APRIL PORTSMOUTH LIVING

PORTSMOUTH
Living
APRIL 2021
THE
POLSELLI
FAMILY
Photo by Sara Cooney
ALSO INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Celebrate Aquidneck
Island Earth Week

Content provided by
VANDERBILT INTERNATIONAL PROPERTIES LTD
LIVE WHERE YOU PLAY!
Introducing Properties for Sale Located Within The
Aquidneck Club or Newport Beach Club presented by
Vanderbilt International Properties Ltd.
PROPERTIES LOCATED IN PORTSMOUTH, RI
BAYSIDE RESIDENCE
0 Newport Beach Drive • $3,250,000 • Newport Beach Club
Exquisite new custom built waterfront home with over 5,000 square
feet. 5 bedroom/5 bath/2 half baths plus bonus living areas.
BOYD FARMHOUSE
515 West Main Road • $1,800,000 • The Aquidneck Club
Beautifully restored/renovated 5 bed/6 bath off 7th Fairway
with private entrance to the Club. Gated 3-acre compound
with swimming pool and tennis court.
GOLF LODGE, #HERITAGE
225 Depot Ave • $1,525,000 • The Aquidneck Club
Beautifully furnished and equipped 2 bed/2.5 bath/den all located
on first level with large living area and double outdoor decks.
GOLF LODGE, #SHAMROCK
225 Depot Ave • $1,450,000 • The Aquidneck Club
Lovely townhome next to the Aquidneck Clubhouse with views
to Narragansett Bay and the 18th Fairway. 2 bed/2.5 bath/den
GOLF LODGE, #ENDEAVOR
225 Depot Ave • $1,350,000 • The Aquidneck Club
Exquisite townhome with 3 bed/3.5 bath and views of Narragansett Bay
and the 18th fairway. Designer furnishings and fully equipped residence.
GOLF LODGE, #LIBERTY
225 Depot Ave • $1,350,000 • The Aquidneck Club
Stunning views of 18th fairway and Narragansett Bay
from this 2 bed/2.5 bath residence.
CLUBHOUSE, #RELIANCE
275 Depot Ave • $425,000 • The Aquidneck Club
One-of-a-kind pied-a-terre overlooking the signature 18th hole
tucked into The Aquidneck Clubhouse. 1 bed/1 bath/balcony.
ABOUT THE CLUBS
THE AQUIDNECK CLUB:
Membership is required and includes access to an 18-hole Scottish
Links-style golf course, tennis pavilion, equestrian, fitness center, spa,
dining, swimming pool, marina and a myriad of social activities. Subject
to terms of a long-term ground lease.
NEWPORT BEACH CLUB:
Membership is required and includes lighted tennis courts, heated
paddle court tennis, waterfront fitness, equestrian facilities, including
an indoor ring, beachfront swimming complex with indoor dining,
rooftop bar, water activities and walking paths.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: WWW.VIP-NEWPORT.COM
Best Version Media does not guarantee the accuracy of the statistical data on this page. Any real estate agent’s ad appearing in this magazine is separate from any statistical data provided which is in no way a part of their advertisement.
ENDEAVOR
Located in the Aquidneck
Club “ Golf Lodge”
Beautifully furnished and
equipped 3 bedroom 3.5
bath residence overlooks
the 18th fairway and
Narragansett Bay.
$1,350,000
HISTORIC
BOYD FARMHOUSE
Completely renovated in 2008, this 5 bedroom
property plus bonus room is located off the 7
fairway in The Aquidneck Club and includes
private pool and tennis courts. $1,800,000
RELIANCE
BAYVIEW
Charming furnished and equipped one-bedroom
located in The Aquidneck Clubhouse overlooks
the 18 golf hole and Narragansett Bay. Perfect
pied-a-terre for weekends at the Club. $425,000
Stunning New Custom-Built 5-Bedroom
Home Located Directly on Narragansett Bay
in Newport Beach Club. Over 5,000 square
feet with custom finishes. $3,250,000
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Stacie Mills, Principal Broker (401) 862–2793
Michelle Aumann (401) 644-4784
Mary Waddington (401) 345-8351
smills@vip-newport.com
19 BROWN & HOWARD WHARF, NEWPORT, RI • WWW.VIP-NEWPORT.COM
2 PORTSMOUTH LIVING

PORTSMOUTH
Living
PUBLICATION TEAM
PUBLISHER Tanja Melendez Lynch
CONTENT COORDINATOR Sam Crichton
DESIGNER Heidi Ray
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Sara Cooney
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Ashley Bendiksen
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN AN ADVERTISING
SPONSORSHIP CAMPAIGN WITH US PLEASE CONTACT
TANJA LYNCH AT TLYNCH@BESTVERSIONMEDIA.COM
OR CALL 401-236-2795.
FOLLOW US
Instagram @newportneighborsportsmouthlivn
Facebook @portsmouthliving-bestversionmedia
HELLO NEIGHBORS,
Welcome to spring and the best part......the sun is
setting a little later every day!! My hope for us all is
that we are beginning to feel a sense of renewal with
glimpses that things continue to get better every
month. It has been a long, difficult journey to this point
and we are all ready to get back out there and enjoy
living. On a personal level, one of my daughters is graduating college in May
and my eldest daughter got engaged last month so life marches forward and
it’s such a wonderful feeling to have major life events to look forward too.
Enjoy the early bounties of spring and know it’s only to get better from here!!
Cheers to sunny days.
Tanja M. Lynch,
Publisher
DEAR READERS,
Spring and the Easter rabbit have arrived in
Portsmouth! I hope you are managing to enjoy the
amazing seasons we get to experience here on the
island.
In this issue I hope you enjoy learning about how
you can do your part locally for a global event for
Aquidneck Island earth week and also learn about the
fabulous wines you can get delivered right to your door or advice on how to
plan for your financial future.
We are looking for uplifting local Portsmouth stories so if you have an idea
for an article or would like to contribute one yourself please email me at
scrichton@bestversionmedia.com
Best,
Sam Crichton,
Content Coordinator
Any content, resident submissions, guest columns, advertisements and
advertorials are not necessarily endorsed by or represent the views of Best Version
Media (BVM) or any municipality, homeowners associations, businesses or organizations
that this publication serves. BVM is not responsible for the reliability, suitability or
timeliness of any content submitted. All content submitted is done so at the sole
discretion of the submitting party. © 2021 Best Version Media. All rights reserved.
EXPERT CONTRIBUTORS
To learn about becoming the exclusive Expert Contributor in your
field, contact Tanja Lynch at TLynch@BestVersionMedia.com
INSURANCE EXPERTS
John Andrade Insurance Agency, Inc.
Office: (401) 253-6542
Fax: (401) 253-5070
559 Hope Street
P.O. Box 8
Bristol, RI 02809
www.johnandradeins.com
EXPERTS IN REAL ESTATE
Gustave White Sotheby’s International
Office: (401) 849-3000
37 Bellevue Avenue
Newport, RI 02840
www.gustavewhite.com
WHAT IS YOUR
moment?®
www.designsbylolita.com
EXPERTS IN PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
Patrick’s Residential
Management Services
Office: (401) 849-8020
136 W. Main Rd.
Middletown, RI 02842
www.patricksri.com
EXPERT BUILDERS
Innovative Construction Inc.
Office: (401) 624-4504
295 Main Rd.
Tiverton, RI 02878
www.iciofamerica.com
APRIL 2021 3

MEET THE POLSELLI FAMILY
BY TANJA LYNCH PHOTO BY SARA COONEY
It is my pleasure to introduce you to the Polselli family; Laurel, Marco and their six
month old son Gaetano otherwise known as Guy. One might say they have a typical
Newport love story. Laurel and Marco met in the summer of 2009, when she came
to Rhode Island from New Hampshire to attend the University of Rhode Island
and basically never looked back! In her sophomore year she had an internship as an
interior design assistant for The Pelham Court Hotel. She then spent that summer
here where she met her future husband Marco. He was born and raised in Portsmouth
and attended Rhode Island College. The two met when they were introduced to each
other by Laurel’s then roommate who worked with Marco at The Pelham/Studio 3.
They quickly went from being good friends to realizing they found their life partners
in one another. Fast forward nine years later and the two were married in a romantic,
candlelit ceremony at Fort Adams followed by a private party at Newport Blues Cafe
where they celebrated and danced until the sun came up!
4 PORTSMOUTH LIVING

Eventually the couple settled and bought a home in Portsmouth
around the corner from the home where Marco grew up. He said,
“I’ve loved growing up in Portsmouth. The island is my home.
From my jobs in Newport as a college student to now being a local
business owner in all three towns on the island. My entire family lives
close by so my life is centered around here.`` Laurel added, “It is very
important to us that Guy grows up surrounded by family and we are
lucky to be able to work with family while being so close to home.
Even my family is putting down roots here to be closer to us. We feel
very fortunate.”
Marco and Laurel are one of the busiest couples I know. They are
the proud owners and operators of three island shops. They opened
Marco’s Subs in 2019 located inside Patriot Petroleum gas station
at 2340 W. Main Road. It has quickly grown a loyal following with
their unique sandwiches such as their homemade chourico sub and
their homemade Portugese stuffing. Trust me, it is addicting! Plus,
they bake their own bread fresh daily!! They recently purchased
Pickles Deli on Aquidneck Avenue in Middletown. They thought it
was a great fit for their brand. “The staff are incredible, the food is
great and you can’t beat the location. We’re very happy to add the
legacy of Pickles to our own brand. Pickles will remain the deli that
everyone loves, just with new ownership,” they both agreed. And
not letting the grass grow under their feet, their new venture will
be opening soon in Newport, Marcos’ Cafe located at the previous
Rosemary and Thyme Cafe on Spring Street. “Marco’s cafe will
have many of your favorites from Marco’s Subs with the addition of
breakfast, coffee and other surprises,” said Laurel.
Opening a third location is quite an impressive accomplishment
considering we are slowly coming out of a pandemic that devastated
the restaurant/food industry. Luckily, the Polselli’s mainly operate
a takeout business but they still took a big hit when people were
told to stay home. In order to rebound, they decided to offer
delivery. This happened to be while Laurel was pregnant but that
didn’t stop her from safely delivering subs all across the island. “We
actually gathered some speed for larger orders because people
and businesses were ordering catered, bagged lunches to essential
workers. It was amazing seeing the community come together to
offer gift card programs to help small business owners stay alive.”
Marco and Laurel often provide complimentary gift cards to various
non profit organizations for local fundraisers.
Also, when Laurel is not helping out with the family business working
behind the scenes, running the social media (and making deliveries...
lol) she is also a Realtor with Mott & Chace Sotheby’s International
Realty. But her favorite job is being a full time mom to Guy.
I must say having a baby during the most difficult months of a
worldwide pandemic while running three businesses in each of the
towns on Aquidneck Island is no easy task but we are grateful to the
Polselli’s for sharing their inspirational story with us.
Please be sure to stop by Marco’s Subs in Portsmouth, Pickles Deli
in Middletown and as someone who lives within walking distance to
the soon to be Marco’s Cafe Newport...we cannot wait for the new
addition!
Also, they are hiring for Marcos Cafe!! Join the family!
Follow them on Instagram for daily specials and announcements
@marcos_subs
@pickles_deli
Coming soon to Newport
Marcos Cafe, 382 Spring Street. Photo by Casey Hampton.
Marco inside his sub shop located in Patriot Petroleum on
W. Main Rd. Portsmouth. Photo courtesy of the Polsellis.
APRIL 2021 5

EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR
GUSTAVE WHITE
SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY
BY LISETTE ROONEY
Meet the West Family! Although Chris, LeAnne, and Hannah
are only a fraction of this clan, these three have built
generations in Rhode Island real estate. The Portsmouth
residents started on separate paths, but after years of working,
growing, and learning, they have all found themselves at
Gustave White Sotheby’s International Realty.
Three generations of Realtors; Chris, LeAnne
and Hannah West. Photo courtesy of GWSR.
The story begins with
Chris West, originally
from Mountain
Lakes, New Jersey.
She graduated from
Bucknell University
with an education
degree and married
Jock West, who
worked in the yachting
industry. His career
eventually brought
them to Aquidneck
Island with their
three children. After
obtaining her real
estate license in 1983, Chris found success in the Newport
market. Since then, she has worked hard to become the broker
and co-owner of Gustave White Sotheby’s International Realty
while still making time for travel, friends, and family. Her
children, Scot, Tucker, and Kara ultimately all decided to settle
down in Newport County as well.
Now, meet LeAnne Foss West. She met Chris’s second son,
Tucker, during their time together at Portsmouth High School.
From there, LeAnne went on to attend The University of Rhode
Island and graduated with a Horticulture and Botany degree.
LeAnne officially became a member of the West family in 2001
when she and Tucker were married. After living in Florida and
Seattle, they settled in Portsmouth with their three children.
LeAnne made the jump into real estate after years of interior
plant and floral design. She joined her mother-in-law where
her local knowledge and enthusiasm aided her success in the
rental and sales department, where she now has hundreds of
clients.
Hannah West has just started her journey in real estate.
Hannah is the eldest daughter of Lynda and Scot West, Chris’s
oldest. Raised in Portsmouth, she understands the charm of
Aquidneck Island and all that it offers. Hannah’s interest in
real estate began while observing her grandmother’s career
from a young age. Hannah attended school here and went on
to graduate early from The University of Rhode Island with a
degree in Business Marketing. She has substantial knowledge
and experience in the digital marketing sphere and eventually
decided to translate this into the fascinating, yet familiar, real
estate world.
Chris, the seasoned real estate expert, provides stellar
assistance to LeAnne and Hannah as they navigate the housing
market. When LeAnne started, she fondly remembers calling
Chris frequently with questions, both big and small, and Chris
was happy to offer calm yet strategic advice. More recently,
Hannah spent the summer of 2020 shadowing her grandmother
and when it was time for her to take the final exam, LeAnne
offered qualified guidance and study guides for her niece.
Whether you know the West’s from real estate, boating,
hockey, or yoga, it’s clear that that they are a tight knit group.
It is no surprise that this has reflected into their careers. As
the market evolves, Chris, LeAnne and Hannah offer unique
perspectives from their three generations and help others
build a life on Aquidneck Island, just as they have.
Ann Conner
Tina Wiley
Sales Associates
ACONNER@GUSTAVEWHITE.COM
TWILEY@GUSTAVEWHITE.COM
3
Bedrooms
4.1
Bathrooms
4,623
Square Feet
Waterfront
$3,900,000
Newport - 401.849.3000 | Tiverton - 401. 816.4060 | gustavewhite.com
Each office is independently owned and operated.
6 PORTSMOUTH LIVING

BUSINESS PROFILE
BAYSTATE
FINANCIAL
BY SAM CRICHTON
PHOTO COURTESY OF MARYSE POIRIER
Aquidneck Island resident
Maryse Poirier has spent the
vast majority of her life raising her
family in Portsmouth and working
in the local community.
About eight years ago, having
worked in health care for decades,
she transitioned into the financial
industry and has worked in the
business ever since. Maryse spoke
about why she now works in
finance, “With working in positions
that allowed me to learn just how
important it is to be prepared
for the unexpected, I’ve come to want to help those who will
benefit from financial education and wellness. Preparing for
that next step in life isn’t always easy. Every individual has their
own unique scenario when it comes to goals, and I strive to get
to know my clients and what is important to them.”
She continued speaking about her own personal experiences
with financial planning, “Having had a father who had a
massive stroke when I was 10 years old, the importance of
mitigating the risk of protected income is paramount. With
my 93 year old mother being in a long term care facility, I’ve
seen the importance of long term care insurance first hand.
This, together with planning for education and retirement has
driven home the importance of long term planning and risk
management. I am passionate about building relationships with
my clients that are based on trust, integrity, and understanding
individual needs.”
Through Baystate Financial, who Maryse works for and has an
office located at 210 Bellevue Ave, Newport, she is a Financial
Representative who is a Series 6 & 63 licensed broker, with
licensing also for Life, Disability, and Long Term Care Insurance.
She can offer clients services such as if a client is looking to
roll over a 401K, or to set up an SEP (Simplified Employee Plan),
annuity, or brokerage account. “I’m here to aid you every step
of the way,” says Maryse.
For over 100 years, Baystate Financial has provided insurance,
investment strategies, estate planning, business succession,
employee benefits, retirement funding and education
strategies. Maryse has access to a team of professionals to
meet your financial goals, and am very proud to be a part of this
exceptional organization.
When asked what motivates her in her work Maryse
commented, “The thing that motivates me most about this
business is knowing that I have helped to educate my clients in
a way that has made things easy and clear, so they are able to
make choices and decisions on how to navigate their financial
wellness.”
Baystate is involved with many community organizations, and
gives back regularly with a strong focus on caring for those in
need.
“My combination of experience, professionalism, and access to
a wide variety of products and services can help you meet your
financial goats, estate strategies, and insurance needs,” said
Maryse.
Whether your goals include preparing for milestones in life
events like retirement or college, or whether you’re simply
looking for life, disability income, or long term care insurance
protection, Maryse promises clients a new level of attention,
insight, and capability.
Contact her to discuss your financial future at
MPoirier@baystatefinancial.com
PREPARE FOR YOUR
NEXT STEPS IN LIFE...
My experience, professionalism, and access
to a wide variety of services will help you
meet your financial goals.
MARYSE POIRIER
Financial Services Representative
Email MPoirier@baystatefinancial.com
or Call 401-432-8838 for a
complimentary consultation.
APRIL 2021 7

BUSINESS PROFILE
Local owner Matt Chausse
MIRABELLE SELECTS
BY SAM CRICHTON
PHOTOS BY MEG HERIOT PHOTOGRAPHY
Matthew Chausse is as homegrown as it
gets- a Rhode Island native and former
student at St. Michael’s Cluny and Rogers
High Schools. Although his upbringing
was on the island, Matthew has a strong
family connection with France’s Voges
region - specifically Lorraine. From his
family, he learned about the food and wine
of that region, particularly from his great
grandfather and grandmother.
“After high school, I studied at the Culinary
Institute of America. Studying at CIA
allowed me to travel and work in top-tiered
restaurants around the USA. I had the
opportunity to live in the Pacific Northwest
during its culinary boom, which gave me
unfettered access to small wineries in
Oregon and Washington- many of which
resembled Burgundy. This is where my
curiosity was born.
On my 30th birthday, my mom took me
and one of my best friends on a road trip
from Paris to the Cannes Film Festival.
For seven days, we stopped in villages
throughout Burgundy, The Rhone Valley,
and Languedoc. This trip triggered my full
attention to wine, understanding its culture
and its tremendous community influence.
I will never forget the first glass of
Chambertin I had in Beaune. The 2006 had
just been bottled, and the 2004 Vintage
had just gone on sale in markets. Although
they were young wines at that time, I was
fortunate to have had the opportunity to
dive right into some fantastic flavors. I was
hooked,” says Matthew.
His upbringing, education, travel
experience, and connection with his
ancestry have driven Matthew to build a
company that combines all of the things he
loves while also supporting the communityfrom
farmers and growers to artisans and
makers.
Mirabelle Selects is more than just a
monthly box of wine- it is a family-owned
and curated wine club that gives customers
a local experience in the comfort of their
own homes. Each wine delivery aims to
shine a light on local wineries by providing
their product to wine subscription
customers that might otherwise never
know of them.
“We connect our growers directly with the
consumer. Each month, we select three
wines from small, family-owned wineries
that produce in limited quantities. What
would once be something you could only
find in a restaurant is now available—and
affordable—at your doorstep,” Matthew
explains.
To expand upon the effort to grow locallyowned,
community businesses, Mirabelle
Selects partners actively with various
artisanal talents to include a hand-crafted
“discovery” with each wine delivery. Each
discovery contributes to an evolving
showcase of work by local writers, chefs,
farmers, artists, and jewelers.
“My overall goal is to put together a
collective of farmers, bakers, and makers
in the community using our retail partners
to deliver their CSA and other goodies
with our growers’ wines each week. Stay
Home, Stay Safe, Shop Local,” says Matt
when talking about the importance to him
of supporting the local community. “I think
our greatest success is that we have built
our company on the model of supporting
local artists, including photographers and
filmmakers. Artist support is provided
through Newport Art House - Tarducci
studios. We continue to reinvest into the
community, and have employed over 20
individuals in the last four months.”
Matthew’s passion for shopping local,
supporting artisans, and giving back is
actualized with every delivery made by
Mirabelle Selects.
Mirabelle Selects Bordeaux Selections.
To learn about Mirabelle Selects’ offers and
exclusive selections for Aquidneck Island,
please sign up for the newsletter at www.
mirabelleselects.com. You can also follow
Mirabelle Selects on Facebook (https://
www.facebook.com/MirabelleSelects) and
Instagram @mirabelleselects to see their
showcase of local collaborations.
Disclaimer:
Mirabelle Selects is a Rhode Island-based
marketing agency representing wine producers
and retail partners. Mirabelle Selects is not a wine
retailer or distributor. We direct the consumer to
our growers’ products and coordinate delivery
and payment via one of our various retail partners
throughout the United States.
We can coordinate shipments to 44 states around
the USA, excluding NH, IL, MI, AL, UT, HI.
Perfect Gift for Mom
ORDER NOW www.mirabelleselects.com
@mirabelleselects
MONTHLY CURATED WINE SUBSCRIPTION HAND DELIVERED TO YOUR DOORSTEP.
8 PORTSMOUTH LIVING

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APRIL 2021 9

HEALTH AND WELLNESS:
IMPORTANCE OF YOUR GUT HEALTH
BY KATEY CHAMBERS
Now known as the body’s second
brain, the gut, more specifically
the gut microbiome, is starting to
take center stage as it relates to our
health and overall wellness. A welldeserved
spotlight, since it’s linked to
our digestion, immunity, brain function,
metabolism, and hormones. Research
also suggests the gut microbiome may
benefit heart health, help control blood
sugar, and cholesterol. With the direct
connection to the brain, an unhealthy gut
can adversely affect your mood, even
cause anxiety and depression. The good
news is that our gut microbiome is alive
and always changing; it’s very responsive
to modifications to our diet and lifestyle.
By implementing positive changes, we
can begin to heal the gut and improve
our mental and physical health.
So what is the gut microbiome exactly?
It consists of trillions of microbes
(bacteria, viruses, and fungi) that live
in the intestines. There are up to a
thousand species of bacteria in the gut
microbiome, both good and bad. It starts
forming at birth​​and scientists believe
it’s already adult-like in structure by the
time we turn three. That is why these
formative years play such a critical role in
developing good gut health. As we age,
our microbiome changes, becoming less
diverse and prone to the growth of more
bad bacteria, requiring more support to
increase the levels of good.
If you want to improve your gut health
and promote the growth of good
bacteria, one option is to do research
and consult a doctor about taking a
probiotic supplement.
For a more holistic approach, here are
four ways to jump-start gut recovery
today.
1. EAT A DIVERSE RANGE OF PLANTS.
You probably have heard the saying
“eat the rainbow,” and eating a
diverse range of plants is just that.
Have fun and keep meals interesting
by adding as many colors as possible
to a meal or by buying a different
fruit or vegetable each week that
you wouldn’t regularly purchase.
Also look to include other plants
such as seeds, legumes, and whole
grain to get more diversity, nutrients,
We are expanding our team with qualified
employees and sub-contractors. Contact us.
www.iciofamerica.com
info@iciofamerica.com
295 Main Road • Tiverton, RI 02878
Quality, Experience, Integrity and Superior Service.
We don’t just build houses, we build homes.
Residential renovations, additions, and new custom builds.
10 PORTSMOUTH LIVING

and all the health benefits they provide. Incorporating a
wide range of plants also will help to increase the amount
of fiber in your diet, which is important because fiber is
optimal for gut health.
2. INCORPORATE FERMENTED FOODS, SUCH AS YOGURT,
KEFIR, SAUERKRAUT, PICKLES, MISO, TEMPEH, KIMCHI,
SOURDOUGH BREAD, OR KOMBUCHA. It’s important
these foods are labeled “naturally fermented,” or contain
“live cultures” or “probiotics,” to get the health benefits.
Making your own pickles or fermented veggies at home
with easy recipes can be a fun activity.
3. GIVE YOUR BODY TIME TO RESTORE ITSELF BY
SHORTENING YOUR EATING WINDOW. Note this
is not recommended for women who are pregnant or
breastfeeding, or for those who have suffered from an
eating disorder. Also known as intermittent fasting, a
shortened eating window has been linked to several health
benefits, including burning fat, boosting metabolism,
and lowering inflammation. As it relates to gut health, this
pause in eating allows a break from digestion and for the
gut to support these other positive changes in the body.
This fasting period also aids the growth of beneficial
bacteria in the gut. There are proven benefits to using a
12-hour eating window, and even more at 10 or eight hours.
The point is not to restrict your calorie intake during the
eating window, but to simply shorten the window. One way
to start is to end your eating window between 5 p.m. and
8 p.m. and delay breakfast until sometime between 9 a.m.
and noon. Experiment and find what works best for you.
4. SUPPORT YOUR GUT HEALTH THROUGH DAILY
EXERCISE AND BY IMPLEMENTING A WELLNESS
PRACTICE. Studies have shown that daily exercise
supports the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut
that lowers inflammation and the risk of diseases such as
diabetes and heart disease. De-stress by implementing a
daily wellness routine such as mediation, breathing work,
journaling, or gratitude practice. ​Incorporating ​these
practices supports the gut, and therefore lowers stress and
helps with anxiety and depression.
So listen to your gut and feed it what it craves. Happy gut,
happy life!
Katey is a certified personal health coach. She lives in
Portsmouth with her husband and one year old daughter.
You can find out more at ri4wellness.com. Follow her on
instagram @ri4wellness
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SPRING AND SUMMER
MERCHANDISE
Old Almy Village
1016 East Main Road • Unit 3A
Portsmouth, RI 02871
(401) 251-4565 www.therobinseggri.com
APRIL 2021 11

GREATER NEWPORT
CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE TON OF
LOVE FOOD DRIVE
BY GIANNA SOLLITTO
For the past eight years, the Greater
Newport Chamber of Commerce’s
Ton of Love Food Drive, has lived up to
its name, bringing in tons of food and
cash donations to the Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. Community Center’s on-site and
Mobile Food Pantries. This food drive
is led by the Chamber’s Ambassador
Committee.
Historically held throughout the month
of February, the food drive was created
to help restock the pantry following the
increased need of the holiday season.
Newport County businesses have been
hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, so
this year’s Ton of Love food drive was
moved to April. The drive will begin
April 1st and conclude April 30th. The
need for donations to restock the food
pantry is greater now than ever before,
given the increased demand on the food
pantry due to COVID job losses.
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Community Center (20 Dr. Marcus
Wheatland Blvd., Newport) fights
hunger, promotes health, educates
young and school-aged kids, supports
families, and engages seniors across
Newport County. Programs include:
an onsite food pantry; a Mobile Food
Pantry that brings groceries into
neighborhoods where transportation
is often a barrier; meal programs like
daily breakfast and grab & go meals;
Food 2 Friends grocery delivery to the
homebound; After School education for
elementary school students; Preschool
program; Summer Adventure Camp; free
adult fitness & wellness programs, and
much more. Last year, the MLK served
4,998 people. The Center’s Hunger
Services distributed over 634,000 meals
in 2020.
This partnership between the MLK
Community Center and the Greater
Newport Chamber of Commerce is
beloved by the community. Businesses
throughout Newport County serve as
collection centers during the monthlong
drive. Since 2013, Tons of Love
has contributed 18,183 pounds of food,
12 PORTSMOUTH LIVING
$4,122.19 in monetary donations, and
$620 in gift card donations to the MLK’s
Food Pantry.
This year, all non-perishable food items,
personal care items, and toiletries are
welcome, but pasta sauce, hearty poptop
soups, and coffee are especially
needed. Other in-demand items include
menstrual products, canned and dried
beans, gluten-free foods, dish liquid,
and laundry detergent.
Those interested in taking part can
drop off donations at the following local
businesses (more to be announced;
Follow the Chamber’s Facebook!):
• BankNewport (Newport, Middletown,
Portsmouth, and Tiverton locations)
• Innovate Newport (513 Broadway,
Newport, RI 02840)
• NPT Sportswear (8 Marlborough St,
Newport, RI 02840)
• Ranew Salon & Spa, The Barbershop
by Ranew (580 Thames St, Newport, RI
02840)
• AAA (49 E Main Rd, Middletown, RI
02842)
• Minuteman Press (6352, 687 W Main
Rd, Middletown, RI 02842)
• Newport County Computers (683 W
Main Rd, Middletown, RI 02842)
• Edward Jones Middletown (First
Floor North, 790 Aquidneck Ave,
Middletown, RI 02842)
• KLR (97 John Clarke Rd, Middletown,
RI 02842)
• James L. Maher Center (906
Aquidneck Ave, Middletown, RI 02842)
You are also welcome to drop donations
by the Center via their on-site loading
dock (pull in and ring the bell, Monday
– Friday, 8 am – 5 pm) but be sure to
mention the Ton of Love food drive. For
other ways to support the Center, visit
their website: MLKCCenter.org
If you are a business who would like
to become a donation site, please
email Kate Grotteberg at Kate@
NewportChamber.com
Gianna Sollitto is the Marketing & Events
Coordinator for the Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. Community Center.
TON OF LOVE
FOOD DRIVE
WHEN: MONTH OF APRIL
WHERE: LOOK FOR
RED COLLECTION BINS
THROUGHOUT GREATER
NEWPORT
TO BENEFIT: DR. MARTIN
LUTHER KING JR.
COMMUNITY CENTER
POWERED BY:
CHAMBER AMBASSADORS
A volunteer inside the food pantry at the MLK Center.
Photo by Kate Whitney Lucey.

Blossoming of
spring makes
working for our
environment
even more
inviting. In the
midst of January,
it’s easy to ask
yourself why
you’re putting on
waders at 6am
or picking up litter on a deserted beach.
Our year-round volunteers welcome the
warm weather, but value the experience
regardless of the season. “It is very
gratifying to be part of a small group
that is having a measurable impact on
the precious waters the world shares,”
says Kate Brandeis, a volunteer from
Newport, RI. The small group she holds
dear is Clean Ocean Access (COA), a
Middletown-based nonprofit that takes
action today towards a vision of a healthy
ocean that is free of marine debris, and
is safe and accessible for everyone to
enjoy. As we move into the spring, COA
is focused on honoring the legacy of
Earth Day and our ongoing efforts for
environmental stewardship.
We partnered with Aquidneck Island
Earth Week in its inaugural year to help
support the mission of celebrating and
furthering environmental stewardship,
sustainability, and conservation. None
of these goals can be accomplished
by a single organization alone;
collaborating across organizations
expands our audience and impact. The
outdoors is for everyone, and platforms
such as Aquidneck Island Earth Week
provide an opportunity to spread that
message wider than normal. Working
with coalitions such as these affords us
a view into how others work towards
environmental stewardship goals. Shared
events and meetings through Aquidneck
Island Earth Week serve to underpin the
CLEAN OCEAN ACCESS:
PRACTICING COMMUNITY
CENTERED CONSERVATION
BY EMILY CONKLIN
John & Kristin Andel preparing to paddleboard
at an access point in Portsmouth, RI
PHOTOS COURTESY OF COA
goal of a stronger, more resilient
community.
COA’s dedication to our community
started with the issue of access. “Passion
equals purpose,” is one of Executive
Director Dave McLaughlin’s favorite
phrases. For Dave, a waverider and
ocean lover, that purpose manifested
when a ban on parking threatened
the ability for locals to surf along the
Cliff Walk. Dave and his buddies were
determined to preserve every individual’s
right to access the shoreline. From that
determination, COA was born. Today,
though our reach has expanded past
Ruggles Ave., our roots remain in the
communities on Aquidneck Island. Our
team of 43 volunteers monitors the 50
coastal rights-of-way on Aquidneck
Island monthly to ensure ease of public
access to the water. The importance of
natural resources in coastal RI cannot be
understated, and that fierce love for the
outdoors is the throughline of our work
at COA.
Our involvement in Aquidneck Island
Earth Week 2020 came at the beginning
of a necessary shift in the face of
COVID-19; Earth Week was the first big
virtual event we launched. In this time
of multiple crises, our nearby nature has
served as an anchor for us, an enduring
refuge of tranquility. This forced step
back allowed us to take stock of what
was at the center of our efforts. For the
first time in our history as a nonprofit,
we have developed a strategic plan to
focus our priorities. Our strategic plan is
accompanied by a redevelopment of our
mission and vision that will allow us to
better serve the needs of our shoreline
communities. In short, the difficulties we
faced in the past year helped reaffirm our
commitment to our core values and our
blue planet.
Learning to move forward with the
shifted focus the coronavirus pandemic
has brought to us emphasized our
need to interact with and protect our
natural world. In 2021, we are proud to
again participate in Aquidneck Island
Earth Week. Our beach cleanups and
monitoring efforts will be paired with
virtual events this April to illustrate how
we can work together to care for our
Earth and our waterways. To ensure our
impact continues to expand, we have
also recently launched new development
Water Quality volunteer Shannon Miller at Ruggles Ave.
sampling point off of the Cliff Walk in Newport.
Photo by Maria Burton, courtesy of Salve Regina University.
initiatives. This includes the Clean Ocean
Avengers Club, a kit for purchase that
encourages environmental stewardship
in the children in your life, regardless of
where they live. We reinvigorated our
corporate partnership program, recently
adding member Hogan Associates Real
Estate. Joining us was important to owner
Matt Hadfield, who explained, “Our lives
on Aquidneck Island revolve around
the water...we are grateful to support
and take an active role in COA’s mission
to keep our ocean and beaches clean,
accessible and beautiful for generations
to come.” From our volunteers to our
corporate partners to our donors, we rely
on the generosity of the community to
make an enduring difference.
Clean Ocean Access founding efforts in 2007
at Tuckerman-West on Easton’s Point.
Across the array of ways to support
us, the passion for our Ocean State
environment is evident. Our communities
are stronger because of access to blue
spaces, and our ocean is healthier with
support from our communities. Despite
all the changes throughout the last year,
our commitment to our community and
our environment stays steady. Our work
began with a passion for access, and
through our new efforts and initiatives,
that passion and dedication can only
grow.
To learn more about Clean Ocean
Access and get involved, visit
w​ww.cleanoceanaccess.org​
Emily Conklin is COA’s Communications
Marketing Coordinator. Her background
is in marine science and environmental
education. She lives in Newport.
APRIL 2021 13

PORTSMOUTH
AGINNOVATION FARM:
EDUCTION FOR
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
BY CLAIRE NELSON PHOTOS COURTESY OF AGINNOVATION
An exciting new project has sprouted
up in Portsmouth. Before outdoor
classrooms became mainstream
during ‘COVID-times,’ the Portsmouth
AgInnovation Farm had plans for getting
kids outside to learn.
The aim of the AgInnovation Farm
is to create a special space to foster
environmental awareness and promote
students’ understanding of nutrition and
food access through applied learning.
Starting with a five-acre parcel of land,
one half of a mile from Portsmouth
Middle School, the group received
a seed grant in 2020 to support the
establishment of an agriculture program
and property development.
The name is a combination of Ag (short
for agriculture) and innovation, showing
the truly creative nature of the project.
The combined agriculture/innovation
idea of the place is even represented in
its logo, which juxtaposes a tomato and
lightbulb.
Everything about the farm is centered
around creativity and agriculture. “Kids
these days are so disconnected from
where food is grown. To them, food
comes from the fridge,” said Margie
Brennan, Portsmouth School District’s
science coach and co-coordinator for
the project. “We wanted to give kids an
opportunity to learn about sustainable
agriculture by doing it.” Brennan added
that they intend to create family farm
plots, plant a pollinator garden with a
public trail, donate food to Lucy’s Hearth
in Middletown, and collaborate with local
organizations like Aquidneck Community
Table.
Eastern Rhode Island Conservation
District (ERICD) has been a lead partner
on the project. Sara Churgin, ERICD
Initial brainstorm drawing of what the farm could
look like, drawn by the students.
14 PORTSMOUTH LIVING
district manager, said, “This is a project
that will positively affect the entire
Portsmouth community. Students will
be introduced to farming, an extremely
important business, especially now
in light of COVID-19. Food security is
being threatened through this crisis, so a
portion of what will be grown on the farm
will be donated back to the community.”
The project got off the ground in 2020
during the pandemic when twenty-five
students signed up for the school’s
first virtual club with Brennan. Through
student-led discussions, the students
focused on topics such as gardening,
composting, solar power, and irrigation.
They researched and planned what is
now the general idea of the farm layout.
In June, students were able to plant in a
small plot and weeded and watered all
summer. They were able to safely help
out at the farm and wrap up the 2020
harvest season.
Anabella “Bella” Barber, an 8th grader
at Portsmouth Middle School said,
“AgInnovation is such a great program!
It gives us a chance to go outside and be
away from our desks and computers. It’s
a different way to learn, which makes it
really interesting and fun!”
During this winter, the kids were not
working on the farm because of a
combination of weather and COVID
restrictions. However, work was going
on behind the scenes to move the
project forward. “We have been actively
applying for grant funding and accepting
donations to make this big dream
a reality,” said Churgin. “In January
we were very excited to announce a
partnership with National Grid Rhode
Island to build an outdoor learning
pavilion at the farm.” Plans for building
the pavilion are moving forward and
National Grid staff has offered volunteers
to help install the pavilion. Portsmouth
Middle School will hold STEAM (Science,
Technology, Engineering, Arts, and
Mathematics) education classes, as well
as after-school programs at the pavilion.
“We are also lucky to have as our
technical advisor J. Eric Scherer, with
44 years of experience, as well as our
farming advisor, Harry Chase of Chase
Farms. Chase Farms, which recently
Walking the fields at AgInnovation Farm
Showing off produce at AgInnovation Farm
closed its doors, has been a Portsmouth
household name in farming since 1969,”
said Churgin.
Throughout this year, the 6th grade
AgInnovation students have been
working on composting in the classroom.
In March, students started planning
for the spring 2021 planting season by
growing seeds at the Portsmouth Middle
School greenhouse. Field preparation
and planting are happening throughout
April. A seasonal high tunnel, which will
help to extend the growing season into
the fall, is in the works.
“The community has come together in
such a beautiful way,” said Brennan. “So
many volunteers have donated time,
money, and resources to create this
farm. It truly takes a village and we are
so lucky that our village is dedicated to
creating a place for students to become
knowledgeable, compassionate, and
innovative thinkers in the realm of
sustainable agriculture.”
Anabella “Bella”, 8th grader at Portsmouth Middle
School learning at AgInnovation Farm.
The AgInnovation Farm will be hosting a
tool drive to support the farm for Earth
Day. Anyone can drop off new or gently
used gardening tools and supplies at
two collection events – April 22 from
11AM-4PM and April 24 from 9AM-1PM.
Both events are at Greenvale Vineyards
(582 Wapping Road in Portsmouth,
RI). Information about the farm and
details for the tool drive can be found at
facebook.com/events/116027570418306
Follow us on facebook
@PortsmouthAgInnovationFarm
Claire Nelson lives and works on
Aquidneck Island, creating and executing
marketing content for non-profit
organizations and small businesses.

Members of the Eastern R.I. Conservation District jog while picking up litter. Their ‘plogging’ fundraiser
will run through the month of April. Photo courtesy of the Eastern R.I. Conservation District.
AQUIDNECK
ISLAND
EARTH WEEK
BY SARA POIRIER
Organizers are proud to announce
plans for the second annual
Aquidneck Island Earth Week, an Islandwide
celebration that will take place
April 17 through April 25.
One year ago, more than a dozen
community partners were finalizing plans
to celebrate the 50th anniversary of
Earth Day. Then, two weeks before the
launch, there was a state-wide shutdown
in response to the pandemic. Rather than
abandon plans, partners turned to social
media, online platforms, and called
on local networks to help them pivot.
Revamped, Aquidneck Island Earth Week
(AIEW) engaged more than 600 people
in at-home activities and virtual events,
ranging from socially-distanced cleanups,
to an online showcase of students’
environmental projects. To cap off the
celebration, the Greenlove Foundation
announced their donation of touchless
water bottle filling stations to Newport’s
Pell Elementary School and Middletown’s
Gaudet Middle School.
Fast forward one year, and AIEW
organizers are building on their success,
incorporating the latest guidance on
public safety to create an even bigger
and better program. The initiative has
added new partners, including the
Newport Chamber of Commerce and
the Aquidneck Island Climate Caucus.
Thanks to proclamations in support of
AIEW by the three Town Councils, new
committees, like Newport’s Energy
and Environment Commission and
Portsmouth’s Conservation Commission,
have come on board.
This year’s Aquidneck Island Earth Week
(AIEW) will run from Saturday, April 17th
to the 25th. Plans include:
• Tree plantings, tours, and give-aways
with local schools, municipalities and
non-profits.
• An environmental film screening
courtesy of Newport Film and The
Greenlove Foundation
• Rain barrel giveaways and seedling
sales with the Eastern R.I Conservation
District
• Farm tours at the Healthy Soils, Healthy
Seas compost processing facility
• Nature-themed scavenger hunts
• An Indie Cycle Electronics Recycling
event at the Aquidneck Community
Tables’ Growers Market
• Earth Week Bingo and other activities
for students.
Clean-ups are planned across the island.
For the athletically-inclined, ‘plogging’
and ‘plike’ events encourage participants
to pick up litter while jogging or biking.
To view the full AIEW program, visit
www.AquidneckEarthWeek.com
CLIMATE RESILIENCE
Given the area’s vulnerability to the
impacts of climate change, it’s important
that everyone help take steps to manage
the challenges so that the community is
in good shape for future generations.
Climate resilience, or anticipating,
preparing for, and responding to the
impacts of climate change is a theme
of this year’s AIEW programming. Plans
include a presentation on what climate
resilience means for Aquidneck Island by
URI’s Dr. Kelton McMahon courtesy of
the Aquidneck Land Trust. The Newport
Chamber of Commerce, in partnership
with the R.I. Citizens’ Climate Lobby,
will offer an online workshop for local
businesses on how to reduce their
carbon footprint. Additionally, the
Aquidneck Island Climate Caucus will
run a workshop on climate solutions
with MIT’s En Roads climate simulator
platform.
By coming together to offer a full
week of programming, partners
hope to amplify each other’s efforts,
increase engagement around
environmental issues, and serve as
an example for other communities.
Join us @AquidneckIslandEarthWeek
on Facebook and Instagram. Want
to volunteer? Email organizers at
aquidneckislandearthweek@gmail.com
Sara Poirier is the Director of Spark
Strategic Science Communication and
the co-chair of Middletown’s Open
Space & Fields Committee. In 2019, she
founded Aquidneck Island Earth Week
with support from Clean Ocean Access
and other local organizations. She lives
in Middletown with her husband and two
children.
A student at Pell Elementary tests out the new
touchless water bottle filling station donated by
the Greenlove Foundation. They provide local
students with a safe way to access water and
help schools to reduce their waste.
Photo courtesy of The Greenlove Foundation
APRIL 2021 15

PORTSMOUTH
3951
Living
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OFFICE 401-253-6542
FAX 401-253-5070
www.johnandradeins.com
559 HOPE STREET | P.O. BOX 8 | BRISTOL, RI 02809
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