For Immediate Release

05/03/2012, Seabeck, WA-Sips & Soups for Seniors at Siloam Retreat

Through the non-profit, Siloam Foundation; Jeff & Julie Forville, Owners of Siloam Retreat & Wine Shop have reached out to several charitable organizations to offer support.  When asked to host a ‘house party fundraiser’ for the HUB (Help Us Build) Center for seniors they didn’t hesitate.  The event is scheduled for Sunday, May 20^th from 4-6 PM; it is a private but the raffle is open to anyone who would like to make a donation.  Siloam has donated an overnight stay, a private wine tasting, a three month wine club membership and a wine gift basket to be raffled off at the event.  Raffle tickets are available through Siloam and through Faith in Action for $5.00 each and a chance to be a recipient of one of the donated prizes. All the proceeds go to HUB Center for Seniors.

Faith in Action West Sound has been raising support for the HUB Center for Seniors in Belfair, Washington.   The plan is for a 15,500 square foot facility, Silver LEED certified, that will house a Senior Center, Thrift Store, Administrative offices, provide office and community space for other senior and disabled service providers; and a community garden that will be a wheelchair friendly “pocket park”. 

Siloam Retreat is a unique wine-themed bed & breakfast/vacation rental off the beaten path in scenic Seabeck, Washington.  The property is named after the Pool of Siloam, known for its healing water. Siloam Retreat and Wine Shop is similarly known for its ability to revive guests, providing respite, bereavement, relaxation, and other retreat type services and events.  To learn more about Siloam visit:  http://www.siloamretreat.com

Faith in Action’s vision is to improve the quality of life for our seniors and the disabled through a new center and through actively partnering with other organizations to provide vital services in a safe and friendly setting.  Planned services will address the issues of: nutrition, health, education, recreation, and socialization.  The center will also serve as an emergency shelter in times of disaster.  To learn more about Faith in Action visit:  http://www.fiaws.org/

Currently, senior lunches are held twice a week at Theler Center, but there are no other regularly scheduled events for senior nutrition, education, or recreation and the closest Senior Center is 22 miles away.  North Mason is a historically underserved area with a rapidly growing senior population.  In the 2010 census 37% of the area was over 55; roughly 7000 seniors with another 12,000 seniors in nearby South Kitsap County – who will also be served by the HUB Center for Seniors. A prominent local family has generously given a large “matching” gift that enabled Faith in Action to buy the land.  There is an appropriation in the State Capital Budget of 1.3 million dollars and Mason County is applying for a million dollar block grant on behalf of Faith in Action, while several other large grant opportunities are being pursued.  Estimates for the cost of the building, gardens, and endowment fund will be approximately 3.6 million dollars.  “That is a lot of money in an area of only 21,000 residents – many living below poverty level. The challenges are many, but we are confident that we will receive the resources to fill this great need.” Said Patti Kleist, Executive Director Faith in Action West Sound.     

 “As Innkeepers it is our pleasure to provide a gathering place for respite, retreat, and celebration and a blessing to partner with community programs and offer support through Siloam Foundation.”  Julie Forville, Owner/Innkeeper of Siloam Retreat & Wine Shop.

Dreaming of Yoga & Wine

We have wanted to host Yoga & Wine Retreats for a while; and now it is happening.  The quote this morning from Gratefulness:  http://www.gratefulness.org/You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith, and hope. Thomas Merton

That says it- recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and embrace them with courage, faith, and hope!!  That’s what we are all about recognizing possibilities and acting on them.  Siloam was started as Siloam Retreat & Wellness; our intent was to offer this spirited place to those who would benefit from the surroundings and concept.  Since we have been offering services at Siloam we have reached out to hundreds of people; the natural course is to continue to expand and embrace new offerings.

Some may say that Yoga and Wine do not go together; others say Yoga is not a practice that people of faith should participate in…we believe that Yoga, Wine and Faith  blend together nicely.  

Yoga is an ancient practice that gradually trains your body and mind to be in a state of peace, wine is a remedy, which can raise your spirits and relieve your stress. But, according to an online story in iYoga Life, the two have more in common than you think.

“Yoga teaches you how to age gracefully just like a great bottle of wine ages gracefully,” explains David Romanelli, an instructor at Exhale Santa Monica, who teaches yoga and wine workshops across the country. “Pouring a glass of wine is a celebration of one moment in your day that you want to hone and protect.”  Says the posting, Romanelli has risked his reputation with unconventional yoga and wine workshops.

Are we willing to risk our reputation? If we have one, ”yes!!”  Risk/Reward….the conversation is welcome, as a minister Julie is often asked about her faith and passion for wine and now another welcome conversation about yoga and wine; life is a collection of experiences, we are all in different places in our lives based on our experiences; it’s important to reach out to people through experiences-’lift up every stone’ how can we embrace possiblities and challenges if we only do that which is safe/without risk?

We are proud to offer Yoga at Siloam on Sundays from 4-5 PM in the Wine Shop, on the Main Lawn, by reservation.

Undercover Wedding

When planning a wedding in the Pacific Northwest one needs to be prepared for rain.  We have had weddings where equipping guests with umbrellas was the rain plan….this works with a short ceremony and having the umbrellas serve as the guest take-away gift.

Short ceremonies seem to be the trend today; at least for weddings here at Siloam.  We had a wedding last year where guests simply gathered on the lawn around the couple for a few minutes while they read their vows and sealed their marriage with a kiss.  We have had other weddings where everyone is seated at the table where they will also have their reception meal.  One of the pleasures of being a host site for weddings is seeing how creative couples are with their plans.

Causual Gathering Wedding Ceremony

Wedding tent added to front of Wine Shop

Using tents as a rain plan is also very common the downside to this is if it doesn’t rain you are left with un-optional cover and the ‘circus tent’ look…tents can be dressed up and certainly provide peace of mind for added space and cover if it rains.

Adding Space for a wedding with a tent

Whatever you are planning we are here to help.  Allow us to provide the Siloam Service for your wedding or event here at Siloam Retreat & Wine Shop.

Minister prepared for wedding ceremony & rain

While Siloam Retreat has many similar attractions that Elysium offered in the film- it really took George and Linda to find themselves and to find each other.  They stumbled upon the “intentional community” of Elysium and learned a lot about their authentic selves and what they really wanted out of life.

That’s what you might find when you retreat, getting away from your normal routine–just long enough to slow down and get back in touch with yourself, with each other, with nature, with God, with ??????  As you allow yourself/your group the time to just ‘wander’ you might find what it is you’re ‘lusting’ and/or you might just find that you are content with where you are, who you are, and what you have.

We encourage you to come to Siloam Retreat for whatever reason, to retreat, to reconnect, to celebrate, to Wanderlust?  Allow us to help or create your own self guided retreat.  Until we meet, Cheers ~

3/20/2012, Seabeck, WA-SOS-Survivor Outreach Services in Seabeck for Widow’s Retreat

A group of strangers who became friends found themselves at Siloam Retreat in Seabeck, in February for a Widow’s Retreat for Surviving Spouses of Fallen Service Members.  “Siloam provided their location as an invaluable gift that measurably contributed to the quality of events offered to the Surviving Spouses of the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Community.” Dale Rees, Family Events & Program Coordinator

Siloam Retreat is a unique wine-themed bed & breakfast/vacation rental off the beaten path in scenic Seabeck, Washington.  The property is named after the Pool of Siloam, known for its healing water, in Jerusalem. Siloam Retreat and Wine Shop is similarly known for its ability to revive guests, providing respite, bereavement, relaxation, and other retreat type services and events.

Through their non-profit, Siloam Foundation; Jeff & Julie Forville, Owners of Siloam Retreat & Wine Shop have reached out to several charitable organizations to offer support.  “When we were asked to participate in the Widow’s Retreat, it was a natural fit and a blessing for us to be able to provide resources.”  Julie Forville said about the event.

The Surviving Spouses arrived on a Friday and were greeted by their host with refreshments and a warm welcome, the evening continued with meet and greet activities to encourage participants to fellowship together and find comfort and strength from each other.  The night ended in relaxation with a movie on the big screen in the Wine Shop.  The rest of the weekend was filled with individual and group support activities facilitated by a grief counselor.

While on property, the guests were able to lounge around in their pajamas enjoying breakfast and slow morning surrounded by fragrant pine trees and snow-capped mountains. They were also able to explore the nearby Tahuya State Forest, an excellent hiking location, and the picturesque Hood Canal, the only saltwater fjord in the lower 48.  And, after a long day exploring the great out doors, they were able to relax and spend time in the revitalizing waters of the on-site hot tub.

 “As Innkeepers it is our pleasure to provide a gathering place for respite, bereavement, retreat, and celebration.”  Julie Forville, Owner/Innkeeper of Siloam Retreat & Wine Shop.

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For more information about Siloam Retreat & Wine Shop please contact Julie Forville, 360.830.4801 or info@siloamretreat.com

Be Our Guest

Come to Siloam, Be Our Guest, Experience the Siloam Service-  below are some recent reviews from our guests:

• The owners were very nice. Great little weekend getaway.
• Great place w/everything you would want in a weekend getaway.
• What a fabulous way to get away from the daily grind. This is a hidden gem!
• This was a wonderful escape…a little far to drive but well worth it. Julie has taken every chance to make this a special experience for all that pass her threshold. Thanks for that!
• We made wonderful memories in a warm, personable, comfortable home. All our needs were met, and then some. A wonderful, relaxing weekend and the wine was superb!
• The place is exceptional!
• Our family loved the Siloam Retreat and wine shop. The whole experience with Living Social Escapes …to the retreat itself was wonderful.
• There’s no place like Siloam!
• This was the best family vacation ever!!

Mom's Who Need Wine-Meet Up

We will be participating in the Global Meet Up of Mom’s Who Need Wine night on Thursday, April 5th here at Siloam Retreat & Wine Shop from 5-8 PM.  This is one of the many Fun events that we get to be a part of; through our foundation we support several good causes with wine.  Mom’s need each other, the support that is gained from gathering in a group and sharing experiences, the bond from being with others who go through similar daily challenges and milestones that you do is tremendous.

That’s right you know how well wine pairs with food, well we are firm supporters of wine pairs well with fundraising.  We often donate wine, our service and our space to good causes.  We have several of those causes on our current fundraising agenda, like the HUB Senior Center in Belfair, WA or like sponsoring the Widows Retreat for Joint Base Lewis McCord.

We have stocked up on some Girly Girl Wines to make this event more fun and to celebrate Women’s History Month.  Over that past few years we have poured lots of wines, Girly Girl has to be the most fun by far:  you line up the girls:  http://www.girlygirlwines.com/ and introduce them one by one:  Chloe, Mia, Kayla, and Farrah.

We have hosted a Women’s Wine Retreat where we had each participant describe themselves like wine, pouring Girly Girl is kind of like that the wine and the personalities go together.  Join us for some Fun with Wine sometime; our events are by invitation and sometimes reserved for overnight guests only.  Contact us for more information.~Cheers!!

Find Your Own Wine Speak

Last night while enjoying a Martini Bellini while others were enjoying an Australian Shiraz—we had the discussion yet again about Shiraz/Syrah.

The above mentioned Shiraz does not need further identification as Australian because Shiraz defines it as Australian otherwise it would be a Syrah.  It’s like Po-tato/Potato—To-mato/Tomato–”let’s call the whole thing off.”

In a couple of the rooms in the Retreat House there are signs that read Vino and one or our maintenance workers asked what Vino meant.  After making sure he was serious we told him it means wine in Italian and is quite commonly used in all languages.

When your life is surrounded by some sort of passion like wine—you easily develop ‘Wine Speak’ and can find it hard to believe that someone doesn’t know the word Vino or the difference between Shiraz/Syrah but let’s not keep others from developing their own ‘Wine Speak.’

The same is true of gardening- being new to Master Gardeners I often find that I don’t speak the gardening language as fluent as some of my more passionate, experineced Master Gardener friends. 

And as technology streams into our lives and is more and more a part of our conversations we hear people fumbling through conversations about ‘Operating Systems=OS’ and platforms, devices, etc……The maintenance man could sound off about electrical currants, home remodel and the like….

As with most areas in life—we try to find common-ground, teachable/learnable moments where we can sit together and sip a Rioja describe it, learn about it and develop our own ‘wine speak’.

We encourage everyone to participate—Wine is for Everyone, it’s meant to be shared, experienced and enjoyed….allow us to help take any intimidation out of wine to eliminate any bitterness and bad taste.

Cheers ~

Open That Bottle Night

We recently celebrated Open That Bottle Night- What fun?!!

We started the evening with a Wine Tasting: 

A Sauv Blanc/Muscat Blend, A WA. State Chardonnay, A CA. Chardonnay and a Red Blend (Cab Franc, Petite Sirah, and Cab Sauv)

Then we moved on to the meal section of the evening:

Appetizers:  Coconut Shrimp and baked brie, paired with an Italian Muscato–I explained that Muscato is how Italians say Muscat……but then I second guessed myself because the wine was sparkling and I thought that it would be Muscato d’Asti and it was simply labeled Muscato…..hmmmm.

I went on with my rant about Muscat/Muscato, Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio……..thinking I better check this out:

Muscat (Moscato) grows throughout Italy in various forms. In dessert form it is either passito or fortified. It is used in the sparkling wines Asti and Moscato d’Asti.

So, I am correct in saying that Muscato is the way you would say Muscat in Italy and since this was an Italian Muscat—we would use Muscato when referring to the wine.

Next, we had a Vichyssoise- paired with an Italian Pinot Grigio that was crisp, fruit forward, with a light mouth feel that went very well with the soup.

The main course:  Ribs, Marinated, Grilled Portobello, Grilled Asparagus and Scalloped Potatoes that we paired with a few delicious Red Wines (Funkadelic Syrah, and a Syzygy Blend both Walla Walla, Washington Wines)

I’d say we learned something about wine, enjoyed good food, good friends and good times.  Until next year-OTBN~Cheers!!