Although we usually reserve this section for things that make us laugh, these words of wisdom from Jean Barton, Celebrations Inn, Pomfret, CT evoke the smiles that come from the heart, and remind us of the true meaning of hospitality:

"All our family has been through during past year or two reminds me how important our B&B can be for our guests, as a getaway from their own heartaches and everyday stresses. Even though I don't know what someone is getting away from or why they may be here to relax, I try to create an atmosphere of beauty and warmth that enables people to feel cared for, nurtured and refreshed."

From our house to yours, all our best wishes for a Thanksgiving of true peace and understanding.

Philip Shenon and Susan Catto (New York Times, 6/30/2002) detailed the preference for car travel in the post-9/11 environment, and cited several opinion polls: "A TIA survey released in mid-May … found that 47 percent of the 1,300 people interviewed said they planned to stick closer to home this summer. Roper ASW, the New York research firm, found in its summer travel survey that two-thirds of Americans were planning spring and summer vacations this year, and that 82 percent of them planned to stay within the continental United States. American Express found in its annual summer travel survey that 52 percent of the people it surveyed planned to spend vacation time with family and friends, up 3 percent from last year, and that there would be more short weekend trips. The survey found that the average American traveler planned to travel four weekends this year, up from three last year. Accenture, the consulting firm, found that 77 percent of the people it surveyed planned to drive during some part of their trip, up 22 percent from a year ago. The Accenture survey of 1,000 people also reported a large jump in the number of travelers who planned to stay in economy hotels, a reflection of economic conditions and of the location of lower-priced hotels."

Glenn Collins (New York Times, 9/8/2002), explained that despite economic and political uncertainties, the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA) reported: "Volume (measured by the number of person-trips by Americans) increased about 3.1 percent in 2001 and is expected to increase again this year, by another 1.3 percent." Nevertheless, spending is down, with the TIA reporting that "domestic travelers spent $27 billion less on travel in 2001, and foreign visitors, $9.7 billion less." The article goes on to examine last-minute booking trends, saying: "about 20 percent of American travelers now plan trips within two weeks of taking them, and about half of travelers one month before, according to TIA. Car travel in the United States is up slightly over last year, by 1 to 2 percent, "because a lot of car trips are substituting for shorter airplane trips," said Mantill Williams, spokesman for the AAA."

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