The sign to the bed and breakfast

Always enjoying having her home filled with guests, Ann Tolman has been running the Branch Brook bed and breakfast in Lyndonville for 21 years.

It all started with Ann having her eyes set on one run down home that finally went up for sale.

"We came in we could visualize as bad as it was and how it could be made into a bed and breakfast, one floor had completely collapsed through the basement, because it hadn't been occupied for eight years."

After completely ripping the house apart and making it like new again the couple from Connecticut could finally move in.

"We bought it in 1986 and we actually opened for business in the fall of 1989 at Labor Day weekend."

With many bed and breakfasts in the area Ann has one thing to separate herself from all the rest. Her homemade made to order breakfasts prepared on an English Aga cooker.

Owner of bed and breakfast Ann Tolman

"I offer a very complete menu for breakfast, most bed and breakfasts give continental breakfast or they say this is what your getting today."

Despite loosing her husband, Ted, 12 years ago and with the recent economic downfall the Branch Brook bed and breakfast is still holding up strong.

"It's been quite consistent, last year was down a little and I'm afraid this year may be down a little because of the lack of snow this winter but it may pick up now that we're going to have sunshine hopefully"

After being in the bed and breakfast business for 21 years, Ann Tolman has no regrets and hopes to continue her services for many years to come.