Holiday Brunch In Newport

Author Rockwell Stensrud with Newport's
Martha Hunnewell

A small private brunch was hosted by Carol Swift of Swift-Morris Interiors of Newport and Hoboken, N.J., to benefit the Redwood Library in the glamorous new waterfront Residences at Brown & Howard Wharf on Sunday. The guest of honor was Rockwell Stensrud, author of the acclaimed history “Newport: A Lively Experiment 1639-1969”, a rich and detailed history of Newport that reveals the character of a small New England city with major historical significance. Mr. Stensrud autographed books for guests, with the proceeds benefiting the Red Library, the oldest lending library in the United States. Noted historian and author David McCullough said of the book, “Bravo! The book is a delight!”

Nicholas Brown and Hugh D. Auchincloss, Jr., stepbrother of the late Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and resident of the castle on the grounds of Hammersmith Farm, the former Kennedy White House, attended and chatted with the author, along with Martha Hunnewell, Kim Herrlinger, and Bettie Pardee, author of “Hidden Newport: Behind Closed Doors.” Trixie Wadson, publisher of Balancing the Tides, a quarterly periodical devoted to Rhode Island writers, was on hand with her daughter Mathilde, as was yachting journalist Grace Trofa, publisher Lynne Tungett, and Linda Phillips, author of “To The Highest Bidder”, a novel of the art auction world. Developer Dan Paquette chatted with Scott McCabe and Newport photographer Don Jagoe. Newport yacht charters George and Lindsey Hill talked about 12-meter yacht racing.

Stacie Mills of Brown & Howard co-hosted the event in the waterfront model condominium, as the yacht Michaela Rose, anchored outside at the Brown & Howard Marina, weathered the first snow of the winter. Guests sipped champagne and Bloody Marys, and ate quiches, ham and turkey.