Newport This Week

06/08/2026

The Newport City Council is set to hear a proposed resolution to limit hotel development on June 10.

A resolution from Councilor Stephanie Smyth to review local laws and present new potential ordinances “designed to prevent or substantially limit the development, expansion or conversion of properties into additional hotels” is included on the agenda for the city council’s June 10 meeting.  H...

06/08/2026

On May 22, 2026 at 8:36 AM Richard Foster Vaughan passed away at Rhode Island Hospital after multiple organ failures. Born in 1953, in Cleveland, Ohio, and raised in Pelham, New York, he was 73 years old. He spent 18 years in maintenance with the USCG and saw much of the world on a coast guard cutter. He retired to Middletown, RI to be near his sister and enjoyed driving to Fort Adams to watch all the boats. He is survived by his sister, Helen Vaughan of Newport, his brother Warner Vaughan of Maine and two nephews. Richard’s kindness and consideration for others will be missed. His family wishes to thank the staff of Royal Forest Farm for their warm and professional at­tentiveness to Richard’s needs and comfort for the past two years. A private service will be held for him in Stamford, CT sometime this summer.

06/08/2026

A lake sailor and a member of the rowing team at Yale Univer­sity, Andrew Kallfelz of Jamestown is now leading one of the world’s oldest and largest sailing events: the 120-year-old Newport Bermuda Race. The 636-mile offshore race will start in Narragansett Bay on June 19 and will likely traverse rough seas and treacherous weather conditions on the journey south to the island of Bermuda.

Read this week's conversation with Kallfelz and get the inside scoop on his experience as race chair for this famed and historic race.
https://www.newportthisweek.com/articles/this-weeks-conversation-with-andrew-kallfelz/

06/08/2026

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center is proud to celebrate the opening of the North End Food Pantry. The new satellite program brings Center’s Food Pantry and Produce to the People programs to Newport’s North End neighborhood and is located at 120 Hillside Avenue next to Miantonomi Park.

Get details on the opening, as well as pantry hours at Newport This Week.
https://www.newportthisweek.com/articles/mlk-community-center-opens-the-north-end-food-pantry/

06/07/2026

It is with sadness that we honor those who have recently passed in our community.

Newport

Thomas Nasser, 80, May 18, 2026

June Kurtz, 81, May 23, 2026

Philomena Delehanty, 92, May 27, 2026

Middletown

Margaret Lima, 88, May 23, 2026

Portsmouth

Kenneth Wagner, 86, May 16, 2026

Full tributes at memorialfuneralhome.com

06/07/2026

People’s Credit Union presents the second annual 3×3 Tournament and Backyard BBQ hosted by the MLK Community Center in partnership with Butler Basketball and Viking Hoops on Juneteenth Friday, June 19th from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 128 kids will be matched in teams of four organized by grades 5 – 12. This inclusive event is free of charge for all players thanks to People’s Credit Union.

Get more details on the event, and how to register at Newport This Week.
https://www.newportthisweek.com/articles/juneteenth-3x3-basketball-tournament-and-bbq/

06/07/2026

This week's 'In the Kitchen' follows Heritage Restaurant Group's executive chef, Carmine Mottola as he shares his vision and ex*****on for Claw & Hammer, the successor to Newport's beloved Scales & Shells.

Mottola said the kitchen culture itself is built on consistency and discipline. “Talent matters, but at­titude is everything,” he said. “Ex­cellence is built in every day, not only when the restaurant is busy. And while creativity is important, without systems, restaurants do not work.”

Read more about Mottola and Claw & Hammer, plus a recipe for Chef Carmine’s tuna crudo inspired by Japanese tataki in this week's edition. In print and online at Newport This Week.
https://www.newportthisweek.com/articles/in-the-kitchen-with-carmine-mottola/

06/06/2026

The Tony Awards are slated for Sunday, and in honor of all things Broadway, Loren King has reviewed the 2016 Documentary, 'Best Worst Thing That Could Have Ever Happened,' available on demand. The film shows what it takes to mount a major Broadway musical, as well as the highs and lows for those intimately involved in the effort--specifically 'Merrily We Go Around.'

The much-antic­ipated 1981 Sondheim/George Furth musical, directed by Hal Prince, flopped famously, closing after just 16 per­formances. However, it was staged at various times over the years. A 2022 off-Broadway revival, directed by Maria Friedman and starring Jonathan Groff, Lindsay Mendez and Daniel Radcliffe, transferred to Broadway in late 2023 where it broke box office records and won 4 Tonys in 2024.

Director of 'The Best Worst Thing,' Lonny Price, who was also part of the original 'Merrily' cast, weaves never before seen rehearsal footage with archival and recent interviews with the creative team and cast members who were in their 20s or teens in 1981.

Read more about 'Merrily' and 'The Best Worst Thing,' in this week's edition.
https://www.newportthisweek.com/articles/merrily-we-roll-along-journey-mirrors-stage-life/

06/06/2026

As our country is celebrating its 250th anniversary, Trinity Church, standing at the heart of Queen Anne Square, has watched three centuries of American life unfold around it. On May 31, it celebrated 300 years since its doors opened, a Georgian building that witnessed centuries of history and notable worshippers, including George Washington and Queen Elizabeth II.

A calendar of lectures and events has been planned by congregants Bob Smith and Jeff Clark to cele­brate Trinity Church’s anniversary. Among them is an America250 event in collaboration with other community partners on July 11.

Read more about this historic church and its milestone celebration in this week's edition. In print and online at Newport This Week.
https://www.newportthisweek.com/articles/trinity-church-celebrates-300th-anniversary-and-america250/

06/06/2026

Looking for something to do? There's plenty happening around town this weekend.... and all week long. Check out our calendar of local arts & cultural, educational and nonprofit events and discover your next local adventure.
https://www.newportthisweek.com/articles/calendar-421/