BBISD is pleased to welcome three new members, Granite Springs Lodge, one mile south of Alexandria and 15 minutes from Mitchell, and Elk Ridge B&B located just off of the Old Hill City Road between Keystone and Hill City. Our newest member is The Norbeck House Inn located in Pierre, owned and operated by Ana Jensen. It once was the home of Governor Peter Norbeck. Ana describes the five bedroom home as an historic upscale Georgian revival, and is just a short distance to the state's capitol building, fishing and hunting. Listed below is their "directory formatted" information.


Alexandria
Granite Springs Lodge Bed & Breakfast
PO Box 5, Alexandria SD 57311
605-940-­9614
www.granitespringssd.com
email: yeo@sio.midco.net
Innkeeper: Brennan Yeo

Located one mile south of Alexandria on Prairie Drive, the rooms have two queen-size beds and private baths. Features a full-service commercial kitchen, professional chef, private fishing pond, no license needed, stocked with rainbow trout. Ideal for formal or informal gatherings.

R-6, PB-6, Full break, IA, C-yes, P-ltd, S-no, H-yes, CC-yes, Open-all year, $100.



Hill City
ELK RIDGE Bed & Breakfast
12741 Matthews Ct.
Keystone, SD 57751
605-574-2320 • 1-866-380-9090
http://www.erbnb.com
email: THERIDGE@DISHMAIL.NET
Innkeepers: Ron & Leslie Passons

A cozy warm contemporary western style home located between Keystone & Hill City and just minutes from Mt. Rushmore. Just a short drive from many of the attractions. Business travelers, Hot Rodders, Bikers are welcome.

R-3, PB-3, Full break, IA, C-no, S-no, H-ltd, P-no, CC-yes, Open-all year, $175.

Pierre
The Norbeck House Inn Bed & Breakfast
106 E Wynoka, Pierre SD 57501
605-224-7474
Email: ANA@THENORBECKHOUSEINN.COM
WWW.THENORBECKHOUSEINN.COM
Innkeeper: Ana Jensen

Once the home of Governor Peter Norbeck, the five bedroom home as an historic upscale Georgian revival, and is just a short distance to the state's capitol building, fishing and hunting.

R-5. PB-3, SB-2, Full break, C-16 & older, P-no, IA, Open all year

___________________

New members are welcome and encouraged, so if you know of other B&B's in your area please approach them about becoming members. Application requests may be mailed to:

Nancy Roth, Membership Chair
13131 Thunderhead Falls Ln
Rapid City SD 57702

We’ve had great corn growing weather these last few weeks, hot and humid. I’m not complaining – goodness no, those -35 degree January days are still fresh in my mind – just stating facts. And the corn crop does look great! It’s hard to remember what the days without air conditioning were like.

Update on State Rates: For those of you who accept state rates at your bed and breakfast, the maximum the state will pay has increased to $46.50 plus tax per night. If you’re interested in being added to the list of establishments which honor the state rate call: 605-773-4226 or email deana.prater@state.sd.us.

Save the Date: Received in last week’s mail was a reminder to Save the Date for the 2008 Governor’s Conference on Tourism January 16-17, 2008 at the Ramkota RiverCentre in Pierre. Those of you who haven’t had the opportunity to attend, please seriously consider investing the time and money to do so. Each year that we’ve attended, we’ve come away with something of value. This year’s theme is “Driving Forward.” We’re anxious to see how they’ll carry out the theme. Our Bed and Breakfast Innkeepers of South Dakota meeting follows on Friday evening and Saturday, January 18 and 19. If you’ve topics you’d like to see covered or issues you’d like to see addressed, please contact us so we can include them. Stay tuned for further info.

The “Sunrise to Sunset in South Dakota II” cookbook has been a great hit and sales to our “come as guests, leave as friends” have been wonderful. Thank you all for your tasty recipes and for sharing them. When asked if I share recipes, it’s easy to say, “As a matter of fact, it’s right here in the cookbook!” It’s an awesome tool for promoting our businesses.

A warm welcome to Elk Ridge B&B, Norbeck House Inn and Granite Springs Lodge, who have recently joined our group. We look forward to meeting you.

Thank you, Sara, for the great job on the “INN-Route” addition to our web site. If you folks haven’t done so as yet, please check it out. And if you’ve been a little slow in getting your information in to Sara, it’s not too late.

That’s it for now. Best wishes for a successful season.

Been busy with fun guests, including the Stampede Rodeo guests.

Make a note that Dakota Fest at the Schlaffman Farm near Mitchell runs on Aug 21, 22 & 23. The Bull Bash is on Wed evening, I can get tickets for $6, if I sell 10 ! 3 big days of farm machinery, livestock displays & eductional seminars... for more info call 800 827 8007 - www.farmshows.com

Keep cool!

This is the only time of year you have to lock your car in Lennox. You think you can just drop by the bank for a second, but sure enough when you come out the back seat is heaped with zucchini. If you can't find another unlocked car pretty quick, you're gonna need a new recipe. Give this one a try - bon appetit!

Chocolate and Orange Zest Zucchini Bread

INGREDIENTS

* 3 eggs
* 1 cups white sugar
* 3/4 cups brown sugar
* 1 cup vegetable oil
* 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
* 2 cups grated zucchini
* 1 cup chopped walnuts (or pecans)
* 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
* 1 tablespoon orange zest
* 3 cups all-purpose flour (you can use half whole wheat)
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

DIRECTIONS

1. Whisk together dry ingredients (who can find their sifter?).
2. In a large bowl, beat eggs a little first and then add sugar(s), and mix well. Mix in oil, vanilla, zucchini, nuts, chocolate chips, and orange rind. Blend in sifted ingredients - don't overmix. Put batter into two greased 9 x 5 inch loaf pans or 24 sprayed muffin tins (normal size).
3. Bake at 350 for 50-55 minutes for loafs or 15-20 for muffins, or until toothpick comes out clean.