July 23rd, 2011 by carriagehouse
The Longview News Journal printed their annual list of “Best of East Texas” and the Carriage House B&B was named Best Bed & Breakfast in East Texas. We are completely honored and humbled that our guests voted us “Best of East Texas.” Thank you to everyone that voted for us. We are grateful and flattered by all of your love.
July 22nd, 2011 by carriagehouse
The latest round of renovations on the Carriage House B&B have begun! The painters started yesterday replacing the rotten wood on the house and prepping the exterior for the first coat of paint. I am looking forward to being on the other side of this project but it is also fun seeing the progress on this old house.
Don’t forget that we are running a Renovation Special this summer. $79 for any room, any night, no breakfast (since the kitchen will be under construction as well.) Just call us at 903-665-9511 or book online at www.carriagehousejefferson.com
July 21st, 2011 by carriagehouse
If you have a few minutes today, you should definitely take time to read the wonderful article in this month’s Texas Monthly about my town of Jefferson Texas. The photographer and writer were here for our annual Battle Of Port Jefferson Civil War Re-Enactment that takes place the first weekend in May every year. They did a wonderful job of portraying our annual event.
The Skirmish Will Be Followed by a Ladies’ Tea
Our Pilgrimage Weekend and Battle Of Port Jefferson Civil War Re-Enactment are splendid affairs that have people showing up in period dress, fighting skirmishes and battles on our brick lined streets, touring our amazing antebellum homes and attending our grand balls. If you have not been here for this weekend, then you should put it on your bucket list. It is a must do and must see. I will even serve breakfast for you in my Civil War gown.
July 20th, 2011 by carriagehouse
JEFFERSON, TEXAS
WEEKEND ENTERTAINMENT
JULY 21-24, 2011
* AUNTIE SKINNER’S RIVERBOAT CLUB & RESTAURANT
Thursday, July 21: “Karaoke” @ 7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
Friday, July 22: “Auntie Skinner’s has Talent” Preliminary Round II @ 8:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 23: “The Voodudes” (Classic Rock N’Roll) 9:00pm-1:00 a.m.
(903) 665-7121
* KARAOKE
Saturday, July 23 @ 8:00 p.m.-12:00 midnight
Location: The Sandwich Shop, 123 W. Austin
(903) 601-2211
* BINGO!
Location: Pine Hill Nursing & Rehabilitation, 1307 MLK
Each Monday in July @ 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
Prizes & refreshments -Free-
(903) 472-841
* TURNING BASIN RIVERBOAT TOURS
200 Bayou St.
Tuesday-Friday @ 12:00 noon & 2:00 p.m.
Saturdays @ 10:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, 2:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m.
(Weather permitting)
Closed: Sunday & Monday
(903) 665-2222
www.jeffersonbayoutours.com
* LONE STAR CARRIAGE COMPANY OF JEFFERSON
Historical tours of Jefferson by horse & carriage and Mule Drawn Wagon
Specializing in weddings
Friday-Sunday, July 22-24
(Weather permitting)
Groups and special events available by appointment
Departs from corner of Austin & Market (across from the Jefferson Historical Museum)
(903) 926-8216
www.jeffersontexascarriage.com
Call for reservations
* HISTORIC JEFFERSON GHOSTWALK
Wednesday-Saturday, July 20-23 @ 8:00 p.m.
Departure location: Corner of Austin &Vale St.
(903) 665-6289
www.jeffersonghostwalk.com
* JEFFERSON PEDAL POWER
122 E. Austin
Bicycles, Trikes, Tandems, Surreys & more
By reservation
(903) 926-5167
www.JeffersonPedalPower.com
* HISTORIC JEFFERSON RAILWAY
* Friday, July 22 @ 8:00 p.m. - Free Ghost Stories & 9:00 p.m. – Ghost Train
(Note: due to heat conditions, the train may not run on Friday evening. Final
determination will be made each Friday @ 5:00 p.m. Please call to confirm.
Saturday, July 23 @ 2:30 p.m. & 4:30 p.m. (Day Excursions)
8:00 p.m. - Free Ghost Stories & 9:00 p.m. – Ghost Train
(903) 665-6400 or (866) 398-2038
www.JeffersonRailway.com
* LAFAYETTE STREET VINTAGE VEHICLES CAR MUSEUM
112 W. Lafayette
Friday & Saturday, July 22-23 @ 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
(903) 240-6180
Call for additional tours
* CULBERSON HOUSE HISTORIC HOME TOUR
403 N. Walnut
(903) 665-7888
www.culbersonhousebandb.com
* By reservation. Call for tour times
* HOUSE OF THE SEASONS HISTORIC HOME TOUR
409 S. Alley
Daily @ 11:00 a.m.
(903) 665-8000
Reservations required
www.houseoftheseasons.com
* SINGLETON’S VIRGINIA CROSS HISTORIC HOME TOUR
401 Soda St.
Saturday, July 23 @ 1:00 p.m.
(903) 665-3938 (903) 665-8518 or (214) 725-6232
Call for reservations & additional tour dates and times
* THE GROVE HAUNTED HISTORIC HOME TOUR
405 Moseley
Saturday, July 23 @ 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 24 @ 11:00 a.m.
(903) 665-8018
www.thegrove-jefferson.com
Call to confirm tour
* EXCELSIOR HOUSE HOTEL & JAY GOULD RAILCAR TOUR
211 W. Austin
Tours: Monday-Friday @ 2:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday @ 1:00 p.m. & 2:00 p.m.
(903) 665-2513
Call to confirm tour times
www.theexcelsiorhouse.com
* JEFFERSON HISTORICAL MUSEUM
223 W. Austin
Open daily: 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
(903) 665-2775
www.jeffersonmuseum.com
* H & D EXOTIC DEER FARM AND OTHER EXOTIC ANIMALS
359 P.R. 5730 & Hwy 729
Open: Sunday-Friday (Closed: Saturday)
(903) 665-2238
Reservations required
www.hddeerfarmtours.homestead.com
* THE GRACEFUL GHOST PADDLEWHEEL STEAMBOAT ON CADDO LAKE
Tuesday-Friday @ 12:00 noon, 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m.
Saturday @ 10:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m.
Sunday & Monday: Closed
Pontoon Boat tours at any time with prior reservation
Location: Shady Glade Marina, 510 Cypress Drive, Uncertain, TX
(903) 789-2238
www.gracefulghost.com
Call for reservations & additional tours
* BILLY CARTER’S GO-DEVIL TOURS ON CADDO LAKE
Location: Johnson’s Ranch in Uncertain, TX
(903) 789-3213
Call for reservations
www.caddoguideservice.com
CADDO OUTBACK BACKWATER TOURS
Personalized Tours of Caddo Lake
Uncertain, TX
(903) 789-3384 or (903) 679-9138
Call for reservations
www.caddooutback.com
* CADDO LAKE PADDLEWHEEL TOURS “THE SWAMP THING”
Uncertain, TX
(888) 325-5459 or (903) 789-2101
Open: Tuesday-Saturday
Closed: Sunday & Monday
Call for reservations
www.caddolakepaddlewheeltours.com
* JEFFERSON CARNEGIE LIBRARY
301 W. Lafayette
Monday-Thursday @ 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Friday @ 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Saturday @ 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Closed: Sunday
(903) 665-8911
www.jeffersoncarnegielibrary.com
Free internet access
July 3rd, 2011 by carriagehouse
It was twelve years ago today (around 2pm Central Time) that Tom and I stood in front of God, our family and our friends and said our I Dos. Neither one of us had any idea of the adventure that we were just beginning or the path that we had just begun.
I am sure some of you have heard the story. Tom and I met on July 3rd 1997. He proposed to me July 3rd 1998 and we were married on July 3rd 1999. There is no way that either one of us could forget our anniversary.
By the way, it is twelve years later and I still see fireworks on our anniversary!
Happy Anniversary, Honey!!
July 2nd, 2011 by carriagehouse
So while we were in Natchez, Mississippi, I grabbed Tom’s camera and played photographer for a while. I had been toying with the idea of taking up photography for sometime and wanted to see what it was like being on the other side of the lens.
It is a lot harder then it looks.
My college sweetheart was a photographer whose name was also Tom. Apparently today, he is on the Dallas Morning News photography staff and his work has earned him a Pulitzer Prize amongst manyother awards. I obviously didn’t marry that Tom but later met a different photographer by the name of Tom and married him. It is clear that I have a type that I am attracted. Tom’s who carry cameras. I have spent my entire adult life around photography and can compose a shot as good as any one but I can’t shoot the picture. I don’t know the mechanics of a camera.
So this week while in Natchez, I picked up Tom’s camera and took my first photo. I would love your honest feedback. How did I do? Let me know on our Facebook page
July 2nd, 2011 by carriagehouse
At the insistence of our BFFs, Joe and Vickie, we booked a room at the beautiful Monmouth Plantation in Natchez, Mississippi for our wedding anniversary trip. We knew we were in for something special when we drove up and saw the impressive Greek Revival Mansion sitting on the hill overlooking the town surrounded by huge old trees draped in Spanish Moss.
We checked in and were immediately greeted by Hal who went to great lengths to make sure we knew how to use the TV remotes and where the best places to eat in town were. To be honest, Hal was one of the reason this place is great. Every time I saw him, he was smiling. Hal always went out of his way to say Hi and greet us. At one point we were loading up the car for the day and he offered to get us a bag of ice for our cooler. Score one for the BnB. That is not something you ever see at a hotel.
The Inn’s property is just amazing with incredible gardens that go on forever. That is one of my musts for a B&B …beautiful gardens. I think when people come to stay at a Bed & Breakfast or in this case an Inn, they expect to be surrounded by beauty. It doesn’t matter whether the BnB is a an old historic house or a trendy bungalow, people want amazing gardens. Monmouth Plantation did not disappoint. Both Tom and I wandered for hours through rose gardens with angels keeping watch, and over walking bridges that provided safe passage from fountained duck ponds. The walking paths seemed to lead to every part of the property… even an old cemetery.
Hotels often talk about service with a smile but let’s be honest, that is just marketing speak to try and get you to book a room with them. A BnB or an Inn lives customer service. It is what we do every day for every one. We don’t just talk customer service, we live and breath it every moment just like our friend Hal does in Natchez.
Hotels are sometimes beautiful stately properties but just as often dingy buildings along the side of the highway. B&Bs are almost never anything but amazing properties with the owners taking great pride in every detail of your stay all the way down to the flowers out your window.
These are the things that distinguish us from them or a Bed & Breakfast from a hotel.
That is why we say that we are a Better Way to Stay. The hospitality industry should be about providing gracious, courteous service to every guest that walks through the door. At a B&B or an Inn every person is treated special and with personalized attention. When was the last time you can say that about the big chain hotel on the highway?
So next time you are looking for someplace to stay, chose a Better Way to Stay. Choose a B&B or an Inn.
July 1st, 2011 by carriagehouse
Tom and I ran away for a few days to Natchez, Miss to celebrate our anniversary. Technically, our wedding anniversary is this Sunday (July 3rd) but this is a busy holiday weekend in BnB land so we took off a few days early. We are back in Jefferson now and although it is great to go off for vacation. It is even better to be home.
Already my phone is lighting up with texts from friends checking to make sure we are back. We will get together this weekend with everyone to catch up on the news of the town and here all of the latest goings on. It seems that it was a very active week for Jefferson this week. I can’t wait to hear all of the details.
Dixie and The Bug are both back home as well. They loved their new boarding place in Marshall but were overjoyed to see us come and pick them up this afternoon. The Bug literally jumped for joy, she was so happy to see us. They both got baths and had a lot of play time in the yard. They were so cute sporting their July 4th bandannas at pick up. All of the proper dogs will be wearing one this weekend.
As I write, they are both fast asleep at my feet but if I get up to go anywhere they follow me. It will take a few days before they let me out of their sight again.
I will post some pictures and musings on the trip over the next few days. My favorite photographer, Tom, is still post processing all of the photos from our vacation. He took some really awesome ones and even I dabbled with the camera a little bit.
The photo above was not one of his. That one was taken in the car on my phone of a very happy Bug who wanted to climb over the seat and get into my lap for the ride home. It is a bit blurry but the car was bumping along a country road.
Stay tuned. More to come.
June 30th, 2011 by carriagehouse
JEFFERSON, TEXAS
WEEKEND ENTERTAINMENT
JUNE 30-JULY 4, 2011
* “JEFFERSON SALUTES AMERICA” 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION
Monday, July 4 @ 5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
Location: Otstott Gazebo & Bandstand (Lafayette & Vale St.)
Decorated Bicycle/Tricycle contest, homemade ice cream contest, cake & pie auction,
Live music, Fireworks Extravaganza and much more.
(903) 665-2672
www.jefferson-texas.com
* AUNTIE SKINNER’S RIVERBOAT CLUB & RESTAURANT
Thursday, June 30: “Leon Vines” (Classic Acoustic Guitar) @ 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Friday, July 1: “Donnie Dodson & the White Trash Wannabees” (Classic Rock) @ 8:30
p.m.-12:30 a.m.
Saturday, July 2: “Richard Stuart & One Night Stand” (Classic Rock N’Roll) @ 9:00
p.m.-1:00 a.m.
(903) 665-7121
* KARAOKE
Saturday, July 2 @ 8:00 p.m.-12:00 midnight
Location: The Sandwich Shop, 123 W. Austin
(903) 601-2211
* BINGO!
Location: Pine Hill Nursing & Rehabilitation, 1307 MLK
Each Monday in July @ 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
Prizes & refreshments
(903) 472-841
* TURNING BASIN RIVERBOAT TOURS
200 Bayou St.
Tuesday-Friday @ 12:00 noon & 2:00 p.m.
Saturdays, @ 10:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, 2:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m.
Sunday & Monday, July 3-4: 12:00 noon, 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m.
(903) 665-2222
www.jeffersonbayoutours.com
* LONE STAR CARRIAGE COMPANY OF JEFFERSON
Historical tours of Jefferson by horse & carriage and Mule Drawn Wagon
Specializing in weddings
Friday-Saturday, July 1-2
(Weather permitting)
Groups and special events available by appointment
Departs from corner of Austin & Market (across from the Jefferson Historical Museum)
(903) 926-8216
www.jeffersontexascarriage.com
Call for reservations
* HISTORIC JEFFERSON GHOSTWALK
Thursday-Sunday, June 30-July 3 @ 8:00 p.m.
Departure location: Corner of Austin &Vale St.
(903) 665-6289
www.jeffersonghostwalk.com
* JEFFERSON PEDAL POWER
122 E. Austin
Bicycles, Trikes, Tandems, Surreys & more
By reservation
(903) 926-5167
www.JeffersonPedalPower.com
* HISTORIC JEFFERSON RAILWAY
Friday, July 1 @ 8:00 p.m. - Free Ghost Stories & 9:00 p.m. – Ghost Train
Saturday, July 2 @ 2:30 p.m. & 4:30 p.m. (Day Excursions)
8:00 p.m. - Free Ghost Stories & 9:00 p.m. – Ghost Train
(903) 665-6400 or (866) 398-2038
www.JeffersonRailway.com
* LAFAYETTE STREET VINTAGE VEHICLES CAR MUSEUM
112 W. Lafayette
Friday & Saturday, July 1-2 @ 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
(903) 240-6180
Call for additional tours
* CULBERSON HOUSE HISTORIC HOME TOUR
403 N. Walnut
(903) 665-7888
www.culbersonhousebandb.com
* By reservation. Call for tour times
* HOUSE OF THE SEASONS HISTORIC HOME TOUR
409 S. Alley
Closed: June 27-July 5
Daily @ 11:00 a.m.
(903) 665-8000
Reservations required
www.houseoftheseasons.com
* SINGLETON’S VIRGINIA CROSS HISTORIC HOME TOUR
401 Soda St.
Saturday, July 2 @ 1:00 p.m.
(903) 665-3938 (903) 665-8518 or (214) 725-6232
Call for reservations & additional tour dates and times
* THE GROVE HAUNTED HISTORIC HOME TOUR
405 Moseley
Saturday, July 2 @ 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 3 @ 11:00 a.m.
(903) 665-8018
www.thegrove-jefferson.com
Call to confirm tour
* EXCELSIOR HOUSE HOTEL & JAY GOULD RAILCAR TOUR
211 W. Austin
Tours: Monday-Friday @ 2:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday @ 1:00 p.m. & 2:00 p.m.
(903) 665-2513
Call to confirm tour times
www.theexcelsiorhouse.com
* JEFFERSON HISTORICAL MUSEUM
223 W. Austin
Open daily: 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
(903) 665-2775
www.jeffersonmuseum.com
* H & D EXOTIC DEER FARM AND OTHER EXOTIC ANIMALS
359 P.R. 5730 & Hwy 729
Open: Sunday-Friday (Closed: Saturday)
(903) 665-2238
Reservations required
www.hddeerfarmtours.homestead.com
* THE GRACEFUL GHOST PADDLEWHEEL STEAMBOAT ON CADDO LAKE
Tuesday-Friday @ 12:00 noon, 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m.
Saturday @ 10:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m.
Sunday & Monday: Closed
Pontoon Boat tours at any time with prior reservation
Location: Shady Glade Marina, 510 Cypress Drive, Uncertain, TX
(903) 789-2238
www.gracefulghost.com
Call for reservations & additional tours
* BILLY CARTER’S GO-DEVIL TOURS ON CADDO LAKE
Location: Johnson’s Ranch in Uncertain, TX
(903) 789-3213
Call for reservations
www.caddoguideservice.com
* CADDO OUTBACK BACKWATER TOURS
Personalized Tours of Caddo Lake
Uncertain, TX
(903) 789-3384 or (903) 679-9138
Call for reservations
www.caddooutback.com
* CADDO LAKE PADDLEWHEEL TOURS “THE SWAMP THING”
Uncertain, TX
(888) 325-5459 or (903) 789-2101
Open: Tuesday-Saturday
Closed: Sunday & Monday
Call for reservations
www.caddolakepaddlewheeltours.com
* JEFFERSON CARNEGIE LIBRARY
301 W. Lafayette
Monday-Thursday @ 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Friday @ 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Saturday @ 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Closed: Sunday
(903) 665-8911
www.jeffersoncarnegielibrary.com
Free internet access
June 26th, 2011 by carriagehouse
First of all… Thank You to my two favoritephotographers, my darling husband, Tom and his BFF, Craig Swancy. These two guys did an amazing job of capturing all of the wonderful action at the T-Bone Walker Blues Fest. I think you will agree that they are phenomenal photographers. I just wish I had a thimble full of their talent. Yucky things happen when I get behind the lens.
Here are the final set of pictures. I hope you enjoy them!!!
