Champagne toasts opening of tongue-in-cheek royal weekend
The peak attendance at the Royal Reception XIII reached around 600 people Saturday morning at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa as master of ceremonies Robin Leach introduced members of the royal entourage. “What an extraordinary lineup of great masters at Nemacolin,” said Leach. “This is an extraordinary weekend at the Royal Reception, full of tons of great humor.”
Fifteen royal couples were announced, beginning with Joseph A. Hardy and Debbie Hardy, who is The Baroness of the Barony of Leitrim in the Provence of Connaught, Ireland. Soon after, Hardy and his wife, amidst the applauding audience, took seats in two throne-like chairs placed center stage.
“It’s about good friends and good humor,” said Hardy whose interest in royal titles began upon his visits to Europe, including England and Ireland. “That’s what it’s all about, and, if I can get up in the morning, I say, ‘Why not’.”
In reaction to Hardy’s carefree comedy, Leach said: “I think you’re getting better than Jerry Seinfeld and Robin Williams.”
Seinfeld was scheduled to perform later in the evening.
In celebration of the ceremony, Nemacolin staff handed guests pink, red and white carnations, while a tent that appeared to be a castle was constructed on the lawn behind the Chateau Lafayette. Enormous in size, the tent housed a stage area and nearly a hundred tables each set with a green water goblet and a centerpiece of four-dozen velvety red roses.
“In the past, we at Nemacolin have received many prestigious write-ups,” said Leach. “But, this year it is bigger and better than ever. We were recognized in two National Award categories.”
A hospitality associate employee and a public relations employee at Nemacolin were recently presented with nationally recognized awards. In addition, the American Hotel Lodging Association labeled the Royal Reception as the No. 1 event of the year, while the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette called the event the No. 1 party of the year.
“Congratulations to all on a job well done, but on prizes well deserved,” said Leach.
Robin Hardy-Freed recently received the title of Lord of the Manor of Henley-in-Arden from her father, making her the second woman to hold the position.
During her welcome, Hardy-Freed shared a few lessons her father taught her about life.
“My father is a great teacher,” said Hardy-Freed. “He taught me that anything is possible, to not just dream it, live it and that life is one big party.”
Hardy-Freed said the Hardy enterprise began to take shape years ago when her father founded 84 Lumber Company in the basement of a brewery. Joe Hardy then approached longtime friend Robin Leach and told him of the land he acquired in an auction that “sat on a mound of rocks in western Pennsylvania.” At the time, the land held conference centers, townhouses and a number of private homes. The estate was soon transformed into a world-class resort with the help of Leach who agreed to promote Nemacolin during his world travels.
“Thank you for believing in him,” Hardy-Freed told Leach. “Today, Nemacolin is a 500-room resort and hotel sitting on 2,000 acres.
“It’s all like a dream. No, it’s Joe Hardy’s reality. And, for today, it’s ours. So remember Joe’s motto: Life is a big party,” said Hardy-Freed.
High Bailiff of the Manor of Henley in Arden Alan Robson said in the small, picturesque England village Henley-in-Arden, a Joe Hardy Heritage Center stands. Robson said it is a building that dates back to 1845.
Joe Hardy is a very popular figure in the town, Robson said, noting he sometimes hears the people of the village talk about a man in a Stetson cowboy hat with a three-foot cigar walking down the cobblestone street and saying in a humorous accent to those passing by: “how you doin’?” Robson said that’s when he knows they are talking about Joseph Hardy.
“It was at times a royal manor,” said Robson. “A few of the traditions of the court are still kept alive.”
Robson said one tradition performed by the Lord of the Manor was to inspect the ale before it was supplied to the town taverns and members of the court.
“To inspect the ale, the Lord would wear leather trousers and sit on a chair sprinkled with ale for three minutes,” said Robson. “If the ale stuck to the royal backside, he knew there was a problem.
With his British accent, Robson brought with him warmest regards from Henley-in-Arden and left the stage with the traditional saying, “God save the Queen and the Lord of the Manor.”
During their speeches, Hardy and Leach also shared their lot of lighthearted political wisecracks.
“When I get elected commissioner, we’ll probably want to move the county seat up here to Nemacolin,” said Hardy, to the audience’s exuberant applause.
Leach contributed to the humorous event by saying: “I made a mistake last time I spoke here. I said Joe has the White House in his sight. Well, he’s going to take the governor’s mansion first.
“It’s good to be a governor and commissioner, Joe Hardy, but its best to be a king,” said Leach.
During the champagne reception Saturday, guests watched artist Tony Crosse from the United Kingdom on stage as he simultaneously created a painting and played music. The comedy of Jerry Seinfeld highlighted the guests’ evening, while dancing and laughter accompanied the Doobie Brothers’ concert. Tap dancer, actor, director and musician Gregory Hines also entertained the crowd.
Today’s festivities continue with acrobatic duo the Tweaksters. The events are open to the public.