HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1994-02-23, Page 18PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23,1994.
Area Bed & Breakfasts great place for guests
By Bonnie Gropp
People love weddings. Many will
travel miles to be part of the newly*
weds big day.
Unfortunately in rural Huron,
travelling miles, often means driv
ing back late at night, leaving
before the celebrations are over or
finding accommodation. Usually,
the bridal couple's family can offer
lodging to a few close relatives but
for the most part, guests must seek
other alternatives.
While this particular area may
appear to be out of the hub of
things, we are very lucky, however,
to have a number of quality Bed
and Breakfast establishments as
well as a newly renovated village
inn.
Helga and Joe Springer began the
transformation of the old Brussels
Hotel into the impressive Brussels
Country Inn in February of 1992.
In just three months what had once
been 17 rooms and one washroom
became three spacious suites and
three cozy rooms each with private
full bath. They are decorated in
tasteful elegance with pine furnish
ing and floral bedspreads. While
completion of the work had been
originally planned for June things
were stepped up when a reservation
for a wedding party was booked for
May.
The work did not stop in the
upstairs of the old building, either
as extensive remodeling of the din
ing and lounge area was completed
as well, making it a perfect place to
enjoy a meal.
With accommodation for up to
18 people, rates at the Brussels
Country Inn are reasonable at $40-
$65, which includes a continental
breakfast. Children are welcome,
Helga says, and cots are available
upon request.
Another interesting renovation
story is the Bly th Station House. In
1989 Torontonian Linda Vir spied
the former train station, located at
the east end of the village of Blyth
and enchanted rushed home to tell
her husband Chan about it. The
couple had been looking for a place
to establish a Bed and Breakfast for
some time and they decided the
pastoral beauty of the place made it
the right choice.
As the previous owner had done
a great deal of work on the building
the Virs were able to move in after
just a bit of cosmetic work.
The station is a wonderfully rus
tic, charming structure with every
square foot used to its best advan
tage. The baggage room is a cozy
parlour, while the former waiting
room is a dining room. Located at
the front of the building its circular
shape is the focal point of the
building's exterior.
The Station House has three bed
rooms with queen or single beds in
each, and a honeymoon suite with
private bath and jacuzzi.
The rates include full breakfast
with dinners available upon
request. While Blyth Festival sea
son is its busiest time, the Blyth
Station House will take accommo
dations for the other times of the
year with reservations.
Nestled in the rural hamlet of
Walton, seven miles east of Blyth
and four miles south of Brussels is
the historic Walton Inn. Hosts
Annie and Karl MacNaughton
offer a cozy, comfortable stay in
their renovated 1862 building. Far
from the city and close to nature,
the Walton Inn has reasonable
rates, $20 for a single, $25 for a
double, which include a country
style breakfast.
Just north of Walton is the oppor
tunity to enjoy country quiet at
Mitchell's Country Bed and Break
fast. The home of Phyllis and
Emerson Mitchell has four double
room accommodations, two baths
and a jacuzzi. It is also wheel-chair
accessible. Children are welcome.
Other than the fact that smoking
is not permissible the Mitchell's
guests are invited to make them
selves at home and come and go as
they like, says Phyllis.
Rates, which include full country
breakfast and a light evening lunch
if requested are $25 for single and
$35 for double.
Just west of the Mitchell estab
lishment is another bed and break
fast operated by Ken and Judy
Shortreed. A summer business,
Sunny View Bed and Breakfast is
in a spacious and quiet country
home. The Shortreeds have avail
able two double, two single and
one queen size accommodation.
The full-country breakfast is
included in the competitive rates.
Several miles west again is The
Country Lane, owned by Pierre and
Marie Rammeloo. A picturesque
garden graces the exterior of the
spacious establishment. With two
singles and three doubles The
Country Lane will accommodate up
to eight guests. It also has three
bathrooms.
In addition to a full country
breakfasts, guests receive, in sea
son, a complimentary perennial
flower.
The Blake Bed and Breakfast in
Blyth is in a century home with two
double rooms a shared bath, fans
and colour TV. Cots are available.
Upon request hosts John and Reta
Blake will book a family room for
you with private bath. Children are
welcome and the cost of a stay,
which includes full breakfast is
$30.
1994 couples tone down
Toning down and a splash of
colour are the catch words for this
year's bride and groom.
Wedding gowns are becoming
much simpler; staying away from
heavy beading and loads of lace.
Toronto distributors of designer
gowns by Alfred Sung, La Sposa
and Romance say the new trend for
brides is to tone down; stay simple
and tasteful.
The 1994 collections include
plain silk jacquard, off-the-shoul-
der, drop-waist dresses; empire sil
houettes and soft sleek lines.
The dresses are kept simple with
touches of lace or ribbon along the
hemline, a few bows at the back of
the waist or a minimal number of
decorative buttons or beads to add
the special touch.
Fashion analysts say there are six
looks which dominate the industry
this season.
The first is the empire waistline
Continued on page 19
Showering couples
with unusual gifts
There are still many solutions to
the bridal shower gift dilemma,
even for the independent bride.
With a little creativity, you can
give the bride-to-be a one-of-a-kind
gift.
Here are some suggestions for
starting the happy couple on their
way:
• Season tickets to a local concert
series brings music into a couple's
life. Or, for sports enthusiasts, a
season of watching the home team
is a memorable present.
• An emergency mending kit is
something neither the bride nor
groom is likely to have. Include an
assortment of needles, thread,
buttons, a pair of quality scissors
and a pin cushion.
• Mason jars filled with exotic
flavoured coffee beans (chocolate,
almond, cinnamon) are all available
in decaffeinated or regular. Label
each jar with hand-decorated labels
and complete the gift with
personalized coffee mugs.
• Travel accessories are perfect
for the couple on the go. Ideas
include a clock with time zones
around the world, a durable carry-
on bag or a travel iron.
• A smoke alarm, emergency
flashlight or kitchen fire
extinguisher are safety appliances
for the home that will keep the
couple healthy and secure and are
especially thoughtful items.
Truffles for guests
An increasingly popular table
favour for wedding guests is the
decadent truffle. With many differ
ent recipes from which to choose,
many bridal couples as a cost sav
ing measure are making their own.
CREAMY CHOCOLATE
TRUFFLES
(Makes about 6 dozen)
3 - 175 g packages semi-sweet
chocolate chips
1 can sweetened condensed milk
15 ml (1 tbsp) vanilla extract
Finely chopped nuts, flaked coc-
nut, chocolate sprinkles, coloured
sprinkles, unsweetened cocoa or
coloured sugar.
In heavy saucepan, over low
heat, melt chips with condensed
milk. Remove from heat, stir in
vanilla. ChSll 2 hours or until firm.
Shape into 1.5 cm (3/4 inch) balls,
roll in any of the suggested coat
ings.
Chill one hour or until firm. Store
covered at room temperature.
Option: Creamy Chocolate
Rum Truffles
Omit vanilla. Stir 50 ml (1/4 cup)
dark rum and 2 ml (1/2 tsp) rum
extract into melted chocolate mix
ture. Chill. Shape and roll in flaked
coconut. Proceed as above._______
Learning French
makes a world
of difference
"Le. t your e?(tra
guests stay zuitft us."
Brussels Country Inn
WEDDING BELLS
You want every
detail to be
perfect on the
most important
day of your life.
Your dreams of a beautiful wedding become a
reality with our selection of sparkling
engagement rings and exquisite wedding
bands.
Always a good selection of gifts for your
wedding party.
Also gifts for the bride & groom!
Ǥgg>Gemini Jewellers
Listowel
176 Main STREET West, Listowel 291-3661
DIAMOND CENTRE
Consider a gift certificate
as a shower gift
Boussey's Beauty Boutique
Main St., Seaforth
527-2601
Other Services:
Manicures, pedicures
makeovers, waxing
& facials
Wedding Day Special
Take advantage of our $10.00 Wedding
Special, by booking your appointments in
advance. We’ll look after all the finishing
touches.
COUNT ON US TO HIGHLIGHT
YOUR NATURAL FEATURES