Happy Holidays

Dear Guests and Reader,

As 2007 draws to an end, we at the Tidewater, would like to thank our guests for visiting us at the Tidewater and giving us the priviledge of providing accommodations and our services while visiting the Cape. We recognize that there are many lodging options and we thank you for staying with us. My staff and I will continue to strive to giving our guests the best customer service possible.

Our warmest wishes for a wonderful holiday season with family and friends and may the New Year bring be one of peace and health.

Voula

New Year's Eve on Cape Cod

For those of you that are thinking of a New Year's getaway, why not come to the Cape. You can enjoy dinner in one of the many fine dining restaurants on the Cape and then bring in the New Year quietly or you can celebrate with dinner, music, dancing. Our neigbor, the Yarmouth House, has a full evening planned with dinner, party hats, music, and dancing. For the younger crowd, enjoy an evening at Pufferbellies with two DJ's, champagne toast at midnight and hor'dorves.

Families will enjoy first night at Chatham. Centered on Main Street, First Night Chatham offers something for everyone - a circus, musicians, presentations by local artists, theater, opera, entertainment, a bonfire, a noise parade and a fireworks finale. Buttons are available for $15 for adults and $5 for children 3 - 11. For more information visit www.firstnightchatham.com . There will also be Chatham lighthouse tours on 12/31 from 2 to 4 PM.

Or just getaway from the stress of preparing for the holidays and enjoy our heated pool and hot tub. The weather continues to be unseasonably mild and perfect for walks on the beach looking for shells and driftwood. The sound and smell of the ocean are soothing and encourage reflection on the new year. Enjoy your holidays and hope to see you at the Tidewater. Our special New Year's rate is $69.99 for one night or $59.99 if staying more than one night.

Voula

Hyannis Village Christmas Stroll

The Hyannis Village Christmas Stroll takes place this weekend, December 7th and 8th, on Main Street, Hyannis and the waterfront. On Friday, December 7, Main Street is closed to cars from 5 - 9PM so that the public can enjoy all the activities on the street without worrying about traffic. Most of the restaurants are offering a 20% discount on meals. Many stores have an open house and are offering a discount on these two days and also cookies and hot mulled cider to warm up lookers and shoppers. The fun starts at 5PM with hayrides, trolley rides down Main Street and little red cart rides for children. Of course there will be carolers, music, crafts, face painting, jewelry making...the list goes on and on. Breakfast with Santa, the lighting of the Village Green and the Harbor Lighting and Boat Parade are some of the highlights.

Only on the Cape would Santa arrive by boat. Watch the Harbor lighting from the warmth and comfort of the Cape Cod Maritime Museum and enjoy cider and cookies. The Artist Shanties will be open for shopping and Santa's arrival. Hy-Line Cruises will provide a complimentary Harbor Tour. What fun! For more details on the activities visit www.hyannismainstreet.com/ChristmasStroll

So pack your bags, bring the kids and enjoy some Christmas cheer on the Cape. Of course, we would like you to stay at the Tidewater where you can enjoy the pool before or after the activities, and our own breakfast diner, Helen's Diner. This weekend's special is $59.99 for Friday or Saturday night.

Voula

Nantucket Annual Christmas Stroll Weekend

Last week I wrote about the different Christmas activities on the Cape. One of the most famous Christmas strolls which attracts thousands of visitors from around the world is the "Nantucket Noel and Christmas Stroll". It started 34 years ago as a small island festival down Nantucket's cobblestone Main Street and has blossomed into an island wide, month long celebration. In the words of Lawrel Strauch of the Nantucket Chamber of Commerce, "It's all about warm, cozy fireplaces, caroling under the stars, warm cider and all of the holiday traditions that many folks really enjoy". Sounds like a perfect way to get away from the shopping frenzy and commercialism of Christmas for a feel of a small town Christmas.

Streets are lined with over 144 lit Christmas trees, and in addition to the traditional carolers, local musicians also perform, including a cappella groups and a blues band or two. While this tradition is now a month long, the "Annual Nantucket Christmas Stroll Weekend" is this weekend from November 30th to December 2nd. If you'd prefer to avoid the crowds you can visit Nantucket midweek.

The Tidewater is only 5 minutes to the ferry for Nantucket. Our heated pool and hot tub are a welcome relief after a day of festivities and our 50's style diner is open on Saturdays and Sundays for an hearty breakfast. We are offering a special rate of $59.99 for the weekend. By the way, today is sunny and a balmy 60 degrees! Hope to see you this weekend.

Voula

A Favorite Recipe from the Tidewater

With Thanksgiving Day nearly upon us, (and eagerly awaited!) we thought we would share one of our favorite recipes with you and your family. It is harvest time here on Cape Cod and cranberries are freshly off the bog. This bounty leads us to …..

Helen’s Cranberry Nut Bread

Ingredients

2 cups flour (sifted)
1 cup sugar
1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 egg (beaten)


Juice from 1 orange
Grated rind from 1 orange
2 tablespoons butter

½ cup finely chopped walnuts
1 cup cranberries (uncooked & sliced)

Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt together in a large mixing bowl. Next, mix in the already beaten egg. Place the orange juice, grated rind, and butter into a measuring cup and then add boiling water to make ¾ of a cup. Pour into the flour mixture and blend all the ingredients well. For the last step, add the cranberries and chopped nuts and blend until they are evenly mixed into the batter.

Bake in a greased loaf pan for one hour at 350 degrees.

Cape Cod Specials and Packages

Hi, my name is Lisa and I am the Front Office Manager at the Tidewater Inn. I just wanted to take this time to let you know about a few specials we have for the holiday season.

First let me tell you about our Lunch with Santa Package which is great for families with young children. The package includes accommodations for 2 adults and 2 children and tickets to the Cape Cod Railroad Lunch with Santa train. Join in the Christmas spirit with music, caroling, candy canes and a special visit with Santa. Enjoy a leisurely Holiday lunch prepared by a renowned chef while you join in the festivities with Santa and his elves. The two hour journey with Santa departs from the Hyannis station. The cost of this package is $200.00 for a one night stay or save even more by staying 2 nights for only $235.00. This package is only available on weekends. If your family is larger or smaller we can adjust the rate for you.

Our second Package is Dinner and a Movie. This package is based on 2 people and includes accommodations, a $25.00 allowance at The Yarmouth House, and 2 movie tickets to Regal Cinema 12 at the Cape Cod Mall to see the movie of your choice, you will also receive a $10.00 voucher toward popcorn or candy.

If you just want to get away and relax, we can offer you the special rate of $45.99 on weekdays or $55.99 on weekends. Helen's breakfast diner is open on Saturday and Sunday mornings, if you would like, you can make you reservation a Bed and Breakfast Package by adding $10.00 to the rate to receive a $14.00 voucher to the Diner.

These specials are only available until December 30th, so act now call 800-338-6322 to book any of these great offers. I look forward to seeing you at our hotel during this holiday season.

Lisa

Get Into the Holiday Spirit

As I mentioned in an earlier blog, the Cape is not just for summer and beaches. The holiday season is a perfect time to visit the Cape and get the feel of an old fashioned Christmas. Come to the Cape and enjoy the wonder of small town Christmas traditions. Listed below is a limited list of activities and strolls on the Cape for the holidays. For complete details visit the Cod Cod Chamber website, capecodchamber.org.

Annual Lighting of the Pilgrim Monument: 11/21, Provincetown
Orleans Candlelight Christmas Stroll: 11/23, Santa arrives at 10am by boat
Spectacle of Lights: 4:30-8:30PM Fri - Sun, Heritage Museums and Gardens Sandwich
Thanksgiving open house: 11/24, 10-4pm, Cape Cod Maritime Museum, Hyannis
Lunch with Santa, Weekends 11/24-12/6, Cape Cod Central Railroad(lunch, caroling, elves, & more
Famouth Holidays by the Sea Week End, 11/30 -12/2
Christmas in Sandwich, 11/30-12/9
Christmas in the Harwiches, 11/30
Harwich Port Christmas Stroll, 11/30, 6 - 9PM
Nantucket's famous Annual Christmas Stroll Weekend, 11/30/12/2, Old Fashioned Holiday Celebration
Harwich Center Christmas Stroll, 12/1, 10AM - 6PM, East Harwich, 1 - 4PM
"A Sea of Lights" Brewster, 12/1 - 12/2
Cape Cod Symphony Concert, 12/1 & 12/2, 8:00 PM, "Holiday Pops"
Yarmouth Port Christmas Stroll, 12/2, 1 - 4PM
Chatham Christmas Stroll, 12/7, 12/8
Hyannis Village Christmas Stroll, 12/7 - 12/8 Main Street
Harbor Lighting and Parade of Boats, 12/8

As if that's not enough to keep you busy and in the spirit, there's shopping at the Cape Cod Mall, Christmas Tree Shops, Mashpee Commons, Outlets, and of course,for uniques gifts, the local gift shops. So come stay at the Tidewater and get into the holiday spirit. After a full day, relax in our heated pool and hot tub.

Voula

Renovation Updates

For the last year we have been very busy updating the Tidewater, our family run hotel on Cape Cod. In the summer we focused on exterior improvements. We have several perrenial gardens that giv, gre the property curb appeal near the office and outside of the diner and pool area. My sister Helen, a retired Math teacher, spends endless hours improving and increasing the flower beds. In my spare time (!) I also try to help for we are both avid gardners. Many gardening guests have left with a cutting or small root of a favorite perrenial. Of course gardners love to share.

We also painted the doors and shutters of the buildings a beautiful seafoam green. Regular customers have noticed and enjoy the brighter, younger looking buildings. This is an ongoing process and we have many exterior projects left before winter sets in.

The South building, which overlooks Mill Pond, has 48 rooms with interior corridors and houses both Helen's Diner, the pool, and hot tub. This building is a favorite of many guests since it sits off the road, has a lovely picnic and playground area overlooking Mill Pond, and some rooms with sliders leading out to the playground, or with beautiful waterviews. It is the most recently updated building. This spring we painted the rooms a creamy yellow to match the bedspreads that were replaced last year. In addition we installed granite countertops, new faucets and mirrors in the vanity area. This winter we plan on continuing the renovations into our family rooms and jacuzzi rooms. Stay tuned!

Dining Out on the Cape

The Cape has much to offer besides beautiful beaches. One of my favorite activities during the off season is dining out. After the tourists leave many restaurants offer specials for their year round customers. One of my favorites which I recently discovered is the Ocean House on Depot street in Dennisport. The restaurants offers a spectacular view overlooking Nantucket Sound and creative cuisine using fresh local seafood and ingredients. This time of year from Wednesday to Sunday (not valid Saturdays or holidays) they have a special three course prixe fixe meal for $25 per person. Make sure to reserve (508-394--0700) for I went with my husband and sister midweek and had trouble getting a table.

Abbicci on route 6A in Yarmouthport also offers a $25 special for a three course meal. It has a wonderful Mediterranean tapas menu in addition to their regular menu. The restaurant was renovated last year and has several small cozy room. Most importantly, the food is supurb! Other restaurant in the area that I have enjoyed are the Yarmouth House, Paddock, Dolphin, Alberto's, 501 Main, and the Roadhouse. The Cape has some of the best restaurants I've been too and with prices much lower than the metropolitan areas. Why not plan a dining weekend? And, of course, we would love to have you stay at our hotel, the Tidewater, where our staff will is ready to give exceptial service.

A perfect way to sample many restaurants in one visit is to attend the Restaurant & Food Holiday Festival called the "Taste of Cape Cod". This festival is on Sunday, November 18th, from 1PM to 8PM. For details visit the website, www.TASTEOFCAPECOD.com. Enjoy a swing band, jazz, strolling singers, meet the Chefs and sample taste their signature foods for only $25 per person. Bon appetite!

Voula

Henry's Gone

I've put off writing about Henry's departure, thinking that he would return as he did last time, but I've finally accepted that he's probably not returning this time. The last time anyone saw him was on Halloween morning. I had gone to Williamstown the day before and returned on Halloween ev ening. I checked his temporary home (box) and he wasn't there. The next morning I set out bird seed and water as usual and only the sparrows came. I searched the property and called Henry, but no Henry. During the past week he had become a bit more irritable and combatative. With the colder weather arriving on the Cape, his nature was probably telling him to fly south. He was probably cold for everytime someone came in the front door, he would walk in behind them, much to the dismay of Lisa, my front office manager. Hopefully, he is warm and comfortable in warmer climates and with luck he might return next year.

I never thought I would miss him so. I still put seed and water out every morning for the sparrows that joined him every morning. Maybe one morning in the spring Henry will join his buddies at the feeding station.

Voula

Helen's Diner, Our Favorite Diner on Cape Cod

Due to customer demand, we have decided to keep the Diner open on Saturday and Sunday mornings during the months of November to April. In the past we closed the diner entirely during the off season, but for many of our regulars, Helen's Diner is the best part of staying at the Tidewater while on Cape Cod.

For those of you who are not familiar with the diner, a few details. Our coffee shop was renovated about 5 years ago and renamed Helen's Diner after my sister Helen. Helen is both a wonderful cook and a gardner who can often be seen in one of the many flower beds around the Tidewater. The turquoise and hot pink colors with a 50's memorabilia make the diner a very cheerful and inviting place to eat breakfast. It was simply described by a guest as a "jem". The best part, however, is the food. It is both reasonably priced and delicious. Violet, the chef, cooks behind the bar where customers can see her as if she is cooking for her family in her kitchen. She has cooked at the diner for over six years and always has a smile for her many customers and fans. Along with Helens's special which consists of eggs, bacon, homefries and coffee for $5.99 she makes a variety of omelets and the best blueberry pancakes in town. I forgot the Belgium waffles...so light and fluffy. Our diner has become a favorite of locals on Cape Cod who appreciate the good food with reasonable prices.

We offer Bed & Breakfast packages at the Tidewater. By adding $10 to the room rate, the guest receives a coupon worth $14 for breakfast. So come to the Tidewater this weekend and enjoy breakfast before setting out for the day.

Voula

Henry's Back!

We had a scare last week when we didn't see Henry for a couple of days. Up to that time, Henry was always around, either visiting guests or trying to sneak into the office door. We checked a box that we attached high on the side of one of our buildings as temporary shelter, but Henry was no where in sight. When it becomes dark he sits either in or ontop of his house. The next day we didn't see him and guests were asking for him. I check the entire property ( all four acres) for any evidence of Henry, but no luck. Best case scenerio, Henry would have flown south, but that appeared unlikely since he has had no contact with other pigeons. So we thought that either a cat got him or he left with a guest for he has snuck in a car before.

Two days later when I arrived at work, I continued my morning ritual and set out his food and water. I screamed with joy when I saw him wobble up to the food. He looked a little ragged, especially arount the neck, but otherwise fine. He was timid for a couple of days, but now he's back to normal. Only Henry can tell us what adventure befell him during this time, but as human as he has become, he still can't talk.

With winter coming we are looking to make a more permanent home for him. Any ideas on what pigeons like? If you come the Tidewater don't be frightened if Henry flies close to you and walks you to your room.

The weather on the Cape continues to be unseasonably warm and walks on the beach are beautiful this time of year. We are offering a midweek special of $49.99 and weekend special of $69.99 per night. Henry and the staff look forward to your visit.

Voula

Holidays on Cape Cod

Many people only associate the Cape with summer and beaches, but the Cape has become a year round destination with its many activities, shopping, restaurants, and discount pricing during the fall and winter. The Cape is a bargain off season and it is the perfect time to enjoy the true Cape Cod experience. It's an ideal place to spend Thanksgiving with its many wonderful restaurants offering Thanksgiving dinner. Since arriving on the Cape two years ago, I've dined at some of the best restaurants I've ever been to with creative cuisine using fresh local ingredients.

The weekend after Thanksgiving is an especially wonderful time to visit the Cape. Many local towns are offering a Christmas Stroll. What a great way to get into the spirit and experience old fashioned Christmas without the commercialism! The one in Nantucket is especially popular. Some of the strolls are listed below, but there are many more activities. Call us for more detail or contact the Chamber of Commerce.

Nantucket Annual Christmas Stroll: 11/30-12/2
Christmas in Sandwich: 11/30-12/9
Christmas in the Harwiches: 11/30-12/1
Yarmouth Christmas Stroll: 12/2
Hyannis Village Christmas Stroll/Parade of Boats 12/7,12/8

And, of course, it's hard to get away from shopping during the holidays. Shopping on Cape is plentiful and much less stressful than fighting crowds in larger cities. Many options include the Cape Cod Mall in Hyannis, downtown Hyannis and Chatham with its shops and galleries, Mashpee Commons, outlets, and unique boutiques. We'd love to have you stay at the Tidewater when you visit the Cape. Relax in our heated indoor pool and hot tub, and enjoy a hearthy breakfast in our 50's style diner (open Saturdays and Sundays only off season) before setting out for the day. We look forward to your visit.

Voula
General Manager

Henry at the Tidewater

Welcome to the Tidewater blog! I've been thinking about creating a blog for quite some time to share information about the area, but being technologically challenged, I've put it off. Finally I've decided to forge ahead and come what may. To be honest, the initial reason I wanted this forum was to share stories and pictures of Henry who has adopted the Tidewater, its staff, and customers as his surrogate family.

Now the rest of the story...Henry is a pigeon who arrived at the hotel as a fledgling about a month ago. I thought that he wasn't going to make it for he could hardly fly and was shaking constantly. I called the wildlife rescue and they couldn't help since he wasn't injured. We gave him water and bird seed and slowly he started to get strong. One of the guests on a bus tour named our pigeon Henry and the name has stuck. Our hotel is located on four acres overlooking the bay and Henry has the run of the property. He is fed by the guests and some even call or email to ask about him. What makes Henry unique is the fact that he thinks he is a human. Instead of flying around, he walks along with people. If I call him he'll fly to me and eat out of my hand. Whenever the door opens to the office, he tries to sneak in. Lately, he's been coming to the door and windows and pecking with his beak to get in. Most of the guests enjoy Henry and his friendliness. However, there are a few like my front office manager, Lisa, who are afraid of him. Because he's not afraid of people, he does fly very close which can be scary for those who don't know Henry is friendly. Today he appeared at my office window and pecked at the glass until I looked up and paid attention to him.

Come visit us and Henry at the Tidewater. Fall is the most beautiful time to visit the Cape. The prices have fallen, the traffic is lighter, and the crowds have gone. Walks on the beach are peaceful and no long lines at good restaurants. Since I've arrived at the Cape two years ago, I've discovered some of the best restaurants on the Cape. In addition, there are great shopping areas with outlets, a mall, and unique gift shops for the holidays.

Voula and her staff at the Tidewater
Link: www.tidewatercapecod.com