Minnesota B&B Blog » News

Paul Bunyan Bike Trail Opening

embracingpines — Thu, 27 May 2010 20:04:10 +0000

The work is finally done and the signs are up! That Paul Bunyan Trail is ready to ride.

: The entire trail opens May 29

The last link of the Paul Bunyan Trail will be open for riding for the Memorial Day weekend. The long awaited completion of this trail has finally arrived. You will find Embracing Pines Bed & Breakfast on the trail and open for business with the new shuttle service that is available. The shuttle will be able to pick up your belongings and move them to the next destination, or if you are wanting to ride out and be brought back, or taken out and ride home that can all be done. Embracing Pines Bed & Breakfast is very near the crossroads of the Heartland Trail and the Paul Bunyan Trail, so you will be able to ride out 4 different directions without riding the same part of the trail any direction. We serve a great breakfast, and treats when you return from your ride. We will try to accommodate your plan.

Count down to BIG Innspiration in the Mini-Apple

Pam Thorsen — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 13:00:26 +0000

Innkeepers will be gathering at the MBBA annual conference and annual meeting April 18-20 at the Crown Plaza in Brooklyn Park. Highlights this year include Jay Karen as keynote from Professional Association of Innkeepers International (PAII).Also exciting will be the kickoff of the organization’s Green Journey. Classes range from The Art of the Tart to Social Networking made Simple and The Power of Reviews. As always great food and this year’s entertainment is innkeeper talent Kevin Knox from Nicolin Mansion and his band. As one innkeeper says, “there is quite simply no better value for my marketing dollar than the annual MBBA conference.” Vendors expected include Deneen Pottery, bedandbreakfast.com, Inside Out Solutions, Rustic Ridge Hospitality, My Pillow, Out of The Box Dates, Gilcrest & Soames, Comphy Sheets, and Nordic Ware and more.

Spring…right into Summer in Duluth!!

agthomsonhouse — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 18:51:53 +0000

I think we are all shaking our heads around here, and giving thanks, for the absolutely beautiful weather that we have been fortunate to experience this early in the spring. The shipping season has kicked off early with the first ship leaving Duluth’s port on Tuesday. And the summer is shaping up to be exciting around Duluth and the North Shore. From Grandma’s Marathon to Blues Festival – Duluth is not only one of the most spectacular areas in the country for pure, natural beauty; it is jammed packed with fun activities and events throughout the year.

One of the biggest and most anticipated events taking place this summer is the Tall Ships Challenge scheduled to begin on July 28^th through August 2^nd. A fleet of eight international vessels will sail into Duluth’s port, one of only six cities chosen in the US and Canada, and the only Lake Superior port! It’s a rare chance to catch a glimpse, step aboard, and even set sail on some of the grandest ships of yore. The festival grounds open Thursday, July 29 with sounds and sensations ranging from a pirate school for kids to four days of performances of Gilbert & Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance, a musical presented by the UMD School of Fine Arts.

Perhaps one of the most fascinating ships included in the fleet is the Freedom Schooner Amistad. It is the official flagship and tall ship ambassador of Connecticut, and more notably, holds historical significance as one of the ships used in the trading of slaves. The Amistad made history in 1839, when slaves aboard the ship revolted to secure their freedom while being transported from one Cuban port to another. The current mission of the Amistad is to provide visitors an intense and direct reexamination of the history of the Atlantic Slave Trade and its legacy found throughout the nations of the Atlantic Basin.

So as you plan your summer vacation; or short getaways this season, be sure to put Duluth on your schedule. You will be surrounded by superior natural beauty while taking in some spectacular events and activities along the North Shore. Join us; we look forward to seeing you on your next visit to Duluth!!

Gunflint Trail Green Up – May 7 to 9

bct — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 10:38:14 +0000

Join other friends of the Gunflint Trail at the Trail’s annual Green-Up for a weekend of tree planting and tree care. At Poplar Creek Guesthouse B&B and cabins we plan to plant Red and White Pines seedlings in the Poplar Creek/Little Ollie area and along the Banadad Ski Trail. Please join us!

We provide tree planting instruction, planting equipment and tree seedlings, two nights lodging with Barbara’s famous breakfasts each morning. One day planting trees with a trail lunch. Also included during your stay, Ted will make a presentation on the area’s “Fire history, and Reforestation.”

Rate for two night is $89/person/plus taxes double occupancy and Green Up registration fee for additional meals and more.

Chocolate March Marching On

Pam Thorsen — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 05:09:02 +0000

There are three lovely Sundays remaining for a tour of inns and tasting divine chocolate in the St Croix Valley. This coming March 14th, visitors are welcome in Hudson and Osceola Wisconsin at member inns of the Inns of the Valley. On March the 21st Stillwater and Marine Inns will be swinging open their doors and spreading out their chocolate desserts and the final Chocolate Sunday is March the 28th with St Croix Falls,Taylors Falls and Center City innkeepers boasting hospitality and chocolate. Visit Inns of the Valley for more information about the ticket purchase . Dont forget a portion of the proceeds benefit Second Harvest and this is Minnesota Food Share Month so your donations are doubled.
Tickets are only $21 in advance and $25 at the door. Each Sunday features at least four stops and one wine pairing or sampling each Sunday. This is the 8th annual March and the 15 inns have been tantalizing visitors with creations such as apricot white chocoalte scones, triple chocolate ricotta muffins, deep dark devil dipped chocoalte cookies, fluff tuffs, truffles, hot chocoalte surprise, smores by the fire, chocolate fountains, choco baklava, and even a chocolate port from Alexis Bailley Vineyard. The best deal of all though is that the 15 inns of the St Croix Valley are offering a package for booking any two days in March–the second night is 25% off and you receive two free tickets to the Sunday of your choice Chocolate March.

Quilter’s Weekend Getaway – Quilt Show 2010

ramona — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:22:09 +0000

On March 26 & 27, 2010 the Prairie Piecemakers Quilt Guild proudly presents Quilt Show 2010. Plans are being made and hopes are that there will be over 300 quilts on display. Share a unique fabric experience with specialty shops, demonstrations, door prizes and a parade of quilts. There will also be a ladies lunch available. The show will be located at 15 North State Street in New Ulm (formerly the NU Middle School), hours: Friday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. Make a weekend of fun with your lady friends and stay with us at the Deutsche Strasse Bed and Breakfast, for good food, conversation and the comforts of home. We are located only six blocks from the show! For more information about lodging, please see: exploreminnesota.com

Quilt by Connie Micheel

Stillwater’s Art on Main this weekend March 12 & 13, 2010

waterstreetinn — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:06:15 +0000

Art on Main, Stillwater’s Fine Art Walk this Friday 3/12 – 4pm to 9pm and Saturday 3/13 11am to 5pm. Explore the galleries and studios along Stillwater’s Historic Downtown. View new works, meet the artists and enjoy appetizers and refreshments with friends.

651-351-0262

www.discoverstillwater.com

www.waterstreetinn.us

7th Annual Winter Wine Down for Muscular Dystrophy

waterstreetinn — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:32:26 +0000

This year marks the 7th annual Winter Wine Down event. The event is held at the Water Street Inn in Stillwater, MN and will be on Saturday, February 6th, 2010 from 6pm to 10pm. All the proceeds of the event will stay local and help to fight Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Over the past 6 years we have raised over $250,000.

Join us for heavy appetizers, over 80 different wines available for tasting, live music provided by Anglo and Collins and a silent auction as well as a live auction

Tickets are $45 ahead of time and $50 at the door

To purchase tickets, please click on the ticket link on the left or contact the MDA office at 952-832-5517

It is a wonderful event and we hope to see you all there!

www.mdawinterwinddown.com

The beauty of Duluth and the Cutest Puppy Contest – a must see!

agthomsonhouse — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 20:01:13 +0000

For all of us that live in Minnesota, Wisconsin, or the northern region of the country, we know that winter not only feels long, but often is depending upon when that “last Spring storm” hits us. But what we all know from being able to live and work in this beautiful part of the country is that if you don’t embrace it, you will be miserable. That sentiment is one of our favorite things about Duluth and being able to live in, love, and be the caretakers of the A G Thomson House Bed and Breakfast. Year round, the city of Duluth offers so much to visitors and residents alike; from the extraordinary beauty of “our” Lake Superior to the shopping, dining, theaters, symphony, etc. There truly is no shortage of things to see and do up here; whether it’s dining at one of our many fine restaurants and cafes, or outside on one of our extraordinary nordic ski trails, or downhill on the slopes of Spirit Mountain! Not only are we Innkeepers and “concierge’s” for this great Lake Superior city, we are proud residents who love it here and are eager to share it with you!

And one of the great annual events during this beautiful season is coming up this weekend, January 29th. Events for the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon begin this Friday, January 29th and runs to February 4th. One of the favorite and most popular events is the Cutest Puppy Contest on Saturday, January 30th. This is so adorable and a must see to help kick off the 27th Annual Event! So consider “embracing” what the beauty of this season, Duluth, and the A G Thomson House have to offer you on your next trip to Duluth! See you soon!!!

Ice Cream Social in Stillwater’s Lowell Park January 23rd

waterstreetinn — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 02:04:06 +0000

Ice Cream Social in Stillwater’s Lowell Park January 23^rd

The Washington County Historical Society is bringing back, again, the ice cream socials of Stillwater’s past. This year’s ice cream social will have more flare, fire and ice cream than last years.

On January 23^rd from 1pm to 4pm in South Lowell Park there will be ice cream cones, coffee and chili for anyone who wants to thumb their nose at old man winter and get outside and enjoy what Minnesota is made of…….namely ice, snow and the cold.

Back in 1950 Stillwater businessman Gib Larson of Snowland Foods as well as other business people held the first winter ice cream social up at the St. Croix Boom Site. Even though the temperatures were well below zero more than a thousand people came out and enjoyed the ice cream and the season.

The event was moved to Lowell Park the next year and later it moved to Lily Lake. The event was sponsored at that time by the Jaycees and eventually faded away like winter into springtime.

“This event brings together our history and the community,” says Brent Peterson, Executive Director of the Washington County Historical Society. “What a great way to celebrate the place where we live and enjoy ice cream as well!!”

The ice cream, cones and chili will be provided by Leo’s Grill and Alesci Furniture Gallery in downtown Stillwater and the coffee from the Supreme Bean Coffee Shop on North Main Street and also sponsored by the Water Street Inn of Stillwater.

There will be a bonfire going to keep the family warm and the St. Paul Saints Baseball team will also be on hand.

The event is free to the public and donations to the Washington County Historical Society will be accepted.

For more information please call the Historical Society at 651-439-5956 or visit http://www.wchsmn.org/.