Serendipity B&B participates in B&B's for Vets

For the past 2 years B&B's have offered a free room to retired or active duty veterans on 11/10 so they wake up on Veteran's Day in a beautiful B&B and are served a wonderful breakfast! This is the second year that Serendipity is participating. I wish I had more rooms to be able to offer to the number of people who called after I filled. If you are retired or active duty, keep this in mind for next year! Here is the press release regarding this program.

SERENDIPITY BED AND BREAKFAST TO HONOR VETS WITH FREE ROOMS ON VETERANS DAY

Ocean City, NJ – Serendipity Bed and Breakfast will join hundreds of inns and B&Bs throughout the U.S. and Canada in honoring active and retired veterans with free rooms in recognition of Veteran’s Day.  In a campaign called B&Bs for Vets, Serendipity B&B will join inns and B&Bs in opening their doors with complimentary stays for vets on November 10, 2011 so they can wake up on Veteran’s Day to a wonderful breakfast after a great night’s sleep in a B&B. Serendipity B&B has offered four rooms which were rapidly booked.
“We are proud to join innkeepers across the USA and Canada in honoring active and retired military and veterans by offering complimentary rooms,” said Karen Morella, Owner/Innkeeper. “We are thrilled that thousands of vets and their families will wake up on 11-11-11 in a B&B, like ours.  It’s one small way we can thank those serving in the military and their families for the important work they do” finished Morella.
The B&Bs for Vets program started in 2008 when Kathleen Penek, co-owner of the Gillum House and a handful of other innkeepers in West Virginia opened their doors to veterans in honor of Veteran’s Day. The program grew in popularity among innkeepers, and last year Serendipity B&B joined more than 900 inns in the US and Canada by offering free rooms to vets.  This year, the Professional Association of Innkeepers International will coordinate the B&Bs for Vets program as a way to help veterans learn about today’s B&B experience.
Although Serendipity B&B is filled there are many other B&B’s and Inns which still have rooms available.  Proof of military service will be requested.  To see a complete list of participating inns and B&Bs in the U.S. and Canada, visit www.bnbsforvets.org.
About Serendipity Bed and Breakfast
Serendipity Bed and Breakfast has been a B&B for 21 years, the last 6 years with Karen Morella as the Innkeeper. Serendipity B&B is open year-round and is located only ½ blocks from Ocean City, NJ’s famed beach and boardwalk.  In addition to serving a regular diet breakfast, Morella also will accommodate vegan, lactose-intolerant and gluten-free diets with advance notice. A recent addition is the Serendipity Tea House which is open year-round also but requiring reservations.
About Better Way to Stay
The Better Way To Stay project is a grassroots campaign sponsored by the Professional Association of Innkeepers International (www.innkeeping.org).  The campaign is dedicated to helping travelers discover today’s inns and B&B experience through programs and social network campaigns geared to enhancing the travel experience.

Karen
Serendipity Bed and Breakfast
info@serendipitynj.com
www.serendipitynj.com
www.facebook.com/serendiitynj

Irene's Evacuation

Evacuation is a scary word. I never thought about having to evacuate - never thought I would be "one of those people". Thanks to Irene I had the opportunity to know the word evacuate very well. I hope none of you get to know it that well. On Thursday I was busy. The governor had just issued the mandatory evacuation notice to all the barrier islands in Cape May County. That meant I had to tell the people already staying here, that they had to leave Friday morning. I also had to contact all the people coming in for the weekend - and I was filled - that due to Irene we would be closed. Between trying to reschedule and refunding those who could not reschedule, took my mind off the evacuation. Friday was spent putting away everything that was outside that could blow away - beach chairs, chairs and tables on the porch, outside furniture in back, all the flower window boxes, chimes and the list seemed to go on and on. I had Karl, the young man who cleans for me this summer, come and do all the rooms. So I also had laundry to do. I wanted everything done so I could come back and not have to worry about cleaning the rooms because who knew what other cleaning I was going to have to do. Eventually all that was done, the people had left and the only thing remaining for me to do was pack a bag. One of the hardest things I have had to do was pull out of my driveway. I took another look at my home, not knowing what I would find when I returned, hoping that any damage would be minimal. As I drove off and across the bridge I just asked God to take care of me and my home.
I was very fortunate that my son and his wife had offered me a place to stay. They live about an hour away. Surprisingly both the parkway and the AC expressway had very little traffic. I did take advantage of the forced time off and did some shopping on Saturday. What a novelty - shopping on a Saturday morning in August! I also tried to sleep in. I know I had been hoping to be able to sleep in soon, but I meant the end of September, not August.
Listening to the weather reports was tough. You kept watching and hoping they would talk about Ocean City so you could see what was going on. Fortunately I had a friend whose crazy brother had stayed in Ocean City so I did get a few second hand reports. The best report I received was Sunday morning around 8:15 am. Irene had passed, there was hardly any flooding and best of all - Serendipity looked intact! No flooding outside on 9th St and the power had not gone off all during the storm! This meant that my sump pumps had probably been running all night and hopefully were able to keep the water from getting to my furnace and hot water heater.
Coming over the bridge into Ocean city was a fantastic feeling! I was back home and everything looked the same - except there were no people around on an August weekend :) As I pulled into my driveway I could see from the debris on the driveway how far the water had come in. It probably came up to the first step on my porch. During a recent rain storm it came that high. I walked into Serendipity and checked from the attic to the cellar. Except for water in the basement - which is a normal occurrence during a storm - everything looked just the way I left it! Thank you God for sparing Serendipity and Ocean City! How wonderful to come back and everything was fine. I am very lucky!
My next trip was to the boardwalk and beach. I fully expected to see the beach all eroded. But it looked just like it did the day I left. The waves were rough but there was a nice slope to the beach. On the boardwalk stores were removing the plywood they had put up to secure their windows. Litterers was open for business! There were some people strolling on the boardwalk and riding bikes. Although it was a bit rainy and very windy, it was a beautiful day to be in Ocean City. And later on that day the wind died down and the sun came out. Time to put out the porch furniture, the beach chairs, hang the chimes and put the flower boxes back. Time to welcome guests back to Serendipity and Ocean City!


Karen
Serendipity Bed and Breakfast
info@serendipitynj.com
www.serendipitynj.com
www.facebook.com/serendipitynj

Guests become Friends!

Hi!

If you have stayed at Serendipity then you know that to me this is my home first and a place of business second. I am always happy when people come in and tell me how cozy Serendipity is or how they feel like they are coming home. That is the atmosphere I try to project and it makes me feel great when it come across to people staying here. In keeping with that theme, it was a great couple of days for me when people who have stayed at Serendipity stopped in to say hello! Twyla has been coming to Serendipity since the previous owners were here and has continued coming after I bought Serendipity. She is a very interesting person and someone I enjoy talking with. Unfortunately this time in Ocean City there was no vacancy at Serendipity so she had to stay elsewhere. (I always feel bad when that happens.) What a great surprise that she stopped in before leaving town to say hello! Although I had people in for tea we were able to chat for a bit. Hopefully when she comes next time, there will be a room for her at Serendipity!
Sue popped in on Friday. She was just down for the day but wanted to say hello. Met her sister who was with her! Since it was breakfast time there was not much time to talk but I did appreciate that she stopped in. I know how much she enjoys the beach!
Today Joe and Verna stopped by. In Ocean City for the day with her sister and wanted to have her meet me! They also mentioned that they had my Christmas card on their refrigerator - so maybe I am part of the family!
Tomorrow Nancy says she will stop by when she is in Ocean City. It's nice to know that Serendipity is more than just a place to sleep and eat breakfast. It makes me feel very honored to know that I am more than just the "innkeeper" to people. Thank you for making me feel like I am part of your Ocean City memories. If you are in Ocean city, stop by and say hello. It's never an inconvenience!

Karen
Serendipity Bed and Breakfast
info@serendipitynj.com
www.serendipitynj.com
www.facebook.com/serendipitynj

Running a B&B

Hi!

Our local daily newspaper, Press of Atlantic City, recently did an article about running a B&B. I was fortunate enough to be one of the B&B owners they interviewed - what fun! If you would like to read the article here is the link
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/communities/upper_capemay/running-a-bed-and-breakfast-may-seem-peaceful-but-it/article_2176543a-9454-11e0-86ce-001cc4c002e0.html
Thank heavens for copy and paste :) The article is pretty true to how I feel - especially the part about loving my job! Thank you to all my great guests for the wonderful experiences you are/have given me. Thank you also for giving me the means to live in the wonderful house that I do, and for being able to live where I live. You are the greatest!

Karen
Serendipity Bed and Breakfast
info@serendipitynj.com
www.serendipitynj.com
www.facebook.com/serendipitynj

Martin Z Mollusk Day!

Yesterday, May 5, was not only Cinco de Mayo but even more importantly, it was Martin Z. Mollusk Day! This is a very important day in Ocean City because if Martin sees his shadow then summer comes one week early to Ocean City - and we all want that! Before I tell you the result, I am going to keep you in suspense and talk about the events leading up it. (Now, if you already saw the results on Facebook, don't give away the ending. And for those who did not see the results on Facebook, 'like' SerendipityNJ on Facebook and read all about what goes on in Ocean City!)
To the music of Pomp and Circumstances played by the OCHS band, the procession to the beach started, lead by the Trash Buster. Already on the beach was Mama Llama who did not seem at all happy being there. Maybe because it was windy. But it was a gorgeous day to be on the beach despite the wind. A beautiful blue sky which did contain some clouds. Mark Soifer, AKA Trash Buster and mentor to Martin, made some opening remarks. Next was music from the Wind Chime Band. Then, because of Martin's advanced age - 111 in hermit crab years - Dr Frankenstein accompanied by Nurses Excellent and Perfect examined Martin to ensure he was in good enough condition to finish the important task at hand. Fortunately, Martin was deemed to be in excellent health! Now came the moment of suspense - would Martin see his shadow? All of a sudden, the sun went behind a cloud. Oh no - now what!!!??? But not to worry. The sun emerged from behind the cloud, Martin was placed on the sand and YEAH, he saw his shadow. Mama Llama confirmed the sighting of the shadow and the crowd went wild! Once more summer comes one week early to Ocean City!
For pictures and video, click on this link
http://ocean7hotel.com/beachasylum/?p=949#more-949
A friend of mine took them and if you look closely you'll even see me! Make plans to come for Martin Z Mollusk Day next year!

Karen
Serendipity Bed and Breakfast
serendipitynj@comcast.net
www.serendipitynj.com
www.facebook.com/serendipitynj

And the winner is..........

Congratulations to Sal and Jeanne from Sewell, NJ. They have won the One Free Night contest! Sal and Jeanne are scheduled to come down in June. So now they can either choose to stay another night, have one night cost deducted from their total or use it for another reservation!
Thanks to all my guests who made a reservation in March. Can't wait to see you! The weather today is beautiful - bright sun and not too cold. (There may be a possibility of rain this afternoon but that 4 letter word is not allowed in this house!)
Have a wonderful day!

Karen
Serendipity Bed and Breakfast
serendipitynj@comcast.net
www.serendipitynj.com
www.facebook.com/serendipitynj

How to know when Spring has arrived

So how do you know when Spring has arrived? Tough question :) Some people look at the calendar, see that March 20 says that Spring Begins and say yippee, Spring is here. Other people wait until they see a robin - always a harbinger of Spring. But for me and Serendipity, Spring has arrived when I get that special phone call. Deb calls to tell me the pansies are in and she will be down to plant them! What says Spring better than pansies? And thank heavens they are a hardy plant!
So this year I received that "Spring has arrived" call from Deb but there was a bonus. She was coming down with 2 of her gardening friends. On Tuesday Deb, Jay and Randy arrived and in no time at all the pansies were planted and the front of the house looks great! What was even greater was the labor cost - a cup of tea and some razz-ma-taz bars that I had. (If you do not know what razz-ma-taz bars are they are made with white chocolate, raspberry jam and almonds. A big favorite at the afternoon teas.) It was a win-win situation for me - the front garden looks pretty, got to serve tea and a sweet to friends, and wonderful conversation. So Happy Spring everyone! Serendipity is definitely in spring mode!

Karen
Serendipity Bed and Breakfast
serendipitynj@comcast.net
www.serendipitynj.com
www.facebook.com/serendipitynj