The Inn and the Innkeepers

Letter from the Innkeepers

October 2003

Dear Friends of Anne Hathaway's Cottage,

It's getting cool in the evenings, the leaves on the red maple beside the driveway are beginning to turn, the ducks in Lithia Park are wearing their brilliant winter coats and the Oregon Shakespeare Theatre's 2003 season will soon be part of OSF history. We've lost count of how many breakfasts we've served, but are pleased to report that nearly all of them were eaten!

It's been a terrific season, opening with a pair on American politics by British playwright David Edgar. They left here in July and will next be done (with the same cast) this fall by the Berkeley Rep, followed by a London opening in March. To our thinking, however, OSF saved the best plays for the second half, with August Wilson's "Piano Lesson" getting spontaneous standing ovations at every performance and Milo Cruz's "Lorca in a Green Dress" sparking many breakfast conversations that spilled over into afternoon tea when cast and characters were replaced by the matinee's intellectual repast. Audiences also loved Sandy MacCallum as the world's oldest Puck in Midsummer's Night Dream in the Elizabethan. Sandy and Duane Boutté (aka Mercutio) were charter members of our Actors for Breakfast Club, an activity everyone seemed to enjoy and one we aim to make a tradition next season.

Anne Hathaway's Cottage has sailed through a sensational season also. There's plenty of room in the new dining room for both the servers and the served. The barista with a hot water machine and a fridge stocked with cold drinks have kept one and all well hydrated. And guest opinion on the green trim in the dining room is currently running four to one in favor of the green. With the reconfiguration, we have much more space in the living room for people to sit, read and chat -- or even watch tennis matches, football games or East Coast hurricanes on the small TV.

The dining room has not gotten as much use as we had thought because most mornings in the summer we've eaten in the back garden, which has undergone beautification worthy of Lady Bird Johnson. A new stone retaining wall with built-in benches is not only beautiful, but also utilitarian. A gazebo provides shade for breakfast, and the glass-topped table also got used by guests for lunches and dinner. We've planted new gardens in the back and front, while retaining most of the landscaping around the edge of the house.

On a perfectly normal walk to the post office one day last summer, Deedie discovered a very unusual set of Pennsylvania Dutch 1850s painted pine bedroom furniture that ultimately landed in the main bedroom on the first floor (which used to be a suite). With matching bed, dresser, writing table, commode, rocking chair and three straight chairs, it is a treasure we felt belonged here.

The front porch has also been well used this summer, with wicker furniture from the Ashland Recycled Furniture store providing seating for four on the side of the porch opposite the swing.

Finally, this report would not be complete without an update on the animal denizens here. Hattie continues to reign, charming nearly everyone with her winsome ways, but preserving a growl or two for the occasional guest she (for reasons we haven't yet determined) thinks ought to see evidence of her ferocious potential. Aunt Boots now sports a very tony pink vinyl collar with a big buckle and an even bigger bell, in the hopes that the next hummingbird she stalks will have ample warning. While somewhat less feral than before, she can still not be trusted --- she has a way to go before tame is associated with her name.

What fun we've had at Anne Hathaway's this year! Many of you have returned and we've loved seeing you. For those who may still be contemplating a visit to Ashland, we have limited space available for guests in the month before the OSF closes in early November, but of course would welcome you at anytime.

Please note that we are planning to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary with a trip to Pennsylvania, preceded by a week in Prague and therefore the inn will be closed from Nov. 16 to Dec. 4.

While we are away, those who want to make reservations for next year can do so through Webervations on the Internet. We will not be taking deposits until after January 1st, but will save the dates you want.

Deedie and David Runkel
Innkeepers