Employee of the Month

Being congratulated by General Manager Dan Dohner and Housekeeping Manager Julie Cort is our June Employee of the Month at Rosario Resort & Spa, Justin Hagy of our Housekeeping Department. Justin originally came to Orcas Island from Baltimore a few years ago to work in the kitchen, then found a home in our Housekeeping Department. He has been a great asset to our staff by providing great service to our guests and fellow employees. Justin is leaving this fall for Florida and he will be missed! Congratulations to Justin
and THANK YOU!
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Message in a Bottle

Yesterday, Coast Guard Petty Officer Jake McGuire and his girlfriend Megan McGill were walking along the beach on Cascade Bay at Rosario Resort when Megan found a message in a bottle. Amazingly, the bottle that "washed ashore" contained a proposal for marriage! Megan is sporting her new bling as she and Jake enjoy dinner tonight in the Mansion Dining Room. Many on Orcas Island know Jake as "Kawika" McGuire, 1999 graduate of Orcas Island High School and former Rosario Resort employee. Jake is stationed in Sabine Pass, Texas where he met Megan. Congratulations Megan and Jake!

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Wedding Dreams

Christa Fiedler and Michael Jensen got married on Rosario Resort's Point Lawn this weekend. Christa has been coming on vacation with her family to Orcas Island for many years. On one trip (as a teenager) she told her father that she was going to get married someday on the Point Lawn. She and Michael came to Rosario last year and he proposed to her...on the point lawn! Congratulations Christa and Michael!

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Now & Then: Tom Tillman

Tom Tillman and his business partner run the sporting goods store, Orcas Outfitters, on the fuel pier at the Rosario Marina on Orcas Island. This photograph with Tom in front of the figurehead and Boatel in 1973 is hanging in the store. We thought this would make a great "Now & Then"
feature!

Tom's family originally come to Orcas in the late 1960's to find a Northwest location for a diving resort similar to the one they started in the Bahamas. Since the early days of scuba diving the San Juans have been well known as a premier diving destination. The Tillman's fell in love with Orcas Island on that trip and bought a 25 acre farm on the east side of Orcas. From that point on until today that farm on Orcas has been the home base for Tom's family, most of whom still work in the diving industry. Tom graduated from our local high school in 1989 and went away to college where he studied geology and education. He decided after graduating to return to Orcas and raise his family here as well.

Since that time Tom has owned several local businesses and has written several books and numerous articles on diving history and local history. Tom is also a US Coast Guard Auxiliary Vessel Examiner and sits on the several advisory boards for fishing and marine issues. When Tom is not on the docks working or volunteering he manages the Scuba America Historical Foundation and he and his wife also own 376 WEAR, a clothing store in Eastsound. (note: 376 is the prefix of Orcas Island phones).

Orcas Outfitters is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day and sells fishing gear, fishing licenses, basic replacement diving equipment, boating supplies, sportswear and other sundry items to the boaters and guests who visit the Rosario Marina in the summer.

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Employee of the Month - May

Catching up with our employees of the month (we have so many highly deserving candidates!), May's Employee of the Month is Diana Dimich of our accounting office. Diana processes payroll, which you may know is something that you can never be late on! Originally from Eureka, CA, Diana first came to Orcas Island and Rosario in 1985. She has worked here off and on since then in many departments, but has had her current postion since 2003. Congratulations and great job Diana!

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One Minute Please

Here's a fun postcard advertising the Aeolian Pipe Organ... I can just imagine Robert Moran being grabbed by the ear and a salesman saying "What you want is an Aeolian Pipe Organ for your mansion on Orcas Island!"

The rest of the postcard reads:
"What would you do with it? Why, play it, of course."
"You don't play? That makes no difference; they are made for people who can't play."
"Oh, you can play, can you? That's all right; they are made for you, too, my friend."
"The Aeolian Organ is the universal instrument. It is, first, a perfect Keyboard Organ
for the expert musician, and also an instrument upon which any one entirely ignorant
of music can play anything without the slightest practice."

Now you now why I have been able to "perform" at Rosario Resort for so long ;-)

Christopher
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Residences at Rosario

The new Residences at Rosario are now open! The former 1700 building on the hillside has been completely rebuilt and now features four beautiful two-bedroom luxury suites. The suites have huge decks that feature spectacular views over Cascade Bay and Orcas Island. For more information and additonal photos, visit our Residences page.





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Eagle Vista Tent

The Eagle Vista Tent next to Rosario Resort's popular wedding ceremony site, the Rosario Point Lawn, is a beautiful spot for wedding receptions and dinners. This past weekend the Clark Wedding had a beautiful set-up designed by Leslie Ginnes of Patina Design here on Orcas Island that featured and intimate cocktail lounge, dining room and kids play area. The Wedding Cake was by Rosario Pastry Chef Felicity Milne. Congratulations Andy and Hiroko!







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Historical Days Parade

Ask any Orcas Islander and they will tell you one of the best events on Orcas Island is the Historical Day Parade, which takes place each year on the Saturday closest to the Fourth of July. Here are photos of Pig War soldiers, classic cars, politicians (this year Gov. Gregoire participated), fire dogs, horses, circus clowns and the always favorite Oddfellows finale!









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Happy 4th of July

We were working on setting up our new webcam this morning and this symbol of America just happened to keeping an eye on Rosario Resort & Spa. The historic Roundhouse Suite is seen to the right of the eagle. Keep an eye on this tree when checking our webcam!




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School's Out for Summer

Where do teachers go immediately after the last school bell rings for summer? Orcas Island! I met this great group of teachers at my concert from Ridgecrest Elementary School in Puyallup. From left to right are Laurie Laramie, Heather Holdeman, me (Christopher Peacock), Barb Frye, and Sue Gronhovd. Heather sent this kind note I want to share:

I was so thrilled to be able to introduce them to your beautiful music and a little history behind Rosario Resort. I first saw you last summer with my husband and fell in love with the sounds of Orcas that magically emanated from you - throughout the school year I was instantly transported to my "happy place" even in the midst of the chaos of my 2nd grade classroom! Your music never failed to calm the buzzing energy of my kids (or at least direct it in a productive direction)! Thank you!!

I will see you again on my next trip!

Sincerely (rested and relaxed),

-- Heather

Thank you Heather!

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Manager of the Quarter

Rosario Resort & Spa's Director of Food and Beverage Art Woods (left) and General Manager Dan Dohner (right) congratulate Executive Chef Steve Lutz as the Manager of the Quarter. Chef Lutz began his culinary education near the sunny beaches of Long Boat Key, Florida at the L’ Auberge Du Bon restaurant, where he trained in the French classical methods, butchering meat and preparing stocks and sauces. With solid training, Steve left the L’Auberge Du Bon to join a new restaurant opening on Anna Maria Island, Florida, called the Beach Bistro. During his tenure as sous chef, the Beach Bistro became a Zagat recognized, destination restaurant.

The next stop on Steve’s journey landed him at The Inn of the Mountain Gods in Ruidoso New Mexico, where he worked for seven years before departing as executive sous chef to begin his own venture. In 1997, Chef Lutz and his wife opened their own restaurant, Dr. Steve’s Kitchen, It’ll “cure” what ails you, the name originating from his love for “curing” meats and seafood. The boutique-style restaurant featured a blend of French, Cajun and regional Mexican cuisine that became a local favorite. Prior to joining Rosario, Steve returned to the four-star, The Inn of the Mountain of the Gods where he served as chef de cuisine for Wendells, the hotel’s restaurant.

Congratulations Steve!

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Lunch to Go

Our 2008 Limited Edition Rosario Resort “Fanny Pack” is a hit with groups and guests on the go! The packs are available for purchase by individuals (with our without lunch included) at the Cascade Bay Grill. Perfect for guests wanting to spend the day exploring Orcas Island!

Below are photos of the fanny pack itself, Chef Lutz preparing lunch packs for a recent group of 100, beautiful "fanny pack" models and a recent group enjoying their pack lunches on the deck of the Discovery Conference Center.



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No More Disposable Cameras

Tirzah Fiorito, Rosario Resort & Spa's Director of Catering, recently introduced me to a great event idea: rent sets of digital cameras instead of getting disposable cameras. She recently worked with a company called CameraRenter for one of our events. It was quite cool. A set of fully insured digital cameras were delivered to the resort, then all the event guests used the digital cameras for the whole weekend. CameraRenter then created a website with the pictures and videos. The digital cameras were easy to use and took great pictures, and the website solves the issue of your guests never actually sending you any of the pictures they take!

CameraRenter seems to be great alternative to disposable cameras, so feel free to check them out at: www.CameraRenter.com.

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Rosario in Bloom

The grounds around Rosario Resort & Spa are in full bloom! I thought it would be fun to show you the spectacular beauty of the lilacs, rhododendrons, iris, apple blossoms and more around the resort:







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Manager Wednesdays

For the last few months, Rosario Resort & Spa managers have gathered for a few hours every Wednesday to help out on maintenance projects around the resort. Here we are moving lumber to the Eagle Vista Lawn to be used as flooring underneath our wedding reception tent. The group effort helps to get projects done quicker, are good for team building, and for many of us it is a good break from our offices... oh yes, and we laugh a lot!

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April Employee of the Month

Rosario Resort's Director of Maintenance Kirk Troutman and General Manager Dan Dohner congratulate April Employee of the Month Bob Matheson of our Maintenance Department. A well deserved recognition, as Bob is always willing to jump in and help out anyway he can at a moments notice. Bob has worked at Rosario for five years and seems to have a fix for everything. In his spare time he restores Porsches (he has five) and is building a flying saucer...

Congratulations Bob!

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Food and Wines of Italy, Part 2

Here's a look at the delightful Italian Wine Dinner presentations...


The evening began with Tapas Passato (passed tapas).



Then came the appetizer... l'orrichetti di Pettini ed Aragosta (Scallop and Lobster Orechietti with Saffron Cream).



Next came Insalata di Arugula (Arugula Salad).



The entrée was Saltimbocca di Pollo (Sage Seared Breast of Organic Chicken, Proscuitto Ham, Grilled Eggplant, Wilted Greens, Caramelized Fontina, Porcini Marsala).


And finally, dessert was a delcious Il Moscato Ha Cucinato in camicia la Pera con la Crema Rosa (Moscato Poached Pear with Rose Custard Almond Florentine Cookie, Blood Orange Sauce).


Chris Zimmermann thanks Sous Chef Brendan Moore and Ben Hinner for a job well done!





Thanks to our Reservation Manager Jolene Versailles (with husband Marty Graves) for taking all the pictures. I know, it was a tough job!


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Food and Wines of Italy, Part 1

Rosario Resort hosted another wonderful wine dinner last week featuring wines of Italy. Italian Wine expert Chris Zimmermann provided educational commentary throughout the evening.

Sommolier Julian Gonzales greets the guests with a glass of Bisol nv Prosecco "Jeio" Brut, Veneto.


Enjoying the evening were wine distributor Ted Seifert and Rosario's Director of Sales Adrienne Miller with Chris Zimmerman.


Celebrating their 26th Wedding Anniversary were Orcas Islanders Eska and Chuck Wilson... congratulazioni!


Orcas Island friends Carol, Paula and Vicki made it a ladies night out... bellisimo!


Also joining the festivities was Rosario's Director of Catering Tirzah Fiorito and husband Skylar.

Tomorrow a look at the food presentations...
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