FROM THE PUBLISHER
Refresh , Renovate , Renew .
“ My psychiatrist told me I was crazy and I said I want a second opinion . He said ‘ okay , you ’ re ugly too .’ ”
– Rodney Dangerfield
Drawing Closer
Four Hundred Years of Drawing from the RISD Museum
March 12 – Sept . 3 , 2022
Anton Løvenberg , Study of a Sculptural Male Torso ( detail ), 1800s . Gift of Frederick Lovenberg .
RISDMUSEUM . ORG
MEAGHAN SUSI
The self-deprecating humor of the late comedian Rodney Dangerfield lives on .
Societal trends during the two-plus years of pandemic life have been well chronicled . There is the “ Zoom effect ,” which has caused an uptick in cosmetic procedures . Akin to staring into a mirror call after call , many have concluded that time has been marching on too quickly and a refresh is needed .
Likewise , home improvements and renovations are on hyperdrive . With plenty of time to discover “ cracks in the veneer ,” which grow in significance the longer we spend dwelling on them , folks are channeling their discretionary resources , formerly used for vacations and other activities , into their homes . In this issue ’ s “ Renovate the Ocean State !,” contributing writer Casey Nilsson takes a look at home projects from the high end to DIY .
We have been in renovation mode at Rhode Island Monthly . We asked our subscribers to tell us what they are thinking . Many of the changes we have made have been self-motivated , i . e . departments that did not work or were no longer relevant .
The results of the surveys were not statistically significant , based on market research parameters , but the thoughtful comments were well worth the time .
According to some , we are too upscale , elitist and “ getting rather yuppyish .” Some said they find something of interest in every issue that the average person can enjoy .
Some ideas put forth were writing more about frontline workers like nurses ( who were on the cover of our September issue ), like the local beer scene ( which was our cover feature in November ), local theater and arts ( note the profile on Trinity Rep ’ s Joe Wilson Jr . in last month ’ s issue ) and more info on neighborhoods ( which is also a monthly feature ).
There were some great suggestions about topics we can do a better job with as well . And we were pleased to hear that our efforts for promoting diversity were recognized as well .
And yes , there was criticism of “ ad-driven programs ” and too much “ sponsored content .”
Ironically , this is a topic we ’ ve discussed internally since last fall . Financial constraints over the past two years have made these necessary , but how we present these programs in tandem with the award-winning journalism we have delivered over the past three decades is certainly on our minds in 2022 . Remember , we are always listening .
To the Rhode ahead . – J . J . P .
12 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l MARCH 2022