Oberlin's Amazing Smartphone Race

Do you have a smartphone! Do you like to solve clues? Do you love history?  Do you like to walk? Do you like friendly competition? Do you like solving clues? If you answered yes to all of the above then you should come to Oberlin and take part in the Amazing Oberlin Smartphone Race! All that is needed is 2 to 4 persons per team, with one person on each team with a smartphone. You start at the Oberlin Heritage Center where you are texted the first clue. When a team figures out an answer, they send a text or photo back to the center and receive the next clue. Now there are a total of 14 clues, covering about 2 miles, and should take you about 90 minutes if you are not side tracked for ice cream, coffee, or a beer!

This is a super activity to add to that list of things to do when you visit Oberlin, Ohio during your 'Staycation!' You may find there are so many activities to schedule that you will need several days to get it all in! You need to make time for the Oberlin Heritage Center and tours, the Oberlin Art Museum, the Oberlin Theater Festival, the Zip Line Canopy Tour, the antique shops, the quaint downtown shops, and then you need to take time to stop, smell the roses, and relax by the pool at Hallauer House Bed & Breakfast. You can race from now til  October!

The International Gay Games Comes to Cleveland

Thirty-two years ago the first International Gay Games was held in San Francisco and every 4 years since has been held in cities in the US, Germany, Australia, Canada and The Netherlands. We are excited that this year, August 9 - 16, the games will be held in Cleveland and Akron, Ohio and expectations are that 9,000 athletes will participate and close to 20,000 guests, spectators, performers and volunteers will flock into the city and surrounding areas. Hallauer House Bed and Breakfast will welcome all participants and guests so come early, stay late, enjoy the games while you also enjoy a taste of history and the modern amenities at the B & B just 15 miles west of Cleveland right off of  I480/US Rt. 20.

The kick off ceremony to open the Gay Games will begin on Saturday, August 9 from 4:00 - 6:00 P.M. at Quicken Loans Arena as the participants march in according to geographic locations. And just like the Olympic games there will be entertainment with spectacular production numbers, dancers, music, speeches, and the raising of the Rainbow Flag. The closing ceremony will take place on Saturday August 16 on Mall C across from the Cleveland Convention Center.

And now the Games begin! There will be competition in:
basketball, bowling, power lifting, open lake swimming, pool swimming, rowing, triathlon, tennis, volleyball, rodeo, golf, diving, cheering, 10K & 5K road race, billiards, darts, ice hockey, martial arts, rock climbing, racket ball, road racing, sailing, softball, track and field, wrestling, body building, dance, cycling, water polo, beach volleyball, ice skating, sailing, squash, flag football, soccer, table tennis, and synchronized swim. Wow! Hope I didn't miss one!

There will be lots of entertainment in the way of comedy, theater, conferences, dancing, great food, tours to local attractions and museums, cruises, and much, much more. The Festival Village will be the hub of the games where participants, family, guests, and the public can gather to meet and greet and have fun times!

So we welcome all to come to our great Cleveland area. You may come as a stranger but you will leave as a friend! We are all one human family so we will "take the flame and pass it on."
Take the Flame (3’17”) By Henry Krieger, Bill Russell, Lyricist

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.