Bi4-L*ncaster Farming, Saturday, Dacamber 17, 1994 LINDA WILLIAMS Bedford Co. Correspondent MARTINSBURG (Blair Co.) When the world serves you lemons, you make lemonade. Or, when an arsonist burns down your barn destroying your livelihood, you find another use for the farm. Such was the case with Albert and Doris Kauffman, who, having raised eight children in a spacious five-bedroom historic house, decided they had the perfect spot for their Spring Garden Farm Bed and Breakfast. The picturesque stone home was built in 1824 but, with few changes, provides kind of comfortable setting usually seen in travel magazines. Doris Kauffman is the first to admit a Bed and Breakfast is a lot of work, but quickly adds, also a lot of satisfaction. Surrounded by the beauty of Morrisons Cove’s farmland, the Kauffmans had always maintained a picture perfect lawn. They also had an abundance of bedrooms. Establishing a vacation spot, however, called for some facelift ing such as new paint, bed spreads, and other accessories. Each bed was outfitted with a new box mat tress and air conditioning was a necessity despite the cool breezes that usually flow through the large windows. Comforts are many, but the Kauffmans have kept the price as low as possible with a night’s stay " o_g. IS \ # ' gp- g^p The bedrooms are cozy with homey touches like photos of her children. “We were advised to take them down, but I chose to do otherwise,” Doris said. ihing touch on the parlor prior to the arrival of guests at Spring Garden Farm Bad and Breakfast Spring Garden Farm Establishes Bed And Breakfast After Barn Burns starting at $25. To make more room for their guests, Doris and Albert built themselves a bedroom in the base ment. Each room is also equipped with its own thermostat for the comfort of the guests. For those who wish to lounge on the farm, there are spacious porches and inviting farm animals that welcome attention. Children often visit the Spring Garden with their parents and find only (he parlor off limits. “We have spent years furnish ing (he parlor with antiques and collectibles,” Doris said. “And for our own comfort and that of the children, we keep them out of there.” The family/dining room is comfortable and inviting. It is here that guests find the table set with a continental breakfast featuring fresh canned fruits and jellies and homemade muffins or breads. On weekdays, guests serve themselves because Doris is at work on hcr-school bus driving job before most people think of getting out of bed. Weekends, the breakfast menu includes rib-sticking bacon, ham, eggs and hotcakcs. One of the most inviting resi dents of Spring Garden is a dachs hund who recently gave birth to a new litter of puppies. Guests may also enjoy or purchase a vast assortment of crafts.created by Doris and displayed in the front hall. Nearby attractions include Old Bedford Village, the Horseshoe Curve, The Altoona Railroad Cen ter, Raystown Lake, and Blue Knob. In order to acclimate them selves with the Bed and Breakfast industry, Doris and Albert began their new adventure by attending seminars. “We were told to remove all personal belongings from the walls of the bedrooms,” Doris recalls. “Personally, I thought that was a bad idea. I left my family pic tures, the framed copy of our mar riage license and my youngest son’s hat collections on the walls. And, they- have always been a source of conversation.” Problems with guests have been neither numerous or absent. On one occasion a family asked to use the house over Christmas. The Kauffmans had gone to visit one of their children, but knowing the family, decided it would be “okay”. Luckily, a daughter who lives nearby stopped in before the house became a total disaster. Guests have also done such inconsiderate deeds as removing a quilt (a 40th anniversary present *s trom their children) from the ban nister and sitting on it; turning up the heat while they open the win dows; or carrying food into the rooms. “But for the most part, our guests are wonderful people who we very much enjoy and welcome back anytime.” Among them, a lady pilot who flew freight during World War 11, has flown for vice president Dan Quayle and flies her grandchildren to Europe on a regular basis. n Yuletide Singers At Longwood Gardens Yuletlde singers stroll through the conservatories during “A Christmas Past” at Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square. The singers perform period music on most weekends dur ing Longwood’s holiday celebration of the Victorian era, from now through January 1,10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, Includ ing Christmas and New Year’s Day. Longwood is on U.S. Route 1,30 miles west of Philadelphia. For more informa tion, call (610) 388-1000. Pictured from left are Cal Brackin, West Chester: Deborah DeHart, Wilmington. Del.; Paul Goodman, Wildwood, NJ.; and Susan Zaleski, Kennett Square. Longwood Gordono Photo by L Alboo. Lv ide. The Association for the preser vation of the chestnut tree in America also recently used Spring Garden for accommodations while convening in a nearby town. “It’s a good life,” Doris says. “You meet so many interesting people, you could write a book.” “And most of all, we’ve learned that even something disastrous as a fire isn’t the end of the world. You just pick up thc pieces and go on from there.”
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