Warwick Radio Online: The Voice of Warwick, Rhode Island

Good friends Martha Bottella and Catrina Ritchie have an honest conversation about equal give-and-take and unconditional love.

How can you love someone completely and have a balanced relationship? Boundaries are key, and loving yourself is important to maintaining boundaries. Martha and Catrina reveal their struggles with love, balance, boundaries, and self-worth and the value of working to find self-respect and harmony.

Warwick Life host Scott Nerney talks with personal chef Kate King.

Kate specializes in food prep and intimate parties—creating healthy alternatives to classic dishes in the homes of her clients. Hear how she works one-on-one with customers to tailor their meals, how good cooking is an investment in your health, about her appearances on the Rhode Show, and what she cooks for herself at home.

Join Dave Englund, singer-songwriter, guitarist, and founder of Warwick Americana band In Lieu of Flowers, for a track-by-track look at the band’s self-titled, debut album.

Discover the story behind a song, and listen to the complete tune.

Today, hear about the song In the Hallway of My Heart.

Warwick Life host Scott Nerney talks with City Historian and Warwick Historical Society Vice President Henry A.L. Brown about traveling in Warwick 100 years ago.

Have you taken a ride on the trolley from Warwick to Providence? Henry Brown did. Hear what it was like to get around Warwick in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, including walking, riding a horse, taking a horse-drawn trolley or an electric trolley, and riding a steam train.

D.K. McKenzie—Warwick poet, pianist, and founder of The Poe Underground, a spoken word and music project—plays an original piano composition under his recording of Futility by Wilfred Owen and Ghost Hats by D.K. McKenzie.

Futility

Move him into the sun—

Gently its touch awoke him once,

At home, whispering of fields unsown.

Always it woke him, even in France,

Until this morning and this snow.

If anything might rouse him now

The kind old sun will know.

Think how it wakes the seeds—

Woke once the clays of a cold star.

Are limbs, so dear-achieved, are sides

Full-nerved, still warm, too hard to stir?

Was it for this the clay grew tall?

—O what made fatuous sunbeams toil

To break earth's sleep at all?

Ghost Hats

I come here to absorb the lunacy

of the mischievous sea

Fallen sailors

tip their ghost hats to me

bobbing up and down in the summer’s tide

The dreaming sun sinks

saying its last good-bye

while gently introducing

the unstoppable night

The scattering of sun

highlights a fragment of moon

bringing a prospect of peace to all the inhabitants of metropolis

Warwick Life host Scott Nerney talks with Cheryl Ursillo, founder and CEO of Grace’s Stuffies.

Grace’s Stuffies makes a savory, seafood treat that’s sold in grocery stores and markets in Rhode Island and throughout New England. Hear about the unique family recipe that started Grace’s Stuffies, where to buy their stuffies, how to cook them, and how putting seven-foot tall stuffies in airports around the U.S. may help Rhode Island and its most distinctive dish.

Warwick Life host Scott Nerney talks with Brian Jones, writer, director, and co-producer of the 2009 documentary The Tent: Life in the Round.

Brian started as an usher at the Tent at age 14 and worked his way up to assistant to the general manager. Hear his memories of the Bonoff family, what he learned from the Tent, why the Warwick Musical Theatre was called the Tent, tales about the documentary, and stories about the chairs, the stage, the number of seats, and Miley Cyrus finding a stray cat.

Good friends Martha Bottella and Catrina Ritchie have an honest conversation about synchronicity.

It’s been months since Martha and Catrina recorded a show, and they’ve hardly seen each other during that time. Hear them reconnect and talk about unexpected coincidences that make their lives richer and the journey fun.

Join Dave Englund, singer-songwriter, guitarist, and founder of Warwick Americana band In Lieu of Flowers, for a track-by-track look at the band’s self-titled, debut album.

Discover the story behind a song, and listen to the complete tune.

Today, hear about the song Princess Divorces the Toad.

Warwick Life host Scott Nerney talks with City Historian and Warwick Historical Society Vice President Henry A.L. Brown about Spring Green Farm.

A member of the illustrious Brown family, Henry grew up on the property purchased by John Brown—Henry’s great-great-great-great-great-grandfather—in 1782. Hear about Spring Green Farm from its start in 1642 to its development in the 1920s, 30, and 40s, including Henry’s firsthand recollections of the growth of Governor Francis Farms.

Warwick Life host Scott Nerney talks with Warwick entrepreneur and We Be Jammin’ owner Debbie Wood.

Debbie started the We Be Jammin’ RI shop in 2014 for her autistic son Jason, and she also runs We Be Jammin’ Events. Hear about We Be Jammin’ RI jams, BBQ sauces, condiments, and salsas and how the store partners with local vendors, and find out about festivals, National Night Out, and school and club fundraisers by We Be Jammin’ Events.

Brought to you by Warwick Radio and the Warwick Historical Society, the Warwick History Quiz Show delivers fascinating facts about the city and a challenge for our contestants.

Join host Jen Linton, Warwick Historical Society member Mark Brown, and contestants Anne Trainor and Jackie Petrarca for an exploration of Warwick's favorite question, “Remember what used to be there?”

Warwick Life host Scott Nerney talks with Patty Hopkinson, owner of Funky Bijoux gift shop in Conimicut Village.

Patty creates mobiles and wall hangings out of sea glass and driftwood from Narragansett Bay and sells them at art shows and her shop. Hear about hurricane glass, how to tell the difference between old and new glass, how to make purple glass, sanitizing driftwood, why Patty moved to Conimicut, and where you can see Patty’s work.

D.K. McKenzie—Warwick poet, pianist, and founder of The Poe Underground, a spoken word and music project—plays an original, improvised keyboard solo under his recording of July by Alexander Posey and Flypaper by D.K. McKenzie.

July

The air without has taken fever,

Fast I feel the beating of its pulse,

The leaves are twisted on the maple,

In the corn, the autumn's premature,

The weary butterfly hangs waiting,

For a breath to waft him thither at the touch,

But falls like truth unheeded,

Into dust-blown grass and hollyhocks.

The air without is blinding dusty,

Cool I feel the breezes blow,

I see the sunlight crowded on the porch,

Grow smaller ‘til absorbed in shadow,

And the far blue hills are changed to gray,

And twilight lingers in the woods between,

And now I hear the shower dancing,

In the cornfield and the thirsty grass.

Flypaper

Invention

fly paper reactions

silk journeys

across lunar landscapes

Sahara caravan

the backs of camels provide survival

the outfit of danger

worn with irregular symmetry

Father sun

with his sky inferno

he’s benevolent or brutal

and grants us passage through the delta

but only for a short burst of time before sending us burning

across the desert plains of Africa

Warwick Life host Scott Nerney talks with President Ginny Barham from the Conimicut Village Association.

Ginny has lived in Conimicut Village for 23 years and served as Association President for almost 14 years. Hear about living by the water, businesses in Conimicut, decorating the Village, seasonal events—including the Easter egg hunt, Village-wide yard sale, Spooktacular, and tree lighting, keeping Conimicut Village clean, and how to become a member of the CVA.

Join Dave Englund, singer-songwriter, guitarist, and founder of Warwick Americana band In Lieu of Flowers, for a track-by-track look at the band’s self-titled, debut album.

Discover the story behind a song, and listen to the complete tune.

Today, hear about the song Miss Hazelwood.

Learn how to find a career in a competitive job market in this monthly series by Warwick career management specialist Kathleen Dohoney.

Today, Kathleen interviews Ron Caniglia from Point Associates, LLC. With almost 60 years of experience in the building industry, Ron opened Point Associates to give back to the industry by coaching and mentoring small business owners and start-ups and helping people of all ages find a career in construction.

Episode Links:

Warwick Life host Scott Nerney talks with Business Coaching Specialist Erica Saccoccio from Stellar Business Concepts.

Stellar Business Concepts helps businesspeople start companies and manage day-to-day operations. Hear about one-on-one business coaching, marketing services—including websites, social media, and podcasting, free business advice on the Practical Bizz podcast, and how to schedule a free consultation.

Join lawyer and true crime fanatic Kate Itacy for stories about crimes allegedly committed by Warwick citizens or within Warwick city limits.

Today, hear the tale of reputed bootlegger and bank robber Carl Rettich and his Crime Castle, a Warwick Neck mansion owned by Rettich and alleged to be the hub for the Rettich gang’s criminal activities during the 1920s and 1930s. Underworld legend credits Carl Rettich with the invention of cement shoes, and he may have poured a pair for his associate Danny Walsh in a secret dungeon under the Crime Castle’s basement before throwing Walsh into Narragansett Bay.

Katherine Itacy was born and raised in Warwick, worked as a criminal defense lawyer in the city, and remains a civil rights and criminal justice advocate.

Write to Kate at contactkate@katherineitacy.com.

Warwick Life host Scott Nerney talks with Gamm Theatre Artistic Director Tony Estrella about his goals for the Gamm.

Hear about the many responsibilities of the Artistic Director, the upcoming 2023-2024 season, how Tony plans seasons, plays that Tony hasn’t been able to bring to the Gamm, which play by Shakespeare is his greatest about love, how to volunteer at the Gamm, and the Gamm’s annual Christmas show It’s a Wonderful Life.

D.K. McKenzie—Warwick poet, pianist, and founder of The Poe Underground, a spoken word and music project—plays an original, improvised keyboard solo under his recording of Love Is Love by Sir Edward Dyer.

Love Is Love

The lowest trees have tops, the ant her gall,

The fly her spleen, the little spark his heat,

The slender hairs cast shadows, though but small,

And bees have stings, although they be not great,

Seas have their source, and so have shallow springs,

And love is love in beggars and in kings,

Where waters smoothest run, there deepest are the fords,

The dial stirs yet none perceives it move,

The firmest faith is found in fewest words,

The turtles do not sing, and yet they love,

True hearts have ears and eyes, no tongues to speak,

They hear and see, and sigh, and then they break.

Warwick Life host Scott Nerney talks with Prana Reflexology owner Wendy Lewis about supporting health and wellness in Warwick.

Wendy is an ARCB Certified Reflexologist in Apponaug. Reflexologists apply pressure to the feet to reduce stress, manage pain, and promote healing. Hear how reflexology works, how it compliments other healing practices, about new services that Wendy has developed for her patients, and how she is teaching reflexology online.

Join Dave Englund, singer-songwriter, guitarist, and founder of Warwick Americana band In Lieu of Flowers, for a track-by-track look at the band’s self-titled, debut album.

Discover the story behind a song, and listen to the complete tune.

Today, hear about the song The Usual Way.

Warwick Life host Scott Nerney talks with Jack’s Snacks dog bakery owner Marni Karro.

Jack’s Snacks makes hand-crafted biscuits and birthday cakes for dogs, and they offer treats for cats, too. Hear about Jack, the shop’s customers, and the neighborhood cat who drops by, how Jack’s Snacks buys its products and ingredients from local businesses, how humans may be eating dog peanut butter, and how often dogs celebrate their birthdays.

Learn how to find a career in a competitive job market in this monthly series by Warwick career management specialist Kathleen Dohoney.

Today, discover how to focus your search and find job openings.

Kathleen Dohoney, ACRW, CPRW, CDCS, CCTC, is a Career Coach at Randstad RiseSmart and a Career Specialist at Celtic Résumé Services.

Good friends Martha Bottella and Catrina Ritchie have an honest conversation about choices.

Have you ever looked back and realized that a choice you made changed the direction of your life? Martha and Catrina reflect on the choices they’ve made and wonder if the choices they’re making now will have big or small impacts on their lives.

Warwick Life host Scott Nerney talks with Colleen Collins, owner of Tranquil Touch Mind & Body Spa.

Tranquil Touch Mind & Body Spa is a new business in Conimicut at 753 West Shore Road. Hear what brought the spa to Warwick, how the spa was designed, and about the spa’s services, including massage therapy, water massage, facials and skin care, the Wellness Investment Program, salt meditation, and Pampered & Pinot private parties.

Dr. Tom Shaker tells the story of Rhode Island’s legendary Celebrity Club, New England’s first integrated nightclub.

Hear about the famous jazz and R&B musicians who played there—including Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Fats Domino. Enjoy tales from local musicians and club-goers who saw extraordinary shows and became part of the story.

Dr. Tom Shaker is a radio DJ, documentary filmmaker, expert on Rhode Island jazz, and MC of the Warwick History Quiz Show.

Warwick librarian Wil Gregersen talks with Therese Woodford, spiritual seeker and member of Eckankar.

Eckankar is a spiritual practice, and Eckankar in Rhode Island has its center in Warwick. Hear about spiritual exploration, HU, karma, dreams, past lives, soul travel, animals are souls, ECK Light & Sound Services, and how Eckankar has changed Therese’s life.

Join Dave Englund, singer-songwriter, guitarist, and founder of Warwick Americana band In Lieu of Flowers, for a track-by-track look at the band’s self-titled, debut album.

Discover the story behind a song, and listen to the complete tune.

Today, hear about the song The Fable.

Warwick Life host Scott Nerney talks with Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission archeologist Charlotte Taylor.

Charlotte keeps records of all archeological sites in Rhode Island, including Warwick, and reviews and approves building projects that could affect those sites. Hear about Warwick’s archeological sites, how you can know if you live on a site, what to do if you find a skeleton in your backyard, and if you can keep the artifacts you find, including skeletons.

Learn how to find a career in a competitive job market in this monthly series by Warwick career management specialist Kathleen Dohoney.

Today, explore what to do when you’ve been laid off.

Episode links:

Warwick Life host Scott Nerney talks with Colonel Ronald W. Barnes, Commanding Officer of the Pawtuxet Rangers.

The Pawtuxet Rangers were chartered in 1774 to protect the Village of Pawtuxet, and Armory Hall was built for them in 1845. Hear how the Rangers lost and reclaimed the armory, who they share their birthday with, why people join the Rangers, how their Fife & Drum Corps began, why the Rangers wear red, and about their plans to host the National Muster in 2024.

Warwick Life host Scott Nerney talks with City Historian and Warwick Historical Society Vice President Henry A.L. Brown about Oakland Beach.

Founded in 1670, Oakland Beach has been remade many times. Hear about shellfishing in Warwick Cove and Brush Neck Cove in the 1800s, the construction and burning of the Oakland Beach Hotel, rebuilding after the hurricanes of 1938 and 1954, and the history of the Oakland Beach carousel.

Warwick Life host Scott Nerney talks with Mayor Frank Picozzi about Warwick at the start of 2023.

Hear about new homes being built in the city, reevaluation, the new ice skating rink, ward improvements, city buildings for sale, renegotiating city employee contracts, reviewing the school bond, Gaspee Days, beach passes, fireworks, a visit by the traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall, and new hotels.

Join Dave Englund, singer-songwriter, guitarist, and founder of Warwick Americana band In Lieu of Flowers, for a track-by-track look at the band’s self-titled, debut album.

Discover the story behind a song, and listen to the complete tune.

Today, hear about the song Whittled Down to Nothing.

Good friends Martha Bottella and Catrina Ritchie and their good pal Heather Paris have an honest conversation about good and bad emotional bonds.

Martha recently came down with COVID, and she used the experience to break her addiction to cigarettes. Hear how she did it and how quitting has improved her life.

Warwick Life host Scott Nerney talks with author and genetic genealogy coach Gerri Berger.

Genetic genealogists use DNA evidence and traditional genealogical records to solve family tree mysteries. Hear how DNA testing helped Gerri find her birth father, how she became a coach, why coaches are helpful when children contact their birth parents, when to contact a genetic genealogist, and which ethnic groups are underrepresented in present-day DNA databases.

Learn how to find a career in a competitive job market in this monthly series by Warwick career management specialist Kathleen Dohoney.

Today, discover how to end an interview with strong and focused questions.

Episode links:

Every city wants a haunted library. Warwick, here’s yours.

Warwick Life host Scott Nerney talks with editor George LaCross from the amusement park fan site Laff in the Dark.

From Patti Page in 1952 to Weezer in 1994, concerts at the Palladium and Midway stage were an essential part of Rocky Point. Hear about shows by small acts that would become big, the night in 1978 when REO Speedwagon, AC/DC, Blue Öyster Cult, and Thin Lizzy all played, the group that caused the power to go out three times, and the 1984 concert that caused a traffic jam from Warwick to Cranston.

Good friends Martha Bottella and Catrina Ritchie have an honest conversation about embarrassing moments.

Have you ever had an occasion where you said or did something that you shouldn’t have? Martha and Catrina have, and you may recognize yourself in their stories.

Join Dave Englund, singer-songwriter, guitarist, and founder of Warwick Americana band In Lieu of Flowers, for a track-by-track look at the band’s self-titled, debut album.

Discover the story behind a song, and listen to the complete tune.

Today, hear about the song Caught It from Love.

Join lawyer and true crime fanatic Kate Itacy for stories about crimes allegedly committed by Warwick citizens or within Warwick city limits.

In December 2002, 19-month-old Jade Mawson died from shaken baby syndrome. Deciding who was responsible was difficult, and then, after a suspect was convicted, the case took an unexpected turn.

Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions of a form of child abuse known as “shaken baby syndrome” or “abusive head trauma,” including descriptions of the physical and mental harm caused by the abuse. If you are triggered by discussions of child abuse, please skip this episode and tune back in to Warwick Radio Online on March 7.

Learn how to find a career in a competitive job market in this monthly series by Warwick career management specialist Kathleen Dohoney.

Today, find out how to create a résumé that highlights your qualifications for a job.

Kathleen Dohoney, ACRW, CPRW, CDCS, CCTC, is a Career Coach at Randstad RiseSmart and a Career Specialist at Celtic Résumé Services.

Join lawyer and true crime fanatic Kate Itacy for stories about crimes allegedly committed by Warwick citizens or within Warwick city limits.

In December 2002, 19-month-old Jade Mawson died from shaken baby syndrome. Deciding who was responsible was difficult, and then, after a suspect was convicted, the case took an unexpected turn.

Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions of a form of child abuse known as “shaken baby syndrome” or “abusive head trauma,” including descriptions of the physical and mental harm caused by the abuse. If you are triggered by discussions of child abuse, please skip this episode and tune back in to Warwick Radio Online on February 24.