2012 -  Welcome the New Year In New Bern

As we wrap up 2011 and prepare for 2012, we could describe it as the Good, Bad & the Ugly.  The "Good" is always our guests and the joy they bring to us as innkeepers, as well as the good times they enjoy, while visiting our beautiful city.   The "bad" is the seemingly unending bad economy.  We have seen signs of improvement at the Inn, as more and more Europeans are returning to traveling in the US.  Our guests are enjoying the new history center at the Tryon Palace and the quaint shops in our downtown. Small groups have discovered the Inn for luncheons, meetings and murder mystery weekends.  Our elopement package is becoming more and more popular and this year we added the option of a photographer.

The "ugly" has to be the uninvited guest Hurricane Irene.  John & I weathered the storm at the Inn and were amazed at the fierceness of the wind & rain.  The elevation of the Neuse River became so high, as to spill over its' banks and proceed downtown via Pollock Street in front of the Inn.  We were fortunate that the storm hit when the river was at low tide.    We lost power downtown and acquired water in our basement that did in 2 water heaters.   They were replaced in a timely fashion.

The storm brought out a lot of good in this city and the outlying area.  FEMA personnel arrived  and the city employees did an amazing job of clearing the streets & debris.  We welcomed some very special guests during this difficult timeline.  We  felt blessed after hearing the stories of so many people worse off.  

We are looking to 2012 thankful for all of the wonderful guests that have stayed with us at the Meadows Inn. The Meadows Inn will celebrate its' 12th anniversary in New Bern, NC in 2012.  Of course, that is only 12 years of the 32 years as the first B&B in downtown New Bern.  The 150th anniversary of the battle of New Bern will also take place in 2012.  This antebellum Inn will   be featuring an "Everything Antebellum" package in 2012.   

We wish everyone peace and happiness this holiday season and may you make moments and happy memories, while spending time with family & friends.  May the spirit of the season extend into 2012.

 We hope to see old friends & make new friends in 2012 at the Meadows Inn.    

Fondly,

John and Betty    

“Let us be grateful to people who make us happy. They are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom”                           – Marcel Proust