 432 Park Avenue in Manhattan, was inspired by a trash can.
A polar bear’s skin is black. Its fur is not white, but actually clear.
Samsung has been granted a patent in South Korea for contact lenses that project images directly into the wearer’s eyes.
By 2050, it’s estimated that four trucks of plastic waste will be added to the ocean every minute.
7. Long-term partners who live together are about three-quarters as happy as those who are legally married, according to a study.
Studies show the key to happiness is spending your money on experiences rather than possessions.
Studiesshow the key to happiness is spending your money on experiences rather than possessions.
Donald Duck comics were banned in Finland because he doesn’t wear pants.
By 2017, it is estimated that nearly 207 billion emails will be sent every day.
Research shows that kids are more likely to be honestwhen they know it will pleasetheir parents, even if their parents still punish them.
8. Humans can run multiple marathons because runners forget the intense pain of the marathon 3-6 months after the event, a study found.
Onaverage, early risers writing emails between 4am and 8am make 11.8 mistakes per 100 words.
Air Jordans were banned from the NBA, however Michael Jordan always wore them as Nike was willing to pay the fine for each game.
More people are killed by donkeys annually than are killed in plane crashes.
Studies suggest that gifted people often have bad handwriting because their brains work faster than their hands.
A recent study found that higher blood pressure in an expectant mother is associated with having a boy.
A study found that only 24% of Canadians know that Queen Elizabeth II is their head of state.
Studies show Americans ages 18-29 are far more stressed out that anyone else in the country.
Shakespeare invented the words “assassination” and “bump.”
9. If you have a song stuck in your head, one of the best ways to get it out of your head is to chew gum, according to a study.
In 2015, Americans wroteout17.3 billion checks.In the same year, they made 69.5 billion debit card purchases.
Cheetos are naturally gray before they are given a bright orange artificial color.
10. Some researchers believe that snail slime can be used to treat stomach ulcers.
Cotton candy only costs about six cents per serving to make, including the cardboard cone.
Research has found that, on average, a person’s social media writing contains three times as many mistakes as their emails.
If you keep a goldfish in the dark room, it will eventually turn white.
Looking through Instagram accounts of healthy meals can actually trick you into enjoying those foods more than you otherwise would, a study found.
According to a survey, 67% of hiring managers cite lack of eye contact asthebiggestmistakecandidates make in interviews.
11. When people allow themselves to rest and reflect on things they have previously learned, they also become better at learning in the future, says a study.
According to NASA, the perfect nap should last no more than 26 minutes.
The name of all the continents end with the same letter that they start with.
AmySchumer is the only woman ever to land on Forbes’s list of the world’s highest-paid comedians.
Women are statistically better drivers then men.
New research has found that the NFL players that incur the most penalties getarrestedmore than their teammates.
12. The name “Chewbacca” is derived from the Russian word “sobaka,” which simply means “dog”.
According to USDA projections, by 2025 Americans will consume 219 pounds of meat per year on average.feeling to occur.
The word “lethologica” describes the state of not being able to remember the word you want.
Studies suggest that eye contact must be held for about 8.2 seconds for that “Love at first sight” feeling to occur.
It cost $15 million to build Disneyland’s New Orleans Square—the amount the U.S. paid for the real New Orleans in the Louisiana Purchase.
12 Things You Didn’t Know
12 Things You Didn’t Know
STATE THE FACTS...
Located on George Washington Highway (Rte. 116) on the Smith field/Lincoln line, this dealership has new and certified, pre-owned vehicles ready to own.
Regardless of what type of car or truck you want, Toyota of Smith field has the knowledge to make purchasing a car simple.
1. The word "thug" comes from 1350s India from the Hindi word "thag," which means "deceiver" or "thief" or "swindler."
Charles F. Feeney has given away $8 billion—he now has $2 million to live on.
Spanish just for the purpose of trash talking opponents.
The world’s first labor strike was held on the site of a pyramid.
The sentence “the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog” uses every letter in the English language.
New research has found that the more visually creative a person is, the lower the quality of their sleep.
MC Hammer once challenged Michael Jackson to a dance-off.
2. The average person walks 639 miles per year—to travel that in a car would cost about $308.49.
General Manager John Durrani hopes anyone seeking their next automobile should work with their award-winning Sales Department to find dealer incentives.
The average American woman now weighs as much as the average 1960s man.
The world’s oldest hotel has been operating since 705 AD in Japan.
All of the Rugrats were voiced by women.
The average human eats 8 spiders in their lifetime, at night.
Subscriptions to streaming music services increased by 50% in 2016, totaling 92 million.
3. If every ice sheet and glacier on Earth melted, global sea levels would rise by 260 feet—London and L.A. would be underwater.
Rhode Island History
1 out of every 8 Americans have been employed by McDonald’s at some point.
Apple has more money than the U.S. Treasury.
Research shows that the creativity maybegin in the cerebellum, rather than the “right brain.”
“Anyone who trades in either their used or certified, pre-owned cars, will receive an additional $1,000 over book value,” he said. “There won’t be a better time for anyone to trade in their cars. Your trade is worth more than it ever has before, and it’s worth more now than it’s will ever be worth.”
The name tag on Heath Ledger’s nurse uniform in “The Dark Knight” read “Mathilda” the name of the actor’s daughter.
The average human eats 22 flies in their lifetime, at night.
In a group of 23 people, there is a 50% chance that 2 of them will share the same birthday.
According to an extensive study, the best day to buy plane tickets is Sunday—especially if you’re booking more than 21 days in advance.
Making art has been found to lower stress hormone levels in most people, regardless of skill.
The Cogswell Tower in Central Falls was the site of an Indian observation point in use during King Phillips War in 1676. The tower was built in 1904 as part of the last will and testament of Caroline Cogswell.
In Montana, cows out number people 3 to 1.
4. 5-10% of internet users are actually unable to control how much time they spend online because of psychological addiction.
You can control the volume of a YouTube video by using the up and down arrows on your keyboard.
For those who already possess either a car and/or truck, customers should visit their award-winning Service Department to keep their them running smoothly. Their highly-trained staff can diagnose small problems before they become major problems.
A rhinoceros horn is made of compacted hair.
One man, without help and without proper construction tools, spent 34 years building the Watts Towers, which still stand in Los Angeles.
Studies show that, when it comes to food, the human brain is bad at judging quantity increases but accurate at judging quantity decreases.
5. A study demonstrated that shoppers are willing to spend 30% more for an item if they first watch a sad movie clip.
Though most Americans speak English, we have no official national language.
Rhode Island never ratified the 18th Amendment prohibition.
Medical errors are the 6th leading cause of death in the US.
In New York City, about 1,600 people are bitten by other humans every year.
A U.S. study found that the most disproportionately commoninterest found on people’s resumes in New Hampshire is “Bigfoot.”
The shortest war in history was between Zanzibar and England in 1896. Zanzibar surrendered after 38 minutes.
6. Your brain uses one fifth of a calorie per minute.
50% of Netflix users watch an entire season of a show in a week.
A new U.S. study has found that economy round-trip and one-way airline tickets are the lowest they’ve been since 2013.
Louisiana has the highest incarceration rate of any U.S. state, and New Orleans has the highest incarceration rate of any city in the state.
The design of the tallest residential building in the world, 432 Park Avenue in Manhattan, was inspired by a trash can.
With smaller-than-normal inventory, Durrani said they are also seeking all available used cars. He said there are several incentives to move someone from their older car into a newer model. “We are appealing to the public to drive in with their used vehicles. Right now, we do not have available inventory to fulfill orders,” Durrani said.
A polar bear’s skin is black. Its fur is not white, but actually clear.
Samsung has been granted a patent in South Korea for contact lenses that project images directly into the wearer’s eyes.
Judge Darius Baker imposed the first jail sentence for speeding in an automobile on August 28, 1904 in Newport.
Virginia has birthed more presidents than any other state.
27% of Americans don’t believe we landed on the moon.
Rhode Island was the last of the original thirteen colonies to become a state.
7. Long-term partners who live together are about three-quarters as happy as those who are legally married, according to a study.
By 2050, it’s estimated that four trucks of plastic waste will be added to the ocean every minute.
Studies show the key to happiness is spending your money on experiences rather than possessions.
Studiesshow the key to happiness is spending your money on experiences rather than possessions.
To help facilitate their need for additional certified, pre-owned vehicles, Toyota of Smithfield also offers 115% of its book value for any used cars. It doesn’t matter whether customers decide to purchase a car from their lot.
Donald Duck comics were banned in Finland because he doesn’t wear pants.
By 2017, it is estimated that nearly 207 billion emails will be sent every day.
If you have $10 in your pocket and no debt, you are wealthier than 25% of Americans.
The White Horse Tavern was built in 1673 and is the oldest operating tavern in the United States.
100 acres of pizza are served in the US every day.
Research shows that kids are more likely to be honestwhen they know it will pleasetheir parents, even if their parents still punish them.
8. Humans can run multiple marathons because runners forget the intense pain of the marathon 3-6 months after the event, a study found.
Onaverage, early risers writing emails between 4am and 8am make 11.8 mistakes per 100 words.
Air Jordans were banned from the NBA, however Michael Jordan always wore them as Nike was willing to pay the fine for each game.
More people are killed by donkeys annually than are killed in plane crashes.
“We will purchase your trade-in, even if you don’t buy a vehicle from us,” he added.
A recent study found that higher blood pressure in an expectant mother is associated with having a boy.
Studies suggest that gifted people often have bad handwriting because their brains work faster than their hands.
A study found that only 24% of Canadians know that Queen Elizabeth II is their head of state.
Studies show Americans ages 18-29 are far more stressed out that anyone else in the country.
Rhode Island Red Monument in Adamsville pays homage to the world-famous poultry breed.
Americans spend roughly 4.4 years of their life at each of their jobs.
Shakespeare invented the words “assassination” and “bump.”
9. If you have a song stuck in your head, one of the best ways to get it out of your head is to chew gum, according to a study.
Cheetos are naturally gray before they are given a bright orange artificial color.
The dealership holds a monthly private sale. This month’s event is scheduled for Friday, July 26, and Saturday, July 27, from 10:00 AM until 6:00 PM, by appointment only. Attendees will have access to their inventory. Managers will be there to answer questions and offer additional incentives.
In 2015, Americans wroteout17.3 billion checks.In the same year, they made 69.5 billion debit card purchases.
Rhode Island founder Roger Williams established the First Baptist Church in America in 1638. The existing structure was built in 1775.
The Library of Congress is keeping an archive of every tweet ever tweeted.
10. Some researchers believe that snail slime can be used to treat stomach ulcers.
Cotton candy only costs about six cents per serving to make, including the cardboard cone.
Research has found that, on average, a person’s social media writing contains three times as many mistakes as their emails.
If you keep a goldfish in the dark room, it will eventually turn white.
22 million chickens are consumed in the US every day.
Settled in 1642 Pawtuxet Village in Warwick lays claim to being New England’s oldest village.
Looking through Instagram accounts of healthy meals can actually trick you into enjoying those foods more than you otherwise would, a study found.
According to a survey, 67% of hiring managers cite lack of eye contact asthebiggestmistakecandidates make in interviews.
1 out every 3 Americans is obese.
According to NASA, the perfect nap should last no more than 26 minutes.
11. When people allow themselves to rest and reflect on things they have previously learned, they also become better at learning in the future, says a study.
The Dealership’s Peace of Mind Purchase Process means no hassles over pricing, trade-in values, cash back and rebate incentives offered up front, and the best available leasing and financing terms also offered up front. Durrani said that this is just part of the allaround, customer-driven experience he implemented to ensure the process does not get bogged down in miscommunication.
The name of all the continents end with the same letter that they start with.
AmySchumer is the only woman ever to land on Forbes’s list of the world’s highest-paid comedians.
Women are statistically better drivers then men.
Portsmouth is home to the oldest schoolhouse in the United States. The school was built in 1716.
The White Horse Tavern in Rhode Island was built in 1673 and is the oldest operating tavern in the United States.
WHATS UP
12. The name “Chewbacca” is derived from the Russian word “sobaka,” which simply means “dog”.
New research has found that the NFL players that incur the most penalties getarrestedmore than their teammates.
According to USDA projections, by 2025 Americans will consume 219 pounds of meat per year on average.feeling to occur.
The word “lethologica” describes the state of not being able to remember the word you want.
Studies suggest that eye contact must be held for about 8.2 seconds for that “Love at first sight” feeling to occur.
It cost $15 million to build Disneyland’s New Orleans Square—the amount the U.S. paid for the real New Orleans in the Louisiana Purchase.
, or visit their website at www.toyotaofsmithfield.com
Since 1785 Bristol has the longest running, unbroken series of 4th of July Independence Day observances in the country.
The Granite Theatre presents:
“The Drowsy Chaperone”
July 12 – August 4, 2024
The Granite Theatre, 1 Granite Street, Westerly, RI 02891
The Granite Theatre is excited to present “The Drowsy Chaperone”
Winner of five Tony Awards, including Best Book and Best Original Score, “The Drowsy Chaperone” is a loving send-up of the Golden Age musical, featuring one show-stopping song and dance number after another.
With the houselights down, a man in a chair appears on stage and puts on his favorite record: the cast recording of a fictitious 1928 musical. The recording comes to life and “The Drowsy Chaperone” begins as the man in the chair looks on. Mix in two lovers on the eve of their wedding, a bumbling best man, a desperate theatre producer, a not-so-bright hostess, two gangsters posing as pastry chefs, a misguided Don Juan and an intoxicated chaperone, and you have the ingredients for an evening of madcap delight.
Hailed by New York Magazine as “The Perfect Broadway Musical,” The Drowsy Chaperone is a masterful meta-musical, poking fun at all the tropes that characterize the musical theatre genre.
The cast is comprised of Alex Pimental, Laura Thompson, Elijiah Russell, Jessica Gates, George Sanchez, Marlo Dennis, Erika Lund, Chris Lund, Richard Springman, Eric Nayden, Carly Mastriano, William Pereira, Jonathan Hart, Trey DiGioia, Joyll Smith, Ryan Sanborn, Gracelyn Smith, and Sandy S. Gaccione
The Granite Theatre’s production of “The Drowsy Chaperone” is directed by Marla Ladd, music directed by Lynn Dowding, and choreographed by Nicole DiMattei with Stage management by Gwen Boiselle costume design by Jane Mandes, and lighting design by Wren Tetlow.
The show dates are as follows:
July 12, 2024 (Friday) 7:30 PM
July 13, 2024 (Saturday) 7:30 PM
July 14, 2024 (Sunday) 2:00 PM
July 18, 2024 (Thursday) 7:30 PM
July 19, 2024 (Friday) 7:30 PM
July 20, 2024 (Saturday) 7:30 PM
July 21, 2024 (Sunday) 2:00 PM
July 25, 2024 (Thursday) 7:30 PM
July 26, 2024 (Friday) 7:30 PM
July 27, 2024 (Saturday) 7:30 PM
July 28, 2024 (Sunday) 2:00PM
August 1, 2024 (Thursday) 7:30PM
August 2, 2024 (Friday) 7:30PM
August 3, 2024 (Saturday) 7:30PM
August 4, 2024 (Sunday) 2:00PM
Tickets are $35.00 for adults excluding taxes and fees.
For reservations, directions, or other information, call the Box Office at 401-596-2341. You can also visit our website for information or to order tickets online www.granitetheatre.org.
WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED.
COLLISION REPAIRS
When an accident occurs, it’s important to find a reputable auto body shop that will ease your mind and help you every step of the way. Our trusted team is trained in collision repair, framework, dent repair, computerized diagnostics, paint matching, paint restoration, and detailing / refinishing services.
CONVENIENT RENTALS
We own and maintain our own fleet of rental vehicles ready for you the second that you walk through our doors. Delta Auto Rental helps streamline the rental and collision process. We are proud to offer a wide selection of rental vehicles from compact to luxury, Jeeps, SUVs, etc.
24/7 TOWING
Delta Auto Body and our partners now have multiple tow trucks able to pick you up 24/7, 365 days a year wherever your vehicle is located. Delta Towing will immediately send out a truck to recover your vehicle and bring it to their facility for repairs.
