Sad News: First Elopement Groom passed away. Tearfully remembering. Labor Day 7 years ago, I coordinated my first elopement-Marlene & Jim were late for their wedding date, got lost on Rte. 711-when they finally arrived I grabbed Marlene’s car keys-told this couple to jump in the car as we were late…”wait Jim is diabetic, he needs to eat” well I gave them coffee and a biscotti-then I drove them to the Ligonier Gazebo (Marlene thought I had a Gazebo in the back of Campbell House)

The rest is history…the happy couple has returned to Campbell House each Labor Day to celebrate. Jim loved to harass me and I loved to tease him. He wasn’t teasing when he said, “I don’t think I will be coming back next year”.

What great memories of your wedding and anniversaries Marlene and I just shared on the phone. Remembering Jim…RIP  You will be sadly missed…while I have tears in my eyes, memories of you will always bring a smile.  Jim and Marlene just celebrated their 7th Anniversary…Such a wonderful, happy couple.

Labor Day will never be the same without Jim to keep this Innkeeper in line and Marlene to enjoy the interaction between us.

Saturday September 29, 2012 was a special day for a special couple…who chose Campbell House B&B Innkeeper, Patti Campbell as their wedding coordinator.

All this couple had to do was get a PA Marriage License, rings then drive to Ligonier.

The fall weather ranged from sunny to cloudy, cool to warm.  The only bump in the road was the Gazebo in the Ligonier Diamond wasn’t available as there was a fundraising spinning event which started at 6 PM Friday, finishing at 6 PM Saturday.   An emergency call was placed to find a new location suitable for a fall wedding as well as being close to town.    My call for help was met with, “We will be happy to help you out”.    Problem solved!

I am proud to present the happy couple!

Campbell House B&B is Now Steeler Training  Camp (Bell) House B&B offering Black & Gold followers 25% off a two night stay.

Save 25% off a two night stay at Campbell House B&B (An Adult Getaway) in Historic Ligonier.  Just a short drive from training camp.

Call toll free 888-238-9812 to reserve a room or suite.   CODE: BG2012

25% off a two night stay with a pre-paid advance  reservation.

Offer good thru August 17, 2012

Only Campbell House Gift Cards can be used with this offer.

Campbell House Elopement package includes:  Package I  $795.

• Two nights lodging in a Romantic Queen or King Suite.
• Arrangement of Private ceremony in Ligonier’s beautiful Gazebo or in Campbell House
• Bouquet for the bride and boutonniere for the groom
• Wedding Cake for two
• Bottle of bubbly
• Wedding Dinner for Two ($100.00 value at a local restaurant)
• Breakfast for two (Photo of first breakfast as Mr. & Mrs)
• Wedding Album
• NOTE: Wedding couple is responsible for obtaining PA marriage license
• Advance reservations with payment in full required.
• Rate is based on bridal couple. All inclusive price.
• This Wedding Package is Not a Traditional Wedding with Attendants.
• Family & Friends May Gather for Gazebo Wedding Ceremonies  Only!
• Campbell House B&B can only accommodate 6 adults for in house ceremonies.
• Additional Charge for Wedding Dinner Guests  Call for details!

Good-bye 2011…A year to remember!

My first marketing grant from The Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau

A tour of the Consol Energy Center which included Old Man Winter dropping inches of snow in a short time frame.  Took over 5 hour  to   to get home from Pittsburgh.   I was white knuckled when I stopped at Chef Robinson’s in Jeannette to ask to use the ladies room. Even  though the restaurant was closed they not only let me in but made me dinner.  I am forever grateful.

I paid more for snow removal for two parking places and the sidewalks in front of the B&B than I spent in 6 years.  Yes there was a lot of snow…but the cost was way past my budget.  Can you imagine the cost if I would have had professional snow removal from the long drive-way, the parking lot in back and spaces in front of the motel.   (I now own a 30 inch snow blower with power steering)

Next I got caught in a hail storm on my way to Greensburg!  The Soupkid van had dimples and dents-so off to the body shop for a huge make-over paid for by insurance.  I was scared as the golf ball sometime baseball size hail beat against my van.  I felt like popcorn inside a micro-wave.   If I thought I had van damage it was nothing compared to the roof damage on the B&B.  Hail beat the roof up and the roof lost the battle.   Half of my two car garage is filled with shingles as well as other roofing materials.  The replacement must be complete by April 15, 2012.   If you are wondering why the roof hasn’t been replaced as of now-well I am happy to say the B&B was to busy week days for me to close for 5 days so the work could be completed.   Can you imagine guests trying to enjoy breakfast or a relaxing more with all the noise above them.   I convinced my insurance company to let me postpone the work (on the word of my contractor who said it wouldn’t be a problem).   MY ROOFER IS LOCAL!  No storm chasers on my roof.

I enjoyed a busy year…along with business booming, there was never ending laundry, ironing, cleaning, cooking and more of the same. As a single innkeeper I found myself working long hours (nothing new) needing additional help with serving breakfast and housekeeping.  Good help is not easy to find in Ligonier and I didn’t like the position I found myself in…paying more and getting less.  Sometimes there were four of us working and still couldn’t keep up-well the help couldn’t keep up. After a long hard look as well as a lot of thought of my business I have had to make some changes.   Starting January 2nd, 2012 Full breakfast will be served week-ends only…Continental breakfast will be available Sunday through Friday mornings with the exception of guests who have booked their 2012 accommodations in 2011. This was not an easy decision for me to make as I enjoy cooking breakfast and personally am not fond of continental breakfast.   I will be able to handle breakfast on my own with out the added cost of help and or the help not showing up or not guest friendly.

Although I welcome small groups with many asking for discounts because they are filling up the B&B.  In fact; the B&B fills up  based on size, repeat guests and Ligonier being a destination.    Just like a restaurant has a charge for parties of 8 or more,  Campbell House will have a 10% surcharge for groups of 6 or more starting with the new year. Exception any groups who booked their 2012 reservations in 2011.

As I say good-bye to 2011, I  look forward to a new year in which I am about to embark on my 19th year in business…I look forward to a growing business while taking in  to consideration changing times and an older Innkeeper…that’s me.