FROM THE PUBLISHER
Most Venerable of Rhode Island ?
What if you could give in a way that never stopped giving ?
One of life ’ s great achievements is the ability to leave a lasting legacy . We can help .
SABRINA SCOLARI PHOTOGRAPHY
The term augustus in Latin means majestic , dignified or venerable . Both the name and title were given to Rome ’ s first emperor , Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus .
To translate that into classic Rhodyeland dialect , “ Yo , Auggy !”
It is quite appropriate , therefore , to present our Best of Rhode Island awards in our August issue .
Not only have Jamie , Dana , Lauren , Kait , Kerri and Eddie — our pumped-up editorial team — scoured the state for new treasures , but you — our readers — cast 132,000 votes telling us about your faves , from Woonsocket to Westerly and from Quonset to Quonochontaug .
This undertaking has been a rite of summer for us at the magazine for over thirty years . While lighthearted in tone , it is something we take quite seriously . Curating all those ballots is not easy . ( Go to RIMonthly . com to see Kait Murray ’ s hysterical recap .) Editors ’ Picks require an anonymous evaluation by one of the team . In other words , we don ’ t just give awards to folks who advertise with us . Most of the 417 winners are not , in fact , advertisers .
Why is this so important ? Because we know it is important to you . Like the guy who once told me that he and his wife take the issue every year and visit every place they ’ ve never been . We know that the BORI awards are a badge of honor that put small businesses on the map . Hopefully it ’ s also a marketing gem they can use to compete in an ever-changing and challenging marketplace .
We also know it is a badge of honor , a reason to celebrate this unique little place we call home . Political infighting , chronic problems and challenges we read about every day are put into the rearview mirror for just a moment .
I ’ m often asked how we create our covers and that , too , is a collaborative process . It includes editorial team brainstorming and expert execution by Doreen , our creative director , and Emily , her art director associate . The neon sign that graces the cover ? It ’ s real , created by Knox Neon just for the cover shot . It will be a proud addition to thirty-five years ’ worth of memories that adorn the walls of our offices .
Lastly , I remind you that we are a locally owned media company with exemplary standards and a dedicated team in all aspects of what we do . They are , in a word , quite venerable .
rifoundation . org / legacy or call 401-274-4564
To the Rhode ahead . — J . J . P .
10 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l AUGUST 2023