The Underground Railroad Quilt

People often ask us what we like most about owning a bed and breakfast and our response is always the same. It's the people who come and stay and share a part of themselves with us.

This past week we had guests from Michigan, Kathie and Robert Fiedler, who found our listing as an Underground Railroad house in Ohio. Kathie is an accomplished quilter and came to our area in search of quilting fabric in historical patterns. Before leaving she showed us her remarkable Underground Railroad quilt of patterned squares that were codes to help slaves escape the bonds of captivity and travel the treacherous trek from the Southern states to safety in Canada before the Civil War. It was through Oberlin, Ohio that many of these slaves seeking freedom came to pass through. And our B & B, with the basement hiding place and floor plug above could have been one such place of safety and refuge.

Kathie gave us a very knowledgeable explanation of what each of the squares coded message meant such as the Log Cabin square hung out meant "Safe House." The Shirt Pattern square meant that clothing could be found here. Arrow in a pattern pointed north to freedom. The Bow Tie square was a symbol indicating that one needed to don a disguise and seek clothing that reflected a person of higher status.  And more squares too numerous to mention because I didn't take notes! You could tell that as she talked she was telling us about a labor of love. Her heart and soul is reflected in the work of her accomplishment and we are so thrilled that she shared this with us. The pictures below show only a small part of the loving labor that is reflected in this fabulous quilt. Thank you so much Kathie for sharing it with us. Someday maybe we will have a small wall hanging of an Undergound Railroad quilt!

Oberlin Summer Theater

Oberlin Summer Theater is back for its 6th season so be the first to get your FREE tickets to one or all of these fabulous plays. This festival has become one of the most popular and family friendly events in all of Northeast Ohio. Word has spread over the years and now people are making this a destination stop.

The Oberlin Summer Theater Festival is supported by Oberlin College and Oberlin Conservatory and is made up of professional equity actors, local non-equity players, and interns who are recent graduates and current Oberlin students. There will also be a summer Shakespeare Day Camp July 28 to Aug. 1st for high school students to learn the art of acting.

So this years festival will include the following 3 plays:

As You Like It by William Shakespeare
June 27 - August 1, 2014
A comedy appropriate for ages 6 and up.

Come Back Little Sheba by William Inge
July 5 - August 2, 2014
Adult themes so recommended for ages 12 and up.

The Secret Garden by Thomas W. Olsen
July 11 - August 2, 2014
For all ages from 5 up

Notice that the play schedules overlap. That is because each play is performed three times a week, each week. So if you come and stay for a week you will be able to attend all three play performances!

Click here for calendar of productions and complete box office details. And remember that tickets are FREE but must be reserved in advance so it is on a first come basis. Sell outs do occur!

Now if you want to see all three plays then make Oberlin your vacation destination. Stay at Hallauer House B & B, enjoy our amenities, and during the day explore all Lorain County has to offer from museums, to antique shops, to the Zip Line Tour, to Cedar Point, to Lake Erie, and much more.

The New Zip Line Canopy Tour!

Hold on to your hats! Strap yourself in! We have a brand new FUN and AMAZING activity coming this June to Lorain County and it is located just a few miles west of Oberlin! Did you ever want to go to the top of the trees and look down on the nature above and below you? Did you ever want to experience the thrill of riding down a zip line, walking up stairs to the top of a tree, or walk across a suspended bridge over 100 feet above the ground? Well you can do all of that and you can do it right here in Lorain County, Ohio!

Common Ground is a non-profit organization which "provides innovative programs that nurture the body, challenge the mind, and renew the spirit of each individual to: embrace who they are, realize their potential, and experience their connection to all things." And now they will be providing us an unprecedented journey through nature to discover our inner selves. Coming this June is the first northeast Ohio Canopy Tour! 

Picture yourself at the top of the trees 100 feet above the ground. You will climb the treetops, zip down, go up the staircase, walk across the aerial bridge, zip some more, all across the 29 acres. As you stop at each elevation your guide, who will be with you through the entire journey, will point out the nature that you are observing. Your last stop, 2 1/2 hours after you began, will be to repel down from the top to the ground level. Be prepared to scream and shout with delight as you experience the beauty and exhilaration of life and nature in the fast lane!

The Canopy Tour website will be on line about the middle of April and then you can register and reserve your spot on-line. The cost is $85.00 per person for a 2 1/2 hour experience. In the meantime check out the Common Ground website and register your email for updates.

So start planning that vacation! Come to OHIO and experience all that we have to offer! A Canopy Tour Package deal is coming so check back for details. When you stay with us we can help you plan a different activity for each day that you are here. And don't forget, when your day is done or the heat has you down, come back to us and take a swim in the POOL!!!!!!!!

Come on! Give us a call! Set up your Canopy Tour and reserve your stay at the historical Civil War themed 1830 Hallauer House Bed & Breakfast!!!! You know you want to!

Pancakes!!

Happy National Pancake Day! Have you had your pancakes yet? Well if you missed them at breakfast this morning have no fear for you can have them for dinner! But stop!! Don't open that box of pancake mix! With so many recipes to be found in cook books and on the internet it doesn't take all that much more to make your very own from scratch. They will taste oh so much better! So to get you started, I am posting a fast and simple recipe to get you started. Be creative with this. Think of the possibilities!

Quick and Easy Pancakes

 Prep Time - 5 min.     Cook time - 6-8 min. Yield: About 8 or 9 pancakes using a 1/4 cup to dip batter

Ingredients:
     1 cup flour (all purpose, whole wheat, soy)
     1 tablespoon sugar
     2 tablespoons baking powder (yes, you read that right - tablespoons!)
     1/8 teaspoon salt
     1 cup milk (whole, 2%, skim, soy, almond, rice)
     2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Directions:
     1. Begin by setting all ingredients and needed equipment out on the counter
     2. Preheat an electric skillet to 350 degrees or skillet on range unit to medium.
     3. Measure and combine the first 4 ingredients in bowl.
     4. Measure and add milk and oil to dry ingredients
     5. Mix to incorporate but don't overmix
     6. When a splash of water sizzles on the pan then it is hot enough
     7. Dip out 1/4 measuring cup of batter and pour it into the hot skillet
     8. When bubbles appear in center of pancake and edges become firm, then flip them over very carefully
     9. Cook on second side until brown and cakes are firm.
    10. Repeat till all are cooked; keep others warm in oven.

This recipe allows you to be your creative self! Add fruit, cinnamon, nutmeg, other flavorings, use different flours, milks, non dairy, gluten free. Experiment! Have fun! And don't forget to drizzle some Ohio Maple Syrup all over the top!