PrimeTime - July 2016

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J u ly 2 0 1 6

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DOGS

and

cats!

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July 2016

Pr i m e Ti m e July 2016 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 MARKETING DIRECTOR Donna Zarrella donnaz@rhodybeat.com Editor/ Creative Director Linda Nadeau lindan@rhodybeat.com WRITERS Diane Nahabedian, Kelcy Dolan, Don Fowler, John Howell, Elaine M. Decker, Michelle LaFrance, Larry Grimaldi, Mike Fink, Michelle Lee Parenteau ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Donna Zarrella – donnaz@rhodybeat.com Jeff Smith, Lisa Mardenli, Janice Torilli, Suzanne Wendoloski, 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.

inthisissue

all about pets!

4

On the Road

6

To The Rescue

6

Tips for traveling with your furry friend

Welcoming a shelter dog home

Pets and Social Media

Feline Fun

9

Senior Care

Larry Grimaldi...........................................7 What Do You Fink...............................17 That’s Entertainment........................18

Professional Perspective

Eye on Design.......................................16 Your Taxes................................................21

Social Star

8

LIFESTYLES

people & places

Benny’s Voice of Reason.................16

Elaine Decker shares the joys of living with senior cats

Senior issues Alzheimer’s Association.......15

Caring for senior kitties

10 Super Dogs

Always Adopt super event finds homes for pups

13 Canine Catwalk

Little Rhodie Bully Breed Club’s first ever Canine Runway Show

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.

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Michelle Lee Parenteau, of Michelle Lee Designs and her dog Lola.

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July 2016

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b y diane s . nahabedian

all

about

pets

Traveling With Your Pet In the fall of 2008 my husband, our son (who was 14 years old at the time), and I had an opportunity to explore Paris, France. We strolled through the streets, admiring the dozens of outdoor cafes, the little shops, the glorious museums, the awe-inspiring monuments, all the while soaking up the atmosphere that is Paris. At one point we all stopped and gawked at a well dressed woman sitting at a table having a glass of wine with her dachshund. Neither the woman nor the dog noticed us. The dog was well behaved, as he sat in the chair opposite the woman, slowly licking at the bowl of wine, staring around with big eyes at the world that seemed to him to be his own personal playground. The waiter acted as if nothing was out of the ordinary. To three Americans a dog sitting at the dinner table sharing a meal and a glass of wine was an extraordinary sight to see. While we had taken our basset hound on road trips, she never joined us at the dinner table, and, as far as I know she never enjoyed a glass of wine either.

However, much has changed since 2008. Today, we not only welcome dogs in some restaurants, but millions of people are traveling with pets. Most likely in today’s world nobody is gawking at the numerous dogs, cats, birds, and/or other pets who board trains and planes, get in the car, or even sit in the front basket of a bike.

Traveling with the beloved family pet can be a rewarding and fun experience if all the details of the trip are planned in advance. As the plans for a summer vacation or quick get-away are formulated and the decision on the pros and cons of traveling with a pet are decided there is plenty of readily available information to help decide if taking Fido or Mimi on vacation is a good idea. There are also sites to help a human traveler explore kennels, pet spas or find a pet sitter.

As soon as the spot for a vacation is decided, and thoughts of bringing the family pet are considered, the future tourist might want do some research to make sure everyone understands the extra planning that goes into traveling with an animal. As a starting point contact the nearest AAA office as well as the nearest location of the Humane Society of the United States for information on best practices for traveling with a pet. In addition to the AAA’s (aaa.com) comprehensive assortment of tour books and maps, the organization publishes a thorough guide, Traveling with Your Pet, The AAA PetBook that provides information on more than 15,000 pet-friendly AAA approved hotels, restaurants and campgrounds. The Humane Society of the United States (humanesociety.org) has numerous helpful tips and suggestions on their website that state all the best practices for keeping your pet safe, whether you are going to the mall, or traveling cross country or overseas. They also list recommendations regarding the proper ways to keep pets safe on trains, planes, ships and in the car.

Carl G. Richardson, CTC, director, travel operations at the AAA Northeast says, “Do some research before you take your pet with you on vacation. For example, theme parks in general do not allow pets. Many theme parks require you to put your pet in a kennel at the park while you enjoy the day. Often

that is an added cost. We are celebrating the 100th anniversary of our National Parks, and many families are heading to one or more of the parks this summer. If you are thinking of a trip to one of the parks check out the rules for pets because it may vary by park. The impact a dog might have with wildlife while in a park is big factor. Bears and wolves in Yellowstone consider dogs threats. On the flip side dogs may harass other wildlife in other parks. So research each park separately.”

Richardson also says that while there are many hotels that will accept pets, it is always best to check pet policies before you book a room. “Often,” says Richardson, “there are extra fees for dogs and cats. Some hotels may have a pound limit and will allow only small to medium size animals. Other establishments will want a non-refundable deposit. Most hotels won’t allow the guest to leave a pet in a room unattended. So before you get to a hotel and find out it cannot accommodate a pet, call ahead.”

What is the best way to travel with a pet? Joanne Bourbeau, northeastern regional director for the Humane Society of the United States says, “Understand your pet’s needs. I was recently traveling (by plane),” continues Bourbeau, “and sat next to a woman who had a small dog in a soft carrier that she put under the seat in front of her. The dog kept her eyes on her owner throughout the whole trip. I don’t know what that dog would have done if she had been in the cargo hold or away from the owner.” Bourbeau recommends calling or researching the airline before booking a spot for a pet. “If you decide to fly with your pet, it’s always best to have them in the cabin with you when possible. While most animals flown in the cargo area of airplanes are fine, some animals are killed, injured or lost on commercial flights each year. Excessively hot or cold temperatures, poor ventilation and rough handling are often to blame,” says Bourbeau. “If you must put your pet in the cargo hold, let the captain and flight attendant know.”

Of course, every animal is different. Some, according to Bourbeau, love boarding kennels. They are social, and like being with other dogs or cats. There are numerous kennels or animal Websites for more information “spas” that will take good care AAA - aaa.com of a pet while Traveling with Your Pet, an owner is The AAA PetBook - available at AAA offices away. “The best thing,” Bourbeau recomrover.com - A site to help find dog sitters mends, “is to anywhere in the United States research all the options includwww.humanesociety.org ing the travel acHumane Society of the United States – search ‘travel’ commodations, for helpful tips while traveling with your pet transportation, kennels as well www.pettravel.com/airline_rules.cfm as pet sitters as check out general rules for airlines when traveling you are making with a pet on this helpful site travel plans, and then choose the option that is Read the article by Brook Niemeyer best for you and Going Away? What It Costs To Fly Your Pet your pet.” http://www.marketwatch.com/story/goingJill Dorval away-what-it-costs-to-fly-your-pet-2016-05Winitzer, owner 25?siteid=rss&rss=1 of Blue Heron Studios, is the proud “mother” of two labrador

Plan Wisely Before You Go | PrimeTime

July 2016

Traveling Labs Emma and Brady retrievers, Emma age 10; and Brady age 8. Winitzer and her husband Kenny are avid hikers, and go away a great deal throughout the spring, summer and fall. “I usually have a pet sitter watch Emma and Brady,” says Winitzer. “When we can take the dogs with us we have to find lodging that allows us to leave the dogs either in the house or outside while we are out hiking. Or, we hire a pet walker that comes to the lodging during the day. Many times it is best for all of us if we have a pet sitter, and Emma and Brady stay at home.”

Winitzer relied on a friend’s daughter for a number of years. The young woman graduated from college, and is now very busy with a new career. So, Winitzer is doing what both Richardson and Bourbeau recommend - researching new options for pet sitters. Winitzer asks friends for recommendations, and also is doing some research on rover.com - a site that matches pets with sitters close by.

Winitzer had a pet parrot for over 20 years. “When we would go away we sometimes had our pet sitter come in two or three times a day to chat with Alex the parrot and feed him.” Other times Jill would take Alex’s cage, toys, food, etc to a local kennel and set up the cage in the kennel’s reception area. “Alex mostly enjoyed that,” says Winitzer.

For those traveling by RV or other camper, taking a pet is somewhat easier. Of course, check with the camp ground to make sure they allow pets.

Whether traveling by car, plane, train or ship there are rules that apply to each mode of transportation required to keep pets safe.

There are four different ways a pet may travel by plane. A service or comfort animal will stay with their person in the cabin on most airlines. Non-service pets may travel in the cabin, but must fly with an adult passenger. Pets must travel in an airline compliant carrier that can be stowed under the seat. Pets traveling with a passenger that are not permitted in the cabin can be transported as checked baggage in the cargo hold. Finally an unaccompanied or very large pet may travel as manifest cargo in the hold.

A luxury cruise may not be the place for a pet. With the exception of service animals many cruise lines do not allow pets. Some may have a kennel, but generally pets are not allowed.

According to both AAA and the Humane Society of the United States, Amtrak now allows some pets on select trains and service animals are allowed on all lines.

Some smaller U.S. railroad companies may permit animals on board. Many trains in European countries allow pets. Generally, it’s the passengers’ responsibility to feed and exercise their pets at station stops.

A road trip may be a great option for everyone, including the pet. There are some recommendations for this type of travel. Joanne Bourbeau emphasizes that pets should NEVER be left in a car alone. Even if the pet owner leaves the car window down a bit, the temperature inside a car is still too hot during the warmer months for any pet to tolerate. Additionally, animals should not roam freely in the car, but be in a crate that is secured with a seat belt. A crated animal will also not interfere with the driver keeping everyone safe. Never let a pet stick its head out the window. Make sure everyone gets plenty of rest stops and the pet is always on a lease when out of the car.

Summer certainly is a great time to travel whether for a few weeks or just a day trip. For many leaving the family pet behind in a safe kennel is a good option. For July 2016

others, taking the pet makes the vacation a much more satisfying event. Whatever the choice, research all the options so when you do go away you and your family are comfortable with the decision, and your pet is safe and happy.

Bon Voyage!

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PrimeTime |

Pets and Social Media Animals garner increased online attention

Welcoming a Shelter Dog

(Family Features) Animal shelters are full of lovable dogs of all breeds, sizes and ages deserving of a good home and ready to become your next four-legged family member. In fact, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, millions of dogs are adopted into new families each year.

However, choosing the right dog is just the beginning. The first weeks after bringing home an adopted pet are critical. It’s a time to get to know one another and build a lifelong connection. Here are some steps to help ease the transition: Create a pet-friendly environment. Keep items that are unsafe, such as chemicals and certain house plants, out of reach. Cords and objects that invite chewing also should be tucked away. If certain areas will be off limits, use baby gates to block them.

Expect accidents. While house training a puppy is to be expected, you may find that an older dog needs help in this area as well. The stress of transitioning into a new household can lead to accidents, so keep this in mind and be sure to provide your new pet with lots of potty breaks, patience and instruction.

Start with smart nutrition. Providing your new dog with a high-quality diet from the beginning can contribute to a lifetime of whole body health. Chose a complete, balanced food with real meat as the first ingredient so that you can be confident you’re giving them the best nutrition available.

Introduce a schedule. Providing dogs with a consistent routine right off the bat can help ease their stress during the transition. Set a schedule for walks, feeding time and training so he can settle into a routine that feels a bit more familiar.

Approach training with patience. Without knowing how your pet was trained, it can be difficult to predict how he will respond in his new environment. For example, he may be used to receiving treats for good behavior, while you prefer to reward with praise. Plan to be flexible, and soon you’ll come to a shared understanding.

Emmy-nominated actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson, (pictured at right) a dog lover and rescue advocate, put these tips into practice after adopting his dog, Fennel. The television star partnered with Purina ONE to promote its ONE Difference campaign last year, which celebrated those making a positive difference in the life of shelter dogs, and he ended up finding a forever friend in the process. The Cockapoo mix joined Ferguson’s Maltese-Yorkie mix, Leaf.

“I’m happy to work on the ONE Difference campaign because I think it’s a great way to recognize the people out there who are dedicated to making a positive difference for dogs, whether it’s volunteering at a shelter or adopting a shelter dog,” said Ferguson. “With the help of Purina ONE and Petfinder, we found a wonderful companion and playmate for Leaf, and have noticed a huge change in both dog’s energy levels and general health since starting them on Purina ONE.” The brand is inviting dog owners everywhere to help support pets in need by taking the Purina ONE 28 Day Challenge. Go to www.purinaone.com/28-day-challenge to sign up.

| PrimeTime

(Family Features) From dogs and cats filling up social media feeds - some even with their own profiles - to true pet celebrities who command the attention of millions, animals have become a major part of the digital landscape.

With this in mind, Mars Petcare conducted a survey to learn more about people’s social media habits when it comes to animals. Here are some of the top findings.

All Animals, All the Time

About 65 percent of pet owners post about their furry friends on social media an average of two times per week. One in six said they’ve created a social media profile specifically for their pet - and half of those pet owners say their pets get more social attention than they do online. One third said they post about their pets as much, and as often, as they do about their human family and 13 percent admitted to posting about their pets even more than they do their human relatives.

Pet Love Trumps Personal Vanity

More than half of pet owners polled care more about getting “likes” and/or comments for their petrelated posts than they do for most other topics, including changes to their own profile picture. Whichever way you throw the ball, pet posts matter most.

Call Them the “Paw-Purratzi”

Thirty percent of pet owners follow famous animals on social media. The bottom line is people love pets, whether it’s their own or one with real rock star status, and love sharing their stories with the world.

The survey underscores what was already known: Pets have become an integral part of people’s lives and pop culture.

To learn more about how to make a Better World for Pets(r), visit facebook.com/ABetterWorldforPets.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

July 2016

lifestyles b y L arry G rimaldi

Lazy Hazy Crazy Days Of Past Summers Sitting under the patio umbrella sipping an ice coffee is a great way to spend a July afternoon. Once in a while, a breeze comes up and carries with it the memories of summers past, summers as a kid growing up in South Providence.

My Crary Street neighborhood sat on the edge of Eddy Street, a stone’s throw from the entrance to Rhode Island Hospital. The lower end of Crary Street was a mishmash of one-family houses, tenements and apartment buildings, bars, a gas station, a spa (convenience store in today’s parlance), mattress warehouse, sandwich shops and restaurants, and numerous small and large costume jewelry factories. The rag man and the ice man would rumble occasionally through the neighborhood in horse drawn carts, as if to remind us of days gone by. There are no remnants of my neighborhood today.

It was obliterated by the construction of Interstate Route 95 more than 50 years ago.

Across the street from the Samuels Dental Clinic on the grounds of Rhode Island Hospital campus sits a small triangular parking lot. Very few passers-by would realize that the lot stands as a silent reminder of what was our neighborhood playground. As kids, we spent countless hot, sticky summer hours in this recreational oasis, nestled in the inner city landscape. We played baseball, soared on the swings, competed in furious knock hockey games, or fashioned gimp jewelry in the small playground clubhouse. We were free to settle our disputes without adult intervention. Our diamond dream was to smash a baseball about 300 feet over the left field fence into the Atlantic Seaboard truck terminal across the street.

No one ever did.

The daily summer routine was simple.

After breakfast, you laced up your hightop Red Ball Jets sneakers (the one pair you got for the summer after a trip to the barber for the standard buzz hair cut) and set out for the playground. We played there until it was time to go home for lunch, then returned for the afternoon.

Our parents did not have to worry about where we were or who we were with. They had a secret weapon. If you got out of line, the “neighborhood watch” brigade of family and friends would promptly and gleefully report any transgressions, real or perceived, to your parents.

Sunday afternoons were spent enjoying family outings at Goddard State Park.

A sizeable contingent of aunts, uncles and cousins gathered at a designated site.

If you think the menu included hot dogs

July 2016

and hamburgers, you would be wrong.

The entire standard Italian Sunday dinner menu of pasta and chicken, and other culinary staples were lugged the picnic site in huge pots. The metal cooler was filled was soda, fruit, salads, and 7-ounce “stubbies” of Narragansett Beer After dinner, we walked to the beach or listened to Curt Gowdy call a Red Sox doubleheader on the transistor radio. If the wind was blowing in the right direction, you could catch a few scratchy sound waves of Yankee broadcasts.

When I was younger, many of our neighborhood families would pack up and move to small homes they owned at Conimicut Point in Warwick for the summer. On weekends, my father and my uncles would dig for quahogs in the cove. What wasn’t pried open and eaten immediately would go into the spaghetti and clam feast that evening.

My grandfather owned a small beach shack at Conimicut Point, where we spent part of our summers. Although I was only five, I can vividly recall the awesome power of angry brown waves pounding the cove during Hurricane Carol in 1954. After we left the shack and headed for home, Carol swept the shack into the sea, leaving not one board, window, door, or stone in its wake.

Once a year, we were treated to an amusement park outing at Rocky Point in Warwick or Crescent Park in East Providence. The sights, sounds, and smells of the parks are still locked in my memory bank. When we take our grandchildren to the historic Looff Carousel at Crescent Park, or stroll the open spaces that where Rocky Point once stood, these images are replayed in my head.

I came to regard Labor Day with the same disdain as New Year’s Day. Those dreaded holidays meant that school was right around the corner.

Each day, tens of thousands of commuters round the Thurber’s Avenue curb on Route 95 and speed by the exits marked for Point Street and other South Providence buildings and offices. They don’t know what I know. A vibrant neighborhood once stood on those vast acres of vacant land. A playground hosted countless baseball games and knock hockey matches. Driving by the old neighborhood on my way to somewhere else in downtown Providence, those lazy, hazy, crazy days of my childhood summers in South Providence come alive again.

Larry Grimaldi is a retired freelance writer living in North Providence. Comments can be e-mailed to lgrimaldi@cox.net.

PrimeTime |

retirement sparks b y elaine m . decker

FELINE FUN A year ago January, we said goodbye to our fifth and possibly final cat, Luke. I decided to spend at least a year catless, mourning him as he deserved. I wasn’t sure I would want to start a new family at this point in my life.

As January slid into February this year, I began to think about making a home for some rescued cats. Ones whose aging owners had either died or had been forced to give them up. I knew I wouldn’t want to start over with kittens; I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving them without a home if they outlived me. I opted for senior felines who might have had a difficult time being placed.

We adopted ten-year-old Kallie in March. She’s a calico and tortoise combination, quiet and gentle. Her former owner is now in a nursing home. In fairly short time, she began sleeping with me, much as Luke had done once Pansy was no longer with us.

In April we added seven-year-old Stella—not quite a senior, but getting on in years. She’s what is called a torbie—a tiger and calico combination. Her original owner is likewise in a nursing home now. Stella is a talker and she’s as energetic as Kallie is calm. I’ve given them floral middle names, an echo of my first four “girls.”

Kallie Jasmine and Stella Periwinkle are learning to tolerate one another and I’m confidant they’ll soon become friends.

Stella has turned out to be quite a character. I was told by the Protectors of Animals (where I adopted her) to avoid giving her catnip because it gets her “overstimulated.” Newsflash! It wasn’t the catnip; it’s just Stella. During the day she naps a lot. She’s tried just about every piece of furniture and I don’t think there’s any that

letters

to the editor

Memories The Retirement Sparks column on Spring Cleaning in the May issue of Prime Time brings back many memories.

Our neighbor’s son was in Florida and came back to RI with his pregnant dog, who had puppies immediately upon arriving here in RI. Our neighbor called me up to see them. My wife fell in love with them and wanted one.

Breed name: Puli, a rare Hungarian sheep dog, considered the most intelligent dog, understanding PrimeTime values the opin72 words. We could not use the word BATH with her ions of its readers and wants around--she would disappear. She was epileptic and your feedback -positive and was put on Dilantin. It is very hard to get an animal negative. Whether you want to take a pill. to drop a line of thanks to The doctor told us to put it in her mouth, stroke one of our writers, share your her chin until she swallowed it, then give her praise. story or you disagree with Smart dog? We did it once and she learned to swalsomething in the magazine, low to get us “off her back”. we want to hear from you.

All went well. Spring came. Time for Spring cleanLetters, comments or quesing. Moved all the furniture from the wall so we tions can be sent directly to could clean behind the couches and chairs. I don’t LindaN@rhodybeat.com think I ever saw my wife so upset! Behind the couch or by mail to was a pile of Dilantin! It seems the dog would willPrimeTime Magazine ingly take the pill, and disappear behind the couch, 1944 Warwick Avenue, spitting it out.

Warwick, RI, 02889 – Dr. William K. Harter attn: Letter to Editor

| PrimeTime

Senior Cats Bring Special Joy she doesn’t like if the mood strikes her and the sun is right. Seeing her during the day, you’d never suspect how she spends her evenings.

Soon after we brought Stella home, I discovered that she enjoys “hunting” throughout the night and into the early morning hours. I have a small collection of stuffed animals leftover from downsizing to our condo. In the evening, Stella goes shopping/hunting at the end of the loft area where the collection is displayed in wooden crates. One by one she selects her prey and carries it in her mouth down the stairs from the loft. All the while, she emits her strange hunting meow. She deposits each animal, usually at the foot of the stairs, but sometimes just inside the doorway to the master bedroom. Then she goes back up to select another one.

She’s delivered as many as ten animals in a 14-hour time span. I’ve taken to sleeping with earplugs, since the hunting noises are remarkably loud and seem to go on throughout the night. In the morning, I pick up the bodies and put them back in their proper display places upstairs. I’m getting good exercise from the two or three trips that it takes to bring them all back up to the loft area.

At first, Stella’s typical hunting quota seemed to be nine or ten prey per night.

In an effort to keep my own collection in reasonably good condition, a few weeks ago I began buying stuffed animals at various stores. Mostly I find them in the dog department, since virtually all the cat ones have catnip in them. I display the new toys in front of my bears, hoping that she’ll take a fancy to them instead of the ursine quarry.

She now has over a dozen critters purchased for or given to her. In addition to the predictable mice and rabbits, there’s a large cheetah with dangly legs, a woodland duck, two sheep, a skunk, two bears of her own and a turquoise fish with spongy spines. I had hoped that she would now leave my animal collection alone.

Fat chance. One recent morning there were 14 stuffies scattered about. Six of them were Stella’s; the rest were mine.

If I thought that was as bad as it would get, I should have thought twice. Stella has taught her sister how to hunt. A reminder that Kallie was the quiet one—virtually silent. Now when I hear a hunting meow in the early evening, it’s just as likely to be Kallie. She’s leaving my collection alone and prefers the animal print mice and a cute little rabbit that a friend gave us. That’s probably because she hasn’t yet summoned up the courage to climb the stairs into the loft. Once that happens, it will be Katie bar the door.

The two of them are so adorable, it’s impossible to be upset by any of this. Stella has even charmed her father into buying toys for her. A few weeks ago we were passing through the kids department in Home Goods. A soft, purple floral hippo in a fuchsia floral dress with pink tutu caught his eye. “Stella would love this,” he said as he picked it up. It made me smile. “Yes, she will,” I agreed.

I figure that sooner or later we’ll have given Stella enough of her own toys that she’ll leave my collection alone. Of course, that presumes that she’ll share them with her sister once Kallie braves the stairs.

And if my bears are still fair game, so what? The pleasure that these senior cats are bringing to their senior parents is worth every slobbered up stuffie that we step on barefoot in the morning. Oh, the things we do for love.

Copyright 2016 Business Theatre Unlimited Elaine M. Decker’s books—Retirement Sparks Redux, Retirement Sparks Again, Retirement Sparks and CANCER: A Coping Guide—are available at SPECTRUMINDIA, on the East Side of Providence and on Amazon.com, including Kindle editions. One of her essays appears in the anthology: 70 Things To Do When You Turn 70. Contact her at: emdecker@ix.netcom.com.

July 2016

ALL

ABOUT

PETS

Caring for a Senior Kitty

Changes to expect as cats age Dogs are widely referred to as “man’s best friend,” and few dog owners can imagine life without their beloved pups. But Fido’s feline counterparts are incredibly popular as well.

According to estimates from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, somewhere between 74 million and 96 million cats are owned in the United States, putting cats on par with dogs (the ASPCA estimates Americans own between 70 million and 80 million dogs). Cats are also quite popular in Canada. The 2014 market research report titled “Canadian Pet Market Outlook,” which examined pet ownership and pet trends throughout Canada, reported that there are 7.9 million cats in The Great White North, which is also home to 5.9 million dogs.

Many prospective pet owners feel that caring for cats must be easier than caring for dogs. Cats do not need daily walks to stay happy and healthy, and many cats do not crave attention as much as their canine counterparts. But caring for cats is not always so simple, especially as cats grow older.

The American Association of Feline Practitioners notes that some cats age faster than others. But older cats are often classified into three groups: · Mature or middle-aged: 7 to 10 years (44 to 56 years for humans) · Senior: 11 to 14 years (60 to 72 years for humans) · Geriatric: 15-plus years (76-plus years for humans)

Ten-year-old Kallie

Though this might surprise some people, the AAFP notes that many cats can live well into their geriatric years, some even reaching their early twenties. Owners of geriatric cats may need to be extra diligent when caring for their felines, as cats often experience significant changes in their health and behavior as they age. It’s important for cat owners to take their cats for routine veterinary checkups regardless of their cats’ ages, but such appointments are especially necessary for aging cats. Because cats tend to require less attention than dogs, it can be harder for cat owners to notice changes in health or behavior in aging cats than they might notice with aging dogs. Routine vet visits can ensure that age-related health conditions don’t go undiagnosed, and such visits may even help to delay the onset of certain problems.

The AAFP recommends that healthy older cats be examined by their veterinarians every six months. While that may seem frequent, six months for older cats is roughly equivalent to two years for human beings, and that’s plenty of time for cats’ health to change dramatically.

In between vet visits, cat owners can look for the following changes that cats often undergo as they age, calling their cats’ vets immediately if any of these signs appear to be having any adverse effects on the cat. · Altered sleep-wake cycle · Changes in vision · Appearance of brown spots in the iris · Decreased sense of smell · Brittle nails · Decreased lung reserve · Heart or circulatory problems · Decreased ability to digest foods and absorb nutrients · Loose skin · Reduced ability to handle stress · Changes in behavior · Changes in mobility More information about caring for aging cats is available at www.catvets.com.

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Super Dogs With so much love and caring going on around me, and being the “cynic” reporter some of the time, I had to ask the question at last months Always Adopt super event at Balise Toyota.

“So, who’s making the money?”

Somebody had to be making a buck transporting so many dogs north from kill shelters or found just lose in the streets and woods of the south. Dogs from Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Louisiana and the Carolinas can be found at virtually every animal rescue organization in the state. Ollie, our spotted coonhound, was found running wild in South Carolina, apparently let loose by someone who we suspect didn’t find him a suitable hunting companion. When we found him at the East Greenwich Animal Protection League, he had heartworm and was emaciated. He had arrived in a delivery of about 40 dogs, each in a crate and packed into a van.

At last months event, I met one of those rescue mission drivers. Betty Baker is one of a group of 15 volunteers from Tennessee to attend the Always Adopt event in Warwick. It was a 16-hour drive. They brought 57 dogs with them. This was not their first run. They had connected with Kate Healey Dubuque, director of Little Rhody Rescue, which Kate says has found homes for 10,000 dogs in the past 13 years. Betty and her team of volunteers stayed with Kate in Harmony, R.I. “They’re my southern connection,” Kate said of Betty and the organization she’s a part of, Pooches on the Move. “You’ve heard of brothers in arms,” Kate added.

“Well, we’re sisters in dogs.”

So, how do Betty and her crew get all the dogs?

She said there are no animal control shelters in the county where she lives.

“They’re out in the streets and in the mountains. It’s such a throwaway society.

People just don’t care. It’s hard to believe,” she said. The animal rights laws in this part of the country don’t exist in the south. Betty said people don’t think twice of letting their dogs run loose. It’s that or they’re chained outside in all kinds of weather, and frequently without even water. Often when people move, they just leave their dogs, said Betty.

“To us they’re our babies. They’re just dogs to them.”

What about money?

Betty laughed. There are costs that need to be met, but from what I could tell no one was getting rich.

“There’s a lot of hard work,” Betty said. “Paperwork, licenses to bring them in.”

She put costs at about $500 a dog.

She said there are two drivers per van and stops are made en route to walk the dogs and give them water. There’s some food, but not much, as many are unaccustomed to being in a moving vehicle and are likely to get sick. She holds her nose indicating it’s apparent when one has “made a mess,” and on those occasions she said she cleans it up before the animals can foul themselves or each other.

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Here are just a fe and pup pies tha w of the 350 r t were escue do homes a gs t the Alw looking for th eir forev ays Ado www.fac ebook.co pt event in Ju er ne. m/Alwa

ysAdopt

Adoption work doesn’t sound especially rewarding. But that’s not the case, as I found from so many.

Kate was ecstatic with placing a female husky mix that was skin and bones, yet pregnant, when she arrived seven months ago. The couple that adopted her had difficulty speaking English. A young woman proficient in Spanish translated.

Kate told the dog’s story. The couple listened to the translation and hugged the latest member of their family.

“That makes my heart so happy,” said Kate. “She,” she said of the dog, “had zero future.”

That feeling was shared by Holly Norman. She’s a volunteer with Save One Soul and cuddled a brown puppy. It seemed to be happy, occasionally opening its eyes. If it had been a cat, it would have been purring. Suzanna was found abandoned in a field in Mississippi. Holly suspected Suzanna wouldn’t get adopted Sunday. She was too timid. She didn’t wag her tail. She barely greeted her admirers, even young Allison Shuster, who stroked her ears and suggested to her father, Rich, that she would be a good family fit.

“I’m so proud to be a northerner,” said Holly. “It’s amazing so many New Englanders are open to adopting these pups.”

There’s more to it than adoption, although that is often where the passion to save these dogs, no matter where they come from, starts. Tracy Malver from Connecticut and Tracey Mastandrea of Attleboro were two of about 200 volunteers who helped pull off the massive adoption day that brings together adoption agencies from across the state.

“You get involved, you get the fever,” said Malver.

She said a lot of work goes into the event and the rewards come not only when dogs are placed, but also in working as a team and making friends. The ranks of volunteers keep growing. Most are women, but says volunteer coordinator Sara Colby, “a few husbands get dragged along and fall in love, too.”

Top dog Louise Anderson Nicolosi, who started Always Adopt after watching a video of dogs being euthanized, was pleased with how the event went. She said those people who had been pre-approved for adoption were divided into two groups of 200 and scheduled to come at different times. It made for a more relaxed event, although at times there was a line outside the dealership and parking spaces were hard to come by.

Adoption is key but only part of what is happening, says Louise.

“The most important thing is they [people looking to adopt a dog] get exposure to Rhode Island shelters. They’re really warm.”

If money is the motive to this rescue train from the south, I didn’t find it. Rather, the reward was visible in the faces of those putting the event together and so obviously in the eyes and smiles of those who were meeting these “throwaways” for the first time, and in so many cases making a place for them in their homes and hearts.

July 2016

TOP DOG: It was a video of a gas chamber and hearing the dogs scrambling and whimpering inside that prompted Louise Anderson Nicolosi to found Always Adopt and coordinate dog adoption agencies from across the state to create the Super Dog Adoption Day. Always Adopt may have a short history with animal adoption, but it is an active one. They host two super-sized pet adoption events every year, and in three years they’ve helped place over 1,700 dogs.

The next Super Dog Adoption Day will be November 5 at Clark Farms in Matunuck.

PrimeTime | 11

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A crisp white linen cloth is draped over a round table where four women are lingering over a delicious meal of beef tenderloin, twice- baked potatoes, sautéed zucchini and fluffy rolls, still hot from the oven. In another corner of the room, an elderly couple are sitting opposite from one another, and though they are not talking, a lifetime of conversations is passing between them.

The sun is streaming through the room’s plate glass window, illuminating a scene that looks more like it is from a five-star restaurant than from where it is actually unfolding in the dining room of the Villa at Saint Antoine. This is a scene that plays out every day at this gracious assisted living community, tucked in the pastoral woods of North Smithfield. This is a residence where seniors lead fulfilling lives in a community of their peers ~ a place where faith, dignity, respect, compassion and shared experiences unify and uplift.

The Villa at Saint Antoine has a rich and layered history in the state. Inspired by the Franciscan Priest, Saint Antoine (the Saint of lost causes), this beautifully appointed and welcoming residence has one mission: to meet the physical, social, emotional and religious needs of older adults and their families. This goal is accomplished through the highest caliber of care by compassionate professionals who treat residents here with the kind of devotion usually reserved only for family. This, in fact, feels like one large extended family.

For older adults who leave lifetime homes to live re, the Villa at Saint Antoine will feel much like the ultimate in retirement living. Every effort has been made to make this whole “campus” as family-friendly, accommodating and home-like as possible, with all the advantages of full nursing services. The residence is comprised of 76 apartments, with 26 different layouts ~ private or shared; studio, one and two-bedroom units. There are also seven units kept just for memory-care, and a cozy apartment for short-term respite care.

Each apartment has all the amenities a resident could need, including ample storage space, a bathroom with safety features, a kitchenette and their own furniture.

Along with these apartments and the elegant dining room, residents have access to full concierge services, a salon, several activity rooms where days are filled with exercise classes, lectures, arts & crafts and so much more.

One of the most important considerations of this community is its inclusion of faith and worship. In fact, masses and rosaries are held daily in its tranquil chapel.

This is a community that regards the whole individual, and values what makes them special and unique. There is an overall feeling of contentment and peacefulness here.

The Villa at Saint Antoine is located at 400 Mendon Road in North Smithfield.

For more information, contact the Villa’s Administrator, Tammy Summiel, RN or take a private tour with their enthusiastic Director of Marketing, Isabel Pestana. To see if this ultimate assisted living community is right for you or a loved one, call 401-767-2574 or visit them on facebook or at www.stantoine.net.

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Gleeful smiles, warm hugs and a gourmet meal are all common sights at the Villa at Saint Antoine, an assisted living community found tucked in the peaceful woods of North Smithfield.

July 2016

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all about pets

Canine Catwalk Can your dog strut down the runway? Can your pup shimmy in a bikini? Can your pooch dazzle a crowd? If so, sign them up for Little Rhodie Bully Breed Club’s first ever Canine Runway Show.

The Bully Breed Club works with shelter dogs from across the state to get them into foster homes and then train them as therapy dogs in hopes of getting the animals adopted. Susan Parker, a professional dog trainer and co-owner of Dynamic Dog Training with her husband Harry Parker, established the non-profit organization in 2006.

Parker said, “It is all about temperament. You might not believe it, but so many shelter dogs are perfect for this role.”

Many of the dogs that become part of the Little Rhodie Bully Breed Club graduate to become members of the PVD Pups, a year old pet therapy program at T.F. Green Airport. The program began with seven dogs and has grown to about 30 dogs that roam the airport to provide comfort and support for weary or nervous fliers and to brighten the day of all airport guests.

THE SHOW MUST GO ON: Susan Parker, a professional dog trainer, and her non-profit Little Rhodie Bully Breed Club, will be hosting the first ever Canine Runway Show. All proceeds will benefit the non-profit in fostering shelter dogs and training them in therapy. Parker is pictured with “Libby,” a young pitbull rescue she is fostering.

July 2016

The 30 dogs are various breeds and sizes, more than 75 percent of them are shelter rescues and often make the day of travelers in the airport.

“This program has really taken off,” Parker said. “I saw how a beautiful, welltrained dog can really light up a room and bring a smile to people’s faces. People just go nuts for this.”

Several of the PVD Pups have already signed up for the Canine Runway Show.

Some of the dogs in the competition will also be dogs available for adoption through the Bully Breed Club.

The canine beauty pageant, which will take place on July 15, will feature six different categories the dogs must participate in: evening wear, obedience, talent, where dogs show three tricks, canine freestyle, elegant pie eating contest and even swimwear.

“I can’t wait to see my Teddy in a mankini,” Parker joked.

Parker will not be a judge, but her dog Teddy, a pitbull mix as well as mascot and leader of PVD pups, will be competing.

Although not all the judges have been decided upon, there will be some guest judges: Liberty Luciano from the Rhode Island Airport Corporation and Mario Hilario, NBC10 reporter.

Parker explained that the Little Rhodie Bully Breed Club has been doing a pageant-like show on a smaller scale at senior housing and other events. Guests would go “bonkers” for the show, and she came to realize on a larger scale the runway show would make for a great fundraiser.

“With the runway show people can see these shelter dogs in a different light than if they were to be in the shelter cage or kennel,” Parker said.

All the proceeds from the event will benefit the Little Rhodie Bully Breed Club, supporting fostering initiatives for the dogs, medical costs for the animals, spaying and neutering and training supplies. Alongside raising money, the fundraiser hopes to raise awareness about the program and possibly find more households willing to foster the animals training with the Bully Breed Club.

Parker said it is easier to lay a good training foundation, socialize and habituate dogs in a foster setting over a shelter.

“It is just a better environment for them,” she said. “We can better acclimate them. We come to know these dogs very well before we place any of them and also guarantee that if a placement doesn’t work the dog comes back to us.”

The Canine Runway Show will be on July 15 at the Cranston Country Club, 69 Burlingame Rd. The show will begin at 7 p.m. and run through 11 p.m. There will be a buffet dinner, a DJ, dancing, a cash bar and various raffles. All participating dogs must be up to date on all vaccines, house trained and friendly with people and other dogs.

“If they want to win they better bring their talent, too,” Parker said.

All breeds and sizes are welcome to participate in the competition. There will be a grand prize, 2nd and 3rd place-winning dogs.

Tickets for the event are $25 and dog entry is $10. Guests are welcome without dogs.

For more information or to purchase tickets visit the Little Rhodie Bully Breed Club’s Facebook page or call 823-8851. All attendees must RSVP or purchase tickets before Thursday, July 7.

For more information on Dynamic Dog Training visit their website at www. dynamicdogtraining.webs.com.

PrimeTime | 13

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7 Skilled Nursing Centers Earn Coveted Quality Award Recently, the Rhode Island Health Care Association announced that seven Rhode Island skilled nursing centers have earned a Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award, the first of three distinctions possible through the National Quality Award Program, presented by the American Health Care Association. The program honors centers across the nation that have demonstrated their commitment to improving quality care for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

The seven recipients of the Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award this year are the Friendly Home in Woonsocket, Evergreen House Health Center in East Providence, Golden Crest Nursing Centre in North Providence, Hebert Health Center in Smithfield, Eastgate Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in East Providence, Grace Barker Nursing Center in Warren, and Elderwood at Riverside in East Providence. Each of the recipients is a member of the Rhode Island Health Care Association, Rhode Island’s largest trade association of skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers.

“The process by which a nursing center earns a Quality Award is rigorous to say the least. It’s wonderful to see these applicants recognized for their commitment,” said Virginia Burke, CEO/President of the Rhode Island Health Care Association.

“We’re very fortunate that so many of Rhode Island’s skilled nursing center employees work diligently each day to ensure the highest quality care for their patients.”

Implemented by AHCA/NCAL in 1996, the National Quality Award Program is centered on the core values and criteria of the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program. The program assists providers of long term and post-acute care services in achieving their performance excellence goals.

The program has three levels: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Centers begin the quality improvement process at the Bronze level, where they develop an organizational profile with essential performance elements such as vision and mission statements and an assessment of customers’ expectations. Bronze applicants must also demonstrate their ability to implement a performance improvement system. Trained Examiners review each Bronze application to determine if the center has met the demands of the criteria. As recipients of the Bronze - Commitment to Quality Award, these seven facilities may now move forward in developing approaches and achieving performance levels that meet the criteria required for the Silver - Achievement in Quality Award.

The awards will be presented during the American Health Care Association’s 67th Annual Convention and Exposition, October 16-19 in Nashville, TN.

Finding Senior Housing can be complex, but it doesn’t have to be.

“You can trust A Place for Mom to help you.”

– Joan Lunden

Call A Place for Mom. Our Advisors are trusted, local experts who can help you understand your options. Since 2000, we’ve helped over one million families find senior living solutions that meet their unique needs.

A Free Service for Families.

Call: (800) 680-7901 A Place for Mom is the nation’s largest senior living referral information service. We do not own, operate, endorse or recommend any senior living community. We are paid by partner communities, so our services are completely free to families.

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July 2016

senior

b y M ichelle L a F rance a lzheimer ’s asso c i a t i o n r h o d e i s l a n d c h a p te r

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Walk to End Alzheimers The Alzheimer’s Association is inviting Rhode Island residents to unite in a movement to reclaim the future for millions by participating in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Fort Adams State Park will be the new site of the Newport Walk on September 18. Registration at 8:30am and the Walk is at 10:00 a.m.

Roger Williams Park will be the site of the Providence Walk on September 25, registration at 8:30 a.m. and the Walk is at 10:00 a.m.

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is more than a walk. It is an experience for 3000 participants in Newport and Providence who will learn about Alzheimer’s disease and how to get involved with this critical cause, from advocacy opportunities, the latest in Alzheimer’s re-

search and clinical trial enrollment to support programs and services. Each walker will also join in a meaningful ceremony to honor those affected by Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s disease is a growing epidemic and is now the nation’s sixth-leading cause of death. As baby boomers age, the number of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease will rapidly escalate, increasing well beyond today’s more than 5.4 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s. In addition to the 3.5 mile walk at Fort Adams in Newport and through Roger Williams Park in Providence, participants will enjoy exhibitor tents and giveaways, refreshments, entertainment and a special tribute to those who have experienced or are experiencing Alzheimer’s

with the Flower Garden Ceremony. Start or join a team today at alz.org/ri “There has never been a greater need for the citizens of Rhode Island to join in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease by participating in Walk to End Alzheimer’s,” said Donna McGowan, Alzheimer’s Association Rhode Island Chapter Executive Director.

“Funds raised will provide care and support services to the 23,000 Rhode Island residents living with Alzheimer’s, while also contributing to advancing critically-needed research.”

About the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s: The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support

and research. Since 1989, the Alzheimer’s Association mobilized millions of Americans in the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk®; now the Alzheimer’s Association is continuing to lead the way with Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

Together, we can end Alzheimer’s – the nation’s sixth-leading cause of death.

About the Alzheimer’s Association: The Alzheimer’s Association is the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.

About the Alzheimer’s Association Rhode Island Chapter The Rhode Island Chapter, an affiliate of the National Alzheimer’s

Association, is a private, non-profit organization started in 1989 by family caregivers and interested community healthcare professionals.

The Chapter programs and services include a 24/7 Helpline, Support Groups, Training for Families, Live & Learn for Early Memory Loss, Newsletters, Advocacy, Resource Library, Conferences, Lectures, and special fundraising events. Offices are located at 245 Waterman Street, Suite 306, Providence, RI 02906.

Phone: 800-272-3900, Fax: 401421-0115, Website: www.alz.org/ ri.

Westbay Café…More than a Meal Making a luncheon reservation at our eight Westbay Cafes is as easy as 1, 2, 3!

July Special Meals 4th of July Luncheon!

Friday, July 1 BBQ Chicken Wings, Grilled Steak, Pasta Salad, Corn on the Cob, Watermelon, Strawberry Shortcake Bring A Friend Meal – Thursday, July 7 Chicken Soup, Stuffed Chicken Breast, Roasted Fingerling Potatoes, Broccoli, Cranberry Sauce, Dessert or Chef Salad Our caterer provides the following three options (two each day) for your meal • Hearty Traditional Meal – Appetizer, Main Entrée with sides (potato, vegetables) • Pub Option – Delicious Sandwich • Spa Option – Lighter, healthy option for those on the go All luncheons include an appetizer, bread, dessert and coffee or tea

For more information, please call patty martucci, Assistant Director of Senior nutrition program

401-732-4666 ext. 142

H. FRES .

GET Y LOCAL BU

July 2016

Senior CenterS Charlestown 401-364-9955 East Greenwich 401-886-8638 Jamestown 401-423-2658 The Center–S. Kingstown 401-789-0268 West Warwick 401-822-4450 Westerly 401-596-2404 Senior ApArtmentS (you do not have to be a resident) Park View-Westerly 401-596-4918 Shalom Apartments 401-737-0180

We invite seniors age 60 and older and individuals with disabilities to join us at these Cafes for a nutritious lunch. The suggested donation is $3/person. Reservations are necessary and should be made by Thursday for the following week.

PrimeTime | 15

lifestyles

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Trending in Pet Design The hottest thing right now for Designers and Architects to create are pet-centric spaces that include dog spas, or rooms with pet size furniture.

Pet ownership is up to 68% that’s because so many people get married later and have kids later. On an average pet owners will spend in the year 2016 around 62.75 billion on their furry friends.

Do you have some extra space in your mudroom or laundry room? Or even an extra bathroom? Why not turn it into a pet spa for your four legged friend? It doesn’t take a huge budget to create a special place for your pet.

To Create a pet spa at home you will need: *Porcelain tile *Drop in cast iron tub base *Handheld plumbing fixtures *Grab bars If you decide to design a room just for your pet the best fabrics to use for the furniture are Microfiber, Ultrasuede, Crypton and distressed leather.

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People

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Benny’s ‘voice of reason with a smile’ retires

b y michelle lee parenteau owner

b y J ohn

QUEEN OF THE CANDY TABLE: Nancy Mead makes sure the candy table at the Wilde’s Corner Benny’s is as it should be as Arnold Bromberg looks on.

Nancy retired at the age of 91. (PrimeTime photo) Nancy Mead retired for the third time last month. And at 91 years old, she figures this time it is for real.

Then again, Benny’s has been like family since she started working at the Warwick Meadowbrook store in 1960.

At that time Nancy had five children and she needed a little extra money to buy Christmas presents. That “temporary job” became permanent after her sixth child was born.

Nancy was back at the store last month with a huge contingent of Meads. This time a tiny microphone poked out from the fold of her white blouse. She was wearing a wireless and a nearby TV cameraman was recording her every word and move.

Nancy was at center stage, smiling, eyes twinkling, and remembering stories, many of them involving the Benny’s clan of Brombergs and co-workers who gathered around the front of the Wilde’s Corner store in Warwick, which opened when Meadowbrook closed and that plaza was rebuilt.

Arnold Bromberg, who worked with Nancy, called her “the voice of reason with a smile.” He recalled the attention she devoted to the candy table that was always a center attraction before the opening of a show at the nearby Meadowbrook Cinema, which was also victim to the reconstruction of the plaza with its strip stores and eventually relocation of Stop & Shop from across Warwick Avenue. Candy was always cheaper at Benny’s and moviegoers would rush in to stock up moments before show time.

She has a remarkable memory of events, faces and names.

“She knew the names of customers, their kids, and even their dogs,” said Mike Carducci, one of several Wilde’s Corner managers who Nancy worked with over the years. “She was always there to help.

That’s the drive she has.”

At the age of 62, Nancy decided it was time to retire. But like her first decision to give up working at Benny’s to put aside some Christmas money, it didn’t last long.

Benny’s asked her to work part time. She started off with 24 hours a week, which over the next 29 years was reduced to 10 hours. She continues to drive – she didn’t get her license until she was 43 – although she isn’t out on the road at night. She aims to see more of her extended family, which includes 14 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and scores of nieces, nephews and grand- and great-nieces and -nephews.

“I can tell you, you lose track, there are so many weddings,” she said.

Nancy – she’ll let you know that that is a nickname for her given name, Ann – harkens back to simpler times. She married Richard, who she met in ninth grade at St. Paul School in Edgewood. They tied the knot when she was 22 after he returned from the battlefield. He served on the European front during World War II and fought in the Battle of the Bulge.

He earned a degree at Bryant College, but loved manual work and ended up driving a truck for many years.

“You did what you could. It was a different time. I think it was better,” she said.

Richard died at the age of 54 in a work-related accident.

Nancy remembers a time when children used to play in the streets and neighbors gathered to talk over their fences.

People today, she notes, spend their time on their cell phones. She moves her thumbs to mimic texting.

Nancy is happy to have her family, her former co-workers at Benny’s, and all the customers who she has come to know.

She is also happy to have her health and to be alive at this time.

“I’m glad I’m on this end [of life],” she said.

July 2016

LIFESTYLES

wHAT DO YOU FINK?

by MIKE FINK

Gratitude “Gratitude is the sign of noble souls”-I saw this fancy flag waving on route 1 near where it joins 138 at the tower that marks the spot. I snapped a shot of it. It’s not the first July this moral of the month has appeared here--it’s a familiar but also surprising, non-commercial, logo.

I “googled” the sentence and found out it comes from an Aesop fable, so here go a few of my thoughts about the source of that great line, plus my own interpretation of it.

“Aesop” was, as you may recall, a slave who rose to fame in ancient, classical, Athens, a court jester of sorts. He hid some sharp criticisms of power, its arrogance and its folly, under animal tales which “we” -later readers and translators--tended to reduce to conventional childhood warnings about common sense errors of judgment.

But wait! “Aesop” might be a variation of the word “Ethiope” and the storyteller may have been a captured African--perhaps even a Jewish survivor of religious wars in the Abyssinian Semien Mountains-- who dared to judge his “masters.” At least, that’s one version of who and what the sage may have been. We do know that he met a terrible fate. He was executed for his rash and

rude performance art by being pushed off a cliff into the rocky surf below. So much for freedom of speech in early democracy!

I loved the Aesop fables as a small boy, by the fireplace in December or around the campfire in July. I “outgrew” them by the time I was in college: I found them too practical and preachy then. I re-discovered them in my more grown-up days but went for the more despairing and cynical---or at least ironical--themes and variations. How the stag, blinded in one eye, outwitted the cruel hunters by grazing on a high sierra over the sea, using his good eye on lookout. Ah, but the determined foes figured out his ruse, rowed out with their bows and arrows, and shot him fatally. He had but the time to recognize with a sigh, “Ah, I see, you cannot escape your fate!” Famous last words.

So, what is my conclusion about that Fourth of July reminder at the crossroad between the University of Rhode Island campus in Peace Dale and the Middlebridge Narrow River world of swans and canoes?

It is, that we should feel gratitude, nobly, spiritually, toward whoever in our national past brought us here to this place

of peace and plenty. Patriotism has, sadly, gone out of fashion in our time. We fret about our country’s cultural past as well as its guilty future. What about the tragedy of our indigenous peoples, driven from their lands and their lore? What of the injustices of building fortunes on trade in human flesh?

I was a Depression baby, a Duration boy, and a Repression youth. I learned my American values from the influences of those major events. The 1930s taught us, through song and on screen, that poverty was the crime of wealth--I mean the rich ignored the poor, who were nevertheless the heros, not the victims. The 1940s “Duration” summoned a love of country based on a code of rescue and liberation. At least in hindsight, we learned that the fascist forces-the Nazi tyranny--was the very opposite of what the U.S.A. stood for, at least from a youngster’s viewpoint in those years. Liberty was not about pride of ownership or promise of material “progress,” it was about those allied Four Freedoms. Freedom from fear and want, freedom to speak and to seek. And in the McCarthyist Repres-

sion of “freedom,” the House Unamerican Activities Committee, a thoughtful student could learn that true patriotism required also the right to rebel. After all, we had fought WITH, not AGAINST, communist Russia. Hard for us on the brink of adulthood to whip up a new hatred after the Depression and the Duration.

So, coming back to “Gratitude” and “Noble Souls”, I stare at those lovely words and wish that we could quietly and even eloquently discuss all such phrases instead of sinking into the loud world of empty slogans.

Jacob Lawrence, the Harlem Renaissance African-American printmaker, picked a group of Aesop’s Fables and illustrated them to bring out their timely, but also eternal, meanings, gloriously various and gorgeously imaginative, in all languages and times and climes.

The wisdom of the oppressed, and on Post Road you can catch a quick glimpse among the traffic and the delays at lights, of the strange victory of old adages. Patriotism is Gratitude, for the sacrifices of our forebears and the achievements of our artists and poets.

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by DON FOWLER

July & August At The Theatre While many people travel to exotic locations for their summer vacations, there are many wonderful opportunities for seniors to enjoy the excitement of live theatre right here in Rhode Island.

OCEAN STATE THEATRE COMPANY What better way to kick off the summer than enjoying the great Broadway musical from the fifties, “Damn Yankees” at the air-conditioned Ocean State Theatre Company, 1245 Jefferson Blvd. in Warwick.

You remember the story of Joe Boyd who makes a deal with the devil to play for the Senators against the much hated Yankees. The musical contains some great old Broadway tunes, including “Whatever Lola Wants” and “Steam Heat”. Playing July 6-24.

Move forward into the 21st century, and OSTC brings us the current hit, “Avenue Q”. The hilarious musical tells the story of a recent college grad who moves into a shabby New York City apartment and discovers that Avenue Q is not your typical neighborhood. Winner of the Tony Triple Crown (Best Musical, Score and Book), “Avenue Q” is an adult comedy, filled with adult language and content and Puppet Nudity. The use of puppets handled by actors is unique and refreshing. I loved the show and can’t wait to see it again. Playing August 3-21.

Tickets are$39-$59. Call 921-6800 for reservations.

THEATRE-BY-THE-SEA The classic musical of the fifties, “West Side Story” is playing through July 16 at the newly air-conditioned barn theatre, followed by the familyfriendly “The Wizard of Oz”, July 20-August 13. (Bring the grandchildren to this one).

“Sister Act”, the amazing musical based on the 1992 Whoopi Goldberg film, follows August 17-September 4.

There’s a late night cabaret on weekends for those who can stay awake, and a lovely Bistro by the Sea for dinner before the show. Arrive early and view the wonderful gardens.

Call 789-3030 for reservations.

2ND STORY THEATRE Colin Higgins’ “Harold and Maude” was a film cult classic that still shows up in art theatres across the country.

2nd Story Theatre has revived the play about 19-year old Harold and his intimate bond with 79-year old Maude, who teaches him that life is the most precious gift of all.

The play runs July 1-24 in the upstairs theatre at 28 Market St. in Warren.

Neil Simon’s “The Sunshine Boys” is the offering for August.

Al and Willie, once a top-billed vaudevillian team, are no longer speaking. But when CBS asks them to star in a comedy retrospective, their resentful, rollicking reunion offers the estranged duo the possibility for forgiveness.

In the upstairs theatre August 5-28.

Tickets are $30. Call 247-4200 for reservations.

I can’t think of two better plays for senior citizens!

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