I have always thought, if you had a chance to change what you do to make a living, and Innkeeping comes to mind: well do it, but be passionate about it, or forget it!  Now why would I say that?  Because it takes a lot to make others (your guests, namely) feel the enthusiasm that you need to have, not only with: now you are your own boss; but that you love what you do, and the area, proud of where you are located, the values you share with the musicians, the artisan, the farmers, the caretakers of your environment.

Last weekend, we had our yearly parade of the “Strolling of the Heifers” What a big “to do” for our little town of Brattleboro, Vermont.  A community of about 12,800 residents!  Do I like a parade?  Not really!  But the streets were lined hours before, with 40,000 others in Town who came enthusiastically, and sat and waited!  As the first marching band hit the pavement; blaring their tunes and the bands strutting in formation down between brick buildings on either side; it was a festive celebratory event and inclusive of all the things that this community supports.

There were the individual farmers, their children, and staff leading the bulls, cows, calves, and even a bison! The local independent schools and the high school band (that performed for Obama, at the inauguration parade in Washington D.C. with my grandson playing the drums!) And more local bands, and social groups, some voicing their concerns creatively and in-between lots more local organic farmers carrying their signs, homemade: with pride. They are hiring young adults to produce local grown fruit and vegetables and sell them at their farm stands or at the Saturday Farmers Market. Our granddaughter, home from her first year in college, paraded as a ripe, large, delicious strawberry; she as well as the farmers she works for, caring deeply about our environment! But I loved the group of black clad cow-poop scooper-uppers prancing along the street and the bicyclists and gymnasts performing delightful stunts.

But in all of that hoopla-la, with the B&Bs filled, where were the Innkeepers in the parade? Did they market this incredible event? What an opportunity, to market our town, our local commitment to quality, talent, food vendors, and merchants.  Innkeeping is a quality involvement on a very local level; guests love to know about exciting, different things to do, they want memorable experiences and we craft them by our own enthusiasm in what is happening in our area!  Let’s join the Parade!  Have a good week!  Heide

Tags: Add new tag, brattleboro, Heide Bredfeldt, innkeeping