Kitchy Gift Season

Well, it is that time of year again, time for gift giving and we couldn't be more pleased with this year's selection of Kitchy Gifts from the Hotel Charlotte. This year we have added beer glasses to our collection of Hotel Charlotte etched glassware. The beer glasses join the wine glasses and coffee cups all priced at $6 for one or 2 for $10.

We have also added a fantastic new book by Jan Irene Atchinson, Oysters on the Half Shell, Historic Hotels of the Mother Lode and the Recipes that Made them Famous. A mouthful of a title, but a really great little book. Jan does a fantastic job capturing the spirit of these old places, especially the Hotel Charlotte where she makes the memory of Hotel Dog Bob playing the piano come alive.

These new gifts join our old funk, the license plate holder, Hotel Charlotte logoed tshirts, the I survived Priest Grade Tshirt and the I Love Inns bed and breakfast book with the buy one night, get one night free coupon for your traveling friends!

And, this year we have the clocks, dozens of antique clocks. Now, Victor isn't interested in selling all of them, some have become personal favorites but there are a good number that he would talk to you about if you were interested. So come take a look, you can enjoy our buy one clock, get a night free at the hotel special. Call for details. 209-962-6455

Happy Holidays All!
Lynn & Victor
Hotel Charlote, On the way to Yosemite

PS: I forgot to mention the number one best seller! Gift Certificates. This year, buy a book of 10 customized gift certificates with a $50 value for $500 and we will throw in the 11th free. You save $50...a fantastic value when you consider our great prices already! (and who knows, if the recipient invites you along, you win twice!) Gift Certificates are available in any quantity at any denomination. Discount is only available on a bulk purchase of $500 value.

Winter happenings here & around Yosemite

I haven't published a coming events in a while so here's whats on the calendar for the Hotel Charlotte and some of our favorite things by other folks in the area.


Thursday Nights: Gift Certificate Redemption Night: Valid through 1/4/2009

Join us for dinner on Thursdays, use a gift certificate and we will add another 5% to the value of your gift certificate.


Sunday Nights: 2 Specials! Courses of Course & Clear the Cellar Valid through 1/4/2009
Besides our regular menu, we are also offering a 3-course dinner of soup or house salad, a 5oz bacon wrapped filet mignon & homemade ice-cream, coffee or tea for $19.95. We have a few great wines in small quantities to share so we can make room for new vintages. Add a bottle of wine to your dinner from our select vintages from $15, the price of a bottle of house wine! (While supplies last) We have a few great wines in small quantities to share so we can make room for new vintages.


Christmas Dinner Valid 12/25/2008 Since Christmas falls on a Thursday this year, we will be open for dinner, 5:30 to 8:30. We leave Christmas Eve to our staff to enjoy their families. We look forward to serving you and your families on Christmas night after all the festivities have wrapped up for the day. (Other than us, who really wants to cook again that day?) We will serve from our regular menu and regular prices with a couple of specials, perhaps something like lobster, king crab legs or venison rack.


New Year's Eve Dinner Valid 12/31/2008

Consider joining us for the early seatings, starting from 5:30 pm on Wednesday, December 31st. The menu choices are:
Lobster bisque or wilted spinach and blue cheese salad
Entrée choices:
$39 Stuffed Guinea Hen with plum sauce
$49 Filet Mignon with a port wine and Porcini mushroom sauce
$49 Ostrich Filet (a tender red meat) with black cherry sauce
$49 Petite Lobster tail with drawn butter
+ $19 Add a lobster tail to any entrée for an extra $19.
Dessert: Napoleon
A Glass of Champagne with Dessert
Coffee, tea or iced tea included

Oodles of neat stuff coming in 2009 from Sommelier hosted wine dinners, Cabaret Charlotte dinner-theater to Gala events and Mensa Mondays (Trivial Pursuit) more details to follow. Also, if you don't check into the website often, you might have missed some of the fantastic room specials we have on our hotel and vacation rental houses near Yosemite. Check out the deals!



As always we look forward to welcoming you or welcoming you back again!

Lynn & Victor

Recipe Research 2009

We have started our 2009 trip planning and are off to Down Under to see the little lambs that make our rack of lamb our most popular dish. Posts for this year's trip will be found on www.RecipeResearch.blogspot.com Enjoy!

Winter events at the Hotel Charlotte

Here's the scoop on a few of the happenings in the area and at the Charlotte this winter. If you can't make it to the Charlotte yourself, many of these events make a one of a kind holiday gift, give us a call and we will make a wonderful holiday gift basket for you!

Bird Watching in the Sierra Nevada Groveland's Christmas Bird Count on 12/27 Groveland has an active Chapter in the Centeral Sierra Audubon Society and has scheduled their annual Christmas Bird Count for December 27th. What a fantastic way to spend one of your Holiday days! Make us part of your plans. To reserve your spot, contact Bill Zachman. More info: www.HotelCharlotte.com/birds.html

Restaurant Specials: We are offering several fall-winter specials in the restaurant on Thursday and Sunday nights through the first week of January and some great holiday menus for the coming festive season. We hope you will join us for one or all of these! www.HotelCharlotte.com/restaurant.html

• Thursday Nights: Gift Certificate Redemption Night Valid through 1/1/2009Join us for dinner on Thursdays, use your gift certificates and we will apply 5% more to the value of your gift certificate. (No cash back when your giftcertificate is worth more than your dinner, bring extra people!)
  
• Sunday Nights: Courses of Course! & Clear the Cellar Night Valid through 1/4/2009We are offering a 3-course dinner of soup or house salad, a 5oz bacon wrapped filet mignon & homemade ice-cream, coffee or tea for $19.95. Add a bottle of wine from our select vintages from $15, (the price of a bottle of house wine and only while supplies last) We have a few great wines in small quantities to share so we can make room for new vintages. The list will change weekly.

Christmas Dinner: Since Christmas falls on a Thursday this year, we will be open for dinner, 5:30 to 8:30. Christmas Eve the restaurant is closed, leaving that night to our staff to enjoy their own families and hope to serve you and your families on Christmas night after all the festivities have wrapped up for the day. We will serve from our regular menu and regular prices with a couple of specials, perhaps something like lobster, king crab legs or venison rack.

New Year's Eve Menu: Consider joining us for the early seatings, starting from 5:30 pm on Wednesday, December 31st. Perfect for those who like the party, but not the late hour of Midnight. The menu choices are:
Lobster bisque or wilted spinach and blue cheese salad
Entrée choices:

• $39 Stuffed Guinea Hen with plum sauce
• $49 Filet Mignon with a port wine and Porcini mushroom sauce
• $49 Ostrich Filet (a tender red meat) with black cherry sauce
• $49 Petite Lobster tail with drawn butter
• $19 Add a lobster tail to any entrée for an extra $19.

Dessert: Napoleon
A Glass of Champagne with Dessert
Coffee, tea or iced tea included

Charlotte Winter Entertainment Schedule is coming together with the following dates already confirmed and more to come! All of these events qualify for our stay & play room rates of $89 per room, breakfast included for 2 people.

• Saturday, February 14th: Valentine's Dinner
• Sunday, February 22nd: Sipping Amador, a wine dinner with Nicole Darracq, our favorite Sommelier
• Sunday, March 1st: Chianti & Crab Feast, Caesar Salad, 1/2 Crab Chiappino, Garlic bread, 1/2 a bottle of Chianti & Tirimasu for dessert. $29 tax and tip included
• Sunday, March 8th, Cabaret with Dennis Brown & Friends, a whole new show
• Sunday, March 22nd: Sipping El Dorado, the last of the Sipping through the Sierra Series with Nicole
• Friday, March 27th: Pine Cone Players Gala Dinner-Theatre for the world Premier of Groveland's got Talent
• Sunday, April 5th, Cabaret with Dennis Brown & Friends, a reprise of the March show for those who were out of town for that date.

By the way, any of these events can be made into a perfect holiday gift package for everyone you know--Let us help! www.HotelCharlotte.com/gifts.html

Hotel Charlotte named business of the year

This was an exciting bit of news to cross my desk this morning! We were recognized at the annual gala, but hadn't received a press release. It makes us feel big time!


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 30, 2008

CONTACT: Jeannie Tasker – (209) 962-7163
Yosemite Chamber of Commerce


HOTEL CHARLOTTE NAMED 2008 BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

The Hotel Charlotte in downtown Groveland, CA was recently named the 2008 Business of the Year by the Yosemite Chamber of Commerce. In the Chamber’s first ever members’ choice recognition program, the Hotel Charlotte received the greatest number of votes over a seven month period, a testimony to the welcoming atmosphere of the hotel and delicious offerings of its restaurant. The honor also acknowledges the contributions to the community made by the owners of the Hotel Charlotte, Lynn Upthagrove and Victor Niebylski, who give selflessly of their time and resources to Groveland Art Strolls, Chamber marketing efforts, 49er Festivals and Chili Cook-offs, Pine Cone Singers, Tuolumne County Visitors Bureau, and Yosemite Gateway Partners, among others. Noted among the creative contributions, the Hotel Charlotte hosted a summer luau at Camp Tuolumne Trails which raised over $2,400 for Groveland Soroptomists, and, Goose, the hotel dog, ran for honorary mayor of Groveland in 2008, raising $1,200 for his sponsor, Camp Tuolumne Trails, and $2,800 for the Yosemite Chamber.

Lynn and Victor hit the ground running when they purchased the Hotel Charlotte five and a half years ago. Virtually newlyweds at the time, Lynn worked for a company which wrote travel guides, and Victor was a chef at Stanford University. They literally had searched the world for just the right small hotel with a restaurant, before discovering the Hotel Charlotte and its proprietors, Ruth and Jim Kraenzel. Ruth and Jim sought buyers who would continue their tradition of friendly hospitality, good food, and community service. Lynn and Victor were the perfect prospects, and the sale between the couples initiated a new friendship.

Lynn’s development of the “Hotel Charlotte, On The Way To Yosemite” website launched the hotel worldwide and dramatically increased the demand for its hotel rooms. Chef Victor’s delectable entrees immediately attracted a loyal following of regular diners to the restaurant, as well as the hotel’s out-of-town visitors. In response to an increasing need, Lynn and Victor now offer additional lodging, complete with maid service and breakfast at the hotel, in several off-site homes and condominiums.

The Hotel Charlotte hosts the weekly meetings of the Rotary Club, the board meetings of the Yosemite Chamber of Commerce, monthly card stamping parties, and birthday clubs. Lynn has developed a series of special events from cabaret nights showcasing Dennis Brown and Friends from the Pine Cone Singers, to winemaker dinners showcasing local sommeliers, to classic holiday dinners such as Valentine’s, Mother’s Day, and New Years. So much in demand are Lynn and Chef Victor, with a staff known for good service and warm personality, that the Hotel Charlotte was contracted to cater several offsite events over the last year, including the Camp Tuolumne Trails New Year’s Eve fundraiser and the Yosemite Chamber’s Annual Gala.

The Hotel Charlotte is located on Main Street in Groveland, and may be contacted at (209) 962-6455, or at HotelCharlotte@aol.com, www.HotelCharlotte.com.

Turkey Wars

Groveland, the givingest town in the world!

For all of our years here in Groveland, we have always taken this weekend to be visiting family in the midwest. Since we don't have an overnight person right now with Nancy up in Alaska, we decided to do the holidays with split vacations. Victor is in St. Louis right now with his family enjoying Thanksgiving and I go next week to Wisconsin where my family will pretend that it is Christmas. So...all this turkey business in Groveland is new to me, but I am totally enjoying the shenanigans!

So here's a story about the turkeys.
Each year the town gives a free Thanksgiving Dinner to anyone who wants one serving on Thanksgiving day from 11am to 4pm Sometimes whole families come, sometimes folks from far away come. All are welcome.

The dinners have been going on for 31 years now with usually 20 turkeys cooked. Yesterday I learned that the turkey cooking job is a coveted position and never given up. Even when one moves away, they "turn over their turkey" to a good friend to tend to for the next coming years. One such person was up to 3 turkeys this way and when the organizers tried to redistribute the birds to others interested in cooking, a to-do broke out. Bird thievery. Why are you stealing my turkeys....? Wow! Who knew the honor of cooking the bird was so grand. Maybe next year I will steal one to cook.

For this year I am signed up to be the Turkey Welcome Girl, TWG. That sounds fun. Maybe I will give everyone a parting Hotel Charlotte mint.

Kitchen taste tester

It is the early morning hour of 6:30 and Victor just served me a Napolean to taste test.

We've both been up for a couple of hours, the paper is read, crossword puzzle attempted and he has gone off to the kitchen to practice upcoming recipes. I don't eat sweets much and certainly not at 6:30 am. Now, if he had tried a new taco recipe, I might have been chomping down on it as I write.

I told him it looked lovely. Perhaps later I will try it.

Immaculate Convection

We had a leisurely morning today with only a handful of rooms to serve breakfast to. Our friend and neighbor stopped by to hang out while his wife had her hair done. We enjoyed coffee and a chat about putting on a NO Monty "Chippendales" styled show, wondering if we are better off hiring professionals from "off the hill" or auditioning from our local bevy of buff buttocks.

Victor is cooking for this weekend, baking fresh pies and adding his 2¢ between pie checks. I head off to the computer to do a Chippendales Touring Show search and Tony goes to visit with Victor in the Kitchen.

Tony and I meet up later and he tells me this funny story about Victor and his pies not cooking, check, no change, checking again, no change, checking and rechecking and finally realizing the oven isn't on. Hahahah.

So we head to the kitchen and I ask Victor if he thinks he is such a good chef that he doesn't even need the oven on to create delicious pies.

He said he was trying for immaculate convection.

Turning Green

In researching what it means to be "green" the best advice I got was to start with a list of all the things we do now that fall under environmentally friendly. Then make a list of all the things we would like to do, then start implementing and moving items from the Green to-do list to the Green done list...and before you know it—GREEN

Here are the things we have identified as implemented: Green Done

1. Floors laid with bamboo, a sustainable resource
2. Swirl light bulbs where we can
3. Purchased fuel economy car for housekeeping use trading in 8 miles to the gallon on an old van for 39 miles to the gallon on a new car.
4. Exterior lighting is on timers
5. Room notices posted to guests suggesting an option to
   Reuse of towels on multi-night stays
   Reuse of linens for multi-night stays
6. Recycle paper for internal memos and note paper
7. Live plants for to improve indoor air quality & promote restful environment.
8. We pay a service to have our cardboard picked up for recycling
9. Recycle printer & toner ink cartridges
10. Neutered dog, no new Goose puppies
11. In housekeeping we only run full loads of laundry and make best attempts to use machines at low energy times of the day
12. Use of 100% recycled toilet and tissue paper
13. Outdoor plants are on a drip system for watering
14. Waste oil and grease from the kitchen is donated to a company that recycles it into Biodiesel fuel
15. Installed all new windows, double pained with insulation and noise reduction between the panes.
16. Insulated the hotel from the attic to the basement and above and below the restaurant and kitchen
17. Replaced ice machine that worked on a water cooling with one that worked on air cooling, estimated reduction in water use, 3000 gallons a month.
18. Replaced old and inefficient refrigerators with energy efficient equipment, eliminated one refrigerator from inventory.
19. Purchased a micro freezer for frequently accessed items reducing door opening of large freezer with much smaller one with a far quicker recovery rate.
20. Replace inefficient toilets with low-flow toilets
21. Installed two HVAC units, one to run the second floor and one to run the first floor. Able to use only one system during slow periods and balance our heating and cooling needs with where the people are.
22. Use products that can be washed and reused vs disposables such as linen table clothes and clothe napkins.
23. Installed an instant hot water heater to run the kitchen needs. Reducing drain on the hotel system and providing hot water only when we need it.
24. We have assigned a person to getting educated on what it means to be green, and subscribe to a number of relevant newsletters to keep us on top of new technologies and research in the field.

Things we are researching and hope some day to move to the above list:

1. Transition more of our paper products to recycled including to-go boxes for the restaurant, hand towels in the bathrooms, paper napkins, doggie bags and bags we use for retail item sales. Currently getting pricing and sample from leading suppliers.
2. Research environmentally friendly cleaning products for kitchen and laundry supplies. Must still meet health standards.
3. Take a new look at solar options for the hotel. Our first research on this priced it out of our ability to procure, but advancements in technology and credits may make this a viable option
4. Install a water tank to catch & store water four our gardens during the summer.
5. Convert more lighting to florescent, use energy efficient bulbs where this isn't possible
6. Install ceiling fans for better air circulation, reducing use of air conditioner
7. Establish a recycling area with proper colored bins for guest use from the parking area.
8. Establish with the trash folks exactly what they can & can't take from us, if they would start a service similar to their residential service for businesses. Else, find a group, business or person that will regularly transfer our recyclables to the processing places in Sonora. Consider paying to have someone haul our recyclables to the processeing center.

We recognize that these lists don't make us "green" yet. It is a mindset and a way of thinking that one builds into their life. But without making it a business priority, we won't ever make a smaller footprint on the earth. We have a long way to go, but we have started and use "green" thinking for all of our new purchases & improvements.

As we move items from our to-do list to our done list, we will update our website Hotel Charlotte Green list and twice a year compare with this original list and check that we are heading in the right direction.

Oysters on the Half Shell

The whole title of this book is Oysters on the Half Shell, Historic Hotels of the Mother Lode & the Recipes That Made Them Famous 1850 to Present. That's a mouthful!

Jan Iren Atkinson is the author and we just received our copy today. It's a marvelous book and a perfect gift for anyone who enjoys traveling the old hotels of the early 20th Centry and even Gold Rush era. Jan hasn't missed a one of our favorites.

Her write up of the Charlotte, while featuring some of the Hotel Charlotte history, Jan also tells a tale of her visit in November of 2006 and her meeting Bob, the Hotel Dog and his piano playing antics. She captures the comic scene quite perfectly! Congratulations on a job well done Jan, we hope you sell many books! Everyone I know is getting one this year for Christmas!
Lynn

Auctioneer or Bidder?

I can't decide which of the two I like better. Auctioneer is like being on a stage, a one man show and has less personal financial cost, but the bidding, yes the bidding...gives that same adrenaline rush as casino games, but for a good cause. No real fundraiser with a live auction should be held without me around. Ohhh, I just love the bid, bump, wait...how much does the other bidder want this? Going Going....Bid again....Ohhhhhh. Shooooot, was that too much? Did I miss read? Ahhhhhh sigh of relief as someone again bids higher.

Talk talk, look back at bidding...My goodness, still on the same item? Hmmm, Let me flash my paddle and see what happens......And there we go again fingers crossed that someone comes and out bids us, not wanting to come home and tell Victor too very big of a list of great items we "won"

Now we are on Item 14, one I REALLY want. I am not just playing around here, now I have to psych everyone out and and and and DANG! wouldn't you know it, everyone in the room seemingly wants this item and in a breath goes up to $900. Not even in my ball park, I dropped out at $350, but all is not lost, there is an item 15 to begin the adrenaline again.

We end the night having won a beautiful fall silk wreath, a bouquet of candles in a bird cage, an hour ride in an antique plane and a sailboat cruise on Lake Don Pedro. A good catch!

But most of all, I got to watch a real professional in the actioneer seat and I know now that I don't have a clue what I am doing up on the stage as I play auctioneer in our little 49er Festival, but maybe someday Paul will auction off a lesson or two that I could bid on!

Best of all, when I get home, Victor is waiting up for me! Even though I am an hour later than I had anticipated. Very sweetly he listens to my ramblings as I relive all the highs of the evening.

Halloween at the Charlotte

4 Years I have been waiting for Halloween to fall on one of our resaurant nights. November 1st, 2004 I got the "vision" on how to best set it up for dinner guests and for maximum trick-or-treat fun and it took until October 31, 2008 for that day and date to match up with a restaurant night. But the vision was right on! The guests loved it, hundreds of photos were taken and the kids really think our huge barrel of candy with nearly a free for all approach is just the grandest!

If you have been here before, we have a narrow room and a square dining room that are connected. I took the center table out of the square dining room and had dinner guests set all around the room and in the small room. I purchased some glow in the dark foot prints and mapped out a path we wanted the kids to follow so they go by every table in the house, and most of them did.

It was just right and we even got some "thank you, great party" notes from folks that joined us. That's always a good sign. I will post some pictures when I get them from Connie. She was the house photographer that night.

Who drives so fast?

I am sitting here having been up for a few hours early this morning and if you know my desk area, it fronts Highway 120. All morning long cars have been RACING by. This isn't the first time I noticed the fast driving, but it is the first time I noted it.

Who are these fast drivers? I really don't mean doing 35-40 in our 25 mile per hour downtown. These folks are easily hitting the 60 or more MPH and it is insane! Do these drivers have kids? Do they have slow moving parents? Just because it is early in the morning to they drive this fast? Are they regular drivers the rest of the day? What about Priest Grade, are they doing this speeding bit on the grade too?

Its a wonder there aren't some fairly serious accidents.

Sipping Calaveras, the full event

We just love wine-dinners and this coming series is titled: Sipping through the Sierra where we pair Victor's great menus with our favorite Sommelier, Nicole Darracq's, top selections from each of the Sierra Foothill wine regions: Calavera, Amador, El Dorado and the Southern Sierra.

We open the series on November 9th, a Sunday, with Sipping Calaveras. Victor presented the menu to Nicole who tasted her way through Calaveras wines to pick the best off the region for pairing with our menu with an eye to value if there were equally delicious choices.

Sipping Calaveras Menu
· Cheese fondue with fresh cut apples, crostini and vegetables paired with Vina Moda, Viognier
(Best of the Foothills, California State Fair, 2008)

· Salad of mixed greens, pear & sunflower seeds with a blue cheese dressing with Twisted Oak, Ruben’s Blend
(90 points, Wine Enthusiast Magazine July 2008)

· Petite plate of clams simmered in a red wine sauce with Hatcher, Barbera
(Silver Medal at Calaveras County Fair, 2008)

· Venison rack cutlet or filet mignon with plum onion marmalade, paired with Frog’s Tooth, Tempranillo
(Double Gold, Calaveras County Fair, 2008)

· Zabaglione dessert paired with Ironstone Symphony
(Double Gold and Best of Show, Calaveras County Fair & Gold Medal, SF Chronicle Competition)

Throughout dinner Nicole will be presenting her unique twist on food/wine pairings. We have enjoyed Nicole's presentations before and are sure to come away with something new and refreshing this year too.

Sipping Through the Sierra continues with Sipping Amador on Sunday, February 22nd and Sipping El Dorado on Sunday, March 22. Sipping the Southern Sierra will be scheduled in April, date to be determined. Tickets are $64 per event, or save $15 with a 3-series season ticket, $177.

(Wouldn't this make a fantastic holiday gift?)

Additional event details can be found on our website, www.HotelCharlotte.com/sipping.html or call, 209-962-6455. We hope to welcome you!

Is Groveland's Mayor Mad?

So the other morning I am on the phone with Robin, president of the Yosemite Chamber of Commerce, and I am leaning on our counter watching the folks and cars go by and I see the newly elected Mayor, Kay Glaves across the street. Her red hair is perfectly coiffed with a lovely red feather coming out the back and she is wearing a full length purple bathrobe and strolling Main Street... as if this is perfectly normal.

Goose suggests the we offer to take over as Mayor for the day, perhaps Kay is feeling a bit too under the weather for her heady duties. We ask and she gives us the Groveland Giggle, thanks us for our kindness, tosses off some "Red Hats Pajama Party" excuse and sweeps on down the street a vision in red & purple.

Sounds like Groveland Normal to me! We have way too much fun here!

Our Groveland Thanksgiving Schedule

Each year we have made the week of Thanksgiving our family time, first visiting Victor's family in St. Louis and then heading up to Wisconsin where we pretend it is Christmas with my family.

This year, we will do the same, but separate trips which allows us to open the restauant for Thanksgiving weekend. The restaurant won't be open on Thanksgiving day so our staff can enjoy the holidays with their families. But come Friday, Saturday and Sunday, we will be here ready to serve you and your extended family and holiday guests a wonderful dinner. Please join us!

We will be serving from our regular menu with some specials thrown in, including Victor's new Wild Game items. You can see a menu online at www.HotelCharlotte.com/menu.html. (Some items Change weekly)

Reservations encouraged! 209-962-6455
Lynn & Victor
Hotel Charlotte
http://www.hotelcharlotte.com/
209-962-6455

Sipping through the Sierras: Sipping Calaveras

We just love wine-dinners and this new series: Sipping through the Sierras might be the best ensemble yet! We will pair Victor's great menus with wines from each of the Sierra Foothill regions personally selected by our favorite Sommelier, Nicole (of Muir Hanna fame.) Each sipping dinner features 5 courses and 5 wines from 5 different wineries of the same region and presented by the very entertaining Nicole.

We start the series on November 9th, a Sunday, with Sipping Calaveras. We are just now putting the details together, but we can share with you the initial menu:

Cheese fondue with cut apples, costini and vegetables for dipping served during happy hour
Sit down service starting with a petite plate of clams simmered in a red wine sauce
Followed by a salad of mixed greens, pear and sunflower seeds with a blue cheese dressing
The main coures is venison rack or filet mignon with plum onion marmalade, potatoes and veggies
Dessert is Zabaglione

As we finalize our paired wines, we will update the website: www.HotelCharlotte.com/sipping.html

Additional dates include:
Sipping Amador on Sunday, February 22nd
Sipping El Dorado on Sunday, March 22nd and
Sipping the Southern Sierras on a date to be determined.
Tickets are $64 per region, or save $15 with a 3-series package. (To qualify for the discount, all dinners must be purchased at once as a package, choose any three of the 4 programs.) Individual tickets may be ordered on line from Local Wine Events, http://webmails.hosting-advantage.com/horde/services/go.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.localwineevents.com%2Ftickets%2Fticket_purchase.php%3FEVENTID%3D208197 or by calling the Hotel Charlotte, 209-962-6455

(Wouldn't this make a fantastic holiday gift?)

For out of town guests, this event qualifies for our Stay & Play pricing, www.HotelCharlotte.com/play.html

We hope to welcome you!
Lynn & Victor
Hotel Charlotte, on the way to Yosemite
http://www.hotelcharlotte.com/
209-962-6455

Halloween Whoopla—Groveland Style Friday, October 31st

This year Grovelanders and visitors from around the world will enjoy another deluge of fairy-tale costumed children parading our Main Street with parents in tow seeking out the sweetest treats and the scariest stops.

Each year seemingly hundreds of children and families dress up and head to downtown Groveland for a costume party at Mary Laveroni Community Park with apple bobbing, games and contests and then at 5:00pm they trick-or-treat the 5 blocks of our downtown where merchants & service clubs generously provide candy year after year assuring a safe and sane Halloween.

For those without kids or grandkids to provide the necessary cover to enjoy the evening, there are several Yosemite Chamber of Commerce member venues that are great viewing seats to plant yourself for the evening watching all the kids go by. The Groveland Hotel with their new look in the dining room makes a delicious stop with Chef Greg's gourmet menu and a fantastic wine list.

The Iron Door Saloon is a fantasy stop...perfect for Halloween "Boo" s and Hoots & Hollers and a great place to watch the festivities from. If you can't make to Groveland on Friday, come Saturday for the adult Halloween Party with Live Music, Great Costumes, Prizes & lots of fun! http://www.iron-door-saloon.com/

This year the Hotel Charlotte restaurant will be open and routing the fairy-tale costumed kids right through the middle of the dining room where the huge barrel of candy will sit providing diners superb photo opportunities of the candy-march festivities. The Charlotte is reserving the dining room for one seating only so guests have their tables for the whole affair. Special treats will be awarded to those who come to dinner dressed in costume. Out of town guests who have dinner at the Charlotte qualify for Stay & Play room pricing from $99, www.HotelCharlotte.com/play.html. Reserve early, 209-962-6455.

We invite you to visit the Downtown Groveland restaurants & hotels while enjoying this year's Halloween festivities.

49er Festival & Chili Cookoff

Oh what fun! The parade was the biggest ever, the auctions were far more grand than the year before and the weather could not have been more perfect! Even the Union Democrat was there to document our success! http://www.uniondemocrat.com/news/story.cfm?story_no=27628

Thanks bunches to Randy Klaahsen who was our guest chef at the Chili Cook-off. Randy brought home a first place, judges choice for his PFFFFT Free Chili in the no beans category and placed second or third in the other categories. GREAT job Randy.

We finished up our duties for the day, Parade and Live Auction Auctioneer and then headed out to New York for a quick trip to wind down from all the excitement. We are thrilled to be back on the west coast where everything looks fresh and clean.

We are working out plans now for the Yosemite Chamber of Commerce's annual dinner gala on Tuesday, October 21st and are looking forward to another wonderful bash!

Hotel Dog Goose gets his 15 minutes

For such a young dog, barely out of the puppy stage, Goose has gained a level of notoriety far beyond that which should ever be common in a dog. This running for mayor has now made him famous...at least between here and Sacramento!

For those who missed the TV show, here are the clips:
http://cbs13.com/video/?id=39399@kovr.dayport.com.

When you open the page, use the search box to the right of "video library" and enter Groveland and that will bring up what we filmed today. There are three clips in total

To do this filming we sent out a last minute request for folks to join us at 6:30 am and asked that they bring their signs, cheers and dogs in support of the Candidates. We estimated 50 people, 10 dogs, a cat, a baby and our Parade Grand Marshals, (Kent and Sandy Blankenberg) and a whole lot of fun. Thank you ALL for showing up and hooting up the Festival!

Goose's team of accountants have tallied the tickets and have determined that it will be a very close race between Goose, Red and Kay. We believe that we have all "checked out" the same amount of tickets from James Nagle. Now it is a matter of who sells the most of that last thousand tickets.

Today is the final day for Goose votes and would be a good day to vote. If you can't make to Groveland, you can call in and we will process your votes over the phone. 800-961-7799 or 962-6455.

Goose REALLY wants to be Groveland's Honorary Mayor.

Time to Vote for Goose is nearing an end

Goose, the Hotel Dog, is running for Honorary Mayor of Groveland!
In an effort to reach out to all qualified voters, Goose would like to remind folks that you don't have to be human to vote. Dogs can vote. Horses can vote. Your pet snake can vote. We will even accept votes from cats.

So folks, don't leave your animals out of this race, they too should have a say in who Groveland's Honorary Mayor is going to be. Please, take a moment and ask them who they would like for Honorary Mayor? Goose, a 4-legged friend to all...or a human.

Just a few more vote notes:
1. There are no age requirements to voting. Let your children have a voice. Teach them about our democratic process. Come on down with the kids and a $1 and show them how voting and money work so well together.
2. There are no residency requirements. Goose is accepting votes from all over the world.
3. We don't care if you are a felon, we will take your votes.
4. There is no end to the number of times you can vote. Nobody to check your name off, no one-voice/one vote, you can all vote many, many times.
5. Being human is not a requirement, please let your pets vote.

If you would like to see Goose crowned Honorary Mayor of Groveland, please send money!
$1 per vote. Checks should be made out to the Yosemite Chamber of Commerce and mailed to:

Committee to Elect Goose Honorary Mayor
C/O Hotel Charlotte
PO Box 787
Groveland, CA 95321

Each vote is $1 and you get a raffle ticket for the 49er Festival's annual raffle with a grand prize: a night out at the Black Oak Casino with dinner at the esteemed Seven Sisters, an overnight stay at the Sonora Oaks and $50 cash to begin play. Second prize (and my favorite!) is $200 Gas Cash and there are many more prizes too! You do not need to be present to win.

We encourage you to vote often and vote generously. Goose is sponosred by Camp Tuolumne Trails, a new venue for kids with disabilities.

Curious as to how the campaign is going? Catch our bites & barks: www.pmlvoice.com/pml/opinions.htm

We hope to win, but there are some very serious seasoned professionals out there who are working the streets every day! It will be a very close race!

49er Festival Radio Broadcast

We taped our radio spot on Thursday promoting the 49er Festival and Chili Cook-off on Saturday, September 20th. These are always fun to listen to as we bring down a few folks and add our own side comments and sound effects. If you have time and are in the listening area, here's the play schedule:

All play on Sunday, August 31st:
KZSQ Star 92.7 between 9:30 and 10:30
KKBN 93.5 between 10:30 and 11:30
KVML 1450 am between 9:00 and 10:00

These are all properties of Clarke Broadcasting in Sonora and they may have streaming audio if you are trying to listen in from out of their air reach: www.mymotherlode.com

Lynn

Hotel Charlotte dog might become Mayor

Such a simple concept, run for Honorary Mayor, sell raffle tickets as the votes and who ever has the most votes is the Mayor. Such fun! The whole town seems to have aligned with one candidate or another, or several...This is one election where you can vote many times.

The campaigns have been picked up by the public and have generated so much fun with Obama and McCain supporting Goose, God supporting Red and Jeannie now supporting Kay...The whole thing is played out on http://www.pmlvoice.com/, our local communication website for thoughts and froughts.

This photo is one of my favorites, "Goose is up for the Challenge" as he climbs Half Dome.

Goose for Mayor: Race updates

Well, this Mayoral Race has gone quite crazy! www.PMLVoice.com has a running commentary. We have Jack submitting on behalf of the Red Baron and GNN, (Groveland Network News) submitting on behalf of Goose....It's all quite funny. I wonder if Ellen DeGeneres or any of them will pick this up. Too Cute!

Goose the Hotel Dog for Mayor. At first we were just running to have a second candidate, winning didn't matter—no one should run unopposed. Now we are really into it with guests leaving us $1 votes every day for Goose. We do a great bribe business when the restaurant is open too!

If you are too far away to stop in to vote, Please, write a check to:

Yosemite Chamber of Commerce
C/O Hotel Charlotte
C/C/O Committee to Elect Goose Mayor
PO Box 787
Groveland, CA 95321

We will place your votes for you. We hope you get as big a kick out of the campaigns as we are!
Lynn & Victor

Hi, My name is Goose, and I approved this message.

Mayoral Race Kickoff!

Monday night's kickoff for the Honorary Mayor race was a hoot! Bribes were bought and sold up and down the lovely patio at the Groveland hotel while voters sipped sarsaparillas under the shade of many umbrellas. Each candidate offered up a unique campaign with many promises and perhaps even a few lies.

• Kalamity Kay Glaves presented a peppery speech, rich with props and whooo-haaa. Kay is promising a great deal of purple in the town from the road to the water.
• The "Red Baron" Rossio, having recently struck gold in a shady deal at LGR impressed the crowd with his "simple" campaign offering voters a goose in every pot, a car in every garage, free water and reduced sewer rates.
• The Dapper Dancing Dog, Goose, performed a series of daring feats from sit, to sit up, dance and even the most dangerous: Sleep! Goose's performance was a treat..... I mean... was accomplished through the distribution of many treats!
• Pistol Pack'n Pete rang loud and clear with his message of salvation for Groveland—Coulterville will put us on the Map!
• Luke the accordion playing singing horseback riding cowboy wooed the gaggle with his well versed original songs, black tails and pink clad women.
  
  It was a fun night and sure to get even livelier on Monday August 11th with the next stump off in downtown Groveland.
  
  On a "seriouser" note, we would be remiss in not mentioning a bit about each of the sponsors.
  
  Kay Glaves is sponsored by the Lions Club an international service organization who's focus is on supporting local community events, helping children's causes around the world and working with the blind and vision impaired.
  
  Red Rossio is sponsored by the Aviation Club who's members have enriched Groveland with their generosity for the annual Holiday Baskets donating and wrapping hundreds of gifts for those in need. The Aviation Club also sponsors Groveland's fabulous summer air show.
  
  Goose is sponsored by Camp Tuolumne Trails a new camp for those with special needs, built by Jerry and Paul Baker with a great deal of support by the community. The camp just opened this summer with a huge amount of fan fare!
  
  Peter Schimmelfennig is sponsored by the Shindig Committee, a group that has been hard at work for many years raising money to put a stage in the Coulterville Park. We hope this fundraising effort fulfills their needs!
  
  Luke Sullivan is representing the Country Mountain Riders, who in the spirit of this "election" are teamed up with the Aviation Club to distribute their earnings to worthy causes together.
  
  Present at the grand kickoff were some very prestigious folks including:
  Robin Patterson, president of the Yosemite Chamber of Commerce,
  Marianne Huff, President of the Mariposa County Chamber of Commerce
  Jim and Jan Knudtsen, Chairpersons of the Committee for a Groveland Dog Park
  And many many other dignitaries including: Tony, Mal, Jerry, Clay, Sandy, Jim, Kim, Paul, CherylAnn, Danny, Peggy, Jane, Barbara, Bonnie, Paula, Linda, Jim..... and the list goes on and on!
  
  Thank you all for participating and we hope to see even more of Groveland at the Stump-Off on Monday, August 11th in downtown Groveland, 6ish.

Groveland runs a dog for Honorary Mayor!

49er Festival—The Honorary Mayoral race is on!

They are off and Running! Five Fantastic Candidates vying for the Prestigious title of 49er Honorary Mayor. This year our 49er Festival Chairman, James Nagle introduces an all new feature to dazzle us throughout the summer—Honorary Mayor. James has spent a good part of the last few months introducing the concept to drum up candidates and sponsors and has rewarded Groveland with a highly qualified list of fun folks to support in the coming months:

• Red "The Baron" Rossio, Renown BSer, sponsored by the PML Aviation Association
• "Calamity Kay" Glaves, long considered the Queen of Groveland, sponsored by the Garrote Lions
• Goose, The Dapper Dancing Dog who entertaining Dozens Daily at the Hotel Charlotte sponsored by Camp Tuolumne Trails
• Peter "Pistol Pack'n Pete" Schimmelfennig of the Jeffery Hotel, sponsored by the Shindig Committee of Coulterville
• Luke "The Drifter & Accordion Stalker" Sullivan, the singing horse-man extraordinaire, sponsored by Country Mountain Riders.

A keen line-up of spiffy mayoral candidates with platforms to match!

For those of you readers just hearing about this, how it works is that the candidate with the most "bribes" gleans the title of Honorary Mayor of Groveland for a one year term, occasionally representing the Yosemite Chamber of Commerce at fun events, but surely presiding over the 49er festival. A bribe equals a $1 and you get a receipt by way of a raffle ticket for the grand prizes raffled off at the 49er festival on Saturday, September 20th.

Winners will be crowned on Friday night before the festival so the Mayoral Elect can get a good nights sleep before the first big gig. Let's all bribe this cheery group on!

Plan on being in downtown Groveland on Monday, August 11th for a true stump-off. Candidates will be positioned throughout Groveland pontificating and promising and pushing bribes up and down the street. Proceeds from the Mayoral Contest are shared with the sponsoring organization.

An innkeeper's tizzy

As a rule of thumb, we never write about specific guests, just general incidents. This occasion the folks we are writing about did not actually stay with us so I feel a bit more freedom.

It is the 4th of July weekend and we have two rooms left for this night, both at the Guide Guys Lodge, upstairs. One room is a double bed the other two twin beds and they share a bath. The third room has its own bath. All the guests have access to the living room, dining room, kitchen and wrap around porch. It is quiet and peaceful and while only two miles from the center of Groveland, the lodge is a bit remote.

The lodge is my brother's place and he is establishing a guide business with lodging, fishing and hunting. When not in use for that purpose, we rent it out in to the Yosemite travelers that pass through. This afternoon we got a call, described the room and took the booking. The couple checked in in the late afternoon and were taken to the house. At 10:15 the same night they called and said they were disapointed and would not be staying and wanted their money back. Hmmmm. Had they been disapointed when we took them over in the afternoon we would have had all evening to rent the room to someone else...and there were oodles of inquiries, its a holiday weekend! But no, they went out and did what they did and then decided not to stay and could we rent the room to someone else? Well, 10:15 is an hour and 15 minutes after our front desk closes and we are ready to hop into bed after a long day taking care of folks.

So, unable to say no, I commit to trying for 15 minute to see if we can do it. I am given a phone number to call. I say I will let them know in the morning if I am successful or not. I am asked to call tonight. Why? Because if I don't rent it then they will take it. I should have stopped the conversation at that point. They needed to either take the room or give it up. But no...Instead I say I will try and I will call them.

As luck would have it, I sell the room within a few minutes. Take the folks over and then spend the next hour and a half trying to reach the cancellers...to no avail, I can't even leave a message. This is crazy, some code 1-switch-116 verizon. Perhaps they are out of the service district for their cell phone.

I try to go to bed. No luck with that either. I am imagining them walking in on the new guests that have taken over their reservation. I decide the best answer is to get up, and put a note on the door. I drive the 10 minutes and am in a tizzy when I see another car in the parking....Could it be them or does one of the other rooms have two cars....OH DANG am I too late? I quietly approach the house and stick my note to the door and return quickly to the car.

I try calling again and I have full service, all the bars on my phone are lit, we are both on verizon and I get that 1switch 116 message again. No option to even put a voice mail on the phone. Unbelievable.

People are in the house...I am sitting in the car. I have put my note on the door and am debating what to do next. One of the folks comes out of the house and waves, I wave back. He comes towards me dangling a key. Yes it IS the Canceller...I am prepared for anything except getting out of the car and seeing people. I have my pajammas on and no bra...a sight no doubt! I get out of the car and I confidently pretend I am perfectly presentable. He is very pleasant and hands me the key. They will find somewhere else to stay...Hmmm, yes, of course. I explain that I have been trying to call for an hour and a half. This doesn't phase him much.

They go back into the house. WHY??? I can't figure this out. Now I have to go in to shut the house down. They are not our renters. They do not have a key. They need to leave. Now another guests is up and talking to me about the airconditioning. This I am not prepared for and walk over to the dials. I feel very random about this and start spinning the discs, there are four of them and they mean nothing to me at this point. Ah...There we go, that should do it. He wants me to come in the room and see how cold it is. I do and it is too cold, and I am not at all properly dressed. I put the sham pillow over the floor vent hoping that perhaps this will help for the short term. I find more dials to spin as I am leaving. Hopefully one of these spinnings will reduce the air for them...

The cancellers have left, I lock the door and drive home. It is now 12:52 and I have to be up with a smile tomorrow.... and fairly early at that.

Goose for Mayor!

Our own Goose is running for Honorary Mayor of Groveland. This new title, sponsored by the Yosemite Chamber of Commerce for the 49er Festival in September is a huge fundraiser.

Each candidate is sponsored by a local club or non profit and raises money by selling bribes. Goose entered the race on Monday and earned his first $20 in bribes that same night. Bribers receive a raffle ticket for each $1 of grease.

Goose is sponsored by Camp Tuolumne Trails and endorsed by staff at the Groveland Vet's Office and famed Pet Photographer, Terri Metz, our neighbor Bunny Rose and Carol from Custom Rentals across the street. We welcome additional endorsements.

Goose is running with several campaign platforms the first, and most important is a fire hydrant on every corner. If we can, we will get one for every house! Second on his list of goals is to get dog treats in every store, if we can, every person should carry dog treats.

Goose will make his first public appearance on Tuesday, July 8th and has a fairly open calendar. Please contact his campaign manager Lynn to book Goose. Now that his running has been announced, we expect his engagement time to fill up quickly.

We look forward to seeing you around town!

Lynn, (For Goose!)

Save Strawberry Music Festival

Hello all,
Today's Union Democrat indicates that if a new contract isn't signed by June 20th between the City of San Francisco and the Strawberry Music Festival the festival will look to relocate. They are considering locations in Mariposa County.

This festival brings 4-5000+ folks into our area, eating, sleeping, gasing, spending...Twice a year from a Wednesday to a Monday, a huge time span from our usual 1-2 nighters. I imagine the loss of a venue of this size would surely be felt by the local businesses that support this event and the county not to mention all the FAMILY styled fun and music that would be missing too.

The festival has posted a listing of links to get the word out to the City of SF on how important this festival is. Let's all write them a letter and tell them we want the festival to stay here.

Should the city and the festival not come to an agreement, are their alternative locations to host this event in Tuolumne? Let's work together to keep it in our back yard!

Here is the link to the information Strawberry has published: http://www.strawberrymusic.com/Strawberry_Music_Festival_Announcement_of_6-6-08.pdf with contact email information at the bottom.

Please help save our festival!

Is Tioga Pass open or closed?

Funny thing about Tioga Pass this year. We haven't had a spring time when it has opened and then closed, though that happens often in the Fall. Sadly many folks were unable to get across this weekend, but the pass is open now. There are still storms going on today, (Thursday, May 29th) and we had guests go across and come back yesterday and they were snowed on. They kept their convertible top down and just loved it.

The pass is Officially Open for the season, however, storms may affect a temporary closure for safety reasons. You can always get the most current update from 209-372-0200, press 1 for roads and weather, then 1 again for roads.

Have safe trips!

Tioga Pass to open 5/21 at 8am

Today it was announced that Tioga Pass would open Wednesday morning. We are thrilled!

This week Victor and I are out of town and will have the restaurant closed on Monday and Thursday and then have a Gala on Friday and will resume normal Thursday through Monday schedule through the summer. We will keep the Monday night tapas going along with our regular menu which will now be available all 5 nights.

We look forward to welcoming you!

Lynn & Victor

Mother's Day Menu

Cafe Charlotte, where every Mom gets treated like royalty!
Serving Dinner on Sunday, May 11th from 5:30 on

Every meal is a feast today.
· Bread & pita with house spread
· Bay Shrimp Stuffed Avocado
· Sicilian Salad, (tomatoes, orange slices, vinaigrette)
· Entrée Choices
Chicken Florentine $29.95
Pasta Angelo $27.95 (olives, artichokes & mushrooms in a white wine sauce)
Halibut $31.95
Rack of Lamb $35.95
Filet Mignon $37.95
Kobe NY $39.95
Petite Lobster Tail $37.95
Kids & Vegetarian Items Available
· Tiramisu for Dessert
· Glass of Champagne with dessert
· Coffee, tea and iced-tea
· Mom’s get a charming potted plant to go
Tax and tip are additional

We hope to welcome you! Reservations encouraged: 209-962-6455

Restaurant schedule for May:

Restaurant schedule for May:

As we dive into spring and graduation ceremonies, we find our selves with the tasteful task of taking off to Hawaii where Victor's son lives to celebrate Eric's joyful graduation. So this year we have Marge & Jim, Lynn's parents and wonderful hotel sitters coming again for a few weeks to play, plant and run the hotel while we are gone.

Our restaurant schedule will change as follows:
Sunday, May 18 Closed (We are hosting the Pine Cone Singers Cast Party this day)
Monday, May 19th Closed, gone for the graduation
Thursday, May 22 Closed, this is the day we return, but not in time to open the restaurant]
Friday, May 23: Only one seating time available, between Gala Dinner and Gala dessert

We have retired our Asian Thursdays for the season and returned to our regular menu but will continue our Tapas & Games on Mondays in addition to our regular menu. Below are some of the public events we are working on this summer, some as a donor, some as the caterer and some as the sponsor, please join us for one...or all!

Friday, May 23: Gala Dinner-Theater-Celebrating the world wide premier of the melodrama, Love Potion #1. $49 includes dinner, theater, tax, tip and the post show party with champagne and dessert.
Sunday, May 25: Champagne Brunch Theater-Join us for a rich and delicious lunch and the matinee performance of Love Potion #1. Hotel Charlotte guests get reserved seating for both performances.
Saturday, June 14: STCHS Wine & Foods on the Lake Cruise-This is a special fundraiser for our local museum. Guests are ferried around our little lake to 7 houses where they will enjoy the offerings of 7 wineries and 7 restaurants. A unique fundraiser, lots of fun!
Saturday, June 21: Aviation Day at the PML Airport. A huge day for a little airport. We serve up salads and sides for a group of 400+ who will be entertained by a barnstorming old fashioned air show. This one gets kudos year after year!
Sunday, June 22: Holy Cow—It's a Luau held at Camp Tuolumne Trails with traditional Hawaiian foods, an open bar, hula dancers, a live band, dancing on the moonlit balcony...And a fundraiser too!
Saturday, September 20: 49er Festival and Chili Cookoff. With the parade called from our porch, Victor stirring things up down by the Chili booths and Lynn auctioning off great prizes....Yes, this is the biggest party our town throws each year. Be sure to put the 49er festival on your calendar.

Feel free to contact me on any of these events and I will get you headed in the right direction, 209-962-6455 or HotelCharlotte@aol.com

Monday night Tapas & Games

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Choose any three small plate items $9.99
New items weekly
___ Fried Calamari
___ Guacamole Salad
___ Olive and cheese plate
___ Meatballs with Marinara
___ Duck sesame stir fry over rice
___ Pita Pizza with tomatoes and cheese
___ Thai pastry cups with chicken & corn
___ Mexican Pizza flour tortilla with salsa and cheese, topped with a dollop of fresh guacamole

Coming events: Mother’s Day dinner on Sunday, May 11th serving your very favorite multi-course dinners with champagne. Tell your Mom you love her with a night at the Charlotte.

Pine Cone Singers spring show, May 16, 17 & 18

Pine Cone Players Melodrama, May 23, 24 & 25. Ask about the Gala dinner and Champagne brunch-theatre.

Also coming up: Frog Jumps, Aviation Day, A great bit Luau, Card Stamping Party, Wine & Foods Cruise on Pine Mountain Lake. Keep abreast of the goings on and join our weekly mailing list for current events and specials. www.HotelCharlotte.com/events.html

See you soon!
Lynn

Asian Thursday Menu, 5/1/2008

Victor serves a set Asian Menu Thursdays or choose from traditional meat & potato selections from our regular menu. New treats each week—Enjoy!
- Spicy beef soup (beef, celery, lettuce, lemon grass & spices)
- Golden cups (tartlets filled with chicken, corn & seasonings)
- Fish with chili sauce
- Duck & sesame stir fry
- Steamed rice
- Coconut ice-cream
- Thai Iced tea
This multi-course set Thai meal is $19.95 and includes ourhomemade bread, coffee or iced-tea. Tax and tip additional.

Selections From the Charlotte Grill:
Chicken Argentine with a tangy garlic sauce $13.95
Charlotte “Stake” with peppercorn sauce $14.95
Pampas Steak with a tangy garlic sauce $14.95
New York Steak with peppercorn sauce $19.95
Rack of Lamb with mint jelly $19.95
Filet Mignon with peppercorn sauce $22.95
Linguini Marinara (vegetarian) $ 9.95
With Clams or Meatballs $13.95

Coming attractions: Cinco de Mayo at the Lake Lodge catered by Hotel Charlotte on Saturday, May 3rd. Proceeds benefit the Gathering Place. Great fun, lots of prizes. Please contact us for details: 209-962-6455

We hope to see you this week!
Lynn

Asian Thursday: An Indian Menu on 4/24

I was waiting for him to come up with a non-Thai menu and this week Victor is presenting an Indian styled menu with some of my very favorites. I hope he does a cucumber-yogurt dip for the bread, Yummm! All this for $19.95 per person, includes tea.

- Nan (Indian flatbread)
- Tomato cilantro soup
- Chick pea salad
- Chicken masala
- Lamb in a thick almond gravy
- Shrikandh
(Cream cheese & yogurt dessert flavord with cardammon & saffron sprinkled with pistachio nuts)

We look forward to welcoming you this week!
Lynn & Victor
Hotel Charlotte
http://www.hotelcharlotte.com/
209-962-6455

Monday, Tapas & Games 4/21/2008

This week we have a fine menu. Guests can choose three for $9.99 or have a traditional meat & potatoes dinner with selections from our grill:

New Tapas items weekly
___ Spinach frittata
___ Fried Calamari plate
___ Pita pizza tomato basil
___ Olive and cheese plate
___ Veal Ribs (2) with a mustard sauce
___ Fried potatoes with a spicy marinara
___ Shrimp cakes with Thai Chili dipping sauce
___ Tomato & Garlic with balsamic vinaigrette dressing
___ Merguez: Moroccan lamb sausage with hot sauce

We have been trying out some new wine pairings and have received suggestions of a Shiraz to go with Yahtzee, the common Z might make a good blend. Come add your two cents! Bring a friend and a game and hang out for the evening. Short of either, let us help! We have a bevy of games and a few friends to share.

Selections From the Charlotte Grill:
Chicken Argentine with a tangy garlic sauce $13.95
Charlotte “Stake” with peppercorn sauce $14.95
Pampas Steak with a tangy garlic sauce $14.95
New York Steak with peppercorn sauce $19.95
Rack of Lamb with mint jelly $19.95
Filet Mignon with peppercorn sauce $22.95
Grilled Halibut with lemon-caper sauce $17.95
Linguini Marinara (vegan) $ 9.95
Linguini Marinara with Clams or Meatballs $13.95

Coming events: Night at the Races, Thursday, April 24th sponsored by Groveland Rotary as a fundraiser for local programs at the Community Hall. Try your luck on the horses with names like Charlotte’s Harlot, Grey Goose and EXXXcellent!

Hotel Charlotte weekly specials, 4/18-4/20

This week we have no special event (Cabaret, Murder Mystery...) planned for Sunday, so just come on down for a wonderful evening with friends or family on all the weekend nights, Friday, Saturday AND Sunday!


We have found a new meat provider that gives us some really cool choices, a bit more exotic! In addition to your regular favorites, this week Victor is featuring:

Veal Chop (12oz)with peppercorn sauce $21.95
Veal Rack with peppercorn sauce $24.95
Venison Flank Steak with Argentine sauce $18.95
Lamb Shank, with red wine & herbs
Fresh Corvina Sea Bass with lemon-caper sauce $17.95
Linguini Marinara (vegetarian) $ 9.95
Linguini Marinara with ith Clams or Meatballs $13.95

We really look forward to welcoming you!
Lynn & Victor
Hotel Charlotte
www.HotelCharlotte.com
Reservations encouraged 209-962-6455

Hotel Charlotte Thai Thurday menu, 4/17

Hello friends,
Does anyone know how to make an hour? Some days it seems I just need one more and I could get everything done. Other days a 100 more hours and I still wouldn't get everything done... But if I ever did, I think I would get real busy again taking on new challenges! Such is the nature!

This week for Thai Thursday Victor will be serving:
Cabbage salad
Steamed seafood packets
Sweet & sour pork
Green curry prawns
Steamed rice
Coconut ice-cream

All this, just $19.95. Those who prefer meat and potatoes can join their Thai dining friends with selections from our grill. (Steaks, Lamb, Chicken, a pasta for vegetarians...) See you soon!
Lynn

Comedians wanted

In light of our recent success with the Murder Mystery and the great personal satisfaction I got out of "acting" I am going to continue in this direction. Next fall I think we will do an improve show and a comedy club. If there aren't enough comedians in Groveland to put on a dinner-comedy show, then maybe we can do a dinner-gong show!

Interested in working with me on this? Must be funny and quick on your feet! 209-962-6455.

Restaurant Specials 4/11, 12

Wild Game! Victor has found a resouce that he likes for wild game, come on down and tell us if you like it! This weeks specials are just the tip of what he can get us. If there is something you are just dying to try, let us know and we will see if we can't get it.

Venison Tenderloin $22.95
Choice Montana Venison filet grilled to your liking topped with Cabernet-peppercorn sauce

Veal Scaloppini with Mushrooms $17.95
Free range veal medallions sautéed with garlic, white wine & a touch of marinara

12 oz Veal Chop $21.95
Free range veal grilled to your liking with our Chef's special Cabernet-peppercorn sauce

Bison Skirt Steak $16.95
Flavorful Dakota bison grilled to your liking and served wth the Argentine sauce (lemon-parsley)

We hope to welcome you.

By the way the weather in Yosemite is just stunning! Come...Explore!
Lynn

Thai Thursday, Asian Night 4/10/2008

This week we have a great choice of items on the Thai menu:
Shrimp Cakes with Chili Dipping Sauce
Rice Soup with Chicken
Roast Duck with Thai Dressing
Panang Curry Beef
Thai Styled Chow Mein
Baked Rice Pudding
Thai Iced tea

All this for $19.95, YUM!

New this week Souper Size it! Add soup or salad and dessert to any of our entree dinners for an additional $6.00—an excellent value and delicious too! (if ordered al a carte, $10.80)

Remember, Sunday (both April 6th and 13th) is our Murder Mystery: A Killer Reception. I get to play Charlotte, the innkeeping host again. Lots of fun! We have seats left for the 13th, come join us, $49, includes a 4-course dinner, show, tax and tip. 209-962-6455

See you Soon!
Lynn & Victor

Do frogs hybernate

So, in the evenings we enjoy a beautful concert by dozens of frogs singing their special song, but by day, where are they? We stomp around the same area, one would think we would hear a croak or two...Just curious.

Asian Thursday, Thai Menu 4/3

Each Thursday Victor brings together a special Asian menu, this week with Thai styled treats:

Sweet & Sour Shrimp Soup
Green Papaya Salad
Crying Tiger Steak (rare sliced steak served with a spicy dipping sauce)
Red Chicken Curry
Steamed Rice
Sweet Coconut Rice with fresh Mango

All this, $19.95 includes Thai iced-tea.

For meat lovers, we always include a handful of your favorite items from our grill. (See Monday, 3/31 for this weeks selections.

We hope to welcome you!
Lynn

Monday Night "Taps & Games" menu 3/31

We are now open on Monday nights with a special menu: "Tapas & Games." The small plate selections change each week. For meat and potato lovers, we always serve selections from our grill too, here is a sample of this week's items.

Choose any three small plate items $9.99
· Thai egg rolls· Mini-meatballs
· Red curry chicken· Olive and cheese plate
· Pita pizza with tomato-basil topping
· Steamed clams with a spicy red sauce
· Spicy sausage with Cajun dipping sauce
· Fried Manchego cheese cubes with Marinara sauce
· Arancine (fried Sicilian rice balls, cheese filled)
· Sliced tomatoes, garlic-balsamic dressing & anchovies
· Russian potato salad with chicken, olives, hard boiled egg , peas & carrots

Selections From the Charlotte Grill:
Chicken Argentine with a tangy garlic sauce $13.95
Charlotte “Stake” with peppercorn sauce $14.95
Pampas Steak with a tangy garlic sauce $14.95
New York Steak with peppercorn sauce $19.95
Rack of Lamb with mint jelly $19.95
Filet Mignon with peppercorn sauce $22.95
Linguini Marinara (vegetarian) $ 9.95
With Clams or Meatballs $13.95

We hope to welcome you!
Lynn & Victor
Hotel Charlotte
www.HotelCharlotte.com
209-962-6455

Tapas & Games Menu 3/24

New items this week!
___ Mini-meatballs
___ Lobster Bisque
___ Vegetable Soup
___ Marinated Mushrooms
___ Olive and cheese plate
___ Potato & Onion Frittata
___ Chinese Broccoli & Beef over rice
___ Spicy sausage with Cajun dipping sauce
___ Fried potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce
___ Tomato & Red Onion with garlic vinaigrette dressing

Join us for a delicious 3 courses of little plates just $9.99 and bring some friends. We already have the games!

Selections from our grill are also available on Monday nights.
See you Soon!
Lynn

Hotel Charlotte Weekly specials 3/20-24

Hello Friends!
Lots of Menus this week from our Asain Thursdays to regular Menu Fri & Sat followed by Easter Sunday and then Monday night Tapas & Games...Try to at least read down to the drawing questions!

Thursday Night: Asian Menu, $19.95 includes everything below, and coffee/itea. Selections from our grill are also available.
- Pork Tamarind Soup
- Vegetable Salad with Peanut Sauce
- Stir Friend Prawns with Yellow Curry
- Thai Cashew Chicken
- Coconut Pudding
- Thai Iced Tea

Friday & Saturday big Homemade Dessert Week, including:
- Homemade banana-chocolate chip ice-cream
- Key lime pie
- Blue berry pie
- Double rich chocolate brownie

From the Sea this week will be Sea Bass with a Thai Chili Sauce served on the side, $16.95

Easter Sunday: We bring you the best price on the hill again this year for a lovely Easter dinner. Bring your family or come with friends to enjoy our lively atmosphere and nice linens.
Dinner includes breads, dip, coffee or tea and is priced based on your entrée selection.Tax and Tip additional. Reservations encouraged! 209-962-6455

A choice of Caesar Salad or Lobster Bisque to start.
Entrée Choice
· Spinach Stuffed Chicken with Bechamel sauce $22.95
· Sole Almandine $26.95
· Prime Rib $29.95
· Lamb Shank $27.95
· Petite Lobster Tail $39.95
Tiramisu for dessert

Monday night Tapas & Games: Serving a selection of nearly 1 Dozen Tapas plates, as many games and an equal number of friends to play with! Choose 3 plates for $9.99. Selections from our grill are also available.

We look forward to welcoming you!
Lynn & VictorHotel Charlotte
http://www.hotelcharlotte.com/
Reservations encouraged, 209.962.6455

PS: Menus are also posted during the week on our blog, you can subscribe for updates. http://www.hotelcharlotte.blogspot.com/

PPS. Help get Groveland some picnic tables & grass. GAINs has submitted a project for funding to a program sponsored by Hamburger Helper: Passioned pleas by neighbors and the kids using the facilities needed! http://www.myhometownhelper.com/ViewProject.aspx?tell=2&id=39714

Drawing question of the week: Which of our many desserts this week is your favorite? Bonus questions: How much are tapas? Where else in Groveland can you get a delicious deal that great on a Monday night? We will start posting the best of your answers on the blog, unidentified unless you say so. You can email your answers to HotelCharlotte@aol.com to be entered into our monthly drawing for a $25 gift certificate.

The end! LOL

Thai Thursday Menu: 3/19/2008

This week Victor has a grand menu!

• Pork Tamarind Soup
• Vegetable Salad with Peanut Sauce
• Stir Friend Prawns with Yellow Curry
• Thai Cashew Chicken
• Coconut Pudding
• Thai Iced Tea

All included for $19.95, tax and tip additional. We also serve a selection of grill items from our regular menu, steaks, lamb, chicken....

See you soon!

Groveland needs picnic tables

This was passed on to me today, if you have an interest in making Groveland a little better place for those who live here and those who stop on their way to Yosemite, perhaps you can give a bit of a thumbs up as we compete for some funding for picnic tables and grass in our park.

http://www.myhometownhelper.com/ViewProject.aspx?tell=2&id=39714

This program is sponsored by Hamburger Helper. The town and volunteers would do all the installation if our project was selected for funding.

Thanks bunches!
Lynn

Easter Sunday Menu, 3/23

We bring you the best price on the hill again this year for a lovely Easter dinner. Bring your family or come with friends to enjoy our lively atmosphere and nice linens.

Dinner includes breads, dip, coffee or tea and is priced based on your entrée selection.Tax and Tip additional.

A choice of Caesar Salad or Lobster Bisque to start.
Entrée Choice
· Spinach Stuffed Chicken with Bechamel sauce $22.95
· Sole Almandine $26.95
· Prime Rib $29.95
· Lamb Shank $27.95
· Petite Lobster Tail $39.95
Tiramisu for dessert

Doors open at 5:00, reservations encouraged! 209-962-6455

Hotel Charlotte weeklys specials 3/13-3/17

Hello Friends,
Well, our spring showers have started! Looks like we are in for a bit of wet weather over the next couple of days. Don't let it get you down, come on into town for a great meal from our Asian Thursdays to our regular menu on Fri, Sat & Sun and then our Tapas & Games or Corned beef & Cabbages on Monday.

Yes! We will be open on Monday, March 17th, (St. Patrick's Day), decorated and decked out in GREEN, serving a traditional Corned Beef and Cabbage dinner fixed just right by Victor for $14.95. Enjoy a lively ambiance & nice linens, where folks meet neighbors and folks make new friends!

Asian Thursdays: Victor rolls out another Thai menu this week—Enjoy!·
- Coconut Seafood Soup
- Pork on Lemon Grass Sticks Appetizer
- Steamed Fish with Chili Sauce
- Thai Thighs
- Yellow Lemon Grass Rice
- Mango Ice-cream
- Thai Iced-tea
This multi-course set meal is $19.95 and includes our homemade bread, coffee or iced-tea. Tax and tip additional.

Friday, Saturday & Sunday serving from our regular menu
Specials this week include:
- Navy bean with ham soup
- Lobster Crepes $18.95
- Fresh fish, TBA
- Delicious Clams in a White wine sauce $8.95 appetizer, $13.95 over linguini for dinner

Monday: Tapas & Games and Corned Beef & Cabbage
Choose any three small plate items $9.99
___ Mini-meatballs
___ Spinach Frittata
___ Thai Pork Sticks
___ Navy bean & ham soup
___ Olive and cheese plate
___ Spicy sausage with Cajun dipping sauce
___ Chicken & Bacon Skewers with a Cajun dip
___ Artichoke & Red Onion with garlic vinaigrette dressing
Plenty of games: YAHTZEE, Dominos, Boggle, Cards, challenges, Battleship & more!

Did you bring a game or a friend? If not, we wouldbe happy to supply either or both!

Corned Beef & Cabbage with red potatoes. $14.95

Key Lime Pie for dessert: Special Irish Price $2.95

Also available on Mondays & Thursdays from the Charlotte Grill are:
- Chicken Argentine with a tangy garlic sauce $13.95
- Charlotte “Stake” with peppercorn sauce $14.95
- Pampas Steak with a tangy garlic sauce $14.95
- New York Steak with peppercorn sauce $19.95
- Rack of Lamb with mint jelly $19.95
- Filet Mignon with peppercorn sauce $22.95
- Linguini Marinara (vegetarian) $ 9.95
With Clams or Meatballs $13.95

Come on into town and let us cheer you from the gloomy weather!

Lynn & Victor
Hotel Charlotte
http://www.hotelcharlotte.com/
Reservations encouraged! 209-962-6455

PS: Right around the corner are two Wine, Murder & Music events, with a waiting list only winemakers dinner on Sunday, March 30th and the Murder Mystery: A Killer Reception with the first show sold out and second on April 13th awaiting your reservation! 209.962.6455.

Drawing question of the week: What is special about Monday nights at the Charlotte?
Bonus Question: What price did the 8 tickets to the Luau donated by Camp Tuolumne Trails and Hotel Charlotte bring at the Soroptimist Chinese Auction last Saturday night?
Drawing rules: Return your answer to one or both of the drawing questions by email, HotelCharlotte@aol.com and you will be entered into our monthly drawing for a $25 gift certificate in the restaurant. One entry per answer and close counts. The odds of winning this drawing are really good!

For those who are planning your summer schedules, The Luau is confirmed for Sunday, June 22 at Camp Tuolumne Trails. We have 92 tickets for sale, with 25 already reserved. Don't delay in getting your reservation! This is a party you won't want to miss! 209.962.6455. At least 25% of all ticket sales go back to the Soroptimists as a continuation of the Chinese Auction. A very different donation indeed!

Tapas & Games on Mondays

Yesterday marked our second Monday of Tapas & Games. This week we had 5 game tables going with Dominos, Yahtzee, Scrabble, Boggle and a few challenge games. We have some big tables set up for those who want the group experience and small ones for those who wish to just hang out with their own table. Lots of fun—A game night where you never have to find your replacement if you can't make it.

March 10th we are offering the following menu, choose any three small plate items $9.99
___ Pita Pizza
___ Fried Smelt
___ Mini-meatballs
___ Sautéed Mushrooms
___ Tomatoe-ravioli soup
___ Olive and cheese plate
___ Spinach & Mushroom Frittata
___ Spankopita (Spinach Turnover)
___ Chicken & Bacon with Cajun dip
___ Thai Fish Cakes with chili dipping sauce
___ Spicy sausage with Cajun dipping sauce
___ Fried potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce
___ Artichoke & Red Onion with garlic vinaigrette dressing

We also serve Grill items from our regular menu for those who prefer a more traditional dining experience:

• Chicken Argentine with a tangy garlic sauce $13.95
• Charlotte “Stake” with peppercorn sauce $14.95
• Pampas Steak with a tangy garlic sauce $14.95
• New York Steak with peppercorn sauce $19.95
• Rack of Lamb with mint jelly $19.95
• Filet Mignon with peppercorn sauce $22.95
• Fresh Grilled Salmon with yogurt-dill sauce $15.95
• Linguini Marinara (vegetarian) $ 9.95
  ---With Clams or Meatballs $13.95

We hope to welcome you!

Thai Thursday 3/6 advance menu

Those in the know, know to check here for our advance menu. We will still send out the email on Thursday and update the blog with all the specials, but if you love to plan ahead, here goes!

• Thai Samosas as a starter
• Cellphane Noodle Soup
• Steamed Rice
• Green Chicken Curry
• Dry Beef Curry with Peanut & Lime Sauce
• Some sweet treat for dessert
• Thai Iced-tea

All this as a set menu, $19.95, tax and tip additional. We also run our grill menu with steaks, lamb and a choice or two for vegans/vegetarians who might not be Thai fans.

We hope to welcome you this week!
Lynn & Victor

Hotel Charlotte weekly specials 2/28-3/2

Hello Friends,
I have to tell you that the Tapas and Games night was a blast our first try out last Monday with the occasional YAHTZEE hooted out from table 20 throughout the evening. We are really looking forward to more this coming week. Bring some friends and a game, or we can supply either or both! Join the fun whether you dine only or dine and play. See the menu below for details!

We start the week with our Thursday Asian Menu: (tonight) with a big multi-course set menu:

• Shrimp Cake Appetizer
• Coconut Chicken Soup
• Pork Satay with sweet chili sauce
• Grilled Beef with green curry sauce
• Stir fried noodles with vegetables
• Thai iced tea
• Homemade Coconut ice-cream

All that, $19.95. For those who are not Asainesque diners by nature, we also have items from our regular grill menu and a choice for vegans and vegetarians.

------------------------------------------------
This week we will offer our regular menu on Friday and a limited menu on Saturday. On Sunday we have the first of 2 Cabaret Charlotte performances and will not be open for general seating.
This weeks specials include:

• Homemade Clam Chowder Soup (Thursday, Friday & Saturday)
• Jumbo Scallops in a parsley-garlic topenade $18.95 (Friday only)
• Lamb Shank, slow cooked in red wine & thyme $15.95 (Friday only)
• Fresh Grilled Salmon with Yogurt-Dill sauce $15.95 (Thursday, Friday & Saturday only)
• Delicious homemade desserts $5.95 (Thursday, Friday & Saturday

------------------------------------------------
Monday Tapas & Games: · Selections change weekly and we may add new ones before Monday comes around, but are planning on the following:
Choose any three items $9.99

• Fried Calamari
• Mini-meatballs
• Sautéed Mushrooms
• Egg & Potato Frittata
• Olives and cheese plate
• Fried Cheese cubes with marinara
• Chicken Skewers with peanut sauceSpicy sausage with Cajun dipping sauce
• Fried potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce
• Tomato & Red Onion with garlic vinaigrette dressing

Victor also offers select items from our grill on Mondays for those who prefer a traditional dinner.

We look forward to welcoming you!

Lynn & Victor
Hotel Charlotte
http://www.hotelcharlotte.com/
Reservations: 209-962-6455

PS: Enter to win a $25 Hotel Charlotte gift certificate, drawing monthly. Reply with the correct answer to this question: How many courses are included with the Thai menu for the price of $19.95? Bonus question: What is Victor's middle name?

Hotel Charlotte weekly specials 2/21, 22 and 24

Hello Friends,
Looks like winter returned this week from a nearly two week spring. That was nice!

We start the week with our Thursday Asian Menu: (tonight)
Thai Cucumber Salad, Tom Yon Poon Soup, Red Chicken Curry, Beef Pad Thai, Sticky Rice, Coconut Ice-cream and Thai iced tea—all this for $19.95. We will also serve items from our grill for non-Thai dining guests.

This weeks specials include:

• Mussels, half and half them with clams or all by themselves.
  Apetizer: $9.95, Dinner over linguini, $13.95
• Jumbo Scallops in a parsley-garlic toppenad $17.95 (Friday and Sunday only)
• Filet of Petrale Sole $15.95 (Friday and Sunday only)
• Kobe Beef Flat Iron Steak $24.95
• Delicious homemade desserts $5.95

Saturday evening we are hosting a private party and will not have space for general seating, so please plan on joining us Thursday, Friday or Sunday.

Monday Tapas & Games: What is is? We aren't sure, but are willing to let it grow into whatever you want. I really enjoyed Monday Night Football, not so much for the game, but for the socializing. There is nothing that replaces MNF. So come on down to the Charlotte with a few friends and your favorite games. If you don't have enough folks for a team, we can make introductions and get things started. If you just want to eat, that's fine too! We will serve Tapas, small plates with choices that change every week. This week Victor is planning on mini-meatballs, fritatas, fried potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce, an olive and cheese plate, spiced sausage with cajun dipping sauce and maybe more! We are going to price this out at pick 3 for $9.99 and see how it goes.

We look forward to welcoming you!
Lynn & Victor
Hotel Charlotte
http://www.hotelcharlotte.com/
Reservations: 209-962-6455

PS: We have had a handful of cancellations for the Cabaret on 3/2 and have a few seats open for this previously sold out event. If you haven't seen it yet, (or have) it is a real treat. Rehearsals are going wonderfully and these folks sound like they should cut an album! Victor will be serving a Chicken Franciose, Fresh Wild Salmon or the Charlotte Steak as the entree choices, $49 includes show, dinner, tax and tip.

Enter to win a $25 Hotel Charlotte gift certificate, drawing monthly. Send and email to HotelCharlotte@aol.com with the correct answer to this question: Why do you have to join us on Thursday, Friday or Sunday, but not Saturday for this week? Bonus question: What is the name of the new Hotel Dog?

Making a new business

Sometimes what one does turns out so very wonderful that it requires comment. Such is the case with what Bunny has done with merging her quilt shop (Bunny Rose & Co) and what was previously Groveland Mercantile (Critter Corner) into Away in the Woods, directly across the street from us.

While both stores have always been neat to wander through, the marriage of the two is far more powerful than either ever would have been on their own. The new shop is a rainbow of color and lovely fabrics, with interesting trinkets and trip reminders sprinkled about and a pet food nook. This shop has become something special!

It is good to have Bunny on Main Street with new ideas and willing to try new things to get folks to stop and explore Groveland. Good luck Bunny, we all wish you a great deal of success!

8th Grade Career Day

Your's truely speaking to 8th graders about their careers? How ever did this happen?

It started with a call from friend Amanda that went something like this:
"Kelsie would like to interview you" (her 8th grade daughter)
"Then why isn't she calling me?"
"She wants to do it today after school"
"Why does she want to interview me?"
"It's for a school project"
Oh, ego kicks in, me interviewed for a school project? Neat-O!
"Okay"

Three thirtyish rolls around and in come Amanda and Kelsie and we sit down to a very informal interview. I am thinking she will take notes and write up some sort of report on what I say on whatever heady topic an 8th grader would need to learn about from me, a humble innkeeper....Only to learn the interview is to prepare me to speak in front of her whole class on the challenges and education necessary for an innkeeping career. Hmmmmm. Yep, that's right, me speaking to the 8th grade class.
"When?"
"How about Tuesday?"
"This year Tuesday?"
"hahahaha, it's not like its tomorrow"
"hahahaha, but it is next week Tuesday?
"yes"
"Okay"

We have fun going through the questions and I am left the sheet to study over the weekend, which much like a student with homework, I do not do.

Tuesday rolls around and I glance at the sheet, take a shower and get as nicely dressed as I dare. Amanda picks me up and off we go. We don't get lost, but I am hoping to.

I have brought proper bribery materials in Hotel Charlotte wrapped candies, which everyone makes a whole lot of noise opening. Good start.

We go through the questions, most of the answers just rolling off the tongue. There are a few where I am halfway through some story or another and have no memory of the question. One I even ask Kelsie and the class what I am talking about. Amanda and the teacher are occassionally laughing. There isn't too much side talking going on so I might have their attention for some of the time. I hope so.

I make a new friend in the front row, directly in front of me that talks along with me. Not sure what all he was saying, but we seem to laugh a lot about the babbling. The students get to ask me questions not on the sheet. There were a few themes:

Do you have a big lawn there?
I take a few minutes to describe our grassy area of 200 feet long by 3 feet wide and tell them that Victor wanted to buy a riding lawn mower to cut this. They think that is funny. My front row friend offers to come over and cut my grass. One of his friends tells me to go for it as he doesn't charge anything. I think this is a good deal.

What happens when you make a mistake?
I pause, scratch my head, pause some more and say I don't know. This too gets a sound laugh.
I then talk about how a mistake is an opportunity to think harder, maybe come up with a new plan or way to do things....

Dress Code, Tatoos and Piercings:
This seems important to the group to know all about:
I tell them if I can't see it, then neither can the customer and that would be their own personal business. If I can see it, then it becomes my business as it reflects on our relationship with the customer. Maybe they will all get hidden tatoos....

The questions they ask are well on topic and good ones: How do you communicate with the travelers that don't speak English? How do you handle an angry customer? Do you have jobs for us for the summer?

Leaving the classroom arena feeling like an answer dancer, Kelsie walks us out with a big thank you, a hug and an aside "I thought you would be funnier."

Hahahhaha.

It was good to meet the next potential members of Team Charlotte.