Newport Mansion Wine & Food Festival returns this weekend.

Hundreds of wines from around the world and thousands of food and wine enthusiasts will meet up at the mansions of the Preservation Society on September 20-23 in Newport for the annual Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival. The event is huge and is spread across three mansion sites – The Elms, Marble House, and Rosecliff.  It’s a must-attend event!

This also marks the unofficial start of Aquidneck Island’s fall festival season. Coming right behind this weekend’s wine and food event are the 44th Annual Harvest Fair (September 29-30 in Middletown), the Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival (Bowen’s Wharf, October 13 & 14), and the Harvest Festival at Newport Vineyards (October 27).

As always, there are lots of activities, lots of history, and lots of great events to keep our guests busy now and returning in the future. Spread the word! Have a great week!

Enjoy every moment!

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TOUR GUIDE TIP OF THE WEEK: KEEP READING, KEEP LEARNING

One of your biggest assets as a tour guide or greeter is your local knowledge of history and of the community at large. Visitors and guests see you as the “Google” of local information. Longtime guides know this already. New guides quickly find themselves being asked questions about a wide variety of subjects, mostly about Newport and its history. But guides also get endless questions about local geography, mansion owners’ family histories, as well as the weather, directions to the best beach, restaurant, and hotel, and a hundred other relevant and unusual topics.  

How can you be prepared for so many questions about so many different things?

Read all you can about our local families, history, and events. Then ask questions of your colleagues, of Newport natives, and other guides. Attend lectures and classes offered locally about the city’s history and its former and current residents.  Always ask about anything you are being asked by guests but don’t know yourself. Asking is how we all learn. Be perpetually curious.

Above all, keep reading and keep learning.

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PLEASE NOTE THE REVISED TIMES FOR TWO “BEHIND-THE-SCENES” MANSION TOURS

Two special tours at the Newport Mansions® have revised schedules for the fall season.

  • The “Beneath-the-Breakers” tour at the Breakers is now being offered four times per day, at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, 2:30 pm, and 4:30 pm.
  • The “Servant Life Tour” at The Elms is now offered daily at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, 2:30 pm, and 4:30 pm.

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JOB OPENINGS

There are still a few openings at the city’s historic attractions, including tour guides, cashiers, security personnel, and ticket sellers.  Several of last week’s listings continue this week:

  • Executive Assistant/Tour Guide/More. Full time. The National Museum of American Illustration (NMAI) is seeking a dynamic, motivated multi-tasker with superior verbal and writing skills to assist in running the day-to-day tasks of a nonprofit art museum. Visit the NMAI’s website at www.americanillustration.org for more information.
  • Narrators for Motor Coach Tours serving cruise ship passengers arriving this fall in Newport with Destinations North America. Forward a current resume to joanne@destinationsna.com, or fax it to: 305/397-2748.
  • Public Engagement Associate: Will assist with all operations at the Museum of Newport History & Shop, including, but not limited to high volume retail sales and giving history tours through museum, historic sites, and walking tours of downtown Newport.  Resume to jteachout@newporthistory.org; Questions: 401/841-8770.
  • Newport Mansions Tour Guides – Preservation Society of Newport County (PSNC). Tour Guides work in PSNC audio tour house museums (The Breakers, Marble House, Rosecliff and The Elms). Tour guides work a flexible schedule up to 30 hours per week. One weekend day is required. PSNC recruits year-round.  Check their web site on a regular basis for the latest job openings. www.newportmansions.org.
  • Tour Guide & Pedicab Driver. Known locally as “The coolest job in the world.” This is a unique way to give tours and run your own business plus get lots of exercise. Make $500-$1,000 per week. Rent a Pedicab and give your guests a custom tour of the City-by-the-Sea. Info: www.newportpedicab.com/drivers

HANDBOOK FOR NEW TOUR GUIDES & GREETERS

If you’re new to Newport and/or new to this field, get your copy of THE OFFICIAL 2018 NEWPORT GUIDES & GREETERS HANDBOOK [amazon.com] to help you become a master hospitality ambassador for our city.  It also lists many of the best tour companies and hospitality organizations hiring seasonal and year-round people here. Consider working in ticket sales or other support positions at one or more of these tour companies. It will give you some visitor services experience and make you aware of tour guide and greeter jobs as they become available during the season.

REMEMBER: Most of the city’s largest tour and cruise businesses accept job applications year-round.

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NEW LISTINGS AND EVENTS: For more information to prepare you to be the best tour guide & greeter ever, read and learn about the following updated listings and previews of the busy season ahead for residents and visitors alike.

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CRUISE SHIPS ARRIVING

Stay up-to-date and aware of the weekly arrival of cruise ships to Newport and the thousands of visitors they bring to our fair city.  Here is a list of the upcoming arrivals, courtesy of Discover Newport.

  • Friday, September 21 – M/V Victory 2, from Victory Cruise Lines
  • Sunday, September 23 – M/V Regal Princess, from Princess Cruise Lines
  • Monday, September 24 – M/V Symphony, from Crystal Cruises
  • Monday, September 24 – M/V Silver Spirit, from Silver Sea Cruises
  • Tuesday, September 25 – M/V Aurora, from P&O Cruises
  • Wednesday, September 26 – M/V Royal Princess, from Princess Cruise Lines
  • Wednesday, September 26 – M/V Silver Spirit, from Silver Sea Cruises
  • Thursday, September 27 – M/V Symphony, from Crystal Cruises
  • Thursday, September 27 – M/V NCL Gem, from Norwegian Cruise Lines
  • Sunday, September 30 – M/V Royal Princess, from Princess Cruise Lines

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UPCOMING REGATTAS & RACES

Throughout the summer, Newport features a sailboat race and/or a regatta every week. These are free events, best observed from a chase boat, or from the shore overlooking Narragansett Bay. Tell your guests and visitors to enjoy this most classic Newport sporting event in our seaside community. Here are some of our upcoming events:

  • September 20-23 – 12-Metre North American Championship
  • September 21-23 – ILYC 12 Metre North Americans, Hosted by the Ida Lewis Yacht Club

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SPEAKERS & SPECIAL EVENTS THIS WEEK

Check out the wide selection of lectures, exhibits, talks, classes, tours, and workshops to add to your knowledge and increase your understanding of the people and history of greater Newport.

NEWPORT MANSIONS WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL – SEPTEMBER 20-23

This festival features a world-class variety of tastings, seminars, and events over a four-day weekend. Held at The Elms, Rosecliff and Marble House.  Tickets & more information: http://www.newportmansions.org/events/wine-and-food-festival/tickets-events

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 – DISCOVER COLONIAL NEWPORT WALKING TOUR – 10:30 AM

This is one of several wonderful walking tours offered throughout the year by the Newport Historical Society. This tour features stories of entrepreneurship, African American heritage and religious diversity during Newport’s colonial period. Tickets $15; Children $5. 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM. Tour leaves from the Museum of Newport History, 127 Thames Street (Newport). Info and Reservations at: newporthistorytours.org  

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 – “SANDBAGGERS OF THE MID-1800s” – 2:00 PM

A Yachting History Society event; 2:00PM at the International Yacht Restoration School Library. 449 Thames Street, Newport. Info: varnishman@gmail.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 – ROUGH POINT OPEN HOUSE – 4:30 – 7:00 PM

Visit the exhibition galleries at Rough Point mansion (680 Bellevue Avenue, Newport). Free admission. Info: 401/847-8344; newportrestoration.com

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 – ROGUES & SCOUNDRELS WALKING TOUR – 10:30 AM

Every tour guide should experience one or more of the great walking tours organized by the Newport Historical Society. This tour about some of the city’s more colorful residents leaves at 10:30 am from the Museum of Newport History, 127 Thames Street (Newport). Info and reservations at: newporthistorytours.org

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 – CARS AND COFFEE – FORT ADAMS STATE PARK – 8:00 – 10:00 AM

An Audrain Automobile Museum Event.  Info: 401/285-7873; audrainautomuseum.org

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 – DISCOVER COLONIAL NEWPORT WALKING TOUR – 10:30 AM

Every tour guide should experience one or more of the great walking tours organized by the Newport Historical Society. This tour offers stories of entrepreneurship, African American heritage and religious diversity during Newport’s colonial period.  The tour leaves at 10:30 am from the Museum of Newport History, 127 Thames Street (Newport). Info and reservations at: newporthistorytours.org

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 – SPECIAL COLLECTIONS OPEN HOUSE – REDWOOD LIBRARY – 1:00-2:30 PM

Explore numerous rare volumes from the 16th to the 19th century. Free and open to the general public. Redwood Library (50 Bellevue Avenue, Newport), Info: 401/847-0292; redwoodlibrary.org

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 – NEWPORT INTERNATIONAL POLO – 4:00 PM

This week’s match is the NEW ENGLAND PRO-AM. Check out the excitement of Newport Polo and tell your equine-loving guests.  Newport International Polo Grounds, 250 Linden Lane, Portsmouth. 4 pm. Tickets to the match ($15 for General Admission; 15-and-under free; $25 for Pavilion seating) and to the après polo field-side dinner are available at www.nptpolo.com or 401/846-0200.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 – MIDDLETOWN ROTARY CAR SHOW – 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM – FORT ADAMS

The Middletown Rotary’s annual Fort Car/Truck/Motorcycle Festival. Free with donated food item. Info: 401/864-4028; rotaryatthefort.org

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 – GOLDEN TO GILDED WALKING TOUR – 10:30 AM

Every tour guide should experience one or more of the great walking tours organized by the Newport Historical Society. On this tour you’ll get the inside skinny on the transformation of Newport and its people from its colonial Golden Age to Gilded Age summer colony.  This tour leaves at 10:30 am from the Museum of Newport History, 127 Thames Street (Newport). Info and reservations at: newporthistorytours.org

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 – RETURN TO CAMELOT – ST. MARY’S CHURCH – 2-3 PM

Each Tuesday, through October 23rd, St. Mary’s Church (80 Memorial Boulevard, Newport) hosts this remembrance of the wedding of future President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier in 1953. The program features vintage film clips, performance of music from their church wedding and reception at Hammersmith Farm, and recollections by Jackie’s stepbrother, Yusha Auchincloss, and other local Newporters. Fee: $15. Info: stmarynewport.org/return-to-camelot.

SAIL FOR HOPE 2018 – SEPTEMBER 29

This marks the 17th anniversary of this sailboat race around Jamestown. This year’s race will raise funds for Hurricane Relief (Harvey, Irma, Maria), Warrior Sailing Program, and the Tad Sanchez Youth Sailing Program at Sail Newport. To date, over $1,000,000 has been raised for various charities.  Info at Sail Newport:  401/846-1983.

NOW THROUGH OCTOBER, 2018 – “SWEET RIDES/SUMMER FUN” – AUDRAIN AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM

Relive an earlier innocent time with this fun exhibit at the always interesting Audrain Automobile Museum. Open daily, 10 am – 4 pm. 222 Bellevue Avenue, Newport. Info: 401/856-4420. Audrainautomuseum.org

 

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6 – BROADWAY STREET FAIR – 12 NOON

The city’s best annual neighborhood extravaganza and street happening. Join Newport natives and visitors on On Broadway in Newport.  Stay tuned for more info.

BOWEN’S WHARF SEAFOOD FESTIVAL – OCTOBER 13-14

11 am – 5pm. Free event. Honoring the harvest of the sea, this Festival offers fresh local seafood, continuous live music and family fun. Bowen’s Wharf, Newport.  More Information: http://www.bowenswharf.com/events

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20 – FREE DAFFODIL BULB GIVE-WAY – EASTON’S BEACH – 9:00 AM

This annual event celebrates the success of the past year’s daffodil plantings and celebrates the campaign to plant one million daffodils in Newport. During this event, Newporters can receive free daffodils to plant in their own yards or neighborhood gardens.  Stay tuned for more info and details.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21 – CITIZENS BANK PELL BRIDGE RUN

The annual event is the one time each year athletes can leave their cars and run across the Newport Pell Bridge (opened in 1969). Registration fees benefit non-profit groups.  Info: 401/856-9197; pellbridgerun.com

PREVIEW OF WINTER IN NEWPORT

CHRISTMAS AT THE NEWPORT MANSIONS – NOVEMBER 17, 2018 – JANUARY 1, 2019

Christmas Season begins in November at the four big houses of the Preservation Society. Christmas flowers and special decorations will fill The Breakers, The Elms, Marble House, and Rosecliff. Special holiday evenings are scheduled at the Breakers on November 24, December 1, 8, 22, and 29th from 6-8 pm. The Ems and Marble House Duet holiday evening is scheduled for December 15th from 6-9 pm. Info: newportmansions.org

FOUR CURRENT EXHIBITS & TOURS NOT TO BE MISSED

SERVANT LIFE TOUR AT THE ELMS

Considered by many to be the best tour in Newport, The Elms’ now world-famous guided “Servant Life Tour” added two additional daily tour times to meet demand during the summer months.  Tours are offered at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, 2:30 pm, and 4:30 pm. The tour is one hour. Info: newportmansions.org

VISIT ROUGH POINT IN 2018 – NRF’s 50th ANNIVERSARY

The Newport Restoration Foundation (NRF) celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. This year its exhibitions at historic Rough Point mansion, as posted on its website (newportrestoration.org), are: “‘To Preserve and Restore’: Newport Restoration Foundation at 50,” and “A Hand in Design: Exquisite Drawings of Jewelry and Architecture for Doris Duke.” This is a collaboration between NRF and David Webb New York, jewelry designer to Duke and many other prominent figures from 1948 to the present.  Rough Point will be open for tours through November 11th. Don’t miss this amazing home.  

OSCAR WILDE & THE BOHEMIAN MOVEMENT AS YOU’VE NEVER IMAGINED THEM

Go visit the newest exhibit at the Galleries at Rosecliff, Bohemian Beauty: The Aesthetic Movement & Oscar Wilde’s Newport.  Preservation Society Curator Ashley Householder has gathered a breathtaking collection of furniture, ceramics, wallpaper, clothing, accessories, and ephemera about the aesthetic movement (1870-1890) and the era’s major promoter, Oscar Wilde (1854-1900). The colors, patterns, and shapes of this “art for art’s sake” movement and the influence of Irish writer, playwright, and impresario Wilde will whisk you away to another time. Go and see this unique and truly wonderful exhibit. Open daily through November 4th. 9am until 5pm. Additional information available at: newportmansions.org

BENEATH THE BREAKERS TOUR

The Breakers tour, “Beneath the Breakers,” has a new regular daily schedule. Tours are offered at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, 2:30 pm, and 4:30 pm.  Tour is one hour. Info: newportmansions.org

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KENNETH PROUDFOOT, a Newport Tour Escort and Guide, is the author of The Official 2018 Newport Tour Guides & Greeters Handbook (Shoreline Press (RI), 2017).  

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