Wednesday, April 24, 2013

What IS a "Stress Onion" and What Can You do About it?


The August 7 Inn, Good Medicine For The Soul
... by Dawn Hendrickson, A7 friend & guest

To be honest, I wasn't expecting much when we booked our room at the August 7 Inn in Daytona Beach, Florida. Sure, we looked at all the pictures on the website and even commented on the beautiful decor, but I was still skeptical all the same. 

There had been too many B&B's that we have visited in the past where their website looked top notch and elegant, taken before the place was opened and was fresh and new. But upon arriving we found them to be run down, smelly, even unkempt. Truly as if we were visiting an elderly relative.

Not so at the August 7 Inn...

Upon our arrival we were greeted by the Innkeeper and Owner, Joe. ("Hi, I'm Joe. Welcome, please come in...") His demeanor was welcoming and quietly comforting, like we were old friends. I liked him immediately. One layer of the stress onion peeled off and I began to look around.

Inside the house it is serene and beautiful. And tastefully decorated. Joe showed us about the first floor explaining about each room. The massage chair room, (no, no, too tense for that yet...more on that later) the elegant Victorian inspired living room, which led into the dining room, then the wonderful outdoor wrap around porch. 

An array of treats awaited us in the kitchenette, including coffee, tea, sodas, popcorn, water, even an entire bookshelf of DVD's to choose from were available 24/7. ("Help yourself to drinks at your leisure, two for a dollar. We operate on an honor system, so just drop the money in the honor box, which is hanging on the wall".)   Wow, he trusts us.

Each room was sparkling clean and looked as if they were never sat in or used. But Joe assured us that we were welcome to enjoy and relax wherever we wanted, whenever we wanted. (Not at all the controlling, stuffy innkeeper who forbids you to touch this or sit there.) "It's just stuff, you are welcome here, please make yourself at home." Another layer of the onion peeled off, and magically a little more stress evaporated into thin air.

Joe graciously answered all of our questions and gave a brief overview of the "story of the Inn". It's quite a story, you'll have to ask Joe to tell you sometime.

By the time we were heading upstairs to visit our room, my husband and I were beginning to relax, feeling as if we were going to enjoy this place. "Oh, by the way, can I get you a complimentary bottle of wine?" Joe asked. 

Oh yes, we are definitely going to enjoy this place...

Our room, the 1022, was exotic and comfortably roomy. It was elegantly decorated in a safari theme, not at all tacky and sparkling clean. (I have to admit, I looked under the bed and behind the furniture for dust, and there was none.) Dark woods, elegant fabrics and soft fluffy pillows made this room perfect for relaxing and spending quality conversation time with the one I love. Ahh, and the jacuzzi tub...Perfect!  The mood of the room lifted our spirits another notch. Another layer of the stress onion gone...(In fact, I was so inspired by the theme of the room, that upon returning home, I redecorated our own bedroom in a similar fashion.)

In the evening, Joe puts out a buffet of snacks and candies for his guest to enjoy. Soft music is playing. The lights are dim and romantic. It was a perfect April evening, just cool enough to sit comfortably on the veranda and sip a glass of wine and nibble on Joe's homemade treats. Our favorite spot was the corner overlooking the lawn watching the world go by...

What, are there any layers left to peel away? No, I think we have reached the core...
No work, No Kids, No pets, No obligations, No stress...
"Really?" I ask myself, "No Stress? Check again."
I look over at my husband who is smiling and say to myself, "Yup, it's gone."

Breakfast on the veranda is a wonderful experience. Joe puts out a spread you wouldn't believe. With 5 different types of pancakes, fresh fruit, fruit and nut breads, cereal, juice, not to mention bacon, waffles, and pastries. He goes all out to make sure his guests are satisfied.

Before embarking on our day of exploration we treated ourselves to a visit in the massage chairs. Ahh, what a magical experience. The room is a relaxing garden theme, the chairs are state of the art "Human Touch" massage chairs which are remote controlled to massage every muscle in your body exactly the way you want it. The experience was heavenly and left me rejuvenated and ready to take on the day.

Two days later, I began to feel that feeling you get when it's time to go home. "Can't we stay?" We ask Joe. "Of course," Joe says.
"We'll put you on speed dial." we say.
"Yes, certainly, come any time." Joe says.
"But I don't want to go." I say to my husband.
"I know, me either."

Now, one month later...What is that feeling in my stomach? There is a tightness, an unwelcome feeling that I don't like. Something that has been building up for a few weeks...Ahh, yes. It's Stress...

Time to go visit The August 7 Inn again.


Dawn and Steve Hendrickson are busy talent agents and the owners of Tropical Music International.  They live in Orlando and supply entertainment and talent all across world, as well as being wholesale distributors for Jimmy Buffett, Bob Marley, Kenny Chesney and the finest Hawaiian Artists and Steel Drum Bands. Clients include the Ritz Carlton, Sirius Radio, the PGA, Carnival Cruise Lines, the Orlando Magic, Miami Dolphins, City Walk, and the Islands of St. Lucia, Grenada, Caymans, and the British Virgin Isles... 

Saturday, April 13, 2013

From Guest House to, well, Guest House - the Tradition Continues

The August Seven Inn was originally a guest house built in 1896 by James N. Gamble of the famed Proctor and Gamble Company and has since been carefully restored and listed on the National Historic Register. We continue to honor the homes tradition by offering an upscale guesthouse for you. A warm and welcoming place to stay for both vacationers and business travelers while in Daytona Beach, FL.
We are like no other as we treat our guests as if they were coming to visit a friend who lives by the beach. Attached on a key chain is a key to the front door as well as one to your comfortable room with private bath. We have no curfew here, come and go as you please, you're even able to take plateware to your room should you decide to order take out and eat in, or simply pick a handsomely dressed table in our dining room and eat there. We are ALL about your comfort.
Breakfast is a self serve extended continental with toaster ready waffles, hot or cold cereals, fresh fruits and assorted muffins along with fresh coffee and an assortment of teas. Stroll down at your leisure as it is usually served between 9-10am each morning.
There is a quaint butler pantry off the dining room where you will find an ice machine, microwave, mini fridge, coffee maker and cabinets full of glassware for every need. We also have complimentary DVDs and popcorn for that cozy romantic night in.
Bicycles, beach blankets, beach towels and chairs are available by request should you have forgotten yours.
We have a wonderful sunny room known as the Tranquility located just off the front entrance which houses 2 Human Touch massage chairs that are prefered and recommended by the World Federation of Chiropractic. If you have back problems or pain, please consult with your physician before using our chairs.
High speed wireless internet access is available throughout the Inn and there is a basic computer in the foyer for checking emails or posting updates to your favorite social networks.
When you return to the Inn from a day at the beach or an afternoon business meeting you can soothe yourself in your whirlpool tub and let the churning water take you away. At the end of the day your bed awaits, a wonderful sleeping experience, turn on the soothing sound machine next to your bed and blissfully fall asleep.
What ever your pleasure, what ever your reason, the August Seven Inn is always the cure.

The Innkeeper

joea71
Joseph Dirsa: Working my way into a supervisory position in housekeeping, then management and finally ending my stint as operations manager for Howard Johnsons Hotels. I then decided to open my own company, Joey Ds Cleaning, which was based on trust, dependability and quality service and had become well-known throughout the community in which I lived...
Joseph is on hand to see that you are well taken care of while here at the August Seven Inn, so come to Daytona Beach and experience life as it should be.

James Gamble and the Daytona Connection


The August Seven and Gamble Place
... all a bit of Florida history.  

James Gamble was raised in Cincinnati, Ohio and graduated from Kenyon College in 1854. Upon the advice of his father, he went into the family manufacturing business, working his way up through the ranks at the Procter and Gamble factory, eventually managing the company until his retirement in 1890. It was during his tenure as supervisor that Gamble employed a young inventor, Thomas Edison, to solve a communications problem at the factory. The result was the creation of the first teletype machine. It was also during this period when the famous Ivory Soap was invented, or rather discovered, by a workman who on his lunch break inadvertently left a blending machine on, which beat extra air into the soap mix.

A frequent winter visitor to Florida, Gamble built several homes. "Gamble Place" being one of the main houses, with August Seven built originally as a guest house in 1896. Like "Gamble Place," it has since been carefully restored and listed on the National Historic Register. 

Gamble came to build his extensive "Florida get-away" when he discovered some western Port Orange land by way of Spruce Creek in the 1890s. An avid outdoorsman, he found that this magnificent place had much to offer. He purchased the 175 acres for Gamble Place on April 6, 1898, from George W. Leffman. Around 1907, Gamble built a hunting and fishing retreat and an adjacent orange packing barn.

Gamble's fondness for rustic southern country architecture is reflected in the design of the main house. Gamble incorporated many Florida Cracker architectural features into his bungalow-style design, including large, open porches, an open breezeway, a steeply pitched, wooden shingle roof, and large windows for cross-ventilation. The final result is a unique, upscale version of a Cracker house. When Gamble died on July 2, 1932, Gamble Place was willed to his two daughters, Olivia and Maud. Maud married Judge Alfred K. Nippert, who designed and built the cottage.

Gamble Place was funded in part by the County of Volusia ECHO grant program, approved by its citizens on November 7, 2000 to construct Environmental, Cultural, Historical and Outdoor Recreation Projects for public use. 

While you are staying at the August Seven, you might want to pop over to the "main house" .... as a guest to Gamble Place, you can step back in time to experience the same pristine environment that James N. Gamble found so inviting during his first visit to the area in the late 1800's. 

The 175-acre property, included in the National Register of Historic Places features an historic home, cottage and Citrus Packing House. The "Florida cracker-style" house at Gamble Place, named "Egwanulti" (a Native American word meaning "by the water"), was used as a winter retreat. 

The once privately-owned Citrus Packing House is now the only one currently in existence in its original location in Florida. This vanishing piece of history is significant to Florida and our visitors. 

In addition to the buildings, visitors can observe wildlife, ancient cypress trees and beautiful azalea blossoms.

Learn more about "Gamble Place."
Gamble Place on Trip Advisor

Located at 1819 Taylor Road in Port Orange, 1.5 miles west of I-95. Exit 256 and go west on Taylor Road (SR 421) approximately 1.5 miles. At the Florida Historic Site marker, turn left down the 2-lane shell road. Gamble Place is approximately .5 miles down the shell road. 

Friday, April 12, 2013

Share YOUR Story with August Seven



... Awesome B&B, ... Best stay we ever had, ... Great place to stay, ... Wonderful place to stay, ... Awesome place, ... Beautiful B&B in a Great Location, ... Great stay for a group, ... Beautiful house, exceptionally accommodating staff, great location!, ... Stunning, ...Amazing!

We'd like to invite you to be part of the August Seven "story."  Inspired by the wonderful page August Seven has on TripAdvisor, Joseph is looking to put together a running "journal," in this blog, of guest stories and experiences. 

We'd love for YOU to share yours with us!  Did you stay at the Inn for a special occasion such as birthday, wedding, or anniversary?  Do you have an amusing story about how your "sweetie" surprised you? Do you come to Daytona on business (what kind of business?) and count on August Seven as your home away from home?  Have you had an adventure here in our beach town whether related to your stay with us or not?  

Whatever your story is, please send it to us so we can share it here on the blog.  Don't worry if your spelling isn't perfect, we'll tweak that up.  If you have PHOTOS, it would be great to attach them and, if your story talks about your business or career, and you'd like us to link to your website (extra exposure for you), please include your link. Also, please let us know whether you'd like us to use your full name, or just first ones.  You can email your story and photos (plus links and YouTube videos) here at...  


How has the Trip Advisor page inspired this approach? Well, you see, the first thing you notice when you go to the "Trip Advisor" page for the August Seven Inn is that it is different than that of other pages, for other B&B's, hotels, restaurants, or frankly any of the businesses on TA.

Why?  Because so many of the August Seven reviews have personal responses and "thank you's" from Joseph, the Inn owner.

This is because, when you stay at the August Seven... this is exactly how you are treated... as a friend and special guest.. not just another "customer."


I talked with Joseph about this and one thing I noticed right off is that Joseph takes great pride in getting to know you so he can pamper you with special treats and services.  Don't like peanut butter but love chocolate?  Just mention it; because Joseph will most certainly take delight in knowing what your special favorites are, just in case he can "surprise" you with one, as he did with this guest...

"What can I say?? I am in Daytona Beach frequently for business purposes and am an A-7 regular. They remembered my birthday and made cake for the whole Inn to celebrate! Joe made my favorite--cherry chip cake...how sweet of him to remember that from a prior conversation! The A-7 Inn is easily the most personable place I have ever stayed...all around great service and accommodations."

Joseph would really like to get to know all of you... friends and guests... even better.  Sharing your story, whether here, or on TripAdvisor will help us do that.  What's in it for you?  Knowing that you're part of the A-7 family!