The Word from Waterton Park
December 2003

A Note From The Editor...

Welcome to the eighteenth edition of "The Word From Waterton Park!" Thank you for expressing interest in our friendly internet newsletter. If you would prefer to be removed from our mailing list, please e-mail us at info@watertonpark.com and we will take you off our list. If you have any feedback or if there is something special you would like to see in the newsletter, please let us know. We look forward to seeing all of you in Waterton Park sometime soon!

In this edition...
1. Since We Last Spoke...
2. Deluxe Spa Weekend
3. Once Upon A Time in Waterton
4. Kilmorey Tasting Country
5. A Light Moment
6. Wok with James
7. Introducing


1. SINCE WE LAST SPOKE...

Only 6 sleeps until Christmas! All the best of the season to all of our friends, neighbours and guests from everyone here at the Kilmorey Lodge and Aspen Village Inn.

We recently held our annual Christmas Party and once again it was a great success!! In support of our ranching friends and neighbours, we dedicated the evening to the promotion of Alberta Beef. The chefs prepared some amazing beef dishes in the quintessential Kilmorey Lodge style. We also featured Bowmore Scotches, Henry of Pelham Wines and Big Rock Beer. Thank you to all of our sponsors who make this night possible and we look forward to seeing everyone again next year!

The Christmas season is always a fun time at the Kilmorey Lodge. The decorations look fantastic, largely thanks to our chief decorator Maureen. It takes about a week to get everything up to her satisfaction and it is worth it every year! We have had a few company parties and retreats here in the past month, as well as a couple weddings. Congratulations go out to two great couples: Ken and Cindy Johnston as well as Murray and Vicki Trollope. Thank you for celebrating your big day at the Kilmorey Lodge.

If you are looking for a unique and inexpensive way to tie the knot, you may also wish to consider Waterton Park. Our new Winter Wedding Package includes a Suite for one night, Roses, Champagne, a Three Course Dinner for Two in the award winning Lamp Post Dining Room, Breakfast in Bed, the Marriage Commissioner for your Wedding Ceremony, use of the Library or Gazebo for the ceremony, all taxes and gratuities. The cost for all this is only $504.00 inclusive. We will provide a suite to the bride and groom for a second night for 20% off the regular rate and 10% off regular rates for your guests if more than six rooms are reserved. This package is available weekdays or weekends between October 15 and May 1. 

Naturally, we are happy to customize a wedding quote for your specific needs. For larger groups please keep us in mind for your catering needs. Our creative chefs have recently created some fantastic new catering menus for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. The Community Hall in Waterton Park is a convenient place to have a dinner and reception, with a full kitchen on site, a bar, a stage for your band or D.J. and seating space for up to 125 people.

Still looking for the perfect gift? There is still enough time to order a Kilmorey Lodge Gift Certificate. Temporary certificates can be issued by fax or e-mail then followed up by regular mail as soon as possible. You can treat someone to a lunch for two in our award winning Lamp Post Dining Room, one of our popular Romantasy Getaways, or anything in between! These certificates are very popular as staff bonuses and Christmas give-a-ways as well. We are happy to customize them to any value you require (minimum $25.00). Also, remember our trademark homemade Kilmorey Lodge Saskatoon Berry Jam makes a great gift or stocking stuffer. We can ship you as much as you like!

In appreciation for the people who faithfully read our newsletters we have created a special Getaway Package only for our newsletter readers. Your package includes two nights accommodation, a three-course dinner for two, two breakfasts for two, lunch for two, all taxes and gratuities. For the meals we will provide you with anything you like off our menu, including non-alcoholic beverages. This package will be only $314.00 per couple and we will be offering it for any two nights between January 9 and January 18, 2004. To upgrade to a suite will be only $359.00 per couple. In addition, if you would like to extend your stay we will provide a 40% discount off our regular rates on the room of your choice. If you can only make it for one night, we will still give you 40% off the regular room rates. A great stress relief getaway after a busy Christmas and New Years. First come, first served! Thank you readers!

Also coming up soon is our Waterton Winter Spirits Weekend. Take your Kilmorey experience to a whole new level by interacting with our wine and scotch experts as well as our award-winning chefs. You will be mixing drinks, preparing some trademark dishes, discovering some remarkable wines and much more. Taste testing is mandatory.and fun! Your weekend package includes four cooking and tasting sessions, a three course dinner, two breakfasts or lunches, two nights accommodation, all taxes and gratuities. The sessions include Wine Tasting by Henry of Pelham wines, Canadian Cooking by our own Chef James Rowley, Scotch Tasting, Plate Presentation and Mixology. For all of this it is only $299.00 per person and there may be a few surprises as well! 

We would also like to offer our congratulations to Corey Casebeer and Joan Davies, our October and November comment card draw winners! Corey visited us for dinner in the Lamp Post Dining Room near the beginning of October from Wetaskiwin, Alberta. Mrs. Davies dined with us in the Lamp Post Dining Room on the last day of November from Calgary. Thank you both for filling out your comment cards. Each will receive a gift certificate for Lunch for Two in the award winning Lamp Post Dining Room, compliments of the Historic Kilmorey Lodge. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome both our lucky winners back to Waterton Park.

Remember, we have many different theme weekends and getaways coming up this season. There is something for everyone so make your reservations for Waterton's Wonderful Winter! For more information on all our different packages, check out our website at www.watertonpark.com. Come and share the spirit of the season with us! See you soon!


2. DELUXE SPA WEEKEND

For one weekend only, February 27 to February 29, we are teaming up with Alberta Massage and Spa to turn the Kilmorey Lodge into the ultimate Mountain Spa Retreat. Our Deluxe Spa Weekend will include Two Nights in a Cozy Room, Two Three Course Dinners, A Champagne Brunch, Cocktails and Snacks, A Pyjama Breakfast, Spa Services, All Taxes and Gratuities.

We are creating special menus exclusively for your Deluxe Spa Weekend including an extensive wine list featuring Canadian Wineries as well as a wide variety of cocktails and liqueurs. Cost is irrelevant because your weekend is all-inclusive! 

You can choose from a wide variety of services designed to pamper you including Massage, Wraps, Facials, Manicures, Pedicures, an outdoor Hot Tub for winding down and more.

Sleep in on Saturday morning before joining us for an elaborate Buffet Brunch including Champagne and Orange Juice. Then on Sunday morning experience the epitome of decadence! You can relax and wear your favourite P.J.s but still enjoy superior service while ordering anything you like from our extensive gold medal menu.

We promise to keep all bills and charges away the entire time! You read it right, everything, all the food and drinks you want, are included for the duration of this package. Spoil yourself or bring a friend. The package price is set at $849/person, single occupancy or $899/person, single occupancy for a suite. Bring someone with you and the package will be only $757/person for a standard room or $807/person for a Suite (based on double occupancy).

This will be a whole new way to experience Waterton Park. Reserve early to be pampered!


3. ONCE UPON A TIME IN WATERTON

Strange Animal Encounters and Other Fun Stuff! by Kristin Roblick

Along with the winter months comes plenty of opportunity for animal watching and spotting in Waterton Park. At times it feels as though there are more deer, elk, and sheep in and around the town site than permanent residents! In late November there were several sightings of antelope in the park. The reason this is so perplexing is because prior to last month, according to Kilmorey Lodge Owner, Gerry Muza, there has not been an antelope sighting in Waterton Lakes National Park since 1961. 

There is a large herd of the interesting species that is now regularly seen along the road entering the park, right near the turn off for Red Rock Canyon. It is still unclear why antelope have come to Waterton Park and how long they are going to stay. It is believed that they have trekked West from the prairie areas in Eastern Alberta, such as the Cypress Hills, and are now sharing space with the previously mentioned countless deer, sheep, and elk that are in Waterton Park. It is also interesting to note that antelope are accustomed to eating prairie plants such as Sage that are normally not found in mountainous areas such as here. Numerous tourists have spotted the creatures grazing on Juniper so there is now another group of animals competing for the same food source. No one knows the actual reason why the antelope have staked out Waterton Park as a new home but some speculate that it is due to the lack of moisture in the Eastern prairies. Only time will tell how long the antelope will stay with us in Waterton Lakes National Park or how many more are going to join them. Just another friendly reminder of the perks of visiting Waterton Lakes National Park! 


4. KILMOREY TASTING COUNTRY

Seasons Greetings from your wine tasters at the Kilmorey Lodge. As I am writing this, it is snowing outside. There has been less snow for a little while so this is a welcome sight as Christmas nears. 

If you like red wine with turkey dinner at Christmas then you may want to consider the wine we tasted today. Henry of Pelham Meritage Cabernet-Merlot is a pleasant Ontario wine from an award winning winery. Meritage is a blending of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. This wine is a lovely garnet colour and has ripe plums with light floral overtones on the nose. Upon tasting you will find it starts with light tannins, oak with an initial hint of pepper and spice. It displays a long, well balanced finish with hints of black cherry.

This 2002 vintage will also go well with simple beef dishes if you prefer these to the traditional turkey! Either way, a nice wine to enjoy during and after the holiday season.

Cheers!

Your taster,
Paul


5. A LIGHT MOMENT

Politically Correct Holiday Greeting

Best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral, winter solstice holiday practiced within the most joyous traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, but with respect for the religious persuasion of others who choose to practice their own religion as well as those who choose not to practice a religion at all; (breathe!) plus a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the generally accepted calendar year 2004, but with due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions have helped make our society great, without regard to the race, creed, colour, religious or sexual preferences of the wishes.

Disclaimer: This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for her/himself or others and no responsibility for any unintended emotional stress these greetings may bring to those not caught up in the holiday spirit.

Short version: Have a good one!


6. WOK WITH JAMES

On December 7th we hosted our 16th Annual Kilmorey Lodge Christmas Party and our theme this year was Alberta Beef. We had seventeen different beef dishes plus a large array of other items and it was a great success. One of the items we had was a Steak and Smoked Salmon Roll. I would like to give you that recipe now and have you try it. It is very delicious. 

Steak and Smoked Salmon Rolls

1-1 1/2 lbs. Flank or Outside Round Marinating Steak (3/4 inch thick)
4 Ounces Cream Cheese
4 Ounces thinly sliced Smoked Salmon
2 Green Onions finely chopped
1 Tbsp. Lemon Pepper

Serves 4-6 people
Preparation time 15-20 minutes
Baking time 30 minutes

1) If possible have a butcher pass the steaks through a mechanical tenderizing machine or with a mallet pound steak to about 1/2 inch thickness. 

2) Spread with Cream Cheese leaving about 1/2 inch on the edge. Sprinkle with the Green Onions and Lemon Pepper. Cover completely with Smoked Salmon slices. 

3) Starting with the long side, roll up like a jellyroll. Tie tightly in several places with butchers twine. 

4) Barbeque over medium heat at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes turning approximately every 8 minutes in order to brown all sides of the meat. Use a thermometer and cook until the inside of the roll reaches 155 degrees Fahrenheit. 

5) Remove from grill, place aside with the seam side down on a cutting board and tent with foil for five minutes. Remove and cut into slices 1/4 to 1/2 inches thick. 

6) Serve with Salad Greens or steamed Broccoli and Baby Potatoes. 


Bon Appetit!
James Rowley, Chef - Kilmorey Lodge


7. Introducing...

Welcoming you home to the warmth of the Historic Kilmorey Lodge are owners Gerry and Leslie Muza. The Muzas have lived in Waterton Park and been actively involved in the tourism and hospitality industry for more than 25 years. 

Active at local, regional and provincial levels, Gerry has tirelessly promoted Waterton Park, Southern Alberta and the entire province in addition to his own properties. He is committed to a uniquely Canadian and Albertan product and believes this province is worthy of its position as a choice destination for domestic markets and for visitors from around the world.

At a local level, Gerry and Leslie have been active in improving awareness of the Park while extending the seasonality from the traditional May long weekend to Thanksgiving. Thanks to this driving force, additional accommodation properties are staying open, making Waterton Park a year round destination. Furthermore, Gerry has developed websites for numerous local businesses in addition to his own including Shoreline Cruises, Mountain Meadows Trail Rides and the Waterton Golf Course.

Gerry moved on to hold positions on the Alberta Tourism Partnership Marketing Committee, Alberta South Tourism Destination Region, Chinook Country Tourist Association and Strategic Tourism Marketing Committee, just to name a few! In every position Gerry has held, he has brought along the perspective of a small tourism business operator and owner. 

The latest in Gerry's ongoing list of marketing efforts is the formation of Charming Inns of Alberta. Gerry has been a driving force for this group of independent innkeepers who have banded together to promote their unique product. The properties involved are spread throughout the province from East Jasper in the north, East to Drumheller, to the Kilmorey Lodge in the South and all points in between. Response to this concept has been resoundingly enthusiastic. 

Leslie has served as President of the Motel Association of Alberta and as vice chair of the Alberta Tourism Education Council. As a major advocate of Education and Training in the Tourism Industry, Leslie ensures a variety of learning opportunities are available in her business. All her staff participate in the Service Best Training Program and many are Nationally Certified in their occupation by the Alberta Tourism Education Council. She has also established several scholarships for which any of our employees who are continuing students may qualify. Many employees are sent to Community Colleges, short term seminars and other training programs on and off site to fulfill both company and personal training objectives. The value of this training is reflected in the consistent high quality of service provided by each employee and the warm and sincere welcome extended to each customer.

Due to their enthusiasm and ongoing support of the tourism industry in Alberta, Gerry and Leslie have often been the subjects of profiles in media, television and print. They are recognized as authorities for the industry in general and have developed contacts world wide to promote tourism in Alberta. For their efforts in tourism Gerry and Leslie have been the recipient of the Hugh Craig Award of Distinction, the Jerry Potts Award and The Alberta Small Business Award of Distinction in addition to the numerous awards received for the outstanding quality of service and product in their businesses. 

When speaking of Gerry and Leslie Muza this is just the tip of the iceberg and if this seems like a lot of work, that is because it was! Yet this successful couple has also managed to build a beautiful home, raise two children and remain sane! They provide a support network in Waterton Park for both their staff and the community in general. The Kilmorey Lodge is a gathering place and a friendly face. Perhaps that is why so many of our guests keep returning and suggest it feels like coming home.


Thank you for reading our friendly Internet Newsletter! If you have any feedback or if you would like to contribute to our newsletter, please e-mail us at info@watertonpark.com, attn: Nicki. For more information on Waterton Lakes National Park and links to many other area attractions, check out our website at www.watertonpark.com

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If you would like to make a reservation, need more information or just to leave a friendly message, please e-mail us at info@watertonpark.com

Waterton Park Information Services
Box 100, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada. T0K 2M0
Phone: 403-859-2252  **  Fax: 403-859-2342

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