11 PROFILE: The visionary who turned a gravel pit into a municipal golf course
14 RHODY GEM: A groovy Hopkinton cafe that’s had many lives
16 THE PUBLIC’S RADIO: What RI businesses should know about “immigrant defense zones”
20 RHODY PETS: Three adoptable pets of the month
26 CALENDAR: This month’s must-do’s
29 Beer, Wine, and Spirits Trail
Home & Style
A17 HOME: An architect re-thinks a multi-family home
A24 RHODY READS: Local writers among upcoming releases and Watch Hill events
A26 SHOP: Goods to soften the post-summer return to ritual
A28 MAKE: Floral design tips from a flower farmer
Food & Drink
82 CHEF TO CHEF: New cookbook is a flavorful homage to family
86 DINING: Wagyu meets whimsy at Gilded Age restaurant
92 ROUNDUP: Eight eateries to try right now
72 HEY RHODY PHOTOS: A colorful mosaic from our talented followers via Instagram
Photography by Dane Tashima, courtesy of Polina Chesnakova
Photography by Brandon Harmon ON THE COVER: Fall fun destination: Clark Farms, Matunuck. Photography by Nick DelGiudice
Photo courtesy of Sweet Berry Farm
Photo by Samantha Robshaw Photo
QUALTY THAT STANDS OUT
STYLE THAT HOLDS UP
WEARABLE FOLK ART
CONTRIBUTORS
PATTY J
Lifelong Rhode Islander and social media maven
Patty J has the scoop on what’s new and awesome across the state. This month she shares a flavorful round-up of eight places – from fancy to farmstand and from Warren to Westerly – and what makes them worth a visit. Join her ever-growing following on Instagram: @pattyjdotcom.
KAREN KALUNIAN
With her tireless devotion to helping rescue pets get adopted from shelters, each month animal advocate Karen Kalunian sends us a trio of furry faces with descriptions for Rhody Pets of the Month . Additionally, she hosts Animal Talk , a digital series on Rhode Island PBS. Turn to page 20 to see this month’s group of furry friends seeking their forever homes.
BRITT MACHADO
Stroll along Broadway in Providence and you’re sure to see Britt Machado, the owner of JohnnyCakes, an interior design firm and retail space where she blends her West Coast roots with a love of New England style. A first-time contributor, she has assembled an array of artisinal goods to help ease from lax summer living to September’s “Return to Ritual” (page A26).
MAGGIE PEARSON
We love the idea of one local cookbook author interviewing another, so to celebrate this month’s release of East Sider Polina Chesnakova’s latest, Chesnok: Cooking from My Corner of the Diaspora , we connected her to Maggie Pearson, the talented force behind Feast and Fettle, the upscale local meal delivery system. Read Pearson’s “Tastes of Home” on page 82.
Publishers
Barry Fain
Richard Fleischer
John Howell
Editor in Chief Elyse Major Elyse@HeyRhody.com
Editor Ann Martini
Martini@HeyRhody.com
Digital Media Specialist
Jenna Kaplan
Jenna@HeyRhody.com
Advertising
Design Director
Layheang Meas
Senior Designer
Taylor Gilbert
Account Managers
General Manager & Creative Director
Nick DelGiudice Nick@HeyRhody.com
Managing Editor Ken Abrams Ken@HeyRhody.com
Senior Editorial Designer Abigail Brown
Shelley Cavoli Shelley@HeyRhody.com
Louann DiMuccio-Darwich Louann@HeyRhody.com
Ann Gallagher Ann@HeyRhody.com
Kristine Mangan Olf Kristine@HeyRhody.com
Chris Revill Chris@HeyRhody.com
Interested in advertising?
Email Marketing@HeyRhody.com
Contributing Photographers
Jeremy Bernfeld
Ingrid Brown
Connor Caldon
Caitlin Castro
Hannah Duicha
Brandon Harmon
Matthew Huang
Contributing Writers
Thom Cahir
Luis Hernandez
Patty Jeffery
Karen Kalunian
Britt Machado
Interested in writing?
Karen Kalunian
Erin McGinn
Samantha Robshaw
Christian Scully
Dane Tashima
Jess Woody
Erin McGinn
Andrea E. McHugh
Emily Olson
Maggie Pearson
Deborah Goodrich Royce
Email Editorial@HeyRhody.com
Interns
Caitlyn Bailey
Anthony Joseph Ethan Major
Looking for an internship?
Email Elyse@HeyRhody.com
Distribution Services
Special Delivery Subscribe Today! HeyRhody.com/MailToYou
When was the last time you woke up genuinely excited to start your day? For many, that feeling seems out of reach—but for those who work with internationally certified yoga instructor and personal development coach Stina Leigh, it quickly becomes reality.
With over 25 years in the athletic and fitness industry, Stina’s expertise extends far beyond the yoga mat. As a movement specialist, human design expert, and mindset coach, she has guided professional athletes nationwide and designed health and wellness programs for ESPN, AU Pro Sports, CrossFit, and Danone World Food Company.
“
“ Change your life with me
Her personalized approach is unmatched. Holding degrees in design, tourism, and hospitality, with a background in corrective science and yoga philosophy, she is also a Certified PT, mat Pilates, and Barre instructor. “All fitness, nutrition, and development is catered and specified for you, to you, and by you,” she says. “There’s only one you! Let’s love it!”
Her one-on-one transformative retreats in Costa Rica remain a favorite, alongside retreats in the US, Greece, and London. Stina also curates corporate retreats focused on business development through her firm, Stina Leigh Productions. In 2026, she’ll spend February in Egypt and host Babes in Bali in June—an ultraluxury retreat featuring low-impact fitness, IV therapy, complete makeovers, and styling with a world-renowned designer. Signups begin December 1.
Stina is currently finishing her debut book, Buckwild: My Self Lovin’ Journey through the Jungle—the story of her spontaneous move to Costa Rica with just six bikinis, her personal transformation, and her powerful healing methods. Release is set for the 2025 holiday season, with VIP presale starting September 1.
For those ready to shed stress, gain clarity, and build a life rooted in ease and purpose, Stina Leigh offers not quick fixes, but deep, lasting change.
Learn more at StinaLeighPractice.com and @stinaleigh_ on Instagram.
NEWS & CULTURE
Profile | Rhody Gem | The Public’s Radio | Rhody Pets | Arts | Calendar
From Gravel to Green
How a passion for golf and inclusivity compelled one man to create a municipal course in Providence
By Thom Cahir
Most people hope to leave a lasting mark on their community well before they retire. But Ed Mauro isn’t most people. As he approached 70, when most slow down, he was just getting started. Mauro had a vision: to turn a gravel pit and illegal dumping ground in Providence into a welcoming, affordable golf course where kids and beginners could fall in love with the game. That vision became Button Hole Golf.
Mauro’s introduction to the sport was simple. “My father stuck a club in my hand when I was 12, and that was it,” he recalls. By his early 20s, he was competing in the Rhode Island Golf Association’s State Amateur Championship, which he eventually won in 1965. In 1998, he became RIGA president. But it was in 1997, after learning about a United States Golf Association (USGA) initiative to support youth golf, that Mauro found his true calling. He leveraged decades of connections – gained from his tenure as head of Lincoln-based manufacturer the Insco Group and his years on the course – to garner support for a short, instructional golf facility. Even before securing land, Mauro had enlisted local business leaders to back the idea. By 1998, he had formed a board and kicked off fundraising efforts. PGA Tour players Billy Andrade (born in Bristol) and Brad Faxon (raised in Barrington) signed on as co-chairs, and the dream began to take shape.
When Button Hole opened, it was primarily a youth initiative. But over time, it evolved.
Today, the course serves not only kids, but also women, veterans, people with disabilities, and any Rhode Islander looking for a way into the game. Executive director Don Wright points to the list of sponsors on the organization’s website as a testament to the enduring support from the business community. He estimates around 1,000 kids come through the program each year, with about 40 percent receiving scholarships –critical for financially stressed families.
President Tom Stone notes that kids who complete the program become “Button Hole Kids,” a title that earns them lifetime bragging rights and the ability to play for just one dollar until they turn 18. Michael Houle is one of them. Now 22, he started at age eight and has been teaching at Button Hole for the past two years. “We start with the fun,” Houle says of his teaching style. “Once they’re smiling, we work in the rules, the etiquette, and eventually the technique.”
Director of Instruction Arys Batista, who’s been with Button Hole for over a decade, says the first hurdle is getting kids to slow down.
“They’re used to basketball and soccer,” he explains. “I focus on teaching them patience.” During the winter months, he keeps things going by running golf simulators in schools and at the East Side YMCA.
Unifying kids from diverse backgrounds through golf has always been at the heart of Button Hole’s mission. Board member Mike Falvey takes that even further by hosting an annual event at Shelter Harbor Golf Club in Charlestown, where 18 kids from across Rhode Island get to play alongside business leaders, elected officials, and local celebrities. For Mauro, that kind of relationship-building is the real prize of the game.
Mauro remains modest about his accomplishments, but he lights up when he mentions his most recent hole-in-one – at age 91 on the 16th hole at Point Judith Country Club. The Narragansett club holds personal meaning, as his family was only the second of Italian heritage to gain membership there, breaking social barriers that once kept people like him out.
Button Hole’s 300 yard practice range
Photos courtesy of Button Hole
That experience, he says, was part of the inspiration behind creating a place where everyone is welcome.
He also helped move the RIGA offices onto the Button Hole campus, further entwining the course’s future with the broader golf community. Bob Ward, RIGA’s executive director, doesn’t hesitate when asked about Mauro’s impact. “The creation of Button Hole is directly related to Ed Mauro’s passion to give back to the game he loves,” Ward says. “He never accepted no for an answer and found a great number of friends to buy into his dream. It’s nothing but a great success story for the history of golf in Rhode Island.”
While Don Wright says no official details have been announced yet, Button Hole is gearing up to celebrate its 25th anniversary next year, along with announcing plans for a new learning center. For Mauro, who turned a forgotten corner of Providence into a place of purpose, it’s another milestone in a long, rewarding round. Learn more at ButtonHole.org
Hop City Cafe and Mercantile
Diner and gift shop
What it is:
A café serving breakfast, lunch, and killer specialty coffee, plus an adjacent gift shop filled with unique local goods.
Where to find it:
In Hopkinton, right off I-95 on Main Street where Clarks Falls Road and Woodville Road converge, not far from the police station.
What makes it a Rhody Gem?
Hannah Duicha’s family always dreamed of opening a spot that blended hearty comfort food with rustic, woodsy character – and in 2022, they made it happen. Housed in a lovingly restored former gas station (yes, they unearthed an actual 1950s Mobil sign during renovations that used to hang out front) this cozy spot once dished out ice cream and now serves up something even sweeter: soul-satisfying meals and serious small-town charm. Fuel up with a specialty coffee that’ll rival any fancy barista’s concoction, then dive into our personal favorite — the Westerly breakfast burrito — packed with eggs, cheese, crispy potatoes, tangy pepperoncini, and “soupy,” Westerly’s beloved twist on soppressata, a spicy, dry-cured Italian sausage that locals swear by. Lunch here is killer, too. And when you finish, wander next door to the family’s charming mercantile, where shelves overflow with local soaps, hand-poured candles, small-batch lip glosses, vintage art, and an irresistible mix of quirky, one-of-a-kind treasures. It’s the breakfast and browsing combo you didn’t know you needed.
Hop City Café and Mercantile
493 Main Street, Hopkinton HopCityCafe.com
Every neighborhood has that secret, hidden, cool and unusual, or hole-in-the-wall spot that locals love. We’re on the hunt for Rhody Gems! Email Marketing@HeyRhody.com to suggest yours and we just might feature it!
Photo by Hannah Duicha, courtesy of Hop City Cafe
Immigrant Defense Zones?
Here’s
What Rhode Island Businesses Should Know
Attorney Ritu Mahajan Estes, says “we all have rights regardless of our immigration status”
In partnership with The Public’s Radio • RIPBS.org • By Luis Hernandez
More than two dozen Rhode Island business owners announced a joint effort [this month] to create what they’re calling “immigrant defense zones,” where they pledge to prohibit immigration enforcement agents from their stores if they don’t have a warrant. The advocacy group the Rhode Island Deportation Defense Coalition says at least 25 businesses have signed on, mostly in Providence. So what rights do local businesses have during an immigration enforcement action? Luis Hernandez
posed that question and others to Ritu Maha Estes of Public Counsel, a nonprofit public interest law firm based in California.
INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
ON WHETHER A RHODE ISLAND BUSINESS OWNER CAN DENY ENTRY TO A FEDERAL IMMIGRATION OFFICIAL
Ritu Mahajan Estes: So the answer is, it depends. It depends on what type of area this official is
trying to access. Generally, under the Constitution, we all have rights regardless of our immigration status. We all have rights, specifically under the Fourth Amendment, against unreasonable searches and seizures. What that means is any law enforcement (official), including immigration agents, need to in almost all circumstances, have a judicial warrant if they want to access what we call “private spaces.” For example, my home, which is a private space: If an agent wants to enter my home and search and seize in my home, I can demand that they have a judicial warrant.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Manchester, NH, at the Norris Cotton Federal Building, on Feb. 3, 2025
Photo courtesy of Lau Guzmán photo/NHPR
CEDIAN PAINTING
New designs for fall rolling in to Cédian Painting: Studio-Gallery Pillows, tiles and paintings by Jennifer Jones Rashleigh 3848 Main Road • @cedianpainting • cedianpainting.com
LOU LOU'S DECOR
Make your beach house a home with a cozy & fun addition from Lou Lou’s Décor with locations in Tiverton & Newport. Full interior design services available. 3913 Main Road • (401) 816 4362 • www.loulousdecor.com
MILUKAS STUDIO
Art sessions offered for all levels, weekly classes & private lessons. Check website for events. Kelly Milukas is a multi-media painter and sculptor. 503 S Lake Rd, Tiverton • (401) 480 3536 kellymilukas.com/events • @kellymilukas
FOUR
CORNERS GALLERY
New Artists & New Art Works!
Collections of painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography & jewelry
Shop the CHARM BAR! Gems & pearls to add to your collection or create a new story. Discover your power with gemstones. Open Daily 3851 Main Road • (401) 816-0878 @tiffanypeayjewerly tiffanypeay.com
Celebrating 50 years!
Follow us for live music and events 162 West Main Rd, Little Compton RI (401) 635 8486 @sakonnetwine • Sakonnetwine.com
THE CHEESE WHEEL VILLAGE MARKET
Over 200 cheeses available, Sandwiches, Soups, House-Made Bread, Local Meats, Produce & Prepared Meals
WRIGLEY STUDIO & GALLERY
Working studio of artist Brenda Wrigley Scott. Open Thursday-Saturday
Weekly Painting Groups & West Wing Gallery 3852 Main Road, Garden Entrance (401) 339 9676 • @wrigley_studio @tivertonfourcorners
GRAY'S ICE CREAM - 2 LOCATIONS!
Scooping homemade ice cream for over 100 years! 16 East Road, Tiverton & 467 Hope Street, Bristol (401) 624 4500 • graysicecream@gmail.com graysicecream.com • @graysicecream @graysbristol
Custom charcuterie & cheese boards available. Call to order! Open 9-5 Tues-Sunday 3838 Main Road • (401) 816 5069 • @thecheesewheelri
SAKONNET VINEYARD
ON HOW BUSINESSES CAN HANDLE IMMIGRATION
ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS
Mahajan Estes: In one scenario, the agents… can be there, but the owner or whoever’s authorized to speak to these agents can definitely demand that they have a warrant to enter the private parts of the business, such as the kitchen or the office. And there are things that business owners can do to really keep those areas private, such as putting up signs that say, “Private. Authorized personnel only.” So that’s one scenario. The other scenario is, let’s say you have a tip that ICE might be in the neighborhood. As a business owner, you are under your rights to just close the shop for the day, send people home, and not let the ICE agents enter your business. The door will be closed, and if they’re outside, you can say, “I’m not going let you in without a warrant,” because on that particular day, you’ve decided to close.
ON
WHETHER BUSINESSES CAN BE CHARGED WITH DISRUPTING
A LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTION
Mahajan Estes: So there are federal laws called harboring and obstruction. These are federal laws that prohibit certain actions. For example, let’s say agents are at my store and I know they’re there for
a specific staff member of mine because they’ve told me that they’re there for them, right? And then I purposely try to help that specific person run away or I hide them. That could be considered harboring and I could be charged with that federal crime. And then there’s obstruction, which is another federal crime. Typically, what we advise business owners is: if you’re demanding that they have a judicial warrant to come into a private space, which you do have the right to demand, if they don’t listen and they just kind of blow you off, don’t put yourself in harm’s way. Don’t get in their face, don’t stand in front of them. In that case, what you should do is document and record from a safe distance and announce that you’re recording everything that’s happening. This later will be evidence of unlawful activities that you can then use in a potential lawsuit against the agent, or it could be used in the person’s case – whoever they detained – through these lawful actions.
ON WHAT BUSINESS OWNERS CAN DO TO PREPARE EMPLOYEES TO INTERACT WITH FEDERAL IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS
Mahajan Estes: Before anything like this happens, it’s good to sit down with your staff, train them, and talk to them about what steps need to
be taken if agents show up. So have some kind of policy in place. It doesn’t need to be a super long policy, but even just 10 phrases that staff can use if agents show up. “I’m not authorized to speak with you.” “Please wait outside.” “I’ve called the person that is authorized to speak with you.” Then just keep repeating that.
We also advise staff to exercise their right to remain silent because you don’t have to talk to these agents. You don’t need to tell these agents where the person is that they’re looking for. You don’t need to hand over documents to them. So you basically just remain silent. You call the authorized person who’s the one that’s supposed to speak with them. We also advise people not to lie, right? Don’t say anything false. Do not run, because here in Los Angeles, CA people are running because it’s very scary. The agents are showing up with AK-47s and they’re not identifying themselves, so nobody even knows who they are. So the human reaction is you run, but if you run, these agents may be able to say, “Well, that gave us reasonable suspicion that you were doing something unlawful.”
This article was originally posted on July 28, 2025. Luis Hernandez can be reached at LHernandez@RIPR.org
Photo by Jeremy Bernfeld, courtesy ofThe Public’s Radio
A sign at the Frog & Toad store on Hope St. in Providence
Rhode Island Mulch Express Blower Services installs mulch in an innovative and efficient way
Celebrating 10 years of dedication, innovation, and community support. Thanks to our amazing team and loyal customers for making this journey possible! Here’s to many more years of shared success!
How does blown-in mulch work? We deliver and install the mulch without it ever touching your driveway. The operator uses a remote control that allows materials to be precisely applied. It is very uniform and creates an even application. Having the mulch blown in saves time, and a lot of hard work.
How long does a typical mulch installation take with this service?
It really depends on the layout and
size of the beds. A 10-20 yard job can typically be completed in about an hour.
What types of properties do you service?
We service both commercial and residential properties throughout Rhode Island with a 10 yard minimum.
What kinds of products and other services do you provide? We install mulch, playground chips and errosion controls like silt sock.
Rhode Island Mulch Express Blower Services 401-782 -6000 | rimulch.com
Rhody Pets of the Month
By Karen Kalunian
Looking to welcome a new furry friend into your home? Adopt, don’t shop! Shelters across the state have dogs and cats ready to find their forever homes. Here are three pets ready to meet you, or reach out to the shelters to learn about even more adoptees.
If you have been thinking of adopting or if you know of an animal in need, please contact Karen Kalunian directly at animaltalk1920@gmail.com.
Blondie
BREED: Medium Mixed
AGE: 1
GENDER: Female
Are you ready to enjoy life with a new best friend? Blondie is hoping that she’ll be the one you choose. She just turned a year old, so she’s still got some puppy energy, but she also likes to relax after playtime. Beautiful inside and out, with a blond coat, Blondie has silly ears accented by her great big smile. If you have been looking for a playful, smart, and loyal pup, Blondie is your girl. Go in and spend some time with Blondie; to know her is to love her.
HEART OF RI ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE, HeartOfRI.org
Buddy
BREED: Domestic Shorthair
AGE: 4
GENDER: Male
Let this handsome boy be your forever Buddy. Hurry to go meet him at Scruffy Paws – he will win over your heart for sure. He’s a blackand-white beauty with the most striking green eyes you’ll ever see. His handsome face is accented by his long, snow-white whiskers and his black tipped nose. Buddy loves attention and yummy treats too, and can’t wait to be your forever friend!
Photo (L) by Jess Woody, (Center) by Karen Kalunian
BREED: Beagle Mixed
AGE: 9
GENDER: Female
Make every day a Sunny day! This sweet, older gent will fill your heart and home with affection. Sunny is about nine years young, very friendly, and would make a great companion to someone who is home more often than not. He just loves to be with you. If you think you just fell in love with this adorable little guy, make an appointment to meet him. Sunny will be waiting to brighten your day.
Waving Goodbye
An East Bay surfer creates a moving memorial to honor passed loved ones
By Emily Olson
It was 2020 and Dan Fischer was grieving the loss of both his beloved dog, and his father Karl – an adventurer who built a family culture around personal growth and exploration – in isolation. “I leaned into surfing because it made me feel connected to the earth and the ocean,” says Fischer. Although that activity made him feel less alone, he still hadn’t found a way to honor the bond he had with his dad. “I wanted to share surfing with him, so I decided to write his name on my board and take him out there. One early afternoon, I took the board to Second Beach, and when I was in the waves and saw his name illuminated by the sun, I found a moment of connection.”
That night, he posted about his experience in Middletown on social media, inviting others to share the names of loved ones they lost. He promised to take them out surfing via his board, too. The post went viral. “Suddenly, I had hundreds of people from around the world reaching out to me,” says Fischer. The One Last Wave Project was born.
It took just one week for Fischer to fill a surfboard with 1,501 handwritten names. A month later, a second held 1,800 more. “It’s an emotional experience to read people’s stories and connect with them,” he says. “Every single name is a life. Every name is an emotional experience
Photos courtesy of One Last Wave Project
The One Last Wave Project began when Dan Fischer was grieving the loss of his father and dog
for me.” So far, nearly 18,000 lives have been honored. And although the act is healing, it’s also heavy. “Sometimes I have to stare at a board for two or three days before I start writing the names on it because I know the emotional journey ahead,” he says. “I have to be in a good mental space before I start.”
Each surf board carries up to 2,000 individual stories of lives well lived, but each board is a story, too. Each represents loved ones from dozens of countries, and boards are shaped in locales across the globe. The one shaped in Santa Cruz was made from fallen local redwood trees. The one that will be launched in Norway was designed by South African longboard surfer Stevie Sawyer. Fischer describes them as active memorials.
The project also gives those left behind permission to start living again. “There is a woman in Boston whose father’s name is on our seventh board, the one we launched in Cornwall, England. She flew to Heathrow, drove six hours
Photos
(L & R) courtesy of One Last Wave Project
Over 18,000 individuals have been honored by the One Last Wave Project
The One Last Wave Project serves as part of the healing process for many who have suffered loss
to the beach, spent five minutes with the board, stood in the ocean for 10 minutes, then immediately drove back to Heathrow and flew back to Boston,” Fischer says. “For so many grieving families, especially those that lost children, life stopped. Joy has been stripped away. The board gives them hope, a reason to travel and reenter life.”
When Fischer lost his dad, he spent a year feeling alone in his grief. But in the ocean, he found a connection to something larger than himself. But the ocean doesn’t just connect humans to the planet. It connects borders across the globe. And the surfboards launched through the One Last Wave Project connect people through one of the most universal human experiences: grief.
“I’ve found that it’s a trifecta of things,” says
Fischer. “These surfboards are works of art, and we connect through art. We are connected by the ocean. And we are connected to everyone around the world through the experience of grief. I continue to hear from people that the more they talk about it and share their experience, the more they have hope that life continues. That’s what these boards do.”
Each board is funded, in part, by the previous one through donations and purchases at the One Last Wave Project shop. There is no fee to submit a name for a surfboard. Learn more at OneLastWaveProject.com
ELIZA REISFELD
ANIKA MARSH 24 PT
The Must List
10 essential events this month
Through September 14: The 2025 summer season at Theatre By The Sea concludes with Heartbreak Hotel , a bio-musical about the life and music of Elvis Presley that includes hits like “Hound Dog,” “All Shook Up,” and “Blue Suede Shoes.” Wakefield, TheatreByTheSea.com
September 4-October 5: Trinity’s 2025-2026 season kicks off with the premiere of Cold War Choir Practice . Written by Brown grad Ro Reddick, the comedy combines Reaganomics, Cold War spies, and capitalism, with choir practice. Providence, TrinityRep.com
September 5: KISS fans will rock and roll all night with legendary guitarist Ace Frehley playing the hits at the newly renovated Uptown (formerly Columbus) Theater. The venue has made significant upgrades, including brandnew seats. Providence, UptownPVD.com
Through September 7: The Pawtucket Arts Festival features numerous events and activities, including the Slater Park Fall Festival, Pops in the Park, the Rhode Island-Chinese Dragon Boat Races, and Mixed Magic Theatre performances. Pawtucket, PawtucketArtsFestival.org
September 18-26: Rhode Island Startup Week celebrates innovation and entrepreneurial spirit with an array of exciting and (mostly) free activities designed to spotlight the cuttingedge developments transforming RI’s economic landscape. Providence, RIStartupWeek.com
September 19-October 4: The Tony Awardwinning play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child brings astonishing magic to the new theater season at Providence Performing Arts Center. Recommended for children ages eight and older. Providence, PPACRI.org
September 25: Dance the night away when the Summer Sunset Concert Series at the Herreshoff Marine Museum/America’s Cup Hall of Fame concludes with one of Rhode Island’s greatest all-time bands, Roomful of Blues. Bristol, Herreshoff.org
September 18: Belly, a Grammy-nominated band and the only Rhode Island act ever to grace the cover of Rolling Stone magazine, play a local show marking the anniversary of their 1995 album KING, before heading out on a UK tour. East Greenwich, GreenwichOdeum.com
September 27: Kick off the 2025 home football season when the Bryant University Bulldogs take on rival Towson University as both teams begin their quest for the Coastal Athletic Association crown. Smithfield, BryantBulldogs.com
September 27: Blues/roots singer-songwriter Kerri Powers, a Massachusetts native, brings authentic, down-home grit to the Blackstone River Theatre including songs from her latest album Love is Why . Cumberland, BRTRI.org
Photo courtesy of The Pawtucket Arts Festival, The RI Chinese Dragon Boat Races
The Rhode Island Chinese Dragon Boat Races
PRESTON
Beer, Wine Rhody
We believe nothing connects people like sharing a great beer or a delicious bite. Take refuge from the daily hustles of life in our historic taproom or our beautiful beer garden. 334 Knight Street, Warwick. (401) 744-0415, ApponaugBrewing.com
RI’s largest craft brewery serves up small-batch beers and hard seltzers in three RI locations. Visit TheGuildRI.com for PVD, Warren & Pawtucket unique offerings.
The contemporary barn located on 50 acres of farm land in North Stonington is a nod to the agricultural heritage of the town. Situated on the edge of a hill highlighting sprawling views of vines, forest, & wildlife. KingdomOfTheHawk.com.
A charming, small-batch boutique vineyard serving guests in a beautifully restored barn and inviting outdoor patio that features live music and a variety of food options. 237 New Boston Rd. Fairhaven, MA PeaceLoveVino.net.
Enjoy a full lineup of artisan craft beer, cocktails & spirits. Relax inside our family-friendly taproom with a board game, or enjoy the sunshine at our pet friendly outdoor beer garden. Wood burning pizza oven on site. 65 Canal Street, Westerly. 401.596.4151, GreySailBrewing.com.
JONATHAN EDWARDS WINERY
At Jonathan Edwards Winery, enjoy award winning wine in a relaxed picturesque setting. Open daily, year round. Shop wine and event tickets online at JEdwardsWinery.com. 74 Chester Maine Road, North Stonington, CT, (860) 215-3725.
The Langworthy Inn & Winery, a 7-bedroom B&B and Winery, located at 308 Shore Rd in Westerly RI just minutes from beaches, restaurants & shops in the Weekapaug, Watch Hill & Misquamicut areas. Visit this gem of the SE New England’s vineyards & wineries for a wine tasting, weekend getaway or private event. langworthyinn.com
Experience Nickle Creek Vineyard, estate wines, scenic views, and warm hospitality make every sip unforgettable. Open Saturdays and Sundays, 12–5 PM. 12 King Rd. Foster, RI, Cheers! 401-369-3694, NickleCreekVineyard.com
& Spirits Trail
RIDGE VINEYARD
Located in historic Preston, Connecticut, Preston Ridge Vineyard is at the peak of a ridge providing breathtaking views of the Connecticut countryside. 100 Miller Rd., Preston, CT; PrestonRidgeVineyard.com
Host your wedding welcome party, birthday bash, or private event at Rejects Beer Co. Waterfront views, epic sunsets, and the best craft brews around. 124 Aquidneck Avenue, Middletown. 401-6198200 RejectsBeer.com.
New England’s most awarded distillery offers craft cocktails using 100% house-made ingredients, flights, beer, sangria, mocktails and more in a unique industrial-meetsspeakeasy vibe. 1425 Kingstown Road, South Kingstown. 401-2844006, DrinkSOL.com.
Tapped Apple Cidery & Winery turning locally sourced apples into a variety of handcrafted hard ciders and wines. 37 High Street, Westerly. TappedApple.com.
RHODE ISLAND SPIRITS
Pawtucket’s award winning Rhodium gins & vodkas feature flavors built from fresh, farmed & foraged ingredients. Newly relocated. Tasting Flights & Cocktails. 40 Bayley Street, Pawtucket, RhodeIslandSpirits.com
Located in an impeccably restored WWII-era airplane hangar, the tasting room overlooks acres of vineyard and a preserved grass landing strip from the 1930s. 349 Elm St., Stonington, CT. SaltwaterFarmVineyard.com.
Stonington Vineyards is a boutique farm winery located on the CT Wine Trail, open 7 days a week, 11am–5pm, Saturdays 11am–7pm, June–September. 523 Taugwonk Rd., Stonington, CT. StoningtonVineyards.com. Under New Ownership!
Located in our authentic, New England-style post and beam barn, we at Tilted Barn Brewery are proud to be Rhode Island’s first farm brewery. One Hemsley Pl., Exeter. TiltedBarnBrewery.com
fall
BUSHEL LIST 2025
100+ activities to enjoy the Ocean State’s most sensational season
BY
THE EDITORS
Here in the Ocean State, we’re all about summertime, but once the lifeguards leave their posts and we experience that first chilly night – the wafting smell of grilling burgers replaced with burning wood from neigbhor’s fireplace – who doesn’t get a bit giddy for all that fall has to offer. Prematurely, flannel shirts return to our outfits du jour (even though it’s still 80 degrees until November), and we’re ready to embark on annual treks for cider donuts, farm-based activities, and all things pumpkins. Divided into regions, this beautiful print guide is your go-to for whatever you want to make of the season. On Instagram? Show us your fall photos by tagging #heyrhodyphotos.
FROM THE EDITORS:
Please note that all events are subject to change, especially crop- and weather-dependent activities. To avoid disappointment, we recommend first checking with the host venue online or by phone for any details, restrictions, rain dates, and cancellations. If we missed your favorite event or activity, let us know! Email Marketing@heyrhody.com
CENTRAL RHODY
ALL AUTUMN LONG
THROUGH NOVEMBER 8:
Confreda Fall Fest: Tractor-pulled hayrides, amusement rides, PYO pumpkins, cider donuts, photo taking, a corn maze, barnyard animals, and more are just part of the family fun at Rhode Island’s largest vegetable farm! Hope, ConfredasFallFest.com; ScaryAcresRI.com
SEPTEMBER
SEPTEMBER 11 & OCTOBER 3
Warwick Food Truck Nights: Taste local flavors from your favorite food vendors at the Crowne Plaza. Warwick, GoProvidence.com
OCTOBER
OCTOBER 4
Conimicut Village Art Festival: Beach Avenue is the spot for an afternoon of breezy shopping. Find unique vendors, many with coastal-themed goods. Warwick, ConimicutVillageAssociation.org
Yankee Steam-Up: Start your engines for the region’s oldest steam engine show at the New England Wireless & Steam Museum. Music provided by Cruisin’ Bruce. East Greenwich, NEWSM.org
OCTOBER 10-13
Halloween Campsite Decorating Contest: Tent and RV campers are sure to have fun making their sites spooktacular at Oak Embers Campground. Kids’ crafts and train rides, bingo, and more await. West Greenwich, OakEmbers.net
OCTOBER 11
Rhode Island Country Fall Music Fest: Outdoor country music festival featuring regional performers and vendors including Jimmie Allen and Red Solo Cup. West Greenwich, RIMusicFestivals.com
OCTOBER 18
Spooktacular Marketplace: Spooky fun on the grounds of the Crowne Plaza Hotel, featuring over 100 vendors, a petting zoo, costumed characters, photo ops, sweet treats, live performances, music, and food trucks. Warwick, WeBeJamminEvents.com
OCTOBER 26
West Bay Open Studios: Roam through North Kingstown, Warwick, and East Greenwich on
a self-guided tour of artists and their maker spaces. Various, WestBayOpenStudios.com
OCTOBER 27
Howl-o-ween Hike N Treat: This event in Warwick City Park features a dog walk/hike, a costume contest, games, and more, benefiting the Friends of Warwick Animal Shelter. Warwick, Facebook: Friends of Warwick Animal Shelter
Rocky Point
P hoto (top) courtesy of Confredas, (bottom) courtesy of Discover Newport
EAST BAY & NEWPORT
ALL AUTUMN LONG
Wednesday Nature Walks: Norman Bird Sanctuary opens trails to the public for fascinating late-afternoon guided walks, free of charge. Also, check out free Sunday guided bird walks, every other Sunday. Middletown, NormanBirdSanctuary.org
Free Family Fun Day: On the first Saturday of each month, the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium opens to the public, free of admission costs! Grab the fam and visit the center for simple crafts, storytime, animal discoveries, autumn nature walks, and more. Bristol, ASRI.org
Land Trust Days 2025: Explore more with Rhode Island Land Trust Council-led activities (some requiring registration) including a full moon walk, kite flying on the beach, and guided nature hikes. Through October 26. Various, RILandTrusts.org
SEPTEMBER
SEPTEMBER 6-7
Raptor Weekend: Billed as New England’s largest celebration of birds of prey, the Audubon Society of RI hosts presentations and activities to educate about owls, hawks, and falcons. Bristol, ASRI.org
SEPTEMBER 11-14
Newport International Boat Show: Walk the docks to view brand new sailboats and powerboats, or find hundreds of marine products, services, and accessories on land. Educational seminars, in-water boating courses, and daily giveaways. Newport, NewportBoatShow.com
SEPTEMBER 14
Bristol PorchFest: Bands and musicians take the “stage” on neighborhood porches, entertaining passersby and music-goers with a myriad of acoustic sets in a variety of genres all over town. Bristol, Facebook: Bristol PorchFest
SEPTEMBER 21
Summa Sizzla: Bid summer a fond farewell at this event bursting with local flavor, featuring grilled produce, meats, and seafood, plus baked goods, live music, and artist-vendors. Tiverton, TivertonFarmersMarket.com
Raptor Weekend
Newport International Boat Show
SEPTEMBER 7 & OCTOBER 6
Full Moon Ride: Get ready for an unforgettable experience as you embark on a 15-mile bike ride lit by the harvest supermoon! Both month’s rides gather at 6:30pm at Equality Park on Broadway. Rides have limited capacity so register early. Newport, BikeNewportRI.org
SEPTEMBER 13
A Nautical Night in Warren: Celebrate the history of Warren’s waterfront at this annual gala. Live music, local seafood, a silent auction, bites from Prica Farina, and the signature Mutiny on the Blounty mocktail make for a festive evening. Warren, WarrenHeritageFoundationRI.org
SEPTEMBER 18-21
Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival: Seminars, a daily Tasting Tent, special dinners, Sunday Jazz Buffet Brunch, and a special guest appearance by celebrated chef Chef Marcus Samuelsson are part of this event at Rosecliff. Newport, NewportMansions.org
SEPTEMBER 26-OCTOBER 13
Newport Festa Italiana: This annual
appreciation of Italian culture through food, music, and the arts kicks off with the Ziti Night benefit. A series of lively events continues through October 13 including the Italian Heritage Parade, a cheese-making workshop, and Nicholas King in concert. Newport, NewportFesta.org
OCTOBER
OCTOBER 2-5
Audrain Newport Concours and Motor Week: Car showcases, gatherings, seminars, and luxurious events lead up to the annual gala. Oneof-a-kind seminars and a special surprise guest are planned. Newport, AudrainConcours.com
OCTOBER 4-5
Norman Bird Sanctuary Harvest Fair: Sack races, friendly home and garden competitions, live music, and more make this event – now in year 51 – an Aquidneck Island fall favorite. Middletown, NormanBirdSanctuary.org
OCTOBER 5
The Great Townie Pumpkin Festival: Get ready for a whirlwind of autumn adventures at
Crescent Park, where you can enjoy pumpkin decorating, explore local vendors, and delight in a variety of children’s activities. Riverside, CrescentParkCarousel.org
OCTOBER 9-13
Rogue Island Comedy Festival: Laugh the night away with some of the best nationally- and locally-acclaimed comedians performing stand-up at over a dozen shows in venues around Aquidneck Island. Newport, RogueIslandComedyFest.com
OCTOBER 10-13
Columbus Day Sidewalk Sale: Enjoy browsing by the sea at this lively annual event where participating shops offer special discounts on seasonal favorites and nifty wares inside and outside their storefronts. Newport, BowensWharf.com
OCTOBER 11-12
Harvest Market: Sakonnet Vineyard will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a festive two-day harvest celebration featuring live music, delicious eats, and some of the best wine on the East Coast. Little Compton, TivertonFarmersMarket.com
Photo courtesy of Norman Bird Sanctuary
Norman Bird Sanctuary Harvest Fair
OCTOBER 18
New England Witches Guild Halloween Parade and Festival: This year’s event welcomes hundreds of witches marching from Riverside Square to Crescent Park Looff Carousel with live music, food, and more. East Providence, NewEnglandWitchesGuild.com
OCTOBER 18-19
Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Fest: Indulge in classic RI delights at this delicious festival; sip on Whalers, listen to live music, and enjoy fresh lobster rolls, fish tacos, calamari, and oysters to your heart’s content. Newport, BowensWharf.com
OCTOBER 19
Pell Bridge Run: The four-mile road race and walk is the only day of the year when pedestrians are permitted to cross the famous Newport Pell Bridge on foot! Starts in Jamestown and finishes in downtown Newport. Jamestown, PellBridgeRun.com
OCTOBER 19 & 26
Warren Walkabout: Explore historic downtown at this annual festival of arts, food, independent businesses, and history; live music all over town and artist demonstrations add to the scene. Warren, DiscoverWarren.com
NOVEMBER
NOVEMBER 2
Trunk or Treat: Rather than going house to house, head to Fort Adams State Park where kids get to go trunk to trunk. Admission is typically a canned good. Newport, AudrainAutoMuseum.org
NOVEMBER 7-16
Newport Restaurant Weeks: Enjoy craveworthy discounts, including prix-fixe and BOGO deals at some of Newport’s best eateries during Newport Restaurant Weeks. Newport DiscoverNewport.org
NOVEMBER 11
Veteran’s Day Ceremony: The World War I Doughboy statue on the Tiverton Bicentennial Green at the Old Stone Bridge next to Grinnell’s Beach, is the place to show your support to our veterans. Meets at 11am. Tiverton, TivertonHistorical.org
Dr. LaPorte joined Atlantic Audiology in June and we’re excited for our patients to get the chance to work with her. Dr. LaPorte earned her Doctorate of Audiology from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in 2023 and during her residency she was drawn to working in a private practice because of the level of focused and personalized care she can provide for her patients. Her audiologic passions include amplification, education, & cerumen management. Dr. LaPorte is working out of both the Cranston and the North Kingstown locations.
OR USE OUR ONLINE BOOKING QR CODE
1130 Ten Rod Road, Suite E 104, North Kingstown 1150 Reservoir Avenue, Suite 305B, Cranston 35 Wells Street, Unit 2, Westerly
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NORTHERN RHODY
ALL AUTUMN LONG
Activities at Stillwater Reservoir: Experience the wooded shores, islands, and picturesque hills of the Woonasquatucket Reservoir with scenic walks through the Greenway, community fun runs, and kayaking through September and October. WRWC.org
Foster Farmers Market: Shady Acres Diner is the place for all-day breakfast (until 2pm) and the site of this weekly event, held Sundays from 9am-12:30pm, weather permitting through October 26. Watch for special happenings like live music and a petting zoo. Foster, FosterFarmersMarketRI.com
13th World: This haunted “house” experience takes place outdoors through the woods (wheelchair accessible but not easy). About 30 minutes to complete, there’s even a Touch of Fear add-on (age 18-plus) where you allow the monsters to touch you. Cumberland, 13thWorld.FearTicket.com
Harmony Railway and Gift Shop: Enjoy a scenic half-mile ride on a 15-inch gauge five-inch scale diesel powered locomotive. Don’t miss a stop into the gift shop for maple syrup, raw honey, and other locally made gifts. Chepachet, HarmonyRIProducts.com
Observatory Open Nights at Seagrave Memorial Observatory: On clear Saturday evenings, hop over to Peeptoad Road to view the sky at the Seagrave Memorial Observatory. Free and open to the public, weather permitting. Scituate, TheSkyScrapers.org
Scituate Rotary Farmers Market: Through September, spend Saturdays listening to live music and enjoying food from food trucks while shopping farmfresh produce and flowers. Across from North Scituate Library. 9am-12pm, weather permitting. North Scituate, ScituateRotaryFarmersMarket.com
Photo courtesy of Hearthside House
SEPTEMBER
THROUGH SEPTEMBER 7
Pawtucket Arts Fest: This multi-day festival features a variety of programming, including dance, music, theater, film, and folk-traditional arts, to showcase the city’s dynamic creative community. Pawtucket, PawtucketArtsFestival.org
SEPTEMBER 6-7
Slater Park Fall Festival: The historic park, which boasts a Looff Carousel, is the setting for two days of arts and crafts, food trucks, and a live performance from the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra. Pawtucket, BlackstoneHeritageCorridor.org
SEPTEMBER 11
Pumpkin Carving and Flower Arranging: Bippity boppity boo! Turn your ordinary pumpkin into an extraordinary centerpiece. Held at Hill’s Tavern, enjoy carving a gourd
to fill with fall blooms with The Stem Bar. Chepachet, TheStemBarFlorals.com
SEPTEMBER 13-14
Burrillville Fall Harvest Festival: The Assembly Theatre is the place for two days of all-ages fun with craft vendors, photo stations, and pumpkin painting. Saturday night caps with a laser light show to a live performance by local act Jailbreak. Burrillville, TourBlackstone.com
SEPTEMBER 20
Great Road Day: Every year the public historic properties on Great Road open their doors for visitors, each displaying special exhibits and free tours curated for this event. A bakery, blacksmith shop, and mill are among the sites. Lincoln, HearthsideHouse.org
SEPTEMBER 20
Great Pumpkin Festival: Experience the start of autumn at this family-friendly
shindig, with contests, food vendors, live entertainment, and community organizations. North Smithfield, GreatPumpkinFestival.org
Open Farm Day at Butterfly Farm: Come meet all the farm animals, get a sneak peak behind the scenes, and enjoy a hayride. Rain or shine! Lincoln, Instagram: @butterflyfarmri
SEPTEMBER 20-21
Apple Festival: Now in year 37, this celebration of all things apple includes a craft fair, family entertainment, food trucks, and apples! Johnston, Instagram: @applefestival_johnston
SEPTEMBER 21
Rootstock: Don’t miss a day of community, arts, music, food, and eco-learning on the lands of Mowry Commons hosted by Revive the Roots. Tickets are limited, so plan ahead. Smithfield, ReviveTheRoots.org
SEPTEMBER 25
Starry Starry Fall Night: Come for a night of stargazing in the wide open fields of Chase Farm. Lincoln, GreatRoadHeritageCampus.org
SEPTEMBER 27
Harvest Festival & Tractor Show: This annual fundraiser for a historic farm is a cornucopia of fun with hayrides, barn tours, pony rides, and of course, tractors. Rain date: September 28. Cumberland, FranklinFarmRI.org
SEPTEMBER 27-28
Oktoberfest: The German American Cultural Society of RI invites guests to their biergarten, bierhalle, and Rathskeller bar for a cultural celebration of live music, dancing, festbier, and traditional cuisine. Pawtucket, GACSRI.org.
OCTOBER
OCTOBER 3-4
AstroAssembly 2025: Since 1952, this annual event invites amateur astronomers and stargazers to learn, participate in raffles, compete in the astro-imaging contest, and gaze up! Free and open to the public, weather permitting. Scituate, TheSkyScrapers.org
OCTOBER 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26
Butterfly Farm Fall Fest: Pick out the perfect pumpkin and go on a hayride while you visit with the farm animals and check out 20-plus local vendors and food trucks. Lincoln, Instagram: @butterflyfarmri
OCTOBER 11-13
Scituate Art Festival: Don’t miss this annual event that stretches across and beyond the town’s postcard-perfect village green. Shop arts, crafts, and antiques from regional makers, plus live music and a food court. Rain or shine. North Scituate, ScituateArtFestival.org.
OCTOBER 11-14
Woonsocket AutumnFest: Since 1979, this event that spans the long weekend has been a Northern RI favorite and the largest fest in the area. A long itinerary includes a parade, rides, food, live entertainment, fireworks, and more. Woonsocket, AutumnFest.org
OCTOBER 18, 19, 26; NOVEMBER 1
Gone But Not Forgotten, Victorian Mourning and Funeral Customs Exhibit: Visit Hearthside House for a guided tour journeying from Simon Thornton’s wake with all the traditions and pageantry of death embraced by the Victorians on display. Lincoln, HearthsideHouse.org
Scituate Art Festival
Butterfly Farm Fall Fest
Photo (top)
courteys of Butterfly Farm, (bottom) by Elyse Major
PROVIDENCE
ALL AUTUMN LONG
Brown University Football: Watch the Brown Bears throw around the pigskin at their home games at Richard Gouse Field on several Saturdays throughout the 2025 season. Dates vary, all games start at noon. BrownBears.com
Food Truck Fridays: Craving handheld eats and an evening outdoors? Roger Williams Park hosts local food trucks doling out street fare at Carousel Village, every Friday through September 26. RWPZoo.org
Haunted Boat Tours: Take a spooky boat tour and learn about the many restless
souls that haunt the streets and rivers of Providence. Tours run all season, and check for special Haunted Booo-zy Boat Rides. ProvidenceRiverBoat.com
Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular: Take a stroll through Rhody’s favorite pumpkin patch as Roger Williams Park Zoo is lined with thousands of masterfully carved, candlelit gourds. Dates TBA. RWPZoo.org/jols
Providence Artisans Market: Artists from all over Southern New England convene at Lippitt Park to sell their fine crafts, jewelry, paintings, and more on Saturdays through October 25. Facebook: PVD Artisans Market
Providence Flea Market: Now in its new home at 195 District Park, this buzzing
market is brimming with varied vendors. Enjoy live tunes, savor mouthwatering bites from food trucks, and mingle with local nonprofits every Sunday through October 26. ProvidenceFlea.com
PVD Horror: The podcasters and popup event organization hosts scary movie screenings for cult-horror enthusiasts at Buttonwoods Brewery on select nights. Follow their social media for upcoming dates. Facebook: PVD Horror
WaterFire: This quintessential Providence after-dark tradition of seeing the river set ablaze while strolling Waterplace Park continues into fall, with food trucks, live entertainment, and more, on September 27, October 4, and November 1. WaterFire.org
Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular
Brown University Football Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular
SEPTEMBER
SEPTEMBER 5-6
PVDFest: The city’s signature event returns to downtown with spectacles like Squonk’s newest show Brouhaha, AGONZA’s Mural Battle, multiple stages of local and international acts, a food truck village, crafts vendors, and more. Rain Date: September 7. PVDFest.com
SEPTEMBER 6-7
India Point Park is the place to be for the best seafood, craft beer, wine, and more from dozens of vendors at the Rhode Island Seafood Festival. Live music from local favorites Heidi Nirk, Young Rust, and TJ and the Tall Boys. RISeafoodFest.com
SEPTEMBER 7
Breakfast with the Zebra & Wildebeest: Start your day with a delicious breakfast al fresco and get ready for an adventure with the zookeepers as they prepare the mixedspecies yard for zebras, wildebeests, and Watusi cattle. RWPZoo.org
SEPTEMBER 14
Jewish Culture Fest: This celebration of Jewish culture features live music from Nefesh Mountain and Ezekiel’s Wheels, an expanded KidZone, a beer garden from Moniker Brewery, and delicious noshes from Maven’s Delicatessen, Zayde’s Market, and Navad Bakers. JewishAllianceRI.org
SEPTEMBER 20
Ocean State Oyster Festival: 195 District Park is your oyster as the new location for this celebration of the state’s rich oyster-farming tradition with live music, local food vendors, and an abundance of fresh oysters. OysterFestRI.com
SEPTEMBER 28
Rain Harvest Festival: This event, hosted by the Providence Parks Department and Rhode Island Department of Transportation at Roger Williams Park Botanical Center, features art, music, and various activities highlighting the importance of clean water. StormWaterInnovation.org
OCTOBER
OCTOBER 4-5
Little City Thrifty: Shop vintage and pre-loved clothing, records, art, home goods, furniture, and more at this curated experience of rummaged regalia taking over the WaterFire Arts Center with over 90 booths. Three words: free book swap! LittleCityThrifty.com
OCTOBER 4-6
Narragansett Brewery Oktoberfest: The Fox Point brewery brings a taste of Munich to PVD with their very own festbier, authentic German food, and lots of fun. Sunday is kids’ day with special events for the whole family. NarragansettBeer.com
OCTOBER 11
RISD Craft: Stroll Benefit Street to peruse handmade fine art and design work by 130+ student and alumni artists, exemplifying mastery of craftsmanship and attention to detail in a wide variety of media. RISDCraft.com
OCTOBER 11-14
Columbus Day Weekend Festival: An annual tradition put on by the Federal Hill Commerce Association, hosts entertainment stages, live chef demonstrations, a parade, and a taste of the Hill’s many restaurants throughout the weekend. FederalHillProv.com
OCTOBER 18
Rhode Island Festival of Children’s Books and Authors: Meet award-winning authors and illustrators, enjoy storytelling sessions, and participate in fun activities centered around books and reading. LincolnSchool.org
OCTOBER 24
Halloween Market: The Providence Flea and Witches’ Night Out Market team up to bring the magic of autumn to Farm Fresh RI on Sims Avenue. A magical evening of shopping and snacking awaits! ProvidenceFlea.com
OCTOBER 25
Fam Jam: Join Providence Bike Jam for a familyfriendly daytime ride. Bring your working bicycle, helmet, water and snacks. Check online for posted route and details. Instagram: @pvdbikejam
OCTOBER 26
Halloween Monster Dash 5K: Dash through the RIPTA bus tunnels in your costume of choice dodging spooky zombies – and bring the little ones along for a fun dash of their own. MonsterDashRace.com
NOVEMBER
NOVEMBER 1
Waterfire: The 13th annual Salute to Veterans is an evening offering support and thanks to Rhode Island servicemen and women, commencing at sunset on the banks of the Providence River. WaterFire.org
NOVEMBER 7-9
Comic Con: Get ready for a weekend of cosplay fun and photo ops at Rhode Island Comic Con, held at the RI Convention Center and the Amica Mutual Pavilion, featuring guest stars from films Pretty in Pink , Mallrats , and Fletch RIComicCon.com
Photo by Matthew Huang, courtesy of PVDFest
FOOD DRINK
SOUTHERN RHODY
ALL AUTUMN LONG
Block Island Farmers Market: Spend a perfect New Shoreham morning shopping art, jewelry, honey, and other mementos at Legion Park at West Side Road. Wednesdays and Saturdays (9am-11:30am) through midOctober. BIFarmersMarket.com
Fall Harvest Festival: The garden center pulls out all the stops with hayrides, a pumpkin dunk tank, corn maze, scavenger hunt, barrel train, and more, weekends from late-September through October. South Kingstown, TheFarmersDaughterRI.com
Family Fun at the Farm: Through October, Clark Farms is a one-stop for making memories, with a giant corn maze, hayrides, petting zoo, the Beeline Zipline, a mining activity, pedal-powered go-karts, skipping stones (hop dots) and a straw maze. Matunuck, ClarkFarms.com
Stargazing Nights: On clear Friday nights, Frosty Drew opens its observatory, science center, sky theater, and telescopes to the sky and offers free stargazing and astronomy to anybody interested in observing from Ninigret Park. Charlestown, FrostyDrew.org
Seaside Shadows Downtown Ghost Tours: Hear stories of deadly shipwrecks, cursed pirate treasure, and witches while exploring the historic architecture of this small seaside town. Westerly, SeasideShadows.com
URI Rhody Rams Football: Bring your Rhode Island pride to the Ryan Center for the URI college football team’s home games. Arrive early for the tailgate, which requires a separate ticket, or just hit the stadium at gametime to cheer the team on to victory. Kingston, GoRhody.com
SEPTEMBER
SEPTEMBER 5-7
Folk Art Quilt Show: The South County Museum celebrates the history of quilting and contemporary forms for its 36th annual show, featuring quilts from local makers and a raffle. Narragansett, SouthCountyMuseum.org
SEPTEMBER 12-14
Block Island Pride: Rainbow tie-dying, drag queen bingo, movies at the beach, a pride
URI Rhody Rams Football
GHOST TOURS
BLOCK ISLAND GHOST TOURS
BlockIslandGhostTours.com
GHOSTS OF NEWPORT GhostsofNewport.com
HAUNTED BOAT RIDES ProvidenceRiverboat.com
PROVIDENCE GHOST TOUR ProvidenceGhostTour.com
SEASIDE SHADOWS DOWNTOWN
WESTERLY GHOST TOURS
SeasideShadows.com
march, and more are among the fab activities planned for this year’s celebration. Block Island, QueerBlockIsland.com
SEPTEMBER 12 & OCTOBER 17
Wickford Harbor Fire: The village’s natural beauty is illuminated by glowing lanterns on the water for a night of food trucks, restaurant specials, shopping, and music. Wickford, Instagram: @WickfordHarborFire
SEPTEMBER 12-14
Misquamicut Fall Fest: Take in the view of the Block Island Sound from atop a Ferris wheel, snack on food truck fare, admire classic cars, and enjoy other festivities on the beach. Misquamicut, MisquamicutFestival.org
SEPTEMBER 14
Bark on the Beach: Leash up your pup and head to Narragansett Town Beach for an invigorating mile-long walk to raise money for Animal Rescue Rhode Island. Narragansett, AnimalRescueRI.org
SEPTEMBER 20
Calamari Festival and Cook-Off: Dig into the Ocean State’s official appetizer at this tented rain-or-shine event featuring tastings, live music, cash bar, vendor marketplace, and food trucks. Narragansett, NarragansettCOC.com
Fall Festival & Outdoor Craft Fair: Explore a variety of local craft vendors while enjoying apple crisp and ice cream at the beautiful Fayerweather House grounds. Rain date September 21. South Kingstown, FayerweatherCraftGuild.com
Pride Day at Casey Farm: Explore offerings from queer-owned businesses, supportive local resource organizations, and your favorite market vendors. Enjoy rainbowthemed kids’ crafts, historical lawn games, and special performances. Saunderstown, HistoricNewEngland.com
SEPTEMBER 21
Exeter Fall Festival: This outdoor event includes the Yawgoo Valley equipment sale, local vendors, and more to support the Exeter Public Library. Exeter, Yawgoo.com
Paddle for Progress: “Let’s turn Wickford Harbor pink for breast cancer,” is the call to action for this third-annual two-mile
paddle throughout local waters. Wickford, PaddleForProgressRI.org
SEPTEMBER 24
Open Farm Night: Join Fry Farm for an evening full of local flavor and fun! Live music by the Wright Flyers, a Moniker Brewery beer garden, lots of food, lawn games, and a bonfire. East Greenwich, Facebook: Open Farm Night at Fry Farm.
SEPTEMBER 26-28
Block Island Birding Weekend: Autumn on the island is flock-full of migratory birds on their way to their winter homes. Audubon naturalists lead birders on field trips to spot all kinds of species. Block Island, MassAudubon.org
Block Island Farmer’s Market
OCTOBER
OCTOBER 12
Block Island Half Marathon: There are no views quite like this half marathon, which takes you past beach dunes, the North Lighthouse, and rolling pastures. Block Island, NewShorehamRI.gov
OCTOBER 17
Coventry Halloween Spooktacular: Enjoy food trucks, trunk-or-treat, and other spooky activities at this annual Halloween event hosted by Coventry Parks & Recreation. Coventry, Facebook: Coventry Halloween Spooktacular
OCTOBER 18
Guy Fawkes Bonfire Night: The Misquamicut Players reenact Monty Python’s parody of Guy Fawkes’ attempt to blow up Parliament in 1605. A bonfire will set the stage for this comedic night at The Windjammer. Misquamicut, GuyFawkesUSA.com
Spooktacular Kids Craft Day & Outdoor Craft Fair: Check out a variety of local vendors set up at the Fayerweather House grounds with fun Halloween activities and candy for kids! South Kingstown, FayerweatherCraftGuild.com
OCTOBER 18 & 19
HopArts Studio Trail: Artists and artisans open their studios to the public for the weekend, offering demonstrations, details of their craft, and work for sale. Hopkinton and Richmond, HopArts.org
The Last House on Locust
Photo courtesy of I Love Wickford Village
Wicked Week returns with spooky fun to round out the month, including the Witches of Wickford Paddle on October 20, a sip and stroll event and Scarecrow Contest, Horribles Parade, and more. Wickford, WickfordVillage.org
OCTOBER 24-26
The Last House on Locust: Explore the front-yard-turned-cemetery scene with more than 40 animatronics, including multiple 12-footers, and a haunted orchard/pumpkin patch. Seasonal treats, too. To benefit the Rock Steady Boxing Program at the South County YMCA. Narragansett, Facebook: The Last House on Locust
OCTOBER 26
Ocean State Rhode Races: Lace up those sneakers and enjoy Southern RI vistas while you run a marathon, half marathon, or 5K at the 9th annual Ocean State Rhode Races. A festival at Narragansett Town Beach follows. Narragansett, RhodeRaces.com
NOVEMBER
NOVEMBER 8
Build a Turkey Plush: Pre-game Thanksgiving with this creative afternoon where children learn to fashion a turkey from seasonal materials – and hot glue and paint – while munching fresh-baked cookies and sipping cider. All supplies included. Watch Hill, OceanHouseRI.com
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architect takes a three-family home to new heights
By Elyse Major
New England is filled with multi-family homes, better known as “three-families.” If you’re reading this article, there’s a good chance you’ve lived in one. The narrow floor plan generally includes a front entrance leading to two large main rooms segmented by a wide door frame; a kitchen with a back entrance and pantry, one bathroom, three bedrooms, and sometimes, exits to railed porches. Third floors generally have high ceilings and all levels are lined with windows. Original features like built-in cabinets and drawers, and barely any closets, are typical. What these homes lack in amenities they make up for with space, sunlight, and character.
The open concept boasts a cathedral ceiling and mezzanine
When a family with young children living in Atlanta was planning their return to Providence, they wanted to make some modifications to a three-family property they’d owned for years and kept as a rental on the East Side. “They wanted to convert it into a two-family home that would be their residence,” explains
David Sisson, principal architect at David Sisson Architecture, PC in East Providence. At first, Sisson tried to convince his clients that they didn’t want to lose a unit, but they were insistent. “We began to dig deeper into their needs and wants, and I did come around to their point of view,” says Sisson.
What the couple wanted was the East Side experience and walkable life, but they were not finding a single-family home that met their needs. “Of course, they already owned this one,” says Sisson, who describes the home as being in rough shape, which he notes is “fairly typical of a rental.” Sizing up the property,
A bird’s eye view from the mezzanine office space
Photos by Christian Scully of Design Imaging Studios, courtesy of David Sisson Architecture PC
The mezzanine serves as the home office; a glass railing offers views of the floor below
Sisson realized that the footprint was a bit wider and taller than most three-families, boasting almost a fourth level with dimensions in both width and depth that could allow for a very luxurious layout.
The home was reimagined and the first floor was kept as an income-producing rental. The layout for the owner’s suite was inverted, placing the public and domestic functions on the third floor and reserving the second floor for bedrooms. The third floor had an attic which was partially
Photos by Christian Scully of Design Imaging Studios, courtesy of David Sisson Architecture PC
The familiar layout of bay windows moves to the master bedroom
The master bedroom en suite bathroom
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Story Teller
opened to create a cathedral ceiling over the living, dining, and kitchen areas, and Sisson and team also managed a small area on a “fourth” floor, which the parents use as an office, overlooking the kitchen and living rooms. Says Sisson, “this house offered some extraordinary opportunities!”
“Double and triple deckers were invented in New England in the 19th century to meet the housing needs of a rapidly growing population,” explains David Sisson. “Today, these houses are found all over cities like Providence, Boston, and their bedroom communities. Though their interiors are out of date, these houses can be renovated to offer a great opportunity for prospective homeowners to break into today’s tight real estate market.”
Rhody Resources
David Sisson Architecture is a full-service professional architecture firm based in East Providence providing both commercial architecture and residential architecture services. Sisson himself is available for institutional architectural design, assisted living design, new construction and remodeling, and office and retail interior design. Kevin LeBlanc of RWL General Contracting served as contractor for this project.
Photo by Christian Scully of Design Imaging Studios, courtesy of David Sisson Architecture PC
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-PAST BUYER
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Rhody Reads
Six picks include new thrillers by local authors
By Deborah Goodrich Royce
Fall in Rhode Island is glorious. The days are often sunny, the beaches are mostly clear, and the roads and walking paths are quieter than they have been for months. It is one of my favorite times in New England – reminiscent of my Michigan girlhood – and it is a perfect time to sit in a favorite spot with a good book. And we have a load of them for your consideration! Several of the featured authors will join me, Martin House Books, and WCRI at the Ocean House Author Series. (See sidebar for details)
The king of crime thrillers is back! On September 16, Don Winslow, once dubbed “America’s greatest living crime writer” comes out with The Final Score Robbers and wise guys, crooked and honest cops, and college students with lucrative (and illegal) sidelines abound in this exciting foray into the world of Rhode Island crime. Join us on Wednesday, October 1, at the Ocean House Author Series to hear Winslow talk about these six novellas packed into one glorious book.
October 21 sees the posthumous release of The Land of Sweet Forever , a book of never-before-seen short stories by Harper Lee, one of America’s most beloved authors. From the wilds of Alabama to the high-rises of New York City, this is the To Kill a Mockingbird writer like you’ve never seen her before. This collection brings us a group of newly discovered short stories and previously published essays and magazine pieces, offering a fresh perspective on this remarkable literary mind.
Rhode Island native, Bram Stoker Award winner, and Shirley Jackson Award finalist Christa Carmen releases How to Fake a Haunting on October 7. In a table-turning thrill ride, desperate and unhappy Lainey Taylor’s plot to frighten her alcoholic husband out of her life takes a chilling turn. Spookily atmospheric and often unexpectedly funny, Carmen’s latest turns the haunted house premise on its head. Join her at the Ocean House Author Series Thriller Panel on Sunday, October 26, just in time for Halloween.
October 28 brings us Wreck , New Englander Catherine Newman’s literary follow-up to her beautiful novel, Sandwich . If you loved reading about Rocky and her family’s vacation on Cape Cod, get ready to meet them again two years later in Western Massachusetts. With her signature wit and wisdom, Newman explores the hidden rules of family, the heavy weight of uncertainty, and the gnarly fact that people –no matter how much you love them – are not always exactly who you want them to be.
Providence’s own Vanessa Lillie publishes The Bone Thief – a continuation of her Syd Walker series – on October 28. When a Native American teenager vanishes from her small town – a place with dark ties to an elite historical society – Bureau of Indian Affairs archaeologist Syd Walker is called to investigate. New York Times bestselling author Liz Moore calls this “a riveting mystery with a plot that seamlessly blends history with fiction.” Meet Lillie at the Ocean House Author Series Thriller Panel on Sunday, October 26.
“Every writer is at least two beings: the one who lives, and the one who writes. Though everything written must have passed through their minds, or mind, they are not the same,” says Margaret Atwood. Raised mainly in the wilds of northern Quebec, November 4 brings her long-awaited memoir Book of Lives, A Memoir of Sorts , where she takes us from an unconventional childhood to the seminal moments that shaped her books: from the cruel year that spawned Cat’s Eye to the Orwellian 1980s Berlin where she wrote The Handmaid’s Tale
ABOUT DEBORAH GOODRICH ROYCE
Royce began as an actress on All My Children and in multiple films before transitioning to the role of story editor at Miramax Films, developing Emma and early versions of Chicago and A Wrinkle in Time . She holds a bachelor’s degree and two honorary doctorates, from both Lake Erie College and the University of Rhode Island. With her husband, Chuck, she has restored the Ocean House Hotel, United Theatre, Martin House Books, and numerous Main Street revitalization projects in Rhode Island and the Catskills. She serves on multiple governing and advisory boards.
Please consider shopping local when making book purchases
Royce’s Reef Road , a national bestseller, was named one of the best books of 2023 by Kirkus Reviews and an Indie Next pick by the ABA. With fellow authors Luanne Rice and Amy Scheibe, she created the Deer Mountain Writers’ Retreat in the Catskills. Her Ocean House Author Series, in partnership with Martin House Books and WCRI, brings worldclass authors like Sarah Ferguson, Chris Bohjalian, and Katie Couric to Watch Hill. For tickets and more, visit OceanHouseEvents.com.
Return to Ritual
Designer picks add flair to the everyday
By Britt Machado
As the spontaneous possibilities of summer end, we take the cold plunge into the structure of autumn. The approaching fall equinox guarantees the inevitability of routine – best to embrace it. Embedding small talismans into everyday life can ward off the days feeling mundane: a bright new kitchen tool inspires adventurous meal preparation; a playful blanket transforms late worknights into cozy times of solitude; wooden objects and floral scents keep the promises of warmth alive. You gather friends around, shuffle the deck, and then suddenly you feel a spark of pleasure in the return to ritual.
Providence | Mezzell.com
Ceramic Mugs
Arch Contemporary Ceramics
Tiverton | ArchContemporary.com
Baking Sheets
Utility
Middletown | Shop-Utility.com
Pistachio Blanket
Nico Scout
South Kingstown | ShopNicoScout.com
Yarn, Scissors, Classes
Knit Club
Providence | Knit.Club
Floral Delusion Perfume
M. Hainey
Providence | Instagram: mhainey.studio
Ocean Jasper Rings
Hinge
Providence | MargeHinge.com
Knife
Kutty Knives
North Providence | kuttyknives.com
Making Arrangements
By Elyse Major
There’s something about a floral centerpiece that elevates even a simple table setting into something special. Today’s versions aren’t the tightly manicured bunches of even a few years ago. Often housed in atypical vessels, modern designs celebrate the wild forms and colors of nature, and almost anything goes. Think branch clippings still covered with leaves, berries, and buds; unkempt fragrant herbs; and of course, flowers at varying heights. Assembling one yourself isn’t as difficult as it seems. We asked Beth Harris, owner
of Fairest Flowers Farm in North Scituate, for tips on how to create a beautiful and impressive display. Harris grows and sells a stunning variety of flowers, including dahlias with delightful names like sunkissed, daydreamer, and moonstruck. From her website (FairestFlowersFarm.com) she vends dahlia bulbs, or “tubers” but offline, drive along Route 116 to Trimtown Road in North Scituate and be instantly smitten with her charming flower cart filled with jars of spectacular seasonal offerings. Bring cash or Venmo to the roadside attraction and treat yourself to a fresh bouquet.
This arrangement uses berries, herbs, roses, Shirley poppies, and wildflowers
PREP
Before starting, you’ll need a foundation at the base of the container to insert stems and secure the arrangement in place. Years ago, green foam (“Oasis”) was used, but today’s floral designers opt for eco-friendly methods like building a grid toward the base of your vessel with floral tape, scrunching a section of chicken wire, or placing a flower frog (those flat disks with upright pins or half spheres with holes) at the bottom.
GATHER
• Vessel of choice (most anything waterproof)
• Flowers and foliage
• Foundation supplies (see Prep)
• Garden gloves to protect your hands
• Scissors, clippers
CREATE
1. Place the selected foundation at the bottom of your container. Fill with water.
2. Gather flowers and foliage and cut stems at a slant to increase water intake.
3. Remove lower leaves that will be submerged in water to avoid bacterial growth.
4. Begin by inserting shorter leafy stems around the inside rim to conceal the top of the container and any mechanics, like floral tape.
5. Next, add medium-sized blooms working your way inward, followed by increasingly larger blooms toward the center.
6. Finish with long sprigs of flowers or branches in an almost random pattern.
by
Photography
Brandon Harmon
“ADD YOUR MOST BEAUTIFUL BLOOM LAST, AND PLACE IT WHERE IT WILL SHINE. I CALL IT THE ‘HELLO’ FLOWER.
USE FOLIAGE NOT SO MUCH FOR FILLER, BUT RATHER, AS AN INTERESTING TEXTURE, COLOR, OR TO DEFINE SHAPE. FORAGE AND USE MOST ANYTHING!
”
– Beth Harris
WORKSHOPS NEAR YOU
Class sizes can be limited, so inquire and reserve early.
SEPTEMBER 4
Design with dahlias: Mount Hope Farm, Bristol
SEPTEMBER 10
Design and sip flower arranging with Moonrose Farm: Elllie’s, Providence
SEPTEMBER 11
Pumpkin carving and flower arranging: The Stem Bar at Hill’s Tavern, Chepachet
SEPTEMBER 19
Long and low table arrangement floral design class: Cedar Edge Floral, Richmond
SEPTEMBER 21
Garden-style compote arrangement: Greenlion (Newport) at Avant Gardens, Dartmouth, MA
SEPTEMBER 29
Fall arrangement in a pumpkin: Floral Designs by Donna, Narragansett
NOW BLOOMING
Five flowers to fall for
• Aster
• Dahlia
• Gomphrena
• Strawflower
• Zinnia
VASE VARIATIONS
No antique silver pedestal compote in your cabinet? No worries. Most any holder can work and if it’s not waterproof, make your bouquet in something that is (like glass) before placing it inside. Try baskets, buckets, cans, colanders, coolers, deep pans, kettles, mixing bowls, pots, even open drawers.
by
Beyond blooms, employ berries and leafy herbs to add texture
Photography
Brandon Harmon
COMPLIMENTARY SEMINAR
Top Kitchen & Bath Trends
September 13th | 10 –11AM
Stay ahead of the curve with the newest trends in layouts, materials, and designs.
10 Steps to a Successful Remodel
October 18th | 10 –11AM
Gain expert insights, practical tips, and a clear roadmap for a smooth renovation.
FEATURE
Growing Traditions
From picking to snacking, everything you need to make the most of apple time
By Ann Martini
Apple picking was a very big deal in our family when the girls were little,” says Amy Chaffee, mom of two from Smithfield, a town also known as Apple Valley. “It was like their autumn internal alarm clocks were going off!” she adds, explaining that her daughters would don cozy sweaters and solid footwear for an afternoon meandering through various orchards in northern Rhode Island, picking the “biggest,” “reddest,” or “prettiest” apples. Afterwards came a visit to the farmstand for caramel apples, pies, and cider.
“The funny thing is that even though the girls are in their twenties now, they still want to do it with me. It’s like a sweet, welcome-to-fall tradition
Steere Orchard
for us.”
Surely, many Rhode Islanders have similar memories about a tradition that can be considered family fun, or even a romantic way for a couple to spend a crisp September or October day. There are more than two dozen apple orchards throughout the state; some offer
pick-your-own experiences where you can fill a bag to your heart’s content. Others feature orchard-adjacent stands or shops where you’ll find an unimaginable array of apple-inspired products, from cute tchotchkes to edible delights such as caramel apples, apple pies, breads and muffins, apple butter, cider and
Apples to Apples
According to area growers these are the six most popular apples grown in Rhode Island, ending with the most popular, McIntosh, which accounts for 50 percent of the apples purchased in the state.
cider slushies, and cider donuts, even takehome bags of apples for those who prefer not to work for their crop. No wonder it’s become a beloved autumn tradition.
For orchard owners, there’s a method behind this madness, one that hasn’t always come naturally, especially for those to whom
Young Family Farm
Photo (L) courtesy of Sweet Berry Farm, (R) courtesy of Young Family Farm
Amy Chaffee and daughters
Emily (L) and Maddie (R), apple picking when the girls were younger at an orchard near their home in North Smithfield
the business has been passed from generations prior. But now the ritual of picking apples is playing second-fiddle to the experience of wandering through the store looking for tasty treats. The fact is that many of these orchards wouldn’t be nearly as profitable without these tangential sales. The challenges facing small
fruit-growing orchards might surprise you: bad weather can lead to crop loss, disease, and less-than-desirable fruit; there are insects and pests that can wreak havoc on the fruit and on the pickers; difficulty filling retail and picking positions can halt efficient production.
Jim Steere knows this firsthand. Steere has
run Steer Orchard in Greenville for 55 years. His grandfather started the orchard in 1930, and Steere works with his son John, offering a dozen or so varieties of apples. Their farmstand is rife with cider donuts, apple cider, jams and jellies, and other apple goodies. But sometimes, he says, it’s not enough.
by Elyse Major
Photo
Sunset Orchard
FEATURE
PYO 101
Remember, an orchard is someone’s lifeblood, so treat it with respect and you’re sure to have a blast! Here are a few tips from orchards about maximizing your apple-picking experience.
GO EARLY
Mornings are coolest, for sure. In early September, McIntosh and Macoun varieties are the most plentiful. Cortland and Empire follow in late September, while Fuji, Granny Smith and Honeycrisp debut in October.
DO YOUR RESEARCH
Don’t assume that every orchard offers activities for little ones, such as wagon rides or a petting zoo. While many do, some orchards are just for purists – in and out with a bushel and a peck.
DRESS APPROPRIATELY
This may seem obvious, but closed-toe boots or shoes, and layers that you can peel off if the temperature climbs, will make everyone’s experience more pleasant.
BYO BAGS
Maybe it’s for practicality, maybe it’s for sustainability. Either way, it’s a good move.
NO CLIMBING
If you see a winner way high up, ask for assistance. The orchard doesn’t want you injuring yourself over an apple! Plus, climbing can permanently damage trees.
PICK LIKE A PRO
Gently twist the stem upward and roll. Don’t tug or pull down as that can break branches and rip leaves.
SHOP THE STAND
Don’t miss out on goodies such as cider, donuts, jams, honey, pies, and muffins.
BACK AT HOME
Keep apples in the crisper drawer in a plastic bag with holes. And don’t store near strong-smelling items as the apples will absorb the odor. Garlic-flavored apples? Never!
Steere is the president of the Rhode Island Fruit Growers Association (RIFGA) which has, for over a century, aided some 30-plus farms to produce a diverse array of fruit. RIFGA members benefit from an ongoing collaboration with University of Rhode Island and the University of Massachusetts cooperative extensions. “Meetings are held at different farms around the state,” Steere says, “and provide great information about successful growing practices.” It’s all welcome advice, because, as
Steere says, apple growing “is not a highly profitable business.”
Hence, the complementary activities and products that attract the public. In fact, the tradition has inspired an addition to the vernacular: the term
“agritainment,” coined by author Margo Rabb in a November 2024 article in The Atlantic Monthly magazine. The author argues these enhancements are crucial to small - farm viability, extending harvest windows. Manfredi Farms in
Cider House Rules
Where to find grown-up apple juice around the state
Thirty years ago, commercial hard ciders hit the market as an alternative to beer (think Strongbow, Angry Orchard). But according to Spencer Morris, owner of Sowams Cider Works in Warren, hard cider was widely consumed in the early American colonies, a common beverage due to the prevalence of apple orchards. In 2013, Morris started Sowams Cider Works with the aim of producing similar traditional hard ciders, and, in the meantime, trying to make money from apples, “which sometimes seems like an impossible task.” In 2018, Morris opened a tasting room featuring 30-35 small-batch ciders, produced with apples grown on his small orchard in nearby Touisset. “I want to educate people,” he says, explaining that his ciders are “more floral than apple-y,” and “more like wine.” Most surprisingly, his ciders are still, not sparkling. They are available in a handful of liquor stores throughout the state. SowamsCiderWorks.com
In the southern part of the state, Tapped Apple Cidery and Winery in Westerly operates with similar goals: to make the most delicious-tasting bevvies made from apples sourced from Sunset Orchards in North Scituate. They also produce wines with tasty-sounding flavors such as Apple Pie and Blueberry Patch. They, too, are available at stores throughout the state. TappedApple.com
If you prefer non-alcoholic cider, the Hard Pressed Cider Company should be your go-to. Owner Rob Swanson watched his URI friend try to make hard cider out of his closet, and when he graduated in 2009, Swanson ran with the idea, writing a business plan and securing an SBA loan for a food truck. Now, he and wife Jaclyn sell sweet cider, hot mulled cider, and slider slushies, not to mention their delicious cider donuts. Look for the white truck at Windmist Farm in Jamestown, Fridays-Sundays (and holiday Mondays) Labor Day through Thanksgiving. HardPressedCiderCompany.com
Photo courtesy of Hard Pressed Cider Co.
Westerly has amended its growing season with a petting farm (sheep, goats, donkeys), special events (their harvest festival), and a store featuring unique products (Manfredi Farms bloody mary mix). Narrow Lane Orchard in North Kingstown features more than a dozen varieties of apples, ripening at different times
through fall, plus a mile-long nature trail and an eight-foot-tall, “life-size” Sasquatch, offering up a bright red apple, carved from a tree and Insta-ready.
Even if it’s all about farm-marketing, apple picking still fosters ritual and tradition. For the Chaffee family, the time spent together
walking, eating, and laughing marked the passing of summer and was a reminder of a new school year and the opportunity for a fresh start. “When you have two small kids, being able to spend time in nature just 20 minutes from our house is precious to preserving that family connection,” she says.
Photo courtesy of Sowams Cider Works
Sowams Cider Works
Embracing the Do-Over—A Journey in Wealth, Wellness, and Second Chances
There’s a phrase I’ve come to love: “the great redo.” It’s the idea that life, much like financial planning, sometimes gives us a second chance to get things right— or at least, to do them better. I recently lived this lesson firsthand, and I want to share how it shaped my approach to both personal growth and wealth management.
Last year, my wife and I embarked on what was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime: ten days sailing between the islands of the Azores. The anticipation was high, but so was my anxiety. I had to have a wisdom tooth removed days before departure, and as fate would have it, I suffered an allergic reaction to prawns on the second night. That set off a chain of events—illness, a broken tooth, a cold that swept through our group, and relentless heat. Despite it all, we made memories, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that we’d still somehow missed out on the true magic of the experience.
This year, when the opportunity arose to take the same trip again, I hesitated. Was it indulgent to try for a do-over? But then I realized: giving ourselves permission to try again isn’t just okay—it’s essential. In wealth management, as in life, we’re often told to “get it right the first time.” But the truth is, growth comes from reflection, adaptation, and the courage to revisit our goals with new wisdom.
Preparation was key this time. Kitty and I worked on our physical fitness so we could better handle the demands of life on a 50-foot sailboat. I paid close attention to my allergies, steering clear of prawns and being mindful of what I ate. I even took an art lesson on a rainy day, stretching my creative muscles in new ways. The result? A trip that was not only smoother, but richer in every sense.
This experience reminded me of the importance of self-awareness and adaptation in financial planning. Sometimes, our first attempt at investing or saving doesn’t go as planned. Maybe we encounter unexpected expenses, or the market throws us a curveball. The instinct might be to shrink away, to avoid risk or change. But real progress comes when we give ourselves permission to try again—armed with better information, stronger preparation, and a willingness to ask for help when needed.
We all have limitations, whether they’re physical, financial, or emotional. But that doesn’t mean we can’t push our comfort zones. The key is to do so thoughtfully, not with reckless abandon. In wealth management, it means balancing ambition with prudence, and knowing when to consult a professional.
FOOD & DRINK
In the Kitchen | New Cookbook | Gilded Dining | Round-Up
The Gentleman Farmer
Pioneering spirit and Parisian flair are hallmarks of a park-side eatery
Photography by Erin McGinn
Photos and Words by Erin
McGinn
Parkside Rotisserie and Bar owner Steven Davenport never intended to open his own restaurant. But one day in the mid-90s, while spearheading The Westin Providence’s (now Omni) culinary program, Davenport consulted for and became friendly with George Warren, former owner of Amsterdam, where Parkside now stands. In 1996, opportunity came knocking when Warren encouraged Davenport to take over the business.
These days, instantly recognizable by its petite neon rotisserie sign and its très Parisien-striped patio awning, Parkside is a culinary staple in Providence. With more than 30 years in the industry, Davenport couldn’t be more passionate. “I always give it 120 percent,” he says, smiling, as we chat overlooking South Main Street from the big windows near the bar. Not that starting up was easy. “I didn’t want to be just another Italian restaurant,” Davenport remarks.
When it came to opening Parkside, the Cumberland native looked to his classical French training at Rhode Island School of Design’s now-defunct culinary arts program. Davenport decided to open an eatery centered around a nouveau-French spin on tradition. He and his late wife Donna Marie Davenport dove in head-first. “We did everything together,” he emphasizes. Growing up in the hospitality industry, Donna (her family owned The Little Inn in Johnston) was always detail-minded. She took the
customer-facing front-of-house, while Steven helmed the back. Donna made sure there were always fresh flowers, candles, and attention-grabbing artwork. Davenport keeps her special touches around to this day. “I feel her here,” he says with emotion. “She was the driving force behind the restaurant’s ambiance.”
The menu today is replete with those French-inspired dishes such as moules en frites or steak tartare, bountiful salads and sandwiches, and entrees including cassoulet, coq au vin, steak frites and au poivre. And
then there are the rotisserie-roasted selections: chicken, duck, pork, roast beef, and more. This is why you come.
Twelve years ago, Parkside suffered a devastating fire, requiring a full remodel. When he began revamping the kitchen, Davenport headed off to Paris to meet with the manufacturers of the handmade Labesse Giraudon rotisserie, which uses a slow-turning process over an open flame, resulting in remarkably tender dishes that are crisp on the outside and juicy on the inside. “Fun fact,” Davenport
Photography by Erin McGinn
Steak au poivre served with house-made tater tots, arugula, spinach, and picked red onion salad
Daily specials showcase seasonal ingredients
FOOD & DRINK
adds, “The rotisserie I have now was the first one in the country. International culinary visitors would come and see it. It was here first!”
After the pandemic, Davenport started a small farm in Scituate, consisting of a 1800-square-foot greenhouse growing organic produce, a herd of Nigerian dwarf goats to produce cheese, yogurt, and butter, and a flock of free-range Rhode Island Red and Connecticut White Rock chickens for farm-fresh eggs, all for Parkside. When he’s not there or in the restaurant, you’ll find Davenport out on the water, fishing or boating. Does he think about retirement? “It’s been quite the ride being in Providence, but I’ve never worked a day in my life.” We’ll thankfully take that as a “No.” 76 South Main Street, ParksideProvidence.com
A frisée salad tops George’s Bank scallops and an asparagus and charred corn fritter
Photography by Erin McGinn
Tastes of Home
A Providence writer’s new cookbook is a portrait of the Soviet diaspora through food
By Maggie Pearson
Polina Chesnakova’s journey through food and culture is as rich and layered as the dishes she makes. Born in Ukraine with Russian, Armenian, and Georgian roots, her story reflects the complexities of growing up as an immigrant in the shadow of the Soviet Union’s collapse. Now, as Chesnakova prepares to release her third cookbook, Chesnok: Cooking from My Corner of the Diaspora: Recipes from Eastern Europe, The Caucasus, and Central Asia , the Providence author offers more than just a collection of recipes. This book delves into her personal culinary journey and cultural roots, sharing the story of her immigrant experience. As Chesnakova says, “It’s a rediscovery of the food that was always in front of me but that I didn’t fully appreciate growing up.”
In 1992, when Chesnakova was just a baby, her family immigrated to the U.S. from Georgia, after years of waiting for documents amid the dissolution of the Soviet Union. “With a suitcase in one hand and a little wooden basket carrying me, a newborn, in the other, my parents boarded their flight to America,” she shares. This is where her journey begins: arriving in Rhode Island, where she grew up, rooted in her family’s experience.
Chesnakova’s deep connection to food started early in life. Growing up in an immigrant family, food was central to their lives and served as a means of preserving their heritage. “Food has always been a big focal point of my family and community,” she reflects. The kitchen was where her family shared their history and culture, cooking meals that transcended national boundaries. Beyond her family home, her ties to her Russian post-Soviet church community in East Providence played a vital role in shaping her culinary identity. It was within this tight-knit community that Chesnakova was immersed in the traditions and flavors that continue to inspire her to this day.
Photography by
Dane Tashima, courtesy of Polina Chesnakova
Chesnakova working with dough to make Armenian butter pastry
Excerpted with permission from Chesnok: Cooking From My Corner of the Diaspora: Recipes from Eastern Europe, The Caucasus, and Central Asia by: Polina Chesnakova published by Hardie Grant North America, September 2025, RRP $35.00 Hardcover.
Personalized copies are available at Books on the Square, 471 Angell Street, Providence
In high school, Chesnakova’s love for food grew, leading her to start her blog, Chesnok , in 2016 to preserve the traditional recipes that defined her upbringing. Despite not knowing if anyone would read it, she was personally compelled to document these dishes for herself and her family. But in 2016, a life-changing car accident left her with lasting physical injuries to her left hand. Unable to work in kitchens, she transitioned to writing full-time and soon found herself contributing to Culture magazine. Her first cookbook, Hot Cheese (2020),
was followed by Everyday Cakes (2022). Now, Chesnok marks the culmination of a journey to reconnect with her roots and preserve the flavors that shaped her life.
The title Chesnok , which translates to “head of garlic” in Russian, is a reference to both a key ingredient in her family’s Georgian cooking and the origin of her last name. Dishes blend flavors in a way that is uniquely her own, describing it as “Slavic recipes with a Georgian accent.” Her version of borscht, for example, adds cilantro and chili pepper, breathing new
life to a classic soup. Another standout is her tabaka-style adjika chicken, which she calls “my family’s go-to chicken recipe.”
The mayonnaise-based marinade keeps the chicken moist and tender, while the adjika paste adds spice and heat; Chesnakova notes that the adjika paste can easily be substituted with chopped Portuguese hot peppers for a local twist. For dessert, find offerings like Armenian butter pastry (gata), which falls somewhere between a rugelach and strudel with its striking spiralled layers.
“They are traditional dishes, done exceptionally well, that my family has relied on time and time again to knit us together and remind us of the home we left behind.” Chesnok is not only a celebration of food but also a love letter to the culture that shaped Chesnakova. “This book is about rediscovering my heritage and reconnecting with the food that ties us together,” she says. “It’s for anyone who wants to learn about the richness and diversity of Eastern European cuisine and the people who carry it forward.” Learn more at PolinaChesnakova.com.
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Let Loose
Wagyu and whimsy play nicely by design inside a Gilded Age restaurant
By Andrea E. McHugh
With the recent announcement of an impending season four of the popular streaming series The Gilded Age , interest in the opulent era is at an alltime high, and there remain only a handful of places in Newport where you can stay and dine in an authentic period mansion. Remy’s Loose at The Chanler is one of them.
Completed in 1873, The Chanler was one of the earliest mansions of the Gilded Age to
dot the City by the Sea’s celebrated coastline. It was the summertime respite of New York Congressman John Winthrop Chanler and his wife Margaret Astor Ward, great-granddaughter of John Jacob Astor. (Yes, of those Astors.)
The mansion remained in the family for five decades before being sold and later served in various capacities. A fire in 1944 severely damaged the interior but spared the ornate exterior; its new chapter as a hotel began, first at Cliff Lawn, then as Cliff Walk Manor, which
longtime Newporters may recall. The Chanler at Cliff Walk, known today, opened in 2003 after a multiyear renovation by the Shufelt family.
Earlier this year, the hotel introduced a new dining concept, Remy’s Loose, the vision of proprietress Lani Shufelt, who named the restaurant after her niece. (Cara, The Chanler’s exclusive tasting menu fine dining restaurant, is named for Shufelt’s sister). Under the careful orchestration of Executive Chef Jacob Jasinski, who joined The Chanler in 2019, the
Photo courtesy of The Chanler at Cliff Walk
menu seamlessly weaves together French tradition with Rhode Island roots — an approach that’s part and parcel of Jasinski’s culinary lineage. Not only did the accomplished chef spend considerable time honing his craft in France, but stateside, he worked in prominent kitchens with Michelin-starred luminaries, including Daniel Humm at Eleven Madison Park, Eric Ripert at Le Bernardin, and at Joël Robuchon, Las Vegas. But working at coastal Rhode Island
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Relais Châteaux properties like Castle Hill Inn and the Ocean House gave him a special appreciation for the spoils of the sea.
“Our backyard is literally the ocean, so we put a tremendous emphasis on the seafood we have,” Jasinski says, describing the culinary team as “very ingredient focused.” That approach manifests on the lunch or dinner menu via caviar, Rhode Island oysters, local lobster, North Atlantic crudo, Bigeye tuna tartare, and larger plates that center octopus, scallops,
Spanish octopus served with a dollop of bagna cauda dipping sauce
Try a Remy’s Negroni –a mocktail featuring housemade orange bitters
Block Island Sound tuna, New England striped bass, and grilled yellowtail. “If you close your eyes and you taste, you should know you’re in Newport, Rhode Island,” he says with a smile.
“We have our own gardens out here; four garden beds just for culinary and two that have cutting flowers and edible flowers as well,” says Jasinski of the sprawling landscape. “We always try to do local, but we do go outside of that. Caviar is a great example, truffles are a good example,” he points out.
– LANI SHUFELT
Photos courtesy of The Chanler at Cliff Walk
Choose from a menu of cocktails, free-spirited drinks, and wine
While The Chanler boasts all the trappings of luxury, Remy’s Loose is touted as the property’s “come-as-you-are” restaurant. The inside dining room is sumptuous, with lush banquettes, glowy lighting, a swanky bar, and undeniable Parisian sensibilities, yet it’s also welcoming; unpretentious and decidedly unfussy, most especially on the terrace, where the ocean breeze dances and time seems to matter little. It’s a calculated step by Shufelt, who worked alongside Studio Valerius and Next Step Design (the latter
specifically for kitchen design).
“In one sense, you look around, it’s beautiful, it has this gorgeous woodwork and the mirrors and all that, but there’s also a sense of playfulness and a sense of whimsy,” explains Shufelt. “When I go out, I want an experience where I can have a great time and be with loved ones and laugh out loud. And we were going after that ambiance and feeling; I have always felt like aesthetics and your surroundings have a very strong influence on how you live your life and how you feel.”
From the start, Shufelt, who went to culinary school in Paris, wanted Remy’s Loose to be approachable, whether that’s a girls’ night out or a 25th anniversary dinner. “That’s why we don’t have a dress code. We don’t have strict policies that make it into ‘something,’ and while we do respect and understand certain restaurants having those kinds of things, it then turns it into more of a place you need to plan out. We wanted this to be a place that you could just be like, ‘I want to go there with a couple of my
Photos courtesy of The Chanler at Cliff Walk
girlfriends and have a good night,’ but I also wanted an ambiance and experience that you could choose to celebrate a special occasion, and we felt that we could accomplish both.”
Jasinski’s dishes equally illuminate that careful balance. Yes, there’s lobster and A5 Wagyu carpaccio, but there’s also a cheeseburger. There’s even a grilled cheese sandwich (goat cheese with charred tomato and scallion on sourdough). But still. 117 Memorial Boulevard, Newport, TheChanler.com
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Savoring Rhody
Eight new faves ranging from fancy to farmstand
By Patty J
Think summer is winding down?
Not so fast. Seasonal dining is still in the forecast, as are new places and perennial favorites. Here are eight terrific destinations around the state for everything from fresh veggies and burritos to small plates and haute cuisine. I did the legwork so you don’t have to! Now dig in.
Archive Book and Snackery
Launched by the wife and husband team of Janet Moscarello and Uriah Donnelly (who have more than five decades of experience in the restaurant biz), this used-bookstoremeets-tavern is a delight. Beyond the neatly organized bookshelves and antique typewriters, you’ll find some of the yummiest small plates and cocktails around. They even make their own ice cream. Warren
Carriage House at The Elms
Fancy meeting for a bite at the mansion?
More specifically, in the recently reimagined carriage house where visitors will find a French-inspired aesthetic and menu just steps from the historic gardens at The Elms. Open daily through the end of September, then weekends in autumn months, reservations are strongly encouraged. Newport
Circe Prime
The third and newest restaurant from the Circe Group (owners Carlo Carlozzi and Kyle Poland), this Italian steakhouse offers classic dishes like filets, lobster ravioli, and oysters in a plush atmosphere. Guests are also thrilled with the drink menu and the wait staff. It is fast becoming a destination for both date nights and micro-weddings. Cranston
Photo courtesy of Patty
J
Naga Coffeehouse
Providence native Maggie McConnell and her husband Josh Finger have opened a charming French restaurant across from the Providence Performing Arts Center. The two chefs, who met while working together at the famous Per Se in NYC, have brought an exciting eight-course tasting menu to the capital city. The luxe space only seats 26, so reserve in advance. Providence
Archive Book and Snackery
Claudine
Carriage House at The Elms
Claudine
Naga Coffeehouse
Open since June, this zen oasis is where you can indulge in your next specialty iced coffee or matcha — and a few moments of reflection. The name and minimalist decor are both inspired by Buddhist mythology and a quest to make the ordinary magical. Pro-tip: Get the signature iced brown sugar Saigon drift and a fresh-baked cookie. Cranston
The Roasted Clove
This Middletown delicatessen and caterer is helmed by food and beverage industry vet Felecia Landers. Located on Aquidneck Avenue in the space formerly occupied by Sig’s Place, they have been winning over hungry customers with their scrumptious and generously sized sandwiches, fresh salads, and oven-fresh cookies since May 2023. Middletown
The Stand by William Wright & Co
This seasonal farmstand was opened during the pandemic by Rebecca Wright. Her mission: to bring locally grown produce to her neighbors and friends. The Stand has since expanded its offerings to include flowers, ice cream, baked goods like sourdough bread from nearby Nana’s, personal care items, and other sundries. Westerly
The Stand by William Wright & Co
Naga Coffeehouse
Photos courtesy of Patty J
The 2 Muchachos
Started by besties Daniel Francis and Francisco Henriquez, and situated on Main Street, one of my new favorite food trucks is cooking up some of the tastiest Mexican comfort food in Lil’ Rhody. Their grande burritos live up to their name and the hype, and the loaded fries are out of this world. Also, you simply can’t leave without trying the twisted muchachos churros. Warren
Since 2013
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