Peter W. Harris, center, and members of the Preservation Society's Board of Trustees for 2025 gather at The Breakers for the organization’s Annual Meeting on June 12. (Credit: Dave Hansen/The Preservation Society of Newport County) Credit: DAVID HANSEN

Good morning, Newport! Today is Tuesday, July 1, the 182nd day of 2024. There are 183 days left in the year.

🚨 You need to know

Outgoing Board of Trustees Chairman William F. Lucey receives the Antiquarian Award, presented by Vice Chairman Patrick Kerins. (Credit: Dave Hansen/The Preservation Society of Newport County)
Credit: DAVID HANSEN

The Preservation Society of Newport County installed Peter W. Harris as its new chairman and welcomed four new trustees during its Annual Meeting held June 12 at The Breakers. Harris, who has served as a trustee since 2016, previously held roles as Assistant Secretary, Secretary, and most recently Vice Chairman and Treasurer since 2021. The co-founder and managing partner of Mooring Partners, a homeland security technology consulting firm, was elected to the position by his fellow board members.

The organization honored outgoing Chairman William F. Lucey III with the Antiquarian Award, the Preservation Society’s highest recognition. Lucey’s 15-year tenure on the board included six years as Treasurer and four years as chairman, during which the organization navigated the COVID pandemic while undertaking major capital improvement projects and strategic initiatives.

Four new trustees joined the board, bringing diverse expertise to the organization. Debra Del Vecchio, co-chair of the Preservation Society’s International Council, brings over 40 years of business experience with companies including Luxottica Group and Brooks Brothers, along with experience restoring historic properties on Long Island. Kate Enroth, a Brooklyn Law School graduate who practiced at Davis Polk and Wardwell and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, has extensive volunteer experience with Boston neighborhood organizations. Evan Smith recently concluded 35 years with Discover Newport, promoting tourism across Newport and Bristol Counties, while Valerie Talmage served 18 years as Executive Director of Preserve Rhode Island before her recent retirement.

The Annual Meeting also recognized excellence through the Preservation Society’s Laurel Awards. Jerry Kirby and Kirby Perkins Construction received the Artisanship award for their restoration work on Isaac Bell House, while Victoria Johnson was honored for Volunteerism for her contributions to Newport’s civic and cultural heritage. The Horticulture award went to William Orlando and Orlando Greenhouse for their restoration of The Breakers Stable Greenhouse and ongoing horticultural preservation efforts.

Here’s what else you should know

🔥 Portsmouth firefighters successfully contained a brush fire on Anthony Road Monday morning, preventing it from spreading to nearby homes.

🏡 Between June 23rd and June 27th, 25 properties closed across Newport County, ranging from historic single-family homes and multi-family investments to luxury condos and coastal retreats. Tyler Bernadyn has a look at What Sold.

🗓️ On tap this week/weekend: Fourth of July festivities, Newport Classical, Newport Gulls, Newport Polo, and more. Here’s a look at what’s on tap for events, live music, and entertainment this week and weekend.

📰 The Latest from What’sUpNewp

Comic – Sour Grapes: Weather Channel

Sour Grapes is a comic about “Aesop”, a miserable flying dog and his odd friends, all living in a problematic and troubled world.

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📈 Yesterday’s most-read

The following were yesterday’s most-read What’sUpNewp articles.

  1. What Sold: A look at 25 recent sales across Newport County (June 23 – 27)
  2. Newport City Council schedules Executive Session following disrupted meeting
  3. What’s Up in Newport County this week and weekend: June 30 – July 6
  4. Newport Dance Festival returns with global flair this July
  5. Obituary: Alice Berry
  6. Obituary: Darleen McKay
  7. What’s new in Newport this Summer: HBO’s “The Gilded Age” returns, French cuisine flourishes, sporting history is made, and more
  8. Letter to the Editor: Why I voted against Newport’s budget and the accompanying property tax increase
  9. Obituary: Paul Dutra
  10. Obituary: Paula Raposo

📅 What’s Up Today

Weather Forecast

  • Dense Fog Advisory in effect from July 1, 4 AM until July 1, 8 AM
  • Today: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11 am, then a slight chance of rain after 4 pm. Patchy fog before noon. Otherwise, cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Southwest wind 8 to 16 mph. The chance of precipitation is 40%—new precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms.
  • Tonight: Rain likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 11 pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11 pm and 3 am, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 3 am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Patchy fog before 2 am, then patchy fog after 3 am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southwest wind 7 to 13 mph. The chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, except higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms.

Marine Forecast

  • Today: SSW wind 7 to 10 kt increasing to 11 to 14 kt in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 21 kt. A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11 am, then a slight chance of rain after 4 pm. Patchy fog before noon. Seas 1 ft or less.
  • Tonight: SW wind 6 to 11 kt. Rain likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 11 pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11 pm and 3 am, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 3 am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Patchy fog before 2 am, then Patchy fog after 3 am. Seas 1 ft or less.
  • The coastal water temperature is 67 degrees.

Sun, Moon & Tide

  • Sunrise at 5:15 am. Sunset at 8:22 pm. 15 hours & 7 minutes of sun.
  • High tide at 12:54 am & 1:27 pm. Low tide at 6:22 am & 6:48 pm.
  • The lunar phase is a Waxing Crescent.

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Ryan Belmore is the owner and publisher of What's Up Newp. He took over the publication in 2012 and has grown it into a three-time Rhode Island Monthly Best Local News Blog (2018, 2019, 2020). He was named LION Publishers Member of the Year in 2020 and received the Dominique Award from the Arts & Cultural Society of Newport County the same year. He has been awarded grants for investigative and community journalism, and continues to coach and mentor new local news publications nationwide. Ryan...