December 2013 - Military Spouses of Newport

Military Spouses of Newport Wishes You Happy Holidays!
December 2013
A monthly publication for members of
Military Spouses of Newport.
Monthly Newsletter
Inside this month’s issue:
December Events
1
Upcoming Events
2
Club Activities
3
Local Places to Visit
4
Recipe of the Month 4
Events around Town 5
Presidents Corner
6
Volunteering
6
Membership Eligibility: Membership is open to all
spouses of all members o f the U.S. Armed Forces
associated with Newport Naval Station, as well as
spouses of International Students, spouses of deceased
service members, and civilian spouses GS-7 and
above associated with the Newport Naval Station.
Tis the season – enjoy these holiday events!
HOLIDAY ORNAMENT EXCHANGE
Join us for our Military Spouses of Newport
annual “Holiday Ornament Exchange”!
Date: December 11, 2013
Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Where: Admiral’s House
Address: Quarters AA,
Bainbridge Road, Naval Station
Newport
Cost: Free!
Dress Attire: Business casual
Come out and enjoy a night of festivities with
other military spouses. We will be serving light
refreshments and exchanging holiday ornaments
during this fun filled event. Please bring a
wrapped and unmarked special ornament in the
$10 - $20 range for the exchange.
Please donate to the “Toys for Tots” program.
We will be collecting new unwrapped toys. The
Marines will arrive to collect these toys from us
during this fun filled event!
Date: December 14, 2013
Time: 11:00am to 5:00pm
Location: Fort Adams Visitor's Center/Officer's Row, Newport, Rhode Island
Cost: $15 for advance purchase / $20 the day of the event.
Please join Military Spouses of Newport for the first ever special – inaugural Holiday event at Fort Adams - The
Historic Tour of Homes! A “Before and After Tour of Historic Homes at Fort Adams” will take place on Saturday,
December 14, 2013 from 11:00am until 4:00pm. The tour will begin at the Fort Adams Visitors' Center. Docents
will conduct a guided tour of the Fort Adams' Officers' Quarters where families lived prior to the construction of
Officers’ Row in the 1870s. Visitors will then tour five of the historic homes decorated for Christmas. Each house
has its own unique style with items that reflect the travels of the military family who calls it home. This is the first
time these homes will be open to the public. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 the day of the event. Tickets
include tour of Fort Adams Officers’ Quarters and five historic homes. Proceeds benefit the Fort Adams Trust and
Military Spouses of Newport (formerly known as Newport Officer Spouses’ Club). For more information:
www.FortAdams.org, www.milspousenewport.org, and Facebook at “Fort Adams Tour of Homes”.
Registration Information: Register for events at - www.milspousenewport.org
Disclaimer: Military Spouses of Newport is a Non-Federal Entity. It is not part of the Department of the Navy or
any of its components and it does not have Governmental status.
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Upcoming Events & Announcements:
Save the date!
Toys for Tots Collection!
Ring in the New Year with these
fun events!
Upcoming Social Events in January: We have
planned some great activities coming up – check
our website often for dates and information on
future events!
 Activities & Events
 Monthly Night Out: Dinner out. – Date TBD
 Drink and Dabble: Paint a beautiful picture
with the help of artist Charlie Hall while
enjoying a cocktail! – Date TBD
 Protocol Panel: Learn the ins and outs of the
military and all of the rules and protocols
involved especially regarding formal events. –
Date TBD
Military Spouses of Newport Board Meeting –
Date: January 8, 2014
Time: 6:00PM
Location: Upper Greene Lane Community Center
This meeting is open to all members.
Let it roll! Come out
for a fun, friendly
game of Bunco!
Come on out for a festive night!
Celebrate the holidays and
roll in the New Year!
Please bring your favorite
holiday dish to share!
Military Spouses of Newport organization is actively
collecting donations for “Toys for Tots”!
The mission of the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys
for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys
during October, November and December each year,
and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to less
fortunate children in the community in which the
campaign is conducted.
The primary goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver,
through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope
to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in
becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens.
If you would like donate a new unwrapped toy please contact us or go to the “Toys for Tots” website
to locate a drop box!
Email: [email protected]
Thank you for your support!
Web Site: http://toysfortots.org
Date: December 9, 2013
Location: Upper Green Lane Community Center
Time: 6:30pm – 9:30pm
Cost: $5.00
Join us each month for a potluck dinner and a game of
“Bunco”! Cash prizes for most Bunco wins, most snake
eyes, and more! For more information, or to be added to
the monthly e-vite please contact: Jessica at
[email protected]
Come visit “The Ship’s Bell Store”!
Location: Naval War College
Hours of Operation: Monday – Thursday 10am – 2pm
 Come check out the store for a variety of great holiday items and gift ideas! We always have
something on sale each month! Our unique items make the perfect holiday gift!
Disclaimer: The Newport Officers’ Spouses’ Club is a Non-Federal Entity. It is not part of the Department of Navy or
any of its components and it does not have Governmental status.
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We have amazing Anchor Bend Glassworks pieces, Angela Moore Jewelry, NWC apparel and much, much more!
Your purchase supports our charities. The Ship’s Bell is open to anyone with a military ID (and guests that
accompany them). The store is located at the War College next to the library. To visit our gift store simply check
in with the quarterdeck, and they will direct you down the hall to the Ship’s Bell. Come check us out – all proceeds
from the store support Community Aid, Military Programs and Scholarships for graduating seniors of local military
members. Please consider helping at The Ship’s Bell Store: Your volunteer time helps to support our scholarships
and charities program. Please contact [email protected] to volunteer.
Disclaimer: Military Spouses of Newport is a Non-Federal Entity. It is not part of the Department of the Navy or
any of its components and it does not have Governmental status.
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Activities – Get Involved!
We want to welcome our new and returning members. We are glad you joined, and we are excited
about this upcoming year. Newport, Rhode Island is a great place to live with a variety of wonderful
things to do. Get involved – come join us for our monthly events, night out, and monthly Bunco
get- together! Below is a listing of special interest groups and volunteer activities to keep you busy
while you are living here. Check our website often for monthly events and activities!
Special Interest Groups:
 Get connected with others who share similar
interests. We are pleased to be a referral source for
the following groups.
Book Club:
st
 The 1 Wednesday morning 9:30am each month –
Trish Poirrier / Email: [email protected]
nd
The 2 Monday evening at 6:30pm each month –
Summer Ellis / Email: [email protected]
Home School Liaison:
Jennifer Roland / Email: [email protected]
Mah Jongg:
Caroine Medley / Email: [email protected]
Parents and Tots Playgroup:
Natalie Schreiber / Email: [email protected]
Spanish Speaking Kids Playgroup:
Mariana / Email: [email protected]
Volunteer Opportunities:
 Do you have some time each week or month that
you could give? We would love to have you help –
see below for details.
Fundraising:
[email protected]
Meals for New Moms:
[email protected]
Ship’s Bell:
[email protected]
Scholarship Committee:
[email protected]
Charities:
[email protected]
Meals for New Moms: Calling all members – help us welcome new babies of our members by
bringing a meal to a new mom. We need volunteers to help make meals! Please lend your
time to help a family by dropping off a meal or feel free to send a takeout meal instead. For
more information contact: [email protected]
Decorating for the Holidays! Twist on a traditional wreath!
This twist on a traditional wreath not only looks pretty, but smells good too!
This is a wonderful and colorful twist on a traditional wreath for holiday
decorating. Instead of the traditional evergreen, try a homemade wreath of
citrus fruits. Start with a circular piece of florist’s foam, then use wooden
florist’s picks to secure large items, such as oranges, first. Continue with
smaller fruit―kumquats, clementines, limes. Tie with a thick velvet ribbon. If
you like the look of an evergreen wreath you can mix citrus fruits with a
traditional wreath by using florist wire to wire down either fresh or plastic
fruit.
Disclaimer: Military Spouses of Newport is a Non-Federal Entity. It is not part of the Department of the Navy or
any of its components and it does not have Governmental status.
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Holiday Dining! Check out these local favorite restaurants for the holidays!
Staying home for the holidays? Christmas is a tough dining holiday. It is the one day of the year that most
restaurants are typically closed. There are, however, some options for your holiday fare here in Rhode Island, but be
sure to call ahead to confirm availability! The following are a list of restaurants that are typically open on the
Christmas holiday, this list is not all inclusive, but ones we think you would enjoy.
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Sardellas Italian Restaurant, Newport RI – Service fine Italian fare!
o Address: 30 Memorial Blvd., Newport / Phone: 849-6312
o Website address: www.sardellas.com
Spiced Pear Restaurant, Newport RI – Fine dining with a beach view!
o Address: 117 Memorial Blvd., Newport / Phone: 847-2244
o Website: http://www.thechanler.com/dining/
The Clarke Cooke House, Newport RI – Cozy dining on Bannisters Wharf!
o Address: Bannisters Wharf Newport / Phone: 849-2900 /
o Website: http://www.bannistersnewport.com/clarke_cooke_house.html
Asian Palace, Providence, RI – Serving Chinese and Sushi!
o Address: 1190 North Main St., Providence / Phone: 228-7805 or 7806 /
o Website address: www.asianpalacedining.com
Shelter Harbor Inn, Westerly, RI – Serving traditional New England food!
o Address: 10 Wagner Rd., Westerly / Phone: 322-8883
o Website: www.shelterharborinn.com
McCormick and Schmick's, Providence, RI – Excellent seafood and lobster bisque!
o Address: 11 Dorrance St., Providence / Phone: 351-4500
o Website: www.mccormickandschmicks.com
Recipe of the Month:
Festive Cookie Christmas Trees!
Ingredients:
These cookies
looked so darn cute
we just had to share
them with you!
Turn your favorite
cookies into these
cute Christmas trees
with this easy recipe.
Use gel icing to stack
your cookies, and
you can top them off
with a white or dark
chocolate chip. Add
sugar pearl sprinkles
to the sides for your
ornaments.
Serving size: 12
Prep time: 1 hour.
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Lemon Tea Shortbread Cookies

Green Frosting for layering

Snicker doodles

White Sugar Pearl Sprinkles

Golden Oreos

White Chocolate Chips

Nilla Wafers

Note – you can use store bought or

Nutter Butter Bites
your favorite homemade cookies

Green Sparkle Gel Icing
for this project. Be creative!

- White Sugar Pearl Sprinkles
Directions:
Begin Chocolate
by organizing
 1. - White
Chips your store bought cookies by size. Largest to
smallest. The largest size will make the base.
2. Place your shortbread cookie or largest cookie on your “cooking”
surface. Squeeze a ring of gel icing on the outer top edge of the cookie.
Press down the next cookie – in our case, this was a snicker doodle.
Squeeze another ring and add your next cookie, and repeat until you get
to the top.
3. Top with a white chocolate chip as your star and let the icing set for a
few minutes.
4. Repeat – making as many cookie trees as you like!
5. Now it’s time to add your ornaments. We love Wilton’s Sugar Pearl
sprinkles because they really do look like little pearls! We did two rows
of ornaments on the outer edge of our trees. Placing in the frosting.
6. Embellish as much as you want! That’s it you’re done! that’s it!
Disclaimer: Military Spouses of Newport is a Non-Federal Entity. It is not part of the Department of the Navy or
any of its components and it does not have Governmental status.
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Looking to experience Newport and other local areas? We know where
to go - check out these fun events around town!
December 2013 - Upcoming Holiday Events:
Gallery Night - Come check out the galleries.
Date: Ongoing / Time: 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Newport Gallery Night is held the second Thursday of every month from 5pm-8pm in the evening. Address:
Downtown, Newport, RI 02840 Website: www.newportgalleries.org
Christmas at the Newport Mansions - Newport
Date: November 23, 2013 - January 5, 2014
The glitter of gold and the sparkle of silver will dazzle you as you tour three magnificent mansions decked out in
Yuletide finery. Music, tours, and spectacular decorations highlight the celebration of Christmas at the Newport
Mansions. The Preservation Society of Newport County invites you to make holiday memories with your family by
visiting The Breakers, The Elms and Marble House this holiday season - November 23, 2013 to January 5, 2014.
The Historic Town of Wickford, Festival of Lights – Wickford Village
Date: December 5 – 8, 2013
Kicking off the festival of lights – a Town tree lighting and visit from Santa in Updike Park sponsored by N.K. Chamber of
Commerce kicks off a weekend of festivities and a season of wonder. The North Kingstown Community Youth Chorus
and The Lafayette Band perform. Daily events and activities. Town is lit at night.
Holly Days – Norman Bird Sanctuary - Newport
Date: December 7, 2013 / Time: 11am – 3:00pm
The Norman Bird Sanctuary hosts a fun day filled with activities including nature crafts face painting, cookie decorating,
ornament making and story time by the fireplace. Meet animal ambassadors, ride Mabel’s Polar Express, roast
marshmallows over an open fire, and warm up with cider and hot chocolate. There will be raffles, a bake sale, and a
tree lighting too! 11am-3pm. Members: Adults $5, Children $3. Non-Members: Adults $7, Children $5.
New Year’s Day Polar Bear Plunge – Newport
Date: January 1, 2014 / Time: 12:00pm (Noon)
A Newport tradition! Every New Year's Day for charity the Newport Polar Bears invite anyone crazy enough to join
them for a swim in the Frosty North Atlantic Ocean. The charity this year is as last year, A Wish Come True. All proceeds
from the swim and at the after swim party at the Atlantic Beach Club at the east end of Easton's Beach. Come join us at
noon and help us raise money for a great charity.
For other great events around town in Newport or additional information – go to:
http://www.gonewport.com/events-calendar
For information on the Wickford Festival of lights – go to:
http://wickfordvillage.org/2012/03/27th-annual-festival-of-lights/
Local Places & Events for Children –
Newport Annual Polar Bear Plunge!
Story Time - Tuesday Mornings, 10:30 AM - Story time at the Redwood Library & Athenaeum: Join us each Tuesday
morning at 10:30 for a free story time, featuring stories, songs, and lots of new friends! All ages welcome. Redwood
Library - Address: 50 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI 02840. Website: www.redwoodlibrary.org
Story Time - Tuesday Mornings, 10:30 AM – Story time at Barnes & Noble, Middletown - Story time with Miss Lynn.
Mama and Cooper have a sweet surprise. With new songs to sing (bet you know the tunes) bedtime is special for these
kangaroos. Join us at Story time for Nighty-Night Cooper, the newest book by favorites Laura Numeroff and Lynn
Munsinger. Barnes & Noble - Middletown: 1311 West Main Road, Middletown, RI 02842.
Brenton Park - If you like kite-flying, then Brenton Park around the Ocean Drive is where you want to go. If you go all
the way down Thames Street and take a left on Morton Avenue, you'll find Morton Park 2 blocks ahead on your right.
This park is great for young children because of its playground. It also has plenty of room for older kids to run around,
throw a Frisbee or play some volleyball.
Ice Skating, Downtown Newport – Don’t forget to check out the ice skating rink in downtown Newport. Skates for
rent. Definitely a lot of fun for the whole family!
Disclaimer: Military Spouses of Newport is a Non-Federal Entity. It is not part of the Department of the Navy or
any of its components and it does not have Governmental status.
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Board Information & Volunteer Opportunities:
2013 – 2014 Board of Directors:
 President: Jennifer Luebbert
 Vice President: Natalie Blackketter
 Secretary: Cerry Rasmussen
 Treasurer: Annette Recavarren
Presidents Corner:
December 2013
Military Spouses of Newport would like to thank our
members for making 2013 a success. Without our
volunteer and member support we would not be able to
host events or donate to the charities that we support.
We thank you for your time and continued support as
we move into the New Year. We wish you and your
families a joyous holiday season!
We look forward to seeing everyone in 2014! We have
some exciting events coming next year!

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 Social Event Volunteers Needed! We
 need your help!

 Ft. Adams Historic Homes Tour –
 12/14/13:
  We are in need of volunteers to
assist with the December historic

homes tour.

 This is a fundraising event for the
Military Spouses of Newport, and
all proceeds benefit our charities,
and scholarship funds we support.
 If you would like to volunteer your
time for this very special event
please contact us for more
information.
Jennifer Luebbert, President
The Pink Book
Have you heard about the “Pink Book”? It is a directory of
recommended services, products, and places that have
been enjoyed by military families stationed here in
Newport, RI. Printed versions are available at “The Ship’s
Bell”, and at the NWCMS. You can also purchase online
access at www.milspousenewport.org. All proceeds
benefit members and the charities we support.
Volunteer Opportunities:
Let it snow!
Want to get involved? Come out and volunteer. We are always looking
for volunteers to assist with this all-volunteer organization.
Contact Information:
Do you have any questions or want to volunteer? Please feel free to email us at:
[email protected] or http:// www.milspousenewport.org
Disclaimer: Military Spouses of Newport is a Non-Federal Entity. It is not part of the Department of the Navy or
any of its components and it does not have Governmental status.
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