September 2020 | Page 9

Features Onne Van der Wal supported restaurants during the pandemic with a portable dining room in Newport. SEPTEMBER 2020 Contents Departments 8 CONTRIBUTORS 10 FROM THE PUBLISHER 12 CHATTER 15 CityState 44 Best of Rhode Island While the coronavirus changed life as we knew it, from everyday activities to dining out or fun times with friends — the Best of Rhode Island party included — we’ve still got a lot to celebrate this year. Check out this list of Rhode Islanders who stepped up to help their neighbors, plus the results of our annual readers’ poll. Edited by Sarah Francis. Contributors: Emma Bartlett, Theresa Brown, Jamie Coelho, Samantha Labrecque, Kaitlyn Murray, Casey Nilsson and Isabelle Paquette 17 CURRENT Everlasting Blooms; meet Emily M. Danforth; Blackowned businesses. 22 STYLE Eye-catching local artwork. 25 OUT TAKES Southern New England Go Red for Women Luncheon. 29 REPORTER We look back on calls to remove “Providence Plantations” from the official state name, which voters will reconsider on this November’s ballot. 35 TO-DO LIST September’s best activities. 75 BEST OF: ONNE VAN DER WAL; CLAMBAKE: WOLF MATTHEWSON; HOME: ERIN MCGINN. 58 58 Keep Clam and Carry On Scenes from a traditional fishermen’s clambake in Little Compton. By Casey Nilsson 104 Back to School Local schools, universities and academic services discuss returning to school in the age of COVID-19. Edited by Kaitlyn Murray 67 YOUR TOWN Explore the hidden treasures in your town. 75 AT HOME A little love and creative vision turn a neglected Quonset hut into a boho beauty. 80 DINING OUT This Newport newcomer takes comfort food to an imaginative new level. 120 SNAPSHOT Gansett Rocks. On the cover: Best of Rhode Island. Mural photography courtesy of the Avenue Concept. Follow us on the Web at RIMonthly.com. RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l SEPTEMBER 2020 7