Dear [fname],

A Valentine they'll never forget

Announcing our new guest referral program (it pays to share)

If you've been a guest at Hermann Hill and refer someone who has never stayed with us, tell them to mention your name and contact information when they make their reservation. For each referral, you'll receive one Frequent Stay* credit. When you have 10 credits (each night's stay is worth one credit), we'll send you a gift certificate equal to 10 percent of what you've spent. For most guests, that means their eleventh night is free.

• Frequent Stay rewards are retroactive to January 1, 2008. This promotion may be combined with American Hero, multiple-night , Same Time Next Year, and Last-Minute discounts.

Our popular first-quarter promotion ends March 24

Guests tell us they love the flexibility of our first-quarter promotion, which ends March 24. To make a good deal even better, Hermann Hill’s winter rates are the lowest of the year.

Multiple-night stays include $20 in Hermann Bucks, which you can spend like cash at local wineries, restaurants, and shops. In addition, we've put together an interesting menu of extras for you to choose from, depending on the length of your stay. (Two-nights—pick one, three-nights—pick two, four-nights—pick four, five-nights—pick four)

• An additional $20 in Hermann Bucks
• A $50 Hermann Hill gift certificate
• Two bottles of our signature Port Chocolate Raspberry Sauce
• $30 toward an en suite massage with Massage for your Health
• $30 toward one of Hermann’s "Learn and Do" classes

Last month's "threads" winners celebrated the gift of life.

Tom and Irene of St. Peters write . . . We celebrated life at Hermann Hill, along with our 21st wedding anniversary. Last year, we spent our anniversary in a hospital room in Washington, D.C. I donated a kidney to a stranger who became a friend, and Irene was given a new lease on life, thanks to the generosity of a stranger.

Cottage 201 was the perfect place to relax, unwind, and  enjoy each other's company and the fact that we are both fully alive and healthy. To sit in the hot tub and see the sky overflowing with stars filled us with so much gratitude. Thank you God for inspiring Peggy and Terry to follow their dreams instead of listening to all the naysayers. They have truly created a small slice of heaven on Earth.

J and T of St. Louis write . . . Our journey to Hermann Hill began in July of 2007, when I returned home from Iraq. Unfortunately, the trip didn't happen because Terra was deployed to Iraq two months later. When she came home in November of 2008, I was battling cancer. After two years of struggle and emotional roller coaster rides, I proposed to Terra. Two months later we learned that my cancer markers were down—I was finally responding to treatment.

At long last, it was time for tha trip to Hermann Hill. This getaway celebrates our homecoming from Iraq, our engagement, my cancer markers going down, and 10 wonderful years together. Hermann Hill is a magical place for us. Thank you for this milestone in our fairytale.

Click here for the full text of these and other winning threads entries.

Spring is right around the corner (or so we keep telling ourselves). Until then, a romantic Hermann Hill getaway is the best antidote to winter. Call 573-486-4455 or visit www.hermannhill.com.

Your innkeepers,