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Now
in its sixth edition, "How to Open and Operate a Bed &
Breakfast" by Jan Stankus is considered to be one of the
authoritative guides in the B&B field. If you contemplate
opening your own B&B, you will find the book helpful in writing
business plans, pricing your services, complying with codes and
ordinances, marketing your business, and most importantly, helping
you determine whether a B&B is the right life choice for you.
Aside
from this book, prospective B&B operators can tap into another
valuable source of information: the "people who know the most
about bed and breakfast — the hosts who open their homes to
guests, the people who travel the B&B way, and the managers of
reservation service agencies that help hosts and guests get
together."
What
exactly is a bed and breakfast? Part of the problem in defining a
B&B is that "the term has become so commonplace that it’s
applied to all sorts of things." To clarify matters the book
makes several distinctions among lodgings that label themselves a
B&B. For purposes of discussion, a "bed and breakfast
home" is a private residence used for overnight accommodations
by paying guests. It is not a rooming house, hotel or motel,
restaurant or country inn.
The
eight chapters provide an instructive tutorial on the B&B
industry as well as the pitfalls and rewards of this business.
"Should
You Become a Bed & Breakfast Host?" explains many of the
right reasons for going into the B&B business: meeting
interesting people, developing a home business, profiting from
unused space and generating extra income.
In
"What Does It Take to Run a Successful Bed &
Breakfast?" Stankus identifies five important characteristics
one must have to succeed: location, comfort (noise, pets, children,
smoking, atmosphere), cleanliness, lifestyle (this is your home; are
you prepared to take in strangers?) and the working host
(integrating the B&B style into your daily life and work
routine).
"Getting
Started" covers what are generally agreed to be the basic
requirements in a B&B: the bedroom (beds, linens, pillows,
furnishings, etc.), bathroom (plumbing, bathing facilitates, hot and
cold water, towels and cloths, etc.), amenities (the author’s
checklist includes 83 different offerings) and the price schedule.
In
"Getting Connected" the author identifies the best avenues
for increasing awareness of your B&B. They include the
all-important RSAs (reservation service agencies); special focus
B&B groups; the national, state and local B&B associations;
and other resources (newsletters, Internet groups and workshops).
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second column in this review]
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"The
Business of B&B" explains the legalities when converting
your home into a business operation. The issues addressed include
zoning ordinances, insurance coverage, health and safety
regulations, taxes, and record keeping.
"Publicizing
Your Bed & Breakfast" contains a list of the different
outlets for marketing and promotion. Sources include creating and
distributing in-house publications (brochures, stationery), listings
in B&B guidebooks, press coverage, advertising, off-season
marketing and marketing on the Internet.
You
can learn how to attract and satisfy your visitors in "The
Perfect Guest." Screening your guests, attention to special
guests (one-nighters, single travelers, children, pets and foreign
guests) and making your B&B accessible contributes to a
successful visit and the potential for repeat business.
For
any B&B to properly accommodate the perfect guest, one must
strive to be a gracious host. In "The Perfect Host"
Stankus discusses the duties and responsibilities of every host:
welcoming your guests, the orientation process, the welcome letter
(which covers the rules, facilities and services), visiting with
your guests, comments and preserving special memories.
Remembering
that dining is sometimes greeted with anticipation, "A
Memorable Breakfast" reminds you that the special touches — a
nice tablecloth, good china, a vase of flowers — can enhance the
pleasure of your guests’ visit. Setting the right mood at
breakfast means attention to a scenic setting and serving delicious
food and beverages.
"How
to Open and Operate a Bed & Breakfast" is essential reading
for anyone contemplating this kind of a business enterprise. The
book’s true value lies in its "combined knowledge,
experience, and advice of hundreds of B&B hosts, managers of
reservation service agencies, B&B consultants across North
America, and guests who enjoy B&B hospitality."
In
the forward, Arline Kardasis, the former president of Bed and
Breakfast—The National Network, writes: "A B&B home must
provide quality accommodations and genuine hospitality to its guests…
‘How to Open and Operate a Bed & Breakfast’ offers the
reader a complete course on the nuts and bolts of hosting, including
all of the pitfalls as well as the many joys and benefits."
For
more information visit the library at 725 Pekin St. or call (217)
732-8878.
[Richard
Sumrall, Lincoln Public Library District]
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The
501 C 3 paperwork has been completed, and the group voted on the
contributor levels that they would officially enter with it.
Eight
categories have been accepted:
$25-$49
$50-$99
$100-$299
$300-$499
$500-$999
$1,000-$2,499
$2,500-$4,999
$5,000-plus
The
group is seeking the development of a logo to be made locally. There
was considerable discussion about trying to harness the talents of
our youth. It was pointed out that it would increase interest and
awareness if kids from kindergarten through grade 12 were helping.
With this concept in mind, Marty Hargett stated, "All different
age groups involved, that would be great." Jacobs concurred,
"Young people need to be involved in this." It is
tentatively planned to go to the schools and seek their involvement.
Jacobs
announced that the Chamber has offered their location as a postal
address. Mail can be sent to:
Logan
County Arts Association
c/o
Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce
303
S. Kickapoo St.
Lincoln,
IL 62656
A
flyer is being designed that will bring about awareness of this
newest Logan County asset. It is hoped to be completed and ready for
distribution downtown at the Art Fair, at the Logan County
Fairgrounds during the Balloon Festival and at prime outlying
community locations. Jacobs emphasized that this is intended for all
of Logan County, and the group needs to reach into the other
communities.
A
number-one goal of the association is to build support membership.
They are planning to have a membership drive.
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The
first fund-raising activity was set forth and is under development.
It is planned to have regular Classic Movie Nights. Richard Sumrall
pointed out that there are 16 film genres to choose from. Once the
details of the place and frequency to view them are worked out, the
first movies will be ordered. It was thought that patrons will be
given ballots to choose future movies.
Patrons
will purchase tickets to see these great classics on the big screen.
It is hoped to have pre-movie introductions and optional post-movie
discussions led by people who are knowledgeable and passionate about
this art form. The post-movie discussions may be a ticketed event as
well, with refreshments at Eckert’s Fine Dining, making it a great
date night.
In
other discussion of future goals, Jean Gossett suggested, "I
would like to see us bring in a live, breathing artist and have a
display of their works." The beauty and stature of Logan County
Courthouse was suggested as an excellent location for this activity.
The Logan County Board will be approached for their approval in the
use of the courthouse rotunda. Then artists will be sought for
shows.
As
a last order of business, Larry Steffens requested that the newly
completed bylaws be approved "so we can move on." There
was a motion to do so that was seconded, and they were unanimously
accepted.
The
next meeting is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 20, in a Lincoln Public
Library meeting room.
Logan
County Arts Association mission statement: "To enhance the
quality of life by actively promoting arts dissemination, thereby
making the arts an integral component of life in our community and
the surrounding area."
[Jan
Youngquist]
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LCT’s
box
office is open for
‘Moon Over Buffalo,’ a comedy
[JULY
7, 2001] Lincoln
Community Theatre’s box office is open with tickets available for
the next summer performance, "Moon Over Buffalo," a
comedy. Performance dates are July 13-15 and 17-21 at the Johnston
Center for the Performing Arts on the Lincoln College campus.
The
cast of eight includes Lincoln residents Bruce Clausen, Amanda
Frioli, Josh Twente, Nick King, Connie DiLillo and Allen King. Also
appearing are D Ann Jones of Clinton and Mitchaleen Lowe of Decatur.
The play is directed by Jerry Dellinger of Lincoln. Sets were
designed and created by Max Levendel of Bloomington.
In
the story, an acting couple on tour are given one more shot at
starring roles, and a famous director is on his way to catch their
matinee performance in Buffalo, N.Y. The setting is backstage as
their daughter brings her fiance to meet her parents. Hilarious
misunderstandings pile on top of misadventures, all of which are
magnified by the deaf mother who manages the theater.
The
box office is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
and one hour before each performance. For more information, call
(217) 735-2614 or visit LCT’s website at http://www.geocities.com/lincolncommunitytheatre/.
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