(SOUTH YARMOUTH, MA) – The Davenport Companies recently celebrated the induction of five staff members into the company’s “15-Year Club.” The Club honors those who have reached 15 years of service at an annual induction celebration, complete with dinner and entertainment and attended by the entire company. Recognized in 2011 were: Camille Joel of Thirwood Place, Alice Holland and Evelyn Yurasits of Red Jacket Beach Resort, Andrea Benvie of Red Jacket Mountain View Resort and Anne Marie Bridges of the Riviera and Blue Water Resorts.

“We appreciate and honor the contributions of our entire team and their families. We enjoy creating an annual celebration highlighting their hard work and sharing their story with the entire company,” says DeWitt Davenport, President of The Davenport Companies.  

In addition to the company party, new inductees join former 15-Year Club members at an annual themed weekend at the company’s Red Jacket Mountain View Resort in North Conway, NH. Complementing the festivities is a fundraising auction among the club members with all proceeds benefiting the local community.

Red Jacket Mountain View is delighted to announce the appointment of Executive Chef Christian Boucher. Mr. Boucher comes to Red Jacket Mountain View Resort from the North Conway Grand Hotel where he was most recently the director of operations for nearly two years and oversaw all operational departments including housekeeping, reservations, uniformed services and food & beverage operations.

Prior to his career with North Conway Grand, Mr. Boucher enjoyed an auspicious tenure at the Christmas Farm Inn in Jackson, New Hampshire. As executive chef, he finely tuned his culinary skills and leadership abilities.

“Christian brings the right mix of experience and personal style to the Red Jacket Mountain View team, ” said Ken Smith, Vice President of Red Jacket Resorts. Please give Christian a call or stop in and welcome him on your next visit to Red Jacket Mountain View.

TripAdvisor^®, the world’s largest travel site, today announced the top ten water parks in the U.S., according to TripAdvisor travelers. Aquatic aficionados can enjoy the slide of their lives at these splash-tacular sites, which are drenched in fun for children and the young at heart alike.

Kahuna Laguna indoor water park in North Conway, NH, came in at #5 in the nation, as voted by TripAdvisor travelers.

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(By Edward F. Maroney and originally published in The Barnstable Patriot )

DeWitt Davenport will probably be moving his plane at Barnstable Municipal Airport to a new hangar.

The president of Yarmouth’s Davenport Companies will have his choice of spaces in the two former Silvia Aviation hangars, which will be operated by Davenport’s Kingsbury Aviation. The properties were purchased following a foreclosure sale.

“There are several tenants in there now, and we’d like to keep them,” said Paul Rumul, chief operating officer for Davenport Companies. “There are a couple of empty slots we’d like to fill up. We’re still working out final details on leases.”

Rumul said Christian Davenport is project manager for the new business, which will involve commercial leasing of the hangars to private pilots. He’ll work with Anna Brigham, commercial property manager for Davenport Realty.

The two hangars, each just under 10,000 square feet, are on land that is leased from the airport. “They’re beautiful buildings,” Rumul said. “They’re really well done and state of the art.”

As a business that represents many diverse industries, said Rumul, the Davenport Companies view the hangars as a “unique opportunity and a fine addition to the company.”

Over the weekend you may have received an old 'Port Report post from 2010.

Please disregard: it was not sent intentionally and appears to be an isolated technical fault with Google Feedburner, the program that automatically emails updates on The 'Port Report.

Thirwood Place is pleased to welcome Larry Lyford as the new Director of Sales & Marketing.  Focusing on the areas of independent living as well as assisted living, Larry will guide new and prospective residents in the process of transitioning from their current living situation to their new Thirwood lifestyle. He will also work closely with local healthcare professionals and related supporters of the Cape’s senior community.

Larry previously held positions at Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club, The Cape Codder and Wellesley College. He has been involved in local chambers of commerce and enjoys volunteering for animal-related causes. Larry lives in Marstons Mills with his fiancé Kerri and daughter Emily. He may be reached at 508-398-8006 or llyford@thirwoodplace.com .

Blue Rock Golf Course was named one of Golf Magazines Top 10 Par-3 Golf Courses in the June 2011 issue. In the article, Golf Magazine’s Senior Editor Joe Passov explains “the greatest par-3 courses are every bit as scenic and thought-provoking as their bigger brothers . . .  (and) whether you go 9 or 18, you've found some extra time in your day.”

Naming Blue Rock as #7 on this prestigious list, Passov describes the course as follows, “If you've got a golf itch to scratch on Cape Cod, tee it up at this woodsy, par-54, 1962 Geoffrey Cornish design. The 169-yard ninth remains the standout, with its healthy poke over water to a kidney-shaped green.” Blue Rock is in good company on the list with top courses from Bermuda, Las Vegas, California and even China.

PGA Head Professional Patrick Fannon has already seen an influx of new golfers based on the article, “We are honored to have been chosen by such a well-respected and widely-read publication as Golf Magazine. The season is in full swing with even more enhancements to the course including new stone walls, landscaping and sand traps. Blue Rock is a public course with a private feel and we look forward to welcoming new golfers this season.” 

The Blue Rock Golf Course is excited to announce a new “Golf After Hours” league with a focus on fun and flexibility. League play will take place every Tuesday May 3rd – October 18th.  Golfers will be able to choose to play for one week, once a month or every week, whenever it’s convenient for them, with no commitment. There is no need to become an official “member” and golfers can come as foursomes or be matched with other golfers. The “pay as you play” fee structure is $20 per golfer per week and includes 9 holes of golf, light hors d’oeuvres in the clubhouse and tournament prizes each week with optional pools available.

PGA Head Professional Patrick Fannon looks forward to the start of this new style of league, “It’s a great opportunity for friends or coworkers to play golf and meet new people. Oftentimes golfers are interested in playing in a league but are concerned about adding another ongoing commitment to their schedules. This casual, flexible format allows golfers to play according to their availability.” League golfers are welcome to arrive anytime between 4pm and 530pm starting May 3rd with summer tee times shifting one hour later. Interested golfers should contact the pro shop at 508-398-9295 for more details. Throughout the season, the league information will be updated at www.golfafterhours.com.

(Originally written by Edward F. Maroney and published in the Barnstable Patriot)

MAYFLOWER BLOOMS ANEW ON MAIN STREET, HYANNIS

Arthur Pappas of Cotuit is a family man. He’s in business with his sons at his Orexi specialty foods store at the corner of Barnstable Road and Main Street in Hyannis, and the men he worked with to build 5,500 square feet of new retail space nearby at 326-330 Main St. speak of him as almost a brother.

At the public opening of Mayflower Shops April 5, Davenport Companies President Dewitt Davenport noted the “extra effort” Pappas took with the details of the building Davenport’s company built. Davenport said he was impressed that Pappas “made such a commitment to downtown Hyannis.”

Architect Peter Brown agreed. “This is an act of courage on Arthur Pappas’ part,” he said of his client and friend. Brown praised town officials, especially Building Commissioner Tom Perry and Growth Management Director Jo Anne Miller Buntich, for their guidance. He said he’s pleased with the way the building fits into the context of its surroundings.

All that remains now is to see what business or businesses will find a fit in the new building. Interested parties can call the Pappas Family Realty Corporation at 508-428-7319.

Blue Water Resort is delighted to announce the appointment of Heidi Blanke as the new Front Office Manager.

Heidi is a Cape Cod native and was raised in Barnstable.  She has worked in the hospitality industry since 1981 as a server at a local restaurant before quickly advancing to shift manager and then dining room manager. After working for All Seasons as their front desk supervisor, Heidi started at Red Jacket Resorts in 2004 with Central Reservations. She managed the dining room at Riviera Beach Resort for the 2008 season and returned to Central Reservations in 2010.  While at Central Reservations, she spent time in North Conway working the front desk at Fox Ridge during part of two fall seasons.

We're delighted to have Heidi on the team - please stop by or call and welcome her to her new position at Blue Water Resort!