Town & Country

6 WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, SATuRDAY APRIL 25, 2015 H O N E Y C O M B B E D & B R E A K F A S T ninettehotel@mts.net ninettehotel.com NinetteMotorHotel 320LakeStrWest,Ninette,MB Ph.204-528-3572 Licensedrestarauntwithpatio Licensedrestarauntwithpatio Beverageroomwithlargedeck, Beverageroomwithlargedeck, vendor,steakpit,VLT's vendor,steakpit,VLT's Singleanddoubleroomswith Singleanddoubleroomswith SatelliteTVandFreeWi-Fi SatelliteTVandFreeWi-Fi Closetocampground,beach, Closetocampground,beach, YachtClubandstore YachtClubandstore Brandon 204-725-8580 Rivers 204-328-5325 Kenton 204-838-2326 Hamiota 204-764-2259 Minnedosa 204-867-2679 Neepawa 204-476-2301 Carberry 204-834-3356 Souris 204-483-3249 Hartney 204-858-2038 Virden 204-748-1122 ShoalLake 204-759-2029 -EssoLubes -FullLineHerbicide -Seeds -LiquidFertilizers -GranularFertilizers -NH3Fertilizers -CropInputConsulting -CustomApplication -GPSSoilTesting www.redferns.ca ProfessionalsProvidingProducts,Service,Equipment,andExpertise. Visitourwebsiteat:www.portagemutual.com We'llbetherewhenyouneedusmost. For top-notch home and personal property coverage, backed by top-notch claims service, get the ResidentialPropackagefromPortageMutualInsurance. Formore informationcontact: RMofYellowheadOffice 204-759-2565 email:shoalake@goinet.ca ✔ StrathclairAgSocietyFair ✔ ShoalLakeAgSocietyFair ✔ LakeSideGolfCourse ✔ SaltLakeCampground ✔ LakeviewParkandCampground ✔ ShoalLakeMountedPoliceMuseum ✔ PrairieMountedRegionalMuseum ✔ StrathclairMuseum websites: strathclair.ca / shoallake.ca Vintage charm, hot meals and warm hospitality entice guests. Photos courtesy of Honeycomb Bed & Breakfast sweet Dreams Honeycomb Bed & Breakfast is the bee's knees By Jennifer McFee For the Free Press Honeycomb Bed & Breakfast is preparing for swarms of well-wishers to make a beeline for its grand opening celebration in June. Owner Cindy Shaurette and her husband, Earl, have been working on the business for the past three years. However, they haven't had an official kick-off party yet since the place has been a hive of renovation activity. I n April 2012, the couple made a spon- taneous decision to jump back into the B&B business. They had previously owned a bed and breakfast in Meadow Lake, Sask., but had been out of the indus- try since they shut its doors in 1998. Then, an unexpected opportunity came their way. A friend mentioned that the former Clear Lake Lodge in Riding Mountain Na- tional Park would be demolished unless its owners could find someone to take it over by the May long weekend. "That same day, we got hold of some- body to show us the building," Shaurette says. "We thought about it until the next day and we decided that's what we're go- ing to do." The building was free, but they paid Anderson Building Movers to transport it about 10 kilometres to a property they owned just south of Onanole. "We would definitely call it a monster move," Shaurette says. Since then, they have been renovating the establishment, which currently has 11 guest rooms, each with its own private bathroom. "The decor is a vintage look. When I first saw the build- ing, all I could pic- ture was a planta- tion-style home. It is mainly furnished with antiques," Shaurette says. "We basically took the whole place apart and put it back together again. We've still got the back deck to finish, and we're also finishing another room on the main floor." The building itself has proven to be a comfortable dwelling — for both guests and, for a short time, honeybees. In the fall of 2012, while the building was still on blocks, the Shaurettes discovered a swarm of honeybees had moved into one of the walls. A beekeeper who tried to smoke them out said they were unlikely to survive the winter, but the bees were already bringing in pollen and refused to move. In the spring, they opened up the wall and discovered eight honeycombs nestled inside. "Of course, the bees had perished. I just felt so bad about it," Shaurette says. "I told a friend, and she suggested that we call it Honeycomb Bed & Breakfast. That's how we got the story for the name — from the honeybees." For those who are looking for a sweet place to stay, the B&B is already open for business year-round, catering to couples and singles looking for a relaxing getaway. "There are no young families," Shaur- ette says. "I figured this would be the place for couples to run away if they need some peace and quiet." Chef Joe Lowery adds to the relax- ing ambiance by pampering guests with mouthwatering breakfasts such as quiche, pancakes, omelettes and eggs to order. Meals on request can also be pre- arranged for small groups. "We recently had a group here for five days, so we transformed the front room into a meeting room," Shaurette says. "We did lunches for them and snacks as well." With true entrepreneurial spirit, the family continues to operate additional ventures. They provide linen rentals through their company Classic Touch, while their daughter Nikita oversees Shuttlebug Tours and Charter Servi- ces. Looking to the future of the B&B, plans are underway to create a venue on the lower level for small weddings and other functions. Since they're located near the Trans Canada Trail, they'd also like to attract more guests for winter activities. "We get people for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing staying here," Shaur- ette says. "We want to set up for some snow- mobilers to come and stay, and we want to try to do some retreats in the winters as well." In any season, the B&B business re- mains a labour of love. "I'm a real people person. I just love do- ing things for people and serving people," she says. "It makes me happy when I see other people happy." That happiness will be contagious at the grand opening event, which is set for Sunday, June 21 starting at 1 p.m. at 11 Erickson Dr. south of Onanole. For more information visit the Honeycomb Bed & Breakfast Facebook page or call 204-848-2345. ❙ "The decor is a vintage look. When I first saw the building, all I could picture was a plantation- style home. It is mainly furnished with antiques," Shaurette says.

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