Maternity Department

I am thrilled to share with you Rosario Resort's Maternity Department - from left to right, Ioulia Yerly, hostess in the Mansion Dining Room (due April 14), Camille Donaghue, Restaurant Manager (due April 7) and Danielle Sigler from the Front Desk (due April 14). Missing from the photo (yes, there are four!) is Cristal Carreon from Housekeeping. They are all expecting girls! I don't remember any Orcas Island power outages last July... there must be something in the Orcas Island water!
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Aloha

Speaking of dockhands, many of you who that have visited the Rosario Resort Marina know my daughters Jenole and Cara. They have worked the last two years on the docks and wanted to send their "aloha" to everyone at Rosario on our recent trip to visit family in Hawaii.



The next photo from Hawaii is me (Christopher Peacock) and speaks for itself!



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Happy Easter

I’d like to share with you photos from today’s Easter Brunch at Rosario Resort & Spa. Executive Chef Lutz and his staff put on quite a feast! First, let me say the Easter Bunny really does exist, as evidenced by this first photo. For those of you that boat to Orcas Island and the Rosario Marina, you may recognize our dockhand Erik Hansen!


Erik was joining his family, hosted by former Rosario owner Sarah Geiser (center back), and Rosario’s next door neighbor Kay Whiting (foreground, left).


The Tapa and Starter table was elegant!


The highlight was the incredible Poached Salmon.


Chef Lutz presents the Salmon on Saffron Cream.


It’s always nice to see so many Orcas Island residents (“locals”) enjoying the brunch, including Rosario founder Robert Moran’s great granddaughter Patty Moran-Hodge (with husband Terry) and their children Winslow and Melissa (Robert Moran’s great, great grandchildren!!!).


Banquet Chef Greg Naylor mans the carving and omelet station.


Finally, Pastry Chef Felicity Milne once again outdid herself with a huge chocolate Easter Sculpture featuring the Easter Bunny (with carrots in the garden) and a newly hatch Easter Chick! As I was playing the piano a few feet away, I can attest that the dessert table was always crowded!




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Daffodils

My very first post on this blog was of our first snow in December. It is now officially spring and a beautiful spring day indeed on Orcas Island. I watched a wonderful independent British film last night called "Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont" (highly recommended), in which the characters where quoting William Wordsworth. As I walked up to the Moran Mansion at Rosario Resort this morning, the setting was a vortex of spring, daffodils and William Wordsworth!

Daffodils
by William Wordsworth

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced, but they
Out-did the sparkling leaves in glee;
A oet could not be but gay,
In such a jocund company!
I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.


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Beaujolais Poached Pear Dessert Recipe

In the early 1900's, fruit farming had become one of the main commercial enterprises on Orcas Island. Pictured on the left is Jimmy Geoghegan picking a pear from the family orchard in 1919 (photo courtesy of the Orcas Island Historical Museum). Fruit orchards were being planting all over the island as it was soon discovered that the island climate and soil were perfect for fruit trees. Soon, steamships leaving Orcas Island were loaded with wooden barrels and boxes of fruit on their way to market. The photo below shows an early orchard in the heart of Eastsound in 1900.

Old fruit trees and apple barns from this early Orcas Island industry are still visible around the island today. In honor of this early industry, Rosario's Pastry Chef Felicity Milne is sharing her "Beaujolais Poached Pear" dessert recipe... thanks Felicity!



BEAUJOLAIS POACHED PEARS

6 servings

Poached Pears
1 LT. bottle Beaujolais wine
4 cups basic red table wine
4 cups sugar
4 oranges, zest and then juice
½ TB whole peppercorns
1 tsp whole cloves
6 pears, peeled with stems left on

Combine all ingredients and simmer for 10 minutes.
Add the peeled pears.
Lay a piece of parchment paper over the pears, weigh it down with something light to help keep pears below the surface.
Reduce heat to just below a simmer and poach for about 45 minutes -1 hr or until tender. (It depends on the ripeness of the pears.)
Remove pears, stand upright so that they settle and flatten on the bottom. Chill.
Return the poaching liquid to the heat and simmer until reduced by half and thickened.
Chill the sauce. (It can be kept chilled for up to 2 weeks)

Pistachio Gorgonzola Wafers
4 oz. butter, room temperature
8 oz. Gorgonzola, crumbled
1 cup flour
¾ cup pistachio nuts
½ tsp salt

Preheat oven to 375’
Combine butter and cheese in a food processor and blend until creamy. Add flour, nuts and salt. Process until the nuts are chopped and dough comes together.
Form into cylinders, wrap in plastic wrap and chill. When firm, cut or slice into desired shape and bake on parchment lined sheet pan until golden brown and crisp.
Wrap remaining dough and chill or freeze for future use.

To Serve:
Place a poached pear in the center of each plate, pour a bit of the reduced Beaujolais sauce over the pear.
Lay the pistachio gorgonzola wafer next to it.
Sprinkle dessert with chopped pistachios.




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Plan Easter Brunch at Rosario

Easter is a week away and so is Rosario Resort's fabulous Easter Brunch!



Rosario Easter Brunch Buffet
Serving 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
$36 adults
$12 for children 11 and under
5 and under eat free
Reservations, please - 360-376-2222

Salads and Starters
Asian Grilled Chicken Wonton
Classic Caesar and Garden Greens
Pacific Ceviche
Grilled Vegetable Antipasti
Whole Poached King Salmon and Smoked Salmon
Gravlax
Assorted Tapas
Country Mousse Pate
Cambozola and Brie En Croute
Maple-Acorn Bisque

From The Mansion Chefs
Pasta Station
“Eggceptional Omelets”
Honey Glazed Country Ham
Beef Wellington, Sauce Bearnaise

The Main Fare
Chicken Picatta
Salmon on Saffron Cream
Herb Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Raspberry Demi
Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers

Felicity’s Easter Treats

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February Employee of the Month

Deena Stitt of Engineering is Rosario Resort's Employee of the Month. Congratulating Deena are Director of Engineering Kirk Troutman (left) and General Manager Dan Dohner (right). As mentioned in a previous post, we refer to Deena as our “Director of Paint." After being a dental assistant and 20 years in construction around Tacoma, Deena moved to Orcas Island last July and has had a paint brush in her hand ever since. She says coming to Orcas Island “was the best move of my life.” Congratulations Deena, we are lucky to have you here at Rosario!
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Trumpeter Swans

350 ft. above Cascade Bay and Rosario Resort's marina sits Cascade Lake in Moran State Park. A beautiful 3 mile hike around the lake is just steps away from our guest rooms. As a bonus, the lake has been home to trumpeter swans the past few winters. Here are some beautiful photos of the swans taken by Rosario's Phillip Bose:







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Moran State Park Trail Clean-Up

Over a year ago, Orcas Island looked like it was hit by a major windstorm, trees down and branches everywhere. But the damage was not done by high winds, but heavy snow. Many of Moran State Park's trails were impassable and camp sites were in ruins. At the same time, many travel publications were writing articles about "voluntourism," vacations coupled with volunteering. This gave birth to Rosario Resort's "Take a Hike, Clear a Trail, Enjoy a Vacation" Package. Rosario Resort partnered with Moran State Park to offer guests a chance to volunteer in trail cleanup efforts while vacationing at our historic resort at a discounted rate. A year later, this program has garnered national awards, including the Gold Award in the Aaron D.Cushman/Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) Travel Public Relations awards for “Best Overall Marketing Campaign" and a Bronze Adrian Award from the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International. Recent articles in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and Sunset Magazine have sold out our April and May Park Clean-up weekends!


"Voluntourist" Linda Meriwood, from Gig Harbor, helps widen a trail on the Cascade Lake Loop in Moran State Park on Orcas Island.


March 1st Park Clean-up participants meet in the lobby to gather gloves and refreshments before hitting the trails. Even though April and May Park Clean-up weekends are sold out, sign up early for their return the first Friday/Saturday of October, November and December. Everyone feels great after a morning of doing community work in beautiful Moran State Park!

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A Vacation Paradise

I have not posted for a few weeks due to taking a vacation. You might be wondering where someone from Orcas Island goes on vacation to relax… the city, of course! Actually, I was in Honolulu visiting my in-laws and although the warm weather and beaches were nice, the crowds and traffic of the city were far from relaxing. When we drove back on to Orcas Island, my wife exclaimed, “now this is what I like!”

The day I arrived back at Rosario Resort I met our new Banquet Chef Greg Naylor, who had just arrived from San Diego. He was running around taking pictures and telling everyone how beautiful it is here. His excitement was infectious and made me realize that if I truly want to relax on vacation, I should just stay here on Orcas Island!

I hope to see you all relaxing here soon. Below are a few of Greg’s photographs. Thanks for sharing them Greg and welcome to Rosario!

Christopher







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A Wedding Preview

We often get to know our guests when they are visiting Orcas Island, but Rosario Resort's Sales and Catering Department often works many months ahead with our guests on planning their weddings, meetings and special events. Tirzah Fiorito, Rosario Resort's Director of Catering, would like to introduce to you Alison Cox & Mike Ogliore, who will be getting married at Rosario on October 4, 2008!

Tirzah had a chance to interview them for this blog on a recent visit:

*How long have you been together/How did you meet?
We have been together just over one year and we met while working at Seafair in Seattle. After working at Seafair together for 3 years, we both left for new positions and found that we still wanted to hang out and spend time together. Eventually our friendship evolved and here we are!

*How did you get engaged?
We got engaged at Snoqualmie Falls during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend in 2008.

*What are you most excited for about the wedding?
I am most excited to walk down the aisle and see Mike waiting for me!

*What drew you to Rosario?
We were drawn to Rosario because it is in such a beautiful location and it will be the perfect setting for a destination wedding for our families to
enjoy together!

Who deserves thanks for helping you get to where you are today?
Our Parents-Kathy & Larry Reichle, John & Judy Ogliore and Ron & Colette Cox.

Our Bridal Party-Jennifer, Sara, Carrie, Hallie, Ryan, Larry, Lewis, Garth, Brooke & Conner.

All of our family members and friends that will make the long journey to Orcas Island to share in this special weekend!

We'll see you in October Alison & Mike!

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Lunar Eclipse

I must say, tonight's sky is amazing. Crystal clear skies over Orcas Island with a total lunar eclipse. It's not often that you see so many stars with a full moon! The celestial show is happening in full view from Rosario Resort's Mansion Dining tables overlooking Cascade Bay. The first picture was taken next to our Cliff House Honeymoon Suite at 7:30 pm during its total eclipse faze. The moon doesn't go black because indirect sunlight still hits it as it bends around the earth's atmosphere. Our atmosphere scatters blue light, but allows red light to continue through and hit the moon, resulting in the red glow.



Clear nights on Orcas are even more amazing when the night sky is reflected in the water surrounding Orcas Island, silhouetted by the evergreen mountains rising from the water. The next photo shows the planet Saturn and Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation Leo. It sounds like I know astronomy, but I am just stealing information from articles I read today. I just look up and say "cool!"



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Moran Lounge Entertainment

If you've been to Rosario Resort, you probably know Gene Nery. He has been entertaining in the Moran Lounge for over 20 years! One song he sounds like John Mayer, the next Frank Sinatra. His guitar playing is equally versatile, from Wes Montgomery to Carlos Santana. Gene has an incredible voice and a vast repertoire of songs. He was even featured this year on Mannheim Steamroller's new Christmas CD! If you haven't heard Gene, be sure to request "Masochism Tango" (don't worry, it's rated PG13)! He looks forward to singing for you every Saturday in the Moran Lounge from 8 pm - 11 pm.

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Birthday Boys

For many of Rosario Resort's guests it's all about a celebration. It was a pleasure to host two brothers celebrating there birthdays this weekend. Wally Langeman from Bellevue (with wife Lucille on left) turned 70 and brother Hank Langeman from Wenatchee (with wife Jean on right) is 76. They had so much fun on Orcas Island they want to make it a yearly event. See you next year!

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Month of Romance

There is no doubt that February is a month of romance! With Valentine's Day coming up, I wanted to give you a glimpse of the Rosario Resort Romance Package...

Cross the threshold into your romantic escape at Rosario Resort and Spa. As you enter your beautiful waterview king suite, soft candlelight glows near the jetted tub as warmth from the fireplace beckons. Chilled champagne and delicious chocolate confections entice as soothing music plays… release all your cares and let the enchantment begin.

Time for pillow talk is free.

Orcas Island sets the mood, the rest is up to you!



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Happy Birthday Sally!

We were delighted to host a room full of Rosario neighbors celebrating Sally Marston's (third from right) Birthday at Rosario Resort. Happy Birthday Sally!

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Valentine's Dinner Menu

Rosario Resort is offering a special Valentine's Menu with a French flair in our Mansion Dining Room on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Feb. 14 - 16. We hope you'll join us. Orcas Island will set the mood, the rest is up to you!

Valentine’s Menu

APPETIZERS

Moules à la Crème
Chilean Black Mussels Steamed in a savory Cream Sauce.

Thon Tartare à la Asie
Asian style Tuna Tar Tar.

Ménage à Trois
Lightly battered Prawns, Seafood Crèpe, & Crab studded Puff Pastry.


SOUPS

Truffe Vichyssoise
Classical Potato-Leek Soup scented with White Truffle Oil.

Potage aigre-doux
A simple Sweet & Sour Soup served with Fresh Garden Vegetables.


SALADS

Salade de Petoncles
Salad of Crisp Field Greens and Poached Scallops tossed in a Fire Roasted Apple Vinaigrette.

Betteraves et Fromage de Chèvre
Beet & Goat Cheese Salad served with Apricot Vinaigrette, Candied Walnuts on a bed of Micro Greens.



MAIN

Canard Brulé
Seared Duck Breast served with Truffle au Gratin, Baby Carrots, & Black Fig Puree.

Côtelette de Viande
Grilled Lamb Chop served with Chick Pea Hash, Brocolini & Port Wine Reduction.

Bar Noir à la Rosario
Seared Sea Bass served with Kalamata Olive Mashed Potatoes, Chippolini Onions, & Mango Coulis.




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Valentine's Dessert

Our attention this month is on Valentine's Day, with Rosario Resort's special Valentine's Dinner Menu being designed. Before I share with you the entire menu, let's just start with my favorite
part – Dessert! Pastry Chef Felicity Milne has put together a very special presentation:

Mignardise Romantique – Romantic Petit-Fours


Crèpes a L'Orange à la Mode – Sweet Orange Crèpes

Cocktail de lettre d'amour – Love Letter Cocktail

Tarte de fruit fraîche – Fresh Fruit Tartlet

Biscuit de tour d'Eiffel – Eiffel Tower cookie

Truffe de chocolat – Chocolate Truffle

oh - la - la !

Now & Then - Orcas Dining Room

Here's a fun postcard from 1968, the year the Orcas Dining Room was built at Rosario Resort. Compare the interior design to how it looks today, 40 years later.

Employee of the Month

I would say the perfect job title for our Employee of the Month for January is "Host," and Philip Bose is the perfect host. Although Philip is has been our lead bellman for several years, he really knows and performs every job at Rosario Resort. Most importantly, he is always attentive to our guests. Philip has been in customer service most of his life in Hawaii, although he did live a few years on the mainland to attend Cornell University, where he received a degree in Environmental Engineering. After Philip's first wife passed away, he met his wife Kris, who was a National Park Ranger at Volcano National Park. Kris had lived in the Pacific Northwest and convinced Philip to move to Orcas Island three years ago. Philip is happy he did and says "I love Orcas Island winters!" Congratulations, Philip!


Pictured with Philip Bose (center) is Rosario Resort's Director of Human Resources Sharon Strupp and Director of Resort Operations Dustin King.

Orca Whales in Winter

Tom Averna of Deer Harbor Charters (our Whale Watch Charter departing the Rosario Resort marina daily in the summer) reported that the L pod was spotted in Monterey Bay, CA. There are three resident pods of Orcas whales in the San Juan Islands - J,K, and L pods (they are called the "Southern Residents"). "Resident" means they are in this area most of the year, generally from April - October. During the winter months they may travel farther down Puget Sound, farther north into Canada, or out into the Pacific. In 2000, the L pod was spotted off Monterey, CA, which at the time was unheard of, but they have since returned to that area the last few years. About 40 whales were spotted Sunday in Monterey Bay traveling south into 25-30 knot winds.

Members of L pod in Monterey Bay, CA on Jan. 27, 2008
Photo by Nancy Black of Monterey Bay Whale Watch

Ken Balcomb of the Center for Whale Research in Friday Harbor ID'd the whales on the photos from Monterey Bay: L67, L72, L78, L88 & L105. The waters in the San Juan Islands are much calmer between April and October, and the sunshine is nice as well, so definitely plan a whale watch cruise when you visit Orcas Island!

Snow Falling on Cedars

We had a beautiful snow fall on Orcas Island yesterday. The wonderful thing about snowfalls on the island, besides being beautiful, is that it melts quickly! Here is a picture of the Moran Mansion at Rosario Resort, with Mount Constitution silhouetted against the blue sky.



This view is looking across Cascade Bay toward the marina and Mount Constitution... and today the snow is gone!

You Know Football is Over When...

You know football is over when NFL players show up at Rosario Resort on vacation (well, most teams are finished for the season). Former Seattle Seahawk (and now New York Jet) Offensive Lineman Wayne Hunter and his wife Danielle came to relax for the weekend on Orcas Island (Danielle's mom was babysitting their three month old twins). Wayne gives us the Hawaiian "shaka" sign, as he was born and raised in Pearl City on Oahu and played for the University of Hawaii Rainbows.

Marry Me Merlot

We were honored to host a special wedding proposal on Saturday in the Mansion Dining Room. Andy Kuzaro of Buckley, WA brought with him a special bottle of wine and a very special dinner guest to Orcas Island. Rosario Resort's server David Fleishman presented the "Marry Me Merlot" to Deanna Elliot, featuring a picture of Andy and Deanna. It took a second for Deanna to realize why her picture was on a bottle of wine, but Andy falling to his knees and asking for her hand in marriage made it all crystal clear fairly quickly. Many of the dinner guests broke into applause with Deanna's jubilant "YES!" Congratulations Andy and Deanna!

Happy Birthday Robert Moran

Today is Robert Moran's 151st Birthday! Last night Washington State Parks, Friends of Moran State Park and Rosario Resort held a birthday celebration in conjunction with the Friends of Moran State Park's annual meeting. Outgoing Friend's President Philip Miller reviewed an incredible Friend's year, highlighted by the new gift shop on top of Mount Constitution, new fish hatchery and the completion of the interpretive displays in the tower. He then passed the gavel to new President MichelVekved. Thanks Philip for your years of service!


Pictured here is Moran State Park Interpreter Linda Sullivan giving a wonderful timeline on Moran and the development of Moran State Park. I followed by reading an interesting article about Moran published in the Anacortes Mercury in 1932, then those in attendance shared stories about Moran and the Park.


The evening ended with Pastry Chef Felicity Milne's Moran State Park birthday cake featuring Mount Constitution, Cascade Falls, Cascade Lake and the Entrance Arch. Thanks Felicity! If you missed it this year, we will definitely celebrate again next year... isn't that the wonderful thing about birthdays!

Christopher

Landlubbers

For those of you who are landlubbers (hey, Orcas Island is still land even though it is surrounded by the sea), here are a few delicious non-seafood appetizers on Rosario Resort's Moran Lounge Menu:

Chimichuri Pork Skewer
Tender slices of Pork Tenderloin marinated and grilled,
served with traditional Chimichuri Salsa.



Crab, Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Savory Dungeness Crab blended with tender Artichoke Hearts,
Baby Spinach, Fresh Herbs and Spices, Aged Reggiano,
served bubbling hot with Grilled Pita Bread.



Buffalo Strips
Tender chicken Breast Strips marinated and sauced in the classic tradition of the
Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York. Served with Creamy Bleu Cheese and Celery.