Autumn at Clay Corner Inn

October 30, 2010 – The recent football winning streak of the Virginia Tech Hokies is enough to make autumn sensational, but it’s been an awesome fall around Blacksburg of blue sky, sunny days, cool mornings, fresh apples and Hokie colors in nature – the burgundy and orange mixed with golds, reds and earthy browns in the trees and crunching under foot.

Inside the inn, we’ve added curved shower rods for more elbow room, full mirrors where little medicine cabinets used to be and bright banks of lights in place of dinky, one-bulb fixtures. And those wall mounted soap dishes and dated toothbrush holders? Gone. In the smallest bathrooms, we’ve added side mirrors too. The photo above only has 3 lights, not 12. It’s real tricky to take a photo of mirrors in a small bathroom without being in it!

We are proud to have Virginia Green certification, but Liz is taking everything several steps farther. To reduce water bottle waste, she’s purchased water bottles with the Clay Corner Inn logo. They are full of ice cold, refreshing water in all the refrigerators. You may have as many as you like, and leave the bottles on the counters (or buy one for $5). They are washed, rinsed, sanitized [in our commercial dishwasher] and re-filled with more ice cold, refreshing water.

Not satisfied with any effort less than the best, Liz has a new, stainless steel, compost bin in the kitchen which will be mixed with green and brown organic matter outside and turned in her vegetable garden for next year. We have Aerogrow systems for growing our own herbs and flowers in winter.

It’s exciting to be part of this great conservation awareness mood that has swept the country, our state, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg and Clay Corner Inn. And while we are eco-friendly and prudent with utility usage, you, the guest, are the most important part of our business, and we guarantee your comfort. We work for you! Thank you for coming – again and again! Joanne

Oct. 17, 2010 - So what is it about Fall?? Pumpkins, hay, Hokies, leaves, Thanksgiving, Virginia Tech football, crispy morning air, zucchini bread, chrysanthemums, sweatshirt weather??? It's all of the above and more. Virginia Tech football generates electricity in the air on weekends, and orange and maroon are in the air in falling leaves as well as in the stadium where "Go Hokies" permeates our small town lives this season.

At Clay Corner Inn, we celebrate downtown Blacksburg every day. Apples from the farmer's market are out for guests all the time. Cookie bar starts every Friday at 2 p.m. We have a new, little compost "system" and new re-usable water bottles and new towels and a new ice machine. And those medicine cabinets in bathrooms that so "date" the place?? Almost gone. New wall mirrors and new lights ... yes, ladies and gentlemen, you'll have real light for makeup application and shaving!

It's exciting just putting pumpkins on the front steps. When I did this our first year in business, 1994, John said "they'll never last" ... those pumpkins were there when I put up the Christmas decorations. We love Virginia Tech -- it's conservative yet fun, and the students are respectful. Our pumpkins stay on our front steps one block from Virginia Tech's campus until December. (John went to the Univ of Wisconsin and we lived and were married in Boulder, Colorado -- so he was thinking of those party schools, not the well-grounded Virginia Tech on the next block!)

And we love our mid-week business travelers who find Clay Corner Inn so refreshing and not the cookie cutter, look-alike, hotel rooms. A special thanks to the Nissan men who come repeatedly to visit the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute. We're not asking for a car, just keep coming, and we'll keep those crepes and eggs Benedict coming your way mornings!!

Y'all have a wonderful, thankful Fall --- Go Hokies!! Joanne.

Fall Colors

There are new colors all around us as summer officially turns into autumn. The leaves are slowly starting to change colors, which will make for some beautiful scenery on all the hikes in the New River Valley. Of course, on weekends the streets become flooded with orange and maroon t-shirts as the Hokies cheer on Virginia Tech football. This weekend happens to be an away game against Boston College, but there are always students showing their pride here in Blacksburg, Va.

Here at the Clay Corner Inn, we are enjoying new colors too, mostly in our gardens. A purple hyacinth, which was given to us by a guest, is now in full bloom with vibrant shades of purple. On the other side of the fence, my tomato garden is still producing plenty of tomatoes and even a few peppers now. There’s even a cherry tomato plant
across the way that must be from John’s garden a few years ago. I’m excited to start harvesting those tomatoes soon!

We recently just finished planting a bunch of mums around the property. There are even maroon and orange ones to show our support for Virginia Tech! I know I’m enjoying the vibrant colors and I hope that you’ll be able to stay with us and enjoy them too. There’s a garden with a bench out back that has more plants around it which looks so inviting for reading a book in the evenings. Perhaps I’ll run into you out there sometime; but always know that we’re here to help you plan your visit and make your time in Blacksburg special. Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions!

Happy Fall!
Liz

New Sheets!

While we finally got some much needed rain on Saturday, it proved to be a soggy day for the first Virginia Tech home football game. Our guests here at the Clay Corner Inn appreciated coming back to a warm house and taking an afternoon nap between our new Compy spa sheets. I’ve been told that they are soft and “buttery” and are “simply amazing”! Hopefully I’ll get a chance to try the sheets out next week when we aren’t so busy. Some guests enjoy the sheets so much that they decide to buy a set from our gift shop. While some would consider a queen set to be pricey at $129, anyone who has slept on these sheets would tell you that it is definitely worth the money to have a luxurious nights sleep.

Our recent investment in new sheets is just another example of how we strive to improve our guests’ experience. Through constantly updating our amenities and services offered, we hope to be able to provide you with a warm and enjoyable experience. As always, if there’s anything that we can do to help make your stay special, don’t hesitate to contact us. While we can’t control the weather or make sure the Hokies win, we can always help you make dinner plans, prepare a plate of homemade cookies, or suggest a great day hike. I’m most positive that you’ll enjoy your stay in Blacksburg and feel at home at the Clay Corner Inn.

Liz

Edible Creations

Here in Blacksburg, we’re gearing up for the first Virginia Tech football game and preparing the inn for a busy fall. Thankfully we have a break in the heat spell and have the chance to clean and bake in a more comfortable setting. I know I appreciated the cool breeze today when I was picking flowers to replenish our vases on the breakfast tables. Arranging flowers is one of the more creative sides to innkeeping that I find very enjoyable!

There happens to be creative opportunities available most days here at the Clay Corner Inn. Every morning I get to garnish plates with fruits and occasionally fresh herbs from our garden, or even pansies, which are an edible flower. Certain evenings we have guests arrive who are celebrating an anniversary or a birthday. Then I get to put together a cookie platter to leave in the room.

On our website we offer certain specials that can make your stay more enjoyable. My personal favorite to prepare is the snack basket which includes cheeses, crackers, fruit, and nuts. It’s a lovely idea for an afternoon after a long drive, or for a relaxing evening after you’ve been at the Virginia Tech football game. We’d be happy to put together a treat for you, so don’t hesitate to let us know if you’re celebrating a special occasion or would just like something to munch on before dinner. Plus, it gives us a chance to be creative and have fun! We’re here to provide you with a friendly atmosphere and warm hospitality, so we look forward to hearing from you soon!

Liz

Michael's books

August 28 - Last Thursday evening, local author Michael Abraham held a book signing at Clay Corner Inn --- the B&B guests didn’t seem to mind his dozens of friends and fans wandering through enjoying wine, punch, cheese, fruit, conversation and buying books. “Union, WV” is a novel about healing and redemption in a small West Virginia town, and “The Spine of the Virginias” is a non-fiction look at people, places, history and culture along the Virginia-West Virginia border. They can be ordered at http://www.bikemike.name/.

Graciously, he displayed a few of my books "Solomon Says" -- thanks Mike.
This plug is for you! Nice turnout.
So, you can't be sure whom you might meet at Clay Corner Inn -- but this is certain: you are sure to "meet" warm hospitality and comfortable lodging in a great location next to Virginia Tech campus. Have a great day! Joanne

Summer's cake and mid-week events

August 28, 2010. As the summer draws to a close, we bid farewell to Summer with a cake … not any ol’ cake. It has to have a horse! As an incoming freshman at Virginia Tech, this year’s cake also sported a VT logo, some horseshoes for good luck and a chicken for her animal and poultry science major. And check out that grass [frosting!] All the best to you, Summer – enjoy being a Hokie! [photo with her mom, left; Summer, right]

Clay Corner Inn is sold out September and October weekends, so come on the other five nights. Stay for three nights Sun-Thurs between Sept. 15 and Dec 15, and we’ll take 50% off the 3rd night. The Kandinsky Trio performs Sunday, Sept. 30th, on campus, and the Kronos Quartet will perform at the Lyric Theatre downtown on Wed., Oct. 6. “The Good Person of Szechuan” – a blend of Chinese opera, Brooklyn lingo, World War II-era socio-ecnomic struggles and gutsy cabaret–style songs is one presentation by Theatre Main Stage, School of Performing Arts at Virginia Tech. Dates are Nov. 5-6, 9-13, 16-18.
It’s a short walk to any of these performances, and sitting outside on a warm fall evening with some Virginia wine and homemade cookies (always complementary at Clay Corner Inn) is guaranteed to provide the kind of relaxation we all need from time to time. Joanne.

Virginia Tech move in week and Business Expo

August 20, 2010 - This is Virginia Tech move-in week, and what a week it is! We’re enjoying meeting new Hokie parents and incoming freshman – and the Clay Corner Inn staff is managing beautifully the daily breakfasts, topping 20 people a couple mornings, along with housekeeping, laundry, ironing, baking, putting fresh flowers on the breakfast tables, answering myriad questions and giving myriad directions! Whew!
Jessica Kinley has joined the staff to take care of all our common spaces, indoors and out, stocking soda and that bottled cold water so craved after a hot day of moving boxes and crates into dorm rooms. Samantha is doing double duties housekeeping and front desk. VT intern Gretchen never stops smiling or working! Liz never misses a detail, like extra towels; keeps up our Facebook and social media entries; attended a hour and half social media seminar yesterday; and helped staff the Clay Corner Inn booth at yesterday’s Chamber of Commerce Business Expo. She made the display, too! [unable to download photos to this blog ... hmmm, so I'll toss in a patriotic photo!]
Summer ends her 3rd summer with us on Saturday and will be one of those freshman Hokies on Monday! All the best to you, Summer! Paula Frietag is returning to the B&B on Friday evenings, so she’ll meet lots of you and see some familiar faces, too. Scott Mattox keeps the lawn and outdoor landscaping neat and tidy. We're delighted to have him working with us, once again. Ten years ago, he did the same thing as a teenager, though now he also works on our barn, where his natural attention to detail and building construction degree mean that he always measures twice and cuts once! :) He's got a great resume, stable work history and a terrific reference from me if anyone is looking for a personable, skilled, educated, diligent young man who was laid off when construction dipped in this ongoing recession.

I applaud Clay Corner Inn staff for so many recent 6:30 and 7 a.m. mornings, for making each and every guest feel welcome and comfortable and for all the housekeeping and laundry and small details that make Clay Corner Inn the best place to stay with the best location next to Virginia Tech. Campus is a-buzz, and we love the energy and activity, along with hopes and dreams of these new Hokies and Hokie families!! A hearty welcome to Town, freshmen! Joanne

Tomato Cages

The other week I was weeding my garden here at the Clay Corner Inn, but I was having a very difficult time because all my plants were growing wild and I couldn’t even find the weeds! So I started to untangle the cucumbers and pick up the tomato plants, trying to organize a bit. I suddenly remembered that my Pop-pop, who has been gardening ever since I can remember, would tie his tomato plants to a wooden stake so they wouldn’t be lying on the ground. This protects them from bugs, as well as from rotting, once they start to ripen.

So I knew that I needed to get them off the ground, not only to protect them, but also to help clean up my garden. I asked John, the master gardener, if he had anything that I could use and the following day he showed up with two tomato cages. Boy was I excited! I quickly got to work tying up my plants and within an hour my garden looked like I was a master gardener as well! I had also just picked my second cucumber and second zucchini, so I was pretty proud of my garden!

Not too long after I set up my tomato cages, did the rest of my garden die. My zucchini plant became too big and toppled over, thus snapping off the roots and withering away within hours. It’s a good thing John’s garden yielded zucchini’s so we could serve those muffins at breakfast I talked about! My cucumber plants couldn’t take the heat and also withered away. The pepper plant is still hanging on, and just yesterday I noticed a small pepper had started growing! Hopefully in a few days it will be ready for picking!

The newly situated tomatoes are doing very well and I’ve already gotten to eat a few, which are very sweet and juicy. A couple mornings for breakfast we even used them as a garnish for egg dishes! I’m still trying to think of other ways to use our vegetables for breakfast. I’d love to hear your suggestions and as always I encourage you to come and visit us here in Blacksburg, Virginia!

Art at the Farmers Market

Blacksburg, VA has many great sites to see, if you’re not bogged down with orientation at Virginia Tech! Certain weekends though, the town sponsors an event that gets the entire town excited. July 17th happened to be one of those events, the annual Art at the Farmer’s Market.

Luckily, I was able to sneak out of the inn for an hour and check out the sidewalk show. A storm happened to be passing through, so artists were packing up, or huddled inside canopies, trying to protect their artwork from the weather. Sporting a Clay Corner Inn umbrella, I ducked in and out of tents to appreciate the artwork that was for sale. Of course I was amazed at the local talent, but was not able to afford any of the pieces to bring back and display here at the inn.

Certain pieces stood out to me though… There were photographs taken of animals and landscapes that had been put behind old wooden windows. It gave the illusion that you were looking out a window into your backyard. Another favorite stand was glassware. There were bowls and vases that were sparkling with vivid colors that attracted the eye. I just kept thinking that one of those vases would look great on a breakfast table with some fresh cut flowers! My favorite stand, which had also won an award, was from Bimbur Books. They displayed all handmade paper and journals from an artist at Main Lee Art. The books were gorgeous, with different patterns, colors, and styles of paper. I suppressed the urge to buy one, but now that I have some downtown gift certificates, I just might meander down to the art store and support our local businesses!

As always, the farmers were at the market selling their fruits, veggies, and pastries. There was also breakfast at the market, but I bypassed that, since I knew it would not be as delicious as the breakfasts here at the Clay Corner Inn! I did hear from passersby that it was quite a treat though!

If you’re bummed that you missed out on this great event, then make sure you visit Blacksburg this weekend, August 6-7th for Steppin’ Out’s 30th anniversary. There will be tons of vendors, food, and music to entertain you all day! We hope to see you soon!

Me - audience of one with U.S. Rep. Boucher

July 31, 2010 - [photos above: Joanne and Rep. Boucher posing on the front steps; Joanne making a point to the Congressman; left VT intern Gretchen Jackson, Joanne, Rep. Boucher, resident innkeeper Liz Albitz.]

U.S. Congressman Rick Boucher was a guest at Clay Corner Inn last night, so guess who grabbed her tea and plunked down across the table at breakfast?? Yours truly, this small business owner/innkeeper!

He was attentive and gracious, whilst polishing off a baked egg (think: heavy cream, some Swiss cheese, herbs, oven baked, yum yum), which could have been served with ham, home fries and a fresh thyme biscuit. I think he declined a couple sides, in favor of a small dish of fresh fruit with some homemade granola and a spot of yogurt. But what he ate is insignificant compared to his understanding of small business being "the backbone of America" - his words. I expressed my concern about certain tax cuts expiring at the end of the year, the federal deficit and what I perceived as huge government not making an effort to reduce its expenses. I told him I figured if the government ran Clay Corner Inn, it would have a staff of 14 or 15 people doing what is now done by a superb core staff of 3 along with extra summer help and a second great Virginia Tech intern. [We're already missing you, Cory Johnson!]

To say I am pleased he stayed at Clay Corner Inn is an understatement. The only way our Congressional representatives can understand their constituents IS to rub elbows with them in their real worlds, patronize their businesses and share a breakfast table or cup of tea on a regular basis. So many in Washington, D.C., seem to have lost touch with the people they represent. I'm impressed that Rick Boucher seems to be keeping in touch. We applaud you, today, Congressman Boucher. [And we won't forget the evening glass of milk! :)] Joanne

A little birthday bash

July 29, 2010 - Liz and Samantha have birthdays a few days apart, so we ordered this cake with the garden for Liz (left, our first resident gardener with her first vegetable garden) and coffee for Sam (right, our go-to gal for all things coffee). We all enjoyed lemon cake and the camaraderie of a small, impromptu staff gathering.

We support downtown Blacksburg by giving gift certificates to the downtown merchants for these occasions. Hokie parents can do the same thing for VT students! It's an easy gift and can be redeemed at several wonderful shops and restaurants. There are some hard working entrepreneurs downtown with not-your-run-of-the-mill merchandise. You can buy gift certificates by calling Downtown Blacksburg at 540-951-0454 or call us and we'll handle it for you. It doesn't even need to be a birthday; it can be a simple "we're thinking of you, son/daughter" gesture.

Happy Birthday, ladies! Thanks for all your hard work!! Joanne

Liz's Amazing Garden Adventure

July 19, 2010 – Being a novice gardener, part of me thought nothing would grow, but the other part wished it would flourish, leaving me with way too many vegetables to eat on my own. As of now, neither has happened, and I’ve harvested one cucumber and one zucchini. The zucchini was huge before I realized it was on the vine! Lightly sautéed in olive oil with summer squash from the Farmer’s Market made a wonderful vegetable dish.

My cucumber did not have as elegant a life. It was very small and as it grew larger, it turned yellow. I was not sure if I should have picked it when it was small and green, or if it would turn green again once it got larger. I left it on the vine and while it grew larger, it stayed yellow. After reading that a yellowing cucumber should not be left on the vine, I picked it. Surprisingly, it was quite tasty, once I peeled the tough skin. I’m going to look through some gardener books for beginners at the library so that I can learn when to pick the rest of the cucumbers. Or maybe you can advise!

This is the first ever vegetable garden at Clay Corner Inn, and the next two weeks were very productive! There are two more zucchinis and a ton of green tomatoes. My one pepper plant has the tiniest baby peppers on it with some white flowers. Sadly, my yellow squash plant and my other pepper plant are too close to the garage to get enough sun. I’ve lost the pepper plant, and the squash plant has not grown nearly as large as the zucchini. I’m hopeful that my garden will have a large harvest soon, and I’ll be able to share some vegetables with you. I’m also excited to have home-grown salads with the lettuce I’m getting from John’s garden!

I’m a regular at the Wed. and Sat. Blacksburg Farmer’s Market, as much as I can be around my responsibilities here at the inn. Since I have Wednesdays off, you’ll find me browsing all the produce and never leaving empty-handed. I’ll show you the way if you’re here on Wednesday – it’s an easy four-block walk. If you’re lucky enough to stay at Clay Corner Inn over the next few weeks – it’s really busy here now - you may have zucchini muffins with my very first home grown vegetables! Liz

Cookies and geraniums

June 28, 2010 - Well, folks, Liz has been resident innkeeper at Clay Corner Inn for a month now, and she’s shaking things up in great ways. You can read some of her recently implemented suggestions in the previous blog. When I saw macadamia nuts on the shopping list, I thought: Hmmm, those are pricey nuts! Then, my guest friends, I scoped out the Friday cookie bar where Liz had three new cookies. I could only pick one (think: waistline), so I chose the Sunshine Delight. I consider myself a pretty good baker [by hobby and experience], and I’ve never made a cookie so delicious – mixed fruits, some chips, chewy as all get out, and, oh, those macadamia nuts – which are back on the grocery list!

I’m old school, and these youngsters don’t have much on me and John for recycling, even though I’m still in training on office paper. These geraniums around the pool and on the fence are all from last year and year before. John keeps them all winter, splitting and making new ones, and he collects thousands of marigold seeds every fall. And check out this casserole dish lid. The dish broke, so the lid has a new job to keep rain out of the spotlight fixture that John designed and built to light the American flag at night. We even drink tap water in washable, re-usable glasses!

Liz and Samantha have the soaps and little shampoos all lined up in rows or neatly consolidated in baskets in the linen and supply closets. You just know anyone who does that has your guest room, the kitchen, your breakfast and local information all organized for your convenience and comfort. Cory, the intern, and Summer keep the outside furniture clean and all those flower baskets and windowboxes pruned and watered. Summer is also a top notch baker – she won a blue ribbon for a coffeecake recipe from Clay Corner Inn at a local fair two years ago, and she was just 15. It's her third summer with us, and from what I hear, she cooks Clay Corner Inn breakfasts for family suppers. She graduated from home school in May and will attend Virginia Tech in the fall.

It’s such a comfort as a small business owner to have such a competent staff in place --- it makes my work life easy, and I guarantee it will make your stay the best lodging experience you can get in Blacksburg. Toss in downtown location next to Virginia Tech, a cool, blue swimming pool, Virginia wine and ice cold bottled water for the asking, and it’s a no-brainer booking. Stay cool, Joanne

News for guests!

June 27, 2010

Many changes have come about in the past couple of weeks --- in recognition of our pledge to be Virginia Green, we now recycle mixed paper in addition to bottles and cans. While it comes naturally to me to recycle paper, I still catch Joanne throwing away paper -- then a few minutes later she’ll move it to the recycling bin on the other side of her desk. I’m confident that another week in training will make it second nature to her as well. She’s says it’s okay to write “you CAN teach an old dog a new trick!” As always, guests can leave paper recyclables on any counter, and a staff member will see that it goes into the proper receptacle.

The registration table now has brochures of local attractions and maps for campus, downtown and Virginia. A basket above the guest laptop is filled with restaurant menus -- most within walking distance. Downtown Blacksburg has restaurants for Italian, fish tacos, seafood, vegetarian, Greek, Mexican, Thai, and of course, American food fare.

The gift shop has moved to the office, which is convenient at check out. The most popular items are our hand-thrown stoneware mugs and the B&B guidebooks, which have a certificate for buy-one-get-one-free overnight at more than 1,200 B&Bs in the U.S. We also sell umbrellas, aprons, soap, ornaments and some books. Check out the new nightlights -- they look plain ceramic, but come alive to 3-D when turned on. There's one in the half bath and one in the office, and we have several styles (horses, wine and cheese, waterfall, tea) - the kind of gift anyone can use!

Joanne must have caught my green thumb because she planted an herb garden! Herbs such as basil, rosemary and lemon balm are wonderful in baked goods, as well as for fresh garnishes. We had guests this week who were just thrilled to see the herbs we have growing, and I garnished some plates with colorful pansies – only edible flowers and sprigs on the plates.

The inn surely is an interesting place -- constantly revamping its style and trying to anticipate your needs. I’m enjoying being a part of everything, as I close in on being here one month, and I’m having a wonderful time meeting new guests and the repeat crowd, many of whom have never stayed anywhere else in Blacksburg! I can see why! Liz

Greetings from Liz (new resident innkeeper)

June 16, 2010 - If you’ve been following our blog or stayed at Clay Corner Inn recently, you know I’m Liz, the new resident innkeeper -- Pennsylvania native, degree in Business Administration, concentration in Entrepreneurship, hope to open my own B&B some day. When I visited Blacksburg for the interview, I knew I would be happy here – neat small town, college atmosphere, Huckleberry Trail, hiking and national forests nearby.

I wasted no time exploring. I’ve walked all over downtown – sometimes in the wrong direction! I bought vegetable plants at the Farmer’s Market and already have a little garden here at the inn. A beginner of the soil, I am eager to see if my efforts will yield veggies this summer.

Moving into my little suite involved lots of painting, arranging and shopping at thrift stores. My parents helped with everything (thanks Mom and Dad for coming down and working so much over a long weekend!☺). Since I could choose my own colors, I painted each area different – yellow, purple, green, orange – it’s a cheerful little space!

The first week I worked beside Mary, the former resident innkeeper, which allowed me to see first-hand the responsibilities. I have experience as a B&B housekeeper, so I’m familiar with laundry and cleaning details, but I lacked experience cooking breakfast and ironing. Breakfast is easier than it looks, even though I’ve not made all of our signature dishes yet. Ironing, however; was not as easy to master. My first round of pillowcases did not pass inspection, but I’m improving with each one. I’m enjoying my work immensely, and I’m excited to keep learning and meeting more of you – the guests. I quickly discovered that Clay Corner Inn guests are nice, friendly people who enjoy the location, breakfast, the Virginia wine and homemade cookies – I brought some recipes!

I urge you to visit Blacksburg, stay at Clay Corner Inn and discover the area. Hopefully, my ironing will pass your inspection, and we know you’ll enjoy the outdoor deck and pool, our tiny Internet café (laptop provided) and being able to walk anywhere on campus or in town or down the Huckleberry Trail. You can check out my vegetable garden and fill me in on interesting places you find. I look forward to meeting you soon!

Liz—Resident Innkeeper

Welcome New Staff AND Guests !

May 25, 2010 – A new staff day is dawning at Clay Corner Inn. [They're shy about photos, so I tossed in the pool shot - pool is open and sparkling - and eggs Benedict, which we happen to be serving tomorrow morning!] Mary, our faithful, dedicated resident innkeeper, is leaving May 31st for North Carolina, where she will continue her faithful dedication to her husband, Sawaya, as he continues his medical schooling at a NC hospital. We will all miss her shining personality, amazing art skills and guest attentiveness. Stepping in as resident innkeeper is Liz, a Pennsylvania native with a business degree and emphasis in entrepreneurship. Welcome, Liz – Clay Corner Inn is the place to apply your experience and education!
As we bid farewell to Matt, our Virginia Tech intern, we welcome Cory, another VT intern. Like Matt, Cory is friendly, willing to learn anything, interested in the business and especially cognizant of guest service.
Samantha came on board about a month ago helping with guest rooms, laundry, front desk – another willing worker who also works at Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea, so she’s the go-to person for all things coffee – and we still grind it in our commercial kitchen. Summer is back for her third summer, and you’re as likely to see her watering the flowers as baking a coffeecake or dogsitting for a canine guest. Part time animal staff includes our yellow Lab, Canyon, who checks the pool a few times a week for temperature comfort and errant tennis balls [photo coming].
June is a wonderful time to visit Blacksburg, walk the Huckleberry Trail, chill by the pool, enjoy Virginia wine, stroll to the Farmer's Market - which is one hoppin' place on Saturdays and Wednesdays. Check out vivavirginia.org for details on a world-class International Festival of Music here in Blacksburg June 21-July 3. The Blue Ridge Quilt Festival is - in my eyes - a world class event, too, founded and organized by German native Karin Tauber, who got the idea when she lived in England. That website is brqfestival.com. The classes, the quilts, the comaraderie are fantastic, and vendors and participants come from all over the country.
We are here to serve you and make your visit to Blacksburg comfortable and special. Joanne

Multiple Meanings of Green

May 10, 2010 --- I started writing about being "green", then realized that could mean we're amateur, like not well-trained (think: horse), but that's not the case at Clay Corner Inn. We are all experienced and well-trained to serve you, give directions, suggest restaurants, hikes, shopping, activities. And there are "the greens" as in the links aka the golf course. Virginia Tech's large golf course turns five this year as the Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech. It has not only been noticed in magazines like Golf Digest, GolfWeek and Sports Illustrated, but also it has been chosen for the 2011 NCAA golf regional. It's beautiful (check out these photos!) as well as challenging and about a 20 minute ride from Clay Corner Inn.

If you want to stick around town and play golf, The Hill Municipal Golf Course is just a couple minutes away and runs a reasonable $12 on weekdays and $3 more on weekends. The pro shop is fully stocked, and the staff can custom fit TourEdge golf clubs or measure you for a new driver or set of hybrid irons. And there are still nine holes on the Virginia campus, a couple minutes away across campus. Weekday play is $19 ($17 after 4 p.m.) and weekend fee is $22 ($18 after 4 p.m.).

But I really started writing about Virginia Green, the statewide program that works to reduce the environmental impacts of Virginia's Tourism Industry. It is run as a partnership between the Department of Environmental Quality, the Virginia Tourism Corporation and the Virginia Hospitality and Tourism Association. Certification assures you that Clay Corner Inn is doing its part in recycling and reducing adverse environmental impact as much as we can in as many ways as we can.

Y'all have a great, green day! Joanne

Spring cleaning behind the scenes

April 26, 2010 -- A top-o'-the-morning Monday to all! These photos may not seem real exciting, but spring is always both exciting and busy at Clay Corner Inn. That sidewalk section on the right with the new railing was "lifted" up three feet -- which cannot be done in a 1-2-3-lift manner. No, John and his twin brother, Harold, while on vacation here from Colorado, removed it brick by brick, brought in gravel and relaid each brick, cutting several to mesh neatly with the parking area, then more gravel. Ummm, hope you enjoyed your vacation, H!! If that wasn't enough, when another brother Chuck came down from Maryland, he spent some time in the crawl spaces under the twin houses and in the attic, checking out the ductwork and anything else that needed checking in those tight spots. These are the kind of brothers-in-law you want to feed well and be nice to -- maybe I should have let them win that progressive rummy card game. Then there's Peter and Jason power washing the house before they painted the covered deck roof. They get paid, and they're worth every dollar. I don't have a photo of James ... he's part time temporary, working his way through college (which always gets my favor), going home for the summer. He's already scraped and painted the garage doors and the garage itself where it peeled; he's taking care of the lawn until he leaves for the summer. For our part, Mary and I are washing windows, planting windowboxes and airing out everything we can. It's fun in that sort of instant gratification way ... and at night, the place sparkles with the pool lights, John's spotlights on the front door and flag and rope lights illuminating the deck - perfect spot for a late night glass of wine or a microbrew - and we're carrying Heineken and Corona beer, too. Have a great day! Come see us, here's 10% off to anyone who reads this and mentions "spring cleaning" blog when making a reservation through May 10, 2010. Joanne

For Your Viewing Pleasure...

April 20. 2010

We've a new "look" surrounding you as you eat stuffed french toast and cheese blintzes. Joanne discovered Cedric Rudisill, a local photographer, whose work is now hung liberally throughout the Main House of the Inn. The word "local" isn't exactly the right word for an artist that gained his experience serving 20 years in the Air Force's Combat Camera Squadron. As you might imagine, Cedric is pretty interesting to talk to. But as he doesn't come along with the french toast and cheese blintzes, you will have to settle for looking at his lovely pictures hanging around you.

Pictured here is the one above the coffee/tea station. It gives the aura of a Folgers-In-Your-Cup commercial with the cool tones and serene, frosty imagery. Stop by sometime and take a look... we'll even fix you up with a cup of coffee.

Mary Lekoshere
Resident Innkeeper

Guest laptop

April 13, 2010 - I thought I'd need to tell guests about the new guest laptop in the breakfast room, but not so. The first morning I rounded the corner, this young man, Bryan Carson, was right there online. He's a high school junior (which explains the telepathy between the new computer and him), staying at Clay Corner Inn with his dad, Bill Carson, visiting his sister, Coryn, a freshman communications major - and they are all from Chesapeake, VA.
An hour later, a guest couple was looking up something on somewhere they were headed. So, don't bother dragging in your laptop -- we've got you covered with our new Acer in the main house breakfast room. Joanne

Tulip magnolia

April 9, 2010 - I don't suppose one can [yet] send aroma across the Internet, but if you could get but a light waft of the fragrance of this tulip magnolia in full bloom, you would smile. Stepping outside the French doors of the main inn, or simply getting out of your car in the driveway, anywhere on the back decks of Clay Corner Inn, this tree is beautiful and fragrant. The petals form a cushion on the sidewalks and it looks like a tulip-magnolia-petal wonderland. The stunning flowers don't last, but the leaves will form a canopy over the little deck and sidewalk all summer long.
The cover is not off the pool yet, but we're filling it and cleaning it and getting it ready underneath. These tulip magnolia petals will fall into it if we remove the cover during this blooming week and could clog the filters. Besides, there's a freeze warning for tonight ... our freeze date is May 15, though we can usually have the windowboxes planted by the first of May, and there are potted pansies and geraniums out already. Well, tonight, they are huddled together on the covered deck for protection.
First Virginia Tech scrimmage is tomorrow, so there's some of that football excitement around town. Smithfield Plantation on the edge of Virginia Tech campus opened for the season last weekend, the international street fair is tomorrow and a second Fork & Cork food, wine and art festival is set for May 1st, noon to 6 p.m. Go to www.blacksburgpartnership.org for information on the event and tickets. Clay Corner Inn was a sponsor last year, and we had a great time. Take care, Joanne

Daffodils ... finally!

April 3, 2010 - The promise of spring in Blacksburg has given way to summer at Clay Corner Inn, skipping right into record-breaking temperatures in the high 80s. But, hey, we’re going to back up now and have a pleasant, warm spring. We have the daffodils to prove it, and the redbuds and white fluffy flowering trees – I need to find out their names, I want one – on Virginia Tech campus seemed to blossom overnight.

The Montgomery County Health Department inspector popped in the other day, and Clay Corner Inn passed with flying colors. No critical or non-critical violations. A perfect commercial kitchen under Mary’s watchful eye. Because of the harsh, long winter, it has just been a week that we’ve been able to get outside to rake, wash windows, spread mulch, begin power washing the houses and scrape for inevitable paint touch-ups. But outside we are, soon to open the pool and resurface the driveway.

On the inside, the fireplace still feels good on cool mornings, and we’ve added the amazing Republic of Tea flavors to our tea basket. Mary chooses the coffee beans … Java Roast or Costa Rican or Mill Mountain Blend … it’s all freshly ground in our kitchen and the perfect start to every morning! So plan your spring respite at Clay Corner Inn, where your traveling ends and our hospitality begins.

And, a special only for you who read this: April 15 is tax day, and if you mention “tax day” for an April 16 and 17, 2-night stay, we’ll give you $15 off your total bill. Take care, Joanne