|
Dear Friends,
The year 2001 represents a milestone for us, as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of Elsie from England. It seems hard to believe that 25 years have passed since Elsie Dillard gave up the insurance and real estate business to devote herself full time to helping her American relatives, friends, and friends of friends, plan their vacations to her homeland.
Although Elsie called her company “Elsie from England,” she is, in fact, half Irish and considers both Britain and Ireland as her homelands. In the ensuing years, the company has sent thousands of people to Britain and Ireland: Americans of British and Irish heritage, searching out their ancestral roots; retired American military wishing to rekindle wartime memories; British war brides returning home for visits and holidays; lovers of English literature visiting the very sites that inspired centuries of great prose; gardeners seeking inspiration and ideas from those grand
gardens of Britain and Ireland; walkers, hikers, bikers, golfers and fishermen; lovers of dogs, of horses, of antiques, of history, music and theatre; collectors of china, crystal, pottery, rare books, - all finding their interests and loves indulged and satisfied in these small islands.
We have sent to Britain and Ireland reunions of all kinds: families, school mates and military units. We have sent school bands and choirs. We have planned honeymoons, first and second, as well as countless silver and golden wedding anniversaries.
Many of our clients are second generation – grown children of our first clients 25 years ago. With the exception of the one-inch ad that we have in the Seattle Times, we haven’t done much advertising. Most of our growth has come the best way – through word of mouth. We therefore want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all of you who have supported us through these 25 years. We pledge to continue to do everything we can to make your visits to Britain and Ireland not just enjoyable, but meaningful.
The staff at Elsie from England
|
