Spa Day, Much Needed!

Just outside of the beautiful downtown area of Bedford, Pennsylvania – not much more than a stone’s throw – is the gorgeous 1880s hotel known as “Bedford Springs.”

It’s now owned by Omni, and its beauty rivals that of the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island.

The history is interesting and it goes back to the 1700s and includes MUCH presidential activity as well.

In reverse order:

2012    Former President George W. Bush, 43rd United States President, visits the resort.
1984    The resort is designated a National Historic Landmark
1975    Future U.S. President Ronald Reagan visits while governor of California.
1943 – 1945    Japanese diplomats captured in Germany during WWII are housed at the resort.
1941 – 1943    The U.S. Navy occupies the resort, using it as a training facility for radio operators.
1923    Renowned golf course architect Donald Ross remodels Bedford Springs’ 18-hole golf course.
1905    One of the first indoor pools in the nation is constructed at Bedford Springs, complete with a mineral water-fed swimming pool, solarium and hydrotherapy rooms.
1895    One of the first golf courses in America is laid out by Spencer Oldham at Bedford Springs.
1858    First transatlantic cable is received by President Buchanan in the lobby of the Bedford Springs Resort. He spent 40 summers in Bedford Springs.
1848    James K. Polk is the first sitting president to visit Bedford Springs. A total of 10 U.S. presidents will eventually be hosted by the resort, including visits by seven presidents during their time in office. These include Presidents Andrew Jackson, John Tyler, James K. Polk, Zachary Taylor, James Buchanan, James Garfield and William H. Taft.
1821    Future U.S. President James Buchanan makes the first of many visits to Bedford Springs, which will become his "summer White House" during his time in office.
1819    Thomas Jefferson, 3rd President of the United States, visits the resort for several weeks. The resort will host several other Presidents while not in office, including William Henry Harrison, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush and James Garfield.
1806    The Stone Inn, the first of the hotel's buildings, is constructed from stone located on a mountain across from the resort.
1802    Patients of Dr. Anderson experience the healing properties of the springs in new bathing facilities.
1796    Dr. John Anderson discovers the mineral springs of Bedford, long known by the Native Americans, and purchases the property.

I love history, so I found this very interesting.  I may have been thinking “Ahhhh Spa!!”  but some pretty significant stuff happened here in Bedford Springs.

The garden outside of the quiet room area.

Such vibrant color!

I love the zinnias!

And evidently, so does this little guy!

Ahhhhhh Spa!!!

It was just what we needed before starting this next round of workshops in Bedford.  The ladies were already arriving by the time I left Bedford Springs, the retreat above Mary’s Quilt Shop was filling with the sound of happy voices and loads of excitement,  Quilters are arriving from all over – one gal as far as Vancouver, BC!

Classes start this morning, Garden Party is up on deck!

Oh, and another amazing thing.  You know how I just “put out there” that I would like to do a date keeper/planner just yesterday after my antique mall book section find?

I got an email from C&T – they read me too I guess!  It’s already in the works.  I am taking your comments and suggestions and I am super excited about this new venture!  Thank you for your input!

The hallway to the Bedford Bath whirlpools.

Back through the library to the lobby and out to the valet to pick up my car.

I’ll see you next August, Bedford Springs!

Oh my!  Hand crafted chocolates!

Mary and I received notification that a refrigerated delivery was on its way, and to unpack it and refrigerate upon arrival.  We couldn’t imagine what it would contain! 

Handcrafted chocolates! These look fabulous! Thank you, Janice McWilliams. So nice having you in our Garden Party workshop with group one, and hope I'll be seeing you next year,

Yes, next year our dates will be August 25th – August 30th 2018.  If you missed us THIS year, come next time!

Evening stitching time!

And then there are those days where the stars align and your hexies match your chocolates!

Time to get my hiney in gear and get over to the American Legion to greet group 2!

Quiltville Quote of the Day!

Vintage Lone Star quilt found in Virginia.

I read this yesterday, and it struck me as the reason for everything we do creatively!

From “Quilts in America” by Patsy & Myron Orlofsky, 1974:

“She used a needle as often. as easily as a telephone; it was her duty, her comfort, her companion, her mode of self-expression. 

And when she undertook a project of great magnitude, she was not just passing time or doing a bit of show-off needlework, she was making a statement about herself; about her skill, her patience, her ability to endure endless days of hard work and tedium for the sake of the pattern of the whole, and ultimately of her sense of her own value as a human being.”   

Beth Gutcheon, from The Perfect Patchwork Primer, 1973

Have a wonderful Friday, everyone- 

Go express yourself with needle and thread!

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