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O c to b e r 2 0 12
| PrimeTime 2
October 2012
I
f you’re a regular reader of PrimeTime, then you’ve probably caught on that each month, we have a different theme. Sometimes, the themes are very specific, like last month’s caregivers’ issue. There are obvious issues we wanted to tackle there, like how to choose the right assisted living facility for your loved one, or how to avoid caregiver burnout. Then there are themes like this month, where our editorial meeting drags on because there are too many ideas and not enough pages to cover them. By definition, a hobby is a regular activity or interest that is undertaken for pleasure. That’s a pretty big topic to tackle. By that kind of broad definition, my hobbies would take a long time to list, and would certainly include sleeping and wine, both of which I enjoy with gusto. But in the course of researching stories for this October issue, we came across some truly interesting individuals with unwavering passion for their hobbies. They dedicate more time e hobby than some people do at their full-time job, and spend enough money to travel the world. At the center of each story, these people reveal that the benefit is the same, regardless of what hobby they enjoy: it makes them happy. And what better topic to focus on than one that makes people happy? For Bob Beaudet, it’s ham radio that puts a smile on his face. From his den in Cumberland, he talks with people all around the world on a daily basis. For David Belhumeur, it’s competing on the athletic field after a 30-year hiatus that gets him going in the morning. For Chuck Moore, who owns Apponaug Color & Hobby Shop, he shares the love of models with his customers, most of whom are regulars. And for Judy Hager, her hobby is on display in her gardens, adding flare to her street and October 2012 keeping her relaxed. 1944 Warwick Ave. We caught up with a few collecWarwick, RI 02889 tors out there as well, including David 401-732-3100 FAX 401-732-3110 McConaghy who works daily with Distribution Special Delivery coin collectors, and Thomas Greene who volunteers to oversee the extensive PUBLISHERS stamp collection at Brown University. Barry W. Fain, Richard G. Fleischer, Also in this issue, you can read the John Howell doer’s profile about an art class availEDITOR able to you on the East Side, or ways to Meg Fraser get involved locally in bowling, knitmegf@rhodybeat.com ting or in book clubs. MARKETING DIRECTOR If you’re about to retire, or have Donna Zarrella some free time on your hands, take a donnaz@rhodybeat.com look through the issue and you might just find that you have a passion you Creative Director Linda Nadeau haven’t tapped into yet. Bob Beaulindan@rhodybeat.com det said it best, when he said that it’s important to retire to something, not WRITERS Jessica Botelho, Michael J. Cerio, Don Fowler, from something. If you want to stay Terry D’Amato Spencer, Elaine M. Decker, happy, healthy and active, keep your John Howell, Joan Retsinas, Kim Kalunian, mind and body going. Keeping busy Mike Fink, Meg Chevalier, Cynthia Glinick, Joe Kernan, Kerry Park can be the best medicine.
Pr i m e Ti m e
ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Donna Zarrella – donnaz@rhodybeat.com Carolann Soder, Lisa Mardenli, Janice Torilli, Suzanne Wendoloski, Gina Fugere
Meg Fraser editor
Classified ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Sue Howarth – sueh@rhodybeat.com Brittany Wardell – brittanyw@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.
October 2012
inthisissue 4 Hamming around Amateur radio makes the world a lot smaller
6 Not so common cents Saving your pennies can add up, more than you expect
8 Playtime for big kids
Trains, planes, cars and others models
9 You’ve got mail
Brown University boasts impressive stamp collection
18 Back on track Never too late to get back into sports
28 How does
your garden grow?
Garden clubs bloom in Rhode Island
FOOD & DRINK Flavors of Fall..................................................................................................... 10 LIFESTYLES That’s Entertainment.................................................................................... 12 What do you Fink?......................................................................................... 24 SENIOR ISSUES Talking to someone with cancer.......................................................... 13 People are their passion............................................................................. 22 Retirement Sparks.......................................................................................... 23 Director’s column........................................................................................... 25 PEOPLE & PLACES Doer’s profile..................................................................................................... 15 A Worthy Cause............................................................................................... 16 Glimpse of RI’s past........................................................................................ 26 PROFESSIONAL PERSPECTIVE Your Taxes............................................................................................................ 31
nextmonth
Can you believe it’s November already? The holidays are fast approaching, and we’ll highlight the people who are doing good deeds in your community with our annual volunteer issue. PrimeTime |
b y meg fraser
Hamming around
Bob Beaudet’s Cumberland home is filled with radio equipment, old and new, used to communicate with hams around the world
| PrimeTime 4
In this age of digital, global communication, people around the world are just a keystroke away from connecting. But for Bob Beaudet and about 2 million other people worldwide, they prefer a challenge. Beaudet is a ham radio, or amateur radio, enthusiast. He is the Rhode Island Section Manager for the National Association for Amateur Radio and a member of the Board of Governors for the Blackstone Valley Amateur Radio Club, of which he was the youngest founding member. He teaches monthly classes to get other hams set up and educated on how to operate radio. “Ham radio is a very interesting hobby and it’s a useful service,” Beaudet said. Amateur radio is the use of radio frequencies to communicate for recreation or emergency communication, unlike commercial broadcasting. The origins of amateur radio can be traced as far back as the late 19th century, but ham radio as a hobby exploded after World War II. During the war, the government ordered that amateur stations be shut down after Pearl Harbor, to avoid interrupting with military communications. In post-war America, ham radio emerged as more than a means to an end. “In 1945, when the war was over, one by one by one, each evening they would come back on the air. All the friends were coming back together again,” Beaudet said. Beaudet’s father was an occasional user of amateur radio, and Beaudet quickly developed a fascination. When he was just 7 years old, he would stay up late on Friday nights, listening in on his father’s signals back and forth to other users. Users are identified by call signs, a unique combination of letters and numbers that both identifies the person and where they are calling from (Beaudet’s call sign today is W1YRC). “He would let me listen, and he’d finally have to tell me to go to bed. I would have been able to stay up all night listening,” Beaudet said. He kept a logbook of the stations he and his father were communicating with, tracking the stations he most often heard from. Beaudet looked forward to those Friday nights, and eventually wanted to break out on his own. When he was barely 13 years old, he began saving his money. He worked in his father’s pharmacy and was paid 25 cents per hour. He held on to those quarters until he had saved enough to buy a receiver of his own. One pair of voices stood out. Beaudet realized that two men were communicating from Woonsocket, just blocks away from where he lived. He hopped on his bike and knocked on one of their doors. The man showed Beaudet his station at home, and learned that he was eligible for an amateur radio license, despite his father’s belief that Beaudet had to be 18 years old. “He told me you could be in diapers, if you pass the test, you can get a license,” Beaudet recalled. Beaudet borrowed the man’s books to study, and by June of 1953, had his license. Though he was still a young man, he enjoyed listening to the stories of hams returning from the war and starting new lives. Some stations are designated as “nets,” dedicated to a specific topic that facilitates a roundtable-type discussion. “Hams never struggle finding something to talk about. In the older days, we were more prone to having a chat, or a rag chew as we call it on radio, then we are now. Nowadays, everything is so fast paced,” he said. Beaudet was drawn to the technology behind amateur radio, and to the wholesome conversations shared with people around the world. He remembers the first time he reached someone in Michigan, the farthest call he had made as a teenager, and was astonished that a single piece of wire on his house could accomplish such a thing. October 2012
HOBBIES
“
To me, radio is magic. I’ve been licensed nearly 60 years and I still think it’s magic.
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“I thought that was the coolest thing in the world. I could have contacted Saturn and it wouldn’t have been any more exciting,” he said. Beaudet has since talked to people in India, Africa and the Philippines, many of whom he says use ham radio to practice their English. Today, he has contacted 369 countries - more than any other ham in Rhode Island. He has made connections with countless other hams, from King Hussein of Jordan to television personality Arthur Godfrey. “To me, radio is magic,” he says. “I’ve been licensed nearly 60 years and I still think it’s magic.” Beaudet worked for Raytheon for 42 years, and he and his late wife have two children. Still, throughout the years, he never gave up his love for amateur radio. Now that he is retired and his children grown, he dedicates his entire day to communicating through the station he has set up in his home in Cumberland. Some days he uses a microphone to speak directly to other hams; in other instances, he relies on Morse code. He is continuously amazed at the stories he hears from other hams, and at the infinite possibilities behind the hobby. Unlike the Internet or telephone, ham radio withstands bad weather and an influx of users. “With radio, everyone can be on at once. We’ll all just be a little cozy,” he said. Beaudet has invested quite a bit of money in his hobby, with multiple towers in his backyard, a collection of antique Morse code keys and enough gadgets to fill his den, but he says ham radio doesn’t have to be expensive, either. He holds up a Handie Talkie that cost just $100 and makes contact with a friend nearby. He signs off by saying “7-3,” which in radio world means “best regards.” “You don’t have to spend a lot of money. Fill in a number and you can spend that much if you really want to,” he said. If you’re interested in getting on air, he advises you to take a class and find your “Elmer,” a mentor who will show you the ropes. When you’re ready, take the test for your license and get your call sign out there. Set goals about who you want to meet or what countries you hope to connect to. Hams send out post cards with their radio handles, often personalized with photos of where they live, to other hams to certify that they have contacted any number of countries. But Beaudet warns that once you get involved in ham radio, it can be addicting. He loves to make friends all over the world, and sometimes even just listen to what people are talking about. “You just turn on the radio and listen. You might spend your entire day - your entire week - just listening and not saying a word,” he said. “What you talk about is immaterial. The art is the communication.” It’s an art that hundreds of thousands of Americans have come to appreciate, more than email or chat rooms or Twitter. Using technology that has been around for more than a century, these hams explore the world from the comfort of their home, making connections made possible through radio frequency. “It keeps me alive and it keeps me young. There’s never a lonely day,” Beaudet says. “The number of friends you have is literally endless.” To get involved with ham radio in Rhode Island, visit www.w1ddd.org.
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October 2012
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HOBBIES
not so common
Imagine picking up a half penny from 1802 - worth less than one cent when produced - and being told it’s worth $7,000. Or a rare $3 bill, and finding out it could sell for almost $20,000. It’s not every day that it happens, but for David McConaghy, it’s not entirely unheard of either. And while he’s not the one cashing in, it’s no less a thrill. McConaghy owns New England Coin Exchange on Park Avenue in Cranston, a coin buying, selling and appraisal service that has been in operation for more than 30 years. As a Buddhist, McConaghy does not put much stock in material possessions, so he does not collect coins personally. He has long had a fascination with the history behind currency, however, since he was just a boy, and it’s a hobby he gets to share day in and day out with his customers. “Coin collecting gives you a real connection to history,” he said. New England Coin Exchange sometimes purchases the coins straight out. In other cases, they consign the coins and act as the direct salesperson on behalf of the customers. In other cases still, they put the coins up on auction sites like eBay, taking 10 percent of the sales price. And every once in a while, they come across a coin that McConaghy can’t even dream of buying. He recalls a family that came in the day after Thanksgiving one year with a set of 15 coins they had inherited. It turned out that 12 of those coins were some of the rarest in existence, including a USA bar token. “It’s believed by many people to be the first representation of the United States by three letters - U S A,” McConaghy explained. “Before that, every token, every cent, was made by the colony.” Looking at the coins, he was speechless. “I almost couldn’t breathe; I was so excited.” In instances when the coins are incredibly valuable (in that case worth hundreds of thousands of dollars), McConaghy advises the customer on how to proceed. Coins cannot be insured unless they are sent to either the Professional Coin Grading Service or the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation to be officially graded. Grading determines the authenticity and the condition of a coin. Through one of these agencies, the value will be confirmed and they can be put into protective cases. The value of coins, also called the Numismatic value, is determined by several factors. A coin is more valuable if it has a low mintage, or is one of very few produced. Also contributing to the value is the metal content, how old and what country it comes from, and the bulk of the product for sale. Customers might
| PrimeTime 6
come in with one valuable coin from the early 19th century, but they could also come in with a large bucket of coins to be melted down and sold to jewelers. Unfortunately, some of the coins that come across the New England Coin Exchange counter are counterfeits. McConaghy takes out a book of replicas, strikingly similar to the real thing, but quickly dispels the myth when a magnet pulls the page of coins forward. If the diameter is not exact, that too is a sure sign of a fake. In the most convincing of cases, an X-ray of the metal content will give it away. “You break a lot of hearts when you do that,” McConaghy said. According to the Stamp and Hobby Act of 1972, replica coins must say “copy” on it. He gives lessons to area gold buyers and pawn shops about how to spot the handiwork of a counterfeiter. He is selective of who he works with, though, and if he discovers that a shop is knowingly ripping off customers, he cuts them off. McConaghy decided to get into the business to offer an honest perspective in an industry that too often deceives its customers. “Unfortunately, in this business, we see the results of the collections and collectors that are not handled properly. During a tough economy, what’s in people comes out,” he said. McConaghy opened the shop after he brought his four kids into a store to check out some coins. He saw a woman come in with a set of standing Liberty quarters. The man behind the counter shrugged the set off, offering just $35. The quarters were worth $9,000. “I felt very upset about the fact that this was going on,” he said. Nowadays, coin collecting - while still very common - is less popular among young people. Families inherit collections and have no idea what they are worth, which is why McConaghy says it is the responsibility of the collector to do their due diligence. Collectors, he said, should have their collections appraised, insured and properly stored before passing them to the next generation. They should also be careful of who they give them to. “Now, it’s a race to liquidation because the cost base is zero. They make very impulsive decisions,” McConaghy said of heirs.
He hopes these families will take time with the decision on what to sell and for how much. He promises to give an honest appraisal, and help people navigate the coin community, whether they want to sell or want to hold on to several items in honor of their loved one. Most importantly, don’t make any rash decisions. “If you’re on the fence, you really shouldn’t do it.” McConaghy works with many customers who are looking to sell, but more still who are in the business of collecting. He has regulars who come in to check out what is on consignment, and keeps a folder of wish lists in case rare coins come his way. His favorite part of the job is working with young kids who have an interest. For someone who is interested in collecting, but intimidated by the lingo, McConaghy says you should start small. “Start with a narrow focus and read about the coins before you buy them,” he said. Try collecting dimes, for example, and pick up a guide book that will help you get an idea of the value of coins. McConaghy suggests “Grading Coins by Photographs,” by Q. David Bowers. Learn about counterfeits and find a shop where you can look at the types of coins you are in the market for. From there, find a shop where you feel comfortable. “If you’re going to get serious, then we encourage you to find a dealer you trust,” he said. McConaghy says coin collecting “engages most every sense,” because its tactile - you handle the currency, you read and write to learn more about history and it also requires you to use your memory. For McConaghy, it’s not about the money. It never has been. “We consider ourselves to be the conservators of history,” he said. “It’s rare pieces of history.” New England Coin Exchange is located at 935 Park Avenue, Suite 209, in Cranston. For more information, visit www.necoinexchange.com or call 3392934.
October 2012
October 2012
PrimeTime |
b y meg fraser
HOBBIES
playtime for big kids
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Route 44 • Greenville Common Greenville, RI (401) 949-0180 andersonwinfield.net
| PrimeTime 8
A single vintage train car could cost you more than $1 million. A 1912 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost will run you about $3.2 million. And you won’t find a B2 Bomber for less than $2 billion. For the vast majority of us, those price tags are far from realistic. But if you’re looking for a replica to fit on your hearth, Apponaug Color and Hobby Shop can get you a model that costs less than dinner at an upscale restaurant.
full train set starts at $250 and up; build-it-yourself canoes are as cheap as $28; lanes run from $40 to $150, and some car kits can be purchased for just $20. Apponaug Hobby has been open in Warwick since 1950. Originally a paint store, within its first decade of operation, the store switched gears and became a hobby shop that attracts customers from around the country and, on occasion, around the world. “People visit from all across the country. I do the same thing when my wife and I are on vacation,” said Apponaug employee Steve Mason, recalling shoppers from England, Japan and Germany, as well as the entire United States. He has one customer whom he estimates has spent $500,000 on model trains. “Model trains are an important aspect,” said store owner Chuck Moore. “People like to make little villages and towns and mountains. Everything here you make from models and kits and raw materials.” While sales pick up around the holidays, when families want an old fashioned train model winding its way around the Christmas tree and stacks of presents, it’s a huge part of Apponaug’s year-round business. Many customers who actively participate in the hobby are well versed in the history of trains. “Most of the railroaders model the 1950s; that was really the heyday of it,” said Mason. Often times, older family members grew up playing with train sets, and they want to pass the hobby down to the next generation. Moore recalls one customer who came in and said his grandson would be there at 2 p.m. that day, and he wanted to buy him a train. Little did Moore realize, the man meant his grandson was being delivered that day. “That’s the earliest we’ve sold a train set,” he quipped. Moore knows how to sight the ruse, though; many times, parents and grandparents are looking forward to reliving a part of their own childhood. “A lot of times people will come in and say, ‘Hey, I came in here when I was a kid, now I’m bringing my kid.’ In reality, they don’t want it for the kids; they want it for themselves,” he said. Mason, a longtime customer of Apponaug Color and Hobby, made no pretenses about his reason for visiting the shop. It wasn’t for kids - it was for himself. He bought train sets, car models, rockets - you name it - and made an impression on Moore. “I started working here because I used to come here as a customer. In 1982, I came in and he offered me a job,” he said. MODELS – PAGE 33 October 2012
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HOBBIES
A
BIF_PrimeTimeSeniorLiving_Ad_rev_12.qxd:BIF
5/21/12
utumn is in the air, but the air conditioning is cranked high in the Webster Knight Collection room. The lights are dimmed, but sunlight streams in from the third story window overlooking Prospect Street, as Thomas Greene points out the first stamp ever issued in the United States. On the second and third floor of the John Hay Library at Brown University, there are countless other pieces of history carefully stored. Postmasters in America first got permission to create their own stamps in 1845, with Providence issuing its first provisional stamp in 1846. On July 1, 1847, the first United States stamp was issued. The 77-year-old Greene spends roughly $50,000 on stamps each year, overseeing one of the most impressive stamp collections in the country. “Some people are born to collect things. I’m one of those people,” Greene said. “I’m running out of cases.” There are several collections stored at Brown, donated to the university by influential Rhode Islanders, starting with Webster Knight. An 1876 graduate of Brown, Knight focused on United States stamps, setting the tone for the university’s curators through the years by collecting them in blocks. While there are single stamps in the collection, many stamps are on display in blocks of four or more. STAMPS – PAGE 32 2:31 PM Page 1
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in the kitchen
10 | PrimeTime
October 2012
food & drink
Flavors of Fall Autumn Pierogies and Apples Prep: 10 minutes Cook: 15 minutes
Serves: 4
Saint Elizabeth Community Where RI seniors come first
1 package (16-ounces) frozen MRS. T’S Potato & Cheddar Pierogies 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 large sweet onion, halved and sliced 1 tablespoon butter 2 red apples, cored and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided 1/2 cup sour cream Sauté pierogies as package directs. Cook onion slices in 12-inch skillet over medium heat, in hot oil, until lightly browned and just tender, stirring occasionally. Remove to bowl. Melt butter in same skillet over medium heat. Add apple slices and teaspoon cinnamon; cook until lightly browned, stirring occasionally. Combine sour cream with remaining teaspoon ground cinnamon in small bowl. Combine pierogies with onions and apple mixture; toss to mix well. Serve with sour cream.
Cobweb Cupcakes (24 servings)
1 2 1 1 1 1
package (18.25 ounces) devil’s food or yellow cake mix (2.1 ounces each) Nestlé Butterfinger Candy Bars, chopped container (16 ounces) prepared vanilla frosting cup (6 ounces) Nestlé Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels small tube white decorator icing or gel package (1.38 ounces) Nestlé Goobers Milk Chocolate-Covered Peanuts
PREPARE cake mix batter according to package directions; add chopped Butterfinger to batter. Bake according to directions for 24 cupcakes. Cool completely. Frost cupcakes. PLACE morsels in small, heavy-duty plastic bag. Microwave on HIGH (100%) power for 45 seconds; knead. Microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals, kneading until smooth. Cut small corner from bag; squeeze to pipe concentric circles on top of frosting. Using wooden pick or tip of knife, pull tip through chocolate from center to last circle to create a cobweb effect. MAKE 2 dots using decorator icing on each of 24 Goobers to resemble spider eyes. Place in center of each cobweb.
Autumn Acorn Squash Soup Servings: 6 Cooking Time: 10 minutes
1 small onion 1/4 cup chopped celery 2 tablespoons sweet cream butter 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon 1/2 teaspoon dill weed 1/4 teaspoon curry powder Dash cayenne pepper 2 cups chicken bone stock 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk 3 cups cooked acorn squash, mashed Salt and pepper to taste 6 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled SAUTE the onion and celery in butter in a large saucepan. Stir in flour, bouillon, dill, curry and cayenne pepper. Gradually add chicken stock and sweetened condensed milk. BOIL for 2 minutes. Add the squash, salt and pepper. PLACE in blender; blend in batches until smooth. Pour into bowls; garnish with bacon.
October 2012
Saint Elizabeth Home
Short-term rehab and long-term care East Greenwich: 471-6060
Saint Elizabeth Manor
Short-term rehab and long-term care Bristol: 253-2300
Saint Elizabeth Place
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Saint Elizabeth Court Affordable assisted living Providence: 490-4646
Saint Elizabeth Terrace
Affordable apartments for seniors Warwick: 739-7700
Cornerstone Adult Services
Daily support for seniors Warwick, Bristol, Coventry, and Little Compton Specialized Alzheimer’s Care Center Warwick Neck: 739-2844 Saint Elizabeth Community offers a full spectrum of care and services for older adults in Rhode Island, ensuring they receive the right care in the right place at the right time. To learn how we can help you or someone you love, call us at 471-6060 or one of the numbers above.
www.stelizabethcommunity.com www.facebook.com/SaintElizabethCommunity A CareLink Partner and non-profit, nonsectarian 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
PrimeTime | 11
THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT
lifestyles
by DON FOWLER
Shriners shine at One Rhodes Place We had our first meal at “The Shriners” over 40 years ago, when Cranston resident Ken Fawthrop ran quarterly blood drives and fed the donors a hearty breakfast. We have been dining there ever since, and now in an attractive building that sits on the corner of Broad Street and Rhodes Place, home to a fraternal organization with a charitable goal of operating 22 Shriners Hospitals for Children. You have seen them in parades, with their colorful vehicles and clown costumes. They also run a restaurant, banquet hall and catering service that are open to the public, serving quality food at reasonable prices. Joyce has lunch there a few times a year with the retired nurses from the Scandinavian Home. I’ve attended dinners for the Food Bank, Cub Scout Blue and Gold Dinners, a Game Dinner, this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Corned Beef Dinner, and a variety of other functions over the years.
Their Sunday breakfast and buffet, served 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., has been a destination after church, and we also do take out fish and chips frequently on Fridays. The Imperial Room atmosphere is first class, giving the feeling of dining in a fancy hotel or upscale restaurant, complete with high, cushioned chairs, white linens and chandeliers. A large adjoining room accommodates larger groups and is available for rental for any occasion. The restaurant and banquet facility have undergone some recent changes, hiring a talented executive chef, Christopher Kutzo, and assuring high food quality and consistency. Director of Sales Hillary Williamson has been there for 18 years, and knows how to treat her clients. The kitchen can successfully handle an event for 200 people, serving meals hot and efficiently while not neglecting their customers in the intimate Imperial Room.
Dinner at The Imperial Room Living within walking distance, the Imperial Room is frequently a lastminute choice when Joyce doesn’t feel like cooking. My brother-in-law said the Yankee pot roast reminded him of his mother’s recipe, tender with delicious gravy ($11.99), and you can get beef liver, bacon and onions for only $9.99. They have gluten-free chicken dishes for $10.99, a variety of pasta selections, beef and veal, chicken and seafood, with prices running a few dollars less than most restaurants. The most expensive entrée on the dinner menu is an 8 oz. filet for $19.99; the least expensive is pasta primavera (bow tie pasta tossed with fresh seasonal vegetables in a light garlic, olive oil and white wine sauce for only $8.99. I’ve had it; it’s great. We’ve been to so many functions at the Shriners but have never gotten
around to officially “reviewing” it. It is like an old friend whom you never properly acknowledge. Joyce and I decided that the time was right to recognize our old friend (besides, she didn’t feel like cooking), so we went to the Imperial Room for dinner recently. A political fundraiser was going on in the banquet room, and there were about five tables filled in the dining room. I like it when the hostess invites us to “sit wherever you like” ... and we did. The basket of rolls was immediately brought to our table, along with water and menus. Kayla, our friendly waitress, took our drink order, which is our test of the bartender. The martini and Black Russian came as requested and were blended perfectly. We are in a rut, usually ordering the calamari appetizer as our first test of the kitchen. Chef Kutzo passed with flying colors. The calamari was gently breaded, SHRINERS – PAGE 34
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12 | PrimeTime
October 2012
b y elaine m . decker
senior issues
Talking to someone with cancer Excerpts from Section II of “CANCER: A Coping Guide.” I am a cancer survivor. To the naked eye, I probably look a lot like you. Or your sister. Or your mother. But unless they are cancer survivors, too, we are not the same. From a survivor’s perspective, the world is divided into two groups: those who have personally battled the disease and those who have not. Survivors belong to a brotherhood they did not ask to join. My circle has included too many women with breast cancer, as well as men and women with skin cancer, prostate and uterine cancer, bladder and pancreatic cancer, colon cancer, brain tumors and lymphoma. Our backgrounds are as diverse as our types of cancer and our reactions to the disease are as varied as our treatments. Over the years I’ve found a common thread within their stories: many of the people in their lives had no idea how to interact with them. Eventually almost everyone will face the question: What do you say to a friend, relative or co-worker who has cancer? Equally importantly, what don’t you say to them? People who have cancer have almost as many different ways to deal with their disease as there are types of cancer. One friend may openly share all the details of her treatment. Another might get offended if you ask any questions. To further complicate your interaction, they often react differently from one day to the next. Despite these differences, you can learn to be a supportive friend or loved one. Be prepared for a relationship that will be filled with contradictions, because that’s what their life will have become. Some days even they won’t be sure what mood they’re in. First and foremost, take your signals from the patient. If he doesn’t seem to want to talk about it, don’t probe. Be prepared to talk about other things, things you would have discussed before you knew he had the disease. What exactly should you say and what not? While there are no guaranteed rules, there are helpful guidelines. Many are just common sense, but it’s amazing how often people fail to use it. One of my friends had a rare and deadly type of cancer. Her oncologist warned her that the experimental drugs she was taking were exceptionally potent and she’d be ultra-emotional during treatment. This is how he described it to her. “You’ll feel as though your fingers and toes are 10 feet long.” What an apt metaphor! People can give someone undergoing treatment a wide berth and they can still step on toes and hurt feelings. Be assured that it’s probably not you. It’s the damn disease and the wretched treatment. Keep in mind that often the best way to talk to someone with cancer is to NOT talk, but to simply listen. Really listen. To help you interact with friends and loved ones who have cancer, “CANCER: A Coping Guide” suggests 10 things to avoid saying and 10 more to say freely. Here are just a few.
Things Not to Say to Someone with Cancer • They can do so much for cancer these days. This is one of the most common things a person with cancer hears. It can be appropriate if it’s reinforcing what your friend has expressed to you. It should not be the first thing you say when you hear about the cancer. Yes, it’s true that the medical profession has many weapons in the modern arsenal against this disease. But it’s still hell to have it; and no matter how many good checkups he has, he’ll never be sure it’s gone. • Everything’s going to be OK. Everything is not going to be “OK.” For the rest of her life, she will live with the threat and very real fear of a recurrence. A perky, Pollyanna attitude can make it appear that you don’t appreciate the seriousness of the problem. It’s great to encourage a positive mindset, but do that by saying “You’re going to get through this. I’ll help you.” • I would have called you sooner, but I didn’t know what to say. This is the lamest excuse, but sadly, one of the most common. It makes the cancer patient feel you didn’t care enough to try to come up with something to talk about. It can make her feel guilty for burdening you with figuring out what to say. Someone who really cares can always think of something to say. If you honestly can’t, relax. And read on.
Things You Should Say to Someone with Cancer • I just called to see how you’re doing today. This is just as simple and direct as it sounds. If things are going well, show that you’re happy for your loved one. If they are not going well, listen with patience and understanding. After an appropriate interval, look for ways to brighten the conversation or redirect it. • I hope you feel as good as you look today. This is one of the best things you can say to a cancer patient if it is even reasonably appropriate. It can make your friend feel better to know he doesn’t look as though he’s at death’s door. (Contrast this with one of the things you should not say: You look so healthy! I can’t believe you have cancer.) • I love you. Or, if you don’t sincerely feel that strongly, I care about you. The most important thing you can communicate to someone with cancer is that you sincerely care about him and his problems. Say it directly. Say it with feeling. And say it often. Copyright 2012 Business Theatre Unlimited. “CANCER: A Coping Guide, for Those with the Big C and Those Who Love Them,” by Elaine M. Decker, is available on Amazon.com.
Elaine Decker, a 22-year breast cancer survivor, is pictured with her husband, Jagdish Sachdev, at their wedding reception in 1990, shortly after she completed her treatment.
October 2012
PrimeTime | 13
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14 | PrimeTime
October 2012
DOER’S PROFILE
people
by JOAN RE TSINAS
and
places
Art in progress Tuesday is art night. For some, Wednesday is the night. For others, it is a weekday morning. Whatever the slot, each eight-week semester, roughly 100 people designate “art time” as they leave their work-day worlds - dentists, clergy, law enforcers, programmers, mothers of young children, teachers, retirees - to don artists’ aprons as they enter the East Side Art Center, where Carolyn and Don Simon lead students through the gamut of possibilities. For 20 years, Carolyn and Don Simon - as well as invited teachers - have given classes in drawing, painting (oils, watercolor, acrylics), portraiture and landscape. Afternoons are reserved for children, the mornings and evenings for adults. Some students once upon a time studied art; they come to refine their skills. For others, art is a new pastime. Typically, new students will start with basic drawing classes and then move on. Most people who take one class return for another. Some students have been taking classes with Carolyn and Don since the school opened. Every September, for 17 years, Carolyn and Don have arranged a special one-week “En Plein Air” workshop on Block Island. For five days, up to 10 students live together, gathering their easels, paints and drawing boards each morning to translate part of the landscape onto canvas. The studio doesn’t have a kiln for ceramics; otherwise, students can study almost any kind of art. When students want more, Carolyn and Don will bring in a specialist for a one- or twoday workshop, such as Oriental brushwork. Once, a master calligrapher from China gave an exclusive demonstration while he was visiting his daughter in Providence. The studio, on Rochambeau Avenue on the East Side of Providence, is a testimony to the creative whimsy of the teachers, with fanciful sculptures, bright colors and drawings covering the walls. Forty years ago, Don Simon, a graphic designer (Rhode Island School of Design ‘69) and his partner turned this 1920s carriage house into an office for their advertising studio, Sunrise Corporation. National pioneers in non-profit marketing, Sunrise did many campaigns, large and small, for hundreds of non-profits, including the Peace Corps, the Unitarian/Universalist Church, Rhode Island Blood Center and the University of Rhode Island. Twenty years ago, when Don closed the advertising studio, he and
October 2012
Carolyn reconfigured the two-floor space for classes. For Carolyn, art is her passion, as well as her vocation. She has always juggled the two roles: artist and teacher. Born in New York City, she studied at the Art Students’ League and at Hunter College, before transferring to Rhode Island School of Design (also ‘69), where she majored in fine arts and painting. She has taught both young people in the Cranston school system, and adults who take lessons privately. Indeed, she spent three years teaching in Florence, Italy. At the same time, under her professional name C.C. Wolf, she carves out time to paint. In 2013, she will have a show at the Newport Art Museum. Carolyn points with pride to students who have made the leap from student to exhibitor: a few have exhibited at the Pawtucket Arts Council, at the Rhode Island Watercolor Society or have entered juried shows. But most are not yearning for recognition. They come because they love the act of creating.
“When classes start, the three hours fly. Whether you’ve had a good day or a bad day, it doesn’t matter,” Carolyn said. You have been an artist.
A lot of people think, ‘It would be fun to try to paint.’ And a lot of them shrink from taking a class, thinking that they need the talent of a Renoir to take up a brush. Carolyn offers advice for would-be artists. 1. Trust yourself to try it. If you think you would like to paint or draw, try. Follow your instinct. 2. Be patient. Don’t expect instant mastery of skills. It takes time to learn skills, but you will see your work develop. 3. You have to put in time for results. Students who work at their art at home will progress faster in class.
PrimeTime | 15
a worthy cause
PEOPLE AND PLACES
b y M ichael j . cerio
Preserving the past Ask Rhode Islanders what they love most about the Ocean State and you’ll probably get as many different answers as people you spoke to. Ask them about the most striking aspects of the state’s rich history and it gets even more interesting. “We get inquiries from people all across the country on the Roger Williams Root; it’s probably one of the most talked about pieces in our collection,” said Kathy Clarendon, director of Development and Public Relations for the Rhode Island Historical Society. As the story goes, nearly 200 years after Roger Williams passed away, his body was exhumed in order to provide him a proper burial. Instead of finding bones, those working on the project discovered that the root of an apple tree had entered his coffin. From this, legend grew that the apple tree had eaten the remains, generating a root in their place. Today, the root is on display in the carriage house of the John Brown House, visited by people from all over. The Rhode Island Historical Society, a certified non-profit, was founded in 1822 and remains one of the oldest historical societies in the United States. Dedicated to preserving and displaying the artifacts that have shaped our state’s history, the Society plays the leading role in making these items accessible to the community. “We’ve researched over 500 historical societies in Rhode Island alone,” said Clarendon. “Our goal is to collaborate with everyone to ensure that historians and researchers alike have access to incredible items in one place - it’s really the biggest things we’re focused on right now.” Housed in the famous Aldrich House on Benevolent Street, the Rhode Island Historical Society also operates the John Brown House Museum, the Rhode Island Historical Society Library, and maintains the Museum of Work and Culture in Woonsocket. Both the Aldrich House and the John Brown House Museum are National Historic Landmarks.
The Society holds the largest and most important historical collections relating to Rhode Island. Its collections include some 25,000 objects, 5,000 manuscripts, 100,000 books and printed items, 400,000 photographs and maps, and an astounding 9 million feet of motion picture film. “One of the things that I have found so interesting is that everyone who has their hands in our collection is drawn to different items,” said Clarendon. “There’s really something here for everyone interested in history; it’s a true treasure trove.” To make sure that its collections are accessible, the Society has created RHODI - the Rhode Island History Online Directory Initiative. This project serves as an online directory that brings the state’s historical community together. “We have everything from recordings of traditional ethnic music to antique tea cups, to the plaid shirt worn by Governor Garrahy during the Blizzard of ‘78 and one of the two original charters granted by the English acknowledging Rhode Island as a colony,” says Jim DaMico, special collections curator. Just this past summer, DaMico completed cataloging the most compre16 | PrimeTime
hensive inventory of graphics materials in the Society’s history - a project that began more than five years ago and included over a quarter-million items. “This project was incredibly important because it allowed for better control over what we have,” said DaMico. “As a result, people from all walks of life, including students working on research papers and historians, can find information more easily.” According to DaMico, one of the most interesting finds of the project was an old autochrome, one of the rarest and most fragile of photographic processes. Representing the birth of color photography, the autochrome used upwards of 4 million potato starch grains per square inch as the emulsion agent. The process was used extensively to document World War II. In order to do its work, the Rhode Island Historical Society relies on support from the community; something that has become more of a challenge due to the economy. Over the past few years, what support the organization did receive from the state and from the city of Providence has been cut drastically. “What I’d like people to most understand is that we’re not a state organi-
The Rhode Island Historical Society’s main offices are located in the historic Aldrich House on Providence’s East Side. Built in 1822, the home is recognized as a National Historic Landmark. (Photos courtesy of the Rhode Island Historical Society)
Among the more than 400,000 photographs held by the Rhode Island Historical Society, this silver gelatin print taken by Walter L. Beasley, circa 1937, is from the Group Portraits Collection. zation,” said Clarendon. “We’re trying to do more with less while working harder and smarter and relying more heavily on our members, foundations and organizational friends for help.” In addition to the financial support the organization receives from the community, volunteers play an important role in what they’re able to do. As history remains a hobby enjoyed by many, the Society is always actively looking to engage more volunteers in its work. Volunteer opportunities abound, including tours of the John Brown House and of Providence given by volunteer docents. There are also administrative opportunities and special products that the staff does not have the time for. Many of the items cared for by the Society are donated by Rhode Islanders. “People generally don’t want to throw away old things that may have historical significance or be valuable,” said DaMico. “We always encourage folks to contact us and let us know what they have that they’re interested in giving to us.” Once the Society is contacted by an interested donor, the Collections Committee arranges to look at the items to make sure they fit within the collection
guidelines, and that they can be properly cared for and displayed. On Saturday, Oct. 13, the Society will host their first-ever “What Cheer Day” with a theme of Rhode Island at War. At all four of its sites, the organization will host a variety of special events and interactive activities for people of all ages. More information, including how to register, can be found on their website at www.RIHS.org. Those interested in becoming involved with the Rhode Island Historical Society, whether as a member, donor, volunteer or to donate items, are encouraged to contact Kathy Clarendon at 331-8575. “We have a lot of incredible pieces, but also need continued support in order to preserve them for the long-term,” Clarendon said. “So much of our democracy’s history started here in Rhode Island and I think people would be amazed at what we have to offer. We’re proud of our work to ensure that these historic items remain safe and appreciated.”
October 2012
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October 2012
PrimeTime | 17
b y meg fraser
back on
track
While a student at Classical High School, David Belhumeur was something of a track star. He threw the shot put, the discus and the javelin, and did some pole vaulting, too. He had to work through college, though, so his athletic career was cut short. More than 30 years later, it has been revived, thanks to Rhode Island Senior Olympics. “It was always something that was interesting to me,” Belhumeur said, recalling an article he saw in a local newspaper about Senior Olympics. “It was right around when I turned 50 and I said, ‘Let me give that a try.’” Rhode Islanders over the age of 50 are eligible to compete in the state’s Senior Olympics, part of the National Senior Games Association. Established in 1977, the Rhode Island Games now include 15 events from cycling to softball. Events are broken into age categories, with peer groups in five-year increments. Now 56, Belhumeur is a six-year competitor of the Rhode Island Games, and has competed as a thrower in track meets in Massachusetts and Connecticut as well. “I started competing in some of those also and meeting some really tremendous folks at these meets,” he said. “You see, as the years go by, a lot of the same faces, so you look forward to meeting up with some of your buddies.” By day, Belhumeur owns software companies. When his friends, wife and three kids found out about his extracurricular pursuits, they were very encouraging but also surprised to learn of the opportunities that Rhode Island Senior Olympics provides. “I think a lot of the people were surprised that there was something like that available for the age group. They didn’t know about it,” he said. And as for his kids, Belhumeur
18 | PrimeTime
says, “They think it’s pretty cool when dad comes home with some medals.” Three years ago, Belhumeur qualified for nationals and went to the National Senior Games, that year held in Louisville, Ky. “I think there must have been 15,000 competitors. The Senior Games have basketball, volleyball, baseball, the full slate of swimming competitions, a full slate of track and field, horseshoes, bowling, archery - all those types of competitions. That was really interesting to take part in,” he said. “There’s all different skill levels; everybody enjoys themselves,” he added. Meets usually run from April through July, but Belhumeur has found that his second life in athletics motivates him to train year-round. October 2012
HOBBIES “You want to stay in shape and stay healthy and strong, but when you’re lifting in December or January, your thought is on trying to improve so you can do better in competitions once May or June comes around and the weather improves,” he said. “It’s something to focus on and something to look forward to.” For Belhumeur, training is enjoyable. Two or three times a week, he lifts free weights and does cardio - a hobby that is about as active as you can get. “I worked out regularly during my lifetime. It’s not a chore for me. I enjoy doing it,” he said. It isn’t just the sport he looks forward to, either. “There are a lot of great athletes in Rhode Island and there’s a lot of camaraderie between the people. There’s good sportsmanship and you meet some really nice people who end up being friends for a while,” he said. Belhumeur can understand seniors’ hesitation to get back into sports late in life. There are certainly less competitive, and less physical hobbies out there, but he is confident that they will enjoy the relationships made through the Games. “Just show up for a meet. You’ll have a lot of fun,” he said. “There’s naturally a bit of trepidation because people haven’t done this in maybe 30 or 40 years - but chances are they probably still can.” For more information on Rhode Island Senior Olympics, visit www.riseniorolympics.org, email mlyons7@hotmail.com or call 301-2041.
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PrimeTime | 19
in the kitchen
food & drink
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October 2012
HOBBIES
Sew what? A visit to the Simply Knitting website shows that in 2012, they estimate 64 percent of women plan to take up knitting in 2012, and that knitting circles are exploding in popularity. It’s a hobby as old as time, and today more than 50 million people know how to knit, crochet or sew. Just visit the popular social photo sharing site Pinterest and you’ll see the do-it-yourself movement at work. Users post photos of homemade items, from sweaters and dresses to centerpieces and recipes, which link to instructions on how you too can create the items. There is plenty of sewing handiwork on the site, or if you prefer the face-to-face camaraderie that hobbies so often provide, reach out to the groups in your community. Blaine’s Sewing Machine Center in Cranston offers classes, as does The Sewing Room in Exeter. If you’re already well versed in the craft, consider taking it to the next level and joining the Rhode Island Sewing Network.
Read between the lines Arguably the most transportable hobby, reading can be done inside, outside, at the beach, in a cabin in the woods, in the car, on a plane, alone or in a group. You can read fiction or non-fiction, mystery or romance. No matter which way you like it, reading is a versatile pastime. In 2011, books accounted for $5.8 billion in sales - roughly $969 million of that was from e-Book sales. While the way we buy books has changed in many ways, those numbers are a good sign. You’re not the only one out there buying, reading and cherishing books. So if you’re ready to meet some of those other people out there who are buying, reading and cherishing books, what better way than to join a book club? Hearing the perspective of others can change the way you see things, shining a different light even on a familiar story you’ve come to love. There are dozens of book clubs in Rhode Island. A quick Google search will reveal a long list of clubs out there, but the best way to get started is to visit your local library. Many libraries serve as the meeting spot for book clubs, and even if they don’t, they can help point you in the right direction.
Bowled over Monday through Thursday morning, and Friday at noon, several dozen seniors file into Town Hall Lanes in Johnston for their daily dose of bowling. The alley is home to many leagues, several dedicated especially to seniors. The same is true at bowling centers across the state and across the world. Bowling is played by more than 100 million players each year, making it one of the most popular games in the world. While it isn’t the most exerting activity, it does have plenty of health benefits. Bowling helps with coordination, motor skills and balance, all of which are important as people get older. It’s also a highly adaptable game, so children, seniors and individuals with disabilities can all participate without feeling excluded. Best of all, bowling is a cost effective way to have fun as an individual, with friends or with the entire family. At Town Hall Lanes, for example, you can share a lane for an hour for just $20, with a $3 rental fee for shoes. October 2012
PrimeTime | 21
senior issues
b y kerry park
People are their passion When Peter Corr was recognized for his volunteerism at the 2012 Rhode Island Health Care Association (RIHCA) Distinguished Service Awards, the hundreds of guests in attendance got a glimpse of what makes him tick. He and seven other award winners had their lives played out in a video through which those watching were touched and inspired by one core, shared trait among the winners: humanity. A decade ago, RIHCA set out to design a forum to honor a group of people too rarely heralded - those who work to improve the lives of elders and the chronically ill through volunteerism, professional service or advocacy. From the outset, the RIHCA Distinguished Service Awards was intended to highlight the hard work of all long-term care workers, volunteers and advocates by showcasing those among them who
A Lifetime of Achievement Demands Protection
routinely go above and beyond to insure the best experience possible for nursing home residents and their loved ones. Award winners are chosen from a field of nominees put forth by long-term care workers throughout Rhode Island. Corr, a Harvard MBA grad and retired Naval Officer and State Purchasing agent, is a perfect representation of the commitment shared by many in making a difference in the lives of others. A volunteer at Cherry Hill Manor in Johnston, it’s clear that he is fueled by his desire to help others. His business acumen, coupled with unbridled enthusiasm and humor, provide the winning combination that makes others sing his praises. His days are filled working with causes dear to him and his energy, according to those who nominated him for the award. Such is also the case for Jean and
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Evergreen House resident, Bob Harrison with Patricia Caito, the winner of the RI Health Care Association TRM Spirit Award. Lorraine Ouellette, volunteers at Orchard View Manor in East Providence, who along with Peter, were co-winners of the RIHCA Distinguished Service Volunteer Award. Without monetary rewards or mandates, Peter, Jean and Lorraine give back in innumerable ways with modesty and generosity. “I don’t do anything special. I just go help out,” said Jean upon learning of his award. Though clearly touched by the honor, his innate grace is typical of RIHCA Distinguished Service award winners. Other 2012 RIHCA Distinguished Service award winners include: Delia Deanna, assistant director of nursing at Pine Grove Health Center in Pascoag, named the RIHCA Long Term Care Nurse of the Year for providing uncompromising care to Pine Grove residents despite long-term, personal hardships; Joan Cranshaw, the 2012 RIHCA Social Worker of the Year, is the director of social services at the Holiday in Manville, and a 30-year veteran of her field; Melanie Tavares, a certified nursing assistant (CNA) at Orchard View Manor in East Providence; Christine Archambault, a CNA at Trinity Health and Rehabilitation Center in Woonsocket; Gigi Demedeiros, a CNA at Evergreen House Health Center in East Providence, each honored as Distinguished CNAs for handling the emotionally and physically demanding job of a frontline caregiver with compassion and skill, and Patricia Caito, activities director at Evergreen House, whose uplifting enthusiasm for her job led her to win the 2012 RIHCA TRM Spirit Award.
The letters written on behalf of these outstanding winners bring their gifts to life as seen in this excerpt describing Patricia’s contribution to life at Evergreen House: “It’s just a Tuesday but it’s a day to celebrate nonetheless. Family members and visitors crowd around the doorway, confused at the thought of such fun being had in a place where not many had the desire to visit. ‘Do people in nursing homes seriously party like this?’ The short answer is yes - any excuse to party at Evergreen and we are all there with bells on. This is the way it has been at our home since Patti has joined our team.” The letter goes on to tell of Patricia Caito’s drive to overcome what seems to be the insurmountable, as do all the letters sent in on behalf of the winners. “There is never an obstacle or a challenge that cannot be conquered. Her leadership is palpable, her commitment to her residents outstanding.” This is the description of all RIHCA Distinguished Service Winners, and by sharing them with others, RIHCA hopes to shine the light on all those who give of themselves in numerous ways to brighten the lives of nursing home residents. The Rhode Island Health Care Association offers information about Rhode Island nursing homes, including volunteer opportunities. The association can be reached at 732-9333 or online at www.rihca.com.
October 2012
retirement sparks
se n io r
iss u es
b y elaine m . decker
Bad luck chain e-mails What seems to be almost a hobby for some people is one of my pet peeves: those e-mails that claim you must forward them to seven friends (or six or 10 - never two or three) within five minutes (or six or 10 - or sometimes two or three) or else you will have bad luck for the next seven years (or... you get the idea). I’m sure you’ve all received these. They’re similar to the almost-as-annoying ones promising good luck if you follow the instructions. Retirement seems to have afforded some of my former colleagues the time to dabble more in predictions, threats and dire consequences. They must think it also affords me the time to respond to these, but I trash them within five seconds (or six or 10). News flash to my e-mail world: I’m not that superstitious. I also don’t hate my friends enough to pass on the negative karma. And not the bogusly positive karma, either. Careful readers will have noticed the word “that” inserted before “superstitious” in the paragraph above. This means that though I don’t believe anything will happen to me for deleting these messages, I still have anxiety pangs as I do it. Thank you for the mental anguish, so-called friends who send them to me. One that I received earlier this year was about horoscopes. My “friend’s” subject line was: “Frightening how accurate for most.” More frightening was that she failed to see all the contradic-
tions embedded within these scopes, guaranteeing at least a whiff of accuracy. Her brief note read: “Can’t hurt - try it!” (Pascal’s wager anyone?) The instructions in the message included: “Below are true descriptions of zodiac signs. Read your sign and then forward it on, with your zodiac sign on the subject line.” Since my friend’s sign was not in her subject line, she must have been so worried about getting the message forwarded on time that she didn’t even read it. The instructions continued: “This is the real deal; try ignoring or changing it and the first thing you’ll notice is having a horrible day, starting tomorrow morning - and it only gets worse from there.” I inferred from this that I had only until the next morning to forward or be damned. That was a Monday. You’re reading this some months later, so I probably had a terrible week and a horrific summer. What we really need here is a message that goes back to the person who sent us the e-mail. As a service to my fellow retirees who have better things to do than annoy their buddies but would like to cover their bases, just in case, here it is. Dear friend, who is in imminent danger of becoming a former friend: Please recall the recent message you sent me wherein you put the chain e-
“
. . . try ignoring or changing it and the first thing you’ll is notice is having a
horrible day, starting tomorrow morning and it only gets worse from there. mail monkey onto my back to save your own skin. I will not be a party to passive-aggressive harassment, thinly veiled self-promotion or otherwise non-constructive clogging of the Internet pipe. If you do not retract this message immediately, here’s what will happen. Every appliance in your kitchen will malfunction, starting with the InSinkErator, but only after you have filled it with onion skins and shrimp tails. This will begin a cascade of problems. The day after the repairman (who bills by the visit) has fixed the first item, the second one will go down, and so on. Best not to plan any dinner parties for a few months. You might also want to put your favorite take-out on speed dial. Your alarm clock will wake you at 5 a.m. when you want to sleep in and will fail to go off when you have to catch that early morning, discounted, nonchangeable flight to Barbados. The one that was taking you to the fixed-date condo-swap. Whatever teeth you have left will begin to fall out of your mouth one
Struggling to make your mortgage payment?
”
week after having them professionally cleaned. That could be six months or a year from now. Two words: Delta Dental. You will misplace all of your credit cards, except the one with the $300 limit and the one with the 24 percent interest rate. When you try to replace the missing ones, you’ll learn that your identity has been stolen by the nephew of a woman from Nigeria who offered to cut you in on a scheme to make thousands of dollars, but you deleted her message. Your e-mail address will be mysteriously added to a network of porn sites. Not to worry. Your credit card with the 24 percent rate will get billed only if you accidentally click through. Finally, don’t even ask what I have planned for your bathroom. Oh. I forgot to mention. This will happen “starting tomorrow morning and it only gets worse from there.” Have a nice day.
If you are 62 years of age or older and unable to refinance an unaffordable mortgage; need assistance to meet your lender’s minimum refinancing requirements; or have suffered a severe financial hardship and need assistance moving forward, Hardest Hit Fund Rhode Island, HHFRI, can help you make your mortgage payments. To learn more, call 401-277-1500; visit www.HHFRI.org; or email info@HHFRI.org.
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October 2012
The U.S. Treasury has given funds to Rhode Island Housing to help prevent foreclosures and stabilize the housing market. HHFRI is the program that will distribute these funds.
PrimeTime | 23
wHAT DO YOU FINK?
L I F E S TYL E S
by MIKE FINK
Regrets and Egrets “He gained a world. He gave that world the grandest words: ‘On! Sail On!’” The 19th century poet Joaquin Miller wrote the ode to Christopher Columbus that our children used to recite in schoolrooms. We grew up with that hymn printed in a leather volume of verse my dad brought into the house from his boyhood. The poem starts with the geography of the seas, with special mention of the Azores, a point of departure for the voyages. The same sculptor, the French Frederic Bartholdi, who formed the design of our glorious Statue of Liberty, made an image of Christopher Columbus that stands on Elmwood Avenue, pointing an outstretched arm but only two Octobers ago was spattered with blood-red paint. It looked in photos as though Columbus was rebuking the vandals. They may even have been students conveying the contempt of their professors who had cancelled the Monday off in mid-October. I spent some time contemplating the revisionist attack on the name and vocation of the admiral, whose name is so intrinsic to American history. There are more artistic tributes to Columbus in the USA than anywhere. You can find him at Columbia University in Columbus, Ohio, or in the famous portrait at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan. Only problem is nobody knows what he looked like. No painter or printmaker drew him during his lifetime. Columbia, the gem of the ocean. Columbia Studios, that praised the Little Guys in the Capra movies. Here in Rhode Island, the October holiday parade seems like an Italian saint’s day. He was born in Genoa, after all. Hispanics can claim him if they choose to do so, but he brought the greed for gold that drained the Caribbean peoples of their cultures, enslaved and butchered them and left a legacy of arrogant contempt for their native religions. Spanish was the contribution of the conquistadors. Was he Italian, Spanish or Portuguese? Our festival seemed to bring all the immigrant groups together in celebration of his tragic ambition ... for what ideal? Personal gain and glory? Knowledge or spiritual fervor? Local scholar Carol Delaney believes that he genuinely sought to spread Christ’s gospel. But Simon Wiesenthal, the survivor of Nazi concentration camps, published a book titled “Sails of Hope” in which he offers a quite different interpretation of the meaning of those fate-laden ships. His book, available in the branch library at Mount Pleasant, claims that Columbus freed the victims of the ultimate intolerance of the Inquisition, unchained them from their prisons and took them to lands of liberty from the torture and torment of high-church authority. I tried to spend this past summer in quest of whatever imaginative objects I could find that projected values upon the mysterious contradictory purposes of the famous and infamous explorer. The word “Columbus” is related to the word for “dove,” the biblical messenger and metaphor for peace. So enigmatic is the spiritual identity of the fabled misguided sailor that nobody can read really into his mind or soul. At first, he admired the gentle creed of the Tainos people, but never fully acknowledged that his New World was a Newfoundland, a promised land. Had he reached India or China? Are his remains buried in a church in Seville ... or are his ashes and bones ensconced within a lighthouse monument in Santo Domingo? Cities vie with each other for the honor of serving as guardians of his physical reality. And yet, a colossal sculpture of Christopher Columbus was sent in sections like flotsam and jetsam to wander from here to there until it finally found a safe harbor in Puerto Rico, where it awaits re-assemblage when the dust settles upon his reputation. I made my way to the North End Boston waterfront Columbus Park, where 24 | PrimeTime
I snapped a few shots of the life-size white monument, with the signatures of contributors to the surprisingly mild concept of what our sometime-hero may have resembled, symbolically if not actually or factually. So, what do I think about Christopher Columbus in Rhode Island? No desire to fake an ideal. Only to recognize the mirror that is all that craftspeople can shape for us. We can maybe catch a glimpse of ourselves on Columbus Day. Our American love of the search for ... what? Gold? Well, we did that at the Olympics in London. And isn’t it part of our national dream? Our American love of change, of finding the product that can make the world a better place, and then the product can be disposed of. And what about the finer or loftier purposes of all our flights and journeys? What does that statue on Elmwood Avenue mean to you, to me? And what does the nasty crimson graffiti signify, with its ill will? Our disillusion with the figures we put upon pedestals? I like my Rhode Island role models to be humble sorts of folks, not persons of power and celebrity, but neighbors who help out and who greet strangers kindly and courteously. Even so, I named my first pet, a golden bird I named Christopher Canary, for the man of the sea who seemed to be the common grandfather of each of us, whatever he may have done to get here, who founded the first families of so many among us who came here across so many tides and currents, and whose advice was simply to sigh, “Sail On.” While I am brooding upon the dilemma, I am on a silver train en route to the New York statuary at Columbus Circle. The Amtrak follows the shoreline and, as I entertain my regrets about not circling the globe like my non-rolemodel, I see the white egrets upon every puddle, every watershed rivulet, like silent question marks punctuating the rhythm of the tracks. Sail on, from what, to what? October 2012
se n io r
b y catherine T erry taylor
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
iss u es
Open Enrollment is here Oct. 15 marks the beginning of the annual Medicare Open Enrollment Period. From that date, until Dec. 7, Rhode Island’s 187,000 Medicare beneficiaries will have an opportunity to review their Medicare health plans and Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D) Plans. Even if you are happy with your current plan, I encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity Medicare Open Enrollment offers you to take an annual inventory of your health insurances, which might include: Original Medicare (Parts A and B), a Medigap policy, a Medicare Advantage Plan, retiree health plan, TriCare for Life or Veterans Administration coverage. If you are still working and have employee health care coverage, talk to your benefits administrator or insurance company to see how your plan works with Medicare.
As you take an inventory of your health care plans, you will need to ask these questions: • Have your care needs changed during the past year? • Have you been diagnosed with any new medical conditions? • Have your medications changed? If so, you will certainly want to investigate whether changing plans may give you more comprehensive coverage, or save you money, or both! It’s also a good idea to make a list of your medications, dosages and frequency to get an accurate comparison of Part D plans being offered in your area. During Open Enrollment, you can switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan, or
from a Medicare Advantage Plan back to Original Medicare, or from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another. You can add or drop prescription drug coverage. Any changes that you make will become effective on Jan. 1, 2013. All of these choices can be overwhelming and confusing. The Rhode Island Division of Elderly Affairs (DEA), working with our network partners, can help you sort out your health care options and find the best plan for your individual needs. Open Enrollment events have been scheduled all over the state from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. Trained Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) volunteers will be available by appointment for one-on-one counseling at senior centers and other community sites. For a list of these sites, call DEA at 462-3000, or find us
online at www.dea.ri.gov. The TTY number is 462-0740. You don’t have to do this alone. DEA can help, and we are ready and waiting at an Open Enrollment event near you.
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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
What Alva wants, Alva gets Fabulous Marble House In 1888, to please Alva and to assure her of a prominent role in Newport, Willie K. Vanderbilt commissioned Richard Morris Hunt to build a magnificent marble castle on Bellevue Avenue. Hunt’s creation, the Marble House, reflected much of the glory of the classical Greek and Roman period. It was patterned after the Trianon at Versailles and consisted of more than 500,000 cubic tons of white marble. Alva, in the fashion of the Medici family she admired, filled the house with treasures from Europe and with abundant scenes and figures from the Greco-Roman Period. It was completed in 1892, and the house and furnishings cost an estimated $11 million. It has a twostory portico with gigantic, fluted Corinthian columns, and its driveway is a marble ramp. The ornate entrance grille weighs over 10 tons and the entrance hall, which is lined with yellow Italian marble, is 20 feet high. Alva had a great number of house servants and could easily entertain large numbers of guests. Her waiters were dressed in Louis XIV style and often nine French chefs toiled in her kitchen.
On special dinners, which consisted of many courses, Alva presented one course alone that consisted of 400 mixed birds. At some of the fabulous dances and formal balls, the Vanderbilts used three orchestras. Willie K.: Womanizer The great wealth that was available to Alva and her husband could not guarantee any degree of happiness for the family. William Kissam Vanderbilt gained a reputation for womanizing and Alva, who had a fiery temper to match her red hair, quarreled with her husband and her children on many occasions. She was known to have used a riding crop on her children when they disobeyed. Her daughter, Consuelo, who later was the subject of much publicity when she married the Duke of Marlborough, was especially unhappy. In her memoirs, she complains of being constantly controlled by her mother. In 1893, Alva and Willie K. took their longest and last ocean voyage together. They set sail on the Valiant, a new yacht built by Willie K. to replace the Alva, which had sunk earlier in a collision off Martha’s Vineyard. In addition
to the Vanderbilt children, Oliver Hazard Perry Belmont, Willie K.’s best friend, went along. Consuelo, who was then 17 years old, recalled the “continuous disagreements” and shouting matches that marred the trip. When they reached Bombay, India, it was obvious that the marriage was over. Alva left the yacht with her children and returned to Newport via London. Willie K. only lived in his $11 million mansion for two years, as Alva received the house as part of the divorce settlement in March of 1895.
St. Clare J. Byrne designed the Alva, named for William K. Vanderbilt’s wife, as a three-masted bark-rigged screw steamer with a steel hull.
Consuelo and the Duke To celebrate her divorce, Alva had a fabulous ball that summer to which she invited 500 guests. The man who was guest of honor at the party was Charles Richard. John Spencer-Churchill, the ninth Duke of Marlborough, was also a guest. In less than a year after her divorce, Alva forced her daughter to marry the Duke. Shortly after, Alva married
O.H.P. Belmont, her husband’s best friend. The entire Newport community was shocked and the Vanderbilt family turned against Alva. Somehow, she not only survived, but also continued to be the pacesetter in the summer colony. The story of Consuelo’s marriage and divorce, Alva’s marriage to the handsome but eccentric O.H.P. Belmont and Alva’s suffragette party will be the subject of my next story.
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RESPITE CARE – Your care giver needs to be away for a few weeks or perhaps isn’t feeling well. The Assisted Living Community can meet your short term needs. You will be surrounded by attentive staff and you will be well fed, secure, and with people who care. TRIAL RESIDENCY – Moving to an assisted living center is a very big step. You may not be certain if the time is right. We invite you to stay with us for a “trial run”. Respite suites provide you the opportunity to get a feel for life here, meet our residents and staff, enjoy our activities, delicious meals and experience the support and services we offer our permanent residents.
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Important Medicare Information Medicare is not designed to cover all Medical Expenses. Medicare Supplement Insurance can help cover deductibles, coinsurance, and other expenses that Medicare does not cover in full. For more information about: • Medicare deductibles • Medicare coinsurance • Medicare Part A • Medicare Part B • Medicare Supplement Insurance
WHAT TO EXPECT – Just bring your clothing and some personal items. Our “short stay” apartments are fully furnished, climate controlled and handicapped accessible. With just 35 apartments in the assisted living community, residents find it easy to get to know each other and staff and bonds of friendship and trust grow easily. Residents are able to balance the level of privacy, socialization, independence and support that fits their personal lifestyle and needs WHAT A CURRENT SHORT TERM RESIDENT HAS TO SAY: “I didn’t know what to expect when I was told I needed rehab and respite care. I still can’t believe that such a place exists that could make me so comfortable and happy and fill all my needs. The support and care from the staff has been excellent. The room is beautiful and comfortable. I feel at home and as if everyone is family.”
Please Call 732-5213 to discuss with a Licensed Insurance Agent Medicare Supplement Plans are underwritten by Colonial Penn Life Insurance Company, an affiliate of Bankers Life and Casualty Company. Colonial Penn Life Insurance Company, Bankers Life and Casualty Company and their licensed agents are not affiliated with or sponsored by the US Government or the Federal Medicare Program. Insurance Solicitation. CPL 04-B001
SERVICES AND AMENITIES included: * Three meals with a choice of entrée served daily * Weekly housekeeping * Weekly linen and personal laundry * Showering and dressing assistance * Medication administration * 24 hour nursing support * Local telephone and Cox basic cable TV * Lots of fun activities to suit every taste Our reputation is built on personal caring, human kindness and quality service. For more information or to schedule a visit, call the Director of Resident Services, Tai Sodipo, R.N. at 461-1444. Please visit their web site at www.ScandinavianHome.com.
Caring, Kindness & Quality 4QBDJPVT POF CFESPPN BQBSUNFOUT r 4IBSFE TUVEJP BQBSUNFOUT r 3FTQJUF 4VJUFT Call for details or arrange for a tour... we would love to meet you! t Ask abou n m our Autu es Incentiv
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October 2012
centeR
50 Warwick Avenue, Cranston, RI 02905
401-461-1444
www.ScandinavianHome.com
A non-profit organization A CareLink Member
PrimeTime | 27
b y meg fraser
how does your I
n the past year, nearly 164 million homeowners in the United States say they have gardened. Of that group, more than half - 68 percent - are 45 and older. Clearly, gardening is a popular hobby, especially among Baby Boomers. In Rhode Island, the numbers are on point. There are 36 garden clubs in the state that belong to the Rhode Island Federation of Garden Clubs, representing more than 2,000 people. “Many of our new members come because they want a garden but they don’t know exactly what to do,” said Judy Hager. “The best advice is to really search for a garden club that’s close to you. Find a garden club that feels good. They all have open meetings or events that you can attend.” Hager is president of the Federation, and also of the Edgewood Garden Club in Cranston. Gardening, though, was not a lifelong passion of hers. She and her husband moved in 1995 to Edgewood, where her mother-in-law was president of the garden club. That piqued Hager’s interest, and by 2000, she too
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October 2012
hobbies
garden grow? was a member. Five years ago, she became president of the Rhode Island Federation. “It was really, I thought, a great way to learn more about gardening and horticulture,” she said. Since becoming a member, she has seen both the Cranston and state clubs evolve, attracting many young women and becoming a presence in the community at large. With the explosion of Farmer’s Markets across the state and a growing awareness of buying local, many homeowners are taking matters into their own hands, planting gardens and growing food in both rural areas and in cities. “I think being a garden club is all about giving to the community and encouraging the community to participate,” she said. “It instills a sense of pride in your property. I’m extremely proud of everything we’ve done with our gardens, and that pride is something I experience every time I walk down the sidewalk.” The Rhode Island Federation runs a program called Garden Time that teaches prisoners at the ACI how to create gardens and grow vegetables, cultivat-
ing food that helps support the prison population. It also trains these prisoners in how to work in landscaping, training them for a career upon their release. In communities across the state, Hager says there are as many styles of gardens as there are personalities, and that gardeners are always bringing their own flare to outdoor spaces. Personally, she tries to create spaces that are inviting. “I am very much into landscape design and into creating gardens that are more casual and comfortable,” she said. Hager still works full-time in her consulting practice, traveling often, but gardening is her escape. “There’s always time for gardening,” she said. “Even if it’s just to take a half hour to spend out in the gardens, I get such pleasure from it.” To find a garden club that works for you, reach out to the Federation by visiting www.rigardenclubs.org. Gardeners statewide will be participating in the 45th New England Region Symposium from Oct. 15 to 17 at the Providence Marriott.
Everybody Needs a Little Help Now and Then. Concord Companion Services is an award winning, Rhode Island based company that helps older adults enjoy the independence of living at home by providing assistance with everyday tasks and personal care. Whether you need help just hours a week or an in-home companion 24 hours a day, Concord Companions and Certified Nurse Aides can be available with just two hours notice. private duty companion care personal care light housekeeping errands & appointments dressing laundry certified nurse aides shopping overnight care meal planning bathing medication management
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401-725-8400 October 2012
PrimeTime | 29
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Is your hobby a for-profit endeavor? Do you have a passion for any particular activity or hobby? A hobby is an activity that is undertaken for pleasure, regardless of profitability. You must include on your return income from a hobby from which you do not expect to make a profit. In making the distinction between a hobby or business activity, all facts and circumstances with respect to the activity are taken into account. No one factor alone is decisive. In general, you may deduct ordinary and necessary expenses for conducting a trade or business or for the production of income. Trade or business activities and activities engaged in for the production of income are activities engaged in for profit. The following factors, although not all inclusive, may help you to determine whether your activity is an activity engaged in for profit or a hobby: • Whether you carry on the activity in a businesslike manner. • Does the time and effort put into the activity indicate an intention to make a profit? • Do you depend on income from the activity for your livelihood? • Whether your losses are due to circumstances beyond your control or are normal in the startup phase of your type of business.
• Have you changed methods of operation in an attempt to improve profitability? • Whether you, or your advisors, have the knowledge needed to carry on the activity as a successful business. • Have you made a profit in similar activities in the past? • Whether the activity makes a profit in some years, and how much profit it makes. • Whether you can expect to make a future profit from the appreciation of the assets used in the activity. An activity is presumed for profit if it makes a profit in at least three of the last five years, including the current year; or at least two of the last seven years for activities that consist primarily of breeding, showing, training or racing horses. You can generally deduct hobby expenses, but only up to the amount of hobby income. If an activity is not for profit, losses from that activity may not be used to offset other income. The limit on not-for-profit losses applies to individuals, partnerships, estates, trusts and S corporations. If your activity is not carried on for profit, allowable deductions cannot exceed the gross receipts for the
activity. Deductions for hobby activities are claimed as itemized deductions on Schedule A, form 1040. These deductions must be taken in the following order and only to the extent stated in each of three categories: • Deductions that you may claim for certain personal expenses, such as home mortgage interest and taxes, may be taken in full. • Deductions that don’t result in an adjustment to the basis of property, such as advertising, insurance premiums and wages, may be taken next, to the extent gross income for the activity is more than the deductions from the first category. • Deductions that reduce the basis of property, such as depreciation and amortization, are taken last, but only to the extent gross income for the activity is more than the deductions taken in the first two categories. For additional information, please see Publication 535 or www.irs.gov.
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October 2012
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PrimeTime | 31
STAMPS – from Page 9 “For the very old stamp, if you have blocks that are more than four, that really makes them good,” Greene said. “It’s very unique.” Knight took his donation to Brown a step further, setting up an endowment that allows them to purchase new stamps every year. The only thing they are missing is the “inverted Jenny,” or a stamp that was printed incorrectly, with the image inverted. These stamps, because of their rarity, are incredibly valuable. One inverted Jenny could cost half a million dollars. Knight’s collection includes every kind of U.S. stamp issued from 1847 through to present day, thanks to Greene’s attention. A volunteer, he is the senior member of the Stamp Committee of the Rhode Island Philatelic Society. He subscribes to a stamp newspaper, Linn’s, and has a dealer in North Kingstown whom he works with to stay on top of the new prints. Greene comes from a long line of volunteer curators. The Society has overseen Brown’s collection since 1935. “I buy every single new thing that comes out,” Greene said. William Peltz donated the second Brown collection around 1947. He focused on U.S. Special Delivery stamps and covers, which were issued from 1885 to 1945. That too came with an endowment. George S. Champlin, of the Champlin Foundations, donated the third major collection. He gave the university six albums to start in 1960, keeping a close eye to see how the stamps were cared for. Champlin added to the gift each year, and following his death in 1980, donated the remaining albums and set up a grant in perpetuity. Champlin’s gift draws interest from students, as it is an international collection of stamps and includes interesting pieces from communist China. The Heneghan Collection, donated by Irene Tramm, also contains a significant collection of Chinese stamps from the 19th century. The Robert Galkin collection was donated in 1990 and includes pieces from World War II and Rhode Island Postal History - making it special to the Philatelic Society and to Greene. Personally, Greene began collecting stamps in the 1940s. He specializes in Rhode Island postal history, but he says the philatelic world is full of different kinds of collectors. “There are all sorts of different ways of collecting stamps. Some people just specialize in collecting used stamps,” he said. An interest in stamps is often associated with another interest, like history. “When I started collecting stamps in the 1940s, it wasn’t just collecting pieces of paper - I learned a lot about geography and maps, and now I collect maps too,” Greene said. For novice collectors, how much stamp collecting costs is up to you. Prices run the gamut, but rare items
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will cost you. Greene used a stamp with an image of Oliver Hazard Perry as an example, which he saw sell for several hundred dollars. Older stamps, like an original 10-cent stamp, could sell for as much as $16,000. “Not everybody can afford an absolutely complete collection,” he said. Just because a stamp is old, though, does not make it valuable. Greene will use 15 three-cent stamps to mail a letter, knowing that their current value is only slightly higher than that face value - maybe only 20 cents. Still, he enjoys sharing that piece of history. “It excites them over at the Post Office,” he said. A good way to start is to purchase an album for the type of stamp you hope to collect. Greene pulls out a Scott’s album, which shows images of Albanian stamps. As time goes on, collectors can pick up each of those stamps, and adhere the plastic mount onto the page. “Begin to collect the stamps that appeal to you, whether it be U.S. or foreign. As time goes on, if you become more and more attached to it, the whole collection will grow,” he said. If you get serious about the hobby, joining the Philatelic Society is a good idea. You can learn more about stamp collecting and can also trade for items you want. “At the Philatelic Society meetings, we encourage this, but you better know what you’re trading,” Greene said. One of Brown’s most fascinating collections, donated by the family of John Hay, whom the library is named after, is a collection of 49 patriotic “covers” dated around 1861. “Covers,” in the philatelic world, is another word for envelopes. Hay, who was a secretary to President Abraham Lincoln, would deliver letters to the president but kept the covers with their stamps. The covers and stamps are pieces of history from that time period, often depicting propaganda from the Civil War. Dr. Thomas Horrocks, director of special collections and the John Hay Library, has been at Brown for just a few months. He stopped by the stamp rooms for a tour from Greene, and said he is grateful that the Philatelic Society continues to maintain a collection that the university can be proud of. “It’s a committee of volunteers who help us make these collections accessible,” he said. “They’re the experts. They’re the ones who help us to continue to build the collection.” The John Hay Library is located at 20 Prospect Street in Providence. For more information on the Rhode Island Philatelic Society, visit home.comcast. net/~riphilatelic/ or e-mail riphilatelic@comcast.net.
October 2012
calendar Show stoppers Temple Sinai of Cranston will present “Show Stoppers” with Julie Budd and Musical Director Herb Bernstein on Oct. 13 at 8 p.m. Budd has appeared at such venues as Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall, and will now perform at Roberts Hall at Rhode Island College. A limited number of VIP tickets are available. Reserved seats are available for $55 by calling 738-5092. Opening for Budd is Rhode Island’s own Tribeca. For more information, call 456-8144 or visit www.ric.edu. Home & Hospice Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island is offering a series of educational workshops to help caregivers of those with advanced dementia. On Oct. 3 from 5 to 6 p.m., “Facing Difficult Decisions” will cover the medical and legal issues involved in caring for individuals with dementia. On Oct. 10, from 5 to 6 p.m., “Dealing with Progressive Loss,” offers recognition of the multiple losses felt in the course of dementia. The work-
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shops will take place at Home & Hospice Care’s offices at 1085 North Main Street in Providence. Call 415-4659 for more information. Reservations are requested. Know the issues The Senior Agenda Coalition will host the fifth annual Senior Conference and Expo on Friday, Nov. 2 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Warwick from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The theme of this year’s conference is “Aging in Community: It’s a Women’s Issue.” Registration is $24 for seniors age 65 and older, and $45 for others. The cost includes a continental breakfast and lunch. Keynote speaker is Ellen Goodman, Pulitzer Prize win-
MODELS – from Page 8 Mason has been with the shop ever since, and said his love of assembling models extends even further back. “I got a train set in 1973. It was a fun thing you could be creative with,” he said. “Train sets never come with enough track, so you want to add track. When you add track, you want to add stores and cars.” Mason is particularly interested in the older models, getting on a ladder to pull down the store’s oldest set from 1865. “The history of it is really neat,” he said. Cars appeal to younger customers, but the age often corresponds with the model. Classic cars appeal to one generation, muscle cars another. “The demographic for car models, I would have to say, is a 35-year-old male.
CLASSIFIEDS
ning columnist for the Boston Globe, and an experienced caregiver. In addition to Goodman’s presentation, there will be a diverse menu of 10 workshops and 35 exhibitors. Register in advance by visiting www.senioragendari.org or calling 952-6527.
MISCELLANEOUS For Sale 16 ft. canoe, with oar, $550. Seahawk inflatable dinghy, with paddles, $450. Call 884-8696.
Bon appetite Bring your appetite to Westerly for Restaurant Week from Sept. 30 through Oct. 7. More than 20 restaurants offer three-course meals, priced at $15 for lunch and $25 for dinner. For a full schedule of events or to see a complete list of restaurants, visit westerlychamber.org or call 596-7761.
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That’s the most common customer,” Moore said. Cars aren’t the only models to build, either. There are planes to be made out of wooden sticks, which can fly if put together properly. There are canoes that could take 50 hours or more to assemble, and even boats that eat up hours of free time. Slot cars and rockets are popular as well. When asked why people are drawn to building models, Moore shrugs. The stories of his customers run the gamut. “It’s something to do,” he said. “It keeps them busy and they have something when they’re done with it.” After a model is complete, hardcore builders will take excruciating time painting and tweaking the model to make it look as true to life as possible. If a World War II fighter jet was a specific shade of gray, they need that shade.
“It takes a lot of skill to paint and adjust,” Moore said. “They’ll spend hours looking at paints. Some people get way into it.” Those are the people who can be seen in the shop every week. They have a relationship with Moore and Mason, and don’t hesitate to request a special order for their growing collection. “Most of our customers are regulars. The thing I like about the business is you get to know the regulars,” Mason said. “It’s a helpful thing because you know what they want and you know what to order.” To become a regular at Apponaug Color and Hobby Shop, visit them at 1364 Greenwich Avenue in Warwick. They are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 737-5506 or visit hobbyri.com.
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calendar Light up the night Roger Williams Park Zoo again hosts the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular from Oct. 1 to Nov. 3 from 6 to 10 p.m. daily. Experience the glow of thousands of pumpkins, carved expertly to depict people, places and scenes. Roger Williams is located at 1000 Elmwood Avenue in Providence. For details, call 785-3510 or visit rwpzoo.org. Beacon of hope The Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Foundation sponsors the annual Flames of Hope breast cancer awareness event from Oct. 5 to 7 at the Rhode Island State House. Join hundreds of walkers and runners for the walk, followed by days of live music, exhibitors and the Flames of Hope Torch Ceremony. The State House will be lit up pink to celebrate National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Visit gloriagemma.org for more information.
CLUES ACROSS 1. Long tailed rodents 5. Meets the Danube in Belgrade 9. Bohemian dance 10. Hancock star Will 12. Chapeaux carrier 13. A warning or caution 15. Bangladesh capital 16. One who hands 18. Rural delivery 19. Poke 20. Express pleasure 22. Wife of a maharajah 29. Irish kissing rock 32. Variant of Tai 33. Plural of os 35. She sang with the Pips 43. Setting out 44. Swiss river 45. Negative sports cheer 47. Liberal degree 48. Relating to the back 52. Muslim family of wives (alt. sp) 55. Was in charge of a project 57. Indehiscent legume 59. Ice or roller 60. A citizen of Iraq (alt. sp.) 61. Goidelic language 62. Indian poet CLUES DOWN 1. College army 2. Dark Angel actress Jessica 3. Boxing blow 4. Single-reed instrument 5. Secondary school cerificate 6. A wet nurse in India 7. Long live! (Spanish) 8. Egyptian Sun god 9. Political action committee
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11. Tolstoy novel “___ Murat” 12. Regions of the ocean below 6000 m 14. Earl Grey or green 15. Bland in color 17. Atomic #37 21. Possessed 22. Of I 23. Poetic ever 24. High school 25. Indicates position 26. Road open 27. In a short time 28. Filippo __, Saint 30. Traditional Hindi music 31. Former NHL player Jim 34. Honorable title (Turkish) 36. Trumpeter Hirt 37. Atomic #66 38. Lolo 39. Tin 40. 1,000 grams 41. Latin varient of “to have” 42. An electric car that runs on rails 43. Skin lesions 45. Bahrain dinar 46. Express delight 49. Japanese beverage 50. 6th Jewish month 51. Leases 52. U.S. Poet Laureate 1995-97 53. Egyptian cross 54. Remote user interface 56. River in NE Scotland 57. Small seed of a fruit 58. Major division of geological time
Rite of fall The Scituate Art Festival takes over North Scituate village from Saturday through Monday, Oct. 6 to 8. Hundreds of craftspeople and exhibitors will be on display, as well as food vendors and music. For details, go to scituateartfestival.org. A game of cat and mouse Don’t miss “Catch me if you can” at the Providence Performing Arts Center from Oct. 7 to 14. Tickets are $42 to $69 for this show, which captures the unbelievable true story of Frank Abagnale Jr., a con artist who passes himself off as a doctor, lawyer and pilot, all before the age of 21. For tickets, call 5743103 or go to www.ppacri.org. Are you ready for a scare? Historic Fort Adams is transformed into a terrifying landscape from Oct. 12 to 31 for this annual fundraiser. Explore the fort with paranormal researchers or go into the Tunnels of Terror Haunted Maze. Tickets start at $10, and reduced
SHRINERS – from Page 12 hot, tender, and enhanced with garlic butter, white wine, lemon, hot peppers and diced tomato ($8.99) Joyce ordered a cup of “Our Famous Baked Onion Soup” ($2.99 cup; $3.99 a bowl). Topped with a crouton and blended Swiss and Provolone cheese, it was dark, sweet and famously delicious. Joyce chose the shrimp scampi ($15.99) for her entrée. Five large shrimp were sautéed in garlic, white wine and lemon butter sauce with basil and fresh tomatoes, served over linguine. She loved it, and even gave me a taste. I chose the scrod Creole ($12.99), a generous piece of Pacific cod topped with peppers, onions, spinach, tomatoes and basil in a garlic white wine sauce. Fresh string beans cooked in garlic, plus
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rates are available for groups of 10 or more. Call 841-0707 or go to fortressofnightmares.com for details. The Fortress of Nightmares is open weekends from 6 to 10 p.m. When I seafood, I eat it The Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival of Newport will take place on Oct. 13 and 14. Area restaurants will offer delicious samples of their seafood specialties, with non-stop live music to entertain diners. Go to bowenswharf.com or call 849-2243 to learn more. More food for the family Check out the Newport Food Truck Festival at the Newport Yachting Center on Oct. 20 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $13 for 10 tastes, or $25 for 20. Tickets are available in advance at www.foodtruckfestivalsofne.com or at the door. There is no additional admission fee. Participating restaurants include Boston Super Dog, Lobsta Love, Go Fish!, The Happy Taco and much more, with more than 20 trucks total. Time to reminisce Stop by the Twin River Casino Lighthouse Bar on Oct. 28 to see Reminisce, an oldies group specializing in songs from the ‘50s and ‘60s. Admission is free, and the show runs from 2 to 6 p.m. For more information, call 475-8346 or go to www.twinriver.com/lighthousebar. Get in the Halloween spirit The Museum and Shop at Brick Market in Newport offers guests the chance to explore the Common Burying Ground and its gravestones. Learn about the grave carvers, their art and the people buried there who helped shape Newport’s history. The tour lasts roughly 75 minutes and departs at 11 a.m. on Oct. 28. Admission is $12 per person, $10 for Newport Historical Society members and $5 for children 12 and under. Reservations are suggested, as space is limited.
sweet potato fries added to the enjoyment of this great choice, spotlighting the ability of the chef to create not only a colorful plate, but also a delicious combination of ingredients. We usually don’t order dessert, but a sinful chocolate dessert and tiramisu seemed perfect to top off a delightful dinner. And it was. Whether you are interested in lunch, dinner, a banquet or a catered meal, the Shrine Club and Restaurant delivers. Kids eat free on Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 5 to 9 p.m. The restaurant is closed Mondays and Saturdays, and open for lunch Tuesdays through Fridays. Check their website for special events and times at www.rishriners.com, or call 467-7102.
October 2012
October 2012
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“Politicians may not like straight talk, but I do.”
When it comes to the future of your Medicare and Social Security, you’ve earned the facts. Now with AARP’s online tools, fact kits, and community conversations across the country, it’s easy to get the facts and get involved. While Washington talks behind closed doors, we’re bringing the conversation to you, because you’ve earned a say.
Visit the AARP Rhode Island booth at the Prime Time Senior Living Expo, Wednesday, October 10 at the Warwick Mall.
Get the facts and join the conversation at
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.
October 2012