Hard to realize that yet another Academic Year at Miami University has come to a close. The students are, for the most part, gone from town and the parking spaces are opening up for those of us left behind.
Spring has finally come to Southwest Ohio. Our Snow Ball Bush is in full bloom and the Peonies are beginning to bloom, all of this is usually long gone by this time of the year.
I spent a wonderful week in Kentucky at a Dulcimer Retreat in April. A fantastic week filled with wonderful people and great music that will be remembered for a long time. John enjoyed a week in Myrtle Beach at a B & B Convention and his ideas are already showing up on our web site. He is one of the few people who go to the beach and never see the Ocean.
Come stay with us and learn to Make a 40 second Omelet and relax on the porch. Get away from the every day at Maplevale Farm Bed and Breakfast.

What an amazing evening I had last night. I was invited to attend the opening Gala for Oxford's first International Film Festival. The Film shown was by a Sweedish Director Ian Guffston titled "Angry Gods" and was Fantastic! If it is any indication of the quality of the films that will be shown over the next three days at Marcum Center on the Miami University Campus the festival will become one of the outstanding events in our Country. The festival runs 10 A M through 11 P M Friday and Saturday and 1 P M through 11 P M Sunday. Celebrate your Easter Holiday in a unique manner and enjoy one of these wonderful productions in a Beautiful setting.

The Birds are singing and nesting and the daffodils are in full bloom. John has already cut the yard and SNOW is on it's way. Never dull, this weather, in Oxford Ohio. Just in time for Easter!
Oxford is Hosting it's first ever International Film Festival from the 5th to the 8th of April with 72 films to be presented over the week end. It promises to be an exciting time.

We have had a taste of Spring here in Oxford. Tempratures hovering between 75 and 80 and grass that is Oh So Green!. They put in a new gas line on our road, last fall, and the straw that is covering the new blades of grass is providing the birds with copious nesting material.

First we think of Spring and then our thoughts turn to Fall with the posting of the Football Schedule.

HOME GAMES:

Saturday September 15, Cincinnati
Saturday September 29, Syracuse (Parents Weekend)
Saturday October 13, Bowling Green (Homecoming)
Saturday November 3rd, Buffalo
Wednesday November 14th, Akron (ESPN2)
Make your plans ASAP as this town fills up so quickly. Parents Weekend will already see you staying some 30 minutes away so book your rooms as soon as you possibly can.

For those who may be looking for a Winter Get A Way may we suggest your including one of the following Performing Arts Series events in your plans.

Thursday Feb. 1, 2007. CINDERELLA Performed by the State Ballet Theatre of Russia. Millet Hall at 7:30 P M
Monday Feb 26,2007. SQONK OPERA, a Broadway hit! Hall Auditorium 7:30 P M.
Tuesday March 6, 2007 MIDORI, violin with Robert McDonald on piano. Hall Auditorium 7:30 P M.
Thursday April 12, 2007. DIANNE REEVES, the four time Grammy winner will perform at Hall Auditorium at 7:30 P M.
Thursday April 19,2007. THE GOLDEN DRAGON ACROBATS at Millet Hall at 7:30 P M.
All tickets can be obtained through the Miami University Box office at 513 529 3200

Don't forget to include a nights stay at MAPLEVALE FARM BED & BREAKFAST to complete your special get a way experience.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Please watch CBS on Saturday morning January 13th. "Jungle Jims" in Fairfield Ohio (40 minute drive from Oxford) will be featured. This is a foodies haven and well worth the time the next time you are in Oxford. We supply maps to help you get there.

Miami University Redhawk Hockey and Basketball teams are in full swing and they are both doing well. The CCHC Hockey Redhawks are defending their League title in the new Goggin arena. This is a state of the art facility built with all 'gift' monies. Even if you are not a Hockey fan just stop in and take a tour of Goggin, it is fantastic! The Basketball team started their League play with a last second win on Sunday over Kent State and are playing with heart! Tickets for both are available through MU at 513 529 4295.

Our Art Museum opens it's exhibit of 'Buck Rogers and the 25th Century' on the 25th of January. Please mark your calendars for this futuristic event that will take you back into your childhood.

So far this winter there has not been a drop of snow on Oxford soil, the grass is green and the bulbs are really begining to pop out of the ground. We are just waiting for the weather shoe to drop as this is too good to be true.

Our Leaves are almost down and the porch is put to bed. Fall has come to Oxford and with it Parents Weekend and the football season. If you stay with us during the Winter months and have an interest in Spinning, bring your wheel. If you play the Dulcimer bring yours along and we can jam a bit. A novel way to break through the Winter doldrums.

The CHOPPED Exhibit At the Art museum goes through December 2nd. If you haven't had time to see this wonderful exhibit please do so. It is well worth the trip to Oxford and plan lunch at one of our wonderful 'uptown' restaurants.

The Gates-Abeggien Theatre features the plays of William Shakespeare in November. "All's Well That Ends Well" plays from November 16 through the 18th and again November 30 through December 2nd. 'Woven Harmony' with Robert and Rebecca Bluestone Can be enjoyed on Friday November 17th at 7:30 P M at Hall Auditorium. Ricky Skaggs rings in the Christmas season at 7:30 P M December 1st at Millett Hall. Tickets to all of these great events can be obtained by calling 513 529 3200.

Our Barker Family Christmas Ornament sale begins December 2nd and runs through the next week. Be sure to come early to get the latest Ornament and the best overall selection. The wonderful Brown Road Home will be full of Christmas cheer and decorations.

PLAN TO BE IN OXFORD THE FIRST WEEKEND IN DECEMBER. HAVE DINNER UPTOWN ON THE 1st THEN GO TO HEAR RICKY SKAGGS AT MILLETT HALL. A STAY WITH US AND A TRIP OUT BROWN ROAD TO THE BARKER ORNAMENT SALE, ON THE 2nd, WILL GET YOU IN THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT!