Holidays Spirits--Part II "The Basics"

Greetings, Blog Friends.

A chilly 4 degree morning paired with a steaming cup of coffee starts my day here in Western Maine. Brrrrr!

In preparing for your holiday gatherings I began in the last post writing about a basic bar set-up for entertaining....

Starting with the specific needs of your guests that you have inquired about, the basic liquors one should stock are the ones that have the most popularity. White liquors (clear in appearance) that are versatile with most mixers (juices, carbonated mixers) are vodka, gin, and rum. Here a Dark Rum (eg. Myer's Dark Rum) might be more seasonal (and a good match for eggnog). Tequila, another white liquor, is super for tasty Margaritas in the Summer but not in the colder seasons.

Dark liquors (blended whiskey, bourbon, scotch, brandy, etc.) are "warmer" this time of year. Have a couple of these on hand. Simple highballs (liquor + mixer) are made in a moment with these.

Cordials/liqueurs are taste specific (coffee, orange, almond, etc.) are popular and offer a virtual department store of flavors. These are wonderful for a Coffee/Cocoa Bar. Keep a few of the most popular on hand, too. Some of these can be useful and versatile in cocktails, or for sipping "on the rocks."


So...here is a basic bar list for your swinging party; the liquor brands are up to you, of course:

*Vodka (Stolichnaya, Grey Goose, Belvedere, Smirnoff--your choice)
*Gin (Tangueray)
*Rum (Bacardi light, Myer's Dark Rum)
*Whiskey (Canadian Club, Seagram's 7)
*Cordials/Liqueurs (Kahlua, Amaretto di Saronno, Vandermint, etc.)
*Wine & Beer

Don't forget little touches like enough glassware, swizzle sticks, cocktail napkins, and fruit (lime & lemon wedges, maraschino cherries, olives, orange slices) & ice and ice buckets (for white/sparkling wines).

Your bar area (if outside your kitchen/food area) should be in a location where people can congregate and where you can tidy it up easily and oversee. Check in on all your guests for any strange behavior from over-consumption of alcohol. Remember: Responsible serving & drinking always. We need you and your friends around for 2010!

From Chilly, Beautiful Maine,

Keith
Inn at Long Lake
Naples, Maine

Christmas "Spirits"--What to Stock

Greetings, Blog Friends!

Winter has arrived in Maine. Two storms piled a fair amount of snow outside our doors in just the last week. Thankfully, warmer weather followed each outburst.

The holidays are on their way and I've already attended some wonderful parties. Seeing friends and family is one of the best parts about the holidays, of course! Getting ready for them can be a challenging endeavor, however...

Stocking your bar is an integral part of planning gatherings. Until the Baby New Year makes its happy appearance to give us "2010," I will endeavor to give you some basic advice & tips on simple beverage service during your festivities to make them even better!

So....what to stock? This is as simple, or as complex, as you would like it to be.

A couple of rules:

1). To stock a complete bar may not be cost-effective, or even prudent. While I am an advocate of stocking a variety of food & beverage items to inspire my hosting creativity, I advise that, in general house party cases, only stock what you will serve.

Based on this here are some tips for entertaining:

1). Ask your guests at the time of RSVP what it is they like to drink. With some luck they will usually give you a few choices (and usually joke "the expensive booze, of course!").

2). Have the basic liquor set-up (to be discussed in a future post)---and offer a "Specialty Cocktail" (or punch) that you can make up in advance. Name it after something fun--like "Snowball Cocktail" (hmmm...do they make glasses that look like snowballs??!!), or "Yuletide Grog." Or....simply make your favorite eggnog. This way you will be all set up/stocked with enough of the ingredients.

3). While it is nice to have a variety of spirits around, remember that non-drinkers must be accommodated. Coffee, non-alcoholic punch, or another "featured" no-alcohol can be created--and try something tasty and unique. How about a "Mrs. Claus Sipper" (someone has to drive the sleigh home when Santa's nose gets too red!! Hahaha.)? Being aware and prepared for responsible service is not only a gesture of hospitality, but a form of caring for your guests and friends!

4). Consider pairing your beverage choices around your menu. (Wine is, of course, an excellent choice--ask your local liquor man what is good and affordable.

I will post some more things to consider in the near future.

On another note: To all the lovely e-mails, phone calls, and cards I received over my Granny's passing, thank you so much. My Mom got wind of all of them. She extends her sincere "Thank You" to all.

Your Maine Innkeeper,

Keith A. Neubert

Naples, Maine

"The Heart of the Lakes Region"

In Loving Tribute: Clara Butler (1916-2009)

Hi, Blog Readers and Foodie Friends:

This weekend my family wished my "Granny," Clara Butler (my Mom's Mom), a beautiful journey to Heaven. The last few weeks have been challenging, especially for her and my Mom. I was able to bolt down to Massachusetts after Thanksgiving to let her know how much I loved her--and that she was, indeed, considered one of the best. It was one of the most touching experiences of my Life. The look of love in her eyes when she held my hand for (what we knew would be the last time) broke my heart, and opened it at the same time.

How blessed my Mom, my brothers, and I are to have had her in our lives for 93 years! My older brother, Bill, shared many lovely memories at the service. Among these were Christmas Eves, fun on the golf course, my Granny's awesome American Chop Suey (use a cast iron pan only, she revealed to me!), nights we all sat and watched the Lawrence Welk Show together. No matter how bad things would get chasing after 3 grandsons, my Granny never used curse words! Funny what we recall...

After my brother, I spoke about my feelings on "letting go" to the group. This is not the "I'm saying goodbye" type of letting go, more the confidence & conviction in your Faith that God will always provide you with answers to your troubling questions in time, even carry you when you feel that you cannot move forward. The strength to hold on to this knowledge is what my Granny showed me in her Life. There are things you can do in Life--but sometimes one must just offer it to God and know that perspective and Grace will come in time with patience and Faith.

My Granny was so happy for me when I assumed ownership of Inn at Long Lake. She knew it was a lifetime of dreams come true (and she always said: "The hard work will keep you out of trouble!") She enjoyed hearing about what was going on at the inn with all my projects, too. Heck---every time I make Hermit Bars at the inn she is thought of (she used to keep these moist, spicy raisin-dotted bars in a metal tin in her electric oven--just waiting for my visit with her! hehe).

My thanks to all my friends who supported me during this time! Thanks to the Merrimac Valley Hospice in Massachuesetts who were angels in the last days of Granny's life here on Earth, and to the staff of Lawrence General Hospital.

Granny, I will miss you, remember you, love you, and hold you near my heart forever. You are the best!!

Keith

Grandson #2 ;-)

Memorium for a Mentor: Walter Griffin (1945-2009)

"The Griffin family mourns the loss of Walter Griffin. He died peacefully and unexpectedly in his home November 2. He has been actively retired as Phillips Exeter Academy Food Service Director since 2004 and enjoying spending time with his family, traveling, contributing to his community, and working as a maitre d' at the Stageneck Inn in York Harbor, Maine. He is survived by his wife Sandra, son Charles "Chip," daughter Alison Seuter, and grandchildren Avery and Griffin Seuter. This loss comes as a complete shock to family, friends, loved ones, community members etc. He was an incredibly generous and loving man that will be missed."

********************************************************************************

And so...there I was online e-mailing back and forth with some friends and I get this e-mail from Walter Griffin's e-mail account. I thought "Wow! This is a blast from the past!" I open it, only to find this sad news.

Walter was the Director of Dining Services at P.E.A. back when I was the dinner chef (1995-1997). He was a big guy who always believed that anything that could be envisioned could be set into motion. He also had high standards so that the guests (the students, faculty, alumni) would be happy. Dining Services there was self-contained (not a contract company) and it was an amazing experience for me in my career.

Walter, his wife, and others had dinner with me in New Orleans, when the city hosted a Summer Food Service Convention. I remember fondly an after-dinner walk with the crazy bunch on Bourbon Street, laughing at almost everything. Walter, aside from a strict boss, was a "good guy." I missed New England dearly in those days and was touched that he took time to have dinner that evening--and to foot the bill! Oh, how much the 8 of us laughed that evening!

The industry has lost a great man with Walter's passing. His memory and standards will always live on in my work at the inn. And, I guess that is just one legacy--one blessing--that mentors of this caliber leave behind...

"Rest and Dance with the Angels, Walter Griffin" (1945-2009)

Picture

Greetings, Blog Readers!

The lovely picture above was sent to me by Ron and Kathy S. from Clifton, VA. Ron and Kathy stayed here in mid-October for 4 nights. As you can see, some of the leaf colors were still vibrant at that time (maybe due to so much rain in June).

This coming weekend Inn at Long Lake hosts its 19th Annual Holiday Craft Show. I enjoy this event. It is refreshing to see some of the local artisans who have such passion for their crafting (jewelry, lamp shades, sewn items, wood products--the list is endless). Plus, my Mom (Elaine---perhaps most famous for Elaine's Pistachio Coffee Cake) will be coming up with her knitted mittens and scarves. Many locals pass through the inn to get some early holiday shopping done. Always nice to say "Hello" to them.

Now is the time, by the way, to maybe to begin looking at some holiday appetizers on your favorite food sites. Of course, bring your specialty---but take the next step forward and try something new

That's all for today. Thanks again to Ron & Kathy for the memory of Autumn in New England!

Your Maine Innkeeper,

Keith A. Neubert

"I've Heard of Coal for Christmas..."

...but Cole for Halloween??!!

Many things going on at the inn lately. The Foliage Seekers from all over the globe graced Western Maine--and Mother Nature did not disappoint them one iota this year. Hues of oranges, reds, and yellows blazed along the roadways of the area, splashing off the lakes in Monet fashion. Even with the rain we had, the colors still linger on even now!

I have been thinking a bit about Cole Porter over October (his passing was on October 15, 1965). Robin & Katie, two gals from Metro Boston, actually picked Inn at Long Lake and The Cole Porter Room to celebrate their 1-year anniversary. I was touched to know they shared my interest in this brilliant composer/lyricist.

In today's mail, my dear friend, Lin, in Dunedin, Florida had sent me a Halloween package. In it was a CD of "Dionne Warwick Sings Cole Porter" (which I am groovin' to now!). Dionne is one great lady with a gorgeous, unique voice. "You're The Top,""Begin the Beguine,""Night and Day," and "I Love Paris in the Springtime." All great classics in American songwriting, for sure. What a treasured gift and cool coincidence!

If your Ouiji board is "in the shop" and you'd enjoy spending some time with Cole Porter (hehe), come to our Thanksgiving Weekend Sing-a-long Event, featuring the piano stylings of Charles Grindle. It will be a toe tapper, I am certain!

Best to all! And remember...."Anything Goes!"

Your Maine Innkeeper,

Keith A. Neubert

Inn at Long Lake

A Lovely Guest Comment...

The last few weeks have been very busy at the inn. The ever-popular Fryeburg Fair and gorgeous scenic views abounding in Western Maine have brought guests from all over the world--Michigan, Wisconsin, the United Kingdom, and many more!

Here is a nice e-mail we received from 2 couples who stayed at the inn this past week:

"According to Webster, an inn is "a public house for the lodging and entertaining of travelers". We would give the Inn at Long Lake an "A+" on both counts. As a lodging, the experience was more than memorable - a modernized 103 year old building that serves as home not only to Keith and his staff but to all who pass within. Impeccable service, the best of conveniences, and wonderful breakfasts.

As for the entertaining of travelers, the experience couldn't have been better. We have traveled via B&B's (only way to go) for over 20 years, so we have experience in this area. As an innkeeper, Keith is unmatched, not only in his expertise and sincerity, but in the overall manner he and his staff truly make the visitor feel appreciated and important. They really want you to enjoy your experience. This sounds ordinary, but many such businesses have become just that - "give them the barest of essentials and congenialities and let them make their own vacation". Inn at Long Lake is different, and we hope that never changes. We will return to the Inn, and we will see if it has. Matter of fact, we can't wait!!

Thanks all for providing what you obviously had in mind - not just a four day blur of little events but the happiest of experiences remembered by the guest and, hopefully, remembered by the staff as well. You succeeded!!"

Thanks to Bill, Sherri, Sheila, and Al for the kind words. They mean so much!

Your Maine Innkeeper,

Keith A. Neubert
Naples, Maine