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.

Silly Goose, Duck Duck Duck Goose and Grey Goose

The dog's name is Goose. That's right, as in Silly, Duck Duck and Grey Goose. We are going to drive to Tahoe and get some pictures of him on the rocks with the lake behind and put a caption:
Grey Goose on the Rocks. Maybe he will hold a lemon in his mouth at the same time....

Goose is with us now 8 days and doing great. We need to get started on some obedience training as he should have pretty much figured his new setting out by now. He doesn't go in the dining room at all, but does try to sneak upstairs. He seems to like getting caught at that. He has a crooked smile and a scratch-pad brillo coat. The vet said she has seen alot of dogs....but never one like this. I think she meant he was really ugly where Bob was just ugly. As Victor's Mom would say, so ugly, they are cute.

But you know what, it seems those little doggie cocktails (you aren't to call them mutts or heintz 57 any more) are just right natured for the important role of hotel dog.

Today was a good day, we didn't kill anyone

Funny things happen around Victor sometimes. Well, maybe not so funny as odd.

This story starts with a call from our guest who is staying at one of the Pine Mountain Lake rental houses. She tell us the rain storm from last night leaked into the kitchen and she used her towels to clean it up, could she get new towels today.

No problem. The team of Victor and Nancy go out mid-morning to see if they can fix this leaking skylight and deliver new towels. Turns out the skylight itself blew off and the house is left with a gaping hole to the heavens. And we thought we just had a leak....So Victor is fixing this when he hears Nancy below in the driveway talking with some of the folks trimming trees. She calls him down from the leaking skylight task..."Hey, where's the van?"

The tree trimmers know! They watched it roll down the driveway, across the street, up the curb and over the manzanita and down the precipice, finally coming to rest in the middle of an empty, steep lot. Excellent!

I am here at the hotel and get the call: "Could you call a tow truck"

"Are you hurt"
"no"
"Okay"
"Tell them we need a wench"
"Okay"

I call triple A pretending I have a clue on how this happened and the possition of the truck. I say things like: "...and then it rolled into the hill." Sort of sounds like an upward hill. I did finally say downward sloping. I figure it for a straight shot tow out. She asks if the driveway is blacktopped for traction, yes it is.

The AAA lady tells me I have to be there, Victor being my husband isn't enough. So I pack the new dog into the truck and off we go to Pine Mountain Lake. I can't see the van any where as I drive up. Getting out of the truck I peer over the edge and still can't see the van anywhere. Excellent! They got it out...but I don't think so, he would never have called for a tow if there was even an iota of a chance of getting it out.

I see Nancy coming from the direction of the Country Club.
I ask: "How's it going....."
Meaning: so tell me the story.
Instead I get a big smile and a "fine"
Hmmm, okay, so now I decide to ask point blank: "Where's the van?"
I get a clear "over there" with a finger point to the left, far left, way away from where it should be left.

Oh my. Can tow trucks tow and do a 90 degree turn through trees pulling a van without themselves somehow getting stuck in the mud?

Curiously I ask her how ever in the world did it get way way way over there....and heard something like this "Well, as we were trying to get it out...." I am laughing now as I write this blog.....

I decided the best thing for me to do was to go back to the hotel. I left my id and AAA card with "Team Van Rescue" and wished them well. If the tow fellow really needed me to be there to sign something, I would come right back.

So, the van rolled down the drive, across the street and down the hill, coming to a stop in the middle of an empty muddy steep lot, all with the parking brake on. But like Victor says, its a good day! We didn't kill anyone or crash into any houses or even dent the van. One manzanita isn't as fresh looking as it was before we were there, but it too will revive.

Oh, and our leak really wasn't a leak, just a few screws needing to be reset. An actual leak can be hard to fix! Yes, a good day!

Judy, Judie, Joody

So many ways to say Judy! and nowhere says it better than Groveland.

Can you believe Groveland has a "Judy" club? All the ladies named Judy (about 30 of them) who live in Groveland are members of this group that meets 3x a year for lunch at the Charlotte. They started a few years ago. The idea was just so very funny back then, and now it's become common to us.

"...Oh, the Judy's are coming..." Anywhere else in the world that might raise eyebrows and lead to questions, here in Groveland, everyone knows about the Judy's.

Crossing many strata that tend to separate us: economics, age, careers, family and more.... this group who's only commonality is that they live in Groveland and are named Judy has continued to meet now for 2 years. They look forward to seeing their Judy friends and having Judy themed lunches and an occasional song or two...

Groveland is so special! We just love it.

A dog's tale: chapter 3

So we see Jerry and Anne today, first time this year.

Jerry says he almost got a new dog this week. Really? Me too. He says the dog's name is Taylor, down at the Humane Society. Funny hahaha. Same darned dog!

Turns out they ran into Lisa who told them the story. Big Joke!

This dog already has a history and he isn't even here yet.

A dog's tale, chapter 2

Today it dawns on me that my Mom and Dad will leave on Tuesday before I can bring the new dog home. I suggest maybe they want to see him and I too am a bit curious if he is feeling better and more tail waggy than when we met him. So I grab Marge and down we go to see the dog.

It isn't until we are half way there that she says something that makes me realize they aren't leaving until the next week and will surely see the dog, for almost a week!

We go anyway, its a cute idea.

The dog is surely feeling better, his tail is wagging far more often. We walk him up the hill and let him go without a leash in one of the kennel runs. All is good and we are returning the dog to continue our errands and who do you think is coming in?

Why Lisa of course, to visit our dog. How funny is that? We all play with the dog a bit longer and laugh with each other. It's a good chapter in this dog's new life.

I am calling him dog because we don't have a name yet. The Humane Society named him Taylor, but he doesn't know that as his name and we will change it. We will give him some time with us and he will likely name himself. Bob sure did, he is named after an old boss I once had. Funny guy, good time boss but would chew all the heals out of my shoes when I wasn't looking, Bob.

A dog's tale

On our way home yesterday we decided to stop in Jamestown at the Humane Society and see what they had by way of Hotel Dogs. Victor has been looking them up on line, but you really do have to go in person to see the dogs. We found a cute rescue dog that is a wire-haired terrier, actually far more wired than Bob was. This dog makes Bob's coat seem like silk! We walk the dog, think about it, talk to the folks there, get a little history...and put a deposit down to hold him. He can't be released until Tuesday as he just had is surgery the day before.

Okay, so it is set, we will have a new hotel dog on Tuesday or will be out $25.

Getting home Marge, (my mom) gives me the messages needing my attention, inlcuding one from Lisa that she has found me a new dog. Go figure! I don't believe we mentioned we were looking, but I guess a good friend just feels these things. So I leave her a message that we have already found a dog, but would be happy to meet her dog. With my luck on these things, I am now envisioning us with two dogs.

Guess what, same darned dog! Lisa works at the vet that did the surgery on the dog. When she saw him she knew he was just the right dog for us. I hope she is right.I am sure his name will come to us after we have had him for a while, Bob's did.

So, here's what he looks like: http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/photoView.cgi?petid=9951907

Is fog news?

Yesterday we woke up in Calistoga, (our last little getaway before reopening the restaurant on Valentine's day) and promptly turn on the TV news to the biggest story of the day: Fog hovering over the bay area! Every couple of minutes they would talk about the fog and show a live photo. Do you know what fog looks like on TV over and over again? Not much different from filming a snow storm.

Recipe Research 2008

We have begun our trip and are posting online at www.RecipeResearch2008.blogspot.com. Follow along with us!

If you haven't read a blog before, these are posted in date order with the oldest on the bottom. One reads up.

Christmas Eve at the Hotel Charlotte

Victor, in his usual last minute generous way has asked me to invite our local friends-without-families for a Christmas Eve feast. We love having little parties, I like having more time to plan them. But that's okay, we will serve for those who don't have family in the area. We have invited our hotel guests to join us also.

With our own family holiday events celebrated in our Thanksgiving travels to the midwest, this is a good cheery plan for us.

Wine, Murder & Music

This winter our entertainment series is titled: Wine, Murder and Music. We will host two winemaker dinners, one on February 17th with Cartlidge & Browne and a second on March 30th with Muir Hanna. Murder & Mayhem is scheduled for April 6th and our Cabaret Charlotte: MORE Broadway show is on March 2nd and March 9th. On May 23rd we have a Gala celebrating the World Premiere of the melodrama: Love Potion #1. Most events are $49 inclusive of show, dinner, tax and tip. We hope to welcome you!

Additional details and menus are online at www.HotelCharlotte.com/restaurant.html.

See you soon.
L

Priest Grade Update & Online Mapping Services

Online Mapping to Groveland-Yosemite: What Next?

So, test it out. Get on your computer and type in mapquest.com. Run a directions search for Sonora to Groveland. Though not perfect, folks are no longer being sent up Old Priest Grade with no regard to vehicle type (RV, 18-Wheeler, pulling a trailer...) Now do the same search with the Google Maps and Yahoo Maps. These two still have the old directions. It could take a year for the new information to filter down into their system. Mapquest, after seeing all our "hooting" about these faulty directions did an uncommon manual update.

We aren't done with this yet! Let's keep up the communication with Google and Yahoo. Let's follow through with all the routes that aren't quite right for our area and get them submitted for review and correction. Especially now that we know change IS possible! Curious about which route should be next? How about Coulterville to Groveland-Yosemite, where folks are sent over dirt roads (Cuneo, Jackass Ridge & Merrell) telling them to turn here and there when none of these dirt roads are sign posted. These poor folks end up in Groveland, mad as heck!

Thanks to the Union Democrat and reporter Rebecca Howe, Sacramento News 10 and reporter Tim Daly and everyone who supported this effort with their own letters to these companies we HAVE made a difference!

Good bye Bob

Bob left us today, December 14th 2007.
Bob was The Hotel Dog and had reached 100 years old, 14 and a half.

We will miss him.

I would really appreciate if anyone has photos of Bob if they would send them to me. I would love to have photos of Bob doing any of his tricks, playing the piano or laying in his wine barrel bed. If you have a personal Bob memory to share, that would be cool too!

The photos I do have are online at www.HotelCharlotte.com/bob.html, sort of a memory page.

Mapping your way to Groveland-Yosemite

Photo by Terri Metz

A week ago the local newspaper, Union Democrat, published an article on the mapping services, (Mapquest, Google & Yahoo Maps to mention the biggies) and the directions they provide for travelers to get to Yosemite via Groveland and Highway 120.
This is the story: http://uniondemocrat.com/news/story.cfm?story_no=25158

I started trying to get corrections a few years ago after visitors had shown me the directions they got online that sent them up Old Priest Grade, Down New Priest Grade and up Old Priest Grade again. In writing the information suppliers, I was given contact numbers for the database companies that provide the information, NAVTEQ and Tele Atlas, but was unsuccessful in finding anyone who wanted to help correct the problem. Every few months a new guest would come in with faulty directions and I would follow up again without success.

Heading the Marketing Committee for the Yosemite Chamber of Commerce, I have regularly published the progress through the newsletter and kept the StayNearYosemite.com properties informed, encouraging others with similar concerns to team up on them with oodles of similar storied letters hoping that we would get the changes we needed. A few months ago the Union Democrat got my name as a resource for this story.

Researching the story for the the Union Democarat took them to Cal Trans, the Highway Patrol and the companies that provide the databased information. It took Rebecca Howe to introduce herself as a reporter for someone to listen to the problem and get to work fixing it. The story ran on Tuesday, 12/4, and by Friday, 12/7, the Sacramento News 10 television station was in Groveland doing a followup on story. Watch the clip: http://www.news10.net/video/player_news10.aspx?aid=49257&bw=

Both media teams got the message almost right which was very exciting.

The direction errors that send someone up/down/up the grade need to be fixed and all drivers should be given both options, old and new priest. The implication when using the map companies is that the routes suggested are going to be regular highways, no restrictions. Well our little Old Priest Grade is not good for heavy or long vehicles or those pulling trailors. The pitch of the incline can overheat even the sturdiest of vehicles.

For someone who hasn't been to Groveland or used this route to get to Yosemite, letting them know that there are two options and the pros-cons of each is the better way to be of service to the traveling public. However if they can only offer one set of directions, it should be the set that will qualify all vehicles, unrestricted—and that is New Priest Grade.

We have seen 18 wheeled big rigs on Old Priest, they don't make it to the top. We have seen folks in RV's renting them for their first time and nervous to the point that they can't continue. The new grade, with a far more gentle pitch and big sweeping curves with good visibility and lots of pull off spots is by far the better recommendation if a company can only suggest one route.

Today, December 10th, I heard from Jessica of Mapquest who had called me to let me know that the Priest Grade change would be going through their system this week instead of "within a year" as NAVTEQ quoted for a change to be implemented. We had a lovely conversation and I came to understand a bit more of this process and how unique it is that we are getting this change. Thanks so much to the Union Democrat, Sacramento News 10 and All the folks that wrote those letters! We are heading towards a success.

But....Let's not end it here, lets keep up the communication and follow through with all the routes that aren't quite right for our area and get them submitted for review and correction. Especially now that we know change IS possible! Courious about which route should be next? How about Coulterville to Yosemite, where folks are sent over dirt roads (Cuneo, Jackass Ridge & Merrel) telling them to turn here and there when none of these dirt roads are sign posted.

While the Mapquest interface allows one to click a box to choose non-freeway routes, the implication is that all routes will be regular, class A routes. Maybe someday the mappers will have a box that searchers can click that lets them choose paved roads only. ;) Let's tell them what needs fixing!

NAVTEQ Global Corporate Headquarters/North America
222 Merchandise Mart, Suite 900
Chicago, Illinois 60654
USATel: (312) 894-7000
Home Page: www.navteq.com
Map Errors: http://mapreporter.navteq.com/dur-web-external/

Tele Atlas Americas Headquarters
11 Lafayette St.
Lebanon, NH
Tel: (603) 643-0330
Home Page: http://www.teleatlas.com
Map Errors: http://mapfeedback.teleatlas.com/index.htm

So, this was my media week of fame, first the Union Democrat newspaper, then the Sacramento News 10 local news television. All quite exciting! But for those who are counting, it was only 2 of my 15 minutes!

Loyal Reader #1

As Marv Dealy likes to say: Thanks to our 47 regular weekly readers...I can now boast that I have a regular reader who subscribes to this blog. Isn't that grand! One reader! Well, maybe there are more out there, it's just this one that has let me know that she is a regular reader...and insists that I keep this blog updated. Truth be told, I would probably only have half the entries I have now if it weren't for her reminding me that my reader is eager to hear about our last adventure....

Sorry Reader #1, but nothing exciting happened over our Thanksgiving Getaway. We went to St. Louis & Wisconsin and Chicago. When we got to the airport everyone had appropriate ID with them, so no hysterics there. The plane didn't crash, though I often think the tiniest burp in the sky is the precurser to a sure fast fall to the meet the earth's crust. We didn't get a speeding ticket, though in some cases we did drive faster than the posted limit....

It was a good refreshing getaway and I caught up on 17% of the sleep I was deprived of this last summer. Hopefully the other 83% will catch up before we get into busy season again! Thanks for keeping me on my toes!

Most unlikely Halloween Costume

Who is least likely to be a priest?

Halloween was such fun this year. I think I took over 100 photos of the kids as they reached into our deep bucket of candy. Next year we will have the candy in the middle of the dining room and host a special ghoulish dinner with all the kids parading through in costume!

I will have a webpage up this weekend, www.HotelCharlotte.com/halloween2007.html.

See you soon!

Lynn

The Tooth Fairy Visits the Hotel Charlotte

Guess who came to visit the Hotel Charlotte last week? That's right, our first visit of the Tooth Fairy. This little charmer was up visiting with her mom and dad, brother and sister looking at property in Pine Mountain Lake. A little after breakfast her first tooth fell out. We were able to find it and I taped the tiny tooth inside a window envelope so she could check on it throughout the day. Bob (the dog) was a hit with these girls!

Cafe Charlotte weekly specials, November 1-3

We wrap up another month this week and Tioga Pass is still open. This is good news for travelers and businesses that support them! We hope it goes long into the season.

This week we have some new specials and old favorites:

Bay Shrimp Stuffed Avocado $10.95
Oysters Rockefeller $10.95
Escargot $8.95

Baked Lasagna $14.95
Homemade Curry Chicken stuffed Ravioli $15.95
Seafood Pasta $16.95
(Clams, Shrimp, King Crab and fresh fish with a with wine sauce and a touch of Marinara over linguini)

We hope to see you this weekend. Please plan on visiting us Thursday, Friday or Saturday. Sunday is the Murder Mystery.

We have begun planning our Winter Dinner Events and will be calling the series: Wine, Murder & Music with a blend of all three and maybe more! The first event we have scheduled is on Sunday, February 17th, a Wine Maker Dinner with Cartlidge and Browne, an affodable award winning winery from Napa.

Dinner Specials 10/25-10/28

Happy Thursday Friends!
What weird and wacky weather we are having! I hope everyone is enjoying the Indian Summer. Tioga Pass is still open, the fall colors are in full swing. Victor, Bob and I are hoping to do a road trip to Bodie or Mono Lake before the final change of seasons.

This week's specials include:
Bay Shrimp stuffed Avocado Appetizer $10.95
Potato-Cucumber Soup Cup $3.95 Bowl $5.50
Homemade Spinach and Ricatta Cheese Stuffed Ravioli topped with Marinara Sauce $15.95
Veal Saute Sec (Tomatoes, mushrooms, onions and capers, white wine) $18.95
Calamari Steak Doré $15.95
Fresh Wild Shark grilled and topped with a lime-garlic dressing $15.95
Baked Rigatoni with meat sauce and cheese $15.95

Homemade desserts include silk pie, blue berry pie, that wonderful rich chocolate brownie and homemade banana-chocolate brownie ice-cream. Yummmmmmie!

Save $4 a bottle on our Wine of the Week: Twisted Oak % @ # $ ! (Murphys) A local white blend with a strange name!

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

PS: A very warm thank you to everyone who has supported our fall entertainment line-up, we are pleased to announce that as of today we have but one ticket left for the Murder Mystery on Sunday, November 4th and all the other shows are sold out with a waiting list. We have begun planning our winter line up and will be kicking off the season with a Winemakers dinner on Sunday, February 17th followed by an all new Murder Mystery Dinner, Music and More!

Enter our monthly drawing for a $25 Cafe Charlotte gift certificate by answering the following question by reply email: What is our featured wine of the week? Bonus question: do they farm shark?

Evolution of a town: Groveland, near Yosemite National Park

The other day a Groveland resident and community leader came into the restaurant and started a conversation with me on the certain demise of Groveland's downtown business district. His views were that we were in the tank and sinking fast with mentions of several unoccupied stores and just as many up for sale. On the night of this discussion, I was quickly convinced by his arguments that he was right.

Since then I have spent some time pondering this conversation. Surely it is natural for neighbors to move, businesses to change, some close, new ones open. For every failure or "for sale" he pointed out I am now able argue some superb new businesses or transitions. I wish I was more prepared when the topic was first being discussed. My dwelling on the subject over the last month as made me curious as to how many others in the community think as he does.

Yes, we know there are several empty store fronts along the way and a few places are for sale. But what was so obviously ignored in the conversation were are all the recent successes: Coffee Time has a new owner and is consistently open with a great product, the painters offices have moved off of Main Street and the space is opened anew with some very energetic ladies doing a great thing with Body Beautiful. The flower shop has a new name, Benita's Bouquets and new owner. In a smart move that puts more visitor friendly retail shops on Main Street, Sabre Design, a graphics company moved off of main street and a fantastic hip clothing shop opened in their place with Perfectly Posh.

Bunny Rose, a long time downtown merchant showed her confidence in Groveland by purchasing a second Main Street store, Critter Corner. For a year and a half the restaurant next to the Hotel Charlotte was closed, now some great people are running the Cross Country Cafe, a fresh sandwich deli. The long-closed Tshirt printer has been reincarnated as a carpet and tile center and Sun Cable offices converted to a Dollar store. Murray & Bev have finally moved Homemade into the vacant space next to Hot Doggie, a brilliant move. Even the long closed Tiano's has gotten a face lift this summer with new windows and hopefully a plan to open soon. Let's not forget what an asset Main Street Market is to Groveland, they too are less than 4 years old.

Remember the feed store that closed this summer? Now it is a furniture mart and is doing 5 times better than projected. All Seasons Groveland Inn with its new owner has fresh landscaping and an inviting curb appeal. Does anyone remember the Charlotte before Victor and I bought it four years ago? The Charlotte might have been on the failure list with the restaurant well into its third season of closure.

Lets talk about the evolution of Groveland as a cultural center. This community first built the museum library project, then a wonderful stage in our park just waiting for someone to produce great events. These, paired with our new world-class skate park makes our public space very unique. In recent years Groveland has added Whitewolf Art Gallery showcasing works from local artists. We now enjoy 3 Groveland Art Strolls a year, a quilt stroll every other year, the 6-show concert series produced by Mountain Sage with the introduction of Grammy award winning artists, the Yosemite Courtyard Theater at the Groveland Hotel with productions throughout the summer and Cabaret Charlotte and Theatre du Jour at the Hotel Charlotte with the winter performances featuring Groveland's new theater company, Yosemite Entertainment Productions (YEP) and I am sure there are even more new cultural events.

On the outskirts of Groveland, Priest Station (the first impression visitors have on approaching Groveland) has just been purchased by the Anker family with plans to put in a mountaineering shop, coffee house, pack station for guided wilderness trips, a restaurant and a 5-star out house. This refreshed outpost will serve as a gateway to Groveland followed a mile down the road by the monumental historic restoration project in its infancy in Big Oak Flat that STCHS is undertaking.

I argue that Groveland is on leaning towards great successes, not the eminent demise prophesied. I hope that all folks in this community consider taking a fresh look at where we have been and where we are going and put their hearts and efforts into supporting this great community. I hope everyone out there is shopping Groveland. But I urge you to do more than just shop our great stores, get involved! There are many opportunities! Together we can work on building our own positive self fulfilling prophesies.

Let's all go buy some rose colored glasses to go with our rosy future!

49er Festival & Chili Cook-off results, Groveland parade

Each year we think it can't get better, but this year's perfect weather, fantastic people and great fun rings side by side with the glow of a job well done by so many people. Here it is, days later, and the joy still lingers with everyone I meet saying how grand the festival was this year.

The parade with its lively theme "Swinging through the Sierra" brought out some of our most creative floats ever with swings, swingers and singers! The music rang throughout the park with the beautifully clear vocals of Joni Morris and the great fiddling sounds of Don Burnham and the Overalls.

The Chili Cook-off had a fantastic showing with many area restaurants and home-chefs brewing up a special pot of their best recipes with great early morning efforts by all. The selection of wares available from the vendors, many local and some from far away, provided plenty of diversion for our dollars! The poker walk and saloon girls added loads of flair to the festival. Prizes for this years raffle were desired by all and many a ticket purchased in hopes of the lucky draw.

But a festival favorite was the return of the Live Auction. The donations the Yosemite Chamber of Commerce received from members and neighbors were exciting and fresh and the bidding hands waving throughout the auction hour were testament to the interest by all. Robin in her glorious attire played a perfect "Vanna" to the Auctioneer's clear calling out: Going Once, Going Twice.....Sold!

A special thanks to the many people and businesses that volunteered oodles of hours and donated bunches prizes and dollars to make this festival a hit. We look forward to your participation again next year and hope those wishing to wear our special glow and bright orange vests let us know which areas they would like to chair to lead the town to another success as we begin planning for an even grander 2008!

Let's do it all again next year!

Chili Cook-off Results 2008
Peoples Choice Chili with beans
49er Chili Leaders
Groveland Fire Department
Hotel Jeffery House on Fire

Peoples Choice Chili without beans
Knoth Properties Jamaican Chili
Chris Avery Cross Country Chili
Ranch House Chili Company

Peoples Choice Vegetarian
Pine Mountain Lake Country Club Vegetarian Chili
49er Chili Leaders
Hotel Charlotte Pixie Dust Chili


Judges Choice Chili with Beans
49er Chili Leaders
Groveland Fire Department
Groveland Hotel Victorian Room

Judges Choice Chili without Beans
Hotel Charlotte Call of the Wild Caribou Chili
Knoth Properties Jamaican Chili
Ranch House Chili Company

Judges Choice Vegetarian
Hotel Charlotte Pixie Dust Chili
49er Chili Leaders
Pine Mountain Lake Country Club Vegetarian Chili

Best Decorated Booth
Knoth Properties Jamaican Chili
Hotel Jeffery House on Fire Chili
Groveland Fire Department

Parade Results
Best Walking Adult – Guns of the Chosen Few
Best Walking Jr – Museum Day featuring Tenaya 4th graders
Best Mounted Adult – Cocina Michoacana
Best Mounted Jr – Perry n’ Kids
Best Motor Vehicle – Ron and Carole Smith
Best Community Service- Helping Hands
Best 49r Theme – Guns of the Chosen Few
Best Theme – Sage Maddelena
Best Float – Ed Connery
Best of Parade – Cocina Michoacana

Where have I been?

TripAdvisor.com is always adding new features. One that I find particularly interesting is the "Where has she been" map that lets me put a push-pin in locations I have been to and the map saves itself as an image file so others can see where we have been. Kind of fun to share with family and friends. I randomly came across my own map today on the internet and found that odd, but neat. I wonder how many folks have done this and if they have push-pinned the Hotel Charlotte in Groveland or not.

Roadtrip Adventure: Sacramento, Eldorado Hills, Groveland....

We did it again, another one day adventure. This time to Sacramento. If you think living with "Maguiver" is fun, perhaps this little getaway story will show a downside to living with someone who can fix just about anything.

As is often the case, we decide at the very last minute if we can get away or not. This time, it looks good and Victor wants to go to the State Fair. I am not sure why, but if anything grabs his attention, I like to do it. We also have to pick up some stuff from SF and decide to leave Tuesday afternoon for the California State Fair, spend the night on the Delta King in Old town Sacramento then hustle off to San Francisco in the morning and back to Groveland by the evening.

So off we go, leaving the hotel at 2, we plan to be at the fair by 4:30. We get as far as Oakdale before stop at the busy Beacon for gas. Getting the gas is no problem, but the van won't start again afterward. Victor reminds me that he thought he told me we needed to change the alternator. So now I have, for the first time in my life, enjoyed the pleasures of pushing a vehicle to affect a rolling start. Once the vehicle is going fast enough that you think you can't catch it if it gets away, Victor jumps in and pops it into gear. We aren't successful. It's 100+ degrees, the road is flat or slightly uphill and cars constantly flowing into and out of this gas station around our stalled and now wrong directioned vehicle. This is not the funnest moment of my life. After a few failed starts we get some help pushing from some very nice gentlemen who may have themselves been in this position at some point in their lives. Success!

Now we are headed through Oakdale and Victor suggests a stop at the Kragen Auto Parts shop, and asks that I remind him NOT to turn off the van. I do. I remind him again and again and he doesn't turn the van off. We get the part, toss it in the back of the van and start rolling towards 99. We like the back roads and "shortcuts" and so head into Stockton via the central valley maize maze.

Finally on highway 99 and under an hour from our goal Victor mentions that all of the gauges seemed to have stopped working and the van isn't driving right. Oh...maybe we should stop? Do you know the emptiness north of Stockton, before Elk Grove? This is where we roll into a commuter parking area and blessedly find a big tree to provide shade while "Maguiver" replaces the alternator. I reread a previously read magazine.

I hear mumbles over the next hour and a half such as: "where's my something or other tool" and "$#@!" but am confident that eventually we will head somewhere....I have triple A.

There really were only a few moments when even Maguiver lost his confidence, like the moment he couldn't find the right tool and couldn't think of anything that could be rigged up to fill in for the missing tool (not that this was any reason to not try!) and when he fussed for half an hour trying to get the new alternator to push into position and it wouldn't until he jammed his little finger up there, then it popped right in, but his finger wasn't all that happy.

We are finally ready to go, but we have to do another one of those fun running starts, this time with no hope of helpers. But we do it and he is all a grin and I file away my AAA card for the next time.

Did I mention this van doesn't have air conditioning? So the only release from the 100+ degree heat we have is driving with the windows open and the breeze cools as it dries the sweat. Well, now its rush hour and the road is bumper to bumper, stop, roll a few feet, repeat. No breeze to cool!

I suggest we just head to the hotel for a refreshing shower and nice dinner. We can skip the fair. This is when the "motivation" for the fair as a destination makes itself clear: Wine! I should have know it wasn't the midway, the rides, the music, the screaming kids....Victor wanted to see who medalled at the fair and if there were new finds to be had. I saw no need to argue with this.

Off we go, along with everyone else just off work, to the Fair. This is such a huge venue, I can't imagine how many people are inside the gates at one single moment. The attractions are endless from the performance stages to the motor cross route to the rides, games of change, the County building, the farm displays and the list goes on and on. We never felt crowded, but we knew we weren't alone.

We wander our way to the wine center and get up to the bar for our overview. We are an easy couple to work with, as we are only tasting whites and are looking for specific items to fill out our Cafe Charlotte menu. We taste some Chardonnays, very sweet this year. We try a Sauvignon Blanc, more sweetness. Seems to be a theme running through the show. Sweeter is better? Not for us. Best of Show was 2-buck Chuck, the Trader Joe's exclusive Charles Shaw, Chardonnay. This has brought about a great deal of interesting speculation on the process, the judges, the wine....but isn't our choice for tasting today.

For parking, two entrances fees, two little glasses of wine each, the wine guide, 3 bottles of water and $70 later, we are out of the Fair grounds and headed into old town Sacramento where the Delta King rests on the river for a shower and dinner. As we are parking the van I note to Victor that his front tire is low. By the time we are completely parked, it is sitting square on the ground—flat. Okay, and yes, the spare is in the garage, of course. This doesn't really bother me since we discovered fix-a-flat a few years ago.

We check in and have the reception call us a cab to take us to the nearest auto parts store where for $37 we get a nice roundtrip "tour" of downtown and two cans of the trusty spray. Dinner on the Delta King is delicious. We order the calamari to start and the sauces are both wonderful. I get the seabass for dinner, Victor orders the steak and we are both pleased with our choices. We have an after dinner glass of wine on the veranda and very much enjoy the outdoor setting and privacy that is so often missing from our Charlotte life. The next morning we head back into the restaurant for breakfast only to learn after a great deal of discussion that breakfast is no longer part of the Bed, Boat & Breakfast formula. Odd, it was last time we were there and conspicuoulsy not mentioned upon reserving and checking in. I don't mind that they aren't including breakfast, I do mind that they failed to mention this to a repeat guest who might be anticipating an included breakfast.

We head out to take care of our flat tire and find some good coffee and a bite before taking off for SF. Vic whips out his can of fix-a-flat, attaches the hose and we both watch as the air rushes right back out through the gaping crevasse in the tire. Thank goodness I have that triple A card! We call and are soon on our way with two new front tires.

We change our plans and just decide to go home, it is too blazing hot for 7 hours on the road and well, there is just a lot of stuff to do. So off we head south on 99. I am reading the wine guide when Victor asks me if he should take Grant Line Road. I really don't care. He says it comes out at Manteca. So Easterly we head for about an hour. Seems longer than it should be without any identifying features. I am almost done reading the wine guide. Looking up I see a sign that says Freeway left. That isn't possible. The freeway can only be behind us and in front would be highway 49 if anything....Hmmmm, so where are we? Eldorado Hills. Guess what, we are headed to Tahoe. Great! I suggest maybe we just go, head over the Sierra, hit 395 south to 120 and over Tioga Pass. Victor thinks I am crazy. Instead we head to Placerville and get on 49 South. All is well.

Until we hit Shingletown and miss the 49 left turn. We figure whatever road we are on will loop around, based on the direction of the shadows, it looks to be going in the right direction.....Driving, driving, and we finally reach the next town...Eldorado Hills! Isn't this exciting! Perhaps we should buy some property here, it seems to have some sort of natural draw.

We are now both tired and hot and have 3 hours to go. Maybe we should have gone to SF! We finally make it home and settle into our usual tasks of keeping the hotel up to snuff. I have agreed with myself that I will never take a distance ride in That Van again. Living with the creative skills of a Maguiver is wonderful, but my Maquiver has developed a level of quiet confidence such that troubles others tend to avoid with simple, but regular checks often become our next fix-it challenge.

I will always carry a triple A card in my wallet.

Road trip! Sonoma Coast

We write these little itineraries to help guests with suggested routes and stops for their trip to/from Groveland and Yosemite. Oddly, it seems our best time for getting away for a few days seems to fall around the 4th of July. Last year we went over Ebbetts Pass to Minden and back and had a grand time. This year we chose to go to the Sonoma Coast.

I have a little file here at my desk and when ever I see a place I might want to go to, I cut it out and put it in the folder. Once we settled on the dates, Victor was suggesting Death Valley. I thought not. Just too hot, and out came my little folder. Right on top was a great picture of the Sonoma Coast and a full page advert for the Timber Cove Inn in Jenner. Stunning! So we agreed to go and I booked the nights. Until this trip, I had almost thought the Sonoma Coast was too far for an interesting one day drive to or from Groveland, but we had a fantastic route in both directions and neither was too long.

We headed out Monday morning, July 2nd, just before 10 am with no holiday traffic in sight and followed 120 through Escalon where we turn off to cut through the cow fields to Stockton and then took Highway 4 west across the Central Valley and to Highway 680, over the Suisun Bay through Benicia to 780 and west to Highway 80 and north to Highway 37. We followed 37 to a little short-cut road called Lakeview, with no lake to view, into Petaluma. Turn left on Washington Street and this becomes Bodega Road which in turn takes you out to Bodega Bay. With one stop for breakfast, this was a 4 hour trip. Very doable. I would choose to stay in Bodega Bay area as traversing the coast, while stunningly beautiful, becomes tediously slow with curves twists and turns and is not necessarily more beautiful as you head north.

Take time to enjoy Bodega Bay, there are oodles of restaurants and things to do here including a calm-water protected beach. We continued north to Jenner, again quite awesome. This is where the Russian River spills into the ocean. We were there as the tide was turning and it was turbulent and neat! We went even further, they say only 13 miles but it seemed to take forever and the road was far more curvatious than our own Priest Grade!

We finally reached Timber Cove Inn and it is perched on the edge of the cliff and again, dramatic. After check-in we sat at the bar for a bit and nursed a glass of wine as we relaxed from our trip and took in the ocean views. I soon felt some discomfort as I realized the room had several cats roaming about and I am sadly allergic to these lofty creatures. We headed back to the room and all was swell again, but dinner is in the same area as the lounge and while I was able to make it through dinner, by the end, it was difficult breathing. We moved back to our guest room before dessert and checked out the next day. The cats and place were clean, I simply have an allergic reaction that forced us to cut our stay here short by one night.
Our room, #37 was a corner room with extra windows and appeared to be recently remodeled. The spa tub and shower were actually in the bedroom and not the bathroom, which for tubbing was nice as it had an expansive window looking out to the ocean. Everything was clean and seemed new.

We drove up to Sea Ranch enjoying more curves and views and then headed back inland via Jenner, the Russian River and Guerneville where we had a great breakfast at Pat's in downtown. We toured Rio Nido where we once considered an inn for purchase and then headed towards the West Side highway for some wine tasting.

Our First stop is Korbel, you can't miss this flowered palace—huge as wineries go and just a bit outside Guerneville. We arrived just in time to jump into an already-started tour and learned a bit about the Champagne process of "fermented in this bottle" and a lot about the Korbel family history. The tour completed with a tasting on one of many patios and we thought the pricing very good at under $10 a bottle with more than half dozen choices.

We found the West Side road and followed it up to Davis Bynum. Here we tasted the best Chardonnay of the day and will look to adding it to our own wine list for the restaurant.
Our next stop was Hop Kiln, a favorite of mine since my Karen Brown days. This is my 4th visit and each time improvements in the winery, surroundings and the wine itself are notable. We buy the 1000 Flowers, a chardonnay based blend. We served this wine last spring, but were then unable to get it again. I think we must!

We continue down the road to B.R. Cohn, a popular stop noted by the many vehicles in the parking lot. The grounds look lovely enough to host wedding receptions, concerts and the like. We enjoy a tasting and buy a pair of flip-flops from their gourmet and gift shop. These kooky "shoes" have a bunch of grapes across the flip part of the flop and called out to me. This was our last stop in the wine country and we head across the central valley on Highway 12 towards Lodi where we had heard they had a cute downtown with a central square. We are slowly driving now in what must be holiday traffic through the Delta region. When we get to Lodi, we see lots of signs for wineries, but when we follow the roads, we never find the actual winery and figure they must not really welcome visitors or they would be far better marked.

We enter the town of Lodi in search of a square, often dominated by an old steepled church. Following signs such as Central Street and Downtown did not end in the discovery of a cute square and we were never sure if we even found downtown. So, with the swiftness of two freebirds on a road trip we decide to head into Jamestown and see if our friend Stephen at the National Hotel had a room available for the night. Either way, we are assured a great dinner and conversation. After dinner we roamed the cute downtown, doing a little window shopping and stopped at the new Azzo's restuarant, oft recommended to us by friends. We found we had a lot in common with Azzo and his wife in the love of vintage rock & roll. Their menu looks tasty and we promise to return to test that theory out. (209) 984-1173.

We return to the National Hotel and find our selves in the cutest room with all the amenities one can think of from lovely antiques to warm bathrobes. The bed was just right comfortable and we both got a good nights sleep, not something we often experience! The National Hotel serves excellent coffee in the morning and it was waiting for us seemingly, just outside our door. We enjoyed a cup before breakfast was served and then took the short trip home to Groveland.
The return trip from the coast on this route did take us all day that second day, but for most of it, we were "touring" and not really just driving. With a handful of winery stops, this is a very pleasurable route to take from the coast to Groveland, Yosemite & beyond.

* Remember to do this type of "touring" with a designated driver, light taster. It takes eight tastings and drinking the full pours to equal one standard 6 oz glass of wine.

Musings of a busy innkeeper

Wow! We must have had a busy summer, I forgot all about the blog!

Check out blogrush.com to get your news out there!

Groveland Quilt Stroll (GQs)

Whoooo Hooo! How colorful can a town look? Just dress it up from end to end with hundreds of home made quilts and then invite the world to come and see them! Groveland's Quilt Guild, a suprisingly 85 member strong group in this little mountain village, pulled off a wonderful show this last weekend and we hope they will do it every year!

Sorry, We're Closed

This is the hardest part of my night. In a business where we really do try to please everyone, there comes that moment at the end of the evening when you are certain to disappoint the late diners arriving just as you are closing the restaurant for the evening. The question is do we disappoint because we sat more dinner patrons and are unable to provide the top level service and food we do for earlier guests, or do we not seat them so their only disappointment is they didn't get sat.

We generally choose to go with the don't seat rule, then nobody can say they had a bad meal. But this does leave folks hungry.

I definitely dislike these moments!

They still want to be linked from Hotel Charlotte

Can you believe it, the gentleman last written about actually has a Yosemite Falls Foutain and a great deal of content about famous waterfalls, including Yosemite Falls. So guess who is linking to the fountain....now that it's legit.

I made my first advertising sale. $50 for a link....Cool!

They want to pay to be linked from Hotel Charlotte?

Imagine my surprise when I received a post from a complete stranger earlier this month asking if I might link to his site and he would pay me $50. I was thrilled! How fun to have a website where folks are offering me money for a link from. Yipppeeee, Hotel Charlotte goes big time, look out Google!

Since I was in the midst of a remodel, putting a new face on the website and updating the content I waited until I was finished to add this new link. As I reviewed the inquiry I found that the gentleman wanted me to link the text: Yosemite Falls on the Hotel Charlotte Yosemite page to his page about water fountains. Instead I gave him a link on the left by the highlight and navigation bar and sent him a lovely post with the link included. Well turns out he only wants a link where he said...again came that generous offer of $50.

It has now been a week of pondering this link positioning problem and I just wrote my new link buddy back and said no....I know what I would think if I was researching my Yosemite trip and the link for Yosemite Falls took me to a fountain sales page. I would think the owner of the site wasn't really that interested in providing relevant content and I would leave for somewhere else on the www no longer trusting this sites integrity.

I hope that the visitors to the Hotel Charlotte website always feel they are getting good information. Please let me know if you are looking for a fountain, I do have a good resource for this.

A pleasure

It is always such a pleasure when someone does something unexpected that is of great benefit to you. Thanks Kevin for your blog post about the Hotel Charlotte!

Those of you who might be unfamiliar with Kevin Saitta's Photography, take a moment to see what he's up to. His work is all black and white and often brilliant. Take a look particularly at his portfolio pieces, one on Bodie and one on Trains. If I had the right architecture, I could easily see both of these in my home. www.kjsphotography.com

There is ART in Groveland, on the way to Yosemite

This quaint gold mining town at the edge of the Sierras has much more to offer the passerby than a node on the history ruler. Groveland is fast becoming known as a cultural Mecca for quality art, music, theater and food all served in a setting that could be described as off-off-Broadway! We hope that this series of articles starting with "Art" will entice folks to stop for a bit, a bite or an overnight.

Where is Art in Groveland?
In search of Art, we start with our new gallery in town. Opened less than a year, the White Wolf Gallery is popular with artists and art aficionados for their ever rotating selection of pieces from photographs to sculptures and nature oils with homemade frames that are as much about the piece as the picture itself. They carry works from every price range from under-a-$1 postcards to sculptures in the 4 figures. In season White Wolf Gallery is open later on the weekends providing a great pre-dinner activity for those staying the night. You can contact the gallery at 209.962.0342.

Mountain Sage, on the west side of town, is not only the home gallery for owner-artist, Rob Hirsch and his brilliant photographs, but the business itself a work of art. Rob, with his wife Regina, has dedicated five years to creating a setting that is a rightfully a destination; from the eclectic Hammock Garden to the natural outdoor amphitheater, the map room, crafts center, book nook, free WiFi access, organic coffee impromptu sing-a-longs, movie marathons and so much more. One can quickly lose themselves nestled here with vision of Rob's photographs, a few daydreams and a Frisbee. 209.962.4686

Another place you could look for art in Groveland is at the Hotel Charlotte. Lynn and Victor don't just care for overnight visitors and dining guests but now attend to providing pleasing visuals to accompany your Charlotte experience. Local artists have come to find the Hotel Charlotte "The Place to Hang" for exposure and sales. Guests who have dined at the Charlotte will recognize the crisp photographs of local scenery by Terri Metz. Terri regularly rotates her images to match the seasons. Last week she retired a series of winter snowscapes and installed an aerial pictorial that follows from Moccasin through Groveland and over Pine Mountain Lake.

The Hotel Charlotte is the permanent gallery of Sierra Professional Artists. The monthly rotation in the front lobbies of works by various member artists of the Sierra Professional Artist association has yielded some lovely original watercolors, oils and collage pieces. The Hotel Charlotte website, www.hotelcharlotte.com/art-bios.html, provides a sampling of the artists' works and background information on those who have shown and those who are coming up in 2007. 209.962.6455

Expanding on Art in the Charlotte and with the backing of the Yosemite Chamber of Commerce, Lynn orchestrated the first Groveland Art Stroll (GAS). This event was held on the Sunday of 4th of July weekend and matched local artists with retailers and with a good marketing blitz, got folks out and about mingling, browsing and buying. The event was given 5 stars by participating retailers, artists and participants. In 2006 the program was expanded to include all the Sundays of our big holiday weekends: Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day.

For the 2007 season this tradition continues on the Sundays of May 27th, July 1st and September 2nd. With White Wolf Gallery, in their unique position of drawing on a broader field of artists, visitors can expect more artists, bigger canopies & tents, refreshments and specials from local restaurants and retailer discounts. Interested artists, crafts persons, jewelers, sculptors and retailers are encouraged to get involved. Please phone 208.962.0342 for an information packet.

The Sierra Professional Artists have long held their annual show at the Groveland Hotel, now scheduled for Sunday, July 1st, which balances nicely with the Groveland Art Stroll. The garden space provided by the Groveland Hotel is a perfect setting for the many pieces you will find on display and for sale. Funds from the art raffles benefit the local school's art programs. The Groveland Hotel provides a warm setting for lunch, art, music and wine in the garden. 209.962.4000

The success of the Art Strolls has fostered an additional downtown event using the retail district to display quilts. On June 9th the Quilters guild is hosting their first Groveland Quilt Stroll (GQs). The 80+ member group has enough artistic quilts to hang the town from end to end. What a colorful day this will be. Demonstrations and food will also be available at the lower section of Mary Laveroni Community Park. 209.962.4950

Put Groveland on your list of things to do, either as a special event day or on the way to Yosemite and remember, when strolling through downtown Groveland, Lynn and Victor invite you make a stop at the Hotel Charlotte to see what's hanging; on the walls, in the halls, around the dining rooms.

Writing articles on Groveland and the Region

So, while this blog has languished without entries for a while, it doesn't mean I haven't been busy writing. I found a new marketing idea and have been trying it out of late...writing articles. I have 10 submitted and 9 approved. I think the 10th is a big deal so they are really checking it out closesly. It is very rewarding to write, post and then find your article out over the internet in neat new places. Viral Marketing. Cool stuff. Feel free to check out the articles, mostly Groveland/Sierra related. http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Lynn_Upthagrove

Cabaret Charlotte returns in April

Same great director, same great singers, all new songs and menu! Join us on April 15, 22 and 29 (all Sundays) for Cabaret part Deux featuring songs from our favorite Broadway Musicals.

The $49 price includes tax, tip and $20 donation to Pine Cone Singers, this time for new concert wear. The menu includes:

• bay shrimp stuffed avocado,
• cream of asparagus soup,
• lamb shank cabernet OR
• grilled salmon
• tiramisu for dessert.

This event qualifies for our stay & play pricing.

Have you seen our trip blog? www.RecipeResearch.blogspot.com, follow along with us on our adventures and misadventures!

Recipe Research Jan 9th, 2007

While we have left the hill, we haven't left the USA yet and I can only hope this is the worst hotel we will experience! We are likely the only guests here that have rented for the whole night. Don't ask how we ended up here, a wrong turn would be the best answer and I don't know why I didn't insist on leaving.

We did enjoy some great tastes of Lousiana at Creala in San Carlos for dinner. We speculated that this might be our last "American" meal.

I will start a new blog that is specific only to this trip, adding pictures as we gain access to the internet, which until today...almost two weeks into our trip, has been rather difficult to find. You can find the details online at www.RecipeResearch.blogspot.com

Rush Hour in Groveland

It's rush hour in Groveland. That is the period of time from 3:25pm to 3:28pm when the bus stops in downtown Groveland to let the kids off from school. Traffic stops in both directions and the lines can get as long as 8 cars. We all wave and it's over until tomorrow.

Nice small town!

Being Bob the Dog

Wine barrel Bob is his new moniker, goes with his new home that Victor just "built" him. Buy one wine barrel, take off the first two rings, cut a semi circle, put dog bed down and spend a week trying to get your dog to go into the barrel that still has a very strong wine scent to it. We are glad to have chosen a red wine barrel.

Bob has a perfect life here and I sometimes wish I was the Hotel Dog instead of the bill paying, team leader, local volunteer, weather gal, and "mom" to many that I usually get tasked with.

A funny thing happened on the way to the quorum

Its a great title about a a story I was going to write, but decided not to. Perhaps another day.

Should a stroller saunter?

This last Sunday, September 3rd, marked the end of our GAS (Groveland Art Stroll) season. With three strolls this summer, it was a great stretch and super introduction of a new event to the area bringing oodles of locals, friends, family and new comers from miles and miles around.

We noticed however that not all the participants were strolling. Some were sauntering. We would like to keep this a strolling event open to familys and leave the sauntering for other days, or even the nights. Participants took home a great deal of artwork, artists gabbed and commissioned with strollers and merchants sold their wares to the town's guests. Restaurants had a busy day feeding the frenzie.

We can't wait until next year to start it all up again and hope to find a whole lot more artists to fill all the nooks & cranies of our cute downtown with their creative pieces and that those who so richly benefit from the event choose to participate in its planning and implementation this next year. Its a big load for one person to handle the whole thing.