Happy 2021!
Come join us at the Quality Inn in Waterloo/Seneca Falls, NY for our sixth annual Winter Hounds event!
February 19, 20, 21, 2021
Winter Houndstm is in its sixth year. This is an inexpensive winter escape to get out of the house, see some neat things, taste some new wines or beers and hang out with some greyhound folks without having to wait months for summer.
We know these are challenging times, but we are hopeful that we can visit New York in February to taste some wines and see some old friends. We will do this with masks and social distancing. The hotel we have chosen will help us space folks apart while indoors. We will have a large room where we can keep some distance between us but still see friends. We also hope many of us will have a chance to be vaccinated against Covid-19. The hotels and wineries in the Finger Lakes need our business and are ready to take whatever measures they need to keep us safe. And they can't wait to see the greyhounds!
This year we are staying at the Quality Inn, 2468 NY-414, Waterloo, NY, just off the NY thruway. Rooms for our little event are $109 per night with no pet fees! When you call the hotel, ask for a room under the Winter Hounds room block.
Quality Inn's rooms are spacious and accommodate dog beds.
So make your reservations early, as our room block goes away on January 18th. (30 days before the event). Call the hotel directly to reserve your room. Ask for the Winter Hounds rate.
Don't delay making your reservations. Any rooms left in the hotel after Jan 20 can be sold to other individuals. Our rate will still be offered for our group if there are any rooms left after Jan 20. While the official dates are Friday through Sunday, Feb. 19-21, many of us will arrive Thursday night, Feb. 18, for an extra day of tasting and exploring. Our Welcome event will take place Friday evening, 5-8PM or so.
No Cancellation Concerns Quality Inn staff know that if we get a winter storm, or if state rules for Covid-19 suddenyl chnage, people may have to cancel, so they promise no cancellation hassles at all. If a storm happens to come in during our weekend, or one state puts up barriers to visits ffrom people from other states, just call the hotel 24 hours ahead of your arrival and cancel. Done deal. So you need not worry about making reservations and then having to cancel. Reserve at 315.539.5011.
We will again rent a big conference room for two or three vendors who will offer coats, collars and dog treats or other popular winter-oriented greyhound products. This can also be a greyt room where we can hang out and socialize.
The hotel has a large enclosed courtyard where we can walk the dogs out of the wind. The rooms are very nice.
This year we will again offer advance registration. Our modest $12 (per person) registration fee covers our social room/conference room rental for socializing and vendors, and our tasting glasses. We want to keep everything inexpensive, simple and easy. Registration will not open until after January 1st.
Schedule begins Thursday ...
Some folks attend early and arrive Thursday to begin touring around. Activities officially start on Friday, 2/21. We plan a Welcome event in the social room at Quality Inn Seneca Falls on Friday evening, Feb, 21, from 5-8 PM. We'll reintroduce ourselves and hang out. Vendors will be there. Greyhounds are welcome everywhere at the hotel except in the restaurant area.
Friday evening and Saturday we'll have some vendors open during certain hours in our conference room at the Quality Inn/Waterloo-Seneca Falls. Many of our participating wineries around Seneca Lake are available 10AM-5PM Friday, Saturday and Sunday for wine tasting.
Tasting Card We'll provide an information card at registration with tasting information for each participating winery, brew pub or distillery. We basically divide up the area into three tasting tours: east shore of Seneca Lake, west shore of Seneca Lake and around the Keuka Lake area. We'll also provide a list of great area restaurants and eateries.
Restaurant The Quality Inn offers a restaurant and a bar on site. In addition, they offer a free breakfast option in a separate room.
Then more wine tasting on Sunday, until you have to leave for home. You can spend your time at the hotel with friends, seeing local sights and museums or touring the wineries, distilleries and brew pubs. Inside stuff or outside stuff. Your choice.
Our attendees from 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 just loved this event because it was small and intimate. People got to congregate in the hotel lounges in front of a fireplace in the evenings -- with their hounds -- have a glass of wine, and get to know people whom they had seen at events but maybe had not ever had a chance to chat with. The hotel is very friendly and helpful. People came away from the weekend with a lot of new greyhound friends.
Tasting Glasses When you check in, we'll give you a Winter Hounds tasting glass and a card listing all the participating wineries, what their tasting fees are (if any), and any special information.
Email Us Please send us an email at Grapehound@gmail.com 1) if you have questions or 2) if you wish to attend but do not plan to pre-register online so that we can order enough supplies.
Winter Houndstm
An informal gathering of greyhound folks with their hounds in
New York Finger Lakes wine country.
Suggestions
We want to help Quality Inn to welcome us back every year. Here's how we can do that.
- If your dogs are used to lieing on your bed, please bring a quilt or cover to place over the bed coverings.
- Bring a lint brush to capture any dog hair on furnishings.
- Bring your pets' favorite dog pillows for the floor. Lots of room to put them around the room.
- Walk your dogs thoroughly outside before bringing them to the social areas or back to the room.
- Make sure the hotel desk has your cell number, so if your dog has an issue they can contact you.
- Bring your dog's coat because the wind can be cold in February.
Registration for Winter Hounds will likely open about February 1st, when we should gain a better idea of travel rules during Winter Hounds.
Hotel registration is now open (12/3/20). n Event registration will open after January 1, 2021.
Our event will be at Quality Inn, Waterloo-Seneca Falls NY.
Mark the dates Feb. 19-21 on your calendar. Call 315.539.5011 to reserve your room.
Weather in New York has been mild at this event for five years straight!
Winter Houndstm
February 19, 20, 21 2021
Updated Event Check In Times at
Quality Inn/Waterloo
Thursday (2/18) No official check-in
Friday (2/19) 9AM Hotel restaurant
5-8 PM Check In
Saturday (2/20) 9-11 AM Cabernet Room
Sunday (2/21) Final tasting day
We have three separate self-guided wine tours:
Tour One goes south down the east shore of Seneca Lake.
Tour Two goes south down the west shore of Seneca Lake
Tour Three goes down the west shore of Seneca lake and then loops around Keuka Lake. Go visit familiar winries or try some new ones.
This is one of the winter illustrations from Dean Tremano's children's book entitled Seasoned with Salt and Pepper, the story of a bunny named Salt and a greyhound named Pepper. The book is avaiilable on Amazon.
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