Front Porch Chatter: Monday, June 3, 2024

The simplicity and purity of Henry's "take" on the holiday were especially poignant since just days before, a longtime friend from my Nantucket days Maia Farish, shared a story with me about her late uncle Philip A. Oldham, a lieutenant in the Marine Corps who died in the Pacific Theater. A member of the famous First Marine Raider Battalion known as Edson's Raiders, Oldham gave his life to save his battalion during the attack on, and seizure of, Tulagi in the Solomon Islands. Sgt. Oldham was posthumously cited for meritorious conduct, and awarded a Purple Heart and the Army Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action.

Maia, whose late husband, Donald J. Farish, was the 10th president of Roger Williams University, was in town to attend an event honoring Westerly resident and all-around good guy, Torey Malatia, at the Roger Williams Botanical Garden and invited me to join her. I was happy to not only catch up with Maia (who now lives in Rhinebeck, N.Y.) but to attend Torey's event and hear him speak about such important topics as "informed citizenry" and the importance of debating and discussing the issues of the day and of truly listening to one another. Torey, the longtime CEO of the Public's Radio which merged recently with Rhode Island PBS, was introduced by Elizabeth Delude-Dix, the chair of the board of directors of the Public’s Radio, who spoke about "honest, fact-based journalism" and praised Torey for his many talents before introducing, via video tape, public radio icons Ira Glass, of "This American Life" fame, and Peter Segal, of "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me."

It was also fun to be in such a gorgeous setting and to catch up with Torey and his lovely wife, Elizabeth Manley; my former colleague Alex Nunes, now the South County Bureau Chief for the Public's Radio, and his lovely wife, Stacey Jackson, director of development for Westerly Library and Wilcox Park; former Rep. David Cicciline, who now serves as president of the Rhode Island Foundation; Providence Mayor Brett Smiley, and his husband, Jim DeRentis; and Joe O'Connor, former GM of the Public's Radio.

Speaking of soldiers building America, Front Porch fave and dear friend Larry Hirsch tells me that that the Veteran's display at the intersection of Shore and Watch Hill Roads is quite something. I'll add to my to-do list for sure! Thank you Larry! 

What is more delightful, may I ask, than watching brand new parents enjoying their first born child? Well, thanks to Nico and Jill (Levcowich) Alviani, I've had that opportunity a few times over the last few weeks, and got to enjoy a few doses of pure love and joy just by watching them with their darling infant son, August Michael Alviani. Jill, who is the middle daughter of Kelly and Mitchel Levcowich, granddaughter of wonderful Mary Toscano Levcowich, the late Michael "Mickey Levcowich and the late Arthur and (the unforgettable) Angie Smith, told me that baby August's middle name is a tribute to his late great-grandfather, Mickey Levcowich, who founded Pleasant Acres Nursery in 1954.

Last Friday afternoon was the perfect day to spend outside at Weekapaug Inn, especially for "Yappy Hour" when Ocean House Collection made a $1,500 donation to support the Stand Up For Animals Wellness Clinic in partnership with Get Joy fresh food for dogs. The inn is a pet-friendly hotel and there were many adorable pooches on hand to bark their approval. Woof, woof! What fun to catch up with the inn's general manager Daniel Abrashoff and his wife, Audrey; longtime Weekapaugers Angel and Ken LaVine; and from SUFA, veterinarian Catherine Moore, President Caryn Mitchell, Vice President Gail G. Quattromani and Secretary Jeffrey J. Frenette, who was accompanied by his wife, Beth. 

I'm sure by now you've all heard that Gordon Ramsay was in town recently, especially since the world-famous U.K. chef known for "Kitchen Nightmares" and "Hell's Kitchen" posted a photo of himself standing on a well-known beach on Instagram. "The only way to celebrate the long weekend is by the beach! Loved being in Watch Hill," Ramsay's caption read.

It's last call for tickets to the Dante Society's "Person of the Year" banquet honoring Nick Castagna, scheduled for Friday at 6 p.m. at the Haversham, with music by Calabria Bella. I heard there are a few tickets left, but they must be purchased before June 5, at dantesocietywesterly.org or at the Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce.

Well, we may be a bit sad about the fact that John "Clark Kent" Layton, who's been at the Sun for 18 years — as advertising director and regional revenue director — is leaving us for the Providence Business News, but we're happy for John and his wife, Kathleen, as they embark on a new adventure, and we wish him all the best. As Lisa Konicki said so perfectly, "John is a consummate professional and we are grateful for his hard work at the paper and his community support!"

Until next time, dear readers, adios, adieu and ciao bella!