CHATTER
“ When I retired from teaching at Barrington High in 2006, I had to answer the frequently asked question,‘ What are you going to do now that you are retired?’ I decided to start a book club.”
— RALPH CARUSO, BARRINGTON
“ Get Lit,” February
I enjoyed your article in the February issue on the area’ s newest book clubs. I wanted to add another to your list, but it is not new.
When I retired from teaching at Barrington High in 2006, I had to answer the frequently asked question,“ What are you going to do now that you are retired?” I decided to start a book club. First, I reached out to husbands of women I taught with at BHS that I would only see twice a year, at Christmas parties in December and at graduation ceremonies in June. Then I asked three of my teammates from my years playing senior baseball to join the group.
Well, one fellow would invite a friend and then another, so that we now number eleven“ Men of Vintage,” average age about seventy-eight. We meet once a month in the pub room at the Crossroad Pub Restaurant in Warren, thus our name“ The Guinness Book Club,” as in drink enough Guinness so you forget what you read...
We only have two rules: 1) You have to have read the book you are recommending and 2) We alternate selections from fiction to nonfiction each month. We have been together now since January 2007 and have read close to 200 books. Because we are senior citizens, you could pass a Gray’ s Anatomy test if you go around the table.
Sadly, we have lost three of the charter members to illness over the years but have been fortunate to fill those empty chairs with a transfusion of new blood.
RALPH CARUSO BARRINGTON
“ Pub Note,” February
I got a kick out of your column today. Given the success of“ The Gilded Age” on HBO, I have numerous friends from out of town who insist on me giving them the tour of the mansions so they can post on social media. I got a membership at the Newport Preservation Society to make things easier. I, too, have my favorite Dunkin’!
NANCY ALLEN FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS
“ Hat Tricks,” February
Thank you for the shoutout! I had fun sharing my story with your magazine!
@ MRSKATSANDHERHATS VIA
INSTAGRAM
“ All Stopped Up,” February
That’ s one of the reasons we moved out of there! I called the“ odor hotline” numerous times and it just ended up being a quality-of-life issue for me and my family. Having to close windows or not hosting a barbecue became way too problematic. Who wants to live like that?
KIMBERLY LABRECHE VIA FACEBOOK
“ Matunuck Atelier Opens Restaurant While Awaiting Market,” February
Perry [ Raso ] is truly unstoppable. I’ ve never worked for anyone that’ s as dedicated to his establishment, the MOB family, and making sure that every item leaving the kitchen is true perfection. The most caring restaurateur going.
@ MATUNUCKMIKE
VIA INSTAGRAM
“ Book Nooks,” February
Massive thanks to Rhode Island Monthly and Dana Laverty for showcasing two of my projects in your February issue!! I’ m over the moon about the feature.
@ LINDSEYDANA _ INTERIORS
VIA INSTAGRAM
CORRECTION: In the March issue feature“ Monopoly Man?”, we incorrectly printed United States Representative Seth Magaziner’ s title as U. S. Senator. We apologize for the error.
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18 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY I APRIL 2026