Shape Newport’s future, scholarship honor. Latest Around Newport County
Newport Mansions will make their debut with acoustic performances
Newport Mansions is expanding its digital content portfolio with a new music video series titled “Sessions.” The series pairs live acoustic performances with some of the most historically significant architecture in the United States.
Invited musicians record stripped-down sets inside or on the grounds of the organization’s 11 historic properties, seven of which are National Historic Landmarks. Each set is filmed without an audience and recorded in a single take using a condenser microphone to highlight the unique acoustics of each location.
Calin Peters of The Ballroom Thieves performs with partner Martin Earley at the Gold Room at Marble House in Newport.
All recordings will be posted on the Newport Mansions YouTube channel @Newport.Mansions.
The series will premiere on January 8, 2026, with a performance by Maine-based indie-folk duo The Ballroom Thieves, recorded last summer at Marble House, the Gilded Age mansion that was home to socialite and suffrage activist Alva Vanderbilt.
Additional “Sessions” will be published as follows:
• American roots trio The Wood Brothers, recorded live at The Breakers Stables & Carriage House on February 12, 2026.
• Local roots folk dance Laden Valley was recorded live on March 12, 2026 at The Elms (the summer home of George and Bertha Russell in HBO’s “The Gilded Age”).
Newport Mansions plans to release new episodes every month through 2026 and is currently in talks with a number of nationally known artists to record new “Sessions.”
Newport Mansions has partnered with Newport-based creative content agency Tandem to help produce the series.
A half-minute trailer for the “Sessions” series can be viewed on the Newport Mansions YouTube channel at: youtu.be/QUxW3g0DddA. For updates on upcoming “Sessions,” follow Newport Mansions on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok (@Newport.Mansions) or join the organization’s email list at NewportMansions.org.
IYRS announces first recipient of Glo Tech Scholarship Fund award
IYRS School of Technology and Business announced that Marie Ostrand of Newport has been selected as the recipient of the inaugural Glo Tech Scholarship Fund award. Established in February 2024, the Glo Tech Scholarship honors the legacy of maritime industry pioneer Gloria Aurora Borrego.
Marie Ostrand of Newport is the recipient of the IYRS School of Technology and Business’s first Glo Tech Scholarship Fund award.
Ostrand, an accomplished offshore sailor, will use the award to achieve Yachtmaster Certification. Her global experience and technical expertise embody the fellowship’s mission to empower women leaders in these emerging fields.
Established by a gift fund donated by Gloria’s champions and friends, the scholarship reflects Gloria’s extraordinary career, which has spanned high-performance marine systems, motorsports, and major expedition projects such as the Whitbread Round the World Race and Diana Nyad’s record-breaking swim. The fund was established to support female professionals advancing their careers in the maritime and advanced manufacturing sectors, where Gloria breaks barriers and sets new standards of excellence.
Applications for next year will be accepted between September 1 and November 15, 2026. For more information about the Glo Tech Scholarship Fund and eligibility requirements, visit: iyrs.edu/careers/glo-tech. To donate, go to: iyrs.edu/give and enter “Restricted Scholarship – Glo Tech” in the “In Memory or Honor” box.
Newport seeks Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee members
The City of Newport invites residents, business owners, and community stakeholders to consult with the Newport Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee (NCPAC), a key advisory body supporting “Newport 2037,” the update to the City’s Comprehensive Plan.
From guiding land use decisions to encouraging policy changes, Newport’s Comprehensive Plan serves as the City’s primary planning document and forms the basis for establishing a shared vision for Newport’s future.
Being a part of NCPAC is expected to be a challenging experience for those participating, and anyone can apply through the City’s website by January 23. CityofNewport.com/NCPAC.
NCPAC will consist of approximately 20 to 25 members representing a wide range of backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences. Committee members will work closely with City staff and the City’s planning consultant, Interface Studio LLC, to assist with preparation, public engagement and community advocacy efforts related to the Comprehensive Plan update. The committee, which will be appointed by a vote of the City Council, is designed to be separate and distinct from the expert focus groups that will be established for specific Comprehensive Plan sections.
The advisory committee is expected to meet nearly every two months and its members are expected to participate in various public engagement activities alongside the public. The expected service period will extend until November 2026.
Serving on the advisory committee is one of several opportunities for the public to participate in the “Newport 2037” vision process. Additional engagement opportunities include a series of community-wide workshops and panel discussions; topic-specific focus groups; community surveys; An interactive online map portal and a personal experience located at City Hall; and formal public hearings with both the City Council and Planning Board.
In addition to applying to serve on NCPAC, residents are currently also invited to complete a brief online survey and participate in an online interactive mapping study by visiting www.CityofNewport.com/Newport2037.
Applications for the Newport Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee, along with information on qualifications and responsibilities to serve, are available on the City’s website at: www.CityofNewport.com/NCPACor in person at City Hall through the Department of Planning and Development.
This article was first published in the Newport Daily News: Shape Newport’s future, scholarship honor. Latest Situations Around Newport County
