Meet the Hosts

Meet The Hosts

Mary Beth and Fred have dreamed of owning a bed and breakfast ever since Mary Beth's Picture of Mary Beth and Fred

parents sold the family's Victorian rooming house in Cape May, New Jersey over 20 years ago. As newlyweds, Fred and Mary Beth just couldn't afford it.

The dream lay dormant as Fred pursued a career in senior housing and Mary Beth raised their three boys. Fred used his master's degree in gerontology and business to develop, market, and manage luxury retirement communities and teach college around the country. With all the moves, the clan became avid home remodelers and renovators.

In 1998 Mary Beth went back to school to get her teaching certificate. Fred had become tired of the pressure of the senior housing industry. Soon Mary Beth was teaching, and Fred had scaled back to consulting over the internet. In 2001 the family moved from Sarasota, Florida to Dahlonega looking for the simple life.

© 2007, Cedar House Inn. All rights reserved Photos by Zahora Photography

family was ready to look for a weekend cabin to tinker on and enjoy. While scouting the countryside in Lumpkin County, Mary Beth and Fred were surprised to see that the "big funky house" on Highway 19 was for sale. In need of love and repairs, the home on nearly three acres had "Our B & B" written all over it.

A year later their B & B is a reality. Cedar House Inn is lovingly decorated with an eclectic decor that reflects Mary Beth and Fred's life together. From the Colorado elk antlers on the front of the house to the antique hutches that graced Mary Beth's childhood home, from the Andrew Wyeth prints bought in their Delaware years to the carved fish purchased at the Tennessee Aquarium, the house is homey and personal. The yurts reflect the couple's interest in environmentally friendly construction.

by marketing earth friendly products at the Eco-Store and helping people get yurts for an affordable eco-friendly permanent or second home.

Mary Beth is involved in tutoring elementary school aged children and college students at a local university.

Another member of the family is Stu, our dog/official greeter and Karma, our cat.

Fred and Mary Beth are also enjoying the restoration of their 1984 VW Westy camper which they plan to use for trips during the bnb off season and weekdays.

They also enjoy giving micro loans through Kiva to small businesses overseas.

We hope you come and stay with us. We love this earth we all call home and want to do our part to make it a better and more peaceful place. We value other religions, lifestyles and points of view and enjoy stimulating conversations with our guests.

Mary Beth & Fred, Hosts

"We try to stay in B&B's wherever we travel (and we've traveled a lot) for one reason: they're more personal. The Cedar House Inn is a wonderful example of that personal touch. Your greeting at the drive, the sharing the history of your lovely Inn, the conversations at breakfast, even the "right-on" advice about what to see and where to eat in the area, all made us feel like we were truly welcome, and not just "occupants of room 206", which is how we usually feel in a hotel." The Beasley's from North Carolina

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