“In a game of broomball there are two teams, each consisting of six players: a goaltender and five others. The object of the game is to score more goals than your opponent. Goals are scored by hitting the ball into your opponent’s net using your broom. Tactics and plays are similar to those used in sports such as ice hockey.

Players hit a small ball around the ice with a stick called a “broom.” The broom may have a wooden or aluminum shaft and has a rubber-molded triangular head similar in shape to that of a regular broom. Players wear special rubber-soled shoes instead of skates, and the ice is prepared in such a way that it is smooth and dry to improve traction.”

It was a great night and alot of fun was had by all.  We had our fire pit roaring to keep spectators warm and of course there were plenty of marshmallows available for roasting.  The final friendly score was 3-1 with Jackson coming out victorious. 

Summer is the season of the weddings and we have a wedding scheduled every weekend until the middle of November here at The Wentworth.  I absolutely love working with all my bridal couples.  I have, by far, the best job in the hotel.  It’s happiness all the time.  So far we’ve had about 6 weddings this year.  All are very different in their own way but each just as beautiful as the next.  The little details, creativity and personalization that goes into planning a wedding has always been my joy.  The vendors my brides choose have been amazing.  A “must see” is the work of Carrie from Dutch Bloemen Winkel, a local florist here in Jackson as well as the work of some photographers like Meg Simone, Jay Philbrick or Anne Skidmore.  

Fridays are great here at the hotel.  The bridal couple has checked in and friends and family fill up the inn with laughter and warm greetings.  The back office transforms into a wedding wonderland with all the welcome baskets, card boxes, favors and decorations.  Usually there is some sort of a Welcome Reception on Friday night and typically in the summer months it is a low key fun filled BBQ on the back deck.  Saturday is always such a beautiful day.  Everyone dressed in their best and the tent transforms into a page from a catalog.  The brides, gorgeous, all of them!  It’s a bitter sweet moment for me.  All of our hard work coming together and seeing the guests and bridal couples reaction is wonderful but I know that this will be the last day I get to work with them.  Bitter sweet indeed.  Bonds are formed and some even turn into long lasting friendships.

Oh, the joys of summer and weddings in The White Mountains!

A popular appetizer has been Coast of Maine Calamari Salad served with a light frisee salad with a little kick added by chiles.

Chef Brian Gazda

Come and visit our AAA four diamond rated restaurant soon. we serve a Prex Fixe Menu for only $35.00 which offers a choice of any two courses plus dessert. Reservations can be made by calling us at 800-637-0013 or reserve on-line using open table.

We had a wedding here at The Wentworth in August with Christie and Kevin.  They were so much fun to work with and just genuinely wonderful people.  Their wedding was jam packed with only the best of everything.  Jay Philbrick was their photographer.  He captured photos from the Welcome Reception the night before, the day of the wedding and also a follow up session.  This was no ordinary session though.  With the braveness of Christie and Kevin, Jay was able to capture the most amazing photo ever…..hanging over a cliff on Cathedral Ledge.

Jay’s work has won him a number of awards one of which was first place in an International Wedding Photo competition.  One of Jay’s many gorgeous photos is also currently on the Fall/Winter cover of New Hampshire’s Magazine BRIDE.  Please check out more photos from this photos shoot at Philbrickphoto.com/RecentEvents.htm under Cliffhanger Day-After Session.

On October 1st the Jackson area will be filled with dozens of Pumpkin People (or Animals).  Every year at this time local businesses, inns, restaurants, stores and private homes are adorned with these creative and entertaining displays.  Guests…and Papparazzi….. flock to the village specifically to catch a glimpse of these creations every year.  It’s always amazing to see what people come up with for ideas.  One of my favorites was a display of The Beatles walking down Abbey Road.  So what is The Wentworth doing this year?  I can’t tell you that one, you’ll have to come by and take a look.  Super secret oath has been taken by all employees!  I can tell you that in the past we have done displays such as Star Wars (wicked cool) and a Vampire Bride and Groom.  We can’t forget the one of Fritz and his little buddy Winston playing golf.

The judging will take place the week prior to Columbus Day Weekend.  Winners will be announced in time for all our visiting humans for the Columbus Day Weekend. People’s Choice voting will continue through October 20th.  Maps and ballots can be found at The Wentworth and most participating properties and also at the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce Office.

Come on down to take a look and of course we’d love a vote for People’s Choice!  See you soon.

Good luck Laurie….we’re pulling for you!!

This weekend (April 30th and May 1st) we are selling our rooms in the main inn with no minimum night stay requirement.  The Wentworth has standard rooms available for $168 a night which would include your room, a four course dinner that evening for 2 adults and a full American breakfast the next morning for both of you.  We are also offering a Bed & Breakfast rate of $98 for just your room and breakfast for the two of you.

We’d love to upgrade your room to a deluxe for the weekend.  A deluxe room has a king size bed, gas fireplace, oversized whirlpool jacuzzi tub and a Keurig coffee pot.  A deluxe room with dinner and breakfast for two adults this weekend is $258 and for B&B it is $188.  We do have 3 rooms available as of right now  in the Arden Cottage that would be available for 1 night at a rate of $248 for the dinner package.

Give us a call at the front desk at 603-383-9700.  We look forward to seeing you soon.

Our favorite guest, Maggie, has created a wonderful short story about the hotel that I just have to share with you.  Everyone here at the hotel just loves it when she comes in for a visit.  She knows all the ins and outs of this hotel and I think secretly some of us are in fear for our jobs when she gets to be working age….including Fritz!

Below is Maggie’s story just as she wrote it, no editing at all done by me:

The Little Girl Who Stayed at the Wentworth Hotel

By, Maggie Murphy

Once there was a little girl named Waggie. Her parents were the best in the world and she had a perfect life!

Not.

Waggie had no parents and a terrible life. She lived on the streets collecting food and money. She had saved up $17. “I am the unluckiest girl ever”. She thought every day. “How can I buy a house with $17?” Waggie happened to live in Jackson, NH which has about 6 hotels and inns all together  but you probably couldn’t even find a decent meal for $17! Waggie walked gloomily along the streets when suddenly she looked up to see she was standing in front of a castle! She glanced over at the sign which read, “The Wentworth Hotel.” Waggie whispered the name to herself. “What a place.” She said aloud. She took out her $17 and looked at it. “Phhht. I could never get in here with this amount of money. I would need a miracle” Waggie kept Walking. “Ahh!” A man yelled as she bumped into him. “Watch it!” He yelled. “You almost crinkled my priceless Oscar de la Renta jacket!” Waggie could tell that the man was very wealthy. “Sheesh.” He grumbled as he walked away. “Kids these days, no manners.” Waggie cringed and walked away. But out of the corner of her eye she noticed something! Something green! She slowly turned her head savoring the moment and crossing her fingers. Something green, and paper! She clenched her teeth together and smiled. Then, kneeled down and picked up a $1000 bill! Waggie sprang up in the air and rushed into the Wentworth Hotel!

The next thing she knew she was laying on a warm bed watching Hannah Montana in her room! Room 207.

“ I would like some chicken fingers and French fries please.” Waggie asked the waitress in the back dining room of the hotel. “Will that be with or without ketchup Madam?” “With please.” Waggie asked. “Thanks, um, Jean!” She said. Then in the door came a couple. They walked over to the table where she was sitting. “Hello,” said the man. “What is your name?” “Um, uh, W-Waggie.” She stammered. “Waggie huh?” He gave a weird look to the woman who just shrugged her shoulders. “Nice.” He said. “And where are your parents?” He asked. “Oh great,” She thought. “I knew someone would ask me this at some point! I guess I should just tell them the truth. “Well, I don’t really have any parents.” She blurted out. “What!” Said the man. So Waggie explained the whole story over a dinner of chicken fingers and French fries. Her childhood, her parents leaving, living on the streets, and finding the money. She ended up finding out that their names were Ellie and Fritz. The owners of the fine hotel. And they loved the idea of her staying there. Waggie ended up learning everyone in the staff’s names. In the kitchen there was, Brian, Leon, Jo Jo, Jean, Mark (The Professor), Chuck, Ike, Tyler, Laurie, Dierdre, Sara, Bill the cop, Rene, Justin and Sheila. In the bar there was Tony the bartender and Judy on the piano. In maintenance there was, Marcel (Donald Duck), Robert, Eli, Dan and Paula. In housekeeping there was, Bobbie, Dotti, Theresa and Nancy. And at the Front Desk there was, Irina, Jill, Danka, Liliia, Kathleen, Pat, Ellie, Annie the dog and her ball. And finally, in the tower of power, Fritz! The one who makes the world go ‘round. (Or at least the hotel.)

Waggie walked up to the bar. “One Shirley Temple please!” She asked Tony. “Can do.” He replied. Waggie walked over to Judy. “Want to sing a song?” She asked. “I would love to!” So they sang songs all night. “ Thank you Judy!’ Waggie said grinning. “Anytime.” Judy said. Then Waggie remembered something. “Dessert!’ She exclaimed and rushed into the kitchen. She ran through the door. “Whoa, slow down!” said Laurie “Yeah, lets put on some walking shoes.” Said Jo Jo. “Oops. Sorry.” Waggie walked over the Brian the chef. “Hey Brian, do you think I could have a little scoop of chocolate ice cream with strawberries please!?” “Well,” sighed Brian ‘you’ll have to ask “the professor” over there.” Brian pointed to a man in glasses carefully dripping chocolate on a pink sherbet of sorts. Waggie walked over and asked “the professor” for a chocolate ice cream with strawberries. The she ran back to take her seat. “yum.” She said as she took her first bite. “Perfect.” And that’s what it was. Her home, her family, her room, her food. Perfect.

The next morning Waggie ate her breakfast and ran up to the front desk. “Liliia, Liliia!” She yelled. “Could you tell Ellie and Fritz that I’m going to ride the new bike they got me with a helmet just around the condos?” “of course.” Said Liliia as nice as always. Waggie hopped on her bike and rode off around the hotel. “Hey Marcel!” She yelled. “Hi Waggie!” He said in his Donald Duck voice. Waggie laughed. When she finished riding she ran up to her room. Bobbie was just walking out of it. “Hey,” She said. “I think I found a little surprise in there for you!” “Really! From who?” Waggie wanted to know. “Well, you have to read the note to find out!” “Thanks Bobbie!” Waggie yelled after her. The she ran in. On her bed was a stuffed bear! Waggie picked up the note and read it aloud. It said, “Dear Waggie, this bear has been sitting in the maid’s room for about 5 months! Now its yours! What will you name it? Love Ellie and Fritz” “Hmm. What will I name it?” Waggie thought. Then she took one look at the baggy ears, droopy whiskers, and hanging tail and said, “Floppy. I’ll call you Floppy! And so it was, Floppy and Waggie lived happily ever after like most people hopefully do. And as Waggie lay on her bed she remembered the life she used to have. Living on $17 and then she thought to herself,

This is the life.

The End

What more can I say???

Photo from Mt. Cranmore Blog

The Wentworth staff is one of the hardest working group of individuals in the business.  We pride ourselves in the quality of service we put forth.  The hotels success is a reflextion on our success.

But……..

“all work an no play makes ‘our staff’ a dull ‘group’”

Every Wednesday, 15 of our employees ski in the Cranmore Mountain Meisters under the catchy team name “Fritzer’s Blitzers”.  It’s the day of the week they all look forward to.

Now don’t get me wrong, they are not professionals by any means.  I think our team points as of now is 727.  That doesn’t put us in last, I don’t think, but pretty dang close.  We do have a handful of members that are exceptional skiiers, and then of course some not so great that simply do it for the pure joy.  I personally do not ski (can you imagine a local of the valley not skiing???) but listening to some of their stories when they come back are pretty hysterical.  Some fall, okay maybe more than some, but it doesn’t seem to matter to them.  It’s all about the Meisters, and my favorite, the after season party!  Here’s to a great season….even if there wasn’t a ton of snow!