Rise & Shine! Your Newport County guide for June 11-12
Rise & Shine! I’m Scott Barrett, managing editor for The Daily News, and today is June 11, the 162nd day of the year — 203 days remain in 2022. On this day 1963, facing federalized National Guard troops, Alabama Gov. George Wallace ended his blockade of the University of Alabama to allow two African American students — Vivian Malone and James A. Hood — to enroll.
Here & Now
• Each morning, Editor Will Richmond and I have about a 10-minute conversation to hash out our plans for the day. On Friday, I told him I didn't have a ton on my plate — a rarity these days — and he suggested putting together a list of places where Newport County residents can pick their own strawberries.
Really, his timing couldn't have been any better. I had just finished dropping off my son Jack at preschool and was driving along Middle Road, not far from Quonset View Farm. I pulled in, explained who I was and what I planned to do.
I met owner Dave Cotta, whose grandfather Manuel Cotta founded the farm in 1902. I also met his grandchildren, Ashley Cotta and Mike Flynn, both of whom work at the family operation. They walked me through what makes for a good strawberry picking season in New England states, and why it's so short — only about four or five weeks. Read my story here.
• If you're not in the mood for strawberries, how about some cheese? Back in January, reporter Savana Dunning wrote about the coming of Mozz, a traditional Italian cheese shop on Bellevue Avenue operated by a husband-and-wife team. It's been a few months, but it will finally open its doors Saturday at 10 a.m.
• Speaking of Savana, she's working on what I think is a very important story. Newport's economy is largely driven by hospitality workers, but how many of them can't afford to live here because of a lack of housing that meets their budget? If you are, or know someone, who commutes to their hotel or restaurant job in Newport (and gas isn't cheap these days), get in touch at sdunning@newportri.com.
• In May of next year, The Ocean Race fleet will be arriving in Newport, but you can get a glimpse of what to expect this weekend when 11th Hour Racing, the "home" team in the around-the-world sailing race, holds its #OceanHour Week event at Fort Adams State Park. Learn more here.
• The Black Ships Festival for years was a Newport summertime staple. These days, it's held just over the Mount Hope Bridge in Bristol, and you can check it out this weekend. Learn more here.
• The season came to a close Friday for the Portsmouth High baseball team in the Division I semifinals, but with a rising junior and sophomore at the top of the rotation, the future looks bright. Sports reporter Steve Rogers has the story.
• On topics ranging from gun control to Pride Month, find a week's worth of letters to the editor here.
• Luxury lifestyle magazine Robb Report has some nice things to say about the City-by-the-Sea in a recent piece titled: "Newport, Rhode Island, Is Having a Moment: 8 Ways to Celebrate Its New Gilded Age." Check it out here.
• From the inbox: According to a recent study, Rhode Island ranks dead last on a list of states that are most dependent on the gun industry. Topping the list is Idaho. Find the state-by-state breakdown, the methodology used and other tidbits here.
• Have a safe and happy weekend!
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Born today
Shia LaBeouf (actor), 36
Peter Dinklage (actor), 53
Joe Montana (athlete), 66
Born Sunday
Adriana Lima (model), 41
Timothy Busfield (actor), 65
Marv Albert (sports broadcaster), 81
Weather report
Saturday’s low tides: 11:01 a.m. High tides: 5:28 a.m., 6:01 p.m.
Sunday’s low tides: 12:07 a.m., 11:50 a.m. High tides: 6:27 a.m., 6:55 p.m.
Saturday’s sunrise: 5:09 a.m. Sunset: 8:20 p.m.
Sunday’s sunrise: 5:09 a.m. Sunset: 8:21 p.m.
Water temperature: 62.6 degrees.
Municipal meetings
No meetings scheduled
Local obituaries
Today is …
National Corn on the Cob Day
World Gin Day
Sunday is …
National Children’s Day
International Falafel Day
Where in Newport County?
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This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: Rise & Shine! Your Newport County guide for June 11-12
