Cat Comments

2007 was frustrating for me here at the inn. You know we ghost cats prefer quiet and dark surroundings This past year there were more dinners, parties, tours, reunions, guests, and deer hunters than ever before, which made things a bit “lively” at times. But I have to admit I do enjoy observing all the different people from my place in the shadows (you humans are so strange and entertaining) and I still have my late night patrols of the hallways when everyone settles down.

The Inn served as a “central location” for many family members and old friends who are scattered from coast to coast (and beyond). The main lobby and front porch were both favorite places where people of all ages shared their stories and old photos. What is it about humans that require them to have these gatherings with each other? I’m sure I’ll never understand it. Allerton’s playground, ball field, and Bob White State Park provided the “fresh air” where youngsters could enjoy the outdoors while the adults got “caught up” on each other – and gossiped about people who weren’t there. Julie prepared both creative snack trays and delicious meals for everyone. At least that’s what I heard, though I couldn’t testify to that since there were seldom any leftovers. Nobody went away hungry. Julie’s culinary skills were honored for the fourth straight year as a Guest Chef at the Iowa State Fair. She was also invited to prepare hors d’oeuvres for the Governor’s invitational event on healthy living in Des Moines.

We continued to be the “ Inn spot” for wedding anniversaries and celebrations, especially during the spring and summer months. Why did so many people want to be married on 7/7/07 anyway? Julie provided her famous “Sweetheart Basket” and served breakfast in their rooms to newlyweds young and old, as well as other honored guests.

The Inn helped sponsor two motorcycle poker runs organized by a six-county group called South Central Iowa Area Partnership (SCIAP) which promotes tourism to southern Iowa sites. The two events were very successful with over 200 bikes showing up for each one. Julie served iced tea and Scott demonstrated chair caning on the front porch. Most of the riders were new to southern Iowa and commented on how beautiful it is and great for bike riding. There will be more such events next spring and summer. The Inn also helped organize the Round Barn Jubilee which was a grand day of hymn singing, craft show, silent auction, and musical entertainment – a fundraiser to help pay for a new front porch and painting of the Victorian home at the Round Barn site. It was so popular that it will likely be an annual event in June each summer.

There was a wide variety of guests during the year, from all over the world, as well as from all over Iowa, some doing business in the area, some retracing the Old Mormon Trail and other local historic sites, and others just “getting away” for a quiet weekend retreat. Two very special women from Nashua, Iowa’s C & W Rustic Hollow Shelter visited with us as well. They are close to my heart as they run a no-kill shelter for displaced and disabled cats with special needs. This year also saw quite a few Iowa writers, poets, photographers, and artists use the inn as a “retreat” or “recharging” for their work. Scott enjoyed visiting with them out in his “Alley Cat” studio, where he continues to crank out works of historical non-fiction and fiction. His latest collection of short stories won an honorable mention in a recent international competition. My favorite guests were the several who came to check out some of the ghost stories about the Inn and who were anxious for a “paranormal” experience. I enjoyed keeping particularly quiet on those nights – ha ha.

This coming year’s return guests will be saddened to discover that “Paws,” my direct descendent whose favorite spot was the front porch swing, and “Simon,” the mellow yellow tabby who greeted everyone at the front door have, after long and happy lives, made the transition to my spirit world. That has left “Garfunkel,” the black cat with white toes, and “Ginger,” the yellow lab/chow mix, with increased duties regarding visitor greetings, but they have met the challenge very well. So now, when it’s quiet in the night and you hear an occasional floorboard creak or scratching on the wall, it may not just be me – I have some company now.

2008 promises to be even busier than ever, starting with Julie’s annual Valentine’s Day dinner for which she has already received more reservations than in previous years. See elsewhere in the website for the complete menu which this year includes a “Sweetheart Package” for those who wish to stay overnight, and the ever popular chocolate fountain as part of the meal. Be sure to admire my portrait displayed prominently in the lobby while you’re here.

As the weather becomes more spring-like and Julie’s garden starts to bloom, she will be offering her annual Mother’s Day luncheon which is always a popular event. In April, Julie is hosting a “culinary weekend” cooking class for a group who’ll be preparing items in her award-winning, restaurant-quality kitchen. In June there will be another Round Barn Jubilee and, also in June, the SCIAP group will be sponsoring a Chautauqua event at the Round Barn Site. Of course, rooms are already filling up for Corydon’s Old Settler’s Days in August and Allerton’s World Fair in September, and there are already reservations being made for fall hunting season, many of whom are father/son and husband/wife hunting groups. There are also several bus tours planning to stop at the Inn for snacks and meals when the fall colors are at their fullest.

It seems I’ll just have to get used to more people being here and maybe brush up on my “haunting skills” along with some of the other “characters” who help me out from time to time. Don’t worry, I won’t let that old red-haired railroad conductor’s spirit return. He just didn’t know when to stop – laughing annoyingly at all hours of the night. We prefer “refined, classy hauntings” in this establishment. Since I’ve been here for well over a hundred years, back to the days of Jesse James, and have seen Allerton’s both boom and bust years, I remain in charge. Julie and Scott have really challenged my former lifestyle. But I have to admit that things are shining at the Inn like never before and visitors to Wayne County who’ve never been here before are both surprised and charmed by their stay, many of them returning and bringing their friends and family. So, I guess I’ll put up with it for now.

Until next time . . . Purr-fectly yours,

Thomas, the Ghost Cat of the Inn