The wonderful Graphic Design students at LTC helped me to understand WordPress in order to update the RedForestBB website. Still under construction, but things are getting better.
We Welcomed the World to Our Door
It started as a dream. A dream that came true 30 years ago, when we opened our door as the Red Forest Bed and Breakfast. Through the years we have had the opportunity to welcome guests from all corners of the world. Many have become close friends who’s friendship we treasure. All of you have enriched our life by having the opportunity to meet you. The time has come for us to pass the innkeeping torch on to a new owner with best wishes.
Time for us to say, “Good Night”, “Gute Nacht”, “Buenas Noches”, ” Buonne Nuit”, “Boa Noite” one last time.
Thank You,
Kay & Alan Rodewald
kayrodewald2727@gmail.com
Red Forest Bed and Breakfast named Most Charming Small-Town Bed and Breakfast in Wisconsin
This was a good week! I received an e-mail this week from Kelsey Ogletree. Kelsey is an experienced freelance writer from Chicago who specializes in covering travel, food, fitness, health, golf, hotels, weddings, meetings, and events. Her e-mail said that our B&B, The Red Forest, is featured in a story in Reader’s Digest called The Most Charming Small-Town Bed and Breakfasts in Every State. Click on the link and find Wisconsin, and there I am.
It is truly a blessing to have recognition like this, not only because I might get a few extra bookings, but also because I get to see validation of a business that we have worked so hard to grow and develop throughout the past 28 years. Many thanks to all of our guests who have made this possible, because without you, I wouldn’t be here! We at the Red Forest Bed and Breakfast invite you to come Experience the Charm, and Feel the Difference.
Kay Rodewald, Owner, Red Forest Bed and Breakfast, Two Rivers, WI
Winnie’s Room Redecorating Complete
Alan and I started this project on April 8 by agreeing to a truce of “no arguing during wallpapering”. Stripping wallpaper, patching cracks, painting woodwork and ceilings, wallpapering and re-wallpapering – We are getting to old for this! Re-wallpapering? Yes, you heard that right, we had the bedroom done and moved onto the bathroom. Anyone who has done wallpapering knows that doing a bathroom is not an easy job. I had selected a different pattern for the bathroom, and when we were 3/4 of the way done I said, “I don’t like it”, which has never happened before in my decorating history. However, I have to admit, Alan was very accommodating. Off came the bathroom wallpaper.
The paper I had selected had a vintage Paris feel to it. I selected this paper because Winnie, who the room is named after, had a “French Connection”. She was a junior at UW – Madison in 1932 when she came home with her French professor William J. Boning announced their engagement on Friday evening, married on Saturday morning and left for Paris, France on Sunday.
The room is complete and turned out great minus the vintage Paris wallpaper! Guests have commented, “This room has a relaxing and calming feel to it”. Give us a call at the Red Forest Bed and Breakfast, ask for “Winnie’s Room” and learn more about this matriarch of the Lohman family; she has quite a story to tell!
Kay Rodewald, Owner, Red Forest Bed and Breakfast, Two Rivers, WI
New Things are Happening in Winnie’s Room, Stay tuned . . .
Winnie’s Room is getting a makeover. We are working hard at it. Stay tuned for the final reveal.
Forst Inn Sandwich Theater Re-Opens
The Forst Inn (not to be confused with the Red Forest Bed and Breakfast) located in Tisch Mills, WI about 10 miles north of Two Rivers, WI was originally owned by the Forst family from 1868 until 1990. Once a popular bar and dance hall in the early 1900’s, this historic building was converted to a quaint sandwich theater in 1990 where it hosted popular theater and musical productions until 2014. The Forst Inn has since re-opened under the direction of Michael Sheeks and Catherine Egger, where the venue presents a wide range of theatrical, musical and cultlural events throughout the year. Tickets include table seating with appetizer buffet and dessert. Check out their website at www.forstinn.com for a complete listing of scheduled performances.
We would like to offer a SPECIAL PACKAGE: Book a two night stay at the Red Forest Bed and Breakfast and get two tickets to any performance at the Forst Inn for the price of one ticket. (Buy one, get one free)
Please call me in advance for reservations at 920-793-1794 or e-mail: info@redforestbb.com
Finally…after 25 years…THANKS Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel!
It all started when I received an e-mail from Jason at the Manitowoc-Two Rivers Visitor and Convention Bureau asking, “Would you have a room available for a travel writer? Below is his desired information. Let me know. Thanks. Jason” In the past, I have hosted travel writers and was lucky to maybe get mentioned in the last line of the last paragraph.
Brian Clark, a travel writer for the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel arrived. At breakfast he had asked me several questions about the history and architecture of the house. Then he was off to see more attractions in the area. One week later, the article was published in the May 29th issue of the Sunday edition featuring the Red Forest.
I was totally surprised to see that the entire article was about the Red Forest.
Interesting things happen when you have an article published. I heard from past guests and innkeepers that I haven’t seen or talked with for a long time. Of course lots of people calling for reservations because they saw the article. (Which is good!) I even had a guy in the military in Afghanistan call for a gift certificate for his parents. He said that his mother sends him interesting articles from the newspaper, and ours was one of them.
In the words of Elvis: “Thank You, Thank You Very Much!”
Kay Rodewald
Red Forest Bed and Breakfast
Where and When do Innkeepers go on Vacation?
Cruise Vacation 2016
This is a question I often get from our guests. Since summer is our busy time, we usually try to get away in the winter time – always seeking out a warm and sunny climate.
We just returned from this year’s vacation, which was a cruise to the Eastern Caribbean on the Holland America ship the Westerdam. We visited the Grand Turks islands first. We sat on the beach, soaked up the sun, and admired the beautiful blue water of the Caribbean. From there we docked at San Juan, Puerto Rico and walked the “Old Town”. The next port was St. Thomas. There we took an excursion where we kayaked the mangrove lagoons, hiked the wildlife preserve, and snorkeled a marine sanctuary. Then on Saturday, when we got off the ship, we had time to kill before our flight. We took a bike tour with the Bumble Bee Bike Tours of Ft. Lauderdale, the “Venice of Florida” and saw Las Olas Blvd., the New River walkway, and the high rent neighborhoods with the mega yacht. We had a beautiful weather the whole trip and came back rested and renewed.
Since we’ve been back, I was thinking, “What type of excursions would people do here in our Manitowoc-Two Rivers area if a cruise ship docked in our port?” Here is a list of things I came up with:
1. We actually do have our own cruise ship that docks in Manitowoc. The S.S. Badger Carferry sails daily during the Summer from Ludington , MI to Manitowoc, WI. Not quite a “cruise ship”, but it is a fun cruise of Lake Michigan. (www.ssbadger.com)
2. Enjoy our beautiful beach at Neshotah Park in Two Rivers. It’s the place to be on a hot summer day.
3. Stroll through our downtowns and enjoy our local history museums. The Historic Washington House, The Hamilton Woodtype Museum, Rahr West Art Museum, and the Wisconsin Maritime Museum.
4. Rent kayaks and paddle the East & West Twin Rivers or the Manitowoc River. Rentals are available at Shipwreck Adventures (www.shipwreckadventures.com) in Two Rivers or the Manitowoc Marina (www.manitowoc-marina.com) in Manitowoc. Sample a taste of our own Eco Tourism!
5. Rent bikes and explore the Mariners Trail and the Rawley Point Trail. Enjoy the scenic views of Lake Michign and Point Beach State Park.
This is amazing!!! I can do everything here that we did on our trip to the Caribbean. Why would I ever leave home again? I will admit, a long winter does have something to do with leaving Wisconsin. Why not come and visit us this summer and enjoy all that we have to offer in our Manitowoc-Two Rivers area? Checkout the calendar of events at www.manitowoc.info for special events and activities in our area all summer long. Join us and “Coast For A While”
Red Forest Kitchen Renovation Completed !!!
Completed kitchen at the Red Forest Bed and Breakfast
The last contractor finished this past Thursday. We started unpacking the boxes, filling the cupboards, and welcomed our first guests on Friday afternoon. Breakfast was served for the first time from the new kitchen on Saturday, April 18. 48 days from start to finish. Special thank you to Lakeshore Heating and Sheet Metal, Dale Zipperer for the after hour fix of the gas pipe configuration and to Schnell Electric for fitting me in their schedule for the final hook-ups. It was greatly appreciated! Since this was the first time that we have ever done such a big project, I’ve learned that there will be delays beyond your control, but if you try to line everyone up ahead of time to get on their schedule, things will go a lot smoother. Thanks also to Dan’s Plumbing for installing the farmhouse sink and my beautiful Kohler faucet. (Which my husband will never know how much I paid for it). A few more final decorating touches and we are done.
I love my new kitchen and would love to show you how we were able to bring a 108 year old kitchen back to life. Give us a call at 1-888-250-2272 or you can book online at www.redforestbb.com Hope to see you soon!
Kay Rodewald
Jason De Noyer and John Ewald, carpenters from De Noyer Woodworking, Manitowoc, WI
Things are Happening!
This past week the work continues…
Glass doors installed; counter top templated for soapstone counters; hardware knobs installed on doors; woodwork around door and windows started as well as baseboard.
Glass doors added
Recreating the wainscotting and baseboard trim
The soapstone counter is coming from The Granite Company in Green Bay, WI. www.thegraniteco.com They came to template the counters on Thursday, and on Friday I went up to Green Bay to look at where the templates would be placed on the stone for layout. I’m really excited to see the finished product in my kitchen . It will be installed on Wednesday.
The Granite Company Green Bay WI
Template layout for counters on soapstone