Archive for the ‘Happenings at Ormsby Hill’ Category

Our Garden Projects

Tuesday, May 14th, 2013

This time of year I am full of inspiration for garden projects. I know I have to edit and prioritize, but it is fun to be full of ideas. Here are some changes (I hope) you will see this year at Ormsby Hill.

Pick a sweet strawberry on the patio

Pick a sweet strawberry on the patio

'Rebecca' clematis, moon flower and morning glory near the patio doors

‘Rebecca’ clematis, moon flower and morning glory near the patio doors

The patio is getting two more sets of Adirondack rocking chairs, along with pots filled with edibles like mini tomatoes and strawberries. New perennials will border the patio, including a few new varieties, like the ‘Oso Happy Smoothie’ thorn-less rose.

Our labyrinth is in year two of its existence. Jimmy Colvin worked his magic getting the field ready for the wildflower seed, which will transform this unused space into a tranquil spot for serenity and contemplation.

Labyrinth meadow ready for wildflower seed

Labyrinth meadow ready for wildflower seed

We love the outdoor spaces at Ormsby Hill, and hope you will find a spot to call your own while you are here.

The Many Faces of February

Sunday, February 24th, 2013

February is not even over, and we’ve had all kinds of excitement in addition to the usual snow, freeze, thaw, snow, etc.

Yoshio and I attended the national inn keeping conference in Las Vegas. It was our first, and was a lot of fun. To preserve our dignity, we can only show you one photo from this trip.

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From Las Vegas, we went to San Francisco for the biggest event of our year: the birth of our first grandson. Owen Kai Endo was born on Feb 5. He is amazing, and his parents are amazing, too.

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We returned in time for Valentine’s/President’s weekend, and had a wonderful time helping people with their plans for extreme romance. I’m happy to report smiles, good cheer, and an abundance of flowers.

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Although not really a February event, planning is well underway for our first, and only IOH pop-up picnic, being held Saturday, March 9 from 6-8 pm. We will serve some of our favorite Japanese foods in a casual buffet style. Please call us if you’d like to reserve a spot. The cost is $40 for two people.

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We did not receive snow from the latest New England storm, although the mountains had better luck. February will continue on it’s fickle path, and we can only guess what March what March will do.

Winter at Ormsby Hill

Wednesday, January 16th, 2013

I hope everyone had a good start to this new year. After our first big snowfall, it has been seasonally cold except for two glorious spring teaser days. It is snowing again as I write, so the weather is behaving appropriately, just in time for the upcoming holiday weekend.

At the inn, we are all about cookies, coffee, and comfort. Candi, Courtney, and Yoonie have been baking away to ensure we have plenty of cookies; ten varieties right now, including a dairy free, gluten free blueberry mini bite, and gluten free banana bread. If we get snowed in, or we all have a simultaneous snack attack we will be covered.

Ten varieties for your snacking pleasure

Ten varieties for your snacking pleasure

Our brand new Mocha Joe’s Coffee service is active as of today. Mocha Joe’s is a Brattleboro, VT coffee company with incredibly knowledgeable staff, and a business ethic that includes kindness and generosity of spirit. The computerized Fetco brewer was precisely calibrated to our coffee choice. We will order our beans, they will be roasted that day and shipped to us the next day. We will grind the coffee each morning before brewing. Your morning cup will be coffee shop fresh.

This coffee will never touch a burner.

This coffee will never touch a burner.

Our new coffee

Our new coffee

For your comfort, we are now offering winter special rates in Thompson Purdy and Tower. We have a new “midweek two night stay” special, and a “two night suite getaway.” Check out our “Specials & Packages” page for more details.

Hope you can come to see us soon. We’ll be here with cookies, coffee and comfort.

Decorating for Christmas and the Holiday Inn Tours

Sunday, December 2nd, 2012

Flowers and greens are the core of our Christmas decorations.

The first weekend of the Manchester Merriment Holiday Inn Tour (go to visitmanchestervt.com for information on the December 8 tour and other events) was a resounding success here at Ormsby Hill. I’m sure our Christmas cookies, made by Candi and Courtney were the most spectacular in town.

Christmas cookies by C&C


Gingerbread men and mittens

We had visitors from Manchester and neighboring towns as well as out of state guests of nearby inns. The weather added to the holiday spirit, with a gentle snow fall. Scott McCampbell (scubamcc@yahoo.com) was playing sensational jazz guitar, and Taylor Farm (www.taylorfarmvermont.com) brought cheese and artisinal goods from their farm, as well as other local sources.

Taylor Farm offerings

Scott will be back with us next Saturday, and we hope Taylor Farm can make it back, too. Come taste some Vermont wine, eat some cookies, or just to say hi. Then, explore the other inns on tour, and you might as well do some shopping while you’re in town!

Time To Say Good-bye

Tuesday, July 10th, 2012
The Inn at Ormsby Hill
Manchester Center, Vermont
July 10, 2012
This Wednesday, July 11th, after 25 incredible years of innkeeping, we are leaving Ormsby Hill.  To say that this has been an awesome journey is to say the least.  Seventeen years here at Ormsby Hill, and 8 in Maine.

We do want to thank, from the bottom of our hearts, our staff, who do the most incredible work each and every day for us.  A huge hug to Katy, Candi, Christine, Kim and Courtney – we will miss you terribly.

But, we are leaving the inn in the most capable of hands.  Yoshio and Diane Endo will be the next caretakers of Ormsby Hill, and we know they are going to do an outstanding job, so enjoy your time with them.


What’s Next?    
Well, we are going to be staying here in the Manchester area for anywhere from 3 to 12 months before we head back to Maine.  We are actually staying at a friend’s renovated deer camp – we can just image what you are thinking right now!!

tree houseFive years ago, on a birding trip, we found a great tree house – which Chris immediately wanted one just like it.  So deer camp is the next best thing to a tree house!!!

Here is our contact information if you’d like to be in touch with us:

Ted and Chris Sprague
Box 0204
Manchester, Vermont  05254

Land Line: 802-375-6125

Chris Cell:  802-440-2289

Best way to reach us:  email:  cbs447@gmail.com

For now it will be to relax, sleep, regroup, sleep, think of our future, sleep, learn to live a more normal life (if there is such a thing), sleep, spend more time with the dog (if that is even possible, if you really know Chance), sleep, and, of course, spend more time with each other – and sleep even more.  Did  you notice a pattern there??

Something Chris reads every day states:  “I feel like life is going somewhere, and I don’t feel like I have to know where.”  A new and exciting journey lies ahead for us

So, here’s to all of you!!!!  You are the reason we’ve done what we did for these past 25 years, and for that we are, and will continue to be, truly honored, humbled, and grateful.

 

LOOK WHO’S BACK

Saturday, May 19th, 2012

The Inn at Ormsby Hill

Manchester Center, Vermont

Look who appeared on our bird feeder yesterday!!!!!!!

INDIGO BUNTING

SPRINGTIME IN VERMONT

Wednesday, May 9th, 2012

The Inn at Ormsby Hill

Manchester Center, Vermont

Spring has arrived and here’s a sampling of what our guests are doing now to enjoy the beautiful weather – things blooming everywhere – all the greens in the hills that Vermont is known for:

Sit on the porch or patio and just relax with a good book and take in our gorgeous views of the Green Mountains

A drive up Mount Equinox

A tour of the Hildene Estate (see us for discounted tickets)

An afternoon at the Southern Vermont Art Center

A hike in the Equinox Preservation Land

Biking

Try new restaurants

Early golf

Then come back to the inn to relax and enjoy those jacuzzis – with the ducks!!!!!

Select Registry Vermont Regional Meeting at Inn at Ormsby Hill

Monday, April 30th, 2012

The Inn at Ormsby Hill

Manchester Center, Vermont

April 30, 2012

Will Carlson, Executive Director of Select Registry, making a presentation

 

We were very honored to have held the annual Select Registry Vermont Regional Meeting at our inn on Monday, April 16th.   Just about every inn was represented.   Vermont has exceptional inns that are part of Select Registry, and we are thrilled to be one of them.

Be sure to use Select Registry in your future travels.

Chance’s Six-Month Birthday

Sunday, March 18th, 2012

The Inn at Ormsby Hill

Manchester Center, Vermont

For most of you, yesterday was the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day.  For us, it was Chance’s six-month birthday.  The latest photos of him.

 

I've Got the Zebra!!!!

 

Chance with Two of Quincy's Toys which he inherited and is taking really good care of.

 

OK Mom, I need a nap from all this posing stuff!!!!!

YEAH!!!!! WE’VE GOT SNOW!!

Saturday, January 14th, 2012

Manchester, Vermont

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Mother Nature finally answered to the snow gods and gave us 6″ of beautiful, fluffy snow.  Yesterday, Friday the 13th, brought us high winds and snow – looked like a blizzard.  But today, all is beautiful.

Finally - snow!!!!!!!