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St. Francis Inn Bed & Breakfast Inn with a Long History in St. Augustine, FL Story and photos by Melissa Wolcott Martino and Al Martino
S t. Augustine, America’s oldest city, also has the richest and most fascinating history, with the flags of five countries having flown over it since 1513 starting with Spain. The French came next (1564), then Great Britain (1763), Spain again (1784), The United States (1821) the Confederacy, briefly (1861), and back to the United States in 1865. (Hopefully to remain for the rest of time.)
S t. Augustine should be on everyone’s bucket list for a visit, as it is unlike any other city in the USA. To experience the old world charm of the city, we highly recommend a stay at the city’s oldest inn — the St. Francis Inn — which is located in the heart of the historic district. Built in 1791, it has seen a lot of changes in it’s city and weathered many storms to remain the wonderful inn it is today.
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St. Francis Inn’s Charming Courtyard www.AccentOnTampaBay.com
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St. Francis Inn Foyer
St. Francis Inn owner Joe Finnegan
The historic St. Francis Inn 60
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f course, through the years the inn has gone through a lot of changes itself. Originally built by the Gaspar Garcia family, the home is constructed of 18” thick “coquina” limestone walls (compacted particles of seashells) which was easily found in the area, and was very prevalent in the day. It is still found today in most of the period structures throughout St. Augustine. The old fort, Castillo de San Marcos (1672), is made of coquina which was a good foundation for it as it is soft, so a shot cannonball would just sink into the walls rather than shattering them.
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Francis Inn’s most famous ghost (whose room you can stay in on the third floor.) We stayed in the Garcia Suite, directly across from Lily’s, which also has it own ghost story. Quite a number of ghost hunters have visited the inn through the years, and have witnessed activity for themselves first hand. All experienced paranormal activity has been described as friendly or mischievous rather than frightening. The owners themselves have never seen Lily in their 30 years at the inn. Our visit concluded with nary a ghostly apparition. I don’t know if that makes me feel relieved or deprived!
t. Francis Inn’s original house was laid out according to orders by the King of Spain to the citizens of St. Augustine. Homes were constructed directly on the street with front entrances shielded to provide a defense from invasion. At the St. Francis, you step into a delightful side courtyard to enter the inn. There is a recorded history of the different owners through the years to the present day. An inn since 1845, it has always maintained the reputation as being one of the best in the area. A third floor was added in 1888 as well as some property across the street, which is also part of the inn today. It also had different names through the years, settling on the St. Francis Inn in 1948.
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he current owners are Margaret and Joe Finnegan, who are very hands on, and have lovingly preserved the inn’s old world ambiance while adding modern touches and comfort. They are very welcoming and will regale you with tales from the inn’s history — including, of course, ghosts! Ask about Miss Lily, the St.
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ach of the St. Francis Inn’s 11 guest rooms and suites are unique and all are very homey. Some of the guest rooms have such amenities as private balconies, rockers, and whirlpool tubs. After visiting the check in desk in the foyer, the first time we walked up the stairs to our suite, we reflected on all the folks who had passed this way over the 200 plus years of the house — such a sense of history! It’s a bit thrilling walk the same halls as Mr. Garcia did all those many years ago. I must stress that although the inn is very old, the amenities are not. Beds are very comfortable, bathrooms have new fixtures that fit in with the old world feel, plush robes are in every guest room, high-speed internet is found throughout the inn, there’s a solarheated swimming pool, complimentary guest bicycles to tool around old town on, a lovely courtyard to relax or enjoy a beverage. An unexpected touch was the fresh flowers and sherry we found in our guest room upon arrival.
A comfy bed at the St. Francis Inn
Stay in Miss Lily’s Room...if you dare.
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Old world charming decor in a guest bathroom
hich now brings us to the breakfast part of “Bed and Breakfast”. The St. Francis serves up a delightful homemade breakfast buffet which is different every day, and includes at least two hot entrees, fruit, freshly baked breads, coffee and assorted teas. You can enjoy your breakfast in your room, on a balcony, in the courtyard or in the dining room (oldest part of the inn dating to 1791) where you can meet other guests. Weekend days have special brunches, as do holidays. There are complimentary specialty coffees all day long in the front room of the inn, and from 5-6 pm, guests can partake of a social hour in the courtyard with different appetizers daily. From 8-9:30 pm you won’t want to miss the evening homemade desserts with beverages.
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A delicious hot breakfast entree at the St. Francis Inn 62
Goodies on an antique bureau in the dining room
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The staff at the inn are very accommodating, and can assist and provide guests with any special event needs, such as gift baskets, picnic baskets, massage arrangements, etc. Wouldn’t you and your significant other love to be picked up at the inn by horse-drawn carriage and take a tour of the old city? It can be arranged! nother great plus of the inn is its location in the old city. Some of the best St. Augustine sight-seeing is walkable from the St. Francis, which is situated on the corner of St. George and St. Francis Streets. Across the street from the inn is the oldest house in St. Augustine, the González-Alvarez House. The site is from the 1600s and the present house is from the early 1700s. Here you can see the furnishings of the different occupations (Spanish, British, and American) and how the residents lived. Besides the many historical homes, are the unique shops, restaurants and museums in the old city. We really enjoyed the Pirate & Treasure Museum which is cleverly laid out and teeming with fascinating objects and terrible tales of life on the high seas. Looking out in the harbor when we came out of the museum, we were amazed to see a Spanish Galleon (The El Galeón, a 175foot replica) sailing into the harbor. Great timing! We spent quite a bit of time in the fascinating Colonial Quarter, a 2-acre living history experience covering the 16th to 18th centuries of St. Augustine. The best way to familiarize yourself with St. Augustine’s history and attractions is to take the Old Town Trolley, which gives you an overview of points of interest, and lets you hop on and off at your leisure.
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Ripley’s Believe It Or Not on the Old Town Trolley route
The beautiful Memorial Presbyterian Church on the Old Town Trolley route
The historic Oldest House is across the street from the St. Francis Inn.
The Old Town Trolley is the way to see St. Augustine.
Shopping and sight-seeing in Old Town www.AccentOnTampaBay.com
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Bistro de Leon Chef Jean Poinard
The very French Bistro de Leon
Flounder with Hollandaise Lemon Sauce at Bistro de Leon
Taberna Del Caballo’s Marinated Beer Steamed Shrimp
Taberna Del Caballo’s wait staff in period costume
Meehan’s Irish Pub with excellent location and food 64
Taberna Del Caballo’s tasty concoction
Meehan’s Irish Pub’s Saffron Steeped Shellfish
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Take a ride around town on a horse & carriage right from the St. Francis Inn.
You never know when a Spanish Galleon may come sailing into the harbor.
here are a lot of really good — and non-chain! — restaurants in Old Town and we visited several of them during our stay. All were quite enjoyable and will be revisited on our next trip to St. Augustine. The Bistro de Leon brings a touch of France to St. Augustine, under the expert helm of Chef Jean-Stephane Poinard. His Flounder with Hollandaise Lemon Sauce and Asparagus was exceptional. In the Colonial Quarter we found the Taberna Del Caballo, which maintains the theme of the Spanish and British occupations. Wait staff is in period costume, and the kitchen is old style with no fryers and no grill. Food is Florida sourced and fresh baked. We sampled the delectable Marinated Beer Steamed Shrimp, and Crostini with Smoked Cheddar Cheese and Caramelized Onions. Meehan’s Irish Pub is one of St. Augustine’s most popular restaurants, not only for the food, but also for its location on Charlotte St. overlooking the Matanzas River. We had a 5-course dinner with Duck Confit, Saffron Steeped Shellfish, Park Shank Lollipops, Slow Braised Ox Tail, topped off by a Double Chocolate Baileys Bread Pudding. Yes, it was delicious!
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he Finnegans also have beach cottages on Anastasia Island, a condo on Camachee Island, and an oceanfront townhouse on
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The 1672 Castillo de San Marcos is made of coquina
The Pirate & Treasure Museum is chock full of interesting “stuff”. www.AccentOnTampaBay.com
Crescent Beach — all part of the St. Francis group. There are even some accommodations for guests with pets. Guests at any of the accommodations are free to use the amenities of the other properties, which makes for a complete rounded out vacation. t. Augustine has so much to offer with many fun and interesting events occurring throughout the year. Get thee to a travel agent or go online and book a stay at the St. Francis soon!
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If You Go... St. Francis Inn: stfrancisinn.com Visit St. Augustine: staugustinegovernment.com Castillo de San Marcos: nps.gov/casa/index.htm González-Alvarez House: staugustinehistoricalsociety.org Pirate & Treasure Museum: piratesoul.com Colonial Quarter: colonialquarter.com Old Town Trolley: trolleytours.com/st-augustine Bistro de Leon: bistrodeleon.com Taberna Del Caballo: colonialquarter.com Meehan’s Irish Pub: meehansirishpub.com 65
& Dolphin
Swan
Getaway
Story by Melissa Wolcott Martino and Al Martino
This may sound unconventional, but it is possible to travel to Walt Disney World Resort for several days, never visit one of the theme parks, and have a perfectly wonderful time! We do it often.
Photos by Melissa unless otherwise noted
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alt Disney World is massive, with endless entertainment possibilities besides the parks. There are so many resorts with different themes and ambiances that you can return many times and have a completely different experience each time. Most kids are as happy as a clam to spend hours in the many interactive pools offered at the various resorts anyway.
Photo courtesy Walt Disney World
Dining choices are unending, ranging from simple hot dogs at a pool, to the finest upscale restaurants sprinkled throughout the complex. There are also specialty dining experiences like Hoop de Doo at the Fort Wilderness Resort, the Luau at the Polynesian Village Resort, and so many more. And, of course, there is Downtown Disney, which has been re-birthed as Disney Springs. There have been a lot of additions, with new shops, restaurants, and plenty of things for the kids to entertain themselves.
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DISNEY SPRINGS
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e recently checked in to the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel for a non-park going visit. This time we stayed on the Swan side, but we’ve experienced both and they are equally delightful — and a little different from each other. Whichever hotel you choose, as a guest you are welcome to use any facilities in the other one. It’s only a short walk between the two. The hotels charm both kids and adults alike with their 5 pools, a white sand beach, gorgeous landscaping and water features, health clubs, the Mandara Spa, and restaurants. Guest rooms at the Swan have recently been revitalized with new appointments: a 42-inch flat screen TV, mini-refrigerator and a supercomfy pillow-top mattress. We had a spacious L-shaped corner alcove room with windows on two sides allowing for a lot of light. The decor is contemporary with warm grays and whites, and a splash of azure blue. Love the bedside lamps with the usb chargers in them!
Luxurious Swan Guestroom
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e dined at the hotel restaurants and also at Disney Springs, and all of our meals were excellent. Celebrity Chefs had our main attention, with Todd English’s Bluezoo in the Dolphin Resort, and Wolfgang Puck’s Dining Room at the Grand Cafe at Disney Springs.
Miyachiku Wagyu Beef with burgundy truffles, braised figs, onions, and bordelaise sauce.
Bluezoo has a quiet elegance, and a menu to match. Some memorable dishes were the Seared Heritage Pork Belly with brussels sprouts and bacon vinaigrette appetizer, and the entree of Miyachiku Wagyu Beef with burgundy truffles, braised figs, onions, and bordelaise sauce. The Flaming Burnt Orange cocktail is a delicious and fun drink to order.
BLUEZOO
Wolfgang Puck’s Dining Room is colorful and lively, and overlooks the large Disney Springs Lake. The menu is a combination of Asian and Californian cuisine. We ordered the very fresh Spinach Salad with onion, chopped egg, almonds, blue cheese and warm bacon dressing. The Florida catch of the day was swordfish, and it was seasoned, grilled, and served over lemon-bean ragout with roasted tomato and herb gremolata. The superb Pan Roasted Half Chicken was served with mustard roasted potatoes, and broccoli rabe. For breakfast we chose to eat at the Dolphin’s Fresh Mediterranean Market, where you can dine buffet style or from a menu. Running the whole show (culinary-wise) at the Swan and Dolphin is Executive Chef Robert Ciborowski. He oversees 17 restaurants and lounges and a banquet operation. His culinary experience includes some very prestigious restaurants, such as The French Laundry in Napa Valley, and The Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas. It was at one of his innovations at the Dolphin — Cib’s Smokehouse pop-up poolside restaurant — that we got to sample some of his scrumptious barbecue creations. His fall-off-the-bone ribs are served Memphis style, cooked over cherrywood and hickory for 5 1/2 hours. The brisket in the BLT (brisket, lettuce and tomato) is cooked Oklahoma style, in a pit and smoked for 18 hours.
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Burnt Orange Cocktail
WOLFGANG PUCK’S DNING ROOM
Pan Roasted Half Chicken was served with mustard roasted potatoes, and broccoli rabe.
CIB’S SMOKEHOUSE Memphis Style Ribs
Chef Robert Ciborowski www.AccentOnTampaBay.com
Mac & Cheese w/bacon
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Photo courtesy Cirque du Soleil
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Photo courtesy Cirque du Soleil
Aerial Bamboo
ome things in Disney Springs have remained after the renewal, the most important being Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba show, located on the Spring’s West Side. We have seen a lot of Cirque shows through the years in Las Vegas and Tampa, but La Nouba remains one of our favorites. It may not be the splashiest, but has all the ingredients that make it a riveting show, and concentrates on the amazing athleticism of its performers. We were at the opening back in 1998, and have returned many times through the years. We were fortunate on our recent visit to get a backstage glimpse of the mind-boggling workings of the show. There are about 65 artists on the show from 17 different countries, and they each do their own masterful makeup. The athletes perform an astonishing 10 shows a week, and some new acts have been added, one incorporating break dancing, and another “Aerial Bamboo” (an extremely difficult act utilizing a pole-shaped apparatus suspended from the ceiling, with attached loops used for a variety of stunts). Thirty percent of the show has now changed, with clever new clowns also changing the rhythm of the show — all under the talented expertise of artistic director Daniel Ross. La Nouba is now in it’s 16th year and this past January welcomed it’s 10 millionth guest! It is always evolving, so you can return to be amazed again and again. If you haven’t seen it, you should definitely put it on your mustsee list.
Photo courtesy Cirque du Soleil
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL LA NOUBA
Amazing backstage workings. 76
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Photo courtesy Cirque du Soleil
Artistic Director Daniel Ross
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ne of the things the Orlando area is well known for, besides the theme parks, is shopping! Lots of big name outlet stores dot the landscape, as well as upscale malls. We hopped over to the famous Mall at Millenia to good ol’ Macy’s. New stuff is going on there as well. Macy’s new brand — I.N.C., is a lifestyle brand that features runway-inspired fashion forward clothing and accessories, along with some home goods. Macy’s has also added Michael Kors and Chanel lines. Do hit the 3rd floor for a visit to the Nespresso Boutique for a free coffee sample. You can get a 10% discount at Macy’s Visitor Center, so make sure you stop by, or print out a voucher from the internet (see below for website.) Did you know that you can have your own “Personal Shopper” (for both men and women) at Macy’s and that it’s complimentary? You can schedule an appointment with a stylist, and she will have clothing options waiting for you when you arrive at the store. There’s no pressure to buy whatsoever, so it’s a pleasant and time saving experience. We met with Stylist Kayleen Mishler, and she was right on top of what’s happening in the fashion world, and what works for the individual customer, considering personality and needs.
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he next time you consider a getaway, think about heading to the Swan and Dolphin and enjoy all that the Walt Disney World Resort has to offer.
Macy’s Personal Shopper Kayleen Mishler.
IF YOU GO:
Swan and Dolphin Resort: 1500 Epcot Resorts Blvd, Orlando, FL 32830. 407-934-4000. www.swandolphin.com BlueZoo: (407) 934-1111. www.swandolphinrestaurants.com Cirque du Soleil La Nouba: Tues - Sat, 6:00 PM & 9:00 PM. Disney Springs West Side. (407) 939-7600. www.disneyworld.disney.go.com/entertainment/disney-springs/cirque-du-soleil-la-nouba/ Wolfgang Puck: (407) 938-9653. www.wolfgangpuckcafeorlando.com Macy’s Stylist Appointments: 800-343-0121. www.macys.com/mystylist Macy’s Visitor Pass: www.visitmacysusa.com/visitor-savings-pass www.AccentOnTampaBay.com
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TRAVELOGUE
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The New Tropicana South Beach Comes to Las Vegas
Story and Photos by Melissa Wolcott Martino and Al Martino www.AccentOnTampaBay.com
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ana ic p o r T w e N e Th as mes to Las Veg South Beach Co
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The Tropicana’s new slogan is “Prepared to be Surprised” — and so you will be when you step in to the new Tropicana. Completely remodeled from head to toe (to the tune of $200 M), the Trop is now a sunny oasis on the strip. When it first opened back in 1957, the Trop was dubbed “The Tiffany of the Strip”. The Las Vegas strip has gone through many changes and added mega-hotel/casinos since then, but the Trop remains a jewel. A throwback to the resort’s beginnings is the classic ‘57 red Chevy parked outside the front door. Conveniently located on the corner of Tropicana and Las Vegas Boulevard (“The Strip”), it is on the most popular four-corner spot in Las Vegas. The four-star rated Trop’s new look is reminiscent of South Beach, so no matter what time of year you step through its doors, it’s always sunny summer with the warm and friendly colors of orange and white. Since orange is the “new black” this season,
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the Trop is fashionably on top of its game. Did I detect a tropical vanilla/coconut scent wafting through the halls, or was it just my heightened imagination?
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We’ve stayed at the Tropicana off and on since the 80s, and have always enjoyed our stay, but our most recent visit since the new look has us loving the changes. The guest rooms are all themed with the crisp orange and white appointments and warm blonde woods. Walls have a warm peach tone, and the carpeting is soft with a tan woven reed look, and the plantation shutters on the windows complete the tropical feeling. Rooms are also equipped with a 42” plasma flat-panel TV, along with wireless Internet and ipod docks in every room. Guest rooms range in size from a Deluxe Club room (375 sq ft), all the way up to a Penthouse Loft (1,738 sq ft). We stayed in the spacious Club Suite (823 sq ft), which has two TVs, a living room with a dry bar and refrigerator, and a
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separate bedroom with a king-size bed—which is truly plush with a Euro Top Serta mattress. The Trop rooms have an ambiance that is unpretentious, warm, and comfortable.
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The Trop property houses four restaurants — Bacio (named Best Italian Restaurant in LV), Biscayne Steak, Sea & Wine (also one of the top rated steakhouses on the strip), Beach Café (the number one café on the strip – which also has a lovely view of the pool area), and the South Beach Food Court (with the Naked Spoon and the everpopular Starbucks.) The Trop’s pool and lushly landscaped pathways really transport you to the tropics. When laying out by the sun dappled pool, amidst the palm trees, waterfalls and luxe cabanas, it’s hard to believe that only steps away is the hustle bustle of the strip. Along with a great pool area, a resort must have a great spa, and the Trop delivers with the 10,000 sq ft Glow, A Mandara Spa. It has over 50 treat www.AccentOnTampaBay.com
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ropicana The New oTm es to Las Vegas South Beach C
ments for men and women, a salon, and state-ofthe-art fitness center overlooking the pool and gardens.
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For entertainment, you never actually have to leave the Trop at all. It has laughs at the Laugh Factory Comedy Club, intrigue at the Mob Museum, and top headliners in the Tropicana Theater. If you haven’t ever visited the Mob Museum, it’s pretty cool. The history of the key mob figures that populated Las Vegas during it’s unsavory past are displayed with actual artifacts owned by the crime lords (a lot contributed by mob family members), and guests will experience interaction with re-enactors and holograms of James Caan and Tony Sirico portraying mobsters.
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The Trop has upped the ante with gaming. Its 50,000 sq ft casino is comfortable and inviting with a brand new race and sports book area, full variety of table games, and—dare I say it?—pretty darn good slots. I always seem to win at the Trop. Make sure you join the Player’s Club when you go to the Trop, all kind of offers and discounts come your way when you do. Guestroom prices fluctuate with dates (as do all hotels) but we have found the Tropicana to be very fair and a good bargain for what you get. Also, when you stay at the new Tropicana, your spirits will be lifted and you may not be able to control yourself doing little salsa and meringue moves out the door! For more information and reservations on the new Tropicana, please visit www.troplv.com/
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O u t O f A P a in f u l Past C o m e s A B r ig h t F u t u re Story and Photos by Melissa Wolcott and Al Martino
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siyo! (Pronounced oh-see-oh) means “hello� in Cherokee, and it is an expression you hear a lot in Oklahoma, where upwards of 300,000 members of the Cherokee Nation reside. Oklahoma has the largest population of Native Americans in the United States (which has over 500 different Indian nations spread throughout the country). But it is the Cherokees of Tulsa we visited and learned about.
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ur first encounter with a member of the Cherokee Nation was with our blonde-haired, blue-eyed taxi driver from the Tulsa airport to the Hard Rock Tulsa Hotel/Casino. Not exactly stereotypical of what you perceive a Native American to look like, but Cherokee he was. Anyone who’s ancestor signed the “Dawes Rolls” back in 18981914 is entitled to claim Cherokee heritage rights, or the rights of any of the 5 “civilized” tribes — Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek (a.k.a Muscogee) or Seminole. The Tribes were termed “civilized” by white settlers because they lived European style as farmers, built brick buildings, dressed more European style and had organized forms of government.
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he Dawes Rolls takes us back in time to one of our country’s greatest shames — The heinous “Trail of Tears” in the 1830s-40s. European settlers saw Native Americans as a threat to their plans for expansion, and as a result, the Five Tribes were removed from their homelands east of the Mississippi, at first voluntarily, and then by force. The forced removal is referred to as The Trail of Tears. Andrew Jackson is not looked on fondly in history by the Cherokees, as it was he who spearheaded their removal — and this after they, with their great Cherokee chief, Sequoyah, heroically fought along side him in the War of 1812, winning the Battle of Horseshoe Bend, effectively ending that war. The Cherokee were given two years to migrate voluntarily, but by 1838 only 2,000 out of 18,000 had moved. The Cherokee chief at the time of removal was John Ross, who had left during the voluntary removal. The tribal members that moved during the voluntary phase were able to take wagons and their belongings with them. The ones that remained were forced into stockades and then forced to leave by bayonet point and not allowed time to gather anything — even warm clothes and footwear. Four thousand of them died of cold, hunger and disease on their long treacherous 1,000 mile march west. Native Americans were promised tribal land in Oklahoma (known as “indian Territory”), but within a short period of time the promise was broken, and the federal government broke up tribal held lands and alloted them to individuals. In 1898, Senator Henry L. Dawes and his committee determined who was eligible for tribal membership and land allotment. The result was the Final Rolls of the Five Civilized Tribes, which contain more than 101,000 names. Even though most modern Cherokee are of mixed blood, there are still a few full-blooded Cherokee living today.
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e can’t change the past, but we can shape the future, and that is what today’s Cherokee Nation is doing. Part of that is the importance of keeping their heritage and culture alive. The Principal Chief of Cherokee Nation is Chad Smith, who is the great grandson of Redbird Smith, a Cherokee Senator. We had the honor of meeting the chief at an event, and he has proven to be a great leader for the Cherokee. He has fought to keep the rights and sovereignty of the Cherokee people. Economic development and the revitalization of the Cherokee language is important to him, and it is being taught alongside English in the schools. (You can even get the Cherokee language now on the iphone!) Cherokee is currently spoken by about 10,000 people in the Cherokee Nation, with many different dialects. In the early 1800s, Sequoyah, though he could not speak or write English, invented a syllabary for writing Cherokee. Many of the words describe feelings and ceremonies that have no comparable English translation.
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ulsa and surrounding towns resonate with Cherokee history. Tahlequah is the capital of the Cherokee Nation, and was incorporated in 1843, more than 60 years before Oklahoma became a state in 1907. Cherokee Nation has it’s own court, police force and jail. The first Cherokee Nation Supreme Court building in Tahlequah was built in 1844, and is now a museum housing the history of the Cherokee National Judicial System, the Cherokee Advocate newspaper and printing press, photos, furniture and the Cherokee language.
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he wonderfully interesting Cherokee Heritage Center is located in Tahlequah, and stands on the grounds of the original Cherokee Female Seminary, which was burned in 1887. The only surviving architecture from the fire are the school’s columns which stand in front of the Center. The school was rebuilt in 1909 in another part of Tahlequah, and is still going today as Northeastern State University. Inside the Heritage Center is the Trail of Tears exhibit and a genealogy center, but equally compelling is what is outside. An ancient Cherokee village has been recreated, and guides demonstrate life of the times. The Cherokee didn’t live in teepees, but in homes made of “waddle and daub” (mud and sticks). An interesting twist for the times — women owned all the property inside the home, and to divorce a man, she simply placed his belongings outside. Would that it were so easy today!
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cross from the Cherokee Heritage Center is the 100-year old Park Hill/ Owen Community Center, which was a school until 1972. The historic building is now used for events, and we enjoyed a special traditional Cherokee lunch there. A staple of Cherokee traditional food is called “The Three Sisters” - corn, beans and squash. Also on their menu you will find fried pork, grape dumplings, wild onions, hickory nut meat cooked with rice, and pokeberry (a fruit commonly grown in the area that has to be cooked down as it is toxic in its raw state).
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nother historic home to visit is the George M. Murrell Home. Murrell moved with his Cherokee wife (and relative of Chief John Ross) during the voluntary tribe removal in the 1830s. He built a plantation style home which is rich with history of life in the mid-1800s.
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erhaps the most famous member of the Cherokee Nation would be the beloved Will Rogers. “Oklahoma’s Favorite Son” was born in 1879 in Oologah (pronounced oo’-la-gawh) at the Dog Iron Ranch, 30 minutes northeast of Tulsa. The ranch home dates back to 1838, and is now a living history ranch with horses, cattle, sheep, and more, open daily to visitors. Will was known as the “Cowboy Indian”, being part-Cherokee (descended from a Cherokee chief). He liked to say, “My ancestors didn’t come over on the Mayflower, but they met the boat.” Will first gained fame from being a champion bronc rider and roper, but his winning personality brought him further fame as a movie star, comedian and writer who traveled all over the world. His most famous quote is “I never met a man I didn’t like.” He tragically died in a plane crash in Alaska in 1935 at the age of 56. Our visit to Dog Iron Ranch happily coincided with Will’s 131st Birthday Celebration, so in addition to visiting the home, we were treated to entertainment by expert roper Kowboy Kal, and the local school children. Andy Hogan, a Will Rogers’ interpreter answered all our questions about Will’s life. Also in attendance were Miss Cherokee, Brooke Hudson, and some of Will’s relatives and fellow actors. Will Rogers was so famous and led such an interesting life that a special museum, aptly named The Will Rogers Museum, was built to house his memorabilia. He is also interred there. Built in 1938 and remodeled in the 90s, the Will Rogers Museum is located on 20 beautiful acres (purchased by Will himself in 1911) in nearby Claremore, and has nine galleries, three theaters, interactive TV, and a special children’s museum. The birthday party spilled over to the museum, with many of the towns VIPs there to celebrate.
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or a delightful afternoon repast we stopped in at Claremore’s historic Belvidere Mansion Tea Room — a 1902 three-story Victorian home that now serves as lovely spot for lunch or afternoon tea, and is owned and run by the Rogers County Historical Society.
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here better than Oklahoma to find the largest private gun collection in the world? The J.M. David Arms and Historical Museum is also located in Claremore, and contains 13,000 firearms, 50,000 artifacts including saddles, spurs, local ranching brands, German beer steins, World War I posters, military weapons, John Rogers statuary, and Native American artifacts. As astonishing a collection as it is, remarkably, 95% was owned by J.M. Davis himself. Mr. Davis was a hotelier who displayed his gun collection on the wall of his lobby, which in 1929 numbered 99. The other artifacts he collected were also displayed throughout his hotel. Word of his collection spread, and folks came from all over to buy and sell or trade. He became known as a gun expert, spending around $3000 a month on guns and artifacts. Eventually, his memorabilia became too massive for his hotel, and he transferred ownership of the collection to the State of Oklahoma, with the state agreeing to build and maintain a facility to house the collection. The building was begun in 1969 and now has over 40,000 square feet of space.
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nother connection to the Dawes Rolls is Thomas Gilcrease, who was part Creek, and came from Louisiana to Tulsa to acquire land. His land fortuitously was located on an oilfield, which gave him sufficient income to travel extensively collecting valuable art objects. The Gilcrease Museum was built in 1949, and is known as “The Smithsonian of the American West”. The priceless collection has over 10,000 paintings, Native American art and artifacts, 100,000 rare books, historical manuscripts, documents and maps. The museum is surrounded by beautiful gardens on 23 of its 460 acres in Tulsa.
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ince the legendary Route 66 runs through Oklahoma (with its longest drivable stretch), kitschy buffs will appreciate some of the so-bad-it’sgood attractions found along the way. The Blue Whale of Catoosa was an old swimming hole back in the day, and now it’s just a memory, but still a fun place for picnics. The Route 66 Nut House in Claremore is a rustic log cabin made from pecan logs, and they offer a variety of pecans, nuts and specialize in an eclectic — and delicious — selection of homemade fudge.
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e stayed at the new Tulsa Hard Rock Hotel/Casino and enjoyed a comfy bed, good food and a wee bit of gambling during our trip. The hotel has 350 rooms, five restaurants (The Wild Potato Buffet and Toby Keith’s “I Love this Bar & Grill” were particular favorites of ours), nightclubs, a large casino with state-of-the-art slots, and a 2,700-seat concert venue. For golfers, there is also the beautiful Cherokee Hills Golf Course available to guests. Oh, and of course the fabulous $2 M rock ‘n roll memorabilia collection Hard Rocks are famous for, spread throughout the hotel. They have a particularly heavy collection of Jimi Hendrix (my fave) artifacts.
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he Cherokee Nation has risen from the ugliness inflicted upon them in the past to a bright future with businesses and tourism. For our wonderful visit with the Cherokee Nation, we say “Wado” (Wah-doh) Thank You!
For a lot more of our photos & video of this trip, please visit www.AccentOnTampaBay.com, click on PHOTO & VIDEO GALLERY, click on USA TRAVEL, scroll to OKLAHOMA
I F Y O U G O ... BELVIDERE MANSION TEA ROOM - www.belvideremansion.com CHEROKEE HERITAGE CENTER - www.cherokeeheritage.org CHEROKEE NATION SUPREME COURT BUILDING - www.cherokeetourismok.com CHEROKEE NATION TOURISM - www.cherokeetourismOK.com CLAREMORE CVB - www.visitclaremore.org GEORGE M. MURRELL HOME - www.okhistory.org GILCREASE MUSEUM - www.gilcrease.org HARD ROCK TULSA HOTEL CASINO - www.hardrockcasinotulsa.com J.M. DAVIS ARMS & HISTORICAL MUSEUM - www.thegunmuseum.com PARK HILL/OWEN COMMUNITY CENTER - www.parkhillcommunitycenter.com ROUTE 66 - www.travelok.com/Route_66 WILL ROGERS BIRTHPLACE (DOG IRON RANCH) - www.willrogers.com WILL ROGERS MUSEUM - www.willrogers.com www.AccentOnTampaBay.com
TRAVELOGUE
Westgate River Ranch Not your Grandfather’s Camping
by Melissa Wolcott Martino and Al Martino
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amping, horseback riding, buffalo grazing. Do you have to go all the way to Montana to experience this? Wyoming? Nope. Just a few hours drive from Tampa, smack dab in the middle of Florida, is the Westgate River Ranch, the largest dude ranch East of the Mississippi, and a real Florida hidden gem.
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he property went through different incarnations through the years, and became the Westgate River Ranch in 2002. It encompasses 1,700 acres surrounded by around 400,000 acres of protected wetlands and is next to the Kissimmee River. The land WRR sits on was once where the Seminole Indians lived, and early settlers known as “Crackers� herded their cattle. Some descendants of the original cattle brought here by Spanish Conquistadors in the 16th century can still be found in the area. The great wild, wide open landscape also showcases horses, buffalo, wild turkeys, feral hogs, deer, bald eagles and many more interesting forms of wildlife, both land bound and winged.
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e have never seen such a wide range of accommodations as are available at WRR. Tenting comes in all forms, from pitching a pup tent (raw camping) all the way up to a tricked-out teepee (glamping.) Also on site are lodge guest rooms, cabins and cottages for the less adventurous. Cabins have buffalo grazing just yards from your porch. How western can you get? If you prefer to travel with your own accommodations, there are RV sites set up as well. There is even an aviation center with a runway for small planes to land and homes with hangars attached for rent.
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pparently we fell into the less adventurous category since we chose to check in to the lodge. The cowboy motif is full-on at WRR, so you are completely immersed in the western theme. We also checked out the other accommodations and they, too, were all plushly rustic, have comfy beds, and modern amenities.
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he coolest experience of all, however, has to be staying in the Luxe Teepees (glamping to the nth degree.) Filled with upscale amenities, they can sleep up to four people. They come with a stone fireplace, leather chairs, clawfoot bathtub with shower, private bathroom, mini fridge, microwave, couch, 51” Flat screen TV, electrical outlet, many more features — and, VERY IMPORTANT, a portable air conditioning and heating unit! If that wasn’t enough, concierge service is included as well.
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t WRR, you will see a lot of guests dressed in western wear, and pretty much everyone wears a cowboy hat. No need to try to find one before you arrive at the ranch, as there’s a store on property that sells tons of cowboy hats in all shapes and sizes, along with western clothing.
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RR has every summer outdoor activity you can think of all year long — archery, skeet and trap shooting, horseback riding, golf and miniature golf, hiking, swimming pool, a rock climbing wall, zip line, a mechanical bull, and bungee jumping — and even an authentic cattle drive. Friendly WRR farm animals love to be petted and fed by kids. An on-site marina offers boat rentals, fishing, and airboat and swamp buggy rides. Helicopter rides can be scheduled for groups. All that should keep you busy for a while. One popular attraction at the ranch that brings folks in from the surrounding area is the Saturday Night Rodeo, the longest-running championship rodeo in the USA, where you can see exciting trick riding, bull riding, calf roping and barrel racing.
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ou may think dining is an afterthought for WRR, but that is definitely not the case. Some very tasty cookouts take place, along with Western style cooking at the Smokehouse Grill, and food and drink available at the River Ranch Saloon served up with some live entertainment on the weekends. Guests can grocery shop at the General Store or grab ‘n go some deli food stuffs to eat in or take back to your room. A fun Dinner Hayride includes a cookout buffet and a ride through some WRR wildlife. What a creative site for weddings. WRR has a lovely little white chapel on property, and the wedding party can make their way to their indoor or outdoor reception in a horse drawn carriage. Some folks actually get married right on horseback! We speak of this being a great family vacation spot, which it definitely is, but it can also be quite romantic in your own cozy tent under the stars, sitting by your campfire, and enjoying some of the many amenities the ranch has to offer. Companies also love it for meetings and team building exercises. A vacation at the Westgate River Ranch is one the kids will talk about for years. Leave the screens at home and experience the outdoors for a healthy dose of fun.
For more information: Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo 3200 River Ranch Boulevard, River Ranch, FL 33867 Resort: 863-692-1321 Booking: 888-779-4104 www.westgateresorts.com Photo courtesy of www.AccentOnTampaBay.com
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travelogue
WYNDHAM GRAND ORLANDO RESORT Bonnett Creek’s Newest and Brightest Gem
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Story and Photos by Barbara McGovern and Tim McGovern
When was the last time that you had a perfect stay at a hotel? Usually something is off, the location, the rooms, the food or the service. Nothing major, just something. I know the feeling. Well, let me tell you that I have discovered THE perfect hotel with The Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnett Creek. This brand new hotel, which just opened this past October, is set in the beautiful Bonnett Creek section of the Disney World complex. From your first view of it, it is special. You pull up to an entrance surrounded by beautiful landscaping, and are greeted by friendly and helpful staff. When you go through the doors you sense that something is different here. It just has a friendly feeling. A genial host welcomes you with a cold glass of citrus scented water and asks about your trip and what can he do to help you. You look around at the soaring windows onto the pool and lake and you realize that you are beginning to relax. Your vacation has begun. Across the lake you can make out the fabled buildings of the Magic Kingdom. Comfortable chairs adorn the lobby if you wish to sit for a spell. As soon as you check in, you are whisked up to you room, and what a beautiful room it is. We were impressed by how much thought went into everything. The Wyndham wants to welcome all their guests, from the biggest to the smallest, and they want to make sure everyone is comfortable. For instance, in the bar and lounge areas, all the chairs are low enough so even the kids that are with mom and dad have a comfortable spot to sit and don’t have to worry about taking a tumble. All the chairs an elegant white leather. Can you imagine white leather? Not to worry, the people at Wyndham have thought about everything, and all the chairs can be wiped off. No sticky fingers to worry about here. One of the most creative things the Wyndham has is “the bunk room.” Among the 400 elegantly appointed rooms are special King and Double Bunk suites, which are separate rooms within rooms, so the family can share but still have privacy. There are bunk beds for the kids with their own flat screen TV and their own sink. I wish I had that when we were traveling with all our kids. In addition to the bunk room there are 98 King Bed Suites, 206 Double Bed suites, 10 Suite Parlors and 2 Presidential Suites. The two top floors feature 26 select guest rooms with private keyed access use of the concierge lounge.
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PHOTO COURTESY OF WYNDHAM GRAND
The Wyndham has several restaurants and lounges. Tesoro Cove is a casual dining room overlooking the pool with an eat in or take out option. The food and service were both excellent. Also by the pool is the Back Bay bar an grill, serving day and night. It’s beautiful to sit around the fire pit with your libations and watch the Disney fireworks from across the lake. You can meet and mingle with friends, have a drink and get a snack at Bar 1521, located in the lobby, across from the Barista. My favorite restaurant, by far, is Deep Blu Seafood Grill. The decor is beautiful, with a view of the lake. You can sit and watch the chief prepare dinner in the open kitchen while you enjoy some Sushi. The service was outstanding, but the food was the star of the show. Everything we had was great, and the crème de la crème was the Macaroni and Cheese with Lump Crab Meat. It was to die for. I love food and may talk about it a lot, but there is much more to love at the Wyndham. The resort has several rooms for business meetings and conferences, even small conventions. The property is also perfect for a wedding. With its location, it would be convenient for guests and the hotel can provide all the services that you would need. I have to mention the Blue Harmony Spa, which is tranquility defined. I was not much of a spa girl before, but I am now. There are several treatment rooms with individual and couple suites. The spa offers soaking tubs, a nail salon, indoor and outdoor relaxation areas, showers, steam rooms and two outdoor treatment rooms with hot tubs. There are a wide variety of services, and everyone on staff is talented and gracious. An excellent fitness room has all state of the art machines and it is open 24/7. There is a game room for kids and it’s even soundproof so you don’t need to hear all the bells and whistles. Yea! Adjacent to the resort is the Waldorf Astoria Golf Club, designed by Rees Jones. They have PGA certified instructors, a pro shop and reserved tee times for Wyndham guests. The Grand Kids Club offers daily resort activities, educational programs and children’s activities. The club keeps the kids occupied and safe, so mom and dad can have a little bit of adult time. The Wyndham’s concierge team is available to book any surrounding area activities that you are interested in, and transportation to the Magic Kingdom is included in the resort fee. The resort is conveniently located to all the attractions in the area. The Orlando International Airport is 20 minutes; the Kissimmee Gateway Airport is 5 minutes and Tampa International is 70 minutes away. Our stay at the Wyndham Grand Orland Bonnett Creek was a memorable experience. The resort is perfect in every way. I never met a staff that was so concerned about the guests. They went out of their way to be gracious, friendly and accommodating. I would recommend this hotel to anyone and we will be definitely be back. Please contact www.wyndhamgrandorlando.com for more information. 57