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2 | MAY 2021 Review Your Trust Annually ReviewReview YourYour TrustTrust Annually Annually To ProtectTo ProtectProtect Your YourYour Assets Assets Assets

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The Smithfield Times | 3 Local Businesses Adjusting to Pandemic By Joe Siegel

After a difficult year, local businesses Stephanie Mosca, owner of the A&W products and so we can keep our staff are doing what they can to make it on Route 44, said the restaurant had a members employed.” through the coronavirus pandemic. “great March” and is looking forward Not every business has been as Social distancing, mask-wearing, and to even more diners as the days get fortunate. Laura’s Pleasant View Diner enhanced sanitary measures have made warmer. recently announced they are closing for it possible for business owners to allow good. customers to return to their favorite “We are doing our best during these restaurants. challenging times,” said Kelly In a message shared on Facebook, Lemoine, the heard of sales and owners Laura and Jay Dunlea wrote: Blackie’s is experiencing a steady marketing at Wright’s Dairy Farm. “We stream of patrons as more and more are currently operating with curbside “This last decade has had many Rhode Islanders continue to get pickup only, but we hope to have ups and downs, but none more vaccinated. However, owner Jeanine Iannucci notes there is still reluctance among customers for a return to dine-in service due to fears of getting Covid.

“We still have a large amount (of customers) getting take-out,” Iannucci said. “Many of our clientele are either worried or afraid or are awaiting their vaccinations.”

Blackie’s is operating on a reduced schedule, Wednesdays through Sunday, partially due to a shortage of staff. the store open again by the summer. challenging than this last year. In this “We can’t find people to work so that Customer counts have been pretty last year, we have fought and clawed is the reason we are not open more,” steady for the last few months with no every step of the way. Through the Iannucci added. “(Our schedule) will major changes. We are just focused on constant restrictions and inspections, redeveloping our sick policies, food shortages, and the current changing and unstable job market. We are telling you this not because we want sympathy, but because we want you to know that we have worked tirelessly exhausting many different avenues and haven’t reached this decision lightly. It has been such a difficult decision because the Diner has been much more to us than a restaurant. It is a place we have shared a lot of laughs and lot of tears while developing so many great relationships.” change as soon as we have enough staying open so our customers have the people to work.” opportunity to continue to enjoy our See Local Businesses, page 5

4 | MAY 2021 Local Businesses, from page 4 of trying to keep up with everything.” One of the good things to come out of the pandemic was the decision for Owner Jay Dunlea said Laura’s Bar For families memorializing their loved funeral homes to provide livestreams and Grill on Douglas Pike will remain ones, the past year has been particularly of the services for people who live out open. difficult. Anderson Winfield Funeral of state. Home has had to restrict the number of “I think we’ve just been kind of worn mourners allowed indoors at one time “Some people who were not able out over the last year,” he said. “The due to state health guidelines. Churches to travel could join not only calling Bar and Grill has been very successful, and other houses of worship have also hours, they could also join the church very busy.” imposed limits on how many people services and also burial services at the can attend services. cemeteries. It was a different way for Dunlea notes staffing has been a people to come together,” Winfield problem: “It’s also been tough to hire “We don’t ever want to do that explained. in this market. There’s a lot of people again,” said Thomas Winfield, not back to work yet and that’s kind of President of Anderson Winfield. “It Winfield wants people to know that the lead to shortages and us scrambling all was really horrible, it was tough to proper procedures are in place to insure the time.” make connections. When people lose the safety of everyone who visits to somebody, sometimes that connection, mourn a loved one. Hand-washing and Dunlea said it was more practical to sometimes an embrace (from family or face-coverings are necessary for the consolidate the two restaurants and friends), means an awful lot. immediate future. have everyone working in one place. There’s very few people who have “We have to move cautiously so we can “We’re doing really well, numbers been properly vaccinated so we’re still put this behind us,” Winfield added. wise,” Dunlea added. “It’s just a matter working towards that goal.”

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The Smithfield Times | 5 Paul was a hands-on boss who knew the jobs of everyone in the newspaper because he had done them all. And when the paper had gone to press, Paul sometimes found time to go out and have a beer with his fellow workers. He led and he could also just gear down and become part of the team, laughing at work stories and moaning over Red Sox games in a neighborhood bar. Paul probably enjoyed being one of the guys more than being leader. He was a man of many loyalties, and once you earned his trust, Paul had your back forever. Paul earned the respect of community leaders throughout the Blackstone Valley. His dedication to community work first showed itself in Woonsocket Paul Vincent Palange, age 66, of Seekonk, MA, passed away during the 1980s when he became a driving force behind unexpectedly Sunday, April 4, 2021. Paul Palange took on the newspaper’s Milk Fund campaign. “Paul was very many challenges in his life. And he met them all head-on. passionate about the Blackstone Valley,” said Larry Berman, who worked as sports editor and then managing editor of This proud Syracuse University graduate began his working The Call during the 1980s. career as a reporter for the Woonsocket Call in 1978. Paul rose up through the ranks to become managing editor and When he came to Pawtucket, Paul soon became deeply then general manager of The Call’s sister paper, The Times involved in charity promotions with the Pawtucket Red Sox. of Pawtucket. His corporate bosses, the Journal Register “Paul was a credit to the newspaper industry,” said Mike Company, sent Paul to Norristown, PA in 1993 as executive Tamburro, president of the PawSox when Palange worked in editor to straighten out the newspaper in that town, and then Pawtucket. “He was an honest, straight-shooting individual Paul returned to Pawtucket as managing editor. Journal- who cared deeply about the community and gave back at Register also sent Paul to its Fall River Herald newspaper every opportunity.” as executive editor. He returned to Pawtucket as publisher of The Times in 1999 and served in that role until 2004. Paul fell in love with his wife Andria when they worked Palange was called upon one more time in an executive together at The Times in the 1990s. He became a role model role from 2014-2017 as general manager of both The Times for Andria’s son, Jonathan, who grew up to be a dedicated and The Call, overseeing both the business and newsroom social worker. The birth of Olivia sent Paul over the moon. operations. He and Andria could often be seen walking with Olivia in Slater Park or at McCoy Stadium where Olivia became good When the daily newspaper business faltered, Paul started friends with the PawSox mascot, “Paws.” Olivia brought his own monthly newspaper, the Senior Digest, in tandem out the caring side of her father, cracking that stern façade with his wife Andria, who designed ads and pages. They he sometimes used at work. Paul was devoted to Olivia, were a great team. On the side, Paul kept busy, selling radio Jonathan and Andria, and he never seemed to have enough ads. He was always doing something. His final job came time in the day to do all his work and still be with his family. as development manager for the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, a job he held until his death on Easter Sunday. Paul Palange was born in Somerville, MA on Dec. 6, 1954 to Emil and Jennie Palange. He came from a big family that At heart, Paul was a newsman through and through. During loved to share time together as they grew older. his first stint at The Times, Paul displayed his unique talent for getting business done with business executives over Paul is survived by his wife Andria (Siniak) Palange, his lunch and challenging his reporters and editors at night daughter Olivia Palange, and his stepson, Jonathan Barry, while putting together the next day’s product. Paul often LISW. He was also the brother of Mark Palange, and his put up an intense demeanor as he drove his newsroom to wife Donna, Joanne Hill and her husband Don, the late Lisa find the best stories in the community and then write those Chisolm, and the late Richard Palange. stories in time for deadline. He learned how to design pages on a computer and send them to the press room during an Paul was a contributing writer for the Senior Scene in era when computers and new technology streamlined the The Smithfield Times. He was also editor of Common newspaper operation. Paul kept up with the changing times. Grounds magazine and wrote many articles for the paper. He will be deeply missed by all.

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8 | MAY 2021 About the SHS Fashion Show | by Sophia DeJesus

As class of 2021’s senior year comes where the seniors were able to perform to COVID guidelines, the seniors are to an end, students are working on the and show off their talents. still hopeful that it will live up to past final touches for their fashion show. years shows. The senior fashion show has been a The variety segments began as just tradition for 30+ years at Smithfield a “filler” for the show, but has since The senior class is also currently High School, and is arguably one of the taken over. As Madame Dempsey got working on alternate ways to fundraise most exciting senior events. more involved with helping the seniors and support their class. Although the put together their show, the students fashion show will be virtual this year, As an event that once started in the wanted their fashion show to be more there are still ways to help support the school’s cafeteria, it has become a “performance based.” So, seniors 2021 seniors. If you are interested in tradition that is carried by the senior began adding themes to each year's donating to the senior class, there is a class. Madame Dempsey – one of show and it “just kind of steamrolled link at the bottom of this article that the amazing world language teachers into becoming a lot of show, with less can be pasted into your web browser at SHS – mentioned that, “in its fashion.” With these changes, the if you are reading this online. For beginnings it started as only a fashion stores became less willing to let SHS readers who prefer the hard copy of show, where various types of clothing borrow their clothing pieces as smaller this magazine, donations can still be would be modeled by senior students.” boutiques closed and chains took over. made to the senior class by sending a Madame also recounted how “the check to the high school. Checks can parent council became involved The 2021 senior fashion show is be made out to SHS: Class of 2021, because they were the ones who would scheduled to take place on Saturday, and should be sent to 90 Pleasant View physically go to the stores and pick up May 8th, 2021. Students have been Ave, Smithfield, RI 02917. the clothes (for students to model).” As working on creating and filming skits the years went by, the students began to all year long and are excited to finally Here is the link to donate for virtual add small variety sections to the show, share their project. Although this year’s readers: https://shs-class-of-2021- fashion show will be a bit different due annual-fashion-show.cheddarup.com

Chief Richard P. St. Sauveur, Jr. presents a check for $425 to Chris Olean, Senior Class President. This check represents proceeds for SPD mouse pads and coasters created by Bryan Baron, and sold within the Community.

Photo credit: Andy Lemery

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The Smithfield Times | 11 Proudly Serving Homeowners 363 Putnam Pike Smithfield, RI 02917 Contractors Welcome (At the Crossing in Smithfield)

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12 | MAY 2021 There’s Only One Place To Get Everything For Your Backyard Paradise By Paul Lonardo

If you have traveled on Route 44 in as Hilltop Garden Center,” John says. Smithfield anytime in the last eighty-three In 2019, John began a re-branding of the years, you have driven by Hilltop Garden business into a larger scale garden center Center, nestled on the robust corner of where you could buy “everything for the entrance to the Crossing in Smithfield your backyard paradise.” There is now an shopping plaza. A few may remember official company logo, a comprehensive John and Grace Francisco, who started website and a somewhat larger footprint of the business in 1938 selling vegetables displays and inventory than what has been on the side of the road when Route 44 seen in prior years. Those visiting Hilltop was a lot less busy and Route 295 did not for the first time this year will be greeted even exist. Back then, the business was by a new, and long overdue, parking Anthony Francisco, 1955 called Hill Top Stand. Many more people lot with marked, individual parking would be familiar with Anthony and June spaces. A beautiful, newly constructed and will continue to be there to serve the Francisco, who ran the business from stone retaining wall separates the lot community and their patrons from all 1964 until 1994, during which time the from the masonry display area, and the around the region. name morphed into Francisco’s Hill Top name Hilltop is sprawled out in colorful Gardens. The couple had three children, shrubbery on the slope adjacent to the “We look forward to continuing to provide all of whom worked in the family business neighboring businesses, Uno’s and Chili’s. everything for your backyard paradise, over the years in varying capacities. After hopefully long after things get back to Anthony passed away in 1994, June Their current inventory includes annuals, normal,” John says. “We will provide continued to run the business until 2015. perennials, shrubbery, roses, trees, pottery, helpful advice and how-to techniques on She passed away the following year at cement and stone statues, fertilizer everything from choosing and planting the age of 87, but not before helping & controls, natural stone masonry flowers to installing your own patio.” thousands of people explore gardening supplies, bulk and bagged landscape over a sixty-plus year span. She always materials, and much more. They are the For those who need special assistance, had time to offer advice about plants local distributor of All Seasons sheds, they refer installation work to some of the and little tricks to get rid of pests. While gazebos and pavilions, and they are a finest landscape, excavation, and masonry others would flock to the local beaches distributor for Seaside Casual Furniture, contractors in our area. or head up north to the mountains, June’s a completely RI -based outdoor furniture ideal summer afternoon was “dead- company that produces the finest and most Hilltop Garden Center’s current hours heading” petunias with a cold drink in durable outdoor leisure furniture in the are 10-5 daily, Tuesday through Sunday. hand. Though her absence is felt by all, country. Other premium brands include They are closed on Mondays all season John, the youngest of her three children, Massarelli’s, makers of fine stone garden long and take Sundays off as well in July took over the business and is currently accents and Earth Care Farms, who and August. You can find them at www. head of all operations at the garden center. provide bagged composts and soils. hilltopgardensri.com and on Instagram, or June’s middle son, Bob, is regularly at the just stop in at 363 Putnam Pike to have a garden center and offers over 45 years of “We strive to have as many products from look around. experience in construction, masonry, and local artisans, growers and landscaping. John’s own three children can vendors as possible,” John be seen watering plants and being helpful says. “But there are also some when they are not in school or playing items we sell that come from sports, so Hilltop remains very much a the opposite side of the world.” family business, just as it was when it all began back in 1938. During these turbulent times, as people have been taking “I think my mom would have had high stock of their outdoor space hopes that the 4th generation would and improving it, Hilltop someday be running what now is known Garden Center has been there Bob and John Francisco

The Smithfield Times | 13 IMHO | by Ron Scopelliti Low bridge, everybody down

A shortage of Grape Nuts. That will be all got tales of being caught out by own stern-looking Boston cop. And if one of my main memories of the first unpredictable weather, like the time in you’re a ship owner, shouldn’t you have half of 2021. Right up there with the college when I spun out during a sudden a backup plan that’s more effective than Biden inauguration and the COVID ice storm on my first day back from having your ship sit at the canal entrance vaccine rollout, I’ll remember the spring break, and ended up stuck in the until the clog is clear? Don’t the satellite beginning of this year as a time when mud because we’d already had a week navigation systems on these ships know there was actually a shortage of Grape of uncharacteristically appropriate spring how to say the word “recalculating?” Nuts. Admittedly, it’s been years since weather. I’ve actually eaten any Grape Nuts, but Maybe this is an opportunity for some I really worried that the Grape Nuts And when it comes to traffic jams, enterprising folks to come up with a shortage was just a harbinger, and that there’s the New England phenomenon sort of Uber for container ships. If your we’d be thrust back to those days last of Storrowing. For those unfamiliar ship is stuck in a traffic jam you could spring when the grocery store shortages with the term, Storrowing occurs when hit them up on an app, and have some had Americans considering the option truckers try to take Storrow Drive in smaller ships at least take a couple of of bidets, and using moonshine as hand Boston and get jammed under one of containers off your hands, and deliver sanitizer. A slippery slope in my mind the low bridges that cross over the road. them to their destinations. It would be led me to think, “Yeah, today it’s Grape This generally results in heavy damage like Dunkirk, except instead of rescuing Nuts, but tomorrow it’ll be printer ink, to the truck, followed by a long traffic intrepid British soldiers, the small boats and then shoelaces, and then (gasp) delay as its carcass is pried out from would be bailing out greedy ship owners Pop Tarts.” under the bridge. Looking back at a who feel the need to maximize profit time I was driving a rental truck across by building irresponsibly large ships. It My fear of impending shortages grew Boston on a tight deadline, I understand seems less attractive when I put it that when I saw the traffic jam of container that desperation often makes us push way, but if the rescuers made a profit ships at the entrance of the Suez Canal the limits of our vehicles. But when I I’d consider it a win for the little guys. after the ridiculously large Ever Given had to decide whether to risk taking the So this summer might find me spending got stuck there. With that many ships truck onto Storrow Drive, either my my spare time at the Cape Cod Canal, carrying that many containers, there courage gave way, or my common sense waiting to offer my services to any had to be something I desperately kicked in. Or it may have been the stern megaship that endangers our supplies of needed in at least one of them. The Ever look given to me by the police officer toilet paper, AAA batteries, or slightly Given alone has a capacity of 20,000 stationed at entrance to the roadway. obscure cereal. I wonder how many containers, each of which could be boxes of Grape Nuts I can fit in my carrying multiple different products. If The people I can’t sympathize with are kayak. there wasn’t a vital necessity aboard the the higher-ups Ever Given, there had to be something in who let the one of the 200 ships stacked up behind Suez situation it. If there are no Pocky biscuits on the get so messy. If shelf next time I go to Target, I know you’re running where I’m going to cast my accusatory a canal that gaze. allows such oversized ships, Though it’s easy to make fun of the shouldn’t you situation, I have a tremendous amount have a plan of sympathy for whoever was at the to clear them controls when strong winds and a out if they get sandstorm contributed to the grounding. stuck? Maybe As New England drivers, I’m sure we’ve they need their

14 | MAY 2021 Erstwhile Parlance of Yesteryear By Jim Ignasher

I recently heard someone use the in a bar might “see a man about a horse”, The 1950s had “hep-cats” and “kittens”, expression, “he sounds like a broken and the saying that there “were more “beatniks” and “greasers”, who “burned record”, and it occurred to me that I hadn’t horse’s rear-ends on the road than horses” rubber” in “souped up” “hot rods” that heard that term in years. For those too was once a popular lament. either had “three-in-the-tree”, or “four-on- young to remember, a broken record was the-floor” shifters. one that would get stuck and continuously Some expressions fade into obscurity repeat a word or phrase. I wondered how with the passing of time. For example, in In the 1960s nobody would have known many of those of the younger generation the roaring twenties they said “twenty- what a “flat screen” was, for they had would understand its meaning, for how three-skidoo”, drank “bathtub gin” and “boob tubes”, “idiot boxes”, and “rabbit many of them have ever owned a “record “hooch” in “speakeasies” while out ears”, and everyone knew what “don’t player”? Then I began thinking about for a “toot”, and “painting the town touch that dial” meant. other expressions that have “gone out red”. “Flapper’s” wore risqué short of fashion”, “caught the westbound”, or dresses called “knee dusters”, and the We “mind our P’s and Qs”, “roll with “went the way of the Edsel”. “new fangled” Charleston (dance) was the punches”, and “take it all in stride”. considered the “bee’s knees” among the Sometimes we “pull out all the stops” It’s interesting how the English language younger crowd. Illicit booze was brought and throw in “everything but the kitchen has evolved over the centuries. For in by “rumrunners”, and organized crime sink” to get something done “in the example, in “days of yore”, there was the “gangsters” “rubbed out” the competition nick of time” instead of “beating around word “erstwhile”, meaning bygone, passé, with “street sweepers” and “Chicago the bush”. We hear things “through the or long ago. And in “Olde English”, the pianos”, a.k.a. machine guns. Those on grapevine”, “a little birdie”, and even words “ye”, “doth”, and “puteth”, were in the receiving end were adorned with “pine “straight from the horse’s mouth”. We common usage. overcoats” as they made their way to the might “get on a soapbox”, “stand in the “bone orchard”, or “cement shoes” if they limelight”, or tell someone to “put a Somewhere along the way people wound up in “the drink”. sock in it”. At the end of the day we “hit began developing colorful euphemistic the hay”, “jump in the rack”, and “sleep expressions and slang words to address Twenty years later World War II brought tight”. everyday situations or behavior such as new color to our dialogue. There was advising an irritated person not to “go off “Fubar”, an acronym for “fouled up There are literally thousands of the half-cocked”. Synonymous expressions beyond all repair”, and “Snafu”, another slang words and expressions, and newer, might include “simmer down”, “cool acronym meaning “situation normal, all “cooler”, “hipper”, “groovier”, “far out”, your jets”, “don’t get your underwear in a fouled up”. “dope”, “sweet”, “sick”, “g.o.a.t” (greatest bunch”, “don’t have a cow”, and “take a of all time), ones are being invented every chill pill”. Getting “flack” from someone referred day. “Can you dig it?” “Right on!” to disrespect, and the expression came If that person didn’t heed the advice, they from WWII bomber pilots who had to fly “See you later alligator” was once might be said to have “flipped their lid”, through anti-aircraft fire, (flack), while answered with “after awhile crocodile”, “flown off the handle”, “blown a gasket”, bombing the enemy. but these were replaced with “I’m off”, or “gone off the deep end”. Then they “catch you on the flip side”, “later days”, might find themselves in a legal “sticky When things were going well people were “take it easy”, and “smell you later”. wicket”, and “face the music” before a said to be “cooking with gas”, “living the judge who could put them “on ice” in the high life”, “pleased as punch”, or “living Broken records aside, it seems some “clink”. the life of Riley”. expressions will always have “staying power”. A haughty person might have to “come If one was “flush” with “clams”, “lettuce”, down off his high horse”. Some people or “dough”, it meant they had money, and “Elvis has left the building. Thank you, engage in “horse trading”, which makes could “have it made in the shade”, and and goodnight! good “horse sense”, but one should never be “living on easy street”.Those without “look a gift horse in the mouth”. A person money could be “poor as a church mouse”.

The Smithfield Times | 15 16 | MAY 2021 Health Awareness | by Diane L. Marolla, LICSW Coming Out of the COVID Life

It’s been one year and two months since best of what I could. I have to say, that social media to the curb. For me, there our lives changed on a dime. As each throughout COVID, I did make lemons is no going back. I am more relaxed day goes by, more and more Rhode into lemon aide. Here is how I did: and spend time reading versus filling Islanders have been vaccinated. As we my brain with scrolling. I call people all know, there have been many bumps • I made the shift of doing what I love on the phone when I can the old- in the roads with the state’s overall for work fashioned way. vaccination plan. Hopefully the bumps, For years, I had put off strictly doing and sometimes potholes will continue outpatient mental health counseling. It • I drove less to be worked through by the new is now my full-time job. When COVID I really don’t like driving at all. I’m leadership in the Governor’s Office and hit, I was working full time in an even contemplating selling my car and existing health officials. The stringent administrative role at one of our health getting a three-wheel bike like one restrictions on businesses are being centers and doing counseling part time. of my neighbors has. He puts his two lifted. Some individuals who have been Last summer, I made the decision dogs on it and happily takes bike rides. telecommuting all through COVID are to leave my administrative role. I I could get used to doing that! going back to their offices. Children in also started teaching courses to other many communities have gone back to the mental health clinicians. • I connected with old friends classroom. I doubt that any of us will be I connected with four old friends. One the same post COVID. We are still trying • I focus on my own self care from high school, two from Bryant to understand what our new normal Because I was working two jobs, I University, and one from Women & will be going forward. Many folks are was spending less time on my own Infants’ Hospital where I used to work still struggling physically, mentally, self-care. Now, every day, I make many years ago. I occasionally co-host and financially. There are still many sure I nourish myself physically with a Podcast with my old colleague and unknowns. exercise, mentally with my quiet time friend from Women & Infants’ called with my dogs, and spiritually through Savopedia. I’ve always wanted to do With all that said, I wanted to reflect daily prayer and meditation. I love my some type of radio show all my life. on how COVID has impacted me. I do quiet mornings where I watch the sun We talk about serious topics and fun feel different physically, mentally, and rise and sip on my coffee before the topics as well. Steve and I laugh now spiritually in 2021. There were times day starts. that when we met, we were both in in 2020 that I did cry about COVID. our early twenties. Now we are in our Initially, during the virus, I would read • I’m eating healthier than ever fifties which is hard to believe. We everything I possibly could. I would Because I was always working, I reminisce about the old days which is also listen to the radio every day for would eat “on the run”. Little by little, fun too. updates. There were times I was afraid. I gained 20 pounds. I’m happy to Would I get sick? Would I lose someone report that during COVID I lost 25 • I spend money locally as much as I can I love to COVID? I missed seeing my pounds. I also order my food online This is a practice I have done for friends. My monthly dinners with my and have it delivered. I have always about the past 10 years or so. sister and brother-in-law came to an end disliked going food shopping. It was heartbreaking to see so (each month we would pick a different many businesses struggle. Some RI restaurant to go to dinner). I recall • I appreciate everything more unfortunately, have gone out of when I heard the news that we were in I’ve always been an appreciative business. a pandemic, that I went food shopping. person. Something, about COVID I mindlessly shopped thinking how am made me appreciate and value things I don’t know for sure, but I really do I supposed to prepare for this? What am more, especially my health, my family, think COVID has changed me. Initially it I supposed to stock up on? Is this like a and my friends. I also learned not to forced me to slow down. Now, I just take snowstorm? I remember thinking that it put things off. one day at time. When somebody asks would last two weeks tops. me about the future, my response always • I went off social media for good is, I’m focused on today. But through it all, for me, I made the I wrote about my journey kicking

The Smithfield Times | 17 Ask an Expert My name is Tom Lopatosky. I’m the President of LOPCO Contracting (www.LopcoContracting.com) and I’m honored to have the opportunity to talk to you about home improvement on a monthly basis. I love answering your questions! Please send them to [email protected] or call 401-270-2664. Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this column! What the heck is Artillery Fungus? Do you have mulch in your yard? Artillery Fungus cannot simply be “powerwashed” off or cleaned with some type of special cleaner (regardless of what Do you have small, black, hard spots that look like specks of tar may be read about it!). over certain portions of the exterior of your home? Literally, the best that can be done is for the hard portion of If you answered yes to both questions above, chances are you the specks to be gently picked off. An annoying stain will be have something that is called Artillery Fungus affecting your left behind that will not be able to be washed off. The stain left home. behind might be removed with an ink eraser, but this is certainly not guaranteed and should be tested in a small area first to make Artillery Fungus is a wood-decay fungus that likes to live in sure the finish of the substrate you are attempting to remove the moist landscape such as mulch. It is important to note that this stain from is not affected! fungus is aligned with all different grades of mulch and is not just limited to growth in and around “cheaper” grades. Artillery Fungus is a phenomena that has made homeowners scratch their head for years as they have tried to figure out what Many times when Artillery Fungus is present it tends to end up exactly it is and how they should get rid of it. on areas around the mulch. These areas could be the exterior of your home – including the glass on your windows – and your Although there may not be a perfect solution for your situation car if it is parked close to an affected area of mulch. if you indeed have been affected by this, at least you will hopefully now know somewhat of what you are up against Unfortunately, because Artillery Fungus is so arbitrary in and how to possibly maneuver through this type of nuisance where it appears, there is no way to really prevent it other than situation. utilizing alternative forms of ground cover (stone, etc.).

Once it has affected your home, your options to get rid of it are VERY limited. About Tom Lopatosky If you have a painted home, you can prep Tom Lopatosky has run his own RI-based carpentry and painting and paint over the affected areas and you business since 1995; LOPCO Contracting – the “Personable, should be ok. Particular Professionals” – specializes in carpentry and exterior & Artillery Fungus can be scraped and interior painting. Recently LOPCO Contracting was named ‘RI’s cleaned off of windows with the help of a Finest Painting Contracting Company’ by ShopInRI Magazine. In razor blade or window scraper. 2013, Tom was named “Humanitarian of the Year” by the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America (PDCA) and a “40 Under If the Artillery Fungus hits vinyl siding 40” award winner by Providence Business News. He is a member or your car however, you are in a very of both PCA (Painting Contractors Association) and RIBA (Rhode challenging scenario. Island Builders Association). Tom has often had weekly ‘Home Improvement Tips’ that have aired on the radio on 630 WPRO AM and on television on WPRI 12.

18 | MAY 2021 Greenville Public Library 573 Putnam Pike, Greenville, RI 02828 Contact: Cassie Patterson • 401-949-3630 ext 117 [email protected] • greenvillelibraryri.org

Virtual Book Chat read their submissions and we will announce the winners Thursdays, May 6 & 20 at 6:00 pm from our three age groups: children, teen, and adult. Winners are selected by the Woodland Whispers Poetry Join us for an informal virtual meeting to discuss what Committee. Please register by visiting our event calendar at books you are currently reading. Share your great read and greenvillelibraryri.org or by calling 401-949-3630. discover a new one! We meet virtually via Zoom. Please register online on our event calendar at greenvillelibraryri. Community Garden Space Available org or by calling 401-949-3630. We look forward to seeing you soon! Are you interested in starting a garden but don’t have the space? Love to garden but need a low maintenance option? Home Sweet Home Book Club We currently have two spaces available in our raised garden Monday, May 24 at 6:30 pm beds. The bays are approximately 4ft. by 3ft. They are available on a first come, first serve basis. Join us from home for our Zoom book club. Each month, Please contact Cassie at [email protected] a book will be selected that is also available as an ebook in or 401-949-3630 ext. 117 for details. Hoopla, our streaming media service that provides access to ebooks with no holds or wait times. You must have a Audubon Discovery Hike Greenville Public Library card to access this service. Visit Monday, May 10 at 10:00 am hoopladigital.com to get started. Copies of the book will also be available in the library for checkout. For more Join us for a visit to the Audubon Society Powder Mill information and to register, please visit our event calendar at Wildlife Refuge for a guided tour. An Audubon educator greenvillelibraryri.org or by calling 401-949-3630. will walk us through the refuge, teaching attendees about the native plants and species that inhabit the area, a great natural resource right here in Smithfield! May is peak migration 2021 Poetry Contest Virtual Poetry Reading and we will hope to see some interesting birds along the Saturday, May 1 at 10:00 am way. Space is limited to 14 attendees and registration is required. Attendees are should wear comfortable clothes We will be honoring the contestants for our 2021 Poetry and shoes. The terrain can be uneven and is not suitable for Contest on Saturday, May 1 at 10:00 am. Join us via strollers. Please register by visiting our event calendar at Zoom for a virtual poetry reading where contestants will greenvillelibraryri.org or by calling 401-949-3630.

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The Smithfield Times | 19 The Nature of Things | by James Gass They Carry the Sky on Their Back

Now that May has arrived, many colorful songbirds including warblers, orioles, grosbeaks, Photo by Mike Tucker and buntings will be returning to southern New England to breed. But the eastern bluebird, perhaps the most striking of all, the one “that carries the sky on his back,” as Thoreau once wrote, is already here and raising a family.

Bluebirds typically wintered in the southeastern U.S. or Mexico and then returned to our area in late March or early April to nest, but due to climate change (warmer winters), many are now year-round residents. I have seen them in December and January at several local places.

Eastern bluebirds are a familiar harbinger of spring, but that was not always the case. By the mid-twentieth century, numbers of these magnificent members of the thrush family had plummeted by as much as ninety percent, by some estimates. Today, their populations are stable and increasing, thanks to some timely hands-on conservation by concerned citizens.

A few weeks back, I decided to take a morning stroll along the grounds of the Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge in Smithfield to look for bluebirds. Along the way, I hoped to find any other early migrants or familiar local characters. I didn’t have to go very far.

As I made my way along the orange trail that goes through a large white pine grove, I almost overlooked the presence of pine warblers, which had dropped in around Easter. I am so used to hearing their melodic trill there later in the season that when I heard it for the first time this day, I almost thought nothing of it. I watched one flit about in the treetops, silhouetted by the mid- morning sun.

An emphatic “fee-bee, fee-bee-ee?” deep in the woods from somewhere off to my right belied the presence of an eastern phoebe, a species of flycatcher. Across the field I heard the song of a

See The Nature of Things, page 21

20 | MAY 2021 The Nature of Things, from page 20 man-made nest boxes, “bluebird trails” and a national campaign to educate the public on the importance of this Carolina wren, but this one wasn’t saying “tea-kettle-tea- species, eastern bluebirds have been yanked back from the kettle-tea-kettle,” it was saying “cheese-burger-cheese- brink of extirpation. burger-cheese-burger.” I couldn’t help wonder if it was an offspring of the birds that nested at the refuge house when I The return of bluebirds to the fields and farms of southern lived there fifteen years ago (probably not). New England is one of conservation’s most remarkable success stories. And it was accomplished by regular people, Along the trail that borders the lower meadow, I finally like you and me. heard the soft “churr-wi” call of a male bluebird, mixed in with the chatter of tree swallows. Several swallows were For more information on bluebirds including how to make a harassing him while he was inspecting one of the twenty nest box, check out The North American Bluebird Society at nest boxes that were built by an Eagle Scout several years http://www.nabluebirdsociety.org/ ago. Bluebirds are cavity-nesters, which means they build nests in abandoned woodpecker holes or other natural cavities in trees. They also readily use man-made structures. I hoped bluebirds would nest in that box, but if swallows did instead, that would be fine too. Tree swallows are voracious consumers of mosquitoes, and the more mosquito-eating machines around, the better. Bluebirds don’t eat mosquitoes.

Once a site is selected, the female bluebird builds the nest, which consists of loosely woven grasses and pine needles lined with finer grasses. She then lays two to seven powder Covering All Your Insurance Needs. blue eggs. She may have multiple broods over the course of the season. Located in open fields, meadows or power line easements, these areas provide bluebirds with a handy source of food items such as crickets, beetles or caterpillars, which they catch by dropping to the ground from a nearby perch.

I squinted against the noonday sun to get a better look at the bluebird, and suddenly there he was, a bolt of electric blue streaking across the meadow. The deep azure of the male is so vivid, so unearthly, it almost defies description. You really have to see it in person to appreciate it. Photographs never quite do it justice.

During farming’s heyday in America, eastern bluebirds were a common sight, nesting in apple orchards or in holes in wooden fence posts that lined country lanes. But the Great Depression drove thousands of New England farms into bankruptcy, many either being simply abandoned or sold to developers. The abandoned farms reverted to forest, becoming unsuitable bluebird habitat. Aggressive competition for nest sites from introduced species such as house sparrows and European starlings, and the wide use of pesticides, made matters worse. These living gems were in danger of disappearing from the New England landscape forever.

The North American Bluebird Society was formed in 1978 to counteract this catastrophic decline. Through

The Smithfield Times | 21 Payne’s Picks | By Sarah Payne May 2021

Movie Releases Yes Day (Netflix)

A Quiet Place Part II– May 28 As a mom of two girls under the age of five, I found the premise of “Yes Day” intriguing. Jennifer Garner and Edgar John Krasinski’s sequel to his 2018 hit “A Quiet Place” Ramirez play a husband and wife who are tired of always was initially scheduled for release at the end of March last saying “no” to their kids. So they decide to give their kids year. COVID-19 hit, of course, and now we finally get to one “yes” day where the only rule is they have to say “yes” see this film on the big screen Memorial Day weekend. The to all of their kids’ requests (within reason). Chaos ensues, of first film follows the Abbott family as they fight for survival course. There’s nothing earth-shattering about this film, but in a post-apocalyptic world where mysterious creatures are it’s a cute one you can watch with the whole family. invading Earth. The only way to evade the creatures is to be completely silent. This continuation of that story “has all the Nobody thrills and spills and scares that the first one had,” Cillian Murphy told FilmIsNow in an interview last year. Murphy’s This is such a fun action thriller to continue celebrating character Emmet “represents where the heart of the world my return to the movie theater. Bob Odenkirk plays Hutch lies right now, which is: finally feeling like they’ve all given Mansell, a seemingly ordinary family man who accidentally up,” he said in an interview with Total Film. And while gets mixed up with a Russian mob. The film is directed by the audience might finally learn more details about what Ilya Naishuller, a Russian musician and filmmaker. Here’s happened to the world, “the movie is not about the creatures. a random fact: Naishuller directed the music video for It’s about humanity and how humanity survives,” Emily The Weeknd song, “False Alarm,” in 2016. Another treat Blunt told CinemaBlend. that I wasn’t expecting in the film was an appearance by Christopher Lloyd, who plays Hutch’s elderly father. There Movie Review are lots of car chases, explosions, and shoot outs – three things that make a killer action film. Those are also three The Dig (Netflix) things that caused several critics to question the glorification of “toxic masculinity” in the film. My take: there’s no hidden If you’re in the mood for a quiet historical drama, you might meaning in this film. It’s pure fun fantasy to imagine what like Netflix’s “The Dig,” starring Carey Mulligan, Lily it would be like for an ordinary man tired of the monotony James, and Ralph Fiennes. The film is based on a novel of his routine to let out some aggression and do whatever it that reimagines the events of the 1939 excavation of Sutton takes to protect his family. Hoo in the U.K., the site of two early medieval cemeteries. Mulligan plays Edith Pretty, the widowed owner of the land where the famous artifacts are found, and Fiennes plays Basil Brown, a self-taught excavator who begins the initial dig. The first half of the film focuses on their working relationship, but when a larger team arrives to help with the dig, the focus turns to archaeologists Peggy Piggott and her husband Stuart Piggott. The ensuing love triangle feels like an unnecessary distraction from the main story about the dig. I suppose the purpose is to add a bit of drama for the viewer, but I still find the film to be a bit sleepy – not enough action for me.

22 | MAY 2021 The Smithfield Times | 23 Happy Mother’s Day

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26 | MAY 2021 A View From the Cheap Seats | Dan Pieroni An Unappealing End for an NHL Official: Are Sports Officials Finally Accountable For Their Poor Decisions? It seemed like a good idea at the time. Campbell said that nothing was more price of losing his job. After all, if you were refereeing a game in important than ensuring the integrity of an area known to be frequented by people the game, and that Peel’s conduct directly Secondly. Tim Peel showed a blatant with passionate loyalties towards their violated that principle. disregard for both the rules he was paid team who are prone to displaying anger to uphold and virtue of integrity that towards officials when things do not go I think Tim Peel ignored two cornerstone represents the foundation those rules are their way, wouldn’t you be tempted to principles of common decency. built on. placate them? First, as someone who studied Every official worth his weight has made While the above question would no doubt broadcasting as an undergraduate, a a mistake that has cost a team a game, be posed by an attorney representing a cardinal rule of radio broadcasting is but few have the gall to openly admit referee in a wrongful termination suit, we that you should always be aware of your they have made a judgment call to avoid cannot be certain that those were indeed actions on air. You never know who is backlash and foolishly attempt to ensure the true motives in promoting equitable listening. If you think anything you say equity on a hot mic. treatment among teams. or do over the air could be construed as offensive or inappropriate, do not say it or Now that Tim Peel has been punished Recently fired National Hockey League wait until you close all your microphones for his misdeed, it begs the question of referee Tim Peel would beg to differ. to say it. will officials finally be held accountable for their actions when they overstep their During a March 23rd game between One time when I was working the morning boundaries? the Nashville Predators and the Detroit shift at the college radio station, I began to Red Wings, Peel was caught on an open sing along with the record I had just begun Will we continue to see an NFL official microphone attached to his uniform playing. It seemed odd to me that the audio give a long-winded explanation of a admitting that he wanted to call a penalty in my headphones was suddenly muffled. penalty call, on a hot mic, or will they be against Nashville early in the game likely It had never sounded that way before. reluctant to overshare out of fear they may because he feared the hostile reaction he lose their jobs for admitting their biases? would receive from the Red Wing fans When I glanced down at the console if he continually ignored rules violations the controlled all the audio, I quickly Will baseball umpires be more relaxed that were committed against the home realized to my horror that the red light that in their interpretation of the rules and not team. His comments were subsequently controlled my microphone was still in the use the media as a safeguard to admit they broadcast over the air where many “on” position, that explained the muffled blew a crucial call after the fact. What television viewers could hear them. audio in my headphones. is clear is now there is a precedent for sports officials who chose to be ignorant The reason for Peel’s comments is While I am certain the coffee drinkers of integrity and equity for the good of the just pure speculation on my part, but and commuters of the South Shore of game. Technology has advanced to such it does bring to light the importance of Massachusetts had a good laugh over an extent that every eye can see, and every fairness and integrity in sports among my atrocious singing voice, this was ear can hear what goes on. all participants involved. Therefore, who a teachable moment that stressed the could blame NHL Senior Executive Vice importance of always being aware of the If precautions are not taken to protect the President of Hockey Operations Colin positioning of your microphone. privacy of open biases against teams by Campbell for quickly announcing the next officials, severe consequences will result. day that Peel will not be working NHL Likewise, had Tim Peel been aware that games now or in the future? In a statement he was speaking into an open lapel mic, he Tim Peel now knows this all too well. released the morning after the game, probably would not have paid the ultimate

The Smithfield Times | 27 Joyce's Happy Road By Harry Anderson

“I think that I shall never see/A poem one of the ice cream tables randomly Brenda won the argument, and on lovely as a tree.” Thus opens Joyce placed on the café’s patio. Almost opening day Joyce Cook not only Kilmer’s beloved poem. In her back immediately the woman he had spotted was keeping the café tidy but also yard stands an oak, straight and strong, sweeping the floor of the nook where was greeting customers with smiles and Joyce Cook almost each morning local farmers spread out for sale their and chit-chat, verifying her claim to hugs it. She is asked why. Her answer: asparagus and spinach and whatever be a lover of people. To get her from “Because it’s there and it’s alive.” else comes up in the spring approached walking the dangerous highway to him and laid a couple of paper napkins work, Howard blazed a trail through Before her death in 2016, Joyce began on his table. the woods from his building to her each day by hugging Bill. They had back yard, and she dubbed it “Joyce’s been married for 41 years. She also has “Thought you might need these.” Happy Road.” out lived Willard, her first husband (aka “Very nice of you. Thanks.” There was Mac), who had wooed her away from something inviting in her pale-ish blue Westerly – her home town – when she eyes that begged me to ask her name. was but 18. Altogether, Joyce reared six children and two step children. “Joyce Cook, and if you want to know Whereas Mac, a Lieutenant in the US what in the world is an old woman like Navy, had moved his family up and me doing standing here with a broom down the east coast of America and in her hand, I’d say I’m working. This to Spain during his naval career, Bill, is Wednesday, right? Every Wednesday in 1976, heeded Joyce’s plea to settle I work here. And the fact of the matter down in Rhode Island. They purchased is I also work every Monday and an acre of wooded land in Scituate and Thursday as well, from eight to one erected a post-and-beam house that to o’clock. Now I better get a move on or this day Joyce continues to occupy. else Mr. Fredrickson might fire me.”

Her story really begins two years ago In my subsequent visits to the café – when, on a pleasant spring morning, always on Wednesday – Joyce revealed this writer made his first visit to the bits and pieces of her life. On the new Farm Stand Café located in the second visit, for example, I learned south end of the Frederickson building how it came about, her going to work at the intersection of routes 101 and for Mr. Fredrickson. She said that, 102. Its raw, freshly milled pine when the racket of chain saws and an paneling and open space with walls earth-mover passed through the woods towering at least twenty feet to the and echoed in her abutting yard, she Joyce Kilmer ceiling emulate yesteryear’s country investigated and often throughout barns. On planks above a lengthy construction of the rustic looking A smile wrinkles her cheeks as she glassed-in freezer where the likes of building she hiked uphill along the says, “There are exactly 315 steps from meat pies and uncooked pizzas are shoulder of heavily traveled route 101 here to there.” displayed perches a nineteenth century to view the project’s progress. one-horse-open-sleigh, evoking an Other things this writer has learned image of Ethan Frome’s lonely rides Near its completion, Joyce and Brenda about Joyce: She knits and gives away down Starkfield’s snow-bound lanes. and Howard Fredrickson were on a baby blankets; she does not go to the Beyond, an array of sweets behind first-name basis. senior center because “those people glass tempt a wayfarer. drool”; she glues together completed “What about it, Joyce? Would you jig saw puzzles and tacks them to the Too fair a day to enjoy his coffee and like a job?” “Are you crazy? I’m old walls of a closet. And, most poignantly, Eccles cake indoors, this writer sat at enough to be your grandmother!” See Joyce on page 29

28 | MAY 2021 Joyce from page 28 she has lost a daughter. PMA Handyman Services For all your small home projects: “I still grieve, but I want to be happy. I do the best I can by Kitchen installments, carpentry, trying to pull joy out of every minute of every day. If you tile work, flooring, painting, asked me to describe myself, I’d put it this way. I’m just light plumbing and electrical. a humble, feisty, little thing who loves people and want to Anything that needs repairing. No job is too small! make them smile.” Call Pete Amoriggi at Over my desk hangs a framed picture of flowers and ferns 401-837-4117 Licensed #42112 ablaze with bright shades of yellow, green, pink that she and Insured [email protected] Free Quotes had meticulously rendered with coloring pencils. Beneath it hangs a hand-written poem that comes from her heart:

I have to live the life I have I have to find inspiration in the struggle Wanted: Baseball Fans And pull joy out of the hardship. Join the Fantasy Baseball League All I can do is carry the sorrow when I have to And absolutely savor the joy whenever I can. Draft minor league players Come a certain morning in July she will awaken to her and build your team. ninetieth birthday. If it should be a Monday or Wednesday or Thursday, she will hug a tree and walk 315 steps along Contact: “Joyce’s Happy Road” to the Farm Stand Café to make someone smile. [email protected] Smithfield Liquor Mart

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The Smithfield Times | 29 OnCrosswordlineCrosswords.net Puzzle Find the solution at This is the Daily Crossword Puzzle #3 for Apr 19, 2021 https://onlinecrosswords.net/7422

Across 1. Jane Goodall subject 6. City of Light 11. Impress tremendously 14. Mirage subject 15. Single-handedly 16. Summer shade? 17. Now! 19. Part of a jack-in-the-box 20. Division in many leagues 21. College that spawned a jacket 22. Tonsorial offering 24. Admitting a draft 26. Waited for the laughter to die down 27. Now! 32. Waited for the light to change 33. Certain storage space 37. Menagerie 38. AKC classification 40. Draft drink 41. Barbary Coast resident 44. Tuckered out 46. Now! 49. Minty cocktails Down 52. It may be feathered 1. Sheep shelter 25. Jethro's uncle 45. Rabbit food 53. Product requirements 2. Sardonic response 26. Trudge 47. Except on the 54. Word with fire or white 3. Goddess of ancient 27. Vincente's daughter condition 56. President that sat on the Egypt 28. Some worship it 48. Angered (with "off") Supreme Court 4. Slip-up 29. Blockage 49. Type of shrimp 60. Kind of wrestling 5. "___ Love You" 30. Speedy notetaker 50. Kind of suspects 61. Now! (Beatles) 31. Pym's creator 51. Jumping-off point 64. Portmanteau 6. Prune danish, e.g. 34. Corridor 54. Show signs of life 65. Deli side 7. Countertenor 35. Charles Lamb's pen 55. Polite interrupter 66. River's end, often 8. Speckled steed name 57. Fratricide victim 67. Gene Autry's "___ 9. Quaint quarters 36. Claim otherwise 58. Without fizz Faithful" 10. Cast off 38. Drill accessories 59. Change for a 68. Works the land 11. Road scholar's 39. Shout from the hundred, perhaps 69. Clobbers with snowballs book? stands 62. Gun lobby, briefly 12. Forgo 42. Container of pre- 63. Alley of old comics 13. Pulled the plug on plumbing days 18. Shipshape 43. Swindles 23. Humble dwellings 44. They can get personal

Answers to puzzle on page 42

30 | MAY 2021 Furever Homes Needed! Abandoned Dogs of RI Success Story – Trunks is adopted! It was a long journey for this sweet boy. He struggled with the stress of shelter life but it certainly paid off. The dedication of Almost Home Rescue is unmatched. Aside from actually finding him a home, they did everything possible to give Trunks the best life possible until his "happily ever after" moment. Field trips, daycare, sleepovers, all requiring early morning pick ups and long transports. These incredible women are so dedicated to their dogs and are nonstop! We are so grateful for them and the new life Trunks has in front of him. I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate the start of spring than this beautiful new beginning.

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Parmesan Spring Chicken Directions Step 1 Prep: 10 mins Cook: 10 mins Heat grill to medium and line the grill pan with foil. Beat Easy the egg white on a plate with a little salt and pepper. Serves 4 Tip the parmesan onto another plate. Dip the chicken first in egg white, then in the cheese. Grill the coated Ingredients chicken for 10-12 mins, turning once until browned and • 1 egg white crisp. • 5 tbsp finely grated parmesan • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts Step 2 • 400g new potatoes, cut into small cubes • 140g frozen peas Meanwhile, boil the potatoes for 10 mins, adding • good handful baby spinach leaves the peas for the final 3 mins, then drain. Toss the • 1 tbsp white wine vinegar vegetables with the spinach leaves, vinegar, oil and seasoning to taste. Divide between four warm plates, • 2 tsp olive oil then serve with the chicken.

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The Smithfield Times | 33 Inside The Brown Bag | By Peg Brown The CAKES of our lives ...

In “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” a tradition centered around a cake. One the poet, T.S. Eliot, famously stated that historian noted that Greeks would bake he “had measured out my life with coffee a round cake to honor the births of their spoons,” suggesting that his life was a gods. In the case of the celebration of series of discrete, mundane, repetitive Artemis, the round cake (symbolizing and precise small moments. If I had to the moon) was decorated with candles “cowboy cakes” that were made without pick a food group that measured out to simulate the light reflected by this eggs, and using more nuts for flavor. the moments in my life, I would pick celestial body. ... Cakes! Most of the pictures in the Each new immigrant group brought new family album documenting important life Some suggest that the placing of candles flavors and favorite recipes. Regional moments have cakes as their centerpieces on birthday cakes was expanded by favorites emerged such as coconut cake – weddings, anniversaries, holidays, German families in the 13th century, as and Lady Baltimore cake from the engagements, first communions, candles, which signified the “light of life” South, Tres Leches Cake from Mexico, christenings, confirmations – and, of (one for each year and one for continued tortes from Italians, and gingerbread and course, birthdays. Looking through life), were traditional. The theory was Shoofly Pie (named for a circus mule) these photos evoked several nostalgic that when one blew out the candles, from our Pennsylvania Dutch settlers. moments, and a certain sense of sadness, the smoke would carry a wish toward Those same frugal Pennsylvania Dutch as these “cake celebrating” images did heaven. bakers are said to have invented the indeed reflect the important markers in Angel Food Cake because they couldn’t our dwindling family’s lives. It is no surprise that advances in bear to waste the egg whites left over technology, economic upheavals, times from making noodles. For most of this baby boomer’s life, of war, and the impact of waves of new cakes were home-made, most often Americans brought changes in our cake About 25 years ago, I made a tape to with a boxed mix, decorated with rock- culture and preferences. As late as the be played at my parents’ 50th wedding hard frosting, and topped with plastic 18th century, cakes were considered a anniversary, just before they cut their imitations of pink flowers holding the true luxury as sugar, chocolate and spices cake. Many of the images were indeed appropriate number of candles. There were very expensive. The Industrial moments in their lives that had been was only one bakery in my small town, Revolution, new inventions such as marked with cakes as the centerpiece. and a “purchased” cake, except in the temperature-controlled ovens, and My father, a stoic, non-demonstrative case of family weddings, was considered advances in agriculture and distribution World War II veteran watched it play an unnecessary extravagance. That techniques made ingredients more surrounded by his family and friends. was, of course, when most of these accessible and less expensive. As the film ended, I glanced up from the celebrations were held at home, perhaps podium and saw tears streaming down in the back yard, and not in a “venue.” The Civil War eliminated many sugar his face. Faced with a very awkward The cakes were often lopsided, with plantations, resulting in molasses being moment, I brightly announced, “Well, crumbs peeking through the frosting used as a sweetener. Both World Wars you can see that this family just loves and, much to my disappointment, cut of the 20th century led to creativity cake—so let’s cut this one.” We all took across the middle, then in slices to ensure in baking as most ingredients such as a deep breath, clapped, and the honored getting the most servings possible. butter, flour and sugar were rationed. couple moved with smiles to the cake This led bakers to experiment with using table. Little did I know that we had to again mayonnaise and apple sauce in place of credit the ancient Greeks with originating oil, developing recipes reminiscent of See Inside The Brown Bag, page 35

34 | MAY 2021 Inside The Brown Bag, from page 34

Fun Cake Facts: • The phrase “take the cake” is said to have originated in the South where strutting competitions were held. The couple who demonstrated the best style in the cake walk won the cake as their prize. • An 1847 news story entitled “Quarter Horse Race in Kentucky” used the phrase “the winning horse takes the cakes.” • The top flavors of choice: yellow, followed by white, then devil’s food. • 1948 – Pillsbury introduces a white layer and chocolate fudge cake mix, one year after General Mills released their own version. • 1949 – Pillsbury hosts is first Grand National Bake-Off. (By 1996 they were offering $1 million as top prize.) James M. "Jake" Poland, Jr. • 1960’s – Julia Child introduces the nearly flourless cake. April 5, 2021 • Today – our interest in organic and seed-to-table cuisine has James M. "Jake" Poland, Jr., 59, of Chopmist Hill led to experimenting with natural foods such as beets to add Road, Scituate, passed away peacefully on Monday, sweetness to our confections. April 5, 2021 at Hope Health Hulitar Hospice Center in Providence. He was the son of the late James M. and And, if you’re tired of being creative, Anne Byrn, cake guru Mary (Holland) Poland. and an author of baking books, several of which I consulted, offers 450 pages of creative ways to fool your dinner guests, Born in Providence, Jim had lived in Scituate all his using – you guessed it – cake mixes! (the Cake Doctor, 150 life. He had worked as a stone mason for 35 years. He luscious desserts with honest-to-goodness from-scratch taste, was also a music teacher at Killingly School of Music in Anne Byrn, 1999.) Connecticut and a musician who performed throughout the community.

Jim is survived by his sister, Nancy Esau of North Providence and his nieces. He was the brother of the late HELP WANTED Maureen Poland and Karen Fitzgerald.

A celebration of his life will be held at a future date. Part-time Custodian Needed. Duties include general custodial work and sidewalk snow removal in winter. The individual would also be responsible for the setup of classrooms and parish events. The ideal candidate will have the flexibility to work additional hours to accommodate parish activities when needed. Applicants should submit a letter of interest to: Saint Michael’s Church Attn: Bill Bowden, 80 Farnum Pike, Smithfield, RI 02917 or via email at: [email protected] 401-231-5120

The Smithfield Times | 35 by David A. Huestis, Stargazing | Historian, Skyscrapers, Inc. A Meteor Shower and a Look at Venus and Mercury

For decades I have been informing local through a stream of particles shed by with observing as many meteors as stargazers about astronomical events Halley’s Comet long ago. The meteors possible in a dark sky away from light through my monthly columns. How comprising this meteor shower enter the pollution. In fact, with the radiant so low many times in the sky you have you read might even see that I never tire some earth- of watching grazers, meteors “burning rocks” that skip along blazing across the top of our the sky, no atmosphere like matter what stones being time of the year? skipped across a At least a couple pond. of hundred I would estimate. If you don’t identify it right While the away, wait for “burning rocks” the evening of description May 13 during may seem deepening appropriate, the twilight outer surface around 8:15 of a meteor is p.m. when a actually being slender waxing vaporized as (growing larger) it slams into crescent Moon the Earth’s will be just atmosphere at many miles per second. Earth’s upper atmosphere head-on at about two degrees to the south (left) of That’s the glow or streak we observe 41-miles per second. Mercury. On this evening, or perhaps on as a shooting star. Some meteors may the evening or two before, note a brilliant explode into fragments and continue To locate Aquarius, look about 12 object below and slightly to the right to vaporize until they are completely degrees above the east-southeast horizon of Mercury. This beacon will be Venus. annihilated. Once in a while a piece may around 4:00 a.m. The shower’s radiant As each night passes, Venus will rise survive its plunge and fall to the ground point is in the Water Urn asterism (looks higher into the night sky. On the night of as a meteorite. like a Y-shaped group of stars). While the 17th Mercury will be at its highest the meteors emanate from this region elevation above the horizon. It will then During the first week of May, we will of the sky, scan around the entire sky to begin to sink lower towards the horizon be treated to the annual meteor display maximize your chances of observing one. each night. called the Eta Aquarids. This year the peak of activity occurs on the night This recommendation is especially At the same time, Venus will continue of the 5th to the early morning of the advisable, since a slender waning to rise until it is in conjunction (close 6th with perhaps 15 swift and yellow crescent Moon will also be residing in together) with Mercury on the 28th. The meteors radiating from the constellation Aquarius just 14 degrees away from two worlds will be only one-half of a of Aquarius (hence the name of the the radiant point. Regardless, this shower). The Earth will be sweeping circumstance should not greatly interfere See Stargazing, page 37

36 | MAY 2021 Stargazing, from page 37 Winner of Best Groomer in Blackstone Valley degree (angular size of a Full Moon) apart in the sky. Plan by Rhode Island Monthly – 3rd Year in a Row! your observing location in advance, as this sky scene will only be about ten degrees above the west-northwest horizon. Mercury and Venus will be easy to view with the unaided eye, but binoculars or even a small telescope will enhance the view. Good luck.

On May 26 there is a total lunar eclipse, but unfortunately it will not be visible from Rhode Island. The May Full Moon, VILLAGE PAWS which Native Americans called the Full Flower Moon, is also the second supermoon of three for 2021. Since it will be Open 7 days a week closer to the Earth it may appear a little larger and brighter to suit your busy schedule. than a regular Full Moon. Technically the penumbral phase, Best grooming, great prices and the most when the Moon slides into the Earth’s lighter shadow, begins experienced groomers in the area. just before moonset from our location, in bright morning twilight. If you wish to observe more of this lunar eclipse you The Home of Doodle Queens will have to travel much farther westward to do so. Are you overcome by your dogs fur shedding? We offer an all-natural shedless treatment. You’d have to venture out to Wichita, Kansas to get a look at Call us and ask about that or any other needs you may have. some part of totality. Or farther west to Pueblo, Colorado to 615 Putnum Pike Greenville, RI observe all of totality. Coastal California will observe from the first penumbral shading through the end of the outgoing 401.949.5000 partial phase after totality. To experience this lunar eclipse in its entirety you’d need to be out in Hawaii. Save $10 Off Your First Appointment NAIL TRIMS ARE ALWAYS FREE! I want everyone to be prepared for the June 10 sunrise partial solar eclipse beginning at 5:15 a.m. As the Sun rises above the horizon on that morning the eclipse will already be in progress. While we often observe sunrises and sunsets through the dense atmosphere on the horizon, don’t be tempted to stare at the partially eclipsed Sun without those special solar eclipse glasses.

Next month’s column will be exclusively about this absolutely beautiful phenomenon.

Keep your eyes to the skies. David A. Huestis

Enrolling Summer and Fall 2021

The Smithfield Times | 37 50 years Ago – May, 1971 | by Jim Ignasher Tec. Sergeant Kenneth E. Bessette of Esmond was serving in The winner was Linda the U. S. Air Force at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida. Bertrand of Newport.

Second Lieutenant James L. DeStout was serving as a pilot A controversy arose when a with the U. S. Air Force. local businessman petitioned the town to approve the The Georgiaville Baptist Church held its annual candlelight operation of an outdoor flea memorial mass for all deceased war veterans of Smithfield. market next to the Apple Valley Mall. The Town Roy Andrews of Stillwater was installed as the Exalted Ruler of Council met on May 28, the Smithfield Elks Lodge No. 2359. and numerous residents came to protest the plan. On May 8, NASA launched its Martian probe, Mariner 8. Its Some objected to the types mission was to orbit and photograph the planet Mars, but of goods that could be sold, five minutes after the launch a malfunction prevented it from others spoke of unsold achieving earth orbit. Two days later the Soviet Union launched goods and trash being left a Mars probe of its own, and it too failed. Later in the month behind, while others claimed both countries launched second probes aimed at Mars. Both property values would be successfully reached the red planet, but the Russian probe lowered, and traffic in the crashed on its surface. This was the first time in history man- area would increase. The Council denied the plan. made objects had gone to another planet. If one went to the movies A flowering cherry tree was donated to the Greenville Grange in May of ’71, they might by the members of the Apple Blossom Garden Club. The have seen “Support Your tree was placed on the grounds of the grange as part of a Local Gunfighter”, a comedy beautification program. Members of Girl Scout troops 101 and starring James Garner who 882 assisted with the planting. is mistaken for a notorious gunslinger in an old-west The historic grange hall stood on Austin Avenue just in from mining town. Two competing Putnam Pike. Unfortunately, both the building and the tree are factions try to hire him to no longer standing. drive the other out of town. And thus the hi-jinx began.

On May 9, the tenth annual Another popular move that month was “Escape from the Planet Apple Blossom Queen of the Apes”, a prequel to the 1968 movie, “Planet of the Apes.” Pageant was held at the Smithfield High School. On May 16, the price of The event was sponsored mailing a letter in the U. S. by the Rhode Island Fruit rose from six to eight cents. Growers Association, and the Rhode Island State Grange Voters at the annual Town Agriculture Commission. Financial Meeting approved funding for a new police Local young ladies who station. Up until this point participated included Debby the police station had been Dupointe, Ellyn Thurber, located in the Town Hall, and Betty Dolbey, Bonnilyn the department had outgrown Dobson, Cheryl Place, Janet Hill and Janice Hill. the space.

See 50 Years Ago, page 39

38 | MAY 2021 50 Years Ago, from page 38

Charles Sandner of Greenville was presented an award for his service as Cubmaster of Cub Scout Pack 43 of Greenville. He had been associated with scouting since 1954, and Cubmaster since 1966. Pack 43 was sponsored by the Greenville Baptist Church.

On May 22 the Smithfield Police held its annual policeman’s ball at the St. Michael’s Church parish hall. More than 300 people attended.

On May 28 the Rhode Island Heart Association sponsored a “balloon dance” for 7th and 8th grade students which was held at the Greenville Grange Hall. Radio personality Joe Thomas of WPRO served as master of ceremonies and DJ.

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The Smithfield Times | 39 Gardner Lake's Ghostly Piano By Thomas D'Agostino www.tomdagostino.com

Here is a story from the latest book, certain areas. The portion of the lake in the home across the lake to the new Strange New England by Arlene and this story happens to be in the town of portion of land he had just acquired. I. New England is full of fantastic Salem. stories and people. There is always an The home was lifted and dropped on interesting legend or tale of someone or In February of 1895, a local grocer by sleds with oxen yokes attached. The something of the more eccentric type the name of Thomas LeCount bought oxen began to slowly pull the sled around every turn. This next account a parcel of land on the opposite side with the family home toward the south is no exception. It is a true story that of the lake directly across from his side of the lake. The venture went resonates to this day deep below the modest but spacious estate. He decided pretty smooth for a while but daylight surface of a Connecticut lake. to move his family to that piece of waned quickly and before he could get property, as it was much nicer than to the other side, the home slid into a Gardner Lake is situated on the border where he lived at the time. He also large snowdrift on the ice. With the between Bozrah, Montville, and Salem decided to move the house, but rather advent of the dark night against him, in southeastern Connecticut. The lake than dismantling and rebuilding it, he he decided to leave the house where it is a beautiful scenic body of water waited until the middle of winter when was and tackle the problem in the light with an average depth of fourteen feet ice would be thick enough to support of morning. In the meantime, local mill but run be as deep as forty plus feet in the family abode. His plan was to slide See Gardner Lake, page 41

40 | MAY 2021 Gardner Lake,from page 40 operators, unaware that the house was resting on the ice, opened a flood gate, draining some of the water from the pond for powering their enterprises. The space between the water level and the ice caused the house to crack through, pitching it at a steep angle. 375 Farnum Pike, Route 104 Unfortunately, the home could not be moved and Smithfield, RI 02917 everything that could be carried out of it was taken. 401-231-4830 • Text 401-753-3813 There it sat until spring when the thaw caused it to [email protected] sink in about fifteen feet of water. For years the second story and attic remained above water. People fished A&W Offers Vehicle Pick-Up & Delivery from it, investigated it and even skated through it To and From Your Home or Office! in the winter. Over time, the house sank, becoming completely submerged under water. Expires in 30 days

Many of the large items, such as furniture, stoves, and OIL CHANGE an upright piano could not be removed and sank with SPECIAL Refill up to 5 quarts of oil FREE the home. Now, years after the building has settled Installation of New Oil Filter, into its watery grave, divers have attested that the Check Antifreeze, Belts & Hoses CHECK ENGINE house and its contents are still in a remarkable state of Not valid on synthetic and diesel oil changes. DIAGNOSTIC preservation, especially the upright piano that is still $25.00 Total Regular Price $25 leaning in its original place against the parlor wall. “Out The Door”

The instrument seems to be possessed by something no one, even divers cannot explain. Fishermen and Save $25 FOUR WHEEL others who have ventured out near the vicinity of the ALIGNMENT sunken house have heard the eerie echoes of soft piano A/C music filling their ears. The muffled music breaks the $59.95 tranquil silence but does not come from the shore, Recharge Regular Price $79.95 rather from directly below. Deep below. No one has Regular price starts at $120 ever been able to explain how or why the piano plays. Many fishermen or recreational boaters have returned from the area of the house scratching their head in Coolant Flush astonishment, relating the sudden occurrence of faint $50 off any piano music that sounded like it was emanating from $89.00 Brake repair work where the house rests all but quietly at the bottom of Drain oil fluid and refill over $250 the lake. with new Coolant Cannot be used with Regular Price $149 any other coupon. Take a visit to Gardner Lake and listen for yourself. Perhaps you may hear the muffled sound of a piano rising from the water. If you are an experienced scuba diver you may want to venture down into the house $50 off any and catch a glimpse of the instrument maybe even $10 off discover who may be tickling the ivory of the sunken General repair work ghostly piano. Full Synthetic over $250 Oil Change Cannot be used with any other coupon.

The Smithfield Times | 41 Obituaries Philip S. Sabella 3/27/21 Follow us on www.andersonwinfield.net 595 Putnam Pike, L3-N, Smithfield, RI 02828 401-232-9600 • smithfieldtimesri.net Ellen L. Winsor 3/28/21 Thomas J. Lopatosky, Jr. – Owner, Operator www.andersonwinfield.net [email protected]

Ann Marie Donahue – Executive Editor Sandra D. Davignon (Spitznagel) [email protected] 4/1/21 www.kbarrettandcotter.com Elaine S. Amoriggi – Creative Director, Design [email protected]

Carol S. Passano Advertising and Sales 4/1/21 www.robbinsfuneralhome.com Camilla Spliid – [email protected] Grace Genereux – [email protected]

Writers Anne E. Greeleaf (Monzert) Harry Anderson 4/2/21 Peg Brown www.thequinnfuneralhome Thomas D’Agostino Sophia DeJesus Jane Fusco Jim Gass Answers to Crossword Puzzle from page 30. Brittni Henderson David Huestis Jim Ignasher Bea Lanzi Paul Lonardo Diane L. Marolla Sarah Payne Dan Pieroni Ron Scopelliti Joe Siegel ––– Albert Tavakalov – Photographer Sandra Achille – Photo and Creative Contributor Tim Jones – Cartoonist ––– The Smithfield Times does not assume any financial responsibility for typographical error in advertisements that have received final approval or are submitted camera ready.

42 | MAY 2021 If we didn’t treat our customers right, our owners would be mad. Because they’re the same people.

Our owners are our customers.

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The Smithfield Times | 43 Smithfield Cranston 95 Sockanosset Cross Rd North Smithfield 1 Garnett Lane 947 Victory Highway Suite 8 Suite 301 Cranston, RI 02920 North Smithfield, RI 02896 Greenville, RI 02828 (401) 762-2830 (401) 349-4355 (401) 942-0300

44 | MAY 2021