Dear Friends,
The last few weeks we have had more than our fair share of unseasonably warm days here in the Hocking Hills. During this supposed heat wave, it has been said more than once, "It's hot! When can we turn on the air conditioning?". I have been reluctant to do this for a few reasons and will stand my ground as long as I can bear it.
First and foremost, I love the smell of the fresh air that the spring brings. There is nothing better than being able to open all the windows in the house and let a breeze blow through, unless you suffer from a pollen allergy, that is. The old, stuffy winter air is replaced by the smell of flowers blooming, the spring rains and freshly cut grass. The fresh air seems to lift everyone's spirits.
Secondly, I dread the rising electric bill that results from the use of the central air. Our electric bill will normally double, and sometimes triple when the air is turned on. And even though I am expecting it, the "sticker shock" always gets me that first month. Each year I vow to "suffer through" the heat and not use the central air, but I always seem to give in in the heat of the moment.
This year I have a new and even more important reason for not wanting to turn it on. I have been reading about the energy crisis that is taking place in the world, and am convinced that everyone can make a difference.
Repower America has taken charge and is leading the fight for a more energy efficient world. Their idea that we should use fuels that are not expensive, don't cause pollution and are abundantly available right here at home may be the key to end our reliance on carbon-based fuels and ending the destruction of our planet.
These fuels are already available to us. According to the Repower America website, "Scientists have confirmed that enough solar energy falls on the surface of the earth every 40 minutes to meet 100 percent of the entire world's energy needs for a full year. Tapping just a small portion of this solar energy could provide all of the electricity America uses. And enough wind power blows through the Midwest corridor every day to also meet 100 percent of US electricity demand. Geothermal energy, similarly, is capable of providing enormous supplies of electricity for America."
We can begin the change, by making homes and businesses more energy efficient, increasing renewable energy generation and constructing a unified smart grid to carry electricity. We can begin transitioning to energy efficient plug-in cars to reduce our fuel usage.
Check out the Repower America website for more details on the current plans, meetings being held near you, and things you can do start conserving energy now. For us, it is resisting the urge to use the air conditioner. What is it for you?
For a Greener world,
Ellen and Terry
Innkeepers
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
The Bees are Buzzing in Hocking Hills!!
Dear Friends,
The April showers are hopefully over and the May flowers are blooming. Spring has sprung, the birds are chirping and the bees are buzzing... the Carpenter Bees that is. The nice weather seems to have brought out an influx of the ever annoying Carpenter Bees to the Hocking Hills area and to The Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls.
These hairy, bee-like creatures are often mistaken for Bumblebees due to their similar structure and coloration. This species get their name from the fact that nearly all members build their nests in burrows in dead wood, bamboo, or structural timbers. Carpenter Bees prefer to build burrows in weathered, untreated lumber and their nests always have perfectly round openings. These creatures can cause damage to buildings when they build their burrows and often leave a mess in their wake.
Although the male Carpenter Bee is often aggressive and will defend his territory, he does not have a stinger. He can not sting you. The female Carpenter bee is mostly docile but will sting if directly provoked.
Green is the word, and if you want to get rid of Carpenter Bees without using insecticides you can try plugging the entrance holes with caulk. You can simply put caulk or putty in the holes and paint over them. The bees will not try to get out once they are trapped inside. Another method is to agitate the bees and then vacuum them out of the nest. This can only be accomplished if the nest is relatively new, and only in the early evening when the bees have returned to the nest and are relatively slow. A new colony will sometimes consist of only 20 or so bees, with one queen. If you notice that the colony is relatively small, you may want to consider waiting outside of the nest with a vacuum cleaner while poking the nest with a stick. If all else fails, good old fashioned bug spray will keep them at bay for awhile.
Once you rid yourself of the pesky bees, you will want to keep them from returning by keeping the dwelling painted or sided with vinyl.
Although sometimes bothersome, carpenter bees are not dangerous and generally do not cause any harm. More often they will just buzz about pollinating open faced flowers and will keep to themselves. With the flowers in bloom at the Inn, I have a feeling our Carpenter Bees have been hard at work this spring.
Ellen and Terry,
Innkeepers
The April showers are hopefully over and the May flowers are blooming. Spring has sprung, the birds are chirping and the bees are buzzing... the Carpenter Bees that is. The nice weather seems to have brought out an influx of the ever annoying Carpenter Bees to the Hocking Hills area and to The Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls.
These hairy, bee-like creatures are often mistaken for Bumblebees due to their similar structure and coloration. This species get their name from the fact that nearly all members build their nests in burrows in dead wood, bamboo, or structural timbers. Carpenter Bees prefer to build burrows in weathered, untreated lumber and their nests always have perfectly round openings. These creatures can cause damage to buildings when they build their burrows and often leave a mess in their wake.
Although the male Carpenter Bee is often aggressive and will defend his territory, he does not have a stinger. He can not sting you. The female Carpenter bee is mostly docile but will sting if directly provoked.
Green is the word, and if you want to get rid of Carpenter Bees without using insecticides you can try plugging the entrance holes with caulk. You can simply put caulk or putty in the holes and paint over them. The bees will not try to get out once they are trapped inside. Another method is to agitate the bees and then vacuum them out of the nest. This can only be accomplished if the nest is relatively new, and only in the early evening when the bees have returned to the nest and are relatively slow. A new colony will sometimes consist of only 20 or so bees, with one queen. If you notice that the colony is relatively small, you may want to consider waiting outside of the nest with a vacuum cleaner while poking the nest with a stick. If all else fails, good old fashioned bug spray will keep them at bay for awhile.
Once you rid yourself of the pesky bees, you will want to keep them from returning by keeping the dwelling painted or sided with vinyl.
Although sometimes bothersome, carpenter bees are not dangerous and generally do not cause any harm. More often they will just buzz about pollinating open faced flowers and will keep to themselves. With the flowers in bloom at the Inn, I have a feeling our Carpenter Bees have been hard at work this spring.
Ellen and Terry,
Innkeepers
Sunday, May 17, 2009
MEMORIAL DAY IS AROUND THE CORNER!
Friends,
I can hardly believe it, but Memorial Day is right around the corner. It is next weekend to be exact. Many people will be staying at home, enjoying the weather, and grilling out with family and friends, but if adventure is more of what you are looking for this holiday week, we have just the things for you to do!
Start your weekend off with the Feast of the Flowering Moon in Chillicothe. This festival being held Friday, Saturday and Sunday features Native American music, dancing, traders, and exhibits with a mountain man encampment with working craftsmen and demonstrations. There are also over 80 crafters and commercial exhibits, food, fun, games and contests for the whole family.
Saturday and Sunday take in the sights at the Rockbridge Art and Garden Celebration. Don’t miss your chance to see world class gold jewelry artist Trudy Springer demonstrating fine gold jewelry making – Greg Springer will be demonstrating his amazing techniques in clay – Renee Gerring exhibiting the art of recycled bottle painting – Frank Marteney fabulous works with wire – Master Basket Weaver Leota Hutchison with incredible basket weaving and garden art. Master Gardener Nick Kozma from Home Grown Gardens will be displaying spectacular annual and perennial plantings and will be on hand to answer all of your gardening questions! Demonstrations will be going on all day - all art work and plants will be for sale. This is a free exhibit.
On Monday May 25th don't miss out on the Memorial Day Train ride in Nelsonville, Ohio at the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway. Celebrate the holiday with an old-fashioned train ride! The train will travel to Logan and does not include a stop at Robbins Crossing, which is only open on weekends. Adult: $13 Senior (60+): $11 Child (3-12): $10 Under 3 years old ride free but must sit on guardian's lap.
Final Fridays on the Square in Nelsonville will be celebrating Bloomin' on the Bricks on Friday May 27th. On the final Friday of every month, except December, galleries and retail shops on Nelsonville's historic square stay open late to feature special art events. From 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm, enjoy artists' demonstrations, art chats, artists at work in their studios and openings of new art exhibits, plays, and musical shows. Watch drum circles, street musicians, dancers, and other sidewalk entertainment amidst artists & craftspersons selling their wares. It's safe to plant now, so get your flowers, herbs and vegetable plants from local growers. Garden Art will delight all the fairies in your garden paradise.
Stop in at The Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls Restaurant and pick up a brown bag lunch to take with you while you explore Hocking Hills and its wonders this holiday weekend. Everyone have a safe and happy Memorial Day Holiday.
From our family to yours,
Ellen and Terry
Innkeepers
I can hardly believe it, but Memorial Day is right around the corner. It is next weekend to be exact. Many people will be staying at home, enjoying the weather, and grilling out with family and friends, but if adventure is more of what you are looking for this holiday week, we have just the things for you to do!
Start your weekend off with the Feast of the Flowering Moon in Chillicothe. This festival being held Friday, Saturday and Sunday features Native American music, dancing, traders, and exhibits with a mountain man encampment with working craftsmen and demonstrations. There are also over 80 crafters and commercial exhibits, food, fun, games and contests for the whole family.
Saturday and Sunday take in the sights at the Rockbridge Art and Garden Celebration. Don’t miss your chance to see world class gold jewelry artist Trudy Springer demonstrating fine gold jewelry making – Greg Springer will be demonstrating his amazing techniques in clay – Renee Gerring exhibiting the art of recycled bottle painting – Frank Marteney fabulous works with wire – Master Basket Weaver Leota Hutchison with incredible basket weaving and garden art. Master Gardener Nick Kozma from Home Grown Gardens will be displaying spectacular annual and perennial plantings and will be on hand to answer all of your gardening questions! Demonstrations will be going on all day - all art work and plants will be for sale. This is a free exhibit.
On Monday May 25th don't miss out on the Memorial Day Train ride in Nelsonville, Ohio at the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway. Celebrate the holiday with an old-fashioned train ride! The train will travel to Logan and does not include a stop at Robbins Crossing, which is only open on weekends. Adult: $13 Senior (60+): $11 Child (3-12): $10 Under 3 years old ride free but must sit on guardian's lap.
Final Fridays on the Square in Nelsonville will be celebrating Bloomin' on the Bricks on Friday May 27th. On the final Friday of every month, except December, galleries and retail shops on Nelsonville's historic square stay open late to feature special art events. From 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm, enjoy artists' demonstrations, art chats, artists at work in their studios and openings of new art exhibits, plays, and musical shows. Watch drum circles, street musicians, dancers, and other sidewalk entertainment amidst artists & craftspersons selling their wares. It's safe to plant now, so get your flowers, herbs and vegetable plants from local growers. Garden Art will delight all the fairies in your garden paradise.
Stop in at The Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls Restaurant and pick up a brown bag lunch to take with you while you explore Hocking Hills and its wonders this holiday weekend. Everyone have a safe and happy Memorial Day Holiday.
From our family to yours,
Ellen and Terry
Innkeepers
Friday, May 15, 2009
INN THE NEWS-HOCKING HILLS
Dear Friends, Summer is just around the corner and we have lots going on at the Inn. We’ve created a few new offerings…Father’s Day Packages for Twitter users, a Google Coupon offer and Dynamic Trio-Visiting Guest Chefs return.
Geocaching at the Inn is going great. Guests and staff are having bunches of fun discovering hidden treasures on the property. Haven’t gotten involved yet? Learn all about it at http://www.geocaching.com/.
June 19-20 Washboard Music Festival
June 19-21 Fathers Day Packages
June 27-28 Garden Art Happening at Hocking House
All hiking t-shirts are 50% off.
Mother’s are always taken care of on their special day. Now, it’s time to take care of the FATHER’S too. We’ve created two fun packages…”My Fishing Pole is All I Need ” and “He’s the Man” .
A sneak preview! The return of the Dynamic Trio on July 31. Join Jim Budros, Steve Stover and Rich Terapak from Columbus as they cook up a delectable summer dinner using Ohio and local products. Make your reservations early.
Also, in July are the Beer TasteInn and Summer Cooking Class.
Don’t forget to send us your photos and videos. We are still collecting them for our contest. Win an overnight stay!
Congrats to all those parents who have graduating seniors from high school and college! Ellen and Terry just attended the University of Dayton graduation to watch daughter Sarah accept her diploma. Come join us for some rest and relaxation after all the events settle down.
Innkeepers
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
GUEST CHEFS DYNAMIC TRIO RETURN - HOCKING HILLS OHIO
The Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls is excited to announce the return of not one, not two, but three longtime visiting guest chefs and friends. When the Inn opened in 1987, Jim Budros was our first guest chef. He cooked here not only because he has a passion for food and cooking, but it gave Inn creator Anne Castle a break from cooking dinners. Jim suggested having Steve Stover and Rich Terapak come guest chef too. Steve and Rich came as a duo and have done so for many years. *Salmon rillettes with dill oil
*Grilled crostini with “Mothership” heirloom tomato salad
*Homemade ricotta with grilled Ohio peaches, arugula, and proscuitto
*Fire-roasted hanger steak or boneless chicken breast with red peppers, fontina, and chimichurri sauce; polenta with Hocking County sweet corn
* Mary’s rosemary shortbread, Ohio berries, Oakvale Farmstead Ohio gouda, walnuts, honey, and mint
Chocolat
About our illustrious chefs:
Jim Budros has been a cooking teacher for more than 30 years. He is the Co-founder of City BBQ in Columbus and is a Master Certified BBQ judge. Jim has been a restaurant reviewer for WOSU for 14 years. He is an advocate for Pistacia Vera-a dessert boutique in German Village as well as a promoter and supporter of the live-fire cooking theater at the community garden center in the Franklin Park Conservatory. Jim’s real life work is the Principal and Founder of Budros, Ruhlin & Roe, a wealth management firm.
Steve Stover is passionate about food. He has taught cooking, reviewed restaurants and judged cooking for more than 25 years. Regularly, Steve reviews restaurants for CityScene Magazine. Steve had a weekly restaurant and food commentary program on the Bob Conners Show on 610WTVN AM radio for 11 ½ years. Steve was the Ohio editor for Zagat Survey, and edited five Zagat Survey Ohio editions. Steve judges cooking at the Ohio State Fair. In “real life,” Steve is the Legislative Counsel for the Ohio State Bar Association, a position he assumed in 2000 on his retirement as Administrative Director of the Supreme Court of Ohio.
Rich Terapak has been teaching cooking for over 30 years in the Central Ohio community. He started out assisting Jim Budros in the 1970's at Good Things in Bexley, Ohio. He went on to team teach with Steve Stover for over 26 years at several locations, the longest stint being 13 years with Betty Rosbottom’s La Belle Pomme Cooking School. Rich and Steve are regular instructors at Faire la Cuisine near Granville. Rich has been the resident restaurant critic for WOSU radio for the past decade and is now joined by his son, Richie on WOSU each month. In his other life, Rich is a partner in the law firm of Porter Wright in Columbus where he is chair of the Health Care Practice Group.
Reservations are required for dinner and there are several seating time options. Cost is $45/person. You are welcome to arrive early, have a drink in the Gathering Place, mingle in the Fireside room or chat with the chefs in our open kitchen. Call 800-653-2557.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
MOTHER'S DAY IDEAS!
Dear Friends,
Mother's Day is just a week away. Do you have plans to do something special for the mom in your life? Sunday May10th is quickly drawing near and if your mother has not given you a hint about what she wants for Mother's Day this year, we have some ideas!
If your mom is an outdoor enthusiast, she probably would love to spend time with her family hiking in the Hocking Hills. Old Man's Cave, Ash Cave and Cedar Falls all have views fit for a queen. You can spend hours on the trails, taking in the sights and connecting with nature. Photo opportunities abound as the spring wildflowers are beginning to bloom and the native forest animals are awakening from their winter slumber.
Is your mom not a nature buff? Why not surprise her by bringing her to The Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls for our annual Mother's Day Brunch. While dining in an original 1840's log cabin, your mom will be treated to Chef Anthony's pastry basket, the Inn's homemade granola, fresh fruit and yogurt. She will then have her choice of an entree with side dishes and will be offered a dessert from our delicious dessert menu.
If your mom loves to be pampered treat her to a day at the spa. Make your reservation now for a relaxation massage or a deluxe hand and foot treatment at our tranquil spa. If a retreat is more in order schedule her for a Cedar Falls Half Day Spa Package. She will be treated to three 50 minute treatments by one of our Licensed Massage Therapists and will be served lunch while she is there.
Hocking Hills offers many choices of activities for mothers of all types. No mater what you decide to do, don't forget to tell her you care! Happy Mother's Day!
Ellen and Terry
Innkeepers
Mother's Day is just a week away. Do you have plans to do something special for the mom in your life? Sunday May10th is quickly drawing near and if your mother has not given you a hint about what she wants for Mother's Day this year, we have some ideas!
If your mom is an outdoor enthusiast, she probably would love to spend time with her family hiking in the Hocking Hills. Old Man's Cave, Ash Cave and Cedar Falls all have views fit for a queen. You can spend hours on the trails, taking in the sights and connecting with nature. Photo opportunities abound as the spring wildflowers are beginning to bloom and the native forest animals are awakening from their winter slumber.
Is your mom not a nature buff? Why not surprise her by bringing her to The Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls for our annual Mother's Day Brunch. While dining in an original 1840's log cabin, your mom will be treated to Chef Anthony's pastry basket, the Inn's homemade granola, fresh fruit and yogurt. She will then have her choice of an entree with side dishes and will be offered a dessert from our delicious dessert menu.
If your mom loves to be pampered treat her to a day at the spa. Make your reservation now for a relaxation massage or a deluxe hand and foot treatment at our tranquil spa. If a retreat is more in order schedule her for a Cedar Falls Half Day Spa Package. She will be treated to three 50 minute treatments by one of our Licensed Massage Therapists and will be served lunch while she is there.
Hocking Hills offers many choices of activities for mothers of all types. No mater what you decide to do, don't forget to tell her you care! Happy Mother's Day!
Ellen and Terry
Innkeepers
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