SUPPORT FOR OUR TOWN: NORTH KINGSTOWN COMES FROM: DAVE'S MARKETPLACE IS A PROUD SUPPORTER OF RHODE ISLAND PBS.

THE INSIDE SCOOP, OFFERING 64 FLAVORS OF HOMEMADE ICE CREAM, NON-FAT FROZEN YOGURT, ICE CREAM CAKES, AND A MOBILE ICE CREAM CART FOR YOUR NEXT EVENT.

THE INSIDE SCOOP, PROUD TO SUPPORT RHODE ISLAND PBS AND OUR TOWN: NORTH KINGSTOWN.

NATELLI SYSTEMS TAKES PRIDE IN THEIR SOFTWARE CONSULTING SERVICES, JUST AS RHODE ISLAND PBS TAKES PRIDE IN THEIR PROGRAMMING.

NATELLI SYSTEMS, PROUD TO SUPPORT RHODE ISLAND PBS AND OUR TOWN: NORTH KINGSTOWN.

AND THESE GENEROUS CONTRIBUTORS: THE NORTH KINGSTOWN ARTS COUNCIL, SUPPORTING THE ARTS IN OUR COMMUNITY SINCE 1983.

PROUD TO SUPPORT RHODE ISLAND PBS.

ONLINE AT NKARTSCOUNCIL.ORG.

AND: TONY JONES OMNIMEDIA.

MUSIC NORTH KINGSTOWN, CLAIMING 30 MILES OF COASTLINE FROM WARWICK TO NARRAGANSETT IS CHOCK FULL OF HISTORY.

FAMOUS PAINTERS HAVE CALLED IT HOME, WHILE OTHER TALENTED ARTISTS VISIT ANNUALLY.

THE COASTAL WATERS OFF WICKFORD OFFER SERENITY FOR PLEASURE SEEKERS AS WELL AS A STEADY INCOME FOR SHELL FISHERMAN.

QUONSET POINT NAVAL AIR STATION, ONCE THE HUB OF THE COMMUNITY, IS SEEING A SURGE OF INNOVATION AND NEW BUSINESS.

FAMILIES ARE FLOCKING TO NORTH KINGSTOWN, MAKING IT THE FASTEST GROWING TOWNSHIP IN RHODE ISLAND.

PEOPLE HERE ARE ACCEPTING OF THE CHANGES THE FUTURE WILL BRING, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, TREASURING THE BEAUTY OF THE PAST.

YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS WELCOME YOU TO OUR TOWN: NORTH KINGSTOWN.

MUSIC I'D LIKE TO WELCOME YOU TO THIS ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL SITE.

WE HAVE 23 BEAUTIFUL ACRES.

WE HAVE THE HOUSE WHERE GILBERT STUART WAS BORN.

THAT WAS BUILT IN 1750 TO HOUSE THE STUART FAMILY AND THEIR BUSINESS.

BEHIND ME, YOU SEE THE WATER WHEEL.

THAT OPERATED A MILL THAT WAS USED FOR GRINDING TOBACCO INTO A PRODUCT CALLED SNUFF.

WAIT, WE HAVE MORE.

WE HAVE A BEAUTIFUL MILL POND, STREAM, 23 ACRES WITH WALKING TRAILS.

ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT WE HAVE HERE ON OUR SITE IS A FISH LADDER.

THERE'S A KIND OF FISH THAT LIVE IN THE OCEAN CALLED RIVER HERRING.

THE RIVER HERRING MIGRATE JUST LIKE THE SALMON DO.

THEY'RE AN ANADROMOUS FISH, MEANING THEY LIVE IN SALTWATER BUT GO TO FRESHWATER TO SPAWN.

ALL THE FISH THAT WERE BORN HERE IN THE GILBERT STUART POND RETURN TO SPAWN HERE, 6.3 MILES UP THE NARROW RIVER, OVER OUR FISH LADDER, AND INTO THE POND, HERE.

WATER SPLASHING WE HAVE A BEAUTIFUL NEW WELCOME CENTER WHICH WAS COMPLETED LAST YEAR AND IN THE WELCOME CENTER WE HAVE A GALLERY SPACE.

BEAUTIFUL, STATE-OF-THE-ART GALLERY, AND, OF COURSE, THERE ARE GILBERT STUART PAINTINGS, PAINTINGS BY HIS DAUGHTER, JANE STUART, AS WELL AS MANY MORE.

AT THE END OF THE RACE, WHEN YOU'RE RETURNING TO WICKFORD HARBOR AND YOU SEE THE SUN SETTING, IT'S AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE, IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL.

A LOT OF PEOPLE OVER THE YEARS, THEY SAY, "OH, SAILING, IT'S LIKE WATCHING GRASS GROW."

THAT'S NOT THE CASE.

YOU'RE CONSTANTLY ATTENTIVE TO THE CHANGES OF WIND DIRECTION AND VELOCITY.

SAIL ADJUSTMENT TO GET THE PROPER AIRFOIL FOR THE MAXIMUM SPEED.

ALL OF THESE PLAY ON YOUR MIND AND HOPE THAT YOU DIGEST ALL OF THIS TO RESPOND PROPERLY AND MAKE THINGS BETTER ALONE THE WAY.

BOTH MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY, GREAT EXERCISE.

HERE I AM, I'LL BE 92 IN OCTOBER AND MY DAUGHTER, KATHLEEN, IS MY PHYSICAL THERAPIST, AND SHE'S GOT ME WORKING ON EXERCISES.

WE GO TO THE HEALTH CLUBS TOGETHER AND ALL.

I PURCHASED SCOTTIE 2 EARLY IN THE 70S.

MY SON, JIM, DID SUCH A JOB ON SCOTTIE.

IT LOOKED BEAUTIFUL.

JIM WOULD SAND AND SAND.

HE HAD THE UPPER PART OF THE HULL AND EVERY PART, RIGHT DOWN TO THE BASICS AND WE REPAINTED HER AND EVERYTHING JUST LIKE NEW.

THERE WERE SO MANY BOATS BEING PULLED OUT AS THE HURRICANE APPROACHED, AND I THOUGHT NEXT DOOR AT PLEASANT STREET WHARF THAT THEY'D BE OVERLOADED, SO I TOOK EVERYTHING OFF MY BOAT, LOWERED THE BOOM INTO THE COCKPIT, AND DOUBLED UP ALL MY LINES AND ALL.

I FOUND IT AGAINST THE ROCKS HERE ON PLEASANT STREET.

YOU COULDN'T RECOGNIZE IT WAS A BOAT.

IT WAS ALL DESTROYED.

I LOOK BACK UPON OVER 40 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP.

SHE GAVE ME A GREAT RIDE, BOTH CRUISING AND TEACHING, AND RACING.

AT PRESENT, I OWN A BOAT THAT TOOK FIRST IN THE NATIONALS 2 TIMES HERE.

JIM GOT A JOB OUT OF DALLAS, TEXAS, AND HAD TO MOVE AWAY, AND SO THAT LEFT THE BOAT IN MY LAP.

THERE'S STILL A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE IN THE CABIN, TO CHIP OFF THE OLD MANY LAYERS OF PAINT AND ALL.

ALL THAT'S ON THE SCHEDULE, AND, HOPEFULLY, I'LL BE ABLE TO GET IT DONE WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, AND GET HER LOOKING BACK ALMOST NEW AGAIN.

SHE'S STILL GOT A LOT OF SPEED.

SHE'S WELL TUNED.

SHE POINTS BEAUTIFULLY INTO THE WIND.

LOT OF BOAT SPEED.

IF WE USE THE RIGHT TACTICS, WE MIGHT DO A LITTLE DAMAGE OUT THERE AND GIVE SOME OF THESE YOUNGER SAILORS A FIT.

MUSIC OUR LIBRARY, I THINK, IS ONE OF THE BEST LIBRARIES IN THE STATE.

WE'RE ON A BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF PROPERTY.

WE HAVE A TOP-NOTCH STAFF AND WE'RE A BUSY, BUSY LIBRARY AND I DON'T KNOW THAT ALL LIBRARIES CAN SAY THAT.

THE SOUTH COUNTY ROOM IS A REPOSITORY OF LOCAL HISTORY INFORMATION.

IT WAS FIRST ORGANIZED IN 1956 AT THE ORIGINAL LIBRARY ON BROWN STREET, WITH SUPPORT FROM THE FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY.

THIS COLLECTION INCLUDES MANY BOOKS.

WE ALSO HAVE A SPECIAL COLLECTION OF GENEALOGICAL NOTES THAT WAS DONATED TO THE LIBRARY, AND THESE NOTES ON PARTICULAR FAMILIES OF THE AREA.

THE COLLECTION INCLUDES YEARBOOKS FROM THE NORTH KINGSTOWN HIGH SCHOOL AND A COUPLE OF THE MIDDLE SCHOOLS.

WE ALSO HAVE AN EXTENSIVE COLLECTION OF LOCAL POSTCARDS AND LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHS.

WE HAVE A SPECIAL COLLECTION OF MINIATURE BOOKS.

PEOPLE COME FROM FAR AND WIDE TO USE THIS ROOM, TO USE THE RESOURCES.

INDIVIDUALS COME FROM OUT OF THE STATE, OUT OF THE COUNTRY, TO RESEARCH THEIR FAMILY HISTORIES.

WE ALSO GET A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO JUST LIKE TO LOOK AT OLD STUFF.

I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO WORK AT THIS LIBRARY AND I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO BE A LIBRARIAN.

PROOF: WHEN I WAS 7, I DREW MYSELF WORKING IN THIS LIBRARY.

IF YOU NEED A BOOK RECOMMENDATION, I'M YOUR GIRL.

(SINGING) I'VE WORKED AT THIS LIBRARY FOR ALMOST 30 YEARS NOW.

SOME OF THE PROGRAMS WE OFFER ARE STORYTELLERS, MAGICIANS, MUSICIANS.

WE HAVE ANIMAL PROGRAMS WITH REPTILES.

MY FRIEND CHEEKY IS ASLEEP BUT HE'S NOT JUST ANY SNAKE.

HE COMES FROM A FAR AWAY PLACE CALLED CALIFORNIA.

HE IS CALLED THE CALIFORNIA KINGSNAKE.

K-I-N-G. BASED ON ALL MY YEARS HERE, I HAVE KIDS THAT I'VE SEEN SINCE THEY WERE A YEAR OLD AND THEY ARE NOW GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL.

PUT YOUR HANDS TOGETHER FOR OUR FRIEND, CHLOE, EVERYBODY.

OUTSIDE IN THE SUMMER, WE HAVE OUR MUSIC PERFORMANCES.

MUSIC I LIKE TO TALK OF LIBRARY PROGRAMMING AS PROGRAMMING LIGHT.

IT'S A CHANCE FOR PEOPLE TO COME SEE A SHORT PROGRAM, MAYBE 45 MINUTES LONG, AND IT MIGHT GET THEM INTERESTED IN SOMETHING THAT THEY DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT.

SOMETHING THAT MAYBE THEY DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT BEFORE, BUT NOW THEY'RE REALLY INTERESTED IN IT.

MUSIC IT'S A LABOR OF LOVE.

WE LOVE DOING WHAT WE DO.

EVERY LOAF IS KNEADED BY HAND AND SHAPED BY HAND.

I LIKE TO CALL IT AMERICAN-STYLE ARTISAN BREAD.

GREAT, THANKS SO MUCH.

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.

WHEN WE OPENED, IT WAS A LITTLE BIT LIKE WE HAVE TO INTRODUCE RHODE ISLAND TO A NEW, DIFFERENT CONCEPT OF WHAT A BAKERY IS.

WE'D GET WHEAT BERRIES AND THE WHEAT BERRY IS THE EDIBLE PART OF THE WHEAT PLANT.

FLOUR IS MADE BY GRINDING, BASICALLY, WHEAT SEEDS, WHEAT BERRIES, INTO FLOUR.

WE HAVE A STONE MILL THAT WE GRIND OUR FRESH FLOUR EVERY DAY.

OUR WHEAT IS GROWN IN AN AREA OF MONTANA KNOWN AS THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE.

HIGH PLAINS WHEAT IS WORLD-CLASS WHEAT FOR BREAD BAKING.

IT'S WHERE SOME OF THE BEST WHEAT IN THE WORLD IS GROWN.

USING QUALITY INGREDIENTS IS AT THE CENTER OF WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO.

IT'S A MILL, A GRAIN MILL.

IT'S A STONE MILL.

GRANITE STONES THAT ARE ABOUT 20 INCHES AROUND.

IT'S A PARTICULAR TYPE OF GRANITE THAT IS ACTUALLY QUARRIED IN NORTH CAROLINA.

IT HAS THE RIGHT PROPERTIES FOR GRINDING WHEAT.

IT HAS TO BE A VERY HARD TYPE OF STONE, SO THAT IT DOESN'T WEAR DOWN.

OUR FLOUR DOESN'T GET ANY FURTHER PROCESSING THAN JUST WHAT GOES IN THE TOP AND COMES OUT THE BOTTOM, AND THAT'S IT.

A LOT OF COMMERCIALLY MILLED FLOURS GET HEAT TREATED OR PROCESSED IN OTHER WAYS IN ORDER TO EXTEND THE SHELF LIFE.

OURS DOES NOT GET ANY PROCESSING AT ALL.

IT WAS MY HUSBAND'S DREAM TO OWN THE BAKERY AND I HAD JUST BEEN REALLY LAID OFF, SO I SAID, "OH, I'LL JUST TAKE UP SOME TIME AND HELP GET THE BAKERY GOING," AND 4 YEARS LATER... A LOT OF EARLY MORNING, 4:00 IN THE MORNING, CHATS, CONVERSATIONS.

WE'VE GOTTEN TO KNOW EACH OTHER VERY WELL BECAUSE WE HAD ONLY KNOWN EACH OTHER A FEW YEARS BEFORE WE EMBARKED ON THIS BAKERY, SO IT'S BEEN GOOD FOR BOTH OF US.

I'LL GET UP AT ABOUT 3:30 AND WE COME IN, WE START AT AROUND 4AM.

IT'S ABOUT A PROBABLY 7 OR 8 HOUR PROCESS FROM WHEN WE START THE DOUGH TO WHEN THE BREAD IS ABLE TO BE SLICED AND PUT IN A BAG AND PUT ON THE SHELF.

BAKING BREAD IS TRULY A TEAM EFFORT, FROM THE PERSON THAT MAKES THE DOUGH, TO THE PEOPLE THAT ARE DOING THE KNEADING ON THE TABLE, TO PROOFING AND DECIDING WHEN IT GOES IN THE OVEN, TO WHO TAKES IT OUT OF THE OVEN AND THEN SLICING AND BAGGING.

EVERY STEP IS IMPORTANT TO THE PROCESS.

WE'RE ALWAYS TRYING TO IMPROVE QUALITY.

THAT'S WHAT KEEPS ME AWAKE AT NIGHT, IS BREAD QUALITY.

OVER TIME, YOU GET A FEEL JUST BY THE LOOK, BY THE FEEL, BY THE COLOR, BUT THE TEMPERATURE IS DEFINITELY THE FOOLPROOF WAY TO KNOW FOR SURE.

THERMOMETER DOESN'T LIE.

YOU'VE GOT 5 SHELVES, THEY'RE ALL NUMBERED AND SOMETIMES YOU HAVE THINGS ON THE LEFT SIDE, THINGS ON THE RIGHT SIDE, THINGS IN THE MIDDLE.

THE MULTI-TIMER HAS DIFFERENT-NUMBERED PINS IN DIFFERENT COLORS AND THERE'S A SYSTEM THERE.

THERE'S A LOT OF PATIENCE REQUIRED IN ALMOST EVERY STEP.

BREAD MAKING IS DEFINITELY A ...

IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN RUSH.

IT TAKES TIME.

THERE ARE A FEW DAYS WHERE IT GETS TO BE A LITTLE MUCH.

DURING THE HOLIDAYS IT'S A LOT OF WORK.

THEN I'M LIKE, "OKAY, PUT ME BACK IN MY CUBICLE."

IT WOULD BE A LITTLE EASIER, BUT IT'S GREAT.

WE'VE MET A LOT OF GREAT PEOPLE, OUR EMPLOYEES ARE WONDERFUL.

A LOT OF OUR STAFF HAS BEEN HERE A LONG TIME.

WE HAVE A COUPLE THAT HAVE BEEN HERE SINCE WE OPENED, AND EVERYONE SEEMS TO GET ALONG REALLY WELL.

IT'S CALLED A DUTCHESS PRESS AND BASICALLY WHAT IT DOES IS YOU WEIGH AN AMOUNT OF DOUGH, WHETHER IT IS FOR COOKIES OR FOR IF YOU'RE MAKING DINNER ROLLS, HAMBURGER BUNS, AND YOU PUT IT INTO THE PAN, FLATTEN IT OUT, AND THEN IT GETS PRESSED SO THAT YOU GET AN EVEN AMOUNT.

BASICALLY, YOU FIGURE OUT HOW MUCH YOU WANT THE END RESULT TO WEIGH, AND YOU GET 36 EQUAL PARTS, SO YOU JUST WEIGH THAT AMOUNT OF DOUGH.

A LITTLE BIT OF MATH.

WE ACTUALLY HAVE A MATH TEST ON OUR EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION.

IT'S VERY OLD-TIME PROCESS.

WE GET A LOT OF GRANDMA COMPARISONS.

I LOVE THAT.

I'LL TAKE A COMPARISON TO GRANDMA ANY DAY.

WE LOVE WHAT WE DO, ABSOLUTELY.

WOULDN'T TRADE IT, NOT FOR A MINUTE.

MUSIC STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL IS ONE OF OUR MOST LOOKED-FORWARD-TO EVENTS IN JUNE AT THE CASTLE.

WE'VE BEEN HAVING STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL HERE FOR ABOUT 40 YEARS, IT'S A YEARLY TRADITION.

WE HAVE HOMEMADE SHORTCAKE, STRAWBERRIES WITH FRESHLY MADE WHIPPED WHIPPED CREAM.

WE HAVE ALL KINDS OF ACTIVITIES ON THE LAWN FOR THE KIDS, PONY RIDES.

WOW, LOOK AT YOU.

WE HAVE ANIMALS VISITING FROM CASEY FARM THE CHILDREN CAN VISIT WITH.

MUSIC I GUESS I'M THE JOHNNYCAKE GUY.

IT'S WHITE CORNMEAL AND STILL GRIND IT LOCALLY DOWN HERE AT THE KENYON GRIST MILL.

YOU WANT IT TO BE ABOUT THAT CONSISTENCY, AND THEN I PUT THEM ON THE GRILL HERE JUST TO DRY THEM OUT AND COOK THEM A LITTLE BIT.

YEARS AGO, THE SETTLERS WOULD PUT THEM ON A BIG, HOT ROCK, BECAUSE THE INDIANS TOLD THEM HOW TO GRIND THE CORN UP.

THE SETTLERS WOULD DRY THEM OUT LIKE THIS, AND THEY MADE THEM EASIER TO CARRY.

SO YEARS AGO THEY CALLED THEM JOURNEY CAKES.

AS THEY GOT ALONG AND WENT TO DIFFERENT PEOPLE, THE DIALECT BEING WHAT IT IS, THEY SHORTENED AND CHANGED TO JOHNNYCAKES.

THAT'S WHERE WE GOT THE NAME.

FOR MANY PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE FROM A MILITARY FAMILY, GROWING UP IN NORTH KINGSTOWN MEANT THAT YOU SPENT A LOT OF TIME AT QUONSET POINT.

CERTAINLY, HALF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVED IN TOWN WERE ATTACHED TO THE BASE IN ONE FORM OR ANOTHER, AND PROBABLY MORE THAN THAT.

PROBABLY MORE BECAUSE, THERE WAS A LOT GOING ON AT QUONSET AT THAT TIME.

IT REQUIRED A LOT OF CIVILIAN HELP.

THE QUONSET POINT NAVAL AIR STATION WAS COMMISSIONED IN 1941, AND WAS A MAJOR FACILITY THROUGHOUT WORLD WAR II ON THE FRONT LINES AGAINST GERMAN U-BOATS.

MANY BRITISH AND CANADIAN PILOTS WERE TRAINED HERE, AND PRESIDENT NIXON RECEIVED HIS BASIC TRAINING AS A NAVAL OFFICER AT QUONSET POINT.

THE BASE ALSO GAVE ITS NAME TO THE FAMILIAR QUONSET HUTS.

QUONSET, ALONG WITH THE ADJACENT DAVISVILLE, WAS, DURING ITS HEYDAY, THE LARGEST WORKFORCE IN RHODE ISLAND.

THE NAVAL CONSTRUCTION BATTALION, OR CBS, MADE THEIR HOME IN DAVISVILLE.

MY GRANDFATHER, DONALD KENNEDY, WAS ONE, A NAVAL OFFICER WHO WAS A PILOT STATIONED ABOARD THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER THE USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

THE LAKE CHAMPLAIN TRANSPORTED TROOPS HOME FROM WORLD WAR II AND PARTICIPATED IN THE KOREAN WAR.

IT'S GREATEST CLAIM TO FAME, HOWEVER, WAS ITS ROLE AS THE PRIME RECOVERY SHIP FOR THE FIRST MANNED SPACE FLIGHT, THE MERCURY MISSION.

ON MAY 5, 1961, THE US LAUNCHED ITS FIRST ASTRONAUT, ALAN SHEPARD, INTO SPACE.

WHEN THE CAPSULE RETURNED TO EARTH, THE LAKE CHAMPLAIN AND OFFICER KENNEDY WERE THERE, READY TO PLUCK THE ORBITER AND SHEPARD FROM THE SEA.

WHAT HE SAID ALAN SHEPARD SAID WAS, "I'M SO GLAD TO BE HERE."

"I'M SO GLAD TO BE ON THE GROUND AND EVERYTHING'S OKAY."

EVERYBODY FELT THAT AND EVERYBODY FELT THAT IT WAS AMAZING THAT THERE WE WERE, THERE OUR HUSBANDS WERE OUT ON THAT SHIP THAT PICKED HIM UP.

YOU JUST KNEW THAT IT WAS A HISTORICAL THING.

FOR THE KENNEDY FAMILY, LIKE SO MANY OTHERS IN NORTH KINGSTOWN WHOSE LIVES REVOLVED AROUND THE FACILITY, QUONSET WAS MORE THAN JUST A MILITARY BASE.

THERE WAS AN OFFICER'S CLUB FOR SOCIALIZING, A SWIMMING POOL FOR FAMILY OUTINGS, THE COMMISSARY AND EXCHANGE FOR SHOPPING, AND A GOLF COURSE, GYM, AND THE YEARLY NAVAL RELIEF CARNIVAL TO LOOK FORWARD TO.

ONCE A YEAR, THEY WOULD HAVE WHAT THEY CALLED A DEPENDENT'S DAY CRUISE ON THE CARRIER.

THE BIG PROBLEM IS THAT YOU WOULD LAND ON THE CARRIER AND THE CARRIER IS NOT LIKE LANDING ON LAND, IT'S ON THE WATER, SO IT'S IN CONSTANT MOTION.

TODAY, IT SERVES RHODE ISLAND AS A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS PARTNER, WITH ALMOST 200 COMPANIES AND OVER 10,000 EMPLOYEES.

ALTHOUGH CHANGED, QUONSET POINT STILL REMAINS AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR TOWN: NORTH KINGSTOWN.

(MUSIC) (MUSIC) (MUSIC) MY NAME IS ALVIN J. NOSS, JR.

I WAS BORN IN 1914 IN SLOCUM.

101 YEARS NEXT MONTH HERE IN SLOCUM.

ALWAYS IN SLOCUM, IN THE SAME HOUSE.

THAT'S RIGHT, IN THE SAME HOUSE.

THIS PIECE IS REALLY THE HUNDRED YEARS OF HISTORY OF SLOCUM THROUGH THE EYES OF MR. NOSS.

90 YEARS AGO, THERE WAS AN OXCART TROTTING BY HIS HOME.

HE REMEMBERS HEARING HORSES TAKING HIS FELLOW NEIGHBORS TO CHURCH ON SUNDAY.

MY FATHER WAS A AGENT AT SLOCUM.

HIS NAME WAS ALVIN J. NOSS.

THOSE PEOPLE SITTING OUT IN FRONT ARE WAITING FOR THEIR MORNING TRAIN TO GO TO THE CITY.

THE TRAIN WOULD COME IN, IT WOULD HAVE 2 PASSENGER CARS, ONE WOULD BE A SMOKER AND THE OTHER WOULD BE A REGULAR CAR WITH NO SMOKING.

IN FRONT OF THAT WOULD BE THE RAILWAY MAIL CAR AND A BAGGAGE CAR.

FREIGHTS HAS TO GO THROUGH THERE, BRING CARLOADS OF COAL.

THE COAL WAS SOMETHING USED QUITE A BIT IN THOSE DAYS, AND SO THOSE TRAINS WOULD CLIMB UP THE HILL AND GO DOWN THE OTHER SIDE, THAT'S BY THE DRY BRIDGE ROAD.

IT WOULD GET TO BOUNCING A LITTLE BIT, IT COULDN'T HELP IT SOMETIMES.

FREIGHTS TRAVEL ALONG, THEIR CARS KIND OF BOUNCE, AND THE COAL ON IT WOULD BE HEAPED UP ON THE CARS AND THEY WOULD ROLL OFF FROM TIME TO TIME ALONG THOSE STRETCHES OF THE STRETCHES WHERE THE TRACKS ARE ROUGH AND THE TRAINS GO FAST.

MY BROTHER AND I PICKED UP SOME COAL AND WE'D USE IT TO HEAT THE POST OFFICE THAT MY MOTHER HAD.

THAT WAS A HELP.

THAT'S A PHOTO OF MY 3 CHILDREN.

THEY'RE STANDING UNDER THE SIGNBOARD OF THE SLOCUM STATION, AND THEY'RE STANDING IN THE VERY SPOT WHERE THE STATIONS USED TO STAND WHERE THEIR GRANDFATHER WORKED.

IT'S QUITE A PICTURE.

HERE, WHERE INDIAN CORNER ROAD MEETS SLOCUM ROAD, THE GRANGE IS THE ONLY PRESENT-DAY, ACTIVE REMINDER OF THE SMALL FARMING COMMUNITY THAT USED TO BE HERE.

THE HALL WAS USED FOR EDUCATION AND ENTERTAINMENT.

THEY DID PLAYS, DANCES, LAWN PARTIES, FAIRS, SUPPERS IN THE BASEMENT.

SINCE THE BEGINNING, THE MEMBERS HAVE WON PRIZES FOR THEIR JOHNNYCAKES, WHICH ARE STILL SERVED AT THE BREAKFAST TODAY.

THE SOILS HERE IN SLOCUM ARE SOME OF THE MOST HIGHLY PRODUCTIVE IN THIS STATE.

WE'D PICK UP THERE WHAT WOULD CALL PIG POTATOES, OR THEY WERE SMALL.

THEY WOULDN'T PASS FOR REGULAR POTATOES YOU'LL FIND IN THE STORE.

THEY WERE PUT INTO A BUSHEL BASKET, WITH 5 CENTS A BASKET.

WE'D GET MAYBE ... MAYBE MAKE A DOLLAR A DAY, WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH YOUR DOLLAR?

I REALLY DON'T KNOW.

THAT WENT INTO A PIGGY BANK.

WHO KNOWS?

THIS UNIQUE PLAIN SOIL AND THE PLOW IS WHAT CREATED A FARMING COMMUNITY.

WHY IT WILL NEVER BEEN DEVELOPED, AND SINCE WHY IT IS A VILLAGE THAT WAS PLOWED UNDER.

I HAVE ENJOYED WATCHING HIM RECALL 10 DECADES OF DETAILS.

THANK YOU.

I'VE BEEN PAINTING PROBABLY 40 YEARS AND, FINALLY, MY PAINTING TEACHER TOLD ME I HAD TOO MANY PAINTINGS AND IT WAS TIME TO START SELLING THEM.

THAT'S HOW I GOT STARTED.

THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR THAT I'VE PUT EVERYTHING TOGETHER TO BE AN EXHIBITOR.

LOTS OF RHODE ISLAND PHOTOGRAPHY.

SOME LOCAL BEACHES, SOME WAVES, AND SEASCAPES, AND SOME SAILING AND WHATNOT.

SHOW YOUR LOVE FOR RHODE ISLAND AND BUY LEMONADE HERE.

THIS IS MY 50TH YEAR.

I WORK IN PENCIL, BLACK AND WHITE AND COLOR.

MY FAVORITE TO DO PEOPLE'S HOMES.

YOU WANT TO BUY SOME RAFFLE TICKETS TO HELP SUPPORT NARROW RIVER PRESERVATION ASSOCIATION?

WE'VE GONE FROM 200 TO 450 ARTISTS.

WHEN IT WAS 450 ARTISTS, IT WAS LIKE WICKFORD WAS IN HOSTAGE MODE AND NOBODY COULD MOVE.

IF YOU'RE WALKING A FESTIVAL WITH 200 ARTISTS, IT TAKES A FULL DAY TO SEE EVERYBODY.

I CREATE A LOT OF WHIMSICAL ART, MIXED MEDIA.

I USED TO BE A PRESCHOOL TEACHER.

I CREATE DIFFERENT COLLECTIONS.

I HAVE FLOWERS, I GOT SEA, I'VE GOT ANIMALS.

A REALLY FUN, FUN WORLD.

WE'RE NORTH KINGSTOWNERS AND WE ALWAYS LOVE TO COME TO THE WICKFORD ART FESTIVAL.

YOU ALWAYS ALSO LIKE THE WHAT ...

THE LEMONADE.

I WORK IN OIL AND ACRYLIC AND WATERCOLOR, AS WELL.

I'M AN ILLUSTRATOR.

I'VE BEEN DOING WICKFORD FOR ALMOST 20 YEARS, NOW, I BELIEVE.

I LOVE IT HERE.

THE PEOPLE ARE VERY NICE.

THE NEIGHBORS ARE VERY, VERY HOSPITABLE.

MY DAUGHTER AND I HAVE RECENTLY STARTED TO DO COLLABORATIVE WORK AND THIS IS OUR FIRST PIECE, HERE.

IT'S THE STORY IN REGARDS TO GENERATIONS OF ARTISTS IN OUR FAMILY.

I LOVE BLOWING GLASS AND I LOVE MAKING WHAT I MAKE.

TRYING TO COME UP WITH SOMETHING NEW EVERY YEAR FOR THE SHOW, IT'S A CHALLENGE.

I STARTED DOING THESE AS A CHILD, PLAYING ON THE BEACH, AND IT'S PROGRESSED FROM THERE.

I BASICALLY GO OUT AND FIND THINGS ON THE BEACH AND PUT THEM TOGETHER INTO SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

I'M NOT EVEN A FULL-TIME ARTIST, I DO THIS IN MY SPARE TIME.

IT'S MY THERAPY.

WE'RE A VOLUNTEER-RUN EVENT, SO WE HAVE ABOUT PROBABLY BETWEEN 30 AND 50 VOLUNTEERS.

WE'RE JUST GOING AROUND RELIEVING THE ARTISTS, BRINGING WATER AROUND.

I LOVE SCULPTING.

WHAT I REALLY TRY TO DO IS CAPTURE THE PERSON'S INNER SPIRIT, IF I CAN.

THAT STARTED WITH MY GRANDAUGHTER AND I WALKING THE TOWN BEACH 2 YEARS AGO, PICKING UP LITTLE PIECES OF STUFF AT THE BEACH.

THE BIRDS DIGEST, OR INGEST, THEY DON'T DIGEST IT, THE PLASTICS, AND THEY DIE SHORTLY AFTER EATING IT.

SO THIS IS A STATEMENT.

IT'S ALL RECYCLED STAINLESS STEEL AND IT'S TALKING ABOUT EATING MORE PLASTIC.

THE TITLE OF THIS PIECE IS, "LAST MEAL?"

I PAINT WHEN I CAN'T SLEEP AND I PAINT WHEN I'M BORED.

HEY!

THERE'S MY FRIEND.

I HAVE A LOT OF FRIENDS AROUND HERE.

KAYLA!

MY FATHER WAS AN ARTIST WHO WAS A FOUNDING FATHER OF THE WICKFORD ART FESTIVAL.

IN 1955, I'VE GOT PHOTOS THAT SHOW HIS FIRST ART FESTIVAL.

HE JUST PUT PAINTINGS OUT ON THE STREET.

HE WANTED VERY MUCH FOR IT TO STAY A FINE ART SHOW.

OVER THE YEARS, HE TAUGHT MANY, MANY CHILDREN AND ADULTS ART.

HE FELT THAT IT WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO TEACH ART AND TO GET PEOPLE INTERESTED AND TO BECOME LIFELONG ARTISTS.

I THINK ART IS SO IMPORTANT THESE DAYS.

WHAT MAKES US HUMAN, I BELIEVE, IS OUR ARTISTIC IMAGINATION.

LET'S SUPPORT THE ART TO MAKE OUR LIFE SO MUCH BETTER.

IN THE NAME OF HUMANITY, COME TO WICKFORD.

MOST CHILDREN WALKED TO AND FROM SCHOOL EACH DAY.

RECESS WAS HELD IN A SCHOOLYARD.

MONKEY BARS IN THE BACK OF THE SCHOOL WERE THE CENTER OF ATTENTION.

SOME OF THE EARLIEST KIDS TO GET EDUCATED IN NORTH KINGSTOWN WERE KIDS WHO LIVED IN DAVISVILLE.

IT WAS A PRETTY-GOOD-SIZE ONE-ROOM SCHOOLHOUSE, THOUGH.

IT HAD 1 TEACHER TO COVER ALL 6 GRADES.

WE HAD MS. SAUNDERS AND I HAD HER FOR THE 2 YEARS AND SHE WAS A STRICT, OLD-TIME TEACHER.

HIT YOUR HANDS WITH THE RULERS AND STUFF IF YOU DIDN'T WRITE RIGHT, OR IF YOU WERE LEFT HANDED AND ...

YOUR BASIC READING,'RITING AND 'RITHMETIC ALONG WITH A LITTLE BIT OF GEOGRAPHY THROWN IN THERE, AS WELL.

IN FACT, I REMEMBER THOSE NEW CRAYONS.

I USED TO LOVE THAT.

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL WITH THIS LITTLE SQUARE BOX AND THE CRAYONS WITH THE FLAT SIDE ON THE BACK OF THEM.

I'D ALWAYS ORGANIZE THEM BY COLOR IN THE RAINBOW.

WE ALL IDENTIFIED IT AS THE RED SCHOOL HOUSE, BUT COLORED PAINT WAS EXPENSIVE BACK THEN ...

THE WHITEWASH KIND OF A PAINT WAS THE CHEAPEST KIND YOU COULD GET.

USUALLY, THEY WERE MADE OUT OF MILK, A MILK-BASED PAINT, AND THEY WOULD AGE TO A LIGHT YELLOWISH-WHITE.

THAT'S WHAT MOST PUBLIC BUILDINGS WERE PAINTED.

I ALWAYS LOVED SCHOOL.

THAT LOVE FOR SCHOOL AND FOR LEARNING TOOK ROOT AT THE LITTLE RED SCHOOL HOUSE.

HOW ABOUT SOME GRAPE JUICE, GRAPEFRUIT, ALSO.

WE STARTED WITH A LITTLE, LITTLE CLOSET TO STORE THE FOOD IN IN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, AND, IN FACT, STAYED IN THE PREMISES OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH FOR THE NEXT 32 YEARS.

IT TELLS US WHO BROUGHT THE, LIKE ST. BERNARD'S CHURCH BROUGHT THIS IN, 12 POUNDS.

WE MAYBE SAW 10 FAMILIES A MONTH AND I DID ALL THE DELIVERIES BECAUSE I THOUGHT IF THEY NEEDED FOOD, THEY OBVIOUSLY COULDN'T AFFORD THE GAS.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO MOVE FROM THE LITTLE CLOSET AT THE METHODIST CHURCH INTO A BIGGER BUILDING?

THAT'S A VERY FRIGHTENING THING AT THAT TIME.

BUT I THOUGHT, WHY NOT?

WHEN WE APPROACHED THE TOWN COUNCIL, THEY INDICATED THAT THE BUILDING HAD APPROXIMATELY $70, 000 WORTH OF REPAIRS TO DO AND THAT, IF WE WANTED THE BUILDING, THAT THEY WOULD LEASE IT TO US FOR 5 YEARS AND THEY WOULD GIVE US THE FIRST YEAR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING THE FACILITY UP TO CODE.

WHICH WAS AN ENORMOUS CONCERN FOR US, BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE $70,000 TO DO THE REPAIRS.

PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY, COMPANIES STEPPED UP, AND REALLY CAME TO OUR SUPPORT.

THE SEPTIC SYSTEM, THE ENGINEERING, THE INSTALLATION, WERE ALL INSTALLED FOR FREE.

IT WAS AN UNBELIEVABLE COMMUNITY EFFORT, AND WITH ALL THAT SUPPORT WE WERE ABLE TO COMPLETE OUR PROJECT WITHIN A YEAR.

PINEAPPLE CHUNKS, APPLESAUCE.

THE LOCATION IS IMPORTANT.

MOST OF OUR CLIENTS LIVE IN THIS AREA.

MY OTHER SON IS 11, MY MIDDLE SON IS 8 YEARS OLD, AND MY YOUNGEST DAUGHTER IS 5.

OF COURSE, WHEN YOU'RE IN NEED, YOU FEEL AS IF YOU'RE GOING TO HUMBLE YOURSELF, AND COMING ACROSS NORTH KINGSTOWN FOOD PANTRY, I'VE NEVER FELT UNCOMFORTABLE WALKING IN.

I'VE NEVER FELT EMBARRASSED.

HOLY TOLEDO!

I CAN'T BELIEVE ALL THIS DESSERT.

I KNOW.

I HAPPEN TO HAVE BEEN BORN DURING THE DEPRESSION AND THAT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TIMES FOR MY FAMILY.

EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, I REMEMBER, WHEN I WAS LITTLE AND WE HAD TO WALK A GREAT DISTANCE TO GET THE MILK AND BREAD AND FOOD, AND IT WAS NOTHING LIKE THIS.

MUSIC WE HAD A LOT OF TRANSITION FROM THE LITTLE RED SCHOOL HOUSE, AND THEN WE WERE ABLE TO GET OUR WAY AND APPLY FOR THE RHODE ISLAND COMMUNITY FOOD BANK.

THIS ALLOWED US TO EXPAND OUR FOOD SERVICES, AS WE CAN FEED MORE AND PAY LESS.

THIS HAS BEEN SOMETHING THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO NOW FOR THE LAST YEAR, GOING INTO OUR SECOND YEAR, AND SO FAR WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH THE DEMAND.

THERE WILL ALWAYS BE A DEMAND AS THE ECONOMY FLUCTUATES, BUT AT LEAST WE ARE DOING OUR PART.

I DO IT BECAUSE IT'S FUN AND YOU'RE HELPING THE COMMUNITY AT THE SAME TIME.

IT'S A VERY LOVING ENVIRONMENT AND PEOPLE MAKE SURE THAT THEY FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE, NOT AS IF YOU'RE BEGGING FOR HELP.

THEY EXTEND THEIR HEARTS AND OBVIOUSLY, THE FOOD IS BEING DONATED BY SOMEBODY, SO IT'S SURELY COMING FROM LOVE.

SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT DOING NOW ARE, HOW CAN WE HELP OUR CLIENTS HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE FOOD THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE AT THE PANTRY?

THIS YEAR, WE WROTE A SMALL GRANT, AND WE'RE DOING OUR FIRST CLASS TO HELP PEOPLE UNDERSTAND WHAT TO DO WITH FRESH PRODUCE.

THE LITTLE RED SCHOOL HOUSE HAS BEEN IN THIS TOWN FOR OVER A HUNDRED YEARS, AS A RESOURCE FOR THE PEOPLE OF NORTH KINGSTOWN FROM AN EDUCATIONAL PERSPECTIVE.

NOW, WE WOULD LIKE TO STAY HERE FOR ANOTHER HUNDRED YEARS AS AN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE WITH A FOOD PERSPECTIVE.

MUSIC WE'VE GOT IT, WE'VE GOT IT.

DROP THE BALL.

IT'S GOOD FOR THE COMMUNITY, AND IT HELPS PEOPLE BRIDGE GAPS.

BRIDGING THE GAP.

THIS PROGRAM WAS STARTED TO OFFER UNDER-SERVED YOUTH AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE WELLNESS PROGRAMS RIGHT IN THEIR OWN NEIGHBORHOOD, SO THERE'S NO ACCESSIBILITY PROBLEMS, AND NO AFFORDABILITY ISSUES.

WE ARE LOCATED IN THE COMPLEX OF CROSSROADS, OR KINGSTOWN CROSSING.

JAY SPENCE STARTED THE PROGRAM LAST YEAR, RUNNING IT WITH 5 SESSIONS, 5 COACHES.

WE HAVE DEDICATED COACHES WHO VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME AND WE HAVE A GREAT GROUP OF YOUNG MEN WHO ACTUALLY ARE MEMBERS OF THE TEAM.

MUSIC GOOD SHOT.

KEEP THE KIDS STAYING OUT OF TROUBLE, AND STUFF.

POSITIVE BEHAVIOR.

EVERYBODY CAN COME TOGETHER AS A GROUP AND WORK TOGETHER.

GOOD DEFENSE.

(SINGING) MUSIC THESE GUYS WERE ACTIVELY FARMING OYSTERS AND WERE OYSTER FARMERS WHO OPERATED OUT OF THESE LOCATIONS.

THIS PLACE, AT THAT TIME, WAS THE LARGEST EMPLOYER IN THE VILLAGE, EMPLOYING PEOPLE WORKING IN THE PACKING HOUSES, PEOPLE WORKING ON THE SHIPS, EVEN GUARDS OUT GUARDING THE OYSTER BED.

THESE PLACES WERE CRITICAL TO WICKFORD.

THE 1930S WERE THE END OF THE GOLDEN YEAR FOR THESE INDUSTRIES.

OF COURSE, THE DEPRESSION CAME ALONG AND THE LUXURY OF EATING RAW OYSTERS IN A FANCY RESTAURANT IN BOSTON OR NEW YORK, WAS ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS TO GO, OBVIOUSLY.

THEN CAME THE ONE-TWO PUNCH, I LIKE TO CALL IT, THAT KILLED THE INDUSTRY RIGHT OFF, COMPLETELY.

THEY WERE ALREADY STRUGGLING WITH THE CHALLENGES OF THE ECONOMY AND THE, IN THE SPACE OF 1 YEAR, 1938, A BRUTAL HURRICANE...

THIS IS WHERE THE MAGIC HAPPENS.

THAT'S IT.

THIS IS WHERE WE PUT ALL OUR SEED.

IT COMES FROM OUR HATCHERIES.

WE USUALLY LEAVE THIS IN HERE FOR ABOUT 3-4 MONTHS.

IN HERE, WE ACTUALLY HAVE 8 DIFFERENT SILOS.

WE HAVE 3 DIFFERENT UPWELLERS RUNNING AND WE GO THROUGH THEM AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK.

WE CLEAN THE OYSTERS BY HAND, WE POWER WASH THE SCREENS.

ONCE WE PULL ONE OF THESE UP, YOU'LL SEE THE DIFFERENT-SIZED MESH SCREEN ON THE OUTFLOW, WHICH ALLOWS ALL THE WATER TO COME IN AN OUT.

BIGGER THE SCREEN, THE MORE THE WATER FLOW.

THE MORE WATER FLOW, THE HEALTHIER, THE MORE FOOD THE OYSTER WILL EAT.

YOU CAN SEE, WE CLEANED THESE LAST WEEK YOU CAN SEE THE GROWTH.

WE GROW THE ... WE DO THE NURSERY STAGE INSIDE WICKFORD HARBOR, AND THEN FROM THERE WE BRING THEM OUT, WE HAVE 4 GROW-OUT SITES.

ONE RIGHT OUTSIDE WICKFORD HARBOR, ONE OFF OF WILD GOOSE POINT, ANOTHER ONE OFF ROME POINT, ANOTHER ONE JUST NORTH OF THE BRIDGE ON NORTH KINGSTOWN SIDE.

WE HAVE 15.5 ACRES.

MUSIC LET'S PULL IT OUT AND SEE WHAT WE'VE GOT INSIDE.

WE GO THROUGH, WE LOOK FOR ANY KIND OF DEAD SHELL, SEE IF IT'S HEALTHY.

THIS IS ALL NEW GROWTH THAT THIS OYSTER'S PROBABLY PUT ON IN THE LAST 30 DAYS OR SO.

ONCE THE WATER WARMS UP, THEY TAKE OFF.

WE CALL IT POPCORN TIME.

THESE ARE A YEAR OLD.

PROBABLY BE READY- WINTER AND AFTER WINTER.

ALL THE CHANGE OF SEASONS, YOU GET TO SEE IT ALL OUT HERE.

OUR OFFICE CHANGES EVERY DAY.

IT CAN BE FLAT, CALM, AND HOT, TO 6-FOOTERS AND SNOW.

I'VE DONE AN OFFICE JOB, THAT'S THE REASON I'M HERE.

EVERY DAY, UP ON THE BOAT, WE FEED THEM BY HAND AND WHATNOT.

DURING THE WINTER TIME, WE HELP THEM OUT BECAUSE THE BAY FREEZES OVER SO THEY CAN'T REALLY DIG CLAMS, AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

TOOK A CLASS AT URI.

STARTED ...

TRIED GROWING OYSTERS IN ALL THE FUNKY WAYS.

FINALLY, WE JUST WENT WITH THE RACK AND BAG, LIKE THE CAGE SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE HERE, AND THEY ACTUALLY STARTED TO GROW, AND I WAS LIKE, "HUH, ALL RIGHT."

RATHER THAN GO ON LOOKING FOR PRODUCT ALL THE TIME, IF WE COULD FARM IT AND JUST GO TO WORK EVERYDAY.

WE FORMED A COOPERATIVE AND, ACTUALLY, WE SOLD STUFF EVERY WEEK.

WE CAME UP WITH THIS IDEA TO GET A GROUP OF FARMS TOGETHER AND ONE SALESMAN, POOL ALL OUR RESOURCES INTO SELLING OUR STUFF RIGHT THROUGH THERE IN ONE SHOP.

ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS IS, WHEN YOU'RE LOADING UP YOUR GEAR, YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE ALL THE OYSTERS ARE FLAT INSIDE THIS BAG.

YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET AN OYSTER FRESHER THAN THIS, ESPECIALLY RIGHT OFF THE FARM.

NICE MEAT.

NICE, FRESH, CLEAN SHELL.

LOOK AT IT.

SEND HER DOWN, BUDDY.

SEE THESE RIGHT HERE?

HOW BIG THIS OYSTER IS, RIGHT HERE?

THAT, RIGHT THERE, IS CONSIDERED A ROME POINT.

AS THEY GO DOWN IN SIZE, THESE ARE THE SAME YEAR CLASS OYSTER, THESE ARE WHAT WE CONSIDER A WILD GOOSE.

NICE, DEEP CUP ON THEM, BUT THEY'RE ONLY LIKE 2.5 INCHES, JUST SHORT OF 3 INCHES.

LOOK AT THESE MEATS IN THEM, HUH?

ISN'T THAT NICE?

OH MY GOD.

ALL RIGHTY.

LET'S GET A RESPONSE ON THIS ONE.

MM-HMM (AFFIRMATIVE).

PRETTY GOOD.

(SINGING) THERE WAS A SMALL GROUP THAT WANTED TO SING, SO I HAD JUST GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE WITH A DEGREE IN VOICE, AND THEY ASKED ME IF I WOULD DIRECT ONE YEAR AND I SAID, "SURE."

THERE WERE A NUMBER OF THEM THAT WANTED TO KEEP SINGING, AND WOULD I BE INTERESTED IN CONTINUING, AND I SAID, "SURE."

THAT WAS IT.

WE SANG UPTOWN OUTDOORS, WE RENTED THE LIBRARY, AND WE PERFORMED HERE AND WE HAD ABOUT 20-22 SINGERS.

THEY ENJOYED IT, THEY KEPT BRINGING THEIR FRIENDS.

PEOPLE HEARD US PERFORM, THEY JOINED IN, AND NOW WE HAVE OVER A HUNDRED SINGERS.

I WAS LOOKING FOR ANOTHER CHORUS TO DO AND I'M NOT THE MOST SERIOUS PERSON IN THE WORLD, AND BECAUSE OF THAT, I WAS LOOKING FOR A GROUP THAT WAS A LOT OF FUN, BUT ALSO TOOK THE MUSIC SERIOUSLY AND DID A NICE BALANCE OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF SONGS.

OH MY GOSH.

I THINK THE SINGERS HAVE A GOOD TIME.

WHEN THEY COME IN, I THINK THEY CAN SEE THAT WE'RE ORGANIZED.

WE HAVE MUSIC FOR THEM, WE HAVE A PLACE TO REHEARSE.

THEY HAVE A GOAL OF PERFORMANCE.

MAYBE THEY SANG IN HIGH SCHOOL, MAYBE THEY SANG IN COLLEGE, BUT THEN IT WAS OVER.

SO THEY REALIZED THIS WAS A PLACE THAT THEY COULD SING.

THEY DON'T HAVE TO HAVE A DEGREE IN VOICE, THEY JUST HAVE TO WANT TO SING AND SHOW UP.

I'VE BEEN PLAYING FOR 15 YEARS FOR THE NORTH KINGSTOWN CHORUS.

THE GROUP IS A LOT OF FUN AND WE HAVE A GREAT AMOUNT OF CAMARADERIE AND TIME WITH THE REHEARSALS.

(SINGING) THIS IS JUST MY SECOND YEAR, AND I'M HAVING AN ABSOLUTE BALL.

THIS IS SUCH A WONDERFUL ORGANIZATION, A WONDERFUL GROUP, DEDICATED PEOPLE, WONDERFUL MUSICAL DIRECTION, WONDERFUL CAMARADERIE.

IT'S A REAL FAMILY, AND THAT'S WHY I'M HERE.

I LOVE TO SING, EVERYBODY ELSE LOVES TO SING AS WELL AND IT'S JUST SO MUCH FUN.

(SINGING) WE MAKE THEM LAUGH, AND THE NEXT MINUTE I HOPE WE MAKE THEM CRY.

(SINGING) I WILL RUN INTO AN ADULT THAT SAYS, "OH, I CAN'T SING.

I'VE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO SING."

IT'S PROBABLY BECAUSE THEY NEVER HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SING AS A CHILD.

(SINGING) I REALIZE THAT NOT EVERY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN TOWN HAD A YOUTH CHORUS.

WE PUT IT OUT THERE IT'S A NATURAL THING FOR CHILDREN TO SING, AND IT'S VERY, VERY IMPORTANT THAT THEY START SINGING AT A YOUNG AGE.

(SINGING) WE ARE AN ENTERTAINMENT.

WE ARE JUST, PLAIN, AN ENTERTAINMENT.

I HAD A NEW PERSON COME TO THIS PAST CONCERT AND THEY SAID, "WHAT A COMMUNITY IT IS."

BECAUSE IT WASN'T JUST THE CHORUS STANDING UP THERE AND SINGING.

WE INVOLVED A DANCE COMPANY.

WE INVOLVED A BAND.

WE HAD SPECIALTY NUMBERS.

(SINGING) I TAKE A SMALL GROUP OF GIRLS AND THEY ALL WANT TO DO IT.

THEY LOVE IT.

THEY REALLY LOVE IT.

I DO TOO, I REALLY DO.

I WOULDN'T MISS THIS.

I COME EVERY YEAR, AND I REALLY SUPPORT, NOT ONLY THIS, BUT THE HIGH SCHOOL, THE PLAYS, AND ALL THAT KIND OF THING.

TO ME, THIS IS BROADWAY FOR ME.

3 OF MY NOW-GROWN CHILDREN HAVE BEEN IN THE CHORUS, GOING WAY BACK.

THE OLDEST ONE IS NOW 45, THE YOUNGEST TWINS ARE 34.

WE'VE ALWAYS SAT RIGHT HERE IN THE FRONT ROW.

(SINGING) I JUST GET THE BIGGEST KICK OF SEEING PEOPLE SINGING THEIR LITTLE HEARTS OUT AND ENJOYING THE MUSIC.

WE WERE INVITED BY THE TOWN AND THE PARADE COMMITTEE TO BE PART OF THE MEMORIAL DAY AND THE VETERAN'S DAY PARADE.

WE PROVIDE MUSIC, WE PLAY ALL OUR OLD PATRIOTIC SONGS.

(SINGING) WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GIVE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS CONTINUING THEIR EDUCATION IN MUSIC.

I THINK NOW IT'S OVER $20,000 THAT WE'VE GIVEN.

WE LIKE TO FOLLOW THEIR CAREERS, BECAUSE WE LIKE TO THINK WE'VE BEEN PART OF HELPING THEM START THEIR CAREERS.

YES, I'M GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL THIS YEAR.

I'M GOING TO MOLLOY COLLEGE IN LONG ISLAND, AND I'M GOING TO STUDY MUSIC THERAPY.

WOW.

(SINGING) THEY STILL HOLD IT TOGETHER AND EVERY SONG HAS A DIFFERENT PURPOSE AND FEELING, AND THEY GET IT.

THEY CONVEY IT, AND THAT'S THE WHOLE THING ABOUT MUSIC, IS TO EXPRESS WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT.

YOU CAN'T SEE IT, BUT WHEN WE FINISH A SONG, I GIVE A "YES!"

(SINGING) THE GLORIANA II WITH PAULE LORING AT THE HELM, AND HIS TRADEMARK LITTLE BEARD AND HAT, WAS A COMMON SIGHT HERE IN WICKFORD.

HE HAD COMMERCIAL ART, POLITICAL AND EDITORIAL CARTOONIST WORK, AND HIS FINE ARTS.

HE'S ILLUSTRATING BOOKS FOR HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONS AND, ON TOP OF ALL THIS, DOING HIS OWN WORK.

HE WAS PASSIONATE ABOUT THE HISTORY, THE MARITIME HISTORY, OF NEW ENGLAND.

PARTICULARLY ABOUT BOATS, SAILBOATS.

A LOT OF THESE THINGS ENDED UP IN YANKEE MAGAZINE, TOO.

HE WAS EVERYWHERE.

HE LIKED HANGING OUT IN THE LOCAL PUBS AND GATHERING SEA STORIES.

THAT'S WHAT HE WAS REALLY ALL ABOUT, WAS TRYING TO CAPTURE THAT ERA.

DEVELOPED IS OWN LITTLE CHARACTER CALLED, "DUD SINKER, " WHO WAS A COMBINATION CHARACTER OF A MAINE LOBSTERMAN AND A RHODE ISLAND SWAMP YANKEE QUAHOGGER.

HE HAD ALL THE QUALITIES, THE WONDERFUL QUALITIES, OF THOSE 2 KIND OF CHARACTERS.

THE ART SHANTY WAS REALLY NO MORE THAN A GLORIFIED SHACK.

THERE'S A GUY, LEFT AN IMPORTANT LEGACY, THAT DESERVES TO BE REMEMBERED.

I GREW UP BAKING WITH MY MOM, BUT THEN MY FRESHMAN YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL, I GOT REALLY INTO IT AND WAS BAKING ALL THE TIME FOR ALL OF OUR FAMILY EVENTS AND ALL OF MY FRIEND'S BIRTHDAYS, AND SO I WANTED TO DO SOMETHING THAT WOULD HELP FIND A CURE FOR CANCER.

BECAUSE I'VE HAD LOVED ONES WHO HAVE HAD THE DISEASE, AND, UNFORTUNATELY, IT SEEMS TO BE SOMETHING THAT AFFECTS EVERYONE TODAY.

I FOUND THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY'S WEBSITE, AND THEIR MOTTO IS "CELEBRATE MORE BIRTHDAYS, " SO THAT WAS A PERFECT MATCH.

BECAUSE THAT'S HOW I BEGAN BAKING SO MUCH, IN THE FIRST PLACE.

THEN IT TURNED INTO CUPCAKES AGAINST CANCER.

I LOVE DOING IT.

IT'S SO FUN.

I'M THE NORTH KINGSTOWN HARBOR MASTER, I'VE BEEN HERE ABOUT 5 YEARS.

BASICALLY, THE JOB ENTAILS KEEPING PEOPLE FROM ACTING UP ON THE WATER, SPEEDING.

UNFORTUNATELY, SAVING LIVES AT DIFFERENT TIMES.

HERE'S A BOAT THAT WAS SANK.

IT'S BEEN UNDERWATER NOW FOR 5 YEARS.

IT'S GOING IN THE TRASHCAN IN ABOUT 2 WEEKS.

PEOPLE YELLING AT ME.

IT'S AMAZING HOW PEOPLE ARE LIKE, "MY GOD, I WOULD NEVER THINK OF ... " YOU'RE IN A BOAT THAT SAYS "POLICE" ALL OVER IT, AND THEY'RE YELLING AT YOU.

WE HAVE FROM JAMESTOWN BRIDGE ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE WARWICK LINE.

PROBABLY RUNS ABOUT 34 MILES ONE WAY.

WE HAVE TO DO A TOUR OF IT TWICE A DAY AND WE ALSO COVER THE ISLANDS, HOPE ISLAND AND DUTCH ISLAND.

ALL RIGHT, HANG ON.

THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT NEW BOATERS HAVE NO IDEA OF.

WE'VE HAD A FEW FIND THAT ONE, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT.

THAT'LL PUT THE FEAR OF GOD INTO YOU ABOUT 2:00 IN THE MORNING, WHOA.

IT PRETTY MUCH KEEPS US BUSY THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER.

TOWNS ARE BASICALLY A BIG TOURIST PLACE AND WE'RE HERE TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY COMES IN AND HAS A GOOD TIME.

MUSIC WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE TODAY, AND, ACTUALLY, ALL THIS WEEKEND, IS AN EVENT WE CALL DAFFODIL DAYS.

WE'RE CELEBRATING SPRING.

WE'RE CELEBRATING WARM WEATHER.

IT'S BEEN A LONG, COLD WINTER.

WE'RE HAPPY TO GET SOME COLOR IN THE VILLAGE.

MUSIC AND THAT'S OUR TOWN: NORTH KINGSTOWN.

A LOOK AT THIS CULTURAL, COASTAL COMMUNITY THROUGH THE EYES OF ITS RESIDENTS AND FRIENDS.

YOUR VOICE, YOUR VISION.

OUR TOWN.

MUSIC SUPPORT FOR OUR TOWN: NORTH KINGSTOWN, COMES FROM: DAVE'S MARKETPLACE IS A PROUD SUPPORTER OF RHODE ISLAND PBS.

THE INSIDE SCOOP, OFFERING 64 FLAVORS OF HOMEMADE ICE CREAM, NON-FAT FROZEN YOGURT, ICE CREAM CAKES, AND A MOBILE ICE CREAM CART FOR YOUR NEXT EVENT.

THE INSIDE SCOOP, PROUD TO SUPPORT RHODE ISLAND PBS AND OUR TOWN: NORTH KINGSTOWN.

NATELLI SYSTEMS TAKES PRIDE IN THEIR SOFTWARE CONSULTING SERVICES, JUST AS RHODE ISLAND PBS TAKES PRIDE IN THEIR PROGRAMMING.

NATELLI SYSTEMS, PROUD TO SUPPORT RHODE ISLAND PBS AND OUR TOWN: NORTH KINGSTOWN.

AND THESE GENEROUS CONTRIBUTORS: THE NORTH KINGSTOWN ARTS COUNCIL, SUPPORTING THE ARTS IN OUR COMMUNITY SINCE 1983.

PROUD TO SUPPORT RHODE ISLAND PBS.

ONLINE AT NKARTSCOUNCIL.ORG.

AND: TONY JONES OMNIMEDIA.