This past Veterans’ Day, many of your Authentic Bed and Breakfast innkeepers in Lancaster County, PA were privileged to participate in a nation-wide program sponsored by our trade association, PAII (Professional Association of Innkeepers International).
The program, entitled “B and B’s for Vets”, began in 2009 in West
Virginia when a local innkeeper was looking for some way to give back to
her local veterans. In 2011, PAII took over the administration of the
program. Hundreds of B and B’s
in the US and Canada opened their doors and offered Veterans a free
night’s stay. You can see other specials offered by PAII at the Better Way to Stay website.
With
almost half of the Authentic B and B’s participating, approximately 70
rooms were offered for free at a value of almost $8,000. All branches of
the service were represented. There were active military, retired
veterans, old, young and in-between. There were service members home on
leave from Afghanistan or Iraq and even some who had been in the Battle
of the Bulge in WWII. Ages ranged from early twenties to folks in their
eighties.
In addition to a free night, your Authentic B and B Innkeepers, working with their Passport Partners
and others in the Lancaster community, compiled a complete program of
offers for the Vets. These offers included meals, entertainment,
shopping and Amish attractions. For example, Veterans were treated to a
free show at the American Music Theatre and a free meal at Good N’ Plenty, and a free Segway tour at Red Rose Segway Tours.
The
Veterans were very appreciative of the program. Many made arrangements
to stay an extra night so as not to miss out on the many opportunities
available to them. Several Vets have already made plans to return in
2012. As an added bonus, for most of the Vets and their spouses, this
was their first time to experience a bed and breakfast.
Indeed, your Authentic B and B Innkeepers were very honored to be able to say ‘thank you’ in this very unique way. Submitted by: Participating Authentic B and B Innkeepers of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
there
is a concert held in the amphitheatre in the park at no charge to the
public. There is a wide variety of music showcased with top performers.
The concerts start at 7:30pm and often run until 9pm or later. There are
food vendors with some light fare and also delicious ice cream (my
favorite summertime treat)! This Sunday’s concert, the 2nd of a series
of 13 concerts, is a traditional Scottish band,