Last night in Key West Bobby Bernreuter, National Sales Manager for Historic Tours of America,  presented to Nancy Bartlett, Head Sales Representative of Old Town Trolley Tours of Key West the HTA Goalie of the Year Award.   Nancy was commended for her leadership abilities which inspired the Trolley Sales Team to achieve 122% of their annual sales goals.

Our HTA top sales reps for busting goals are Washington DC’s Tom Austin who achieved a whopping 187% of his annual goal, followed by Matt Tielkemeier of OTT Key West at 149%, and Teresa Hanke of the Conch Tour Train at 133%. The following are the top reps from the remaining operations: Calvin Thomas at 131%, Savannah; Barbie Harrell at 126%, San Diego; John King at 115%, Boston; and Kathleen Helland at 110%, St. Augustine.

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Here at Old Town Trolley Tours we have some special surprises for all of the Mom’s touring with us on Mother’s Day, May 9. But first, a little history…

The first Mother’s Day Proclamation was made by Julia Ward How in 1870. It most likely was a reaction horrendous losses suffered in the American Civil War and the Franco Prussian War in Europe and tied into her very strong pacifist beliefs. Many attempts were made to establish a Mother’s Day, but it wasn’t until 1908 that Anna Jarvis of West Virginia did so to honor one’s mother, which had been a dream of her own mother. After much lobbying to President Woodrow Wilson made it a national holiday in 1914. Today, Mother’s Day is celebrated all over the world at different times of the year, but 77 countries, including the US and Canada, celebrate Mother’s Day on the second Sunday in May.

So in honor of Mother’s Day 2010, Old Town Trolley Tours of Washington, Boston and St. Augustine will be presenting mother who ride the tour with carnations. In Key West all moms will get a free ice cream cone from Mattheessens Ice Cream Parlor. In Savannah, moms will get a delicious ice cream cone from Leopold’s and in San Diego, from Cold Stone Creamery. So from all of us at Old Town Trolley Tours, Happy Mother’s Day!

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For those of us not fluent in Irish, Lá Fhéile Pádraig means St. Patrick’s Day. Did you know the second largest St. Patrick’s Day celebration in the United States takes place right here in Savannah? Yep, as if you need another reason to visit our magical city. Since 1813 the city of Savannah has been celebrating the feast day of Ireland’s most famous saint. Nearly 400,000 folks will take part in this year’s festivities.

The day begins with mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist at 8:15. The parade begins at 10:15 on Abercorn Street (between Gwinnett and Hall) and snakes (no pun intended since St. Patrick is rumored to have driven the snakes out of Ireland) its way around the historic district down Broughton, Bay and Bull Streets. Come join us in Savannah and be Irish for the day!

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Congratulations to our conductor Alexandria “Denise” Coleman who won the Savannah Morning News Scavenger Hunt and a $1000 prize. A Savannah, native, Denise has been a conductor with Old Town Trolley Tours for over six years. . Knowing the city and showing it each day to the visitors of Savannah has really paid off! Read all about it here: http://savannahnow.com/news/2010-02-13/tour-guide-wins-scavenger-hunt

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The OTT Savannah crew has many artist listed in its ranks.  Calvin Thomas, Hotel Concierge, is a wonderful artist who has an up comming show to display his beautiful abstract art.  Go to http://savannahvisit.com/events/calendar/305 or http://www.calvinwoodumart.com/ to see or read about his art and up coming show!

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Joyce Ellis, Groups and Charters Rep, was a finalist for the TLC’s service award.  She had a rooting section that evening as all the finalists took the stage.  Sadly she did not win, but at least she was honored and recognized for her service to the industry and her community.  Go Joycee!

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Denise Coleman, OTT Savannah Conductor, won the Savannah Morning News Savanager Hunt.  Go to http://savannahnow.com/news/2010-02-13/tour-guide-wins-scavenger-hunt to read about Denise’s big day.  Our Conductors not only talk the talk but they can back it up too. Go OTT Savannah!

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Irish families abound in Savannah for our annual Irish Festival.  This small venue with music, dancers, and arts and crafts is a precursor to things green in March.  Did I mention 31 days till the St. Patty Day Parade!  Go to http://www.savannahsaintpatricksday.com/ for the highlights.

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How beautiful is Savannah despite the snow elsewhere!  Not to mention, it is a long weekend because of Presidents Day.  There are a lot of couples in Savannah this weekend taking advantage of our romantic side!

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Mathilda Taylor Beasley founded the first order of black nuns in Georgia. Born in New Orleans in 1834, Mathilda Taylor moved to Savannah as a young woman. She taught black children in her home when, prior to the Civil War, it was illegal to teach them. In 1869, Mathilda married Abraham Beasley a successful businessman. After Abraham’s death in 1877, Mathilda traveled to York, England and in 1885 joined the order of Poor Clares, a branch of the Franciscan sisters. Upon her return to Savannah in 1886, she opened an orphanage that would later become the St. Francis Home. 1n 1889, she founded the 3rd Order of St. Francis, the first group of black nuns in Georgia and became known as Mother Mathilda. Mother Mathilda worked for the orphanage and helping the poor in Savannah until her death on December 20, 1903. A Georgia Historical Marker can be found at her former home at 1707 Bull Street which today is the home of the Mother Beasley Society.

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