The local news reported that the historic Vernon Manor Hotel would be closing at the end of March. I had never stayed at the grand building but it still held memories for me.
From time to time one of the attorneys in our office would have a celebration luncheon there. He had had his office in the Vernon Manor for many years and he enjoyed stopping back.
However for me the memory involves a weekend in September of 2003. The Queen City Balladeers, a local acoustic organization, was celebrating their 40th anniversary and we brought Jean Ritchie and John McCutcheon to town to perform. We contacted the Vernon Manor to ask about lodging for the artists and met with them to explain our celebration. They wanted to be a part of our event and offered rooms for the artists in exchange for an article in the event brochure. Jean and her husband George stayed at the Vernon Manor and when I picked them up to take them out to dinner George remarked that they had been given the Beatle Suite. Yes, those Beatles. In the early 60’s the Beatles came to Cincinnati and stayed at the Vernon Manor, one of the most prestigious hotels back in the day. The Vernon Manor realized the significance of their stay and kept the corner suite as true to the 1963 room as possible. When I picked up Jean and George the next day they insisted I come inside to check out the rooms. The suite was a step back in time, filled with Beatle photos and memorabilia. George took a photo of Jean and I standing outside the door which was emblazoned with a large star and the words “Beatle Suite”.
Sadly, John McCutcheon’s “people” insisted that he had to be within 20 minutes of the airport and other such nonsense so he spent the night at the Days Inn just outside the airport grounds. He had to endure fast food and a noisy location. I was able to make all the arrangements with directly Jean and thanks to the Vernon Manor she had a lovely visit. We had hoped to put other visiting artists in the Beatle Suite but sadly it is gone.
From time to time one of the attorneys in our office would have a celebration luncheon there. He had had his office in the Vernon Manor for many years and he enjoyed stopping back.
However for me the memory involves a weekend in September of 2003. The Queen City Balladeers, a local acoustic organization, was celebrating their 40th anniversary and we brought Jean Ritchie and John McCutcheon to town to perform. We contacted the Vernon Manor to ask about lodging for the artists and met with them to explain our celebration. They wanted to be a part of our event and offered rooms for the artists in exchange for an article in the event brochure. Jean and her husband George stayed at the Vernon Manor and when I picked them up to take them out to dinner George remarked that they had been given the Beatle Suite. Yes, those Beatles. In the early 60’s the Beatles came to Cincinnati and stayed at the Vernon Manor, one of the most prestigious hotels back in the day. The Vernon Manor realized the significance of their stay and kept the corner suite as true to the 1963 room as possible. When I picked up Jean and George the next day they insisted I come inside to check out the rooms. The suite was a step back in time, filled with Beatle photos and memorabilia. George took a photo of Jean and I standing outside the door which was emblazoned with a large star and the words “Beatle Suite”.
Sadly, John McCutcheon’s “people” insisted that he had to be within 20 minutes of the airport and other such nonsense so he spent the night at the Days Inn just outside the airport grounds. He had to endure fast food and a noisy location. I was able to make all the arrangements with directly Jean and thanks to the Vernon Manor she had a lovely visit. We had hoped to put other visiting artists in the Beatle Suite but sadly it is gone.
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