Events Worthy Romancing The Stone
October 30, 2018 – Blue Bell, PA - “Uniquely different, engaging, experiential, and personal.” They were the words that the creative design team set as their goal for the event that would showcase both Bluestone Country Club and its sister property, The Blue Bell Inn, to select event planners from the area. Kristofer Fair, Bluestone’s Director of Operations, alongside Alicia Maestas, Director of Sales and Events, knew the event could not merely be an open house. Montgomery County can now offer what Philadelphia has long owned - exceptional cuisine and memorable event space.
“The event had to begin with the invitation; it had to be interactive and deliver a sense of intrigue.”, said Kristofer. And so, it began, a wooden box with a sliding lid was created that featured the logos of Mid-Atlantic Events Magazine, Bluestone Country Club and the Blue Bell Inn. All of the invitations were hand-delivered. Inside the box was a large diamond shaped blue stone, a safari hat and an acrylic invitation that was engraved with a riddle directing participants to a website that gave them a count- down as well as a cryptic description of the event. “The last line of the website stated that there would be no entrance without the stone. This was important to the event, as the blue stone was paramount to rein- force the name of the facility, Bluestone Country Club.”, said Alicia.
Alicia explained that having event planners see both Bluestone Country Club and Blue Bell Inn was strategic, as both facilities - owned jointly by Scott Dougherty and Bruce Goodman - offer extremely different oppor- tunities. The clubhouse, an early 1900s manor house, can seat up to 300 guests and features a beautiful living room, formal gardens, gorgeous ball- room, outdoor terrace, two additional rooms that can be used for small- er events, as well as an 18-hole championship golf course. The Blue Bell Inn, which opened in 1743, boasts the best seafood bar in Montgomery County and is a full-time operating restaurant. The Blue Bell Inn offers 14 different rooms and an outdoor courtyard with waterfall and firepit that is tented for the holiday season.
As attendees arrived at Bluestone Country Club, they were greeted by valet parking attendants. Little did the guests know, this seemingly nor- mal act of hospitality would change their night later. Once inside, each guest was greeted by Jim Cohn of Mid-Atlantic Events Magazine who was the co-host for the event. Event attendees enjoyed the culinary art of the club’s Executive Chef Scott Passaretti, starting with hand-crafted
butlered hors d’oeuvres, which showcased the intense attention-to-detail that of the kitchen staff. The guests toured the facility and were then seated in the quaint Garden Room. Stone Crab, Avocado and Tomato Verrine kicked-off the dinner’s first course. As guests finished their main course (Slow Roasted Beef Short Ribs accented with Stone Ground Grits with Sweet Potato, Acorn Squash and Apple Puree), Kristofer addressed the crowd, explaining how the adventure would continue at the Blue Bell Inn. (From a Birdseye view, the two facilities are on the opposite end of the same parcel of land.) He explained that the valet attendants had already delivered their automobiles to the Inn; however, in keeping with the theme of Romancing The Stone, a Jeep would trans- port them to the dessert destination. But this was no ordinary Jeep - in fact, it was a stretched, double decker Hummer Limousine that could seat all the participants at one time for the two-minute ride over to Blue Bell Inn.
At the Inn, Alicia greeted the guests and ushered them to a beautifully appointed bar with an action station manned by Blue Bell Inn’s Pastry Chef, Katie Heron. Flames filled her station along with an incredible scent from the blueberry crepes that were individually prepared for each guest. That, along with an assortment of blue pastries, decadent hot chocolate and amazing cordials served by the firepit, brought this won- derful evening to its conclusion.
But, as no detail would be left to chance, the night wasn’t completed until guests had their cars brought up to the valet station and - awaiting inside their cars - a personally written note thanked them for attending. Freshly baked chocolate chip cookies were left inside their cars for them, as well.
“The wonderful surprise of the Blue Stone Country Club unfolded from the valet to the bar to the dinner setting," stated Kimberly Ruby, CMM, Marketing and Events at Canada Life Reinsurance. "Kristopher Fair and Jim Cohn, along with their colleagues, presented an irresistible package for anyone considering an off-site location for their corporate or social event needs. The attention to detail was incredible, and beautifully exe- cuted. My meal was non-stop delicious and built to a crescendo at our final stop for dessert at the Blue Bell Inn. I admit it; I’m very picky. As I told Kris, there wasn’t one detail I could have improved upon, and that is
rare in my experience. Kudos to all for a fun evening!” Photo Credit: Mario Oliveto Photography
4 8 January z February2019
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