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By Patricia Perratore-Anis
 Nestled
on a quiet corner, in the Jersey Shore Township of Spring Lake, New
Jersey, sits a lovely and quaint Bed and Breakfast known as the White
Lilac Inn. One of the crown jewels of Spring
Lake’s Historic Inns, the White Lilac’s 127-year history is as colorful
as its décor and surrounding foliage. This magnificent three-story
country Victorian was built in 1880 as a summer cottage for a family
from Philadelphia. It later became “The Rainbow Cottage” in 1918, named
for its owners John and Lillian Rainbow who opened the doors to the
public. There were other owners, but the longest was Sally Mann Randock
who lived there for 18 years, sold it only to buy it back again two
years later with her second husband, Neil G. Francis, calling it the
“Francis House” Sally Mann Randock Francis stayed another 22 years.
Interestingly, the deed appears as though it had another owner, but
Francis had divorced and remarried during her ownership. Another
interesting tidbit, the Ziegfield girls were friends with Francis and
often stayed at the cottage during that era. Mrs. Bernice O'Burke, the
first owner from Monmouth County, New Jersey, arrived in 1964 and called
the Inn “The Bonnie Brae House” after her granddaughter, Bonnie Brae
Burke.
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 The current and 13th owner, Mari
Kennelly, purchased the Inn in 1994 and lovingly restored it as a
historic Bed and Breakfast Inn, which opened in 1995. She closely
guards an array of historic artifacts, including every deed to the
property, and even the building’s original blue print.
The Inn has eight guest rooms and
one suite. Each air conditioned room is decorated with an historical
theme, which allows The White Lilac to continue its heritage of Southern
Hospitality. Like the finer Victorians of this era, the rooms feature a
private balcony, fireplace, and wrap-around porches. Modern touches
such as double whirlpool tubs have also been added for additional guest
comfort. The walls are adorned with striking works of art and
photographs as well as antique knick knacks and articles from eclectic
Victorian style. For those of us who cannot fully escape reality and
temporarily retire to a simpler time, the Inn is also equipped with WiFi
Internet access.
The White Lilac also features a
beautifully decorated and spacious parlor where guests can relax in
comfort or visit with their friends and other guests. The library is
always open to guests and displays hundreds of books and videos to use
at your leisure.
 Guests will enjoy a delicious breakfast either in the
enclosed sunny porch or in the Garden Room. Either way, the surroundings
are clean, airy and warmly inviting. Coffee, tea, refreshments and
snacks are available to guests throughout the day, and they are welcome
to help themselves, if they like.
Kennelly serves a delicious breakfast which may
consist of anything from homemade Peach French Toast with syrup and
bacon or sausage to assorted seasonal fruit such as melons and
strawberries, pastries and cakes and fresh yogurt. The menu is open to a
variety of custom and traditional needs, but the focus is homemade
comfort foods that make her guests feel at home with healthy and
delicious choices.
Kennelly, who is a real people person with infectious
enthusiasm, is happy to chat with her guests and makes sure to let them
know about events going on around town that they may wish to attend. She
is always ready with travel directions, as well. She is very
knowledgeable and enjoys sharing some of the history of the Inn and of
Spring Lake. Oftentimes, her guests had previously been to or lived in
Spring Lake or visited over the years, and like to reminisce about the
past; she updates them on changes in the town and area. I actually met a
woman, relaxing with her husband at breakfast, who was related to the
owner of a long-time pizza place that I frequented in New York during my
youth. We had a fun chat about that area and the places we similarly
remembered.
Nearby the Inn, guests can enjoy many activities such
as swimming, boating, cycling, antiquing, golf and tennis or they can
give up the hectic pace for quiet moments with a stroll along the
boardwalk, around the town or visiting beautiful St. Catharine’s Church
in the center of town, which is a replica of St. Peter’s Basilica in the
Vatican City.
There is a huge assortment of quaint shops and
tantalizing restaurants in town that residents and guests can walk to,
such as the Black Trumpet on Atlantic Avenue which features fresh and
delicious seafood caught on the Jersey Shore, original pasta plates, and
a wide assortment of signature delicacies and desserts.
For the convenience of guests, the Inn offers
off-street parking and is a stone's throw from Wreck Pond and 4 1/2
blocks from the Atlantic Ocean. Spring Lake is on the Jersey Shore,
about 60 miles south of New York City and about 75 miles northwest of
Philadelphia.
 There are many annual events in Spring Lake including
the Spring Lake Candlelight Christmas Inn Tour, which Kennelly is
chairing this year, being held on December 1, 2007 from 3:30 to 7:00
p.m. All the historic inns will be decorated for Christmas. In
previous years, the White Lilac Inn has been decorated in themes such as
carousel, riverboat, Christmas in New Orleans, and in 2006, Alice in
Wonderland with the huge tree decorated in teacups. This year’s theme
will be announced soon.
Other events you should make note to attend are the
Historical Society Home Tours on June 7, and the Authors and Inns Tour
on June 10 which will feature Gordon Hesse who authored “All Summer Long
Memoirs – Lifeguards at the Jersey Shore.” Hesse will be at the White
Lilac Inn meeting the public and autographing books.
Room rates are seasonal as follows: during mid season
(May, June & September) prices range from $179 – $329; high season (July
& August) prices range from $219 – $359; and quiet season (October –
April) prices range from $139 – $259.
The White Lilac Inn is located at 414 Central Avenue,
Spring Lake, New Jersey, 07762, USA. You may reach them by phone at
732-449-0211. For additional information, you may also visit their web
site at
www.whitelilac.com.
Here are some other useful links:
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About the Authors:
Patricia Anis is photographer and
writer covering a variety of subjects from travel to restaurants and
family recreation. You can reach Patty at
PattySein@aol.com.
Nick Anis is a food, wine, and travel
and technology writer with 24 books in print. Nick’s beats include snow
and water sports, and vacation destinations. Nick can be reached by email
at: nickanis@aol.com. |
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