Rosalind Bruno
Where do you Live? Stanhope, NJ
Since: 2011
Why did you choose the city / state you now live in? I’m the quintessential Jersey girl, so when we decided to look for a bed and breakfast, it made sense to stay here. I’ve always lived in Jersey, so I think it would have been difficult to adjust to another part of the country. Besides, my kids were nearby, and even though everyone’s schedule is busy, we still get to see each other a lot.
What do you love most about where you live? I love living in a town environment where I can walk up to the deli at any given time and see at least four people I know. Stanhope reminds me of where I grew up with lots of farmland and open spaces, yet, in ten minutes I can jump on route 80 and get to the city, the mall or anywhere else I need to go. Even though we’ve only been here two years, we’ve been embraced by the community with open arms. The Chamber of Commerce meets at the Inn; we serve on committees with the mayor (who also officiates at my weddings), and I’ve become good friends with our county Freeholder. This is small town living at its best, inhabited by people who are, as my mother used to say, “The salt of the earth”.
What is your favorite restaurant in your town? I’m partial to the Black Forest Inn, which is a terrific German restaurant in town. It’s been here for 40 years, and is one of last surviving German restaurants in the state. My favorite meal there is sauerbraten, red cabbage and spaetzle. I tried to make spaetzle myself once, and it turned into a big gloppy mess, that could probably have been used as wallpaper paste. One of my goals for 2014 is to have the owner teach me how to make it the right way.
What is your Age Group: 46-59
What is your favorite All Time Movie? There are so many I love, but Terms of Endearment is my favorite. I think it’s because it so clearly depicts the complexity of the mother-daughter relationship, albeit in a somewhat exaggerated, outrageous way.
Do you have any Pets? Yes, we have a German short-haired pointer named Tess, and a dachshund named Lucy. Tess is my Chief PR Officer and loves making friends with everyone. Repeat guests always want to come back into our living quarters to see her and she doesn’t disappoint. Lucy, AKA the “red devil” is my Chief Security Officer. She wants to make sure everyone knows she’s in charge and they’re not. Once she’s made friends with you, she is a sweet, loyal and lovable little dog…but she makes you earn it.
What is your favorite thing to do in your free time? I love to read really good literature, so you won’t catch me with a Danielle Steele novel in my library. The best book I’ve read in the last 10 years was The Help.
I’m also a relentless celebrity hound, so I like to visit the final resting places of the rich and famous. My biggest thrill was seeing Jim Morrison’s grave in Paris.
What is your favorite season and why? I like the summer best. The days are long, Mother Nature is in full bloom, and there are endless possibilities for entertainment.
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do? I’d increase my donations to my favorite charities. Then I’d travel, and not in coach.
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? I’d like to learn how to play the piano.
If you could witness any event past, present or future, what would it be? This is a very interesting question, because I’m fascinated by the concept of time travel. I would want to witness the Abdication of King Edward VIII. This single event, in my opinion, changed the destiny of modern England.
Which celebrity do you get mistaken for? Well, no one is running up to me asking for an autograph, but I have been told I look like Brenda Vaccaro.
Where do you work? The Whistling Swan Inn Bed & Breakfast
What is your title? Co-owner/Innkeeper
How long have you worked there? A little over 2 years
What do you love most about your Job? Where to start? I like being in control of my own destiny. If I want to make a change, I just do it. I don’t have to write a proposal, build a case study and sell it six levels up the corporate food chain. But what I really love is meeting a wide variety of guests and getting to know them. My guests are doing interesting things. I’ve had Broadway stars stay at the Inn, a rabbi who travels the world speaking about bias crimes and a number of published authors who have gifted me with autographed copies of their work.
What is your Experience and Background in the Travel Industry? I worked for American Express Travel for 16 years developing written and visual collateral so the sales force could sell travel management solutions to companies.