Hawthorne Hotel's Annual Staff Picnic

 Joann Delp is corralled by Angie Agolli into getting her picture taken with her second ice cream bar.

 Tina Piechowicz, Bryant Winberry and Thomas MacDonald smiling for the camera.  Do I see an ice cream bar just on the edge of this photo?  It is hard to resist the unlimited access to an ice cream truck, hosted by the hotel!

 Chef Steve Nelson made sure the food was scrumptious for our team members.

 Claire Kallelis made cotton candy much to the amusement of and appreciation by many, including Bryant Winberry and Kristie Poehler.

 John Goss with his darling grandchild.

We did games in the style of Minute To Win It


Here they are doing Cookie Face

I'm not sure if they had more fun playing the game or eating the cookies!

And Puddle Jumper

This one is called Nose Dive.  Carrying a cotton ball on the tip of your nose is not the easiest thing, but this young lady won with a record time!

Shoe Fly Shoe is always popular.  Where else do you get to kick shoes onto a table?


The Elephant March is such a picture-perfect game!  Sandy Sinagra and Debbie Stephanides were great sports, but it was Sandy's record time that took the prize again -- that makes this her game two years in a row!

Noodling Around was the Big Challenge.  This is one tough game!

The weather was perfect after Hurricane Irene scrubbed the sky of all humidity and made it a crystal-clear day for us.  The event was our mid-year break, and it appeared that everyone who came had a great time.

I hope you enjoy getting a look at us at play!

Juli

#Minutetowinit

Salem Garden After Hurricane Irene

As you can see from the photos of the Ropes Mansion Gardens below, Salem fared just fine in as Hurricane Irene tore through New England.  We seemed to be out of harm's way, while other areas felt a significant impact. 

So our message to you is that Salem is a-okay, come see us soon!

Even the bumble bees are back at work, as you can see in this photo above.

I hope to see you here.

Juli

#SalemMA #HurricaneIrene

Let's Have a Party!

When I saw this photo on Amy Atlas' blog, I flipped! I just had to find out where those whimsical tassels were from!



They're from Confetti System, the magical makers of party decor.



Last year I purchased some little favors from Urban Outfitters, but had no idea that they were from Confetti System.





"CONFETTISYSTEM transforms simple materials such as tissue paper, cardboard, and silk into interactive objects that create a point of focus, where memories are made and a spontaneous collaboration with the viewer is sparked. CONFETTISYSTEM’s creations occupy the space between the ephemeral and the permanent, evoking a sense of nostalgia and lighthearted fun."



I would love to buy some tissue pinatas...





or fancy blindfolds...



I just need an occasion to throw a party...

Can we have one now?? You're all invited!



images: Confetti System

Our Chef Jennifer Now in the Final Five of Hell's Kitchen

Executive Chef Steve Nelson with Chef Jennifer

In case you are not a "friend" of ours on FaceBook, you may have missed some of the conversation there about our own Chef Jennifer's progress on the Fox network's show "Hell's Kitchen" here is our post from last night, after the show, along with some of the comments that our friends have made about her.

This was a big moment in the show, where the teams get cut to the final five, and each contestant earns their black jacket.  Jennifer got hers, and we are very proud of her accomplishments so far.

As you can see, she has a lot of fans, and we hope you are among them.  

 

Our Post:

Hawthorne Hotel

‎#HellsKitchen #SalemMA -- And then there were the final five, and our Chef Jennifer is one of the elite. WTG, Jennifer! We are proud of you!!

·    
Specific Comments from some of our friends:                              

Tracy DiCecca Hilker No way!!!! She's my favorite, didn't know she was from Hawthorne hotel!!!

Terri J Lambing Go, Chef Jen! You're my favorite!!!

Fara Beeman Andre Can't believe I missed it tonight. I stopped watching that show a couple of yrs ago but chef jennifer is the only reason I started watching again. WTG local girl!!!

Denise De Lucrezia wtg jennifer i knew she will be one of the top five

Renee Holloran Go Jen... keep kicking it especially that Alise.  Hope you go all the way Jen you deserve it!!!

Samantha Stevens We were screaming for Chef Jen-whoo Hoo she got the black jacket!

Mari-Ann Jennings Thanks to the stupid football game we had to wait until 12:30 am to watch it but we did! Go Jen! Can't wait for next week!

I hope you enjoy knowing what is going on in our lives here at the Hawthorne Hotel.

Juli

Your Opinion, please...

Just received Restoration Hardware's Fall source book. Other than weighing a ton, what do you think? Would love to hear your thoughts...

Our Most Popular Overnight Package

Let the Hawthorne Hotel show you Salem the way it’s meant to be seen!

Museums, Great Lodging, Delicious Food!

This package includes:
~Overnight accommodations at the historic Hawthorne Hotel
~Breakfast for 2
~Two Entrees for the Price of one in Nathaniel’s
(reservations are recommended)
~Tickets for 2 to TWO Museums from the following:
Peabody Essex Museum
House of Seven Gables
Witch Museum
Witch History Museum
Witch Dungeon
Pirate Museum**
**In November and December, please choose ONE museum from the following:
Peabody Essex Museum
House of Seven Gables
Witch Museum
~~~~
Rates are as follows and are based on double occupancy:
July 4—July 31 -- $215 plus tax
August 1—September 29 -- $235 plus tax
November 2—December 30 -- $201 plus tax
Not valid during the month of October or on December 31
Based upon Availability

You can reserve this package on line at: Hawthorne Hotel Reservations


or call us at 978-744-4080 any time.

I hope to see you here.

Juli

New Haunts!

Side, Berkeley

This past weekend I took a ride to the East Bay for a most relaxing facial, but not before visiting a couple of new shops that I wanted to share with you.



First stop was to the charming shop, Side, in Berkeley. This young shop (opened about a year ago) is filled with everything from furniture and silverware, to mirrors and gift items. Owner Carolyn, who is simply a delight, is truly enthusiastic about vintage items and it shows with her array of lovely items for sale.



Carolyn rescues pieces of furniture she acquires and painstakingly restores and paints them to give them a refreshing new look. Many of these pieces are damaged and have seen better days, but with Carolyn's touch they come alive again.

Next stop...hold on to your seat!!!

The Little Shop of Hoarders, Oakland

Do you all know Terri at La Dolfina? Well, this past week Terri blogged about the opening of her new shop, The Little Shop of Hoarders in Oakland, California. I could hardly wait to see it!



Terri has partnered up with legendary antiques aficionado, Ron Morgan, and two others, offering a large space brimming with vintage curiosities.





It was fun to see Terri and meet her husband, as well as Ron and his partner. What a beautiful space they have created! You won't want to miss it if you're in the Bay Area.

Congrats Terri, Ron, & Carolyn on your lovely shops!

If you're looking for a fun day of antiquing, be sure and visit both of these shops!

Side

2363 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley, CA

Little Shop of Hoarders

6395 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA

images courtesy of Side and Little Shop of Hoarders

The Most Memorable Shrimp Cocktail in the World

Residents of Indianapolis talk about the Shrimp Cocktail at St. Elmo Steak House as if it's the only thing that mattered in the city. I couldn't make it to St. Elmo's the first time I visited Indy, but I was certain not to miss the opportunity to try this supposedly incredible appetizer on my second trip this month. In fact, I went to St. Elmo's twice in a span of 24 hours. 

Well, the residents are absolutely correct. This Shrimp Cocktail is the most memorable one I have ever tasted in my life. The shrimp itself is no different from most nice dining establishments - U12's. However, it's the fresh horseradish that

leaves a stamp of noteriety to this dish. A heaping mound of made-daily horseradish cocktail sauce sits on top of the shrimp to which there is no option but to try it. A boy did this dish have a lasting zinger! The horseradish climbs up your nostril so fast you really have no time to react to it. WOW! Despite the burning sensation, I couldn't have enough of the darn things.

Make sure to stop at St. Elmo on your next trip to Indy. A dose of the Shrimp Cocktail and in the words of Chef Emeril  ..."BAM!" Enjoy and let me know if I was correct.

My, Times Have Changed...

Many Depression-era ads disapproved of women who were too thin. Can you imagine?



This old ad is from the August 1935 issue of Motion Picture courtesy of University of Southern California Cinematic Arts Library.

Hawthorne Hotel's Flags of the Week ~~ August 29 through September 4, 2011

Monday , August 29 ~~ Lithuania and Virginia

Tuesday , August 30 ~~ Luxembourg and Virgin Islands

 Wednesday , August 31 ~~ Macedonia and Washington

 Thursday , September 1 ~~ Madagascar and West Virginia

 Friday , September 2 ~~ Malawi and Wisconsin

 Saturday , September 3 ~~ Malaysia and Wyoming

 Sunday , September 4 ~~ Canada* and Alabama   *Canada is by special request this week.

If you have a special request, please call us at 978-825-4444 or 978-825-4322 and let us know.

I hope to see you here.

Juli

Flowers at Ropes Mansion Gardens

It seems appropriate to post these photos of the Ropes Mansion Garden today, as Hurricane Irene is barreling up the coast, perhaps through Salem.

The flowers in the Ropes Garden are at their peak right now, and I am sure that they will not look so good after the wind and rain that we expect tonight and tomorrow.


I love the dew on these climbing roses.

Water lilies in the pond.


I wish I knew the name of these unusual flowers.  Unfortunately all of the tags for the garden are sitting all together in a few flower pots on the grounds.  Wish they would put them in with the actual flowers.







Anyone know what these might be?

I pray the garden is spared too much destruction today, but hope you enjoy seeing it as I did yesterday.

Juli

Doggone Good

We love being a pet-friendly hotel.  We get to meet and pet some of the cutest animals ever right in our lobby.  Meet Samuele and Lorenzo, two darling Havanese dogs visiting us from Apex, North Carolina.  There were here with their owners who were up in the area having a nice vacation.  They chose to stay at the Hawthorne Hotel because they found our pet-friendly listing on DogFriendly.com . . .and we are happy they did.


While this was not Samuele and Lorenzo's first stay in a hotel, it was their first visit to the Hawthorne, but I think it won't be their last, because they seemed like they were having a really good time.







I hope to see you (and your well-behaved pets) right here in the historic Hawthorne Hotel.

Juli

Living In...

Looking for a fun read & visual? Floral designer Amy Merrick contributes a weekly column at design*sponge called, "Living In," where she dissects the styles of her favorite films. Her round up of products and clever commentary are quite entertaining. Here are a couple of my favorites, The Sound of Music, of course...







"Whatever your feelings about musicals now, it’s undeniable that every little girl has dreamed of living in The Sound of Music at one point or another. Most first viewings happen at such a young age that being 16 going on 17 seems an utter impossibility. It’s hard not to still dream about singing on mountaintops, dancing in gazebos or picnicking in fine Alps form."







"The curtain-made clothes get a lot of play, but how about the girls’ sweet sailor uniforms? The movie blends a charming mix of Fraulein Maria and Captain Von Trapp — a little free spirited and a little fancy, too. Whatever camp you fall into, there are a few simple things on which we all can agree: Rain drops on roses and whiskers on kittens win out every time."



Speaking of films...my all-time favorite, The Godfather. Here's Amy's round-up and some of her commentary...





"The long alfresco dinner parties, bottles of wine, wildly handsome Al Pacino and crumbling Italian mansions all make me want to wimper with greedy wanting. But I’m about 90% sure that my obsession with the Corleone, Italy scenes stem from the mere presence of Apollonia, Michael Corleone’s albeit brief bride. Hello, girl crush of my life. I have spent many a tearful night begging god to turn me into a 17 year old, rural Italian bombshell, but no. Hence my constant hunt for a bit more godfather bits to add to my life. – amy m."

my dog Vito Corleone & I at the Godfather desk

And speaking of "living in" the Godfather, I just returned from visit Francis Ford Coppola's winery in Napa County. They have a Godfather museum with some of the artifacts from the film. Yours truly was thrilled to stand next to the actual desk used in the movie!

Be sure and check out Amy's column here and have a fabulous weekend!



all images from design*sponge