According to Coastal Living Magazine, Newport, the City by the Sea made the list of the happiest seaside towns in America. Those of us who live, work and play in Newport love all that it has to offer, from the mansions to the Ocean Drive and so much more. If you love Newport as much as we do, now is your chance to bring it to the to of the list.

Please use this link to vote Newport, Rhode Island the Happiest Seaside Town in America! The results will be published in the June, 2013 issue which goes on sale May 17th.  We’ll be glad you did and so will you when you visit the City by the Sea, Newport, Rhode Island.

The Newport Winter Festival is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year with ten days of non-stop food, music and fun. Often called New England’s largest winter festival, this Silver Sparkle Celebration will take place February 15 – 24th. With over 150 separate events scheduled, the Newport Winter Festival will offer music, food and fun for all ages.

Some of the scheduled events include the Chili Cook-Off, a Children’s Fair, a Chicken Wing Cook-Off and a special concert by the cast of BeatleMania.

Portions of the proceeds of the Newport WInter Festival benefit local charities. For times and events, please see www.newportevents.com/winterfest/

December 8, 2012, Portsmouth, RI, — On Saturday, December 8, 2012, Greenvale Vineyards will host its Annual Warm up for the Holidays.  The event is held to celebrate the impending holiday season.  Everyone is welcome to attend; the celebration is open to the public.

Greenvale will host live music by Dick Lupino on bass and vocals, Mike Renzi on piano, and Vin Pagano on drums. They will be performing their holiday album, “December Songs”.  In addition, the celebration will include walking tours, local food samplings, and mulled wine, along with tastings of Greenvale Vineyards’ award winning, estate grown wines!

Greenvale Vineyards is located at 582 Wapping Road in Portsmouth, along the Sakonnet River. This historic property produces approximately 3,500 cases of wine each year from twenty four acres of vines, which include Chardonnay, Vidal Blanc, Cayuga, Pinot Gris, Merlot, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc.  All the wines are made from estate grown, hand-harvested grapes.  The Tasting Room is open 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, with tours daily at 2:00 p.m. or by appointment. For further information, call (401) 847-3777 or visit us online at www.greenvale.com.

The storm has passed and Newport is getting back to normal. Fortunately the damage in Newport, while significant was not as bad as some other areas of the northeast. Parts of Newport’s famed Cliff Walk were washed away and the walk is closed from Ruggles Avenue on down to the end. The City of Newport is looking along with the State on ways to repair this damage. The scenic Ocean Drive also suffered some damage and this too will be repaired. Teh Rotunda at Easton’s Beach also received a great deal of damage resulting in the small aquaium there closing for the time being. They were able to save all their fish and have placed them in the care of the Mystic Marine Life Aquarium.

Here at the Spring Seasons Inn we had no damage and only lost power for about two and a half hours so we were lucky. We are open for business and there is always something going on here in Newport. We are open year round so come and plan your stay in Newport with us.

The Newport Restoration Foundation has a lot of interesting and fun activities throughout the year. These are just some of the recent ones I found out about.

• Windmill Wednesdays: On the last Wednesday of the month, June through September, Have you always wanted to see the inside of the 1812 Prescott Farm windmill? Now is your chance at this open house! Explore how this amazing machine works and learn about the importance of grist milling on Aquidneck Island. Enjoy a family-friendly evening with johnnycake tasting and hands-on activities for kids. $5.00/children 12 and under free. 4:00-6:00PM.
• June 9th Celebration of Craftsmanship: Come celebrate the proud legacy of Newport craftsmanship at Whitehorne House Museum, home to the Doris Duke Collection of 18th-century Rhode Island furniture. See woodworking demonstrations by craftsmen format he Society of American Period Furniture Makers. Stroll through the house to see a stunning collection of early Rhode Island furniture. Enjoy refreshments int he garden and stay for a mini-garden talk with our Whitehorne garden experts. $6/10:30am to 4:00PM.
• Tuesday, June 26, 2012: Rough Point Landscape History and Garden Tour: Learn about the distinguished design history of this landscape while enjoying exquisite gardens and breathtaking views. Experience the creation of Frederick Law Olmsted, renowned father of landscape architecture, who initially designed the grounds. The tour goes back 250 years to when this part of Newport was farmland and traces Newport’s development as a premier vacation spot as reflected in this beautiful property. 5:30PM Space is limited.  Book tickets online or contact Liz at (401) 846-4152
• June 14th Thursday, Middle Eastern Evening:  Join instructor Jamie Lee Fury of Creative Fusion Dance for a night of belly dancing demos and lessons – try it yourself or just enjoy the show and music. Enjoy Middle Eastern music and a hookah lounge provided by Genie’s Hookah Lounge.  Cash bar. Admission is $5 for adults; children 12 and under are free.
• Friday, July 13, 2012  Surf Fest: See some 200 surfboards, including 1930s classics, the latest designs and Doris Duke’s own 1960 Velzy board. Shapers will demo their craft and classic footage of Newport surfers will be on view.  New England’s only vintage surfboard show, curated by surfing legend Sid Abruzzi of Water Brothers.  Enjoy the ocean view, cash bar, music and fresh tacos from Tallulah on Thames. 4:00 to 7:00PM each day. The admission cost is $10 for adults; children 12 and under are free.  If either day is rained out, the raindate is Sunday, July 15.
• Thursday, September 13, 2012 Canine Couture: Join us for our fourth annual Fashion Show of Canine Couture at Rough Point, sponsored by Wag Nation, a Newport boutique for pets.  This year’s show features dogs and their human companions in fashions from around the world. Learn about international dog breeds, see a dog training demo, and participate in a raffle for a Bellevue Avenue shopping spree to benefit the NRF and the Potter League for Animals.  Doors open at 5pm, show begins at 6pm. The rain date is Friday, September 14. 5:00 – 7:30PM $10 per person, free for children 5 and younger; purchase all tickets at the doorFor more information, email Liz@NewportRestoration.org or call (401) 846-4152. Tour the 2012 special exhibition “Passport to the World: Doris Duke the International Traveler” which celebrates Doris Duke’s love of travel through photographs and artifacts.

Fancy A Cuppa? is an online website that was started by Simon Duffin, an afternoon tea drinker and his partner, Anita Volkert, a late comer to tea but who nevertheless loves it. This online version of their book presents both sides of the world’s passions, Tea and Coffee. Simon and Anita have travelled the world searching out their favorite places to indulge in their passion, whether it be tea or coffee.

While doing their research for the book, Simon and Anita both felt it was important to interview either the owners or managers of the tea rooms and coffee houses they visited to give an honest appraisal of the places they visited. Fancy A Cuppa, USA? features only the United States tea and coffee houses they’ve visited while Fancy A Cuppa? the original version of the book review more than 50 places in the United Kingdom. Either book can be ordered from their website at the end of this article. Simon and Anita feel their book is as much about the owners and managers who own and run the tea rooms and coffee houses as it is about the tea and coffee! These are the people who help determine whether the experience you have is a pleasurable one or one you won’t return to.

You can see the online version of the book here and you can also order your very own copy. While the web site is excellent, I’d rather have my own personal copy of the book. Order one now, you won’t be sorry.

Fancy A Cuppa? web site.

The International Tennis Hall of Fame announces the following programs for Novemeber and December, 2011. The Tennis Hall of Fame located on Bellevue Avenue in Newport, Rhode Island is a wonderful museum covering the history of Tennis in America and appeals to the tennis fan and lay person alike. While this author has no interest in tennis whatsoever, the museum is always an enjoyable place to visit.  The Spring Seasons Inn also offers packages to the Tennis Hall of Fame for guests staying here.

Thursday, November 10th, 6PM Get your Mind and Body in the Game

Learn how you can use your mind to improve your game, and how playing tennis will improve your mental, physical and social well being in this special lecture and discussion featuring psychiatrist Dr. Srini Pillay and physical therapist David Tberio, PhD and orthopedic surgeon Craig Foster.

Friday, November 11th, Veterans Day

Free admission to museum and grounds for all military families with proper ID.

Friday, November 25th, 10AM – 4PM Family Fun Day

Family activities during Thanksgiving weekend! Scavenger hunts throughout the Museum, Wii tennis, Museum tours and more!

Sunday, December 4th at 5:30PM Deck the Hall!

Join outdoor holiday lights ceremony at the Hall of Fame. Caroling will be hosted by the Cluny School Choir. Refreshments will be served. Free event.

Saturday, December 10, 9:30AM – 5:00PM Holiday Open House and visit with Santa

Holiday arts and crafts, Wii tennis on the big screen, Museum scavenger unts, Museum tours, and more! At 2:30OM, storyteller Cindy Killavey will read The Night Before Christmas, followed by a visit from Santa Claus himself! Free for all ages with donation of a non-perishable food items.

The Tennis Hal of Fame can be reached at 401.849.3990 for additional information or on the web at www.tennisfame.com

While participating in these events, consider The Spring Seasons Inn, your home away form home.

Newport Ocean Drive,
originally uploaded by Mstrsail.

This is one of my favorite spots along the ocean drive. From our Inn, the Ocean Drive is approximately nine miles round trip and certainly worth the drive.

There are scenic overlooks and places to stop such as by this mansion with little cove. Fort Adams and Brenton Point State Park are along the drive. During the summer and fall months, Brenton Point State Park is alive with color as people fly their kites, bike ride and fish. The ocean views are breathtaking and not to be missed.