Photo: Suzanne and John’s Mom.
Island people need transportation on the mainland. Some folks leave a car in the state parking lot near the boat. A mainland-based van allows school teams to compete with other towns and allows other islanders to go on outings.
I went on a theater junket with the New Shoreham senior citizens on a sweltering day mid-July. It was a lot of fun — and also an education in how small towns often manage daily challenges.
Of course, New Shoreham is not a small town in mid-July. The year-rounder number that the Ground Hog Day census captures — about 1,000 — can swell to 20,000 in the summer. Such are the ways of resort towns, islands or not.
But there are a couple aspects of small-town life that you can see anytime of year, like the ability to adapt. On that theater trip I was impressed with how people handled the transportation. And I’m always amazed at the island’s Bulletin Board, a Google Group that can find almost anything you need.
I’ll start with the transportation. The state provided a beautiful van that hangs out in a mainland parking lot near the boat. It has no paid driver. If it’s a question of going to a school sports event or an activity organized by the recreation department, the director of the department will drive.
Otherwise, maybe one of the many island taxi drivers will volunteer. There was one in our theater group, and her license for carrying passengers in a taxi qualified her for the van, too.
We all piled in, and she started the engine.
Then she called to the back of the bus, “Looks like we’re almost out of gas.”
Advice about the closest gas stations flowed from all the seniors. One offered to pay. Another called the recreation director, who told her, “Just fill it with as much as you need.” The driver made a reasonable guess at how much that might be, and off we went for a great afternoon at the theater.
On the way back, a passenger said she’d just got a text that her husband’s glasses had come in at the eyeglass store and asked if we could pick it up at the shopping mall. Everyone agreed we would still have plenty of time to catch the boat. So the van bounced over a few curbs and pulled up at the shop.
I loved how adaptive people were. They know that sometimes it’s their own request that others are willing to fill.
It’s the same with the Bulletin Board, an initiative that my neighbor and two other women came up with some years ago.
The women approve (or disapprove) posts all day from wherever they are in the world. The messages may be offers of free household items, ways to sign up for outings, the town council agenda, an electricity-disruption alert, or where to get oysters.
But most posts are quite idiosyncratic, and you’d be amazed how often those requests are met. Especially amazing to me is that people with a car that they leave in the mainland lot are so often willing to lend their car to someone else. Here goes.
“Just reaching out to ask if anyone may have a slide projector (for those of you who remember what they are!) for my family to use through Sunday afternoon.”
“Hi my Yamaha 9.9 engine on my dinghy keeps stalling every time we put it into gear is there anyone on the island that can work on it?”
“My son’s friend lost a navy blue Nike Elite backpack with Nike Kobe Grinches (red with green laces) size 5/5.5 as well as size 7 pink Lamello shoes a couple of days ago. Please call or text if you see any of these items.”
“I am looking to borrow someone’s mainland car from Sunday night until Monday last boat. I will be going to my apartment in Providence with fenced-in parking area and maybe to Trader Joe’s. I am a super safe driver who has never gotten in any accidents.”
“Is anyone going thru Westerly that could pick up a package at 35 Broad St for my niece and either drop off at airport or bring on the boat for me – it’s a supplement so doesn’t take up much space.”
“Amazon sent me 4mg Nicorette quit-smoking gum by mistake. I can’t use them and Amazon doesn’t want them back. If you want them, please text …”
“We have friends visiting and their dog could use a vet visit for an infection. Before they head off Island I thought I’d check here.”
“Can someone please contact Hugo M to let him know the Post Office has his DHL package? I can’t remember who posted the inquiry for him.”
“I have this bird and it seems to be injured not able to fly any distance. Attached is a photo of the bird. I would love any help on what to do!”
“I’m looking for someone who is taking the ferry sometime today who doesn’t mind sitting with my 8.5 daughter? Grandparents will be waiting for her on the other side!”
“I am making my granddaughter a Peter Rabbit birthday cake and was wondering if anyone had 1-4 very small or small carrots with the greens on them that I could have or purchase?”
“Can anyone provide a contact telephone number for R— the electrician?”
“Does anyone have a large amount of black lace or similar material that I could buy from you or borrow for the day next Monday (8/4)? Will be used in costuming but will not be altered.”
“Posting for a friend who needs to get a car key to east Providence asap. Looking for a ride, to borrow a car, or the car key to be dropped off in East Providence.”
“Anyone want a August 1939 National Geographic? decent condition with some separation of cover . articles about Iowa and midwest, Australia.”
”Does anyone have a car I can borrow for this Saturday please? Only going to be in Wakefield. [A later post says] All set with car.”
“I know this is a huge favor to ask. Looking for a car Friday-Saturday. Trying to get to NYC for the night and train tickets are insane. I’ll fill w gas, wash, wax on wax off. Anything!”
“Is this your dog? I’m a dog lover but this dog has peed on every plant I own.”
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