Tending Snapdragons

Happy 88th year to "The Great Gatsby"!

2013-04-10T16:26:00.000-04:00

Today is the 88th year since "The Great Gatsby" was published on April 10th, 1925. We, of course, have a special interest in anything Fitzgerald because his editor, Max Perkins, lived at 26 Main Street (now the Inn). There is even greater interest in The GG this year because the Baz Luhrman film comes out next month and we are very very interested to see how that goes (it looks Bazrageous!). Our Snapdragon literary club read it a few months back so it is fresh in our minds for film viewing.

This is from a letter Fitzgerald sent to Perkins on October 27th, 1924 with his first draft of the novel,

(I think that at last I've done something really my own), but how good "my own" is remains to be seen.

Then on November 18th, 1924 Perkins responded with this articulate and beautifully crafted response,

I think the novel is a wonder. I'm taking it home to read again and shall then write my impressions in full;—but it has vitality to an extraordinary degree, and glamour, and a great deal of underlying thought of unusual quality. It has a kind of mystic atmosphere at times that you infused into parts of "Paradise" and have not since used. It is a marvelous fusion, into a unity of presentation, of the extraordinary incongruities of life today. And as for sheer writing, it's astonishing.

You can read more of their correspondence on the site, "Letters of Note" that posts fascinating letters, postcards, telegrams and will be publishing a book next month. Did you know that the title Fitzgerald was keen to go for was actually, "Trimalchio in West Egg"? Perkins didn't quite think that was a fit and guided him back towards his original title, "The Great Gatsby".

So, have you read it lately? If you need a refresher, this clever infographic (found on pinterest, of course) below is a help or go check out this fancy site.

We'll chat again once the movie is out!

Snapdragon DIY: fortune eggs for Easter

2013-04-04T15:00:00.002-04:00

Here's a fun little DIYer that we worked up for our guests over Easter weekend. We wanted more subtle colors so we sprayed the plastic eggs gold (taping some off for cool patterning). Then we filled them with chocolate and typed up some special wee notes for each. Then we hid them in the guest rooms. Egg hunts shouldn't just be for kids! We are already thinking on how to expand for next year.

March literary club meet-up: "Bandanas & October Supplies"

2013-03-08T15:56:00.001-05:00

For March we will be reading, "Bandanas & October Supplies" by M. Dylan Raskin. We will also be hosting Raskin next month for a reading from the author. Read his book this month and come to the Inn next month to meet the author.

M. Dylan Raskin (MDR to friends) is back with the most unexpected of books—an offbeat love song to his ailing mother—that reads like a punk-rock version of The Five People You Meet in Heaven. Of course, there's a twist. As always, young Mr. Raskin has a lot on his mind. His generation is still stocked to the gills with morons and "walking clichés," and MDR's favorite things—blanket forts, fleece pants, cozy trees, and the month of October, to name just a few—are still in woefully short supply. But when his mother is diagnosed with cancer, MDR's usual troubles are forced to the backseat. Together, mother and son hit the road in their little Honda del Sol and scour America for peace and quiet and the "October supplies" they need to keep going. Equal parts road story, elegy, and hallucinatory bildungsroman, Bandanas and October Supplies is a bittersweet love story that is like no other book ever written about death, life, and the complex devotion between a mother and a son.

All are welcome. See you in a few weeks!

February literary club meet-up: "Peace Like a River"

2013-02-08T10:18:00.001-05:00

As we gear up for Nor'easter Nemo, we thought it was about time we get the book announced for the month since there could be some quality time to read over the weekend with all this predicted snow (but will it really happen?).

Some of the general thoughts from the discussion of last month's, "Gone Girl" were that it was a real page turner with an intricate twisting plot but we felt there wasn't much character development. It felt shallow. We didn't really care about who they were and, in turn, why they were acting as they were. Yes, there were moments that were funny and interesting but overall, it felt sort of flat. How about you, have you read it? What was your takeaway?

This month we are zooming back a few years to a book recommended from some women that have never led us astray in their book suggestions. "Peace like a River" by Lief Enger was written just after 9/11.

Hailed as one of the year's top five novels by Time, and selected as one of the best books of the year by nearly all major newspapers, national bestseller Peace Like a River captured the hearts of a nation in need of comfort. "A rich mixture of adventure, tragedy, and healing, " Peace Like a River is "a collage of legends from sources sacred and profane -- from the Old Testament to the Old West, from the Gospels to police dramas" (Ron Charles, The Christian Science Monitor). In "lyrical, openhearted prose" (Michael Glitz, The New York Post), Enger tells the story of eleven-year-old Reuben Land, an asthmatic boy who has reason to believe in miracles. Along with his sister and father, Reuben finds himself on a cross-country search for his outlaw older brother who has been controversially charged with murder. Their journey is touched by serendipity and the kindness of strangers, and its remarkable conclusion shows how family, love, and faith can stand up to the most terrifying of enemies, the most tragic of fates. Leif Enger's "miraculous" (Valerie Ryan, The Seattle Times) novel is a "perfect book for an anxious time ... of great literary merit that nonetheless restores readers' faith in the kindness of stories" (Marta Salij, Detroit Free Press).

Did you read this back when it came out? We are excited to delve in. Please join us on February 28th at 7:30PM in the Maxwell Perkins library to discuss. All are welcome to attend, even if you aren't able to read it but want to come listen and enjoy some discussion.

You can also join the facebook group here.

See you then!

Recent Review: Room 3

2013-02-01T09:00:00.005-05:00

It's February! Yesterday was warm & windy but the temperature is much more February today. Enjoy your first weekend of the month. We are gearing up for a full few days with our wonderful guests. Here's a recent review from one of our past guests.

Always am a bit hesitant to head to B&B's as I feel they can be on the musty side and so on. This place was a winner though. Completely renovated in 2010 it has beautiful pine floors, good wifi/TV, etc, excellent bathroom with heated floors and a bed that was so good, we slept through breakfast. Well sized, immaculate with modern/cheerful rooms. Very quiet as well & with helpful staff. Located in the pretty locale of Windsor and near 89/91 so easy on/off. Close to Quechee/Woodstock areas. Head to Simon Pearce for a great dinner by the water.

Room Tip: We stayed in Room 3. Up one floor. Faces street and parking but was still very quiet with lots of light.

Year in review: 2012

2013-01-08T19:05:00.001-05:00

Live @ Snapdragon with Chris Velan

Announcement that Colin Firth will be playing Maxwell Perkins in upcoming film

Beautiful Simon Pearce glass trees on our mantels

Our DIY pumpkins

A summer of beautiful weddings

Recipient of 2012 Certificate of excellence from TripAdvisor

Our week with Gordon Ramsay

Making lip balms with our very own beeswax

Having the most wonderful guests (and their notes)

More weddings

A new swing

Jen, our amazing event/wedding planner

and of course our 2012 Holiday Video

What a wonderful year. Thank you to all of our amazing guests.

Here's to another great one in 2013!

January literary club meet-up: "Gone Girl"

2013-01-04T12:54:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year folks! Our literary club took a break for the holidays after reading "The Great Gatsby" in November. We had an excellent discussion that evening on the excellence of Fitzgerald's prose and his biting social commentary of his time. We are ready to start the new year off with a book that topped many of the reading lists for 2012. Perhaps you have already read it?

On January 31st at 7:30PM will meet to discuss, "Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn. We haven't read a good thriller since " The Devil in the White City" earlier last year so we thought this would be a good change of pace for us.

From the author,

You might say I specialize in difficult characters. Damaged, disturbed, or downright nasty. Personally, I love each and every one of the misfits, losers, and outcasts in my three novels. My supporting characters are meth tweakers, truck-stop strippers, backwoods grifters ...

With Gone Girl, I wanted to go the opposite direction: what happens when two people intertwine their lives completely.I wanted to explore the geography of intimacy--and the devastation it can lead to. Marriage gone toxic.
Gone Girl opens on the occasion of Amy and Nick Dunne's fifth wedding anniversary. (How romantic.) Amy disappears under very disturbing circumstances. (Less romantic.) Nick and Amy Dunne were the golden couple when they first began their courtship. Soul mates. They could complete each other's sentences, guess each other's reactions. They could push each other's buttons. They are smart, charming, gorgeous, and also narcissistic, selfish, and cruel.

Are you ready to dive in? Luckily there is an extra week this month so you have 4 weeks to read and join us to discuss. All are welcome!

You can join our facebook group here to check out any updates.

2012 Snapdragon Inn Holiday Video Has Dropped!

2012-12-08T01:01:00.002-05:00

We merrily present: The 2012 Snapdragon Holiday Video

Visit our video site for all our holiday videos or watch the new 2012 video below.

Behind the scenes:

Fassbender + Firth = Movie Magic

2012-11-09T11:40:00.001-05:00

Can this really be true? Will the Mr. Darcy be playing literary giant Maxwell Perkins? It is! And if that isn't enough, Michael Fassbender will be playing the role of Thomas Wolfe, one of the authors Perkins discovered and mentored. The two had a creatively fruitful yet strained relationship, which we expect to be the focus of the film.

You heard it right. Colin Firth and Michael Fassbender.

Perkins & Wolfe

Firth & Fassbender

There is some serious excitement around the project. The official synopsis: "Finding fame and critical success at a young age, Wolfe is a blazing talent with a larger-than-life personality to match. Perkins is one of the most respected and well-known literary editors of all time, discovering such iconic novelists as F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway. Wolfe and Perkins develop a tender, complex friendship. Transformative and irrepressible, this friendship will change the lives of these brilliant, but very different men forever." Read in full here.

The script will be adapted by John Logan from the National Bestseller, "Max Perkins, Editor of Genius" by Scott A. Berg. Logan will add this project to a long list of screenplays, including Gladiator, Aviator, Hugo, and the new James Bond film, Skyfall. London stage director, Michael Grandage, is the director behind the project.

We would love to be of any assistance during the research or filming process. Perhaps Colin needs a place to stay while he walks in Perkins' beloved Paradise Park and gets all zen with the history of this wonderful place. We'd be more than happy to assist--the inn is very private and quiet and he can sit in the Maxwell Perkins library and meditate. ;) Give us a shout Colin!

Shooting is meant to begin in early 2014.

In case you want to read more about the buzz:

Telegraph
Book Buzz
Indie wire
Filming in Asheville
Hitflix
Filmolfia

November literary club meet-up: "The Great Gatsby"

2012-11-01T13:47:00.001-04:00

Last week, we had a great discussion of the "The Double Bind" by Chris Bohjalian. It is definitely a book that could be read again to uncover more depth but we had a great discussion about the many layers and the unique context of the book. It was also a fun comparison to the world we had read in "The Call" during October. Both had strong elements of the conscious subconscious the brain, and mental health. The characters of the "The Great Gatsby" do, indeed, play an important pull of the narrative and not all had read it, and if we had, it was in high school, so we have chosen that for our November title.

Perhaps we will see it differently with a fresh reading. This is also the first book that our own, Max Perkins (former owner), edited. We are excited to spend a little time discussing the relationship of Fitzgerald and Perkins as author and editor. Interestingly enough, Fitzgerald was unsure of what to name the novel. On November 7, 1924, Fitzgerald wrote to Perkins. —

"I have now decided to stick to the title I put on the book [...] Trimalchio in West Egg" but was eventually persuaded that the reference was too obscure and that people would not be able to pronounce it. His wife and Perkins both expressed their preference for The Great Gatsby and the next month Fitzgerald agreed.^[12] A month before publication, after a final review of the proofs, he asked if it would be possible to re-title itTrimalchio or Gold-Hatted Gatsby but Perkins advised against it. On March 19, Fitzgerald asked if the book could be renamed Under the Red, White and Blue but it was at that stage too late to change. The Great Gatsby was published on April 10, 1925. Fitzgerald remarked that "the title is only fair, rather bad than good".*

We will meet up on November 29th at 7:30PM in the Maxwell Perkins library. All are welcome! Even if you did read it a long time ago but would be interested in joining in, come on down. You can check for updates on our facebook page here.

*Bruccoli, Matthew Joseph (2002). Some Sort of Epic Grandeur: The Life of F. Scott Fitzgerald (2nd rev. ed.). Columbia, SC: University of South Carolina Press. ISBN 1-57003-455-9

October Literary club meet-up: "Double Bind"

2012-09-28T12:00:00.000-04:00

Last night we met to discuss, "The Call" by Yannick Murphy who actually lives one town over from us here in Windsor. It was unanimous; we all really liked it. As a novel, it has a very different tempo and structure but you get used to it quite quickly. We noticed that our discussion was a bit random but the book itself is a novel of extemporaneous thought (how most of us think). Rather than being confused and totally random, Murphy wove the free-flow thoughts of her protagonist veterinary, into a heavy story of pain, anger, patience, and empathy. It was especially fun when she mentioned things that were particularly local (like the zebra).

So we are carrying on with our Vermont kick and reading, "The Double Bind" by Chris Bohjalian. He is another Vermont author and the book takes place here too.

When Laurel Estabrook is attacked while riding her bicycle through Vermont’s back roads, her life is forever changed. Formerly outgoing, Laurel withdraws into her photography, spending all her free time at a homeless shelter. There she meets Bobbie Crocker, a man with a history of mental illness and a box of photographs that he won’t let anyone see. When Bobbie dies, Laurel discovers a deeply hidden secret–a story that leads her far from her old life, and into a cat-and-mouse game with pursuers who claim they want to save her. In a tale that travels between the Roaring Twenties and the twenty-first century, between Jay Gatsby’s Long Island and rural New England, bestselling author Chris Bohjalian has written his most extraordinary novel yet.

We were also intrigued by the connections to, "The Great Gatsby" edited by our very own Maxwell Perkins. We will meet on October 25th at 7:30PM in the Maxwell Perkins library. Join the Snapdragon Literary Club on facebook for any updates. All our welcome to join in on the discussion.

Speaking of Vermont authors...Archer Mayor will be reading from his new novel at the Inn on October 12th at 4PM. This event is being hosted by the Friends of the Windsor Library. You can even buy a raffle ticket that puts you in the running to name a character from his next novel...sweet!

Fall at the Inn

2012-09-28T10:34:00.000-04:00

( action shot-- tinfoil, masking tape, sprain paint & patience)

Fall is here and we have embraced this gorgeous time of the year with some chic fall decor. We got some inspiration online and pinned them to our Inn decor board. Then we got some masking tape, tin foil and spray paint and had some QT with our pumpkins. We had some glorious big white ones that look amazing as is but experimented with some of the others. It is time consuming but they sure look cool. We mixed it up with a few metallic ones as well. After we worked on ours, we saw the cover of Country Living and couldn't help but think that perhaps we had our finger on the pulse of the 2012 pumpkin trend. We love the way they turned out and think they fit right into our Snapdragon style. We suggest listening to the new Mumford & Sons album while you tape your patterns.

We can't wait to welcome all of our guests this colorful season.

September Literary club meet-up: September 27th

2012-09-04T13:29:00.002-04:00

For the month of September we are going local and reading a book by an author just a few towns over. We've heard excellent reviews and would love to have a read. It's "The Call" by Yannick Murphy.

The daily rhythm of a veterinarian’s family in rural New England is shaken when a hunting accident leaves their eldest son in a coma. With the lives of his loved ones unhinged, the veterinarian struggles to maintain stability while searching for the man responsible. But in the midst of their great trial an unexpected visitor arrives, requesting a favor that will have profound consequences—testing a loving father’s patience, humor, and resolve and forcing husband and wife to come to terms with what “family” truly means.

The Call is a gift from one of the most talented and extraordinary voices in contemporary fiction—a unique and heartfelt portrait of a family, poignant and rich in humor and imagination.

We hope everyone has had a smashing summer and beginning to settle into their new fall schedules. We'd love to have you out to our literary club meet-up or if you follow us from afar, send us a question or thought and we'll discuss it at our get together on Thursday September 27th.

You can also join our group here on facebook and check out the events tab for any updates.

Children of the Corn

2012-08-16T08:31:00.003-04:00

The Great Vermont Corn Maze is one of the top 10 mazes in the States. It is just over an hour from the Inn. It is located on a dairy farm that has been in the family for 3 generations. The layout is different every year and the maze has all sorts of fun surprises along the way. We love these arial photos from past years. They have lots of fun information on their website. We particularly liked this tidbit,

Having helped thousands of people lose themselves over a number of years, we can definitely say that the people who enjoy the maze the most are healthy ADULTS in their mid-twenty's to early 60's, as well as adults with young children (under 14 years old).

Have you ever been through a corn maze? Did you give up in the first 20 minutes or go for gold? We are very excited to check out the GVCM this year. Here is their facebook link for daily weather reports at the maze. See you there!

Wedding for Two at Snapdragon Inn

2012-08-10T14:47:00.002-04:00

This week we had a couple from Massachusetts head to the Snapdragon Inn to elope! We helped them with the few details they needed--a big thanks to Sandy at the Windsor Town Clerk's office, Ron for being their Justice of the Peace, and Robin at Sugarbush florist. Just before ten o'clock our happy couple strolled through the backyard and into Paradise Park to say "I do" by the lake. They were thrilled to have the entire day just to themselves and headed out to enjoy the beautiful Vermont summer ending with a romantic dinner at Simon Pearce.

Here is a little sneak peek of their special day at Snapdragon Inn. Congratulations Melissa & Timmy. Thanks for making us a part of your exciting day. We hope to see you again.

August Literary club meet-up: August 30th

2012-08-03T12:41:00.001-04:00

Thanks to everyone who made it out to our meet-up last week to discuss "Pastwatch". We really enjoyed our adventure into science fiction last month but our delving back into our love of true stories as we read "Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project" by Jack Mayer.

During World War II, Irena Sendler, a Polish Catholic social worker, organized a rescue network of fellow social workers to save 2,500 Jewish children from certain death in the Warsaw ghetto. Incredibly, after the war her heroism, like that of many others, was suppressed by communist Poland and remained virtually unknown for 60 years. Unknown, that is, until three high school girls from an economically depressed, rural school district in southeast Kansas stumbled upon a tantalizing reference to Sendler's rescues, which they fashioned into a history project, a play they called Life in a Jar. Their innocent drama was first seen in Kansas, then the Midwest, then New York, Los Angeles, Montreal, and finally Poland, where they elevated Irena Sendler to a national hero, championing her legacy of tolerance and respect for all people. Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project is a Holocaust history and more. It is the inspirational story of Protestant students from Kansas, each carrying her own painful burden, each called in her own complex way to the history of a Catholic woman who knocked on Jewish doors in the Warsaw ghetto and, in Sendler's own words, "tried to talk the mothers out of their children."

You can read more about the Irena Sendler Project here. It sounds like an inspirational read. Join us!

We will meet on August 30th at 7:30PM in the Maxwell Perkins Library at Snapdragon Inn. Everyone is welcome to join in. You can also join the event here or the group on facebook to hear about updates.

"Don't change-not even a little"

2012-07-18T08:20:00.000-04:00

Summer is in full swing here at the Inn! We recently hosted a wonderful family for their reunion and then prepared Snapdragon Inn for a beautiful wedding over the weekend. We love our guests and, of course, love when we receive these wonderful notes.

Dear Snapdragon Inn,

Thank you for a lovely stay. We enjoyed our time here immensely.

Don't change-not even a little.

This review from our family reunion just came into our TripAdvisor queue.

Where do I begin?! The staff were awesome to work with in planning our family reunion. And while there the staff did a wonderful job of keeping areas clean and well stocked while staying in the background and never intruding on anyone. When we arrived, all was organized and ready for us. Our rooms were large and comfortable and well furnished. Breakfast every morning was delightful with many choices and a comfortable room in which to enjoy it.

The porch was one of the surprise highlights for our group as it is expansive and seated most in rocking chairs overlooking their beautiful large backyard. Cocktails were enjoyed on the veranda every night!

We feel very blessed to have had such a great inn for our family gathering!

Wedding Bells

2012-07-11T12:02:00.001-04:00

Wedding season is upon us! Our wedding planner Jen has her finger on the pulse of what will make the perfect day. You can email her with your requests and ideas both large and small. Jen recently designed a marketing photo shoot for upcoming event ads. Whether it is the backdrop of Paradise Park, or the wonderful lawns and outdoor spaces, or the simple and elegant interior, Snapdragon Inn is the perfect spot for an event, retreat, or wedding. We are also thrilled to be part of the summer/spring wedding vendor listing in Vermont Vows Magazine.

July Literary Club Meet-up: July 26th

2012-06-29T22:42:00.000-04:00

Last night we had our Literary club meet-up to discuss the adventurous spirits of Ros and Dot from "Nothing Daunted: The Unexpected education of two society girls in the West" by Dorothy Wickendon. If you like autobiographical fare or stories of the ole West in the early 1900's, this book is for you! It felt so real and for good reason, it is. It recounts the life histories of two friends from Auburn, NY who attend Smith college and upon graduating and taking a year in Europe to travel (and perfect their German and French) and not willing to settle down with just any suitor, take a job as school teachers in a tiny homesteading mountain town in Colorado. These women were strong, smart, adventurous, and remarkable.

This month, we are switching it a bit and moving away from our historical fiction of early America and going Sci-Fi with Orson Scott Card's "Pastwatch". This book has come up a couple times as a possible read and we thought a little summer sci-fi adventure would be cool. We read that it was "perhaps the finest alternate time travel novel yet written" could be exciting and different. If you haven't read anything by Scott Card, he is a true story crafter and we are excited to dig in. This will be the fifth time reading "Pastwatch" for one of our club members. Here is a review from Publisher's Weekly.

Playing with the time stream isn't new to science fiction, but Card (Ender's Game), who's won both a Hugo and a Nebula, gives the concept a new twist here-with mixed results. His angle is to make the temporal interference not accidental but intentional, as a group of scientists go back in time to alter Columbus's journey. Sponsored by the organization Pastwatch, which uses a machine called TruSite II to view the past in remarkable detail, the "Columbus Project" is headed by Tagiri, whose TruSite viewing of the horrors of slavery has prompted her to revise the famed explorer's agenda. Tagiri sends into the past her daughter, Diko, a Mayan descendent named Hunahpu and a man named Kemal, a prickly sort whose initial skepticism is transformed into a fierce commitment to change the past. Armed with devices from the future, the three return to 1492, determined to transform Columbus from a gold-seeking pirate into a proponent of world peace and global unity. Uniformly well-meaning, the trio is just too sanctified to believe, and in their hands, the complexities of temporal mechanics are boiled down to simplistic cause and effect. Some sparks are generated when the Pastwatchers finally meet Columbus, but even that encounter produces fewer surprises than you'd expect from a master like Card.

We will meet on July 26th ay 7:30PM in the Maxwell Perkins Library at Snapdragon Inn. All are welcome to join in. You can also join the event here or the group on facebook and hear about updates.

It’s the only place I’ll stay...

2012-06-19T14:13:00.000-04:00

Maxwell Perkins Library ~ A sketch of Max Perkins by himself found here ~

Room 1 ~ Bathroom Ammenities

This review just popped up on our TripAdvisor page. We love when our guests notice and take joy in the details. Afterall, we do it for them.

I do quite a bit of traveling for work and have stayed at many of the top hotels/inns around the globe. So when it comes to accommodations, I tend to be very picky about where I stay. I had the privilege of staying at the Snapdragon Inn this past weekend and it was one of the best places I’ve ever been. Once you enter the inn, you instantly realize how special the place is. I was warmly greeted by the receptionist and was given a brief tour of the main floor. The lady described the inn’s rich history (formerly owned by Max Perkins, who worked closely with Hemmingway, Fitzgerald, and others), while showcasing their impressive library. Outside the library is a covered porch overlooking an immaculate garden; a perfect sitting area to relax and unwind. I really appreciated the warm welcome and the attention to detail evident throughout.

My room (room #1) was equally impressive. It was generously sized and it was spotless. I thought the copy of Farewell to Arms (which happens to be one of my favorite books) on the desk was a very nice touch. The bed was to die for…. It made the Westin’s “heavenly” bed look quite ordinary. I can’t remember the last time I had such a good night’s sleep. The bathroom was pristine, with radiant floor heating and an amazing shower. The L’Occitane bath products were also a nice a touch.
Overall, I absolutely loved my stay at the Snapdragon Inn. It’s the only place I’ll stay when visiting the Windsor/Woodstock area. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to treat themselves for a weekend/vacation.

Summer Fun In Vermont: Things to Do

2012-06-15T13:43:00.000-04:00

This weekend is going to be a goodie!

The Inn has a front row seat to the, always festive, Windsor Alumni parade on Saturday morning. Our Public Library always holds a wonderful book sale and there will be live music, food, and activities on the green. It's a perfect way to experience a small town in Vermont. Then you can head over the hills to the Quechee Balloon Festival which always proves to be a fun day and night as balloons lift up into the sky.

Here is a great list of more fun activities for kids (and adults) all summer long in Vermont.

We've also launched an exciting selection of one night packages here at the Inn. From glass-blowing to fishing to golf and even a New York Bestseller, there is something for everyone!

Three cheers for Summer in Vermont!

Snapdragon Inn Father's Day Wish List

2012-06-15T13:31:00.004-04:00

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY--this Sunday!

We asked the fathers in our group for Father's day gift ideas. (Remember our mom's wishlist?) Quite the range, huh? It was fun gathering their ideas. We know they will actually be getting lots of hugs & homemade pictures instead, which they will love more than their very own Mars base.

1. 18v lithium battery drill.
2. The 197 horsepower Yamaha V Max motorcycle.
3. His very own Mars base.
4. Season tickets and travel costs to attend every sports event from NASCAR to Rugby (everything in between NFL, MLB, Cricket, Soccer, etc) for a single year. (That's all...)
5. Motorcycle with sidecar.
6. Industrial Light & Magic: The Art of Innovation.
7. Eclipse 500 Jet.
8. Kindle Fire.
9. Logitech Harmony Remote.

Also mentioned:

- A home theatre.
- Riding lawn mower.
- Chevy Camero.
- Less body pain.
- Chaz's Chocolate Chip Cookies.
- If you haven't seen this, it's clever and quite funny.

Still looking for a gift? There are still a couple days left to capture our special Father's day spa deal available on our Facebook page. Claim the Facebook offer to save 50%!

We Love Guest Notes...

2012-06-08T07:50:00.003-04:00

We recently wrote about our new all natural and organic lip balms. We place a Revive or Relax lip balm in each room here at Snapdragon Inn. We recently received a little note from a previous guest who is still enjoying her product.

"Still using that chapstick from my room and loving it!" -A

Our upcoming production of lip balms and hand salves will include bees wax from our very own Snapdragon Inn hive as well.

Thanks for the feedback! Purchase lip balms here

June Literary Club Meet-up: June 28

2012-06-01T08:34:00.002-04:00

Last night we had a wonderful time chatting about "The Art of Racing in the Rain"while sitting on the back porch of the inn on a perfect early summer evening.

The book was unanimously well liked. You may be somewhat skeptical of a book written from the point-of-view of a dog, some of us were, but it was a unique and delightful read. It certainly makes you think twice about what the animals (or quiet observers) in your life might be thinking. A fresh perspective for sure.

Moving on.

For the month of June we will be reading "Nothing Daunted: The Unexpected Education of Two Society Girls in the West" by Dorothy Wickenden. It sounds like a bit of adventure, steeped in history.

Dorothy Woodruff and Rosamond Underwood attended grade school and Smith College together, spent nine months on a grand tour of Europe in 1910, and then, bored with society luncheons and chaperoned balls and not yet ready for marriage, they went off to teach the children of homesteaders in a remote schoolhouse on the Western Slope of Colorado. They traveled on the new railroad over the Continental Divide and by wagon to Elkhead, a tiny settlement far from the nearest town. Their students came to school from miles away in tattered clothes and shoes tied together with string.

Dorothy Woodruff was the grandmother of New Yorker executive editor Dorothy Wickenden. Nearly one hundred years later, Wickenden found the buoyant, detailed, colorful letters the two women wrote to their families. Through them, she has chronicled their trials in the classroom, the cowboys and pioneering women they met, and the violent kidnapping of a close friend. Central to their narrative is Ferry Carpenter, the witty, idealistic, and occasionally outrageous young lawyer and cattle rancher who hired them, in part because he thought they would make attractive and cultivated brides. None of them imagined the transforming effect the year would have—on the children, the families, and the teachers.

Wickenden set out on her own journey to discover what two intrepid Eastern women found when they went West, and what America was like at that uncertain moment, with the country poised for the First World War, but going through its own period of self-discovery.

Drawing upon the letters, interviews with descendants, research about these vanished communities, and trips to the region, Wickenden creates a compelling, original saga about the two intrepid young women and the “settling up” of the West.

We enjoyed traveling to the present day Seattle in our latest read but are excited to head back to the early 1900's with these two women as they travel from the East to Colorado. Come with us! You can join the Snapdragon Literary Club page here and check out any updates for this month here. All our welcome.

Happy June! We hope you have a great weekend.

Literary Package

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We love the literary heritage at Snapdragon Inn and want to find as many ways to tie into it as possible. We have even launched a special New York Times Best Seller Package which would be a perfect gift for any book lover close to your heart.

Treat your mind and body. Sit on the back porch, find a shady spot in Paradise Park, or stay tucked in bed and enjoy a great book. This package is perfect for those looking for a literary and relaxation escape. When you book your package, choose from any current New York Times Bestseller and it will be waiting for you in your room on arrival. Along with a great book, you’ll also enjoy your choice of a relaxation massage or cleansing facial at Snapdragon Inn Spa.

Tomorrow night will be the Snapdragon Literary club's fourteenth meeting! You can check out past books on our pinterest board. Doesn't it looks colorful?If you haven't had a chance to read "The Art of Racing in the Rain" by Garth Stein, you have 24 more hours before we meet-up tomorrow night at 7:30PM at the Inn to discuss. One of our attendees read the whole thing last night--sure, she was up until 2AM but it's a great read.