Last Thursday our own Chef Anthony joined Dine Originals Columbus and The Buckeye Ranch to host this years Taste of Dine Originals. With 50 restaurants, 30 vineyards, 2 craft breweries, and 2 micro distilleries represented, it was quite an event!

Held at The Capital University Field House, guests enjoyed delicious tastings from each of the participating businesses, and were invited to take part in a silent auction and wine raffle. Auctioned items included private dinners, cooking lessons, special events, works of art, and rare bottles of wine. All proceeds from the event benefited Dine Originals Columbus and The Buckeye Ranch.

Visit us in the Hocking Hills this spring and enjoy Chef Anthony’s amazing food for yourself! Dine Original!

This week we are hosting our friends from Car & Driver Magazine.  They have been coming to the Hocking Hills area to test drive cars and get spectacular photos for their magazine.  They use the inn as a base camp to drive the adrenaline laced roads down here.  This time, they brought down 4 full sized SUV high performance rides:

-BMW X5

-Porsche Cayenne

-Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8

-Mercedes Benz ML63

These cars are four-wheel-drive but they have souped up engines and low profile street rims.  None of them are much for off-roading; they’re more like a family station wagon on steroids.

We learned that his is John’s last trip with Car & Driver. He is retiring and moving out west.  Happy Motoring!

Here Ye, Here Ye!!  We are now Wi-Fi in all cottages, the rooms, fireside lounge and The Gathering Place.

Wow! We never imagined that our search for the “Innkeeper for an Afternoon” would bring such a wealth of responses.  Thanks to all of you who applied.  We have narrowed down the 31 applicants to the “top eight”.    Each of the applicants have been contacted and asked to post on facebook/twitter the question, “Innkeeper for The Day. Why you?”  so their friends can tell us why we should pick them.  Then, we will make a final selection.  The person chosen will be accompanied by a travel writer on June 3^rd who plans to follow them and see what transpires during their workday.  Stay tuned!

CookINN with the Chef

Each month Chef Anthony will feature a seasonal recipe.  This month it is Pan Roasted Diver Scallops with Oyster Mushrooms, Sunchoke Puree, and Sweet Pea Vinaigrette.  Anthony says “I love working with scallops, especially the big diver ones.  The sweetness of the scallops is perfect with the sunchoke puree which has a nutty, buttery profile.  We source the oyster mushroom locally, but, they can be found in most grocery stores.  If I can get my hands on some local morels, they make it onto the plate too.”

This is the second installment of our series regarding essential oils and their uses. We asked our massage therapists, “What is your favorite essential oil?”   This time we’re focusing on Lavender which is Nicole’s favorite oil.  Nicole is a massage therapist.  Recently, she accepted a new position with us as our Guest Services Manager.

Lavender  

Lavender has a fresh, sweet, floral, herbaceous aroma that is soothing and refreshing. It is the most versatile of all essential oils and no home should be without it. Lavender can assist the body when adapting to stress or imbalances.

Here is a list of some things that lavender is good for.

For the skin lavender helps abscesses, acne, allergies, athlete’s feet and fungal infections, boils, bruises, burns, cold sores, cuts, dermatitis, eczema, hives, inflammations, insect bites and stings, lice, psoriasis, rashes, ringworm, scabies, scars, shingles, stretch-marks, sunburns and wounds.

For circulation, it helps muscles and joints aches and pains, helps reduce cellulite, heart palpitations, high blood pressure, Lumbago, reduces swelling and pain, relaxes tight muscles, joint pain, rheumatism, and sprains.

For respiratory, it helps asthma (when associated with emotional trauma), bronchitis, coughs, colds, congestion, flu, laryngitis, throat infections, whooping cough, and sinus infections.

For digestion it helps colic, improves digestion, nausea, gas, and is soothing to the intestines.

For the nervous system it balances the emotions, it’s calming and uplifting. It just makes you feel better. It also helps with convulsion and epilepsy, delusions, depression, insomnia, headaches and migraines, nervous tension, trembling, panic, relaxing, stress, shock, and vertigo. It even helps with PMS.

Lavender can be used “neat” (straight from the bottle). Most essential oils aren’t safe to use this way, but lavender is.  It is important to buy certified lavender from a reputable source as it is one of the most artificially produced oils.

Events

Lots of exciting events coming up in the next couple of months.  Here are just a few to whet your appetite.

*Accountants Day Special on May 7

*Mother’s Day Brunch on May 13

*“Planting with Kellie”  on May 29

*Warrior Dash-Weekend Package on June 2-3

*Washboard Music Festival on June 14-15

Many of you remember Gerard Shay, our old Sous Chef, and have heard his band play at the Inn.  His band will be part of the Duck Creek Log Jam in the Hocking Hills on Memorial Day weekend.   To learn more about it, go to http://www.duckcreeklogjam.com/

Quite often we offer special deals that you can only find on social media outlets.  Connect today to Facebook,  Twitter and Pinterest.   

Enjoy the rest of spring as it rolls into summer.  Come join us on the patio for an ice cold mug of Rockmill beer or cool, refreshing glass of lemonade.

Ellen and Terry
Innkeepers

On May 29 at 10am, Kellie will head out to plant many of the herbs and vegetables that our restaurant will use throughout the year. Guests are invited to join her, and in return for the manual labor, will be treated to lunch made by Chef Anthony.

This event is free and if it is raining significantly on May 29, the event will be rescheduled for May 31.

Spend some time in the beautiful Hocking Hills this spring and summer – there’s something for everyone! Welcome, and Enjoy!

Ecotourism encourages travelers to experience destinations that remain relatively untouched by human intervention.  Here, you can walk down any trail at the Inn, or at the nearby Cedar Falls or other features of Hocking Hills State Park to experience this uniqueness. 

Allow yourself to become absorbed as you see water rush down a waterfall or when you spot blooming flora.  Let the chirping birds soothe you.  Stop and watch in admiration as local wildlife goes about their daily routine.

Ecotourism also involves recycling, energy efficiency and water conservation.  The inn is proud to be Level II Green Certified.   Constantly working to be more earth friendly, we know our guests share our love of the earth and we encourage them take away some of our eco-friendly ideas, along with helping us to grow our list.

At the Inn, let us take care of everything, while you enjoy time with your mother, as well as Chef Anthony’s delicious menu. Brunch will include the Inn’s Pastry Basket, famous Inn-made Granola, and Raspberry Yogurt, followed by Grilled Salmon with Lemon-Dill White Wine Butter Sauce, Inn’s Benedict with Ham, Poached Eggs, Crab Meat, and Chive-Paprika Hollandaise Sauce, or Tomato, Basil, and Fresh Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken Breast with Brown Butter.  Leave room for our ever popular Mixed Berry Cobbler with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, or decadent Dark Chocolate Cheesecake with Raspberry Coulis.

Reservations are required, so contact the Inn to reserve your table.

At the Inn, our guests are family. So bring your family to ours and let us make this a memorable and relaxing Mother’s Day! Welcome, and Enjoy!

~~~~~~~~

Many guests tell us they think it would be fun being an Innkeeper.  If you are one of them, come be our “Innkeeper for an Afternoon”?  Our staff are taking the afternoon off to celebrate our 25^th anniversary.  And, we are going offsite to celebrate.  We are looking for a friendly and energetic person to “man (or woman) the office” on Sunday, June 3.  Your job, “should you decide to accept it”, will be to check in guests and take phone messages.  Accept this assignment and you will receive a free night stay that evening.  If you are interested, please email Ellen at ellen@innatcedarfalls.com.

 ~~~~~~~~

“Give the Gift of Life” and join us for another Red Cross Blood Drive on April 14.  There is no better way to give back, as we all know someone that has needed blood.  Anyone donating will receive a FREE lunch.  Call Nancy today at 800-653-2557 to schedule a time.

~~~~~~~~

Recently, we were privileged to host the THINK group of Innkeepers.  Twice a year, Innkeepers Terry and Ellen meet with this small, but, mighty group to share stories, network and enjoy fellowship.Inns that participated were Murphin Ridge, Beaumont Inn, Castle in the Country and the National House.

~~~~~~~~

This is the first in a series of articles regarding essential oils.  I asked our massage therapists, “What is your favorite essential oil?” In the coming months, I will post their answers along with uses for the oils they selected.

This month, we will begin with my personal favorite:  Melaluca or Tea Tree Oil.

Tea Tree Oil is often called “medicine cabinet in a bottle” and can be effective against bacteria, fungi, and viruses.  It stimulates the immune system and there are many ways to use Tea Tree Oil.

 For Health: 

-Use a dab to treat acne.
-An anti-fungal for treating Athlete’s Foot, eczema, various yeast infections, etc.
-An antiseptic to be used on cuts and burns.
-An anti-viral: it may lessen the symptoms of colds & flu. Use a few drops in the bath.
-Add to a vaporizer to loosen chest congestion.
-A small amount added to your bath can help with persistent body odor.
-Treating sinus infection.
-In the form of aromatherapy, tea tree oil is used to treat colds, persistent coughs, acne, toothaches, and sunburn.

For Cleaning:

-To create an all-purpose cleaner, combine 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil in 2 cups of water.
-Mix the above solution with kosher salt to scrub bathtub and bathroom tiles.
-Add a few drops to a dishwasher dispenser.
-A few drops added to each load of laundry leaves your clothes smelling cleaner.
-To keep germs at bay, spray it on high chairs, car seats, and other high traffic spots.
-15 drops in a quart of water can be an effective insect repellent.
-Take some with you when hiking and camping to put directly in insect bites or blisters.

~~~~~~~~

 Lots of exciting events coming up in the next couple of months.  Here are just a few to whet your appetite.

*Easter Brunch on April 8

*Red Cross Blood Drive on April 14

*Shoot the Hills Photography on April 20-22

*Mother’s Day Brunch on May 13

The Appalachia Ohio Alliance in partnership with Crane Hollow, a private nature preserve with restricted access, is sponsoring free lecture and hike on Saturday, April 14, at 10 a.m. Come out and hear a presentation by Joe Moosbrugger who has recently completed a site survey of this State Nature Preserve. A naturalist-guided hike to view the spring wildflower display will follow. Attendance will be limited to 45 people. Feel free to bring a bag lunch to eat on site after the hike. All participants must RSVP to Heather Stehle at heather@cranehollow.org. The event will be held rain or shine so please dress appropriately for hiking and weather. For further details, visit www.appalachiaohioalliance.org.

Renovation has just been completed at the Strong Wolf cabin.  Terry and Steve did a dynamite job.

Quite often we offer special deals that you can only find on social media outlets.  Connect today to Facebook, Twitter and our latest, Pinterest.

Lots of exciting events going on, come see us soon.

Ellen and Terry
Innkeepers

In spring, the Hocking Hills are peppered with gorgeous wildflowers.  And those flowers draw honey bees. The recent addition of our own on-site apiary raises the Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls up as one of only a tiny handful of inns in the United States keeping bees on the property.

By adding the apiary, we help boost a shrinking global bee population, while offering our guests access to the wonderful flavor and health benefits of locally produced raw honey.  We’ll use our own fresh honey in spa treatments, recipes, desserts, cocktails and more.  Soon, you’ll even be able to purchase Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls honey in our gift shop.

Spa manager Randall Wellman is developing massage and spa treatments using our raw honey.  Executive Chef Anthony Schulz will create special recipes and cooking classes using the honey in everything from glazes, sauces, marinades and dressings, to cocktails, butters, brulees and other desserts.

Not only is honey a delicious natural sweetener that imparts a wonderful distinctive flavor, but it also has been used for centuries to increase wellbeing.  Honey’s properties as an antiseptic, antioxidant and detoxifier and are well documented.  Let the Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls help you experience all the goodness of raw honey!

Morel Mania

Like precious nuggets discovered during the gold rush, morel mushrooms draw thousands of gold-diggers to the Hocking Hills in late April and early May.  Everyone is searching for the elusive fungus in our lush forests.  But where they’re hiding is our little secret.

While fun to hike and discover, they can be hard to find.  These hidden beauties offer a sweet, buttery, almost nutty taste that’s highly prized by gourmet chefs.  But there’s no better time to dine with us than during morel season. These rare morel mushrooms become a star of the kitchen, inspiring Chef Anthony Schulz to create fabulous dishes that highlight their incredible earthy morel flavor.

Special Spring Celebrations

Celebrate Easter with us April 8 with an unforgettable Easter brunch menu.

The Inn is wholly committed to our earth.  On Earth Day, April 22, we offer all guests an earth-friendly goody bag.

April 25 is Hairstylist Appreciation Day when all stylists receive a 25% discount.

Middle West Spirits‘ unique OYO Whiskey and Vodkas were the featured spirits, and owners Brady Kohya and Ryan Lang joined Innkeepers Ellen and Terry to host the evening.

Chef Anthony’s delicious dinner of Drunken Shrimp Cocktail with OYO Vodka, Bibb Greens with Fresh Herbs & OYO Whiskey Sour Vinaigrette, Grilled Cowboy Steak with OYO Whiskey Demi, Pan Seared Sea Bass with Lavender OYO Honey Vanilla Bean Vodka Cream Sauce, and Lemon Thyme Cake with Lemon OYO Honey Vanilla Bean Vodka Syrup excellently showcased each of the OYO spirits. A fabulous time was had by all!

Check out our Calendar of Events for more great events this year, like our popular Wine & Beer Fests, Wine TasteInns, and a visit from Guest Chefs Eric “Michael” Braddock and Adrienne Novak.

The weather is warm, the falls are flowing, and the Hills are beautiful. Join us at the Inn this spring! Welcome, and Enjoy!

Learn the basic techniques needed to do a wonderful soothing massage on each other. Our professional massage therapists will demonstrate the moves for working on each body part, and then allow you and your mate time to practice on each other.

Learn to Massage Your Mate sessions are 100 minutes long and guests will receive a tube of massage cream to work those sore muscles at home.

Join us for peace, relaxation, and a little learning in the Hocking Hills this spring! Welcome, and Enjoy!