by Sandy Traub and Diane McCray, www.greenpalminn.com
The Holy Christmas season at Green Palm Inn bed and breakfast is destined for a truer Christmas. It’s where Noels ring comfortably with sweet travel and personal leisure in Savannah, Georgia USA – the popular American South city where “Jingle Bells” was penned. It’s where Innkeeper Diane McCray adds sparklers atop the tiny birthday cake for the Christ child, and simplifies the commercialism to recapture the Christmas spirit for a more heart-warming, happier holiday celebration in December 2011. BedandBreakfast.com named Green Palm Inn to its Top 10 B&Bs for the Holidays in December 2011.
SAVANNAH Georgia USA (December 9, 2011) -- Kindness hovers amid the dainty Christmas setting and feast at jolly Green Palm Inn. The “old, old story” is rekindled for every stranger arriving at the 4-bedroom historic inn in downtown Savannah, Georgia.
In the innkeeper’s efforts to be more true to Christmas -- even in her generous, yet simplified holiday menus for breakfasts, afternoon desserts, and pre-dinner appetizers – the aunt-like Diane McCray focuses more on little things that might give Christ pleasure.
“After all, we are celebrating Christ’s birthday,” reminds this innkeeper who prefers to live her Christian faith, rather than talk about it. The table centerpiece -- a home baked gingerbread manger nestled in wheat berry grass – sets the stage amid appetizers. “The inn’s reputation for great food only gets better this year, with less frenzy in the kitchen,” says Diane in pointing to the holiday dishes.
After making her plans, Diane reflects, “Intuitively now, this approach to Christmas allows me more time to think about and uplift others”. In the spirit of O. Henry’s Gift of the Magi and Last Leaf, holiday guests may help too with baking; then, share the sweet treats with strangers they meet while strolling through Savannah’s beautiful no-snow-in-winter landscapes.
The Inn’s Christmas photos (available on request to media) depict Diane’s choices for her delightfully simple dishes for breakfast, dessert and wine-paired appetizer dishes. Rave reviews followed from the inn’s guests, who enthusiastically taste-tested the new Christmas 2011 menu candidates earlier this year.
Holiday Breakfast:
- Frittata with Fresh Asparagus
- Apple, Plum and Peach Compote
- Boiled Egg with Whole Wheat Toast Shepherd's Staff
- Broiled Red and Yellow Tomatoes over Sautéed Fresh Spinach
- Sausage and Cheese Grits
- Strawberry and Rhubarb Compote
- Scrambled Eggs served in Puff Pastry, topped with a Gorgonzola Cheese Sauce
- Apple and Cinnamon Chicken Sausage
- Assorted Rolls
Afternoon Desserts:
- Red Velvet Cake
- Cheese Cake with Seasonal Fresh Fruit
- Gingerbread Cookies
- Buttery Apple and Nut Kuchen [coffee cake]
- Sweet and Spicy Pecans
- Pot de Crème with Raspberries
- Chocolate Nut Clusters
Appetizers, paired with wines:
- Grilled Shrimp in Tiger Sauce
- Parmesan, Cheddar Cheese and Pepper Palmiers (aka Palm Leaves or Elephant Ears)
- Goat Cheese, Olive and Tomato Bruschetta
- Spicy Tomato Shooters
WHAT TO DO IN SAVANNAH FOR THE HOLIDAYS?
Grounded in her easy, uncomplicated style and kind-hearted hospitality, Diane has a year-around reputation for helping travelers to uncover jolly little Savannah’s hidden treasures. Preparing ahead, the staff is developing a list of fresh ways to rekindle Christmastide to celebrate the birth of Christ.
• During the Christmas season, carols chime midday from historic church towers in downtown Savannah. “It’s inspiring!” Diane adds. Did you know that the tunes of Noel were called manger anthems?
• Savannah’s downtown historic churches open wide their doors to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day visitors. Did you know in the colonial plan of Savannah, that many Trust Lots were reserved for church buildings? One of the first activities by the arriving settlers in 1733 was a prayer of thanksgiving on the Savannah bluff. In modern-day Savannah, at 9:00 PM each Sunday night at Christ Church (Georgia’s first church), the Compline Choir -- comprising choir members and music directors from churches throughout the Savannah area -- sings a good night prayer to God. Year around, historic churches are open for public tours and worship. A visit to the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist on Lafayette Square is always a highlight, especially when the Savannah Philharmonic presents a Christmas holiday evenings of music.
• Savannah’s natural landscapes remain green and enticing in winter. Bring your camera and comfortable walking shoes for exploring.
• Many quaint to chic shops carry thoughtful, inexpensive gifts. Local favorites include the quaint E. Shaver bookstore (very much a little shop around the corner), ShopSCAD where art school students sell one-of artisan works, and over 50 art galleries carrying original works in the historic downtown. Discover handmade gifts in the former vintage Henry Ford showroom downtown, re-purposed now as The Christmas Shop, which is open year around. Or track down a glass craftsman in the Starland District, and sculptors and artists in City Market studios.
• Set out for old fashion ice cream flavors (reserved for Christmas), plus a chance to meet Hollywood producer Stratton Leopold along with his wife Mary, only a short walk from Green Palm Inn at Leopold’s Ice Cream shop. The nostalgic meeting place is among the Top Ten Ice Cream shops of the world in 2011, featured on “The View” and Food Network.
• Opportunities abound in Savannah to bring couples, friends and family together. Among the meet up spots are entertaining cooking classes (themed on Christmas cookies to Low Country and BBQ cuisine) and a superlative holiday meals while visiting with dear friends.
BE A PARTICIPANT IN HISTORIC SAVANNAH'S CHRISTMAS VILLAGE
“There’s no need to be a Holly Golightly with your nose pressed against the window here,” says the well-traveled Diane. “I hope travelers will take part in some wonderful vignettes that play out in Savannah this Christmas -- a few earthly delights and holiday indulgences during cherished time away from work.” Drawing on her old fashion common sense and village wisdom, Diane offers her guests a Christmas that is a little more “calm and bright”’ at the cozy Green Palm Inn in the Landmark Savannah Historic District.
Of Green Palm Inn, Fodor’s guide writes "A pleasing little discovery". Guest reviews convey adoration and praise for Diane and the inn’s charm, insider assistance from the entire staff, and the joyful breakfasts. The inn’s YouTube video, “The Softer Side of Historic Savannah, GA”, introduces the village-like ease to walk and enjoy world-famous Savannah, Georgia.
Believing that one person can make a difference, Green Palm Inn’s Diane McCray is simplifying and putting Christ in the forefront of Christmas in Savannah, Georgia USA. “Downsizing commercialism, the CHRISTmas celebration rings still festive, yet more sincere,” says the aunt-like innkeeper, Note: there is no “Xmas” at Green Palm Inn at Christmas time!
ABOUT GREEN PALM INN. Built as two seamen’s cottages (circa 1897), the 4-bedroom breakfast inn celebrates the “Softer Side of Historic Savannah, Georgia USA” ™. Tagged “swoon-worthy” and “lazy-delightful”, today the Gingerbread Victorian inn is one of Savannah’s most popular B&Bs, recommended in the New York Times Travel (2011), Washingtonian (2010), and previously in American Way, and Destination magazines. Fodor's guide calls Green Palm Inn a "pleasing little discovery" and "a little gem of an inn." TripAdvisor.com awarded Green Palm Inn a 2011 CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE, resulting from long-term top rankings amid Savannah’s bed and breakfast inns. The historic inn exudes a smart-travel ambiance that blends homey and healthy with calm efficiency in the small village-like setting of serene Greene Square – one of the infamous 22 garden parks in the Landmark Savannah Historic district. For more information: 548 East President Street, Savannah, Georgia USA 31401-3546. Toll free 888/606-9510 or international +1 912/447-8901. Email greenpalminn@aol.com. On the Web greenpalminn.com. Follow the inn on Twitter @GreenPalmInn and Facebook.
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Press Contact: Ms. Sandy Traub
Telephone 912/398-9828
Email straub@spatior.com
NOTE: Professional high-resolution photos and select recipes are immediately available, on request. Please address press / media lodging requests with publication, editorial calendar topic and deadline to Diane McCray, greenpalminn [at] aol [dot] com or Sandy Traub, straub [at] spatior [dot]com
