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Community Corner

Great Escape: Scrapbooking Retreat

Each week we find Great Escapes where you can pamper, renew and refresh yourself.

All right, confession time: How many photos, ticket stubs and love letters do you have saved in bins just waiting to be arranged in a beautiful scrapbook? Are your stamps used by your children more than they are by you? Is your stack of homemade cards dwindling rapidly? You’re not alone. Who has time to scrap effectively or enjoyably with a busy family? Gather seven of your favorite scrapping friends that are in the same situation you are and have a Great Escape!

The Thorwood Inn in Hastings has a scrapbooking retreat second to none.

Pam Thorsen and her husband, Dick Woodley, have lovingly restored their 1880 French Second Empire home into condos for your enjoyment and relaxation. According to Thorsen, the couple renovated the home into the three condos “in such a way as to preserve the historic integrity of the home.”

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These are not Golden Girls condos.

The first condo, called the Lumber Baron, encompasses the main floor formal rooms, three bedrooms and workspace in the basement for all of your scrapbooking. This condo sleeps eight, each in their own bed. There is a gourmet kitchen for you and your friends to treat each other to homemade meals, or your own Iron Chef competition as one group recently held.

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You can also grill to your heart's content on the outdoor patio in nice weather. If you prefer not to cook, wonderful restaurants in downtown Hastings are within easy walking distance. For a leisurely breakfast, contact Thorsen or Woodley the night before and let them know that you’d like to join the other guests at their sister inn, The Rosewood, in the morning and they’ll be more than happy to set a place for you. 

The second condo, called The Penthouse, includes the whole third floor. It sleeps two people, each in their own room and bath, and provides another gourmet kitchen. 

The third and final condo is what used to be the servant’s quarters and today functions as the private quarters for the couple.

While you’re enjoying your scrapbooking Great Escape, you might just want to stop into a nearby scrapbooking shop called A Scrap'n Time to collect some new and unique products to enhance your projects.

To get more information on rates, policies and to make your reservation, visit their website.

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