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Posts Tagged ‘Guest Experiences’

Great Day for Williams House Carriage Ride

Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011

Dan and Liz meet Boomer

We always enjoy returning guests and recently Dan and Liz came back for a return visit. After catching up with Byron and Deborah over wine hour, they decided to enjoy a historical carriage tour through downtown Fernandina, and met the great white horse Boomer. They enjoyed the ride and Boomer and learned a lot of history about this quaint town and island. They continue to explore and experience our great local restaurants mixing new ones with those they already know. It was great to see them again and we look forward to another visit.

Liz and Dan ready to ride

Tags: Amelia Island Activities, Carriage Rides, Guest Experiences
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Carriage Ride Leads to Engagement at Williams House

Tuesday, February 15th, 2011

Happy couple meets Boomer

We always enjoy guests taking the historic carriage ride, but sometimes these rides are truly special. Such was the case yesterday for Craig and Jessica when he surprised her both with the carriage ride and by proposing during the ride. Craig had planned the entire trip, including choosing the Williams House, restaurants, and activities and especially the important carriage ride. Nicole, Boomer’s driver took them down to the water front for the sunset and that is where Craig proposed. Dinner followed at Joe’s Second Street Bistro and they arrived back at the Williams House to a nice bottle of chilled wine in their room. We have to admit staying at the Williams House is a romantic experience and it’s a great place to do something really special for the one you love. We wish Craig and Jessica all the best and are happy to have been a part of their special time.

Readyfor a ride and a surprise

Happy couple in front of Williams House

Another pose by the camillia tree

A beautiful engagement ring

Tags: Carriage Rides, engagements, Guest Experiences
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Williams House Carriage Rides Resume with Warmer Temps

Sunday, February 13th, 2011

Boomer meets guests & hunts snacks

One of the favorite activities for guests at the Williams House is horsedrawn carriage rides thru the historic downtown area. The town is so rich in history and with Victorian homes and buildings ready to tell their story, 50 minutes passes before you know it! Of course every ride begins with Boomer meeting and greeting guests, but really just anxiously awaiting treats from Byron and Deborah. He also has a few stops along the way where food is anticipated and expected. Cindy and her daughter Nicole do a great job of filling in the Island’s history and retelling the secrets of its homes and early times. As usually these rides taper off during January due to both cold weather and short days. But Valentine’s weekend restarts the season as it did this year with a desire for the romantic rides and somewhat warmer temps. We had three rides this weekend and the evidence is visible below. Come join us and enjoy an informative and fun historic carriage ride.

Waiting for Boomer power and a ride

Guests enjoy the size and beauty of Boomer

Boomer being fed and entertaining

Boomer creates excitement

Tags: Amelia Island Activities, Carriage Rides, Guest Experiences
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Tick, Tock, Guest Fixes Williams House Clock!

Friday, February 11th, 2011

Grandmother clock in WH dining room

We never know whom we will meet as guests come and go at the Williams House and that is part of the fun and excitement of owning a bed and breakfast. Recently, one of our grooms told me he was was a Horologist and that led into a discussion of our grandmother clock made by my father. I told him it wasn’t working quite right and over the course of the next two days, it was oiled, fixed, reset and now is working perfectly. His father has been in the clock business since 1944 and David is now active with two shops in the Tampa area. The company name is Boyd Clocks and they sell, repair and restore clocks of all kinds. It was very kind of him to help us get our clock going on his honeymoon, but you can tell he has a love for all things clock and enjoys making them work well. We now here the gentle chimes throughout the day and have a way of telling time in the common areas. If you are in need of clock repairs or advice, you can reach David at www.boydclocks.com, or boydclocks@gmail.com, or 813-281-2299.

Our thanks again to David for getting our clock back up and running!

Clock face

Another view

Tags: Guest Experiences, innkeepers
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Amelia Island Events for Every Interest

Thursday, February 10th, 2011

Kate Bailey's tree on Ash St.

We have a variety of events thru the seasons on Amelia Island that can appeal to almost everyone’s favorite activity. We have listed them below for those considering or planning a visit to Amelia Island. Come and join us at the Amelia Island Williams House for these events or just a relaxing getaway. This list is primarily festivals but I’ve also added a few other items that may be of interest!

Amelia Island/Fernandina Beach Schedule of Events

Amelia Island Book Festival, Feb. 18-19 (www.ameliaislandbookfestival.com)

Amelia Island Film Festival, Feb. 24-27 (www.ameliaislandfilmfestival.com)

Concours D’Elegance, Mar. 11-13 (www.ameliaconcours.org)

Old Town Bicentennial, April 2 (www.oldtownfernandina.org)

Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, April 29 – May 1 (www.shrimpfestival.com)

Wild Amelia Nature Festival, May 20-22 (www.wildamelia.com)

Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival, May 20 – June 17 (www.aicmf.com)

Stars and Stripes Freedom Festival, July 4 (www.shinybadges.com)

Amelia Island Blues Festival, Sept. 16-17 (www.ameliaislandbluesfest.com)

Amelia Island Jazz Festival, Oct. 2-9 (www.ameliaislandjazzfestival.com)

Amelia Island Autumn Fine Arts Festival, Oct. 8-9 (www.islandart.org)

Historic B&B Cookie Tour, Nov. 19 (www.ameliaislandinns.com)

Tags: Amelia Island Activities, Guest Experiences
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Skies Clear for February Williams House Wedding

Tuesday, February 8th, 2011

Bride Sable and her carriage

After a rainy week on Amelia Island the skies cleared for Sable and Kevin to be married on a sunny and slightly cool Sunday afternoon just before the superbowl. About 50 guests enjoyed the ceremony and reception at the Williams House. Sable arrived on a horse drawn carriage pulled by “Boomer” and was escorted down the aisle to meet her groom. After the ceremony, officiated by Byron McCutchen, the bride and groom enjoyed a private moment on the carriage before joining their guests for the reception in our courtyard. Guests feasted on beef tenderloin served on rolls, an antipasta platter, mushrooms stuffed with sausage, bruschetta piled atop toasted croistini, and penne pasta with alfredo sauce all prepared by the Williams House while DJ Harmony played the bride and groom’s favorite music. After the champagne toast and wedding cake were served the dancing and fun began! Following the wedding, guests and friends adjourned to O’Kane’s Irish pub to watch the superbowl. Fortunately for them, they were Packers fans! Congratulations to Kevin and Sable on a beautiful and fun filled wedding at the Amelia Island Williams House bed and breakfast.

Kevin and his groomsmen

Sable escorted down the aisle to meet her groom

Bridesmaids and groomsmen

Beautiful setting in our courtyard

Bride and groom's table

rose petals lead guests to reception

A beautiful cake

Kevin and Sable join guests at reception

Couple's first dance as husband and wife

Guests enjoy the food

Playing nice at cake cutting

Family portrait

Bride and groom by Williams House fence

Tags: Guest Experiences, williams house weddings
Posted in Amelia Island Weddings, Williams House Happenings | Comments Off

Top Ten “To Do’s”- Amelia Island & Fernandina Beach

Saturday, February 5th, 2011

Williams House beckons visitors to Amelia Island

While listening to a speaker at the recent innkeeping convention I was inspired to make a “top ten” list (Letterman style) for things to enjoy while visiting Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach. However, as I began to list these enjoyable potential items, the list grew longer and is now well above 30! So…needless to say there are many local opportunities to enjoy and I will start with ten in this blog and bring the rest forward a little later. These ten are those most often enjoyed by the average guest and thus are repeated more than some of the others. If you are planning to come for a visit….plan on these and stay tuned for more!

Williams House “Top Ten” List

1. Walk to and eat in one of more than 20 local fine restaurants.

2.Take a historic carriage ride thru downtown.

3. Enjoy a boat cruise around Cumberland Island.

4.Tour Fort Clinch Park, a civil war era fort.

5. Walk to and explore more than 20 boutique shops.

6. Visit the beach and ocean.

7. Visit the history museum.

8. Have dessert at the Icecream and Fudge shop on centre street.

9. Bike around the area (free as Williams House guests).

10. Explore the Saturday Farmer’s market.

Tags: Amelia Island Activities, Guest Experiences, local attractions
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Amelia Island Wedding at Williams House Bed and Breakfast

Friday, February 4th, 2011

Ronnie and David marry in Williams House parlor

We had our second wedding of 2011 this week whenRonnie and David shared vows with pastor Jim Tippins presiding. It was a “just the two of you” package and held in the Williams House parlor in front of a glowing fireplace. It was actually pretty warm so we had to keep lowering the flame during the ceremony. Bride and groom were both well dressed and were married with Pacabell’s cannon as background while they recited vows, exchanged rings and performed a sand ceremony to signify joining their lives. Deborah and Byron were the official photographer’s recording the ceremony on the couple’s camera and Byron’s used here in the blog. We enjoy weddings of all sizes and the smaller one’s like this are intimate and personal. Hope all enjoy the attached pictures.

Bride and groom hold hands during vow recital

Ring boxes and sand ceremony

Bride and groom join sand in ceremony

Completed sand ceremony

Newly weds with pastor

Wedding bands

Wedding couple on WH stairs

WH main hall

Relaxing in WH swing

Rose garden

Cinnamon gets in the picture

Sharing the WH live oak with cinnamon

Final pose by KOI fountain

Tags: Guest Experiences, weddings
Posted in Amelia Island Weddings | Comments Off

Amelia Island Williams House Recipe

Friday, February 4th, 2011

Blueberry Strata at Williams House B & B

Pictured at left is Blueberry Strata, a favorite of many guests, and what we served this morning for breakfast at the Williams House. The recipe follows and can also be found in the B&B Cookbook that we sell in our Inn gift shop.

Blueberry Strata

1 loaf French Bread cut into 1″ cubes

2 (8oz.) package cream cheese cubed

1 cup fresh blueberries, washed

12 large eggs

1/3 cup maple syrup

2 cups milk

Grease a 9″ x 13″ baking dish. Add 1/2 bread, then scatter cream cheese and blueberries over bread. Top with remaining bread. Combine eggs, syrup, and milk in separate bowl and pour over bread. Press down to soak all of the bread in the egg mixture. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

Next Morning:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake covered with foil 30 minutes. Uncover and bake 30 minutes more. Let stand for 5 minutes before cutting into squares. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Garnish with fresh blueberries and a fresh cut strawberry. Serves twelve. Pour ribbons of maple syrup for added sweetness.

Tags: Guest Experiences, recipes
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Christmas at the Williams House

Friday, January 14th, 2011

Christmas at the Williams House is always a fun and exciting time as we get to enjoy three night stays with our guests and share carriage rides, extended wine hour and a Christmas day buffet. This year we also added a light dinner to tide guests over into Christmas night. The weather cooperated well with resonable temperatures and no rain for Christmas eve carriage rides and wine hour. The same on Christmas day although a little on the cool side.

Christmas eve wine hour included meatballs, various cookies, cheeses,cheese biscuits, wine and soft drinks. Christmas buffet included ham, unforgettable chicken caserole, brocoli salad, sweet potato casserole, rolls, hashbrown casserole, squash casserole, lemon cake, pecan pie, cherry pie and wines, soft drinks and tea. It was delicious and guests seemed to enjoy. Later in the evening Deborah served turkey chilli for those who didn’t quite get enough in the buffet. It was a fun and relaxing time for guests and a chance for them to meet some new people as well as Deborah and Byron.