Smithfield Times October 2016

COMPLIMENTARY

OCTOBER 2016

Photo by Albert Tavakalov

www.smithfieldtimesri.com

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Our Senator Steve Archambault is Fighting for the Health and Safety of all of Our Families and Children

“I will continue to fight everyday for job creation, fiscal responsibility, and improved educational performance.”

And He’s Getting the Job Done •

Named 2016 Legislator of the Year by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) for winning the adoption of legislation to combat drunk driving by requiring interlocks in the cars of all first time offenders.

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Sponsored and won adoption of legislation to combat opiate addiction by putting in place pill and dosage limits on highly addictive prescription painkillers, closing loopholes in the State’s Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) and requiring prescribers to be trained in best practices.

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Spearheaded legislation to create child safe zones, protecting our children against sexual predators.

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Led the successful fight to increase penalties for sex traffickers who exploit teenagers, ensuring that they are punished to the full extent of the law.

Our Senator Steve Archambault Standing Up for Us

Standing Up for Us VOTE

Tuesday, November 8th Our Senator Steve Archambault will:

www.archambaultforstatesenate.com • Promote job-creating economic development Paid fortoby Friends Stephenwage R. Archambault • Fight increase theofminimum • Stand up for fiscal responsibility • Oppose special insider deals like 38 Studios • Work to improve public education • Oppose unfair rate hikes by health insurers • Hold the line on taxes

Vote Tuesday, November 4th www.archambaultforstatesenate.com

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A gourd is a gourd is a loofah?

What is up with gourds?

By Leah BouRamia

Gourds. They come out not eat this plant once it every year, announcing that matures to it’s sponge-like summer is caput, and nippy state, though the immature weather is around the corfruits are surprisingly ediner. On the mantle, on the ble. Similarly, one widely table, in a basket, in some held notion is that gourds kind of cinnamon-scented are inedible. This is only arrangement in the floral partially true, as the specific section, ornamental gourds genus determines whethabound. Upon my annual er the plant may be eaten. sighting I wonder, what are Bottle gourds, from the these things all about? So I Lagenaria genus, are largely Photo by Albert Tavakalov/The Smithfield Times set out to learn a little bit inedible. Typically, these are about the striped, bumpy, UFO-shaped squash we call the the gourds we see our hippie-friends dry out and turn into gourd. birdhouses. Then there are the others, the ones we see at the Botanically, gourds are the brothers of pumpkins, cousins grocery store, the shiny yellow, white, orange and green gourds to cucumbers, watermelon, and oddly, the plant that, when shaped like a variety of Protozoa. So then, can we roast them dried, yields a “loofah” sponge-- the luffa plant. One should up? Cube and add to stews? Make squash pie? Not exactly. Ac-

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cording to Epicurious.com, “…unlike pumpkins and winter squashes, gourds have a near-impenetrable skin that barely softens with baking, and the flesh isn’t that much to write home about, either.”

Alright, so it’s not poison, but it ain’t cuisine either.

My question then is, why cultivate something you can’t eat and sell it in the produce section as if you could? Evidently, it’s part of an increasing trend of Americans romanticizing fall. Pumpkin spice lattes, Twinkies, cereals, Oreos and, (ready for it?)-- “fall scented” kitty litter, all point to an increasing trend among Americans to consume “autumnal” products. According to NPR, “In the last 30 years the amount of American farmland devoted to pumpkins has tripled, and most of those big fruits aren’t filling pies. As the weather turns, the Pinterest-loving sorts among us increasingly look for odd, eye-catching pumpkins, gourds and squash to decorate homes and offices.” The distinctive spotted spines and serpentine stems seem to visually announce the arrival and celebration of autumn, “Ah, gourds are out. Bettuh bring up the sweatuhs from down’sellah!”

Chris Jaswell knows all about selling gourds. As owner and farmer of Jaswell Farms, 50 Swan Road, Smithfield, he has grown and sold them for many years at his farm. After years of selling the bumpy squash, he opted against it for this year. “They are kind of more trouble than they are worth.” Says Jaswell. “People want them shellacked, and that takes

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time and people to do it. In the end, we just have so many other things going on here, you know. It’s an ancillary crop.”

He gestures to rows of giant pumpkins ripening in the September sun, and an impressive apple orchard. Everyone loves pumpkins and apples. Gourds are a wildcard. He shrugs, laughing, “it’s just another thing on the kitchen table, I don’t really get it.” As another New England pragmatist, I share the sentiment.

And yet…I don’t think they are going

anywhere.

Over at Polseno Orchards at Scituate Nursery Farm and Greenhouses, 767 Hartford Pike, Scituate, gourds are a hot item.“ People pick gourds the way they pick a pumpkin,” explains owner Linda Polseno “it has to be perfect.” I cast my gaze around the shop and nursery entrance, where nubby piles inhabit just about every available surface. “This year the winged gourds are big.” She adds, leading me toward what I think must be a miniature flying saucer with striped side ridges. I ask if gourds are a big money-maker for the farm. “Well they won’t make you rich,” she says, laughing, “but it is a convenience for our customers.”

Outside, I ask the gaggle of folks painting pumpkins and selecting mums if they were planning to purchase a gourd.

Crickets. Maybe the gourd people come later in the day. I must say, the varieties are impressive, and I am even tempted to go pick a few on my own.

So have they always been purely decorative? It’s not like they are a new crop...are they? Some light reading will show that, oh no, gourds are quite ancient. According to the American Gourd Society: “It is interesting to note … that the bottle gourd -- essentially a container, not a food crop -- is the earliest known domesticated plant grown here. Radiocarbon dating indicates that gourds were used as containers in the New World for at least 9000 years.” I can’t help but wonder if ancient man arranged them on his kitchen table as well, “Ah, gourds are out. Bettuh bring up the pelts from down’sellah!”

The gourd has it’s own history and legend, too. The Hebrew Bible mentions gourds in both Kings and then in Jonah, where “It is grown in great abundance on the alluvial banks of the Tigris and on the plain between the river and the ruins of Nineveh.” Specifically, the Hebrews referred to the pakkuoth, which in modern botanical speak is likely the Cucumis colocynthus. Upon some investigation, this species was known as one of the greatest “purgatives” of its time.

So strong, it appears, that the gourd was known to expel early pregnancies and was thus used with extreme caution. Yikes. The gourd variety Cucumis

October 2016

prophetarum is then interpreted to be the “poisonous” gourd the “sons of the prophets” shred into some sort of mush (“pottage”) in Kings. Strangely, modern botany indicates this variety is perfectly edible. Though, it is not inconceivable that the weary travelers instead cooked up the colocynthus, and sat retching next to their Cream of Wheat or whatever.

While most Cucurbits originated here, the bottle gourd actually migrated to the New World from Africa, where it appears to have been first domestically planted. It isn’t totally clear, but one practical use of the bottle gourd may give us a clue: it has been noted that the dried bottle gourd was often used as a flotation device by African fisherman, and that the seeds remaining inside the gourd were viable for planting for as long as 7 months. While certainly impressive, it is not inconceivable that some of these gourds washed up on the shores of North and South America and germinated there. In the 1840s American naturalist Charles Pickering, M.D. noted the presence of bottle gourds in Peru, giving rise to one theory that they may have actually made their way across the Asian continent to Japan and China (where we do find evidence of their cultivation) and then floated across the Pacific ocean.

There are many theories, but one thing is clear, the gourds became part of the cultural fabric of Native people living here long before European colonists arrived in the 1400-1650 period of western sea exploration. According to The Gourd Reserve, a website devoted to both Native applications and modern art of gourds, the Cherokee people used a poultice of soaked gourd seeds for boils, while the Seminoles have used the gourd seeds as both an analgesic and a psychological aid for “the effects of adultery.” In addition to these, the Cocopa, Havasupai and Hopi used gourds as ceremonial items, rattles for babies, ritual music and all manner of water dippers, bowls and canteens.

Here in Rhode Island? It would seem we aren’t exactly using gourds to their fullest potential. Piles of the warty nuggets on tables at restaurants, and even on the counter at my bank and at my dentist’s office, abound. Everywhere I go, the gourds are making their annual appearance. Guess I’d better go bring up the sweaters from the down’selluh.

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And furthermore

Look at me, remember me

By Laurence J. Sasso, Jr. It begins in childhood. Son or daughter in the family pool trying a new trick. Perhaps swimming underwater for the first time.

“Momma, Daddy – look at me. See what I can do. Look at me!”

Soon enough it’s Little League or Youth Soccer.

“Did you see that kick, Dad?” “I caught the ball, Mom. I caught it!” The tone incredulous and proud all at once.

As time goes on, the words change, grow more sophisticated, but the message is the same.

“Were you able to get a shot of me just when I got my diploma?”

“Thanks for the great prom pictures, Pop.” Look at me! It isn’t ego that compels them to ask for attention. Not really.

It’s the universal need for affirmation.

What I’m doing matters. Someone cares. My family loves me. I’m doing this for them, to let them know I value their approval. Since the advent of photography, it has been that way.

And now there are smart phones that take pictures which rival the work of studio photographers, and, of course there are Facebook and Twitter and all the other Internet vectors.

Spend enough time on these pervasive social media and you might begin to lapse into cynicism. Why are all these “friends” posting photos of their breakfast or dinner? Why do they want to show us where they went today? What is that object they are holding that obviously means so much to them? Often there is no explanation.

And what’s with the Recipes? Why the Cats? Dogs? Children? Aging par-

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ents? Gardens? Livestock? A favorite wine label? Selfies with celebrities?

Maps pinpointing where they are?

As much as all these posts might seem like bragging or showing off, chances are that is not their intention.

Time is the thing that motivates them.

The passage of time. Time – that most, most efficient neutralizer, that ultimate eraser.

Now parents themselves, now advancing toward the front rank, they still hunger for affirmation at the same time they yearn to bestow it on their own children and family while they can.

Much of the time they don’t even explain why they are sharing these personal moments. Who are these smiling people on a lawn? What are their relationships to one another?

Why do they feel it is so urgent that the cyber sphere must know their feelings on gluten, Putin, a toxic dump, Donald Trump, badminton, Hillary Clinton?

Do they really believe everyone will care that they bought a new beach chair or built a birdhouse? Do they think the world is waiting to see the next joke they found or the new shoes they just acquired?

Surely, though, they hope the people who see their wall will feel their pain or loss when someone is sick or passes on or feel their joy when a new child arrives. Certainly, when help or sympathy is needed it’s reassuring to get a hundred “likes” or dozens of the perfectly apt emoticons.

Ever present though is the longing for approbation, the hunger for affirmation. Even the most arrogant presence on Twitter or Facebook will reveal

the need, the grain of insecurity that says “Hey over here. Look at me.”

Long before there was photography, there were silhouetted likenesses, painstakingly cut by artists from black paper and mounted on a white background, something to give a lover or a relative to keep. “Look at me.” Then there were cameos, delicate profiles carved out of gemstones or shells and mounted in a gold or silver setting. Heirlooms to be passed down in a family, the image of a loved one preserved for future generations.

In the nineteenth century women also cut locks of their hair and plaited them into hearts or crosses or wove them into decorative frames and bestowed them on a favored beau or a brother or sister. Children kept them after the donor had died. “Look at me.

Remember me.”

From the swimming pool of childhood to the roaring sea of grown up life, from the earliest clear memory of youth to the faltering recollections of advanced age, the impulse remains.

“Look at me. I am here. I matter. I care for you. Care for me. See what I did today. See the new car I bought.

Isn’t it nice? Here’s a picture of my kitchen. Wouldn’t you like to come over and eat some pie? Look at me. We knew each other in school. I liked you.

Did you like me? I had a sweater like this in high school? Wouldn’t it be great if we could go back there again? Don’t ever forget. We wrote that in the yearbook. Don’t ever forget.”

Look at me! Remember me! I was here. Look at me! I was here!

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Farming and family bonds in Scituate apple orchard

By Kendra Gravelle As the leaves turn to their late shades of red and yellow and the air temperature begins to creep down the thermometer, families all over Rhode Island flock to their favorite orchards to take their turns picking crisp, juicy apples right from the tree.

Scituate Nursery, established in 1983 by John Polseno, grows a variety of annual flowers, pumpkins and vegetables. And although John only planted his first apple trees seven years ago, the farm’s pick-your-own apple orchard has become quite a popular fall destination.

The orchard boasts about 10 different apple varieties, with row after row of Honeycrisp, McIntosh, Cortland, Red Delicious and Fuji trees.

Having been raised on an apple orchard in Smithfield, John, a Vietnam War veteran who owned a landscaping business before buying the land for Scituate Nursery, had always dreamed of owning his own farm and garden center, his wife Linda Polseno said.

“It started as a small, small garden center,” Linda explained.

“It was just one greenhouse and a few shrubberies. I mean, for our first deliveries, we used to get just five rhododendrons.”

“My first year I bought 50 mums, sold 10, and threw 40

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Apple grower John Polseno Photo by Albert Tavakalov/The Smithfield Times

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away,” John added.

“Some of the kids who This year, on the othwere coming in here at er hand, the farmers grew eight or nine years old are 4,000 mums. now married with their own And that single greenfamilies,” Linda said, “and house has been joined by 11 they remember it. They say, others.

‘Where’re your kittens?’”

“Through the years it Where there were just started to build up,” once kittens hanging out Linda said. around the farm, there are Consumers tend to prenow wooden cut-outs of fer newer apple varieties to Pokémon hidden throughthe traditional apple varietout the orchards.

At the farm’s entrance, ies, John said.

Pikachu holds a sign asking, “If you don’t plant new “Can you help me find my varieties, people don’t want Apple grower John Polseno keeps a close eye on his burgeoning crop friends?” ‘em,” he added, sitting on and he plans new varieties for the future.

Taking a stroll through his Kubota. “You know, YelPhoto by Albert Tavakalov/The Smithfield Times the acres of trees, there’s a low Delicious is a hard seller.

McIntosh will always sell. But Macoun, Linda said, “and the other two are like good chance visitors will be able to spot some of Pikachu’s pals. Butterfree flutters Honeycrisp, that’s what the people are family.” looking for.”

Ann Marie Bataitis, a Scituate resi- through rows of Mcintosh; Vulpix peaks out from behind a Honeycrisp tree.

Having started with 1,500 trees, the dent, echoed that sentiment. orchard now consists of roughly 2,000, “They treat you like family,” said “It’s great, because the younger kids explained Gina Polseno, the wife of John’s Bataitis, who has worked at the farm for who don’t have the phones and know Pokémon but can’t really play it, at least eldest son. about two years.

The apple trees didn’t bear as many ap- John was sure to give credit to the here they can find different Pokémon,” ples this year as they did in 2015, Gina women who help run his farm.

Gina said, referring to the popular said, due to this year’s mild winter com- “Without them this place wouldn’t be Pokémon GO augmented reality game. bined with a few below-freezing days in here,” he said.

The Pokémon, Gina added, were April.

“We more or less run the place,” Lin- painted by Bataitis.

“We don’t have as many apples as last da laughed. “He keeps his eye on us, “Ann Marie, she’s quite the artist.” year,” she said. “We had a cooler full of though.”

Polseno Orchards opens for the seaapples last year. This year, not nearly half And not only has the farm provided son in April and stays open for business as many.” the Polsenos with the chance to bond through Christmas eve, Linda said, add Gina, who has worked at Scituate with each other, it has also granted them ing that May and June are its busiest Nursery since 1991, wears many hats the opportunity to get to know other fam- months. around the farm.

The farm’s stock changes with the seailies in the community.

“I graduated high school and this was “Kids from two years old have grown sons — autumnal decorations are sold my second job ever,” Gina, a Scituate-na- up into adults now,” Linda said. “They’re through September and October. In Detive, said. “I do a little bit of everything.” parents now and they, in turn, come here cember, it’s Christmas trees and poinset It seems that apple-growing runs in the with their kids. It’s amazing how they’ve tias.

Polseno family. John, 71, grew up with grown, these kids. People will come in, And as Polseno Orchards grows, with five brothers, each of whom took his turn and I’ll say, ‘How’s your son?’ and they’ll new apple trees being planted each year tending to orchards. say, ‘he’s driving now!’ You don’t realize and plenty of Pokémon to be captured, In fact, John’s late brother, Dan Polse- how fast the time goes.” one thing is certain for the farm’s future. no, once owned Sunset Orchards, located As if pumpkin-painting and ap- “We’d like to keep it in the family,” down the street from John’s farm. ple-picking aren’t enough to keep chil- Linda said.

With only five people working full- dren occupied, Linda said there were once And John’s favorite part about living time at the farm, the farm’s employees kittens running around the farm, keeping on the farm? have become quite close. the children busy while mom and dad did “Waking up every morning,” John an “There’s three of us that are family,” their shopping. swered. “Farming is a labor of love.”

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October 2016

Author Jeff Belanger will tell ghost stories at Greenville Public Library

The Greenville Public Library will host Jeff Belanger, a paranormal researcher, who knows all about things that go bump in the night on Monday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m., who will offer a multimedia lecture on his findings.

For the last 17 years, Belanger has searched the world for monsters, ghosts, and other paranormal legends that have seeped into our culture, folklore, religion, and even our history books. This will be the only presentation of Belanger’s annual lecture “A Supernatural Evening” in Northern Rhode Island this fall.

“Greenville Public Library is thrilled to have Belanger provide an in-depth look at the ghosts and legends that captivate our attention during the Halloween season and throughout the year,” according to a press release.

Belanger’s talk will include images, audio clips, and video from some of the world’s most infamous haunts plus a question and answer session for the audience. He will also have autographed books available for purchase.

What’s in store for the audience? Belanger says, “we’ll dim the lights, talk about the ghost experience, and see the evidence and theories regarding the paranormal. I’ve spoken on the topic of the supernatural all over the world—there’s nothing like sharing in this discussion in person.”

Belanger is a paranormal researcher, investigator, and is the author of more than a dozen books on the paranormal that have been published in six languages. He’s also the Emmy-nominated host, writer, and producer of New England Legends on PBS and the series writer/researcher for the Ghost Adventures show on the Travel Channel, which is now in its ninth season. He is a noted speaker and media personality who has lectured at libraries, universities, corporations, MENSA’s national conference, and has given a prestigious TEDx talk in New York City.

Space is limited and registration is required. To register for this event, please call the library at 401-949-3630 or visit the event calendar at yourlibrary.ws.

Jeff Belanger is the Emmy-nominated Host of New England Legends on PBS, Ghostvillage.com founder, and Travel Channel’s Ghost Adventures writer to offer an evening of true ghost stories, research, and evidence from around the world.

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Are There Ghosts in Smithfield’s “Haunted City?”

By Jim Ignasher I should have known better, but the urge to continue my and hunters would visit the area and wonder about the cellar explorations got the better of me, and I’d ventured too far and holes. Their questions as to who built them and when, as well as stayed too long in the woods. This was more than 10 years what happened to the populace, were answered with rumors and ago. It was January, it was cold, and the sun had fallen nearly speculation that morphed into folklore that in modern times has level with the horizon. As darkness closed in around me I was been taken as fact. thankful for the coating of snow on the ground, which provided This was primarily due to the lack of documentation relating enough contrast with the trees to allow me to navigate my way to Hanton City, which, by the way, was never a “city,” but a small out. farm settlement. Thomas Steere’s book on Smithfield history I’d been exploring Hanton City, Smithfield’s colonial-era published in 1881 didn’t mention the settlement, nor was it des“ghost town,” located in a thickly wooded area where cellar holes, ignated on early maps. This wasn’t due to any deliberate omisstonewalls, and a cemetery sion, for the names of are all that remain of a once some of Hanton City’s thriving settlement. It’s a residents are mentioned place steeped in myth and in Steere’s book. It was folklore, and has sometimes likely because there was been called “Haunted City”. nothing remarkable As I traipsed back to my about the settlement in truck hoping for the moon terms of industry or histo rise I began to wonder torical significance. Yet about the “haunted” part. it was this omission that The mysterious tales fed the fires of folklore. surrounding Hanton City Hanton City has date back to the 1880s also been referred to as when a Providence Journal “Island Woods”, or “Isreporter published the term lands in the Woods”, “Haunted City” in an artibecause granite hills jut up from its marshy wetcle he wrote about the area, but made it clear that lolands. The rocky soil A stone-lined cellar hole in Hanton City, where a home once stood. cals viewed the phrase with isn’t conducive for farm“amused contempt,” and no ing, and in summertime anecdotal ghost stories accompanied the article. Over time the the area is infested with mosquitoes. Thus it wouldn’t have been considered “prime real estate” which begs the question: who setarticle was forgotten, but the name stuck.

By the early 1900s what remained of any Hanton City build- tled the area and why? By the 1930s several theories had been ings had fallen to decay, and Mother Nature was well on her way put forth ranging from runaway slaves, ex-prison inmates, Native to reclaiming the once open land. As more years passed, hikers Americans, to ex-inmates of the town’s poor farm, and AWOL SEASONAL HOURS: MON.- FRI. 8:30-5:30 PM SAT, SUN & MONDAY HOLIDAYS 9:30-5 PM

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British soldiers hiding out during the American Revolution, all of whom could have reasons for wanting to live in seclusion. However, historical research has proven these theories wrong.

Speculation as to what happened to the inhabitants includes: they were wiped out by a plague or natural disaster, left to serve in the American Revolution, or had their land confiscated for refusing to fight in the revolution. Again, research has disproved these theories.

Part of that research lies in a Providence Journal article titled “A Buried City”, published Oct. 6, 1889. In it, the reporter interviewed Tom Hanton, 80, and his sister, said to be the last two inhabitants of Hanton City. The article indicated that the community was in its prime by the 1730s; about the time Smithfield was incorporated as a town. The first settlers were three English families of the yeoman class, which put them near the bottom of the social ladder, who arrived around 1676-77, shortly after King Phillip’s War. Residents made their living by growing what they could, quarrying stone, tanning leather, and making boots to sell in Providence. There wasn’t much cash money to be had, so many bartered for their needs. For example, Mr. Hanton recalled how at weddings the Justice of the Peace would be paid with a good meal and some rum.

As to what happened to the population, Mr. Hanton explained, “They had all got poor, and sold out to anybody, and died off.” Of course “poor” had to be a relative term given their circumstances. By the early 1800s mills were springing up along the Blackstone and Woonasquatucket Rivers, which could pay regular wages, offer better opportunities, and make products more affordably than those who worked with their hands. Most likely the Industrial Revolution led to the demise of Hanton City.

As the settlement faded away, it became a ghost town of sorts, and by the late 19th century the name Hanton City had morphed into “Haunted City”.

However, on that long ago January evening I was unaware of much of this information as the black shadows of the trees and rocks assumed ominous shapes while I made haste to exit the darkening woods. Then I heard the call of a nearby coyote, and realized that encountering a ghost might not be my first concern.

So, is the place haunted? I guess that depends on one’s beliefs and experiences. There are Internet postings and stories in contemporary books (about the supernatural) of people who claim it is, and not all ghostly encounters are said to have happened at night.

Speaking for myself, I’ve returned to Hanton City dozens of times over the years – in the daytime of course. During those treks I’ve encountered hunters, dirt bikers, photographers, treasure hunters, various wildlife, and fellow explorers, but not a single ghost. I’m not saying ghosts don’t exist. I’m only saying I haven’t seen any in Smithfield’s so-called “Haunted City”. Happy Halloween!

The Smithfield Times, Inc.

11

Fun Along the Way

By Bob Houghtaling School is back in session. Hopefully you and your child(ren) are off to a good start. While we often hear talk about testing, a rigorous curriculum, standards, and accountability, let’s not forget one very important thing–fun.

All too often in our quest to prepare young learners for the future we forget to nurture their natural sense of wonder, excitement, and play. In fact, play often gets a bad rep. It is either relegated to being scheduled and over-organized, or reduced to a perfunctory mandate (like recess). Learning can, and should, be fun.

Many years ago the great point guard, Magic Johnson, infused enthusiasm into a semi-moribund team (the Los Angeles Lakers). After his team’s first victory of the year, the talented rookie leapt into the arms of Kareem Abdul Jabbar and hugged him. Overnight, the Lakers became a team to be reckoned with.

Much of this had to do with Johnson’s talent, but more important, also his ability to help others enjoy their work. He made basketball fun.

If your child is not having fun in school this is something to be looked at. We often hear of kids staying up until the wee hours of the morning perseverating over a test or project. We also hear tales of young people feeling confused, or rejected, over their choice of colleges. Perhaps, even worse some feel less than for opting to work or join the military. This doesn’t sound like fun to me.

So, how can we make sure that kids are having fun at school?

First of all it is important that we, the adults, recognize that a little fun is O.K. All too often the accouterments of success are considered success. Effective schools are caring and soulful places. They are more than test scores and mathematical rankings.

They embrace and empower. They also recognize that social and

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emotional learning is essential to the entire educational process.

Parents can also play a key role in making school fun. Speaking with your children about school, communicating with teachers when necessary, and being a partner throughout the academic journey are key components of active participation. On top of these it helps to have realistic expectations. Understanding that children develop at different rates, have diverse talents and struggle with a host of out of school concerns (peers, family dynamics, world events, etc.) are also things parents should consider. Sometimes we limit fun and play to the realm of ‘goofing off ’. While goofing off certainly has its place–fun and play can be serious business. Just watch children at play with building blocks, climbing a tree, role playing or interacting with peers and you will see that there is a lot of ‘seriousness’ going on. There is nothing wrong with enjoying your work. There is nothing wrong with having fun while learning about or addressing a difficult challenge. And finally, there is nothing wrong with telling young people that it is fine to try new things and risk making a mistake (or two, or three). That’s how we learn. Mistakes of learning should not be terrifying for those courageous enough to make them. In fact, they should be encouraged.

Mindfulness has become an increasingly discussed and utilized strategy in helping people to reduce stress as well as remain in the moment. Many therapists and instructors have adopted it as a common practice. Young children having fun are some of the most mindful people around. When they are having fun, or are engaged with play, mindfulness is on full display. It is difficult to experience excitement and joy without being fully present.

As we continue to explore the importance of being mindful, let us also look at how vital play and fun are to the human condition. Sometimes we just don’t know what to do with all of the ‘what-to-do’s’. Perhaps slowing down, gaining perspective, and having some fun, just might be an elixir. Fun is something we should be mindful of.

So, let us make sure that learning has plenty of room for fun. Twenty years from now few of today’s school age youth will remember their test scores or school’s ranking. What they will remember is the experience of school. Teachers who challenged them, peers who made them laugh, and an embracing environment are what most will recall (or miss). How best do we make this happen? Let’s begin by saying that school can be fun. From there it is something we all must put into play.

October 2016

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Horse Ranch and Botanical Garden Gives Veterans Peace of Mind

By Leah BouRamia It’s almost sunset on a Tuesday. Kicking up dust along an

unpaved road in the woods of Foster, I’m beginning to think my GPS is just making things up. But the American flags mounted on trees followed by the wooden shipping palettes painted with the Stars and Stripes tells me I’ve come to the right place. I see a horse corral, beautiful plantings, a farm cat climbing a stonewall and a woman in riding boots smiling and waving. Instantly, I can feel it. This is a really special place.

Founded in 2014, the Dare to Dream ranch was the brainchild of founder Karen Dalton, a certified health coach who knew that with one in eight military personnel experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), there was a tremendous need for an integrated approach to wellness targeting vets and their families. According to Rhode Island has the second-highest number of deployments per capita in the nation, according to military records. With 90,000 veterans in the State of Rhode Island, it was clear this state had a particularly high need for therapeutic services.

It started when she noticed her peers in health coaching and wellness writing books, supporting causes that mattered to them; making an impact. She continually asked herself, what would her impact be? She turned to journaling to work it out. Gradually, she realized her passion for supporting military personnel and their families stemmed from her experience growing up as the daughter of a Marine. Knowing the emotional anguish and physical trauma possible in the military community, in addition to her training as a health and wellness coach and educator, she had a unique understanding of the importance of therapeutic opportunities for the people who serve and their families.

Karen recalls with fondness how gardening and being

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is therapeutic,” says Karen, “and it forces you to be in the moment, to be mindful. You have to be in the moment to interact effectively with a horse because they are almost always in that ‘fight or flight’ mindset—you can’t be.”

Her dream to provide this kind of holistic wellness experience for vets and their families is reflected in the beginning of the Dare to Dream Mission Statement: “To provide a multifaceted Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) program for U.S. Military veterans, and their families…” The particular menu of services reflects the ailments common in the military community: anxiety, depression, mild traumatic brain injury and sexual trauma are known concerns in the community, not to mention PTSD, which is rampant. Dare to Dream offers a range of services to treat these ailments: equine therapy, fly fishing, cooking and nutrition education, support finding work or going back to school, gardening, yoga and woodworking are all offered to the people who seek the help of Karen and her ranch.

“How do folks pay for these services? They can’t possibly be covered by health insurance…can they?”

Karen says that although health insurance does not currently cover the services, she has been successful in fundraising for the ranch, holding events regularly, including the upcoming Newport Fashion Week event on Oct. 9 and the Newport Navy Choristers Christmas concert on Dec. 9 (for more information, check out www.daretodreamranch.org).

The scope and regularity of her fundraising events is impressive and necessary because she is committed to providing services to vets at no charge. As serviceman Billy Jones is quoted on the website, “No veteran should be cast aside without help. As veterans, we have put our lives on the line for this country and too many are forgotten or lost in the system. If veterans don’t take care of each other, nobody else will.”

Karen shows me around her property, first to scope out her horses, who all appear to be good friends, snorting and walking over to her immediately. She even has miniature horses living alongside a standard-sized horse with one blue eye, named (of course) Blue. After walking past a generous vegetable garden, Karen introduces me to her three white goats-- kids, really— Fric, Frac and Fred. They eat leaves out of my hand, and seem to love being pet, “I bottle-fed them, don’t worry-- they are very gentle,” she says. Indeed these are probably the most careful and affectionate goats I’ve ever seen, gingerly eating tender clover out of my palm and nuzzling me for more with velvety pink noses. Between the approachability of the horses, Karen’s warm yet straightforward demeanor, and now the snuggly goats, it is clear that the Dare to Dream Ranch is a place to heal.

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15

50 Years Ago

October 1966

By Jim Ignasher Airman Brian P. McCaffrey of Greenville was stationed at McChord Air Force Base in Tacoma, Washington, as a Computer Administrative Specialist.

1st Lt. Peter J. McGuire of Greenville was serving as a platoon leader in Vietnam.

James J. Motta of Georgiaville enlisted in the navy.

Richard Kanea, USN, of Greenville, came home on leave after serving one year aboard the USS Whetstone off the coast of Vietnam.

Donald C. Boucher, USN, was serving as a crewman aboard the submarine tender USS Canopus, attached to the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea. Robert V. Tessitore of Greenville returned home after serving three years with the Army Corps of Engineers, and sixteen months in Germany.

— The Junior Naval Cadets of Smithfield announced that radio classes would be given every Thursday to any youth interested in joining.

— The Balfour-Cole American Legion Post on Pleasant View Avenue announced its plans for starting a new Boy Scout Troop in town.

The troop was open to all boys between the ages of 11 and 17.

—

The Town of Smithfield was advertising for the position of “Permanent Patrolman” for the police department. There was a time when the town utilized part-time reserve officers to augment the full-time force, which is the reason for the word “permanent” in

16

the ad. (The reserves were disbanded in the 1980s.)

Minimum requirements were a high school diploma, height, 5’ 8” or taller, and weight no less than 145 pounds, and all candidates had to meet accepted physical and medical standards. Starting pay, $4,882.50 a year, with benefits. Applications could be obtained had by seeing Chief of Police Arthur B. Gould at the police station, which in 1966 was in Town Hall.

— The School Department was also looking for two custodians. Starting pay was $1.75 per hour with benefits.

— On October 10, a California rock-and-roll band, The Beach Boys, released “Good Vibrations”, a song that became a number one hit.

— The Smithfield Players Theatre Group advertised it would begin rehearsals for their upcoming production of “You Can’t Take It With You”. Anyone wishing to volunteer to help could contact Mr. George Reilly.

— The Greenville Grange, once located on Austin Avenue just in from Route 44, held a whist party and penny social on October 15th.

— It was also on October 15th that then President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the National Historic Preservation Act creating the National Register of Historic Places. Since then, thousands of New England buildings have been placed on the register.

— Industrial National Bank was offering 5 percent interest on one-year savings certificates of $5,000 or more. For those keeping score, that comes to $250. Don’t you wish today’s money market accounts offered even half that amount?

— A local dealership advertised a 1964 Corvair, 2dr., with a standard transmission, radio,

heater, and four new tires, as well as a “stunning black exterior with a sleek red interior”, for $975. The Corvair was mentioned in Ralph Nader’s book, “Unsafe At Any Speed”.

— Sewing classes, sponsored by the Smithfield Recreation Association, began October 20th at the Esmond Recreation Hall on Esmond St. Classes were open to anyone 10-years or older, and were administered by Mrs. Clarence King, and Mrs. John Buckley.

— The Greenville Public Library formally opened its new Children’s Wing by hosting an open house for town residents.

—

Rotary telephones were the norm for many households in 1966, but “touch-tone” service was slowly making headway. One New England Telephone ad urged subscribers to “Keep in touch with the times”, and “Do the touch-tone tap, in place of the old dial twist”.

— St Thomas Church in Greenville held a Halloween Festival and Bazaar on October 28 and 29.

— On October 31st, ghosts, goblins, and things that go “bump” in the night prowled the evening streets knocking on doors to homes adorned with glowing jack-o-lanterns.

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17

Smithfield’s Happy Lion Wines ready to roar in marketplace

By Kendra Gravelle

While some fa

“It’s a hobby for thers bond with their me, but hopefulsons over baseball or ly I can pass it on to fishing, one Smithhim,” he said. “I think field dad has estabmy great grandfather lished a closer relapassed it onto me, so tionship with his son I just feel that it’s one by reviving a family of those things that tradition with roots should be continued.” in the family’s Italian Although John ancestry.

Peyton is only allowed For the last two to assist his father unyears, Matthew Letil the point that the juice becomes alcoone and his son John hol, he happily helps Peyton, 10, have his father out in the been experimenting initial stage of the with winemaking. process by adding sul “It gives us a lot of Matthew Leone and his son John Peyton Leone with their bronze medal winning wines. time together,” said fites to the juice.

Leone entered four of his wines into the 2015 WineMaker Magazine international Leone, who grew up “I mix it with the amateur wine competition. Out of 3,000 entrees, Leone won bronze medals for his drill that always runs in Burrillville and Merlot and cranberry wines. now resides in Smithout of batteries,” John Photo by Kendra Gravelle/The Smithfield Times field. “We spend a lot Peyton said. “It’s fun.” of time together anyways, but he really likes helping out.”

He said he also enjoys adding labels to wine bottles.

Once the wine ferments into alcohol, Leone added, John Outside of winemaking with his father, John Peyton enjoys Peyton’s work is done. making short films with his GoPro camera. He also takes a Through their endeavor — cleverly named Happy Lion weekly art class.

Wines, a play on the translation of their last name — the two “He’s very creative,” Leone said, “so maybe he can create have produced several wine varietals, including Pinot Grigio, the next label.”

Pinot Noir, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as many And while winemaking is a great father-son bonding exfruit wines. perience, it also offers Leone an opportunity to escape briefly Last year, Leone entered four of his wines into the 2015 from his career as a senior master sergeant in the Air Force.

WineMaker Magazine international amateur wine competi- “I’m in active duty, so this is my one big hobby,” he said. tion. Out of 3,000 entrees, Leone won bronze medals for his “But, I’m hoping to transition it into something else eventualMerlot and cranberry wines. ly.”

And with the judge’s tasting notes including exclamations Each batch of wine takes Leone about two months to comlike “Yum!” and “Enjoyable!” it isn’t difficult to understand plete, and produces around 30 bottles of wine. Currently, Lehow his wine placed so well. one produces his wine from grape juice using wine equipment For Leone, winemaking began as a means to connect with kits he purchases from Chepachet Hardware. his great grandfather.

“I’d like to move the whole process up to my dad’s proper “I didn’t really know him. I just know he held me as a baby,” ty in Burrillville,” said Leone, who currently makes his wine Leone said of his great grandfather, Fortunata Travaglini. “My from his home in Smithfield. dad always told me he made a red and a white every year.”

He hopes to use his father’s large property to grow his own He explained that his great grandfather emigrated from It- grapes. aly to Rhode Island, eventually settling in Burrillville with his “I’d love to do the whole process, from grape to bottle.” wife.

Despite Leone’s father not being a winemaker himself, Le Leone added that he hopes to pass on the winemaking tra- one said he’d like to train him on the craft. dition to John Peyton.

Although his friends and family are currently the only ones

18

October 2016

who get to enjoy his wine, Leone said he would eventually like to sell Happy Lion Wines at local farmer’s markets.

“His wine is great,” said Caitlin Meehan, who works with Leone in the National Guard. “I’ve been telling him he needs to start selling it. I love wine. I’m a wine girl, and any other wine that I’ve tried is good, but I’m always excited to bring his wine home and open it and try it because it’s always got a little twist to it.”

And although Meehan found Happy Lion’s dandelion wine especially interesting, it doesn’t quite make it to the top of her list.

“He said he was making a peach flavored wine,” she said. “I was all over him every day, ‘where’s my wine, where’s my wine?’

I love anything peach flavored. One day he finally brought it in and I think I was done with it within two days.”

Leone said he has only received positive feedback from his consumers to this point.

“I haven’t had any complaints from family and friends. Everybody raves about it,” he said. “I guess that’s good.”

Leone hopes to acquire the licensing required to sell his wine within the next two years. He said he’s especially looking forward to making Sauvignon Blanc, which is his preferred varietal to drink.

So, hopefully, Smithfield residents will soon be able to enjoy a chilled glass of Happy Lion Wines Sauvignon Blanc that’s been produced in their own backyard.

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TOWN OF SMITHFIELD SIX (6) VOTING LOCATIONS FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2016

The Smithfield Board of Canvassers will use the following SIX (6) polling locations for the General Election.

Raymond C. LaPerche Elementary School 11 Limerock Road – House District 44

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VOTING DISTRICT 6 – Elks Lodge #2359, 326 Farnum Pike – House District 53 VOTING DISTRICT – PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT ONLY – Smithfield Town Hall, 64 Farnum Pike, Smithfield, R.I. – Residents who did not register to vote by the October 9, 2016 cut-off date can register to vote on that day and vote for President and Vice-President only.

The polls will open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m. You can view your House District, your Voting Location District, the District Map, and a sample General Election Ballot by visiting www.sec.state.ri.us/vic which is the electronic RI Secretary of State Voter Information Center or by visiting smithfieldri.com (click on Election Information). Online Voter Registration is also available by vising www.vote.ri.gov.

Per order of the Board of Canvassers Carol A. Aquilante, CMC, Town Clerk/Clerk to Board of Canvassers

19

Inside the Brown Bag

The Unmentionables

By Peg Brown No—I don’t mean women’s lingerie—although the white cotton bras we grew up with should probably never be mentioned again—or my grandmother’s flesh colored corset that had as many laces as Gone with the Wind’s Scarlett O’Hara’s…

What I do mean are all the topics that were not part of polite family conversation.

Like money. Two years ago, a Wall Street Journal Article, entitled “How I learned to Talk About Money,” (Sunday, March 2, 2014), caught my eye—because, in truth, this was not something that anyone really discussed while I was growing up.

Of course, there were random comments such as, “that’s too expensive,” or “we can’t afford that right now,” or, “we’re not members of the 400 you know.” (This last reference was a carryover phrase from the Gilded Age of the Carnegies’ and Rockefellers’ book of the wealthiest of their era.

As the article comments, “Talking about money is one of the last great social taboos, seen as gauche, arrogant, cringe-worthy and, worst of all, boring.”

My grandparents, married in the early 1920s, certainly never discussed their net wealth, tax situation or estate plans (including another unmentionable—THE WILL). There was no mention of long-term care health insurance, or questions centered on, would they outlive their assets? I cannot even imagine what their reaction would be today to the costs of assisted living or nursing homes, which, trust me, run between LIFETIME WARRANTY

$3,500 and $10,000 a month. (Remember that it wasn’t until 1935 that Social Security legislation provided the opportunity for some relief from the catastrophic effects of large, unexpected hospital and doctors’ bills.) I never ever remember mention of the stock market, Dow Jones industrial average or the NASDAQ. Their children, my parents, lived through the depression and even though the post-World War II economy boomed, they too were pretty tight lipped about money. It’s only in the story telling of their later years that we learned that they did not have credit cards, that they bought occasionally “on-time” (that is made monthly payments that were manually recorded in little ledgers), or that they bought their first house for $7,500 and had trouble meeting the $50 monthly mortgage payment.

I don’t ever remember having a family meeting over financial issues.—I think that only really happened on the “Brady Bunch” when Michael and Carol Brady gathered the entire family for a discussion when difficult issues, including money, arose. In hindsight that show was probably about as realistic as imagining that our family would every visit Disney Land. I do remember one financial discussion—during my senior year I had received a New York State Scholarship for college. In the 1960s, those scholarships were not “portable,” that is, they had to be used at a college within New York. I had chosen to attend a college in Penn-

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sylvania, which, to make financial matters worse, was private.

Although I now know my parents cleaned out their entire bank account to assist with that tuition every semester, I don’t ever remember them letting me know how that expense was adversely affecting their lives—or how it might affect their vacation, spending or retirement plans. (They did draw the line at graduate school—that was on my own—I had to borrow a whole $1,500 to augment my assistantship during my Master’s degree study.)

There were certainly other unmentionable topics—besides sex, that is. Health was another subject that was avoided. No one ever talked about the Big C—cancer. In the cases of cancers related to women, for example, there were no television infomercials about prevention, self-detection, optional treatments or genetic testing. There were no “rallys for the cure,” looped pink ribbons on lapels or “pink outs” at major sporting events. Perhaps a true family story would emphasize how closeted these topics were. When my grandmother was in her 70s, she was hospitalized with what I now suspect was a reoccurrence of cancer. When the doctor asked my father when his mother had had her breast removed, my father was completely surprised. I remember grandma lying on her couch recovering from major surgery—several times.

Not even her son knew what the surgery had been for.

I also don’t remember family discussions about what would happen to grandma and grandpa when they could no longer care for themselves. In truth, for many generations, extended families lived in nearby towns—or at least near-by states.

And, life expectancy was shorter. The percentage of individuals living into their 80s was small. Today, Hallmark markets birthday cards for those turning 100. It is not unusual for children in their 70s to be caring not only for grandchildren, but for their aging parents as well.

Newspapers, magazines, and television commercials proliferate, advertising living communities for aging adults.

Nursing homes are expanding, in-home care agencies are growing and the main question for many is “how are we going to pay for this?” For those of my generation who have navigated the independent living, assisted living and nursing home industries, the answers can be startling. The bottom line—we should all aspire to die poor because almost every asset that is still in our possession will be expended for our long-term care. The topics that were unmentionable must now be addressed directly. How and when will you prepare for your own care? When will you turn over your assets to your children, or charity, or establish a trust that will allow you to distribute your wealth as you wish—not as your health care provider requires. It’s a complicated, frustrating and potentially expensive exercise. But, if in your family, this issue in particular continues to be an “unmentionable” and you or your children expect some assets to pass to the next generation, it’s a topic that should be put to a family meeting.

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21

Tall Tales Of Treacherous Trees

By Jim Ignasher

From time to time, especially as Halloween approaches, I

get asked about the so-called “Witch Tree” that once stood in the middle of the intersection of Log and Mann School Roads that before being cut down had acquired an ominous reputation. According to legend _ or I should say, legends, for even now the story continues to evolve with each retelling on the Internet _ the tree, and the area around it, are haunted.

One story goes that the tree was haunted by a witch, hence the name, and if one drove their car around it backwards, three times, at night, with the lights off, (Never a good idea.) they would meet the witch.

The anonymous witch, by the way, is said to have lived in a “nearby” house that burned down at some unspecified date.

Why she haunted the tree is not explained.

Other versions point to alleged accident victims killed when their vehicles slammed into its trunk, or by a single spectral motorcycle rider who failed to negotiate the turn.

The old tree was finally cut down, some say, to exorcise the “ghosts”, but a new one was planted to replace it – thus the legends continue.

The idea of a tree being haunted isn’t new, and if ever a tree qualified as haunted it would’ve been the “Hangman’s Tree” that once stood in Calaveras County, California. An 1896 newspaper article described the tree as a “natural gallows,” and no less than 40 men swung into eternity from a convenient limb that stretched across the road. And that’s not all. One failed rescue attempt led to a heated gun battle, and when the smoke cleared 20 men lay dead or dying. Survivors of the

losing side were summarily hanged next to their friend.

Most hauntings have a tragic story connected to them, the details of which are often cloudy, and in some cases, “portable”, as with the following example.

Traveling peddlers were once a common sight, and in the late 1800s one such man was found with his throat cut under a roadside apple tree in Douglas, Mass. It was said thereafter the man’s gruesome looking ghost haunted the spot. Furthermore, the apples produced by that tree reportedly had blood-red streaks extending from the cores! This story was reported as fact in some newspapers in 1900, and if it sounds familiar, you’re right. A similar tale has been told about an orchard in Franklin, Conn., but the time-frame is set a century earlier.

In 1886, floodwaters swept through an unnamed town in Georgia and left a “haunted tree” story in their wake. Two men climbed a tree to get above the swiftly rising water, but the tree wasn’t high enough, and both drowned. Afterward, locals claimed their ghostly figures could be seen sitting in the tree at twilight.

In 1916, citizens of Brenham, Texas, cut down an ancient pecan tree feared haunted by the spirits of three men lynched from its branches about 30 years earlier. Since that time, many reputable citizens claimed to see ghosts in the vicinity of the tree at night. One newspaper stated, the tree, “…has now been made into cord wood, and it is hoped the spirits will cease their wanderings.”

Sometimes the reasons for “haunted trees” are unclear, but

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October 2016

the following unrelated stories might offer an explanation.

Anyone who’s ever ventured into an old cemetery has noticed trees growing out of graves, but how many have considered where the roots might have gone? When the grave of Rhode Island’s founder, Roger Williams, was being moved for re-burial, it was discovered that the root of a nearby apple tree had entered the coffin and took over – so to speak – assuming the general form of Rhode Island’s founder. At last report, the root is in the possession of the Rhode Island Historical Society.

Sometimes a falling tree can reveal a mystery, as with the case of a 215-year-old tree that fell in Sligo, Ireland, in 2015. Entangled in the massive root ball was a human skeleton thought to be over a thousand years old! Furthermore, preliminary analysis determined he was likely murdered!

Besides being found under trees, people have also been discovered inside of trees. One instance occurred in Pennsylvania in 1902, when woodcutters discovered a skeleton clad in tattered clothing in a hollow tree trunk. Access could only have been gained through a small hole located high in the tree. How it came to be there remained a mystery.

A famous “skeleton in a tree” case occurred in England in April of 1943, during the height of World War II, when the remains of a murdered woman were discovered in a hollow Wych Elm by a group of youths. The question, “Who put Bella in the witch elm?” has never been answered.

Finally, there’s the story of a “haunted tree” that appeared in the Holmes County Farmer, in 1863, which detailed the story of a large oak that stood outside Millersburg, Ohio. On March 12, 1832, a lone traveler was robbed and killed by two bandits who disposed of his body under the tree. His ghost reportedly haunted the area ever since.

One interesting point to this tale was that like the “Witch Tree” in Smithfield, there was a ritual one could perform – if they had the nerve – to meet the ghost. “Approach this tree on a clear still day,” the paper advised, “and rap three times upon its aged trunk, and ask the question: “Where Smithfield Dept. of Public Works shall I go, and what shall I do?” Immedi3 Spragueville Road ately you will receive the answer: ‘Go to Chitchfield & Ramey’s and buy your plow points, stoves, bells, and castings of all kinds.’

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IMHO

Tune in tomorrow. Or now.

By Ron Scopelliti So there I was, watching the pilot episode of “Firefly” for about the eighth time, when I started to question my priorities in life. Having seen the episode so many times, I know the plot; I know the outcome; I have large portions of dialogue committed to memory. Why would I devote two hours of my life to watching it again?

Because I can, obviously. Having grown up before Netflix and DVDs and even before videotapes and dinner-plate-sized laser discs, the ability to watch and re-watch a TV show whenever I want is something I take advantage of with particular delight.

In a way though, I miss the bad old days when a television airing was something special. Back then, when you saw something on TV you never knew when you might see it again, apart from a few exceptions.

For instance, it was a highly anticipated event when once a year, around Easter, they’d show “The Wizard of Oz” on TV. It was a rite of spring, when we got to hear that classic loaded question: “Are you a good witch or a bad witch?”

Just an aside – I recently learned that the “Wizard of Oz” was originally broadcast in black-and-white, which must have made the transition from Kansas to Oz a bit less spectacular. Then again, after the rituals of adjusting the fine-tuning knob and positioning the rabbit ears (which were wrapped in aluminum foil for maximum effect), just getting a picture that was relatively free from snow was spectacular.

Of course, if you missed a line of dialogue due to some random static, there was no rewinding. You had to wait until next year to find out what it was that the cowardly lion mumbled. And if you’d accidentally dropped your phonograph needle late, you’d have to wait a full year to drop it on the third roar of the MGM lion and see if the movie really did synchronize to “Dark Side of the Moon.”

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Waiting a whole year for a rerun seems bad, but a lot of movies didn’t even air that frequently. And TV shows, unless they were syndication staples like “Gilligan’s Island” or “I Love Lucy,” fared even worse.

In the early days of television, it wasn’t unusual for broadcasters to reuse tapes, and for shows to be recorded over and lost forever. So there are several episodes of “Doctor Who” that don’t exist anywhere, leaving gaping holes in DVD collections and diminishing the binge-watching capabilities of hardcore Whovians.

Which brings me to the other great video indulgence of our era – binge watching. No longer do I need to tune in at the “same bat-time and same bat-channel,” to see if the Caped Crusader survives. I can go immediately from cheesy cliffhanger to cheesy escape with no waiting period.

I stumbled into my latest binge when I was in the Greeneville Public Library, genuinely trying to be productive, and I noticed a 15-hour DVD collection of “Dark Shadows.”

How could I justify spending 15 hours of my valuable time watching “Dark Shadows?” Then again, how could I not? It was probably my favorite show as a kid, and I remember running home from Dorothy P. Dame Elementary School in the afternoon so I could catch the daily episode. How could I quibble about indulging in this sort of nostalgia?

Especially when 15 hours is only scratching the surface. Looking into the matter, I found that there were 1,225 episodes of “Dark Shadows” produced. 1,225 episodes of ghosts, vampires, witches, werewolves, parallel universes, stairways into the past, Lovecraftian overlords, séances, trances, and time travel achieved by using the I-Ching and meditation. No wonder I turned out as strange as I am.

And, getting back to the original subject, for many years it was impossible to re-watch episodes of “Dark Shadows.” Because it was a daily soap opera, it never had reruns until it went out of production and into syndication. If there was a good episode in 1967, you had to wait until it was released for syndication in 1975 to see it again. And that’s if it was one of the only 130 episodes that was released. But then again, that seemingly ephemeral nature is part of what made it so special that I had to run home to see it.

I occasionally think I should return to the old days, and watch “The Wizard of Oz” once a year in the spring. Why not revive the tradition? Or better yet, why not take advantage of the available technology and create my own tradition? Maybe each year as Easter approaches I’ll watch the “Firefly” pilot again. I wonder how it syncs up to “Dark Side of the Moon”…

October 2016

Local businesswomen graduate from training program Two area woman graduated recently from Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, an intensive entrepreneurship training program held at Babson College in Waltham, Mass.

Nancy R. Mendizabal, CIC, co-owner and agency principal with Apple Valley Insurance, Inc. of Smithfield, R.I., a resNancy R. Mendizabal ident of Glocester, and Christine Cunneen of Greenville, CEO of Hire Image LLC, a nationwide background screening, drug testing and verification services company based in Johnston, were among 137 entrepreneurs from 34 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico who completed the program, according to a press release.

The 11-week program helps small Christine Cunneen business owners create jobs and economic opportunity by providing greater access to education, capital, and business support services. Through a combination of online and in-person sessions, Ms. Mendizabal received intensive entrepreneurship and practical training from Babson’s business experts and peers, alongside educational teams who teach the 10,000 Small Businesses program at colleges across the U.S., the release said.

“We’re proud of our graduates of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses initiative. These entrepreneurs put forth incredible effort to complete this program and we are confident their efforts will continue in growing their businesses. We are excited to watch their many successes,” states Kerry Healey, president of Babson College.

“While Apple Valley Insurance has been in business for two generations and over 50 years, we are always interested in finding ways of working smarter and more efficiently. The 10,000 Small Businesses program gave me valuable insight and knowledge about best business practices that I have shared with my team, and which we are excited about implementing,” says Ms. Mendizabal.

Ms. Mendizabal earned a Bachelor of Science degree in economics and finance from Bentley University. She is a Certified Insurance Counselor and a Certified Insurance Services Representative.

She is also a member of the Smaller Business Association of New England the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce, and the Glocester Business Association.

“As a business owner of a national firm that provides background and drug screening services for a diverse range of clients, I found this program to be very useful,” said Ms. Cunneen. “The sessions allowed for an exchange of ideas between other business owners as well as nationally respected business leaders, and it gave me valuable guidance and perspective as I take my company to the next level.”

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Armand LaMontagne – ‘I have no regrets’

Renowned sculptor reflects on career, life

By Laurence J. Sasso, Jr.

Acclaimed by many as the foremost

wood sculptor of athletes and other celebrities in the nation, Armand LaMontagne didn’t achieve his success by playing it safe or taking on small challenges.

In fact, he has often said that he sought out the most difficult projects he could find to test his ingenuity and prove his mettle.

Today in his late seventies the man who carved startlingly life-like statues of Ted Williams, Babe Ruth, Bobby Orr, and Larry Bird (and numerous others) from blocks of basswood weighing hundreds of pounds still wields his mallet and chisels in the studio attached to his home in North Scituate.

With minute attention to detail, in 1972 the artist painstakingly built the house, a precise replica of a 17th century stone-ender. He conceived it, designed it, and erected it. He created every single component right down to the individual hand-hewn timbers and forged nails.

Each shingle was cut by hand. All the furniture was crafted by LaMontagne, and he even made the stone walls surrounding the property.

The house was one of several exact reproductions of period homes that he built early in his career prior to the time when he began creating statues of diamond immortals for the National Baseball Hall of Fame, as well as other legendary figures for various museums.

To this day a larger than life bronze of General George S. Patton, a duplicate of another of Armand’s works in wood, stands guard by the massive fireplace in his workspace.

“The houses are all sculptures too. I built them to last forever. They’re practical sculptures, like the pyramids,” LaMontagne says.

At age 78 the charismatic Pawtucket native is still taking on colossal ideas.

26

Armand LaMontagne Photo by Albert Tavakalov/The Smithfield Times

He works on a smaller scale though. For example, his latest piece, carved from a holly tree root burl, is called “The Giant Squid,” but it is a mere yard or so in length.

“The squid is the largest animal in the world. It’s 75 feet long. That’s longer than a right whale. It’s larger than the whale but not heavier,” he informs a listener.

He speaks as a teacher might address his students, adding details and facts the way a painter, which LaMontagne also is, adds layers of paint onto a canvas.

“The squid’s eye is the largest in the world,” he continues. “It’s the size of a soccer ball. He can see in the dark. The squid is a strange, strange animal. It can eat a man in seconds.”

Then adding an aside, he gestures toward the squid sculpture and comments, “This is fun – a lot more fun than doing portraits.”

A number of portraits he painted of former political leaders in Rhode Island,

including Governor Joseph Garrahy and several speakers of the house, hang in the state house. One he did of Winston Churchill is in the collection of Gerald Rittenberg, executive chairman of Party City, a party goods chain, and the largest such retailer in the United States.

Currently, though, LaMontagne’s passion is mainly focused on transforming wood burls into exotic works of art. For a while now he has been making distinctive objects from what is essentially a diseased part of a tree.

“It’s cancer, really,” he says of burls.

“That’s what it is, cancer that affects a tree.”

Found on the branches and trunks of many tree varieties, burls appear as bulging round outcroppings. They even grow underground on a tree’s roots. The grain of the wood inside a burl is very different from the typical grain of the tree. Because of the disease, cells in the burl develop closer together in intricate, yet random patterns and the wood is exceptionally

October 2016

hard.

“It’s actually the finest . . . wood that grows. [It’s used] for dashboards of Rolls Royces and Bentleys. Root burls are the wood equivalent of diamonds,” the sculptor exclaims.

In the case of the giant squid piece, he found a way to incorporate a rock that the root had grown tightly around into his idea.

He has painted the rock to look like a moray eel in the act of being devoured by the sea creature.

Using the root burl from which to sculpt his giant squid and leaving the roots and rock showing seems to satisfy and amuse the multi-faceted artist, appealing to his sense of humor, or perhaps irony.

“It’s as avant garde as I get,” he notes, adding: “Humor is a big part of art; it’s a big part of life.”

This observation might explain why he is so gratified when viewers accuse him of using leather to make the shoes and belt of Ted Williams and Babe Ruth on his sculptures even though every bit of the figures and their uniforms is carved only from wood with nothing else added. He likens his ability to fool the eye of on-lookers – the French call it trompe l’oeil – to an inside joke.

“I don’t want them to be able to tell the difference even up close.”

An athlete himself, LaMontagne was a standout in three sports – baseball, football, and basketball - at Pawtucket Vocational High School, and he further honed his talent at Worcester Academy. He went to Boston College on a football scholarship where he played for famed coach Mike Holovak.

After college he won a grant to study art in Italy with a master teacher where he learned the principles of sculpting, but much of his technique and methodology were essentially self-taught. The lessons were well-learned. Each succeeding statue won him more followers and raised his standing until he became the artist whose name was synonymous with hyper-realistic images of famous athletes.

So, it’s significant that he reports a bronze version of his wooden statue of Bobby Orr, the original of which is at the New England Sports Museum in Boston, was the last large sculpture he will ever do. Completed in July 2014, it is on display in the Bobby Orr Hall

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of Fame and Museum in Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada.

So, from here on out LaMontagne is content to fashion his sculptures from burls and keep them at a comfortable size, but he still does an occasional painting. Currently, he is working on a piece for Rittenberg commemorating April 15, 2015 at the New York Stock Exchange, the day Party City went public. The executive, who Armand dubs the largest collector of Ted Williams memorabilia in the world, has become LaMontagne’s patron.

“We got to be friends,” Armand says of Rittenberg. “He’s a visual guy, like me.”

LaMontagne, it seems, has reached a point where he is ready to look back over his career. The artist, who has often been described as taciturn, seems voluble now and is more than willing to reflect on his life for the record.

Obliquely, he refers to the image of himself in the past as being brusque, declaring “you’ve got to measure your words in an interview, but I rarely did because I didn’t have that many words.”

He continues: “They [writers] think if you don’t say something strange, you’re not an artist. You’re just normal. Now, I’m making bold statements.”

As if to underscore his point he adds, “At my age I’m in survival mode. I’m re-living my misspent youth. That’s what you do when you’re slowing down.”

Yet, he shows no signs of infirmity or decreased energy. Advised by his doctor that people in their eighth decade should be as lean as possible, he has been on a campaign to get his weight down to what it was when he was a freshman in high school, a target set by the doctor.

“I was a big kid,” he says. “I was about 180 then.” However as an adult, at 6 feet 2, and playing football he carried 240 lbs. He weighed that for most of his life after high school. Recently, though, following a year or so of scrupulous eating and regular exercise he achieved his goal and now tips the scale at 182.

“The workout is the toughest thing for me psychologically,” he admits, but says that he is zealous about using a rowing machine habitually.

“I feel better. I can run up and down

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stairs. I don’t get as tired. It’s part of that survival mode. The toughest sculpture in my life is myself.”

One important insight that he has had, he confides, is that wanting to do something worthwhile, something that will stand the test of time and surpass the importance of wealth is what matters most. He alludes to immortal works of art like the Great Wall of China and cave paintings, even seeing a lasting creative statement in fine calligraphy. As he talks it becomes evident that the lens of Armand LaMontagne is always focusing on the art he sees in everything. He can discover inspiration in objects ranging from a twisted tree root to a Persian carpet to an old master.

“There’s a romance in the Declaration of Independence. It’s the signatures that make the document,” he says, for example.

It’s probably this way of looking at things that marks him as the multi-dimensional talent that he is, someone who carved a wooden pumpkin for the doorstep of his house so realistic that it is nearly impossible to tell it’s a fake, someone who made leaded windows for his house that are identical to a craftsman’s work from the 1600s, someone who sculpted a statue of Baseball Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski that looks so ready to swing his bat you are afraid to step in front of it.

This man with an international reputation, who is probably best known for his sculptures of legendary athletes, says that it is inadvertent that they occupy the central spot in his vast array of work. Portrait painter, lithographer, still life and landscape artist, builder of reproduction houses, he says he followed his interest in various forms and went where it led him. He didn’t become a sculptor of famous people by some career plan.

“You followed the things you were interested in and had the talent for. It was a natural outgrowth. One thing led to another.

“I was a little kid from Pawtucket, and then all those years later there I was with Ted Williams my childhood hero walking through my door, and there I was talking to him on equal terms.”

For a number of years, little to the knowledge of his neighbors, people like Larry Bird, Orr, Yastrzemski, and Williams made their way to Scituate to sit for this magician in wood, trading the secrets of hitting a baseball or scoring a basket or shooting a puck with someone who could relate to them from his own experience as an athlete. Yet, they were in awe of his skill in a medium they couldn’t hope to match, this master who could freeze their image in time, create an exact likeness that would preserve them forever at their peak.

These days he allows himself to savor the memories.

“At this time of life you think about what you’ve done, not what you’re going to do. I have no regrets,” he declares with satisfaction.

The recipient of dozens of honors, including an honorary doctorate from Rhode Island College and election to the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame, he seems most proud of being the first charter member of the Pawtucket Hall of Fame.

He values his roots very much. To be recognized in your own community where prophets are often overlooked is sometimes the sweetest affirmation of all.

October 2016

Second Annual Dog Walk & Festival to Benefit Future Dog Park

2nd Annual Smithfield

Dog Walk

Saturday, Oct. 15* – 9 a.m. date Smithfield High School *Rain Oct. 22. $20 Registration fee per family Your dog could win a prize for the best doggie Halloween costume!

Cash, checks and credit cards accepted.

Register online at smithfieldri.com/dog-park-walk or make checks payable to Smithfield Dog Park Fund and mail to: Smithfield Town Hall, 64 Farnum Pike, Smithfield, RI 02917 For more information visit: smithfieldri.com or email: smithfielddogpark@gmail.com.

Sponsors:

The Smithfield Dog Park Committee announces its second annual dog walk and festival taking place on Oct. 15. Dog lovers are invited to bring their pups for a fall walk that starts and ends at the Smithfield High School.

North Paws Veterinary Center, The Last Resort, Fidelity Investments, Amica Mutual Insurance Company, Route 5 Auto, and the The Smithfield Times are the lead sponsors for this event, which is expected to draw more than 100 furry friends.

Building on the success of last year, new additions to the event are a prize for best dog Halloween costume, a doggy photo booth, new raffle items and fall food favorites that include apple cider and cider donuts. Many local vendors will be on hand to sell both dog and non-dog related goods and products, and local dog trainers, doggy daycares and local groomers will participate.

Registration is $20 per family and includes a bandana for each dog as well as a great “doggie bag” for the first 100 registrants.

Registration on site begins at the high school at 9 a.m. at which time the vendor festival will kick-off. The walk begins at 10 a.m.

Online registration prior to the walk is encouraged at http://smithfieldri.com/dogpark-walk/. Learn more by visiting the group’s Facebook page or email smithfielddogpark@ gmail.com. The committee also welcomes donations and is currently accepting new vendors, and encourages local businesses to sponsor and/or donate raffle items. All checks can be made out to “Smithfield Dog Park Fund” and sent to Smithfield Town Hall, 64 Farnum Pike, Smithfield, RI 02917.

CONGRATULATIONS SMITHFIELD HIGH SCHOOL!

The Tikoian Brothers The Smithfield Times, Inc.

MICHAEL ‘75

GARY ‘79

DAVID ‘86 29

At Trinity - ‘Beowulf’ brings wild energy, irreverence to classic tale Review by – Laurence J. Sasso, Jr. First the dry part. (Let’s get it over with.)

The epic poem Beowulf is a cornerstone in the canon of English literature. Perhaps this happened by default. Written in England sometime between 700 and 1000 A.D., it has been widely celebrated and studied since the 19th century, largely no doubt because it is among the earliest surviving literary work in English to have been written down.

Beowulf was somehow committed to paper in an age when the tales, legends, and poems defining the culture were passed down orally by storytellers called scops. Oddly enough, its subject matter was not British, but Scandinavian. It is likely that it was brought to England by invaders around the year 500. By the way, it was originally written in Old English, a language not unlike German and unintelligible to the current day ear.

Okay, then.

This might not sound like a very promising premise to base a wild and raucous musical play on, but Trinity Repertory Company succeeds in doing just that, delivering a highly entertaining, risk-taking show that you won’t be able to see and remain sitting still. You can’t leave without forming a strong opinion either.

In the end, viewers might not like it, but they won’t yawn. In fact, if you tried you might get cursed out by a sword-wielding, leather-kilt-wearing warrior who confesses he suffers from dyslexia and who seems unable to express his thoughts without great effort, but he keeps on trying anyway. (As for the cursing. . .well some of our most frequently used profanities originated with the Anglo-Saxons who gave us Old English, and they are on prominent display in this show.)

As a result of its unique place in the history of letters, Beowulf has become the darling of professors who are intent on analyzing the origins of the English literary tradition. It has been researched and dissected and written about to the point that it has come to seem a kind of pedagogical dead horse. This partially explains the title of the Trinity production: Beowulf A Thousand Years of Baggage.

Whether its creators, writer and lyricist Jason Craig and composer Dave Malloy, are aiming to debunk the importance assigned to the story by academia by reducing the story to caricature, or whether they aim to remake and hence popularize a muscular and bloody heroic adventure tale that they have stripped of its encumbrances, it is clear that they have no reluctance to knock over some of the icons in the pantheon with their uninhibited re-telling of the epic.

Set in Denmark, the story recounts the arrival of the hero, Beowulf, who comes to rescue the land of King Hrothgar from Grendel, a hideous monster who lives at the bottom of a lake. Beowulf, a simple fighter who understands his purpose and sometimes little else, is a workmanlike warrior. After he kills Grendel he also kills his mother who is bent on revenge for the loss of her son. He sees his job and does it. Reflection, introspection, and self-analysis are not his thing. Warriors don’t feel guilty for doing warrior-like things.

Sound heavy? Not in the hands of the author, the composer, and director Curt Columbus, Trinity’s artistic director. In fact it proves to be an outrageous romp.

On stage through October 9 in the Elizabeth and Malcolm Chace Theater, upstairs at the Lederer Theater Center, 201 Washington

Filters & Pumps In Shop Repairs

Street, Providence, Beowulf A Thousand Years of Baggage may be unlike anything you have ever seen.

As the show opens, the audience finds a table equipped with microphones at center stage. It is the unmistakable setting for a panel discussion. Soon it is peopled by three professorial types who launch into a gibbering discussion of the story of Beowulf in mock academic speak.

Almost immediately the metaphorical stuffing starts coming out of their shirts as they squabble about the significance of different parts of the story and the interpretation of the characters. Then everything speeds up.

Hrothgar, the king, marches into view and provides the setup mostly in song, telling of Heorot, the enormous mead hall that is the seat of his kingdom and noting his problem with the murderous Grendel.

A spotlight in the upper reaches of the set bearing the Batman logo makes a mute statement about the production’s satirical tone as Beowulf himself enters the scene, a mercenary wearing an American flag like a cloak, ready to do his work. Before long he is singing a song about his body and its virtues.

A Greek chorus of five warriors supports him like backup singers. Henna haired harridans, they are dressed in 1950’s style football pants and pads.

Playing multiple roles, two of the academics from the panel morph into Grendel and his mother. The confrontation between him and Beowulf is played like a scene from The Godfather, as Grendel is found drinking wine at a bistro table. Quickly, Beowulf tears off his arm and kills him.

At intermission an actor passes a beach

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October 2016

ball to the audience, explaining that it is Grendel’s head and it must be batted around until everyone has touched it. Weird fun like that defuses the aura of violence and creates a sense of absurd playfulness.

In act two Beowulf finishes what he came to do by dispatching Grendel’s mother. Here the creators of the play pull their punches to amusing effect. Rather than another limb-tearing bloodbath, the struggle is portrayed using a device that the professors would applaud, an overhead projector. With stick figures drawn on plastic strips fed through the projector, the antagonists battle to the death using the cartoon characters to stand for themselves.

Quirky and idiosyncratic, the play’s 17 songs aren’t really showstopper material, but several of them are compelling or funny. However, one called “Not Only,” sung by Rachael Warren (Warrior One), contains a high note that Warren hits with enough intensity and trueness to pop rivets out of a girder.

The arc of the story demands that Beowulf must complete the cycle from avenging hero to mere mortal. So, the end of the poem coincides with the end of the man, fate in the form of a dragon bite that as a warrior he readily accepts. It is the destiny he was born to fulfill, and he shrugs and gives himself up to it as Janice Duclos, portraying the dragon, sings the appropriate stanzas of the poem in the original Old English. Speaking of original, this production is certainly that, which is kind of amazing for an adaptation of a supposedly worn-out vehicle.

Part bizarre send-up, part adoring tribute, and part Brechtian deadpan flight of the imagination Beowulf A Thousand Years of Baggage is above all a lot of fun, albeit provocative and leavened with barbed bits of satire.

Charlie Thurston is superb as Beowulf, full of body-builder swagger and a dense earnestness. Stephen Berenson hits all the right notes, both in his interpretation of his characters (Academic One and Grendel) and in his singing.

Anne Scurria excels as hormonal Academic Two and as Grendel’s Mother. She shifts parts effortlessly and kills it with her songs “Grendel’s Death,” sung with Grendel, and “Bring It.” Janice Duclos is Academic Three and the Dragon. Her experience and skill at underplaying to great effect prove perfect for the roles. She has the challenging task of singing the last part of the poem in Old English, and it comes through as just right.

Joe Wilson struts boldly as Hrothgar, dishing out the perfect doses of insouciance and arch self-absorption and singing with power and compelling grace.

The aforementioned Rachael Warren is fine as Warrior One. Her cohorts Rebecca Gibel as Warrior Two, Rachel Clausen as Warrior Three, Laura Lyman Payne as Warrior Four, and Brad Wilson as Warrior Five all do very well.

The excellent musicians for the show are Michael Rice, Karen Orsi, and Mike Sartini, with Rice being the director. Olivera Gajic designed some far out costumes, and Jude Sandy choreographed the movement.

Michael McGarty’s set with lots of scaffolding and walkways is very serviceable. At some moments there are suitably odd electronic noises.

When all is said and done Beowulf A Thousand Years of Baggage has a little bit of everything and a whole lot of appeal.

The Smithfield Times, Inc.

For the second consecutive year in a row Heritage Hills Nursing & Rehabilitation Center has earned a deficiency free survey from the Rhode Island Department of Health.

We are also proud to have received the Culinary Challenge Award for 2015 from the Rhode Island Chapter of the Alzeimer’s Association.

Our 24 bed fully staffed rehabilitation unit is now led by MaryAnn Caouette, CRRN (Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse)

For information, or to arrange a tour, contact

Jenney Couture, Admissions Director at at 401.231.2700 ext. 39

401.231.2700 80 Douglas Pike, Smithfield, Rhode Island www.healthconceptsltd.com/nursinghome-Smithfield/ 31

Lessons of the day at Little Village Schoolhouse is to play all day

By Marilyn Busch

Nestled in a tree-lined drive just off of Route 116/Pleasant

Prior to directing The Little Village Schoolhouse, DesmaView Avenue in Smithfield is The Little Village Schoolhouse. rais, a 2004 graduate of Rhode Island College’s sociology proThe modest brick and stone building is filled to the brim with gram, first worked as a behavioral therapist with local autism the sound of children’s laughter, music, language and learning spectrum service organizations. She then went on to spend every weekday starting at 7 a.m. five years as a social worker counseling foster families. After Open since 2006, The Little Village Schoolhouse caters taking a break to stay home with her second child, she started to area pre-school and kindergarteners, ages 3 to 6, and is teaching again this year at a local preschool when she heard accredited by Rhode Island Department of Education and about this opportunity.

Department of Children, Youth and Families for their Educa- “It was always my dream since I was 21 to own my own tional and Common Core curriculum. school,” Desmarais explains, “and this past March I heard Proving the through the adage true in that grapevine that “it takes a village The Little Village to raise a child” Schoolhouse was the Little Vilup for sale.” lage Schoolhouse She leapt at boasts an impresthe opportunisively low ratio ty to take over as of one teacher to both owner and every eight studirector of the exdents, ensuring isting programs. that each “little “Since I have alvillager” receives ways worked with one-on-one attenchildren who tion from the prohave developfessionally trained mental delays, I staff. have a passion for “There are no different learnCreative juices are flowing for Maya Smith, Filamena Imondi, Donovan Dorval, and tears upon arrival ing styles. The Tristan Warnakulasuriya while they draw at their easels at The Little Village Schoolhouse.

Photo by Albert Tavakalov/The Smithfield Times in the morning or Schoolhouse has during the day,” always had the states the school’s website and that is exactly what School motto ‘learn through laughter’,” says Desmarais, “I am so Director Meghan Demarais envisioned when she took over proud to continue this in our Little Village community.” the school this past spring. “For 10 years The Little Village While she and her staff show immense patience and unSchoolhouse philosophy was to be an anxiety and stress-free derstanding, she is quick to clarify that the Little Village space, with no time outs or yelling,” explains Desmarais, (or Schoolhouse is indeed, not a daycare, pointing out that all “Mrs. Meghan” as she is better known to her students.) “We are licensed teaching professionals. Their training, plus the talk to our children, treat them with respect and we allow excellent 1 to 8 ratio of staff to student stands out as one of the school’s merits. them to learn through their mistakes.”

In addition to addressing the students in soft tones, the “I truly think that most centers are so large in class size and staff is known to bring the conversation to the child’s eye lev- the children do not get the attention they need,” says Desmael and often share hugs, applause and celebratory high fives. rais, “in our school even if a child is having a bad day there is “The children are guided, appreciated, and kept safe,” says always someone to give that child some kind of attention that Desmarais, “because that is what children deserve and need.” they are looking for.”

32

October 2016

170 Pleasant View Avenue, Smithfield WE ARE STILL ENROLLING CHILDREN 3 TO 6 YEARS OLD FOR OUR FALL SESSION. New programs being added this year include: Yoga for Kids, Spanish, and 2 music programs

Maya Smith, left, and Tristan Warnakulasuriya, standing, work at their easels, while, Austin Keene (wearing number 3 t-shirt), teacher Krista Quattrini, Kepler Beauvais and Sebastien Benevides work on a lesson while seated on the floor.

Photo by Albert Tavakalov/The Smithfield Times

In addition to their core pre-school and kindergarten curriculum, The Little Village Schoolhouse also offers weekly drumming, Spanish, and yoga classes as well as bi-weekly music programs. The school itself begins at 9 a.m. and kindergarten dismissal is at 3 p.m., but also offers extended hours, opening at 7 a.m. and not closing until 6 p.m. The children’s extended families are invited into the school often, through events like Grandparent’s Day, Thanksgiving dinner and a monthly family engagement program.

With what sounds like an incredibly full schedule, Desmarais is happy to be at the center of it all.

“I am there all the time, I’m on the floor and I hang out with the kids on the play yard, lunch time or even nap time, I’m there to rub someone’s back. This has been a dream of mine and now I am finally living it. “ The Little Village Schoolhouse is located at 170 Pleasant View Ave. More information about enrollment and the school’s programs can be found online at thelittlevillageschoolhouse.com or by calling (401) 231-7446.

Hours of operation are 7am - 6pm.

Our school has a licensed kindergarten and pre school that is education based, anxiety and stress free learning environment for ages 3-6 years old. The school is staffed by teachers who hold Bachelor degrees in early childhood education and are certified by the State of Rhode Island.

Please visit our NEW website at www.thelittlevillageschoolhouse.com for further information about our school and activities, or call Meghan at 401-231-7446

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The Inside Scoop Your Vote Counts

By John J. Tassoni, Jr. It’s October, the primary is over and it is just weeks away from the general election. Though we’ve already been inundated with political ads, signs and the usual rhetoric for many months, it is important to remember the underlying reason for voting.

America is fortunate to have a government that is elected by its citizens. These ruling entities affect every aspect of our lives. Voting is an important right in our society. By voting, you are speaking your mind and making your voice heard to record your opinion on how you think the government should operate. Voting lets us tell elected lawmakers how we feel about what matters most to us - education, public safety, social security, health care, and other important issues.

As long as this country has existed, there were people who did not want us to vote. Freedom fighters changed that by standing up for the right to vote. Even in today’s advanced society, there are still people who want to take away our votRESIDENTIAL

ing privilege. Voting preserves our right and removes their power over us.

When we vote, we are also speaking for our children and their children, helping to secure their futures.

Voting can actually give you the credibility to make your concerns a top priority for legislators. I was a state senator for 12 years. I listened when people spoke because your vote and belief in my representation was number 1 on my agenda. (It still is). Your vote gave me the credibility and the responsibility to work on your behalf.

Remember, there is power in numbers, and casting a vote proves it. If you don’t vote for what you believe in, others will – and you may not like the outcome.

Voting changes communities. How will you change yours?

Only your vote will tell.

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State Representative - District 53

Winfield Paid for by Friends of Thomas Winfield

Smithfield Democrats Pledge Continued Support For: HONORING OUR COMMITMENTS TO TAXPAYERS: • Adequately funding our public schools to ensure that our students are provided with the resources they need to achieve academic excellence • Expanded recreational opportunities for our children and all residents • Senior Citizen’s tax freeze for residents 65 and older • Expansion of and improving the condition of our municipal recreational facilities

FISCAL AND FINANCIAL INTEGRITY: • Enact responsible budgets and fiscal policies in partnership with our Town Manager, Finance Director, and the Financial Review Commission • Consolidating municipal services whenever possible in order to run government more efficiently and save taxpayer dollars • Address the short and long term needs of our Fire and Police Departments in order to ensure that the public safety needs of our residents are achieved

PROPER ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT: • Conducting town government openly, honestly, and ethically • Preserving the heritage and rural integrity of our town • Advocating for term limits for all boards, commissions and elected positions in order to increase citizen participation in local government

VISION FOR THE FUTURE:

• Promote responsible and sustainable growth along the Rte.116/Rte.7 corridor in order to expand the town’s commercial tax base, attract new business to town and lessen the tax burden on the residential homeowner

FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY Stephen Archambault - Rhode Island State Senate - District 22 • • • • • • • • •

Current State Senator Lifelong Smithfield resident and Married to Gigi Archambault President Smithfield Town Council 2007-2008 Former Police Officer Attorney at Archambault Law Offices, Inc, located in Smithfield Prosecutor for Towns of Smithfield, North Smithfield and Lincoln Created the highly effective Financial Review Board Led the successful fight for adoption of state law ensuring Bryant University contributes its fair share for services received from the town Won the adoption of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) supported legislation to combat drunk driving by requiring interlocks in the cars of all first time offenders

Gregory Costantino - RI House of Representatives - District 44 • • • • • •

State Representative 2012-Present Lifelong RI resident Vice President of Operations for Venda Ravioli, a family owned business with over 300 employees Married to Lisa Costantino; three children Sofia, Camille and Gregory Active in community events, activities and charities Supports new initiatives to develop small business in our community

Thomas J. Winfield - RI House of Representatives - District 53 • • • • • • •

State Representative 1992 - Present Lifelong Smithfield resident Member, Joint Committee on Economic Development Member, House Oversight Committee Chairman, Democratic Representative District Committee - House District 53 President, Anderson-Winfield Funeral Home located in Greenville Member, Smithfield Lions Club

Paid for by the Smithfield Democratic Town Committee, Lawrence J. Mancini, Chairman

Visit us at: SmithfieldRIDemocrats.org

Like us at: Smithfield

FOR TOWN COUNCIL Bernie Hawkins • • • • • •

Current Town Council President Former Town Council Vice President 2007-2008 Married to Cynthia McKinnon, son William Lifelong Smithfield Resident Member of Smithfield Sports Advisory Commission Member of Smithfield Elks Lodge 2359

FOR SCHOOL COMMITTEE Ryan McNelis • • • •

Suzy Alba • • • • • • •

Town Council Vice President; serving since 2012 Lifelong RI resident and married to Adam Stanley; mom to Sawyer age 6 months Director of Alumni and College Relations at Rhode Island College (2005 graduate) Governor’s Workforce Board Member Smithfield Preservation Society Member, Liaison to Smithfield/Bryant University Cooperative Committee and the town’s Dog Park Committee Leadership Rhode Island graduate (CLRI) and Emerging Leader Award recipient Advocate for efficient and affordable town services, high achieving schools, economic development, and smart growth

RI Democratic Party on Facebook

• •

Lifelong Smithfield resident Smithfield High School Honors Graduate 1997 Graduate of Rhode Island College (BA), University of RI (MPA) and RW University (JD) Public Interest Attorney specializing in Elder Care Law Member of Vestry at St. Thomas Church Engaged in charity work against domestic violence, animal cruelty; supportive of medical research

Cheryl Hirst-Hodgins • • • • • •

Cheryl and her family have been residents of Smithfield for over 70 years Husband Ron and children Thomas and Jessica and grand dog “Te Te” Graduate of Smithfield schools Active member of St. Thomas Church, co-leads caregivers support group and member of St. Luke’s healing group Lifelong educator and trainer, Professor at West Chester University for over 25 years Clinical social worker devoted to public service, CEO of Institute for Human Resources, Inc.

Matthew DeAngelis • • • • • • •

Lifelong resident of Smithfield RI Public School Teacher 1992 Graduate Smithfield High School 1996 Bachelors of Arts-Assumption College 2007 Master of Arts in Teaching, Johnson and Wales University, Special Education Member-Smithfield Democratic Town Committee1996Present Member, Greenville Water District 2014-present

T. Michael Lawton • • • • • •

Graduate of Rhode Island College - 1992 Married to Kerri Pryor Lawton Proud Father to my three children Jessica, Jacob, & Allison Business Owner in Smithfield since 1998 President of the Smithfield Youth Basketball Association Advocate for strong school system

Kenneth V. Orabona • • • • • • •

Married to wife Lisa, daughter Ashley and son Kenneth Jr. Lifelong resident of Smithfield 1980 graduate of Smithfield High School Employed by Performance Foodservice in the Northern Rhode Island area and Worcester County Vice chairman of the Smithfield planning board Looking to attract business to the route 116 and route 7 to stabilize residential taxes Help create term limits for boards and commissions

VOTE FOR OUR TEAM OF DEMOCRATS

Working For You! TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2016 OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU We pledge to continue our present level of town services, while maintaining prudent fiscal responsibility and accountability to all taxpayers and residents.

- YOUR SMITHFIELD DEMOCRATIC TEAM Paid for by the Smithfield Democratic Town Committee, Lawrence J. Mancini, Chairman

Greg Costantino is asking for your vote again!

STATE REPRESENTATIVE SMITHFIELD

FOR

LINCOLN

DISTRICT 44 JOHNSTON

Voted for you: NO tolls YES to investigate 38 Studios NO to pay for bonds for 38 Studios YES to lower corporate tax rate from 9% to 7% NO to taxing pensions YES to increase State Aid for education DECLINED the pay raise for State Representatives UNCOMPROMISED by special interest because I still do not accept donations SINGLED OUT by the Center for Freedom and Prosperity as one of the 10 Representatives not to ask for or receive legislative grants!

Punching Back at Parkinson’s Disease

By Paul Lonardo

On a warm Saturday morning

in Rock Steady Boxing classes at 65 Black- lion Americans have Parkinson’s disease, mid-August, Richard Gingras, the own- stone Ave., with 60,000 diagnosed each year. There is er of Fight For Fitness, a boxing gym in Pawtucket, believes that he gets as much no cure for Parkinson’s.

Pawtucket, is smiling and talking loud as out of the program as the people he teach- Parkinson’s is clearly a formidable foe. he instructs a class. This is no dirty, run- es.

However, there is hope. Various studies down old boxing gym like the kind you “What I get from them is very reward- support that rigorous exercise, specifically see in movies, and Richard looks nothing ing to me,” Richard says. “They reward me ones emphasizing gross motor movement, like Mick from the Rocky films. The gym with love.” balance, core strength, rhythm, and handis clean and neat and Richard is youthful Parkinson’s disease is a long-term dis- eye coordination, can favorably impact a and fit and full of energy. This is no or- order of the central nervous system, which patient’s range of motion, flexibility, posdinary class, either. ture, gait, and activities related to daily living. There Most of the men are is also some very encour60 and over and are eagerly following the aging evidence suggesting instructions shouted that these very same activities can actually slow

by Richard and Paula progression of Parkinson’s, Silvia, his assistant. inducing brain repair and The men are guided through a series of accompanying behavioral recovery. stretching, stamina Entering the ring, the and strength building exercises. It is a fun, challenger is Rock Steady interactive, social setBoxing, an innovative boxting as much as it is a ing-inspired fitness proworkout; the men are gram that has been showing smiling and perspiramazing results for people Richard Gingras, left, has been running his gym, Fight to Fitness, for over six years. living with Parkinson’s. ing in the summer His boxing facility has been affiliated with the Rock Steady Boxing program “The word boxing scares swelter. They take for 2 ½ years now. For him, it all began about three years ago, some people off,” says Mike plenty of water breaks when Michael Quaglia, right, walked into his gym. because dehydration Achin, a Parkinson’s sufferPhoto by Albert Tavakalov/The Smithfield Times is a particular prober and boxer at Rock Steady lem for people with Boxing New England. neuromuscular diseases such as Parkinson’s can cause deterioration of motor skills. As “They think we get in the ring and pound Disease, which all the members of the class the disease progresses and neurons con- each other. We do everything else a boxer are battling in varying degrees. tinue to be lost, the medications taken would do, such as footwork (no shuffling), With a dynamic personality, Richard is to control the disorder become less effec- and stretching muscles so we don’t become engaging and outgoing, with an enthusi- tive, producing complications marked by rigid and hunched forward. After we warm asm that is contagious. He is a former pro- involuntary shaking, rigidity, slowness of up, we do a good 15 to 20 minutes of fessional boxer and is self-educated about movement, and difficulty walking. Behav- stretching, walking or jogging. This is so Parkinson’s. He is a member of the Rhode ioral and cognitive problems may also oc- important in fighting the stiffness that PD Island American Parkinson Disease Associ- cur, with depression and anxiety also quite tries to give our body. Last but not least, we ation and speaks regularly at symposiums common. Other symptoms can include get our hands taped up and put the gloves on the topic and the benefits of physical sensory, sleep, and emotional problems. on. It feels good to let loose and pound activity in the treatment of the long-term The cause of Parkinson’s disease is general- that bag. You are swinging with your left physical and emotional debilities of the ly unknown, but believed to involve both and right hand, your good side and your condition. genetic and environmental factors. Par- bad side. You are stretching to hit the bag.

Two dozen men battled Parkinson’s dis- kinson’s disease typically occurs in people You are using footwork. All things that we ease in that morning’s class, and Richard, over the age of 60, with males more often PD fighters have trouble with from time to who has more than 100 participants in his affected than females. An estimated 1 mil- time.”

The Smithfield Times, Inc.

39

Rock Steady Boxing is designed to be fun, combining an exercise program within a strong social element, which is just as important. Exercises are largely adapted from the training drills undertaken by boxers, who must condition themselves for optimal agility, speed, muscular endurance, hand-eye coordination, footwork and overall strength to defend against and overcome opponents. At Rock Steady Boxing, Parkinson’s disease is the opponent.

Exercises vary in purpose but they are all intended to improve balance and stability by forcing movements in all planes of motion.

The seed for what would eventually become Rock Steady Boxing began in 2006 when a former Indianapolis prosecutor, Scott Newman, who after being diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s, began one-onone boxing training with a friend and former Golden Gloves boxer. This non-contact, boxing-inspired fitness routine so dramatically improved Newman’s physical health, agility and daily functioning that he and his partner began offering a boxing training program to anyone with Parkin-

JASWELL’S

Paula Silvia, left, and Richard Gingras and his wife Allysa Gingras.

Photo by Paul Lonardo/The Smithfield Times

son’s, eventually opening an independent gym in 2010.

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Parkinson’s in the ring, the Indianapolis prosecutor and the boxer created a training program. It’s called “Rock Steady Training Camp,” and it is a three-day training seminar that teaches other trainers how to replicate the Rock Steady training model and methodology.

The Rock Steady Method is designed with physical therapists, occupational therapists, boxing coaches, personal trainers, activity directors and anyone who works with people with Parkinson’s in mind.

Richard Gingras has been running his gym, Fight to Fitness, for over six years.

His boxing facility has been affiliated with the Rock Steady Boxing program for 2 ½ years now. For him, it all began about three years ago, when Michael Quaglia walked into his gym.

“I was suffering with Parkinson’s and in pretty rough shape,” Michael says. “I was looking for an answer to help me feel better; something other than medication.

I discovered Rock Steady Boxing online and saw a couple videos, and I wanted to find out more because I saw that it helped a lot of people. That’s when I tracked down

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Richard. He took me in and started training me. I started feeling better within three months. It was amazing.”

“He was in pretty rough shape,” Richard says about Michael, “but as I began to train him in my regular boxing classes, I began to notice a gradual improvement in his motor ability and coordination.”

By this time, Richard had heard about the Rock Steady Boxing program, and he was so amazed at the prospect of helping other people with Parkinson’s that he flew out to Indianapolis to find out more about the program. He was impressed when he realized just how beneficial this program was for people with Parkinson’s, and after attending the training program at their facility, he was certified in the Rock Steady way. They provided Richard with information about Parkinson’s and the kind of exercises that would be most beneficial to the people he would be training at his gym, but he still had to do a lot of research on his own to learn more about the people he would be trying to help.

“The program provided an exercise training guideline,” Richard says, “but it was very basic. It didn’t apply to everyone across the board because everyone is different. There is a diverse demographic of age and ranges of disability, so you pretty much have to tailor an individual workout for each person.”

Richard educated himself, reading all he could about this debilitating condition in order to develop a firm knowledge so that he could provide the best care possible.

“One of the problems I see is how people perceive Parkinson’s,” Richard says. “They just see the gait and tremor, but they don’t realize that the non-motor symptoms are much more aggressive than the motor symptoms. The anxiety and depression that goes along with Parkinson’s is serious. Blood pressure, sleeping disorders, and numerous other anatomical issues are involved. There’s much more to it than a simple tremor or a shaking hand. In my classes, I try to make their mind, body and spirit stronger than Parkinson’s, and make the condition as insignificant as possible.”

Richard works hard to ensure that each man gets help not just in the physical aspect of Parkinson’s but the mental and social aspects of the disorder, as well. Judging by the smiles on the faces of everyone taking part Richard’s Rock Steady Boxing classes, and the numbers or participants that continue to grow in number, it seems to be working well.

You have to treat the human being, not the Parkinson’s is Richard’s philosophy.

Richard is in the process of opening up a separate business to further help people with Parkinson’s as well as those with other neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s, stroke and dementia. It is going to be called Parkinson’s Place, and it will be located in the space on the second floor above his gym in Pawtucket. Stay tuned for more information on that as Richard and the members of his classes come out swinging against Parkinson’s at Rock Steady Boxing New England.

For more information visit: http://rocksteadyboxingne.com/

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41

The Bae Diaries

By Brittni Henderson

A Halloween loss turned this time of year from spooky to special for me There was once a time that it seemed completely necessary to purchase an overpriced, polyester replica of some famous celebrity or a “naughty” version of some day job just to wear it one time to an overcrowded Halloween party. Its likely fate would become a dust collector at the back of my closet until someone needed a backup costume idea for another party a year or two later, or worse—it would never be seen again. The cheap plastic accessories that I was so lucky to have received as a part of the deal would either break, get lost, or end up somewhere like the trunk of my car. There would be the occasional costume that could be thrown together with purchases from a consignment shop or even with some items that I already owned, but the most important thing to me every October was to ensure that I had the most clever, creative, and unique costume out of all of my friends.

All that really matters is the Instagram photo from my night out, right?

Well, that all changed for me during the fall of 2012. As a brutal storm began brewing over the Atlantic Ocean, my family was facing a hurricane of our own.

It was the end of October and as Sandy

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made her way towards the East Coast, the last thing on my mind was shopping for a Halloween costume. My beloved grandfather was rapidly losing his battle with cancer in a New Bedford hospital as high winds and rain wrecking havoc on the landscape outside. Suddenly, the whole idea of dressing in a cheesy, cheap, and barely scary outfit seemed so unimportant. Grandpa Rob finally lost his battle just a few days before Halloween, just as Sandy made her final impact on the Northeast.

Needless to say, I didn’t participate in any Halloween activities that year. In the years following this loss, I slowly got back in the festivities, but to me they never felt the same. The day will always make me remember the sadness my family faced at that time during 2012, but I always remember that Grandpa Rob would have wanted us to continue to have fun so I do again enjoy creating a special costume each year. It’s the day that follows Halloween, though, that has much more importance to me these days.

El Dia de los Muertos, or The Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday celebrated every year on November 1, the day after

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Halloween. I remember learning about this day in Spanish class throughout my time at Smithfield High School and always thought it was pretty interesting, but never knew it would have such a meaning for me one day. Families and friends across Mexico come together to pray for and support the spiritual journeys of loved ones they’ve lost. At times private altars called “ofrendas” are built to pay homage to the departed, and other times the favorite food, drink, and possessions of the lost friend/family member are delivered to their ultimate resting place.

Celebrating the lives of lost loved ones is much more meaningful than dressing up as a creepy ghoul or goblin to me. I know Halloween isn’t the most serious holiday— especially in today’s society where it becomes just another reason to throw a party—but The Day of the Dead is the day I look forward to the most. It may not be directly related to my family or cultural celebrations, but I use it as a day to remember my grandfather, but others that I’ve lost, too.

How do you celebrate Halloween?

Share your photos with us on Facebook!

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New ballot awaits voters Nov. 8

By Kendra Gravelle

When voters in Rhode Island head

to the polls this November, they’re bound to notice that there’s something different from past elections.

At the September 13th state primaries, voters across the state got their first glimpse at the state’s new DS200 voting machines.

There are 590 of these new machines across the state, with six — one for each polling location — in Smithfield. Despite a low voter turnout at the state primaries, with over 16,000 eligible voters in Smithfield, these new, state-of-the-art machines should see a lot of action at the general election next month.

Featuring wireless technology and digital screens displaying ballot-casting instructions, the new machines are expected to surpass the former 20-year-

old voting machines in speed and efficiency.

“Hopefully it will reduce any kinds of errors that we had in the past,” Smithfield Town Clerk Carol Aquilante said. “It will be a lot more accurate.”

The machine includes a feature, which identifies errors a voter may have made in filling out the ballot. If a voter over-votes on a question, for example, a message will appear on the machine’s digital screen asking the voter if he or she would like to fill out a new ballot.

“If the voter wants to recast a ballot, that ballot would be voided, and they would get a new ballot,” explained Pasquale Matteo, Chairman of the Smithfield Board of Canvassers. “But, the voter is able to say what they wish to do. If they want to keep that ballot as an over-vote, everyone that they voted

for in that category will not count.”

If a voter does wish to fill out a new ballot, the moderator for the district will void the ballot the voter made a mistake on, and the voter will have the opportunity to fill out a new ballot.

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The new machines also transmit results wirelessly, rather than using a dial-up Internet connection, as had been used previously.

Frances Luminello, Smithfield’s District 3 moderator, said the wireless transmission of results should make her job much easier.

“We used to have to take the big cartridge out at the end of the day and run it over to the town hall,” she explained.

“Now all we have to do is press a button and it’ll transmit it electronically right to the Board of Elections.”

Voters might also notice that the paper ballots have changed. The new ballots are smaller in size with a smaller font size. And, unlike on the state’s former ballots, voters will be asked to fill in ovals corresponding to candidates for whom they wish to vote.

“In the past, we had to use the black marker to draw arrows,” Aquilante said, “and there used to be difficulty with that. If people drew too hard it would reject the ballot; if you used a pen instead of the marker, it would reject the ballot.”

On the new ballot, the ovals may be filled in with any color pen but green, explained Rosemary Thomas, a member of the Smithfield Board of Canvassers.

Luminello said that, despite a few instances of slight confusion among voters, the introduction of the new voting machine at the September primaries had gone smoothly.

“The machine has been very good,” Luminello said as she helped voters at her district’s polling location at the Anna M. McCabe School navigate through the new voting system.

“It’s just trying to get people acclimated to a different way of

44

voting, filling in the circle instead of going head-to-tail like it was.”

Smithfield resident Sue Connell-Quetta admitted that she was initially caught off-guard by the new voting system.

“I went in not really knowing there would be new voting machines,” she said. “My first reaction when I saw the regular pen was, ‘How am I going to make those thick arrows with a regular pen?’ I went to the next voting booth to see if they had a regular marker and there was a regular pen there also. So, I went back and looked and saw that the ballot was different and had little circles you had to fill in.”

Once she figured that out, Connell-Quetta said, casting her ballot was a piece of cake.

Connell-Quetta had one final thought on the new voting machines.

“Just be thankful there’s no master lever.”

October 2016

DEMOCRATS Hawkins wants to establish youth commission Democratic Town Council President Bernard Hawkins stated, “As a lifelong resident of the Town of Smithfield I have always been committed to supporting programs that help the children of our community. If I am re-elected to the Town Council it would be my goal to form a Youth Commission consisting of students, business owners and our elderly that would give our students the ability to become more engaged in our town through community service.”

“The City of Pawtucket and Town of North Providence have had tremendous success in the establishment of their respective Youth Commissions and as a result students within those communities have been able to receive significant scholarship money towards their college educations.

“As elected officials we have a duty to make sure that our children develop the leadership skills necessary to succeed in life. In addition, we need to provide them with the necessary tools which would afford them the opportunity to return to Smithfield after completing college and potentially work within one of the many businesses located within our community . Lastly, the leadership skills developed through participation in a Youth Commission would hopefully give our students the incentive to return to Smithfield and become our next generation of leaders.

in conversation around important issues, she said in a press release. For more information on the series, visit Suzyalba.com.

Alba has been dedicated to public service for more than a decade. She has served on the RIC Alumni Association and Women’s Fund boards of directors, is a volunteer for Leadership Rhode Island where she is a College Leadership Program graduate, and is co-founder of United Way of Rhode Island Young Leaders Circle, according to the press release. She is currently an appointed member of the Governor’s Workforce Board and member of Soroptimist, a global organization improving the lives of women and girls.

Locally, Alba is co-leading an effort to create a dog park and helped implement a leadership program for High School girls. She is an advocate for education and recreation programs having annually sponsored teams for Smithfield Youth Soccer and served on the Citizens Advisory Group that worked to institute full-day kindergarten, increase the number of advancement placement and music courses at the High School and technology upgrades across the district.

“I will continue to work with the school committee to ensure we are more than adequately investing in our schools to foster an environment that helps our students excel,” Alba said.

Alba also welcomes residents to attend her campaign event at Thirsty Beaver on Monday, Oct. 3 from 5-8 p.m. Donations will help support her re-election to the town council.

Orabona sees growth opporSuzy Alba Announces ‘Coffee tunities for Smithfield & Conversation’ Gatherings “As a lifelong resident of Suzy Alba, Town Council Vice President and candidate for re-election, will kick off “Coffee & Conversation” on Saturday, Oct. 8 from 9-10 a.m. at Smithfield Coffee Company. Alba will treat residents to coffee and engage

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Smithfield and businessman I have watched our town grow. Smithfield is a unique place with its pristine rural setting along with its proximity to Boston,” said Democrat Kenneth Orabona.

“Our town has the opportunity to contin-

ue to attract new residents and businesses from other parts of the state. However, in order to attract business the town needs to elect individuals who have a big picture perspective as to what is needed to expand the town’s commercial tax base, stabilize the town’s residential tax rate in order to make our town more competitive relative to other municipalities and aggressively fund our capital budget to address the town’s aging infrastructure needs including but not limited to road resurfacing.

“It is imperative that Smithfield pursue business leads and expand its commercial tax base. My priority if elected to the Town Council is to establish a committee of representatives from existing businesses to meet regularly to discuss the challenges businesses faces. The town needs to retain its existing businesses and create opportunities for new businesses to relocate to Smithfield.

“The expansion of our commercial tax base is of the greatest importance for Smithfield to minimize the tax burden on our residential homeowners. I believe that our town residents are ready for a change in the town government, which was shown quite clearly on September 13, 2016. If elected I will listen to the changes that residents are looking for to keep Smithfield a great place to bring up our families.”

Smithfield must keep its homegrown talent Democrat Matthew DeAngelis said, “As a lifelong resident of Smithfield and a teacher of special needs students, I have decided to run for Town Council not only to become more involved in the community within which I live but also to get our youth more involved in town activities.”

“The recent adoption of the Economic Overlay District not only provides our town with the distinct ability to create new opportunities for businesses to expand and grow but it also presents our

45

DEMOCRATS children with the opportunity to work within the town in which they live. The expansion of the business community in Smithfield gives our children the ability to remain in Smithfield and become our next generation of leaders.

“As a council member I will strongly advocate for term limits for all boards and commissions as well as elective office holders in order get more of our residents involved in government. The town needs to implement partnerships with its children in order to develop its local talent who will in turn lead our town into the future. The town must minimize its residential tax burden and grow its business community in order to give our children the opportunity to be professionals within the community in which they were raised.”

McNelis cites reason for running for School Committee Democrat Ryan McNelis said he is often get asked by people, “why I want to seek elected office. The answer, quite honestly, is to serve the people of Smithfield. I believe that the highest title we hold in life is that of citizen, not Governor, not Senator, and not even President, but citizen. It is to our own detriment if society loses focus on this fundamental value. As such, I wish to serve, and I chose School Committee because

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education is a vitally important task that you entrust to government.”

“It helps mold our next generation with the very tools and values they need to succeed in their lives and this ever more technologically demanding economy. We, therefore, need to ensure that parents and students get the best value for each tax dollar spent on education, and we accomplish this by encouraging parents to get involved and work with teachers to ensure success,” he said in a press release.

“I embrace community outreach, and hope to encourage, support, and defend after school events that will bring parents, students, and teachers together in meaningful ways.”

I promise to listen and assist any parent or teacher attempting to encourage integration and cooperation through events aimed at promoting educational and social goals. I also promise to support special education programs. Many students need just a little extra help to succeed, and such students and parents should never feel abandoned or ignored. We should all work together.”

Cheryl Hodgins for Schools Democrat Cheryl HirstHodgins said she, “feels very fortunate to have been part of a school system that is as excellent as the Smithfield School system and to know that I was a student over 50 years ago.” “ Education is a social process. Education

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“I have over 25 years of experience as a professor at West Chester University in social work where my goal was to teach students to work with people in a strength perspective. A teacher ignites the fire that fuels the students thirst for knowledge, curiosity and wisdom.

“In addition, I started the Institute for Human Resources Inc. to provide skills training and to assist in job placement programs. This is an exciting time, yet stressful for students. We need to ensure we have courses and programs that will enable students to achieve their potential and to support music and fine arts as well as athletics; but in addition, we need to continue to promote the expansion of AP and EEP courses.

“The Smithfield School Committee needs to support the teachers, the parents and the administration to provide an education to our students which helps our students actualize their abilities. We should provide a safe and nurturing environment for our children to learn with attention to cost effectiveness.”

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REPUBLICANS Poirier supports local control of zoning now more than ever “Until recently, the pace of development in Smithfield has been gradual and moderate,” observed Richard Poirier, Republican candidate for Smithfield Town Council. “This can be attributed to good planning and zoning policy implemented by Republican Town Councils late in the 20th Century and early in the 21st. Still, anyone who travels along our major roads (Routes 44, 7, and 116), will attest to the growing traffic problems Smithfield residents face.”

“Thanks to state guaranteed high density development bonuses awarded to developers for incorporating low/moderate income housing in their plans, hundreds more dwelling units are in the pipeline for Smithfield in the near future. For example, the Churchill and Banks development at Route 44 and Esmond St., and the Route 116, George Washington Highway development; approval for over 200 units has been sought on each of these projects.

The list goes on: Residences at Limerock, the Oaks, etc. Then, when you consider the prospect of federal agencies like HUD using Rhode Map RI to impose their social engineering goals into local land use planning, the future for Smithfield’s self-determination becomes even bleaker.”

As he visits Smithfield voters in the course this campaign season, Richard Poirier said he hopes to discuss residents’ concerns with them. Poirier emphasizes, “No one wants the less fortunate to be shut out of a community! And no family that scraped, struggled, and saved to buy into one of Smithfield’s many great neighborhoods should have their dream shattered by sudden urbanization!”

Why Do We Stand?

Standing For Our National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance John Yoakum, a Republican candidate for Smithfield Town Council, said in a press release, “Not standing for our National Anthem has become a national conversation. While it is being talked about at a national level I believe it is just as important of a conversation at the local level. This is not a new issue because individuals have refused to stand and even refused to give the Pledge of Allegiance before others have recently. This expression of free speech is something we should not restrict, even as offensive at is to most Americans. But we need to educate our children and others who don’t understand who and what the American Flag represents. The National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance are not meant to be a pledge to a piece of cloth.

That is a misunderstanding by those whose goal is to protest or disrespect the flag that our National Anthem and Pledge of Allegiance makes a claim that all Americans both past and present were and are perfect. The American Flag represents our 50 United States, our 13 original colonies, and the sacrifice that so many have made and continue to make and keep our country free and safe. So often this protest or act of disrespect distracts from the individual’s claim to protest or bring to light specific grievances. We need to teach our children that we should give proper respect to our flag because of whom and what it represents. While our nation and our people throughout its history have not been perfect, together they have given us a Bill of Rights, freedom of expression (the freedom to sit), but also the freedom to show our children and others what is decent, respectful, and patriotic.”

Clough: Dedicated to Growth of Cost Effective Academic Opportunities in Our Schools Republican Sean Clough said, “During the course of my term the School Committee has overseen an explosion of educational opportunities. We have witnessed the integration of Wi-Fi access throughout our schools. At the time I argued that it was unacceptable that a student can connect to the World Wide Web at McDonald’s, but not in his/her local school. Outstandingly, we were able to do this and cover nearly all the cost with a $222,000 grant. Coming off that success the School District jumped into the 21st century with laptops for every student (grades 3-12). I continue to hear stories from parents and students about how use of the laptops has made education fun.”

“We also expanded our kindergarten program to full day. Students are now better prepared to start first grade. We did this with a grant saving the taxpayers $50,000 in startup costs. Growing programs while reducing costs. That’s the way it should be in Smithfield.

“If given the honor of serving on the School Committee for another term I hope to grow on our success. We have rigorous coursework at the middle school, but we should expand on it by offering honors courses that can accompany the newly created National Junior Honor Society. We also should follow the advice of our high school foreign language teachers and begin the process of teaching foreign language at the elementary schools. Let’s continue the work of achieving academic success in Smithfield together.”

H Your Vote Counts H Tuesday, November 8th H The Smithfield Times, Inc.

47

Stargazing

By David Huestis, Historian, Skyscrapers, Inc.

Meteors and other Astronomical Treats

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October 2016

Taurus’ Hyades star cluster. As the waning gibbous Moon moves eastward in our sky, it will pass in front of Aldebaran along the Moon’s bright limb (left edge) at approximately 1:49 a.m. EDT, and will reappear along the Moon’s dark limb (right edge) at approximately 2:53 a.m. EDT. You may see dimmer stars covered and/or uncovered during this time as well, and earlier in the evening on the 18th the Moon will pass in front of other stars in the Hyades cluster too. You will not need a telescope to watch Aldebaran disappear and reappear, although binoculars will enhance the view. With a telescope you might see the star blink as it passes behind crater walls or lunar mountains. Give it a try.

And finally, on the night of October 20-21, the peak of the Orionid meteor shower occurs when the Earth passes through the remnants of Halley’s Comet. Generally a decent meteor shower, an interfering waning gibbous Moon (last quarter on the 23rd) will rise locally on the 20th around 10 p.m. in the feet of Gemini the twins. This placement is very close to the shower’s radiant point in the constellation of Orion, not far from the bright red super giant star Betelgeuse. This scenario will most certainly affect observing the peak rate of about 20 or so yellow and green meteors per hour between midnight and dawn’s early light. The Orionid meteors disintegrate in our atmosphere around 41.6 miles per second, and they are also noted for producing fireballs that create persistent dust trains as they blaze across the sky.

While Orion is an easy star pattern to identify, at 3:00 a.m. this giant constellation can be found high in the southeast sky.

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October 2016

Sudoku

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!

CLUES ACROSS 1. Nonsense (slang) 5. Military leader (abbr.)

9. Removes 11. Streamed 13. Inner ear cavity 15. Where to go after high school 16. Olympics host 17. A day to remember fallen soldiers 19. Forearm bone 21. Bypass surgery pioneer F. Mason __ 22. Judo garments 23. Gentlemen 25. Large wrestler

26. Large integer 27. Makes a soft sound 29. Some claim to have six 31. Sunfish 33. Clan 34. A form of comedy 36. Defy 38. More (Spanish) 39. Sixteen ounces 41. Adventure story 43. Liquid distilled from wood or coal 44. Michigan ghost town 46. Fond of 48. Pearl Jam frontman 52. Clothes 53. Flinches

54. Giving the axe 56. Where planes are kept 57. Intervals 58. Plant’s unit of reproduction 59. Equips CLUES DOWN 1. Cooks by exposure to direct heat 2. Using few words 3. Wood 4. Steer 5. Soft drink 6. Consider 7. Clears from a river 8. Claim again

9. Beige 10. Witnesses 11. Spiked 12. Partidge actor Susan and Marmaduke director Tom 14. __ and Andy, TV show 15. Fraiche and de Menthe are two 18. Burden 20. Olfactory properties 24. Carbon particles 26. Set of four 28. A sweater pulled over the head 30. Relaxing places 32. Gets up 34. Canned fish

35. __ Blyton, children’s author 37. A conceited and selfcentered person 38. Fine-textured cotton fabric 40. Turner and Kennedy 42. Repents 43. Smartphones, tablets, etc.

45. A way to garner 47. Eat them for breakfast 49. Former Tigers third baseman Brandon 50. Oh, God! 51. Canadian flyers 55. One legged Chinese mythological demon

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51

The Chief’s Corner

By Robert W. Seltzer, BSEE, EFO, MP Chief Smithfield Fire Dept.

Fire Prevention Week is October 9 through the 15 and is a national event recognized throughout the country. We typically think of October as Fire Prevention Month as the Smithfield Fire Department spends the entire month of October educating school children and community groups about the danger of fire and how to prevent fires from occurring.

The Fire Prevention Week theme for this year is “Don’t Wait – Check The Date! Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years”.

• Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years.

• Make sure you know how old all the smoke alarms are in your home.

• To find out how old a smoke alarm is, look at the date of manufacture on the back of the alarm; the alarm should be

replaced 10 years from that date.

Additional fire safety tips: • Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including the basement. Larger homes may need more alarms. For the best protection, make sure all smoke alarms are interconnected. When one sounds, they all sound.

• Test smoke alarms at least once a month by pushing the test button.

• A closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat and fire.

• If the smoke alarm sounds, get outside and stay outside. Go to your outside meeting place.

• Call the fire department from a cellphone or a neighbor’s phone. Call 911!

Stay outside until the fire department says it is safe to go back inside.

Home Escape Plan: • Have two ways out of each room.

• Know to crawl low to the floor when escaping to avoid toxic smoke.

• Know that once you’re out, stay out.

• Know where to meet after the escape.

• Meeting place should be near the front of your home, so firefighters know you are out.

• Practice your fire escape plan.

The Smithfield Fire Department invites you to our annual Fire Prevention Open House to be held on Saturday, Oct. 15, 12 to 4 p.m., at our fire department headquarters station, 607 Putnam Pike, in Greenville.

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October 2016

Seven selected for Heritage Hall of Fame The Smithfield Heritage Hall of Fame will hold its 2016 induction ceremony at the Smithfield Senior Center, 1 William J. Hawkins Jr. Trail in Greenville on Thursday, Oct. 27, at 7 p.m. This is Smithfield’s ninth induction to the prestigious Hall of Fame. Smithfield residents are welcome to attend.

The event will feature the induction of seven Smithfield residents who have contributed to the history and heritage of the town through public service, community service, business or recreation.

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This year’s inductees are: • F. Monroe Allen, a state senator, town moderator, town committee chairman, town councilor.

• David Balcom, a tireless town worker who meticulously maintained the playing fields while volunteering his time for years as a youth coach.

• Eugene Lielecki, devoted his life to aviator safety. He supported, protected and managed the Georgiaville Pond and its dam.

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• John Charkuroff, , a talented wood craftsman and artist, has permeated the homes, churches and business of Smithfield.

• Virginia Harnois, has served the Smithfield education community as a schoolboard official longer than any other town official in Rhode Island.

• Steven Smith, a popular musical entertainer whose work in music has raised more than a half million dollars for Rhode Island children and their families regarding obesity awareness and for medical equipment to hospitals.

• Alonzo Thurber III, an active volunteer to the conservation commission and the restoration of historical cemeteries in Smithfield.

Hall of Fame Committee members are appointed by the Town Council. The committee is comprised of a diverse group of representatives of town employees, community and business organizations as well as town residents.

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Smithfield Elks Lodge #2359 Celebrates 50 Years of Service to the Community

By Marilyn Busch

Smithfield Elks Lodge #2359 has made an impact on this area in the half-century since it was first chartered on October 28, 1966. While the Lodge has seen much change over the years, one thing has remained constant - the Smithfield Elks’ unwavering devotion and service to their local community.

The Elks Lodge membership is well known for a wide variety of area-based charitable programs that benefit local youth, veterans and individuals with special needs. As the Smithfield Lodge’s Exalted Ruler Timothy S. Chilinski said, “There are many needs that the Lodge fulfills in its position as a charitable partner for the community. We have many committees staffed by dedicated Elks volunteers in order to meet the needs of the people of Smithfield and surrounding communities.”

The Lodge just recently generously donated $2,500 to five different recipients: Greenville Boy Scouts, Georgiaville Boy Scouts, Providence Canteen, the Military Lounge at T.F. Green Airport and the North Providence Fire Department.

You would be hard-pressed to find a Smithfield family who has not in some way benefitted from the Elks’ local efforts.

From financially supporting deserving students through scholarships and educating them on drug awareness, the Smithfield Elks have had a lasting impact on local youth. Their sports programs give school age boys and girls an opportunity to learn the values of healthy competition and good sportsmanship.

Exalted Ruler Chilinski sums up his feelings on the organization’s mission, saying “When I am asked why I became an Elk, I tell people that I feel fortunate and it is time to give back to those that need help.” He adds, “You only know the full meaning of being an Elk by seeing what we do in the community. You get a warm feeling in your heart when you see our children participate in the hoop shoot or soccer shoot, when one of Smithfield’s students receives a scholarship, or you see the delight on the faces of the veterans from the Bristol Home at our Veterans Day dinner.”

The group thrives on a strong sense of patriotism, seen annually through their commemoration of Flag Day and honoring retired U.S. military for their service. The Smithfield Lodge also accepts grant requests on behalf of disabled individuals in finan-

54

cial need. The Elks are committed to assisting the local special needs population and the 10 statewide lodges recently joined together to host a summer outing for 1,250 Rhode Islanders with special needs.

With all they have accomplished at golden age of 50, the Smithfield Lodge is a relative youngster within the national Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks organization, which traces its roots back to 1868. Originally chartered as a New York based social group, the organization soon solidified its mission to be a social group devoted to providing charitable services. After some debate, the national founders soon adopted the elk as the symbol for the community-centered fraternity. The stately elk seems a fitting representation of the group’s mission and patriotic nature – a distinctively American creature seen as a representation of strength, courage and wisdom. Today the Smithfield Elks are among 10 lodges in Rhode

October 2016

Smithfield Elk Lodge’s Exalted Ruler Timothy S. Chilinski, left, presents check to Providence Canteen operators.

Island, its membership contributing to the group’s more than 850,000 national members.

The Smithfield Lodge #2359 is located on a 2.75-acre lakeview property at 326 Farnum Pike originally purchased in 1966.

Over the years the group has seen their membership grow from the original 170 charter members to the more than 500 that belong to the Smithfield Lodge today. The leadership expects to see that number reach over 600 by next spring.

Of the original Smithfield Lodge founders, only five survive today to celebrate the Lodge’s landmark 50th Anniversary. John Cunningham, one of the remaining founding members is Chairman of the #2359 Lodge’s 50th Anniversary Committee. A second generation Elk, Cunningham has been with the Smithfield group from the very beginning, starting with group’s early search for a building to call their own.

Over the next 50 years the group accommodated their growing membership by expanding the original structure into a relaxed lounge with a bank of sunny windows that wrap around the side of the building. Open daily, the lounge offers much in the way of fellowship, with weekly karaoke and live music every Saturday night featuring such local names as Vini Ames Band, Cool Change and Calamari Brothers.

In recent years, the Elks have constructed an open-air pavilion that overlooks Stump Pond. The spacious open-air covered picnic area comfortably accommodates 100, with a full bar, BBQ and horseshoe pits. The Elks largest venue available for rent is a function room seating 300. Under rustic chandelier lighting and expansive wood-beamed ceilings, the Elks Lodge ballroom will be the setting for the group’s 50th Anniversary event on October 15. Cunningham’s committee has much planned for the landmark celebration, including cocktails, a banquet dinner, dancing and a look through the Lodge’s storied history.

For more information on the Smithfield Elks Lodge 50th Celebration, their many charitable efforts or how to become a member, call the Lodge at (401) 231-9820.

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Payne’s Picks

By Sarah Payne The Girl on the Train – October 7 Some people are calling this movie the next Gone Girl. Besides the fact that it also has the word “girl” in the title, it’s also based on a bestselling psychological thriller that was released just last year. I don’t even need to see reviews to know The Girl on the Train will be worth the money. It stars Emily Blunt, who is lovely in basically every role she takes—no matter the genre—and her character’s husband is played by Justin Theroux (Jennifer Aniston’s husband). Last month, Blunt was interviewed by The New York Times and shared a bit more about her character’s addictions: “I don’t think I’ve ever played somebody who is living in such a dark place, who is truly in the depths of despair. And it was such an unusual element for your female protagonist, your heroine, to be a blackout drunk.”

The Accountant – October 14 With one of the more creative trailers I’ve seen in a while (and featuring one of my favorite songs, Radiohead’s “Everything in Its Right Place”), The Accountant stars Ben Affleck as an autistic accountant and possible hitman. In an interview with Marc Snetiker 18 YEARS IN BUSINESS

over at Entertainment Weekly, Affleck talks about the quirkiness of his character: “He’s a very distinct and unusual character — a little bit different than your average, everyday person in the way he processes information and social thinking, and the way he sees numbers and logic, and that he’s trapped a little bit in his own mind.” The film also stars Anna Kendrick, who is excellent as a supporting actress in more serious roles (sorry, I’m just not a big Pitch Perfect fan!).

MOVIE REVIEWS Hell or High Water - What I loved most about this film (and there’s a lot to love) is the fact that there was very little marketing or promotion to overhype it. I was able to go into the theater with an open mind, only knowing that it’s about bank robbers and it stars Chris Pine and Jeff Bridges. So I won’t give too much away, but I will say that every element of the film—from the music, to the cinematography, to the poignant, minimalist acting—is of the utmost quality.

It’s set in rural Texas, which almost serves as its own character, providing a beautiful backdrop, as well as a context of economic depression. Some of the best dialogue is between two Texas rangers, played

by Bridges and Gil Birmingham, who constantly exchange manly insults. I also really enjoy that the film doesn’t take sides about who’s right or who’s wrong—even when there are criminals involved.

Don’t Breathe - What happens when you put three delinquent teenagers (and would-be thieves) into a blind man’s home? Lots of blood— lots and lots of blood. For the most part, Don’t Breathe is an incredibly fun and terrifying ride. I gasped and nearly jumped out of my seat at several points. But as with too many horror films, the plot eventually crosses the line of reason and takes a crazy turn in the last half hour. Even so, it’s worth a watch this month if you want to get into the Halloween spirit and give yourself a bit of a scare.

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October 2016

Second Screenings

By Patricia McIvor It’s October, which means it’s time to dust off your black hat and broomstick, and get back in touch with your inner witch.

From the avocado-hued Wicked Witch of the West to Harry Potter’s super-smart friend Hermione Granger, witches continue to inspire fear and admiration. Using Glinda’s immortal question—“Are you a good witch or a bad witch?”—as a guide, you can select the appropriate movie to suit your wish for witches this Halloween.

For good witches, check out Practical Magic (1998) Based on the novel by Alice Hoffman, Practical Magic focuses on the magic and power of sisterhood through several generations of the Owens family. After a family curse claims their parents, Sally (Sandra Bullock) and Gillian (Nicole Kidman) are raised by their nonconformist aunts Jet (Dianne Wiest) and Frances (Stockard Channing), who instruct them in the magical arts. Largely shunned by their more conservative neighbors, the Owens women support each other through love, death, and bad relationships; the film largely follows Sally and Gillian as they attempt to exorcise an abusive boyfriend.

The magic in the film is an interesting blend of home remedies, superstition, and spells. Sally sells her “potions” as spa products, and the aunts recite old wives tales as gospel (in the Owens household, a broom falling down really does signal someone’s arrival). Their magic is so familiar and accessible that at the end of the film, the Owens family reaches out to their “mortal” friends to help with a large spell. After their neighbors reveal that they’ve also experienced moments of premonition and ESP, Aunt Jet explains that “there’s a little witch in all of us.”

headless zombie (Doug Jones).

Now a Halloween television staple, Hocus Pocus has become a modern classic thanks to the ghoulishly gleeful performances

by Midler, Najimy, and Parker. Bad witches of the old school, the Sanderson sisters only use their powers for evil, literally sucking the life out of children in order to remain forever young. Like antiquated X-men, the sinister sisters have different special powers: leader Winifred directs their witchery with the help of a sentient book; sanguine Mary locates children with her near-canine sense of smell; and ditzy Sarah uses her enchanted voice to lure children to their ultimate doom.

Do you prefer good witches or bad witches? Send me your pick for top witch at pmcivor@smithfieldtimesri.com.

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For bad witches, watch Hocus Pocus (1993) Embellishing the true story of the Salem Witch Trials, Hocus Pocus introduces Winifred (Bette Midler), Mary (Kathy Najimy) and Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker) Sanderson, who are executed for witchcraft in 1693. Three hundred years later, the Sanderson sisters are accidentally brought back to life on Halloween by disaffected teenager Max (Omri Katz) and his little sister Dani (Thora Birch). Max and Dani must stop the witches from achieving immortality with the help of a cursed cat (voiced by Jason Marsden) and a hapless and frequently

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New law sponsored by Winfield allows in-law apartments for seniors A new law sponsored by Rep. Thomas Winfield will make it easier for seniors to maintain their independence by expanding the state’s law permitting “in-law” apartments to cover any family member 62 or older, regardless of whether they have a disability, according to a press release.

The new law, which takes effect Jan. 1 after being signed by the governor in July, will allow Rep. Thomas Winfield owner-occupants of single-family homes to construct or use accessory family dwelling units as a reasonable accommodation for family members who are 62 or older, provided they follow all other applicable laws.

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for in-law apartments for seniors, although that arrangement makes a lot of sense for families. Previously, the law granted approval for in-law apartments only for disabled family members.

“Years ago, it was just expected that families would be able to live together and take care of older relatives as they aged.

That’s still what so many families would prefer, and in-law apartments make it possible, while providing older family members a measure of privacy and independence,” Winfield said. “Allowing in-law apartments to accommodate senior family members is a way to help them remain in their communities, living the way they prefer in a way they can afford, and to provide families the peace of mind that comes with knowing that their mom or dad is not alone if they need help.

It’s a cost-effective living arrangement for seniors, and our laws should encourage their use by families.”

While better serving the senior population, easing restrictions on in-law apartments also has benefits for their families and the wider community. When senior family members are able to live with younger family members, they are better enabled to make valuable contributions, like providing childcare, helping with cooking and other household chores, and are able to develop closer relationships with their grandchildren and other family members. It may enable them to remain active in retirement longer, volunteering in nonprofits, churches or nonprofit organizations, contributing to their communities. Additionally, at a time when baby boomers are reaching retirement age, it will help meet the increased demand for housing solutions for seniors, and reduce waiting lists for public senior housing for those who need it.

Winfield said there are many other zoning laws and restrictions in place that will ensure in-law apartments are created safely and in ways that do not change the character of quiet residential neighborhoods. The law also includes a provision that legally reverts homes with in-law apartments back to regular single-family dwellings when the senior family member no longer lives there.

“All in all, there are a great many benefits to allowing inlaw apartments for use by elder generations of families. This is a long-overdue change that I’m sure will improve the lives of not only seniors, but also the younger family members with whom they will be able to live as a result of this law,” said Winfield.

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October 2016

Between the Lines

By Greg Rubano

Black and Blue Men in Blue/ the Original Blue Man Group They stand impervious and imperial.

Make your argument short. Watch your language. Don’t show them up by stepping out of the batter’s box and mumbling to yourself. Don’t make faces or shake your head more than once. Touch them and you are suspended But what if you are sure that the runner had beaten the throw? No need to charge out onto the field or go toe-to-toe with the ump. Instead, calmly request that the call be reviewed by the New York powers that be. Far removed from the drama, these custodians of the video replay will deliberate for a few minutes while the fans

catch up on their social media responsibilities, texting their friends about post game plans they have been exploring throughout the game.

There are many reasons that baseball is no longer America’s favorite sport. Even as football’s violence continues to enthrall the country, baseball has become increasingly civilized, less entertaining. In the game’s early days, an admission ticket promised the possibility of spikings, fisticuffs, and rowdyism between players. It also provided open season on the player’s sworn enemy- the umpire. As good as umps have it today, their predecessors

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did not. Dated by the diamond -shaped home plate (pentagonal home plate began around 1900), the late 19th century rendering “A Hot Time on the Diamond” shows an embattled Mr. Magoo-like umpire determined to stand firm against an incensed mob of players and fans. Judging by the ghoulish portraits of the fans ready to jump onto the field, Julius Caesar had a better chance of repelling his assassins.

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pire Jim Rice made clear the reality of the vocation: “I’ve been mobbed, cussed, booed, kicked in the ass, punched in the face, hit with mud balls and whiskey bottles.” A fellow ump commiserated: “It’s a dog’s life. Worse than that, for sometimes people speak kindly to dogs. We are outcasts, pariahs, things to be insulted by ten thousand fans a day.” In reality, the umpire’s window of possible abuse went beyond the game’s duration. Fearful of reprisals from fans (and charges of collusion with bettors), umpire’s traveled incognito, their hotel lodgings known only to league presidents. On occasion, that secrecy could be compromised. An incensed crowd followed a minor league ump to his hotel. The ump sought refuge in a room on the top floor, but the mob remained, threatening to lynch him in the morning. Finally, at 11 at night, the ump raised his hotel window and announced he had reversed his decision against the hometown boys. Appeased, the crowd left.

Malevolence towards the men they wished to wear black and blue reached into the moral deliberations of the family itself. In an Dr. Dadiala Dr. Miller 1886 Chicago Tribune publication, an anonymous youngster seeks maternal approval of his plan to belt the umpire right between the eyes: “Let me clasp his throat, dear mother, in a delightful grip with one hand and with the other bat him several in the lip.” UnMaking Smiles Happen derstanding his mother’s reluctance to condone such violence, he reassures her that “while the happy people shout, I’ll not kill him, One Patient at a Time Dr. Miller Dr. Dadiala mother dearest; I will only knock him out.”

Well-known composers fed the frenzy of umpire baiting and assault. In a 1910 song, “Let’s Get the Umpire’s Goat,” a fan beNew Patient seeches the ump “to go somewhere and die.” Jack Norworth, the Special composer of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” wrote the song. NorIncludes: cleaning, exam, x-rays worth had never seen a baseball game prior to writing his classic, Consultation and treatment plan. ($301 value) 41 Sanderson Rd, Suite106 Dental Implant but quicklySmithfield came to RIunderstand that a stable diet of obscenities, 02917 Special catcalls, and character assassinations went well with peanuts and Problem-focused Monday – Thursday: dental consultation cracker jack. 9:00AM– A 1909 6:00PM musical comedy by John Philip Sousa feaincludes 1 x-ray Implant, Abutment & Crown Friday: tured a song that acknowledged the demands of the vocation: “An 5:00PM umpire needs 9:00AM a cool –and level head that isn’t hard to hit. So when fans beat his frame, they’ll have a nice place to sit.” Of course, all this was when lawsuits and medical insurance coverage were pipedreams. Speaking of pipedreams, a tobacco ad around this time suggested that its product would help curb the natural desire to kill the ump. A few puffs would even make the umpire seem “almost human.”

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October 2016

which he danced madly. Cunningham retired from baseball the next day.

Cunningham wasn’t the only one to think that enough was enough. Umpire Pollack was at first quite the stout fellow. Despite having his hair pulled, his shins kicked, and his stomach punched, he entertained no thoughts of submission.

Then one day “a big fellow walked up to the front of the stands, dropped his bull dog onto the field and yelled, “Sic him.”

“It was then that I resigned,” explained Pollack.

There was little sympathy for the umpire’s plight. Baseball pioneer Spaulding proclaimed that the players and fans’ taunts and assaults were simply acts of good Americans “exercising their democratic right to protest against tyranny.”

First and foremost businessmen, baseball owners knew that as sadistic and bullying as they could be, fans paid admission to the ballpark, in some way a precursor to UFC fans who put down good money to see fighters bloodied into submission.

Consequently, only token moves were taken to discourage the violence and mayhem. One team installed barbwire to discourage attacks from fans. On occasion, an extra policeman or two might be hired.

However, when a young umpire destined for later Hall of Fame inclusion wavered

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between life and death as a result of having his skull fractured by a thrown bottle, the league began policing actions. An alarmed Ban Johnson, American League president, now made it his business to protect and defend the umpire from mistreatment. Towards that end, a second umpire was employed and suspensions and fines for abusive behaviors were instituted. Of course, this concern for curbing the game’s rowdyism was needed if the game was to be promoted as a proper venue for families and young women.

Not all umpires were passive victims willing to grin and bear it. Ex-boxer Billy McClean found opportunity to display his pugilistic skills within the confines of the batter’s box and on one occasion threw a bat at taunting fans. Umpire Ferguson went further, using a bat to break the arm of a player who had called him a liar. Some umps took the offensive in other ways as Hall of Fame second baseman Eddie Collins discovered when an ump spat in his face, afterward explaining, “I don’t like college boys.” Perhaps the saliva bath was a symbolic repayment on behalf of all those umps that had been hit in the face by tobacco juice. Of course, umpires who engaged in retaliatory action put themselves at risk of being fired, even as those who shunned confrontation faced

charges of cowardice. Retaliation could take other forms, however, as when Umpire Jack Sheridan refused to award first base to notorious umpire abuser John McGraw of the New York Giants when McGraw was hit by a pitch. McGraw was hit four more times in the same game and mysteriously never made it to first base.

Perhaps being an ump couldn’t have been so bad. In fact, one condemned inmate was granted his last wish to ump a game played within the prison walls. After the game, all delusions of grandeur dispelled, the inmate was hanged unceremoniously.

It could have been worst. He could have been hanged during the seventh-inning stretch.

Of course, not everyone believed that the umpire’s plight was so dire. To make that case, the editor of Baseball Magazine (1909) recalled a game played when despite “fearful verdicts on the basepaths,” the umpire was treated “like a gentleman and a czar.” In fact, he got through the game without being kicked and no player challenged him to a fight after the game.

Clearly then, there were civilized and affable natures beneath those rough exteriors. Misunderstood delinquents. That the umpire happened to be John L. Sullivan, heavyweight champion of the world? Totally irrelevant.

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A sunny afternoon in Smithfield calls players to the soccer pitch at Deerfield Park in the Smithfield Youth Soccer Association to engage in intense competition as shown here with Kaleigh Connell, 8, left, and Lexi Kozlik, 9, of team Celtic, matriculating the ball down the field against Ocean State Urgent Care’s team.

Photo by Albert Tavakalov/The Smithfield Times

The St. Philip Parish Festival opened on Thursday night, Sept. 22, with Ava Maneca, 12, taking flight on the bungee jump. Up, up and away the young daredevil went while the sun shined under a perfect blue sky.

Photo by Albert Tavakalov/The Smithfield Times

Snow plows took a toll on the mailboxes installed on Pleasant View Avenue since the time of its reconstruction. A government grant is paying for the relocation of and replacement of the damaged mailboxes. Rhode Island Department of Transportation workers, Jeff Casale, left, and Ryan Dansereau make sure the new posts are set level.

Photo by Albert Tavakalov/The Smithfield Times

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Bob and Claire Donahue of Smithfield celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary with their family.

October 2016

The Smithfield Sportsman’s Club held its 83rd annual Field Day on Sept. 18 and offered numerous activities for families. Dad, Bobby; London, 2; mom Carrie; Sophie, 2; Caylee 5.

Photos by Albert Tavakalov/The Smithfield Times

Madison Fox, a sophomore at Smithfield High School, takes aim at dozens on balloons with a bow and arrow; an overview of the annual field day that draws scores of area residents.

The KFC/Taco Bell building at the Apple Valley Mall on Route 44 (Putnam Pike) came tumbling down under the wrecker’s claw in September, with construction soon under way for a new structure that owner Ken Rianna asserts will the be only the second kind of its type in the country. The first state-of-the-art KFC is located, of course, in Kentucky, but Smithfield will have the only one in the country outside the company’s home state. Rianna plans to open the new KFC/Taco Bell, one of eight that he owns in Rhode Island and Connecticut, in time for Christmas. “It is to be a showplace,” Rianna said, “and a lot of people will be coming here just to see it. The restaurant will be bigger than the old one and the drive-thru will be located on the other side of the building from where it was at the old, which solves the traffic back-up problem we have had.” Rianna credited Smithfield officials with “being very supportive and they helped us through the whole process. You don’t find that in many towns in Rhode Island.” The new restaurant will be dedicated to the memory his wife Irene Rianna who died two years ago. “We were partners from the first restaurant and she was running the entire office for all the stores until she got sick. Ken and Irene were married for 46 years and a memorial will be included in the design of the interior of the building, he said.

Troop 1 Georgiaville Boy Scouts helped assemble education packets for the Smithfield Fire Department to distribute during Fire Prevention Week - October 9 – 15 - the entire month of October educating school children and community groups about the danger of fire and how to prevent fires from occurring. Helping out are from left, Declan Wood, Adam Fontaine, Bryce Moroni, Karl Basilio, Trevor Morgan, Colin Wood, Garrett Moroni, Jack Erice, committee members John Fontaine and Don Aquilante, and Assistant Scout Master Peter Wood.

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The Sweet Family put up a lemonade stand outside their home on Downingwood Drive to raise money to support Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RISPCA). From left to right Tyler Sweet, 5, Justin Sweet, 12, and Zachary Sweet, 9, offered lemonade and brownies for those who attended. The animals were offered cat treats and homemade dog treats (both peanut butter biscuits and frozen treats made with peanut butter & a little coconut oil).

They wanted to offer healthy treats. Teresa and Peter Sweet report that their sons raised $475.73 for the RISPCA. There were also donations of pet toys, treats and food.

Garrett Moroni holds up one of the Fire Prevention education packets that the Smithfield Fire Department will distribute to students in the town’s schools throughout October.

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COMMINTY EVENTS The Providence Art Club, 11 Thomas St., Providence, presents Mary Kosowski, Art Life: Retrospective at the Dodge House Gallery through Nov. 4. The Gallery is open to the public Monday through Friday from 12 - 4 p.m. and weekends from 2 – 4 p.m. For further information call 401-331-1114 or visit www. providenceartclub.org.

The Greenville Public Library has announced events in October The Mystery Book Club will be reading Vertigo 42 by Martha Grimes. The group will meet on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 1:30 pm. The Cesareo’s Circle Book Club will be reading The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant. The group will meet on Thursday, Oct. 13 at 6:30 pm. The Picnic Table Reads Book Club will be reading The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton. The group will meet on Thursday, Oct. 20 at 1 p.m. The Dish & Dine Book Club will be reading and preparing dishes from Elodia Rigante’s Italian Immigrant Cooking by Elodia Rigante on Monday, Oct. 24 at 2 p.m. A copy of the book will be held at the Library Welcome Desk. Call Cassie to join 401-949-3630 ext. 117. This group meets at the Smithfield Senior Center.

Monday Matinee for Grown-ups is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 3 at 1 p.m. This month The Finest Hours, starring Chris Pine, will be screened. Based on the incredible true story of the greatest small-boat Coast Guard rescue that took place off the coast of Cape Cod. Running time: 117 minutes.

Zumba Classes are scheduled Wednesday, Oct. 5 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 22 at 2 p.m. Zumba is a dance fitness class that incorporates Latin and World rhythms for a total body workout. Certified Zumba instructor Chelsee Angevine will lead the class. Beginners are welcome.

The History of Quilts in Rhode Island will be presented Thursday, Oct. 13 at 6:30 p.m. As the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, Rhode Island was the hub of the U.S. textile industry.

That fact affected both the quilts made in Rhode Island and the people who made those quilts. Presented by Professor Linda Welters, this illustrated lecture will survey the history of quilt making in Rhode Island with an emphasis on cultural and technological developments.

Write Your Children’s Book…(And Get it Published!) is a session offered Saturday, Oct. 15 at 3 p.m.

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Please call the library at 401-949-3630 or visit www.yourlibrary.ws to register for these events.

The Audubon Society of Rhode Island has announced upcoming activities in October.

On Oct. 12 enjoy a nature story with your preschooler at Animal Tales. Programs include a story with a nature lesson followed by a craft. Often a live animal comes to visit! See below for dates and times. October 12, 2016: Box Turtle at Long Pond by William T. George Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 11:00 am-

12:00 pm and 1:00–2:00 pm; Program Fee: $5/member child, $7/non-member child; Ages: Ages 3-5.

On Oct. 12 at Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge in Smithfield from 6:30 to 8 p.m. learn about how to go about composting.

This introductory class will cover the steps of generating this dark, rich and free fertilizer right at home. From choosing the ‘set up’ that is right for you, to adding compostable materials and tending your ‘pile,’ this class will take you from start to finish, dispelling the myths and eliminating the pitfalls of this easy, eco-friendly way of recycling your organic waste.

On Oct. 27 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. learn about feeding your feathered backyard visitors.

We will discuss types of feeders, seed and feeder placement as well as tips and tricks for attracting the critters you want and deterring the ones you don’t. We will also review other factors for attracting birds such as water and landscape plantings.

On Oct. 29 get into the spirit of the Halloween season by attending the Bone and Skull Workshop from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Audubon refuge. Skeletal remains represent some of the most prevalent and interesting evidence of the wild animals that share the environment with us. Join Richard Wolniewicz for an interactive workshop on the identification of skulls and bones of our native mammal species. Wolniewicz, author of the Field Guide to Skulls and Bones of Mammals of the Northeastern United States, will guide participants through the identification process of numbered mystery bones and skulls.

Appropriate for adults or families with children aged 12 and older. Bring a lunch. Powder Mill Ledges, $30/member; $35/non-member. Ages 12 to adult.

Trinity Episcopal Church, 251 Danielson Pike, North Scituate, will be holding their 37th Annual Turkey Supper on Sunday, October 9th. between 3 - 7pm. The meal will consist of a traditional homemade turkey dinner which includes, turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, butternut squash, cranberry sauce, rolls, coffee/fruit punch, and home baked pie. Adults $14.00 - Children 6-10 $8.00 - Under 5 Free. Tickets 647-2322 , also available at the door. Take out dinners available.

Everyone is welcome, free parking.

Cortland Place Christmas Bazaar Vendors wanted! December 3rd 10am-3pm.

Arts and crafts, baked goods, jewelry, art work, knitted items, Homemade items etc. $25 per space (equivalent to one 6 foot table) Vendor must provide their own table. Elephant sale, themed raffle baskets, and straw raffle. Door Prize tickets will be available!!! Please contact Donna Faria at 949-3880 x 116. Checks payable to: Cortland Place Angelo P. Miccoli will be appearing on the outdoor stage at Ristorante Roma on Federal Hill at the Columbus Day Feast on Saturday from 7 to 10 pm, and again on Sunday from 4 to 7 pm.

October 2016

ADVERTORIAL

“Say Hello to my Little Friend”: the Roth 401(k)

By Nick Loring, CFP®, MBA, CRPC®, CRPS® It’s not quite what Tony Montana had in mind when he said one of the most memorable quotes in the movie Scarface, but since its inception in 2006, Roth 401(k) plans have increased in popularity, with more and more employers offering them to their employees.

Many people don’t realize that they’re available in their retirement plans, or if they do, don’t understand how it works and are reluctant to contribute. Are you missing out? (This article specifically mentions 401(k) plans, but many 403(b) non-profit plans or 457 governmental plans have Roth components too. The general guidelines for the Roth 401(k) will apply to these as well.)

Let’s start with understanding some basic differences between the Traditional 401(k) and Roth 401(k). With your Traditional 401(k), you make pre-tax contributions to the plan.

Any amount that you contribute will lower your gross income for that given year. When you retire and start to take withdrawals from the contributions and investment growth, you pay income taxes on that amount, based on your income tax rate for the year of withdrawal.

Withdrawals before age 59 ½ can result in an additional 10% penalty with certain exceptions.

With your Roth 401(k), it is an after-tax contribution to the plan. You do not get any income tax benefit for the year in which you contribute; the amount contributed is included in your gross income for the year. As long as you have your Roth 401(k) open for 5 years and are over the age of 59 ½, you will pay no income taxes on ANY of the investment growth or withdrawals from the account (the 10% penalty can still apply if the criteria is not met). To make it simpler, think of it this way: Traditional is taxed on distribution, Roth on contribution.

Both are similar in the fact that contribution limits are the same for both plans for 2016, ($18,000 age 49 & younger, $24,000 for age

50 & older) and you can contribute to both the Traditional and Roth 401(k) at the same time. Any employer match to a Roth is done in pre-tax dollars and kept separate, so you may pay income taxes on those withdrawals in the future. You can usually convert your Traditional 401(k) to a Roth at any time, but you cannot convert a Roth 401(k) to a Traditional.

Many people confuse the Roth 401(k) and Roth IRA, but they have differences too.

Most notably, you can only contribute $5,500 ($6,500 age 50 & up) to a Roth IRA. There are no income limitations to contribute to a Roth 401(k), whereas if you’re a single filer whose income exceeds $132,000, or $194,000 if married filing jointly, than you cannot contribute to a Roth IRA. The Roth 401(k) is subject to the age 70 ½ Required Minimum Distribution Rule, like a Traditional 401(k) and Traditional IRAs, where Roth IRAs have no mandatory distributions whatsoever.

So when does it make sense to contribute to a Roth 401(k)? The best instances are young workers whose income isn’t very high and have a low tax rate. There are minimal taxes paid now to have many years of tax-free investment growth. Also if you expect your tax rate to be higher in retirement than while working, regardless of age, contributing to a Roth 401(k) would be an effective strategy.

Contributing to a Roth 401(k) can also offer flexibility in retirement as well – $30,000 for new car purchase if taken out of the Traditional 401(k) can add 20%-30% to the total cost of the car when you factor in the tax liability.

Withdrawing these funds from a Roth 401(k) would be tax-free, and potentially save you from increasing your marginal tax rate.

There are times when the Traditional 401(k) makes sense too. If you’re older, in your peak earning years, with a high tax rate, it’s usually more effective to defer paying taxes on that income until retirement. Additionally,

contributions to the Traditional 401(k) reduce your gross income, which may mean you can qualify for Roth IRA or spousal IRA contributions, or if your income is low enough, things like student loan interest deductions or the Earned Income Tax Credit. Lastly, people can typically afford to contribute more to a Traditional 401(k) than a Roth 401(k). A $250 per month after tax contribution to a Roth 401(k) works out to be approximately a $357 pretax contribution to a Traditional 401(k) (assuming a 25% federal tax rate and a 4.99% state rate). With the larger contributions and anticipated compounded growth, you would have a larger pot of dollars in a Traditional 401(k) than a Roth 401(k) if similarly invested over the same period of time.

So which one should you contribute to? For everyone it’s different. Projections on your income in retirement, your future earning potential, and any changes to tax laws are all speculative and hard to predict accurately.

Consult with your tax or financial advisor to help you develop a contribution strategy that makes sense for your particular situation. To maintain maximum flexibility of your finances in the future, it could be best to take advantage of both, but a contribution to either one will put you on the right path to a successful retirement.

As Tony would say,” In this country, you gotta make the money first. Then when you get the money, put it in your 401(k)…” or something like that.

Nick Loring CFP®, MBA, CRPC®, CRPS® is a financial advisor located at Loring Advisory Group, 600 Putnam Pike, Suite 4, Greenville, RI 02828. He offers securities and advisory services as an Investment Adviser Representative of Commonwealth Financial Network®, Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser.

He can be reached at (401) 949-4196 or at nick@loringadvice.com.

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Local United Way veep named to 2-1-1- national committee Smithfield resident Angelo Miccoli, a senior vice president and director of administration of United Way 2-1-1 in Rhode Island & The POINT, has been selected to join the national 2-1-1 U.S. Steering Committee, according to a press release from the group.

Since its launch locally in 2007, United Way 2-1-1 in Rhode Island has established itself as a staple in the state’s safety net, connecting Rhode Islanders with essential health and human services and handling more than 1.5 million requests for help, the release said.

The 2-1-1 U.S. Steering Committee is comprised of a select group of 2-1-1 leaders from across the country that serve as liaisons between 2-1-1’s national leadership organizations, the Alliance of Information and Referral Services and United Way Worldwide, and 2-1-1 programs in the field. The committee is tasked with advancing the capabilities of 2-1-1 through collaboration, system improvements, and new strategic initiatives. In total, 12 individuals serve on the committee, which is now in its ninth year of service to the national 2-1-1 network.

“The invitation to join and contribute to this group is not only an honor, it further underscores the success of our efforts to provide all Rhode Islanders with one single place they can turn to when they need help,” said Miccoli.. “I look forward to working even more closely with 2-1-1 programs and sharing best practices that ensure our service is of the highest quality.”

In 2015 alone, 2-1-1 in Rhode Island handled 203,527 requests for help and further expanded its reach with the introduction of technology that provides help to people

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via text message.

UWRI launched the 2-1-1 Connects Tour, which brings the program’s Community Outreach RV directly into communities to provide on-location services. Whether someone needs help with food or rental assistance, childcare, services for seniors, utilities, mental health issues and more, a trained specialist is available to assess their situation and offer referrals. 2-1-1 also operates www.211ri.org, featuring a real-time online chat function and searchable database of available services.

United Way of Rhode Island has been working to improve the quality of life in Rhode Island for nearly 90 years. Together with its partners, UWRI is changing lives and strengthening our communities by investing in proven programs that work over the shortterm, and are scalable over the long-term. For more information, visit www.LIVEUNITEDri.org.

— PUZZLE SOLUTIONS —

543 Putnam Pike Smithfield, Rhode Island 02828 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 Camilla Spliid, Advertising and Sales cspliid@smithfieldtimesri.com — Writers Peg Brown Marilyn Busch Brittni Henderson David Huestis Jane Fusco James Ignasher Kendra Gravelle Paul Lonardo Patricia Mclvor Sarah Payne Greg Rubano Laurence J. Sasso, Jr. Ron Scopelliti Patricia Shaffer — Kerryn Azevedo, Production/Graphic Design Albert Tavakalov, Photographer 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.

October 2016

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