Idlewild Community Newsletter

Something to Add to Your Collection

Idlewild, MI Gas Station & Post Office RPPC

Just something I found on EBay. Check it out for yourself. Anyone recognize this building?

What a wonderful photo...

Kufta Collection: Bathing Beach, Black Resort at Idlewild, Michigan, c 1940 (neg. C-3713)
Click to enlarge

While googling the word, "Idlewild, Michigan" I found a 1940's photo of a beach full of brothers and sisters having a great time. Does know this beach? Or the photographer? Is that a brother in a letterman's sweater on the beach - what was he thinking???

The site that host the photo states that the image is part of the Kufta Collection. Any info and thought, click the "Comments" link below and have at it.

See http://www.michigan.gov/hal/0,1607,7-160-17449---,00.html for more info

Thx,

James

Young Couple Finds Bliss in Idlewild

While surfing the net late one night I happened upon a post from the Carethers family about their plan to visit Idlewild. I then noticed that not only had they posted a pre-trip message but they also post-trip a message as well! The review was extremely positive, filled with hope and determination to become a part of the revitlization of Idlewild. So, I sent them an email and wham, bam, thank you mam they kindly email ed back a set of lake view photos. Since they were kind enough to share I decided to ask if could share them will our readers. Click of the photos to enlarge the image.

Pre-visit Post
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My grandfather spoke of Idlewild many times. He had such wonderful memories. My grandfather purchased a cottage is Shrewsbury Canada, and I spent my summers there. I want to recreate those memories with my children. My grandfather, husband, children, and I will be visiting Idlewild next week. We are going to look at property. See you soon.

Post-visit Post
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Idlewild is a hidden treasure. The cluster of lakes is one of the most beautiful I've ever seen. My grandfather really enjoyed our visit. It brought back wonderful memories for him. My husband and children also enjoyed the trip. We hope to purchase property and build a home there.

Check out the guest book at www.iaacc.com to view other post.

Enjoy...

Historical Images of Battle Creek, MI

I knew that Idlewild was once very popular, but I had no idea that during the early 1900s making a trip to Idlewild was a "photo worthy" event. While scanning the Internet I found a collection of photo from the 20's and 30's. Enjoy...

Idlewild Club (1925): Front Row: Jenny Grayson, Fannie Marshall, Mrs. Haley. Back Row: Chloe Bradley, Mrs. Patterson, Anna Benjamin, Ida Gaines, Mrs. Peterson, Mrs. Gregory, Irene Orton, Anna Burns

Trip to Idlewild

for more info see: Willard Library, of Battle Creek - http://www2.willard.lib.mi.us/cgi-bin/htsearch

Former Detroit Judge Marylin E. Atkins featured in Detroit News Story

Cottage owners eager for summer
As weather perks up, so do thoughts of quiet days Up North
By Michael H. Hodges / The Detroit New

Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like the second home. And few of life’s rituals are as sunny for thousands of Metro Detroiters as opening up the cottage after a hard winter. Long before the Friday night traffic stream snarls northbound Interstate 75, they start anticipating that first trip Up North.

Read the entire Story

If you are looking for property in Idlewild...

I recieved an email last week from Terrance Herd, apparently a real estate agent that is not only an Idlewild business person, but a long time resident. His site has a strong listing of property and is surely worth a browse.


Email from Mr. Herd:

On May 5, 2004, at 2:11 PM, Terrance Herd wrote:

Mr. Haris:
Things are progressing nicely in the Idlewild area. If you would like to take a look at current listings and last years sold properties, please visit our site at http://www.century21forward.com.

Thanks.

I need another African American retreat community newsletter!

I need another African American retreat community newsletter! After touring the website of the Idlewild Lot Owners Association www.iaacc.com I felt a need to place a call to the 81 year old man that is leading the charge to restore the 2,700 acre retreat community. I found myself feeling LAZY after comparing my efforts at Sassafras, developing my 6 home - 5 acre development, to the idea that this man has not only restored a number of homes within Idlewild, but he has also restored a Hotel! At 81 years young! Again, the"James you are LAZY" thought crossed my mind!

Wait, is he crazy? Eighty One years old? After 31 years in the Dry cleaning business, he sold it all, moved to Idlewild with a vision of restoring the once booming town?  Well, after a few more minutes on the phone Mr. John Meeks I found myself being drafted into the Idlewild evangelism team. Wait, I don't have property in Idlewild; I'm not sure that I have spent more than a few hour in Michigan.... John wouldn't hear of it.

So I'm now official and my contribution is this weblog.

Thanks John for having a vision, keeping the faith and hope to see you at the Idlewild Jazz Festival July 10th.