Memorial Day Parade and Program in Jonesville

The traditional Memorial Day Parade in Jonesville is an assortment of veterans, public services, farmers, and patriots who march about a mile down US-12. The Jonesville High School Marching Band plays patriotic songs while police cars and fire trucks blare their sirens and vintage automobiles toot their horns.

The morning parade ends at the Freedom Memorial on the East end of Jonesville with a fine program put on by the local American Legion Post. This year's guest speaker is current active duty Air Force with several years of experience from Kosovo to the Middle East.

A large gathering of Jonesville residents along with veterans from several eras and the Jonesville High School Band take part in the program. Hundreds of local residents take the mile walk to the Freedom Memorial to pay tribute to anyone who has ever served in the armed forces.

Military veterans took advantage of Munro House Special Pricing over the Memorial Day Holiday. Veterans from any era along with current active duty and reserves are honored over all military holidays with special rates at the Munro House B&B.  Discounts for vets are also available for Flag Day, Independence Day, Patriot Day, and Veterans Day. A photo of the vet on duty is required.

Mike Venturini

Jonesville Michigan Bed and Breakfast Innkeeper

"Life is good in Jonesville"

Munro House Bed and Breakfast

A Place to Stay for NASCAR Race in June at Michigan International Speedway

Camping dominates the lodging choices at MIS speedway in Brooklyn Michigan where hot or rainy weather can play a factor in comfort. Hotels and Motels near the track have been full for months. They get top dollar and demand 3-7 nights minimum stay. However, folks who prefer a more quiet, comfortable, and less-demanding experience could still find lodging available at the Munro House Bed & Breakfast in Jonesville, just 25 minutes from the track on highway 12. 

All of the rooms are designed for 2 people. They all have a queen size bed, private bath, cable TV, and free high speed wireless internet. A big breakfast is offered every day, but a 'to go' breakfast is available for fans who want to get there early.

A full weekend of NASCAR racing at Michigan International Speedway (MIS) in Brooklyn includes Friday June 17 featuring Raineater Wiperblades ARCA racing series. Saturday June 18 features Alliance Truck Parts 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series race. Sunday June 19 features the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips 400 Sprint Cup Series Race.

The party animals will be at the campgrounds. Folks who just want to enjoy a weekend of racing can find comfort in downtown Jonesville.

Mike Venturini

Jonesville Michigan Bed and Breakfast Innkeeper

"Life is good in Jonesville"

Munro House Bed and Breakfast

R.I.P. Gilbert

Gilbert, our senior Scottish Terrier, passed away this morning. He was 14. He was born in Janesville, Wisconsin, and has lived with us since he was 10 weeks old. He was named after Gilbert Brown, the nose tackle of the Green Bay Packers who played during the glory years of the '90's with Brett Favre and Reggie White. Gilbert was always referred to as 'the best brindle boy in the house" because of the brindle coloring of his undercoat. As mascot and 4 legged host of the Munro House, Gilbert has met 10's of thousands of guests. He is best remembered for his quiet demeanor, friendliness, and "the nudge" to encourage a head rub or back scratch from whomever happened to be near him.

His surviving roommate, Ozzie, will be taking over duties to become the best boy in the house. The addition of a second Scottie Dog to join Ozzie as one of the boys has been discussed without a decision.

Mike Venturini

Jonesville Michigan Bed and Breakfast Innkeeper

"Life is good in Jonesville"

Munro House Bed and Breakfast

Studio 49 - Art Studio in Reading

The local Exchange Club had a guest speaker from Studio 49 in Reading MI. Rhonda Peters works with polymer clay to create unique and whimsical artwork. She carves and paints her work and sometimes enhances it with glass, metal, wood, or fabric. 

Several artists have their work on display at Studio 49, 100 Michigan Street, Reading Michigan. The gallery is closed on Sundays and Mondays.

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

Military Discounts

The Munro House Bed and Breakfast in Jonesville Michigan has special Military Discounts honoring veterans of any branch of the service from any era along with current active duty and reserve personnel for the upcoming military holidays of Memorial Day, Flag Day, and Independence Day. Vets can get any available room for just $99 per night when they stay any 2 nights between May 27-30 (Memorial Day), June 13-15 (Flag Day), or July 1-4 (Independence Day).

Parades and/or services are held locally on each of these holidays.

We request a photograph of the vet in uniform via email to validate this special military discount promotion.

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

Jonesville Riverfest 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament

Guys and girls from several age and ability levels competed at the Jonesville Riverfest 3 on 3 basketball tournament. The grade school and high school kids played on Saturday while the open categories played on Sunday. Many of my noon ball friends played in the open level and were still alive late in the day.

Scotty's team ended up winning the lower division while Kyle's team was runner up in the upper open division. It was fun to watch these local athletes compete in a well organized tournament sponsored by Jonesville Rotary.

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

Jonesville Riverfest Car Show

The car and bike show at Carl Fast Park in Jonesville is always a fun way to spend some time in the shade at Riverfest. Scores of antique cars, hot rods, muscle cars, and motorcycles are on display. The owners are present to chat and to talk about cars and the work that goes into restoring them to their original glory.

My friend, Larry, restores antique cars and recently tried his hand at fixing up a dairy delivery truck. It only has one seat, but it swivles. It is a piece of nostalgia that he is happy to share with anyone who remembers the days when dairy products were delivered door to door.

A major fund raiser is an annual raffle for a classic car--usually a muscle car. This year it was a green Dodge Duster in great shape. A reasonably priced raffle ticket always makes somebody happy when they win a classic car.

 

The cast and crew from Darksyde Acres--a local haunted house--were dressed as zombies and mingling with folks throughout downtown Jonesville. At first glance they were a bit spooky--walking in groups of 2-4. We found them to be very well dressed and very friendly in a gruesome sort of way.


Hundreds of people head for the fire station where they have prepared dinner at a great price. Choice of pork chop or half a chicken with baked beans and cole slaw is always a hit with Riverfest visitors.



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

Wild Bill Lundberg Wins Riverfest Triathlon

My old pal Bill Lundbergh and his 70 year old partner proved that they still have what it takes to compete with the young people around Hillsdale County. Jonesville Riverfest kicked off with its annual 2 person triathlon--first person runs, second person bikes, both people canoe--on a course around Jonesville and down the St. Joseph River.

Dozens of athletes competed and the senior team won by less than a minute. Their ability to keep their rented canoe from capsizing gave them the lead and they finished just ahead of the next closest team. It was said that his partner was the go-to guy who was responsible for the Riverfest win.  

Bill was on the track team at Kansas University in the mid 1970's and has been the track coach at Hillsdale College for some time. Bill is a longtime friend and patron of the Munro House.

Mike Venturini

Jonesville Michigan Bed and Breakfast Innkeeper

"Life is good in Jonesville"

Munro House Bed and Breakfast

Soaring Eagle Casino in Mt Pleasant MI

On occasion, we enjoy going to the Indian Casinos in Michigan. Firekeepers Casino near Battle Creek is the most convenient and is less than an hour away. Soaring Eagle Casino in Mt Pleasant is on the way "Up North" to Traverse City or Mackinac. It is 2 hours from our house and is in a convenient location for a break on a road trip to Northern Michigan.

Lori likes to play the slots and is able to make a little money go a long way. $50 can last 2 days in her hands and she will still have enough money left to buy me lunch.  She has the ability to create excitement even when she is just watching someone else play the games. It is always fun to hang out with Lori at the casino, or anywhere.

Mike & Lori Venturini

Jonesville Michigan Bed and Breakfast Innkeeper

"Life is good in Jonesville"

Munro House Bed and Breakfast

Wind Farm in Cadillac MI

A 4 hour trip from Jonesville to Traverse City, MI took us through Cadillac--which is the site of a Wind Farm that generates electricity from huge wind turbines that are situated on farmland near the woodlands of Northern Michigan. These power generators are huge--they dwarf a 2 1/2 story farmhouse in Michigan's north woods.

There is a lot of controversy that surrounds the building of these mammoth generators of wind power. Most of the debate is about sight and sound nuisance along with unknown long-term health effects on humans and animals.  The first siting of these giants rising above the tree line makes them a truly awesome vision and feat of engineering.

This form of "green energy" could help curtail our reliance on coal, oil, and nuclear power along with the pollution they produce. Fear of the unknown sight and health effects are the biggest obstacles plaguing the wind power industry. However, in the right location, they could be a savior to an ever increasing pollution problem and could help keep down the cost of electricity.

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

Antiquities Wellington B&B in Traverse City MI

As a long-time board member and officer of the Michigan Bed and Breakfast Association, I am a regular visitor of B&Bs from Lake to Lake for regular business meetings. On this occasion, we met at a Traverse City Bed and Breakfast known as Antiquities Wellington B&B. It is a spectacular property from the first look at the 2 story columns in front of the house to the inner look at the authentic period furnishings, to an excellent not-so-common breakfast.

The property was saved from years of neglect and abuse and renovated to its original stateliness, elegance, and charm. A tremendous amount of natural light was the envy of most of my cohorts. An incredible amount of common area for guests to gather and enjoy time inside or on the porch was a bonus. My extra large guest room included a queen size bed, gas fireplace, sitting area, and an extra large bath room with a jetted tub. A reception for over 30 innkeepers was handled very comfortably in this spacious inn.

Breakfast was superb. I was served a generous portion of a secret recipe quiche (with cherry mustard in the crust) along with al dente asparagus and a pistachio muffin. An elegant glass of fresh cut pears with raspberries and yogurt rounded out a complete, filling, and healthy breakfast along with milk, juice, and coffee.

Mike Venturini

Jonesville Michigan Bed and Breakfast Innkeeper

"Life is good in Jonesville"

Munro House Bed and Breakfast

Powers Clothing Store Sells Carhartt Products

Powers Clothing Store in downtown Jonesville is the oldest seller of Carhartt products in the world. Carhartt acknowledged this fact by presenting them with a centennial award for featuring their goods for 120 years.

Powers is the kind of cornerstone business every town would be proud to have. They sell mostly men's clothing--work clothes, shoes, casual wear, business attire, and formal wear. They have a great selection in every category and have successfully marketed their business since the 1800's.

Mike Venturini

Jonesville Michigan Bed and Breakfast Innkeeper

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

Lunch at Saucy Dog's Barbeque

I enjoy lunch at Saucy Dog's Barbeque in Jonesville several times a month. It is convenient, reasonably priced, and consistently good.  One of my favorite meals is a deep fried hot dog with home-made potato chips along with a bottomless glass of sweet tea. I switch off between several varieties of hot dogs. I like Clifford, Old Yeller, and the Chicago Dog best.  Clifford and Old Yeller have different combinations, but both include a spicy mustard bbq sauce and onions. The Chicago Dog is Jonesville's version of the classic dog from the Windy City.  I'm getting hungry just thinking about them.

Mike Venturini

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

Steam Ship Sultana Disaster Monument in Hillsdale MI

There is a monument on the grounds of the Hillsdale County Courthouse in Hillsdale Michigan that remembers the worst maritime disaster in U.S. history and it's link to Hillsdale. The S.S. Sultana was a steam ship that was bringing soldiers home at the end of the American Civil War. The 376 passenger vessel loaded over 2,200 people on board who were eager to get home after the fighting. A multiple boiler explosion killed an estimated 1,800 passengers and crew after midnight in the icy Mississippi River near Memphis TN in the Spring of 1865. 75 men from the Michigan 18th Infantry organized in Hillsdale Michigan lost their lives on this night.

The monument is located in the north east corner of the courthouse grounds and honors everyone who was on board the Sultana that fateful night.


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

Munro House Kicks Gas Promo

FREE GAS! Book a 2 night weekend getaway valued at $399 or more, arrive by June 30, tell us "MUNRO HOUSE KICKS GAS", when you make your reservation, & get a voucher for a $40 gas card (about 10 gallons of gas) FREE. Offer good on Friday arrivals only. 3 days notice required. No other discounts or freebies.

The Munro House is participating in a national B&B campaign called a "Better Way to Stay". We are trying to get consumers to try a B&B for the first time or to help make a weekend getaway cost a lot less at the gas pump.

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

Owen Memorial Park Hillsdale Michigan with Map

According to the map, Owen Memorial Park in Hillsdale is about a 15 minute drive from the Munro House in Jonesville. It is a great place to enjoy being outside in a park setting near a lake. Owen Park is on the southside of Hillsdale on the eastern shore of Baw Beese Lake. It is well maintained and includes picnic tables, playground, fishing, and a Frisbee Golf course. Mature trees provide shade while a breeze off the lake creates cooling to make hot summer days outside more tolerable and enjoyable.

The Baw Beese hiking/biking trail runs past Owen Park.

Mike Venturini

Jonesville Michigan Bed and Breakfast Innkeeper

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

View Munro House to Owen Park in Hillsdale MI in a larger map

Day Trip for Tulip Time in Holland MI

We took the 2 1/2 hour drive to Holland Michigan to experience our very first Tulip Time. This festival runs from May 7-14 in a small city on the shores of Lake Michigan. It traditionally brings tourists and tour buses in droves. By the end of the event, over a million people are expected to visit Holland Michigan where hundreds of thousands of tulips are planted throughout the city for all to enjoy. Boulevards are packed with flowers and the streets in historic neighborhoods are lined with tulips of every imaginable shape, color, and size.

With an unpredictable blossoming season, the city has been very successful in predicting when the tulips will be in full bloom. Mother Nature cooperated this year as the majority of flowers are already open. The remaining tulips should be in their full glory by Wednesday May 11.

Holland has become a great tourist city with many city parks, lots of things to do on land and in the water, along with a great assortment of shopping, museums, street art, and restaurants. The festival also attracts carnival rides, food vendors, street performers, and interesting people from down the street, across the country, and around the world.

It is a bonus that my good friend Tim Vagle lives there and was able to spend some time with us enjoying his city and this great festival. This was a perfect day to enjoy the ride from Jonesville to Holland and to spend some quality time with my wife and friends while sampling great food and meeting nice people.

Our trips are not complete without a little time out for goofing. Who knew Lori and Benjamin Franklin were so close?

Mike Venturini

Jonesville Michigan Bed and Breakfast Innkeeper

"Life is good in Jonesville"

Munro House Bed and Breakfast

Lori's Secret Recipe Belgian Waffles

There are choices for breakfast every day at the Munro House B&B in Jonesville. Eggs are offered every day because a lot of people still like the high protein diet that was made popular during the Atkins Diet era. Some folks like a breakfast that is a little more special American Breakfast--Pancakes, Waffles, French Toast, etc. Our specialty is Lori's Secret Recipe Belgian Waffles.

The story is that when we got here and were making waffles, we realized that there was nothing special about them. So a search began to find an excellent waffle that didn't need to be covered with strawberries and whipped cream to be good. Our goal was to create a waffle that could stand on its own or with real maple syrup--that's all. 

My wife experimented for weeks until she came up with her secret recipe. Our guests consistently remark about how much they enjoy our waffles. We serve them every other day to give variety to our guests. A 2 night stay will guarantee that one of the breakfasts will feature Lori's Secret Recipe Belgian Waffles.

Mike Venturini

Jonesville Michigan Bed and Breakfast Innkeeper

"Life is good in Jonesville"

Munro House Bed and Breakfast

Breakfast Fruit Bowl

The breakfast fruit bowl at the Munro House B&B is pretty special every day. It is layered with 3-10 varieties of fresh cut fruit. Today the bottom layer was red grapes, followed by the nicest strawberries I've seen this time of year. The next layer was pineapple, followed by blueberries, raspberries, and kiwi. We don't mess it up with cream or yogurt--just fresh fruit. It was very well received (as usual) by our breakfast guests. A delicious and healthy breakfast treat, or topping for our main entree.

Mike Venturini

Jonesville Michigan Bed and Breakfast Innkeeper

"Life is good in Jonesville"

Munro House Bed and Breakfast

Memorial Day Military Discount

Military veterans, active duty, and reserve troops of any era are honored over Memorial Day Weekend at the Munro House in Jonesville. Check in for 2 nights from May 27-30 and vets can get any room for just $99 per night. A short, but well-attended, parade through downtown Jonesville and a service at the Freedom Shrine are the highlights of the weekend.

You must identify yourself as current or former military when making your reservation and email us a picture of the vet in uniform to take advantage of this offer. 72 hours notice required.

This is traditionally a pretty quiet weekend in Jonesville, so if you want to relax and getaway for some private time, this is the place to be. Massage is available all weekend by appointment only.

Mike Venturini

Jonesville Michigan Bed and Breakfast Innkeeper

"Life is good in Jonesville"

Munro House Bed and Breakfast