How did the "Turkey" get it's name?

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us here at Castle Marne Bed & Breakfast.

Ever wonder how the turkey got it's  name?  Click below to read how America's traditional Thanksgiving meal got it's name.  Enjoy.


http://suiteexchange.com/2012/11/22/how-did-the-turkey-get-its-name/

Denver, Co. World Exclusive!

Becoming Van Gogh World Exclusive at the Denver Art Museum

October 21, 2012 - January 20, 2013

This must see, Denver-only exhibition offers an exploration of Van Gogh's unconventional path to becoming one of the world's most recognizable artists.  The exhibition examines the evolution of this largely self-taught artist through more than 70 paintings and drawing by Van Gogh himself, along with works by artists he responded to.  Becoming Van Gogh brings together loans from more than 60 public and private collections throughout Europe and North America to tell the story of a number of formative periods throughout the artist's life and career.  No other exhibition has focused so intensely on Van Gogh's personal growth and progression as he developed his own signature style.

For tickets and more information www.denverartmuseum.org

Stay at Castle Marne Bed & Breakfast, TripAdvisor's #1 rated B&B in Denver and receive $2.00 off your Van Gogh ticket price.  You must be a guest of Castle Marne to receive this bonus.

Castle Marne Bed & Breakfast is proud to be able to offer our guests $2.00 off this amazing exhibit's ticket price.  Call to book your room now.   303-331-0621, 1800-92MARNE, www.castlemarne.com

Cynthia Rain, one of the Castle's Innkeepers  "The finest exhibit I've seen in many years.  I especially enjoyed seeing works by Van Gogh's contemporaries placed side by side with Van Gogh's work.  I have a much clearer understanding of his tragectory, especially the influence of the post impressionists and Japanese prints.  If only there were more time."

What an Honor! Guests coming to Colorado have listed the Castle Marne Bed & Breakfast as a Top Destination Accommodation in Colorado! Thank YOU!!!

Most popular accommodation providers
November 2012

in destination Colorado

TOP 30

This was certainly not something we were expecting, but it sure is nice to know that travelers seek us out when coming to Colorado. We look forward to making sure more folks enjoy the beauty of the Rockies and the fun and activities of the Denver area.

Vet's Day Celebration

Here it is, Veteran's Day Weekend 2012.  Castle Marne Bed & Breakfast is checking our first 10 lucky couples in as we speak.  Over the weekend, a total of 20 couples, vets and active military personnel will enjoy a romantic get-away in our Victorian castle for FREE!

Tonight's guests are having Afternoon Tea in the Victorian Parlour, nibbling on hand rolled truffles, lemon bars and the Castle's signature shortbread.  They will be on their own for dinner, but fresh baked chocolate chip cookies will be set out for them as a bedtime snack.  Tomorrow everyone will enjoy a delicious home made breakfast.

To those vets and active military who are interested in joining us next year, please call and enter your name in the lottery.  You've served your country, it's now our turn to serve you!  303-331-0621

Victorian Holiday Home Tour, 3rd Annual

                           Victorian Holiday Home Tour, Nov. 24,  2012

Castle Marne B&B, one of six historic mansions on the tour

The Upper Colfax Business Improvement District (CBID) www.colfaxave.com ushers in the Christmas Season with the 3rd Annual Victorian Holiday Home Tour.  Proceeds go to support the Denver Children's Home.  www.denverchildrenshome.org

What a great alternative to the Mall on Saturday November 24th, just after Thanksgiving.  Perfect for families.   Have a great Victorian Costume?  Wear it and be entered to win.

$12.00 in advance                                    Tour starts at Castle Marne.  11:00 - 4:00

$15.00 day of                                           Purchase tickets: www.colfaxave.com or 303-331-0621

Children 9 and under are free                   Free parking  

Visit 6 of Upper Colfax's Grandest Victorian Mansions.  

Castle Marne B&B                                                      1572 Race St.

Holiday Chalet B&B                                                   1820 E. Colfax

Denver Tea Room                                                       1820 E. Colfax 

Unity Church                                                               1555 Race St.

Berkana Institute @ McAllister House                        1565 Race St. 

Lighthouse Writers Workshop @ Milheim House       1515 Race St.

Bailey/Sillers Mansion                                                 1617 Vine St.

Tour includes Dicken's Original Carolers, the Last Note Singer, Children's Choirs, free Carriage Rides,

Bag Pipes and more!

Free Carriage Rides

The Last Noter Singers

For more information call 303-331-0621 or go on-line to www.colfaxave.com

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Victims of Hurricane Sandy.

The family and staff of Castle Marne Bed & Breakfast send thoughts and prayers for our friends caught in the path of Hurricane Sandy.  

Better weather is on the way.  Be safe!

FREE Rooms for Vets'

FREE for Vets this Veteran's Day

Are you active or retired military?  Call now and be entered into a drawing for 10 lucky couples Friday November 9th and 10 more again Sunday November 11th.  303-331-0621, 1800-92MARNE

You served your country, now it's our turn to serve you!

Castle Marne Bed & Breakfast is donating all our rooms to active and retired military personnel as a "Thank You" for your service to our country.

 Free night in one of Castle Marne's award winning rooms, afternoon tea welcome reception, late night cookies and full breakfast.  Our gift to you, all free!  Call now to enter the drawing!  303-331-0621, 1800-92MARNE

Bring your uniform, we'd love to take your photo.  

Call now!  303-331-0621, 1800-92MARNE

Castle Marne, TripAdvisor's Certificate of Excellence

Castle Marne Bed & Breakfast just awarded TripAdvisor's Certificate of Excellence for 2012!


"The accolade, which honors hospitality excellence, is given only to establishments that consistently achieve outstanding traveler reviews on TripAdvisor, and is extended to qualifying businesses worldwide. Approximately 10 percent of accommodations listed on TripAdvisor receive this prestigious award.

To qualify for the Certificate of Excellence, businesses must maintain an overall rating of four or higher, out of a possible five, as reviewed by travelers on TripAdvisor. Additional criteria include the volume of reviews received within the last 12 months.

"TripAdvisor is pleased to honor exceptional businesses for consistent excellence, as reviewed by travelers on the site," said Christine Petersen, President, TripAdvisor for Business. "The Certificate of Excellence Award gives highly rated establishments around the world the recognition they deserve. From exceptional accommodations in Beijing to remarkable restaurants in Boston, we want to applaud these businesses for offering TripAdvisor travelers a great customer experience."  For more information on TripAdvisor, click here http://ir.tripadvisor.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=675627

Jim Peiker, co-owner of Castle Marne said, "We read every review, take your suggestions to heart and learn from everyone.  We cannot find the words to express our gratitude other than to say "Thank You".  You arrive as guests and leave as family.  Did you get your hug?"  

To see other worthy TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence award winners, click here.  http://blog.selectregistry.com/2012/certificate-of-excellence-recipients/

"Our Hearts are Breaking"

Our hearts are breaking for the loss of life and loved ones.  Words cannot describe our sorrow.  The family and staff of the Castle Marne Bed & Breakfast extend our prayers to everyone touched by the recent tragedy in Aurora, Colorado.  Those grieving are our neighbors and we feel their pain.

Prayers for our Friends affected by Colo.'s Fires

To all our Friends affected by the fires burning in Colorado, You are in our Prayers.  You have our deepest sympathies.

Author of "Wild" stayed at Castle Marne B&B

Cheryl Strayed, acclaimed author of "Wild", the newest book to take the world by storm, stayed at Castle Marne Bed & Breakfast.


www.cherylstrayed.com

Cheryl Strayed's WILD has been selected for Oprah's Book Club 2.0!

Cheryl Strayed with Oprah Winfrey. Click the image to visit Oprah's Book Club 2.0 page.

Oprah brought her famous Book Club back because of Cheryl and her book "Wild".

One of the most influential women in the world loved the book so much she had to tell the world.  

Castle Marne Bed & Breakfast was pleased to host Cheryl Strayed this week while she was in Denver speaking and teaching at the Lighthouse Writer's Workshop.  
The Lighthouse Writer's Workshop offers amazing opportunities to learn from the best.  https://lighthousewriters.org/


Do you have the next great American novel in you somewhere?  Are you an aspiring writer?  Don't know how to get started?  Check out The Lighthouse Writer's Workshop https://lighthousewriters.org/ and sign up for a class now!


If you are coming in from out of town to attend a session, stay at the Castle Marne Bed & Breakfast and walk less than a block to class.  Imagine sitting down to a delicious breakfast and find yourself at the same table with a famous author like Cheryl.  It could happen!  


For a whole week, guests at the Castle had the privilege of getting to know Cheryl one on one.  What a treat!

Do you love a good ghost story?  No, not at the Castle Marne Bed & Breakfast.  We're talking about Cheesman Park, just a few blocks from the Castle.

City view from the marble Parthenon at Denver's Cheesman Park.

• 

Over a 100 years ago, Cheesman Park was Denver's cemetery and "Boot Hill".  Developers and city officials realized that the fabulous view of the snowcapped Rocky Mountains was being wasted on the dead.  A mortician was hired to relocate the graves to a new cemetery.  He bid the contract on the number of caskets it would take to move the bodies, but he neglected to tell anyone that he would only be using child-size boxes.  It would take up to three and sometimes more caskets to move one adult.  Body parts were broken up and separated, left strewn about the ground, attracting wild dogs.  Graves were left open inviting grave robbers and more.  When neighbors and citizens became aware of the atrocities, the con-man was fired.  Not wishing to desecrate the remaining graves, grass and the lovely rose gardens were planted.  Expensive, elegant  homes were built around the perimeter of the park.  Today homeowners and park goers alike tell stories of the lost souls searching for loved ones and lost body parts.  For the discriminating ghost hunters, we recommend ordering a gourmet picnic from us and enjoying the fabulous view of the mountains and Denver city skyline while sitting on the graves of former Denver citizens.  Bon Appitit!  www.castlemarne.com  

View of the Parthenon at Cheesman Park

Doors Open Denver Huge Success!

Castle Marne Bed & Breakfast celebrated Doors Open Denver with unprecedented numbers. Over 80 historically or architecturally significant sites in Denver were open for free tours Saturday and Sunday, April 14 and 15, 2012.   Castle Marne had nearly 1500 visitors this year!

Denver's CBS affiliate, Channel 4 stopped by to showcase the Castle Marne Bed & Breakfast.

Check out Louie, one of the family of Castle Marne in his top hat.  He looks great!

http://denver.cbslocal.com/video/6955282-doors-open-denver-is-this-weekend/


For all the successes, the future of Doors Open Denver is in doubt.  According to Carol Hiller, Event Manager of Doors Open Denver 2012,

"We do not know what the future holds, but there is a good possibility
that without more funding this will be the last year of DOD. If the
event was successful for you we would greatly appreciate a donation."

Contact Carol Hiller for more information:

Doors Open Denver - City and County of Denver

www.denvergov.org/doorsopendenver

Help Castle Marne Bed & Breakfast keep Doors Open Denver open and free to the general public, contact us here at www.castlemarne.com.  303-331-0621.

Thank you City of Denver, for promoting the rich history of our community.   The citizens of this beautiful city are grateful!

Castle Marne B&B honors the lives lost that fateful day the Titanic went down to the bottom of the sea.

Castle Marne Bed & Breakfast joins the world in honoring the lives lost in the sinking of the Titanic 100 years ago, April 14, 1912.

Denver's own "Unsinkable" Molly Brown, the Titanic's most famous survivor of the disaster at sea, whose strength and leadership became known to the world on that fateful day.  Her home at 1340 Pennsylvania Street in downtown Denver is now a museum dedicated to telling Margaret "Molly" Brown's amazing life story.  http://www.mollybrown.org/

* Did you know that Molly ran for the Colorado State Senate three times before women had the right to vote?
* Molly fought for the rights of others including miners, children and animals?
* Molly traveled the world to experience the cultures of Africa, Egypt, Japan and India?

Learn more about Denver's most unique woman at the Molly Brown House Museum.

Another interesting piece of history trivia, William Lang, one of Denver's most eclectic architects built the Molly Brown House.  He also built the Castle Marne Bed & Breakfast.  Click here to learn more about William Lang.  http://www.castlemarne.com/the-inn/history-of-the-castle-marne.htm

LISTEN TO ROADTRIP RADIO WITH PATTY SUE SPIERS 2 TO 3 SATURDAY AND 6 TO 7 AM ON SUN

http://www.newstalk1460.com

THIS WEEK'S SHOW COMMEMORATES THE 100 ANNIVERSARY OF THE SINKING OF 
THE TITAN. WE BROADCAST FROM THE HOME OF ONE OF SURVIVORS, SURROUNDED BY ARTIFACTS, S.O.S. SOUNDS, THE TITANIC FOG HORN, THE MUSIC AS IT SUNK AND MORE!


On April 10, 1912, the RMS Titanic embarked on its maiden voyage, sailing from Southampton, England, to New York City. One of the largest and most luxurious passenger liners at the time, the Titanic was also considered by many to be unsinkable. On April 14, however, the ship struck an iceberg, and early the next day it sank. Some 1,500 people perished. Because of the tragedy, the Titanic became perhaps the best-known ship in the world, capturing the public imagination and inspiring popular books and movies. After the 1985 discovery of its wreckage, interest in the famed liner only increased. Some 100 years after its sinking, the Titanic remains an enduring legend.

LISTEN TO ROADTRIP RADIO WITH PATTY SUE SPIERS 2 TO 3 SATURDAYS AND 6 TO 7 AM ON SUN

GO TO:

http://www.newstalk1460.com  then click "listen live" 2-3 Saturdays, and 6 to 7 Sunday mornings.

Go to Roadtrip Radio on Facebook or www.roadtripradio.net to tell me your favorite roadtrip!

http://www.mollybrown.org/

Castle Marne B&B featured in Doors Open Denver 2012

Doors Open Denver 2012, Features Castle Marne Bed & Breakfast in today's  denver post article.   Once at the Denver Post site, click on Arts, then scroll down to Architecture, "Do Denver".  Over 70 architectural and historically significant sites throughout Denver are open for free tours next weekend, Saturday and Sunday, April 14 & 15.  The Castle Marne's hours are 10:00 to 3:00.

Castle Marne was built in 1889 as the home of Silver Baron Wilbur Raymond.  Raymond hired eclectic architect William Lang to build his new home.  He was the architect of over 300 homes in Denver.  He is best known for building the "Unsinkable Molly Brown" house.  www.mollybrown.org   Due to Denver's "Urban Renewal" in the 60's and 70's, over 200 homes were torn down, less than 100 survive today.  The Castle Marne's architectural style is Richardsonian Romenesque with Queen Anne overtones.  Raymond went over budget and lost the home in 1891.

The Second owner, Col. James H. Platt opened the Platte River Paper Mill, the largest paper mill west of the Mississippi River.  He was drowned in Green Lake in a fishing accident, near Georgetown, Colorado, August 13, 1894.

Third owner, John T Mason, a world renowned lepidopterist, collector of butterflies and moths, was first curator of the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.  Experts suggest anywhere between 20,000 and 40,000 specimen were housed in the Ball Room of the Castle Marne's third floor until the completion of the museum in 1911.  Mason and his second wife, Dora Porter, daughter of philanthropist Henry Porter, of Denver's Porter's Hospital traveled around the world with her husband discovering new species and bringing them back to the house to be catalogued.  At the completion of the museum, the entire collection was donated as one of the first permanent collections.  The Masons moved to Pasadena, California where he died in 1928.  For more information on the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, www.dmns.org

By the end of WW1, the fourth owner, Adele Van Cise, mother of Col. Philip Van Cise, District Attorney for the city of Denver,  converted the 6000 sq. ft. 2 bedroom house into 8 apartments. While Adele was converting the house, Philip returned from France where he had fought in one of the bloodiest battles of the war, the Battle of the Marne.  This house reminded him of the castles and manor homes along the River Marne in the northern River Marne Valley.  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Battle_of_the_Marne.  The apartment house was known as the Marne Apartments for the next 50 years.

By the 1970's the Marne was converted into offices for the next 10 years.  The room we call the Conservatory Room www.castlemarne.com was home to an anarchist newspaper.  An employment agency called Employer X offering day labor jobs to ex-cons recently released from the State Penal system was housed here too.

By the 1980's, due to the Saving's and Loan Crises, the mansion went into foreclosure.  The building was vacant for over 7 and a half years.  The plumbing froze and burst and for more than two weeks the water ran, filling the basement with water, destroying ceilings, walls and floors.

In 1988, the Peiker and Feher-Peikers purchased the derelict building with the intention of turning it into a bed and breakfast.  After extensive renovation and restoration, the Castle Marne Bed and Breakfast has been in operation for 25 years this August 1st.

For more information on individual sites open for the FREE tours, click here: www.denvergov.org/doorsopendenver.


                                            We're looking forward to seeing you next weekend.

                                                   The Peiker and Feher-Peiker family 

Blockbuster Magic Moments, 2012!

Another blockbuster show for Magic Moments, 2012!                       

This year's production of "A Night At Nick's, A Love Story Of Passion, Pirates, and Pianos" took audience members by storm.  The show welcomed us into Nick's, a neighborhood hangout located on a fictional wharf.  We met the "barfly" regulars and joined in celebrating Marty's 35th birthday with songs and dance.

The cast of over 200 was comprised of special needs and able-bodied singers, dancers and actors from all over the Denver metro-area.  Kids and adults alike sang and danced their way into the audience's hearts with songs like "I'm Proud To Be An American",  "Under The Sea", "I'd Walk 500  Miles" and more.

For more information on Magic Moments, the not-for-profit Musical Theater group based in Denver, Colorado, please go to magicmomentsinc.org.

"A Love Story at Castle Marne B&B" continued!!

It is my pleasure to introduce Mr. and Mrs Nick and Linda Clous!

Remember "A Love Story at the Castle Marne Bed & Breakfast"?  (previous post) They tied the knot Valentine's Day at 6:30 in the evening.  The bride looked lovely in her elegant shift complimented by her gorgeous jewelry.

Nick was handsome in his deep blue suit with a red striped tie.  Linda is holding the bouquet of fresh white tulips with a red ribbon.  The matching boutonniere is perfect on Nicks lapel.

Witness/ photographer Liz Feher-Peiker signs the license.

Lovely shot of the license, bouquet and the wedding cake

  

Cutting the cake.  They chose butter pecan cake with chocolate mousse filling in the shape of a heart.

Remember the "promise ring'?  It's now her wedding ring!

Beautiful bouquet and photo of their rings

Yumm, delicious!

Time for the romantic candlelight dinner for two.

First course is Bruschetta with fresh basil.

Kitchen staff, Charlie and mom, Melissa Feher-Peiker assembling the main entree's 

Nick chose the Bacon wrapped Filet Mignon with seasoned potatoes and stuffed mushrooms.

Linda chose the Salmon poached in champagne with a hint of clove and lemon with a fresh fruit salsa, served on a bed of wild rice.  Both LInda and Nick had the orange marmalade steamed carrots and caper butter broccoli.

Cake for dessert with coffee

Breakfast the next morning with fellow guests Eric and Zanthe.  They were engaged at the same time Linda and Nick were being married.  Congratulations all of you!  See the bridal bouquet as the center-piece?

Thank you for sharing this special occasion with us here at Castle Marne Bed & Breakfast.  It has ben a pleasure!