This should be the last winter that docks are stored at Rat Island, Harbormaster Steve Land told members of the Shellfish Commission on Tuesday, April 9. The docks belong to the Boat Basin and have been stored at Rat Island in the off-season for years. But, now that the Boat Basin is under new management […]
The Town of New Shoreham is short on capping material for its $1,995,000 West Beach stabilization project, leading the town to explore local resources. Town officials said the value of a local resource is that it’s far less expensive than having to buy and ship the material to the island. The West Beach revetment project,
In order to qualify for affordable housing in Rhode Island, a person must make less than 120 percent of the median income of the community in which they live. This sets a difficult standard for Block Island, which has a higher median income than other communities. In order to make housing affordable for more people
April is National Poetry Month. It was introduced in 1996 and is organized by the Academy of American Poets as a way to increase awareness and appreciation of poetry in the United States. The suit, hand-me-downed from her beloved teen-aged cousin Kathleen, hung in a back closet, ready for her to size up to
Some nasty things are happening on Rick Batchelder’s tugboat. Fortunately, it’s all make-believe. Batchelder’s Korean War-era tug, the Petersburg — often seen docked in Old Harbor — was seen up at its other home in Kingston, New York by a scout from a movie crew looking for an impressive sea-worthy vessel. The Petersburg got the
The following was submitted by Block Island School art teacher Lisa Robb: Everyone was feeling hot, hot, hot thanks to the tasty chili that was available for sampling at this year’s BIS ChiliFest Competition. With 16 different chilies to try, the competition was diverse and intense. But, this year’s winner brought in a secret weapon
Genealogist Peter Greenman has again plunged into the history of a large Block Island family, and this time it is a founding family: the Roses, descended from Tormut Rose, one of the 16 original Block Island settlers of 1661. Only seven of the 16 settlers were landowners, and Tormut Rose was an owner as well
It is with deep sadness that we say farewell to our beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Edward Perry Phillips. His spirit and kind being touched the hearts of many who knew him, enjoyed his humor, and his love for Block Island. Born on Feb. 5, 1924 in New York City, Ned was raised by his
For several decades, starting in 1959, Carroll Rheinstrom and his wife Irene had a beautiful house (although, oddly, it had only one room) on a 12-acre Block Island parcel. The house had a beautiful view of Scotch Beach with its wide-open stretches of white sand. The couple enjoyed sailing their yacht, Vaeringer II, out of the
A team representing the new owners of the Surf Hotel and the Gables Inn provided the Town Council with an overview of their plans for the two properties, including internal and external restorations, making some of the structures compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the construction of new cottages, and their plans for extensive