Page 26 - Camden Kershaw 2020

Four Oaks Inn here, within a mile or two of the property.”

“Four Oaks is a dream come true that also
dovetails with our need to stay active,” Janet,
is Camden’s newest a retired graphic designer and ad-agency art
director, said. “It’s a daily adventure that’s never
boring. And the wonderful people we’ve met since
moving here, the good friends we’ve made, prove
bed and breakfast to us every day that choosing Camden was the
right decision.”

The couple has traveled extensively -- to Europe,
the British Isles, Egypt, and around the United
States. Steve has also been to Australia, Thailand
and Japan, and lived in Germany while serving
as an M.P. in the U.S. Army at the end of the
Vietnam War. It was on the final leg of his trip to
the orient that he met his future wife.

Ironically, Steve and Janet grew up only 6 miles
apart in Southern California, but didn’t meet
until they bumped into each other on Waikiki
Beach in 1984.

“I had just arrived,” Janet said of her fateful
Hawaiian holiday, “and he was leaving the next
day.”

he stately white plantation-style property.
house at 104 Union St. captured the
hearts of would-be innkeepers Steve Narrowing their prospects to the Carolinas and Virginia,
Tand Janet Ellerman as soon as they stepped the Ellermans were sorely tempted by the charms not
through the door. only of the house, but also of the city.

The two-story dwelling had much to offer as the potential “Camden had the kind of big, old gracious homes we longed
model of Southern hospitality the lifelong “southern” for and, being history buffs, we loved all the history that
Californians were shopping for. But the kitchen needed happened right here under our feet, dating back to the
updating to make it suitable for an inn, and some of the Revolutionary War and beyond,” Janet said. “We also
bedrooms were too small for the luxurious guest suites loved the quaint and welcoming feel of the historic
they envisioned. downtown area, with its surprising array of eateries,
boutiques, and antique stores. Everything we desired
Still, the couple loved the bones and character of the for ourselves and our future guests could be found right
2020/2021 s Discover Camden-Kershaw County s 37
36 s Discover Camden-Kershaw County s 2020/2021