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April 26, 2006
Historic Inn upgrading image with renovations
Best Western Mariemont Inn will become upscale boutique property
April 25, 2006 Mariemont – The owners of the Mariemont Inn are happy to announce that renovations to the historic, English Tudor-style hotel will commence May 1, 2006, and when completed will reposition the mid-market hotel to an upscale boutique property. The Inn will undergo a complete gutting of its interior; the results will be a significant upgrade in the size of the rooms and the quality of services. It has always been the owners’ intent to initially build an addition to the Inn and then make interior renovations, but due to further development problems that have delayed the project, the owners have decided to switch the development phases.
“These renovations will bring more prestige to the Village by having a showcase product. We are hoping to set a standard for the Greater Cincinnati area with an upscale property within the shell of an historic building,” Director of Hospitality Bill Spinnenweber said. The Inn presently has 60 rooms, but the renovations will drop that number to approximately 42 larger, more luxurious rooms that will include four-fixture bathrooms and modern-day technological upgrades such as wireless Internet access throughout the facility.
The Mariemont Inn has two wings, one on Madisonville Road and the other on Wooster Pike. The renovations will begin May 1 on the Madisonville wing and are expected to be completed by Christmas. In the interim, the Wooster wing will be fully functional and open for business. When the Madisonville wing portion is completed, the Wooster wing renovations will begin.
“The changes will provide the comforts of today while still preserving the charm and integrity of the historic building,” Director of Real Estate Dan Spinnenweber, Jr., said. After the upgrades are completed, the owners expect to build an addition on to the Mariemont Inn.
Follow the renovation project online at http://www.mariemontbuzz.com.
For more information, contact:
Bonnie Malone –General Manager
(513) 271-2100
bonnie@mariemontinn.com
Posted by webmaster at 04:32 PM
April 25, 2006
A closer look: Needlepointers Dolores and Retta at The Top Drawer
Two ladies walked into The Top Drawer with a few questions regarding the current needlepoint canvass project they were presently trying to complete. One of the ladies had made a fiber color and stitching error on her canvass and didn’t know how to remedy the mistake.
Within 10 minutes, Top Drawer employees Dolores Menze and Retta Spreen had pinpointed where the error had occurred and presented a drawn diagram the woman could rely on describing how the intricate stitching design can be followed in easy steps.
The ladies who work at The Top Drawer aren’t just good at needlepoint; they are really good. Not just at the craft of needlepoint but with the knowledge of the craft. Needlepoint is the process of taking selected colored fibers, and there are many, and using a hand-painted guide, pulling and pushing the needle and string through a cloth canvass to replicate the painted image.
There are a handful of employees Sandy McKee, owner of the needlepoint shop, has on hand.
For example, Dolores is McKee’s right-hand woman. Dolores has been working at the store for approximately five years and teaches beginner classes once a month and two or three other classes throughout the year.
“I have been doing needlepoint for about 30 years and used to shop at The Top Drawer all the time; Sandy just up and asked me one day if I would like to work here,” Dolores said.
Although to some people it may look like a daunting task, needlepoint is easy to learn, according to Dolores.
“And I can teach you, but you must be patient because it takes patience. I learned from my grandmother in the 1950s when I was 10. I would just watch her and she showed me how to do it. My sister also became interested and now works at a needlepoint store in Washington D.C. It has become a family affair,” she said.
It appears that “watching” someone meticulously thread fibers through a framed piece of cloth with a diminutive needle is enough to lure one’s desire to try it themselves.
Retta Spreen, also a five-year employee, started doing needlepoint nearly 30 years ago after seeing a friend doing it.
“I was intrigued, so I taught myself how to do it,” Retta said. She had been doing needlepoint for years when McKee also asked her if she wanted to work at the shop. “I now work one day a week.”
Retta didn’t enter the world of needlepoint totally void of any know-how; she had experience with embroidering and able to utilize some of those skills to promote faster improvement on the canvass.
“But I am still learning,” Retta said.
When anyone enters The Top Drawer, albeit novice or professional, they will be met with ladies who can answer questions, offer advice, suggest design ideas, or make orders for specialized needs.
And they are also teachers.
“Because I teach classes, I feel I am good with selecting colors and showing you how to get started. Needlepoint is fun because it is relaxing, it is something you can do while passing time or watching TV or whatever, and when you are done you have a finished product that can be framed, given as a gift, or passed down to your family for ages,” Dolores said.
There are artists all over the country that paint pictures, objects, people, animals, and just about anything you can think of and make it available for people to cross-stitch. It can be anything – from natures scenes to cartoon characters.
The Top Drawer has a group of ladies who come once a month, called Ladies Night Out, and they are a large group of mid-30 year olds who all cross-stitch. They come and socialize, discuss patterns and share techniques. It is much like a book club, and people do the same patterns.
Retta said the most compelling canvass she has ever completed was a scene of Riverfront Stadium. “The artist did the picture for me, which had lots of colors that were changing all the time. I took me a long time, it was very meticulous, but it turned out beautiful.”
She suggests that anyone wanting to plunge into needlepoint take a beginner’s class and get a good book. “And be sure to heed the advice of people in the shop, don’t be afraid to ask questions and as your skill improve take more advanced classes.
The Top Drawer, located 6880 Wooster Pike, specializes in exquisite hand-painted and needlepoint canvasses. The canvasses are then made into pillows, purses, ornaments and various other items.
Whether a novice or a maestro in the craft of needlepoint work, The Top Drawer offers classes for anyone who wants to learn ... or learn more. And it doesn’t matter where you live or how long it takes for you to get to the store - the ladies will teach you.
The Top Drawer has clientele that comes from Cleveland, Columbus, Indianapolis and other places that are miles and miles away.
“One thing about our art is needlepointers seek out needlepoint shops,” McKee said. “Ours is one of the few needlepoint shops in the country.”
For more information regarding the store or when classes begin, call 271-6691 or visit www.topdrawer-needlepoint.com
The store is open 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Posted by johnston at 12:09 PM
New face, new service
There is a new face at Mariemont’s U.S. Bank. Chelsea Moeller is now the bank’s new branch manager.
So, for the people who do their banking with the village’s U.S. Bank you might want to introduce yourself. And for those who are thinking about opening an account with the bank, Moeller is the individual you may want to talk to.
U.S. Bank has the oldest charter in the United States. Many people will recognize its erstwhile name, Star Bank, which it shed 10 years ago. The bank is now located in 24 states nationally.
Like most banks, the Mariemont branch offers a wide variety of financial services, ranging from savings and checking accounts to funds and bonds to personal and business loans. Being a small branch in a small community, though, U.S. Bank also enjoys doing business with many of the village businesses.
Located at 6940 Madisonville Road, adjacent to The Villager and across the street from the Best Western Mariemont inn, Heiderhoff said he wants the bank to become more community-oriented by possibly helping host some local activities and events.
At present the bank is introducing an EquiLine Rate Reward, which “guarantees your home equity rate will drop.” Now people will get a 7.75 percent APR with a prime of +0 percent that will later drop to 6.75 percent APR. The equity line of credit will drop .25 percent every six months to as low as prime -1 percent for life.*
The Mariemont U.S. Bank is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday thru Thursday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday. For more information, call 272-5309.
*The 7.75 % variable APR is available with any new or existing U.S. Bank checking account and loan to value of 80% or less. Higher rates apply for higher loan to values. The Annual Percentage Rate will vary at Prime Rate as published in the Wall Street Journal. As of April 1, 2006, the variable rate for lines of credit is 7.75% APR to 10.75% APR and will not exceed 25% APR. The margin and corresponding APR will automatically be lowered by .25% at six, 12, 18, and 24 months from the note date. Rate examples are based on the current Prime Rate and may change in the future. Rate Reward is available only on new relationships or increases of $20,000. To qualify for the Rate Reward, the account cannot have any delinquency that is greater than 30 days past due. A single delinquency will disqualify the account from future rate adjustments and revert back to the original margin. An annual fee of up to $90 may apply after the first year. Offer is effective for applications taken from April 3, 2006 to June 3, 2006 and is subject to normal credit approval. Property insurance is required. Rate is subject to change. Some restrictions may apply. Offered through U.S. Bank National Association ND. Member FDIC.
Posted by johnston at 12:05 PM
April 21, 2006
Last Minute Reminder! Dilly Deli teams up with Save the Animals Foundations Shelter
Let's not forget what is scheduled to happen in a few days.
On Sunday, April 30, 2006, Dilly Deli Wines & Gourmet and Carr Valley Cheese Company team up for an afternoon specialty cheese, wine and beer event to benefit Save The Animals Foundation Shelter. The event will be held at Dilly Deli Wines & Gourmet, 6818 Wooster Pike in Mariemont.
Master Cheesemaker and fourth generation owner Sid Cook will personally share his cheeses with fundraiser attendees. Mr. Cook is one of a small handful of certified Master Cheesesmakers in the U.S.; a distinction awarded only to veteran Wisconsin craftsmen who complete a rigorous 15 year advanced training and education program.
In the past three years alone, Carr Valley cheeses have won more than 60 top awards in the U.S. and in international competitions. Many of these have been won by Mr. Cook’s one -of-a-kind American Originals - artisan cheeses not made anywhere else in the world. This is a unique opportunity to try some excellent, high-end cheeses that clearly demonstrate that the U.S. produces world class cheeses.
Robbie Richard Warinner, co-proprietor of Dilly Wines & Gourmet said “this is a unique opportunity to sample Sid’s cheeses, along with some great wines and beers.” Mr. Cook’s cheeses are among the hand-selected artisan cheeses at Dilly Wines & Gourmet. Ms. Richard Warinner is an eight-year STAF volunteer, and has adopted two “family members” from the shelter. “STAF is an amazing place,” she said, “I’m very excited to be involved in such a fun event for a very tireless and worthwhile group.” In addition to Mr. Cook, many other vendors have joined in, donating items necessary to make the fundraiser a success.
Save The Animals Foundation (www.STAF.org) is the largest no-kill animal shelter in the Cincinnati area. There are currently about 520 cats and 40 dogs currently at the shelter. For over seventeen years STAF has cared for, rehabilitated, and placed in responsible homes unwanted, abandoned, and abused cats and dogs. STAF also works with the community to promote responsible pet ownership and to reduce the population of homeless animals. The shelter is run entirely by unpaid volunteers and is funded solely by donations and special events.
Main event tickets are $30 each; pre-admission “meet the cheesemaker reception” tickets are an additional $10. Both can be purchased in advance by personal or business check from STAF, PO BOX 9356, Cincinnati, Ohio 45209. Tickets may also be purchased in person by cash or check at Dilly Deli Wines & Gourmet at 6818 Wooster Pike, in Mariemont. For more information E-mail Mick at Mick@STAF.org or Sid Cook at sid@carrvalleycheese.com
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Posted by johnston at 06:11 PM
April 13, 2006
Easter specials!!!
HAPPY EASTER
Come in to the National Exemplar and taste what is cooking this holiday weekend!
The specials include:
Alaskan Halibut
Creole style topped with tomatoes and sour
cream, garlic mashed potatoes, green
beans and mushrooms for only $19.95
Veal Piccata
Milk fed medallions sautéed in garlic, white
wine, capers, lemon and a veal demi, rice
medley, grilled asparagus for only $18.95
Pasta
Fettuccine tossed with wild Mexican shrimp,
fresh sea scallops, blue crab, asparagus,
roma tomatoes, parmesan peppercorn cream for only $21.95
Posted by johnston at 05:32 PM
April 07, 2006
What's for dinner?
Tonight’s Specials at the National Exemplar
Alaskan Halibut
with pecan crusted, cherry beurre blanc, garlic
mashed potatoes, green beans and mushrooms
$20.95
Japanese Style Pork Medallions
encrusted in panko bread crumbs, mirin soy sauce,
rice medley and grilled asparagus
$18.95
Pasta
Linguini tossed with shrimp, crimini mushrooms,
Roma tomatoes, spinach, garlic basil and
lemon cream
$19.95
Posted by johnston at 10:51 AM