Leprechaun Spotted in Atlanta?

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
Follow us on Twitter: @GAFrontPage

The Smith House Joins Historic Hotels of America

T2F Note: "There's gold in them hills!!" Dahlonega and the history of gold in Georgia- just another one of the coveted Fayette Front Page Day Trippers.

PRNewswire/ -- The Smith House in Dahlonega Georgia is pleased to announce it has joined Historic Hotels of America, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and a brand of Preferred Hotel Group.

The Smith House is one of more than 220 hotels and resorts throughout the country that is recognized by Historic Hotels of America for preserving and maintaining its historic integrity, architecture and ambiance.

"The trend of cultural travel in America continues to grow," said Thierry Roch, executive director of Historic Hotels of America. "By inviting The Smith House into our collection of distinguished properties, we are continuing to encourage historic preservation while at the same time showcasing this hotel's rich history."

To be selected for membership in National Trust Historic Hotels, a hotel must be at least 50 years old, listed in or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places or recognized locally as having historic significance.

"We are extremely honored and excited to become one of the newest members among such a prestigious group of historic hotels in the United States," said Chris Welch of The Smith House.
Originally built as a residence for a wealthy Dahlonega merchant, The Smith House garnered attention even before it was built. In 1899, the local newspaper reported that while excavating a cellar on the property, workers discovered a very rich vein of gold ore. It was described as several feet wide and depth unknown. The city fathers refused to allow a mining operation to be
constructed on the property which is located only one block from the downtown public square.

In 2006, while undergoing a major renovation, a mine shaft was discovered in the basement of the main house. It is suspected that the original owner of the property, Frank Wayland Hall, may have been secretively mining for gold in the basement of his house.

Today, The Smith House delivers an authentic historic experience in a modern and comfortable environment. Guestrooms may be booked online at www.smithhouse.com .

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

Hampton Supports USA Cycling, U.S. Olympic Team’s “Dreams of Gold” in Beijing

BUSINESS WIRE --Hampton Hotels®, a leader in the hospitality industry, celebrates USA Cycling and the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team by offering consumers a chance to win the opportunity to Create Your Own Dream vacation, the latest prize in the Let the Dreams Begin™ instant win game 2008 summer promotion.

With a victory in the individual time trial on Wednesday, August 13, Kristin Armstrong (Boise, Idaho) became just the second woman in American cycling history to win Olympic gold while compatriot Levi Leipheimer (Santa Rosa, Calif.) continued a streak of bronze medals for U.S. men in the race against the clock.

Armstrong joined 1984 Olympic gold medalist Connie Carpenter-Phinney in the exclusive club on Wednesday when she finished the 24-kilometer race in 34 minutes, 51.72 seconds, besting silver medalist Emma Pooley of Great Britain by 24 seconds. As Olympic champion, Armstrong became the third American woman to medal in the event, joining silver medalists Mari Holden (2000) and Dede Barry (2004).

“We’re hopeful that USA Cycling and the U.S. Olympic Team will continue to make their ‘dreams of the Gold’ come true, and our Create Your Own Dream vacation Grand Prize gives travelers the chance to make the vacation of their dreams a reality,” said Judy Christa Cathey, vice president of brand marketing for Hampton Hotels. “USA Cycling and the U.S. Olympic Team demonstrate that with hard work and dedication we can all achieve our dreams. The Hilton Family shares the world’s excitement for the Olympic Games, and we want to share and spread that enthusiasm to our loyal guests.”

Now through September 3, 2008, travelers can log on to HamptonDreams.com – an Olympic Games-themed instant-win game – to play for the opportunity to win the Create Your Own Dream Grand Prize vacation, valued at $5,450.^(a) This Grand Prize consists of:

• Four airfare vouchers
• Ten “Be My Guest” certificates which may be used for two rooms up to a 5-night stay at any Hampton Inn® and Hampton Inn & Suites® hotels; and,
• $2,500 in spending money in the form of a pre-paid gift card.

The Create Your Own Dream Grand Prize is the latest in Hampton’s Let the Dreams Begin™ instant win game 2008 summer promotion, which has included a series of prizes throughout the summer of 2008:

• July prizes included a $600 gift card which could be used towards the purchase of a bike; a gift pack containing a water bottle, t-shirt and bike tool kit; two Be My Guest Gift Certificates for a weekend stay at any of the 1,500-plus Hampton Hotel properties; and $300 in spending money in the form of a pre-paid gift card.
• June prizes included a $600 gift card which could be used towards the purchase of a bike and a gift pack containing a water bottle, t-shirt and bike tool kit.

Those interested in learning more about the Let the Dreams Begin™ promotion can visit www.hampton.com or www.hamptondreams.com.

^(a) No Purchase Necessary. Open to US legal residents 18 years and older. Void where prohibited. Instant Win Game starts 7/1/08 at 12:00 a.m. CT and ends 9/3/08 at 11:59 p.m. CT. For Official Rules, prize descriptions and odds disclosure, visit www.hamptondreams.com.

-----

Georgia Front Page
Fayette Front Page