Life Matters

Metamorphous complete

By LINDA PETERSEN
Posted 12/12/18

Our communities continue to change; big box stores replace mom and pop establishments, roads get more crowded (and sometimes more complicated like the new rotary system) identical houses are built next to each other on minuscule pieces of land, and we

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Life Matters

Metamorphous complete

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Our communities continue to change; big box stores replace mom and pop establishments, roads get more crowded (and sometimes more complicated like the new rotary system) identical houses are built next to each other on minuscule pieces of land, and we say good-bye to old favorites like Benny’s. It was therefore a pleasant surprise when I found some places that had changed for the better.

Growing up, I never swam at Oakland Beach. It was rumored to be dirty, with hypodermic needles sticking out of the sand, trash everywhere, with the wrong crowd brandishing knives hanging out there. (Most likely not true, but very scary thoughts for a child.) Today, it is a lovely beach great for families. There is a modern playground on which the children can play when they become water logged. The architectural wonder of the rock wall gives them something else to climb on, along with the seagulls and tourists. The view is spectacular and calming, a great place to just sit and feel the stress float away. Additionally, one cannot forget the great restaurants. (Iggy’s seems to have multiplied!) Oakland Beach has been labeled an “unknown treasure” by a national tourist web site.

Although I absolutely loved the amusement park at Rocky Point, the current use of land is an improvement, (as long as one looks out towards the ocean and not backwards towards the innards of the amusement park.) The tranquil walk is an easy path, especially for those of us who are not very athletic. Benches dot the area, offering a seated respite where one can, again, sit and feel the stress float away. Calming. Peaceful. Offering to make dreaded exercise palatable again. The new, improved Rocky Point is a Zen area open to all free of charge.

I had the great pleasure of attending a Christmas Party at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet the other night. The last time I had been to this facility was for a prom more than 35 years ago. As decorated as the room was then, it still looked like an empty warehouse, as though one’s speech would echo in the room. I kept my little jacket on because it was so chilly. Looking at its bare bones, one could imagine the glorious history of the facility, which is listed on the National Historic Register. There is actually a flag that held a special significance during military and social balls. Facilitating the social aspect of meeting someone and asking them to dance, ladies that were single would stand under the flag and men would know they were willing dance partners. For the Christmas extravaganza I attended, the wooden floors were elegantly polished, the lighting was stylishly glowing down from the ceiling which consisted of huge, suspended fabric drapes reminiscent of a child’s vision of a castle. It is a glamorous ballroom once again. A very large stage held a very large band, playing a mix of very popular oldies and some jazz in a room that was acoustically were perfect. The plentiful appetizers consisted of old favorites; tiny grilled cheeses with shot glasses of tomato soup, a small cup of clam chowder with a clam cake precariously balanced on top, and a small paper funnel of fish and chips. While the choice of food did not originally sound very elegant to my untrained culinary eye, it turned out to be spectacular. Hubby had the short rib, a juicy, tender piece of meat atop a small mountain of specialized mashed potatoes. My scrod had lobster stuffing with chunks of lobster in it, and was covered lightly with a “secret” sauce. Each forkful melted in my mouth with bursts of luscious flavor. This venue for the party was exquisite, and proof that Rhodes on the Pawtuxet is once again a shining star in the banquet business.

The hosts of the party were none other than Mr. and Mrs. Dave Cesario of Dave’s Marketplace. Many people might remember the beginning of this establishment. In 1969, at the age of 29, Dave set up a fruit truck across the street from his current West Shore Road location. He offered quality fruit and vegetables to the community, and business boomed. He then opened Dave’s Fruitland across the street. Not quite a modern grocery store, this facility was an open-air fruit stand, much the same way farmers sell their wares at a farmer’s market. Again, he only sold high quality merchandise, and people came from all over to buy. His small fruit stand metamorphosed into a brick and mortar small grocery store, then another grocery store, and then eight more grocery stores to become the largest independent grocery store chain in Rhode Island. Known for their ambiance, all of Dave’s Marketplaces offer quality foods and a reputation for friendly and excellent employees. The stores are constantly updated not only to accommodate new ways of presenting food, but also to enhance the shopping experience for customers with customized wall décor. They also expand their specialties every year, with each one managed by an educated professional who tours not only the country, but the world, to get quality merchandise and to learn state of the art product presentations. In addition to the Bakery, Butcher Shop, Cheese, Deli, Floral, Produce, Natural and Organic Food, Seafood and Specialty Food, they have expanded their prepared food line, now offering meals for one.

I could say that the metamorphous of Dave’s Marketplace has been astounding, but it is not yet over. The next store, the next remodeling, the next food presentation and the next big specialty area are sure to come.

Our communities are better because of Oakland Beach, Rocky Point, Rhodes on the Pawtuxet and Dave’s Marketplaces. Metamorphous almost complete.

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