knew england 1

2 knew england

knew england 3

Founder's Note page 5

Letters to the Editor page 4

Contributors page 26

What To Pack page 27

Photo of the Month page 7

Events page 25

STA N DA R D S

WA N DER

A B S OR B

STAY

Festivals & Feasts page 45 Southern Rhode Island is loaded

with festivals — we're here to make

sure you don't miss a single one!

Beaches of South County page 8 The best beaches to scope

out while you stay in South County.

South County Spirit page 39 Grasp the spirit of the coast.

From Guest to Friend page 34 Skip the hotels and

motels and seek refuge in a coastal

B&B for a unique experience.

Postcards page 41 Find out where other travelers

stayed and what they feel are

must-sees in South County.

A Rich History page 24 Natural beauty and a rich heritage

have drawn families to the Ocean

House for centuries. Legendary

experiences are infused with trad-

itions past, unfaltering attention

to detail, and uncompromised per-

sonal service for their guests.

NAT I V E

Local Flavor page 6 Cruise on over to the Ocean Mist

for some crazy drinks, and even

crazier stories. Quickly — this dive

bar will soon dive into the sea,

leaving behind only memories.

Tourist to Townie page 33 Ever heard the term "Shoobie"?

Here's how to avoid hearing the

term directed at you.

Talk of the Town page 16 A hand-picked list of the best local

products, hang outs, restaurants,

and shops in the area.

contributorsanne graves

brian sousa

david scharfenberg

shane conroy

karen cooper

jennifer chan

brennen waters

jacob dietrich

jessica emery

russell kerr

louise coulibaly

elizabeth mccormick

last month volume 02 Coast of Maine

this month volume 03 South County,Rhode Island

next month volume 04The Berkshires

table of contents

4 knew england

I loved last month's Kennebunkport,

Maine feature. It was so great to read

the recommendations made by the

Kennebunkport Business Association

(KBA). My husband and I have made

plans to visit one of the B&B's that was

featured in your last issue. Thank you

for such an great description of the area .

We have been visiting Kennebunkport

for years and found ourselves nodding

along to each suggestion in your "Talk

of the Town" article. Great stuff!

A fellow traveler,

Carolyn McCarthy

Thank you for creating a magazine that

pushes travelers beyond typical New

England attractions. I am so glad I pick-

ed up your last issue and look forward

to future issues! I am a NE native, yet I

am realizing there is still so much to

discover in this area! I look forward to

seeing issues relating to my home in

Western Massachusetts — there are

hidden gems here that are often over-

looked. Many folks travel to this part

of the state to visit the BigE in the Fall

or Six Flags NE in the Summer, but few

know about the beautiful scenery of

the Berkshires and the quaint towns.

Keep up the good work,

John DeMarche

I noticed in last month's issue that you

would be focusing on South County

Rhode Island in the month of May. How

exciting! I have been summering in

South County since I was a child. It is

funny to see how many people flock

to the touristy destinations along the

coast. There's much more to explore!

I live in a small village called Quonnie

which receives very little tourists. It

will be interesting to see how your art-

icles affect these little-known towns

and villages. I know many locals worry

about tourists infiltrating the area!

Knew England seems to be very respect-

ful of locals, so I am not too concerned.

Looking forward to the next issue!

Best,

Taylor Raleigh

letters to the editor

COAST OF M A INEvolume 02: April 2013

knew england 5

We believe that our readers are the avid travel —

travelers who seek a different experience in

often-visited locations. You are a curious group,

and travel is an integral part of who you are.

Since the launch of knew england magazine, we

have established ourselves as the voice of exper-

iential travel in New England. We encourage our

readers to be unlike your average traveler. knew

england strives to uncover the true essence of each

New England destination, focusing on what makes

that location unique according to those who know it

best — the natives. More and more people are look-

ing to experience a place the way the locals do, and

to go beyond the typical escapist vacation.

I hope your upcoming excursions open your eyes and

bring you all that travel can.

Good travels,

Jenna Carando cofounder & ceo

founder's note

REINVENT TR AVEL

let's get in touch

Questions, Concerns, or Corrections? email: info@knewengland.com

write: Knew England Headquarters

108 Beacon Street

Boston, MA 02115

6 knew england

The shoreline at the Ocean Mist Bar in Matunuck is swiftly eroding. But the regulars are more than willing to follow the watering hole into the sea. Few houses of sin inspire the allegiance that attaches to the Ocean Mist, a gloriously run-down watering hole that offers up live reggae, pool, and no great assurance that it will remain upright.

The place is solid for now, but the long-term prognosis isn't good  —  the beach at its foot is erod- ing worse than any stretch of shoreline in all of southern New England.

Kevin Finnegan, who has owned the bar since 1988, recalls a time when the degenerates on the porch could pass down drinks to the beach below with no trouble at all. One woman told me she recently passed out beneath the deck and awoke with a ball of seaweed in her hand and piles of sand in her pockets. She calls it the "Jack Daniel's effect." Drunken disregard for the elements seems to be a defining feature of the Ocean Mist crowd.

Other Mist lovers speak to a more transcendent charm  —  a strange alchemy of ocean air, live music, and comfortable mingling of the classes. "It's going to be a very sad moment when this place falls into the ocean," she said. "It's bound to happen, though."

That sort of fatalism seems to be the norm at the Ocean Mist. But it doesn't keep anyone away. Indeed, it seems a strange sort of beacon. "This is my Titanic," said Alan Price, standing firm on the deck. "I'm going down with the place." Donna and Jeff Yorty regulars of the Mist since 1980 claim that "Whenever there's bad weather, we gravitate here. We want to be here when it happens, and we just happen to like the view of the storm."

Destruction is not inevitable. Retreat, needless to say, is not all that popular in Matunuck. "We're not the French Army," said the bar owner. "Stand and Fight" seems to be the mantra. And the Mist, Finnegan assured me, will be here for a long time.

Yet, the ocean continues its steady creep. What, I asked him, if the unimaginable came to pass?

"It's wood," he said. "It would float."

A devastating concoction named after

the equally unique bartender who

created it — a bizarre combination of

butterscotch schnapps, Bailey's,

Kahlua, chocolate syrup, vanilla vodka,

Jameson, espresso vodka, and just

a touch of iced coffee.

The Ocean Mist is the type of place

where the owner, Kevin Finnegan,

a pony-tailed, flip-flopped surfer, will

sit down across from you at the bar

and quietly order a pint.

The deck of the Mist — made up of

only a tiny tiki bar called the Bomba

Shack, and a few tables, is the Mist’s

Mecca. It juts out over the tides, with

a view of adjoining beaches, Block

Island, and many of the best sunsets

I’ve ever seen. Surfers crowd the end

of it to check the waves, locals blow

smoke rings on the edge of the deck,

drinkers check out the sunbathers

below and order another pitcher to

combat the hot sun. This is the scene

that led Esquire to vote the Ocean

Mist one of the best bars in America.

The Mist is full of memories for me.

I remember sneaking into concerts

there; having friends yank us over the

railing after we’d climbed the smooth,

sea-bleached pilings. The place could

get to be so crowded with dancers

that the floor would threaten to sink

into the sand.

The Mist endures, too; most recently

making it through Hurricane Sandy

with the kind of stubborn luck and

pride that we all wish we had. Next

time you’re there, if you do see Kevin,

buy him a beer on me.

— brian sousa, matunuck resident

DAVID SCHARFENBERG

local flavor

YOU'RE DRINKINGThe Mary Ann

LOCAL LORE

knew england 7

photo of the month

“ SERENITY ”Katherine Gilpin

ke: Tell us a little about your photo —

where was it taken and what inspired

you to snap the shot?

gilpin: Last summer, I was vacationing

in Charlestown in a small village called

Quonochontaug. The entire area seems

to embody serenity. I came across this

beautiful boat, "Amelia Buccolo," while

walking along the docks on Quonnie

Pond. I couldn't resist snapping a photo!

submit a photo volume 04: Groton Long Point, CT

email to: photocontest@knewengland.com

8 knew england

knew england 9

south county is a real state of mind,

locals are aBsolutely ferocious aBout it

ANNE GRAVES

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there's a Beach, and a Beach town, for

everyone in this pocket of the ocean state

knew england 11

east beach

This beach, located between

two breachways, this beach

is perfect for those who don’t

want to be disturbed by the

hoards of tourists while surf-

ing or sunning. Surfers can

often be found at East Beach,

either along the shore or in

the beautiful water, waiting

to catch the perfect wave.

the ocean house

The stunning Ocean House

perches above the ocean.

The inn, originally built in the

late 1800’s, is both a popular

destination for tourists and a

source of pride for the locals.

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uninterrupted, undeveloped miles

of sand

knew england 13

quonochontaug

A small village located in

Charlestown, is home to six

beaches. Each beach offers

a view of the beautiful Block

Island Sound, and on most

clear days the silhouette of

Block Island is fully visible.

“Quonnie” is home to many

families who have owned

homes there for generations.

Picnic Rock in East Beach

is shown to the right, while

Central Beach is below.

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knew england 15

narragansett

Gansett offers some of the

best surfing in New England.

If surfing isn't exactly your

speed, beach-goers can go

fishing or crabbing.

16 knew england

Charlestown

Mac Hedgepeth of Achinback farm is

best known in Southern Rhode Island

as “the bee man.” What started as a

hobby back in 1989 with several bee-

keeping classes, Mac embarked on

a hobby that rapidly became a passion,

and later a profession.

C H R I ST I NA'S

S OA P WOR K S

Westerly & Watch Hill

For nearly 25 years, Christina’s Ltd.

has been offering beautifully unique

clothing, jewelry, accessories and

gifts set against a backdrop of antique

porch columns, paneled windows

and assorted architectural treasures.

Christina’s also showcases their own

brand, Vintage Green — a line of bags,

embellished denim, dresses, quilts,

and dresses —made with vintage lace,

fabrics, and linens.

Matunuck

Daddy’s Bread is a one of a kind place:

a bakery with not a single human in

sight, just loaves of homemade bread.

A sign hangs in the bakery explaining

the honor system. There’s a small slot

through which to slide a five dollar

bill for every loaf picked up.

Chepache

RI Soap Works has become a local

delicacy. Inspired by the methods used

by past generations, Soap Works uses

natural herbal ingredients. All products

are handcrafted in small quantities so

as to preserve the distinctive quality

and variation of items made by hand.

Westerly

Sandy’s offers the finest selection of

organic produce, gourmet groceries,

coffee and teas, and freshly baked

breads and pies. The deli department

boasts “Sandy’s Own” freshly made

soups, salads, entrees and side dishes.

Their famous deli sandwiches make

Sandy’s a daily destination for beach-

goers. Each sandwich is named after

a local town, and natives love boasting

which town’s sandwich is best.

SA N DY 'S

AC H I N BAC K

BA K ERY

DADDY 'S BR EAD

Charlestown

Born in 1993 with the belief that food

should be fun, taste good, and have

morals. Open early and often empty

within hours, the Bakery shuts down

for the day at 11:30am. Locals know to

get there as early as possible to get

secure the best baked goods in the area.

The Bakery offers a wide variety of

freshly baked goods, coffee, tea, and

a breakfast sandwich for everyone —

from vegetarians to carnivores.

A hand-picked selection of bites, boutiques, and brews by those who know the area best — the locals.

knew england 17

Narragansett

Aunt Carrie’s is best known for their

clam cakes, which are still as great as

they were 85 years ago. They pride

themselves on their take-out, where

families can sit and enjoy a summer

afternoon with cool ocean breezes and

gorgeous views. Aunt Carrie’s has

been loved by locals and tourists alike

for years. Customers can count on

the unforgettable taste of traditional

Rhode Island seafood and cooking.

Matunuck

Matunuck Oyster Bar provides local

favorites to a crowd that is always

willing to wait. Their menu and unique

wine list complement the vibrant

flavors of local products from Rhode

Island farmers, harvesters, and

bakers. Their seafood comes fresh

off of the boat daily, lending to a

constantly changing variety of specials.

Outdoor seating offers an amazing

view of the docks, especially at sunset.

The raw bar places you right in front

of all the action, as clams and oysters

are shucked right before your eyes.

Watch Hill

This eatery and ice cream shop has a

history that spans five generations!

For many Rhode Islanders, it wouldn’t

be summer without ice cream from

St. Clair Annex. This small restaurant

and ice cream parlor has been a very

popular fixture in the small Watch Hill

village for nearly 70 years.

MATUNUCK OYSTER BA R

ST. CLAIR ANNEXAUNT CA R R IE'S

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knew england 19

BA K ERY

Charlestown

Born in 1993 with the belief that

food should be fun, taste good,

and have morals. Open early and

often empty within hours, the

Bakery shuts down for the day at

11:30am. Locals form lines early

in the morning to secure the best

baked goods in Charlestown.

The Bakery offers a wide variety

of freshly homemade baked

goods, coffee, tea, and plenty of

breakfast sandwiches to satisfy

both carnivores and vegetarians.

20 knew england

DAVE'S COFFEE

Charlestown

An old South County farmhouse is quite

a bizarre place to find a craft coffee

roaster. The hot pink shingled building is

home to a cozy coffee shop with a very

relaxed atmosphere. Dave's Coffee boasts

a unique line of coffee products, such

as a Rhode Island classic , Coffee Syrup.

Dave’s is a Certified Organic Coffee

Roaster and a member of Farm Fresh RI.

L A NGWORT H Y FA R M W INERY

Westerly

Langworthy Farm was built in 1875

on the historical homesite of Governor

Samuel Ward. Langworthy's winery

offers wine tasting year. Their wines

are named after local communities —

Weekapaug White, Misquamicut Merlot,

and many more. The wines can be pur-

chased at the winery or at local stores.

GR EY SA IL BR EW I NG

Westerly

Grey Sail is a new craft brewery on the

scene, specializing in fine, handcrafted

ales and session beers. The brewery

currently distributes a Flagship Ale and

a Leaning Chimney Smoked Porter

to bars and restaurants in Rhode Island

and eastern Connecticut. Grey Sail

offers tours and tastings every Saturday

from 1 to 5 pm, opening their doors to

locals and tourists alike.

knew england 21

NAR R AGA NSETT BR EW ING CO.

Founded in Narragansett

Gansett, as it is affectionately called

by locals, adopted the ever-friendly

“Hi Neighbor, Have a Gansett” advertis-

ing campaign after the second World

War. Luckily, the slogan stuck. By 1955,

Gansett was the number one choice

of consumers and the largest selling

beer in New England. By 1957, the

Narragansett Brewing Company was

the last remaining brewery in the

small ocean state. Locals cherish the

brand as a sign of empowerment for

Rhode Island. Gansett still pushes the

“Hi Neighbor” campaign to this day,

embracing the neighborly sentiment

common of many Rhode Islanders.

22 knew england