Rascally Rabbit Rescued In Rhode Island River

Well, you don't see this everyday:

A woman diving into the Providence River on the 4th of July, not for fireworks for fun. But for a furry little... rabbit. Yes, you read that right.

A rabbit.

This daring rescue took place during the WaterFire celebration, a beloved event in Providence.

WaterFire is a series of bonfires lit on the rivers of downtown Providence, creating a magical atmosphere. It's a must-see if you're ever in town.

Emily Swift, a visitor from New York, captured the whole rescue on TikTok. The video is now going viral.

According to WJAR-TV, it was quite the scene:

“Something caught my eye on the side of the river,” said Newell Roberts, a gondolier on the Providence River. He was working that night when he noticed the commotion.

The woman jumped into the water by the Steeple Street Bridge and swam straight to the rabbit. A WaterFire captain quickly drove over to assist, ensuring the duo's safe return to shore.

"We threw the life ring out, we have a ladder, we put that on the side of the boat so we could get her up... and she would not let go of the rabbit. She was bound and determined the rabbit was coming with her," said Christine Maino, a WaterFire captain with 26 years of volunteer service.

Topher Hamblett, Executive Director of Save the Bay, commented on the river's condition to WJAR. “The Providence River is not exactly the cleanest or safest for swimming. When we get rainstorms in the Providence area, our rivers become very polluted very quickly,” said Hamblett.

Though the river quality is improving, diving in is still not recommended.

The identity of the brave woman remains unknown, but her actions have earned her the admiration of many.

“I think we are all animal lovers at the end of the day, and we have certain levels we'll go to. Hers was a little higher than ours," said Roberts.

Yes, they can, but they don’t typically enjoy it. Rabbits are more at home on dry land, munching on veggies. Or, at my house, all my flowers.

This rabbit, however, was lucky to find a hero who didn’t mind a swim to save the day.

From the people that brought you Massachusetts Top Clam Shacks, comes Rhode Island's Best Clam Shacks! Are you into bellies or strips? I can taste the homemade tartar sauce right now.

The ocean state has a variety of amazing seafood opportunities. Do you want large scale, sit-down family dining?  Or how about right off the beach, or pull-over clam shack style, eat-in-the-car joints? Little Rhody has em all.

Hitting the favorite family clam shack was the extra prize, after a day at the beach. Growing up, Dad would take us to one of my favorites, a place called Georges of Galilee. It is right off of Salty Brine Beach. Georges provides delicious seafood, sit down, or outside at the stand, with the marina backdrop of beautiful Galilee Rhode Island. After your fried clams, lobster roll, or clam fritters, we'd top it off with an ice cream cone right across the street at Champlin's Seafood Deck.  Then, a ride home of bliss full sleep in the back seat took the edge off the hour, forty five minute ride.

One of my favorite local restaurant chains in Rhode Island, is the famous Chelos. It's family owned, serving happy seafood eaters in Rhode Island for over forty years. If you love clam cakes (deep fried clams, with a dough batter, formed into fried balls of heaven) Chelo's is second to none.

So, with Summer in full gear, let's head south to find Rhode Island's BEST Clam Shacks.

It's also one of the few spots still serving the traditional Rhode Island shore dinner, a set meal that begins with a bowl of clam chowder, clam cakes, and steamers, followed by fried local flounder served with fries and slaw. If that isn't enough, there's an option to add a pound of fresh lobster, which, at this point, you might as well. Shore dinners are not meant for humble eaters.

Read More: https://www.tastingtable.com/695331/rhode-island-clam-shacks-quahogs/

Just saying the name Scarborough Beach takes me back. Aunt Carries according to Tasting Table:

It's also one of the few spots still serving the traditional Rhode Island shore dinner, a set meal that begins with a bowl of clam chowder, clam cakes, and steamers, followed by fried local flounder served with fries and slaw. If that isn't enough, there's an option to add a pound of fresh lobster, which, at this point, you might as well. Shore dinners are not meant for humble eaters.

This is one of my favorite Summer memories. We'd spend a day at Salty Brine Beach. After the fun of the beautiful Rhode Island shoreline, we'd walk up to Georges for some delicious clam cakes, or clams! Plus, if you're a boat person, the view off Georges is spectacular!

Right across the street from Georges, is another famous place called Champlin's Seafood Deck. Your lobster, clams, or haddock was probably caught an hour before you arrived. The view outside is as almost as tasty as your food! They have been at it for 69 years.

NOW, we're talking. With the word, drive-in you got my attention! Food Network's Chris Cosentino named the fried clam roll the best thing he's ever eaten.

According to Tasting Table: Even after weathering several hurricanes since its opening in 1936, Flo's Clam Shack Drive-In is genuinely keeping the shack in clam shack. The original drive-in location is little more than a shingled shed in Portsmouth's seaside Island Park neighborhood. What it lacks in the way of seating, it makes up for with location — customers can cross the street with their take-out boxes full of fried clam strips, scallops, or calamari; climb over the seawall onto a narrow strip of beach overlooking the waters of the Sakonnet River; and dig in. For an even more impressive waterfront view, drive south across Aquidneck Island where Middletown meets Newport. There, Flo's second, larger location offers two stories of seating, lots of nautical kitsch, and a veranda that overlooks Easton's Beach (or First Beach, as we locals call it)

Iggy's is also known for their scrumptious doughboy. I'll turn the other cheek, if you don't want clams. Buy a doughboy for me!

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f course we can't forget Newport! According to Discover Newport:

Named the best cheap eats in RI by Travel & Leisure, Blount Clam Shack's menu may lack dollar signs, but nothing else. The award-winning, waterfront seafood shack opened back in 1943 and has since been serving up seafood favorites with a twist, like clambake chowder crafted with all the best parts of a clambake in a delicious soup; or their giant lobster roll made with 1/2 lb. lobster chunks. Not to mention, the quaint shack is located right on Warren's scenic waterfront.

According to Discover Newport, Evelyn's Drive In is a 40 year mainstay with amazing clam shack style food in Tiverton. Also, they have a BIO BUG:

Keep an eye out for Evelyn’s BIOBUG, a diesel VW Bug powered by clam cakes and Newport Biodiesel. Newport Biodiesel picks up the used fry oil produced by Evelyn's fried offerings, processes it, and then fills the BIOBUG with biodiesel. In 2010, Evelyn’s recycled 27,000 lbs of fry oil!

The lobster chow mein sounds interesting!

If you're near the Charlestown part of Rhode Island, no doubt you know about the famous Monahan's. The website pictures make me want to eat this laptop. The Maui Coconut Shrimp starter looks amazing, almost as nice as the waterview.

While this is a clam based story, Benny's also features the famous New York System Wieners, the kind you can only find in Rhode Island.

While not a traditional clam shack, family owned Chelo's is a Rhode Island institution.  Serving amazing food for well over 40 years, Chelo's NEVER disappoints. I had my wedding rehearsal dinner there, at the Warwick Chelo's on the water. I have been eating there since 1979, and have NEVER had a bad meal. In fact, it's still better than ever! The seafood is as fresh and delicious as any Rhode Island seafood restaurant. In the summer months, they have a banana cream, strawberry, blueberry pie that is the dessert that tops all desserts! In fact ALL of their desserts are amazing. The clam cakes are to die for, and the view is wonderful. The outdoor seating overlooks Masthead Marina and features live entertainment.