A Season of Change
A few weekends ago we had a little more than frost. It was beautiful to see fall foliage laced with snow! The weather has definitely made a turn for the better, and the leaves are at their peak. I rode down River Road today on my bike and soaked in the colors and smells of Fall. Chef Shawn and Laurie are also creating some wonderful smells in our kitchen. The potato crusted sea bass from our new Fall menu is amazing paired with one of my favorite wines, Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc.
This past weekend, we prepared a five-course Chef Tasting for our Wine and Dine Weekend event. We have special weekends like this every season. In fact, in December, we have a "Winter in the Woods" Chef Tasting every Saturday. The event includes a candlelit dinner with music and wine pairings. It's become a signature event for us. We absolutely love creating this magical atmosphere for our guests!
This past year, has been one of tremendous growth. Our conference business nearly tripled! We owe a big thanks to Owens Illinois Glass Company for hosting leadership training courses here. Their trust in us meant the world. We were happy to offer them our best. The summer months also proved to be some of our best yet. Thank you to all guests, repeats and new, that included Gateway Lodge in their vacation plans!
Planning out these past six months was a challenge, especially with the weddings of both of my daughters taking place at the Lodge in one summer! To those that are wondering, we maintained sanity. I'll also add that my daughters and I were sharing living quarters while both of them were preparing to move on to their newlywed nests. Jody, my oldest, now lives in Franklin and continues to work here as Director of Marketing and Events. Becky moved across the country to Salt Lake City to live with her husband. I'll be visiting her soon for Thanksgiving.
Becky worked at the Lodge this summer doing some landscaping. She and our lodge pet, Grizzly, made quite the pair while she was working on our flowerbeds. Every flower planted, Grizzly managed to munch on a few blooms. For those of you that haven't met Grizzly yet, she is our resident pet bunny. She is quite cute, but as you now know, has a few tricks up her bunny sleeve.
Speaking of tricks, our Tricks and Treats Halloween Party is fast approaching. I still do not know exactly what my costume will be. I'm excited to see what everyone here at the Lodge will dress up as. I know we'll have a Greek Goddess working that evening and I think Pam from "The Office". I believe we also have a vampire. It promises to be so much fun! We have a classic rock band playing that night, halloween cocktails, crackling fires, great food, and magic in store. It also just happens to be our best package in October. Two nights for $359! Saturday is $259, stay another night for $100 more! Be sure to call in to make these reservations, it will not show your discount online. Best costume for the night gets a gift certificate for a free night's stay. Hey, it might be you!
Well, that's all for now folks. Look forward to seeing some of your smiling faces in the near future! Be well. :)