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FROM THE PUBLISHER
Animal Attractions
“ Well , it ’ s true , we do not live in a zoo . But man is an animal too .” – Dr . Doolittle
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Like most Rhode Islanders , visits to a zoo were part of my childhood , although I have to admit it was the old Slater Park Zoo in Pawtucket , where my grandparents lived — our child care during the summers . But like most , when my children were young , visits to Roger Williams Park Zoo were part of the regular summer curriculum . Almost twenty-four years ago , I was asked to join their board of trustees and I am still at it and as passionate as ever .
As has been widely reported , the pandemic has threatened survival for a broad range of not-for-profits in the state . It is not just financial survival , but psychological survival . Roger Williams Park Zoo is no exception , and it is not just the anxiety for the people who work there . It ’ s also the hundreds of species who genuinely miss “ the animals on the other side of the fence .”
This year the zoo has had to reduce its hours to keep expenses down , but that does not mean the care the keepers give to their proteges is diminished . In fact , many miss the interaction with the public and the feedings as well as the keeper talks , when they proudly boast about those creatures in their charge like a proud parent citing elementary school accomplishments . In this month ’ s cover story , associate editor Kait Murray teams up with associate art director Meaghan Susi to provide a glimpse of what life has been like for all the animals at the zoo , two legs or four .
The pandemic has not hindered work for the common good . In fact , it has amplified it and we return to our annual Common Good Awards , in partnership with the Rhode Island Foundation , to laud those winning companies , large and small . They were chosen by our panel of judges from dozens of entries that are bringing so much light in these dark times . Be sure to tune into our virtual awards ceremony on Thursday , January 14 at 4 p . m . at RIMonthly . com .
Lastly , because these days we can all use a chuckle , our editor , Sarah Francis , brings the Rhode Island Red Awards , the annual reprise of silly stuff that actually happened around the state in 2020 .
To the Rhode ahead . – J . J . P .
10 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l JANUARY 2021