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Earth Day Celebrations in Savannah, and Our Urban Gardens

April 20th, 2013 by cassandra

The gardeners at bed and breakfast Azalea Inn & Gardens in Savannah, GA

The gardeners at our eco-friendly bed and breakfast – Azalea Inn & Gardens in Savannah, GA

Gardens have been featured before here at the blog for Azalea Inn & Gardens

Today we’re bragging, again.

As Earth Day approaches next week (officially on April 22) we are going to give you the scoop on Earth Day celebrations in Savannah, and our urban gardening adventures.

No celebration is complete if we can’t celebrate ourselves…Don’t you agree?

We are so committed to fresh, seasonal and local to the point that we tend our very own urban garden.

Celebrating the Gardens at Azalea

Here we are, today, celebrating our Gardens. We actually have two. One, an ornamental landscape and the other an edible landscape. The best of both worlds!

Our edible landscape is full of tomatoes, squash, eggplant, herbs, cucumbers, and other goodies. Our ornamental landscapes mimic traditional plants that were grown in the early days of Savannah settlement and we hope you’ll come and find your favorite.

The Mini Farm at Our Eco-Friendly Bed and Breakfast

Last year we called our edible gardens a “Mini Farm” and the story is quite a good read if you like to see urban gardening at its finest, and really investigate all the produce varietals that will be showing up in our guests’ full gourmet Southern breakfasts each morning. As a truly eco-friendly bed and breakfast, we’re doing our best to improve every day and every year.

We use a method of space conservation called square-foot gardening. We grow our food on trellises to maximize the yields from the least amount of space. Smart space utilization IS so important, especially downtown in the historic district of Savannah. We’re right at the south edge of the Savannah’s historic district so our guests get all the amenities without all the noise. Be our guest, during Earth Day, and all other days. You’re always welcome at Azalea.

Now THAT'S an urban garden. The grounds at Azalea Inn & Gardens, a B&B in Savannah, GA

Now THAT’S an urban garden. The grounds at Azalea Inn & Gardens, a B&B in Savannah, GA

Celebrating Earth Day in Savannah

This year (2013) the Earth Day celebrations will be held on Saturday, April 20 in Forsyth Park. Everything from music to edible landscaping will be featured. So, if you’re in town, make sure to check it out. More information about Earth Day in Savannah can be found here.

Whether you’re planning to visit Savannah this weekend, or need to start planning for next year – April in Savannah is a real treat and we hope to see y’all soon.

Azalea Inn and Gardens, a Savannah GA bed and breakfast inn, invites you to reserve your room today to experience our beautiful gardens and enjoy the best of our historic city.

Thanks for reading. Don’t forget to follow Azalea Inn & Gardens on Facebook and Twitter, too!

Easter in Savannah is a Chance to Explore Savannah’s Churches

March 19th, 2013 by cassandra

Easter in Savannah is a chance to explore Savannah's churches!

Today’s tip for those of you planning a vacation in Savannah (and for Savannah locals, too) has to do with an upcoming holiday: Easter. Easter in Savannah is a chance to explore Savannah’s churches.

With this chance to explore, let’s imagine a lazy Savannah afternoon, and how a day in your life could unfold as you walk around town discovering Savannah’s churches. Today we’re featuring 3 of them.

Easter falls on Sunday, March 31 this year (2013), but Greek Easter comes on Sunday, May 5 so you have a lot of wiggle room in this time frame to plan a vacation based around the excuse that you MUST see Savannah’s churches.

The Forrest Gump Church…

Imagine, a warm sunny day strolling up and down Bull Street (the street that divides East and West in Savannah!). You look up and think to yourself, “Hmmm. I feel as if I’m in a movie!” Your instincts aren’t foolin’, because the Independent Presbyterian Church (207 Bull Street, at the corner of Bull and Oglethorpe Streets) is the backdrop of that famous floating feather in Forrest Gump. From those towering white steeples gleaming in the sunshine, let’s move on to a totally different aesthetic.

An Example of Earthy Architecture on Calhoun Square…

You’re no architect (or, maybe, you ARE!) but you sure can agree that the vibe of the architecture at Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church can be summed up in one word as “earthy”. That double staircase leading up to the brick red front door with its halo of gothic windows is a fantastic photo-op! Calhoun Square and Wesley Monumental (429 Abercorn Street at the corner of Abercorn and East Gordon Streets) await your eager exploration. Now from the architecture to the history.

The Oldest Black Church in North America…

We know that every corner and crevice of Savannah is brimming with historical facts and snippets of information. What we’re about is making that history come alive. Established in 1777, the First African Baptist Church just west of City Market in Savannah. 23 Montgomery Street (at the corner of Montgomery and West Bryan Streets) marks the northwest edge of Franklin Square, and a location you won’t want to miss on your tour of Savannah. Like Monumental United, the red doors beckon. The stained glass windows will get you hoping that zoom-lens on your camera functions perfectly. In fact, maybe you want to start practicing your photography skills now!

Come See for Yourself!

To appreciate the beauty of the Savannah’s churches, you don’t have to be religious. You don’t even have to go far from Azalea Inn & Gardens to be awed by the architecture. In just a 20-minute stroll down to historic River Street from our B&B, you can experience for yourself what we’ve shared today in this B&B spotlight on our favorite city-wide sanctuaries.

  Azalea Inn and Gardens, a Savannah GA bed and breakfast inn, invites you to reserve your room today to enjoy Easter in Savannah and to explore Savannah’s Churches in the city Travel + Leisure Magazine acclaimed as a “World’s Best City.”

Recap of Savannah Stopover, 2013

March 13th, 2013 by cassandra

Picture 1If ya’ll were lucky, you were in Savannah during the Savannah Stopover – the first big music event of the year. Today we’re bringing you a recap of Savannah Stopover, 2013.

This Stopover recap comes with our B&B’s heavy endorsement to attend the biggest music event of the year, the upcoming Savannah Music Festival. The Savannah Music Festival is a 3-week celebration of live music in Savannah from March 20-April 6, 2013.

What is Savannah Stopover?

Savannah Stopover is an indie music festival that takes place at the beginning of March in Savannah, GA. 2013 marks Stopover’s 3rd annual year of grabbing bands from around the country who are heading to Austin, TX for SXSW. There are venues for all ages, and 21+ performances also. Basically, Stopover brings music for everyone, with almost 100 musical acts making their mark on the musical heartstrings of Savannah.

How to Make the Most of All the Live Music in Savannah During Stopover:

To make the most out of all the live music in Savannah during Stopover NEXT year (because this recap helps you realize just how awesome Stopover really is), you’ve first got to get tickets. Stopover always has a lot of pricing options. You can get day passes for a single day, check out single shows per venue or purchase passes for the whole 3-day music event in Savannah with the added option of putting yourself on the VIP list for a few extra bucks.

Secondly, you’ve got to plan your weekend because there’s SO MUCH MUSIC to see. For the marquee events of Savannah Stopover 2013 we had:

  • Thurston Moore, previously of Sonic Youth, performing on Thursday night at Knights of Columbus with his current band, Chelsea Light Moving.
  • of Montreal performing at what can be called the main event. Forsyth Park on Friday night was PACKED with what seemed like at least 3000 people for the free concert

Who knows what’s in store for next year’s Stopover, but mark your calendars and follow Azalea Inn & Gardens on Facebook, because we’ll be reminding you!

What Kind of Bands Play at Savannah Stopover?

Local bands, Nashville bands, New England bands and many more from around the county come to Savannah Stopover in 2013. Local bands from Savannah including The Accomplices, mumbledust and Bear Fight! played. So did some fun New England bands like Mercies and Bronze Radio Return. Nashville made its mark on the Savannah music scene by lending us The Wild Feathers and Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes. You can check out samples and bios for all the bands on the Savannah Stopover website. Almost 100 bands to choose from!

Where is the Best Place to See Live Music in Savannah

We don’t have a favorite music venue, because the best place to see live music in Savannah really depends on what live music happens where. Venues like The Sparetime, The Jepson Center, Congress Street Social Club and The Jinx along with many, many more hosted 3 nights chock full of live music in Savannah during Stopover this year.

 Ok, Let’s Mark Our Calendars for the Best Live Music in Savannah!

Here’s the deal. Stopover is the greatest, for all you music lovers. Well, the greatest SO FAR this year. And let’s be serious, who ISN’T a music lover. Like Nietzsche says, “Without music, life would be a mistake.” If you didn’t make Savannah Stopover, mark your calendars for next year’s Stopover and start making your plans to attend the upcoming Savannah Music Festival, a 3-week celebration of live music in Savannah from March 20-April 6.

  Azalea Inn and Gardens, a Savannah GA bed and breakfast inn, invites you to reserve your room today and begin enjoying the best live music in Savannah, which Travel + Leisure Magazine acclaimed as a “World’s Best City.”

Veterans Day Reception: Thank You to our Restaurants

November 13th, 2012 by Teresa

Veterans enjoying the reception and the company!

Our third annual Veterans Day Reception was held on Sunday, November 11, 2012 and exceptionally well attended by over 35 active duty and retired veterans plus families. One special veteran was the 92-year-old grandfather of Laci Leoci, of Leoci’s Trattoria – he was truly the center of attention as veterans of all ages shook his hand and thanked him for his contribution to our Country.

The kitchen at Azalea Inn and Gardens was the staging ground and “bar” for the evenings repast and the on again off again sprinkles did little to dampen the spirits or the appetites of these wonderful men and women. Quiet murmurs of appreciation were heard throughout the house as they dined on an enormous spread of foods from some of our most favorite restaurants. We take this time to say “Thank You” to our restaurant partners:

Alligator Soul’s Cajun Meatloaf was the favorite of one vet whose wife declined to make him lunch before arriving… he had begged her to make him some meatloaf!

Leoci’s Trattoria provided Charcuterie and Cheese platters which were devoured quickly and these gracious hosts quickly came over with more platters.

Cha Bella contributed a mouthwatering seasoned Chicken Breasts, Mac-n-Cheese and Green Beans, and the youngest in the crowd declared the mac-n-cheese the best ever!

Pirates House pulled pork and collard Spring Rolls and dipping sauce were quick to go.

Sage made a delicous Planked Salmon, Bruchetta and herbed cream cheese with homemade crostini.

Crystal Beer Parlor shared their famous Crab Dip and homemade crostinie.

Gigi’s Cupcakes contributed 40 mini-cupcakes which were, as expected, quickly devoured.

Lulu’s Chocolate Bar also added to the dessert display with chocolate covered strawberries – Yum!

Azalea Inn and Gardens made Sweet Ricotta Cheese with Fresh Fruit Blintzes.

Wine, sodas and water were all supplied by the four Savannah Inns, Azalea Inn and Gardens, Green Palm Inn, Zeigler House Inn and Dresser Palmer House.

 

Savannah Inn Gives Back at Arlington National Cemetery

July 9th, 2012 by Teresa

At Columbarium – Arlington National Cemetery

Every year this Savannah Inn gives back to our nation’s military heroes with participation in PLANET’s Renewal and Remembrance at Arlington National Cemetery (ANC). This year, the mission at ANC is to lime 155 of acres of turf, aerate 36 acres of turf, provide tree protection and arborist services, install perennials, update two irrigation systems, and continue the Children’s Program. It seems daunting when you realize that nearly 68 TONS of lime will be spread. Can you begin to imagine the coordination it takes to arrange delivery of the lime to different areas of ANC, the equipment required to spread lime and the numbers of people on each team to ensure that in the 8 hours we are granted access to the grounds that this will be accomplished? I am in absolute awe of the details the PLANET committee has put into this memorial project.

Jake and I are part of the irrigation team which makes sense when you realize that Jake is a territory sales manager for the world’s largest irrigation manufacturer in the world, Jain Irrigation. The Irrigation project has 5 teams at the Columbarium and three teams at the Receiving Vault. The Columbarium teams will install low-voltage irrigation control wire which in the long range will allow Columbarium #1 through #8 to be controlled by two ACC controllers that will link to a central computer allowing for central management of the system. They will also continue the upgrade of sprinkler heads around the Columbarium. There are multiple teams working at the Columbarium because all work must be coordinated so as to not interfere with (the 29) funeral schedules.

We are assigned to the Receiving Vault where Jake is the Captain in charge of installing drrip irrigation around the Rose Garden. We will arise early on Monday and join 400+ volunteers in prayer as we open our day to giving back to those who have given so much.

Azalea Inn and Gardens urges all retired and active duty military to take advantage of our 365-day a year special just for you! Call or book on-line and be sure to mention your duty status and branch of service. We are waiting for you.

Savannah Inn Joins PLANET at Arlington National Cemetery for Renewal and Remembrance

June 11th, 2012 by Teresa

Repairing irrigation system Arlington National Cemetery, 2011

The owners of Azalea Inn and Gardens have a firm commitment to the military: active duty, retired and deceased, to honor their service whereever and whenever possible, and for the second year in a row this Savannah Inn joins PLANET at Arlington National Cememtery for Renewal and Remembrance on July 9, 2012. PLANET is an acronym for Professional Landcare Network, and for 16 years this organization has drawn hundreds of volunteers in the landscape and lawn care profession from  across the country. They spend the day mulching, cabling and installing  lightening protection for trees, pruning, planting, and liming and aerating more than 200 acres. Mike Jacobson is an irrigation specialist and has volunteered to oversee the installation of new irrigation products which are being donated by his employer, Jain Irrigation USA. Last year as one of the Irrigation Association (IA) volunteers Mike (known as Jake at the inn) and Teresa  worked on the addition of new irrigation components at the receiving vault, a historic building dating back to the Civil War. The volunteers and staff also upgraded the irrigation system at the columbarium, where cremated remains are interred.

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Arlington National Cemetery in Tribute to Our Veterans

August 5th, 2011 by Teresa

 
Savannah Inn at Arlington

Teresa and Jake at Arlington National Cemetry, Renewal and Remembrance, Irrigation Team

 Last week Jake and I returned from a three-day visit in Washington DC as part of a group effort donating time and resources to the beautification of sacred ground – Arlington National Cemetery.   Yesterday we received a certificate of appreciation from PLANET (Professional Landcare Network), the sponsor for the Renewal and Remembrance project at Arlington.  This opportunity was laid before me by my husband, Jake, a member of PLANET and a Regional Sales Manager for Jain USA, a worldwide leader in the manufacturer of quality drip irrigation products for the agricultural, turf, greenhouse, nursery, industrial and landscape markets.  As you are aware there are two very important aspects of our business that we love to share with guests: our eco-friendly nature and our respect, admiration and tribute to our veterans and current members of our military service.

Immediately across from the inn’s reception desk one will find my father’s framed service medals earned during World War II as a gunner’s mate in the United States Navy and in a life-time career with the United States Air Force.  On one side hangs a picture of my paternal grandfather who at age 16 enlisted in the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force and by age 17 had been wounded at the Battle of Vimy Ridge in France and on the other side will soon be a picture of my maternal grandfather who served with the First Newfoundland Regiment (later known as the Royal Newfoundland Regiment) and fought at Ypres (of In Flanders Field fame) in 1918.  A grandchild shared a memory of the only time he could remember my grandfather speaking of the war.  “Wave after wave of our men battled to capture the hill and finally it was ours.  The very men who hours before were shooting at each other were now sharing cigarettes and pictures of family.” He remarked on the senselessness of war – one in which he lost his two best friends from childhood who had all enlisted together.  

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial

"I Have Seen War ... I Hate War" - FDR

Jake and I visited each war memorial and from each carried the heartache of war, the sense of loss, and yet, a feeling of pride and patriotism and reverence for the sacrifices made and endured.  We especially enjoyed the memorial to FDR and read his inspiring words and found the relevance to today and all that we face – and took faith that we would survive and emerge stronger – if we listen to the wisdom of a man who led our country through the Great Depression and WW2. 
 
At the WW2 Memorial, we looked up my dad’s name and read his story; at the Korean War Memorial we understood a friend’s comment, “It’s haunting”; the Vietnam Memorial – a pain to my eyes and heart; Iwo Jima and the famous flag raising, and finally, the memorial to Women in Service to our Country.  I must remember to add my sister, Sharon, and my own records to the memorial and join our Aunt Petty (Theresa Scott Gleason, sister of our dad) in the memorial.
 
I will be a part of next year’s renewal working side by side with my husband, other veterans, and children while the sound of taps and the sharp report of rifle fire sounds throughout the day – as we pay tribute to the greatest of America’s heroes.  We also plan to participate again in B&B for Vets (see our blog post from last year) on November 10, 2011, filling our ten-room inn free of charge with veterans (and a guest) as another small gesture of our earned respect, admiration and support.  We will begin accepting telephone reservations from active duty and fully retired military on September 11 as we remember the frailty of our freedom and the courage of those who defend it.
 
 
Azalea Inn and Gardens is proud to be a member of Better Way to Stay and heartily endorses its sponsorship of B&B for Vets campaign.    

New York City Tradition in Savannah

July 14th, 2011 by Teresa

Shortly after breakfast on July 5, a family from New York City staying with us for four days, inquired if they might use our grill, conveniently located poolside, for an afternoon cookout – a July 4 family tradition that they had to forego while on vacation.  Before I could answer, they threw in a bribe – I was invited to dinner!  Never one to turn down food, and most especially food I don’t have to prepare, I enthusiastically gave permission.  (We have all the basic fixings for any guest who wants to use our grill from salt and pepper to paper plates).   Smiling broadly, Jason and Sandy, and daughters Claire and Nicola, immediately proceeded to invite everyone at the inn to join them around 4 in the afternoon for a barbeque! 

Work kept me busy till just after 5:30 and as I toured the last check-in through the backyard and pool area, I was surprised to see my New York family and six other guests gathered around the grill and table, laughing, eating, drinking, and encapsulated with plenty of good cheer.  Once free, I quickly joined the party, helped myself to an ear of corn, and watched amusedly as “Chef Jason” cajoled the last check-in, a couple from Kentucky taking a slow and meandering drive home from Gulfport, Mississippi, to join us.  We quickly grabbed chairs off the nearby decks and made room round the table.   

Grilled corn was slathered with butter, while burgers and dogs were joyously consumed.  Jason was the grill commander deftly turning the pork, chicken and steak kabobs over the heat assisted by his youngest, Nicola.  Sandy made sure each new arrival had a drink (white or red wine, or beer) and quickly shooed the children to make room for the adults.  The other guests came and went, on their way to dinner, but a core of us stayed despite the heat:  Sandy, Trevor, Claire and Nicola from NYC (though Sandy and Trevor are from South Africa originally), Patric and Charles from Ohio (celebrating eight years together), Matthew and Allison from W. Virginia (on their honeymoon),  Melissa and Patrick from Illinois (also honeymooners), and Kim and Greg from Kentucky (celebrating his return from Afghanistan). 

Soon Scott West, Jason and Sandy’s Savannah connection and the person who referred the family to our inn, arrives and has gifts for the family and one for me!  We passed the delicious Byrd Cookie Company treats around for all to taste, and I snuck inside to fill my tumbler with the Inn’s special Dreamcicle Lemonade (with a dash of Vodka) which I also shared around the table.  Claire and Nicola entertained us (quite beautifully, I might ad) with songs they had learned from several Broadway shows and musicals as well as some songs of the old South, including a song of freedom from slavery!  This prompted a lively discussion around the table, as I am sure you can imagine!  As the evening’s laughter grew and life stories were shared, Jason and Greg left to purchase more beer and wine.  It was at this point that I realized I had better excuse myself as breakfast duty was on my plate for the morning. 

It is moments such as these when guests find kindred spirits and the feeling of family permeates the evening that I realized how blessed I am to do what I do.  There is no doubt, Azalea Inn and Gardens bed and breakfast is a better way to stay*!

*“better way to stay.” is the grassroots campaign of the Professional Association of Innkeepers (PAII) dedicated to helping travelers discover the B&B experience.

Azalea Inn and Gardens Bed and Breakfast, a Savannah, GA Bed and Breakfast

Savannah Inn Cultivates a Garden of Eating – Part 2

April 14th, 2011 by Teresa

Garden of Eating

What an exciting concept – a small Savannah inn cultivates a Garden of Eating! The same historic bed and breakfast that began a recycling program two years before the city did is breaking new grounds – literally.  Azalea Inn and Gardens has teamed up with local farmer, Adam Mentzer of Adam’s Farm to develop a high-yield square-foot garden in the urban locale of historic Savannah’s former garden district.  In the 2005 commissioned research of 217 E. Huntingdon Street it was discovered that the grounds on which our Inn is located were once part of the original 5-acre garden plots given to each new settler in James Oglethorpe’s Savannah colony.

Several consultations later, Adam presented the innkeepers with a design, a budget and a plan.  Construction began on March 5, compost was hauled in on March 18 and planting commenced on March 24.   Jake designed and installed the irrigation system over the course of those few weeks and completed the installation and hook-up on April 9.  The garden is springing to life with seeded crop pushing leaves through the soil and seedlings taking hold and growing.

We opted for a variety of produce to grace the raised beds installed throughout the small plot area choosing many varieties of tomato (Brandymaster Pink, Morning Light yellow, Cherokee Purple, Amana Orange and Supersweets), members of the squash family (cucumber, gourd Cucuzzi snake, 8-Ball Squash, Zucchini,  and two forms of eggplant), the melon family (Galia, Athena, and other curcurbits),  peppers including Aristocrat and Anastar along with Ancients, several beans (Kentucky blue pole and purple and yellow bush beans) and a variety of root crop from scarlet queen red turnips to fennel and carrots and potatoes.

We also threw in some strawberry varieties for good measure and a bed dedicated to herbs.  Finally, a customer of Jake’s, a blueberry farmer, had given us four plants and we were pleased to see they were beginning to put forth fruit.

We are excited to see how our garden grows and the delight we anticipate in the eyes and on the palates of our guests as they enjoy the bounty of “Our Garden of Eating” at our inn.

Mom, I Will Love You Forever – A Tribute to Mom Contest

April 10th, 2011 by Teresa

The boys my mother nutured - grandsons Joshua and Nathan

Mom, I will love you forever.” is the subject line in an email I received from my son once upon a time, and is part of the  inspiration for this Tribute to Mom contest.

Years ago, perhaps six, my youngest son, Joshua, sent me an email for Mother’s Day in which he shared with me a glimpse at his life as my son, and the influences I had in making him the man he had grown into, and his words, his loving words, still brings on smiles and tears together - he was all of 23.  He has since married and is the father of two decidedly beautiful girls. 

A few years after this, and before I had granddaughters, my oldest son, Nathan, asked what I wanted for Mother’s Day, or maybe it was my birthday??  No matter now, but what I wanted was a grandchild.  I don’t mind telling you that I was fairly relentless in my pursuit of being “Gram.”  As usual, he sighed as he told me no, they weren’t ready.  I reminded him that I didn’t raise such a wonderful man, a loving husband, to not leave an imprint in the world – he is the kind of person who should be a dad.  I think this was the time that he told me I can’t ask that question anymore because I made my poor little daughter-in-law uncomfortable.  

What did I get that year? – My second choice on my short list of two.  He began to write a story about growing up as my son, his poignant memories of the loss of his family when his dad and I divorced, the love my brothers and sisters showered on him and his brother, my mother, the first Gram, and her love and influence on all of us.  In the fourth grade he wrote an essay about the one person he would like to keep alive forever.  “She has brownish gray hair and a little bit of wrinkles on her face and hands.  She has happy green eyes and she is my Gram.”  There is more to the tale he wrote, a special tribute to one of the strongest women in his life;  I read this story at my mother’s funeral.

My mother and four of her daughters

Today, I share these stories with you because I challenge you to create a tribute to the mother in your life and share that tale with me.  You may share it on this blog, or send it to me privately at AzaleaInnSavannah@gmail.com.  On Mother’s Day the staff at Azalea Inn and Gardens will pick one special story to share with its readers and the writer will win a 2-night stay at our inn complete with all the “fixins”, wine and hors d’oeuvres, gourmet breakfast, nightly home-baked dessert and the loving company of our ambassador, Joey the Yorkie! 

This giveaway ends at midnight on May 6, 2011. (May not be combined with any other specials, packages, or deals; taxes are the responsibility of the winner.)

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