summer, please stay forever.

Summer's close is coming for ya, so here's to holding on tight. Better down that Del's, beeline to the beach...and, while you're at it, spring for those sprinkled doughnuts that you've been eying all season long at The Innlet.

Your last full week in Weekapaug is here, so get ready to make the most of it with an action-packed agenda, the scoop on summer's hottest mystery read, and courtside intel from Weekapaug's favorite tennis pro, Paul Huch. Here's to the weekend!

this week's edition
sponsored by the

what's up this week.

friday, august 23:

• 8:30–11:30 a.m.: Farmers Market at The Innlet.
• 6–9 p.m.: Lobster Boil & BBQ at The Ocean House.
• 6:30 p.m.: Lip Sync & Talent Show Contest at the Weekapaug Yacht Club.

saturday, august 24:

• Club Championship Weekend at the Weekapaug Golf Club.
• 9–11 a.m.: Men's Scrambles at the Weekapaug Tennis Club.
• 10:30 a.m.: "Labor Day" Opti Races at the Weekapaug Yacht Club.
• 11 a.m.–1 p.m.: From Vine to Wine: Wine Cocktails at The Ocean House.
• 1 p.m.: Beetle & 420 Races at the Weekapaug Yacht Club.
• 4–6 p.m.: Tomato Festival at Stone Acres Farm.
• ​5 p.m.: August Awards & Potluck at the Weekapaug Yacht Club. 
• 5-6 p.m.: Plein Air Painter Reception: Russ Kramer at The Ocean House.
• 8–9:30 p.m.: Sinatra Songs on the Pond at The Weekapaug Inn.

sunday, august 25:

• 10 a.m.: Service at the Weekapaug Chapel led by Rev. Sunil Chandy of Westerly, RI.
• 6–9 p.m.: Dinner & Disney featuring Pirates & Mermaids with Ariel, Moana, Captain Jack Sparrow & Peter Pan at The Weekapaug Inn.
• 6–9 p.m.: Movie Night: Beauty & the Beast at The Ocean House.
• 6:30 p.m.: Donavon Frankenreiter w/ opener Christina Holmes at Jonathan Edwards Winery.
• Club Championship Weekend continues at the Weekapaug Golf Club.

monday, august 26:

• 6 p.m.: Beach Barre with. Barre Coast at Paddy's.
• 6–9 p.m.: Summer Nights at The Mystic Aquarium. 
• 6:30–8:30 p.m.: Newport Ladies’ Book Club: Finding Mrs. Ford with Deborah Goodrich Royce & Sarah Vickers at The Ocean House.
• 7–10 p.m.: All-American BBQ & Movie on the Beach: Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince at The Ocean House.

tuesday, august 27:

• 9–11 a.m.: Ladies' Scrambles at the Weekapaug Tennis Club.
• 3 p.m.: Croquet Scrambles at the Weekapaug Croquet Club.

wednesday, august 28:

• 9:15–10 a.m.: Storytime at the Watch Hill Library.
• 5–7 p.m.: Summer Author Series: Beatriz Williams at The Ocean House.
• 7:45–9:45 p.m.: Movies on the Lawn: Pinocchio at The Weekapaug Inn. 

thursday, august 29:

• 7:30 a.m.: Yoga on The Inn Beach with Karen Dillon (suggested donation of $5– $10)
• 10:15–11 a.m.: Toddler Painting at the Westerly Library.
• 5–7 p.m.: Summer Music Series feat. Bergen O’Malley at Saltwater Farm Vineyards.
• 5–8 p.m.: Cheers for Charity benefitting Habitat for Humanity at Grey Sail Brewery.
• 6–10 p.m.: Lobster Boil & BBQ on the Guest Lawn at The Weekapaug Inn.

get ready to read:
finding mrs. ford by deborah goodrich royce.

Named one of the five must-read summer mysteries for 2019 by Forbes, one of the top ten summer reads of 2019 by Good Morning America, and one of the top fifty summer books of 2019 by Book Riot, Deborah Goodrich Royce's debut novel, Finding Mrs. Ford, has skyrocketed to the top of summer reading lists everywhere. There's no question that it should grace yours.

Here, get the inside scoop on the novel you need now and then be sure to book tickets for Monday, August 26 from 6:30–8:30 p.m. at The Ocean House to enjoy The Newport Ladies' Book Club, featuring a discussion on Finding Mrs. Ford led by Deborah Royce and Sarah Vickers.

deborah goodrich royce, author of finding mrs. ford.

why you'll love finding mrs. ford: The novel opens on a summer morning in Watch Hill, when the FBI pays a visit to Susan Ford. They've come to ask her about an Iraqi Chaldean Sammy Fakhouri, but Mrs. Ford denies knowing him. Flashbacks to the summer of 1979 ensue, when Susan meets Annie Nelson, who lures her to work at a shabby Detroit discothèque. Thus begins a woven work of literary suspense. Not only will you love noting the local Watch Hill landmarks and treasures, but the thrilling twist in the middle of the novel, followed by the many threads that start to come together, will leave you on the edge of your seat.

on my inspiration: I'm intrigued by the power of female friendship, particularly the dazzling sway that an alpha woman holds over others. We all know one. As a classic example, think of the captivating dynamic between Scarlett and Melanie in Gone With the Wind. I also love to explore the question of whether or not we as women are the same person throughout our lives. Personally, I believe that the life of a woman is episodic. Society largely believes that female power resides in youth, because we associate youth with beauty. But there's so much to be said about the freedom that comes later in life. 

suspense starts here: finding mrs. ford.

about my writing process: I am diligent about setting a schedule in my iPhone calendar. I carve out at least three hours of writing daily, three months in advance. But, while writing Finding Mrs. Ford, there were plenty of 12-hour days, especially as I immersed myself in editing. My favorite place to write is my dining room table in Riverside, CT. I splay all my research across the tabletop and, when we host dinner parties, I conveniently wheel it away on a little trolley!

where i found my voice: I was formerly a story editor at Miramax, which I considered to be the ultimate writing school. I've also belonged to many writing groups, in which I've honed my writing voice, and I'm a huge fan of Hitchcockian thrillers.

my own summer reading list includes: The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton, The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gowar, and The Snakes by Sadie Jones.

when I'm in weekapaug: I love to browse around at The Innlet, and of course going to The Weekapaug Inn!

Did you devour Finding Mrs. Ford? Keep watch for Deborah Royce's next novel, Ruby Falls, coming soon. Plus, follow the latest novel news @deborahroyce.

pro profile: paul huch.
presented by the Weekapaug Tennis Club. 

Playing tennis is as intrinsic as drinking water in Weekapaug, and no one knows that better than Head Pro at the Weekapaug Tennis Club, Paul Huch. Here, Paul shares why, for him, tennis is a love game. 

about me and what i do: My name is Paul Huch, Head Tennis Pro at Weekapaug Tennis Club. It is my 11th summer at the Club, and 7th as Head Pro. I reside in Minnesota during the other nine months. I have coached tennis for my whole life. First starting at the high school level, then working as head coach at Macalaster College, Conn College, and Meredith College. In the fall and spring, I run my own lessons in Minnesota, and have quite a large number of clients. In the winter, I had to California to visit my nephews: little Paul who is 8, and Luke who is 5.

why i love it: I love working at Weekapaug because of its community flavor. Everyone gets along so well at the courts, and we have a fun but competitive level of tennis. I also enjoy watching the kids go from juniors, to B ladder, to A ladder. Each step, they get stronger and more confident not only as tennis players, but as individuals as well. 

wtc tennis pro paul huch keeps his eye on the ball.

what tennis means to me: Like I said previous, I have coached tennis since the late 90s. It has meant a lot to see my teams succeed on and off the court. I am now getting to play with my nephews, which is always something I look forward to in the winter. It is a lifelong sport, and hopefully I can continue my coaching for many years to come. I grew up playing with mom, dad, and brother. Just like a lot of families in Weekapaug. I love to see that at the courts. 

best part of the summer at the WTC: Labor Day!! Just kidding. I really don't have a best part. Once the summer gets going, it just flies by. We have so many tournaments, programs, clinics, and events throughout the year, that I just take every day as it comes. I do enjoy watching my students who have taking lessons over the years start to play matches with other club members. My goal for all my lessons is to, not just hit a tennis ball, but to be able to actually play a match against other people. 

you know your a WTC tennis player when: You are biking in all whites around the Weekapaug neighborhoods. We have so many kids and adults who play tennis at the Club, and you will see them biking down in their whites to get ready to play a match.  

a typical day for me involves: Getting to the courts at 7:30 a.m. to make sure they are ready for play. Teaching lessons starting at 8:30 for up to four hours depending on the day. Quick lunch then getting ready for the junior progams to start at 1 p.m.  At 3 p.m., I run a women's clinic Monday through Thursday and a men's clinic on Fridays. My day ends around 5 p.m.. On the weekends, we have so many tournament and events, that I am there most weekends running those tournaments.  

you'll be surprised to know: That the reason I am here today at the Club is because of Sage Shanley. She is the daughter of the former pro, the late amazing man Phil Shanley, She also owns and operates Pondview Racquet Club down the street in Westerly. I coached Sage her senior year at Connecticut College in both squash and tennis. I got to meet Phil at the matches that year. I told him that if he ever needed some help to let me know. Two summers later in 2009, I started working at the Club.

icymi: weekapaugers for the win.
presented by the Weekapaug Tennis Club. 

That's a wrap on the Weekapaug Tennis Club's 2019 championships. Read on for the scoop on this summer's queens & kings of the court. 

ladies first: Let's hear it for Mary Doherty and Amanda Dolan for winning the Ladies' Club Championship, defeating Susan Demovick and Amy Hebb. Congratulations are also in order for Carol Daukas and Eileen Butler for winning the consolation over Britt Bair and Cathleen Morgan. 

guys who got after it: Congratulations to Doug Randall & Trevor McAndrew on their 6th straight annual victory! They defeated Tim McAndrew and Ken LaVine in a thrilling three-set match last Sunday. Also, congrats to Rowson and Jackson Hubbell for winning the Consolation over Dave and David Crean Sr. Special thanks to the 12 teams that participated this year!

about the publisher.

A fifth-generation Weekapauger, Lindsey Wakeman Officer holds a decade of marketing & brand storytelling experience at leading magazine titles including Marie Claire, Vogue, and Harper’s Bazaar. Because summer is her favorite season, and Weekapaug is where it's at, Lindsey launched the weekie with a passion for creating content and cultivating community in her happy place. Lindsey lives in NYC with her husband and two little girls and enjoys chick lit, tennis, and (when she's not in Weekapaug) traveling to far-flung destinations.