Before and After

I don't know about you, but I love BEFORE and AFTER photos of about anything. So here are photos of the before and after of our planter boxes in front of the hotel. The photos were taken today.

In the photo above you can see the planter boxes in front of the hotel, still filled with their winter greenery and mini-lights. These are the placeholders for the winter, since our New England temperatures allow nothing else there from November through March.

In the photo above you see, left to right, Kristie Poehler, our Director of Sales and Marketing, Jay Gilliss, and John Goss. Jay and John were working on the switch-over, and Kristie had just returned to the hotel when I snapped this photo.
In the final photo, you see the end result -- our boxes are ready for the spring. This year we are trying something new -- Mini Boxwoods are adding some height to our boxes. In the front are our very special "Hawthorne Hotel" pansies -- a creamy light yellow or dark, rich cream color, depending on how you see things, that have been gracing our boxes for at least 10 years.

I hope you enjoy seeing that Spring has indeed SPRUNG -- here in Salem, Massachusetts!

Juli

A Lovely Event in the Pickman Room at the Hawthorne Hotel

Last weekend there was a small wedding reception that took place here at the Hawthorne Hotel. The flowers were so lovely, and went so nicely in the room, that we took these photos for you to see.

The Pickman Room can handle up to 30 people for a meal function, and it overlooks Historic Salem and the Salem Common, making it such a lovely space for an intimate gathering. There is a decorative fireplace as well, so we often use this room for photos for a larger wedding or other function.

I hope you enjoy this look at what we get to see on a regular basis here at the Hawthorne Hotel.

I hope to see you here.

Juli

Hawthorne Hotel's Flags of the Week ~~ March 30 through April 5, 2009

Here are this week's flags that will be flying on the front of the Hawthorne Hotel this week. We fly a different country and a different state every day, in alphabetical order, unless we receive a special request for a guest of the Hotel.

Monday , March 30 ~~ Brazil and New Mexico
Tuesday , March 31 ~~ Burkina Faso and North Dakota
Wednesday , April 1 ~~ Burundi and North Dakota
Thursday , April 2 ~~ Cambodia and Ohio
Friday , April 3 ~~ Cameroon and Oklahoma
Saturday , April 4 ~~ Canada and Oregon
Sunday , April 5 ~~ Cape Verde and Pennsylvannia

There are no special requests for the coming week.

Juli

Hawthorne Hotel's Pet of the Week (or Month, or maybe Year)

In the category of "most unusual pet staying at the Hawthorne Hotel," we must say that this Eastern Box Turtle by the name of Kelton Woods would have to win the prize!

Kelton has been quietly staying with us for the last few days, and we just met him, and his owner, Pat Richey on Friday morning as they were checking out of the hotel.

Evidently, Pat brings Kelton everyplace she goes, including 12 Elderhostel conferences, and to Disney World.

Pat has had Kelton Woods as her family pet ever since her daughter discovered Kelton in the middle of the road near the Girl Scout Camp she was attending some 40 years ago. The camp was called Kelton Woods, and thus his cool name. At the time, when they adopted the turtle, the vet told them that Kelton was already old. That was 40 years ago, so when I was talking to Pat about her unusual pet, she told me that Eastern Box Turtles live between 50 and 100 years.

I also learned that the reason he has that unusual decor on his back is that Kelton forages for his meals of slugs and meal worms in their backyard, and sometimes he has been known to wander too far afield, so that helps folks make sure he gets back home again. In addition to his wild diet, he also likes bananas and raw hamburger meat. Hmmmmm. . . .

I did ask Pat if her being here with her turtle in Salem at this time had anything to do with the Sea Turtle Stranding Conference that was happening in Salem this week, and she didn't even know that was going on. So it was just the rarest of coincidences that those two things happened here at the same time.

You absolutely never know what is going to surprise and delight us here at the Hawthorne Hotel. I thought you would be interested too, fair blog reader!

I hope to see you (and maybe your pet?) here at the historic (and pet-friendly) Hawthorne Hotel.

Juli

P.S. I also asked if Kelton was a boy or girl turtle, and Pat quickly told me that he was a boy, and asked me if I knew how one could tell. Of course I had no idea, but I know now (if you must know, you will just have to ask me in person, because that is not something that a proper hotel manager can be blogging about.) I also asked if Kelton, in his 40 years with the Richey family, had ever had a girl friend turtle, and Pat told me that he had been introduced, but wanted nothing to do with her.

101st Birthday Is Reason to Celebrate in the Tavern at the Hawthorne Hotel

Clockwise from the bottom right are: Madaleine Dougherty, Kathleen Lalumiere, Kathleen's daughter, Patrice Tobin, and Ann Dougherty Coughlin.

The birthday woman is Madaleine, who currently lives in Boxford with her daughter, Ann. She is such a bright and vibrant woman -- I was privileged to be able to meet her and take her photo as this nice group celebrated such a very special birthday.

Mrs. Lalumiere, the woman seated to the left of Mrs. Dougherty, will turn 93 on April 6. So this was really quite a special time for all of them.



Madaleine Dougherty turned 101 yesterday, and celebrated with us at the Hawthorne Hotel.


Kathleen Lalumiere and Madaleine Dougherty

I hope you enjoy being a small part of this very special day.

Happy Birthday to you both!

Juli

North Shore Chamber "Speed Networking" Event here at the Hawthorne Hotel

Here you see Andrew Seavey, Steve Crowder, Erik Smith, Danielle Brazill and Bob Bradford, from the North Shore Chamber of Commerce, in our Grand Ballroom here at the Hawthorne Hotel


This event, hosted by the Hawthorne Hotel, was a "speed networking" event, where the participants arrive armed with a pile of business cards, with the primary goal to network with at least 10 other people. They sit across the table from each other, and do a one-on-one networking session for six minutes. When the bell rings, the people on just one side of the table switch seats, moving over so that they meet and network with a new person.

Before and after the event the attendees enjoy appetizers, courtesy of the Hawthorne Hotel, and a cocktail, as they socialize in the usual way, with people they are about to meet, or people they just met.

It is a high energy event, and when everyone leaves, they have a pocketful of new business cards, and have hopefully made some worthwhile new business contacts.

As you can see from these photos, the Grand Ballroom at the Hawthorne Hotel is suitable for many types of events. We hope we can help you plan one here, too!

Juli

WINGS Event at the Hawthorne Hotel This Thursday

The North Shore Women's Expo is taking place at the Hawthorne Hotel on Thursday beginning at 5:30 pm. Here is an article from the Salem News (which invites one to SHARE through social media, but has no link to Blogger) so I thought I would share it with you this way:

North Shore Women's Expo set for Thursday
By Paul Leighton
Staff writer

March 24, 2009 12:07 am—

SALEM — An event designed to showcase professional women and women-owned businesses on the North Shore will be held Thursday at the Hawthorne Hotel in Salem.

The North Shore Women's Expo 2009 will feature about 30 businesses as well as speakers on topics ranging from "Financial Planning for Women" to "Holistic Menopause Makeover."

The second annual event is sponsored by Wings Cares Inc., a nonprofit organization whose acronym stands for Women in Networking Giving Support.

About 160 people attended last year's event, and organizers are expecting more this year, said Wings Cares President DawnMarie Corneau of Corneau Wealth Management.

"All of this information is designed to empower people, whether they're unemployed and looking to network or trying to highlight their businesses and bring people together," Corneau said.
Guest speakers will include Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll and Diane Darling, author of "The Networking Survival Guide."

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the door or at www.wingscares.com. Proceeds will benefit Beverly Bootstraps Community Services.

If you go
What: North Shore Women's Expo 2009
When: Thursday, March 26, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Hawthorne Hotel, Salem
Cost: Tickets are $25, available at the door or at www.wingscares.com; hors d'oeuvres, cash bar, coffee and tea; bring a can or dry food product for Bootstraps and receive a free raffle ticket

Information: 978-299-3035 or www.wingscares.com

Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.

Salem Main Streets and the Golden Ticket

Mark your calendars -- Salem Main Streets is having yet another reason to come to downtown Salem, this time it is:

Golden Egg Hunt and Salem Open House Saturday, April 11

Join Salem Main Streets for the Golden Egg Hunt and Salem Open House Saturday, April 11

Fun for the whole family! Come downtown Salem and pick up your golden ticket. Have it validated to be entered to win $100 and a gift basket. Visit the Easter Bunny in the Museum Place Mall from 12 – 2. Refreshments will be served at participating businesses.

I hope to see you here (in the Tavern or Nathaniel's for lunch or dinner) on this special day.

P.S. If you haven't made your plans for Easter yet, and are thinking about coming to the Hawthorne for our Easter Buffet, be sure to call right away. We already have over 400 people booked, so we are filling up faster than ever, and we don't want you to be disappointed. Call 978-825-4311 to make your reservations right away.

Juli

Something for you to see on our Wedding Blog

You may or may not already know that we maintain a Wedding Blog, separate from this main hotel blog. Today's post there is a link to a great photo album of a wedding that was held here recently. The photos are so nice, and really convey a sense of the Hawthorne Hotel, that I thought you might like to see them, too.

Here is the link:

http://heatherbarrphoto.blogspot.com/2009/03/sara-joel-hawthorne-hotel-salem.html

I hope you enjoy this look at the Hawthorne Hotel.

Juli

What a Testimonial to a Wedding at the Hawthorne Hotel

Here you see a lovely bride (above) -- Hawthorne Hotel's very own Assistant General Manager and Director of Food and Beverage, Claire Kallelis, at her own wedding held at the Hawthorne Hotel in 1995, surrounded by her able staff at the time. Many of those staffers are still part the Hawthorne Hotel team.

Here is Claire standing on the same stairway, taken this week. We needed to do a photo session for something else we are planning that is related to weddings, but we thought you might like to see how much both married life and the hotel business has agreed with Claire. She is still smiling and happy, and we are so glad to have her on our team.



Congratulations, Claire, on nearly 14 years of wedded bliss. Thanks for all you do!



Juli

Hawthorne Hotel's Flags of the Week ~~ March 23 through March 29, 2009

Here we are, back to 'normal' with our alphabetical listing of the flags that we change every day on the front of the Hawthorne Hotel.

Monday , March 23 ~~ Bhutan and Nebraska
Tuesday , March 24 ~~ Bolivia and Nevada
Wednesday , March 25 ~~ Bosnia and Herzegovina and New Hampshire
Thursday , March 26 ~~ Botswana and New Jersey
Friday , March 27 ~~ Brazil and New Mexico
Saturday , March 28 ~~ Brunei and New York
Sunday , March 29 ~~ Bulgaria and North Carolina

If you have a special request, just call us at 978-825-4322. We will do our best to accommodate any request for or by a guest of the Hawthorne Hotel.

I hope to see you here.

Juli

A LOVELY Thank-You E-mail

As everyone does, we love hearing when we succeed in pleasing our customers. Here is a recent email correspondence that does just that:

To: Kelly Lilly

Subject: RE: thank you

Hi Kelly,

That would be great and I would love for you to do that. I meant to ask you if you had a testimonials link on the hotel's site or something so this is perfect. I love giving credit where credit is due and I love giving nice recommendations especially when people and places are so well deserving of them!

Thanks again!
Cristin


-----Original Message-----
From: Kelly Lilly

Sent: Tuesday, March 17, 2009 3:52 PM

To: Cristin Welch

Subject: RE: thank you

Hi Cristin,

Sorry to bother you but I have a quick question for you~

Would you mind if we put your thank you email on our hotel blog? We like to note special events that take place here at the hotel, but I didn’t want to post it without your permission.

Please let me know if this is okay~

Thanks again!

Kelly

Kelly Lilly
Group Sales Manager
Hawthorne Hotel
On The Common
Salem, MA 01970
Direct Phone: 978.825.4345
Fax: 978.745.2626
Email: klilly@hawthornehotel.com

http://www.hawthornehotel.com/

From: Cristin Welch

Sent: Tuesday, March 17, 2009 3:02 PM

To: Kelly Lilly

Subject: RE: thank you

Hi Kelly,

I just wanted to let you know that my mother and I had a wonderful time at my baby shower this past Saturday! The food was outstanding and the room was just lovely and was the perfect setting for my event. Everyone had a great time and raved about it.

Thank you for your assistance and for your efforts. Also, Mike and Scott were wonderful. I don't know their last names but do know that they are brothers. They did a phenomenal job and were extremely courteous, considerate, attentive and pleasant! I was able to thank Mike at the end of the event but unfortunately, did not see Scott. Please tell him thank you very much for his kindness and his efforts. Danny was wonderful too.

We will definitely recommend the Hawthorne Hotel to anyone for an event! Thanks again and take care.

-Cristin Rappa

The First Muster of the National Guard in Salem

(From the right rear of the table, going clockwise around the table and back to the window are: Major Jim Hally
To his left—Major Mike Greene
To his left—Major Glen Tynan
Across from Major Tynan—MS Ray Como
To his left —SSG Fred Vestal
To his left — Captain Christopher Hoffman)

When these gentlemen walked in to the Tavern on Wednesday morning we wondered what was going on, so we asked. It turned out that they were here to inspect the Common, in preparation of the celebration of the anniversary of the First Muster of the National Guard. This celebration will take place on Salem Common on Saturday April 4.

Here is some information that I took from last year's press advisory, since this year's information is not yet available (although I did confirm that the date is correct.)

The Massachusetts National Guard joins the City of Salem Saturday, April 4th at 10 a.m. in celebration of the 371st Anniversary of the First Muster on Salem Common, Salem, Mass.

The celebration consists of a three-part event commemorating five significant events in the history of the Massachusetts National Guard to include the origin of the Army National Guard.
On December 13, 1636, the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony ordered the organization of the Colony's militia companies into three regiments, specifically the North, South and East Regiments. The Colonists had adopted the English militia system, which obligated males between the ages of 16 and 60, to possess arms and participate in the defense of the community. The early Colonial militia drilled weekly and provided guard details each evening to sound an alarm in case of attack. Strained relations between the Pequot Tribal Nation and the people of the Massachusetts Bay Colony required the militia to maintain a state of readiness. Although the exact date is not known, the very first muster of the East Regiment took place in Salem, Massachusetts in the Spring of 1637.

America’s National Guard heritage can be traced back to the first muster in Salem more than 371 years ago. Today, National Guardsmen from Salem and throughout Massachusetts continue a tradition of service in Afghanistan and Iraq. The North, South, and East Regiments continue to serve the Massachusetts Army National Guard as the 101st Field Artillery Regiment, 101st Engineer Battalion, 181st Infantry Regiment, and 182nd Cavalry Regiment.

Hawthorne Hotel Names Emily Fleming Employee of the Month

Today we recognized Emily for the outstanding work that she does on our behalf at the Peabody Essex Museum, where we provide the food service in their two restaurants through our offsite catering division, Hawthorne Catering.

Emily received the award for Part-time Employee of the Month at a small ceremony that took place in the service area of the Atrium Cafe. Here you see, left to right above: Penny Petronzio, Emily, Juli Lederhaus and Brooke O'Keefe.

In this photo you see: Emily Fleming, Brooke O'Keefe, Claire Kallelis, Donna Daly and Ken O'Keefe.

Emily works in the Atrium, and she has the ability to open and close this restaurant, no small feat given the attention to detail that we require in any of our dining entities. Next time you are at PEM, be sure to say hello to Emily and congratulate her.

Way to go, Emily!

Juli

A VERY SPECIAL Wedding Anniversary

This week Abe and Frances Bobbitt celebrated their 64th Wedding Anniversary by joining us for lunch, fireside, in the Tavern. They had a relaxing and delicious meal, and were having such a grand time that their server, Angie, told me about what was going on, and so I went in to take their photo, and to talk with them.

I learned that they had been married in 1945 while Abe was home on leave from the military. He was serving on Adak Island in the Aleutian Chain, Alaska. That is nearly as far away from Lynn, Massachusetts as one could get, but obviously his mission -- to marry Frances -- was an important and worthwhile one, because their marriage has lasted all of these years. They have five children and seem very proud of each one of them.

They currently reside in Swampscott, Massachusetts, and love to come to the Hawthorne Hotel, and in fact they have stayed here, in celebration of other anniversaries, in the past.

I hope you enjoy this snapshot of life at the Hawthorne Hotel, and I hope to see you here.

Juli

Hawthorne Hotel Names Robyn Sheather Full-Time Employee of the Month

On Monday we surprised Robyn, our Sales Assistant, with this award to recognize her for all the extra effort she puts forth in what she does every day. Several of the managers present at this presentation spoke about how Robyn has such a great attitude, how she tackles projects with aplomb, and how helpful she is to everyone she encounters.

It seemed appropriate to snap Robyn's photo in front of the whiteboard where we post the results of our Sales Star competition. Robyn is truly a Sales Star to us.

Juli Lederhaus, Robyn Sheather and Kristie Poehler

Kristie, Juli, Tom Capuzzo, Karen Cotton, and Robyn, as we presented the award to Robyn in the surprise visit that all the managers made to her desk in the Sales Office.

Juli

St. Patrick's Day Specials at the Hawthorne Hotel

ST. PATRICK’S DAY
At the historic Hawthorne Hotel


ERIN GO BRAGH!

March 17, 2009

Tavern Menu includes:

Guinness Beef Stew for $5.95

Corned Beef and Cabbage with Mustard Sauce and Red Bliss Potatoes for $12.95

Roasted Salmon with Dill Hollandaise, Roasted Potatoes, Green Beans for $14.95

Irish Cheddar Cheeseburger with Bacon for $9.95

Bailey’s Torte with Mint Ice Cream for $5.95

Are You an Artist, or do you Know a Good Artist?

(Maybe I should enter this photo I took of the salt marshes in Essex last summer?)

I recently received this information from Salem Main Streets about a juried Art Festival which will be happening in Salem in June. This sounds like an exciting event, and a great opportunity at the same time.


The deadline for entries is fast approaching, so if you are an artist, or know one, please read this information and consider entering a piece (or pieces) in this show:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:


Contact: Jennifer Bell 978-744-0004
Manager Salem Main Streets


265 Essex Street, Salem, MA 01970


Salem Arts Festival Announces a Call for Proposals due March 21, 2009

Salem Main Streets is proud to present the first Salem Arts Festival from June 5-7, 2009. In the spirit of raising awareness for the event and inviting artists to participate, a Call for Proposals has been released. The Salem Arts Festival wants a variety of artists and performers in a diverse range of media for this three day event. The Festival will celebrate the arts of all disciplines: painting, photography, sculpture, dance, music, writing, film, new media, performance, theatre, poetry, culinary, etc.

The Call for Proposals is available by calling Jennifer Bell at the offices of Salem Main Streets at (978) 744-0004, ext. 15. The deadline for all entries is March 21, 2009. Artists and performers of all genres are invited to submit a proposal. All artists and performers, and especially those in Salem, are encouraged to apply.

About the Salem Arts Festival
The Salem Arts Festival will promote the arts in downtown Salem through a collaborative festival for residents and visitors providing opportunities to highlight the existing artist community and encourage general community participation in the arts. The Festival will run Jun 5-7, 2009 in Salem at a variety of venues throughout the downtown including a juried art exhibit street fair, gallery shows and live performances. The Festival will include elements for the sophisticated art patron as well as for the art novice including interactive events for children. It will engage participants of diverse backgrounds and ages by reaching out to current art patrons, local students, and the community at large.

The Salem Arts Festival is being organized by Salem Main Streets, the Salem Arts Association, Salem State College, Gordon College, Peabody Essex Museum, American History and Music Festival™ and Salem Sounds along with input from Salem High School Arts Department and the Salem Common Neighborhood Association.

About Salem Main Streets
Salem Main Streets' goal is the revitalization of downtown Salem as a vibrant, year-round, retail, dining and cultural destination through business recruitment, retention and the promotion of downtown Salem.

Hawthorne Hotel's Flags of the Week ~~ March 16 through 22, 2009

Here are the flags that will be flying on the front of the Hawthorne Hotel this week. We always try to accommodate any request of guests (and sometimes local residents) for special flags to be flown. We have all of the flags of the United Nations, and all of the States and related entities of the United States.

On Tuesday, St. Patrick's Day, we have some special guests from Canada, but we also can't resist flying the Irish Flag for this special day, so we will have two countries, instead of a country and a state.

Otherwise we fly them in alphabetical order.

Monday , March 16 ~~ Algeria and Illinois
Tuesday , March 17 ~~ Canada and Ireland
Wednesday , March 18 ~~ Angola and Micronesia
Thursday , March 19 ~~ Belarus and Minnesota
Friday , March 20 ~~ Belgium and Mississippi
Saturday , March 21 ~~ Belize and Missouri
Sunday , March 22 ~~ Benin and Montana

I hope to see you here.

Juli

Another Compelling Reason Guests Choose the Hawthorne Hotel

Yesterday as one of our managers was walking through the hotel she happened upon this guest. A quick conversation revealed that he had chosen the Hawthorne, in part, because of a cultural bias toward historic buildings, and was happier yet for the choice because of all of the great books we have available here for our guests to read.


Professor Kenneth Dula of Quinnipiac University and the University of Connecticut teaches Comparative Literature. He obviously felt comfortable being in this environment that features such an abundance of books -- we have books in the lobby, books in the Library (of course), books in the Tavern, and books on every floor, just in case you need something to read while you are staying with us.

If you get really wrapped up in a book while you are staying, and haven't finished it by the end of your stay, we even encourage you to take the book home, finish it, and mail it back to us. And many of our guests do just that.

We hope to see you here at the Hawthorne Hotel, and we hope you enjoy our books.

Juli

Garden Restaurant

We are planning to open the Garden Restaurant at the Peabody Essex Museum on April 22, and have our last day as October 4 this year. We will be open Wednesday through Sunday as we were last year, and yes, we will be open for brunch on Mother's Day.

Reservations would be STRONGLY suggested for the Garden for Mother’s Day. We will begin accepting Mother’s Day reservations on April 1, and we will take them through the Atrium, ext. 3157, or at the Garden once we open on April 22.

So set your appointment reminders for April 1, so you can obtain the seating of your choice, for this wonderful event at PEM's Garden Restaurant.

I hope to see you here (or there!)

Juli

Easter Menu

Okay, I know it hasn't even gotten to be St. Patrick's Day yet, but we must let you know that it is not too early to make your reservations for our Easter Sunday Buffet. To help you out, here is more information, including the menu.


Easter Sunday Buffet at the Hawthorne Hotel
April 12, 2009 ~~ 10:30 am-7 pm
For Reservations Phone (978) 825-4311

Adults $39.95 Children (3-12) $14.95

“Ham-What-I-Yam” Carving Station
Easter Ham, Country Style Mustard Sauce
Slow-Roasted Prime Rib of Beef, Double Jus
Garlic and Rosemary-Roasted Leg of Lamb, Mint Jelly

Easter Bunny’s Favorites including Carrots, of Course!
Baked “Eggs Benedict” Bread Pudding
Scrambled Eggs (for the Morning Reservations)
Crisp Bacon and Sausage Links
Cheese Blintzes with Fruit Compote
Carbonara-Style Cavatappi Pasta with Peas, Bacon, and Carbonara Sauce
Baby Carrots with Tarragon Butter
Spring Peas and Pearl Onions
Potato Gratin
Forty Cloves of Garlic Chicken
Baked Swordfish with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

Peter Cottontail’s Choices from the Garden
Steamed Asparagus Salad, Shallot Vinaigrette with Fresh Herbs and Lemon Slices
Smoked Salmon, Capers, Red Onions, Creamy Dill, Rye Bread and Crackers
Field Greens with Grape Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Shredded Carrots,
Bleu Cheese and Balsamic Dressings
Napa Cabbage, Mung Bean Sprouts, Toasted Almonds, Tomato & Mango,

Sweet and Sour Dressing
Assorted International and Domestic Cheese Display, Crackers and Breads
Baby Shrimp, Snap Peas, Shell Pasta Salad with Dill Sour Cream Dressing
Penne Pasta Salad with Grilled Chicken, Smoky Bacon Dressing,
New Potato and Green Onion Salad with Black Olives and Hard-Boiled Eggs, Dijon Vinaigrette
“Easter Bread Basket” Fresh Breads, Muffins, Cinnamon Rolls and Hot Cross Buns
Seasonal Fruits, Grapes and Berries

We Saved the Best for Last, Our Easter Desserts
Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Double Chocolate Layer Cake, Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding with Whipped Cream,
Key Lime Pie, Boston Cream Pie, Cheesecake with Berry Sauce, Lemon Cream Torte,
Raspberry Cream Torte, Mini Pastries, Assorted Cookies, Brownies and Congo Bars.

Please call us for reservations as soon as possible, as we always sell all

available tables every year -- you don't want to be disappointed!

Hawthorne Hotel

On The Common

18 Washington Square West
Salem, Ma 01970

978-825-4311 or 978-825-4360

Cinema Salem is a Great Place in a Great Little Town in a Great Neighborhood

As you may already know, I love Cinema Salem, our very local, very independent Salem movie theater, located just one block from the Hawthorne Hotel. Here is this week's newsletter:

Juli
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It's taken almost a week to wind down from a very successful Salem Film Fest. We didn't know what to expect in this weird economy, but in the end, every film we presented was sponsored by an enlightened North Shore business or organization, and attendance was up by more than 30%!
No one who was in the audience for the Saturday night screening of LIFE. SUPPORT. MUSIC will ever forget the experience of watching the film about a life-threatening brain injury, and then seeing the "star", Jason Crigler, walk down the aisle with his family to answer questions and play a song from the soundtrack on his guitar, harmonizing with his wife.

We're working with the brilliant Salem Sounds music impresario, Matt Caruso, to schedule a full concert performance by Jason and his band later in April, coinciding with the week-long run that LIFE. SUPPORT. MUSIC deservedly earned as the SFF Audience Award winner. More details soon!

One more program note before we get to the film descriptions: Next Thursday, March 19, CinemaSalem will host FunnyGrownHere.com's presentation of "Discount Variety", the nation's foremost inexpensive music and comedy revue. The Café doors open at 8:00 and admission is a recession-busting $5!

Now on to the films!
RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN (PG - 98 minutes) updates the old Disney classic ESCAPE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN with Dwayne Johnson and AnnaSophia Robb (a favorite around our house). The plot: A UFO expert enlists the help of a cabbie to protect two siblings with paranormal powers from the clutches of an organization that wants to use the kids for their nefarious plans.

RACE will screen Friday at (4:50), 7:10 and 9:25; Saturday at (11:45 AM), (2:15), (4:50), 7:10 and 9:25; Sunday at (11:45 AM), (2:15), (4:50) and 7:10; and Monday-Thursday at (4:50) and 7:10. (We love Disney at CinemaSalem, and so, apparently, do you, our audiences, who regularly flock to the Mouse House's family-friendly fare.)

WATCHMEN (R - 157 minutes) is the number one movie in America, and has wowed the critics as well: "Mammoth, mangled, violent, confusing, dazzling, dark, excessive and occasionally brilliant", writes the Detroit News, and the Toronto Star concurs, "Against considerable odds, Snyder has directed a movie that should satisfy fanboys while engaging adventurous newcomers."

WATCHMEN will play Friday at (3:20), 6:45 and 10:00; Saturday at (12:00), (3:20), 6:45 and 10:00; Sunday at (12:00), (3:20) and 6:45; and Monday-Thursday at (4:00) and 7:10.
Oscar-winning Best Film of the Year, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE (R - 120 minutes) returns for a final week, still entrancing and enchanting big crowds at CinemaSalem, with cinematography to which only a big screen can do justice, according to the Academy. FlickChick loves it: "The all-too-convincing squalor and misery make the feel-good ending seem righteously earned."

SLUMDOG will screen on Friday at (4:25), 7:00 and 9:35; Saturday at (11:15 AM), (1:45), (4:25), 7:00 and 9:35; Sunday at (11:15 AM), (1:45), (4:25) and 7:00; and Monday-Thursday at (4:25) and 7:00.

We're so proud of our little hardworking Screening Room, selling out multiple shows during the Fest, and hosting excellent films of all stripes, such as this week's gem THE ISLAND. This Russian language film (with English subtitles) amazed Cinematica: "(Director) Longuine pulls all the elements together into a deeply moving exploration of sin, redemption, and faith." Variety pays attention to the lensing: "Almost a sinful pleasure is Andrey Zhegalov's striking widescreen cinematography."

THE ISLAND (OSTROV) (NR - 112 minutes) will play Friday at (5:15), 7:30 and 9:45; Saturday at (12:15), (2:45), (5:15), 7:30 and 9:45; Sunday at 12:15), (2:45), (5:15) and 7:30; and Monday-Thursday at 5:15) and 7:30.

Don't forget that all the showtimes in parentheses are bargain matinees with a nifty $7 admission price. If you come to the first show of the day on Saturday or Sunday, you'll pay a shockingly affordable $6 for admission.

Thanks again for supporting CinemaSalem.

Paul Van Ness

Spring MUST be on the way

On Monday we had a good snow storm, after a weekend of nicer weather. Everyone seemed sad to see the snow on Monday, but yesterday it all was merrily melting, and these are photos I shot that tell that tale.

These planter boxes are on the front of our Bed and Breakfast, the Suzannah Flint House, which is on the opposite side of our parking lot from the Hawthorne Hotel, which you can see in the background of the photo below.

You can even tell by the quality of the light that the days are longer, and Spring is just around the corner.

Now is a great time to visit Salem, while Winter rates and many great packages are still in effect, but the days are perfect for walking around our lovely downtown. I hope to see you here.

Juli