A beautiful morning...

I just had to run and grab the camera for this beautiful sunrise. Every day is wonderful here, but some sunrises are truly spectacular. This shot doesn't began to reflect just how perfect it is at our Winter Park area bed & breakfast - Thurston House, but I try. ENJOY - HAPPY TUESDAY!!

An Evening in the Grove

Annual Benefit Auction - Maitland Historical Society - An Evening in the Grove

The Society puts on an annual benefit auction each fall to benefit our educational programming. Please join us on October 3, 2008 for this exciting, citrus themed event at the Sheraton Orlando North Hotel! Call us at 407-644-2451 to find out about volunteer and sponsorship opportunities.
Maitland Historical Society's 9th Annual Benefit Auction will take place Friday, October 12th at 7 p.m. at the Sheraton Orlando North Hotel. "An Evening in the Grove" will be an orange and white affair (guests encouraged to dress in these colors).

The citrus themed event will include over 100 silent and live auction items including vacation packages, sports tickets, dining certificates and much more! Drawings will be held throughout the evening, and guests will be entertained by a live string quartet. Hors d'oeuvres, dessert, wine, beer and soft drinks are included in the ticket price.

Tickets are $25 for Historical Society members and $30 for non-members in advance, $5 more at the door. There are also a limited number of VIP tickets available for $50. VIPs will begin the evening at 6:15 with a private reception, champagne, mingling and a chance to begin bidding early.

Sponsors of the event include: Mercantile Bank, Sheraton Orlando North Hotel, Progress Energy, University of Phoenix, Publix Super Market Charities, The Morgan Group, Brossier Company, ACi, Albu and Associates, Winter Park-Maitland Observer, Shipyard Brewing Co., and Maitland Wine Market.

All funds raised at the event benefit the Maitland Historical Society's education programs.

Tasty Too!

The 11th Annual Taste of Maitland on Lake Lily is coming up! May 19th is the big day for this great event that is sponsored by the Maitland Chamber of Commerce. Over 35 restaurants and beverage vendors will be tempting you with their tasty goodies. Stroll around beautiful Lake Lily, grab a beer, hit the Italian Ice, snag a rib and finish it all off with a glass of wine with a bite of chocolate. What more could you ask? Lake Lily is just a short walk from Thurston House!

Veterans History Project

Do you know any veterans? Honor them by telling their war story to us all. The Library of Congress has begun this fascinating project, a way to protect war stories for all generations to come. They are looking for personal stories, memories, photos and letters. I recently finished putting together my Dad's WWII story and submitted it to the library. It will take up to 6 months to finish but once everything is scanned it will be available for viewing by anyone for all time to come. My Dad died way too young and never told much about it so I am honored to do this in his memory. He was a hero! Do it now before it is too late!!!

I have talked it up to many guests here at Thurston House. One guest, a high school history teacher, even asked for a copy of two of my Dad's letters, one written from a foxhole with bombs falling around him and the other an eight page letter written day by day during the liberation of Paris - amazing stories! He wants his class to learn the subject of WWII through the eyes and ears of a real person, this gentle boy from small town Massachusetts - Corporate Albert H. Webber, 196th Field Artillery.

A Taste of Wine - Don't Whine - SPLURGE!

The Maitland Wine Market announces their "SPLURGE" Wine Tasting. This great event is scheduled May 15th, Thursday, from 5-7pm. The cost per person is $20. This covers tastes of several expensive wines , a wine glass to take home and a few nibbles. Wines for sale by the glass will also be available. Don't worry about driving - book your room at Thurston House and take a short stroll to the wine market.

A nice visit and a new porch mascot......

We had a very nice visit with friends Bob & Sadie Friday night. This happily retired couple live in Utah and were visiting their Disney timeshare. Lots of catching up to do! Recently a new mascott has been added to our porch - Baby-Beek! When the wind is just right, Baby Beek flaps it's wings and sparkles with wacky motion...very cute! Come to Thurston House to see for yourselves!

Aren't you SPECIAL????

ANNOUNCING...a couple of short term specials for those effected by the economy and the rising gas prices. You really need to come here to Thurston House....lots to do and you don't need to drive far to get around the areas of Maitland and Winter Park.

Spring Getaway Savings - Book a 3 consecutive night get away that includes at least 2 weekday nights (Mon-Th) and enjoy a 25% discount! Rooms are subject to availability so book NOW! Good until 6/15/08.

Frazzled & Need A Break, Last Minute Getaway - Finding yourself reaching Thursday and you really need to get away that weekend? Book on Thursday for the upcoming weekend and enjoy a 20% discount. Rooms are subject to availability, of course. Good until 6/30/08.

The birds are singing, the gardenia's smell beautiful and this rocking chair is empty. Whay aren't you here?