NOSTALGIA'S 'END OF THE YEAR' SALE

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! It's the end of the year - that means it's time to count the donuts. Because Bruce gets so grumpy about counting the stock we've put the entire store on sale to cut down on the time it takes to count the stock (toys, games & novelties; artisan-crafted jewelry & glassware, clothing & accessories, clo & more -- no real donuts will be sacrificed in the process). It's a win-win for all -- you get some great deals & we don't have to count as many items. All stock is 50% off. And at the mystery discounts at the register mean you might get another 5% off your cash purchase. Store Hours: Thurs, Fri, Sat & Sun: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm; evenings by chance

"Ride Around the Lake" on New Year's Eve

Happy Holidays! The Blue Heron Inn is hosting a horse-drawn carriage ride around the lake on Dec 31st @ 6:00pm. The ride lasts approximately one hour; the driver will provide lap robes & we’ll send you off with lots of coffee & hot chocolate. We’ve taken the trip ourselves and it's loads of fun! The carriage ride is not limited to guests or restaurant patrons – the public is welcome to join in the fun. The carriage seats 8 adults – the cost is $65.00 per couple and seating is on a first come-first served basis. Please let me know if you would like to reserve seats on the carriage ride! Due to limited seating we must ask for prepayment at the time of reservation (no refunds will be issued for cancellations.) The restaurant will be open for dinner from 6:00 - 9:00 pm and reservations are always appreciated! We hope your holidays have been filled with peace and love -- cheers to a bright new year! Tobi & Bruce

'GUYS NIGHT OUT'

LOCATION: Nostalgia @ the Blue Heron Inn Red barn behind Blue Heron Inn Main Street, Findley Lake, NY DATE: Sat, December 20, 2008 TIME: 6:00 - 10:00 pm CONTACT: P: 716.769.7852 E: stay@theblueheroninn.com Website: www.theblueheroninn.com Hey guys, Why wait until the last minute to shop at the mall? Get her something she really wants -- a gift from Nostalgia @ the Blue Heron Inn! Drop by on Sat, 12.20.08 & we’ll get your shopping all wrapped up – literally! And to make the job easier we'll offer FREE appetizers & beer specials at the bar all evening. Check out our hand-crafted jewelry & clothing, fun & funky martini & wine glasses, hand-blown glass sun catchers, Findley Lake tees & hoodies, games & toys. We'll offer mystery discounts of 20%, 25% or 30% on all regularly-priced purchases.

Or give the ultimate -- the gift of a night's stay at the Blue Heron Inn. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- BONUS COUPON -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Spend $50 at Nostalgia & get a $10 Blue Heron Inn coupon (may be used for the purchase of food and/or beverages - one coupon per person)

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- We'll gift wrap or gift bag all your purchases so you won't have to.

Let us make this the best holiday ever! From our family to yours – wishing you the joys of the season! Cheers, Tobi & Bruce

Peek 'n Peak's Ski Slope Trail of Lights

Findley Lake, N.Y., December 8, 2008 The Trail of Lights at Peek’n Peak Resort and Spa is underway again this year. The spectacular animated light display is located on Finsbury Field, the ski slope right next to Pizzaiolos Italian Restaurant. Guests ride chairlifts and are taken high above 14 separate theme areas of large, colorful and animated light displays. The 20 minute ride will leave guests with an everlasting memory of Peek’n Peak! Operation times are every Wednesday-Sunday through December 21, 2008 from 6-9pm and will also be open on Monday & Tuesday, December 22 & 23, 2008. Tickets are $5 per person.. For more information please visit www.pknpk.com or call 716-355-4141 ext. 7154.While you’re visiting, be sure to stop by the Inn at the Peak where you will find one of the largest decorated Christmas trees in the area. The giant 24 foot tall and 12 foot wide tree was grown by Heritage Evergreens of Bloomsburg, PA. The tree is covered with over 5,000 lights and has a traditional theme of red and gold decorations. And be sure to stop in Findley Lake -- visit our unique shops and restaurants for a special holiday treat!

Girl's Night Out - Findley Lake Style

In spite of the cold, snowy temperatures and the questionable roads, 50 people braved the elements and enjoyed an evening of great holiday shopping in downtown Findley Lake last night! Shoppers who pre-registered for the special shopping event received holiday goodie bags upon arrival and enjoyed discounts & special activities at each of the shops. One shop offered mini tarot card readings, another featured free holiday fashion & make-up tips. Another shop featured custom-made Swarovski jewelry. Festive Christmas lights illuminated Main Street and the scene was joyfully reminiscent of holiday shopping in small towns years ago. There were Findley Lake neighbors who support the local shops year-round and shoppers who came from the nearby towns of Harborcreek, North East and Corry, PA as well as Jamestown, NY.

At 9:00 pm most gathered at the Blue Heron Inn ( enjoying complimentary hor d'ourves & seasonal drink specials) for the grand prize drawings.

Winners were:

• Lynn McGill, a local Findley Lake resident, won one dozen free votive candles for 6 months from Beth's Candle Cottage.
• Kathy Andrews, of North East, PA won a $50 gift certificate from Wonderments.
• Denise Andrews, also of North East, PA was the lucky recipient of a $50 gift certificate from Our Own Candle Company.
• Chris Kasper, a resident of Corry, PA, won a $50 gift certificate from Findley Lake Fashions.
• Marion Farrington won the evening's top price of an overnight stay at the Blue Heron Inn.

It was a fun evening & we can't wait to do it again! In the meantime we'll follow up with a "Guy's Night Out" on Sat, December 20th. Once again we'll offer mystery discounts, provide shopping assistance and offer drink specials at the Inn. Until then, may all the joys of the season be yours!

More Trails and Lifts Open at Peek 'n Peak

17 TRAILS, 6 LIFTS and 180 TERRAIN PARK NOW OPEN!

Findley Lake received another foot of snow overnight and Mother Nature isn't done with us yet! Click here for the current Snow Report.

180 PARK NOW OPEN!

The 360 and 540 Terrain Parks will open soon. Come to Peek 'n Peak now for great savings on lift tickets. Our early season lift ticket rates save you over 30%! Early Season Lift Ticket Rates $37 - Adult all day lift ticket $27 - Junior all day lift ticket

TUBING OPENS DECEMBER 12TH!

Hours: Monday - Thursday 4:00pm to 10:00pm Weekend and holidays 8:30am-10:00pm Buy one get one free tubing tickets Monday-Thursday (non-holiday) Rates 1 hour $10 2 hours $14 3 hours $18

PEAK FIVE ON SALE UNTIL 12/15/08

Peak Five Pass: buy 4 lift tickets, get one free -- it's a great deal!

TRAIL OF LIGHTS

Hours of Operation: Wednesday-Sunday 6-9pm

Cost: $5.00 for a lift ride; call 716-355-4141 x7155 for reservations

FIRST ANNUAL CHILDREN'S HOLIDAY DRIVE When: now through December 15th

Help needy children in the local area by donating unwrapped new toys and clothing. Drop off boxes are located at the Inn at the Peak lobby, Snowsports Desk at the Main Ski Lodge and at Pizzaiolos Restaurant. Monetary donations can be made at the hotel front desk via check in care of one of the benefiting charities.

... let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!!

Turkey & all the Fixings

This was the 2nd year the Ahlquist family gathered to celebrate Thanksgiving at niece Emily's house in Warren, PA. Because the 2nd best thing about a holiday meal is the leftovers dinner at Emily's house meant we'd have to go without. To remedy the situation I pre-ordered a 20 pound turkey from Malady's Meat Market in Meadville, PA. Owners Bill & Cathy Malady own a condo at Peek & Peak and have been customers for several years. When Bill told me that he buys fresh, organic turkeys from the same farm that supplies the White House I reserved our first all natural, no hormones, no additives "celebrity" bird. So the Monday before Thanksgiving Bruce & I took a rainy drive to Meadville - about 1 hour south of Findley Lake - to pick up our turkey. Bill smokes lots of meats & cheeses so we took home some wonderful smoked pepper jack & smoked swiss cheeses as well.Bruce whipped up all the fixings, we invited a few friends, and we enjoyed our own family Thanksgiving dinner the night before the actual holiday. I talked Bruce into trying a couple of new recipes, cranberry horseradish chutney & roasted brussel sprouts with pecans, both of which were excellent & worth adding to future holiday menus. Hillary & I spent the day at home where even I was swept up in the food prep festivities -- I decided to make tapioca pudding from scratch. You know, soak the pearls overnight, then stir forever on the stove. After the tapioca was refrigerated I decided to assemble a tuscan-style crudite platter so while I roasted asparagus & worked on the assemblage Hillary helped me set the table, move laundry & (to her dismay) assist whereever needed. It was a nice, (albeit cooking-hectic because the kitchen is not my natural habitat) day at home together if you discount all the times Hllary exlaimed I was getting on her last nerve! The turkey itself was huge, meaty & delicious. The meat was sweet and delicate; it reminded Bruce of his grandmother's turkeys back in the days before hormones, saline solution & other various chemicals were added to the food chain. Needless to say the turkey was not inexpensive but Monday's adventure to Malady's and the resulting delicious meal were a bargain at any price. We were happy to support a fellow small business and look forward to continuing the tradition. Bill, better put us down for another 20 pounder come Thanksgiving 2009!