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December 2013
inthisissue 4
Give the Gift of . . .
e tim December 2013 1944 Warwick Ave. Warwick, RI 02889 401-732-3100 FAX 401-732-3110 Distribution Special Delivery PUBLISHERS Barry W. Fain, Richard G. Fleischer, John Howell
6
Parkie Pet Portraits
8
We’re Not In Kansas
9
The Season to be Greeting
12
From Latkes to Dreidels
16
21
d n ha ade m art
WRITERS Jessica Botelho, Michael J. Cerio, John Grow, Don Fowler, Tim Forsberg, Terry D’Amato Spencer, Elaine M. Decker, Joan Retsinas, Mike Fink, Meg Chevalier, Joe Kernan, Kerry Park, Kathy Tirrell, Jennifer Rodrigues
Giving the gift of entertainment
diversity
Editorial Coordinator / Creative Director Linda Nadeau lindan@rhodybeat.com
health
MARKETING DIRECTOR Donna Zarrella donnaz@rhodybeat.com
To give and not to give gifts
5 The Arts
r e t thea
Pr i m e Ti m e
Gifts for Retirees
Give a personalized gift while giving to Parkinson’s research
An essay on the gift of diversity
Sending Christmas cards
Tamarisk residents celebrate Chanukah traditions
Intarsia
The gift of beautiful works of art made right here in Rhode Island
Gift Cards
Clever ways to disguise them
PEOPLE & PLACES
A Worthy Cause - McAuley Ministries.......................10 Forgotten Children...............................................................11 Glimpse of RI’s Past...............................................................18 The Highlands - have come a long way..................22
FOOD & DRINK
Making Holiday Memories...............................................24
LIFESTYLES
What Do You Fink..................................................................25 ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Donna Zarrella – donnaz@rhodybeat.com Carolann Soder, Lisa Mardenli, Janice Torilli, Suzanne Wendoloski, Gina Fugere
SENIOR ISSUES
Home for the Holidays.......................................................17 Director’s column..................................................................19 Alzheimer’s Association.....................................................20
Classified ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE Sue Howarth – sueh@rhodybeat.com PRODUCTION STAFF Matt Bower, Brian Geary, Lisa Yuettner A Joint Publication of East Side Monthly and Beacon Communications. PrimeTime Magazine is published monthly and is available at over 400 locations throughout Rhode Island. Letters to the editor are welcome. We will not print unsigned letters unless exceptional circumstances can be shown.
December 2013
PROFESSIONAL’S PERSPECTIVE
“
Your Taxes...................................................................................17
Whether visiting a friend or family member at the (nursing) facility, or even visiting a stranger who has no family nearby, your gift of time will be appreciated more than you can know.
”
Virginia Burke – president of the ri health care association, Page 17
nextmonth You and your finances
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‘
retirement sparks b y elaine m . decker
y a d i l o h ti ps
Very few retirees are looking to add to their encumbrances. Chances are, they went through a downsizing as part of their retirement process. This can make it difficult to select holiday gifts for them. Here are some helpful guidelines. If it needs to be laundered, dry cleaned, dusted or vacuumed, forget it. That means no clothing and no knickknacks. In the interest of avoiding inventory buildup, it also means no accessories and no appliances. I know what you’re thinking: A man can always use another tie/wool muffler/pair of socks. Not true. Nor is it true that a woman can always use another silk scarf/holiday scatter pin/pair of gloves. While it’s true that knit gloves wear out fairly quickly, especially around the fingertips, suede gloves will survive being buried in a landfill. There are some dirty little secrets that often come to light only when people start rooting around in the backs of closets and bottoms of drawers. (In other words, when they downsize.) Men tend to wear the same three ties over and over. No matter how fabulous the pattern is on that Gianni Versace cravat you found on super sale, it’s likely to get spun to the back of the tie rack within a year of gifting. Remember the soft-as-butter leather gloves with oh-so-warm rabbit fur lining? They’re now under three spare sets of thermal underwear in a bottom dresser drawer. Those wool mufflers you’ve gifted every third year or so? Food for the moths that have discovered the shopping bag in the back of the used-to-be-cedar closet. You know the bag I mean: The one with scarves, mittens, gloves (many in half-pairs) and maybe an occasional earmuff or polar fleece headband. How about that church bazaar last summer where you saw the snowman pin exactly like the one you gave your funky Aunt Tilly a few years back? Guess what: It was the one you gave Aunt Tilly. Turns out she’s not as funky as she was in her 30s. Ditto for the | PrimeTime 4
‘tis
the
season
Gifts for
Retirees Gucci-wannabe and almost-Liberty-ofLondon scarves you gave Aunt Elvira. You’re right that she’s obsessively label-conscious, but she can also sniff out a fake faster than you can say “knock-off.” In selecting gifts for retirees, think “consumables.” If you can eat it or drink it, you have a win-
ner. Likewise, if you can spray it or slather it. (We’re talking personal care products now, not sex aids or stuff you use to detail your car.) When it comes to food, unless you’re intimately familiar with the recipient’s tastes, it’s best to avoid exotic items like pickled eggs and blowfish caviar. As for alcohol, you can also skip the caipirinha; everyone knows you’ve never been to Brazil. If you can deliver it yourself, ice cream is a great gift for retirees. You’ll want to select an appropriate flavor, of course. To that end, refer to the “Retirement Sparks” column in the July 2012 PrimeTime. We especially recommend Bananayama, Oatmeal Delight or Prune Whip. If you want to give something unusual in the alcohol realm, put together the fixings for a Mojito and pair it with one of Papa Hemingway’s books. (Mojitos were supposedly his fave.) Another good choice would be grenadine; pomegranates are the new healthy fruit. Be sure to include the recipe for a Tequila Sunrise and put in a copy of the “Desperado” CD by the Eagles – the song is on it. As for products that get applied to the body, soothing creams and lotions are good choices. Stay away from Ben Gay, Gold Bond and anything that has ever been featured in the circular for a national drug store chain. Instead, buy something that one of your neighborhood artisans cooks up at home in her garage or bathtub. Remember: You help the economy
when you buy local. Think broadly about how we consume things. Your shopping list can include books, CDs and DVDs. Pair these creatively with other items. As mentioned above, combine them with food or drink around an appropriate theme. Subscriptions are also something consumable, but make them unexpected. Instead of Aging Well, give Travel & Leisure. Never mind if they can’t afford to take any trips; in fact; all the better. If there’s one thing retirees are good at, it’s vicarious living. Movie tickets are another smart idea, but don’t go for those packages that include popcorn and a large drink. Retirees and soda pop make a bad combination in a theatre, especially if the movie is longer than one hour. This list should give you plenty of great ideas for holiday gifts for retirees. If you’re a last-minute shopper, it could be a lifesaver. You can thank me after the New Year. Just don’t give me anything I’ll have to dust. Copyright 2013 Business Theatre Unlimited Elaine M. Decker’s books, Retirement Sparks Again, Retirement Sparks and CANCER: A Coping Guide are available at Books on the Square, the Brown University bookstore, and Spectrum-India, on the East Side of Providence, and on Amazon.com, including Kindle editions. Contact her at: emdecker@ix.netcom.com.
December 2013
b y d o n f o wler
‘tis
the
season
Give the gift of the arts Does your son really need another sweater? Don’t your grandchildren have enough electronic devices? And does anyone give fruitcake anymore? Make this the year to give the gift of the arts to friends and relatives. Season and/or family passes to the RISD Museum, Children’s Museum, Roger Williams Park, the R.I. Philharmonic, or your local theatre group make wonderful gifts for the holiday season. You are not only providing quality entertainment for those you love, you are supporting the arts. Here are a few specific suggestions: 1. Grammy Award-winning singer, song-writer and activist Michael Bolton is performing at Cranston’s Park Theatre on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 7:30 p.m. as part of his worldwide tour. Buy tickets now and put them under the tree. (4677275) 2. The Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra is performing Beethoven’s Second Symphony on Saturday, Jan. 18 at 8 p.m. A wonderful way to introduce a young person to classical music. (248-7000) 3. Broadway’s “Titan of Tap,” Savion Glover, is bringing his newest celebration of tap dance, Stepz, to the Vets Auditorium on Friday, Jan. 31 at 7:30 p.m. Give the gift of dance to someone you love. (421-4281) 4. 2nd Story Theatre in Warren has opened a second, more intimate stage in its Downstage Theatre, with Nicky Silver’s “The Lyons” opening Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. A great gift for folks who like cutting-edge theatre.
December 2013
5. Rhode Island College’s Performing Arts Series offers a wide variety of dance, theatre and classical music performances, including the renowned Muir String Quartet on April 7. www.ric.edu/pfa. 6. Pawtucket’s Gamm Theatre presents Sam Shepard’s “A Lie of the Mind,” one of the best plays of the 20th century, from Jan. 23 to Feb. 23. A great gift for serious playgoers. (723-4266) 7. Warwick’s Ocean State Theatre Company presents Michael Frayn’s “Noises Off,” the zany backstage look at showbiz, Jan. 31 to Feb. 16. It has been called the world’s funniest farce. (921-6800) 8. The Newport Playhouse and Cabaret Restaurant offers a huge buffet, light comedy production, and after-the-show cabaret, a great package deal. “Angel on my Shoulder” is the comedy playing through March 23. (848-PLAY). 9. Let’s not forget the younger set! (5- to 12-year-olds). Mad Science is a unique group of science teachers who will throw a party for kids. They will participate, along with their friends, in totally cool science experiments and receive goody bags to have fun at home after the party. 10. Last, but certainly not least, is the most wicked gift of all. Three-time Tony Award-winner “Wicked” returns to the Providence Performing Arts Center after breaking all box office records in 2009. Performances begin the day after Christmas and continue through Jan. 12, 2014. (421-ARTS).
A Christmas Carol Fred Sullivan, Jr. as Scrooge in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, as adapted by Adrian Hall and Richard Cumming, presented by Cardi’s Furniture with supporting sponsor Amica Insurance. Performances run through December 28th. Appealing to young and old alike, this heartwarming story of the power of forgiveness shows us that anything is possible – and hope is always just around the corner. Tickets are on sale now. Call (401) 3514242 or go to trinityrep.com. Directed by Tyler Dobrowsky, set design by Eugene Lee, costume design by Alison Walker Carrier, lighting by John Ambrosone. (Photo: Mark Turek)
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b y J o hn G r o w
Parkie Pet Portraits
Artist discovers a “sassy” way to fund Parkinson’s research | PrimeTime 6
If you’re looking for talent, passion, innovation, creativity and an essence that can best be described as “sassy surprise” from an artist whose name you may never have heard before, you should check out Michele Keir. After a lifetime of training in industrial design and graphic design, including study at the prestigious Pratt Institute and Rhode Island School of Design, and years of success working on projects for internationally known firms like Hasbro, Milton Bradley and others, Keir suddenly turned all her talent toward fine art a few years ago following a life-changing event. She was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. “I was at work,” Keir said. “Someone was looking over my shoulder to see what I was working on, and all of a sudden they said, ‘Hey, Michele, why’s your hand shaking like that?’ “It was a question someone else asked me the week before. I wasn’t aware that I was trembling either time. “They’ve always said that Parkinson’s isn’t inherited. But my father had it; he died in 1967. Both my sister and my brother and one of my aunts were diagnosed with it. I’ve seen a lot of it over the years,” Keir explained. “I had digestive issues for most of a year and thought my tremors related to not eating. I’d gone to doctors before for these symptoms, but no one picked up on it. My neurologist and gastroenterologist diagnosed me on the same day,” Keir said. “Diagnosis for Parkinson’s is difficult,” said Mary Ellen Thibodeau, Connecticut’s executive director for the American Parkinson’s Disease Association and Rhode Island’s Parkinson’s Information and Referral coordinator at Kent Hospital. “It used to be associated with aging, but now we see diagnosis in younger people; not because Parkinson’s is affecting people earlier but because we’re getting better at diagnostics,” said Thibodeau. “Dr. Joseph Friedman is the head of neurodegenerative disorders at Butler Hospital in Providence; he’s authored two books and co-authored a third on the subject, and he’s recognized as one of the foremost authorities in the country for diagnosing Parkinson’s. He’s trained himself to watch his patients when they’re unaware, and see how they move naturally. People with Parkinson’s are really good at concealing their early symptoms,” Thibodeau said. “For instance, when you ask them why they aren’t swinging one of their arms when they walk, they’ll laugh and shrug and then start walking normally, swinging their arms the way they’re expected to. “In the beginning, they can do it, but they have to consciously will themselves to.” She said that about 60,000 new cases of Parkinson’s disease are diagnosed in the U.S. each year. Part of Friedman’s research is investigating the role of genetics in Parkinson’s, which Keir can relate to. “Because of my family, I guess I knew I had it before they told me I did,” she said. “I could see many of the symptoms. “There’s the fatigue - you just get so tired. Insomnia is a common symptom. With me, I’d be working on something; I’d get very involved and wind up staying up all night. So you just get more and more exhausted and stay that way.” Keir’s left hand would begin to shake, she recalls, but when she immersed herself in her art, she discovered the tremors would diminish. “One day I decided to paint a colorful design on my nails. I liked the way it turned out. It became a kind of therapy. While I created these designs, the tremors went away. I called them ‘sassy’ nail designs, and took pictures of them to put in a journal,” she said. “Two days later I was inspired to use Photoshop on my computer to incorporate a photo of my hand into a larger piece of art. On my iPad I use my fingers as paintbrushes. My art was often becoming more abstract and surreal. “Inspired from reading about others with PD, I decided to use my sudden passion to raise both research funds and awareness for Parkinson’s disease.”
December 2013
‘tis She said she began to create furiously. “In about nine months I did about 300 pieces. I liked it. It was fun. I’ve always enjoyed doing anything creative. “I began to find places to exhibit my art. But before very long, I just didn’t have the strength or the energy to haul my work around and hang them, then take everything down and load them up.” She started a website, and then started another, to show some of her work. “What I wanted to do was create my art, sell it to people who would appreciate it, and turn everything I made over to research to find a cure for Parkinson’s. “But I wanted the research money I made to go specifically to research in Rhode Island. That’s what we were able to arrange. I think I’ve raised about $6,000 so far,” Keir said. Mary Ellen Thibodeau confirmed that number. “And, yes, we worked it out so that everything she raises goes directly to fund only research in Rhode Island for Parkinson’s. That’s what she wants,” Thibodeau said. Keir has been married to Richard Blackman since 1974, and both her son, Benjamin, 34, and daughter, Rachael, 31, have become research scientists working in related fields; one in Virginia and the other in Minnesota. They are all highly supportive of her work. It’s been noted before in a number of news stories that there seems to be some correlation between creativity and Parkinson’s disease. Call it a not-so-rare coincidence. A number of high-profile artists in various fields, including actor Michael J. Fox, for example, and, as announced this past summer, singer Linda Ronstadt, are only two prominent examples of talented people diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Is there a connection? “I’ve never read anything in the research that verified a connection between artistic talent and Parkinson’s,” Mary Ellen Thibodeau said. “But speaking anecdotally, I personally know many very creative people in Southern New England who’ve been diagnosed with Parkinson’s.” Michele Keir, though, is the only “sassy” one.
the
season
Great Gift Idea Keir’s most recent project to generate Parkinson’s research dollars is named Parkie Pet Portraits. A client can send a photo of his or her pet to Keir, and she creates one of her unique portraits for a $100 donation to Rhode Island Parkinson’s research. She shows samples of her work on her website – keirartforpd.webstarts.com and makes arrangements through her e-mail, keirdes@aol.com
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‘tis
b y j o hn gr o w
the
season
We are definitely not in Kansas anymore An Essay on the Gift of Diversity Remember in the “The Wizard of Oz,” when Judy Garland and her farm house get sucked up by a big, swirling tornado in a monochrome Kansas, then dropped somewhere over the rainbow, and suddenly everything goes all Technicolor? Well, something like that happened to me. I’m from Kansas too, the part that’s far away from big cities like Topeka. It’s way out West where it’s flat as a billiard table, and if you ever do see a tree growing someplace other than alongside a creek you know somebody had to put it there on purpose. My part of Kansas is farm country; about 60,000 wide open square miles where Dorothy, Toto and Auntie Em would fit right in. The people are like in the movie; descended from 19th Century Western Europeans – Irish, Scots, Germans, Swedes; but very few English and almost no French. They are white and Protestant mostly, whose religion, traditions and politics are so mixed together they’ll probably never get sorted out. Life there reflects that heritage. And now I live here. I moved all of a sudden last Spring, when an old friend of mine who’s sick asked me to. I’m retired, so I can do that. Before this, the only time I’d ever been in Rhode Island was for a couple of hours, twenty-five years ago; just a quick dip in the crazy end of the pool I used to say. But actually moving from that far-away Kansas prairie to Rhode Island does indeed seem like a trip to Oz. In a word, the difference is diversity. If you have to tack on an adjective, make it wondrous diversity. People have come here, to this little 1200 square mile spot, from literally everywhere on the planet. Why? I can’t guess. There can’t be that many sick friends in the world. Once again it’s a case of life reflecting the heritage of the people; in this case a very eclectic heritage. There is so much variety, so much choice, so much color in Rhode Island. Take food for example. You could fit fifty Rhode Islands into my section of Kansas. But I bet there is easily fifty times more diversity of food preparation | PrimeTime
in Cranston alone than you could find from Wichita to the Colorado border. Honestly, I was approaching sensory overload for weeks after I got here. Compare what you have to what I just left behind: • If you want to go out for Italian back home (other than Pizza Hut), put some gas in the car because you’ll be driving at least 240 miles; 120 miles to get to an Olive Garden, and 120 miles back when you’re done. • If you’re in a restaurant and see fish on the menu it will be farmed catfish. If you see ‘Mountain Oysters,’ don’t expect seafood, you’ll be disappointed. • There is one Chinese restaurant which is owned by the Chinese family who lives in town. • We have three Mexican restaurants, reflecting the influx of Latino families over the last few years. Some people still haven’t tried them out; spicy, you know. • For a real nice place to take the wife for a special occasion, you have two choices in town: Applebee’s or The Highland Manor. You can get a glass of wine or a cocktail at either one, but the Manor has white table cloths and napkins; plus, it’s a motel. • You will have no trouble finding any kind of fast food and barbeque (some award winning) you could ever want. That’s it for exotic cuisine and high-class dining where I come from. Basically, if you’re not in the mood for meat and potatoes, you’ve got a problem eating. And my hometown has the biggest population and the most eateries for at least sixty miles around. What’s served for dinner (generally called supper), in homes as well as restaurants for vast stretches in every direction, is farm food; unchanged for the most part since settlers like my Irish immigrant ancestors moved there 160 years ago. It’s meat and potatoes, biscuits and gravy, garden vegetables, fresh wheat bread and pie; lots of kinds of pie. It’s good, it’s wholesome, always too much, and almost always predictable. House to house, table to table, the advent of supermarkets, frozen food and microwaves hasn’t altered
the homogeneity of the menus very much. I went from that to Rhode Island in one gulp. I get on the plane, I get off the plane, and I’m riding down a street in Warwick through a United Nation’s of food. It seemed like there was a restaurant on every corner and every one served something different. My first night out was at this little Italian place; very unassuming on the outside, very intimate on the inside. The waitress made me feel like a regular even though I had only the dimmest notion what my friend ordered for us. The chef came out and talked to us. I shared a plate of the best calamari I’d ever tasted and an entrée I had never heard of. It was the most amazing restaurant meal I can remember up to that point in my life. I’ve had others since. Luckily my friend is world class in the kitchen, and when she feels well enough she teaches food vocabulary. I have learned that what I called Italian back home is misidentification bordering on insult. I’ve made a passing acquaintance with distinctions like Tuscan, Calabrian, Sicilian, Northern versus Southern. It’s a start. Seafood? At home it comes from the market, frozen in a box. Your backyard is the Atlantic Ocean. I think further explanation is unnecessary. Chinese, again, is a gross oversimplification when you have Hunan, Cantonese, Schezuan, and Mandarin to pick from. Korean, Cambodian, Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese? Yes, several of each. You even have restaurants serving Mongolian, for Pete’s sake. You’ve got Indian, Pakistani. And African--we once read about a new Senegalese place opening up, and drove around for an hour looking for it. Didn’t find it (But we will!), and picked a really interesting Mexican restaurant my friend had never tried before, instead. I never spent too much time thinking about food before moving to Rhode Island. Now I have lists of places and dishes I want to try. Like French; it’s something I never had in Kansas, nor, actually, anywhere else I’ve ever been. Since it’s the Holidays, and Rhode Island has given me all these wondrous gifts, now would be the perfect time to try something new. Why not join me. December 2013
‘tis
b y kathy tirrell
the
season
‘tis the
season to be greeting
People have been creating and sending Christmas cards for a very long time. It started back in 1843 in London when Sir Henry Cole hired an artist named John Calcott Horsley to design a holiday card for him to send off to his friends and acquaintances. The United States can thank Louis Prang (a German immigrant who opened a small lithographic business near Boston in 1856) for getting the greeting card industry rolling here. In the early 1870s, he started publishing deluxe editions of Christmas cards marketed for England. Later, in 1875, Prang introduced the first complete line of Christmas cards to the American public. But what about now, in 2013? Ever wonder how many people are sending out paper Christmas cards these days? After all, we’re living in a high-tech world – texting on cell phones, posting on Facebook, and tweeting on Twitter – lots of ways for people to keep in touch every day if they so desire. In light of that, do people still mail each other Christmas cards? It turns out many do. According to The Greeting Card Association, headquartered in White Plains, N.Y., last year’s projections were for 1.6 billion Christmas cards (both boxed and individual cards) to be purchased in the United States. They report that sales for individual cards (those chosen for just one person) are increasing year by year. Boxed card assortments are continuing to have strong sales, too. Christmas is the number one card-sending holiday in this country. According to Kathy Krassner, director of communications for the GCA, once again this year it’s expected that 1.6 billion Christmas cards will be purchased (including boxed cards). “I can tell you that design trends on the horizon for Christmas cards include bold color palettes and unexpected pops of color; modern updates on traditional text and icons; quirky humor mixed with nostalgia; and a return to ‘Merry Christmas’ messages rather than the more generic ‘Season’s Greetings,’” said Krassner. So who’s buying most of today’s greeting cards? Here are a few statistics supplied by The Greeting Card Association: • Women purchase an estimated 80 percent of all greeting cards. Women spend more time choosing a card than men, and are more likely to buy several cards at once. • Younger card buyers and those who are more technology savvy are currently the ones most engaged in buying paper greeting cards online. A random survey of Christmas/holiday card senders from all over the country brought some interesting results. Here are some of the answers people gave when asked the following questions: Do you still send Christmas cards? How many do you send? Does the December 2013
price of postage deter you from sending cards? What are your thoughts on card sending? Katharyne Waldon of Eugene, Oregon really loves sending cards. She sends out between 260 to 280 a year. “I buy the most beautiful cards I can,” she said. “Religious ones, preferably, with angels and non-denominational greetings. Preferably fine art from the Metropolitan Museum and similar.” But for Alice Loweecey of Buffalo, New York, card sending is not quite so high on her list. When asked how many cards she sends out, she replied, “One. To a distant relative we never see in person anymore.” She goes on to explain, “I used to buy a couple boxes and send to all the relatives on both sides of the family, plus some friends. I quit three years ago because I was losing my mind at the holidays, plus it was one more expense.” Jenny Mocha of Birmingham, Alabama, offers similar thoughts. “I once sent over a hundred cards. I started culling the list because of cost and time. If people didn’t respond, I cut. Many though, I just moved to an e-mail list. I like getting and receiving cards, but in the last few years, I receive like eight.” Cathy Clamp of Brady, Texas is definitely a fan of card sending. She says it varies each year, but she generally sends between 70 to 100 cards. The price of stamps doesn’t phase her one bit.
“I’d no more stop sending cards than wrapping packages, “ she said. “It’s just part of the cost of the holiday.” Kari Tieger of Riverside, Rhode Island thinks stamps are expensive, but said, “We consider displaying the cards received as part of our holiday decorations.” She said she sends out approximately 50 to 60 Christmas cards each year. For Diane McGuire of Bridgewater, Massachusetts “The cost doesn’t matter. It’s just figured into Christmas expenses.” She says she sends about 40 cards each Christmas. “I buy boxed cards, but nothing with a heavy religious message. I don’t get back that many, though, as many of my friends don’t do it anymore and are quite blunt about it. They always thank me for mine, however.” Jenn Greenleaf of Boothbay, Maine says, “We send around 25 to 30 cards out each year. Some years we receive two or three, but other years we receive nearly 40. I think it depends on budgets, work schedules and use of e-cards in our situation.” And Lavern Bassett of Midlothian, Va., says, “I still go to the Hallmark store and purchase special Christmas cards for my mom and three sisters. I also send cards to a couple of friends and to my husband’s dad. I absolutely love to send greeting cards.”
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a worthy cause
b y M ichael j . ceri o
McAuley Ministries Brightening holidays, and year, for those they serve
Drive by the 600 block of Elmwood Avenue in Providence on any given weekday and it is difficult not to notice the line of people waiting outside a commanding two-story Victorian-style home adorned with brick on its lower level. This is McAuley House. For years, McAuley House, a program of McAuley Ministries, has served as a meal site and house of hospitality for the homeless and Rhode Islanders living in poverty. As the Ocean State’s economy continues to struggle with the after effects of the Great Recession, the organization has expanded its services to further help our neighbors in need. And, with the holidays upon us, they will be doing even more to help those who need it most. “We’ve always been busy; serving many who struggle with poverty, but there’s no question, we’ve seen an increase in the number of people coming to us these past few years,” says Reverend Mary Margaret Earl, Associate Director of McAuley House. Five days a week, McAuley opens its doors at 8:00 a.m. to welcome guests in off the street for a hot cup of coffee and breakfast. A few hours later, they’re right back at it—serving more than 300 hot lunches between 11:15 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. “The people who come to us, many have problems that you or I could only imagine how hard their day is,” says Earl. “So this place, we want to be respite from those problems; respite from being treated disrespectfully, respite from having to worry about where you’ll spend the night or how you’ll pay the bills—this is where our guests can exhale and feel welcome, everyone deserves that.” Now that the calendar has turned to December, the days colder, and the heart of the holiday season right around the corner, McAuley Ministries is gearing-up to make the season brighter for many. At McAuley Village, the organization’s two-year transitional housing program for homeless single mothers and their children, Reverend Earl describes an inspiring group of volunteers who launched the McAuley Village Women’s Leadership Circle in 2012. Made up of more than three dozen women who provide support to the 23 single mothers and their children under the age of 12 living in the village, the Leadership Circle has been instrumental in helping young women advance their lives. Each member contributes $250 annually—which helps pay for the wrap-around services McAuley Village provides. Thanks to these services, 90 percent of the young mothers who transition out of McAuley Village are able to secure permanent supportive housing. “We recognize that many of the young mothers we help don’t have the support systems that others may have to move their lives ahead,” explained Earl. “This committee is helping moms who are being educated or getting their GED connect with job opportunities and build relationships. Many of us have had the support of others at one point in our lives, but for those who don’t have people in their personal lives who can help, we want to build it for them” For the holidays at McAuley Village, there is much planned. The Women’s Leadership Circle is organizing activities that include a cookie swap with the young mothers, and workshops to help their children write letters to Santa Claus. There are also community partners, such as Collette Vacations and Hasbro, who get involved with gifts for the kids to make their holidays a happier time of year. At McAuley House, there are also plans for the organization to brighten the season for struggling adults. Thanks to funding from United Way of Rhode Island, McAuley House recently established an afternoon enrichment program. Five days a week, from the time lunch ends until the house closes at 4:00 p.m., the organization provides life skills, exercise, cooking classes, arts and crafts, and more. The program began because McAuley recognized that many experiencing homelessness had no place to go before shelters opened. “We can have up to 35 people each day—the program has been a big source of community-building and improving morale,” said Earl. “Before we close, everyone gets a take home dinner so they don’t have to worry about how they’ll eat at night.” For the holidays, the afternoon enrichment program will host festive, holiday-themed activities. 10 | PrimeTime
December 2013
PEOPLE AND PLACES McAuley House also coordinates an adopta-family program for 30 families they’re working closely with; organizing a party where Santa enjoys cookies and hot chocolate with children and parents receive gift cards. And, there’s a special Christmas dinner. “Staying open for Christmas is very important to us,” said Earl. “For people struggling, it may be the only day their families welcome them home, but for those who don’t have that option; it can be a very sad day. The crowd isn’t necessarily large, but the people who come, they really need us to be there for them.” Coinciding with the economic downturn and an increasing demand for its services, McAuley Ministries, like many Rhode Island non-profits, is working hard to do more with less. Though Earl does not consider McAuley’s services to be seasonal (the summer can be just as busy as the winter), there is no doubt they see an explosion of anxiety once the weather turns cold. “The shelter get full quickly; there’s not enough space, so we see a lot of worry among those who may rely on staying outdoors,” she explained. “And, for those who do have a roof over their head, there’s concern over how they’ll pay their heating bills or worry that they’ll wear-out their welcome if staying with family or friends.” Support from the community is critical to the mission of McAuley Ministries. Oftentimes, some of the most simple requests—bus passes to get to work, socks, boots for a job opportunity with a temp company, or toiletries—can make the biggest difference for those trying to improve their lives. While McAuley Ministries is always working to come up with these resources, Earl stresses the importance of financial donations as they allow the organization flexibility to meet the needs of the clients they serve. “Gift cards to grocery and footwear stores are also always needed—our guests are constantly looking for shoes since many spend all day walking and don’t have appropriate footwear, especially in the winter,” added Earl. “We can even accept gift cards to pharmacies that help people get their medication.” As many of us prepare to celebrate the holidays with family, friends and loved ones, taking a moment to think of the less fortunate and how we can help when times are tough represents the spirit of the season. Those interested in becoming a volunteer with McAuley Ministries or making a donation may contact Reverend Mary Margaret Earl at (401) 942-9013 ext. 302. Donations may also be made securely online at www.McAuleyRI.org. “At McAuley Ministries, we stay grounded in the values we were built upon - Hospitality, Compassion and Dignity,” said Don Wolfe, Executive Director of McAuley Ministries. “When people are down on their luck, they need resources, but they also need our respect—everything we are able to accomplish is thanks to a great community of support from dedicated donors and volunteers.” December 2013
by JOAN RE TSINAS
PEOPLE AND PLACES
looking after
Forgotten Children
The holidays revolve around children: their gifts, their songs, their tree-decorating, dreidel-spinning, kwanza-feting rituals. Hallmark cards showcase an extended family, gathered to celebrate not just the holiday but each other. But lots of American families fall short of that prototype. In particular, children of inmates grow up estranged from at least one parent. The trek from crime to arrest to incarceration leaves children by the wayside: Marylouise Joseph, from the Department of Corrections, calls the children “forgotten.” The parent-child ties, most likely frayed to start, will grow more tenuous the longer the parent’s sentence. And while the public may see the criminal behind the person, the child sees a father, or mother, and often misses that parent desperately. The staff at the ACI want to keep alive the bond – primarily for the sake of the child, but also for the sake of the parent. Most inmates leave after a short stint; when they return to the community, it is in everyone’s interest – child, inmate, family, public – to strengthen that parental connection. Books Beyond helps inmates stay connected. Administered by Marylouise Joseph, and assisted by Laura Nevadonski, Books Beyond relies on volunteers as the crucial link. The program allows inmates to suggest a book they think their child will like, and lets them read all, or part, of the story into a tape recorder. Inmates fill out applications for the program, including the names and the ages of their children. Once an inmate is approved, he/she goes on the wait-list until a volunteer is assigned their application. Staff will give a volunteer the name of the inmate, as well as the ages of the children, and the volunteer will make an appointment, through a designated contactperson, to meet with the inmate – optimally, within a week. Then the volunteer gathers books in hand – either titles the inmate has suggested, or ones the volunteer has chosen from the program’s extensive library of new children’s books. The inmate chooses what to read. He may read an entire story – Green Eggs and Ham, for instance. Or, if the book is longer – Harry Potter for instance – the inmate will read a chapter or two. The inmate can introduce the book to his child: “I hope you like this.” “You can read the rest on your own.” “I remember this was your favorite.” Whatever he wants to say. The volunteer takes the recording home, downloads it onto a CD, and returns it to Marylouise Joseph, who will review it. She then mails the CD plus the book to the child. Staff will try to accommodate inmates who don’t speak English. If the inmate’s child lives outside Rhode Island – or outside the country, the staff will mail the book wherever the child lives. If an inmate does not want a child to know that s/he is in prison, the packet will not indicate “ACI” as the return address. Inmateparticipants come from all parts of the corrections system: minimum, medium, maximum, and high security, the Intake Service Center, and both of the Women’s facilities. An inmate participates once, then can re-apply
to participate again, though the prison has more wouldbe participants than volunteers. Each year Books Beyond connects from 40 to 50 parents with children. Catherine Estrella from Providence has been volunteering for 4 years. Once she retired from working as a social worker – first at State Services for the Blind, then at the East Providence School Department, she realized: “I wanted to give back.” A notice about Books Beyond in a newspaper piqued her interest. Unexpectedly, she discovered the delights of children’s literature: “I enjoy hearing them read the stories.” Not only does she enjoy the stories, so do the inmate-readers. “When a person comes in, you can tell they’re sad, they’re doing their time. In that 30 to 60 minutes, reading a child’s book will lift them out of their troubles, if only briefly.” Temple Fawcett also heard about Books Beyond from a newspaper. Like Catherine, she is retired: she had developed curriculum for New Bedford’s Model Cities program. When she moved to Providence from New Bedford 6 years ago, she was looking for a volunteer niche. Coincidentally, her first job after graduating from Pembroke was in the women’s prison in Massachusetts. She remarks on the heartfelt response of the inmate-readers: “They’re so grateful to have this connection.” Marylouise Joseph urges inmates to keep alive their parent-child connection. “I tell them they may feel that they have lost everything – as many have. But they should keep their relationship with their children.” Books Beyond helps do that.
To participate: If you can spare an hour once a week, once every few weeks, even once a month, consider helping. The ACI provides orientation and training. In addition, volunteers will shadow Catherine Estrella for a session, then, for the volunteer’s first time, Catherine will shadow the volunteer. To learn more, contact Marylouise Joseph, e-mail: Marylouise@doc.ri.gov, or (401) 462-0608
From Books Beyond: Catherine Estrella, Marylouise Joseph (seated), Laura Nevadonski and Temple Fawcett
PrimeTime | 11
Latkes Dreidels
b y jessica b o telh o
from to
Thee start of Chanukah varies from year to year, but typically takes place anytime between late November and late December. This year, the first full day of Chanukah fell on Thanksgiving, which was Nov. 28. It began at sundown the day before, and ended the evening of Dec. 5. The only other time when the day of Thanksgiving was also the first day of Chanukah was in 1861, before Thanksgiving became a national holiday, in 1863. Technically, it was the first time the holidays converged, something that won’t happen again for at least another 70,000 years. For residents at the Phyllis Siperstein Tamarisk Assisted Living Residence in Warwick, celebrating the eight-day Jewish holiday means getting together with loved ones. On the first night, they cook and eat potato latkes, best described as fried potato pancakes, as well as sufganiyot, or jelly doughnuts. Muriel Perlman, along with her husband Cantor Ivan Perlman, usually serves potato latkes and beef brisket. Preparing the latkes, she said, is simple. She begins by grating potatoes by hand before seasoning them with salt and pepper, adding a bit of egg and matzo meal. “You mix it up, and then you take a tablespoon and put it in hot oil,” Muriel said. “You don’t turn it until it becomes brown. That’s the secret. And you turn it only once. This year, we’ll have a turkey with the latkes.” Roberta Gilstein, whose mother
Tamarisk residents celebrate Chanukah traditions Mimi Feinstein lives at the facility with her husband Al, said there are several ways to prepare brisket. Every family has their own way. “I use whole berry cranberry sauce, water, some onion soup mix, and then I cut up some potatoes,” Gilstein said. “Another way to make it is sweet and sour with onions, carrots and sour salt.” Larry Landau, who works at Tamarisk as the Kosher mashgiach, meaning supervisor, also said Chanukah is celebrated by eating sugar cookies shaped like the Magen David, or the Star of David, as well as dreidels, four-sided spinning tops. Dreidels are used for a gambling game that children play using gelt, the Yiddish word for money. “It’s a children’s game where everyone puts some coins in and you spin the dreidel,” said Ethan Adler, Tamarisk’s Spiritual Coordinator. Each side of the dreidel bears a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, instructing players to take “nothing,” “half,” “all,” or “put in” to the pile of gelt. Adler, who was born in Israel, said there is a huge misconception in America that Chanukah is the Jewish version
of Christmas. “They have nothing to do with each other,” he said. “It’s just the proximately of the calendar.” Resident Marion Cotton agrees. “Some people would say, ‘oh, this is your Christmas?’ and I would say, ‘no,’” she said. “There’s no relationship at all.” Adler went on to say that Chanukah is built up into a major Jewish holiday, but it isn’t. Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is more celebrated, as is Yom Kippur, also known as Day of Atonement. It is the holiest day of the year within the Jewish community. The word Chanukah means “dedication” and is based on history. Chanukah commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt against the Greeks of the 2nd century BCE. “Over 2,000 years ago, the Greeks and their expansion throughout the area destroyed the temple in Jerusalem,” said Adler. “Jewish people fought back. After about two or three years, they regained the temple. One of the first things they wanted to do when they rebuilt it was light the eternal light. There’s a story that
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December 2013
‘tis says they only found a little bit of oil to light it, and they figured the oil would last one day. But it lasted for eight days.” This story, he said, is the reason Chanukah lasts eight nights and days. The tradition is to light candles each night at sundown, with one being lit on the first day, two on the second day, three on the third day, and so forth. One night candle is used to light the others; hence, there are nine branches on the menorah, a candelabrum. The ninth candle is known as the Shamash, which is a “helper” or “servant.” Residents say they enjoy educating others not only about Chanukah, but also about their religion. “Most people know nothing, or very little, of other peoples’ religion and their practices,” said Libby Arron. “Sometimes, it’s exploded into a more scary area instead of being a simple religious right that is enjoyed. It’s important not to have fear or criticism of other races and religions.” In the 1990s, Arron served as chief protocol to former Rhode Island Gov. Bruce Sudlun, who was Jewish. At Christmastime, she said, there were always Christmas festivities at the State House, but never for Chanukah. So, Arron helped plan a Chanukah celebration, and invited the general public.
the
season
“It was very well received,” she said, noting the educational value of the event. “Everyone knows about Christmas, but few people know what Chanukah is, how it’s celebrated and what meaning it has. Having a Jewish governor allowed us to share it, and it was a wonderful way of sharing. Instead of it being a mystery, people learned about it. Some people asked if they could come to my home.” Other residents agree. They have also created their own Chanukah traditions. “In our family, Chanukah is mostly getting together with family,” Feinstein said. “On Thanksgiving, we pick names, and who’s ever name you pick, you buy a gift for them.” Interestingly enough, they then exchange gifts on Christmas. But it’s not because they celebrate the Christian holiday. “On Christmas Day, we get together and celebrate what we call, ‘Chanukah Harry,’” said Gilstein, pointing about that the idea stemmed from a skit on Saturday Night Live. “We didn’t have a lot to do because everything was closed and nobody worked that day, so our family started to get together and have a Chanukah celebration. We’ve been doing it for 30 years.”
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Tamarisk residents (from left) Mimi Feinstein, Libby Arron, Cantor Ivan Perlman, his wife, Muriel, and Marion Cotton, enjoy celebrating Chanukah. They spin dreidels, or tops, one of the Jewish holiday traditions. (Prime Time photos by Jessica A. Botelho)
Perlman and Cotton watch the dreidels spin. Cotton said the wooden dreidel she holds up was made in Israel. December 2013
PrimeTime | 13
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South County Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, a member of the Revera Health Systems family, is a long term care and rehabilitation facility that is found in a quiet, wooded area on Oak Hill Road off Rte. 4. The area is peaceful and the center is situated amongst tall, graceful trees whose leaves reveal the story of changing seasons, just as the seasons of our lives unfold. Even though South County Nursing & Rehab Center is in a somewhat secluded and protected area, its community outreach efforts extend far beyond its boundaries here in the woods of North Kingstown. At this time of year, when the risks of challenging and unforeseen weather events begin to rise, the center’s efforts to reach out to the senior community are more important than ever. This is the time of year when the staff at South County is uniquely aware of their senior neighbors and friends, especially those who live alone. In order to better prepare them in the event of a weather emergency, the activities team here at South County is assembling “Emergency Kits”. These kits, which will include an LED flashlight, a blanket and various snacks, are intended to tie someone in peril over until more help can be secured. In the kits will also be information about where to find South County Rehab Center, and what further services are available there. Under the direction of Reggie Wilcox, the center’s Admission’s Director, there is also a plan in place to provide reserve beds for those needing short term shelter. The kits will be distributed by local food pantries, senior centers and churches – all part of the center’s commitment to extending their reach to other communitybased service providers and seniors in need. The South County Nursing & Rehabilitation Center is a licensed 117 bed, skilled nursing facility with its own rehabilitation department, offering short and long-term care, respite care, and hospice care. The center is home to the “STAR” program, which stands for “Specialized Therapy and Rehab”. The “STAR” program, which was completed in June of 2012, is a program designed specifically to help patients who need a place to recover following a debilitating event such as an incapacitating injury, a cardiovascular event or stroke, a joint replacement, or any surgery that requires a period of sustained recovery. The “STAR” program embodies everything that a place of healing needs – a skilled and compassionate team of professionals; customized and deluxe living quarters; and mostly, state-of-the-art therapy rooms and specialized therapeutic equipment. It is an intense, highly personalized rehabilitation program whose goal is to raise a patient’s mobility and lifestyle capabilities to an optimal level so that that patient can resume a life of independence and comfort. If you or a loved one is in need of long-term care, a period of rehabilitation or would benefit from an Emergency Kit, call Reggie Wilcox at 401-294-4545 ext. 4102, or visit their website at www.reverasouthcounty.com. South County Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is located at 740 Oak Hill Road in North Kingston.
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14 | PrimeTime
December 2013
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PrimeTime | 15
intarsia b y j o e kernan
‘tis
the
season
Beautiful Works of Art from Wood To you, it’s just a carved plaque that represents an Amish boy and girl holding hands on a country road. To Tony Patriarca, it represents centuries of tradition and the evolution of a way to use wood to tell stories without sacrificing the wood to the story. It’s called intarsia. Tony Patriarca has been doing intarsia in his Warwick workshop for about 15 years and very helpfully gives visitors to his workshop a sturdy card that gives a brief outline of its history. “Intarsia Wood Art is an ancient inlay wood art that has recently been revived,” it reports. “Through the centuries, rich patrons employed craftsmen to create beautiful works of art from wood.” Patriarca has always been interested in woodworking. His father was a contractor. “As a boy, I always had a hammer within reach,” he said. But an equal interest in photography took hold of him as a teenager and he left home to study photography in Rochester, N.Y. and in Minneapolis for six to eight years. “I even took courses in anatomy as part of my training in photography,” he said. But he never totally abandoned working with wood, and in 1979 he started building a house for his daughter that was based on blueprints from an antebellum mansion in South Carolina. No, he didn’t suddenly decide to become a contractor like his father; he decided to build a “doll house” for his daughter, although that term seems inadequate to describe what is actually a scale model of a real house and its furniture rendered in extraordinary detail. “It took me seven years, in spurts,” said Patriarca. Patriarca left photography for health reasons. A failing heart demanded less stressful work, but for a man like Patriarca, having nothing to do created a different kind of stress and he came upon intarsia just in time to provide him with a satisfactory hands-on activity. Learning about the history of intarsia convinces
you that there are levels that would be far from relaxing to master. After the invention of perspective drawing and its application to painting during the renaissance, ambitious intarsia crafters echoed the trend in wood. The discovery of acid solutions and stains for treating wood and by the practice of scorching wood to create shades broadened the subject matter and deepened the skills. In the best works, pear, walnut and maple were the principal woods. “At one time, Florence had 34 workshops for wood carving and intarsia,” according to Jackson. Early intarsia works depend mainly on silhouette for their beauty, but they also exhibit the use of line (made by graver or saw) within the main composition. A great deal was accomplished by choice of wood type, color, tone and by arrangement of grain direction, a technique still employed by Patriarca, although Tony’s approach is a lot more casual than that of ambitious crafters of the renaissance. Aside from a very ambitious depiction of the Last Supper, Patriarca tries to keep it light when it comes to subject matter, but he is still very serious about materials. “You always want to select wood for the grain, and how the grain contributes to the design,” he said, and pointed to the leg of one of his own intarsia dogs, where the grain of the wood seemed to be added by an artist to create a three-dimensional effect. “You always try to pick wood with grain patterns that echo the subject matter.” By its very nature, intarsia places limits on the artist that are similar to other crafts and Patriarca says he spends a lot of time selecting various woods for their color and grain. If the wood is properly selected, less shading, tinting and dying is necessary. But, in the hands of a skillful artist, very beautiful effects can be obtained with dyes and tints. Too much coloring and the very nature of the art is violated. Good intarsia reflects the qualities of the wood being used as an intricate part of the composition. “What I want to see is people completely enjoying the work I do,” said Patriarca. “What I want to see is a smile on your face when you look at the work.” Patriarca is a member of the Ocean State Artisans, who held their 23rd Annual Holiday Crafts Festival in November. www.oceanstateartisans.com.
This intarsia portrait of a bloodhound is only one example of using the grain of wood to enhance the details of a carving.
Tony Patriarca of Warwick has a deft touch with a scroll saw, an essential part of creating intarsia art. Finely finished pieces of wood are assembled to form three-dimensional wooden sculptures that can be hung on a wall.
Great Gift Idea A handmade piece of art makes a great gift. For more information about Intarsia by Tony and his handmade wood art, call 401-738-6645 or email
LPatriarca@verizon.net
The Last Supper is a favorite subject for Patriarca. 16 | PrimeTime
December 2013
senior issues
b y kerry park
Home for the Holidays giving the gift of time
If you’re one of the lucky ones, you’ll spend the holiday season in the comfort of your own home, surrounded by familiar memories, family and friends. But not everyone will spend the coming weeks at home. Each year thousands of Rhode Islanders spend the holidays in a skilled nursing center, many for the first time. So while most of us take for granted the typical hustle and bustle of the season, there are some who crave the annual rituals that were once routine. The good news is that friends and family can make a huge difference in bridging old traditions to a nursing home resident’s new environment. All nursing home residents must adjust to a holiday season unlike what they have known in the past and those away from home for the first time may feel particularly isolated. Not only are they adjusting to a new place, but to new people and routines. Visits from friends, family and even strangers, can help them feel connected during a time when they may feel particularly alone and separated from their old lives. Fortunately, caregivers understand that the holidays can be particularly stressful. Most skilled nursing centers schedule an active array of social events which include families, friends and members of the community. Holiday dinners, bazaars, parties, and visits from school children
and civic groups are worth their weight in gold in combating the isolation some nursing home residents may feel during the holidays. Skilled nursing centers also welcome the opportunity to share the traditions of one specific resident with the group, allowing everyone to share the things most important to them. And, while nursing home activity directors are proactive in bringing people into the nursing center to ramp up the holiday spirit, trips away from the facility to celebrate Hanukkah, see festive Christmas lights or simply go home for a short visit are also a welcome event for those physically able. According to Virginia Burke, President of the Rhode Island Health Care Association, an association of skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers, good company is the best gift a nursing home resident can receive this holiday season. She advises checking in with facilities ahead of time to learn about upcoming events and touching base with caregivers about any plans for taking a resident out for a short time, so that they can be prepared with medications or other needs. Notes Burke, “Whether visiting a friend or family member at the facility, or even visiting a stranger who has no family nearby, your gift of time will be appreciated more than you can know.”
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IRS warns of telephone scam The Internal Revenue Service warns consumers about a sophisticated phone scam targeting taxpayers, including seniors and recent immigrants, throughout the country. Victims are told they owe money to the IRS and it must be paid promptly through a pre-loaded debit card or wire transfer. If the victim refuses to cooperate, they are then threatened with arrest, deportation or suspension of a business or driver’s license. In many cases, the caller becomes hostile and insulting. “This scam has hit taxpayers in nearly every state in the country. We want to educate taxpayers so they can help protect themselves. Rest assured, we do not and will not ask for credit card numbers over the phone, nor request a pre-paid debit card or wire transfer,” says IRS Acting Commissioner Danny Werfel. “If someone unexpectedly calls claiming to be from the IRS and threatens police arrest, deportation or license revocation if you don’t pay immediately, that is a sign that it really isn’t the IRS calling.” Werfel noted that the first IRS contact with taxpayers on a tax issue is likely to occur via mail Other characteristics of this scam include: * Scammers use fake names and IRS badge numbers. They generally use common names and surnames
December 2013
to identify themselves. * Scammers may be able to recite the last four digits of a victim’s Social Security Number. * Scammers spoof the IRS toll-free number on caller ID to make it appear that it’s the IRS calling. * Scammers sometimes send bogus IRS emails to some victims to support their bogus calls. * Victims hear background noise of other calls being conducted to mimic a call site. * After threatening victims with jail time or driver’s license revocation, scammers hang up and others soon call back pretending to be from the local police or DMV, and the caller ID supports their claim. If you get a phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS, here’s what you should do: * If you know you owe taxes or you think you might owe taxes, call the IRS at 800-829-1040. The IRS employees at that line can help you with a payment issue – if there really is such an issue. * If you know you don’t owe taxes or have no reason to think that you owe any taxes (for example, you’ve never received a bill or the caller made some bogus threats as described above), then call and report the incident to the Treasury Inspector General for
Tax Administration at 800-366-4484. * If you’ve been targeted by this scam, you should also contact the Federal Trade Commission and use their “FTC Complaint Assistant” at FTC.gov. Please add “IRS Telephone Scam” to the comments of your complaint. Taxpayers should be aware that there are other unrelated scams (such as a lottery sweepstakes) and solicitations (such as debt relief ) that fraudulently claim to be from the IRS. The IRS encourages taxpayers to be vigilant against phone and email scams that use the IRS as a lure. The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email to request personal or financial information. This includes any type of electronic communication, such as text messages and social media channels. The IRS also does not ask for PINs, passwords or similar confidential access information for credit card, bank or other financial accounts. Recipients should not open any attachments or click on any links contained in the message. Instead, forward the e-mail to phishing@irs.gov. More information on how to report phishing scams involving the IRS is available on the genuine IRS website, IRS.gov. PrimeTime | 17
A GLIMPSE OF RI’S PAST
PEOPLE AND PLACES
h i s t o r y w i t h T e r r y d ’a m ato S p e n c e r
Aerial History In Rhode Island T.F. GREEN BECOMES HILLSGROVE ARMY AIR BASE The year 1939 was one of the most significant ones in the annals of 20th century history in Rhode Island. It was the year of the New York World’s Fair, the publication of John Steinbeck’s “Grapes of Wrath” and the showing of the movie “Gone with the Wind.” On the local scene, a Narragansett Indian, “Tarzan” Brown, won the Boston Marathon in record time; Roger Williams’ statue was unveiled on Prospect Terrace; Rhode Island College was established; and Governor William H. Vanderbilt put an illegal tap on the phone of Pawtucket Mayor Thomas P. McCoy. WORLD WAR IN EUROPE All of this was eclipsed, however, by the grim fact that Adolf Hitler’s troops invaded Poland and World War II became a reality in Europe. Before the war ended, a little over. 92,000 Rhode Island men and women would serve in the armed forces
It’s Coming Real Soon!
and 2,157 would die as a result of the conflict. Any doubts concerning the future of airplanes or their significance in modern warfare were removed during World War II. As can well be imagined, the impact of World War II on aviation in Rhode Island was tremendous. In 1939, while war clouds were already thundering over Europe, the United States government designated two observation squadrons in the country. One was formed in Mississippi and the other in Rhode Island. At that time, Hillsgrove Airport, while still in its early stages, had advanced from a grass landing strip with one hangar built under the federal WPA program, to having concrete runways and a potential for a significant air facility. QUONSET POINT Because of its location on the East Coast, the Ocean State was chosen by the Navy Department as the site for the Northeast
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Naval Air Base. As a result, in 1939, the General Assembly gave the state-owned National Guard camp at Quonset Point to the federal government and this became an important center for war activities. Warwick was no longer suitable as a campground for the Brigade since the area was being plotted and lots were being sold. Quonset, which the state report says is derived from the Indian name “seconiqueonset,” meaning a point, neck or strip of land along deep water, was used by the state militia and National Guard until 1940, when the United States Navy assumed control. NAVY LARGEST EMPLOYER The U.S. Naval Construction Battalion Center at Davisville, adjacent to the air station, was established on Feb. 27, 1942. The impact of the Naval Air Station and Davisville was tremendous; because of these bases, the Navy became Rhode Island’s largest single employer. Throughout the war years and for most of the next three decades, the presence of the U.S. Navy in Rhode Island had a positive effect on the state. The closing of these facilities by the Nixon Administration in 1973 had a drastic effect on Rhode Island’s economy. HILLSGROVE ARMY AIR BASE During the early 1940s, a hanger was constructed at Theodore F. Green State Airport in Hillsgrove to accommodate the 152nd Observation Squadron of the Rhode Island National Guard. By 1942, Governor J. Howard McGrath leased the facility at Hillsgrove to the U.S. Government. The fumy Air Force assumed control of the airport on April l, 1942, and the Theodore F. Green Airport became known as the Hillsgrove Army Air Base. It was at that time operated as an auxiliary of Bradley Field, Conn. THE 152ND OBSERVATION SQUADRON In a 1988 article, “Hillsgrove: Cradle of R.I.’s Air Corps,” William E. Pugh, late editor of the Warwick Beacon, interviewed William Martin of Warwick and Edward Aptt of North Kingstown, two members of the original squadron at Hillsgrove. Martin, according to Pugh, lived near Hillsgrove and often walked to the airport where he took flying lessons at Wiggins Airways. “The cost was $5 an hour. After eight hours, or $40, the young aviators went solo,” Martin said. “A lot of pilots came out of Wiggins Airways. The airplanes were simple. There was a stick, a compass and an altimeter. We flew by the seat of our pants. When the squadron was organized, there were 183 enlisted men and 12 officers. Martin was one of the first to join
and he recalled, ‘There was no problem getting recruits. In fact, we had so many that some had to be turned away.’ The man selected to lead the Rhode Islanders was Capt. Paul L. Smith, who had served in World War I and had actually flown against the Germans over France. Smith was also the first airmail pilot in the state and an advocate of a military airport in Rhode Island. Pugh tells us that a group of fliers known as the Aero Club were the only voices after World War I calling for a military air arm presence in the state.” Many of the planes used for training were of World War I vintage and, with the exception of Capt. Smith; all the pilots had limited training. ROOSTER, NOT A HEN The insignia that was selected for the squadron was a Rhode Island Red Rooster. Aptt and Martin made it clear that it was a rooster and not a hen. Both men recall the “ribbing” the squadron took when servicemen from other parts of the country saw the insignia. During 1939 and part of 1940, the men of the squadrons lived at home and gathered at Hillsgrove for training. Only 15 permanent personnel were assigned to duty at the squadron headquarters at that time. Martin recalled, however, that in 1940 they “ceased being weekend warriors and were inducted into the Army Air Corps.” A mess hall and barracks were built at Hillsgrove in that year and after war was declared, the squadron members were sent to Fort Devens for further orders. Eventually the squadron members were dispersed into other units. “The military did not want so many men from the same state in one location at the same time,” said Aptt. The original 152nd Squadron was redesignated several times and eventually became an aerial reconnaissance squadron that flew missions in Italy during World War II. Eventually, the airport at Hillsgrove became an independent fighter base of the First Army Air Force and a transition-training base to which officers were sent for combat training immediately after graduation from flying school. Before the end of the war, it was also used as a receiving station for fliers to receive additional instruction when returning from overseas duty. The story of the Aerial History of Rhode Island will be continued.
December 2013
senior
b y catherine T erry tayl o r d i re c to r , r i d e p a r t m e n t o f e l d e r l y a f f a i r s
issues
Alzheimer’s State Plan - Moving Forward With Hope Hope. That’s not a word that we usually associate with Alzheimer’s – an incurable, fatal monster of a disease that robs its victims of memory and function and fills us with dread at the very mention. But there is a strong message of hope as Rhode Island moves forward to implement the State Plan on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias. A few weeks ago, Lt. Governor Elizabeth Roberts and I reconvened the group that developed the State Plan, to begin writing a work plan to prioritize our recommendations. As we implement initiatives to increase resources for caregivers, improve care for those with the disease, and support research toward a cure for Alzheimer’s, we also want to spread the word about the effectiveness of prevention. Recently published research suggests that up to half of the cases of Alzheimer’s disease may be linked to risk factors within our control. If you don’t currently suffer from Alzheimer’s, there are steps you can take, right now, to protect your
brain’s health as you age and decrease your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. These include eating a healthy diet, getting and staying active, learning new skills, and maintaining strong connections with family, friends and community. “Practice healthy aging!� urges Dr. Lori Daiello of Rhode Island Hospital. The RI Division of Elderly Affairs piloted a “Brain Health� training developed by the U.S. Administration for Community Living’s Administration on Aging, in partnership with the National Institute on Aging, the National Institute of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A focus group of 70 people older than 60 received information on the basics of healthy aging, normal changes that occur as the brain ages, conditions that can cause abnormal changes in the brain, steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of dementia, and programs and resources on the Internet and in the community that can help improve brain health. Information from these pilot sessions may translate into an eventual brain health
promotion grant program. The Rhode Island Alzheimer’s Prevention Registry is another initiative that offers an opportunity for middle-aged and older adults to help combat Alzheimer’s in a direct and meaningful way. Launched in 2012 by Dr. Brian Ott at the Rhode Island Hospital Alzheimer’s Disease and Memory Disorders Center, the Registry’s goals are: 1) to connect interested people in Rhode Island with researchers and Alzheimer’s prevention studies, and 2) to inform its members of the latest scientific advances in Alzheimer’s research and information on brain health. Members receive a free subscription to the electronic newsletter, Connections, which is a portal to the latest Alzheimer’s news on research advances, prevention updates and clinical trials. Periodically, members receive notices of upcoming research studies for which they may be eligible; however, participation in these studies is entirely voluntary. Many of these important studies need to evaluate up to 30,000 willing people to
fill a 2,000-person trial – which can delay critical research for years if enough people don’t volunteer. Membership is open to Englishspeaking people 45 years and older, with normal memory or mild memory loss. Enrolling is easy: volunteers take some brief memory tests and surveys, and share some basic health and lifestyle information. This evaluation can be done at Rhode Island Hospital, or at home. To learn more about the Registry, contact Kim Bixby at 401-444-0789, or send an email with your contact information to kbixby@lifespan.org. There is hope for Rhode Island families living with Alzheimer’s disease, because leadership throughout our state is invested in improving resources for caregivers and raising standards for dementia care in every possible way. And there is hope for those of us who are uncertain about our own futures. There are steps that we can take right now to reduce our chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease, and to participate in finding a cure.
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PrimeTime | 19
senior
issues
b y C amilla F arrell de ve l o p m e n t d i re c to r , a l z h e i m e r ’s association r ho d e i s l a n d c h a p te r
‘Helpline. How can I help you?’ When the phone rings in the Chapter’s 24-hour Helpline office, each call starts in the same way, despite the fact that Helpline staff rarely has any idea what is waiting on the other end of the phone. The 24-hour Helpline is a 24/7 operation, available 365 days a year, providing a wide array of information, education and support to an even wider array of people in need. The majority of our calls are from family caregivers who are actively involved in the provision of care and support to a person with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. We know that each person with dementia is unique and has different needs as the disease manifests and progresses. The same is true for their caregivers; no two people experience dementia in the same way, and these types of diseases often, if not always, have an emotional aspect to them as well. It is challenging enough to provide appropriate care to someone with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia. When we layer on the additional impact of the emotional
aspects of caring for someone with dementia, things become that much more complicated and in many cases, even more overwhelming. It is difficult to know if the decisions we make are “right” or best for the person with the disease, or even ourselves. Professionals also call the Helpline. This includes professional caregivers, such as home health aides, personal care workers, and staff in long-term care facilities, such as certified nursing assistants (CNAs). Professional callers also include social workers, doctors, nurses, and others whose work puts them in direct contact with people living with dementia and their caregivers. Social workers, doctors and nurses often call seeking information about resources available through the Chapter and in the community for those affected by Alzheimer’s disease, as well as for assistance in advocating for their clients or patients. Regardless of who is on the other end of the phone, the Chapter’s professionally
trained Helpline team of staff and volunteers is prepared to address the myriad needs of our callers. Marge Angilly, program director, oversees the Helpline and fields many of the calls herself, but she also has a dedicated group of staff and volunteers to assist with the Helpline. The Chapter’s 24hour Helpline is a vital resource for the Alzheimer’s community of Rhode Island. Whether you need information and referrals, emotional support, or anything in between, we are here for you, around the clock, each and every day. You are never alone on your journey. We are having a Caregiver’s Journey Conference on March 27, 2014 at the Crown Plaza Hotel Warwick, free for family caregivers. Call 1-800-272-3900 or visit www.alz.org/ri. SUPPORT GROUPS DEFINED Structure and substance are usually the key differentiators between Alzheimer’s cafes and traditional support groups. Unlike the more informal Alzheimer’s
cafes, support groups typically have health care professionals as facilitators and sessions focus on particular topics. They are more discussion- than activity-oriented. For people affected by Alzheimer’s disease, various models of support groups exist that aim to meet different needs, according to Robyn Yale, LCSW, a San Francisco-based clinical social worker and independent consultant. In contrast to cafes that welcome both caregivers and individuals with the disease, it is uncommon to find support groups that combine both segments, she noted. Rather, most support groups serve a particular subgroup of people affected by the disease, primarily spouses or adult children. Yale pioneered support groups for people with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. While Alzheimer’s cafes and support groups may function differently, Yale noted an important similarity. “Both kinds of programs create environments in which people feel more comfortable and accepted,” she said.
Saint Elizabeth Manor Just like family n Long-term care n Short-term rehab n Specialized care for dementia n Hospice care
Saint Elizabeth Manor
For more details, call Kathy Parker, Director of Admissions at
401.253.2300 20 | PrimeTime
Member Saint Elizabeth Community
One Dawn Hill Road, Bristol, RI
www.facebook.com/SaintElizabethCommunity www.stelizabethcommunity.org A CareLink Partner and non-profit, nonsectarian 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
December 2013
‘tis
clever ways to give
Gift Cards
G i ft
C
ard one s o f the m are top-r ost equ of th ested ite m e sea son
Gift cards are a staple of the holiday season. Often a go-to gift when other options just do not seem to suffice. Gift cards can make ideal gifts because they are chosen with the recipients’ likes and tastes in mind. Today’s gift cards are better than those a few years ago, which typically came with expiration dates and onerous fees. E-gift cards, which can be purchased and redeemed online, are among the most convenient of all gift cards. Although gift cards have many positive attributes, it’s difficult to overlook that gift cards are viewed as a safe gift lacking in originality. But the National Retail Federation notes that in 2011, 57.7 percent of survey respondents said they would prefer to get a gift card that year. Still, giving a gift card can remove some of the excitement of unwrapping a mystery gift. By employing a few creative tips, gift cards can be fun and unique.
Gift Card criteria –
Usable Dollar Amount – The recipient shouldn’t have to use their own money in order to redeem a gift card to cover a decent purchase. Put a dollar amount on the gift card that can be easily used. A $10 iTunes gift card is good, but a $10 clothing store gift card might be hard to redeem. Easily Accessible – Ideal gift cards can be redeemed in a store or restaurant close to home or get a gift card that can be used online or one that can be used anywhere. You don’t want to gift a gift card to a restaurant that is 200 miles away.
the
season
Scavenger hunt – Have the gift recipient work a little in a clever way for the gift. Plant clues around the house that will gradually lead to the hiding spot where the gift card is stashed. Clues can include witty poetic verses or tie into recipients’ personal interests. Nesting boxes – Another way to present a gift card is to hide it inside of a box that looks like any other gift. However, once the person unwraps the gift, he or she will discover another wrapped box inside. This prank can be repeated over and over as many times as desired until the gift card is unearthed. Gift basket – A gift card can be ensconced with other trinkets and tied into a theme. For example, a gift card for a spa massage may be complemented by lotions, massage oil and a terry-cloth robe. These items can all be packaged together in a decorative basket to make the entire gift eye-catching and appealing. Themed wrapping – Place the gift card inside of an item that epitomizes the gift. A card for a bookstore can be nestled inside of the pages of a classic book. A gift card to a hair salon can be attached to the end of a hairbrush. For those gifting to a favorite coffee shop, place the gift card inside of an empty coffee mug. Shopping savvy – Offering a gift card as a present is entitling the recipient to a day of shopping. Wrap the card with a reusable shopping tote so that he or she can carry purchases inside. You can monogram the bag with initials or even decorate it. Otherwise, purchase a new wallet and place the gift card inside. Wrap the wallet and encourage the recipient to go on a spree. Special delivery – For a creative spin, work with a retailer that offers home delivery service. Ask to have the gift card attached inside of a pizza box or nestled in a bouquet of flowers. When the recipient receives the delivery, they will be surprised by the added gift.
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December 2013
PrimeTime | 21
b y pete f o ntaine
people
and
places
They’ve come a long way at The Highlands The sounds of Connie Giso playing piano echoed through a first-floor at The Highlands on Providence’s East Side during a recent Open House showcasing the completion of an extensive renovation project Guests sampled Executive Chef Richard Pellerin’s “autumn delights,” that ranged from gourmet grilled pizza to Caesar salad to pumpkin bisque, as well as sangria and five festive autumn beers. “This is an assisted living facility?” a man dressed in business attire asked Karen Van Gordon, the marketing director People who attended a special party entitled at The Highlands. That was the consen- “We’ve come a long way baby!” at The Highlands sus of business leaders, professional peo- enjoyed everything from Executive Chef Richard ple, invited guests and family members Pellerin’s autumn delights to music by pianists living at The Highlands, located at 101 Connie Giso to Brian Mullaney. Highland Avenue in Providence. The Highlands was purchased by Hallkeen Management Company in April, 2012. “The company started massive renovations last June,” Valerie J. Houshar, executive director at The Highlands. “We opened our doors the later part of Dec. 2012 started moving people in soon thereafter. Our function tonight was to show people how far we’ve come,” said Houshar. “We wanted to invite people back after our grand opening to show them how alive we are and to see the energy this building has.”
22 | PrimeTime
Valerie J. Houshar (standing center), the Executive Director at The Highlands on the East Side, joins residents inside the Reflections secured living dining room during the recent party that showcased completion of the massive renovation project of the 71-apartment assisted living-memory care facility in Providence. (Prime Time photos by Pete Fontaine) Among the many businesses that were represented at The Highlands re-grand opening party was Alert Ambulance, Inc. Ted Moss (left), the firm’s vice president of marketing/development and President John Carroll (right) joins the assisted living-memory care Executive Director Valerie Houshar (center) as pianist Connie Giso entertains residents.
December 2013
And the winner is... Special-edition game benefits Hasbro Children’s Hospital and honors its 20th anniversary In honor of Hasbro C h i l d r e n’s H o s p i t a l ’s 20th anniversary in February 2014, and through the generosity of Hasbro, Inc., a special-edition Rhode Island MONOPOLY game is being introduced, and thousands of people throughout Rhode Island have voted to select the sixth and final game token. The winning token will be the iconic The Breakers Mansion in Newport. The Breakers is a Vanderbilt mansion located on Ochre Point Avenue in Newport. It is a national historic landmark and is owned and operated by the Preservation Society of Newport County. While other states have limited-edition MONOPOLY games of their
calendar URI Annual Holiday Mini Mall Dec 4-5, 2013, 10AM-5PM More than thirty-five specialty retailers. Free. URI Memorial Union Ballroom 50 Lower College Rd., Kingston Saint Antoine Community Christmas Tree Jubilee Dec 6-7, 2013 2:00 PM. More than thirty beautifully decorated Christmas trees will be on display inside a heated tent. Sip our Villa’s Hot Cocoa Special Recipe while shopping for unique gifts made by the Villa residents. 10 Rhodes Ave., North Smithfield, RI 13th Annual Designer Wreath and Gourmet Bake Sale Dec 7, 2013, 9AM-12PM Start your holiday decorating and feasting while also supporting Lucy’s Hearth and the homeless women and children who benefit from the programs and services provided. Easton’s Beach Rotunda, 175 Memorial Blvd., Newport
own, Rhode Island is the first state where the public was invited to select a game token. The 14 contenders chosen were The Breakers, the Newport Pell Bridge, the State House, the Superman Building, WaterFire, the Towers in Narragansett, Haven Brothers, the State Seal “Hope,” The Independent Man, a Quahog, Mr. Potato Head, a Sailboat, Roger Williams, and the Block Island Lighthouse. The token representing The Breakers will be about one inch tall. The games will be available starting with a December pre-sale for the holidays online, with the games available in late February at the hospital gift shop, select Dunkin’ Donuts locations, and other select retail locations. Games will retail for $35.
of
events
Linden Place Museum Holiday Program Saturday, December 14, 2PM. Actor and Master Storyteller Robb Dimmick reading Dylan Thomas’ “A Child’s Christmas in Wales” and Truman Capote’s “A Christmas Memory.” $12 adults, $5 children and includes admission to tour the festively decorated Linden Place Mansion. 500 Hope Street, Bristol Christmas Craft Fair Dec 14-15, 2013, 10AM-4PM Fundraiser for Hasbro Children’s Hospital. Free. Knights of Columbus, 7 Valley Rd., Middletown The Providence Flea Goes Indoors! Saturdays, Dec. 8-5, 2013, 10AM-4PM. An upscale urban flea market with vintage finds, art, fashion, local crafts, curiosities and more. Hope High School, 324 Hope St., (rear entrance) Providence
Festival Fete’s Holiday Market Sunday’s, Dec 8-22, 2013, 10AM The festival will include more than 150 contemporary American art and craft artisans. Cost Adults $5, children free. Rhodes on the Pawtuxet, 60 Rhodes Pl., Cranston
December 2013
PrimeTime | 23
food
and
drink
H
oliday entertaining is all about making memories for family and friends, creating new traditions and revisiting those you look forward to year after year. Even the busiest person can host a holiday gathering to remember — with a little help from life and style expert Sandra Lee. As a television host and best-selling author of several cooking and entertaining books, Lee offers a time-saving, “Semi-Homemade” approach. Lee’s formula of 70 percent readymade items and 30 percent custom touches makes holiday entertaining eminently doable, from elegant tablescapes to signature drinks, do-ahead main dishes and celebratory desserts. To keep the holidays spirited, festive champagne cocktails are as easy as pouring bubbly into cranberry juice — don’t forget that swizzle stick of fresh cranberries! Your holiday ham can look especially appetizing with an easy, stir-together marmalade glaze. A crown roast is perfectly adorned with a special savory sourdough and sweet Italian sausage stuffing. Store-bought angel food cakes can be customized for Hanukkah or a Nutcracker themed party with prepared frosting, food coloring, flavored extracts and seasonal decorations.
Crown Roast With Sourdough Dressing Servings: 10 to 12 Prep Time: 30 minutes / Baking Time: 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours Crown Roast 5 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 1 packet (1.2-ounce) green peppercorn marinade mix 1 packet (1-ounce) zesty herb seasoning mix 1 pork crown roast (7- to 8-pound) Sourdough Dressing 1/2 pound Johnsonville Italian sausage 1 packet (0.9-ounce) onion mushroom soup mix 1 can (16-ounce) fat-free, low-sodium chicken broth 1 can (10-ounce) condensed golden mushroom soup 6 cups sourdough croutons 1/3 cup chopped, fresh Italian parsley leaves 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried marjoram Salt and pepper 1. Preheat oven to 325°F. 2. For crown roast, in shallow roasting pan, combine Worcestershire sauce, green peppercorn marinade mix and herb seasoning mix.
Place crown roast, bone ends up, in pan. Wrap bone ends with aluminum foil to prevent browning too quickly. Using pastry brush or spoon, coat entire meat surface with sauce mixture. Transfer pan to oven and roast, uncovered, 20 to 25 minutes per pound of meat (2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours). 3. For sourdough dressing, in large nonstick skillet over medium heat, brown sausages. Add soup mix, broth and soup. Stir in croutons, parsley, thyme and marjoram. Season to taste with salt and pepper. 4. Remove roast from oven about 45 minutes before it is done. Fill cavity with sourdough dressing. Return roast to oven and cook remaining 45 minutes. Transfer roast to platter and remove foil from bone ends. Tip: Bake any extra stuffing in a separate dish alongside roast for remaining 45 minutes.
Holiday Champagne Servings: 1
1 part champagne, chilled 1 part cranberry juice, chilled Fresh cranberries, for garnish
Bourbon Honey-Glazed Ham Servings: 10 to 12 Prep Time: 15 minutes Cooking Time: 1 hour Stand Time: 20 minutes
24 | PrimeTime
1 cup clover honey 2/3 cup bourbon or other whiskey 1/2 cup orange marmalade (100% fruit) 1/3 cup molasses 1 whole (5-pound) bone-in smoked ham, fully cooked 1/8 cup whole cloves 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. 2. In medium saucepan over low heat, heat honey, bourbon, marmalade and molasses 15 minutes or until reduced by half, stirring occasionally. Set aside. 3. With sharp knife, cut diamond pattern into fatty part of ham. Stud whole cloves in center of each diamond. Spread half of bourbon glaze over ham. Roast, uncovered, 30 minutes. Baste occasionally with remaining glaze and continue to roast another 15 minutes. Let ham stand 20 minutes before slicing. Tip: When measuring honey and molasses, spray measuring cup with nonstick cooking spray to easily remove from cup.
December 2013
lifestyles
wHAT DO YOU FINK? by MIKE FINK
The Golden Age Radio Spirits has produced a box of CDs to celebrate the centennial of Norman Corwin’s high-minded broadcasts, and I purchased the package. I listen en route to my school office to the splendid and superb programs of the dramatic golden age of classic airwaves journalism. One week after Dec. 7, 1941, Corwin gathered the stars of Hollywood and of Washington, D.C. and saluted the Bill of Rights! December 15 was the 150th birthday of the bill, and Corwin and company created this commemoration and dedication of this urgent message to the people of the U.S.A. from coast to coast and among the American islands of the world beyond our seacoasts. I listened, rapt, to the familiar voices of Lionel Barrymore, cranky and upper-class, the desperate, breathlessly idealistic piping of James Stewart, already in uniform, the movie-character twangs of Marjorie Main and Walter Brennan, the speeches of Walter Huston, who later topped the Hit Parade with his September Song, the angry rhetoric of Edward G. Robinson, and finally the fireside chatting confidence, but charged with depth and sincerity, of the diatribe against Hitler and all he stood for by none other than the president himself, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, speaking from the White House. He was spelling out the implications for the present and the future of our Bill of Rights in the dark December of the start of a terrible wartime world with all its uncertainty about the outcome and the sacrifice. Well, at first I was on the brink of embarrassment about the unashamed propaganda, patriotism and sentimental melodrama of this talk-show, but very soon my response took a turn and shortly thereafter I was deeply moved, to the point of tears, by the power of the performances and the journey into another December, long ago but within my childhood experience. I am a person always interested in finding meaning hidden in my lifetime, a direction, and a redemption. I recall the war as a time of some sort of pride in being a Rhode Islander, and the nephew and cousin of soldiers, sailors and airmen far off in the theatres of war. It was not so much frightening as it was oddly reassuring, somehow, to know that we were heroic and spiritual, and that I was part of a
December 2013
community of belief and of devotion. Made me feel secure, rather than fearful. I have also been purchasing endless boxes (difficult to unwrap, and, for me, hard to get going on the automobile tape decks) of the songs of the era, of the entire decade of the ’40s, through to the post-war period. My favorite discs are the collected works of the Ink Spots. They articulated the lyrics of the romantic wartime ballads, but they also lightly mocked them. The tenor eloquently and seriously sang the notes, and the baritone repeated the words but with ironic little phrases that brought me back to grounded grown-up reality. I know it all and remember everything, and all the details of my boyhood responses flood back as I steer my little coffee-colored car to its familiar parking space. Nevertheless, December, my birth month, is also a month marked by
melancholy and wild hopes for a better world. Not bad for the gift-giving moon: We were given the present of Hope, of Liberty, of Courage, and of Norman Corwin’s transcendence of the commercial possibility of the invention of the talking box, into something like a temple, a miniature church, defying the horrors of bloodshed and cynicism, authoritarianism and despair. I’ll have a valuable winter ahead as I figure out how to take in all the wealth of these re-mastered tapes, the buried treasure of our golden past.
We’re looking for new members . . .
Korean War Veterans Korean Service Veterans Meetings held 2nd Wednesday of every Month Chepachet Senior Center, Rte. 44
1210 Putnam Pike, Chepachet
Call Frank 231-3736 or Gil 831-3301 For More Information KWVA – Chapter 3
PrimeTime | 25
CLUES ACROSS 1. Binder 5. Move up and down 11. Wild sheep of northern Africa 12. Annoys 16. An upward movement 17. Ducktail 18. Town in central Minnesota 19. Philatelist’s delight 24. Carrier’s invention 25. Foreign travellers 26. Aurochs 27. Batter advanced score 28. Show the way 29. Steep rugged mass of rock 30. Valley 31. Digital data device 33. Insert mark 34. Breakout 38. Dissention from dogma 39. Kuhil and clown fish 40. Unconsciousness 43. Czech River 44. Johann Sebastian 45. Flows to the Danube at Belgrade 49. World data organization (abbr.) 50. Comedian Sahl 51. Porch furniture wood 53. Potato state 54. American Pickers 56. Yellow-fever mosquitos 58. Edison’s company 59. Axis and offshoot angle 60. Standard 63. Blame (Scottish) 64. Esoteric 65. Pronounces CLUES DOWN 1. Any wrist bone 2. Baltimore bird 3. Czar’s nation
26 | PrimeTime
4. Regulated food 5. Space next to someone 6. Expunction 7. Trauma center 8. Spanish yes 9. Matters 10. Twist out of shape 13. Toward 14. Renders able for a task 15. An extended social group 20. Article 21. GMA anchor’s initials 22. Streetcar 23. Summer month (abbr.) 27. Not widely distributed 29. Plays great music 30. Female 1776 descendants 31. Speed gauge ratio 32. Old English 33. After B 34. Expressing sorrow 35. More hearty, firmer 36. Taxis 37. Single pip card 38. 50th state 40. A source of worry 41. Eight sided 42. Highest military valor award (abbr.) 44. Former Harvard Pres. Derek 45. Drinking tubes 46. Loss of coordination 47. Self-love 48. Talus joints 50. Accumulator 51. Rural delivery 52. Lady Soul’s initials 54. Prefix indicating abstraction 55. Hawaiian goose 57. Prince William’s mom, Lady __ 61. Aid organization (abbr.) 62. Farm state
December 2013
December 2013
PrimeTime | 27
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BMDS-13793 09/13 December 2013