Hi!  I can’t wait until Sunday afternoon for our First Annual Farm Night for the members.  At 5:00 many farm animals will prance by the Promenade Bar and settle in under the Tiki Hut.  The ponies will proceed down the beach where the children will have the opportunity to go for a ride almost down to the ocean and back  This makes for a beautiful picture and a lot of fun!  Also, we will have a buffet set up for the parents and kids to enjoy.  Every child will be given a yellow bandana with Lago Mar on it to remember their experience!  My kids are so excited.  If you are a family member and would like to join us please call Valerie at 954 245 3629 ASAP    This is complimentary… It is our way to say ‘thanks’ to our members!!!  Deb

Hi!  I had the most incredible facial on Friday in the Spa.  It was the Rose facial that was part of The Mother’s Day Package.  I have never felt so relaxed and pampered before…  Clara, our esthetician, was fabulous!  She first evaluated my skin and then began my facial by cleansing my face with a rose RS2 for sensitive skin.  After that she exfoliated.  A light micro-seaweed mask was then applied. While the mask was working it’s wonders on my face , Clara was working wonders on my feet and hands with incredible massage.  My hands were placed in warm mitts for the ultimate hydration.  When the mask actually came off, it came off in one piece.  It  was pink and was the imprint of my face.  Now it was time for my favorite part — the face massage!!  Clara used a rose serum that  was so fragrant I felt like I was in a rose garden.  A rose toner was then applied to calm and hydrate my skin.  At the end of my treatment I had some moisturizer applied to my face and some hydrating papaya massaged on my decollate.  I forgot to mention that I love the new Celtic music we are playing in the spa.   I really felt as though I was in another place for an hour.  It was a magical experience, and I will just have to try out some more of the services we offer in The Spa in order to blog about them.  I hate my job… ha ha….Deb

Hi!  I am so excited to try our Mother’s Day Package tomorrow!  First, I will try the Pink Margarita Manicure and Pedicure.  Then I will just have to experience  the RS2 Rose Facial. I cannot wait to treat myself…. This is such a busy time of the year for all of us moms that have kids in school….so many projects, concerts, graduations, and events to name a few…..I definitely need a day to relax and get pampered before my Big Day on Sunday!  I can’t wait to see what my husband and kids have planned for me…….Deb

Hi!  I chose to use the word “introduce” rather that “interview” because as the Controller of our property, Gerry is very behind-the- scenes, and many of you might not know him…. First, let me tell you he has a vast knowledge of accounting inside and outside of the hotel business.  He has actually been in the accounting business for 49 years and 42 years of that have been spent in hotel accounting.  Now we will go on to the interview…. Gerry was born in Rhode Island and attended LaSalle Academy and then went on to Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island.  Upon completing his education, he  stayed in Rhode Island doing general accounting for about three years until he was hired by The Sheraton Corporation in Boston.  Gerry received excellent training at the Sheraton , as Sheraton was known for their superior training at this time.  Two years later he was transferred to St. Louis, Missouri to open a new Sheraton there.  Upon completion of that project he received an offer he couldn’t refuse…..The Controller of The Boca Raton Resort and Club, which was owned by Arvida at the time.  After a few years there he went back to Boston as The General Manager for a hotel, and then he ended up back in  Florida at The Sheraton Miami Airport.  It was during this time that he received another interesting and prestigious offer which was from Ocean Reef Club, as VP of finance.  Gerry and I talk a lot about Ocean Reef because my husband and I joined about 3 years ago, and we really love it there.  Next to Lago Mar it is our favorite place!!!  After Ocean Reef  Gerry made one more stop before he joined the Lago Mar Family. He worked for Techton Hospitality for about six years, and then the rest is history…. Gerry has beenThe Controller for our property for ten years!!!   I am actually off right now to join Jim Pancallo and Gerry in the dining room  for lunch.  I will let you know what is new in there…..Deb

Hi!  We are very excited about the upcoming Lauderdale Air Show!  The whole city is gearing up for this amazing event.  Tomorrow the Thunderbirds arrive over Fort Lauderdale Beach, and then on Friday there is a rehearsal for the show which is almost as fun to watch as the actual show itself.   Saturday and Sunday are the main days.  Our beach  is a great place to watch the planes fly by.  Some of the performers are the A-10 Warthogs, the f-5 Sundowners, and the Navy Seals Leap Frogs.  For those who want to  visit the Show Center it is a short walk up the beach. In my next entry I will tell you about Fleet Week which is also going on now. Deb

Hi!  My kids are so excited that there is a brand new “Robbins” aluminum outdoor table on the playground at Lago Mar.  This is otherwise known as a “Ping Pong” table.  They all absolutely love playing ping pong, and this new table is state-of -the – art and will make the game even more fun!!!  We can’t wait until this weekend to spend some time playing and relaxing at the resort…..Deb

Hi!  I thought  now that Easter was over and summer was approaching I would interview some of the people that are key to Lago Mar’s success.  First, I chose Jim Pancallo, who I like and respect very much!!  He is our General Manager and is on property six days  a week.  His story is very interesting….. He actually was interested in pursuing a career in medicine ,and while trying to make ends meet he went to bartending school and was offered a job at The Sheraton Yankee Clipper.  I don’t mean to reveal his age… but this was during the height of Spring Break in Fort Lauderdale, so one could just imagine how lucrative a  bartending position could be in a hot spot like The Clipper.  Of course, he was noticed by the owner, who was a good friend of my Dad’s, and then promoted to Food and Beverage Manager.  Soon he was promoted to Night Manager and then to General Manager.  The Yankee Clipper was sold, and Jim moved on to the Pelican Grand Beach Resort.  That property was also sold, and Jim became part of The Lago Mar Family.   That was a little over 5 years ago…. I forgot to mention that Jim is a Native of Florida.  He was born at Broward General Hospital, just like me!!!  Currently, he serves on The Greater Fort Lauderdale Beach Council, the Marketing Advisory Committee for Broward County, and the Board for the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association.  He is also heading up a  Committee for Emergency Preparedness for our Barrier Island. I found the last part of this interview especially interesting as I learned from talking to Jim exactly what our area plans to do in the event of a disaster.  Of course, I hope Jim’s plans never come to fruition….. The forecasts are saying we will have a mild hurricane season.  I pray!!!!!  Deb

Hi!  Our guests are still talking about Easter Dinner and how they enjoyed it!!!  The Pan Flashed Local Swordfish with the plaintain jasmine rice and avocado pineapple relish was a huge hit.  A lot of gentlemen are still raving about the Slow Roasted Prime Rib with white cheddar leek mashed and a horseradish mustard sauce.  Chef Phil and his staff did a great job!!!!!! Congratulations to all our staff on a great Easter Week!!! Deb

Hi!  I hope everyone had a happy Easter.  We sure did at Lago Mar.  Every evening there has been an activity for the kids.  We have played bingo and had a Mexican Fiesta, a Circus, and an Easter Party with egg coloring, bag decorating, and pizza.  Yesterday was The Hunt which was really fun.  The weather was sunny and the perfect temperature!!!  Tonight we have farm animals arriving at the resort at 5:00.  My kids can’t wait.  Also, there are pony rides on the beach…… and a barbecue by the Ocean Grill.  All of the children will receive a yellow bandana when they enter to really put them in the western mood!!!!!  Yee Haw!!!!  Deb

Hi!  If you have little ones that like to hunt Easter eggs make sure you arrive at the playground at least 10 minutes before 11:00.  At 11:00 sharp the hunt begins, and about 3 minutes later it is over.  The Easter Bunny hides over 1200 eggs and they are found so quickly.  It is really amazing!!  Each age category also has a golden egg and silver egg, which entitles the winner to a special prize.  I almost forgot to mention that The Easter Bunny himself will be walking around the playground posing for pictures.  After The Hunt is over the Easter Brunch Buffet Extravaganza begins.  I am getting hungry thinking about the assorted salads, the Risotto Station, and the Carving Station, not to mention the Omelet Station, the Hot Buffet and the outstanding desserts.  Deb