One way to get your man to a Bed & Breakfast

There are some days that are more magical than others, even here. Bockfest presents a welcome business to the cold winter, but falling on Valentine’s weekend limits the available room options for romance. Unless one considers the true gift of not starting Monday as the typical work week but rather a reminder of the beloved commitment we call ‘in a relationship’. So we have a handful of smarty pants today who have that one figured out. Busy readying the rooms, I was privilaged to witness one lucky recipent escorted to his room, blindfolded. and mind you, I was ‘blind’ too: cleaning a room I simply heard the counting of steps, “turn” and ah…lots of giggling. Magic. May we all be blessed with the childlike delight of our loved ones, everyday.

Fresh from the Oven at The Bohemian

The Bohemian welcomes Arabella, Charlie’s Granddaughter, to the world. She of course will be living with her Mama and Papa, Emmy Lou and Kevin, in Winona, MN but we look forward to her visits. Our own 2 1/2 year old Aunt Savvy has a busy time already bossing her 3 little nephews around so she is thinking this new girl creature is a real kick. Congratulations! Welcome Home!

Rubble in our own backyard

What is happening in Haiti is terrifying. Waking up to a chronically ill child with a debilitating disease can’t be less so in the private worlds we call our own. I had guests this weekend who read about a family in our community struggling with their 10 year old son’s diagnosis of leukemia. A blood drive is taking place this week in New Ulm. Moved to action they will be coming back to participate. I am often, surprisingly, asked, ‘who stays at a bed and breakfast?’. Lynn and Sandy, and others exactly like them. Others picking up the phone and pledging from afar in addition to answering the call from home. I welcome these guests back with fresh towels and a quick wipe of the tub in hopes of facilitating change in one little person’s well being and easing a Mother’s pain. Our lives are filled with moments that can offer gracious gestures. Another secret passion of Sandy’s is skiing and Karaoke, today he will have it all with a ton of compassion. How simple.

more determined than ever.

It is 23 BELOW zero. Another day in Minnesota. I joke about New Ulm, ‘Welcome, we’re closed’, when I am frustrated with the tourism promotion here, but sometimes I think the whole state could shut down except for the summer season. But then I get up, running to the quick trip for forgotten juice, and see the other brave souls. Welcome to Minnesota, where getting up and keeping your children warm, off to school and every other daily task becomes an extreme sport. Apparently we like it, and we certainly don’t care how we look. I am still wearing my dirndl this morning, but it is an amazing array of getups just to get gas. And do you know, we are still smiling and greeting each other in the same old Minnesota Nice way. Using those muscles for a grin has got to be another way to stay warm. After going out in 11 below last night, the pub crawl was rapidly losing any appeal. Today, I am more determined than ever. I am not alone. The Bohemian is full, to the brim. I have a feeling the t-shirts earned tonight will have a meaning that only those of us living in this weather can understand. Again, congratulations Schell’s, and the extended family of supporters, especially those of us in this God-forsaken climate willing to endure the elements to celebrate. Or will we simply do anything for another layer of clothing?

Tags: dirndl, Schells Beer

LIT UP

Although I have put up outside Christmas lights inside the porch, for 8 years, the idea of getting any on the actual house has been daunting. Driving about town I noticed a darling home with looping lights drizzling their open porch. It may be late a few years, but I can do that. The Bohemian is lit up! We even flash. I’ve not figured the proper timing yet, but it seems fitting the lights should reflect what is inside. What speed is Cheerful?
After the Parade of Lights in New Ulm, Savvy, who is now 2 and a 1/2 asked, ‘Christmas gone Mama?’. Hardly. But it raises the question of how to teach the ’spirit of Christmas lies in your heart’. So after pulling out the odd string of lights from the basement and old boughs of holly and making what we have here work, I am hoping I can offer the same hope to others. I love what I do here and recognize I am a small business owner. Equally I am a steward of sustainability. While acknowledging the impact consumerism has on the economy how can I present choices that are mindful both to my beliefs and my business? So this season, in the spirit of giving, which I can’t do in the volume I’d like, I can help you. I will match any gift certificate, in any amount, with another one here, if you will share the savings with a lonely child, cause, or passion of your choice. Magic? Maybe. Me? I will just keep tweeking the timing on our twinkling lights, and for us, in this house, I think everything will be just right.

Hey You Barefoot and Crazy

Several years ago in Bend, Oregon, on a serendipitous cast party, some silly naked Barbies joined our table, spilling from my pockets, leftover gifts I had spray painted for my kit kat girls in Cabaret. Some kid was playing the joint. I was younger then, but still feeling old and wise, I quoted Disney’s Hercules to a boy who didn’t need to hear it. I know a good band when I see one, “Indoor plumbing, you’re gonna be big” I said to Jack Ingram. Never did heard ‘Barbie Doll’ on the radio, but once in a while, lately, I would recognize that voice and delivery. Fifth row center wasn’t as good as sharing a beer, and now that I think of it, I should have bought him a Schell’s last Saturday in Mankato, but, well, he’s big. Some things don’t get better than this. Charlie and I are digging him and who ever else pops up on my Pandora “Jack Ingram Plays The Bohemian Honkey Tonk” and that, I had programed before we got our tickets last weekend. i am thinking George’s could be a pretty cool venue, next time.

A Most Recent Wanda Gag Work

A viewing of a recently donated painting by Wanda Gag was unveiled at The Bohemian. It will hang, after some restoration, at the Gag House, but was fittingly first revealed here. Savannah, our darling, shares Grandparents with Wanda. There are four greats for baby Savvy, with Wanda not knowing them either. Grandma Theresia died 5 years after Wanda’s birth and Grandpa Georg died years before while building a well on his newly purchased plot in the Immelberg, a wooded hill on the southern edge of New Ulm reminding many of the Bohmerwald from where they came. The German Bohemians remain an unarticulated mix of border people sharing language with Germany, a cultural relationship with the Czech region and politics from the Austrian Empire. Today the ancestry continues to be reflected in a strong sense of family and civic responsibility and artistic and musical interests. My own great great grandparents had an Inn in Bohemia, an interesting outcome for me: finding all roads lead to home, going back farther than my own hometown, and perhaps explaining how an unrelated girl was impersonating an artist back in her own college days. Wanda created this piece while in art school in Mpls. It has been graciously donated by the Soulen-Johnson family. http://www.nujournal.com/page/content.detail/id/509499.html

Hopkins Honda Suggests a Fall Drive to New Ulm

Can’t Make It To Munich? Don’t Worry – Oktoberfest Is in Minnesota, too!
Celebrate autumn and German culture in New Ulm.

Think you need to travel across the Atlantic just to experience Oktoberfest? Think again. If you can find your way to New Ulm, Minnesota, you’ll discover a festival just as authentic and spirited as the real German tradition.

An annual event now in its 28th year, New Ulm’s Oktoberfest celebrates the German heritage of the area and offers countless activities all weekend long, from trolley rides to genuine German bands.

The 2009 New Ulm Oktoberfest will be held October 2-3 and 9-10 in downtown New Ulm. For a great introduction to the community, check out local attractions like the Brown County Museum, the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame, Morgan Creek Vineyards and August Schell’s Brewery. From Noon to 5:00 P.M., you can take a horse-drawn trolley ride around famous streets and landmarks. For the perfect weekend outing, don’t miss the German-American Day Parade on October 3 at 11:00 A.M.!

Known for its endless list of entertainment, New Ulm’s Oktoberfest returns this year with a wide range of performers and talents. The famous Concord Singers honor New Ulm’s “Quintet of Singing Pioneers” who settled in the area around 1860. Several German brass bands will also keep you dancing all weekend – especially when they play the famous polkas.

If for no other reason, experience Oktoberfest just for the sake of your taste buds. Serving all the classics from brats to sauerkraut, food vendors offer old favorites, as well as new bites from different regions of Germany (don’t forget to try some Gnome-made Fudge!). Of course, how could an Oktoberfest be authentic without beer? From 11:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. every day, the Beer Wagon will supply you with bona fide German drinks. Featuring specialty beers from August Schell’s, the festival’s servers will be able to tell you a few secrets of the trade. If you want to know more, just take an onsite tour of the brewery!

Shoppers at New Ulm’s annual Oktoberfest always walk away with a few treasures. From collectible German dolls to traditional costumes, there’s something for everyone – including many souvenirs straight from Germany!

There’s no better way to end your Oktoberfest weekend than with dinner at Otto’s Feirerhaus & Bierstube restaurant. Always on the menu are Otto’s award-winning Green Mill Pizza and barbequed ribs that were voted the “Best Ribs in southern Minnesota.” Other favorites include Jagerschnitzle, Bavarian Beef Stew and the delicious Hasenpheffer. Need to try it all? Get a taste of everything with specialty sampler plates like the Sausage Sampler. As they say in Germany, “guten appetit!”

Whether you have German roots or just enjoy the rich history and tradition of the culture, New Ulm’s Oktoberfest is a wonderful way to ring in the autumn season. With delicious food, tasty beer and enthusiastic entertainers, it’s no wonder that New Ulm calls itself the “City of Festivals.” So grab your favorite beer mug and bis bald (translation: see you soon)!

For more information, visit www.newulmoktoberfest.com.

Published by Hopkins Honda

Raining and Pouring

Actually it is wonderful weather in New Ulm and predicting continued warmth and sunshine through our grand Hermann weekend. It is raining and pouring media however. After being nominated for a customer service support award a week ago, today’s food column featured The Bohemian Hoppel Poppel by food writer Wendy Monro and her Simply Food in The New Ulm Journal. I am fondly being ‘reminded’ as to why I do what I do, thank you Wendy, It is Simply Hospitality. The Polls are still open for the support awards at www.supportawards.org. I and The Bohemian can be found under Hospitality. For me, I am Simply Grateful.

Migration

Even though birding and bed and breakfasts go hand in hand, this migration is about my blog. I will now be posting through my website www.the-bohemian.com. Heavens, the site is like owning a virtual B&B, meaning I am cleaning house from the front door to the back. I find the discovery exciting. There isn’t an element of work to be done here that I don’t enjoy, but I do find there is not enough time to do it all, so any help is appreciated, in real life I find relief, when busy, with the college students now back in town. In this new virtual ‘job’ of keeping the website in best form, just like the gardens and the house, I have Corey Ganser through Mind Touch to offer me the best support, virtual staff! Which kinda makes up for me losing my dear Olivia to her first year of college. Olivia Augustin had been with me for four years, with nary a compliant battling my mishaps. Here she is in Mexico with her acute interest in bathrooms, thanks to her fine work at The Bohemian! I will miss her!