Gathering & Gratitude

October 25, 2017 9:30 am

We love Fall!

Crisp air. The lingering scent of the fires burning in the cabin hearth, or down at Skipper Lake. The taste of freshly-pressed apple cider as an afternoon refreshment. Forest walks to appreciate foliage that is so spectacularly rich in hue that the scene looks right out of a painting. It’s the season of postcard-perfect gathering moments at Glendorn.

If we had to just choose one favourite of all the beautiful seasons here on the property, this might be it—Fall. It’s also a time to show extra gratitude—Thanksgiving is around the corner, or recently celebrated by our Canadian friends. We have so much to be thankful for, including you, our guests, whom we consider to be an extended part of our Glendorn family.

On the topic of family, in this Fall edition we celebrate one of our own, Judy, our Director of Lodging. We also take you into the story behind Miller cabin, share the secret of our seasonal apple cider, as well as tell you about various ways we can relieve you of the “knots” of the upcoming (and sometimes hectic) holiday season.

Read on through each section of The Glendorn Story—Adventure, Taste, Stay, Celebration, Family and Wellness—for this fantastic Fall season!

Reminisce With Judy

9:20 am

If you’ve been to Glendorn, chances are you’ve crossed paths with Judith “Judy” Crooks. She’s our Director of Lodging… and oh-so-much more. The summer of 2017 marked 40 years since Judy started working at Glendorn! Congrats Judy! We salute you and thank you.

What a milestone for Judy! We can hardly believe it’s been 40 years. Judy is as sprightly as ever and we are grateful for all her contributions here. She is a valued member of the Glendorn family.

Judy’s special brand of hospitality magic is seen in so many corners on the property. She is the personified testament of dedication, commitment and leadership. Through four decades, as she’s grown her own family, she’s witnessed the growth of Glendorn, including seeing the Dorn family expand—marriages, children and grandchildren. Not to mention, all the additions and improvements to the property she’s been around for, including many that have happened in recent years.

You might say Judy is both the “eyes and the ears” of Glendorn. She certainly has seen and heard it all, and is a special part of the Glendorn story.

Known for going the extra mile with looking after our guest cabins and suite accommodations, Judy ensures there’s never a vase without fresh flowers, or a cabin cookie jar that isn’t full of our freshly-baked chocolate chip cookies. (Yes, among the numerous tasks she does, she oversees the magical, and seemingly immediate, re-appearance of the legendary cookies you all love to eat!)

We took a little time out of Judy’s schedule recently to sit down and chat (but not before she rearranged the fresh flowers as she walked in the room!) She enthused us with highlights of her tenure (so far!) at Glendorn. Here are just a few.

When we asked Judy how she started at Glendorn, she summed it up like this:

“I responded to an ad in the paper, had an interview, then was asked when I could start. When I replied, ‘anytime’, I was asked, ‘how about tomorrow?!'”

And so the 40-year history began. Judy says, “I started in dining! Then moved around from there. Now, I do a little bit of everything, except for the office… and love it!”

“It’s been a beautiful property, a beautiful experience here over the years,” she adds.

Reminiscing about different holidays, Judy regaled us with various stories of the Dorn family, from the days when the kids would come to the property as “camp” for the entire summer—those were the days of the children eating in the Playhouse, with the post-dinner tradition of ice cream and lollipops, followed by the Crossley fire truck rides down to Bondieu to feed the fish.

Through it all, the Dorns valued Judy’s contribution to the family. She recalled:

“One year, they brought a wagon inside, and after dinner, they took the tablecloth off the table and put it around me like I was a queen, and then we sat in the wagon in the room … there were always fun things like that. Whenever I see the family, it’s just like old reunion time!”

She notes that visitors to Glendorn often treat it as a reunion spot, “We have several repeat guests… because once you come here, you want to make it a destination place yearly.”

Judy also confirmed that the much-loved signature chocolate chip cookies—a Dorn family recipe—have always been part of life at Glendorn.

Of the more recent years, she enthused, “Mr. Forrest has put love into the property, with Tracy as well, and it’s so nice to have them take an interest and just love the property as the Dorn family did. They haven’t taken anything away from the character.”

Wrapping up our conversation with Judy, we asked her what would be one thing she’d miss the most if she left Glendorn. She quickly replied:

“I can’t answer that because I’ve never thought about it! Honestly, I know I’m celebrating 40 years here, but it just seems like time has stood still.”

It’s no wonder Judy says Glendorn feels like home. And she’s a key part of making guests feel that way when they come to Glendorn.

Again, THANK YOU for 40 wonderful years of service, Judy!

Unplug In Nature

9:00 am

Glendorn’s 1500-acre property, bordering the Allegheny National Forest, is a gift any season of the year, but it is especially beautiful with all the Fall colors. A walk in the forest along one of our many designated trails is an adventure in itself. And more and more studies are showing the proven health benefits. Heard of the term “forest bathing”?

Whether for 20 minutes or 2 hours, a leisurely walk or quicker-paced hike in the Glendorn forest is the perfect antidote to the stress built up from a busy schedule at home.

In fact, the practice of “forest bathing” is gaining traction in the U.S. The name is borrowed from the translation of the Japanese term “shinrin-yoku” which means “immersing in the forest atmosphere”, a government supported movement in Japan, where it has been a movement since the early 80’s.

According to an August 2017 CNN article, the Japanese have managed forests to help citizens relax and reduce stress—and scientists have measured the results.
Studies have shown that within 15 minutes of being in nature, stress level goes down, and heart rate, and blood pressure improves.

“If you’re in nature longer, you can feel less depressed, less anxious. And if you’re in nature for a few days, you have much increased creativity and cognitive ability,” said Dr. Nooshin Razani, quoted in the article. And she adds, there’s another big payoff: “Over the course of a lifetime,” she said, “being in nature can lead to less heart disease, as well as improvements in how long people can live.”

If the lure of the Fall colors wasn’t enough to motivate you to take a walk in our forest, the proven health benefits might be! Many of our guests love to start their day this way, before breakfast. The fresh air is at once relaxing and energizing. Pick up a map at the front desk with markings of all the trails. Along your path, you’ll notice various trees tagged with information about their species should you be interested to know. We can also arrange for a guide to take you out if that’s preferred over a self-directed walk.

If you’re extra-adventurous, you can head all the way up to Conglomeration Castle where you’ll be treated to some of the best vistas in Pennsylvania.

Unwind at Miller

9:00 am

It’s Miller time! And so it has been for 90 years now at Glendorn. We’re talking, of course, about Miller Cabin. This past summer, we gave the cabin a bit of a refresh, not losing any of its character, but instead playing it up. Find out what has made Miller special for nine decades, and why it remains a favourite unwinding spot for many guests.

Built in 1927 for C.G. Dorn, along the banks of his favorite trout stream—and later inheirited by his daughter, Earla Dorn Miller—the Miller Cabin is log-and-plank-sided cabin, and the longest-standing cabin on the property. Happy 90th, Miller Cabin!

Guests return time and again requesting to stay at Miller. It is the cabin located within closest walking distance to the main lodge.

Imagine reading or relaxing on Miller’s screened porch with its original Old Hickory furniture, overlooking the Fuller Brook stream; or enjoying a romantic evening in the living area with its chestnut paneling and wood-burning fireplace.

The king-sized bedroom, also paneled in chestnut, has a fireplace with a private bathroom. The living area has a custom made  sleeper sofa  for an additional guest. Adjacent to the living area is a second bath with a separate shower and tub.

Miller Cabin sleeps up to 3 adults (or 2 adults and 2 kids).  Call us to inquire further or book here.

Gather Here

9:00 am

We’re all about family and the spirit of togetherness. It’s the very reason Glendorn was originally built by the Dorn family. Of course, gatherings at holiday season are extra-meaningful with grand celebration! Check out our upcoming holiday weekends, a December package special, wreath-making, and New Year’s Eve booking option.

There’s reason to celebrate every day and every season at Glendorn. But there’s even greater reason during the holiday season!

Thanksgiving | As the editors put it in the November 2016 issue of Conde Nast Traveler for their “Editor’s Itinerary” last Thanksgiving, “The Lodge at Glendorn doesn’t mess around with the classics…It has a cozy vibe (cabins with fireplaces and board games), but since it’s a Relais & Châteaux property, nails it on quality and service.”

While we’re almost sold out for the coming Thanksgiving weekend in 2017, we still have a few select cabins and suites available. Plus, you can plan ahead for 2018! Call to inquire further.

If you come for the bright-colored foliage in peak Fall and think it’s beautiful then, we suggest you’d be equally delighted by the magic of the Lodge at Glendorn during peak holiday season. We definitely do it up!

Traditional decorations, garlands, wreaths and the 16-ft Christmas tree is the centerpiece of it all. Our property has 45 wood-burning fireplaces scattered throughout the main lodge and cabins, making Glendorn warm and inviting from the moment you enter the gates.

For the Christmas days from December 24-26, Glendorn is available for exclusive-use booking. Call us to inquire further:  800.843.8568

During the December lead-up to Christmas, we have some special activities planned, including:

Christmas wreath making | For 3 Saturdays in December (Dec 2, 9 and 16), we are offering a complimentary holiday wreath making class. Using fresh evergreens from the property, this hands-on instruction class will offer you everything you need to make your own holiday wreath—one you can take with you, to bring a little bit of Glendorn home for the holidays.

December Package Special | This December, we are offering our “Home for the Holidays” package that includes accommodations, four-course dinner for two, and breakfast. (And complimentary wreath-making if you stay over any of the Saturdays.)

Special pricing is as follows:
Main Lodge Rooms & Suites – $675.00 per night per couple plus tax and service.

Cabins – $875.00 per night per couple plus tax and service.

Additional bedrooms sharing a cabin are $350.00 per night including breakfast
Additional four-course meals at $105.00 per person.
Plus sales & occupancy taxes, 20% service charge.
Does not include any wines, spirits, or specialty beverages.

Book now here. Or, call to inquire: 800.843.8568

Valid December 1st – December 23rd, 2017 ONLY. 

Subject to availability

New Year’s Eve | This is a sold-out affair every year, and we are almost sold out this year. Why not ring in 2018 with us at Glendorn? It’s a great way to open the year in our award-winning accommodations, a special chef’s menu and live music. Plus the all-important celebratory fireworks!

Now, just imagine waking up at Glendorn on January 1.

Call us to inquire about the cabins still available for New Year’s Eve, including Miller Cabin. 

Prioritize You

9:00 am

Tension knots—be gone! The final quarter of the year is often the busiest. From work deadlines to personal obligations, and with prep for the holidays added to the to-list, it all adds up to some extra stress. Allow us to help release some of that busy-season stress when you visit this season.

The Forest Spa is ready to put you into self-care mode. First on the wellness agenda: a massage!

Our spa director, Jennifer Herzog, is a licensed massage therapist, with over 20 years of experience, and she is known for paying special attention to the key stress points in the body.

Massage therapy is proven to have numerous health and wellness benefits, whether it be reducing muscular tension, increasing mobility, improving circulation and lymphatic drainage, or reducing and even eliminating pain.

Go ahead and gift yourself this. Your body (and your family) will thank you, as you leave a little more zen from your session. Learn more about our spa services here. 

Savor the Season

9:00 am

Beyond the colorful leaves and extra fireplaces lit up, you know it’s Fall when our old-fashioned apple cider press comes out on display! We love making apple cider for our guests.

We believe the taste of our apple cider is the taste of Fall. It is made daily from a freshly-picked batch, sourced locally. (Fun fact: Pennsylvania is the fourth largest producer of apples in the U.S.!) We take the apples and press them daily, right in front of guests, throughout the autumn months. Our cider press is simple and old-fashioned—a nod to the original artisanal craft process, as used by the Dorn family. Many enjoy watching the cider-making process. Most of all, they enjoy drinking it…the taste doesn’t get any fresher than this!

Bonus: Did you know that fresh and pure apple cider is a living food, filled with natural enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that have immune-boosting qualities, as well as being good for your digestive system?

Cheers to that! Come join us for apple cider near the main lodge entrance any day this Fall.

To enjoy apple cider at home, we have an an appropriately named cocktail recipe from the Glendorn bar:

Autumn Delight

2oz. Whiskey
4oz. Cider
1.5oz. Ginger Syrup

Mix together. Add cinnamon on top. Garnish with an apple cinnamon stick.

Pittsburgh Quartlerly Spring 2017: Glendorn Aglow

February 25, 2017 4:16 pm

A glowing review of Glendorn in the Spring issue of Pittsburgh Quarterly.

Where Commerce & Culture Meet: Pittsburgh Quarterly is a combination of stories, photography and illustration about the most interesting and timely issues in Greater Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania.

Click below for the full article.

Pittsburgh Quarterly Spring 2017

Brides Magazine selects Glendorn as a top winter wedding destination

February 16, 2017 1:57 pm

Don’t dismiss the cooler months for your wedding — Old Man Winter brings stunning scenery for photos and fun winter activities for you and your guests.  Here are our picks for five of the coolest winder wedding destinations around the world.

Read the Full Article Below:

http://www.brides.com/story/amazing-winter-wedding-destinations-around-the-world

The Glendorn Collection of Art: The Worlds of Art and Sporting Traditions Often Intersect

January 30, 2017 9:45 pm

The complete book of the Glendorn Collection of Art is available for purchase in our Gift Shop

The appreciation of the region’s pristine woods, trout-rich streams and ?ltered sunlight piercing the dense forest canopy would result in many beautiful landscapes paintings which soon became  known as the “Scalp Level.”  The walls of Glendorn celebrate many of these works. In addition, the collection honors the love of sport and nature evident with paintings, lithographs and bronze sculptures by noted nineteenth and twentieth century artists. The common thread is the beauty and the bounty of the land.

Below is a sample of the collection and an introduction to the collection.

The Glendorn Collection of Art