Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Civil War Comes to Hale Farm!

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!                                                      

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Fun Time in Cleveland!




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!
 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!!!

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Calendar Marking Time!

 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!!!


Tuesday, August 9, 2011

B and B's for Vets

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.