Happy Wednesday, Rhody-Ohs!

IN THIS ISSUE:

• Curious critters: Rescued farm animals with wild backstories

• Electric Abbey: Beatles recharged by soulful live reinterpretation

• Crafty Fire: Handmade clay works in primal pit flames

Got Biz? Business owner? Future entrepreneur? Founder? Let’s meet NEXT WEEK JUNE 4th and chat. Super low key. Details and RSVP below.

Rhody Moments: “What is that off the coast of Jamestown?”

Let’s see what’s going on this coming weekend. Get your calendar pencil ready to write!

Outdoor & Nature

🌾 See what’s growing at the farm: Volunteer Open House at the Historic Metcalf Franklin Farm in Cumberland. Tour historic sites, hike the Cow Pond trail, and explore garden volunteer roles. All ages welcome! Come see this wonderful, all-volunteer organization!

🚴‍♂️ Pedal for pollinators: Bike for Bees & Butterflies with the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council in Providence. Family-friendly ride along the Greenway. Learn about local habitats and how to support them. It’s not too late for this spring to do something.

🦢 Scenic walk with flowers and art: Promenade in the Park at Roger Williams Park. Set around Willow Lake with arches, swan boats, painting, and music. Rain date June 8. You’ll want to go after you check out some of last year’s pictures.

🚣 Try rowing for free: Learn to Row Day at Warren Town Beach in Warren. No experience needed. Coaches and equipment provided. Open to all ages.

🏖️ Sculptures rise from the sand: Atlantis Rising Sand Sculpture Competition at Ninigret Park in Charlestown. International artists compete, live music, food vendors, and family activities.

🔥 Join the riverside celebration: WaterFire Full Lighting in downtown Providence. Sunset to midnight. Braziers, music, vendors, and riverside gathering. Supported by RISD.

🐮 Meet rescued farm animals up close: Spring Visitors Weekend at West Place Animal Sanctuary in Tiverton. Guided tours, plant sale, and gift shop. Tickets benefit animal care.

🐎 Watch polo for a good cause: Rotary Benefit Match and Art Fair at Newport Polo Grounds in Portsmouth. Enjoy a polo match, shop for art, and reserve a fieldside tailgate. All lawn sales benefit community programs.

Li’l Rhody Business Mixer

In business, it’s all about who you know. This axiom is truer in Rhode Island than any other place on planet earth! That’s why The Rhody Weekender is starting a business focused meetup series: Li’l Rhody Business Mixer. Meet, greet, chat, and make things happen, or just see what happens. We are going to keep it very low key and informal. No agenda other than a beer.

We’ll be meeting Tuesday, June 4th, 6pm @ Apponaug Brewing (near the Warwick Mall). Super cool location down on the river.

You must RSVP me directly today, as you are reading this. I need your email address! Even if you are unsure if you can make it, RSVP anyway, you can always cancel and make the next one. That way, you’ll be on my list which helps me plan. Your finger or mouse is hovering over this button below…so...click it right now!

Li’l Bulletin Board

Want to spread the good word about your business, a project you’re working on, or a hire, to 21,000 friends?

• Rhode Island Folk Festival GoFundMe: The Rhode Island Folk Festival is calling on fans and neighbors to help fund this year’s free, all-ages celebration of music and community. Donations go directly to artists, permits, and the essentials that make the event unforgettable. If this festival has ever moved you, inspired you, or simply given you a great day out, now’s the time to return the favor. Contribute today—because this iconic local tradition won’t happen without you.

• Matunuck Oyster Bar Fire Recovery Fund: After a devastating fire, the cherished Matunuck Oyster Bar is turning to its loyal community to help rebuild and reopen stronger than ever. Funds will go toward repairs, supporting staff, and restoring the coastal dining experience generations have loved. If this place holds a special memory for you, now’s your chance to be part of its comeback story. Donate now—let’s bring back a Rhode Island icon together.

• Community Waterfront Day at Fort Adams: Splash into summer at Sail Newport’s free Community Waterfront Day on Saturday, May 31 from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. at Fort Adams. Families of all ages can enjoy sailing, paddleboarding, touch tanks, and more—all at no cost. If you've been waiting for the perfect outdoor day by the bay, this is it. Don’t miss your chance to dive into the fun—mark your calendar and be there.

Food & Drink

🍦Fluffer meets nutter meets cookie: Fluffer Nutter Sundae at Sunshine Creamery in Rumford. Layered with peanut butter, marshmallow, and topped with whipped cream and cookies. This week’s sundae - get it while it lasts!! ✴️ STAFF PICK ✴️

🥂 Toast summer by the sea: Ca’ del Bosco Wine Garden at The Chanler now open! Enjoy sparkling wines and seasonal bites under umbrellas on the Cliff Walk. First come, first served seating.

🦴 Because dogs deserve happy hour too: Yappy Hour at Fish Co. in Providence. Free dog meals, music, and outdoor lounging for furry friends and their people. Explain Yappy Hour to your dog, and it’ll grab its leash and drag you by the pant leg to the car.

🥂 Morning bites and bubbly: Brunch at Leyden’s in West Greenwich. Enjoy a hearty brunch with live music and a glass of Leyden's mimosa. Chairs and tables provided; feel free to bring your own blankets and chairs!

🍦 One stop for cute and delicious: Quonnie Farms Market in Charlestown. Check out this hidden gem for lattes, artisan foods, and coastal vibes. Grab a cone and explore the market!

Highs & Lows

Entertainment

🎤 Celebrate a country legend: Always...Patsy Cline at Theatre By The Sea in Wakefield. A tribute to the friendship between Patsy Cline and her fan, Louise Seger. Featuring over 20 of Cline’s hits, including “Crazy” and “I Fall to Pieces.”

🎻 Celebrate the cello in all its forms: PVD Cello Fest - Two days of cello-centric events with multi-genre concerts, workshops, and jam sessions. Events at Mathewson Street Church and the Providence Public Library.

🎸 Experience a Beatles classic reimagined: Martin Sexton Abbey Road Show at the Greenwich Odeum in East Greenwich. Sexton brings his soulful voice to the iconic album.

🍲 Music and food for three hours! Stone Soup Coffeehouse Annual Fundraiser at the Music Mansion. Support local music by joining the party, featuring Roots Run Wild, High Planes Trio, and more! Great food, music, and community–can it get any better?

🎶 Chamber music in a sacred space: An Afternoon of Chamber Music in Barrington. Intimate performance by local musicians in a historic church setting. A pay-what-you-can event!

🎺 Brass under the open sky: Narragansett Brass Quintet at Clouds Hill Museum in East Greenwich. Outdoor concert featuring works from Bach to Bizet. Bring a blanket and enjoy the music!

Arts & Culture

🔥 Make pottery the ancient way: Pit Fire Ceramics Workshop in Smithfield. Learn hand-building and pit-firing techniques over three sessions. Final gathering includes a shared meal.

🌺 Sunday sketch session outdoors: USKRI at Kinney Azalea Gardens. Artists meet in the gardens to capture color, light, and landscape. Free, with optional donation.

🎨 Paint a botanical masterpiece: Sweet Succulent at Paint and Vino in Pawtucket. Step-by-step instructions, free drink included. No experience necessary.

⛵ Sail into a solo voyage: Around Alone: The Story of Dodge Morgan's Sailing Vessel at Jane Pickens Theater in Newport. Documentary on Morgan’s 1985 nonstop solo circumnavigation aboard American Promise. Screening supports the Rozalia Project.

🪸 Try your hand at seaweed art: The Art of Seaweed Pressing with Mary Jameson in Portsmouth. Hands-on workshop explores natural forms and coastal creativity. Pre-registration required.

Rhody Moments

• Is it The Borg? The Kraken? The Mothership? “Anyone know what this is? Just saw it from Jamestown” Get a look at this giant huge humongous thing just off the coast of Jamestown, seemingly spawned out of nowhere. Ominous in the distance like that! Lots of great comments and funny takes, but it’s serious and real. Hopefully not here to stay very long. Dig deep in the comments for the real reason.

• “Anyone NOT excited by Real Housewives?” Comments coming in hot on this one. From “Don’t care”, to “Interested in reaction to the accent”, to “Is this going to be stereotypes?” Either way the reactions in the comments are entertaining, maybe more entertaining than the show itself will be. Check it out before there are too many comments to read!

• Ahh, the baffling car demographics of Rhode Island: “Why so many subarus in Rhode island?!?!” Gotta wonder since it’s barely snowed here for the last 10 years 🙂 but it’s a valid question, especially if you are from out of town like this guy from Texas. But how about compared to other New England states? Do we beat Vermont? Find the answer to “The _____ _____ _____ is the unofficial vehicle of Rhode Island.” But in what color?

See you next week!

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