Making Rhode Island

Welcome to Allie’s Donuts, but be forewarned, wherever you are, you’re going to want to hop in your car and drive to North Kingston to down half a dozen fresh delicious pastries.  Enjoy!

A little history while you much - to say that Allie’s Donuts is a Rhode Island institution is to say the obvious, but it must be said nonetheless.  And such a tasty tradition!  Anne, whose father founded Allies, and her husband Buddy welcomed us into the bustling kitchen behind the shop, cheery and awake at 4 am.  The pride and quality were evident in every aspect and the donut occasions cakes really brought to life what a part of Rhode Island living they are.  We watched a handmade custom lacrosse stick donut cake being made for a family event and learned how Anne factors local events and holidays in the region into her baking proportions because people count on them daily.  As the sun came up we left with a dozen donuts and a wonderful sense of people dedicated their area, traditions and making phenomenal tasting donuts.

A tantalizing look at some boards being made locally, you will want to grab one and head for the surf right away!

Bill Shockley, a well respected woodworker in South County, has only recently come to make wooden surf boards, a rare tradition now, a natural extension of his love of surfing and making.  He has explored the history of surf boards, from the early Hawaiian knee boards and long boards meant only for royalty, moving all the way up to the more contemporary long board forms.  The detail work of corner pieces and inlaid abalone only make the functional art more beautiful.

This is a teaser of the full length Rough Assembly that the Making Rhode Island team created of our experiences at Cumberland Foundry, in Cumberland Rhode Island.

Cumberland Foundry is a family business with an international reputation. When Tom, son of the founder, gave us a tour we saw old rail tracks from a now defunct Woonsocket line literally melting down into iron for casting, in the traditional sand method.