I got my first "video thrill" yesterday

I got my first “video thrill" yesterday! A lady called and booked a three-night reservation for later this month, saying, "I saw your video on YouTube.” Wow! What a high! Advertising works! For those of you who have not found it, or I haven’t pestered into finding it via FaceBook, YouTube, or our website, the Walnut Street Inn now has an introductory video.

A year ago March, I attended a Bed and Breakfast Inns of Missouri (www.BBIM.org) workshop that finally pushed me over the top to get a video produced. I quickly traded rooms for video work with a local video company, thinking professional work would be the best. They gladly stayed at the Inn then went belly-up in the “Great Recession” before filming one scene.

That is when I discovered (not really “discovered” -- I knew it was there) the video button on my Canon PowerShot SX20 IS still camera, and started playing around with it. My first attempt was video taken on a float trip I took this spring with Cat, my daughter, and Emily, one of my daughters “by other parents.” (If you want to see it, it is posted on my personal FaceBook page and become a “FB friend”). It was fun, and I learned two things; You gotta compose horizontally for video (duh!), and you don’t have to narrate everything that is happening. Your audience can see what is happening. So for the Walnut Street Inn introductory video I did no voice-over, just music and the natural sounds of the Inn.

When I finished it and posted it for my FaceBook friends for feedback, I got a lot of good suggestions on how to improve it. Some of them I could incorporate right away; some will have to be done over time. Thanks to all who participated!

I launched the video, officially, last week, and if you haven’t seen it, I have attached it here, or you can find a link to it on Walnut Street Inn Facebook site, on the opening page of our website (www.walnutstreetinn.com), or by searching for “Walnut Street Inn” on YouTube.

The theory is that some of us are more visually stimulated than just with words or pictures. Movement and sound help us “complete the picture” in our minds of what the experience should be like. A combination of video and stills, along with written descriptions, should convey as accurately as possible what the “Walnut Street Inn” really is, and what it would be like to stay there. We are not for everyone, but the majority of folks who take the time to search us out come with a pretty good understanding of what we offer.

Yesterday when I checked a couple into the Jordan Room, the lady said, “This is exactly like I pictured it from your web site.” That is what we want; Truth in advertising. Better to underplay and surprise them with more than they expected than overplay your offerings and disappoint the guests. I’m hoping this video will do just that.

Now, if I can just find a way for potential guests to smell our breakfasts and the cookies in the evening…

Gary at Walnut Street Inn

900 E Walnut StreetSpringfield, MO 65806

Info: 417-864-6346

Reservations: 800-593-6346

I love this job!

Tonight is our 4th night of all rooms being full. I love being full; it’s like, well, being full! It’s like that feeling three hours after Thanksgiving Dinner at your grandmother's; you are are no longer miserable from overeating, you are contented, mellow from the plethora of choices you waded through at the table, and ready for a nap in front of the boring Detroit Lions. Ah, true contentment…But I digress, back to the Inn.
This morning guests are coming and going, the mental “cha ching” of the cash register (if I had one) fills the air, employees are rushing to and fro, good smells are coming from the kitchen, wafting up the back staircase and awakening the last of the slumbering guests. The coffee is always fresh, and laughter is everywhere.
This morning, we served the Ham & Cheese Puffs, with Hash Brown Casserole and fresh strawberries and bananas with a mystery cream topping (I forgot to ask), and the smell nearly killed me. About 9:30 I had a chance to sit down and eat the leftovers. I waited my turn to sit on the back deck (my favorite breakfast spot), photographed my plate (seen here) then savored every bite with my second cup of coffee and Sunday’s paper. The crunchy and flaky puff pastry encases razor-thin slices of black forest ham, two kinds of cheese, and a mustard and sour cream sauce that gives each bite just the right tang to awaken every single taste bud in your mouth. Beside this is our Hash Brown Casserole, so creamy and good, made with condensed cream of potato soup, two kinds of cheese, and fresh thyme. For this plate, Rita makes it even more decadent by crisping the casserole on the grill in butter just before serving. The acidity of the fresh fruit clears your palette for the next bite, until only the plate, and your wish for more, remains. I love this job!

Gary at Walnut Street Inn

900 E Walnut StreetSpringfield, MO 65806

Info: 417-864-6346Reservations: 800-593-6346

Artsfest on Walnut Street

In Springfield, Missouri, spring isn’t spring until Artsfest. This urban street celebration of all kinds of art, from theater to photography, marks the beginning of a wonderful time to be in the city. Trees and flowers are in bloom, nights are cool and refreshing, and the days are just warm enough to get out the shorts and find the sunscreen. Artsfest celebrated its 30th year this past weekend. We are so lucky to have this Arts fair take place right in front of the Walnut Street Inn. With the beautiful weather this year, estimates were that over 20,000 folks each day wandered Historic Walnut Street, purchased plants, paintings, jewelry, and sculptures, listened to amazing music, and of course, tasted their way around the world with great food!

My Artsfest staples are smoky bratwurst and corn on the cob, but this year, along with those, I added Indian food from Gem of India, one of our favorite restaurants for Sunday brunch. The corn guy challenged me to try something different from my normal butter, salt and pepper, and Cajun seasoning. He recommended the hot corn on the cob be lightly covered with mayonnaise, parmesan cheese, dribbled with lemon juice, and sprinkled liberally with chili seasoning....Okay, I’m game. It was delicious, but I went back later for a traditional ear just to be sure.

I love to walk the busy streets. I always run into friends I haven’t seen since last year’s Artsfest, or maybe not since college. Four stages of music (including one on the front lawn of the Walnut Street Inn) give you plenty of musical variety until you run into that old friend. Our Walnut Street Inn guests walk the street, select their lunch, then retire to the back porch of the Inn for a picnic under the umbrellas. After lunch, they often go off to their rooms for an early afternoon nap. When they wake, it is time for the three-block stroll through Artsfest to ArtsFiesta!, a celebration of Mexican music, dance, and food that goes on into the evening, this year featuring a female mariachi band from our sister city, Tlaquepaque, Mexico.

As I wandered the street, I overheard snippets of conversation - “We can buy a bunch of stuff now, we are almost back to our car!”, “I have $1.40 left, I wonder what I can spend it on”, “That snake guy is back again this year! Yuck!”, “Did you see the belly dancers? I could do that!” “...and then I went, I could tell Heather if I wanted to, but she went, If you do, I’ll tell Dad...”, “ Do you think we could tie it to the roof of the car?”

I love Artsfest. The best of spring and Springfield get together for just a moment in time to celebrate the arts, celebrate the rebirth of the planet and a plethora of reasons to be hopeful about the future. Our economy is still in the doldrums, and our incomes may be low, but our spirits are high as we walk from booth to booth, from friend to friend. Artsfest reminds us that we are not in this alone. We are in this together, and with the help and support of each other, life will go on.

Artsfest is sponsored by the Springfield Arts Council and is always the first Saturday and Sunday of May, and It is always right in front of the Walnut Street Inn!

For updates on next May’s Artsfest: http://www.springfieldarts.org/artsfest

Gary at Walnut Street Inn
900 E Walnut StreetSpringfield, MO 65806
Website: www.walnutstreetinn.com
Info: 417-864-6346
Reservations: 800-593-6346

Love is in the air

April 17 and 18 we had two wonderful and totally different weddings here at the Inn. One traditional with all the bells and whistles, and one free-flowing, more like a party than a wedding. Both were thoroughly enjoyed by the guests, and the innkeeper! We have a break, about 30 days, until the next wedding, but you never know, one could pop up at the last minute.

For every wedding day, there are thousands of Anniversaries on that same day. That is where B&B’s and particularly the Walnut Street Inn, serve the most need. Every weekend this time of year we are full of couples celebrating Anniversaries from year one up to year 50 or 60. I love Anniversary guests. They come expecting to have a good time, are in a good mood, and are (for the most part) happy to be with their spouse. And strangely enough, you can often tell the stages in the marriage by the requests they make.

Anniversary couples, from 1-10 years, want privacy; a room in the Cottage or Carriage House, breakfast in bed. Or they may choose our little hide-away, the Wilder Room, on the third floor of the main house because of the private balcony and the lower price. We see them at check-in, when we deliver breakfast (late as possible, 10 am for us), and again at check out. They are often getting some time away from their little kids, and every moment away is dear to them. It may be the first night Mom is away from the new baby. In those cases, she not only has a cell phone, she carries the phone in her hand, like holding a connection to the baby. They often want Champagne or wine in there room if she is not pregnant, and don’t want the TV tuned to the cartoon network for any reason. As they get closer to the 10th anniversary, they usually order our Romance Package (Champagne, chocolate truffles, turndown service with rose petals across the bed, 15 candles around the room, romantic CD playing.) They want and need to rekindle their relationship in 24 hours, then it is back to work and the kids!

Anniversary couples from 11 to 20 years often want to be more social. It seems by this time, they have had many special nights with their spouse and the fun of the breakfast table conversation may be a bigger draw than breakfast in bed. They may even come with other couples, bring an older child, or dine with friends or family on their special night. They will stay in the Main House, Carriage House or Cottage Inn. The room location is not important to their night. They order our Romance Package or Anniversary Package for the evening to make it memorable, but most come down for breakfast (at 9 am) in the dining room with the other guests.

After 20 years, Anniversaries are a family celebration and a reason to party. Children are often part of the event. The kids may even make the reservation and plan the evening and help “Mom and Dad” get away from other commitments. They usually want to stay in the main house so they can conveniently sit in the parlors or porches and talk to other guests or the innkeepers. Or they may move from room to room, trying out all 12 rooms through the years, before settling on their favorite room. They often have local family or friends join them for breakfast (at 8 or 9 am) in the dining room. They order Champagne or our Anniversary Package on “the big ones,’ 20, 25, 30, but usually not after 30 years. Some couples will bring their own favorite beverage (think scotch) and ask for ice.

The 50th Anniversary stay is a very special time and is almost always booked for them by their adult children. The stay may include a family party that night in our parlors. The couple may have never been to a B&B before and they are anxious about the stay and may call ahead to learn all the details and arrange special needs. They are more concerned with which floor the room is on; the higher the room, the more resistant the guests. They always come to the dining room for breakfast as early as possible and often arrive early. Family will join them for breakfast and the conversation often last throughout the morning, spilling into the parlors and porches.

These are all stereotypes, but based on 15 years of experience. There are exceptions to the pattern and that keeps us on our toes, making sure we give them the experience they wish. Any time the Walnut Street Inn can be part of this special night, on any year, we are excited to do so. This is the reason we are in the “hospitality” business, to serve folks like our Anniversary couples. If you don’t get excited about Anniversary stays, you are in the wrong industry.

Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness blow the rest away. ~Dinah Craik


Gary at Walnut Street Inn
900 E Walnut Street
Springfield, MO 65806
Info: 417-864-6346
Reservations: 800-593-6346

Spring blooms at the Walnut Street Inn

We had a beautiful wedding here the last weekend in March, and we have two next weekend, one on Saturday, and one on Sunday (April 17 & 18). If you are thinking about having a wedding here, drop by either day at 12:30 pm and you can see how the “WSI Chappell” looks when it is all set up! There are over 100 photos of weddings and parties at the in posted at: http://picasaweb.google.com/garyfromwsi/WeddingsAndSpecialOccasionsAtTheWalnutStreetInn#
Click on the Slideshow button in the upper left and it will walk you through them quickly. That is a great way to see many different weddings and how the Inn looks when transformed into a Wedding Chappell.
Speaking of Spring, our Star Magnolia in the back yard put on a show this year. Every year is different, but this year, it was very happy and every bloom was a double bloom. That is it in the picture with this blog.
I am outside now every moment possible, so if I don't answer the door, walk around to the back porch. I'll probably be there!

Gary at Walnut Street Inn
900 E Walnut Street
Springfield, MO 65806
Info: 417-864-6346
Reservations: 800-593-6346

Easter Sunday

I wrote this last Easter, so I thought I'd post it again. The feeling is still there, even with Cat being almost 19 now.
Happy Easter to all.


Happy Easter! Happy Easter! When I hear that, I immediately think of my daughter's Easter basket when she was a little less than two years old. Paula made one for when she was one, but not very elaborate, for she wouldn't understand much at 10 months old, but her second Easter was different. Paula made her a wonderfully intricate basket, with ribbons and lace, bunny ears and pink everywhere, that we still have, and will pass on to her child if she wishes. That year, at 20 months, Cat could hunt eggs, eat the ears of the chocolate bunnies, and oooh and aaah at the toys, and ask for more. One of the things we found for her basket was a little stuffed bunny, that when you squeezed the tummy, said "Happy Easter!" in a perky little voice that made her giggle. Somewhere in the Catherine archives, we have a movie of her squeezing and giggling, squeezing and giggling, squeezing and giggling....oh to be that pure, that simple again.
Each year, Paula would get out the Easter basket, refresh it with yellow peeps, new pez dispensers, wind up toys, jump ropes, and the "Happy Easter" bunny. Year after year, squeeze and giggle, squeeze and giggle.
Through the years it continued to work, and never got tired. That little voice was just as excited about Easter as the first time. Each time we got it out of storage, the feeling was, surly it wouldn't work this year. But one little squeeze and "Happy Easter!, Happy Easter!" I can still hear her giggle, and see her two fat little thumbs, pushing so deliberately on the bunny's tummy, and waiting for her reward.
This year Cat is 17, and we didn't get around to putting together that Easter basket for the first time in her life. I thought of it in the Easter service this morning...no basket for Cat, no "Happy Easter" bunny, and started to cry.
What is it about my daughter becoming a woman, and not still my little girl, that, while I am so proud, hurts so much? It must be the passage of time, and my own mortality.
Slow down, slow down, slow down time. Give me one more year of those little thumbs pushing on the bunny's tummy, and waiting for her reward; Happy Easter! Happy Easter!
Happy Easter to you and all those you love.

Gary at Walnut Street Inn
900 E Walnut Street
Springfield, MO 65806
Info: 417-864-6346
Reservations: 800-593-6346

Do you want to be in the Wedding Business?

Snow, sleet, rain, and wind could not stop us this weekend as we celebrated the wedding of two wonderful guests in our parlor. The rain stopped, we got all 40 celebrants in the parlor, and the ceremony was wonderful. All ages were there, from beautiful little girls all dressed in silk, to elegant grandmothers holding court and giving out sage advice.

Behind the scenes, we scurried around like chipmunks, mixing punch, pouring sparkling cider, cutting cake, gathering glasses and plates, and quietly greeting other guests who arrived during the wedding, all the while trying to stay out of the limelight, letting the family enjoy this momentous occasion. When the final toast had been made, the bouquet had been thrown, and the bride and groom had made their formal departure, we changed into comfortable shoes and started the work that would turn our little chapel back into our parlors and dining room. When other guests arrived in the evening, they never knew what had occurred earlier this day.

All together, someone was working on the wedding from 10 am until 6 pm. It took 4 people and about 20 man hours to do it smoothly, not counting the pre-meetings our wedding coordinator had with the bride and the florist.

Kristi Ball is our wedding coordinator, and she does a marvelous job! When something goes against plan, she calmly finds a way to get us back on track, and no one knows there ever was a problem. She and I are working the entire time. I hire someone (thanks Ari!) to help me move the furniture out of the parlor and back again, and Jessica supports Kristi all during the ceremony. I do dishes (my specialty!) until the crowd is gone and I can get to the task of furniture moving. By the end of the day, the house is reset to its original splendor and we are pooped, but contented.

Why do we do weddings? Because it is the right thing to do. Few families have a home this big today, and church weddings are not always the best choice. Our “home” can offer a warm intimate location where all can gather and feel the history of the many weddings that have come before. Weddings have been held at the Walnut Street Inn since 1988. I’m not sure how many, but a bunch. I do know we see many of the married couples back for their anniversary or other special occasions. In a way, our home becomes theirs, a place to which to return for warm memories and to rekindle the love that brought them here in the first place.

We also do it for the marketing. If 40 people come to our Inn for a wedding and have a wonderful time, they are going to think of us in the future when they have an anniversary or birthday, or when they have out of town guests and no place to put them. They become our best form of advertising. Thanks folks!

So for all those aspiring Innkeepers out there, we encourage you to open your homes for weddings. Yes, it is hard work, but it is a wonderful way to share your property and make memories that will last a lifetime.


Gary at Walnut Street Inn
900 E Walnut Street
Springfield, MO 65806
Info: 417-864-6346
Reservations: 800-593-6346