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.

Comments

[M. Robinson]

Is it possible to have a subscription sent to my home. I'm thinking of relocating and would like to get as much info as possible. This is a big step moving to another state for me.

If you do not have subscription, can you recommend other resources.

Thank you,

[J. K. Seevers]

I am so intrigued with Idlewild that my husband and I are seriously considering buying a cottage there. Keep up the vigil. Hope to see you soon!

[John O. Meeks]

Please send any pictures or information on Idlewild
Thanks

[Carol Standifer]

Gosh, Idlewild Michigan. I remember spending my summers there and anxiously waiting to see the yellow blinking light to let you know that you were now entering Idlewild. We spent hours with relatives and friends hanging out at the skating rink or trying to sneak a peak into the nightclub to see the entertainers like Della Reese who were apart of that "Chittlin circuit".
Good times were had by all.

[Rev. John L. Randolph, Sr.]

I first heard about Idlewild from a news paper article that appeared in the Flint Journal July 8th or 9th. And it did not mean anything to me at the time for I had only been a resident of Michigan for a few years. Though after reading the article I became interested. On a trip to visit a son that was incarcerated at the time along with my daughter, on the way back home to Saginaw, I made a special stop in Idlewild to see what it was about. We only toured along the roads and I was captivated about all the land that belonged to black people. Though many of the properties were in a state of disrepair it was still a place of interest for me. And I wondered how would I go about purchasing a peice of property. That was back in 97 and since then I have toured Idlewild three times and on my third visit on August 22nd 2006. I met a gentilmen that runs the party store. And we talked for a while about Idlewild and he told me some of which I'd known, the rich heritage of Idlewild. And after much conversation I mentioned that I wanted to come and spend a little time there, a week end or so. And naturally me being a minister wanted to know about a baptist church there and come to find out He was the deacon of said church. We continued chatting and exchanged informaiton I told him I would definately be back for a visit.
Since then I have contacted my family concerning making a pilgrimage to this place that is, I believe growing again. Since that time I have found much that is pleasing about Idlewild. It is a community that is concerned about keeping money in Idlewild and that's good. For they have properties for rental to keep tourist and visitors dollars in Idlewild. And as I visit relatives and friends will tell about the splendorious atmosphere and history in "Our Town Idlewild"

[Sharon Moore]

I remember coming to Idlewild for summer vactions with my grandparents Clifford and Gladys Moore. Lately, I am excited about the resurgence of interest in lake property and the business opportunities that follow the permenant residents. I look forward to joining the Idlewild community as a permenant resident in the next couple of years. I want to take my place in the history of this black eden up north.

[Donald Saddler]

I stayed in Idlewild for three years and went to school at Balwin high I remember the long nights on the beach with Ms. and Mr. poak the owners of the skiting ring we use to sell her fish just to skit, the good old days. I always try to find some of my friends there. Like the Thomas's the bank. It would be nice to find some them if any one can tell me how I canfind them I plan to visit this summer.

[Ms. A.T. Shoff]

I have found this web site and am very delighted. I grew up in Benton Harbor and St. Joseph Michigan in the 1950's.