Ambridge, Pennsylvania – Over 100 years of Beauty, Grace, and a little bit of Rock and Roll

When you cross the beautiful and majestic Ambridge Bridge you feel a sense of time travel. Driving your car across the wonderfully preserved stone streets, catching glimpses of 100 plus year old buildings in all their glory. There is so many architectural features to take in and admire. As you drive through this historic community you cannot help but notice the quaint local businesses mixed in with more modern splashes of growth industries. You can see why people grow silent when taking in this beautiful community for the first time.

At first glance you may think that this small town on the edge of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania may not have a lot of “touristy” attractions to fill your day. You would be wrong! The most prevalent of all the attractions in Ambridge, Pennsylvania is Old Economy Village. This National Historic Landmark is the third and final home of the Harmony Society. In 1824, leadership of the group purchased thousands of acres, along the Ohio River, for easy access for shipping as well as farming. This well preserved village offers tours and many other fun and educational activities. Perfect for all ages.

Although the community boast incredible history it also has a strong presence of new and shiny! Places like the Ambridge Regional Distribution and Manufacturing Center help the area and promote growth by heavily investing in the restoration of the original Armco Steel Corporation plant. This 85 acre development offers and will offer flexible manufacturing space, office buildings, along with beautifully landscaped space breathing life into the area.

With all of this going on, and much more, in Ambridge there are other waves of culture sweeping the area. Things like Rock and Roll! Yes I said ROCK AND ROLL! Ambridge, PA is the home of a wonderful Rock and Roll Academy that offers instruction from local, accomplished, musicians to people of all ages.  The For Those About To Rock Academy, the Ambridge Fall Festival, Taste of Autumn, along with the local clubs and workshops add a little fun and edge to this beautiful community making it a wonderful place to live and visit. When you do visit be sure to stay at the new and shiny, Cobblestone Inn and Suites right in the center of it all. 

Knoxville, Iowa - Not Tennessee!

The small town of Knoxville, IA boasts many things for a traveler to take part in. In it's infancy this beautiful town was set up to be a coal mining town to attract the railroad in the late 1800s. Now? This booming community of over 7000 people offers much more in the industry sector as well as the tourism sector then one would realize.

A few highlights when it comes to Knoxville, IA? Beer! Racing! Home of the Award Winning Peace Tree Brewing Company! Yes, this small town brewery has won many awards for its "Blonde Fatale". Winner of the Belgian-Style Blonde or Pale Ale Category at the 2014 World Beer Cup! These wonderful brewery has more to offer then just a wide and ever changing selection of beer. If you are lucky and you wonder into this fine establishment on a one of their Trivia Nights, be ready for some fun! Whether you are participating or just siting back and enjoying the show you will feel right at home! Have a sample or two or three! You will find a server to help you decide with helpful education, a friendly disposition and even live music on select evenings.
Even though the friendly beverage establishments might be why people stay in Knoxville at the Cobblestone Hotel and Suites, the Knoxville Raceway will certainly be why they come to this beautiful town! I can't forget to mention the fact that Knoxville is the "World Sprint Car Capital". From April to September each year the rumble of the engines will bring you to the Knoxville Raceway! That is not all that brings people from a far to the beautiful Knoxville, Iowa area! Go hiking, fishing or boating at Lake Red Rock, Iowa’s biggest lake. This picturesque lake will make your jaw drop! It did the first time I saw it. My exact thought was "where the heck did this come from". Beaches? It has them! Bird watching? You bet! How about the Lake Red Rock Balloon Fest? Yes! Check out the spectacular gathering of hot air balloon enthusiasts!

“America’s Official Fourth of July City – Small Town USA” Seward, Nebraska

There are many things that make me think of a small town and one of those things is Independence Day. Although this year’s celebration has passed there is only one small town that has been recognized for it’s Fourth of July Celebration. Seward, Nebraska, population 6,965 at the time, was featured in 2014 on Good Morning America as one of the top places to celebrate our Independence Day. 

 

This celebration has been a site to see since it’s beginning in 1868. One fun fact about this shindig is that prior to the automobile, they carted people around on a special train so they could attend! In 1979 a Resolution in the U.S. Congress named Seward “America’s Official Fourth of July City – Small Town USA”. Sort of cool! 

Some other great facts about Seward is that the town was named Tree City USA, has 11 parks, 7 athletic fields, 3 tennis courts, and the largest round swimming pool in Nebraska. They are also are home of the SewardCounty Fair. This community is not only has a lot going for it now but it has great plans for the future. There are current renovations as well as fund raising efforts in place to turn there 1956 Armory into the Nebraska National Guard Museum. 

All in all you can find everything you need in Seward, Nebraska for a great family vacation or just a day or two passing thought the great state of Nebraska. Did I mention that Seward is only a miles off Interstate 80? So next time you are taking the long trip across Nebraska and want to stop for a comfy place to sleep try the Cobblestone Hotel and Suites in Seward, Nebraska in the wonderful town of Seward, Nebraska. This great small town offers a friendly atmosphere, wonderful accommodations, as well as a few delicious places to eat! 

C.A.R.E. Training - Happy Worker, Happy Guest!

Cobblestone Hotels BIG TRAINING WEEK!

One thing that I feel sets Cobblestone Hotels apart from a lot of other companies that I have worked for is it's unique and fun work environment. As I travel through the country I see more people appreciate the small town hospitality that someone who grew up in a small community would already know. What does that have to do with a good work environment?

This past week was Cobblestone Hotel's Quarterly Brand C.A.R.E. Training. This training is a crucial step in the success of the manager at each of our Cobblestone Hotels. This five day course is a lot for anyone. Long days of packing as much information into a new employee's head with a extensive exam at the conclusion determining if you pass.

So you ask me again, what does this have to do with a work environment and small town hospitality? Each of our managers endure the training in order to be the best manager they can be as well as learn how to give the best hospitality and guest experience possible. In order to do this you must have a good work environment. If you have a poor and stressful work environment it will eventually trickle to affect the guest. Leading by example, the CEO of Cobblestone, Brian Wogernese took the time out of his day to prepare and serve each of the trainees from the Cobblestone Food Truck.

Providing a good work environment will always make it's way to the guest. They will feel it in the way they are treated and they will witness it in how happy employees at the hotel are. We wish all the wonderful trainees luck in creating wonderful work environments at their hotels and look forward to seeing the wonderful compliments from their guest.

Stanley, Wisconsin

Real Small Town?

My small town is a community like Stanley, WI (or Stanley-Boyd). The town that I grew-up in. The home of the Stanley-Boyd Orioles. State Football Champions in 1991, 1995 and 2013 (it's on the Welcome Sign). The home of The Stanley Theater which has been owned and operated by the same family since 1964 and was built in 1936. A community pillar so treasured by the people of and from Stanley, WI that when $60,000 plus was needed to update the theater and get the necessary equipment to keep the business open everyone locally and regionally stepped up. A crowd funding effort to the money was raised and support rolled in. They accomplished the goal, did the updates, are providing a wonderful service to the people that supported them and are even delivering fresh movie popcorn to people that have might want to stay in. This is just a small example of how Stanley, WI exhibits what a "Small Town" is to me.

 

There are so many wonderful charming things about Stanley, WI. So if you are driving down Highway 29 in Wisconsin and feel like a little vacation, stop in and visit the beautiful Chapman Lake or Park, have your fill at the delicious Watermelon Festival, let down your hair at the high energy Stanley Rodeo or just want to catch a flick at the beautifully restored Stanley Theater. Whatever you choose you will be welcomed with open arms and given the hospitality you will come to expect from a truly small town.

Wray, Colorado

Now this town has a lot going for it when it comes to a true “Small Town”. Besides the fact that the Republican River is flowing through it, this community offers free camping to travelers! If camping is not your cup of tea you can stay at the Cobblestone Inn and Suites!

With all Wray has to offer a traveler passing through, one of the major attractions in town is the Wray Museum. This museum features a life-size Bison model! There is no doubt in my mind that after a long trip down US 34 you and your companions will snap into a fit of joy when they see this huge sculpture! That is not all this museum has to offer. The Wray, Colorado Museum boasts an extensive Arrowhead Display, “The Trophy Room” filled with a large collection and wide range of animal trophies donated by one local family and a beautiful collection of World War II memorabilia. The World War II Exhibit is a traveling feature that highlights several service men and women’s uniforms in the war as well as the original antenna-lifting kite made by John Russell Edmunds (Pete) for the United States Navy.

Keep in mind that Wray, Colorado is not all educational! This town is packed full of fun actives and place to have a great time! Weather not so great? The Wray Activities Center offers basketball, swimming, weight rooms, racquetball, and so much more! How about a Rubber Duck Race? Check out the WRAC website for more details on that!