Come see what`s “new” in La Conner

Lamplight
News and Information from the La Conner Country Inn and Channel Lodge
G
Come see what’s
“new” in La Conner
“Every April, the fertile, sprawling fields of
Washington’s Skagit Valley erupt in a riot of multicolored bloom...
La Conner...a coastal community with just 775 residents, is an ideal weekend base. It has
many inns and a restored waterfront lined with shops and restaurants, and it’s just minutes away from the brightest fields around.” Travel + Leisure, March 2003.
If you’ve visited La Conner, then you know that in addition to the spring blooms, the
town has countless reasons to visit at any time of the year: arts festivals, outstanding museums, a bevy of quaint shops and eclectic galleries. It is a place rich in history,
beautiful natural surroundings, friendly people, and a charm that sets it apart from the
crowd. While all of this still holds true, things in La Conner have changed. The town has
undergone a renaissance of sorts a ‘new and improved’ La Conner. And we invite you to
come see for yourself.
New projects have created an even more visitor-friendly
La Conner including a roundabout for easy access into town,
wider roads, new sidewalks, removal of telephone poles,
replaced with new lampposts sporting hanging flower baskets
and colorful banners. At the end of Morris and First Street, a
park awaits you with a stage and tiered seating for
year-round concerts.
Looking
for
that creative and
•
2003–2004
roups, Meetings,
and Retreats
The La Conner Country Inn
& Channel Lodge have successfully hosted group meetings and
events for
years. With
dedicated staff,
outstanding
service, ample
space, free parking and our close
proximity to
downtown and waterfront restaurants,
we are the perfect venue for that special
event, meeting, retreat, wedding or
reunion. And, with our group discount
starting at just five rooms
and up, it’s a great deal. But,
don’t just take our word for it.
Here’s what people have to say
about their experience:
“Thank you again for making
our visit to La Conner such
a success. All of our managa special occasion,
As you’re strolling around town, check out the new, outdoor
ers commented on the great
art sculptures. Through January the work of 15 renowned
birthday or for
sleeping accommodations, the
Northwest sculptors is featured in an outdoor walking tour.
wonderful lunch, your responthe Holidays?
At the Front Desk, pick up a walking tour map. Every second
siveness to special requests
Saturday of the month, La Conner’s art galleries, museums and
Why not purchase a
and your friendly staff. You
gift galleries host an art walk, when over two dozen venues stay
proved a perfect setting for our
open late to offer art, conversations with artists, music, refreshIFT
ERTIFICATE
retreat,” Anne L Kirchner, Rick
ments and entertainment.
Steves’ Europe Through the
for accomodations?
La Conner’s three museums also feature notable Northwest artBack Door
ists, and special events throughout the year. Located across the
1.888.466.4113
“At every opportunity, you
street from the La Conner Country Inn and Channel Lodge, the
www.laconnerlodging.com
went above and beyond to proMuseum of Northwest Art is a destination in itself for art lovers
vide what we needed...I have
throughout the year, MoNA’s special events provide a terrific
planned and facilitated many of our
focal point for a La Conner weekend getaway.
retreats and working with you on this
one stands out as exceptional,” Patrice
The Skagit County Historical Museum and Gaches Mansion, featuring the La Conner
Roney, Adler Giersch Law
Quilt Museum, are also just a hop, skip and a jump away from the La Conner Country
From start to finish, your needs are met
Inn & Channel Lodge. Both feature outstanding exhibits that seemingly take visitors back
by our experienced and professional
in time along with ongoing special events. For dates for any of these events, see our
staff. We can accommodate events of
calendar on the following pages.
up to 100 people, providing a pleasant
A new wine tasting festival in November features local and regional wineries, fine cheesand casual environment in an inties, breads, olives and dipping oils plus a raffle for wine and winery tours. If you find a
mate setting. And this year, we added
particular wine that you can’t resist, bottles are available for purchase.
wireless technology for your communication needs. Call our Group Sales
Whether your reasons for visiting La Conner are old (arts festivals, museums, quaint
Specialists at 360.466.3101 or email
shops, galleries) or new (art sculptures, wine festival, outdoor concerts), it doesn’t matter.
sales-director@laconnerlodging.com.
Any excuse is a good excuse to visit us at the La Conner Country Inn & Channel Lodge
anytime of the year!
unusual gift for
G
C
D
C
ear Guests,
Clients and Friends,
First, thank you for your continued
patronage, support and friendship.
Everyone at the La Conner Country
Inn & Channel Lodge values your
business and strives to provide outstanding service, so your stay with
us is unsurpassed. Each year, we
see visitors from all over the country
flock to the Skagit Valley for the Tulip
Festival, but just between you and
me, any time of the year is a great
time to visit, with endless things to
do and see.
To entice you further, below are some
new special packages along with
our most popular. Any one of these
makes a great surprise for someone
special (don’t forget, we offer gift
certificates) or indulge your self with
a weekend getaway.
12th Annual
La Conner
Shopper’s
Package
• From October
1, 2003 through
March 31, 2004,
stroll through the exquisite galleries,
antique shops and boutiques that
make La Conner so famous. Along
with your stay at the La Conner
Country Inn or Channel Lodge,
you’ll receive over $200 in amazing
discount coupons at more than 50
local shops and services.
Romantic
Getaway Package
• Romance never dies at the
La Conner Country Inn or
Channel Lodge. Year-round, couples
can enjoy a romantic retreat to
celebrate a honeymoon, anniversary, or simply each other. To make
your stay even more special, we’ve
included some notable amenities like
a gas fireplace, delectable chocolates, a chilled bottle of champagne
or sparkling cider, a $50.00 dining
credit, and a homemade
continental
continued on page 3
ommunity Cal
September 2003
September 6 & 7 ~ MoNA’s Art &
Architecture Tour of Homes, 11 am - 5 pm
September 13 ~ MoNA will be hosting an
After Hours Party in the parking lot.
More info call 360.466.4446.
September 13 & 14 ~ Vintage & Classic Boat
and Car Show Festival – A celebration of
LaConner’s maritime history, featuring vintage
and classic yachts, arts and crafts, music, food and
children’s activities.
September 22 ~ Native American Days –
A celebration of the Swinomish Tribal Community
with canoe races. Maple Hall 10:30am - 5pm.
September 26 & 27 ~ LaConner Quilt
October 2003
October 1~ Start of the 12th Annual
Shopper’s Package.
October 4 & 5 ~ Fifth Annual
Festival of Family Farms
www.skagitcounty.net/familyfarms
October 20~ Skagit County
Historical Museum – Topic: Putting Food
By in WWII, Vivian Smallwood of the Skagit
County Agricultural Extension shares the secrets
of how women preserved family foods on a
wartime budget.
Museum’s Sixth Anniversary Celebration with
a quilt walk through town and two showings
at the museum 360.466.4446.
January 2004
Bird watching ~ An astonishing display of
nature, when the skies fill with tens of thousands of
trumpeter swans and snow geese returning to the
Skagit Valley. A spectacular sight for the next
two months.
February 2004
February 1 ~ Sweetheart
Month – Romantic Getaway Package.
February 21 ~ MoNA Style Wearable
art and fashion show – A fun and festive
annual event, featuring outstanding works of art
by Northwest artists (all wearable,
of course).
February 28 ~ LaConner Rotary
Club 35th Annual Smelt Derby
May 2004
May 20 – 22
3rd Biennual
Skagit River Poetry Festival ~ A three day
celebration of poetry and capstone event to over 50
”Poet-in-the-classroom” appearances.
Iris Fields in Bloom
After the Bloom Special ~ Take advantage of
lower rates in May and June.
May 1~ Spring Channel Cruise Pkg Begins
May 3 ~ Opening Day of
Boating Season – Parade of Boats at 3pm.
May 18 ~ Whisker’s
Camaro Show – LaConner’s
annual showing of these
classic cars.
June 2004
June 1 ~ Whale Watching
Begins – Local Orca Pods can be spotted in the
San Juan Islands from June through September.
June 14 ~ MoNA’s Annual Art
Auction – A museum and yearly auction dedicated exclusively to exhibiting, preserving
and collecting contemporary Northwest art.
June 15 & 16 ~ LaConner Yacht Sales
7th Annual Boat Show & Swap Meet
June 25 – 27 ~ New Outdoor
Art’s Festival
lendar of events
November 2003
November 2 - 4 ~ LaConner’s 18th
Annual “Arts Alive” Festival and
Invitational Art Show - A festival dedicated
to local and regional artists. With exciting exhibitions and gallery demonstrations plus
live music and special workshops, it’s a
true celebration of the arts and its contribution to our community, our history,
and our lives. Call 360.466.4778 for
more information.
November 15 ~ NEW!
La Conner’s Wine Festival
Featuring Local/Regional Wineries, fine
cheeses, breads, olives and dipping oils.
Raffles for wine bottles and winery tours.
Come join the fun!
March 2004
Daffodils in bloom~
Before the arrival of the ever-popular tulips, the
fields are aglow with daffodils, bringing us our
first hint of spring.
July 2004
4th of July Fireworks Show
What a Blast!
Third Annual Fourth of
July Fireworks Special – Whether you
stay at the Country Inn or the Channel Lodge,
you receive front row ‘seats’ at LaConner’s annual fireworks display. You’ll be privy to private
waterfront space for the spectacular show as well
as the friendly atmosphere and cozy ambiance always present at our properties. At the Inn enjoy
our family package, where children under twelve
stay for free and receive a token of celebration.
December 2003
December 6 ~ Hilltop Holiday Festival
at the Skagit County Historical Museum
360.466.3365
December 7 ~ Santa & Mrs. Claus Parade
to the Fire Museum at 2pm
December 7 ~ Lighted Boat Parade
at 6:30pm
Local Legend: It’s been said,
the name Lamplight derives from
a practice common during the
last century when ships
were directed through the
Swinomish Channel by
townsfolk bearing lamps.
April 2004
April ~ Skagit Valley
Tulip Festival ~ Thousands of acres filled with
colorful blooms plus art shows, gala celebrations,
entertainment and guided tours. For more
information call the Tulip Hotline at 360.428.5959
or visit www.tulipfestival.org
August 2004
August 5 ~
LaConner’s
Annual Pioneer
Picnic – 11:30 am
at Pioneer Park.
August 26 – 28 ~ Harley owners group
rally passing through LaConner.
For more details and daily
event schedules, visit the LaConner
Chamber of Commerce website at
www.laconnerchamber.com
Don’t forget to visit our website at
www.laconnerlodging.com for
updated special packages and events.
continued from page 2
breakfast - all of the right ingredients
for romance. Some rooms also
feature a jacuzzi bathtub - just ask us
for details.
Spring Channel
Cruise Package
• During May and June at the
La Conner Country Inn or
Channel Lodge, enjoy a cruise aboard
the Viking Star, exploring beautiful sites such as Hole-in-the-Wall,
Shelter Bay, Eagle’s Nest, Swinomish
Village and the Skagit Bay, while back
dropped by the magnificent Cascade
Mountains. View the abundant
wildlife including migratory birds,
river otters and seals. Package rate
includes an overnight at the Country
Inn or Channel Lodge, a 1-hour
cruise and a homemade continental
breakfast.
New!
Spa Getaway
• In addition to a relaxing stay at the
La Conner Country Inn or Channel Lodge, pamper yourself with a
massage. Located a block away from
either hotel, Joanne Mitchelle of Jo’s
Healing Hands utilizes a combination of techniques to
relax sore muscles,
improve circulation,
release tension and
balance your spirit.
Call ahead or ask the Front Desk for
more information.
For more details about the
above packages including rates
and dates, please call us at
1.888.466.4113 or visit our website at
www.laconnerlodging.com.
Best Wishes,
Cindy Nelson, General Manager
P.S. The Lamplight Membership Program has been a huge success, with
numerous prizes going to our valued
guests. Remember to sign up at the
Front Desk the next time you visit us
and not only will you receive exclusive information on specials, but you
could also win a free night’s stay!
A
Taste of LaConner
Viking Cruises' Cracked
Crab feast & Cruise
For over 25 years, Viking Cruises has
provided excursions plying
the beautiful waters of
Puget Sound. One of their
most popular cruises is the
“Old-fashioned Cracked
Crab Feast.” This 3-hour
excursion conveniently
departs from the Channel Lodge and once
underway each guest is served a casual,
sit-down meal featuring an endless supply of Dungeness crab. Also on the menu
is French bread and dessert (a delightful
Lemon Cheese Square drizzled with
raspberry sauce) from Georgia’s Bakery,
potato salad from Pioneer Market and
Barb’s Beans Coffee; all La Conner small
businesses. After the meal, guests can relax
in the wheelhouse with the skipper or out
on deck to enjoy the scenery of
Deception Pass.
Deception Pass is Washington’s most
popular state park with annual visitors
near three million. The Viking Star cruises
the park’s waters into Bowman Bay, around
Deception Island and out into Rosario
Straight, where a stunning view of the
San Juan Islands, Olympic Mountains and
Victoria, British Columbia awaits.Viking
Cruises’ owners, Bob and Marci Plank,
Lamplight
P.O. Box 573
La Conner, WA 98257
invite you to join them for an unforgettable
cruise and crab feast during your visit to
La Conner and the Country Inn or Channel
Lodge. For more information, please visit
www.vikingcruises.com for upcoming dates
or call (888) 207-2333. To tempt you, they’ve
provided the recipe for Lemon Cheese
Squares below for a hint of what’s in store.
Lemon Cheese Squares
•
•
•
•
•
•
1 Box Yellow cake Mix (extra moist)
3 Large Eggs
1/2 Cup Butter (melted)
1/2 Cup Pecans (chopped)
2 Cups Powdered Sugar
8 Ounces Cream Cheese
LEMON CURD:
• Juice of 3 Lemons or 5/8 Cup Lemon Juice
• 1/2 Cup Butter
• 6 Egg Yolks
• 3/4 Cup Sugar
Combine lemon juice and butter in sauce pan, simmer
then remove from heat. Whisk together egg yolks
and sugar. Pour 1/2 lemon mix into egg mixture and
whisk. Pour back into sauce pan with remaining
lemon mix and over medium heat, stir
constantly until thick
for 5 to 7
minutes.
Let cool then
refrigerate.
(room temperature)
Lamplight is
• 1/4 Cup Sour Cream
• 1Tbl. Grated Lemon Peel
published annually
to inform and communicate
• 1Tsp. Vanilla
Combine cake mix, butter, 1 egg and
nuts. Press into a 9” x 13” baking pan.
Beat sugar, cream cheese and sour cream.
Mix in 2 eggs, lemon peel and vanilla.
Spread over cake mix. Bake at 350 degrees
for 30 minutes or until top sets.
points of interest in and about
the Skagit Valley, for guests,
CHANNEL
LODGE
205 N. First Street
La Conner
La Conner, WA 98257
360 • 466 1500
TOPPING:
(see below)
La Conner Country Inn
and Channel Lodge.
Melinda Burghduff
Director of Sales
• 1 1/4 Cup Heavy Whipping
Cream (whip first)
• 1 1/4 Cup Lemon Curd
Whip 1 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream,
blend in 1 1/4 cup lemon curd. Spread
mixture over baked and cooled cake.
Refrigerate a couple of hours before serving.
clients and friends of the
C107OUNTRY
INN
S. Second Street
La Conner
La Conner, WA 98257
360 • 466 3101
Sandy Johnson-Itter
Graphic Designer
www.sanjidesign.com
Brandie Ahlgren
Writer/Editor
www.bsacommunications.com
Bulk Rate
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Permit No. 15
La Conner, WA
98257