Nathaniel's is the place to celebrate a special occasion

Here are Gloria and Sully Bloom, who celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary with us last night. They have been coming to the Hawthorne Hotel to celebrate special occasions for many, many years. In fact, they remember when James Kluge, our dining services manager, was a server.

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Bloom!

We hope to help you celebrate your next special occasion here at the Hawthorne Hotel. If you are looking for a way to surprise your sweetie, ask about our Sweetheart Package. You can call us directly at 978-744-4080, or toll-free at 800-729-7829, or you can book on-line by going to www.HawthorneHotel.com .

I look forward to seeing you here.

Juli 

Juli Lederhaus, Shannon Civitarese, Karla Melendez and Adrianna Ubiera

On Sunday we presented the Part-time Employee of the Month Award for April to Adrianna Ubiera of the Housekeeping Team.

Karla, shown next to Adrianna, is the Housekeeping Supervisor, and Shannon is the Rooms Division Manager. Karla did a great job of keeping the award a surprise, so much so that when we all walked into the break room, Adrianna started singing Happy Birthday to Shannon because that is what she thought was going on!

Adrianna has worked for us as a room attendant since May of 2004, and she is such a joy to have on our team. She will always come in on short notice if someone else calls out, and she truly seems to love working here.

Congratulations, Adrianna, and thank you so much!

Juli
 

Hawthorne Hotel Flags of the Week ~~ May 29 through June 4, 2006

Monday , May 29 ~~ Tunisia and Arkansas
Tuesday , May 30 ~~ Turkey and California
Wednesday , May 31 ~~ Turkmenistan and Colorado
Thursday , June 1 ~~ Tuvalu and Connecticut
Friday , June 2 ~~ Uganda and Delaware
Saturday , June 3 ~~ Ukraine and District of Columbia
Sunday , June 4 ~~ United Arab Emirates and Florida

The Witch Dungeon Museum

Also on my path to work is this interesting site, the Witch Dungeon Museum. It is always amusing to me that, while it is open from April through November, it is usually only in October and sometimes the first weekend in November that there are long lines in front of this attraction.

I walk by scratching my head (figuratively, of course), and wondering why folks don't come when the weather is nice, and there are no lines.
The replica stocks are one of the most photographed sites in Salem.

Their website is www.WitchDungeon.com

Why not plan your trip soon, and plan to stay with us at the Hawthorne Hotel. We have great family packages that are very worthwhile.

I hope to see you while you are here visiting Salem.

Juli

Lovely Antique Homes within a 10-minute walk from the Hawthorne Hotel

All of the homes in these photos and the next are located within a ten-minute walk of the Hawthorne Hotel. I pass by them on my walk to work each day, and today I realized just what a lovely walk I have, and that you might enjoy it as well.

These homes are all located in the historic McIntire District, as you can see by the marker. There are many more to view, so you may just have to come to Salem, stay at the Hawthorne Hotel, and take a walk for yourself.

If you need directions, simply ask as the front desk and we would be happy to get you going in the right direction. However, there are historic homes and buildings completely surrounding the Hawthorne, so you can not go wrong, no matter which way you walk.

Can you imagine the sight of 60 oxen hooked up to and moving this house? Almost two-hundred years ago? At least they didn't have wires and traffic to deal with!

I hope to see you here at the Hawthorne.

Juli
 

Historic Salem Walk-about

 
 
 
  

Restaurants in Salem, Massachusetts and the Area

People like to ask me about where to dine out, maybe because of my background as a chef. The usual question is "Where do you like to eat?", so I thought I would devote a few of these posts to answering that question.

Virtually all of my favorites are ethnic restaurants, or restaurants that are very different than our two dining rooms at the Hawthorne Hotel. When I dine out, I like to eat unusual foods, because I love both the Tavern (our casual pub-style restaurant) and Nathaniel's (our more formal dining room)at the Hawthorne for the more 'normal' kinds of foods we serve there.

Here is my pick of the week, for a restaurant in the area that you shouldn't miss:

Fire Bull Restaurant in Peabody, Massachusetts.

This is a Brazilian restaurant that features skewered and grilled meats, known as barbecue, although it is nothing like American barbecue in any form.

When I recommend this restaurant to folks I usually see a response indicating that they don't like spicy food -- a common thing here in New England. However, this food is far from spicy. I tell people that this is like a unlimited meat buffet that comes to you.

The accompaniments are a wonderful rice dish, that looks plain but has incredible flavor, beans cooked with kale, eggs and a grain, fried plantains, and a lovely fresh relish of tomatoes, onions and bell peppers. The meal also includes rolls and salad, which we always refuse so we can have more room for all of the good stuff above.

Here is a link to their website, as well as links to some other reviews:

http://www.firebullrestaurant.com/

http://boston.citysearch.com/profile/41628838

http://www.yelp.com/biz/XfvwIE3vTfWiwGQNo9_JRw?utm_campaign=local&utm_medium=organic&hrid=TpTvQLdgokWiPG_iNiUUwg&utm_source=google
If you go, be sure to tell the owners, Gladys and Albert, that Juli at the Hawthorne Hotel sent you!

Remember that a visit to Salem and the North Shore should start at the Hawthorne Hotel, and that all roads lead to our hotel. Reservations are available on-line at www.HawthorneHotel.com

Juli

Flag Revision

See Monday, May 22nd's post for a note about the revision of the flag display this week.

Thanks,

Juli

Steve Nelson Named Manager of the First Quarter, 2006

Today Steve Nelson was named as our manager of the quarter for the first three months of 2006, here at the Hawthorne Hotel.

As the Hawthorne's Executive Chef Steve is ultimately responsible for every item of food served, both here and at the Peabody Essex Museum. This first quarter was unusually busy for us, and Steve handled it all with his usual good humor, persistence and determination.

As part of his award we gave him an honorary Calvin Coolidge 'way-to-go' recognizing in Steve what old Cal said a long time ago:

"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.

"Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan "press on" has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race."

Congratulations, Steve, and thank you so much for all you do!

Juli 

Hawthorne Hotel Catering Recognizes Sara McElwain as Full-Time Employee of the Month

Today we presented Sara with her award as our Full-Time Employee of the Month for April, 2006.

Sara has worked for Hawthorne Hotel Catering, at PEM (the Peabody Essex Museum) since we took over there in November of 2005. Previously she worked for two other food service companies in the same capacity at that site.

We are so happy to have Sara as part of our team. She is integral to what we do at PEM, in the Atrium Cafe, and a joy to be around.

Thank you Sara, for all that you do!

Juli

James Kluge with Sara. James is the Dining Services Manager for both the Hawthorne Hotel and Hawthorne Hotel Catering at PEM. 

Salem Visitor Center

Hazel Trembley of the National Park Service is the Ranger is charge of Education. She has worked for the NPS for 23 years, 20 of those here in Salem.

Some people who live right here in Salem actually do not know that we have a Visitor Center, so I thought I would post this information on our Hawthorne Hotel Blog.

The Visitor Center is the perfect place to begin learning about all that Salem has to offer. They have a terrific film about Salem, that puts things into perspective.

When you go to the Visitor Center, be sure to say 'hello' from the staff at the Hawthorne Hotel, and tell them you learned about their services right here.

Juli
 

Hawthorne Hotel's Revised Flags of the Week, May 22 - May 28, 2006

Due to a special request for a bride, we have added a second display of the flag of Thailand on Friday this week. That means the other remaining countries this week all were pushed back a day.

Monday , May 22 ~~ Tajikistan and West Virginia
Tuesday , May 23 ~~ Thailand and Wisconsin
Wednesday , May 24 ~~ Timor-Leste and Wyoming
Thursday , May 25 ~~ Togo and Alabama
Friday , May 26 ~~ Thailand and Alaska
Saturday , May 27 ~~ Tonga and American Samoa
Sunday , May 28 ~~ Trinidad and Arizona

Sundy a couple from Syria happened by the hotel, and noticed our flags out front. They inquired with our Manager on Duty, who showed them this blog, and told them about our custom. Their inquiry was "Do you fly flags of countries with which the U.S.A. might be having some kind of dispute?", and our Manager on Duty assured them that we fly all flags of all countries recognized by the United Nations. It is our way of trying to get all people of the world to live together peacefully.

Juli

A trade show at the Hawthorne Hotel

 

In the photo above, you can see that our Grand Ballroom accommodates trade shows very nicely, as it did this Friday for the IAAP.

This view also shows off the new carpet in the Grand Ballroom very nicely.

Are you thinking about having a meeting or conference, social event or some other kind of group event? Please call our catering office, directly at 978-825-4358.

Thank you and I look forward to seeing you here.

Juli 

A special graduation celebration in Nathaniel's Restaurant at the Hawthorne Hotel

 

In the photo above, you will see the following people, who were here celebrating on Thursday evening in Nathaniel's Restaurant:

Paula Keene (who just graduated from Salem State College with her Masters in history), her husband, Mark (who is a former employee of the Hawthorne Hotel's Tavern), Jennifer Gauthier and Peter Dullea (who were recently engaged), Steven Gauthier, Jessica Herbert, Ceil Eastman and Tina Connell.

Paula and Mark were married here at the Hawthorne Hotel in 1994, so you can see that everyone is so connected to each other and to the Hawthorne.

Congratulations to you all!

Juli 

Tavern Menu Specials

Every month the Tavern at the Hawthorne Hotel offers some great value meals for our guests who dine with us on Sunday through Wednesday nights.

So why am I writing about this on Friday? To entice you back on a weeknight! We know a lot of our guests come here for the weekend. We want you to come on a quieter night, so we are offering these two-for-the-price-of-one complete, three-course dinners.

Here is the line up for May.

On Sundays, Mondays,Tuesdays and Wednesdays From 5pm – 10pm

Pasta Primavera
penne, asparagus, peas, summer squash, zucchini, basil and Parmesan cheese

~~~

Thai Beef
over stir-fry vegetables, lo mein noodles

~~~

Chicken Dundee
almonds, Scotch cream sauce
roasted red bliss potatoes, broccoli

~~~

Each Entrée comes with a Small Mixed Green Salad
and our Chef’s Choice of Dessert

~~~

Two complete dinners for only $26

(and yes, we do offer this for singles at $13 per person)

~~~

I hope to see you here. If you read about this on our Blog, mention that you saw it here and your coffee or tea is on me!

~~~

I hope to see you here.

Juli

Do you think we are the best place to have a wedding?

If you, fair reader, truly believe that the Hawthorne Hotel is the best place to have a wedding reception, we would like to ask a favor. Please go to the following website and vote for us:

http://cbs4boston.cityvoter.com/CategoryList.aspx?SelCat=18

We would sincerely appreciate it!

Juli

Unique Gift Baskets

Today at the Hawthorne Hotel, here in Salem, Massachusetts, we had a group that consisted of administrative assistants. They had a trade show, and one of the exhibitors was Unique Gift Baskets. Here is their designer, Barbara Marino, with her lovely display in our Ballroom.

If you think you need a gift for one person or many people, call Barbara at 978-744-6002, or go to her website, www.UniqueGiftBasketsofSalem.com to order.

Tell Barbara that you learned about her on our Blog!

Juli 

Hawthorne Hotel Adopts a Traffic Island

Quote of the Day

I recently read the following quotation, and liked it so much I thought I should share it with you on our Hawthorne Hotel Blog.

"If each of us sweeps in front of our own steps, the whole world would be clean." Goethe

Here at the Hawthorne Hotel we have taken the literal act of sweeping in front of our own steps to the maximum. I know you will notice that anytime you come near our hotel. Recently we adopted the traffic island across from the Hawthorne Hotel.



Juli

Salem High School Class of 1936 Plans Reunion

Today I was lucky enough to meet these four women who are planning their SEVENTIETH class reunion!

They are, left to right, Toni (Morin) Erps, Tina Lefthes, Bessie Karanikolas, and Jane (Pszenny) Sarnowski. Don't they look terrific!!!

They brought along with them a photo board of photos of their class at various stages of their life, including a reunion held here in the Hawthorne Hotel in 1986, before the Palladian windows were uncovered again.

I thought you might be interested in seeing the Hawthorne at that particular stage of 'her' life as well. In the 60's or 70's, the hotel was 'modernized' and called the Hawthorne Motor Inn, a term that was all the rage then. Part of that moderization was trying to hide some of the wonderful architectural elements of the hotel to make it look more contemporary.

We are so happy that phase of the public's perception is past, and that once again people are appreciative of historic buildings such as ours.

The Salem High School Class of 1936, originally 260 members, is hoping to turn out 40 people for it's 70th reunion. We look forward to welcoming all of you on June 10 to this important event.

Juli 

Special Occasions are a Great Time for Families here at the Hawthorne Hotel

 

Mother's Day Guests Enjoy Brunch at the Hawthorne Hotel

 

A very special adoption celebration at the Hawthorne Hotel

Today we were lucky to be involved with a lovely adoption event that was held here at the Hawthorne Hotel in Nathaniel's dining room. It was a post-adoption breakfast celebration.

Left to right are Raymond Coutu, with Joseph Coutu on his lap, then Ted Coutu in the high chair (he was the one who was adopted today). Standing behind Ted is Joseph Lavoie, and next to him is his son, John Lavoie. John was the co-adopting parent, with Raymond, of Ted. Next to John is Laurence Branagan, Raymond's uncle, and then seated is Susan Lavoie, John's sister-in-law.

As you may know, I have a special place in my heart for families who adopt, since my husband and I recently adopted a lovely teenager. There are so many children in the world who need 'forever families' and when I see this being accomplished, I always want to help to celebrate these events.

The Hawthorne Hotel is more than a hotel; it is a place for families to come together to celebrate. We are so happy to have that place in this community.

I hope to meet you here, when you come to celebrate your next event at the Hawthorne Hotel.

Juli