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INNSIDE STORY
Autumn excursions & holiday previews
It's hard to believe the heat of summer will soon give way to autumn breezes and curling crimson leaves, but now is a great time to think about fall getaways and cozy places to retreat for a day or two.
On September 21st explore the Kay Center Trails of Morris County, enjoy a picnic by the Black River, and take in the natural history of the surrounding woodlands and wetlands. Kayakers, grab your kayaks and paddles for a scenic exploration of the glacial lakes of Kittatinny Valley State Park on September 26th.
"Jazz in Autumn" takes place at the Jane Vorhees Zimmerli Art Museum in New Brunswick on the afternoon of September 30th. On the same day the "Westfield FestiFall" draws 300 artisan and craft vendors to downtown Westfield for music, culinary delights and fun for the kids.
The kids will also love the "Mum Madness and Pumpkin Parade" at Camden Children's Garden on October 13th. Paint a pumpkin and enjoy crafts, entertainment and colorful chrysanthemums. On Oct. 26th and 27th head for the 2007 Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred
Championships at Monmouth Park in Oceanport.
And here's a preview of just a few of the holiday highlights around New Jersey:
11/2 - 11/24
Liberty Village Midnight Madness (Flemington)
11/10/2007 - 11/11/2007
11/17/2007 - 11/18/2007
Holiday Festival of Fine Arts & Crafts (Ocean City)
11/16 - 1/1/2008
An Old-Fashioned Christmas: Holiday Traditions Through the Years
11/19/2007 - 12/20/2007
Holiday Wreaths on display in the Taj Mahal and for sale (Atlantic City)
11/23/2007 - 11/23/2007
Holiday Express Concert and Town and Tree Lighting (Red Bank)
And many more events filled with music, light and laughter for the holiday season! Reserve your stay now with one of our member inns.
PREFERRED GUEST WINNERS!
Congratulations to our Preferred Guest winners Tony and Amy,
pictured here with  Carol Lee Tieman, owner of the Morning Dove Inn. Preferred Guests participate in our program by getting a page in their PINJ directories validated every time they stay at one of our member inns. Collect 3 validations and return the completed form and you will receive a free Association cookbook: "Breakfast, Brunch and More" plus have a chance to win a $500 gift certificate good at any Member Inn. Congratulations once again to our Preferred Guest winners and we encourage you to participate in the next contest! (For more information, see page 4 of the PINJ directory. Order it here if you don't have it.
INNSIDE SPECIALS
"Allaire Village in Autumn" - Visit historic iron-making village and hop a hayride, stay two nights for 15% off (The Inn at the Shore, Belmar)
"Designer Kitchen Tour & Culinary Adventure at the Cottage" - Comp ticket on 9/29 to meet and eat with area chefs, with two-night stay (Cottage on the River, Island Heights)
"Autumn Excursion Package" - View fall foliage, explore local wineries, and receive coupon for free bottle of wine, with two-night stay (Alpine Haus Bed & Breakfast, Vernon)
"New York City Getaway" - Seastreak ferry tickets for an autumn day in NYC and a relaxing evening at the inn (Blue Bay Inn, Atlantic Highlands) |
MEET THE INNKEEPERS
 Alan & Lynne Kaplan
Victoria House, Spring Lake
The Victoria House is about as close to Broadway as you can get on the shores of Spring Lake. Alan and Lynne Kaplan happened to click with some Broadway performers who
came to visit some time ago and word soon spread in the performing arts
community. A Broadway performers special was thrown into the mix and they
now receive actors, actresses, costume managers and other industry folks
from shows like Spamalot, Mama Mia! and 42nd St, as well as TV
personalities, news and TV writers. Word spread quickly in the performing arts community and a Broadway performers special was thrown into the mix.
Now they receive actors, actresses, costume managers and other industry folks from shows like Spamalot, Mama Mia! and 42nd St, as well as TV personalities, news and TV writers.
Says Alan, "One of the most rewarding things is that our guests range in age from 20s to 80s from family people to business people to show biz people, and a lot of doctors and attorneys."
Fun Fact: Lynne has two culinary degrees and is one of the co-authors of the PINJ cookbook, "Breakfast, Brunch & More."
Margy DeWitt
 The Raritan Inn, Califon
Margy DeWitt is "treading new waters" in more ways than one. She is brand new to the business of innkeeping and also getting to know the world of fly fishing and the men who come here to fish the Raritan River.
She talks excitedly about The Raritan Inn, the first zero-energy remodel in the country. The gorgeously restored Victorian built in the late-1800s was in shambles before owner Bill Asdal started to envision what it could be.
"It had been abandoned for 30 years," says Margy. "People thought the fire department was going to use it as practice."
Asdal set about preserving history while bringing the building into the 21st century with solar panels, geothermal heating and cooling, energy-efficient windows, and other innovations including wireless access.
Fun Fact: The inn is built on top of the original stone foundation of another house on the same site, built in 1732. While the home was being restored, Bill Asdal discovered the original foundation.
EAT INN: Summertime omelet and waffles worth waking up for
This baked Omelet Pie stuffed with ham, cheese and green onions beckons first thing in the morning. (The Wooden Duck Bed and Breakfast, Newton)
Westine's Waffles come from the West Virginia kitchen of Westine Smith, an 81-year-old woman who has been serving these delicious waffles for years. (Carisbrooke Inn, Ventnor)
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