Residential Properties Blog » Narragansett

Our Favorite Used-To-Be’s

Bill — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 15:28:49 +0000

Our Cumberland office recently underwent a service upgrade for internet. In the process of this effort, we’ve discovered that the house (that is our office) was formerly the home of Ray Mullin, owner of Ray Mullin Music. His popular store was founded in 1929 and originally headquartered in Pawtucket next to the LeRoy Theater. In fact, there was a tunnel between the theater and the music store, so when big acts performed, they could sneak out through this passage. Sandy Soares got her first guitar (a Les Paul) from Ray Mullins and Debby Smith used to babysit his grandchildren. Today, both the Pawtucket store and the LeRoy Theater are gone; the Company has relocated to Swansea.

This got us thinking. Time works differently in Rhode Island. Instead of living by that clock thing hanging on the wall, nostalgia seems to be the dominant rhythm of life here. While new construction may change the terrain, the Rhode Island conscious is embedded in the past. Just ask a true Rhode Islander for directions. Instead of street names, they will most likely be given by landmark. And usually this landmark will be outdated, like where the old I-195 used to be. With this trait in mind, we’ve created a list of some famous Rhode Island Used-To-Be’s that are important to our culture.

If you live in the Ocean State and are over the age of 20, there’s a really good chance you have some childhood memory of Rocky Point Amusement Park. This Warwick Park, established in 1847, grew quickly in popularity, and from the 1850’s through the 1980’s it was the most popular attraction in New England. Tom Flanagan remembers spending Saturdays there, full of laughter and cotton candy. The park closed in 1995 and was demolished in 2007. The town of Warwick is currently looking to make the land into a public park.

Much like Rocky Point, Crescent Park in East Providence (named for the crescent shape of the Riverside beach) was renowned in its time. Founded in 1886 by George Boyden, the venue was known as the “Coney Island of the East”, with hot air balloons and extravagant carousels providing the Park’s main attractions. Tom Flanagan also remembers the delicious candy apples he enjoyed here (there is a theme here with Tom about amusement venues). The park closed in 1979, and the surrounding area was developed. The only remnant of these sweet roots is the Crescent Park Carousel, which remains open to this day.

Today, The Towers set the backdrop to the Narragansett social scene, but they once provided entrance to the Narragansett Pier Casino, another source of turn-of-the-century entertainment. The Casino was completed in 1886 and provided a refuge for the areas social elite, offering a variety of recreational opportunities, such as boating, tennis, billiards, bowling, cards, and shooting. The venue also had restaurants, stores, reading rooms, a theater, a bandstand, a ballroom, and a beautiful beach. While Residential Properties Ltd. has been around for a long time (this year is our 30th anniversery!), none of us were there to enjoy the pleasures of The Casino, since the building burned down in 1900. However, locals like Anita Langer cherish The Towers for uniting a community with their granite walls.

Our final used to be is much less romantic, but is a part of Rhode Island history none-the-less. In the 1980s, Providence was included in the Guinness Book of World Record for holding the distinction of World’s Widest Bridge. Known as the Crawford Street Bridge at 1,147 feet, the structure grew when several normal sized bridges were covered with decking and turned into a parking lot. Oh yeah, this monstrosity was located across the Providence River. Ed Hardy remembers thinking this bridge was gross in his youth. This monstrosity has since been dismantled; the river has been moved; Waterfire caldrons line the center of where the bridge was; and the whole transformation turned the area into an asthetically pleasing area. While this demolition was integral in developing our Capital Center, we just couldn’t let you erase this Used-To-Be from your memory. So, remember, you can get to the downtown area from the East Side by crossing over the river where the world’s widest bridge was.

Admittedly, we’ve left out numerous landmarks that could be used for directions, so you can expect another Used-To-Be compilation in the near future.

Craving a Cone?

Bill — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 21:07:42 +0000

Like lobster rolls and PawSox games, long lines at the local ice cream stands are a sure sign summer has arrived in Rhode Island. At Residential Properties Ltd., we are invested in the communities we serve, and in honor of National Ice Cream Month, we thought we would compile a list of some of the best scoops in Rhode Island.

Ice Cream Machine Co. is the place to be if you’re in the northern Rhode Island area. The stand was started in 1977 by a retired corporate executive with multiple sclerosis. He began selling homemade ice cream out of a one-car garage and quickly gained the attention of locals. Today, the Ice Cream Machine Co. is a Cumberland staple. The stand is located across the street from Diamond Hill State Park and offers massive scoops in more than sixty flavors. Agent Cheryl Davis recommends the Cinnamon in the summer and the Pumpkin flavor in the fall.

Those in the Providence area love Three Sisters on the East Side. This Hope St. staple was formerly dubbed “Maximillians”—the new owner changed the name to pay homage to his daughters. The interior has a sophisticated feel, and the store boasts 100 flavors of ice cream, ranging from traditional to exotic. If you plan on indulging a little, you may want to top off your scoop with a little “goop,” a gooey concoction of peanut butter, chocolate and caramel. In addition, the cafe offers frozen yogurt for more health conscious customers. Agent Lenore Leach recommends the Black Raspberry, while Agent Bethany Calitri loves their Strawberry flavor. She is also a fan of their Tropical Tide Smoothie.

Those in the East Bay will love the Daily Scoop on County Road in Barrington and Thames Street in Bristol. After sampling high-quality ice cream on boat vacations, the owners decided to open stands in their natural community. Eight years later, the atmosphere at both locations reflects these nautical beginnings. Their mission is to use only the freshest ingredients and toppings, including fruit, and their waffle cones and ice cream cakes are handmade. Agent Stephanie Nickerson recommends the Coffee ice cream, while Agent Bonnie Koppelman applauds the Coconut Almond.

Those in the West Bay flock to Hill-top Creamery on Post Road in East Greenwich. It’s their soft-serve that drives the locals crazy, but the venue also has a variety of unique ice cream creations. If you’re in the mood for a delectable treat try Kay’s Famous Torch, a cone inside a cone concoction topped with an American Flag. But you don’t have to enjoy the scoops alone; the stand features ice cream for dogs, topped with a biscuit, allowing you to share the best of summer with your best friend. Manager of the East Greenwich office, Cheryl Eley, recommends the Baseball Cap Sundae (available in your favorite sports team), which seems sure to charm sports-lovers and taste-buds alike.

Brickley’s Homemade Ice Cream and Cakes has only been open for 13 years, but it’s already become an essential part of summer in South County. With two locations, one in Wakefield and the other in Narragansett, this is the perfect place to get a sugar fix on the way home from the beach. The owner doesn’t mess around with fancy flavors, but instead prefers to mix up forty-eight favorites each season using fresh ingredients. These scoops can then be topped with traditional mainstays like “jimmies,” hot fudge and caramel. Agent Judy Chace recommends the Mint Chocolate Chip.

Gray’s Ice Cream in Tiverton Four Corners has become synonymous with summer in Rhode Island. The stand has been in business for eighty eight years, and many locals have childhood memories there, waiting in line for a cone. Gray’s ability to remain as a permanent Rhode Island fixture is part of its charm, and just so, the menu has remained unchanged for many years. You can still order classic favorites and feed the remainder to the cows (Oscar and Emmy) in the adjacent paddock. While variations in flavor and texture are exceptional, it’s the simple aesthetic and country atmosphere that make Gray’s such a beloved summertime destination. Grey’s is so good even my daughter insisted on serving their flavors with her wedding cake.

How Does Your School Rank?

Bill — Tue, 10 May 2011 17:10:45 +0000

How important is the proficiency of a school system in the decision process for a new home? As the school year draws to a close it is a good time to evaluate that question.

GoLocalProv.com, the online newspaper for Rhode Island, posted their second annual ranking of public high schools around the state. During their research on the article, we were asked to give our opinion on that decision process from a first hand experience. Specifically, they wanted to report on how our clients evaluated the schools information.

According to the article the top five high schools in Rhode Island were East Greenwich, Narragansett, Exeter-West Greenwich, South Kingstown, and Barrington. To see where your school ranked and the rest of the extensive research visit the golocalprov’s site.

Real Estate Insight Discusses Narrow River Retreat

Sally — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 17:11:55 +0000

Yesterday on my radio show, Rich and Steve joined me in the studio to discuss October numbers from the Rhode Island Association of Realtors. We were joined by Mary Ann Lisi, an agent from our Narragansett Office and one half of the Portfolio Partners team, to discuss a special property on 20 Bedford Circle in Narragansett.

Hidden away at the end of a quiet tree-lined drive and surrounded by beautiful lawns and gardens, this magnificent getaway encompasses 3.1 acres, and adjoins additional open space that gives this property incredible privacy. Set high on a hill side overlooking the Narrow River, the home features a wrap around waterside deck, in-ground pool and lush plantings.

The bright and generously proportioned rooms enjoy the wonderful views. Easily adaptable, the home can be used either for year round living and entertaining, or simply as a secluded hideaway offering both beauty and serenity. This two to three bedroom home has an additional kitchen for a potential in-law apartment or pool party access.

Just minutes to river access for fishing and boating. The nearby Pettaquamscutt Cove National Wildlife Refuge, consisting of 200 acres of preserved habitat offers stellar summer kayaking and canoeing opportunities. The home is also one and a half miles to Narragansett Beach— the beach and famed “sea wall” are just a bike ride away.

Mary Ann Lisi has been a South County resident for over 20 years. Prior to becoming a realtor in 1997, Mary Ann restored homes, dabbled in interior design, and worked in visual merchandising for several large companies.

Melissa Coyle brings a strong background in marketing and communications to her real estate profession with over fifteen years of experience working with large corporations. With the increasingly competitive market, Melissa understands the need for superior service and problem solving. She establishes customer relationships based on enthusiasm, creativity and commitment.

Hammering Away for a New Future

Libby — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 17:25:21 +0000

At Residential Properties, we work hard to buy and sell real estate on a professional level. Even though the company focuses on providing homes to those who can afford them, we have not forgotten about those who cannot necessarily purchase a home in the traditional sense. Last week I joined Mary Ann Lisi, an energetic volunteer and sales associate from our Narragansett office, at the South County Habitat for Humanity.

When I first asked about her involvement, Mary Ann remarked that she “feels strongly about giving back to the South County community”, since this is the area where she has focused her real estate endeavors. Not only has her experience with building and renovating been an asset to the cause, Mary Ann brings with her a genuine passion for carpentry. “I LOVE to swing a hammer” she stated with enthusiasm, “Habitat for Humanity and I are a perfect fit.” With such altruistic zeal, how could I not be drawn to join her?

Mary Ann has been working with the organization for several years and has recently rejoined the Womens Build Program on Thursdays. As part of South County Habitat for Humanity, the fantastic women volunteers are now working on a very exciting project, building a house on Klondike Road in Charlestown.

If you would like to get involved with Habitat for Humanity, their website has a complete list of chapters so that you can easily find a group in your area. There are several different options for volunteering, from youth to womens build programs, so you can choose the type of experience that best suits you. Not only is this a fun organization to help if you have a flair for building or restoration, but your efforts will give in-need families the opportunity to buy a home of their own.

Narrow River – a beautiful resource

Bill — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 18:10:10 +0000

Work and social events sometimes do cross paths. That is, you’ll never know when a casual conversation will lead you to something you have just encountered in your professional life. It happened recently over the last weekend.

In the Kingstown and Narragansett area there is the Pettaquamscutt River, or more commonly known as the Narrow River. Several months ago we filmed it as we put together several videos on properties in the area. It appeared to be a great body of water for kayaking or fishing. Little did I know that an acquaintance is the president of the Narrow River Preservation Association and he recently received an award for his 40-year involvement with the association, which focuses on the preservation of this river’s environment. But as he put it, the award belongs to everyone involved.

He then told me of the 10K and 5k run/walk they held in May and the upcoming 5th annual Mile Turnaround Swim they are holding on the 19th of June. Both of these events benefit the preservation efforts. He indicated the swim is a beautiful site to watch.

It is getting to the season where visiting the beaches and rivers of South County will become more common activities. It is nice to know that there is a dedicated group of individuals around to make sure the resources are preserved for us to enjoy.

Narragansett Art Festival

Tom — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:37:32 +0000

View or purchase fine art while taking in the sights and sounds of Narragansett’s stunning waterfront.

The Wakefield Rotary Club presents the 27th annual Narragansett Art Festival. Over 80 exhibitors will display art pieces in a variety of media including oil, acrylic and watercolor paintings, drawing and graphics, sculpture, photography, and other creative media. An Irish fiddler will be in attendance who will provide percussion instruments to children who want to participate in musical activities.

Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Proceeds from the event will support the Rotary Club’s four-year scholarship and two year vocational scholarship programs for South Kingstown, Narragansett, and Prout High School students.

The festival’s setting of Veterans’ Park, adjacent to The Towers in Narragansett at 35 Ocean Road, are an added incentive to come and enjoy the fun!

What: Narragansett Art Festival
When: Saturday, June 27-Sunday, June 28, 2009 9am-5pm
Where: Veterans Memorial Park, Ocean Road

Kent/Washington Circle of Sales Excellence Awards

Tom — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 19:53:08 +0000

The Circle of Excellence Awards of the Kent Washington Association of Realtors was held on April 2 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Warwick. The theme of the event was, “Pathway to the Stars.” The theme was carried throughout the evening from the decorations to the performance of the song, “When You Wish upon a Star,” by Pat Connors’ daughters. Pat is the Association Executive of the KW Board. The evening was festive with a cocktail hour followed by a dinner of salmon or prime rib. The award ceremony was held partially during the dinner and then immediately following. Cheryl Eley and Lisa Levine from our East Greenwich Office served on the event committee.

Award winning agents from our East Greenwich and Narragansett Offices were honored. They won the following awards:

Platinum
Judy Chace: Narragansett

Gold
Petra Laurie: East Greenwich

Bronze
Laurie Brothers: East Greenwich
Sue Clement: East Greenwich
Cheryl Eley: East Greenwich
Deb Mann: East Greenwich
Bettina Monaco: East Greenwich
Danielle North: East Greenwich

Silver Team
Anita and Derek Langer: Narragansett

Get to the Point 2008

Tom — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 18:50:37 +0000

As mornings grow darker and we bring out our sweaters from the back of our closets and the leaves drop faithfully to the ground, we recognize the familiar patterns of our New England environment and are comforted by the knowledge that fall has returned once again. One of my favorite fall activities in New England is to go for a run along the charming shoreline of Narragansett. Narragansett is an extraordinary community with great beaches, spirited locals and inspirational acts of charity. The autumn months bring about a sense of pride and generosity to this fine community.

This October, The Narragansett Lions Club will be sponsoring; Get to the Point 2008, Maureen and Robert Sweeney Memorial Run. This memorial run is a five-mile run to honor the death of Robert E Sweeney Jr., a local commercial fishing boat captain who died at the age of 39 and his sister who died two years later at the age of 37. The Sweeney family has created this run to benefit local individuals and families in the community in need. To date the run has generated donations over $300,000. The memorial run is a great opportunity to feel the crisp autumn ocean air on your face and experience the sense of pride that “Gansett” has in abundance.

To find out more about this event and how you can participate in the activities, please call Sheila Sweeney at 401-789-0131 or contact the Narragansett Lions Club. You can download the official registration form here. I look forward to seeing you all out there.