#5
June 26, 2008
Hello everyone! I would like to introduce myself. My name is Teresa Curry and I am the new Executive Chef and Inn manager here at the Ann Stevens House. This is my first newsletter to you and I hope you enjoy it.
I would like to give you a little background about me. I have been an Executive Chef since 1995, owning a catering company specializing in corporate event planning and wedding coordinating for 11 years in Palm Beach, Florida, and now here at the Ann Stevens House since March. It hardly feels like work. Lake Helen is so quaint and beautiful. Before coming here to work, I was a guest for long weekends and vacations over a three year period. So, when the Gracy's asked me to join their family here, I could not resist the opportunity to experience a B&B career move.
I hope to meet you all very soon.
The Inn has gone through its spring cleaning and maintenance that we do each year. We have done lots of painting and refreshing and everything is so lovely. New staff and returning staff would be Teresa Curry, Inn Manager and Executive Chef. Janet is back and she is overseeing guest relations, housekeeping and assisting with event planning. Lori is our new Inn Housekeeper and she brings with her 5 years of past Inn experience. Todd and Mark have been heavily involved in the maintenance and upgrades to the Inn. Ed and Helene are well. What can I say? They ARE the Ann Stevens House. Ed is doing great. With all of this help, he is getting more rest and is able to take Helene on a vacation or two. Helene is happier as well. She still works hard on the linens and is ever so detailed; even down to the fresh linen spray she uses when she irons your sheets and pillowcases. I tried to take the linens away from her, but she loves it. They have their grandson, Ritchie, living with them now. He has jobs as well. He waters the Inn’s beautiful flowers and feeds Egg Drop, our cat that greets each guest as they arrive. He is a lovely young boy.
Sadly, Tina Coellette, long time friend, confidante and housekeeper extraordinaire, has passed away after a long battle with cancer. Tina was with the Inn since 1995. She will be sorely missed. Godspeed, my friend.
The pub is now open Wednesday through Saturday. We designed a new pub menu with a special menu item that changes each day. We have open mic night with artists that sing and play guitar, etc. Its lots of fun and our guests and locals really enjoy it. On our deck, we light tiki torches and everyone enjoys the quiet nights and a sky full of stars. It’s heavenly.
There is a 4th of July BBQ scheduled here from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Lake Helen historic district will have fireworks on the lake again this year. Sounds like fun!
We are excited about hosting Mr. Cobbs (Night at the Museum) and catering for the production company while they film The Tennant here in Lake Helen.
The newsletter will be an end of the month column beginning July. Look for upcoming events and what’s happening at the Inn.
#4
November 15, 2007
Candice, my daughter, has been getting rave reviews from our guests for her cooking and service. It looks like we might have scored another Janet when she was in her prime.
Tina has been back to work for a few months, so everything has been staying super clean. Heard from Sarah about a week ago, college is going good, she is learning Chinese. Helene has had a problem with an infection on her right lower leg that is now healing up nicely. All the kids we used during the summer are settled back in school. I am finally getting to a lot of the little outside tasks I have wanted to do. We are doing the New Year’s Eve Party again, and yes, it will be December 31st, 2007 from 8pm to 1am. We will have SHOWDOWN, the country/pop band, party favors, champagne toast, and light appetizers included in the $25.00 ticket price. Dinner will be available from Old Skool BBQ. As always, Sherlock’s Pub will be available for your adult beverages. All the events in October were successes, with the singing by Alvin Morse of the Coasters the highlight. November is Christmas decorating month, as we are on the home tour the first weekend of December.
Newsletter #3
September 15, 2007
It is bittersweet to see our Sarah going back to College after such a short summer break. It was nice to have her here taking charge of the Inn. Our daughter is here from Sacramento, California. We hope she pans on staying and having our grandson move out here in the near future. She is learning the Inn operations from cleaning to front desk. We have received many compliments from our guests about the way she handles the business and herself. October will soon be here, the busy season starts again! Excitement is in the air as the Black and White Ball is October 13th, this year featuring the Remnants and Alvin Morse of the Coasters. Old Skool BBQ will be here to provide dinner. Three weddings, 5 Luncheons, Holloween, and Biketoberfest, should make October go by fast.
Newsletter #2
June 28, 2007
Janet Watson (inn Manager) has moved on. We will miss her and wish her the best. Inn staffing is now Ed, Devin (new), Sarah (back for the summer from college), & Mark. We are currently in the “Spring Cleaning” mode and should be finished soon. New floral plantings have been added to the entrance and the pub deck has been expanded. Our next project is a screen of vines to hide the trailer in the back of the property and another one around the outdoor air conditioning units. The Spring Blast was a success, the band, food and drink was great. Next big event will be the Black & White Ball, October 13th, 2007.
Newsletter #1
Past
Since we purchased Clauser’s Bed & Breakfast in June 0f 2004,
we have embarked on a total renovation of the grounds. A new parking lot
with sidewalks surrounding a large gravel area has greatly enhanced our
guest’s ability to get to their rooms, while preserving the three
large Camphor trees in the middle area.
New Paint, sod, planting areas, quiet areas, and party area have made us one of the top wedding sites in Volusia County. We renamed the inn to The Ann Stevens House in honor of the lady who had the house built in 1895. Ann was from Maple Rapids, Michigan. This was her winter cottage until her passing in 1908 at the age of 70.
We have added two additional rooms (previous innkeeper quarters), the Jasmine & Jade, and the Sea & Sand. You can view both on this site.
Present
We have added a large dance floor and bandstand behind the Carriage
House. When we are not doing special events, it makes a great sundeck
or conversation area for our guests.
Installed two new air conditioners in the Main House to keep it nice and cool for the summer and warm in the winter.
Staffing at the Inn is Janet (Inn Manager), Mark (Maintenance, Special Events, & P/T Bartender), and Ed (Inn keeper & Special Events). We are sorry to say that our Tina (Housekeeper) is ill and may not return for a considerable time.
We have just added new individual room air conditioners to the Lancaster, Laredo, Lexington, and Charlevoix. This will help end the temperature wars between the rooms. They are remote controlled by the guest.
Adopted Egg Drop (Rather she adopted us) as the Inn cat after Amanda passed away of old age. She is very friendly and manipulative with the guests just like Amanda was. Do not be fooled by her, she gets feed every day by us and she is not allowed inside!
Future
We are expanding the biker’s pad.
Adding individual air conditioning units to the Windsor and Cross Creek.
We have the Spring Blast on May 26th, the Black and White Ball on October 13th, and New Years Eve party’s planned for 2007. Join us if you can.
Facts
Over the Inn’s 18 year history, we have had visitors from every state except Alaska.
International guest have been from Austria, Australia, England, Scotland, France, Germany, Spain, Denmark, and Japan.
The largest percentage of referrals to the Inn are from our web site, second largest is returning guests and referrals from previous guests.
Ed & Helene Gracy, Teresa & Dan Curry
Owners and
Innkeepers
201 E. Kicklighter Road
Lake Helen, FL 32744
(386) 228-0310 or (800) 220-0310
info@annstevenshouse.com