Chet the Elk

I’ve been hanging around The Naples Hotel longer than just about anyone can remember. Seen a lot of faces come and go, heard a lot of stories, made a lot of friends along the way. Life was pretty good… honestly, never better. Then last November, this little lady showed up.

Now Tom’s always fixing things up around here, so when he walked over with a box and a handful of tools, I figured maybe I was finally getting that breezy draft by my antlers looked at. But then he pulled out this doe-eyed beauty and hung her up right beside like some kind of scene from an old romance picture.

Suddenly the whole taproom felt different. The lights seemed warmer…. The birds outside sounded sweeter…. I swear even the old floorboards creaked a little softer. And me? I could barely make eye contact. 🫣

See, I’ve always been more of a quiet barroom elk. Strong and silent. Good listener. Not exactly the smooth-talking type. I didn’t think I stood a chance with a sophisticated gal like Jackie….

But after a while, I started noticing her glancing my way too. She started batting those eyelashes. Turns out she’s got a soft spot for an old-fashioned gentleman with good antlers and a steady presence.

These days, we spend our evenings watching over the taproom together while folks laugh, tell stories, fall in love and make memories of their own beneath these old tin ceilings.

Funny thing about the Naples Hotel… after 130 years, it still has a way of bringing people together - even a couple of mounted misfits like us. ❤️🫎🐰

Ohhh, I remember nights like this like they were yesterday…

Back when Suzanne Farley was running the show and the taproom was packed shoulder to shoulder for Open Mic, the air buzzing with music, laughter and just a little bit of mischief. I had the best seat in the house- right here on the wall - watching guitars get passed around, voices finding their courage and the kind of magic that only happens when a room full of people decides to just be in it together.

Those were the nights that turned into stories… and the stories turned into legend.

So you can imagine how excited I am to see a couple of familiar faces making their way back into my line of sight… Tom “T-Bone” Farley and Jim Strickland returning to the taproom as Strickley Acoustic for Feel Good Friday on May 29 from 4–7 PM.

Something tells me we might just stir up a little of that old magic again.

I’ll be right here… watching, remembering… and maybe falling in love with the music all over again. 🫎🎶

Ahhh yeah… that one night. 🦌

I don’t kiss and tell… but let’s just say the ladies have always had a soft spot for a tall drink of antlered charm. Next thing I know, I’ve got three smiling faces gathered up under me like I’m the main attraction… which -let’s be honest- I’ve been for a while now. 😉

Doesn’t matter the decade - same story. Folks come in to The Naples Hotel for a drink, stay for the stories… and somehow end up fallin’ a little bit in love with yours truly.

I just hang here lookin’ handsome… the rest tends to happen naturally.