UNIQUE EVENT TONITE at Cinema Salem!!!

This is a Time-Sensitive Message from Cinema Salem. I hope you will be able to enjoy this very special night.

Juli

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm writing just to make sure you're aware of an amazing event taking place tonight at CinemaSalem.

If you've seen LIFE SUPPORT MUSIC, you know that it tells the incredible true story of Jason Crigler's life-threatening brain injury, which left him in a near-vegetative state, and his slow and miraculous recovery through his own courage and the love of his wife and extended family.

One of my most moving memories of our tenure at CinemaSalem was the sight of Jason walking down the aisle with his wife and parents after the movie screened during this year's Salem Film Fest. It was one of those experiences where a documentary can be even more powerful than a fictional feature film, since you know that it's all true.

During the Q&A session, Salem music impresario, Matt Caruso, asked Jason if he'd ever consider performing in Salem, and the seed which grew into tonight's concert was sown.

At 8 pm tonight, Jason Crigler will perform live at CinemaSalem with his band, and he'll be joined by his wife, Monica, for much of the set. Tickets are available at the CinemaSalem box office for $12.50.

CinemaSalem is happy to host this event and happy that all of the proceeds will be going to Jason and his band, and to Matt Caruso to help cover his expenses and investment in the event. If you haven't had a chance to see LIFE SUPPORT MUSIC, you have one more opportunity this evening at 6 pm. Perhaps the perfect plan would be to catch the documentary, and then go to the concert right afterwards.

It promises to be an event you're likely to remember for a long time, and I wanted to make sure you know about it.

Thanks for supporting CinemaSalem!

Paul Van Ness

Our Very Important Passport Guest of the Week

Shirley Merket is happy to be honored by the Hawthorne Hotel.

Every week we select one of our Passport clients to be our VIP (Very Important Passport) guest of the week. That honor comes with a number of perks, including the opportunity to be the subject of our blog post.

If you are interested in joining our Passport Club, you or a representative from your company, should contact the club manager, Thomas MacDonald, at 978-825-4361 (his direct line) and he can explain the requirements for membership. There is no cost, but there are some basic business levels that you need to provide to us in order to qualify.

And what do you and your company get in return? Here are some of those benefits:

Complimentary Breakfast in Nathaniel’s
Free up-grade upon arrival subject to availability
Complimentary appetizer or beverage in the Tavern
Free local phone calls, wireless Internet access and daily newspaper
Free passes to the Salem YMCA

Potential recognition as our VIP guest of the week

Booking points that can be accrued toward various award levels to receive gifts that your company can really use.

I hope to see you here, soon!

Juli

Mother's Day Menu

If you haven't realized it yet, Mother's Day is coming quickly, and if you want reservations at the time you want them, it is time to make your reservations before 'your' time is gone. Isn't it about TIME?

Here are the details, including the menu:

Mother’s Day Brunch at the Hawthorne Hotel
Sunday, May 10, 2009 11am - 7pm
Adults $ 39.95 Children (3-12) $ 14.95

Some of Mom’s Special Recipes
From 11am to 3 pm
Scrambled Eggs
Bacon, Sausage Links
Belgian Waffles, Strawberry Sauce,
Maple Syrup, and Whipped Cream
Home Fried Potatoes with Onions
From 3 pm to 7 pm
Vegetarian Quiche
Kugel -- A Warm Noodle
Pudding with Sour Cream,
Steamed New Potatoes with Parsley
Grilled Chicken Sausage

From 11am to 7pm
Ham and Cheddar Strata with Sautéed Onions
Penne Pasta, Asiago Alfredo, Asparagus and Fresh Basil
Rhode Island Style Seafood Stew, Shrimp, Scallops, Fish with Potatoes and Tomatoes
Chicken Dundee, Scotch Mustard Cream Sauce with Almonds and Scallions
Medley of Spring Vegetables
Potato and Chive Gratin
Steamed Rice Pilaf

Carving Station
Roast Prime Rib of Beef, Au Jus and Horseradish Cream
Maple-Glazed Ham with Honey-Mustard Sauce
Roasted Pork Loin with Cherry-Onion Chutney and Apple Sauce

Favorites from the Garden and Farm
Sliced Smoked Salmon with Capers, Red Onions, Tomatoes and Dill-Mustard Sauce
Salad Niçoise, Green Beans, New Potatoes with Calamata Olives and Flaked Tuna
Marinated Mushrooms, Artichokes and Grilled Onions with Champagne Vinaigrette
Poached Asparagus with Red Raspberry Vinaigrette and Fresh Tarragon
Tri-Colored Tortellini Salad, Basil, Tomatoes, and Grilled Zucchini
Field Green Salad with Carrots, Tomatoes and Cucumbers,
Peppercorn Dressing and Balsamic Vinaigrette
Baled Brie with Flat Breads and Assorted Crackers
Seasonal Fresh Fruit with Grapes, Berries and Tropical Fruits
Assorted Breads, Muffins, Bagels, Cinnamon Rolls, Sliced Coffee Cake,
Artisan Rolls and Breads, Butter and Cream Cheese

Sweets for the Sweet
Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler with Whipped Cream
Double Chocolate Layer Cake
Blueberry Pie
Key Lime Pie
Assorted Cupcakes, Chocolate Mousse
Cheesecake with Strawberry Sauce
Cream Cheese-Frosted Carrot Cake
Assorted Cookies, Brownies and Mini-Pastries

18 Washington Square West, Salem, Ma 01970
www.HawthorneHotel.com

For Reservations Please Call (978) 825-4311

I hope to see you here.

Juli

More Flowers with Brick

While I am usually shooting in the early morning or evening, this shot was at midday. The light is certainly brighter then, changing the dynamics of the composition and the look of the photo.

Now that spring is seriously headed into summer, the flowers are really starting to take off. You may recognize this spot from an earlier 'flowers with brick' blogpost, so you will see what I mean. I took this with my iPhone on Saturday April 25. I do love it that a camera phone does such a good job, because I always have it with me.

I hope you enjoy these odd little photos from my walks around Salem.

Juli

Juli

Hawthorne Hotel's Flags of the Week ~~ April 27 through May 3, 2009

Monday , April 27 ~~ El Salvador and Connecticut
Tuesday , April 28 ~~ Equatorial Guinea and Delaware
Wednesday , April 29 ~~ Eritrea and Florida
Thursday , April 30 ~~ Estonia and Georgia
Friday , May 1 ~~ Ethiopia and Hawaii
Saturday , May 2 ~~ Fiji and Idaho
Sunday , May 3 ~~ Finland and Illinois

Stay tuned. This list might change.

Juli

A Fence Story

While walking by this section of the property belonging to the Peabody Essex Museum, near the Hawthorne Hotel, this spring, I could help noticing that the fence was a mess, like perhaps someone had run into it with a car.

Well, it turned out that during some particularly bad weather this winter, the poor old fence was run into, not once, not twice, but on three different occasions, all as the result of the miserable snow and ice.

Now the wrecked pieces have been removed, and are being recast to match the originals, which have significant historic relevance. The impact was so great that even the granite pieces that supported the fence were pushed back some distance. Now all is readied to receive the new pieces. They will be replaced soon, according to Bob Monk, the person in charge of such things at PEM.

This is what the fence pieces will look like. They have to be recast, since the old pieces were so brittle, and it was so cold when the accidents occurred, that the pieces shattered like glass.

Evidently this piece, which is steel and not cast iron, can be straightened back out again. Stay tuned. I'll photograph it when it happens, and post the 'after' photos right here on the Hawthorne Hotel blog.

I hope you enjoy this view from the Hawthorne and the news of the small projects that are happening around here.

Juli

More Food from the Garden Restaurant at PEM

Crab Salad with Avocado and Orange. Delightfully light and sumptuous for summer.


Bistro Steak with purple potatoes and yellow beans

Vegetarian Plate -- Yellow pepper stuffed with black quinoa, wilted greens and julienne vegetables, with carrot puree.

Blood orange sorbet in minted syrup

Vanilla Crème Brulee Ice Cream Torte, on raspberry coulis

Remember that the Garden Restaurant is very popular at times, so reservations are always appreciated. The direct line is 978-542-1618.

I hope to see you there (or here!)

Juli

Garden Cafe at PEM is OPEN!

Here are some photos of some of the food. More to come. The menu is at the bottom of this post.

Reservations are always a good idea. You can call us directly now at 978-542-1618. The Garden Restaurant at PEM is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm. Seating in the garden itself is based on the weather forecast for the day.


Spring vegetable soup with fresh herbs

Baby spinach salad with gruyere, bacon, eggs and cherry tomatoes

Panini of the week

Peabody Essex Museum
Garden Restaurant Menu


New England
Clam Chowder
Cup ~~ Five
Bowl ~~ Six-Fifty

Caesar Salad
Romaine, Parmesan,
herbed Parmesan crostini
Demi-Portion, Five ~~ Full Portion, Eight

Garden Vegetable Herb Soup
Vegetable broth, asparagus tips, peas and peapods, mint, and basil
Cup ~~ Four-Fifty
Bowl ~~ Six-Fifty

Small Mixed Green Salad
Julienne cucumbers, carrot ribbons,
cherry tomatoes, radish sprouts
white balsamic vinaigrette
Demi-Portion, Four ~~ Full Portion, Seven


Soup and Salad
Choose a bowl of soup or chowder and a full-portion appetizer salad
Thirteen

Bistro Filet Medallions
Herbed, marinated bistro-filet medallions, spring garlic demi-glace
yellow green beans, purple Peruvian potatoes
Sixteen

Citrus-Chive Crab Salad
Avocado, orange wheels, julienne tomatoes, on Bibb lettuce leaves, triple citrus vinaigrette
Fifteen

Baby Spinach Salad
Applewood smoked bacon, gruyere cheese, caramelized shallots, hard-cooked egg,
yellow pear tomatoes, caramelized Vidalia onion vinaigrette
Demi-Portion, Nine-Fifty ~~ Entrée Size, Fourteen
Add Chicken ~ Two

Chicken Caesar Salad
Romaine, chicken breast, Parmesan, herbed Parmesan crostini
Demi-Portion, Nine-Fifty ~~ Entrée Portion, Thirteen

Raspberry Chicken Salad
Chicken, raspberries, Mandarin oranges, spiced pecans,
mixed greens and raspberry vinaigrette
Demi Portion, Nine-Fifty ~~ Full Portion, Thirteen

Herbed Black Quinoa-Stuffed Yellow Bell Pepper
Wilted spring garlic spinach, julienne vegetables, roasted carrot puree
Fourteen

Catch of the Day
Market Price

Panini of the Week
European-style grilled sandwich selection ~~ see the daily special sheet for today’s choice

Open Wednesday thru Sunday 11:30-2:30 pm
Reservations Recommended 978-542-1618

More Spring Flowers with Brick

Here are some more photos of flowers that have simply sprouted up on their own. I snapped them with my iPhone on my walk to work this morning. Hope you enjoy this further evidence that spring is indeed springing here in Salem.

Juli

Lots to do in Salem this Week -- Here is PEM's lineup

Here is a week's worth of activities that will make you feel like a kid again, or give you something to do if you have a house full of them during this current vacation week:

Let’s Play! Games of all kinds are played all around the world – play lots of them this week!

Try life-size chess, checkers and snakes and ladders in the Atrium, explore the galleries and stop by the art studios to play and make your own game boards and pieces.

Programs vary by day, see complete schedule below.

Eye Spy! Tuesday–Friday 10:30 am–12:30 pm
Saturday 1–3 pm
Atrium and Art Studio B
Use puzzles to discover games and other objects in the museum's galleries and create your own Eye Spy! Game board.

Family Workshop: Make Games from Recycled Materials
Wednesday, April 22 1:30–3:30 pm
Thursday, April 23 1:30–3:30 pm
For adults and accompanied children ages 8 and up
Using recycled materials, create your games to take home and play!
On Wednesday make bilboquet, a ball and cup game and mu-torere, a Maori strategy game.
Thursday create tangrams and chess/checkers sets.

Make your own Mahjong Jewelry
Friday, April 24, 2–3:30 pm
For adults and accompanied children ages 10 and up
Make your own mahjong tile bracelet or necklace with help from Salem’s Beadworks. Supplies are limited and participants will be accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Let’s Play Mahjong!
Friday, April 24 11 am–2 pm
Saturday, April 25 1–4 pm
Atrium & Yin Yu Tang gallery
See how this incredible game is played and why it has an enthusiastic following of all ages! Bring your mahjong group, your tiles and play in the Yin Yu Tang gallery and the Atrium on Friday and Saturday.
Space available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Beantown Jumpers Present Double Dutch!
Friday, April 24 1 pm
Saturday, April 25 1:30 pm Atrium

Don't forget that the Hawthorne Hotel has terrific packages including one called Mahjong that includes PEM passes, as well as a gift card to use in PEM's great gift shop. To check out our rates and availability, go to www.HawthorneHotel.com

Juli

Funny Photo Caption Contest

When you have a great photo, but need a really good reason to put it on your Hawthorne Hotel blog, what might you do? I thought what I would do this time is have a "make a caption for this photo" contest. Think of this photo as a cartoon, because it has those kinds of qualities. Or, you could think of it as a "funniest home video" entry -- only not a video.

The photo was taken here at the Hawthorne Hotel within the past few days, in case that is of any interest or assistance to you in making up a caption.

So, dear blog reader, submit your entries to us by emailing: Info@HawthorneHotel.com and putting "Photo Contest" in the subject line.
I will leave this contest open for two weeks, so the last day for submitting your entry will be Monday May 4 at 6pm.

The winner will win a complimentary overnight stay in the hotel, based on space availability, and when the winner is staying here, he or she will be (if they want) the subject of a blog post by our resident blogger, me!

I hope you have great idea for this photo!

Juli

Hawthorne Hotel's Flags of the Week ~~ April 20 through 26, 2009

Monday , April 20 ~~ Democratic Republic of the Congo and Alabama
Tuesday , April 21 ~~ Denmark and Alaska
Wednesday , April 22 ~~ Djibouti and American Samoa
Thursday , April 23 ~~ Dominica and Arizona
Friday , April 24 ~~ Dominican Republic and Arkansas
Saturday , April 25 ~~ Ecuador and California
Sunday , April 26 ~~ Egypt and Colorado

I ran into a man who had his wedding here at the hotel a little over a month ago. One of the things that was so memorable for him was that we were flying the flag of his family's home state on the front of the hotel as they arrived.

We love to surprise and/or delight our guests with little touches such as this. If you want to request a special flag be flown, call Lucie at 978-825-4322.

I hope to see you here.

Juli

Cinema Salem is Ready for School Vacation Week

Here are some notes from our favorite (and very local) movie theater, CinemaSalem, located just one block from the Hawthorne Hotel, effective Friday April 17.



Opening Friday is State of Play (PG13 - 98 minutes) a terse and tense political thriller starring Oscar winners Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck and Helen Mirren. Marshall Fine calls it "the best thriller of the year."


State of Play will indeed play Friday at (4:15), 7:00 and 9:35; Saturday and Sunday at (11:00 AM), (1:35), (4:15), 7:00 and 9:35; and Monday-Thursday at (11:00 AM), (1:35), (4:15) and 7:00.


Hannah Montana (G) is huge, drawing huge crowds to CinemaSalem with its wholesome family story and catchy tunes. Entertainment Weekly loves it: "Cyrus, as always, is a professional charmer (it's hard to resist when she leads a hip- hop hoedown), and the crusty folkiness of Billy Ray Cyrus as her real-life dad is as welcome as ever."


Hannah Montana plays Friday at (4:45), 7:10 and 9:25; Saturday and Sunday at (11:30 AM), (1:50), (4:45), 7:10 and 9:25; and Monday-Thursday at (11:30 AM), (1:50), (4:45) and 7:10.


Opening this week in the Screening Room is Flow: For Love of Water (96 minutes - not rated), an absorbing documentary about the element we literally can not live without, and its murky future in this country and around the world. The New York Times enjoyed it: ""Irena Salina's astonishingly wide- ranging film is less depressing than galvanizing, an informed and heartfelt examination of the tug of war between public health and private interests."


Flow will screen on Friday (5:00), 7:20 and 9:15; Saturday and Sunday at (12:15), (2:45), (5:00), 7:20 and 9:15; and Monday-Thursday at (12:15), (2:45), (5:00) and 7:20.


(Paul Van Ness says) I've watched Monsters vs. Aliens in both 2D and 3D now, and I can't really say which I prefer. The glasses versions does the neat effects, but I'm not sure I was drawn in or distracted from the story by them. The 2D version felt bigger and more beautiful, more like I was viewing the epic on the big screen and not on my glasses. But I enjoyed both experiences.


The 2D MvA will screen at CinemaSalem Friday at (4:30), 6:45 and 9:00; Saturday and Sunday at (12:00), (2:15), (4:30), 6:45 and 9:00; and Monday-Thursday at (12:00), (2:15), (4:30) and 6:45.



Don't forget that the Tavern is the perfect pre- or post-movie place to go, whether for an adult (or kid) beverage, or a full meal or snack. We are located just one block from the theater!



I hope to see you here.



Juli

A Guest's Story

Sometimes our guests like to share things about themselves with our blog-readership, and we are happy to help.

This is one such story.

Christine "Mimi" Young was in Nathaniel's for dinner this week, and she shared with her server, Angie, that she is writing a story about the things that she has learned in life, mainly about love. Her three granddaughers, ages 1 through 5, feature in that story. The main characters in the story, besides "Mimi" are named Emma, Sophie and Ella.

"Mimi" got some good ideas from Angie, and she wanted to let us know of her appreciation for Angie's help with her story.

We are happy to help our guests however we can, and hopefully this author will remember Angie and the Hawthorne Hotel when her book becomes a best-seller.

Juli

Spring is Springing in Salem

Last year I began a series of photos that I called "Flowers with Brick". During the fall and winter that theme would have been more like "Dead Leaves with Brick", or "Ice Melt with Brick" which didn't quite have the emotional and cultural connection to it, so I abandoned the idea for the time.

When I was walking to work not long ago, I spied some bulbs sending forth their flowers, and snapped these with my iPhone. I hope you enjoy seeing that Spring is indeed really beginning to spring in Salem.

Juli

PEM on TV Tonight

Fire up your Tivos PEM's very own Trevor Smith will be on Greater Boston this evening talking about Mahjong and showing WGBH viewers around our galleries. Also featured will be the very ebullient O Zhang, one of the artists from the show, in conversation about contemporary art and the condition of women and girls in China.

Greater Boston, WGBH's nightly local program, examines the region's top news and newsmakers. Hosted by Emily Rooney and Jared Bowen, the show combines feature reports and in–studio interviews, providing a fresh approach to and in-depth analysis of timely news, politics, and public affairs issues of local interest.

The crew came to the galleries a few weeks ago to shoot the segment and see the exhibition in person. For more information, go to http://www.wgbh.org/gb/

Here are the times:

Weekdays at 7pm & 12am on WGBH 2
5am, 11am, 11pm on WGBH World
Sundays 9:30am on WGBH 44
Or watch it on demand on Comcast 1

On Greater Boston, Wednesday, Apr. 15, 2009

I hope you have a chance to see this.

Juli

Another Wonderful Milestone at the Hawthorne Hotel

Elsie and George Jacobson of Quincy Massachusetts came to the Hawthorne Hotel this week to celebrate their 52nd wedding anniversary. They were married on April 13, 1957.

We were so happy to help them celebrate in Nathaniel's Restaurant, and thought you would enjoy toasting them, too!

Happy Anniversary Elsie and George!

Juli

Help Historic Preservation in Salem

I think the following is fairly self-explanatory. I hope you will help us in this important quest.

Thanks,

Juli

Subject: Old Town Hall Needs Your Votes!

Your Votes = $100,000

Salem's Old Town Hall is a finalist in a unique grant competition. After making it through two rounds of cuts, Old Town Hall is one of 25 sites competing for part of $1 million through the Partners in Preservation program--a joint initiative between American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

If Old Town Hall gets the most votes, it's guaranteed to receive $100,000. The funding will help preserve the building for future generations.

You can vote once a day from April 14 to May 17 from every e-mail account you have. Go to www.PartnersInPreservation.com to vote. Check out www.SalemOldTownHall.com to learn more and sign up for a daily e-mail reminder to vote.

As part of the competition, Old Town Hall will be hosting "Time Travel Days" on May 2 and 3. It will be a fun (and free!) event for the whole family. Go to www.SalemOldTownHall.com for details. And remember--for this competition it's important to vote early and often!

Ode to Dining

A very dear relative of mine, knowing how much I love food and cooking, recently sent me something he found -- a poem called "Ode to Dining" that I thought I would share with you. It really should be called "Ode to the Cook", which is why I thought to post this photo of our Executive Chef, Steve Nelson (far right), and his three Sous Chefs (right to left, Ken O'Keefe, Executive Sous Chef; Jenn Normant, Banquet Chef; and Brooke O'Keefe, Offsite Sous Chef at the Peabody Essex Museum).

Here is the poem, which the source says was found on the wall of a pub in Ascot, England:

Ode to Dining

We may live without poetry, music and art,
We may live without conscience and we may live without heart,
We may live without friends, we may live without books.
But civilized man cannot live without cooks.

He may live without books, what is knowledge but grieving,
He may live without hope, what is hope but deceiving,
He may live without love, what is passion but pining,
But where is the man that can live without dining!

Hawthorne Hotel's Flags of the Week ~~ April 13 through 19, 2009

Monday , April 13 ~~ Costa Rica and Vermont
Tuesday , April 14 ~~ Côte d'Ivoire and Virginia
Wednesday , April 15 ~~ Croatia and Virgin Islands
Thursday , April 16 ~~ Cuba and Washington
Friday , April 17 ~~ Cyprus and West Virginia
Saturday , April 18 ~~ Czech Republic and Wisconsin
Sunday , April 19 ~~ Democratic Republic of Korea and Wyoming

If you have a special request, simply call Lucie at 978-825-4322. Leave her a message and we will be happy to try to fulfill that flag request for you.

Juli

Easter Sunday at the Hawthorne Hotel

Today, as usual, the children either flocked to the Easter Bunny, encircling her with hugs, and giving her gifts of hand-colored Easter scenes lovingly done for the Bunny, or they looked away in terror. These girls were obviously in the first category.

If you came to brunch at the Hawthorne Hotel today, the chances are very good that I took your photo. If I did, here is the link to the website where they are all posted for you to obtain your photos:

http://tr.im/iD7n

I hope you enjoy this look at life at the Hawthorne Hotel on Easter Sunday.

Juli

Helen Bielawa Named Employee of the Month by Hawthorne Catering

On Thursday, near the end of her shift, we surprised Helen by walking in to the Atrium Cafe at the Peabody Essex Museum to award her the Part-time Employee of the Month Award for March.

She was so surprised and delighted, and immediately wanted to know what exactly earned her this distinction. When we told her that we were recognizing how hard she worked for us, and how she just never stops moving from the minute she arrives until the minute she leaves, and how pleasant she is to everyone, she agreed with us that she probably did deserve this recognition. But you could tell just how very pleased she was by the attention.

(Left to right: Penny Petronzio, Claire Kalleis, Helen Bielawa and Juli Lederhaus)

Congratulations, Helen! Thanks so much for ALL that you do to make sure we shine!!!

Juli (and the TEAM of the Hawthorne Hotel and Hawthorne Catering)

The Phillips Library Reading Room of PEM

(Thomas MacDonald, Kristie Poehler and Karen Cotton in front of the beginnings of Spring at the Phillips Library, on the campus of the Peabody Essex Museum)

I just received an email alerting me to a bit of information that I thought you might be interested to know as well. It is from Barbara Kampas of the Peabody Essex Museum staff.

While somewhat esoteric, there are those of you who read this blog who do enjoy art and culture, and this fit that category.

The Phillips Library is located less than half a block from the Hawthorne Hotel, making it very convenient for you to access from the Hotel. It is a great place to do research into the history of Salem, especially if you are interested in genealogy.

If you want to know more about visiting the Phillips Library of the Peabody Essex Museum, here is a link to their information page on their website:

http://pem.org/museum/lib_hours.php

Here is Barbara's email:

I wanted to let you know that Art collections have been added to the Phillips Library Reading Room.

The historic collections currently housed in the Reading Room were consolidated to provide ease of access to all patrons. Without removing any of the existing collections, Art Reference materials from three important art collections were moved in the Reading Room.

These collections include the Vose Archives, a collection of American Art titles; the Herbert Offen Research Collection, a collection of titles related to Chinese gardens, art, and architecture; and books donated by Davida and Chester Herwitz, which include texts on Indian, European, Chinese, and modern American art.

The Maritime Art collection, previously housed in the Reading Room, has been expanded to include texts relevant to The Golden Age of Dutch Seascapes exhibit to open at the museum in June. A variety of art periodicals, including Afterimage, American Art Review, Aperture, Art India, and Arts of Asia, have also been brought into the Reading Room as have publications authored by museum curators.

The staff at the Library invites you to visit the Reading Room to view these interesting titles and the many additional art titles available in the Library collection.

Best, Barbara

An Unexpected Reunion

Also this past Sunday, there was a guest in Nathaniel's who overheard Donna Daly (our Purchasing and Receiving Manager, and that day, our Manager on Duty) introducing herself to the guests with the children of yesterday's blog post. She approached Donna and double-checked that she had heard the name correctly. Yes, it was Donna Daly. Then this woman exclaimed "Oh, God! You taught me in 1975 at St. Pius School in Lynn. I am Shauna McKechnie!"

Donna remembered Shauna for her unusual name and great smile. She asked a server to take their photo, and here it is.

This nice story made me smile. One of the great things about working in the hospitality business is that we are always coming into contact with people in a usually lovely and friendly way. This was certainly one of those special days.

I hope to see you here, and maybe you will run into someone you knew a long time ago, and will have an opportunity to share a bit of reminiscing and some smiles.

Juli

General Hawthorne Hotel Blog Updates

I recently added two new features to this blog.

1. You can see the video slide show that I created for the suites of the hotel by scrolling all the way down to the bottom of the blog.

2. You can "follow" this blog. Check out the instructions on the sidebar.

3. I've added some videos to the sidebar, and now that it is easier to do, I will try to do some more.

Let me know what you think.

Juli

Nathaniel and Sophia, Part Deux

On Sunday our brunch waitstaff learned that there were two children attending the brunch that day who had the same names as the dining rooms in which they were seated. They mentioned this to our manager on duty, who was Donna Daly, and Donna took their photo and got their permission to put this cute story on our blog.

So, here you see Nathaniel Mallette, who is 19 months old, from Salem, and who was sitting with his family in Nathaniel's dining room, and Sofia Isabella Mello, also 19 months old, and from Concord, who was sitting in Sophia's with her family.

We thought that was a pretty cool story. Now we'll just have to see if they fall in love with each other when they grow up, and become famous writers and painters, and come back to the Hawthorne Hotel to get married, and live happily ever after. . .

Now wouldn't THAT be a great story.

I hope to see you here, at the Hawthorne Hotel, no matter what your story or your name.

Juli

Both of Our Restaurants Participating in Salem Restaurant Week

Have you wanted to visit our fine-dining restaurant, but thought it might be out of your reach? Do you love the Tavern, but want something of even greater value. Well, during Salem's Restaurant Week, we have the deals for you.

Nathaniel's has three courses for only $24.09. The Tavern has three courses for only $20.09 (get it -- 2009!) These specials are available through Thursday, April 9.

Here are the menus:

NATHANIEL'S

$24.09

Starter

Steve’s New England Seafood Chowder
Soup of the Day
House Salad

Entrée

New York Sirloin Steak au Poivre
Gorgonzola-mashed potatoes, fresh asparagus

Surf &Turf
Six-Ounce Top Sirloin Steak and
Two Baked Stuffed Shrimp with Crabmeat stuffing
mashed potatoes, green beans amandine

Grilled Salmon Béarnaise
roasted fingerling potatoes, garlicky spinach, steamed broccoli florets

Dessert

Pound Cake with Grilled Pineapple
peppered vanilla syrup

THE TAVERN

$20.09

Starter

Steve’s New England Seafood Chowder
Soup of the Day
House Salad

Entrée

Baked Stuffed Haddock
Sweet pea risotto and asparagus

Six-Ounce. Sirloin Béarnaise
Cheddar-mashed potatoes, green beans amandine

Dessert

Chocolate-Macadamia Nut Bread Pudding

I hope to see you here.

Juli

Tavern Monthly Specials for April 2009

April Specials

Two Dinners For $29

The Tavern at The Hawthorne Hotel

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

Orecchiette Pasta with Meatballs
and Tomato Sauce
Parmesan cheese

~~~

Fried Calamari with Pickled Banana Peppers
French fries, cole slaw and diablo dipping sauce

~~~

Torta Rustica
layers of roasted red peppers, fresh plum tomatoes, seasoned spinach, alternating with white cheddar cheese and encased in a tender crust

~~~

Each Entrée served with a Small Mixed Green Salad
Or Cup of the Soup of the Day, Chef’s Choice of Dessert

Hawthorne Hotel's Flags of the Week ~~ April 6 through 12, 2009

Monday , April 6 ~~ Central African Republic and Puerto Rico
Tuesday , April 7 ~~ Chad and Rhode Island
Wednesday , April 8 ~~ Chile and South Carolina
Thursday , April 9 ~~ China and South Dakota
Friday , April 10 ~~ Colombia and Tennessee
Saturday , April 11 ~~ Comoros and Texas
Sunday , April 12 ~~ Congo and Utah

This week we are in our 'normal' mode.

Juli

A New Part of the Hawthorne Hotel's Pet Friendly Approach

Aren't these dog toys darling? They are 'squeaky' toys that were made especially for us by one of our valued clients that does this kind of thing. We now include them in our VIP (Very Important Pet) package, as well as give them to all dogs who are staying with us in the Hawthorne Hotel (of course, only with their owner's permission.)

If you are not staying here with your pet, but want to bring one back home to a special pet there, we do sell them for $4 each at the front desk.

I hope to see you here.

Juli