If helping others is in your blood, then the Rhode Island Blood Center is looking for volunteers just like you (specifically in the Narragansett area). The volunteers will be helping out at blood centers and blood drives, handing out refreshments to donors. Training will be provided. For more information, visit their website or call the volunteer coordinator at 453-8378.
Hard working volunteers with green-thumbs are always welcome at the Charlestown Community Garden. Whether you’re a well-seasoned home gardener, or just want to get outside and try your hand at growing food, there is a place for you. Like any garden, the Charlestown Community Garden is buzzing with life, and endless work to be done to keep the ecosystem running symbiotically. Volunteers can assist in every step of the growing process - from planting to harvesting - so if you’re interested in learning the ins-and-outs of growing, this is a perfect opportunity. Volunteers are needed Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9am-12pm.
If you’re a lover of the environment and wildlife, then this is the volunteer opportunity for you. The Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge is looking for volunteers to help maintain the refuge and support wildlife management. Volunteers will get the opportunity to lead tours, greet visitors, represent the refuge at community functions, and take part in special projects throughout the refuge. To sign up, fill out an application on their website. More
Ever wanted to know what ticks behind the great minds of some of your favorite works? Look no further! The Contemporary Theatre Company is hosting their series Authors on Main – founded back in 2010 as Authors Circle by a volunteer committee – with this August to feature author Katherine Leonard Czepiel. Authors on Main is a chance to gather and listen to the “man (or woman) behind the curtain” discuss their body of work, answer some of your questions and read excerpts from their new or older creations. On August 25, Katherine Leonard Czepiel, author of A Violet Season – a narrative that focuses on the journey of a mother and daughter, the power human fortitude and the struggle to hold family ties – will be offering up her time to those followers and newcomers of her work. With a new author featured every month, book lovers can look forward to appearances by other beloved raconteurs, like Stephen Dobyns (Sep. 22) and Ann Hood (Oct. 20). Discussions begin at 6pm, so be sure to grab a seat and jump into the thrill of storytelling. The Contemporary Theater Company. 327 Main Street, Wakefield, 218-0282. More
Whether you are a stamp collector or just someone who appreciates historical landmarks, the Narragansett Historical Society is celebrating its unveiling of the Point Judith Lighthouse stamp as part of the New England Lights stamp series. The stamp is issued as a se-tenant (it's a stamp collecting term – we looked it up) of five different stamps per sheet of twenty. Also, a special strip of five point Judith lighthouse stamps has been created just for the Rhode Island market. This is the first time since September 5, 1940 that a philatelic (again, we looked it up) event like this has happened in Narragansett. The stamps were unveiled July 13, and are now available at any local U.S postal office. Don’t forget to check out the featured Point Judith Lighthouse post cards that are also available. These stamps and postcards are a true commemoration of the rich history and culture that South County brings to New England. So, this summer when you’re writing to relatives about the great times had in South County, don’t forget to seal it off with a signature Point Judith stamp. More
Combining the childish glee of hide-and-seek, the wonderment of artistic creativity and the adventurous spirit of educational discovery, Block Island is hosting its 2013 Glass Float Project. It’s a uniquely Rhode Island way of doing things: this initiative seeks to use public art installations to encourage people of all ages to explore Block Island. This clever bit of tourism involves over 400 glass floats being placed all around the tiny island, 13 of which will be distinctly colored orbs representing 2013. One is even made out of gold leaf; all will be dated, numbered and stamped with the shape of Block Island on them.
Started in June, the competition continues indefinitely until all 400 are found. All of these glass creations are the artistic vision of Eben Horton, noted as “one of the country’s most versatile glassmakers.” Hidden along Block Island’s iconic beaches, above the high tide marks and on the Greenway Trails (a foot from either side), everyone is encouraged to participate in the search, but are asked to only take one glass float per person. So what are you doing? Get searching! More
One of summer’s more beautiful creatures, butterflies, will be celebrated in butterfly release this month in Westerly. A joint promotional event by the Greater Westerly-Pawcatuck Area Chamber of Commerce and the Westerly Lions Club, the butterfly weekend involves two events: a private butterfly release on Thursday, July 11, and a public butterfly garden July 12-14 at Pleasant Acres Nursery. At the private butterfly release, patrons can sponsor a butterfly for $20 and watch it fly away into nature. From July 12-14, two greenhouses will be open for the Butterfly Garden and activities center, where all kinds of creatures will be on display. This event’s multi-colored visual display will have at least 1,000 butterflies from Monarchs to Painted Ladies. The weekend will include fun educational family programs by contributing organizations such as Mystic Aquarium, Born to Be Wild Nature Center, Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center, Save the Bay and Stuart Woronecki, featuring a touch tank, five birds of prey, frogs, turtles, snakes and a beekeeper displaying his “hobby.” There will even be a butterfly parade on Saturday, offering face painting, butterfly tattoos and a photo station. Admission is $3 for children and $5 for adults, with group discounts for summer camps and daycare facilities. More
Human nature, fame, deadly viruses and of course, bloodthirsty monsters; just a few of the themes you’ll find at the double feature premiere of North Kingstown based filmmakers Brian Bouyea and Shawn W. Manchester. On July 18, at 7pm, don’t miss the premiere of Famous by Brian Bouyea and The Next Step by Shawn W. Manchester, showing at Showcase Cinemas in Warwick. After the showing of the films, there will be a Q&A with the cast, followed by an after party, which will include a bar and buffet. Each of the films being shown were filmed entirely in Rhode Island. Famous follows the story of Julia Turner (Meg Perry) as she showcases just how far some people will go for the promise of fame. The Next Step features two mercenaries, Hank (Shawn W. Manchester) and Jack (Micheal Dubec) who are hired to contain a virus outbreak by exterminating anyone who has been infected but uncover the morbid truth about the virus in the process. The premiere will be a great place to network with other members of the local film community, and a good opportunity to show your support for local filmmakers. More
Founded in 1913 by a group of local Rhode Island apple orchardists, the Rhode Island Fruit Growers Association is celebrating their 100th anniversary this summer with the 2013 Farm Scavenger Hunt. The scavenger hunt will consist of visiting dozens of local farms and talking to the farmers to guess which picture clue represents their farm. Take advantage of this opportunity to meet your local farmers and delve into Rhode Island’s fast-growing agricultural industry. This year, there are 28 farms participating in the state-wide scavenger hunt, including Wakefield’s Carpenters Farm, Langworthy Farm Winery in Westerly and Windmist Farm in Jamestown. It’s a great excuse to take a day off, explore some of Rhode Island’s quaint, rural back roads and indulge in fresh, local produce, all while working toward a grand prize. To participate, just stop by any of the participating farms to pick up a copy of the farm map and clues. For a list of participating farms, and to learn more about the Rhode Island Fruit Growers Association visit them online. More
Celebrate creativity in all its wondrous forms at the 3rd Annual Sea Star Marketplace, at Ninigret park in Charlestown. Explore an old fashioned marketplace, with fine arts and crafts, local food vendors, live entertainment, special events and activities for kids throughout the day. Right next to the Frosty Drew Nature Center & Observatory, kids and adults can gaze through its 16-inch telescope at the vast expanse of our solar system’s planets and stars. July 27. Free. 9am-4pm. Old Post Road, Charlestown. 364-1227. More
Every year there’s that one event that excites the bejeezus out of young and old alike. Don’t miss the 35th Annual South County Hot Air Balloon Festival at the URI Athletic Fields. It’s a three-day feast for the eyes as an array of colorful balloons dot the blue summer sky. There will also be a partially inflated hot air balloon on the ground that guests can get up close and personal with. If you’ve ever wanted to step inside the basket, this is your chance! July 19-21. $10 adults; $5 kids. 6am- 6pm. 3 Keany Road, Kingston. 789-1120. More
Peruse the wares at the 51st Annual Wickford Art Festival, one of New England’s top fine art festivals with work for sale from over 250 artists from around the country. Stroll through charming Wickford Village, have an ice cream on the dock, rent a kayak and get out on the water for a few hours and then cap off the day by popping into a few of its unique shops. The family-friendly event always draws a crowd, so come early to secure your parking spot. July 13-14. Free. 10am-6pm. Wickford Village, North Kingstown. 294-6840. More
Home games take place at Old Mountain Field in South Kingstown. Check out their website for more information.
July 5: Home vs. Sanford Mainers
July 6: Home vs. Saratoga Brigade
July 10: Home vs. Laconia Muskrats
July 11: Home vs. Plymouth Pilgrims
July 13: Home vs. Newport Gulls
July 14: Home vs. Mystic Schooners
July 16: Home vs. Sanford Mainers
July 17: Home vs. Mystic Schooners
July 23: Home vs. Plymouth Pilgrims
July 24: Home vs. Mystic Schooners
July 26: Home vs. Plymouth Pilgrims More
This Sunday is June 16. While some of you may be thinking to yourself so what? To us literary junkies it's Bloomsday and that is cause for celebrations. Bloomsday is celebrated all over the world, but it's roots are in Dublin. On this special day readers everywhere celebrate the life of Irish writer James Joyce by reliving the events in his novel Ulysses.
This year, you don't have to travel all the way to Ireland to participate in the festivities. The Courthouse Center for the Arts is hosting its own Bloomsday celebration. Guests will celebrate the novelist with Irish step-dancing lessons and a reading of the the first chapter of Ulysses. All that dancing is sure to work up an appetite. Hungry guests can enjoy "bangers & burgers", washing it all down with a whiskey and beer tasting. Of course, what would a celebration be (especially an Irish one) without a little whiskey?
Sunday, June 16 at 1pm. Tickets are $20. Visit The Courthouse Center for the Arts for more infomration. More
Don your nautical best and head to Narragansett Pier Marketplace for the second annual Seaside Village Fair. This family-friendly event features products on display from artists, craftspeople, authors, farmers’ markets, food vendors, non-profits and town organizations, as well as live music, dance demos, trolley rides and activities for kids and families. Be sure to bring some spending money – the local shops and restaurants will be offering deep discounts and special promotions! June 9. Free. 10am-4pm. 1 Pier Marketplace, Narragansett. 783-5907. More
The historic Theatre by the Sea celebrates its 80th anniversary season, having seen many incarnations since it first opened in 1933. Each summer, the Matunuck theatre presents four musicals. This month, audiences have the opportunity to catch two shows: Nunsense (now through June 16) and Cats (opening on June 19). June 4-30. Tickets can be purchased online or at the onsite box office. $39-$59. 2pm, 4pm & 8pm show times, Tue-Sun. 364 Cards Pond Road, Matunuck. 782-8587. More
Plants and herbs have been used for medicinal purposes for hundreds of years and are often more affordable than modern pharmaceuticals. Learn all about the Medicinal Plants in Your Backyard with herbalist Kristin Minto on a walking tour of Jamestown’s historic Watson Farm. Tour participants will discover thehistory of herbal plant use, identification and simple techniques for using herbs in daily life. Be prepared to make and drink some herbal infusions. June 9. Registration is required. $10 Historic New England members; $20 non-members. 10am-12:30pm. 455 North Road, Jamestown. 423-0005. More
Taylor Swift purchases a $17 million dollar mansion on the beach in Watch Hill and suddenly the national spotlight is focused on this tiny section of Westerly. Just east of her property, past Maschaug Pond, sits the honky-tonk Misquamicut beach, where soon the masses will be camped out in front of Paddy’s, soaking up the sun and flipping through their summer reads. If you want to keep it Rhode Island-centric this year for beach reading, we have the perfect book, The Burn Palace, by the nationally acclaimed writer (and local resident) Stephen Dobyns.
Dobyns’ most recent work is based in the fictional town of Brewster, a thinly disguised analogue of Westerly. The reader will know all the neighboring cities and landmarks mentioned in the story, and certainly will recognize all the quirky personality types. Something has gone terribly wrong in Brewster: a newborn baby is stolen from the hospital and what remains is a snake in the crib. Enter violence, the occult and some super aggressive coyotes, which the befuddled citizenry now have to deal with. Dobyns also works a heavy dose of humor into the story. Even Stephen King is a fan, “You can’t ask for more than this book gives. I loved it.” Well Taylor and company, you have something fun to read this summer between dips in the ocean. More
Mother Nature hasn’t been kind to the Ocean State over the past year. Between Superstorm Sandy ravaging our coastline to Winter Storm Nemo turning everything into a frozen wasteland, it seemed like we just couldn’t catch a break. That was especially true for two beloved landmarks: The Coast Guard House in Narragansett and Tara’s Tipperary Tavern in Matunuck. Sandy turned the CGH into a pile of rubble last fall, and the subsequent renovations lasted all winter and spring. Tara’s, after repairing all of Sandy’s damage, caught even more trouble from Nemo and had to do an especially difficult second round of repairs.
But, there’s good news. Both places are back up and running, and just in time for summer. Tara’s reopened in early May, serving delicious Irish and American favorites which taste even better in sunny weather on their expansive deck. The Coast Guard House opened at the end of the month. For now, only the outside deck is open, but an oceanfront cocktail sounds perfect right about now. Cheers to perseverance. More
Sail away to Block Island for their first annual Restaurant Week. From June 14-23, over 25 restaurants will be participating. The restaurants include Block Island favorites such as Eli’s, The Manisses and Ballard’s Beach Club. Restaurants will be offering breakfast specials and three-course specially priced prix fixe lunches and dinners. Prices vary by restaurant.
Smith’s Castle in North Kingstown is hosting its annual Strawberry Festival on June 15 from 12-4pm. Help celebrate the humble fruit known as the strawberry once enjoyed by the early colonists. Besides enjoying strawberry shortcake, there will be pony rides, balloon art, vendors, musicians, food, and early childrens’ games and crafts and a tour of the first floor of the Castle. Admission is $7.
Grey Sail Brewing of Rhode Island located in Westerly, has rolled out its summer seasonal brew called Hazy Day Belgian Wit. It’s available on draft and in 16 oz. four packs. This unfiltered brew is reminiscent of the white beers made in the Wallonia region of Belgium and is perfect for a hot summer day.
Holistic health coach and raw food chef Katie McDonald is offering a cooking class on raw entrées in her private kitchen overlooking Narrow River in Saunderstown. The class will focus on “the exquisite flavors and textures of raw entrées.” It is being held on June 19 from 7-8pm and costs $60. To reserve a seat call 965-4486.
The Greene School in West Greenwich is hosting a 100 Mile Radius Dinner on June 14 at 6:30pm in Schaub Hall at Canonicus in Exeter. The fundraising event for the school will feature foods from local farms. Students will be presenting the dinner as a culminating event for their learning expedition on local food and agriculture.
Send all food, beverage, restaurant and chef news to Stacey Place. Follow Stacey on Twitter Find further adventures in dining on Stacey’s website. More
The Ocean House in Westerly is hosting a Farm & Vine Dinner on June 5 at 7pm in Seasons, featuring a three-course dinner prepared by the three-time James Beard Award nominee, Chef Nemo Bolin of Providence’s Cook & Brown Public House. The meal will feature food from White Barn Farm located in Wrentham, MA, as well as wine pairings from Napa Valley’s Viader Vineyard. The cost is $95 (plus tax and gratuity) per person which includes hors d’oeuvres, the three-course dinner and wine pairings.
What’s more of a New England summer food than lobster with drawn butter? On June 19 at 7pm, the Ocean House will be featuring the aforementioned lobster on its “Cooking Through the Seasons” Dinner. After a meet and greet demonstration with the Ocean House chefs, diners will enjoy hors d’oeuvres, and a three-course dinner with wine pairings. Much of the food will come from the local Shartner Farms, and the wine hails from J Vineyard in California’s Russian River Valley. The cost is $85 per person (plus tax and gratuity).
Besides dining at the Ocean House, there are also cooking classes. On June 22, you can attend “Mastering the Five Mother Sauces” to learn how to make béchamel, espagnole, hollandaise, veloute and tomato sauces while pairing them with vegetables and proteins. The course costs $95 a person and includes an Ocean House apron. For reservations, call 584-7000. More