August 27, 2010

The summer is winding down; when I make the” Essence of Summer” (boil those ripe tomatoes with the herbs in our garden, add onions, scallions, a clove of garlic, cook ½ hour and put through food-strainer-mill and freeze in small containers, and use it in stews, tomato soup etc. in the deep of Winter) I begin to register that Fall is just around the corner! Did I have a great summer? Why yes.

I think of the New England PAII conference coming up in November 15-18 in Manchester N.H. and the question comes to mind:  what is relevant to our industry today? How do we keep at the edge of voiced concerns, exciting pertinent information, and what do we present to our guests? What is exciting and innovative for those double income critters who pay highly for our rooms? How do we entertain them, how do we present our area to them: that bucolic, rural setting that lured them in the first place; the reason why they showed up on our doors?

Why not name the egg-man on the breakfast menu, who delivered your fresh eggs in his run- down- truck or those apples from the widowed farmers’ Farm, on your the dessert menu, “Apple-Tart” made from Nancy Miller ‘s Orchard. Or those mushrooms you picked under the tutelage of some local wise woman, and served as a first course: “Toast- tips with Local grown Mushrooms” for no less then $8.00 a plate!  I have seen this to be a great hit!

I know all of this is work; lots of reaching out and making contacts; but all these efforts give you that place where you belong and being part of that community, gaining the locals’ respect and their support. That is when they bring you their fresh caught Trout, (or take your guests Trout fishing), those mushrooms or their home grown veggies! And all that time the guests get an appreciation for the total experience while they are there! You don’t think that your guests notice this, some might not, but most guests do, and they appreciate the good will you have created in the community, the ease with which town folks talk with them. Your support of the local arts, as well as the food that you are serving, and that good will you have developed, makes all the difference.

Yes, being aware, respecting and maintaining an Eco-friendly environment; that is the gift we give to those that are our guests…and along with all the other luxury amenities…towels and linens and your gracious service, great dinners and wine from the Spectators list; that will keep your rooms filled with grateful city folks and their cousins! Plenty of new stimulating ideas are presented at that PAII Regional meeting in New Hampshire. Don’t forget to save that date! November 15-18, and join the other Inn-keepers to think local and save our planet and our rolling fields. November ….that means just around the corner.  Heide