By Ryan Clark
NKyTribune reporter
NEWPORT — It’s been more than 50 years since Alan Bernstein graduated from Woodward High in Cincinnati. But as the story goes, he never made it to the ceremony.
Instead, the 18-year-old son of a diplomat hopped aboard the Delta Queen as a deckhand and made his way to New Orleans. When he arrived, he called his mother to tell her he’d gotten his first job.
“And that’s how his life began on the river,” said Tammy Weidinger, president and CEO of the Brighton Center and secretary of the Newport Business Association.
About 200 of the city’s most prominent figures gathered in the Newport Syndicate/Gangsters Dueling Piano Bar Tuesday night for the Newport Business Association’s annual meeting and presentation of awards.
The winners (Photos by Chelsea Cox)
Some of those in attendance included: Mayor Jerry Peluso, Vice Mayor Tom Guidugli Jr., city commissioners Frank Peluso and Ken Rechtin, county commissioners Brian Painter and Tom Lampe, and Campbell County Judge Dan Zalla.
Weidinger, who acted as master of ceremonies, presented the first of those awards — the Community Leadership Award — to BB Riverboats, now owned by Bernstein. She told his life story, then made sure to note how the company is expanding, opening a state-of-the-art event center called Newport Landing. They’re already taking reservations and are due to open this spring.
Weidinger first noted how 2018 was a banner year for the city, explaining how Newport gained 40 new companies and 124 new jobs, saw the expansion of Route 9 completed, held concerts at The World Peace Bell and provided the backdrop for movies starring Zac Efron and Robert Redford.
Newport on the Levee was purchased by North American Properties. The Academy on Fourth is being built (it will feature 230 residential units as well as retail). And the Skywheel that will soon begin construction.
“It was an exciting year,” she said. “Thanks to you, great things are happening in Newport and will continue to happen.”
Alan Bernstein, Community Leadership Award
But first, there were more people to honor.
Two Volunteers of the Year were chosen: Emily Carabello, known for her advocacy in organizing clean-ups throughout the city (“I hope you all come to Trash Bash,” she said, laughing), and Susan Whitehead, longtime volunteer with Newport performing arts students. (“You paid for it, you ought to come out and see our terrific kids,” she said.)
The Business of the Year Award also had two winners this year — “a theme,” Weidinger noted. And both have been serving up pure goodness in the city for decades.
At 91 years young, the first winner was the Cookie Jar Bakery at 919 Monmouth St., which opened in 1927. Mother-son pair Carol and Chris Fickenscher accepted the award together.
Second was the 90-year-old Dixie Chili at 733 Monmouth St. Their motto is to “Come and taste the history,” and it was a lot easier Tuesday night as guests were treated to a Dixie Chili coney bar.
The New Business of the Year Award, which is given to businesses that “continue economic growth” through the rehab process, also had two winners:
HAL-PE Associates Engineering Services, Inc., located at 530 W. 9th St. The company purchased the property in 2017, and with the completion of the Route 9 project, was able to bring 10 engineering jobs to the city.
The second winner was Headquarters Historic Event Center, at 935 Monmouth St. Originally a hardware store in 1886, the property was purchased in 2016 and restored, featuring much of the original wood, brick and floors. Owner Mike Smith, who accepted the award, said it was an honor “to help put Newport back on the map.”
The Stewardship Preservation Award went to The Newport Grand Lodge 120 for their assistance in opening the Newport Historical Museum at the Southgate Street School, 215 E. Southgate St.
In 1893, the city constructed a building on Southgate Street to educate black children, where they attended until 1955 when schools were desegregated. In 1959, the Newport Grand Lodge 120 began having meetings there. And now, on the third floor, it houses a museum.
Many of those original students were in the audience Tuesday night to celebrate the award.
Lastly, the NBA’s Director Emeritus, Board Members Recognition Award went to longtime Saul’s Value Store owner (now retired) Marvin Polinsky.
Of course, Weidinger noted, Polinsky was smart; he was not in attendance Tuesday night. “He’s in Florida,” she said, laughing.
