We at Pinehurst Inn really do make a strong effort to partner and work with other local businesses. One of our newer relationships is with StageNorth Theater in Washburn, WI. I have been very involved at StageNorth as it is an amazing community theater, offering opportunities for those of us who live here to experience theater on many different levels. We’re hopeful that we can share this experience with many of our guests as well.

This past weekend StageNorth put on a wonderful production of the Tony award winning play by Edward Albee, Seascape. This is the story of an older couple pondering what to do “next.” The entire play takes place on a beach with the sounds of the waves in the background. It is certainly a unique production with lizards as they other main characters, but what really struck me was the beach and the water. It really made me yearn for the next season to get here.

Ironically, as I was yearning for things to speed up a bit (and get that ice out of the Chequamegon Bay), there were the first thunderstorms of the year last night, and I woke this morning to a beautiful blue bay of water! Truth be told, the ice is probably still there, just sunk down a bit, but I didn’t care! It was a sure sign to me that things are changing and summer will be here before we know it.

If you’re nearby, consider coming up to Pinehurst this weekend to see Seascape at StageNorth, get a massage at Enso, and take a hike by the lake and enjoy the sounds of Superior.

Opening up these old boxes is always fun and takes twice the time it should due to stories about when we got certain ornaments, or noticing the dates and stories on the newspaper used to wrap the decorations, or simply stopping to sing along with Kermit and Miss Piggy. We all have these different holiday traditions. At Pinehurst we decorate two trees. The larger one as you walk in to the main house is full of our family ornaments and decor. It’s a stroll down memory lane for the Sandstrom family, but our guests seem to love it too, when they notice that “we have that ornament too!” We do have a smaller tree on the landing in the main house as well, full of musical notes, instruments and more. Music is one of the biggest treats of the holiday season, and this small tree just serves as a reminder to all of us to keep singing along! Under this charming small tree, we take special time to arrange all of Nancy’s caroler collection in the perfect choir. There are plenty of other touches throughout the Inn such as Santa Claus figures along the mantle and garlands dressing the windows.

The most important thing about all of this decorating is spending the time with family and enjoying the moment. Please be sure to take time with your friends and family this year and continue all of those old traditions, and try to think of some new ones too!

Off to cut down our Christmas trees…

Enjoy history? Check out the house shows. Riding the Wind, the most familiar house show, is a beautiful historical musical perspective of Bayfield and the Apostle Islands, all to the backdrop of historic, beautiful photos. The music is performed by Blue Canvas Orchestra, a group of some of the most talented musicians we’ve heard.

The schedule for the summer also includes visiting performers such as Bela Fleck, Joan Baez, Brandi Carlile, Gaelic Storm and more. Check out the season schedule.

Big Top Chautauqua – a real taste of Bayfield, Wisconsin.