Pinehill Inn

03/11/2026

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8smd9DLweE

06/16/2024

We Boomers tend to reflect on our fathers and their lessons after they are no longer with us. How do we see through their eyes after they are gone? I was fortunate to view another side to my Dad after he died by finishing two projects he started. One was a complete rebuild of a wooden model of a tramp steamer he built when he was in his late teens. In my youth I used it for target practice with my BB gun and rebuilt it 50 years later. That is a story for another day.
The most recent is compiling his experiences as a WW II bomber pilot. Drawing on his diary, photos, and a bio he did in the late 80s I put it into a 200 page Amazon paperback for future generations of our family. What an amazing story. He never lost a crewman in his 35 missions despite having two planes shot to pieces and bailing out from one while it was going into a spin.
I did my best to be true to his narrative so the reader can see it through his eyes.
Happy Father’s Day Dad!
“Flack & Flame” Through the Eyes of a WW II Bomber Pilot.

The Pinehill Inn is closed. Thanks to all our fantastic guests and friends over the past 16 years.

06/03/2024

On 19 December 1944 my father was a B-24 bomber pilot on his 22nd mission. The target was an oilr refinery in Germany when he was hit in the right shoulder with flack. It blew out the winshield but only caused a bruise. His biggest challenge was returning hours to base with no windshield in -60 degrees tempratures and flying at 200 MPH. He saved that piece of flack and I found it in his footlocker with his diary.
What you see below is a shadowbox I made with a picture of his plane and the page of his diary.
He wrote about his experiences in his later years and I have compiled those memories anlong with other photos and mementos into a book called "Flack & Flame" Bio of a WW II Bomber Pilot. I put it on Amazon so other members of our family can see it.
He was awarded 2 DFCs and 4 Air Medals during his 35 missions.
He was part of the greatest generation and I fear we won't see their likes again.

01/09/2024

A B&B story about a Michigan fan, a doctor, a fledgling B&B, and a dream.
At Pinehill we taught B&B College for aspiring B&B owners. Not all open B&Bs, some decide “No….wait…this is really hard work!” and opt for another career. We judged our success not on how many opened a B&B but that they came away with a realistic view of their options.
So a doctor and his wife came to class to learn how to buy and run a B&B. Now being rabid Michigan alumni and fans their needs were simple; close to the university hospital so the doctor could work there part time, close to the excitement on game day and big enough to accommodate his family and friends on game weekends.
The good news was that B&Bs in university towns, especially if near the medical center much have higher than average occupancy rates. Armed with this and the day to day operating costs for the type of experience they wanted to offer to their guests we were able to set a budget to buy the inn.
So what happened? I spoke to them about a year later when they wanted some marketing tips. They said they found their dream Inn close to the medical center and campus sports activities. The Inn was thriving and they looked forward to each game day hosting family and friends.
So to our alumni “Go Michigan!”

12/07/2023

So, I made the Christmas Family Vacation advent house (the Chevy Chase movie) a few years ago to display on the mantle for guests at Pinehill.
Daughter Jenny asked for one with a Halloween theme. I did not get it done by Halloween, but it is finished.
Having finished the house I showed it to Chris (wife) and she said, "You're not done". I said, "It looks done to me". Chris: "It is just a building, put it on a bigger board and add trees, fences, grass and climbing vines". Ken: "I never planned to do that, and I do not know how to do the scenery part, so it is done".
I added the base and started the scenery that evening.
Anyway, the video is the final result and will be delivering it to our daughter soon.

11/29/2023

So Lacy's Christmas Do-Over is on Pluto, a free streaming service. Just go to pluto streaming an do a search. I am wondering if they recut some of the movie because it seemed better than the first time I watched it. We watch it for the fun of seeing Oregon and Pinehill.

07/11/2023

12/31/2021

A 147 year old mansion in Oregon, IL

12/16/2021

For anyone that missed the premiere, Lacy's Christmas Do-over filmed on location at the Pinehill Inn is now available VOD (video on demand) on Pluto TV.

Lacy's Christmas Do-Over on Pluto TV | Romance | 1 hr 25 min | Lacy is a businesswoman disgruntled in the holidays. A mysterious therapist tells Lacy to go to a B&B in Illinois. There she finds herself reliving the same day. Now she must escape this Christmas time warp and find the answers she is lo...

12/10/2021

Got the below from the Director today.

"Greetings Lacy crew, cast, supporters and friends!
If anyone is suffering from insomnia, Lacy’s Christmas Do-over premiers tonight at 1AM on Pop TV!

https://www.poptv.com/schedule

Scroll to bottom and enter your zip code to see where/how to view.
But basically, Pop TV is a live streaming channel (not VOD Video on-demand).
If you have Comcast cable, Direct TV, or Dish Network, it’s on there.
Also, if you have paid subscriptions to YouTube TV, or Hulu, you can view it there.

You can get a Free trial of YouTube for two weeks.

Thanks again to everyone for all their hard work, and happy holidays. Hope to work with you all again soon."

Fans don’t sit at the outskirts of pop culture making snarky comments, they live right smack in the middle of it, sharing, creating, and connecting their passions with others. At Pop, fans finally have a destination that celebrates the fun of being a fan.

12/09/2021

The film Lacy's Christmas Do-over was filmed at Pinehill. It was a fun project and we are looking forward to seeing it. The Director called and it will be shown on Pop TV 12/10. As best as I can tell so far it is a subscription channel but may have one of those 3 day preview for free offers. It is offered by a number of streaming services. If anyone has a quicker link please leave a comment.

11/10/2021

If you have never been to a mansion estate sale now is your chance. The Pinehill Inn B&B is having an estate sale on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 11/12, 13 and 14. Furniture, art, decor, silver, huge selection of Christmas decorations and more located in the B&B and carriage house. Take a look at https://www.estatesales.net/IL/Oregon/61061/3071064
It's not just a sale, it's an experience. Located in Oregon, IL.

View information about this sale in Oregon, IL. The sale starts Friday, November 12 and runs through Sunday, November 14. It is being run by Possessions Of Rockford, Inc..