Take a walking picture tour around the 1 1/2 acres of garden rooms at Hallauer House. The pathways are named for the garden helpers. There is RaRa Road, Emmy Expressway, Amel Ave., Jenn Junction, Darby Drive, Ethan Alley, Dawn Drive, Brenner Blvd., Poppop Pathway, Georgia Gate, Grayson Gulch, Maya Mile, A Walk Through Thyme, Rosecake Walkway, and Path to Goldi's Pond. Walk by the garden rooms - Western Shutter Garden, Moss Hill, Ceres's Room, Sound scape Garden, Twin Oaks, Ivytree Garden, Goldie's Pond, Stairway to Freedom, Plowshare End, Ode to a Grecian Urn, Crystal Entrance, Fairy and Herb Garden, The Beach, and of course The Pool! Enjoy the pictures!

And the Civil War Began On This Day

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!

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!

Do You Believe?

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!

Open House

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!

An Afternoon of Pampering!

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!

Festive Holiday!

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