copyright 2009 The Bettina Network, inc.
In 2010 you will find wonderful changes in Bettina homes for your added comfort and need for ever more elegant surroundings. The major change is around technology. All Bettina homes have broadband internet access – the kind which has a very fast response time, doesn’t need a telephone dial-up and is accessible to you in your room at no extra charge. That broadband includes wireless internet access in all homes. In some homes, you have immediate access to the wireless by simply turning on your computer; in others, where your host family is super-security conscious, your computer IP number is entered into the security system and you then have immediate access to the internet. Eventually, that kind of secure access will be common across the Bettina Network.
The change about which we are most proud is now YOU HAVE ACCESS TO A COMPUTER, at no extra charge, as well as internet wired and wireless when you stay in a Bettina home. You may request a computer when you make reservations and you will find one in your room when you arrive.
Some are computers without lots of bells and whistles; others are totally equipped with what you wish you had at home. On the plain vanilla computers, you will have to sign into your home/office computer and use your programs remotely. You will be able to access your email on the computer in your room. In other homes, the computers are complete with every little thing available. The difference is the level of technical competence of the host family. As those host families become more comfortable and knowledgeable about their increased technology offerings, those computers will be upgraded and other things will be added. Although, some host families, who are technologically challenged, have so many technical people staying as guests, they tend to have better equipped computers because of their guests contributions to their knowledge and they have added other little gadgets like iPod docking stations.
We are constantly working to keep our position ahead of the pack. Its no fun doing business when you are running with or slightly behind everyone else. It is not about offering cheap service at a cheap price, that has never been what the Bettina Network is about. – It is about offering quality, convenience, luxury, an elegant and very green lifestyle as economically as we can possibly offer it, with both our guests and our host families surviving and thriving nicely.
We had some interesting side developments in 2009. One couple – who met in a famous Bettina home in Harvard Square Cambridge – are now engaged and planning a wedding in June: one Bettina host family is helping them plan the wedding; and they are going to be married by another Bettina host family member, but unfortunately not in a Bettina home, in their family home – which we would love to add to the Bettina Network. A family, who stayed in Bettina homes for many years, lost a loved one and a Bettina host family member, who had been involved in the last months of life with the family, was at the funeral and officiated. Another Bettina host family member, who is a photographer/videographer produced a beautiful documentary, which is available in Bettina homes if you would like to see it and/or buy it.
Several guests registered their talent with the Bettina Network and we were able to find work for them -painting, sculpting, photographing, musicians, etc. Concerts are now being held in a couple homes where the families are professional musicians. Its great for the family member because they have an audience on which they can try a new program, before they present it in a public concert, and great for the guests who see and hear musicians perform, up close, able to ask questions, talk about what they’ve heard and enjoy an hour of beautiful music.
We are very happy about the direction in which we are moving and hope you will let us know how we can improve to better suit your needs in 2010!
One disappointment was to see our motto – “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” – being prominently used by an Inn in Cambridge in their advertisements. We keep hearing that imitation is the highest form of flattery, so we will take it as such and know that we must be succeeding in what we do or we wouldn’t be imitated. We know our guests are discerning and know the difference between follow-the-leader and the real thing.
Happy New Year! May you think of us first and foremost during 2010 and beyond!
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Want to join us? Have a home that you want to open to become one of Bettina Network’s Hedge Schools? Call us and lets talk – or email us.
Ed. Note: Members of the Bettina Network Lifestyle Community can contribute to the Bettina Network Blog whenever they have anything they want to say and be heard by this fantastic group of people. Send your blog to bettinanetwork@comcast.net or mail it to us at P. O. Box 380585 Cambridge, MA. 02238 or call us on the telephone at 617-497-9166 to tell us what you want to say and we will write it for you.
Volunteer with Bettina Network Foundation, inc. to work estate sales; to help move items from one home to another; to contribute your ideas on how we can better use our resources in this effort to relieve and eliminate homelessness and poverty. We also need photographers; designers; and more. However much or little time you have, we are grateful.
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