Benn Conger Inn renovated, reopened

It was just one year ago this month that Christine (Clare) Brennan and her husband, Edward, who live in the historic Rokeby Farm home in Virginia, began to discuss purchasing the historic Benn Conger Inn in Groton.

Christine spent the first 17 years of her life living at 206 W. Cortland St., when The Benn Conger (TBC) was her family’s residence. When she found out it was for sale, she involved her entire family in the purchasing decision.

Christine’s parents, Robert (Bob) and Margaret Ann Clare, and her grandparents, Carmela and Joseph Ardito, purchased the Benn Conger home in 1952. All four, in addition to Christine and her siblings, Pete, Lori and Joe, lived together in the home, off and on for the children, for the next 50 years.

“My brother Pete and his wife, Sherry, own Turkey Trot Acres in Candor,” Christine said. “And we have our family reunion there every July. Their son, my nephew Drew Clare, and his wife, Emily, and I got chatting last July about The Benn Conger being for sale. Before long, we had a plan, called the realtor, and I bought the inn and The Dempsey House next door.”

Almost immediately, they began utilizing The Dempsey House (TDH) as a bed and breakfast, with Drew as general manager of both properties, but the daunting task of a complete renovation of TBC, to get it ready to open to the public, had only just begun.

“I am so excited to be a part of the history of the inn and I want to make it successful and make both my family and this community proud,” Drew said early on in the process (tinyurl.com/2c4q35rh).

Although Christine and Edward reside in Virginia, they spend summers here in nearby Aurora, and Christine has devoted a great deal of time and energy, along with Drew and the rest of the family, to bringing her childhood home back to its former glory.

While the renovation process has modernized TBC in necessary ways, such as a cloud-based reservation system, updated website (thebenncongerinn.com), creation of Facebook and Instagram accounts, streamlined accounting processes and upgrades to the kitchen equipment and appliances, all thanks to Drew’s influence, Christine has been busy with the décor and face of the properties.

“I want to make sure we keep the character of the home as it was in its day,” Christine said. “I consider it a mixture of its original 1920s’ character and the ’50s and ’60s when I lived here growing up.”

The mantles, crown moldings, tile and wood flooring are all original and beautiful, and the walls and rooms are all adorned with artwork and antiques from the collections Christine and Edward have acquired through the years — brought up from their estate in Virginia.

“There is a story behind every piece from our collections,” Christine said. “And I remember every one of them.”

TBC has four guest rooms, while TDH boasts six. All have retained the beauty and charm of days gone by yet have Keurigs, flat-screen TV sets with streaming capability and Wi-Fi in every room and microwaves and refrigerators in most.

Finally, the tremendous restoration was mostly completed by Memorial Day weekend, just in time for TBC to open for Cornell University commencement guests. And between the months TDH was already in operation and the short time since TBC opened, the staff has welcomed guests from Belgium, Israel, Canada, Great Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, China and, of course, the U.S.

And speaking of the staff, in addition to Drew, family cousins Russ and Shelley Newman and Rob Newman have also been lending their expertise to the operation.

Russ has done all of the landscaping, and he and Shelley are the innkeepers and short-order cooks on site, while Rob is the chef for the events that TBC has begun to host.

Now that the accommodations are in full swing, Drew said they have had a soft opening for some in-house catered events and are prepared to take future bookings for indoor or outdoor events for 20 to 60 people with ease, such as corporate retreats, meetings and private parties.

“We can even book the entire house for families or groups or even wedding parties,” Christine said. “We have a fire pit, gas grill and outdoor kitchen for their use and could also arrange private dinners for them during their stay. We also offer golf packages with Stonehedges and the Cortland Country Club and packages with Cayuga Lake cruise boats.”

Although TBC now has the capability to operate as a full-scale restaurant, and while it may in the future, for now — beginning July 31 — seated luncheons will now be offered every Sunday in its beautifully appointed dining areas.

Two seating times will be offered from noon to 1 p.m. or from 1 to 2 p.m. with limited slots per seating. To book your seat, visit thebenncongerinn.com/Luncheon or call (607) 898-5817.

“Drew has done a phenomenal job managing all this,” Christine said. “And we’re all so proud.”

The family collectively said, “Please consider The Benn Conger the perfect headquarters for all your special events. The family is thrilled to have come home, and we look forward to welcoming you to our special place.”

Groton on the Inside appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Submit story ideas to editorial@VizellaMedia.com or text or call Linda at (607) 227-4922.  

In brief: 
 
Come to Mystery Island! 

Groton Assembly of God, 701 S. Main St., welcomes all children who have just graduated from kindergarten through those who just completed eighth grade to attend “Mystery Island VBS.” Come and meet Camo the Chameleon and more of his tropical friends when they set sail and come ashore on Mystery Island.

This Vacation Bible School (VBS) will take place July 24 through 28 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. nightly with drama, crafts, science projects, recreation, snacks and more. For more information or questions, contact Sharon Newman at (607) 898-5263 Ext. 102.

Groton Story Walk updated for summer  

The Groton Story Walk, located on the trail behind Groton Memorial Park, has been updated for summer with “A House for a Hermit Crab” by Eric Carle. This brightly illustrated classic follows a little hermit crab as he moves into a new shell and finds some friends along the way. Get outside this summer and check out this story!

Youth football and cheer sign-up time 

Sign up now for Groton Youth Football and Cheer! Open to any child in kindergarten through sixth grade for football and kindergarten through eighth grade for cheer. These programs are an organized way for children to have fun, get exercise, learn how to work hard individually and give their all for the team.

Cost ranges from $30 to $60 per child, depending on grade level. Checks should be made payable to Groton Youth Football, and registration forms may be found at facebook.com/Groton-Youth-Football. Completed registration forms can be mailed to GYF c/o Kathleen Grimes, 462 W. Groton Rd., Groton, NY 13073 or dropped off at Groton Town Hall on Conger Boulevard by Aug. 12. There will be in-person registration available during camp the week of Aug. 1 through 4.

For more information, contact Frank Belansoff at (607) 543-0626 or Frankb@bestwaylumber.com or Chad Smith at (607) 592-9602 or LSFCPT@gmail.com.