Good food, congenial company and perfect weather greeted members and guests of the Rhode Island Builders Association as they gathered for the 60th Annual Outing and Clambake. The event took place where it began in 1950: Francis Farm in Rehoboth, Mass.
Attendees began to gather at noon to renew old acquaintances, make new friends, and fan out over the extensive grounds to take part in the ongoing sports activities and contests, or simply to relax. Littlenecks, clam cakes and chowder, and hot dogs were served early in the afternoon.
Out on the sports turf, Steve Cruise of Cruise Carpets captured the honors during the football toss, a contest that's far more difficult than it looks. Kevin Macchio of Tomark Construction Inc. walked away with the golf chipping competition, while Henry Gianlorenzo of Henry R. Gianlorenzo Builders nabbed the win in the nail driving contest.
Two contests that originated at past RIBA Outings are the Plywood Throw and the Insulation Toss.
Cisco Correia of NFC Construction won the Plywood Throw with a toss of 28' 10", not far short of the record set in 2005 by Luis Mateos of Norbury Construction, who heaved his lumber 36' 11".
The Insulation Toss is new, having debuted at last year's Outing at the suggestion of Anchor Insulation. The winner this year was Anchor's Connor Fiske, whose throw of 49½' broke last year's top score of 44' 3", thrown by Justin Hall of New England Drywall Inc.
Impromptu horseshoe matches, volleyball and basketball competitions, and card games punctuated the day. Enjoying the bocce court as they do at the Outing and Clambake every year were Dick Jutras, Al Fontaine and Buddy Gemma.
Member companies well represented this year were Anchor Insulation & Co., Inc.; CRM Modular Homes; Dynasty Electric LLC; J&A Electric Inc.; Jutras Woodworking Co.; New England Drywall Inc.; James P. Tavares Construction Inc.; The Terry Lane Corp., and Spaulding Brick Co.
Food, especially the clambake itself, is always the center of attention at the Outing! At 5 p.m., Outing Committee co-chairman Steve Gianlorenzo moved through the central pavilion literally ringing the dinner bell. The classic bake staff at Francis Farm served up the full menu, including steamers by the bucketful, fish, chicken, sausage, potatoes, brown bread and all the trimmings. There was lobster or steak for those who ordered them.
Gianlorenzo, a third-generation home builder, pointed out that this was his 41st year attending the RIBA Outing. His sons, who were with him, make the family's fourth generation in the industry.
As always, many lucky attendees went home with prizes from the final event of the day: the door prizes.
Our thanks to all the sponsors and donors who made the 60th Annual Outing and Clambake such a success!

Paul Eno is the owner and editor-in-chief of New River Press, Woonsocket and is the editor of the monthly RIBA newsletter, The Rhode Island Builder Report.