Innkeeper’s Blog

May, A Time for a Fresh Start! A perfect Campbell House B&B 15th Anniversary Gift…I gave to myself-was the installation of a new floor in my office/kitchen. Gone is the old, ugly carpet which I have lived unhappily with since I purchased the property. I think the previous owners put the carpet in some 30 odd years ago… The carpet was depressing as well as difficult to keep clean…Now I dance around the kitchen with my swiffer…Cleaning and sanitizing is so easy. Now, I can leave the swinging doors open and not be ashamed of the floor. The room is brighter, cheerier and much more organized. Gone from the island are the Campbell Kids…the island has been wall-papered, painted and lime washed. My long time friend Cheryl, came to visit then turned the kitchen/office into a decorating delight. She papered, painted, lime washed, and sponged walls and window sills. She cleaned, scrubbed and gave me orders as to what I was allowed to do…which was to organize my office area and computer center. I did as I was told. Now there is more room to work, a much more organized and pleasing place to work while taking reservations, checking in guests or cooking.
All of the wicker and metal furniture has been painted, the exterior of the B&B has been power washed, the porches have been painted and the flower beds have been weeded in preparation for flower planting. Cheryl brought in help from Indiana, PA to help…once again I was told to “not touch a thing”, “stay out of the way”, “go fold towels or something”. What I can’t understand is how I am to stay out of the way but I am still working long hours and still can’t get caught up on my administrative work. Come to think of it, trying to keep up with two buildings which include a motel with 2 car garage (that is next to clean) a B&B with lots of rooms, two porches…administrative work, then being an active member on the Ligonier Borough Planning Committee, participating in politics and having a few hours for socializing keeps one very busy. I am fazing out my eBay store by the 24th of May…I will place items on auction from time to time…but no more store… I just don’t have time.

May is a time to refresh, a time of blooming…a great time to visit Ligonier and Campbell House B&B. New & repeat guests are invited to enjoy life from either of the two porches…may enjoy breakfast in the fresh air while refreshing their mind and bodies. It is a wonderful time to visit…

Don’t be surprised if you see the Innkeeper sitting on the front porch…that is if Cheryl allows me to touch things!

As I celebrate my 15th year in business and reflect back over the years I see the road traveled as not only bumpy, sometimes rocky, but always a road I selected to travel. What a journey it has been and continues to be. My greatest anniversary gifts are all the positive comments and so many repeat guests as well as the “best ever occupancy” of January, February, & March of 2008. I can not tell you how much it means to read guests comments in the room journals, e-mails and receive favorable phone calls. Recently repeat guests Chris & Sue Davis from Maryland could hardly contain themselves through the check-in process…why? This 7th anniversary getaway couple couldn’t wait to present me with a hand picked gift of a Campbell full size peddle car…if Chris and Sue were excited you have seen me. The car is in “souper” condition and now has a place of honor in the Campbell Suite (where the Davis’ stay). We took photo’s…now if you want a laugh you will enjoy seeing me trying to get into the peddle car. All kidding aside, I am so touched at the thoughtfulness of Chris & Sue who also contributed to the craziness of Campbell collecting and my memory journal.

Every guest who has been to Campbell House has left something more than money…a hug, a kiss, laughs, conversation and always a memory!

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has joined me on this 15 year journey. Patti

I woke this February 12th morning to a beautiful scene…My world was covered with white fluffy snow… There were no tracks, nothing to mar picture perfect East Main Street…I made tracks into the middle of the street to look down towards the Gazebo…what a breathtaking view! As the snow continues to fall, I realize how fortunate I am to live in Ligonier and not have to travel away from home today. Campbell House dressed in snow invites guests to come in out of the cold to enjoy a warm getaway!
Valentine guests will be arriving this week-end to a warm welcome, a Valentine to enjoy in their suite or guest room…the breakfast table is set in red and white with valentine napkins, breakfast will be special for “Lovers”. Some Valentine Guests will have a “Lovers Cake” to enjoy, a few guests will have a soy candle and romantic music CD along with the Lovers Cake.

The snow is beautiful but I hope it will be gone for Lover’s Week-end at Campbell House.

Fifteen years ago I negotiated a deal to purchase the house and motel at 305 East Main Street in Ligonier. The 1993 Ice Fest featured 40 to 50 ice sculptures around the Diamond as well as one of the coldest January week-ends. My feet and fingers were so cold as I viewed the various ice carvings around town, naturally, I strolled east on Main Street to see the property which I hoped would be mine. I was not able to enter the house that cold, wintry day-so I walked back to the center of town to find a place of warmth along with a hot beverage…this was not an easy feat back then. The only place I knew who would take pity on me was Loyalhanna Realty who I was going through for the house purchase. I was welcomed into the office, served hot, black coffee and I do mean black. I want you to know I was grateful of the warmth of the building, a welcoming…but that black coffee was so strong it almost made my hair stand up. Real Estate Offices and Car Dealerships must make coffee in the morning then let it sit so it almost becomes tobacco juice. YUK! Ok, it was hot, so I guess I can’t complain.

I THINK YOU SHOULD KNOW I PURCHASED AN ICE SCULPTURE FOR THE 1994 ICE FEST… I WAS AWAY ON A BUSINESS TRIP WHEN MY SCULPTURE WAS CARVED ON FRIDAY…I ARRIVED IN LIGONIER AT NOON ON SATURDAY WENT DIRECTLY TO FIND MY $200. INVESTMENT AND WHAT DO MY WONDERING EYES SEE? A cement block, a large puddle and a sign Sponsored by Campbell House B&B. Yes, the sun was shinning, the temperature was in the 80’s and I saw my money going down the sidewalk.

So this week-end of January 26th & 27th the 17th Annual Ligonier Ice Fest will be underway with the weather promising to be just as cold and blustery as January of 1993. I am happy to say I will be warm in Campbell House, hosting guests and a good-bye party for my friend Sten, who is returning to his homeland of Sweden after living in Ligonier for the last five years.

Where did 15 years go and how in the world did I survive it? I don’t have the answers, but I am still here and happy to say I have just finished a banner business year of 2007.

Summer is almost gone-where, oh, where, did it go? Thanks to Michelle Lazur (the best web designer) I have enjoyed the busiest June, July and August in my 14 years of being in business. September promises to be equally as good. Ok, along with being busy comes mounds and mounds and mounds of laundry followed by baskets and baskets of ironing. Many days I visited the grocery store two to three times…that makes the Giant Eagle owner very happy. So many breakfasts, so many dishes…thank goodness for the new two drawer dishwasher.

Summer 2007 was also a time of change by the replacement of a long time assistant with four hardworking part time ladies. Campbell House became sparkling clean, linens and closets are well organized under Kim’s leadership! Kim has given up trying to teach me to fold those dreaded fitted sheets. Anna is learning to multi-task along with her computer reservation skills, Tabbi has added serving breakfast to her resume and Corrie (a new mother) is chomping at the bit to learn the reservation service…

Well here at Campbell House it is the old story-make a buck…spend two… While enjoying a successful summer I found the side porch roof was rotted (it is only 12 years old and I am sorry to say was built by two former Sears employees who didn’t know “jack” about construction) so it is being replaced along with the some of the porch floor. Well there goes putting money in the bank for those snowy days. The shutters and window frames are now being painted with my special pink paint…woops it is about two shades lighter than the lower windows and house trim. I guess I will try to get the paint expert to tint my remaining cans darker then get my friend to climb back on the ladder to repaint…hopefully this time he won’t get three bee stings.

Here is it a warm Saturday…just a mere 81 degrees, the time is a little after 12 noon and I am done for the day. My guests are all stay overs who are enjoying themselves at Idlewilde Park where the annual Highland Games are going on. Anna and I are so happy to be finished early on a Saturday for a change…breakfast is prepped, the table is set, the laundry is done and we are out of here. I should be at the gathering of the clans of Scotland since I am a Campbell; however, I am Italian…the only Scottish about me is an ex-husband whom I have never seen wearing a kilt! Now that is an interesting thought!