I {heart} Rhody

From the I {heart} Rhody Flickr group

2012-06-01T00:00:00.000-04:00

Water and Shells by robert.rinkel

Dune with Beach Fence by R Joanne

Salty Brine State beach by provbenson2009

The Fourth by robtm2010

DSC_1855 by dadofliz

Castle Hill Inn by MattJohnston401

Roger Williams Park bandstand in spring by BarbaraS2009

Red waters by Carly Sabatino

"Good Night Block Island by E Godfrey

IMG_3158.2 by Amy Martira Photography

Tony the Dancing Cop at Work by GoProvidenceRI

wrought iron in the city by kobrienjewelry

Rhode Island State House by Jerri Moon Cantone

De Stijl in de trash by Ken Zirkel

RI landmarks by I {heart} Rhody

020412_sangrita_suave by jwessel

Mr. Pete Seeger by Lea Zimany

Gate Locked by MackayPhotography

EAT by martha_jean

Pt. Judith Lighthouse by mary jane 43

Hot water by markv20

Dreamy Woods by mike_dooley

DSC_0011 by MyDay247

Del's Lemonade, North Kingstown, RI, May '12 by RI Alt

Approaching Storm - North Kingstown, Rhode Island by misterfoto

Beavertail Lighthouse by nelights

Simmering by wildiris

Providence31 by www.mjiphotography.com

From the I {heart} Rhody Flickr group

2012-05-25T00:00:00.000-04:00

From a Guy's Yard in E. Providence, Rhode Island #21 by MyDay247

Lauren:Graduation by R Joanne

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Rose Island Light by robtm2010

IMG_3079.2 by Amy Martira Photography

Seeing Red by Carly Sabatino

The Casino at Roger Williams Park by BarbaraS2009

providence ri by jambori39

A walk On Block Island. by E Godfrey

Harry's Burger Bar Service by GoProvidenceRI

DSC_1831 by dadofliz

Ocsnowber by markv20

Providence at Night by Jerri Moon Cantone

Avon by kobrienjewelry

window to the Past by MackayPhotography

021112_15 by jwessel

Roger Williams Park Arboretum by mary jane 43

Trees Reaching for the Sky - East Greenwich, Rhode Island by misterfoto

Wasted Sunrise by MattJohnston401

Skating by martha_jean

City Lights by mike_dooley

Exeter Grange by Mr. Ducke

Sights ~ The Seal House ~ Roger Williams Park ~ Providence

2012-05-24T09:17:00.001-04:00

We've been to Roger Williams Park on several occasions. It's one of our favorite outdoor places.

Near the Casino, on Roosevelt Lake, sits a small, charming stone building.

We'd wondered what it was for the longest time, and why it had been allowed to fall into such disrepair. You can see near the chimney the sorry state of the roof.

The windows are boarded up and it has a general look of neglect, complete with graffiti.

As lovers of small houses, Bear and I wondered if it might be a caretaker's cottage, and speculated on what it looked like inside. We also dreamed of what it might be like to fix it up and live in it.

It wasn't until the Providence Preservation Society released its 2012 list of 10 Most Endangered Properties that I learned the building's original purpose: it was a seal house.

Built in 1938 as part of the Works Progress Administration project, the building and that section of Roosevelt Lake housed seals. I don't know what it might have looked like 74 years ago, but today it's sad to think of seals being stuck in that sad, dank end of the lake. According to the PPS, it was just one of three buildings created to house animals during the WPA project. The other two housed monkeys and elephants.

The zoo consolidated all its animals in the 1970s, and since then the seal house has sat abandoned. I hope it lasts until economics allow it to be restored.

Artists ~ Matthew Johnston ~ Narragansett

2012-05-23T00:00:00.000-04:00

Artist’s name: Matthew Johnston
Business name: Photography By Matthew Johnston
Location: Narragansett, RI
Website: www.MattJohnston.us
Facebook: http://m.facebook.com/profile.php?v=feed&id=138186956202668

1. Tell us about your work
I am an outdoor digital photographer who specializes in fine art. Most of my work reflects the beauty of the northeast USA.

2. How did you come to be a professional artist/crafter?
Time and dedication. To me, if something is worth doing, it's worth overdoing. Growing up in a beach house in Connecticut, I would often find myself staring at gorgeous landscapes and seascapes thinking to myself, "That would make a great photo." in 2007 I got tired of wishing I knew about photography; so I started teaching myself the basics with a point and shoot. Needless to say, I quickly developed an addiction and have been pushing my skills and knowledge forward ever since.

3. Where do you draw your inspiration?
I draw inspiration from natural beauty, the Bible, and other great photographers around the world. I have been fortunate to meet and work with professionals across the nation and the UK.

4. What’s your favorite item to make?
With all the mediums out there for photographers these days, it's hard to pick a favorite, but I must say I'm a sucker for canvas wraps. I've printed on metal and a wide range of professional photo papers, but nothing looks quite as impactful as a nice giclee gallery wrap.

5. What’s your best seller?
To be honest I don't really have a "Best Seller." If I ask 10 different people what their favorite photo is, I'll get 10 different answers. But that's one of the things I love about my work.

6. How long have you been in Rhode Island?
I've been living in Rhode Island for the past 8 years, and I grew up in East Lyme CT.

7. What do you {heart} about Rhode Island?
I love the communities in Rhode Island. There are so many artists and crafters here that it's hard to not be inspired by others. I also love the islands and coastline. I grew up on the water in CT so RI still feels like home to me.

8. Please include anything else you’d like to add:
All of the work on my site is available for purchase. I offer standard matte paper prints starting with 8x12 sizes. I also provide (and recommend) limited edition giclee gallery wraps. I'm also available for commercial projects and my work can be found in boutiques, hotels, and art galleries throughout Rhode Island!

Doing good ~ Jerry the Bear

2012-05-22T00:00:00.000-04:00

Jerry the Bear

written, appropriately, by the Bear

image: Jerry the Bear

Jerry the Bear, as founded by Aaron Horowitz and co-founded by Hannah Chung, is an adorable and informative companion for children with Type 1 Diabetes. Designed for these children, who aren’t allowed to touch their own medical equipment, Jerry features several ‘injection sites,’ a glucose display panel, eyes and a mouth that blink, and most importantly, a plush body just like that of any teddy bear.

Jerry is mostly geared towards kids ages 3-4, who are just beginning to understand their disease and need help coping. The goal for Jerry’s playmates is to keep him healthy with insulin injection and lots of food made specially for him, while monitoring that health, and to learn just how important it is to take regular insulin injections. Hannah and Aaron are trying to work on a Jerry that is more durable, since the children tend to enjoy throwing him about as young people tend to.

image: Design for America

Aaron, a mechatronic user-interaction designer, and Hannah, a mechanical engineer, both know what it’s like to be confused and concerned about Diabetes. Aaron himself has a Human Growth Hormone Deficiency and had to receive daily injections for four years. Hannah’s father and grandparents have Type 2 Diabetes, and after her grandfather died from hyperglycemia, Hannah gained a new appreciation for being compliant to treatment policy. Together, they hope to minimize the inevitable trauma experienced by children who are given daily shots of insulin.

From the I {heart} Rhody Flickr group

2012-05-18T00:00:00.000-04:00

Another beautiful spring sunset over Narragansett Bay. by robert.rinkel

Under Sail by robtm2010

Fine Family! by R Joanne

From a Guy's Yard in E. Providence, Rhode Island #20 by MyDay247

I-Way project by provbenson2009

Bus tunnel by kobrienjewelry

020612-130 by jwessel

Trees by Jerri Moon Cantone

Warren RI church by jambori39

sillouhette by Carly Sabatino

Betsy Williams Cottage in Winter by BarbaraS2009

DSC_1847 by dadofliz

Good Morning by E Godfrey

IMG_3060.2 by Amy Martira Photography

McFadden's by GoProvidenceRI

Roger Williams park Arboretum by mary jane 43

Pink + Yellow by martha_jean

Barracks have seen better days by MackayPhotography

Frosty by markv20

Conimicut Point by Lea Zimany

The Inn on Castle Hill by MattJohnston401

Disneyland in Providence by Mycophagia

Sunflowers in the Sun - East Greenwich, Rhode Island by misterfoto

Woonsocket Building by Mr. Ducke

White Tail Deer by mike_dooley

Sachuset Point by Royston_Kane

Providence35 by www.mjiphotography.com

Going for a hike by siriusthinking

No, He didn't fall..... by Wilks2010

Steve Jobs [PA080528] by Rick Payette

FIRE in the sky by wildiris

Untitled by Paul Shelasky

Sights ~ Nathanael Greene Homestead ~ Coventry

2012-05-17T00:00:00.000-04:00

Nathanael Greene Homestead
50 Taft St.
Coventry, Rhode Island

image: Nathanael Greene Homestead

Since May 4 was Rhode Island Independence Day, Bear and I decided to take in the commemoration at Nathanael Greene Homestead. For those who don't know, Nathanael Greene was a General in the Revolutionary War. Although self-taught in military practice - and a Quaker - his talent brought him to the position of General Washington's right-hand.

Before the war, Nathanael Greene, his wife Caty and their children lived in the house, near the family's forge. Because he was self-taught, Greene insisted on teaching the workers' children to read. And so the place was called "Spell Hall."

For the Rhode Island Independence Day celebration, General Greene (center, wearing the original Kentish Guard uniform, modeled after the British uniforms of the day) and two Rhode Island troops guard the door.

We took a tour of the interior, and learned a lot about General Greene, and even more about Caty, who led just as interesting a life.

As we mentioned before, General Greene was a Quaker. Or he started as a Quaker, until he was invited to leave because of his service in the army, which is called being "read out of meeting." So his taste ran to the plain and functional.

We started the tour in what would have been the dining room. The guide was quick to point out that almost nothing was original to the room, with the exception of the tea samovar on the sideboard. This was a wedding gift to Caty. We heard often about how Caty was a bit of a "tomboy" and a "flirt." Bear and I both came to the conclusion that those were 18th-century euphemisms.

The connecting room contained a painting of Gen. Greene, as well as a photo of the last Greene to live in the house.

and across the hall we saw Gen. Greene's library. Note the lack of shelves... this is because books were so precious, they were kept in trunks. Greene's servants were instructed that if the house caught fire, they had to throw the trunks of books out the window before they could run for safety.

In the kitchen we get a better sense of the Quaker decorating sensibility. Everything is very plain, and the walls are white (though that was also to increase the light in the room.)

Upstairs, the larger bedroom belonged to Caty. The guide pointed out a chair, mostly hidden behind the bed, that was the only piece original to the house.

General Greene's bedroom was adjoining. It eventually became the bedroom of one of his female successors, and is designed to reflect her tastes. We were also told that it has much more furniture than would have been present in Greene's time.

And across the hall from there, one would have thought we found the children's bedroom. Our guide explained that after the General left for the war, his brother and sister-in-law came to stay, ostensibly to help Caty with the children. The ulterior motive was to prevent any impropriety, since Caty, as we know, was a flirt. I wonder if Caty knew about that.

The final second-floor bedroom has been converted to a small gift shop. There's a third floor, however it's a garret, only accessible via a terribly narrow spiral staircase. It leads up to what would have been the servants and slaves quarters, and opens into the kitchen, two of the bedrooms and the downstairs hall. I wonder how Greene reconciled keeping slaves with his Quaker beliefs. Perhaps the same way he did with joining the Army. Hmm.

There's a good sized family cemetery in the back, a bit of a walk away from the house. Since Spell Hall was used as a hospital during the Revolution, there is a cemetery for the strangers who came there, situated beside the family one.

Both Nathanael and Caty deserve their own posts, but suffice to say that they led interesting lives. Believe it or not, it sounds like Caty's was moreso than Nathanael's.

It's definitely worth the tour, especially with a guide as knowledgeable as ours was. A real and valuable piece of Rhode Island history.

Artists ~ Amy Lund ~ Tiverton

2012-05-16T00:00:00.000-04:00

Artist’s name: Amy C. Lund
Business name: Amy C. Lund, Handweaver Studio & Gallery
Location: 3964 Main Road Tiverton RI 02878
Etsy shop: www.etsy.com/shop/aclhandweaver
Website: www.amyclundhandweaver.com
Blog: www.aclhandweaver.blogspot.com/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/aclhandweaver
Facebook: www.facebook.com/aclhandweaver
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/aclhandweaver

1. Tell us about your work
Every culture uses textiles, yet in many different combinations, colors and patterns. I respect the craft and its history, and well as how it plays a part in our modern lives. I try to incorporate my visions into the pieces I make. Although I use traditional forms and techniques, I am not trying to be old-timey, or of any one style, but to bring all my influences together in my work for use in contemporary lifestyles. For instance, while I make simple white linen table runners, they could be used in Traditional Historic homes, or Contemporary Modern condos. Some of the basic styles are universal and carry over between cultures and histories.

Weaving, to me, is also about order and repetition, with some variation allowed with color and pattern. There are almost infinite possibilities, just depending on which parts are chosen and brought together in the structure being created. I like to try to match form and function, texture, color and design to create a pleasing effect in ordinary objects. This often means understanding the individual details at one level and how they work together in a greater context.

2. How did you come to be a professional artist/crafter?
I became fascinated with hand spinning at an early age, bought some wool, fixed up a spinning wheel and practiced. Of course, I had to learn what to do with the yarn I created. I learned first to knit, then became interested in weaving, fascinated with textile history and technology. My first woven project used some of my handspun yarn on an old barn loom that a weaver set up in a museum setting. Eventually I took a class at Slater Mill Historic Site, learned the set up process myself and was given a loom. I worked off and on during my school years, reading both history and technical books and working on a few projects. After college in the late 80s, I found an apprenticeship/internship at under the guidance of a working weaver at Hancock Shaker Village Museum in Pittsfield, MA. This solidified my practical knowledge and encouraged me to get a graduate degree in the field of Textiles at University of Rhode Island, with focus on Conservation and History. After working in museums with textiles for a while, I missed actual weaving. So, I again sought work with other artisans to understand some of the business-side of craft, before jumping in full-time myself in the late 90s. I started by doing shows and fairs and eventually settled in a Gallery in Adamsville, RI with another weaver.

3. Where do you draw your inspiration?
I’m inspired by colors and textures around me and combining form and function into finished pieces. I love the seashore and the beaches all around us.

via etsy

4. What’s your favorite item to make?
I prefer home décor furnishings, fine table linens, rugs, towels, blankets. I’ve learned over time to appreciate fashion more and personal accessories like scarves.

via etsy

5. What’s your best seller?
Scarves are my best seller, people can have more than one, give it as a gift, or change it with style.

via etsy

6. How long have you been in Rhode Island?
My family comes from RI and I went to Graduate school at URI, and I’ve done business in RI since 1999, when I showed my work in Providence at the Fine Furnishings and eventually through my own shop in Adamsville, then in Tiverton Four Corners, where my Studio & Gallery are located now.

7. What do you {heart} about Rhode Island?
I love the coastlines, small villages and the history.

Book review: Roger Williams and the Creation of the American Soul, by J.M. Barry

2012-05-15T13:29:00.000-04:00

Roger Williams and the Creation of the American Soul: Church, State, and the Birth of Liberty

The book:

Once again, Barry has presented a meticulously researched and detailed account of history. I've read his book "The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History," and found it very interesting, but I liked this better.

Barry goes back to well before Williams became a figure in New England, to the people and forces that shaped his views and opinions. It drags a bit during this set-up, but it does help to put things in context.

He presents both sides of a man who was both loved and hated in his time, and recognizes some of the criticism and dismissal that Williams has been subject to by historians.

Sarah Vowell wrote one of my favorite books about Williams and the Puritans, "The Wordy Shipmates." If Barry is too dry, and you still want to learn about the man and his time, I'd suggest her book. Or maybe start there and move on to Barry. The two works complement each other well.

The man:
Williams led a fascinating life, emigrating with the wave of Separatists and Puritans leaving England during the reign of James I, being banished from Massachusetts for his lack of conformity, founding Providence, and ultimately, Rhode Island. His views on "soul liberty" and the separation of church and state helped form part of the national identity.

His story also explains a lot about Rhode Island. By establishing a "plantation" (colony) where anyone could worship as they chose as long as they kept the civil peace, he created a haven for the dispossessed and different. Where Massachusetts and to a less degree, Connecticut, was all about conformity, Rhode Island was all about marching to your own religious drum. 200 years before Emma Lazarus wrote her famous sonnet for the Statue of Liberty, Rhode Island was accepting the "wretched refuse" of the other colonies.

That fierce commitment to nonconformity continued on. Rhode Island became the first place in the world founded on the idea of freedom of worship and the separation of church and state. It later became the first democracy in the New World. It was the first place to legislatively abolish slavery (a law that never left the books, yet went blithely ignored for much of the 18th century). Rhode Island was the first colony to declare its independence from Britain (May 4, 1776), and the last to ratify the new Constitution - they were holding out for the promise of freedom of religion in the nascent Bill of Rights. Those aren't all of Rhode Island's quirks, but you get the idea.

When Jefferson and his contemporaries discussed the separation of church and state, and freedom of worship, they quoted Williams' writings.

Williams was instrumental in negotiations with the native populations. He learned the languages and befriended and respected them. He purchased the land that became Providence from the Narragansett, and was later proud to say it was bought with love, rather than taken in anger.

There's a lot to learn about Williams, and many ways to interpret it. He's an important, though often obscure figure in our history.

From the I {heart} Rhody Flickr group

2012-05-11T00:00:00.000-04:00

Golden bird by robert.rinkel

Calm by E Godfrey

Castle Hill Inn B&W by MattJohnston401

Bob Flipping Crêpes by GoProvidenceRI

The Milk Can by I {heart} Rhody

The Piano Lady by Jerri Moon Cantone

JWU spring by jambori39

Block Island by provbenson2009

Rainbow Sunset by Carly Sabatino

Hammersmith Farm by robtm2010

DSC_1839 by dadofliz

Sunset in September by BarbaraS2009

From a Guy's Yard in E. Providence, Rhode Island #19 by MyDay247

We Remember by R Joanne

IMG_2985.2 by Amy Martira Photography

Smokestacks by martha_jean

Hazy day in providence. by kobrienjewelry

Never dull by markv20

~1940 by MackayPhotography

020612-071 by jwessel

My favorites by nat_19901

Pride of Rhode Island by Mr. Ducke

Providence Armory turrets by mehjg

Footprints in a Plowed Field - North Kingstown, Rhode Island by misterfoto

F6F Hellcat by mike_dooley

Sights ~ Point Judith Lighthouse ~ Narragansett

2012-05-10T00:00:00.000-04:00

Point Judith Lighthouse
1470 Ocean Road
Narragansett, Rhode Island

Remember that awesome, sunny weekend a couple of weeks ago? Bear and C and I went to the beach to fly a kite, and stopped by Auntie Ann's for some clam cakes.

While we were in the neighborhood, we drove over to the Point Judith lighthouse.

I was able to get a few shots from the bluffs at the park next door to the lighthouse. It's also a Coast Guard station, and falls under the Department of Homeland Security, so it's not possible to tour the building itself.

It's apparently a popular stop for clam cake consumers. Just down Ocean Road, past Aunt Carrie's and Iggy's, the promontory is a nice place to sit and enjoy the view from the comfort of your car, while you munch clam cakes and slurp chowder.

According to my research, there has been a beacon of some kind at this spot since the Revolutionary War. A lighthouse was built there in 1810, that burned down five years later. In 1816, a new tower was built. The current building was erected in 1857.

It's an octagonal brownstone tower that stands 51-feet tall, and uses a ourth-order Fresnel lens that is still in place today.

Our friend Jeremy D'Entremont (you've seen dozens of his photos under the name "nelights") has written a very well-researched and detailed page on the lighthouse with more information, history, and even a little scandal.

Artists ~ Danielle Whitney ~ Providence

2012-05-09T00:00:00.000-04:00

Artist’s name: Danielle Whitney
Business name: Shine On
Location: my bedroom
Etsy shop: www.etsy.com/shop/missdwhit

1. Tell us about your work: Simple, fun and honest. Just about every piece of jewelry I make, I would wear. Photography is truly my passion; capturing the just perfect, or not so perfect moment. I don’t really set out to make anything in particular most of the time. I just grab my plastic bins stock full of all sorts of fun things and get to work.

via etsy

2. How did you come to be a professional artist/crafter? It's in my blood. My mother is an insane artist in all aspects (Architecture, Painting, Drawing, Photography, Furniture Design, Interior Decorating. You name it, she can do it AND do it well.) Needless to say, I was raised around her craft and drew direct inspiration from her. I wish I could say I can draw and/or paint more than a stick figure, but sadly, I cannot. I’ve been an artist/crafter most of my life but the Etsy store is fairly new. I wanted to branch out to see if people would actually be interested in what I was making and so far, it’s been a fun ride. I’ve only had a few sales online, however; I’ve had much more success in sales through word of mouth (mostly my own mouth) off of the site.

3. Where do you draw your inspiration? I may see something that I want in a store, but it’s too expensive or I don’t like a certain aspect about it so I will attempt to recreate it myself. I also may be perusing the isles of a craft store and find an awesome piece that needs to be featured somehow in some way, so I’ll take it home with me and go from there.

4. What’s your favorite item to make? This is a tough question to answer. I’d have to say my absolute favorite thing to make would be the rosette headbands. They’re so pretty and dainty, each rosette is truly unique. I actually have a new pattern for headbands and barrettes that I am currently working on, so please check my Etsy store soon for more new items!

via etsy

5. What’s your best seller? I make tons and tons of these cute little glass magnets. I’ll save all sorts of fashion magazines or catalogs and cut out patterns from them to glue them to the back of the glass; they’re so incredibly simple (but time consuming) to make. Each magnet is different and people just eat them up. At my very first craft show I had last year in Cranston, those were the first items to sell out!

via etsy

6. How long have you been in Rhode Island? I moved to RI 10 years ago. At first, I thought I had made a big mistake, however; as soon as I found my niche, I didn’t want to leave.

7. What do you {heart} about Rhode Island? I heart the gorgeous beaches that are only a short drive away. I heart that you can reach each corner of the state within one hour and that everything is so accessible. I heart the tons local restaurants serve up some of the best cuisine I’ve ever tasted. I heart the view of Providence, between the branches of the beautiful magnolia tree, from my front porch.

8. Please include anything else you’d like to add: Keep up the good work, I{heart}Rhody. Thank you for this great opportunity!

Uniquely Rhode Island ~ The Stone-ender

2012-05-07T11:53:00.000-04:00

via Wikipedia:

"The Stone-ender is a unique style of Rhode Island architecture that developed in the 17th century where one wall in a house is made up of a large stone chimney."

A simple definition for a simple concept. It was an adaptation of Western English architecture (from where many Rhode Island colonists originated), that expanded the massive stone fireplace to take up the entire end of the building. The rest of the building would have been timber-framed, usually one and a half to two stories high. Each floor would have contained just one room, to allow the fireplaces to heat the space.

This is the stone end of the Clemence-Irons house in Johnston. It's one of the few original stone-enders still extant. You can go inside the building to look around, but other than the interior architecture, there isn't much to see.

There are a few other stone-enders left in Rhode Island, most dating from the 1600's. Wikipedia has a list.

From the I {heart} Rhody Flickr group

2012-05-04T00:00:00.001-04:00

River blues by wildiris

Beautiful day for a hammock. by siriusthinking

Point Judith Lighthouse by BarbaraS2009

RI State House by mike_dooley

Polished rocks on the shoreline. by robert.rinkel

Egret with Fish by R Joanne

Hemenway's Dining Room by GoProvidenceRI

Cable car by kobrienjewelry

White Limbs by j.edward ferguson

Fog by kylenolin

Me and the girl child by nat_19901

Sachuset Point by Royston_Kane

IMG_0948 by E Godfrey

paradise in New England by Carly Sabatino

Cliff Walk by MattJohnston401

Summit by markv20

Rhode Island 2012 Solo Trip 118 by MackayPhotography

Moonshine by Wilks2010

View from Prospect Park by Jerri Moon Cantone

Fallen Tree - East Greenwich, Rhode Island by misterfoto

Untitled by bell7283

Pink House + Flare by martha_jean

IMG_2872.2 by Amy Martira Photography

Public Statutes of Rhode Island 1882 by Rick Payette

Block Island by provbenson2009

Towers view by mary jane 43

Cross by the Reservoir by Mr. Ducke

010312_9_dust by jwessel

Castle Hill Inn by robtm2010

From a Guy's Yard in E. Providence, Rhode Island #18 by MyDay247

DSC_1819 by dadofliz

Watch Hill Lighthouse by nelights

Breaking Through by mmgiard

Uniquely Rhode Island ~ Rhode Island Independence Day ~ May 4

2012-05-04T00:00:00.000-04:00

image via Time and Date

§ 25-2-1 Rhode Island Independence Day. – The fourth day of May in each and every year is established, in this state, as a day for celebration of Rhode Island independence, being a just tribute to the memory of the members of our general assembly, who, on the fourth day of May, 1776, in the State House at Providence, passed an act renouncing allegiance of the colony to the British crown and by the provisions of that act declared Rhode Island sovereign and independent, the first official act of its kind by any of the thirteen (13) American colonies.

Rhode Island was the first of the original 13 colonies to officially declare independence from the British Crown. The anniversary of this date has become known as Rhode Island Independence Day.

Doing good ~ Lucy's Hearth Fundraiser ~ Middletown

2012-05-03T10:50:00.000-04:00

913 West Main Road
Middletown, Rhode Island
(401) 847-2021
www.lucyshearth.org

Celebrate Mother’s Day by Helping Homeless Mothers

Lucy’s Hearth, a homeless shelter for women and their children, is asking the community to honor mothers by helping the mothers and children who seek help from Lucy’s Hearth.

“We’re asking the community to consider making a lasting gift this Mother’s Day, a donation to Lucy’s Hearth,” said Jennifer Barrera, Lucy’s Hearth’s director. “We’ll send a special Mother’s Day card to whomever you are honoring, and, if you choose, post their name on our website.”

Call the shelter, 401-847-2021 or email info@lucyshearth.org or visit www.lucyshearth.org for more information, or donate online. The Mother’s Day initiative is a project of the Friends of Lucy’s Hearth, a group of volunteers assisting the shelter with community activities.

Lucy’s Hearth serves homeless mothers and their children through an emergency shelter program, a transitional apartment program, a permanent apartment program and an outreach and aftercare program. Most of the mothers served are in their late 20s, and the children are newborns to 16 year olds. “Most are young mothers with very young children,” she said.

Some residents have histories of homelessness and are at high-risk of becoming homeless once again. The causes for the residents’ homelessness include economic hardship, inability to find affordable housing, eviction, family crisis, separation and divorce.

Over the course of a year, Lucy’s Hearth serves in the range of 45 mothers and 80 children through its emergency shelter, transitional apartment and permanent apartment programs.

During their involvement with Lucy’s Hearth, mothers work toward their high school equivalency degrees, improve English language skills, learn job search and financial management skills and obtain employment. Their children attend school, receive assistance with homework, take field trips, and receive clothing and toys. Mental health and Early Intervention services are provided on-site, and shelter staff work to ensure the mothers and children have access to health care services through community resources.

The shelter, located in Middletown, tracks the progress of its residents, measuring areas such as parenting skills, income, life skills, employment, mental health, credit rating, educational improvements and more.

Artists ~ Stephanie Izzo ~ Providence

2012-05-02T00:00:00.000-04:00

Artist’s name: Stephanie Izzo
Business name: Blu Ink Press
Location: Providence and Manhattan
Website: bluinkpress.com & stephanieizzo.com

1. Tell us about your work/how did you come to be a professional artist?
For the past 10 years I guess you could say I have specialized in taking portraits of places. Then somewhere during the course of being a photographer I really became interested in graphic design, merging my photography with textures and type to create little works of art. All that playing around with colors and fonts led to the eventual creation of an inspirational greeting card line featuring mostly all my own photography (though some I licensed from other artists) and loads of bright, rich colors/interesting fonts and inspirational quotes.

2. Where do you draw your inspiration?
I draw inspiration from the most random and unexpected places. Sometimes a bus will go by with a certain lettering on it and I'll snap a pic of it with my cell phone so I won't forget the idea that got triggered in my brain. I also love vintage typography and hand lettering - I could browse through typography websites for hours and not get bored.

3. What’s your favorite item to photograph?
I love photographing butterflies. Their wings are exquisite.

4. What’s your best seller?
I have a line of Rhode Island postcards that is carried in about 30 stores throughout the state and it sells extremely well (Whole Foods Market, the Providence train station, the airport, stores in Newport, etc). If you're asking what sells best out of the greeting card line, there's a picture I took of a rainbow over Block Island with the quote: "Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it's learning to dance in the rain." People just LOVE that card!

5. How long have you been in Rhode Island?
was born and raised in Rhode Island and then moved to Massachusetts to study photography when I was 19. Then I moved back to the Ocean State and started photographing places or landmarks that caught my eye (almost like one big long portrait session of Rhode Island!) The photos I captured started selling and I began to establish myself as a "Rhode Island photographer." THEN about 5 years ago I decided to QUIT photography and move to NY to study acting. I went to acting school for about a year, but the whole time I was there I kept feeling like I should do a "portrait" of New York. So on all my off days I would wander around photographing the landmarks in the city. Ironically, in keeping with my short attention span, I quit acting school a month early and wound up publishing all the NY images I had collected into a line of postcards. Those sold so well that I was able to just make it a full time job. I truly did plan to pursue acting... I just got bored at that particular school (New York Film Academy) and planned on using the postcard $$ to hold me over so I wouldn't have to be a cocktail waitress in the interim... but like I said, as soon as I published the postcards and they started selling things kind of took off without me.
THEN, I kind of somehow made my way back to Rhode Island for about a year (back and forth between RI and the Big Apple) and I resumed the RI portrait session, this time with the goal of publishing my first book. That's when I published Rhode Island: Ocean Sites and City Lights, (about 2.5 years ago) which was a labor of love! They say once you leave RI you always come back. I've found it to be true. Luckily the book sold (and is selling) extremely well... I guess in a way the book was a tribute to the place where I first found my voice as a photographer... I was able to keep selling the NY postcards (and magnets) and the RI postcards and magnets, then I made a calendar of NY. I guess I just have a constant need to branch out into different areas and try new things. Right about when I got bored with souvenirs is when the idea for my greeting card line was born.

6. What do you {heart} about Rhode Island?
Three things:
A. The beaches are definitely some of the most beautiful I've seen anywhere.
B. The food. I love love love Rhode Island's Italian restaurants!
C. I love the fact that everyone knows everyone. It is a tiny state which makes coming back to it so much more personal. There are people I haven't talked to in years that when I pick up the phone and tell them I'm in Rhode Island for a day or two they're willing to get together for lunch or dinner that same day! It's a rarity to feel that sense of extended family... in other states where things are more spread out it can be alot harder to stay connected or get together with someone on a moment's notice.

7. Please include anything else you’d like to add:
Please check out my photography website (stephanieizzo.com) which shows the images of my Rhode Island photography book Ocean Sites and City Lights and of course, please check out my new web page: www.bluinkpress.com. Right now the line is so new that it's only just started to get picked up by stores but I am excited to say that we just recently placed the entire line of cards in the store Pleasant Surprise (www.pleasant-surprise.com) and they have locations on Thayer Street in Providence and Thames Street in Newport... there are other locations as well but Pleasant Surprise is such a fun store it's worth the trip just to check out all the other quirky/creative gifts that they carry!

Also, the greeting card line (and book) are special in that they were not only mostly inspired by Rhode Island (as you can see from the images in the card line, it's alot of beaches/lighthouses etc) but they are also all printed in Rhode Island at Meridian Printing (East Greenwich). So it keeps the business IN Rhode Island and doesn't source it out to another state or country... that's what makes it "especially" Rhode Island friendly. :)

Dining ~ Sura ~ Providence

2012-05-01T00:00:00.000-04:00

Sura Korean B.B.Q / Japanese Cuisine
232 Westminster St.
Providence, Rhode Island
(401) 277-9088

Back in January, C and I stopped into Sura. I'd heard of the place before, but we happened to be Downcity at the time, looking for a place to eat. Happily, we were walking by Sura. C is a particular fan of sushi, so we stopped in.

This photo of Sura Korean Restaurant Sushi & Bar is courtesy of TripAdvisor

It was very elegant inside, with a modern pan-Asian flair. Sadly, none of our photos of the interior turned out, so thank you to Trip Advisor for making their photos available.

This photo of Sura Korean Restaurant Sushi & Bar is courtesy of TripAdvisor

We sat at the bar, where the sushi chef gave us a specially-made appetizer - spicy crab and avocado over rice.

It was, indeed, very spicy, but a great combination of flavors.

We also had the edamame, which C identified as being "younger" and therefore less starchy and more fresh-tasting than what we get at most places.

She ordered the spciy tuna, salmon avocado and soft shell crab.

She reported that the spicy tuna was very good, with just the right amount of spice, that doesn't overpower the tuna. She also gave the salmon avocado a "very good," saying that the ingredients tasted fresh. The soft-shell crab rated "good." Although she liked it, she definitely preferred the other items.

I had bibimbap in a stone bowl. I'm not familiar with Korean food, so this required some instruction. Fortunately, our friend the sushi chef was not only able to make the recommendation, but to guide me through how to eat it.

I have to admit, when I read the ingredients (according to Wikipedia, the word translates to "mixed meal" or "mixed rice". It's served as a bowl of warm white rice topped with sautéed and seasoned vegetables and chili pepper paste. Sura includes beef and fried agg), I immediately recalled the Monty Python "Spam" sketch:

...Lobster thermidor aux crevettes with a mornay sauce garnished with truffle pâté, brandy and with a fried egg on top and spam

When the bowl arrived, it did nothing to change my mind.

When served in a stone bowl, the bowl actually finishes cooking the bibimbap, so it's important to stir it well. I managed to burn some of the rice, but otherwise was successful. Nevertheless, I really liked the flavors. It was very good.

Dinner also included miso soup, which was cloudy, but had good flavor and was generous with the seaweed and tofu.

The prices were reasonable, especially for a downcity restaurant. We'd definitely go back.

Sights ~ S.75 - AL - America One by Dušan Džamonja ~ Providence

2012-04-30T00:00:00.000-04:00

This sculpture sits just off Thayer Street in Providence, at the entrance to the Thomas J. Watson, Sr. Center for Information Technology.

It was a gift to Brown University, by Art Joukowsky (class of 1955) and Martha, his wife (class of 1958). Joukowsky had served as Vice Chancellor, and Martha as Associate Professor of Old World Archaeology and Art.

The sculpture , by Croatian sculptor Dušan Džamonja, was dedicated in 1990. Džamonja frequently used circles and spheres in his work, which most often focused on the heroes and victims of World War II, using found metal.

From the I {heart} Rhody Flickr group

2012-04-27T00:00:00.000-04:00

Untitled by provbenson2009

Quick pop off the top in the inside foam. by robert.rinkel

Egret in Flight by R Joanne

From a Guy's Yard in E. Providence, Rhode Island #17 by MyDay247

George DeWolf - Samuel P. Colt House by robtm2010

Warren RI by jambori39

Block Island, RI by bell7283

RSCN1368 by BarbaraS2009

Hard Cider in the Winter by GoProvidenceRI

We're in it for the chicks by dadofliz

S. 75 AL - "America One" by Dušan Džamonja by boliyou (I {heart} Rhody)

Blue Waters by Carly Sabatino

IMG_0932 by E Godfrey

IMG_2810.2 by Amy Martira Photography

Falling Geese by j.edward ferguson

Mossy Rock by MackayPhotography

Pale. by kylenolin

Film wheels by kobrienjewelry

121411_46_melissa_denmark by jwessel

The Westin by Jerri Moon Cantone

Tattered by markv20

Pink and Blue Windows by martha_jean

Let it Shine by MattJohnston401

BIg Red by nat_19901

Tranquil Beachgate by mmgiard

The Providence Dancing Cop by Rick Payette

Sachuset Point by Royston_Kane

Rushing River by wildiris

DSC_7018-Edit.jpg by Wilks2010

Kayaking in Mackerel Cove (B&W) - Jamestown, Rhode Island by misterfoto

St Charles Borromeo interior by mehjg

Harbour Lights from Newport Rhode Island EXPLORED by Swissrock

That looks gross. by siriusthinking

Sights ~ The Milk Can ~ North Smithfield

2012-04-26T00:00:00.000-04:00

The Milk Can
920 Eddie Dowling Highway
North Smithfield, Rhode Island

We were heading toward Woonsocket when we saw The Milk Can again. Now, I've been meaning to photograph this landmark since we moved here, but either we were too rushed or the weather was bad or...something.

But there it was, on a beautiful Saturday. Opportunity knocked, and I answered.

As it turned out, it was a better opportunity than I'd even hoped. I've thought it was a shame that this cute building had been left to decay.

When I stopped to take photos, I discovered Steve, the owner, hard at work to fix the place up. We chatted awhile, and he told me that he's planning to refurbish the place, and to open it up to sell ice cream (local ice cream) in the spring of 2013, which was the original purpose of the building.

You can see that Steve's also working on the wiring in the apron.

The Milk Can was originally owned by Charles Plante. I can't tell exactly when it was built, but it was originally on the Louisquisett Pike, which was opened to motor traffic in 1928-29. The apron and kitchen ell were added in the 1950s, and a patio area was added in the 1960s.

The structure was moved from its original location in the late 1980's or early 1990's. It has remained unopen. Steve told me that his grandfather had owned the building, and worked on rehabbing it in his spare time, but passed away before he was able to finish the project. Steve plans to finish his grandfather's work.

From The Milk Can's and Art In Ruins' pages:

"The Milk Can is significant for its exemplification of aspects of early twentieth century commercial and transportation history. It is a charateristic example of a distinctive and fast-disappearing phase of the first period of automobile-oriented commerce. The Milk Can represents the earliest period of snack food merchandising. Located on a major highway, it was designed to act as a “sign,” and immediate, eye-catching attraction to auto travelers on the Louisquisset Pike. The heyday of such mimetic architecture was in the 1920s and 1930s, and examples are now rare.

The Milk Can's flamboyant form is a good expression of the retailing imperitives of its decade. Unlike the highway-oriented chain fast-food outlets of today, whose proprietors can rely upon nation-wide promotion and advertising to gain the recognition and attention of travelers, the Milk Can’s owner, who built in an era of individual entrepreneurship, required a structure which could demand the motorist’s notice, immediately focus his attention, and act as an advertisement for itself."

I look forward to watching the progress, and to trying some local ice cream next year.

Artists ~ Courtney Church ~ Providence

2012-04-25T00:00:00.000-04:00

Artist’s name: Courtney Church
Business name: Periodically Inspired
Location: Providence, RI
Etsy shop: www.etsy.com/shop/periodicallyinspired
Website: www.periodicallyinspired.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/periodicallyinspired
Pinterest: pinterest.com/periodic_table/

1. Tell us about your work My designs are based on the Periodic Table Of Elements - we all remember this from chemistry class! As Sam Kean (author of the bestseller The Disappearing Spoon) says, "People remember the table with a mix of fascination, fondness, inadequacy and loathing."

I try to keep the phrases intellectually themed by using words such as "wise" and "brainy", and I integrate plays on words such as "Talk Nerdy To Me" and "Wise Ass".

My designs are printed on baby onesies, adult tshirts and tank tops, underwear, coffee mugs and pint glasses and iphone gel-skins. I also plan to bring back bumper stickers and baby bibs this year.

via Etsy

2. How did you come to be a professional artist/crafter? I've always used the Periodic Table as a sort of word-find, but I started making words with the intention to start making designs as a way to keep busy one boring winter weekend. Now I don't remember the last time I was bored. Periodically Inspired has taken off and kept me very busy - whether it's preparing for arts shows, managing inventory, fulfilling store orders or posting new items to Etsy... there's always something to do.

3. Where do you draw your inspiration? Dmitri Mendeleev, the creator of the Periodic Table of Elements, has been my primary inspiration!

4. What’s your favorite item to make? I actually love the baby onesies the most, because the colors are so great. At first I experimented with different colors for adult tees, but I’ve pulled back a lot since adults tend to go for black and white. I still want to bring back red and maybe turquoise for adults, though.

via Periodically Inspired

5. What’s your best seller? The W.I.Se. As.S. tshirts have done very well, but Talk N.Er.Dy. To Me is not too far behind these days.

via Etsy

6. How long have you been in Rhode Island? Since age 0.

7. What do you {heart} about Rhode Island? Being near the ocean means a lot to me, even if I can't make it to the beach each weekend. At least I know it's there. And I like knowing that good seafood is nearby, too!

8. Please include anything else you’d like to add:
I'm having a lot of fun growing the Periodically Inspired brand. It’s been great building relationships with RI stores, too. Currently my products are in Pie In The Sky on Thayer Street, Mod Mama in Wayland Square, Homestyle in downtown Providence, Different Drummer in Wickford, Primavera in Newport, The Greenery in Warren and Silver Clay in Wakefield. I've recently acquired a second sales rep in the Midwest, Square1 Reps, and I look forward to getting my products into more stores in the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Idaho! Etsy business continues to grow, and I’m really looking forward to next month for graduation and then another holiday season!

Events ~ Craftopia ~ April 28, 10am-4-pm ~ Pawtucket

2012-04-24T00:00:00.000-04:00

Craftopia
Hope Artiste Village
999 Main St.
Pawtucket, Rhode Island
{alternate and best entrance is around the corner on Warren Avenue}
Saturday, April 28, 10 AM - 4 PM.
$1

Craftopia will showcase the work of 58 talented artists ad crafters. There will be food trucks outside and iced coffee inside, along with a few surprises.

Free parking is located behind the building.

Dining ~ Gracie's ~ Providence

2012-04-23T00:00:00.000-04:00

Gracie's
194 Washington St.
Providence, Rhode Island
(401) 272-7811

Bear, C and I went to Gracie's on a whim, and lucked into an available table. It was one of the best meals I've ever had in a restaurant.

It's a very elegant (and dimly lit) restaurant, with a star theme. This was the wall over our table:

The meal got off to an iffy start with a plate of crispy salmon railettes with capers. Although they had a pleasant start, they had a strong fishy aftertaste that I didn't care for.

One of the servers came around with a basket of bread that included a lovely sourdough cranberry. It was moist with just the right amount of chewiness. I'd have bought a loaf if it was available.

We decided to try the three course prix-fixe menu, each order different courses and share them around.

C's appetizer was potato gnocchi with oxtail, foraged mushrooms, celeriac puree and provolone. We all enjoyed it. I thought it was a nice combination, where no one flavor overpowered anything else. There was a strong woodsy/earthy sense to it, and the mushrooms really played that up.

I had the local potato soup with house cured bacon bits, caramelized onion, creme fraiche and black truffle. I was a little confused by the presentation at first: the bowl was brought in with the creme fraiche, bacon, onion and truffle in it, then the soup poured over it. Once I realized that the pat of creme in the middle of the bowl wasn't the entire soup experience, I thought it was a really neat way to go about it. The soup was delicious, although I couldn't identify the taste of truffle.

C thought that, after stirring in the bacon, the soup had just the right amount of salt. Bear liked the mix of flavors.

Bear's appetizer was, naturally, the Hudson Valley foie gras with beluga lentils, butternut squash, shaved chestnuts, pickled cranberries. Hardly surprising, since Bear is a foie gras fiend.

While I thought the combination was delicious, smooth and moist with sharp sauce that had a barbecue-type flavor, Bear felt it was too salty for her taste, and a bit underdone.

After a palate-cleansing grapefruit sorbet that had all the taste of grapefruit with none of the bitter bite, we were on to the main course.

C tried the Bomster sea scallops with charred Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, celery root and cranberry mostarda.

I loved the way the bright taste of the sauce brought out the flavor of the scallops. The scallops themselves seemed a bit undercooked, but the overall combination was great. C seemed to enjoy it as well.

Bear's choice was the Crescent Farms duck with roasted root vegetables, pomegranate, foie gras confit ravioli and sage reduction.

Honestly, I've never seen her react like this to food before. She was charmed by the presentation and the "adorable" ravioli. The sauce was really good, with a citrusy aftertaste, and the duck was "perfect." Her only complaint was that she couldn't have more.

I thought the duck was very good, but I'm not a big fan of duck and was happy to let Bear have the lion's share.

My main course was the ribeye, potato croquette, poached garlic fondu, spicy greens, pearl onion confit and bordolaise.

The meat was perfectly cooked, the garlic sweet and pungent. The greens weren't exactly spicy, but certainly substantial enough to stand up to the beef, and the sauce was perfect. It was the best steak I've ever had.

C liked the steak, but didn't care for the garlic fondu. She felt it was too vinegary, and that the greens were too salty.

Bear had no interest in trying the steak. She was more interested in saving more duck for herself.

Then it was time for dessert.

My word, they were good.

The clear favorite was my dessert, the chocolate hazelnut mousse with toasted spice cake, poached cranberries and brown butter ice cream.

Bear commented that the spice cake lace looked like angel wings, and I had to agree. The presentation was beautiful, and set us up for the experience.

C, who's not often left wordless, could only say "wow," when she first tasted the mousse. Eventually she followed up with "this is exactly the way mousse should taste and feel." It was smooth and creamy, and the crisp spicy wings set it off perfectly. I liked the browned butter ice cream quite a bit, too. Everyone who attempts mousse aspires to this.

Bear tried creme brulee for the first time, and was not disappointed.

The crisp caramel shell covered a delicate, creamy pudding with just the right touch of Madagascar vanilla. Excellent.

Caitlin ordered Cherry Clafoutis with toasted rye crumbles, honeycomb, and lemon-thyme ice cream. Caitlin loves cherries, so it was a good choice for her, it still wasn't quite the success of the other desserts. I will say that I loved the lemon-thyme ice cream and would have paired it with the mousse.

Gracie's is not "cheap eats." It's excellent food, skillfully prepared and presented, and the prices represent that. We didn't limit ourselves in terms of what we ordered (although none of us had alcohol), and dinner for three cost nearly $200. It's definitely possible to eat there for less, however. And the food is definitely worthy of special occasions.

From the I {heart} Rhody Flickr group

2012-04-20T00:00:00.000-04:00

Exeter Hollow Mill by Swissrock

North Light Block Island Rhode Island by RIRed1

From a Guy's Yard in E. Providence, Rhode Island #16 by MyDay247

I-Way project by provbenson2009

Castle Hill Light by robtm2010

Rhode Island State House by mike_dooley

The path down the cliff by robert.rinkel

Day's end at Charlestown Beach by kaminine55

Pawtuxet Cove by R Joanne

Watch Hill Lighthouse by nelights

Kite Surfer Close-up by cyberastrofolkie

IMG_2762.2 by Amy Martira Photography

Newport, RI by BarbaraS2009

Block Island, RI by bell7283

Harrisville Water Tower by j.edward ferguson

narragansett beach by Paul Shelasky

Swan by Carly Sabatino

Goddard Park, Warwick RI by Royston_Kane

Kayaking in Mackerel Cove - Jamestown, Rhode Island by misterfoto

DSC_1795 by dadofliz

red-tailed hawks on independent man in providence by doubleagent

Glittering Steppingstones by mmgiard

IMG_0966 by E Godfrey

Point Judith waves after Hurricane Katia by Wilks2010

Crab Roses by nat_19901

Raging River by wildiris

Rhode Island State House Building by SkylineScenes

Sea Smiles by MattJohnston401

\
Statehouse in the Fall by GoProvidenceRI

Colt School by jambori39

Kayaking in Mackerel Cove - Jamestown, Rhode Island by misterfoto

In the Clouds by Mr. Ducke

Close up by Jerri Moon Cantone

Shadow of a railing. by kobrienjewelry

Clinging to Color. by kylenolin

Rhode Island 2012 Solo Trip 109 by MackayPhotography

121411_9_melissa_denmark by jwessel