Sweetheart Beach

My, I Wish Miami...

2009-10-10T07:46:00.000-07:00

There's been the first frost of the season this morning near Chicago, and a hard freeze predicted for tonight.

This is unusually early in the season, usually it's early to mid-November before a hard freeze, at least late October.

I could sure stand a few days of warm salt breezes and sunshine on my face...

Dan

A Day At The Beach...

2009-10-10T07:44:00.001-07:00

A Day At The Beach...

Sand - soft and giving usually,
Today packed and damp and hard,
Breakers rumbling tumbling rippling rolling,
Ceaseless as the wind in your hair ears eyes face,
Sea gulls climb it screeching swooping gliding turning,
Sky of grey steel blue charcoal ash in constant motion,
Sun faded washed scrubbed over-dubbed clouds,
Grasses waving blowing swaying rustling browning,
Trees whipping bending tapping turning browning,
Leaves flying drifting swirling falling sliding,
Red ones orange ones yellow ones brown ones crinkle and blow and rustle,
Lake Michigan powerful at your feet moving spraying churning.

The only still things driftwood sitting on the dark yellow sand and old footprints.

Autumn is here and it's another day at the beach.

AquarianM

By: Daniel A. Stafford
© 10/10/2009

Well, this project has been defunct for a bit.

2009-09-24T04:25:00.000-07:00

Issues with my web-host for the main site, financial fun, etc.

Actually, I could use a day at the beach.

I'll try to get everything back online in the next month or so - and then upscale it from there.

Dan

I really miss the beach this time of year...

2009-01-30T10:48:00.000-08:00

...it's almost february and I want to be a snowbird and fly South really badly.

Dan

My new sax blog...

2008-11-20T02:33:00.000-08:00

... is called "66 Sax" after my 1966 Selmer Bundy tenor sax, "Bello." (Serial number 411559 - and the name is a play on the English word for making a loud noise or yell, and the the Italian word for "handsome.")

You can check it out here: http://66sax.blogspot.com/ - including my healing Earth song, "Pacha Mama Prayer."

Regards and have fun,

Dan

One For The Sunshine...

2008-11-13T02:10:00.000-08:00

...which has been too long overdue. I could stand to put my feet in some hot sand today.

Breezin'

Standing on the razor's edge between sand and surf,
The sun shines down and slows me,
Sea gull glides and flares at my feet,
Hoping I'm carrying but I'm not,
I pick up stone after stone flat and skimming,
Froth on one foot fire on the other,
Five seconds from a cool splash and body surfing,
A parasol flutters and my hair flies back,
I close my eyes and hear life sigh,
Just breezin'.

Dan

Art-deco house

2008-10-29T05:18:00.000-07:00

Wow, is this a cool house, or what?!

You can read all about it here:

http://www.pbcgov.com/PubInf/News_Room/06-06/06-20-06_wenger.htm

Invites for gift shop advertisers

2008-10-29T05:14:00.000-07:00

I've just sent e-mail invitations to a couple of destination wedding services located at beachside that use "sweetheart beach" in their titles to register at the forum and post links to their sites in the Gift Shop.

A little Treat From The Miami Art Deco District

2008-04-13T21:42:00.000-07:00

I wanted to show you just a bit of the art deco style tonight, and give you a link to some of the inspiration for this site.

A Magazineusa.com article on the Art Deco District

Easter On The Beach

2008-03-23T09:15:00.000-07:00

Sunny, 75, breezy. Things are nice and green around here, the waters are blue, the waves gentle and white. Potted lilies are set out about the place, and Spring is everywhere.

In the Ballroom, a beautiful Easter brunch has been set up, with the glowing colors swirling in the lighted dance floor under the tables. Laden with fluffy scrambled eggs, sausage patties and links, made-from-scratch corned beef hash, pancakes, waffles, fresh fruit and melons, piles of fresh limes, grapefruits, and oranges, and gallons of fresh-squeezed orange juice, not a guest will go hungry here.

This morning, Easter services were held on the beach, and the message of the sermon was how we should all love and care for each other here on Earth.

To all Mankind, happy Easter. It's a good day to be alive.

Blessings,

Dan

New companion Yahoo discussion group created

2008-03-22T06:56:00.000-07:00

For those of you who prefer e-mail discussion groups, we now have a group list on Yahoo at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sweetheartbeach/

Posts from our blog ( http://sweetheartbeach.blogspot.com/ ) will automatically appear as messages in the Yahoo group as well.

Regards,

Dan

Discount bikinis now available in the Gift Shop

2008-03-19T13:32:00.000-07:00

Now available at The Gift Shop in our discussion forums:

Dscount bikinis online

Relaxing in the pool after karate lessons.

2008-03-19T02:44:00.000-07:00

It was a great time at the dojo, but now it's time for a cool dip in the pool.

Between the clear water and the pastel colors in the pool room, it's serene here. Interestingly enough, the pool is shaped like a huge white sea shell - like the kind they use for the Shell Oil logo in a soft creamy white with pastel pink-white along the ridges between shell sections.

Around the walls are port holes interspersed with potted palms in an aqua-blue room.

Back floating, I glide easily from side to side, staring at the white ceiling in the silence of laying your head back in the water. The water is just right, not too hot, not too cool.

I see the beach and a starlit sky to the West out the main windows when I swim to the side and rest my head on my arms, lazily kicking my feet.

Perfect.

Links to Art Deco Organizations, and a nice surprise

2008-03-16T06:51:00.000-07:00

Check out Mimi Payne's incredible collection of 1950's - 1960's matchbook covers, menus, postcards, and brochures for tropical-themed bars and restaurants from all over the world:

bar advertisement

And here are a few Art Deco sites with a LOT to offer:

http://www.decopix.com/

Houston Art Deco

The Midland Hotel

Save The Sameric Theatre

Heidi Dressler's Kalamazoo Art Deco

Art Deco Ireland

Viktor Schreckengost

Tony Robins' Art Deco Metropolis

Lara Goeke's Art Deco Architecture

The Virtual Deco Derby Tour

Melbourne Art Deco

The Twentieth Century Society

Museum Of The Thirties, Paris

Cinema & Theatre Historical Society of Victoria (Australia)

Art Deco Trust - Napier, New Zealand

Art Deco Society of Washington, D.C.

Save Britain's Heritage

The Parkinson Architectural Archives

Museo Art Nouveau Y Art Deco (Spain)

Cinema Theatre Association

Theatre Historical Society

Brohan Museum (Berlin)

Setting up new "Hotel Rooms" in our forums

2008-03-15T03:47:00.000-07:00

Here's a list of the rooms created so far at our DISCUSSION FORUMS:

At The Hotel

Board
Topics
Posts
Last Post

Check In
Let us know who you are, grab your keys, and have some fun tonight!
Moderators : sweetheart , aquarianm
1
1
Today at 1:41 amin Get Your Keys Here by aquarianm

On The Beach
What are you doing out on Sweetheart Beach today? Got a hot new bathing suit? Playing volley ball? Riding an inner tube in the surf? Watching the hottie walking/swimming by? This is the place for beach discussion.
Moderators : sweetheart , aquarianm
0
0
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The Gift Shop
Souvenirs, cards, photos, knick-knacks, t-shirts and sweatshirts, jackets, caps, mugs, flowers, and more. We'll even take suggestions on what to carry...
Moderators : sweetheart , aquarianm
0
0
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In The Pool
Raining outside? Swim in the pool or relax on a pool-side recliner with a good book.
Moderators : sweetheart , aquarianm
0
0
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In The Ballroom
Whose playing on the stage today? What are you drinking? What level are you sitting at? Are you out on the dance floor? What did you have for dinner? Who whispered what in your ear while you were out dancing?
Moderators : sweetheart , aquarianm
0
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At The Conch Shell Bar
What's in your glass tonight? Pouring it all out to the bartender? Making a pass at Gorgeous over there? Just passing time?
Moderators : sweetheart , aquarianm
0
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In Your Room...
What are you doing in your room right now? Shaving? Watching TV? Unpacking for vacation? Packing up to go home? Snuggles with your cuddles? Snoozing awhile?
Moderators : sweetheart , aquarianm
0
0
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The Penthouse Honeymoon Suite
Hot tub, hot night, or heartache? This is the place for romance, if you have it in you...
Moderators : sweetheart , aquarianm
0
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The Laundry
What needs cleaning up around here?
Moderators : sweetheart , aquarianm
0
0
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The Office
Staff only, please. Someone has to keep the guests happy and pampered!
Moderators : sweetheart , aquarianm

Regards,

Dan
www.sweetheartbeach.com

The Discussion Forum Is Up

2008-03-14T12:16:00.000-07:00

We have an online discussion forum where "guests" can interact, make suggestions, talk about Florida vacation memories, post pictures, and have all the fun possible without actually being on the ground in 1950's Florida.

The forum is still in it's early stages, and quite a bit needs to be added to it, including variable themes, but it is functional at this time.

Meanwhile, I need to go to my room and hit the pillow. It's been a long day building this place!

Dan

Updates to location map and rates/amenities pages...

2008-03-14T03:02:00.000-07:00

...I've just gone in and touched up our location map and rates/amenities pages at www.sweetheartbeach.com - so take a peek when you have a few minutes.

There's still a lot more work to be done, and learning how to install the forum software has me scratching my head and gritting my teeth, but it'll be worth it in the long run. I'm looking forward to the time when the site is mostly built, and I can do the fun part - write stories about Sweetheart Beach, of course!

Thank Y'all for stoppin' in.

Dan

New Main Site Started

2008-03-13T11:06:00.000-07:00

At www.sweetheartbeach.com , we have a new look and feel under construction. The new main web site will start out modeled after a hotel web site with links for rooms, rates, mapping, special attractions and events, local attractions, and hotel amenities. Everything of course will be right up-front regarding the fictional, playful nature of the Sweetheart Beach Hotel.

Our aim here is to preserve the feel of early Florida vacations in the face of today's massive condo developments, strip malls, and chain stores. The mom-n-pop uniqueness of Florida vacations of the past is vanishing into the sameness and bland banality of the big chain businesses - except here at www.sweetheartbeach.com and http://sweetheartbeach.blogspot.com .

Soon, there'll be a discussion forum with "rooms" guests can visit, "local" attractions and businesses, and more. Get ready for an on-going old-time Florida vacation, and don't hold the lemonade and key lime pie!

The Sweetheart Beach Hotel Lounge and Ballroom

2008-03-12T10:21:00.000-07:00

The Sweetheart Beach Hotel Lounge and Ballroom is a four-story tall open area at the North end of the hotel, modeled similarly to the famous Rainbow Room of the Hotel Baker in St. Charles, Illinois, shown at left. The Sweetheart Beach Ballroom, however, is four stories tall and quite differently decorated, with a soft "sea-side" motif.

The ballroom features dancing and dining, with a centrally located dance floor and a stage area at the South end of the room.

Seating for diners and lounge guests is arranged on balconies near the windows on each floor around the outer edge of the ballroom. On each level above the floor level is a three-way catwalk leading to a suspended twelve-person dining table located at the Northern edge of the space above the dance floor. (Locating these directly over the dance floor would have impaired the view of the dancers, and opened the possibility of objects, drinks, or food falling on the dance floor.)

The Conch Shell Bar is located at the far North of the ballroom ground floor, and serves a full compliment of hard and soft drink refreshments.

The Loading Dock band stand is located at the far South end of the ground floor, and features room for a twelve-piece band and innovative lighting.

The dance floor, in the center area of the ballroom ground floor, is modeled after the Rainbow Room dance floor of the Hotel Baker, located in St. Charles, Illinois, where many famous musicians of the twenties and thirties once played for a local radio show. You can see the rainbow room at the top of this post. Note the dance floor itself, which is composed of glass blocks underlaid with colored lights that change color in time to the music being played. This feature is carried over to the Sweetheart Beach dance floor and expanded.

The motif in the Sweetheart Beach Ballroom is a soft pastel aqua and sea shell pink and white with an art deco flair perfect for dancing near the waves.

During mild and and starry night time weather, the windows on all four levels can be opened by request at each table's preference, to allow the balmy evening breezes, the sound of ocean waves, starlight, and moonlight to pass. Windows may also be left closed at our guests' discretion.

We hope you enjoy the smooth, romantic sounds of our band and musical guests as you dine by the warm sea in Sweetheart Beach.

The Hotel

2008-03-11T11:29:00.001-07:00

The sweetheart Beach Hotel looks a little like an art deco dream of a cruise ship at night.

First, there's the grand entry hall and check-in under the huge vertical marquis. To the left are four floors of rooms and the central pool on the ground floor. To the right are a few custom suites, a theatre, and the grand ball room and dining room.

Outside there's the beach, and a children's wading pool filled with salt water. There are tennis courts, and a volley ball court on the beach.

The hotel is located, of course, in Sweetheart Beach, Florida, on the Gulf Coast, just a bit South of Panama city, where the sands are white, and the waters emerald. By the time you reach Sweetheart Beach, the sands are fading to yellow, and the water is a stunning turquoise-green color.

You'll always find Room Service ready to deliver with a smile, friendly bellhops, and a full-service laundry ready to keep you looking sharp and comfortable.

In town, there is the Maribel Maritime Museum, and several family-friendly restaurants and diners. There are Gulf Coast boat tours, evening dinner sailing cruises, snorkeling tours, and wild life guides. There is a friendly little local library, and a large supermarket with wonderful fresh produce, groceries, and other sundries. There are clothing and jewelry shops, swim wear shops, shoe shops, two art galleries, and a car dealer and rental. Souvenirs can be found at little places along the gulf-coast highway One, as well as bait and tackle shops, fishing guides, and of course, fresh oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and limes.

Fresh orange juice is served free of charge at the hotel 'round the clock for hotel guests and their families. Continental breakfast with grapefruit, limes, or oranges is served from 07:00 am until 10:30 am every day.

Stop on by, relax, and watch the palm trees sway in the warm breezes off the Gulf. Enjoy spectacular sunsets, and fine dining in the lounge, where Gulf sea food is a speciality. Listen to the warm Southern sounds of Skipper Dean's Big Swing Band, or the occasional guest artist come to make music just for you.

You can't go wrong at the happy-go-lucky Sweetheart Beach Hotel!

Meet The Owners

2008-03-11T03:49:00.000-07:00

Dan and Saren Stafford bought Sweetheart Beach Hotel in 1949 after being married for ten years. It was a dream come true for the couple - a place to live in sunny Florida, a way to earn a living making others happy and comfortable, a nice nightclub with great music, and plenty of interesting people to watch or make friends with from all over the country.

They refurbished the hotel in a style similar to that found in the Miami South Beach Art Deco Disrict (At left) because they loved the period style.

The art deco era left behind a unique, colorful gracefully-lined legacy that lends itself perfectly to warm sunny places and hot nightlife. Dance on, Ginger Rogers!

The couple share an eclectic range of tastes, and the beach is high on the list for both, along with music, art, and cinema.

Dan also loves outside strolls, karate, jazz, and this new-fangled rock and roll. Saren loves shopping, big band, and classical music.

She's tall at 5'10", he's taller at 6'6". Both are a little on the blond side with a lot of Irish in the mix, and good-natured as you'll find anywhere.

Welcome to Sweeheart Beach!

2008-03-11T03:30:00.000-07:00

Sweetheart Beach is a fantasy playground. Set in the 1950's in Florida, it is an art-deco hotel at the height of its neon, beachside glory, with campy americana, odd or suave, even svelte characters. Romance, mystery, and good old vacation-time fun. Reader suggestions are welcomed for story-lines. So, jump in, comment on, and let's create a cast of colorful regulars to crew the Sweetheart Beach Hotel. Let the fun-n-sun begin!