An Unforgettable Summer in Newport

By: Julie Grieco
Posted In: Opinion

The streets were swarming, the beaches were filled, and this summer, 2004, I learned why Newport is a world-renowned vacation destination. The shops, restaurants, and festivals brought the streets to life and the warm, sunny weather drew the crowds to the beaches, state parks, and out onto the luminous water.

I resided in a quad in Carey Mansion, but due to the beckoning of the island’s appeal, I found myself in my room only long enough to get an adequate amount of sleep. There was so much to do, so much to see, and an incredible bunch of people to share it with.

My experience began when I greeted my fellow orientation leaders here at school back in June. Our first week we spent in training; learning leadership skills in various workshops and the ins-and-outs of our school from the directors of each department.

Working together as quite a unique team, we completed our mission of welcoming the students, and had our share of fun in the process. Whether playing wiffleball on the lawn, sunbathing on the beaches, or enjoying the sunset cruises of Newport Harbor, it was an unforgettable experience I won’t soon forget.

With the conclusion of June’s excitement, I found myself a bit apprehensive to see what lie ahead. Come July, I began my employment in the Public Affairs office where I worked as a photographer, writer, and editor for Salve’s contacts with the press.

Once I was given my first assignment to photograph a beached whale on Bailey’s Beach, my anxieties about my enthusiasm for another two months here, were immediately terminated. I knew immediately that Newport still had plenty of secrets waiting for me to discover.

After the work day concluded, I spent my time exploring the island. With my trusty, old bicycle I ventured out on Ocean Drive, rode downtown to watch the Newport Gulls, our baseball team, and rode up to Fort Adams to watch regattas and see the yachts come into Newport Harbor.

On Saturday afternoons I went to the Newport International Polo Matches, a completely new experience for me and one I highly recommend! I even went onboard the U. S. C. G. Barque Eagle, one of the huge ships that sailed in for the Tall Ships Festival which came to Newport mid-July.

As if there wasn’t enough to do, I decided it would be fun to get a second job working downtown in the most prestigious hotel on the island: the Hotel Viking. As a room service girl, I delivered food to a handful of celebrities, learned how to set an immaculate place setting, and fold napkins three different ways, which I’m sure might come in handy some day!

As summer was winding down, I just couldn’t bring myself to leave. To wake up to anything other than the sound of crashing waves, would be an utter disappointment. Coincidentally, one of the tour guides had to leave for personal purposes and I interviewed that day for the opening.

After returning from a trip to Florida and the battle of Hurricane Charley, I began my fourth job of the summer; friends welcomed me as Tour Guide Julie. Sharing my knowledge of campus and Newport with perspective students seemed less like work, and was actually quite enjoyable.

Many people have asked how I could be away from my friends and family for so long. The truth is I was so busy that I didn’t have much time to miss them. My family and friends gladly visited on occasion preventing any homesickness.

Had I gone home for the summer, I would have spent my days working and wishing I was here; instead, I took the gamble, and did it ever pay off. I had the luxury of experiencing Newport’s charm in full blossom and I learned a plethora of new things, met incredible new friends, and discovered another side of life here on the island.

The moral of this story is: summer can be fun while getting a lot done. I might not have made an incredible amount of money, but I did make a ton of unforgettable memories and irreplaceable friends.

All in all, this summer was one for the record books and I hope each and every one of you reading this considers taking a chance with the unknown and staying for a summer during your tenure here at Salve.