North Shore Tech Council Parties at the Shutters

Tonight was a first for the Blue Shutters as we hosted a summer outing for the North Shore Technology Council. There was the band Blue Honey on the front lawn, deep fried turkey cooking in the back and 30+ council members spread across the Shutters property enjoying a beautiful summer-like evening. This all came about after a chance encounter with old friend Ellen Kaplan on Good Harbor Beach -- we talked about the Blue Shutters as a possible backdrop for the annual summer soiree. Little did we know that the council would take us up on our offer -- and are we glad they did. It was a great night for the council (the rain held off until the last guest left the driveway), and it was a great opportunity to showcase the Blue Shutters. Dozens of guests toured the inn and promised to spread the word -- and we promised to welcome the council back again. Based on the fun we had with tonight's band we're thinking about bringing them and other musician friends back to the Shutters next year for some outdoor concers. What do you think about BeachStock 2008?

It's a Small World After All

Anyone who has visited Disney World has heard the "small world after all" song, and we're humming that tune here at the Blue Shutters Beachside Inn this fall. In the past week, we had two couples from the UK, another group from Belgium and a traveler from Northern Italy. Next month, we'll welcome visitors from Germany -- and as mentioned in earlier blog postings, we've had dozens of Canadians pass through the Shutters. It seems Gloucester is becoming a destination for folks from around the world who come to enjoy the beach, see the beautiful coastline and learn more about the history of the Cape Ann region. In most cases, we're part of a tour of New England -- our location less than an hour from Boston makes Gloucester and the Blue Shutters the perfect stop. It's interesting to hear what other parts of New England they're visiting -- Boston, Cape Cod, southern Maine, the leaf-peeping areas of NH and Vermont. But more often that not, they tell us their stay here at the Blue Shutters is the best part of their trip.

Making News -- Off-Season Specials

A few days ago we finally wrapped up and distributed our first Blue Shutters Beachside Bulletin, an e-newsletter we'll use to report on happenings at the inn and let folks know about plans going forward. In this first issue, we focused on off-season specials that are in the works, beginning with two weekend specials on tap for October - an Octoberfest Celebration on October 12-14, and a Halloween Howl on October 26-28.

Our Octoberfest Celebration will be held in conjunction with the Rockport Harvest Festival, and will include a welcome reception featuring German beers and wines and and, on Saturday evening, a night of German food and music - and a beer-tasting. In addition to our Octoberfest celebration, guests will enjoy continental breakfast on Saturday and Sunday.

Our Halloween Howl Weekend begins Friday evening October 26 with a welcome reception, and on Saturday, we'll visit Gloucester's famed Haunted Hammond Castle and gather for an evening costume party. On Saturday and Sunday, you're free to enjoy the other Halloween season activities in Gloucester and nearby Salem.

We'll be holding weekend activities like these throughout the off-season (and when there are no specials, guests can take advantage of discounted off-season rates).

If you're interested in these weekends getaways or if you have ideas or questions about off-season specials, call or email us. And if you didn't see our newsletter and would like to be added to our mail list, let us know.