UNITED METHODIST ELDER CARE TO HOLD ‘ADDING LIFE TO YEARS’ GALA

June 2, 2018 event to honor Rich Gingras,

Founder of The Parkinson’s Place in Pawtucket

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (May 21, 2018): United Methodist Elder Care (UMEC), a nonprofit provider of long-term care, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, assisted living and independent living services for seniors with locations throughout Rhode Island, is holding its annual‘Adding Life to Years’fundraising gala on Saturday, June 2, 2018 at 5:30 p.m.

Theevent will be held at the Omni Providence Hotel (1 West Exchange Street inProvidence)to celebrate the UMEC missionof caring for their population’s healthcare andliving needs. Mr. T.J. DelSanto, meteorologist at WPRI 12, will emcee the evening’s programming.

The festivities include a cocktail reception, live and silent auctions, dinner, mission-driven program and live entertainment. Rich Gingras, founder of The Parkinson’s Placein Pawtucket,isthe 2018 UMEC honoree.

“Rich is a retired professional boxer with an entrepreneurial and charitable spirit focused on helping people with Parkinson’s,” states Richard Gamache, MS,FACHCA,chief executive officer of United Methodist Elder Care. “Through his Rock Steady gym, he empowers patients to fight back through special workouts designed to increase their balance and strength. His amazing work is an important part of our rehab for our patients and residents and we are pleased to honor him.”

Funds raised from the United Methodist Elder Care Gala will be used to support customized care, specialized medical and activity programs, and operational capital needed to serve the patient and resident population from independent living to long-term skilled nursing care.

Exciting new initiatives will be unveiled during the evening’s programming and the Board of Trustees will make a much-anticipated special announcement.To purchase tickets, please visit www.umeldercareri.org/adding-life-to-years.

Sponsorship opportunities for the ‘Adding Life to Years’ Gala are available and donations are currently being accepted for the auctions. Please contact Elise Strom at estrom@umeldercareri.orgor 401-438-4456 for more informationabout this opportunity.

Spirited Grape launches wine and spirit certification courses in Providence Classes starting September 2018

Providence, RI, May 23, 2018– Spirited Grape launches wine and spirit certification courses in Providence.

Spirited Grape, an approved program provider and authorized educator for the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET), is currently offering five WSET courses in Providence, RI.

• WSET Level 1 Award in Wine – A beginner level introduction to wine
• WSET Level 1 Award in Spirits – A beginner level introduction to spirits
• WSET Level 2 Award in Wine & Spirits – A beginner to intermediate level qualification exploring wines and spirits for those working in the industry or wine and spirit enthusiasts
• WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits – A beginner to intermediate level qualification exploring spirits for those working in the industry or spirit enthusiasts
• WSET Level 3 Award in Wine – An advanced level qualification for professionals working in the wine industry and for wine enthusiasts.

WSET provides best-in-class education and qualifications to inspire and empower the world’s wine and spirits professionals and enthusiasts.

WSET Qualifications are globally recognized as the international standard in wine and spirit knowledge. They are designed for those who are just starting their careers, as well as established professionals, and the many enthusiasts who have a passion for wines and spirits.

Brenda Audino, Founder and Chief Education Officer, comments “Education is vital to empowering beverage professionals seeking to progress their career. I am excited to bring my experience and passion for the wine industry to my new home here in Providence. I look forward to meeting wine enthusiasts and professionals alike.”

About Us

Spirited Grape’s approach to wine education is not simply learning about wine but fostering an understanding of the industry.

Spirited Grape’s founder and chief educator, Brenda Audino, is a wine industry veteran as well as certified instructor who has recently moved from Napa, California to Providence.

• One of only 9,000 Wine and Spirited Education Trust (WSET) Diploma holders in the world
• Certified Wine Educator (CWE) from the Society of Wine Educators
• Over ten years’ experience as a wine buyer for a large retail chain
• Managed distribution channels for small boutique wineries

Brenda is passionate about wine and shares this passion by educating, writing and consulting for the wine industry. She holds the DWS (Diploma in Wine & Spirits), the highest certification from the London based Wine & Spirit Education Trust, is a Certified Wine Educator from the Society of Wine Educators and holds the Sommelier Diploma from the International Sommelier Guild.

Brenda enjoys traveling and has been to the wine regions of France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, Australia as well as most of the major wine producing areas in the United States. She shares these travel journeys through pictures and stories in her classes.

If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Brenda Audinoat 401-632-0149or email at cheers@spiritedgrape.com.

Tourism Leader Optimistic About Summer Travel Season

Discover Newport’s Evan Smith says all indicators point to a strong travel season.

Newport (R.I.) May 21, 2018 – According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), more than 41.5 million Americans will travel this upcoming holiday weekend, nearly five percent more than last year and the most since 2005. (The Memorial Day holiday travel period is defined as Thursday, May 24 to Monday, May 28.) In New England alone, nearly 1.9 million residents are expected to travel – 1.7 million of them by car, despite the highest gas prices since 2014. AAA estimates 36.6 million people will drive to their destinations while 3.1 million will travel by air.

“As a strong drive market, we keep a watchful eye on the consumer confidence index and external factors that can impact spending decisions, including gas prices and weather,” said Evan Smith, president and CEO of Discover Newport. “At the same time, weddings and multi-day ticketed events like the Tennis Hall of Fame Open, the 50^thannual Newport Music Festival and the already sold-out Newport Folk Festival are just some examples of local happenings that continue to bring a substantial number of visitors to our destination, rain or shine. We’re optimistic that with Mother Nature’s cooperation and Newport’s reputation as an authentic, one-of-a-kind destination, it will be a successful and exceptional summer travel season.”

Smith says summer is arguably the best time to enjoy the spoils of the great outdoors in Newport and its surrounding coastal communities. “Newport is a recreational paradise and now is the time to enjoy boating, sport fishing, kayaking, surfing, standup paddle boarding, hiking, cycling, golfing, tennis and so much more,” he said. “With our miles of coastline and ample green spaces, it’s time to get outside and recreate. We invite you to take some well-earned time to relax, unwind and plan your next getaway or vacation in our destination.”

To schedule an interview with Evan Smith in advance of Memorial Day weekend, please contact him directly at 401-845-9113 or esmith@discovernewport.org.

New England Institute of Technology and the Carlozzi Group Announce Agreement on East Greenwich Country Club

 EAST GREENWICH, RI – New England Institute of Technology (NEIT) and the Carlozzi Group announced today that they have reached an agreement to operate the East Greenwich Country Club’s golf course and restaurant facilities. The property was purchased by New England Tech in 2010 and has been under private management since the acquisition.

Steven H. Kitchin, NEIT’s Vice President for Corporate Education and Training, stated, “We are pleased to have Carlo Carlozzi, Kyle Poland and their team operate the East Greenwich Country Club. Their long record of excellence as owners of Providence’s CirceRestaurant makes them an excellent fit for the country club.  With the club now under new management, patrons will have the opportunity to once again enjoy the 9-hole golf course and dining facilities.”

Highlights of the agreement include:

• The immediate reopening of the golf course.
• All 2018 golf memberships will be honored.
• The Carlozzi Group will provide a restaurant experience equal to their renowned Providence restaurant Circe which will open by mid-summer.
• The long-term agreement will bring stability to the club’s operations.

Mr. Carlozzi stated, “As an East Greenwich resident, I am pleased to bring another great restaurant to our community and to reopen the East Greenwich Country Club golf course. I personally know many of the members affected by the club’s recent closing so I am happy to be part of the solution. These facilities will further enhance the East Greenwich community. I look forward to an outstanding long-term relationship with New England Tech and the club’s patrons.”