Newsletter- Printable (Full Version)

This newsletter is at best spastic in the past, so there may be changes for some of our less frequent guests (every 5th anniversary). Many of the rooms have been improved or were not even in existence when you were last here.

We now have three rooms with king size beds and two person whirlpool tubs (Franks, Sterling and Library) and all of the rooms have private baths.

1 or 2 Nights

All stressed out!! Do you have just too much going on and not enough or at times it seems that all you do is work? Then it’s time to “get-a-way” to decompress and get back in touch, even if you just have time for a one-night stay. After all, you have the kids, this or that, honey do’s and always work.

Actually, you will discover the world goes on just fine without you for a whole weekend and you will come home and not even feel guilty for the indulgence. But you will feel like you actually got away instead of having a quick side trip.

Dinner for 2

Just can’t get away but still want to do something special for the evening? For those who have not tried this special treat, picture the B’Nook dining room reserved just for the two of you, candlelight, music, and a seven-course dinner. You do not have to book a room to have dinner but you do need reservations. 972-938-7207

Inspiring Innkeepers

Many of you have thought about what it would be like to run a B&B. We conduct one-on-one consulting.

We have been instrumental in the formation of a number of B&Bs over the years. The Molly Cherry in Denison, Redbud Inn in Denton, Fall Farm in Minneola, Swann Hotel in Jasper and Etta’s Place in Ft. Worth and more than 30 B&Bs/inns opened after taking our class. I am sure there are some out there that we have not yet discovered. If you would like to explore the dream further, contact us to set up a schedule. The cost is $150 plus a two-night room reservation for a weekday (Sunday-Thursday)

Travel Talks

Another service we can provide is speaking engagements. We have two programs, “How to find a great B&B” and “Waxahachie, Who?” which provides information about upcoming events in Waxahachie. Both of these talks are about 20 minutes long.

We could develop other topics, especially if the group can travel to Waxahachie (cooking, history, attractions). If you have a group in need of a speaker, give us a call to schedule the event.

Inn Mascot

Beau is our 4^th mascot. This time we found a Yellow Lab at the pound. He is fitting in just fine, but a little too friendly at times. We have always had Irish Setters or Golden Retrievers as Inn mascots before (Ginger, Sissy, and Kelly) who always welcomed guests warmly. Well Beau is a bit more rowdy, but he never met a stranger.

Weekday Rates

We have always had weekday rates available but never published the actual rate in the brochure. We still do not put it in the brochure, but just for you –Sunday through Thursday the Morrow and Gavitt rooms are $85.00 and the Franks, Sterling and Library are $115.00. More of our guests are taking mini-trips for a quick get-a-way by taking a day or two off from work several times a year. This allows you to recoup, relax and renew your partnership with your significant other. We can do an early breakfast to get you to work on time. This is a greater discount than we offered in the past.

25th Anniversary

For those of you that will be celebrating your 25th anniversary we have a very special idea. You invite your closest friends and family, and we can arrange for a minister or Justice of the Peace for the renewal of vows, along with flowers, cake and all the rest. Better yet, have your friends book rooms and make it an event to remember.

Where the Heart Is

A treasure hunt for your loved one! Your significant other has had several months of stress; perhaps it is time for you to show where your heart is. We will work with you to create a very special lovers’ treasure hunt.

Barter

We would like to introduce you to a way to enjoy your “get-a-way” without spending cash. If you have your own business and are willing to exchange your expertise, products, or services for other services or products in our barter exchange, contact us. When you earn barter dollars you may spend those dollars with us or any of the thousands of member businesses nationwide.

Call and we’ll tell you about Trade USA. Barter with a solid company such as this helps increase your business while saving your cash

Parents’ Day

Everyday is parents’ day at the B’Nook. Bonnie’s father, Bill Gavitt, now resides with us at the BonnyNook. We went up to Ohio, packed them up, and moved them down here in September of ‘97. He is in his late 80s and still gets around. He helps us in several areas to keep things running by catching the phone while we are out, greeting guests, and helping Bonnie with the garden.

Tip: Finding a Good B&B

Of course we want you to come back to the BonnyNook but we also know there are those of you who just want to try something new. I have compiled a short list of guidebooks with particularly good resources.

The first three are compiled from the authors’ visits and the text is written independent of the B&B owner. In fact, the innkeeper owner may not know that the B&B is included until the book is published.

Recommended: Country Inns of the Southwest by Eleanor Morris.

Texas Monthly Guidebook by Gail Drago and Margie Acheson.

America’s Wonderful Little Hotels & Inns by Sandra Soule.

Great Stays of Texas by Historic & Hospitality Accommodations of Texas

The guidebooks use inspections programs similar to Mobil, from which we have received three stars.

Recipe

Some of you have asked about different dishes we fix for breakfast, one of our staples is “Savory Eggs”.

Spray an 8x8 pan with non-sticking cooking spray, sprinkle cheese in bottom of pan, pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix with whisk the following in a bowl.

8 eggs

1/2 C Half & Half

1 tsp. Prepared Mustard

1/4 tsp. Salt & Pepper

1/2 tsp. Herbs *

Add to cheese in pan and bake for 18-20 minutes until firm. Serves 4.

* Herbs are the creative part of this recipe and can be any of the following: basil, barbecue seasoning, caraway seed, celery seed, chives, chili powder, dill, garlic, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, sage, savory, thyme or even steak seasoning.

Bon Appetite

Bonnie is very accommodating to those who have special food requirements, such as, allergies, diabetes or other health problems. Just let us know when you make the reservation.

A Stray Cat

Over time we have had some long term guests that stayed with us for months. When it was time for each of them to go, we found ourselves missing them terribly since we had grown attached to them.

A stray cat taught me a valuable lesson concerning guests. After nursing a stray back to health, this cat became a loving companion. Then one day the cat missed breakfast, lunch and then dinner. I searched everywhere for her, called the vet and pound, put up posters– no cat. After a couple of weeks of searching, I had to resign myself that our stray had strayed on down the road. I was devastated until I realized that our stray cat was just on loan to us. I realized that all living things–cats, dogs, people, kids–and yes, our guests, are just on loan to us. We do the best we can for them while they are with us. Eventually we must let them go on down the road to their next adventure.

Bonnie

Scarborough Faire

A Renaissance Festival celebrates the music, mirth and merriment of 16th century Europe. Join the festivities while hundreds of performers and artisans display and demonstrate their craft. With ten stages offering continuous entertainment and two full combat jousts, a day offers adventure and romance for everyone. The festival runs from the last weekend of April until mid June. 16th century dress optional.

B&B Topics

Many people express an interest in some day doing a B&B themselves. To give an insight into what this business is all about I would like to emphasize doors–yes doors and locks.

When we first opened, we did not even lock the front door. Well we found out that a lot of people were curious about what a B&B was and just walked in. Before we knew it we had folks wandering all over the place and we were not even aware that they were there, so we had to have a key made and lock the front door. It can be alarming to find folks just appear out of nowhere.

Next came locks on guest room doors. We struggled a couple of years with this. You strive to create an atmosphere that is as homelike as possible and somehow locks all over the place puts us right back into the problems of a big city. We never had a guest refuse to stay but a few were nervous about it. We realized that it may be a security issue and installed deadbolt locks on the guest room doors. We leave unoccupied guest rooms open for guests to see what the other rooms look like.

We still do not lock doors to our quarters or storage rooms. It is after all our home and we hope people respect that a closed door is a private door. One of my pet peeves when I go to a B&B is a tacky little sign that says “do not.”

Every innkeeper who lives on site has at least one story of a guest at the foot of the bed or when he or she are in the shower who wants a cup of coffee at 5 am. That is just part of inn keeping, but I cannot bring myself to put more locks between the guests and myself.

Travelers, not Tourists

Guests return time and again for the blend of friendliness and privacy, comfort and luxury, and the surprises that are part of BonnyNook’s gentle verve (such as, Bonnie’s melodramas at breakfast). All this in an astonishing corner of the world known for its antiques, history, originality, hospitality... its Victorian architecture and its friendly people.

Waxahachie and BonnyNook Inn are a good fit. Both are one-of-a-kind, exceptional places ... both are a refuge for the visitor who is a guest, not a customer ... a traveler, not a tourist.

In our sometimes too-big, too-fast, too-scary world, it is reassuring to know that a truly personal, heartfelt travel experience can exist. It does, here at BonnyNook.

Friday Nights

Bored with microwave dinners and TV on Friday night? Feel lucky? Call us between 1-5:00 Friday afternoon and we will extend the weekday rate of $85.00 to you for any room we have available. We will provide everything you need from toothbrush to hair dryer. Ask for the Friday night special. 972-938-7207

Group Events

We can also arrange lodging, meals and meeting space for groups by coordinating with the other B&Bs in Waxahachie. We have more than 30 B&B guest rooms available within a half mile of the B’Nook. So if you have a group planning a retreat, we can provide all the services normally available at a hotel, within a much more comfortable setting. 972-938-7207

Mrs. West

In 1890 Dr. W. West acquired the house and moved in with his wife. In 1895 they had a son and Mrs. West’s sister came to live with them. In 1896, Mrs. West was killed in a freak accident (or murder?) when the wood-burning stove in the new kitchen blew up. Within three months Dr. West marries the sister-in-law. Ever since, a woman’s presence has resided in the bedroom that we call the Morrow Room. She has appeared at the foot of the bed to check on guests, let loose a parakeet, moved items, and sang in Czech. In 1996, an image of a small skull appeared on the headboard of this room from one day to the next while unoccupied. Many guests who “have the gift” have felt the presence, seen and shared in this mystery.

B&B People

You are different from the rest of the traveling public. You are more adventuresome and romantic. Not everyone can take the different path, but it is OK to leave the Holiday Inn to the average person. After all they just do not know any better.

Restaurants

This list has a wide assortment of menu options. All the eating establishments offer great food at a reasonable cost. Open Thurs.-Sat. evening until at least 9:00. For other days a phone call would be a good idea.

Banana Boat, Seafood, 723-9343

Catfish Plantation, 937-9468

Campuzano’s, Mexican, 938-0047

Creole Cafe, Cajun, 938-2290

1879 Townhouse, Home Cooking, 938-8971

Golden China, Chinese, 937-8818

Little Sicily, Italian, 923-0048

Peel’s Steak House, 937-4277

Barbecue Pit BBQ, 983-3677

Brooklyn’s Best Pizza, 937-2601

Chantilly Place Tea Room 923-0770

Pamper