Cedars, January 2018

January 2018 10 REVIEW by Gabriel Chester J ust over half a mile from Cedarville University, at 10 South Main Street, sits a homey and welcoming hotel. Once called a “visual masterpiece” by the Cincinnati Enquirer, the Hearthstone Inn and Suites, owned and oper- ated by Stuart and Ruth Zaharek, functions as an indepen- dent country inn. For over 16 years, the inn has been serving parents of Cedarville students, alumni, members of the Cedarville University Board of Trustees, chapel speakers, honeymoon- ers, cyclists, students themselves and countless more. Upon entering, one encounters a rich aroma of com- forting smells that seem to enhance the Victorian Age nostalgia that defines the lobby. The lobby, situated in the northwest corner of the inn, embodies late 19th century dé- cor. and features late 18th century historic Civil War dis- plays and tributes to Abraham Lincoln who passed through town in 1861. Enormous beams of Red Oak, hand-hewn in 1885, overshadow the kitchen area of the lobby, which is re- served for guest’s free continental breakfast each morning. When recounting the history of the old barn beams, which began growing as trees around 1625, Stuart said, “We took one look at them and said, ‘they belong at Hearthstone.’” To display their love for the mountains, Stuart and Ruth installed a 20-foot high river rock-faced chimney above the fireplace. A fresh and artfully decorated Christ- mas tree adorns the foyer during the holiday season to be enjoyed by many. The professionally hand-painted murals, and the gift Hearth Away From Home Local inn welcomes visitors with Victorian era hospitality Photo by Christian Cortes The Hearthstone Inn, which has served Cedarville for over 16 years, was decorated with lights and wreaths for the Christmas season.