Rhode Island Monthly March 2020 | Page 77

tained with popular music from the ’40s and ’50s while he worked. A scene of Jonah and the whale is emblazoned on one wall: Jonah was modeled after the church’s janitor who regularly helped Nincheri. Marguerite For- get, a member of the church choir, was Nincheri’s inspiration for the angels, repre- senting virtues like faith and charity. Nincheri also had a place for those people he didn’t appreciate. “In the Revolt of the Angels Against God, the archangel Michael stabs a fallen angel. The model for that angel was the Mother Superior, who Nincheri used to butt heads with,” says Petrucci. “Another example: Nincheri says to one of the nuns, ‘Send me your two worst behaved boys.’ And they were the devils in the Last Judgment.” For a working-class community struggling to make ends meet, the church was a source of hope. Now, they could see their own faces spilled across the magnificent cathedral. The church wasn’t merely a place for the commu- nity to gather; it was a reflection of it. For about fifty years, parishioners attended mass underneath the spectacular frescoes, but with time, attendance slowly dwindled. The diocese had to make a difficult decision: They closed the church. “It’s not cheap running a place like this. It can cost more than $10,000 a month to heat and $2,000 in electricity,” says Petrucci. It wasn’t economically feasible to keep the church open. A group of volunteers and former parishio- ners came together to rescue the beloved church. They created the St. Ann Arts and Cul- tural Center to preserve its historical and artis- tic value. “At first a lot of people felt we might be going against the diocese. We weren’t going against the diocese. We’re trying to save your memories; we’re trying to save your culture,” says Wally Rathbun, chairman of St. Ann’s board. The center, staffed entirely by volunteers, offers tours of the church and reuses the space for public and private events. Concerts, dinners, weddings, parties: St. Ann’s is a venue open to anyone in the local community or beyond. The staff also tirelessly maintains the aging building. From climbing around the perime- ter of the ceiling to change lightbulbs to stay- ing in the church during storms overnight to make sure it isn’t damaged, they are dedicated to protecting this place. “This is a living scrapbook of the genera- tions that came before us,” says Rathbun. “And this is what we have to hand down to the next generation. We’re just the caretakers here.” stannartsandculturalcenter.org { THE LIST } By Kaitlyn Murray Sunshine Joy Distributing Are you a hippie at heart? Then you’re bound to think Sunshine Joy is totally far out. The Woon- socket-based online catalog specializes in “good vibe gifts,” selling everything from wholesale tap- estries and tie-dyed clothing items to licensed Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd and Woodstock products. 769-8800, sunshinejoy.com. A SHORT DRIVE AWAY { where to eat } Antiques Alley River Falls Housed in a repurposed mill building, this emporium Hailed as one of the state’s best steak and seafood formerly known as Stillwater Antiques reflects the restaurants, River Falls sits on the historic banks of history of the surrounding town. Check out cabinets Blackstone River. Come for the intimate rural atmo- full of vintage memorabilia, Victorian-era furniture sphere and stay for the legendary prime rib combo and just about everything else from the near or plates. Or, if you’re lucky, you may even catch one distant past. If you’re an old-fashioned audiophile, of the midweek dinner specials (how can you pos- they have an impressive collection of vinyl from jazz sibly pass up opportunities like Ten Buck Tuesday’s to rock. Looking to sell some of your own forgotten Burger and Brew-haha or Wacky Wednesday Dinner treasures? They will happily put your goods up for for Two?). 74 South Main St., Woonsocket, 235-9026, consignment. 711 Putnam Pike, Smithfield, 949-4999, riverfallsri.com. stillwaterantiques.net. Ye Olde English Fish and Chips { things to see and do } Founded in 1922 by native Brits Harry and Ethel Stadium Theatre Sowden, this fish and chips joint has been serving Built in 1926, the Stadium is one of the few remain- the Woonsocket community for almost 100 years. ing examples of the vaudeville era still in operation. The restaurant’s authentic batter recipe has re- Since being restored in 2001, the iconic Woon- mained unchanged after four generations of own- socket staple has developed into a community ers. Everything is made on premises, including the center where famed international artists (think: Liza chips, which are cut and peeled by hand. Try the Minnelli and Cher) have graced the same stage as fisherman platter, which includes fresh batter-dipped talented local community arts organizations. Visit fish served with scallops, shrimp and chips, along the theater’s website to see which acts are on the with its custom tartar and cocktail sauces. 25 South program for 2020. 28 Monument Sq., Woonsocket, Main St., Woonsocket, 762-3637, yeoldeenglishfish 762-4545, stadiumtheatre.com. andchips.com. Chan’s Fine Oriental Dining A SHORT DRIVE AWAY One of Rhode Island’s premier music clubs, Chan’s Wright’s Dairy Farm and Bakery gives you the best of both worlds when dining If farm fresh is your thing, Wright’s is a must. Bring out, combining delicious Chinese food with world the kids and watch the cows during milking time. class jazz and blues music. Menu specialties con- The milk is pasteurized right on the property, so the sist of roast duck and Shanghai fish while past freshness of the pastries, milk and ice cream can’t acts have included guitarist Duke Robillard, “The be beat. You may start out with the best intentions, Voice” favorite Sarah Potenza and singer-song- but be prepared to leave with armfuls of goodies. writer Leon Redbone. 267 Main St., Woonsocket, Claire’s Classics include cupcakes, cream and flaky 765-1900, chanseggrollsandjazz.com. pastries, chocolate chip cookies and blueberry muf- A SHORT DRIVE AWAY fins. 200 Woonsocket Hill Rd., North Smithfield, 767- 3014, wrightsdairyfarm.com. Ravenous Open since 2012, Ravenous is a family-owned nano- { where to shop } brewery that conjures up big flavors. Its artisan, Walt’s Clothing handcrafted brews are one-of-a-kind and include In business since 1971, Walt’s caters to Rhode Island’s the popular Coffee Milk Stout (which pairs well blue collar workers. Carrying the very best in name with an after-dinner treat like flan or tiramisu) and brand rain jackets, fleece-lined jeans, worker’s boots the smooth Rhode Haze New England IPA. Tours and accessories like sunglasses, hats, belts and more, are available upon request, and the brewers make Walt’s can easily cover all of your working attire and good on their mission to ensure their patrons are weather-dependent needs. 837 Cumberland Hill Rd., thirsty nevermore. 10 Industrial Rd., Cumberland, Woonsocket, 765-7582, waltsclothing.com. 216-5331, ravenousbrewing.com.  RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l MARCH 2020     75