Happy Valentine's Day 2015

All of our guests found a little something sweet
waiting for them when they checked in.

Valentine's Day has been a big hit at the Ridge this weekend. For instance, one of our guests left us a great note:

Hi Jennifer,

Thank you for another wonderful experience at Stevenson Ridge. Please pass on my appreciation to whoever did that fantastic set up the romantic package last night. It was simply over the top and a huge hit! You and your staff have me made look like a rock star--LOL--and I truly appreciate it! Stevenson Ridge is an amazing complex and we'll be back in the summer! 

Thank you again!

Was the Groundhog Right?

photo courtesy The Washington Post

I don't know if the groundhog has had anything to do with it, but we have had pleasantly mild temperatures at the Ridge this week. On, Monday--Groundhog's Day--Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, which means six more weeks of winter. Old Man Winter, it seems, is not ready to retire for the year--but for now we are enjoying this hint of better weather.

Groundhog's Day is actually my father-in-law's favorite holiday. I told you a little about him in a post earlier this week. Although he lives in Maine now, Bill is originally from northwest Pennsylvania and played a high school football against Punxsutawney, whose team mascot was the Chucks (short for "woodchuck," which is another name for groundhog). Punxsutawney is the home of Punxsutawney Phil, the world-renowned weather prognosticator.

"It's great fun," Bill says. "Maybe--just maybe--it's a little indication that spring is around the corner. It's a fun way to get a little glimmer of hope to get you through the last of the long winter months."

My Father-In-Law's Snowshoes

My father-in-law, Bill, shows off a pair of snowshoes.

Congratulations to my father-in-law, Bill Mackowski. The Portland Press Herald in Portland, Maine--the state's largest newspaper--ran a wonderful article about him this weekend.

Among his many talents, Bill makes traditional Maine snowshoes and pack baskets. He's done specially commissioned work for Orvis outfitters, and he's twice been named a Master Artist by the Maine Arts Commission. He has amassed a collection of traditional Native American snowshoes from across Canada and the northern United States--work so impressive that the Smithsonian Institution has liken him to a "national hero."

Change of Date for the Emerging Civil War Symposium

Due to some unforeseen circumstances, Emerging Civil War has had to change the date of their 2015 symposium. Please mark your calendar: The Second Annual Emerging Civil War Symposium at Stevenson Ridge will be held August 7-9, 2015. 

The keynote speaker for the symposium, announced this week, will be Dana B. Shoaf, editor-in-cheif of Civil War Times magazine. As the Symposium will focus on Civil War Legacies, Dana will present "Give Them the Cold Steel (or not): A Military and Cultural History of the Bayonet." 

One place that the bayonet was used most notoriously was at Spotsylvania’s “Bloody Angle” on May 12, 1864. Stevenson Ridge sits on part of the Spotsy battlefield. “This is sure to give the story extra poignant resonance” says Chris, our historian-in-residence.

You can find out more details about Dana's talk, and other symposium details, at Emerging Civil War.

Love is Sweet...

This is one of the sweetest favors I've seen a bride and groom give their guests: a small jar of honey!

The antique look of the tag matches the color of the honey, and the tag's inscription offers a fun little rhyme: "Love is sweet. Thank you for making our day complete."

Make-Your-Own Bouquets

Here was a neat idea we saw recently: one of our brides invited her bridesmaids to make their own bouquets.

The florist delivered a bucket full of assorted flowers, all chosen by the bride to fit the wedding’s color scheme and style. The wedding coordinator set up the bucket in the bridal suite in the Lodge, and once the bridesmaids had all arrived, she invited them to each assemble their own bouquet.

Each bridesmaid had the opportunity to create a floral arrangement that reflected the bride’s vision while also reflecting each woman’s uniqueness.

Once the bridesmaids finished, each bouquet was placed in a mason jar full of water to keep the flowers fresh until it was time for everyone to make the walk down the aisle.

It was a wonderful way to add a splash of individuality to the festivities!

Register Now for Our 2015 Bridal Open House

Plans are already underway for our 2015 Bridal Open House. This year, we’ll celebrate Amour á Paris!

The Bridal Open House will be held on Sunday, March 8, 2015, from 12:00-4:00 p.m. We’ll showcase our venues, cottages, and preferred vendors.

Admission is free, but so that we can make sure Chef Brad prepares enough tasty appetizers for everyone, we’re asking people to register at LoveParisOpenHouse.eventbrite.com.