Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and the Happiest of New Years! The last 4 months have been hard times for the Retreat House, Rockport and the surrounding areas. Hurricane Harvey huffed and puffed but he did NOT blow us down but he slowed us down a little. All our September, most of our October, November and December bookings cancelled their Retreats due to not only our damages but the damages our guests received to their properties. I have had some cancellations in January and February if any groups want to look at the calendar for possible bookings for your group. I am not going to sugar coat it, the last few months have been a severe struggle with no revenue coming in due to all the cancellations. We have the new roof completed as of this week, the internet is back up and running. We are about 95% back to normal. Still a few small cosmetic repairs and we still have LOTS of downed trees to remove, but we are making good progress, even with the lack of revenue coming in! I am hoping 2018 will restore some normalcy back to not only the Retreat House, but to the City of Rockport as well. We invite all to visit Rockport to help restore the Community and Rebuild Rockport by visiting the shops and restaurants that have worked hard to re-open! Over 350 business have reopened, some on limited hours as time is needed to meet with construction crews, roofers, etc. Most of the small business will let you know to simply call or text them if you arrive at their shop and find it closed. Most live within minutes of the business and will be right there to open the doors to let you browse to your hearts content!

We offered our first class on the Silhouette Cutting machine and it was a lot of fun back in July. We have a second class scheduled for January 18-21, 2018. The spots are filling quickly so sign up if you would like to join in on the fun! Karen is making some plans for a really FUN and EXITING class!! I have seen previews. We will be offering the Silhouette class every six months as long as interest continues! I have been making arrangements for hold a Cricut Cutting Machine class as well. There will be weekends for learning how to get started in beading, sewing, quilting, etc!! Barbara, who held classes at the Golden Needle Quilt Shop in town has offered to hold classes at the Retreat House as well. Her "Flower Pillows" are soooooo gorgeous! I hope to take that particular class myself! Dates will be posted as we work out the details. New fabrics have been arriving at Golden Needle Quilt Shop so stop by and see Jeanne!

I still plan to open a small shop inside the Retreat House. We will offer basic fabrics and notions so you can continue with your projects at 2 am even if you found you forgot to pack something! No space will be taken from the workroom, so don't worry! Inventory is coming in, we should start working on building shelves and display cases in 2018!

I have purchased the fabric and will begin making quilts for each of the bedrooms. Each room has it's own theme. We have the Hummingbird Room, the Peacock Room, the Pink Flamingo Room and the Blue Heron Room. I hope to make the bedrooms more enjoyable for your stay with curtains, wall decor, amenities and so much more! I have so many dreams and ideas for the House based on suggestions from you, our guests!! We will have as many spontaneity dates as possible! Spontaneity Weekends have been a big hit in 2017 and I will be offering more in the months to come!

Again, I want to emphasize, even with the devastation of Hurricane Harvey, there will be no rate increases during 2017. I am changing my minimum guest requirements. Sunday thru Thursday the minimum is 4 persons or $260.00 per night. Friday and Saturday nights have a minimum of 8 persons or $600.00 per night. If you choose to do so, I have no issue with fewer people, only please be aware the minimum monetary amount must be split between the number of guests present. This will insure the House stays self sufficient and I can continue to provide the service all our guests have come to expect and enjoy! We will start offering "Sew-In Days" for days not booked for Retreats. Cost will be $20.00 per person. Sewing times will be from 9 am until 5 pm. The kitchen will be available so you can make your lunch if so desired. I have begun a new accounting system to make bookings easier. An invoice for your deposit will be sent when you book your Retreat. Deposits are due 90 before your Retreat. Any Retreat cancelled within 30 days of the Retreat will forfeit the deposit. Too many groups cancelled the week before their Retreat in 2017. I plan to be moving to Rockport permanently in 2018 if everything works out according to current plans. At that time I will be able to get more things accomplished to make the Rockport Retreat House your Home Away From Home!

It is a pure joy to provide each and every group a relaxing place to enjoy your crafts, hobbies or simply find some relaxing time away from the hurried fast pace of everyday life. Please do not hesitate to pass along suggestions for things your would like to see at the Retreat House.

HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON!!!

Darleena