Farewell to our Intern Claire!

The end of the semester means "goodbye" for our Intern

All good things come to an end, and unfortunately the end of the semester has come for our Intern, Claire.  Claire is completing her degree at the University of Missouri-Columbia in Hospitality Management; and we were fortunate that she wanted to spend time learning about our small bed & breakfast operation here in Defiance.

While she was here, she assisted us with check-ins and check-outs, serving breakfast to our guests, taking reservations, housekeeping, property management, marketing, and social media.  For those of our weekend guests who met her, you'll agree she is a real "gem" and will be successful in her future endeavors.

So, farewell to Claire -- we wish you all the best in the future!

Brian Spurgeon's Regional Art

The Gallery at Defiance open house with photographic artist Brian Spurgeon well received

The Gallery at Defiance hosted their holiday open house on Saturday, December 5th featuring a show by Brian Spurgeon.  Brian, a local photographic artist and member of the Defiance Merchant Association, showcased regional pieces representing the St. Louis Cardinals, Busch Stadium, Forest Park, Chandler Hill Winery's Fluesmeier House, the Augusta Bottoms area, as well as local wildlife and flora.  Many of Brian's pieces were framed in barnwood collected from the Historic Missouri Wine Country area.

 

Brian's work can be viewed by appointment at the Gallery or by contacting the artist directly through Take It Design.

6th Annual Parade is a Crowd Pleaser

Defiance Merchants Host 6th Annual Christmas Parade & Festival

Floats, cars, dogs, horses and walkers make 6th Annual Christmas Pet Parade and Christmas Festival a fun day for all!

The 6th Annual Defiance Christmas Festival featuring a Pet Parade along with floats and cars kicked off an afternoon of fun in the greater Defiance area on Saturday, December 5th.  Numerous merchants hosted special activities throughout the day, local wineries offered music and beverages, churches prepared lunches with cookies and children's activities, and restaurants served up delicious foods all during the festival.  In addition, a residential Christmas Light Contest was held for residents in the 63341 zip code who entered the competition.

Judges for the parade were:  St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann, St. Charles City Councilman Mike Klinghammer, and St. Charles Convention & Visitor's Bureau Director Joe Ward.  The Parade Grand Marshall was Monica Adams of KTVI Fox 2 and The North Pole's own Santa Claus.

Winners of the Parade categories were:

Best Float:  Wine Country Gardens
Best Dog:    Parker the Bouvier (owners Jenna & Brent Baumgarten
Best Car:     Geoff Clayton's Jeep Tribute
Best Pet:      Cheryl with her two dogs
Best Christmas Light Decorations:  Brian & Laura Buchanan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A big thanks to the sponsors who provided prizes for the competitions:
Kim Udell, Koziatek Contracting, Wine Country Gardens, T.EX.S (Total Extermination Services), and The Inn at Defiance.

THANK YOU to the parade committee:
Robin Graefser White, John Lacy, Mary Jo Freeman, and Jeff Comotto

and Finally..... Thank you to all of the volunteers who helped on the parade route, in our shops, churches, wineries and restaurants.  You made it a special day for everyone.

See you next year - the first Saturday in December!