Finalist Again!

Just received a call from Ohio Hotel and Lodging Association informing us that we are, once again, one of three finalists for Ohio Bed and Breakfast of the Year!!!! The winning B & B will be announced at the annual Lodging Industry Gala on Monday, Nov. 19, 2012. We are so excited to again be considered for this  honor. So stay tuned for the final announcement in about 6 weeks!

2012 Country Autumn Tour

It's that time again - Fall and the changing of the colors. The trees seem to be giving off their colors early this year, maybe because of the dry summer, so it is now time to plan that drive in the country to 'ooh' and 'awe' at all those yellows, oranges, and reds of the leaves!

So gas up the car and let that drive bring you to Wellington and southern Lorain County for the annual Country Autumn Tour. This a a "Drive Yourself Adventure" around the county and will be held on October 19, 20, and 21, and again the following weekend, October 26, 27, and 28. Times on Friday and Saturdays are 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. and on Sundays from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Since you may not be able to get to every location in one day, you might want to plan a getaway stay here at Hallauer House B & B. Start on Friday or Saturday, stay here for the night, wake up to a fortifying breakfast, and then resume your tour. What better way to celebrate a fall weekend!

You begin the Country Autumn Tour in Wellington or at any of the participating businesses. Then visit each business, have each of them stamp your map, and deposit your completed map at the last business that you visit on the tour. All maps that have stamps from all the participating businesses will be entered in a drawing to win "The Basket of Bounty" grand prize which will include gifts from every business. Also you can search each shop for a small wooden Block with a letter on it. Play the Word Jumble Game! Collect a hidden letter from each of the stores on the tour and solve the word puzzle. Winner of the Jumble picked from correct entries will receive a $25.00 gas card!

The participating businesses are:

• Ravenwood Antiques - 16441 Pitts Rd., Oberlin
• Black River Antiques - 105 E. Herrick Ave., Wellington
• The Grainary - 18359 Rowell Rd., Wellington
• Dolls and Minis - 106 W. Herrick St., Welllington
• All Ohio Train and Toy - 109 E. Herrick St., Wellington.
• The Pumpkin Factory - 9324 Zimmerman Rd., Homerville
• Bonnie Brae Farm Tours, Ltd. - 27717 Quarry Rd.
• Honey Bee Treasure - 6080 N.L. Section Line Rd. 21, New London
• Days of Yore Herb and Flower Farm - 42925 Jones Rd., Penfield
• Spencer Feed and Supply - 227 N. Main St, Spencer
• Spencer Restaurant - 107 E. Main St., Spencer
• North 40 Creations Country Store - 105 Public Square #2, Lagrange
• Hook's Greenhouse - 50740 St. Rt. 18, Brighton

So check your calendar, gas up the car, and head to Lorain County! You will have a good time!

New Garden Addition

Last Sunday, Sept. 16 was the 30th annual Harvest of the Arts in Wellington so after a nice Fall walk at the Wellington Metro Park, Joe and I drove on into Wellington to see the crafts and art works brought in by artists from around Ohio. We were really impressed with the many new creations, especially those made out of  'found' objects. I just wanted to buy one of each! As it was, I ended up with just one item that I fell in love with and he just screamed out, "Take me home to your garden!" So I bought him and here he is making his grand debut! He is a 15 inch praying mantis made by Jeff Dettling of Bellevue, Ohio! I love him because he is made out of  some very unique items. His body is a giant screw, his eyes are bolts, his legs are nails and nail spikes, and  his wings are dinner knives! He has been powdered coated so that he can stay in the garden to greet our guests and he won't rust away.

Now we just need to give him a name. We would love it if anyone would like to submit a name for him or her.  Just go to Facebook or the Blog here to leave your suggestions. We'll send the person with the winning name a Hallauer House coffee mug.

And I want to thank all of the crafters. Keep showing all of those unique items! Maybe Pinterest is inspiring new businesses!

Last evening Joe and I decided to take in a movie and since the local Apollo theater is not yet open, we headed north to Amherst where we could see "The Avengers", (partly filmed right here in Cleveland, Oh!) We wanted to have dinner somewhere before the movie and I remembered reading about a new restaurant that just opened in Amherst last Sept. So off we went to find Cork's Wine Bar and Bistro. The location is great and easy to find and sits right next to it's sister restaurant Stubby's Pub and Grub. We will be visiting Stubby's at a later date! Stay tuned!

Cork's outdoor patio is right in front and looked really inviting but it was getting a little chilly so we opted to eat inside. Walked into Cork's and did a "WOW!" If you like wine and inventive food, then this is the place for you! We were stunned by the wine collection behind the bar, and impressed by the wall colors that really enhanced the exposed brick on the walls and the overhead beams. Lighting is perfect for an evening mood.

Our perky but professional server greeted us and took our wine order. Because we were not familiar with the Barbarillo wine that we ordered, our server sent the owner over and he uncorked the bottle and told us all about our choice. He spent some time with us, telling us about the wines, the restaurant, and the events that the restaurant handles. He informed us that there is a banquet room on the second floor that will accommodate over 100 guests and they do host a lot of weddings! Now we are looking forward to partnering with the restaurant and welcoming his 'wedding guests!'

As we had skipped lunch, we opted for an appetizer of Jambalaya balls made of andouille, rice, cheese, Creole veggies, then breaded, fried and served with a marinara sauce. Fabulous and different! (Almost like the Italian rice balls I make that my kids really like!) The crusty bread was served with a basil butter and was eaten in a flash! I had the grilled salmon over red skin potatoes with lemon thyme butter and corn relish. Excellent! Joe had the bison meat loaf over a pile of mashed potatoes and bacon. Another Excellent!

I am adding this restaurant to our Wine and Dine link on our home page. So when you come to Oberlin and don't mind driving just 6 miles north, you will find a really suburb wine and bistro bar! Bonn Aperitif!

It's Time for B & B's for Vets!

November is quickly approaching and with it comes Veteran's Day on Sunday Nov. 11, when bed and breakfasts around the country say thanks to all of our active duty military personnel and veterans by offering a FREE night! This year, we here at Hallauer House, are holding all 3 of our rooms for active duty military and vets. So gather up your wife, husband, partner, or friend and come enjoy a well deserved fall getaway in Oberlin, OH, a little college town with unique shops, fabulous restaurants, and great music. And military people really love our Civil War theme with swords, uniforms, and military history! All branches of the service are welcome- Navy, Marines, Air Force, Army, and Coast Guard. And a shout out to our Coastie daughter, Emily, down there in Key West!

So what to do on this free getaway! Two events at the college on Sunday, Nov. 11 are:

The Oberlin Opera Theatre with the Oberlin Chamber Orchestra presenting an opera by Franz Josef Haydn: "Il Mondo della Luna." Single Tickets: $12 Public, $8 Seniors. All tickets $3 more at the door. Admission by individual ticket. Tickets can be obtained through Oberlin College Central Ticket Service (CTS) at 440-775-8169 or 800-371-0178.

and, A guest recital by Stanley Yates on classical guitar. Admission is free. Program TBA.

If you would rather pass on the opera and/or the classical guitar, you can always stay here at the B & B and enjoy one or all of our fine amenities. Unfortunately the pool will be closed for the season but the exercise room/rec room will be open for you to enjoy. Play some ping pong, shoot some pool, work out on one of the machines, or play some board games. There is also the Asian spa with whirlpool tub and the far infrared sauna, a real hit after a good workout! And because it is Sunday, Sunday, I'm sure there will be a football game somewhere on our satellite TV for you to enjoy! And there is nothing like wrapping up in a blanket in the evening and sitting by the fire in the fire pit at the pavilion, sipping some fine wine while listening to the running stream and the call of the frogs!

So this is a first come, first served deal. Check our website for oodles of information and to see which room you would like to reserve. First one to call gets first choice of the Suite! A complimentary, four course breakfast is served in the morning along with stories of the Civil War, and Oberlin's involvement in the Underground Railroad. You must have military or veteran ID upon checking in.

So don't procrastinate as the rooms will be gone in a flash. And if you live too far from Oberlin or you find us full, then check out other participating B & B's at the website B & B's for Vets.

No Fees!

FEES, FEES, FEES!!!!! Airline fees and now more hotel fees! And these hotel fees are showering billions of dollars into the hospitality industry. Here are some of the fees you may have encountered or will encounter when you travel. Lets start with the internet fees. A charge could be per minute or per day and/or per devise! Then there are the telephone surcharges, fees to use the business center, room service delivery fees, minibar restocking fees and fees to use the minibar, parking fees, and the new one - fee to have the bell staff hold your bags before you check in or after you check out! Some hotels are automatically adding a gratuity fee to your bill. Then there can be an airport shuttle fee, an energy surcharge fee, in-room safe fee (even though you may not even use it!), a fee to send or receive packages, and the resort fee that would cover use of the pool, exercise equipment, and other amenities at the hotel.

WOW! Now that's a lot of fees! But wait! There is a better way! Stay at a B & B! At least here at Hallauer House we have FREE parking, FREE minibar, FREE internet for all devises for entire stay, FREE use of land line, FREE luggage hold, FREE send and receive packages, FREE use of printer (our business center), and FREE use of pool, sauna, exercise room, pool table, ping pong table, and board games. And we have no surcharges on anything! The price that you are quoted is the price that you will pay.

Check out our industry and when you are planning that next trip and are looking for a place to stay, remember - B & B's are the better way to stay!

Yeah Spring!

Our 2012 Spring garden pictures are now posted on Face Book so don't forget to take a look! Lots of little perennial heads are starting to pop up out of the ground, the flowering trees have been spectacular because of the exceptionally warm few weeks in March, the little stream and connected ponds are up and running, the back pavilion is lit and ready to be used, the garden night lights are back on, and the garden artifacts and statuary are slowly making their way back to their perches in the garden rooms. Now we're just waiting for May and annual pot planting time! Enjoy the pics! Let us know what  you think.

Coming Soon! Tough Mudder!

So many calls for rooms for the weekend of April 13 and 14th followed by the question, "What is going on in Lorain County that weekend that has filled up all the hotels and B & B's?" We can answer that in two words - Tough Mudder. Now if you've never heard of this, you are not alone. This is the first year that a Tough Mudder  event will be held in Lorain County Ohio and it is bringing in over 10,000 participants plus thousands more spectators! That relates to a lot of hotel and B & B rooms!

So what is Tough Mudder? According to all accounts it is the toughest competition on earth having been designed by British Special Forces. The Tough Mudder events are held worldwide throughout the year and are designed to test “strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie,” according to the company’s website. It is not a race, but a personal challenge, the website says. The course will be 12 miles long and include 24 obstacles, including 12-foot walls, mud, water and even live wires that deliver a shock. The obstacles have names like “Kiss of Mud: Eat dirt as you crawl on your belly under wires set only eight inches from the ground” and “Boa Constrictor: Crawl through a series of pipes that may force you into freezing, muddy water.” Sounds to me sort of like CBS's "Survivor!" But I don't think anyone gets voted off the island!

Now you have heard of Tough Mudder and if you would like to be a spectator, you may still be able to get tickets. If you would like to read more about it then check out their website. If you are coming to Lorain County for the events and have not secured accommodations, you may have to book in a neighboring county. April 13 and 14 should be a fun filled weekend!

Herbie Hancock Comes to Oberlin!

On Tuesday, March 13, 2012, Oberlin College and the Oberlin Community will be welcoming one of the best icons of modern music, the one and only Herbie Hancock!  Mr. Hancock is not only a legendary pianist and composer, but also an Academy Award winner and winner of 14 Grammy Awards, including 2008's Album of the Year. He redefined jazz, introduced the post bop sound, and was one of the first jazz musicians to embrace music synthesizers and syncopated drum beats. Hancock's music crosses over to embrace elements of funk, soul, and jazz   In his jazz improvisation, he possesses a unique creative blend of jazz, blues, and modern classical music, with harmonic stylings.


Herbie Hancock will perform at Finney Chapel at 8:00 P.M. on March 13th with reserved seating. Reserved seating tickets are $42.00 for the general public and $32.00 for seniors. Tickets will be $3.00 more at the door on the night of the performance so it would be wise to order tickets right away. Ordering can be done on-line at www.oberlin.edu/artsguide; by phone at 440-775-8169 or 800-371-0178; or in person at the box office in Hall Auditorium.

Now since the performance begins at 8:00 P.M., it will go late so why not plan to stay the night with us, have a FREE breakfast the next morning and then head back home. If you mention this BLOG post when you book your room, we will give you a 20% discount making the room rate for one night just $109.00! What a fabulous evening this will be! Go ahead and call or Book On-Line. You know you want to!

St. Patty's Day Special!

March is Irish month!  So in honor of St. Patty's Day, Hallauer House is offering a special that will turn you green! Here's the deal!

Book the night of Saturday, March, 17 and receive the following at no extra charge:

• 2 complimentary bottles of Guinness Stout beer
• Bowl of mixed nuts
• A green carnation
• A free breakfast with Irish scones and Devonshire Cream
• Free use of the pool table, ping pong table and exercise equipment
• Book 2 nights, March 16 and 17, and get 4 complimentary bottles of Guinness Stout beer!

What are you waiting for? Call now at 440-774-3400 or 977-774-3406 or BOOK ON-LINE!

A Lively Conversation: Liberal and Conservative

Need something to do on Tuesday, March 7, 2012? Then come to Oberlin for a lively conversation between 2 columnists - the liberal, Jonathan Alter, a former editor at  Newsweek and now at Bloomberg View and author of the book 2010 book, "The Promise: President Obama, Year One," and conservative Ross Douthat from the New York Times. He wrote the book "Grand New Party: How Republicans Can Win the Working Class and Save the American Dream" (Doubleday, 2008). It should be a very interesting exchange of views! The conversation takes place at 7:30 P.M. at Finney Chapel at Oberlin College. It is FREE and open to the public. Get ready!

Oberlin Underground Railroad Bicycle Tour

Spring is coming and now is the time to start planning that summer vacation! So let me ask you a few questions to help you get your planning started. Are you a biking enthusiast? Do you like adventure? How about history? If you answered yes to those questions, then you may be interested to know that Adventure Cycling has added an Underground Railroad alternate spur route that will begin right here in Oberlin!

Now here are some good things to know. If you want to go the entire route of this new spur be prepared to plan well for the 518-mile journey that will depart from Oberlin, and then take you through Toledo and Detroit, around Lake St. Clair, tracing the shoreline of Lake Huron before heading to Owen Sound, your final destination.

                                                                                             There is a ferry option across Lake Erie
from Sandusky, Ohio, through Windsor, Ontario. Along the way you will find numerous historic sites to visit and super B & B's to stay in. 

The maps on the left are from Adventure Cycling and are available from Cyclosource, Adventure Cycling's online store and catalog.

We have had several adventurers on the Underground Railroad tour coming from the Alabama route who have stayed here at Hallauer House so it is exciting that this new route will actually be starting right here!

 Now back to your trip planning. While on your overnight bicycle tour you will probably camp out a lot but we would recommend that you try to stay a few times at local B & B's along the way. Remember, B & B's are the Better Way to Stay so why not treat yourselves to a good nights sleep and a hot shower occasionally.  Now get started on that planning! And why not plan to stay your first night here with us. The pool opens in May so you can relax and gear up for a really great adventure! When you reserve, mention this Blog article and that you are starting the Oberlin to Canada Adventure Cycling tour and we will give you our tour discount.

P.S. If you really like cycling, then definitely be sure to check out Adventure Cycling's website. They offer maps, packing tips, and much, much more. 

Valentine's Day Special!

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

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!