Friday, August 29, 2008

This MUST happen!

Shutterfly

The photographer is slowly getting the pics posted on Shutterfly, they said it will be done next week.

Abbey ending hotel service Sept. 21

QConline.com
Aug 28, 2008 09:13PM
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The Abbey Hotel, a luxury boutique hotel in Bettendorf, is progressing towards its conversion into a high-end addiction treatment center, owner Joseph L. Lemon Jr. said.

The last day for the hilltop hotel and banquet facility that overlooks Bettendorf and the Interstate 74 bridge will be Sept. 21. All remaining banquet events and some functions will move to the Abbey Station in Rock Island.

Abbey Station, which currently is booking events for the Christmas season and into 2009, will host its third annual Bridal Elegance Emporium 1-4 p.m. Oct. 3.

In June, the city of Bettendorf granted the Lemon family approval to convert the former historic monastery-hotel into a high-end addiction treatment center. Mr. Lemon and Michael Shovlain, executive director of the residential treatment center, submitted applications for state approval with the Iowa Department of Public Health.

The application was tentatively approved and a site inspection made the first week in August. Mr. Lemon said The Abbey received a positive review from the state inspector, who will recommend approval to the state board in September.

Once it receives its license, The Abbey may start accepting clients with a tentative opening date of Oct. 6, Mr. Shovlain said Thursday. He currently is interviewing applicants for all positions, from therapists and counselors to chefs and kitchen assistants, receptionists and administrative support. Applicants may apply by e-mail at Careers@TheAbbeyCenter.com.

A national campaign has begun to promote The Abbey as a premier addiction treatment center, Mr. Lemon said. Its website, www.TheAbbeyCenter.com was developed to help people suffering from alcoholism get the information and assistance they need, he said. More than 25 million Americans suffer from alcoholism or abuse of prescription medicines and other legal drugs, he said.

Mr. Shovlain said he expects the majority of The Abbey's clients to be professionals, including atorneys, physicians, and other healthcare professionals, corporate executives, government officials, pilots and clergy.

The Abbey will treat people with substance abuse addictions and related "co-occuring disorders" such as depression, grief, trauma, relationship concerns, abuse and other issues, Mr. Shovlain said. The Abbey will treat adult men and women with co-educational and gender-specific counseling, he said.

The Lemon family bought the Carmelite monastery in 1991, spending a year and more than $1.5 million converting it into a AAA Four-Diamond-rated luxury boutique hotel, one of only two hotels with this distinction in Iowa. The family ran the hotel and banquet facility for the past 16 years. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places, the hotel has won numerous local and national awards.

The family decided to seek alternate, compatible uses for the property after facing what they say was unfair, government-granted competition from the Isle of Capri on the Bettendorf banks of the Mississippi River. The Isle's hotels and convention center operate as a loss leader for the gambling business, Mr. Lemon said.

Key dates for The Abbey Center
Sept 8-9 - Final approval for state license expected.Sept. 21- Last date for The Abbey Hotel, with remaining banquet commitments moved to The Abbey Station in Rock Island.Oct. 6 - Tentative opening date for new The Abbey Center.

Website:www.TheAbbeyCenter.com

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Shutterfly

I had some trouble getting the pics loaded myself. The photographer should be getting them up for me today or tomorrow!

Friday, August 22, 2008

a little but funny

mike just pointed out to be that there is an addict sitting right where we got married!


http://www.theabbeycenter.com/Facilities.htm

normally we don't make jokes about addiction, but the facility is not even open yet. obviously they did a little photo shoot for their website. some addict this guy is!

a little bit sad...

I received a newsletter from the Abbey today and this link was posted as their new website.

http://www.theabbeycenter.com/

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

greetings from iowa

just a quick update, i am on day three on my new job and it's going really well! we are pretty much settled into our new place and it's coming together, i'll post some pics in a few days!

also, for anyone who would like to order wedding pictures, i will be uploading all the images to shutterfly hopefully this evening. the images will be the same as the link i previously posted but the price is just a fraction!!

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

The pro pics are in!

Beware..if you watch the webshow it takes a little over an hour! Great pics though, it's so much fun to be able to relive the day over and over again! Can't wait for the video!

https://www.collages.net/consumersite/guestlogin.aspx?username=angie+and+mike&password=14886

just copy and paste the link above, enter your email and name and you will be able to access the pics!

Sunday, August 10, 2008

quickie update

we just got back from a GREAT trip to rhode island. we had some time to rest and relax and had a lot of fun at a second wedding party saturday thrown by mike's mom for his side of the family! pics will be posted soon... in the meantime our friend maureen captured some GREAT pictures from the wedding! thanks again maureen! below is the link, just cut and paste into your browser!

share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AaNGzNm4csWTiY

Sunday, August 3, 2008

The Wedding Was AWESOME

I had such a blast! Everything was perfect. I will post pics as I get them from people and the photographer. Thanks again to all for everything!

Stagette Party July 26, 2008