Misquamicut Fest Rings in the Unofficial Start of Summer

Misquamicut Fest from Ryan Jacobson on Vimeo.

 

The parking lots have finally been cleared of the remains of one of the most horrific winters in recent memory. Winter is finally over, and summer is rapidly approaching. Nothing says summer is right around the corner more than the Misquamicut Spring Fest, held at Misquamicut State Beach in Westerly, RI.

This is not like any other “summer kick off” festival around the country. This festival is located on the beautiful shore of the “Ocean State”; one of the most popular summer destinations in New England.

You can smell the salty ocean, and hear the pounding of the waves as you line up for your favorite rides and refreshments. Even though it is not yet warm enough to lay on the beach or go into the ocean, you still can get the feeling of summer, because your senses are familiarizing themselves with the sounds and smells of summers past.

This festival is the unofficial kick off to summer, so, for a town that is known for their beaches and summer entertainment, this is the most exciting time of the year”, s

ays Matthew Morin, one of the head directors of the festival.”

From the rides, and games, to the shopping tents and live entertainment, the Misquamicut Spring Festival has something for everyone. Couples on dates were competing in a rock-climbing race against each other. Newlyweds were enjoying a fine glass of wine, while tasting the local chowder. Couples with children were enjoying their day with rides and carnival games. And elderly couples, among many others, were relaxing and listening to the live music from local great, Jason Cardinal.

There truly is something for everyone at the Misquamicut Fests. However, do not worry if you could not attend this weekend’s festivities. This weekend marks the unofficial opening of Misquamicut Beach, so many of the opportunities at the fest, can be found somewhere along the shore of Misquamicut, along with a slew of other forms of entertainment that can keep you occupied for an entire season.

Predicting the Cast of Survivor: Second Chances (Men)

For the thirty-first season of Survivor, CBS has decided to let the public vote for their favorite previous castaways that they think deserve a second chance at the game. CBS took the liberty of narrowing the field to 32 castaways, 16 men and 16 women, that have only played the game one time, and who they deem “worthy” of a second chance at a million dollars. While the pool of potential castaways has some noticeable omissions, at least there is a wide range of castaways eligible. Unlike many “All-Star” Reality TV seasons whose cast is mostly contestants from recent seasons, there is a strong likelihood that Survivor: Second Chances will include castaways that haven’t been seen on our screens since 2000-2001, which is a lifetime by Reality TV standards.

The following are the sixteen men, ranked in order of least to most likely to return, competing for your votes to play the game one more time.

 

16. Jim Rice, Survivor 23: South Pacific

Jim Rice, originally from Survivor: South Pacific, will need a miracle if he wants to play the game again. (photo credit: cbs.com)

Jim Rice, originally from Survivor: South Pacific, will need a miracle if he wants to play the game again. (photo credit: cbs.com)

Jim Rice, a Medical Marijuana Dispenser, from Denver, CO, has his work cut out for him, if he plans on returning to the game. With a strong batch of male contestants to choose from, Rice, likely did not make enough of an impact on his season, and fans will have a difficult time remembering who he is. His best bet will be to have some sort of open house night at his marijuana dispensary, in which free samples will be distributed if you log on to cbs.com and throw a vote his way.

 

15. Troyzan Robertson, Survivor 24: One World

Troyzan Robertson, Survivor: One World, needs your vote, if he expects to play the game again. (photo credit: cbs.com)

Troyzan Robertson, Survivor: One World, needs your vote, if he expects to play the game again. (photo credit: cbs.com)

With 4 men in their 50’s, and 3 men in their 40’s, the older guys are going to have a tough time competing for the 3 or 4 spots they are likely competing for. Troyzan is up against some tough competition in his age bracket, and will likely not beat enough of them to make it back on the show. If this season took place immediately following his original season, he may have had a chance, but it is likely that too much time has passed, and the public will not give him their support.

Plus, the fact that he look like this (below) in his “Second Chance” photo, is doing him absolutely no favors.

Troyzan, looking quite different than his "One World" days.

Troyzan, looking quite different than his “One World” days. (photo credit: cbs.com)

 

14. Max Dawson, Survivor 30: Worlds Apart

Survivor superfan, and professor, Max Dawson, may need all his former students to power vote, if he hopes to play the game that he loves, for a second time. (photo credit: cbs.com)

Survivor superfan, and professor, Max Dawson, may need all his former students to power vote, if he hopes to play the game that he loves, for a second time. (photo credit: cbs.com)

Fearing that Max did not last long enough this season to have made enough fans to vote for his return, (besides me) it does not look good for Professor Dawson. If anyone should know how to win this game, it is Max, as he has taught college courses on Reality TV, and Survivor. It would be interesting to see what he has learned from his first-hand experience, and what changes he would make. Would he still walk around naked? Probably. Would he still talk incessantly about his Survivor knowledge? Doubtful. Would he stick his wart covered feet in the pot used for boiling water? 0% chance.

You live, you learn.

 

13. Woo Hwang, Survivor 28: Cagayan

Woo h

Will viewers find Woo Hwang worthy of a second chance? (photo credit: cbs.com)

Woo Hwang was very well liked by his tribe mates, and the general public, back on season 28, and finished in 2nd place. While Woo may have played a decent game, it was a very boring game, and it is doubtful he would do anything different if he was given a second chance. Woo may have a lot of fans, but whether or not his fans are dying to see him play the game again, remains questionable.

 

12. Stephen Fishbach, Survivor 18: Tocantins

Stephen Fishbach may have played a great game in Tocantins, but will viewers give him another shot at the million dollar prize? (photo credit: cbs.com)

Stephen Fishbach may have played a great game in Tocantins, but will viewers give him another shot at the million dollar prize? (photo credit: cbs.com)

 

Much like fellow Survivor: Second Chance candidate, Sabrina Thompson, from Survivor: One World, Stephen Fishbach played a near flawless game. And like Sabrina, his one flaw was allowing himself to go to the final two with someone that was all but guaranteed a win. Stephen did not ditch JT, much like Sabrina did not ditch Kim.

But Fishbach knows how to play the game, and has since been writing about the show, and studying for this opportunity. The only question is if America will think they will get anything new from JT’s right hand man, or have we seen everything he has to offer, and fail miserably without the southern charmer by his side.

 

11. Vytas Baskauskas, Survivor 27: Blood Vs. Water

Likely to be right on the verge of making the show, Vytas Baskauskas desperately needs your votes. (photo credit: cbs.com)

Likely to be right on the verge of making the show, Vytas Baskauskas desperately needs your votes. (photo credit: cbs.com)

The older Baskauskas brother may have an uphill battle if he wants to make a second appearance on Survivor, the way his younger bro, Aras, winner of Survivor:Panama, did when they played Survivor: Blood Vs. Water. 

Luckily for Vytas, he was surprisingly likable on season 27, and should be right on the cusp of returning to the game. If his brother’s supporters show Vytas some Baskauskas love, don’t be surprised to see to see him this fall.

 

Predicted Male Cast.

 

10. Keith Nale, Survivor 29: San Juan Del Sur

Keith nale

Keith Nale from season 29, has a good chance of making it back on the island, just two seasons later. (photo credit: cbs.com)

Keith Nale has one very important thing going for him; he was a fan-favorite just last season. It is likely that Keith is still fondly remembered by most Survivor fans, and many people should be throwing votes his way. He was humorous, likable, and a surprisingly great challenge competitor. There are a good amount of older men in contention for the cast, but Keith may very well be able to sneak in to snag one of the ten coveted spots.

 

9. Brad Culpepper, Survivor 27: Blood Vs. Water

Former NFL player, Brad Culpepper, is fighting hard to get a second chance at becoming the Sole Survivor. (photo credit: cbs.com)

Former NFL player, Brad Culpepper, is fighting hard to get a second chance at becoming the Sole Survivor. (photo credit: cbs.com)

Love him, or hate him, you probably remember Brad F’ing Culpepper from Survivor: Blood Vs. Water. Brad’s game was mainly focused on protecting his wife, Monica, who finished the game as the runner-up.

Now, Brad is vying to play the game as an individual, and is sure to bring a boatload of drama and controversy with him, which is precisely the reason why he has a good chance of being voted back by the public.

 

8. Jeremy Collins, Survivor 29: San Juan Del Sur

Jeremy Collins, tribe leader on season 29, will likely get a second chance at leading himself to a million dollars. (photo credit: cbs.com)

Jeremy Collins, tribe leader on season 29, will likely get a second chance at leading himself to a million dollars. (photo credit: cbs.com)

Jeremy Collins dominated the first half of season 29, and his closest ally, that he was not married to, ended up winning the game. Jeremy gained the respect of Survivor fans around the country, and played the game as hard as he could. CBS had no choice but to invite him back, and it is doubtful the American public will deny him his second chance that he deserves.

 

7. Terry Deitz, Survivor 12: Panama

Terry Deitz has been waiting nearly ten years for his second chance at winning Survivor. (photo credit: cbs.com)

Terry Deitz has been waiting nearly ten years for his second chance at winning Survivor. (photo credit: cbs.com)

There is no question as to why Terry Deitz has been asked back for Second Chances. The question is, why has it taken 19 seasons to ask him back? Terry Deitz is a stud, and at 55 years old, will be able to compete against any of the younger guys in any physical challenge.

Terry is arguably the most deserving final three, non-winner, of all time. If season 12 had a final three, rather than a final two, Deitz would have won, hands down.

If this vote is based on who deserves a spot on next season, Deitz should be the number one choice. That is, if people can remember what a powerhouse he was, and hopefully, still is.

 

6. Shane Powers, Survivor 12: Panama

One of the more memorable cast members of all time, Shane Powers, will likely be playing the game again. (photo credit: cbs.com)

One of the more memorable cast members of all time, Shane Powers, will likely be playing the game again. (photo credit: cbs.com)

 

From the same original season, and tribe, as the aforementioned Terry Deitz, is Shane Powers. Powers may be one of the most memorable cast members of all time, for his over the top outbursts, epic meltdowns, and monumental confrontations.

Apparently going cold turkey with cigarettes was a major factor behind Shane’s erratic behavior. And rumor has it that he is back on the smoking kick, and will, therefore, have to go cold turkey again. That is reason enough to vote for this casting gold.

 

5. Jeff Varner, Season 2: The Australian Outback

After 14 years, Jeff Varner may get a second chance at Survivor. (photo credit: cbs.com)

After 14 years, Jeff Varner may get a second chance at Survivor. (photo credit: cbs.com)

Jeff Varner has had some of the worst luck of any past Survivor. His tribe was days away from merging with the advantage, when his tribemate, Mike Skupin, fell into the fire and was evacuated from the game.

Varner was then the first person voted out at the merge due to the fact that he had one vote cast for him at a previous tribal council, because his former tribe member, KIMMI KAPPENBERG (!) blabbed her big mouth to the opposing tribe.

Jeff Varner is a pure entertainer, gives amazing confessionals, and deserves a second chance at winning Survivor. And the thought of him and Kimmi on the same tribe 15 years later, is almost too much to handle.

 

4. Andrew Savage, Survivor 7: Pearl Island

Andrew Savage will get his chance at Survivor victory, or I know one angry fan that will not be watching season 31. (photo credit: cbs.com)

Andrew Savage will get his chance at Survivor victory, or there will be one angry Survivor fan from Westerly, Rhode Island that will not be watching season 31. (photo credit: cbs.com)

 

If Andrew Savage does not make the cast of Survivor: Second Chance it will be the biggest Reality TV casting tragedy of all time. This guy had the game won, until Survivor: Pearl Islands revealed its “Outcast Twist”, which brought back two previously voted off contestants. Jeff Probst himself has said that Savage deserves a second chance because of the awful twist. In a 2012 interview with Gordon Holmes, when asked which former contestants Probst would like to see return, Probst says…

Andrew Savage (“Survivor: Pearl Islands”) because I still think we screwed him with our poorly thought out “Outcast” twist. “

If you are a true Survivor fan, you will probably agree, that Andrew Savage’s return to the game has been 24 seasons in the making.

 

3. Spencer Bledsoe, Survivor 28: Cagayan

The brains behind "The Brains" tribe in Survivor Cagayan, Spencer Bledsoe hopes to surpass his previous fourth place finish, and win Survivor: Second Chance. (photo credit: cbs.com)

The brains behind “The Brains” tribe in Survivor Cagayan, Spencer Bledsoe hopes to surpass his previous fourth place finish, and win Survivor: Second Chance. (photo credit: cbs.com)

Spencer Bledsoe was so loved by fans that I would have bet my bank account that he would be back within a few seasons of his Survivor: Cagayan appearance. Spencer was a fan favorite since the premiere of his first season. He will be on Survivor: Second Chance. And he will be a fan favorite yet again.

 

2. Joe Anglim, Survivor 30: Worlds Apart

Even though Joe Anglim is still on the jury of Survivor: Worlds Apart, don't miss him too much. He will be back in September to swoon over fans yet again. (photo credit: cbs.com)

Even though Joe Anglim is still on the jury of Survivor: Worlds Apart, don’t miss him too much. He will be back in September to swoon over fans yet again. (photo credit: cbs.com)

The fact that Joe Anglim is a favorite on Survivor:Worlds Apart, coupled with the fact that he is one of only two guys in their twenties eligible for season 31, he will be back, guaranteed.

Hopefully, for Joe, he will be able to quickly bond with the Survivor family that has been gathering for years before his Survivor debut, and will be able to get in some alliances that will keep him safe until the individual portion of the game.

 

1. Mike Holloway, Survivor 30: Worlds Apart

Can Mike Holloway dominate two seasons of Survivor in a row? (photo credit: cbs.com)

Can Mike Holloway dominate two seasons of Survivor in a row? (photo credit: cbs.com)

There are two possibilities here:

1. Mike garners more votes than anyone else, gets voted into the cast of Survivor: Second Chance, and plays back-to-back seasons.

2. Mike garners more votes than anyone else, gets voted into the cast of Survivor: Second Chance, but wins Survivor: Worlds Apart, and becomes ineligible to play the Second Chance season. 

 

Who I will be voting for, in case anybody cares.

1. Andrew Savage

and because I am forced to vote for nine more people…

Max Dawson

Jeff Varner

Shane Powers

Terry Deitz

Stephen Fishbach

Brad Culpepper

Jeremy Collins

Spencer Bledsoe

Mike Holloway

 

 

Preparing for Another Season at the Windjammer

In just a few weeks, the Windjammer Surf Bar will open it’s doors for the summer. In an on-going struggle to remain a competitor in the beach bar scene we interviewed the owner, and manager of the Windjammer, Sally Trefes Sorensen, to see what this summer will bring for returning locals, and Windjammer newbies that are experiencing the bar for the first time.

“The Windjammer is a laid-back, easy-going establishment that focuses on the patrons having fun, and enjoying their time off” says Trefes Sorensen. “From loyal customers that live in the area, to “annual regulars” that visit the bar as a yearly tradition, the Windjammer is a summertime favorite, and a home away form home.”

This summer, the “Jammer”, as referred to by many of the locals, will test the waters with new themed nights, and exciting events. With both outdoor, and indoor bars, the Windjammer is accommodating for any New England weather scenario.

Mondays will continue to be “Mondays Minis” which offers patrons $1 mini bud, bud lights, and bug light limes.
On Tuesdays the Windjammer will host cribbage/pitch tournaments.
Wednesdays will be devoted to Bar Bingo, with host DJ Chris Caswell, of Trivia Time USA.
On Thursdays, the Windjammer will try its hand at karaoke.
And Fridays and Saturdays will continue to be half-priced appetizers.

As always, the Windjammer will continue to have live music on the outdoor patio on Saturdays and Sundays, and live bands inside on Friday and Saturday nights. Returning favorites, such as Jason Cardinal, Sugar, and Never Enuff, will again preform at the Windjammer this summer, as well as first time artists that are sure to get the crowd dancing, and singing along.

For more information on what else is happening at the Windjammer this summer, be sure to follow them on their Facebook page, or check out their website at atlanticbeachpark.com

https://www.facebook.com/search/str/Windjammer%20Beach%20Resort%20/keywords_top