Underground Railroad Tunnel is Still a Safe Place During a Tornado Warning

We have regular tornado watches and an occasional tornado warning, but a devastating tornado has not hit Hillsdale County since the 1960's.  The locals are still talking about that fateful Palm Sunday when 2 tornados landed and pretty much wiped out all of the homes on Baw Beese Lake.

It's a good thing that our house was once an Underground Railroad Station. The remains of the tunnel that the runaway slaves used is now a landing to our basesment and is easily the safest place in the house when a tornado warning is in effect.  It is a stone wall corridor that measures about 4 feet wide, 7 feet high, and 20 feet long. 

My wife and I took shelter in the tunnel this past week when the local weather service issued a tornado warning. Our guests were away, so we left a note for them to join us if they arrived home before the warning expired.  There were heavy winds that knocked down some branches and ravaged a few trees here and there, but no extreme damage.  We were safe in our Underground Railroad Tunnel.


Mike Venturini
Jonesville Michigan Bed and Breakfast Innkeeper
"Life is good in Jonesville"
Munro House Bed and Breakfast

3 Extra for Breakfast

On occasion. we have a few extra people come over for breakfast at the Munro House. On this occasion, it was three unusual guests--Frank, Deano, and Sammy. 

My wife, Lori Venturini, has been helping out the local cat rescue person by taking over feeding duties for 3 little kittens.  Their mother had died, and now they needed to be fed every 2 hours.

This feeding just happened to be right after breakfast on Sunday morning. The threesome was so cute that several guests volunteered to assist in bottle feeding them some kitten formula.

Everybody eats good at the Munro House. Even these cute little guys.  They are not permanent residents. We were just helping out a friend in need.


Mike Venturini - Innkeeper
"Life is good in Jonesville"
Munro House Bed and Breakfast

Veteran Motor Car Club of America (VMCCA) visits Jonesville Michigan

A group of vintage automobile enthusiasts set up a tour of the tri-state area (Michigan-Indiana-Ohio) for a week of fun. They trailered their vehicles and met up in Fremont, Indiana. From their headquarters, they made day trip to visit cool places within 100 miles in their cool old cars. More than 50 members of the Veteran Motor Car Club of America made the trek to enjoy mid-America.

The car museums in Auburn, IN, Shipshewana, IN, and Spring Arbor were highlights for the drivers. But all enjoyed their trips for a meal in Turkeyville, tours of the historic cities of Marshall and Jonesville, plus the wood working place in Ohio that we know as Sauder Village.

The leaders, Rich and Jan, had been planning this trip since 2009. Arrangements were made to tour many places including the Historic Munro House Bed and Breakfast and the Grosvenor House Museum in Jonesville. In addition to being the oldest house in Hillsdale County, the Munro House was also used as a station on the underground railroad. These and more historic tales were enjoyed by the drivers and their passengers.

You can see all 26 pictures of these vintage automobiles on my facebook page.


Mike Venturini - Innkeeper
"Life is good in Jonesville"
Munro House Bed and Breakfast

4th of July Discount on B&B Lodging

Every Michigan Bed and Breakfast has its high season and low season. These are times in which there is either a big demand for lodging or a small demand. Inns on the water can command a higher than normal daily rate due to supply and demand and location. The 4th of July weekend is a prime example where many bed and breakfasts have a higher than normal demand. During this time frame, many B&Bs will get top dollar for their rooms and can require guests to stay 2, or 3, or 4 nights, or more.

However, not every inn is near water, or an attraction, or a special event. At these locations, a special deal may be available for travelers who want an affordable getaway on a holiday weekend. The Munro House in Jonesville is a prime example.

The Munro House has discount pricing for guests staying any 2 nights from July 1-5. They call it the "Proud to Be An American" promotion where Americans are honored by getting a great deal on any room during the Independence Day holiday weekend. $99 a night for bed and breakfast is a significant discount for any of their rooms.

Coming to a small town during a holiday means that there will be more peace and quiet than crowds and activity. Premiere Theater shows new release movies on 7 screens in Hillsdale. There is a parade plus activities and fireworks at the Hillsdale County Fairgrounds. Spa services including manicure, pedicure, facial, massage, body wraps, and waxing are available onsite every day at the Munro House to create a relaxing getaway over the Fourth of July holiday.

Whether you need a couples getaway or are visiting family and friends in the area or just need some quiet time, the Munro House is a good choice for escaping the crowds that congregate near beaches and amusement parks and casinos in Michigan.

Mike Venturini - Innkeeper

"Life is good in Jonesville"
Munro House Bed and Breakfast

Allen Antique Capital of Michigan

Allen, the Antique Capital of Michigan, is located on highway 12 in South Central Michigan about 5 miles West of the Munro House Bed and Breakfast in Jonesville. It is a community that is small in every respect except the availability of antique shops.

A town that was once a series of homes transformed into antique stores has expanded to include several antique malls, including Michigan's Largest. Capital Antiques boasts 36,000 square feet and 300 dealers.  Allen Antique Barn has 300 dealers on 2 floors. Hog Creek has 23,000 square feet and is Allen's newest mall. The Primitive Connection is just what it says it is. There is also Allen Antique Mall, Thistle Dew Antiques, Michiana Antiques, Peddler's Alley, and Preston's Gas Light Village.

In addition to traditional antiques, are memorabilia, knick-knacks, and collectibles. There is a booth that just offers Coca-Cola items, one with candles, several with sports cards, and many with glassware, tea sets, and furniture. Arts and crafts, books, games, and toys are also available to provide an eclectic variety of items. Barbie, G.I. Joe, and American Girl are well represented. There are also records, video tapes, magazines, and text books.

Many booths have a collection of cookbooks, kitchenware, and baskets along with cabinets, table sets, and lamps.  Some have bedroom sets, end tables, and victrolas. There is also wall art and table art in surprising quantities. Basically, there is an enormous assortment of valuables within a few minutes of each other.

Many Munro House guests spend a liesure day walking. shopping, and reminiscing at one or more of the Antique Malls in Allen. The malls are open most every day from 10-5, so any day can be a good day to go antiquing.


Mike Venturini - Innkeeper
"Life is good in Jonesville"
Munro House Bed and Breakfast

The Fly Trap in Ferndale Michigan

Being the owner of the Munro House Bed and Breakfast in Jonesville, Michigan, is sometimes more than a full time job. In other words, "we don't get out much". The day-to-day business requires for one (or both) of us to be at home almost all of the time. When we do get out, we like to find interesting places for a new experience. We got that at the Fly Trap in Ferndale, Michigan last week.

A year or so ago, I happened upon the Fly Trap while going to a concert at the nearby Magic Bag on Woodward Avenue. It has taken this long to be able to have my wife join me for a most excellent lunch at what is known as a "finer diner". We got there just in time to get the last table before the lunch crowd arrived.

From the blood red walls to the pool table slate (that doubles as a chalk board), this is the most unique restaurant I have ever had the pleasure to enjoy.  The food was unique and very, very good. I had the Charmoula Chicken - North African Spiced Chicken Breast, Jack Cheese, Caramelized Onion on Grilled Sourdough with a Lemon, Garlic Aioli. Lori had Eggs a la Boring--speaks for itself.  This is the kind of stuff you just can't get everywhere, and we found it at a diner in Ferndale, MI!

I mention this place to many of our guests who visit us from the Detroit area. I recently received a couple of bottles of their home-made SWAT sauce as a thank you from people who enjoyed it as much as I did. The Fly Trap is about 2 hours from my house. That's why we don't get to go there very often. When we have the time, we will make another trip to Ferndale to enjoy the finer diner known as the Fly Trap.


Mike Venturini - Innkeeper
"Life is good in Jonesville"

Freedom Memorial at Sunset View Cemetery in Jonesville Michigan

The Freedom Memorial in Jonesville Michigan was the site of a well-attended service on Memorial Day. Hundreds of locals turned out as fallen local soldiers from the Vietnam War era were honored.

Guest speakers from different branches of the military spoke about honor, duty, and sacrifice. They reminded the crowd of the need to acknowledge the job soldiers do to allow freedom to exist in our country and in many other places around the world

The Freedom Memorial is located at the Sunset View Cemetery on highway 12 at the East end of Jonesville. The memorial was conceived, funded, and built over a very short period of time for its completion in 2008. It is an ideal site for a gathering of a good size crowd remembering soldiers who gave their life in the line of duty.


Mike Venturini - Innkeeper
Munro House Bed and Breakfast
"Life is good in Jonesville"

June NASCAR Race at Michigan International Speedway (MIS)

For the first time since I can remember, the June 2010 NASCAR race at Michigan International Speedway (MIS) is not being held on Fathers Day Weekend.  It is being held on the preceding weekend, June 11-13, 2010. Folks who assume that the race will again be held on the traditional Fathers Day weekend, will be a week late.

With over 100,000 race fans expected at MIS, it is a good idea to check your calendar, make your reservations, and plan accordingly.


Mike Venturini - Innkeeper
Munro House B&B - Jonesville, MI
"Life is good in Jonesville"

Memorial Day Parade and Service Jonesville Michigan

The Memorial Day parade in Jonesville Michigan is a small one, but the Memorial Service at the Freedom Memorial is awesome. The parade began promptly at 9:00 a.m. on May 31, 2010 and the Memorial Service was complete following the parade by 10:15 a.m.



The 21 gun salute, the firing of the artillery cannon, and the playing of "taps" completed the ceremony as military veterans from current and past conflicts were honored. Soldiers from Hillsdale County who gave their lives during the Vietnam conflict were honored.




Mike Venturini - Innkeeper
Munro House B&B - Jonesville MI
"Life is good in Jonesville"

Iron Man 2 Movie Review

I went to Premiere Theater in Hillsale, Michigan, to see Iron Man 2 over Memorial Day weekend. It had already been out for a few weeks and I wanted to see it on the big screen before it gets released to DVD. I do not read comics, but I like superheroes and action adventures, so I am just a casual fan of Marvel characters.

The movie is about a super smart/super rich guy who invents an armed flying suit that he uses to personally defend the United States. He discovers that there are others out there who are trying to make a similar device with evil intentions and has to fight to find out who is superior.

The story is easy to follow and the characters are superb. There is lots of action, some smart lines, and it is a very entertaining 2 hour movie. The AC/DC soundtrack was a bonus.  I give it 5 out of 5 stars.

Note to stay and watch the movie past the credits. There is a hint about a future movie or storyline that relates to Iron Man.


Mike Venturini - Innkeeper "Life is good in Jonesville"