Smithfield Times November 2015

November 2015

COMPLIMENTARY

Volume 1 Issue 11

In this issue P 6

70 Years of History & Dance

By Patti Shaffer

P 9

Holiday Bazaars Offer Unique Gifts

By Jane Fusco

www.smithfieldtimesri.com

P 14 Breakfast with Friends

By Dick Martin

Sometimes the best planned holiday dinner goes awry, so a cook has to take a new course, literally: main course of turkey becomes a rotisserie chicken. Brittni Henderson writes about some of the things that can go wrong at Thanksgiving and how she would recover without a hair out of place, a lipstick smear or a tear.

Photo by Albert Tavakalov/The Smithfield Times

Anderson Winfield Funeral Home Route 44 Greenville Common 路 Greenville, RI 02828 路 (401) 949-0180 路 www.andersonwinfield.net

Local Postal Customer

PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 55800

Season 4 2015 Oval Touch Bracelet Set

Holiday 2015 LE Nutcracker Gift Set

19 Sanderson Road, Greenville, RI 401-949-4220 www.doumatojewelers.com

Our friendly Dental Practice offers all phases of dentistry for the entire family, both children and adults. We offer conscious sedation including laughing gas. Our advanced training allows us to perform even the most complex procedures in a gentle, pain-free method. We have been established for over 30 years, consistently voted as one of the top dental practices in the state

by RI Monthly for the past several years. Our practice offers General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Implants & Implant Secured Dentures, Veneers, Crown and Bridge, Cosmetic Full Mouth Reconstruction, Root Canals, Extractions, Grafting, and Periodontal Surgery. Most important to many of our dental cowards, we offer sedation so your experience with us is a happy one.

Call for an appointment at 401.233.3350 with Dr. Phillip or Dr. Gregory Barner.

550 Douglas Pike, Smithfield • www.barnerdentistry.com

Orange may be the new black, but rotisserie chicken as the new turkey?

And… what exactly is a ‘gizzard’?

By Brittni Henderson This was one of the many pressing questions that I had while researching for this story. It’s a funny coincidence that my editor chose me to conjure up a piece about funny and/or unfortunate mishaps that took place over Thanksgivings past. “Inquire on social media!” he said. “It’ll be hilarious!” he said. But for me, the task was a little trickier than that.

When the answers started rolling in, I knew I would end up spending a little while online in order to decipher some of the stories that were seemingly hilarious to the common kitchen person. Here’s me, trying to be in on the joke, but somehow can’t figure out where the punch line was. Eventually I figured it

out, but all I could think was, “Ew what? Why are those even there?” (re: gizzards).

Turkey Day is one of my favorite holidays, but I never really have too much impact on how the food turns out. Count on me to bring the best celebrity gossip, witty charm and personality, and, of course, a case of beer. When it comes to preparing a feast fit for a group of super thankful family members, though, I am furthest from first choice.

If I were ever assigned to dinner duty on Thanksgiving, things would most likely go terribly wrong.

First of all, I might end up buying the wrong type of bird—hence the cute photos of me presenting my

fictional meal with a rotisserie chicken as the main course. My counters would be a haphazard mess and my guests would probably opt for some last minute grub from one of the random fast food chains that might still be open that night.

Although my future as Betty Crocker seems slim, my friends on social media were able to mend my

Choosing the right orthodontist isn’t easy.

Until you hear what our patients have to say.

When I was told that my child needed braces, my neighbor suggested Dr. Romani.

And when I asked her why, she smiled and said: “Well, look what she did for my teeth, and now she’s taking care of Anthony’s smile as well…in fact, it was my dentist that recommended Dr. Romani and I’m so glad he did.”

–Manuela C, Chepachet office patient See for yourself why so many neighbors and dentists recommend Romani Orthodontics. Call today for a FREE comprehensive evaluation.

Dr. Kirsten Romani Certified Elite Preferred Provider of Invisalign and Invisalign Teen ®

®

VOTED TOP ORTHODONTIST 2015

4 YEARS RUNNING

RO_SmithTimes_Choose_8.indd 1

The Smithfield Times, Inc.

by Practicing RI Dentists

RomaniOrthodontics.com Chepachet: 568-ll 88 East Providence: 434-ll 27

R I M O N T H LY P O L L

4/17/15 9:58 AM

3

wounds a little bit. I guess I’ve never experienced a crazy mishap on Thanksgiving, but thankfully many of my peers have. I feel only the slightest ounce of sympathy for my thankfulness at their expenses, but hey, I had a deadline to meet.

As far as those gizzards are concerned, a coworker of mine enlightened me to a time many years ago when her husband cut into the turkey she had just removed from the oven to find a rather alarming surprise. She was alerted to the situation when he said, “Umm, honey—why is there a plastic bag inside the turkey?!” Realizing what she had done—she forgot to remove the gizzards—she kept her cool and quickly reassured him that the turkey should still be edible. No one else had to know about that, right?

Another friend thought she was being a “cool” dog parent (don’t we all strive to be that person?) and fed her four-legged friend some turkey from her plate. She highly urges against doing this, not only because of the choking hazard it could pose for your furry child, but because of what happened later in the day. After said pooch ingested the aforementioned piece of contraband, he was distracted by something outside. The dog jumped onto the couch, started barking with such force that he defecated all over the furniture. Needless to say, poochie

4

will not be getting any more treats on Thanksgiving.

I also received numerous “the turkey caught on fire,” “I cooked the turkey upside down but it was still edible,” and even a “my oven broke half way through the cooking process so I had to lug my turkey and all the fixings down the street to finish at a friend’s home.” These seemed like run of the mill mistakes, which makes me feel optimistic about my cooking future. If this can happen to so many regular people, I should be fine, right?

There was also that other friend who looked out the window to find his grandfather’s car was on fire.

An automobile, not something in the kitchen, was burning outside of the house. The recently purchased Lincoln Town Car was parked over some fallen leaves, which were unlucky enough to become ignited by the hot exhaust, lighting the entire car on fire. If this was an iPhone conversation, I would insert so many “monkey covering eyes,” followed by a few “face with open mouth and cold sweat” Emojis.

Finally, the grandest story of them all comes from a sister 20-something who reminisced about a Thanksgiving where parts of her home filled up with water after a family member neglected to remember the prominent announcement of: DO NOT USE THE GARBAGE DISPOSAL. Full of leftovers of perfectly cooked turkey, stuffing, and other fixings,

forgetful Frank took his plate over to the broken appliance and proceeded to empty them into it.

“A massive clog formed in the pipe leading from the garbage disposal, so my dad had to cut the ceiling and pipe open,” she shares. “As he cut open the pipe, water started flowing into the downstairs of my house, near the rugs and electronics that were on the floor. Everyone laughs about it now but it was very stressful as it was happening!”

As you can probably understand, I decided to keep these stories anonymous to protect the innocent chefs, family members, and guests who were involved. No one was harmed by any of these events, which makes them fair game for Thanksgiving story time for years to come. As much as it may inspire me to step out of my comfort zone and into the kitchen, I will probably stick to entertaining the toddlers while the competent cooks in my family tend to the meal.

Do you have any hilarious stories from Thanksgiving, or other holidays, that you’d like to share with us?

Post them to our Facebook page or Tweet them to @ TheSfldTimes.

Happy Thanksgiving!

n

November 2015

“Ocean” by David Tutera

“Kyle” by Sophia Tolli

On November 12,13 and 14 Sei Bella will host Brides Across America. A nonprofit, national organization, that allows military brides to choose a gown at no cost.

Please call for further information.

Victor Harper & Victor Harper Couture Exclusive to Sei Bella

Wedding Dresses • Mother of the Bride • Flower Girl Bridesmaid • Bridal Accessories

401.437.7100 649 Putnam Pike, Greenville The Smithfield Times, Inc.

Simone Cavalli, Exclusive to Sei Bella 5

Celebrating 70 Years of History

At Marie K. Jennison School of Dance

By Patti Shaffer Marie Alice Keough began studying dance in 1936 at the age of 10, and in September 1944 held her first dance classes for preschoolers through sixth grade at Broad Street School in Providence. In 1945, after building up a following, she opened the Marie A. Keough School of Dance in downtown Providence.

Following Marie’s marriage to Robert Jennison in 1950, she moved her school to their home in Esmond where she had as many as 80 students.

After forming dance classes at the Smithfield Recreation Center in Esmond, (where she held lessons for students every Saturday for 25 cents a class), she changed the school’s name to Marie K. Jennison School of Dance.

Each year recitals were held with as many as 200 participants at Mt. Pleasant High School. When

6

Smithfield High School was built, their annual recitals were then held there. About six years later, since Marie Jennison’s classes continued to grow, she opened a new studio on Greenville Avenue.

In 1974, Marie’s daughter, April Jennison, (now April Whitecross), who took lessons at the studio since she was a young girl, became the assistant dance instructor. After she graduated from Rhode Island College with a BS degree in Physical Education and Dance, she became a full time dance instructor.

Then, four years later, April took over as owner and director, while her mom stayed on as artistic director and continued to teach line-dancing classes. In 1987, the studio moved from Greenville Avenue to Putnam Pike where April’s mom continued to teach.

Two years later, Marie Jennison moved to Florida but continued to teach line dancing at many retire-

ment communities leaving her school in the good hands of her daughter April.

Sadly, Marie K. Jennison passed away in September at 89, but her family-owned dance studio lives on and is still thriving.

With over 200 students, ages 2 1/2 to 20, Marie K. Jennison School of Dance is not your typical dance school. All of its teachers started dancing there before becoming dance instructors. And some of their children now take lessons. In fact, April Whitecross’s daughter Breana and her niece, Carly, both teach there. Also, many of the school’s alumni have children taking classes there today—even third and fourth generation students. “So family is im-

November 2015

or twice a week, so they still have the opportant at the Marie K. Jennison School of portunity to be involved in school activities Dance,” says April.

“The dance school also prides itself in such as sports and music. That’s what sets Jennison School of Dance apart from so giving back to the community,” says Sandy Clossick. Once a student, she is now many other schools.”

April also organized a performing an instructor and has recently become the dance company called Excite! This nonschool’s studio manager. She says, “We teach our students to volunteer and give profit dance company is a select group of students, ages 11-20, from her school. back to the community. In the past, students have performed at the Breast Cancer These dancers audition for membership and are chosen for their showmanship, Walk, the Cerebral Palsy Foundation in New York City, and many senior centers stage presence, technique, dance skills, comprehension and flexibility. They attend and nursing homes throughout our state.” one company class a week to train exten Denice Sarli is a former MKJ dancer sively and rehearse for competitions and and her twin girls now take lessons at the special performances. Members of the EXdance studio. She says, “ My twin daughters are following in my footsteps as Marie CITE! Dance Company have been NationMadelina Ritch, 3, is a picture of concentration al Award Winners for the last 25 years and K. Jennison dancers. Besides dance they are as she follows her dance instructor’s directions. have performed in Disney World’s Magic taught respect, responsibility, and pride— Photos by Albert Tavakalov/The Smithfield Times Kingdom and on cruise ships. in themselves and others, no matter their abilities. April and her teachers love our children like their own, and it shows Amazingly, many students of the Marie K. Jennison School of Dance went on in the pride on their faces as their ‘kids’ master a new step and shine on stage. It to pursue dance careers, some as performers, and some as dance instructors and truly is a special community as even now I still see my dance friends…only now others still dancing for enjoyment. we sit together in the audience cheering on our MKJ dancers.”

Like April says, “It’s a family affair.”

“Making the school affordable for every family is also of utmost importance,” adds April. “Our goal is to build confidence in our students so they can go out in the world and make a difference.”

She adds, “We also require our older students to come to practice only once

A circle of young tap dance students follow the lead of Jessica Siddal, teacher’s assistant, left, and Christina Begin, instructor, at Marie K. Jennison Dance School in Greenville.

Brianna Mirabile, 4, receives a helping hand in putting on a ballet slipper from Nakyah Dagraca, a 10th grader at Smithfield High School.

The Smithfield Times, Inc.

While the Marie K. Jennison School of Dance presents one recital a year, this year the show will be very special—The MKJ Dance School will celebrate its 70th Anniversary at this year’s recital on Nov. 20, 21, and 22 at Smithfield High School. The staff at the studio encourages alumni to join them for the anniversary celebration. For more information, call (401) 949-0350 or (401) 568-3451.

The Marie K. Jennison Dance School is located at 586 Putnam Pike in Greenville. You can also check out their website at: www.mkjdance.com or follow them on Facebook at: Marie K. Jennison School of Dance. The dance school also offers lyrical tap and Jazz classes for adults.

7

And furthermore

It’s only make believe

By Laurence J. Sasso, Jr. The title for this column could just as easily be Reality Check as in – it’s time for one.

Let’s think for moment about how much our culture depends on fantasy, fakery, and falsehood just to function.

Center stage of late we have fantasy football. Zillions of dollars are at stake every time an NFL game is played. A very big chunk of that money changes hands based purely on interpreting actual events on the field according to the terms and rules of fantasy games played out with statistics.

Fantasy participants sign up for leagues, and they draft teams made up of actual NFL athletes. The reallife performance of these pros is translated into a predetermined fantasy league scoring system in which certain factors, such as touchdowns, yards gained, field goals and such are assigned point values. If your team collects more points than the rest, you win the day.

Enormous numbers of people watch the muchballyhooed NFL contests on TV on Sunday afternoons and Monday and Thursday nights because they have bets riding on them, and a substantial number of those wagers are made on fantasy teams.

Reality doesn’t seem to be sufficiently exciting for those of us who want to play in our own minds at being team owners and coaches.

But, should this come as a surprise? Haven’t we been living in a world suffused with and dominated by

fantasy for many years? Most of us grew up watching people on TV in white coats pretend to be doctors or dentists as they assured us that a certain pill or mouthwash would ensure our happiness. Only the small print or lightning fast disclaimer, which has little chance of being effective, point out that those comfort-promising authority figures are really actors.

Today, the dominance of make believe pervades programming as well as the commercials. Hence we have shows like The Bachelor, Keeping Up With the Kardashians, and The Real Housewives series to name a few.

How less real could things be? Yet, there seems to be no satisfying the thirst for such entertainment fare, all in the name of “reality.”

Immersing ourselves in flights of the imagination almost seems to be an indispensable part of modern life.

Maybe it began back in the days of radio when a show called Queen for a Day showered gifts and all kinds of swag on a lucky contestant drawn from the audience.

It kept the hopes up for countless people, but only one got chosen per show.

In more recent times Oprah sometimes gave away cars to audience members, and hey doesn’t the lottery depend on dreams and illusions to guarantee the sale of so many tickets?

Don’t forget video games either. It is probably impossible to calculate how many hours teenagers, young adults, and a goodly number of players whose chrono-

Kitty’s Home Away Overnight Boarding for Cats Only www.kittyshomeaway.com

s

Going on vacation?

Let your kitty have one too!

1950 Broncos Highway • 401.710.9685 Mini Golf • Go-Carts • Batting Cages Bliss Dairy Ice Cream • Breakfast & Lunch Birthday Party & Events Room Kitchen Hours: Wed. - Sun. 7am - 7:30pm

Call us today for your special events!

8

• • • • •

Private, spacious, airy condos Multiple levels for lounging, eating and sleeping Drop off and pick up by appointment Quiet & caring atmosphere Easy access from Route 295 and Route 146

We care, just like you!

111 Douglas Pike, Smithfield, RI 02917 • 401.233.2900

logical age is no impediment, spend in front of monitor screens, with controls in hand, competing in elaborate challenges that feed their imaginations while stealing their time.

Role-playing activities are big, as well. There are reenactors who spend much of their free time pretending they are Civil War soldiers, re-fighting battles that their flesh and blood ancestors experienced for real a century and a half ago, perhaps losing their lives in the process.

There are also groups that endeavor to re-create far away times, such as the Middle Ages, who dress up in armor and act out sword fights or joust on horse-back.

So, with make-believe assuming such an important place in keeping society happy in a world often buffeted by too heavy a portion of grimness, shouldn’t it be easy to act like you are enjoying Thanksgiving with the whole family?

If it’s possible to be entertained by Duck Dynasty, Chrisley Knows Best, or the unlamented Honey-Boo-Boo train wreck of a show, what’s so hard about putting up with loony Uncle Stanley for the afternoon or convincing the cook for the feast that the turkey wasn’t dry and that you love your candied yams “that way”?

It’s probably a little easier at Halloween because you are allowed to wear a mask, but sometimes the best part of pretending is that you discover another way of looking at things that you might never have considered if you didn’t change your point of view.

Crystal Lake The Restaurant at

Now Accepting Reservations for

Our Annual Thanksgiving Day Buffet or Plated Dinner.

ReseRvations RequiRed

Please call for details (Mon. – Fri.)

401-567-4500 ext. 10 www.crystallakegolfclub.com 100 Broncos Highway, Mapleville, RI 02839

November 2015

Connecting with loved ones is something we should all be thankful for.

Best Audiologist in

Smithfield

2014

Twin Rivers Hearing Health specializes in all areas of hearing health, including tinnitus (ringing in your ears), so you can reconnect to the people that matter most.

Award Winning Audiologist

Dr. Mary Kay Uchmanowicz

Your best bet for hearing healthcare in Lil’ Rhody Since

2001 Call today to schedule your appointment!

151 Douglas Pike • Smithfield www.twinrivershearing.com

401-349-0456

Looking for unique gifts?

Try Holiday Bazaars

By Jane Fusco While we’re still packing away the Halloween decorations, many churches, schools and local charitable organizations are getting ready for their annual holiday bazaars.

Remember when mom and grandma baked all those delicious homemade cakes, cookies, and candies, and then wrapped them in cellophane tied with red ribbons, to sell at the Christmas bazaar? Thankfully, grandma always managed to set aside a few goodies for the kids.

Or how about searching the attic for the toys and games that the kids outgrew, to donate to the Christmas bazaar? These are definitely vintage finds.

And what about all those handmade scarves, mittens, and blankets - the kind that you just can’t buy in a store - which we reach for at the first snowfall?

Most likely, mom got those at the Christmas bazaar.

The Smithfield Times, Inc.

Especially in today’s economy, Christmas bazaars offer unique gifts at bargain prices.

Christmas bazaars consist mainly of tables or booths that sell handcrafted holiday gifts, decorations, homemade baked goods, jams and chutneys, toys, Christmas cards, wreaths, decorations, wood works, jewelry, used books and antiques, plus so many one-of-a-kind items. Christmas bazaars are generally a fundraiser for the organizer, so there is a good cause involved as well.

The Christmas bazaar, or Christmas market as it was originally known, is associated with the celebration of Christmas during the four weeks of Advent. These markets originated in Germany, Austria, South Tyrol in Northern Italy and the eastern French

regions of Alsace, Lorraine and Savoy.

Today, a Christmas bazaar is a cross between a market and fair, and usually takes place anytime in late November through mid-December. Some last a day; others take place over several days.

Every bazaar has something special to offer, and many people will find themselves travelling from one to another this holiday season, for that perfect gift or antique.

If you’re a perpetual bazaar shopper, have fun, because the Christmas bazaar just may be the closest

9

9th Annual Smithfield

thing to being in Santa’s workshop.

Here is a list of Christmas Bazaars scheduled in the area when this publication went to press. They are listed alphabetically.

Holiday Bazaar Sat, Nov 14, 9am-3pm

A Day of

2015

Good Old-Fashioned Fun, Food, Raffles Home-Baked Goods Hand-Made Wares Holiday Wreaths Holiday Gift Baskets Jewelry - Giftware White Elephant Tables Gifts for Everyone Family, Children, Parents & Pets

Blackstone River Theatre Holiday Craft Fair and Festival 549 Broad Street, Cumberland Dec. 7; 9 a.m. –3 p.m.

Old County Road School Snowflake Bazaar 200 Old County Road, Smithfield Dec. 5; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Cherish the Moments Holiday Extravaganza - VFW 1418 Plainfield Pike, Cranston Nov. 21; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Our Lady Queen of Martyrs 1371 Park St., Woonsocket Nov. 14; 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Christmas in the Valley Foster Country Club 67 Johnson Road, Foster Nov. 27-30; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Cortland Place 20 Austin Avenue, Greenville Dec. 5; 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Craftopia - Hope Artiste Village 1005 Main Street, Pawtucket Nov. 10; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Esmond Village - Christmas Bazaar 6 Village Drive, Smithfield Nov. 7; 9 a.m -2 p.m.

Festival Fete Holiday Market Rhodes on the Pawtucket 60 Rhodes Place, Cranston Dec. 8, 15, 22; 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Hebert Health and Rehabilitation 180 Log Road, Smithfield Nov. 14; 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

North Smithfield Middle School 1850 Providence Pike Nov. 14; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

180 Log Rd, Smithfield (off Rt 116)

Call 231-7016 10

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church 54 Cedar Swamp Road, Smithfield Dec. 5; 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Park Place Congregational Church Christmas on the Hill 71 Park Place, Pawtucket Nov. 7; 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Quota International at the Holiday Elks 380 Social Street, Woonsocket Nov. 7; 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Sacred Heart Church Harvest Bazaar Third Avenue, Woonsocket Nov. 7, 8; 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

St. Antoine Residence Holiday Bazaar 10 Rhodes Avenue, North Smithfield Nov. 7; 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

St. Michael’s Church Holiday Bazaar 80 Farnum Pike Nov. 14; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and after 5 p.m. mass

Ocean State Artisans CCRI Knight Campus 400 East Avenue, Warwick Nov. 29; 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

November 2015

Inside the Brown Bag

Pig skin and turkey among traditional Thanksgiving Day fixin’s

By Peg Brown “Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare.

They are consumed in twelve minutes. Half-times take twelve minutes. This is no coincidence.”—Erma Bombeck The Turkey Days of my youth were surprisingly not centered around football, but rather on other traditions that marked the day of family and harmony—well, maybe not always harmony! There were certain rituals, however, that were repeated annually. There was only one acceptable way to begin Thanksgiving Day and that was to gather around the television in our flannel pajamas (yes, we had to break those out by November 1—I was born and brought up on the Canadian border), to watch the Macy’s Day Parade. For well over two hours, we sat enthralled by the big balloons floating down the streets of New York City, accompanied by bands and pageantry—all as a prelude to the arrival of Santa Claus—one that I think we all secretly wanted to believe in our hearts was the REAL Santa Claus well beyond our faith in the magic of the red suit and white beard.

For most of us, Thanksgiving mirrored the famous painting of Norman Rockwell—one of the Four Freedoms series featured on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post. Originally meant to reflect “Freedom from Want,” the image set the bar for what most Americans thought Thanksgiving should be—an extended family gathered around grandma and grandpa as the perfectly browned turkey was presented as the centerpiece. As we became older, attempting to achieve this idyllic scene colored our expectations as we sometimes struggled for a few hours to overcome dysfunctional family situations. If only we had known that Norman Rockwell himself said about this painting, “I paint life as I would like it to be.”

Nevertheless, the memories of the Thanksgivings of my youth are ripe with nostalgia. Because of our small family, family holidays rotated among our house, my aunt’s in Morristown, and Grandmother Cordwell’s in Ogdensburg. We always ate about 1 p.m. There was always a kids’ table where you sat until a space opened up at the adults’ table, usually as you were approaching 20. Grandma always roasted the turkey—and not according to currently accepted practices for avoiding semolina. She placed the bird in a brown paper bag and roasted it at low heat overnight, then transported it in her white and blue enameled roasting pan. None of us died! She also made all the pies—apple of course was the staple, always served in our house with a slice of sharp cheddar cheese (English custom). Along with traditional pumpkin, the featured treat was a mincemeat pie, made only for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Also an English tradition, it was originally made with mutton and assorted fruits and spices. I think I stopped eating it when I saw that Grandmother added suet to the mincemeat mix—you know, the stuff you feed to the birds in the winter!

There were four grandchildren and there was always a fight for the drumsticks. Ultimately Grandmother established a score card documenting who received the drumsticks at each holiday, and we rotated—although not without

The Smithfield Times, Inc.

an occasional squabble. The second big discussion among the cousins was who would get the wishbone. In that case, the winner was usually the most vocal. Everyone knew that the wishbone had to dry before you could, with a partner, hold the end, and make a wish and pull. The one with the biggest piece got his or her wish—another myth I think! In all honesty, the wishbone that dried hanging over the kitchen sink for weeks, often appeared on someone’s Christmas package, sprayed gold or silver, covered with glitter. Pretty!

Now about Thanksgiving football. In Rhode Island as in many states, Thanksgiving at local high schools involves the big game with traditional rivalries and all the pageantry of a homecoming. I think it’s fair to say that 75 percent of the timing of dinner was dictated by the 10:30 a.m. start of those games. The tradition of football and Thanksgiving actually started in the late 1800s with college and high school teams playing their great rivals on that day. The thought was that the adults were not working, kids were home from school and, especially in the South, and the weather was perfect for play.

Although professionals played on Thanksgiving as early as the 1920s, the rivalry that put pro football on the Thanksgiving Day map was the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears. In 1934 that game was broadcast on 94 radio stations across the country and the tradition was set in stone.

The first full color television broadcast of a professional Thanksgiving Day game came in 1965 when CBS broadcast the game between the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions. By 2012, all three broadcast stations with NFL affiliation carried games. There are some cynics that have commented that Thanksgiving football is a great way to escape all that wonderful family time required around the table. There’s probably more truth in that observation then we’d all care to admit. If today we told the whole truth about Thanksgiving, we’d probably admit it is easier (and less stressful) to make reservations which, based on my roots, is almost sacrilegious.

Author’s Note: Until I started gathering information for this reflection, I had no idea what a somewhat checkered history Thanksgiving had. We all know the story of the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Indian tribe and its chief Massasoit celebrating a bountiful harvest in the fall of 1621 (very close to RI). According to history, a national day of thanksgiving was not designated until 1789, and even then it was sporadically celebrated. It was not until Abraham Lincoln issued a Thanksgiving Proclamation in 1863 establishing the last Thursday in November a day of “thanksgiving and praise” that Turkey Day became an annual holiday tied to a specific date. But, that was not the end of the Thanksgiving discussion on a national level. Pressured by merchants in 1939 because Thanksgiving was scheduled to fall on November 30, leaving very little time between Thanksgiving and Christmas for shopping, FDR changed the date to November 23—or the second-to-last Thursday of November—causing great confusion for school vacations and activities—and, oh yes, the football schedule.

11

Time to come home to Smithfield for 30th anniversary of the “Poor People’s Party”

By Patti Shaffer Once again on the evening before Thanksgiving, the annual Poor People’s Party will be held at the Smithfield Elks Lodge hosted by long- time Smithfield resident Steve Smith and his band members. Indeed, it will be a very special night—it’s the 30th Anniversary of Steve Smith and the Nakeds’ Poor People’s Party.

Curious about this event’s beginnings?

“Years ago, many of our friends often came out to hear our band play,” said Steve, “but as time went on, our friends got married, bought houses and had children, it became too expensive for them to go out every week as they once did. So they started having weekly get-togethers at each other’s homes, and called their gatherings, The Poor People’s Party.”

Meanwhile Steve and his band were on the road performing at venues, not only around Rhode Island, but across the country—and in Canada, too. Being on the road so often, Steve and his Smithfield band members, could no longer attend those get-togethers with their friends.

So 30 years ago, Steve had an idea. Since the night before Thanksgiving most everyone is home for the holiday, he thought it would be an ideal time to reunite with all their friends who they didn’t see during the year. It would also be a “cheap” night out.

Steve approached the Smithfield Elks Lodge and they were happy to let them use their facility on the night before Thanksgiving.

“That very first event, three decades ago, was originated in honor of our friends and their weekly gathering called The Poor People’s Party,” says Steve.

As the word got out, each year the event grew bigger and bigger. This once-a-year event had now become a “town reunion” for many Smithfield and former Smithfield residents. As these young couples grew older, so did their kids. When their kids became 21 years of age—they came too. Younger family members couldn’t wait until they were old enough to attend.

In fact, as Steve recalls, anywhere from 250 to 500 people from Smithfield have attended the The Poor People’s Party on the night before Thanksgiving.

“Over the years The Poor People’s Party has become

12

a tradition,” exclaims Steve, “where family, friends, Smithfield residents and high school alumni could gather the night before Thanksgiving to reunite. It also gave the band the opportunity to come off the road, be with family and friends and be home for the holiday.”

Steve adds. “The band’s line-up has changed a bit over the last 43 years, loosing some original members, but adding new and younger members who keep the music lively.”

“It’s the ultimate town reunion,” says Al Constantino, 67, a Smithfield resident who is a regular patron of the yearly event. “What Steve and his band does each year reminds everyone about their roots— growing up in Smithfield. They make a statement about the camaraderie and friendship of the people of Smithfield.”

Twenty-six year old Nick Powers, who grew up in Smithfield and attends every year agrees. “My friends and I look forward to the annual Steve Smith and the Nakeds concert because it gives us a chance to meet up back at home for a fun night while listening to great live music. With everyone’s busy schedules, these nights don’t happen often, so it’s great to get everyone together.”

Smithfield resident Brendon Vallee, who is Steve Smith’s godson, couldn’t wait till he was old enough to attend. When he was young he used to say to Steve, “I can’t wait till I’m old enough to go.”

Brendon is now 35, married and has two children.

He still lives in Smithfield and has been attending the annual event since graduating from college.

Brendon says “After I graduated from Smithfield High School in 1998, a lot of us went away to college, but we all came home for the holidays. So attending the event was always a good way to keep in touch with my friends. He adds, ”The event is basically, for me, having a Smithfield class reunion and I love going every year.”

Brendon adds, “My dad, who passed away two years ago, was there every year standing at the door collecting the $5 donation. Everyone knew him as “Big Mark”.

Yes, The Poor People’s Party over the years has been

a great time for many current and former Smithfield residents to mingle, reunite with old friends and classmates, make new friends, and also to have fun, dance and of course, listen to Steve Smith and the Nakeds rockin’ rhythm and blues music.

However, there’s also another reason for the annual event. It’s a time to give back.

“That very first event,” adds Steve, “we also decided, since it was Thanksgiving, to ask those attending to bring non-perishable food items to help others not as fortunate as we were. And at future Thanksgiving eve parties, we instead donated a portion of the donations collected at the door to worthy causes.”

So mark your calendars, the 30th Anniversary of The Poor People’s Party will once again be held at the Smithfield Elks Lodge on Wednesday, Nov. 25, beginning at 7:30 p.m. During the first two hours, Steve invites young upcoming local bands from town the opportunity to perform before a crowd. Then at 9:30 p.m. Steve Smith and the Nakeds liven up the crowd and rock away until 1 a.m.

“We want anyone who has ever attended The Poor People’s Party over the last 30 years to come,” Steve says. “We want all of Smithfield to come. We want all of our fans to come. It’s homecoming time. It’s a big class reunion. It’s to give thanks to all of the friends we have made throughout the years.”

Steve adds, “This year we would also like to roll back the clock to 30 years ago and ask everyone to once again bring nonperishable food items. All food items will be donated to the Rhode Island Food Bank to help end hunger in Rhode Island.”

The Smithfield Elks Lodge is located at 326 Farnum Pike in Smithfield. There is a donation of $5—as it has been for thirty years! And a cash bar is available. For more information, call 401-232-1031.

November 2015

42 years running and no signs of stopping

By Patti Shaffer STEVE SMITH and the NAKEDS is a 10-piece rhythm and blues band.

The band consists of Steve Smith on vocals, a four-piece rhythm section and a five-piece horn section.

The band is one of the northeast’s premier rhythm and blues bands since 1973. Natives of greater Providence, the band has traveled throughout the U.S. and Canada and is celebrating its 42nd year of performing. Their credits include performing on their own, traveling as the backup band for “Big Man” Clarence Clemons, and playing back up to such performers as Gary U.S. Bonds, Nils Lofgren, The Temptations and John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band.

And the band boasts so many more accomplishments including their signature song “I’m Huge” which was featured by the animated hit TV series The Family Guy. Another one of their songs, “Blue Eyes Don’t”, was featured on the soundtrack of the Farrelly Brothers Dumb and Dumber To movie.

In fact, in April of 2013, Steve Smith & The Nakeds were inducted into the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame to honor the bands 40 years of musical accomplishments as well as their charitable achievements.

The right choice.

24-hour care Restaurant-style dining | Scheduled transportation The comforts of home and a vast array of wellness and social programs

Current Band members are: Steve Smith – Harmonica (original member, Smithfield) Frank Rapone – Keyboards (original member) Ed Vallee – Guitar Mike Marra – Bass (Smithfield) Joe Groves – Drums Steve DeCurtis – Trumpet (original member, Smithfield) Robert DeCurtis – Tenor Sax (original member, Smithfield) Mark Legault – Alto Sax Josh Kane – Trombone (Smithfield) Jaime Rodrigues – Baritone Sax For more information, check out their website at: www.thenakeds.com.

The Smithfield Times, Inc.

Call today to learn how The Bridge enriches the lives of seniors. 401.233.2880

CherryHillBridge.com 1 Cherry Hill Road | Johnston, RI

13

Breakfast with friends

By Dick Martin Time it was and what a time it was…a time of innocence, a time of confidences. Long ago it must be, I have a photograph. Preserve your memories…

- Lyrics from Simon and Garfunkle’s song: Old Friends.

“That was an unbelievable time after the hurricane.

We put in 12-14 hour days. Go home, come back the next day and do it all over again.” – Jim Kelly “The worst disaster? Ice storms were the worse.

We’ve been sent to the Cape, Springfield, Maine…6-10 guys would go. Dangerous? Yes; especially in the winter. That’s the toughest time. 2-3 a.m., and you can’t see very well at night…” – Dick Ellis “We were at Block Island, unloading a barge of equipment. It was minus 5 degrees. You can’t imagine how cold it was on that barge. It froze the transmission of one of the trucks.” – Ed Thomas “We all worked out of the Lincoln garage, line and splice. One time after a hurricane we took the whole garage to Tiverton. On the way down we stopped at a

14

grill and took it over. One The last Monday of the month finds this group of guys, all Verizon retirees, meeting for of our guys jumped on the breakfast at Laura’s Diner in Smithfield. Walking in to the restaurant are from left to right grill and cooked, and evEd Thomas, Bob Tarmey, Charlie Leclerc, Paul Donahue, Walt May, Don Trainor, Jim Kelly, eryone ate. The owner told John Hardman, and Walter Schmidt. Photos by Albert Tavakalov/The Smithfield Times us what we owed and we paid. We took over that restaurant!” – John Hardman getting the guys together, but it wasn’t long before the The stories never seem to stop and with good rea- group started to grow. son, there are plenty to tell and more from retired Ve- “We started meeting just to tell stories,” recalls Dick rizon employees, management and labor, who gather Ellis, who worked 30 years before retiring in 1997. one Monday each month at Laura’s Restaurant on The stories range from experiences on the job to Pleasant View Avenue to not only reminisce about the who is a new grandparent to how to handle Social Se“good ol’ days,” but to catch up on the latest news, curity applications. Soon, the group had turned into more than the voice of experience. They collectively help each other out and offer advice.

“They helped me out when I retired in 2003,” re- became a source of information about what to do after calls John Harman, who put in 34 years. “Any tele- retirement, how to apply for Medicare, and other issues with which retirees have to deal. phone person is welcome.”

Originally, he adds, the group started meeting in Naturally, there is also plenty of the usual banter North Providence at the now defunct Pancake House about politics, current events and other goings on. on Mineral Spring Avenue about 10 years ago. Billy Pretty much anything and anyone is fair game.

Hodgkins, Bob Bailey and Ed Fay were the first to start “Nothing’s barred,” chuckles Ellis. “But everyone

November 2015

gets along, We have a nice bunch of guys.”

Ages range from 62 to the 80s and include representatives from both groups of telephone workers: the splicers and the wire guys. One group puts up the poles and runs the cable, while the other group hooks everything up. At one point, explains Ed Thomas, who served as President of the union for 18 of his 42 years, there were over 18,000 members in the New England International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, AFL-CIO. Now there are about 3,800.

“It’s a unique society,” he adds. “The jobs were different but they all had something in common.”

That commonality is what brings them together, looking to bring back old memories, if only for a little while, and to renew the camaraderie that was once part of their everyday lives.

“Everyone has a different character,” smiles Thomas. “We’re all characters in different stories. I got so many stories!”

Ed recalls encountering massive areas of destruction after a spring snowstorm had dropped trees onto poles and subsequently poles onto the ground in Coventry one year.

“We arrive there after the storm and there are 17-35 poles down on one road!” he says. “One went down and then the others followed in a domino effect. You feel like you are never going to be finished cleaning it up!”

“You did what you had to do,” adds Jim Kelly, the newest member of the group. “It was your job.”

579 Benefit Street, Pawtucket, RI 401.726.1100

Bife A Portuguesa

Grilled NY Sirloin topped with fried eggs & hot peppers, topped with our homemade sauce. Served with seafood rice & Portuguese potatoes. $20.90

Paelha

Carne De Porco Alentejana Marinated pork, littlenecks & cubed potatoes in our house sauce.

$15.90

Portuguese Stuffed Pork Chop

½ Lobster, shrimp, scallops, mussels and Stuffed with chourico, peppers & onions & littlenecks served over seafood rice & Served with Portuguese potatoes And seafood rice. topped with Portuguese Sauce. $22.90

$19.90

Kelly, who retired last December after 42 years, says he joined the group to stay in touch with his former co-workers.

“It’s kind of like a club,” says Kelly. “It’s a way of these guys getting together.

The first time I went, I saw guys I hadn’t seen in 10 years. It was kind of nice to see them again.”

Kelly adds that there are always some stories he has never heard before, usually from the older members.

“Some are so funny,” he adds, “…some are a little embarrassing too, but it’s all fun.”

Besides the funny stories and the sad stories, there are stories about dangerous situations, bad accidents and “the time when…” stories. But there are also other memories worth remembering.

“Were people happy to see us after a storm?” replies Kelly. “You bet they were.

Plenty of times you’d be out there dying in the sun, and people would come out of their houses and offer you water or a cup of coffee if it were cold out. They didn’t want you to get hurt. We had some good times.”

Old friends, Memory brushes the same years...Time it was, And what a time it was...

The Smithfield Times, Inc.

Lobster Fisherman’s Platter

Lobster tail & claws, scallops, shrimp & littlenecks over seafood rice or pasta topped with white clam sauce.

$21.90

Baked Stuffed Swordfish

Stuffed with Ritz cracker crumbs, scallops and shrimp served with our seafood rice and topped with littlenecks and white clam sauce.

$21.90

Open Thanksgiving Day!

Turkey Dinner or Full Menu Available Make Your Reservations Early!

NOW OPEN 7 DAYS

Monday - Thursday 12 – 9 Friday & Saturday 12 – 10 Sunday 12 - 8 15

Operation Stand Down of Rhode Island serves veterans: A Hand Up, Not a Hand Out

By Patti Shaffer The Rhode Island National Guard is the 2nd highest redeployed unit per capita in America, many local veterans suffer Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and contend with high rates of unemployment.

Every day in the United States an average of 22 veterans commit suicide.

Anthony DeQuattro, a Marine from Lincoln, has been doing something about those particular veterans issues for a long time.

In November of 1993, DeQuattro banded together with a group of other Vietnam era veterans and organized the 1st Operation Stand Down Outreach Weekend held at the former Ladd School in Exeter.

Their purpose: to bring together and connect homeless and low-income veterans with federal

and non-profit resources. At the time, there were thousands of Vietnam veterans on the streets around Rhode Island uncared for and ignored.

DeQuattro says, “I was tired of seeing my brothers and sisters—my fellow veterans—homeless on the Operation Stand Down Rhode Island has 64 housing units available statewide street. I knew the government had for low income or disabled veterans, including females, as well as families. One failed them and I wanted to do someof them is the Holly Charette Home located in Johnston, where Erik Wallin, thing about it.” executive director and general counsel of OSDRI, and Dee DeQuattro, director Since then tens of thousands of of communications and development at OSDRI, posed.

Photos by Patti Shaffer/The Smithfield Times veterans throughout Rhode Island and bordering areas of southeastern Massachu- State Park in Cumberland. Over 500 homeless setts have attended these annual Operation Stand and low-income veterans from across Rhode IsDown Weekends—a three-day outreach event. land attended the event and were provided access In September, the 22nd Annual Operation to important services from medical, dental, VA Stand Down Weekend was held at Diamond Hill benefits to legal and social services, and clothing

William Elias George and William Tate George are proud to announce the opening of their new law practice

645 Putnam Pike

16

l

Greenville, Rhode Island 02828

l

p. 401.949.0801

November 2015

assistance. This year, for the first time, the event also for homeless female veterans. The house is dedicated included a job fair to help veterans find full-time work. in honor of Marine CPL Holly Charette.

Since that first weekend in November of 1993, Op Twenty-one year old Holly Charette, from Cranseration Stand Down Rhode Island (OSDRI) has evolved ton, was the first woman killed in Iraq when a convoy into Rhode Island’s primary non-profit organization she was riding in was struck by a suicide bomber in focused on providing housing and supportive servicFallujah, Iraq in 2005. Today, her mom is very involved es to homeless and at-risk veterans. Like DeQuattro, at Operation Stand Down—in particular the Women’s many of the people who work at OSDRI also served in Warrior Fundraiser. the military.

The event will honor the many selfless women who Today, OSDRI serves over 2,000 veterans per year— have served in our country’s military and feature three not only male veterans but females as well, and a much female warrior panelists and a key speaker. Together, younger generation of veterans that have served in Iraq their stories of leadership and service, promise to be and Afghanistan. both educational and motivational.

OSDRI assists veterans in need by providing perma Federal grant money, private individual donors, nent and transitional housing. They also help veterans corporate sponsorship and private foundations fund access a broad range of services from mental health and this non-profit organization. OSDRI also holds its legal advice to medical and substance abuse counseling. own fundraisers. The staff at OSDRI is paid through OSDRI also assists with food and clothing resources grants and all donations raised go directly to assist loand provide food pantries at their Johnston, West Warcal veterans in Rhode Island and in bordering areas of wick, Newport and Westerly locations.

Southeastern Massachusetts. OSDRI also provides In addition, OSDRI provides a full-time training Anthony DeQuattro banded together with a transitional housing and currently has 64 housing units and employment program. Last year 203 veterans were group of other Vietnam era veterans in 1993 available statewide for low income or disabled veterans, placed in permanent full-time positions at an average and organized the 1st Operation Stand Down including females, as well as families.

Outreach Weekend. The group just held its wage of just under $15 an hour.

For more information about Operation Stand Down 22nd gathering in September.

Erik Wallin, who is the executive director and genRI, visit their website at: www.osdri.org or email: osdri@ eral counsel of OSDRI and also a former Captain in the U.S. Air Force says, osdri.org.

“Our veterans face many stressors and obstacles. Many of the veterans who served, suffer from PTSD, depression, mental health problems, unemployment, physical disabilities, homelessness— and some even self-medicate.”

“The increasing needs of our returning veterans place a great demand Cast stone Indoor/outdoor statuary & ornaments on the limited resources that Operation Stand Down has available so we rely heavily on the generosity and patriotism of those who support us and our All Produced In Our Smithfield Studio T OUR SHOW I missions,” says Wallin. “One hundred percent of donations go directly to asS VI Over 1,000 Items: sist local veterans—from Vietnam to deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan.”

Dee DeQuattro, director of communications and development at OSBirdbaths • religious statues • Planters DRI asserts, “Operation Stand Down RI has grown significantly over the past dogs & Cats • Gargoyles • Frogs • rabbits five years and now our reach is greater than ever. Not only are we able to asasian and much more! en .1 Msist more veterans, but also we are able to educate the public about the milit a F 9 -5 & S tary, service, and sacrifice. Last summer we brought The Travelling Vietnam Painting Workshops - 7-9pm Memorial Wall to India Point Park and this coming May, we are planning november 17 & 18 • december 15 & 16 our Boot on the Ground for Heroes Memorial which will honor the lives of S pace is limited, call for more information and to reserve your space. those killed in Iraq and Afghanistan since 9/11 by placing a boot, a flag and We provide all materials just purchase the item you want to paint. a name placard down for each of them.”

Light refreshments served.

She goes on to say, “Each year our Women Warriors Luncheon has also grown, along with our annual steak fry and pig roast. Additionally, we have Gift Certificates Available! enjoyed an outpouring of support from members of the community who volunteer time, donate items and money, and hosting their own fundraisers for us.”

OSDRI’s next fundraising event will be the 5th Annual Women Warriors Luncheon at the Quidnessett Country Club on Nov. 11 from 11:30 a.m. to 417 douglas Pike, route 7 2 p.m. It will benefit the Holly Charette Home located in Johnston, which smithfield, rhode Island is owned and operated by Operation Stand Down. The home was opened www.sgherbfarm.com in July 2010 and became Rhode Island’s first and only transitional housing OM RO

p •O

2-

4•

CO M E

Secret Garden Herb Farm

401-232-0800

The Smithfield Times, Inc.

17

Not your usual day at the beach

By Harry Anderson He wasn’t there. Rich was not on the Narragansett Town Beach, Saturday, Sept. 19. The latest dose of chemo had done him in. But the pay off for his work, the coming to fruition of his vision was there: 200 autistic kids whooping it up in the surf, watched by hundreds of spectators . . . all profoundly, emotionally moved.

Many of you readers of this magazine know of Richard F. DeSimone, Jr., who had worked at the Greenville post office until lung cancer had forced him to retire. Some of you also know about his founding a Rhode Island chapter of Surfers Healing, a West Coast organization dedicated to helping autistic kids (his teen-aged son, Anthony, is autistic). With the help of his wife, Maria, and his friend, Brian Lariviere (also a Greenville postal worker), and a cadre of other friends like Donna Bullock and Sarah Pouliot, Rich poured his ebbing energy into creating what arguably is the most successful “camp” in America.

A “camp” is what Surfers Healing calls a oneday event when local chapters bring in professional surfers, most coming from California, to take young victims of autism into the sea and ride the boards to shore. The logistics needed to make this happen are staggering. Rich says that it takes a year for his crew and him to put into place all the pieces. They include booking plane reservations and lodging for the surfers, registering the camp-

OPENING SOON

Dog Daycare Boarding Training Grooming Pet Reiki Lucky Dogs are already marking their territory!

Enrollments are now being accepted for an opening day start.

For details and other services visit our website:

www.myluckydogdaycare.com 6 Industrial Drive, Smithfield RI 02917 401.265.0007

18

ers, arranging the day’s schedule, finding volunteer helpers, planning fundraising affairs (including stocking an on-line store that sells such items as tee shirts, caps, and coffee mugs), and soliciting purveyors of pizza, snacks, and beverages for donations.

Israel Paskowitz (Izzy), the founder of Surfers Healing, rides The parent organization requires lohis board at Narragansett Town Beach and shares the thrill cal chapters to come up with a miniwith a young boy diagnosed with autism. mum of $12,000, a hefty challenge for Rich and his small band of workers. Families of the Conditions were perfect. The air temp neared 80 participating kids pay no fee. Astoundingly, Surfers as the sun rose higher and higher in a cloudless Healing Rhode Island for seven consecutive years sky, and the water temp was a pleasant 73. With all has met the challenge. in the ready, the volunteers huddled in the shade Unlike 2009, year one for the September camp, of the headquarters canopy where questions could when only 50 kids signed up, this year 200 – most- be answered and families lined up to sign in their ly Rhode Islanders – participated. And there was kids. The loudest sound came from a few errant a waiting list of 30. On the day of registration last gulls that seemed to sense nibbles were forthcomMay, within 5 minutes all 200 spots were taken. ing.

Rich’s right hand man, Brian Lariviere, was on By 8:30 a.m., 18 surfers in black wet suits, the beach well before the opening of the 2015 “SURFERS HEALING” emblazoned on their camp on Sept. 19, to shout orders to the volun- backs, and with their surf boards showed up, soon teers. Canopies went up and folding tables were followed by the kids, also wearing black wet suits, placed beneath them. Boxes of pizza and dough- and their moms and dads, grandparents, aunts, unnuts, cartons of chips and cookies were carried cles, siblings. The gulls flew off as more and more from cars to the tables, and coolers filled with soda people gathered on the beach. and water toted onto the sand. Yellow “DO NOT Promptly at 9 a.m., using a bullhorn, Brian CROSS” tape was stretched from pole to pole to called for silence and announced that the camp keep spectators from crowding water’s edge. would now begin.

“Let’s all close in and make like a circle. We’re going to start with a prayer.”

401-353-1955 401-729-1220 He introduced Israel Paskowitz (Izzy), the founder of Surfers Healing, who asked everyone to hold hands; and he chanted a Hawaiian prayer, beseeching the Almighty to keep one and all safe in the water. After the “amen”, a line formed at the check-in table, and one by one a camper was greeted by a surfer, and hand in hand the couFREE IN HOME ESTIMATES ples headed to the water. A girl about age 5 or 6 PACKING SERVICES dropped to the sand, kicked her legs wildly, and INDIVIDUAL STORAGE UNITS wailed when her mother walked away. The surfer, a young woman, gently stood the child and stroked Residential & Office Moves her hair and shoulders, all the while whispering asLicensed & Insured surances. The girl quieted, and the young woman tucked her board under one arm and escorted the 50 Industrial Circle, Lincoln, RI 02865 child into the foam of breaking waves.

C&J MOVING & STORAGE, LLC

November 2015

For seven hours – until 4 p.m. – the scene would be repeated again and again. Over and over each surfer positioned a camper belly-down on the board, pushed it to where in-coming waves curled and scrambled aboard to ride his/her passenger to shore. Along the yellow tape, adults aimed cameras seaward, snapped pictures, and cheered.

Tami Ward from Warwick, flushed with excitement, pointed to a handsome lad standing dripping wet beside a surfer. “That’s my son, Hunter.

For three years my husband and me have been bringing him here. He’s now 18 and has been made a junior mentor. You know, nobody here judges you. It’s absolutely wonderful! Honest to God, it’s like magic when the kids hit the water! Every year my husband cries.”

Overhearing this, Diane Jakabhacy speaks out.

“This is my Elliot’s fifth time coming. It’s the truth . . . this camp is great! Just look at those kids when they come in. There’s a big change on their faces. Do you know there’s huge autism population in this state? Something like one in nine.”

Six-year-old Caden Lockwood’s mother, MaryEllen, says that in her living room they have hung a framed photograph of Caden sitting on the shoulders of a surfer. “Being here,” she says, “is so good for a parent, too. In fact, a lot of us parents have

Tru-Defense Door Systems

®

One of the 18 volunteers who helped the Rhode Island chapter of Surfers Healing, a West Coast organization dedicated to helping autistic kids, assists a young boy on his trip through the waves at Narragansett Town Beach.

become friends. We have a common denominator.

And there’s something else, call it a spirituality.”

Two 20-something women – volunteers – are agog at the unfolding beach scene. Amy Almeida, who works at the Bradley School, says, “This camp really works! It’s amazing!” And Emily Menard, a sophomore at Johnson and Wales University, learned of Surfers Healing when her professor pleaded with the class to show up Saturday to help out. “This is an eye-opener for me, really. I have no regrets for coming.”

Duke Schneider, an off-duty lifeguard at Narragansett Town Beach, says that he has been coming for three years to help out. “By far, this is the best

day at the beach!”

Chatting on the deck of the pavilion were Richard’s son, Nick DeSimone, and his neighbors, Wayne and M.J. Larned.

“After your father told us about Surfers Healing, out of curiosity we came last year,” Wayne said.

“And we cried,” M. J. added.

“My wife and I head up an annual golf tournament. This year we donated all receipts to Surfers Healing. Your father, Nick, is an unbelievable guy to have made this event happen. Too bad he couldn’t be here this year.”

“And my brother, Anthony, too,” Nick added.

“I tell you, Dad’s so tough, so tough. When I came home from Jersey City last night, somehow he got out of bed and stood at the door.”

A cheer went up from the beach. Another autistic kid rode a wave to shore.

Richard F. DeSimone, Jr., 52, died on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2015, at Kent County Memorial Hospital in Warwick.

Contributions made in his memory to “Acts of Kindness,” c/o 25 Killdeer Road, Warwick, RI 02888 would be appreciated. (Please put “Surfers Healing, RI” on the check memo line.)

125 Douglas Pike Smithfield, RI 02917

Every climate calls for Tru-Defense.

A Therma-Tru fiberglass entry or patio door ®

IMPRINT AREA

(401) 231-6800

with Tru-Defense enhances performance with components engineered to work together to better

www.douglaslumber.com

resist the damaging effects of air and moisture Left Image: Fiber-Classic Oak Collection , Clear Glass, Door – FC10, Sidelites – FC47SL Right Image: Smooth-Star , Clear Glass with Fixed Grilles, Door – S1204, Sidelites – S2010SL ©2014 Therma-Tru Corp. All rights reserved. MAR 2014 ®

TM

®

The Smithfield Times, Inc.

infiltration. And it’s backed by a warranty rider. www.thermatru.com

19

IMHO Past imperfect

By Ron Scopelliti

Unique Gift Baskets

By SJC

the

Perfect Gift for any occasion

Call Miss Jean Today

401.231.7188 20

I was very disappointed that I missed last month’s appearance by the Collings Foundation’s World War II warbirds at North Central Airport. I have extremely fond memories of flying in the foundation’s B-17 bomber back in 2002, on the first anniversary of the Sept. 11 bombings. Hearing the huge piston engines turning those big old propellers was an incredible contrast to the quiet days after the attacks, when all air traffic was banned and most of us experienced a sky free of aircraft for the first time in our lives.

Two things stood out about the flight. First, there’s no better way to get a group of grown men to act like eight-year-olds then to put them aloft in a World War II bomber, and tell them they can take off their seatbelts and wander at will.

As soon as permission was granted, we were scrambling like hyperactive rats minus Ritalin to play with the machine guns, look through the bomb sight, cross over the bomb bay, and stick our heads out the open top panel of the plane and into the 175 mile-per-hour breeze.

The second revelation was that I really feel comfortable with World War II era technology. As soon as I swung myself through the fuselage door, I felt utterly at home. Afterwards, getting up and looking out the window onto wings that seemed more solid than many buildings I’ve been in, the feeling grew that much stronger.

The whole business of my relationship with the past comes to mind specifically because I’ve been working on a piece of fiction lately. It’s a story I’ve tried to write several times before, but it has never worked out. So I decided on a new approach. Instead of setting the story in the present, I’m setting it in 1928. I’m not sure this is a good idea, because I don’t know all that much about 1928 – a fact that could complicate things. The story is strictly mine, and I could have set it whenever and wherever I wanted to. Why couldn’t I have just made things easy for myself for a change?

No use lamenting it though. I’ve made my decision, and if I back out of it now, I’d feel like I let myself down. Like Hunter Thompson used to say, “You buy the ticket; you take the ride.”

So I’ve been trying to get into a 1928 mindset, which isn’t easy while writing on a tablet with a Bluetooth keyboard, and saving my file to Dropbox via a cafe’s Wi-Fi. But at least there’s the cafe to connect me to the past. My first point of business when I started researching 1928 was to see if my protagonist could get a cappuccino. Luckily, he just made it into the cappuccino era, because the first espresso machine on the East Coast debuted in a Greenwich Village cafe in 1927.

But there’s so much more to figure out. How did people speak in 1928? Had the linguistic abomination “a whole ‘nother” been invented? How did people live? For instance, did they have clothes pins? I’m pretty sure they had clothes pins. I really hope so, because I’m pretty sure they didn’t have clothes driers, unless you count those perverse-looking wringers that seem like a serious hazard to any number of body parts both male and female.

What about toasters? Did they have toasters in 1928? If they didn’t, then how did they heat up their Pop Tarts? Oops – there’s a snag. How could I set a story

November 2015

in a world with no Pop Tarts? Given my predilection towards toaster pastries, their non-existence in 1928 seems to eliminate any hope of my story having a happy ending.

Maybe I should just accept the fact that inaccuracies are going to work their way into my story. If Shakespeare couldn’t get through “Julius Caesar” without including a clock in ancient Rome, how can I hope to succeed? I should claim that my anachronisms are on purpose, and include them as a literary device.

I can take the stuff I like about the 20s, like Tin Pan Alley songs and the apparent popularity of vests and hats, and I can add stuff I like from other eras.

A couple of weeks ago I was asked which animal I’d bring back from extinction if I could, and I settled on mammoths, so I should definitely work them into the story. And as long as I’ve got mammoths, why not dinosaurs?

Yeah – dinosaurs rampaging through Tin Pan Alley. George and Ira Gershwin rebooted as action-hero dinosaur hunters. George can build a chain gun adapted from player piano technology, and call it “Rhapsody in Red.” I can see it now: Ira tosses George a machine gun belt made from a piano roll. He loads it into his gun and cocks it, punctuating the action by saying, in his best Bruce Campbell from “Evil Dead” voice: “Groovy.”

If my own personal past is any indication, my story will probably never get finished. But if it does, look for me to make an anachronistic cameo appearance. I’ll be the guy sitting in the café with a Joy Division t-shirt and a Pop Tart on my plate. Or maybe I’ll be a prophet of doom, standing on a soapbox on the sidewalk, warning people of the horrors to come like the 1929 stock market crash, nuclear proliferation, global warming, and Celine Dion. Then again, a generation can only handle so much bad news. Maybe I shouldn’t mention Celine Dion.

24”, 36” and 48” Standard & See-Through Fireplaces Flexible Component System For Outdoor Countertops

401.232.1000

The Smithfield Times, Inc.

21

A Murderous Night in Cumberland

By Jim Ignasher

The Valley Falls Baptist Church was filled to capacity as the funeral service began, forcing some mourners to wait outside. At the head of the isle was a simple black coffin in which the deceased lay.

One newspaper reported that he looked “life-like”, as if “only sleeping”. The Rev. Ellison delivered a eulogy that moved many to tears, and when it was over, a horse-drawn hearse carried the departed to his place of final rest in the Moshassuck Cemetery in Central Falls.

The date was April 29, 1901, and the funeral of the murdered police officer was the culmination of events, which had begun four days earlier.

In the spring of 1901, businesses in Cumberland, Lincoln, and Central Falls had been the targets of nighttime burglaries, all believed committed by the same person(s). In recent days three unsuccessful attempts had been made to break into the Burnham Store Company in Cumberland, a dry goods, grocery, and general merchandise establishment. Figuring that a fourth attempt was likely, on the night of April 24, Cumberland’s Chief of Police concealed himself inside hoping to make an arrest. At about 1 a.m., he heard someone outside the back door, and with revolver at the ready waited to see what would come next. The would-be burglars worked on the door for the next 15 minutes but couldn’t get it open, so they left. The chief remained inside to see if they’d return, for he wanted to catch them in the building where there could be no doubt of their guilt.

COMPASSIONATE, PATIENT CENTERED CARE FAMILY MEDICINE

About 40 minutes later, Special Officer Herbert Moore was walking a post in Valley Falls near the Central Falls city line when he encountered two men attempting to break into a store. This was an era before automobiles and police radios, and in 1901 even telephones were uncommon.

If an officer encountered trouble, he was generally on his own.

As Moore approached, one of the men pulled a gun and started shooting. The officer returned fire, sending six rounds in the direction of his attacker, but missed. Then a bullet struck Moore just above his right hip and knocked him off his feet. The pain was intense.

The slug had torn through his lower intestines and lodged next to his backbone.

As the wounded officer lay in the street his assailants left him for dead.

Officer Burlingame had been patrolling nearby, and when he heard the shots came running to Moore’s aid. After assessing the wound, he helped Moore to his feet and led him down Broad Street towards the Town Hall where police headquarters was then located. Along the way they encountered Maurice Mountain, a streetcar conductor for the Cumberland Electric Railway who was

A Great Holiday Party starts with a Great Holiday Price! $19.99

per person plus service charge and tax

All You Can Eat Holiday Buffet featuring: Steamship Round of Beef FRIDAY, DEC. 4, SATURDAY, DEC. 5, AND FRIDAY, DEC. 18.

From young adults to seniors, Dr. Sooch’s patients feel cared for and respected.

Board Certified in Family Medicine, she can care for you — and the ones you love.

Soup, salad, chicken marsala, roast pork with demi glace, baked scrod, penne marinara, roasted potatoes, glazed Belgian carrots, Italian green beans, parfait plus coffee, tea & rolls

DJ for your entertainment!

GOOD DATES AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE HOLIDAY PARTIES!

Appointments are available right now.

(401) 233-7611 400 PUTNAM PIKE SMITHFIELD, RI

DIVJOT SOOCH, M.D.

Ask About Our

Imaging and full laboratory on site.

Most insurances accepted.

Fantastic

Winter Discounts! www.landmarkmedcenter.com

445 DOUGLAS PIKE, SMITHFIELD, RI (From 1·295 North or South, Exit 8-A) www.twelveacresbanquet.com 401-231-7799

CLAM CAKES & CHOWDER TO GO - FRIDAY, SATuRDAY & SunDAY

22

Sooch_Smithfield Times_qtr-pg.indd 1

7/15/15 7:54 AM

November 2015

on his way home.

Burlingame apprised him of the situation and told him to go to for a doctor. As Mountain ran down the darkened street he inadvertently encountered the gunmen, who likely mistook his conductor’s uniform for a policeman’s. Without a word, they fired three shots at the Good Samaritan, striking him in the cheek, neck, and right shoulder. Although wounded, Mountain managed to escape by running towards the relative protection of a shack near the Valley Falls Rail Road Crossing.

Officer Moore’s wound was serious, and after being treated at the police station he was transferred by horse-drawn ambulance to Rhode Island Hospital where he succumbed on April 27. Conductor Mountain was more fortunate, and was sent home to recuperate.

One odd fact related to this story is the prophetic dream of Officer Joseph Whipple of the Central Falls police about a week before, which was reported in the (Woonsocket) Evening Call on April 25, 1901.

It said in part, “In the dream he heard a shot, investigated, found that a Valley Falls store had been burglarized and an officer and a man shot.” Whipple had told fellow officers about his premonition, but they didn’t take it seriously. On the night of the shootings, he was on patrol near the Central Falls – Cumberland line, and when he investigated the sounds of gunfire he found the situation was just as he had seen it in his dream!

Within hours of the shootings, Chief Donahue and Officer Burlingame arrested a suspect, a 25-yearold Pawtucket man well known to police who went by different names. The man claimed he’d been home asleep at the time of the gunfire, but his father denied this and said his son didn’t come home until

daylight. With his criminal record and no alibi, the suspect was brought before a judge who ordered him held on $5,000 bail, and remanded him to the state jail in Cranston. Chief Donahue admitted to the press that the case against the arrestee was circumstantial, but it was hoped that if he hadn’t taken part in the shootings that he might know who did. The prisoner denied any and all knowledge of the crimes, and on May 6 he was released for lack of evidence.

In the ensuing weeks police continued their investigation, but nothing new was learned. Then weeks turned to months, and months turned to years, and the case faded into history.

Then, 10 years later, a possible solution to the mystery was put forth. In the summer of 1911 two men from Cumberland, both brothers, were convicted of various crimes in Massachusetts and given long prison sentences to serve at the Charlestown State Prison. Officer Burlingame, now Chief Burlingame, was summoned to Fitchburg, Mass. to give testimony in one of the cases because one the men was a suspect in the shooting of Officer Moore.

On August 30, 1911, the (Woonsocket) Evening Call reported that an unnamed prison inmate serving time in Cranston had given an affidavit “to the effect that one of the brothers had told him that he was the one who shot Moore.” However, suspecting someone of a crime and proving it can be two different things, especially when the only evidence is hearsay from a convicted criminal. The article ended with the hope that further evidence would be gathered to finally bring those responsible to justice.

Unfortunately, history has shown that nobody was ever charged with Officer Moore’s murder.

Herbert Daniel Eaton Moore was born in Kittery, Maine, August 2, 1871, and was 30 at the time of

his death. His wife, three children, and a brother survived him.

Moore was appointed a special officer to the Cumberland Police in 1899. In the early days of Rhode Island law enforcement, many cities and towns employed “special officers” to supplement the often small full-time force. In some cases, there might be more “specials” than “regulars” on a department’s roster. “Special officers” carried the same police powers as “regular” officers, and took the same risks but only worked when needed. In the case of Officer Moore, he was filling in for the regular beat officer who had the night off. Many Rhode Island police departments continued to utilize “special officers” into the 1980s.

In Washington D.C. there is the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Inscribed on it are the names of more than 20,000 United States law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty since the earliest days of our nation’s founding.

(Presently there are 46 names from Rhode Island.)

From time to time, forgotten incidents such as the one involving Officer Moore come to light, and until quite recently, the Cumberland Police Department was unaware of his death in the line of duty.

As of this writing, efforts are underway to have his name added to the national memorial.

Smithfield Times columnist and writer Jim Ignasher is a historian who spends his days culling library stacks and newspaper archives, which is where he came across this forgotten Cumberland officer’s shooting death in the line of duty. Jim notified the Cumberland Police Department and it is working to collect the required documentation required to include Officer Moore’s name on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.

Simply Elegant Flowers Where Art and Nature Meet

RETREAT & CONFERENCE CENTER Celebrates its 70th Anniversary ~ 1945-2015

HOMECOMING - OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

www.simplyelegantflowers.net

Saturday, November 7th

Live Christmas trees • Poinsettias • Winter Wagon rides BeautifuLLy deCorated Wreaths, sWags and more!

Caroling and 18 vendors showcasing beautiful crafts, candles, soaps, specialty items, fancy desserts, honey, and lots more.

(tickets must be purchased for dinner)

for more information visit aldersgateretreats.org or e-mail info@campaldersgate.com 1043 Snake Hill Road, Scituate, Ri • 568-4350

The Smithfield Times, Inc.

Christmas Marketplace

Sunday Nov 29 and Dec 6, 2015 - 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

PaNCakE BrEakfaST • CaMP aCTIvITIES SILENT aUCTION & DINNEr aT 5PM • DaNCING Now Booking: Weddings, Family Reunions, Networking Retreats, Corporate & Holiday Functions, Yoga Retreats and More!

Seven cedarS

401.231.4310 10 Cedar Swamp Road Smithfield, Rhode Island 02917

Make Seven Cedars Farm a part of your holiday! seven Cedars farm is located on the corner of rte. 116, george Washington highway and John mowry road, smithfield, ri

for more info e-mail webejammin@cox.net

23

Meanderings

Drink wine at local vineyards this fall, feel the love of God

By Dick Martin It’s fall, the leaves are changing to reds, and golds, the weather is crisp, it’s time!

Time to hit the wineries!

Growing up, I thought vineyards only existed in Italy and France, but now they are sprouting up all over the place around northern Rhode Island and providing a perfect opportunity to not only go for a drive in the country but to check out the local wineries and quaff a glass or two of the good stuff, while breathing in that autumn air.

I am not a wine connoisseur, but I do know if a glass of wine tastes good to me and I like it, it is good wine.

Actually, I don’t recall ever having a bad glass of wine, now that I think of it. Some are drier, some are fruitier, some are tastier or have more of an aroma to them, but, heck, they are all good. My wife Dale likes dry; I like fruity and sweet. So, perfect combination for doing wine tastings.

We see every mix of people on wine excursions.

Some are groups of male or female friends, who decided to hit the wine trail for the day. Some are couples on a kind of romantic voyage, while others are just out for the day to enjoy some wine and check out wineries and back roads. We fell into the last category, having invited a couple of our close friends from Western Massachusetts to check out the local vineyards. If you want something to do on a weekend, you don’t have to drive to the other side of the state or get a plane ticket

to Naples; it’s here.

We started off at the Nickle Creek Vineyard in Foster. This is a fairly new winery which only opened a couple of years ago. It offers a new facility, which is very picturesque with its vineyard in close proximity to the wine tasting and processing building. There are outside tables and benches to sit at and a very nice wine tasting room where owners Steve and Sheri O’Connor are friendly and helpful and more than willing to share their knowledge of wine. By the way the name “Nickle Creek” comes from their two sons, Nicholas and Kyle.

The two greeting Labrador dogs, Bodie and Z, are foster dogs from Arkansas and have no qualms about having their photos taken with visitors. Part of the proceeds from the sale of their 2-Dog White wine goes to dog-related charities.

This place has grown rapidly since I first stopped in not long after their opening. They now produce over 1500 cases of wines with names like “Foster Red” and “Wicked Peach”, “Foster Nights”, and “Raspberry Bliss”. They offer 12 different wines, although their blueberry was already sold out. My wife preferred the Foster Red, while the raspberry was my favorite, although we both liked the pinot, which had a crispier flavor than most pinots I have tried.

The owners, Steven and Sheri, encourage visitors to bring a picnic lunch, take a stroll through the vineyards and simply enjoy the ambiance of a winery located off

Happy 10th Anniversary Greenville Jazzercize!

the beaten path at 12 King Road, Foster. The winery is only a 15-20 minute drive from the heart of Smithfield out past the Scituate Reservoir. They are open Friday, 12-5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Take the drive. You’ll be glad you did.

Our next stop was Mulberry Vineyards, located off a back road in Chepachet. The last time we stopped, there was only one wine available, but now, lo and behold, they have four and continue to grow. Again, this is another new vineyard, but the owner David Wright is not new to vineyards and wineries, having planted eight acres of grapes in 1999. He and his wife Melissa procured the historic Andrew Brown homestead and built a tasting room next to it with plenty of room to spread out. They offer two white wines, riesling, and gamay noir and two reds, pinot noir and cabernet sauvignon. The gamay noir was already sold out. I liked the riesling, while my wife liked the drier cabernet sauvignon, both of which were very tasty. Mulberry Vineyards is located at 95 Pound Road, Chepachet and is

great legal teams working for you

Feel great and get fit with us!

Buy 3 months & get the 4th month free Offer expires November 15, 2015

See website for class information and times.

There are classes to fit every one’s schedule.

Like us on facebook @ Greenville Jazzercize.

21 Commerce Street, Greenville, RI • 401.949-4009

24

317 Iron Horse Way Suite 301 Providence, RI 02908 tel 401 824 5100

www.pldw.com

November 2015

open Saturday and Sunday, 12-4 p.m.

I can’t say enough about the locations of these two wineries, both of which are tucked away in the heart of Foster and Glocester, respectively. Looking for a quiet place for a glass of wine or two? These are two places to go where you will find both good wine and atmosphere.

Moving on, we headed into the center of Chepachet to the Purple Cat Winery at 11 Money Hill Road, where we met Jenn, our hostess for the tastings. At first we thought this was going to be another quiet tasting, but we no sooner arrived than others started pouring in. Not to worry, Jenn was fast and efficient and informative as we poured our way through no less than eight different wines, from pinot grigio to cabernet franc. Unfortunately, they were out of the rose` and the hard apple cider, but the eight that were available were quite good. My favorites were “Betty’s Blush,” named after Betty, the elephant, of local lore and “Trolley Car Red,” also named after another historical occurrence in town, both of which now find themselves as special days celebrated locally as Elephant Day and Trolley Day. As we cruised down the list of wines, Jenn kept us entertained with information about the historical significance of the wine names, as well as explaining in detail how the various wines were made.

The trip to the Purple Cat Winery is worth it just to check out the building, a cedar post and beam framed 11,500 square foot edifice constructed by pharmacist Earl Bowen back in the 1980s. It first housed a number of gift shops and was like a small emporium in the center of Chepachet, but eventually closed and was vacant for a number of years. It is a pretty impressive building. A small café is also located in the building if you wish to grab a snack or sandwich or a cup of gourmet coffee.

Part of the building also houses the Purple Cat Playhouse, where you can catch performances by the Theatre Company of Rhode Island. Go to tcrionline.com for more information. Wine tastings are available Monday – Saturday from 12-8 p.m. and Sunday, 12-6 p.m.

After hitting the Stagecoach (or Tavern on Main) for lunch, we headed out to the oldest local winery, Diamond Hill Vineyards, located at 3145 Diamond Hill Road in Cumberland. This harkens back to old world vineyard/winery style with a grand historic home and front porch, along with pergolas here and there for sitting and drinking. The Bernstons planted the first vines in 1976 and the winery has been going strong ever since, although it surprises me when I hear people still say they didn’t know it was there. They offer 10 wines, four grape: pinot noir, scarlet run red, river valley white and pinot noir rose, along with 6 fruit wines: cranberry apple, peach, blueberry, crush, spiced apple and blackberry. Here you can do tastings or simply grab a glass or bottle of your favorite and park it on the front porch, under a pergola or at one of the many open tables spread out on the front lawn. When we arrived, they were inundated, but everything went smoothly and quickly and before we knew it, we had bottles in hand and were out the door! A number of visitors were seated in various places around the estate, chatting and sipping and enjoying the beautiful autumn weather, along with the wine. I have yet to find a wine here I don’t like, but I do love their cranberry apple, with its unique tasty, crisp flavor. Dale likes the river valley white. They are open Thursday, Friday and Saturday 12-5 p.m. and Sunday 12-3 p.m.

We started out around noon and finished in the late afternoon, around 4. Because the vineyards were nearby it was an easy afternoon of driving up and down back roads, taking in the ambiance of the various wineries, sipping good wine in the company of good friends and simply kicking back a bit. People who show up for tastings (and who provide the tastings) always seem to be the happiest people on earth, especially after a few glasses.

As Ben Franklin said, “..wine (is) a constant proof that god loves us and loves to see us happy.”

Can you think of a better way to spend an afternoon?

The Smithfield Times, Inc.

Dr. Jean Resnevic DENTAL CARE

Providing State Of The Art Quality Care for children and adults

Call today to schedule an appointment Ask us about our Saturday hours and Fall Specials for New Patients!

595 Putnam Pike, ground floor rear entrance Greenville, Rhode Island 02828

401-949-JEAN (5326)

www.DrJeanResnevic.com

A&W Tire and Service 375 Farnum Pike • Route 104 • Smithfield, RI 02917 401.231.4830 • 401.231.6100 john@awtire.necoxmail.com A&W Offers Vehicle Pick-Up & Delivery To and From Your Home or Office!

OIL CHANGE SPECIAL Refill up to 5 quarts of oil Installation of New Oil Filter, Check Antifreeze, Belts & Hoses Not valid on synthetic and diesel oil changes.

FREE

CHECK ENGINE DIAGNOSTIC

$20.00 Total “Out The Door”

Regular Price $25

TIRE ROTATION & PROPERLY INFLATE TIRES

FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT

$15.00 Balance all Four Tires for an Additional $15

$45.00 Regular Price $69.95

25

Free wedding gowns to military brides, Nov. 12-14, at Sei Bella

By Jane Fusco Any bride-to-be who walks through the doors of Sei Bella’s exquisite, Victorian-style bridal shop will immediately feel the warmth of the décor, the camaraderie of the staff, and can expect a premiere shopping experience that will live up to the name of the shop.

The Italian phrase, Sei Bella, translated into English, means, “you are so beautiful.”

“That is exactly how we want all of our brides to feel,” said Tammy Boss, owner of Sei Bella at 649 Putnam Pike. “It is a special day, a special moment, and it should be that way from the start.”

From the start, Boss lived up to her word. She got the keys to the building on July 1. Two weeks later, she hosted her first Brides Across America event, dressing four military brides.

“I wanted the first thing that I did here to be something good,” she said.

Brides Across America gives donated wedding gowns free to women in the military, or women who are marrying servicemen. The wedding gown giveaways are held in partnership with bridal salons across the country, in July and November, to honor our troops around Independence Day and Veteran’s Day. Sei Bella is the only bridal shop in the state that participates in Brides Across America events.

Sei Bella’s second wedding gown giveaway will

Warm and Fuzzy

Animal Adventures Winter Parties • Birthday Parties • After School Programs • Sitting for Caged Animals •

Have Your Picture Taken with Tom the Turkey Saturday, November 21, from 10am - 1pm Arts & Crafts, Snacks and Much More!

401.487.7184

401.231.4366

Smithfield Plaza 115 Pleasant View Avenue

www.warmandfuzzyanimaladventures.com 26

be on Nov. 12-14, by appointment at the salon.

Boss said that she has over 50 gowns ready for the event, many are designer gowns and one-of-a-kind.

Military brides who qualify will receive a wedding gown of their choice and the complete bridal salon experience by the wedding experts at the Sei Bella.

“I can’t begin to thank our military and their families but I can help them have a beautiful wedding day,” Boss said.

Brides Across America’s mission is to express gratitude and appreciation for military men and women serving in the armed forces.

Boss said that planning a wedding is stressful enough, but even more so if you or your spouse is on deployment. Each year, Brides Across America gives over 2,000 dresses to military brides, according to their website.

“I plan to host this event in July and November every year,” said Boss.

For all other brides, Sei Bella has a full line of bridal fashions from designers Christiano Lucci, David Tutera, Sophia Tolli, Bridal Impressions, plus Simone Cavalli and Victor Harper Couture, exclusive to Sei Bella, as well as the Sei Bella private label collection.

“We can accommodate every budget,” said Patricia Hopkins, Sei Bella’s bridal consultant. “We

How to lose 2-6 pounds of FAT per week!

Our dieters are lowering blood pressure, cholesterol, and getting off diabetes meds!

Call or email to reserve your seat(s) for an upcoming free workshop: Sat., Nov. 7th at 1pm and Wed., Nov. 11th at 6pm (401) 949-6211 or www.getwellri.com Private consultations available by appointment

It’s about food, not exercise.

Back & neck pain, headaches, & stress relief too.

Dr. Jeff Robitaille

Robitaille Chiropractic & Weight Loss

973 Greenville Avenue, Greenville • 949-6211 Behind the Route 44 Newport Creamery

Tammy Boss, owner of Sei Bella, shows a gown to a bride and her fiancée in her store. Sei Bella is the only bridal shop in the state that participates in Brides Across America events. Sei Bella’s second wedding gown giveaway will be on Nov. 12-14, by appointment at the salon. Boss said that she has over 50 gowns ready for the event, many are designer gowns and one-of-a-kind.

Photo by Albert Tavakalov/The Smithfield Times

will find you that perfect dress.”

When they do, the bride stands on a small circular stage in the center of the main parlor, and then walks down a runway to simulate her walk down the aisle in the dress.

The whole room feels that it is the right dress, Hopkins added. That is when the champagne, or water, that has been chilling on a serving cart in the foyer is opened and everyone toasts the new bride.

“It really is a moment,” Boss said.

Second-time brides may come with children as well as bridesmaids, Boss said, so the experience becomes a family affair. Sei Bella itself is a family affair. Danny Boss, Tammy’s son, has built many of the stands, shelves and racks, hung draperies and mirrors in just the right places in the many rooms of the salon that display bridesmaid, mother-ofthe-bride, and prom dresses. Flower girl dresses and tuxedos will soon be added. Boss also has plans to offer cake tastings, dance classes and other wedding features.

“Everyone should look beautiful,” Boss said.

“So after you say yes, Sei Bella.”

To register or for more information on Brides Across America eligibility requirements, visit www.bridesacrossamerica.com or call Sei Bella at 401-437-7100.

November 2015

ACCIDENT/PERSONAL INJURY LAW CRIMINAL • CIVIL • FAMILY • TRAFFIC COURTS Tuesday and Wednesday

Special Let Us Do The Cooking For You This Thanksgiving!

Turkey for 8-12 people $119.00 w/sides: RHODE ISLAND / MASSACHUSETTS STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS

Priscilla Facha DiMaio, Attorney Office: 401.272.3900 x15 Fax: 401.453.1230 Residence: 401.934.1066

Turkey for 15-20 people $149.00 w/sides:

Stuffing, Red Roasted Potatoes Dried Fruit, Cranberry Sauce & Bread Call for more information 233.1800 Must be ordered by Nov. 20th and must be picked up by 11:30 am Thanksgiving Day.

Choose 2 entrees from select menu and a bottle of wine for $39.00

CHRIS JASON Frank Sinatra Tribute

Nov. 14th @7:00 Ronny Sands and Lady D Nov. 21st @7:30 Thanksgiving Eve Wed. 25th 7:00 Gay Barbosa

Lunch Specials $9.95 • 11am-4pm • Tues. - Sat. 10 Items To Choose From!

215 Broadway Providence, RI 02903

332 Farnum Pike, Rte. 104, Smithfield, RI 02917 401.233.1800

www.smithfieldcontinental.com

FamiLy OWned and Operated • keeping smithFieLd Warm FOr Over 15 years • Affordable Prices • Automatic, Prompt, Service and Delivery (24 hrs) • Everyday LOW prices!

• 24 Hour Service • Heating Assistance

R.I. Petro Lic. 138

Everyday LOW prices! 949-0252 The Smithfield Times, Inc.

www.applevalleyoil.net 27

Mindsetter

Every city and town should have an active Juvenile Hearing Board

By John J. Tassoni, Jr. A 15-year-old female is caught stealing a large amount of makeup from a local department store and is arrested.

What happens now? Will she become entangled in the Family Court system and become another statistic? Not if she lives in Smithfield or Johnston.

Rather than sending first-time offenders under 18, who are charged with violating criminal laws wayward, misdemeanor, status offenses and violations of Smithfield or Johnston ordinances - to Family Court, they may be referred by the towns’ police chiefs to the Regional Juvenile Hearing Board.

These crimes are usually cases of assault, school fights, bullying, and malicious acts such as destroying or defacing property. These acts may seem like kid stuff but they can carry serious ramifications.

The board was established in 1986 to eliminate the backlog in Family Court, but more importantly, it gives the offenders a second chance to get on the right track.

I sit on this seven-member board that meets at the Tri-Town Community Action Agency on Hartford Avenue in Johnston. The meetings are closed to the public and all information is confidential.

Prior to appearing before the hearing board, the offenders are instructed to wear proper attire, act in a respectable manner, and most of all, to lose the “know-it-all” attitude. They must bring their last report card and be accompanied by a parent. It comes as no surprise that most of these offenders come from single parent homes. An extended family member often attends with the teen.

Each board member takes a turn asking the offender questions. Some of the offenders cry. We don’t discourage crying because it helps them to realize their mistakes and to tell the truth. It is a cleansing process of sorts.

When the questioning is complete, the offender must leave the room so the board members can deliberate privately.

Most teens expect to receive community service, but they also get something that they did not expect – a lesson in respect, responsibility and commitment to help them succeed academically and socially, and to make better choices.

We let the sanction fit the crime in a way that will also teach a valuable life lesson. The teen may be referred to classroom instruction or a combination of classroom instruction and on-site observation, as well as community service.

In the classroom, police officers may teach the offenders about the law. Doctors may explain injuries.

Social workers talk about lives destroyed. Offenders may be brought face-to-face with victims or perpetrators of drunk driving.

On-site, they may spend a Friday evening at a hospital emergency room, and work with a police officer, a social worker, or the emergency trauma staff.

Sometimes there are underlying causes for the crime. The offender may also suffer from substance abuse or other mental conditions. We offer assistance in these matters as well. And arrange for them to get the help they need.

Not all crimes are intended criminal acts. For ex-

Giant Lay-Away Sale for the Holidays!

The Learning Place

H H H OVER 40 RECLINERS ON DISPLAY H H H

David’s Furniture

1726 Smith Street, North Providence • 401.231.0930

28

DOOR BUSTER SPECIALS

21 Terry Lane, Chepachet, RI

NEW Enrichment Classes Starting in November

Thousands of fabrics and dozens of leathers to choose from!

ample, a teen may be lighting a campfire or fire pit in the backyard that gets out of control, so the teen simply needs a lesson in fire safety.

We are an all-volunteer, unpaid board, appointed by the mayor of Johnston or Smithfield’s town manager. Our reward is seeing these teens go on to become responsible citizens. If we don’t do our job properly, many will continue on a destructive path and eventually end up at the ACI. Ironically, when we ask the teens what they want to do in life, many respond that they would like to have a career in law enforcement, or as a fire fighter, and even join the military. We explain that their crimes could deter them from that goal and become part of their criminal record.

So, what happened to the young lady that stole the makeup?

She had to purchase groceries that equaled the dollar amount of stolen makeup and donate them to a local food bank. Her punishment taught her much more than stealing is wrong.

Troubled teens are not a new phenomenon, but the way the Smithfield/Johnston Regional Juvenile Hearing Board deals with them is undeniably unique. Only a handful of cities and towns in the state have a Juvenile Hearing Board. If every city and town did, then maybe the ACI wouldn’t be so crowded.

John J. Tassoni Jr. is a former senator (D-Smithfield), radio talk show host, publisher of Common Ground newspaper and The Smithfield Times magazine, and a community activist and advocate.

Little Scientists Class, Toddler Enrichment Group, New Mom’s Group, Christmas Creations Class NOW enrolling for January 2016 Preschool and Pre-K classes, Preschool Programs for ages 3-5, ½ day & full day programs available Class details at www.TheLearningPlace.cc Call Bethany at 567-9091 for more information!

Platinum by Quoizel

HOME MAKEOVER

Sale

Visit our Design Center and See Our Inventory of Lighting & Home Furnishings.

BUY LOCAL - SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY! Mon., Tues., Fri. & Sat. 8am-5pm Wed. & Thurs. 8am-8pm

1253 Hartford Avenue, Johnston, RI 02919 (401) 453-0002 www.jkelectric.com

November 2015

Walks in the woods invite a new path to poetry

By Glenn Laxton

The Woodland Whispers Project, aimed at encouraging folks to stop and create a poem on one of the many walking paths in town, was unveiled by members of the Smithfield Conservation Commission aided by the fifth grade of Old County Road School in October.

The project was officially launched during a ceremony at a classroom in the woods behind the school during which a poem, etched into a large rock and composed by fifth grade teacher Christine DePetrillo, was unveiled to the delight of students, teachers and town officials.

A poetry box, built

by Town Manager Fifth grade students at Old County Road School in Esmond Dennis Finlay and gather in the Outdoor Classroom situated in the woods behind the school for the kick-off of The Woodland Whispers Project. decorated by the students, will hold poems written by anyone who feels the emotional tug of nature and the need to jot down thoughts. The boxes will be attached to a tree will contain paper and something to write with.

Fifth grader Adam Fontaine can’t wait to write a poem and put it in a poetry box. He enjoys three line Haiku poetry, three lines containing five, seven and five sylables each.

“I would love to get involved,” he said.

Having her poem titled, “Cold Faith” imbedded in a rock at the classroom site was a thrill for DePetrillo.

“It really means a lot to me.”

Smithfield is filled with places to hike, rocks to climb, historical sites to see. Take away the houses and farms and you are left with a mostly unspoiled landscape where huge rocks are the stars of this show.

Renee Finlay of the conservation commission, recalls a trip to Vermont to see the Robert Frost Interactive Trail where his poems Christine DePetrillo, a 5th grade are displayed in the woods on his land every teacher at Old County Road School, is proud to have her poem, “Cold few feet.

“I was very impressed with the beautiful Faith”, imbedded in a rock at the trail and the reading of his poems,” she re- Outdoor Classroom behind the Esmond school. calls.

Frost wrote much of his poetry in a small stone house in Shaftsbury, Vermont. One of his celebrated works, written on a hot summer day, was called “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”.

The Conservation Commission combined that idea with one from member

The Smithfield Times, Inc.

Sandy Mayer, about poetry in the wild; connecting school children, the Senior Citizens Center and town residents who hike through the trails.

“There are ideal spots for the poetry boxes and this is a great project to get parents to come out and see what their students have created,” said Mike Cavanaugh, a commis- Poetry boxes like this one that was built by Town sion member.

Manager Dennis Finlay for the trail behind Old “Many people in town don’t County Road School in Esmond will be posted know how rich the trail system is. on trails throughout town to encourage poetry writing by walkers.

There’s a real wealth here.”

There are seven scenic walks in Photos by Albert Tavakalov/The Smithfield Times Smithfield recognized by the Commission. They are located at Connors Farm, Georgiaville Town Beach and Gorge, Mercer Lookout, Mowry Conservation area, the Cascade Brook, Esmond Park and Stillwater Scenic Trail.

Smithfield town Poet Laureate and Smithfield Times columnist/writer, Laurence J. Sasso, Jr., has contributed a poem which concludes, “And the sounds of the land Become the words of the Heart.”

JASWELL’S FARMSTAND & BAKERY

OPEN DAILY 8am-5pm www.jaswellsfarm.com

HOLIDAY PIES...

Over 20 varieties available Place your orders early!!

Thanksgiving order deadline Nov. 23rd Open Thanksgiving 8am-Noon Our Own: Fresh Pressed & Pasteurized Apple Cider, Apple Cider Donuts, Candy, Caramel, Chocolate, Caramel & Gourmet Apples featured on Foodnetwork! Fresh baked pies, pastries, AND MUCH MORE!!

CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS WITH JASWELL’S Gourmet Apples • Fruit & Gift Baskets Delivery & Shipping Available Send your loved ones a piece of Smithfield Fresh cut trees & decorative wreaths starting December 5th

231-9043 50 Swan Road, Smithfield 29

Rhode Island’s first Sonic Drive-In opens in Smithfield

By Dick Martin

State-Of-The-Art Technology • Most Insurances Accepted Same Day Pain Relief • Cosmetic Crowns & Bridges Endodontist On Staff • Dentures & Partials Comfortable Teeth Removal • KOR Teeth Whitening Oral Cancer Screenings • Fillings • All Ages Welcome!

79

new patient special

$

Regular Cleaning, Exam by Doctor, 4 Bite Wing X-Ray

10% OFF All Major Services Until 12/31/15

Call Today To Schedule!

41 Sanderson Road, Suite #106 Smithfield, Rhode Island 02917

(401) 349-3290

www.SmithfieldDentalAssociates.com 30

Things are about to go Boom! in Smithfield! Make that a Sonic boom with the arrival of the state’s first Sonic DriveIn franchise on Putnam Pike in place of the previous Wendy’s.

“It’s very popular down South,” explains Sharon Bowen, who along with her husband Bob, are the new owners.

“We stopped in one in Wilmington, Massachusetts a while back, and it was great.”

Why not one in Rhode Island, the couple thought. Bob, who has been involved in coffee and donut franchises his whole life, investigated the possibility, and decided to go for it. Owners Sharon and Bob Bowen and their son Robert The nation’s largest chain of Paul Bowen Jr. standing in front of Rhode Island’s drive-in restaurants is in 43 first Sonic Drive-in on Putnam Pike in Smithfield. states and is quickly expand- Photo by Dick Martin/TheSmithfield Times ing throughout New England.

“Let me tell you,” says Sharon, “the amount of people who miss Sonic is amazing. It has quite a following.”

When the Sonic representatives checked out the new location, they loved it, she adds. They hope to open in late October.

The key to its success is good food and fast service with the motto: “Service at the Speed of Sound.” Customers can use one of the two drive-up windows or simply pull into one of the 12 stalls, check the computerized menu and place their order. Customers can key in their name and password to the computer.

When they return, the computer will automatically ask if they wish the same order or wish to change it to something different.

“It’s called ‘Pops,’” adds Sharon. “Point of personalized service. It is kind of like a big iPad. It will remember you.”

Moments later, a car hop on roller skates arrives with your food. In addition to outside seating, this Sonic will also offer 70 seats inside with the same efficient service. Unlike most fast food franchises, the Sonic kitchen boasts over a dozen individual monitors so orders are processed immediately.

Menu items range from cheeseburgers to a variety of hot dogs, including foot longs, as well as chicken wings, breakfast offerings and a variety of snacks and sides, which include healthy offerings like apple slices, along with mozzarella sticks and cheese fries.

“We really love the Smithfield area,” adds Sharon. “This is going to be so exciting!”

November 2015

Stephen Roy brings high tech skills to lawnmower, snow blower sales and service

Now accepting reservations for your holiday gatherings!

By Dick Martin

Times have changed in the lawnmower business. Stephen Roy first started repairing lawnmowers in 1994 in his mother Emily’s backyard as a kid, tuning up neighbor’s mowers for free. Now he and his employees at Stephen Roy’s Power Equipment at 146 Putnam Pike, Johnston attend workshops on computer technology every year in order to keep up with the latest advances, including the state of the art Walker zero turn mowers he sells and services.

“Everything is technology now,” he says. “We have fuel injected mowers, computerized engines…you have to keep up.”

Especially if your specialty is high-end mowers and machines such as leaf blowers, snow blowers, brush cutters, trimmers, riding mowers and the like.

Today, he adds, the same stringent rules that vehicles are held to apply to the commercial machines that arrive at his shop. They are checked for brakes and emissions, among other things, and if something needs repairing, it gets done.

“It’s not the good old days,” he chuckles, “…a little duct tape and some wire.

That all went out the window. We have to make sure the machines that leave here meet quality standards.”

At one time work would slow down a bit during off seasons, but now, says Roy, there is no off season. Last year, they went from working on leaf blowers and mowers right to snow blowers as the blizzard arrived.

“We never skipped a beat,” he adds.

Their biggest seller is the Walker zero turn riding mower.

They were the first dealer in Rhode Island to offer the state of the art mower, which can only be bought from a dealer who will service it as well. Its small foot print and balance, Stephen Roy, center, and his team and a few of the high tech as well as a low pro- lawn and snow removal equipment on sale at his business at file allow it to move 146 Putnam Pike, Johnston. quickly and efficient- Photo by Albert Tavakalov/The Smithfield Times ly around property, a perfect fit for anyone looking for a high end machine.

“It’s our biggest selling product,” says Roy. Stephen Roy Equipment has been going strong since 1996, and though times have changed, one thing hasn’t changed for Roy Equipment: their desire to sell quality products and provide the best service available.

“We stand behind what we sell,” adds Roy. “That’s our motto!”

The Smithfield Times, Inc.

Experience elegant, waterfront dining overlooking Waterman Lake while enjoying Executive Chef Jeffrey Paquette’s “new American comfort food with a twist.”

The menu offers many French and Portuguese inspired dishes such as Wild Mushroom Risotto with White Truffle Oil, Buffalo Mac & Cheese, Pan Seared Sea Scallops over cauliflower puree with chili oil, Portuguese Jambalaya and Tenderloin Tips Stroganoff, among many others, all at affordable prices.

2 for 2 Tuesday Bottle of Wine, Appetizer, 2 Entrées,

Open: Tues. and Wed. Noon – 9 pm

Thurs., Fri., Sat. Noon – 10 pm

Sun. Noon – 9 pm Closed Mon.

Dessert, Coffee/Tea.

Reservations suggested. Valet parking available.

743 Putnam Pike, Smithfield, RI 02828 (401) 349-3888 • www.tavernonthewaterri.com 31

Lincoln woman keeps hope alive for all pets

By Paul Lonardo

Everyone who has ever owned a pet has had to deal with the inevitability of losing the animal to age, disease or an accident. There is little if any consolation following that final trip to the veterinarian’s office when you go home without your dog or cat. Now, perhaps there might be at least some solace afforded grieving pet owners thanks to Ashes for Hope, a unique business founded by Melissa Bernard of Lincoln.

Ashes for Hope creates beautiful hand-crafted pieces of jewelry, in the forms of charms and pendants, which contain a small amount of precious ash from either a shelter/rescue animal or a customer’s own personal pet that has been cremated. The actual ash is preserved and enclosed in a clear glass finish as part of the jewelry.

Melissa says she began Ashes for Hope out of her love and concern for the welfare of shelter and rescue animals that have been abused, neglected or abandoned before ultimately having to be euthanized.

Regarding the process of how the jewelry is made, Melissa explains, “First, a model-maker made my pieces, so my charms were hand-carved. Once they were carved to the shapes I wanted, square for the bracelet and oval for the necklace, they went to an engraver, LaserWorks of RI, in Cumberland, who produced three different engravings.”

All the pieces are engraved with the signature logo, ASHES FOR HOPE, but a customer can get a charm that also includes either an image of a cat or an image of a dog.

“Once engraved,” Melissa says, “the charms went to the manufacturer, where a production mold was cast.

doUglas Apartments

1565 Douglas Avenue North Providence, RI 401-353-5555

Ashes for Hope founder Melissa Bernard of Lincoln.

Photo by Albert Tavakalov/The Smithfield Times

shelter.

“I felt like it was a place where I could just be me. I wasn’t a daughter, or a daughter-in-law, or a respiratory therapist. I had no name. I was just another person working at the facility, cleaning up after and caring for the animals.”

It was something she needed to do for herself. She put in a lot of hours at her two jobs, but on Wednesdays, her day off, she would work at the shelter. This was where she saw firsthand the heart-wrenching outcomes of overpopulation due to lack of spay and neutering, abuse, neglect and ignorance.

“I truly enjoyed spending time there,” Melissa says.

“While volunteering one day, I visited the Euthanasia Room. While in that room, I imagined what it might be like for a family who perhaps never had the means to properly care for their beloved pet and were forced to say goodbye. I thought about all the neglected, abused, unwanted and stray animals who never knew

Yankee Tree Service, Inc. Lincoln, RI 24/7 Emergency Service

a 55+ CoMMUnITY

Featured Community

Robert Choiniere, Licensed Arborist #785

Tanglewood

ReSIdenTIAL And CommeRCIAL

Apartments

2 Bedrooms

1200 - 1300 Square Foot • eaT-In kITChen

• balConY

• dInIng rooM

• elevaTor

• loTs of CloseTs www.douglasapartments.com

32

So I own the molds. The charms can be worn on a necklace or a bracelet, which I buy as raw steel and then have them plated in rhodium, a precious metal, that’s a step up from sterling, and it’s pretty hypoallergenic. For each individual order, I do the hand-crafting work on the piece, adding a tiny bit of ashes and sealing them onto the charm with liquid glass, so you can see the logo and the ashes through the clear epoxy resin.”

She obtains the ashes from the pet owner after cremation, or in the case of shelter animals, the ashes of the euthanized and cremated animals come from local shelters.

“The whole point of the pendants,” Melissa says, “was that I wanted it to be a bold statement, so that when people look at these pieces they see the ashes and it triggers them to think about where the ashes came from. It’s a way to honor those animals that were humanely euthanized due to severe pain and suffering.

By choosing to have a piece of jewelry made with a beloved pet’s ashes, the customer will also be expressing their support for animals in need everywhere.”

For Melissa, this all came about unexpectedly. She had been going through a difficult period in her life, with her mother-in-law falling gravely ill and her own mother being diagnosed with cancer at roughly the same time.

Melissa is a respiratory therapist and manages a homecare company, so death and dying is nothing new to her, and is actually part of her job. Yet it was at this time that she decided to volunteer at a local animal

1 month Free

• Tree Removal and Pruning • Stump Grinding • Brush Removal • Bucket Truck • Bobcat Work • Firewood Fully Insured/Free Estimates

401.439.6028 November 2015

love, compassion or dignity, and this room was the last sight they would see.”

According to present statistics, more than 5 million dogs and cats enter shelters annually throughout the United States, with 70 percent of them ultimately euthanized.

It was an eye-opening experience for Melissa and it inspired her to do something.

At first she wasn’t sure what, but she knew she needed take some small action to bring awareness to a tragic situation.

“That is where my journey truly began,” she says. “I immediately put out boxes for donations in several of my very generous friend’s businesses and hoped to raise enough money to renovate this room into something that was a little more warm and comforting.”

While Melissa was not able to raise enough money to do everything she wanted to do, she did manage to make some improvements, including purchasing new paintings for the wall, throw pillows for the chairs, some new furniture, and a book on a little table that the workers or families could write down their thoughts and feelings.

“While acquiring items and funds for this room,” Melissa says, “I did informally interview the employees that were directly responsible for aiding in the euthanizing and cremation process. It was most important to me to provide them with anything I could to make a very difficult job a little easier.”

The harsh reality is that these animals were not destroyed for any other reason than they could not be saved. The shelter and the workers do everything in their power to save the animals in their care, but some come in too far gone and in terrible pain, suffering because of extreme neglect, abandonment or abuse they had endured for too long.

“I asked the workers what bothered them the most about this aspect of their job, and what I heard changed me forever,” Melissa says. “They told me that what bothered them the most was when they had to throw away the ashes of an unwanted animal in a black trash bag in the dumpster.”

It was this realization that eventually led to her conceptualizing and founding Ashes for Hope.

“These conversations and the images they instilled haunted me for months,” Melissa says. “Then, one day, my mission became crystal clear. I would take these discarded, unwanted ashes and turn them into something precious and beautiful that would be cherished and would benefit all animals. I could help on a much larger scale than I ever dreamed, and with the profits from my jewelry collection I could fund as many animal welfare organizations, shelters and rescues as possible while establishing a means to educate people on the prevention of animal neglect, abuse and overpopulation.”

Melissa dreams to reach into as many dark corners as possible with the light of hope and the mission of awareness have become a reality.

“The jewelry we created will honor these nameless, faceless lost souls as heroes in the proceeds they will generate to prevent future animals from walking in their footsteps,” Melissa says. “These animals’ lives will no longer have been in vain.”

Through the purchase of any item in the collection or any personal piece created, a portion of the proceeds will be given back to charitable organizations devoted to the welfare and compassionate care of animals, including Oh My Dog and the Humane Society & Shelter - SouthCoast. Customers also have the ability to choose any other animal rescue or shelter they prefer, and Melissa will donate the proceeds from that customer’s purchase to their facility of choice.

“Our dream,” Melissa says, “is to aid in funding the very programs necessary to prevent animal abuse, cruelty, neglect and ignorance. The mission of Ashes for Hope is to change the lives of animals one paw at a time.”

For more information visit http://www.ashesforhope.com/ or like their facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ashesforhope/info?tab=page_info

The Smithfield Times, Inc.

Sgambato Service, Inc. Since 1942

Auto Repair Complete Care for Your Car REPAIRs ON MOsT MAkEs ANd MOdEls

• Radiators • Exhaust • Brakes • Air Conditioners • Oil Changes • Tune ups • Preventative Maintenance

(401) 231-9761 603 Woonasquatucket Avenue North Providence, RI 02911

OFFICIAL RHODE ISLAND INSPECTION STATION

33

Clouds hasten twilight to conclude.

They glow above our town.

We’re late for our frivolity

Noah

Fraioli

Corner — CCLXX —

Poetry

“Your Local Tree Professional Since 1986”

Which convenes at sundown

STANLEY TREE SERVICE INC HIGH QUALITY WORK AT REASONABLE RATES RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • MUNICIPAL Tree Removal Specialist • All Sizes & Types Stump Grinding • Pruning • Spraying Plant Health Care

FREE ESTIMATE

provided by a licensed arborist Fully Insured

24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE

Speak to a live person!

765-4677

Visit our photo gallery at stanleytree.com

But does not prescribe sunny walks.

We should not wait for night To reward anticipation Or punish dawdling plight.

Community Events 30th Annual Night Before Thanksgiving Party at Elks Club - The Poor Peoples Party will be Wed., Nov. 25th. Those attending are asked to donate nonperishable food items to benefit the RI Food Bank as we did 30 years ago.

Our Redeemer Christmas Bazaar Saturday, Dec. 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Baked goods, jam, jellies, relishes, various craft items, gift items, including handmade sweaters, sweets, and decorative touches for the holidays. 54 Cedar Swamp Road (Route 5), Smithfield. For additional information call 2327575 or visit us at www.orelc.org.

Audubon programs in November: Armchair Naturalist Series: The Unhuggables Nov. 5 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Adult $10/member, $14/non-member Family Birding Ages 6+ Nov. 7 & 14 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. $30/member adult, $10/member child, $40/ non-member adult, $15/non-member child.

Turkey Tales Ages 3-8 Nov. 13 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. $5/member child, $7/non-member child.

Owls of New England Ages: 4+ Nov. 28 from 2 to 4 p.m. $10/member adult, $5/member child; $14/ non-member adult, $7/non-member child.

Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI Register online at www.asri.org

34

Gentian Garden Club Meeting: Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. - “Planting a Magical Moss Winter Dish Garden” presented

by Layanee DeMerchant and Lois Hartley Meeting: Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. - Linda Proulx will present a workshop on creating a holiday centerpiece. Contact Linda Proulx at 401-6473730 or email bogcrawler@msn.com.

St. Michael’s Church - Christmas Bazaar Saturday, November 14, 2015, from 9-5, and immediately following the 5 PM Mass in the Parish Hall, 80 Farnum Pike. Enjoy great food all day long. There will be beautiful handmade scarves, hats, fleece blankets and other knitted and crocheted items for sale. Crafts include Christmas ornaments, wreaths, centerpieces, and many gift baskets. Take change to the Penny Social and Grand Raffle. Delicious homemade items will be available at our Country Store.

Our used book store has many treasures. Stop by and put in a bid on a Silent Auction item.

Pictures with Santa from 10-2 (free). Outside vendors with many unique items for sale.

St. Michael’s Church - Social Justice Committee will hold it’s Annual Macaroni and Meatball Dinner on Sat., Nov. 7th at 6 p.m. in the parish hall. $8 for adults and $4 for children (4-12).

Tickets will be on sale after all masses on Oct. 24th and 25th as well as Oct. 31st and Nov.1st.

Tickets will also be available at the door the evening of the dinner. Any questions, please contact St Michael’s rectory at 231 -5119.

November 2015

CLUES ACROSS 1. Cronkite’s network 4. Fire insect 7. Gas usage measurement 10. Express pleasure 11. Humbug 12. Every 13. Capital is Valletta 15. Copycat 16. Bound book sheets 19. Steps to an upper floor 22. Local school organizations 23. Old English 24. Atomic #73 25. Cheerless 26. The bill in a restaurant 28. Singer ___ Lo Green 30. Domesticated 33. Mammary gland of a cow 37. Honorable title (Turkish) 38. Alias 39. Emblem of a clan 42. Edouard __, Fr. painter 44. Short-term memory 46. Used to speak to the Queen 47. Vertical spar for sails 50. Expresses surprise 52. Morning

53. A long narrative poem 57. Minor punishment 61. Ice or roller 62. GE founder’s initials 63. Moses’ elder brother 64. Beak 65. A major division of geological time 66. Fuss & bother 67. Young women’s association 68. Feeling sorrow 69. Straggle CLUES DOWN 1. Bog arum lily 2. Thin plain-weave cotton fabric 3. Thick rough piled carpet 4. A way to lessen 5. Amazon river tributary 6. Larceny 7. Make ale 8. Begged 9. White of egg 13. Road travel guide 14. Aircraft tail 17. Italian monk title 18. Sino-Soviet block (abbr.)

20. Goblin

21. A baglike structure in a plant or animal 27. Date 29. I, Portuguese 30. Design on the skin 31. Time before 32. Free from gloss 34. V.P. Quayle 35. Supplement with difficulty 36. Tell on 40. Landed properties 41. Metric ton 42. One thousandth of an ampere 43. Former __ Hess, oil company 45. Siemans conductance unit 46. Woman (French) 47. More (Spanish) 48. Request 49. Group jargon 51. Stakes 52. In advance 54. Yiddish meat pie 55. Equal, prefix 56. Box (abbr.)

58. Having nine hinged bands of bony plates 59. Scarlett’s home 60. S. branch of the Lower Rhine

Sudoku Fun By The Numbers

To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes.

The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

David A. Zelano

The Law Offices of

Gregory J. Schadone, LTD.

Associate Agent

www.schadonelaw.com GreGory J. Schadone

david a. UrSillo

gschadone@schadonelaw.com

7 Waterman Avenue N. Providence, RI 02911

The Smithfield Times, Inc.

dursillo@schadonelaw.com

p. (401) 232-4000 f. (401) 232-2555

Zelano Insurance Agency, Inc.

15 Money Hill Road, Suite 4, Chepachet, RI 02814 37 Pleasant View Ave., Greenville, RI 02828 1598 Smith Street, North Providence, RI 02911

Office: 401-949-1550 x6 Fax: 401-949-3584 zelanod@nationwide.com

“We Protect What Matters To You” Securities offered through Nationwide Securities, LLC., member FINRA, SIPC. DBA Nationwide Advisory Services, LLC. in AR, CA, FL, IL, NY, TX and WY. Representative of Nationwide Life Insurance Company, affiliated companies and other companies.

35

Chepachet Village

Massage Therapy Integrated Energy Therapy

Gift

CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE

Organic Facials & Waxing

Experience integration of body,mind, heart and spirit.

Angelic Messenger Readings Shirodhara

December Gift Card Sales: 12/14 - 12/17 2:00-6:00, 12/18 10:00-6:00, 12/19 9:00-2:00, 12/21-23 9:00-6:00, and 12/24 10-2:00

Sports Massage

Choose your path to wellness and be present for every step of the journey.

Ear Coning Electrolysis Reiki

401-949-5533 • www.healinginharmonywellness.com 185 Putnam Pike, Chepachet RI 02824 Come visit our peaceful sanctuary just 1 short mile from Waterman Lake.

A Perfect Smile in Half the Time.

Dr. Kirsten Romani, VOTED TOP ORTHODONTIST Call for a FREE Comprehensive Evaluation.

568-1188: Chepachet 434-1127: East Providence Visit RomaniOrthodontics.com

Ionic Detox Foot Therapy Experience

Pizza & Bakery

Hot Pizza n Party Pizza n Calzones n italian Breads rolls n egg, PePPer & Wine BisCuits n Pizza Bites FresH Baked Cookies n and more!

ROLLS Spinach, Pepperoni & Cheese $8.49 Stromboli $8.49 Broccoli & Cheese $7.99 Pepperoni & Cheese $ 7.99 Ham & Cheese $7.99 Happy Eggplant $ 8.99 Thanksgiving!

Meatball $8.99

36

HOT PIZZA Large 20 pieces Small 8 pieces Choose Your Toppings “Call for Pricing”

Party Pizza, Calzones, rolls & more For all your autumn FestiVities!

105 Pleasant VieW aVe.

smitHField

231-4600

401.949.5554

800.952.4727

Christine’s Cottage Florist

Celebrating Over 30 Years! www.christinescottageflorist.com Full Service FloriSt

Wedding and Funeral Specialists Plants • Cards • Delivery Available 2015 2015

PARTY PIZZA Full Party Tray $15.99 Half Party Tray $8.99

712 Putnam Pike • Suite 1 • chepachet, ri

1153 Putnam Pike

CHePaCHet

568-4700

VILLAGE BEAN CAFE

Serving Breakfast and Lunch • Come join us!

Daily Specials • Special”After Breakfast Menu” added Specialty Coffees, Teas & Chai’s Peppermint Mocha • Pumpkin Fresh Baked Goods • Soups • Sides Have the Village Bean cater your Holiday Party!

Gift Certificates make great gifts!!

401.710.9470 • 15 Money Hill Road, Chepachet www.villagebeancafe.com Providing our community and visitors good wholesome food, freshly prepared with high quality ingredients from local farmers.

November 2015

TH

P PUR LE C AT

E

High School Happenings

N

EY AR

ER

VI

Y

By Joe Baxter, Smithfield High School

live entertainment dinner cabaret Function roomS available For 50 or 135 gueStS

D AND W

IN

“WEEkENdComEdy” ThEaTrE CompaNy of rhodE IslaNd Nov. 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14 &15.

ThE “NoT Too far from homE” ComEdy Tour Nov. 21.

566-9463 (WINE) WINE TasTINgs!

monday - Saturday 11am-8pm Sunday noon-6pm purplecatwinery 11 money hill road, chepachet, ri 02814

October has come and gone, the leaves are beginning to change, fall is in the air, and Smithfield High School is back in the swing of things. October is a big month for sports, and Sentinel pride. With October being breast cancer awareness month, most of the fall sports teams host a “Pink Out Game” to raise awareness for the cause. These special games draw lots of support from the school and Sentinel community.

Sentinel pride is a big part of the month of October.

SHS hosted spirit week from Oct. 13 to 16. This week is full of exciting days, where students dress up according to the theme of the day. This year’s spirit week included: Salad Dressing Day, Sports Day, Sentinel Day, and Green and Gold day. The week also features events at night including a hypnotist show, a bonfire, and homecoming night on Friday.

One of the most popular events is the hypnotist show. During this entertaining night, hypnotist Frank Santos, Jr. chooses several students to be hypnotized on the stage, in front of the rest of the students in attendance. After putting them in a trance, Santos creates a lively show full of singing, dancing, and comedy. This is one of the many highlights of the week.

The final day of spirit week is definitely the most exciting. Friday has many different elements. The theme of the day is green and gold, and at the end of the school

Ann Marie Donahue, Sales amdonahue@smithfieldtimesri.com

710-9780 Fighting human traFFicking one incredible meal at a time Featuring crepes, Sandwiches, Soups, coffee, 25 Flavors of tea, homemade Sodas & Smoothies. philanthropyri The Smithfield Times, Inc.

day there is a pep rally. This year’s pep rally included a student vs. teacher basketball game, a break dance competition, a fall sports rally, and the announcement of the homecoming court. The pep rally had everyone on his or her feet, and filled the gymnasium with energy. Students and teachers alike joined together as one Sentinel army.

Friday afternoon led into Friday night, which meant the much anticipated homecoming football game. Before the game, students enjoyed tailgating and music in the parking lot. After the game, everyone made their way over to the school for the annual homecoming dance, which is always an enjoyable night. After the dance, spirit week is over, and SHS is ready to take on fall!

Another notable event from the month of October was the Junior Class Ring Night. This night is a tradition that began many years ago. Receiving a class ring is a rite of passage for juniors at SHS, signifying that they are upperclassmen, which means two things. First, your class ring means that ‘you’re almost there!’, and graduation is going to be here before you know it. Secondly, being upperclassmen means that the juniors must join the seniors in setting the tone for the rest of the student body to make the school the best that it can be.

Fall is an exciting time of the year, and it will bring a refreshed atmosphere to the high school.

Dana Ronci, Sales dronci@smithfieldtimesri.com

401.232.9600 smithfieldtimesri.com

Camilla Spliid, Sales cspliid@smithfieldtimesri.com 37

Smithfield schools release first annual report provements to schools, safety, and reports for The Smithfield School Department has released its first annual report to list each school for principals. its achievements in various departments and to provide a status report on the efforts undertaken to educate the town’s students within its stratagic plan.

The standings of the town’s schools as rated by the Rhode Island Department of Edu The 17-page report entitled “Learning Today … Leading Tomorrow” can be read in its entirety online at http://www.smithfield-ps.org. cation are included: Smithfield High School, Commended; Vincent J. Gallagher Middle Superintendent Robert O’Brien noted three highlights in the report: The School-Typical; Anna McCabe Elementary addition of full-day kindergarten programs in all elementary schools; the launch of the district’s 1:1 Chromebook, which aims to provide each student School, Commended; Old County Road Elementary School, Typical; R.C. LaPerche Elementary School, Leading; William Winsor Elementary Schoolin the third, sixth and ninth grades with a lap top; and the addition of a Biology Advanced Placement course at Leading.

O’Brien invites parents, busithe high school.

The report is packed with information about ‘While we commit to full execunesses and town residents in general accomplishments by staff and students, budget details, to read the report and inquire about tion of our Strategic Plan, we also ways of helping the school district need to continue a culture of exceltest scores, capital building projects and physical improvements meet its strategic plan goals. lence and equity, which is essential to schools, safety, and reports for each school for principals.

“We have many businesses in to raising student achievement for Smithfield that have partnered with all and eliminating achievement our schools to help us meet our Strategic Plan goals,” O’Brien said. “We are gaps,” O’Brien said in his message at the top of the report. “That means holdalways open to establishing more community partnerships. We encourage paring every student and staff member to high expectations while providing the ents to get involved in the schools by volunteering at a school. We encourage support every student and staff member needs to achieve their goals.” community members to serve on various committees at the school and at the The report is packed with information about accomplishments by staff and district level.” students, budget details, test scores, capital building projects and physical im-

Heritage Hills is proud to announce the Doreen Putnam Alzheimer’s/Dementia Specialist Support Group on November 17th at 6 p.m.

Please call 231-2700 to reserve your spot.

80 Douglas Pike, Smithfield, Rhode Island 401.231-2700 www.healthconceptsltd.com/nursinghome-Smithfield/

38

November 2015

Steve Sasco designs jewelry inspired by the stars

By Jane Fusco Steve Sasco designs jewelry for celebrities or anyone who wants to feel like one.

He follows celebrity appearances, red carpet events, and movie premieres with the critical eye of a detective looking for clues to solve a case so that he can create replicas of pieces worn by the stars, or new designs that Hollywood costume designers ask him for.

Steven Salzillo, known professionally as Steve Sasco, was born and raised on City View Parkway in Johnston, and has designed jewelry for many popular film and television stars, musicians, and fashion icons. He has created his versions of some of the most striking gems worn by celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce, Demi Moore, Sofia Vergara, Lady GaGa, Angelia Jolie, Christina Aguillar, Sarah Jessica Parker and the iconic Andy Warhol actress Edie Sedgwick.

“Celebrities influence every aspect of our society and culture, and my job is to design beautiful jewelry, so it seems natural to involve them in my work,” said Sasco.

A celebrity crush started it all.

In the early 1980s, a 20-something Sasco was attracted to Pamela Sue Martin, who played Fallon Colby Carrington on the popular nighttime soap opera Dynasty. The show was also known for the actors’ high style wardrobes.

At the time, Sasco was designing jewelry for Gem Craft manufacturers and wanted to branch out with his own creations. He sent Martin a pair of shell earrings with pearl accents that he’d designed.

“I watched the show one night and sure enough, she (Martin) was wearing my earrings,” he said.

“She even sent me a hand written note thanking me.”

Now the wheels were turning and he asked himself, “How do I capitalize on this?”

Sasco sent his jewelry to many celebrities and show producers, who gave the items to the costume designers and wardrobe department.

“I started giving away my jewelry, just so I could say that this star or that star wore my jewelry,” he said.

Before long, wardrobe managers were calling him requesting original designs.

As more celebrities wore his jewelry, Sasco fig-

The Smithfield Times, Inc.

ured that the public would also be receptive to his designs, especially if they looked like the jewelry worn by celebrities. This started a new component of his celebrity collection – reproductions.

Some of his most popular reproductions are The Heart of the Ocean necklace from Titanic; Kate Middleton’s engagement ring and royal wedding earrings; the Nights in Dubai necklace from the Sex in the City 2 movie; Beyonce’s cross bracelet and earrings that she wore to President Obama’s inaugural ball; pearl drop earrings Demi Moore wore in St. Elmo’s Fire; Kyle Richards’ emerald earrings from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills television show; and many other celebrity inspired designs.

Sasco’s top-seller is his version of the Edie Sedgwick butterfly earrings, with their intricate photo etching, worn by Sienna Miller in the movie Factory Girl.

Factory Girl was director George Hickenlooper’s 2006 biographical film of Sedgwick’s rapid rise and tragic fall as one of pop artist Andy Warhol’s superstars in the 1960s.

Sasco said that he’d read about the upcoming movie in The Hollywood Reporter so he contacted Hickenlopper and offered to recreate Sedgwick’s unique jewelry.

“I emailed him and he got right back to me and told me to get started,” Sasco said.

Sasco recreated most of the jewelry that Sienna Miller wore in her role as Edie Sedgwick, but the butterfly earrings remain the most popular.

“There was a scene where Bob Dylan (played

by Hayden Christensen), slaps Edie (Miller), and the earring falls off her ear and splits in half. They couldn’t finish the scene without the earring. I had to overnight another one,” Sasco recalls.

Sasco always wanted to be an artist. At age 2, he astounded his parents by drawing characters from the Popeye cartoons when most other children his age could barely hold a crayon. In school, his notebooks were covered with so many drawings and doodles that his teachers at Johnston High urged him to take a Saturday design course at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) geared for high school students. He received a full scholarship for the course.

Being fashion conscious, he always took note of

Steve Sasco displays several pieces of jewelry he has designed for celebrities and other customers.

Photo by Sylvia Zanni

his classmates’ clothing and accessories.

“The girls in Johnston were always very fashionable,” he said.

After high school, he continued his formal design education at RISD, then learned the business “on the bench” at his first job at Gem Craft, when owner Gene Verri asked him if he wanted to design jewelry after he saw a sketch he’d made on a napkin.

Today, he still hears from television and film stars and costume designers when they want something specific, though many purchase directly from his website.

“Goldie Hawn buys jewelry every Christmas,” he said.

Because many use online payment sources, Sasco said, he doesn’t always know who is buying his jewelry. Donatella Versace ordered his jewelry and Sasco didn’t even realize it was her until his wife, Kim, noticed the name in the fine print.

Of all the celebrities Sasco has worked with, he calls Sienna Miller his muse.

“She just has that look,” he said.

Recently, he was checking out groceries at Stop & Shop and noticed a woman on the cover of US Weekly magazine wearing his earrings. It was Teresa Giudice from the Real Housewives of New Jersey reality show.

“I never know where my jewelry will end up,” Sasco said.

To see the complete Steve Sasco celebrity jewelry collection, visit www.SteveSascoDesigns.com.

39

The Chief’s Corner

Most wonderful time of the year is most dangerous, too

By Chief Robert W. Seltzer, Smithfield Fire Dept.

This time of year is more prone to residential fires than any other time of the year. With the winter months soon upon us and the holiday season coming, too, fire departments in New England see an increase in residential fire activity.

Heating homes in the winter results in many residential fires created by poorly maintained heating systems, improper use of alternative heating sources, and carelessness with the use of fireplaces.

In addition, the holiday season generates its own set of fire issues through overloaded electrical circuits, improper use of candles, and faulty holiday decorations.

There is a real fire problem in the United States!

Eighty-one percent of fire deaths occur in the home.

Each year there are 365,500 home fires reported throughout the country resulting in 2,560 deaths, 13,275 injured, and $6.6 billion in property loss.

The next fire could be in YOUR home!

Our role as firefighters is to control the fire once it happens. Everyone’s role is to prevent fires before they happen. Remember the following: Fire is FAST! There is little time.

In less than 30 seconds a small flame can get completely out of control and turn into a major fire.

It only takes minutes for thick black smoke to fill a house. In minutes, a house can be engulfed in flames. If you wake up to a fire, you won’t have time to grab valuables because fire spreads too quickly and the smoke is too thick. There is only time to escape.

Fire is HOT! Heat is more threatening than flames.

A fire’s heat alone can kill. Room temperatures in a fire can be 100 degrees at floor level and rise to 600 degrees at eye level. Inhaling this superhot air will scorch your lungs. This heat can melt clothes to your skin. In five minutes a room can get so hot that everything in it ignites at once: this is called flashover.

Fire is DARK! Fire isn’t bright, it’s pitch black.

Fire starts bright, but quickly produces black smoke and complete darkness. If you wake up to a fire you may be blinded, disoriented and unable to find your way around the home you’ve lived in for years.

Fire is DEADLY! Smoke and toxic gases kill more people than flames do.

Fire uses up the oxygen you need and produces smoke and poisonous gases that kill. Breathing

Timothy F. Kane Nichole Carroll-Barnes - Attorneys At LAw -

Estate Planning made Simple & Affordable (401) 949-2228 kanelawoffice@aol.com 627 Putnam Pike, Greenville, Rhode Island 02828

40

even small amounts of smoke and toxic gases can make you drowsy, disoriented and short of breath.

The odorless, colorless fumes can lull you into a deep sleep before the flames reach your door. You may not wake up in time to escape.

Heating Your Home Safely Follow these heating tips to help prevent winter fires and to stay safe this winter season: • Keep anything that can burn at least three feet from all heat sources including fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators, space heaters or candles.

• Never use an oven to heat your home.

• Turn space heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.

• Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected annually by a qualified professional.

Winter Holiday Fire Safety It’s fun to decorate for the winter holidays, but holiday decorations can increase your risk for a home fire. As you deck the halls this season, be fire smart.

• Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots and excessive kinking or wear before putting them up.

• Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet.

• Consider using battery-operated flameless candles, which can look, smell and feel like real candles.

• If you do use lit candles, make sure they are in stable holders, and place them where they cannot be knocked down easily.

Please be safe and follow the above recommended safety tips. The next fire could be in YOUR home!

For more information you may go to www.usfa. fema.gov. or contact the Smithfield Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau at 949-0832.

November 2015

BENEFITS FOR BUSINESSES Tips and Resources for Small Businesses

The EMyth Point of View

By Dennis McCarthy and Jim Crisafulli

After consulting with scores of small businesses best selling author Michael Gerber developed a management philosophy known as the EMyth. Michael has developed five core principles as a means to fulfilling the needs of one’s personal and professional life.

The EMyth Point of View is a perspective – a way of thinking about your business, your life, and the interrelationship between the two. EMyth’s Point of View has been successfully put to the test in tens of thousands of business. The five core principles of The EMyth Point of View are: The Principle of Life: Your business is a way to get more out your life. Your business is more than just a job.

The Law of Objectivization: View your business as separate from you – as a product of you – and you will be able to reinvent it. It’s about taking a step outside of your business and looking at it objectively.

AFTER LAST WINTER, THINK EXPERIENCE… CALL DUPUIS 401-722-0080

OIL & PROPANE DELIVERY AC, HEAT, HOTWATER, GENERATORS INSTALLATION & SERVICE 401 Walcott Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860

The Principle of Working On it, Not In it: The business as a whole is the product, not the things or the services the business produces. A business owner needs to be focused on building the business, not just cranking out products or services.

The Principle of Systemization: View your business as an integrated system.

The system does the work, and the people run the system.

The Principle of Business Development: The task of the business owner is continuous development of the business through the ongoing process of innovation, quantification, and orchestration.

Small businesses often fail to reach their true potential because their business owners do not understand the business of business. They understand how to make a product or deliver a service, but true entrepreneurs must look into the future and maximize efficiency from all available resources. Strategically examining a business from a holistic perspective will help a business owner to see what the existing business might look like in the future.

The way to adopt The EMyth Point of View is not to “learn” it. You have to live it. Put The EMyth Point of View to work and it will become the way you think. It will become your point of view. Start with Michael’s book The EMyth Revisited. Contact Jim or Dennis for details about an all-day training on this topic scheduled for Nov. 12, 2015.

Jim Crisafulli is an EMyth Certified Business Coach located in Woonsocket, RI and a 35-year veteran of small business coaching. Contact: jcrisafulli@coach.emyth. com Dennis McCarthy is a business counselor for the RISBDC. He has spent the last 25 years of his career building businesses as a consultant or equity partner in a variety of industries. Contact him at dennismccarthy@uri.edu. The SBDC is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and URI provides matching funds.

The Smithfield Times, Inc.

41

Second Screenings

By Patricia McIvor The 24th James Bond film, Spectre, premieres in the United States this month, so let’s review the history of SPECTRE as documented in the earliest James Bond films.

If you’ve served in the armed forces for at least two years, you may qualify for a low Havepayment you served in the through armed forces? down home mortgage the VA Home Loan Program with HomeBridge Financial Services, Don’t miss out onInc. theAvailable benefitsfor of Veterans VA Financing! and military families, these exible, government-backed are designed No Monthly PMI on VA Loans loans means Veterans may qualify for higher loan specically for the unique challenges at roughly the armed same payment as at Convention and FHA loans with Ifamounts you’ve served in the forces for facing service Turn least two years, youmembers. may qualify for a lowthe dream PMI. For example: down payment home mortgage of home ownership intothrough reality for you PURCHASE VA PURCHASE the VA Home Loan ProgramFHA with HomeBridge and your family!

Financial Services, Inc. Available for Veterans Interest Rate

E L P

3.8750%

3.8750%

and military families, these exible, APR 4.1140% 4.1410% Here are someloans of are thedesigned benets of a VA loan: government-backed specically for the unique challenges Monthly MI $1 8 0 . 1 8 $0 . 0 0 facing service members.

Turn the dreamnancing Purchase with up to 100% Upfront MI/Funding Fee $6,159.00 of home into reality$5,375.00 for you (Built in theownership loan) Possibly Eliminate Mortgage Insurance and your family!

Down Payment (%) 3. 5% 0%

M A S

Low Interest Rates Easier Qualication Standards $250,000 LOAN AMOUNT Purchase with up to 100% nancing No Pre-Payment Penalty Possibly Eliminate Mortgage Insurance

Monthly Here arePayment some of the benets of a VA loan: $1,376.35 (with taxes and insurance)

$1,376.13

$292,659

Give me a call today to learn more about VA Financing!

Low Interest Rates Easier Qualication Standards No Pre-Payment Penalty

Call me today for more infomation.

Norman Zolkos

Call me today for more infomation.

Branch Manager

Mortgage Norman Zolkos Loan Originator Branch Manager NMLS #18471 Mortgage Loan Originator Office: 401.244.5899 NMLS #18471 Cell: 401.942.5626 Office: 401.244.5899 Cell: 401.942.5626 nzolkos@homebridge.com nzolkos@homebridge.com HomeBridge.com/NormanZolkos HomeBridge.com/NormanZolkos

As hinted in Spectre’s trailers, SPECTRE is an old enemy within the James Bond universe.

Much like Hydra in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, SPECTRE is an insidious, widespread criminal organization bent on—what else?—ruling the world. Originally active during the Cold War, SPECTRE frequently exploited the tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union for financial gain, with the ultimate goal of emerging from the radioactive ashes of World War III as a new world power. Here’s what we learned about SPECTRE from the MI6 archives: SPECTRE begins to take a particular interest in James Bond after the events of Dr. No (1962), and specifically targets him in the second Bond film, From Russia with Love (1963).

Motivated by revenge as well as greed, SPECTRE manipulates James Bond (Sean Connery) and Russian agent Tatiana Romanova (Daniela Bianchi) into stealing a Lektor encryption machine, with the goal of selling it back to the Russians and humiliating Bond. In addition to establishing SPECTRE as a personal nemesis of James Bond, the film also introduces SPEC595 Putnam Pike, 1st Floor TRE’s mysterious leader, Number One, whose face is always just out of frame (and whose Greenville, RI 02828 actor is credited with a question mark at the end of the film).

Number One’s identity remains a mystery in Thunderball (1965), in which SPECTRE threatens to launch a nuclear attack against a major city unless they are paid a ransom of £100,000,000. When James Bond thwarts their extortion plot, SPECTRE refocuses its mission from financial gain to world domination. In You Only Live Twice (1967), SPECTRE kidnaps American astronauts and Soviet cosmonauts from orbit, provoking a nuclear show595 Putnam 1st Floor down as the Pike, two superpowers blame each other for the disappearances.

Greenville, RI 02828

Tasked with proving SPECTRE’s involvement and preventing a nuclear exchange, Bond finally comes face to face with supervillain Ernst Stavro Blofeld, aka Number One (Donald Pleasance), when he infiltrates SPECTRE’s headquarters in a Japanese volcano. Bald, scarred, and prone to issuing orders while stroking his white Persian cat, Pleasance’s Blofeld is the prototypical Bond villain. Endlessly parodied today (perhaps most famously in the character of Dr. Evil from the Austin Powers films), Blofeld remains a powerful and intimidating figure whose obsessive antagonism of James Bond precipitates one of the series’ most devastating events.

Blofeld manages to escape at the end of You Only Live Twice, inciting a dedicated MI6 mission to find and capture him in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969). In a departure from the previous films, perpetual bachelor James Bond (George Lazenby) truly falls in love with a beautiful countess (Diana Rigg) while hunting down Blofeld (Telly Savalas). After foiling Blofeld’s plans to extort a global pardon for SPECTRE, Bond decides to leave MI6 and settle down. Blofeld, however, exacts terrible revenge in the very last moments of the film, ensuring that Bond returns to his life as a MI6 agent. Bond resumes his search for SPECTRE in Diamonds are Forever (1971) and ultimately vanquishes Blofeld in For Your Eyes Only (1981).

Without Blofeld, SPECTRE faded from the James Bond universe, replaced by independent villains like Max Zorin (Christopher Walken) in A View to a Kill (1985) and Elliot Carver (Jonathan Pryce) in Tomorrow Never Dies (1997). But you can’t keep a good villainous syndicate down, and SPECTRE looks poised to return to the James Bond franchise this year in a big way.

Who do you think will lead this new version of SPECTRE? Will it be a rebooted version of the Blofeld family, or an entirely new character? Email me your theories at pmcivor@smithfieldtimesri.com.

HomeBridge FinancialFinancial Services, Inc. is located Inc. at 595 Pike, Floor, Greenville, RI 02828.

HomeBridge Services, isPutnam located at1st 595 Putnam Pike, 1st Floor, Greenville, 02828.of Blofeld, another RI member Corporate NMLS #6521. Rhode Island Lenders License 20112804LL.

Corporate NMLS #6521. Rhode Island Lenders License 20112804LL.

42

November 2015

Payne’s Picks

by Sarah Payne

FINANCIAL SERVICES

MovieS The Peanuts Movie – November 6th Nothing feels more homey and festive than snuggling up on the couch around the holidays and watching A Charlie Brown Christmas, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year!

So it seems like a fitting year to release the first ever CGI version of the Peanuts gang. If you’re as much of a Peanuts nerd as myself, you’ll likely enjoy the in-depth article recently published in The Atlantic, titled “The Exemplary Narcissism of Snoopy.” Sarah Boxer writes, “unlike the classic Peanuts television specials, which were done in a style Schulz approvingly called ‘semi-animation’…The Peanuts Movie…is a computer-generated 3-D-animated feature.

What’s more, the Little Red-Haired Girl, Charlie Brown’s unrequited crush, whom Schulz promised never to draw, is supposed to make a grand appearance.” I’m willing to give the film a chance, but I will miss the original animation!

By the Sea – November 13th Though I’ve never been the biggest Angelina Jolie Pitt fan, I am intrigued with By the Sea, which also features Brad Pitt. It’s about a deeply unhappy couple vacationing in France in the 1970s. First of all, I am thankful that the public obsession with “Brangelina” has significantly cooled off since the Mr. & Mrs. Smith days, which I think makes watching them much more tolerable. It’s also pretty impressive that Angelina wrote and directed the film herself. In an interview with Director’s Guild America, Angelina said that they actually filmed By the Sea in Malta while on their honeymoon. She described the film as “an art film, the kind of movie that I like to see but not something I’m usually cast in.” “Art film” might be an understatement. The trailer doesn’t even have dialogue.

Movie reviews Sicario I absolutely loved Sicario and highly recommend it for anyone who likes fast-paced thrillers. Also, if you are a Breaking Bad fan, you’ll like the subject matter—hit men, Mexico, gangs, and drugs. While I love the mystery associated with Benicio Del Toro’s character and backstory, I was definitely disappointed that Emily Blunt’s character is so naïve and rigid.

I’m a big fan of her stronger roles in recent movies like Edge of Tomorrow and Looper. It’s also important to note that everything about Sicario—from the subject matter to the menacing music—paints a seriously scary picture of Mexico. In fact, some Mexicans protested the movie, saying it paints an unfair picture of their county. I’ll admit that after seeing it, I will definitely think twice before going anywhere near the border.

The Martian Silly Matt Damon. Are you really asking me to believe that if you were abandoned on Mars, you would be cracking nerdy jokes every five seconds and filming lengthy videos of yourself?

OK, I know Matt Damon isn’t asking me to believe that. But my general distaste for The Martian stems from the fact that it’s really a family film. It’s not a pure space thriller like Gravity or Interstellar. It’s very light. We don’t get too deep into any of the characters’ innermost desires or motivations. Heck, rapper Childish Gambino even makes an appearance as a completely stereotypical NASA nerd that sleeps in his office and has no social skills (not a very believable character for a rapper to play, in my opinion). Don’t get me wrong. There are moments of triumph that pull at your heartstrings, but The Martian meanders too much (its over two hours and twenty minutes) and it’s totally unrealistic. For example, if NASA conducted a rescue mission on Mars, do you think they would live stream it for the entire world to see? Perhaps they would. But watching it play out like that in the film feels a bit cheesy.

The Smithfield Times, Inc.

• Refinance • Purchases • Closing Cost Credits For Local Residents $500 • Free Appraisals • Free Pre-qualify If you’ve served in the armed forces for at least two years, you may qualify for a low down payment home mortgage through the VA Home Loan Program with HomeBridge Financial Services, Inc. Available for Veterans and military exible,, BraNch maNager ormaNthese P. Zolkos Nfamilies, government-backed loans are designed specically forHomeBridge Financial Services, Inc. the unique challenges facing service members. Turn the dream of home ownership into reality for you 595 Putnam Pike and your family!

595 Putnam Greenvi

Here are some of theSmithfield, RI 02828 benets of a VA loan: Purchase with up to 100% nancing o: (401) 257-6552 Possibly Eliminate Mortgage Insurance Low Interest Rates c: (401) 942-5626 Easier Qualication Standards f: (866) 698-0741 No Pre-Payment Penalty

e: nzolkos@homebridge.com Call me today for more infomation. web: www.homebridge.com Norman Zolkos Branch Manager Mortgage Loan Originator The h omeBridge VisioN: NMLS #18471 Office: 401.244.5899 We aspire to be the most recommended Cell: 401.942.5626 home nzolkos@homebridge.com mortgage company in the country.

HomeBridge.com/NormanZolkos HomeBridge Financial Services, Inc. is located at 595 Putnam Pike, 1st Floor, Greenville, RI 02828.

Corporate NMLS #6521. Rhode Island Lenders License 20112804LL.

43

Tri-Town ‘Gave Me That Little Bit of Help’

By Joe Hutnak

Three years ago, Briana Schecher was 17, pregnant, and working at a coffee shop. Today, she’s the mother of two and on her way to completing coursework at CCRI to become a paralegal.

In the time between those two points, Schecher, of Smithfield, had the support of Dina Heroux, her case manager at the Tri-Town Community Action Agency office at 33 Maple Ave., North Providence, and other staffers who guided her through that journey.

“When I first met Briana, she was behind on all of her bills and in an unhealthy relationship,” recalled Heroux. “She was talking about going back to school, but wasn’t really sure. She didn’t have much of a direction on where she needed to go.”

Given Briana’s situation, Heroux explained that the first priority was “providing her some stability,” enrolling her in nutrition and health programs and getting her son, Jayden, set up in childcare, while also “sitting down and doing a budget, looking at how much money was coming in, applying to other jobs, referring her to the tax preparation program, getting socks and diapers through Project Undercover – whatever services

through Tri-Town I could hook her up with, I did.”

Schecher explained that the early support – and Heroux’s consistent follow-up – gave her a solid footing to be able to see beyond her immediate situation.

“Without that help, I obviously wouldn’t have been able to feed Jayden as well on what I was making at the time, so now he has what he needs. And with the day care, he can be taken care of while I work – it just all pieces together,” said Schecher, who recently gave birth to a daughter. “There are a lot of things I would have put off, and it would have set me back even more. But they gave me that little bit of help to push me forward and do things.”

Heroux explained that, in case like Schecher’s, it’s important to give clients the tools to make their own decisions, as opposed to directing them one way or another.

“They need to be ready to change; they need to be ready to take that step,” Heroux said. “The initiative has to come from them, so for Briana, it was really her saying ‘This is really what I want to do,’ and I would always ask, ‘What do you need to do to make that hap-

Briana Schecher with her son, Jayden.

[Tri-Town Community Action Agency]

pen?’ I put it in her hands and I’m there to kind of guide her, and then once she makes the step, I send her reminders and remain there when she’s ready.”

In reaching her goal of enrolling at CCRI and having better job prospects, Schecher said the help from Tri-Town was invaluable.

“Definitely, the most important thing was getting the guidance and the help I needed, because I couldn’t do it myself,” Schecher explained. “Getting into CCRI was exciting, because now I feel like I’m going to be able to move forward with my life, instead of being stuck where I was.”

Tri-Town Community Action Agency serves clients in Johnston, North Providence, Smithfield, North Smithfield, Burrillville, Foster, Glocester, and Scituate. Phone: (401) 351-2750.

Professional Ambulance Smithfield’s Premiere Pavement Company Proudly serving Smithfield since 1987

Asphalt paving and sealcoating Installation/Repairs/Maintenance Residential/Commercial

(401) 232-0795

At Professional Ambulance, Patients Are Our Priority Dispatch

Visit our website to learn more about our company.

Easily request an estimate online 24/7 at

Let A Professional Be There For You 52 River Avenue, Providence, RI 02908

(401) 383-5100 • www.proambri.com 44

www.nulookinc.com A+Rating

R.I. Contractor’s License #13445

“Winner of the Angie’s List 2014 Super Service Award”

November 2015

Stargazing

Time changes November but not the sky above

By David Huestis, Historian, Skyscrapers, Inc. I love the cool nights of November. The hazy skies of late summer are gone, and amateur astronomers can begin their evening observing sessions after dinnertime, courtesy of earlier sunsets.

But just as we are gradually growing accustomed to shorter daylight hours, most of the United States will transition back to Eastern Standard Time (EST) from Daylight Saving Time (DST). This year that switch occurs at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1; nothing in the heavens changes. We are simply setting our clocks back one hour. “Spring ahead and fall back/ behind” is the expression created to help us remember when this practice is put into effect. This bi-annual ritual takes a few days to get used to. At least we can look forward to an extra hour of sleep. Don’t forget to reset all your clocks or you will be an hour early for any Sunday morning event.

The morning sky before sunrise will continue to display Venus, Jupiter and Mars. On the morning of Nov. 2 you will find dim reddish Mars less than one degree (one Full Moon diameter) from brilliant Venus. Jupiter will be just above this duo. Each morning Mars and Venus will move farther apart.

On the morning of Nov. 7, a beautiful waning crescent Moon will join the sky scene, providing a great opportunity to snap a few images.

Throughout the month, if you decide to visit one of the local observatories, ask any of the telescope operators to show you the two most distant planets of our solar system. Since the demotion of Pluto to dwarf planet status in 2006, those planets are Uranus and Neptune. These gas giants look like little blue-green disks through a telescope. You won’t see any detail, but you can boast of catching a glimpse of two distant worlds.

During the first two weeks of November we may experience more very bright meteors called fireballs from the Taurid (Northern and Southern) meteor showers. One expert forecasts the Earth will pass through a dense band of debris left in orbit by Comet Encke. While you can concentrate your gaze toward the constellation Taurus the Bull (find the Vshaped pattern that defines the bull’s face, or locate the Pleiades – the Seven Sisters), the Taurids can appear anywhere in the sky. So don’t forget to scan

The Smithfield Times, Inc.

around. These fireballs are fairly slow and enter our atmosphere at approximately 17 miles per second.

Taurids are yellow in color, and often explode and fragment into multiple meteors.

Another meteor shower peaks on the night of Nov. 17-18. It is the famous Leonids, noted for a breath-taking storm level display back in 2001. Unfortunately the peak rate is down to its normal level of perhaps 10-15 green or blue shooting stars per hour. The Leonids blaze across the sky at around 44 miles per second as they hit the Earth’s atmosphere nearly head-on. The resulting display produces many fireballs, with about half of them leaving trains of dust, which can persist for minutes.

The area of sky where the meteors appear to radiate from is in the Sickle (backwards question mark) asterism in Leo. A waxing crescent Moon (one day before First Quarter) will set around 10 p.m., so it will not interfere with observing the best part of the display from midnight to dawn.

You may remember I reported on the Moon passing in front of (occulting) Taurus’ brightest star Aldebaran back on Sept. 4-5 around midnight. Another occultation of Aldebaran by a waning gibbous Moon will occur on Nov. 26. Locally Aldebaran will disappear behind the left-hand side of the lunar limb at approximately 5:44 a.m., situated 15 degrees above the western horizon. At approximately 6:31 a.m. Aldebaran will reappear on the right-hand side while just 5.5 degrees above the horizon. Search out a good vantage point ahead of time from which to observe this event.

And finally, more than a million years ago a comet was nudged out of the vast Oort Cloud of comets that encompasses our solar system. This first time visitor to the inner solar system will pass closest to the Sun (perihelion) on Nov. 15, when it will be at a distance of about 76,000,000 miles. Until that time Comet Catalina (C/2013 US10) can only be seen from the southern hemisphere. After perihelion it will emerge from the solar glare low in the early morning sky. It may reach magnitude +4.0, which means it could possibly be seen with the naked-eye from a light pollution-free location. Binoculars or a telescope will enhance the view, especially when

attempting to spot the comet’s dusty tail. As Comet Catalina heads out back into deep space it will come no closer to the Earth than approximately 67,000,000 miles on Jan. 17, 2016.

If you observe the Aldebaran occultation on Nov. 26 and have both a good western and eastern horizon, turn 180 degrees around and see if you can spot the comet above the eastern horizon. Catalina will rise higher and higher each morning, but it will begin to fade. From Dec. 6-8 it will be less than five degrees to the left of Venus at 5:45 a.m.

Don’t forget to visit the local observatories below to explore the heavens through the largest telescopes in Rhode Island. The telescope operators are more than happy to share their love of the sky with you.

Seagrave Memorial Observatory (http:/www. theskyscrapers.org) in North Scituate is open to the public every clear Saturday night. Ladd Observatory in Providence is open every clear Tuesday night.

The Margaret M. Jacoby Observatory at the CCRI Knight Campus in Warwick (http://www.ccri. edu/physics/observatory.htm) is open every clear Wednesday night. Frosty Drew Observatory (http:// www.frostydrew.org/) in Charlestown is open every clear Friday night year-round.

Be sure to check the websites of these facilities before venturing out for a visit.

Keep your eyes to the skies.

45

Douglas Pike overlay district created to boost development DEBT! GET RID OF IT It’s simple.

Call 401-821-0080 ext 307 By eliminating one debt at a time, you focus your efforts and create debt-reduction momentum

Email: team@lifetimeadvisorsgroup.com We believe in fiscal wellness, physical fitness and holistic planning.

Debt freedom is the ultimate freedom, let us help you clean up your credit and your debt! It is a clean and simple-to-use plan designed to help in reducing credit card debt, student loan debt and mortgage debt while gaining control over your finances for life. You are coached LifeTime Advisors Group, on simple methods of reducing your debt quickly and efficiently so you can have more money and more time!

R O B B I N S SINCE 1948

Celebrating 65 Years of Caring Service!

Elliott Robbins Funeral Home is family owned and operated.

People in the Northern Rhode Island area have known the Robbins family since 1948 as providers of friendly, personal, and sensitive service.

SMITHFIELD - The Economic Growth Overlay District Ordinance unanimously adopted by the Town Council in September could promote and expedite the approval of a self-sustaining quality mix-use, commercial, residential and office growth center that will foster new jobs and property tax growth for the community, according to town officials.

“Thanks to the leadership of committed town officials, business owners, and elected officials, Smithfield will be able to promote a critical section of the town and region as a place that encourages quality, mix- use development. I would particularly recognize the leadership of our Town Planner, Michael Phillips, who led this collaborative effort,” said Council President Bernard A. Hawkins.

The intent of the Economic Growth Overlay District is to provide diversity of compatible land uses and development densities for land adjacent to the intersection of Routes 116, 7, and Interstate 295 that are in harmony with the town’s Comprehensive Community Plan. The new overlay district will be applied to certain key development lots within the current Planned Corporate District area, Hawkins asserted in a press release.

In 2013, a consortium of Smithfield commercial and industrial land owners within the area retained professional engineers, architects and planners to determine if a variable land use plan could be established to promote land use flexibility, commercial design standards, and a predictable, timely and a consistent permitting approval process. The Town Council established a committee comprised of members of local planning, economic development and zoning boards who worked with property owners for over a year to develop the Economic Growth Overlay District Ordinance.

During the year of deliberation, the committee received valuable guidance from a number of experts including Kevin Flynn, Department of Administration associate director for planning; Peter Flinker, RhodeMap RI’s consultant on Growth Centers; Gerald Lavallee and Alden Anderson, real estate development professionals with CBRE New England; Dr. Edinaldo Tebaldi, Assistant Professor of Economics at Bryant University; and Keith Stokes, president of economic development and planning for The Mayforth Group, a government relations, advocacy, and strategic planning firm headquartered in Providence.

“As a long-term Smithfield resident, taxpayer and commercial property owner, I am very pleased to have worked closely with Town officials to develop such an innovative land use plan that will both promote quality economic investment while also preserving the aesthetic and architectural character of our community,” stated Jackson Despres a Smithfield property and business owner.

Elliott M. Robbins Funeral Home 2251 Mineral Spring Avenue, North Providence • 231-9307

Centrally Located - Preplanning Available Geoffrey D. Greene • Jennifer L. (Greene) Fagan, Directors

www.robbinsfuneralhome.com 46

401.232.9600 • smithfieldtimesri.com November 2015

We need your help

Support Victims of Domestic Abuse Sojourner House is an advocacy and resource center for domestic violence victims in RI. Our agency is a leader in assisting victims of domestic violence and their children by offering a comprehensive network of support services.

Since 1976, we have provided a safe haven for victims to reclaim their lives.

Saturday, December 5th from 9 am – 2 pm 265 George Washington Highway, Smithfield

Clothing, cleaning supplies, toiletries, and gift cards (Walmart, Target & Drug Stores) are needed.

Monetary donations will also be accepted and appreciated. Please make checks payable to Sojourner House.

Sponsored by The Smithfield Times in conjunction with Sojourner House (501C3 non-profit).

The Smithfield Times, Inc.

47

Smithfield cancer survivor takes her case to Washington, D.C. SMITHFIELD - Cherlife of cancer patients with better acyl McKenney of Smithcess to palliative care. field was among more • Co-sponsor the Removing Barriers than 750 cancer patients, to Colorectal Cancer Screenings Act. survivors, volunteers and staff from all 50 states and “We need a full and unwavering commitment from Congress to take nearly every congressional district who came together action to help prevent and treat cancer,” said Dolbec. “With this many in Washington, D.C., as part of the annual Amerilives in this country being impacted can Cancer Society Canby these decisions, we can’t afford furcer Action Network (ACS ther delays. We want our lawmakers CAN) Leadership Summit to know that volunteers from Rhode Island, and from every state across the and Lobby Day. Advocates urged Congress to take country, are counting on them to take Making the rounds of the U.S. Capitol at the annual American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network action now.” specific steps to make can(ACS CAN) Leadership Summit and Lobby Day are from left to right Bernard Jackvony, Cheryl McKencer a national priority and Before meeting with their legislaney, Cori Christie, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Joyce Dolbec, and Paul Hull. tors, cancer advocates attended trainhelp end a disease that still kills 1,600 people a day in ing sessions on communicating with this country, according to a press release issued by ber in the future. As an ACS CAN volunteer, I let elected officials, conducting grassroots activities in lawmakers know that Congress can demonstrate a their communities and engaging the media. the group.

Cori Christie of Providence and Joyce Dolbec of commitment to the fight against cancer by increas- The ACS CAN Lobby Day culminated with an Slatersville joined McKenney – all three are cancer ing federal funding for cancer research, co-sponsor- evening Lights of Hope ceremony in front of the survivors - were among those to travel to the capital ing patient quality of life legislation and eliminating U.S. Capitol Reflecting Pool featuring thousands of to participate in the event and share their personal surprise costs for seniors getting colorectal cancer lights lit in honor of a cancer survivor or to memoscreenings,” said Dolbec, state lead volunteer for rialize a loved one who lost his or her fight with the stories with lawmakers.

The trio met with Rhode Island’s Congressional ACS CAN in Rhode Island. “Making these lifesav- disease. members to discuss the need to support an increase ing policies a priority will help eliminate death and ACS CAN is the non-profit, non-partisan advocacy affiliate organization of the American Cancer Society, in federal funding for cancer research. They also suffering from cancer.” which is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major asked them to co-sponsor legislation that supports patients’ quality of life, and to support legislation Specifically, Christie, Dolbec and McKenney asked health problem. ACS CAN works to encourage lawmakers, candidates and government officials to support that would close a loophole in Medicare that often their members of Congress to: • Support a $6 billion increase for the National laws and policies that will make cancer a top national results in surprise costs for seniors when a polyp is Institutes of Health (NIH) with $1 billion of priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordifound during a routine colonoscopy. that for the National Cancer Institute (NCI) nary power to fight cancer. For more information, visit “This year, more than 1.6 million Americans will over the next two years. www.acscan.org. hear the words ‘you have cancer.’ Congress has a • Co-sponsor legislation to improve the quality of critical role to play in helping us reduce that numFull service general contractor RI LIC. #34

Dr. Steven D’Antonio

James Scotti, Inc.

Dr. Jennifer D’Antonio

RELATIONSHIPS LLC

“Family owned and operated for 52 years.”

Twin River Chiropractic

Specializing in all phases of insurance reconstruction.

New Construction & Remodeling - Vinyl Siding Replacement Windows - Roofing

Louis Scotti, President

c: 401.529.9690 p/f: 401.233.9840 email: scottiinc@aol.com 7 Clarence Thurber Drive, Smithfield, RI 02917

48

IN2U

twinriverchiro.com

401.233.2211 305 Farnum Pike Smithfield, RI

Diane Westerman MA Counselor

401.499.5231 westwooman@gmail.com Building Healthy Relationships one person at a time...

November 2015

MEN’S CLOTHING DRIVE U6 Little Strikers Ella Kozlik, right, leads teammates down the pitch during a soccer game in the Smithfield Youth Soccer Association during a October game.

The Smithfield Times, Inc.

SMITHFIELD FIRE DEPARTMENT - OPEN HOUSE

BREEZY KNOLL CHILD CARE CENTER SMITHFIELD YOUTH SOCCER

Breezy Knoll Child Care Center in Smithfield received Quality Improvement Grants funded by Race to the Top in the amount of $29,975.76 last year. The grant period was from September 2014, through March 2015. With the grant the care center updated its furnishings with beautifully crafted items from Community Playthings. The center also purchased many manipulatives, cultural food and doll sets. Subsequently, Breezy Knoll has received another grant for Quality Improvement from Race to the Top for $23,100. The care center plans to continue updating its furnishings from Community Playthings. This grant runs from June 2015 through November 2015. The grants are awarded and monitored through The Center for Early Learning Professionals. From left to right are Jonathan LaGreca, 4; John Ervin, 3; teacher Tanya Petrone; Emma Shunney, 4; and Connor Curtis, 5.

The Smithfield Times sponsored a collection of clothing to help homeless men living at the Harrington Hall homeless shelter in Cranston on Oct. 3. Smithfield Town Council President Bernard Hawkins, left, his brother, Kevin, and John J. Tassoni Jr., publisher of The Smithfield Times, load bags filled with donated clothing outside The Times office that was delivered to Harrington Hall men’s homeless shelter by Tassoni.

The Smithfield Fire Department open house at its headquarters station in Greenville on Saturday Oct. 17 drew parents and their children looking for a chance to see real firetrucks and firefighters. Equipment was set up on the apron outside the station on Putnam Pike.

Gregory Kirwan, 6, left, and Jack Maguire, 6, dressed in their soccer gear pose with Probationary Private Michael McCormick who is dressed in his own gear.

Photos by Albert Tavakalov/The Smithfield Times

49

Fifty Years Ago - November, 1965 •

•

•

•

•

•

It was on November 7, 1965, that the iconic Pillsbury Dough Boy made his first appearance.

He’s been getting poked in the tummy ever since. “Hoo-hoo.”

“Like the sands through the hour glass, so are the days of our lives.”

Thus began the brand new soap opera, Days Of Our Lives, which made its debut on Nov. 8, and has been on the air ever since.

At 5:16 p.m. the following day, most of the northeastern Unites States was plunged into darkness during the “Great Blackout of 1965”. Power was lost for most of New England, portions of New York, Long Island, New Jersey, and nearby Canada.

The outage lasted about 13 1/2 hours, and was due to human error.

In 1968, MGM released a comedic film of a similar event starring Doris Day and Robert Morse called “Where Were You When The Lights Went Out?” On Nov. 15, race car driver Craig Breedlove set a new land speed record of 600.601 mph, breaking his own record which he’d set only a few days before of 555.483 mph. (the current record stands at 763.035 mph).

Closer to home: a house on Tunmore Road in Greenville fell victim to arson shortly after the

Winfield

&

COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL

TERMITE AND PEST CONTROL, LLC

Over 20 Years experience Ticks • TermiTes • carpenTer anTs rOdenTs • General pesT 24 Hour Emergency Service

For a free inspection call

(401) 821-7800 SENIOR CITIZEN & MILITARY DISCOUNTS

www.winfieldpest.com Matthew L. Winfield

50

Peter L. Winfield

death of its owner. News accounts stated it was the work of vandals committing a prank, for nearby fire hydrants had been opened to reduce water pressure to hinder firefighting efforts.

• The drought of the summer and autumn of ‘65 set the stage for dry conditions, making the November woods a tinderbox awaiting a spark. When that spark came, local firemen were kept busy fighting a massive brush fire between Douglas Pike, Limerock Road, and North Central Airport. The fire destroyed at least one home in its path.

• It was a busy month for Smithfield’s firemen.

On Nov. 14h, members of the Greenville Rescue Squad responded to the Ciancaglini residence on Appletown Road for a woman in labor. Gene Michael Ciancaglini was born in the back of the rescue as it sped down Austin Avenue towards Lying-In Hospital. (Today known as Women and Infants) • The rescue crew consisted of Bob Smith, Larry Catlow, John Cook, Bill Kemp, George Lyons, George Jaswell, and Walter Evers. “According to the firemen,” it was reported, “with them on the truck was also another presence. As one of them put it, ‘the good Lord was there too…he must have been.’”

• Airman Edward R. Slader of Rocky Hill Road was stationed at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi after completion of basic training. Airman Slader was a 1963 graduate of North Providence High School, (Because in 1963 Smithfield didn’t have a high school.) and had earned an Associates degree from Johnson & Wales Junior College. (Today, Johnson & Wales University.)

• Meanwhile, 2nd Lieutenant James F. Panzarelli of Fenwood Avenue in Esmond was promoted

to 1st lieutenant.

• Burgess Field in Greenville, a.k.a.

“The Apple Bowl” was the scene of a Thanksgiving Day football game between the Smithfield Raiders, (Not the Sentinels?) and the Johnston Panthers.

• Accordion musicians from around the country participated in a competition held at the Statler Hilton Hotel in New York City on Nov. 19 and 20. John Jenkins of Smithfield was one of those who won an award.

• Today we take it for granted what standard factory equipment comes with an automobile, but there was a time when such was not the case, and said “options” needed to be listed in a “for sale” ad. Take for example the following: • 1950 Dodge. Fluid Drive. Good Motor. Radio and heater. Good Condition. (No price listed.)

• 1958 Plymouth wagon. 4dr. 6 cylinder. Radio and heater. $395.

• 1964 Rambler convertible. Radio and heater.

Very clean. Must sell. Best offer.

• Yes, before the days of under-the-dash 8-track stereos, cassette players, CD players, and satellite radio, if one wanted to sell a car, it helped if it had a simple AM radio. And if one lived in Florida, they might have saved a few bucks by forgoing the optional heater.

• Another ad listed a 1958 Chevy Belair for $200.

According to an Internet search, the average price for a fully restored ’58 Belair today is $35,000.

• A meeting was held at the Greenville Fire Station to name a committee to head the Toys For Needy Children Drive for the upcoming Christmas Season. This was an annual event at the time, where fire department members would collect and distribute toys to local underprivileged children. Those appointed to the committee included, Russell Keach, Raymond White, Elmer Suitor, Robert Carroll, and Albert Rathier.

November 2015

Smithfield Little League elects leadership SMITHFIELD - Smithfield Little League has announced the league’s 2016 Board of Directors, including five new members. The Board is the governing body of the league and is comprised of individuals who are committed to providing a memorable baseball experience for Smithfield youth, the league said in a press release.

“The success of Smithfield Little League is dependent upon the many volunteers who find time in their busy schedules to do their part to support youth baseball in Smithfield,” said League President Shane Moore. “The League is fortunate to have the collective wisdom of many selfless individuals who, for no compensation, utilize their talents to ensure that Smithfield kids are provided an opportunity to play baseball. On behalf of Smithfield Little League players and families, I would like to welcome the new members to the Board and thank those who have served on the 2015 Board for their tireless efforts to support the kids of Smithfield.”

The general membership of Smithfield Little League gathered at the Portuguese American Club on Sept. 15 to elect the League’s 2016 Board.

The members elected to serve a one-year term include: Shane Moore, president; Mark Graham, vice-president; Pat McAssey, treasurer; Michael Guilfoyle, player agent; Charlie Kando, equipment manager; Dan Snowman, recording secretary/ Sunshine Fund Coordinator; Steve Quattrini, coaches coordinator; Ralph Boudreau, Tournament Director; Kevin Bourque, fundraising; David Antunes, sponsors; Keith Greene, Umpire-In-Chief; Stan Dorsey, information officer; Amy Antunes, concessions; and Chris Sparadeo, equipment manager/ Upper Division Coordinator.

Snowman, Quattrini, Dorsey, Amy Antunes and Sparadeo are new members of the board.

The board also includes lifetime members Lou DiNoble, Reynolds Lillibridge and Bob Salisbury.

Smithfield Little League expressed its appreciation to the following board members whose combined years of service have contributed to the growth of youth baseball in Smithfield: Bob Bowker, Jay Corrigan, Adam Gran, Jay Kennedy and David Placido.

All rules, regulations, disputes and affairs of the league are managed and regularly reviewed by the board. The board approves all matters by a majority vote, however, at no time is a board member permitted to vote on a proposal directly involving a team he or she manages or coaches. A minimum of seven members must be present to vote on league matters. The board also appoints all regular season and post-season managers, coaches and umpires from a list of those volunteers who have expressed interest in volunteering.

The Smithfield Times, Inc.

We are proud to announce that Dr. Marcus Capalbo has once again been voted as one of Rhode Island’s best dentists! When Dr. Marcus’ grandfather opened his dental practice in 1946 it was his mission to provide Rhode Islanders with a comforting environment where patients are treated with respect and honesty. We hold true to these values today, and with our recent office remodel our patients will feel more comfortable than ever. Our caring and compassionate staff utilizes the latest advances in dentistry to provide exceptional dentistry, while keeping with the old world family practice feel.

DR. MARCUS CAPALBO, DMD

FREE WHITENING FOR ALL NEW PATIENTS • Low Radiation Digital Xrays • Voted RI Top Dentist for the Second Year Running • Newly Remodeled Office • All Phases of Dentistry

81 Danielson Pike, North Scituate, RI

401.647.5640 www.capalbodentalgroup.com

HHHHH

See our reviews at rate a dentist.com

In office discount plan for uninsured patients. Most major insurance plans accepted.

CPA

DOREEN NICHOLSON NICHOLSON & COMPANY We specialize in services for individuals & small business: • Tax services • • Audits & Reviews • • IRS and State Audit Representation • doreen@RILawCPA.com

p. 401.453.1040 SMITHFIELD

265 George Washington Highway

f. 401.453.5056 PROVIDENCE

128 Dorrance Street, Suite 450

51

BankRI food drive, grants stock 39,000 pounds on local food pantries shelves Bank Rhode Island (BankRI) conducted its annual food drive at each of its 19 branches across the state from August 3 to Sept. 25.

For seven weeks, members of the community had an opportunity to help restock the shelves of local food pantries, filling a vital gap during the late summer when the need for food assistance rises. In total, the effort generated more than 39,000 pounds of food, the bank announced.

Throughout the drive, which also coincided with September as Hunger Action Month, each BankRI branch partnered with a food pantry that serves its community, ensuring the food collected would remain local to benefit area residents. In addition to the food collected in its branches, BankRI awarded each food pantry partner with a financial grant for the acquisition of additional food.

In Smithfield, the effort provided more than 3,000 pounds to the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry at St. Philip Church.

“While Rhode Island continues to improve economically, there are thousands of families still struggling to meet their basic needs and there’s no question that food is the most important need we all share,” said Mark J. Meiklejohn, President and CEO of BankRI. “Our customers and staff always respond generously to our charitable initiatives and this year’s food drive was no exception; we’re also pleased to have been able to provide each pantry with a grant to maximize their ability to help our neighbors in need.”

LincoLn l north Providence l cumberLand l SLaterSviLLe l SmithfieLd

Full Service Dry Cleaners Same Day Dry Cleaning Wedding Gown Preservation UGG Cleaning Bedding & Household Items Fire, Smoke, and Water Damage Restoration Leather and Suede Cleaning Alterations Available

285 George Washington Highway, Smithfield, RI 02917

(401) 232-9888 Monday-Friday 7am-6pm | Saturday 8am-5pm Drive-Thru l Gift Certificates l Major Credit Cards Accepted

52

From left to right: Dave McAuliffe; Carlene Fontaine (holding Abrielle Fontaine); Lori Casale, Smithfield Branch Senior Teller, BankRI; Nancy Choquette; Julie Fossati (holding Lorenzo Fossati); Marcello Fossati (young boy in front); Giuliana Fossati (young girl in front); Paul Gagne, Smithfield Branch Manager, BankRI; and Jim Carroll, Manager, St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry at St. Philip Church.

All of the food pantry partners of BankRI’s annual food drive are members of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank’s network of emergency food providers. Each month, the Food Bank’s network serves 63,000 Rhode Islanders.

According to a report by the USDA, 1 in 7 Rhode Island households struggle to put food on the table, underscoring the importance of food drives like BankRI’s in helping the Food Bank and its network.

November 2015

Municipal Roundup

By Gordon Riley The Smithfield Town Council met on Oct. 6 and Oct. 20.

Between the two meetings, the council approved: • The installation of six “Welcome to Smithfield” street signs, to be placed at town lines some time during the next year. The signs will be made of wood and fiberglass, and will cost approximately $16,000.

• The acceptance of a grant for the purchase of a new mobile training simulator that will benefit seven Northern Rhode Island fire departments, Smithfield included. The cost per community is $3,552.

• The authorization for a new request for proposals on behalf of the school department for security cameras and track repairs. The repairs were said to represent only a temporary fix, but should hold for a span of five years or so.

• The approval of comprehensive plan and zoning map amendments for G.W. Properties, LLC property at 550 George Washington Highway. The amendments were met after the developing party agreed to make several concessions to the property, including a donation of land to the town of Smithfield, a 10 percent integrated affordable housing section, and a wave of interest fees. The lot, once completed, will be comprised of 264 housing units, spread out over a total of 11 buildings.

basin and drains

The Drain & Basin Specialists •

Grease Trap Specialists

• • •

Emergency sewer repair

•

Catch basins and storm drains

•

Storm receptors

•

(401) 787-6574 159 Black Plain Road, North Smithfield, RI

easyplumber123@gmail.com

Rely on us to do it right the first time! www.DeluxePlumbingHeatingAndDrains.com

Issues not yet approved, but tabled for ongoing discussion include: • A public hearing to consider comprehensive plan and zoning map amendments to the Jake Development Company LLC/Rollingwood Acres Inc. at 295 George Washington Highway. The amendments, which were deliberated and voted upon in closed session, drew both favor and opposition from several residents in attendance. The discussion will be revisited at the next council meeting on Nov. 3.

In addition to the events discussed, a special presentation was given for Emergency Management Agency director Todd Manni for his exemplary service over the years, and for The Friends of Smithfield Cemeteries, who recently provided a large body of information to the town regarding its cemeteries, information that has since been microfilmed and scanned into a preservation folder.

Securing the right auto coverage is a smart investment down the road Our partnership with Ohio Mutual allows us to offer top-notch coverage at an affordable rate.

You also receive the peace of mind that all your policies are managed by local, knowledgeable agents committed to your total protection.

Call 769-9500 to start saving today!

hunterinsuranceonline.com The Smithfield Times, Inc.

53

CLASSIFIED PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

Replacement flatbeds, leaf/ chipper boxes and dump bodies made to your trucks specs. Sides, floor & dumping options. Visit us at www.eastcoastpowdermag.com or call Fred for your quote (401) 749-6403.

Time Share, St. Maarten, Flamingo Beach Villas, 2 Bedroom, Lock-out, 15th week. $20,000/OBO, (401) 451-1305.

STOP SMOKING, Harold Hemberger, Certified Consulting Hypnotist. Private sessions, evening appointments. Smithfield Professional Office Location. Call 401-862-0981 to schedule an appointment or additional information.

TO ADVERTISE CALL 232.9600

Salon Diane

3 Commerce Street, Greenville, RI 02828 SalonDiane44@gmail.com • 401-949-1620

FULL SERVICE SALON • WALK INS WELCOME

Hours: Tues.-Fri. 9am-7pm, Sat. 9am-4pm, Sun.-Mon. Closed

Specializing in: GK GLOBAL & Shellac Manicures

Pedicures $35 Spa Pedicures $45 with a Free Manicure $5 Off New Clients

Offering Package Specials • Gift Certificates Available

Okinawan Temple Shorin - Ryu Karate Teaching Traditional Okinawan Karate in RI Since 1972 Prepare yourself and your children with self defense.

College students stimulate your mind and body at Okinawan Temple.

200 Pleasant View Avenue, Smithfield, RI

233-0334 • 965-3044 • www.okinawantemple.com

Is Your Vacuum Making You Scream?

We Fix Vacuums!

• Service All Brands - Dyson, Kirby, Electrolux, Oreck and More!

• Estimates on All Work • Repairs Guaranteed • Bags, Belts, Filters

We Service and Install Central Vacuum!

3 Commerce Street (Directly Behind A&W Root Beer) 401.949.4899 www.sewandvacshack.com

54

265 George Washington Highway Smithfield, Rhode Island 02917 401.232.9600 • www.smithfieldtimesri.com John J. Tassoni, Jr., Publisher john@smithfieldtimesri.com Joseph R. LaPlante, Executive Editor editor@smithfieldtimesri.com — Ann Marie Donahue, Advertising and Sales amdonahue@smithfieldtimesri.com Dana Ronci, Advertising and Sales dronci@smithfieldtimesri.com Camilla Spliid, Advertising and Sales cspliid@smithfieldtimesri.com — Writers Peg Brown Douglas Hadden Brittni Henderson David Huestis Jane Fusco James Ignasher Glenn Laxton Dick Martin Sandra Mayer Patricia Mclvor Sarah Payne Gordon Riley Laurence J. Sasso, Jr. Ron Scopelliti Patricia Shaffer — Kerryn Azevedo, Production/Graphic Design

A Child Enrichment Center

Albert Tavakalov, Photographer

949 -3051

The Smithfield Times, Inc. does not assume any financial responsibility for typographical errors in advertisements, but will reprint that portion of an advertisement in which the typographical error occurs.

1 Church Street, Greenville, RI

Visit our website for program options

www.greenvillenurseryschool.com Owner and Operator Dale Calcione

November 2015

ATM charges are a Forand us, checking fees and ATM charges are apast. thing of the Forofus, fees thing thechecking past. and ATM charges are a • No fees. thing of the past.

• No more ATM charges.* • No fees. •

Earn really high interest.

No •fees.

• No more ATM charges.* • No more ATM

charges.*

• Earn really high interest.

• No fees.

• Earn really high interest.

• No more ATM charges.* • Earn really high interest.

navigantcu.org 401.233.4700 navigantcu.org 401.233.4700

navigantcu.org 401.233.4700

navigantcu.org 401.233.4700 *ATM Fee refunds up to $25 per qualification cycle when criteria are met.

Federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration. *ATM Fee refunds up to $25 per qualification cycle when criteria are met.

“I am in the dental field & can definitely separate the good doctors from the mediocre doctors. Dr. Beagan & his staff are the model office. You get great patient care & a great smile!” - Kim, Smithfield, RI “University Orthodontics is the best! Everyone in this practice goes out of their way to make each visit special, even FUN!”

- Alyson, E. Providence, RI

“I’ve been dealing with Dr. Beagan’s office for a while & not once was I unhappy. They make you feel more like family than clients, they are the best.”

- Kendra, Riverside, RI

Smithfield

1 Garnett Lane, Suite 8 Greenville, RI 02828

(401) 349-4355 North Smithfield 900 Victory Highway North Smithfield, RI 02896

(401) 762-2830 Cranston

95 Sockanosset Cross Road Suite 301 Cranston, RI 02920

(401) 942-0300

B e f ore

A f te r