Valentine's Weekend at the Blue Shutters

It’s never too soon to start planning that romantic Valentine’s getaway – and the Blue Shutters Beachside Inn is just the place for a truly memorable experience. You’ll find it all here -- quiet walks on the beach, hot chocolate or a cocktail by the fireplace, dinner at one of our region's many great restaurants, and a glass of bubbly and some sweets in a cozy room with a spectacular view of Good Harbor. Guests who join us for this special Valentine’s weekend – for one night or two -- will be treated to complimentary champagne and chocolates and morning-after breakfast, in addition to a guide to some of our favorite spots for drinks, dining and entertainment. Call or email us and reserve your spot.

Sampling Fine Wine and Fantastic Food at the Blue Shutters

This past Saturday was a special day at the Blue Shutters as we held the first of our Wine and Food Tasting events. Nearly 20 folks gathered to sample a selection of red and white wines paired with a menu prepared just for us. We were in the expert hands of Langham Hotel Executive Chef Mark Sapienza and Traveling Vineyard Wine Consultant Kathy Hill. A big thank you to Kathy and Mark -- and to all those who joined us for the afternoon and evening. There are photos of this event on the Blue Shutters Facebook page, and we'll be including these in our upcoming e-newsletter -- at which time we'll be sharing information on our next Wine and Food Tasting event. So, if you weren't able to make it this weekend, stay tuned -- there will be other opportunities to join in the fun (if you just can't wait to sample some of Mark's creations or Kathy's wines, check out the new hot spot at the Langham Boston -- Bond or call us for Kathy's contact info). Of course, if you have any questions about this or other special events planned at the Shutters just call or email us.

Blue Shutters Birdwatching -- Jan 30 - Feb 1

None of us at the Blue Shutters considered ourselves birdwatchers -- before we arrived here on Good Harbor Beach. Now we spend hours watching the birds of all kinds zip across the yard, swoop across the marsh and sail over the beach. That's why we were so excited to hear about the Cape Ann Winter Birding Weekend, January 30through February 1 -- and why we were quick to offer a special package for the birdwatchers expected to visit Cape Ann later this month. We're offering 10% off any room, plus a "welcome package" that includes a bottle of Smoking Loon wine and a selection of cheeses as well as complimentary continental breakfast and afternoon hot chocolate and cookies. According to the experts, Cape Ann is known to birdwatchers worldwide for its exciting concentrations of winter seabirds. Working with the Mass Audubon Society, the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce has planned a weekend filled with opportunity for bird lovers of all skill levels to join expert guides on a tour of Cape Ann's birding hot spots. If you're a birdwatcher -- or if you'd like to give it a try -- check out this special weekend on Cape Ann. And of course, plan to rest up at the Blue Shutters.

New in 2009....Blue Shutters on Facebook

Our last posting came just as the holidays were beginning, and as we write this post, we're a few hours from New Year's Eve. The 2008 holidays were a fun time at the Shutters. We had a great turnout for our tree-trimming, and guests throughout the month enjoyed all the festive decorations. Loads of old friends came north to Rockport and Gloucester on December 20 for our annual Christmas on Cape Ann night out. Last week we had two couples visiting us -- including new friends from Houston, Greg and Brooke. And tonite, we have a full house of family and friends here to celebrate New Year's Eve.

There's something new in 2009 -- another way for you to see what's happening at the Shutters and share your memories. We've just launched a Blue Shutters Facebook page. Check it out -- and feel free to leave photos and messages.

Happy New Year

Ringing in the Holidays at the Blue Shutters

The last time we published a post to our online diary, we were still enjoying the warm summer days of late August. Today is Thanksgiving Day, and while it's not summery, the weather is mild -- there have been dozens of surfers and even more dog-walkers on Good Harbor Beach. It has been a fun and busy fall, with lots of new and old guests. And when things began to quiet down, we threw a party -- a "Brews and Blues" weekend in October.

We're planning another event -- this to ring in the holiday season on Cape Ann. The holidays are a special time here, with activities across Gloucester, Rockport, Manchester-by-the-sea and Essex. Check out this link to the Cape Ann Chamber website for more info.

And keep in mind that the Blue Shutters is a great jumping-off point for this holiday fun. The event we're planning to kick off the season is our second annual Blue Shutters tree-trimming party.

You're invited to join us on Saturday December 6 from 2pm to 7pm as we decorate the tree, enjoy holiday goodies and share some Christmas cheer. If you can't make it then, come anytime during the holidays -- stop in for a visit or stay for a day or two. We are sure you will leave filled with the holiday spirit.

Stay tuned for news on future events -- we're planning wine-tasting, food-tastings and, in the late spring, another outdoor concert.

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Holidays from all of us at the Blue Shutters Beachside Inn.

Cape Ann Dining -- The View from Montreal

Since the Blue Shutters Beachside is in Gloucester, we tend to focus on the beaches, restaurants, shops and happenings here in this community. But we're finding there are some great spots just down the road in Rockport -- places like Halibut Point State Park, where you can enjoy the natural beauty of Cape Ann; the art galleries and shops on Bearskin Neck; and the many fine restaurants that you'll find around town. It was the restaurant reviews from a couple that stayed here this week that reminded us of the great food choices in Rockport. They gave the Blacksmith's Shop in Rockport very high marks, and they also liked Brackets, which is also in town. This particular couple -- visiting for a week from Montreal -- were among the most interesting "foodies" we've met here, and they added notes on these Rockport restaurants and others spots to our "guest restaurant reviews" notebook in the main room. Their very favoriate was a place here in Gloucester -- the Causeway, reknown for their generous portions (including a piece of haddock "the size of a brick") of very well-prepared seafood and Italian dishes. They also called out Duckworth's Bistrot, generally regarded as the nicest high-end spot in the area. Whether Gloucester or Rockport, you'll bound to find a favorite while you're here -- and we think the reviews of folks like Mireille and Michel from Montreal will help you with your choices.

Bat-hunting and Other Blue Shutters Memoirs

We've often said that we could write a book based on all of our experiences here at the Blue Shutters -- and some day we may (when we're not so busy being with our guests). In the meantime, we can use this beachblog to share some of our stories -- and here are two from this weekend. First involved two young men who are staying here while their family is visiting relatives in the area. On Saturday night, they pulled up to the piano in our main room and treated all to some spectular music and song.

The other story took shape late Sunday night, after Ed and I slipped away for a walk on the beach. On the way back, we passed a neighbor's house, and she frantically called for us. Turns out a bat was loose in her living room. We sprung into action, equipped with a towel, a fly-swatter and a kitchen broom. For the first 30 minutes the bat stayed hidden -- despite our efforts to flush him out by banging curtains and furniture. Finally, the creature appeared, swooping close to our heads -- and finally within range of the kitchen broom and towel. Once captured, we brought the bat outside and bid farewell to a very thankful neighbor.

Impromptu musical performances and late night bat-hunting -- two more stories that will someday be chronicled in our Blue Shutters memoirs.