Three-time Juno Award-winner David Francey Returns to Meredith

David Francey will be at The Grotto March 14

Time flies when you’re having fun! It’s been over a year since Giuseppe’s Pizzeria & Ristoranté opened “The Grotto,” a beautiful and cozy room in the original foundation of the old linen mill at Mill Falls, with plenty of space for private parties, wine dinners, and intimate live concerts. In fact, The Grotto’s Dinner Concert Series has been well received by audiences, who have been filling the room since last March to enjoy distinctive performances by respected national touring artists.

Canadian singer-songwriter David Francey was the first in the Dinner Concert Series lineup, and he will be returning for his second performance at The Grotto this coming Wednesday, March 14^th. “We were so fortunate to have him debut our new dinner concert series last March, when he performed to a sold-out audience,” says Julie Gnerre-Bourgeois, owner of Giuseppe’s. “His return visit is greatly anticipated.” Read the rest of this entry »

Mill Falls’ Gail Batstone Named Board President to Two Industry Organizations

Gail Batstone, General Manager at The Inns & Spa at Mill Falls

When the general manager of this lakeside NH resort isn’t busy keeping everything in order to make sure guests are having the best possible vacation experience in the area, she is rolling up her sleeves at two different tourism associations to help other businesses in the Lakes Region—as well as New England—bring visitors to this diverse and beautiful part of the world.

After many years of dedicated service, Gail Batstone, General Manager at The Inns & Spa at Mill Falls, has recently been elevated to Board President for the Lakes Region Tourism Association. She will also officially serve as President of the New England Inns & Resorts Association beginning in October of 2012. Read the rest of this entry »

Inns’ Pet-Friendly Program Continues to Benefit Animals in NH and Beyond

Simon

Not only does this lakeside NH resort provide pet-friendly rooms and services for travelers with animal companions, but through its special Pet-Friendly Program, the Inns & Spa at Mill Falls also helps many animals in need by raising crucial funds for the New Hampshire Humane Society.

Pet-Friendly accommodations at Church Landing and the Inn at Mill Falls are available for an additional $25 fee per pet, which covers additional cleaning costs and amenities such as pet beds, blankets, food dishes, and treats.  The Inns then set aside $10 of this fee for the NHHS in Laconia, NH. Since the program’s inception in 2008, The Inns have donated over $10,500 to NHHS. This money has been put to good use, with several creative community projects that benefit animals and people throughout the region. “The donation of this money is so very much appreciated by the New Hampshire Humane Society and we are so grateful to Rusty McLear, the HHH group, and Mill Falls . . . “ says Mary Di Maria, Executive Director of NHHS, as she recently outlined some of the ways this great organization is putting those donations into service: Read the rest of this entry »

Family Celebrates 25 Years of Reunions at The Inns

The Hinchey/Smith/Burbine family, 2011

On the second weekend of every December, this lakeside village becomes home to an extended family that has been gathering in Meredith for nearly 30 years and began staying at The Inn at Mill Falls the very first year the doors opened. Since then, the extended Hinchey/Smith/Burbine family has continued to meet at the Inns for their annual Christmas get-together, marking 25 years this December. They say they wouldn’t think of doing it any other way.

When Laura Hinchey moved to Meredith from Rhode Island in the early 1980s, she became the catalyst for the family’s regular treks to the New Hampshire Lakes Region.  In the beginning, the group was small enough to stay at Laura’s home, but every year, the party got “bigger and bigger and bigger,” so when the first Mill Falls Inn opened in 1985, they booked some rooms there.

Most of the sisters, cousins, uncles, grandparents, nieces, and grandchildren travel from Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Laura’s home state of Rhode Island, and the group now varies in size from about 45 to about 55 family members each year. Of course, some years there are new babies, and sometimes others can’t make it. “My grandmother came for years and years,” says Laura. “We lost her two years ago at the age of 102, but she did make it for her 100^th birthday. We have quite an age spread as well.  This year, the youngest one here was my great niece, her name is Sophie, and she’s just 2 months, and the oldest was my mother, who celebrated her 75^th birthday that weekend.”

Read the rest of this entry »

Mill Falls gets INN the Spirit of Giving

For the past eight years, the staff at this Lakes Region resort has been bringing smiles to elders in the community by fulfilling their Christmas wishes as surprise gifts, warming the hearts of everyone around them.

In December of 2004, The Inns & Spa at Mill Falls and the Meredith Station started a wonderful tradition of bringing gifts to the residents of the Belknap County Nursing Home in Laconia, NH.  Pat Wade, Manager of the Meredith Station, visits the nursing home every year and selects several ornaments from their Christmas tree. Each ornament details a resident’s holiday wishes, which might include favorite sweets, a new cardigan sweater, or fun jewelry.  “We have a lot of ladies who like to doll up,” says Ann Kyle, Activities Director for the home.

Out of the 94 current residents and their ornaments this year, The Inns chose 41 for their gift giving.  Ann explained that Sacred Heart and Saint Joseph’s Church also help with the gifts.  “We have very generous people in the community who are wonderful to our residents,” she says. Read the rest of this entry »

NH Tourism Expected to be Lively This Winter

The New England Pond Hockey Classic will return to Meredith February 3rd

State tourism officials announced this week that winter travel in New Hampshire is expected to show increased amounts of visitors and spending, providing a positive outlook for the 2011 – 2012 season.  This is good news, especially considering that the tourism industry across the Northeast took a big hit at the end of summer when Hurricane Irene passed through.

According to a report prepared for the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development (DTTD) by the Institute for New Hampshire Studies (INHS), an estimated 6.6 million people are predicted to visit during this year’s winter season, up by three percent from last year.  Spending by tourists and business travelers is expected to increase as well, with the projection being seven percent above last winter, possibly reaching about $850 million.  Studies show that December, January, and February see approximately 18 percent of all traveler visits and 20 percent of total traveler spending annually.

The big draw in the wintertime is New Hampshire’s abundance of wilderness and skiing, as well as tax-free shopping.  “Outdoor recreation, including skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling, and shopping are the most popular reasons for visiting New Hampshire during the winter,” said Lori Harnois, Director for DTTD.  “While here, visitors can check out zip-lines, mountain coasters, dog-sledding, and other winter fun.” Read the rest of this entry »

Meredith Eateries Unveil New Winter Menus

Dinner at Lakehouse Grille

The official beginning of winter is just around the corner, and colder temperatures outside bring longings for warmth and comfort inside.  Thoughts turn to cozy fireplaces, hot cocoa, and rich, satisfying meals.  In this quaint NH village, the partner restaurants of the Inns & Spa at Mill Falls and have created new winter menus to reflect the changing seasons and offer guests some imaginative new and traditional dishes that bring warmth, comfort, and contentment inside and out.

“We always roll out two new fresh menus a year, one based on the winter season and one based on the summer season,” says Sean Brown, General Manager for Camp, Lago, and Lakehouse Grille from the Common Man Family of Restaurants.  “We never change the whole menu but we certainly change a decent portion of it.  With the wintertime menus, we’re definitely focusing on heartier dishes, dishes with a little bit more of a wintertime theme.” Read the rest of this entry »

The Inns & Spa at Mill Falls Breaks Ground for Church Landing Expansion

Artist's rendering of Boathouse Lodge

Last Thursday, this lakeside resort broke ground for its latest project—an expansion that will bring 13 new deluxe lake-view rooms and suites, as well as 186 feet of additional lake frontage, to its most popular destination: Church Landing.

The Inns & Spa at Mill Falls has officially begun construction on Phase II of its Church Landing expansion, which will add two new buildings, The Birch Lodge and The Boathouse Lodge, to the south end of the property.  The new buildings are being constructed on either side of the existing Lake Shore Cottage, which was recently renovated to include two unique suites overlooking Lake Winnipesaukee.  All three buildings will be attached to Church Landing via a covered cedar walkway, and all rooms will offer spectacular lake views, balconies, and screened porches.  In addition, each room will have luxury amenities, including a fieldstone fireplace, wet bar, whirlpool bath, double glass and tile shower, and a bathroom LCD TV.

“We are thrilled to begin construction on this part of our expansion project,” says Rusty McLear, President and CEO of The Inns & Spa at Mill Falls.  “Church Landing at Mill Falls continues to be enjoyed by tourists and residents alike, and these additions will certainly enhance our guests’ experience.”

Breaking ground on Phase II construction at The Inns & Spa at Mill Falls are (left to right): Barry Leonard, Laconia Savings Bank; Tom Samyn, Samyn D’Elia; Rusty McLear, Mill Falls; Ward D’Elia, Samyn D’Elia; Bill Smith, CCI; Ross Currier, CCI; and Tim Marchand, Mill Falls.

The expansion will also feature a new lobby and game area, a second indoor/outdoor infinity pool with two Jacuzzis, an outdoor fire-pit and grille station for summer BBQs, a large sundeck with food and beverage service, and several new boat docks.

“We have a vast number of guests who regularly stay with us, and it’s exciting that each time they visit, we are adding more facilities and more options to consider, while keeping our focus on our core mission – unforgettable customer service,” says Gail Batstone, General Manager of The Inns & Spa at Mill Falls.  Adds Michelle Brown, Director of Marketing at The Inns, “Church Landing is our most reserved property and on many occasions it is sold out.”

The expansion will be able to accommodate more fans of the Inns as early as next July, when construction on the project is expected to be completed.  Phase I of the project was finished this past May, converting the carport at Church Landing into additional event space and dining areas.  The new facility, called “The Carriage House,” now boasts 1,700 square feet of meeting space, an expanded lobby area with fourteen-foot ceilings, and sweeping views of Lake Winnipesaukee.

The Church Landing expansion promises to enrich the experience of visitors to Meredith as well as locals who enjoy events and spa services at Church Landing.  It’s all part of the Inns’ mission to continually improve its facilities.  As Ms. Batstone explains, “We often hear the comment, ‘so, what are you adding this year?!”

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team

It’s “Back to Spa” Week at Church Landing

Now that the kids are settled in at school, parents in the Lakes Region are enjoying their own ritual to acclimate to the season.  A little pampering goes a long way after a busy summer, and the specialists at this Meredith resort are kicking off fall with great deals on amazing treatments to “relax, renew, and rejuvenate.”  Cascade Spa at Mill Falls is hosting Back to Spa Week right now, and there’s still time to get in on some of the specials being offered…

9/12 Massage Monday
10% off a 50-minute or more service and a FREE aromatherapy upgrade.

9/13 Two For Tuesday
Take advantage of two 50-minute services and get the 2nd one ½ off.

9/14 Wax-Off Wednesday
Come in for a Lip and Brow Wax and receive a FREE Chin Wax.

G.M. Collin and Clarisonic are offering complimentary skin analysis and sonic cleansing from 9am – 3pm, (30 min). Reservations are required—call today!

9/15 Toes On Thursday
10% off Classic & Lake Stone Pedicures and a FREE bottle of nail polish.

9/16 Facial Friday
Receive a FREE Lip Blooming treatment with any 50-minute facial.

Cascade Spa also celebrates many other occasions throughout the year—stay tuned for more great offers!  The spa can also be reached anytime at 866-719-0161 or 603-677-8620.  Enjoy your week!

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team

Resort’s Conference Coordinator Shares Passion for Food on her Blog

When Heather Poire isn’t busy making everything perfect for guests who attend conferences and events at The Inns and Spa at Mill Falls, she is home cooking up a storm and sharing her creations online.  Heather, who is the Inn’s Conference Coordinator by day, is also a brilliant chef and gourmand who whips up delicious meals and snacks, then posts her recipes on her own blog, complete with photos and background information on many of the recipes and ideas she comes up with.  But what makes Heather’s blog special is its focus—all the dishes are vegan-friendly!

Sunday Morning Banana Pancakes is the name of Heather’s unique blog, inspired by the breakfast treats she and her partner make nearly every Sunday, along with the enjoyment of those special times.  Her pancakes, and everything else she creates for the blog, contain no animal products, including eggs or dairy.  Heather has been following a vegan lifestyle for almost a full year, after being a vegetarian for six years.  “The transition for both becoming a vegetarian and vegan were pretty easy,” says Heather, “the most challenging part of being a vegan is the lack of knowledge people have about this life choice.”

Heather has enjoyed cooking since a young age and says she has become more serious within the past six years.  “I majored in Lodging and Conference Management,” she explains.  “Part of the curriculum was a few cooking classes: Buffet, Line Cooking, and Service—those classes served as a strong base.  Vegetarian and vegan cooking was mainly self-taught.”  Heather says she learned a lot through cookbooks and blogs.  “The Internet is awesome for researching vegan alternatives!”

Heather creates about 90% of her recipes herself, with the other 10% based on blog recipes or cookbooks.  “Seasonal produce and farmers markets are the inspiration for most of my recipes,” she says.  “Fruits and vegetables that are in season and locally-grown are beautiful, and their taste surpasses those raised thousands of miles away for supermarkets.”  With regard to altering traditional dishes, Heather adds, “Taking a non-vegan recipe and veganizing it is so rewarding!”

The inspiration for Heather to start her own blog was “to share vegan cooking with family, friends, and anyone wanting to see how easy it is to be a vegan without sacrificing taste and flavor.”  When trying out new creations, Heather’s coworkers become her “guinea pigs,” and she shares recipes on Food Buzz and Food Gawker, as well.  She says she has encouraged several people to give vegan fare a try, including a few coworkers and her sister.  Some of her most popular recipes so far are the Peach Almond Upside Down Cake, her Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta, and the Peanut Butter & Jelly Cupcakes.

With a goal to “show how easy it is to create fantastic vegan recipes, share my love of food, and beautiful photos of food,” it seems Heather has accomplished all these things with her blog.  When asked if she misses anything from her pre-vegan days, she replies, “Surprisingly enough I don’t miss a thing—there are so many great alternatives and choices for vegans now it is so great!”

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team

Photos courtesy of Sunday Morning Banana Pancakes