Sisters in Savannah for annual vacation getaway

By booking all of the inn’s four rooms they enjoyed Diane McCray’s famous hostessing, their ultimate privacy without housekeeping, and the wonderful joy of NO kitchen duty!

How was their visit? It was a really great trip.  Really great ice cream. Really great sheets.  Really great time together. Really great breakfast. [They describe breakfast at Green Palm Inn was "Yummy!"]

Now for the rest of the story.

A WONDERFUL TRADITION: MEETING UP FOR A ‘SISTERS’ WEEKEND’, EVERY YEAR

Traveling together the three sisters — Sheila, Sally, and Sue — invited Diane (who married their uncle) to be their fourth ‘sister’.   The sisters were born and reared in Illinois.  One of the foursome lives in the family’s home state, two live in Arizona, and the fourth is from California.  Isn’t that so endearing that these delightful women want to stay so in touch?!

Bear mascots get away in Savannah, too!

THE JOYFUL TRADITIONS OF SISTERS TRAVEL

In addition to an annual travel trip, the gals embed a few more traditions to savor the memories. They brought along their Teddy bear mascots that travel with them on all their trips.

And, they get three or four new custom-made charms to remember each new place they visit. From Savannah they commissioned a Georgia peach charm from their preferred artisan in California. It’s a full fledged trip for the memory books, getting pictures taken along their way.

FOR THEIR SAVANNAH GETAWAY, WHAT DID THEY LOVE BEST?

“The gals are easygoing and nice to please,” says Green Palm Inn’s innkeeper, Diane McCray.   “For their 5-day vacation in Savannah they had no vehicle. So, they stayed in the downtown area — walking, shopping, playing, and soaking up the local culture while immensely enjoying each others company,” reports their innkeeper host.

Sisters pictured at Paula Deen Store in downtown Savannah

“They loved the squares, which became their ever-popular oasis. They loved walking through the squares and enjoying time on a bench in Savannah’s downtown squares just to be together — taking in the beautiful and charming, reminiscing, and hanging out.” Talk about quality time!

Diane advises the gals took a few sightseeing tours and ate at some of Savannah’s best places.  They particularly enjoyed Alligator Soul and Cha-Bella, both with wonderful reputations for farm to table fine dining in downtown Savannah.

The teetotallers were eager for the haunted and historical stories.  Dianna Rogers was playing at the Planters Tavern, a character-rich spot to take in the unique atmosphere of the Old Pink House.

At historic Savannah Theatre

Although a bit apprehensive about live theater (from disappointing experiences in other cities), on return from an evening at the historic Savannah Theatre each traveler shared enthusiasm and appreciation for their innkeeper’s encouragement.

“They were thrilled with the performance and the place, saying this one ‘lived up to expectations’.”

SERENDIPITY IN SAVANNAH!

The gals stumbled upon a Saturday wedding in the square.  Free cupcakes were being given away.  “The travelers had tried a few cupcakes  from various places in Savannah. This, too, is something they do in each city they visit.  However, they proclaim, ‘the free ones were the best’”, shares Diane.  “We have no idea who made them.”

B&B Breakfast

During that same freebie tasting, flower bouquets were being given away, too.  They brought one home to the inn.  The bouquet stayed lovely for almost a week after their departure on the inn’s buffet.

WHILE IN SAVANNAH, SOLUTIONS TO ALLERGIES

One sister (Sue) said that every time she ate ice cream, she would break out with an allergic reaction. “It’s all about not having chemicals in your body,” their innkeeper replied, with encouragement that they make at least one stop at Leopold’s Ice Cream shop.  “Going to Leopold’s you won’t break out,” assured Diane McCray, confident in the best possible ingredients being served there, recently published as one of the top ten ice cream shops in the world.  The gals’ daily trip to Leopold’s Ice Cream shop followed, delightfully changing one sister’s lifelong fear of her ice cream rash.

This wasn’t the only change for good.  Another sister ordered sheets from the vendor who supplied the ones at Green Palm Inn.  She, too, had allergic reactions when sleeping on her home sheets, typically tossing and turning all night.  From her allergy-free sleep while in Savannah during her Green Palm Inn stay, her sleep habits changed from night after night of restLESSness to night after night of restFULness.  Again, going the extra mile, Diane had new sheets drop shipped to her guest.

Four little rooms. Four little bear mascots. Four dear sisters found four little rooms in just the right spot for their year’s biggest vacation experiences. This time at little Green Palm Inn bed and breakfast in Savannah, GA.

Savannah's newest restaurant -- Fire Street Food

One of the tips and tricks to making your Savannah memories last longer is to try new food, wine and socialize. I got two out of three right today with a “between” meal at Fire Street Food on Chippewa Square. I had already eaten a salad for lunch but by 4 o’clock I was ready for something else.

I discovered that the good folks who own Ele, King and I, and Tangerine are cooking up something special downtown and was convinced to try their newest restaurant overlooking Chippewa Square. 

Savannah’s newest restaurant is in the perfect downtown location — 13 E. Perry Street — near the historic Savannah Theatre.  The decor is happy and modern, and so tastefully colorful in contemporary tangerine, aqua and sparkling white.  Even the curved wall where ordering and cooking takes place is a soft touch to welcome diners.

I enjoyed the Grilled Chicken Skewers, which were seasoned wonderfully with just the right amount of spiciness.  My friend ordered Pan Seared Dumplings, just enough to cut the appetite “between” lunch and supper.  Easily we could enjoy a full lunch or supper there! Both our tasting plates were delicious, and perfect for a warm spring day in downtown Savannah.

Almost instantaneously @DoSavannah proclaimed it a locals’ favorite place!  I agree! And, it fits so many of the criteria that I love.  It’s one of Savannah’s small spots that is wonderfully affordable, airy feeling, and leaves me with an eagerness to return.

If we don’t see you at the inn, we’ll see you nibbling on Fire Street Food soon!

Green donuts at Savannah bakery

Today is 2012 St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah!  It’s in vogue — actually expected — to wear lots of green, eat more green things, and (we like to say) stay at Green Palm Inn, among the top-rated inns in the Savannah historic district.

“Green” is definitely one of Savannah’s most colorful stories!  Even the City of Savannah fountains spray green water each March!  Have you ever seen green donuts or tasted green grits? 

Popular St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah

Some speculate that the City of Savannah will host one million visitors during St. Patrick’s Day 2012.  Over lunch one city policeman said that he thinks that the 1M number might be possible, especially when one considers that people will be coming and going over the long 4-day weekend.

He reminded that folks are arriving for more than the Irish St. Patrick’s Day parade on March 17th.  Interestingly, he thinks “Savannah + Tybee” is rapidly becoming the East Coast spring break destination.  At Green Palm Inn, we host the settled adults.

Green Girl Scouts’ Banners and “Daisies for Daisy” in 2012

Green Palm Inn desserts dress up when "Daisies for Daisy" are added to the afternoon dessert table.

We see more Girl Scouts green this year. After all, its Girl Scouts’ 100th Anniversary in 2012.  Greater numbers of alumnae, scouts and families are flowing into the city to celebrate girl scouting’s momentous year. Green Palm Inn’s little downtown bed and breakfast is giving away Savannah Smiles, a new Girl Scout cookie this year. Our guests love the take away treat idea!

And, we’re decorating with daisies.  It’s a little colorful little thing, but we love little things!  “Daisies for Daisy” is the low key, grassroots campaign to honor Juliette “Daisy” Gordon Low, founder of Girl Scouts (established in 1912).  Quietly we see the happy daisies taking an unassuming spot on the Savannah scene in restaurant bud vases, City of Savannah squares, tucked behind young Girl Scout ears, in vases on cookie sale tables, in bouquets at the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace mansion, in potted plants on door stoops and porches, and added to colorful garden varieties along lovely Savannah sidewalks.

For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver.  – Martin Luther

Spring gardens in Reynolds Square

In the Savannah historic district, the city is truly picture perfect during spring! While azaleas blanket city landscapes, we are excited to do our part to add new colors into Savannah’s beautiful palette.   For indoors decorating, check out PaulaDeen.com, Brandon Branch “Savannah Style” blog post by Brandon Branch, A Green Dinner Party.

If you’re here in old town Savannah now, you see the splendor in Savannah’s springtime! If you’re not here yet, we hope you will arrive soon to enjoy spring in Savannah’s historic district …  a place where green has been celebrated since settlers arrived to green forests in 1733.

See you soon at Green Palm Inn!

Daisies in March 2012 at Green Palm Inn in Savannah, Georgia USA

The Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace has an iPhone app that points to 100th Anniversary activities. Green Palm Inn in downtown Savannah is geo spotted in the Daisies for Daisy portion of the iPhone app.

Holiday Food at Green Palm Inn

“For Christmas this year [December 2011], it was a choice of leaving warm sunny southern Florida and go home to Michigan where it would be cold, snowy, and freezing, or go to the Green Palm Inn in Savannah and spend the holiday at a beautiful Inn, with great friends, in a great city. The airfare to get to Michigan for the holidays was close to $700. The Amtrak cost was considerably less than half of the airfare to Michigan. So the decision was an easy one – to Savannah for the Holidays.

If I had made my decision early to go to Savannah it would have been less than $200 round trip on the Amtrak to get to the Green Palm Inn. It takes 10 hours to get from southern Florida to Savannah on the Amtrak. It takes 8 hours driving an average of 80 miles an hour and stopping twice to relieve the bladder and fill up on gas, IF there is no traffic and no construction.

With today’s gas prices it would cost me more to drive than to take the train so it was worth the extra two hours to take the train. The Amtrak in itself is a fun experience. You never know who you are going to sit next to.

On the way to Savannah I was seated by the window – which is where you want to be because the power outlets are there and you have control of the window shade. The seats on the train are huge, comfy, and spacious. There is a foot and thigh/shin rest. The seats recline back and there is a seat tray and pocket to store your things. Amtrak allows you to check in 3 bags and carry on 3 bags for a total of 6 bags with NO fees, making it easy to transport Christmas present to and from Savannah. You sit in the same train car with all of the other passengers that are going to the same areas. It ends up being like a little party. There is a diner car, a snack car, and a cocktail car. Great way to travel.

Once Diane, Inn Keeper for the Green Palm Inn and my best friend, picked me up from the station on the 23rd of December and we got all of my bags back to the Inn, we walked a few blocks over to the Screaming Mimi’s for pizza. The sign on the window declared that this is the best pizza in town. We decided to sit outside on this cool, dry, late evening. When the waitress delivered our hot, steamy great smelling large pizza, we laughed when she stated the knives, forks, and napkins were inside and to help ourselves if we needed any of these things. So much for service. The pizza was amazing, which is a huge statement for me because I have yet to meet pizza I do not like. The crust was perfectly thin and crispy. There was plenty of toppings and the sauce was just spicy enough!!! Great pizza.

Christmas Eve day was a day of preparation for a Christmas dinner. She invited her parents and some friends over for dinner. Turkey, pork roast and all the fixings were made and enjoyed by everyone. Gifts were exchanged as were stories and lots of laughter and fun.

Christmas day was spent kicking back in the comfort of this cozy Inn. We watched movies, and ate popcorn and left over Christmas dinner fixings.

The next day the weather turned cold and I didn’t bring the proper attire. We had to go buy socks to wear with my flip flops. No sense of buying a new pair of shoes because I very rarely wear enclosed shoes in Florida. Diane also keeps several knitted scarves and hats on hand for her guests for just such occasions.

For lunch we went to Wiley’s bar-b-que. We each ordered the sample sliders. Chicken, sausage, and pulled pork as well as sweet potato fries, a southern staple. The three different bar-b-que sauces were amazing as was the service. It’s a small place but it was busy with a stream of customers coming and going.

We went back to the Inn, parked the car and walked downtown Savannah to do some shopping. A new store called Simply Irresistible, a unique gift store was our first stop. They have various pieces of art work, trinkets and different items for all interests. Then we strolled over to Abajo Taco restaurant located in a basement setting in downtown Savannah on Broughton Street. We were greeted by the bartender/waiter named Christian. When I informed him that I was told the 1790 restaurant/bar had the best margaritas, his face crunched up in a “what are you talking about” look and all but called me crazy. We ordered the $5.00 Supreme margarita for the first round and then the $1.50 margarita for the second round. You could taste the tequila in the $1.50 margarita and I liked that one much better. Diane felt the $1.50 margarita tasted like cheap tequila so she preferred the $5.00 margarita. The salsa we had with our chips was delicious and had a bit of a bite to it.

Later that night a friend of Diane’s gave us tickets to the Savannah Theatre for the last showing of the season of “A Christmas Tradition”. It was amazing!!!!! The players had Broadway like talent that had you laughing, smiling and enjoying the entire show. Truly a fun time for all ages.”

We hope you’ll take off for Savannah soon on Amtrak, driving or flying!  We’ll help you also to connect to the little, memorable experiences for a holiday in Savannah everyday!

Diane McCray, Innkeeper Green Palm Inn

YouTube Travel Video:  The Softer Side of Savannah 548 East President Street, Savannah, GA USA 31401 Telephone 912-447-8901 / Toll Free USA & Canada 888-606-9510 greenpalminn.com | Twitter @GreenPalmInn | Facebook

Copyright (c) 2012 Green Palm Inn

Diane McCray and Jackie Heinz (L-R). Photo by Roi Crapse. Posted with permission.

Highly anticipated, January 18, 2012, was billed as a marathon day of weddings in Savannah, GA. Twenty Weddings for Warriors — complimentary, individual dream weddings — were the gifts from hundreds of thankful people to active military men and women.

I knew when I volunteered it was going to be a busy morning of preparation, beginning at 11:00 a.m.  Weddings would be happening 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. in beautiful  historic churches, the Mickve Israel Synagogue, and Telfair Art Museum — the South’s oldest museum.  True to the spirit of this romantic day of giving and saying ‘Thank you’s’ to America’s military families, the ministers served pro bono.  The venue use also had been donated.

I had volunteered, first helping with bridal gown fittings several weeks before.  On wedding day I walked into the brides’ hub of readiness at the American Legion Post 135, located just north of Forsyth Park.  I looked around for something to do, eager to be helpful on this momentous day.

The entire room was already bustling with photographers, beautiful brides and their special party, each getting ready for this big day.   Some brides were positioned near the entrance of the room, getting their hair coiffed. Finger and toe nails were already beautiful from pedicures and manicures for each bride and attendant. Another large group was patiently waiting, each her own turn, to have picture-perfect makeup softly applied.

The Legion hall had been donated, photographers were contributing time and photos, wedding event organizers were donating their time.  Hair stylists, beauticians, and nail specialists were onsite, delivering their services pro bono also.

More volunteers like me just wanted to take part to say “Thank you!” in  personal ways.   We wanted to do more than fly our American flags on Veterans Day and Memorial Day.  We arrived to do whatever needed doing.  I had been anticipating this wonderful day, even heading to my own hairdresser for a full coif earlier that morning.

I spied a young bride, stooped over the hem and train of her gown, mumbling and shaking her head. Her time for beauty services was nearing and she was upset. When transporting her gown the groom, regretfully, had stepped on the bottom of the dress. Her maid of honor stated she was going to run for club soda and the problem would be solved. Grabbing a clean cloth on her way back to the dress, she quickly started dabbing at the soiled dress and told her best friend to head to the beauty salon area and not to worry.

I grabbed another cloth and started working on the opposite side of the beautiful new gown. We made short work of the stains so that not even the eye of her photographer’s lens would see any tell tale marks.

Next, we started to steam her gown. This was no short work! My friend Jackie Heinz from Zeigler House Inn arrived. Together we worked all the kinks out of this beautiful dress. When we were finished with this task, another bride came forward asking for help with her few wrinkles. Then a mom came by and complimented our fine work and asked if we could help her, too. Of course! What else could we have done in the final hours before our beautiful brides walked down the aisle?

It was not my goal to be photographed; but, I sure appreciate  Roi Alan Crapse‘s thoughtfulness to snap photographs behind the scenes.  Jackie Heinz and I are caught in action, a moment in our lives, too, for the memory books!  We post this photo (above), with Mr. Crapse’s permission.

One hour turned in two, which turned into three hours, non-stop.  Actually, I’ve never steamed so many dresses.  Right now I can say, I do not want to see a steamer for a while!

Jackie and I left for a few minutes to get a sandwich and something to drink. When we got back to the Legion Post, most of the bridal parties had already boarded complimentary shuttles — off to their own special, personal ceremony.

Ah,  it felt good to relax for a bit before the grand reception at 6:00 p.m. that evening.  We left for home to finish our work at each of our breakfast inns, then readied ourselves for the big evening.

Dressed for a wedding reception at the Charles H. Morris Center, Jackie and I walked up to the welcoming point and volunteered to host the table at the entrance of the hall.  Everyone needed to be checked in and seated to their assigned table.  Remember, there were 20 wedding couples and families arriving.

Some of the day’s weddings was either a renewal of vows or a promised, dream first wedding.  The courthouse wedding had its own significance, but the dream weddings often were the promises fulfilled for these great Americans who had delayed their photo-perfect day, devoted to serving in every corner of the Earth in America’s armed forces.

We met many families of the darling couples, joked with the servers and volunteers from The Pirates’ House.  We were able to see the grand entrance of smiling couples lead by ceremonial bagpipers and saber bearers. We watched couples being announced as Mr. and Mrs., officer and Mrs. (even one Mr. and officer), cake cuttings, first dances, and children having a great time playing and dancing to the tunes of the night.

Yes the venue, the buffet services, cakes, flowers, ceremonial entrance volunteers, music, and lodging had all been donated.   It was a memorable, wonderful day, the kind that leaves you happy (even though exhausted).

What a joy for me.  I was honored to be a small part of this grand, happy day!  I cannot wait to volunteer again next year.  Thank you, America’s finest and your dear families!

Diane McCray, Innkeeper
Green Palm Inn

YouTube Travel Video:  The Softer Side of Savannah
548 East President Street, Savannah, GA USA 31401
Telephone 912-447-8901 / Toll Free USA & Canada 888-606-9510 greenpalminn.com | Twitter @GreenPalmInn | Facebook

Trummy Young

When Look magazine photographer, John Vachon (1914-1975) photographed show jazz musician great Louis Armstrong,  performing at the Basin Street nightclub in New York City, the 1956 photograph includes Armstrong on stage with singer Velma Middleton, trombonist James “Trummy” Young, clarinetist Edmond Hall, bass player Dale Jones, drummer Barrett Deems, and pianist Billy Kyle.

Young was one of the Louis Armstrong All Stars.  This story comes full circles with Armstrong All Stars performing Savannahian Johnny Mercer’s lyrics and Henry Mancini’s music in Moon River. A photo here of Young playing in jam session with Benny Goodman Orchestra and Louis Armstrong All Stars.

*Links to music are to Spotify. You will need to log in to listen.

On January 12, 1912, trombonist Trummy Young was born in Savannah, GA. On Young’s birthday in 1938, Louis Armstrong recorded his big band version of Struttin’ With Some Barbecue.  Here Young is playing that tune with Armstrong and Cozy Cole.   Listen to this rendition of “Georgia on my Mind” with Young playing with Chris Barber.   Young’s “Lazy Lullaby” brings it all back to Green Palm Inn, a cozy spot to nestle for a lazy Savannah evening.

“The memory of things gone is important to a jazz musician,” Louis Armstrong said. “Things like old folks singing in the moonlight in the backyard on a hot night, or something said long ago.”

Was it Bob Hope singing or Trummy Young’s 1944-1946 album where you first heard “Thanks for the Memory”?  Here Buck Clayton, Trummy Young, and Joe Thomas – play Blue Moon.  Tunes were rated “Adults Only” on “the Capitulatin’ Blues” album — “stories of wanton lust and reckless abandon”.  Only if you’re an adult, listen to I Want Every Bit of It.

Jazz great, James Moody

March 26, 1925 (1925-2010) saxophonist/flutist/vocalist James Moody was born in Savannah, GA. He played with Dizzy Gillespie, Art Blakley, and Quincey Jones to name a few.  Here he plays “The Pink Panther“, made famous by composer Henry Mancini and lyricist Johnny Mercer in the movie with Peter Sellers.   The New York Times reported Moody’s death in December 2010:  “James Moody, a jazz saxophonist and flutist celebrated for his virtuosity, his versatility and his onstage ebullience, died on Thursday [December 9, 2010] in San Diego. He was 85…. Mr. Moody, who began his career with the trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie shortly after World War II and maintained it well into the 21st century, developed distinctive and equally fluent styles on both tenor and alto saxophone, a relatively rare accomplishment in jazz. He also played soprano saxophone, and in the mid-1950s he became one of the first significant jazz flutists, impressing the critics if not himself.”

Born in Savannah, GA on June 23, 1925, was saxophonist/flutist Sahib Shihab (born Edmond Gregory).  Here Shihab plays “Round Midnight: Straight No Chaser” with Theolonius Monk, Al McKibbon, Milt Jackson, and Art Blakley.   A gentle, soulful rendition of “The Things We Did Last Summer” is performed by  Shihab.  He was one of the first jazz musicians to convert to Islam and changed his name in 1947. He died 24 October 1989.

Jazz drummer, Ben Riley

July 17, 1933, drummer Ben Riley was born in Savannah, GA.  Listen to this drummer, whose genius drum playing blends so seamlessly with Giacomo Gates – Girl Talk.   Here Riley is playing with Gary Bartz, Ray Drummond, Kenny Barron – Up Jumped Spring.

We hope you’ll arrive soon, ready for a cozy Green Palm Inn stay and some music of the South, where Jazz was King in the early 1900s. We’ll help connect you to the little, memorable Savannah experiences everyday!

Diane McCray, Innkeeper Green Palm Inn

YouTube Travel Video:  The Softer Side of Savannah 548 East President Street, Savannah, GA USA 31401 Telephone 912-447-8901 / Toll Free USA & Canada 888-606-9510 greenpalminn.com | Twitter @GreenPalmInn | Facebook

Additional Savannah jazz and music resources:

All That Savannah Jazz…From Brass Bands, Vaudeville, to Rhythm and Blues, by Charles J. Elmore, Ph.D.

Black America Series: Savannah Georgia by Charles J. Elmore, Ph.D.

Sites and Sounds of Savannah Jazz, by Dr. Julius “Boo” Hornstein

Rebels, Saints, and Sinners: Savannah’s Rich History and Colorful Personalities, by Timothy Daiss

Black Bottom Stomp: Eight Masters of Ragtime and Early Jazz (Media and Popular Culture), by David A. Jasen and Gene Jones

Savannah in the Old South (Wormsloe Foundation Publications), by Walter J. Fraser Jr.

Copyright (c) 2012 Green Palm Inn / Sandy Traub

The very southern treat, Red Velvet Cupcakes, petite-sized for a mini, one-bite dessert

Savannah tips from Green Palm Inn start with “Come stay.” But, don’t stop there! “Taste. Venture. See.  Rest.  Shop. You’ll love it all!”

Why? Because Green Palm Inn makes the smart little connections!

“We have a big southern welcome waiting at ‘little’ Green Palm Inn,” says Innkeeper Diane McCray in a 3-minute video introducing Savannah and the little Green Palm Inn.

Guests are inspired to soak up the little gifts that make up the Savannah experience.  Green Palm Inn helps guests to discover, in small bites and in up-close-and-personal experiences, the significant little things that are memorable and unique in Savannah, GA.

“Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn’t really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after a while. That’s because they were able to connect experiences they’ve had and synthesize new things.” -Steve Jobs

Tall Ships in Savannah

On January 20, 2012, a flotilla of vessels accompanied the French-based Tara experimental schooner ship. May 3-7, 2012, Savannah becomes a stop for tall sailing ships racing along the Atlantic coast. Up to 15 tall ships will dock in Savannah May 3-7, 2012, as part of the “Tall Ships Challenge 2012, Atlantic Coast”. To the pleasure of tourists, every day the Savannah Riverboat Queen steam and paddle boat is docked on the Savannah River, waiting to cruise up and down the Savannah River for a very unique experience. You’ll be cruising up and down the river that hosts the world’s largest ships in the 4th largest shipping port — Savannah, GA.

Small pleasure of Savannah River boat cruise

A little walk through Savannah’s little squares will take you to memorable little places — the Telfair Museum of Art (the South’s oldest museum), the Gallery Espresso cafe, SCADShop for artisan art student and alumni products, and E. Shaver Booksellers (a little shop-on-the-corner type of book store. Give me the one-bites, the little stops, the little shops, the little experiences, the intimate wine and hors d’ oeuvres before dinner, the historic horse and carriage ride, the cozy Green Palm Inn for lodging, and the charming stop in City Market for night time music … only steps away from the life-size bronze statue of Johnny Mercer.  Mercer is the little Savannah boy who grew up to be one of the world’s most prolific lyricists.

We just learned today that a Johnny Mercer song, “Ac-cen-tchu-ate the Positive” is included on Sir Paul McCarthney’s new CD, Kisses On The Bottom to be released on February 6, 2012.

We cannot stop here.  Stratton Leopold’s family lived only a few houses away from Johnny Mercer’s downtown Savannah family home on Gwinnett Street near Forsyth Park. Today the Hollywood-decor of Leopold’s Ice Cream on Broughton Street is near historic theatres and Green Palm Inn. It’s a little don’t-miss spot voted “Best Savannah Ice Cream” and among the World’s Top Ten Ice Creams. In the last few days we tasted the first batch of the ice cream parlor’s new lemon custard flavor, featuring Savannah Smiles, Girl Scouts cookies. The new flavor is a tribute to Juliette “Daisy” Gordon Low, also a native Savannahian. The Girl Scouts will celebrate the girls’ organization’s 100th anniversary in 2012. It began little too, with 18 girls from Savannah, Georgia, on March 12, 1912.

We hope you’ll arrive soon, ready for a cozy Green Palm Inn stay. We’ll help connect you to the little, memorable Savannah experiences everyday!

Copyright (c) 2012 Green Palm Inn / Sandy Traub

Savannah City Market

“We are delighted to be hosting travelers from around the U.S. and the world, those taking a city break in Savannah to celebrate New Year’s Eve with us on the Georgia Coast,” Diane adds. “It is a privilege to be selected as the downtown lodging spot for one of the most special days of the year!”

Like other times of the year, Diane and staff are tasting and shopping about in downtown Savannah and beyond the historic district to learn where the little nuggets are for memorable new and fun things to experience in Savannah.  Without even trying our thoughts gravitated to the City of Lights (Paris) and true red-white-and-blue Americana for things to do on the last day of the year and for a delightful New Year’s Eve night of Savannah fireworks and revelry to ring in 2012.

GREEN PALM INN BED AND BREAKFAST IDEA FOR 2011 NEW YEAR’S EVE IN SAVANNAH GA

Brunch or Mid-day lunch:  Keep it simple with lunch in downtown Savannah at La Papillote (French Cuisine to Go), B&D Burgers, B. Matthews Eatery, Ta Ca (Sushi and Japanese Fusion),  Screamin Mimi’s Pizza, or Whistle Stop Cafe (served in a rail car in the railroad complex near Savannah Visitor’s Center).

Savannah River Street

Early supper: Wiley’s Championship BBQ (5 p.m. to 9 p.m., about a 10 minute drive from downtown towards Tybee Island), or Bistro 1875 (Parisian Bistro dining downtown).  For afternoon cocktails, slip into Lulu’s Chocolate Bar (after 5 p.m.) or Jen’s and Friends Martini Bar.

Nightlife: Dinner reservations are a must!  Fireworks on the Savannah River, harbor front are at 11:59 p.m.  Just off Ellis Square, the live music, outdoor street party and New Year’s Eve Balloon Drop in Savannah City Market starts at 9 p.m. and lasts until 1 a.m.

TRANSPORTATION:  We have confirmed that the downtown Savannah DOT shuttle will run until 9 p.m.  on New Year’s Eve, and NO service on New Year’s Day.   The Savannah Pedicab is a popular way to get around — 912/232-7900 or via Twitter @SavannahPediCab.  However, the cobblestone ramps keep the pedi-cab bikes off of the Savannah Riverfront.

All of us at Green Palm Inn bed and breakfast in downtown Savannah wish you all a prosperous and Happy New Year!

Diane McCray, Innkeeper
Green Palm Inn

YouTube Travel Video: “The Softer Side of Savannah”
548 East President Street, Savannah, GA USA 31401
Telephone 912-447-8901 / Toll Free USA & Canada 888-606-9510
greenpalminn.com | Twitter @GreenPalmInn | Facebook

Copyright (c) 2011 Green Palm Inn / Sandy Traub

Christmas Desserts

Green Palm Inn bed and breakfast in downtown Savannah is named one incredible inn by BedandBreakfast.com in the worldwide organization’s “Top 10 B&Bs for the Holidays“, announced today.  The selection team said in selecting the great bed and breakfasts for the holidays that they were impressed with our B&B’s “Meaningful, Simplified Bed and Breakfast Christmas” [full release here].

We are so unbelievably pleased to be spotlighted as an award-winning bed and breakfast, in company with lovely, distinguished inns!   So, we thought we would pay it forward with our own top ten holiday ideas in Savannah!

“Savannah Holidays Top Ten” from Green Palm Inn

1. Get under the mistletoe. Look up, where you might least expect to find it — into the downtown Savannah tree canopies!

2. Slip into the historic churches to hear holiday music in downtown Savannah. On Sunday night (9PM), hear the Compline community choir at Christ Church on Johnson Square. Then toast the magical evening at Lulu’s Chocolate — Chocolate Crème Brulee, chocolate martini, chocolate fondue for two, and sparkling dessert wine.

Christmas Desserts

3. Throw out the rules. Binge on a holiday lunch… like the kind you’d have at Grandmother’s House! Warm up with homemade soups, sandwich, Mary’s Apple Pie, and winter ice cream flavors at Leopold’s Ice Cream shop.

4. Celebrate with wonderful practicalities when you swoop up practically perfect gifts. We love Savannah note cards from Ray Ellis Gallery and cashmere socks from Marc by Marc Jacobs. We have more Savannah-themed recommendations. Click here for more Savannah-themed shopping ideas.

5. Fly the American flag … or a lapel pin from Green Palm Inn. We want to remind ourselves and our neighbors to think of military service families who will be experiencing a very different Christmas.  Someone dear is deployed to some hotspot in the world.

6. Jingle all the way! Take a holiday sightseeing tour outside the historic district. Did you know that James Pierpont wrote Jingle Bells while serving as the Universalist Church organist in Savannah, GA?

7. Hear church bells chiming holiday carols. Be somewhere close to Wright Square around noon.  One idea is to grab an easy lunch (we like the Curry Chicken Roll-up with sparkling water), plus decadent chocolates at Wright Square Café’ & Chocolatier … on Wright Square.

8.  Spread your own holiday cheer by shopping around and getting to know the city folk! Ask for the clerk’s card at boutique shops. Build a personal rapport to take advantage of sales announcements … the old fashioned way, by way of a first-name shopping contact.

9.  Take pictures for your memory book. Spectacular spots are the Forsyth Park fountain, sunset on the Savannah riverfront, in Ellis Square at the Christmas tree and colorful water spray, on the Jepson Center stairway, in front of beautifully decorated mansions (like the festively decorated Philbrick-Eastman House on the west side of Chippewa Square), and inside the historic Savannah Theatre with a holiday musical cast and décor as your backdrop.

10.  Last, but far from least, cozy up in front of a fireplace at Green Palm Inn. Take part in southern style “visiting” while enjoying fresh baked desserts, hot tea or coffee, a mellowing wine or two with one-bite appetizers, or hot chocolate.

We sincerely wish you heartfelt holidays, merry and bright … a wonderful Christmas, full of cheer and happy memories!

Diane McCray
Green Palm Inn

YouTube Travel Video: “The Softer Side of Savannah”
548 East President Street, Savannah, GA USA 31401
Telephone 912-447-8901 / Toll Free USA & Canada 888-606-9510
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