GFS Holiday House Opening at Pine Lake - 1895
The Michigan Churchman - November 1920
The building is situated on the east shore of Pine Lake on a commanding bluff that affords a magnificent view of the water and the surrounding country. The west door opens upon to a beautiful lawn where carefully pruned and tended apple trees tempt later Adams to partake. And we may say, at en passant, that the clerical Adams LOW under consideration seemed quite ready to fall. Pine and other trees grow in luxury down the sides of the bank to the water’s edge, and a neat boathouse with full equipment suggests aquatics and the pursuit of the gallant bass and his associate tribesmen. On entering the house, a large and handsome room with a splendid stone fireplace, fine piano, and numberless really comfortable chairs strikes at once a note of cordial welcome. In all our travels we have seldom seen a room that so perfectly meets the ideal of a summer home.
A shut in telephone affords communication with the outside world and a (too small) colIection of books makes provision for rainy days or physically whary minds. We fed sure that when our readers note the words in parentheses in a preceding paragraph they will promptly go through their libraries for books to send to the Holiday House. And the writer from experience in such appeals during the war, relates this incident as a kindly warning. The Dean of one of our CathedraIs appealed from his chance for books and magazines for the soldiers’ training camps. The response was prompt and generous. Put among the contributions was a whole year’s supply of “The Undertaker’s Journal” which is not precisely what the Holiday House needs, but interested and live folks that those who have read them are rather desirous of keeping themselves, in good condition and worth the reading. On one side of the sitting. room is the spacious and attractive dining room and on the other the beautiful little chapel. Simple in its furnishings but thoroughly churchly in every respect. We are rather inclined to the opinion that the people of the diocese of Michigan do not sufficiently appreciate the splendid work being done by the G. F. S. at Pine Lake, possibly the most practical exemplication of
social service on the part of the Church in the diocese if not in the state. Here from forty to sixty girls at a time find rest and recreation under the best possible auspice throughout the summer; none can tell how many bodies (and souls) have heen helped (in some cases) by its ministrations. It is the most Catholic of institutions. inasmuch as although special rates are made to members of the G. F. S. girls and women of all denominatons are welcomed when space permits. For 11 girls whose word can be implicitly trusted and who have benefited by its privileges, the
writer learns that the environment is uniformly congenial and pleasant; the rules being of the common sense order and stringent only where the well being of the little community as a whole is concerred. It is to be hoped that each ensuing year will show a widening use of the enterprise, and intensified interest on the part of the church people of Michigan as a whole.
Adjacent to the Holiday House is “Aunt Mary’s Rest Cottage,” a similar enterprise. This building was the gift of Mrs. R. Adlington Newman and took care of the overflow during the Institute. For the benefit of tired and convalescent girls and women, this Cottage will be kept open until Thanksgiving Day if applications for accommodation so warrant. Little smaller than the main building it is in all respects equally attractive and complete.
Only a few minutes were needed for the clerics to shake down into their places; thanks to the intensive interest shown by bliss Richardson and Mr. Torrance. Everything was in readiness and the opening scenes of a fraternal ship that grew with the passing hours were speedily thrown upon the screen of the Institute. Men who have had practically no opportunity to “get acquainted” were rapidly discovering that their brother parson at some other Michigan point was fully as human as themselves, and exchange willing experiences and making and receiving suggestions. Bishops in esse and posse were being revealed as still remembering their priestly days, and discussing matters of common interest. not ex cathedra. but ex scamno (or even ex viridario). And “o’er the charming scene. Eve breathed her gentle calm.”
The Record, Volume 3 - 1895
G.F.S. - Opening at Pine Lake Pine Lake - A large company of visitors attended the opening and house warming of the Girls’ Friendly Society’s Pine Lake “Holiday House,” at Howard Park, this place, on June 22nd, by invitation of Miss Francis W. Sibley, President. The “Holiday House,”
which will provide needed rest and recreation for many a hard working young woman, who would otherwise be deprived of it, owes its equipment to the energetic efforts of Miss Sibley and her Associates, who have personally socilicted contributions of the many household articles needed to make it comfortable. The house was formally opened with a short service of prayer, conducted by the Chapln of the Society, the Rev. Dr.
William Prall, after which tea was served, and an enjoyable social gathering followed.
F.W. Sibley President G.F.S. in Michigan November, 1907
The Girls’ Friendly Society of Michigan has at present a total membership of about 1,200 - an increase of about 200 over last year. It is represented in 22 parished in Detroit and 9 in other places. Throughout the year educational classes, social gatherings and lectures have been provided for its members who in their turn have contributed to parochial objects $750.38; to philanthropic objects $93.35; and to missions $169.73, a total of $1,013.46. Besides this, three barrels of clothing were sent to the mountain whites in Kentucky, valued at $150, and a
good deal of work was done by the members in Sunday schools, choirs and altar societies. The Society is supporting and educating
three little girls who, but for its care, would be growing up under demoralizing influences. The Holiday House at Pine Lake had a most successful season and was open for 12 weeks, giving recreation and rest to over 300 persons. A memorial gift of $1,000 from one of the associates of this Society, Mrs. R. A. Newman, is designed to put in order and equip a farm house on the Holiday House property as a rest home for delicate girls.
It is the desire and aim of the Diocesan Council to establish a branch of the Society in every parish in the diocese, and to this end the officers will be glad to assist, by correspondence or personal visit, any who are interested in the extention of the work.