Select Registry Member Inns Supports B&B’s For Vets with Free Stay, Nov. 10

Historic St. Augustine, Florida. The St. Francis Inn in St. Augustine is participating in the free night's stay program for veterans, Nov. 10 (c) Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Select Registry Distinguished Inns of North America joins B&B For Vets to honor the men and women of the armed forces with an offer of complimentary accommodations, Thurs., Nov. 10, the night before Veterans Day. Last year, nearly 100 Select Registry inns in 26 states, Ontario and British Columbia signed on to mark the day of observance by providing complimentary rooms to service members. Many of these properties included other perks too, such as discounts on spa services, dining and local activities.

Last year, more than 900 properties across North America participated in B&B For Vets, a program conceived in 2008. The campaign continues to enjoy enthusiastic support from innkeepers this year too.

The free night’s stay is good for active and retired members of the armed forces. To participate, service members must show a valid military or Veterans Administration ID. Inns are offering one or more complimentary rooms, available to vets and one guest on a first-come-first-served basis. Members of the military should contact the B&Bs directly to reserve their room.

Here’s the current list of participants:

 

Arkansas

Arsenic and Old Lace B&B, Eureka Springs

Lookout Point Lakeside Inn, Hot Springs

Hilltop Manor, Hot Springs

 

California

Emma Nevada House, Nevada City

 

Colorado

Castle Marne Bed & Breakfast, Denver

 

Connecticut

Stonecroft Country Inn, Ledyard

 

Florida

St. Francis Inn, St. Augustine

 

Georgia

Chanticleer Inn B&B, Lookout Mountain

Glen-Ella Springs Inn, Clarkesville

Beechwood Inn, Clayton

 

Kentucky

A Storybook Inn, Versailles

 

 

Maine

Inn at Sunrise Point, Camden

Captain Jefferds Inn, Kennebunkport

Maine Stay Inn & Cottages, Kennebunkport

Captain Lord Mansion, Kennebunkport

 

Maryland

Savage River Lodge, Frostburg

Wayside Inn, Ellicott City

Brampton Inn, Chestertown

Sandaway-Waterfront Lodging, Oxford

 

Massachusetts

Captains House Inn, Chatham

The Birchwood Inn, Lenox

Gabriel’s at the Ashbrooke Inn, Provincetown

 

Michigan

Inn at Black Star Farms, Sutton’s Bay

Mississippi

Fairview Inn, Jackson

 

New Jersey

Candlelight Inn, North Wildwood

Mainstay Inn, Cape May

 

New York

Genesee Country Inn B&B, Mumford-Rochester

Asa Ransom, Clarence

Geneva on the Lake, Geneva

 

North Carolina

1898 Waverly Inn, Hendersonville

1906 Pine Crest Inn, Tryon

White Doe Inn, Manteo

The King’s Daughther’s Inn, Durham

 

Ohio

Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls, Logan

Whispering Pines B&B, Dellroy

 

Oregon

WildSpring Guest Habitat, Port Orford

 

Pennsylvania

King’s Cottage, Lancaster

The Beechmont Inn B&B, Hanover

The Lafayette Inn, Easton

Inn at Twin Linden, Churchtown

Reynolds Mansion, Bellefonte

The Inn at Bowman’s Hill, New Hope

The Inn at Barley Sheaf Farm, Holicong

The Inn at Westwynd Farm, Hummelstown

 

South Carolina

The Cypress Inn, Conway

 

Texas

Inn Above Onion Creek, Kyle

 

Vermont

The Inn at the Round Barn Farm, Waitsfield

Forty Putney Road Bed & Breakfast, Brattleboro

Swift House Inn, Middlebury

West Mountain Inn, Arlington

 

Virginia

Brierley Hill B&B, Lexington

Inn at Riverbend, Pearisburg

 

Washington

Shelburne Inn, Seaview

 

West Virginia

Thomas Shepherd Inn B&B, Shepherdstown

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American Museum of Natural History hosts 16th Annual Spooktacular Halloween Celebration

 

The American Museum of Natural History is inviting one and all to its 16th Annual Spooktacular Halloween Celebration, Monday, Oct. 31, 4-7 pm.

The American Museum of Natural History is inviting one and all to its 16th Annual Spooktacular Halloween Celebration, Monday, Oct. 31, 4-7 pm.

The Cat in the Hat, Curious George^®, Clifford the Big Red Dog^®, Miffy, Toot and Puddle, Peter Rabbit^TM, Llama Llama, Danny’s Dinosaur, Teddy Roosevelt, and WordGirl are among the characters who will greet thousands of costumed children as they arrive at the American Museum of Natural History to celebrate Halloween.

Guests can wander among “dangerous” dinosaurs, “eerie” elephants, and the “uncanny” universe when more than 30 of the Museum’s halls open on Halloween for trick-or-treating, arts and crafts, fun with roaming cartoon characters, and live performances by David Grover and the Big Bear Band, Louie & Subanda, stiltwalkers, and the Big Nazo puppet troupe.

Tickets are $10 ($9Members). Special Monster Meal packages (choice of chicken nuggets or hamburger, fries, and a soda), which include admission, are available for $19 ($18 Members).

To reserve tickets, call 212-769-5200 or visit www.amnh.org/halloween.

American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79^thStreet.

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Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge 51st Birthday Bash in Nashville Features Kid Rock

Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge 51st Birthday Bash will take place on Wednesday, November 23 in association with Kid Rock, who is performing that evening at the Ryman Auditorium.

Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge owner Steve Smith announced today Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge 51^st Birthday Bash will take place on Wednesday, November 23 in association with Kid Rock, who is performing that evening at the Ryman Auditorium as part of his nationwide tour giving money to and raising awareness for people in need.

“We couldn’t be happier that Kid Rock is working with us to make the Tootsie’s Birthday Bash a ‘rockin’ good time for everyone in Nashville,” comments Steve Smith. “Kid Rock is a part of Tootsie’s history. It’s going to be a memorable night.”

“Every time I end up at Tootsie’s it’s a good night, and I don’t expect this night to be any different. It’s cool to be celebrating their birthday party with them; I like parties and seem to excel in that type of atmosphere.” commented Kid Rock on the event.

Tootsie’s is known to have been used as a “green room” to some of the greatest Opry stars including Patsy Cline, Hank Williams, and Ernest Tubb. “Tootsies is where the stars would come to wet their whistles and pick their guitars,” adds Smith.

The Tootsie’s Birthday Bash will begin at noon in the streets on Broadway. Entertainment will be on both stages of Tootsies, the roof-top of Rippy’s, with a possible stage in the street. After the Kid Rock show, Tootsie’s will continue the celebration into the night!

Today, Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge is a must-see Music City destination for tourists and is frequented by locals, including some of the biggest names in country music, who often drop in and surprise patrons with impromptu performances. Kenny Chesney with classic rock icon Steve Miller, Kix Brooks, Montgomery Gentry, Kid Rock, Randy Houser, Jamey Johnson, Dierks Bentley, and Hank Williams, Jr. are among the artists who have recently performed there. For additional information, visit www.tootsies.net.

Tickets to Kid Rock’s show at the Ryman go on sale October 15^th at 10 am CST. Ticket prices range from $45 – $85 and are available at TicketMaster or at the Ryman box office.

The Tootsies Birthday Bash will take place on lower Broadway starting at noon and will last deep into the night after the Kid Rock show.

See also:

Nashville: Where the Heart & Soul of Country Music Beats Strong

On the Town in Nashville, Music City U.S.A.

GRAND OLE OPRY SHOWS YOU CAN BE ‘OLE’ AND STILL BE NEW

 

 

Princess Cruises Offers PreSeason Sale Oct 17-23 on Select 2012 Europe Cruises

Just in time for National Cruise Vacation Week, Princess Cruises is offering a special PreSeason Sale on a selection of 45 popular 2012 European vacations. The weeklong promotion, which runs from Monday, October 17 to Sunday, October 23, includes free balcony upgrades plus as much as $100 in onboard credit per stateroom.

Itineraries included in the sale will take passengers to some of Europe’s most sought-after destinations, including Mediterranean favorites such as Venice and the Greek Isles, as well as some of the splendors of Northern Europe, including St. Petersburg.

In addition to special fares, passengers booking interior or oceanview staterooms can receive an onboard credit of $25 (cruises up to nine days) to $50 (cruises 10 days or longer), and in balcony staterooms or above can get credits of $50 (cruises up to nine days) or $100 (for sailings 10 days or longer). All onboard credits are offered per stateroom.

“For anyone thinking about seeing the wonders of Europe next year, this is the perfect time to book,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. “This promotion offers a great selection of European itineraries, featuring many of the dream destinations that are on so many people’s bucket lists.”

Examples of savings on balcony staterooms include:

• 11-day Scandinavia & Russia – $2,490 (was $2,840)
• 12-day British Isles – $2,690 (was $3,040)
• 12-day Grand Mediterranean – $2,740 (was $2,990)
• 12-day Holy Land – $3,090 (was $3,640)

Sale fares are also available on fully-escorted land and sea cruisetours in Europe, beginning at $4,799 for a 17-night Classic Italy cruisetour.

All cruise prices are per person, and onboard credits are per stateroom. This promotion is not combinable with past-passenger offers.

The PreSeason Sale runs from 12:00 am PST on October 17 to 11:59 pm PST on October 23, and is available to residents of the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico. Deposits made during this promotion are non-refundable and non-transferable. The promotion is not combinable with past-passenger offers.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, or by visiting the company’s website at www.princess.com.

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Last-Minute Golf Deals for Leaf Peepers, Thanksgiving Trips in the Pocono Mountains

Revel amid spectacular foliage – and perhaps even exfoliation – with Woodloch Springs Resort’s Golf Goddess Getaway.

The 800poconos.com have two more weeks of incredible fall foliage, and a series of November golf options through the Thanksgiving holiday. Golfers are in luck: end-of-season packages have just been released, offering deals not found at any other time of the year.

Travelers can check out the fall foliage forecast for the four-county Eastern Pennsylvania region here (www.800poconos.com/visitors/fall-foliage-forecast/) before choosing any of the offers listed below.

The Birdie in Paradise Package at Mount Airy Casino Resort, $529: Available through Oct. 31, the package includes two rounds of golf per room per stay, one night in a lavish deluxe room or suite with pillow-top beds, spacious bathrooms, room service, LCD TVs with in-room movies, high-speed Internet and $15 in casino Bonus Rewards per room. Available seven days a week. Rates range from $199-$274 per room, Sunday through Thursday; $529 per room, for a two-night stay, Friday and Saturday. Rates based on double occupancy. Visit Mount Airy Casino Resort to book.

Free Golf in November, The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort, $69: With two months left of the resort’s centennial year, Shawnee celebrates its proud golf heritage with Free Golf in November. The package – valid from Nov. 1 through Nov. 19 – includes midweek accommodations, breakfast, cart and 18-hole green fees Sunday through Thursday, starting at $69 per person, which includes tax and service charge. Visit shawneeinn.com to book.

Buck Hill BOGO: Pay one green fee and get the second one free weekdays or weekends at this Donald Ross original. Power cart rental is required. Call for tee time, and ask about 2012 membership offers, which come with a 25% discount if secured before the end of the year: 570-595-7730.

Double Eagle Golf Package, Skytop Lodge, $188: Fall visitors can enjoy the rest of the golf season on Sundays through Thursdays through Nov. 22, which includes accommodations, three meals daily and one 18-hole green fee per person, per day. Cart rental is an additional fee. Play a second 18-hole round the same day for 50% off the published rate. You can also enjoy Skytop’s indoor pool and 30 miles of hiking. Rates start at $188 per person, based on double adult occupancy in a standard room, plus tax and service charge. This package is not available over holidays or with any other discounts. Visit skytop.com to book.

Thanksgiving at the Inn at Pocono Manor, $139: The Donald Ross East Course will remain open until November 27 (weather permitting), making this the best place to take the family for a fun outing. Follow it with the Inn’s incredible Thanksgiving buffet, and a stay at the resort. Rates start at $139 per person for overnight and Thanksgiving Buffet; golf rates apply. Visit www.poconomanor.com for information and reservations.

Woodloch Springs Resort, $250: Revel amid spectacular foliage – and perhaps even exfoliation – with Woodloch Springs Resort’s Golf Goddess Getaway. Available seven days a week through Oct. 31, this deal includes spacious accommodations, two meals daily, activities, amenities and 18 holes of golf on the nationally recognized Country Club of Woodloch Springs (left), including cart and range balls. Guests will also receive $120 spa credit at The Lodge at Woodloch. Rates start at $250 per person, per night, based on adult double occupancy, plus tax and service charge. Some restrictions may apply. To book visit woodloch.com.

See 800poconos.com for a complete list of golf, accommodations, fall festivals and event listings through the four-county region in northeastern Pennsylvania, within easy driving distance of New York City, Philadelphia and New Jersey.

About the “Pocono Mountains: Discover Golf’s Great Destination Secret”

The Pocono Mountains has long been known to avid travelers and mountain aficionados for its lush, relaxing family-friendly ambiance and romantic setting, as well as its fall foliage, winter skiing, spring-summer outdoor recreation options and natural beauty. Numerous lakes, parks and other environmental wonderlands are found throughout the four-county Pocono Mountains region.

A venerable destination that has welcomed generations of travelers, the Pocono Mountains has undergone a renaissance over the last few years. While renovations have swept through stately and historic resorts, other properties have joined the mix. Gaming at Mount Airy Casino Resort and the award-winning Jack Frost National — named a “Best New” and “Best You Can Play” course by leading industry publications — are two of the many exciting additions.

Attributes of the golf-and-resort properties and destination include:

• Home to more than 35 golf courses with hundreds of holes for beginners and avid golfers alike; close proximity gives golfers chance to play 36 in a day
• Two NASCAR races held annually
• Golden Era of Golf Architecture period designs strongly represented by legendary designers Donald Ross and A.W. Tillinghast
• Hiking, biking, camping, spas, horseback riding, boating, fishing, hunting and many other activities
• Attractions, festivals and other special events
• Meeting and conference facilities
• Great food at a wide array of eating establishments and resort restaurants
• Bed & breakfasts, country inns and resorts
• Antique shops, outlet malls and other unique shopping venues

 

 

Virginian Suites apartment-style hotel near DC offers special $139 rate

Virginian Suites apartment-style hotel just two miles from downtown Washington DC offers the comforts of home and the service of a fine hotel © 2011 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Through the end of this year, special rates at Virginian Suites start at $139 per night. Less than two miles from downtown Washington, D.C., the hotel is close to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Arlington National Cemetery and just a mile from the lively shops, restaurants and nightlife of historic Georgetown.

Virginian Suites just joined the Ascend Collection membership program from Choice Hotels International. As part of this elite network, the stylish property remains independently owned, while also gaining a global reservations system and a guests rewards program with more than 13 million members worldwide.

The 261-room hotel has large apartment-style suites, 24-hour high-tech gym, a business center, meeting and event space, and an outdoor swimming pool opened seasonally. Studio and one-bedroom suites range from 440 – 610 square feet. Each suite features a fully equipped kitchen, free Wi-Fi and flat-screen HDTV. For families and extended stays, one-bedroom suites also house living rooms and dining rooms, and many suites boast large windows with dramatic city views. A brief stroll away, guests can hop on the Metro and take it one stop to the fashionable West End neighborhood and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Less than five miles away, they can visit the National Zoo, monuments, White House, U.S. Capitol and renowned museums.

Ascend Collection appeals to a growing number of travelers who like to discover independent, upscale hotels with unique ambiance and local flair when visiting new cities.

Virginian Suites, 1500 Arlington Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22209, 866-371-1446, www.virginiansuites.com.

 See Virginian Suites offers home away from home, excellent value when visiting DC

National Park Foundation Reveals Great Parks for Fall Foliage

The National Park Foundation has announced the 2011 “Great National Parks for Fall Foliage” list. Creating a weekend vacation close to one of these sites can be a relaxing fall retreat.

This year’s list, and the optimal times for foliage viewing, includes:

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, Cal.: Peak colors expected in the middle to end of October. On Oct. 18, a hiking event to Whiskeytown Falls offer a perfect way to view the foliage during the peak season.

Curecanti National Recreational Area, Colo.: Peak colors begin in late September and run through the end of October.

Natchez Trace Parkway, Miss.: In middle to late October, the maple, hickory, oak and other hardwood trees begin to change colors.

Glacier National Park, Mont.: The bright yellow and gold colors on the aspen and larch trees run through mid-October covering the trails around the park, but particularly along Summit Trail. For more information on the best trails to see colors or view photos of the fall colors, visit Glacier’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/glaciernationalpark.

Flight 93 National Memorial, Pa.: The trees across the Flight 93 National Memorial begin to turn around mid-October. Check out honorflight93.org/webcam today to find instant inspiration for a trip to the site or to take a virtual fall foliage tour.

Great Smokey Mountains National Park, Tenn.: The Great Smokey Mountains boast over 130 different tree species, many of which produce breathtaking Autumnal colors. Peak foliage viewing depends greatly on the various levels of elevation found within the park, but overall, the Smokies’ foliage shows run from late September through October.

Zion National Park, Utah: Peak foliage colors appear at the end of October and into the first few days of November.

Shenandoah National Park, Va.: Peak colors in the upper elevations begin early to mid-October with lower elevations peaking at the end of October into November.

Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, Vt.: Rich with sugar maples and 400-year-old hemlocks, this site boasts outstanding fall foliage each year. This year’s prime viewing is expected from mid-October through early November.

Apostles Islands National Lakeshore, Wisc.: Peak foliage viewing various depending on inland or coastal location, however the foliage show runs from late September through October. Additionally, many bird species are migrating through the park right now, so foliage seekers get an extra show from Mother Nature.

Visit www.nationalparks.org

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Top Winter Bicycle Tour Destinations feature Southern Europe, South Africa, New Zealand

Biking the Danube Bike Trail, one of BikeToursDirect's most popular offerings. No need to wait to next summer for a bike trip: BikeToursDirect offers 25 with December-February departures in southern Europe, South Africa, New Zealand, Egypt, Vietnam, Thailand and the Islands of Seychelles © 2011 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Although a winter chill will cover much of Europe by December, there are still several options for travelers interested in overseas bicycle touring during the winter months. BikeToursDirect offers 25 tours with December-February departures in southern Europe, South Africa, New Zealand, Egypt, Vietnam, Thailand and the Islands of Seychelles.

“In southern Europe, many bicycle tours operate year-round, with Spain being one of the most popular winter destinations,” says BikeToursDirect president Jim Johnson. “As we have expanded our tour offerings to four continents, we’ve added many new tours with year-round departures and some that are primarily available during the winter months.”

Offering fourteen bicycle tours in southern Europe with winter departures, BikeToursDirect provides cycle tourists with a variety of destinations to choose from in France, Italy and Spain. Eleven tours are available in Spain, which spotlight the pristine Andalusia mountains, the medieval villages and Mediterranean coast of Catalonia, the dramatic volcanic landscape of the Canary Islands, the castles and vineyards of Catalan and the island of Majorca.

“Catalonia has a cool but mostly dry winter that is perfect for cycling,” says Daniel Herzberg, Director of Cycling and Walking Holidays, Creative Catalonia, a BikeToursDirect tour partner. “The days are often sunny with daytime temperatures in the 60s that are ideal for cycling. Our Medieval Villages cycling tour is very popular as it encompasses such a fantastic variety of sights along the route that range from exploring the beautiful medieval city of Girona, the stunning coastal bays of the Costa Brava, as well as cycling through the timeless medieval villages of the region.”

For advanced cyclists, Hertzberg adds that Girona’s Best Road Riding Tours (both point to point as well as based in one hotel with daily loop tours) are popular for cyclists who don’t want to lose form on the bike over the cold winter back home.

While North Americans and many Europeans are enduring the winter, south-of-the-equator destinations are in full-blown summer. BikeToursDirect offers several bicycle tours in South Africa with year-round departures, including the “South African Cycle Safari” and “Cape Town and Winelands” tours, which are operated by locally-based Bike & Saddle, one of BikeToursDirect’s new tour partners.

“South Africa offers amazing opportunities for cycling year-round,” says Ben Sanders, Director of Business Development for Bike & Saddle. “We offer exclusive Cycle Safaris on private game reserves with a ranger guide showcasing the sights and sounds of the bush. We run authentic township tours through South Africa’s informal settlements and tailor-made wine tours through the various Cape Winelands. We run a Culinary Cycle Tour, themed on gourmet food and wine, and we are involved in various conservation initiatives, including a cheetah rehabilitation program.”

Heading a little deeper into the Southern Hemisphere, BikeToursDirect offers four bicycle tours in New Zealand, which feature rainforests, glaciers, mountains, national parks, geothermal spas, islands, caves and volcanoes.

“New Zealand is the perfect winter vacation location because November through March is our summer and the scenery is outstanding, ranging from superb beaches to permanently snow capped mountains, forests to open sheep country—all in an area the same size as Colorado,” says Richard Oddy, Chief Spoke of Pedaltours, a BikeToursDirect tour partner that has operated tours in New Zealand since 1985. “Our most popular tour is our Southern Alps 10-day tour from Christchurch, New Zealand’s second largest city, with a population of 360,000, to Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world.”

Other winter tour options include the Islands of Seychelles in the Indian Ocean; the Nile River Valley in Egypt; the ancient Chiang Mai region of Thailand; and the bustling cities and rural districts of Vietnam. BikeToursDirect will unveil additional winter destination tours for 2012 when it launches a new website this fall.

BikeToursDirect, now in its eighth season, serves as a central resource for bicycle tours in Europe, representing more than 50 tour companies that offer more than 200 tours in 35 European countries and is currently expanding to Asia, Africa and Australia. BikeToursDirect offers a variety of resources to help travelers choose tours and handles the entire booking and payment process. Learn more at www.biketoursdirect.com. Telephone: 1-877-462-2423 or 1-423-756-8907. Email: info@biketoursdirect.com.

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Once in a Lifetime Day Trip to Antarctica, Dec. 14, 2011

The luxury operator Mantis Collection, based in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, is offering  50 air tickets for a “Once in a Lifetime” Day Trip to Antarctica, on December 14, 2011.

The price is 6500 Euros (per person), for the flight, which departs Cape Town and arrives in Antarctica 5 1/2 hours later.

You have lunch in Antarctica, eight hours of activities, and then enjoy dinner on the return flight

For information, contact The Mantis Collection, 1 Watt Street, Deal Party, Port Elizabeth, South Africa, 6001, Tel: +27 (0)41 4071010, www.mantiscollection.com, or email  jennifer.schoultz@mantiscollection.com.

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Rare replica model of Statue of Liberty goes on view at 667 Madison Avenue

Leonard Stern, French Ambassador to US Francoise Delattre and NYC Comm. Marjorie Tiven unveil the 667 Madison Avenue Statue of Liberty, a rare exact replica of the original scale model of the New York Harbor Statue of Liberty.

The only replica of the original Statue of Liberty sculpture in America has been acquired by Leonard Stern and was unveiled by French Ambassador Francois Delattre and Commissioner Marjorie B. Tiven of the NYC Mayor’s Office on Wednesday, October 12^th, 2011, in a public plaza at 667 Madison Avenue, where it will be permanently displayed.

For more than 100 years the original Statue of Liberty plaster sculpture by Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi resided in a small French museum and could not be reproduced for fear that it would be damaged in the process. New digital imaging technology recently made it possible to cast the original plaster model in bronze by the same foundry and using the same lost wax method as the 151-foot Statue in New York Harbor.

The Statue of Liberty is celebrating its 125^th anniversary, but will be closed for repairs for one year beginning this November. The 667 Madison Statue will be lighted 24 hours and provides a spectacular opportunity to see the ornate details of the original from a close-in perspective impossible to achieve from Liberty Island.

The unveiling holds personal significance to the Stern family, as Leonard recalls his father Max telling him of his thought when he first entered New York Harbor, looking at Lady Liberty from the bow of the Hamburg American Line ship on which he emigrated: “Now I am going to be free to achieve as much as I am able.”

667 Madison Avenue, widely regarded as the top boutique office building in Manhattan, already is home to several important works of art, including a 17^th Century Gobelin tapestry and three suits of armor from the 16^th century. The Statue will include a plaque that reads:

 STATUE OF LIBERTY

Frederic – Auguste Bartholdi 1834-1904

This statue, cast in bronze from the from the original plaster sculpture, was enlarged 16 times by the artist to create The Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor, perhaps the most recognized symbol of freedom in the world.

It was presented as a gift to the American people and paid for by the citizens of France. The statue celebrates the core values of both countries: freedom, democratic government and the equality of man.

It also celebrates the bonds of friendship between our two countries and the vital financial and military assistance that France gave our Revolutionary Army commanded by George Washington during our young nation’s hour of greatest need.

See also:

Liberty Island to Remain Open during Statue of Liberty’s Year-Long Renovation and slideshow

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