Spinnakers launches new menu items in time for summer
By Ken Shane

Mike Ridge has owned Spinnakers for seven years, but the East Ferry location has been a destination for ice cream lovers for a considerably longer period of time.

“I purchased it in 2004,” Ridge said. “It had the name Spinnakers for a few years prior to that, but it has been in this particular location for about 30 years, under one name or another. It’s always been some sort of restaurant, bakery or ice cream store.”

Miriam Expert: Is Beer Good for You?

 Just in time for summer parties: Knocking back a beer or two each night could have some health benefits, according to recent reports from the American Dietetic Association. According to the ADA, some of the chemical and nutritional components of beer has potentially bone-building, heart-helping benefits.

Rockland Recollections: The Narragansett Beer Wagon


It was 1943, World War II was upon us and the citizens of Rockland were getting accustomed of that dirty word "rationing." Certain food items were rationed in our grocery stores and gasoline was rationed in several ways.

The regular driver of an automobile was allowed a certain amount of gasoline a week. Commercial businesses were allowed more to get their goods and services delivered. It seemed in either case that there was not enough gasoline available, except for the black market, which we won't get into in this writing, to satisfy every driving need.

Beer Note

If you like al fresco beer drinking (an who doesn't?) get this: On Aug. 12, there will be a "Summertime Beer Garden" on the lawn at Wistariahurst Museum in Holyoke. All you need to bring is a lawn chair or blanket and you can partake in an evening of great brews in the museum's gardens from 6 to 8 p.m. Liquors 44 is sponsoring this inaugural beer event for the museum, which will feature brews from breweries such as Opa Opa and Berkshire Brewery Co. along with other regional brews from Narragansett, Peak Organic, Shipyard, Harpoon and more. Music will be provided by my old pal Ted Wirt and his Jazz Quintet who will play a mix of jazz favorites and standards. In the event of rain, the Beer Tasting will take place inside the museum. The event is co-sponsored by Historic Holyoke at Wistariahurst and tickets are in advance $25 each, or $40 per couple, and $30 each or $50 per couple at the door.

Clambake at Fort Adams

An old-fashioned clambake prepared by McGrath Clambakes will follow a free concert by The Air National Guard Band of the North East at Fort Adams Friday, July 1. The bake, prepared on the Parade Field and served inside the North Casemates, will feature a traditional menu cooked over hot rocks covered with seaweed. Complementary Narragansett Beer will be available, provided by Narragansett Brewing Company. The bake is $70 per person with lobster, $60 without lobster, and $30 for children; Fort Adams Trust members receive a $10 per person discount. All proceeds benefit the Fort Adams Trust. Advanced registration is required and will be accepted until Thursday, June 30. The bake follows the 5:30-7 p.m. concert on the North Lawn. For more information call 401/619-5801, email llabrecque@fortadams.org or visit www.fortadams.org.

The Narragansett Beer Wagon


It was 1943, World War II was upon us and the citizens of Rockland were getting accustomed of that dirty word "rationing." Certain food items were rationed in our grocery stores and gasoline was rationed in several ways.

The regular driver of an automobile was allowed a certain amount of gasoline a week. Commercial businesses were allowed more to get their goods and services delivered. It seemed in either case that there was not enough gasoline available, except for the black market, which we won't get into in this writing, to satisfy every driving need.