Originally from Hamilton, Ontario, Wilkelis was at one time a Canadian housewife, mother of two, owner of a small dance and th

Dozens of business owners and associates of the Santa Ynez Valley Visitors Association attended the organization’s annual Fall Mixer this week at the Hadsten House Inn & Spa. The event raised more than $2,000 with its silent auction, which will be used to fund promotional material for the Santa Ynez Valley.

Promoting year-round tourism in the Santa Ynez Valley communities of Ballard, Buellton, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Santa Ynez and Solvang, the bi-annual mixers bring members, their guests and the public together for networking and refreshments and wine provided by local businesses.

 

This week’s event, held at the recently renovated Inn at 1450 Mission Drive, Solvang, included tours of the rooms and a preview of luxury limousines provided by Luxury Limousine Service. Items at the silent auction ranged from wines and dinner certificates to gift baskets and holiday items.

 

The Hadsten House Inn, formerly the Vagabond Inn, is the Valley’s newest luxury, boutique lodging destination. With 71 rooms finished in romantic European style, the new decor includes fireplaces, classic French furnishings, flat-screen LCD HD televisions with DVD players, and a spa area. The large, heated indoor pool has an outdoor whirlpool and fireplaces. The onsite day-spa features massage and aesthetic skin care treatments.

 

Welcoming guests at the mixer were Inn owners Mark, Kristin and Bob Davis, and their assistant, Jennifer O’Dougherty. Representing the visitors association at the mixer was Doug Ziegler, Santa Ynez Inn.