In this issue:
• Looking Forward to Fall• Home Improvements
• Fall Activities in McCall
• Our Pick: Paradise Burgers
• Whitewater Chills & Thrills
• Upcoming Fall Events
Nicki Dyson Earns Real Estate License
Hearthstone Resort Manager Nicki Dyson is now a licensed realtor, available to assist you with any of your re-sale or fractional ownership needs. With an active real estate license in the state of Idaho, working with Community Real Estate, Nicki is the resident McCall expert when it comes to the fractional concept. Working on-site at Hearthstone on a daily basis enables Nicki to market and sell the essence of ownership at Hearthstone, which is essential in the buying and selling process. For more information, or to contact Nicki directly, please call 800-574-6377 or email her.Re-sale Update
Year to date, Hearthstone has seen seven 1/8th fractional re-sales ranging from $28,000 to the most recent sale in August coming in at $36,000. Currently on the market are another five fractional interests ranging from $42,900 to $59,000. With some of the best pricing Hearthstone has experienced, now is a perfect time to consider the benefits of resort living for a fraction of the cost. For more information on fractional ownership at Hearthstone, please contact Resort Manager and licensed realtor, Nicki Dyson.Sustaining Satisfaction
Your feedback is important! Please take a quick moment to fill out a satisfaction survey after your next visit to Hearthstone. We review all surveys carefully, as your comments help alert our team to maintenance issues as they arise or important improvements that could be made to the property that we may want to address in the future. Our most recent survey tabulation revealed an overall satisfaction rate of 97.75 percent, based on surveys we received from 355 owners and guests. We strive to maintain the highest levels of satisfaction at the resort and appreciate your commitment in helping us achieve those remarkable results.Internet Speeds Up at Hearthstone
As of mid August, Hearthstone now has the fastest Internet connectivity speed available in Valley County! Hearthstone provides wireless Internet access in all residences, and all resort phones operate through the Internet as well. With technology moving ahead, people using their phones, tablets and other devices for multimedia, there's an ever increasing need for faster Internet. We're constantly doing what we can to improve our Internet connectivity at Hearthstone by adding more bandwidth, as it becomes available, trying to balance the need, available technologies & our budget. Our phone plan offers a significant cost savings to land lines, and we hope the upgrade will minimize the connectivity issues we've had as much as possible, until McCall has access to much faster speeds and bandwidth.
Looking Forward to Fall
Summer has a tendency to hit with a bang. Practically overnight the weather shifts, taking away the damp, cold spring, in exchange for green mountainsides, outdoor events, concerts, lakeside activities and heat. We wait for it so long, and every year it goes by in a flash! This year kicked off with the exciting fourth of July festivities, followed by the 34th Annual Summer Music Festival at Roseberry, the Donnelly Huckleberry Festival and now Labor Day weekend with the City of Trees 30k Marathon through downtown and around Payette Lake has come and gone. Hearthstone experienced a 92 percent average occupancy rate during July and August, and it was great to see so many of you enjoying the resort and your time in McCall.
Thankfully, the transition from summer into fall is a gradual one. The warmer temperatures linger while the leaves ever so slowly shift from green to a fiery display of color. As school starts around the country and vacationers resume their rhythms at home, we hope many of you decide to take advantage of Hearthstone during the quiet season.
In this edition of the e-newsletter, we've highlighted some of our favorite ways to enjoy McCall in the fall. Whether it's tubing at Kelly's Whitewater Park, mountain biking at Jug Mountain Ranch or strolling the local Farmers' Market, we've broken down a number of ways to celebrate the season. If you happen to make it up this way during the month of October, Resort Manager Nicki Dyson will be taking a short leave of absence to prepare for the newest addition to her family, a baby girl. Jami and Alexa in Owner Services will make sure you are well taken care of while Nicki's away for three weeks, and everyone hopes to see you here during the next few months.
Home Improvements
Hearthstone's interior and exterior home refurbishment, which began last spring, continued through the summer and now nears completion as we enter the final phase this fall.
With the help of the Hearthstone Advisory Board, who reviews and provides recommendations and feedback about all suggested changes to the resort, several improvements were implemented over the course of the summer, keeping the refurbishment on schedule and moving forward. Recent improvements included paver repairs on several back patios and front walkways, and the re-sealing of Hearthstone Court, the access road to all Hearthstone residences, which came in $1,000 under the bid amount! Going into summer, two sectional sofas were re-upholstered, and three more will be re-upholstered this fall when we have access to homes mid-week. Additionally, six garage doors that are subject to high sun exposure and fading have been repainted, and several front doors that are also subject to intense sun exposure have been re-stained as well. Exterior touch up painting is also planned for areas of the property as needed.
After much research, new Samsung 40-inch flat screen televisions will be installed in all living rooms. Thank you to our owners for their feedback and recommendations for this high quality product with a good price point.
We also hope you were able to enjoy the great amenities and new decor in the gathering area at the Spring Mountain Ranch House this summer, where the refurbishment is now complete. In addition, a new filter and heater installed in the SMR pool, and a new lock placed on the pool's mechanical room door, have helped with the inconsistencies in the temperature of the pool and spa. According to the guidelines set by the Spring Mountain Ranch Board, the pool is to be at 82 degrees and the hot tub at 102 degrees.
Fall Activities in McCall
The crazy summer rush is over, but there are plenty of ways to spend some well deserved and precious time outdoors (without all the mosquitoes and people).
A great way to enjoy the sun and explore the community is by bicycle. McCall has miles of bike path systems stretching from Warren Wagon Road to North Beach, Legacy Park to Ponderosa State Park and along the golf course (right out your front door at Hearthstone) around Spring Mountain Ranch. Cruise downtown to Art Roberts Park to take in the spectacular views of Payette Lake and the docks from the grassy lawn, have a picnic or grab an iced coffee and browse local antique shops and boutiques. On Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10am to 2pm, ride over to McCall's open air Farmers' Market located on Pine Street next to Gravity Sports, where on average 15 vendors sell an abundance of produce, with 80 percent of the produce coming from a 100 to 200 mile radius from McCall. Late summer brings mounds of delicious huckleberries, raspberries and blackberries from Riggins and other surrounding areas.
For a ride that's a little less leisurely, that will ensure your legs are ready for the upcoming ski season, join Gravity Sports' group road rides every Thursday evening and Saturday morning. Beginners are welcome to join the pack, with the one caveat that you know your own limitations. Single track mountain bikers can also enjoy riding with a group through the Central Idaho Mountain Bike Association (CIMBA) which offers fun and challenging rides on Tuesday nights. The groups leave from a variety of area favorite trails like Jug Mountain Ranch or Bear Basin.
Our Pick: Paradise Burgers
These true blue Boise State Fans grill a mean 1/3 pound, ― pound, or crippling 1 pound hamburger (also known as THE PUNISHER) topped off with almost any sauce you could dream of. Other basic yet tasty menu items include Paradise's signature salmon burger, and chicken lovers will delight in the Flyin' Hawaiian chicken sandwich, chicken fillet, or chicken strips. Even the little people will be quite satisfied with their own menu that includes fries and a drink for only $3.50. Paradise Burgers' staff is fast and friendly, they've always got a game on TV, and when the temperature's cool, their fireplace will help warm you up. For a little pick-me-up, taste one of their 12 beers on tap during Happy Hour, where you can get a $5 burger, fries and drink. Located at 319 N 3rd Street in McCall, stop by for a fast lunch or dinner cooked to perfection. Make sure you're hungry!
Whitewater Chills & Thrills
The average daily temperature in McCall during the month of September is as hot as 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit (even though nights cool down to the twenties and thirties). When there's no escaping the dry heat, a trip down the river is an excellent solution.
Established in 2008 to promote water safety, local historic preservation, as well as to provide a boost to the economy of Cascade, Kelly's Whitewater Park (Idaho's first whitewater park) offers free kayaking, rafting, canoeing and tubing for beginner and expert water enthusiasts alike.
Situated on the old mill site in Cascade, on the North Fork of the Payette River, this safe and sustainable park has five in-river water features, a bridge for easy access, an outdoor amphitheater, and a 2,600 square foot Welcome Center facility with Interpretive Gallery. Every Tuesday, a local artist exhibit is displayed in the main hall of the gallery. You might be tempted to watch the kids from the indoor viewing area, but you'll have a whole lot more fun floating the river with them!
Upcoming Fall Events
Summer might be over, but itīs still too early to hibernate. Check out some of these fun events that are on our radar this fall:
September 24, 2011The third annual MCPAWS Oktoberfest, a fundraising event for MCPAWS Regional Animal Shelter, includes food, a beer garden with beer tasting, raffle, music and entertainment as well as a MCPAWS adoption station. Celebrate Oktoberfest at Alpine Village. Admission is free. September 30, 2011
If the Winter Olympics were the last time you watched curling, see what all the fuss is about at McCall Curling Clubīs seventh annual Rocktoberspiel Tournament at Manchester Ice and Event Centre. Teams representing Idaho, Utah, California, Washington, Oregon, Arizona and Canada will be on the ice from Friday at 6pm until Sunday at 1pm. October 7-9, 2011
The Salmon River Art Guild presents the 2011 Regional Art Show and Silent Auction at the Best Western in Riggins. Judging takes place Friday evening, with the show opening to the public for viewing on Saturday beginning at 8am until 5pm and Sunday from 8am until 3pm.