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Appreciating the Marvels of Our Great State – Ed Iannuccilli
Appreciating the Marvels of Our Great State – Ed Iannuccilli
Photo: After the Storm, Beavertail, Pamela Bhatia, Artistic Images RI
By Ed Iannuccilli
I’ve always loved Rhode Island. That’s why I’ve received practically all my education here, chose to spend my career here, and never considered another state in my retirement. Yes, sure, family was a decisive draw, but there was, and is, so much more. I could never enumerate the things I love about this state in a single piece, so let me try anecdotally through the eyes of our Italian friends who visited a few years ago.
They were eager to see New England, particularly Rhode Island, especially since we were so enthusiastic when we spoke of our home. Diane and I thought, “OK, they’re finally visiting. Where should we take them? What should we see?” They answered our questions before we asked.
“We would love to see a mansion in Newport.” And Donatella, a shopper, asked, “Is there a little New England town with some nice shops?” Well, that was easy. The Breakers for a first stop. And Wickford for the second. And along the way, we knew they would enjoy the view at Beavertail in Jamestown. We had experienced all of them, but our excitement was rekindled as if it was our first visit as we thought of returning to these marvels and seeing them through another’s eyes, especially those from another country.
Our first stop was The Breakers, the grandest in the row of summer ‘cottages’ we passed along our route. Yes, those gems were tucked behind walls that obscured our view, but a peek as we drove along Bellevue whetted their appetites for what was to come. Their eyes widened and their pace quickened as they hustled, cameras in tow, to the Vanderbilt family’s Gilded Age 16th-century palazzo. Serafino and Donatella loved it, familiar with the splendor as they had grown up in a world visiting similar magnificent structures . . . churches, palazzos . . . in Italy. The Breakers was once assembled by an international team of craftsmen and artisans that the Vanderbilts hired in the 19th century to create a 70-room palazzo laden with stunning interiors inspired by the 16th-century palaces of Genoa and Turin. Perfetto. Una mattina pieno di entusiasmo. A morning filled with enthusiasm.
And then we were off for a stop at the Beavertail State Park in Jamestown, where we shared some of the most beautiful landscapes and panoramas along the New England coastline. And here we stood on a promontory shaped like a beaver’s tail, once a strategic location during WW II, straddling two coastal passages from the Atlantic Ocean to Narragansett Bay. From the overlook, we appreciated a pristine landscape, and, in the distance, under billowing clouds and beyond the rippling blue ocean, we had a glimpse of Block Island on this clear day. Drenched in this kaleidoscopic splendor and with hands caressing her cheeks, Donatella gleamed, “Non lo credo. Non e’ possible. I cannot believe it. This is not possible. I can stand on this spot and be so close to the ocean.” Thanks, Donatella. We Rhode Islanders take this for granted, too often not realizing how fortunate we are.
From there, we jaunted to Wickford, just a twenty-minute spit away across two bridges, and we parked in the center of town. Now where else can you do that? Wickford is a small, appealing, quaint, picturesque village settled around 1637. Built around a well-protected natural harbor, it features one of the largest collections of 18th-century dwellings in the Northeast. Charming little colonial homes just moments away from magnificent ornate palaces.
The harbor area of Wickford was bustling with boats, from fishing vessels and dingys to sailboats and tugs, which added to the salty maritime character of the village. And we could almost touch them as we crossed the little bridge into town. Imagine! “Guarda, guarda, guarda. Look, look, look.” More enthusiasm from our guests.
Donatella was happy. The village was flush with botteghe ranging from boutique clothing stores to antique shops, making it a popular destination for this shopping enthusiast. And a place to fill a bag with souvenirs. And a place for New England clam chowder and clam cakes. And a place to take photos. The routine for us was the special for them.
Now there it is. The beauty of Rhode Island through the eyes of others. And to experience it all in a day. One day. We are fortunate.
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Ed Iannuccilli, Author, Retired Physician. Iannuccilli has written five books. He has made presentations all over the US and Europe about those books. Mostly, he chats about how he came to author his own story about growing up Italian, and of his family, friends and neighborhood.
A retired gastroenterologist, has had extensive experience in academics, management, governance and entrepreneurial endeavors. Former Chairman of the Board at Rhode Island Hospital and a former member of the Lifespan Board, he is a Clinical Professor Emeritus at the Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University.
He was the founder of CME Consultants, a national physician and professional education company.
Dr. Iannuccilli is a graduate of Providence College and Albany Medical College. He is a published author of medical articles and of stories of his childhood. Dr. Iannuccilli has been on numerous boards and was honored as the distinguished alumnus of Albany Medical College in 1991.
He was recently inducted into the RI Heritage Hall of Fame.
He is the author of five books:
Growing Up Italian: Grandfather’s Fig Tree and Other Stories
What Ever Happened to Sunday Dinner and Other Stories
My Story Continues: From Neighborhood to Junior High School Growing Up Italian: Collected Stories (e-book)
A Whole Bunch of 500-Word Stories
Essays on the Art and Pain of Downsizing
Follow Ed on his new blog, Ed Writes RI on SubStack, here: https://substack.com/@ediannuccilli