Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How did Middletown’s beaches pull in a record $2.5 million?

Coming up on the Middletown Patch calendar: Tiverton Farmers Market - Annual Christmas Specialty Market

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Cheers Middletown! We’re back, helping you stay up to date with what’s happening. Let's take on the day together! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How did Middletown’s beaches pull in a record $2.5 million?
  • Which Middletown scenes made it onto this year’s official holiday cards?
  • How Middletown turned a looming food crisis into 2,600 pounds of help

Also on today's calendar: Tiverton Farmers Market - Annual Christmas Specialty Market and 3 more events.

Find out what's happening in Middletownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: Last night I had a dream. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Middletownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Saturday: Colder; breezy in the morning, with a high of 39 and low of 35 degrees.
  • Sunday: Windy with decreasing clouds, temps: high: 47, low: 23.
  • Monday: Sunny, windy and colder, with a high of 35 and low of 29 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Newport, Middletown see record beach revenue in 2025 (providencejournal.com) — Middletown’s beach and campground operations brought in a record $2.5 million in 2025, driven largely by big revenue jumps at Second and Third Beach and helped by consistently sunny summer weekends. Newport also saw sharp gains, aided by higher parking fees and growing use of its Passport parking app. Local officials are already hoping for a repeat next summer.
   

2. Bike giveaway, Middletown card winners and more (newportri.com) — Middletown students and adults just had their artwork chosen for the town’s official holiday cards, celebrating local scenes like Second Beach, Prescott Farm, Surfer’s End, and the Middletown Fire Department’s Santa tour. Residents can also foster a shelter dog through the Potter League’s Middletown-based holiday program, while nearby Newport Hospital readies a new adolescent behavioral health unit and Bike Newport marks another successful kids’ bike giveaway.
   

3. MLK Center Thanks Town for Food Assistance (newportthisweek.com) — Middletown’s recent Meals Community Challenge just delivered more than 2,600 pounds of food to support the MLK Community Center’s work fighting hunger on Aquidneck Island. At the Dec. 15 Town Council meeting, Executive Director Heather Hole Strout publicly thanked town officials, employees, and residents for quickly mobilizing during a national food crunch. The effort supports local pantries, homebound seniors, and even students at Middletown High School.
   

4. Pickleball For Parkinson's (newportthisweek.com) — A weekly Pickleball for Parkinson’s clinic at Newport Pickleball Club on West Main Road in Middletown is giving patients and their families both a workout and a social lifeline. Coach James Crosson and volunteers tailor drills and games to different stages of the disease, emphasizing fun, mobility, and shared support. Participants say the small court, camaraderie, and “care partner” approach make challenging exercise feel enjoyable.
   

5. Newport School Superintendent discusses school safety, regionalization progress (whatsupnewp.com) — Regionalization talks between Newport and Middletown schools are moving forward, with both town and city councils expected to outline concrete next steps in January toward a possible 2025 ballot question. Newport Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain also detailed ongoing safety measures after a Rogers High School incident, facility tweaks at the new high school, enrollment and budget pressures, and her planned June 30 departure.
   

📸 Around Middletown

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Don’t wait—vaccinate today!
    Seasonal respiratory viruses are revving up, just as the holidays kick into high gear. Flu and COVID-19 vaccines offer safe and effective protection… (Nextdoor )
  • New Moon Ceremony w/vibrational sound healing
    at Love Defeats Yoga studio to inspire healing , truth, love, community, and connection. Join us at 7 PM to share your intentions for what new seeds… (Nextdoor Kesson Farm)
  • SAS Retail Services posted a job opening for Retail Stocking/Shelving Merchandiser in Middletown. Apply here.
  • Kentucky Fried Chicken posted a job opening for Team Member in Middletown. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Middletown here.

Ok Middletown! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I dreamed I was swimming in a pool of orange soda, but it was just a Fanta-sea.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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