I Wish You the Christmas Spirit

Well it finally came. The first real snowfall of 2009. Thank goodness! I've spent three days at my job in the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point's Tutoring-Learning Center trying to sandwich in the business of decorating the Writing/Reading and Content Tutoring Labs for the holidays, two days decorating my mother and dad's house and tree, and countless days/hours decorating our home--the Dreams of Yesteryear Bed and Breakfast. And guess what? I wasn't in the Christmas spirit in the least. But today changed all that.

Today we had our first real snowfall of the season. I woke up to discover my lawn covered with white, and to the slippery roads that paved my way to work. Looking through the windows I felt like I was in a giant snowglobe. The tips of the tree's branches were dusted with white, the large snowflakes melting on the heads and shoulders of the students as they came into our office, and the weather prediction of snow for the next five days has finally put me in the Christmas spirit. It feels good to feel that Christmas excitement again.

You would think that as one gets older, the excitement of Christmas would wear off. But, it is truly that magical time of year even for us adults. I love the anticipation that pours from Bill's and my six grandchildren this time of year, the beautiful sentimental feeling evoked by the old classic Christmas carols, the Advent Season as we prepare for Christ's coming.

I hesitate to put a damper on my Christmas spirit by turning on the news or even thinking of the state of our nation and economy this time of year. So join me and let's not make the world's problems take main stage right now. Instead, let's embrace Christmas and trust in He Who knows our problems and can make them go away. Perhaps if we can hold onto that Christmas spirit, the rest of the world's problems WILL go away.

Bill and I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed 2010!

Stevens Point Roads Getting Confusing

If you've visited Stevens Point, you know that our streets can be confusing. The older section of Stevens Point is especially confusing because the streets are angled to follow the path of the Wisconsin River. And to make matters worse, the downtown and older section south of downtown is made up of several one-way streets. And now to add insult to injury, the DOT has made changes regarding US Highways 10 and 66 resulting from the opening of new US-10 West between Highway 34 North and I-39.



Here is a description of the changes as forward to me through our Stevens Point Convention and Visitor's Bureau. http://www.spacvb.com/



The changes are as follows:* US 10 no longer runs through Stevens Point west of I-39; the road there is now called Highway 66.* Old US 10 West has become County Road HH between Highway 66 and Highway 34 north.* County Road P is now Highway 66 from Stevens Point to Highway 34 near WisconsinRapids.* With the re-routing of Highway 66 onto I-39 between Highway 66 and US 10, StanleyStreet and Michigan Avenue have lost their Highway 66 designation and have become local streets. Detailed map information can be downloaded here[http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102640178370&s=39&e=001ATZcwBzHY8SVi_CPd92VBeOyPcwflz6zRn_B841RF7E6u1pZuzopMLLsZxeHw1ZqlQNJLp3iPCCnOd1ZkBRsK-qo7naY8HHN43CjtjpeMFd19w8v429uKw==].



So far these road changes have not kept guests from finding our Dreams of Yesteryear Bed and Breakfast. But, I must say, I had some UWSP alumni visiting a couple weeks ago and some Iola Old Car Show returning guests who were surprised to see signs reading Highway 66 instead of Highway 10. Don't let the road changes fool you, we're still here. Come see if you can find us. :)

The Recession and Dreams of Yesteryear

As I'm out and about, people will often ask me if the bed and breakfast business has slowed down due to the recession. You know with the recession our country is in, I really did not expect people to be traveling as much, but I find my expectations are wrong. I can happily reply that business at Dreams of Yesteryear has been steady and is even surpassing last year's statistics. So who are these people that can afford to travel? Well, let me tell you what I'm observing.
There are still the big events in the area that attract certain guests--events that people look forward to and plan for year after year--kind of like the square dance conventions that Bill and I would plan to attend year after year. :) This weekend the 20th annual Midwest Renewable Energy Fair has our guest rooms full. Next month, Riverfront Rendezvous, the National Wellness Conference and the Iola Old Car Show will bring guests. Later the Jazz Festival, Art in the Park, the Amish Quilt Auction will bring people to our community. But, in between the events, what reasons do people find to travel? I think that recession or no-recession, people work hard and need a vacation. So to meet that need for a vacation, I'm finding people are being resourceful and taking vacations closer to home. Some guests come from as close as an hour's drive, some come from right here in Stevens Point to get a peak at our historic home and to experience bed and breakfast hospitality. Guests may not be traveling as far to get away, but they still can feel rested, relaxed and "vacationed" by checking into a nearby bed and breakfast.
Low cost and free activities abound in Stevens Point so once here guests do not need to spend a lot of money to have fun. Some bring their bikes and ride our beautiful and free Green Circle Trail or experience hiking in our many parks. Others take architectural walks to view our many historic buildings and homes in nearby downtown. And when it comes to food, a full gourmet breakfast at Dreams of Yesteryear starts your day and is included in the price of the room. For lunch and dinner, Stevens Point has a wide variety of restaurants to choose from so dining out does not have to be expensive.
So to make a long story short. The recession has not been bad for the bed and breakfast business. It's actually great to see people stretching their imaginations to come up with ways to vacation without stretching their wallets.
I'm sure you've already thought of ways to take an inexpensive vacation, but if not, consider staying at a nearby bed and breakfast. And, while you're at it, why not stay at Dreams of Yesteryear! :)