On March 5, Sue Gillingham, co-owner of the 1906 Lodge at Coronado Beach, welcomed a full house of 36 women for an overnight retreat.
“Time Out for Women” at the 1906 Lodge was inspired by a group of Coronado women who attended a weekend retreat at Forest Home, about 3 hours away. Jane New, organizer of the Coronado group, and Sue Gillingham put their heads together to offer a retreat closer to home. “We knew there were women in Coronado who couldn’t get away for an entire weekend, or were not able to navigate the uneven walkways at the Forest Home camp. So we decided to offer a 24 hour “spiritual staycation” in Coronado”, says New.
Gillingham and New recruited a committee from St. Paul’s United Methodist Church to plan the event, with a focus on friendship, renewal, and fun! The 1906 Lodge’s conference rooms were perfect for the meeting space, and the parlor, verandas, courtyard and dining room were ideal for socializing. After enjoying afternoon tea and scones, attendees settled into their rooms for naps, played bridge, worked on the jigsaw puzzle, or walked to the beach.
After dinner, Rev. Lisa Johnson from St. Paul’s led the group in a discussion on Soul Satisfying Friendships. This was followed by a pajama party in the parlor, where friends old and new enjoyed popcorn and reminiscing.
All ages were present including 4 generations of the Valliere family. Polly Valliere was joined by her daughter Kim Winter, and granddaughters Calli and Tessa, both expecting babies this summer.
Sue Gillingham was thrilled to host her friends for this very special event. “I hope this was the first of many getaways for groups that need renewal, relaxation or team building,” said Gillingham. While an executive for Computer Sciences Corporation, Gillingham facilitated leadership retreats all over the country. Her favorite venue was a small historic inn which was her inspiration for the conference space at the 1906 Lodge. Her large conference room can seat up to 40 guests. It is complemented by 2 smaller conference rooms, perfect for breakout sessions or small groups.
The 1906 Lodge opened in May of 2009 after several years of renovation. It has 17 rooms and suites,
all uniquely decorated to honor a person or place from Coronado’s past. The nightly rates start at $165 and include complimentary gourmet breakfast, afternoon wine and cheese, and underground parking. Check their blog for all the current special deals. Or call (619) 437-1900 to make a reservation.
