Rose of Sharon Bed & Breakfast

03/10/2025

An early morning March view from our front porch. The sun is rising and God's mercies are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness. In light of that we have posted on the Bed and Breakfast website that we are now closed. That season is over, and though we were saddened to make that decision, we are at peace and looking forward to what God is doing next in our winter season. This is what we posted:

Hello from Dick and Sharon at Rose of Sharon, our little homestead, letting you know the Bed and Breakfast is now CLOSED PERMANENTLY.

Our eight years of hosting guests in our home was an honor and blessing to us. It all started with our first guests from Alaska and ended with guests from Texas. In between we had people from Canada to Florida, California to Connecticut, Illinois to Arizona, and Missouri to New Hampshire. Many came right from New York as well as many more states.

Guests came for college entrance interviews, a child’s college game and graduation, funerals of family members, weddings, and sometimes just visiting family on summer vacations. Two highlights, were descendants of former owners of our home, “Rose of Sharon.” They filled us in on life in Norwood as well as sharing photos of life in the early 1900’s and the ‘50’s and ‘60’s. We truly were the ones blessed.

Then over the last eight years, we opened a Christian Bookstore (www.treeoflifebooksandgifts.com) in West Potsdam, (though just moved it to Mechanic Street in Norwood), began a small church fellowship (www.gbfnorwood.org), and started publishing a monthly newsletter called “Norwood Village News” for our community. This newsletter shares upcoming events of the various village organizations, digs into past history of Norwood, and highlights our village which is known as “a nice place to live.”

Finding that we now had too many billiard balls in our rack, a decision as to which one needed to go had to be made. It was a difficult decision because we enjoyed and loved each one for different reasons, but knew we could not keep the pace we were now embarking on. Our original intent was to have the bed and breakfast for ten years and so, though we are two years short of that goal, we decided it was time to let it go and have our home now for us and family.

God has blessed us with health, energy, ideas, and plans, and though we say “so long” to the bed and breakfast, we are not letting grass grow under our feet. We thank each of you who brought your gifts, talents, personalities, and knowledge of your little corner of this wonderful country to Rose of Sharon Bed and Breakfast. We were blessed beyond measure, will keep those precious memories in our hearts, and ask God to bless you abundantly. “Happy Trails to You” where ever you travel!

11/14/2024

Here are some October pictures at Rose of Sharon. We have been busy but I tried to capture some of my favorites during the month of the year that brings joy and beauty to our own backyard. We also have a white deer with brown patches on his/her back that travels through but I wasn't able to get a picture yet. Maybe some day. I hope you had a wonderful October, too.

08/22/2024

In case you're wondering what we've been up to: here it is. Norwood's 53rd Annual Harvest Festival. If you or someone you know might be interested in being a vendor call 315-353-5054 or email [email protected]. Or if you want to come and enjoy part or all of the day with us, watch for the times to be announced for the special activities happening that day. Hope to see you there and thank you for passing the word to your family and friends. We are keeping quite active and enjoying our life in Norwood.

Five weeks until Norwood's 53rd Annual Harvest Festival! We will be "Celebrating the Works of Our Hands" and this is the poster that will up and around the village of some events that will be happening that fun and festive day.

Food and craft vendors, organizations and games, scarecrows to point the way, pumpkins galore for painting, bowling, weight guessing, and mini golf. Also, the "Happy Trails Bike Parade," a scarecrow relay race, and dancing the Virginia Reel.

Come to shop, eat, watch, or join in the festivities. This is sponsored by the Village of Norwood. There is still room for several more vendors and if you are interested, it's not too late. Call 315-353-5054 or email [email protected] We are looking forward to this count-down until that day arrives-- Saturday September 21st from 10-3. Pass the word and we'll see you in September!

06/07/2024

I've been looking through old photos and found this serene picture taken on top of our little hilltop. We love to sit there in the evenings to watch the sun go down. I like coming out in the early morning just to listen to the birds chatter at me to keep moving out of "their" domain, and I love to watch the grandchildren swing freely looking over the beautiful view beyond the hilltop. We call this area "Mr. Baker's Swing," a song by Steve and Annie Chapman that holds fond memories for us and our children when they were young. Here's to precious memories that unfold and bring joy and comfort as the days and years go by.

01/05/2024

It is now 2024 and I hadn't changed the cover photo or sent a message since November of last year. Dick and I want to wish you all a happy, healthy, and prosperous year with blessings overflowing!

We took the last couple of months off from guests to slow down a little and have some free time. It has been good. We will continue this month and right now are enjoying four of our little grandchildren for a week. It is always a joy to have them visit and spend time with their cousins in Norfolk, too. The photo is Dick helping them draw an owl. We are studying owls because we could hear one outside the house early in the morning. He loves art and the children are enjoying it, too.

I just wanted to touch base with you and tell you we still around, active, and making plans for the future. Are you? Dick and Sharon at Rose of Sharon Bed & Breakfast.

11/02/2023

This picture was taken last week before all the leaves came off the maple. I love the yellow leaves covering the driveway like a blanket across bed. So warm and cozy. Yes, the leaves look warm and cozy to me. They eventually dried up and I enjoyed scuffing and kicking them about with their crunchy sound and earthy smell as I trudged back and forth through them. Simply wonderful. I felt like a child again and hope you are enjoying your fallen leaves.

10/16/2023

I went out at 5:00 this evening to get some pictures of our non-foliage here at Rose of Sharon Bed & Breakfast. The sun was glaring off the porch highlighting the hanging flowers and revealing the still green leaves on the Maples up on the hilltop. Can you geese in the neighbor's field out back, and the tops of trees glistening in the east beyond the field? I love the cloud formations, too. Well, we still haven't had a frost and if my flowers want to keep blooming, I'll keep watering them. Hope you are enjoying this season where you are. It's my favorite.