The Voice - October 2019
/New Neighbor Welcome Party on October 16
By Elaine Pearl
Join the East Row Welcoming Committee for the next New Neighbor Welcome Party on Wednesday, October 16, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the East Row Pool and Social Club (at Nelson Place and Linden Avenue). If you are looking for ways to share your time and talents in our vibrant community, this night is for you! Neighbors and local representatives will be present to share highlights of the many clubs, events, and activities happening in the East Row. It’s a not-to-miss event for newcomers and those wanting to reconnect with their neighbors. We’ll provide the beverages; please feel free to bring a snack to share. See you on October 16!
Newport History Museum Open On Saturdays
By Scott Clark, Historic Preservation Officer and Museum Executive Director
The Newport History Museum @ the Southgate Street School (215 E. Southgate Street) will be open from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm every Saturday in October and November, and December 7 and 8 during the East Row Victorian Christmas Tour.
We recently added historic collections to the Southgate Street School exhibit, recorded additional oral histories from former students, and revealed a new historic preservation exhibit and artifact display in the Newport Room. Events continue to be scheduled at the museum, so follow us on Facebook for the latest updates.
New Police Chief Chris Fangman
By City Manager Tom Fromme
As you might be aware, Police Chief Tom Collins retired effective September 1, after serving as Chief for more than seven years. Tom was involved in the community and will definitely be missed. We all wish him the best during his well-earned retirement. He is the newest member of a proud fraternity of retired Newport Chiefs.
The new Police Chief is Chris Fangman, who many of you know from his attendance at neighborhood meetings over the years. Chris was sworn in as Chief on September 9, and is already busy on organizational issues. Chief Fangman previously held the rank of Lieutenant in charge of patrol and has 15 years of experience. He and his wife Sara have two boys aged six and seven. They are all quite proud and supportive of the new Chief.
Chief Fangman met with his command staff and recommended personnel promotions at the Commission meeting on September 23. He will be making the rounds at neighborhood meetings to talk about his plans for the department and take input from residents. He will also visit with Newport businesses to talk about their needs and input as well.
Chief Fangman will do an excellent job and will represent the City of Newport in a professional and caring manner. The Chief can be reached by email at cfangman@police.newportky.gov or by phone at 859-292-3625.
As always, if you have any questions email bholiday@newportky.gov or call 859-292-3687. Great things are happening in Newport! Thanks for your efforts to continue to make Newport a great place to live, work, shop, and play.
A Reminder from Newport Independent Schools: Register for Free Monthly Children’s Books from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
By Kelly Grayson and Dolly Parton Imagination Library
The Campbell County Public Library, Newport Independent School District, Campbell County Schools and the independent school districts in Bellevue, Dayton, and Fort Thomas have joined together with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a book gifting program that mails free books to children from birth to age five in participating communities.
More than 250 families have already signed up to participate. Parents can register their children online through the Campbell County Imagination Library. Books are mailed to each child who is registered. Each book is selected by the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. A committee of parents, teachers, child development specialists, librarians, publishers, and others specializing in early childhood literacy make selections based on age appropriateness and the development of positive themes such as promotion of self-esteem and confidence, regard for diversity, and appreciation of art.
Newport Independent School Board Vice-Chair, Dr. Julie Smith-Morrow believes this is a great equalizer for our students in developing a love for reading. “Our kids often come to us already behind from an environment where they haven’t been read to. All of our kids now have an opportunity to develop a love of learning with books. The bond you develop when holding a child and reading a book is really exciting.”
Lifelong benefits are gained when reading skills develop early in life. Giving children quality books at an early age will improve kindergarten readiness scores and help children succeed in school and reach their potential in life. “Campbell County Imagination Library is an investment in the future of our children and our community,” continued Smith-Morrow. The goal is to improve the life of each child, to foster a love of learning, and encourage them to dream and to reach their potential in life. The first book order in 1995 totaled just over 1,700. Today, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library sends more than one million books per month to children around the world, inspiring them to “Dream More, Learn More, Care More and Be More.”
For more information you can email the library at imagination@cc-pl.org or call 859-572-5039, ext. 39.
We also invite you to follow Newport Schools on Facebook and find our schools on Twitter. You can also download our app, Newport ISD, or visit our webpage. Our goal is to keep you informed about the great things happening at Newport Independent Schools.
NBA October Meeting
By Bev Holiday, NBA Vice President
The Newport Business Association (NBA) will be hosting a "Monmouth Street Stroll" on Wednesday, October 30, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
Please note the location and time of event, as this is a new format for the NBA. Retail businesses, restaurants, etc. will be open to show you the many venues on Monmouth Street. This will be a self-guided walk with specials and goodies along the way! Details will follow in the city e-newsletter on where to start the stroll. Be sure to mark the date and time on your calendar now. This event will be in place of the monthly morning meeting. The stroll is free to attend and open to the public.
