CAZENOVIA — On Sept. 9, the Cazenovia Area Senior Association (CASA) held a luncheon at The Brae Loch Inn, a family-run, Scotland-inspired guesthouse and restaurant located at 5 Albany St.
The event, which drew around 60 seniors, featured a presentation on the inn’s history by Val Barr, who owns the business with her husband, Jimmy.
“We are trying to keep our events local so that we avoid public transport during the pandemic,” said CASA President Chuck Amos. “The Brae Loch event provides an opportunity for socialization [and] education, which, along with entertainment, are both important aspects of our CASA mission in helping members to age in place. Our members automatically include all residents of the Towns of Cazenovia, Fenner, Nelson, and the Cazenovia School district who are age 55 and older. No dues or membership forms are required.”
CASA was formed in 2007 to address the recognized community need for an organization to provide services, such as recreational activities and social opportunities, to seniors. The group began operating a year later with assistance from the Greater Cazenovia Area Chamber of Commerce.
“The Brae Loch recently celebrated its 75th anniversary, which is part of the reason we [were] looking forward to Val Barr’s talk about the history of The Inn,” said Amos.
During the event, guests learned that The Brae Loch Inn (“Hill Lake Inn”) was originally run in an old farmhouse in Borodino, NY, on a hilltop overlooking Skaneateles Lake.
According to The Brae Loch website, Adam “Scotty” Brown, of Scotland, and his wife, Eva, opened the business with their “twa boys” in 1946 as a summer-only restaurant.
In 1950, they relocated to the inn’s current location, which was once part of the 1805 William Burr Estate.
Operated by Brown, his son Peter, and his stepson, Henry Grey Barr (known as Grey), The Brae Loch became the setting for weddings, intimate fine dining, overnight accommodations, catering, business meetings, and banquets.
The inn’s current owners took over in 1988.
Grey, who was Jimmy’s father and became known as the “Silver Scot,” died in 2013 after 67 years with The Brae Loch.
Today, The Brae Loch is a cornerstone of the Cazenovia business community.
CASA recently announced the following upcoming events:
A luncheon and Trivial Pursuit contest at The Hampton Inn & Suites Cazenovia on Sept. 23.
Shopping and a luncheon at The Shoppes at Johnny Appleseed on Oct. 14.
A luncheon at The Hampton Inn & Suites Cazenovia with entertainment by the Silverwood Clarinet Group on Oct. 28.
A luncheon at The Hampton Inn & Suites Cazenovia with music and World War II history by Geoff Clough on Nov. 18.
“Christmas at Lorenzo” tour and a luncheon at The Lincklaen House with entertainment by The Bellaire Trio on Dec. 16.
“We have been doing monthly luncheons at The Hampton Inn, and [we will] be doing another on Sept. 23 with entertainment,” said Amos. “The luncheons have been well attended, and I think they have been greatly appreciated by our members during these difficult times. We are requesting that our members wear masks to these events even if they are fully vaccinated, [and] we are adhering to current COVID-19 guidelines.”
For more information on CASA, call 315-825-5710 or visit the CASA Facebook page.
