The Pendulum

Holiday season a hard time for people who have lost a loved one

December 15, 2010

You have lost a loved one. You grieve. The holidays approach. You don’t want them to come. You yearn for presence, not presents.
“ ‘I wish I could just go to sleep on the day before Thanksgiving and wake up on January 2nd!’ This is a sentiment that bereavement counselors all across the country hear a lot during the fall and early winter months,” said Morgan Ban-Draoi, grief counselor at Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island.

Stone Ridge Luminaria

December 10, 2010

The laws of mathematics go up the chimney in Stone Ridge during the Annual Candlelight Tour. It is only then, in the magical spirit of Christmas, that 2,600 actually equal 1,100.
“Last year, we raised $1,100 for the East Greenwich Department of Human Services Holiday Food Basket Program by the added donations from Stone Ridge residents on top of the purchase amount of the (lantern) kits,” said resident Donna Fleming. “Our neighborhood was lighted by more than 2,600 paper lanterns placed along the curbs and walkways and the wonderful holiday lighting displays of the homes. It was a beautiful sight!”

A chance to help Save the Bay seal the deal

December 7, 2010

NEWPORT, R.I. – Children and adults get so excited about seeing large amounts of big seals in Narragansett Bay that they, well, blubber.
“What we hear most is that people feel very privileged simply to be out on the Bay – even if the weather is not perfect. Aside from that, we notice that small children are totally captivated by the experience,” said John Martin, Director of Public Relations for Save The Bay. “They can’t wait to board Alletta Morris, and boredom is never a problem. It’s that way from the youngest kids to the oldest adults.
“We also meet people from all around the world.” he added. “They flock to Newport, but most do not feel as though they have enjoyed the whole experience without being out on the Bay. The seals help make that connection and people are extremely curious about why they come, what they eat and how long they stay.”

Kiosks point the way

December 2, 2010