Hospitality Accommodations of Texas (HAT) Celebrates 25th Anniversary!

So you want to be an Innkeeper, OR you are already one of many in one of the most envied professions!

Join innkeepers and aspiring innkeepers as well from across this wonderful state of Texas and help The Hospitality Accommodations of Texas (HAT) celebrate 25 fantastic years of networking, mentoring, educating, and having lots of fun! HAT members as well as non-members are invited to this annual convention filled with lots of vendors to assist in managing your inn, as well as outstanding sessions on various facets of our profession!

Mark your calendar NOW for the HAT 2008 Convention & Trade Show Celebrating HAT's 25th Anniversary ~ August 24 - 26, at the Wingate by Windham in Round Rock, details forthcoming. To register, or if you have questions, see the HAT website at www.hat.org, or e-mail Herb at info@hat.org.

Granbury, Texas March 28-30 Special Events

Come to Granbury this weekend, and Join In the Festivities!

March 28, Granbury Last Friday Gallery Night!

MARCH 28-29: BRAZOS RIVER MUSIC FEST ~ Sponsored by the Hood County Boys and Girls Club ~ Granbury Reunion Grounds.

MARCH 29-30: GENERAL GRANBURY'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION ~ parade, delicious birthday cake, and lots of fun on the historic Granbury Square!

Last Friday Gallery Night, Granbury, Texas

March 28 and the last Friday of each month five galleries on Granbury's historic square will host Gallery Night. Friday, March 28, hosting galleries include the Dora Lee Langdon Center Art Gallery, Studio 216, the Shanley House Art Gallery and Gift Shop, Your Private Collection, and Double Exposure Portrait Art.

5-9 p.m. Hors d'oeuvres and music. No charge.

The Granbury Trolley will also be in transit from each location. For more information, call (817) 279-1164.

Granbury Live Presents: Country ... Granbury, Texas

Granbury Live Presents: Country. Opens Friday, March 7th. Country will be presented Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and 1 p.m. on Saturdays through March 29th.

Country and gospel music from Bob Willis' era to Shania Twain, Ricky Skaggs and Dolly Parton to Carrie Underwood.

Watch the resin fly from Mike Echol's fiddle with favorites such as "Orange Blossom Special" and "The Devil Went Down to Georgia".

Alecia Echols, Trent Blackley and Dallas Manly (praise leaders from Dallas), and recording artist Kristi Kalyn from Aledo will join the Granbury Live Band for this toe tapping concert. Listen to their video!

Call 817-573-0303 to make your reservation today!

Forte Strings returns to Tarleton's Langdon Center Concert Hall

Forte' Strings will be presenting their upcoming winter concert series, Bach to Rock, February 29th at Tarleton State University's Dora Lee Langdon Cultural & Educational Center in Granbury. The quartet will showcase their versatility by performing classical as well as popular music.

The music selections will include Mozart's String Quartet in B flat major and String Quartet in C major. It will also include Bach's "Little" Fugue in G Minor, Puccini's O Mio Babbino Caro and Nessun Dorma as well as the popular selections Bohemian Rhapsody, Chicago, Misty and La Bamba.

Forte Strings returns to Tarleton's Langdon Center Concert Hall after a two-year absence. The concert begins at 7:30pm with general seating starting at 7:00pm. Admission is $6.00 for adults and $4.00 for senior citizens and students. For more information, please call 817-279-1164.

Granbury Riverboat February Specialty Cruises, Granbury Texas

Sunday, February 10, 2008
Let D'VINE WINE lead you through the Flights of Wine as the GRANBURY RIVERBOAT cruises the lake from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Call 817-279-8687 for more details and to make reservations.

Thursday, Friday, & Saturday, February 14, 15, & 16.
Granbury Riverboat Valentine Cupid Cruises

Let romance surround the two of you as Granbury Riverboat takes you "away from it all". Re-kindle the romance that your busy life puts on a back burner and make this a Valentine experience both of you will remember forever.

Choose the style of music you prefer

Thursday, February 14 - Lisa Ramirez

Friday, February 15 - Don Obeidin

Saturday, Febraury 16 - Tricia Hinds

Choose the evening that fits your schedule
Choose to cruise this Valentines weekend.

Love is in the air and on the Granbury Riverboat

- Valentines Week! -

Valentine Cupid Cruises include
Delicious 8oz filet mignon dinner
2 hour cruise under the stars
Award winning entertainers
Chocolate rose for the lady
Chocolate stars for the gentleman
Souvenir Photograph taken onboard
A table just for the two of you & with a wonderful view, too!

Stroll to the upper deck & enjoy the brisk early spring breeze as the rhythm of the Riverboat surrounds you. Let the beauty of the evening take your breath away & be enveloped in the warmth of romance under the moon & stars.

Call 817-279-8687 for more details and to make reservations.

Great Race Texas Returns to Granbury in 2008

Great Race Texas Returns to Granbury in 2008. The 20th Annual Great Race Texas returns to its roots in 2008 March 7 - 9. Great Race Texas features classic cars in an open-road, rally race designed by John Classen.

Headquarters will be at the new Comfort Suites. The three-day event will kick off with a rally on Friday, March 7th, followed by a cruisein. Saturday will be another day of competition and will end the day with some “spirited driving” at nearby Motorsports Ranch. Sunday will wrap up the event with a morning of rallying fun and end with an Awards Presentation at Celebration hall.

The entry fee for Great Race Texas is $500 for veterans and $250 for rookies. Participants can also choose to “run for fun” or “dash for cash” and compete for a cash purse. Applications and more information is available at http://www.greatrace.com/.

Texas Independence Day GALA & Reenactment, Historic Ft. Worth Stockyards, Ft. Worth, Texas

SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 2008 - Texas Independence Day Gala HONORS ROY ROGERS AND DALE EVANS, TEXAS COWBOY HALL OF FAME. Daughter, Cheryl Rogers Barnett will stand in for them with stories of being raised by the Western Icons.

Songs of Roy and Dale will be performed at a dinner and show to raise funds for Scholarships for youth in the Cowtown Opry for special training to carry the Ranching Heritage music into the next generation. The Cowtown Opry, a 5013c non profit since 1994, member of the Fort Worth Fine Arts Council, mentors these youth as they perform before 147,000 people a year in the Metroplex, including 12 parades and 52 weekly concerts a year.

For $55 a plate reservations to this GALA, or to make a donation for the Scholarships, call Jack Walton 817-838-5882

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SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2008, 2:00 P.M. - TEXAS INDEPENDENCE DAY REENACTMENT ON THE LAWN OF THE HISTORIC EXCHANGE BUILDING, 121 E. EXCHANGE AVE., HISTORIC FT WORTH STOCKYARDS, TEXAS.

• Gen. Sam Houston, aka Jack Edmondson, reading Col. Travis letter from the Alamo pleading for reinforcements. Cannon fires signal Texans will not surrender but fight. Mexican Bugle call "Take No Prisoners" sounds before pre-dawn attack of the Alamo. Mexican Soldiers fire muskets the 2 hr battle of no chance for 187 Texans against 2,000 Mexicans attacking. All 187 Texans die and their bodies are burned.

• THE COWTOWN OPRY sings THE "BATTLE OF THE ALAMO" praising the brave men of the Alamo who knew they had no chance to win or live but sacrificed their lives to give Gen. Houston several more days to gather men and fight later. See: http://www.cowtownopry.org/ for details. Arrive early, as 350+ are expected to attend.

Shared by: Richard Linnartz ~

Publicity, Texas Independence Day Reenactment-172nd Anniversary Texas Freedom; Publicity, Texas Independence Day Gala, 172nd Anniversary Texas Freedom; Azalea Plantation Bed & Breakfast, Ft. Worth, Texas, 800-687-3529, http://www.azaleaplantation.com/ , "Best Kept Secret in the Metroplex" Dallas Morning News; "Top 5 Things To Do In Fort Worth" Washington Post; "Top 10 Hotels in DFW" by Zagot.com; "Break Away" Desination by Daily Candy.com; Proud Member of Hospitality Accommodations of Texas; Past & Present Board of Directors-Hospitality Accommodations of Texas Bed and Breakfast Association, Largest Texas B & B Association

Don't Miss Granbury Live's "Class of 57" Concert, Granbury, Texas

You're In For a Real Treat!

Don't Miss Granbury Live's "Class of 57" Concert -

Concert Dates/Times:

Saturday, February 2 - 8:00 p.m.

Saturdays, February 9, 16, 23, and March 1 - 1:00 & 8:00 p.m.

Granbury Opera House - 2008, Granbury Community Theater

The official Spring/Summer Granbury Opera House 2008 Season opens May 9 and closes August 31; however, three very exciting special productions are planned for the pre-season. The first two weekends in February feature The Granbury Community Theater - "Who Dunnit" - a very fun mystery originally presented on "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" in the early 60's. Tickets $15, on sale now!

Friday, February 1, 7:30 Opening Performance
Saturday, February 2, 7:30 Performance
Friday, February 8, 7:30 Performance
Saturday, February 9, 7:30 Closing Performance

Book author & professor .. December 2007 guests of the Iron Horse Inn, Granbury, Texas

The Iron Horse Inn recently had as guests a book author and professor from Boston, Mass. She is going to write a book about the daughter, Josephine, of the 1905 owners of this estate, the Daniel Cogdell family. A pin-up girl in the 20's, and a young caucasian woman who married a black journalist, Miss Josephine took on challenges in Harlem. Guests enjoyed hearing the history of the Cogdells, and the story of writing this book.

Shared by: Judy & Bob Atkinson, The Iron Horse Inn, Granbury, Texas; members of The Granbury Area Bed & Breakfast Association

A peppy little Christmas Song!

We've been innkeepers in Granbury, Texas for almost nine years, and we've had many repeat guests. We just received our Christmas newsletter from one of those couples, and I'm passing along the link to a wonderful Christmas song. I hope you enjoy it!

If you don't already have the Christmas Spirit, maybe this will help you along!

"Mary's Boy Child", (1978)

Merry Christmas!

Shared by: Betty Moss, Baker St. Harbour Waterfront Bed & Breakfast, Granbury, Texas

Warm Country Heart Theater, Granbury, Texas

Warm Country Heart is a live classic country theatre located in Granbury, Texas featuring "Branson style" music shows. You'll hear some of your favorites from the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and today. We'd love to see you at our shows, so give us a call or stop by Warm Country Heart today!

Upcoming Events!

12/15/07 ~ 7:30 p.m.
WCH Christmas Opry - Local entertainers join the WCH crew for another great opry performance. Don't miss this one!

12/22/07 ~ 7:30 p.m.
WCH Christmas Show - Join us for your favorite Christmas songs, carols, and humor!
Shake off the shopping blues and celebrate the season with WCH!

SO, you want to be an innkeeper!

Innkeeping has been (and is) one of the most rewarding professions in my life. We travel all over the world and never leave the breakfast table! This concept, however, did not happen overnight!

When we started researching the idea of purchasing either an existing bed and breakfast or a property to convert, we had many questions, and sought advice from many sources. Bill & I were both employed full time in Wichita, Ks, and didn't have the time or resources to travel to another state for an Aspiring Innkeeper's Workshop. At that time, we were not aware of the State Innkeeper Organization, then called the Historic Accommodations of Texas. You might say we did it the hard way, and we're here to help you streamline the process by what we've learned! Let us and "HAT" help reduce YOUR learning curve!

The Hospitality Accommodations of Texas (HAT) is presenting its "Innkeeping: The Basics" mid-year workshop on February 25, 2008 from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm at Ye Kendall Inn. Boerne, TX.

In addition, the HAT "Innkeeping in Texas" Resource Manual can be a very valuable resource for aspiring as well as seasoned innkeepers in Texas. (Your registration in the above workshop INCLUDES this valuable Resource Manual)!

For information about other upcoming workshops, region meetings, and conventions, see the Hospitality Accommodations of Texas (HAT) website, e-mail HAT's corporate office at info@hat.org or call 1-800-HAT-0368. The information and registration forms may be found on the home page under "Upcoming Events and Conferences".

In February, 2008, Bill & I will celebrate our 9th anniversary as Innkeepers, and we have many stories to share, but we've listed the property for sale due to health reasons and desire to travel. You can see our listing as well as some other HAT properties at Inns for Sale, Hospitality Accommodations of Texas (HAT).

Mark your calendar NOW for the HAT 2008 Convention & Trade Show Celebrating our 25th Anniversary August 25 - 27 Granbury Texas Convention Center. For more information e-mail Herb at info@hat.org.

To learn more about Hood County and Granbury, Texas, click here

Shared by: Betty Moss, Baker St. Harbour Waterfront Bed & Breakfast, Granbury, Texas

Granbury Riverboat Dinner Theatre

Granbury Riverboat

Dinner Theatre Presents

"A Way in the West"
WOMEN ON THE AMERICAN FRONTIER

“A WAY IN THE WEST” is a sixty-minute, one act play in which six of those women tell their stories, and in telling of how and why they came to the west, also tell how women and the frontier remade one another. Using letters, diaries, and autobiographies, playwritter Andy Wilkinson has drawn the words and music from the voices of the women themselves. Actress Trudy Fair gives those voices life. Cruise back in time along the historic Brazos River channel as Comanche Peak overlooks the journey.

This dinner theatre experience begins with an 1800’s style “pot roast dinner” and bread pudding for dessert. Allow yourself to travel back to the days when our pioneer-mothers carried water from this river and remained alert for Comanche swooping down from the mesa above.

December 9, 2007
Cruise begins 6pm to 8pm
Boarding 5:30pm
Call 817-279-8687
Or Visit our web-site at http://www.granburyriverboat.com/

For your reservations today!!!

Granbury Live Christmas Concert, Granbury Texas historic square

Remembering the Reason for the Season ...
Enjoy sacred and secular Christmas songs performed by the New Granbury Live Band and Allan Asbury, Christian recording artist.

Concerts run through December 23rd - tickets are selling like hotcakes. Call 1-800-989-8240 for your favorite seats today!

View "DREAMING OF A WHITE CHRISTMAS" - Granbury Live Christmas Concert Video .. and read the REVIEW BY RICK MAUCH, HOOD COUNTY NEWS

Happy Holidays from the Granbury Area Bed and Breakfast Association and Historic Granbury Merchants Association

Need an "attitude adjustment"?

From Tiberia at Barking Rocks Winery, just N. of Granbury: "Our first Friday gathering in December will be the 7th from 7 till 11. Joe Henderson will be plucking the strings and sharing his original songs with us. Joe is a long time friend. We have watched him and his family grow over the years and his songs are in many cases a reflection of these experiences and relationships. We will hopefully be burning some wood in the pit outside. So bring your morsels and attitudes to share and we will pop the appropriate corks to make the occasion flow."

If you have experienced First Friday gatherings at Barking Rocks, please post your comments. We'd like to hear from you!

Make Granbury, Texas your next overnight destination! Granbury Area Bed and Breakfast Association Members offer a variety of accommodations, and area merchants welcome you with sights and sounds of the Holidays!

Holiday Recipes: Dinosaur Trail Cabins and Cottages, Granbury, Texas

Gertie’s Dip

8 oz brick cream cheese
2 Tbs grated onion
2 Tbs Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup ketchup
1 T mayonnaise
salt and pepper

Beat all ingredients well. Serve with Fritos Scoops.

Shared by: Dinosaur Trail Cabins, Granbury, Texas, Karlyne and Gary Van Daele; members of the Granbury Area Bed and Breakfast Association. This is a "must-have recipe" for those holiday football games.

Holiday Recipes: Baker St. Harbour Waterfront Bed and Breakfast .. Granbury, Texas ..

Frozen Cranberry Delight

1 14 oz can Eagle Brand Milk
¼ C lemon juice
1 16 oz can whole cranberry sauce
1 20 oz can crushed pineapple, drained
½ c chopped nuts (walnuts preferred)
1 large 12 oz carton Cool Whip

Combine milk and lemon juice. Stir in remaining ingredients. Pour into one of the following depending on your preferred serving style or need: 1 ungreased 9 x 13 dish, or 24 paper-lined muffin tins. The muffin tins work great for a wonderful frozen dessert ready to serve!

Shared by: Baker St. Harbour Waterfront Bed and Breakfast, Granbury, Texas, Betty and Bill Moss, members of the Granbury Area Bed and Breakfast Association