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RI STYLE BLOG
Tuesdays 10 to 5
Here in Four Corners history stays sealed in the rock walls and rooftops, and the Union Public Library is no exception. The library is the second oldest in the state, started in 1829 by a small group of proprietary men hoping to establish a society of like-minded members for a small fee of $5. The original 24-page constitution for this “social library” outlined strict guidelines for membership: “Only those of good moral character need apply,” and “only such books as relate to history, biography, philosophy, theology, chemistry, and poetry” were allowed. No politically unbalanced books, no fiction, and absolutely no members that didn’t fit the above description–which was agreed upon by a two-thirds vote by existing members. With 500 books in 1889, the library slowly evolved toward less exclusive membership, and a generous outpouring of literature ensued.
Although the building has gone through significant renovation, it retains the authentic small-town look and feel. Three sparkling rooms are filled with sunlight and over 62,000 titles, making the experience feel like somewhat of a treasure hunt for the imagination. A recently added children’s room beckons young readers to browse, sit on the floor, and find something to dip their eyes into the old-fashioned way. The small library also offers an enchanting reference room full of deep local history that would make any history buff’s heart skip a beat.
The Union Library is funded by individual and state grants, and is part of the Ocean State Libraries’ Circulatory. They offer wi-fi, discounted museum passes, audio-books, DVDs, and a outdoor drop box for returns. As book bindings, textures, smells, and piles-by-the-bed are intercepted by faster, sleeker technologies, borrowing from this library holds fast the same virtuous atmosphere of its roots. Libraries like this one are a treasure.
Business in Tiverton Four Corners have relaxed into the winter months, but the Union Public Library stays open its usual hours: Tuesdays 10-5 and Saturdays 10-1; a smiling comfort to those who look for a cozy place to spend a cold winter morning.
A sweet pairing just in time for the Holidays
Milk and honey go together like Cathi and Gerry Fournier, the new owners of Milk and Honey Bazaar who’ve spent the last year packaging up a long list of new and wonderful products for the small cheese shop in Four Corners. This year, the couple is celebrating the new and improved success of Milk and Honey, a popular neighborhood stop for all things sweet and savory.
“It’s everything we’ve expected and more,” says Cathi of their recent adventure. After leaving a career in accounting to fulfill their shared dream of being small business owners, Cathi and Gerry are now busy bundling colorful gift packages and platters for happy and hungry customers. “We’ve got back the local base,” she says, and after just a year’s time the locals have something back too: the corner shop they’ve always loved. Milk and Honey now carry over 100 varieties of gourmet cheeses and all the extra bits too; crackers, crisps, cookies, jams, and cutting boards, not to mention fine oils and a generous assortment of local honey.
An exciting addition to the shop this year is Florida’s native Tupelo Honey, a beautiful and delicate golden honey brought in from the only place in the world where the white Tupelo plant grows in abundance. The honey is rich in vitamins and minerals and its superior flavor makes it a popular favorite for who ever can get their hands on it. This stylish sweetener comes in festive bottles, and makes a fashionable and delicious addition to the table or pantry shelf.
While tempting edibles come from far and wide, the Fournier’s first priority remains vested in supporting businesses right in their neighborhood. They buy from local cheese and dairy farms, represent local artists, and spend quality time meeting specific needs of their customers. They are the modern one-stop mom and pop, where you can shop for fresh dinner ingredients, a party platter, or just a loaf of bread, a carton of milk, and a wedge of cheese. Don’t forget to stop in next time you’re passing through and taste for yourself what’s new at Milk and Honey. Call to put in an order at 401-624-1974 or visit them online at www.milkandhoneybazaar.com. Happy Holidays from T4C!
The Ever-changing Exhibit Warming up the Holiday Season…
29 years is a long time to do pretty much anything. But, as Kris Donovan gets ready to celebrate her 30th anniversary running a fine arts gallery , 29 years of wonderful art is giving back generous gifts of wisdom, confidence, and grace.
The Donovan Gallery used to be a quiet home, erected on one of the “four corners” with crackling fire places, creaking floorboards and a narrow, winding staircase. Now, art work warms the walls and brings good tidings this season with a Holiday Exhibit featuring the late David Aldrich of Providence, RI. Aldrich’s work has been showcased in the Providence Art Club, Rhode Island Watercolor Society, and the Gallery on the Commons in Little Compton. His work is described as “fresh,” always painted with “freedom and spontaneity,” offered up in beautiful brush strokes, rich colors, and liberal compositions. The popular paintings arrived earlier this month, and are selling fast.“We already sold 6,” said Kris Donovan, who has witnessed the transformative talent of dozens of artists since she opened the gallery in 1994.
Before the Donovan Gallery Kris had opened a smaller place just around the corner in 1982 called Thistle Gallery and Gifts. Now she is one of the many artists featured at the Donovan Gallery, which represents the work of over 42 artists. Most of the artists have been with Kris since the beginning, however, their work is always changing she says; ”A lot of galleries just have shows, but we’re constantly changing. I keep the artists on their toes.” Despite the gorgeous variety of affordable fine art, the Donovan Gallery harbors a quiet New England theme, with paintings bursting with orange and blue skies, flower gardens, fishing boats, baseball games, hay fields, and old colonial farm houses. A fitting placement for a gallery located in one of New England’s most beautiful nature spots.
The gallery offers hundreds of affordable pieces of art and remains humbly, tax-free, making fine art accessible to everyone. A semi-recent victory in 4Corners was receiving tax-exempt status from the state, thanks to the “Donovan Bill.” The bill was initiated by Kris Donovan, and influenced Rhode Island’s decision to recognize the unique arts district as deserving. Lucky for us all.
David Aldrich will be at the gallery through this month (while his paintings last). Stop by and see for yourself what’s so fantastic about this little New England masterpiece.
To see a full list of contributing artists this season visit www.donovangallery.com.
In Shape in Four Corners
Kettlebells, Vinyasa, Turbo-Spin… whether these words are new to you, or entirely familiar, you can be sure they will improve your health. Just ask Steve Priestner. He’s the main man at Four Corners Fitness, a personal training studio and fitness center known to motivate health into your mind and body.
Four Corners Fitness has been around the block for a few years offering extremely personalized personal training. With no membership or initiation fees, it makes for a welcoming and desirable fitness destination. Steve Priestner, along with a qualified team of certified trainers and instructors, represent a well-rounded, whole health-minded program focused on fulfilling your long-term health goals. Weather it’s shedding pounds, getting toned, or just getting motivated, getting a personal trainer gives just the right amount of boost, making it easier to set goals and keep them, all you have to do first is arrive. In the last year, the studio team has added a range of energizing fitness classes at the adjacent ABC studio, catering to all levels of age, interest, and ability.
More than a fitness studio, Four Corners Fitness a community gathering place, says Priestner. Going to class at ABC studio gives Tiverton and Little Compton folk a chance to meet up, exchange their town’s respective happenings, and maybe sweat a little, or a lot, depending on which class they attend. An average Kettlebells workout burns a whopping 1200 calories in just one hour, and high-energy indoor cycling could burn anywhere from 400-600 calories in a single session. If this doesn’t appeal to you, don’t worry, a generous offering of yoga, tai chi, and zumba are available to get your blood flowing.
And, because aesthetics matter, an airy studio atmosphere invites just the right amount of privacy, light, and open space.
Another charming perk of working out here is the beautiful collection of art work by local artist Kelly Milukas displayed on the fitness center walls. Created for the Key Campaign, colorful paintings and photographs for sale celebrate the science of regenerative medicine and the body’s unique ability to heal itself.
Whether you find yourself doing bicep curls or downward dog, Four Corners Fitness is a delightful place to be for appreciating the most important and versatile tool in your life, your body.
Personal Training is offered by appointment and fitness classes are offered morning, afternoon and evening. To see the full schedule of classes visit www.fourcornersfitness.biz.
Inside an Illustrator’s Mind
Open up an illustrators mind, and you find a flowering pictorial greenhouse. Anthony Russo, a self-described translator, is a professional illustrator and Tiverton resident who thinks in black and white, red, and simple shapes, not words. Honing a sophisticated vocabulary of pictures, Russo says he’s “a caveman in a high-tech world.” Yet, his so-called cave-man qualities of the mind are what has landed him an over 30-year career as an editorial illustrator for world-famous publications such as Rolling Stone, The Wall Street Journal, and The New Yorker. Popular book covers, magazine spreads, and news pages have all been marked with Anthony Russo’s steady hand at some point over the recent years.
Last Wednesday, Russo spoke to members of the FarmCoast community at The Meeting House in Four Corners about his career and life’s work of translating experiences. “It’s about communication with images…and how basic that is to our nature,” Russo says. Alternating between narrative and conceptual drawings, portrait and design assignments, Russo’s work is to fetch images out of the well of his mind and translate them into vivid and emotional descriptions–often to correspond with writing he has never read.”It’s my job to set up the emotion,” says Russo, and the words are someone else’s job. After receiving an assignment, Russo has days and sometimes just hours to sketch a drawing, but the results never disappoint. The artistic process is still slightly mysterious to him, but involves a large visual vocabulary and dedicated effort; “sometimes you have to be deliberate to be spontaneous,” he says.
His drawings have a strong and balanced perspective often composed in black and white shapes and sharp figurative lines. The drawings appear frequently throughout monthly and even weekly publications, and serve their purpose of attention-grabbing well. Even the most basic illustrations capture the essence of human emotion with honesty and integrity.”I like to strip things down to the essentials,” says Russo, “I like to get to the heart of the issue.”
Anthony Russo’s background is in fine arts, and was inspired at an early age by German Expressionists. His first job was a drawing for The Real Paper for $35, and he’s gone on to win national illustration awards. He has also taught at both RISD and Parsons in New York. Russo has developed a masterful connection to imagery and continues to build on his unique vision of the world through his valuable work, available for viewing at a newspaper near you.
To see Russo’s full portfolio visit www.russoart.com. Some works are also on display at The Cottage in Four Corners.
There’s Still Time to Win!
Despite the stunning weather, The Holidays have tip-toed into Four Corners early this year to make a lasting impression of their own. Over twenty participating village shops are offering an extraordinary opportunity through November 20th. By simply visiting the village shops you’re able to enter this year’s prize raffle showcasing the unique elegance and quality of T4C store products. When you learn about the prizes, you won’t want to pass this up!
Here’s what you do:
1. Visit any Four Corners Shop.
2. Get a raffle card.
3. Get your raffle card punched (7times) in participating stores.
4. Bring your Raffle card to Sakonnet Farm, pick your prize, and cross your fingers!
For a list of participating shops visit www.tivertonfourcorners.com.
GOOD LUCK!
The Meeting House: Love at First Sight
Simple beauty of the most splendid sort can sometimes be found in the likeliest of places. The Meeting House in Four Corners is well-situated treasure, tucked inside the elegant folds of Tiverton Four Corners’ rural horizon. It’s placement amidst the 300-year old historic village embraces a rich culture of New England traditions and classical charm. But even a place surrounded by picturesque farmland, and gorgeous bay views can take you by surprise…
An entirely functional special event facility, The Meeting House sits gracefully awaiting guests of all kinds. First used as an art gallery, the House now welcomes non-profit events, private parties, and most of the time, brides and grooms. The Meeting House was built in the late 90s on over an acre of private land, surrounded by overflowing shade trees and thick greenery, making it a perfect location for intimate gatherings. The large barn-style house features a simple white wall interior lined with thick wood beams and generous amount of sun-lit space. This ambient architecture mimics the structure and simplicity of old 17th and 18th century meeting houses, preserving the ideas of grace and fortitude present in an early New England sanctuaries.
If you find yourself at the Meeting House, take a minute to walk behind the grassy hills of its backyard, or to sit quietly under the expanded ceilings of the roof. There you might discover the sanctity of peace, love in the silence, and simplitity in the beauty. Recently, The Meeting House adopted the saying “Tis a gift to be simple..” a line from an 18th century Shaker hymn reminding us that simplicity is a time-honored heirloom passed down through generations to have and to hold.
For more information about The Meeting House visit www.themeetinghouse.info.
Seconds Please!
Very hopefully, you had a chance to stop by Roseberry-Winn‘s “Seconds Sale” in Four Corners this weekend; the colorful fall sale was perfectly satisfying in many ways. First, the “seconds” were pretty near flawless, no haphazard mug handles or misshapen blunders you might expect from the leftovers. Second, everything in the sale was half-price. RW holds this annual sale every year most likely in response to its tremendous popularity.
The retail shop features candlesticks, cachepots, latte mugs, magnets, clocks, soup bowls….and everything in between. Each piece’s shape is bold and sturdy, while the designs are simple and symmetrical. And oh, the colors! Deep fall greens, bright sunny yellows, candy coated blues, and cheerful purples create a wonderful display of envy-some products, something to match everyone’s personal longing. For those of you who find thrill in the names of colors, you will love the deliciously named kinds: butter, mint, dove, linen, salmon…
Another trademark of the pottery is its functionality.What’s a beautiful cup or serving platter is also a completely useful piece of dish ware. The latte mugs are big enough to wrap your hands around, the serving bowls are designed to hold lots of your favorite food, and the teapots pour without spilling. It’s simple beauty with no unnecessary quirks. Even with miles and miles of searching, you won’t find anything quite like their stuff. People talk about Roseberry-Winn.
Michael Roseberry and Bruce Winn make Roseberry-Winn, and there colorful creations make beautiful home accessories, not to mention award-winning press. Self-described “geometric-meets botanical” pottery pieces have made appearances in the New York Times, InStyle Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Bon Appetite, and House and Garden, among other local publications. They’ve also make frequent appearances in the local community to benefit non-profit organizations, such as the Audubon Society.
The couple is proud and confident in their work, having moved from the big city of New York to the smaller back roads of Rhode Island’s coast. Michael has a rounded artistic background –before ceramics in pursuit of publishing and French– while Bruce, as the story is told, has always wanted to be a potter. Since he was a little boy awe-struck by the process, Bruce dove in with steady hands. Their partnership creates balance in the business, and their devotion has sustained them. They are the kind, the ones drawn like a magnet to a craft, that make a statement in the art world.
Every piece from Roseberry-Winn is signed and dated, a hallmark from the hand, and the heart.
Another Reason to Love Courtyards
Have you been to Courtyards lately? New goods are coming in all the time thanks to seasoned buyers Sharon and Wendy Prazak who have eyes for wonderful gifts. Their loft-style barn store sits amongst the trees south of the light at 4Corners and has three rooms on bottom floor overflowing with handmade crafts, candles, and tasteful trinkets. Walk up the curved wooden staircase to a charming slanted-ceiling top floor with books, paintings, mobiles, and children’s gifts. Stepping into Courtyards feels like walking into someone’s personal treasure chest.
The whimsical selection now includes a few more flirty finds…. Introducing Stella Marie Cupcake Soaps! Its real soap, in the shape of a cupcake. The perfect party favor, bathroom decoration, and gift for your trendiest friends. For those of you who know Stella Marie Soaps, you know the scents are to die for and absolutely pure. The locally handmade soaps are all natural, environmentally friendly and named after their maker’s two grandmothers, which adds a little extra charm. Choose from “flavors” like Apple, Lavender, Tea-Rose, Raspberry Mint, and Orange…
For the new Moms, Courtyards is now carrying “Momma’s Jewels” teething necklaces. The concept: One safe and beautiful piece of jewlery you can wear with anything, and let your baby play with too. Choose from one, two, or three linked chunky 100% sterling silver rings, which are elegant when the baby is not chewing them, and adorable when they are.
Mother and daughter couple Sharlene and Wendy have been behind Courtyards for 30 years perfecting the art of buying. “We’re best friends,” says Wendy. And who better to partner with than your best friend? Perhaps that’s why Courtyards is such a special place to be…
Don’t miss Courtyard’s Fall Event next weekend, October 9th from 12-5pm. Maryanna Langolis a local RISD graduate, will be in the store sharing her artistic creations. Visit www.courtyardsltd.com for directions.
Books from The Cottage
The Cottage in 4 Corners has been around for just about 8 years, pleasing visitors, and their senses, with defining luxurious home and garden-ware, not to mention an elegant selection of books. Coffee table books, cookbooks, gardening books, and books for just plain old enjoyment are on display, right in the middle of the store, offering pages of foundational decorating and domestic know-how, bound and beautiful in their hardcovers. Books, like candles, blankets, and bubble baths, provide a comforting and fortifying solace– relaxing and inspiring at the same time. With autumn upon us, it’s time to get a blanket, or a wooden spoon, and get reading. Here are a few books from The Cottage we happen to love…
Slow Love (For reading in bed, in the bath, or in your pjs)
By Rhode Islander/New Yorker Dominque Browning
This biography/self-help book is more like a good story, the story of hectic working life, confounding love affairs, and what it takes to make the most of life’s simple pleasures, something we can never have enough of.
DR ,”Design Research” (For inspiration and display in any room in the house; the perfect coffee table accouterment.)
By Jane Thompson, co-owner of DR, and Alexandria Langue
Before the Cottage, owner Nancy Hemenway worked as part of the Design Research team, the lifestyle design company from which all lifestyle design companies spawned (think Crate and Barrel, and Design with in Reach). While the legacy of the modern design phenomenon lives well into popular culture, it has also seeped into Nancy’s distinctive 4 Corners boutique. Read about the history of DR and the lifestyle designs that started it all.
Cucina Simpatica (For simple family meals, or entertaining, an essential guide to delicious italian cuisine)
Whether you love cooking or hate it, this book will be your guide. Simple ingredients and traditional recipes will have you drooling with delight and patting yourself on the back at the same time. A classic cookbook essential to add to the library.
Happy Reading to you all. Let us know what you’ve been reading lately!
