The Grey Swan Inn Celebrating One Year Anniversary

The Grey Swan Inn Bed and Breakfast will be celebrating its first anniversary under the management of Jim and Christine Hasbrouck on September 2, 2008 from 2:00 PM to 5 PM. A ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for 3:00 PM. The inn is located at 615 S. Main St. in Blackstone. The public is cordially invited to this event which will also include tours of the home.

The Hasbroucks moved to Blackstone from Baltimore MD in August 2007. Jim had recently retired from the USDA Forest Service after a 34 year career in Human Resources. Christine occupations included stints in medical administration, travel, and personal sales. The couple took a number of courses in the operation of a Bed and Breakfast over the past few years then set a course on finding a suitable establishment. Blackstone and the Grey Swan Inn fit the bill.

This charming home was built in 1902 by Douglas Longstreet Tuggle of R. W. Tuggle & Son Tobacco Company of Blackstone, Virginia, for his bride. It is a contributing property of Blackstone’s Historic District which is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. The home was converted to a Bed and Breakfast approximately 15 years ago and was formerly owned and operated by Fred and Nancy Jo Sibel until the Hasbroucks assumed ownership in September of last year.

The Inn offers a comfortable and friendly atmosphere for the weary traveler including a full gourmet breakfast each morning of their stay. To many of their guests “It’s like coming home when I’m on the road”.

Some of the inn’s amenities include free wireless internet, flexible breakfast hours, leisurely moments on the front porch, televisions in most rooms, freshly ground coffee, and lively conversations with the owners and other guests. The addition of online reservation services on The Grey Swan Inn’s website (www.greyswaninn.com) add to the convenience for the savvy online traveler.

The innkeepers are member of Blackstone Chamber of Commerce, BBAV (Bed and Breakfast Association of Virginia), PAII (Professional Association of Inns International), and recently became qualified for Virginia Green Lodging. The Grey Swan Inn Bed and Breakfast can be found listed Virginia.org – Virginia’s official tourism website and has been featured on Home and Garden Television (HGTV).

Dropout Prevention Meeting

Dropout Prevention Meeting
Tuesday, August 26
6-8 pm
Nottoway High School Mini Auditorium

For all Community Partners!!

Blackstone Image Kick-Off

Blackstone Image Kick-Off
Thursday, August 28th
6:00 PM
Blackstone Fire Department

Be a part of history in the making!
Enjoy FREE food samples at a "Taste of the Town"
Watch our local youth perform
Learn how you can become a Blackstone Ambassador!
Take home some FREE Blackstone gifts

sponsored by:

Events for This Weekend - August 22, 2008

Friday, August 22, 2008

Farmers Cafe, 213 S Main St, Blackstone, VA
"South Bound" Local Country Band 7:30 pm until..... No Cover Charge

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Farmers Cafe, 213 S Main St, Blackstone, VA
"Thunder Creek" Bluegrass Band 7:30 pm until..... No Cover Charge

Cruise-In, 5-9 pm
Held in the municipal parking lot behind Town Hall, Blackstone, VA
The public is invited to check out all the classic cars and other interesting rides.

Auction - 10 am Daniel Auction Warehouse, 770 Main St, Alberta, VA
500 Lots or More of Trucking Freight Salvage
for more information - www.danielauction.com

Community Appreciation Day - 10 am - 2 pm
Sponsored by Nottoway Civic League, 1010 Mt Nebo Rd, Blackstone, VA
Free to the public - information, praise dancing groups, food, fellowship
Free school supplies will be given out
Information providers: VA Dept for the Aging, Job Corp, Senior Nutrition Program,
Habitat for Humanity "We Care", and others

August Event - Amelia Bluegrass Music Festival

Amelia Central Virginia Family Bluegrass Music Festival

August 14, 15, & 16, 2008

An Annual Event on 3rd Weekend for 29 years!
Amelia Family Campgrounds, Amelia, VA

Free Parking - Bring Lawn Chairs
Tickets: Weekend - at the gate $60
Thursday - $20 Hours - 1:00pm - 10:00pm
Friday - $25 Hours - 12 noon - 10:30pm
Saturday - $25 Hours - 9:30am - 10:30pm
See Campground website for more information!

Come stay at The Grey Swan Inn Bed and Breakfast
We're under 25 miles to Amelia and the Festival and can provide you
with the comforts of home!!

The Grey Swan Inn Bed and Breakfast Joins Virginia Green Lodging Program

The Grey Swan Inn Bed and Breakfast is now a participant in the Virginia Green campaign. To become a participant, the inn had to meet a required minimum of core practices in the following areas:

1. Linen services.

2. Recycling and waste reduction.

3. Water conservation.

4. Energy conservation.

5. Green event practices.

Our Green Statement:

"While honoring the past and its gilded history, The Grey Swan recognizes our responsibility for conserving energy and our natural resources. We initially started by inviting guests to reuse towels and charging bed linens every3 days or as needed rather than daily. We also let our guests know that we will recycle any plastics, glass, aluminum, or paper that is left int heir rooms. We have recently been participating in a community effort to establish a recycling center in the the town. Becoming green is an ongoing education process for us, reviewing our current practices and the willingness to change as we can to become better stewards for our property, community, and world."

Here are some of The Grey Swan Inn's practices:

Linen Service: use of cold water, use of non-phosphate, non-toxic, and biodegradable laundry detergents, minimized use of bleach, changing towels and bed linens every 3 days or longer rather than daily

Recycling and Waste Reduction: recycling glass, aluminum cans, plastic, toner cartridges, newspaper, cardboard, and packing supplies, tracking overall wast bills, eliminate the use of styrofoam, use reusable dishware and glasware, and minimizing the use of disposables

Water Conservation: tracking overall water usage and wastewater, preventative maintenance of drips and leaks

Energy Conservation: replacement of light bulbs with CLF light bulbs, use of hybrid vehicles, lighting sensors, conservative use of guest room air conditioners and heaters when unoccupied