Bistro One got a very last-minute reservation request Thursday. But this was one they wanted to make room for.
Former vice-presidential candidate and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin participated in a breakfast event Friday morning at the Auburn restaurant. The event, which was attended by area supporters, kicked off a day of activities for the Republican governor at various local businesses, parks and organizations.
Her tour of the area precedes today's first-ever Founders Day, which celebrates local history. During the Auburn festival, Palin will take part in a parade, speak at the city hall and attend a fundraiser luncheon at the Seward House.
Marc Schulz, who owns Bistro One with his wife, Dawn, said Auburn city officials contacted him approximately 24 hours before the breakfast to see if they could host it.
Schulz said he was flattered not only to have such a high-profile guest, but also that local officials suggested his business.
“You're honored any time city officials think of you,” he said. “And to host someone as high-profile as (Palin), that alone is what makes the decision easy.”
One of about 40 in attendance at the breakfast was state Assemblyman Gary Finch. Finch said Palin gave a nonpolitical talk, and she expressed gratitude to the local community for inviting her.
Finch said that Palin, who brought her husband, Todd, daughter, Willow, her sister and nephew along, made sure to speak individually with each person at the event.
“She certainly conveyed to everyone that she is very glad to be here,” said Finch, who will also participate in Saturday's festivities.
“She was very real, very genuine,” Finch said.
Palin was invited because of this year's Founders Day theme - the 50th anniversary of Alaskan statehood. Auburn resident William Seward played a pivotal role in the country's purchase of Alaska while he served as secretary of state.
Upon leaving Bistro One, Palin made a visit to the Harriet Tubman Home before heading to Seneca Falls where she visited the Women's Rights National Historic Park and the National Women's Hall of Fame.
Lee Werst, the national historic park's chief of interpretation, said that Palin toured the visitor's center and the Wesleyan Chapel. Built in 1843, the chapel was the site of the First Women's Rights Convention in 1848.
“Any time someone of note visits here, I think it's a good thing for the park,” Werst said after the visit.
Palin also planned to have dinner at Auburn restaurant Balloons, a decision owner Bernie Simmons said “thrilled” him.
Peter Brooks didn't even get a day's notice. Brooks said he received a call Friday inquiring if he would style Palin's hair at his J. Peter Brooks School of Beauty in Auburn.
Brooks said he usually asks what kind of style a high-profile client is looking for before making suggestions.
“It's an honor for any public official to contact you,” Brooks said. “It's great. We're a brand new school.”
Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net
Her tour of the area precedes today's first-ever Founders Day, which celebrates local history. During the Auburn festival, Palin will take part in a parade, speak at the city hall and attend a fundraiser luncheon at the Seward House.
Marc Schulz, who owns Bistro One with his wife, Dawn, said Auburn city officials contacted him approximately 24 hours before the breakfast to see if they could host it.
Schulz said he was flattered not only to have such a high-profile guest, but also that local officials suggested his business.
“You're honored any time city officials think of you,” he said. “And to host someone as high-profile as (Palin), that alone is what makes the decision easy.”
One of about 40 in attendance at the breakfast was state Assemblyman Gary Finch. Finch said Palin gave a nonpolitical talk, and she expressed gratitude to the local community for inviting her.
Finch said that Palin, who brought her husband, Todd, daughter, Willow, her sister and nephew along, made sure to speak individually with each person at the event.
“She certainly conveyed to everyone that she is very glad to be here,” said Finch, who will also participate in Saturday's festivities.
“She was very real, very genuine,” Finch said.
Palin was invited because of this year's Founders Day theme - the 50th anniversary of Alaskan statehood. Auburn resident William Seward played a pivotal role in the country's purchase of Alaska while he served as secretary of state.
Upon leaving Bistro One, Palin made a visit to the Harriet Tubman Home before heading to Seneca Falls where she visited the Women's Rights National Historic Park and the National Women's Hall of Fame.
Lee Werst, the national historic park's chief of interpretation, said that Palin toured the visitor's center and the Wesleyan Chapel. Built in 1843, the chapel was the site of the First Women's Rights Convention in 1848.
“Any time someone of note visits here, I think it's a good thing for the park,” Werst said after the visit.
Palin also planned to have dinner at Auburn restaurant Balloons, a decision owner Bernie Simmons said “thrilled” him.
Peter Brooks didn't even get a day's notice. Brooks said he received a call Friday inquiring if he would style Palin's hair at his J. Peter Brooks School of Beauty in Auburn.
Brooks said he usually asks what kind of style a high-profile client is looking for before making suggestions.
“It's an honor for any public official to contact you,” Brooks said. “It's great. We're a brand new school.”
Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net
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Post your comment - click hereThere are 18 comment(s)
daydreamer wrote on Jun 7, 2009 8:04 AM:
FormerCayugian wrote on Jun 6, 2009 8:09 PM:
coach7811 wrote on Jun 6, 2009 6:30 PM:
coach7811 wrote on Jun 6, 2009 6:21 PM:
movedsouth wrote on Jun 6, 2009 5:23 PM:
karl the 2nd wrote on Jun 6, 2009 4:41 PM:
karl the 2nd wrote on Jun 6, 2009 4:41 PM:
"Culling" from helicopters isn't "hunting" it's "slaughtering". Like these losers who kill animals in "canned hunts" inside fenced enclosures.
By the way, wolves are supposed to eat baby caribou. "
cheeko wrote on Jun 6, 2009 12:53 PM:
chris van note wrote on Jun 6, 2009 12:52 PM:
Yep she shoots wolves, its called culling. Its done all over the world actually. We have this thing in NYS called hunting season which accomplishes the same thing.
If the wolves weren't culled, you libs would be crying that they were eating baby carabou. Oh so sad... "
karl the 2nd wrote on Jun 6, 2009 11:25 AM:
If that's your idea of being "manly", then I guess I'll proudly settle for the "wimp" tag.
Nothing wrong with being a strong Beta male--you just can't STAND it that I'm not the kind that will take your crap and be quiet! HA HAAAAA!!! "
movedsouth wrote on Jun 6, 2009 11:20 AM:
karl the 2nd wrote on Jun 6, 2009 11:07 AM:
I will eat my shorts if Palin makes no "political" remarks. I'll bet you a copy of Darwin's "The Origin of Species" that she won't be able to stop herself from sounding completely stoooopid.
wopinator--are they trying to make animal/human sex legal in NY. Apparently you would know about such things?
movedsouth--I can't believe that you can't see that Palin is just an attention whor...uh....hound. Just doesn't want her 15 minutes to end. She is an embarrassment to this country and to the Republican Party. It's amazing how people will elevate a complete moron who makes them feel good about themselves because they're not an intellectual either. lol. "
chris van note wrote on Jun 6, 2009 11:03 AM:
movedsouth wrote on Jun 6, 2009 10:14 AM:
wopinator wrote on Jun 6, 2009 10:11 AM:
sundeva007 wrote on Jun 6, 2009 9:56 AM:
Whatever Karl. "
quest wrote on Jun 6, 2009 9:24 AM:
This is to celebrate our history in Auburn, and William Seward and the state of Alaska are part of our history. Thus we all should be celebrating that the Governor of Alaska has come to help the Seward house raise funds for its future estoration projects. Thank you Mrs. Palin for seeing the relevance of our small community, even though we have naysayers like Karl who want to hinder progress. The intelligence of some in this community never ceases to amaze me. "
karl the 2nd wrote on Jun 6, 2009 9:05 AM: