The 4th Edition of the Lonely Planet guidebook, Washington, Oregon, and the Pacific Northwest is just out (May, 2008) naming Country Willows Inn as “Our Pick” in Ashland. Fifteen lodging establishments are mentioned in Ashland’s “Sleeping” section. Country Willows is singled out as the only one with the distinction of the “Our Pick” label.

The Lonely Planet has developed a loyal following by producing thoroughly researched travel guidebooks covering the world for some thirty years. The Coordinating Author personally visited Country Willows in the Spring of 2007 gathering first-hand information on Ashland.

The guidebook is packed with practical travel advice that could be extremely valuable in planning your trip to Ashland and the Northwest Region.

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This past spring, a comprehensive remodel of The Cottage was completed. Using the color palette of nature-inspired shades of green, gold, and red, an out-of-doors feel comes inside to The Cottage space. Antique furnishings, an electric parlor stove, and vintage posters enhance and give character to this newly redesigned interior.

On the brick patio overlooking the pond, a new Adirondack-styled table set for four is now in place. Complete with a bright red market umbrella, red and white striped chair cushions and glider chair, the patio will serve as a shady, relaxing spot for cottage guests.

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Barbara Huntley, 1985 – 1995 (seated on left)

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Celebrate Mother’s Day with a traditional afternoon tea to be held at Country Willows beginning at 1 PM on Friday and Saturday, May 11 & 12, 2007.
Perfect for sharing with Mom, a special loved one or friend, this elegant tea will feature three courses in the traditional manor – delectable scones, delicious finger sandwiches, and delightful little deserts & fruits.

We are delighted to have Gretchen Twill, Founder and President of Devi Tea, a locally-based tea company headquartered in Medford, join us for tea. Gretchen will brew and discuss tea in all its fascinating nuances. Come and enjoy the gardens in their full May glory as you sip and partake in this memorable tea occasion. The cost is $15 per person. Please call or email the Inn to reserve your place.

PS (June 2007)The tea was well received and may become an annual event.

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Remodeling is an ongoing process at Country Willows, and this past year has been no exception! The kitchen is now a brighter, cheerier place to prepare your breakfasts now that we have completed a major update last spring. We painted the old (dark wood) cabinets an off-white “heavy cream” color and added a sky window. New granite countertops combined with new appliances have helped with efficiency.

The Cedar Room now has a new look. We think you’ll find it has a warmth that is very soothing. The layout remains the same utilizing the existing antiques. Underfoot is a new wool area rug, leaving part of the old fir floor visible. The Pine Ridge Suite now has a beautiful new carpet that reflects the feel of its Northwest décor.

Outside, in the spot near the raised bed garden, we now have a little country herb/flower garden. This was the former rabbit hutch area where Beatrice the bunny lived. As many of you know, Beatrice died of old age back in 2004. With an umbrella, café table, and chairs, Beatrice’s Garden (pictured below) can now be another quiet retreat spot on the Country Willows grounds.

We are remodeling The Cottage this winter. The updated décor will retain the cozy charm of the suite, enhanced by the addition of an electric parlor stove.

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Winter in Ashland can be an enchanting experience. Starting every year the day after Thanksgiving, the downtown is aglow with the “Festival of Lights.” The parking lot at Lithia Park is transformed into the Darex Family Ice Skating Rink, open through the end of February. And, of course there is skiing at nearby Mt Ashland. Discount vouchers are available to guests at Country Willows.

The Oregon Stage Works Theater is presenting two noteworthy plays this season, “On Golden Pond” 1/23/07 to 2/25/07 and “To Kill a Mockingbird” 3/20/07 to 4/22/07. OSW www.oregonstageworks.org is located on A Street in Ashland. The Oregon Cabaret Theatre is presenting “Guys on Ice” 1/31/07 to 4/1/07 and “Western Civilization!” 4/11/07 to 6/3/07.

The Ashland Independent Film Festival is growing bigger and better each year. We have hosted filmmakers the past two years here at Country Willows, which has proved to be a delightful and enriching experience. The dates this year are April 12 – 16, 2007. See the web site for details www.ashlandfilm.org

Quilting Retreat. Linda Ballard, well-known quilt teacher from California, will hold a retreat at Country Willows on March 19-21. For details, go to www.letsquilt.com This workshop has just been filled, but more such retreats are envisioned.

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To assist our guests in planning their stay in Ashland, we have added a collection of web links in one central place on the Country Willows site. There you will find links to the local theaters, including, but not limited to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, recreational opportunities, golf courses, wineries, and more. To find the links click on the Concierge button on the top navigation bar.

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Hot off the press, the ninth edition of The Best Places to Kiss in the Northwest again bestows its Four Kiss rating on Country Willows. As the publisher (Sasquatch Books) of the Best Places to Kiss series explains, “We award four-lip ratings sparingly, reserving them for what we consider simply sublime.”

We at Country Willows are ready to provide the setting for your next romantic get-away – perhaps a holiday or winter retreat. The fireplaces, the Jacuzzis await you. Maybe the home-grown mistletoe will inspire you….

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Sunset Magazine did an article on Ashland in the September 2005 issue (Northwest Edition) entitled “Ashland Onstage.” In the “Touring Ashland” section at the conclusion of the piece, four suggestions for lodging are listed, one of which is Country Willows!

For a limited time the body of the article can be seen on-line at www.sunset.com/sunset/travel/northwest

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Computer Improvements. Wireless capability was expanded to encompass all nine rooms by means of a new, more powerful router and a repeater for the barn suites. The old guest laptop in the library was replaced by a brand new model.

Room updates. This past spring we remodeled the Willow Room (located in the main building of the Inn). French country antique bird prints inspired the updated look which includes taupe painted walls, with shades of brown, rust, and robin’s egg blue in other furnishings. New carpeting, blinds, draperies, and linens add to the new look – subdued and serene. Other updates include new carpeting in the Oak, Almond, and Bunk rooms.

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In May of 2004, Country Willows was purchased by Chuck and Debbie Young. As a brief introduction, below is an excerpt from a recent article appearing in the “preview issue” of Ashland Magazine. The full text can be found on page 22 (in PDF format) at www.ashlandmagazine.com .

During a brief visit to Ashland in the summer of 2003, Chuck and Debbie were captivated with the beauty of the region: the pastoral hillsides, the charm of Ashland’s streets and parks, and of course, the mountains. They felt the tug of Ashland’s small-town charm. Chuck, previously an engineering manager working in the high-tech sector, and Debbie, a teacher, were prompted by some New Year’s seasonal introspection and discussions to finally pursue their long-standing idea of opening a B&B. Remembering their first glimpse of Ashland, they began the search here. “Country Willows reminds us of our two-acre homestead back in Massachusetts where we raised our family for twenty years. The similarities are striking - the lawns, the barn, the vegetable and flower gardens, and the animals, even down to the two goats!”

Debbie has had a life-long passion for baking and cooking. She explains that her skills in the kitchen, garden, and in decorating pursuits complement Chuck’s experience in computers, property maintenance, and landscaping

Looking forward, “it is our primary goal to continue the tradition of excellent service at Country Willows.” Change will be gradual as the inn evolves to reflect the new innkeeper’s personalities. .

After four months of inn keeping, what stands out as unexpected? Besides the obvious answer relating to the enormous amount of work running a large B&B, the keys to everything are the guests. “They have been just wonderful. Many return to the Inn year after year, often to the same room and during the same week. In a very real sense it is their inn. They welcome us (often as the third set of innkeepers) to their home away from home. So in a way, we are stewards, managing the inn while they are away.”

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