Tuesday, December 23, 2008 1:12 pm

Dr. Joanne Bolli and her daughter, Emily, are celebrating their first Christmas as owners, residents and proprietors of the Shepherd Inn, Clinton's only bed and breakfast.

The large brick home which has guest bedrooms, a communal dining room and a wing reserved for the family,  once housed one of Clinton's three colleges, Marvin College. West Kentucky favorite son and vice president to Harry Truman, Alben Barkley attended Marvin College at one time. 

Dr. Bolli, a physician at Purchase Medical Center in Fulton, brought her love of cooking and entertaining to Clinton when she bought the Inn last summer. Her collection of German nutcrackers are right at home with the antique furniture. 

Local inns and B & B's are essential in small towns that have no motel chains.