Everyone is aware that Rhode Island, actually the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, is the smallest state in the USA. But not everyone knows that the state and island that gives it a colloquially abbreviated name are not one and the same.
Indeed, the Rhode Island part of the longest state name in America is unofficially called Aquidneck Island to distinguish from the state as a whole.
Now that’s cleared up, what of Aquidneck Island? It is the largest of several in Narragansett Bay, with its southern shore facing the Atlantic Ocean. The area of this well developed island is 117 sq km (45 sq ml) and it is connected to the mainland by three bridges.
The Newport Bridge goes to Jamestown on nearby Conanicut Island, and thence to the mainland on the western side of the bay. The Mount Hope Bridge in Portsmouth connects the northern side of the island with Bristol. The same area is served by the Sakonnet River Bridge over a narrow saltwater channel to Tiverton. The nearby Stone Bridge was destroyed by Hurricane Carol in 1954. The island is divided into three municipalities: Newport, Middleton and Portsmouth.
The island’s population shrank by a fifth in the 10 years after the US Navy reorganized its major base at Newport in 1973, but is growing again, with over half its area now built over as housing demand increases. But wetland and woodland still occupy a third of the island and there is an active preservation society trying to keep it that way.
After the naval base, the island’s principal revenue generator is tourism. Narragansett Bay is a magnet for visitors and they come to Rhode Island mainly for the beaches and coastline, enjoying related water activities like sailing, kayaking, sailboarding, diving and fishing.
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When you’re searching for the perfect reading light, it is helpful to consider both how and where it will be used. First, which types and sizes of book will your light be used to light? If it only needs to illuminate standard size so called mass market paperback books, a smaller, single LED or incandescent design will probably be perfect. If your reading light must evenly light a coffee table book, then you’ll need a reading light designed for much greater light output distributed over a significantly larger area. Another thing to consider is whether you prefer the warmer, slightly yellowish glow of an incandescent light source or the whiter, more “sun like” output of modern LEDs.
Another significant consideration is that of maintenance. While both LED and incandescent designs use about the same amount of power, using up batteries with about equal speed, incandescent light sources have a life expectancy of approximately 15-25 hours of use. LEDs, while only slightly more expensive than incandescent designs, usually last between 5,000-50,000 hours of use. Obviously, LEDs are much less expensive to operate over the long haul if the reading light will be used regularly.
Many modern reading light designs offer the flexibility of running on batteries or optional A/C operation. Obviously, battery power is handy when the light is to be used where an A/C outlet isn’t close by, but it can get expensive to replace batteries, as most fully charged alkaline batteries will last only for approximately 20-30 hours of use. A good option to consider would be a good battery recharger and rechargeable batteries.
Lastly, a reading light usually incorporates a clip which securely attaches to your book, book stand or book holder. The clip can also be used to secure your reading light to a music stand, podium, desk, piano or organ music rack, etc, which greatly increases the uses for your reading light. Some designs offer an optional cradle which allows your light to be mounted to any ferrous surface, such as a refrigerator or other appliance, an automotive fender, hood or trunk lid, etc. The possible applications are truly unlimited.