On the Road with French Lick Resort

We have a crew out on the road hitting ten cities across the Midwest over the next four months. Kristie Smith, usually the voice behind our marketing materials, will be sharing stories along the adventure. Here is her first report from the campaign marketing tour.

Well, it's happening! The very first EVER French Lick Resort tour. We've hit the road and our first stop is Terre Haute, IN. The folks at the Honey Creek Mall have been very accommodating and we were able to get in early last night to get our exhibit set up. For me, we are located in heaven--smack in the middle of several jewelry stores! Can't wait to get there this morning and start sharing the resort I love with the with the fine folks of Terre Haute.

We have a great crew on hand...a few of us from marketing, a chef, a spa technician, a casino rep and more. Make sure to visit us this weekend at Honey Creek Mall to check out all the great things we have coming up at the resort and to sign-up for fun giveaways! Also we'd like to give a special shout-out to our new friends at the TGIFridays at Honey Creek. They took great care of our rather large and hungry group.

Don't worry if you're not in Terre Haute...we're coming to your town soon!

Upcoming Events

January 24-25
Northwoods Mall
Peoria, IL

January 27-29
Marketplace Shopping Center
Champaign, IL

French Lick Resort Encourages Guests to "Shake Things Up this Winter"

By now holiday decorations have been stored away, thank you notes written and New Year's resolutions made. I know that I actually enjoy the downtime of January. After back-to-back commitments throughout the holidays, I appreciate having the luxury of planning something that interests me.

There is nothing better than to break open the new calendar and start daydreaming about what you can plan for the year. It gives me something to look forward to and helps get me through the gray days of winter. That is why I absolutely love that the resort is offering lots of great excuses to get out and "shake things up this winter".

Here are some of the highlights:

After a successful Winter Family Fun Fair, with those great bouncy houses, we have decided to offer a monthly version for resort guests. Your next chances to get in on the FREE fun are January 21 and February 18. A little birdie told me that they may be back for our Spring Break activities as well.

I would recommend booking the two night Cabin Fever hotel package (available Jan 1st thru Feb 29). The package starts at $169 per night and includes a $100 resort credit. Stay more nights and the offer gets even better. Choose West Baden Springs Hotel or the more family oriented French Lick Springs Hotel.

You might also want to consider taking in one of the great musical acts bringing their shows to French Lick Resort.

Wynonna & The Big Noise
January 14

Kenny Loggins
February 25

Charlie Daniels Band
March 16

Grand Funk Railroad
April 7

Chinese New Year

January 21-26

For the first time, the resort will be celebrating the Chinese New Year with traditional feasts, an eighty foot dragon and pyrotechnics to breathe fire into the New Year! The casino is getting in on the action with red envelope "lucky money" giveaways.

Chocolate Festival

February 11

Back by popular demand is the Chocolate Lover Festival. This year's event is set for February 11 and once again promises more chocolate than you can shake a stick at. 

Wine, Art &Cars Festival

March 2-4

We are also working on a new event we are calling the Wine, Art & Car FestivalYou can celebrate the good life at this West Baden Springs Hotel signature event combining luxury cars, fine wine and premier art from throughout the region.


Spring Break Festivities

March 11-April 14

Yes, its not too early to start thinking about Spring Break. We will have family activities, golf, spa, dining and more are available to make sure everyone has a good time.


Let us know just how you plan on shaking this up this winter! 

Monon Man; Ron Marquardt

Ron Marquardt
Monon Engineer

I love when my job brings me across people like Ron Marquardt. Ron and I crossed paths this afternoon at the Indiana Railway Museum. He and some fellow members of the Monon Railroad Historical-Technical Society helped usher "Lynne" (a historic Monon Railroad Passenger Car) back to the depot at the Indiana Railway Museum. 


Originally built by the Pullman Company in 1924, the train car has returned to French Lick where it will undergo a restoration.

"Lynne" the historic Monon
RailRoad Passenger Car

The railcar in in excellent condition for being 87 years old. With the help and donations of many the car should be totally restored by late summer and go into service. The car had a total rebuild in 1987 that cost $500,000.00 so there is little to do now.  The society has already restored two operating Monon cabooses in service. One at the Indiana Transportation Museum in Noblesville and one at the Indiana Railway Museum in French Lick.

This car is historic because it is one of only 3 Monon Railroad Corporate Business owned by the railroad. It was used by railroad officials to allow railroad executives to travel on the railroad to conduct business. This is the last of these cars still in available for operation. The car travel to French Lick may times and was parked in front of the hotel for railroad executives many times from 1953 to 1971.

The Monon arriving at the French Lick Spring Hotel

Sometimes at the helm of the those excursions was Ron the engineer I met earlier. He had a 40 year career with Monon and the companies that followed, and occasionally he would run the train for the Kentucky Derby. He said they might have 30 or more private railcars all lined up to make the excursion to French Lick after the big race in Louisville. He vividly remembers the passengers partying until the wee hours of the night. I guess he gives new meaning to the term "designated driver."

Ron also happens to be the photo archivist for the MRHTS and promised to send along some great photos from their collection. I will be sure to share them when they arrive. 

It Takes a Village

Floral Designer Kim Holland hangs greenery
in 1875: The Steakhouse

You know what it takes to decorate your house for the holidays (untangling the lights alone can be a nightmare).  Now just imagine being in charge of decorations for the entire French Lick Resort!  No wonder Floral Manager Kim Holland starts the process in early September.

Put it this way…even before the new stuff arrives, there are already 94 crates (4ft x 8ft) stacked floor-to-ceiling shipyard style in the warehouse just waiting for their November awakening. And Kim can tell what is inside every one. She keeps copious notes on the contents and final destination of each and every piece in her appropriately colored green folder.

Until the time comes to start placing all the holiday cheer, Kim and her elves Paig Trinkle and Janis Benner unpack the latest treasures (boxes and boxes arrive daily…just like Christmas), map out the plan to get everything up by mid-November and develop new features.
 

Paig Trinkle decorates a tree

Employees get the garland ready

In less than three weeks, Kim and her crew (which at this point includes employees from around the resort) place and decorate some 30 Christmas trees, including the 40 ft. showpiece in the atrium of the West Baden Springs Hotel and the vintage toy themed tree out front of the French Lick Springs Hotel. Not to mention countless wreaths, miles of garland, dozens of poinsettias and plenty of bows.
 

The centerpiece of the French Lick Springs Hotel

Kim says after working 80 hour weeks and “not seeing her family for the month of November” she is always rewarded when she sees guests enjoying the décor.  “It makes it all worthwhile.”

Interested in seeing Kim's work for yourself? Visit our website for all the holiday offerings.  

Great Guests, Amazing Stories=Lifetime Memories

Every day we are privileged to hear amazing stories of personal connections to the resort like the bride who just had to get married here because she has visited every year since she was five, the estranged sisters who reconnected at the resort following their father's death and the cousins who traveled from all over the country to have a family reunion. We are captivated with these stories of lifetime memories and have decided to start sharing them with you.

Our first entry is from guest blogger Steve Rondinaro a former television anchor, who has recently joined the Marketing staff. As you will see, he definitely has a knack for storytelling.

The Basore Family

One of the highlights of Memorial Day Weekend 2011 at the resort was meeting the Basore family… the whole bunch of them. I was MC’ing our games on the lawn and meandering about meeting and greeting people. I saw this gentleman wearing a World War II veteran’s hat rocking on the veranda of the hotel with his wife and engaged them in conversation.

I asked Ralph about his service and he told me of his time in the Pacific Theatre. He was in some of the toughest island fighting against the Japanese and was gracious enough to answer my many questions about that part of the war. (I’m a student of history and in awe of the men, like my father, who went off as teenage soldiers and won that war in the name of freedom.)

As we ended our conversation, I thanked the Basores for spending their Memorial Day Weekend with us. Norma quickly said, “Well we’re really here to celebrate our 65th wedding anniversary and my husband’s 89th birthday. And we brought the whole family!” Added Ralph, “We got talking about it and decided the kids could divide up the estate after we died or we could take some of the money and do something fun as a family now. We’ve always enjoyed this place and decided to share it with the whole clan. So here we are.”

I would later meet the whole clan. In fact several of them competed in one of our old-fashioned cake walks and darn if one of them didn’t win. The cake provided a fitting desert for one of their Basore family dinners.

Ralph later sent me a very special book that told the story of his time in the war. He signed it and I feel very honored to have it. I’ve made some special new friends. When Norma sent us some pictures, she included this note: “The family enjoyed our stay there so much. Such wonderful memories! And you made them even more special.”

We can't wait til the Basores come back to celebrate Ralph’s 90th birthday and their 66th anniversary!

"Old School" Sports Find a Home at French Lick Resort

In the current climate of contract disputes, lockouts and egos, sports tend to be about everything but the game.

What if you could turn the clock back and bring back the old school finesse and pageantry of classic American sports? Two different vintage sporting events being held at the French Lick Resort this July will do just that--- and transport guests back-in-time.

Vintage Base Ball
West Baden Springs Hotel

US Hickory Open
Donald Ross Course at French Lick

Sure to be crowd-pleasers, The Vintage Base Ball World Series and the US Hickory Open Golf Tournament will entertain crowds with their throw-back style and high entertainment factor.

Vintage Base Ball World Series

First in the line-up is the Vintage Base Ball World Series to be held on the lawn of the majestic West Baden Springs Hotel July 9-10. What’s different about vintage base ball? First of all they play by the 1860 rules. What’s that mean? No glove, balls are “fair game” after the first bounce and the umpire can ask the audience their opinion in calling plays.

In the official rules book it even says …”Matches are conducted according to the highest standards of sportsmanship, gentlemanly behavior, courtesy and respect for others.“ It just sounds like a different game, doesn’t it?

Speaking of sounds…here’s a little primer on the lingo so you can follow along. In the 1800’s the field was called a playground, a batter was called a striker or a batsman and a run was called an ace.

Still curious what to expect? Check out this video we found on YouTube from the event two years ago.

So, what are the specifics for this year?

The roster of teams includes the Indianapolis Blues, Batesville Lumbermen, Mulberry Manglers, Indianapolis Hoosiers, St. Louis Unions, and St. Louis Perfectos. Guests can bring a lawn chair and take in the action all weekend long at the free event.

Schedule

Saturday, July 9

10 am

Hoosiers vs. Blues

11:30 am

Unions vs. Manglers

1:00 pm

Perfectos vs. Blues

2:30 pm

Lumberman vs. Manglers

4:00 pm

Hoosiers vs. Perfectos

5:30 pm

Unions vs. Lumbermans

Sunday, July 10

Finals with games at 10 am, 11:30 am and 1:00 pm

US Hickory Open



2009 US Hickory Open
Mimosa Hills Golf & Country Club
Morganton, NC

 Another historic event is coming to the resort with the 4th Annual United States Hickory Open Championship being held July 11-13. The Hickory Open, which is run by the Society of Hickory Golfers, will be held on the resort’s historic Donald Ross Course.

In a Washington Post story published yesterday, columnist Fred Bowen attributes modern technology, at least in part, to the success of modern day athletes.

Rory McIlroy won the U.S. Open golf tournament last week in Bethesda by blasting his drives down the fairways an average of more than 310 yards. Forty years ago, most golfers could not hit the ball as far because some golf clubs were made of wood. Now, the drivers that golfers use are made of strong, lightweight metals such as titanium. That change in technology helps golfers hit the ball farther.

Matt Dodd, longtime hickory golfer and Society of Hickory Golfers board member says that’s exactly why he likes the crack of the old school clubs. He explains it further in this fantastic article I found on the US Hickory Open's website.

These clubs are quirky and cool and all too responsive to my actions---especially my imperfections. But I revel in the feedback I get from the clubs I play, rather than asking them to atone for the sins of my swing.

During the three-day tournament, some 70 plus golfers from around the world will compete using only wooden-shafted clubs and club heads designed prior to 1935.

The clubs won't be the only nod to the past. Participants will also don their knickers, plus fours, dress shirts and ties as a nod to the golden age of golf.

Guests are encouraged to be a part of the action. Wouldn't it be fun if everyone showed up in period attire? Now that would be a photo op!

US Hickory Open
July 11-13
Donald Ross Course at French Lick

For more information on both events, please call 888-936-9360 or visit the resort's website



Families Unplug, Recharge and Reconnect at French Lick Resort

Lorry (center) poses with her mother
 and sister Kathy at West Baden Springs Hotel

There are many reasons people come to French Lick Resort – among them are to relax and rejuvenate. If you asked Lorry Meyers-Kirschner of Brookville, IN., she would throw in another “r”...rebuild.

 
“My only sister and I became estranged over the years due to the silly reasons that siblings find to disconnect,” said Kirschner. “However, after my father's passing, we reconnected. It was not easy (and we are still as different as night and day) but one of the greatest helps in re-establishing our relationship was a trip together to French Lick/West Baden. We are once again close, and I do give so much credit for that to the amazing surroundings there.”

In this crazy hectic world of 24/7 communication, activity-laden family calendars and never-ending to-do lists, don’t you wish sometimes you could just unplug, recharge and reconnect? Families across the Midwest are turning to French Lick Resort to spend time with the ones they love and get reacquainted.

You know it’s a good thing when teenagers will put down their phones long enough to actually spend time with their not-so-cool parents.

“We stay here often with our 15 year old daughter. I have taken her to the spa for a mani/pedi, we go to the pool, hang out watching sports in the deli, rent a bike and go for a ride, carriage ride at night, sit on the porch in the rockers...eating ice cream and reading magazines, watching movies in the room, pizza, bowling, water park, private golf lessons, driving range, etc.,” said Shari Braselton of Ellettsville, IN. “We have never had a moment of boredom and that is saying something for a teenage girl.”

The resort offers plenty of boredom-proof activities across the 3,000 acre campus. Families can customize their experience to match their style. Nature lovers will want to hit the mountain bike trails, play the park-like Donald Ross Course or even, rent a boat on nearby Patoka Lake. Family “funsters” can challenge each other to a game of bowling, do a little team building on one of the resort’s new surrey bikes or simply laugh and tell stories on the hotel’s relaxing veranda.

Action-oriented groups will definitely want to visit on one of the holidayweekends throughout the summer. The grounds of the French Lick Springs Hotel will be transformed into an Old-fashioned Country Fair, complete with nostalgic games, classic entertainment and carnival fare.

If the idea of too much togetherness just might scare the kids away, be sure to tell them about KidsFest, an adult-free hangout loaded up with Wii games, art experiences and all kinds of scheduled activities. Mom and Dad might want to sneak in a historic tour, quick game of golf or perhaps, just some time together for them to reconnect as well.

Quality time takes on new meaning at French Lick Resort. We all talk about needing to get away, go ahead and make that commitment this summer.