Business Notebook: A hundred thousand welcomes

Warwick - The sign in the Irish language on one of the entrances reads, "Cead Mile Faillte." The translation is "A Hundred Thousand Welcomes." And that's what the owners say you will get and more when you visit Ashford Cottage Bed & Breakfast at 25 Oakland Ave., Warwick. The inn, owned and managed by Terry and Elizabeth Colman, both natives of Ireland, certainly qualifies as one of the neatest and most picturesque B&Bs in the Hudson Valley. Although the inn opened last fall, it was completely renovated during the winter. Guestrooms are elegantly furnished with antiques, sleigh or four poster beds, fine linens, bathrobes, flat screen TVs, and private baths. Your room or suite is also likely to have other amenities such as a whirlpool tub, Swedish shower, fireplace or private patio. And there's a common room with a big screen TV and fireplace. There's also a full office for business guests and free WiFi Internet service is available throughout the facility. Breakfast is included and is described by the owners as a "wonderful morning meal." The name, "Ashford Cottage," was an interesting choice. According to owner Terry Colman, his stately building on Oakland Avenue was described in historical documents as a cottage style home. And Ashford was the name of the town in Co. Wicklow, Ireland where he met his wife Elizabeth. In 1964, shortly after they were married, they emigrated to the United States. "Our honeymoon, by the way, was a one-way ocean voyage to America," he laughed. The Colmans settled in Warwick where they raised two sons and one daughter, all grown. Flowers and colorful landscaping surround Ashford Cottage. Guests can also relax on comfortable lounges on the rear patio that surrounds a large secluded in-ground swimming pool. One entrance to the pool area is over a small wooden bridge that spans a koi pond and waterfall. Another footbridge connects attractive gardens with the pool enclosure. One of the advantages for visitors staying at Ashford Cottage is that it's only a short walk to restaurants and shops in the nearby downtown business district. A problem, however, is that if you take photographs inside or outside, it's difficult to decide which one best captures all the features of the B&B. Fortunately, however, there are plenty of photographs available on its website at www.ashfordcottage.com Ashford Cottage is also available for small weddings and other events. Call 986-6162. Kids Club on the move Since it first opened in the Warwick Masonic Lodge 544 building at 17 Main St., The Kids Club House has grown by leaps and bounds. That was back in June 1992 and now director Carol Lahti has decided that the Club House needs more space. This fall, classes will begin on Sept. 12 in the school's new location at 628 County Route 1, Pine Island. The Kids Club House was originally founded to offer parent-child classes and weekend birthday parties. Then Lahti added preschool for children ages two to five. Later, she offered "Above and Beyond" classes in reading readiness, math and science for preschool age children. The curriculum at the new location will also include art and "Kinder Club" for half-day kindergarten and home schooled children Lahti and her husband Gary, a real estate developer, are longtime local residents. They have two teenage children: Harris and Caroline. . "I loved being on Main St.," said Lahti. "The merchants were always supportive. We look forward to developing the same neighborhood feeling in Pine Island." For information on classes and upcoming programs at The Kids Club House call 986-7780. Warning: No Phishing (sic) It's pronounced "fishing," and according to information passed on by Warwick's local Internet service provider WVT Communications, it could ruin your whole day. Phishing or spoof describes e-mails that look almost exactly like those sent by well-known companies. They usually warn you about a problem with your account and ask you to click on to a secure Web site where you will be asked to supply account information including your password. Legitimate companies will never do this. And if you follow directions, you're giving your account information to a thief.