On May 4, 1776, the General Assembly of the Colony of Rhode Island declared its absolute independence from Great Britain. The members voted nearly unanimously, thus making Rhode Island the first independent sovereign state in the western world. We celebrated with our pups at La Forge Casino Restaurant established in 1880. Its front veranda faces Bellevue Avenue and the back covered and exterior porch runs along side the grass horseshoe court of the International Tennis Hall of Fame Club and Museum. The interior is rich green with historical artifacts strung along the walls and If you are lucky you may have the opportunity to watch matches during the summer season. The story of the developer and his decision for starting his own public club is quite interesting and outlandish!
Established in 1880, The Newport Casino was built as the result of a causal bet between James Gordan Bennet JR., owner of the New York Herald, & his guest, British Cavalry Officer, Captain “Sugar” Candy, for which Candy rode his horse into Newport’s most exclusive Men’s Club – The Reading Room. Disgruntled at the other members’ less than congenial response, Bennet bought the land across from his Bellevue Avenue mansion & built his own club – THE NEWPORT CASINO. It offered shops, concerts, balls, special events – never gambling – & a place for Newport’s summer residents & Newporters to gather. Now a national historic landmark, The “Casino” is today home of the International Tennis Hall Of Fame. – referenced La Forge
And if you have not heard the Rhode Island Anthem, I am surely interested in your thoughts
Rhode Island’s It for Me
Listen (MP3 Format)
Lyrics by Charlie Hall
Music by Maria Day
Arranged by Kathryn Chester
I’ve been to every state we have
and I think that I’m inclined to say
that Rhody stole my heart
You can keep the forty nine
Herring gulls that dot the sky,
blue waves that paint the rocks,
waters rich with Neptune’s life,
the boats that line the docks,
I see the lighthouse flickering
to help the sailors see.
There’s a place for everyone:
Rhode Island’s it for me.
Rhode Island, oh, Rhode Island
surrounded by the sea.
Some people roam the earth for home;
Rhode Island’s it for me.
I love the fresh October days,
the buzz on College Hill,
art that moves an eye to tear,
a jeweler’s special skill.
Icicles refract the sun,
snow falling gracefully.
Some search for a place that’s warm:
Rhode Island’s it for me.
Rhode Island, oh, Rhode Island
surrounded by the sea.
Some people roam the earth for home;
Rhode Island’s it for me.
The skyline piercing Providence,
the State House dome so rare,
residents who speak their minds;
No longer unaware!
Roger Williams would be proud to see
his “colony”
so don’t sell short this precious port:
Rhode Island’s it for me.
Rhode Island, oh, Rhode Island
surrounded by the sea.
Some people roam the earth for home;
Rhode Island’s it for me.
Rhode Island, oh, Rhode Island
surrounded by the sea.
Some people roam the earth for home:
Rhode Island’s it for me!