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A hundred years ago, when I rowed on the lightweight crew at Penn, the coach had a very special attitude. He would have a meeting with the crew before each race and would explain the course and the curves and any problems with the course, then he would get the whole crew together and in prayer-like manner, he would tell us, and I quote, “If you can keep your head when all about you, others are losing theirs, you are a winner”. I am proud to say that we are winners here at Audrey’s Farmhouse. We’ve kept our heads, amid all the chaos and confusion in the World and in the bed and breakfast business and getting better here. We are having a very good season, we have a lovely staff and are treating our guests better than ever before. At the end of each person’s stay I hear them rave and tell us just how wonderful it was, and how they are coming back and will tell all their friends. I can judge we are doing the right thing, because we have an 85% return ratio. This is our 28th year and I am proud to say that in this day and age, we are doing more for our guests than we ever have before.

It’s Friday afternoon, and I have just left the kitchen, where there was a huge, huge pot of chili which will be coupled with Jackie’s wonderful cornbread, so that when our guests arrive, they don’t have to run around in the cold searching for a place for dinner. There is butter and coffee, fresh cookies and cakes, and beer if it is required. The crockpot was a Christmas gift from the girls to us and now it is used to enhance our hospitality. The drive on a Friday night is stressful enough and this will make it comfortable, knowing that dinner is waiting. Afterwards, relax in our beautiful new Jacuzzi, maybe even with a glass of wine.

I am sorry to say that we took a tremendous hit with Hurricane Irene. You will notice when you arrive that we are without 7 major trees and it changes the appearance of the property. The good news is that we have plenty of firewood and new planters. The Farmhouse is still intact and suffered minimal damage. Our local fire company cooperated tremendously and helped us get through the disaster. Jackie was instrumental in getting us through the storm.

I repeat in every newsletter the activities that we have in the area. Ice skating, cross country skiing (when there is snow) and wonderful hiking. But the best part is coming back to the Farmhouse and sitting in front of the fire with hot chocolate and s’mores and socializing with the other guests. Sometimes the conversations become so engrossing that the guests decide to order a couple of pizzas and stay home for dinner. Our library is stocked with a multitude of games, videos, music and books to while away the cold dreary winter afternoons. That’s what happens at Audrey’s Farmhouse, that’s the reputation we have and that’s the legacy we want to pass on forever.

We are ALIVE at Audrey’s Farmhouse, we realize the uproar in the world, and we recognize the fact that hotels and motels are charging more and giving less. I want to mention some new facets in our operation, mainly, a new logo of Shawnee in motion, a new and wonderful paint job in the kitchen, our focus and concentration on special menus. We have many new doggy treats. We are sporting a brand new Keurig machine for your coffee and hot chocolate needs any time of the day or night along with Jackie’s special baked goods.

Audrey and I have never been to another bed and breakfast in our 28 years of operation, but we will continue to give more to maintain our stellar and exalted return ratio. I will speak to you later on in the spring.

Don Leff for Audrey and the Staff