An Evening of Elegance: Inside the 2023 Women of Distinction Awards at Elms Mansion

The exquisite Elms Mansion played host to a spectacular evening reveling in the 2023 Women of Distinction on Thursday, March 23rd for National Women’s month! With nearly 200 distinguished guests in attendance, this sold-out event was nothing short of an elegant affair.

Guests were graciously welcomed by Erin Donovan-Boyle, The Chamber’s President & CEO, and Trudy Coxe, CEO & Executive Director of the Preservation Society of Newport County. In addition, Kaity Ryan, Executive Director of Norman Bird Sanctuary graced the occasion as the awards emcee by hosting a lively panel discussion and Q&A with the esteemed honorees.

A round of applause to this year’s exceptional honorees:
Heather Hole Strout, Executive Director, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center
Brenda Brock, Founder, Farmaesthetics
Lynne Tungett Publisher/Editor, Newport This Week
Melissa Green, Esq., Sayer Regan & Thayer, LLP

The volunteer committee of Chamber board members diligently reviewed numerous nominations, highlighting the honorees’ impressive achievements in community involvement, industry impact, and professional success prior to selecting the award winners.

This event is part of the Chamber’s Women in Business series, which is proudly sponsored by The Preservation Society of Newport County, Greenvale Vineyards, and Seacoast Sweets, and was truly a delightful evening filled with inspiration, celebration, and joy.

Congratulations to these extraordinary women!

PHOTOS by Kate Grottenberg

“IT’S BETTER TO BE BAD” HALLOWEEN BALL ROCKS THE TOP OF THE PELHAM

GHOULS & GUESTS RULE AT RAUCOUS NEWPORT PARTY

Newport, RI. | October 29, 2022

If it’s hot, and behind a velvet rope, then you know Newport Living & Lifestyles will be there. And if Newport Living & Lifestyles is THROWING the event, then you better be there because it is going to be epic.

And EPIC it was, as Newport’s own hostess with the mostess, Newport Living & Lifestyles CEO Christon Gibson hosted THE Halloween Party of the 2022 season; the first annual “It’s Better to be Bad” Ball.

Conjuring up the creepy, costumed revelers packed the Top of the Pelham as the party space was transformed into a den of delicious debauchery. Newporters threw caution, and maybe their dignity, to the wind as media displays, a DJ and live musicians drank and danced into the wee small hours.

Touted as an evening of liberating libations and purging pretensions, the event did not disappoint. Far from it. There was complimentary bubbly for the first 50 guests, VIP booths, bottle service, and cash prizes for the costumed contestants.

It is fair to say that the 1st Annual “Bad Ball” will go down as the party that made the Salem Witch Trials look like a day at the county fair.

$250 MOST ORIGINAL PRIZE went to : Dark Snow White

$250 MOST ORIGINAL GROUP PRIZE went to:  The Addams Family

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For more information and access to public and private events, turn to Newport Living & Lifestyles on the web.

MAIN:   Christon Gibson.  Christon@NewportLivingAndLifestyles.com   401.207.7916

MEDIA:  Adam Himber adamhimberphoto@gmail.com 917.576.587

Newport is a vibrant, yet quaint, seaside resort community. Its charming character shines most brightly in the Spring & Summer months. Truly a “walking city” you can reach to the bustling waterfront, quiet colonial streets, magnificent mansions and some of the best beaches anywhere by foot, bike or trolley.

 

MAKE SURE TO TAG AND FOLLOW

@NewportLivingAndLifestyles

@ChristonGibson 

@TopOfPelham

#NewportLivingAndLifestyles

AND ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS

The Sensual Evening in the World of the Alfred Vanderbilt Mansion

THE LEGENDARY MANSION HOSTS DINNER WITH A DASH OF DECANDENCE

Newport, RI. | October 20, 2022

Always at the forefront of glamour and style, The Vanderbilt Auberge Mansion hosted a sold out dinner theater experience featuring captivating, and sensual performances, from No Ring Circus.

 

Newport Living & Lifestyles was on-hand {of course} to bring you the inside scoop from beyond the velvet rope. Definitely one of the best parties of the year, the team at the Vanderbilt pulled out all the stops for their guests.

 

Featuring an indulgent multi-course menu and unlimited champagne, the Library and Parlour spaces became activated from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm with specialty cocktails and additional performances from No Ring Circus. “The Cabinet of Curiosities” offered guests a chance to step into the seductive, unconventional, and fabulous world of Alfred Vanderbilt (who knew!) and celebrate the mansion as the destination for eccentricity, exploration, and glamour.

 

Ticket prices included a multi-course tasting menu, open bar, and access to the interactive cocktail hour from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm following the dinner.

 

A portion of the proceeds will go to the Potter League, Rhode Island’s most comprehensive animal welfare organization, offering shelter, community education, community support, and access to essential veterinary care for companion animals.

 

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For more information and access to public and private events, turn to Newport Living & Lifestyles on the web.

MAIN:   Christon Gibson.  Christon@NewportLivingAndLifestyles.com   401.207.7916

MEDIA:  Adam Himber adamhimberphoto@gmail.com 917.576.587

 

Newport is a vibrant, yet quaint, seaside resort community. Its charming character shines most brightly in the Spring & Summer months. Truly a “walking city” you can reach to the bustling waterfront, quiet colonial streets, magnificent mansions and some of the best beaches anywhere by foot, bike or trolley.

PHOTOS TO COME

 

The Kia Ora Cosmic Ball hosted by Newport Polo

The Ball of all Balls 

The Newport Polo Gala never ever let’s you down. It truly is the ball of all balls. The energy is always there and the evening sweeps you away with views, romance, laughter and dancing. The attendees eyes are all a sparkle with sincerity, good will  and cheer. This year Jeffrey Osborne took the people in hand, table by table and shared his microphone with enthusiastic song. The guests were so titulated that the Auctioneer had trouble reigning in the crowd from their enjoyment, but fundraise he did!

All proceeds from the auction will support The Jeffrey Osborne Foundation and the Boys & Girls Club of Newport County, to help Rhode Island kids meet their most basic needs, and keep music and the arts in Rhode Island schools.  Inspired by the profound impact music had on his family, Grammy-nominated R&B legend Jeffrey Osborne established his namesake foundation in 2012 and has raised over $1.5 million dollars to date in RI.  The foundation’s activities support its community partners, including St. Mary’s Home for Children & Family Services, The Boys & Girls Clubs of Providence, Button HoleRhode Island Philharmonic Music School, the Met School, and the Amos House, Rhode Island’s largest Soup Kitchen.  For more information, visit www.jeffreyosbornefoundation.org.

Photos Captured by @Cocoanco , David Santarpia, Sue Metzger, Gina Manoni and Christon Gibson

 

Island Moving Company Summer Soiree

The 2022 ARTSCAPES Summer Soiree fundraiser event benefiting Island Moving Company – Newport’s Contemporary Dance Co was an unbelievably beautiful experience. Every turn a memorable site to behold. The performers prancing in every garden landscape at “The Bellevue House”. The front stage lounge seating for Randal and guests was the crowning moment which led to lots of laughs, dancing and a personal Chinese Dragon Dance performance.

A Special Thanks to Randal Poirier, ChFC, Financial Planner and his foundation “Doing Well by Doing Good” for participating as an important sponsor to IMC and their efforts to bring the arts and performances to Newport and supporting youth to carry on the arts in our community

#community #fundraising #sponsorship #supportingartists#supportingthecommunity #islandmovingcompany#newportlivingandlifestyles #ballet #summer #newportri #rhodeisland#supportingourcommunity

2022 Yappy Hour at The Waves

Wow! This year’s Yappy Hour broke records for attendance and fundraising for the 20-year event. Guests gathered at ‘The Waves’ on Ledge Road where they met animals available for adoption at the Potter League and supported the organization’s work by joining in for a ‘Paw Raise’ to support the Nuala Pell Animal Care Fund.
The Nuala Pell Animal Care Fund ensures that homeless animals receive everything from basic care to treatment for serious medical issues. Thanks to these generous donors the thousands of animals that walk through our doors every day will continue to receive veterinary care, surgery, extensive rehabilitation, and life-saving medications often required before they can be placed in a loving home.
We cannot thank our generous hosts, Marc Lewinstein, Xana O’Neil, and the guest of honor Maalouf, who opened their home to fellow animal lovers enough. Their generosity, love and kindness for the Potter League and our animals is immensely appreciated.
We would also like to thank our Presenting Sponsor, Randal W. Poirier, ChFC, Financial Planner of Independence Financial Partners, our board of directors, our “Party Animals” committee, our volunteers & staff, and our in-kind sponsors Peak Event Services, Glorious Affairs Boutique Catering and Event Design, Wild Season Florals, Photography by Jessica Pohl, Lainey Dionne (musician), and Perfection Valet Parking for never-ending support and kindness.
We hope that you all had an incredible evening as we did. We were so grateful to be able to gather and see so many of our generous and wonderful friends. Thank you so much for making Yappy Hour a howling success!
P.S. More photos from Jessica Pohl to come!