There’s nothing better than a New England summer! While Rhode Island is known for its beaches, ponds, and rivers, Massachusetts also provides remarkable places for fishing, boating, kayaking and scuba diving – and our employees here at DiPrete Engineering are taking full advantage of what these areas have to offer. Here are a few of their stories:
Audie Osgood, Project Manager, has been hunting and fishing for as long as he can remember. Having grown up freshwater fishing in Pennsylvania with his father, he still takes family vacations to the area where he can share the experience with his sons. Audie is an avid sailor and has competed in a few national events. No stranger to the ocean, the now full-time Rhode Islander trout fishes in the Wood River and also enjoys saltwater fishing in the bay near his home in Saunderstown, RI.
Also an avid hunter and fisherman is Earle Tammelleo, Civil/Survey Engineer. Always looking for a new adventure, Earle has been scuba diving and spear fishing for 14 years off the coast of Jamestown, RI. This summer, Earle caught upwards of 15 fish including stripers, flounder, tautog (and clams!). He enjoys preparing and sharing his catch with family and friends.
Brian Timm, Senior Project Manager, also enjoys the outdoors. “Fishing, hiking, you name it,” he said. “In fact, my brother and I have organized an annual Ice Fishing Event for friends over the last 10+ years. One year, the CBS Sunday Morning News was doing an editorial about this little known culture of people who fish for smelt in huts on frozen rivers up in Maine I was interviewed and actually made it into the national story a few different times.”
Another big fan of fishing is Chris Sutter, Environmental Scientist. “I have traveled countless miles in search of prized game fish,” said Chris. “From the Florida Keys to hundreds of miles north of Canadian border and several locations in between. However, one of my favorite types of fishing is ice fishing right here in Rhode Island.” Unfortunately, Rhode Island doesn’t have safe ice every year, and only for a limited time, but when it is safe, he has a great reason to get outside and enjoy the winter weather.
Growing up, Bob Babcock, Land Surveying Dept. Manager, spent his summers at Popponesset Beach in Mashpee, MA on the Cape. “I have fond memories of swimming, fishing, sailing, clamming, and getting far too much sun,” said Bob. “Those were the days.” Bob still enjoys swimming and fishing and has an impressive list of rivers, seas and oceans where he has taken the plunge. “Whenever I travel, if there is a place for me to swim, I will jump right in,” he added.
As for kayaking, Marianne Diffin, Civil Engineer, lives on the Saugatucket River in South Kingstown, RI where she canoes or kayaks into Wakefield, RI.
Kevin Morin, Vice President, also spends time kayaking on the waterways of northern Rhode Island with his wife, Joanne, and 2 children.
Elsie Johnson, Senior OWTS Designer, spends her free time boating on Narragansett Bay with her husband Dave. “Once the boat hits the water in the spring that’s where you’ll find us. Our boat is really our summer home,” said Elsie. Some of the couple’s favorite spots to anchor for overnight stays include Prudence, Wickford and Dutch harbors.
Molly Titus, Project Manager, lives on the Narrow River in South Kingstown where she enjoys boating with her husband, Dave, and two daughters. When you talk to Molly on one of her days off in the summer, it’s likely she could be calling you from the boat.
Another fan of boating, Dylan Conlon, Civil Engineer, grew up sailing out of Buzzards Bay. Although he does not actively spend as much time on the water since he has moved to Providence, he has fond memories of the experience and hopes for more opportunities in the future.
Steve Kohm, Civil Engineer, recently participated in the Save the Bay swim from Newport to Jamestown, RI. Steve swims on a regular basis with a swim club in Middletown. The swim is Save the Bay’s largest annual fundraiser as they provide critical support to protect and restore the Narragansett Bay region. To read more about Save the Bay, please click here.