Lights Out

Sorry I have been a bit delayed in posting to the Rosario Resort blog. It all started with a power outage, which caused a bit of havoc with my computer. But spending Sunday night in the dark on Orcas Island reminded me of a postcard that was sold at Darvill’s Bookstore in Eastsound that looked something like this:

Happy 90th

Celebrating her 90th birthday at Rosario Resort on Saturday is Romayne Potosky, with daughter Renee and son-in-law Jim Klein. Romayne recognized the stained glass scene in the Music Room as Antwerp, as that is where her mother immigrated from at the turn-of-the-century.


Robert Moran went to Antwerp in 1905 to consult with doctors regarding his failing health. The clerestory window depicts various steamers and sailing ships in Antwerp harbor and major landmarks on the east bank of the Scheldt, including the Cathedral of the Holy Virgin, the late medieval fortress and the Stadhuis, or townhall. The work is signed by L. de Contini, Brussels, Belguim. Maybe Robert Moran and Romayne's mother voyaged back to the United States on the same ship...

Happy Birthday Romayne... we hope to see you on Orcas Island again soon!

Toasts for the New Year

The Moran Library in the Moran Mansion at Rosario Resort is full of gems. I love the cover illustration of this book published in 1907 entitled "Toasts and After Dinner Stories." In preparation for your New Year's toasts, here are a few to consider from the book:


Here’s a health to the future,
A sigh for the past;
We can love and remember,
And hope to the last;
And for all the base lies
That the almanacs hold,
While there’s love in the heart,
We can never grow old.

~

Here’s to Love; a thing so devine,
Description makes it but the less.
‘Tis what we feel, but cannot define -
‘Tis what we know, but cannot express.

~

Don’t worry about the future,
The present is all thou hast,
The future will soon be the present,
And the present will soon be the past.

~

Now & Then: Bayside Rooms

Today I am introducing the first of many "now and then" photos. It's fun to look back at photos from the past, whether it be from the Moran Family era when Rosario was a private estate, or photos from the early Rosario Resort days. The rooms next the Moran Mansion along the waterfront were built in 1967 and called the Vista Villas. Today we call them the Bayside Rooms. Although the interior design has changed, the view of Orcas Island has not - always spectacular, no matter what the season!

The Morans "Hang Out"

I read a review today in USA Today of a new book called "America 1908," which chronicles an amazing year in American history, including the introduction of the Ford's Model T, two Americans quest to reach the North Pole and Wilbur Wright's record setting flight. This photograph of President Teddy Roosevelt bidding farewell to some of the 13,000 Navy sailors in the Great White Fleet as they begin their 43,000-mile journey around the world in December 1907 appears in the book. The Moran built USS Nebraska was a part of this fleet of battleships.



Before the Nebraska was launched, the Moran Family took many photographs on the battleship at the Moran Shipyards in Seattle. Here is one of Robert's brother William posing with his family, in which he seems very interested in the woman's hat!

Caroling...

Christmas Eve caroling and flamming plum pudding has been a tradition at Rosario for many years. With the lights dimmed, Pastry Chef Felicity Milne did a special presentation of lighting the pudding (which she had soaked in spirits for weeks). The room was full of Rosario guests, neighbors and islanders who sang beautifully... a very large family celebrating Christmas in the Moran living room! Leading the caroling were Jenole and Cara Peacock, who are featured in this video singing a performance of "Mary Did You Know."

Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve Caroling

The Moran Mansion at Christmas

I have posted photos of Rosario Resort's Christmas decorations inside the Moran Mansion and around the Marina, but I was saving the best for last. It is a delight to drive up to the mansion and see it all lit up with holiday cheer. A big thank you to our maintenance and grounds crew for all the work they did in putting up the decorations this season. I just finished mine at home (better late than never) and it is not a easy task!

Holiday Greetings

Rosario Resort's General Manager Dan Dohner, Manager of the Quarter Jolene Versailles and December Employee of the Month Juan Escanilla wish to send you this holiday greeting produced by our Director of Catering, Tirzah Fiorito:

Rosario Holiday Greetings

Marina Decorations

Many of our summer boating guests don't have the opportunity to see the Rosario Resort Marina transform during the holidays thanks to our Harbormaster Gary Joseph. Gary's boat features a reindeer figurehead and his Christmas tree windsock helps guide boats to our marina on these darker days. Greeting visitors from both land and sea is also our landmark sequoia tree, all lit for the holidays. The moonlight always seems brighter on Orcas Island due to the lack of city lights and reflection in the surrounding water.

...and more gingerbread

One last look at Pastry Chef Felicity Milne "Gingerbread Orcas Island" now on display in The Gallery at Rosario Resort. Pictured above is a wonderful barn yard (complete with farm animals) and and below is scene of the Moran State Park picnic area featuring snowmen, angels in the snow and a red bike laying in the snow next to a picnic table. Felicity did want to give credit to Chris Coffelt, our long time kitchen staff member (20 years!) who made the Gingerbread Moran Mansion. It's fabulous, thanks Chris!

Manager of the Quarter

Rosario Resort’s General Manager Dan Dohner honors the always friendly Jolene Versailles, our Director of Revenue Management, as Manager of the Quarter. What is a Director of Revenue Management do you ask? Jolene oversees all aspects of room reservations and pricing structures. She deals on a daily basis with our internal guest (our staff), our external guest (our customers), our internet booking company (Genarez) and the resort's corporate management offices (Gemstone Resorts) in Park City, UT. Simply put, Jolene creates value for our guests while at the same time helping to achieve the resort's goals. Not any easy task, but Jolene always does it with a smile on her face. Congratulations Jolene!

Originally from Montréal, Québec, Jolene has worked in Florida, Mexico and Hawaii as a diver and videographer. She moved to Orcas Island in 1999 and has been working at Rosario since 2003. Jolene was also the “Cover Girl” on the 2006 edition of “Frommer’s Hawaii” Guidebook! At least she says it is her...

Employee of the Month

With such an outstanding staff here at Rosario Resort, it is difficult to pick an employee of the month. Juan Escanilla, our kitchen steward, was honored as Employee of the Month for December at our Employee Christmas Party. Pictured with Juan is Rosario’s Director of Human Resources Sharon Strupp and General Manager Dan Dohner. Originally from El Salvador, Juan came to Orcas Island to work at Rosario 3 years ago and is one of the hardest working individuals you will meet. Congratulations Juan!

Employee Christmas Party

Rosario Resort held it’s annual Employee Christmas Party last night in the Discovery Ballroom. Rosario has over 100 year round employees who call Orcas Island home. We are so privileged to have such a fantastic group of people who love and care for Rosario as they do. It appears by the pictures that our Spa Staff had a great time last night. They also won most of the door prizes, which is a yearly tradition for them. Thanks to the kitchen and banquet staff for such a great party!


Spa receptionist Katelyn with massage practitioner Lu Ann.



Spa receptionist Mimi with husband Garry and massage practitioner Catherine.



Massage practitioner Shoshana with friend Mary.



Yours truly learning how to bar tend (good thing it was only wine and beer)!



Thankfully, the ruby slippers were found last night and I can report they
are in good hands! Now if I can just remember where I put Toto…

A Happy 80th

Rosario Resort was pleased to host Charles “Chuck” Clampton’s (left) 80th Birthday Celebration last night in the Mansion Dining Room. Chuck left Sequim, WA with a few friends for a quiet weekend and was surprised when he arrived on Orcas Island to be greeted by his family from as far away as Dallas and Santa Barbara. We are always thrilled and honored when our guests choose Rosario Resort for their very special occasions. Happy Birthday Chuck!

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the mansion,
decorations are hung in such loving fashion.
Holiday cuisine is being prepared by our chef,
with music room caroling in just the right clef.
Out on our lawn but who should appear,
it’s you and your loved ones to view all our deer.
Relax in the spa and hike in the park,
but don’t be late for dinner as soon as it’s dark.
The Rosario Christmas Package makes just the right gift,
to be with your loved ones will give your spirits a lift!

The Lobby at Rosario Resort...


The magificent Music Room tree...


The Mansion Dining Room...


and the Moran Lounge decked out with stockings for one and all!

Nebraska Postcard

From the archives, here is a 100 year old postcard featuring the Moran built USS Nebraska. Although the ship was launched in 1904, it was not commissioned until the summer of 1907 at the Bremerton Naval Shipyards. Robert Moran had moved to Orcas Island in 1905 and started building Rosario in 1906, leaving his brothers to complete the construction of the battleship.

U.S. Navy Inspector Lt. Robert Coontz wrote of the commissioning “The Nebraska was placed in commission July 1, 1907. She had a full Marine Guard, a complete band, a few in the engineers department, and only two on deck – a quartermaster and a seaman. We started to coal the ship the morning after she was commissioned, having only the musicians in the band to do the work…”

Those poor musicians...

More Gingerbread

Here are a few more views of Pastry Chef Felicity Milne's fabulous "Gingerbread Island" display.
Everyone is enjoy it so much. Thank you Felicity!

Photo Archives

Here is a wonderful old Moran photo that our Director of Human Resources Sharon Strupp found in her 3rd floor mansion office. She happened to be cleaning out some old boxed and discovered this great photo...


wait...



this can't be...



OK, never mind...



This is actually a photo she recently took of a Vintage Auto Club visiting Rosario Resort and Orcas Island. Thanks Sharon, great photograph!

Santa Visits Rosario

Since Rosario Resort and Orcas Island are so close to the North Pole, Santa came early to hand out gifts to the Rosario Staff!


Perla Garcia from our Housekeeping Department.


Ben Hinner of our Culinary Team.


Katelyn Nichols in The Spa.


Newly married Rebekah Hagy from the Front Desk and Marina.


Heidi Eyler, our Executive Assistant.


Robert Kelly of our Grounds Crew.

Wild Wild West

Also celebrating this weekend was a large group of Orcas Island cowboys surprising Raven Williams (right) on the occasion of the 21st anniversary of her 29th Birthday! Raven works at the Orcas Island Medical Center and is an EMT with the Orcas Island Fire Department. Pictured with Raven is her daughter-in-law Tirzah Fiorito, Rosario Resort’s Director of Catering. Tirzah did an outstanding job (as always!) turning our Discovery Ballroom into a Wild West Saloon, complete with a washboard, broom’n’ bucket, saw playing band called “Midlife Chrysler.” Capping off the evening was Raven blowing out those 29 (+) candles on her cowboy boot birthday cake. Happy Birthday Raven…Orcas Island loves you!

Rosario's at Rosario

We here honored to host the Rosario Family from San Francisco this weekend, here at Rosario Resort to celebrate Mariano and Katharina Rosario’s 50th Wedding Anniversary! Pictured from left to right are grandchildren Maggie and Joseph, daughter-in–law Kathleen, Katharina, son Ricardo, Mariano, grandson Ricky, daughter-in–law Kathy, son Dennis and grandson Daniel. Originally from Puerto Rico, Mario met Katie in Germany. They had no idea where their family was bringing them this weekend to celebrate and were given strict instructions to pack only 25 pounds (Kenmore seaplane weight limit). We are glad they chose Orcas Island! Mario was proud to introduce his German bride, Irish daughter-in-laws, beautiful grandchildren and point out that his sons’ high school football coach was… Mike Holmgren!

Gingerbread Island

Rosario Resort's Pastry Chef Felicity Milne has created an incredible "Gingerbread Orcas Island," now on display in the Rosario Mansion Gallery. Complete with the Moran Mansion, Mt. Constitution Tower, Moran State Park Arch and Orcas Ferry Landing, the display is also surrounded by seasonal quilts featuring local island quilters Mari Gardner, Ida Gatlin and Wanda Ryberg.


The detail is amazing... this is a must see display. For those of you who won't make it to Orcas Island in the near future, I post more photos in coming days. Thank you Felicity!

Zodiac

The Schooner Zodiac made a recent visit to Rosario Resort. The Zodiac homeports in Bellingham, Washington and was built in Maine in 1924 for the heirs to Johnson & Johnson Band-Aid fortune as a racing yacht. She was sold to the San Francisco Bar Pilots during the Depression, and renamed California. She worked the rugged waters outside the Golden Gate for forty years, retiring in 1972, as the last working pilot schooner in the United States.

In the late 70s, the Vessel Zodiac Corporation was formed to operate and maintain the schooner, whose maiden name was promptly restored to Zodiac. Drawing on an experienced crew of sailorsand shipwrights who have worked on other Northwest tall ships such as the Adventuress and Lady Washington, the ship was restored to her former beauty and sailing strength. She currently takes charter tripsthrought the San Juan Islands, as well as the Canadian Gulf Islands.

“If one does not know to which port one is sailing, no wind is favorable.”
Seneca (Roman philosopher, mid-1st century AD)

We are always thrilled when the Zodiac chooses Rosario Resort as it’s port-of-call.

Christmas Past and Present

Holiday decorating is in full swing around Rosario Resort. Pictured below is Deena Stitt putting the final touches on the Music Room tree.


Deena works in our Maintenance Department as “Director of Paint." After being a dental assistant and 20 years in construction around Tacoma, Deena moved to Orcas Island in 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.” We are fortunate to have her as she always has a smile on her face. In her spare time she does what she does at work, only on a miniature scale… she builds amazing miniature doll houses. To get Deena to help decorate the mansion we simply told her it was a very large doll house!

Seeing the tree all decorated made me dig through the photo archives from Christmas’ past. Below is the Moran Family tree, circa 1916-20, decorated with Christmas Cards and popcorn… lots and lots of popcorn!

Time Management

The clock in the picture of the previous post is one of two Grandfather clocks in the Moran Mansion at Rosario Resort. The one located at the bottom of the grand staircase (behind Felicity in the photo) was built into the home during construction and features a custom copper face and mahogany case (rumor has it there is also a time capsule underneath it).

The second, located in the Music Room, is made by the Herschede Clock Co. from Cincinnati, OH and was the Grand Prize clock at the 1915 Panama Pacific Exposition in San Francisco. Both clocks are kept ticking by Jim Hinman, owner of The Clockworks in LaConner, WA. Watching Jim work on the clocks makes me realize that so little thought goes into time keeping today. Digital clocks manage us without thought, yet we need to constantly manage these old clocks to keep accurate time, from winding and adjusting to maintenance and repair… an interesting correlation and profound reminder to all of us regarding time management in general!

"You can't turn back the clock, but you can wind it up again!"
Bonnie Prudden, 93 year old fitness guru


This is the Music Room clock featured in a historic Herschede catalog. Notice the prices! This clock was $364.50 in 1915!