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Greetings!
Christmas is fast approaching and Rhode Island businesses are preparing for a busy shopping season.

Among those gearing up for the rush is Tally’s Religious Gifts and Church Supplies in Cranston, a fifth-generation family-owned business. New England’s oldest church supply business, Tally’s has been serving Rhode Island for 135 years. 

It’s a great American story -- steamship agent Patrick Tally emigrated from Ireland to Providence in 1854. In September 1879 he opened a Catholic bookstore there, with prayer books and devotional articles available to Irish immigrants. 

That business has grown and evolved into the Tally’s Rhode Islanders know today, with gift items for all ages. (And because this is Rhode Island… I played Little League with P.J. Tally, one of the current owners, whose father Phil Tally was our coach.)

To skip the crowds, take a look at Tally’s online catalogue, order online, or visit their Cranston store at 1150 Pontiac Avenue. P.J., his brother Tom Tally and their fantastic staff are there to help. 

And Happy Holidays to all!
Nice Ink!
New England's Largest Food Drive: Scouts Gather
75 Tons of Donations
 
Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts of America members gathered at the RI Community Food Bank for their 34th Annual Scouting for Food drive collection last week. 

When the final tally came in, the Scouts exceeded their 2019 total with more than 150,000 pounds of food for families across Southeastern New England. The largest food drive in New England involves nearly 200 Scouting packs and troops. 

“Scouting for Food is an important event for the communities we are a part of in Southern New England. Each year, we aim to help those most in need,” said Narragansett Council CEO Tim McCandless. “With increasing food insecurity due to the pandemic, the hard work and determination of our Scouts and leaders during this food drive is truly commendable.”

Since 1988, the Narragansett Council Scouts have helped raise more than 10 million pounds of food through the largest annual Scout service project. Scouting for Food is a collaboration between the Scouts, Rhode Island Community Food Bank, WPRI-12 and the Rhode Island National Guard.
Grey Sail Brews Up Successful 10th Anniversary Celebration

The taproom and the beer garden were hopping as Grey Sail Brewing of Rhode Island celebrated its 10th anniversary last week, releasing a new beer for the occasion.
 
Founded by the husband and wife team of Jen and Alan Brinton, Grey Sail doubled in size over the years, expanding their annual capacity to 15,000 barrels. They have also installed carbon capture technology to reduce their environmental footprint, the first in Rhode Island to do so.

“We appreciate that our staff, our partners in distribution, our community and our loyal customers have all had a substantial part in us achieving this 10 year milestone,” said Jennifer Brinton, co-owner.

We worked with Grey Sail to produce a video reflecting on the past 10 years - take a peek here. And you can pick up Grey Sail’s anniversary pilsner in liquor stores across Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts. 

“It’s been a fantastic 10 years,” said Alan Brinton. “I’ve met so many great people that have turned into lasting relationships because of the brewery. I’m looking forward to more of that over the next 10 years!”  
RIPEC's 78th Annual Meeting
One For The Books

Gov. Daniel J. McKee, House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi and Senate Majority Leader Dominick Ruggerio offered remarks recently at the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council’s virtual annual meeting. 

More than 200 people attended the virtual gathering. 

The Public’s Radio Ian Donnis interviewed Mara Liasson — political analyst for Fox News and National Correspondent for NPR — for a discussion on current affairs, politics and upcoming elections. 

RIPEC continued its tradition of recognizing unsung heroes who have made outstanding contributions to public service. This year’s honorees were Frank Karpinski, Executive Director of the Employees’ Retirement System of Rhode Island and William Fazioli, East Providence’s Director of Planning and Economic Development (seen above on the right with RIPEC board member Patrick Rogers, Esq.)
New Companies, Ground Breakings
and Ribbon Cuttings Stacking Up
At Quonset

Rhode Island’s Congressional Delegation joined state and local officials recently to break ground on Quonset’s $4 million Mill Creek Rail Yard project.

The group joined QDC Managing Director Steven King to drive the first spikes into the rails, beginning an initiative financed by grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation and a $1 million match from QDC.

“Rail car volume in the Park has tripled since 2007, companies are expanding and additional track is needed for continued growth,” said King.
This week, Quonset then welcomed Survitec Sales and Business Development Director Mads Enemark Nørgreen, North Kingstown state Rep. Robert Craven and Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos’ chief of staff Ernie Almonte for a ribbon cutting of the newest Flex Industrial building. 

The space will host Survitec — an offshore wind support and safety company that provides immersion suits, lifejackets, liferafts, fire safety and turbine escape devices. PrimeFish, a 100-year-old, family-owned seafood business will also call the building home.

“Our new location in Rhode Island will be our flagship ‘U.S. Offshore Wind Hub,’” Nørgreen said. "Now, our customers in the region will have better access to the most advanced Survival Technology solutions, including our popular offshore PPE rental program.”