Americans may be living longer, but their retirement plans aren’t keeping up. Which means people are living longer with smaller bank accounts. But Marlene Konkoly will retire at age 50. How did she do it? She contributes a whopping 45 percent of the gross annual income she earns as a procurement officer for an automotive finance company to her retirement—all while owning a home and remaining debt-free. Konkoly is actually well ahead of the retirement savings curve compared to many of her fellow Americans. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, fewer than half of Americans even know how …

Release courtesy the office of Senator Jack Reed. At 10:15 a.m. Thursday in Galilee, U.S. Senator Jack Reed will be joined by U.S. Representative Jim Langevin, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Director Janet Coit and local fisherman in pushing for legislation to give them a seat at the table of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, a regional management board that establishes fishery management rules for stocks primarily caught in federal waters adjacent to the mid-Atlantic coast.  The Rhode Island Fishermen’s Fairness Act, which Senator Reed authored and will soon …

Release courtesy the New England Patriots. The Kraft family and the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation announced the opening of the 2013 Myra Kraft Community MVP Awards as part of the Patriots ongoing Celebrate Volunteerism initiative, which honors Myra Kraft’s lifetime commitment to volunteerism. The awards will recognize individuals who exemplify leadership, dedication and a commitment to improving their communities through volunteering. “Volunteers are the unsung heroes of our communities who give selflessly and often go unrecognized,” said Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft. “…

Release courtesy of Washington Trust. Washington Trust has announced that Kristen L. DiSanto, of South Kingstown, has been appointed Executive Vice President of Human Resources. DiSanto is responsible for leading all human resources functions, including staffing, training, organizational development and employee relations. In addition, she assists the board with executive compensation matters and SEC disclosures. DiSanto joined Washington Trust in 1994, and most recently served as Senior Vice President. A graduate of the University of Rhode Island, DiSanto has a Bachelor of Arts in speech …

Release courtesy of Regan Communications. The Rhode Island Society of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons is pleased to announce its newly-elected Officers and Board of Trustees. James Griffin, DO, of Wakefield, has been named president. Griffin earned his Bachelor of Science degree in biology at SUNY at Cortland.  He then earned a D.C. degree from Cleveland Chiropractic College in Missouri.  Finally, he earned his medical degree from University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine in Missouri. Griffin completed his internship at Union Memorial Hospital in New Jersey, and an …

From today until Sunday, it’s officially Restaurant Week throughout most of South County! Actually, the week started on Friday, but heck, you probably didn’t need to know about Restaurant Week to go out then. Now that it is the start of a boring, soul-crushing, mind-numbing, lethargic, boring, tedious, sluggardly and boring work week, you especially need a fancy dinner to pep you up. The Narragansett Chamber of Commerce has collected menus and specials on its website. Already, 28 places have shared either menus or specials. Know of any others not on their website? Or, want to share a …

Release courtesy of Senator Jack Reed’s office. The Rhode Island Congressional Delegation and state leaders today announced a $2.9 million U.S. Economic Development Administration grant to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management to rehabilitate critical infrastructure at the Port of Galilee in Narragansett. U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Matt Erskine joined Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee, U.S. Senator Jack Reed, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Congressman Jim Langevin today in Narragansett to make the announcement. “The …

Release courtesy Bob Ryan of Wakefield Books. Wakefield Books opened two years ago this month as South County’s locally owned independent bookstore in the Wakefield Mall.   We want to thank our customers, so this weekend we are celebrating this milestone with 25 percent off everything in the store on Saturday and Sunday. There will be 75 percent off select titles from sections all around the store and 50 percent off selected bargain books. All remaining 2013 calendars will be just $1 each. Customers can also register to win our anniversary raffle, which will have multiple prizes including a …

Release courtesy Candescent Partners. Candescent Partners, a Boston-based private equity firm, announced that its portfolio company, Koch Eye Associates, has acquired Seacoast Eye Associates, a comprehensive vision health company in Wakefield.  Seacoast joins Koch Eye Associates and Eye Health Vision Centers to form one of the largest vision health companies in New England with 13 locations and 335 employees.  Seacoast’s founders, Barry Wepman, MD, and Mark Deresienski, OD, partnered in 2000 after practicing independently for more than 20 years in South County. Seacoast physicians and team …

According to officials from the Rhode Island Lottery, a Wakefield man won $2 million on Wednesday night from a Powerball ticket. The lottery issued the press release on Thursday. The man, who isn’t identified, screamed when he checked the numbers in the morning paper, momentarily startling this wife. The ticket was purchased at the Commons Convenience Store in the South County Commons. The store has an active Facebook page, which is viewable here. The jackpot for Saturday’s Powerball is estimated at about $60 million.

Release courtesy the South County Tourism Council. The Rhode Island Hospitality Association recently honored Myrna George, a South Kingstown resident and president and CEO of the South County Tourism Council, with the Mary Brennan Tourism Award at its “Stars of the Industry” Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony.  The Stars of the Industry Awards recognize the outstanding achievements of members in the hospitality, foodservice and tourism industries. Award recipients were chosen not only for their dedication and contributions to their careers, but for their involvement in the local communities. …

Patch wants to give small businesses a chance to post their hours and locations for Small Business Saturday in one place so local shoppers can find you. Just add your business name, address, hours, and telephone number in the comments below — and note some of the products you have. And hey, the deal totally applies to Black Friday as well! So don’t be shy. If you have a listing on the South Kingstown and Narragansett Patch Places Directory, you can also add that link to your comment so readers can easily find other info about your business. Don't have a listing? E-mail stephen.greenwell@patch…

Patch wants to give small businesses a chance to post their hours and locations for Small Business Saturday in one place so local shoppers can find you. Just add your business name, address, hours, and telephone number in the comments below — and note some of the products you have. And hey, the deal totally applies to Black Friday as well! So don’t be shy. If you have a listing on the South Kingstown and Narragansett Patch Places Directory, you can also add that link to your comment so readers can easily find other info about your business. Don't have a listing? E-mail stephen.greenwell@patch…

The second annual Mariner Marketplace takes place Saturday, Nov. 17 at Narragansett High School, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event features exhibits with fine art, and there will be vendors with crafts, jewelry, holiday wreaths and ornaments, and a slew of beauty products as well. In addition to all of the goods, there will be more than $3,000 worth of raffle prizes. More than 100 artists, vendors and crafters are expected. If you donate a toy to Toys for Tots, then you’ll also receive a free raffle ticket, which is always nice! For more information about the event, shoot an e-mail to …

Shaw's and Star Market are planning to make some cuts to their workforce in New England, estimated at as many as 700, according to sources.  Steve Sylven, a company spokesman, confirmed that local stores will be impacted. The company is not disclosing store specific job cuts, said Sylven. “A decision of this nature is never easy, but after careful evaluation, it is unfortunately the necessary step for us to take to help improve our business, reduce expenses and reinvest in more customer-facing initiatives,” said Mike Stigers, Shaw’s president. “As we continue to look at the best ways to …

Release courtesy of Citizens Bank. Citizens Bank colleagues recently distributed backpacks filled with new school supplies to campers at the South County YMCA as part of Citizens’ Gear for Grades program. Gear for Grades is a partnership with Back to School of Rhode Island, Coast to Coast Promotional Products and 92 PRO-FM. New school supplies were collected at Citizens Bank branches across Rhode Island, helping to relieve the burden of back-to-school shopping for local parents. Since 2003, Gear for Grades has provided more than 200,000 children with new backpacks and school supplies. In …

South Kingstown and Narragansett residents now have a second option for local tattoos, as the Rachel WS Custom Tattoo Studio recently opened for business in Peacedale. Owned by a 10-year resident of Narragansett, the studio joins Marco’s Tattoo as another option for locals. Rachel has extensive samples of her work on her Facebook page, and a few are also attached to this article. Rachel grew up in Norton, MA, but she’s lived the past decade in Rhode Island, and specifically, Narragansett. She moved after earning a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts and Sculpture. She’s a single mother of two …