I am sorry if I scared some of you.   Chester did not die.  Apparently the way my blog posted on face book, some of the story didn't make the fold and it sounded like Chester had gone to his happy hunting grounds.  Not so. You read the original story below, or log on to Face Book and get the truncated version and a lot more.

I will post proof of his continued existence in my next blog.

Chester was no spring chicken. Having reached his 15th year, we knew the time was coming. 

I haven't said much about it unless asked, because it has been hard for me.  But that time came about 2 months ago and Chester went to live with my Daughter, her husband and my three grandchildren on their small farm just outside of Jacksonville, Oregon.

He was older than any of my grandchildren and they always adored him.  When they heard that Chester was having "accidents" whenever the crowds got too pressing at the inn, they begged to have him come live out his life with them on their little farm.  They love animal and Chester has always seem to have a special bond with the, and he seems to love his new arraingment.  And, best of all, he hasn't had an "accident" since he moved.   In fact, when I visit he is so busy being pampered by my daughter and the kids, he has little time for me.  I should hope I am so well cared for when I get "put out to pasture".

I am posting a vidio about "What I learned from my Cat Chester" on YouTube, hopefully tonight, and I wlll be sending a link by email in the next couple of days.  Watch for it.

When I was young the slower I went, the less mistakes I made.   Now, the older I get, the slower I go and still make more mistakes all the time.  But last month's email that preceded the Newsletter, was a record, and boy did I hear about it.  

Now, I am going way out on a limb here.  But Here's is the challenge.   Everyone who finds a spelling mistake in the September postings, posted since 8/30/2010, (New Restaurant Find Close to Britt Festival) gets a free glass of wine next time they are at the inn and I'm pouring wine.   And, the one who finds the most, gets a bottle of Muller Thrugau

Print it out, circle it, and bring it with you! 

Hold the Date.  Treat yourself, and enjoy at least one old fashion Holiday in Ashland this year.  Whether it's Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Years, you decide.  We are planning a different Old Fashion Holiday Package for each Holiday.  Wine and gourmet food tasting at several of my favorite tasting rooms, a plenty of good traditional food at the inn, and of course the Bowl Games for those who need them.  So, plan now and take advantage of our $100,000 Anniversary Give Away, and save a $100 of each night you stay through the Holiday's.   

SAVE hundreds, If You Act Now!  Read the paragraph below.   Get you gift certificates before we run out.  They are going fast.   But, if you follow the link and fill out the form now, I guarantee you will get your gift certificaters now, even if we have to print more.

Then, book early while there is good availability.

Then, reserve your dates while there is good availability.   

Reserve Up to $1,000 in FREE Gift Certificates For Yourself.  

.

We are giving away a $100,000 in FREE Lodging Gift Certificates to celebrate our 20th Anniversary and to introduce you to Ashland's "Other Season"   You already know about Ashland's Summer Season, now we want to introduce you to every thing Ashland offers between Oct and June. 

We just printed a Booklet called, "Ashland's Other Season".  It is jam packed with all the festivals, activities and things to do during Ashland's Other Season.

It's easy.  Follow the link below, and send us you address and we will send you. 

• Your Gift Certificate $100 off each night stay before June 1.
• A copy of our new Guide to Ashland's "Other Season".

NOTE:

• If you have a friend who you would like to send gift certificates to, pass this email on to them at the bottom left of the page.
• Register Now by going to our $100,000 Giveaway Page 

Tomorrow night will be a real treat.  Two of my favorite ladies Dianne D. and Donna A., who went to college together,  will be visiting the inn tomorrow and are taking me to out to dinner.  And, for old friends like this, we'll go to Arbor House.  Lucky me. 

This year it will be their 17th or 18th year they have met at the inn for their annual summer get together.  (I think this is our record.)  Buzz and Raylene may have them beat, but no one is sure.  One of the things I love about being an Innkeeper is the people and friendship that come your way. 

I know of quite a number of you who have been here 10 years or more, and dozens have passed the 5 year number.  If you have been coming 5 years longer, email me and let me know how may years it has been for you.  We don't have records that go back to the beginning.  But we are trying to put together a compressive list of our longest running customers.  And, next year we will do something for all of them.

To make it extra special we will be going to one of my favorite little, heartfelt restaurants, Arbor House in talent.  Arbor House has served fresh, great, freshly prepared food that I've been enjoying for over 30 years.  

So, if you happen to be out and about tomorrow night, come by Arbor House and say Hello!

I went last Thursday to see Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion at the Britt Music Festival.  It was vintage Garrison Keiller and any night under the stars at Britt is great. 

But prior to the show we stopped by a new restaurant called The House of Thai.  I like Thai food anyway, but this was outstanding.  The ingredients were all fresh and well presented.  We had 3 dishes and all were fresh, with distinct  flavors. 

We started out with some delicious pot stickers, followed by one of the best coconut coconut shrimp soup I have ever tasted.  Nest was a great yellow curry with chicken followed by a beef dish to round out the meal. 

With the meal we had a light Thai beer. 

I got the feeling that anything on the menu would be well prepared and tasty.  Give them a try next time you are at Britt, or just following the Applegate Wine Trail.

With the help of some of my friends and my oldest daughter, Lithia Springs Facebook page is finally beginning to take shape.  Now all we need is more Friends of the Inn.

So for those of you who have already signed on as a Friend, and for all of those who do so now, I want to give you a $100 Gift Certificate valid toward a stay at Lithia Springs, anytime Sunday through Wednesday.  So, if you havent, if you will go to Facebook now and sign up, if you already have...  

...Click on This Link and register and we'll send you your Gift Certificate valid between Oct. 15 and May 31st 2010.   If you know someone else who might also like a Ashland Getaway, have them become a Friend of The Inn, and send them the URL to this page. .

SUCCULENCE! Acrylics and Oils by Sandi Whetzel     

"Fantasy blends with reality in these intimate views of succulents and other flora" says contemporary artist, Sandi Whetzel, of Days Creek, OR. Whetzel's creative passion embraces a seductive flirtation with luscious, stimulating color, graceful contours, intriguing motifs and tantalizing textures. Sandi's fascination with organic shapes in the plant world spawned this lively collection of contemporary paintings.

Sandi divides her time between painting, showing art in various venues and instructing art classes for Umpqua Community College's Community Ed.  Sandi is also known for her signature paintings to promote the wine industry in Oregon. Visit www.flickr.com/photos/contempartist/

The Gallery at Lithia Springs Resort is featuring Sandi Whetzel, as part of The Ashland Gallery Association's monthly "First Friday" Art Walk, September 4th, 4:30-8:00pm.  You have an opportunity to meet Sandi, and enjoy innovative works of art,  including music and refreshments. 

This show is Presented by Theresa Ackerson, Curator, The Gallery at LIthia Springs.  For additional information please call 541-488-4808.

 Occasionally we have a one week  share of ownership in a Cottage available.   Aand we do now.    You can become part owner of one of our English Cottages, and for one week each year, stay rent free in "Your Cottage" for the rest of your life.   A winter week share sells at just $5,000.  Springs, Summer and Fall are slightly more expensive.  So, consider becoming an owner at Lithia Springs.   This is real ownership of real estate that lasts until your needs change and you decide to sell it.  Or you can leave it to your children or grandchildren as your legacy.  Want more than one week of vacation use?   Buy more if you wish.   Read More