Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving gave us the opportunity here at the Ridge to reflect on those things we’ve been most thankful for this year. Foremost among them are YOU, our many friends, guests, and brides and grooms who have continued to make Stevenson Ridge a wonderful adventure.

I thought I’d share a few of the thoughts our SR “family” shared with me:

Debbie (Co-Owner): “All of the great families we have met from all over the world. I like making people feel welcome!”

Elizabeth (Head Wedding Coordinator): “For all of our awesome couples and making their dream weddings come true. Being able to help them achieve their vision.”

Brad (Executive Chef): “My family, my job position, my work family, and my recovery.”

Erin (Wedding Coordinator): "I'm thankful to work with a great group of vendors and the full staff at Stevenson Ridge to create a night for all to remember."

Gail (Office Assistant): “I am thankful for my family, church family, and Stevenson Ridge family.”

Chris (Historian in Residence): “I got married here at Stevenson Ridge last spring, and it could not have been more perfect. I am thankful that I married into such a neat family and such a lovely business. I’m thankful for my kids, and I’m thankful for my beautiful bride, ‘Jenny at the Ridge.’”

And as for me? I am thankful that I love my job so much that it never feels like work. I love the people I work with. Stevenson Ridge is a pretty happy place to be!

Registration Now Open for the Second Annual Emerging Civil War Symposium at Stevenson Ridge

Last year's First Annual Emerging Civil War Symposium at Stevenson Ridge was a huge success, so we're getting read to do it again!


Registration is now open for the Second Annual Emerging Civil War Symposium at Stevenson Ridge, which will be held July 24-26, 2015
.

Emerging Civil War is offering a $75 early-bird rate for people who register by April 30th. Regular registration will be $95.

But anyone who attended last year qualifies for a special registration rate of $55/person if they register by December 1.

The fee includes a Friday night round table discussion; lectures, lunch and book signings on Saturday with tours of the Chancellorsville Battlefield on Sunday. The 2015 theme is “Civil War Legacies,” and topics will include the 1865 surrenders, Lincoln assassination, battlefield preservation and the legacy of the Civil War. Details on speakers will be announced soon.

For more information or to register, e-mail: emergingcivilwar@gmail.com.

Pumpkins and No Pumpkins

Halloween is past and November has arrived. The Great Pumpkin has made his rounds, and now it’s time to start putting away our big, friendly orange friends in advance of winter. We’ve had a lot of pumpkiny fun around here this year!

It’s hard to imagine Halloween without pumpkins, but a couple years ago, we almost had a pumpkin-less Halloween.

We had a couple scheduled to get married just a couple days before Halloween. They had rented out the entire property, and everyone checked in the day before so they could be here for the rehearsal.

The bride lived locally, but she hadn’t been to the property since her final coordination meeting a few weeks in advance, so she hadn’t yet seen Stevenson Ridge all decked out for fall, complete with cornstalks, chrysanthemums, and pumpkins.

The bride hated pumpkins.

The rehearsal went off without a hitch, but afterwards, her fiancé pulled me aside: “Um...” he started. I could tell he felt a little awkward. “My fiancée.... Well, you see she doesn’t like pumpkins.” He gave me a grin that might have been friendly or might have been nervous. “Is there any chance you could please hide all the pumpkins before tomorrow?”

I have to admit, it’s one of the more unusual requests we’ve ever had here at Stevenson Ridge. But sure enough, the next morning, we went around the entire property and hid all the pumpkins: the pumpkins by the wagons out front, the pumpkins by the front doors of the Lodge, the pumpkins in front of all the cabins, the pumpkins on the steps leading into the Riddick House, even the pumpkins on my parents’ patio. Pumpkins away!

The wedding went off without a hitch—and without a pumpkin.

The next day, after everyone checked out, we went back around and put the pumpkins back: we had another wedding that night, and the bride and groom had planned a Halloween-themed wedding, complete with costumes.

It was fun to get our Halloween back on in record time!

Scenes from Our Open House

We had a really nice Open House last Wednesday. Unfortunately, Mother Nature didn't cooperate with us, so the gloomy weather dampened things for some folks (it's tough to walk around and enjoy the grounds and visit the cabins when it's drizzling out).

Not everyone let the rain keep them away, though. We had dozens of guests stop by to learn about our corporate accommodations: meeting spaces, catering services, happy hour packages, options for parties and dinners, and overnight lodging for retreats.

Elizabeth also had a number of prospective brides stop by to tour the facility and sample the tasty treats Chef Brad cooked up. Several of those brides were so enthusiastic that they came right back on Thursday and Friday to book the venue--what a pleasant surprise to see them so soon!

For those who couldn't make it because of the weather, but who would still be interested in learning more about the ways Stevenson Ridge can help you with your corporate or group event, drop me a line at info@stevensonridge.com. And of course, prospective brides who are interested in learning more about our wedding packages, our Head Wedding Coordinator, Elizabeth Timms, would love to chat: etimms@stevensonridge.com.

Fall Colors Settle Over the Ridge

While fall hasn’t quite yet flushed the trees with full color here at Stevenson Ridge, it has certainly settled into the decor around here.

Fall is the time of year when the colors turn from summery pinks and turquoises and lavenders to auburn, sienna, orange, and maroon. Summertime scarlet turns to autumn crimson. Summertime yellow deepens to autumn gold.

Carnations give way to mums. Orange pumpkins roll into place next to bales of straw and bundles of cornstalks. Lace gets replaced by burlap (which has remained a surprisingly popular decor choice).

The trees remain mostly green, but a few yellow leaves have fluttered down to the pond and skiffed across its surface. It won’t be long before color breaks out in full riot.

Nights haven’t cooled enough yet for frost, but the pumpkins are waiting for that first frosty glaze. I'm not sure that I am, though!

Open House today!

Don't forget our fall Open House today!

The doors are open to the public from 4:00-7:00 p.m., and it's free to attend. We'll have hot apple cider to sip as you walk the grounds and visit our cottages and special event venues.

Contact us at info@stevensonridge.com or (540) 582-6263 for further information. Visit the facebook event page here.

Fall Open House- Wednesday, October 22nd!

Hope everyone can make it to our Fall Open House next Wednesday, October 22nd, 4-7pm.  It is open to the public and free to attend.  We will have hot apple cider to sip on as you walk the grounds visiting our cottages and special event venues.  RSVPs appreciated but not required.  Contact us at info@stevensonridge.com or (540) 582-6263 for further information.  Visit the facebook event page here.