MAYVILLE - If the Christmas spirit is upon you, there is an open house in Mayville next month that might heighten your mood even more.
On Sunday, Dec. 4, Ariel's Bed & Breakfast will be hosting a Christmas themed open house from 1 to 5 p.m. The celebration will include Santa Claus, so children can have their photo taken with the jolly holiday symbol. Also, there will be Icelandic horses decorated for Christmas available to pet and feed.
''We're getting into Santa Claus and the Christmas spirit. I though it would be fun,'' said Margo Stuart, Ariel's Bed and Breakfast proprietor.
Article Photos
Margo Stuart, Ariel’s Bed & Breakfast proprietor, is shown with Pete Wyatt who will be playing Santa Claus during the business’ Christmas themed open house celebration Sunday, Dec. 4. During the open house, people will be able to have their picture taken with Santa Claus by professional photographer Curt Weinhold. Also, there will be Icelandic horses, including Ms. Stuart’s foal, Ariel, visitors will be able to pet and feed.
P-J photo by Dennis Phillips
During the open house, Pete Wyatt will be playing the starring role as Santa Claus, who will be dressed as both old world St. Nick and the more modern day red-suited, black-belted version. Curt Weinhold, professional photographer, will be on hand taking pictures of children with Santa. The Icelandic horses will include Ms. Stuart's foal, Ariel, her mother, Hela, and Kedja.
''We're completely redecorated for Christmas,'' Ms. Stuart said. ''There will be refreshments on hand. It will be a nice social gathering.''
Ariel's Bed and Breakfast, 4351 West Lake Road (Route 394) in Mayville, reopened this summer after Ms. Stuart returned back to the area to be with her mother, Gladys. Gladys originally opened up a bed and breakfast in 1986 with her husband, Herb. Ms. Stuart said 10 people can stay at the bed and breakfast, which is open year round.
''We have every size of bed available,'' she said.
There are 20 rooms in the house, which Ms. Stuart decorated herself. She has a bachelor's and master's degree in design.
''People comment on my decorating all the time,'' she said. ''The house has been redecorated with eclectic and I have an Africa influence from my travels there.''
The farm-style house was built in the late 1800s and was once a dahlia farm. The bed and breakfast was once known as Stuart Manor Bed & Breakfast, but the name was changed because people had it confused with another nearby business with a similar name. Now, the bed and breakfast is named after Ms. Stuart's favorite Icelandic horse, Ariel. Ariel was also the name used by Ms. Stuart's friend, Doug Kane, who with Christy Wood, wrote a fantasy book about the journey of an Icelandic horse titled, Ariel's Journey. Unfortunately, Kane passed away in February from Picks disease. So as a tribute to her friend, Ms. Stuart named the bed and breakfast after Ariel.
''Doug had a great love for Icelandic horses,'' she said.
The bed and breakfast is also available for business meetings, parties, baby showers and other celebrations. Ms. Stuart said people like the numerous quilts that are decorating the walls and set around the house. There are four guest rooms, all with private baths that are tastefully decorated. Every room in the house has central air conditioning and Wi-Fi.
For more information, call 789-9440 or 440-552-3280 or visit Ariel's Bed & Breakfast website at ariels.bb.com.