Best in Cove

Christmas in Narragansett is always unique. This year we had a pack of special guests spend Christmas at Blueberry Cove Inn. The Sheehy family decided to hold a holiday reunion here. Four humans made the drive up from Delaware, bringing four Burmese Mountain dogs and one brindled pal of unknown ancestry with them. These were beautiful animals, large enough to fill in for sleigh duty if Dancer or Prancer was feeling under the weather on Christmas Eve.

I must admit I had some trepidation about having so many animals on the property, especially when I learned that they were bringing a puppy along. What I was overlooking was the fact that these are show dogs, and thus well-trained to be on their best behavior even when traveling to strange places for the first time. If it wasn't for the occasional howl from the run in the backyard when they were outside, I wouldn't even have known they were around. And none of the other guests had any problems with their furry neighbors. Because the pet-friendly suite has a separate entrance from the rest of the property the anmals never had to cross paths with the other guests.

The puppy, named Ranger, had perhaps the softest fur I have ever petted and was as playful and friendly as could be. In fact the main problem with having him visit was that Seely's "I want a puppy" gene was activated. I wouldn't be at all surprsied if she cut a deal for a reduced rate on a future stay in return for a chance to pick a puppy from the next litter that's not quite up to showdog standards.

Innkeeper Dave

Time is Running Out!!!

The year is running out. It isn't too late to make up with Aunt Frida who is very aware that you didn't send her a Hanukkah gift. Christmas is in a few days immediately followed by Boxing Day and Kwanzaa. Do you want to disappoint your favorite Druids and Wiccans? You haven't finished shopping and you have no plans for New Year's Eve.

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

There are only a few days left to get a "Wicked Good Gift Certificate" to give to others, saving the bonus gift for yourself of course.

We still have lovely whirlpool rooms with fireplaces available for New Year's Eve. You can walk to the big dance down at the Towers if you don't want to watch the ball drop on TV. This would be the perfect time to make the reservation since you are on the computer already.

It is also time to start planning that summer vacation. The office vacation schedule probably comes out on the second and you want to be prepared to grab the best weeks for your trip to the beach. I'm just saying, it's going to be here before you know it.

Snow Fight!!!

First, let me admit that this has absolutely nothing to do with innkeeping in Narragansett or even in Rhode Island. It has nothing to do with staying at Blueberry Cove Inn (although you should book soon for any date whatsoever.) Heck, we don't have any snow right now (not that I want any of course but the beach is kind of quirky in the snow.)

It's just fun.

Celtic Christmas Music

Although this event isn't in Narragansett, it is only a short drive away. It promises to be a good time for all.

Court House Center for the Arts

Celtic Christmas December 11th at 7pm December 12th at 2pm CCA proudly presents our first annual Celtic Christmas. This celebration of the mid winter season has a distinct Celtic flavor and extends from the little known Kilmore carols of Wexford to the Irish-American vaudeville stage.

Wicked Good Gift Certificates

Narragansett, RI. The Pier, the beach, the Towers, something for everyone all year round. Holidays. Gift giving dilemas. Solution: one size fits all gift certificates!!

This Holiday Season give the gift that your friends will receive twice, a Gift Certificate from Blueberry Cove Inn. They get the original gift and then get their stay when they use it.

With each gift certificate you purchase between now and December 24, 2010 you will also get an additional gift certificate valued at 10% of your original purchase. You can give the additional gift certificate to someone else or you can use it yourself.

Example: Purchase a $200 gift certificate and receive an additional Gift Certificate for $20. These special gift certificates may no be used with any other gift certificates or other promotions, sorry. They will be accepted year round. All of our usual rates and reservation policies will apply. If ordering on line, please put "Wicked Good" after identifying your special occasion on the form.

Seasoning the Inn

It's December, which means bare trees, sunset at midafternoon and holiday decorating at Cove.

With Narragansett doing a major event, the Festival of Lights, centered around the lighting of the town Christmas tree, we decided to get the inn holiday-ready earlier than usual to showcase for any passers-by who might want a peek at our accommodations.

Fortunately we had some extra help from our teen tyros, Annie and Liz. Dedicated readers will remember that they signed on last summer to help us with yard work, and they were so helpful that we have been finding other tasks for them ever since.

On Saturday, I was assigned outside lights duty for two crucial reasons: I don't mind working in the cold and it keeps me out of the way of those handling breakable items and making artistic decisions.

In a little over two hours, the girls, under Foreperson Seely's energetic direction, managed to unsnarl and test 17 strings of lights, wrap some of them around all three flights of stairs, add garlands of fake holly, hang round red ornaments on each segment of the glass block border, and cover every flat surface with some kind of holiday knick-knack. Everything from sea captain Santa to the snowmen picket fence found its place.

By 1:30 all that was left was the tree. While the junior innkeepers hauled out the stand and washed it down, I toted the 9 foot balsam in from the yard. For once we got the size just right, so no radical surgery was required before we could lock it into the stand.

We then sent Seely's helpers home. She tackled the lights for the tree while I returned to stringing popcorn. Ornaments may have to wait until tomorrow, but we should be ready by the time the town lights its tree at 5.

Check back tomorrow for photos of the decorations. Better yet, stop on by for our impromptu Open House and see them for yourself.

Innkeeper Dave