Ask Mr. Answer Person: "What is the status of the Bluffs Inn Motel? I have relatives with reservations there for Nordic Fest weekend."

(Ellen e-mails: "What is the status of Bluffs Inn Motel?  I have relatives with reservations there for Nordic Fest weekend.  I am concerned that a continued closing will mean that they, as well as others, will be inconvenienced and need to seek out other accomodations.")

Mr. Answer Person says: "I'm afraid my news is going to cause you and your relatives to say "Uff Da!"  I contacted the lawyer for the group that now owns the Bluffs Inn property and Jeff Clements of West Union says there is no way the hotel will be open for Nordic Fest.

That means your relatives should make other arrangements for Nordic Fest housing.

Clements says he hasn't talked with the property owners about the plans for the hotel, but he knows nothing will happen in the next month or two.  A sign at the hotel suggests the property could be used for a car dealership, farm equipment dealership or convenience store, so the odds of being able to use Bluffs Inn during future Nordic Fests don't seem good, either.

We'll pass along any future update on the status of the hotel, but for now the message is simple: Tell your relatives to make other plans."