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2 | APRIL 2020 Smithfield Celebrates 50 Years of Earth Day With Its Annual Clean-up – Volunteers Invited to Pitch In

By Ron Scopelliti

Three days after the 50-year event. This year, students anniversary of Earth Day, the Town from Smithfield High’s of Smithfield will celebrate the National Honor Society milestone with its annual town-wide will be helping with some Earth Day Clean-up. The cleanup hands-on Earth Day will be held on April 25, rain or activities for families. shine, from 9 a.m. to noon, starting at Deerfield Park. “We usually get about 120 or so volunteers,” said Volunteers are invited to assemble Chaput. Last year, the near the park’s concession area at count numbered 137; 56 9 a.m. to pick up their cleaning adults and 81 children. The groups A Girl Scout troop, for instance, has supplies before heading out to their represented included the Smithfield already chosen to work in Esmond clean-up areas where they will collect Conservation Commission, Park, because it’s a good, safe whatever litter and refuse they may Smithfield DPW, Smithfield area for younger children. As The find. Both groups and individuals Recreation Department, Smithfield Smithfield Times went to press, there are welcome. Rotary Club and Rotary Interact, was also an effort in place to offer Boy Scouts/Cub Scouts, Girls online registration on the town’s “We assign sites throughout town Scouts, the National Honor Society, web site. In most cases, Chaput said, and people take their own cars and and the National Junior Honors registration isn’t required. go to the sites,” said Smithfield Society. When the day was done they Recycling Coordinator Melissa had collected three tons of debris “Come on down – that’s what the Chaput. Volunteers bag their debris, and 10 tires from roadways, parks, majority of folks do. Some come which is later picked up by workers and trails throughout town. because they know their groups are from the town’s Department of coming, but there’s a good amount Public Works (DPW). “It’s usually around three to five tons of folks who just walk up.” of trash,” Chaput said of the annual While the original Earth Day in collection. After it is gathered, she Though the trash haul may be 1970 was aimed largely at college said, “the DPW guys go around and heavy, the organizers try to lighten students, Smithfield’s Earth Day collect all the trash, we bring it back the mood with food donated by local Clean-up welcomes all ages. Anyone here to a segregated dumpster, and businesses. under 18, however, does have to that dumpster is tipped for free at have a chaperone. Chaput said the [Rhode Island] Resource Recovery.” “In the morning we try to have areas are based partially on age, donuts,” Chaput said, “and in the ranging from easier “kid-friendly” If participants want to request a afternoon we try to have something sites to more challenging areas particular spot, or are planning to when (the volunteers) come back.” reserved for adults. bring a large group, it’s suggested Last year, food was donated by Café that they register in advance by Such A Bagel, Dunkin’ Donuts, The organizers also try to work in an calling 233-1034, extension 105, or Pizzeria Uno, and Cabot Creamery. educational element to each year’s e-mailing [email protected]. Continued on page 4

The Smithfield Times, Inc. | 3 Continued from page 3 Supporters who came through with other resources last year included the Narragansett Bay Commission, Keep Blackstone Valley Beautiful, Smithfield EMA, MEGA MTG Disposal, and Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation. Business volunteers came in from Alltown Realty, Adler Construction, and Peloquin and Sons.

Even those who aren’t available on April 25 may still be able to play a part.

“If people can’t do it on Earth Day,” Chaput said, “they can do it somewhere around them. We keep that dumpster for a little while, so if a business wanted to take part, they certainly can, and if they want to do it during their work day, they can do that.”

For more information, or to register for the Earth Day Clean-up, e-mail [email protected] or call 233-1034, extension 105. For more information on the history of Earth Day, visit www.earthday.org, the official site of the Earth Day Network. Photo credit, including cover: Sandra Archille Review Your Trust Annually ReviewReview YourYour TrustTrust Annually Annually To ProtectTo ProtectProtect Your YourYour Assets Assets Assets

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4 | APRIL 2020 Push-Up-A-Thon Raises Awareness For People Living With Bleeding Disorders

By: Brittni Henderson

On Saturday, March 14, Mastery $20,000 for Martial Arts partnered with the New those living England Hemophilia Association with (NEHA) to raise awareness and hemophilia. crucial funds for those living with a 100% of the bleeding disorder in New England. funds raised Students and family members will support participated in a Push-Up-A-Thon NEHA’s at each of the eight Mastery Martial programs and Arts locations in Rhode Island and services. Massachusetts, including the location on Cedar Swamp Road in Antony Pezzillo, Smithfield. Chief Instructor at Mastery’s Johnston Amidst major concerns due to the location, has been COVID-19 outbreak in the United involved with States, many participants logged Mastery their push-ups virtually, by recording Martial Arts since themselves in a Facebook or his childhood. Instagram post, and tagging friends Pezzillo started to encourage them to participate. when he was 10 er the guidelines put into place per years old as a Governor Gina Raimondo, no white belt and is location will have more that 100 now a 4th Degree people on site during this event. The Black Belt and complications, expenses can surpass hope to keep a sense of normalcy, Chief Instructor at 34. As a person a million dollars annually. NEHA’s continue to focus on their mission, living with hemophilia, he has seen Emergency Assistance Fund may and keep participants safe was of firsthand how important proper be used to cover expenses like utmost importance. treatment can be for bleeding utility bills, transportation to and disorders. from medical appointments, rent, Mastery Martial Arts had a goal of and food. Over the past five years, doing 20,000 pushups in one day to Mastery Martial Arts currently has NEHA’s Emergency Assistance Fund support each of the 20,000 people roughly 2,000 students, and of them, has provided over $40,000 to living with hemophilia in the United 20 are living with a bleeding families experiencing financial States. Each student will choose a disorder. Treatments for bleeding hardships. Every dollar that is raised personal goal on how many pushups disorders are very expensive. The at this event will go directly to they want to do and ask their friends average cost of treatment for a families with bleeding disorders and family to donate $1 per person with hemophilia can reach in need. pushup. The hope was to raise about $350,000 per year. With Continued on page 6

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NEHA is dedicated to improving the quality of life for persons with bleeding disorders and their families through education, support and advocacy. NEHA has assisted and advocated for all persons with inherited bleeding disorders in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont since 1957.

Bleeding disorders are a group of conditions that inhibits blood from clotting properly. Improper clotting can cause heavy and/or prolonged bleeding after an injury, surgery, or during menstruation. Bleeding disorders are usually genetic and are not contagious. Bleeding disorders can be very serious and often require treatment and lifestyle modification. Although there are many different types of bleeding disorders, some of the most common are: hemophilia A (factor VIII deficiency), hemophilia B (factor IX deficiency), hemophilia C (factor XI deficiency), and von Willebrand disease (vWD). There is no cure for hemophilia or vWD. Photo credits: Albert Tavakalov 6 | APRIL 2020 Forgotten Industries of Spragueville and Mountaindale By Jim Ignasher

Spragueville is an area of Smithfield bustling commerce center. Street. The mill originally drew with no clearly defined borders its power from the Stillwater River, located on the Greenville side of Spragueville was settled in 1733 by but in 1870 steam turbines were town. It includes the Gallagher Abraham Smith who erected a grist installed. Middle School, and extends mill and two houses. However, the eastward down Spragueville Road area is named for Thomas Sprague, In 1847 the mill was purchased by to Mountaindale Road, then follows a former sea captain who came to Wanton Vaughan who incorporated Mountaindale Road to where it Smithfield nearly a century later. under “The Granite Mill crosses the reservoir at the bottom Sometime after 1824 Sprague built Company”. The enterprise later of Wolf Hill. On the opposite side a large granite cotton mill which passed to Christopher Vaughan, of the water is another undefined measured 80 by 120 feet, and Esquire, who became the sole area that in the1800s was known as established “T. Sprague & Sons”. proprietor. “Mountain Dale”. One wouldn’t According to old maps of the town, know it today, but there was a the mill stood on the north side of The mill was part of what was time during America’s Industrial Mountaindale Road in the area now known as “The Granite Mill revolution that the area was a occupied by present-day Richard Continued on page 8

The Smithfield Times, Inc. | 7 Continued from page 7 Estate”, on which property also sat been recently leased by Pierce Kane, junction of the Stillwater River and the private homes of the Vaughan Esq., of Saratoga Co., New York, Reaper’s Brook. Smith and Harris family and possibly lodging for some and he is now starting it up. He manufactured parts for cotton mills of the workers. will make a class of goods similar to such as spindles and shuttles which those formerly manufactured at the were needed for the many textile The Granite Mill Company was same mill by Wm. A. Steere.” mills being built along the Blackstone very successful, and by the 1870s At some point afterwards the Valley. had 112 looms and 5,000 spindles property came to be operated in operation. However the mill fell by J. P. & J. G. Ray, (Full names In the days before modern inactive from 1886 to 1889. unknown), but it appears that the refrigeration people kept food cold with ice, which made “ice By the 1890s the mill harvesting” a lucrative was back in operation business. In the early 20th under the direction of the century a large ice house Mercer brothers. What belonging to the East ultimately became of the Providence Ice Company mill is uncertain, but no stood on the shoreline of remains of it can be found the reservoir at the bottom today. of Mountaindale Road.

Another large mill which The “harvesting” took once existed in the area place during the winter, was the Mountain Dale when the water froze thick Hosiery Mill, which as enough to support men its name would imply, and horses. Ice saws were was in Mountaindale. used to cut blocks of ice According to old maps it which would be brought stood to the south side of to the ice house and taken Mountaindale Rd. at the inside by on a conveyer base of Wolf Hill. The remains of mill once again fell idle, and shortly belt. There workers would pack this mill can still be seen today. before midnight on November 1, the ice in sawdust which helped to 1877, it was destroyed by fire. The prevent melting, and the ice house The hosiery mill was owned by loss amounted to $9,000, and the itself was constructed with thick William Steere of Greenville, and property was not insured. walls also insulated with sawdust. then others over the following years. The mill was evidently rebuilt for it The East Providence Ice Company Mills would at times become inactive and three other large buildings next went out of business sometime for various reasons, from low water to it were still indicated on 1895 during World War II, as did many levels and machinery problems, to maps of Smithfield. Today these other ice businesses with the advent fluctuations in cotton prices. structures are gone. of electric refrigerators.

On March 31, 1871, the following A lesser known Mountaindale Today a modern industrial park is news snippet appeared in the enterprise involved a small factory located in the heart of Spragueville, Woonsocket Patriot. “The Mountain established by Waterman Smith and but unfortunately the historic Dale Hosiery Mill, which has been Thomas Harris in the 1820s, which factories which gave the area a page stopped for more than two years, has is said to have been located near the in Rhode Island history are gone.

8 | APRIL 2020 Three more Smithfield Police Officers receive bulletproof vests thanks to a generous donation.

Thanks to Dave’s Towing of Smithfield, three additional officers have received Angel Armor rifle rated vests through the Shield616 program. Pictured here with Adam Lavoie of Dave’s Towing are two of the officers who benefited from this donation. They are Officer Neil Marcoccio (L) and Detective Christopher McIntyre (R). For information on how you can donate a bulletproof vest, visit www.shield616.org.

The Smithfield Times, Inc. | 9 A Tribute to My Best Friend by Sophia DeJesus To my best friend who never failed to make me smile. To the girl who was positive no Not only talking about her looks matter what, who did her best to be kind to either, but everything about her was everyone, and who made connections with beautiful. She was the type of person The connection that she formed anyone at any time, I miss you. I know our that could connect with people with our classmates from LaPerche friends and your family misses you too. wherever she went. Though shy and especially, is something magical. sometimes a little awkward, she was Again, she was loved by everyone. On March 1st, 2020, my best friend, kind to everyone. She had a way of It’s not something I can even explain Gisela Carrier, passed away. To hear making every situation funny, even if either, it’s just something to be felt. that my best friend of just about seven they weren’t. I remember sitting in years was gone, didn’t make sense. my freshman English class with her, She loved cheesy rom coms, the sun There was no way that even after giggling about absolutely nothing, and beach, baking cookies, horrible beating leukemia twice, she was taken yet being unable to stop. Oh the jokes, and spending time with the by a car crash. In my head, there was agony that we caused our teacher and people who loved her most. We just absolutely no way that it was true. classmates. shared the best laughs and always had However, so much fun together. Our running after She was the type of girl to spread joke was that we’d be roommates in hearing positivity and help others before college and adopt a ton of dogs, just from her herself. Always putting her friends to be crazy dog ladies in our 20’s. family and first, Gisela was the girl that everyone Memories like those are the ones I’ll reading trusted because we all knew that she’d treasure and hold onto forever. article stay loyal to her friends no matter after what. She was unapologetically In writing this, I hope to capture who article herself and did what made her happy Gisela was. I want people to know about the despite what others thought. how special she was. She impacted horrific the lives of so many and inspired accident, For those that had the privilege of me every day. Losing my best friend it finally hit me. This was real life, and meeting Gisela, they know how has been the biggest heartbreak in it was time to accept the news. amazing and truly bright she was. She my life so far, and I want to honor had a way of making everyone smile her memory in any way that I can. Everyone that knew Gisela, knew and feel just a bit happier. My best Forever “besties,” Rest In Peace, what a beautiful person she was. friend was kind and loved by so many. Gisela Nicole Carrier.

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10 | APRIL 2020 Ask an Expert About Tom Lopatosky Tom Lopatosky has run his My name is Tom Lopatosky. I’m the President of own carpentry and painting LOPCO Contracting (www.LopcoContracting.com) and business in Providence since I’m honored to have the opportunity to talk to you about 1995; LOPCO Contracting – home improvement on a monthly basis. the “Personable, Particular Professionals” – specializes I love answering your questions! Please send them to in carpentry and exterior & interior painting. [email protected] or call 401-270-2664. Recently LOPCO Contracting was named ‘RI’s Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this Finest Painting Contracting Company’ by ShopInRI column! Magazine. In 2013, Tom was named “Humanitarian of the Year” by the Painting and Decorating When is Rotted Wood NOT Really Rotted? Contractors of America (PDCA) and a “40 Under As the old saying goes, “If I had a nickel for ...” 40” award winner by Providence Business News. He is a member of both the PDCA and RIBA In this case the 2nd part of this sentence would be “... every time someone told me that they had rotted (Rhode Island Builders Association). Tom has often wood that needed fixing, I would be a rich man!” had weekly ‘Home Improvement Tips’ that have aired on the radio on 630 WPRO AM (during the So then ... weekday morning news) and on television on WPRI 12 (during the Saturday & Sunday morning news). If I had a nickel for every time someone told me that they had rotted wood that needed fixing, I would be a rich man!

One would think that if someone had rotted wood that needed to be corrected, it would be just that, rotted wood.

Technically this is true.

However, our office constantly fields calls asking for help fixing some type of rotted wood situation where the wood, it turns out, is not really rotted.

I do not blame the person reaching out to us in this situation though. Hunter Insurance

Many times, people are explaining things to the best of understands the insurance their ability and they simply do not know how to needs of local businesses. describe what they need fixed other than something Trust a local agency with the experience to tailor being “rotted”. a customized insurance plan for your business. For a complimentary review call 401.769.9500. There are other times, when, even we as Contractors, are fooled.

Sometimes wood appears to be rotted, but when we go to check it, it is actually not rotted. www.hunterinsurance.net Continued on page 12

The Smithfield Times, Inc. | 11 Continued from page 11

Properly identifying rotted wood can business for areas that may appear to this type of dampness. be a tricky thing. be rotted, at least twice per year (once in the Spring & once in the Fall). Although upon inspection, what There are also many times when appears to be rotted wood may not something appears to be perfectly It is very important that an effort is end up being rotted at all, I would fine, but when we hit the area with made to diagnose these types of strongly suggest that you err on the some type of tool, our tool goes right situations, as rotted wood trim or side of caution, however, and through the wood and it is rotted to finished siding can lead to rotted examine your home or business’ its core. structural wood behind it. exterior every so often as thoroughly as possible. Because wood often rots from the Rotted wood can also attract inside out, this situation happens carpenter ants, termites, etc. because If you would like some help or more often than you might think. of how much it holds moisture. guidance in this area, please feel free to reach out to me (my contact info I believe it is VERY important to Rotted wood can also encourage is at top of this column) and I would inspect the exterior of your home or mold and mildew growth because of be more than happy to assist you!

12 | APRIL 2020 The Chief’s Corner By Robert W. Seltzer, BSEE, EFO, MPA Smithfield Fire Department Chief

With all of the disease issues we help prevent spreading your • Routinely clean frequently have endured this past winter, illness to others. touched objects and a high number of flu cases and surfaces, including the coronavirus outbreak, it is • Cover your mouth and nose. doorknobs, keyboards, and important to remember that Cover your mouth and phones, to help remove universal precautions can be nose with a tissue when germs. administered to reduce the coughing or sneezing. It may spread of viruses regardless of prevent those around you • Make sure your workplace the type. from getting sick. Flu and has an adequate supply other serious respiratory of tissues, soap, paper For the typical flu season, the illnesses, like respiratory towels, alcohol-based hand single best way to prevent syncytial virus (RSV), rubs, and disposable wipes. seasonal flu is to get vaccinated whooping cough, and each year, but good health habits severe acute respiratory • Train others on how to do like covering your cough and syndrome (SARS), are spread your job so they can cover washing your hands often can by cough, sneezing, or for you in case you or a help stop the spread of germs unclean hands. family member gets sick and and prevent respiratory illnesses you have to stay home. like the flu. • Clean your hands. Washing your hands often • If you begin to feel sick while For the flu and all other diseases will help protect you from at work, go home as soon as that are spread by human contact germs. If soap and water possible. such as hand shaking, sneezing, are not available, use an and coughing, follow these alcohol-based hand rub. You are an important part guidelines to reduce your chance of reducing the spread of of contracting a disease. • Clean and disinfect. germs. Following some simple Clean and disinfect surfaces precautions like handwashing • Avoid close contact. and objects that may be and vaccinations can help reduce Avoid close contact with contaminated with germs like the spread of disease. More people who are sick. When the flu or other viruses. importantly, such behaviors can you are sick, keep your significantly reduce the chance of distance from others to Some additional precautions you becoming ill. protect them from getting may be taken at the workplace. sick too. Information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. • Find out about your • Stay home when you employer’s plans if an are sick outbreak of flu or another If possible, stay home from illness occurs and whether flu work, school, and errands vaccinations are offered when you are sick. This will on-site.

The Smithfield Times, Inc. | 13 IMHO | by Ron Scopelliti Rock Steady

There’s so much going on in the fascination with rocks, I usually get the White Mountains were until I world right now that it sometimes the same reaction as when I tell was 10 or 11 years old. Up to that overwhelms me. Populism, them that my favorite Eddie Murphy point, I only associated “White plutocracy, climate change, violence movie is “Bowfinger.” But there’s so Mountain” with the truck that over fast-food chicken sandwiches – much fascinating stuff right under Jimmy the Ice Cream Man used trying to understand it all just makes our feet, I can’t believe I’ve spent so to drive through town. To this day, my head spin. More and more I many years ignoring it. seeing Mount Washington makes me find myself thinking of a line from crave peach ice cream. a Frank Black song: “This world is a I was much more in touch with rock that’s spinning so fast, it’ll give geology during my elementary But anyway, I think that was around you jim-jams” school days, when I dreamed the time my fascination with rocks of being a paleontologist or an began to wane, being replaced by a In my case, however, it’s not the archaeologist, and digging up the growing obsession with technology spinning of the rock that’s giving Olduvai Gorge with Louis Leakey. and computers. And even though I me jim-jams – it’s the activity of the I also spent many days in the woods spent a good portion of my twenties people on the rock. I’ve decided that looking for interesting rocks, or going to the rock-climbing Mecca of every now and then I need to focus sorting through the rubble that was the Quincy Quarries, I pretty much less on the people, and more on the leftover when they were blasting to ignored the geology, and focused on rock itself. So I recently started to make way for Rte. 295 to find quartz getting from the bottom to the top learn more about geology. crystals. without my friends accusing me of “hangdogging,” or using the much- Have you stopped reading yet? I Despite this interest, I was still maligned “Acme knee hold.” only ask because when I start talking clueless in many respects. For to people about my newfound instance, I didn’t realize how close

14 | APRIL 2020 My ambivalence started to change And I never realized that we were sitting behind my computer with a couple of years ago when I visited once part of a microcontinent called a mouse in one hand and a coffee the only major outcrop of our state Avalonia, that included all of Rhode cup in the other. My research into rock –“Cumberlandite.” In his Island plus parts of other New geology has led me to a whole new book, “Rhode Island Geology for England states, as well as sections lexicon involving moraines, eskers, the Non-Geologist,” the late Brown of Canada, Ireland, the United and outwash plains. It’s taken me professor Alonzo W. Quinn refers to Kingdom, and several mainland through a labyrinth of granite, Cumberlandite as “a real odd ball.” European countries. Somewhere gneiss, and quartzite, and, of course, In other words, it fits in perfectly in the midst of the tectonic pinball opened up a whole world of schist. with our state’s reputation. game that formed our current continents, Avalonia split, leaving an One of my goals for this spring is Since my trip to the outcrop, I’ve ocean between the halves. I’m still to break free from the computer been poking around numerous books consulting various books to work out and do some genuine rock-hunting and web pages, and developing a the details, and to further understand and Earth-walking. I already have whole new appreciation for how my own little corner of Avalonia spots around Lincoln Woods and complicated the local geology known as the Esmond-Dedham Diamond Hill picked out to visit. under our feet is, and how many subterrane. It’s good to know that And I might even head up to the interesting facts it holds. For instance, my home village is known for more White Mountains for a couple of I didn’t know that the columns of than its blankets and its legendary days. I wonder if there’s any place Providence’s Arcade and the stone bunny. up there that serves good peach for the First Unitarian Church both ice cream? came from the Snake Den area of Funny how my attempts to get in Johnston. touch with bedrock has led to me

The Smithfield Times, Inc. | 15 Inaugural SHS Sentinel Legacy Gala Held in Memory of Doreen Nicholson By Marilyn A. Busch A beloved mother of four, Doreen Nicholson was well On Saturday, February 29, 2020, known throughout the Smithfield the Smithfield community community, due to her many gathered throughout the halls of hours of selfless volunteering the Smithfield High School for with the local PTA, coaching, the Inaugural SHS Legacy Gala volunteering, and more. held to honor Doreen Nicholson, a mother of four who passed Her daughter Jessica says, “She away unexpectedly in August of was an incredible person who 2018 from heart complications. had a significant presence in the Organized by Nicholson’s community. She was involved in daughter Jessica who is a senior everything that she could. Doreen at SHS and her fellow National was an incredible mother and Honor Society members, the friend, she accepted everyone into event was held to bolster our home and was like a second awareness of dangers of heart mother to many,” adding, disease and support the mission “Doreen gave her family and of the Southern New England community more than they could American Heart Association. have ever asked for.”

The inaugural Legacy Gala The organizers for the Legacy event was an unqualified Gala planned for 300 attendees success, both in attendance and but were surprised to see more the amount raised for the cause. than expected during the after- The event raised over $15,000 noon. “It was such a great event,” and the organizers expect they states Jessica, “and it surpassed still may receive future our expectations.” donations to their cause. The February event included live The group is still accepting performances on the SHS donations online at Auditorium Main Stage from https://ahaprovidence.ejoinme. members of Smithfield High org/SmithfieldHSLegacyGala. School Chorus, Sentinel Singers and the cast of the upcoming Photo credits: Albert Tavakalov

16 | APRIL 2020 spring musical, Guys and Dolls, all Beaver Pub & Grub, Uno Pizzeria under the direction of Music and Grille, Wright’s Dairy Farm and Teacher Katherine Young. Bakery and Yacht Club Soda. Smithfield area sponsors that Throughout the school, attendees contributed to the event’s overall could find many heart-healthy success included Chelo’s Hometown demonstrations, including Johnson Bar & Grille, DAB Entertainment/ & Wales University’s “Chef Jon” Media Services, Falvey Linens, teaching about healthy cooking Lorraine Fabrics, Michael’s, Mother options, and the Smithfield YMCA, Nature’s Florist, Quality Rentals, One Cycle and No Risk Crossfit Simply Elegant Flowers, Smithfield offering fitness demos. EMA, Smithfield Fire Department, and Stop & Shop Smithfield. The Gala food vendors were Greenville Inn, Ivy and Lace Bake Jessica Nicholson is grateful for how plentiful and included offerings from Shop, Jaswell’s Farm, KFC/Apple the community came together to almost two dozen local businesses, Valley, Laura’s Bar and Grill, remember her mother’s legacy and including Amy’s Apples, Biagio’s Rachel’s Table, Ralph’s Catering, support the American Heart Pizzeria, Chelo’s Hometown Bar & Simply Elegant Flowers & Association. “I couldn’t be happier Grille, Chili’s Grill and Bar, Conde- Chocolate, Smithfield Fitness, about how everything turned out,” sa Restaurante, Crepe Corner, Special Signal Fire Association, adding, “It was a perfect way to DePetrillo’s Pizza & Bakery, Tavolo Tuscan Grille, Thirsty honor my mom.”

Meet Ginger! Ginger is such a happy girl! She is curious, loves to play with toys, snuggle on the couch, and always seems to have a twinkle in her eyes. She was found on the streets with her brother Fred, hungry and searching for food. Both pups are now in RI and looking for a loving home! Ginger is house trained, crate trained, and loves other dogs! She loves to swim and go for long hikes. If you are interested in meeting these two amazing pups, please fill out an application at www.abandoneddogsofri.com Sweet Isabo! This lovely girl loves people including kids and good with small pets (with a slow intro). She is house trained, crate trained, and understands that when she is in a head halti, she is “working”. Although she loves to play, she has a balanced energy level and certainly enjoys lazy time on the couch.

Isabo is fully vetted and spayed. She is currently staying at ADRI Adoption Center & Pet Services until she finds a forever home. If interested in meeting her, please fill out an application at www.abandoneddogsofri.com

The Smithfield Times, Inc. | 17 The Nature of Things | by James Gass Be on the Lookout for These Invasive Pests

A global economy has many benefits and Ontario. ALB has been largely Native to northeastern Asia, the but also certain disadvantages, eradicated in North America but the Emerald Ash Borer (or EAB) is such as the accidental introduction Ohio and Massachusetts infestations a species of “jewel beetle” that of invasive insect pests through are ongoing. It is of concern because was first detected in southeastern shipping material or other means. its preferred host are maple trees, Michigan in 2002. It was found These insects are usually not a which threatens the maple syrup in Rhode Island in 2018, and is problem in their country of origin, industry based in Vermont and now in 35 states including parts but any natural control mechanisms Quebec. The larvae are particularly of Canada. Like ALB, it came to that limited their populations in destructive. It is estimated that if this country through solid wood their homeland often doesn’t exist left unchecked, ALB could destroy packing material presumably from in the places they are transported 30.3% of all urban trees and cause China. It attacks ash trees, and to. Their populations then explode, $669 billion in economic loss. But tens of millions of ashes have been wreaking havoc on native plants since it has a 2-year life cycle spent already been killed or infested by this and agricultural crops. There are mostly inside the tree as larvae, it is prolific agricultural pest. In forests, three destructive invasive pests that possible to successfully eradicate this biological control is being used have recently been introduced to the pest. Infested trees are removed and by the USDA to knock back high United States, and it’s just a matter chipped, killing the larvae. ALB has EAB populations, and in urban and of time before they arrive in Rhode not yet been found in Rhode Island. suburban settings, insecticides such Island (one of them is already here). as Imidacloprid or Dinotefuran have Unfortunately, only one can be ALB has several native look-alikes proven to be effective. These are effectively eradicated. including the Spotted Pine Sawyer, fast-moving insects. Populations can which is not considered a pest and move 2-50 miles a year, which makes Native to China and Korea, the only feeds on dead pine trees. Adult them nearly impossible to eradicate. Asian Longhorned Beetle (or ALB) pine sawyers emerge in May and was first discovered in Brooklyn, June, ALB adults do not emerge until Of all the insects mentioned in this New York in 1996. It arrived as July-August. So if you see a beetle article, the one most potentially larvae in solid wood packaging that you think is ALB any time before devastating to United States material. It was later found in other July, it is likely a pine sawyer. Also, agriculture is the Spotted Lanternfly parts of New York, as well as New pine sawyers have a white spot on the (or SLF). Native to China, India, Jersey, Massachusetts, Illinois, Ohio, base of their necks, ALB does not. Vietnam and eastern Asia, it was

Left to right: Asian Longhorned Beetle, Emerald Ash Borer, Spotted Lanternfly. Photos courtesy of USDA.

18 | APRIL 2020 first found in Berks County Pennsylvania in 2014 and has now spread to New Jersey, Virginia and Delaware. It is a species of sap-feeding leafhopper that has a wide range of hosts including wild and cultivated grapes, stone fruits (such as peaches, nectarines and plums), willows, and various hardwoods. Tree of Heaven is also apparently important to this insect, but exactly why remains unclear. In Korea SLF has 67 host plants, many of which also occur in the US. This pest ravages the grape, fruit tree and logging industries wherever it is introduced. It damages plants by direct phloem feeding but also damages leaves and fruits of host plants because of the mold that grows on its excretions, or honeydew. Unlike most other insects that lay their eggs only on their host plants, SLF lays its eggs anywhere, and the egg masses are non-descript and difficult to detect. The main concern is accidental transportation of this pest to other states due to egg masses laid on trucks or cars. Their eventual arrival in Rhode Island is likely.

More information on the life histories of these pests, what to look for (damage, egg sites, etc.), and control methods can be found at www.dem.ri.gov/programs/ forestry/forest-health/index.php and www.nrs.fs.fed. us/disturbance/invasive_species.

If you see any of these insects this summer or the damage they cause, contact the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) at 508-852-8090, or Cynthia Kwolek at the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management at 401-949-1770.

It’s usually the average citizen that first finds a new invasive pest.

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The Smithfield Times, Inc. | 19 by David A. Huestis, Stargazing | Historian, Skyscrapers, Inc. Supernova Deferred (for now), Easter and a Meteor Shower

As 2019 came to a close, the news star dimmed a little more than usual, years from the Earth, we will not media sensationalized a story about by about .2 of a magnitude. An suffer from any hard radiation Orion’s bright star Betelgeuse. The imaging technique using radio waves effects. The supernova will be at least headlines were certainly designed to revealed Betelgeuse appeared to be as bright as a Full Moon and will get one’s attention. Betelgeuse was lopsided, but this discovery turned be visible in broad daylight. About about to go supernova. However, out to be a huge dust cloud blocking a day before we see the visible light the star’s behavior was really old some of the star’s light from reaching from the supernova event our Earth news that was recently enhanced us. In fact, Betelgeuse has shed will be bombarded by a harmless by new observational data. You see, off great shells of its outer surface hail of neutrinos and gamma rays. Betelgeuse is a red super giant star several times in the past, typical That onslaught will be our advance (20 times more massive than our activity for these stars as they “burn” warning system that Betelgeuse the Sun and approximately 1000 times through their supply of nuclear fuel. star has met its demise. larger) that is indeed nearing the end Speculation arose that Betelgeuse’s of its life cycle. And with a star this grand finale was soon at hand. Just as I began to write about massive, the result will someday be a Betelgeuse’s potential imminent supernova event. However, every article I read demise, new data revealed that succinctly stated the event could Betelgeuse began to brighten once Betelgeuse is a known variable star, happen soon, or 100,000 years again during mid-to-late February which pulsates back and forth about from now. While it is inevitable that (much like it has in the past). one full magnitude (brightness Betelgeuse will go supernova in the Astronomers will certainly keep scale) in a 425-day period. What future, we needn’t worry. Fortunately, monitoring Betelgeuse with their happened more recently is that the at its distance of about 700 light instruments in the hope of capturing

April Lyrids Dark April Lyrids Light

20 | APRIL 2020 the death of a star. If it happens April Lyrids Meteor Shower the horizon and zenith) above the within our lifetime, I hope it occurs eastern horizon at midnight and when the constellation of Orion is It’s been a while since Mother well placed for observing. Let your above our horizon. The sight will Nature has afforded us a decent eyes roam the heavens while facing be spectacular. display of shooting stars. Clouds this general direction. Remember, or bright moonlight have often even though you can trace the dust Easter Observance conspired to prevent us from train left by a Lyrid meteor back to Determination watching “burning rocks” falling the radiant point, members of this from the sky. However, on the night shower can appear anywhere in the Many religious celebrations are of April 22-23, between midnight sky. The Lyrids are a fairly narrow determined by astronomical and dawn, the annual April Lyrids stream of particles, so don’t expect circumstances. Easter is no meteor shower will reach its peak of many to be seen before or after peak exception. But because our secular activity. The Lyrids are actually the night. It is produced by dust particles calendar is not in sync with the oldest known shooting star display, left behind by comet C/1861 G1 motion of the heavens, Easter can having been observed by Chinese Thatcher, occur as early as March 22 or as astronomers on March 16, 687 late as April 25. The general rule is: BCE. Being such an old display, When the skies are clear be sure Easter will fall on the first Sunday the number of meteors populating to visit the local observatories to after the Full Moon on or next after this stream of particles has greatly explore the splendor of the heavens. the vernal equinox (spring –March diminished. However, with good Seagrave Memorial Observatory 19, 20 or 21). However, if the Full sky conditions and no interfering (http://www.theskyscrapers. Moon occurs on a Sunday, Easter is moonlight, perhaps up to 20 meteors org) in North Scituate is open celebrated on the following Sunday. per hour can be counted from dark every clear Saturday night. Ladd This scenario happened in 2001. sky locations. Observatory (http://www.brown. edu/Departments/Physics/Ladd/) These swift and bright meteors However, there is a caveat to that in Providence is open every clear disintegrate after hitting our rule that I only learned about Tuesday night. The Margaret M. atmosphere at a moderate speed of back in 2018. Because the date Jacoby Observatory at the CCRI 29.8 miles per second. They often of the vernal equinox does vary Knight Campus in Warwick (http:// produce luminous trains of dust that year-to-year, the determination www.ccri.edu/physics/observatory. can be observed for several seconds. for the Easter date depends on the htm) is open every clear Wednesday The Moon will be new on the 23rd, “ecclesiastical approximation of night. Frosty Drew Observatory so it will not interfere whatsoever March 21 for the vernal equinox” (http://www.frostydrew.org/) in with this year’s shooting star display. according to https://www. Charlestown is open every clear Friday night. timeanddate.com. This stipulation The Lyrids appear to radiate holds true even if the vernal equinox outward from an area of sky on falls on the 19th or 20th of March. the Lyra-Hercules border near Keep your eyes to the skies! the bright star Vega, which will be Therefore, for 2020, using March 21 about 45 degrees (halfway between David A. Huestis as the date for the vernal equinox, the next Full Moon after March 21 will be on April 7 at 10:35 pm EDT (Eastern Daylight Time) this year. Therefore, Easter will be celebrated on the following Sunday, April 12.

The Smithfield Times, Inc. | 21 Senior Scene | by Paul V. Palange

With stories concerning the spread people with Alzheimer’s by allowing disease. When enacted, the of the coronavirus dominating patients younger than age 60 to legislation will ensure that all patients the news, you might have missed access them. The bill has been sent with Alzheimer’s or other dementia, developments surrounding other to the House of Representatives. including those younger than 60, matters that impact us older adults After passage there, it will go to the and their caregivers will have access and our families and friends. president to be signed into law. to the care, support and resources they need. For example, the U.S. Senate has According to Collins, the unanimously passed the Younger majority of people suffering from Collins is a founder and co-chair Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Act. The Alzheimer’s are 65 and older, and of the Congressional Task Force on legislation introduced last year by access to available programs and ser- Alzheimer’s Disease, and she had Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Bob vices for the disease often reflect that key elements of the onset bill Casey (D-Pa.), Shelley Moore Capito threshold. Due to their age, younger included in the Older Americans (R-W.Va.) and Doug Jones (D-Ala.), onset patients can face Act (OAA) before it was reauthorized would ensure the availability of additional barriers to access the ser- recently by the Senate. The certain programs and services for vices they need to cope with their legislation would allow the National

22 | APRIL 2020 Family Caregiver Support Program and the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program to serve patients younger than 60, and the bill addresses a key recommendation by the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease to provide additional services to younger adults with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia.

The Senate reauthorized and strengthened the OAA by unanimously approving the Supporting Older Americans Act. As is the case with the onset legislation, the bill has to be passed by the House and signed into law by the president.

Since 1965, the OAA has supported and improved the lives of seniors – particularly those who are low- income – through programs that promote nutrition, improve transportation options, support caregivers, offer employment and community service opportunities and prevent abuse and neglect, according to Collins. The law was last reauthorized in 2016.

The Senate deserves credit for putting partisanship aside and passing the Younger Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Act and renewing the OAA. Alzheimer’s and related dementias are devastating, and it’s inexcusable that patients younger than 60 and their caregivers are denied treatment or support. People suffering from Alzheimer’s, regardless of their age, need every possible resource to slow down the progression of a disease that strips away their lives layer by layer.

In the meantime, caregivers, who are frequently friends or relatives of patients, are often pushed to the brink of physical and emotional exhaustion as they comfort and care for victims and help them stay afloat in an ocean of confusion and uncertainty.

Issues such as those will be addressed and discussed at the Alzheimer’s Association Rhode Island Chapter’s 10th Annual Caregiver’s Journey scheduled for April 23 at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick. During the forum, which is also open to health care professionals, attendees will receive tips and tools they can use in a home or facility setting, according to Donna M. McGowan, executive director of the R.I. chapter. In the conference brochure, she states there are more than 23,000 Rhode

Continued on page 24

The Smithfield Times, Inc. | 23 Continued from page 23

Islanders living with Alzheimer’s and some 53,000 family caregivers. Also, there are hundreds of professional caregivers who are on the front line facing the challenges brought on by the disease. 375 Farnum Pike, Route 104 When I published the Senior Digest monthly newspaper, Smithfield, RI 02917 I attended several of the association’s forums. I found 401-231-4830 • 401-231-6100 them informative and recommend that caregivers take in [email protected] this year’s conference if it is held. There is no charge for caregivers, but health care professionals must pay $150. A&W Offers Vehicle Pick-Up & Delivery To register for the conference, which must be done by April 10, and for more information, go online to alz.org/ri. To and From Your Home or Office!

Speaking of caregivers, Sen. Collins reports that OAA programs served 700,000 caregivers last year alone and OIL CHANGE SPECIAL provided seniors across the country with 358 million Refill up to 5 quarts of oil FREE meals. The Supporting Older Americans Act would: Installation of New Oil Filter, Check Antifreeze, Belts & Hoses CHECK ENGINE • Reauthorize the OAA for five years with funding Not valid on synthetic and diesel oil changes. DIAGNOSTIC levels that better meet growing needs, including a $25.00 Total Regular Price $25 7 percent increase in the initial year and 6 percent “Out The Door” increases annually for the remainder of the authorization. • Extend the RAISE Family Caregivers Act for an Save $25 FOUR WHEEL additional year. ALIGNMENT • Extend the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren A/C Council for one year. Recharge $59.95 • Improve the availability of transportation resources Regular price starts at $120 Regular Price $79.95 to seniors. • Enhance flexibility for states to better address the needs of grandparents raising grandchildren. • Increase the focus on addressing detrimental impacts Coolant Flush $50 off any of social isolation. Brake repair work • Advance support for age-friendly communities. $89.00 Drain oil fluid and refill over $250 • Improve elder abuse prevention activities through with new Coolant increased outreach and education activities. Cannot be used with Regular Price $149 • Increase transparency of home-modification any other coupon. opportunities for eligible older adults. • Upgrade data collection methods to understand unmet needs in nutrition programs. $50 off any • Promote multigenerational programming. $10 off General repair work The Senate deserves credit for passing those bills. Let’s Full Synthetic over $250 hope our government also takes the necessary action to Oil Change Cannot be used with end the coronavirus pandemic as quickly as possible. any other coupon.

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The Smithfield Times, Inc. | 27 Community Events The Greenville Public Library Poetry Contest: From April 1-15, poets of all ages can submit their work to the library’s third annual poetry contest. Each poet may submit one poem for consideration. Poets may use any poetic form. There is no minimum length, but poems may not be longer than one typed page. One winner in each age category (children, young adults, adults) will be selected by the Woodland Whispers Committee. All poets will be invited to a poetry reading and reception on Sunday, April 26th at 2:00 pm. Poems may be submitted online via the library’s website at www.yourlibrary.ws or dropped off at the library at 573 Putnam Pike Greenville, RI.

Save the date! RI Quilt Show – Quilters’ Vision 2020

Narragansett Bay Quilters Association (NBQA) Quilt Show – Quilters’ Vision 2020 will be held Saturday and Sunday, April 25 and 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m at North Kingstown High School, 150 Fairway Drive, North Kingstown, RI. Admission $8.00. Children accompanied by an adult – free.

Over 200 quilts, plus many other quilted items will be featured. All will be part of this juried show. A show for everyone includes a 20-20 Vision members exhibit and a special exhibit by the Modern Quilters of RI. For those who like to shop, multiple vendors from many states feature many quilting tools, fabrics, patterns and samples. New products and gift items for all.

For new ideas, be sure and see the Quilting Education Exhibit and Quilting Demonstrations. Comfort Quilts will be on display.

If you like to take a chance and help out our charitable causes, we have a beautiful raffle quilt. Themed raffle baskets and a silent auction to benefit the New England Quilt Museum in Lowell, MA.

Lunch and snacks are available all day. Plenty of free parking and the show is completely handicapped accessible.

CONTACT: Barbara Stetson, Publicity Chair Tel: 401-647-3616 E-mail – [email protected] NBQA website – www.nbqa.org

28 | APRIL 2020 Inside The Brown Bag | By Peg Brown The Question – Where You Were Then ...?

Hitler rose to power – Pearl Harbor A recent Wall Street Journal Article, “A about great-grand relatives. What was bombed – man first walked Parent Talk, Before It’s Too Late,” they can’t reveal is what your parents on the moon – Kennedy, Kennedy (March 2, 2020), suggests our time might have been like before they and MLK Jr. were shot – the in running out to know our closest as became “mom” and “dad.” Even the towers came down ... something other than mom and dad, most widely watched PBS program, grandmother and grandfather ... “Finding your Roots,” can’t answer More importantly, “What were you these questions for their celebrity thinking? How did you feel? How The popularity of DNA testing guests. did it change your life?” Or simply, kits has certainly opened the directly ask, “Tell me what you opportunities to trace our genetic There are many challenges to having remember.” code, culture, health risks and these conversations with family members today. Many of us don’t Social media has encouraged our live in their “home town.” However, younger generations to share their according to that demographic study stories, (often more publicly than done by the Pew Foundation in the we’d like), but those of us of a What do past decade, four in ten have never certain age were raised in a time “ left where they were born – they when memories that were shared you want to might have been more likely to have with family were mostly those that know or had these conversations already. were happy. We lived closer to home, gathered for dinner almost understand – What obstacles besides distance, every night, sat around tables at have impeded these conversations holidays, and were rarely distracted before it’s for most of us? There can be many. by the television or radio. Most Some parents are comfortable just frequent interruptions to those too late. telling the happy stories, many were family meals were telephone calls – ” raised in an environment when and most of us knew never to call few talked about “feelings”, some at meal time unless someone was heritage. Ancestry.com boasts of might think their lives haven’t been dying. You would think then, that having access to more than 15 accomplished or interesting enough. our generation, would know a great billion genealogy records. The More often, dementia or the inability deal about how our parents and Church of the Latter-Day Saints to communicate are the culprits. grandparents felt, what obstacles has for decades lead the country in And although our relatives are living they overcame, or what concerns providing information to families longer lives, these two demons are they had. If you had a family seeking their “roots.” often part of that aging process. anything like mine, that was not As lucky as I was to have two the case. All three if these services are excellent at providing information Continued on page 30

The Smithfield Times, Inc. | 29 Continued from page 29 parents, an extended family, and marked simply “Baby Cordwell.” Maybe that’s what limited what I a small-town upbringing, there know about my parents. are things I knew about my family • What did they think when anecdotally, but never directly asked they sent me off to a southern For those for whom it’s not to late about. Such as: Pennsylvania college when I was to have “The Talk,” there are many just 16? vehicles on the market to make those • Mom and Dad were high school conversations easier. Catalogs sell sweethearts – they went to the • Did they have other aspirations endless types of diaries in which your junior prom together, what was both personal and professional? relatives can record family stories; their relationship like as teens? you can purchase one of those DNA • What disappointed them? Were kits for a relative or yourself and the • When Pearl Harbor happened, they proud of their children? results might open up a dialogue; what kind of feeling did dad new technology exists such as a free have about been drafted out of • And as Seinfeld would say, app that gives hints and directions high school as an 18-year-old? “yada, yada, yada.” for recording family stories provided • Were there other “loves” in by StoryCorps, a nonprofit oral either of their lives? And now, they are gone. And I history project. am getting old and clearly more • Why did they marry so young, nostalgic. And yet, even though I What do you want to know or have three children while dad only have one daughter, I am more understand – before it’s too late. was in college on the GI bill, and aware than ever how did they cope with no visible that I too have means of income during this shared very little time? – and continue to hold tight to • They lost an infant son at age 22 most “personal” and 24 respectively (between my information. sister and I). I never asked about Maybe ... it’s that event – even though every that old mother Memorial Day we put Lilies flaw of over- of the Valley on a tiny grave protection.

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30 | APRIL 2020 50 Years Ago | J i m I g n a s h e r APRIL 1970

On March 30, the area was Airman 1/c Alan Seward blanketed with several inches of of Esmond was home on snow. leave for two weeks.

The Smithfield Lions launched Russell W. Turner of “Operation Clean Waters”, which Greenville was promoted was a large scale community effort to Major in the U. S. to clean up decades-old trash and Ar my. refuse from local waterways and ponds. Help was enlisted from the SP/4 Stephen M. St. Elks Club, the Smithfield Jaycees, Jean of Stillwater Road the Smithfield Boys Club, various returned home after a tour scouting organizations, and private in Vietnam. Lisa Palimeri of Brownie Troop 744 citizens. The campaign was chaired of Greenville received an award for by Leo Bouchard, a well-known Army Sergeant Thomas St. Jean winning the Smokey Bear Poster conservationist from Smithfield. was serving in Germany. Contest. The award was presented The clean-up operation was a huge by the Apple Blossom Garden Club success. PFC Allen H. Uttley of Greenville on behalf of the Rhode Island was serving in Korea. Federation of Junior Garden Clubs, Richard M. Johnson of Greenville which sponsored the contest. was promoted to sergeant in the The Smithfield Easter Egg Hunt U.S. Air Force. was reportedly a “chaotic success”, Girl Scout Troop 894 of Esmond with more than 500 youths held a bowling party at the Esmond participating. Recreation Hall.

A local car dealership Boy Scout Troop 3 of Greenville was selling a 1969 2-door camped overnight at the Buck Hill Chevrolet Impala, with a Management Area. V-8 engine, power steering, radio, white wall tires, and Boy Scout John Riley of Greenville hubcaps, for $2275. Troop 4 was elevated to Eagle Scout.

For a mere $500 more, On April 11, the ill fated Apollo 13 the same dealer was moon-mission was launched from advertising a 1967 Cape Kennedy. The following day SP/4 Gary S. Charnley of Esmond Corvette for $2795. the crew reported a problem and was serving in the 4th Ordinance Company in Germany. Continued on page 32

The Smithfield Times, Inc. | 31 Continued from page 31 the moon landing was cancelled. Six ceremony was held at the future, building still exists today as the harrowing days later the crew landed (now present) site of the Bryant Smithfield YMCA. safely back on earth. University Unistructure. The public A ceramic show was held at Rhodes was invited. On April 18, the Greenville Water on The Pawtuxet in Cranston. district held its annual meeting at Members of a ceramics class from It was also on April 15 that a local Anna McCabe School. St. Aloysius in Greenville entered fundraising campaign was begun The Smithfield Jaycees sponsored and won awards for their work. to raise money to build a large and a health fair at the Smithfield High Those who received trophies permanent Boys Club. Phase One School. Attendees were offered free included Steven Berouty, Paul was to raise $50,000 to construct chest x-rays, diagnostic tests, and eye Dowdell, James Dumas, Ronald the initial building. Phase Two, exams. Lariviere, William Wilding, Eugene which would begin in 1974, hoped Kirby, Anthony Wilding, Barbara to raise another $75,000 to add a Hearthside Bowling Lanes, Allen and James Allen. gymnasium. Phase Three, scheduled (which was once located next to to start in 1978, would be to raise the A&W on Rt. 44), was taking The class was taught by Sister M. $150,000 for the construction of an registrations for their first annual Ralph, R.S.M., and Howard Clark. Olympic sized pool. bowling tournament which was History has shown that the entire to be sponsored by the Smithfield On April 15, a ground breaking project was completed, and the Recreation Department.

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32 | APRIL 2020 Payne’s Picks | By Sarah Payne April 2020

TV Release brings us next. And if you’re looking To All the Boys: for someone entertaining on P.S. I Still Love You After Life (Season 2) – April 24 Twitter, I highly recommend you give him a follow too. I’m fully aware that the sequel to a While I typically use this space to popular film about teenage romance preview the month’s new movie Movie Reviews is hardly everyone’s cup of tea. But releases, April is looking a bit we all have our guilty pleasures, dull. We’re past the Oscars hump The Invisible Man right? Mine is To All the Boys I’ve and haven’t quite hit summer Were you a fan of Peggy Loved Before, which came out blockbusters. I couldn’t find any on Mad Men? I found myself on Netflix in 2018, along with its movie interesting enough to feature equally frustrated and fascinated sequel To All the Boys: P.S. I Still here. However, that doesn’t mean with her character, and I think much Love You. At the end of the first you can’t get excited about a of the credit for the depth of Peggy film, the bookish and nerdy Lara brand-new season of After Life on belongs to Elisabeth Moss. She is Jean Covey finally admits she has Netflix. The first season premiered a talented actor, and watching her feelings for Peter Kavinsky, the guy last March and it’s super binge- in The Invisible Man reminded me she pretended to date to make his able – just six episodes, each about of that all over again. She plays ex-girlfriend jealous. The sequel is 20 minutes long. Ricky Gervais a victim of domestic abuse who all about what happens after the produces and stars in the series about finally manages to escape her abuser, butterflies and the not-knowing- a man mourning the sudden death only to find out he later committed where-you-stand feelings settle – of his wife. In true Ricky Gervais suicide. She is then tormented by when you have to figure out what style, the humor is deadpan and an invisible being she believes to be it means to be in a relationship. It’s it’s somewhat dark, but what most her ex-boyfriend. The Invisible Man corny and girly and I love to watch surprised me is its heart and ultimate is pretty terrifying. I found myself the chemistry between Lana Conor hope for the goodness in humanity. holding my breath and gripping my and Noah Centineo, the two leads. I actually forgot about After Life seat through most of the film. I even until Ricky’s amazing opening saw New York Times article that was TV Review monologue as host of the Golden titled: “I’m a Grown Man, and ‘The Globes this year – rightly calling out Invisible Man’ Made Me Scream.” Better Call Saul – Season 5 every hypocrite in Hollywood. I was Sure, the premise of a man inventing reminded of how much I love his wit technology to make himself invisible Last month we were blessed with and bravery in standing up to the is a bit farfetched, but it is a fun ride the return of Better Call Saul. We “establishment.” From his work on watching Moss eventually take on also learned season six – one more The Office to his stand up, Ricky has her abuser after her torment and season – will be the last. This is been nothing if not consistent. I’m seek her own form of revenge. inevitable, considering the cast is looking forward to seeing what he Continued on page 34

The Smithfield Times, Inc. | 33 Continued from page 33 now 12 years older than when Breaking Bad first premiered. Just like with Breaking Bad, the show seems to be approaching a tipping point where all of the decisions each of the characters has made are coming to a head. Storylines are converging and I can’t wait to see who will make an appearance from the Breaking Bad universe. Kim Wexler, played by Rhea Seehorn, is hands- down my favorite character on the show. You have to wonder what kind of woman would choose to be with someone like Jimmy McGill (Saul Goodman). What’s cool about this show is you get to see their shared history and how they each evolve as a lawyer on a very different path. Sometimes their morals clash so much, you wonder how they can stay together. But then Kim will make a decision that shows her loyalty to Jimmy and ultimately her questionable morals. I hope we learn more about her backstory this season and what makes her tick.

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The Smithfield Times, Inc. | 37 The Obituaries Smithfield Times Inc.

Ann J. (Zaccardelli) Serapidia February 29, 2020 543 Putnam Pike, Smithfield, RI 02828 www.robbinsfuneralhome.com 401-232-9600 • www.smithfieldtimesri.net

Thomas J. Lopatosky, Jr. – Owner, Operator [email protected] George P. Tessier March 6, 2020 John J. Tassoni, Jr. – Publisher www.robbinsfuneralhome.com [email protected]

Ann Marie Donahue – Executive Editor Talia A. Shaw [email protected] March 12, 2020 Daughter of the late Elaine S. Amoriggi – Creative Director, Design James Dragon and Pamela Shaw. Granddaughter of Rita Dragon, Advertising and Sales niece of Susan Packer and Camilla Spliid – [email protected] Thomas Dragon, all of Smithfield. A celebration of her life will be held at Grace Genereux – [email protected] a later date. For condolences visit www.robbinsfuneralhome.com Writers Harry Anderson Peg Brown Sophia DeJesus Jane Fusco Jim Gass Brittni Henderson Robert Houghtaling David Huestis Jim Ignasher Bea Lanzi Paul Lonardo Diane L. Marolla Paul Palange Sarah Payne Ron Scopelliti Joe Siegel ––– Albert Tavakalov – Photographer Sandra Achille – Photo and Creative Contributer ––– The Smithfield Times, Inc. does not assume any financial responsibility for typographical error in advertisements that have received Photo credit, including cover: Sandra Archille final approval or are submitted camera ready.

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