Reviews

Positive reviews for the new Welcome Center at The Breakers:

Sarah Rivard: "Excellent and beautiful!"

Rena Blades: "A huge congratulations to you!!"

Vivian Sterste Brandler: "Fantastic! The architecture fits in perfectly! Well done!"

Juan Mariscal: "Wow it really is beautiful! Nice job."

Nell Riviere-Platt: "This is so excellent-chapeau!"... "I really mean it about your project, and am guessing that you guys will be winning all sorts of awards for it. It's a fabulous coming together of the feeling of the Newport Casino, many other art-nouveau period structures of the time both in the US and Europe, and our 21st century. It's just great. Hats off again."

Gregory Muse: "I can't wait to see it for myself, the pictures and video I have seen look amazing."

Tony Cavanagh: "Exceptional! The PS is to be congratulated."

Lori Nassif Istok: "Congratulations!"

Kathleen A. Wood: "I saw it and it's amazing. So so pretty and outside seating if you want to have a coffee... "Congratulations, It's very impressive."

Deborah Miller: "It looks beautiful like it's always been there. Congratulations!"

Frank Monti: "Tremendous addition to a fantastic organization! All the best."

Susan Symonds: "Love it! Congratulations! It is perfect for location and introduction! Absolutely gorgeous and appropriate."... "I think it is fabulous and does blend well. I find it not ultra modern but very in keeping with the conservatories of Newport of the era."

Morgan Devlin: "Fabulous! It will be a joy to visitors for many years ahead."

Matthew Gonder: "Fantastic structure...perfect for the garden and very welcoming!"

Lindy Hoyer, Executive Director, Omaha Children's Museum: "She is gorgeous! Congrats. Well played."

Dorrie Hipschman, Director of Bailey Mathews National Shell Museum: "I'm so proud of you!"

Linda Edmundson: "Gorgeous!"

Sharon Trbovich: "Stunning! Can't wait to see it in person."

Angela Moore: "Great meeting!"

Amy Kaslow: "Really beautiful!"

Fran Mainella, Former Head of the National Park Service: "Wow, great!"

Sean Daly: "It looks terrific and of a piece with the place. It feels indigenous, as if it were forever thus. Nicely played."

Patti Poli Goldstein: "Looks great!"

Richard Sardella, former Mayor of Newport: "It was a great event. The Welcome Center is magnificent. It blends nicely with the architecture of The Breakers. In spite of all the adversity, the PS was victorious. A job well done and a valuable asset for Newport. I have always been proud to support the PS. Your organization is the engine that keeps tourism thriving in our City."

Donna Cupelo, Head of Verizon: "Congratulations!!!"

Anthony Venetucci: "Truly an amazing job. Congratulations to all involved with this project!"

John Flaherty: "Love it!"

Sally Schott: "Here's to perserverance!"

Nancy Haynes: "Fabulous."

Ron Pagliarini: "Great Job"

Gary Moore: "Congratulations, well worth the hard work!"

Mark Hayward, Director of the Small Business Administration, RI: "Congratulations."

Suzi Conklin Nance: "Looks beautiful!!!"

Peggy Ellis: "Fantastic"

Debbi Winthrop: "It is gorgeous!!!!!"

Steve Feinberg - Head of the RI Film Commission: "Congratulations"

Carol Williams: "Looks lovely"

Jerauld Adams: "Wow. Spectacular!"

James Hall: "Congratulations!"

Aggie Perkins: "So so so beautiful!!! Well done."

Priscilla Douglas: "Outstanding. I will have to make a trip and visit."

Betsy Sherman Walker: "Congratulations to you and your compadres. Looks lovely to me!"

Susanne Day: "Gorgeous!!! Congrats!"

David Balfour Jr.: "Looking good!"

Robyn Spagnolo: "Well worth the effort by all of you. Just Perfect."

Teri Guerra Soldat: "Knowing all the efforts to get it accomplished, I am happy the result is so nice! Congratulations!"

Thomas Roskelly: "Like it's always been there. Wonderful project"

Art Manask, PSNC Food/Café Consultant: "A very long time coming and all involved should be so proud of the results! Congratulations Trudy, Terry and Cynthia"

Jane Civins: "Congratulations to you and to the PS. The Welcome Center is a beautiful, graceful, elegant addition to the properties."

Kristin Pauly, formerly with the Prince Charitable Trusts: "Truly lovely! Congratulations!"

Suebelle Robbins: "How fabulous!!"

Susanne Day: "Fabulous!"

Susan Watts: "The finale to a long effort and so beautifully done. Cheers!"

Renee Janes: "A beautiful building!"

Susan Faerber Kelchner: "What a beautiful building and landscaping...how welcoming!"

Sandra Muse: "Congrats on the Welcome Center"

Judy Moniz: "Congratulations!"

Ross Cann: "Congratulations on reaching the (beautiful) end of a long and winding path."

Margaret Brady: "Congratulations to the PSNC!!!!"

Vicki Miller and Mart-Anne Helms: "*thumbs up*"

Jennifer Esler: "Congrats"

Cindy Emperatriz: "Saw you last night on the news. So well spoken and stunning as always. Best of luck with this new endeavor at The Breakers. Looks spectacular."

Marie DeRoy: "A hearty welcome to the new Welcome Center!"

Ann Muscato Schaffner: "Love visiting the mansions and Newport"

Mary Kozik: "Outstanding!!! Congratulations"

Kelly Fickenworth: "Congrats on the new Visitors Welcome Center!! Beautiful and much appreciated by Newport and friends of The Breakers!"... "It's perfect and fits right in with the landscape and mansion architecture!!! So happy for the Preservation Society of Newport and all their members and friends. Cheers!!!"

Jonathan Pelletier: "It is beautiful!! What a wonderful addition to Newport!"

James Ellen: "Looks like an old conservatory as they have called it back in that time."

Lauren Nowicki: "A must see- simply beautiful. The center looks like it belonged there all along and the naturally executed landscape design counterbalances the parterre gardens perfectly. Bravo!"

Mark Stickney: "What a great event and the visitors center looks wonderful."

Jeff Aldrich: "It looks great. What a nice addition to make the experience of the visitors even more interesting and easier. The PSNC deserves our applause for the outstanding job that they do to preserve the fine architecture of Newport and share it with the world. For those that feel the architecture doesn't match The Breakers, does the Chinese Tea House match the architecture of The Marble House?"

Maurice Lynch: "I love the new visitor center at The Breakers. I feel it was a good choice. Many detractors don't understand the price of upkeep on these mansions. I vacation in Newport and visit the mansions every year."

Deb B Hall: "The Welcome Center is a knockout!"

Janine Atamian: "Looks gorgeous! Congratulations"

Anthony DeFusco: "Thank you for another great evening. Special."

Rick Metters Vice President, RI Public Affairs & Corporate Community Relations Fidelity Investments Communications Public Affairs & Policy Group: "A quick note of congratulations to you and your team on the ribbon cutting for the Welcome Center. I know that the process to get to completion was not without its' challenges, but now you will enjoy the rewards which will come from the many visitors to The Breakers who will be the beneficiaries of a truly unique experience. Best wishes for continued success!"

Kristin Reed: "The Visitors Center is spectacular! Congratulations on achieving perfection in every way possible. I know it was a tremendous amount of work, perseverance and stress! Kudos to you for having the vision and for continuing to make Newport great!"

Roger Begin, Lieutenant Governor of the State of Rhode Island from 1989 to 1993: "Congratulations for finally getting the welcome center open. I remember when we talked about it a few years ago."

Tim Mortimer (Tim) Berkowitz III, Trustee: "Last night was just terrific- a great evening!"

Ken & Tia Scigulinksy: "What a huge undertaking the Ribbon-Cutting event was - and you made it a class act: Signed in & was greeted with a rose for the lapel, Escorted to reserved seating - attentive and courteous staff, Perfect seating with view of podium and Visitor Center, Interesting program paying sincere tribute to many organizations and individuals, Unique gift to "Grace Under Fire" honorees, Food & beverage way beyond expectations. Thank you so much for creating an event that will be talked about for many years. We totally enjoyed everything....we did tour the Welcome center and spoke to a number of the enthusiastic staff. It is absolutely beautiful with technology we never expected and is sure to create a buzz. Never thought it would look so much like the projected plans. All that made it happen certainly can feel a sense of pride.....

Peter Harris, Trustee: "That was an extraordinary evening - the detailed planning was evident - the execution was flawless. Most notable was the overall karma and vibe which was SO positive - it was if the organization had just scaled Everest and last night was just the basking in the late afternoon sun with hugs and handshakes all around! Congrats to you both to getting us to the summit through all those "false peaks"! NPS absolutely shined last night. Harriet and I were just so thankful to be there!"

Colleen Jermain, Superintendent of Newport Public Schools: "The students had a great time and really enjoyed showing off. Thank you for giving them the opportunity. The Center is beautiful! Congratulations on all your hard work and the team that supported your efforts. Bravo!"

Elizabeth McMillen, Trustee: "Congratulations!!! You did it!!!!"

Elizabeth Francis, Rhode Island Council for the Humanities: "Trudy, Terry, and Kaity, Congratulations on a lovely and meaningful event last night. It was great to be part of the celebration. The building is beautiful; looking at it now, it's difficult to understand why it was such a stormy process. But now that I know Newport a bit better, I guess I do understand after all...."

Carolynn Brunette, Managing Director, Prince Charitable Trusts: "Congratulations! Charles sent a picture of the PCT name above the café entrance. It looks beautiful. I hope it was a great event."

Brian O'Malley: "What a great event. Thank you for including me although whatever contribution I may have made was nowhere near as important as many of the others recognized. The visitors' center is beyond fabulous. It's a "work of art". Congratulations to you and all the others that made this possible."

Kari Van Beuren: "I saw the Visitors Center video from the Daily News! I just wanted to send an email to you and say congratulations! It looks beautiful! My cousins are visiting next weekend & I'm going to take them to the Breakers for a tour." 

Kate Markert, Executive Director, Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens: "Congratulations!!! A long time coming but success is sweet!"

Nannette Herrick: "Yahoo!"

Steven High, Executive Director, Ringling Museum: "Congratulations!! Sorry I couldn't be there to celebrate. We'll have to have to celebrate in NY this fall....The building looks wonderful!"

Tina Dolen: "BRAVO. What a wonderful event. Everyone enjoyed it tremendously."

Lew & Trudy Keen: "HOORAY! What a fabulous annual meeting and a grand ribbon cutting. Sheer perfection (even the weather)! The PSNC and you continue to impress and inspire us! We were thrilled to be able to share the event with you, Monty, and the team."

Ned Levine, Former Head of Firebrand which recommended The Welcome Center: "Great Job yesterday, the building looks great and the excitement was palpable. Thanks for including me, and for Terry's mention from the podium."

Tim Rich: "I hope you take time to have a cup of tea in the new building when the big crowds are visiting the Breakers. It should make you even more proud of everyone's hard work - assuming it's possible to make you prouder than you are already."

Carol Epstein, Trustee: "Congratulations! It was a wonderful evening and now (after all the hard work and drama), the Visitor's Center nestles beautifully and comfortably within The Breakers grounds as if it was always meant to be! Perfection"

Bill McGowan: "Very impressive event and successful outcome w/ the new building."

Ian Wardropper, Executive Director of the Frick Museum: "Congratulations!"

Don Ross, Former Chair: "Congratulations!!! What a great party you put on. Thank you, thank you!"

John Muggeridge, Trustee: "It was a tremendous event! (And accomplishment)"

Howard Kittell, Executive Director of Andrew Jackson's The Hermitage: "Congratulations!"

Brooks Lobkowicz, Member of International Council: "Congratulations and admiration to all in the photo"

Matt Gonder: "And WHAT a beautiful structure...love the architecture of the building...Congrats to ALL!Long live PSNC!"

Ala Isham, Former Trustee: "I just saw your Newsletter and I cannot tell you how proud I am that the Welcome Center is up and operating!! Congratulations!! What a long struggle! Now it that its complete its hard to understand what the fuss was about! It's a great day for Newport and the PS. Now we can treat our visitors with the dignity they deserve. Well done!"

Beth Cullen: "Hats off to you and your team for creating the perfect atmosphere to celebrate sweet success. Jubilation was apparent in every well-orchestrated detail! The spirit of triumph over adversity was apparent on every face, in every word, and in every perfectly selected musical note. Enjoyed being part of the "Grace Under Fire" contingent. Will treasure my hammer as a reminder that perseverance matters. And, as you said, you can do anything you set your mind to doing! Many thanks, and congratulations on the Welcome Center, a spectacular accomplishment!"

Naomi Neville, Trustee: "What a wonderful event and dinner. And of course such a beautiful building.Congratulations."

Maia Farish: "Lucie Searle and I talked and talked under the tent as the light waned over the Welcome Center - beautiful - and by the time we left, the hammers (and the staff) were gone. That's on us. But I hope you might still have one lying around so I have my memento of a dream come true. So happy to have been a teensy part of it all. Congrats on a great night and a well-deserved triumph."

Virginia Roosevelt: "How wonderful! Well worth the fight! You are a brave and admirable woman!"

Duncan Chapman, Former Trustee: "Great Annual Meeting, ribbon cutting and dinner."

David Leys, Trustee: "I thought the best Annual Meeting as kept short and to the point! Sometimes in the past the meetings have "dragged" and just too long! It was a wonderful event - so much so after all these yrs!"

Archie van Beuren, Trustee: "I thought the opening of the welcome center went very well... and right to schedule (which you know I appreciate). The comments that I have received about the welcome center have been uniformly positive! Great job by you and the team! It is a positive accomplishment for both the PSNC and Newport."

Brian Owens: "just perfect. all this fuss? unreal. wait until the detractors see it and see how wrong they were. Kudos for taking all the heat. Job well done!"

John Larimer: "What an amazing celebration of the incredible spirit and dedication of you and your Team. The successful Breakers Reception Project should make an excellent case study for anyone wanting, or needing, to know how to accomplish the impossible. You have truly put to use one of my favorite quotations taken from the Reverend Dr. Norman Vincent Peale's best-selling book, Positive Thinking Everyday: "Cut the im out of impossible, leaving that dynamic word standing out free and clear, -POSSIBLE." We are proud to be members of your possibilities team."

Larissa Hallgren: "It was a wonderful event! Your truly conveyed your pride. It was an honor for us to be part of the team for such a long part of your big journey on this project. It was such fun, too, to listen to Terry speak and the other consultants. As well, as my dear life-long friend and former polo teammate,Ted Eayrs! Funny what a small world it really is!"

Dale Venturini, Trustee: "We loved the event. Talked with David Brussat and he was very impressed....."

Charles Harper: "The Welcome Center is outstanding. It is all I had hoped for especially where tickets and memberships can be purchased which tells the PS story and huge responsibilities. I sat next to Mark Brodeur and enjoyed our conversation while Dale sat next to a woman named Jan (do not recall her last name) but she was with I believe Mark Stenning. Plus she introduced us to Mayor Winthrop. The music selection was very good. Hats off to the person putting that together. Kept it lively. Got to meet Anne Garnett and see both Michaela and Maureen. Maureen and I compared our knee surgery and everything they did not tell us. Michaela and her team did a fantastic job. The hours of work to pull this off so successfully has to be huge. As always, Well Done. You're a Terrific Team."

Bill Lucey, Trustee: "I'm so happy that the Welcome Center is FINALLY done. It was a long haul for everyone, but especially for you. You kept your dignity and rose above the fray. You are a remarkable person. Working with you has been a highlight in my 35 years at the paper. I can't wait to tackle the next project with you!"

Mary Van Pelt, Former Trustee: "it was a magnificent evening- congrats!"

Eaddo and Peter Kiernan, Trustee: "You and your team must feel elated after the grand opening of The Welcome Center - What a triumph for all of you who were in the line of fire and under so much stress for so long - you planned a perfect event with the Middle School Band, the National Anthem, the clever banners to designate different parts of the meeting versus dedication, the Governor's address and all of the Laurel Award Winners - Plus you even had "good connections" with the "powers upstairs" with the good weather! The building is beautiful. The dinner following was elegant in every way and such a festive way to celebrate such a huge accomplishment. Congratulations to you and all you lead."