How low can you go?

Now, here's a thing.  This 3rd blog about the use of technology in our B&B, I thought I'd better make sure I knew what technology actually is!  It turns out that the word comes from the Greek techne, "art, skill, cunning of hand".

No, that's not what I thought either!  But then, the more I think about it, the more it seems to be appropriate.  Let me give you an example.

Imagine that it is 3:30 in the morning, and somebody, me, a guest, whoever, lets go of the toilet seat and it crashes down with a bang which is amplified not only by the stillness of the night, but also by the startled waking up of the listener.

First Night Carlisle

Come celebrate the New Year - 2014 

at the 16th Annual 

First Night Carlisle.

Carlisle House will purchase 2 admission buttons for each room reservation you make.

Starting early on New Year's Eve, the celebrations with more than 20 performers, many in Carlisle's very historic downtown buildings, continue until midnight when the Mini-Indycar Drop is followed by an awesome Fireworks Display!

Featured artist is Payton Taylor who was recently recognized by NBC affiliate, WSM-TV Nashville, as one of the top 3 up-and-coming female acts in country music. 

With performances, concerts, ice carving, carriage rides, fireworks and much more, why not experience small-town America at it's best and most joyous, and come stay with us over the New Year!

SuperINN for a Super Inn

(Or why our guests love technology, even if they don't know it!  Part 2 in our B&B Technology blog series).

The transistor was developed in 1947, as was I.  Sadly the transistor has had much more of an effect on humanity than I have!  This post was going to be all about microprocessors and how they have revolutionized the business of running a B&B but as they are so ubiquitous right through our lives, it seemed a little disingenuous to write about the way integrated circuits now control everything from the oven temperature to the fire alarm system.

Why we love technology at the Carlisle House!

Technology? Bed and Breakfast? Not usually expressions to be found in the same sentence!  But one afternoon as I was sitting quietly relaxing with a cup of tea before our guests started to arrive, I found myself thinking about the ways in which technology impacts upon our B&B and the guest experience we offer.

There are some things that may seem fairly obvious, the telephone for instance.  But let's just think about that one for a minute.

Phil Dirt and the Dozers - Dec 6, Carlisle Theatre

 PHIL DIRT & THE DOZERS 

 Friday, December 6, 7:30pm

Carlisle Theatre

Tickets $25

 America's premiere "Rock 'N R'oldies" review (and the most popular vintage rock and roll show in the nation) will help you recapture those wonderful days of the 50's, 60's, and 70's at the historic Carlisle Theatre.

Come relive the "olden" days at a rockin' concert....sing along if you feel the need...and walk back for a restful night in a beautiful room at the Carlisle House.  Before you head out Saturday, enjoy one of our famous quiche breakfasts, fresh fruit, sweet treats, steaming coffee and numerous Twining's teas.

Molly Ringwald, November 21, Carlisle PA

 

Veterans Day 2013

Millie (Army)

Thank you to all service members and families.

Tracy & Chad (Army)

We celebrated by hosting eight veterans for the  
 Better Way To Stay B&Bs for Vets program.  Each year inns are asked to give at least one FREE room for a veteran and guest so we had a real party.  

John (AF) & Helen (Army Nurse)

Dawn & Frank (Army)

Several  of our local businesses expressed their gratitude by giving gifts to each. Restaurants giving Dinner for Two included Piatto, Chen's Asian, Rillo's, Andalusia, Cafe Bruges and Market Cross Pub.  George's Flowers gave each a floral bouquet and Diane at

Lisa and Andy (Army)

Royce (Army)

Sweet Jubilee Gourmet candy gave a huge box of treats.

Between the eight service people (we had 2 women), they represented a total of over 150 years of service!

They all agreed they would 

STAY SELECT (Registry) in they future!

Have you been reading our Newsletters?

South Side Deli's new home on West High Street

Every month we send out a newsletter to keep you in touch with all that's happening here in Carlisle, and at the Carlisle House.
Sometimes though, your email client may decide that it is spam - which of course it isn't, but nevertheless you may miss interesting and informative events!
But never fear! You can also find our newsletters on-line in our website at this link.
This month we featured the move of South Side Deli from South Street to West High Street. Fortunately, it's on the South Side of High Street so there is no confusion there!

What sort of information would you like to see in our newsletter or here in our blog?  Drop us an email at blogger@thecarlislehouse.com or leave a comment here for us!

Remember "Carlisle Starts Here" at the Carlisle House!

Tomatoes - Tomahtoes...gone for the year!

Sadly, we picked our last tomatoes of the year.  Happily, we made quarts of delicious marinara sauce for the winter.  Perhaps, you will see it as a side for our delicious Italian Quiche!
 

Also enjoying them

 in BLTs!

Nothing like Summer tomatoes!

Carlisle Events - Fall Carlisle & Auction is Coming!

Spring Carlisle/ Fall Carlisle Collector classic car swap, auction and car corral is almost a happening!   October 2-6! 

 We still have a few rooms for you! As we are just 1 mile from the show field and within blocks of the best restaurants....come Love Carlisle and stay downtown in the Carlisle Historic District!  Whether you are looking for a NEW classic car or need a thingamajigger or doohickey for your Model T, You will find it at Fall Carlisle! ff

Red Chair Travels to Carlisle PA

Move over Flat Stanley, 

the Red Chair is the newest travel icon!

From its humble beginnings on the ice at the Woods Hole Inn on Cape Cod, the Red Chair has taken on the life of a celebrity and traveled hundreds of miles making many new friends all chronicled on RedChairTravels.com.  He is now on the way to the west coast and will stop at many inns and bed & breakfasts on the route.

RED visited the Carlisle House and was seen and photographed around the area with many dignitaries, locals and in most interesting places.  His debut was at the PA State Capitol where he met Senator Brubaker and strutted the Rotunda steps.

Alan took Red to visit early Carlisle resident and Revolutionary War heroine Molly Pitcher. Molly's memorial is just 300 yards from the Carlisle House in the old Carlisle Cemetery.  

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He sat a spell with his cousins at historic Dickinson College (1773) before posing with elderly relatives at the Cumberland County Historical Society Museum.  After all that wandering around, Red lunched at a an appropriate downtown BBQ restaurant ...everything "Redd".

Shopping at the weekly Farmers On The Square market, Red found some juicy tomatoes in his choice of color. 

           He joined innkeeper, former Army Nurse and Vietnam Veteran Mary at the Vietnam Ia Drang Valley fire base exhibit at the Army Heritage & Education Center where Red represented the “Vacant Chair” in honor of all fallen and missing US soldiers.

Red rounded off his visit with some fly-fishing on the world-famous trout stream, the Letort Spring Run with noted author and well-known PA fishing expert, Ed Shenk.

 

As guests and onlookers loved his tale of birth and travels, we hope he decides to have a return venture. 

 

Corvettes at Carlisle and at the Carlisle House

Alan & Jennifer

The Vettes are back in force.  Carlisle Events estimates that over 5000 Corvettes have arrived at the show grounds!

James & Debra

We are always happy to see our annual visitors at the Carlisle House, especially Alan and Jennifer for their 6th visit.

James and Debra, here for their 3rd year, arrived in their bright red Vette to relay the happy news that they are now engaged.  Congratulations!

Keith

First timers, Keith and wife Rachel, have a beautiful Carlisle Blue 2012 model.  This car was introduced by Chevrolet to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Corvettes at Carlisle!




Our parking lot is full of 8 various models and colors,  all buffed and immaculate. 

We are all looking forward to the Corvette Parade and street fair in the downtown Saturday night...beautiful weather predicted. 

Kayaking in Michaux State Park, PA - AUGUST 11

 Kayak Long Pine Run Resevoir

REGISTRATION STILL OPEN!  $15 per person  2 - 4pm or 4:30 - 6:30

CALL 717-486-5031 to register BY NOON ON AUGUST 7

Novice as well as experienced paddlers are welcome to participate in a relaxed 1.5 hour exploration of this quiet reservoir located in Michaux State Forest near Caledonia State Park.

This peaceful, 155 acre lake has approximately three miles of shoreline, most of which is mixed hardwood and pine forest.  While small electric motor boats are permitted, canoes and kayaks are more typical.  Fishing and hiking are also available at Long Pine Run Reservoir. 

Kayak program participants meet Kings Gap staff at the lake.  Single kayaks, paddles and life vests are provided.  Basic instruction and safety procedures will be reviewed before launching.

Kings Gap Staff will provide a natural history program during each session.

Please be aware of these safety restrictions when registering:

Participants must be 12 years or older, and able to swim.

Each participant age 12-18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

300 lb. weight limit for kayaks.

Carlisle Chamber of Commerce celebrates 100 years!

   We attended the 100th anniversary celebration of the Greater Carlisle Chamber of Commerce  last evening at the Carlisle Business Airport. Perfect weather with delicious hors d'oeuvres, Surf & Turf dinner and sweet treats from the Carlisle Bakery.   We ended the evening with a great band under the Supermoon!

Civil War 150th - 1863 Invasion in the Cumberland Valley

Civil War 150th 

 1863 Invasion in the Valley 

was remembered at the Cumberland County Historical Society last evening with a presentation by Pvt. Patrick Farrell, portrayed by Carlisle attorney Hubert Gilroy. Patrick told of the Irish families in the

Cumberland Valley and the grand contributions the Irish soldiers made for the cause. He also described his friendship with the Faller family on North Hanover Street and the War skirmishes fought alongside two of the Faller brothers, John and Leo. Mary, portraying great great grandmother, Maria Faller, read a poignant letter that John wrote home from Antietam telling of Leo's death - September 17, 1862.

An illustrated letter by Leo.

The letters are reproduced in a book titled Dear Folks at Home which includes Johns account of imprisonment in Andersonville.

All Ford Nationals of Carlisle Events

All our 2013 Ford Nationals enthusiasts have gone now but had a super weekend.  Several proudly showed off their SALEEN model mustangs here and at the show.  Steve Saleen was at the show to sign autographs, and in the case of one of our guests with a beautiful red model, he signed the dash
and engine!  Another guest with a black and silver gem buffs his to perfection!

 
The evening brought hundreds into town for the 3rd Annual Ford Parade and we saw not only the new newest super models but also some classics as well.  With swinging bands on the courthouse steps and on High Street at the location of the old rail station, the town rocked!

Dickinson College Graduation - Class of 2013!

The inn is ready to greet our wonderful Dickinson families, some for the last visit.....
We are please though that several of our families have yet another current student and/or one to start this Fall.  We do have a family with one graduating, one will be a Junior AND one will be Class of '17!  

We congratulate the Class of 2013 and wish them much happiness
and success.  We also hope that we will see many of you back here for Alumni Weekends for many years to come.

Farmers on the Square - Carlisle PA

 

Farmers on the Square is officially open today for the 2013 season under the trees in the churchyard of the historic First Presbyterian Church on the Square. Pastor Jon rang the opening bell at 3pm, a market tradition dating back to 1693 at the Philadelphia market. Come and join the supporters and all the great vendors - many

regulars but some new ones as well. The vendors live and work within 50 miles of Carlisle, so it really is a local market!

Carlisle's original 1778 farmers market was catty-cornered from the present one where the new courthouse now sits.

Earth Day 2013 - Pennsylvania

Farm just north of Carlisle

Pennsylvania

 Land of beautiful fields and streams!

 Our state is known for its agriculture - the largest industry in the state - and we salute our farmers and the beautiful farms in keeping our green areas GREEN!

Kings Gap State Park

Our fly-fishers and water conservationists help maintain the streams that have made PA famous for its abundant trout resources! 

We can't forget a shout-out to our friends at the Dickinson College farm who achieved organic certification and grow terrific produce.

Green Garlic Scapes - Dickinson Farm

Fly-Fishing in Carlisle PA - Season Opens Saturday

Trout season opens for the Carlisle area on Saturday, March 30!

 Come enjoy the many bountiful streams and spend a relaxing night at the Carlisle House. 

 Need a guide? Tom's Fly-Fishing Service is the best in the area and will pick you up right here at the door! Need rods, reels and waders....he has them for you too!

The Yellow Breeches and the Letort Spring Run are two of the best streams in the world and are right here!