BRIEFS – Newport This Week

COVID-19 Vaccination/Booster Clinics

Multiple dates are available for people to receive the COVID-19 vaccination or a booster shot at the Edward King House Senior Center. To schedule an appointment, visit vaccination.org, edwardkinghouse.org, or call 401-846-7426, x1.

Shots are available at the following times:

Nov. 15, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Janssen & Moderna

Nov. 16, 3 to 6 p.m., Janssen & Pfizer-BioNTech

Nov. 22, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Janssen & Pfizer-BioNTech

Nov. 29, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Janssen & Moderna

Nov. 30, 3 to 6 p.m., Janssen & Pfizer-BioNTech

Thompson Veterans Day Assembly

At the fifth annual fifth grade Thompson Middle School Veterans Day assembly, the Rogers JROTC was joined by the TMS band in opening the program and teacher Melissa Turner was the emcee. Representative Marvin Abney, Major U.S. Army, Ret. was the keynote speaker. His military career included both U.S. and worldwide assignments. He was joined by his wife, Cheryl a retired Thompson nurse and guidance counselor.

The main portion of the program was recognition by a dozen of the fifth grade students who introduced veterans they wished to honor, some were dads, grandfathers and friends, including Thompson band leader Don Chilton, Retired Navy Senior Chief, and a mom, Meghan Kennerly who served on an aircraft carrier in Iraq and Afghanistan. Two students, Stevie and Alexis, read a poem titled, Honoring Our Military.

Thanks were given to all the honored veterans, school committee members and guests in attendance with a special thanks to Rogers Retired Col. Chris Corbett. The assembly concluded with band playing the TMS fight song and singing happy birthday to Rep. Abney.

Middletown Pop Warner Cheerleaders Going to Nationals

For the first time in its 38-year history, a cheerleading team from Middletown Pop Warner has earned the right to compete at the Pop Warner National Cheerleading Championships in Orlando, Florida. The junior varsity team, comprised of 19 girls from Middletown and Newport, will represent Middletown on the national stage on Dec. 6. In an effort to offset the cost of the trip, the team will be participating in a variety of fundraisers, including a pasta dinner on Nov. 28. The team is also seeking T-shirt sponsors and donations for a silent auction. Anyone interested in sponsoring the team or making a donation can contact Middletown Pop Warner president, Tracey McGowan, at 401-855- 0508, or email middletownislanders1@gmail.com. Donations can also be sent through Venmo to Middletownpopwarner.

Toll Lane Changes

The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) announced that the open-road tolling lanes at the center of the Pell Bridge toll plaza will be expanded to two lanes in each direction beginning Nov. 11, and the extreme outside lanes will then be closed.

Because the transition to all-electronic tolling is complete, RIBTA is able to increase the number of open-road tolling lanes. The formerly gated, outside lanes will be closed in each direction as construction continues.

Tolls collected through RITBA issued E-ZPass transponders will continue to be charged at the published discounted rates. If a vehicle is not equipped with a valid transponder, the owner will receive a toll invoice in the mail for $4 for a passenger vehicle, $2 per axle, through Nov. 30. Effective Dec. 1, vehicles not utilizing a valid E-ZPass transponder will receive an invoice in the mail for $6 for a passenger car, $3 per axle. To register for an E-ZPass, visit ezpassritba.com.

J. Howard McGrath Crowley Series Talk

The Museum of Newport Irish History will hold the third talk in its 20th annual Michael F. Crowley Lecture Series on Nov. 15, at 6 p.m., via Zoom.

The talk, titled Cheers to Eire: The Political Life of J. Howard McGrath, will be presented by Dr. Debra A. Mulligan, Roger Williams University professor and author of Democratic Repairman: The Political Life of James Howard McGrath. McGrath was Rhode Island governor during the 1940s.

The virtual lecture is free, but reservations are required to receive the Zoom login information. To register, visit the lectures page at newportirishhistory.org. Seats to attend in person at the Wayfinder Hotel are limited. To inquire about availability, contact Ann Arnold at newportirishhistory@gmail.com or call 401-841-5493.

2021 Grand Marshal Presentation

The 2021 Newport St. Patricks Day Parade Grand Marshal, James Jimmy Winters, will be presented the traditional black thorn walking stick, which the grand marshal carries while leading the parade, on Nov. 13, at 1:30 p.m., at Hibernian Hall. Although the 2020 and 2021 parades were cancelled, Winters will lead the parade along with 2020 grand marshals Brent Ryan and Derek Luke, as well as the 2022 designee, to be announced soon.

A donation of $10 is suggested to help defray expenses. The annual T- shirt and pint glasses with this years parade logo will available for sale. For more information, contact Dennis Sullivan at 401-846-5081 or email dennis@newportirish.com.

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BRIEFS - Newport This Week