Happy New Year

December 30, 2009

Dear Guests:

I want to take this opportunity to thank you for visiting Haley Farm and for voting us one of the best B&Bs in the Mid-Atlantic. I have some wonderful events planned for the coming year as well as special prices to entice you back.

Winter is in full swing here at Deep Creek. The ski slopes (twenty three trails) at the WISP are open and the state parks (New Germany, Deep Creek Lake and Herrington Manor) have beautifully groomed cross-country trails. Both are wonderful opportunities to play in the snow. There are also horse drawn carriage rides, sledding and more.

For those of you that are fans of Robert Burns (Scottish poet) there will be a Robert Burns supper on January 23. Renowned fiddle player Bonnie Rideout will provide the musical entertainment at the Will o' the Wisp Four Seasons Restaurant.

February is also jam-packed. Apart from Valentine and President’s Day there is Winterfest on February 20-21. There will be some lovely ice sculptures and winter activities around Oakland. And the weekend after that (February 27) is the annual Deep Creek dunk. This is when some courageous (or crazy) people take a dip in the frozen lake to raise money for charity.

In April award-winning Artist Robert Yonke will conduct a watercolor workshop for aspiring artists (April 16-18) and on April 24 Julia Child will thrill us with her wit and culinary expertise (Julia will be portrayed by Chautauqua artist Mary Ann Jung). For further information on these and other retreats please check out the retreats page at www.haleyfarm.com

I am also extending the stay two nights and get the third night free offer till March 2010 (excluding holidays and holiday weekends). So here is your opportunity to take a mini-vacation while getting a great rate. Most of the guests comment on how great our food is. If you would like to learn how to make some of those wonderful dishes at home, you can watch me cooking on YouTube. Just search for Cooking with Kam. And while you are on YouTube also take a look at my friend Christina Harrison’s videos – a great Scottish singer who often performs at the B&B and at the Highland Festival.

I am still offering a free two night mid-week stay for our soldiers who have served in Afghanistan or Iraq. So if you know someone who has recently served in Iraq or Afghanistan and deserves a free two night stay at the B&B please email me their particulars. I will select two soldiers every month for as long as our soldiers are there (I will need proof of their service). I hope for their sake that peace breaks out soon, but I am honored to able to show support for our brave men and women in this small way.

One of our guests described Haley Farm as "chicken soup for the traveler". We couldn't agree more. We want to be the respite from peoples’ busy lives. Here you can unwind, enjoy the beautiful scenery, and allow us to pamper you with great food and hospitality. So if you are in need of a little indulgence, why not head out our way.

Wishing you a Happy New Year and a life filled with joy, love and laughter

Kam, Bobbi and Pete

Holiday Greetings

December 2, 2009

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your loved ones and that despite the bleak economy and the war situation, you were reminded of all the great things in life to be grateful for. Don’t forget that I am still offering a free two night mid-week stay for our soldiers who have recently served in Iraq and Afghanistan. (I will need proof of service). I am delighted to be able to offer this to our men and women in the military and have been doing so for over five years. So if you know a returning veteran who needs a super getaway, please be sure to have them contact us.

It’s fast approaching that time of year when we have to buy presents for family and friends and hope that we chose wisely. I know a lot of us procrastinate about buying gifts. So this year I’m making it a little easier by offering a ten percent discount for all gift certificates purchased till the end of the year. So if you buy a $100 gift certificate you will only have to pay $90. You can buy these online by clicking on the buy gift certificate button or call us and we will mail them out in time for the holidays.

Winter is also fast approaching and that is when the Deep Creek Lake area is transformed into a winter wonderland – skiing, sledding, snowboarding and carriage rides. The ski slopes are just fifteen minutes from the B&B and they are busy making snow for their 54th anniversary at the WISP. To celebrate this they are offering $7 (yes only seven dollars) lift tickets on December 13-14, 2009. There are also discounts on ski equipment and lessons. So if skiing is something you have always wanted to try but thought it was too expensive, now might be the time to the plunge. In addition if you book a room for two nights at Haley Farm we will give you the third night free. How about that for an early Christmas present?

I think I may have mentioned this in the past, but some of the cooking videos I have been making are now up on YouTube. You can type in Cooking with Kam or follow the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnKB1kMFaEo

I really enjoyed making these videos because some of them are recipes of items we serve at the B&B, such as our signature dish the Blueberry Souffle that so many of our guests love. So if you want to learn how to make it, just watch the video and then email me with a picture of how the dish turned out, and I’ll put it on our facebook page. I am in the process of filming more shows and may eventually group them together in a DVD. I want to show everyone that you can make delicious food without a lot of time or money. My new mantra is “Life is too short to eat bad food, but it doesn’t have to cost a fortune”. Having grown up as a vegetarian for the first 25 years of my life I absolutely love vegetables, so I have converted some of my favorite recipes into vegetarian versions. So look for vegetarian hot and sour soup, Chili, and an Afghan soup called Aush and more. You will find these soon on YouTube or on Cooking with Kam.

In addition to the cooking shows I have also been busy finding attractions for you to enjoy in the future. I have Julia Child coming in April. Well at least an actress who plays Julia Child. Award winning actress Mary Ann Jung will portray Julia Child on April 24, 2010. She gives a lively talk on Julia and her two loves – French cuisine and her husband. You can later ask questions and then we will have a wonderful tea and watch the movie “Julie and Julia”. I am offering this at no cost to guests staying at the B&B that weekend.

I also have two other events planned for April 2010. One is an Art workshop (water colors) led by country and bluegrass artist Robert Yonke. It will be held April 16-18, 2010, and will only cost $345 per person (based on double occupancy). This includes two night stay at Haley Farm, the cost of the Art class, a welcoming reception on Friday, breakfast on Saturday and Sunday, and lunch on Saturday (and you know we have the best food).

Lastly for those of you considering whether you are in the right job, or are reconsidering your options I have a workshop planned for April 30-May 2, 2010. This workshop called “Discover Your Passion” is led by Sharazad Arasteh, who is the founder of Career Consulting Services. She has over ten years of experience in customized career counseling. This retreat is designed for women to find a career path that honors their values, passions and life. Career counseling usually costs a lot of money, but Ms. Arasteh is offering this course for only $399 a person if you book by March 1, 2010. And if you book by January 15, 2010 and bring a friend you will get another $25 off. Registration deadline is April 1, 2010. Lodging cost at Haley Farm is extra. For further information on Ms Arasteh and her firm, please check out her website:

http://careerconsultmd.com/

Well that’s all for now, except to wish you and your loved ones a blessed holiday season and a joyous and prosperous New Year. One of our guests described Haley Farm as "chicken soup for the traveler". We couldn't agree more. We want to be the respite from peoples’ busy lives. Here you can unwind, enjoy the beautiful scenery, and allow us to pamper you with great food and hospitality. So if you are in need of a little indulgence, why not head out our way. Even two days here will make you forget the traffic and bills you left behind.

Blessings and Good wishes,

Kam Gillespie

Thriller

It was an incredible evening. We didn't care that it was cold and wet. There were some incredible zombies ready to thrill. Most of you are probably not aware of this but Michael Jackson's Thriller was performed simultaneously in 40 countries at 8.30pm (EST) on Saturday October 25, 2009. Our town, Oakland, was led by Brenda of Brenda's Dance Studio. She made her studio and staff available to the county and was an inspiring fund raiser. Each person wishing to dance had to raise a minimum of $50 to participate - all of it went to the House of Hope (a wonderful organization run by two incredible nuns). We raised over $30,000 - an enormous amount for a small town. One little girl raised over $2000 by herself. That is a picture of us presenting the check after the dance. It's not a particularly easy dance to learn but everyone rose to the occasion and some of the costumes and makeup were spectacular. I'm so glad I was a part of it. You can watch us on the YouTube link below and we may be on Oprah this Wednesday for raising the most money for a single charity. We performed at the Stables at Herrington, near the state park.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9WknyJs6zg

Autumn is one of my favorite seasons -I love the fall colors and crunching leaves beneath my feet. A great time to enjoy long walks in the state parks.

I have some great activities I am lining up for next spring (another favorite season of mine). I have Julia Child coming in April!

Award-winning actress Mary Ann Jung will cook up her unique recipe for fun in this show about Julia Child's two great loves-her husband and French cuisine. Learn how Julia changed culinary history by opening up America's kitchens and minds in the days when TV dinners reigned supreme. Discover why anyone who loves ethnic cooking and fine dining should thank this vivacious, funny innovator whose joie de vivre captured the hearts of all who saw her. Mary Ann is a recognized performer in the Chautauqua circuit.

Julia will be appearing on Saturday, April 24, 2010. This will be followed by a delicious English tea and a question and answer session. This event is free to guests staying at Haley Farm that weekend.

In addition to Julia I have organized an art workshop for April 16-17, 2010 and many other fun programs are in the pipeline. The Girlfriends Getaway is always a fantastic way to enjoy time with your best friends. And I'm still offering a free two night mid-week getaway to soldiers who have served in Afghanistan or Iraq (proof of service is required).

Check out what our guests are saying about us, and why we were awarded Best in the Mid-Atlantic. I do hope to welcome you soon to Haley Farm and treat you to our great food and hospitality.

http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/ShowReviews.aspx?inn=605013&m=1#s3626379

Kam Gillespie

This is a picture of the mist over the farm in the early morning. Its amazingly beautiful. The fall colors are just as amazing. And this weekend (October 9-11) we celebrate Autumn in all its glorious colors with parades, marching bands, crafts and more.

We also got some wonderful news this week (October 5, 2009) when Haley Farm B&B, Spa and Retreat Center was selected as Best in the Mid-Atlantic in the annual Best of BedandBreakfast.com Awards, 2009-2010. The Best of BedandBreakfast.com Awards are based upon a qualitative and quantitative review of the nearly 50,000 independent reviews submitted to BedandBreakfast.com, the leading online B&B directory.

"We're delighted that inn goers agree that Haley Farm is deserving of high praise from travelers", explained BedandBreakfast.com's Sandy Soule, one of the most highly recognized authors and a spokeswoman for the B&B industry. "Clearly, Haley Farm B&B earned its stellar reviews from inn goers for its quality accommodations, breakfasts, amenities, and wonderful hospitality and service," commented Soule.

"It's a true honor to be chosen for a Best of BedandBreakfast.com award, and we thank our guests for all the positive reviews that led to this award, said Bobbi and Pete, innkeepers at Haley Farm."It’s really gratifying that our guests took the time to share their comments about our hospitality, accommodations, breakfasts and attention to detail which set Haley Farm apart," Here's a sampling of what our guests have to say about Haley Farm.

”From the moment we arrived, we felt welcomed, and were awed by the lovely setting, beautiful rooms, and great food. Bobbi and Pete really helped make our girls' weekend more memorable”

“We just came back from a great long weekend at Haley's. What a wonderful place! We fell in love with the dogs and cats and of course with Bobbi and Pete! Breakfasts (and snacks served all day!) were wonderful and Bobbi really went out of her way to prepare me my own versions of her magnificent breakfasts without milk and cheese. She also prepared special meat free dishes for some of the other guests. Thanks Bobbi and Pete!”

“This is a hidden gem in the Deep Creek area about a 10 minute drive from the lake. It is in a scenic rural farm setting and the rooms and common areas are spacious, comfortable and nicely appointed. Snacks, coffee, and cold drinks are available all day, and the sumptuous breakfast is enough to fill you until dinnertime. Most memorable of our stay is Bobbi and Pete who are outstanding innkeepers, warm and friendly and professional. We also enjoyed their dogs and cats.”

“We had a wonderful time at the Haley Farm Bed & Breakfast in Deep Creek, Maryland. Pete and Bobbi were awesome innkeepers. They were super nice and Bobbie made an exceptional breakfast every morning. We didn't even need to eat lunch after the huge breakfast we had. The house and farm is beautiful!! The room was decorated very nice and very spacious. It was also very peaceful there. We had a great time at the Haley Farm Bed and Breakfast and can't wait to go back. Thank You for a great weekend.”

For a complete list of all winners, including regional and international Best of BedandBreakfast.com Award winners, please visit www.BedandBreakfast.com and click Winners 2009-2010. The Getaway Gift Card from BedandBreakfast.com, is welcomed at over 4,000 B&Bs in the U.S. and Canada, including Haley Farm B&B.

I am still offering a free two night mid-week stay for our soldiers who have served in Afghanistan or Iraq. So if you know someone who has recently served in Iraq or Afghanistan and deserves a free two night stay at the B&B please email me their particulars. I will select two soldiers every month for as long as our soldiers are there (I will need proof of their service). I hope for their sake that peace breaks out soon, but I am honored to able to show support for our brave men and women in this small way.

Wishing you all a joyous fall

Kam Gillespie
October 7, 2009

Sunny Deep Creek August 25,2009

Dear friends:

Where can you see tractors doing a square dance, goats prancing, and sopranos singing opera arias? Why it’s Garrett County of course. Really I did all that last week and more. Not only that but I was also a judge at the annual Chili Fest.

This was my first time judging a chili contest and believe it or not there are a whole bunch of rules- it’s all done very professionally. I didn’t realize that chili has no beans in it. I am used to making it with a lot of beans but this was strictly meat. They had 9 entries for the green chili and 24 for the red kind. That is a lot of tasting. The winning prize was about $900 plus an entry to the World Chili Championship, so there was a lot riding on the competition. I think the chili I scored as No.2 was the winner, so my taste buds must be OK. The Chili festival is held at the WISP (where the ski slopes are) every year in August and they had musical entertainment and many vendors. The craziest part was the raw pepper eating contest. A whole bunch of people volunteered to eat raw jalapeno, habanera and serrano peppers. A few had to withdraw halfway through, but 2 eagerly munched away at the habaneras. One guy even drank from a bottle of hot sauce!

The county fair began the day after and was on for the whole week. If you have never been to a county fair, you really should try it. Ours has animals (goats, pigs, sheep, rabbits, cows, horses), yummy fair food (funnel cakes and rotary fries are my favorites), carnival rides, entertainment and of course those square dancing tractors. You can spend the whole day there and not spend a whole bunch.

At the end of the week I was lucky enough to attend a night at the opera at Our Town Theatre in Oakland. We had delicious appetizers and wine and three lovely singers entertained us with a range of music.

It’s almost September and that usually marks the end of summer, but September and October are just incredible months in Deep Creek. Days are still warm, but evenings are cool and the leaves start changing soon into those glorious reds and yellows. The Art and Wine Festival is coming up on September 12, and the Iron Man Triathlon the weekend after that. So please check us out in the coming months.

I am still offering a free two night mid-week stay for our soldiers who have served in Afghanistan or Iraq. So if you know someone who has recently served in Iraq or Afghanistan and deserves a free two night stay at the B&B please email me their particulars. I will select two soldiers every month for as long as our soldiers are there (I will need proof of their service). I hope for their sake that peace breaks out soon, but I am honored to able to show support for our brave men and women in this small way.

One of our guests described Haley Farm as "chicken soup for the traveler". We couldn't agree more. We want to be the respite from peoples’ busy lives. Here you can unwind, enjoy the beautiful scenery, and allow us to pamper you with great food and hospitality. So if you are in need of a little indulgence, why not head out our way. Even two days here will make you forget the traffic and bills you left behind.

Wishing you much joy, love and laughter
Kam

Summer in Deep Creek Lake

August 2, 2009
Dear Friends

I do hope that you are enjoying this beautiful summer. Are you aware that Deep Creek is where people have come for ages to beat the summer heat. The mountains, the lake and state parks (translating into cooler and less humid weather) make it a truly wonderful escape.

I do so love the flowers at this time of year. Everywhere you look there are flowers blooming - from the cheerful sunflowers at the B&B to the wild daisies and blue cornflowers along the highways.

Deep Creek has always been a great place to come to unwind and relax. If you like you can spend most of your time reclining on the hammock, playing games (Kubb, Lasso Golf, Horseshoes, Bocce are all available at the B&B), getting a massage, or going for a lazy boat ride on the lake. But for those of who want to make it an adventure there is so much more. At the Adventure Sports Center (ASCI) – it’s the world’s only mountain-top whitewater rafting course - you can really get your adrenaline pumping. It’s only 25 minutes from the B&B and they also have kayaking and rock climbing.

The County Fair is coming up August 10-15. I love this event – it reminds me of old-time-Americana with its carnival rides, tractor pulls, and those yummy food stalls with funnel cakes and other such forbidden foods. And soon after that will be the Art and Wine Festival (September 11-12). Whether you are a connoisseur of wine or simply enjoy it now and then, this is a wonderful festival to enjoy great wine and art. Moreover I will give you a 10% discount if you stay at Haley Farm during the Art and Wine festival.

There really is so much to do in the Deep Creek Lake area. Yesterday I went to see a production of Huck Finn done by the Theatre on the Lake company. It was really excellent and every year this team puts on three wonderful shows. The week before that I was in Cumberland and saw a moving production of Fiddler on the Roof. There is so much talent out here and you don’t have to pay Broadway prices.

Also last week I had the privilege of seeing Mary Ann Jung portray Amelia Earhart. She did such a wonderful job that I actually felt I knew Amelia (so much more than just reading a book about the person). Mary Ann is currently appearing at the Renaissance Fair in Maryland and so you may get a chance to see her there (but alas not as Amelia). I was so impressed with Mary Ann that I have asked to her to come to the B&B next April and portray Julia Child (a part she debuted a couple of years ago). So keep an eye out for this event - and I might even team up with her and give a cooking demonstration.

But even before that I am going to be hosting some fun retreats, details of which can be found on the website http://www.haleyfarm.com/ . The Girlfriends Getaway is September 25-27, 2009 (although in reality you can do this any time - it’s just a lot more fun with a group) and the Women’s Retreat is Oct 16-18 2009. So come for either of these retreats with your best buds, sisters, mothers or daughters and have a ball.

I am still offering a free two night mid-week stay for our soldiers who have served in Afghanistan or Iraq. So if you know someone who has recently served in Iraq or Afghanistan and deserves a free two night stay at the B&B please email me their particulars. I will select two soldiers every month for as long as our soldiers are there (I will need proof of their service). I hope for their sake that peace breaks out soon, but I am honored to able to show support for our brave men and women in this small way.

One of our guests described Haley Farm as "chicken soup for the traveler". We couldn't agree more. We want to be the respite from peoples’ busy lives. Here you can unwind, enjoy the beautiful scenery, and allow us to pamper you with great food and hospitality. So if you are in need of a little indulgence, why not head out our way. Even two days here will make you forget the traffic and bills you left behind.

Hope to see you soon,

Kam Gillespie

July in Deep Creek Lake

Dear Guests:






July has been incredibly sunny and beautiful - such a nice change from the wet June we had. Its been jam packed starting with fireworks on the third and the fourth of July. I loved the parade in Accident and the marching bands, followed by a free concert in McHenry in the evening, and capped off by fireworks at the Wisp. A perfect 4th of July.






The next day (July 5th) was the start of Chautauqua (a sort of living history) - this has become a tradition in Garrett County and I have attended every year for the past 14 years. This year we had incredible portrayals of Woodie Guthrie, Jackie Robinson, Eleanor Roosevelt and Amy Paugh. I took a short video of the young lady (Joanna Guy)who portrayed Alice Paugh. She just graduated from Southern High School and I am sure she has a bright future ahead of her. I was just blown away by the quality of her voice as she sang from Phantom of the Opera and other Broadway tunes. The Chautauqua is a free event held every year - so hope you can join us next year.







I have also been lucky enough to attend some of the free concerts every Friday in Oakland. There was a steel band and another group who played Zydeco music. The Wisp is holding free concerts every Wednesday - another good reason to visit us this summer.









Last week I also went down the mountain coaster at the Wisp. It was fun but probably more for young kids then for people my age!. I think I prefer hiking along Swallow falls.

Last week I also went to see Fiddler on The Roof currently playing at the Cumberland theatre. It was such a beautiful production and of course I always cry when they sing Sunrise, Sunset. I highly recommend going if you can make it by July 26th.





The flowers are blooming at Haley Farm and there are so many events coming up that I hope you will find time to check us out. I think we even has some availability for our Lakeside Cottage in late August. Trip Advisor gave us a highly recommended badge. You can see what past guests have to say about at Trip Advisor and bed and breakfast.com


http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g41297-d118374-r33064681-Haley_Farm_Bed_and_Breakfast_and_Retreat_Center-Oakland_Maryland.html


http://BedandBreakfast.com/EMail/Go192543700.php


and check out our video at


http://www.innvideos.tv/MD/oakland/haley_farm_inn.html

Wishing you much Joy and Love, and hope to welcome you at Haley Farm very soon.


Kam Gillespie


http://www.haleyfarm.com/