By MATT LINDSEY

NORWOOD – A local couple has opened a Queen Anne-style bed and breakfast which overlooks cornfields and the Raquette River.

Sharon and Dick Bastille opened Rose of Sharon Bed and Breakfast earlier this month following a dream they say they have shared for over 30 years.

“Many years ago on our honeymoon we stayed at a bed and breakfast inn and we loved the personal attention, excellent breakfast and friendly hosts,” Mrs. Bastille said.

It was during that experience that the Bastille’s made the commitment to stay in bed and breakfasts whenever travelling and to try and have one of their own some day.

The Queen-Anne home, located at 85 North Main St., was built in 1900 and maintains all of its original hardwood floors, woodwork and wrap-around porch. Bastille believe the home was built by a family member of the owner of a local paper mill at a time when the railway was expanding in the North Country.

They purchased the home about a year ago and Mr. Bastille remodeled the two guest rooms and sitting room, which are upstairs.

“Dick, as a retired carpenter, handles any repairs and finishing work,” she said.

Each room has a queen size bed with rights to the Rose Room, the sitting room. The rooms share a bathroom, which features an old-fashioned claw-foot bathtub.

“We love the beauty and charm of the home and hope that others will be drawn to it too,” she said.

Guests are treated to a complimentary breakfast and afternoon snack. Weekday breakfast options are scrambled eggs with bacon or sausage, seasonal fruit, fresh muffins and graham bread. On weekends a variety of pancakes and toppings are on the menu.

“I used to own Mom’s Schoolhouse (in West Potsdam) and I love cooking breakfast,” she said.

Between owning a diner for 10 years and hosting St. Lawrence University and Clarkson students in their own home, the Bastille’s are used to take care of people.

“We opened our home to students for about 6 to 8 years before I opened the diner so it is not unusual for us to have people in our home,” Bastille said.

Bastille said the decision to close the diner was because of 14-hour days and to stop while they were on top and had the energy to begin a new business venture.

“People can sit on the wrap-around porch and sip coffee while watching the sun set, play an old piano or enjoy ice cream at the Hometown Café and listen to music at the concert series downtown,” she said.

The Raquette River can be seen from the home, depending on the season, and overlooks the western sky which makes for beautiful sunsets, she said.

To reserve a room or for more information call 353-5054 or visit http://roseofsharonbnb.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/roseofsharonbnb/.

“You can still hear the train whistle…it's a wonderful sound and reminds me of a time when the community was vibrant and growing,” she said.