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Dr. Ford – Get the Bids

By
Muriel J. Smith
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MAST Buildings
 Seeking Bids

Bids for rebuilding the historic barracks at Fort Hancock for an NJROTC classroom and indoor unit formation hall will go out within two months, Dr. Charles Ford told the 21st Century Fort Hancock Advisory Commission at its meeting Thursday.

Dr. Ford is the superintendent of the Monmouth Ocean Vocational Technical School District, of which MAST, the Marine Academy of Science and Technology which is located on Sandy Hook is one of the five high schools in the program. Every student at MAST is also a member of the NJROTC as a requirement for graduation from MAST, one of few schools in the nation devoted to a Navy Junior ROTC program.

Dr. Clark’s announcement to the advisory commission of the National Park Service came a day after Commander Tracie Smith-Yeoman United States Navy (ret), Senior Naval officer at MAST, announced the news of seeking bids at the annual Naval Inspection of the NJROTC cadets who attend MAST, the largest and most important military inspection the young cadets face during the year.

The commander’s announcement, part of her welcome address when she told the crowd of more than 700 visitors reasons why she was so happy that day, was met with great applause from the audience, huddled under blankets on lawn chairs and bleachers for the early morning Pass in Review part of the annual inspection.

Dr. Ford was first on the agenda of the five-hour Advisory Committee meeting, preset at the virtual session to give an update on the construction and rehabilitation of two buildings leased to Monmouth County for the school, recognized as one of the top ten in the state for academic excellence.

Appearing at the virtual meeting with the board’s business administrator Kelly Brazelton, who appeared from Florida where she is vacationing, Dr. Ford said Covid’s impact on slowing down supply delivery and the increase in costs in all areas which is said are now “pricey” has required revisions for architectural work which now has to be updated and reviewed. Once that review is completed, the superintendent said, he is hopeful the board can then go out for the bids. “It all depends on the process,” he said.

Dr. Ford was praised by the Committee for the completion and ribbon cutting ceremony for the first of two new buildings MAST is leasing at Fort Hancock. The school has been operating in 11 other leased buildings since it first opened and leased the two additional buildings a few years ago and appropriated $15 million in funds for the needed extensive rehabilitation before they could be operational.

The first building, Building 56, a former mess hall and a considerably smaller two-story building was completed earlier this year and is currently in use by MAST while still undergoing contractual work in the cellar.  It houses the estimated $1 million in Naval equipment, supplies and uniforms for the cadets.

Building 23, the larger of the two buildings and a former barracks, is currently in shambles, with few walls standing. Work on it, scheduled to begin more than a year ago, was halted at its onset since work was going to disturb the nesting migratory birds on a high point on the roof of the building, in violation of environmental policies. Since then, with the birds gone but the nest still intact, there have been a couple of announcements that bids were going to be advertised, though were both apparently called back before advertised.

Advisory Committee Vice Chairman Shawn Welch, in praising Dr. Ford for his explanations and attention to the details of the update of progress, said he is looking forward to the bids being advertised by February.

However, during the public portion of the meeting, while Welsh said he understood Dr. Ford’s explanation of the reasons for delaying the bids until next year, neither Parks Superintendent Jan Nercessian nor other commission members said if they knew why the delays have taken place in advertising for bids, or what plans the district has should the bids come in considerably higher than budgeted.  Ford had said bids could be awarded “hopefully,” so the district can “continue to do what we do.”

November at the Library

By
Muriel J. Smith
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Atlantic Highlands Library

It’s not only adults, but youngsters as well who find the Monmouth County Library at Atlantic Highlands a fun place to spend a morning, afternoon or creative event.

Branch Library managed Lauren Garcia, who also doubles as the children’s librarian, wearing two very active and energetic hats, has created a children’s program that includes everything from making crafts and reading to therapy dogs to Storytime for infants and preschool programs for ages 3 to 5.

The November schedule at the Library continues Baby Storytime, every Wednesday except the day before Thanksgiving at 9:30 a.m. when parents or caregivers are invited to bring youngsters as young as 10 months to hear classic stories, rhymes and songs, with Garcia offering fingerplays and music and dance for entertainment. That program is followed by Toddler Storytime for ages two to three years beginning at 10 a.m.  and many parents stay for both events with their youngsters.

Thursday afternoons are also devoted to young readers, with after school Storytime for grades Kindergarten and up every Thursday in November except the day before Thanksgiving for a half hour beginning at 3:15. Often time special guests are included to read to the youngsters.

A preschool program for ages 3 to 5 is also offered Thursdays except Nov. 23 for youngsters and caregivers at 4 p… for a half hour of activities, crafts and Storytime.

Thursday, November 9 at 3:15, trained therapy dogs will be at the library hear youngsters read them stories or show them pictures in books. Youngsters are invited to bring their favorite book to share with a therapy dog at 3:15. P.m.

On Wednesday, Nov. 15, tweens can gather at 3:15 for an afternoon of creating unique beaded jewelry with the Bayshore Family Success Center. Because of its popularity, registration in advance is recommended by calling the Library at 732-291-1956.

The Lizard Guys will present a fun-filled show with unique animal facts for all to enjoy and learn on Thursday. Nov. 15 at 3:15 p.m.

Advance registration required for a Special Virtual event live from Jenkinson’s Aquarium on Monday, Nov. 13 at 6:30. Visitors to the virtual program will see live specimens and artifacts of sea stars, urchins, snails and horseshoe crabs along with information from a naturalist. Registration is available on the Monmouth County Library’s Kids Page at www.monmouthcountylib.org or at the First Avenue library in Borough Hall.

“We always encourage youngsters to express themselves and share their stories,” said Librarian Garcia. For that reason, the Library invites children of all ages to write “the book you’re always wanted to see on our shelves.” Garcia invites library users, and their friends to share their ideas in the library or write it at home and bring their finished book to the library.

Families are also invited to pick up a craft kit at the library to make at home. Featured at the beginning of the month is Moo! Cows, and after November 15, Rainbow Turkey as the giveaway crafts.

For much information on the unique programs and events at the Atlantic Highlands branch of the county library, call 732-291-1956

 

Want to Read About Past Library Events?  Click HERE

Meeting Cancelled: Transitional BOE

By
Muriel J. Smith
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0
Regionalization
Meeting Cancelled

The first meeting of the newly formed transitional Henry Hudson Regional Board of Education scheduled for 6 P.M. this evening was suddenly cancelled, so suddenly that even at least one of a new board member didn’t even know about it.

Nor did the public, as least two of them, seeing the notice of the meeting still posted on the Henry Hudson website, showed up to attend only to find all the doors at Henry Hudson Regional School closed, locked, and no one responding to any efforts to enter.  The meeting cancelled.

The one board member who showed up for the meeting, an Atlantic Highlands member of the outgoing Henry Hudson Board, was as questioning as the residents when he, too, arrived, tried to enter and was curious as to why he could not.

Contacting another Atlantic Highlands member of the newly formed board, he learned the meeting was cancelled because of some legal or technical reasons, which was why the new board could not organize until at least something else was completed first.   He had not been notified, he said. Nor did he see any e-mail notification when he made a last-minute check in the school parking lot.

No date has been set for the organizational meeting, and the Henry Hudson Regional School page still indicates, at the time I wrote this article, that the meeting was scheduled for November 8 at 6 p.m. in the Hudson school cafetorium. The Henry Hudson Tri District page does show the meeting cancelled but does not indicate any reason why.

Members of the transitional board of education, which will serve until the November 2024 election determines the first elected board for the newly formed k-12 school district are Rebecca Kane-Wells, Irene Campbell, Diane Knox, Richard Doust, Donald Krueger, Ulrike Stock Allyson Jacobs, Karin Masina and Cory Wingerter.

AH Election – The Makeup of the Council

By
Muriel J. Smith
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0
Election Atlantic Highlands
The Election Brings Interesting Scenarios

While every election is important, and every registered citizen should vote, this year’s election in Atlantic Highlands could well change the direction the borough is going.

Not immediately.   But should all three Republicans win on Tuesday, that would mean the Mayor would continue to be a Republican and the Republicans would gain one more than the single seat they now hold on the six-member council come January 1.

The Election Brings Interesting Scenarios

But if that happens, since it’s Councilman James Murphy who would be successful in his bid for the mayoral post, his seat on Council will be vacant as of reorganization day January 1. His three-year term on Council just began in 2022.  So the Republicans would then nominate three names for the newly elected Council to vote on a replacement for him on Council until the next election a year away.

That would mean the Atlantic Highlands Mayor and Council for 2024 would be a Republican Mayor, three Republican Council members and three Democrat Council members. The Mayor only votes in tie matters.

The Election Brings Interesting Scenarios

Such a makeup would undoubtedly change all the borough officials from attorneys for all the boards, including the governing body, as well as other professionals named for the coming year.  Would the new mayor hold off the appointments until after a special meeting to name his council successor? Would the soon-to-be minority Democrats hold out for their own choices? It will make for interesting meetings.

If voters split their votes, and vote for some Republicans and some Democrats, the situation gets even more interesting.

The Election Brings Interesting Scenarios

If Councilwoman Lori Hohenleitner wins for Mayor, but the two Democrat council candidates, Jon Crowley and Alyson Forbes do not, that would create a three Democrat and three Republican council with a Democrat mayor. Murphy, even though he was on the ballot for mayor, still retains his council seat and would serve with the two successful Republicans for Council.

The Election Brings Interesting Scenarios

It Coach Vinnie Whitehead and Ellen O’Dwyer win for Council and Murphy does not take the mayoral post, that gives the governing body three Democrats and three Republicans on Council, and a Democrat mayor, since Murphy would still be on Council. But he would then have two others of his party to support him after a year in which he has had little voice and no support.

The Election Brings Interesting Scenarios

If Crowley and Forbes win but not Ms Hohenleitner, the council makeup would remain the same as it is now, five Democrats, one Republican. But that would mean Murphy would be mayor, and his Republican seat on Council he currently holds would be decided after reorganization by the Republicans to fill his unexpired term as Councilman.

The Election Brings Interesting Scenarios

If Crowley and Hohenleitner lose, they would both be off the governing body since their terms expire this year without being re-elected.

The Election Brings Interesting Scenarios

If one Democrat and one Republican win for council, that would give the Republicans one more seat than they have now, since once again, Murphy is still a sitting councilman.

Sounds confusing but every angle is possible. It makes it even more necessary than ever to go to that series of questions town-watcher Mark Fisher posed to each of the candidates. Look at their answers. Look at their priorities. Look at how each feels about something.

Then cast your vote intelligently as to who you think will be the best leadership to take the town towards completing the several major events still on the table, the future building of apartments in town, whether cannabis will get a foothold and the impact delays of decision making have had on the borough, taxes, and retaining a homey, small town community atmosphere.

Other Atlantic Highlands Stories HERE

Take the Survey Atlantic Highlands

By
Muriel J. Smith
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Take the Survey
Take the Survey… Your Opinions Count!
Maybe things are looking up in Atlantic Highlands. Another young family, who really discovered Atlantic Highlands a few years ago, moved here and took an immediate interest in everything going on. They want to get involved, and that’s a great thing.
  He attends meetings, asks questions, noted at one point he was concerned because he felt crime was increasing in the borough, and was disappointed when a councilman told him words to the effect it’s increasing all over.
   For this young family,  the dad was talking about the first heroin bust in a residential neighborhood he had ever heard of, and while he praised the town’s terrific police department, it jolted him to realize these things were happening.
  He’s concerned the town is changing, he’s afraid town leaders are still talking about a cannabis business in town and he wants to get involved and do what he can to keep Atlantic Highlands the charming town that prompted him to settle his family here.
   But he wants to know how others think as well. This is the code to a survey he’s designed and would like folks to answer.
      Not a bad idea. It’s always great to involve as many people as you can when you want to do the right thing.  It’s worth taking a look.
Take the Survey HERE

Atlantic Highlands – “What is going on here?”

By
Muriel J. Smith
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0
“What is going on here?”
“Is this the type of environment we want our young people growing up in?
Is our town changing so quickly?
These were the questions asked not once, but twice, by Edward Kenney, a comparatively new resident of Atlantic Highlands who moved here with his wife and young children two years ago because he felt it was a beautiful, safe town in which to bring up his children.
So when  there was a heroin drug bust not far from his home, he told the elected officials “it was damn scary,” and expressed his appreciation of the local police department for being so vigilant in making arrests.
But it was still scary, he told the elected officials.
That incident, together with hearing of recent car thefts,  prompted the new resident to ask council what they’re doing about it.  What’s going on here?
One Councilman, James Murphy, acknowledged his letter and wrote back and told him that. But he did not answer his questions.
The rest of council did not even bother to let this new family in town know they received a letter expressing some concern.
“What is going on here?”
So Mr. Kenney appeared at the meeting,well dressed, well spoken, and still concerned. He even read his letter to Council at the meeting. That prompted some explanations, even an acknowledgement from Councilman Jon Crowley that he did get the letter. But he did not see any questions.
So Mr. Kenney told him what his questions were.
Mr. Kenney is correct in asking “What is going on here?” His concern is over increased crime, no matter where and what kind. His concern is that the town is too small and should not be the site for a cannabis business.  That, he believes, is too much of a change for a town so lovely.
But many others are asking the same questions.
“What is going on here?”
What exactly is going on in Atlantic Highlands?
Residents were told for weeks they could not ask questions at meetings. Now they can, but it took a  lot of talking to get that to happen.  One resident was chided publicly for turning around to see if a particular person was present, an issue so important and so apparently disruptive to the meeting that not only the mayor, but also the borough attorney, chided her for such a terrible action.
“What is going on here?”
Minutes later, when that same resident was still speaking and wondered whether someone else was in the audience, a councilwoman told her to “turn around and ask him yourself.”
“What is going on here?”
The question  of school regionalization is still not being presented to the public so they can vote on it.. It seemed to be all agreed many months ago, with only the duration of years that the percentage of those millions of dollars coming in from Sea Bright’s joining would be split.  Highlands did not like that Atlantic Highlands wanted it to be “in perpetuity” rather than reviewed every five or ten years. But now, it’s taking more meetings, more lawyers, more discussions, a mediator, a lot of mistakes by professionals and time delays and it seems that now it  isn’t even the question they are talking about settling. Nor does it seem they even have matching figures on both sides over which they will be mediating.  Or if they will ever get to it.
“What is going on here?”
Teachers in years past have taught in the local schools for decades, but now it seems many of them, a large percentage, are retiring early or simply getting out and looking someplace else .
“What is going on here?”
Parents are afraid to go public with their fears and complaints against the school administration, afraid if they complain publicly something even worse than their children’s education will suffer.
“What is going on here?”
A school administrator tells a state official she represents three entirely different boroughs, yet all three boroughs said it was not so.
“What is going on here?”
A million dollar building is built at the harbor, leased to tenants, the contractor paid, and still there does not seem to be any certificate of occupancy or any verification from inspectors that everything is up to snuff. So the borough is now suing the builder, but not saying anything about the fact that they paid for the work, in full for the work, they’ve been collecting full rent from these tenants in spite of the dangerous condition that has existed for more than two years.
“What is going on here?”
Council is great on promoting Black History or Gay Pride, or Irish American or Native American heritage but they do not change the night of a planning board meeting when it falls on the one night of the most solemn time of the year for many Christians who are drawn to church services at the same time as the meeting.
“What is going on here?”
Mr. Kenney’s questions are well founded.
Is this the type of environment we want our young people growing up in? Is our town changing so quickly?
 This is what Mr. Kenney wrote, and read, to the governing body.,
Dear Mayor and the Council of Atlantic Highlands,
I moved with my wife and family to Atlantic Highlands a little over two years ago and we have always said how glad we are that we made the move.  However, recently we have become concerned with the increasing crime in Atlantic Highlands.  We don’t want to see it escalate or it won’t feel like the same safe town we love.  
About two weeks ago we heard of a heroin bust on 4th Ave, just four blocks from where we live, part of a stakeout that caught out-of-town drug dealers in Atlantic Highlands.  Thank God our police are so vigilant and caught these miserable individuals with their drugs.  But the fact that it happened in Atlantic Highlands is damn scary.
There have also been increasing car thefts in the area too.  It’s a topic that my neighbors and I talk about often.  My wife and I have been much more careful about locking our cars at night.  That’s something we didn’t worry about when we first moved here.  Is our town changing that quickly?
We have also heard about the possibility of a marijuana shop opening in Atlantic Highlands.   What is going on here?  My wife and I have two young sons.  Is this the environment that we want our young people growing up in?   We feel like the face of Atlantic Highlands is changing, and not for the better.   We’d like to know how the town council is supporting our police to make sure that the town remains safe and protects its citizens.   We believe the council is a key influencing body for the town and that the direction the town goes is a responsibility that the council needs to be able to steer so that Atlantic Highlands remains the lovely town it has always been known as.  
Thanks for your time and attention,
Ed Kenney
More Stories On Atlantic Highlands HERE

Bayshore Pharmacy Hosts Food Drive

By
Muriel J. Smith
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Bayshore Pharmacy

Bayshore Pharmacy of Atlantic Highlands is hosting a November food drive in coordination with the Area Association of Community Churches Food Pantry at the United Methodist Church in Atlantic Highlands and Our Lady of Perpetual Help- St. Agnes in Highlands Food Pantry in Highlands.

The coordinated drive begins Saturday, November 4 and will run through l Saturday, November 18.   A food pantry box will be available for community donations at the pharmacy in the Foodtown Shopping Plaza, First Avenue at Route 36. Monetary donations will also be accepted.

“The need for donations is so great at the moment because the food pantry has seen an increase in the number of families needing assistance and we rely on the generosity of neighbors to help families in need,” said pharmacist and local resident Richard Stryker, Bayshore pharmacy owner.

“Food drives sponsored by local businesses like Bayshore Pharmacy provide a boost for our shelves and raises awareness of the need for this pantry in our community “added Tricia Curtin, Pantry Coordinator of OLPH-St. Agnes Food Pantry.

The food pantry is especially low on juice, condiments, pasta in boxes, pasta sauce, canned corn, canned carrots, canned tuna, canned chicken, bars of soap, shampoo and conditioner.

“Bayshore Pharmacy has sponsored a food pantry drive for many years,” Stryker continued, “We are happy to do our part to support our community during the holiday season since hunger has no season.”

The United Methodist Church of Atlantic Highlands hosts the Food Pantry for the Area Association of Community Churches and is located at 96 Third Avenue, Atlantic Highlands.  (732) 291-0485. The food pantry is in the church basement and is currently open Thursdays from 9:00 am to noon and 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. The food pantry serves the immediate area from Sea Bright to Port Monmouth.

The OLPH-St. Agnes Food Pantry is at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help church basement at 141 Navesink Avenue, Highlands (732) 291-0272 It is open on Sundays 10:30 to Noon and Mondays 5:30 -to 7 pm.  The food pantry serves the immediate Bayshore area.

Bayshore Pharmacy Cards and Gifts is a locally owned, full-service pharmacy, specializing in compounded prescriptions, immunizations, and insurance billing. Serving the area for 60 years and two generations, Bayshore Pharmacy also provides the area’s largest card and gift shop, offering plenty of parking and delivery services 7 days a week.

 

Past Stories on Bayshore Pharmacy HERE

Tower Hill Church Holds Veterans Concert

By
Muriel J. Smith
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0
Tower Hill Church Holds Veterans Concert
Tower Hill Church Holds Veterans Concert

The Tower Hill Church Choir will present a special Veterans Concert honoring all United States military and military veterans at the Tower Hill Church on Sunday, Nov. 12 at 4 pm.

Fiona Smith Sutherland, the Director of Traditional Music at Tower Hill, heads the program which also includes volunteer choir members from the area. An outstanding addition to this year’s concert will be a presentation by a brass ensemble from the Military Academy at West Point.

This is the second year the Tower Hill Choir has presented a Veterans Day concert as part of its concert series, opening it at no charge to the public in order to enable others to show appreciation for the service of all veterans. When first presented last year, the Concert was so well received, church officials determined to make it an annual tradition. The church is located at 2555 Harding Road, Red Bank.

Sutherland, the full-time Director of Traditional Music at the Presbyterian church, supervises a broad and varied program of choral and handbell music as well as the Concert Series. A handbell expert herself, she also has begun a ministry of solo handbell ringers, bringing a musical education to many teens in the church.

The musician and director is also the Music Director of the Shrewsbury Chorale and the staff accompanist and assistant director for the Lakeside Choraliers in Montvale. During the summers of 2021 and 2023, she was honored to be selected as one of the Guest Conductors for the Ocean Grove Choral Festival.

Ms. Sutherland has worked as organist and choirmaster at many churches in all the northeastern states between Delaware and Connecticut for more than 35 years and performed for President Obama in 2012. She earned her Bachelor’s and Master of Music degrees at Westminster Choir College and looks forward to working with singers and instrumentalists for the second year in the new tradition of Veterans Concerts at Tower Hill.

There are no admission fees or advance reservations necessary for the Veterans Concert, though donations will be accepted to help defray expenses for the event.

While the complete presentation of musical works has not been released, the emphasis at the unique concert will be on patriotic music to show the Tower Hill choir’s feeling it is privileged to honor American veterans through music.

Greeters at the entrance to the concert hall will invite veterans to stop and get a name tag identifying them and well as their branch of service.

Read about some New Jersey Veterans HERE

Bayshore Chrysler Plymouth, Who Remembers?

By
Muriel J. Smith
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2
Bayshore-Chrysler-Plymouth
Bayshore Chrysler Plymouth

Local historian Walt Guenther, who takes great pride and has terrific knowledge of his beloved Highlands, Atlantic Highlands and the Bayshore in general, and  for good reason, came across a post card from 1963.  Remember the Bayshore Chrysler business at 153 First Avenue in Atlantic Highlands?  Have any stories about it?

Bayshore-Chrysler-Plymouth

Admiral Fitzroy, Newport Rhode Island

By
Muriel J. Smith
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0
Admiral Fitzroy
Admiral Fitzroy

Even off-season, or between high seasons, Newport, Rhode Island is a busy place filled with travelers from all over, drawn to the sailing and boating history, to say nothing of the historic mansions, great shops, restaurants, hotels and B&Bs in the town.

While each of the B&Bs looks charming and wonderful, thanks to the high level of excellence the town apparently dictates, The Admiral Fitzroy Inn at 398 Thomas Street in the heart of the waterfront area, is all that and more.

Friendliness is its first name and adjectives including perfect, beautiful, historic, unique and picturesque help fill in some of the attributes that draw people to the Admiral Fitzroy.

The home itself has a fascinating history. It was built in 1854 by Dudley Newton, a famed architect of his time, and was originally a convent for the sisters at St. Mary’s Church. At that time, it was on Spring Street, but in the late 20th century, the house was moved to Thames Street and has been a B&B ever since.

Admiral Fitzroy himself was a British officer best known for creating the first attempt as a scientific weather predictor for the safety of ships and sailors at sea. The first easy-to-use barometer that was created is in the lobby of the Inn. The officer was commander of the Beagle on Charles Darwin’s famed trip, was later Governor of New Zealand and coined the word forecast still used today.

Set back from the road on the busy main street, it’s a flight of steps up to the bright red front door, American flag blowing in the breeze, and a step inside to charm, warmth, and the cheerful smiles and warm welcome of one of the friendliest staff you could ever meet.

Newport

To the side of the main carpeted foyer are the breakfast room with its neat white tables and chairs; on the opposite side is an inviting living room with books, an old-fashioned Victrola, even a jigsaw puzzle to work on for a few minutes as well as comfortable seating for great conversations and getting to know other guests.

Admiral Fitzroy

But it’s the beauty of the walls and furniture in the rooms that captivate you most.

Each of the 18 rooms in the B&B is hand painted, each in its own style, but all including pastel and lightly colored flowers, ribbons, bows, and cohesion with the matching quilts and pillowcases, even the chifforobes hiding the TV and refrigerator in each room.  Each room is spacious, with a full separate bath and equipped with lotions, creams, shampoos and anything else you need for morning refreshing.

Admiral Fitzroy

That isn’t all. The three-story home also has an added staircase to the roof, where there are tables, chairs, and a spectacular view of the city while enjoying a glass of wine or some quiet serenity in the evening. Or, if you prefer to have breakfast up there, simply letting staff know about that makes it happen.

Breakfast is served throughout several morning hours, and it’s a help yourself buffet that includes breads, bagels, muffins, grains, fruits, juices, eggs, and all the extras to make them all special. Once again, it’s a smiling, friendly happy-to-see-you chef standing by eager to help.

It was my Navy daughter who found this delightful piece of R&R for me. At the Naval War College on the Navy Base in town with NJROTC cadets for a training, she had stopped in to get a gift certificate for a retiring officer and was so enthralled by the place she picked up a gift certificate for me, knowing how much I would enjoy it as well.

She didn’t even tell me that Sharon, the retired Navy Chief who is one of the staff at the main desk, is also a jewelry designer, or that the Inn is within walking distance of so many museums, restaurants, and boating opportunities.

Nor did she tell me about Dawn, another front desk attendant, who goes above and beyond to let guests know how friendly the Admiral Fitzroy is.

Going out for dinner one night after a long and happy day that left me weary, I simply wanted a light supper and a glass of wine for dinner. Dawn recommended two different restaurants, both nearby.

Opting for the closest, I went in and exited quickly once I realized the noise level and crowd was more than I could handle after a busy day. Going to the next, I once again left when the tabletop where I was seated was too close to the busy bar and the lighting was so dark I couldn’t read the menu.  By the time I reached my third choice, I did not think a 15-minute wait for a table for one was worth the time and headed back to the Inn.

Dawn, eager to hear how I enjoyed my dining experience, was disappointed when I said busy restaurants did not give any indication, they really cared for a single person taking up a table for two when others were waiting and it was a disappointing experience. Rather I go back to my room at the Inn for quiet relaxation, albeit without the food and drink.  We said good night amid her profuse apologies for her recommendation.

Ten minutes later, when I answered a knock on my door, there stood Dawn, a huge smile on her face and a gleeful “Look what I found!” In her hands was an ice bucket chilling a bottle of chardonnay, an Admiral Fitzroy glass, and even another cup filled with ice. (The bottle isn’t chilled yet, she explained, perhaps you can put a couple of cubes in your glass for your first glass till it’s chilled) Amid my profuse thanks, Dawn simply smiled and said, “we want you to be happy.”

Pouring a glass of wine, I took the elevator to the third floor, walked up the final flight of steps and sat on that magnificent rooftop under a nearly full moon, enjoying not only the serenity of the night, the beauty of Newport, but most important, the thoughtfulness and generosity the Admiral Fitzroy Inn.

Admiral Fitzroy

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