Proud member of the Rhode Island Press Association
PRINTED IN USA
The Scoop
11 ARTS: Inside a Jamestown glassblowing studio
18 RHODY GEM: A cocktail-makers’ one-stop-shop on Route 2
20 THE PUBLIC’S RADIO: How policy could effect clean energy projects
22 RHODY READS: A beach bag of picks
24 RHODY PETS: Adoptable pets of the month
26 RHODY HEALTH: The power of prevention and screenings
28 Block Island’s first-ever bike tour business showcases scenery and lore
34 CALENDAR: This month’s must-do’s
Home & Style
A13 HOME: Colorful art inspires the refresh of a 1750s colonial home
A20 INFLUENCER: Bestseller sets her latest suspense novel in RI
A18 SHOP: The enduring allure of stripes and where to find them
A22 WELLNESS: Treatments to help restore body, mind, and soul
Feature
61 Strategies and resources for easing back into the school year
Food & Drink
75 EXPERIENCE: A food-driven daytrip to Block Island
84 ROUND-UP: Eight eateries to try
88 IN THE KITCHEN: The Wakefield creator of lush grazing tables and boards
94 FOOD BITES: Morsels of what’s new in the local culinary scene
DIY Resort Life
96 SOUTH COUNTY SCENES
Photo courtesy of Kayak Centre
Photography by Cate Brown, courtesy of Maloney Interiors
Ways to build a staycation from activities that feel like amenities
Photo by Jenna Kaplan
Photo courtesy of Fig & Fromage
ON THE COVER: Yoga on South Kingstown Town Beach, photo courtesy of All The Matters Yoga & Wellness
CONTRIBUTORS
BOB CURLEY
When the idea for an August cover story about building your own resort-style staycation itinerary with activities around the state, writer Bob Curley was a must. Our longtime contributor has authored countless books, including 100 Things to Do in Rhode Island Before You Die and Secret Rhode Island: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure
JENNA KAPLAN
This month’s feature about education was written by our digital media specialist, Jenna Kaplan. Prior to joining the small-but-mighty team, Kaplan spent seven years as a Woonsocket ESL kindergarten teacher, and has been a social media and blog post writing machine ever since. Read “See You in September” on page 53.
ANN MARTINI
We are excited to announce that longtime contributor and all-around MVP Ann Martini, has officially joined our staff as editor. Rhode Island-born and raised, Martini brings a wealth of journalism experience, and is also a writing and rhetoric professor at URI. During off-hours, she can be found enjoying the best of the West Bay from her home base in Pawtuxet Village.
HUGH MINOR
Hugh Minor jumped at the opportunity to spend time with author Vanessa Lillie, traveling all the way from Cranston to Providence to join her for coffee. They chatted about her soon-to-be-released novel, The Bone Thief , the second in a series featuring a Rhody-based archaeologist, who, like the author, holds strong ties to her Native heritage.
THE SCOOP
Arts | Rhody Gem | The Public’s Radio | Reads | Pets | Health | Bike | Calendar
Heart of Glass
Inside a circa-1787 Jamestown cottage is an artful family living their dream
By Morgan Rizzo
Drive along North Road in Jamestown’s Windmill Hill Historic District and you’re sure to spot an “open” flag on a tree. Don’t be shy about turning to traverse slowly down a gravel driveway, because you’ve reached a small business. “No one knows what to expect when they walk through the doors,” says Jennifer Clancy, who co-owns Clancy Designs Glass Blowing Studio with her husband David. “People’s first words are usually ‘wow!’” she says with a laugh, of the artist-couple’s retail and studio space.
Photo
ARTISTS’ OPEN STUDIOS
If you enjoy peeks at the process, don’t miss the island-wide tour featuring the creative spaces of 30-plus artists across Jamestown on August 9, 10am-5pm (Rain date August 10, JamestownArtCenter.org). Note that Clancy Designs Glass Blowing Studio will be closed for a private event that day, so be sure to visit another time soon!
Inside of this salt-box studio nestled in the woods is a feast for the senses. Walls are lined with molds and tools, chalk sketches of future projects cover the cement floor, and drinking glasses and vases in every shape glisten in the natural light, their multi-colored glass murrini dots reflecting fanciful patterns. Grounding the space is a red-and-silver furnace,
planted in the middle of it all, looking like some Apollo-era splashdown spacecraft.
From a young age, both David and Jennifer possessed creative talents and were drawn to the arts. Jennifer attended the Cleveland Institute of Art for photography and glass, and David, who originally intended to study printmaking, pivoted after being introduced
to glass-blowing; through years of apprenticeship and practice, he learned the art form. The two met while working for other artists, soon married, and decided they wanted to bring their passion to a studio of their own.
For more than 30 years, the Clancys have been glassblowing and expanding their portfolio of clients worldwide. “It’s quite like playing an
Photo by Andrea Hansen Photography, courtesy of Clancy Designs Glass Blowing Studio
“Kelp Forest with Fish”
instrument,” explains Jennifer. “It takes a lot of time to become proficient in the skill.”
Inspired by their Conanicut Island surroundings, the Clancys base most of their sculptural work around nature. “We love all of nature, plants, and animals,” says Jennifer. “Nature’s challenging forms can always be expressed through art. We use color in a visually striking
way, combining intriguing elements with refined technique to bring complexity and elegance to the form.” One of their recent works, titled “Kelp Forest with Silver Fish,” aims to evoke the feeling one might experience while snorkeling or scuba diving in the ocean. “There’s movement of light and color,” adds David. “Sculptural work creates a sub-environment in and of itself, but
also affects the environment of the room.”
From functional pieces like bowls and paper weights to showpieces featuring beautiful flowers, their work caters to all interests and uses. During studio hours, visitors can pop into the shop to watch Jennifer and David do what they do best. Interested in giving glassblowing a go? They offer private lessons by appointment.
Photo by Andrea Hansen Photography, courtesy of Clancy Designs Glass
Blowing Studio
Margarita pitcher and glasses set
“Lessons are rewarding because it is not only fun for us, but glass is a difficult and expensive medium, and lessons educate the public about the intricate details that go into making a piece of glass, and they can understand more about the art form,” says David.
A community of clientele follows the Clancy’s work and meets them at exhibits and farmers markets like the one held Saturday
Photo by Andrea Hansen Photography, courtesy of Clancy Designs Glass Blowing Studio
“Customers always report that glass just makes them happy,” says Jennifer
mornings at Casey Farm in Saunderstown. The market allows visitors to shop and support business owners who offer locally grown and produced goods. “We want to connect with more people from the mainland and be a part of the hand-made craft community, which is wonderful here in Rhode Island,” says Jennifer. 382 North Road, Jamestown; ClancyDesigns.com
Numbness ➤ Herniated Discs
➤ Peripheral Neuropathy
➤ Leg Pain ➤ Arm Pain ➤ Tingling
Sciatica
Stenosis
Cocktail Hour Essentials
Cheese and Wine Shop
What it is:
A one-stop hosting shop stocked with cheeses, wine, barware, and more.
Where to find it:
On busy Quaker Lane / Route 2 in West Warwick, find Cocktail Hour Essentials inside a long plaza. For reference, it’s about two minutes from Balise Subaru.
What makes it a Rhody Gem?
Owner Karen Ventrone Moore had been a teacher for two decades when she realized it was time for a change, so she tapped into a lineage filled with entrepreneurial spirit and opened Cocktail Hour Essentials. Inside, discover 70 cheeses waiting to be cut-toorder, wines including reds, whites, rosés, ports, and madeiras, plus sparkling and non-alcoholic options. The store also carries grab-and-go items such as crackers and accoutrements for last-minute needs. “Retail is in my blood,” begins Moore. “My maternal grandfather owned Kalunian’s 5 & 10 in Olneyville, and my paternal grandfather owned Felix Rocco, a wholesale produce company in Providence. I combined my love of food and entertaining with classes and numerous textbooks to grow my knowledge base.” The result is a different type of store, in the best way. “We offer after-hours classes and events, a monthly wine and cheese subscription, and this will be our second summer of offering a dinghy delivery service on weekends in Wickford Harbor!”
Cocktail Hour Essentials
697 Quaker Lane, West Warwick CocktailHourEssentials.com
Every neighborhood has that secret, hidden, cool and unusual, or hole-in-the-wall spot that locals love. We’re on the hunt for Rhody Gems! Email Marketing@HeyRhody.com to suggest yours and we just might feature it!
Photo courtesy of Cocktail Hour Essentials
Vincent D. Criscione, MD Katie Sliney MSPAS, PA-C
Meighan Dingle Blanco, FNP-BC
Tori Jedson MSPAS, PA-C
Johnson, APRN, NP-BC
Lauren Volpe MSPAS, PA-C
A crane ship in Narragansett Bay, supporting construction of offshore wind turbines, is part of what had been a growing sector of Rhode Island’s economy now under threat
‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Could Leave New England Clean Energy Projects Blowing in the Wind
By David Wright Rhode Island had been poised to become a hub for offshore wind, but the new domestic policy bill debated overnight in the US House could put that work in jeopardy
In partnership with The Public’s Radio • ThePublicsRadio.org
The latest version of President Trump’s domestic policy bill would gut federal incentives and subsidies for solar and wind, and likely slow one of the fastest-growing sectors of New England’s economy. Investors in SouthCoast Wind have spent $600 million over the past seven years on an ambitious plan to harness the wind off Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. Designing, permitting and engineering nearly 150 offshore windmills has taken much longer than expected. There have been lots of objections.
Now the developers will likely face a difficult choice. Under the current version of the bill, they would need to get the project up and running by the end of 2027 or risk losing their investment tax credits. It may not be possible to get it done in time. Dozens of other green
energy programs in New England are now under threat, forced to decide if the conditions are favorable to continue the work.
“It’s thousands of jobs, and a lot of those jobs were going to local Rhode Islanders,” said Erica Hammond, legislative director of Rhode Island AFL-CIO. She said Rhode Island had been poised to become a hub for offshore wind. “We had developers who were moving offices here,” Hammond said. “We have the port of Providence and Quonset as perfect opportunities for staging for offshore wind, not just for projects that were going to be coming on line here in Rhode Island, but for Massachusetts and even New York.”
Now, a promising new sector of Rhode Island’s economy – offering high-paid technical jobs and a product that was supposed to lower prices for ordinary consumers – is suddenly in limbo.
Rhode Island lawmakers say – if ultimately passed in its present form – the Trump bill will mean higher electricity prices and a severe setback for the state’s climate goals. Rhode Island had hoped to move to 100% renewable electricity by 2030, but the so-called Big Beautiful Bill will likely make it difficult to achieve that.
“The Trump Administration is killing jobs and increasing utility bills so it can hand out bigger tax breaks to Big Oil and Coal,” Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed said in a statement. “As a result, foreign competitors like China are powering ahead on renewables while the Trump Administration constrains innovative clean energy development.”
This article was originally posted on July 3, 2025 and has been formatted for space. David Wright can be reached at 401-222-3636.
Photo courtesy of The Public’s Radio
Rhody Reads
Eight summertime releases and an author event
By Robin Kall
This month promises to be one for the books, especially with this slew of summertime releases. Whether you’re beach-bound, hammock-ready, or curled up inside with the AC blasting, here are eight standout books to add a twist to your TBR pile, plus an upcoming opportunity to listen to four of their authors.
Tina Knowles opens up about her extraordinary journey, from growing up in 1950s Galveston to becoming the powerhouse behind three of the most iconic names in music (Beyoncé, Solange, and Kelly Rowland). But Matriarch isn’t just a celebrity memoir, it’s a heartfelt story about motherhood, identity, resilience, and the strength passed from one generation of women to the next. Knowles’s voice is intimate, wise, and full of heart.
Hannah Pittard delves into themes of identity, memory, and artistic ownership in If You Love It, Let It Kill You , a novel as sharp as it is surreal. When a writer discovers her ex-husband’s
BOOK IT: SEPTEMBER 17
The Cardigan Connection, Rhody’s original and longest-running author series returns with a line-up that includes This Here is Love by Princess
Fiend by Alma Katsu, Fonseca by Jessica
Look for updates at RobinKall.com
debut novel is based on her, she spirals into a bizarre midlife crisis, complete with a talking cat and brutal self-examination. Pittard doesn’t hold back, resulting in a read that is funny, biting, and emotionally unfiltered.
In All the Men I’ve Loved Again , Christine Pride introduces Cora Belle, a woman caught between her past and present in the most personal way. Spanning decades, this beautifully told story inspired by real events, explores love, heartbreak, and the chance to make a different choice the second time around. It’s tender, thoughtful, and filled with characters you’ll want to root for. Out July 8.
Set in early 1960s suburbia, In the Family Way invites readers behind closed doors to witness the quiet courage of women confronting impossible choices. Laney Katz Becker skillfully reveals secrets – from hidden pregnancies to subtle acts of defiance – all unfolding amid weekly games of Canasta. The novel is moving, empathetic, and a vivid reminder of social progress alongside ongoing struggles.
Amber Oliver’s debut, When the Music Hits , vibrantly captures the highs and lows of New York’s ruthless music industry. Billie Grand lands her dream position at a record label but quickly encounters office politics, subtle
Joy L. Perry,
Francis Kane, and Marrow by Samantha Shea.
racism, and moral compromises. Tested on all sides, Billie finds renewed purpose in an artist who rekindles her passion for music. This story is smart, soulful, and honest about ambition and authenticity.
Against the backdrop of 1981 South London, Jamaica Road centers on Daphne, the only Black girl in her class, striving to stay under the radar. Everything changes when she meets Connie Small, a bold and magnetic Jamaican immigrant. Lisa Smith’s debut is rich with emotional depth, depicting the complexities of race, class, first love, and family secrets amid a city in transition. Tender, tense, and beautifully crafted.
Beck Dorey-Stein’s Spectacular Things delves into the complicated love between sisters Mia and Cricket Lowe, tight as kids but drifting apart as adulthood takes hold. Cricket is chasing a soccer career, and Mia’s left trying to figure out where she
fits in. What follows is a story about ambition, identity, and the quiet heartbreak that comes when the people we love grow in directions we didn’t expect. Dorey-Stein writes with warmth and insight, capturing the messiness of family with grace and bite.
In her second novel Until Alison , Kate Russo delivers a chilling literary thriller set in a small Maine town where buried secrets refuse to stay hidden. After Alison’s murder, her former rival Rachel Nardelli is drawn into a tangled investigation marked by guilt, class divides, and simmering resentments. Russo’s sharp prose and layered characters create a gripping, quietly unsettling story you won’t soon forget.
ABOUT ROBIN KALL
Please consider patronizing your local independent bookstore when making book purchases.
Robin Kall is a literary influencer and head of books at Rohm Feifer Entertainment, with a knack for bringing book lovers together. For over two decades, she’s built a devoted following, whether in her home state of Rhode Island, online, or anywhere readers gather. As the host of Reading With Robin, Kall has interviewed some of the biggest names in literature. She’s also the mastermind behind countless author events, including her signature Summer With Robin and The Cardigan Connection, the state’s longest running and original author series ,which she co-hosts with her daughter, Emily Homonoff. Most recently, Kall co-hosted Former First Lady of Iceland Eliza Reid with Rhode Island First Lady Sue McKee at the Rhode Island State House to celebrate the release of Reid’s Death on the Island . When she’s not championing books and authors, Kall enjoys life in Rhody with her husband, and their corgi, Benny. Follow her bookish adventures on Instagram, Facebook, and (occasionally) TikTok. Learn more at RobinKall.com
Rhody Pets of the Month
By Karen Kalunian
Looking to welcome a new furry friend into your home? Adopt, don’t shop! Shelters across the Ocean State have dogs and cats ready to find their forever homes. Here are some sweet faces ready to meet you, or reach out to local shelters to learn about even more adoptees.
If you are considering adopting or know of an animal in need, please contact Karen Kalunian directly at animaltalk1920@gmail.com.
Nebula
BREED: Tabby
AGE: 3-4
GENDER: Female
Nebula will captivate you with her ethereal beauty! She is a precious tabby with a gorgeous striped gray and chocolate brown coat. Nebula will do best in an adult home filled with lots of love, time, patience, and yummy treats! If you’d like to meet this beauty, contact the rescue; they will let you know how you can meet Nebula and make your home her permanent galaxy!
Layne is a sweet, loyal girl with a heart of gold. She is shy, but warms up with a little patience and time. Layne is about three years old and loves other playful dogs. The rescue is looking for a female-only home, ideally with another dog to be her companion. Layne is the type of dog you need to meet in person, and once you do, it will be easy to imagine her as part of the family.
FRIENDS OF HOMELESS ANIMALS FOHARI.org, reginasfosterdogs@gmail
Nebula Layne
Photo (L) by Karen Kalunian, (center) courtesy of Friends of Homeless Animals
Sallie
BREED: Foxhound mix
AGE: 2
GENDER: Female
Sallie is a beauty with a wonderful temperament, currently living in a foster home with children and other dogs. She can be a little shy, but comes out of her shell with a little coaxing. If you know hounds, you know how smart and loyal they are. If you are in love with her photo, now is your chance to be her new forever family!
FUEL COFFEE BAR
YOU WANT GREAT COFFEE… THEN HIT THE LIQUID
LOCALLY ROASTED / OPEN 6AM-3PM
904 Boston Neck Road Narragansett • 401.792.FUEL
COURTHOUSE
Friday, August 8 | 7:30pm ROLLING STONES - BLUSHING BRIDES
Thursday, August 14 | 1:30pm JIMMY MAZZ - ROCK & ROLL, BROADWAY, MOTOWN, & MORE
Saturday, August 16 7:30pm KISS FOREVER & BLACK SABBATH
Friday, August 22 | 7:30pm THE DUKE ROBILLARD BAND
Saturday, August 23 | 7:30pm DAVID BOWIE - REBEL REBEL
Friday, August 29 | 7:45pm LED ZEPPELIN & AEROSMITH ZEPPELSMITH
GoFetchRescue@gmail.com
Saturday, August 30 | 7:30pm MOXIE 80’S, 90’S, 00’S ROCK & POP
Sunday, August 31 | 2:00pm SCOTT KIRBY - WITH GABRIEL DONAHUE
Saturday, September 6 | 7:30pm DANNY KLEIN’S FULL HOUSE (J. GEILS)
Friday, September 12 | 7:30pm DOOBIE BROTHERS TAKIN’ IT TO THE STREETS
Saturday, September 13 | 7:30pm JOHN MELLENCAMP – PAPER IN FIRE
Thursday, September 18 | 1:30pm AGING DISGRACEFULLY AGING IN THE FALL
Sallie
The power of prevention and screening tests Rhody Health
By Sarah Toatley
When it comes to cancer, one of the most powerful tools we have is early detection.
Many cancers don’t show symptoms until they’re advanced, but routine screenings can find them sooner, often long before you feel that anything’s wrong. That’s why understanding what screenings you need – and when –is a critical part of taking charge of your health. To help demystify the process, we spoke with Nancy McKinney, MD, a board-certified hematologist and medical oncologist at South County Health’s Cancer Center. With more than 20 years of experience and known for her expertise and compassion, Dr. McKinney has spent her career guiding patients through both prevention and treatment.
Why is early detection so critical when it comes to cancer?
Dr. McKinney: Early detection can make all the difference! Cancers found at an early stage are often easier to treat and carry a better prognosis. For certain cancers – such as breast, colon, or lung – screening tests can detect changes long before symptoms arise. This gives patients more treatment options and often a greater chance of a cure. If you have a strong family history of cancer, you may also benefit from genetic counseling and testing. These tests can help identify inherited cancer risks – such as BRCA1, BRCA2, or Lynch syndrome – and allow for more tailored screening and prevention strategies. At South County Health’s Cancer Center, we can perform genetic testing right here. These results allow us to create more personalized screening and prevention plans. In addition, we can arrange low-dose CT scans for eligible patients to screen for lung cancer, which have been found to help diagnose lung cancers
at an earlier stage and dramatically improve survival. If you’re unsure what applies to you, talk with your primary care provider. Your healthcare team is here to help you make sense of it all.
What advice do you have for people who are afraid to get screened?
Dr. McKinney: Screenings can be uncomfortable and scary, but avoiding them doesn’t make the risk go away. In fact, it can delay a diagnosis and reduce our treatment options. I encourage people to think of screenings as a form of self-care. You’re not alone, we’re here to make the process as comfortable, respectful, and supportive as possible.
If someone receives abnormal screening results, what happens next?
Dr. McKinney: First, take a deep breath. “Abnormal” does not always mean cancer, it simply means something needs a closer look. We may order follow-up tests or imaging to gather more information. The goal is always to act promptly, but also thoughtfully. Our South County Health Breast Health Center has a dedicated nurse navigator who will play an essential role, guiding patients not only through scheduling routine mammograms, but also supporting them
Screen Schedule
The following is based on well-established national guidelines, pending risk factors and age:
• Breast cancer: Annual mammograms starting at age 40
• Colon cancer: Colonoscopy or stool-based test starting at age 45
• Lung cancer: Low-dose lung CT scans for adults aged 50–80 with a history of heavy smoking
• Cervical cancer: Pap smears every 3 to 5 years, depending on age and health history
closely if results come back abnormal. Our navigator is there to walk alongside patients, helping coordinate follow-up testing, answering questions, and offering reassurance every step of the way.
Beyond screenings, what lifestyle changes can help lower cancer risk?
Dr. McKinney: Healthy living plays a powerful role in cancer prevention. A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins helps support immune function and reduce inflammation. Limiting processed foods, red meat, and added sugars is equally important. Regular physical activity – even just 30 minutes of walking most days – can help reduce the risk of several types of cancer. Exercise also improves energy levels, sleep, and mental health. And if you smoke or use tobacco, quitting is one of the most impactful changes you can make. Small, sustainable steps really do add up.
In partnership with South County Health
Taking the First Step
Keeping up with recommended cancer screenings, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and exploring genetic testing when appropriate are some of the most powerful things you can do for your long-term health. Whether you’re due for a routine test, learning about your family history, or navigating a new diagnosis, know this: knowledge is power, and you don’t have to go it alone.
South County Health is here to help you every step of the way. In addition to performing genetic testing on-site, South County Health has invested nearly $10 million in enhancing its cancer program over the past five years, and is currently making significant investments into developing a new comprehensive breast health center. These investments reflect a deep, ongoing commitment to expanding and improving cancer care services for our community.
Learn more at SouthCountyHealth.org
To learn more about screenings, genetic counseling, or to connect with expert care, visit the South County Health Cancer Center.
AUGUST 29-31 NINIGRET PARK CHARLESTOWN, RI
LITTLE FEAT TRAMPLED BY TURTLES BLACKBERRY SMOKE
MOLLY TUTTLE THE WOOD BROTHERS
LETTUCE • ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL
STEVE EARLE
DUANE BETTS & PALMETTO MOTEL
DONNA THE BUFFALO
MOUNTAIN GRASS UNIT
GEORGE PORTER JR. & RUNNIN’ PARDNERS NEW BREED BRASS BAND
THE LAST REVEL
JOHNNY MULLENAX
ADAM EZRA GROUP • DELLA MAE TWO RUNNER • THE REVELERS
JD SIMO & LUTHER DICKINSON
GRIFFIN WILLIAM SHERRY
FUNKY DAWGZ • TAE & THE NEIGHBORLY & MORE!
3 stages | covered dance floor beer & wine onsite camping (sold out!) food & craft vendors full day of music on friday!
The Scenic Route
An islander rolls-out a first-ever bike tour business to show-off the beauty and lore of her home
By Jenna Kaplan
Zena Clark didn’t just dream of quitting her job and riding off into the sunset – she did it. After decades running restaurants, inns, and even a nightclub, this Block Island native swapped high-stress management for ocean breezes and bike spokes. In 2023, she launched Block Island Bike Tour, blending
her love for biking, storytelling, and the island she calls home. “Call it a midlife crisis,” she jokes. “I gave my notice and headed into semi-retirement. I’d been dreaming about a guided bike tour for years.”
Now, Clark spends her days cruising 16 to 18 miles with visitors, leading scenic, story-filled rides past the island’s most iconic sights. The
route kicks off on High Street and winds by Mohegan Bluffs, New Harbor, Corn Neck Road, and Settler’s Rock. Clark outfits each rider with a helmet, earpiece, and pedal-assist e-bike – perfect for Block Island’s rolling hills.
“It’s not a race. We go at your pace,” she says.
“And if the farmer’s market is open, we always stop for a scone from the famous Scone Lady.”
P hoto courtesy of Zena Clark
Zena Clark shares tales and light history while leading a group of six people around Block Island
P hoto courtesy of Zena Clark
Clark weaves history, personal anecdotes, and island lore into each tour. She starts with the glaciers that shaped the land and moves through centuries of island life, adding her own childhood memories along the way.
“My favorite moment comes when we reach Sachem Pond,” she says. “The breeze picks up, the ocean’s in view, and people gasp. It’s pure magic.”
OCEAN FRONT DINING
OPEN DAILY THRU OCTOBER LIVE MUSIC BEACH PARKING
Getting the business off the ground took persistence. Block Island didn’t allow e-bike rentals, so Clark worked with the town council to pass a new ordinance specifically for her guided tours. She’s now collaborating with lifelong friend Corrie Heinz, owner of Pond
and Beyond, to create Surf and Turf Adventures – a full day of biking and kayaking.
For Clark, this career pivot has been as rewarding as the island is scenic. “It’s unbelievably refreshing to have all happy customers,” she reflects. “I’m doing something I absolutely
Participants must be 16 years-old; e-bike riders must be at least 18 with a valid driver’s license
love, and people can feel that.” She plans to keep the tours small and personal. “I want to grow while staying hands-on,” she says. “When people ride with me, I want them to feel like they’ve seen the real Block Island.” Learn more at BlockIslandBikeTour.com.
Zena Clark
P hotos courtesy of Zena Clark
The Must List
essential events this
By Ken Abrams
For a statewide listing of events visit us online!
August 1-3: Bring the family for the region’s best seafood at the Charlestown Seafood Festival at Ninigret Park. Enjoy midway rides, rock-wall climbing, a car show, craft vendors, and fireworks on Saturday night. CharlestownSeafoodFestival.com
August 9: The Salute to Summer Concert presented by the Ocean State Pops Orchestra returns to North Kingstown Town Beach with a program of classical favorites, patriotic songs, Broadway tunes, and Hollywood scores. Rain date: August 10. North Kingstown, OceanStatePops.org
August 9-11: Find unique handmade pieces, paintings, photography, and more at the Block Island Arts and Artisans Festival , an open-air event held on the grounds of the Narragansett Inn. Facebook: Block Island Arts and Artisans Festival
August 13-17: Washington County Fair , is back for its 59th year with livestock shows, tractor pulls, 4H, arts and crafts, arm wrestling, and top county performers. Richmond, WashingtonCountyFair-RI.com
August 14: Pups are invited to bring their humans to the Dogs on Main Parade , part of the Main Street Strolls series that includes food and drink from local establishments, shopping, and other festive activities. Facebook: East Greenwich Chamber of Commerce
August 15: The Table Series returns to The UNITED with world-renowned cheese importer Adam Jay Moskowitz and award-winning cheese monger Alex Armstrong, ready to share all you need to know about cheese, followed by a delicious tasting. Westerly, UnitedTheatre.org
August 22: Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Narragansett Chamber of Commerce at the historic Dunes Club with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and dancing to pianist Kevin Conrady and DJ Joe Vingi, plus a photo booth to capture the memories. Narragansett, NarragansettCOC.com
August 23: The Artists’ Cooperative Gallery of Westerly’s 8th Annual Art Heist is an opportunity for art lovers to spend a sublime evening at the historic Westerly Armory enjoying, and maybe even “stealing,” something to add to their collection. Westerly, OceanChamber.org
August 23: Rock away the afternoon at the Blues Music Festival with leading local bands Pat Halpin and the 351’s, Cee Cee and the Riders, Mark T. Small and The Knickerbocker All Stars. Charlestown, TheGeneralStantonInn.com
August 29-31: Little Feat, Blackberry Smoke, and Molly Tuttle headline the Rhythm & Roots Festival , a deep roster of musicians, plus camping, cool vendors, great food, and a kids’ tent over three days. Charlestown, RhythmAndRoots.com
Photo courtesy of Charlestown Seafood Festival
Charlestown Seafood Festival
THE RHODYResort Life
From beach yoga to golf, find everything you need to plan a fivestar staycation right here
BY BOB CURLEY
Newport likes to call itself “America’s First Resort.” But the fact is that all of Rhode Island is a playground for the kinds of things you’re likely to find on any resort’s daily activities list. From golf, tennis, and pickleball, to biking, water sports, and guided tours, here’s how to spend the whole summer living that vacation life — including sunset dinners on the beach — without ever having to book a room or pay a resort fee.
Triggs is the only true public course designed by Don Ross
FORE PLAY
Rhode Island has more than 30 golf courses that are open to public play, including Meadow Brook Golf Course in Richmond, which has been ranked among the top 100 courses in the US. Other local favorites include Warwick’s (on the East Greenwich line) Potowomut Golf Club, designed by a protege of golf legend Donald Ross, and Newport National, an 18-hole, links-style course named New England’s top public golf course by New England Golf Monthly . A hidden gem in Providence is Triggs Memorial Golf Course. Recently rated one of the top 14 municipal golf courses in the US, this actual Ross-designed course is a favorite for its challenging layout, generally buffeted by wind. Affordable daily rates, including discounts after 5pm, make it a win-win.
Looking to work on your stroke? Cranston’s Topgolf has three floors of bays to tee off from, and waiter-service means you don’t have to anguish until the 19th hole to get food and drink. If your short game is your only strength, there are 36 holes of mini golf under a fire-breathing volcano at nearby Mulligan’s Island, a nautical-themed 18-hole course at Adventureland in Narragansett, and the quirky, alien-inhabited Dusty Planet in Providence — a nice rainy-day option since it’s indoors.
SERVING TIME
You don’t need to be a club member to book court time at most of Rhode Island’s eight indoor tennis centers, but summer is the best season for outdoor play on the hundreds of public courts available statewide. Some of the best are the 10 clay courts (and one hard court) at Roger Williams Park, where the Providence Tennis Academy runs leagues, tournaments, and tennis camps. Courts are available on a membership basis or with a day pass. The historic grass courts at the Newport International Hall of Fame are available to the public. Racquet rentals are available at the Pro Shop; just be sure to wear your tennis whites – top and bottom – for outdoor play.
Like a lot of people, Lil’ Rhody Pickleball owner Kevin O’Brien’s path to the sport originated with tennis. “I was at a tournament in Massachusetts and they had taped pickleball lines on the tennis courts. I found them distracting and said, ‘this sport needs its own courts.’ So I looked into it.”
It’s been nearly two years since O’Brien opened Lil’ Rhody Pickleball in a shopping center in North Kingstown, and he’s plinked and dinked his way to success in what’s been called the country’s fastest growing sport. “It got started as an easier alternative to tennis and sort of a senior citizen game, but now it’s filtering down to everybody; even younger kids are getting involved,” he says.
Lil’ Rhody has five indoor pickleball courts (each named for a different town in Rhode Island) and two outdoor courts. Other options include Centerline Pickleball in Warwick, Newport Pickleball, and of course outdoor public courts — mostly relined tennis courts, but also some permanent, pickleball-only ones in places like Diamond Hill Park in Cumberland and Wilson Park in North Kingstown
AUGUST 22
THE HALL OF FAME CELEBRITY PRO CLASSIC
The event makes its debut on the famed grass courts. Highlights include mic’d up doubles matches with teams of celebrity guests, Emmy Award-winning actress Uzo Aduba, and Angela Kinsey, playing alongside Hall of Famers including Andy Roddick, Kim Clijsters, Tracy Austin, Jim Courier, Arantxa Sánchez Vicario, and Gigi Fernandez.
Top Golf
Ocean State Pickleball
P hoto (top) courtesy of Abigail Brown, (bottom) courtesy of Ocean State Pickleball
PADDLE UP
Water sports are among the most common resort activities, and it's no surprise that Rhode Island has plenty to offer — this is the Ocean State, after all.
Kayak, canoe and stand-up paddleboard rentals are available from Narrow River Kayaks in Narragansett, where you can ride the tides up and down the Pettaquamscutt (Narrow) River all summer long. Providence Kayak Company offers urban explorations in the heart of the capital city as well as paddles in Lincoln Woods State Park, and Blackstone River Expeditions leads guided, 90-minute tours of the river that gave birth to the American Industrial Revolution from their base at Central Falls Landing.
Sunset and moonlight paddles are the most popular tours run by the The Kayak Centre in Wickford. Held when the moon is full, the moonlight paddles are actually a buy-one-get-one, since the tours are
timed to catch both the sunset over the West Bay and moonrise over Jamestown. Other options include a Taco Tuesday outing with Hobie Eclipse pedalboards followed by fish tacos at Wickford on the Water restaurant. Some guided tours venture into Narragansett Bay, but most tours and renters stay within the confines of Wickford Harbor.
“If you were to paddle the coastline of the entire harbor it’s about nine miles,” says Kayak Centre store manager Matt Bosgraaf. “You start in the village but then get more into the nature side of things in the Mill Creek area. There’s an osprey nest on Rabbit Island, and people often stop at the beach on Cornelius Island for lunch.”
Rather sail than paddle? Sail Newport will rent you a Rhodes 19 or J/22 sailboat so you can explore Newport Harbor and work on your boating skills.
The Kayak Centre
HORSES, OF COURSES
Two of Rhode Island’s best state parks can be experienced on horseback. Sunset Stables’ one-hour trail rides through Lincoln Woods State Park saddle up every day of the week from 9am to 5pm. The hardwood forests in the park are full of deer, so Bambi sightings are common. Newport Equestrian also offers a two-hour tour along two beaches and a wildlife preservation with views of Saint George’s Castle.
BESPOKED TOURS
Rare is the bicyclist who loves hills, but an e-bike (a bike with a motor to help you pedal) can help with the ups and downs of a Block Island by Bike tour. Owner Zena Clark leads on- and off-road tours of this “Last Great Place” by e-bike and mountain bike, mixing history and nature talk with the passing scenery.
Dan Murphy was working in healthcare when he realized his true passion was biking, so he quit his job to launch Little Compton Adventures, an e-bike tour company that offers guided rides along the lightly traveled roads of the quietest stretch of the Rhode Island shoreline. “I sometimes have to pinch myself, because it’s a beautiful place to live and I get to take people for bike tours,” he says.
Tours take between two and two and a half hours, cover 15-18 miles, and set off on most mornings and evenings. Groups pedal to the historic Commons, the Little Compton town landing with its views of Sakonnet Lighthouse, and through peaceful Wilbour Woods. “They call this the farm coast with all of the stone walls and the ocean,” Murphy says. “Most people haven’t been here, but they want to ride somewhere near the water and it’s nice and quiet over here compared to Newport.”
Newport Equestrian
Blackstone Valley Explorer Tours
Little Compton Adventures
P hoto courtesy of Little Compton Adventures
P hoto by Corey Favino, courtesy of Discover Newport
YACHTS OF FUN
Soak up some summer vibes on a cruise of Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay with Newport Classic Cruises, which will get you onto a sloop (Eleanor), schooner (Madeline and Adirondack IV), or a Prohibition-era yacht (Rum Runner II). The red sails of the Aurora are an unmissable sight in the waters off Newport, and this twin-masted schooner’s scheduled sailings include a midweek lobster lunch; pair it with your favorite bottle of wine or bubbly on this BYOB cruise.
Providence’s rich maritime and architectural heritage is featured on Providence River Boat Company narrated tours; other options include cruises with wine and oysters, twilight cruises, and special sails on Waterfire nights. Blackstone Valley Explorer tours combine natural beauty with Industrial Revolution history in the form of old mills and canals.
P hoto courtesy Blackstone Valley Tourism Council
COOL POOL
You don’t need a room key to enjoy poolside cocktails and summer swims at the Last Resort in Smithfield. This restaurant, which also presents a regular lineup of live entertainment, has a junior Olympic-sized swimming pool and six poolside cabanas, an outdoor tiki bar, and volleyball court. The pool is open daily to the public for a fee. Heading to Block Island? Champlin’s Marina & Resort offers day-passes to its family-friendly (“Marco!” “Polo!”) heated waterfront pool with dining options.
COASTAL POSES
Say “namaste” to the divine light of a Rhode Island summer with morning yoga on some of the state’s best beaches. Natural Fitness Yoga offers 8am sun salutations on Narragansett Town Beach; all ages and ability levels are welcome. Both morning and full moon yoga classes are led by the yogis of South County Community Yoga on Charlestown Town Beach.
South Kingstown Town Beach is the sacred strand chosen by All That Matters for their daily morning yoga sessions and monthly full moon yoga. The popular classes usually attract around 25 people on weekdays and up to 100 on weekends. Sessions are held right on the beach, with a covered pavilion for those who prefer to be out of the sun.
“We keep it very natural: it’s all the ambient sounds of summer, with waves crashing and seagulls crying,” says All That Matters director and yogi Michele Maker. “Some teachers opt to do the ending shavasana right in the water.”
All That Matters
Stina Leigh
P hoto (top) courtesy of The Last Resort, (L) courtesy of Stina Leigh, (R) courtesy of All That Matters
FISH TALES
Want to reel in some game fish or catch sight of whales? The Frances Fleet in Galilee has half-day, full-day, and night fishing trips that go for fluke and black sea bass, as well as deep-sea tuna fishing trips. Afternoon whale and dolphin watching tours set sail from late June to early September.
One of the Ocean State’s hidden treasures is the quality of its river fishing, says New England Fly Fishing School’s Ed Lombardo. “Rhode Island has some of the finest tidal rivers in all of New England,” he says. Lombardo leads wade-fishing outings for striped bass and hickory shad in the Narrow River and other locations; the Wood River and its tributaries are rich with trout. Newcomers have the option of starting with a fly-casting lesson at Addieville East Farm in Burrillville.
“It’s a lot more than just fishing,” says Lombardo. “I show guests the aquatic insects that are here and why we tie the flies the way we do. If they are neophytes, I’ll give them lessons and show them what to look for when you’re actually fishing. Reading the water is very important, because 20 percent of the water holds 90 percent of the fish.”
BEACH EATS
Rhode Island has many places where you can end an active day with dinner and drinks with a water view, but relatively few where you can actually dine on the beach. The Windjammer and the Ocean Mist in Matunuck come close with outdoor patios and decks overlooking the waves. The iconic Ocean House in Watch Hill offers beach-adjacent tapas at Dalia (pro-tip: bring cash for valet parking).
For true toes-in-the-sand dining, point your sandals toward Paddy’s Beach Club in Misquamicut, which serves a fast-casual menu of beach favorites, and the beach tiki bar at George’s of Galilee, where the tropical drinks can be paired with to-go meals from the restaurant or nearby food trucks.
BEACH PARTY
There’s visiting Block Island and then there’s Ballard’s Beach Resort – which has its own vibe. Close to the ferry, this place has everything for an endless summer in one day (or a stay). The food and drinks are delish (Daiquiri Bar!), they have a quarter-mile-long private beach with cabana rentals, fire pits at night, and a schedule of live music. Too much sun? There’s an indoor oceanfront restaurant, too.
Dalia at Ocean House
New England Fly Fishing School
P hoto (L) courtesy of Ed Lombardo, (R) courtesy of Ocean House
RHODY RESOURCES
A DIRECTORY OF “AMENITIES” FOR BUILDING YOUR OWN RESORT-WORTHY ITINERARY:
ADVENTURELAND FAMILY FUN PARK, Narragansett | AdventurelandRI.com
ALL THAT MATTERS YOGA AND WELLNESS, Wakefield | AllThatMattersWellness.org
BALLARD’S BEACH RESORT, Block Island | BallardsBI.com
BLACKSTONE RIVER EXPEDITIONS , Central Falls | RiverTourBlackstone.com
BLACKSTONE VALLEY EXPLORER, Central Falls | RiverTourBlackstone.com
BLOCK ISLAND BY BIKE, Block Island | BlockIslandBikeTour.com
BLOCK ISLAND PARASAIL, Block Island | BIParasail.com
PROVIDENCE RIVER BOAT COMPANY, Providence | ProvidenceRiverBoat.com
PROVIDENCE TENNIS ACADEMY, Roger Williams Park | ProvidenceTennis.com
RI CRUISIN’ COCKTAILS | RICruisinCocktails.com
ROSE HILL GOLF CLUB, Kingston | TheRoseHillGolfClub.com
SAIL NEWPORT, Fort Adams State Park, Newport | SailNewport.org
SEDIMENT BACKYARD LOBSTER BAKES, Block Island | SedimentBlockIsland.com
SOARING EAGLE ZIP RIDE, Providence | RWPZoo.org
SOUTH COUNTY COMMUNITY YOGA, Charlestown Facebook/So County Community Yoga
SUNSET STABLES, Lincoln | SunsetStablesRI.com
TOPGOLF, Cranston | TopGolf.com
TRIGGS MEMORIAL GOLF COURSE, Providence | Triggs.US
WANNAMOISETT COUNTRY CLUB, Rumford | Wannamoisett.com
WILSON PARK PUBLIC PICKLEBALL COURTS, North Kingstown | NorthKingstownRI.gov
THE WINDJAMMER SURF BAR, Misquamicut | TheWindjammerSurfBarRI.com
Ballard's
RI Cruisin' Cocktails
International Tennis Hall of Fame
MEET OUR PROVIDERS
Nadia Rudman, PA-C
Emily Ferullo, PA-C
Alyssa Findley, MD, FAAD, FACMS
Catherine Luz, DCNP, FNP-C
Skin Issues Can’t Wait
APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE ASAP!
We treat patients of all ages, accept all major insurance plans, and make it easy to access high-quality care. Call 401-415-8586 or visit FindleyDerm.com today!
• Full-Body Skin Exams & Spot Checks
• Skin Cancer Detection & Treatment
• Acne & Rosacea
• Eczema, Psoriasis & Rashes
• Moles, Cysts, Warts & Skin Growths
• Hair Loss & Nail Disorders
• Anti-Aging Solutions
• Various Cosmetic Treatments
HOME & STYLE
Home | Shop | Influencer | Wellness
Window panels installed just-below the ceiling add visual height to the living room
Relaxed Luxury
A centuries-old Newport home honors the past but basks in contemporary livability
By Andrea E. McHugh
hen a Boston-transplant couple who had spent a few years living on the opposite side of the City by the Sea saw a Bridge Street colonial in the Point neighborhood hit the market, they jumped at the chance to make it their own. Inside, they pay homage to its enviable lineage, with a framed reprint of the original map of Newport commissioned by King George III and published on September 1, 1777.
“This is an historic house that is on the National Register of Historic Places. A plaque on the house notes that it dates from the mid-1700s, but the previous owner reported that the original part of the house dates from the 1600s,” say the homeowners. In their 60s with six adult children and several grandchildren, they were looking for a place that could accommodate the comings and goings of a large family, a comfortable space to gather, and a roomy office for the work-from-home husband. While they treasure its lineage, one element that particularly appealed to the couple was that the
home had been fully renovated by the previous owner and was move-in ready. “We have done renovations before, and to be able to just move in was wonderful,” says the wife, a retired teacher.
Still, the couple wanted to make it their own, and they didn’t need to go far: just around the corner is Maloney Interiors on Thames Street. Ally Maloney Winzer, founder and principal, was tasked with integrating the couples’ personal style, which they describe as “traditional with a twist of fun,” into a centuries-old home.
“The homeowners wanted to refresh their home furnishings,” says Maloney Winzer. “We used some of
Sailing posters and lobster-themed plates inspired the dining room palette
their favorite colors as well as their existing art collection as inspiration for our design.” Maloney Winzer focused on redesigning the living room, home office, and dining room. Weaving in new color schemes, patterns, textures, and furniture styles, the designer introduced a colorful, classic, elevated design with a personality all its own.
The cornerstone of the living room is a custom-designed sofa and armchairs. “It’s always exciting to design a truly custom piece of furniture because it genuinely brings our clients joy
A History of Hope
2026 marks a monumental milestone for our nation and for Rhode Island’s unique contributions to 250 years of revolution, independence, and hope.
Celebrate our revolutionary state in all the places where history happened and all the places where Rhode Island’s story continues to unfold.
Visit RhodeIsland250.org to discover year-round events hosted by communities across the state, and create memories that commemorate our past while inspiring our future.
RhodeIsland250
RhodeIsland250
knowing they have a one-of-a-kind piece,” says Maloney Winzer. The design priority in the office was to brighten and uplift the space. Maloney Winzer took inspiration from the colors of a painting in the room. A colorful Loom & Co. rug helps balance the dark floor, and interesting fabric patterns were selected for accent pillows, a desk chair, and window treatments. Giving the home a sense of place, much of the artwork references Newport institutions including a framed original poster of the 1980 America’s Cup, a framed copy of the 1963 Newport Folk Festival program, and a large photo of a polo pony. Adds Maloney Winzer, “The home is now vibrant and cheerful, a perfect reflection of the homeowners’ personalities.”
Photography by Cate Brown, courtesy of Maloney Interiors
In the office / sitting room, the area rug and textiles were all designed to coordinate with the client’s artwork and desk lamps
Get Rhody Style
Ideas and resources for making the most of living in the Ocean State.
Sense of Place
Maloney Winzer took her design cues from playful accents throughout the home. In the dining room, the couple’s vintage collection of lobster dinnerware and sailing posters served as the inspiration for the color palette. Custom Roman shades in blue-and-white striped fabric offer a subtle nod to the nautical, fitting for a home in the sailing capital of the world. “Coastal design doesn’t have to be preppy, blue and white, or like anything you’ve ever seen before,” says Maloney Winzer. Learn more about her services and style at MaloneyInteriors.com.
Strong Foundation
The home beautifully illustrates how old and new can be seamlessly blended. Family treasures, collected antiques, and original features, including exposed original joists, an 18th-century fireplace for cooking (now converted to gas) and a non-functioning beehive oven, are elegantly juxtaposed by contemporary art.
Aw-Shucks
The couple enjoy neighborhood favorites like Jessica Hagen Fine Art + Design and Young Designs Floral Studio, a charming flower shop filled with gift items, home décor, and whimsical finds. They cite visiting Rose Island and Newport mansions as musts, and enjoy shopping at Aquidneck Island specialty food shops like Bottega Bocconi, Anthony’s Seafood, and Aquidneck Meat Market to support local business owners. “We have a growing collection of oyster paraphernalia to accommodate our growing love of local seafood and my husband’s selftaught shucking skills.”
Sailorcore Style
By Elyse Major
If the Ocean State had a signature pattern, it just might be stripes. The classic pattern – no matter the colorway – is shore to deliver fresh maritime style. The nautical version was first used by the French navy as an easy-to-spot uniform, and we’ve been overboard for the jaunty look ever since. We’ve scoured the state for apparel and accessories for the whole family so that all-ages can earn fashion stripes this summer.
Meet Vanessa Lillie
By Hugh Minor
The Bone Thief is your second novel featuring Syd Walker, a Cherokee archaeologist based in Rhode Island. What’s your connection with this character?
Syd has the same last name of a family member who walked the Trail of Tears [forced relocation of Indigenous peoples in the Southeast US during the 1830s]. A lot of her work is around fighting the erasure of Indigenous peoples. So it’s great to have a way to share the Cherokee language, to share some of the history. Even the Walker Family Cemetery featured in the book is a real cemetery, part of my family history.
What led to this novel being so rich with local history?
As a writer, I’m really interested in the way history echoes. Being Cherokee from Oklahoma is very different from being Narragansett from Rhode Island. I put Syd, who is similar to me, a white-presenting Cherokee, in this world of Rhode Island, where I’m thinking about modern colonialism and what the history of a place means to us all.
What terrifying adventure is Syd Walker facing this time?
In the second book, we dig into the Great Swamp Massacre. I created a fictional, wealthy kids’ camp where some remains tied to the Massacre are found. Again, we’ll deal with a missing girl and how that ties into our history. I bring in the Smoke Shop Raid from our more recent past (July 14, 2003 in Charlestown) and how that impacted the Narragansett tribe and still resonates today.
You’re very involved in the local literary community, participating in reading events and panels at bookstores and libraries. What do you love about these experiences?
It’s really fun to connect with other writers. It can be a pretty lonely profession. I love hanging out and meeting people from this community. There are pockets of really enthusiastic readers who support authors or support bookstores. They’ve built a community around their local authors. You see familiar faces at all of these events.
What are some of your go-tos on writing breaks?
Hope Street businesses! I love to shop at Kreatelier, J Marcel, Studio Hop, pH Factor, and Frog & Toad. Cafe Zoey for coffee, outside lunch at Wara Wara, and ice cream after at Like No Udder!
Rejuvenation-cation
From hair baths to hydration, there’s a summer re-set for you
By Emily Homonoff
True self-care takes many forms –and the goal is to do something that gives a feeling of rejuvenation. It could be reading a book, moving your body, making something with your hands, or treating yourself to a treatment. Here are five Rhode Island-based businesses that are broadening the notion of what wellness means.
REIKI FOR FIDO AND YOU
HYDRATE FROM THE INSIDE OUT
Offering wellness services was a necessity for Kate-Lyn Birchell, MSN, FNP-BC, owner of Salt
At Energetic Healing + Wellness in Pawtucket, owner Court Sousa is leading the charge in redefining wellness by serving both people and their pets. “Everything I offer is grounded in compassion, presence, and intuitive care,” she says. “As a holistic practitioner, I honor each person and animal as a whole being — body, mind, and spirit.” This is present in Sousa’s compassionate pet reiki service, inspired by their beloved dog Yuengling. These therapeutic sessions are geared toward animals with “a new family dynamic, those moving through health issues, or facing behavioral changes, bringing an increased level of wellness and happiness to any household.” Pawtucket, Energetic-Healing-Wellness.Webador.com
H20 MedSpa & Hydration in Westerly, whose background is in emergency medicine. “Working in these settings you see the first-hand consequences of not taking care of your body and how this leads to poor health emotionally, mentally, and physically.” When developing the IV hydration services, where nutrients and fluids bypass the digestive tract and go directly into the blood stream, Birchell felt that “Life is short and we all want to be able to live our lives to the fullest.” She adds, “We love that we can offer services tailored to individuals and their goals.” It’s also worth noting that all staff members are medical professionals who follow professional guidelines. Westerly, SaltH2OMedSpa.com
Saltitude Himalayan Salt Cafe
Photo (L) courtesy of Saltitude Himalayan Salt Cafe
Energetic Healing + Wellness
WASH THE WORLD AWAY
Operating out of Island Beauty in Middletown, stylist Kindra Scheer’s Saltwater Head Spa is inspiring salon-goers to take a little more time for themselves. “Wellness is the time that one takes to relax, reflect, and rejuvenate. It’s important to stop and do something for yourself, she says.” The experience that Scheer has created is unique for every guest. “Some guests book appointments to help combat concerns like dry scalp, oily scalp, or dandruff, and others come to the spa purely for relaxation.” Services include hair bath shampoo head massages. Even better, Scheer only utilizes low-toxicity products and can add on additional services such as blowouts and mini facials. Middletown, IslandBeautySalonAndSpaRI.com
GET HOLD AND COLD
Cold plunging is practiced by a variety of cultures around the world and is even linked to ancient civilizations. Today, co-owners of The Plunge Experience, Dr. Dan Forlasto DPT and Jonathan Freeman PTA, CPT, bring this revered tradition to Cranston. To this duo, wellness is described as knowing that you have the mental and physical capabilities to perform everyday tasks along with those recreational activities that bring you joy while maintaining healthy relationships with the world around you. The experience that Forlasto and Freeman have created combines cold plunging in water set to approximately 50 degrees, with sauna time, and comes with a healthy dose of encouragement. Cranston, ThePlungeExperience.com
FIND SOLITUDE IN A CAVE
Lincoln-based Saltitude Himalayan Salt Cave is owned and operated by mother-daughter team PJ Johnson and Casey McGuire, who have made wellness their life’s work. “As a family rooted in meditation, we were excited to bring like-minded guests together for meditation and relaxation through a unique healing environment,” says McGuire. For both, “Wellness means having a safe place to just be,” which is exactly what they’ve created. Saltitude is a human-made Himalayan salt cave designed for extra relaxation, and in addition to their signature salt sessions, Johnson and McGuire also offer yoga, breathwork, and other classes in their cave. “At Saltitude, we strive to create an experience that separates the mind, body and spirit from the daily clutter of a chaotic world.” Lincoln, Saltitude.net
Salt H2O MedSpa & Hydration
Saltwater Studio and Head Spa at Island Beauty
The Plunge Experience
FEATURE
See You in September
Strategies for easing back into the school routine
By Jenna Kaplan
As summer winds down, the rhythm of the school year begins to hum in the background. For families, this season is less about endings and more about transition – shifting from unstructured days to the familiar cadence of backpacks, routines, and fresh notebooks. And while the first day of school may be circled on the calendar, real preparation begins well before the bell rings.
Whether you’re sending off a wide-eyed kindergartener or nudging a senior toward their final homeroom, a smooth transition starts with thoughtful habits at home. From reestablishing routines to nurturing emotional readiness, these practical tips can help set the tone for a confident, successful start.
The Back to School Celebration on August 23 provides backpacks and supplies to families in need. Learn more and how you can help at BTSRI.org
1. Rebuild the Routine
One of the most effective ways to ease back into school life is to re-establish routines before the first day. Summer’s flexible schedules often stretch bedtimes and blur mealtimes, but experts agree: structure gives kids a sense of security and confidence. Start by adjusting sleep and wake times
about two weeks before school begins. Gradually shift bedtimes and alarms by 15-minute intervals until they align with school-day demands. A solid sleep pattern can improve focus, mood, and memory, key components for a successful start. Extend structure to morning and evening rituals. Practice getting dressed, brushing teeth, eating breakfast,
and packing backpacks. These “dry runs” help build time awareness and can even become fun with timers or playlists. A few full run-throughs the week before school, including alarms and getting out the door, help reduce morning meltdowns and boost confidence. Keep things relaxed. The goal is comfort, not perfection.
Photos courtesy of Adobe Stock
weekly enrollment
Enroll in a weekly wellness plan to enjoy the benefits of consistent daycare.
full transparency
Watch your pup go from zoomies to zen via live webcams in an open-play environment.
health & happiness
Daycare dogs get upwards of 60K steps per day while having safe, supervised fun.
From the first day to the last and every holiday and break in between, find it all at the Rhode Island Department of Education website at RIDE.RI.gov
2. Get Familiar with the Space
First-day nerves often stem from the unknown, which is why familiarity is a powerful tool. Attend school orientations or open houses, if available. Walk through hallways, peek into classrooms, and point out key locations like the cafeteria, nurse’s office, and bathrooms. Even brief visits help kids form a mental map and ease anxiety. If no formal visit is offered, check the school’s website for photos or a virtual tour. Talk through
what the day might look like, from drop-off routines to lunch breaks, and reinforce who they can turn to for help.
3. Open Up Conversations
Big transitions bring big emotions. In the weeks leading up to school, create space for low-pressure conversations. Ask what your child is excited or nervous about, and reassure them that their feelings are valid. “You don’t need all the
answers,” says Ann Gallagher, a speech-language pathologist in the Woonsocket Education Department. “Just being available to listen and observe can make a big difference.” For younger children, role-play common scenarios like asking for help or greeting a new friend. Older kids might benefit from journaling or creating simple goals for the school year. These conversations strengthen the parent-child connection and promote emotional readiness.
Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock
Dr. Salvatore Rizzuto, DMD
Dr. Jennifer A. Torbett, DMD
4. Encourage Practical Independence
Back-to-school prep isn’t just about supply runs. It’s also about helping kids manage daily tasks with confidence. Age-appropriate chores, such as feeding the dog or setting the table, foster time management and a sense of responsibility that carries over to the classroom. Let your child help pack their lunch, choose their outfit, or prepare their school bag. It might take longer, and you may need to negotiate whether pajama pants count as real clothes, but the process builds self-reliance. Encourage younger children to practice tying their shoes, zipping coats, and opening snack containers. These small skills reduce stress during the school day. Older children benefit from a dedicated homework space stocked with essentials and maybe a fun personal touch, like a favorite photo or novelty pencil holder.
Photos courtesy of Adobe Stock
Seniors ‘26
If you have a high school senior considering higher education, it’s never too early to start planning. The Rhode Island Student Loan Authority (RISLA) is a nonprofit quasi-state organization that provides affordable education loans, free college admissions, and financial aid support through the College Planning Center. Online tools include family income, college, and budget calculators, and scheduling an in-office appointment can be a big help for parents and guardians who are learning how to navigate the process. Learn more at RISLA.com
RHODY RESOURCES
Local businesses are here to help:
CLOTHING, SHOES & ACCESSORIES
• Bellevue Kids, Newport
• Feminine Fancies, Barrington
• Lorelei’s for Little Ones, Newport
• Luca Boutique, Warren
• Savon Shoes, Warren & North Providence
• Teddy Bearskins, East Greenwich, Wickford & North Kingstown
• The Matchbox, Providence
• Wildflower Kids, Westerly SUPPLIES
• Craftland, Providence
• Frog and Toad, Providence
• Rhody Craft, Providence
LEARNING & SKILLS
• Cadence Academy Preschool, Smithfield
• Dr. Day Care: Central Falls, Cumberland, East Greenwich, Pawtucket, Providence, North Providence, Smithfield
• The Etiquette Factory, North Kingstown
• Levy Educational Advocacy, Cranston
• The South County Montessori School, North Kingstown
HANDS-ON FUN
• Biomes Marine Biology Center, North Kingstown
• Coggeshall Farm Museum, Bristol
• Create Color Art, Narragansett
• Homeschool Adventures at the Museum of Natural History and Planetarium, Providence
• RI Parent Information Network (RIPIN): RIPIN.org
Continued on next page...
Choosing school supplies can be a powerful experience for children
5. Let Shopping Boost Confidence
Choosing your own school supplies can be a surprisingly powerful experience. For many kids, back-to-school shopping isn’t just about ticking items off a list; it’s a chance to feel capable, independent, and ready for what’s ahead. Whether it’s a glittery water bottle, a
new backpack, or the perfect highlighter set, letting your child take the lead on small decisions can help them feel more prepared and excited for the year ahead. A first-day outfit, no matter how simple, can also work wonders. It’s not about brands. It’s about helping your child feel like they’re stepping into something new with style and self-assurance.
Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock
Continued from previous page...
PRIVATE SCHOOLS
• All Saints STEAM Academy, Middletown
• Alliance Française of Providence
• Barrington Christian Academy, Barrington
• Bishop Hendricken High School, Warwick
• Bishop McVinney School, Providence
• Blessed Sacrament School, Providence
• Community Preparatory School, Providence
• Croft School, Providence
• French-American School of RI, Providence
• Fr. John V. Doyle School, Coventry
• Gordon School, East Providence
• La Salle Academy, Providence
• Lincoln School, Providence
• Moses Brown School, Providence
• Mount Saint Charles Academy, Woonsocket
• Portsmouth Abbey School, Portsmouth
• The Prout School, South Kingstown
• Providence Country Day School, East Providence
• Rocky Hill Country Day School, East Greenwich
• St. Andrew’s School, Barrington
• St. George’s School, Middletown
• St. Mary Academy – Bay View, Riverside
• St. Patrick Academy, Providence
• St. Philomena School of the Sacred Heart, Portsmouth
• School One Special Programs, Providence
• Wheeler School, Providence
• The Wolf School, Rumford
MONTESSORI SCHOOLS
• Montessori Centre of Barrington
• Montessori Children’s House, Providence
• Montessori Community School of Rhode Island (MCS RI), Providence
• Montessori of Greenwich Bay, East Greenwich
• Ocean State Montessori School, East Providence
• Orchid Montessori School, West Warwick
• Quest Montessori School, Narragansett
• Sea Rose Montessori Co - op, Portsmouth
• South County Montessori School, North Kingstown
Encourage practical independence
6. Focus on Healthy Habits
The foundation for a smooth school day begins at home, especially with sleep, nutrition, and screen-time habits. Breakfast doesn’t need to be fancy. A banana, toast with peanut butter, or a smoothie can provide lasting energy. Children who eat breakfast are more likely to stay focused and avoid mid-morning fatigue. Ease back into screentime limits gradually. Try capping device use at around two hours a day. Turning off
screens an hour before bed can help reset sleep patterns. Consider swapping screens for calming nighttime rituals like reading or prepping lunch together. Hydration is often overlooked, so a reusable water bottle that follows your child from the classroom to after-school activities supports both focus and well-being. A consistent bedtime routine with simple cues, such as bath time or quiet reading, can make mornings less chaotic and more intentional.
Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock
Make time at home to practice skills like holding pencils and crayons, and using scissors
Why Speech and Language Screenings Matter
Health and academic readiness go hand in hand, and that includes communication. “For younger children, early speech and language milestones are typically checked at pediatric visits,” explains Gallagher. “Following directions, understanding early concepts, and expressing oneself clearly all lay the groundwork for literacy and social skills.” She notes that hearing screenings are also part of routine back-to-school checkups. However, some concerns don’t surface until a child starts kindergarten. “Teachers often notice when a student struggles with articulation or understanding classroom routines,” she says. “At that point, a speech and language screening may be requested.” Gallagher encourages
parents to observe speech and language development as early as possible, but not to panic if their child seems behind their peers. “There’s a wide spectrum of what’s considered normal,” she says. “If you’re unsure, start with your pediatrician or a licensed speech-language pathologist.” Unaddressed communication challenges can lead to school-related anxiety. Children who aren’t understood, or who notice they speak differently, may withdraw, act out, or avoid participating in class.
“To reduce that anxiety, early identification and school-home collaboration is key,” Gallagher emphasizes. “If your child has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), make
sure it’s updated and in place at the start of the year.” She also underscores the importance of keeping communication open between home and school. “Parents who reach out and ask for strategies to use at home are incredibly helpful,” she says. “Speech therapy doesn’t happen in a bubble. Carryover at home strengthens progress made at school.” Whether your child is heading to preschool or preparing for graduation, thoughtful routines, health check-ins, and open communication can make a lasting difference. “Every child has a unique set of strengths,” says Gallagher. “With the right support and preparation, they’re set up to thrive.”
Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock
FOOD & DRINK
Experience | Round Up | In the Kitchen | Food Bites
Delicious Day Trip
Why the best plans on Block Island start with brunch and end with beachside cocktails
By Jenna Kaplan
There’s something about stepping off the Block Island ferry that immediately awakens the senses. Maybe it’s the salty air, the sun hitting just right, or the quiet thrill of a day wide open for exploring. On a recent weekday, I arrived ready to explore with three coworkers. The plan? Keep it simple: wander, eat well, and see where the day would take us.
Technically, our island adventure began before we even landed. The ferry bar poured us Bloody Marys – spicy, strong, with just enough garnish to count as breakfast. With the ocean breeze in our faces and plastic cups in hand, we leaned hard into day-cation mode. By the time we stepped onto dry land, spirits were high and stomachs were ready.
Our first destination was Persephone’s Kitchen, a sunlit café just a short walk from the terminal. Known for its vibrant, health-forward menu, the place caters to gluten-free and vegan diners without
by
First stop: Persephone’s Kitchen for sweet and savory items
Photography
Nick DelGiudice
compromising on flavor. I ordered the quinoa rancheros: a bowl filled with black beans, quinoa, cheddar, avocado, salsa fresca, lime, and cilantro that felt both nourishing and indulgent. The citrusy finish cut through the richness in all the right ways. The blue ginger smoothie came next –
almond milk, mango, ginger, dates, island honey, blue algae, and cinnamon blended into something light, creamy, and oddly energizing. One of our group went classic with the splendid egg sandwich: egg, Vermont cheddar, avocado, arugula, tomato, and bacon, all stacked high. Comfort food with a touch of green.
Photography by Nick DelGiudice
Smoothies and bowls at Persephone’s Kitchen
Antonia Tyz Peeples & Larry Horowitz
“Path
Opening
Shawn Kenney & Derek Gores
“Maybe
Opening
Group
“As
Opening
Fully fueled, we met up with Zena Clark from Block Island by Bike tours and hit the road. We pedaled past dramatic cliffs and meadows until our legs reminded us it was time for lunch. Up near Mohegan Bluffs, we found Southeast Light Delights, a cheery food truck tucked just out of the tourist fray. Open since 2014, it’s got the energy of a hidden gem with a million-dollar view. I went for the caprese sandwich: thick mozzarella, juicy local tomatoes, basil pesto, and a splash of balsamic on grilled brioche. Simple. Bright. Utterly satisfying.
Photography by Nick DelGiudice
Open daily until Labor Day
Next stop: Southeast Light Delights on Mohegan Trail
FOOD & DRINK
WEAR HAPPY
Cocktails and light bites at The Surf at Block Island Beach House
Summer Season!
My colleagues went straight for the warm buttered lobster rolls – pillowy buns stuffed with fresh lobster and just enough butter to feel decadent but not over-the-top. One opted for the lobster grilled cheese: bacon, melted American cheese, tomato, and buttery lobster tucked between crispy sourdough slices.
To end the day, we made our way to The Surf, the breezy bar with a menu of sandwiches, BBQ and salads at Block Island Beach House, perched above Crescent Beach. We ordered the BIBH Surfslide – Irish cream, coffee liqueur, vanilla vodka, and ice cream – essentially a milkshake with a motive. One smooth sip and the day felt complete.
Ferry-bound with sand in our shoes and merch in our bags, we left knowing one thing: Block Island doesn’t ask for much. Just show up, stay curious, and let the island take care of the rest.
MUST-TRYS
PERSEPHONE’S KITCHEN & CAFE
235 Dodge Street
The Splendid Egg Sandwich $10
SOUTHEAST LIGHT DELIGHTS
122 Mohegan Trail
Lobster Grilled Cheese $23
THE SURF AT BLOCK ISLAND BEACH HOUSE
32 Dodge Street
BIBH Surfslide $16
by Nick DelGiudice
Photography
Savoring Rhody
Lobster ice cream, fancy hot dogs, and French flavors top August’s list
By Patty J
As a Rhode Island content creator, everywhere I go, people ask me for food and restaurant recommendations – whether on the street, by email, or DM. This month, my usual round-up features eight personal picks where you and yours must go from Ashaway to Newport and points in between!
Artisan Bites Cafe
This family owned business started with custom charcuterie boards and a dream, and recently branched out, opening a darling cafe on Park Avenue. Go for their huge coffee drink menu, stay for the cute interior, mouth-watering breakfast pastries, and lunch options like grilled cheese and salads. Cranston
Audette
Formerly Bouchard Inn, this new French restaurant from the team at Thames Street Kitchen and Mission Burger is getting rave reviews for classic dishes like poulet au pot, beef tartare, and onion soup, an elevated wine and cocktail list, cozy ambiance, and exceptional service. They even have caviar service. Newport
Debbie’s
This unassuming hot dog joint on Washington Street is courtesy of chef Ed Davis (formerly Birch and Oberlin). While mostly to-go with a few tables, this eatery named for Davis’ mom is supposed to be no-frills, but offerings like the V is for vichyssoise dog or asparagus salad might suggest otherwise. Providence
Photo (L) by Stacey Doyle, (L and R) courtesy of Patty J
Patty J on the summer beat
Let’s raise a French 75 to this Parisian-inspired brasserie and cocktail bar from David Fierabend and his Groundswell Design Group – the visionaries behind all things Groundswell at Tiverton Four Corners. Open Wednesday through Saturday for dinner – by reservation only – everything is scratch-made and scrumptious, and the atmosphere is c’est magnifique ! Bristol
fred.
In Providence’s West End, discover creative cocktails, delish mocktails, unique wines, and delectable small plates – where Broadway Bistro used to be – from the same owners (also of The Slow Rhode). We loved the focaccia, glazed carrots, and cod fritters. Save room for handmade baked goods from Okai Sweets. Providence
Little Clam at Wayfinder Hotel
This new seafood restaurant from food scene luminaries Jake Rojas and Antonio Wormley (a
JWU grad), is all about ingredients sourced from nearby fishermen and farmers. The coastal New England menu includes an oyster po’ boy as well as a raw bar with jumbo shrimp cocktail and little necks. Their LC cheeseburger is also quite yummy. Newport
Revive Coffee Co.
Our favorite vintage VW bus-turned-coffee stop has new owners! Now helmed by a wife and husband who are also area teachers, Revive is buzzing again. You’ll find great coffee
drinks (lattes are always a good idea), an expanded snack and baked goods selection, and friendly vibes. Ashaway
Seaside Scoops
We all scream for ice cream, but have you ever tried lobster ice cream? The first time I stumbled on it was at this family-owned shop in downtown Newport at the Brick Market a few weeks ago. It’s a brown-butter base with chunks of fresh lobster from none other than Newport Lobster Shack. Newport
Dash away to Ashaway for Revive Coffee Co.
Digging in at Seaside Scoops
Photos courtesy of Patty J
Spreading Joy
A Wakefield-based luxe grazing table business celebrates bounty, beauty, and community
By Ann Martini
It’s hard to believe that until a postgrad trip to Italy, Fig and Fromage founder Emily McCoy didn’t eat or enjoy meat and cheese. But that experience changed everything, including the course of her career. “The way the Italians eat is often different than here; they enjoy small bites and lots of variety,” she says. McCoy began to experiment while there: a cheese here, some salami there, always with fresh bread or crackers and accoutrement such as local honey, mustard, or pistachios. “If you’re going to try different cheeses, Italy is the place to do it.” She found that she loved much of what she ate. “When I got back, I started to find out where I could find what I’d tried in Italy.” Fast forward to early 2023, when McCoy, working full time in marketing, decided to
launch Fig and Fromage, curating charcuterie boards and grazing tables for small dinner parties, picnics, baby showers, and large-scale events for 100-plus, all inspired by rustic, countryside dining. These aren’t your best friend’s charcuterie presentations, unless your best friend has museum-quality artistic tendencies coupled with a bold, refined palate. Think bite-sized, vibrantly colored vegetables and fruits served alongside just-made dips, crostini adorned with fresh goat cheese and local strawberries, miniature croissant sandwiches, artisan salads with house-made dressings, tiny pots of honey, mustards, bowls full of olives and nuts, edible flowers. Special attention is paid to color, scale, and variety. McCoy presentations are sensory show stoppers, looking almost – almost – too good to eat.
Photos courtesy of Fig and
Fromage
A seemingly endless array of olives, fruit, spreads, dips, and more on a grazing table
Crostini with fresh cheese, figs, blood orange, and herbs
While McCoy’s culinary prowess has grown since those pre-Italy days, she has always had a penchant for cooking. “But I also liked boosting the whole dining experience,” she explains. “My mom would remind me that when I was a kid, I liked to play restaurant, making everyone sit down at the table. I’d make menus, do a tablescape. I wanted it to be an experience.”
These days, operating out of the Town Made commissary in Wakefield beside assistant Jess DiMartino, McCoy explains that their charcuterie combinations are not random. “There’s rhyme and reason to the choices,” she
explains. “I think, what’s an ideal bite? Which bread with which cheese, which meat, which jam?” McCoy builds out from there, subtly “suggesting” how to build that bite by placing complementary ingredients close by. The combinations are endless.
And therein lies the enduring appeal of charcuterie. While it may seem a recent epicurean discovery, the “trend” has been around since the 1500s, when Italy and France began preserving meat with salt-curing practices. While that is no longer necessary to ensure safety and flavor, there’s no doubt that salt-curing
produces some of the tastiest meats available, such asprosciutto, guanciale, and salami. Modern, artisan charcuterie presentations came to be in the late-90s, inspired by mid-century cocktail party trappings of hors d’oeuvres, relish trays, finger sandwiches, chips and dip – but with decidedly more visual appeal and flair. And unlike those passed small bites of yesterday, a charcuterie board is often too large and heavy to be passed, encouraging gathering and camaraderie. Enter the grazing table; essentially a charcuterie board presentation that covers a larger stationary surface.
Emily McCoy and Jess DiMartino perfecting final details
Photos courtesy of Fig and Fromage
Not two months into her new business, McCoy had a transformative personal and professional experience when she was hired to create a grazing table at a private Newport home. Dozens of local women were gathering to meet India Hicks, a British author specializing in design and entertaining who has familial ties to the royal family. Hicks was well-known to McCoy, who couldn’t believe her luck. That day, she had a 12-foot
wooden table to adorn. “It quickly became a focal point,” she remembers. “It’s fascinating to witness how a charcuterie spread effortlessly brings people together, sparking conversations as simple as, ‘Have you tried this?’ and fostering connections.” McCoy was particularly struck by the enthusiasm the women invited that day showed not only for the her artful culinary presentation, but for each other. “It was a reminder that in a world where
competition between women often reigns, there is immense power in collaboration and sharing our journeys.”
There is even some science to support what McCoy witnessed that day. Deborah Cohen, PhD, professor of sociology at the University of South Carolina, teaches “The Sociology of Food.” She says that most charcuterie businesses are started by women, and 80 percent of their customers are women. Cohen notes that
In Newport, attendees of the India Hicks reception enjoy a gorgeous grazing table
Photos courtesy of Fig and Fromage
cheese with local strawberries, figs, and honey
many women feel compelled to or find joy in feeding others. Charcuterie boards represent bounty and variety, allow for creativity and visual appeal, and encourage conversation and connection. Ideas, Cohen says, often embraced more fully by women than men.
Any way you cut it, McCoy, who lives in Wakefield with her husband, dog, and horse, has found her niche and revels in watching it grow. She hopes she will be able to make Fig and Fromage her full-time job soon. Playing restaurant all those years ago is finally paying off.
Check McCoy’s website for information on to-go charcuterie boards, catering services, and private tastings and classes. Wakefield, FigFromageCharcuterie.com
Fresh
Food Bites
Morsels of what’s happening in the local cuisine scene
A tent rises from the ashes, thanks to the ‘Take it Outside’ bill
Two months after Matunuck Oyster Bar landed on USA Today ’s 2024 Restaurants of the Year list, patrons watched in horror as media outlets reported that Perry Raso’s pond-toplate restaurant had suffered a devastating fire. Within weeks, Governor Dan McKee responded by signing legislation amending the state’s outdoor dining law, enabling Raso to open a
tented area for outdoor dining. The legislation allows Matunuck Oyster Bar to use the marina parking lot across the street for a mobile kitchen and open-air dining, keeping roughly 50 restaurant employees working during the busy summer season. In a statement, Rory McEntee, South Kingstown town council president stated, “Supporting Matunuck Oyster
Bar’s outdoor reopening is a win for everyone – employees are back to work, customers can enjoy their favorite meals, and our community regains a vibrant gathering spot just in time for summer.” Diners can look forward to fresh seafood classics, served table-side or for graband-go. 650 Succotash Road, East Matunuck, RhodyOysters.com – Elyse Major
by Elyse Major
Photo
Matunuck Oyster Bar
Hand-held Sunday treat to go bananas over
On Summer Sundays, Wakefield is the place to be for the choco-nana. Says Ella Schneider, a URI student who co-owns Gansett Craft Chocolate with her doctor-dad, Steven, “We are the first chocolate makers in Rhode Island. We source our cacao beans from one farmer in Peru.” As for the appealing dessert: “It’s freshcut bananas covered in melted milk chocolate with your choice of homemade whipped cream on top. It’s the only thing limited to Sundays-only for the summer.” Other offerings at the shop, which opened last December, are homemade French-style chocolate mousse and frozen hot chocolate. While there, peruse their national- and international- award-winning bars wrapped beautifully in illustrated foiled labels. “Our most popular flavors are Lil’ Rhody Sea Salt: dark chocolate with Newport Sea Salt Co. on top, and Rhode Island Coffee Milk,” says Ella of the handcrafted bar featuring Seaworthy Coffee Roasters coffee. The Schenider’s motto: “Chocolate. If not now, when?” 227 Robinson Street, Wakefield, GansettCraftChocolate.com
Newly opened restaurant bring Irish pub’s legacy to Wakefield
Most South County long-timers remember Joyce’s Pub in Matunuck, a tiny, authentic Irish Pub adored by scores of regulars for decades until it was sold in 2008. Now Tim Joyce, grandson of the original owner, alongside his parents Vinny and Kathleen, has reimagined Joyce’s in nearby Wakefield, in the former home of Tavern on Main. The Joyce Restaurant and Pub is a full-on Irish pub – cozy inside and anchored with a large, three-sided bar. “We have 27 beers on tap including Guinness, Smithwicks, and Harp, says Joyce. Popular menu items will have you humming “Molly Malone” as you try to decide between bangers and mash, shepherd’s pie, smoked chicken wings, and reuben keg tots. “It’s Irish comfort food with a little flair,” says Joyce. “Like any good Irish bar, you’re likely to walk into a conversation,” says Joyce, “either with other guests or even just the bartender.” 195 Main Street, Wakefield, TheJoyceRI.com – Ann Martini
“Received warning message –drivetrain malfunction– on Saturday for my 430i; called Tracy first thing Monday, she and Gerry had me come right in, performed diagnostics, and Gerry and I discussed results and made a game plan That is service!”
SOUTH COUNTY SCENES SOUTH SCENES
Watch Hill Lighthouse at sunset
ABOUT RHONDA
@classicallynewengland
A mom living life forever passionate about noticing all the little things, from the trees dancing in a breeze and sounds of birds singing in the rain to the beautiful colors of a summer sky. It’s these moments that bring her a sense of gratitude, peace, and joy.
