Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain will join What’sUpNewp for her monthly one-on-one conversation on Thursday, December 18, at 1:30 pm. Have a question for the Superintendent? Ask It Here.
People & Profiles
Posted inArts & Culture
Newport Classical names Oliver Inteeworn as new executive director
Newport Classical has appointed Oliver Inteeworn as its new executive director, the organization announced Wednesday Inteeworn, who brings 25 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit performing arts sector, will begin the role Jan. 5, 2026. He succeeds Gillian Fox, who served as executive director from 2020 to 2025, and interim director Eric Gershman. Most […]
Posted inColumns
The Doctor’s In Your House: How at-home urgent care is changing the visit
Getting urgent or emergency care when you need can be a stressful ordeal. When someone is sick or injured, it could mean reshaping daily life to get care, and for some, that simply isn’t doable. At best, the disruption is temporary. But for older adults, busy families, people with mobility limitations, or those who are […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Fueling a Female Movement: This dynamic nonprofit advocates for women, girls, and families
The Women’s Fund of Rhode Island was founded 25 years ago by the late Simone P. Joyaux, a globally respected fundraising mentor and social justice advocate. In 2000, the Rhode Island Foundation partnered with Joyaux to launch the organization with a clear mission: close the opportunity and equity gaps facing women and girls. Today, WFRI […]
Posted inNews
South County Health opens Newport Women’s Health office
Women on Aquidneck Island have new healthcare options with the opening in early November of an office of South County Health’s Center for Women’s Health in a building near Newport Hospital and shared with a branch of South County Health’s urology department. The new office at 38 Powell Ave., Newport, arrives amid nationwide shortages of […]
Posted inBusiness
Small Business Collective launches in Middletown to support Rhode Island entrepreneurs
A new nonprofit aimed at supporting small business owners has launched in Rhode Island. Small Business Collective, based in Middletown, will offer collaborative workspace, community events and networking opportunities for entrepreneurs across the state, according to an announcement Tuesday. Mollie Frazer Williams has been named executive director of the organization. She previously served as director […]
Posted inBusiness
Matthew Gray elected chair of Discover Newport board
Matthew Gray, owner of Gray Matter Marketing and Ragged Island Brewing Company, has been elected chair of the Board of Directors of Discover Newport. Gray, who represents Portsmouth on the board, has served since 2019. He previously chaired the finance committee as treasurer and served on the organization’s recent CEO search committee. Discover Newport is […]
Posted inColumns
The Importance of It All: Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island
There is a refreshing vibe of positivity and connection when you visit Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island headquarters in Providence. All around you is a spirit of pride and purpose for what is both a logistically complex and emotionally demanding mission. I was taken aback, not because it seemed unbelievable, but because the energy […]
Posted inNews
The International Tennis Hall of Fame has a lot of love for TeamFAME
Marguerite Marano has been part of the International Tennis Hall of Fame for more than 26 years. She began in 1999 as a Tournament Manager and went on to serve in several leadership roles before finding her true calling as the first Executive Director of TeamFAME. TeamFAME—Future Aces Modeling Excellence—is an inspiring after-school program for […]
Posted inSports
Women’s empowerment event at ITHF headlined by Rennae Stubbs made a huge impact
The International Tennis Hall of Fame (ITHF) TeamFAME middle and high school girls were joined by the Salve Regina University Women’s Tennis Team at the first ever Rally for Her: From Teammate to Leader empowerment event. Launched by ESPN and Tennis Channel commentator and six-time major champion Rennae Stubbs, the event included an afternoon of […]
Posted inNews
Tyler Bernadyn to serve as 2026 President of the Newport County Board of Realtors
This week, I am writing from Houston, Texas, where I am attending the National Association of Realtors conference alongside delegates, leaders, and affiliated board members and staff from Rhode Island and all across the country. Our Newport County contingent includes current NCBR President Rhonda Mesenbourg and our administrator, Hannah Hodgson, as well as past President […]
Posted inInstagram
Newport housing advocate gets new roof from local partnership
A Newport housing advocate who has spent decades fighting for underserved families received a new roof Tuesday through a partnership between local and national organizations. Pauline Perkins-Moye, 86, affectionately known as “Ms. Pauline,” had the roof and skylights at her Burnside Avenue residence replaced by Middletown-based A1 Roofing & Construction in collaboration with GAF, North […]
Posted inColumns
Helen Hames: A movie night with Angela Lima
On October 24, 1975, an entire country experienced an abrupt wake-up call that would change the course of gender equality for women around the world and eventually help pave the way for progress here in Rhode Island. The awakening happened in Iceland when women, many in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, decided to take a […]
Posted inNews
Women-led organizations prepare Rhode Island for a historic 2026
For New England fans of World Cup soccer, your countdown for the “Summer of Soccer” has begun – and for Rhode Island businesses large and small, now is the time to start planning your participation. An estimated 2.2 million people will attend the FIFA World Cup 2026 matches and events in the Boston area next […]
Posted inCity & Government
Middletown Planning Director honored for distinguished public service
Ronald M. Wolanski, director of planning and economic development for the Town of Middletown, received the Robert M. Goodrich Distinguished Public Service Award on Monday during the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council’s 49th annual meeting. The award recognizes outstanding local government employees. “Ron has been a vital resource and trusted leader for Middletown for 23 […]
Posted inNews, People & Profiles
Newport Superintendent discusses departure decision, school updates during monthly q&a
Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain discussed her decision to step down after more than 12 years leading the district during Wednesday’s monthly “Ask The Superintendent” conversation with What’sUpNewp’s Frank Prosnitz and Ryan Belmore, explaining that the timing feels right as major facility projects reach completion. Burns Jermain announced in October that she will conclude […]
Posted inNews
Newport superintendent to discuss school updates in live Q&A Wednesday
Just two weeks after announcing her planned departure, Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain will field questions from the community during Wednesday’s “Ask The Superintendent” live virtual conversation. The monthly discussion, hosted by What’sUpNewp, is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. and comes at a pivotal moment for the district. Jermain revealed on October 14 […]
Posted inBusiness
Wayfinder Newport hires Keith Chouinard as sales and marketing director
Wayfinder Newport has appointed Keith Chouinard as director of sales and marketing, the hotel announced Tuesday. Chouinard will oversee all sales and marketing initiatives for the property, including strategic partnerships, revenue growth and brand positioning as Wayfinder continues its relaunch. Chouinard brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in the hospitality industry. He most […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Spotlighting the busy women (and a few good men) behind the scenes at the Broadway Street Fair
Historians and cartographers will tell you that “Broadway” is typically one of the first streets laid out on a city map, designed as a central artery for commerce. The name, derived from the Dutch Breede weg, meaning “broad way,” likely originated from Native American footpaths that ran diagonally down the length of Manhattan Island. Newport’s […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Country star Phil Vassar brings 25th anniversary ‘Paradise’ tour to Cranston
Country music star Phil Vassar brings his “25 Years of Paradise” tour to the Park Theatre on Oct. 24, celebrating the 25th anniversary of his breakout No. 1 hit “Just Another Day in Paradise.” The intimate acoustic performance promises nightly setlist changes and covers of musical legends like Billy Joel and Elton John. For Vassar, […]
Posted inEnvironment & Health, News, People & Profiles
Breast cancer cases increase, while the death rate decreases
More than 1,100 women in Rhode Island and more than 316,000 women nationally will be diagnosed by the end of this year with breast cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. That diagnosis will present what will seem for many insurmountable physical and emotional challenges. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and we caught up […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Marcus Samuelsson brings message of heritage and community to Newport Wine & Food Festival
Celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson (“Chopped,” “Top Chef Masters”) headlined this year’s Newport Wine & Food Festival, and his Conversation event proved to be one of the big highlights of the late summer. The intimate talk took place at Rosecliff, culminating the festivities. Gathered guests were treated to a rare opportunity to hear directly from one […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Dewey Bunnell keeps America’s music alive on the road
Fifty-five years after the band America was formed, Dewey Bunnell finds it “very satisfying that our songs still have a life. All of it is exciting.” I had a nice chat with Bunnell recently in advance of America’s appearance at the Providence Performing Arts Center on October 18. He was relaxing in his home in […]
Posted inNews
Newport superintendent to discuss school updates in live Q&A Wednesday
Newport School Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain joins What’sUpNewp for a live virtual video conversation on Wednesday at 1:30 pm. The discussion typically covers a range of topics from curriculum updates and facility improvements to budget matters and student achievement initiatives. Community members can submit questions in advance through a Google form available at whatsupnewp.com/ask-the-superintendent/, or pose […]
Posted inColumns
Coming Home: At 89, Alice Bowman finds purpose in life’s fifth season
In this country, more than one million older adults live in over 30,000 assisted living communities and those numbers continue to grow as our population ages. The options can feel overwhelming. And just like no two people are exactly alike, no two senior living communities are either. Throughout my career helping older adults and families, […]