Tiny Treasures of Newport

When you live in Newport, people always want to talk to you about The Mansions. Capital “T”, capital “M”. Live here long enough and you’ll grow to hate them. As if the way they spawn bumper to bumper summer traffic and hordes of tourists weren’t enough, there’s a (to me) intolerable sanctimoniousness about how they’re regarded as these repositories of Very Important History About Very Important People, instead of what they really are – monuments to conspicuous consumption, by the rich, for the rich. The Astors. The Vanderbilts. The Belmonts. Translation: the Paris Hiltons and Donald Trumps and Brangelinas of their day. Forgive me, but this is supposed to be serious history?

Unfortunately what gets overlooked in all the focus on Newport’s big houses is our extraordinary trove of tiny treasures. From the Old Stone Mill to the Ida Lewis Yacht Club to the Chinese Teahouse, Newport is full of miniaturely scaled architectural gems. My favorites? The little red colonial schoolhouse on Third Street. The "Beehive house" on Washington. That nutty Dudley Newton building across the street from the Viking, polychromed from head to toe, festooned with olde English details, and so narrow I could almost stretch out my arms and reach both sides. Station 10 at New York Yacht Club, adorned with an exuberant, outscale dripping gingerbread. How about that Lilliputian cottage across from Buccis at the intersection of Upper Thames & Poplar? The miniscule sideways cottage on Spring, just past Trinity Church? Let’s not forget “Old Nat’s” house down at the end of Second, or the Belair gate house on the corner of Old Beach and Rhode Island. What about the building in which I sit typing this right now, Lila Delman’s Newport office on Memorial Blvd, aka The Tavern?

Of course the question of size is a relative matter, and is often conferred by context, as in the case of the Gray Craig Gatehouse. With a 3000 square foot interior, in a normal context it would hardly qualify as “tiny”, but in comparison with its nearby 25,000 SF Manor House it appears to shrink to a size that the Borrowers might approve of. This particular “tiny treasure” comes with its own tiny treasure, a charming little freestanding cottage guarding its entrance, nesting dolls, a gatehouse to the Gatehouse.

So next time you’re driving around Newport – or stuck in traffic – think small, not big, and see how many tiny treasures you can find. Because once you start to look, you’ll find they’re everywhere. And they are Very Important too.

Well Connected

I’m well connected.

Blackberry, Facebook, Twitter, iPod, Skype, GPS; I can even access the Internet from my TV! There’s no question that many of these connections actually do what I intend for them to do – keep me in touch with friends and family (and of course work). But at what cost? These days we are so busy toying with our gadgets that we sometimes miss out on the simple things.

So every summer I pack up the kids into the car and drive out to Illinois to visit my family. Crazy, I know. Who wants to spend 18 hours in the car with a 7 year old and a 4 year old? I do! My kids and I sing songs, play the license plate game, and generally act silly for the length of the drive. It gives me a chance to spend time with my children and to teach them that life isn’t about the destination – it’s about the journey.

Our vacation is filled with family dinners, swimming, fishing, ice cream, and toad catching. This is the time when real connections and memories are made. Our children grow so fast, it’s nice to slow down and actually watch them do a bit of growing.

Like I said, I’m well connected.

An Annual Event in Wickford

This weekend the Wickford Art Festival takes place in historic Wickford Village. An annual event, the festival has been ranked among the finest in the country ranking #1 in New England and #7 in the country, as rated by Sunshine Artist magazine. It also ranks #7 statewide for tourist attendance annually. Not bad. Even USA Today says it is a 'must see in a charming village' and Harris Poll placed in among the top 100 shows in the country.

The show features original, fine art only and participating artists must go through a review committee judging in order to be included. 250 artists are included in the festival.

Admission is free and attendance averages between 50,000 and 75,000 over the two day festival.

Don't let the heat keep you away. Set along Wickford Harbor, there are cool breezes, lemonade and ice cream stands everywhere and all the shops are open for business and welcome you to stop in.

Over the years, I have purchased several great pieces at the festival. It's fun and local and a nice way to spend some time on a weekend.