Bosses Day at Inn Victoria Chester Vermont

Penny has been gracious over the last several weeks and has treated me to a number of employee appreciation dates at Friendly's Ice cream in Springfield. I thought it was her turn, after all she is the BEST boss I've ever worked for!

Will you look at that smile!

Inn Victoria Chester Vermont pictures

We thought it would be fun to put up some pictures of a few changes we've made in the last few weeks.....many more to come!

1.  Fire place in the parlor
2.  Oak entry seat and mirror
3.  Victorian rockers  (2)
4.  Fresh flowers in each room
5.  The Beatrice needed a color lift
6 - 10.  The second story bath needed a face lift....stained glass door window, copper tin ceiling, new showerhead, new mirror (antique) and new lights
11.  Employee appreciation day at Inn Victoria!

Six Loose Ladies

This morning, Penny and I enjoyed a great escape from Inn Victoria Chester, Vermont.  We traveled to Proctorsvile, a small village just six miles before Okemo Mountain resort on Rt # 103.  We had such a fantastic time, I thought it would be a great write up for today's blog.

We walked into three stores, each offering a unique surprise:

     First:  Six Loose Ladies....Hummm, I thought this would be fun!  Penny says it was the finest knitting store she'd ever been in.  It was very nice and had everything one could want in a loose lady....I guess.     http://www.fiberartsinvermont.org/

    Next:  Singleton's Country Store....WOW!  Vermont is famous for its small country stores that have everything and if they don't have it, well...you don't need it.  Singletons has more guns than the Kittery Trading Post in Maine; most are antiques.  The selection of wines is great and lots of it.  Cigars, their own sausage, their own butcher & meat counter, home made food and anything else you can imagine.  We bought their Apple cured sausage and will have some for breakfast!
I didn't want to leave.    http://www.singletonsvt.com/
     
Last & best:  We made our way over to Crows Bakery.  A bakery is a bakery you say??......not so!  There are many bakeries in the Okemo Valley, but none like this one!  This is a small family run business, clean, and friendly.  The baking is so good that Penny buys several items a week for the inn.  I've been enticed to try several desearts myself...and Oh BOY!  Today was the maple syrup macaroon & the raspberry tart.  They do not have a web site, but they are easy to get to...just drive to the center of Proctorsville, Vermont and stand in the middle of the town intersection, you'll see all three storefronts and walk to them.  Relax and feel life as we did today!......and don't forget to have lunch or breakfast at Crows Bakery!  You'll never forget the experience!

Inn Victoria Chester, Vermont

Weston Playhouse in Weston, Vermont

The Weston Playhouse released their summer listing and WOW!...what a great summer we have ahead of us right here in South Central Vermont.  The following link will give you quick access to the playhouse shows.  If you decide to make Inn Victoria in Chester Vermont your home while visiting the Weston Playhouse, we'll exchange 10% off your stay if you give us your show ticket stubs.

The Weston Playhouse is a world-class theatre in the heart of Vermont.
Look at these great shows!!!.......Penny and I plan to attend each one!

http://www.westonplayhouse.org/

Keep smiling,


Dan

American Legion Post 67 Chester, Vermont

The American Legion Post 67 Chester, Vermont is hosting a Country Music Jamboree the evening of March 26 from 6:30 PM to 11PM.  Members are inviting the public.  If you love country music, Chester Vermont is the place to be Friday night.  The five bands will include:

• The Matt Keiter Band
• Swingin' Door
• GB-101 Country
• Backroad
• Sylvia and the Lone Rangers

The food, the drinks, the dancing, the fun!!!!!!......ahhhh.  If Inn Victoria in Chester Vermont is the ranch; who will be minding the ranch that night?  Maybe Rachel will let Penny and me out for the night!!

Keep smiling

Dan

Inn Victoria Vermont owners speak at Rotary Club

Penny and I, the new owners of Inn Victoria in Chester, Vermont were invited speakers at this mornings Chester Rotary Club.  The Club meets at the Heritage restaurant each Thursday morning and we, (of all people) were invited to share our lifestyle "change" story.
In addition to discussing the Inn and its lifestyle, Penny discussed her educational pursuits with homeschooling and I discussed my pursuits in Safety Consulting.  Most important, we met many wonderful people welcoming us with open arms. 

Each new person we meet asks; Why Chester?   Answer:  Chester, Vermont is a  picturesque  small town, centrally located to offer perfect three season vacation experiences.  Within a 3-5 hour drive, over 100 million people on the East Coast & North from Quebec, can experience what we enjoy daily; a slower and friendlier pace, welcoming people, and an opportunity to experience a quality of life that is unsurpassed.  Tomorrow's blog post will start a series showcasing some of Central Vermont's inviting attributes .....tomorrow I start with The Weston Playhouse! 


Keep smiling,

Dan

Mother / Daughter time at Inn Victoria

Mother / Daughter time at Inn Victoria     

Dates Available:  04/ 18 - 24

Make this a special event for just the two of you…Mom and daughter.  Take the time to relax together and talk, walk, shop, do crafts, dine, watch movies, read books, soak in the hot tub, stay in your pajamas all day, do the spa.  Whatever your desire for a few days, Inn Victoria can make it happen for you in a peaceful and quiet setting.  This will be a very special time for the two of you and Inn Victoria is dedicated to making it an Exceptional Experience.  We have dedicated this entire week to mothers and daughters!  Tell us your dream, and we’ll create the experience.  Two night minimum / double occupancy starts at $100/night - $165.  Includes three course breakfasts, afternoon tea and evening refreshments.

Chester, Vermont Citizen Award

Julie Pollard of Chester, Vermont was honored by the town fathers last week with a Citizen Award for reviving the Chester Winter Carnival.  Julie Pollard, owner of the Chester  Hardware Store revived the Chester Winter Carnival event after years of idleness.  Chester's Winter Carnival dates back to 1923, and resurrected the event in 2008 with greater success in the succeeding years.  From all of us here at Inn Victoria in Chester, Vermont:  CONGRATULATIONS Julie Pollard!  Julie was one of the first people we met when we moved to town.  Because of all the fixes we had to get accomplished at Inn Victoria, we became fast friends.  We are honored to be a neighbor.

Maple Sugar Weekend

Are you ready for Maple Sugar Weekend?  Here is one local producer who has a developed a very special niche

http://vermontmaple.org

Easter Weekend Special at Inn Victoria

Easter Dinner at Inn Victoria...why not?

We've created a very special package just for you.  Call Penny and set up the perfect weekend.

For $285.00 / night,  Relax and enjoy:

Two nights

Two 3 course breakfasts

Wine and local Vermont cheese

Home made bread

Home made Maple sugar pie

Dan's maple liquor

Easter Dinner on Saturday

www.innvictoria.com 

Vermont Maple Sugar Weekend March 26 - 28

Maple Sugar weekend will be here before we know it.  Each year in March & April, maple sugar producers in Vermont harvest the liquid gold from sugar maple trees.  Fortunately for all of us, many small farms commit one weekend (March 26 - 28) to an open house for us to visit, taste, and tour their process.  The attached link gives a great depiction of what "sugaring" is all about.  Join us at Inn Victoria for Maple Sugar Pie, and in the evenings, Dan's Maple Sugar Liquor.

http://davescupboard.blogspot.com/2010/03/vintage-sunday-maple-sugar-time.html

http://www.projo.com/lifebeat/content/WK-Maple_Sugar_03-04-10_VAHK7SP_v14.20ad4d3.html

March Madness at Inn Victoria

The warmest winter month in South Central Vermont is March; a perfect time for sleigh rides, maple sugar tours and of course the skiing is exceptional.  Just because the snow is gone throughout the North East does not mean that winter is over in Vermont...In fact we have the best of winter ahead of us; warm days and cold nights means excellent skiing, perfect sleigh rides and touring of the maple syrup & sugar farms.  Inn Victoria can make these reservations for you.  Come and relax by the fire, have some wine and enjoy!

Vermont Skiing is Perfect

Is the snow all melted where you are?  Not in Southern Vermont!  In fact the last snow storm gave the five major mountains surrounding Inn Victoria over 50 inches of NEW snow; and it will remain for the remainder of March and April.  Late winter skiing is fantastic!

Check out today's Okemo Mountain Snow Report:

http://www.okemo.com/okemowinter/ourmountain/snowreport.asp

Vermont Romantic B&B

We Followed our Dreams

  In August, Penny and I celebrated 30 years of marriage on an island in Casco Bay, Portland Maine.  Fifty close friends & family were invited to the lobster feed and wedding renewal.  Penny even got a new wedding dress in the process!....the event was a BIG surprise for Penny.

After 30 years of marriage, 25 of which was spent working the corporate life with little time for each other, we figured it was time to follow our dream.  Penny is now the proud President, and I am the CFO...(I always wanted to be a CFO), of Exceptional Experience, a corporation developed to support our new venture;  Inn Victoria, Vermonts #1 rated Romantic B&B. 

Check out the links below and come visit....!  We promise you an "Exceptional Experience"!!!

Inn Victoria was named by TripAdvisor as one of the "Best B&B's in the United States" and Yankee Magazine named Inn Victoria as "Best Romantic B&B".


http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g57213-d82544-Reviews-Inn_Victoria-Chester_Vermont.html


Dan & Penny Cote