Hotel Charlotte, Groveland & Yosemite

Hotel Charlotte weekly specials, 1-12

2012-01-23T07:31:00.000-08:00

HOTEL CHARLOTTE WEEKLY SPECIALS

We have found a place with snow... The Midwest, and are heading there on Sunday. Amazingly it has been very mild there until we decided that's where to start out holiday. After visiting with family in Chicago and Charlotte, we will head for New Orleans where I will spend my birthday and we will kick back and enjoy a new setting. We look forward to seeing everyone in February!

Restaurant News: This winter we will reopen Friday and Saturday, February 10th & 11th, Valentine's Day and the Presidents's day weekend that follows, February 17, 18 & 19. We hope to see you on one of these nights.

For those doing some early planning for Valentine's day, we are taking reservations now. Our menu is posted online at www.HotelCharlotte.com/pdf/valentines2012.html.

A once in a life time opportunity: The weather looks like it will hold through next Thursday without rain/snow. Tioga Pass and Glacier Point Roads will still be open. What a great time to invite your friends a family up to experience a winter high country as they are unlikely to ever see again. In celebration of this phenom your guests will receive a second night free. If they can only stay one night, we will discount 30%. (Valid for stays completed by 3/29/2012) Bring Ice Skates!

Online Reviews: As travelers begin their summer planning, it would be nice if you could take a moment to tell them about some of the offerings in Groveland. There are many online review websites, select your favorite restaurants, lodging, activites and post a review. Nothing says thank you more to our small businesses than you telling the world about us. Tripadvisor is a popular choice if you don't already have a travel review site that you favor. TripAdvisor.com

FYI: Marge and Jim are back in town and look forward to catching up with all their Groveland friends.

Stay Warml!

Hotel Charlotte weekly specials, 1-5

2012-01-23T07:30:00.000-08:00

HOTEL CHARLOTTE WEEKLY SPECIALS

The new year is here and the weather is still incredible. Yesterday was t-shirt and sandals.

Restaurant News: Open tonight, Friday and Saturday. This weekend (starting Friday night) Victor has brought in two great specials.

Veal loin scaloppini piccata $19.95Kobi top sirloin steak with blue cheese butter topping. $19.95
(Or $24.95 for a 3-course meal with soup or salad & dessert)

After Saturday, we will reopen the restaurant for dinner on Valentine's Day, February 14 and the weekend that follows. We hope to see you then. For groups that have regularly scheduled lunches here, we will continue serving you as we always have these last 8 years during our winter breaks.

Groveland's Holiday Decoration Take-Down Day: They tell me this is typically 12 days after Christmas, so we are planning on December 6th as the big de-ribboning, de-bowing and de-wrapping day. Join us at Hotel Charlotte headquarters at 9:30 am to get started.

Online Reviews: We saw so many of our neighbors over the last month with all the holiday parties and dinners out with friends. If you are online some time, why don't you take a moment to leave a review at your favorite food or travel website letting the world know about our little town and the Hotel Charlotte restaurant? We sure would appreciate it! If you don't have a favorite review website, consider TripAdvisor.com

FYI: Marge and Jim will be back in town next week and look forward to catching up with all their Groveland friends.

Happy New Year to all!

Hotel Charlotte weekly specials, 12/28

2012-01-23T07:27:00.000-08:00

HOTEL CHARLOTTE WEEKLY SPECIALS

Only 3 more days until the end of 2011 and I wonder if I did everything I planned to. Likely not. But lots going on in these next two weeks, we hope you are a part of our activities!

Last Great Deal of 2011: Book any of our large rooms in the hotel for stays between now and 3/29 and your second night is free. Vacation Rentals too! Buy the first night and the second is free! Valid for travel booked by 12/31 with travel completed by 3/29/2012.

Restaurant News: Open tonight! Yes, a Wednesday! And town is full of folks enjoying the week off and our fabulous weather, come on down! This week we are serving dinner Wednesday-Sunday with a Celebration Menu for NYE.

Our three course New Year's Eve Celebration menu includes a soup or salad, entrée and dessert and we have some space available for you and your guests. www.HotelCharlotte.com/pdf/nye2011.pdf

       Victor's Celebration Soup or Caesar Salad

       Entrée Choice

         ~ Stuffed Chicken Breast Florentine $22.95
         ~ Vegetarian Pasta of the day $19.95
         ~ Lobster Ravioli $26.95
         ~ Lobster Tails with drawn butter $34.95
         ~ 16oz T-Bone Steak $29.95
         ~ Rack of Lamb $32.95
         ~ Filet Mignon $31.95

       Crème Bruleé dessert
       Surf & Turf any entrée add a lobster tail $19
       Choices for kids too from $9.95)

Restaurant News 2012: Our dining room will remain open the week following New Years on the same schedule, Wednesday through Sunday (through January 8th) and we hope you will join us! We will then reopen on Valentine's day and the weekend that follows.

Happy New Year to all!

Hotel Charlotte weekly, 12/21

2012-01-23T07:25:00.000-08:00

HOTEL CHARLOTTE WEEKLY SPECIALS
It's last minute rush time now with Christmas just around the corner, lots of parties to attend, and all that last minute shopping to complete. Here are some ideas to help you along the way.

Oops! I Need a Gift Faire? www.HotelCharlotte.com/pdf/oops2011.pdf
At the Hotel Charlotte in downtown Groveland on Friday, Dec. 23, from noon to 4pm. Open to all, the faire features Yosemite Chamber of Commerce members without a storefront, and their unique gift offerings, from hand painted parasols to locally crafted spices, decorative pots, paper products, nature crafts, jewelry and more. Eleven "Oopsologists", plus wine tasting and lunch available while you shop. Try something new! Free gift wrapping for faire purchases, provided by the Yosemite Chamber of Commerce. Contact Kristy, infor@groveland.org or 209-962-0429 or the Hotel Charlotte, 209-962-6455 for additional details.

December Wine BlowOut!
We're cleaning out the cellar for the winter. For the price of two glasses of wine, you can purchase a bottle of wine to take home. Or purchase a case of mixed wines and take off another 10% to 25%. Good 'til the end of the year. Here's the whole list. www.hotelcharlotte.com/pdf/wineblowout2011.pdf

Restaurant Happenings
Victor's created a scrumptious three course menu for the Christmas weekend -- Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Bring the whole family; there's even a kid's menu.

Holiday Menu: Saturday & Sunday,12/23, 24 & 25
(Friday night will also have our regular menu as an option.
       Holiday Blend Soup or Caesar Salad
       Entrée Choice
         ~ Traditional Turkey Dinner $19.95
         ~ Vegetarian Pasta of the day $19.95
         ~ Lobster Ravioli (no sides) $25.95
         ~ 16 oz Porterhouse Steak $29.95
         ~ Rack of Lamb $29.95
         ~ Filet Mignon $29.95
       Crème Bruleé dessert
Kids Menu: Pasta Marinara with Meatball or Chicken fingers and with ice-cream dessert $9.95   www.hotelcharlotte.com/pdf/holidaymenu2011.pdf

On New Year's EveVictor is preparing a festive dinner from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM. Join us before you head to those late night parties to ring in 2012. Call 962-6455 for reservations. We will have our menu published online next week for NYE.

Writing to Get Published with Bill Manville
Join us at Hotel Charlotte for our third annual intensive workshop with Bill. Folks who joined us in prior years loved the intimate setting and found it conducive to successful penning! This year's program is scheduled for March 15 - 18, 2012. Purchase by Dec. 31, 2011, and receive a 25% discount on the course fees. This program makes for a great personal endeavor, or holiday gift for the want-to-be writer in your life. www.HotelCharlotte.com/writers.html

PML VoiceYes, the rumors are true. We did buy the PML Voice from Roy. Eight years ago, Roy created the PML Voice to be a community service, where people could post their notices and opinions in a timely and fair manner. That's simply our goal, too. However, time constraints with running a business and reviving PMLVoice is keeping me up at night. If there is another good soul out there that has time and would like to be Voice Master, I would certainly be interested in hearing from you!
Merry Christmas to you and your families!

See you soon!
Lynn, Victor & Goose!
www.HotelCharlotte.com
209-962-6455

Just in Time for the Holidays, Clock & Stay Package

2011-12-18T13:03:00.000-08:00

Clocks! Every where I look there is a clock. Several years ago Victor took up collecting antique clocks. I have taken up trying to sell them. Obviously, Victor is much more successful at his hobby than I am. So, when you do come to the Hotel Charlotte, I hope you will buy an antique clock.

Victor has scoured EBay, Craigslist and has gone to estate sales too. No clock seems to be too far away. One day he even got in the truck and drove to LA. He drove down, saw the clock and was back 12 hours later. With the clock I might add. Another we purchased while visiting family in St. Louis—it's still there, we can't figure our how to get it home!Almost all of the clocks arrive here needing some degree of attention, which is why he gets a good price and I don't fuss too much. Then they go to our friend, neighbor and clock master for fixing and cleaning. Then I start to fuss! Now that the clocks work, the cost basis goes up quite a bit. But all of them are very beautiful, some hundreds of years old. Most from places very far away.

The addition of these clocks along with our consignment clocks has made such a wonderful impact on the aura of the hotel, providing a whole new set of stories to tell. This clock came from Argentina, but was made in Japan. That one is a one-of-a-kind master piece owned by a little old lady who only used it once a week to see if it was time to go to church... Another is a two weight. And isn't this a nice one? A Seth Thomas. I think I will have to learn a little something more about clocks now.

We have taken our previously bare hallway walls on the second floor where the guest rooms are and have added a collection of historic building photographs by Terri Metz sprinkled with a clock here, and one there—all chimeless of course! The dining room has one grandfather clock and 7 wall clocks and with the new fire place and a handful of mantle clocks we found in New Zealand on this year's recipe research trip in a little town on Charlotte Sound, imagine that! I will take oodles of photos and get them on the internet so you can see how cool some of these are. Consider our Clock and Sleep Special. Buy a Clock or a couple of clocks, spending $600 or more and enjoy a complimentary night in the hotel valid November-March. Make buying an antique clock a getaway adventure. Call for details, some restrictions apply. 209-962-6455

Free Rooms and Boldly Discounted Wine!

2011-12-17T09:59:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends and Guests,

Here we are, right up against the holidays with the very last days of the year coming and oodles of rooms available. So, we offer you, your friends or relatives any room in the hotel, a Second night Free! for stays completed by December 30. Please book quickly for the best selection. (Makes a great getaway for you too!) www.HotelCharlotte.com/rooms.html

December Wine BlowOut: For the price of two glasses of wine, take home a bottle. Want a real blowout? Buy a case (Okay to mix wines) for another 10-25% discount. To-go orders only. This special is not valid for wines enjoyed with dinner. Call ahead to reserve your case or just walk in on a Whim! Use as gifts for those of your friends and family who are hard to shop for.
www.HotelCharlotte.com/pdf/wineblowout2011.pdf

Restaurant News December: For the remainder of December, the restaurant is open Thursday through Sunday evenings serving dinner from 5:30 to 8pm. (note a private party on Friday, 12/16, we will not be open to the public that night.) Lunch is available Thursday through Monday from 11:30 as is Wine Tasting. As always, our dining rooms are available for your special events or club meetings. www.HotelCharlotte.com/restaurant.html

Restaurant News Winter 2012 Following the new year, the restaurant will remain closed while we are on our recipe research trip. (Hotel remains open) We look forward to welcoming everyone on Tuesday, February 14th for Valentines day.

Oops! I Need a Gift Faire: Join us all afternoon, December 23, at the Hotel Charlotte for this second annual and wildly popular gift faire highlighting Yosemite Chamber members who don't have a storefront in town and other local artisans, craft persons and people who simply sell unique items. You will find gifts of all sorts, from photography to jewelry, books, spices, parasols, t-shirts, wine and crafts. Enjoy the one of a kind experience of sipping a glass of wine while you shop. Come for your entire Christmas list or for that last forgotten gift--Or just come for the party! You are guaranteed a good time! www.HotelCharlotte.com/pdf/oops2011.pdf

Writing to Get Published with Bill Manville: Join us this year for our third annual intensive with Bill. Folks who joined us in prior sessions loved the intimate setting and found it condusive to successful penning! Add a few extra days and enjoy Yosemite! This year's program is scheduled for March 15-18th. Purchase by 12/31 and receive a 25% discount on the course fees. This program makes for a great personal endevor, or a holiday gift for the gifted want-to-be writer in your life. www.HotelCharlotte.com/writers.html
Hot Happenings! While summer has wound down, we still have some GREAT events on the horizon! Plan a trip around activities that most intrigue you, here's a snapshot of upcoming happenings. (www.HotelCharlotte.com/events.html)

12/17 Farewell performance: Spell Bound: It saddens me to note that the long loved and what I consider "Groveland's House Band" Spell Bound will celebrate their many years together with a final performance at the Iron Door Saloon. I hope to see many there singing and dancing right along with us.

12/23 "Oops! I Need a Gift" Faire Hotel Charlotte. Join us for the 2nd of this wildly popular faire, just before the holidays. Featuring unique gifts from around Groveland

12/24 & 25 Christmas Dinners: We will be serving a special 3-course Holiday menu both Christmas Eve and Christmas day from 5:00pm with a choice of soup or a holiday salad and Crème brûlée for dessert. Dinner selections include a traditional turkey dinner, a 16z porterhouse steak and some of your favorite menu items (lobster ravioli, filet mignon, rack of lamb and more!) No lunch service Christmas Day. www.HotelCharlotte.com/pdf/holidaymenu2011.pdf a grand Year End Celebration Dinner with a special menu from 5:30 to 9:00 pm. Lots of great stuff packed into the end of the year, we hope you will join us for some or all of our coming events. http://www.hotelcharlotte.com/

A stay at the Hotel Charlotte is fun for all, whether traveling alone, as a pair, a family or group. Guests enjoy our charming hotel rooms and modern vacation rental houses, either choice always includes breakfast! We invite you to come, "Sleep with the Mayor!"

Again, it is our pleasure to thank you for your visits this year. It is our dynamic and interesting guests from far and near that make this all so worth while. Having ourselves traveled many of the freeways, byways and out-of-the-ways in and beyond Groveland, we are well prepared to help plan your trip to our little town and points beyond. Feel free to browse our handy Itineraries to get you started.

We look forward to welcoming you (Again!)

Lynn & Victor

Hotel Charlotte

209-962-6455

www.HotelCharlotte.com

PS: Have you seen our vets stay free program? 45 nights, two rooms, 90 vets free! Some nights still open! www.HotelCharlotte.com/specials.html.

Contact Info:

Hotel Charlotte

18736 Main Street, PO Box 787

Groveland, CA 95321 (209) 962-6455

HotelCharlotte@aol.com www.HotelCharlotte.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reservations: 209-962-6455

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-16T19:51:00.000-08:00

Lots going on this season, check out our menu and events over the next two weeks:
www.HotelCharlotte.com/restaurant.html.

You won't want to miss our Oops! I Need a Gift faire on 12/23. We have 11 unique Oopsologists, free gift wrapping, lunch, wine tasting, wine sales and oodles more!
www.HotelCharlotte.com/pdf/oops2011.pdf

After New Year's Eve, we will be closing the restaurant through Valentine's Day. Given that, we have a big inventory of wine and would like to see you share it in your homes over the holidays with your friends, family and neighbors. Stop in and get one of dozens of bottles of wine, many for far less than you can get from the tasting room! (huge savings for purchasing a case!)

We look forward to welcoming you over the next few weeks. If you are around next week Thursday, visit us at the Chamber Holiday mixer. All are welcome.
Lynn, Victor and Goose

Hotel Charlotte weekly, 12/7

2011-12-07T12:22:00.000-08:00

Hotel Charlotte Weekly Update

www.HotelCharlotte.com

12/7/2011

Good links!

Hotel Charlotte

Restaurant Menu

Out & About

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Contact Info:
Hotel Charlotte
PO BOX 787
18736 Main Str
Groveland, CA
95321

HotelCharlotte@aol.com

Get Social with us!
Facebook Pages we like:
Hotel Charlotte
Mayor Goose
Groveland
Yosemite Hwy 120

Our highway to Yosemite is glistening like silver and red candy canes all the way from Priest Station through Groveland. Many thanks to all the volunteers who decorated the town in record time!

Holiday Reflections by the Pine Cone Singers
Hotel Charlotte has long been a fan of the Pine Cone Singers and this year we made their Life Time Donor list with Goose's contribution from his Mayoral race this fall. Won't you join us at one of the three performances this weekend? Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30, and Sunday matinee at 2:00 PM. Tickets are available for $8 in advance (available here), or $10 at the door.

Hotel Charlotte participates in the Holiday Decorating Contest:
In addition to the traditional candy cane theme of our town, the Yosemite Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a merchant decorating contest, with judging taking place on December 12 and 13. Come check out our glitter! Which of our trees do you prefer - the green or the white? (See our de-parasolled dining room too!

The Oops, I Need a Gift! Faire
(won't you download, print and display the flyer for us?
Friday, 12/23 from Noon to 4pm at Hotel Charlotte

This faire is designed for the last minute shopper and those who woke up realizing they forgot "Aunt Bea" and need something wonderful, local and unique. Free gift wrapping for your Oops Faire purchases, provided by the Yosemite Chamber of Commerce.

Hotel Charlotte will also be offering wines by the glass for purchase while you shop and lunch so you can take a break and easily return to the shopping tables for more great stuff! Take a few bottles of well discounted wine home with you to share with friends over the holidays!

Make Hotel Charlotte Your Home for the Holidays
We want you to consider the Hotel Charlotte your Home for the Holidays, whether it's just stopping in for dinner or booking rooms for your out of town guests. Our friends and neighbors always get an additional 10% discount on room rates and we promise to take really good care of your visitors. For a real treat, have them stay in your house and you come take a room at the Charlotte!

Have a big event scheduled for 2012?
December is when we run our best specials for 2012 bookings. This month, book one of our vacation rentals for a stay in 2012, and get 35% discount for visits completed by 3/29/2012 and 15% discount for any other dates. No black out periods, no minimum stays. Best bet you will get for 2012! Must book by 12/31. Book online or by phone, 209-962-6455. www.YosemiteRegion.com

Restaurant News:
The restaurant is open for dinner Thursday through Sunday, from 5:30 to close. Lunch and Wine Tasting are available Thursday through Monday from 11:30.. As always, our dining rooms are available for your special events or club meetings. Mi Casa, Su Casa!

Holiday Menus:
Holiday Menu: Friday, Saturday & Sunday,12/23, 24 & 25 (Friday night will also have our regular menu as an option.)

       Holiday Blend Soup or Caesar Salad
       Entrée Choice
         ~ Traditional Turkey Dinner $19.95
         ~ Vegetarian Pasta of the day $19.95
         ~ Lobster Ravioli (no sides) $25.95
         ~ 16 oz Porterhouse Steak $29.95
         ~ Rack of Lamb $29.95
         ~ Filet Mignon $29.95
       Crème Bruleé dessert
Kids Menu: Pasta Marinara with Meatball or Chicken fingers and with ice-cream dessert $9.95. Tax and Tip not included.

See the full details on the flyer: www.HotelCharlotte.com/pdf/holidaymenu2011.pdf
Seats are filling up fast! Please call with your preferred dates, 209-962-6455

See you soon!
Lynn, Victor & Goose!

2011-12-04T18:08:00.001-08:00

The Oops, I Need a Gift! Faire

Sponsored by the Hotel Charlotte on Thursday, 12/23 from 1-5pm

This faire is designed for the last minute shopper and those who woke up realizing they forgot

"Aunt Bea" and need something wonderful, local and unique.

“Oops”ologists include:

Claudia Day with her sassy Shady Lady parasols (Chamber member)
Jackie Sample with her original jewelry (Chamber member)
Connie Scott with her neckties for dogs and designer pottery
Shirley Brasesco with her Holiday and every day CD’s and straight from Nature crafts
Joan Scheffied with her custom designer T-Shirts (Chamber member)
Holly Foiles with her custom stained glass bits & baubles
Sabre Design with their neat saying and wall hangings (Chamber member)
Barbara J with her special seasonings (Chamber member)
Hotel Charlotte with discount wines, perfect for the Holidays! (Chamber member)

\Hotel Charlotte will also be offering wines by the glass for purchase while you shop and lunch so you can take a break and easily return to the shopping tables for more great stuff!

This Oops, I Forgot a Gift! faire is designed to help you stay near home and on the hill in the last
hectic days before the Holiday rush. (Even if you don't need anything, stop by to share a bit of
Holiday Cheer with us.)

Really big Oops? The Hotel Charlotte is open on Christmas Eve until 10 pm and again at 7:30 am on Christmas morning if you have still forgotten something. The selection becomes fairly limited...but, heck we are here for you!

www.HotelCharlotte.com/pdf/oops2011.pdf

Oh! Tioga Pass is Still Open!

2011-11-30T14:07:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends and Guests,
Can you believe, here it is November 30th and Tioga Pass is still open? Okay, so it's been closed more of this month than open, but the final winter closure has not been announced and my 10 day weather calendar is showing sunny days throughout. Bummer for ski fanatics, great for fall Sierra Travelers. Join us! Rates from $99!

Both Victor and I are back from our Thanksgiving holiday with our families and are charged up and readying for the Christmas Decorating Contest hosted by the Yosemite Chamber of Commerce, new for this year. Stop in sometime and see our holiday glitter!

Restaurant News: After two years of being open 7 nights a week, we are returning to our roots for December. The restaurant is open Thursday through Sunday evenings serving dinner from 5:30 to 8pm. Lunch is available Thursday through Monday from 11:30 as is Wine Tasting. As always, our dining rooms are available for your special events or club meetings. Mi Casa, Su Casa!

Oops! I Need a Gift Faire: Join us all afternoon, December 23, at the Hotel Charlotte for this second annual and wildly popular gift faire highlighting Yosemite Chamber members who don't have a storefront in town and other local artisans, craft persons and people who simply sell unique items. You will find gifts of all sorts, from photography to jewelry, books, spices, parasols, t-shirts, wine and crafts. Enjoy the one of a kind experience of sipping a glass of wine while you shop. Come for your entire Christmas list or for that last forgotten gift--Or just come for the party! You are guaranteed a good time!

Writing to Get Published with Bill Manville: Join us this year for our third weekend intensive with Bill. Folks who have joined us in prior sessions loved the intimate setting and found it condusive to successful penning! Add a few extra days and enjoy Yosemite! This year's program is scheduled for March 15-18th. Purchase by 12/31 and receive a 25% discount on the course fees. This program makes for a great personal endevor, or a holiday gift for the gifted want-to-be writer in your life. www.HotelCharlotte.com/writers.html

Hot Happenings! While summer has wound down, we still have some GREAT events on the horizon! Plan a trip around activities that most intrigue you, here's a snapshot of upcoming happenings. (www.HotelCharlotte.com/events.html)

12/9, 10 & 11 Pine Cone Singers Holiday Reflections: Evening shows on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 and Sunday matinee at 2:30. Priced at $8 in advance, $10 at the door.
12/17 Farewell performance: Spell Bound: It saddens me to note that the long loved and what I consider "Groveland's House Band" Spell Bound will celebrate their many years together with a final performance at the Iron Door Saloon. I hope to see many there singing and dancing right along with us.

12/23 "Oops! I Need a Gift" Faire Hotel Charlotte. Join us for the 2nd of this wildly popular faire, just before the holidays. Featuring unique gifts from around Groveland

12/24 & 25 Christmas Dinners: We will be serving a traditional holiday dinner on both Christmas Eve and Christmas along with our traditional menu selections, but will not be open for lunch on Christmas day.
New Years Eve: This year the Hotel Charlotte will be serving a grand Year End Celebration Dinner with a special menu from 5:30 to 9:00 pm.
Lots of great stuff packed into the end of the year, we hope you will join us for some or all of our coming events. www.HotelCharlotte.com

A stay at the Hotel Charlotte is fun for all, whether traveling alone, as a pair, a family or group. Guests enjoy our charming hotel rooms and modern vacation rental houses, either choice always includes breakfast! We invite you to come, "Sleep with the Mayor!"

Reservations: 209-962-6455

Again, it is our pleasure to thank you for your visits this year. It is our dynamic and interesting guests from far and near that make this all so worth while. Having ourselves traveled many of the freeways, byways and out-of-the-ways in and beyond Groveland, we are well prepared to help plan your trip to our little town and points beyond. Feel free to browse our handy Itineraries to get you started.

We look forward to welcoming you (Again!)
Lynn & VictorHotel Charlotte209-962-6455www.HotelCharlotte.com

PS: Have you seen our vets stay free program? 45 nights, two rooms, 90 vets free! www.HotelCharlotte.com/specials.html.

Contact Info:
Hotel Charlotte
18736 Main Street, PO Box 787
Groveland, CA 95321 (209) 962-6455 HotelCharlotte@aol.com www.HotelCharlotte.com

Hotel Charlotte weekly, 11/23

2011-11-23T09:41:00.000-08:00

HOTEL CHARLOTTE WEEKLY SPECIALS

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and Victor and I choose this one holiday each year to visit our families in the mid-west. Actually, we go there just to reassure ourselves that we have the best weather in the world in Groveland. :)

Restaurant News: Open tonight! and while the restaurant is closed for Thanksgiving Day, we will be open for the remainder of the weekend and hope that you will bring your holiday guests in for a festive night out when you need a change from all those turkey sandwiches.

Following this week our new schedule will be Thursday-Sunday, a return to our roots!

Home for the Holidays! We want you to consider the Hotel Charlotte your Home for the Holidays whether its just stopping in for dinner or booking rooms for your out of town guests. Our friends and neighbors always get an additional 10% discount on room rates and we promise to take really good care of your visitors. For a real treat, have them stay in your house and you come take a room at the Charlotte!

Holiday Parties: Trying to figure out what to do with your bunko, bridge, canasta, or other group during the holidays? Large groups (up to 59) or small, Victor will create a menu to fit your holiday festivities. Whether it's finger foods, a buffet or full service event, we'll tailor it to your desires. So, don't clean house, call Team Charlotte! We still have dates available between now and New Years, 962-6455.

Decorate the Town! The annual foiling and bowing of the town has begun! And what a grand start they had on Tuesday. Thank you to all the volunteers who came out. There is still plenty to do in the next couple of days, don't hesitate to give Jack a call, 7163 if you can help us with this mammoth project! Friday is a big day for the team as the newly strung garland will be hung.

Holiday Shopping: I would be remiss to not remind folks of the many local shopping opportunities this year starting with the duo craft fairs this Friday and Saturday--the long running show at the Community Hall and the new fair out in Big Oak Flat at the IOOF building.

Make black Friday a green Friday for our local merchants! And if you don't think we have anything to sell at the Hotel Charlotte that someone would want.... Consider a gift certificate. The gift of good food is always welcome!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

HOTEL CHARLOTTE WEEKLY SPECIALS

2011-11-16T11:27:00.000-08:00

HOTEL CHARLOTTE WEEKLY SPECIALS

Hello Friends... Oops, sorry. Here's today's message :)

RESTAURANT SPECIALS:

Today is Wednesday, and that means Victor's Meatloaf, with Soup or Salad, for $12, is our tonight's special in the restaurant. Also, available every evening, Sunday through Thursday, is our Split Plate Special, where you can order one main course off our regular menu, and for $4.00 more you can split it with another person. Each plate receives a nearly full order of veggies and starch, plus a half order of protein. It's perfect for you not so big eaters who are tired of doggie boxes stacking up in the refrigerator!

Don't forget the rest of the week specials in the restaurant:

Sunday: ½ Price bottle night for any Wine on the list

Monday: Bottomless Soup and Salad -- $10

Tuesday: "2-4-24" Two 3-course dinners for $24!

Choose Chicken Argentine, Hanger Steak, or Linguini Alfredo

Wednesday: Meatloaf with Soup and Salad -- $1

Thursday: Petite Lobster Ravioli, Soup or Salad -- $15

Don't Forget! November is Gift Certificate Redemption month where you receive an extra 5% value on your meal when you redeem your gift certificates this month. Valid Sunday - Thursday.

HOLIDAY PARTIES:

Trying to figure out what to do with your bunko, bridge, canasta, or other group during the holidays? Large group (to 59) or small, Victor will create a menu to fit your holiday festivities. Whether it's finger foods, a buffet or full service event, we'll tailor it to your desires. We're also available for on site catering. So, don't clean house, call Charlotte! We still have dates available between now and New Years. Call 962-6455.

DECORATE THE TOWN:

Join us next Tuesday, November 22, downtown Groveland to begin the annual wrapping of the town in foil and ribbon. Volunteers will be treated to breakfast at Café Charlotte, so bring your scissors and your friends to deck the town out in its festive candy cane theme. For more details, call Jack Slocombe at 962-7163.

THANKSGIVING:

Victor and I will be visiting family over the Thanksgiving holiday, so the restaurant (but not the hotel) will be closed Thursday (only). We look forward to welcoming your friends and family on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. We thank you for your continued support over the years, and wish you and yours a very happy Thanksgiving.

Weekly Hotel Charlotte update

2011-11-16T11:20:00.000-08:00

Weekly Update Re-Introduction

In light of the PMLVoice.com shutting down this last month, I am reinstating the Hotel Charlotte weekly update. It will always be short and sweet, covering just what is happening this week. This email goes out to our neighbors and will not replace the monthly newsletter that goes to our world of travelers, friends & neighbors. You can easily unsubscribe by clicking the link at the bottom of this email, or better yet, forward it to your friends!

Restaurant News

Sunday: 1/2 price bottle night for any wine on the list

Monday: Bottomless Soup & Salad $10

Tuesday: 2-4, $24! Two 3-course dinners $24
Choose: Chicken Argentine, Hanger Steak or Linguini Alfredo

Wednesday: Meatloaf and Soup or Salad $12

Thursday: Lobster Ravioli, Soup or Salad $15

Nightly: Split Plate Special, order one main course for two people and for $4 more, you can split it with a nearly full order of veggies and starch, and half order of the protein

November: Gift Certificate Redemption month. Redeem your Gift Certificates this month and receive an extra 5% value, up to the remaining balance on your bill. Sunday-Thursday nights. Not valid for lunch, special events or savings oupons.
It pays to eat at the Charlotte!

Hotel Happenings

Keep the Hotel Charlotte in mind for your over flow guests this holiday season. Locals and their friends and families always get a 10% discount on our lowest available rate.

Out & About

Thursday, 11/10 is our final Cabaret of the season and we have one single ticket available, obstructed, $53, give a call if you are sitting around with nothing to do.
Please calendar 12/23 for the Oops! I need a gift fare at the Hotel Charlotte from noon to 4.

Upcoming Holidays at the Charlotte

2011-11-13T13:59:00.001-08:00

Perhaps a bit early for this distribution, but our newspaper deadlines demanded it was written now. Read once, and I will post again later to refresh. LOL See you around! Lynn

We invite you to enjoy our Holiday traditions this year with the Hotel Charlotte. We start our December with the annual Asian dinner at Monday Night Football 12/5 for the ROOFBBs. Victor will be serving some of his favorites including Chinese cabbage & bok choy salad, Oriental chicken with General TSO's sauce and vegetarian fried rice, just $10 per person and 100% of the income goes to ROOFBB's for community philanthropic projects.

The next week we encourage you to enjoy an evening of dinner-theater, blending a nice pre-show dinner at the Hotel Charlotte before heading out to the Pine Cone Singers Holiday Reflections production at 7:30 on Friday and Saturday evening. Sunday... make it a brunch-theater event with the performance at 2:00 pm.

Just a few days later, on December 15th is Groveland's annual bird count where we have long provided chili for the counter's wrap up gathering. Count for chili! www.HotelCharlotte.com/bird.html or contact Bill Zachman.

Then, my new favorite festival, the Oops! I Need a Gift Faire held at the Hotel Charlotte on Friday, December 23rd from noon to 4 featuring one of a kind products, some crafty, some wacky, some just plain neat! None available in stores locally, all available for last minute shoppers. We will be in our full holiday attire with the funky white Christmas tree and elfin caps. This year in addition to our great participants, we will also offer a Wine Blowout! Get your favorites in time for the Holidays at 1/2 off per bottle and a 7.25% additional discount on a case (we will pick up the tax). Mix and Match. We will be well stocked up for the event! Pre-orders accepted, just give a holler and we will have your case ready at your convenience. Support your local artisans, craft persons and such.

Next up... three nights, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, December 23, 24 & 25 of grand holiday celebrations where Victor has selected a handful of seasonal 3-course dinners (soup or salad, entree and dessert) starting with a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings for $19.95, a 16oz porterhouse steak for $29.95, grilled sword fish with a tomato citrus salsa, $26.95 or his signature Lobster Ravioli dinner for $25.95. For those with personal favorites, selections from our regular menu will also be available.

The restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner throughout the Holiday week between Christmas and New Years Eve when we will have a grand year end celebration on Saturday, December 31st, serving from 5:30 to 9pm. Again, choose from our regular menu or celebration menu with the addition of a lobster tail choice and more.

And don't forget, we offer an ALWAYS on 10% discount for lodging to our neighbors and their family and friends. So do something special for your guests and your sanity... send them to us!

We encourage you to reserve early, these special occasions have a way of filling up each year! 209-962-6455

Weekly Hotel Charlotte update

2011-11-09T12:33:00.001-08:00

Hotel Charlotte Weekly Update

www.HotelCharlotte.com

11/09/2011

Restaurant

Hotel

Out & About

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Contact Info:
Hotel Charlotte
PO BOX 787
18736 Main Str
Groveland, CA
95321

HotelCharlotte@aol.com

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Mayor Goose
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Yosemite Hwy 120

Weekly Update Re-Introduction

Restaurant News

Sunday: 1/2 price bottle night for any wine on the list

Monday: Bottomless Soup & Salad $10

Tuesday: 2-4, $24! Two 3-course dinners $24
Choose: Chicken Argentine, Hanger Steak or Linguini Alfredo

Wednesday: Meatloaf and Soup or Salad $12

Thursday: Lobster Ravioli, Soup or Salad $15

Nightly: Split Plate Special, order one main course for two people and for $4 more, you can split it with a nearly full order of veggies and starch, and half order of the protein

Hotel Happenings

Keep the Hotel Charlotte in mind for your over flow guests this holiday season. Locals and their friends and families always get a 10% discount on our lowest available rate.

Out & About

Thursday, 11/10 is our final Cabaret of the season and we have one single ticket available, obstructed, $53, give a call if you are sitting around with nothing to do.

Please calendar 12/23 for the Oops! I need a gift fare at the Hotel Charlotte from noon to 4.

Vets stay free!

2011-10-30T10:13:00.000-07:00

Mayor Goose Welcomes Vets

In celebration of our 90th birthday, we are offering 90 vets & a guest a free night at the Hotel Charlotte on a first come first served basis. We will provide our two best available rooms for a veteran and guest for the following dates: Nov 1-3, Nov 6-10 and Nov 13-17, Nov 20-22, Nov 27-Dec 15, Jan 3-5, Jan 8-12 and Jan 17 & 18. Please book by phone, 209-962-6455. You will also receive a special VIP coupon package with valuable local discounts from participating merchants!
Sold out dates include: November 3, 6, 8, 10, 14, 20, 28, Dec 9 & 10.
Dates fill fast as word gets out. Call for an update.

First come first served: "Card carrying" USA Vets—enjoy a room on us! We have made 2 rooms available for 45 nights, complimentary for 90 Yosemite bound Vets or just hang out in Groveland for the evening. Valid one night per vet guest in our best available room at point of of check in. Bring your family and we will deduct the 2 person room price from the family room price. Stay more than one night and receive an additional 10% discount on the second, non-Friday/Saturday night.

While the room with breakfast is 100% complimentary, all other policies are in effect. A credit card will be required to guarantee the room. Cancellation fees apply as well as full payment required for no shows. Please call us if you can't make it on your night. We are keeping a waiting list and will want to share our inn with another veteran if you are unable to join us. Reservations by telephone: 209-962-6455

Fall Follies at the Hotel Charlotte

2011-10-22T15:26:00.000-07:00

This has been a busy fall already with our two Cabaret shows at the end of October, and we have another one scheduled for November 10th with a few tickets remaining, we hope you will join us. The remainder of the year looks to be shaping up for some fun nights and holiday festivities.

Restaurant News
Victor has designed a new special starting on October 24th. We hope you will join us for this fantastic value! 2-4, 24. That’s right, 2-three course dinners for $24. Choices include soup or salad, Linguini Alfredo, Hanger Steak or Chicken Argentine and a scoop of vanilla bean ice-cream for dessert. This special is available Sunday through Thursday, non-event/holiday evenings. www.HotelCharlotte.com/restaurant.html

Halloween, 10/31
Our restaurant was built to host Halloween dining! We remove the table in the middle, fill a huge bucket with candy, bring in a real witch and lead all the kids around the two dining rooms in full costume. Dinner and cocktails add to the colorful trick-or-treaters. This dinner is done as a single seating, with your table available at 5pm as the kids start their candy tour of downtown. We have a second seating for Halloween workers and folks that want to join us after the kids have left, from 7:45 to 8:30. Call today! www.HotelCharlotte.com/halloween.html

Make Money Dining at the Hotel Charlotte!
Sounds crazy, but that's right. November is Gift Certificate Redemption month. Redeem your gift certificates this month and receive an extra 5% value. Valid only for remaining balance on dinner ticket (this means no cash will be returned to you.) Sunday through Thursday nights. Not valid for lunch or during special events. It pays to eat at the Charlotte!

Thanksgiving Weekend 11/23-27: We invite you to bring your friends and family to dinner on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evening, we will be closed on Thursday to visit with our own families.

Christmas Dinners: We will be serving a traditional holiday dinner on both Christmas Eve and Christmas, but will not be open for lunch on Christmas day.

New Years Eve: This year the Hotel Charlotte will be serving a grand Year End Celebration Dinner with a special menu from 5:30 to 9:00 pm. The dining room and hotel is otherwise available for a private party for a mid-night celebration. Bundle this with an overnight package and take over the whole house! Let's make a deal! Please contact Lynn HotelCharlotte@aol.com if you are interested.

Lots of great stuff packed into the end of the year, we hope you will join us for some or all of our coming events. http://www.hotelcharlotte.com/

Oh, yes, and the mayor dog will perform nightly, or if asked, so don't be shy! Come say hi to that little mayor dog Goose!

Mayor Goose Photo Shoot

2011-10-10T13:34:00.001-07:00

Mayor Goose spent time on Saturday working his first major photo shoot with Kris Corey of Yosemite Audio Adventures (http://www.yosemite-tours.org/) Kris won this prestegious opportunity at the last Yosemite Chamber of Commerce mixer when Carolyn was the highest bidder for this personal endorsement press release in favor of a Chamber Business. Kris scripted the concept and set the scene and Goose put on his tuxedo and "went camping" in Yosemite with the aide of the audio adventure cd. Goose stirred the beans, set up the pup tent, lead the hike and herded the sheep from atop the stump.

Piano playing, hotel-dog named Mayor of Groveland, 2011-12

2011-09-19T16:37:00.000-07:00

Meet the Mayor of Groveland

Okay, so it is purely an honorary title, but this little dog, named Goose, who is now starting his second non-consecutive term as Mayor, doesn’t know the difference! In his first year out, Goose, unlike most politicians, actually got something done for the town of Groveland having taken on the fundraising activities for the new dog park. This term’s “opus” remains undefined, but somehow a perfect project always seems to fall in our path.

Mayor Goose lives at the Hotel Charlotte in downtown Groveland where he welcomes visitors from around the world with a friendly bark “hello” and performs for them nightly, playing his favorite piano pieces with the aid of a delicious treat bandied about much like a conductor might wave his baton to the orchestra.

Goose’s hotel-home is a somewhat eclectic place with dozens of antique clocks all set at unique times, parasols hung upside down from the ceiling and a philodendron plant that nearly wraps around the dining room. In addition to the bevy of wonderments, this is a hotel filled with kindness and laughter—a place where visitors know they are always #1!

Guests to Goose’s hotel might be enjoying one of the traditional rooms, cozy, but with everything you need for a quick overnight into or out of Yosemite, or perhaps one of the family suites where parents and kids each have separate rooms with the bath between. There are a few larger, more amenity rich rooms to choose from for those who enjoy a touch more than the basics. Traveling with a group? Vacation rental houses are the way to go. Just two miles from the Hotel (inside the Pine Mountain Lake resort) where seven rental condos can host up to 50 people within one block. Perfect for reunions, golf tournaments, retreats or wedding parties.

A favorite of Goose’s and many of our locals and visitors alike is the food. Ah, Victor has really put together a sumptuous menu for both lunch & dinner. Goose wishes he could enjoy “people food” more often and thinks that the signature Chicken Jerusalem could be his favorite, but would also enjoy one of the perfectly prepared steaks. Check the menu online and let us know what your favorite might be.

Along with the entertaining dog, Hotel Charlotte is a center for events in the fall/winter season from our Cabaret Charlotte (October 20 & 23) to wine dinners, murder mystery plays and more. The Hotel Charlotte truly is where folks have fun—whether enjoying one of our programs or teaming with you for a private festive event from ladies get-away pajama parties to toga parties, a speak-easy or Hawaiian luau, or how about a costumed cowboy, country BBQ?

Did I mention how close Groveland is to everything? You already know we are 24 miles from Yosemite National Park, but also just seven miles from some of the best white water river rafting in the world on the Cherry and Tuolumne rivers. From here it is just a few minutes to boat, swim, fish, hike, golf, horseback ride, hunt and even pan for gold! For those who like to blend culture with their holidays, we have our local supported Groveland Museum, are fairly close to several wonderful theaters in Sonora, and if you like to shake it up a bit, there are two casinos 30-40 minutes away.

While “Mayor” Goose thinks Yosemite is the Cat’s Meow, he really does like just hanging out in Groveland, visiting Mountain Sage (the nursery, arts center, amphitheater and visitors center). Sometimes he heads down to Rainbow Pool (our secret swimming hole) to take a quick jump off a rock or slide over the water fall, conditions permitting of course. But best of all are all the happenings around Groveland—from flea markets to tuxedoed balls, festivals and farmers markets. Many of which are pet- friendly venues, though Goose would be hard pressed to admit to being anyones pet!

Goose hopes to welcome you to Groveland and Hotel Charlotte. With our new fall-winter , Oct 30-Mar 29, rates starting at $99, there is no reason not to. Did you know that Yosemite IS most stunning in the winter with the snow-kissed granite walls? YOU own Yosemite on winter visits. With Goose’s Mayoral winter-weather guarantee, you can’t go wrong. Plan ahead or be spontaneous. Hotel Charlotte cancellations fees are waived in the event snow tire chains are required to enter the park on Highway 120 on the day before or of your visit.

We invite you to come, sleep with the Mayor. http://www.hotelcharlotte.com/ 209.962.6455

It's been a year

2011-02-26T14:13:00.000-08:00

It has truly been a year since my last post on this blog. So much has happened. Facebook has become a daily part of our program, posting Hotel Announcements and Specials on www.Facebook.com/CafeCharlotte. We also co-administer the Groveland page, www.Facebook.com/Groveland and Yosemite Page, www.Facebook.com/Yosemite120. That explains why this has slipped on priority list.

We just returned from our latest recipe research trip and are coming out with a new menu on Tuesday, March 1. It's very exciting, our most changes ever! I need to get the menu pdfed and on our website.

Things you can look forward to for March, 1/2 priced wine nights. ANY bottle of red on our list is half priced on Sundays, ANY bottle of white, half priced on Tuesdays. Cabaret Charlotte, Groveland's Annual Gala and a whole lot more are all just around the corner. www.HotelCharlotte.com/events.html

Winter

2010-02-22T18:10:00.000-08:00

Okay, such an odd year this is!

Victor and I have reviewed our schedule and looked at how busy we are (and sometimes aren't)and have decided that we won't open Mondays quite yet. Here's the new schedule:

Thursday-Sunday from 5:30 pm through March 21, then we add Monday 3/22.

Open 7 nights a week starting on March 25th through Monday, April 12th for Spring Break. Bring your friends and family any night of the week!

Thursday-Monday April 13th through May 10th

7 nights a week through the summer starting on Thursday, May 13th.

Check out out Trivia Schedule on the post before this one.
We are moving the Dinner with a Ghost Hunter to a new date, time and price, www.HotelCharlotte.com/ghosts.html

Wine dinner formulas will be changed the dates will remain the same, updates to follow as details are confirmed. March 21 and April 18.

How's that sound?

Mark your calendars so you don't forget!!!!

Weekly Trivia begins at the Charlotte

2010-02-22T17:37:00.000-08:00

Weekly Trivia at the Charlotte Returns!
A 10 week series of Trivia with questions, riddles, pictures and puzzles. Prizes awarded weekly and a great evening of closing ceremonies recognizing highlights throughout the season with coupons, prizes and more.

Grand menu choices from $9.99

Opening Night, Thursday, March 4!

Thursdays, March 4, 11, & 18
Mondays, March 22, 29, April 5, 12, 19, 26

Closing Ceremonies: Monday, May 3rd

Mark your calendars today! While reservations aren’t required, they do help us plan

A wise player could enjoy the whole series on us!
Giveaways in excess of $350

Doors open at 5:30 pm. Choose to eat before, during or after the game.
First question starts at 6:30. Trivia typically finishes in an hour and 20 minutes or so.
Can’t make the for the whole series? It doesn’t matter! Prizes awarded weekly!
Are you more of a voyeur? Come on down and watch!
Teams of 4 welcome, (and encouraged!) to join us weekly for a chance at prizes valued at $25 and grand finale night worth over: $100
Don’t have a team? Don’t despair! We will build teams from singles, couples or threes.
You will meet new people and have fun!

Friends of Groveland Dog Park

2010-01-11T18:47:00.000-08:00

Thank you! Thank you!

What a pleasure it was seeing so many folks behind the effort of the Groveland Dog Park on Saturday. We had waves of teams through out the morning join us with hoes, picks, wheel barrows and lawn mowers, weed wackers and the like. Everyone found a purpose. The transition from the morning to the afternoon was phenomenal. Thank you again.

The organizing group will meet in the next week or two to layout our next steps, pick the next work day and get us ready for grass, holes for posts, maybe some stump removal...and I will send out another email at that time, I just didn't want to wait another day to tell you all what a great job you all did and how much fun it seemed everyone was having getting this to pull together.

We love our dogs!

Lynn & Goose for
Friends of the Groveland Dog Park
www.MayorGoose.com

Hotel Dog Named Goose works for Groveland

2009-12-14T19:11:00.000-08:00

Our Hotel Dog, Goose is a local celebrity and Mayor of Groveland, okay, Honorary Mayor. Between his duties of meeting and greeting Hotel and Restaurant guests he also has a very busy mayoral calendar filled with photo shoots, interviews and meetings. One of Goose's key causes right now is building a community Dog Park and working with our local politicians on getting everything passed and funds raised. Goose's website highlights his activities for this year.

www.MayorGoose.com. The dog park info is on www.MayorGoose.com/causes.html

If you would like to ask the mayor some direct questions, his email is Bark@MayorGoose.com

While originally the Honorary Mayor program was a fundraiser all in good fun coordinated by the Yosemite Chamber of Commerce, www.Groveland.org, Goose has raised the bar and is an actual working Honorary Mayor, marketing Groveland and the surrounds and supporting important causes. Goose's sponsor is Camp Tuololumne Trails, a special place for kids and adults with special needs. www.TuolumneTrails.org. Goose's campaigns have raised nearly $5000 for scholarships and other programs for the camp.

Please contact: Mother Goose at: HotelCharlotte@aol.com for stock publicity photos, victory walk in the annual parade and one of his advertising posters for the Yosemite Chamber of Commerce. We hope his little story makes the cut for any media story on pets in the news!

Lynn Upthagrove
"Mother Goose"
Hotel Charlotte
Groveland, on the way to Yosemite
www.HotelCharlotte.com
209-962-6455

Chains Required Winter Cancellation Policy

2009-12-13T08:13:00.000-08:00

Winter Cancellation Policy: If you are coming for a Yosemite Visit and the weather is such that Chains are required ON YOUR TIRES (R1, R2, or R3) on the day of your visit, our cancellation fees will be waived. We can't guarantee when the weather will be good or bad, but we can adjust our policies such that you can book with confidence. If you want to cancel because you don't want to put chains on...we're okay with that. We don't like to put them on either.

(Most of the time this isn't even an issue, and, now you don't have to worry about it!)

Sommelier Hosted Wine Dinners

2009-12-12T14:25:00.000-08:00

2010 WINE DINNERS at Hotel & Café Charlotte
We just love wine-dinners and this series is titled: Quaffing the Coast. In this series we pair owner-chef, Victor's great menus with our favorite Sommelier, Nicole Darracq's, top selections from each of five Coastal Counties: Mendocino, Sonoma, Santa Cruz Monterey and San Louis Obispo! Wines are available for post event purchase and favorites end up on our wine list and on rotation in our tasting room
Quaffing the Coast 3-dates remain, all The 3rd Sunday of the month
       Santa Cruz: February 21st
       Monterey: March 21st
       San Louis Obispo: April 18th
Because we are still early in the process of selecting wineries and wines for 2010 we do not have our menus prepared yet, but you can get an idea of what we did in with earlier menus:

SAMPLE MENU
Appetizer Skewers with Andouille Sausage, Grilled Assiago Cheese & Pear
      Paired with Pedroncelli Vineyards, Field Blend, Friends.Red
Harvest Soup: A pureed blend of home grown squash, pumpkins & spices with dollop of fresh cream
       Paired with Dry Creek Vineyards Fume Blanc
Spinach Salad with Hot Pancetta Dressing & Fried Goat Cheese
       Paired with Lake Sonoma Zinfandel
Lamb Loin sliced and topped with a port & black cherry reduction
       Paired with Geyser Peak Merlot
Dessert of a rich black chocolate brownie-cake, slivered almonds and whipped cream
       Paired with Valley of the Moon Cabernet Sauvignon

Priced at $64 inclusive to tax and tip, you will find these wine events rival the best of the best offered in SF or any of our California wine regions. Nicole is an entertaining and very knowledgable hostess. Add a room to any of these dinners for $89, including breakfast. Purchase season tickets for all shows and receive a 12% discount.

Doors open at 6:00 and we start with a happy hour wine and appetizer followed by a sit down dinner hosted by Nicole Darracq. Individual dinners are priced at $64 per person, inclusive of dinner, wines, tax and tip. Purchase Quaffing the Coast season tickets and receive a 12% discount when purchased together. Guests who also spend the evening with us receive our stay and play room pricing, $89 for a traditional room or 20% off larger rooms.

We hope to see you here. You can call us to make reservations, 209-962-6455 or you can book online be sure to let us know in the comments section that you are joining us for the wine dinner package. See you soon!

3-day Writers Workshop

2009-12-12T14:19:00.000-08:00

Writer’s Workshop March 23, 24 & 25 2010 at Hotel Charlotte.
The team at Hotel Charlotte in the Gold Rush era town of Groveland near Yosemite is absolutely thrilled to have Bill Manville on board to lead our 3-day Writers Workshop “Writing to get Published” on March 23, 24 & 25, 2010.

This is a three-day course, with a new lesson and writing assignment each night. The only prerequisite is a love of reading, a desire to write and get yourself published.

Bill is a former Village Voice columnist, editor for Helen Gurley Brown at Cosmo, author of six books, columnist for the New York Daily News, and now teaches writing for Temple University, Philadelphia. Program price includes 3 day workshop with a new lesson & writing assignment each night, Bill's guide “Writing to Get Published Student's Hand-book”, lunch daily, and a Welcome dinner Monday..

Pricing & Details:
$129 if you book by 12/31/2009 (includes welcome dinner)
$159 if you book 1/1/2010 or later (includes welcome dinner)
$49 per individual workshop day
$29 Welcome dinner only, per person with tax and tip included

Hotel Charlotte offers several room packages for participants.
$259 b&b 3 nights double occupancy
$199 b&b 3 nights single occupancy
$99 b&b per night 1 or 2 nights double occupancy
$79 b&b per night1 or 2 nights single occupancy
Extend your stay night before/after workshop $90 double, $70 single, includes breakfast

We hope to welcome writers of all levels.

Dinner with a Ghost Hunter

2009-12-12T14:15:00.000-08:00

Dinner with a Ghost Hunter....The team at Hotel Charlotte is thrilled to have Jeff Dwyer on board to tell us about Ghosts of the Motherlode where he will share his research experiences from his newest book: Ghost Hunter's Guide to California's Gold Rush Country where the Hotel Charlotte is featured on page 172 with our "Tuck You in Ghost."

Doors will open at 6 pm on Sunday, March 7th, with a no host happy hour when guests will get to meet Jeff and enjoy an array of appetizers. We will sit at 6:30 for dinner and Jeff will make his presentations between courses with his final segment a question and answer period. The price for the 4-Course dinner is $34 pp inclusive of tax and tip.

This event qualifies for our Stay & Play Pricing, $89 additional for a traditional room or $114 for a large room. Stay with us both Sunday and Monday and we will include your Yosemite Pass also.

Hotel & Café Charlotte
18736 Main Street (Highway 120)
PO Box 787
Groveland, California 95321
Reservations: (209) 962-6455
Email: HotelCharlotte@aol.com

Mayor Goose and the Dog Park

2009-11-16T17:45:00.001-08:00

Fundraising efforts for the Groveland Dog Park started this week with the GCSD announcement and subsequent article by Mike Morris of the Union Democrat, who we are please to say mentioned the Mayor's website in his article...(officially moving us out of the self published, vanity press genre!)

November 12: We received a $2500 matching funds annonymous donation. This is so exciting, Goose has never done anything like this before. Our first checks came in today and we received another paypal donation. We are 10% of the way to our matching goal!

November 9: At the GCSD Board meeting it was learned that GCSD was successful in their waiver request to Fish & Game to remove the $1993 fee for converting the idle land to a dog park. We now have a short waiting period before digging can commence.

The project has been broken down into the following steps (and in this order too!)

Map out leach field (GCSD)
Remove thistle plants (Community)
Disk & Roll field (GCSD)
Hand pickup rocks in field (Community)
Put up fencing (Community, GCSD can auger the fence post holes)
Dig trench for water line from restrooms (GCSD)
Seed field (Community)
Install poop bag stations and drinking fountain (Community, GCSD can auger the hole for the pole)
Wait ‘til spring (everyone)

As we get closer to a work date, we will send an email seeking volunteers to meet at the designated Dog Park area, near the base ball field behind EV Free Church. We have many names already on our mailing list and welcome more. Interested in staying on top of this news? Write to Bark@MayorGoose.com.

Since we are so close to a move forward position, the group has agreed to start the fundraising efforts for the development of the park. There are two ways to donate:

Write tax deductible check to GAINS and mail it to

Hotel CharlotteC/O Friends of Groveland Dog Park

PO Box 787

Groveland, CA 95321
Folks can also PapPal their donation, but this option may not be tax deductible.

If you would like to join the Friends of the Groveland Dog Park mailing list, drop Goose an email Bark@MayorGoose.com with your name and phone number and we will get you all set up. We are looking forward to seeing you all on the team!

Hotel Charlotte weekly specials & schedule

2009-10-24T09:06:00.000-07:00

Good morning Friends!

So, here we go, another week of exceptional weather and visitors from around the state, states and world—and Victor wants to keep the restaurant open another week. We will be serving dinner every night this coming week from 5:30 pm to 8:30. Lunches on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday or by reservation. Holiday schedule info below.

This week Victor has added two new items to the menu including the shrimp dish we fell in love with at the Quaffing the Coast Wine dinner last Sunday:

Rock Shrimp & Penne Pasta with a lemon-cream sauce $17.95

Beef Brasciole (Thin sliced and rolled with spices, ham, egg and tomato) $19.95

Fresh Halibut with lemon-caper topping $19.95

Homemade desserts: Turtle Bar, Signature Brownie, Pumpkin Pie

We look forward to welcoming you!

Lynn & Victor

Hotel Charlotte

www.HotelCharlotte.com

Reservations: 209-962-6455

Holiday Schedule Notes:

Thanksgiving weekend we will be closed on Thursday and Friday, open on Saturday and Sunday. This is the weekend we visit our own families in the Midwest.

Christmas all days fall on our regularly scheduled nights and we will be open for dinner.

New Years Eve we will be serving by reservation at Camp Tuolumne Trails, please contact Ginny Gustafson to reserve your table, 962-6336. The restaurant will not otherwise be open.

We will be open the remainder of the New Year's weekend after which the restaurant will closed for our Recipe Research trip and reopens on February 11th in time for the Valentines weekend.

Coming events include

Halloween Charlotte Style (5 seats remain)
Cabaret Charlotte, (our last of the season) on Sunday, November 1st

Quaffing the Coast: Sonoma on November 15th

For those who REALLY like to plan ahead, and I just mention it because I've been asked...Trivia Mondays returns on Monday, March 1

Something for everyone, see you soon!

Lynn

Groveland's Mayor, Goose begins his Reign of Terrier

2009-10-16T07:48:00.001-07:00

Mayor Goose Begins his Reign of Terrier
By Friends of Goose

The small but bustling Gold Rush era town of Groveland, California near Yosemite National Park recently “elected” a new mayor, and his name is Goose—and he’s a DOG! His was a hard fought campaign, the other three candidates were human after all, and so had a slight advantage when “stumping” for votes, but at the end of the day The Best Dog Won.

Goose has scheduled guest appearances and photo opportunities for press, neighbors and friends at many upcoming local events and good works causes, such as the Groveland Halloween Festivities on 10/31, Cabaret Charlotte on 11/1, Holiday Craft Faire at the Community Hall on 11/14 & 15, Hotel Charlotte Wine Dinner on 11/15, the Community Thanksgiving Dinner on 11/26 and Photos with Santa on 11/28 at the Groveland Fire Station.

Goose’s favorite charitable organization will always be Camp Tuolumne Trails (http://www.tuolumnetrails.org/) offering groups of all ages with special needs an outdoors experience, with fully accessible lodging, dining, and recreational facilities on 80 acres in the High Sierra of Central California, only 25 miles from Yosemite National Park. This year Goose will make an appearance to shake it up at the big Camp Tuolumne Trails New Year's Eve Extravaganza on Thursday, December 31st. All are welcome, Please contact Virginia Gustafson, 209-962-6336 for details.

Goose is very enthusiastic about beautifying his home town. Last Spring, when a platoon of pillar painters with pails of purple paint painted the Hotel Charlotte pillars purple to fulfill a promise of Kay's mayoral race. Goose in turn promised to remove this pitiful purple graffiti if he became Mayor of Groveland. We are pleased to announce that the purple pillared reign of Kay has disappeared under a fresh coat of white.

Goose has established office hours on an irregular basis of nearly every Tuesday afternoon from 2:00 to 2:30pm for folks to drop by and give him their causes and issues to take up in the World Wide Political Arena. Brainstormers, Marketers and those with a great sense of humor are invited to join us to build the momentum. Goose is prepared to go to Sacramento and Washington to represent his constituents and community. In fact he already went to Sacramento at the California State Fair this year to campaign for Tuolumne County but he missed meeting Arnold Schwarzenegger in the crowd, him being so tall and Goose being rather close to the ground.

Thank you for helping to make Goose your Mayor, he won't let you down.

Goose, Getting it Done for Groveland

CONTACT: Goose’s Human Care Giver: Lynn Upthagrove, Hotel Charlotte
(209) 962-6455 hotelcharlotte@aol.com

Groveland's Mayor, Goose begins his Reign of Terrier

2009-10-16T07:48:00.000-07:00

Dog Park suffers setback, Goose steps in

2009-10-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

BREAKING NEWS! Groveland's New Dog Park suffers a set back!
This week it was learned that the dog park committee, (just a bunch of regular folks who have dogs and want a public place to run them) will have to foot a $1993 bill from the department of Fish and Game before the park can be developed. Mayor Goose will lead the fundraising charge with his paypal donation button. All proceeds donated from this date (October 16th, 2009) until the fee is collected will go to the dog park fees. Please help!

What Goose is up to?
Goose's Birthday: September 13th was Goose's second birthday where he met the flirty Lucy, but at the 49er parade he received a proposal of marriage and has decided that at two, he should keep all romance options open.

Purple Pillar Painting: One day last spring a platoon of pillar painters with pails of purple paint painted my pillars purple to fulfill a promise of Kay's mayoral race. Goose in turn promised to remove this ugly graffiti if he became Mayor of Groveland. We are pleased to announce that The purple pillared reign of Kay has disappeared under a fresh coat of white. Celebrate!

Celebrity & VIP Golf Tournament Dinner: Goose has been invited to his first public engagement as mayor. On Tuesday, October 21st, Goose will make an appearance at Camp Tuolumne Trails for photos and interviews with the Athletes playing the benefit golf tournament. www.TuolumneTrails.org for more details. There will be ample opportunities for press and photographers at this event.

Goose,
Getting it done for Groveland!

Groveland this week, and a tad beyond

2009-10-16T04:55:00.000-07:00

Coming up:
Sunday, 10/18 Quaffing the Coast— a Sommelier hosted wine dinner: Mendocino County. Quaffing the coast pairs our favorite Sommelier, Nicole Darracq with Victor's great menus and a whole new geography of California, the coast wine regions. We start with 5 wines from Mendocino County. $64 per dinner, including wines, tax and tip, or save 12% with the purchase of season tickets for the 5 county series: (Mendocino, Sonoma, Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Louis Obisbo) www.HotelCharlotte.com/quaffing.html

Wednesday, October 21st, Camp Tuolumne Trails benefit Golf Tournament. Contact Tom Bickmore for details or visit www.TuolumneTrails.org

Saturday, October 31: Halloween, Charlotte Style! We remove the center table from our main dining room, detail a path for all the costumed children to walk past every table and serve dinner from our regular menu. Controlled chaos pretty much assured! Lots of giggles too. Reserved guests will have their tables guaranteed from 5:00 to 7:00 (the whole time of trick or treat.) This is not one you will be rushed on! Guests are encouraged to come costumed for a costume contest and special prize!

Sunday, 11/1 Cabaret Charlotte a Camp Tuolumne Trails benefit performance and a reprise of our Spring Show, Singing the Decades www.HotelCharlotte.com/cabaret.html. Lynn 209-962-6455. Our best show ever! Our first two productions of this show were totally sold out resulting in this special request from our local audiences to bring it back again. Join this spunky cast with their unique delivery of our favorite songs from the '30s, '40s, '50s, '60s and '70s. Soul filled music paired with 5 delicious courses This performance benefits Camp Tuolumne Trails, a camp for kids with special needs. http://www.tuolumnetrails.org/

Restaurant Schedule: We are open for dinner 7 days a week through Sunday, October 25th. Then we return to our regular dinner schedule of Thursday-Sunday nights from 5:30. Lunches by reservation.

For more events and details, www.HotelCharlotte.com/events.html

Groveland's Mayor Invited to VIP Dinner

2009-10-11T09:14:00.000-07:00

Hotel Charlotte
18736 Main Street, PO Box 787
Groveland, CA 95321
(209) 962-6455 hotelcharlotte@aol.com

PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Guest Appearance by Mayor of Groveland at Celebrity VIP Dinner

The highly esteemed Mayor of Groveland, Goose (the Dog) has been invited to participate in his first Celebrity VIP Dinner on Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at Camp Tuolumne Trails. This first of it's kind event features a cast of attendees that reads like a who’s who of professional sports, plus the 1st Dog-Mayor of Groveland, Goose. Photo opportunities will be scheduled for interested members of the press.

The Tuolumne Trails Celebrity Golf Tournament on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 features present and former Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association, and National Football League players and coaches. Proceeds from this charitable event benefit Camp Tuolumne Trails, a camp specially designed for groups of all ages who have special needs, with fully accessible lodging, dining, and recreational facilities. This unique lodge set in the Sierra Nevada is not far from Yosemite.

The golf tournament is a 5 Man Scramble (plus a player or coach), with a 1:30pm Shotgun Start, at the championship caliber Pine Mountain Lake Golf Course, in Groveland, California near Yosemite National Park. The Gala Awards Dinner and Auction is at 7:00pm at Camp Tuolumne Trails. A limited number of Sponsorship entries remain. For more information visit http://www.tuolumnetrails.org/ or contact (209) 962-5527 Tom Bickmore.

CONTACT: Goose’s manager, Lynn Upthagrove, Hotel Charlotte
(209) 962-6455 hotelcharlotte@aol.com, www.HotelCharlotte.com/goose.html

Did we miss fall?

2009-10-04T12:46:00.000-07:00

Seems fall started two days ago, and now there is snow in the Sierras with major cross roads temporarily closed! Tioga Pass Road and Glacier Point Roads are closed.

I was really hoping for an Indian Summer to sweep in and warm us up again for another couple of weeks. Perhaps there is still a chance.

We still have tickets to our wine dinner: Quaffing the Coast part 1, Mendocino.

See you soon.

Hotel Charlotte specials 10/1-10/4

2009-10-01T19:41:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends!

This week has given us a definite change in weather, fall is falling! And while I love it, I also find this is when I have a little free time and fancy myself drifting around a lake in a on a raft, perhaps with a little glass of wine...but alas, a bit of a chill keeps me away. We will continue to have the Hotel Charlotte restuarant open for dinners 7 nights a week through 10.25 and then we will return to our regular schedule of Thursday through Sunday.

This week's specials Victor will be serving Osso Bucco and the fresh fish is Black Cod (similar to Sea Bass.)

I see delicious homemade blueberry pie on the dessert tray, chocolate brownie and creme Bruleé. (These change regularly!)

We hope to welcome you!

Lynn & Victor

Hotel Charlotte

http://www.hotelcharlotte.com/

209-962-6455

PS: Our fall calendar is out and we have oodles of stuff coming up in the next couple of weeks. We hope one or more of these catches your fancy.

10/3 Living History Day, a STCHS program at the Groveland Museum-Library complex. Free Guests will enjoy Food, Vendors, Costumed docents, historic displays, oodles of fun for kids and adults alike.

10/3 Airport Days Pine Mountain Lake Airport Free This annual event is fun for the whole family featuring free rides for youth, 8-18, displays, landing contest, Fly-bys and a whole lot more. Bring a chair & a hat, noon-3. Elderberry entrance. Hot dogs & Sodas available

10/10 Tuolumne County Historic Hotels Tour, Luncheon & Wine Tasting. Many venues, including Hotel Charlotte price varies by selection of neat tngs to do. infor@centralsierraarts.org Georgia 209-532-2787 Participants may purchase a two day pass to tour Historic Hotels for $10 or add the Luncheon and talk with author Jan Atkinson at the Hotel Charlotte with wine tasting at the Groveland Hotel and for yet another option, add dinner theater to your passport—a little something for everyone!

10/12 Monday Night Football an ROOFBB fundraiser, Hotel Charlotte cooks this week! Pine Mountain Lake Country Club. This weekly tradition during football season becomes Groveland's main Monday night social. For $10 you get nearly all you can eat, friends and fun and some folks even watch the game. The Hotel Charlotte will be serving an Asian Menu.

10/18 Quaffing the Coast— a Sommelier hosted dinner: Mendocino Hotel Charlotte Get season tickets, 12% discount www.HotelCharlotte.com/quaffing.html Lynn 209-962-6455. Quaffing the coast pairs our favorite Sommelier, Nicole Darracq with Victor's great menus and a whole new area of California, the coast wine regions. We start with 5 wines from Mendocino County. $64 per dinner, including wines, tax and tip, or save 12% with the purchase of season tickets for the 5 county series: (Mendocino, Sonoma, Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Louis Obisbo) www.HotelCharlotte.com/quaffing.html

10/25 & 11/1 Cabaret Charlotte a reprise of our Spring Show, Singing the Decades www.HotelCharlotte.com/cabaret.html Lynn 209-962-6455. Our best show ever and totally sold our request from public to bring it back again so they can see it. Cabaret with Dennis Brown $ Sierra Sounds returns for another two nights. Join this spunky cast with their unique delivery of our favorite songs from the '30s, '40s, '50s, '60s and '70s. Soul filled music paired with 5 delicious courses These two performances are benefit performances for Camp Tuolumne Trails, a camp for kids with special needs. http://www.tuolumnetrails.org/

For more events and details, www.HotelCharlotte.com/events.html

Goose the Dog is Mayor of Groveland

2009-09-23T02:35:00.000-07:00

It is somewhat difficult to believe, but the Dog named Goose won and is now Honorary Mayor of Groveland! Upon our return from up north, Goose has expressed an interest in setting up office hours. We will need to establish a list is issues we need Washington and Sacramento to be aware of and to work on for Groveland.

We are very excitied about the opportunities the coming year will present to us in the endless marketing portential and look foward to the fun. It has been an honor to have Camp Tuolumne Trails as our sponsor, http://www.tuolumnetrails.org/ and we hope our efforts on their behalf will bring them much more that the $1600 raised on their behalf by the mayoral race fundraiser effort.

Tickled!

49er Festival Auction Prizes

2009-09-17T07:39:00.000-07:00

Goose found this list of 49er donations sitting on Lynn's desk this morning and thought our internet readers might be interested in some of the details. We have some fantastic prizes donated this year and Goose doesn't want anyone to miss out on a bidding for an auction item they would really love to have.

Live Auction: 1:45 on the Main Stage, Auctioneer: Lynn Upthagrove with Robin Patterson
Sponsored by June Dee with Yosemite Gateway Properties

Calaveras Wine Grape Association Tickets to Wine Events

Letterois Yosemite Photo Art

Yosemite Highway Herald 1/4 page advert

The Golf Doctor Golf Lessons

Positively Pampered Spa Package Basket

Accounting Plus Huge Neat Basket

Evergreen Lodge Two night stay in a new king cabin and two guided tours

John Gumas, boutique advertising agency in SF Club level seats with Parking pass to the last
game of the season, do the Giants go to the playoffs?

Body Beautiful Gift Certificate for spa services

Cub Inn 2 Night Stay

Down to Earth Gift Certificate for a tree

Ironstone A mixed case of Red/White wine

Ironstone A mixed case of Red/White wine

Yosemite Chamber of Commerce Season tickets to Movies in the park, 6 nights, 4 people, 4 hot
dogs, sodas—the works

Special Photography by Terri Metz A Yosemite or Local Photo

All Seasons Inn B&B Tea Party for 10

Groveland Hotel Wine Discovery with Room

Hotel Charlotte A day of Sailing on SF Bay. Emery Cove to Tiburon for Lunch and back

Silent Auction: Closes at 3:30
Sponsored by June Dee of Yosemite Gateway Properties

Big Creek Meadow Ranch A leg of lamb roast with cooking instructions and spices

Barbara J's Organic Herb & Spice Co. 3 spice packages

Hetch Hetchy Board of Realtors Candle, Soap, Potpourri Basket

Big Oak Restaurant Weave Bag & Wallet

Letterois Live, Laugh, Love Sign

Sabre Design 1000 one-sided color Business cards, design & printing

Positively Pampered $100 Spa Package

Body Beautiful Certificate for 1/2 hour Massage

Paul Klahn Gorgeous hand made mirror

Exit Realty An antique nut cracker

Barbie Olivera Tarantula Tequila & Mix

Barbie Olivera Tarantula Tequila & Mix

Good to Go Catering 2 Dinners delivered along with a Kitchen/food themed basket

Stacie Brown Tarantula Tequila & Mix

Big Oak Restaurant Bottle of Petron & shot glasses w/ Stand

Raffle Prizes: (all those Mayor Tickets!) Winning tickets announced at 4:00
Sponsored by the Yosemite Chamber of Commerce

Black Oak Casino $40 dinner coupon

Round Table Pizza $10 Gift Certificate

Papa Murphy's $5 Gift Certificate

Mountain Bookshop $15 Gift Certificate

Kathy's Miracle Cleaners $25 Dry Cleaning

Beauty Nails II Manicure

Renegads Harley Tshirt

Papa Murphy's $5 Gift Certificate

Tanning Delight $25 Gift Certificate

Black Oak Casino $40 dinner coupon

Tannery Winery in Murphys A bottle of Petite Sirah

Stacie Brown Tarantula Tequila & Mix

Jamestown Hotel One night stay

$200 Gas Cash $200 CASH

Night out of Town Seven Sisters Dinner for 2 + Romantic Getaway King Room with Fireplace & BOC Goods (Chairs, Ts, Bags, Water bottles, Mugs…)

Lists subject to change!

Join us on Saturday, September 19th for tons of all day fun!

Dog named Goose runs for Mayor of Groveland

2009-09-14T12:24:00.000-07:00

The Hotel Charlotte dog named Goose runs for mayor. The dog is perfect for Groveland. We can shape the future of our community through a voice someone with some influence might actually listen to, if not out of humor first. What do the other candidates REALLY bring to the table? A dog for mayor is funny, refreshing and a friendly concept to our many out of town visitors, endearing them ever more to Groveland and assuring many return visits and referrals to their friends and family. I can hear it now..."Groveland is so cool they even have a dog named Goose for mayor"

Neither Kay nor Peggy nor Barry need be concerned about losing to a dog, within a week after the finals, nobody will remember who else was even running. Well, they might remember Kay, but Peggy and Barry...don't need to worry. The dog will still love you.

Let's make a difference today. Try something new. Want change, this might be the smallest investment of your life for the greatest return. What if someone takes notice of our town dog for mayor and we really do see some action up here on things we need? What if.....What if everyone who reads this gets online and donates $20 to the cause....We might actually stand a chance against that professional fundraiser Kay. What if you did it right now. www.HotelCharlotte.com/goose.html. Go ahead, make the donation...What if we win?

Committee to Elect Goose Mayor
www.twitter.com/goose.html

Only 36 hours remain to final count down....even less by the time you read this...Don't wait another minute.

Besides the Good for Goose, good for Groveland bit, your donation is also good for Camp Tuolumne Trails! www.TuolumneTrails.org.

Fall Entertainment Schedule

2009-09-12T05:17:00.000-07:00

Now that Summer is over....Let the fun begin!

During the summer months the Hotel Charlotte supports their neighbors entertainment programs waiting for the quieter months when there is a bit of a chill in the air and a less hectic pace to bring you our entertainment schedule.

Cabaret Charlotte with Dennis Brown & Friends, Sierra Sounds returns for another two performances of last spring's well regarded Singing through the Decades, a show that brought many a patron to the dance floor and a tear to the eye as we remembered some of our very favorite songs served up by our good friends and singing neighbors.

The shows are Sundays, October 25th and November 1st with doors opening at 5:30. Priced at $54 this fantastic evening of exceptional song and food will surely be the highlight of your fall excursions. Make it extra special, add a room for just $89 more including breakfast. Details are updated regularly at www.HotelCharlotte.com/cabaret.html. The Cabaret Shows have always sold out, so make your calls early for the best seats.

Fall starts Wine Time at the Charlotte with our new series: Quaffing the Coast with Sommelier, Nicole Daracq. This is a 5 evening program featuring favorite wines from the northern California Coastal Counties paired with delightful dinners from Victor's kitchen. We introduce our wines from North to South: (Full menus and wine selections to follow)

Mendocino: October 18th:
Roasted Red Pepper bruchette appetizer followed by a heart of palm and artichoke heart salad, a hint of lemon pasta with shrimp, Filet Mignon and Creme Brulee for dessert.
Sonoma: November 15th
Santa Cruz: February 21st
Monterey: March 21st
San Louis Obispo: April 18th

Priced at $64 inclusive of tax and tip, you will find these wine events rival the best of the best offered in SF or any of our California wine regions. Nicole is an entertaining and very knowledgable wine hostess. Add a room to any of these dinners for $89, including breakfast. Purchase season tickets for all shows and receive a 12% discount. Details are updated regularly at www.HotelCharlotte.com/quaffing.html

When enjoying event evenings at the Hotel Charlotte, tax and tip are always included. This makes a big difference when comparing entertainment prices else where. No real gas milage, great food, and good friends. Call to sign up for your favorite programs today!209-962-6455.

By the way, with the holidays right around the corner, a wine dinner series or night at the Cabaret might be just the treasured gift you want to give! We already know it's the gift many want to receive! 209-962-6455

We look forward to welcoming you!

Dog Named Goose, running for mayor of Groveland!

2009-08-15T17:02:00.000-07:00

Only 17 Days Left to Bribe our candidate!

High Noon, September 17th, is the deadline for the 49er Festival sponsored Honorary Mayor Race. The candidate turning in the most $money$ is named Mayor, a very simple process. Dollars are accepted in exchange for raffle tickets with great prizes, like $200 gas cash, a night out at the Black Oak Casino with dinner at Seven Sisters and casino cash and a whole lot more! For every $1 you spend on raffle tickets, a candidate gets a vote and the candidate's sponsor gets funding too. This is a win-win-win program. And if you don't win at the raffle, you might take your receipts to your tax professional and ask him or her about their deductibility.

While the 1st year Mayor, Kay Glaves, has had no demands put upon her by the Chamber in honor of her position, this coming year if Goose is Mayor, he will actually act like one—firing off posts to Arnold and Obama, who he is in contact with already via Twitter. Goose will reach out to people from all over the world acting as a delightful ambassador to this wonderful town we call home, Groveland: The Gateway to Yosemite.

We have taken unofficial counts and the Goose will need a big donor to pull this one off. Kay who had made a lifestyle of collecting money for causes is clearly the leader. Given that she has all day and all night every day of the week to work on the project, it's no wonder. Goose hasn't had the exposure to getting your $ that Kay has had because he works all day, every day, and most the nights too!

This is one of our last chances to ask for your support and you can give it anonymously. We promise we won't tell Kay that you voted for the dog. www.HotelCharlotte.com/goose.html or twitter us at www.Twitter.com/GooseForMayor. Stop wishing us luck and come one in to the Hotel Charlotte and put your money down on a result that will catapult Groveland into world wide headlines.

Hotel Charlotte weekly update 6/17

2009-06-18T13:56:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends!

Busy little week last week with the Quilt Festival—how very lovely the town looked. I would really enjoy some good photos of the Charlotte and all the festival if any one took any they would like to share with me.... :)

Goose has taken over management of our calendar, www.HotelCharlotte.com/calendar.html and wants you to know about some of the things going on this weekend: (more listings online!)

6/21 Father's Day Dinner Hotel Charlotte Delicious treats this week for Father's Day: Ribs by the slab and Lobster stuffed ravioli, either choice: $19.95 along with our traditional favorites! Special night, regular prices.

Yosemite Chamber of Commerce Monthly Mixer on Thursday, June 25th at the NEW YCC offices at Mountain Sage. All are welcome! Tour the Yosemite Chamber of Commerce at their new setting inside Mountain Sage with visitor Information center. Free program starts at 5:30 and there will be a band!

Goose for Mayor! For Information go to our web site, http://www.HotelCharlotte.com/goose.html Bribes bought and sold from the Hotel Charlotte. Come down and vote for the dog! Fundraiser for Camp Tuolumne Trails. www.tuolumnetrails.org

Daily Wine Tasting From 11:30. Wine Tasting until 5:00 daily, and Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. In addition to our new lunch hours with the Café Lunch Menu we are now serving from our traditional menu 7-nights a week.

See you soon!

Lunch Menu now online!

2009-06-14T13:47:00.000-07:00

It was startling to hear from so very many folks at the quilt festival yesterday that they didn't know we were open for lunch. I am seriously rethinking our paid advertising

Today's Café Menu
· Ham & cheese panini with a side $10.95
garden salad
· Filet mignon tip sandwich served $12.95
with a side garden salad
· A selection of cheeses served $11.95
French fashion with hunks of mixed cheese, crusty bread and sliced apple
· A bowl of award winning Chili or $7.95
Soup of the day, served with bread
· Caesar Salad or Greek Salad $7.95
Add grilled chicken breast $3.00

Homemade desserts $5.95
Homemade Ice-cream $3.95

Soda, Tea, Coffee, Beer, Wine, Cocktails & more!

Enjoy!

Groveland this week: 6/12

2009-06-10T20:43:00.000-07:00

Additional details www.HotelCharlotte.com/events.html
*******************************************************************
6/12 & 13 Live at the Door: James Faifua & the Jukes www.iron-door-saloon.com 209.962.8904
6/13 Groveland Quilt Show Downtown Groveland & Mary Laveroni Park Free This is an absolutely stunning event. The ladies hang over 400 original quilts throughout all of downtown. Some are for sale too. Antique and especially delicate quilts will hang inside the Hotel Charlotte.

6/13 Movies in the Park: Open Season 2 Lower Mary Laveroni Community Park $3 for adults. info@groveland.org Jackie 209.962.0429 Weekly movies in the park is sponsored by the Yosemite Chamber of Commerce. Great family movies, bring a picnic & blanket!
***********************************************************************

National Parks free entry for 3 weekends

2009-06-04T09:02:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week, the National Parks Service has announced that all NPS sites that charge an entry fee will be free of charge on the following weekend dates: June 20 & 21, July 18 & 19, and August 15 & 16. This would include our Yosemite National Park.

Good news if you have already made your plans to join us in the Seirra this summer, great news if you were still just thinking about it. Make some reservations today!

Also, there are oodles of neat-o things going around in the surrounding communties that will enhance your experience, check out www.HotelCharlotte.com/events.html for a listing of cool things to do around Groveland for your dates of travel.

See you Soon!
Lynn & Victor

May Newsletter

2009-06-03T10:33:00.000-07:00

Our monthly newsletter goes out at the end of every month and is available for viewing online also with photos and a bit more detail: www.HotelCharlotte.com/newsletters/05-09news.html

Dear Friends and Guests,
Summer is here, Tioga Pass through Yosemite is open and the waterfalls are crashing down for a few more weeks. Make your plans for a visit today!

New stuff from the Charlotte: These last few weeks we have added some new pages to the website. Visitors can now find out about our community park with world class skate boarding, and excellent bird watching. With so many new questions this year, we have added a section on Hetch Hetchy and the city and family camps on the way to Yosemite. Summer Events in Groveland! 6/1 Honorary Mayor Race kick off at the Groveland Hotel patio at 5:30. Come be the first to get your bribes registered. Goose for Mayor! ww.HotelCharlotte.com/goose.html If you can't make the kickoff, bribes are bought and sold from the Hotel Charlotte through September 17th. Come down and make history with us--vote for the dog!

6/6 Sierra Earthfest, Herb & Mountain Craft Faire Mountain Sage Mostly Free mtnsage.com This annual event is a huge draw in Groveland for locals and visitors a like. Information from Yosemite National Park, Stanislaus National Forest and more. Good music & food all day long.

6/7 Where the Hell is Groveland Car Show Mary Laveroni Community Park Free www.Groveland.org This annual car show brings over 150 unique and antique cars to our little park. The all day event includes raffles, food, auctions and is a fund raiser for Groveland area schools. Mayoral candidates will also be strutting their stuff! Car buffs will love this one!

6/8 Garden Club Tour at select locations throughout Groveland, including Hotel Charlotte $15 floreszone@mlode.com Tony 209.962.0824 A great annual event, different gardens each year. This year somehow, we got selected for the tour. Had to bring in my parents to get the garden looking good too! Hard to do when you have only 2 feet by 150 feet!

6/13 Groveland Quilt Show Downtown Groveland & Mary Laveroni Park Free This is an absolutely stunning event. The ladies hang over 100 original quilts throughout all of downtown. Some are for sale too. The Hotel Charlotte will host the antique and delicate quilts, others are hung outside.

6/13 Movies in the Park: Saturday evenings throughout the summer starting at dusk and just a pittance. A great family event every Saturday through the summer. Have dinner at the Charlotte, take a blanket down to the park to have a serine finish to your evening.

Hotel Charlotte serves dinner 7 nights a week: Okay, you said it was great that we were open 7 nights a week, but now you have asked for our regular menu for the new nights instead of the lite bites menu...Okay we gotcha! Seven nights a week with our regular styled menu, steaks, chickens, pastas...Yum!

Serving lunch too: We are now open daily from 11:30 am with a nice little lunch menu and wine tasting. Our menus include grilled sandwiches, salads, soup, chilli, cheeses and more. We hope you will join us. www.HotelCharlotte.com/winetasting.html.

Group travel couldn't be easier! We have long managed a few vacation rental units, andthis summer just brought on three brand new houses, a triplex with 3x3-bedroom houses all togeter able to sleep up to 22 people. Need even more space, this unit is one lot away from the duplex which can sleep another 16. Walk the other way a block and you are at the condo which can sleep 9. So if you are planning a retreat, family reunion or big party needing lots of space, give us a call. Vacation rentals can be one night or many--convenient for whatever your holiday plans allow. www.YosemiteRegion.com

Reservations: 209-962-6455

Having ourselves traveled many of the freeways, byways and out-of-the-ways in and beyond Groveland, we are well prepared to help plan your trip to our little town and points beyond. Feel free to browse our handy Itineraries to get you started

We look forward to welcoming you (Again!)

Lynn & VictorHotel Charlotte
209-962-6455
www.HotelCharlotte.com

PS: We twitter at www.Twitter.com/HotelCharlotte and Goose twitters once a day at www.Twitter.com/GooseforMayor. Join us online in this lively forum!

Groveland this Week

2009-06-03T09:02:00.000-07:00

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6/5 & 6/6 Live at the Door: Spellbound Iron Door Saloon, www.iron-door-saloon.com Chris 209.962.8904 Live music on the weekends at the Iron Door.

6/5 Yosemite Courtyard Theatre: Hale Baskin Evening of Jazz The Groveland Hotel at Yosemite National Park $20 guestservices@groveland.com Peggy 209.962.4000 A fantastic performer! This show was a favorite last year and promises to be just as good this year.

6/6 Sierra Earthfest, Herb & Mountain Craft Fair Mountain Sage Free mtnsage@mlode.com www.mtnsage.com Robb 209.962.4686. This annual event is a huge draw in Groveland for locals and visitors a like. Information from Yosemite National Park, Stanislaus National Forest and oodles more. Good music & food all day long.

6/7 Where the Hell is Groveland Car Show Mary Laveroni Community Park Free info@groveland.org www.Groveland.org Jackie 209-962-0429 This annual car show brings in over 150 unique and antique cars to our little park. The all day event includes raffles, food, auctions and is a fund raiser for Groveland area schools. Car buffs will love this one!

6/8 Garden Club Tour All around Groveland, including Hotel Charlotte $15 floreszone@mlode.com Tony 209.962.0824. A great annual event, different gardens each year.

6/13 Groveland Quilt Show Downtown Groveland & Mary Laveroni Park Free This is an absolutely stunning event. The ladies hang over 100 original quilts throughout all of downtown. Some are for sale too.

6/13 Movies in the Park: Open Season 2 Lower Mary Laveroni Community Park a pittance www.Groveland.org Jackie 209.962.0429 Weekly movies in the park is sponsored by the Yosemite Chamber of Commerce. Great family movies, bring a picnic and blanket!

Don't forget the dog running for Mayor! www.HotelCharlotte.com/goose.html. Now accepting Paypal for donations.

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Groveland this week 5/25-6/1

2009-05-26T15:06:00.000-07:00

Groveland this week 5/25-6/15/29 & 30
Live at the Door: Jake Mackey & the Muddy Suns Iron Door Saloonwww.iron-door-saloon.com Chris 209.962.8904

5/30 Wine & Dine on the Lake fundraising cruise for Southern TuolumneCounty Historical Society $45 www.grovelandmuseum.org 209-962-0300. This isthe 5th time around for this fantastic fundraiser. Participants are ferried from house to house around Pine Mountain Lake where they enjoy a differentrestaurant and winery serving from 7 locations. Desserts at the Lake Lodge following. 4:00-7:30

6/1 Honorary Mayor Race kick off: Goose for Mayor! Hotel Charlottehttp://www.HotelCharlotte.com/goose.html Lynn 209.962.6455 Kick off for the mayor race. Bribes bought and sold from the Hotel Charlotte. Come down andvote for the dog!

6/1-6/6 Plein-Air Workshops: Yosemite & Scenic Sierras (Jim Salchak)Groveland based, painting regionally cbieler623@aol.com Corawww.myyosemitearttours.com. Daily plein-air excursions to various sitesincluding Yosemite and some hidden wonders. Each program is lead by arecognized professional providing guidance and instruction throughout theweek. (HotelCharlotte - 5/26/09)

See you around town!
Lynn & Victor

What's coming up in Groveland

2009-05-11T10:07:00.000-07:00

Last month Carolyn Botel shared with you some stories on who was visiting the Hotel Charlotte and where we were. This month I want to tell you about the neat Groveland things we are looking forward to.

My very favorite of all events is just around the corner, May 14th the Rotary presents another Night at the Races. I like to think of this as Bay Meadows East with six races, full bar, snacks and tons of fun! Parlay your winnings into more bets and then into raffle tickets for great prizes! Gates open at 5pm, first race at 6. $25 contact Jim 209.962.7161.

Then of course the very famous Strawberry Music Festival throughout Memorial Day weekend up at Camp Mather, near the Hetch Hetchy entrance to Yosemite National Park.

Next weekend is the May 30th, STCHS wine and foods cruise on Pine Mountain Lake, an annual fundraiser for our Historical Society. Participants are ferried from house to house around Pine Mountain Lake where they enjoy a different restaurant and winery offerings from 7 locations. The Hotel Charlotte will be at the Baker's house again and Linda Struhm and her husband Rich will be serving filet mignon tips with a cajun dip and artichoke crostini. Desserts at the Lake Lodge following. 4:00-7:30. For more information or tickets: 209-962-0300 www.grovelandmuseum.org

Next up is the June 1st kickoff for the Honorary Mayor Race at 6pm at the Groveland Hotel. Goose, the Hotel Dog is making another try this year and continues to represent Camp Tuolumne Trails. This fundraiser benefits both the Yosemite Chamber of Commerce and their marketing efforts for Groveland and Camp Tuolumne Trails. To participate as a candidate, and there is room at the top for more of us, contact James Nagle, 209-962-1122. To donate to Goose's mayoral effort, come on in with your check, cash or credit cards and place lots of bribes!

Our next event is wonderully social as we head out to Mountain Sage for teh Sierra Earthfest, Herb & Mountain Craft Fair on June 6th. For more information on this fun way to spend a day contact Robb, 209-962-4686 or visit their website: www.mtnsage.com Good music & food all day long

The next day we will enjoy one of our favorite annual to-do's, the Where the Hell is Groveland Car Show on Sunday, June 7th in Mary Laveroni Community Park. This car show brings in over 150 unique and antique cars to our little park. The all day event includes raffles, food, auctions and is a fund raiser for Groveland area schools. Car buffs and just the curious will love this one!

The next weekend is one we have waited two years for! The Groveland Quilt Show on Saturday, June 13th throughout downtown Groveland & Mary Laveroni Park Free This is an absolutely stunning summer event. The ladies hang seemingly 100s of original quilts throughout all of downtown. Some are for sale too. Inside the Hotel Charlotte we will be hosting the antique quilts and those that need a little more care and less of the elements. We will also be serving our Cafe Menu and offering Wine Tasting on this day, so plan on a whole afternoon in downtown Groveland.

That same night, June 13th, is the grand opening of Movies in the Park with Open Season 2. Follow the families down to Lower Mary Laveroni Community Park. The price is a pittance. For more info and a full schedule of movies, contact Jackie at the Yosemite Chamber of Commerce. 209.962.0429 These weekly showings are great family movies, bring a picnic, blanket & popcorn!

Okay, that sums up what we are doing in the next couple of weeks and we hope to be doing many of these events with you!

Trivia Finally

2009-05-05T06:20:00.000-07:00

Ah, what a show last night. For a game that boiled down to attendance it was a brilliant ending. We very much missed the noise that Amanda and Patti bring to the game as they cheer each of their correct answers....Their team did very well covering the spread between the first & second place folks, had they been here. Alas....such was not the case.

Following the game we had the final awards presentation giving out the $25 weekly gift certificate to the winning team which had the generous Tony, Linda, Shirley, Roy & Rita.

This was followed by the Grand Prize to Jim and Cindi for highest score of the 10 game series. Next Gift Certificates were given to:
Patti for most comptitive,
Roy & Rita for the most team mates (changing it seems nearly every week)
Amanda for the most pouting over questions she didn't like.
These 6 folks made it to 10, 9, 9 and 8 of the weeks and their participation made the game so much fun.

Total Prizes given out for the 10 week program included 10 x $25 gift certificates and an additional $75 on the last day, $325 in all. Much of it going to the regular Groveland players, but we did see some travelers come in and whisk away a weekly prize! Good fun!

Great thanks go also to those who followed the game as much as their busy schedules allowed:
Bonnie and Wayne, Linda, Shirley, Linda, Our friends from Hetch Hetchy....

Put us on your calendars for next season. We will start on the first Monday of March and go for another 10 weeks.

Lynn

The twittering Hotel

2009-04-29T07:24:00.001-07:00

Yes, we do, we twitter daily and then some. www.twitter.com/HotelCharlotte check us out. Also www.twitter.com/GooseForMayor to follow our online fundraising campaign for Camp Tuolumne Trails in association with the Yosemite Chamber of Commerce and the 49er Festival on September 19th.

Trivia Monday update 4/27

2009-04-29T07:21:00.000-07:00

Another fun week of inane questions with equally silly answers. Our top two teams tied again, and Dave Purse of Willow Creek Winery was here to wave his magic wine bottle over the table that didn't win the gift certificate for the night. All are sated!

Six points remain between the leaders and pending absences have been reported. Some are demurring their intensions and the tension is building. Next week will hold the truths!

Good luck ladies and gentlemen!

Trivia Results, 4/20

2009-04-22T06:46:00.000-07:00

Another rousing game. Lots of players this week as we had the 21 bicyclist who heroically climbed Priest Grade or Wards Ferry to get to us from Oakdale. These folks start every year from Livermore with an overnight in Oakdale, then the Hotel Charlotte in Groveland and on to Yosemite for two days and then back to home. WOW! Very impressive. One of their trivia teams came in on a three way tie for third and the other team had fun.

This week the Cindi, Jim, Bonnie & Wayne team again took first place, by 2 points. Congratulations. The spread is now 6 points between the leaders of this team and Patti, but absenses have been announced and that opens the whole thing up to our second tier of players for the Grand Prize money!

Aren't we having fun!

Support Cherylann, Hotel Jeffery

2009-04-19T10:15:00.000-07:00

Hello friends,

Sunday was a fundraiser for Cherylann Schimmelfennig, of the Hotel Jeffery. She has had a difficult medical year having recently been diagnosed with cancer. Her story is online at www.SupportCherylann.com. If you didn't make it to the event, but want to help, please consider sending a check or using the paypal account they have setup at the website.

Cherylann and Peter have been supporters of Groveland since they bought the Hotel Jeffery nearly 6 years ago. They have participated in every Chili Cookoff, many of the 49er Parades, several of the STCHS wine and appetizers on the Lake programs and Cherylann has been a director on the Yosemite Chamber of Commerce's Board of Directors for many years and I am sure there are a whole lot of things they have done for Groveland that I don't even know about to relate here.

I was thrilled to see so many Groveland folks there, thank you for participating, it means the world to Cherylann and Peter.

Lynn & Victor

Hotel Charlotte

www.HotelCharlotte.com

209-962-6455

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Hotel Charlotte weekly menu 4/16

2009-04-16T14:44:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends,

What a week. We were "bombarded" with trivia players on Monday, Hetchy and Rotary on Tuesday and beautiful weather all week long, a bit chilly in the am, but nothing we can't sleep through! Goose is running for Honorary Mayor again and will be sparring against Jack Slocombe, campaign manager and wordsmith for Barry Scales, the other announced candidate. It will be a grand competition again this year. Has your club found a candidate yet?

Fresh Fish of the Week
Thursday will be Halibut, Friday and Saturday will be Salmon

Lamb Shank
Simmered all day with Victor's secret seasonings. Big and delicious, we call this the Barney Rubble!

Seafood Pasta
Shrimp, crab, clams and fresh fish in a white wine sauce with a touch of marinara served over linguini

3– courses, $24.95 or order these dinners ala Carte, $19.95

Note that we have the Cabaret Charlotte with Dennis Brown & Friends, Sierra Sounds on Sunday night, the show is sold out, so please plan on joining us on Thursday-Saturday for our regular menu, Mondays for our trivia & special menu or Tuesday and Wednesday for our wine tasting and lite bites.

See you Soon!
Lynn & Victor
Reservations encouraged: 209-962-6455
www.HotelCharlotte.com

Coming up:

Metz Mania Photography Show: Yosemite Seasons & Sierra Springs Sunday, 4/26 from noon to 4pm. Meet the photographer and enjoy great savings and giveaways.

Wine Immersion Days, April 26th & 27th. Mark your calendars! Dave Purse of Willow Creek winery in El Dorado County joins us for two days of events: Reception, dinner and picnic in Yosemite followed by a wine team at trivia on Monday night. Details online, www.HotelCharlotte.com/willowcreek.html

Daily Wine Tasting at the Charlotte, a tradition of Wine, Food & Fun! Serving a Lite Bites menu from 11:30 daily and on nights our restaurant is traditionally closed.

4/17 & 18 Live at the Iron Door Saloon: Jake Mackey & the Muddy Suns

www.iron-door-saloon.com More info, contact Chris 209.962.8904. Live music on the weekends at the Iron Door. Enjoy great rock & roll, dance music, sometimes blues...a collection of styles!

4/18 19th Hole Lounge: Rockslide at Pine Mountain Lake Country Club Free

www.pinemountainlake.com More info, contact Charlie 209.962.8636. Open to the public, The 19th Hole Lounge offers entertainment throughout the year including most Saturdays and holidays

Great deals on Dell's most popular laptops - Starting at $479

Mensa Mondays Trivia Score update

2009-04-15T10:41:00.000-07:00

We had a blast, or half a blast as it might be for those who were here! First the scores then a bit of banter about the evening!

Monday's game was the first where we had a run-away score with the lead team finishing 5 points ahead of the next closest follower. (Cindi & Jim, there was a scoring problem on the photos page that I have corrected. There were 13 questions on the page, 2 wrong is 11 right. Your score keeper used my recopied, but not corrected number 20 as count of questions, subtracted 2 and gave you an 18 instead of an 11, but all is right now) Patti, this should make you grin. Spread between the top players is now 4 points.

There are 4 contenders following closely behind this lead group...it will come down to attendance! Roy, Rita, Amanda and Jim of the Hetchy group. Good luck!

Now, on the the Other Event of the evening! Due to forces beyond our control the highway was closed to our west blocking off access to Pine Mountain Lake where our Trivia players, local dinner guests and my whole staff live. While updates throughout the evening indicated there would soon be a change in status, it dragged out to midnight before the road was reopened. During that time we a dinner party of 10 with 4 adults and 6 kids. When they finished in the restaurant I gave them a room key to our largest room so they could hang out, watch TV and just enjoy each others company. Three of our staff ended up staying the night with us too.

Between entertainment sets by Goose as he ran through all of this new tricks, Victor's antics and the best of Lynn's jokes our guests played the real trivia pursuit. I don't think it was nearly as fun as the game I produce each week!

Here is my favorite trivia question, and one I made up all by myself when the players took a private vote and told me no more anagrams....Okay, so math problems it is!

If I woke up in Wisconsin on Sunday at 9:30am
Arrived in San Francisco at 11:30pm
Checked into my hotel at 12:30am
Went to sleep at 2:30am
And arrived back at groveland at 9:00am Monday morning
What is my middle name?

I bet you thought I was going to ask a differnt question! This is the kind of inane fun we have.

Alas, the road opened and all were off....Just when I was getting my 4th wind. May we never have the same situation that brought us all together Monday, but another get together would always be welcome!

Trivia update, 4-6

2009-04-06T22:28:00.000-07:00

Ah...the plot thinkens, the scores even closer and the leaders have whispered they may have to miss a night. That puts lots of folks back into the running!

Winners Roy, Rita & Ben, a second win for this team. Congratulations!

We had a great showing tonight with our regulars and 5 week guests: Glenn, Dan & Jim and several tables of visitors and first timers. We were even playing both dining rooms.

See you all again next week.

Trivia Madness—Monday Mania!

2009-03-31T09:03:00.001-07:00

This week's game was our biggest ever with 7 playing teams and two that played, but did not enter the scoring round. We had our two time returning champs Jim & Dan (shy of Glenn, who we learned was clearly an asset to their team)

A two person team from out of town won the game, a young couple who with their explorations of Groveland were able to get some of the answers. Our museum is running a display on historic valentine's day cards and one of the answers was right there, on display: 1913. Congratulations!

So we have had 5 games, three won by visitors to Groveland, two by local teams. The standings are very close for first place. Patti has taken the lead over Jim & Cindi by 2 points but there are several contenders who could step right in should any of these folks miss a night.

We celebrated three birthdays during the game and one of my questions has been questioned! Mary wrote today thinking that a minute of kissing shouldn't burn as many as 26 calories. Her chart showed that it would take a 220 pound person 15 minutes of kissing to burn 26 calories. Hmmmm, Who measures these things?

Emily our trivia waitress handles 40 people needing constant attention very well especially given that we are also playing the Trivial Game. Brilliant work last night Emily!

Reservations might be required next week!

Lite Bites Menu, Daily Lunch

2009-03-29T19:12:00.000-07:00

Today's Menu
· A selection of cheeses served $10.95
French fashion with hunks of mixed cheese, crusty bread and an apple
· A bowl of award winning chili or potato leek soup, served with bread $7.95
· Lox & crackers, cream cheese, and tomato slices $9.95
· Pita & homemade humus $7.95
· Ham & cheese panini with $10.95pasta salad
· Caesar salad $6.95 Greek salad $7.95
Add grilled chicken breast $3.00

Homemade desserts $5.95
Homemade Mango Ice-cream $3.95
Soda, Tea, Coffee (refills) $1.95
Beer $3.00 imports/micro $3.50
Cocktails: Well $3.50 Call $4.75 Premium $5.75

Delish!

Ride for Cherylann

2009-03-27T06:23:00.001-07:00

Ride for Cherylann of the Hotel Jeffery April 19th, 2009

11am to 6 pm at the Historic Hotel Jeffery in Coulterville

Group rides are leaving from the Whiskey River Saloon in Oakdale and Bud's Place in Snelling. Sign in on the day of the event, Sunday, April 19th from 9 to 10:30 am or just ride to the Hotel Jeffery from where ever you are. Both locations will be preselling tickets so you can avoid lines at the door. $20 includes lunch & a live band. There will be a 50-50, raffle, bake sale and more. Any questions, please call Lora at 209-480-7038.

Those who can't participate in person but would like to support Cherylann are encouraged to donate a prize for the raffle. Let's all give a hug and hope to our friend Cherylann.

Lynn

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Trivia Update Week 4

2009-03-24T08:33:00.000-07:00

Well, our traveling team of guys missed tonight and we missed them. I believe they would have made great challengers! We now have a 3 way tie with Cindy, Jim & Patti. Amanda would have been in the running, but bowling took priority last night. A new team joined us spear headed by Stacie, thank you Stacie and they placed very well for first timers.

The theme for this week was Catchy Slogans for the Mayor Race (Goose the Hotel Dog is running for Mayor again this year) Needless to say, I didn't get anything out of the group that I could use unless the team named Goosey Girls wants to dress up as cheer leaders and participate in the Stumping events....That might work!

Roy and Rita were back and are in great position should attendance continue to plague the leaders. They teamed up with Ben last night and stole the prize winning by one point. We missed Ginny, Bruce, Kitty & Ed and hope they return next week. I even got Ed's special beer, Miller 64.

The menu was great and I had the fish & chips again, this time made with shark. If you enjoyed our Thai Thursdays last week, you should join us on Mondays, Victor has been making a Thai dish each week priced from $10.95 to $12.95 and way delicious! You don't HAVE to play trivia to enjoy a good meal, having the two dining rooms makes this very easy to separate.

Featured treats with new items weekly
Burgundy Filet Tips $12.95
Shrimp, Fennel & Radish Salad $10.95
Mini Bouillabaisse (clams, lobster, shrimp) $12.95
Fresh Homemade Fish & Chips (shark) $10.95

Thai spiced Chicken Breast $10.95
Mini Sierra Kabob $12.95

We look forward to welcoming you. Also, the newsletter for March is out and we are carrying some great room specials, if you haven't seen it, www.HotelCharlotte.com/newsletters/03-09news.html. A cute read!

Trivia Dining a third night of winners

2009-03-17T16:51:00.000-07:00

What fun we had. Nobody knew what a barbie was worth, everyone thought they knew how long a snail can sleep and the game designer (me!) mixed up Bonanza with Gun Smoke and ruined a whole photo question....They laughed at me, but I will get them next week with some really smart questions like what is the origins of the word Gymnasium???? Get ready teams!

We have one team that are two time winners and they are just visiting the area while working on a project for HH. The locals are getting fresh trying to scare them away. The standings are as follows: Visiting Guys: 104 points, Amanda & Patti 101 points, Cindi & Jim 100 points. The rest of us are hoping these folks in the front take a night or two off so they can catch up!

Grand prize will be awarded on the 10th night of play in May. Come on down for a good time, good fun and new friends!

This week's special menu continued with some new items and well priced along with a selection from our traditional menu:

Featured treats with new items weekly
Mixed Trio: Salmon, Steak & Sausages $12.95
Shrimp Salad $10.95
Sausage & Peppers $10.95
Fresh Homemade Fish & Chips $10.95
Petite Chicken Parmagiana $10.95
Rigatoni with Gorgonzola $10.95
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Traditional Selections From the Charlotte Grill:
Chicken Argentine with a tangy garlic sauce $14.95
Charlotte “Stake” with peppercorn sauce $15.95
Pampas Steak with a tangy garlic sauce $15.95
New York Steak with peppercorn sauce $23.95
Rack of Lamb with mint jelly $22.95
Filet Mignon with peppercorn sauce $22.95
Linguini Marinara (vegetarian) $ 9.95
With Clams or Meatballs $13.95
Add a soup or salad $2.95

We have your daily dose of wine!

2009-03-14T12:13:00.000-07:00

Hotel Charlotte Has… Your Daily Ration of Wine!

Starting on Saturday, March 28th, the Hotel Charlotte presents Daily Wine Tasting from 11:30am on. We start the program featuring six wines with selections from Sierra Foothills, Napa, France and Italy. There will be a small fee for tastings, but this charge will be taken off the price of a bottle should you find one to purchase. We fully expect to live up to our “Wine, Food and Fun” reputation with this latest adventure.

While our wine tasting is open, so too will our dining room with a small and simple menu complimenting our wine selections. Both wine choices and menus will change regularly. The Lite Bites menu will feature a only a few items perhaps a mixed cheese platter served French style with crusty bread and apple slices, salad or sandwich of the day, our award winning chili, pita & humus, maybe even fondu. You get the idea, nice but light selections. Our Light Bites will also be available to travel should you prefer to picnic in the park after your tasting time.

Hotel Charlotte wine hosts are recognized Yosemite Experts, and have been selected for their breadth of experience and their passion for the area, which will enable them to advise our wine tasters, travelers and the locals alike, on all things Yosemite.

Jeannie Tasker: I've been visiting Yosemite since 1958, when my family moved to California, and my indoctrination to Yosemite included every ranger led hike and evening talk offered in the Park. I've hiked every trail in Yosemite Valley, including some that no longer exist. I've hiked to the top of Half Dome and Clouds Rest, and to the top of Yosemite Falls more times than I can remember. My favorite hiking is the high country, out from Tuolumne Meadows. I've hiked the complete High Sierra Loop (60 miles) twice, as well as to each individual High Sierra Camp numerous times. Sunrise is my favorite High Sierra Camp. I'm a life member of the Yosemite Association, and have enjoyed numerous backpack trips and seminars with YA members. My husband and I moved to Groveland 28 years ago to be close to Yosemite's beauty, and I often sneak off for an afternoon hike somewhere in the Park.

Kris Corey: My background stems from the natural sciences and I have lived in the local area for 17 years. One of my personal goals is to hike every trail in Yosemite, so far I have accomplished about 450 trails, a total of about 800 miles, and I plan to keep at it! For travelers with only 1 day to spend in the park, I recommend Sentinel Dome or Taft Point, these trails are off the beaten path plus offer the hiker awesome views of the valley and neither one calls for the a high degree of climbing skill. My favorite High Sierra Camp is Vogelsang for its Alpine beauty. I write for the Yosemite Gazette, and am in the process of developing a start-up company to provide travelers to Yosemite who have a limited amount of time to experience the park, with an audio tour guide that will maximize their visit to Yosemite. I worked for the Hotel Charlotte during the summer of 2008, providing hotel guests with information and advice on Yosemite during the morning breakfast hours and am thrilled to be back for the 2009 season.

So, take a break from your journey, or just from your day, come and set a spell with us and sample some fine wines! Tasting room opens at 11:30 am daily. If our restaurant is not open for the traditional Hotel Charlotte dinner experience, the tasting room and Lite Bites menu be open until 9:00 pm providing guests and travelers alike another choice, now seven days a week! Won’t this make a great birthday luncheon for you and your friends? For more information or to book a group (10 or more folks) please give us a call, 209-962-6455

Sleep Deprived Trivia

2009-03-10T15:02:00.000-07:00

This was our second Monday with the restaurant open, and word has gotten out about how fun these nights are. We had our returning champions from last week here, hotel guests working on a project for Hetch Hetchy and a new locals team, Sleepless in PML and some growth in our other local teams bring the game players to 20 (with room for more!)

This week the competition was heavy with folks studying current events and brushing up on Barbie trivia (but I didn't ask anything Barbie, that got a good laugh!) There were math and logic questions this week and the game ended tied. The tie breaker ended tied and we had to flip a coin to pick the winner! Luckily, Dave Purse from Willow Creek winery was here doing a preview for his coming wine maker dinner on April 26th and he tossed in a prized bottle of wine so both tied teams won! It was cool for sure!

Victor always puts out a special, lighter and lower priced menu and adds a few of our traditional items for those who can't live without their favorites. These were this weeks new items:

Baked Rigatoni $10.95
Shrimp Salad $10.95
Sausage & Peppers $10.95
Petite Filet Mignon Kabob $12.95
Fresh Homemade Fish & Chips $10.95
Petite New York Steak & Onions $12.95
Thai Shrimp with Green Curry (spicy) $12.95

So, the standings right now are Cindi, Jim, Rita & Roy at 64 points, Amanda, Patti at 63 points and new comers Stacie, Linda and Victoria at 40. (missing a night affects your cummulative score, so the fewer nights you miss, the better your score will be, but everyone will likely have a night or two off so it will even out by the end...And it isn't too late to get into the game. Total prize value to date: $75.

What a cool thing to do at the Hotel Charlotte in Groveland on the way to Yosemite!!!

Is Green really green?

2009-03-05T14:58:00.000-08:00

We are trying so hard to get greener and the challenges are getting frustrating. We have struggled the most with light bulbs. Simple thing you would think. We buy these long lasting envronmentally friendly light bulbs that are supposed to be oh so wonderful. Well, even this last batch labeld dimmable has failed us. Today I am looking down our usually well lit hall-of-art and three out of the 15 bulbs have blown. What we might be saving in energy usage we are spending on replacing these fancy light bulbs...far more frequently than the old cheap energy hogs.

hmmmmmmm! Some things were meant to be easier.

Rainy Firsts, a night a food, fun & trivia

2009-03-04T09:12:00.000-08:00

Monday, March 2nd was our grand opening of our now second annual Monday Somethings! Last year was Tapas & Games where we served oodles of little plates, three for $9.99 and made our games available for guests. We pair singles with others and couples with couples to get good game tables going. Dominos dominated the season.

This year we are calling the night Mensa Mondays with live Trivia delivered in three sets, questions, who are these people and where are these places, both photo trivial. We may add new styles as we go. Victor deliver his own stimulous package with new dishes to choose from priced from $9.95 to $12.95 along with some of your favorites from the regular menu.

We had 5 teams play this week, two from out of town. Visitors were given a pass on the few Groveland questions we had, but they did do a good job guessing. A team of 3 gentlemen visiting us for the week while they work on the Hetch Hetchy line won the game with 28 out of 39 possible right answers. Second place was team Katrina with Cindi, Jim, Roy & Rita at 24 points followed very closely by the 23 point team of Amanda, Patty and Mary. There was more than a little hooting and hollering.

Each week a $25 Gift Certificate is awarded the first place team with a total of $100 in gift certificates given out on the final week with cumulative scoring. So we encourage you to participate as often as posible, your winnings could pay for the 10 weeks of play.
Here are the standings so far.

Cindi, Jim, Roy & Rita 24
Patti, Amanda and Mary 23
Micheal & Karisa 17

We are tracking by the individual, so coming every week even if your whole team can't make it is going to be important. Each week the score you earned with your team will be tallied up and we will have prizes on the final night worth $100. with $25 to that night's winning team and a Grand Prize $50 gift certificate, 1st runner up $25. With the weekly payout of $25 there are oodles of great ways to win! We have room for a few more teams, so get yours together this week!

We have our board games, cards and dominos also available for those who like to multitask with their dinner.

Sommelier Hosted Wine Dinner

2009-03-01T11:58:00.000-08:00

We just love wine-dinners and this series is titled: Sipping through the Sierra where we pair owner-chef Victor's great menus with our favorite Sommelier, Nicole Darracq's, top selections from each of the Sierra Foothill regions is no different! Wines are available for post event purchase and favorites end up on our wine list.

Sipping El Dorado will be held on Sunday, March 22. Tickets are $64 per person with dinner, wines, tax and tip included. Stay & Play room rates from $89 per room (2-people) breakfast included. Our next menu will look something like this:

Appetizer: Happy Hour Bruschetta (topping TBA)
Salad: (omething springy and light with an olive oil & lemon dressing)
Treat: Caviar on crackers, cream cheese with champagne
Main: Surf & Turf with Lobster with a red and a white, maybe a dry pink
Finish: Mixed Cheeses, apples, fig compote
5-courses, 6 wines, and some uncommon treats!

History of the Sipping through the Sierras Wine Dinners:
We started the program for many reasons, one to add a new twist bringing local Sierra Foothills wines to Groveland and to help us expand our wine list with tested favorites. By hiring a sommelier we weren't tied to featuring only one winery, but several. We were also able to invite many wine makers to join us further enhancing the experience. Each event allowed guests to purchase wines at a discounted post-event price and we were able to determine which wines were hits. These made it to our regular wine list.

We started with Sipping Calaveras. Victor presented the menu to Nicole who tasted her way through Calaveras wines to pick the best of the region for pairing with our menu with an eye to value if there were equally delicious choices. We had a grand time and the pairings were all award winners.

Sipping Calaveras Menu
· Cheese fondue with fresh cut apples, crostini and vegetables paired with Vina Moda, Viognier (Best of the Foothills, California State Fair, 2008)
· Salad of mixed greens, pear & sunflower seeds with a blue cheese dressing with Twisted Oak, Ruben’s Blend
(90 points, Wine Enthusiast Magazine July 2008)
· Petite plate of clams simmered in a red wine sauce with Hatcher, Barbera
(Silver Medal at Calaveras County Fair, 2008)
· Venison rack cutlet or filet mignon with plum onion marmalade, paired with Frog’s Tooth, Tempranillo (Double Gold, Calaveras County Fair, 2008)
· Zabaglione dessert paired with Ironstone Symphony
(Double Gold and Best of Show, Calaveras County Fair & Gold Medal, SF Chronicle Competition)

Sipping Through the Sierra continued with Sipping Amador. For this evening we began with mixes sausages and a fantastic old vine Zin and then presented three appetizers with one wine and explored how each course changes the taste of the wine. We followed this with our main course of three mixed grill items, Filet Mignon, Ostrich Fillet and Venison Rack served with three toppings, blue cheese butter, black cherry and porcini mushrooms and paired all with three wines. Very complex!

Sipping Amador Menu

A selection of Sausages: Elk, Boar and Smoked Duck with Sobon, Old Vine Zinfandel
Appetizer plate: Grilled Scallop, Ceviche and BruschettaRenwood, Viognier
Mixed Grill: Potatoes, Vegetables and petite cuts of
Fillet Mignon, blue cheese-butter topping
Venison with a porcini mushroom sauce
Ostrich filet & a black cherry-port reduction
Vino Noceto, Sangiovese
Bray Vineyard, Syrah
Willow Creek, Obra Prima
Semi-sweet Chocolate Tiramisu Sobon, White Port

The small print:
Single event price: $64
3-Series Season tickets: $177 (a $15 savings)
To qualify for the season tickets they must be paid in full
Cancellations must be made 7 days before the event for a full refund
If you cancel with shorter notice and we are able to resell your reservation, you will be refunded your ticket price less a $5 processing fee.
If are a season ticket holder and then have to cancel after participating in one or more of the wine-dinners, the discount will be forfeit.

Winter-Spring Events

2009-03-01T09:52:00.000-08:00

First of all, Victor and I love going away in January, which for an ex-Wisconsinite, is usually our worst month for winter weather and then we return just in time for Valentine's Day weekend, which gives us the inflated glow of a summer weekend with all the folks celebrating. A real reminder of why we love calling Groveland home and a grand way to open our winter entertainment series.

March has oodles of activities on the Hotel Charlotte calendar starting with our Sunday, March 1st Chianti & Crab night. Guests will enjoy a feast starting with garlic bread, Caesar salad, , All-you-can-eat Crab, a bottle wicker wrapped Chianti wine per 2 people, tiramisue and coffee or tea for $29, tax included.

The restaurant begins opening on on Monday evenings starting March 2nd with another of the popular Games night. This season bring a team and try your hand at our truly one of a kind Trivia! Or grab a board and test your word skills with scrabble or battleship. Perhaps dominos or cribbage is your game, we have it all! Bring a healthy appetite and a friend or two or let us pair you up. Trivia begins at 6:40 so come early and dine, come at 6:30 and dine during the came or dine after, whatever your preference. On "Mensa Mondays" Victor will have a grill menu and a special 3-course treat at some ridiculously low price. Prizes include a weekly $25 gift certificate for the winners and a finale prize of a $100 gift certificate so plan on joining us for as many of the Mondays as you can!

Thursdays we will continue our Gift Certificate redemption night through March. Come to dinner and use a Gift Certificate for payment and we will give you an additional 5% value on your gift certificate.

Next up one the events is the final Sipping through the Sierras wine dinner with our favorite sommelier, Nicole Darracq of Muir Hanna Fame. Nicole will be introducing us to her favorite El Dorado wines for this blending of culinary treats including Lobster, Caviar & Champagne along with some nice well priced wines. Priced at $64 per person out the door, dinner, wine, tax and tip included.

The very next weekend we are please to partner with Pine Cone Performers, the parent group of the Pine Cone Players and Pine Cone Singers to bring Groveland a true World Premier Gala Evening (two in fact!) introducing Groveland's Got Talent. We begin the night with soup or salad, dinner and then head to the Community Center where our reserved seats await. Following the show, guests are invited to return to the Charlotte for red carpet interviews, a glass of Champagne, dessert and mingling with half the cast. The following night will be the same formula, but with the other half the cast. So find out which evening your performing friends or family have signed up to participate in the Gala and make that your Gala evening. The price is $49 and includes the pre-show dinner, the reserved theater tickets, post show Gala back at the Hotel and Cast Appearances, tax & tip also included. Dates: Friday and Saturday, March 27 & 28.

Cabaret Charlotte returns after a one year hiatus for a final 2 shows and introduces a new ensemble member, Frank Jablonski and a whole new production with favorites from five different decades, the 30's-70's. Dennis Brown & friends are diligently working on putting the new show together to entertain us through the end of the rainy season, Sundays, April 5th and 19th. Tickets are $59 and include a fresh new menu and spicy show, tax and tip.

The Charlotte has for several years now been your source for winter, spring and fall entertainment events, leaving the summer months to those with outdoor venues. We look forward to welcoming you! www.HotelCharlotte.com/events.html

Do not hesitate to contact us for more details! 209-962-6455

Winter driving, Yosemite

2009-02-26T12:30:00.001-08:00

We get so many questions on this topic, let me give you the low-down.

Yosemite Winter Driving: When calling Yosemite's roads & weather hotline, 209-372-0200 when Chain Controls are in effect, you will get instructions of R1, R2 or R3. Here is what each of these mean:

R-1 Chains are required – snow tread tires are allowedPark road signs will show “AUTOS & PICKUPS SNOW TIRES OK”, “Carry Chains”. Tires must be rated for snow (M-S or M+S, All Season). Snow tires must have a minimum tread depth of 6/32 of an inch to be legal. You still need to carry chains in your vehicle. If your tires don’t meet these requirements you must use chains.

R-2 Chains are required on “All” vehicles except four-wheel drive vehicles with snow tires on all four wheels. Park road signs will show “4W DRIVE WITH SNOW TIRES OK”, “Carry Chains”. Four wheel drive vehicles meeting this requirement must still carry tire chains.

R-3 Chains are required – “All” vehicles – no exceptions. It might be a better choice on days like this to sit curled up with a book until tomorrow when the weather is often nicer.

The posted speed limit in the park is 25 mph when chain requirements are in effect. State Law requires you to carry chains in your vehicle when entering an active chain control area. Tire traction devices can be link chain, cable chain and/or spider straps. For more info: www.dot.ca.gov/roadinfo/wntrdriv.htm.

Word on the street is that Fox and Dollar car rentals allow chains on their rental cars and will rent chains to you. Consider these car rental companies when winter driving in the Sierras.

Clock & Sleep Package

2009-02-26T06:31:00.000-08:00

This last year Victor has taken up the art of antique clock collecting and has learned the gentle trade of fixing most problems. His venture into the world of clocks has taken him on journeys throughout California as his searches of Craigs List and Ebay have turned up some interesting pieces. We even discovered half a dozen clocks on our Recipe Research trip to bring home with us. These of course were of the mantel style and not the wall hanging style so all we had to do to bring them home was to buy another suitcase.

Our dining room, salons and hallways, mantels and piano tops are now well decorated wtih timeless clocks, providing a really neat ambiance that goes well with our collection of historic building photographs.

As fevered as he is for the next discovery, I am to sell these clocks! We now have more than the hotel can hold. Please don't tell Victor, but if you want to buy a clock, I would throw in a complimentary nights stay (for purchases of $500 or more on stays completed by April 2nd, 2009. So don't delay, enjoy our clock and stay package today! Make buying an antique clock a get-away adventure. Call for details, some restrictions apply.

Get the whole story! www.HotelCharlotte.com/clocks.html.

While we were gone.....

2009-02-13T11:36:00.000-08:00

While the Owner's Away the Parents Will Play
While Victor & I were away traveling in the Southern Hemisphere, my parents Jim & Marge minded the store (that is the Hotel Charlotte) for us. They're not afraid to exercise their authority, to take charge of things, to run amok a bit even perhaps. Rumors we've heard about what went on while we were away include:

They put Goose on a diet! (Poor little guy looks positively svelt now, hurry in to see him before he replenishes his treats and bones supply.)

Cleaning Binge catches fire... no they didn't burn the place down, but they did start an early-spring-cleaning movement that has continued since our return with Victor shampooing all the carpets in the hotel and at our rental units, poor fellow just got back from vacation and they put him right to work!

Clutter Clearing of a massive sort! Can you believe that on a recent trip to Helping Hands I discover long saved vases of many odd shapes, baubles and bits that I have had for years and a relished relic from high school that I figured would find a place in our home sometime. Upon exclaiming that these were all my items, the generous folks at Helping Hands offered to sell them back to me. Needless to say, I declined.

Apparently Jim & Marge even had guests in each weekend to take part in knock down games of Dominos. Rumor has it the sound of tiles being slapped down on the table could be heard for miles... really for miles!

Anyway, this little missive is by way of saying THANK YOU SO MUCH to Jim & Marge Upthagrove for taking such good care of all things at the Charlotte for us yet again, and to Tony and Linda Flores for keeping them company on the weekends with Board Games in the parlor.

Hugs & Kisses to my folks, Lynn.

Hotel Charlotte weekly specials 1/1-1/4

2009-01-01T13:52:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year !

Thank you all for being our friends and guests! We so very much enjoy Groveland and the folks that have become a part of our lives. We hope everyone a happy and healthy 2009!

This weekend Victor is offering some excellent specials, while supplies last as it is our last for a bit!

Antipasto with Salami, Cheese & Olives $10.94

Filet of Ostrich (a rich red meat, similar to beef, not chicken!) $19.95

Porterhouse Steak $22.95

Holiday Kabob (8oz of filet mignon cubes and wild boar sausages) $17.95

Filet of Sole $17.95

Make any choice a 3 course dinner for just $8 more, includes soup or salad, dessert and coffee or tea.

We look forward to welcoming you!

Lynn & Victor

Hotel Charlotte

www.HotelCharlotte.com

209-962-6455

PS. This will be our last weekend before we take off for our Recipe Research 2009 trip. You can follow along with us online from our blog at www.RecipeResearch2009.blogspot.com.

Know that while we are gone for three weeks, the hotel stays open so don't hesitate to send us folks you know that might need lodging, perhaps a worker, a friend traveling through, overflow family. With your referrals for the month of January and February, the rate for all nights except Saturdays will be $89 for two people in a traditional queen bedded room with breakfast and free internet included. (Regular rate $108) Be sure to have them mention the locals special and your name when booking.

In our absence, Linda and my parents will be running the front desk without too much to do. Won't you call them on a regular basis to make reservations for things like Valentine's Day, Sipping Amador, the cabarets, the galas....www.HotelCharlotte.com/restaurant.html has all the dates and details and before we leave we will post the menus for the February events.

See you soon!

New year...new news. Be the first to know what is making headlines.

Kitchy Gift Season

2008-12-14T06:22:00.001-08:00

Well, it is that time of year again, time for gift giving and we couldn't be more pleased with this year's selection of Kitchy Gifts from the Hotel Charlotte. This year we have added beer glasses to our collection of Hotel Charlotte etched glassware. The beer glasses join the wine glasses and coffee cups all priced at $6 for one or 2 for $10.

We have also added a fantastic new book by Jan Irene Atchinson, Oysters on the Half Shell, Historic Hotels of the Mother Lode and the Recipes that Made them Famous. A mouthful of a title, but a really great little book. Jan does a fantastic job capturing the spirit of these old places, especially the Hotel Charlotte where she makes the memory of Hotel Dog Bob playing the piano come alive.

These new gifts join our old funk, the license plate holder, Hotel Charlotte logoed tshirts, the I survived Priest Grade Tshirt and the I Love Inns bed and breakfast book with the buy one night, get one night free coupon for your traveling friends!

And, this year we have the clocks, dozens of antique clocks. Now, Victor isn't interested in selling all of them, some have become personal favorites but there are a good number that he would talk to you about if you were interested. So come take a look, you can enjoy our buy one clock, get a night free at the hotel special. Call for details. 209-962-6455

Happy Holidays All!
Lynn & Victor
Hotel Charlote, On the way to Yosemite

PS: I forgot to mention the number one best seller! Gift Certificates. This year, buy a book of 10 customized gift certificates with a $50 value for $500 and we will throw in the 11th free. You save $50...a fantastic value when you consider our great prices already! (and who knows, if the recipient invites you along, you win twice!) Gift Certificates are available in any quantity at any denomination. Discount is only available on a bulk purchase of $500 value.

Winter happenings here & around Yosemite

2008-12-11T21:18:00.000-08:00

I haven't published a coming events in a while so here's whats on the calendar for the Hotel Charlotte and some of our favorite things by other folks in the area.

Thursday Nights: Gift Certificate Redemption Night: Valid through 1/4/2009

Join us for dinner on Thursdays, use a gift certificate and we will add another 5% to the value of your gift certificate.

Sunday Nights: 2 Specials! Courses of Course & Clear the Cellar Valid through 1/4/2009
Besides our regular menu, we are also offering a 3-course dinner of soup or house salad, a 5oz bacon wrapped filet mignon & homemade ice-cream, coffee or tea for $19.95. We have a few great wines in small quantities to share so we can make room for new vintages. Add a bottle of wine to your dinner from our select vintages from $15, the price of a bottle of house wine! (While supplies last) We have a few great wines in small quantities to share so we can make room for new vintages.

Christmas Dinner Valid 12/25/2008 Since Christmas falls on a Thursday this year, we will be open for dinner, 5:30 to 8:30. We leave Christmas Eve to our staff to enjoy their families. We look forward to serving you and your families on Christmas night after all the festivities have wrapped up for the day. (Other than us, who really wants to cook again that day?) We will serve from our regular menu and regular prices with a couple of specials, perhaps something like lobster, king crab legs or venison rack.

New Year's Eve Dinner Valid 12/31/2008

Consider joining us for the early seatings, starting from 5:30 pm on Wednesday, December 31st. The menu choices are:
Lobster bisque or wilted spinach and blue cheese salad
Entrée choices:
$39 Stuffed Guinea Hen with plum sauce
$49 Filet Mignon with a port wine and Porcini mushroom sauce
$49 Ostrich Filet (a tender red meat) with black cherry sauce
$49 Petite Lobster tail with drawn butter
+ $19 Add a lobster tail to any entrée for an extra $19.
Dessert: Napoleon
A Glass of Champagne with Dessert
Coffee, tea or iced tea included

Oodles of neat stuff coming in 2009 from Sommelier hosted wine dinners, Cabaret Charlotte dinner-theater to Gala events and Mensa Mondays (Trivial Pursuit) more details to follow. Also, if you don't check into the website often, you might have missed some of the fantastic room specials we have on our hotel and vacation rental houses near Yosemite. Check out the deals!

As always we look forward to welcoming you or welcoming you back again!

Lynn & Victor

Recipe Research 2009

2008-12-10T16:56:00.000-08:00

We have started our 2009 trip planning and are off to Down Under to see the little lambs that make our rack of lamb our most popular dish. Posts for this year's trip will be found on www.RecipeResearch.blogspot.com Enjoy!

Winter events at the Hotel Charlotte

2008-11-30T11:07:00.000-08:00

Here's the scoop on a few of the happenings in the area and at the Charlotte this winter. If you can't make it to the Charlotte yourself, many of these events make a one of a kind holiday gift, give us a call and we will make a wonderful holiday gift basket for you!

Bird Watching in the Sierra Nevada Groveland's Christmas Bird Count on 12/27 Groveland has an active Chapter in the Centeral Sierra Audubon Society and has scheduled their annual Christmas Bird Count for December 27th. What a fantastic way to spend one of your Holiday days! Make us part of your plans. To reserve your spot, contact Bill Zachman. More info: www.HotelCharlotte.com/birds.html

Restaurant Specials: We are offering several fall-winter specials in the restaurant on Thursday and Sunday nights through the first week of January and some great holiday menus for the coming festive season. We hope you will join us for one or all of these! www.HotelCharlotte.com/restaurant.html

Thursday Nights: Gift Certificate Redemption Night Valid through 1/1/2009Join us for dinner on Thursdays, use your gift certificates and we will apply 5% more to the value of your gift certificate. (No cash back when your giftcertificate is worth more than your dinner, bring extra people!)

Sunday Nights: Courses of Course! & Clear the Cellar Night Valid through 1/4/2009We are offering a 3-course dinner of soup or house salad, a 5oz bacon wrapped filet mignon & homemade ice-cream, coffee or tea for $19.95. Add a bottle of wine from our select vintages from $15, (the price of a bottle of house wine and only while supplies last) We have a few great wines in small quantities to share so we can make room for new vintages. The list will change weekly.

Christmas Dinner: Since Christmas falls on a Thursday this year, we will be open for dinner, 5:30 to 8:30. Christmas Eve the restaurant is closed, leaving that night to our staff to enjoy their own families and hope to serve you and your families on Christmas night after all the festivities have wrapped up for the day. We will serve from our regular menu and regular prices with a couple of specials, perhaps something like lobster, king crab legs or venison rack.

New Year's Eve Menu: Consider joining us for the early seatings, starting from 5:30 pm on Wednesday, December 31st. Perfect for those who like the party, but not the late hour of Midnight. The menu choices are:
Lobster bisque or wilted spinach and blue cheese salad
Entrée choices:

$39 Stuffed Guinea Hen with plum sauce
$49 Filet Mignon with a port wine and Porcini mushroom sauce
$49 Ostrich Filet (a tender red meat) with black cherry sauce
$49 Petite Lobster tail with drawn butter
$19 Add a lobster tail to any entrée for an extra $19.

Dessert: Napoleon
A Glass of Champagne with Dessert
Coffee, tea or iced tea included

Charlotte Winter Entertainment Schedule is coming together with the following dates already confirmed and more to come! All of these events qualify for our stay & play room rates of $89 per room, breakfast included for 2 people.

Saturday, February 14th: Valentine's Dinner
Sunday, February 22nd: Sipping Amador, a wine dinner with Nicole Darracq, our favorite Sommelier
Sunday, March 1st: Chianti & Crab Feast, Caesar Salad, 1/2 Crab Chiappino, Garlic bread, 1/2 a bottle of Chianti & Tirimasu for dessert. $29 tax and tip included
Sunday, March 8th, Cabaret with Dennis Brown & Friends, a whole new show
Sunday, March 22nd: Sipping El Dorado, the last of the Sipping through the Sierra Series with Nicole
Friday, March 27th: Pine Cone Players Gala Dinner-Theatre for the world Premier of Groveland's got Talent
Sunday, April 5th, Cabaret with Dennis Brown & Friends, a reprise of the March show for those who were out of town for that date.

By the way, any of these events can be made into a perfect holiday gift package for everyone you know--Let us help! www.HotelCharlotte.com/gifts.html

Hotel Charlotte named business of the year

2008-11-30T11:05:00.001-08:00

This was an exciting bit of news to cross my desk this morning! We were recognized at the annual gala, but hadn't received a press release. It makes us feel big time!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 30, 2008

CONTACT: Jeannie Tasker – (209) 962-7163
Yosemite Chamber of Commerce

HOTEL CHARLOTTE NAMED 2008 BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

The Hotel Charlotte in downtown Groveland, CA was recently named the 2008 Business of the Year by the Yosemite Chamber of Commerce. In the Chamber’s first ever members’ choice recognition program, the Hotel Charlotte received the greatest number of votes over a seven month period, a testimony to the welcoming atmosphere of the hotel and delicious offerings of its restaurant. The honor also acknowledges the contributions to the community made by the owners of the Hotel Charlotte, Lynn Upthagrove and Victor Niebylski, who give selflessly of their time and resources to Groveland Art Strolls, Chamber marketing efforts, 49er Festivals and Chili Cook-offs, Pine Cone Singers, Tuolumne County Visitors Bureau, and Yosemite Gateway Partners, among others. Noted among the creative contributions, the Hotel Charlotte hosted a summer luau at Camp Tuolumne Trails which raised over $2,400 for Groveland Soroptomists, and, Goose, the hotel dog, ran for honorary mayor of Groveland in 2008, raising $1,200 for his sponsor, Camp Tuolumne Trails, and $2,800 for the Yosemite Chamber.

Lynn and Victor hit the ground running when they purchased the Hotel Charlotte five and a half years ago. Virtually newlyweds at the time, Lynn worked for a company which wrote travel guides, and Victor was a chef at Stanford University. They literally had searched the world for just the right small hotel with a restaurant, before discovering the Hotel Charlotte and its proprietors, Ruth and Jim Kraenzel. Ruth and Jim sought buyers who would continue their tradition of friendly hospitality, good food, and community service. Lynn and Victor were the perfect prospects, and the sale between the couples initiated a new friendship.

Lynn’s development of the “Hotel Charlotte, On The Way To Yosemite” website launched the hotel worldwide and dramatically increased the demand for its hotel rooms. Chef Victor’s delectable entrees immediately attracted a loyal following of regular diners to the restaurant, as well as the hotel’s out-of-town visitors. In response to an increasing need, Lynn and Victor now offer additional lodging, complete with maid service and breakfast at the hotel, in several off-site homes and condominiums.

The Hotel Charlotte hosts the weekly meetings of the Rotary Club, the board meetings of the Yosemite Chamber of Commerce, monthly card stamping parties, and birthday clubs. Lynn has developed a series of special events from cabaret nights showcasing Dennis Brown and Friends from the Pine Cone Singers, to winemaker dinners showcasing local sommeliers, to classic holiday dinners such as Valentine’s, Mother’s Day, and New Years. So much in demand are Lynn and Chef Victor, with a staff known for good service and warm personality, that the Hotel Charlotte was contracted to cater several offsite events over the last year, including the Camp Tuolumne Trails New Year’s Eve fundraiser and the Yosemite Chamber’s Annual Gala.

The Hotel Charlotte is located on Main Street in Groveland, and may be contacted at (209) 962-6455, or at HotelCharlotte@aol.com, www.HotelCharlotte.com.

Turkey Wars

2008-11-27T11:14:00.000-08:00

Groveland, the givingest town in the world!

For all of our years here in Groveland, we have always taken this weekend to be visiting family in the midwest. Since we don't have an overnight person right now with Nancy up in Alaska, we decided to do the holidays with split vacations. Victor is in St. Louis right now with his family enjoying Thanksgiving and I go next week to Wisconsin where my family will pretend that it is Christmas. So...all this turkey business in Groveland is new to me, but I am totally enjoying the shenanigans!

So here's a story about the turkeys.
Each year the town gives a free Thanksgiving Dinner to anyone who wants one serving on Thanksgiving day from 11am to 4pm Sometimes whole families come, sometimes folks from far away come. All are welcome.

The dinners have been going on for 31 years now with usually 20 turkeys cooked. Yesterday I learned that the turkey cooking job is a coveted position and never given up. Even when one moves away, they "turn over their turkey" to a good friend to tend to for the next coming years. One such person was up to 3 turkeys this way and when the organizers tried to redistribute the birds to others interested in cooking, a to-do broke out. Bird thievery. Why are you stealing my turkeys....? Wow! Who knew the honor of cooking the bird was so grand. Maybe next year I will steal one to cook.

For this year I am signed up to be the Turkey Welcome Girl, TWG. That sounds fun. Maybe I will give everyone a parting Hotel Charlotte mint.

Kitchen taste tester

2008-11-21T06:37:00.000-08:00

It is the early morning hour of 6:30 and Victor just served me a Napolean to taste test.

We've both been up for a couple of hours, the paper is read, crossword puzzle attempted and he has gone off to the kitchen to practice upcoming recipes. I don't eat sweets much and certainly not at 6:30 am. Now, if he had tried a new taco recipe, I might have been chomping down on it as I write.

I told him it looked lovely. Perhaps later I will try it.

Immaculate Convection

2008-11-13T10:08:00.000-08:00

We had a leisurely morning today with only a handful of rooms to serve breakfast to. Our friend and neighbor stopped by to hang out while his wife had her hair done. We enjoyed coffee and a chat about putting on a NO Monty "Chippendales" styled show, wondering if we are better off hiring professionals from "off the hill" or auditioning from our local bevy of buff buttocks.

Victor is cooking for this weekend, baking fresh pies and adding his 2¢ between pie checks. I head off to the computer to do a Chippendales Touring Show search and Tony goes to visit with Victor in the Kitchen.

Tony and I meet up later and he tells me this funny story about Victor and his pies not cooking, check, no change, checking again, no change, checking and rechecking and finally realizing the oven isn't on. Hahahah.

So we head to the kitchen and I ask Victor if he thinks he is such a good chef that he doesn't even need the oven on to create delicious pies.

He said he was trying for immaculate convection.

Turning Green

2008-11-08T12:59:00.000-08:00

In researching what it means to be "green" the best advice I got was to start with a list of all the things we do now that fall under environmentally friendly. Then make a list of all the things we would like to do, then start implementing and moving items from the Green to-do list to the Green done list...and before you know it—GREEN

Here are the things we have identified as implemented: Green Done

Floors laid with bamboo, a sustainable resource
Swirl light bulbs where we can
Purchased fuel economy car for housekeeping use trading in 8 miles to the gallon on an old van for 39 miles to the gallon on a new car.
Exterior lighting is on timers
Room notices posted to guests suggesting an option to
Reuse of towels on multi-night stays
Reuse of linens for multi-night stays
Recycle paper for internal memos and note paper
Live plants for to improve indoor air quality & promote restful environment.
We pay a service to have our cardboard picked up for recycling
Recycle printer & toner ink cartridges
Neutered dog, no new Goose puppies
In housekeeping we only run full loads of laundry and make best attempts to use machines at low energy times of the day
Use of 100% recycled toilet and tissue paper
Outdoor plants are on a drip system for watering
Waste oil and grease from the kitchen is donated to a company that recycles it into Biodiesel fuel
Installed all new windows, double pained with insulation and noise reduction between the panes.
Insulated the hotel from the attic to the basement and above and below the restaurant and kitchen
Replaced ice machine that worked on a water cooling with one that worked on air cooling, estimated reduction in water use, 3000 gallons a month.
Replaced old and inefficient refrigerators with energy efficient equipment, eliminated one refrigerator from inventory.
Purchased a micro freezer for frequently accessed items reducing door opening of large freezer with much smaller one with a far quicker recovery rate.
Replace inefficient toilets with low-flow toilets
Installed two HVAC units, one to run the second floor and one to run the first floor. Able to use only one system during slow periods and balance our heating and cooling needs with where the people are.
Use products that can be washed and reused vs disposables such as linen table clothes and clothe napkins.
Installed an instant hot water heater to run the kitchen needs. Reducing drain on the hotel system and providing hot water only when we need it.
We have assigned a person to getting educated on what it means to be green, and subscribe to a number of relevant newsletters to keep us on top of new technologies and research in the field.

Things we are researching and hope some day to move to the above list:

Transition more of our paper products to recycled including to-go boxes for the restaurant, hand towels in the bathrooms, paper napkins, doggie bags and bags we use for retail item sales. Currently getting pricing and sample from leading suppliers.
Research environmentally friendly cleaning products for kitchen and laundry supplies. Must still meet health standards.
Take a new look at solar options for the hotel. Our first research on this priced it out of our ability to procure, but advancements in technology and credits may make this a viable option
Install a water tank to catch & store water four our gardens during the summer.
Convert more lighting to florescent, use energy efficient bulbs where this isn't possible
Install ceiling fans for better air circulation, reducing use of air conditioner
Establish a recycling area with proper colored bins for guest use from the parking area.
Establish with the trash folks exactly what they can & can't take from us, if they would start a service similar to their residential service for businesses. Else, find a group, business or person that will regularly transfer our recyclables to the processing places in Sonora. Consider paying to have someone haul our recyclables to the processeing center.

We recognize that these lists don't make us "green" yet. It is a mindset and a way of thinking that one builds into their life. But without making it a business priority, we won't ever make a smaller footprint on the earth. We have a long way to go, but we have started and use "green" thinking for all of our new purchases & improvements.

As we move items from our to-do list to our done list, we will update our website Hotel Charlotte Green list and twice a year compare with this original list and check that we are heading in the right direction.

Oysters on the Half Shell

2008-11-08T12:28:00.000-08:00

The whole title of this book is Oysters on the Half Shell, Historic Hotels of the Mother Lode & the Recipes That Made Them Famous 1850 to Present. That's a mouthful!

Jan Iren Atkinson is the author and we just received our copy today. It's a marvelous book and a perfect gift for anyone who enjoys traveling the old hotels of the early 20th Centry and even Gold Rush era. Jan hasn't missed a one of our favorites.

Her write up of the Charlotte, while featuring some of the Hotel Charlotte history, Jan also tells a tale of her visit in November of 2006 and her meeting Bob, the Hotel Dog and his piano playing antics. She captures the comic scene quite perfectly! Congratulations on a job well done Jan, we hope you sell many books! Everyone I know is getting one this year for Christmas!
Lynn

Auctioneer or Bidder?

2008-11-02T04:55:00.000-08:00

I can't decide which of the two I like better. Auctioneer is like being on a stage, a one man show and has less personal financial cost, but the bidding, yes the bidding...gives that same adrenaline rush as casino games, but for a good cause. No real fundraiser with a live auction should be held without me around. Ohhh, I just love the bid, bump, wait...how much does the other bidder want this? Going Going....Bid again....Ohhhhhh. Shooooot, was that too much? Did I miss read? Ahhhhhh sigh of relief as someone again bids higher.

Talk talk, look back at bidding...My goodness, still on the same item? Hmmm, Let me flash my paddle and see what happens......And there we go again fingers crossed that someone comes and out bids us, not wanting to come home and tell Victor too very big of a list of great items we "won"

Now we are on Item 14, one I REALLY want. I am not just playing around here, now I have to psych everyone out and and and and DANG! wouldn't you know it, everyone in the room seemingly wants this item and in a breath goes up to $900. Not even in my ball park, I dropped out at $350, but all is not lost, there is an item 15 to begin the adrenaline again.

We end the night having won a beautiful fall silk wreath, a bouquet of candles in a bird cage, an hour ride in an antique plane and a sailboat cruise on Lake Don Pedro. A good catch!

But most of all, I got to watch a real professional in the actioneer seat and I know now that I don't have a clue what I am doing up on the stage as I play auctioneer in our little 49er Festival, but maybe someday Paul will auction off a lesson or two that I could bid on!

Best of all, when I get home, Victor is waiting up for me! Even though I am an hour later than I had anticipated. Very sweetly he listens to my ramblings as I relive all the highs of the evening.

Halloween at the Charlotte

2008-11-02T04:39:00.001-08:00

4 Years I have been waiting for Halloween to fall on one of our resaurant nights. November 1st, 2004 I got the "vision" on how to best set it up for dinner guests and for maximum trick-or-treat fun and it took until October 31, 2008 for that day and date to match up with a restaurant night. But the vision was right on! The guests loved it, hundreds of photos were taken and the kids really think our huge barrel of candy with nearly a free for all approach is just the grandest!

If you have been here before, we have a narrow room and a square dining room that are connected. I took the center table out of the square dining room and had dinner guests set all around the room and in the small room. I purchased some glow in the dark foot prints and mapped out a path we wanted the kids to follow so they go by every table in the house, and most of them did.

It was just right and we even got some "thank you, great party" notes from folks that joined us. That's always a good sign. I will post some pictures when I get them from Connie. She was the house photographer that night.

Who drives so fast?

2008-10-21T06:20:00.000-07:00

I am sitting here having been up for a few hours early this morning and if you know my desk area, it fronts Highway 120. All morning long cars have been RACING by. This isn't the first time I noticed the fast driving, but it is the first time I noted it.

Who are these fast drivers? I really don't mean doing 35-40 in our 25 mile per hour downtown. These folks are easily hitting the 60 or more MPH and it is insane! Do these drivers have kids? Do they have slow moving parents? Just because it is early in the morning to they drive this fast? Are they regular drivers the rest of the day? What about Priest Grade, are they doing this speeding bit on the grade too?

Its a wonder there aren't some fairly serious accidents.

Sipping Calaveras, the full event

2008-10-21T06:08:00.000-07:00

We just love wine-dinners and this coming series is titled: Sipping through the Sierra where we pair Victor's great menus with our favorite Sommelier, Nicole Darracq's, top selections from each of the Sierra Foothill wine regions: Calavera, Amador, El Dorado and the Southern Sierra.

We open the series on November 9th, a Sunday, with Sipping Calaveras. Victor presented the menu to Nicole who tasted her way through Calaveras wines to pick the best off the region for pairing with our menu with an eye to value if there were equally delicious choices.

Sipping Calaveras Menu
· Cheese fondue with fresh cut apples, crostini and vegetables paired with Vina Moda, Viognier
(Best of the Foothills, California State Fair, 2008)

· Salad of mixed greens, pear & sunflower seeds with a blue cheese dressing with Twisted Oak, Ruben’s Blend
(90 points, Wine Enthusiast Magazine July 2008)

· Petite plate of clams simmered in a red wine sauce with Hatcher, Barbera
(Silver Medal at Calaveras County Fair, 2008)

· Venison rack cutlet or filet mignon with plum onion marmalade, paired with Frog’s Tooth, Tempranillo
(Double Gold, Calaveras County Fair, 2008)

· Zabaglione dessert paired with Ironstone Symphony
(Double Gold and Best of Show, Calaveras County Fair & Gold Medal, SF Chronicle Competition)

Throughout dinner Nicole will be presenting her unique twist on food/wine pairings. We have enjoyed Nicole's presentations before and are sure to come away with something new and refreshing this year too.

Sipping Through the Sierra continues with Sipping Amador on Sunday, February 22nd and Sipping El Dorado on Sunday, March 22. Sipping the Southern Sierra will be scheduled in April, date to be determined. Tickets are $64 per event, or save $15 with a 3-series season ticket, $177.

(Wouldn't this make a fantastic holiday gift?)

Additional event details can be found on our website, www.HotelCharlotte.com/sipping.html or call, 209-962-6455. We hope to welcome you!

Is Groveland's Mayor Mad?

2008-10-13T06:50:00.000-07:00

So the other morning I am on the phone with Robin, president of the Yosemite Chamber of Commerce, and I am leaning on our counter watching the folks and cars go by and I see the newly elected Mayor, Kay Glaves across the street. Her red hair is perfectly coiffed with a lovely red feather coming out the back and she is wearing a full length purple bathrobe and strolling Main Street... as if this is perfectly normal.

Goose suggests the we offer to take over as Mayor for the day, perhaps Kay is feeling a bit too under the weather for her heady duties. We ask and she gives us the Groveland Giggle, thanks us for our kindness, tosses off some "Red Hats Pajama Party" excuse and sweeps on down the street a vision in red & purple.

Sounds like Groveland Normal to me! We have way too much fun here!

Our Groveland Thanksgiving Schedule

2008-10-10T09:49:00.000-07:00

Each year we have made the week of Thanksgiving our family time, first visiting Victor's family in St. Louis and then heading up to Wisconsin where we pretend it is Christmas with my family.

This year, we will do the same, but separate trips which allows us to open the restauant for Thanksgiving weekend. The restaurant won't be open on Thanksgiving day so our staff can enjoy the holidays with their families. But come Friday, Saturday and Sunday, we will be here ready to serve you and your extended family and holiday guests a wonderful dinner. Please join us!

We will be serving from our regular menu with some specials thrown in, including Victor's new Wild Game items. You can see a menu online at www.HotelCharlotte.com/menu.html. (Some items Change weekly)

Reservations encouraged! 209-962-6455
Lynn & Victor
Hotel Charlotte
http://www.hotelcharlotte.com/
209-962-6455

Sipping through the Sierras: Sipping Calaveras

2008-10-08T12:58:00.000-07:00

We just love wine-dinners and this new series: Sipping through the Sierras might be the best ensemble yet! We will pair Victor's great menus with wines from each of the Sierra Foothill regions personally selected by our favorite Sommelier, Nicole (of Muir Hanna fame.) Each sipping dinner features 5 courses and 5 wines from 5 different wineries of the same region and presented by the very entertaining Nicole.

We start the series on November 9th, a Sunday, with Sipping Calaveras. We are just now putting the details together, but we can share with you the initial menu:

Cheese fondue with cut apples, costini and vegetables for dipping served during happy hour
Sit down service starting with a petite plate of clams simmered in a red wine sauce
Followed by a salad of mixed greens, pear and sunflower seeds with a blue cheese dressing
The main coures is venison rack or filet mignon with plum onion marmalade, potatoes and veggies
Dessert is Zabaglione

As we finalize our paired wines, we will update the website: www.HotelCharlotte.com/sipping.html

Additional dates include:
Sipping Amador on Sunday, February 22nd
Sipping El Dorado on Sunday, March 22nd and
Sipping the Southern Sierras on a date to be determined.
Tickets are $64 per region, or save $15 with a 3-series package. (To qualify for the discount, all dinners must be purchased at once as a package, choose any three of the 4 programs.) Individual tickets may be ordered on line from Local Wine Events, http://webmails.hosting-advantage.com/horde/services/go.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.localwineevents.com%2Ftickets%2Fticket_purchase.php%3FEVENTID%3D208197 or by calling the Hotel Charlotte, 209-962-6455

(Wouldn't this make a fantastic holiday gift?)

For out of town guests, this event qualifies for our Stay & Play pricing, www.HotelCharlotte.com/play.html

We hope to welcome you!
Lynn & Victor
Hotel Charlotte, on the way to Yosemite
http://www.hotelcharlotte.com/
209-962-6455

Halloween Whoopla—Groveland Style Friday, October 31st

2008-10-08T11:50:00.000-07:00

This year Grovelanders and visitors from around the world will enjoy another deluge of fairy-tale costumed children parading our Main Street with parents in tow seeking out the sweetest treats and the scariest stops.

Each year seemingly hundreds of children and families dress up and head to downtown Groveland for a costume party at Mary Laveroni Community Park with apple bobbing, games and contests and then at 5:00pm they trick-or-treat the 5 blocks of our downtown where merchants & service clubs generously provide candy year after year assuring a safe and sane Halloween.

For those without kids or grandkids to provide the necessary cover to enjoy the evening, there are several Yosemite Chamber of Commerce member venues that are great viewing seats to plant yourself for the evening watching all the kids go by. The Groveland Hotel with their new look in the dining room makes a delicious stop with Chef Greg's gourmet menu and a fantastic wine list.

The Iron Door Saloon is a fantasy stop...perfect for Halloween "Boo" s and Hoots & Hollers and a great place to watch the festivities from. If you can't make to Groveland on Friday, come Saturday for the adult Halloween Party with Live Music, Great Costumes, Prizes & lots of fun! http://www.iron-door-saloon.com/

This year the Hotel Charlotte restaurant will be open and routing the fairy-tale costumed kids right through the middle of the dining room where the huge barrel of candy will sit providing diners superb photo opportunities of the candy-march festivities. The Charlotte is reserving the dining room for one seating only so guests have their tables for the whole affair. Special treats will be awarded to those who come to dinner dressed in costume. Out of town guests who have dinner at the Charlotte qualify for Stay & Play room pricing from $99, www.HotelCharlotte.com/play.html. Reserve early, 209-962-6455.

We invite you to visit the Downtown Groveland restaurants & hotels while enjoying this year's Halloween festivities.

49er Festival & Chili Cookoff

2008-09-30T11:11:00.000-07:00

Oh what fun! The parade was the biggest ever, the auctions were far more grand than the year before and the weather could not have been more perfect! Even the Union Democrat was there to document our success! http://www.uniondemocrat.com/news/story.cfm?story_no=27628

Thanks bunches to Randy Klaahsen who was our guest chef at the Chili Cook-off. Randy brought home a first place, judges choice for his PFFFFT Free Chili in the no beans category and placed second or third in the other categories. GREAT job Randy.

We finished up our duties for the day, Parade and Live Auction Auctioneer and then headed out to New York for a quick trip to wind down from all the excitement. We are thrilled to be back on the west coast where everything looks fresh and clean.

We are working out plans now for the Yosemite Chamber of Commerce's annual dinner gala on Tuesday, October 21st and are looking forward to another wonderful bash!

Hotel Dog Goose gets his 15 minutes

2008-09-18T04:04:00.000-07:00

For such a young dog, barely out of the puppy stage, Goose has gained a level of notoriety far beyond that which should ever be common in a dog. This running for mayor has now made him famous...at least between here and Sacramento!

For those who missed the TV show, here are the clips:
http://cbs13.com/video/?id=39399@kovr.dayport.com.

When you open the page, use the search box to the right of "video library" and enter Groveland and that will bring up what we filmed today. There are three clips in total

To do this filming we sent out a last minute request for folks to join us at 6:30 am and asked that they bring their signs, cheers and dogs in support of the Candidates. We estimated 50 people, 10 dogs, a cat, a baby and our Parade Grand Marshals, (Kent and Sandy Blankenberg) and a whole lot of fun. Thank you ALL for showing up and hooting up the Festival!

Goose's team of accountants have tallied the tickets and have determined that it will be a very close race between Goose, Red and Kay. We believe that we have all "checked out" the same amount of tickets from James Nagle. Now it is a matter of who sells the most of that last thousand tickets.

Today is the final day for Goose votes and would be a good day to vote. If you can't make to Groveland, you can call in and we will process your votes over the phone. 800-961-7799 or 962-6455.

Goose REALLY wants to be Groveland's Honorary Mayor.

Time to Vote for Goose is nearing an end

2008-09-02T08:07:00.000-07:00

Goose, the Hotel Dog, is running for Honorary Mayor of Groveland!
In an effort to reach out to all qualified voters, Goose would like to remind folks that you don't have to be human to vote. Dogs can vote. Horses can vote. Your pet snake can vote. We will even accept votes from cats.

So folks, don't leave your animals out of this race, they too should have a say in who Groveland's Honorary Mayor is going to be. Please, take a moment and ask them who they would like for Honorary Mayor? Goose, a 4-legged friend to all...or a human.

Just a few more vote notes:
1. There are no age requirements to voting. Let your children have a voice. Teach them about our democratic process. Come on down with the kids and a $1 and show them how voting and money work so well together.
2. There are no residency requirements. Goose is accepting votes from all over the world.
3. We don't care if you are a felon, we will take your votes.
4. There is no end to the number of times you can vote. Nobody to check your name off, no one-voice/one vote, you can all vote many, many times.
5. Being human is not a requirement, please let your pets vote.

If you would like to see Goose crowned Honorary Mayor of Groveland, please send money!
$1 per vote. Checks should be made out to the Yosemite Chamber of Commerce and mailed to:

Committee to Elect Goose Honorary Mayor
C/O Hotel Charlotte
PO Box 787
Groveland, CA 95321

Each vote is $1 and you get a raffle ticket for the 49er Festival's annual raffle with a grand prize: a night out at the Black Oak Casino with dinner at the esteemed Seven Sisters, an overnight stay at the Sonora Oaks and $50 cash to begin play. Second prize (and my favorite!) is $200 Gas Cash and there are many more prizes too! You do not need to be present to win.

We encourage you to vote often and vote generously. Goose is sponosred by Camp Tuolumne Trails, a new venue for kids with disabilities.

Curious as to how the campaign is going? Catch our bites & barks: www.pmlvoice.com/pml/opinions.htm

We hope to win, but there are some very serious seasoned professionals out there who are working the streets every day! It will be a very close race!

49er Festival Radio Broadcast

2008-08-29T18:28:00.000-07:00

We taped our radio spot on Thursday promoting the 49er Festival and Chili Cook-off on Saturday, September 20th. These are always fun to listen to as we bring down a few folks and add our own side comments and sound effects. If you have time and are in the listening area, here's the play schedule:

All play on Sunday, August 31st:
KZSQ Star 92.7 between 9:30 and 10:30
KKBN 93.5 between 10:30 and 11:30
KVML 1450 am between 9:00 and 10:00

These are all properties of Clarke Broadcasting in Sonora and they may have streaming audio if you are trying to listen in from out of their air reach: www.mymotherlode.com

Lynn

Hotel Charlotte dog might become Mayor

2008-08-23T09:41:00.000-07:00

Such a simple concept, run for Honorary Mayor, sell raffle tickets as the votes and who ever has the most votes is the Mayor. Such fun! The whole town seems to have aligned with one candidate or another, or several...This is one election where you can vote many times.

The campaigns have been picked up by the public and have generated so much fun with Obama and McCain supporting Goose, God supporting Red and Jeannie now supporting Kay...The whole thing is played out on http://www.pmlvoice.com/, our local communication website for thoughts and froughts.

This photo is one of my favorites, "Goose is up for the Challenge" as he climbs Half Dome.

Goose for Mayor: Race updates

2008-08-05T20:34:00.000-07:00

Well, this Mayoral Race has gone quite crazy! www.PMLVoice.com has a running commentary. We have Jack submitting on behalf of the Red Baron and GNN, (Groveland Network News) submitting on behalf of Goose....It's all quite funny. I wonder if Ellen DeGeneres or any of them will pick this up. Too Cute!

Goose the Hotel Dog for Mayor. At first we were just running to have a second candidate, winning didn't matter—no one should run unopposed. Now we are really into it with guests leaving us $1 votes every day for Goose. We do a great bribe business when the restaurant is open too!

If you are too far away to stop in to vote, Please, write a check to:

Yosemite Chamber of Commerce
C/O Hotel Charlotte
C/C/O Committee to Elect Goose Mayor
PO Box 787
Groveland, CA 95321

We will place your votes for you. We hope you get as big a kick out of the campaigns as we are!
Lynn & Victor

Hi, My name is Goose, and I approved this message.

Mayoral Race Kickoff!

2008-07-22T21:25:00.000-07:00

Monday night's kickoff for the Honorary Mayor race was a hoot! Bribes were bought and sold up and down the lovely patio at the Groveland hotel while voters sipped sarsaparillas under the shade of many umbrellas. Each candidate offered up a unique campaign with many promises and perhaps even a few lies.

Kalamity Kay Glaves presented a peppery speech, rich with props and whooo-haaa. Kay is promising a great deal of purple in the town from the road to the water.
The "Red Baron" Rossio, having recently struck gold in a shady deal at LGR impressed the crowd with his "simple" campaign offering voters a goose in every pot, a car in every garage, free water and reduced sewer rates.
The Dapper Dancing Dog, Goose, performed a series of daring feats from sit, to sit up, dance and even the most dangerous: Sleep! Goose's performance was a treat..... I mean... was accomplished through the distribution of many treats!
Pistol Pack'n Pete rang loud and clear with his message of salvation for Groveland—Coulterville will put us on the Map!
Luke the accordion playing singing horseback riding cowboy wooed the gaggle with his well versed original songs, black tails and pink clad women.

It was a fun night and sure to get even livelier on Monday August 11th with the next stump off in downtown Groveland.

On a "seriouser" note, we would be remiss in not mentioning a bit about each of the sponsors.

Kay Glaves is sponsored by the Lions Club an international service organization who's focus is on supporting local community events, helping children's causes around the world and working with the blind and vision impaired.

Red Rossio is sponsored by the Aviation Club who's members have enriched Groveland with their generosity for the annual Holiday Baskets donating and wrapping hundreds of gifts for those in need. The Aviation Club also sponsors Groveland's fabulous summer air show.

Goose is sponsored by Camp Tuolumne Trails a new camp for those with special needs, built by Jerry and Paul Baker with a great deal of support by the community. The camp just opened this summer with a huge amount of fan fare!

Peter Schimmelfennig is sponsored by the Shindig Committee, a group that has been hard at work for many years raising money to put a stage in the Coulterville Park. We hope this fundraising effort fulfills their needs!

Luke Sullivan is representing the Country Mountain Riders, who in the spirit of this "election" are teamed up with the Aviation Club to distribute their earnings to worthy causes together.

Present at the grand kickoff were some very prestigious folks including:
Robin Patterson, president of the Yosemite Chamber of Commerce,
Marianne Huff, President of the Mariposa County Chamber of Commerce
Jim and Jan Knudtsen, Chairpersons of the Committee for a Groveland Dog Park
And many many other dignitaries including: Tony, Mal, Jerry, Clay, Sandy, Jim, Kim, Paul, CherylAnn, Danny, Peggy, Jane, Barbara, Bonnie, Paula, Linda, Jim..... and the list goes on and on!

Thank you all for participating and we hope to see even more of Groveland at the Stump-Off on Monday, August 11th in downtown Groveland, 6ish.

Groveland runs a dog for Honorary Mayor!

2008-07-14T10:25:00.000-07:00

49er Festival—The Honorary Mayoral race is on!

They are off and Running! Five Fantastic Candidates vying for the Prestigious title of 49er Honorary Mayor. This year our 49er Festival Chairman, James Nagle introduces an all new feature to dazzle us throughout the summer—Honorary Mayor. James has spent a good part of the last few months introducing the concept to drum up candidates and sponsors and has rewarded Groveland with a highly qualified list of fun folks to support in the coming months:

Red "The Baron" Rossio, Renown BSer, sponsored by the PML Aviation Association
"Calamity Kay" Glaves, long considered the Queen of Groveland, sponsored by the Garrote Lions
Goose, The Dapper Dancing Dog who entertaining Dozens Daily at the Hotel Charlotte sponsored by Camp Tuolumne Trails
Peter "Pistol Pack'n Pete" Schimmelfennig of the Jeffery Hotel, sponsored by the Shindig Committee of Coulterville
Luke "The Drifter & Accordion Stalker" Sullivan, the singing horse-man extraordinaire, sponsored by Country Mountain Riders.

A keen line-up of spiffy mayoral candidates with platforms to match!

For those of you readers just hearing about this, how it works is that the candidate with the most "bribes" gleans the title of Honorary Mayor of Groveland for a one year term, occasionally representing the Yosemite Chamber of Commerce at fun events, but surely presiding over the 49er festival. A bribe equals a $1 and you get a receipt by way of a raffle ticket for the grand prizes raffled off at the 49er festival on Saturday, September 20th.

Winners will be crowned on Friday night before the festival so the Mayoral Elect can get a good nights sleep before the first big gig. Let's all bribe this cheery group on!

Plan on being in downtown Groveland on Monday, August 11th for a true stump-off. Candidates will be positioned throughout Groveland pontificating and promising and pushing bribes up and down the street. Proceeds from the Mayoral Contest are shared with the sponsoring organization.

An innkeeper's tizzy

2008-07-06T00:19:00.000-07:00

As a rule of thumb, we never write about specific guests, just general incidents. This occasion the folks we are writing about did not actually stay with us so I feel a bit more freedom.

It is the 4th of July weekend and we have two rooms left for this night, both at the Guide Guys Lodge, upstairs. One room is a double bed the other two twin beds and they share a bath. The third room has its own bath. All the guests have access to the living room, dining room, kitchen and wrap around porch. It is quiet and peaceful and while only two miles from the center of Groveland, the lodge is a bit remote.

The lodge is my brother's place and he is establishing a guide business with lodging, fishing and hunting. When not in use for that purpose, we rent it out in to the Yosemite travelers that pass through. This afternoon we got a call, described the room and took the booking. The couple checked in in the late afternoon and were taken to the house. At 10:15 the same night they called and said they were disapointed and would not be staying and wanted their money back. Hmmmm. Had they been disapointed when we took them over in the afternoon we would have had all evening to rent the room to someone else...and there were oodles of inquiries, its a holiday weekend! But no, they went out and did what they did and then decided not to stay and could we rent the room to someone else? Well, 10:15 is an hour and 15 minutes after our front desk closes and we are ready to hop into bed after a long day taking care of folks.

So, unable to say no, I commit to trying for 15 minute to see if we can do it. I am given a phone number to call. I say I will let them know in the morning if I am successful or not. I am asked to call tonight. Why? Because if I don't rent it then they will take it. I should have stopped the conversation at that point. They needed to either take the room or give it up. But no...Instead I say I will try and I will call them.

As luck would have it, I sell the room within a few minutes. Take the folks over and then spend the next hour and a half trying to reach the cancellers...to no avail, I can't even leave a message. This is crazy, some code 1-switch-116 verizon. Perhaps they are out of the service district for their cell phone.

I try to go to bed. No luck with that either. I am imagining them walking in on the new guests that have taken over their reservation. I decide the best answer is to get up, and put a note on the door. I drive the 10 minutes and am in a tizzy when I see another car in the parking....Could it be them or does one of the other rooms have two cars....OH DANG am I too late? I quietly approach the house and stick my note to the door and return quickly to the car.

I try calling again and I have full service, all the bars on my phone are lit, we are both on verizon and I get that 1switch 116 message again. No option to even put a voice mail on the phone. Unbelievable.

People are in the house...I am sitting in the car. I have put my note on the door and am debating what to do next. One of the folks comes out of the house and waves, I wave back. He comes towards me dangling a key. Yes it IS the Canceller...I am prepared for anything except getting out of the car and seeing people. I have my pajammas on and no bra...a sight no doubt! I get out of the car and I confidently pretend I am perfectly presentable. He is very pleasant and hands me the key. They will find somewhere else to stay...Hmmm, yes, of course. I explain that I have been trying to call for an hour and a half. This doesn't phase him much.

They go back into the house. WHY??? I can't figure this out. Now I have to go in to shut the house down. They are not our renters. They do not have a key. They need to leave. Now another guests is up and talking to me about the airconditioning. This I am not prepared for and walk over to the dials. I feel very random about this and start spinning the discs, there are four of them and they mean nothing to me at this point. Ah...There we go, that should do it. He wants me to come in the room and see how cold it is. I do and it is too cold, and I am not at all properly dressed. I put the sham pillow over the floor vent hoping that perhaps this will help for the short term. I find more dials to spin as I am leaving. Hopefully one of these spinnings will reduce the air for them...

The cancellers have left, I lock the door and drive home. It is now 12:52 and I have to be up with a smile tomorrow.... and fairly early at that.

Hotel Charlotte, Groveland & Yosemite

Hotel Charlotte weekly specials, 1-12

Hotel Charlotte weekly specials, 1-5

Hotel Charlotte weekly specials, 12/28

Hotel Charlotte weekly, 12/21

Just in Time for the Holidays, Clock & Stay Package

Free Rooms and Boldly Discounted Wine!

Happy Holidays!

Hotel Charlotte weekly, 12/7

Hotel Charlotte Weekly Update

Good links!

Oh! Tioga Pass is Still Open!

Hotel Charlotte weekly, 11/23

HOTEL CHARLOTTE WEEKLY SPECIALS

Weekly Hotel Charlotte update

Weekly Update Re-Introduction

Restaurant News

Sunday: 1/2 price bottle night for any wine on the list

Hotel Happenings

Out & About

Upcoming Holidays at the Charlotte

Weekly Hotel Charlotte update

Hotel Charlotte Weekly Update

Table of Contents

Weekly Update Re-Introduction

Restaurant News

Sunday: 1/2 price bottle night for any wine on the list

Hotel Happenings

Out & About

Vets stay free!

Fall Follies at the Hotel Charlotte

Mayor Goose Photo Shoot

Piano playing, hotel-dog named Mayor of Groveland, 2011-12

It's been a year

Winter

Weekly Trivia begins at the Charlotte

Friends of Groveland Dog Park

Hotel Dog Named Goose works for Groveland

Chains Required Winter Cancellation Policy

Sommelier Hosted Wine Dinners

3-day Writers Workshop

Dinner with a Ghost Hunter

Mayor Goose and the Dog Park

Hotel Charlotte weekly specials & schedule

Groveland's Mayor, Goose begins his Reign of Terrier

Groveland's Mayor, Goose begins his Reign of Terrier

Dog Park suffers setback, Goose steps in

Groveland this week, and a tad beyond

Groveland's Mayor Invited to VIP Dinner

Did we miss fall?

Hotel Charlotte specials 10/1-10/4

Goose the Dog is Mayor of Groveland

49er Festival Auction Prizes

Dog named Goose runs for Mayor of Groveland

Fall Entertainment Schedule

Dog Named Goose, running for mayor of Groveland!

Hotel Charlotte weekly update 6/17

Lunch Menu now online!

Groveland this week: 6/12

National Parks free entry for 3 weekends

May Newsletter

Groveland this Week

Groveland this week 5/25-6/1

What's coming up in Groveland

Trivia Finally

The twittering Hotel

Trivia Monday update 4/27

Trivia Results, 4/20

Support Cherylann, Hotel Jeffery

Hotel Charlotte weekly menu 4/16

Mensa Mondays Trivia Score update

Trivia update, 4-6

Trivia Madness—Monday Mania!

Lite Bites Menu, Daily Lunch

Ride for Cherylann

Trivia Update Week 4

Trivia Dining a third night of winners

We have your daily dose of wine!

Sleep Deprived Trivia

Is Green really green?