“Summertime and the living is busy!” Hopefully all of the BBISD innkeepers are busy and enjoying the fruits of their labors. I used to have a little sign that read, “Anything worth doing is worth doing for money.” Inn keeping requires its fair share of work, but it does have its benefits too. Along the way we meet some interesting people from near and far, make a few friends, and act as ambassadors for South Dakota.

This is Nancy Roth, Apple Annie’s in Rapid City, BBISD Newsletter Editor. It is my hope that the “Snoozenews” keeps us connected. The email address used to send the newsletter is BBISD09Snooze@aol.com Watch your in-box!

Chair: Marilyn & Art Oakes, Buffalo Rock Lodge, Keystone
Vice Chair: Andy & Jenny Todd, Prairie House Manor, DeSmet
Secretary: Vixie Miller, Vixie’s Victorian Villa B&B, Rapid City
Treasurer: Eileen Rossow, Peregrine Pointe B&B, Rapid City
Membership: Ila Rumbolz, der Rumbolz Platz, Ethan
Marketing: Judy Parker The Barn B&B, Geddes
Public Relations/Website: Sara Steever, Steever House B&B, Lennox
Publications: Carla Kaaz, Foote Creek B&B, Aberdeen
Past President: Ron & Carla Kaaz, Foote Creek B&B, Aberdeen
Regional Directors:
Black Hills & Badlands: Lyndy Ireland, Triangle Ranch B&B near Philip
Great Lakes: Jim & Linda Steele, Eagle’s View B&B, Ft. Pierre
Glacier Lakes: Darla Loewen, Possibility Farm B&B, Huron
Southeast: Clark Edwards, Clark’s Prairie Gold B&B, Letcher
*Newsletter Editor: Nancy Roth, Apple Annie’s B&B, Rapid City
Legislative: Marilyn Oakes, Buffalo Rock Lodge, Keystone

Hi Everyone - Hope this rollercoaster summer has been treating you well.  We have been hearing reports from across the state that most are quite pleased with their season, in spite of the economic forecasts.  Our weather has been most interesting, to say the least.  Buffalo Rock Lodge has had three rounds of hail, and I know that Vixie's Victorian Villa lost their computer system to a lightening storm. It was a great disappointment to many in the hills to see colorful clouds on the night of July 3rd, but no visible fireworks.  I think it was Will Rogers who said "everyone talks about the weather, but no one does anything about it."  Weather has been cussed and discussed this summer, for sure.

Judy Parker from The Barn is busy dealing with serious health issues.  She has a very positive outlook and sweet spirit about it.  We continue to invite you to offer prayers in her behalf as she goes on with the various treatments to get past this great challenge.

Last fall we put out an ad on the internet for Work Kampers and secured a couple from Arizona.  I know that Circle View also got Work Kampers from that ad.  Ours were working out great for us, but unfortunately they needed to relocate due to job opportunities.  We are going to try again next year as it is a wonderful program for people like us who would like to spend a little less time working and more time enjoying our guests.  Let us know if you have any interest in that program and we can give you more information.

Also wanted to remind everyone to let me know of any inns around the state that you think would qualify as members of BBISD.  If you would pass along their names and contact info to me, I would be happy to write to them.  But as always, it is your personal contacts that make all the difference in bringing in new members.  Ila Rumbolz is our Membership Chair and she will send out packets to anyone who indicates an interest in joining.

BBISD will be having either a phone conference or regular meeting this fall, probably toward the end of September.  If we have a regular face to face meeting it will need to be in Pierre.  For the last several years, the Kaas' had scheduled a phone conference meeting.  I would love to hear from all you members about which you would prefer.  Please feel free to email me at mail@buffalorock.net.

Is anyone planning an end of the season party or anything you would like announced in the newsletter?  Let us know so we can pass the word.
Marilyn and Art Oakes, Chairpersons
Buffalo Rock Lodge, Keystone

Summer Creek Inn, near Pactola Reservoir west of Rapid City, just opened July 18. The innkeepers, Nancy and Daniel Evangelisto, have been busy constructing the new facility for quite some time. The inn has nine rooms, had reservations for a reunion on the 18th, and on the 17th not one room was ready. When I talked to Nancy she was making 12 quiche pies for breakfast. It sounds like a lovely place, with hand painted murals. When Nancy gets a breather she promises to let us know more about the inn. In the meantime, “If in doubt, breathe in and out.” We wish the Evangelisto’s the very best! 605-574-4408

Historic Madison Ranch, west of Rapid City on Nemo Rd, was part of BBISD over 12 years ago. Back then the innkeeper was Marilyn Madison. Now her daughter Mavis is renewing the tradition. Mavis writes, “The past 14 month’s has seen a total restoration at the Historic Madison Ranch while reclaiming the days and history of the original Rodeo Guest Ranch of the 1920’s through the 1940’s. Our hope is to create an atmosphere of that time period. The house is done with the original furnishings and photographs on the walls tell visuals stories of the happenings that took place at the ranch in its earlier years. Also included is a museum and western art. The ranch will be hosting a Grand Re-opening on Sunday, August 23rd. To help celebrate the event Jon Crane and Mavis Madison have teamed up and will be having a Paintout that day. Plein Aire artists will be painting from 1-4 with the Quick Draw artists painting from 4-5. An Auction of the Quick Draw art will be held at 5:30 with part of the proceeds going to the Black Hills Historical Preservation, Inc to help fund restoration projects on the Meeker/Madison ranches. The day will end with a free outdoor concert by Jalan Crossland at 7:00. “We hope the public will come enjoy the day, meet and watch the artists at work and listen to some very good music, but mostly we’re hoping for just a fun day!” Sounds inviting! 605-343-4408

Membership: Ila Rumbolz, der Rumbolz Platz, Ethan
I have sent membership application packets to inquiries from Pierre, Rapid City, Whitewood, and Fairfax. We are having a busy summer, lots of rain, & interesting, fun guests. Ila Rumbolz

Glacier Lakes: Darla Loewen, Possibility Farm B&B, Huron
Don't know if I have any news, but I have a question of members.  How many people use Black Hills Central Reservations to book rooms? The office of tourism is having meetings in the state on how they plan to update the web site, and want to have on the site where guests can book rooms directly from the web site.  I believe they will be using Black Hills Central Reservation system.  I would like to know how many members use the service, if they do, how they like it, costs, etc.
 
At our farm, we are wet, wet, wet!!  Crops are doing poorly, believe it or not due to too much rain, and cool weather. We've had some wonderful families visit this summer and pheasant hunting inquiries are going well. Hope the summer in other parts of the state, with visitors and visitor spending, have made for a great summer so far.

Great Lakes: Jim & Linda Steele, Eagle’s View B&B, Ft. Pierre
News from the Steele's:  Just trying to recuperate from my second knee scope and debridement in 4 weeks!  OUCH!! It's been 10 days since the last one, so I am looking forward to not hurting and being able to get around better!! I blew the "meniscus" 5 weeks ago Sunday and had it repaired.  Then 2 weeks ago on a Sunday I blew the other.  Luckily for me my daughter works for Sanford orthopedic so I got right in both times for surgery!  Busy here --- poor Jim!  LINDA

We say OUCH with you Linda!

Black Hills & Badlands: Lyndy Ireland, Triangle Ranch B&B near Philip
We don't want to blow our own horn, so to speak, but we were so thrilled at the food feature on Triangle Ranch B & B in the July/August Midwest Living Magazine (Dinner on the Range).  We have received so much business from really nice folks in our region.  Kudos to Circle View Guest Ranch for their write-up in the May/June Midwest Living (not bad for us Badlands B & B's). 
 
Triangle Ranch was found by the MWL  through www.tripadvisor.com reviews.  Just want to stress the importance of that website to us all.  Check your reviews and encourage guests to post reviews there.  Many guests tell us they make their travel plans exclusively from information on TripAdvisor. Guests seem to crave that personal touch that our inns give.  It's our niche.
 
When you are tired to the bone - "Remember, it is better to wear out than to rust out".

Black Hills Badlands & Lakes BBISD Bed and Breakfasts have been maintaining an "availability list" throughout the summer in order to make referrals and enhance our bed and breakfast industry.  About every ten days an email goes out to all the B & B's in the BHB&L region to send in their availability for the next month and a half.  Then a list is compiled and sent out for reference.  If inns are full, they can make a referral.  If a guest calls and requests accommodations that an inn doesn't have (like a room for 6), they can make an educated referral.  It's a win-win for the B & B's in the Association. 

A big THANK YOU to Eileen Rossow for her diligence in keeping the hills area inns up to date on who has openings.  It is so handy to have that list by the phone and when you have to turn someone down because you are full you can just give out another inn which does have openings.  This is especially beneficial to our newer inns which may not have all their advertising in place.

Vice Chair: Andy & Jenny Todd, Prairie House Manor, DeSmet
We have been full every night because of the Laura pageants going on in town. Overall, things are going great and we are very busy.   We had a better June & July than last year, which is surprising because of the economy.   Plus, we see an increased amount of families from a 2 state radius visiting, probably because of the economy - staying "closer" to home for vacation.

Publications: Carla Kaaz, Foote Creek B&B, Aberdeen
A HUGE "Wow! Way to Go" to Lyndy and Kenny on the 10 - yes that TEN page spread on Triangle Ranch in the July/August Midwest Living.  I was paging through the magazine when ... There they were ... smiling and sparkling like they do ... We're so proud to say "I KNOW and love those folks."
 
Speaking of Lyndy, I brought the German Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies to the retreat.  Lyndy asked for the recipe stating "she could get Kenny to do just about anything with these."  ;-) 

German Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies
 
Topping:
1 c sugar
1 c evaporated milk
½ c butter or margarine, softened
1 tsp vanilla
3 egg yolks, beaten
1 ½ c flaked coconut
1 ½ c chopped pecans
 
Cookies:
1 pkg Pillsbury plus German chocolate cake mix
½ c butter or margarine, melted -
 
In heavy 2 qt saucepan, combine sugar, milk, ½ c butter, vanilla and egg yolks, blend well. Cook over medium heat for 10 to 13 minutes or until thickened and bubbly, stirring frequently. Stir in coconut and pecans. Remove from heat. Cool to room temperature.
 
Reserve 1 ¼ c of topping mixture, set aside. In large bowl, combine cookie ingredients and remaining topping mixture. Stir by hand until thoroughly moistened. Heat oven to 350° Shape dough into 1 inch balls. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. With thumb, make an indentation in center of each ball. Fill each indentation with rounded ½ tsp of reserved 1 ¼ c topping. Bake at 350° for 10-13 minutes or until set. Cool 5 minutes; remove from cookie sheets. Cool completely. Makes about 5 dozen cookies.

Treasurer: Eileen Rossow, Peregrine Pointe B&B, Rapid City
BBISD has just ordered another printing of our newest cookbook, Sunrise to Sunset in South Dakota II, for anyone who needs more.  Be sure to let her know, also, if you are running low on comment cards or brochures. peregineptbb@msn.com or 605-388-8378

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a bowl, blend together:
2 C flour
¾ C sugar
2 ½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
¼ C butter or margarine (cut in smaller pieces so it softens)
¾ C milk
1 egg
Using an electric mixer, beat vigorously for 30 seconds.

Carefully stir or fold in: 2 C fresh or frozen blueberries. (Thaw and drain if frozen)
Pour into a greased 9” square cake pan.

Topping: In a bowl combine and crumble with a fork or pastry blender:
½ C sugar
1/3 C all purpose flour
½ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp nutmeg
¼ C butter-softened slightly.

Sprinkle over top of batter. Bake 45-50 minutes until cake tests done. NINE SERVINGS

(Hints I use to ease the preparation in the morning. I mix the dry ingredients the night before, in a covered bowl. I cut up the ¼ C butter and lay it on top of the flour mixture, and leave the bowl on the counter overnight. I also crumble up the topping mixture the night before, but keep it in the refrigerator, so it’s easy to sprinkle on the batter the next morning.)