ww1.prweb.comww1.prweb.com/prfiles/2011/06/30/8614867/Tell Us Your …  · Web viewThe Mansion on Delaware Avenue. 414 Delaware Avenue Buffalo, NY 14202. . 716.886.3300. Stories

The Mansion on Delaware Avenue414 Delaware Avenue Buffalo, NY 14202

www.mansionondelaware.com716.886.3300

Stories of the 20 First Round Finalists

Nicholas Lindstrom Well five years ago yesterday I was married. We spent our night at the Mansion and I will never forget when we showed up. It was around1130 at night and I pulled up in front of the Mansion and before I could even get around the car there was a butler opening the door for my wife and all he said was " Good evening Misses Lindstrom " and that's all that needed to be said . It just gave me such a warm feeling that something so small could be said but it was just perfect.

Ruth Hasseler I had yearned to sample the hospitality of the Mansion, and, in December of 2006, a special online offer made it all possible. For a very reasonable charge, my partner and I were going to experience the Mansion and were going to receive a gift certificate for a downtown restaurant toward our elegant dinner there. (We chose Toro on Elmwood.)However, we decided to, on our own, add an evening at the Studio Arena theater. The butler would pick us up at the theater and then we would go to Toro for a late dinner, followed by another pick-up and then, back to the Mansion to enjoy our elegant room. It was all perfect. We arrived late Saturday afternoon, spent time enjoying the special amenities, especially the Jacuzzi tub and the luxurious toiletries. We dressed for the theater, but, before we went, decided to enjoy the complimentary cocktail hour served in the Billiard Lounge. We weren’t alone, of course, on a Saturday evening, and we enjoyed the fine libations and the great conversation available in the beautiful room. One, two glasses of my favorite Pinot Noir…oh, what the heck, I wasn’t driving. I had a third. Our butler came to take us to Studio Arena and I was oh, so, relaxed.As a matter of fact, when we arrived at our seats I was a bit too relaxed. When the play began, I could hardly keep my eyes open. To my chagrin, there appeared to be TWO women on the stage when it was, in fact, a one-woman show. I decided to close my eyes in the darkened theater and rest…for just a bit. I was awakened by the sound of clapping and people getting to their feet…I had slept through the entire play! Feeling refreshed, but more than a tad embarrassed at having missed the performance in its entirety, we met our butler outside the theater and were taken to Toro, where we enjoyed the tapas dinner…a truly lovely ending to what had been an extraordinary evening.We have had occasion to return to the Mansion on two subsequent occasions, but I have been careful not to let my festive spirit get the better of me again…certainly an evening “on the town” is more enjoyable when you don’t have to sleep your theater tickets away. However, for an escape from the

stresses and worries of everyday life…for a bit of fantasy and pampering on Delaware Avenue…there is not better venue than a night away at the Mansion…a luxurious reason to “treat yourself” to a holiday close to home.

Cindy Zenosky I am the program manager for the President's Club program, our largest sales/marketing program, at Ingram Micro. Our largest vendor sponsors participate in this program, such as Cisco, HP, IBM, Samsung and many others you would recognize, so I am tasked with finding unique venues for our events. Many of our sponsors come from California for our events, so it's imperative that I find impressive venues....I like them to leave town with a good impression of the Buffalo region.A few years ago I scheduled a private executive-level dinner at MoD for all our vendor sponsors and local Ingram Micro executives. The group could not have been more impressed. The service was exemplary, the food was phenomenal and everyone loved the location. Geno came to greet us and started taking my guests on tours of the hotel, which everyone loved. The dessert table was devine, and I couldn't have asked for a more elegant setting for an important event. Many of my guests returned on later visits to Buffalo to stay at MoD. We hope to plan another fall event at MoD because our sponsors have been asking to go back to this venue ever since!

Heather Gellatly Nemec My dearest Lynn:

Our journey from East Aurora to Buffalo was swift and pleasant. The cherry trees are in blossom, and the city is beginning to take on a pale green background as the trees are sprouting their tender leaves. 

We arrived at The Mansion on Delaware shortly after lunchtime, and were greeted promptly and kindly by the butlers. They took our luggage and vehicle, and whisked them away before I realized! 

Oh, Lynn, to see the building! The beautiful brick and stone is so stately and proud! There are so many buildings in the city, but The Mansion is quietly poised with it’s distinctive roofline and noble architectural features. To be out of doors during springtime in Buffalo is so lovely, but excitement to see what lies inside this majestic structure encourages you move up the staircase with confidence and speed.The salon and lobby is so romantic and graceful! The hushed tones and refined luxury are inviting from the moment you pass over the threshold. The butlers spoke to us by our name, as though we were the distinguished owners of such a place! “Mr. and Mrs. Nemec, good afternoon”. I suppressed my giddy acknowledgment with a “Good afternoon to you”. If you were here Lynn, you and I surely would have collapsed with laughter! So refined a place, but so comfortable and familiar.

After checking in, we were shown to our suite. The room was fashionable, but so graceful. Elegant furnishings, lovely artwork, and a bed as soft as

warmed butter! The view from our room faced north looking along Delaware Avenue. A charming courtyard sits just outside of our window and looks so inviting.After a while, we changed into our evening clothes and made our way down to the salon. The room was lively with conversation and the luminous decoration of other guests. The butlers appeared at our side without as much as a sound and took our cocktail order. I couldn’t stop smiling and feared I would be discovered as someone masquerading amongst the fine and lovely company! Oh, Lynn, I felt like society lady with a pedigree as long as a summer day!A driver from the Mansion took us to dinner in the city, and when Douglas was about to order our dessert, he gently slide a card into the palm of our waiter. A quick smile and nod, and our server was off. My curiosity got the best of me, and I asked what exchange had just taken place. Douglas said he gave our waiter a card so that he would call for our car. He pulled another from his pocket to show to me. On a stiff white card was printed in black letters “Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Nemec, in residence, The Mansion on Delaware”. Stationary prepared for us - my evening could not possibly bring any other delights. After the soundest of sleep, I put on my gown and threw open the drapes of our room. Another sweet spring morning. Douglas and I once again made our way to the salon where newspapers all the way from New York (and Buffalo, too!) laid neatly folded on a small table near breakfast prepared for our consideration. Rested and nourished, I took in the latest news from near and far in no particular hurry of any kind.

I do miss everyone dearly, and this morning we set out for home. The butlers and all kind gentlepeople here at the Mansion made our stay so exquisite and romantic, I look forward to a return before we even depart. My hope is that you and Mr. Engle may join us for a visit here before very long. I am confident that this destination will exceed your every expectation.

With fond regards,Heather

Sherry Ford MoDA has become the "home" for our annual Independent Insurance Agents Association of WNY Holiday Event. This is our highest-attended event of the year and much of the credit for that goes go Geno and the rest of the wonderful people at MoDA who are the BEST at making our guests feel welcome, special, and festive. From the friendly and personal greeting of each guest as they arrive, to the fabulous luncheon (with the incredible Sea

Bass that our guests ask for year after year!), to the incredible Parisian Dessert Table, to the spectacular atmosphere and the gorgeous presence...nothing beats MoDA for making a party perfect (and making the event planner look really good!). Thanks, MoDA--can't wait till December for this year's event. (Did I mention...we book the following year's event as we leave each year...and the anticipation begins again!)

Linda Lund-Drabik Mystery at the MODABy Linda Lund-DrabikTen years ago, my manager asked me to coordinate a party for our team. I looked for a venue that we had not used before. In reviewing the various restaurants and hotels in the Buffalo area, I came across a name I had not seen before, The Mansion on Delaware! I was very curious and wanted to learn more about it. I contacted the phone number available and spoke with Gino and learned the MODA was not open for business yet. He invited me and the others that were planning the party to stop by and see the renovations that were going on. As we walked through the building, we were told of the rich history of it. We were so impressed and so very excited to experience this new facility that we postponed the date for our event. We booked our date and were the first to hold a party at the MODA. Our creative juices started flowing.....what a great place to play a live game of CLUE! We had a real Mansion with a library and butlers. There were gargoyles to greet our guests as they entered the Mansion. What more could we ask for? We wanted excellent food and service! Each guest received a candlestick as a favor. What a fun and beautiful place to play a murder mystery game. The food was fantastic! The service was outstanding! We had the best time in the most beautiful setting. We received rave reviews from all who attended. This was truly an event for us to remember even ten years later.

Jennifer Bak Balzano  I was pregnant with my first child and had booked a pre-baby Allentown Arts festival fun weekend at MODA with my Mom. I live out of town. Two months before the weekend my mom passed away suddenly. In my blurr of mental confusion and pregnancy fatigue, I called MODA to cancel our weekend reservation and see if they had any rooms avail for the funeral etc. I will never forget the kindness, the room upgrade, ironed funeral attire, food, transportation, and exceptional loving attention we were given during that sad time by the staff at MODA. I can't wait to spend a fun Allentown Arts Festival weekend at MODA with my two girls someday!Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!

Michele A Gentilucci

My Mansion on Delaware story begins, quite fittingly, with the opening of the Mansion ten years ago. In March of that year I was watching the morning news and saw a clip on the Mansion, its remodeling and planned opening. Since my husband and I were looking for a place to go celebrate our upcoming wedding anniversary, I suggested to him that we spend the night at the Mansion. Rich agreed it was the perfect way to celebrate our marriage and boost Buffalo at the same time.

So to the Mansion we went – and to the Mansion we returned, every year, to celebrate our joy at being together. We did miss one year – 2005, our 20th – taking our first (and last) cruise instead. We agreed we preferred the Mansion.

We truly loved our visits there; we felt so at home, so pampered, so very comfortable. From choosing our room (a different one every year, each as lovely as the last), to deciding whether we’d come alone or joined by friends, through the Friday night ‘cocktail hour’, to dinner, usually at Nektar, to the ride back to the Mansion for a nightcap, maybe a Jacuzzi, a truly lovely evening. Brunch the next morning was another delight. I tried scallops for the first time, and they remain one of my favorites to this day. While we love our home, we hated leaving the Mansion.

During our last visit, in 2008, we talked with Mr. Principe about having our 25th anniversary party at the Mansion, to be celebrated in April 2010. What a fitting location for us personally, plus room for our out of town guests, and another chance to boost Buffalo.

But the party was not to be. My beloved Richard was diagnosed with fourth stage pancreatic cancer in February of 2009. No Mansion that year, nor the next. While Rich had the best care from the doctors at Roswell (Dr Renuka Iyer is an exceptional human being and physician), despite the loving support of so many family members and friends, and regardless of how hard I tried to save him, Rich died on February 7, 2010, a scant 10 weeks short of our 25th wedding anniversary.

I would love nothing more than to have a celebration of Rich’s life at the Mansion on Delaware, inviting the friends and family who loved and supported Rich, and me, before, during and after his diagnosis and death. We could not have gotten through his last year of life with so much joy intermingled with the heartache, and I simply could not have survived losing him without that love and support. Saying thank you to those who were there for us with a party at the Mansion; what could be more fitting?

I have no doubt Rich would agree, once again, that it would be the perfect way to celebrate our marriage and his life, and, yes, boost Buffalo at the same time.

If nothing else, thank you for allowing me to tell my story, and to thank the Mansion staff for making our stays there so special. The memories, as they say, are priceless Sincerely,Michele A Gentilucci 2

Carolyn Lomeo Kropp We’d been everywhere; banquet halls, restaurants, golf courses and simply could not find a wedding venue that spoke to us. Until one night we were on line and thought, “What about a mansion, that might be different.” So we Googled “‘mansion, upstate N.Y., wedding” and the first listing was The Mansion on Delaware Ave, Buffalo. Okay we thought, “A trip to Buffalo it is!” and we went that weekend. Part of our struggle in finding a venue was that we wanted an intimate wedding with gourmet food in a setting that was beautiful and staff who cared about the comfort of our guests and what we were finding in the wedding market were giant halls to seat hundreds, the ability to choose an entrée from column A and dessert from column B and about as much beauty as any mass marketed, generically wall papered room could offer. So we figured how bad could a mansion in buffalo be, right?Pulling up to MoDA was an experience in itself and the first thing we noticed were the giant windows and the range rover, nice touch. Then our eyes went to the stately gargoyles and front door that magically opened as we approached; now you’ve got our attention. We toured The Mansion with it richly carved mantles and doorways juxtaposed by the contemporary touches of artwork and lighting to the bold graphic design of the carpet. It message is, “We are all you need us to be in every way; romantic, modern, magical”On to meeting Geno, the man is a force of nature! The room will be candle lit as will the stairs you descend to meet your groom. The air will be filled with the music of a live saxophone musician. Your

guests will be served wine and champagne upon arrival. Appetizers will be hand passed amidst the glow of the fireplace and the allure of what awaits behinds the sheer curtained dining room. Chef Jen will customize your menu and cook for your family and friends the freshest foods that are representative of your tastes and preferences as a couple and, by the way, we offer a spectacularly delicious intermezzo. Our Parisian dessert table and sugar rimmed coffee mugs will bring a smile to everyone’s face. It was all so much to take in and yet our decision was immediate, we’d found the perfect place to be married and begin our life together. Our ceremony and reception at The Mansion was magical in every way, an evening we will never forget.

Greg Shanor John Lennon wrote: There are places I’ll rememberAll my life, though some have changedSome forever, not for betterSome have gone and some remainAll these places have their MOMENTS!Some say we do not remember days……We remember MOMENTS.I would like to share with you the Ten MOMENTS that made my Mansion stay so memorable, had these moments not happened I would not be writing this story today. These are Ten True MOMENTS in MY Life.#1.October 1971, a senior football captain meets a recently transferred junior Dancer at the Kenmore East/West football game bon fire. The MOMENT: Her smile….I knew then this girl was special, just how special I would find out later!#2.October 4th. 1974, 3 years later, the jock and the dancer had become friends, Diner at Romanello’s Roseland and a concert. The MOMENT: The concert was Frank Sinatra; the MOMENT was having the most beautiful girl in the place as my date!#3.October 4th. 2007, 33 years to the day later, at Romanello’s South in front of 150 people, Jack Civiletto singing Sinatra, I got down on one knee and asked Joan to marry me. The MOMENT: She said YES!!#4. November 19th. 2009, 2 years later married at Romanello’s, with Civiletto and 54 of our closest friends and relatives. Perfect night except that Joan’s son Sean wasn’t there. He had joined the army and was at Boot Camp in Ft. Benning. The MOMENT: She said “I Do”. And I took her fabulous face in my hands and for the first time I kissed my new wife.THE MoDA MOMENTS: For many, the Mansion is memorable for its Butlers and outstanding service, for others it’s the attention to detail like the chocolate covered strawberries & champagne. Or maybe the architecture, the stately rooms with fireplaces, or the 1000 thread count bedding, these are defiantly some of the things that the Mansion is famous for and make for a memorable stay.“BUT it’s surprising how much of memory is built around things unnoticed at the time!”These are some of the less obvious things that made for our MoDA MOMENTS!#5. After a long and memorable day, walking into our beautiful candlelit room. MoDA MOMENT: Soft music playing in the background…..Sinatra of course. I am starting to believe what they say “It’s Sinatra’s’ world we just live in it!#6. Waking up at 2am looking for a snack. MoDA MOMENT: Finding Aunt V’s homemade Cuccidati cookies in our overnight bag, but nothing to wash them down with. That's when I noticed the Stainless steel Thermos of Ice water on the desk, soooo good!#7. Favorite wine at the cocktail hour, fabulous European breakfast, dinner at Left bank, all special. MoDA MOMENT : Getting into the car to head home after 2 fabulous days , thinking “boy are we going to miss this place” when I noticed Chef Jenny had left a hot loaf of multi grain bread on the back seat………I still smile when I think of the great French toast it made!#8.Yes the 1000 thread count bedding feels good, but……..MoDA MOMENT: Waking up with my wife in

my arms for the first time, now that felt amazing!“Life is not about how many breaths we take……….but about the MOMENTS that take our breath AWAY!#9.Take My Breath away MoDA MOMENT: 38 years after meeting at that bonfire, Joan stood in front of me now my wife , candles and fire place glowing in the back ground she took my hand smiled , kissed me , AND took my Breath away!Thank you Gino, all the Butlers, and Chef Jennifer for giving me and Mrs. Shanor 2 days of memorable Mansion MOMENTS! Especially the MOMENT I will never forget, the one that took my Breath away.#10. September 22nd. 2011, 40 years later, for the reading of The 10 MoDA Stories. MoDA MOMENT: Bring Sean and His new Wife as our guests (he is due back home from a year in Afghanistan in August) so they can have their 1st. Mansion MOMENT!

Julie Kianof Fink We attended a wedding @ MoDA and after we were seated, as the groom was toasting the bride, I reached over the table for my champagne glass and spilled a full glass of red wine all over my husband (and all over his tan linen suit!). Luckily, our son came down to the mansion with another suit for him to change into, and the staff at MoDA took his suit to the cleaners. We got it back the next day and it was good as new. Thanks to the staff we continued on with our evening and had a great time. We stayed here for our own wedding and come back for our anniversary every year!

Jennifer May Could we go to London? Yes. Could we go to Paris? Yes. Venice? Hong Kong? Vienna? San Francisco? Sure. But sometimes the most special places are right in your own backyard. We have had two magical stays at MoDA for special birthday celebrations/getaways. We've always relished the impeccable service and careful attention to detail. Whether it's casually chatting with other guests over cocktails, making use of the limousine service to take us out for a scrumptious dinner, or cozying up by the fireplace in our room with chocolate covered strawberries or warm cookies, during each stay we've felt transported to a place much further away than the meager four miles from our home. When we became engaged, we could not think of a better or more appropriate place to have our wedding reception! We're very excited -- about getting married and about having the event at the Mansion and sharing the MoDA experience with our friends and family!

Brittany Agro Home Is Where the Reception IsBrittany Agro on Jun 01, 2011 01:00 PMSteve and I spent months researching the “perfect place” to have our wedding. At first, we originally had thought Florida since both his parents (Tampa) and mine (West Palm Beach) live there. We wanted something simple yet ultra-beach chic and discovered The Seagate in Delray Beach, Fla. Alas, we met with the wedding coordinator there; however, our high hopes were quickly pummeled. Sadly, it was evident that the coordinator was not enthusiastic about her job; it was apparent in the conversations that we shared. I knew in my heart that choosing to have the wedding there would not be wise, especially since I had to directly work with her and follow “certain rules.” Rules that included a 10 p.m. curfew and nobody

allowed in the upstairs bar during the cocktail hour (go figure?) Anyway, it was up to find our next “destination.” En route home last summer after a trip to Tampa, I was flipping through December’s issue of Brides magazine and came across one wedding that caught my eye. The article featured a small, intimate affair in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Everything from the hotel to the cathedral was stunning! Without hesitation, I convinced Steve that this was our ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ after being so disappointed with The Seagate. Fast forward two months later, he and I were on a flight to San Juan to experience the island’s preconceived majesty.Hotel El Convento, where we stayed and where we had envisioned our wedding, was truly amazing. Everything from the old Spanish colonial style rooms to the beautiful courtyard complete with a two-hour wine and cheese soirée every evening was fabulous. The cathedral, located across the street, stood out among the blue, cotton-ball cloudy skies. And, here’s where the fairy tale ends … no air condition in the church. How could we tolerate (or expect others to tolerate) the humidity? I could not imagine - Steve in a tuxedo and myself in a gown - standing before the altar and dripping from head to toe in sweat. Not very romantic to say the least. It was a big concern for our parents and guests. It was time to consider heading north.   NYC would have been a great locale, however, we didn't want to start our married life $100,000 in debt. We quickly realized that if we wanted to pull off our dream wedding and invite 125 people, then the city would sadly have to be X’ed off our list … and fast! When it’s all said and done, we made a decision to go with The Mansion on Delaware Avenue in Buffalo, N.Y. Once a hotel (during the Great Depression) and a wine cellar/restaurant (after WW2), the beautiful boutique hotel is prominently identified by two gargoyles that stand at its entrance. The funny part is that all along our venue was right under my nose. Born and raised in West Seneca, I spent most of my pre-college years downtown where all the fun can be found. However, I must admit that I was not very familiar with The Mansion until I physically visited it with Steve last October. That is when we met Patty Deitrick and instantly made a warm connection with her and the property. It was so classy, so Victorian, so us. While it took five months to find a venue, it only took 5 minutes to stamp one approved! Now that’s what you call love at first sight.  

Jon Fuller Our first experience at the Mansion was for our wedding night. My wife spent the night before our wedding at the Mansion with one of her best girlfriends and another couple who traveled in from San Diego. From the minute she arrived the staff was overwhelmingly accommodating – room upgrade, wine in her room, special care with her dress, etc. 

The next day, she had her pictures taken there - the Mansion in the background making her even more beautiful. The butler drove her and her flower girls to the wedding – at the Butler Mansion right down the street. Nothing like having the MODA butler in one of your wedding photos! We spent our wedding night there and continue to visit at least once a year. It’s the ultimate Buffalo “staycation”!

Colleen Oczek Blank My husband and I attended his company holiday party at the Mansion this past December 2010. I am a stay at home Mom, so it was a treat to get dressed up and treated like royalty from the moment was handed the car keys to the valet! We were chatting with our bartender and he whipped up a special cocktail to celebrate our night out! The food was amazing and the cookies were little works of art! The atmosphere was so festive...a special night to remember indeed!

Erica C. Surbone Sammarco “We were still working out the bugs!” Geno Principe said to us about our wedding reception when we saw him at a friend’s wedding a couple of years ago at The Mansion. My husband and I share this milestone with you, MoDA, and recall with great fondness signing our reception contract on the back of a grand, unfinished door that was strewn across two horses awaiting a good sanding and a fresh coat of varnish. The building was more Victor Hugo than it was MoDA as we know it today when booked our wedding reception in 2001. Dry wall was yet to be hung and fabric swatches were scattered about the parlor, but there was little doubt in our minds that this was THE spot for us. There is a spirit and an unparalleled quality to an historic building. In our experience, MoDA has captured the elegance and mystique of a bye-gone era. It is evident in the service, the gourmet fare, and the extraordinary experience of the hotel. Cheers to you, MoDA! Thanks for the memories!

Susan-Mary Foster Eckman My husband and I stayed at the MoDA when it first opened in June 2001. In fact, we may have been the very first newlywed couple to stay in the luxurious bridal suite. You see, just like MoDA, we are also celebrating our 10-year anniversary! We were married on June 9th 2001 – that’s one week from today! We were so lucky to spend our wedding night at MoDA. We also spent the night before our wedding at MoDA, and the butlers helped us create lasting memories with our families and friends from out of town. We were chauffeured to local nightspots, and, upon return, we all enjoyed cocktails in the Billiards room. On my wedding day, the staff helped me with my dress, my veil and even walked me next door to The Buffalo Club. Afterwards, the butlers helped my Brother-In-Law carry gifts to our car, took care of the top of my wedding cake and made sure we were pampered with Figi water and amazing cookies! Our wedding on June 9th, 2001 was magical, at The Buffalo Club, overlooking The Allentown Art Festival, MoDA and celebrating our love and our lives together. Since my husband was finally finishing chemotherapy, our experience at MoDA was even more special. Being greeted at our car by a butler as we first arrived was impressive, then walking under the magnificent portico into the lush foyer was literally jaw dropping. The restoration of this historic 19th c. mansion, with its marble, wrought iron, columns and dormers made us feel like we were part of Buffalo’s rich history, visiting the Pan American Exposition and soaking up the elegance. Actually, my husband and I have become part of Buffalo’s contemporary history by inaugurating the Bridal Suite (I think!) and starting our lives together at the same time MoDA started its journey to being named one of America’s top 5 hotels. Their hospitality never ceases to amaze me. Geno played host to our recent stay at MoDA for a fantastic New Year’s Eve! He found a room for us amongst all the American and Canadian hockey fans, to start our 10-year anniversary celebration early. New Year’s Eve is the anniversary of my husband’s wedding proposal to me 11 ½ years ago and New Year’s Day is my birthday! Once again, the staff and butlers went above and beyond our expectations with their personal service, walking us to our room, offering chauffer service to our dinner at EB Green’s and providing a turn-down service with fresh cold water, delectable cookies, rich chocolate and romantic candles setting the ambiance. I wish we could

share this experience again with some of our out of town relatives who haven’t been able to stop talking about it for the past 10 years!

Esther Garvey Eagan Part 1: I have used the phrase “running with my hair on fire” way too many times recently. I’m a wife, a mother of 3, a homeowner, a Buffalonian, an employee, a daughter, a sister, a friend, and whoa, sometimes I just want someone to take care of me. Enter the Butlers. My first visit to the Mansion started with someone handing me a glass of wine. How can you not love a place like that?! My first visit to the Mansion was almost exactly 5 years ago when my husband and I booked a room to celebrate our fifth anniversary. It was a chaotic time - I’d just started my first grown-up job, we just bought our first house, my husband just graduated, and before we could start our evening, we were throwing a first birthday party for our first child. Part 2: My head was still spinning when we pulled up to the Mansion and a Butler met us at the curb to take our car and our luggage. I was only slightly embarrassed that I packed in a small duffel bag covered with sequined flamingos. I soon forgot job, school, house, birthday party and flamingos when we stepped inside and another Butler welcomed us to the Mansion. He gave us a tour of the building, but not before pouring me the aforementioned glass of fabulous wine. We walked through the rooms, one more gorgeous than the last, enjoying our drinks and chatting with the amazingly friendly staff. He chauffeured us to Hutch’s for dinner, where despite the packed house, the staff went out of their way to make us feel high priority as guests of the Mansion. Part 3: After a dreamy, restful night and a deliciously long, hot shower, I wrapped up in a thick Mansion robe and drank my coffee. I looked out the window down Delaware Avenue and saw the spire of St. Louis, the church where we were married 5 years earlier. My husband and I truly appreciated the relaxation and seclusion to reminisce about our wedding day and our first 5 years together. We are celebrating our tenth anniversary at the end of this month. Our life has only gotten more chaotic, and a night at the Mansion IS sanity. It is the perfect vacation without leaving town.

Taren Adams Phillips My husband and I got married at The Mansion 3years ago already on June 6,2008. It was amazing! We had a small wedding and the staff at The Mansion swept us all off our feet! They paid attention to every detail which let me enjoy my day completely. The way the flowers were arranged,the champagne as everyone arrived,the saxophone player,wonderful cocktail hour,an outstanding 4 course meal and endless delectable desserts. The Mansion was by far the best choice for our special day! Unfortunately we were unable to stay there on our Wedding night because I do believe someone famous (tim Mcgraw from what I heard) was staying there taking up all the rooms ;) We did stay a few weeks later. The rooms are absolutely beautiful!! Again the staff made us feel like we lived there. I told everyone how soft the sheets are (I love, love, love good sheets) and the awesome bathroom. I didnt want to leave. You guys definitely know how to do it right. Thank you for the memories!

Tami Reinhart

The story was supposed to be a romantic one.

August 2008 was my parents 50th Wedding Anniversary. We had a small get together with family and a few friends. We decided to give our parents a gift of a trip to Ogunquit, ME (one of their favorite places to unwind). They were unable to take that second honeymoon to the “Beautiful Place by the Sea”.

At the beginning of September my mother was diagnosed with uterine cancer. The doctor informed my parents that surgery would be the next week and the trip would have to wait. The type of cancer my mother had was very aggressive and putting off surgery was not an option.

Surgery was booked for the next week at Sisters Hospital in Buffalo. We were blessed enough to have one of the worlds best Gynecologic Oncologists that would be caring for our loved one.

My sister and I planned to be with our father and mother through this very trying time.

Our father made reservations at a small motel in Williamsville that was recommended by one of the nurses at the physician’s office.

When we arrived at the motel and checked in, the room did not feel comfortable or clean. We unpacked our car and tried to settle in for the evening. We felt very anxious and uncomfortable. My sister and I took a walk to the lobby to inquire about dinner options.

We both discussed our discomfort with our surroundings for the night. We just wanted our parents to be as comfortable as they could be under the stressful circumstances.

Having stayed at the Mansion a few years prior, we decided to call to see if there were any rooms available for the night. We were very fortunate that there was one room available that could accommodate 4 guests. We aborted our original plans and relocated to The Mansion on Delaware Ave.

When we arrived at the Mansion we were greeted by our personal Butler Charles. From the second he said hello, we knew we were in the perfect place.

My sister and I took our father out to dinner while mom stayed behind and prepared for surgery. She was only to have a clear liquid diet. We had brought along chicken broth and juice for her to have throughout the evening. Before we left for dinner we gave Charles the broth to heat up for mom.

Mom was saying her daily prayers when we returned from dinner. She seemed relaxed and at peace. She said she had the best meal she could have asked for.

Soon after my father and my sister and I left for dinner, there was a knock on the door of the suite. The soft voice said “Mom, it’s Charles and I have your dinner”. When mom opened the door, Charles entered the room holding a silver tray with a large white bowl of clear chicken broth. The tray was draped with a white linen. Silver salt and pepper shakers, a long handled spoon and a flower were also part of the presentation. Charles made chicken broth seem like a gourmet 7 course meal.

Here we were worrying about leaving our loved one while taking the time to go out to dinner, totally unaware that mom was being so well cared for by a wonderful Butler at the Mansion on Delaware Ave.

Although the stay was not for pleasure, it was truly memorable. These memories will be forever embossed in our hearts and minds.

We recently all had the opportunity to revisit the Mansion for our mother’s 72nd birthday.

Thank you MoDA. --- Tami Reinhart