A local’s guide to gift giving–Rhode Island

Mind Key Rhode Island (Rhody) is growing as fast as The Mind Key Project itself!  In one of my many articles for the Newport Daily News, I was asked to write a story describing all I want from Aquidneck Island, the heart of Mind Key Rhody. We hope those of you in our local community support these local businesses this season as well.  For those of our readers who don’t live here, consider this an opportunity to visit someplace new (let Danielle be your tour guide–email me to learn how), or to pick up some of the global services these business offer online.

Photo courtesy of Dave Hansen, Newport Daily News

The ocean has always called to me, so last December I finally listened and moved myself from the mountains of New Jersey to beautiful Aquidneck Island. When I first arrived, I spent as many afternoons on the beach or by the water as I could — regardless of the weather. I was the crazy one swimming (sans wetsuit) from mid-May straight through the end of October. I learned quickly that the real locals were the ones out there with me.

As a single mom of two young girls, a freelance writer and the founder an organization that helps people discover health and happiness, it’s no surprise that my goal for the coming year is to do more of what I love.

My holiday wish list has less “things” and more “things-to-do” on it — particularly those things I didn’t seem to have the time or money to accomplish this summer, and it covers just about everything this mermaid-in-training covets from the sea … [CONTINUE READING…]