1830 HALLAUER HOUSE BED & BREAKFAST - Muffins, Mutterings, and Musings

Valentine's Day Special!

2012-01-24T14:59:00.000-05:00

It really is kind of a bummer when Valentine's Day falls during the week instead of on the weekend causing you to decide which weekend, the one before the 14th or the one after the 14th, to take your valentine out for a special night. This year Valentine's Day is on a Tuesday so here's a plan. Take a half of a vacation day on Wednesday morning. Surprise your 'valentine' with an overnight stay on Tuesday at 1830 Hallauer House Bed & Breakfast. Spend a romantic Valentine evening sipping champagne, dining at a fine Oberlin restaurant, and then enjoy a four course breakfast on Wednesday morning before heading back for a half day of work. Or, even better, take a full day of vacation time on Wednesday!

This SPECIAL is offered to you at a cost of just $99.00 in a standard room for the night of February 14 and we will include with that price a complimentary bottle of champagne and a cheese, cracker, and fruit platter. Want to stay in the Suite with the Jacuzzi tub? Then the price would be just $149.00 for the night and you also receive the champagne and the cheese platter.

So what are you waiting for? Call soon to 440-77403400 or 877-774-3406. We only have the 2 standard Union and Confederate Rooms and the one Mason/Dixon Suite.But if the weekend is the only time you have to celebrate Valentine's Day and you want to do a special weekend, then check out our Romance Package. Mention this Blog article and receive a 10% discount on that package for the weekend of February 10 and 11, 2012.

Conservatory Auditions

2012-01-09T09:14:00.000-05:00

The big weekends are coming!!

The Oberlin College Conservatory will be holding auditions on campus on the following dates:

February 10 and 11, 2012
February 17 and 18, 2012 (Jazz Studies auditions on Friday, February 17)
February 24 and 25, 2012
March 2 and 3, 2012 (Jazz Studies auditions on Friday, March 2)

This is a BIG and important time for high school seniors who want to major in music and attend a top notch conservatory. So why not stay in a place where they can relax and feel at home. Our motto is- "B & B's are the Better Way to Stay!" Don't delay in making lodging accommodations as the B & B's in the area are filling up quickly. Check out our amenities and our frequent stayer special for Oberlin College parents and then give us a call at 440-774-3400 or book a room on line. The welcome mat is out and the lights are on!

2011-12-14T16:42:00.000-05:00

JANUARY ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL!

In January of 2012 we will celebrate our 10th anniversary in business as a Bed and Breakfast! To help us celebrate this momentous occasion, we are offering our guests the following special for the entire month of January!

SPECIAL RATES from JANUARY 1 TO JANUARY 31, 2012 (Rates include all taxes)

A one night stay in the Union or Confederate Room will be $99.00 for the night.
A two or more nights stay in the Union or Confederate Room will be $89.00 per night.
A one night stay in the Mason/Dixon Suite will be $149.00 for the night.
A two or more nights stay in the Mason/Dixon Suite will be $139.00 per night.

PLUS YOU CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ALL OF THE FOLLOWING AT NO EXTRA CHARGE!

A complimentary 4-course breakfast by candlelight each morning
A mingle hour before a warm fire in the Music Room from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with complimentary wine and cheese tray.
Use of the on-site exercise equipment.
A chance for some relaxation by playing a game of pool, ping pong or an old fashion board game in the new rec room.
Use of Asian Spa with Jacuzzi tub and dry heat sauna.
FREE WIFI throughout the house.
Private bathrooms
FREE off street parking
Complimentary snacks in the in-room refrigerators.
History, antiques, and Civil War artifacts throughout the house to view and enjoy.
Stories of the history of Oberlin, Oberlin College, and the Underground Railroad as told by your knowledgeable Innkeeper!

Sometimes a get-away is just what the doctor ordered to get through that long January let down after the holidays and that long anticipated wait until spring. So think about it! And if and when you decide to do a get-away, then give us a call.You know you want to! You'll be glad you did!

Tommy Flowers in Oberlin!

2011-12-04T12:00:00.002-05:00

Okay, so you ask, who is Tommy Flowers and why is he in Oberlin and why should I care!

"Where Has Tommy Flowers Gone" is the new production coming to Hall Auditorium at Oberlin College this week. You should care because it is a hilarious flash back to the 60s "now-generation." It is made up as a series of vignettes, and skits that portray the life and attitude of Tommy Flowers who is an irrepressible cut-up, determined freeloader, and disenchanted rebel against society. In the course of his adventures he befriends a destitute old actor, acquires an over-sized sheep dog (his best friend), and finds love with a beautiful music student (whom he meets in the ladies' room at Bloomingdale's). But as Tommy moves from scene to scene, his bright red shopping bag at the ready for pilfering and his agile wit poised to hoodwink everyone in sight, we also glimpse the root causes of his alienation, from a complaining mother; to an unhappily married brother; to a former girlfriend who has settled for a suffocating domesticity; and to more rejection than acceptance. In the end, betrayed yet again, but still buoyantly defiant, Tommy devises his final rip off! To find out what that rip-off is, you will have to attend the performance! So make plans now for a quick get-away! Come to Oberlin early, explore our town, do some Christmas shopping, have dinner at one of our fine restaurants, take in the play, and then spend the night at Hallauer House B & B! We'll keep the holiday lights on for you! Give us a call! You know you want to!

Dates for the Production:

Thursday, December 8, 2011, 8:00 P.M.
Friday, December 9, 2011, 8:00 P.M.
Saturday, December 10, 2011, 8:00 P.M.

Tickets: $8.00 for general public, $6.00 for Seniors. All tickets $3.00 more at the door so call early or book on line. Phone: 440-775-8169 or 800-371-0178
On-line: www.oberlin.edu/artsguide

Small Business Saturday

2011-11-21T10:06:00.000-05:00

November 26, 2011 is Small Business Saturday and there is a movement afoot to encourage people to shop that day at a small, local business instead of one of the retail giants. So let us remind you that a bed and breakfast is a small business! Yes, we sell a service, a hospitality service that can be purchased in the form of a gift certificate for those very special people on your Christmas shopping list. And your friend or loved one will get to celebrate you and your gift twice - once upon receiving it and again when they take their getaway to the B & B!

Here at Hallauer House Bed & Breakfast, gift certificates are available in any amount, for any number of days, or for any special package. We also do a 'Themed Gift Card Package' to help you in your gift giving.

Now for more good news! On Small Business Saturday, November 26, we are offering all of our gift certificates at a 25% discount!

So here is what you need to do. Visit our website, decide what amount, package, or theme you would like, give us a call at 877-774-3406 or 440-774-3400, order your gift certificate, swing by the B & B and pick it up, or make arrangements for us to mail it to you. This offer is good only on Nov. 26. Think about it! And remember - B & B's are the Better Way to Stay!

Happy Veterans Day!

2011-11-11T10:54:00.000-05:00

To all of our veterans and active duty military personnel, we're sending a shoutout! Thank you for your service, especially to our daughter in the Coast Guard, Petty Officer 2, Emily Woodward. Very proud of you Emily. Love you and miss you.

And to all of you in the military or retired, remember to check the website B and B's for Vets next year and reserve a FREE overnight accommodation in honor of Veterans Day. This year we welcomed to Hallauer House two retired veterans, both army. And throughout the year, you can enjoy our military discount. Hope to see you soon!

A Wedding

2011-11-07T16:30:00.003-05:00

Your invitation has arrived! You are cordially invited to attend "A Wedding," the comedic opera based on Robert Altman's 1978 witty and hilarious film. The operatic stage performance, being sung in English, depicts the comedic drama of two very dysfunctional and hilarious families during the Corelli and Brenner wedding. The ceremony gets off to a terrible start when the vacant "fuddy-duddy" type minister flubs his lines. Then the Corelli matriarch proceeds to drop dead but the unaware guests continue to talk to her because Dr. Meecham has concealed her lack of life so as not to spoil the party! And just like many weddings, the guests are busy drinking, making out, and letting secrets and infidelities out of the bag. I think you can start to see the picture!

The music is as complex as the plot with sambas, arias, rock and roll, and Broadway tunes all rolled out to make this a fun performance. So mark your calendar and plan to attend one of the performances at Hall Auditorium, Oberlin College. Your choices: Wednesday, Nov. 16 at 8:00 P.M.; Friday, Nov. 18 at 8:00 P.M.; Saturday, Nov. 19 at 8:00 P.M. and Sunday, Nov. 20 at 2:00 P.M. Ticket prices: Single ticket - $12.00, Seniors - $8.00 but all are $3.00 more when purchased at the door. Buy on-line at www.oberlin.edu/artsguide; phone 440-775-8169 or 800-371-0178 to reserve early.

And why drive home after the performance? Have a night cap at one of our fine restaurants and then stay the night at Hallauer House B & B and wake up to a full 4 course breakfast in the morning. What a way to start the holidays! Go ahead! Pick up the phone. Make your reservations. You know you want to!

Oberlin Honors

2011-11-06T16:30:00.001-05:00

If you need a new magazine to read this month, then be sure to pick up the November issue of Ohio Magazine and read about it's recognition of Oberlin as one of "Ohio's Best Hometowns." This is the sixth annual contest sponsored by the magazine where nominations are done on-line by it's readers. The city finalists were determined by the editorial staff and then visits were conducted to each community. Evaluations were based on community spirit, environment, culture, education, entertainment, health and safety, and business.

So now you just might be wondering why Oberlin is such a good town in which to live and work and why you might want to put us on your list of places to visit. We have community picnics and events in the park, things like Doggy Do, the Wacky Parade, Juneteenth, history walks, free concerts, to name but a few. The town is well on the way to being a leader in environmental sustainability with our many LEED buildings. We have over 300 cultural and entertainment events a year in conjunction with Oberlin College and the Conservatory. We have live theater, dance, operas, and musicians visiting from all over the world as well as a world renowned art museum and a fabulous heritage museum. The College and the Conservatory attract students from every state and every country, The public schools have the IB program and have achieved an excellent rating from the state and 100% college attendance for the class of 2011. Look for entertainment coming up from the Cleveland Orchestra, Apollo's Fire, Marilyn Horne, and Herbie Hancock, just to name a few.

Oberlin may be a small college town but we offer the residents and visitors a great variety of shops in which to explore. We survived the 'Big Box' invasion! There is the bookstore, the bead shop, the vintage 5 and 10, the artists gallery, the bike shop, antique shops, African ware, furniture, yarn of all varieties, candles and gifts, crafts, flowers, jewlery, clothing and more.

Need good food? We have that covered with your choice of dining in over 14 different restaurants, from fine dining to casual pizza.

All of this in a town of under 10,000 resident! Read the article and then plan your visit. Stay a few days and you'll see why we are one of Ohio's Best Hometowns! Give us a call here at Hallauer House. 440-774-3400. We would love to have you stay with us during your visit. Come on. Pick up the phone. You know you want to!

Civil War Comes to Hale Farm!

2011-09-20T16:29:00.007-04:00

The Union cavalry, decked out in official uniforms, began their march through the streets of the village on their way to prepare for the battle that was drawing near. The horses seemed anxious but the soldiers appeared calm and ready to engage the enemy.

On the opposite side of the road the Confederate foot soldiers were also making their preparations for battle. They appeared more 'ragtag,' wearing makeshift clothes put together to make somewhat of an official uniform.

While the soldiers march and prepare for battle the two Confederate officers make plans for bringing in the canon. (Our guest, Doug Taylor in the white hat and long coat is the Lt. Colonel of the Confederate regiment and is in charge of the company canon.)

The battle began with gunfire in the distant woods and soon escalated into the open field. The lines were drawn with the Confederate and Union troops standing opp opposite each other and firing on command.

The Union cavalry soon arrived from the neighboring woods where they had been grouping and swooped down to attack the Confederate infantry, sending the foot soldiers scattering in all directions.

The battle intensified with horses and men scurrying in all directions and

more smoke began to fill the air.

But wait!!! All is not lost with the Confederates as the Lt. Colonel and his troops brought in the big canon and began blasting rounds at the Union line, forcing the foot soldiers and the cavalry to scatter. Perhaps the tide would turn and the Confederates would get the upper hand.

The Confederate canon brigade keeps firing.

And the canon smoke soon fills the field with smoke, sending some of it into the air to form smoke ring signals, as if calling out to someone to send reinforcements.

The field is now so thick with smoke from the canon that soldiers could not identify who was on what side, Union or Confederate.

But the Union cavalry soon regroups and in one final charge they are able to overpower the Confederate canon and claim the victory.

Back in the village, the Union army celebrated its victory as the fife and drum corp played for all to hear. The battle ended and camp life got back to normal.

Our guests, Doug and Debbie, invited us to be their guests at the evening Civil War reenactors dinner which the women prepared while the men were involved in battle. And a fabulous meal it was! Jambalaya fit for a king along with fresh baked corn bread made in the authentic Hope oven and cobbler to top every thing off! We had seconds and needless to say, we did not leave hungry! Reenactors must be authentic down to every detail so when you attend one, you will see life as it was really lived in the 1860's.

This was, by far, the best Civil War reenactment that we have attended and because, for the next 4 years, our country will be commemorating the 150th anniversary of this war, we would highly recommend that you make plans to attend a reenactment next summer or the next 3 summers. There will be a huge reenactment at Gettysburg in July of 2013. Doug and Debbie will definitely be there. And we want to thank Doug and Debbie for the great time we had in August at Hale Farm! They will be there next year so make your plans now for next August. One more great thing to do in Northeast Ohio!!!!

Debbie Kopnitsky at the stove!! Great meal Debbie! Thanks so much!

Fun Time in Cleveland!

2011-09-17T16:29:00.001-04:00

Last week we took a one day 'staycation' and ventured into downtown Cleveland! We already know a lot about Cleveland but thanks to a Groupon that I purchased, we had two tickets for the Cleveland Trolley Tour. Our tour started at 2:00 at Nautica in the Flats area of Cleveland and was due to last for 2 hours. Now I know that some people make jokes and get a good laugh at Cleveland's expense and this made us wonder if there really could be any new facts to learn about our neighboring big city which, by the way, is only about a 40 minute drive from Oberlin.

So let me wet your appetite with a few new and refreshed facts that I learned about Cleveland!

Our Playhouse Square is the second largest performing arts center in the US after Lincoln Center in New York! We have 5 theaters all grouped together on Euclid Ave. with performances going continuous.
In the past, Euclid Ave. was known as Millionaire Row with houses built by John D. Rochefellar, the Brush Electric family, the Murphy Oil family, and the Sherwin Williams family to name but a few.
Of course we have the fabulous Severance Hall which is home to the Cleveland Orchestra, the Cleveland Art Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Crawford Auto Museum all grouped in the area of Case Western University.
There is the Rockefeller Greenhouse with 27 acres of plants under glass and also the Cleveland Holden Arboretum.
The Cleveland Clinic is the number 1 heart hospital in the country.
All of the 27 nationalities represented in Cleveland have constructed unique cultural gardens along Martin Luther King Blvd.
Two great areas to explore are Ohio City and the Tremont area, home to The Christmas Story House.
Can't miss the Great Lakes Brewery and the historical West Side Market, the best in the country!

After the tour, you can drive back up to the 4th Street area and check out one of the fabulous restaurants. Cleveland is now known as a great place for culinary adventure!

And that's just the beginning of the story!
For the rest of the tour you will have to plan your 'staycation' on Lolley the Trolley in Cleveland! We were surprised and impressed with all that is going on in downtown Cleveland. Things to come include the Casino, the Medical Mart, and much, much more! Come and be a part of our great northeast Ohio! We cannot be laughed at any more!

Cleveland really does rock!!!

Calendar Marking Time!

2011-08-16T20:52:00.001-04:00

Okay, it's time to get out the pen and mark your calendar for the 2011-2012 Oberlin College Recital Series! In this Blog posting I will give you an overview and then I will try (I PROMISE) to do a more detailed BLOG posting for each event throughout the year.

So let's start with September 2011! There will be 3 events - Itzhak Perlman on the violin will be in town on Ssunday, Sept. 11, 2011; Adrian Fenty's presentation comes on Tuesday, Sept. 13, and on Sat.Sept. 24 Ira Glass will take the stage.

October so far, has only Salman Rushdie in town on Wednesday, October 12, 2011.

November -Jaron Lanier presents on Wednesday, Nov. 9 and then Nov. 16,18, 19, and 20 are the dates for the stage production of "A Wedding."

December is holiday time and the one funny stage production called "Where Has Tommy Flowers Gone" will be presented on Dec. 8. 9, and 10.

January 2012 may be cold and most of the students will be gone but the College will be busy and you can mark 4 dates on your calendar! Wednesday, Jan. 18 the Cleveland Orchestra will be in town at Finney Chapel followed by Jeremy Denk on piano on Thursday, Jan. 19, followed by Apollo's Fire on Friday, Jan. 20, followed by the International Contemporary Ensemble on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012! Whew! Busy month and we hope - NO SNOW!

Ok, we are now into February 2012. The month begins with A Theater & Dance Collaboration on Thurs., Fri., and Sat., February 9, 10, and 11 followed by The Tallis Scholars on Wednesday, Feb. 15. Tuesday, Feb. 21 we will welcome Soweto Gospel Choir and on Feb. 24 and 26 Marilyn Horne will conduct Master Classes.

In March we will see Jonathan Altar and Ross Douthat on March 7 and then the one and only Herbie Hancock will be in town on Tuesday, March 13, 2012. The Opera - "L'Heure espagnole &L'Enfant et les sortilegees", will be staged on March 14, 16, 17, and 18.

With the school year winding down, the April and May series will bring to town Edwidge Danticat on Thursday, April 19. The Theater and Dance students will stage "The Compromise 1895" Thursday -Saturday, April 19-21 followed by the Oberlin Dance Company & and Contemporary Music Ensemble's presentation on May 11 and 12, 2012.

The dates above are just for the Oberlin Arts. Click here to get complete information to help in setting up your calendar! There will be many more events and activities going on throughout the coming school year (2011-2012) so stay tuned and I will keep you apprised of what you will be able to see and do in Oberlin! And remember, we are here for your overnight accommodations so give us a call when you know the dates that you will be in Oberlin. We are looking forward to hearing from you! Come and visit! You know you want to!!!

B and B's for Vets

2011-08-09T16:06:00.000-04:00

Once again Hallauer House B & B is an enthusiastic participant in the B & B's for Vets program sponsored by PAII, the Professional Association of International Innkeepers and The Better Way to Stay Campaign. This is a program started as a way for B & B's to thank all of our veterans and active duty military personnel for the service that they have given or are presently giving, to our country. Last year we gave away one night in all three of our rooms for FREE. The first callers last year were three Coast Guard officers from the Cleveland area. (We like Coastie's since our daughter is an IT 2 Petty Officer stationed in Key West! Yeah Emily!)

This year the date for the FREE night giveaway is Thursday, November 10, 2011. We are holding 2 rooms for the first veterans or active duty persons to call and request the B & B's for Vets special night! Bring your spouse, friend, partner! Come early to explore Oberlin, a great college town with much to do and then dine in one of our many super restaurants! Take in a movie at the Apollo or spend the evening at one of the college events. In the morning we will treat you to a FREE four course breakfast before you set out to enjoy the day of Veteran's activities. You can also make use of our many amenities: the exercise room, the new rec room, the whirlpool tub, the dry heat sauna. Play the piano, read the history books, and listen to Joe's stories about the Civil War and the Underground Railroad. We don't do frilly but instead decorate our rooms with swords and military uniforms from the Civil War.

So much to do, so little time! But we always invite you to come back!

If you live too far away to come to Hallauer House, then take advantage of one of the other B & B's participating in the program. Check out this website, B & B's for Vets. If you don't find one in your area right away, don't dispare as participating B & B's are added everyday!

This program is on a first come, first served basis so the first 2 callers get the deal. So what are you waiting for?! Pick up the phone and call 440-774-3400 or 877-774-3406. Please bring ID with proof of military service.

Big 'Wacky' Parade

2011-05-06T11:17:00.000-04:00

There is a lot going on in Oberlin this month and tomorrow, Saturday, is the kick off that begins with the 10th annual Big Parade! It evolved on a whim 10 years ago as a form of self expression without any centralized organization. Individuals and organizations were free to express themselves as they saw fit and it has been a way for Oberlin College students and the Oberlin community to work together on a common goal. Planning and preparation began months ago and all 'floats' will be presented tomorrow as they progress from Eastwood Elementary school to Tappan Square. The Oberlin High School band will lead the way and the Kendal at Oberlin Precision Lawn Chair Drill Team usaually brings up the rear. Rumor has it that there will be a 30 foot, incredible dragon float, and characters from the movie 'Up.' The parade will begin at 12:00 noon and go down College St., ending with a community festival at Tappan Square with lots of music and perhaps some food! If you haven't seen one of our 'wacky' parades then you are in for a real treat. Come on over and join in the fun! Hope to see you there! The parade goes on, rain or shine! The pictures are from past parades so you can get an idea what to expect!

And the Civil War Began On This Day

2011-04-12T21:12:00.000-04:00

One hundred and fifty years ago the Civil War began and it did not end until over 625,000 people were killed. Over the next four years communities across the country will be commenorating this war with reninactments, talks, activities, and much more. Most of the battles occurred in Virginia, Mississippi, Maryland, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, and the Carolinas so people often wonder what role Ohio played in this part of history.

Bluffington, Ohio was the site of one battle between John Hunt Morgan (Morgan's Raiders) and some rag tag Union squirrel hunters and Ohio home guard. Morgan and his troops were captured and imprisoned in Columbus but they eventually escaped. Ohio also housed a Confederated officers prison on Johnson's Island in Sandusky Bay.

But before the war actually began and for four years thereafter, Oberlin and Lorain County played a major role in events that shaped the future of the United States. A book has been written by Nat Brandt about Oberlin, "The Town That Started the Civil War" that details the trial that challenged the Fugitive Slave Law and sent the south on a head long plunge toward war. Oberlin and Lorain County also offered save houses on the Underground Railroad that protected runaway slaves as they made their way to freedom.

The Oberlin Heritage Center is engaged in a four year project to highlight what happened here 150 years ago. Read their Blog and delve into local history.

Over the next 4 years you may be planning to visit numerous Civil War battlefields and we would recomment that you do not miss Antitem and of course Gettysburg. But we also recommend that you add Oberlin to your list of Civil War places to visit. No battles occurred here but much history did transpire. Approximately 5000 to 6000 slaves made their way through our town to freedom. This is the story you will find here. People helping people. This is our story.

While you are planning your Civil War travels, be sure to take a look at our History Buff Package which includes a copy of the book "The Town That Started the Civil War" as well as a Civil War penny rug and complimentary tickets to the Oberlin Heritage Center. Stay for 2 nights and at breakfast each morning you will hear reviting stories from the very knowledgable innkeeper about Oberlin's role in the war and the Underground Railroad. While you are here you will see authentic Civil War swords, Confederate and Union reproduction uniforms and pistols, many books on the Civil War and the players involved, Civil War magazines, games, and iron toys.

If you have not already been to our website, be sure to navigate to there as we have a Civil War factoid on each page as well as some Civil War recipes. We hope to see you in the next 4 years and come back to this Blog frequently to get updates on any specials or activities that commenorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. Give us a call. You know you want to!

ROOM AVAILABLE FOR OBERLIN COMMENCEMENT

2011-03-15T14:53:00.000-04:00

Planning to attend Oberlin College Commencement over Memorial Day weekend?

Need a place to stay?

Unfortunately for us but fortunately for you, we have had a cancellation in our Union Room!!!!!

Our Wait List has been exhausted as it seems that everyone on it has already found other accommodations.

So if you are stuck in a hotel out of town or you have reserved a dorm room, now is your chance to be close to Oberlin and stay with us, a finalist for Ohio B & B of the year!

Because of the many activities at the college over the weekend, we require a 3 night minimum, you choose which dates you need. There is a flat rate of $500.00 for the 3 nights which include, among other things, a full 4 course breakfast each morning and all tax, plus you get the use of all of our amenities, including the heated pool, gardens, sauna, exercise room, and free WIFI.

Hurry and give us a call to reserve a room for this fabulous and fun filled weekend. Call us at
440-774-3400 or toll free at 877-774-3406. Check out our website and see what you will miss if you don't call soon!

2011-02-04T14:22:00.000-05:00

Just heard some exciting news about Cleveland! It has been named one of the 10 most visionary cities in the world by Travel + Leisure! In 1987 a beautiful mall, totally enclosed under glass, was built in downtown Cleveland. It was like a shopping in a greenhouse with the sun pouring in, plants growing, and shoppers enjoying the variety of stores. But like so many shopping areas, it fell on hard times, stores closed, and eventually most of the complex was shut down. But now it has been revived and has been turned into an urban greenhouse, growing organic produce and educating others about environmental awareness. On Wednesdays you can participate in the "Lunch and Learn" program. Eat lunch while you learn about various environmental and gardening topics. To learn more about Cleveland's "Garden Under Glass, check out this link: http://clevelandmagazine.blogspot.com/search/label/vicky%20poole. I can't wait to go have lunch there and then I'll write more and post pictures.

Room Available

2011-01-29T09:12:00.000-05:00

We just had a cancellation in the Confederate Room for the dates of February 10, 11, and 12. If you are coming to Oberlin for an audition, a college visit, or you want a romantic Valentine weekend give us a call! We would love to meet you and show you why our B & B was a finalist for Ohio B & B of the 2010! Hope to see you soon!

The Best of Cleveland

2011-01-25T16:54:00.000-05:00

The message in the email today from Positively Cleveland - "Cleveland's Theater District is the second largest theater district in the United States - second only to the Kennedy Center in New York City? Did you also know that a trip to this region can cost 30 - 40 percent less than a trip to much larger cities, without sacrificing any of the experience?" This is such fabulous news that I just have to pass it on to all theater lovers and to anyone else thinking of visiting Northeast Ohio but wondering what there is to do here.

We have been to Cleveland's Theater District many times over the years and have seen such plays as "Wicked," "Miss Saigon," "Lion King," "Les Miserables," "South Pacific," to name just a few. Playhouse Square is a great place to go for great food, a great show, and great memories! Plan your winter getaway now and combat that cabin fever! Choose a play date and come on over. And remember that Hallauer House B & B here in Oberlin is only a 35 minute drive into downtown Cleveland, to the theater district. So much to do, so much to see, so little time! Hope to see you soon!

ROOMS AVAILABLE for Oberlin College Auditions and College Visitations

2011-01-23T13:32:00.000-05:00

Oberlin College students will be arriving back on campus in a couple of weeks to begin a new term and campus visits begin again for prospective students as well as those who will be auditioning for the Oberlin Conservatory. Audition dates have been posted on the College website as follows:

February 12, 2011

February 19, 2011 (Jazz Studies auditions on Friday, February 18)
February 26, 2011
March 5, 2011 (Jazz Studies auditions on Friday, March 4)

We still have some rooms left for those dates and are making a wait list in case of weather related cancellations. Call soon to book a room or go to our website http://www.webervations.com/magic-scripts/resbook.asp?memberid=hallauerhouse to book on line with the secure server. For more information on the audition weekend schedule, check out the college link: http://new.oberlin.edu/conservatory/admissions/audition-weekend-information.dot.

If your child is a high school Junior, mark your calendars for Friday, March 4 and 18th, 2011 for high school Juniors campus visitation dates and overnight dorm stays. More at this link: http://new.oberlin.edu/arts-and-sciences/admissions/campus-visits/visit_programs.dot

High school Seniors have a chance to visit the college, not just on weekends, but also during the week. And with students who are auditioning only here on weekends, a weekday visit might be your best bet for being able to secure accommodations close to campus. We are just 4 miles from the center of campus. For more information on campus visits and student overnights go to this link: http://new.oberlin.edu/arts-and-sciences/admissions/campus-visits/visit-calendar.dot. and go to our availability page http://www.webervations.com/magic-scripts/resbook.asp?memberid=hallauerhouse to book on line or call 877-774-3406.

College visits and auditions can be very stressful on both parents and students alike but here at Hallauer House you will find a small, quiet place to relax, talk with other visiting parents and students, enjoy a great breakfast, and get a restful nights sleep. We hope to see you soon and if your child chooses Oberlin College, we hope to see you back over the next 4 years! Good luck!

Danish Guests on World Tour

2011-01-14T14:19:00.000-05:00

Yesterday evening at 7:00 P.M. we received a call asking about that nights availability and with Janurary being a slow month we did have a room ready for guests. When I went out to greet our new guests, I did a complete double take as they disembarked from a small, uniquely painted, and highly decorated car with advertising logo and a foreign license plate. Nina Rasmussen and Hjalte Tin were extremely glad to have arrived as the car was about out of energy. The car, it turns out, is ALL electric, and they were at the end of the charge! After showing them around the B & B they asked if they could recharge the car in a 220 outlet. The only 220 plug available just happened to be in the laundry room for the electric dryer. No problem as Hjalte had an extremely long extension cord and by moving the car into the garage, he was able to quickly convert the pigtail plug and use the dryer outlet. The car needs 9 hours to recharge the batteries.

The next morning at breakfast we learned all about their adventures. They left Denmark on June 25, 2010 and are making an around the world trip (adventure!) in their 100% all electric car. Their journey has talken them already to Scandinavia, Estonia, Russia, Mongolia, China, and now they are traveling across the USA. They will continue on to Canada, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Britain and Germany before returning to Denmark on May 1, 2011. The car will be shipped from New York and arrive in Spain where they will meet up with it again after it's 30 day journey on the high seas.

The car is Qashqai Electric developed and produced by AfutureEV in Denmark and is 100% electric. The Moto Mundo World Electric Tour is the ultimate test of electric car range, durability and performance as it is being driven in all different kinds of road and weather conditions. They have driven on long, endless highways, in the dessert heat, on the jammed streets of China, and of course the cold winter temperatures of the US, and some would say, freezing Ohio! They are also testing a unique satellite receiver positioned on top of the car that gives them broadband internet. That is how they found our B & B! The car will travel 60 to 65 mph but Hjalte likes to keep it around 45 mph so they can go further on a charge. They can travel about 100 to 125 miles between charges and are planning a stop near Youngstown tonight. I hope they can find a super B & B to which to stay the night!

Joe & I were so thrilled that we could be a part of this super adventure and meet such fascinating people who are so greatly involved in moving the world to greater sustainability. They are truely the new pioneers of the 21st century and we're glad that we met them! For more information about the adventures of Nina and Hjalte you can go to their website, http://www.moto-mundo.com/.

Special January Package #1

2010-12-16T12:19:00.002-05:00

RESOLUTION SOLUTIONS
RESOLU-CATION PACKAGE
Available January 1-31, 2011

Your New Years Resolution #2011
• Exercise more
• Loose weight
• Eat healthy
• Banish stress

Have you decided to buy some exercise equipment for a new home gym but don’t know what is best for you? Do you want to get some healthy breakfast recipes to make at home? Do you want to work one-on-one with a personal trainer before committing to a series of visits? If this is your resolution for the New Year, then we have a deal for you!
Check out the Package details below and then pick up the phone and call 440-774-3400 or 877-774-3406 to schedule your Resolu-cation Package.(Package cannot be booked at the last minute as we will need to schedule your personal training appointment in advance. Since the last training appointment on a Friday is 4:00 we will give an early check-in.)

• 2 Nights at 1830 Hallauer House B & B
• 2 Complimentary breakfasts that will be high in protein and low on carbohydrates and calories.
• A sampling of healthy breakfast recipes.
• A complimentary water bottle to keep.
• On the day of your arrival, we will schedule for you a one hour visit at Debbie’s Personal Training to work one-on-one with a personal trainer or have a one-on-one consultation. (Your choice).
• Have a healthy dinner on your own at one of Oberlin’s fine restaurants.
• In the morning after your healthy breakfast and a short “let your stomach settle time,’ you can get into your sweats and put on your workout shoes for a trip to our on-sight gym. Use the tips and information from the personal trainer and spend the day working out on the treadmill, the elliptical, the stationary bike, and the Bow Flex. Watch the satellite TV or use your own I-Pod. Take as much time on each piece of equipment as you feel comfortable with, being careful to take some breaks along the way! We also have an Inversion Table that we can help you with if you are new to that piece of equipment. (Please check with your doctor before beginning an exercise program.)
• When you have had enough exercise, you can still sweat but relax in the dry far-infrared sauna for 30 minutes, then fill the tub, and enjoy sinking down into the warm, swirling water of the whirlpool Jacuzzi tub. Light the candles and listen to soft music from the Bose stereo. (At this point, I would be sipping some chilled white wine!) The stress will melt away!
• And now you deserve to go out for a fine reward so use the $50.00 Gift Certificate for dinner at Presti’s Restaurant.

TOTAL COST: Based on double occupancy

Union and Confederate Rooms $375.00 ($15.00 for 3rd person)
Mason/Dixon Suite $475.00 ($20.00 for each additional person)
(Includes tax and breakfast)

So get pumped! Make it happen! Keep that 2011 New Year’s Resolution! And enjoy the B & B experience while you do it! Give us a call but call early so we can set up the schedule with the personal trainer. Come on! Do it! You know you want to!!

http://www.hallauerhousebnb.com/
hallauerhouse@gmail.com
440-774-3400 877-774-3406

Special January Package #2

2010-12-16T11:02:00.005-05:00

WINTER WHITE SALE

BID YOUR OWN ROOM RATE! Extended by popular demand!

Treat Yourself to a Post Holiday Getaway !

Bidding Dates are from January 1 to January 31, 2011

• Take a trip through our website
• Explore our rooms
• Note our room rates – (posted rates INCLUDE tax and a full breakfast)
• Read about our history
• Count our amenities
• Check our Availability Calendar
• Plan the days for your getaway
• Click on your email address: (or call)

1. Tell us the date/s you would like for your getaway
2. Include your name, email address, and phone number
3. Make a bid on the room of choice for your desired dates
4. Submit your offer

• If we accept your offer, we will call you with the good news and to finalize the deal.
• If we cannot accept your offer, or if we have received multiple offers for the date/s you have chosen, we will email you a counter offer and then you can decide to agree to it, comeback with another bid, or scrap the deal. It is up to you! You make the deal!

Offers will be accepted, countered, or rejected within 24 hours of receiving your initial email.
If there is more than one bidder for same date, a confirmed reservation will be given to the highest bidder for selected date/s.

Never been to a Bed and Breakfast before? Then here's your chance to find out what it's all about and why many people say "B & B's are the Better Way to Stay!"

Not good on reservations already booked.
Not good on Gift Certificates.

2010 Finalist for Ohio Bed & Breakfast of the Year
by Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association

http://www.hallauerhousebnb.com/
hallauerhouse@gmail.com

440-774-3400 Toll Free 877-774-3406

Special January Package #3

2010-12-16T10:10:00.016-05:00

REINDEER R & R PACKAGE

Good from January 1 – 31, 2011

Need to Rest, Relax, Retool, Recharge, Regroup, Rebound? That’s an R&R X (3) and is a guarantee to get you detoxed from the hustle and bustle that you encountered during the 12 Days of Christmas!

We know that everyone’s R&R needs are different, so we here at Hallauer House B & B, are offering, throughout the month of January, a choice of R & R packages for you to choose from. Does relaxing mean to you, being a “Couch Potato,” an “Energizer Bunny,” or a “Gamer?” Check out the details for each below, choose your personal package, and then pick up the phone and give us a call at 440-774-3400 or 877-774-3406! You will be so glad you did!

(Room rates are discounted by 20% and are based on double occupancy. $15.00 to $20.00 more for extra person/s. )

COUCH POTATO

• 2 nights
• 2 Complimentary Breakfasts
• Welcome bag with wine, cheese, and Ohio made snacks.
• Stay in your sweats or jammies and relax in your room or in front of the downstairs fireplace with a variety of magazines, novels, historical & antique books. Read until your hearts content! Or if you are a writer, type until your fingers give out!
• When you’re tired of reading or writing, drop into the Asian spa and relax in the far-infrared sauna, fill the tub and slip into the whirling water of the whirlpool Jacuzzi for the ultimate relaxation with candlelight and soft music from the Bose stereo. Sip your wine and just plain veg out!
• After your dinner out at one of Oberlin’s fine restaurants come back to the B & B for complimentary dessert and coffee or tea.

TOTAL:
Union or Confederate Room $225.00
Mason/Dixon Suite - $325.00

ENERGIZER BUNNY

• 2 nights
• 2 complimentary breakfasts
• Welcome bag with energizer drinks and Ohio made snacks.
• Bring your workout clothes and walking shoes. Hop on the treadmill, jump on the elliptical, saddle up on the bike, or hook up the Bow Flex. Spend as long as you like on the various pieces of equipment until you have burned out all of the holiday stresses!
• When you have sweated enough, it is time to end your workout with a stay in the far-infrared sauna to sweat some more. Then fill the tub and slip into the whirling water of the whirlpool Jacuzzi. Sip some cool sparkling spring water and listen to the sounds from the Bose stereo.
• After your dinner out at one of Oberlin’s fine restaurants come back to the B & B for complimentary dessert and coffee or tea.

TOTAL:
Union or Confederate Room - $225.00
Mason/Dixon Suite - $325.00

GAMER
2 nights
• 2 complimentary breakfasts
• Complimentary board game and a deck of playing cards to play with and keep.
• Stay in your sweats or jimmies all day while you and your partner play board games all day long! We have Monopoly, Gettysburg, Scrabble, Presidential Scrabble, Clue, 3 versions of Trivial Pursuit, Anti Monopoly, Chess, Checkers, The Gender Gap, Krypto, Cribbage, and lots of cards! Have a favorite not mentioned? Let us know! There is
• After your dinner out at one of Oberlin’s fine restaurants come back to the B & B for complimentary dessert and coffee or tea.

TOTAL:
Union or Confederate Room $225.00
Mason/Dixon Suite - $325.00

So what are you waiting for?! Pick up that phone and schedule some R & R!!

http://www.hallauerhousebnb.com/
hallauerhouse@gmail.com

440-774-3400

877-774-3406

2010 Finalist for Ohio B & B of the Year

by Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association

Candle Glow

2010-12-08T14:35:00.012-05:00

Baby, it's cold outside! The snow is on the ground and the cold breeze is blowing, but inside Hallauer House Bed & Breakfast, the candles are lit and the air is warm!

When guests come down to breakfast this holiday season, they are greeted not only with an elegant table set with Lenox china, sterling silver, cloth napkins, white poinsettas, and delicious food, but also with a warm glow from candles both big and small, fat and thin, and arranged in varying heights on the 1830 mahognany buffet. Snaking through the candle stacks is a string of white lights in silver lace holders, holding hands with silver beads, glittery blue ribbon, and white velvety poinsettas. The candle glow is warm as it invites you to come in, smell the aromas, and enjoy the freshly prepared breakfast cuisine. So please come in! It's time to come to the table!

And just a reminder about our Gift Card Packages, (see link for details), a truly memorable gift that says you care enough to give the very best.

And don't forget to pamper yourself a little bit this holiday season! You can still "Bid Your Own Room Rate" (see the link for details) until Dec. 22. Come and shop at the quaint stores in Oberlin, have dinner at one of our great restaurants, and then warm up in front of the fire at the B & B! When you come down for breakfast in the morning, the candles will be glowing for you!

Be sure to check back to the Blog or our Website for January's specials.

We hope to see you soon before the candles burn out!

Make It Special! Give a Gift Card Package!

2010-12-01T13:05:00.001-05:00

It’s holiday shopping time! And again there's that age old question, "What can I get for my parents, my spouse, my fiance, my older child, my partner, my BFF, my hero?" And so many times you run out of ideas or time and end up with that small plastic, impersonal gift card for a mall or maybe for one specific store, and all the while you're wishing you had come up with a more unique idea!

Well here is a unique idea! A GIFT CARD, but one for a unique and quaint BED AND BREAKFAST!!! (And of course we would recommend the 1830 Hallauer House B & B!) Our gift card is printed on quality half fold card stock and personalized with information that you select to include for your present. Be sure to tour our Website to see rooms, rates, amenities, and lots of pictures!

But we don't stop there! We will personalize your Gift Card Package to the interests of the gift recipient.

Here are some examples of what can be done:

For the wine lover, we can map out the local wineries and include brochures about each winery and give directions to the best wine store in Oberlin. When your guests arrive they will be presented with 2 Hallauer House wine glasses!

For the history buff, we can map out the local history museums in Oberlin, Wellington, Amherst, Lorain, and Elyria and include brochures about each museum so the recipient can get a taste of history before they come. And of course our Innkeeper is an expert on the Civil War and the Underground Railroad and will tell many stories at breakfast. When your guests arrive, they will be presented with a Civil War era candle mat hand made by a local artist.

For the art lover, we can map out a trip to the fabulous Cleveland Museum of Art. (The Oberlin Art Museum should be reopening sometime next year). We can also direct them to our FAVA (Firelands Association of Visual Arts) Gallery in downtown Oberlin as well as the Gingko Gallery where they will find items made by local artists and an amazing offering of incredible art supplies. When your guests arrive they will be presented with a small handmade gift of art.

For the antique lover, we can map out a route of some fabulous local antique shops as well as the famous Jamies Flea Market (open only on Wednesdays and Saturdays) and the really special resale shop just a half mile away from the B & B! Upon arrival your guests will be presented with a recycle bag to carry home all of their purchases! And while here your guests can enjoy the many antiques at Hallauer House.

For the biking enthusiast, we can include a map of the wonderful Back Roads and Beaches Bike Tour stretching throughout Lorain County. Or your guests can ride the Rails to Trails Bike Path which extends from Elyria to Kipton with Oberlin being in the middle. More bike paths will be opening next year! If your guests are into cross country biking they would enjoy that course at Findley State Park just 8 miles south of Oberlin. When your guests are ready to ride we will give them each a lunch-to-go.

For the lover of parks and walks in the park, we can include maps of some of Lorain County's 18 Metro Parks, each one having a different theme and activities. There is the bird watching park, the prairie park, the visitor's center, the equestrian park, the primitive park, the rose garden and beach park just to name a few. A new Conservatory park will be opening next spring. When your guests are ready to hike, we will give them each a lunch-to-go.

And those are just examples! More ideas good be for the music enthusiast, the theater enthusiast, the adventure enthusiast. If you have a special idea of what you would like, we will work with you to set up the perfect Gift Card Package.

With every Gift Card Package purchase we will include a Lorain County map, a list of Oberlin restaurants, Cleveland and Lorain County visitors guides and a few other brochures of local attractions. And here is our suggestion to you, the gift giver. Why not take your Gift Package and put it in an appropriate, corresponding gift container. For example, the wine gift in a wine bucket, the history gift in a history book, the art package in an art box. You know what I mean!

The Gift Card Package can be purchased by calling our toll free number at 877-774-3406 or 440-774-3400. Gift Cards can be picked up or we can mail them but remember that during the season, mail can be a little slower. We can email a Gift Card but can not include the maps, brochures and other goodies through cyberspace!

So why not give us a call. We would really like to be a part of giving that someone special in your life a really special and unforgettable life experience!

2010-11-28T17:46:00.009-05:00

1830 Hallauer House Bed & Breakfast 14945 Hallauer Rd
Oberlin, Ohio 44074
440-774-3400 877-774-3406
http://www.hallauerhousebnb.com/
hallauerhouse@gmail.com

BID YOUR OWN ROOM RATE!
Treat Yourself to a Holiday Getaway!

• Take a trip through our website
• Explore our rooms
• Note our room rates – (posted rates INCLUDE tax and a full breakfast)
• Read about our history
• Count our amenities
• Check our Availability Calendar
• Plan the days for your getaway
• Click on your email address

1. Tell us the date/s you would like for your getaway
2. Include your name, email address, and phone number
3. Make a bid on the room of choice for your desired dates
4. Submit your offer

• If we accept your offer, we will call you with the good news and to finalize the deal.
• If we cannot accept your offer, or if we have received multiple offers for the date/s you have chosen, we will email you a counter offer and then you can decide to agree to it, comeback with another bid, or scrap the deal. It is up to you! You make the deal!

Offers will be accepted, countered, or rejected within 24 hours of receiving your initial email.

If there is more than one bidder for same date, a confirmed reservation will be given to the highest bidder for selected date/s.

Not good on reservations already booked.
Not good on Gift Certificates.

We are a 2010 Finalist for Ohio Bed & Breakfast of the Year from Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association!
Happy Bidding!

2010-11-23T19:28:00.003-05:00

Last night we attended the gala dinner event in Columbus for the Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association in the hopes that we, as one of the three finalists, would be chosen as the 2010 Ohio B & B of the Year. Alas, it was not to be. We did not come in as Number 1. That honor went to the Garden Gate Getaway in Millersburg, Ohio in the heart of Amish country. Our congratulations to them! They had over 300 reviews compared to our 50 over 8 years. Pretty impressive!

SO I GUESS WE ARE EITHER THE 2ND OR 3RD BEST B & B IN OHIO FOR 2010! YEAH!!!!!And that's not bad considering all the B & B's in Ohio! And since no runners up were announced by OH&LA we will declare ourselves as the runner up at #2!

Following you will find the answers to the required questions presented to us by the OH&LA. We hope you enjoy reading what we have to offer and what we have done for the community. And then we hope you give us a call. Come and stay and let us know how 1830 Hallauer House Bed & Breakfast can become # 1!

How long has this B&B been in operation? __8 _Years__

How many rooms does this B&B have? 2 Regular Rooms and 1 Two-room Suite__

How long has this B&B been an OH&LA member? 1 Year___

Describe this B&B and list any improvements or renovations made in the past year.

The presence of a dry cistern, a cellar hiding place with a cut out in a floor board in the room above it, all support the assumption that this circa 1830 house, which is now a 3 room Civil War themed B & B, was a stop on the Underground Railroad. To carry out the Civil War theme, the two regular rooms are named the Union and Confederate Rooms and each has on display the appropriate authentic sword and pistol and a reproduction uniform which were donated to us by a past guest. The two-room suite is named the Mason/Dixon Suite after the dividing line of the Civil War and it has approximately 560 square feet of space for guests to enjoy. The B & B is located in the country but just minutes from a small college town and just 40 minutes from a major metropolitan area,

Since it’s beginning in 1830, the house has seen several additions over the years, the last two having been done by the present Innkeepers. These additions, done in 1998 and 2005, are the downstairs Asian themed Spa bathroom for guest use and a private second floor carriage barn for the innkeepers. In October of 2009 a new exercise room was added in one half of the large garage. It was made private by surrounding it with tatami screens. Guests can choose to workout on a new, top brand, treadmill, elliptical, stationary bike, or Bow Flex while they enjoy satellite TV programming or their own IPod. Also added in February of 2010 was a smaller dining area for guests who prefer a more private breakfast experience and to more comfortably accommodate larger groups at breakfast. Placed in this room is an 18th century Sheridan cherry table with a turning ‘lazy Susan’ top. A new addition to the garden this summer was an old door from the house. The glass panes were removed and in each pane there was hung various chandelier crystals. It is now the welcome door for the garden. In October of 2009, the house was totally insulated to seal up the old house drafts.

What unique services and amenities are offered by this B&B?

AMENTIES: Guests of this B & B enjoy several unique amenities found at very few other B & B’s The musically inclined can play for hours at the baby grand digital piano or the 1890 player pump organ, strum a guitar, or blow the trumpet. The physically inclined can work out in the well equipped gym or swim in the 20 X 40 ft. in-ground swimming pool. And those who just want to sit and relax can stroll the pathways through the acre of unique garden rooms, sit on the sandy mini beach, or relax in the covered pavilion and watch the flowing stream as it cascades over the upper waterfall and meanders down to the pond below. In the fall and winter guests can enjoy the two outdoor fireplaces, the bonfire pit, or the wood burning fire inside. There is free off-street parking, free WIFI, complimentary toiletries, a mini refrigerator in each room stocked with complimentary snacks and beverages, and smoothly ironed, high quality sheets on each bed. There are hand made quilts and down comforters in each room and the candy dishes are supplied with hard mints and Lindt’s Truffles.

SERVICES: This B & B offers concierge service in the way of recommendations from the innkeeper’s first hand experiences to all points of the city, county, and other out lying areas. This service includes not only restaurants, but also car repair, museums, directions, coupons, events, reservations, and on site secure parking for bicycles and special cars. On many occasions when a guest is relying on public transportation, the innkeeper will volunteer to drive him into town or pick him up at end of day. At breakfast, the innkeeper tells stories about the history of the town, how it was settled and how it was part of the Underground Railroad and the Civil War. Package deals are offered with dinner coupons, boxed lunches, a bag of Ohio made products, a basket of relaxation products, and a free night after so many stays. Because accommodations are scarce for the local college commencement and to give all past guests an equal chance of staying at the B & B, the innkeepers use a lottery system for filling the three rooms. Guests receive one ticket for each night they stay over the course of three years.

What awards or honors has this B&B recently received?

In 2003 this B & B was named by the local Chamber of Commerce as New Business of the Year. In 2004 and again in 2008 this B & B was nominated for the County Beautification award for Historic Preservation.

What community service programs is this B&B involved with?

In June of 2010 this B & B was a sponsor of the Freedom Tour, a 30 day bicycle tour by a minister and friend who were riding on the Underground Railroad bike trail to call awareness to the problem of human slave trafficking. The riders began in Alabama and after their free overnight stop here at the B & B, were making their way to their destination in Buffalo, NY. The innkeepers donate many free nights each year to charitable organizations, schools, and benefits for people in need.

The Innkeepers are members of three local Historical Societies. One of the innkeepers is secretary to the Township Historical Society and he was instrumental in getting a historical landmark plaque placed on the Civil War monument and he lead the rededication of that monument this past July 2010. He has given several talks to community groups on the Civil War and the local community’s involvement in the Underground Railroad.

What aspect of this B&B makes it deserving of the Ohio B&B of the Year Award?

This Ohio B & B is small in size with only 3 rooms but what it lacks in size and rooms is made up for in amenities and services offered by the Innkeepers. It is this smallness that allows the innkeepers to give personalized service to every guest as soon as they make a reservation. Very few B & B’s have on site a swimming pool, a gym, sauna, unique gardens, ponds, stream, fireplaces, complimentary stocked in-room refrigerators satellite TV, free WIFI, and a four course breakfast served on china and with sterling silverware and crystal stemware. But the most important thing that makes this B & B deserving of the Ohio B & B of the Year Award is the friendly service and the Innkeepers who strive to give their guests an experience that they will forever remember. And this is proven in the occupancy rates over the past year. The occupancy rate in May, 2010 was at 79% with December, 2009 the lowest at 28% (only because the innkeepers took a week long Christmas vacation with family and missed out on two multiple day stays). The average occupancy rate for this B & B from September 2009 to the end of August, 2010 is at 53%, well over the national average of 38%. That is the ultimate indicator that guests come and then they come back.

This B & B is a boutique B & B at a commercial price.

We would appreciate your feedback. Post your comments here! And thank you! Hope to see you visit us soon!

A Bartered Bride?

2010-11-18T16:47:00.003-05:00

A bartered bride? Does that wet your appetite?

Well "The Bartered Bride" is the opera being performed this weekend at Oberlin College. It is a comic opera in three acts and was written by Bedřich Smetana, and is set in a small Czech town where a rich peasant couple (can you really be rich and a peasant at the same time?)has bequeathed their daughter to an extreme and elegantly dressed guy who is really stuck on himself. Now Marzenka, the daughter, is really in love with Jenik so Jenik sets out to prove his love for Marzenka and what transpires is some clever tricks and lots of miscommunication. There are traditional folk dances, authentic costumes, opera music with with a libretto by Karel Sabina, and a message of true love winning out above all odds.

Performance times are as follows:

Wednesday, November 17, 2010, 8 p.m.
Friday, November 19, 2010, 8 p.m.
Saturday, November 20, 2010, 8 p.m.
Sunday, November 21, 2010, 2 p.m.

Ticket prices are $12.00 for the Public, $8.00 for Seniors/OC Staff & Faculty, and $5.00 for Students. All performances are at Hall Auditorium.

So if you're looking for something to do this weekend, check out the Opera.
And if you are already booked with us this weekend, you might really enjoy seeing a really great Oberlin College opera.

2010-11-16T18:47:00.010-05:00

Sunday Joe and I attended the open house at Laurel Run Cooking School in Vermilion where we got to sample some delicious food, tour the school, and dream about owning all of the fantastic cooking products that were available for purchase! As we tasted, we picked up recipes for some of the sample foods, things such as Cranberry-Orange Pecan Log, Chicken Bites with Spicy Thai Peanut Sauce, Warm Goat and Cream Cheese with Rosemary Oil & Garlic, a Spicy Pumpkin Soup, and Citrus Shortbreads. Unfortunately I know I missed other recipes that were out and about.

Laurel Run is located at 2600 North Ridge Road in Vermilion, Ohio, just a 15 minute drive from Hallauer House B & B, and has been owned and operated by Marcia DePalma since 1996. Marcia's philosophy is to make cooking fun while you learn new culinary skills that will excite your own home cooking. Want to learn how to bake bread, make fabulous soups, take a culinary tour of Budapest, put together entertaining appetizers,or just learn some basic cooking techniques,then this is the place to go! Check this link for class schedules and times - https://www.laurelruncookingschool.com/class-calender.asp. In looking at her calendar I see that a great majority of her classes are already SOLD OUT for the rest of November and December! But have no fear there will be more classes coming up in the months to follow so you might want to bookmark her schedule page or buy a gift certificate for someone on your Christmas list! You can also buy top of the line cooking equipment and exceptional cooking ingredients that will make your creative dishes 'POP'!

And here's another suggestion. If you want to take a class at Laurel Run why not consider staying here at Hallauer House after the class and enjoy a little of the culinary experiences here in Oberlin. As a special to our BLOG readers we will offer a 10% discount for our Union or Confederate Room if you are taking a class at Laurel Run. Just be sure to mention that you found this discount on the Blog which is also posted to our Facebook Page.

So Happy Cooking! And hope to see you soon!

Oberlin College Parent's Weekend

2010-11-03T16:56:00.006-04:00

ROOM AVAILABLE FOR PARENT'S WEEKEND!!!

We had a cancellation for Parent's Weekend on November 12 and 13, 2010, just one week away! We have contacted everyone on our wait list and have had no response from them or they have made other accommodations. We had a couple of email addresses that were returned undeliverable so if you placed your name on our wait list and haven't been contacted then please do so right away!

If you need a room, the Mason/Dixon Suite is waiting for YOU!

Do You Believe?

2010-10-21T15:27:00.001-04:00

This is from a pure skeptic! (This post was written by my Innkeeper partner/husband)

We have had several "sensitive people" tell us that the room in the northwest corner of our house ( Union Room in the B & B) has a spirit.

The first occurrence of some note has been the 'odd' feeling people have shared when looking at the north window of the room - an eerie sensation that made them feel sad. I personally, began to weep while painting in that area over 8 years ago. (Maybe it was the paint fumes?)

Last year we had a 'ghost hunter' stay in that room but he experienced no sightings nor did he have any 'odd feelings'. But our youngest daughter claims that the lights flashed on and off one night while she was swimming in the pool and she knew for a fact that no one was staying in that room. She also claims that the bed shook one night as she slept in it. And now when she comes home to visit, she'd rather sleep on the sofa than in 'that' room! These occurrences were noted and ignored because of my skeptical nature and lack of belief in 'ghosts'. But a few days ago a much more detailed story emerged.

I was preparing for breakfast when a guest came down early for coffee. He struck up a conversation in which he claimed to be very sensitive to feelings and spirits. He began talking about two people he encountered in the room. He described one as being a woman in black mourning clothes waiting at the north window for a man who would not return. He had a strong feeling that the woman's name began with the letter F. The man was standing behind her but she could not see him nor feel him.

Now several months ago a neighbor told me the story of one of her ancestors, Francis Barnard McRoberts, who lived in this house in the early 1900's. It seems that her husband, a Pitt McRoberts, was bitten by a rabid horse and needed to travel to Chicago for treatment. A year later he died there, having never returned home to his house in Oberlin. The irony is that in the Union Room, where our guest saw the 'woman in black' she was looking in the direction of the Chicago/Buffalo rail line that went through Oberlin just north of our house. Could she have been Francis waiting for her husband, Pitt, to return to her, cured of his illness? Was he trying to comfort her?

The most compelling of facts in these stories is that they all occurred in the same room - the Union Room, with no corroboration between the tellers. If we do have a spirit visitor in our house, I'd like to meet her and charge her for all of the nights she has been in that room since we are now a Bed & Breakfast! (but I guess she doesn't eat much breakfast!)

Are you a believer?!! Have you been a guest in that room and did you have any 'strange feelings' or odd occurrences while there? If so, let us know. Do you want to book a night in the Union Room? It is almost Halloween night! Maybe the spirits will be up and about, weeping and wondering! Come for a visit and meet Francis. She wants to meet you!

Finalist!!

2010-10-08T13:27:00.002-04:00

I just received a call from the Ohio Hotel and Lodging Association informing us that Hallauer House Bed & Breakfast is one of three finalists for Ohio B & B of the Year!!!!! Yeah! The winner will be announced at the annual gala in November! I will have to buy a new outfit! We are so excited and so honored! Cross your fingers for us and we will let you know the results!

New Review!

2010-10-07T11:33:00.004-04:00

"Best B & B " 10/6/2010

Stayed On: 8/2010

As Civil War Reenactor's when we saw this place on line we had to give it a try. What a wonderful time we had at Hallauer House! It definately lived up to and beyond our expectations.The room was great and comfortable. The snack's and the drink's in the fridge were great after coming back from a long day at the Pontiac National's in Norwalk. Our hosts Joe and Sue were great in every aspect! Not a more warm and inviting couple of people have I ever met. The breakfast's were beyond expectation ! We very much appricated the pool as it was very refreshing in the evening. We also enjoyed having Duke around as we ate breakfast buy the pool! Anyone visiting anywhere near the Oberlin area doesn't know what they"re missing if they don't stay here. We are looking forward to returning again!

Posted on bedandbreakfast.com on October 7, 2010

THANK YOU!!!

Veteran's Day

2010-10-06T14:25:00.022-04:00

November 10th is a special day set aside to honor our military personnel, both active duty and retired, for the service that they have, or are giving to our country. So in honor of all of these great men and women we are joining with over 280 Bed and Breakfasts nationwide in 40 states, to say "ThankYou!"

If you have a valid Military ID or an ID card from the Veterans Administration, we welcome you to book a FREE room here at Hallauer House Bed & Breakfast or at one of the other participating B & B's for Wednesday, November 10, 2010 ONLY. You and your spouse/partner are welcome and it will be on a first come, first serve basis. ID will be required at check-in! If you cannot come to Oberlin then check out this website http://www.bnbsforvets.org/participants.html to find other participating B & B's in one of the other 40 states.

Throughout the year we give a 20% discount to active duty or retired military personnel and we especially like Coasties from the US Coast Guard since our youngest
daughter is now a Petty Officer IT2 stationed in Key West, FL. Yeah Emily!

If you have never stayed at a B & B before then this is your chance to give it a try. We have everything the big hotels have but we are small, friendly, and welcoming to all. Check our website! We promise you won't be disappointed! Go on! Call! You know you want to!

What's new in Oberlin

2010-10-02T11:03:00.004-04:00

Downtown Oberlin will be seeing some new business faces in the very near future. The East College Street Project is just about finished and they will be holding an open house next Saturday, October 9, from 2:00 to 4:00. This revitalized corner on College and Pleasant Streets could turn Oberlin into a destination hot spot and create a hub for activity.

Already opened is the Slow Train Cafe, a locally owned coffee shop, wine and drink bar with musical entertainment. With their free WIFI, you can surf and sip til your heart's content! Soon to open is Magpie Pizza, a gourmet pizza shop featuring fresh, quality ingredients served in a casual atmosphere. Kim's Market is planning to sell Asian foods plus fresh homemade authentic Korean food for carry out. Cafe Sprouts, a vegan juice bar, just recently had it's grand opening. A unique furniture gallery called Tansu will open soon as will Isabella and Company accountant firm.

The East College Street Project is a LEED building and is available for both residential and commercial leasing. Just 1,600 square feet of retail space and 2,500 square feet of office and studio space remain to be leased so it will be fun to see what other new and unique businesses will move into downtown Oberlin. Of the 33 available condo apartments, only 8 remain to be leased.

So when you come to stay at Hallauer House B & B be sure to visit the new businesses in our bustling down town. We may be a small town but we have a big city atmosphere! We'll see you at the open house next Satruday, Oct.9.

A Special Restaurant for a Special Occasion!

2010-09-08T16:25:00.007-04:00

Sometimes a special occasion requires a special dinner and that's what Joe and I needed to celebrate our 41st wedding anniversary. Just this past month we have had several guests report to us that they enjoyed a very special meal at one of the area's best known restaurants. We had been to this restaurant many, many years ago so we decided it was time to make a return visit.

The restaurant of which I speak is Chez Francois located at 555 Main Street in Vermilion, Ohio. The indoor restaurant is very formal and does have a dress code that requires business type attire and jackets and ties for the men. No flip flops here! But because the evening was warm and the sky beautiful, we opted to sit outside where the dining experience is casual but sophisticated and I felt comfortable in my white shorts! We had a corner table over looking the canal opposite some beautiful homes and many, many boat docks. It actually felt a little like sitting on a dock at Key West! Even though we were outside casual, we were treated as if we were inside formal. The wine list was so extensive that it was in book form with many pages listing and describing wines from all regions of the world. The ingredients are locally grown, extremely fresh, and provided by various vendors.

Our meal consisted of our wine selection, an appetizer, salad, soda bread, Joe had Filet de Boeuf Wellington à la Périgourdine while I dined on Suprême de Volaille aux Noisettes et aux Crustacés. Both selections were absolutely delicious! We mentioned when we arrived that it was our anniversary so we were surprised with a luscious dessert that we both shared.

Throughout the year, Chez Francois presents many specialty dinners such as The Australian Wine Dinner, the Gourmet Clam Bake, Piedmont & Truffles Wine Dinner, the Spanish Wine Dinner, the Beaujolais Nouveau Wine Dinner, A Truffle Dinner, and a New Year's Eve Party. For complete information on the restaurant and all of their specials visit their website and subscribe to the Chez Newsletter. Their hours are:

Tuesday, Wed., and Thurs. 5:00-9:00 p.m.

Friday, Sat., and Sunday - 5:00 - 10:00 p.m.

They are closed on Mondays

Their phone number is 440.967.0630.

And once again we show you that many fine things can be found in Northeast Ohio. Come and explore. Come and dine. Come and stay! You know you want to!

New Review

2010-08-07T07:51:00.004-04:00

Sometimes we just have to toot our own horn and the new review that was posted on bedandbreakfast.com gives us the opportunity to do just that! We thank our guest (the review is anonymous) and all of the other guests who have stayed with us. You are all so appreciated! If you would like to see the stars and more reviews for Hallauer House Bed and Breakfast, be sure to visit the bedandbreakfast.com, Trip Advisor, or I Love Inns web sites.

1830 Hallauer House Bed & Breakfast
Visit the website for
1830 Hallauer House Bed & Breakfast
Here is what guests had to say...
"Best BNB in OHIO!!"
8/3/2010

Stayed On: 7/2010
"We spent 5 consecutive nights in various BNBs in North Ohio. This one was by far our favorite! "Attention to details" is an understatement. I can't say what amazed me more - the fascinating artifacts and decor, the beautiful garden, the extra amenities(wifi, stocked fridge, pool, etc.), the lovely music room or the OVER THE TOP breakfasts. OK, being a foodie, the breakfast was definitely my favorite part. Exquisite table settings and wide variety of hot tea options was a treat. I loved the egg and cheese quiche we had on the first morning, served on an elegant bed of fresh spinach. The puffed pancakes with fresh peaches and blueberries was one of the most beautiful presentations I have ever seen - and it tasted even better. I could go on and on... Susan and Joe are the ultimate hosts, not only willing to share their knowledge and expertise, but also very interested in getting to know us. If we should chance again on a visit to Ohio, we would definitely make a special point to visit Hallauer House again".

And again, thank you to the guest reviewer! We love giving our guests a great B & B experience! Come and visit! You'll be glad you did!

2010-08-01T15:15:00.000-04:00

Anna Han left yesterday and we will miss her! She is only 14 years old and was here for 9 days accompanied by her father, Wenhai Han and her piano teacher, Fei Xu. Anna was one of 43 competitors in the first annual Thomas and Evon Cooper International Piano and Violin Competition which is sponsored by Oberlin College and The Cleveland Orchestra. These talented young pianists, ages 13 to 18, came from all over the world for the 9 day competition. After five elimination rounds, each of the final 3 performers had the honor of playing a concerto with the world renouned Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Hall. Joe and I listened in amazement as these young people performed pieces that we thought only adults could play after years of study and practice.

Anna, of course, was our favorite to win! We watched several rounds of the competition and were dazzled at how she could make the piano sing, so soft, so smooth, so strong. She was fluent with pieces by Beethoven, Chopin, Prokofiev, Wagner/Liszi, Ravel, Brahms, and I'm sure I've missed many other composers that are her friends! Anna was chosen as one of the 6 finalists and after a 30 minute concerto in the fourth round that was absolutely amazing, she finished in 5th place. She has already won several other competitions at her young age and we certainly do hope that she returns in two years to Oberlin for the next Cooper International Piano competition.

Next summer the competition will feature violin students, again, ages 13 to 18. We hope that one of them will stay with us here at Hallauer House so that we can enjoy another young person's talent and enthusiasm for music.

And Anna, thank you for letting us get to know you and see you perform. It was tremendously gratifying to us as Innkeepers to meet a talented and budding star. Someday we will see you play with the Cleveland Orchestra! Thank you for your autograph! And thank you Fei and Wenhai for bringing Anna to Oberlin. See you all in 2 years!

And to everyone else, mark your calendars for July 2011 and plan to come to Oberlin to see and hear some great violinists. We absolutely guarantee that you will not be disappointed! Our only advise - Reserve early!

Welcome Bicyclists!

2010-07-30T11:13:00.004-04:00

This has been a great summer for bike riding! And we have been an oasis for many riders as they stop overnight at Hallauer House to rest, relax, and cool off!

The first riders that we welcomed for a night in June, Todd and Bill, were riding on the "Freedom Tour." The purpose of their “Freedom Tour” was to bike 1700 miles in 30 days (from Mobile, Alabama to their home in Western New York, following the Adventure Cycling’s Underground Railroad Route). Their goal was to raise awareness and resources to help abolish Human Trafficking - the Modern Day Slavery and to honor the history of the Underground Railroad by riding this particular route to help free today’s slaves.
They arrived in mid afternoon and their first visit was to the swimming pool! At breakfast we learned about things that happened on their journey and their committment to the abolition of modern day slavery.

Our second bike rider, Frank, was traveling solo from Illinois to New York City. He called about accommodations when he stopped for pizza and when he arrived he spotted the pool and within 5 minutes guess where he went! You got it! Straight to the pool! It was 90 degrees and boy was he a happy camper!

Our third traveling bike riders, John and Pam, started in Kent, Ohio and were peddling down to Smithville, near Wooster. We were their second stop on a three day trip, and again it was hot and humid and their first stop - the pool!! They also took advantage of the dry heat sauna and the whirlpool tub but after a 50 mile bike ride, I couldn't talk them into trying out the treadmill or elliptical!

Our fourth biking couple, John and Raphael, stopped just last night, finishing up their last leg on the Underground Railroad Bike Tour. They joined the tour in Cincinnati and ended it here in Oberlin. But they arrived late and regretted that they were too tired to make it out to the pool.

Other couples have visited Oberlin and stayed with us so that they could bike on our Rails to Trails bike path. Oberlin is about half way so if you jump on the trail here and go east or west and then back to Oberlin, you will have gone approximately 13 miles. The entire trail is 13 miles in lenth so you could start and finish in Elyria or Kipton and rack up 26 miles total!

There is still a lot of summer left so if you want to have an adventure then get out the bike, put on the helmet, fill up on water and pedal on over to Oberlin. Check out the local Back Roads and Beaches tour also. And if you are planning a tour with Adventure Cycling, plan a stop with us. When it's hot and humid and you can't pedal another mile, come and cool off in the pool! You'll be glad you did!

Some Changes Are Not Fun!

2010-07-17T16:30:00.003-04:00

Communicating through email has become so easy that's it almost effortless! But wait! What happens when your internet provider sells out to another company and the email address that you have used for years becomes null and void? That's just what Verizon did to it's loyal customers in Ohio and several other states. Verizon sold to Frontier and we decided that we did not want to be ___________@frontier.com. Therefore we are in the process of switching our email account to 'gmail.'

Now we have the inconvient 'fun' and expense of changing business cards, rack cards, website, business contacts, bed and breakfast directories, and oh so much more! We have been told that mail sent to our 'verizon address' will be forwarded to 'frontier' until Dec. 31, 2010 so hopefully no mail will be lost and we can get everything switched to gmail before then.

So here is our new address - hallauerhouse@gmail.com. If anyone reading this would like to give us a shout out at our new address, that would be great! Then we'll know that it's up and working!

For the next few months I'll be busy on the computer doing the switch. I really am not looking forward!

Open House

2010-07-11T13:05:00.003-04:00

NEWSFLASH!!!!!

On Tuesday, July 13, Hallauer House B & B will be hosting the monthly "After Hours" get together for the Oberlin Chamber and Main Street. But beyond that, it will also be an Open House for businesses and friends and customers of businesses! In other words, we're open for house tours and garden tours for anyone who would like to drop by and say Hi!

The Open House time is 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M..

While you are here you will be able to sample some of the varieties of foods that we serve each morning at breakfast. See why we consider breakfast to be the "Kingly Meal!"

Now we had an open house a couple of years ago and a half hour before it started, we were hit with a severe thunder storm that unfortunately kept people at home! So just checked the weather forecast and once again it looks like afternoon thundershowers for Tuesday! Drat! But summer storms are usually short lived and the one two years ago ended just before 7:00 P.M.!

But the show goes on, rain or shine, and we hope to see you here! All we need from you is an

RSVP

Call 440-774-3400 to put in your reservation!

See you Tuesday, July 13 at 5:00! Car pooling would be great! Give a call! You know you want to!

Lorain County Happenings

2010-06-21T10:45:00.003-04:00

Who said that nothing ever happens in Lorain County?! Well this coming weekend there is so much going on that it will require that you make some major decisions!

Oberlin is hosting the fifth annual Chalk Walk on Saturday, June 26 from 10:00 A.M. until 4:00 P.M. Materials are being provided by the library so come on and visit, watch the professionals, and then take your turn at drawing on the sidewalk!

Wellington, just 7 miles south of here, is home to the Ohio Scottish Games. So if bagpipes, Scottish dancing and Scottish games are up your alley, then this is where you will want to be.

Seven miles north of us in Lorain is the International Festival at Black River Landing. There will be food booths set up on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday where you can sample foods and watch performers from around the world. On Sunday attend the International Parade complete with floats and marching groups.

A busy, fun filled weekend and I guarantee that there is even more activities than what I sited here. So come and visit! You know you want to!

Take a Chance and Compare

2010-04-12T09:23:00.002-04:00

Our daughter came back yesterday from a girlfriends night out, spent at a well known name brand hotel. They wanted the swimming pool and hot tub experience. What they got instead was a hotel full of convention goers, wild children in the hot tub and pool, a crowded bar and restaurant, a run of the mill standard room that smelled of disinfectant, and no breakfast.
Now compare that to what you will find at Hallauer House Bed and Breakfast in Oberlin. A small place with no crowds, a private swimming pool that you may have all to yourself, no hot tub but a Jacuzzi tub in a well appointed Asian room with a sauna, a private exercise room, a quaint garden to stroll through, a pavilion by a stream to relax in and chat, lots of board games to play, and a fabulous breakfast before you go home in the morning.
So next time you need a getaway, think about the possibilities! Why go standard in a hotel when you can go upscale in a B and B! Give us a call! You know you want to!

The Breakfast Menu for Today!

2010-03-30T10:32:00.007-04:00

Today our guests woke up to greet a foggy morning but were able to sit down and enjoy a warm and scrumptious breakfast that gave them lots of energy to begin the day.

The meal started off with the first course consisting of a warm cinnamon apples smothered with vanilla yogurt and topped with a bright red cherry. While enjoying the fruit, the guests munched on the second course of freshly baked banana bread spread with fluffy cream cheese.

Then it was time for the guests to receive the third course along with the fourth course as the main attractions, both served on Lenox china. The plate held a serving of Eggs Roulade underneath a blanket of creamy cheddar cheese sauce, resting on a bed of quickly steamed organic spinach, and sprinkled with cayenne pepper.
The meat attraction consisted of ham triangles sauteed in apple juice. Add to this a cup of our steaming hot coffee or hot tea from a selection of 39 tea varieties and you have a breakfast fit for a king!

A Change in the Suite!

2010-03-25T15:31:00.012-04:00

The last few days have been very busy as we revamped the Suite in between guest visits. It was a challenge but we got it done! I want to share the new look on the Blog before I go in and change the website pictures.

The new addition is a queen mahogany sleigh bed set against the fabric padded wall. And I must say that it is a very, very, heavy bed! Joe and I carried each piece up the antique staircase. The side rails and the foot board were easy, no sweat, but that massive head board was a weight lifter's challenge! After some twisting, heaving, sweating, and hoping that the new guest didn't arrive early, we finally got it upstairs and into the room. And believe me when I say that it will stay there forever! Here are some pictures of the 'new bed!'

There will also be another change coming as I plan to remove the louvered shades and replace them with a pull curtain. Casement windows are a challenge when it comes to window coverings as in many cases they are meant to be cover free. So to offer privacy and light filtering we opted with the louvered blinds but I've never really thought that they look right. So I'm working on a new concept. Stay tuned for that unveiling later!

The Mason/Dixon Suite has become our most asked for room! You will enjoy it!

CANCELLATION DEAL!

2010-03-24T16:51:00.005-04:00

Our loss is your gain! We just had a last minute group cancellation of all three of our rooms for this weekend, Friday, March 26 and Saturday, March 27. So here's the last minute deal of the day!

Stay one night in the Union or Confederate Room for $99.00 or stay 2 nights for $89.00 each night. Want the Suite with 2 rooms and the Jacuzzi? Stay one night for $149.00, or stay 2 nights for $139.00. That's a $36.00 savings on the one night stay or a $62.00 savings on the 2 night stay. That is all inclusive! You'll get a full gourmet breakfast, tax included. And you can make use of the Sauna, the exercise room, watch satellite TV, play board games in front of the fireplace, walk the garden and find the spring flowers poking up, go into Oberlin for a great dinner, take in a movie at the historical Apollo theater, visit the many wineries for some great entertainment, drive into Cleveland, only 25 miles away. There is so much to do around Northeast Ohio that it just boggles the mind!

So come on down, over or up! Take advantage of a great deal! Last minute deals cannot be made on-line so give us a call at our toll free number 877-774-3406. We're sitting by the phone, so call now! Come on! What are you waiting for? First come first served! See you Friday! Or Saturday!

Oberlin's Spring Opera

2010-03-10T16:42:00.005-05:00

Spring is here and that means it's time for the Oberlin College Spring Opera. This year the production is "Candide," an operetta by Leonard Bernsteirn and it will be sung in English.

Bernstein's "Candide" is a funny operetta based on the famous novel by Voltaire. The story is about a young man (Candide) who is about to marry a princess (Kunegonde) in his home country. But alas, all of Candide's beloved are killed when war breaks out. Then a number of resurrections and strange happenings take place. Candide escapes to Paris, meets his resurrected love, they set sail to America, are separated, Candide finds El Dorado, where gold is everywhere, also in the sheep. When his ship sinks, Candide finds himself rowing in a boat with an illustrious round of kings and noblemen, pledging to a simple life and bursting into gambling when arriving in Venice. At the casino in Venice, Candide meets Kunegonde again, and they finally start a life based on their new found knowledge learned through their travels.

So there it is! A summary of what you can expect! The performances begin at Hall Auditorium on Wednesday, March 17 at 8:00 P.M followed by performances on Friday, March 19 and Saturday, March 20, both at 8:00 P.M. and then a matinee at 2:00 P.M. on Sunday, March 21. Ticket prices are $12.00 for public and $8.00 for Seniors a great deal! For more information check out the Oberlin College link.

Round Robin Writing

2010-03-05T14:52:00.004-05:00

Have you ever wanted to participate in writing a story? or have people read what you have written? Well, now when you stay at Hallauer House B & B you can do both of those things!

We are starting what we are calling Round Robin Guest Writing. Here's how it works. Each guest room now has in it a notebook in which we have written one line that begins a story. Each guest who stays in that room is invited to add a paragraph or a page to continue the story. At the end of your section, you can sign your name, or not. The story is then ready for the next guest who stays in that room to read what has already been written and then add the next scene. We'll let the story continue until a logical conclusion has been reached or no one can think of the next thing to say!

When each story (there will be three of them, one for each guest room) is finished, we will publish it on this Blog so that all the guests who contributed can see how the story progressed and then ended. And for others to see what great fun was had by all! This is just one more thing for you to do when you are a guest at Hallauer House B & B!

So what do you think about this idea? We would love to hear your comments. Do you think it will work? Or not? If you were a guest here, would you contribute to the story?

It's a Small World After All!

2010-03-04T08:27:00.004-05:00

Today we will be welcoming back return guests who were here last year during the first week of April. Jodie will be auditioning for the Oberlin College Conservatory. When his mom made this year's reservation, she reminded us that we all nicknamed her son "elevator boy!" Ok, so now you may be wondering, what kind of name is that and how did it come to be? The story is so interesting that I thought you might enjoy reading about it. So here is the tale of "It's a Small World After All!"

Last year in mid March, Joe and I journeyed to San Francisco to visit our daughter in Petaluma. We decided to spend a few days in downtown San Francisco at the historic Whitcomb Hotel. On our last morning there we were on our way down to breakfast in the elevator where on the next floor two young high school students got on with their musical instruments. At the next floor, 2 more students joined us. Now Joe is very friendly so he mentioned to the students that since they are musicians, they should check out the Conservatory at Oberlin College when they begin making their college plans. Well, one student, a high school junior, said, "Well I will be visiting Oberlin next week with my mom." So Joe responded back that we have a bed and breakfast just outside of Oberlin and if they need a place to stay just give us a call. Jodie, we found out his name later, gave us a surprised look and said, "We already have reservations at a bed and breakfast just outside of Oberlin, something called House." We said Hallauer House? And he said Yes!

So here we are on an elevator in San Francisco meeting a perfect stranger who will be a guest at our B & B in just over 2 weeks! And he was only visiting San Francisco with his high school group and actually lives in Los Angeles! We were all totally flabbergasted! We talked a few more minutes and then parted ways saying we'll see you in two weeks! And in 2 weeks, they arrived, Jodie with his mom, guests at Hallauer House! And now he is our "elevator boy!" He and his mom are returning this weekend as he has a final audition to the Conservatory. We so hope he is accepted. It would be a great to have them as guests for the next 4 years!

And on that same trip, we sat next to a gentleman at the airport as we waited for our plane. He was doing his work and we were reading our books. When he moved his bag I noticed an Oberlin College decal on his luggage and just had to ask him about it. Turns out he was an Oberlin College trustee!

So it really is a very small world after all! Welcome back Jodie and Julie!

Follow Up to Time for Three

2010-02-28T18:46:00.004-05:00

Several posts ago, I wrote about a group coming to Oberlin called "Time for Three." The performance was last night. We were there. Where were you? Wherever you were, we just wanted to tell you that you missed a FANTASTIC show!!! The group played nonstop for an entire 90 minutes - three guys, 2 violins, and a double bass.

The idea of a Classical Garage Band may seem a contradiction but for these three grads of Curtis Institute of Music it fits. Their twin violin and double bass took the audience on a whirlwind tour of what three instruments can accomplish when conventional wisdom is discarded to the curb.

The music was forefront, but the interaction of the three performers was a constant bonus. The bass player treated the two violins as a battle that he fully enjoyed along with his own love affair with that big bass. The audience cheered after Nick left his violin, took his bow, and went over to Zack. They both then played on one violin with both of them bowing and fingering together! Amazing!! A standing ovation ended the show but luckily brought us an encore.

This group has 3 recorded CD's with the 3rd one hitting the billboard charts. They have combined Bach and Charlie Daniels to perfection and any of their pieces stands alone as joyous music.

Since we are a Civil War themed B & B, the pieces were especially attractive to our mission. Their rendition of Shenandoah fit 1863 to a T! All in all, we hightly recommend that you take the time to see Time for Three if they come to a town near you. You'll be glad you did. The only thing I regret is that I did not purchase one of their CD's last night. Now I have to order one and wait for delivery.

An Afternoon of Pampering!

2010-02-26T17:10:00.006-05:00

During these cold winter days with snow and blowing winds, we sometimes just have to take some time to pamper ourselves and that is just what I did yesterday and I was able to accomplish that right here at Hallauer House Bed & Breakfast.

I began first with an hour long hill walk on the Sole treadmill at a maximum speed of 4.0 mph. Then 30 minutes of Yoga with WII Plus on the WII balance board. Ah! The stretching was great and the little MII so cute!

Next stop, the far-infrared sauna. Grabbed my book and my water bottle, ducked into the sauna and sweated away for 45 minutes! Now I have seen some luxurious day spas advertising a dry heat sauna experience - $15.00 for 15 minutes or $25.00 for 30 minutes! My sauna was free and it would be free for you as a guest of the B & B! The temperature reached 145 degrees but it is so dry that it felt absolutely divine! My muscles relaxed and all was well with the world! You definitely do not have the type of sweating you experience on a 95 degree in the summer here in Ohio!

When the heat went off, I hopped out of the sauna and into the Jacuzzi whirlpool tub surrounded by candle light, with a glass of red wine, and soft classical music emanating from the Bose stereo.

The entire 3 hours was absolutely fantastic! Now if I only had that many hours everyday!!! But I guess the old adage applies: Carpe Diem! Seize the Day and when the opportunity presents itself, grab it and go with it!

If YOU want to take 3 or 4 hours to pamper yourself, you can do it here at Hallauer House B & B. Come Friday night. Take in dinner and a movie. Get a good nights sleep. After breakfast on Saturday, relax a bit. Read. Go to our on-site gym. Do your workout on the Bow Flex, the treadmill, or the elliptical, do some Yoga or stretching, then head for the sauna, and lastly relax in the Jacuzzi. You might even be able to run into Oberlin and get a deep muscle massage from Artie or Scott! Go out to a great dinner at one of our fabulous restaurants, take in a movie at the Apollo, and come back to the B & B to sip on wine, read a good book, or watch a movie on satellite. After breakfast on Sunday, head home to the real life. But now you are refreshed, rejuvenated, and recharged!

When you need a lift, remember us here at Hallauer House. Check out our Spa Package or just book a weekend. You know you want to! And you won't be disappointed!

SPECIAL!!! SPECIAL!!!! If you book the Spa Package in March of 2010 and mention this Blog article of February 26, you will receive 10% off the package! You must come between March 1 and March 31st and mention this Blog post in order to get the discount. See you soon!

Movie Fest Coming to Oberlin!

2010-02-24T10:05:00.001-05:00

Ok, get out the calendar and pencil and mark the following dates and times if you really want to see some fine films, documentaries, and musical productions in the 'new' Apollo theater with HD digital projection and sound. Super sound!

So here we go:

Oscar nominee - An Education - a movie about choosing between romance and education.
Click the link for a YouTube clip.
Fri., Sat., and Sun. - Feb. 26-28 at 7:20 PM
Mon., Tues., Wed., Thurs., - Mar. 1-Mar. 4 at 4:30 PM

Oscar nominee - The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus - a film that is humorous, tragic, joy
and darkness. Heath Ledgers last film.
Fri., Sat., and Sun. Feb. 26 - 28 at 9:30 PM

La Danse - a documentary film of all that goes in to the making of a Paris
ballet. Seven dances are highlighted.
Fri. and Sat. Feb. 26 and 27 at 4:00 PM
Thurs. Mar. 4th at 7:00 PM

Aida, an Opera by Verdi, in Italian but with English subtitles. This is 157 min.
long with one intermission and it has a special price of $20.00 per person.
If you have ever wanted to see an opera, then here's your chance!
Sunday, Feb. 28th at 1:30 PM
Wed. March 3rd at 7:00 PM

William Kunstler: Disturbing the Universe- a Documentary about the
late radical civil rights lawyer who marched with Martin Luther King, Jr. and
represented the famed "Chicago 8" activists.
Monday, March 1st at 7:00 PM

The Beaches of Agnes - a Documentary with English subtitles, spoken in
French about the life of Agnes Varda.
Tuesday, March 2nd at 7:00 PM

I've linked you to some YouTube videoes to watch and you can decide from there which films you might like to come and see. Another great thing going on in Oberlin, Ohio!

Enjoy your movies! And the popcorn is good too. Pepsi-not so much. As you can see, I prefer Coke!

Another Super Saturday Coming Up!!

2010-02-21T14:38:00.003-05:00

Make plans now for a Saturday night date! (February 27, 2010)
Time: 8:00 P.M.
Place: Finney Chapel
Entertainers: "Time for Three" Trio

So now you may be asking, "Ok, who are the "Time for Three" Trio"?!

They just happen to be 3, very hot, young, 20 something guys, who have come together to perform a new kind of music that combines classical, country, jazz, blue grass, and pop using just three instruments - 2 violins and a double bass. They make a fabulous sound, they engage the audience, and they enjoy themselves!!! What more can you want! I could ramble on and on about them but I want you to visit 2 YouTube links and here them for yourself,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fh_eVsXu7-0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_SZp_L3q4c

When you get to the link, you will find many more videos of their performances. So sit back and enjoy! And to think that they will be in Oberlin this coming Saturday! Yeah! Tickets are $5.00 for Oberlin residents and Seniors and $10.00 for the general public. Call 1 800-371-0178 for tickets or more information. And remember, most Oberlin events sell out before the performance. But don't go to the phone just yet. I have to call and get my tickets! We'll see you at the performance!

The "Unicorn" in Grafton

2010-02-19T18:17:00.007-05:00

Oberlin is energised this weekend! There are voice auditions, string auditions, and recitals taking place causing long waits at all of the restaurants in town. So Joe and I decided to venture east to a little town in Lorain County called Grafton, home to the Irish restaurant called "The Unicorn."

And it is truly Irish! We sat in the Pub area instead of the more formal restaurant section where we were immediately greeted by our server. We sipped on our Killian Red beers while we enjoyed a cup of New England Clam Chowder. Having skipped lunch we were in need of some quick nourishment! The chowder was divine, the beer cold and wet, and the bread warm and heavenly!

The wait for our entrees was very short and after the first bite I knew that I had made the right decision! My special consisted of a small Fillet Mignon served alongside Salmon Bearnaise on a bed of rice pilaf. Both were cooked perfectly and they absolutely melted in my mouth! Delicious! Joe enjoyed the Friday fish fry special with a baked potato and cole slaw and I had to share some steak with him! We were both more than satisfied with the atmosphere, the service, and the taste and presentation of the food! Excellent!

So when you come to visit Oberlin, if you want to experience a true Irish Pub/Restaurant in the heart of Lorain County, go no further than "The Unicorn," only a short 15 minute drive from the B & B. And as I write this, I realized that I failed to pick up a menu for our collection so I guess I will have to go back for a return visit! Yeah!

An Extra Special Menu for Extra Special Guests

2010-02-12T11:55:00.005-05:00

Audition weekends at Oberlin Conservatory always bring us nervous guests, parents and students alike, and to help them relax in the morning we like to serve an extra special breakfast. Today we presented them with the following menu:

Mixed Citrus Compote topped with toasted coconut and cherry

Hallauer House Muffin

Blueberry Cream Crepe
with drizzling of Vanilla Cream Sauce garnished with Whipped Cream and highlighted with a Ginger Geranium sprig and lemon wedge

Roasted Honey Pecan Bacon

Coffee, Assorted Teas, and Hot Chocolate

A past guest reviewed these crepes by saying "I have eaten many crepes in France and in Europe and these are by far the best that I have ever had!" So we are pleased to offer them again and when YOU come and stay, you may request this menu to be served for your extra special breakfast! See you then!

Another Great Production in Oberlin!

2010-02-07T14:04:00.007-05:00

In an earlier post I mentioned that there will be a lot going on in Oberlin this month. First off, since the weather is cold and snowy, you still have time to visit the down town and see the three ice sculptures that were done on Saturday during the Ice Fest.

They may still be around for this weekend when you come to see the upcoming production, "Intimate Apparel" at Hall Auditorium on Thursday, Feb. 11; Friday, Feb. 12; and Saturday, Feb. 13. The play was written by Lynn Nottage and has won five national awards for best play. It is set in 1905 and tells the story of an African American seamstress who sews very fancy and sexy undergarments for the upper, wealthy ladies on 5th Ave. and also for the 'under' prostitute ladies of the streets. It is a play about self-discovery, about race and class in America, and about desire and hope for the future. Performance times are at 8:00 each night. Tickets are $8.00 for general public and $6.00 for Seniors.

And while you are setting up your schedule for the rest of February, just want to let you know that there will be a performance on Tuesday, February 23 at 7:30 P.M. by Ladysmith Black Mambazo. And this concert is FREE at Finney Chapel! This South African singing group has performed around the world in lively a cappella harmony. You may remember them from Paul Simon's album, "Graceland." They have sold more than seven million copies of more than 40 albums and have won three Grammy awards. Since it is a Tuesday night why not take a day off on Wed. and stay here at Hallauer House. We have rooms for Tuesday night but alas, no rooms for Valentine weekend for the "Intimate Apparel" performance. A special deal of $99.00 for the Union or Confederate Room is being offered for the Tuesday night performace of Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Just mention this Blog post!

And be sure to check out our 'new, revised' website! Let us know what you think!

A WEEKEND OF FUN COMING UP!

2010-02-01T10:11:00.010-05:00

So, are you experiencing cabin fever yet? Need to get out and do something different? If the answer is YES, then take a peek at what you will find going on in Oberlin and Wellington this weekend - February 5th, 6th, and 7th. Come and stay at the B & B Friday night so that you can get going early to each activity!

First off on Saturday, drive a short 7 miles down to Wellington and take part in the CHOCOLATE WALK! That's right, I said Chocolate Walk! Um m! Sounds so good! First stop is at Main Street Wellington at 118 W. Herrick Ave. to buy your $10.00 chocolate ticket. Then visit some of the 30 participating businesses and offices that are taking part and receive your 'CHOCOLATE' surprise. You may want to run back up to Oberlin for a few hours to attend the function taking place there at the same time.

Oberlin is host to the FREEZING ARTS FEST which takes place from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.! Here there will be master ice sculptors creating works of art in the downtown area in front of Ben Franklin's (13 W. College St.) and at the Gingko Gallery (19 S. Main St) there will be snowflake making. During the fest there will be an ice cube toss, ice bowling, and other ice games taking place on W. College St. Hot chocolate and cookies will be available at Herrick's Jewelry for a donation and cabbage and noodles can be purchased at Watson Hardware.

Then maybe race back down to Wellington to get the rest of those CHOCOLATE surprises!

Rest up and warm up during the evening and then have dinner at one of our fine restaurants. The movie at the Apollo this week is Avatar but in 2D.

After breakfast at the B & B on Sunday, check out late and make plans to attend an Oberlin College production of Shakespeare's "Love's Labour Lost." That performance will take place on Sunday at 2:00P.M. in the Hall Auditorium Little Theater at the rear of of the building. This Play will also be performed Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday this week at 8:00 P.M. Tickets are $3.00 in advance or $5.00 at the door. A shout out to Phillip Waller, the Director and the son of one of our very special guests who'll be here for the weekend! Click on the link above for more details.

There is always something going on in Oberlin! Keep checking back to read about more events. See you then!

February Happenings

2010-01-26T09:07:00.007-05:00

February is just a few days away and many of you may be planning your entertainment schedule for the month. We have three suggestions! And all three are at the Oberlin College campus as part of the Artist Recital Series.

On Wednesday, February 3, Joshua Bell on violin and Jeremy Denk on piano will team up for a concert at Finney Chapel at 8:00 P.M. Tickets are $28.00 for the general public, $22.00 for Seniors, and $10.00 for students. The Washington Post has called Mr. Bell "one of the finest musicians of his generation," and the New York Times praised Mr. Denk for his "dynamic performance" at his Carnegie Hall debut last year.

What a great way to spend a weekday evening! And why drive home late! Come on out to Hallauer House B & B after the performance, stay the night, enjoy a four course breakfast the next morning, and then make your way home.

For more information about Joshua Bell, Jeremy Denk and the their performance, please follow the link: http://new.oberlin.edu/calendar/index.dot?id=1065196.

And come back tomorrow for the second installment of February happenings at Oberlin College!

2010-01-20T17:45:00.006-05:00

BUSINESS TRAVELER'S SPECIAL

Do you have business in Oberlin, Wellington, Amherst, Elyria, LaGrange, Grafton, Wakeman, or anywhere else in Lorain County that will require you to spend one or more nights in a hotel?

Are you coming for a Conference at Oberlin College? The FAA Center?

Are you tired of staying at impersonal hotels?

Would you like to pay just $99.00 a night for all of the following amenities?

If you answered YES to any of the above questions, then plan to stay at Hallauer House Bed & Breakfast located just 2 miles outside of Oberlin. We can offer you the following amenities and special pricing:

FREE WIFI with access to printer and fax. Easily print your airplane boarding passes!
Exercise facility on premises with elliptical, treadmill, bycicle, and Bow Flex (all new equipment), satelite TV to watch while working out. No need to get back in your car to go for a workout!
Dry-infrared sauna to use after a workout or long day at the office or conference. Sweat at 140 degrees!
In the summer, swim laps in the 20 ft. X 40 ft. in-ground heated pool.
If you are a jogger or walker you will enjoy going around our 4 mile block!
Each room has a desk area, lots of outlets, a work chair, a comfy chair, a sofa, an exceptional bed, and satelite TV!
There is a mini refrigerator in each room with complimentary snacks and sodas and room for you to chill your own.
Need a hair dryer, an iron and ironing board? They are in the room.
Late check-ins are no problem. With our key pad lock you can arrive in the middle of the night.
Late check-outs are no problem! Come back to your room or secure your bags downstairs for a late pick-up.
Need an early breakfast? No problem! Enjoy a 'Breakfast To Go' or we can do breakfast as early as 7:00 A.M.
FREE off-street parking close to house.
Location is only 35 minutes from Cleveland Hopkins Airport, 5 minutes from Oberlin, 15 minutes from Amherst, Wellington, Grafton, LaGrange, Wakeman, and Elyria, and 40 minutes from Cleveland.
You will find many fantastic restaurants in Oberlin and the surrounding area.
Enjoy a freindly staff at the Inn. The two owners are the staff! We offer advice, directions, and great conversation.
At Hallauer House you will find quiet nights and quiet days. Unlike hotels, you can open the windows, let in the fresh air, and hear the birds sing.

You can enjoy all of the above for just $99.00 per night plus tax. (that's over 20% off of regular rate) Offer good for Sunday - Thursday nights and includes a full four course breakfast or a 'Breakfast To Go.'

If you are on a company expense account and it only allows you so much, give us a call and we will work with you and your company. We can also do P/O's.

So why not be comfortable, safe, and happy when you travel on business! Stay with us! Give us a call! You know you want to! We're here to help.

'Cabin Fever'?

2010-01-17T18:43:00.008-05:00

If you have contracted that awful winter disease called 'Cabin Fever', then you have come to the right place for 'the cure'!

But first - just what is 'Cabin Fever?' Well it is usually defined as a type of hysteria and claustrophobic reaction that comes on a person who spends extended periods of time indoors in very cramped conditions. Are you feeling it yet?!

So what causes this 'disease'? During the winter months we get stuck inside the same four walls because of snow, ice, freezing temperatures, or illness. The days are short, the nights long, the air cold and in many cases social interaction and physical activity are reduced considerably.

What are the symptoms? Anger, restlessness, inertia, boredom, overeating, and fatigue are just some of the symptoms of this winter disease. Maybe you have experienced some, all or others not mentioned here.

And that brings us to cures. What can be done about this problem that afflicts so many? Sometimes a cure for 'Cabin fever' requires an environment re-location and some good ole fashion out-of-doors activity. And that is where Hallauer House Bed & Breakfast and the Lorain County Metro Parks can help.

First, come at stay at least two nights at the B & B for a change of scenery. See different walls, different colors, different decor. Explore new places, read about some history, experience some pampering, try out the exercise equipment to get your groove back. Sweat in the sauna and then soak in the Jacuzzi.

During the day get outdoors, into one of our Metro Parks.
Take a winter hike, try some cross country skiing or snowshoeing. Check out the ballroom dancing, bird watching, wildlife tracking, nighttime astronomy, beginning kayaking, various craft classes, and oh so much more! Most of these activities are either free or offered at minimal cost.

'Cabin Fever' can be cured! Come to Lorain County, to the Metro Parks, to Oberlin, to Hallauer House B & B.! Just 2 days away from your environment and you'll return home recharged, relaxed, refueled, and ready to seize the day! Don't wait! January specials going on right now. See a previous post or give us a call and ask for details. You won't be disappointed!

Manly Bed & Breakfast

2010-01-08T18:54:00.008-05:00

A recent guest, when making a reservation, couldn't decide whether he wanted the Confederate or Union Room. He asked "Which is the least feminine room?" He shared that he has stayed at a few b & b's and invariably they are decorated more with the feminine touch - frilly, lacy, flowery, doily covered, pink, Victorian, and uptight (his word!) He finally booked the Union Room.

But his question got me to thinking about what Hallauer House has to offer the traveling males who would prefer a "man cave" with manly amenities. So here are 10 top things that a guy can expect to find when he stays with us.

Because I dislike frilly - there is no frilly, although we do have 2 canopy beds. One has a rose garland but no lace, just a straight sheer curtain on each end. You've got to have a little romance in case your significant other comes along!
No lace or doilies. They have to be washed and ironed - a lot!
No flowers - too gaudy.
We do have SWORDS! Lots of swords! My favorite is the walking cane that pulls apart to reveal a sword!

The Union and Confederate uniforms are very 'manly' and very appropriate for the period and a guy can really see what it would have been like to wear one of these wool uniforms in a Civil War battle.

There is a pool (summers only), treadmill, an elliptical, and a bow flex for flexing muscle and working up a sweat. And if sweat from those isn't enough then there is the dry sauna to really open up the pores!

A frig to chill the beer.
A 1956 classic Buick Super to take pictures of and if you ask Joe he would gladly give you a ride in it!
And consider that we are only 35 minutes from the Cleveland Indians, the Cleveland Browns, and the Cleveland Cavaliers stadiums.
Satellite TV with about 30 SPORTS CHANNELS!!!!!

So there you have it! Guys you are so welcome! Come alone. Come with friends. Come with your significant other. But do come! Stay at Hallauer House Bed and Breakfast! Give us a call! You know you want to! And you won't be disappointed!

January Multiple Choice Specials!

2010-01-05T19:29:00.002-05:00

We just returned with our family from a week long stay in super sunny Key West where we visited our Coast Guard daughter, wore shorts, and soaked up the sun and surf.

But alas, all good things must end and now here we are back in Oberlin with several inches of snow on the ground and temperatures in the teens and 20's. Cabin fever has already set in!

But the B & B is open for business and for January that means specials, specials, and more specials!!!

For the entire month of January we are offering a Multiple Choice Special! That means the deal you choose is entirely up to you! So here are your choices:

A. If you can get away for 3 nights then you may choose this deal:

Stay 2 nights and get the 3rd night FREE!

B. If you can only stay 2 nights then you might choose this deal:

Stay 1 night at the 2 night rate and get the 2nd night for HALF OFF!

C. If you can stay only 1 night then choose this deal:

Stay only 1 night and receive a 20% discount.

Now you do the math! It'll be fun! Just like back in school! Which is the better deal?!!! The question is --- with each deal, how much is a one night stay? You let us know and get another 5% off your total bill! So come and visit! Give us a call! You know you want to! You won't be disappointed!

So LET'S MAKE A DEAL! Choose the special you want and give us a call! All three choices are good until Sunday, Jan. 31. Offer good only on new reservations.

December Deal!

2009-12-17T10:38:00.006-05:00

One week until Christmas and we're in the Christmas spirit! So from now until Wednesday, December 23 we are offering the Union and Confederate Rooms for $99.00 per night and the Suite for $129.00! Those prices include all taxes and a full four course breakfast! And we don't mean scrambled eggs and toast!

Take a look at the breakfast that our guests received this morning!

Citrus Fruit Compote sprinkled with toasted coconut

Hallauer House Fruity Muffin

Croissant French Toast with orange flavored butter, Ohio maple syrup, and garnished with hazelnut geranium, blueberries, and sliced oranges

Raspberry crusted sausage patties

Coffee, Decaf Coffee, and a choice of over 39 teas

So now you may be thinking - "Okay, if we come to stay, what is there for us to do?" Well, lets see?

Here at the B & B you have: Our new fitness center where you can burn calories

Far-infrared sauna where the heat will remove toxins

from your body

A swirling whirlpool tub to relax in and let the water

revive your soul.

A wood burning stove to keep you cozy while you read, write, or

just relax, maybe even play a board game!

Satellite TV with a choice of over 200 channels

Close proximity to a dozen good restaurants with super dinner

menus, an historic movie theater which is showing the

movie "Everyone's Fine" with Robert DiNiro

Interesting antique shops and small downtown stores to

explore

I could go on and on but time is growing short! Give yourself a treat! Only 7 days for this great deal! Give us a call! We're looking forward to your visit.

Happy Guests!

2009-12-10T22:06:00.004-05:00

Received an email today from some very happy guests from this past weekned so I thought I would share their comments. Thank you Bob and Judy and Al and Patty. You were all great guests and we really enjoyed having you. You came as strangers but you left as our friends. Thank you!

"Joe and Susan,

Just wanted to tell you how much we enjoyed our stay with you last weekend. The House is beautiful, the rooms extraordinarily comfortable, the food tremendous and the conversation was best of all. We have told other friends about your place and we will surely be back.

Have a great time in Key West! "

Bob and Judy (Illinois)
Al and Patty

SMART BOX!

2009-12-09T20:11:00.002-05:00

Here is another great gift idea for someone on your gift list, whether it be for Christmas, birthday, anniversary, or wedding. How about a SMART BOX! Now some of you are probably wondering what exactly is a SMART BOX? A SMART BOX is an all inclusive gift that includes a mixture of different themed activities. The unique activities can range from a stay at a charming Inn or destination, to a stay at a high quality spa or resort, to a sports activity that is wild or tame. So here is what you, the gift giver, do.

1) Hassle-free! You choose the theme at the price you want to pay, buy the related Smartbox™, and either use it yourself or give it as a gift. No need to select the activity for your recipient now!

2) The recipients use the guidebook to make their own choice from up to 125 different experiences; then they book directly with the establishment they chose when they are ready to 'get away!'

3) No additional cost to the receiver: The receiver turns in the enclosed voucher to the chosen establishment at the time of the experience and then kicks back to enjoy the experience! A price is not shown, so the receiver won't know how much you've paid. Obviously, travel expenses to the destination are not included.

So you are probably asking, "Why am I telling you about this when I could just talk to you about a Gift Certificate directly to Hallauer House B & B?' Well, the answer is..............drum roll please!....... We, 1830 Hallauer House B & B just happen to have been chosen to be in the BOOK! We are on page 11 of the Getaway Gifts Book. To go directly to our page just click this link: http://www.smartbox.com/us/?menu=activity&id=56348. When you purchase this book for someone, they can choose to come here or go to any of the other great B & B's listed and described in 'The Book!'

We have purchased two SMART BOXES (not the Getaway Book) and have really been pleased.

http://www.smartbox.com/us/?menu=activity&id=56348

So keep the SMART BOX in mind for some of your gift giving. And don't forget, you can still elect to come directly here to Hallauer House B & B for our exclusive, personalized gift certificate! See you all soon!

Baked Blintz Recipe

2009-12-07T11:28:00.006-05:00

If you visit our Facebook Page today you will get a mouthwatering treat of what we served our guests for breakfast this morning. Be sure to take a look! I did promise to post one of the recipes on the Blog so here it is!!

BAKED BLUEBERRY BLINTZ

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9 X 13 inch baking dish.

FILLING:
6 ozs. softened cream cheese
1 cup cottage cheese
1 egg, beaten
1 T. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

In a small bowl, beat cream cheese
Add cottage cheese, egg, sugar, and vanilla
Beat well and set aside

BATTER:
1/2 C. butter (softened)
1/3 C. sugar
4 eggs
1 C. flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 C. plain or vanilla yogurt
1/2 C. sour cream
1/2 orange juice

In large bowl, cream together butter and sugar
Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition
Mix flour and baking powder together and add to batter
Combine sour cream, yogurt, and orange juice and add to batter. Mix well.
Pour 1/2 of batter into prepared baking dish
Carefully layer all of filling on top of batter
Top with remaining batter
Bake 40 minutes or until browned and knife inserted in certer comes out clean
Slice into squares.
Top with fresh blueberries
Drizzle with blueberry syrup or Ohio maple syrup.

Serves 6 to 8 depending on size of serving you desire.

Can be made the night before, refrigerated and baked the next morning.

ENJOY!

Festive Holiday!

2009-12-04T11:28:00.011-05:00

The tree is up and the JVS poinsettas are in place. The decorating is complete! Come and share the season with us!

Special Holiday Home

2009-12-02T19:18:00.006-05:00

In the past month we have had guests who did not know that the Cleveland' Tremont area is home to the 'A Christmas Story House' !(3159 W. 11th Street) That's right, the restored house where much of the movie was filmed in 1983 is now a very popular museum, hosting over 100,000 visitors since it's inception several years ago. The museum has on display many things that you have seen in the movie including Randy's snowsuit, the original costumes from the movie, Miss Shield's chalk board, and of course, the infamous leg lamp! And believe me, that leg lamp is everywhere in Tremont!! Click on

the link above for complete details and lots of fun information.

Admission: $7.50

$5.50 for children 7 - 12

Free for children under 6

$6.50 for Seniors

Plan to visit the Museum on Wed. or Thurs from 10:00 - 5:00

Fri. or Sat from 10:00 - 7:00

Sun. from 12:00 - 5:00

Tours are every half hour until 4:30. But just remember that the most popular time to visit is right now through Christmas so plan ahead.

Visit the Cleveland area and find out everything we have to offer! Come and stay the night or the weekend! And when you watch the 24/7 showing of 'The Christmas Story' this Christmas Eve, remember that the movie was filmed here at the 'House' and also at the fabulous Higbee's department store that is now home to Positively Cleveland, the Visitor's and Convention Bureau.

Chekhov's 'The Seagull'

2009-12-01T18:57:00.004-05:00

Next weekend, Dec. 10 to Dec. 12, the Oberlin College's Theater Program will perform Anton Chekhov's "The Seagull," directed by associate professor Paul Moser. It is a production that combines comedy and tragedy and the high stakes consequences of love. The four main characters: the ingenue Nina, the fading actress Irina Arkadina, her son the playwright and the writer Trigorin come together to dramatise their romantic and artistic conflicts. A complete synopsis of the play can be found at the following link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Seagull or you can check out the Oberlin College production at: http://new.oberlin.edu/theater-dance.

Tickets can be obtained by calling the Central Ticket Service at 440-775-8169 or by visiting the box office at Hall Auditorium from noon to 5 P.M. Performance times are on Dec. 10, 11, and 12 at 8:00 P.M. in Hall Auditorium located at 67 N. Main St. Tickets are $12.00 for the general public, $8.00 for seniors age 55 and older and free to high school students.

Because the performance will not be over until around 11:00 P.M. it might be a good idea to plan an overnight stay in Oberlin. We will welcome you to Hallauer House B & B and we will serve you a great breakfast the next morning! As of this post we still have 2 rooms available for that weekend! And we're offering a great discount deal for the weekend of Dec. 10 to 12, 2009.! One night in the Confederate Room deal at $99.00 for the night and that includes that great breakfast and your tax! If you have a lot of friends and would like to have a friends night out in the Suite, the deal is$149.00 for two and $15.00 for each extra person. But you must refer to this post in order to get the discounts! So grab a friend and come to Oberlin! You know you want to! And you won't be disappointed!

Our Write-Up in Heritage Ohio Magazine

2009-11-30T17:26:00.006-05:00

We would like to give a 'Shout Out' thanks to Frank Quinn, the Associate Director of Revitalization at Heritage Ohio for the recent article that he wrote about Hallauer House Bed & Breakfast in the Fall issue of their magazine, "Windows."

He and a friend spent a night in the Union Room where they delved into the history of the house and the Civil War and where they awaited a visit from Amelia, the spirit of a past resident that our children all have said frequently visited that room. But, and I quote Frank's article,

" Alas, the overnight stay brought no visit from Amelia. I had one of

most peaceful sleeps, I've had in a long time...."!

On that particlular morning Joe made his famous Eggs Benedict and we served our signature Hallauer House Muffins and a lucious fresh fruit cup.

Heritage Ohio is a non-rofit organization dedicated to historical preservation of homes, communities, buildings, and downtowns. It is the Mainstreet program that many of you may be familiar with. Read all about them at this link: http://www.heritageohio.org/about/. Unfortunately they do not have the magazine article posted on-line so when you come to stay with us be sure and read the article. We will have it framed on the wall! We are very proud!

Thanks again for the article Frank! Hope to see you again soon!

Now on Facebook!

2009-11-27T14:24:00.003-05:00

We are now on FACEBOOK and we would like all of you to become one of our fans! Just click on the link and check us out!

Leave comments!
Post a review after your fantastic stay with us!
Post some pictures of yourselves, of Oberlin, of things you did during your visit!
Start a discussion! Let us know about your favorite restaurant, your Oberlin experience!
We want to hear from you!

So visit FACEBOOK and become one of our fans! Do it now! You know you want to!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/1830-Hallauer-House-Bed-Breakfast/172097190184?ref=ts

THANK YOU!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

2009-11-26T11:00:00.003-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our past guests and all of our future guests!

NEW ADDITION!!!

2009-11-25T18:15:00.009-05:00

It's finally done!!! Our new addition! We now have guests enjoying our new fitness center which has state of the art exercise equipment located in our heated garage. The exercise area is surrounded by Japanese-like tatami screens and the equipment is situated on top of bamboo rugs to give that calming Asian feeling while working out.

For those of you who would like to work your muscles, we have the Bowflex Sport with the leg equipment. If you're new to Bowflex and need some help there are directions for working each muscle group.

For cardio, you can choose from one of three machines. The elliptical and the treadmill are both the SOLE brand and the bike is the SCHWINN brand. The elliptical has 10 programs, an audio system plug-in for your ipod, and a built in fan. The treadmill is also the SOLE brand and also has 10 programs with a maximum speed of 12 mph with a 15 per cent incline and it has a built-in audio system.

So bring your sweats and your water bottle and never miss a workout while you are staying at Hallauer House B & B! We are one of the very few small (3 rooms) B & B's with an in-ground swimming pool and a workout area! And don't forget the sauna! Strength train, do some cardio, and relax in the far-infrared sauna! In the summer incorporate some laps in the pool!

Stay fit! Stay healthy! Stay at Hallauer House B & B! Come on over! You know you want to!

Country Christmas Open Houses!

2009-11-20T16:40:00.005-05:00

With Thanksgiving the official beginning of the Holiday season, three of our Oberlin country businesses are holding their annual Christmas Open Houses on:

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
November 27th, 28th, and 29th
10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. on Friday and Saturday
11:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. on Sunday

Come and visit the following specialty shops for refreshments and fun! These businesses are all within 1 mile of Hallauer House B & B!

Just a half mile up Hallauer Rd. (also enter off of US HWY 20) you will find Touched by Grace Resale Shop. They specialize in unique and unusual gifts for all vintage, antiques, furniture, glassware, jewelry, purses, clothes, and much more. They have lay away and gift certificates available and they will present a Christmas gift to the first 10 people who enter the store each day! When you are in this resale shop you feel like you are in an upscale boutique! I go here a lot! Check out the reviews at the following link.
http://fox8.cityvoter.com/touched-by-grace-resale-shop/biz/63325

Also located on US HWY 20, just down the road from Touched by Grace is Farmyard Flowers. Here you will be able to stroll around the trees, ornaments, statues, and other seasonal decors with a different theme and feeling in each room. You will find elegant, vintage, angelic, primitive, and glitzy decorations and items to take home. Create your own decorations , check out the wine selection, the gourmet section, and the woodland area for you nature lovers.

Then continue on your shopping way and visit Ravenwood, one of our favorite antique stops! I love this shop! A few years ago I found some unique little ornament shoe skates that I have never seen anywhere else! They look great on the tree! You will be able to find antique items from kitchens long ago, glassware, gadgets, furniture, lamps, primitives, garden accents and so much more! And the old dogs will definitely say hello!

And with all the really decked out businesses in down town Oberlin you will definitely want to take at least 2 days to really explore the shops. So make plans to visit us here at Hallauer House B & B. Shop a little, stay the night, enjoy a dinner in town, have a great 4 course breakfast in the morning at the B & B and then go out to shop some more! What a great way to spend a pre-holiday weekend! Come on down! You know you want to! You won't be disappointed!

Oberlin College Opera

2009-11-19T10:33:00.005-05:00

Opera fans take note! This weekend the Oberlin College will be performing Cosi fan tutte, a Wolfgang Amadeus opera in two acts. It is a comedy with disguises, fantastic music, and a hilarius plotline that tests the fidelity of two brides to be. It will be sung in Italian with English subtitles. This is a must see performance! So come and visit Oberlin, take in the Opera, and dine out in one of the town's great restaurants! And we'd love to have you stay with us here at Hallauer House B & B. Show times are:

Friday, November 20th at 8:00 P.M.

Saturday, November 21st at 8:00P.M.

Sunday, November 22 at 2:00 P.M.

Tickets to the Hall Auditoruim performance are $12.00 to general public, $8.00 for Seniors, and $5.00 for students. What better way to spend a Fall weekend!

Where Has the Time Gone?!

2009-11-18T19:14:00.005-05:00

I'm back and all I can say is "Where does the time go?!" I cannot believe that I last posted on April 15 and it is now Nov.18! I guess the old saying is true -"The older you get, the faster the time goes!" I apologize for the break in communication and hope to do better in the future.

Technology is changing so quickly that now Blogging is being passed by Facebook which is being passed by Twitter which is being passed by who 'know's what!' And MySpace seems to be at the bottom of the heap! So much for our MySpace page! We recently went to a forum on these new communication venues and I have spent some of the last few months getting started on a business Facebook Page and I'm working on starting up on Twitter. So we invite you to become a Facebook FAN of Hallauer House Bed & Breakfast! Please join us to post comments, reviews, questions, photos, links, etc. But bear with me because us older folks are a little slower on the learning curve! Now we not only have a website to update but also the Blog, MySpace, Facebook, and soon - Twitter!!!! Where do you young people find the time???!!!

A lot has happened in Oberlin, in Lorain County, in Northeast Ohio, at Oberlin College, and here at Hallauer House B & B over the last few months. But why cover news and happenings that are over. Let's move forward and go with news and events to come.

Over the last 6 months 2 new wineries have opened up in Lorain County, the Oberlin Apollo theater has reopened under new management and is all new inside, seniors at the college have moved one step closer to graduating, the new Jazz center is almost competed, there's a new bagel shop in town, recitals are going on, we've added a fitness center at the B & B for you to use, and it is raining in Oberlin! So I see that I have lots of topics to cover so stay tuned! I will try my best to do a weekly or better update to the Blog, Facebook, and Twitter!

A Tisket, A Tasket, We Have a New Basket!

2009-04-15T20:15:00.004-04:00

We have lived in Lorain County in Northeast Ohio for 37 years and this week discovered a hidden treasure that has actually been in existence here for almost 150 years!!!

This hidden treasure is the BERLIN FRUIT BOX COMPANY located on Mechanic St. which is off of State Rt. 61 in Berlin Heights, Ohio and it is just a short 25 minute drive from Hallauer House B & B. It was founded by Samuel Patterson in 1858 and is still owned and operated by his descendants!

Now I know you all will recognize their farm market basket. It's the one you get at your local market to carry your fruits and vegetables or the one you get to carry your flowers and geraniums home from the garden center. Yeah, that one! This is one of mine that I have kept forever!

The company is the oldest basket making company in Ohio (yes, even older than Longaberger!) and the second oldest basket company in the entire country! It began to supply the farmers with wooden baskets, crates, barrels and ladders but as the years passed, the company expanded into making home baskets. These special baskets are hand made from maple, cherry, and for all of you Ohio State fans, the buckeye tree! These 'buckeye baskets' are even gray so put a scarlet red scarf in it and it's perfect for all Buckeye fans!

The company is open for tours Monday thru Friday from 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. year round. We arrived in the early afternoon and were lucky that a tour was just starting. During the 30 minute tour, we learned about the company, how the logs are cut, and then watched as the machine, still operating since the 1920's, shaved off the veneer from a huge log. Then another machine cut the veneer into the strips used in the basket weaving. We watched the artists at work as they formed and wove the home baskets out of the various wooden strips. Our 9 year old granddaughter was with us and she was enthralled with the process and the workmanship of each basket. Our only wish was that we could have purchased a basket of each style! As it is, we found one to hold some of our brochures.

Now when you come to visit Oberlin, you have one more place to add to your list of things to see and do while you are here! So when you're planning that sta-cation, plan a trip to Oberlin in Northern Ohio. You'll be surprised how many wonderful places we have for you to visit! We will soon be adding a new package to our list of packages and specials. We'll call it the "Ohio Appreciation Package," and yes, it will include a Berlin Fruit Box Company basket and all products made in Ohio! Stay tuned for details or call and ask about it. You won't be disappointed!

New Restaurant Review

2009-04-11T11:55:00.001-04:00

It's hard to believe but there are times when Oberlin has so many visitors that it can be hard to get a table in one of our outstanding restaurants. But don't worry, we do have a fine restaurant called Nine Bistro located at Grey Hawk Golf Course just 10 minutes from here in LaGrange. The restaurant is not just for golfers but also for the general public with facilities for banquets, weddings, and meetings.

Before we journeyed into Cleveland for a Playhouse Square production of "I Love You Because" at the 14th Street Theatre, we decided to go to dinner at Nine Bistro since we had not been there since last summer. The restaurant offers you a fine dining experience either inside or on the expansive outdoor patio with fans for cooling or heaters for heating! Since there was a chill in the air we decided to sit inside at a table in front of the crackling fireplace. When the weather warms and the outside patio opens, it is a great place to relax, dine, enjoy a drink and breath in the fresh country air as you watch the golfers play by.

Joe and I shared a crab cake appetizer made with real crab meat which was served in a spicy aioli sauce and we each had a glass of house wine at a price of $3.00 per glass, (Happy Hour time!) The hard, crusty bread dipped in herbed olive oil/garlic was delightful. Joe ordered the fillet duet which consisted of two tender, char-grilled fillets accompanied with a cremini mushroom wine cream sauce, the traditional baked potato and fresh seasonal vegetables. Half way through he said, "This is the best fillet I have ever eaten!" Now that's a testimonial!

I was presented with my order of Asian salmon which was crusted with sesame seed and pan seared and drizzled with a sesame seed soy glaze. It rested atop a molded white rice pillow and was accompanied with the fresh seasonal vegetables. The salmon was superb and cooked just right. All in all we were thrilled with our meal but too full to enjoy one of the many desserts offered after the meal.

For all of you golfers, the golf course itself has been voted as one of the top 10 of America's Best new afforable public courses when it opened in 2004. I'll follow up at a later date with a post about the golf course itself. But if you want information immediately just follow this link: http://www.greyhawkgolf.com/index.htm.

So when you're making your plans for your summer stacation, keep us in mind. Play some golf at Grey Hawk, dine at Nine Bistro, and come home to Hallauer House Bed & Breakfast! Come on! You know you want to! You won't be disappointed!

New Arrival in Lorain County!

2009-04-05T16:49:00.007-04:00

We returned from San Francisco to some really super news - the Lorain Port Authority has secured a new ferry boat that will shuttle people from Lorain to the Lake Erie Islands! That means that we here in Lorain County will not have to travel 45 minutes to an hour in order to secure transportation to Kelly's Island or Put-in-Bay!

The catamaran, which will be operated by the Jet Express, will have space for 147 passengers and will initially provide service once a day-each way- on Friday's, Saturday's, and Sunday's. The boat ride will last approximately 70 minutes. Because the boat needs to be inspected and upgraded, service will not begin this year until around July 4th but in coming years will probably begin around Memorial Day. So if you are in the midst of making summer sta-cation plans and you'd really like to visit the Lake Erie Islands then come to Lorain County and take the new ferry out of the Black River Landing in Lorain. It's only a short drive from Oberlin to the Landing so plan to stay at Hallauer House B & B. After a complimentary breakfast drive up to Lorain, catch the ferry, explore the islands, ferry back to Lorain, and then come home to Hallauer House! What better way to spend a summer vacation!

Planning a family reunion? The boat will be available for charters! So plan the reunion around the use of the ferry! Now that sounds like fun! Think about it!

Vacation is Over!

2009-04-03T13:42:00.011-04:00

Last week we took some time off from Innkeeping to visit our Coast Guard daughter in Petaluma, Calif. just north of San Francisco. We looked forward to our trip but now we're glad we're home. There is nothing like a vacation to make you appreciate what you already have! We will miss our daughter but we will not miss the traffic congestion even on Sunday, the fog, the high prices and the higher taxes.

Here in Oberlin and vicinity we have NO traffic jams, cheaper prices on everything, short commutes to where you need to go, a growing number of vineyards and wineries, great theater and music venues, a short drive to a Great Lake, a short drive to a major city with amenities all it's own, great places to ride a bike, secret gardens and fantastic metro parks, mounds of history, superb restaurants, one of the best art museums in the world, a world renowned orchestra, a world renowned college, a world famous amusement park, farmers markets, and the list goes on and on. Ohio really is the heart of it all. We loved San Francisco but we decided we love Ohio more! Now if Spring would just hurry up and get here!!!!!

So we're home and welcoming guests. We hope that you will be one of them!

Reminders for Oberlin College Prospective Students

2009-03-22T21:14:00.007-04:00

Just some reminders to high school seniors who have been accepted to and have decided to attend Oberlin College in the fall of 2009. Oberlin Freshman Orientation is scheduled to begin with dorm move-in on Aug. 25 -http://new.oberlin.edu/calendar/ and
Parent's Weekend is scheduled for Nov. 6 -8, 2009. We strongly advise you to make reservations NOW if you want to be close to campus as all B & B's and the Oberlin Inn fill up very quickly. Here at Hallauer House, we are already booked for those dates but we will take back ups as cancellations in the past have occurred. It is always wise to build a relationship with a B & B so that you will have a place to call your 'home away from home' while you child is at Oberlin College. and it also helps when commencement time draws near. And stay tuned for information on April's "All Roads Lead To Oberlin" program. We'll post information when it is available and give you the link to the College web page.

If you are coming for "All Roads" in April we do have dates open, as most students don't know if they have been accepted yet. So get those reservations in as soon as you get that important letter in the mail!!!! Hope to see you in April or sometime during your Freshman year! Congratulations early!

Get Ready for Spring and Great Golfing!

2009-03-20T21:08:00.001-04:00

To all of you reading this I have to ask - do you play golf? Well, I never have. That is in real life. But I have played golf on my new WII!!!! The WII Sport version that is! And boy am I bad!!! I hit the ball in the water, in the sand, in the weeds and usually end up with the voice telling me that I have 10 strokes and my time is up! But I have to say that the graphics on the golf courses are absolutely beautiful! So if I did play golf, I would want to play on a course like WII!

Here in Lorain County we do have a very special golf course! Lorain County Metro Parks has its very own, highly rated, golf course and it is only about 10 minutes from Hallauer House B & B! Now like I said earlier, Joe and I don't play golf, but we have heard from friends that game fees can be pretty expensive at a lot of courses. So when I saw the fee schedule for Forest Hills Golf Course, I thought they sounded pretty reasonable. See if you agree.

Current Rates 9 Holes & 18 Holes
Weekdays $11.00 $18.00
Seniors (62+) $7.00 $11.50
Juniors (15 & under) $7.00 $11.50
Weekends & Holidays $12.50 $20.00

Saturday & Sunday Specials: 9 Holes - $9.00 after 5:00 P.M.

There are also weekday and weekend specials for those wanting golf carts. The course offers a flood rate of $8.00 for 9 holes which are always open and there is a special winter rate from November through March.

Another really super thing about this Metro Park golf course is the brand new CLUBHOUSE! It is newly opened and includes a restaurant along with a large porch that is great for relaxing as you watch the golfers navigate on hole #10!

Forest Hills Colf Course is an 18-hole course that is owned and operated by Lorain County Metro Parks and is rated as an intermediate course, but good for experienced golfers and beginners alike. The Black River winds through the course and is a challenge on six different holes. Then you have the ponds, bunkers, and hills and hole #16 which has been voted the hardest hole in Lorain County! What more can you ask for!!!

The facility is available for tournaments, outings, and family and friend events. Complete information can be found on their website at http://www.golftheforest.com/ or by calling 440-323-2632. These pictures show the winter scene so imagine what beauty there is in the spring and summer scene!

So if you are a golfer go ahead and plan that getaway to Lorain County, Ohio. On our website's Attraction page, we have listed quite a few additional courses which means you can golf at a different course each day of your stay! And remember that Hallauer House B & B is only 10 to 30 minutes from each and every one! Come for a visit! You know you want to! And you won't be disappointed!

A True Bubble Bath!

2009-03-02T13:46:00.009-05:00

A favorite room for guests here at Hallauer House is the Asian Spa with its whirlpool tub and far-infrared sauna. Spend a half hour in the nice hot sauna where you can just relax and dream or use the time to delve into a good book.

Then fill the Jacuzzi up with warm water, light the fragrant candles, insert a serenity music CD into the Bose stereo, lay out the fluffy towels, turn on the jets, and step into the melting pot of total relaxation! Sip some wine and let the cares of the world just slip away. There is no better way to spend an evening alone with yourself or with the one you care the most about.

But beware! Putting in a few drops of bubble bath and turning on the jets will result in an explosion of bubbles that go everywhere!!! It has happened here!

So come and stay for the weekend and enjoy the Spa! We would love to have you visit but leave the bubble bath at home!!!

25 Unique Things

2009-02-25T17:57:00.011-05:00

Our daughters on Facebook wanted to know 25 unique things about us, as their parents that they do not know, so I thought I would share 25 unique things about Hallauer House Bed & Breakfast that you will not find on our website! So here they are!

The house was built in 1830 and the bark is still on the basement and attic tree beams!
The attic tree beams are attached with wooden pegs!
The basement walls are constructed of field stone which is about 12 inches thick!
The front door and the door bell were installed around 1860!
The wormy chestnut floors in the Music Room and Dining Room are original to 1830 and in excellent condition!
The floor in the Mason/Dixon Suite is made of six different woods - cherry, poplar, pine, black walnut, walnut, and oak.
One of the main beams of the house runs through the Suite and is really unique!
One of the buffets in the Dining Room was made from the felled black walnut tree in the back yard. It was kilned, planed, and constructed by local Amish in Medina County!
In the Music Room we have a walking cane which is actually a sword made to look like a cane!
The upstairs hallway has a courting candle. Now this is a candle used by a young girl's father when her suitor came "a courtin' ". If he liked a particular suitor, the father might set the candle on one of the higher rings, giving the couple a long visit in hopes that this lad might become his son-in-law. If the young man wasn't a favorite, the candle would be set on a lower ring allowing just a short visit. When the candle burned down to the metal, courtin' time was over! Oh, those were the days!!
In the Music Room there is an extensive collection of 1930's and 1940's sheet music. Guests can have fun playing our a tune on the digital, baby grand piano!
Guests can also read through a book written in 1882 about the first 50 years of Oberlin College. A real eye opener about life in the past!
The front stairway has one squeaky step that signals when someone is going up or coming down. Now this was a great signal that one of our four daughters might be trying to sneak out! And no one, daughters or guests, can seem to remember exactly which step is the one that squeaks!
Some guests have said they have gotten a 'spirit feeling' in one of our guest rooms. I won't say which one! Come and stay and see if you agree!
Just this past weekend our granddaughter counted 38 teas in our tea selection! And the collection keeps growing! Something for everyone. Come and enjoy!
'Duke' is our resident yellow lab. He is 12 years old, loves guests, and especially loves bacon! He's not real fond of visiting vegetarians since they have no left over meat! He actually belongs to our daughter who is in the Coast Guard and when she gets her permanent station in July, he may go to live with her and then we will cry.
Our 20 X 40 foot in-ground swimming pool was constructed in 1984 (25 years ago) and still looks like new! We have the original building receipt but we have replaced just about everything from liner to pump, to filter, to underground pipes. Can't wait for spring to get that winter cover off! Maybe we should have a silver anniversary party for it!
During a stroll through our garden you will find six - 3 foot tall old letters that were taken from an old DRIVE-IN sign. The only letter missing is the V and the other letters are scattered through the garden. The R E D letters are being used to call attention to Red Hill!
We are in "The Dead Zone"! You know those Verizon commercials which show the people using their Verizon cell phones even in the "Dead Zone". Well Verizon is the ONLY cell phone that has a problem working in our house! Now that is really weird since we have Verizon DSL, and a Verizon land line! No one at the Verizon cell phone stores has been able to help with the problem so I think I will call AT&T and volunteer to do a commercial about living in "the Verizon Dead Zone!"
In our large pond there lives a koi fish named Goldie who appears to be about half a yard long and about 12 pounds, or so Joe thinks! She loves to float on the surface in the sun and you can usually catch a glimpse of her when you walk by.
There are many other fish in that pond and if you start to feed them they will remember you and when you approach the edge, they will swim over to see what you have to feed them! They love hot dog pieces!
Some people love to go for walks around blocks. Well, the block here at Hallauer House is exactly 4.2 miles in distance! Can you walk it in less than 60 minutes?! Come and see!
In the summer and fall we've been known to have a bonfire back by Goldie's Pond. You know the kind like you used to do as kids at camp. We sit around and toast marshmallows or roast hot dogs, tell campfire stories and ghost stories, and some of us sip our glass of red wine!
There are many unique things in the garden: hanging windows and mirrors, a flying witch, a glass block pyramid, hanging chandeliers and glass bottom mugs, fairies and little children, a tree with a face and a top hot, a tree spigot, and much, much more! Come and see!
There is a room with your name on it! We would like to meet you, have some tea with you, share some Oberlin stories, and serve you a great breakfast! We know you want to come! And we know you won't be disappointed!

Are You A Photographer?

2009-02-23T15:25:00.017-05:00

Are you a photographer? Do you like photo exhibits? If you answered yes to either one or both of those questions then you might want to schedule a visit to Oberlin.

From March 1 until April 10 amature and professional photographers are being welcomed to Oberlin to attend the 29th annual Firelands Association for the Visual Arts regional juried photography exhibition. Photographers from Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Kentucky and West Virginia will be chosen to display their photographs. This years juror will be Christopher A. Yates (Assistant Professor of Art at Columbus College of Art and Design. Independent Art Critic and Contributor to the Columbus Dispatch).

The opening reception will be held on Sunday, March 1 from 2:00 - 4:00 P.m at FAVA located at the New Union Center for the Arts, 39 South Main Street, Oberlin, Ohio. Their phone number is (440) 774-7158. Hours to visit FAVA and view the exhibit are Tuesdays through Saturdays 11 am - 5 pm and Sundays 1-5 pm. They are CLOSED Mondays.

So make your plans now to visit Oberlin. Stop at the New Union Center for the Arts and view the exhibit, stroll down town Oberlin, have lunch or dinner at one of our fantastic restaurants, and then come out to Hallauer House B & B for some relaxation and recharging! Be sure to make reservations ahead of time. Check our website for availability calendar. You know you want to come! And we know you won't be disappointed!

What do you think of my four photos on the left? Do I stand a chance for a prize?!!!

A Bit of Oberlin History!

2009-02-17T19:20:00.007-05:00

Did you know that an inexpensive process to produce aluminum happened right here in Oberlin, Ohio?! That's right! It actually happened 123 years ago when Charles Martin Hall made his claim for the U.S. patent and next week on Feb. 23, the American Chemical Society's Division of the History of Chemistry will present Oberlin College and the Oberlin Heritage Center plaques in recognition of this achievement.

Hall graduated from Oberlin College in 1885 and then set up shop in his home and began work on the purification of aluminum. It was on that Feb. 23 date that he found the solvent that he needed and so he produced his first small globules of aluminum. When he was unable to find local funding, he moved his process to Pittsburgh and began the American Aluminum Company (ALCOA).

At the Oberlin Heritage Center, visitors can tour the Jewitt home and see the display of this very important aluminum discovery.

So when you make plans to come to Oberlin, be sure that you plan time to visit the Oberlin Heritage Center where you can learn all about our famous son. And plan a stay at Hallauer House B & B where you can view our aluminum tray collection and explore the history of the Civil War.

More pictures of the Mason/Dixon Suite

2009-02-02T19:13:00.050-05:00

In recent weeks, we have had several potential guests calling for more information and explanation of how our Mason/Dixon Suite is laid out so I thought it might be a good idea to give more details on a blog post.

The Suite received it's name from a neighbor who, after she saw the Confederate and Union Rooms, just popped out with the Mason/Dixon name! We thank her as this name has fit nicely with the layout and theme of the B & B. The Mason Dixon Line was a name used to acknowledge a separation of the north and the south during the Civil War.
At the B & B it doesn't actually separate our Union and Confederate Rooms but it does run the entire width of the house and comprises two separate rooms.

The entire living space that guests will have is approximately 550 square feet with a view out of 20 casement windows! On the northern side of the room the view is of the pool and gardens and on the southern side your view will be of the treetops, the driveway and the wildflower garden. On this side also in the spring there is a fantastic view of the flowering magnolia tree where you can almost reach out and touch the petals! I would take a picture of this beautiful tree but it will have to wait until spring arrives! At that time I will post an addendum to this post with that picture so do come back!

The first room of the Suite houses a queen canopy bed, antique furniture, a satellite TV in a corner cupboard, a mini refrigerator in the closet, a leather like swivel chair and a very comfortable wing back chair. In the corner of the room we have placed the antique dresser plumbed with an above bowl sink.

Beside the dresser/sink is the sliding door leading into the actual bathroom which houses the corner
whirlpool tub, the toilet, and the free standing shower. For those romantic occasions, the Jacuzzi tub is surrounded by mini lights hidden in green ivy.

In order to separate the bed from the view of the bathroom and the sink area, there is a full curtain that affords a guest in the queen bed complete privacy from the side of the room with the sink

Moving through the door and into the connecting room, you will enter a space that is so large that it houses a queen bed, a full bed, a sitting area, a desk area, and a reading area!

The double or full brass bed is situated on the southern side of the room with a reading light on each side and a Birdseye maple dressing table next to it. This is a great place for applying makeup with lots of light

On the opposite side of the room with a garden and pool view, is located the queen bed with a checkerboard patterned padded wall used as a headboard. Tall lights allow reading on both sides of the bed.

The conversational sitting area is in the middle of the room separating the two beds. The sofa converts to a single sofa bed for either a 4th or 7th person. From this area, one can converse, read, or watch the satellite TV.

And the room is still large enough to have a bookcase full of antique and modern books with another lounge chair to relax in while reading or move it over to expand the conversational area.

Sitting at the antique desk, a guest can look out over the pool and garden while working at a wireless computer or doing other business.

Because each room has a closet, there is plenty of room for hanging up clothes or storing luggage. Or slide the luggage under the bed. Who wants to trip over suitcases when you're trying to relax!

And the tour of the Mason/Dixon Suite comes to an end. We hope you enjoyed it and can get a better visualization of the space that will be yours when you book accommodations for yourself and friends or family in what is also known as 'The Blue Suite!' We are looking forward to your visit. Give us a call. You won't be disappointed!

Another Great Winery!

2009-01-28T20:05:00.009-05:00

Calling all wine lovers! Another great winery, located just 4 miles from Hallauer House Bed & Breakfast, is one of THE places to put on your 'must visit list" when you come to Lorain County. Joe and I stopped in to Matus Winery, 15674 Gore Orphanage Rd., for a winter visit last week and found it to be absolutely a terrific place to wine and dine whether it be summer or winter! During our summer visit back when it was nice and warm, we were able to sip a great wine and challenge each other in a game of Corn Hole. (If you don't know what Corn Hole is, check back for a future post on the game!) During this visit, we enjoyed a rib dinner by Smokin' Joe's along with several glasses of their signature dry red Cabernet Savignon. Great food, great wine, and great all around fun!

For a calendar of events that will be taking place at the winery check out their event page.
For those of you wanting a Valentine treat, check them out for the Valentine Wine and Dine Special taking place on Saturday, Feb. 14. Happy Hour will be from 5-7 P.M. with all glasses of wine just $3.00. Dinner will be served at 6:30 P.M. sharp and will consist of the following great treats:

Shrimp Cocktail

Steak and Mushrooms

Rosemary Potatoes

Betty Salad

Green Beans Almondene

Dinner roll

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

All of this for just $25.00 per person!

If you like fondue, then wait for Feb. 19 when they are holding the
Fondue-It event. Happy Hour again from 5-7 followed by fondue style foods from 7-9 P.M. You can't miss on this one!

So if the snow has gotten you down and you're experiencing some cabin fever, then the best medicine is a trip to the winery with a layover at Hallauer House Bed & Breakfast! The winery is just one mile south of Rt. 20 and 5 miles west of Oberlin. Check it out! You know you want too! Come and visit!

Something To do In January!

2009-01-15T12:44:00.010-05:00

January is now half over with temps around 0 degrees and snow about a foot deep but that means spring is just that much closer!

But if you are experiencing cabin fever, then you might consider a trip to Oberlin to hear and meet an Oberlin College allumus who is an author, actor, playwright, Pulitzer Prize finalist, nominee for 2 Tony awards, star of six solo off Broadway shows, novelist, film actor, and one of the stars of Law and Order - Criminal Intent. This energetc and talented performer, who plays Captain Danny Ross on LOCT, is Mr. Eric Bogosian.
He will be in Oberlin on Wednesday, February 4, as part of the 2009 Oberlin Convocation Series. His performance will be held at Finney Chapel at 8:00 P.M. and admission is free. Since you will need to drive home late, you might want to consider staying at Hallauer House B & B and start out for home the next day. Now I know this performace is mid-week and getting a day off from work might be difficult, but a vacation day in February might be just the break you need to get you through the rest of the winter!

If you have a couple of days vacation time coming, then you might consider staying over so you can attend the performace of Mr. Bogosian's play, subUrbia. It will be performed by Oberlin students on Jan. 30, 31 and Feb. 3, 5, 6, and 7th. The play, a caustic portrait of contemporary suburban life, follows a group of young people in their early twenties as they spend the night in a mini-mall parking lot. The play will be performed at Hall Auditorium at 8 P.M. with ticket prices set at $8.00 or $6.00 for seniors 55+.

So think about it! Check back through the Blog for the January/February special and then give us a call to book your February get away. You know you want to! And you won't be disappointed!

First Big Winter Snow of 2009!

2009-01-10T15:20:00.007-05:00

The weather people got it right this time! It is snowing in Oberlin! A lot of snow! The perfect day to stay inside, turn on the sounds of quiet, relaxing music, pour a glass of red merlot wine, take up residense in a big wing back chair in front of a warm and glowing woodburning fire, prop up your feet on an old fashioned otteman, open up the pages of a grand historical novel, and get lost in history. That's the picture here at Hallauer House today. We wish you were here to join us!

National Figure Skating Championships

2009-01-07T10:41:00.005-05:00

It's mid January and time for ice skating! So for all of you ice skating lovers, we have great news! From January 18th to the 25th, Cleveland will be hosting the 2009 U.S. Figure Skating Championships at Quicken Arena! During this time you will be able to see 250 skaters competing for national titles in 3 divisions (senior, junior, and novice). There will be 8 days of Olympic style competition of ice dancing, short program, free skate, and pairs, just like in the Olympics. The competition will end with the selection of the US World Team and the skating spectacular grand finale.

If you always wanted to be a spectator for ice skating at the Olympics but found it to be too expensive or too far away, then this is your opportunity to see world class skaters in action and maybe even a future Olympic champion!
More specific information, ticket prices, and event schedules can be found at the following link: http://www.cleveland2009.com/index.htm. Also on this link you will find hotel accommodations in Cleveland but we want to remind you that Oberlin is only a 30 to 40 minute drive into downtown Cleveland! You can stay at Hallauer House B & B and then take the freeway to The Q. If you stay with us for the Championships you can take advantage of our January special - buy one night and get one night free! That makes our rate just $62.50 per night and you get a great four course breakfast included in that price! So think about it. A bed and breakfast is a great change from the chain hotels so check us out. We'd love to have you and you know you would really like to come!

Long Break in Blogging

2009-01-07T08:40:00.004-05:00

No excuses! I have not blogged because I got a writer cramp! But now it's the new year and you know how we make all those resolutions to be different or better at something. So my resolution is to keep an updated blog about all the happenings here in Oberlin and Northeast Ohio. We're starting back blogging with a bang by offering a buy one night at full price and get a second night FREE throughout the months of January and February when you mention this blog article! That's only $62.50 a night and that includes tax and a full four course breakfast both mornings! What better deal for a winter getaway! So call now and don't forget to mention the blog. We're looking forward to your visit! Call now! You know you want too!

Winery Clam Bake!

2008-09-14T15:47:00.006-04:00

Fall is coming and that means CLAM BAKE! And what better place to enjoy a clam bake than at a local winery! On Saturday, September 27, Single Tree Winery, here in Lorain County, will be hosting this scrumptious Clam Bake affair from 5-7 P.M. followed by live music by Keith from 7 - 11 P.M. Keith, a one man band, will also be performing on Friday night from 7-11 P.M. But you have to act soon as tickets must be purchased by Monday, Sept. 22. Just call 440-965-7777 or 440-935-4479 to reserve your plate and space! The price is just $20.00 per person. Single Tree Winery is located at 12488 Baumhart Rd, 7 miles south of Rt. 2 and just 6 miles from Oberlin. We've been there numerous times and their wine is really great! You've just got to try it!

They have daily wine tastings and on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 1 to 9 P.M. all glasses of wine are just $2.99! What a deal! So why not mark your calendar now to attend the Single Tree Clam Bake! And you know you won't want to drive all the way home late on Saturday night so reserve a room here at Hallauer House B & B. Better yet, come for Friday and try out one of our fine Oberlin restaurants that night for dinner. Celebrate the coming of fall with a clam bake and a weekend away. We know you won't regret it!

Welcome the Cleveland Orchestra to Oberlin!

2008-09-12T14:26:00.005-04:00

The 2008-09 Artist Recital Series will be kicking off on Sunday, October 5 with a performance by the world famous Cleveland Orchestra and everyone is excited! It will be the 207th appearance of the Orchestra for Oberlin's Artist Recital Series. The lively program will be conducted by music director Franz Welser-Most and will feature the distinguished pianist Emanuel Ax performing Karol S. Szymanowski's tour-de-force Fourth Symphony and Richard Strauss' Burleske. The Orchestra will conclude the program with Antonin D. Dvorak's Slavonic Dances, a festive clelbration of Central European folk music. The performance will take place at Finney Chapel at 3 P.M. Tickets are $26.00 general admission; $22.00 for Seniors over 55; and $10.00 for students. For complete information please visit http://www.oberlin.edu/artsguide/artist-recital-series/1-cleveland-orchestra.shtml. We hope to see you there and if you want to come and stay the night before or the night of the concert just give us a call. We'd be glad to have you and you'll be glad you came!

Mark Your Calendars!

2008-08-18T14:43:00.011-04:00

On Saturday Sept. 13, 2008 an anniversary will be celebrated by the entire town of Oberlin! It will be 150 years since the Oberlin - Wellington Rescue took place! So now you're wondering, okay, who was rescued and why was it important enough to celebrate 150 years later?

On the morning of Sept. 13, 1858, slave catchers arrived in Oberlin and captured John Price, an escaped slave who had been living in Oberlin for at least 2 years. The slave catchers put him into a wagon and proceeded to transport him down a back road (maybe our road!) that linked Oberlin to Wellington where they planned to put him on the afternoon train and send him back to the south.

But news of Price's capture spread rapidly through the town. Blacks, whites, students, faculty, men, and women all came together and marched to Wellington.
There they were joined by the Wellington townspeople and together they all managed, with some degree of force, but no bloodshed, to free John Price from the grips of the slave catchers.

Thirty seven of the the Rescuers were consequently indicted and jailed for allegedly violating the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. After 2 of the rescuers were convicted in Federal Court, a deal was reached that released the remaining rescuers on the condition that Lorain County drop the kidnapping charges against the slave catchers. The Rescuers’ bold defiance of federal law in the name of human rights attracted nationwide attention and generated political controversy in both the North and the South. Oberlin’s reputation as “the town that started the Civil War” stems from the Oberlin-Wellington Rescue and its role in exacerbating sectional tensions over slavery.
So there you have it, the reason for a 150th anniversary celebration!

Wellington-Oberlin Rescue Celebration Events September 13, 2008:

Public celebration on Tappan Square in Oberlin, 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., including free community lunch. Sponsored by Oberlin-Wellington Rescue Coalition. For more information, please contact Sharon Pearson at (440) 775-7217 or e-mail at spearson@cityofoberlin.com.

You can also get more information about the Oberlin - Wellington Rescue by visiting the Oberlin Heritage Center at http://www.oberlinheritage.org/.

What better way to spend a 'Staycation' than by coming to Oberlin and immersing yourself in a part of history. And when you come, and you know you want too!, we hope you come and stay with us. While you're living a part of history, you can stay in a house that was a part of history! Give us a call! We would love to hear from you!

Quick Reminder

2008-08-07T20:48:00.003-04:00

For all prospective Oberlin College Conservatory students. The 2008-09 audition schedule is posted on the Oberlin College website. The first audition for early review is the weekend of Dec. 5th and 6th. Be sure to make overnight reservations early as the area accommodations fill up very quickly. We would love to have you stay with us here at Hallauer House B & B. Joe is a well versed historian of the college and the Underground Railroad and tells some great stories! Come and join us! You'll be glad you did!

It's Fun and Free!

2008-08-07T19:34:00.013-04:00

Yesterday we had some free time and since the three grandkids were visiting with nothing to do, we herded them into the car and headed south to the Wellington Reservation, part of the Lorain County Metro Park system. We were the first in line to take out the 4 passenger pontoon paddle boats to go exploring the 21 plus acre lake. And the best part, this activity was absolutely FREE! Yes, you read that correctly - it was FREE!

It was a pretty warm and sunny day but the boats have a canopy which helped to keep the sun at bay. To back out of the dock, we had to pedal backwards and then turn the rudder to get us going on the straight and narrow. The kids, ages 9 and 11, managed to get this done rather quickly, wanting to do it all on their own, no help from the grownups! And as kids will do, they went full steam ahead, pedaling as fast as their little legs would go. Of course, this led to a quick burnout and Nans and Pops had to take over. During our 2 hour journey, we spotted many bird varieties, a few snakes, frogs, toads, bugs, and of course, lots of fish. We paddled the inlets and journied from one end of the lake to the other. The kids switched from pilot to passenger and back to pilot but it was the adults who had to navigate back into the dock. As we turned in our PFD's, our legs were saying thank you for the great workout! We really worked up a sweat!

Now if you have your own row boat, canoe, or small fishing boat, you can use the boat ramp as your launching pad. Fishing is allowed with the proper license, so come prepared!

Now if pedaling the boat leaves you wanting still more exercise, then you can hike or bike the more than 4 miles of trails while you enjoy the changing vistas, the prairie flowers, and the wildlife.
Choose your trail and your distance. There is also a beautiful visitors center building a
vailable by reservation for families, parties, showers, etc. For more information about the Wellington Reservation, check out their website at: http://www.loraincountymetroparks.com/wellington.htm.

Lorain County is THE place for a great
"STAYCATION!' We have some of the best Metro Parks in the state of Ohio! Check out some past Blog articles for places to go and things to do or come back often to see a new post about exploring Lorain County. Come and visit us! You know you want to!!

August = Lorain County Fair Time!

2008-08-02T11:33:00.011-04:00

Want a really great 'Staycation!' Then consider the Lorain County Fair which is set to begin on Monday August 18 with this years headliner, Vince Gill,
performing that evening at 7:30 P.M. He is the only country music superstar to perform a duet with pop superstar Barbara Streisand and another country star, Willie Nelson! And now you have a chance to hear and see him up close and personal!

If you like para-mutual betting, then you might want to watch the harness racing
which takes place at 11:00 A.M. And of course, there is the regular fair displays and events taking place all day, starting when the gates open at 7:30 A.M. Judging of various classes takes place all morning and then the delicious award winning baked goods go on sale at 5:00 so be there!

Tuesday is another judging day, more harness racing, again at 11:00 and at 7:30 P.M. is another headliner performance, this time by country star
Blake Shelton with special guest Danielle Peck.

Did you ever want to see a rodeo? Well then, come to the Fair on Wednesday evening and you can see one up close at 7:30 P.M when the PRCA Heartland Series Pro rodeo series takes center stage.
There will be more harness racing at 11:00 A.M., more judging, and more fun fair happenings. Thursday evening watch the horse pull and Friday evening you won't want to miss the tractor pull and maybe even mosey over to Barn #4 for the FBY square dance show at 9:00 P.M.

Saturday's features will be the livestock auctions, draft horse pull, fiddle contest and at 7:00 P.M. is the combine derby. And on the final day on Sunday, Aug. 24, attend the motocross races at 9 A.M., watch the spinners and weavers and 4-H style show throughout the day and close down the fair with the demolition derby at 6:00 P.M.

For more information and lots more detail, check out the official Lorain County Fair website at http://www.loraincountyfair.com/home01.html. And then get busy planning your August 'Staycation' right here in Wellington, in Lorain County, in Ohio! And Hallauer House Bed & Breakfast is your nearest accommodation site as we are located just 6 miles north of Wellington, right off of State Rt. 58 and just 2 miles south of Oberlin. So why not plan a few days to get away. Take in the fair, stay a few nights, cool off with a swim in the pool, relax in the gardens, refresh your spirit. Come and visit! You know you want to!

Come! Come to the Garden!

2008-07-19T14:09:00.013-04:00

When it's over 90 degrees and you don't want to be frozen by the air conditioning inside, the next best thing is to hang out in the pool or sit in the shade of the giant oaks and listen to the water as it rushes down the stream, over the rocks, beading off the slate and finally falling to rest in the quiet water of the pond below.

On one of those 90 degree days, taking a break from the pool, I wandered through our garden, but this time I looked at it through the lens of the camera. Many guests have said that pictures show only a fraction
of what is really here so perhaps with
a wide angle lens, we can give you a
better view of what you will see when you visit us at Hallauer House!Come on and walk with us and we'll give you a picture tour!But remember, it is much better in person!

Above is Plowel Share End with a backdrop of the tall pine felled because of wire clip. To the right is Eastern Shutter Garden with tall majestic tubes pointing skyward.

Below is a view of the Western Shutter Garden - all recycled shutters from our house from long ago.

Again Western Shutter and the Giant Hosta! The pathway is Amil Avenue.

This is Stairway to Freedom under the giant maple tree with a lantren hung out to light the way.
View back to Rear Window Alley. Rest at the glass top table and enjoy the view from the 'rear window!'
Your view from the 'Rear Window."
The Greek Goddess Ceres looks our over the back gardens and waters the many Impatience at her feet.

A look at the Pavilion next to the pond and stream. You can sit, relax, read, think, reflect, chat with a friend, write your memoirs, or maybe even take a nap. Listen to the stream and waterfall, the singing birds and the burping bullfrogs! At night the lights come on and all is well with the world.

Stop at Moss Hill and walk barefoot through the cushion of moss.

View from the Pavilion. What lies beyond the door and why is it in the middle of the road? Come and see!
The Stream rambles down the hill, over the rocks, sheeting off the slate as it makes it way under the bridges to it's destination below.
The Falling Waters.

The Greek God, David, watches over the pond as he reflects on the past, the present, and the future.

Cupid stands on his pedestal of glass ready to bring romance to all who pass by.
Turtle and boy wait to cross over the bridge to arrive on the other side.
Can you see the 'Dog with Attitude' standing by the oak tree? If you can't, then you'll have to come and visit!
'Soundscapes' is a musical array of dingling windchimes and fanciful musical instruments. Listen! Listen! Can you hear the sound?

More garden views.

Peak at the Pool!
Could that be YOU swimming in the pool?
Cool and refreshing!

Between the two middle flags is South Beach with chiminea and adorondike chairs to relax in while you feel the sand beneath your feet.

Through the gian lilac bush.
And finally Mr. Peanut who evolved from a dying maple tree. He now takes center stage over the deck and pool but who and what will he be next year! Only time will tell!

Thank you for going on the tour with us. We hope you enjoyed it. Come for a weekend. Swim, cool off, relax, sit in the garden. You know you want to!

Reminder for Oberlin College Parents!

2008-07-12T13:01:00.003-04:00

Just a reminder for Oberlin College parents to be sure and browse through our website where we have posted an on-going special that you can use for the four years that your son or daughter is at the college. You must let us know that you found the special and would like to use it while you are visiting your child and staying here as a guest at Hallauer House B & B. It's that easy! We would very much like you to make Hallauer House as your 'home away from home' for the next four years! And now we are extending this special to all upper classman parents, not just first year parents! So do give us a call or book on line! You will not be disappointed!