The owners of At Willow Pond, Jerome and Claire Vandenburg, welcome you to their home and newfound passion. The Vandenburgs first had the idea of running their own Bed & Breakfast while on their honeymoon in 2000. Their various stays and conversations with innkeepers introduced to them the idea of sharing their home with others, as they greatly enjoyed the B & B experience.
Jerome has played the guitar since his teens, been a pilot since his twenties, and raises horses on the property. He has a colorful history as a business owner, from running a home-based auto body shop to his many years as manager and flight instructor at the Greenville airport. He spent a few years in the Bahamas working in construction before coming back to Michigan to build and maintain the home he and his wife Claire currently enjoy. Jerome's interests in music, airplanes, and horses are a theme in the common areas of the inn, and he is responsible for keeping the grounds and caring for the animals on the property. A favorite quote of his comes from Will Rogers, "There is nothing better for the inside of a man than the outside of a horse."
Claire's passion for teaching has taken her from educating children to her current career of teaching children's literature to teacher education students. The balance in Claire's life from the busy schedule of teaching while continuing to pursue her own higher education has been the design and maintenance of the landscaping on the Vandenburg property. The more time and care she put into developing her home's atmosphere, the more she desired to share the fruits of her labor. Claire is able to keep teaching part time, and with the B & B can legitimately spend time in the large vegetable garden and many flower gardens. You will see her interests reflected in the landscaping, and in the large children’s literature collection in her office. Claire will be the one creating the delicious breakfasts, cookies, and other goodies for guests to enjoy.
Jerome and Claire both enjoy good conversation and meeting interesting people, and look forward to the new chapter of their story that your stay may bring. They're confident that once you stay At Willow Pond, you're sure to want to come back.