Spotlight on Suncadia’s Food & Beverage Director, Mary Nearn
At Suncadia, you step out of urban life and into something that’s all too rare: a place where you know your neighbors instead of just passing them on the way to work. And as visits become longer and more frequent, you get to know the people who help shape Suncadia into a community you hold close to your heart. You’re on a first-name basis with the yoga instructor, the one who has helped you with that difficult pose you’ve been attempting for years. You know the Fifty-6 Degrees Lounge barman who makes your cocktail just the way you like it, and the concierge who always recommends exactly the kind of activity your kids will love.
In this column, we celebrate the Suncadia staff who play a role in the way residents and guests enjoy their time here. Some might be familiar faces or names, and others will be new to you. This week we welcome Mary Nearn, Food & Beverage Director.
IN A NUTSHELL
I was born in State College, Pennsylvania, but grew up in Washington State and have lived and worked throughout the United States. Before landing here, I was working in Woodstock, Vermont at the Woodstock Inn and Resort as the Food & Beverage Director.I really wanted to return to the Pacific Northwest and so I pursued the position at Suncadia Resort. This is my first time living on this side of the mountains and already see that it’s an amazing environment!
WHEN I WAS A KID…
I wanted to be many different things. I started working in hospitality in order to work my way through college. I really enjoyed the field and its opportunities to travel, to interact with different people, plus I truly enjoy hospitality and the role it plays in so many people’s lives.
MY ROLE AT SUNCADIA
I am the Food & Beverage Director for Suncadia Resort, and the Stovehouse is one of my responsibilities. I oversee everything that has to do with dining, drinking and catering. Suncadia has many different venues and a great path for the future within our department.My approach for creating a menu or elevating the culinary and beverage offerings at Suncadia revolves around respecting the season and the area around the resort. Elevating the offerings means listening to our audience and their needs, staying consistent with our products, and delivering experiences that go beyond expectations. These are things that take daily diligence on our part. I am fortunate to have Chef David Morris, Suncadia’s Executive Chef, for the creative drive in our kitchens, and we have many talented mixologists on property who create cocktails for us.
THE STOVEHOUSE
I’m very excited about the latest addition to the dining scene at Suncadia. The Stovehouse concept was created by Matt Stuhl from our Corporate office, and it opened Memorial Day weekend. Featuring elemental, casual cuisine, the Stovehouse is designed to be a casual, “hey let’s go get something to eat” kind of restaurant for guests, home owners and members. The highlight of the menu is our evening Smokehouse menu, which features brisket, pork, salmon and sausage.
FREE TIME
I grew up skiing in the Cascades, and still enjoy it. I also play a little golf and love to spend time with my dogs on the many trails through Suncadia.
Suncadia’s Summer Concert Series Returns for Another Stellar Season
Soak up the good vibes with music, dancing and grooves at a series of concerts that take place all summer long at Swiftwater Cellars and Suncadia Village.
Nestled in the cascade foothills, Swiftwater’s Summer Concert Series combines superb dining, fabulous wines and a beautiful 2,500-seat amphitheater that welcomes the entire family. This summer season, concert goers will enjoy music from top name headliners and regional acts playing country, jazz, blues and rock-n-roll.
Meanwhile, Suncadia’s Summer Outdoor Concerts take place at the Village Amphitheater and kick off on Friday, July 12 (7-9pm) with a free performance by Too Slim & The Taildraggers.
Led by six-string slinger, songwriter and lead singer “Too Slim,” the power trio has released 17 albums over the years, and toured across North America and around the globe. Too Slim and the Taildraggers have received numerous accolades, including Blues Rock Album of the Year by the Blues Foundation at the 2012 Blues Music Awards in Memphis. The trio has also received Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement Awards by The Washington Blues Society, The Cascade Blues Society and the Inland Empire Blues Society.
Other Suncadia Village performances this summer include Folsom Prism on July 19, Chance McKinney on August 9, and Briana Renea on August 30.
Visit Swiftwater Cellars and Suncadia to learn more about this summer’s family-friendly concert series. Don’t forget to bring lawn chairs and/or a picnic blanket to kick back under the stars and enjoy the free shows.
Tumble Creek Home Tour With Jeff Rau, Suncadia Real Estate Broker
If finding the perfect Suncadia property is a dream come true, then finding the right person to make that happen is equally important. At Suncadia, we have a team of brokers who are as passionate about the resort and community as they are about helping families find their dream home in Cle Elum.
This week, Suncadia Managing Broker Jeff Rau tells us about a home that’s just been listed in Tumble Creek at 820 Iron Monarch Loop.
About the House
This is a stunning timber-framed home on a private acre plus homesite is located above the 2nd hole of the Tumble Creek Golf Course. It features unrivaled craftsmanship and luxurious finishes.
There are 4,469 square feet of living space, including 3 ensuite bedrooms on the main floor, 1 ensuite bedroom on the upper and a walk-out basement with a game room, a work-out room, ensuite bedroom and state-of-the-art media room, 4.5 bathrooms, and an attached garage.
Architecture & Design
The porte-cochère, or coach gate, sets the tone as you enter the home. The home is designed to really create a sense of place in the mountains—think timber framing, all wood windows, tongue-n-groove wood ceilings and wood accents throughout.
The Views
Because the house is set on a gently sloping site above the green of the golf course, every room has a great view. But the million-dollar view is from the great room where an expansive wall of windows frame the golf course and the mountains in the distance.
Gourmet Kitchen
The kitchen is designed for the gourmet home chef. There’s a double oven and a six-burner range with griddle by Wolf, a Sub-Zero fridge and a separate under-counter fridge/freezer. For the wine enthusiast, there’s even a temperature controlled wine room in the basement.
Master Bedroom
The master bedroom is simply stunning and features a stone fireplace and French doors leading out to the patio and the hot tub. Outfitted with marble floors, a deep soaking jetted tub, and his & her closets, the master bathroom is just as impressive.
Great Rooms Designed For Family Fun
The downstairs family room screams fun! There’s a large screen TV and full surround sound to give you the experience of being at the movie theatre. There’s also a pool table, a card table and full bar with keg taps. In the media room there are these amazing leather chairs that once you sit in one, you may never want to get up. Lastly, there is work-out room that looks out to the golf course.
Landscaping & Outdoors
The outdoor space is awesome and the landscaping is second to none. The home features a cascading stream down to a small pond, elevated decks with drop down screens, infrared heater and an outdoor fireplace for those crisp evenings. It has a built in BBQ, a hot tub, a fire pit and various outdoor entertaining areas. This is truly a house for four-season fun and entertaining.
Garage & Guest Cottage
A 3-car garage is finished with an epoxy floor and features ample storage for all the family’s gear, tools and toys. And above the garage is a fully accessible guest cottage with kitchen, living room and separate bedroom. It’s perfect for accommodating extended families or friends.
Want to take a closer look? Contact Jeff Rau at 509.649.6110 or jrau@suncadia.com to schedule a private tour.