AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“The feedback from guests has been very positive,” she continued. “Enough I’d like to continue into the fall, as weather permits. Vermont foliage is always a draw, especially if we add a campfire, offer guests the makings for s’mores. From the accounting, you can see what we lose at the restaurants and room service, we more than make up with the picnic bookings.”
“Some lap robes, like we offer to patio guests,” Mick suggested. “Late summer, early fall evenings can get chilly, especially on old bones.”
“We’d need to order more. I think it’s worth it.”
He glanced at his wife, then at Miles. “Miles?”
“The feedback is positive, and so’s the revenue. I’m good with it.”
“Then it’s over to you,” Nell said to Liam.
He wound his way through his report. “And the Westridge police force’s team building, Thursday. I’m going to work that myself, and get some shots for the website. I think we should try to market the same deal to the volunteer fire department, with the same discount.”
“I like that.” His mother sipped some sun tea. “With some marketing we might draw in other police and fire departments. But let’s get the photographer, Liam. You’re going to be busy with the group.”
“The website needs updating. I’ve been working on it,” Miles said. “We can add this in. I’ll contact Tory.” He made a note. “Make sure she has Thursday free to take the photos.”
“Saves me. Your turn now anyway,” Liam told him.
It took awhile, but he summed up the month’s business, any staff changes, current and projected updates, offered a template of the progress of the website refresh, some new brochures.
“In addition, I had a thought that ties in, more or less, with the team building and that marketing. Ice fishing.”
“Do we have to think about winter?” Nell let out a sigh. “I’m hardly used to wearing sandals again.”
“It’ll come whether we think about it or not. Ice fishing contest, three days running, cash prizes. For the most part,” Miles continued, “this would involve locals. Some guests, sure, but I’d want it open to all comers. Keep the fee reasonable. We tag, say, a dozen fish. Dad, you could work out the legalities on it, but anyone who competedwould need a license. Say, a hundred dollars for six of them. A thousand for the rest—except one. Ten thousand grand prize.”
“That’s a hell of a fish.” Mick rubbed his hands together. “Let me at ’em.”
“You already know we couldn’t compete. Even with the entry fees, we could lose money, but it’s good community relations, good marketing. If it works, we make it an annual event.”
“I think it’s a brilliant idea.” Lydia tipped her head toward him. “You don’t ice fish. Ever. What made you think of it?”
He shrugged. “Winters come, and they stick. We’d get a lot of free marketing out of it. Local TV crews, internet, word of mouth. We give it a blast on the website, on social media.”
“I’m thinking two dozen fish—you figure that out, Rory,” Mick told his son, “the ins and outs, the cash prizes, and how that works.”
“Will do.”
“Your hundred-dollar fish, your five-hundred, thousand, and the big kahuna.”
“We could do prizes for the shanties—best decorated—wouldn’t that make a picture?” Drea considered. “They wouldn’t have to be cash. A free night or weekend, discount cards at the spa, the shops, the restaurants and bars. We set up to have hot chocolate, coffee, maybe some baked goods. Nell and I can work on that. Something like we do in January, Nell, for the ice sculpture event.”
“We can rock this.” Liam nodded as he made his own notes. “I should’ve thought of it myself.”
“Take your ropes course victory,” his mother advised.
“Oh, I do. Anything else? I’m starving.”
“One more thing. It crosses resort business and personal.”
“A family business.” Drea lifted her hands. “So much does.”
“It does,” Miles agreed. “And in that vein, I’m letting you all know I’m seeing Morgan Albright.”
He expected the pause, and maybe a moment of confusion. He got both.
“Ah, seeing Morgan,” Drea said slowly, “as in dating?”
