Holiday Greetings

December 2, 2010

I hope this letter finds you healthy and happy. I can’t believe it’s almost the end of the year. Where did the summer go? Well at least it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas here. We got snow this week and last. It’s not a lot but it does mean that the ski slopes will soon be open (they start making snow at the WISP when it gets cold enough). They do have an ice skating rink open this year and you can bring your own skates or rent some for only $10 or so.

Here at the B&B we are busy decorating the inn with garlands and mistletoe. Bobbi (our innkeeper) is busy making cookies because on December 10-11 we are hosting a cookie exchange. Do you remember what fun that was to do. You get together with your friends and everyone brings enough cookies to share and you end up with dozens of wonderful holiday cookies. We are not going to make you bake before you get here (unless you want to). Instead you can bring a beloved recipe with you and we can try to make it here. Either way its fine and while the wonderful cinnamon and spices waft over the inn, we can warm up with hot mulled cider and sing some carols. It will definitely get you in the mood. Or you could even combine this with a Girlfriends Getaway!

There is also a lot going on in the Deep Creek Lake area. If you know what Williamsburg looks like then you will appreciate what we have at the Spruce Forest Artisan Village nearby. It’s a colonial village (obviously on a smaller scale than Williamsburg). They have artisans working in the log cabins (candle makers, weavers, potters etc.) and plenty of gift ideas for the holidays. There are also carolers and cookies and storytelling. That is happening this coming weekend on December 3-4. So if you want to get into the holiday spirit without running into crowds, and pick out some unique Christmas gifts this might be just the thing for you.

Our local theatre is also holding its annual Christmas market in Oakland on December 4th. Again there will be an opportunity to buy local artisans products (pottery, crafts etc) while you are being entertained by local musicians and storytelling. And best of all both of these events are free and you might even be able to buy some unique gifts.

On Sunday December 12 -13 they are going to be celebrating the WISPs 55th birthday. If you always wanted to learn how to ski or snowboard, but didn’t think it was affordable, then this may be what you were waiting for, because there will be discounts on tickets and rentals. By the way lift tickets are always discounted on Wednesdays.

Now that black Friday and cyber Monday have come and gone, and you still haven’t found that perfect gift, then maybe we can help. A Haley Farm Gift certificate is always welcome because it doesn’t take up much space and helps create wonderful memories. To make this decision even easier, I am offering past guests a ten percent discount on gift certificates purchased this month. It’s always great to renew and recharge your batteries and get away from life’s hectic pace. You can purchase a spa treatment, or a dollar amount for the gift certificate. Whatever fits your budget and we can even mail it out for you. Mention this newsletter and you will get the discount.

I’m trying to remember to include a seasonal recipe in my newsletters, so this time I have selected a holiday favorite, Pecan pie. This is a very easy recipe and quite delicious (unfortunately laden with calories), but hey I am going to be offering nutrition retreats next year so you can take it off! And almost anything in moderation is fine. So enjoy.

Pecan pie
4 eggs
3/4 cup light brown sugar
3/4 cup light corn syrup
4 Tablespoons unsalted butter melted
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 cup chopped pecans

Whisk eggs and sugar. Add remaining ingredients and stir. Pour into baked pie shell and bake at 375 degrees for 35-40 min until set. Cool before eating.

Well I hope your holiday season is filled with joy and loved ones. If it becomes too much for you and you need a break, come and see us. We’ll pamper you with our great food and hospitality. And if you are still looking for a place to ring in the New Year, we still have openings.

Much love and blessings,
Kam Gillespie

I hope that you are having a wonderful summer. Don’t forget it’s a lot cooler here in the mountains than in the DC or Pittsburgh areas. They just cut the hay on the farm and there are all these beautiful bales of hay in the fields. The plums (from the fruit trees that Wayne planted sixteen years ago) are so delicious that I ate ten in one sitting. I hope those guests that were here this and the past week got a chance to sample them - we gladly share the bounty of the farm with our guests. And soon the purple plums and Asian pears will be ripe.

Another thing I love about summer are the beautiful wildflowers blooming everywhere. First it was the daisies, then flox and right now its English lace and some pretty blue flowers. I even like crown vetch - the carpet of purple flowers you on the side of highways.

I have attended so many fun events in the past few weeks. There is a ton of stuff to do in the Deep Creek Lake area in the summer. Two weeks ago I went to the Little Yough Festival held in Friendsville. There were some great live bands throughout the day and free Whitewater rafting rides courtesy of Precision Rafting. I am more of a pontoon boat person, than whitewater rapids, but this was so pleasant. It was a float boat ride which meant no more than level 2 rapids and the Yough river is incredibly beautiful. You really should try it out.

On Sunday it was the first barn quilt festival. There are now 8 barn quilts around Garrett County. These are quilt designs painted on the side of barns. They preserve the heritage of quilting and include many old time favorites. Most of the quilts were painted by Gini Neff, a talented local artist who also does incredible stained glass designs. You can get a map of the barn quilts and go and check them all out. This one was held in Accident where the corn maze is located. We were lucky with the weather too, as it was calling for rain. A minister did a dedication ceremony and then unveiled the new quilt. There was a live Dixie Jazz band (the Sugarfoot Stompers), many craft vendors and a live auction with a lady auctioneer (I had not seen a female auctioneer before). All the auction items were donated (I donated a free night at Haley Farm and a porch swing) and they raised a lot of money. I didn’t get a chance to try the corn maze that day, but I was told that every year the maze has a different pattern and is designed using GPS (everything is high tech now). Later we went to pick fresh corn from a nearby farm. Just another great day in Garrett County.

On Wednesdays the WISP is hosting free outdoor concerts. So a week ago I went with a friend to check it out. It was so pleasant sitting on the grass (we took a couple of chairs) and enjoyed the live music. They had a food stall too but you could bring your own food and wine. Just a lovely way to spend an evening – best of all its free. There are also free concerts every Friday in Oakland where the Farmers market is held. I think it’s great that so much of the entertainment in Garrett County is free, or at minimal cost.

The Theatre on The Lake produced 3 plays/musicals this summer. I have attended all three. My favorite was Brighton Beach memoirs – a touching Neil Simon play. East of Eden (a musical number about Adam and Eve) is currently playing in a charming barn in McHenry till Saturday.

Coming soon (August 7-14) is the Garrett County Fair with its carnival rides, demolition derbies, animal exhibits, tractor pulls, nightly entertainment and of course great food. Then the weekend after Labor Day is the Annual Art and Wine festival (September 10-11). This has become a major attraction with many wineries and artists participating.

Soon after that I am starting something I am calling Nutrition Bootcamp. These are two/three day workshops designed to help you detoxify your body and jump start a healthy lifestyle. I have scheduled these for September 24-26, and October 4-6, 2010. I thought that the beautiful autumn weather and colors would be a lovely setting for these workshops. I have also priced them very reasonably at only $375 per person.

Anyway hope to see you soon so you can see that I am not exaggerating when I tell you how beautiful everything is here. Bobbi and Pete (our innkeepers) can’t wait to spoil you with our great food and hospitality.

Sizzling Summer

I hope you are having a wonderful summer. (The picture shown is from one of the lovely gardens on the garden tour held a couple of weeks ago). that I know that it’s been very hot on the east coast lately. It was hot here too, but nothing like the temperatures that the cities were experiencing. I am sure I have told you this before, but prior to air conditioning Deep Creek is where the rich would head out to for the summer. We used to have a great train schedule in those days. The train no longer runs but we still have the cooler temperatures.

Last week it got up into the eighties here but nothing like the heat and humidity of the Washington or Pittsburgh areas. So if you are tired of heat and humidity why not come and spend a few days here. We have so much going on that you can’t possibly get bored. And if you just want to chill out, the B&B and farm are perfect. It’s such a pretty drive through the mountains and you have none of the traffic jams that you see going to Ocean City or other beaches. And by the way we do have beaches at Deep Creek Lake State Park (10 minutes from B&B) and at Herrington Manor (25 minutes from B&B) and Broadford State Park (15 minutes away). So if its sand you crave, we have it.

Before I tell you what’s coming up, I just want to tell you about the 4th of July weekend. It was gorgeous and we didn’t get rained out as we often do. We took our chairs and blankets and sat on the lawn at the college enjoying a large ice cream and tapping our feet to the glorious patriotic music played by the Garrett County band. As soon as it got dark the fireworks started over the mountain. It was just a perfect day. The next day was the Chautauqua (living history is how to best describe it if you have never attended before). We have had fascinating characters portrayed every year and this was no exception. This year it was Thurgood Marshall (Supreme Court Justice) and Sacagawea (the native American woman who accompanied Lewis and Clark on their expedition). I didn’t know it was supposed to be pronounced Ska-ga-wea but apparently it is. And all this entertainment was free!

We also have many more events coming up that are free or very reasonably priced (most around $10). Throughout the summer there are free concerts at the WISP every Wednesday and the Little Yough Festival in Oakland has free concerts every Friday. This weekend we also have “Little Shop of Horrors” presented by the Theatre on the Lake (July 14-18). And the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra will be performing July 16-17 as it has every year since I have been here (I can’t believe I have been here 17 years). Friday night is Broadway night which is my favorite.

Another one of my favorite things to attend is the Yougiogheny River Festival held in Friendsville (July 24). It has live music, food, and vendors.

I am going to help you stretch your money by offering you a summer special: Spend three nights or more and get the third night at half price. And you can use that money that you save to go horseback riding or play a round of golf or go out to dinner.

I am also still offering a free midweek stay for soldiers who have served in Iraq or Afghanistan (I will need proof of service). It’s my way of thanking them for their sacrifice. One of our guests called us chicken soup for the traveler, and we love that title. So please come by and let us spoil you with our great food and hospitality.

Much love and blessings,
Kam Gillespie

Happy Summer

I hope that you are enjoying the wonderful spring flowers and looking forward to the official start of summer on Memorial Day this weekend.

I wanted to share with you some of the events that are coming up in the next few weeks. I have listed some of my favorite ones below but there are many more.

The annual Highland Festival (a celebration of everything Scottish) is coming up the week after on June 4-6 and this year my good friend Christina Harrison will be performing – she has such a beautiful voice. There is so much to see and do at these festivals: sheep dog demonstrations, Highland games, Scottish food, great singers, and dancers. I promise you will not be disappointed. It’s also a great opportunity to dress up (kilts anyone) and you could combine it with a Girlfriends Getaway. And if you book for two nights or more for that weekend I will pay for your entrance fee to the festival.

As most of you know there is so much to do in the Deep Creek Lake area in the summer months. The lake is a hub of activity (swimming, fishing, boating etc). It is such a beautiful and peaceful place to unwind. You can also take a guided river hike (very reasonable at $10 per person) or explore the Savage River on a kayak. Both of these tours are led by our friends at All Eco Earth Tours. They also lead the Bonfire Extravaganza on Wednesday evenings at the Discovery Center in Deep Creek Lake State Park.

The country gardens tour will be on June 26 this year. If any of you belong to Garden Clubs you know that this is a wonderful way to get inspired about your own garden. I’ll be out there handing out refreshments at one of the selected gardens so I hope to see you there.

Another of my favorite things in the summer is the Chautauqua. This year it will be held July 5-7. The historical figures portrayed will be Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, Landscape Architect Frederick Law Olmstead, and Shoshone Indian Sacagawea who was instrumental in the Lewis and Clark expedition. Believe it or not the Chautauqua has been held here for 15 years and it’s still free. There is usually a musical interlude before the performance. I love seeing history come alive. If you go to Chautauqua in New York you would pay a lot of money to see similar performances. Just before the Chautauqua there are the Independence Day celebrations in Accident with a parade, marching bands, food, crafts etc. In the evening you can sit under a blanket and listen to some rousing Souza music followed by fireworks on the mountain. It really reminds you of old time Americana. See if you can’t clear your calendar for that week.

If music is your passion, then you will be thrilled to attend one of the musical performances sponsored by Music at Penn Alps (in Grantsville – less than ½ hour from the B&B). These are held every Saturday evening in the summer and the cost is about $10. There are also free concerts in Oakland every Friday evening –just bring a blanket or folding chair. The local theater company is gearing up for its performances of Oklahoma and Brighton Beach this summer. On July 10-11 there is Art in the Park with artists and crafts people and of course food. I could go on and on. But you get the idea – we have lots of fun things to do that don’t cost very much.

Also Falling water (considered to be one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpieces) nestled within the wooded Bear Run Nature Reserve is only an hour from the B&B. It is designed to be in harmony with nature and is a timeless monument to organic architecture at its absolute best.

Tours are conducted daily (except Wednesdays) from mid- March to Thanksgiving weekend in November. Advance reservations are required.
Cost of the tour is $20 per person. They have other tours such as the Sunset Tour or the Brunch Tour, both of which are over $100. We can even prepare a picnic lunch for you for a lot less.

I am still offering a free midweek stay for soldiers who have recently served in Iraq or Afghanistan (I will need proof of service). It’s my way of thanking them for their sacrifice. So please let us spoil you with our great food and hospitality.

Much love and blessings,
Kam Gillespie
 

Julia Child, Godspell and Chinese Dance

Julia Child came today bringing her chickens and recounting her tales of Paris and her love of French food and her husband Paulski as she affectionately referred to him. We had about 20 ladies (yes they were all women) who came to watch Mary Ann Jung perform as Julia. My goodness she was just so brilliant and so knowledgeable. She researches these parts for a year or so to make sure she is totally familiar with the character. I think I speak on behalf of all the ladies who attended that a great time was had by all.

I don't know if I have mentioned this before but I met Mary Ann last year in Cumberland when she was performing Amelia Earhart, and I was so taken with her portrayal that I told her she had to come to the B&B. I am so happy that she managed to find time for us.

Mary Ann also does murder mystery weekends and has twelve other roles that she performs all over the country for the Smithsonian and for the Renaissance Festival. So I think I will get her to do a murder mystery in November and perform Elizabeth I next year. And this time all the audience can be dressed in period costumes. She promised she would teach us an Elizabethan dance at the end of the performance too. So as soon as I can firm up some dates with her I will put it on the website.

Now it may seem a little odd to juxtapose Julia Child with Godspell but on Thursday I went to Frostburg University's production of Godspell. It was a twenty first century version with a very modern set, hip hop dancing and references to Survivor, the Sopranos, Donald Trump, AIG and many other current events. I wasn't sure I would like a modern version but it really worked. I particularly liked a young lady by the name of Ines Nassara who led the ensemble in the number "Oh Bless the Lord".

See we may be out in the country here, but we get our fair share of culture and usually have to pay a lot less for the privilege. After Julia I went to Garrett College and saw a young lady by the name of Yu Wei perform some beautiful Chinese dances. I am so busy attending all these performances that I barely have time to do much else!

Anyway I am planning a lot of new activities and still keeping the ones that our guests love, like the Romantic Getaways and the Girlfriends weekend. So come and spend a few days with us and let us pamper you with our hospitality and great food.

Wishing you all much health, love and joy

Kam Gillespie

Art Workshop etc.

I just wanted to show you that it really is spring here in Garrett County. This is a view of my cherry tree in full bloom. I think spring is early this year because this time last year the forsythia hadn't even flowered. Right after that really bad winter we had a couple of weeks when the temperature shot up to the 80's and I am sure it confused all the plants. And last weekend when we had the art workshop it was threatening to snow (didn't quite make it fortunately).

By the way that art workshop was so much fun. Thank you Robert for making it so interesting. I learned a lot and hope that I will get my paints out more than once a year. This was the first art workshop we have held at the B&B and I hope to have at least a couple every year. Thank you also to all of you who attended. I thought you were a great group - fun and supportive.

And now its on to Julia Child. Julia (as portrayed by actress Mary Ann Jung) will entertain us on Saturday April 24. It promises to be a lot of fun, so if you haven't got any plans for this weekend, just head out to Haley Farm. After the session there will be Q&A (and Mary Ann has really researched the part) followed by English tea and the movie Julie and Julia.

I have some other packages I am working on too - details of which I will be putting up on the website soon. In particular I want guests to explore nearby attractions such as Falling Water and Kentuck Knob (both designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright and within an hour of the B&B). We will make the reservations for you and pack you a picnic lunch and all you have to do is enjoy the ride. And if any of you are interested in riding the Allegheny Passage (this is a biking, hiking trail that runs from Pittsburgh to Cumberland, and eventually to Washington DC) then consider making Haley Farm one of your stops along the way. If you would like to spend a night or two at the B&B we could arrange to have you picked up on the route, or you could bike to us from there. In any case since it's only a maximum of 2% grade (not steep in other words). It's worth giving it a try - I am going to.

I am also working on offering Nutrition retreats at the B&B. I attended one of these retreats overseas earlier this year. It was based on Naturopathy and I found it really easy to lose weight in that controlled environment while eating healthy wholesome food, and exercising regularly. For most of us it's hard to do on our own (too many temptations and distractions). So I thought if I could offer a whole week (including room, food, exercise and lectures) at a reasonable price, that it would benefit a lot of people. I was thinking of offering the first one in September but if there are a group of you (6 or more) that want to do it sooner, I could look into it.

Anyway I will be putting more information on these soon on the website. And don't forget the Highland Festival is coming up on the first weekend in June. Wear your kilts and bonnie outfits and join in the fun.

So till next time, wishing you great joy and happiness
Kam Gillespie

Spring is really around the corner right?

March 5, 2010

I hope that you are surviving this crazy winter. Yes it was a winter wonderland, but it was also quite an effort trying to keep the parking lot clear for guests to park. I have never before seen 10ft high snow walls. We had more snow than we have ever had in the past fifteen years (that’s when we bought the B&B). Snowfall this winter totals over 260 inches, which is about 100 inches more than average. It was obviously wonderful for skiers – I think we had more snow here than at Whistler where the winter Olympics were being held! Even now there is still plenty of skiing, tubing and snowboarding to be had for those of you planning on hitting the ski slopes. The WISP even opened an ice skating rink this year.

The annual polar bear dunk was last weekend and the week before that was winterfest with gorgeous ice carvings and winter games. But quite honestly I am ready for Spring. We have so many events coming up in the Spring.

First there is an Art Workshop on April 16-18 (a wonderful way to ignite your creative energies) and then Julia Child will be paying us a visit on April 24. The award winning actress who plays Julia is so talented that I know you will love her heart-warming portrayal. This will be followed by English tea and a viewing of the movie Julia and Julie. This would be wonderful opportunity to bring your best girlfriends and make it a true getaway. Further details of both these events are on the website. We do hope you can join us for these fun weekends.

The annual Highland Festival (a celebration of everything Scottish) is always on the first weekend in June (4-6) and this year my talented friend Christina Harrison will be performing. There is so much to see and do: sheep dog demonstrations, Highland games, Scottish food, great singers, and dancers. I promise you will not be disappointed. It’s also a great opportunity to dress up and another weekend to make it a Girlfriends Getaway.

As most of you know there is so much to do in the Deep Creek Lake area in the summer months. The lake is a hub of activity (swimming, fishing, boating etc). It is such a beautiful and peaceful place to unwind, or you can just come and chill at the B&B and enjoy a soothing massage at our Spa. Bobbi (our innkeeper) is always spoiling guests with her great soups, chili, cakes and cookies. And weather permitting we will soon resume our outdoor campfires. It’s so incredible to sit under the stars and watch the heavens without the glare of city lights.

I am still offering a free midweek stay for soldiers who have served in Iraq or Afghanistan (I will need proof of service). It’s my way of thanking them for their sacrifice. One of our guests called us chicken soup for the traveler, and we love that title. So please come by and let us spoil you with our great food and hospitality.

Much love and blessings,

Kam Gillespie