Rhode Island
The oldest tree in Rhode Island is over 200 years old. Here’s how to see it
Here’s an up close look at the tiny worms that are killing beech trees
A microscopic worm known as a foliar nematode is sickening beech trees across the Northeast. The disease spread to Rhode Island five years ago.
As the weather warms up in preparation for a New England summer, many people are heading back outdoors to adore Rhode Island’s nature, from flowers to mountains to trees.
While the Ocean State has plenty of fantastic trees to look at this time of year, many of the state’s trees are full of history as well as beauty. In fact, the oldest tree in Rhode Island dates back to around the time the country was formed. At over 200 years old, the Betsey Williams Sycamore in Providence’s Roger Williams Park is not only the state’s oldest tree, but also its most famous.
Here’s the story of Rhode Island’s oldest tree, as well as where you can see the landmark today.
History of the Betsey Williams Sycamore
The Betsey Williams Sycamore was first planted outside of a house now known as the Betsey Williams cottage, where the great-great-great-granddaughter of Rhode Island founder Roger Williams was born in 1790.
While the exact year of the sycamore tree’s origins are unclear, many scholars believe the tree was planted after the house was built in 1773, making it over 250 years old. In his podcast “This Old Tree,” consulting arborist Doug Still estimates the tree dates back to 1782, making it 243 years old.
The tree stayed in Rhode Island’s founding family for many years, providing shade and play space for Williams as she grew up with her sister Rhoda Williams. Unmarried, the sisters lived together in the cottage, where they wove cloth for income and frequently invited neighbors to dine and dance with them.
When Betsey Williams died in 1871, she left the cottage and 102 acres of surrounding farmland to the city of Providence, on one condition – the city create a park, with a statue inside, dedicated to her famous ancestor. Roger Williams Park Zoo officially opened later that year, and a statue of Roger Williams was erected nearby the cottage in 1877.
Today, the Betsey Williams Sycamore Tree still stands at 80 feet tall outside the newly renovated Betsey Williams Cottage, which frequently hosts open houses to explore the cottage’s history.
How to see the Betsey Williams Sycamore
The Betsey Williams Sycamore can be found next to the restored Betsey Williams Cottage, located at 1000 Elmwood Ave. inside Roger Williams Park. The park is always free and open to visitors from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Rhode Island
Person injured after falling onto Red Line tracks near Rhode Island Avenue station
WASHINGTON (7News) — A person was hurt after falling onto Metro tracks near the Rhode Island Avenue Metro Station in Northeast, D.C. on Friday, according to city and transit officials.
Shortly before noon, officials said the person fell onto the tracks and was hit. The person was removed from the tracks by D.C. Fire and EMS crews and taken to a local trauma center conscious and breathing, D.C. officials confirmed at around 1 p.m.
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Trains were briefly single-tracking between the Rhode Island Avenue and NoMa-Gallaudet U stations.
Rhode Island
Flags are at half-staff in Rhode Island today. Here’s why
Why is the flag at half staff? These are possible reasons
The flag of the United States of America is flown at half-staff on several occasions, generally marking that the country is in mourning
On Friday, May 15, flags will be flown at half-staff across the United States to commemorate Peace Officers Memorial Day.
Recognized each year since 1962 as part of May’s National Police Week, the national observance pays tribute to United States law enforcement officials who gave their lives in the line of duty, whether at the local, state or federal level.
“United in gratitude, we recommit ourselves to supporting those who keep the peace in our neighborhoods, and we offer our heartfelt appreciation for the service they render to community and country,” reads a proclamation from President Trump. “Their steady presence brings calm to our streets, their dedication preserves the order that allows our Nation to flourish, and their unwavering vigilance is the reason families across America can rest under the promise of a safer tomorrow.”
In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, the flag of the United States at all public buildings and grounds across the country and its territories – including in Rhode Island – will fly at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Friday, May 15.
Why are flags flown at half-staff?
According to the official website of the U.S. General Services Administration, flags typically fly at half-staff when the country or specific state is in mourning. Observances include national tragedies, days of remembrance and deaths of government or military personnel.
The president, the state governor or the mayor of Washington, D.C., can order flags to fly at half-staff.
Half-staff vs. half-mast
While half-staff refers to lowered flags on land, half-mast refers to those at sea. Both refer to a flag being flown beneath the top of its staff as a sign of respect.
Rhode Island
Star-studded cast of ‘My Boyfriend is a Demon,’ filming in RI, released
RI’s Verdi Productions films ‘Bad News On The Doorstep’ in Providence
Verdi Productions wrapped filming of Tom DeNucci’s “Bad News On The Doorstep” early on May 23 in Providence.
Verdi Productions’ secret horror movie, “My Boyfriend is a Demon,” now filming in Rhode Island, is no longer a secret as Chad A. Verdi, the East Greenwich production company’s president, has announced the cast and given an outline of the movie’s plot.
The ensemble cast comprises veteran actors and rising young talents. The story follows Mary, a lonely, small-town girl who creates a fake Instagram account that pretends to be boyfriend, a guy too perfect to be real. Mary puts so much effort into making him “real” that he shows up at her door one day.
The cast includes:
- Mattias Ferrell, son of comic actor Will Ferrell and known for “A Very Jonas Christmas Movie” and “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues.”
- Coco Arquette, daughter of Courteney Cox and David Arquette and known for “Cougar Town.”
- David Arquette, known for his work in the “Scream” film franchise.
- Rosanna Arquette, David’s sister and Coco’s aunt, known for “The Moment.”
- Bailey Sloan, known for “Ragamuffin.”
- Jack Champion, known for “Avatar.”
- Ever Anderson, known for “Peter Pan & Wendy.”
- Vinnie Hacker, known for “Euphoria.”
- Josephine Reitman, known for “Juno.”
- Savannah Lee Smith, kown for “Tunsel Town.”
- Lisa Yamada, known for “Elle.”
- Ty Law, known for “Friday Night Lights.”
“My Boyfriend is a Demon” is written and directed by first-time director mishka.
“My Boyfriend is a Demon” is filming in Providence
The movie began filming in Rhode Island in April and has rented Providence’s Cranston Street Armory for the month of May to use as a studio.
The producing team for Verdi Productions includes Chad A. Verdi, Chad Verdi Jr., Paul Luba, Michelle Verdi and Sera Verdi. Executive producers include Ketchup Entertainment and Kinolime.
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