Tag Archives: Valentine

Brown Palace Hotel – Denver, Colorado

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“Affairs of the Heart” Tours

Brown Palace Atrium Lobby Historic tours of Denver’s venerable Brown Palace Hotel focus on “Affairs of the Heart” during February. Oh, the tales Debra Faulkner, hotel historian and archivist, has to tell. After 118 years the “Brown” reveals stories of intrigue, romance, love triangles and even murder. Public tours are offered every Wednesday and Saturday at 3pm and last approximately 75 minutes. Tours cost $10/person, reservations are required. Children must be 10 years of age.

Besides “Affairs of the Heart” and general history tours, specialized  themes include a presidential tour (Every U.S. president  since Teddy Roosevelt in 1905, with the exception of Calvin Coolidge, has visited The Brown Palace.), an architectural tour and the ever-popular ghost tour given in throughout October. Groups of 5 or more must make arrangements for a private tour. Private tours can be arranged for those requiring a time outside of the normal scheduled tours.

brown-palace-lobby-teaI suggest making reservations for Afternoon Tea before your tour. Served in the eight-story atrium lobby the traditional afternoon ritual includes tea sandwiches, scones with Devonshire cream shipped directly from England and tea pastries. All accompanied by a harpist or pianist. If your valentine is a chocoholic the Chocolate Decadence Tea is sure to be loved – and, you for the idea.

When You Go: Brown Palace Hotel, 321 17th Street, Denver, Colorado

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Month of Love

Valentine Re-mailing – Loveland, Colorado

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From Loveland With Love

Loveland Valentine Mailbox - B Can it really be time to think about sending Valentine cards? Volunteers in The Sweetheart City of Loveland, Colorado are gearing up for their busiest weeks of the year. Since 1947 the Loveland program has re-mailed more than 12 million Valentines with special cachets and verses – the largest postmark re-mailing program in the world. The Loveland Chamber of Commerce operates the program in partnership with the Loveland Post Office which creates a special annual cancellation.

Each year a pictorial and love verse are selected from dozens of entries. The art for this year’s cachet was designed by Teresa Boynton. Wearing a cowboy get-up "Dan Cupid" aims his arrow to send the 2010 message written by Stan Griep, image

  “Love From Cupid’s Arrow

     Comes Straight ‘n’ True

     From Loveland, Colorado

     Direct to You!”

Over 200,000 Valentines from every state and 100+ countries will arrive in Loveland. Beginning at 9am, Feb. 1st more than 60 volunteers will gather to hand stamp the cupid cachet and love verse  – a true labor of love.

The 2010 "Official Loveland Valentine Card" designed by Tracie Jenkins and produced by the Chamber of Commerce can be ordered by calling 970-667-6311, on the web or in Northern Colorado retail outlets.image

Wanda Quist wrote the 2010 card verse:

“Sending this greeting on Cupid’s dart

From the City of Loveland, a city with heart.

Hoping this message fills your heart too

Here’s a Happy Valentine Wish for  you!

To receive the Loveland cancellation and Valentine cachet, enclose pre-addressed cards affixed with the proper postage in a larger envelope and mail 1st class to:

Postmaster – Attention Valentines

446 E. 29th St.                                            

Loveland, CO 80538-9998                   

Loveland Heart Sculpture The cards are removed from the larger envelope at the Post Office. To ensure delivery by Valentine’s Day 2010, foreign mail must be received in Loveland by February 3,  U.S. destined mail by February 8, and in-state Colorado by February 11. Many Colorado King Soopers and City Market stores have Loveland Valentine Re-mailing boxes where you can drop off your pre-stamped and addressed cards. Be sure to attach the correct postage on your cards.

Add a little extra love from Loveland to your Valentines this year.

The 2010 cachet and card courtesy Loveland Chamber of Commerce

Highland Haven Creekside Inn – Evergreen, Colorado

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Leave Your Mark of Love

hh-sweetheart-tree-best

Okay lovers – of every age – it’s too late for Valentine’s Day 2009 but romantic getaways shouldn’t be limited to one night a  year.  I suggest escaping any time of  year to Highland Haven Creekside Inn in Evergreen, Colorado. Less than a half hour from Denver, when at Highland Haven one feels a world away from the city. Tall pines and rocky outcroppings shelter lodge and cabins; Bear Creek tumbles in front of the property.

 Sunset named the inn as a Top 10 Romantic Cottage, in a “Denver’s Best Stuff ” issue of 5280 magazine Highland Haven earned the title of Top Place to Pop the Question. Accolades abound for the unique property.

Accommodations range from guest rooms and junior suites to private cottages and luxury suites with cozy fireplaces and Jacuzzi tubs or private  hot tubs. Whichever you choose the decor reflects what innkeeper Gail Riley terms “Colorado Chic.” You and your sweetheart are sure to appreciate the attention to detail and comfort.hh-interior1

Innkeepers and staff stand ready to enhance the romance with flutes of chilled champagne, imported chocolates, flowers, music or poetry. The inn says, “Love is in the air, in the trees and on the lane!” Several years ago a standing dead tree was stripped of branches and bark, lovers added their mark with hearts, names, intials and/or dates. Gail loves to tell the tender stories of individual carvings. The Sweetheart Tree was so popular a second has been added. A local artist does the carving – contact the inn to make arrangements to leave your mark. Lovers Lane is a stepping stone walkway across the broad lawn from inn to creek. Memorialize a special date or loved one with an engraved stone along the path.

Although it’s too late for a February 14, 2009 reservation it’s not too late for a gift certificate or a copy of Gail’s book  Colorado Cravings – Recipes and Romance. Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day, wedding, honeymoon, anniversary or popping the question you’ll long remember Highland Haven.

hh-creek-sculpture2 hh-exterior1 hh-sweetheart-tree1

Brown Palace Hotel – Denver, Colorado

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“Affairs of the Heart” Tours

brown-palace-exteriorHistoric tours of Denver’s venerable Brown Palace Hotel focus on “Affairs of the Heart” during February. Oh, the tales Debra Faulkner, hotel historian and archivist, has to tell. After 117 years the “Brown” reveals stories of intrigue, romance, love triangles and even murder. Public tours are offered every Wednesday and Saturday at 2pm and last 45-60 minutes. Tours are free, however reservations are required.

Besides “Affairs of the Heart” and general history tours, specialized  themes include a presidential tour (Every U.S. president  since Teddy Roosevelt in 1905, with the exception of Calvin Coolidge, has visited The Brown Palace.), an architectural tour and the ever-popular ghost tour (October tours often fill to capacity). Groups of 10 or more must make arrangements for a private tour. Private tours – for a fee – can be arranged for those requiring a time outside of the normal scheduled tours.

brown-palace-lobby-teaI suggest making reservations for Afternoon Tea following your tour. Served in the eight-story atrium lobby the traditional afternoon ritual includes tea sandwiches, scones with Devonshire cream shipped directly from England and tea pastries. All accompanied by a harpist or pianist. 

Is your valentine a chocoholic? If so, make reservations at the hotel’s elegant Palace Arms restaurant for a special Valentine’s Day dinner. Thanawat Bates, executive sous chef, has created a six course decadent dinner ($150/couple + tax and gratuity) with chocolate incorporated in each course.

Extend the celebration to Sunday, February 15th, with Ellyngton’s Dom Perignon Sunday Brunch. An extensive buffet offers selections from waffles to sushi and incredible desserts. Prices start at $54.95 per person.

Affairs of the heart isn’t limited to Valentine’s Day, the Brown Palace offers specials and packages for romantics year round. Check the website to find the right one for your occasion – Cupid’s Cuddle, Royal Romance, Light Up the Night or Tranquility With a Twist. For spur of the moment getaways try On A Whim. With the fine dining options, room service and pampering at The Spa at the Brown Palace you may never what to leave.

When You Go: Brown Palace Hotel, 321 17th Street, Denver, Colorado. 

Hearts and Arts Exhibit – Denver International Airport

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Hearts and Arts at DIA

 

valentine-heartFrom now through April Denver International Airport, the Loveland Museum/Gallery and the Loveland Chamber of Commerce present an exhibition honoring the historic and contemporary hearts and arts of Colorado’s Sweetheart City.

 

The exhibit is displayed along the walkway from the main terminal to Concourse A. It is before the security screening area and is accessible to all DIA visitors. Instead of stepping on the moving walkway, stroll down memory lane as you pass the cases of antique Valentines and trace the history of Loveland’s Valentine remailing program.

 

In recent decades Loveland has developed as a world renown art center. Studios, foundries, galleries and International shows support a large community of sculptors. Works displayed at DIA include bronzes by George Lundeen and Fritz White and the distinctive animal Interpretive Realism of Rosetta – all Loveland residents. 

 

loveland-postcardA bonus to current DIA visitors are kiosks with free postcards, take a moment to write a message to your favorite Valentine(s), address the card and place it in the special Valentine drop box. The Denver International Airport’s Art Program will pay the postage and deliver your postcard to the Loveland Post Office to receive the 2009 Loveland cancellations and Valentine cachet.

 

For further information about the Loveland remailing program see the previous post, The Sweetheart City – Loveland, Colorado.