13 ARTS: New banners around city are anchored in inclusivity, history, and culture
22 THE PUBLIC’S RADIO: RIPTA considers reducing bus frequency on most routes to close budget gap
24 RHODY GEM: Chic consignment, flowers and more, on South Main
26 OP-ED: Fain and Triedman share their views on city issues
30 NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS: Hyper local news and contact listings
32 CALENDAR:
This month’s must-do’s
Home & Style
A17 FALL INSPO: Budget-friendly ideas for transitioning to autumn
a26 MAKERS: Five botanicalinspired artists
a30 WORKSHOP: Learn to make scented candles in Pawtucket
Feature
65 Aging Wisely: Planning for the future in RI starts now
Food & Drink
77 EXPERIENCE: Hotel restaurant delights with flavor and flourishes
84 IN THE KITCHEN: A path to wellness leads to making herbal teas
90 ROUND-UP: Eight eateries to try this month
94 FOOD BITES: Morsels of what’s new in the local culinary scene
96 PIC OF PVD
The Great Outdoors:
A field guide to exploring the state’s natural treasures
Photo by Carli Alves
Photo courtesy of Providence Warwick CVB
Photo courtesy of Hard Pressed Cider
Photo courtesy of Nicole Montagno
Photo courtesy of Providence Kayak
MONTHLY
From pricing strategy to presentation, Joe brings strategic market insight and the instincts of a lifelong Rhode Islander. He knows what makes homes shine and how to help you move forward with confidence. Broker Associate 401.440.7483 jroch@residentialproperties.com @joeroch
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CONTRIBUTORS
CARLI ALVES
Carli Alves returns to share advice on transitioning home decor to fall (page A17). Alves is the founder of Made by Carli , a blog where she shares her expertise for home decor, DIY, and interior design. Her home has been featured in Yankee , and she has been named one of 102 Black Designers, Crafters, Makers, and More to Follow on Instagram Now by Country Living magazine. Follow along on Instagram @madebycarli
ERIN MCGINN
Erin McGinn is a multifaceted photographer focused on storytelling for hospitality brands, makers, and couples. With an essence of sun-kissed Southern California and roots in Rhode Island, her lifelong love of travel inspires her experiential photos. McGinn recently visited Sankofa Community Kitchen to photograph an herbal tea maker for this month’s In the Kitchen profile (page 84).
KOU TUKALA NYAN
Kou Tukala Nyan is a multidisciplinary artist who works with creative writing, memoir, journalism, performance, and curation to tell stories. In her free time, she likes to see what people are up to, try different foods, and explore Wikipedia and the real world. In “Tenacious Tea” (page 84), she profiles a Providence entrepreneur who discovered herbalism on a path to wellness.
JACOB SCHIFFMAN
In Food Bites (page 94), “food and beverage crusader” Jacob Schiffman shines a spotlight on three of his favorite – among many – things to devour at area eateries. Based in Providence, the former Food Network culinary purchasing manager shares noshing across the Northeast on everything from bagels on NYC’s Lower East Side to slices of margherita pizza on Doyle Avenue. Follow along at @schiffmaneats
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NEWS & CULTURE
Arts | The Public’s Radio | Rhody Gem | Op Ed | Neighborhood News | Calendar
All Are Welcome
Dynamic initiative asserts inclusion and celebrates the culture of Providence
By Ken Abrams
ince Roger Williams first sought refuge here nearly 400 years ago, Providence has been known as a haven for both residents and visitors. A new initiative from the Downtown Providence Parks Network, titled “You Belong Here,” cements that identity through a public marker project now on display throughout downtown.
Anchors located in and around downtown parks serve as guideposts to the city
Nora Barré, executive director of the Downtown Providence Parks Network, is excited about the Downtown Providence Park Wayfinding Project, a program designed to transform public spaces through eye-catching banners and enhanced navigation tools. Barré’s goal is
to present a fresh, engaging presence in Providence while making it easier for residents and visitors to navigate and explore the city. The theme is loosely based on the idea that the city is for everyone – welcoming newcomers as well as longtime residents.
NEWS & CULTURE
The anchors light up at night and play music
“The overarching theme is that you belong here – everybody belongs here – we welcome everybody in Providence,” says Barré, who emphasizes the city’s legacy of historically embracing immigrants, an idea that influenced the project. The markers extend from the Point Street Bridge to Waterplace Park, encompassing Biltmore Park, Burnside Park, and Kennedy Plaza.
“Public spaces are the core of our democracy,” says Barré. “Not to sound cheesy, but Providence is my adopted home. I am originally Syrian, I came from a dictatorship, and I’ve been all over the US and Canada, but I’ve never felt more at home than in Rhode Island.” While many cities have implemented
successful wayfinding projects, Barré wanted Providence to be different. “I didn’t want to do another boring pedestrian wayfinding program,” she says. “I wanted to do something that taught people, locals and visitors alike, about our history. Even if it’s not a massive amount, our goal is for people to walk away with three ideas or new things to help them build civic pride in our
democratic spaces and public parks.”
In developing the project, designers met with community leaders and representatives from non-profit agencies to learn more about the city’s heritage. “We focused on little-known history so people can learn something new,” says Barré. “We did research on the places and architecture that make Providence unique.”
Banners provide useful tips for residents and visitors
Halloween Extravaganza 2025
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25
The banners showcase both historic and contemporary figures who have contributed to the city’s vibrant character. Among them are Emmanuel “Manno” Bernoon, a formerly enslaved man believed to have opened the first oyster bar in the United States; Christiana Carteaux Bannister, a supporter of the arts and
the wife of artist Edward Mitchell Bannister; and Josefina “Doña Fefa” Rosario, regarded as the “mother” of Rhode Island’s Latino communities. The only living individual featured on a banner is former Providence Mayor and United States Congressman David Cicilline, the first openly gay mayor of a US state capital.
Photo courtesy of Downtown Providence Parks Network
Easy to read maps are displayed on each anchor
Sept 26 - Nov 2
This
With
miss round two of the ultimate fall challenge!
QR codes printed on the banners will provide easy access to interactive maps, event schedules, cultural insights, and directories of nearby businesses and restaurants. In a nod to the city’s seafaring heritage, the project also features five anchors, spread throughout downtown parks, programmed to play music, complete with software that
allows officials to change the sounds based on events happening in the city. “A lot of the people have made Providence the wonderful, lovely place that it is,” adds Barré. “We’ll continue to do that with pop-ups to activate the banners and bring them to life throughout the year.” Learn more at DowntownParks.org
Photo courtesy of Downtown Providence Parks Network
The achors are designed to withstand the elements
RIPTA Considers Reducing Bus Frequency on Most Routes to Close Budget Gap
Governor Dan McKee revised a previous plan to eliminate bus routes and instead proposed service reductions on 46 of the system’s 58 routes
In partnership with The Public’s Radio • ThePublicsRadio.org • By Ben Berke
Rhode Island’s governor recently announced a new plan to resolve the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA)’s budget shortfall. The proposal would reduce bus frequency on 46 routes, increase fares, and introduce more advertising across the public transit system. Governor Dan McKee said these changes would help the system avoid eliminating bus routes in their entirety.
McKee and leaders from the state legislature have been pressuring RIPTA to become more profitable as the agency loses access to federal pandemic relief funding. The state legislature appropriated additional funds to help balance the budget, but a $10 million gap remains between RIPTA’s costs and its funding sources.
In response, RIPTA CEO Christopher Durand proposed what he called the largest service cuts in the agency’s history, which would have eliminated 17 bus routes in an effort to balance the budget and avoid layoffs.
Durand and McKee came back with a revised plan after RIPTA’s board, facing public pressure, voted to delay action on the proposed service elimination. In a press release, Durand and McKee laid out a less drastic series of service changes, and identified additional savings opportunities through administrative job cuts and a redirection of existing federal funds.
Liza Burkin, a transit activist with the Providence Streets Coalition, said the plan does not solve RIPTA’s budget problems beyond this year. “Basically, what they’re doing is they’re taking
away capital funding from RIPTA that is supposed to go to long term investments, like buying new buses, and they’re putting that towards their operating costs,” Burkin said. “It’s a band-aid.”
Burkin said concerns about RIPTA’s efficiency are a distraction from a larger problem: she said the state could simply devote more tax revenue to public transportation. “We force bus riders to beg for these basic services every single year,” Burkin said. “We don’t ask drivers to beg for highway money.”
The new budget proposal goes to RIPTA’s board for consideration. If approved, the proposed service cuts would take effect on September 27. This article was originally posted on August 25, 2025. Ben Berke can be reached at bberke@ripr.org
Photo courtesy of Michael Carnevale / RIPBS
A RIPTA bus waits at the Kennedy Plaza bus hub in Providence on Feb. 13, 2025
Bangled Tiger
Vintage and Modern Consignment
What it is:
A consignment boutique with unique gems, designer wares, and tons of style.
Where to find it:
On the corner of South Main and Planet streets, next to Marc Allen Fine Clothiers, a few blocks before the courthouse.
What makes it a Rhody Gem?
For starters, you have to love a store named for a play on words (Bengal tiger), and that became a shopping go-to for Jamie Lee Curtis when she was in the city filming Ella McCay . “What makes Bangled Tiger special is our curation,” says owner Jessica Ruiz. “We get to shop so many closets, and bring together modern consignment and one-of-akind vintage pretties, from unique investment pieces to timeless treasures.” In the store, Ruiz’ goal is to create a welcoming boutique experience, where shopping feels inspiring, personal, and connected to the community. “Being located between Brown University and RISD adds to the creative energy, and our store reflects that mix of modern, vintage, and playful finds.” Shoppers will find an array of chic finds perfect for infusing personality into wardrobes, fresh flowers from nearby pop-up Salt Blossom, boots, bags, bangles, and more. Consignment by appointment.
Bangled Tiger
200 South Main Street
BangledTiger.com @bangledtiger
Every neighborhood has that secret, hidden, cool, 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!
P hoto
courtesy of Bangled Tiger
Op Ed: If a Nonconforming Tree Falls at Brown, Does Anyone Hear It
A professor posits, what if the university just said no
By Barry Fain and Steve Triedman
Kenneth Miller, professor emeritus of Biology and a member of the Class of 1970, has always been known for his rational, even-headed approach to science and world issues – often contrary to Brown’s usual far-left view. He is a true unicorn in Brown’s world. Given recent headlines, he fully understood what was at stake as most of his research was supported by federal funding for more than two decades. Initially, he was an outspoken voice in opposing what most of his peers argued was an overreach by the federal government under the guise of protecting Jewish rights on campus.
So it was with some surprise, given his long commitment to the sciences, that he wrote a letter in the Brown Daily Herald under the title “What if Brown Just Says No.” The key question he asked us to consider was “If not us, then who? Who will stand up and decry the unlawful tactic that holds scientific research hostage for political purposes, seeks to rob American universities of their independence, and crush dissent and independent thought?” (This powerful call to action was used by John Lewis, the youngest speaker at the 1963 March on Washington, who served for 30 years in Congress and helped shape civil rights in America for decades.)
Unlike many of his peers, Miller has the legitimate “chops” to raise this issue, previously opining on the political aspect of science denial, noting that people deny scientific facts on both sides of the political spectrum. “Why is it that depicting yourself as anti-science has
become a viable political strategy? Science is powerful. Science can be misused by people on the right and people on the left.”
Miller has argued that on the left, some politicians use scientific denial to justify imposing regulation, while on the right, some use it to support opposing regulation. For example, despite overwhelming evidence that GMOs are not harmful to humans, those to the left of the political spectrum call for a ban or regulation of them. Those on the right use a similar denial tactic regarding climate change, despite extensive evidence proving its existence.
The government’s key issues are federal leverage via funding controls, a shift in how federal funding can be used as leverage to enforce policy changes – especially related to campus speech, admissions data transparency, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) removal and threats to academic freedom requiring universities to adopt specific policy definitions (e.g., IHRA) and curtail DEI programs potentially stifling academic and political discourse. Critics argue such measures prioritize ideological conformity over independent scholarship.
Brown was among the first to settle. And, it would appear under terms that are significantly better than their peers. When the deal was announced, Miller was asked by his friends and colleagues about his thoughts. “My preferred outcome would have been for Brown to hold up a defiant middle finger and take this rogue administration to court, standing with every other college and university with the guts to stand up
for principles of academic freedom. Well, that’s not exactly what happened. But I’m still proud of how Brown handled the threat. President Paxson has a university to run, and one of her core responsibilities is to preserve the research functions of that university, particularly the life sciences.”
Many students and alumni feel Brown may have lost its way by agreeing to the settlement, even though it was relatively favorable to the university. But let’s look at it from the point of view of Providence residents. Under the deal, Brown will pay $50 million in grants over 10 years to Rhode Island workforce development organizations. Presumably, the Providence/Cranston Workforce Development Board, which was established in 2014 and is overseen by the city, will be the key beneficiary. Brown will continue to move forward without supervision by a “monitor” and without making any other payments.
The future of our city will depend in large part on Brown’s continued success. Probably the best news is that the university is selling 20 properties, which are assessed at $23,627,800. Getting these properties back on the tax roll will add a much-needed $830,000 to the city’s coffers and potentially even more.
Op-eds express the authors’ opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of Hey Rhody Media Co. Readers are welcome to send responses or letters to the editor to be considered for print publication in a future issue or posted online. Letters can be emailed to Ken@HeyRhody.com
Photography by Savannah Barkley
Brown University campus
IASIMONE PLUMBING
Focusing on Whole Body Health
At Northeast Chiropractic , Dr. Tom Morison specializes in Chiropractic Bio-Physics, the most researched chiropractic technique. He uses his extensive knowledge of the spine and nervous system to alleviate – and often eliminate – back and neck pain and migraines. Dr. Tom can also make longer term postural corrections, impacting everything from digestion to energy level and resulting in significantly boosted overall wellness, and can even potentially improve asthma, colic, ear infections, tingling, hypertension, allergies, and more.
Northeast Chiropractic also offers the cutting-edge ScoliBrace, a highly effective and customizable scoliosis bracing method using the best corrective principles. Used in conjunction with 3D imaging software, BraceScan, the brace is customized to fit the patient’s unique measurements and needs. In conjunction with regular corrective chiropractic care, ScoliBrace has been shown to significantly improve spinal deformities.
Any doctor can say he’s committed to his patients, but for Dr. Tom, it goes far beyond that. He does extensive additional training well beyond what’s required because he wants to provide the best possible care and put his patients on a path to healthier, better lives.
Facebook: South Providence Neighborhood Association
SUMMIT NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
P.O. Box 41092
Providence, RI 02940
SNAProv@gmail.com
SummitNeighbors.org
WASHINGTON PARK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
BettyLinda@aol.com
Facebook: Washington Park Association
WAYLAND SQUARE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
Katherine Touafek
Facebook: Wayland Square Neighborhood Association
WaylandSquareNeighbors@gmail.com
WEST BROADWAY NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
1560 Westminster Street, Providence, RI 02909
401-831-9344
WBNA@wbna.org • WBNA.org
Photo courtesy of WBNA
Celebrate Providence’s Latino Neighborhoods
Submitted by the Office of Mayor Brett Smiley
From September 15 through October 15, we come together to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. During this month, we honor Latino heritage and reflect on the invaluable contributions Latinos have made to the United States, especially here in Providence. Nationally, we are experiencing a challenging moment with policies from the White House that directly target many in our community, particularly our Latino neighbors. As mayor of the capital city with a significant Latino constituency, I have the privilege of seeing firsthand how deeply woven the Latino presence is in our community. You see it in City Hall, in our departments, and in stores throughout the city. Latinos in Providence are the heart and soul of our local economy, our civic leadership, and our neighborhoods. With nearly 86,000 people in Providence who identify as Hispanic or Latino, their presence is a powerful representation of our rich diversity. Latino culture brings life to every corner of Providence, from neighborhoods to schools to our vibrant culinary scene. Today, “Aqui se habla español” has a new meaning: “Providence is home.” It reflects who we are as a city and tells us that we must continue to build a stronger, more welcoming community for those who come next. Providence is proud to be a diverse and inclusive city for all.
Summit Neighborhood Association announces fall events
Submitted by Sharon Lee Waldman
The Summit Neighborhood Association (SNA) will host the annual Fall Cook-Off on Thursday, October 30 (location TBA). All are invited to attend and submit their favorite fall-themed dish to the competition, with squash as the featured ingredient. Prizes donated by local shops will be awarded. Little ones (and big ones, if so inclined) are encouraged to dress in their Halloween finest. The SNA is also coordinating a cleanup on North Main Street on Sunday, October 12, at 10:00 am. The City will provide gloves, tools, and bags; we just need your help to neaten up the neighborhood. Are you new to Summit and looking to meet new people and get more involved in the community? Or a long-time resident with a great idea for improving the neighborhood? Consider joining the SNA board, a great way to meet your neighbors while volunteering on projects such as food pantry support, tree planting, street improvements, and the Rochambeau Library outside classroom, among others. Contact snaprov@gmail.com to receive the newsletter or to join the general volunteer list. The SNA holds its monthly meetings at 7 pm on the third Monday of each month. Follow Facebook and the website for updates.
Halloween Extravaganza returns to Dexter Training Ground
Submitted by Katie Lehart
On Saturday, October 25, the West Broadway Neighborhood Association (WBNA), Moniker Brewery, and Haus of Codec present the 2025 Halloween Extravaganza at Dexter Park – bigger, spookier, and more fun than ever. Enjoy an afternoon packed with live entertainment, tasty treats, and festive fun for all ages. Shop the Marketplace, enjoy local food trucks, and sip your way through the beer garden. Kids (and grown-ups) can participate in trick-or-treating, showcase their creativity in the costume contest, and discover all the spooky surprises planned. Live music will keep the energy going, and the park will be alive with Halloween spirit – from friendly frights to fabulous photo ops. Mark your calendars and be a part of an unforgettable day!
Mile of History Association sets Annual Meeting and Holiday Stroll
Submitted by Charles Hewitt
Save the date! The Mile of History Association’s Annual Meeting will be held Sunday, November 2, at 5pm, location TBD. MoHA is grateful for individual private efforts to make the Mile of History more accessible and attractive to the thousands of travelers who visit here every year. Mark your calendars for this year’s Holiday Stroll on December 6. We look forward to seeing the wreaths and ribbons on the lampposts, as well as the festive door decorations. Start planning now!
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The Must List
10 essential events this month
October 4-5: Shop vintage and pre-loved clothing, used records, art, home goods, furniture, plus a free book swap at Little City Thrifty , a curated experience held at the WaterFire Arts Center featuring 90 booths representing area small businesses. LittleCityThrifty.com
October 8: Join RI Walktober on a walk audit to help identify improvements in accessibility and pedestrian safety, plus a free talk by author and activist Jonathon Stalls with Garrett Brumfield, a disability rights advocate at the Providence Public Library. AARP.org/RIWalktober
October 9: Don’t miss the opening reception for Risk, Rituals, and Ruptures , featuring works of local artists Jane Hesser, Catherine LeComte Lecce, Ellen Shattuck Pierce, and Ellen Wetmore, a fundraiser for Sojourner House in Providence. Pawtucket, MachinesWithMagnets.com
Through November 1: Bring the family and stroll through Rhody’s favorite pumpkin patch when the Roger Williams Park Zoo welcomes the return of the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular , with thousands of trivia-themed, masterfully carved, candlelit gourds. RWPZoo.org
October 10-13: The Columbus Day Weekend Festival is an annual tradition with live entertainment, chef demonstrations, amusement rides, over 80 vendors, the state’s biggest parade, plus a taste of the Hill’s many restaurants. FederalHillProv.com
October 11: Stroll Benefit Street to peruse handmade fine art and design work by 130+ student and alumni artists at the RISD Craft Fair , highlighting mastery of craftsmanship and attention to detail in a wide variety of media. RISDCraft.com
October 12: Lace up your running shoes for the 17th annual Women’s Classic 5K Run/3K Walk , the only all-women’s race in the state, in support of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of New England. RMHProvidenceClassic.org
October 13: Honor Indigenous Peoples’ Day at the Providence Honkfest , also known as PRONK, a people-powered celebration of music, art, social justice, and community featuring local, national, and international street bands. Facebook: Providence Honk Fest
October 18: Meet award-winning authors and illustrators, enjoy storytelling sessions, do some early holiday shopping, and enjoy some fun activities centered around books and reading at the Rhode Island Festival of Children’s Books and Authors LincolnSchool.org
October 24: The Providence Flea and the Witches’ Night Out Market team up to bring the magic of autumn to Farm Fresh RI on Sims Avenue with the Halloween Market , a fun evening of shopping, food trucks, and seasonal revelry. ProvidenceFlea.com
Photography by Nick DelGiudice
Back2Back Boutique
Ballet RI
Blackstone Valley Glass Center
Casa Azul
Cold Brook Cafe
Presenting Hey Rhody Cafe
Distefano Brothers
Donna's Door Decor
Floral Designs by Donna
Grace's Stuffies
Nauti Girl Boutique
Sanctuary Herbs
Sherlock Farms
South County Tourism The
Outdoors The Great
A FIELD GUIDE TO EXPLORING THE STATE’S NATURAL TREASURES
By Bob Curley and Elyse Major
With temperatures dropping, even most indoor types are ready to leave their air-conditioned nests and get outside. While Rhode Island is nicknamed the Ocean State, more than 50 percent is forested, making it ideal for spending time outdoors. Little Rhody boasts a network of management areas (actively managed for activities from hiking to horseback riding to hunting), parks, preserves, and wildlife refuges. There are also 60 miles of paved trails for biking and walking, hundreds of miles of hiking trails for all skill levels, numerous fishing spots, and boat launches and ramps. So grab your bug spray and boots, sunscreen and sneakers, it’s time for adventure!
FISHING
One of the richest fisheries on the East Coast, Narragansett Bay alone covers 150 square miles, and the state’s water area is nearly half that of its land mass. Saltwater fishing predominates – this is, after all, the Ocean State – but the state also has about 100 lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams that are designated freshwater fishing areas. Rhode Island Department of Environment Management (DEM) stocks brown, brook, rainbow, and golden rainbow trout in locations from Barrington to Burrillville each spring; catch a rare golden rainbow trout, take a photo, and receive a special pin from DEM. Native largemouth bass lurk in locations like Breakheart Pond in Exeter and Worden Pond in South Kingstown. You also may hook carp, perch, pickerel, pike, bullheads, and catfish.
Only handheld rod-and-reel fishing is permitted in the fresh waters of Rhode Island. Fly-fishing has become increasingly popular, says Kimberly Sullivan, DEM’s aquatic resource education coordinator and principal fisheries
Paddling at Frying Pan Pond, Arcadia Management Area
The thrill of catching a striped bass on a Maridee fishing charter out of Galilee
Photos courtesy of Abigail Brown
Not all trolls live
biologist. “We have a big community, and the Wood River is one of the best resources,” she says. “It used to be an elite sport, but now it’s more accessible, with cheaper gear.”
It’s currently tautog season in Rhode Island, with a daily limit of three fish per person. From October 15-December 31, the daily limit increases to five fish per person. Prime spots for shore fishing include Beavertail State Park and Fort Wetherill in Jamestown, and India Point Park in Providence. For boat fishing, Block Island Sound, Newport Harbor, and Narragansett Bay are best bets. Other fall fish are tuna, wahoo, marlin, among others. Look for sport fishing charters to experience the thrill of catching a saltwater fish.
under bridges: “Mrs. Skipper” peers at a fisherman at Kettle Point, near the East Bay Bike Path
by
A Trio of New Creatures Beckon Trolling the State
Renowned Danish artist Thomas Dambo and his team of builders returned to the Ocean State in August and left behind three new trolls. Built from recycled materials – and one 28-foot rusted lifeboat sourced from Facebook Marketplace – the sculptures make their permanent homes in Arcadia State Park, East Providence, and North Kingstown. Dambo is the world’s leading recycle artist, with installations in more than 20 countries on five continents, and over 125 trolls scattered around the world, including sites in Maine and New Jersey.
Bringing Dambo and his creatures to Rhode Island is part of a long-term plan to create an attraction that places the mythical creatures at locations around the state, “to form a Rhode Island ‘troll trail’,” says South County Tourism president Louise Bishop.
Dambo is committed to repairing the environment and uses his talent to promote environmental awareness. He’s developed a narrative, telling the troll’s stories through poetry and fairy tales.
“My poems are an important part of my art. They set the scene and are the whole backbone of my installation,” he says. “I try to tell a story that has relevance in the area, under the umbrella of a larger story. My bigger story is that trolls are basically the animals and the plants – my trolls are nature, you could say. My stories are about the clash between humanity and nature. My trolls are the unspoken warriors of the plants and the animals that can’t speak. That’s the symbolism of my stories.”
Dambo works directly with local communities, assembling his sculptures with the help of volunteers of all ages.
“It’s a little bit of school and a lot of fun,” he says. “We learn how to build something big. It’s always nice to meet local people; they invite us for a barbecue or tell us the best places to go.”
“The purpose of my art is to show how we can be better humans,” says Dambo. “I think we should be less wasteful and more mindful of the resources we have. We should try and preserve those resources and not contaminate the natural environment. We are super wasteful in the way we use and discard things, so I try to educate through stories, sculpture, art talks, and my poems.” –Ken Abrams
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.
Photography
EXPLORE MORE
Paddles, walks, and more abound right here where we live. Find maps, outfitters, resources, and more at ExploreRI.org
CAMPING
Fun and affordable, choose from campsites tucked into the woods or just a stone’s throw from the shore.
• Burlingame State Campground*
• Charlestown Breachway State Campground
• East Beach State Campground
• Fishermen’s Memorial State Campground
• George Washington State Campground*
*Cabins available and include two bunk beds with boards for the base Camping season ends during or at the end of October for most campgrounds; see availability and reserve online at RIParks.RI.gov
HIKING
The Ocean State is filled with beautiful places to hike, including these nature refuges maintained by the Audubon Society of RI. Find more at ASRI.org, and for an expansive list of statewide trails, visit ExploreRI.org.
• Emilie Ruecker Wildlife Refuge, Tiverton
• Long Pond Woods Wildlife Refuge, Rockville
• Maxwell Mays Wildlife Refuge, Coventry
• Powder Mill Ledges, Smithfield
• Touisset Marsh Wildlife Refuge, Warren
• Waterman Pond Wildlife Refuge, Coventry
CYCLING
Rhode Island has more than 60 miles of paved trails for biking, and the Rhode Island Public Transportation Authority offers Rack-N-Ride, meaning all RIPTA buses have bike racks that are free, making cycling the state a breeze.
• Blackstone River Bikeway
• East Bay Bike Path
• Fred Lippitt Woonasquatucket River Greenway
• Quonset Bike Path
• South County Bike Path
• Ten Mile River Greenway
• Warren Bike Path
• Washington Secondary Bike Path
Get details about paths, maps, and parking at DOT.RI.gov
Experience PVD from a new vantage point in a single or tandem kayak; through mid-October. Learn more at ProvidenceKayak.com
From India Point Park in Providence to Independence Park in Bristol, travel 14.5 miles on the East Bay Bike Path
Photos
courtesy of Providence Warwick
CVB
HUNTING
Like almost everything in Rhode Island, the local hunting population is tiny. In 2023, the state sold about 8,000 hunting licenses, or 0.7 for every 100 people – the second-lowest rate in the US. Despite the disparity in participation, however, the state’s resources for hunting and fishing are vast – at least in proportion to Rhode Island’s small size. “The hunting community here is small,” says Maddie Proulx, outdoor education administrative assistant at the State of Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM). “Everyone knows everyone because it’s Rhode Island.” The number of people who fish in Rhode Island, by contrast, is huge, with more than 50,000 recreational fishing license holders. Between recreational and commercial fishing, the industry contributes an estimated $419 million to the state economy each year.
DEM manages over 60,000 acres of public land, most of which is available to hunters and trappers, and some private property owners also permit hunting on their land. Rhode Island allows hunting of a surprisingly diverse list of species, from the familiar (deer, turkey) to the unusual (pheasant, mourning doves) to the unexpected (coyotes, foxes, rabbits, squirrels). Most hunting in the state takes place from camouflaged blinds or tree stands, although pheasant hunters typically pursue the birds using hunting dogs that flush them from their hiding spots. State law sets limits on the number of animals that can be taken, although hunters are usually satisfied if they come home with even one kill. “Deer have gotten smarter over the years: they look up for people in the trees now,” says John Dexter, president of Narragansett Bow Hunters, an archery club based in Exeter. “It’s a real challenge.”
Fur trapping, practiced by Native American inhabitants of Rhode Island for thousands of years, continues into the 21st century, notably beaver trapping. “When I was a kid, we had no beavers,” says Jim Trappero, hunter safety education coordinator for DEM’s Fish and Wildlife division. “Now, they’re everywhere. They’re rodents, so they’re prolific.” In fact, beavers have become so common in Rhode Island that the trapping limit for residents was recently raised from 20 to 40 per season.
Hunters may use bows (long, re-curve, compound, and crossbows) to bag game, as well as shotguns and muzzle-loading rifles. A state license is required whether you hunt with a bow or a gun. “Archery is a lot cheaper than guns, but it’s a lot harder to kill an animal with a bow and arrow,” says Dexter.
Rhode Island Outdoors
Find fishing, hunting, and boating licenses and permits, plus maps and more, all in one place at this site run by DEM. RIO.RI.gov
“I take the life of an animal very seriously, and have profound respect for the creatures I hunt”
–Maddie Proulx
The 40-plus DEM-administered management areas are the state’s prime hunting areas, although hunting also is permitted at some state parks, Nature Conservancy properties, and National Wildlife Refuges. These range from well-known protected lands like Arcadia Management Area in Exeter and the Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge in Charlestown to lesser-known spots like Prudence Island and Patience Island in Narragansett Bay. Rules vary from location to location regarding what can be hunted or caught, what weapons and traps can be used, and the time of year hunting can take place. For example, only coyote hunting is permitted on Patience Island, whereas bow hunters can go after deer and raccoons on Prudence Island.
Nicholas Farm Management Area in Coventry is particularly well known for hunting pheasant (DEM stocks birds here annually for hunting), while the South Shore Management Area in Charlestown has public pit blinds surrounding a goose landing field, available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Not everyone who picks up a bow or a gun uses it to hunt: some Rhode Islanders limit their shooting to the range rather than aiming at live targets. Gun clubs across the state operate shooting ranges, and DEM has a public range in the Great Swamp Management Area that also includes a clay-shooting course. The Preserve in Richmond recently expanded their sporting clays course to 19. Each shooting station, including openair and covered positions, has six clay throwers that are strategically and regularly moved to ensure shooters a dynamic and challenging experience.
New signage makes understanding trails easier for visitors
Riding at the Equestrian Training Stables is among the many adventures that await at The Preserve Photo (top) courtesy of Tim Tait, (bottom) by Nicholas D. Brown, courtesy of The Preserve
Local Artist Brings Style to Preserve Signage
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has been conserving land in Rhode Island since the 1960s and locally, has 25 nature preserves that are open for people to enjoy time in nature. As part of their strategic plan, the organization is focused on making the places they protect more broadly welcoming to new hikers and folks that traditionally haven’t been invited to participate in outdoor recreation, or who may not feel safe in nature. “One way to do that is through signage and trail maps that are geared toward those first-time visitors, with bold colors, brief but clear trail descriptions, and graphics that mirror the diversity of the Rhode Island community. Spanish and Portuguese translations are available through a QR code,” says Tim Mooney, TNC director of marketing and communications.
To that end, Tim Tait, a graphic designer and artist who lives in North Scituate, designed the new look for the signs at Beaver River Preserve, Moshassuck River Preserve, Queens River Preserve, Goosewing Beach Preserve, and others. “The signs are designed to be welcoming and informative to a more diverse and wider audience, while strengthening The Nature Conservancy brand recognition,” says Tait.
Over the past year, TNC has installed new trailhead signs at four preserves: Moshassuck River in Lincoln, Queen’s River in Exeter, Beaver River in Richmond, and Goosewing Beach in Little Compton. Designs were recently finalized for new signs at the Canonchet Brook Preserve in Hopkinton to be installed this fall. “Over the next year, TNC will expand the project to three more preserves: Ell Pond in Hopkinton, Cuttyhunk Brook in Exeter, and Tillinghast Pond in West Greenwich, and possibly Block Island. “Big thanks to Eagle Scout Nate Bourgoin and the North Kingstown Boy Scouts for building the nice kiosks, and Tim Tait for bringing it to life!” –Elyse Major
FARM-TO-TABLE
For many Rhode Island anglers and hunters, however, enjoyment of the sport is not just for thrills, but to put food on the table. “It’s crucial to me that I utilize every part of the animal I harvest,” adds Proulx, who hunts deer and game birds like wild turkeys and Canadian geese. “I take the life of an animal very seriously, and have profound respect for the creatures I hunt. Even if I don’t bring something home, the experience of waking up with the birds and witnessing a beautiful sunrise makes those 3am alarm clock mornings worthwhile.”
Working the land at Shewatuck Farm
Photo courtesy of Shewatuck Farm
Field Trips: Just Batty on October 11
First formed by elementary art teacher Melissa Guillet as a gardening program for her students, 15 Minute Field Trips offers handson educational programs at the intersection of art, nature, advocacy, and community. Although they are based in Johnston and work primarily in the Providence area, fully mobile programming allows Guillet and her team to set up and host activities at camps, farms, parks, libraries, and schools across the state. Join them for Just Batty! to learn about Rhode Island fruit bats through games, trivia, and puppet-making, plus what you can do to help. Meets at Blackstone Field, Providence. Updates at 15MinuteFieldTrips.org –Ethan Major
Melissa Guillet digs into a 15 Minute Field Trip held
at Columbia Park
Photo courtesy of Melissa Guillet
Another way to participate in the food chain is to grow fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Perhaps you’ve enjoyed agritourism activities such as fruit picking and have thought about growing produce yourself. Among the benefits of food grown locally is that it minimizes the transportation – not only reducing pollution but also lowering consumer cost. Why have lettuce trucked from California when farms, including Gotham Greens in Providence, provide fresh, sustainable, and flavorful varieties minutes away? If you don’t have access to land, there may be a community garden near you – garden plots available to rent. There’s also the Fellows Program at Shewatuck Farm, a property in North Kingstown that provides a host of resources and services to help cultivate new farm and food ventures. If the idea of starting a farm appeals to you, the Rhode Island Farm Bureau Federation is a great place to begin. Check out their So You Want to Start a Farm sheet, available at RIFB.org
Shewatuck Farm is a 91 acre certified organic vegetable, flower and herb farm located in North Kingstown
Photos courtesy of Shewatuck Farm
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HOME & STYLE
Fall Home Inspo | Makers | Workshop
Fall Home & Garden
Inspiration and budget-friendly advice for transitioning your abode for autumn
By Carli Alves
Days are shorter, nights are cooler, and the autumn breeze is a welcome reprieve from some of those hot summer days. It’s no secret that the transition from summer to fall in New England is a magical time with lots to see and do – with the abundance of fall fests, pumpkin patches, apples ripe for the harvest, and vibrant foliage – so, why not bring a touch of that harvest-time goodness into your home to enjoy this season? Whether creating a warm welcome at the front door, incorporating cozy textures into your favorite gathering spot, or foraging to bring nature indoors, we’re sharing some tips to help get your home feeling festive.
Photos by Carli Alves
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Five steps to creating a welcoming entrance to enjoy all season long
The front door is the first thing guests see when they visit your home, so it’s important it gives a warm welcome. However, decorating your entrance seasonally can add up, so here are some tried-and-true tips to create an inviting spot on a shoestring.
LAYER
Layering doormats is a very trendy look that adds texture and interest to your front door. This works especially well when you choose a patterned low-pile rug (like a weather-resistant outdoor rug) underneath a more functional, but smaller coir doormat – those mats with brown fibers made from coconut husks. To create a look that fits the scale of your front door, the bottom doormat should measure slightly larger than the width of your door, while the top doormat should be about the size of your door.
FILL
As summer turns to fall, potted plants like ferns, coleus, and hydrangeas still have quite a bit of life left in them, so don’t throw them out! By utilizing these plants to transition your decor, you can save money and you won’t have to start from scratch. In general, having some good-sized planters to flank the door is a great start. Filling in gaps with one or two planters at staggering heights creates a balanced look for a centered doorway. If there’s only room for planters on one side of your door, one to three other planters in varying heights should do the job. Plants to consider incorporating into your pots: chrysanthemums, stonecrop, cone flowers, sweet potato vine, croton plants, ornamental cabbage/kale, and/or grasses that add texture and color.
WREATH ALTERNATIVES
There are so many ways to decorate a front door beyond a wreath. Consider a hanging basket filled with branches, dried hydrangeas, or fresh mums, replacing the water and foliage as needed. Try an autumn sign or flag, leafy swags, pine cones hanging from twine – the possibilities are endless.
ADD
When it comes to decorating with pumpkins outside, consider opting for real instead of faux, and support local farms while you’re at it. While faux pumpkins and florals are tempting, they can be difficult to store and often fade over time. If you’re looking to get the abundant look on your front steps, combining both orange pumpkins and one or two specialty heirloom pumpkins and gourds is a great way to get the look without breaking the bank. If you’re not a fan of orange, bust out the paint and get your creative juices flowing to customize pumpkins to your preferred palette. The addition of jack-o-lanterns will add some fun and a magical glow at night.
GLOW
Use lanterns, glass votives, or hurricanes in different sizes by your front door to add ambience. Battery-operated candles or twinkle lights with automatic timers are great for carefree convenience. Outdoor wall sconces can be updated with warm-toned, flickering, or vintage-styled bulbs to coincide with the season.
ADORN
Once that cool fall breeze hits the front door, who can resist pulling out the autumn wreaths? Wreaths are a great way to welcome guests to your home and add festive curb appeal. A classic grapevine wreath is a great option for fall; while striking left plain, it can also serve as an excellent base for adding DIY touches like sprigs, leaves, and pinecones. If doing it yourself is not your thing, there are many options available to add personality to your door.
by
Photos
Carli Alves
THE SEASON OF THE SWITCH
Transitioning to fall can be as simple as swapping textures, colors, and scents
Autumn inspiration can be found almost anywhere – even right inside your own home. It’s always a great idea to shop your house when looking to refresh for the season because you probably already have on hand a majority of what you need to create an awesome autumn vignette. Through cozy textures, warm colors, and spicy scents, you can decorate a home full of warmth and charm.
One of the easiest ways to add coziness when transitioning from summer to fall is to swap out your textiles. Set aside your linen, seersucker, and chambray, and bring out the throw pillows and blankets made from soft velvet, nubby boucle, warm flannels, or chunky wool. Incorporating these textures easily adds interest and warmth to the home, both physically and visually. Blankets can be stuffed into baskets, draped over the arms of chairs, layered over a ladder, or nestled in the
corner of a sofa or window seat, all resulting in an effortlessly comfortable and inviting look.
Create the ultimate autumn season by assembling vignettes with a variety of items. Surfaces like coffee tables, mantels, and shelves are perfect for stacks of faded antique books, rustic or hobnail glass vases stuffed with dried hydrangeas, and patinaed brass candlesticks. Fashion texture-rich displays by showcasing collections of baskets, wreaths, and wooden trays. Pot leafy plants in planters made of hammered copper or fluted iron urns to add in architectural elements that evoke the feel just outside the window.
When choosing autumnal hues to incorporate into your decor, what better place to draw inspiration from than the outdoors? In the fall, Mother Nature takes the opportunity to show off with her spectacle of colors, from muted earth tones – like burnt umber and
terracotta – to more vibrant colors like violet, yellow, and chartreuse. Autumn decor doesn’t need to be limited to just orange, red, and brown; instead, focus on the tints and tones from nature that speak most to you.
Can we even talk about fall without bringing up pumpkin spice? People either love it or hate it, but if it’s not your favorite scent, there are lots of others that can help imbue those fall feels. Candles, incense, and scent blends for diffusers with notes of vanilla, bergamot, ginger, and clove are all wonderful choices. Be on the lookout for candles with crackling wood wicks as they not only offer a cleaner burn, but also an experience reminiscent of sitting in front of a fire. Cinnamon-scented pinecones, potpourri, and simmering pots of water with ingredients like citrus peels, apple skins, whole cloves, and more fill spaces with the smells of the season.
by Carli Alves
Photos
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FORAGED DECOR
Get the natural living look by heading outside in search of decorative accents
Creating displays in your home using natural elements is a budget-friendly and easy way to decorate for the season: it’s as simple as taking a stroll in your yard! Think of it as a grown-up scavenger hunt. Branch clippings, pinecones, bittersweet vines, acorns, leaves, and even logs are perfect items to forage for fall decor, and the best part is you can let your creativity run wild.
Snip colorful foliage to create a sculptural statement centerpiece on a table. Bittersweet vines have a beautiful orange color, and look stunning in vases, wrapped around a wreath, or draped along a mantel. Place foraged (and debugged, see call-out) pinecones or fresh apples or pears in a bowl to create functional decor. Tuck acorns and pinecones here and there on shelves or display cases as a simple addition to your everyday decor. Press and frame leaves that have turned to create a unique and stunning gallery wall; the only limit is your imagination.
If you don’t want to venture into the wild, dried florals are a great option and have seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years. From pampas grass to baby’s breath, you can purchase beautiful dried items in a variety of textures and colors to fill vases and help you usher in the season. Clustering a mix of store-bought mini pumpkins and gourds is a great way to finish off the look.
PINE CONE PREP
To avoid living creatures and sticky situations in your displays, place freshly gathered pine cones on a foil-lined baking sheet in the oven at 200 degrees for an hour, checking often, to rid them of critters and harden sticky sap.
by
Photos
Carli Alves
• Aardvark Antiques
• Arnold Lumbery
• Bannon Tile
• Bob Frances Interiors
• Brassworks Fine Home Details
• Budget Blinds
• City & Estate Gardner
• Custom Contracting
• Crestar Framing
• East Coast Designs
• Elite Restoration
• Fabric Gallery
• Factory Carpet Outlet
• The Farmer’s Daughter
• Gil’s Appliances
• Graham Gallery
• GrandScapes
• Hawkins Hardwood Flooring
• Heritage Kitchen
• Hilltop Garden Center
• Inspired Closets
• KG Kitchen
• Kitchen Guys
• KMR Home Designs
• McCormick Home Improvement
• Michelle Lee Design
• Parma Doors
• Picture This Picture Framing
• Providence Picture Frame & Dryden Gallery
• Rhode Island Kitchen & Bath
• Rhode Island Mulch Express Blower Services
• Riverhead Building Supply
• Roofmasters
• Salks Ace Hardware
• TF Morra Tree Care
• Wickford Kitchen and Bath
Natural Instincts
Meet five makers who find inspiration and supplies from their surroundings
By Emily Homonoff
Across Rhode Island, creativity is blooming in unexpected places, and makers are weaving nature directly into their craft. From meditations kits shaped with foliage to papers and prints built from sea plants, these artisans aren’t just creating beautiful objects; they’re telling stories of sustainability and connection. By working with the raw materials of the land and sea, they invite us to see the beauty of the Ocean State in a new light.
MAY BABCOCK: PAPER
For papermaker and eco-artist May Babcock, creativity begins with what nature provides. She forages “abundant plant and seaweed fibers” and transforms them into pulp, embedding pressed plants and sediment and creating richly textured works of art. “Material engagement is foundational to my practice,” Babcock says, a belief that flows through her work like the waterways she honors. Each piece not only showcases her innovative papermaking techniques but evokes “the plants, waterways, stories, and materials of place,” inviting viewers to connect with the natural world on a more intimate level. Pawtucket, MayBabcock.com
MARY CHATOWSKY: SEAWEED
Mary Chatowsky channels the ocean’s hidden life into her art. Chatowsky’s Seaweed and Tide Pool series captures “a moment in time when these species coexisted in between the tides,” giving form to the delicate balance between beauty and fragility in our changing world. She explains that the ocean “contains a wealth of environments, the known and unknown, with creatures, shapes and forms both strange and beautiful,” a vivid image that is brought to life in Chatowsky’s prints. Through her work at Saltwater Studio Newport Art and Design, Chatowsky freezes those tidal snapshots, offering us a gentle invitation to appreciate unseen stories beneath the surface. Newport, SaltWaterStudioNewport.com
May Babcock
Mary Chatowsky
Photo (top)
courtesy of May Babcock, (bottom) courtesy of Mary Chatowsky
MEET THE MAKERS
Vendor markets are filled with artists selling goods that make the most of natural resources. Here are some events happening this month. Find more at FarmFreshRI.org
SATURDAYS
• Aquidneck Growers Market, Newport
• Casey Farm Market, Saunderstown
• Hope Street Farmers Market, Providence
• Mount Hope Farmers Market, Bristol
• Pawtuxet Village Farmers Market, Cranston
• South Kingstown Farmers Market, Kingston
SUNDAYS
• Foster Farmers Market, Foster
• Tiverton Farmers Market, Tiverton
HOLIDAY WEEKEND
Scituate Art Festival: Artists and vendors take over the picturesque village green and beyond at this annual event, now in its 59th year. If you’ve never been, prepare to do some walking, as you may need to park up to a mile away from the action. There is a central food court run by town-based nonprofit groups serving up everything from apple dumplings to meatball sandwiches and soft drinks; many are cash-only, so plan accordingly. Pro-tip: Start your art-buying adventure with coffee and a muffin from Cold Brook Cafe. Rain or shine. Learn more at ScituateArtFestival.org
Play On! an adult-only, 21+ event held at PCM after hours. Join us for a night of laughter and unadulterated fun to leave the stresses of adulthood behind.
At GrandeDesigns, flowers aren’t just preserved, they’re transformed into heirlooms. Specializing in resin art, Rylee Grande captures blooms from life’s most meaningful occasions (weddings, births, memorials) and turns them into lasting works of art. “Each piece I create is a tribute to the fleeting beauty of nature,” Grande explains, “preserved in resin to be cherished for years to come.” Inspired daily by the natural world, her work honors memory as much as it celebrates form, showcasing “the elegance and emotion each flower holds.” The result is art that keeps nature’s beauty and life’s milestones alive long after the petals fade. Smithfield, GrandeDesigns.myshopify.com
SEMA GURERK: BOTANICALS
Jewelry artist Sema Gurerk draws inspiration from nature’s smallest details – a pinecone, a twig, a fleeting fragment of beauty. “Each piece of my jewelry begins with a quiet discovery in nature,” Gurerk says, describing how she transforms these unique finds using the ancient art of lost wax casting for her Botanica & Bazaar line. By preserving intricate textures in precious metal, Gurerk designs wearable sculptures that are as much story as adornment. “No two pieces are ever alike,” she notes, each necklace, ring, or earring becoming a reminder that “nature is the greatest artist, and I am simply its collaborator.” Under the brand name Floweredsky Designs, her work celebrates both traditional craft and the organic artistry of the natural world. Providence, Floweredsky.com. Find Gurek at Tiverton Farmers Market events
NICOLE MONTAGNO: EPHEMERA
For sustainable floral designer and artist Nicole Montagno, nature serves as both inspiration and medium. In her event florals, Montagno relies on native, seasonal blooms and “earth-friendly, non-toxic, and low-waste practices.” In her work, she assembles elements including an original watercolor painting, genuine healing crystals, a tealight intention candle, a selenite wand, and more into meditation kits that “celebrate ephemera and the beauty of nature in all of its phases.” She also paints animals and landscapes with small-batch watercolors made from plants and minerals. “I am forever a deep admirer of the Earth and all of her beings,” she says, and her work is a testament to that reverence. Available at Jordan’s Jungle, Pawtucket. HalcyonHeroine.com
Rylee Grande
Sema Gurerk
Photo (top) courtesy of Rylee Grande, (bottom) courtesy of Sema Gurerk
Nicole Montagno
Photo courtesy of Nicole Montagno
Waxing Poetic
From mixing fragrance oils to designing a label, this workshop is lit
By Caitlyn Bailey
Whether I’m writing for this magazine, nestled up with a good book, or cleaning my house, the odds are good that a lit candle is flickering somewhere in the vicinity. The smell of fresh lemon as I vacuum my living room? Yes, please . A local lavender farm’s soy candle burning while I make dinner? Sounds like the perfect evening. With so many different options that pair with the changing seasons, it can be difficult to find that ideal scent. Luckily, Aster Hand Poured Soy Candles new candlemaking workshops are the chance to create your perfect home accent. From pouring the wax to decorating your own label, you’ll have full creative control over the scent of your dreams. The company was envisioned by Catherine Arruda, an accountant by day, in 2016. After leading workshops around the state at shops like NAVA in Providence and Nico Scout in South Kingstown, she moved into a studio space this year at Lorraine Mills in Pawtucket, where she holds monthly workshops. Her environmentally friendly candles are made with 100-percent domestic soy wax to keep them renewable, vegan, and clean-burning. With every candle poured, labeled, and packaged by hand, each product is made with great care and love. Now, she’s giving customers a way to put their own energy into a candle the same way she does. I recently attended an Aster workshop, excited to make a candle of my own. Arruda’s studio is filled with shelves of her handiwork and outfitted with two large wooden workbenches. Assorted cheeses and snacks were provided for all nine of us hopeful candlemakers. Between the whisks, thermometers, and measuring cups, everyone seemed eager to put them all to good use. The most interesting tool was the fragrance wheel, which resembles a color wheel, but instead categorizes groups of scents
Photos by Victoria Costello, courtesy of Aster Candle
to show compatibility. Thinking about combining magnolia, peony, and cucumber? Refer to the scent wheel to see if it’s a stroke of genius or an unsavory combination.
When candlemaking time rolled around, we donned our aprons while Arruda gave us a warm welcome. She explained each tool and let us know that we would be cutting our own wicks, pouring our own wax, and measuring our own scents. She was clear that she was there to guide us through the process but we had full creative freedom. Thus, our two-hour
UPCOMING EVENTS
OCTOBER 4: Candle Making Workshop Pumpkin Vessel
OCTOBER 10: Candle & Cocktail Making Workshop
OCTOBER 26: Candle Making Workshop with Autumn Flower Bar
OCTOBER 26: Candle Making Workshop with Autumn Flower Bar
NOVEMBER 2: Candle Making Workshop
NOVEMBER 22: Candle Making Workshop
process began with blending fragrance oils. I chose to combine sea salt and rose for a floral, beachy scent. Next, it was time to get a tinful of soy wax and continue to check the temperature until it cooled to a solid 185-degrees to combine it with the oil mixture. After whisking for two minutes, my scented concoction was poured into a recyclable glass container.
While the candle solidified, it was time to get creative, making a label. A crafter’s wonderland, there are labels and gel pens, rubber stamps with designs ranging from greenery to
shining suns, and ink pads to customize our finished product. Not trusting my own handwriting, “Salted Rose” was born out of a neatly stamped print.
My favorite part of the workshop was taking a moment to listen to everyone celebrate each other’s creations. Whether it was cinnamon and rose, or smoked oud and grapefruit mangosteen, each combination was a fragrance worth smelling. Whether you’re seeking a fun crafternoon or a little gift-making, Aster is worth melting for.
Digital detox in action
Finished product
“It’s never too late,”
FEATURE
Aging Wisely
Planning for the future in the Ocean State starts now
By Ann Martini
“
You can’t help getting older, but you don’t have to get old,” the comedian George Burns once said. If you know who Burns is, you might be heading toward what was once called “your golden years.” At a time when youth tends to dominate cultural conversations and “old-timers” like Burns aren’t familiar to younger audiences, Rhode Island is challenging the narrative about those golden years. A full quarter of Rhode Island’s population is over 60, and 18 percent are over 65, according to Age-Friendly Rhode Island, an initiative at Rhode Island College. Across the state, aging isn’t about retreat. It’s about resilience, reinvention, and redefining what those years can look like.
– Anthony Lemonde, Senior’s Choice RI
Making Plans
Narragansett’s Laurie O’Rourke and her late husband, Michael, began planning for retirement in their 20s. “One of the smartest decisions my husband and I made was investing in property,” she says. “Our approach was always to buy the worst house in the best location.” In time, those investments allowed Michael to pursue his dream of owning an Irish pub, and in 2006, O’Rourke’s Bar and Grill opened in the Pawtuxet Village section of Warwick. But in 2012, Michael, in his 40s, passed away from lymphoma. Laurie, an RN at Kent County Hospital, had a decision to make about the pub. “I chose to leave nursing,” she explains. “I had no prior experience as a bartender or waitress, but I worked tirelessly,” she says. “I was incredibly proud of my
husband’s accomplishments, and I wanted to honor his legacy. I was 50 years old when I embraced this new chapter.”
And now, after 14 years of running the pub, O’Rourke is newly retired. “I began seriously planning for retirement about two years ago, when I was 62 years old,” she says. “My decision was influenced by my age, the desire to spend more time with my grandchildren (she has three so far), and financial readiness.” O’Rourke says she realized it was time to step back and enjoy the life she had worked so hard to build.
“That’s when I knew it was the right time to retire. I feel wonderful and very proud of myself. I’m also deeply proud of my children, who supported me unconditionally. I often find myself reflecting and thinking, “How on earth did I do this?”
CONTINUING & ADULT EDUCATION
A comprehensive list, including locations, descriptions of their offerings, and websites for more information.
COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF RHODE ISLAND (CCRI)
Offers GED prep, English Language Studies, workforce training, and degree or certificate programs. Evening, weekend, and online options available. Multiple campuses (Warwick, Lincoln, Providence, Newport, Westerly), CCRI.edu
OSHER LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTE (OLLI) AT URI
Membership-based program for adults aged 50+, offering courses, special interest groups, and travel programs. Kingston, Web.URI.edu/OLLI
PROVIDENCE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Adult enrichment provides free programs, including workshops, technology training, and workforce development opportunities. Providence, ProvLib.org
RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (RIDE)
RIDE funds 19 adult education providers offering classes in basic literacy, GED prep, ESOL, job skills training, and citizenship prep. In-person, online, and hybrid options available. Various locations, EnrollRI.org/AdultEd
RHODE ISLAND OFFICE OF LIBRARY & INFORMATION SERVICES
Adult education partnerships offer literacy, ESOL, and citizenship classes through RIFLI, plus online learning tools. Providence Place Library and statewide libraries, OLIS.RI.gov
RHODE ISLAND REGIONAL ADULT LEARNING (RIRAL)
Nonprofit learning center offering GED, ABE, ESOL, college prep, career counseling, and industry certification testing. Woonsocket, RIRAL.org
RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN (RISD) CONTINUING EDUCATION
Art and design courses for adults, including certificate programs and enrichment classes, in-person and online. Providence; Tillinghast Place in Barrington; Westerly Education Center, CE.RISD.edu
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND CONTINUING EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Offers professional certificates, online courses, and graduate programs. Includes OLLI for adults 50+. Kingston, URI.edu/ academics/continuing-education
Laurie O’Rourke with her grandchildren
Photo courtesy of Laurie O’Rourke
A Stunning Historic Apartment Community
Welcome to US Rubber Lofts
This luxurious historic mill community has been fully renovated to capture Providence’s chic, urban spirit! Each unit features a modern kitchen and designer finishes, with some showcasing original exposed brick and beams. US Rubber Lofts is steps from the RIPTA bus line and minutes from the commuter rail. Downtown Providence, the River Greenway Bike Path, and Federal Hill are all nearby, offering easy access to dining, shopping, entertainment, and nightlife!
Resort Style Amenities
Rooftop Deck BBQ / Picnic Area / Fire Pit
Indoor Putting Green
Indoor Basketball Court Garage *Additional Fee
Catching Up
What do you do, though, if you didn’t start early and plan well, like the O’Rourke’s did? “It’s never too late,” says Anthony Lemonde, owner of Senior’s Choice Rhode Island, who advises on issues such as planning well when it comes to insurance and Medicare. “We empower people with knowledge so they can make decisions that are cost-effective and responsible,” he says.
For a time, Providence resident Eleanor Clift was afraid it was indeed too late. Clift was a state employee when in 2011, then-Governor Gina Raimondo overhauled the underfunded pension system. Though Raimondo’s efforts were largely lauded, it left Clift, then 53, and
many state employees in a panic. “I thought I knew down to the dime what I’d make when I retired, and that changed,” Clift says. She met with a certified financial planner, who looked carefully at her budget, advising maximizing catch-up 401(k) and IRA contributions, building an emergency fund, eliminating debt, and focusing on retirement over other expenses. “I was able not only to catch up, but because of those efforts, I had managed to put away an extra $100,000,” she says. “It felt good.”
If you’ve hit your 50s and suddenly realized your retirement savings are barely getting started, or worse, still nonexistent, you’re not alone. But Rhode Island offers practical resources and financial strategies to help you catch up smartly
and with dignity. For example, the recently launched Rhode Island Secure Choice Retirement Savings Program is a portable, Roth IRAbased plan allowing private-sector workers without retirement options to save through payroll deductions. As General Treasurer James Diossa puts it, this initiative “will transform retirement in our state and help the 40 percent of Rhode Island private sector employees with little or no retirement savings prepare for a comfortable, dignified life after work.” Consider, too, the Rhode Island Aging and Disability Resource Center, which can connect you to home-based and financial support services, while senior centers and public libraries like Cranston’s offer free workshops, tax prep, and community connection.
Open Enrollment is planned for between November 1, 2025 and January 31, 2026
Oakley Home Access offers free home safey assessments
If you’ve experienced frustration with the traditional model of doctor visits, you might want to know about concierge care . It’s a new model that gives you, for a surprisingly affordable monthly fee, direct access to a doctor or nurse practitioner, minus the long wait times and insurance hassles. Witnessing patient frustration in healthcare first-hand, Sarah McGinley, an advanced practice registered nurse, decided to open Weatherly Direct Primary Care in Wakefield. “After 12 years in healthcare, I saw the flaws in the current insurance-based practice model and wanted to be a part of something that offers better access and care for my patients without all the middlemen,” McGinley says. It might just be the cure we all need.
Staying Active
Unfortunately, even the best planning and advice won’t enhance your life if you’re housebound. One of the easiest things you can do to ensure happier later years is to move your body. Let’s not even use the often-intimidating label “exercising.” “The ability to increase circulation in legs and arms with a recumbent bike, treadmills, swimming, pool classes, vibration plates, and stretching is an overall health benefit,” says Dr. Sherry Morrissette, a chiropractic neurologist at the Chiropractic Neurology Center of West Greenwich. But it doesn’t even have to be that involved. “Suggestions for the over-60 population to maintain mobility as they age would be to walk briskly each day and drink plenty of water while decreasing caffeine consumption,” Morrissette says.
As we age, the inevitability of declining health becomes real, and issues with eyesight, hearing, and balance might be the early birds to the party. Places that are most familiar to you in your home could become gauntlets. According to David Austin, president of Lift and Care Systems in Lakeville, Massachusetts, “The most dangerous and difficult areas for people as we age in place are bathrooms and staircases. Having appropriately placed hand railings, grab bars, and stairlifts will greatly assist with staying healthy and mobile,” he says.
Justin Oakley, co-owner of Oakley Home Services, agrees. “Learning about these options gives individuals over 60 a nice blueprint of what they can do to their home to help maximize their mobility,” he says. “It can help them safely and comfortably age in place in the home they know and love.”
Asking Questions
Should you find yourself in the doctor’s office, though, experts agree the best approach to advocating for yourself is twofold. “Make a list of all your health questions and write down the answers,” says Morrissette. “Also, bring someone to your appointment who can help you understand and support you through your health journey.” And when you’re asking questions, remember, says Oakley, that doctors aren’t just diagnosticians. Ideally, they serve as resources to the larger healthcare community. “In our industry, it is all about resources. We encourage individuals to ask their physicians about resources that are available in the community, including access to specific equipment, services, or funding,” he explains. When it comes to resources for health insurance, check out organizations such as AARP or HealthSource Rhode Island. “Having spent my career in healthcare and witnessing my husband’s lymphoma diagnosis at just 42, one lesson became undeniably clear: your health is everything,” says O’Rourke. “Because of that experience, having a strong health plan was always one of my top priorities – you don’t realize how essential it is until you truly need it.”
A Life and Care Systems outdoor stair lift
Photo (top) courtesy of Life and Care Systems, (bottom) courtesy of Oakley Home Access
Specialties: Personal and commercial insurance, contractor, and bonding specialty East Greenwich, DaceyInsurance.com
DAMIANO AGENCY, INC.
Specialties: Property and casualty, personal and business coverage
Cranston, Damiano-agency.com
GRAHAM INSURANCE, INC.
Specialties: Independent agency; property & casualty across RI, MA, CT Multiple RI offices, GrahamInsuranceInc.com
NEWPORT INSURANCE AGENCY
Specialties: General lines; division of Starkweather & Shepley Middletown/Newport, StarShep.com
PAOLINO INSURANCE AGENCY
Specialties: General lines; division of Starkweather & Shepley Providence, StarShep.com
PARK ROW ASSOCIATES, INC.
Specialties: Employee benefits brokerage, group medical, dental, disability, voluntary products
Providence, Operates under Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
STARKWEATHER & SHEPLEY INSURANCE BROKERAGE, INC.
Specialties: Business & personal insurance, risk management, benefits, niche industries East Providence, StarShep.com
TROY, PIRES & ALLEN INSURANCE LLC
Specialties: Personal and commercial insurance, bonds, marine, and recreational East Providence, Operates under Cross Insurance
Lifelong Learning
If you’re intent on maximizing your health and wellness, continuing to learn new skills as you age will make an enormous difference, according to AARP. Learning reignites the brain – 55 percent of Americans aged 45-plus are actively learning for personal growth, and motivations include cognitive sharpness and self-improvement. By 2030, one in five Americans will be 65 or older, according to the organization, creating accessible opportunities for continuous and later-learning can help extend workforce participation, boost economic mobility, and extend social engagement.
Locally, both the University of Rhode Island and Brown offer “lifelong learning” programs. At URI, for example, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) established in 2009, boasts 1,500 members aged 50 and up. OLLI offers 250+ non-credit courses taught by professors or experts, ranging from history to expressive arts. As Executive Director Beth Leconte says, the institute fosters “opportunities to continue learning, satisfy their curiosities, make new acquaintances and express their creativity in a true community setting.”
The Rhode Island Department of Health offers resources to help you and your loved ones identify assisted living facilities. Health.RI.gov/Find/AssistedLiving
Making Decisions
As John Lennon once said, “life is what happens while you’re making other plans.” So, as well prepared for retirement as you may feel, illness or other circumstances might derail your, or your parents’, plans for sailing into the sunset. When Erin Kaufman of Warwick and her siblings had to face their parents’ simultaneous dementia diagnoses, it was an all-hands-on-deck situation. Homes had to be cleaned out and sold, powers of attorney signed, finances wrangled, and assisted living and nursing homes assessed. “It was one of the hardest things we’ve ever had to do,” says Kaufman.
Stefany Reed is a certified dementia practitioner at Briarcliffe Manor Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation in Johnston. “None of us, or very few of us, ever come to terms with the fact that we won’t be exactly as we are now. And then we have a health scare or a fall, which necessitates care. And that includes our aging parents,” she says. For Kaufman’s parents, the decline initially happened gradually, but escalated quickly. “The tell-tale signs are many small things that alone don’t cause concern, but can add up,” says Reed, “confusion, Photo courtesy of
Briarcliffe
Inside the Briarcliffe Campus in Johnston
MEET ME AT MEDICI!
financial mismanagement, falls, hygiene issues, spoiled food, not eating right, depression, and anxiety, to name a few.”
Do a deep dive into RIC’s Healthy Aging Data Report with interactive maps, resources, and statistics about health and wellness. HealthyAgingDataReports.org
Finding the best place for parents who can no longer thrive on their own requires an often-lengthy research process. “Sometimes we don’t have the time for much research or preparation because something happens suddenly and we find ourselves in crisis mode,” Reed says. Her advice? “Avoid online search companies,” she says. “They turn your information over to people who pay them for referrals and you will be inundated by sales calls. If you must use a placement agency, look for a local individual like a geriatric care manager or care concierge,” she suggests. Or, she says, go to medicare.gov to find highly-rated skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers in your area. “Then, take time to visit, schedule an in-person tour, and get to know the people who will assist you when the time comes to make a move.
By all means, Reed says, put aside feelings of guilt. “Elderly people need socialization.
People say they do not want to be a burden to their families. You may be saying to yourself now, ‘my mom would never be a burden but in her mind, you not living your best life to care for her becomes a heavy emotional burden she will carry. Home is not always the best place –whether it’s their home or yours.
Looking Forward
With a little planning and some good luck, today’s aging population can look forward to many more years of health, wealth, and happiness. Staying active and continuing to strengthen social bonds will pay off in the long run. “At O’Rourke’s, our sign reads ‘ It’s a Wonderful Life! ’ — my husband’s favorite movie,” O’Rourke says. “But more importantly, it’s how we truly lived our lives. For us, it has always been about health, family, and friends,” she says. “It’s because of that love and support that I was able to accomplish everything I did. Sláinte !”
Photo courtesy of Monkey Business/Adobe Stock
FOOD & DRINK
Experience | In the Kitchen | Round Up | Food Bites
Flavors in Bloom
High-rise
hotel restaurant surprises with bold, bright flavors and flourishes
By Ann Martini
otel restaurants are funny things these days. In some cities they are splashy destinations in themselves, increasingly helmed by notable chefs whose names alone promise sublime experiences – rubbery omelettes and pasty pancakes need not apply. And then there are hotel restaurants like Fleur, at the Omni Providence Hotel. While Fleur doesn’t have a TV chef’s name attached, it performs as if it does, providing a colorful, sensory-rich experience and breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner menus replete with upscale Parisian and Mediterranean dishes as beautiful as they are tasty.
Fleur, in fact, is following a new trend, identified by Top Chef contestant and James Beard Award-winning Chef Stephanie Izard. “Hotel owners have seen the value in having restaurants that aren’t just a desirable amenity for their guests, but as a top-contender culinary destination for locals, or even travelers staying elsewhere,” she says.
FOOD & DRINK
The restaurant’s bright-white interior (floors, tabletops) is punctuated with vibrant floral displays, giant windows overlooking the busy streets below, a Michaelangelo-inspired mural on the ceiling over the bar, and a glass-doored wine enoteca that occupies an entire dining room wall, displaying some 175-plus $30 to $900 bottles. The restaurant hums with Friday night dinnertime activity – two-tops of well-heeled couples enjoying platters of oysters, a couple of girls’-night-out cliques, a family celebrating an elder’s birthday.
My editor and I settle in; she orders a classic French 75, a vintage cocktail that originated post-World War II at Harry’s Bar in Paris. The concoction of gin, lemon, honey, and Champagne arrives garnished with an edible flower. My French l’orange martini – vodka, Chambord
Must-Try Items
CROQUE MONSIEUR ($18):
The classic French grilled Jambon de Paris ham and Gruyere cheese with Dijon mustard on sourdough bread, bechamel sauce
Parking: Limited on-street; in the Convention Center garage, or with the valet at the main entrance of the hotel. Tell the attendant you’re dining at Fleur for a reduced $12 rate
Crème brulee embellished with a chocolate flourish
Fleur’s bar features a Michaelangelo-inspired mural overhead
Photos by Impress Studios, courtesy of Fleur
and pineapple – hits all the notes of a well-balanced cocktail. We peruse the menu while diving head-first into a bread basket of Cape Cod’s famed Pain d’Avignon bread (many regional restaurants serve it, for delicious reason) – thick slices of focaccia, a classic French baguette, and a cranberry-pecan loaf – served alongside rosemary-infused olive oil and garlic-herb butter. We follow up with crab cakes – a well-executed, hockey puck-sized lump crab meat mixture and an addictive lobster tartare sauce.
There’s a lot to choose from on the dinner menu: escargot, moules frites, salmon, swordfish, chicken, and local nods such as chowder, lobster rolls, and calamari. It’s been a while since I’ve had filet mignon, so I order it, hesitantly. Anthony Bourdain said a restaurant’s ability to cook a steak perfectly was the only thing that mattered, because it reflected the kitchen’s respect for technique, the food, and the customer. Having worked for a wellknown chef applauded for his Himalayan-salt
The croque monsieur is Parisianauthentic and enough to feed two
dry-aged beef, I’m spoiled. So don’t tell Chef David Burke, but this filet, a healthy-sized 10-ounce served with béarnaise and pomme purée (at a very reasonable $55, especially considering the size), is one of the best I’ve ever had. No, really. It’s simply but perfectly seasoned with salt and pepper and, cooked to medium-rare, is superbly tender and juicy. My editor is loving her grilled swordfish, tender and juicy, punctuated with a lemon beurre blanc, and a melon, cantaloupe, pineapple,
A rich cocktail with a 24-karat flourish
Photos by Impress Studios, courtesy of Fleur
and corn relish. There’s more than enough to share, so enthusiastically, we do.
Our server, Makayla Gallagher, was attentive and well-versed in the menu, personally recommending cocktails that would pair well with desserts. We agree on espresso martinis alongside crème brûlée and panna cotta made by the pastry chef, James Maloney. Fleur is all about the flourishes as well as the flavor profiles; our plates come embellished with the Fleur logo written
Experience
in chocolate sauce… it succumbed to our spoons immediately. The crème brûlée was simple perfection. The panna cotta, with lemon curd, pound cake, and brown butter cinnamon streusel sent us over the moon.
On a subsequent visit, a friend and I indulged in brunch: a hearty and indulgent croque monsieur – grilled on sourdough with Jambon de Paris and gruyere with Dijon and bechamel. The avocado toast with lemon zest, feta, tomatoes, olive oil, and microgreens seems, at $18, overpriced, until it arrives eight-inches tall and weighing
Edible flowers turn a lovely salad into a sublime one
Photos by Impress Studios, courtesy of Fleur
in at the equivalent of a teacup Yorkie. Honestly, I didn’t expect to like Fleur as much as I did. While splashy chefs’ names may encourage diners to believe they’re in for a singular experience – and that is often true – Fleur proves that doesn’t always track. Its enlivening interior, refined techniques, and inspired and well-executed menu make Fleur worth a visit, hotel guest or not.
Fleur at the Omni Providence Hotel 1 West Exchange Street 445-2526 • FleurProvidence.com
Tenacious Tea
A wellness journey leads to kitchen alchemy, joy, and tisanes
By Kou Tukala Nyan
Sweet aromas of citrus, earth, and vanilla welcome me as I stand over the metal bowl filled with colorful dried herbs, fruits, and vegetables. I watch, mesmerized, as Alicia Brown scoops the elements into small cloth bags, before inserting them into cups. As she pours hot water over the bags, the liquid transforms into a
deep, bright red. “This isn’t your average tea. This is herbal alchemy, baby,” she says.
Brown is the proprietor of Zenacious Rootz, a handcrafted tea company based in Providence. The name combines “zen” and “tenacious” to evoke seeking peace and healing while remaining rooted and grounded. “It’s more than just tea; it’s a lifestyle,” says Brown, who turned to exploring
herbalism after a medical issue. Over a cup, she shares the challenges that led her to the soothing ritual of tea: colorism, her father committed suicide in jail when she was 11, hanging with the wrong crowd, chronic stress, addictions to smoking and drinking, anxiety, and bodily breakdown. She moved to Rhode Island from Massachusetts, where she founded Zenacious Rootz.
P hotography by Erin McGinn
Handcrafted blends get their color naturally from ingredients
While touring the kitchen, Brown explains that once she procures herbs and fruits, she uses a dehydrator to transform them into dried ingredients; any excess is saved and goes into various containers to ensure freshness for future blends. She explains that since the tea she creates has no tea leaves, it’s actually categorized as a tisane. Tisanes are caffeine-free and can be served hot or cold, and blends can
steep for as long as 10 minutes per cup and 20 minutes or longer for a pitcher. Drinkers can also sun-steep and cold-steep.
Among Brown’s most popular blends is cerise tea. Named after its deep cherry hue, it’s her first-ever blend and the product of which she’s most proud. Full, complex, and delicious, the standout flavors are orange, ginger, a hint of beet, tart hibiscus, and smooth, sweet vanilla.
Brown creating healthy blends that support both mind and body
“Hibiscus and beets are double heart health,” she explains. “Ginger is anti-inflammatory. Although people don’t know this, Madagascar vanilla is good for digestion. Red raspberry for the reproductive system.”
Brown, who hopes to hold classes to teach people how to create blends, says the process is simple. “You can dehydrate some fruit in your oven. You can use stuff out of your kitchen to FOOD & DRINK
P hotography by Erin McGinn
WORKOUT in our state-of-the-art fitness center with our personal trainers.
SWIM laps in our heated pool or join one of our popular aquatics classes.
PLAY basketball or pickleball in our indoor courts.
TRY Zumba, Yoga, Pilates, Spin or one of our many fitness classes.
“It’s more than just tea; it’s a lifestyle,” says Brown
dress up your tea. That’s the amazing thing about tea, it’s versatile,” she says. Brown enjoys converting people to avid tea-drinkers because it’s not only tasty but also packed with vitamin C and minerals.
Since starting Zencious Rootz, Brown has won an EforAll Pitch contest, had her first speaking engagement, and found a supportive community. She hopes to inspire others
P hotography by Erin McGinn
to take that first step to change and give themselves grace. “I am the representation of what it looks like to be born into a situation not in your favor, odds against you, but even through all of that, still making it,” she says with palpable determination. “Still, somehow deep down inside of me, knowing that there’s more to life.” Learn more at ZenaciousRootz. store and Instagram @zenaciousrootz
Savoring Rhody
Eight places to relish the fleeting flavors of fall
By Patty J
Folks are reaching for long sleeves and are in search of foliage and pumpkin spice. Yes, comfort food season is upon us. Cue the Gilmore Girls incidental music, and then check out these eight phenomenal cafes and restaurants to frequent this month for autumnal eats.
Apothica Cafe
This cozy fixture on Dexter Street is the vision of owners Eddy Sandoval and Christian Torres. Their apothecary-inspired vegan coffeehouse is a sensational stop for fall sips and snacks. You won’t want to miss this season’s salted caramel pumpkin spice latte, which is served hot or cold. Get yours with an apple cider doughnut, made fresh in-house, and you’ll be golden. Cumberland
Gregg’s
Thanksgiving comes early this year with the sandwich of the same name from this classic Rhode Island restaurant, whose first location opened in Warwick back in 1972. Served on multi-grain bread with slaw and fries, their version is made with layers of warm roasted turkey, cranberry sauce, and stuffing. Yes, it is as tasty as it sounds! East Providence, North Kingstown, Providence, Warwick
The Hard-Pressed Cider Company
Open Labor Day through November 23rd at Windmist Farm (then popping up at The Farmer’s Daughter in South Kingstown November 28-December 23), this couple-owned biz sources all their apples from nearby farms. Menu options at the trailer include hot mulled cider, a cider slushie, and cake-style cider donuts. Grab your order and go, or stick around and enjoy the views of the Newport Pell Bridge. Jamestown
Photo (top)
courtesy of Apothica, (bottom) courtesy of Hard Pressed Cider Company
The Hard-Pressed Cider Company
Apothica Cafe
FOOD & DRINK
Matunuck Oyster Bar
After a devastating fire destroyed this much-revered restaurant founded by Perry Raso back in 2009, a temporary tent eatery has been set-up and is bustling while they work on rebuilding. So no need to worry about missing out on their fall menu, including their celebrated butternut lobster bisque. People wait all year for this five star, creamy soup with bits of squash and pieces of lobster. Matunuck
PVD Pies
Founded by Gina Rose Herlihy back in 2020, follow your nose to this adorable shop tucked into one of the buildings at Hope Artiste Village. Herlihy bakes mini, full-size, and hand pies from scratch and in small batches. This time of year especially you’ll want to scoop up one of the luscious apple confections while they last. Their handheld turnovers are also scrumptious. Pawtucket
Scratch Kitchen & Catering
This cafe and catering company from the sister-and-brother team of Stef and Kyle Bennett on Broadway, is open six days a week for casual breakfast and lunch fare. If you live for an exceptional grilled cheese, you’ll want to motor on over for both classic and gourmet versions. The Thanksgiving sammie, with melted triple crème brie, is sure to leave you happy and full. Newport
Patty J picking a pumpkin
Photo (L) courtesy of Patty J, (R) by Elyse Major
es, this third- and fourth-generation fami ly-run, legendary restaurant in Cranston also happens to have some of the yummiest mashed potatoes in the state… buttery smooth and decadent! Whether you enjoy them along with their chicken parm, baked stuffed shrimp, or grilled salmon, is up to you. Cranston
Venda Ravioli
Launched in 1972 by Alan Constantino and now run by the family, this Italian market and café on Atwells Avenue has 150 varieties of fresh and frozen pasta. Once the leaves start to change, however, I am all about their delectable pumpkin ravioli. Grab a few boxes to cook up at home, along with a loaf of their fresh Italian bread and some cookies imported from Italy. Providence
Small State, Big Plate
Matunuck Oyster Bar
Food Bites
Morsels of what’s tasty in the local culinary scene
By Jacob Schiffman
The team at Dune Brothers created a menu that’s rich with seafood sourced directly from local fisherman, but a few years ago, owners Nick and Monica Gillespie decided to add something special for the landlubbers. Enter the Dune Dog, a creation that’s anything but ordinary. It starts with a snappy beef-and-pork hot dog from New York
City’s Snap-O-Razzo, seared on the flat-top for that perfect “glitzy” bite. Then comes the real magic: a tangy Southern-style chow chow relish packed with cabbage, mustard, bell peppers, onions, jalapeños, green tomato, and vinegar. Add a pillowy toasted brioche bun, housemade garlic aioli, curry ketchup, crispy shallots, and surprise
– the Dune Dog is born. Available only at the Providence and Riverside locations, it brings an unexpected bite of the Big Apple to a red tray near you. Pro-tip: don’t skip the Dune Brothers’ fries (cooked in beef fat and seasoned with Old Bay). 239 Dyer Street, Providence; 684 Bullocks Point Avenue, Riverside, DuneBrothers.com
by
Photos
Jacob Schiffman
Unexpected seafood shack treat is a NYC hot dog
Dune Brothers’ Dune Dog
“Bought in my 15-year-old A5 convertible. Got the regular service plan and excellent advice about the technical condition of the car. Gerry is quite a trustworthy person. ”
At Ming’s on Broad, the bánh mì has always been more than just another sandwich option. “It’s a piece of childhood,” says Korn Suom, who owns the restaurant with husband Josh Burgoyne. “Growing up, Sundays meant stacks for the whole family, layered with pate, cold cuts, pickled veggies, and plenty of cilantro.” It starts with a housemade veggie pate, blending roasted eggplant, slow-cooked onions, garlic confit, soy sauces, turmeric, and pumpkin seeds for a creamy, earthy punch. From there, it’s a flavor explosion of hoisin-glazed fried tofu for texture, spicy mayo for heat, tangy pickled carrots and daikon, crunchy cucumber, red onion, fresh jalapeño, and a sprig of cilantro to tie it all together. Sure, Ming’s may be known for fried chicken sandwiches — but the tofu bánh mì is the sleeper star. 1864 Broad Street, Cranston, MingsRI.com
Media Directory Ads Providence Monthly/SORI
Ad size: 2.375" x 2.25" Submitted: May 2025 December Issue 2025
On the corner of Manton Avenue and Unit Street, you’ll find Chilangos, an IYKYK spot owned by Juan Carlos Fierros, Patricia Fierros, and Max Mendoza, where you can get some of the most authentic Mexican fare around. Among their stand-outs is the pambazo, a mouthwatering sandwich that is more than just food; it’s tradition, history, and flavor layered into one. Its origins trace back to Mexico City, where it’s a beloved street food. Named after the pan basso bread once used, it was created to be hearty and filling for workers, evolving into one of the capital’s signature snacks. What makes a pambazo unique is the French-style roll which is dipped in a smoky chile guajillo sauce and panfried until the outside is slightly crisp yet still tender inside. This pambazo gets a local twist by using telera bread from a neighborhood bakery. Chilangos’ pambazos truly turn a simple meal into an experience. 447 Manton Avenue, Instagram: chilangosri
Don’t sleep on this tofu bánh mì in Edgewood
The Olneyville sandwich that’s a commitment
Ming’s on Broad tofu
ABOUT DAVID @runofthemillshop
David Lawlor is an avid filmmaker and documentarian who lives in Providence, with an interest in telling the stories of places undergoing transformation and historic mill buildings.
