M
onday through Friday, I work 9 to 5 and then some. Add in Council meetings, State House hearings and other late night newspaper delights, and there are days when I don’t eat dinner until 10 p.m. or later. On Sunday, I’m up relatively early and off to my parents’ house to spend the day with my family. That leaves Saturday. When you factor in the laundry, grocery shopping, lunch dates and errands that have been put off the rest of the week, that one day of freedom goes by pretty quick. Why am I telling you this? Because before I scold everyone, I want to say up front that I’m perhaps more guilty than anyone. My point is that when you’re busy trudging through the day to day, you forget to take time to do the things that matter. I really don’t want to pull out a cliché here and tell you to stop and smell the roses, but once you’ve read this issue, you’ll realize that it’s a pretty appropriate adage. Rhode Island gets a bad rap when it comes to the economy, politics, and a host of other issues. It’s sometimes deserved, but in the process, we overlook one of our undeniable strengths: our natural resources. We’re called the Ocean State for a reason. We have some of the best coastline in the country; never mind some of the natural gems once you get inland (or as inland as you can get in a water-rich state). In this issue of PrimeTime, we’ve tried to highlight some of the places that make Rhode Island a state worth living in and a state worth exploring. May 2011 1944 Warwick Ave. If you want to stay close to the shore, folWarwick, RI 02889 low Jim Greer’s example and try your hand at 401-732-3100 FAX 401-732-3110 kayaking. He has plenty of advice for the novice Distribution Special Delivery kayaker, as do the experts at the Kayak Centre. With their guidance, you can find out what kind PUBLISHERS of vessel you’ll need for your first sail. Barry W. Fain, Richard G. Fleischer, You can also take to the seas from a sailboat, John Howell a hobby that Bob and Gail Johnston know a lot EDITOR about. It’s what they’re doing every weekend, Meg Fraser and with retirement close on the horizon they’re megf@rhodybeat.com looking forward to spending even more time on the open water. MARKETING DIRECTOR Want to explore the state’s greenways? Get to Donna Zarrella donnaz@rhodybeat.com know the lay of the land with the Rhode Island Wild Plant Society, jump into the geocaching Creative Director game or hop on a bike. With more than 40 years Linda Nadeau experience in biking, the owners of East Provilindan@rhodybeat.com dence Cycle are a good resource to start with. photo editor If you’re the type of person who wants their Darcie DiSaia feet planted on solid ground, we caught up darcied@rhodybeat.com with the Appalachian Mountain Club for a list of some of the state’s best hiking destinations. WRITERS When you’ve worked up an appetite, check out Susan Contreras, Don Fowler, Don D’Amato, Joan Retsinas, Colby Cremins, Mike Fink, Meg our list of picnic sites that will reward all your Chevalier, Cynthia Glinick, Joe Kernan, Kerry Park hard work. You might not be up for a workout every ADVERTISING week, but make a to-do list of the beaches, trails REPRESENTATIVES and parks you want to visit and challenge yourDonna Zarrella – donnaz@rhodybeat.com self to see them all while the spring is still here Cindy Mansolillo – cindym@rhodybeat.com and before summer gets too hot. No more exCarolann Soder, Lisa Mardenli, Janice Torilli, cuses. We’ll do it together. Suzanne Wendoloski, Gina Fugere
Pr i m e Ti m e
Classified ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Sue Howarth – sueh@rhodybeat.com Cindy Mansolillo – cindym@rhodybeat.com PRODUCTION STAFF Matt Bower, Joseph Daniels, 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.
Happy trails!
Meg Fraser editor
nextmonth
Once you’re done seeing Rhode Island, pack your bags for the June travel issue of PrimeTime!
o n t h e c ove r Dr. Jim Greer of Cranston (photo by Darcie DiSaia)
inthisissue
4 one with the water
Dr. Jim Greer finds peace in Narragansett Bay and beyond
5 the kayak experts The Kayak Centre helps newcomers navigate the state’s waterways
7 hitting
8 back on the bike
Appalachian Mountain Club shares the best hiking spots
It’s never too late to rekindle this pastime
9 where to ride where to buy...
Get the bike that works for you and test-drive it around R.I.
11 wild garden
The RI Wild Plant Society cultivates a love of native plants
the trail
10 pack a lunch
Pile the family in the car and try fine dining outdoors
12 lessons from the top
Dr. Tim Warren shares stories from the world’s highest peak
13 anchors aweigh
Bob and Gail Johnston share a love of sailing and each other
15 X marks the spot
Geocaching brings new life to treasure hunts
16 join the movement
Get involved in preserving and appreciating our natural resources LIFESTYLES What do you Fink?.......................................................................14 Gay & Gray.......................................................................................31 That’s Entertainment..................................................................33 FOOD & DRINK In the kitchen.................................................................................18 Mix it up............................................................................................32 PEOPLE & PLACES Doer’s profile..................................................................................21 Decades of Harmony.................................................................23 Glimpse of RI’s past.....................................................................28 SENIOR ISSUES Director’s column........................................................................29 Weighing in on Chafee budget...........................................35