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As everyone knows, last year’s nightclub fire brought about new stringent fire laws for all public buildings throughout Rhode Island. Prudence Island was no exception. As a result, many changes both small and large had to be made to the PIA hall. Hundreds of hours have been donated pro bono to see that the work gets done. Thanks to the efforts of the PIA leadership, thousands of dollars were raised from islanders to defray the cost of materials. To date, much work has been accomplished.
To Do List Can you give a little time – perhaps an hour or two – to help out the PIA? There are many small and large jobs on the list of things that need doing at the hall – from washing windows, to trimming back brush to painting the men’s room. All this should get done before the season opens. The list and supplies are posted in the supply room of the hall. Need a key or need to ask questions? Give Leo McDevitt, Richard Kenerson or Pat Rossi a call. If everyone – both adults and children – just gave an hour early in the season, the work will be spread out and not left to the same people to get done. The hall is for everyone’s enjoyment – young and old – and all should share in its upkeep. Financial News and Dues As you are aware, the PIA become financially challenged last year as a result of the Station Fire. In order to keep the building open, a number of costly upgrades and modifications had to be made and are in the process of being completed. The only way that could be achieved was if money were raised for that specific purpose. The community has come together for the fund raising events and has been most generous with donations. As a result, the Fire Code Upgrade Fund was established. As of mid-March, 2004, $14, 522.00 toward the goal $17,000.00 had been raised, and $6,254.60 had been expended. Additionally, regular PIA expenses have increased, in part, due to normal yearly increases (insurance costs have gone up, on average, $500.00 in each of the last 3 years) and also because there are new yearly costs related to the upgrade (semi-annual fire system inspections). In order to keep up with the increased costs of normal operations, at the meeting on August 30, 2003, the membership voted to increase the dues which hadn’t been changed since 1989. For the 2004-2005 membership year, the dues will be $15.00 for individuals and $25.00 for families. Also, the fees associated with hall usage have changed. Explanation of Hall Usage Fees There is a $200 rental fee for use of the main hall. One hundred dollars is to be sent in as a deposit with the forms and will hold the date for your event. The balance of the fee is due 60 days before the event. The deposit will be returned after the "clean up/walk around" if the building is returned to its proper condition. (The renter/contact person shall be responsible for any damage, breakage, or rules not complied with. The time of the "clean up walk around" is to be scheduled with the Event Coordinator prior to the event.) If kitchen area is used for food storage and/or food preparation, there is an additional $100 fee. If the renter requests to have the lawn mown within 3 days of the event, an extra $50 will be charged. The lawn is mown about every 2 weeks, depending on the weather. The schedule will be posted on the bulletin board at the hall and on the web at http:/www.prudenceisland.us/. Cancellation policy: If the event is canceled 60 days prior to the event, there will be a full refund. If the event is canceled less than 60 days prior to the event, the fee paid minus $100 will be refunded. Hall usage forms can be found on the website or ask a PIA Board member. Dangers of Pulling Haul Systems on Island Last year two teenagers were seriously injured while running on the beach at night by pulling haul pipes. These pipes are generally short, made of metal, dark and placed about the mean high tide mark. We are asking all owners of these systems to place a 4’ minimum high white PVC pipe over all pulling haul pipes in the ground. Also a piece of reflective tape wrapped around the PVC pipe will help, too. If you need help getting a PVC pipe, please contact Pat Rossi at 683-4690 or if you know of an abandoned pulling haul pipe call me so we can remove it. Five abandoned pipes have already been removed from the Sand Point area. PYO The Prudence Improvement Association invites the kids of the island between the ages of 10 and 18 to a planning session for the Prudence Youth Organization on July 1, 2004 at 7 p.m. We are trying to schedule 3 nights a week (Tuesday through Thursday) for the building to be open for the youth during the summer months. Wednesday nights are still slated for movie nights beginning July 7th. Bring your ideas and imagination to this planning meeting and see what fun you can have. And, if there are any adults who are willing to chaperone, please call Pat Rossi at 683-4690. Annual Chicken BBQ Hear ye! Hear ye! Listen up
folks, the following information concerns the highlight of Prudence Island’s
social calendar!! A little history, folks. The PIA has for years had an annual fundraising dinner, this being the main function to raise money for the PIA expenses, i.e. insurance, building upkeep, etc. Before there was a Chicken B-B-Que, many will remember that it was the ‘PIA Spaghetti and Meatball Supper’ for years and years and years. Then in 1994, under the presidency of Steve Bator, the menu was changed to a chicken b-b-que. This went on rain or shine, even through Hurricane Bertha in 1995! And then, hard to believe, things got even better when in the summer of 1998, Steve asked the Best Darn chicken barbequer to take over – the Island’s own Al Hibbard! And, as they say the rest was Bar-B-Queing History! So now, don’t forget the date – July 10, 2004. Great food, good socializing, and as if that wasn’t enough – a chance to win something SUPER at the Raffle and Penny Social!! (P.S. This year we are looking for donations for the good table and kid’s table. And all you cookie and cupcake makers – warm up them ovens, we’ll be needing donations for dessert. Oh, and did I forget to mention we need that terrific band of volunteers for food prep and serving!! Hope you’ve had a great winter and that now visions of succulent chicken parts dance through your dreams!) Prudence Improvement Association: An Historical Perspective On July 14, 1919, William A. Locke, George S. Marshall, Leslie Young, John Creelman, James Bains and Burlington Briggs filed an agreement to form a corporation under the name of Prudence Improvement Association (PIA) with the State of Rhode Island. The stated purpose of the organization was for the "general improvement of the part of Prudence Island known as East Side as a summer colony." Accompanying the agreement were the constitution and by-laws of the corporation. The primary reason for creating the PIA was to have an organization to hold title to a strip of land between Narragansett Avenue and Narragansett Bay. And, in fact, less than two weeks after the Articles of Incorporation were filed, Lewis Herreshoff sold to the PIA, for a sum of ten dollars, that strip of land running south from Pier Road at Homestead, some 4000 feet to the property owned by Emily Bance at Sand Point. In 1956 the PIA purchased the property on which their current building stands from Norman Herreshoff. The PIA constructed the building on this land over the next two years, with much of the work done by members. The Civil Defense Program contributed funds for the cost. The driving force behind the purchase of the land and construction of the building was Dominic Capone, a Bristol optometrist who owned the Optic View Cottage on Lombardy Camp Plat. He envisioned that the building would become a place where island children could congregate and enjoy organized activities. At the time the building was completed, a second organization was established known at the Prudence Youth Organization or PYO. On August 30, 1958, the PIA amended the Articles of Association to reflect the acquisition of new land and a building to house the corporation. "Said corporation is constituted for the following purposes: The civic betterment of Prudence Island in the Town of Portsmouth in the State of Rhode Island; the ownership and maintenance of land and buildings on said Island to be used for public gatherings and as a community house for general civic purposes including, but not limited to, the furtherance of the welfare of youth resident both summer and permanent of said Island, and creating and maintaining a common meeting place for the recreation of said youth and of others; the ownership of the real estate located between Narragansett Road and mean high water mark and the maintenance of the same for the property owners on said Island as a park or common; and, in general, such operations and functions as will tend to the improvement and enhancement of the enjoyment of said Prudence Island by both summer and permanent residents of said Island all without financial profit to any person or persons." Since 1958, the PIA has sponsored or hosted numerous social functions (record hops, square dances, clambakes, chicken barbeques, ham and bean suppers, spaghetti and meatball suppers, fireman’s ball, fireman fair, craft fair, plant sale, wedding receptions and family reunions). The PIA building has served as the site for other Prudence Island organizations to hold meetings and events (Prudence Island Volunteer Fire Department, Prudence Island Quilters, Prudence Island Historic and Preservation Society, Homestead Improvement Association, Prudence Island Water Company, Our Lady of Prudence Catholic Church, Friends of Prudence Island School, and the Prudence Conservancy). Over the years, Islanders have gathered at the PIA building to discuss important issues concerning ferry rates and policies, a proposed liquefied natural gas storage site, creation of state parks and formation of a water district. The commitment of the PIA to the youth of the Island has continued since the founding of the PYO. In 1977, members constructed a basketball court and began leagues for children and adults. Other youth activities included summer recreation programs involving volleyball, billiards, ping-pong, softball, dances, movies and a puppet theater. Today, the PIA remains as an organization devoted to the maintenance and stewardship of its land and building for the general use and recreation for all residents of Prudence Island. The organization carries forward a long tradition of serving as a community center for every age group on the island. (Contributed by Joe Bains and Judi Foster) 2004 Season Events at PIA May 7 through May 31 – Ongoing Plant Shop by the Friends of Prudence Island School June 12, 9 am to 1pm – Town Council Hearing June 19 – Summer Solstice Party Kick Off Fund Raiser July 1, 7 pm – Prudence Youth Organization for kids aged 10-18 July 3, 9 am to 11 am – Annual PIA Meeting July 6 – August 26 – Tuesday and Thursday evenings the hall will be open for the PYO (7 pm to 10 pm) July 7 – August 25 – Wednesday evening Movie Nights starting at 7 pm July 10 – PIA’s Annual Chicken Barbeque July 17 --Island Treasure and Craft Fair (See Ann Marshall or Pat Rossi) July 24 -- Homestead Association’s Annual Ham and Bean Supper August 14 – Prudence Conservancy Annual Meeting August 21 – Fireman’s Fair October 30, 6 pm – Halloween Potluck November – Winterize the building PIA Mowing Schedule The lawn will be mowed between Tuesday and Friday, weather depending for the following Saturday date. Remember to check the board in the PIA Hall or click to the link on this website for changes. The number of rainy days and heat waves will have an impact on our schedule. Dates May 29, June 19, July 3, July 17, July 31, August 14, August 28, September 11, October 2 |
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