As if on cue, a rainy month gave way to sunshine and comfortable temperatures on August 15th as 200 members and guests gathered at Francis Farm, Rehoboth, Mass., for food, fun, networking and good-natured competition.
It was the Rhode Island Builders Association's 57th Annual Outing and Clambake! The first RIBA outing took place at Francis Farm in 1951.
Member companies old and new have made the event their annual outing over the years. This year, American Form Corp., William J. Canning Management Co., Dick Cruise Carpet Co., Gianlorenzo and Sons Construction Corp., Jutras Woodworking Co., J&J Hardware Distributors Inc., Quality Tile Co., Inc., and New England Drywall Inc. were all well represented.
Participants began arriving before noon to enjoy the great food and attractive facilities at Francis Farm, beginning with clam cakes and chowder, followed by hot dogs and ice cream, littlenecks on the half shell, and drinks in the air-conditioned lounge or at umbrella-shaded tables on the patio. Gastronomic highlight of the day was, of course, the clambake itself, featuring steamers, fish, chicken, lobster for some, and all the trimmings.
Athletic competitions ran all afternoon and were high spots for the crowd.
In the something-you-don't-see-everyday sport of plywood throwing, believed to have originated with RIBA, Steve Benfeito of New England Drywall took the top spot, with a throw of 32' 8".
This year's volleyball title went to the combined team from Jutras Woodworking and J&J Hardware. The horseshoe pit and bocce court were busy, but there was no formal competition at those venues.
Additional activities included golf chipping, the football toss, nail driving and the tug-of-war.
Other members could be found at the Francis Farm museum, where pictures of early RIBA outings are among the exhibits.
Culmination of the day's activities were the awards for the event winners and for everyone with a winning door prize ticket. Prizes included everything from coveted gasoline cards to PawSox tickets, RIBA shirts and power tools.
Many thanks to all the sponsors and donors who helped make the 2008 Outing such a success.
Steve Gianlorenzo of Gianlorenzo & Sons Construction Corp. chaired the event this year, assisted by Carlos Ferro of P.J.'s Carpets & Window Fashions; Dick Welch of Apple Construction Corp.; Charlie Curci of The Doorley Agency; Frank DiPrete; along with Cisco Correia, Steven Gianlorenzo Jr. and Andrew Gianlorenzo of Gianlorenzo & Sons Construction Corp.
Also assisting at the event were RIBA executive director Roger Warren, and staff members Nancy Jenkinson, Elizabeth Carpenter and Joanne DiGregorio.
Paul Eno is the owner and editor-in-chief of New River Press, Woonsocket and is the publisher of The R.I. Builder Report.