Couple brings 'casual, fun' personality to B&B

Stu Cassell is 5 feet 5 inches tall, and once made a living cracking jokes about his height.
A standup comedian needs to poke fun at someone, and Cassell's deadpan humor in the self-deprecating style of Woody Allen got him many gigs and giggles across the country. At one point he even began to headline comedy shows.

That was many years ago.

The humor is still there, and he's still 5 feet 5 and "shrinking," only now he does a different kind of entertaining.

Last week, Stu and his equally gregarious wife, Mary Rose, packed up their stuff and drove from their St. Louis, Mo. home to a new life in a homey 1925-era bed and breakfast overlooking Lake Verona in Avon Park.

Stu Cassell likes to tell stories. Seated in the cozy living room of their new home, he narrated how they ended up in the B&B business, a 1,000 miles away from home.

It was a few months ago and they were still living in Missouri.

Mary Rose had been baking cookies and wistfully said, "Won't it be fun to own a bed and breakfast?"
There it was. A light bulb went off and Stu got on the Internet to search for B & B prospects.

They were both in between jobs and were looking for a change in pace. Stu used to work as an activities director and association manager for an upscale senior citizens' subdivision. Mary Rose used to be a main frame computer programmer.

The Cassells had to choose between a B&B in Montana and the Lake Verona Lodge in Avon Park. It was a no-brainer.

About a month later they signed the dotted line and bought themselves some new real estate in the sunny south.

It made perfect sense to the couple.

As they put it, "Owning our own business would be a good way of gaining control over our life."
First off, they are enjoying their Florida paradise by blissfully gloating about the weather to their family and friends freezing up north.

Stu took a photo of the sun rising over Lake Verona and made sure he put it on their Facebook page, with a tantalizing post, "a typical day in my neighborhood."

The Lodge has four rooms with double beds. They are all named after presidents. One is the Kennedy Room. There's a Lincoln Room and even a storage area the Cassells jokingly call Area 51.

The couple say they want to bring the Lodge into the 21st Century. The old home was upgraded by the previous owners, complete with exit signs and a sprinkler system. The Cassells want to add WiFi and a more expanded phone service, among other improvements.

While they are solidifying their business plans, the two hope to make new friends and pursue their many hobbies. Mary Rose loves to sing and was itching to join a chorus group as soon as she had the time.

Stu, who "is a horrible golfer but loves to play," planned to hit the links, go fishing and play tennis.
"We are casual and fun (people,)" Stu said. "Our B&B is a reflection of what we are."